Wizard Hall Chronicles Box Set

by Sheryl Steines

  Levi glanced at John. “You’re my lawyer. You’re supposed to be here for me,” Levi said.

  “Actually, I am part of the criminal defense legal team that will represent you.” Janie said. She was the on-call lawyer for the day, and while she was well familiar with the case through Annie, her involvement would be limited to taking Levi’s statement and magic signature to return to the criminal defense team. There was just too much of a conflict for her to do any more than that.

  “I don’t want you. I want him!” Levi continued to pull against John’s grip.

  Janie touched Levi’s wrist without anger or judgement. He glanced at her.

  “Cast a spell into this crystal, now,” she said. “They have a lot of evidence against you, so I suggest you start cooperating or nothing the team does will make a difference.”

  Janie held the crystal for him. Reluctantly, Levi shot a spell into the rock. When it glowed, Janie tossed it to Shiff while Brite and John retied Levi’s hands behind his back.

  “I need the report ASAP,” Janie said.

  Shiff saluted her and ran the magical trace to the prison lab. Levi watched Shiff leave and glanced at both lawyers. Though it was cool in the cell, he began to sweat and shake as he shifted his weight between his feet.

  “What can you tell us about the Fraternitatem of Solomon?” Janie asked, turning on her recording device and pulling out pencil and paper to take notes.

  Levi sat on the cot and slumped. “I work for the Fraternitatem of Solomon. We are an ancient organization that protects the treasure of King Solomon. We seek out items that are stolen from the treasure or haven’t been discovered yet. Our mission is to protect the world from magicals who attempt to use those items for their own purposes.”

  Brite read the recent lab results on his phone; only two fingerprints were found on the prescription bottles. He glanced up at Levi. “Did you administer the drugs to your wife, Emily King-Solomon, and son, Shiloh King-Solomon?” he asked.

  “Yes. She gets confused and forgets them. I help her.” He looked at the lawyers. “I love my wife.”

  Brite knew what the drugs were used for, how the Fraternitatem of Solomon had used them to control Emily. He heard the chill in Levi’s voice as he proclaimed his love for Emily. Brite could feel his lies and shuddered.

  “So, Melichi isn’t coming to kill Annie Pearce, your wife’s daughter from her first marriage? They’re not going to take her power and control the market?” Brite retorted. John and Janie were surprised by his question, and Janie continued to write.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Levi said. “That’s not the Fraternitatem’s mission.”

  “So you, Emily, and Shiloh aren’t here to spy on Annie Pearce and gain her trust?”

  Levi looked down on the floor and took several deep breaths as if clearing out his emotions.

  “When and where are they going to take Annie?” Brite asked.

  Levi looked up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice was calm, but his muscles tensed.

  Brite dragged the metal chair across the stone floor and sat across from Levi. “I happen to know a few things. First, I know that you are David Stein, Levi Worchester, Benjamin Baker, and a host of other aliases. Any idea what they will do to you when this is over?”

  Levi burst out in laughter. “I’m a powerful member of the Fraternitatem. They won’t do anything to me.”

  “What about Emily and Shiloh? You really don’t think the Fraternitatem will keep them alive, do you?” Shiff said, matching his glare.

  Levi didn’t answer. He crossed his legs and stared at Brite, looking unconcerned. His demeanor irritated Brite; there was nothing he could do to Levi without it causing problems for the Wizard Guard’s case. He balled his hands into tight fists.

  “They must have offered you quite a lot to marry someone you didn’t love. And all for what?” Brite asked as he marched away.

  *

  When the door at the end of the cell block slammed shut, Janie looked at Levi.

  “You’re supposed to protect my interests,” Levi growled at her.

  Always professional, Janie occupied the seat left by Brite and stared at Levi.

  “This is the deal,” she began. “The Fraternitatem made a magical agreement with the Wizard Guard. They are required to stay out of the United States. You admitted you work for the Fraternitatem of Solomon. That breaks a magically binding agreement.”

  Levi glared at her. “I don’t want a woman lawyer,” he groused.

  “And I will write that in my notes on this interrogation. Unfortunately, we have no way of defending you against that agreement,” Janie advised. She looked up at the sound of footsteps in the hallway. A moment later, Shiff walked in with a folder, which he handed to Janie. She took a quick read of the lab results and passed them to John.

  “It looks like they can place you in Wolfgange Rathbone’s cell the night he died,” she told Levi. “That leaves you two options. One, you plead guilty to all of the charges and remain in Tartarus prison for the rest of your life, and you will tell us everything you know about the Fraternitatem. Two, the Wizard Guard will give the nonmagical FBI all of the evidence that you killed Rathbone, your powers will be bound, and you will go to a nonmagical prison.”

  “That’s not fair!” Levi shouted.

  “It’s not fair that my mother-in-law was kidnapped twenty years ago and brought back here to kill her daughter. It’s not fair that Emily’s been drugged for years and it’s not fair that my sister-in-law is on the block to be murdered. All in all, your little predicament is on you. I’m only here to rattle your cage. But Janie and the team will defend you in a joint magical tribunal between the U.S. Wizard Council and the International Wizard Tribunal. Either way, they’ve got you. You’re screwed.” John glared at him as he turned and left Levi to stew in the evidence against him.

  Chapter 21

  “Hi, Beverly.” Cham cast his spell into the security lock at Tartarus and was buzzed through. “How are Arden and Ariana doing?” He pointed toward their makeshift apartment.

  “The best they can under the circumstances. Trying to keep them comfortable, you know. There are chairs in the courtyard. It’s not much.” She smiled.

  Cham laughed. “Thanks for keeping them safe. I appreciate the efforts.” He pushed through the gate.

  “Just to let you know, when Graham went to get their things, the house was torn apart,” Beverly said.

  “Thanks. We’ll take care of it.” Cham nodded and walked the short distance to the apartment. Rather than rushing inside, he observed them through the side window. Ariana was watching something on the television that appeared to be a documentary. She was curled inside a heavy blanket; the prison wasn’t known for its warmth. He found Arden at a table, surrounded by books, maps, and scrolls. She was writing copious notes in one of the books and looked up with a smile when Cham entered.

  “Your man, Graham, is very sweet. He brought my things from home,” Arden said. She returned to her notes.

  Cham sat at the table with her. “How are you feeling?”

  “She’s been great without all the drugs,” Ariana said. She joined them at the table, still wearing the blanket.

  “Is that true?” Cham asked.

  “Yes. I feel alive and well. I have you to thank for that.” Arden Blakely offered a genuine smile and took his hand. “The good news: Graham found most of what I wanted from the apartment. There are maps, names, locations of safe houses, and locations of members in nonmagical locations across the world.”

  Cham glanced at the things she surrounded herself with. “Where did you keep all of this? The Fraternitatem went through your house after we left.”

  “Floorboards. Secret compartments in the walls. In the ceiling.”

  “You knew someone would need this someday,” Cham said.

  Arden, still holding Cham’s hand, squeezed it lightly. “Unfortunately, I know nothing of the plan for the black ma
rket or what they’re planning for Annie. You’re on your own there.” She smiled again, and stood and walked to the large suitcase on the counter. She dragged it to Cham and laid it on the table. He opened the lid.

  “There was a time when I was an important member of the Fraternitatem. I knew many people and many secrets. But I knew they were going to release me and I needed insurance.” Arden touched the pile in the suitcase.

  Cham pulled up the first notebook, perused a few pages, and placed it back inside.

  “Most of the data is older,” Arden continued. “I hope you can make use of it. They took almost forty years of my life and I’d really like to be free. I’m here for you and your team. Whatever you need.”

  Ariana reached for Arden’s hand and held it, all the while smiling lovingly at the woman she had regained.

  “We talked about it after you brought us here. I convinced Arden it was the only way to truly be free. No offense, but I don’t want to live in this prison forever.”

  Cham chuckled. “Fair enough. Anything I should know before I dig into this?”

  “They use black magic as if it’s nothing, but you probably know that already,” Arden said. “What you really need to know is there’s a back entrance to the Cave of Ages. It’s on one of the maps.” She shuffled several maps until she found the one she wanted. “Here. Right here. It leads through the mountain. There are rooms off of both sides of the passageways.”

  “This is amazing. This could mean the difference of losing and winning.” He glanced at her. “Even if it’s older, this will help us trace crimes back years. At least forty years. Thank you.” He closed up the suitcase. “Is there anything else you know or is there anything else I can get for you?”

  “I knew Emily well. Her purpose in the Fraternitatem was to get to her daughter. I know she was brainwashed like me. We all were. It’s how they controlled us. Is her son here? I worry about the boy. He was brainwashed, I’m sure.”

  “He and Emily are here in the prison. They’re in another apartment on the other side of this floor. Did you know Levi?”

  Arden grimaced. “I did. I don’t like him. I think he was hurting them. I never understood why she took up with him. He was mean. Emily’s safe?”

  “Yeah. She’s safe and we’re weaning her off of the drugs.”

  “Good. She was sweet. Having the baby was helpful for her emotional well-being. It gave her purpose after losing her girls.” Arden continued to write in the notebook.

  “What are you writing?” Cham asked.

  “Names, dates, stories. I fear I killed a lot of people for them.” Arden sighed. “If you have questions about the Fraternitatem, let me know.”

  “Is there a council of higher-ups? Rulers or leaders?” Cham asked.

  Arden smiled and chuckled lightly. “There was Melichi. Benaiah until he died. Simon. Levi, until he was demoted. Mostly now it’s Melichi. At least the last time I was there. It’s been a while since I was part of the group. You understand that?”

  “Yes. I do. How old is this information?”

  “About ten years old. Just remember, though: once a Fraternitatem of Solomon member, always a member.”

  Cham understood that. It was the same in the Wizard Guard.

  *

  Annie landed on her back porch and entered her house through her hallway as the front door bell rang. The magical protection around the property was designed to protect her from evil magic of demons, wizards, and vampires. Over the last year, the spells had been attacked and upgraded, restricting additional people. Annie felt safe most of the time—except for now. It was nine in the evening and anyone she wanted in her house would have been able to pass through the spells. This surprise visitor alarmed her.

  She peered through the peephole. The woman she saw was short like her, with wavy gray hair, cut in a short bob. Her face was Annie’s, the same face as Emily and Samantha. The older woman stood beside a man in a black suit and tie, his hair combed in a straight, conservative style. He carried a briefcase.

  That can’t be!

  Annie placed a simple spell around the door jamb and turned on the porch light. She took a deep breath, nervous by this impending conversation with a woman she didn’t remember and couldn’t ever recall seeing in a photo. Curiously, she opened the door.

  “It’s awfully late for a marketing call,” Annie said with some levity.

  “I apologize for the lateness of my visit, but I fear if I didn’t come here straightaway, there would be dire consequences. May I ask if you’re Anne Elizabeth Pearce or Samantha Emily Pearce?” the woman asked.

  Annie couldn’t get over her grandmother standing on her front porch. “You’re Gloriana Worthington.”

  “You know who I am. I must admit I’m surprised, especially after the way your father treated me when my daughter died,” Gloriana spat.

  Annie held the edge of the door. She had never known why she and Samantha had no relationship with their grandparents, aunts, or uncles. It had never occurred to her to ask and Jason had never offered an explanation. Being harassed by this stranger who looked just like her made her protective of her father, regardless of how stupid his reasons might have been.

  “Ground rule: I don’t want to know nor do I care why Jason did what he did. You obviously have something to say to us, and I admit I’m confused why it took you eight years after he died to come and say it. But since you’re here, I’ll let you have your say and then I want you to leave,” Annie said.

  Rather than seeming offended by Annie’s words, Gloriana smiled. “You are feisty.”

  Annie moved aside and motioned the pair inside.

  Gloriana glanced around the small, cozy front room. She stopped at the few pictures on the fireplace mantle and looked at the picture of Annie, Cham, Dave, and Janie, then at the wedding picture of Samantha and John. The only family picture Annie had of her and her parents was from when she was three years old. Gloriana lovingly touched the frames and picked up the family picture. After wiping a small tear, she placed it back.

  “Based on the wedding picture that’s not you, I’m guessing you’re Anne,” she said.

  “Annie. Please have a seat.” Annie switched on a table lamp, uncertain how much her grandmother and this man knew of the magic.

  She scratched at her arm nervously as she sat on the ottoman across from them.

  “When your father died, I was advised to not try and win custody. Your magical lawyers told me I wouldn’t be able to handle the magical children and that Samantha was almost old enough to retain custody of you. I regret that I didn’t try to have a relationship, though.” Gloriana tightly clutched her small purse.

  Annie glanced at the man beside her grandmother and back to Gloriana. “You and your lawyer know of magic?”

  Gloriana nodded. “I always knew. Since your mother told me. I felt I needed to be truthful with him when he asked why I didn’t have custody of my granddaughters. Is that okay?”

  Annie shook her head. “Sorry, it’s really not. Though I expect that you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone,” she said to the lawyer.

  “I will not. It was explained to me that should I reveal this family secret; I will not have my career to look forward to anymore.” He pulled on his tie and avoided looking at his client.

  “I hope you can refrain from spilling the beans. In the meantime,” she said, turning back to Gloriana, “I’m sorry Dad kept you from us. I know he made lots of mistakes. I won’t apologize for him, but I don’t remember seeing any pictures of you and Mom. So I’m guessing there wasn’t a good relationship?”

  Gloriana nodded. “Most of the painful memories revolved around their relationship. But as you said, nothing about your father, so I’ll get to the point. I’ve been noticing several strange men and women walking past my house. I feel as though it could be explained by you.”

  She’s all business.

  “I’m surprised they were so obvious. But, yes. We are protecting you from magic. We fear you
might be in danger,” Annie said.

  “From what and why now?” Gloriana asked.

  Since both her grandmother and the lawyer were familiar with magic, Annie didn’t bother standing up and instead summoned her father’s missing file. She took out the first picture of Emily.

  “I found this three-months ago. My dad was killed because he found Emily alive.” Annie handed the picture to Gloriana. “The picture was taken almost nine years ago.”

  Gloriana’s hand flew to her heart. She let out a small chirp. “Oh my. She never died.” She shuddered, the picture slipping from her shaking hands.

  Annie reached out and held her grandmother’s hands. “We don’t know how it was done. How we had her body even though it really wasn’t her. She’s alive and she’s under protective custody now. We were afraid she would come after you or that the group who kidnapped her might.” Annie picked up the picture and put it away.

  “I… why?” Gloriana held her hands across her mouth as if she might be holding in vomit.

  “There’s a group of people, dangerous people, who kidnapped her. And while she was with them, they brainwashed her into believing I was evil and destructive and that I need to be stopped. They sent her to kill me.”

  Gloriana stopped quivering and burst out laughing. “That’s… that is the biggest bunch of bullshit I’ve ever heard.” She sat up straighter.

  “Sorry, but this group felt it would be easier to get to me if it they sent my mother. We still think Emily might come for you.” Annie ignored her grandmother’s disbelief.

  “You’re not joking,” Gloriana stated. Annie shook her head. “Well, still, how can this be? How can they just kidnap my daughter, keep her from her children, and use her to kill one of them? That’s… I knew this life was bad for her. I begged her not to marry Jason. When she told me he was a wizard, that magic was real, I thought he was going to be the death of her. I was nearly correct!”

  Gloriana stood and paced across the front room, turning at the dining area and walking to the den. Her high heels clicked against the wood floor. Annie glanced at the lawyer, who was still playing with his tie.