by Alex Steele
Talos nodded. “It is, though I travel often.”
She dug through the pockets of a jacket hanging on a hook. “Doing what?”
“Whatever I need to.” Talos sat down on the couch and folded his hands in his lap. “The Mage’s Guild is busy hunting us down, and we’re busy helping everyone they trample in the process.”
Swift stopped her snooping for a moment and crossed her arms. “Hating the Mage’s Guild isn’t going to make me trust you more. What are you after?”
Talos pursed his lips thoughtfully. “I cannot tell you everything tonight, but I can tell you this, we are after the same thing: freedom. From the Mage’s Guild, from tyranny, and from...destiny.”
He let the words settle between us. I was almost sure he was talking about Fate, but I wasn’t going to acknowledge that just yet. Everything that had happened tonight felt similar to the sacrifice the warlock had taken. If this group was fighting Fate somehow and if they were the people Chief Bradley had referenced, we might end up allies, but the end doesn’t always justify the means. I wanted to win, but I wasn’t willing to hurt innocent people to do it.
I had no idea what the Awakened were willing to do for their cause. And I didn’t believe for a second they were only after freedom. No one was that pure, not even me. I was in this as much for revenge as for the ideals of freedom and justice.
“If you can’t tell us everything tonight, why the invitation?” I asked.
“Tonight is an introduction. It’s impossible to trust shadows and rumors, but now you have a face and a name, and more questions I’m sure.” He pulled off the hooded cape and draped it over the back of the couch, as if to signal that he was putting aside all the mystery. “I needed to look you both in the eye and judge your intentions for myself as well. Just because you appear opposed to the Mage’s Guild doesn’t mean you are. Anyone can lie.”
“You implied you knew that we could shield ourselves from whatever that spell was,” I said, crossing my arms. “What made you assume that?”
Talos smiled and nodded, as if expecting that question. He didn’t answer immediately though. Instead, he opened a slim laptop on the coffee table and turned the screen toward us. A video was up on the screen showing what appeared to be a deserted warehouse. The recording was still for a few seconds, then the warehouse exploded.
A black sphere shot out of the warehouse along with other debris, and it clicked. That was me and Swift. The warehouse was the one I inadvertently destroyed when fighting that shadow mage.
The video continued, showing footage of our fight against the warlock, and then, the fight in Moira. The last part was shaky, as if filmed by someone running. They’d only gotten a glimpse of me using my mayhem magic, but it was enough to see that it was strange and powerful.
He tapped a key to pause it. “We have been watching and waiting for the right time to act. The Mage’s Guild put an end to that waiting when they killed peaceful protestors. They’ll be taking more power soon. All with the excuse that the world is under threat.”
“Perhaps the world is under threat,” Swift said quietly. Her eyes were glued to the video still paused on the laptop.
“Oh, of course it is. But it is under threat from them. They brought this calamity on Moira, and the war will not end there.”
Swift’s gaze moved to his face. “What war?”
Talos smiled. “You know what war. We don’t need to hold pretense among peers. All three of us are aware of the gods. All three of us are soldiers. The only question is, who do you serve?”
“No one,” I said sharply. “I serve myself. No self-proclaimed god gets to claim my life or my fealty.”
“And you?” Talos asked, looking past me at Swift.
“Same as Blackwell, I’m not bowing to anyone. I don’t trust them.”
Talos nodded, looking thoughtful. “I can respect that choice, and I hope you can respect mine.”
“Who do you serve?” Swift asked, walking up to stand shoulder to shoulder with me.
“Someone not quite a god, perhaps, but powerful all the same. When he deems you trustworthy, I will share everything I know, but until then, all I can do to assure you is tell you that it is not Fate.”
I held his gaze without reacting. “Why would that reassure me?”
“Because Fate has started this war, and Fate controls the Mage’s Guild.”
Swift didn’t look pleased by his announcement. I wasn’t thrilled either, though I’d begun to suspect it. Someone or something had given the Mage’s Guild Pandora’s Box. That wasn’t the kind of thing that just got lost and ended up in mortal hands.
“All of this, the invitation, the talk about the gods, isn’t just because you wanted us to join your little cult.” Swift lifted her chin and stared him down. “You want something. What is it?”
Talos leaned toward us. “The former Chief Bradley has been taken to Purgatory, which is a death sentence. You want him out, and we can help you.”
I stiffened. “You can help us break into a prison no one can even locate?”
“We’ve located it.” Talos held my gaze with unwavering confidence. He meant it.
There was a single knock, then the door opened. The guard stuck his head in. “Prépei na fýgoume.”
He’d spoken Greek again. I’d need to brush up on it before we had any more dealings with the Awakened. I wasn’t sure that they were specifically trying to hide what they were saying from us, or if it was just part of their...religion.
“Dýo leptá,” Talos replied before turning to us and smiling pleasantly. “If you’ll excuse me, some urgent business calls me away. You are welcome to stay and enjoy the club. All of your drinks will be on the house tonight.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to linger here any longer than necessary, but this would give us the chance to ask around about Talos and the Awakened. That was hard to pass up.
“When can we meet again?” Swift asked.
Talos pulled his hooded cloak back on. “I will be in touch. Have a good evening.”
He followed his guard out. For a moment, I thought he was leaving us alone in his apartment, but another man appeared in the doorway.
“Please follow me and I will escort you to the VIP area of the club.”
I nodded and headed after him. As we walked down the stairs, I realized that the music had started again. It pounded through the walls with an earnest beat. The man opened the door for us and the heat of the club washed over me once again. All the people that had been laying on the floor were back on their feet. They danced with gleeful abandon as if what had happened to them was normal, or even exciting.
We were led upstairs to a balcony that overlooked the dancers and the DJ. A couch was tucked into the corner with a table set in front of it. A spread of food and drinks were waiting for us.
“A waitress will be by soon to see if you need anything else.” The man gave a short nod, then left us alone.
I leaned against the balcony and waited until he was out of earshot. “Well, this has been odd. Any idea what that guy said to Talos?”
“Something along the lines of ‘we have to go’,’ Swift said, glancing back over her shoulder suspiciously. “I’m not great with the conversational stuff.”
“Do you want to stay and try to talk to anyone?”
Swift sat down heavily on the couch and grabbed the bottle of champagne. “I don’t think it’ll do much good, but I think if we leave too soon it’ll be suspicious.”
“Might as well make the best of it then.” I grabbed a champagne flute and held it out with a grin.
Twenty-One
I rolled over with a groan and pulled the pillow over my head. There was too much sunlight. It tasted like something had died in my mouth last night and my head pounded with every heartbeat. After a moment, I realized someone was also pounding on my bedroom door.
“Blackwell! Wake up! I told Sakura we’d be at her house in just two hours.”
I pulled the pillow aside and glare
d at the door. “You’re too loud.”
The door swung open and Swift marched in. She stopped when she saw my expression. “Are you hungover?”
“Shut up.” I dropped my head back into the pillow to block out the light.
“If you tell Sakura you were late because you drank too much champagne, she’ll never let you live it down.”
I peeked an eye open at her. “You’re evil.”
She grinned in victory. “And you’re an idiot for drinking so much of that nasty stuff. Also, take a shower. You stink.”
With as much grumbling as I could manage, I made my way into the attached bathroom and got in the shower. Swift apparently took this as an invitation to stand by the bathroom door and hold a conversation.
“Viktor updated Lopez last night. He managed to get an introduction to the Awakened last night through a friend.”
I dunked my head under the spray and tried to think. “That’s good. Hopefully he can help us sort out what they’re after.”
Fifteen minutes later I was freshly showered, dressed, and still completely hungover. Swift shoved a cup of what smelled like black coffee in my hands and dragged me out the front door.
“This is coffee.”
“Yes. You need it.”
I took a sip and grimaced. “It’s disgusting and bitter.”
“Just like you.” She dangled keys in front of my face. “Think you can handle driving? Or will you relinquish the keys for once?”
I glared at her, glared at the sunlight making my eyes ache, and glared at the keys. “If you gloat, I will stab you.”
She grinned at me triumphantly and pranced to the driver’s side door. “Let’s go.”
Muttering threats, I followed and climbed into the passenger seat feeling mutinous. I should have just driven. My mistake was confirmed when she floored it, slamming me back into my seat. Coffee sloshed perilously close to the lip of the cup.
“Are you trying to kill me?”
“No, just getting my revenge.” She took the turn out of the driveway recklessly fast.
I had to chug half the coffee just to make it safe for the journey. It burned all the way down my throat, but at least I barely tasted it.
“There’s something that’s been bothering me.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
Her fingers tapped restlessly against the steering wheel. “Fate hasn’t shown up since the attack. I kind of expected another visit.”
“Fate only shows up when he wants something. I did what he asked and defeated Fear. Maybe he’s done with us.” I took another sip of the coffee. My taste buds had been seared off which greatly improved the taste of the foul liquid.
She sighed. “You don’t really believe that.”
“No, I don’t. I just wish it were true.” I dragged a hand through my still damp hair. “We should talk to Sakura and Hiko about it today. They knew who the gods were. Maybe they’ll have some idea about what Fate might do next. I don’t like sitting around waiting for him to show up either. It feels like an axe hanging over our heads.”
“Quite literally for me,” she said quietly.
“I’m not going to let you die.”
“You will if you need to. I don’t like the idea any more than you do, but you know you can’t save me at the expense of thousands of other lives.” She said it resolutely, as if it were undeniably true.
“We’ll see.” I had no intention of arguing the point with her, but I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to sacrifice her if it came down to it. Fate had shown me those visions, but that didn’t make them true. It was all a manipulation, and I refused to be controlled by some self-proclaimed god, or anyone else.
Twenty-Two
The door swung inward silently. Sakura stood before us, arms crossed, disappointment tugging down her mouth. “You’re late.”
I scratched the back of my head, trying to come up with a lie on the spot. I was too hungover to be prepared for questioning. “We got hung up with some...serious business.”
“Tch,” she scoffed, shaking her head sharply. “You owe me one-hundred pushups for lying. Now get inside. Breakfast is getting cold while I wait on you two.”
My headache had eased, but I still felt queasy and tired. Breakfast didn’t sound all that good right now. I’d have no choice but to eat though. Sakura would kill me if I turned my nose up at her food, no matter the reason.
Swift hurried ahead of me, casting a smug look over her shoulder. Being the mature person I am, I responded by sticking out my tongue.
Sakura’s hand on my shoulder stopped me. She leaned in, inspecting my face intently. I leaned back, trying to avoid close inspection, but she wasn’t having it.
“You’re hungover.”
I didn’t like where this was going. “Maybe.”
“I’ll get something to fix it.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. “No, you don’t have to—”
She waved away my objection. “You’ll be useless until you are better, and we have too much to do today to waste time letting you nurse this hangover. No arguments. Now, get to breakfast.”
She shooed me down the hall, then disappeared to get her infamous hangover cure. I’d only suffered through it once before, but that was enough. I never wanted to taste that foul concoction again. It was inhumane.
I grumbled all the way to the dining room. Breakfast was waiting, as promised, but my stomach turned just smelling it.
“Aha, I know that look,” Master Hiko said with a smug grin. “Did your partner drink you under the table again?”
“She poisoned me,” I muttered as I sat down across from her at the small table.
Swift snorted. “No one made you drink that eighth glass of champagne.”
Master Hiko shook his head. “That is why sake is better.”
A white cup appeared in front of me with a soft thunk and Sakura took her seat at the end of the table. I stared at it with displeasure.
She gave me a severe look. “Drink up.”
The Japanese have many hangover cures, but Sakura didn’t use just one. She put all of them together. Umeboshi — sour pickled plums, spicy ramen broth, turmeric, miso paste, mashed persimmon, and hot green tea. The combination was nauseating. Worst of all was her secret ingredient. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it added a hint of dirty socks to the whole thing.
I looked down into the murky, viscous mixture in the cup. Steam rose from the surface, carrying a pungent scent with it. I pinched my nose and chugged it. The spices burned my already injured tongue — I’d probably never taste anything right again — and the sour kick from the umeboshi almost made me gag.
By sheer willpower I choked it down.
Slamming the empty cup on the table, I gasped for air. The taste clung to the back of my throat. I could smell it on my own breath. “I’m getting you back for this, Swift.”
She shoved a bite of rice in her mouth and winked at me.
“You whine too much,” Sakura said with a deep sigh. “Now, what brings you here today? More training?”
I’d gone over a few different ways to broach this subject, but decided there was no point in being anything but blunt. “Sort of. My magic spoke to me.”
She froze, her chopsticks hovering over a piece of fish. “That is not possible. Magic is not sentient.”
“The mayhem magic is.”
Her eyes flicked to Hiko, who looked equally disturbed. She set down her chopsticks and settled her hands in her lap, eyes distant as she thought through my claim.
“What did your magic say?” she asked finally.
“Nothing important really. It mostly just...makes fun of me. It helped during the fight in Moira. It acted on its own to help me fight.”
Sakura’s eyes glazed over and she slumped forward, absently catching herself with both hands.
“Master Hiko?” Swift asked in alarm.
He was slumped over as well, swaying back and forth as if hypnotized.
I snapped my fing
ers in front of Sakura’s face and she didn’t even blink. “What the hell happened to them?”
“I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like this.” Swift leaned forward and poked Hiko in the shoulder. Nothing happened. She shook him a little harder, still nothing.
I pushed up to my feet and looked around the room, searching for any sign that someone else was here. “I didn’t sense any magic. You?”
“Nope. Nada.”
Sakura and Hiko stiffened. A glow started at their temples, blooming out until it dissipated in a sparkle of light. Sakura’s hands curled into fists as the glazed over look in her eyes vanished.
“I’m going to kill that kitsune,” Sakura snarled, face contorted in anger. She stood abruptly and stomped out of the room.
I shook myself out of the shock and turned to Hiko. “What just happened?”
He didn’t look any happier than Sakura. “That’s what we get for relaxing around a trickster.”
“You mean Yui? What did she do?”
Sakura burst back into the room and slammed a small, wooden chest decorated with gold lacquer onto the breakfast table, rattling the dishes. She traced a rune onto the lid with short, angry motions, muttering under her breath in Japanese the whole time. I’d never seen her this out of sorts before.
“What’s going on?” Swift asked, eyeing them both warily.
Sakura flipped open the lid to the chest. “That kitsune tricked us. She told us something then used her magic to block the memories of it. Your comment about your magic triggered the spell to end.”
“She can do that?” I asked, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. “Is there a way to check for it?”
Sakura waved a hand at me impatiently. “I doubt she did it to you, but we can check later. What’s important is that she left something for you. She said there was something in it you needed, but that no one but you should attempt to get it.” She stepped back and waved me toward the chest.
I approached cautiously. I didn’t think Yui would do anything to hurt me or my friends, but I never would have guessed she’d meddle with Sakura and Hiko’s memories either. I’d had no idea she was even capable of doing that.