by T J Kelly
As I suspected, Oberon acted like nothing was amiss. He hated to acknowledge that he couldn't do a thing about what was happening to him. He always wanted to be in control, and he wasn't.
I could actually hear his teeth grinding as he walked past me. I carefully kept my eyes averted, pretending great interest in the progress my limo made as it pulled up to the curb near where I stood. One of the outriders with a Laurus badge held open the door.
"See you at the castle," I said to my uncle. He nodded in response, but kept his eyes on the backs of the Taines as they slowly made their way into the lobby. I doubted they could see the aura of magic coming from the tapestry in the entry - it was strong yet subtle. My ability to see traces when others could not was the only reason I could tell it was working. If any of them tried to turn and cast a spell at our backs, they would have found it ricocheting back on them.
I climbed into the limo. As it pulled away, I kept my eyes glued on the scene as long as possible. The air around my uncle rippled in response to his power, and almost as if he were saying a louder goodbye, thunder boomed right above Rector Enterprises.
Yeah. I thought Oberon was annoying, too.
◆◆◆
If Peter hadn't been waiting for me at the manor, I would have skipped the visit and gone straight back to the castle. The slimy nature of Oberon's magic always grossed me out and I wanted to take a shower.
I was so preoccupied with the sensation that I barely noticed when the transfer took place after we left Rector Enterprises property. I had changed the protection spells to ensure nobody could transport while on Rector land, the way my uncle had for his castle. It was like that at my manor house, too, so we were in the hills a short distance away from my manor when we popped back into reality.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked when the limo pulled up near the front door. He opened the door himself, the outriders parking in a sheltered area on the side of my house. "Where's Ged?"
"He stayed behind. He'll meet us at the castle. Oberon showed up again." Light flowed through the connection our hands made, washing away the sticky miasma of Oberon's magic. "It's so good to see you."
As I hoped, Peter leaned down and kissed me. I loved how it felt, but the extra boost of Light that always came with contact made it something else. It was more than special.
It was perfect.
"I'm glad he was with you," Peter murmured against my lips. It tickled. Then he pulled back, still holding my hand as we walked up to the house. "I know you can take care of yourself, but there's no telling what they're up to now that they're moving forward with their plans for total world domination. Backup is a good thing."
I laughed. It was a serious subject, but Peter had a way of keeping the mood light that kept me centered. Probably a habit he picked up when I had zero control over my emotions and descended into darkness every time something remotely bad happened. "I feel awful for leaving him to deal. Remind me to ask the cook for some extra cookies to bring him. He's more obsessed with shortbread than I am."
Peter held open the door, but I caught the look on his face. It looked like he had just swallowed a laugh. "Not possible," he said.
My elbow somehow managed to knock him in the belly. I laughed when he let out a little "oof" before tugging on a lock of my hair in retaliation.
"Welcome back," the foreman called. "We've placed the last sheet of crystal. I have a copy of the installation instructions here."
I looked through the small stack of papers he handed me. He had called to let me know there was a set of diagrams and I wanted to look them over.
"Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, these are Rector symbols. I'll do the final spells." Nobody else could. There was too much Dark in the spells for a light magician to handle. Not that the foreman could see that. The markings were done with an Eyes-only spell. "I really appreciate all of your hard work. It looks great."
"I've got good people working for me," he said. "If I understand the timing marks, those need to be cast at sunset."
"They do. Thanks for the heads up."
The three of us walked along the crystal wall, the blue of the Pacific on display in the distance, beyond the fields and pathways my mother designed when she first married my father.
"Your father was a genius," the foreman said. "The sheets look like one solid wall, but notice the fractals in the crystal aim in from opposing corners to the center. Except the direction isn't the center of the wall, it's the middle of this house." He ran his hands along the smooth surface. The nature of the spells already cast kept the crystals from picking up any smudge marks or fingerprints. It was a standard spell on all Rector crystals. A magician needed clarity to perform magic.
I wasn't sure why they were being focused indoors. Maybe to enhance our power while we were at home. I would study the diagrams later. "I hope I can do as well as he did," I murmured.
Donovan Rector was almost legendary for his ability to work crystal. I never had the chance to work with him as an apprentice, but I had his journals. And all his papers. Somewhere in there would be the answer to my questions. Someday I would honor my father by following in his footsteps.
Peter handed me a handkerchief. I hadn't even realized there were tears on my cheeks. "I noticed the corners are seamless," he said to the foreman to keep his attention off my damp cheeks. "If you don't mind, would you show me your technique? I'm an artist. I work with a lot of mediums and can think of a million applications for that skill."
He walked off with the foreman, the two of them talking shop, leaving me to recover myself. Being back at the manor was bringing up so many emotions. I missed my parents.
To divert that train of thought, I studied the crystal wall making up the entire western side of the house. My eyes went deeper than sight, following the lines and fractals, tracing their path. The focus wasn't actually the middle of the house. The two corners came in at an angle the way a triangle did, and the wall was the base. They pointed inward as if the triangle had fallen on the ground, with the point aiming right at the window above the front door which was also made of crystal. No, not at the window. Through it.
Walking to the front of the house, I opened the door to see where the triangle would end in a point. If my calculations were correct, it would land on the spot in the center of the drive, exactly where the mounting block for the astrolabe had been installed per my father's plans.
Interesting.
I made my way to the spot and turned back. The mounting block, the crystal sheet above the door, and the crystal making up the far wall all lined up perfectly. I glanced at the sky. It was not yet evening and the stars weren't out but I knew their position, like any good magician. It wasn't the right time, but when the autumn equinox came, the setting sun would also line up.
"What were you up to, father of mine?" I murmured. A gentle breeze played with the same lock of hair Peter had tugged earlier. A warmth came with it, a small trace of magic. My father, playing his role of guardian, acknowledging the direction of my thoughts. There was something important I needed to figure out.
I could hear the barest hint of voices coming from the rear of the house. Peter and the foreman, still deep in conversation. The sun was on the horizon. Evening was almost here.
My feet hurried back into the house, carrying me along without conscious thought. My mind was still wrapped up in fractals and angles and timing. There were spells to cast at the moment of sunset, when the balance in the world was just slightly more light than dark.
Rifling through the pages I had left on a side table, I pulled out the diagrams. There were three of them, marked on the page as a triangle. The two at the bottom were to be worked at the same time, then the one at the top.
I reached out and pulled the shadows into me, then the Light. I would need to use almost as much Dark in my spells. I closed my eyes, pulling in a deep breath and holding it. I counted the heartbeats sounding in my ears, echoing hollowly against the ocean sound of silence from the empty room. All of my magi
c, the Dark and the Light, bloodline connections to my ancestors pulled together. I was bigger than myself. I was a part of the universe. I had my place in it. I had a task.
With a heave, I cast the two spells at the crystal wall, an inaudible boom rocking my body as they successfully launched. Before the waves of invisible light died down, at the exact moment of sunset, I cast the final spell.
It filled the crystal sheets, fusing them together as if they were one. Then the magic spilled over, radiated out in two directions, one connecting to the Light from the fading sun and the other with the crystal sheet above the front door. Then with a burst of visible light, gold and blinding, the spell set itself deep, now a part of the crystal.
"Whew," Peter said. I didn't realized he had come indoors. "I think my hair is standing on end. Whatever you did, that was crazy powerful. How do you feel?"
He slipped his arms around me. Light flowed into me, refreshing me, giving me strength.
"Pretty good, actually." And I did. Ever since I embraced my heritage, truly connected to my magic, I felt right when I worked magic. No longer overwhelmed by a struggle to keep the dark half of myself from taking over.
"Good. Hungry?" he asked. And of course, I was. Working magic sure did burn the calories. That and all my combat practice kept me on the skinny side - and on my Aunt's radar.
"Yeah. I need to talk to Cook about that shortbread, anyway. Let's eat here."
We had a good time that evening, enjoying our meal. It wasn't until we were leaving that once again, everything changed.
"Great," Peter said we neared the front door. "Don't look now, but the mayor just arrived."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Eight...
Vir Fortis, or Strong Man, arrived in a carriage with ten guards and an assistant. He sent them off around the side of the house to hang out with members of my staff. Since he was the mayor of San Francisco, the small number in his entourage indicated he felt he was among friends and was offering a more intimate and casual encounter.
He was wrong, though. He wasn't my friend. And it was time to let him know that. Or at least, give him a hint.
"Vir Fortis, what a surprise," I greeted him. I didn't want to tell him it was an honor to see him or other lies. I was feeling a little tired after such a long day and didn't bother mustering up the effort.
"Good to see you, my dear," Vir said, shaking my hand before turning to Peter. "And this must be your young man."
Peter returned his handshake. "We've met before," he said.
I stifled a giggle. "Ah, we were about to leave, but if you would like to come in for a short visit, you may."
The mayor looked surprised. I didn't blame him. I used to be so much nicer and most people at least played the part of respectful formalities when he was around.
"Yes, that would be lovely," he replied, using typical responses to cover his budding confusion.
We made our way indoors, and I led my unwanted guest to a formal living room at the front of the house, away from the new crystal wall. I didn't want to give him a chance to study it, even if he didn't have the magic to see the spells that went into its design.
"Would you like some tea?" I asked. He showed up too late for the evening meal, and although the mayor was an entitled man, even he wouldn't expect much during his drop-in visit.
The mayor nodded, assuming I knew his preference. And I did. Vir Fortis had visited my family countless times. I hadn't been home often, but I still saw him a lot.
I waved my hand over the tea cart in the corner and a tray with a teapot and cups appeared. I searched my memory of the kitchen from our evening meal and transported a small tray of tiny sandwiches and another of cookies and berries that had been left sitting on the counter. I popped a little of everything onto a plate and poured his tea, added sugar, and then crossed the room to deliver it, focusing on my tasks as I wondered what I should - and shouldn't - say.
"Ah, wonderful. Nothing like a good cup of tea and a chat with friends to cap off a busy day." The mayor took a sip of tea and then popped a berry into his mouth. "It has been a while since I've seen you."
"Yes, it has. I'm surprised you came to Rector House for your visit. I wasn't aware that anyone knew we were here today." I made some tea for Peter and myself, then took a seat. I was curious about what the mayor had to say about knowing I was even at the manor. I had been living at Castle Laurus for over a year and he knew that.
"I have an excellent assistant," he replied without hesitation. I should have known he would have an easy answer ready. He had been a politician for longer than I had been alive.
"How was the drive?" I asked, amping up the fake concern in my voice. "The roads in this area can be dangerous." Yeah, I did. I totally just referenced my parents and their car wreck. It was a little clunky, but I wanted to test his reaction. The papers he had locked away in his office indicated he had some connection to events that led to me becoming an orphan.
Peter let out a small cough. Oh. I think he had been taking a drink when I said that. Oops.
"Quite pleasant," the mayor said. He paused as he studied me. "How are you holding up? It must be difficult for you to be home again. Such sad memories."
Was he trying to make me emotional? Not sure. But it worked. I was annoyed and angry. Probably not what he had intended. I had been a total wreck in my grief and maybe he wanted me to be vulnerable like that again. Despite his name, he wasn't a very strong man. But he had connections. A magician didn't become mayor of the largest magical city in the world by accident.
"I have far more happy memories than anything else. Thank you for your concern. In fact, I would love to hear how the investigation is going. I had hoped it would be resolved by now."
"I'm afraid I don't have access to the details," he lied. His office drawers were full of information about my parents and the car wreck. "Although as a family friend, I check on it from time to time. Sometimes accidents are just accidents."
"And sometimes they aren't," I contradicted. My eyes narrowed as I studied him. I wasn't going to let him get away with that. His gaze slid from mine. He covered his nerves by sipping his tea and studying his plate of food as if making a choice about what to eat was the most important decision he had ever made.
"Have you seen Ieiunium Proiciens lately?" Peter asked. It was the mayor's turn to cough as he choked on the sandwich he selected. My ears perked up at the name of the official investigator assigned to the car wreck. "I met him at your open house. He said he was there to inform you of his progress."
Points to my boyfriend. Vir Fortis drank more tea. Probably stalling for time.
"You know how it goes," the mayor replied. "So much work for a man of my rank. But since we are such close family friends, I do my best to keep abreast of any new leads."
That was one explanation for why he was in contact with a known felon, although Ieiunium was also supposed to have been rehabilitated into an informant. "So you must have your suspicions. I'd love to hear more about them," I pushed. "Such a comfort to know you are in possession of so much information and have so many contacts."
But he didn't bite. "Yes, very gratifying to have good help. A man in my position must do what he can to be informed at all times." He finally got uncomfortable enough to change the subject. "Speaking of which, I was distressed to learn about the issues you've been having with your agents."
Wow, that was a crazy turn of conversation. He wasn't even pretending the subject was related. And quite the jab - the Irregulars were having a difficult time keeping track of our own agents. It was distressing and didn't reflect well on us. "We have been closely monitoring the situation," I countered smoothly. Agents had platitudes we memorized, just like all the other empty phrases magicians used in normal social functions. Saying something without saying anything.
"In fact, there may come a time where we'll need to discuss it with you further," Peter added. He stared at the mayor, gaze unwavering and unblinking. "Our junior agents have been havin
g issues most especially in San Francisco. I'll speak with your assistant and make an appointment. You can update us on the progress regarding Lia's parents at that time."
Cool. He didn't give Vir Fortis an out. And brought the subject back to my parents, rather than on the agents who kept disappearing. Many of them returned on their own, but they had memory gaps. It was troubling, and scary, but not something the mayor should ask about. Our work was way above his pay grade.
Vir Fortis stood. "I'm glad to see you're doing well. I need to head out now, busy schedule and all that. Give my regards to your guardians." The mayor didn't even wait for me to rise and walk him out.
"Well, that was weird," Peter said.
"Um, yeah. I have no idea if he suspects we know he's involved with the car wreck somehow, or if he thinks I'm just asking questions for my own benefit. I wanted to make him wonder, though."
"I think you managed that."
"No, bringing up Ieiunium is what did it. Thanks for that." I scooped up the dishes and placed them on the tray, then transported them to the kitchen.
"Did you see the look on his face? That got to him. With any luck, he'll scurry off to his contacts and check in with them."
Armageddon put a tail on the mayor after we discovered Vir Fortis had so much information in his office that shouldn't have been there. Setting off alarm bells in his head was a quick way to gain more information on his contacts and allies.
And maybe he did know something more about the disturbing reports surrounding the mysterious absences of our agents than we did.
We made our way back to the front door. Before we walked outside, I took a peek to make sure there wasn't anyone skulking around, waiting to speak with us and ruin our evening further.
Fortunately, there was nobody there.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Time in the Dome