by T J Kelly
We didn't need to know their plans to have them act too soon. Not that learning some intel wouldn't be useful. "Did you see the papers this morning?" I asked as we wandered over to a pile of stones and took a seat, ready for a break. "They're going nuts. Saying the Irregulars kidnapped him."
"It's crazy how popular he is," Peter snorted. "I mean, he had to be to win an election, right? Then after we found all those dark connections, I thought maybe it was rigged. But everyone, light and dark, are demanding our heads."
"Including the Reeves." I plucked a decomposing leaf from the year before off the ground and started shredding it. "Remember how they acted the last few times we've encountered them? It's like the whole world's gone crazy. We're the good guys. We always have been. We've saved their butts a ton of times and now what? Suddenly we can't be trusted?"
"Well, to be fair, nobody has really ever trusted us. I mean, most of us are agents so Armageddon can shield us from the Council in the first place."
"Quit making sense," I laughed. "There's something more to it now."
Peter leaned over and gave me a kiss. "You're right. There is. I've perceived the shift in the undercurrents, too. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. You were only saying the truth. People do hold us in suspicion. And with the weird things going on, now those who used to work with us are also giving us trouble. How did that happen without us even noticing?"
"I don't know. Human nature? And we were too busy saving them to pay attention to their attitudes about it." Peter dusted off the soft pile of dirt that ran along the back of the stones we used for our seats, moving aside the leaves and twigs. Then he leaned back, crossing his hands behind his head to relax. His clothes would be filthy, but I guess that wasn't anything he needed to worry about when he had a girlfriend who constantly yanked the Earth element away to keep us spotless.
Ha. I knocked away a particularly nasty jagged rock and then curled up next to him. It was comfortable and the flannel I had tugged on in case it got too cool under the shade of the trees kept me from the worst of the dirt. I used his chest as a pillow to stay away from the rest. I guess I could have transported a picnic blanket but whatever. I was feeling lazy.
"I wish everything was already over and we were just hanging out with nothing to think about except finishing our apprenticeships and bringing Sera back home. It could be cool to practice with my cousins more often. They've learned boatloads of techniques out in the field."
"Yeah." Peter played with the end of one of my braids. There were only five, the rest of my hair flowing free. Or at that moment, spilling all over his t-shirt. "We're learning some good stuff about the alliances on the Council, too."
"And which clans can't be trusted," I added bitterly. I hated that the Vicleans turned on me. They had been Rector allies for centuries. I tried to comfort myself knowing our policy of sequestering information meant they only had access to parts of certain spells. It wouldn't get them anywhere without the other departments finishing the products. And they couldn't reverse engineer anything. But still. It hurt.
Peter's hand stilled, then he folded me into his arms, squeezing me close. Light came at me from everywhere. "That's the worst," he murmured. "I can't believe it, myself. I hate it. The only good that's come from it is now we know why the Taines always seemed to know where you were even when they couldn't use a trace. There were Vicleans all over the place. Plus a few ran as messengers here."
"Yeah. It was creepy that the Mayor and Oberon knew who I was dating before the press did. So gross."
He laughed, a pleasing rumbling sound in his chest that filled me with as much happiness as the Light did. "Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll get what he deserves in the final battle."
It was as close as I had ever heard Peter come to saying he wished somebody was dead. And he probably didn't. He was more likely thinking about vanquishing Oberon. But I knew better. If that man got what he deserved, he wouldn't be allowed to live.
"Well, I'll see what I can do," I offered. I traced the eagle on his shirt with my finger as he chuckled.
"Is that a promise?"
"Anything you want, dear," I teased. Then I giggled, leaning my face up for another kiss.
◆◆◆
With a small heave, I pulled the Earth element away from our skin and clothes, returning it to the ground as we returned to the castle.
"Don't look south," Peter said with a twist to his mouth.
So of course, I did. And then I groaned. "They're back again already? Didn't Chas check in yesterday?" A dark, plain car drove up the front drive, unloading its passengers. A bright flash of silvery-blond confirmed my suspicion, dragging another groan from me. "And he brought Clarissa."
"He promised her he wouldn't leave her behind again," Peter explained. We were quite a distance away. Neither of our guests noticed us as they made their way inside. "He asked Ged to protect her when the battle starts. They aren't going to be able to return."
"Chas will have to," I said. The blood oath he took trapped him in service, and proximity, to his father. I didn't know if it was my latent seer talent or not, but I carried a sense of doom with me whenever we talked about the end.
Nothing was guaranteed.
I shoved that thought aside. Thinking about it wasn't productive. And I wouldn't say anything to Peter. Speaking about it would only help it come true.
"Not if we vanquish his dad."
"Then I guess I'll have to make sure that happens." Mort and Armageddon had their plans. I was aware of most of them, although we hadn't ironed out specifics yet. We didn't even know where the battle would take place. But there was nothing wrong with making myself Plan B. Or whatever letter it would be by the time I was left to do the dirty work.
"She's not so bad," Peter offered. "I've had a couple of conversations with her. She's kind of snobby, but not exactly mean."
"Except to me," I said, giving him a halfhearted punch on the arm. "Although to be fair, she's fine away from Oberon. She even indicated he made her act like a snit. Most of the time." Chas had brought her to my solstice party, and she was as nice as could be. Didn't light any of my candles without permission, either. My earlier disappointment in her behavior had eased.
"Peony said she's a huge help. She can cast the spells they use for Laurus Commodities. I think she likes the candles the best."
Of course she did. "Wow. You know a lot about her," I said, sarcasm and jealousy coating my tone.
"Um, yeah. Don't even think it, Rector. I'm not Chas."
I tugged him to a stop and spun to face him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. You aren't anything like him. Not when it comes to that. I lose my mind whenever she's around. And there's no reason for it."
"Except that she was weaponized against you during the trials. Listen, I'm not mad or anything. I know you didn't mean that. But I think if you look at it, you'll see she isn't nearly as bad as Oberon made her seem. And I know for a fact you don't want to do anything he wants. Including being hurt by her very existence."
"She doesn't," I said. "She doesn't hurt me. I'm letting everything about her get under my skin because of Oberon and I need to stop. I've let it blind me. Got into a habit of hating her. But you're right, if I step back, she really isn't bad at all. Thanks for being so nice about it."
"Anytime," he laughed. "Besides, you were patient with me when I was working through how much I wanted to punch Chas for how he treated you." Peter leaned down for a nice, long kiss. After, he held me against him, his cheek resting on the top of my head.
"No matter how you felt, you always thought about me first. I wish I didn't rise to the bait. I hate how hard it was to control myself. Sometimes it still is, even though it's not the same as before. Like how I feel is just how I feel, not from the darkness trying to take over. And I've done so many things I regret. If I could take them all back, I would."
"Too bad we can't redo the past and erase our mistakes. Ged says all we can do is acknowledge them, learn from them, and never do
it again. And you've done a great job of that. Anyone who knows you can see it."
"I don't know. I guess sometimes I wish I could fix the worst of them. Balance it out somehow." The silent forest emphasized my point. Peter may call them mistakes, but I had killed in my struggle for control. I would never forget that.
And it was so unfair. Innocent creatures had paid the price. How was that a balanced universe?
"Knowing you, you'll figure it out. You're always doing something cool. And awesome. And brave."
"Why, Mr. Makenna. I think you might like me."
"Maybe a smidge," he teased back. Then we continued our walk.
In the distance, Clarissa exited the castle alone and headed to the beehives. She was wearing jeans and a pretty blouse. A little dressy, but still better than the summer dress last time I talked to her in the fields.
"I should go say hi," I drawled.
"Whoa. You ready for that?"
"Hilarious. Of course I am. Besides, there's something I need to talk to her about."
"Want me to come along for moral support?"
"Nah. I think I got this. I'll see you later."
◆◆◆
There was something Clarissa had that I wasn't sure she would be willing to hand over. But I was going to ask her anyway. Maybe it would be a good test to see how she really was instead of the facade she was always wearing.
And I knew it, too. I could sense it. Clarissa wore a shield stronger than anything magic could create. She had to, considering where she lived. It couldn't be easy being a Taine. Chas certainly had a hard time of it, and he was in the main family, a place of prominence and assurance.
"Hey," I said when I got close enough for her to hear me. "Nice to see you again." And it was true. Not one tiny frisson from my latent seer abilities thought I had lied.
"Good afternoon." She always sounded so measured and controlled. Cautious. Frightened? Well, we were standing on my uncle's land, which for her, was the middle of enemy territory.
"Can I talk to you about something?" I asked. I had no idea how to broach the subject, but it would be easier if she were in the mood to chat.
Clarissa hesitated, but so far, nothing she had said or done upset me. Every tiny thing she did used to set me off. I relaxed even more.
"Yes," she replied. "How may I help you?"
What would my life have been like if I had to grow up a Taine? Their compound was huge, and they all stayed there. At least, the closer generations, out to third and fourth cousins. The more magicians of a bloodline congregated, the stronger they got. There were a ton of people in that clan. And all of them dark magicians. Except Chas.
And Clarissa.
My eyes narrowed. Few people could tell a magic balance by touch, but I could do it. So could my uncle. But sometimes I could almost feel it, as if my magic was making contact with theirs through the Air instead of my hand.
Clarissa was seventy-five percent light. Wow. That was crazy. Were there other Taines trapped in there who weren't dark? Maybe so. It would stand to reason, considering they used Light to twist into dark magic. That meant they had to be prone to being filled with Light - had an affinity. Were they really all dedicated to fighting it the way the Rectors fought the dark? Interesting thought.
"It's about my aunt's brother," I said. Instead of standing there awkwardly, I gestured to the low wall and walked over to sit down. She followed my lead. "His name was Ashe, and he was an incredible seer. I've been working with my cousin Richard and Aunt Peony on some stuff and we've come across some of his memory crystals."
It had to be weird for her, wondering why was I telling her all this. Well, she was about to find out, like it or not.
"Richard asked me to work with him," she said. Another surprise. I hadn't realized my family had reached out to her for magic training. I only knew about the textiles, embroidery, and beehives. "I hope you don't mind. If I can't return home, I have to finish my apprenticeship somewhere."
Clarissa was two years older, same as Chas. That meant she had one year left on her apprenticeship. I hadn't thought about that, either. But as far as I was concerned, anything she learned from the Laurus clan had to be better than anything from the Taines. I shuddered at the memory of the slimy, cloying aura of Oberon's magic. It used to feel like I was drowning in it every time he was around.
"Sounds like a good plan to me," I assured her. I wouldn't begrudge her a decent education. Not anymore, now that I finally set aside my jealousy. It was embarrassing how much that affected me. "They're the best. Richard's visions have led us on a kind of treasure hunt. Ashe left memories as clues, although I suspect there's more to it. Maybe two paths."
I watched her reaction to me using that phrase. There was only recognition, which I would expect from anyone working on our side in the war. But there wasn't more than that.
"And you think I know something?" she asked, bewildered by the direction of our conversation. Not that I blamed her. What did she have to do with a man she had never met? A member of another clan?
"Not exactly. Ashe was crazy brilliant, and he planted the crystals in places people wouldn't expect. Aunt Peony said he used to give them away. We have no idea where or why, but they are waiting to be discovered. When the time is right. For now, we're looking for the ones here, at Castle Laurus."
I didn't continue. It sounded so weird. Would she think I was messing with her?
"My necklace," she said. Her hand rose and tugged on the long chain around her neck, pulling out the Rector crystal I had seen her wearing several times before. I didn't think she ever took it off, although she changed out the chain depending on her outfit. Or maybe whether she wanted to show it.
"Yes," I said. "I was hoping you would let me take a look. I promise I won't hurt it, and you can have it back. But it's shown itself to me many times, and I want to know why."
She stared at the ground. Not at me, trying to assess my motives. No, she was avoiding my gaze. And when she finally looked up and saw the glittering of wetness in her eyes, I realized why. She was trying not to cry.
"Okay," she said. That was it. She slipped it over her head and handed it to me. "Go ahead. I'll wait over there." She pointed to the far end of the field and took off before I could thank her. My respect for her grew. She didn't want to let go of something her mother had given her. But she did. To help the side of light.
All right, then. Time to see what Ashe had to say.
I plunged forward into darkness. Not the kind that wanted to tear at me - the kind that embraced me and welcomed me as if I were coming home. The kind that was my own special inheritance.
"You getting all of this?" my father asked. I jerked back, pulling myself as far out of the memory as possible without leaving it. I didn't want to experience it from Ashe's mind and get lost in the memory. It always felt so weird, and could be painful. Seeing Donovan Rector, alive and well, was hard enough without experiencing his nearness through somebody else's eyes.
"Every word," my mother assured him. My heart ached, even though Ashe's did not. He was too wrapped up in his vision to pay attention to how beautiful she was. "I copied the diagrams down, too."
Ashe snapped out of it. "Did you catch all that?" he asked. Sometimes seers had an idea they were about to give a prophecy and tried to let the recipient know in time to grab a notepad to write it all down. According to Peony, Ashe was better at that than anyone else. By a lot.
"Yes, thank you," Miranda said.
"It's important. I can still feel how vital that is. But the timing must be right."
"There's a time stamp on every stage," my father assured him. "We'll follow it exactly."
"Mind if I take a look?" Ashe asked. What was interesting is that he remembered what he had said. In fact, he had known most of it before the time was right to give my parents the vision. I didn't know that was possible. Nobody did. But I stored Ashe's memories of how he did it for later. I could tell Peony and Richard how it was done now that I had been insid
e of Ashe's head again.
He studied my mother's note. According to his thoughts, she got every bit of it right. Then I recognized the diagrams with a jolt. It was the astrolabe.
"It'll take years to arrange some of these spells," Donovan said. "We'll have to travel all over to make it work. But we have the ability."
"Good. This will be imperative when the final battle comes." They didn't know what he meant, but I did. The astrolabe suddenly became a lot more important than just a beautiful piece of yard art. "Be careful about what you do from this point on. You need to make sure you go the right way. There are two paths."
"If you learn anything more, please don't hesitate to contact us," my father said.
"It will be my pleasure," Ashe assured him. "I get the feeling we'll be hearing more about this." He didn't just have a feeling - he knew. There was another vision in their future, one I had already seen thanks to our work with Recall and crystals. The one where my parents learned about me. "And we have our arrangement."
"We'll add the crystals to your necklace as you send them, and make sure she gets it," my mother replied. There was a wisp of a thought in Ashe's mind. The necklace Clarissa always wore and the face of a woman I had never met. She looked a lot like Clarissa. Older and sad. Worn out. Darker hair and beautiful. Ashe made my parents promise to give a crystal to her, convinced the memory of this moment needed to be one of the ones that were cast into a series of memories and taken to her in the form of a necklace.
Peony's brother was a brilliant seer. I almost separated from the memory as I got wrapped up in my own thoughts about his abilities and the random way he sent crystals out into the world to be discovered by even more random recipients, barely connected to those who held the crystals. Who were exactly the ones who needed them. And in the time they needed them.
Ashe turned to leave. They had been standing outside Castle Laurus, on the far side of the gazebo. He was soon out of sight, but not out of range of my parents and their conversation.