A Web of Crimson

by Alexander G R Gideon

  “By breaking into his house?” I asked.

  “As if you didn’t do the same,” she said with a chuckle. “Imagine my surprise to find the Crown employs mages. When I saw your magic, I thought I’d found my teacher. But after your reaction to the drawings we found…” She trailed off, her brow furrowed. “I didn’t know why it scared you so badly, but I knew discovering where those drawings came from was more important than anything else.”

  I like this one, Vex said, amused. She keeps her priorities straight.

  I ignored him. “And I sincerely appreciate the assistance you’ve given. Without your aid, I’d remain much more ignorant of this rogue, and his spell upon the Order.”

  “Speaking of, can you tell me what I saw when my magic reacted?” Elaine said, sipping at her tea. “The whole world changed, and a red web spread before me.”

  “The rogue’s spell. He bound the Golden Dawn members together to gain control over them,” I said.

  She tilted her head in thought, and I found the gesture rather fetching.

  Don’t, I scolded myself.

  “To what end?” she said.

  I set my cup aside and stood. I walked to the window and pushed the curtains back to peer outside. “Too many of the Golden Dawn’s members also sit in Parliament, and I think he intends to force them to broker a deal to bring that artifact to London. I can’t allow that to happen.”

  “What do we do, then?” Elaine said.

  I turned. “We don’t do anything.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  “I will finish this alone.”

  “Now wait a damn minute.” She threw back her blankets and staggered to her feet. “I refuse to walk away after that bastard attacked me.”

  “No matter your skills with a blade, you possess none for magic and cannot stand against a blooded sorcerer. Especially one who nearly killed you.” I said, starting for the door. “I’ll make sure you get home safely.”

  Elaine stepped between me and the door, shoulders squared and jaw set. “Train me.”

  “I don’t take pupils. Move.” My will made it a magical command.

  She shivered but didn’t budge.

  She shrugged off your command with no wards in place, Vex said, amused. Her strength could prove useful.

  “I don’t take pupils,” I said, to both this time.

  “Make an exception,” she demanded, her words like iron.

  Oh, but she could fight.

  “I like you. You certainly hold potential, but I don’t know you, and I don’t fully trust you yet.” True enough, but not the real reason for my reluctance. My father’s face swam in front of my eyes, and I blinked it away.

  Vex sat heavy in my mind, watching. Waiting.

  Elaine opened her mouth to argue.

  Someone knocked at the door.

  13

  A Guest in the Night

  Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers marched through my door, shaking snow from the shoulders of his coat. I took his hat and cane, shut and locked the door behind him. While he looked around, I kindled a spell on the door to drive off any other callers.

  “Quite the flat you have,” Mathers said without inflection.

  “Thank you. What brings you out so late?” I asked, as cheerful as possible.

  “My apologies for calling so late, Aleister. I wished to check on you and Miss Simpson. You whisked her away in such a hurry, after all.” He turned and smiled. “It worried me.”

  “Thank you for your concern,” Elaine said from the doorway of the guest bedroom. She held the tray in her hands. “Tea, sir?”

  “Good evening, Miss Simpson. Good to see you well again,” Mathers said and bowed his head. “No tea for me, it keeps me up this late at night. I’ll take something to warm my bones if you don’t mind, though.”

  “I can do that.” I led them to my parlor. The fire had burned low in the hearth and I placed a few more logs on, coaxing them to life with a whispered spell. They settled on the couch while I lit the lamps about the room. The gloom and chill dispatched, I went to my little bar and poured my favorite brandy for the three of us.

  Elaine seemed surprised but I said, “I thought we could all do with a little bone warming.”

  As I settled into my favorite armchair, Mathers raised his glass. “To Miss Simpson’s good health.”

  “To her good health,” I said, and the three of us drank.

  Mathers licked his lips after, holding his glass up to the light. “That’s quite good.” He leaned back into the couch. “Now, tell me everything.”

  Elaine glanced at me, her eyebrows raised.

  I shook my head slightly.

  She nodded just as imperceptibly, smiled at Mathers, and said, “What do you mean?”

  “Let’s not dance around the issue. I know you both stole into my office several nights ago. You saw the drawings presented to me and know something of them.” Mathers took a drink and pointed at me, “And I know the Knight Mages of the Crown sent you to investigate me and the Golden Dawn. With all that out of the way, tell me everything.”

  Rarely does anything render me speechless, but Mathers managed it.

  Elaine caught my eye, a question in hers. I nodded slightly and she replied in kind, content to let me handle things. Perceptive. The ease with which we wordlessly communicated amazed me. Perhaps I should—

  I shook my head and dismissed the thought. I. Don’t. Take. Pupils.

  Vex observed, but chose to remain silent.

  “What do you know of the Knight Mages?” I asked.

  “They’re a secret organization of magicians and magical individuals under the direct command of the Crown handling mystical goings on in the British Empire,” Mathers said, matter of fact.

  “How do you know so much about us?” I said, harsher than I intended. We prided ourselves on our secrecy and hearing him speak so openly jarred me to the core.

  “I wish to keep my sources private, Mr. Crowley,” he said with a wry smile I didn’t appreciate. “With the number of Parliament members in my Order, I expected a visit sooner or later. I’ve an idea how your investigation, last night’s events, and the proposal accompanying the drawings all fit together, but I came so you can confirm everything for me.”

  Elaine and I shared yet another glance. I don’t know what I expected when Mathers appeared on my doorstep, but it certainly wasn’t this. For his part, Mathers sat stock still on my couch, appraising us and waiting for me.

  Tell him, Vex said, taking me by surprise. He rushed to Elaine’s side while the rogue assaulted her, so we can rule him out as our quarry. And his control of the Golden Dawn may prove useful.

  “Fine,” I said, both to my guests and to Vex, and recounted all that occurred the night before.

  Mathers sat stoic, never hinting at what went on in his mind. When I finished, he set his glass on the table next to the couch and put his hands behind his head, thinking. “What does it take to cast this Crimson Thread of Fate spell?” he asked at last.

  “Considerable power and skill,” I said. “Not to mention enough time to weave the web.”

  “And do you believe last night’s fire bearer the rogue mage?”

  “I didn’t feel the spell until after the consecration of flame.” I nodded toward Elaine. “And I saw nothing on Miss Simpson until then either. Though, it’s possible your drugged wine kept me from perceiving it earlier.”

  “A necessary evil to ensure the members’ belief in me.” His grin revealed his lack of remorse or guilt. He glanced at one of the candles on the table nearest me. I felt a tiny kindling of will, and the candle went out. “I possess a modicum of skill, but nothing impressive enough to keep the Order together, so I use the wine as,” he made a vague gesture, “a sensory enhancer.”

  “Did you create the Golden Dawn to ply your parlor tricks to London’s high society?” Elaine asked with a sneer.

  Mathers gave her a hard look, but Elaine matched his intensity. After a moment, his eyes softened a
nd he chuckled. “I suppose it might seem that way. In truth, I created the Order to become a haven for the blooded and magically inclined. I thought my efforts a complete failure until last night. I know you’ve made quite a few inquiries, Miss Simpson. So, tell me why this mage seeks to undo everything I built. What does he want?”

  “He wants to bring an Egyptian artifact to London,” she said, draining her glass.

  Mathers raised an eyebrow. “All this for an artifact?”

  “Indeed,” I said. “This artifact lies deep within those ruins in the drawings. The Knight Mages protect it for now, but if our rogue makes Parliament broker a deal with the Egyptians—”

  “Then he ties your hands.” Mathers finished my sentence for me. He stroked his beard, and I could almost see his thoughts churning. “That certainly answers what this mage works toward, but not why.”

  “A blooded mage of sufficient skill could use this artifact to bring the world under their sway. Or utterly destroy it.” My father’s face swam before my eyes and I shook my head to rid myself of the image. “I saw it used. It terrified me. No one in this world should possess such power. Evil like that cannot leave the ruins and must not come to London.”

  Mathers and Elaine regarded me in silence. I didn’t know Mathers well enough to know his mind, and he kept his face passive as he studied me.

  “I want to help you,” he said at last. “This man seeks to take my Order. It may not seem much, but it means quite a bit to me.” He paused. “Of course, the possible destruction of the world is problematic as well.”

  Loath as I was to accept his aid, without it, I may not find my rogue in time. And I could not allow that to happen.

  “Does my ledger remain in your possession?” Mathers asked, taking up his drink again.

  I reached into a pocket and produced the tiny black book.

  He took it, opened it, flipped through the pages to one near the middle, then hesitated before handing it back. “What of the other book you took?” All trace of his levity disappeared. “I require its return.”

  “The Red Dragon will not remain unattended while in London,” I replied just as serious. “If the Vatican wishes it returned, they can petition the Knight Mages.”

  I expected Mathers to argue, but he nodded, handed me the book, and said, “Dover Thompson performed the consecration of fire last night.”

  Several names were listed under the header Rosae Rubae et Aureae Crucis, but Dover’s leapt out as if the paper screamed it at me. I said, “What is the Ruby Rose and Golden Circle?”

  “A separate sect within the Golden Dawn. Only those who rise high enough in the ranks are granted entrance. I trust them above all others.” He grimaced. “At least, I did.”

  “Your inner circle then,” I said, and he nodded. “I imagine you know where Dover lives.”

  “Unfortunately, I know very little about his personal life. He only recently ascended into the Ruby Rose. I attempted to research him, but he always seemed to disappear whenever followed. I suppose this explains why.”

  I expected as much. To keep a spell of this magnitude hidden from the entire Order, Dover must possess considerable skill. Staying anywhere long increased risk of discovery and the ruination of his plans.

  I leaned back in my chair, thinking.

  “Could we not remove the spell from the members of the Order?” Elaine asked. “If you disrupted the spell from even a few, it might give us time to stop him.”

  I shook my head. “Like casting, removing such a spell takes time. If he sees his work undone, Dover may flee. A man this dangerous must be stopped. Permanently. Mr. Mathers, when will the Order gather next?”

  “In just a few days for the Winter Solstice rite.”

  “And when is this matter to be brought before Parliament?” I asked.

  “The very next day,” he said, gravely. “Dover means to complete his spell at the Solstice, I have no doubt.”

  “That doesn’t leave much time,” Elaine said, her tone hard.

  Mathers shook his head. “No, it doesn’t.”

  “Do you think he’ll still go through with his plans?” she asked.

  I stood, the need to move overwhelming. “He’s invested too much to abandon everything now,” I said as I paced in front of them. “And he bested me. He doesn’t fear me.”

  “Can you stop him?” Mathers’s words stung, and I turned, a barb on the tip of my tongue. He held up his hands in pacification. “I meant no offense, but as you said, he bested you. Can it happen again?”

  Calm yourself, Aleister. You cannot blame the man for his concern, Vex scolded.

  I took a deep breath, my mind whirring through the possibilities. He’d bested me, but before Elaine’s distraction, I’d had him. I could do this. I blew out the breath, letting my anger go with it.

  Good, Vex said, you need a clear head to face what is to come. If you do not, Dover will defeat you again.

  It reminded me of father’s favorite mantra.

  Doubt leads to hesitation. Hesitation leads to death.

  “No offense taken,” I said, calm now despite a twinge of sadness. “To answer your question, no. Last night he caught me unprepared. That shall not happen again.”

  “Good,” Mathers said, rising and crossing the room to stand before me. “The rite will begin at eight on the day of the solstice. I will expect you early.”

  Elaine and I followed Mathers to the door. He collected his hat and gloves as I opened it for him. He lingered a moment on my doorstep, looked at us both in turn, and said, “I will do everything possible to ensure your victory if you do the same.”

  “I will,” I promised, earning a tip of his hat before he trudged into the snow.

  “What now?” Elaine asked.

  “Now, you will collect your things, and I will make sure your get home safely,” I said as I closed the door. “Your part in this concludes tonight.”

  14

  Take up Arms

  You can’t just send me away,” Elaine said, close on my heels as I made my way to my study.

  “I can, in fact. You’re going home, Miss Simpson. Before you get hurt again.” I stopped, turned, and my heart skipped a beat.

  Elaine stood nearly against me, the blade of a long knife hovering over my throat. “If you don’t watch out, you might find yourself the one hurt,” she snarled.

  With a thought, I gathered will into my palms.

  She smiled and pressed the blade against my skin. “Go on, use your magic on me.”

  We stood like that a moment, my will crackling.

  At last, she stepped back, taking her blade away from my throat.

  I let my will dissolve and straightened, fighting to get my heart under control. “You interfere with official, pressing state business. The Knight Mages will handle things from here. Your considerable skills with a blade will amount to nothing in a magical battle.”

  “You know how to remedy that,” she said.

  I sighed and turned my back on her to riffle through a stack of papers in search of a potion recipe. “I made my stance clear.” Something whooshed through the air, and her knife pierced the paper in my hand, pinning it to my desk.

  I spun.

  She watched me, arms crossed and head held high. With a frown, she said, “Take me as an apprentice, or don’t. Right now, I don’t care. But Dover Thompson attacked me. Damn near killed me. And now you tell me he seeks something that could bring the world to its end? I won’t walk away.”

  She fell silent and I wanted to scream at her. Never had I met someone that frustrated me so. Not Julian. Not even Vex

  Might as well accept it, Vex said, sounding bored.

  She’s untrained, I snarled.

  In magic, yes, but she could have slit your throat and you know it. This Dover Thompson bested you at the temple already. You need her help.

  His words bit deeper than I expected, and I hated that I could think of no counter argument. I gritted my teeth. Do you think I can’t handle it?


  I think it foolish to forgo aid for the sake of your pride.

  I can call on the Knight Mages.

  The Archmage will provide no aid. In fact, he has ensured there are no other agents in London. Why do you fight this?

  Because the last time you gave me instructions regarding the Book, I killed my father. I turned to lean on my desk.

  Vex fell silent for a long time. The Book had already destroyed your father’s mind. You could not save him. I only sought to save your life.

  Vex had never mentioned what happened in the Nameless City, nor defended his actions.

  I didn’t intend to let this moment escape.

  I was a child, Vex. A child. Edward Crowley was more than my father and instructor. He was my best friend. And I killed him because you told me to.

  I am sorry, Aleister. Truly. I only wanted to protect you.

  Tears threatened and the back of my throat burned. For years, I’d known why Vex commanded me to take my father’s life. I realized in that moment that his death hadn’t caused my hatred of Vex. I hated Vex because he never acknowledged the pain his commands caused, much less apologized for it. But now?

  Now I didn’t know what to think, or how to feel.

  “You’ve been quiet a long time, Crowley. Say something.” Elaine said, making me jump.

  I wiped my eyes. “I grow weary of argument. Assist me with bringing this magician to justice if you will.” I faced her once again. “But it ends there. I will not train you, and when the job is done, we go our separate ways. Clear?”

  “Crystal,” she said with that mischievous smile. She didn’t care about a word I’d said.

  I glanced at the knife piercing my writings and heaved a sigh. I retrieved a thin book from one of the bookcases lining the wall and handed it to her. “Read this. You’ll find it useful.”

  She raised an eyebrow and opened the book to the title page. “Magick in Theory and Practice.” She looked up at me. “This looks handwritten.”

  “You hold a draft of an instructional book I penned for the Knight Mages.”