The Compass

by Cindy Charity

  “Ali. We have told you why we are here, and you have seen. You are the first Fragment, and, as you’ve been told, our compass.”

  She kept her gaze steady on him when she answered. “I’m just a normal person, Finn. There’s nothing spectacular about me.” Her words were followed by a tingling sensation, it danced along her skin. She pushed it aside, wanting to avoid what it could mean.

  “Years of medication would have prevented your magick from evolving, Ali.”

  She gave him a sad smile and at the same time, repressed a shiver—she didn’t have magick. “I assure you, what happened to me as a child had nothing to do with smothering out magick.”

  Finn strived for patience. He could see her closing down. Her mind was rebuilding its defenses. He couldn't allow that to happen “You cannot deny what you’ve seen, what you’ve heard.” Frustration threatened to overtake his efforts to be calm. “Can you not think of anything that might suggest that you were different?”

  She became still. How could he possibly know? He hadn't said that he did. But the implication was there. She shook her head. “No.” He wasn’t convinced, his look showed it, but she stubbornly held her ground.

  “No. There is nothing extraordinary about me. I had nightmares as a child, that’s it. My parents brought me to a doctor and he helped me get over them.” She twisted her hands. “I can’t help you.”

  “Ali.”

  Thankfully, the others remained quiet, but she felt their curiosity. Agitation propelled her to stand and start pacing. She was thrown off balance when a question from Constantine sliced through the tension.

  “And your chosen career—does that not count as somewhat extraordinary?”

  Ali whirled around to face him. “What does that have to do with anything? I’m a forensic accountant; I work with insurance companies, a boring job in most opinions.” His eyes captured and held hers. They knew—too much. Deep in her mind, Ali felt a flutter, like fingers, feeling around. Then, that feeling came over her again, there was something about this warrior that was—off. Her own eyes narrowed at him, his face showed nothing, yet she felt it. However, he remained stoic.

  “You do more than that.”

  She threw her hands up. “I find things okay? Insurance companies call me in when there’s doubt on a claim. It can be anything: from missing art pieces, to stolen cars. It’s no big deal. When I was young, I would go around finding things, odd things. Stuff people had given up hope of ever finding. I get clues—flashes of images in my head, to where the items are. Sometimes, it’s just a feeling, a pull in my gut. But, like I said, it’s not a big deal, just a quirk.” She wanted to slap a hand over her mouth. She didn’t know what had prompted her to tell him so much. It just all tumbled out. He, on the other hand, looked satisfied at her information spill.

  “Your quirk led you here, to this city. It has brought you to the attention of the police. I fail to see that as being no big deal.” Constantine took a step towards her.

  The air grew heavy, Cian, Tristan and Drake shifted, flanking her. Finn moved as well, placing his body in front of her. Ali reached out and touched his arm, the heat of the contact burned, but she held tight. She felt his annoyance at Constantine. However, she was—intrigued. She stepped out to the side. “Are you suggesting that my ability to, find things, is really magick?” The idea was completely ridiculous—or was it? Like a deck of cards being shuffled into the air, memory after memory flashed in her head.

  She saw herself as a little girl, giddy with excitement. She had found her father’s watch—he would be so happy. Another memory: she was older, her room, full of lost treasures. Flash after flash, she saw her life unfold along the path that had brought her to New York. The company she had founded, the clients she had taken on, the successes—it all rolled through her mind.

  She stumbled back. A hand flew to cover up the gasp of shock she had been unable to stop. The clarity her mind had been pushing for came through in a blinding flash of light. “I have to find them—she called them my sisters. I am the Compass.” Eyes bright with acceptance as well as moisture, she looked at Finn. “Find what he has lost—you—she meant you.” It felt like a million points of light were filling her up—her brain tried to block it, but it was stronger.

  Crossing her arms over her middle, she bent over. Her knees threatened to buckle. A low painful groan escaped her lips. Why was it so hot? Bright colors swirled in her head and there were voices, female voices. She couldn't make out what they were saying. They were all trying to talk to her. There wasn't a visual—just their voices. She had no problem feeling however—and what she felt was fear, despair, confusion, loneliness. She wanted to tell them that it would be okay, that she would find them. She heard Finn shout for her, but she was too tired to answer him—to reassure him. All she wanted to do right now, was sleep. So many things were vying for her attention.

  Finn caught her before she hit the floor. Though he was shaken by what Ali had said, his concern was solely for her. Her small frame couldn’t possibly continue taking this punishment. Gently, he lowered her to the floor. Sweat beaded on her face, her eyes were squeezed shut. Then she started to shiver, and her body began to feel like ice.

  Constantine came over and crouched down beside the woman, and observed her pale face with detachment. His role in this fight was to provide assistance in battle. However, he had seen in the woman’s eyes that she knew he was withholding information. At first, he had thought it just a coincidence, the woman couldn’t possibly see what he kept hidden, but she had looked at him so strangely. It impelled him to provide information, to become more involved with this group. His reasoning: preparation.

  The other Fragments will soon feel the impact of this awakening and they had to be ready to face the outcome. The weight of his decision did not resonate in his voice when he spoke, “Agrona’s enchantment and the woman’s mind have been protecting her since birth. This was aided by the drugs given to her. Yet, it could not compete with the intense emotions that have been slamming into her.” Now, he looked at Finn. “As you know, each of us is connected to a Fragment. This one clearly is yours. As she is connected to you, she is connected to us all. Of course, yours is a more intimate connection.”

  Finn spared him the briefest of looks before his attention was back on Ali. “You share nothing new, Constantine. While I had my doubts about who Ali is, I have them no longer.”

  “There is something you do not know.”

  That had Finn’s full attention. “Care to enlighten me?”

  Not affected by the quietness of the question, Constantine imparted what had been told to him by Agrona. “Their powers, and ours, are entwined. If Mikel succeeds in destroying even one, it is done. The warrior connected to her will die with the destruction of the Fragment. Lugus will come for her.”

  Constantine’s causal announcement stuck Finn with the force of a hurricane. He looked at Ali. His heart convulsed at seeing her in so much pain. He smoothed back her hair, her skin was clammy. If she didn’t need him right now, he would have gone after Constantine.

  “You could try, but I promise you, it would be a mistake.” Standing, he scanned the room. “The others will be feeling the effects. The darkness in this one must be neutralized before Mikel uses it to get to her, and to the other Fragments.”

  Drake, his eyes glued to Ali pale form, growled. “I can’t believe that all this time, you had that tidbit of information tucked in the back of your head.”

  Constantine’s demeanour never changed. “I understand your anger.”

  With his eyes still on Ali, Finn asked, “Why weren’t we told? We all serve the same goddess.” Grumbles from the others went around the room.

  “Agrona weaved a powerful and complicated spell. A price for such a feat had to be paid.”

  “So she gave our lives as that payment?” Finn had a hard time wrapping his head around it. Anger towards the woman he served sparked. “Gambling away our lives warranted an explanation.”

/>   Constantine held Finn’s angry stare with ease. “We all do things in haste, things we sometimes come to regret.” Without further clarification, he faded from the room.

  “Where the fuck did Agrona dig him up? Can you believe this? All this fucking time—”

  “Drake,” Tristan’s voice hissed out, but his eyes were on Ali. Drake grumbled some more, then remained silent.

  Finn blocked them both out. His energy was focused on Ali. He held her hands, they were like ice. He didn’t like that her face was so pale, hated the short, shallow breathing. He felt Cian’s hand settle on his shoulder.

  “Join with her, Finn; go beyond your shared mental link. I will do what I can.”

  Finn didn’t hesitate—he quickly merged with Ali. The pain was almost more than he could bear. It was so hot, and the brightness of the power building was blinding. But he stayed focused. He searched for Ali and found a tiny light. It was zipping around in dizzying patterns. Though Cian and the others were there to come to his aid should there be need, it was up to him alone to bring her back.

  Pushing his anger at Constantine down, he called to her. The longer she stayed in the far recesses of her mind, the more difficult it would be for her to find a way out. When she moved further away from him, he blocked her. The move tested the limits of his abilities. He felt a surge, and knew the others were joining their energies to his. Ali—lass, I’m here with you. Concentrate on me, on my strength. You need to come back lass—we cannot do this without you.

  Heat slammed into him but he held on, but the hold was fragile. Ali’s mind was fighting to protect her. He tightened his hold, surrounded her energy with his, and began to pull her out. Just as they reached the cusp of awareness, a black substance squeezed around her. She cried out and his hold on her began to weaken. It was ominous, this black ribbon. Finn had never encountered anything like it. It was like a living entity and it was determined to keep Ali from awaking. He understood why Constantine had stopped him before. This—thing, did not want to let her go. You have to fight Ali. Do not let this thing beat you. He held his breath, not sure if she even had the muscle to do as he commanded. Then, she began to fight. Pride rose in him, and he added his strength, felt the addition of the others. Together, they severed the ribbon.

  Ali’s eyes fluttered open. Her vision was blurry at first, but then cleared up in a few seconds. She felt as though she had run a marathon and she was drenched. With Finn’s help, she sat up. She felt as weak as a kitten. Yet, at the same time, everything was amplified. She felt different, but couldn’t quite put a finger on how. She felt Finn’s fingers slide through her hair, she leaned into them. Every bone, muscle, cell, of her body hurt. She fought against the overwhelming urge to sleep. There was still so much she needed to know. But that would have to wait because Cian announced that she had to be moved. “Excuse me? I need to leave my home?” The man had the decency to look ashamed. “No way, not gonna happen.” The air seemed to still at her refusal. She felt the arguments well up in the men, the looks on their faces showed it. She didn’t care.

  He would rather face a legion of a thousand warriors than to be here now. Swallowing his discomfort, Finn looked to Cian only to see his cousin grinning like an idiot. Tristan and Drake wore similar ones. Bloody hell. Taking a deep breath, he faced Ali. “’Tis not safe here lass, whist protection has been placed around your home; Lugus would make quick work of it. My home will be safer.”

  His accent was rough, scrapping over her nerves, making her shiver. Leaning away from him—instantly missing the contact, what was the deal with that? Ali crossed her arms. They wanted her to leave the first place she had felt at home in, a place she had worked her ass off for. “If my home is unsafe, it’s because you guys made it that way.”

  There were muffled chuckles. Finn swore, and stood. Dragging his fingers through his hair he stomped away from her. As he passed Tristan, he saw the mirth in his eyes, and narrowed his own. Right, there was only one way he could think of that would get Ali moving, and he didn’t care if he sounded like an ass, or desperate. Turning back he held out his arms in surrender. “Fine, have it your way, lass. We will remain here and wait for Lugus.”

  Her mouth fell open. Ali stared, incredulously at Finn. Then her gaze went to the others to see their reaction. “He wouldn’t do that, would he?” Shrugs were her only answer. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. She glanced around her small apartment, her salvation, and tried to imagine Lugus there. Not a sight she wanted to see. Standing, she threw up her hands in surrender, “Fine! Alright, I’ll go.” Grumbling, she stormed towards her bedroom to pack an overnight bag. Stopping she twisted back around, “When we get to wherever it is we’re going—and just to be clear, I’m going under duress—someone better give me a detailed explanation.” She made eye contact with each of them before turning and walking to her room.

  Finn watched her go, he couldn’t believe it worked. His body rocked forward as Cian slapped his shoulder; he shook it off with a muttered curse. “Leave off, go, look for any signs of the other Fragments.” He had to suffer through their laughter before Cian, Tristan and Drake vanished.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lugus ordered the men in his command to their positions. Finding the Fragment had been effortless, her energy—a familiar essence to him now, rippled along the air. Locating the woman did little to sooth his mood however. He was still smarting from having to deal with Mikel’s lapdog. Vega saw herself as Mikel’s equal, and threw orders around expecting them to be followed. He despised demons, they were nothing but trouble. Their volatile personalities often conflicted with what had to be done. But, Mikel believed Vega was useful, so as long as his involvement with her was minimal, he would tolerate her.

  Pedestrians strolled about but Lugus wasn’t concerned with their presence. They would soon be running for cover, their minds filled with horror thinking that a natural disaster was upon them. The lumbering Rocco came to him. Lugus didn’t have to hide his bigotry from Mikel’s latest puppet. Rocco, and his crew of two, were nothing more than jacked up shells. Fortunately, he had thought to bring some heavier artillery. Mikel might think these mortals were entertaining, but to him, they were nothing more than useless appendages. His opinion was justified when the imbecile spoke.

  “Want me to barge into the apartment?”

  At his eagerness, Lugus was tempted to let him to do just that. It would be quite interesting to see the warriors slice through the mortal. That he couldn’t was regretful. “The Fragment is protected by one of the warriors of Agrona.” The name meant nothing to the fool. Mikel never felt the need to inform his puppets exactly who they were up against. “You are nothing but an insect to him.”

  Rocco puffed out his chest. “I can handle some asshole warrior.”

  Lugus curled his lip in loathing. “You will do as ordered.”

  There was some complaining, but Rocco slunk away to take up his position. When he was certain the men were in place, Lugus raised his arms. Instantly there was a surge in the air. Drawing energy from the environment, as well as the many power lines in the vicinity, he harnessed it within his body, building it up. As it grew, he set his mind on the squat building across the street. Then, he sent it forth. It hit the building with the force of a bomb. The building shook, creating cracks in the foundation and setting off alarms of the cars parked on the street. The whoops and cheers of the men were crass, befitting their breed.

  As he predicted, people ran in fear. Some looked to the sky, others shouted, pointing to the ground. The declaration of an earthquake was humorous. While they burned up the phone lines to the local news station, he would continue his attack. The inevitable arrival of law enforcement, and emergency task forces, will create the perfect smokescreen. Within the pandemonium of the situation, Lugus and his men would be able to move about freely ready to ambush Finn when he fled with the Fragment.

  There was no doubt in his mind that Finn O’Shea would flee. While the temptation of facing him and h
is men would be overwhelming for a warrior, the oath made to Agrona forced a mindset. Finn’s duty was to the protection of the Fragment. That would be what brought him down. Once again, he raised his arms. This time, his focus was on the top far left window.

  *****

  Ali tossed some clothes into a duffle bag, all the while she argued with herself. What she was about to do was crazy. Five strange men had fed her an unbelievable story and here she was, packing to go off with them. How can you explain last night then? Ali screwed up her face at her inner voice. She couldn’t explain last night—or what she had seen in that haunted cup. Which is why you are going, until you have all the information, you can’t do anything. A deep sigh escaped her, hating that her practical self was right.

  After throwing in a few more things, she zipped the bag closed. The floor beneath her shifted, throwing her off balance. Her first thought that it was an earthquake, followed quickly by how that was ridiculous, because she lived in New York, and earthquakes were just not the norm. Unease sliced through her. Grabbing her bag, she fled her room. She skidded to a halt when she saw Finn standing at the large window of her living room. A quick inspection of the room showed that he was alone. “What’s happening?” Her apartment shook again. “Where are the others?”

  Finn hurried towards her. Another blast hit the building. This time Ali saw the windows frost over—frost? They were having the best late summer weather, and now there’s frost? Watching the patterns race across the panes, she felt a surge of fury. It simmered in the pit of her stomach. The urge to march over to the windows and punish the ones responsible was great, but before she could do so, Finn grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the door.

  “Lugus is out there and he’s brought friends. Not surprising. You have no control yet, making it easy to trace your energy. We have to leave—now.”

  Ali stumbled along behind him. The air became cold, like the frost on the windows had gained entry. When they reached the door, Finn dropped her hand. Taking advantage of the pause, Ali reached into her tiny hall closet and grabbed some running shoes and a jacket. Using the wall for support, she put on her shoes. “They can’t come in here right? I mean, don’t I have to invite them in or something?” Fear had replaced the fury, and it skated along her spine. Her breath came out in small clouds. This was insane; she’d almost trade what was happening now, with another interrogation with detective Ballen. If only she could go back. Shoes and jacket on, she waited for Finn to answer her. He was halfway out into the hallway when he did.