by Martha Carr
“I thought these were the festivities,” Leira said.
Toni smiled and replied, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. The fun’s just starting.”
No one moved toward the exit. Leira noticed everyone was smiling with anticipation, watching Jack.
“Okay, last chance. Three, two…”
A loud chorus of “One!” went up from the crowd. But before Jack could move, a pink box appeared to float around the corner, scooting into the bar.
“That has to be one of us,” yelled a man in the middle of the crowd.
The box weaved in and out of the crowd toward the food table and stopped in front of a woman looking over the desserts. Loud trilling erupted from under the box.
“Yumfuck!” Leira pushed her way through the crowd, grabbing the box as the woman stared, wondering what to do. The troll looked up and waved at everyone, heartily announcing, “Yum fuck!” He pointed at the box, waving his arms and pointing at the table until Leira put it down.
“It appears the troll wanted to contribute something,” Correk observed, peeking into the box. “Don’t eat any of them. I think he licked every last one.”
“Do you think he actually paid for them?” Leira narrowed her eyes, watching the troll. “No pockets in that fur.”
“Okay, nothing like a full moon party, motherfuckers!” Jack held up his wand, a toothy grin on his face. The crowd cheered. “One more time with gusto!” he said. “Three, two…”
The crowd yelled “One, motherfuckers!” Jack waved his wand and said, “Extemporius,” bringing down a continuous silver waterfall, complete with noise. Leira started to shout over it but quickly realized she could easily be heard. It was as if the background noise wasn’t there.
The crowd started laughing and someone yelled, “A newbie! Put her on the list!”
“Someone always falls for that,” said Stacey, swaying from side to side, still drinking.
“What list?”
“You’ll see. Jack put a glamour on the front of the bar. A pretty good one,” Toni told her. “He can only pull it off on the night of a full moon and only for a couple of hours. That’s why we wait until the party really gets going. From the other side it looks like the bar is closed. Can’t hear a thing, either.”
“I want to learn this trick,” said Leira, dazzled.
“Who doesn’t?” Toni squeezed Leira’s hand. She surprised herself by squeezing back, looking up at Correk.
“This is what a good time with your kin looks like, at least on Earth,” he whispered to her.
“But once he does it, you can’t leave until he pulls it down. It surrounds the building. Kind of a fire hazard but pretty much everyone in here knows the water hose trick, anyway.” Stacey leaned on Correk, who gently steered her into a chair, pulling himself out of her arms.
“It’s not just the beer,” said Toni, smiling at Correk. “You’re a nice big Pop-Tart of a man.”
“Big old blueberry one!” Stacey crowed.
Toni laughed. “I don’t know about that part but you got a little somethin’, somethin’ going on.” She gave him a gentle elbow to the ribs as his face reddened. Leira smiled and shrugged, holding up her hands.
“All right ladies and gentlemen, species of every kind!” Jack hopped off of the chair, still holding out his wand. “Who wants to go first?”
“Let the newbie! Rules are rules!”
“No,” Leira shouted, smiling. “I don’t know any yet. I’d be a flop!”
“Think of this like karaoke.” It was Jim from Lavender Rock. “You may not even know the words but you’ll have a good time trying.” He put his hand in the small of her back and pushed her out into the center.
“Magic! Magic! Magic!” The crowd chanted as Leira looked at Correk helplessly. He smiled and shrugged, holding up his hands. “Touché, Cousin,” she yelled. “Okay, free form magic. I can do this.” Leira shut her eyes. What did Correk tell me? Lesson number one. Imagine what you want to happen and believe in it. Got it.
Leira focused, steadied her breathing and opened herself up to the possibilities, allowing the energy to flow up through her feet. Don’t think, just be.
The image was firmly in her head. She embraced it in her mind, felt the joy come over her as the magic filled her, spreading throughout her body.
“Woooowwwww.”
“How’s she…”
“Whoa.”
Leira heard the gasps but they were far away and she let them slip past her, observing the stream of feelings passing her. She slowly opened her eyes, looking around, her arms outstretched, the symbols glowing in gold and silver all the way up her neck and face and down to the fingers, her eyes glowing. She smiled gently and looked down, knowing what she would see. She was floating just above the floor, inches off of the ground and her entire being was glowing. She looked at the faces around her, taking in their surprise. Time to land.
Instead of trying to think her way through coming back to the ground, she opened herself up to the magic doing it for her, leading the way, as her feet gently touched down. There was a general silence throughout the room as she let the magic seep out of her and back into the ground.
“Uh, okay, ladies and gentlemen,” Jack finally sputtered. “Who would like to follow that?”
For a moment, no one moved but then a burly man with blond curls yelled, “Well, that was fucking awesome! I will! This party is on!” A roar went up from the crowd and everyone broke into applause as Leira smiled, taking a bow. Correk handed her a beer, his usual look of exasperation and amusement on his face.
“What now? They loved it!”
“That trick is not in the usual tool kit. We don’t usually fly on this planet when the gates are closed. Takes a lot more energy.”
“I didn’t fly. I levitated. Big difference. You did it when I first met you.”
“Not really a difference. And you did all of this without wings or even a wand. I did it after years of mastering magic and with the energy from Oriceran.”
“I followed your rules. Imagine, believe, allow.”
“You’re picking this up much faster than I expected and in ways I didn’t imagine.” He gave her another long look, wondering yet again what made up her DNA.
“Wait a minute, are all those Disney movies messing with us? Don’t witches fly?”
“Not until the magic returns.”
“Oooh, he’s doing a fireball!” exclaimed Leira, moving closer to get a better look at how he did it.
“The girl floats above the Earth and is amazed by a fireball,” muttered Correk. “The surprises have no end.”
Chapter Fourteen
They were in the lobby of the movie theater, waiting for her mother’s friend Ralph to arrive.
“That was a good call leaving Yumfuck at home,” said Correk, holding onto a tub of popcorn with one hand and throwing some into his mouth.
“So you wouldn’t have to share. I get it.”
“Amusing and somewhat true. The aroma in this lobby. I’m not sure even a spell could have kept him from diving into that glass popcorn box.”
Leira shifted her weight from one foot to the other, trying not to look anxious, but Correk noticed anyway.
“It was good of you to invite him.”
“Just keeping my word. I should have done it years ago.” Leira let out the breath she was holding. It was getting easier to talk to Correk. Working with the magic was having the unexpected side effect of helping her to open up and just talk. “I didn’t like reminders of her. One, it was too hard to see other girls with their mothers and go home alone, and two, I always had this worry in the back of my mind that crazy is contagious. Someday I would end up just like her.”
“Prophetic.”
“Just not in the way I expected.” Leira shook her head, pain crossing her face. “It makes me wonder if I had fought harder years ago, would I have figured all of this out sooner.”
“Perhaps, or something worse could have happened, or a thousand oth
er outcomes. There’s no way to know and no point in torturing yourself with the shinier, better options. You did the best you could. After, all you’re only partly human.” He tossed a handful of popcorn into his mouth, satisfied, chewing away.
“You’ve been saving that one for a while.” Leira rolled her eyes.
“Worth the wait.”
“There he is! Act normal, please.”
“I take it you mean human normal. All of that TV watching is about to pay off. Kidding, don’t give me that look. As long as you explain that I go by Correk now, I will do whatever you want.”
“Bert’s a great name.”
“Not doing it. It’s a yellow puppet with a unibrow.”
“Leira!” Ralph wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tight, not letting go for a few seconds. He was tall and wiry but Leira knew from watching him work on cars when she was little that he was freakishly strong.
I don’t remember being hugged by so many people in just a couple of days, well, ever, Leira thought. What is happening to me?
“Ralph, you’re cutting off my air.” Her voice was muffled, pressed tightly into his shoulder. The smell of Lava soap clung to him, pulling her back into her childhood.
With one move, she could have wrapped a heel behind his foot and leveled him, sending him straight to the floor. No magic required.
But he was an old family friend. She waited for him to let go.
“Sorry. Just glad to see you. Hi again, Bert, right?”
Leira looked away, trying not to let out a snort.
“I’ve changed it actually. Bert didn’t really suit me. It’s Correk, from my father’s side of the family.”
“How do you say it?” Ralph screwed up his face, cupping a hand over his ear. Leira’s shoulders started shaking as she held in the laughter, turning to face the concession stand.
“Core-eck. Correk. Simple.”
“Right, well nice to see you again. What are we seeing?”
Leira turned back around, biting her lip, determined not to laugh. Ralph looked at both of them.
“Ask Leira,” said Correk. “She said it’s a timeless classic.”
Leira said it quickly. “Lord of the Rings. Fellowship of the Rings.” She doubled over, laughing again.
Ralph smiled, putting his hand on her back. “What? Nerves? I get it. Great movie, loved all of them. Have you seen it?”
“No, what’s it about?” Correk rolled his eyes, still eating the popcorn.
“A quest by a hobbit named Frodo to get a magical ring back to the fire. There’s elves, dwarves, all kinds of creatures.”
Correk lowered his chin, looking at Leira with narrowed eyes. “Really.”
“You’ll love it. You want popcorn?” she said quickly, “He’s not the best at sharing. You better get your own.”
Ralph laughed, putting his arm around Leira, smiling at Correk. “Nah, I’m good. I try to eat healthy these days. Not getting any younger. Let’s go get seats. High in the back, just in the middle work?”
“Perfect!” Leira found herself struggling to embrace what she felt. Part of her wanted to just observe all of this, feel less. Maybe not this time, maybe. “You still do the thumbs up, thumbs down at the previews?”
“Of course! We’ll show you how it’s done, Correk. Don’t you work at that medieval theme park? I’d have thought they’d insist you see this movie. You guys are into that sort of thing. That’s what I hear.” Ralph chattered happily, filling up the space. Leira enjoyed his arm around her shoulders, watching Correk eat popcorn and make faces at her on the way to their seats. Normal.
The door of the Paranormal Defense Force was always kept ajar, mostly so that Lois was spared the trouble of magically opening it just to get something from the snack machine to fly down the hall and into her hands. She did her best to not leave her chair. She moved her government issue ID badge to the side and swiveled her chair around to face the door.
“Yummina.” She gestured with her wand, focusing on what she wanted. A loud rattle and shake down the hall and in no time, the peanut M&Ms were in her hand.
“Good catch,” Patsy said, pushing her bangs out of her face.
“Thanks. It doesn’t always work so well with the chips. Sometimes the little door at the bottom of the machine slams on ‘em and they’re nothing but crumbs.”
“I thought you didn’t really like these.”
“We’re almost empty. They’ll do in a pinch.”
The sound of birds twittering suddenly echoed throughout the nondescript building.
“What the hell is that?” Lois pushed her brown frames back up her nose, squinching her face.
“You like it? That’s the alarm system we installed. Very pleasant.”
“That is nice. What is that, a wren? Even if the humans hear it from the parking lot…”
“Which they won’t.”
“Even if they do, they’ll think it’s for mood.”
“It is. Ours.” Patsy swirled her wand at the virtual screen, putting the show General Hospital in a small square in the corner. Images from the parking lot appeared. A small cadre of military were approaching the building, the short-statured general leading the way.
“They’re baaaaacccck,” Lois sang. She let out a laugh and hiccupped.
“Has to be about that second explosion in Chicago.” Patsy looked up at the screen and raised her government issue wand, getting the information to scroll back to the right moment. “First time I’ve ever seen so many whirlygigs in a row! An actual magical battle!”
“That was a bad day. The Beechams are still reeling. The Order has put the whole family on administrative leave. I can’t remember that ever happening, either!”
“Hannah still hasn’t surfaced.”
“I wonder if she’s with the fishes.”
“Oh, don’t say that.”
“You think that Berens woman had anything to do with that one, too?”
“Hard to say. From the looks of things she’s still tucked away in Austin. Pulled off some pretty good magic by Lavender Rock. More than she should have been able to with the gates closed. Then, she did it again last night during the full moon. Keeps drawing in energy.”
“You put both of those in a report?”
“Like I had a choice. Too many people saw it both times. We’re a big bunch of gossips. G-men would have found out eventually and then wondered what else we didn’t tell them.”
“A lot,” said Lois.
“Exactly. If the detective wants to be reckless, there’s not much we can do about that. But wooohooo what a pull she has on the magic!”
“Imagine what she could do if the gates were open!”
“Put the bobackslappyass on someone, that’s what! The BBSA!” The two women cackled just as the birds chirped louder. Patsy looked up at the screen.
“Getting closer. Look at them,” she laughed. “Looking everywhere like they expect something to pop out at them! It’s not a haunted house,” she yelled at the screen.
Lois gave her a look. “Don’t even mention the world in between. Gives me the willies.” She shuddered. “Pass me an M&M. A green one. They’re the diet ones,” she said, popping one into her mouth.
“Not unless you put a charm on them yourself.”
“Not a bad idea.”
“You hear the Order brought in an outsider?” Patsy nodded her head. “It’s true. An Atlantean,” she whispered, fluttering her fingers around her head. “Tentacles and a bitchy attitude to go with them. Glamours them most of the time.”
“Will wonders never cease,” said Lois, her mouth open in surprise.
“Probably not. We’d be out of a job if they did.” Patsy gave another laugh and a hiccup, and waved her wand again, just in time.
The door flew open hard enough for the large silver knob to hit the wall and bounce back on the small general standing in front of the group, legs spread, arms behind his back. The four men behind him took a similar stance. The general caught the door and
pushed back more gently this time. He paused, his mouth in a determined frown. He meant business today.
The small cadre of military marched in, keeping close ranks, doing their best to look like they were in charge. Patsy and Lois were happy to play along. It was better for everyone. Lois gave them a reassuring smile and Patsy slid her wand into her pocket.
“Hello ladies!” he said, a little too loudly, clearing his throat. He blinked a few times, gathering his thoughts before barreling into his speech. “We’ve come to ask for your advice! We want to find Leira Berens and offer her a position with the United States government.” He was practically shouting, trying to put a smile on his face. It wasn’t working. A sheen of sweat showed on his forehead and upper lip.
Patsy jerked in her chair, almost dropping her M&Ms, and grabbed one of the arms to steady herself.
“It’s about time,” said Patsy, smiling triumphantly. “We thought you’d never ask. What do you want to know?”
The general looked relieved, his shoulders relaxing. He seemed to be melting into his uniform.
“What?” Patsy gave Lois a look but Lois was firmly focused on the general.
“Will the detective be joining us here?”
“Oh no, you ladies are doing a fine job,” the general said nervously, waving his hands in front of him. The men behind him didn’t move. “We have been reading your reports with interest. We have a special consultant job for Detective Berens. Her unique skills could be of great use to us… and, well, everyone.” He gestured at Patsy and Lois as if they represented all of the magical community. Patsy made a face, barely hiding her exasperation.
“Oy vey,” she mumbled under her breath.
“What do you need from us?” asked Lois patiently, doing her best to ignore Patsy.
“What’s the best way to contact such a powerful being?”
“I hear the telephone works really well,” said Lois, smiling, her eyebrows raised.
The general looked startled and someone behind him made a note. Lois slipped her wand out of her pocket, quietly mumbling a spell to send Patsy a sharp poke.
“Ya!” Patsy yelped, grabbing her side and looking at Lois, hurt and offended. Lois frowned at her. The group of men looked confused, glancing back and forth at each other but none of them said anything.