The Leira Chronicles- The Complete Austin Series

by Martha Carr

  The troll was riding in Correk’s pocket, hanging out the top with the agreement that he didn’t say a word, literally, until they were inside of the Jackalope. That didn’t stop him from waving at every passerby they came across getting puzzled looks and smiles. Correk was too busy carrying a tray of fried chicken from HEB grocery store to be able to do anything about it.

  Leira was carrying dozens of doughnuts from Voodoo in the familiar pink box. She gave the troll a hard look to keep him from peeling back the foil and starting in on a chicken leg. Instead, he ducked down into the pocket and came up with a piece of old candy corn and chewed on the bottom edge as they made their way along Trinity Street, turning onto 6th and into the Jackalope.

  There was a large sign out front that read, Private Party to celebrate Larry and a large framed picture of a smiling Larry wearing his favorite UT hat, resting against the oversized Jackalope statue in the front of the bar. Leira stopped for a moment and took a long look at the picture. The troll ducked down inside the shirt pocket and came back out with his cowboy hat, giving it a tip in Larry’s picture’s direction.

  Leira looked at Correk. “That’s like a clown pocket of endless crap.”

  “Blame the troll. He treats my pockets like some kind of weird basement. I know there’s things stored down in there but I don’t want to go down and find out exactly what it is. I feel certain it would involve a fair amount of unidentified goo.”

  “Magical goo.” Leira made a face. “How about we retire that shirt when we get home.”

  They put the food on the long tables set up in the back and were immediately embraced by a long line of individual hugs. “I saw you yesterday!” Leira said, in the middle of being squished by Eric. Her nose was pressed up against his shoulder.

  “He got into part B of this shindig a little early. Ignore him.” Toni came over, tucking some of her afro behind her ears. She was wearing a long flowing navy-blue dress with a shimmer of spangles near the bottom and on the edges of the sleeves. “Larry’s favorite dress,” she said, holding out her arms.

  She patted Eric gently on the back. “Everybody loved Larry and it’s hard to let him go completely. That’s what we needed tonight for. To find some closure, say everything we needed to say…”

  “Process that motherfucker of a battle…” Eric wiped a tear from his eyes and went to retrieve his beer. “Is this one mine?”

  “Give him another one. I’ll buy it.” Jim was waving at Jack.

  “It’s all on donation tonight. You know that.” Jack opened another beer for Eric. “You’re not driving home, right? Okay, good.”

  Molly came up and hugged Leira. She saw the look on her face and rubbed her back. “Nobody’s going to talk about the battle tonight. That’s not what this is for. We’re going to celebrate Larry. His life consisted of more than just the last hours.”

  “So much more!” Toni raised her beer high in the air.

  “Here, here!” said Jim, raising his beer. A cheer went up from the crowd.

  Correk pulled himself away from the embrace of a woman with long dark hair down to her ass and made his way to Leira.

  “You doing okay over there, sailor? Need a rescue? I remember the Elven charm.”

  “That creature is a Light Elf too. A fetching one.”

  Leira gave him a crooked smile. “Oh, okay, you noticed. Party over here.” Leira took the glass of beer from Toni.

  “That’s a Rocket 100 pilsner, pre-prohibition style. You might be parking your car tonight! Party on people!” Toni let out a whoop and grabbed two more beers from the bar, heading off into the crowd in search of thirsty people.

  “The troll has already escaped to parts unknown.” Correk gave a quick scan of the crowd.

  Leira sipped her beer and waved to someone she recognized from Lavender Rock. “What’s his name? Sirus, right. What? The troll is fine. I know I’ll regret saying this at some point but it’s okay. He can take care of himself. Nana was right all along. He’s managed not to cause sirens and flashing lights so far. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “He makes the news and starts talking in strings of motherfuckers.”

  “He’s really a lot smarter than you realize. If he did that, it’d be because he had a plan.”

  “This is a new Leira. Less worry, more going with the flow.” Correk studied her, narrowing his eyes. “I think I like it.”

  “It was bound to happen…”

  “Was it?”

  “Funny… There’s Yumfuck. Is he actually in a conversation?” Leira gestured with her glass at the small knot of people standing behind the Jackalope statue. Yumfuck was balanced on an antler, putting him at eye level with a tall man, chattering away. The troll squeaked out something and smiled as everyone around him laughed. “I’ve never seen him move his jaw that much except when he’s eating. Look! The others look like they’re actually listening. He looks like a tiny Yoda.”

  “Okay, we’re going to get this tribute started early! You know how this goes! Once we lock her down, nobody in…

  The crowd shouted back, “Nobody out!”

  Jack smiled and held out his arms. “Can somebody start the countdown?”

  A roar of “Three!” went up from the crowd as everybody lifted their beer in the air.

  “Two!”

  “One!”

  Jack waved his wand across the front of the bar. “Extemporius!” A continuous silver waterfall, complete with noise covered the entrance blocking the view of the interior from anyone passing by, complete with white noise.

  Leira pulled in enough magic to see the glow emanating off everyone. Different shades of purple, white, green, silver and gold letting Leira know who was a Wizard or a Light Elf, or some other kind of magical being. She smiled, looking at the beer in her hand. “Wow, this shit really does have a kick to it.”

  Correk looked at Leira as he sipped his beer. “Better slow your roll. Night is young.”

  “Not my first beer on this planet. I know my limits.”

  “You knew your limits. Your magic has been gaining a foothold and nothing is the same.”

  “Did you realize Turner Underwood was coming to the shindig? I didn’t think this was his kind of deal.”

  “He shows up when he’s needed.”

  “That’s ominous.” Leira looked back at him and noticed the large photo of the Jersey Willen’s mother with a black ribbon draped across the top.

  Turner looked up at Leira and tipped his hat to her, smiling. “It’s a little like noticing death at your party but better dressed,” she said.

  Jack found his way to the center of the room and signaled to the deejay to stop the music. “Before we start the night’s festivities, I wanted to say a few words about our dear friend, Larry. He was the best definition of a friend. Larry was the guy we all came to depend on to show up when we needed to move furniture or get a ride from the airport and he always seemed grateful that he got the chance to help you.”

  “The best!”

  “Thanked me for letting him help!”

  “Sat with me when my mom was in the hospital!”

  Jack held up his arm to quiet the crowd.

  “That’s what makes a good friend. All the small moments where you need someone to just sit next to you, quietly and be there. He wasn’t the flashiest guy. Everyone in here was made better for knowing him. His greatest magical trick and he didn’t even need a wand. He did it by just showing up and letting you know you mattered to someone. To Larry who gave all.”

  “To Larry!” Another cheer went up from the crowd and several people wiped away tears.

  “Okay, enough of that. Larry would not want this to be a sad affair. In fact, he once told me if he went first I was to say at his funeral, the shell is still here but the nut is gone! Of course, we both thought that would be a long time from now.” Jack waved his hands in front of his chest, blinking back tears as he smiled. “Let’s celebrate Larry tonight by having a good time! Hope you brought your wands
and potions, children.”

  “Don’t need ‘em,” yelled a Wood Elf who had let go of his glamour for the night, reverting to the chameleon-like scales across his body. The skin along his arms and neck rippled, matching the pattern of the map of Texas behind him, blending in with the wall. The pupils of his eyes moved in different directions tracking the room.

  “You’ll wish you had ‘em,” a Witch yelled, laughing.

  “It’s the usual trash talking,” said Toni, sidling up next to Leira. “Larry would have loved all of this.” She let out a sigh. “You know what trick you’re going to try tonight? Good luck topping the last time you were here. People still talk about it at Lavender Rock when the normies aren’t there.”

  “No idea. Figured something would come to me in the spur of the moment. What are you gonna do?”

  “Toni! You’re up.” Jack held up his clipboard as Toni made her way to the center of the room, holding up her arms in the air, her long billowing sleeves shimmering in the light.

  She twirled around in a circle, dramatically pulling her wand out of a deep pocket and pointing it toward the ceiling as she continued to twirl. A trail of glowing silver dust was left in its wake, swirling into a whorl on the ceiling as it slowly made a shining portrait of Larry’s smiling face before dissolving into a warm shower of small silver stars, illuminating everyone’s face as they fell to the ground. The stars sparkled underneath everyone’s feet for a moment, eventually melting away.

  “Nicely done.” Correk yelled over the crowd.

  “Next up is Florence!” A moan went up from the crowd as Toni came over to Leira, wiping sweat off her brow with the back of her hand as she put her wand back in her pocket.

  “What’s up with Florence?”

  Toni looked back at the round little witch who was taking center stage, smiling at everyone even as some rolled their eyes. Every inch of her fingers were covered in silver rings of different shapes and several silver necklaces were around her neck. A crescent moon and star shapes hung from the longest ones.

  “Everyone loves Florence but she does the same trick every time. Four years running. It’s a good one but every… time…”

  “She doesn’t seem to notice. Why doesn’t Jack tell her to try something new?”

  “Just watch.”

  Florence was busy waving her wand around the bar, creating a long vine that was weaving in and out of glasses on the bar, curling down on the floor and between people’s legs. Leira watched, fascinated, wondering if the vine was real or just an illusion. She bent down to touch it and felt the firm texture of a healthy young plant.

  “Seems like a pretty good trick to me.” She stood back up and watched the vine continue to wind its way around the room. As it passed the Jackalope the troll jumped on, standing atop the vine like he was riding a surfboard, circling behind the DJ and hopping off near the food table. Once the vine was everywhere Florence waved her wand again and blossoms appeared along every square inch, filling the room with color.

  “Not bad.” Leira fingered some of the petals, amazed at how real they felt. “Is this thing legit?”

  The flowers all formed faces and sang in a round, the different pitches blending.

  “That’s freaky.”

  “Just wait. She has a big finish.”

  “I think I’ve seen this one before. Curious.” Correk smiled and watched Florence raise her arms, waiting for the crowd to settle down. She was making sure no one missed the finale.

  She tapped the air with her wand, sending out a spray of light that zipped around the room, settling on each of the flowers. One by one, the flowers became light, holding their shape, drifting toward the ceiling and dissolving into mist that rained back down on everyone’s head.

  Suddenly, Leira felt a rush of joy fill her chest and she laughed out loud. She looked around and noticed everyone else was laughing too and some were even hugging each other. An Elven woman standing next to Correk wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight.

  “What was that?”

  “A tiny spark of pure joy. It may be the only trick she knows but it’s a doozy. She missed the party the last time you were here. Jack always puts her on the list early because he thinks one little spark sets the right tone for the rest of the night.”

  “He’s right. Everything seems easier.”

  “All about attitude, isn’t it? How we look at things.”

  Florence moved through the crowd, taking a small curtsy here and there, smiling at everyone.

  “Good one, Florence!” Toni gave her a hug as she passed by.

  “You think she feels like that all the time?” Leira felt the effects of the spell draining off her. A small taste of happiness lingered. Don’t chase it. Just let it be.

  “Probably not.”

  “No one does. Evening Leira.” Turner Underwood was standing at Leira’s elbow, leaning on his cane. Leira couldn’t help wondering who he was here to help tonight.

  Maybe the guy just hangs out sometimes. Put down your spidey senses.

  “It’s the way it’s supposed to be. Light and dark, good and evil. We don’t seem to be able to get shit done without both of them hanging around. One gives you the hope to go forward and the other a reason to rally and fight back. Both have their purpose.”

  “Deep as usual, Turner,” said Toni. “You on the list tonight?”

  “I’m here to observe and pay homage to Larry.”

  Jack was waving his arms at the crowd again to get them to settle down. “Alright, magical beings. Next up on the agenda is Yumfuck Tiberius Troll!” Larry swept his arm up to point at the deejay booth. The troll was standing on an overturned glass behind the microphone wearing his leather jacket and red cowboy boots. The headphones were propped up next to him. “Take it away YTT!”

  The troll started beatboxing, creating a beat and making the sounds with his mouth, getting the crowd to roll their fists in the air. He abruptly stopped and held up his tiny paws. Silence dropped over the party inside the Jackalope. The troll held up his paw to his ear and started beatboxing again, rolling into a rap. The Jackalope exploded in cheers as he leaned into the mic and a tiny voice came booming over their heads.

  “Open up the champagne, pop! It’s my house, come on in, turn it up. Hear a knock on the door and the night begins…” The troll made a face, an exaggerated and surprised O, shaking his head.

  “He’s doing Flo Rida.” Leira shook her head, smiling and pumped her fist in the air. “Why is it he can never just talk to us?”

  “Probably too boring for him.” Correk bobbed his head in time with the rap.

  The troll chirped out the rap, breaking it up with percussion, spitting and making a rolling drum beat. “Cause we done this before so you come on in. Make yourself at home, tell me where you been. Pour yourself something cold, baby, cheers to this.”

  Correk pressed his palms toward the ceiling in time with the beat getting an impressed nod of the head from Leira as everyone started to rap along with the troll. By the end, everyone was chanting along with the troll who was spreading his arms wide, smiling at the crowd just below him.

  “Welcome to my house. It’s my house!”

  People stomped their feet and cheered as the troll took a tiny bow, waving from the deejay booth and letting out a cackle that could be heard over the PA system. He waved and started spinning another record, turning around and twerking at the crowd.

  “That’s a furry little butt,” yelled Jack, his hands around his mouth.

  “Not really a magic trick but I like it. Anyone else need another beer?” Eric took a head count as he went past Leira and Correk. Leira held up her hand as Correk rolled his eyes. “We’ll take a Lyft if we have to, or call Hagan.”

  Jack came out from behind the bar, waving the clipboard and found his way back to the center of the floor. “Okay, that’s going to be a hard act to follow but I have high hopes for this one. Last time she did not disappoint! Leira Berens, you’re up!”

  Leira
looked up surprised and gulped down the rest of her beer as Toni gave her a quick hug and whispered in her ear, “You’ll be great!”

  There was a murmur among the crowd as Leira walked to the center of the room. Keep it simple. No strange shit this time.

  She took a deep breath and smiled at Correk, planting her feet as she pulled in energy in a steady, slow amount. The symbols on her arms lit up and her eyes glowed as she looked at Toni. The idea for her trick came to her when she saw Toni’s dress moving around. Leira sent out an intention and let out her breath as the spangles along Toni’s dress swept off the fabric and swooped toward the ceiling, forming the constellations. There were oohs and aaahs from everyone as the stars shifted and reformed to show different parts of the celestial sky.

  Leira felt a warm flow in the pit of her stomach and knew the energy was surging forward, gaining strength. Keep it simple.

  The magic swirled out from her hands and kept rising toward the stars overhead, blending in with the spangles as the roof gradually receded, showing the real stars in the night sky, far, far above. There were gasps in the room but they sounded like echoes inside Leira’s head as she felt a peace come over her and looked up to see the stars shining brighter.

  Correk looked up and realized what she was doing, a look of surprise coming over his face as he grabbed onto Leira’s arm. He was doing his best to ground her and pull her back. The symbols on her arms sped up, spilling out more information faster and faster.

  Leira felt the second wave of Correk’s energy pull in alongside hers but was quickly distracted by the feeling of soaring above the bar and toward the stars. She shut her eyes and let the magic take her higher.

  Correk hurriedly looked around the room and saw the troll up in the deejay booth breathing hard and wailing, gradually turning bluer. Turner Underwood was pushing people out of the way as he rushed toward Leira, his hands outstretched to grab her. Correk looked to the other side of Leira and saw who he was looking for, grabbing Jim by the arm and holding tight. He pushed his magic through Jim and into Leira, knocking her sideways. Her feet slid across the room as she felt the wind rushing through her lungs.