by Martha Carr
Sirius looked bored as he raised his wand and flicked it toward the heavy closed doors to the library where they were gathered. They opened softly as five young Wizards entered and stood in front of the door, grim faced and waiting.
“What’s this?” The balding Wizard’s voice rose in concern.
“Sirius? I demand an answer.”
“Is this protection for us? We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves.”
“I think I’m leaving. Where’s my wrap? Are they going to get out of our way?”
Sirius flicked the wand again as if he was leading an orchestra, yanking the various wands out of their hiding places from each of his guests and throwing them into the fire. All except Agnes. They watched in horror as the flames turned a burnished yellow, blue and purple, releasing the magic into the atmosphere.
“What the fuck?” Agnes slowly backed away from the group, relieved she was being spared.
“Come stand by my side, would you?” Agnes quickly did as she was told as Sirius gave a nod to the young cadre of Wizards. They stepped forward as Sirius waved his wand again, whispering a spell binding the other guests’ arms to their sides. “You know, feedback is so useful at times. It gives clarity about what to do next. I agree that we need shifters who will feel some kind of natural connection to the families.” He shrugged. “It’ll make for an interesting experiment at least. Mix it up a little.”
The tall Wizard’s face grew pale as he tried to struggle. “No! No, Sirius, you can’t! My family has been in this syndicate for almost a thousand years!”
Agnes watched silently, afraid to say anything.
“And the rest of your family will remain. Think of the contribution you’ll be making. Who knows? If we’re successful this time you can be on the cutting edge of a new form of leadership.”
Their screams of protest could be heard all the way down the great hall as they were dragged away. “Maybe you’ll even turn out to be an alpha, although I doubt it.” Sirius let out a bored laugh as he flicked his wand again, shutting the doors. “Meeting adjourned. More wine, Agnes?”
“Why did you spare me?” she asked, lifting her chin, defiantly.
“Don’t annoy me, Agnes. I can call them back if necessary. Drink your wine. You live to fight another day… for now.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Correk stood on the grounds of Turner’s old estate in Charlottesville. He was dropping off a reluctant teenage Wizard in baggy jeans and an old AC DC t-shirt who was being hunted by the Silver Griffins. “It’s here or Trevilsom Prison. You choose.”
The teenager looked around at the large manor set back from the road and the iron gates. “Doesn’t look like much. Is this some kind of juvey hall? I have rights, you know.”
“You have plenty of them. You turned over most of them when you decided to send snakes down the main street of your small town.”
The young Wizard smiled, showing braces across his teeth. “I’m a regular Pied Piper, right?”
“I think you mean St Patrick, and no, you’re no saint, Joey. You’re not even Irish.”
“Got that right. One hundred percent American Wizard. See? My underwear is the stars and stripes.” The teenager lifted his shirt to show Correk his boxers that were drifting out of his pants. Correk rolled his eyes and took the kid by his arm, roughly moving him along the long driveway toward the house.
“Hey! Isn’t this some kind of kidnapping? That has to be against your Fixer rules.”
“Your parents were the ones that shoved you at me. Remember?”
“Well, I can’t stay here forever. What is this place anyway? Looks abandoned. I’m not gonna be here all alone, am I?” Joey was quickly losing his bravado as his feet tried to run backwards. Correk easily lifted him off his feet, letting him run in air as he half carried him toward their destination.
“You’re in luck. The old Fixer has made a deal with the Feds. You are looking at a brand new school for misfit toys like yourself. Seems that some human beings want to be ahead of the curve and they actually think your sorry skinny ass is part of the answer.”
“Really?” Joey settled down, giving in and walking toward the manor still in the distance, looking around at the grounds. “Not much here. They’ll have to do a better job of jazzing up the place if they want a bunch of magical Witches and Wizards to hang around the place and not set it on fire.” Joey threw up his hands to protect his head. “Not that I would do something like that. I know where to draw the line.”
“Won’t just be Witches and Wizards, Joey. You’re going to have to learn to get along with all kinds of magical beings. All of you getting ready to help with the gates opening.”
“Ah, the great migration. I’ve heard about that. Heard my parents talking about it. They think Oriceran is going to pull a Krypton and go boom.” He blew out his cheeks and held up his hands.
“That’s not really the prophesy… they got it wrong… never mind. Drop it. Look Joey, there are spells protecting this place and you’ll be able to stay here without being detected. There’s a warrant out by the Silver Griffins to take you in to be tried and probably convicted. It doesn’t look good for you. You want a second chance? This is it. Keep your head down, do a close approximation of what you’re told and try to make something of yourself. You clearly have some talent… Some… You can learn to channel it.”
“For the Feds…” Joey rolled his eyes, even as Correk was still dragging him along by his arm. “For the humans who run the Feds. That’s like turning on my own kind. Is this really all such a good idea?”
“We’re almost there, Joey. Let me know if you want to go with Plan B and we’ll step back out on the road where your presence will light up the board at the Silver Griffins nearest headquarters. Shouldn’t take them long to swoop down in their minivan and pick you up. Who knows? Maybe they’ll set you loose again while you still have hair. Although, if you end up in Trevilsom you may not have enough of a mind left to know if you still have hair.”
“School for the human Feds it is. You know if this place gets wifi? So far I only have two bars.”
“Give me that.”
Correk left Joey with the groundskeeper who answered the door. “We’ve been expecting you, Joey. Follow me.” Joey gave Correk a look like he was ready to bolt but all Correk had to do was step out of the way and let him.
“Go ahead. Make a break for it. Look out for any soccer moms in minivans while you’re out there.”
Joey let out a defeated growl and picked up his duffel bag, trudging along behind the groundskeeper.
“See you around, Joey.”
Joey responded by slowly raising his middle finger behind his back, never turning back around as he smiled at the groundskeeper.
“Joey will be just fine. He’s already learned to smile up.” Correk took a last look around at the marble inlaid floors and the vaulted cupola in the ceiling and let out a low whistle as he walked out, shutting the door behind him. “Hope Turner knows what he’s doing setting a bunch of spoiled teenagers with wands loose in his country palace.”
He headed for the road, glad to not be dragging Joey along with him. He saw a shadow come over where he was walking and looked up in time to see a young gargoyle come in for a landing, settling on his shoulder, weighing him down. “Two moons, what the hell!”
The gargoyle dug in with his claws, gently pinching Correk’s skin under his jacket. Correk struggled to get the gargoyle to land somewhere else but all it did was get the creature to flap his wings longer, batting Correk in the head and stirring up the air around them.
What the hell is happening?
‘I know you.’
Correk stopped twisting and turning. I could swear I heard you speak… inside my head.
‘You’d be right. Remember me? You dropped me off here. I remember you. We’re friends.’
“You’re a telepath.”
‘Most gargoyles are. It’s what makes us great at working the postal system. We k
now what you meant to say.’
“How is that helpful?” Correk looked around the grounds but couldn’t see anyone. I look like I’m talking to myself.
‘Then just think it to yourself. I’ll hear it.’
That’s disturbing. Fly out here where I can see you. Correk pointed to the ground in front of him as the gargoyle reluctantly agreed and lifted off his shoulder, pressing down with its powerful legs.
Correk looked at the winged creature, trying to keep his thoughts to a minimum.
‘That won’t work. We get intention. I’ve been waiting for you to come back. I want to blow this joint.’
“You’ve been hanging out with the troubled youth, I take it.”
‘Not a nice bunch, believe it or not. One of them tried to fly me like a kite.’
“I believe it, but I can’t take you with me. I’m heading out there where magic is still hidden. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”
‘Not so fast.’ The gargoyle shimmered as the molecules shifted in the air and he reshaped himself into a small corgi. ‘I hear these dogs are popular.’
“How the hell did you do that?”
‘Not that hard. Watch this.’ The air shimmered again and the small corgi shifted into a parrot. The bird took flight and landed on his shoulder. ‘I’m the perfect companion. Besides, knowing intentions can be helpful.’
“I don’t want a sidekick.”
‘Think of me as a useful tool.’
“The answer’s no. You have a home here. A good home.”
The bird took off from Correk’s shoulder and shifted back into a gargoyle landing in the road just ahead of him. He stared at Correk, waiting for a reprieve but the best he got was one arched and annoyed eyebrow. ‘Fine, for now. But this isn’t over. You could use an assistant like me.’
The gargoyle took flight over the treetops, settling down near the edge of the estate, watching Correk walk out onto the road. ‘Soon enough…’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Louie jumped back through the portal from Oriceran, a few new trinkets in his pockets, his sword safely on his back. He jumped into the living room of the condo General Anderson was providing for him, happy to have a home again. It was government issue basic but still better than what he was used to in his makeshift cabin on Oriceran.
Be prepared. The sword whispered in his ear.
His senses went on high alert and he let the portal close and turned on the lights, swinging around with his sword out, his lip curled into a sneer.
“Relax, scavenger.” Leira was sitting in his favorite recliner, her legs crossed, waiting for him in the dark.
“Good way to get yourself killed! What the hell are you doing here? Is there a mission?” He blew the air out of his lungs, puffing out his cheeks as he put his sword back in its sheath.
“I thought you had given up scavenging. Don’t bother to lie. That will make things worse.”
“I believe you decided for me. I never agreed. Look, it’s in my nature. I see something pretty that’s just lying around, I want it. Just knowing there’s a lot of pretty things left out there lying around is hard to resist.”
“Resisting temptation is not exactly in your nature, either.”
Louie gave a crooked smile. “Not exactly, no. Besides, had to check on Ronnie. I’m the little guy’s best friend. Not cool to neglect friendships.” He went to the refrigerator and looked inside for a cold Shiner Bock. “Have you tried these? So much better than that swill at the Rusty Bucket in the Dark Forest.”
“I came to tell you I don’t need your services anymore. I’m making a… a career change. Heading out on my own.”
Louie stopped the bottle halfway to his lips but took a long swallow anyway. “Heading out on your own in a family band? Heading out on your own to discover the world? That’s a pretty broad statement.” He took a seat on the blue couch that had seen better days and sagged to one side.
Leira sat up on the edge of the seat, resting her arms on her knees. “When we started this little arrangement, things were actually simpler, believe it or not. There were artifacts popping up everywhere and human beings trying to grab them first. Pretty straightforward. I still had a job to do and despite finding out I’m a Jasper Elf, I’m still a Texan. That overrules anything.”
“Interesting rule book.”
“Things have changed.”
“I suppose you’re referring to big bad Lucius. That’s right, I heard about his name, even his background. Good guy cursed to magic hell. That kind of thing is the best kind of gossip. It’s all they’re talking about in the Dark Market. Shifters are the hot topic. There’s even a rumor that Rhazdon has resurfaced. That one true?”
Leira gave him her best dead fish look, not saying anything.
“I’ll take that as a non-committal, committal. That is very interesting.” He leaned back on the couch, crossing his foot over his knee, the small artifacts he found shifting in the pouch still tied around his waist. “I can see where something like that would put a different perspective on things. You tell Jackson?”
“Leave my father out of it. Fuck it, leave my family out of it. This isn’t an explanation, only a goodbye.”
“Appreciate you not ghosting me. Anderson might have cut me loose without warning and I hear the Silver Griffins are still a little hot about a few unauthorized trips to this side of things.” His pouch clinked as he moved. “These are all Oriceran, still up for grabs.”
Leira got up to go. “I wish you well. You’re not a bad guy. Frankly, you fought really well back at the vineyards. It would have been a lot worse without you. You showed up outside of the house at just the right moment. A minute longer…”
Louie thought about the book in the library. All about the choices we make. “Hey, here’s a crazy idea. Let me join you. Come on, don’t roll your eyes. You’re gonna need backup and it can’t come from a human. They’re not equipped for all this. You need someone who’s not only magical but has a few street smarts and has been tested in battle. I have fought off my fair share of Kilomeas, angry gnomes, and slimy things I don’t even know the name for.” He held out his hands, the beer in one of them, shrugging his shoulders. “What do you say?”
“Thanks anyway. Not what I had planned.”
Louie quickly set down the beer and blocked her path. “Come on, none of this was what you had planned, right? Not what I had planned. More of the same unplanned shit is coming our way. I have skills you can use. Give me a shot and if it doesn’t work, like I end up dead or something, then we part ways. No harm, a little foul.”
“You’re not good at taking no for an answer.”
“I suck at it. Women find it charming. Young ones anyway.”
“Call me old again asshole and see how well this goes for you.”
“Wasn’t referring to you. See you more as gender neutral.”
Leira glared at him but started laughing, despite her convictions. “Fine, a trial period that I will probably regret.”
“You won’t, I swear. Are we staying in Austin? Do I need to find a new place to live? I mean, this place isn’t much but the bed’s not bad, as long as you don’t mind rolling toward the center.”
“Stop talking. We’re relocating to D.C. Soon. Be ready. You fuck up at all and you’re out, Louie. That includes disappearing on scavenging trips without notice. You do that, don’t come back.”
“Got it, done. Partners.”
“No, not partners. Not sure what we are, but not partners. You take orders from me. We go out there and see if we can hold off mass chaos just a little longer.”
“Sounds like fun. Me and my sword are all in.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Leira slipped in through the side gate as a cheer went up from the bar. “Leira!”
Estelle snapped a towel at Craig and Mike sitting closest to her from where she stood behind the bar. “How many times have I told you not to do that?”
“More times than I can count.” Mike let out a
laugh and jumped out of the way before Estelle could land another one on him.
“Good one, Estelle,” said Cassidy, picking up her ice tea to keep it out of harm’s way.
Estelle took out her cigarette and blew a perfect trio of O’s as she watched Leira give a wave and keep walking for the guest house. She squinted her eyes through the smoke and grabbed two bottles of beer, easily popping off the tops as she jumped down from her box and walked across the patio.
“I think Estelle is shrinking.”
“Shhhh, Scott, if she hears you…” said Mitzi, as she slipped a piece of cheese to Lemon, sitting by her stool.
“One of these days we’re going to look over at the bar and all we’ll see is a red bouffant and a cloud of smoke.” Kimberly smiled and gave Lemon a little of her watermelon.
“That’s all I can see now if I’m sitting on the patio.”
Estelle turned back to stare down the regulars who all quickly swiveled on their stools, facing the bar again. She let out a deep raspy laugh and turned back to the guest house, putting on another quick coat of her favorite deep red lipstick.
She gave a soft rap and waited for Leira to open the door just wide enough to see who it was, with Estelle holding up the beers. Leira knew better than to try and talk Estelle out of coming in and opened the door wide, while waving behind her back at the troll to go find someplace else to be. She heard a loud tsk as he reluctantly let go of the remote and scrambled for the pantry in the kitchen.
“Might as well settle down in the discount cheese puffs container for the duration,” he squeaked.
Leira kept her eyes on Estelle hoping she didn’t hear a thing as she came inside. “Something on your mind?”
Estelle looked around for a place to stub out her cigarette, leaving it in her mouth even as it became more ash than cigarette. Leira caught on and went into the kitchen to grab a mug to act as a makeshift ash tray. She glanced in the pantry and saw Yumfuck plastered against the inside of the large plastic container. Most of his fur was already tinged in orange and he was busy licking the orange dust off the inside. “Remind me to tell Correk to not eat whatever you leave,” she whispered.