"I've been mulling over a few offers," declared the witch. "With all this New Age mysticism around, it's no big deal anymore claiming to be a witch. So, I'm not bound by the same constraints as most other supernaturals. Nobody takes me seriously, but they all want to hear what I have to say. In the past six months, I've lectured at three colleges, a half-dozen feminist rallies, and turned down an appearance on Oprah. It's been a kick. Trouble is, most people involved in the revival are more interested in pagan ceremonies and getting naked than real magic. But, that's pretty much the way it's always been, even during the Middle Ages."
Jack rose to his feet. "The word 'Beltane' mean anything to you, Hazel?"
The witch frowned. "It have something to do with a festival of sorts? The title sounds familiar, but I was never much one on ceremonies. I was a woods witch. Ask Simon. If anyone in camp knows the word's significance, it'll be him. He always does. Simon's a know-it-all."
"So I noticed," said Jack. "He has the right answer, if you ask the right question. That's the trick."
"The newsstand isn't far from here," said Hazel. "I'm surprised he's not back yet."
"I'll go outside and wait," said Jack. "Besides, I want to stretch my legs. Thanks again for breakfast."
"Always glad to help a mortal in need," said Hazel, her bright eyes twinkling. "It's my nature."
The trailer camp consisted of nearly two dozen campers spread out over several acres of woodland. The owner of the grounds was a leprechaun named O'Malley, who Jack had yet to meet. According to Cassandra, the Irish faerie had cashed in his gold hoard years ago and invested the money in real estate. He lived in Illinois because it was one of the few states that still permitted blind land trusts. Rumor had it that O'Malley owned half the real estate in the Loop.
Fortunately, the faerie believed in sharing his good fortune with his fellow supernaturals. He maintained the trailer camp in Chicago's far western suburbs for those of his kind who couldn't afford any other lodging. Or who longed for the company of others like themselves. The ones with money, O'Malley charged a small rental fee; the others stayed for free.
Jack drifted idly through the campgrounds, letting the tensions of the last few days drain from him. The green grass, the huge old trees, and the cool spring breeze combined to form an incredibly restful setting. A child of the city, born and bred in concrete and steel surroundings, Jack had never fully grasped the lure of the outdoors. Now, for the first time, he felt in some small way he understood what Simon meant about needing the woods.
After roving aimlessly for twenty minutes, he stumbled across Cassandra in a small clearing, exercising with her walking staff. Mesmerized, he watched the black woman practice. She moved silently, with an inherent grace and speed that Jack found fascinating. The Amazon flowed from location to location, never resting in one spot more than a few seconds. She handled her wood staff with such incredible skill that it seemed like an extension of her body. Though her arms and legs glistened from a thin layer of sweat, she exhibited no other signs of physical distress. Watching her work, Jack had no doubt that she was the most beautiful and most deadly woman he had ever seen.
"Hey, Cassandra," he called after a few minutes passed and she showed no signs of slowing down, "how about taking a break? I'm getting worn out from watching you."
Twirling her staff around so fast that it blurred, Cassandra slammed the wood stick into the ground. It quivered for an instant, then stopped, one end embedded six inches into the soil. Smiling, the Amazon stepped over to Jack.
"Sorry. I truthfully didn't notice you. When I'm practicing, my mind is totally focused on my art. Nothing distracts me."
She smiled. "Feeling better this morning?"
"Much," he replied. "This place is terrific. It's so peaceful."
Cassandra chuckled. "It's great if peace is what you're looking for."
From the tone of her voice, it was quite clear that peace was not one of Cassandra's top priorities. Her expression grew serious. "I want you to do me a favor, Jack."
"Name it," he replied. "You saved my life, remember? I'm in your debt. Ask away."
"I'd like to join your party," said Cassandra nervously. Voice trembling slightly, she continued. "You and Simon can't defeat von Bern and the forces of night without help. There's too many of them. While most of the supernaturals in this camp sympathize with your goals, they're not fighters. Most of them prefer not to get involved. In many ways, they've adapted too well to modem life. Hazel, Sylvester and Simon are the exceptions, not the norms. Me, too. My kind believe in battling for the underdogs. I would help even the odds."
Jack shrugged. "It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. I'm not proud. If you're crazy enough to make the offer, don't expect me to turn you down." He paused. "Obviously, you thought otherwise. How come?"
Cassandra smiled gently, her eyes misting noticeably. "I've lived an awful long time, Jack Collins. Legends of the Amazons date back to the time of Troy, and thus, so do I. For three thousand years, I've burned with the constant desire to fight. A true warrior maid, I live for battle.
"Most of those centuries were spent living on my own. There weren't a large number of Amazons originally, and we were created with an insidious weakness that rendered many of us vulnerable to the ravages of time. I suspect I may be the last of my kind alive. And being a true Amazon in a man's world is no fun. No fun at all."
Cassandra wrenched her staff out of the ground. "The notion of equality between the sexes never existed before this era, Jack. Men, especially fighting men, have always had a hard time accepting a woman who fought as well, if not better, than themselves. You can't imagine how many famous heroes rejected offers similar to the one I made to you. You truly can't imagine. Thousands of innocents suffered and died because their 'saviors' were too proud to accept the aid of a woman. I appreciate your trust in me. You won't be sorry."
"That's the least..." began Jack, only to be interrupted by a loud voice from the woods.
"Hey," called Simon, emerging from the trees, "guess who's back from the 7-Eleven? I heard you were looking for me."
Sighing, Jack turned to the changeling. Interrupting meaningful conversations defined Simon's talent. Jack shook his head, wondering what Cassandra meant by "an insidious weakness." From the Amazon's tone of voice, he felt certain it was not a subject she would broach willingly. He made a mental note to put the question to Simon when they were alone. In the meantime, another more urgent query required his attention.
"The word 'Beltane' strike any chords in that storehouse of knowledge inside your head?" Jack asked the changeling. "I think it's vital to our mission."
"Beltane," repeated Simon, his eyes glazing over, "is the name of the ancient Celtic festival of fire held on the eve of May first to welcome the advent of summer. Its origins are lost in the sands of prehistory. It survives in a much different form today as May Day. As does the winter festival, Samhain, now celebrated as Halloween.
"The Celts believed that along with Samhain, Beltane was a day when Beings of Terrible Power walked the Earth. The Druids considered it sacred. On May Day Eve, the priests sacrificed hundreds, burning them alive in wicker cages to satisfy the hunger of their gods."
"Human sacrifices?" said Jack, blood draining from his face. "I don't think I like what I'm hearing. It's only four days until May first. Is it possible that's what von Bern is planning? On May Eve, he intends to sacrifice the women he kidnapped to the ancient demigod pulling his strings."
"The demon Gods of antiquity thirst for the souls of the living," declared Simon. "If von Bern handles the ritual correctly, it would impart to his master incredible power." The faerie's voice dropped to a whisper. "Godlike power."
"Perhaps provide the monster with enough energy to destroy civilization," said Jack. "I'm convinced. We've got to find von Bern's headquarters and stop this mad scheme before it's too late. For all humanity."
"That's not going to be easy," said Simon. "Particularly considering the headline on toda
y's paper."
"What are you talking about?' Jack asked. He frowned as Simon handed him the front section of the Sunday newspaper.
His eyes bulged as he stared at the bold print. Drug War on Campus! Beneath the headline, in smaller type, the story proclaimed, "College Drug Lord Vanishes, Millions in Narcotics Found in His Apartment!"
Jack's picture filled the rest of the page.
"I see what you mean," he said, his hands shaking, as he returned the section to Simon.
Chapter 23
THEY CONVENED A council of war in Hazel's camper. One human, three supernaturals, and one magical cat sat around the kitchen table and debated what to do next. Jack, his face white with anger, tightly clutched the offending newspaper in both hands. He appeared ready to rip it to shreds. His voice trembled with rage when he spoke.
"Von Bern and his flunkies set up this frame perfectly. That Border Redcap Simon and I spotted watching my apartment building was there for a reason. He never stirred because he was waiting for us to leave. That's when the goon acted, planting the dope in my rooms. The German used a double-edged attack.
"He tried to kill me at the mathematics building. At the same time, he rigged my apartment, knowing I wouldn't dare return there. When I escaped his one trap, he sprang the second. The newspaper mentioned an anonymous phone tip to Anderson. And I was the one stupid enough to mention dope to the security chief in the first place."
"Don't get bent out of shape, Jack," said Cassandra. "There's nothing you could have done. If it hadn't been drugs, the German would have come up with another scheme. He's a devious bastard. It's built into his character. The important thing is not letting your anger cloud your good judgment.
"Simply put, you've been framed. The Huntsman caught you looking in the wrong direction. Now, not only are von Bern and the Gabble Ratchets hunting you, but the police as well. You're a wanted man, Jack. What do you plan to do about it?"
"Cassandra's right," said Simon. "Von Bern wins this round. He's put you on the run. Score a point for the bad guy. But, winning a skirmish doesn't mean the war's over. Consider the big picture. If we lose, your reputation won't be the only thing in ruins. Remember, according to Merlin, our entire civilization is at stake."
"Merlin the Magician," declared Hazel unexpectedly. She laughed, a high-pitched cackling sound right out of the Saturday morning cartoon shows. "Let him handle your legal problems. He's sneakier than any lawyer. The Old Boy is an expert untangling sticky situations. He snaps his fingers and all the tangled mess falls into place. Or close enough. Look how he managed that King Arthur nonsense. You worry about saving the world. Once Merlin's free, he'll take care of the small stuff."
"That King Arthur nonsense?" repeated Jack.
"Another time," said Hazel.
"All right," said Jack reluctantly. Conversations with the supernaturals drove him crazy. They interspersed their comments with tantalizing mentions of past exploits, but they never clarified any of those points later on. Jack wanted to know more about Willy Shakespeare, Cassandra's earlier encounters with heroes, and King Arthur. But that would have to wait. Beltane required his immediate attention.
"At least, we have answers to some of the questions concerning this upcoming apocalypse," continued Jack. "We know who locally is in charge of the enemy. We also know why von Bern kidnapped the women. Beltane answers the question of when he plans to conduct this sacrifice. What we still don't know is how he managed to conduct his crimes, and where he intends to kill his victims."
"Whatever you say, Jack," said Simon, a blank look on his face. "You're in charge. My relatives will provide whatever support they can. But none of them are willing to take any risks. Von Bern scares them too much. I'm the only one willing to contribute. I'm part of the team."
"Same with me," said Cassandra. "I love a good fight. I'm in this to the end. You can count on me. But don't look at me to offer many ideas. I'm a fighter, not a thinker."
"That's the truth about most of us," said Hazel, nodding her head in agreement. "We act by instinct, not by plan. Which is why humans are always the heroes and we supernatural make up the troops. Sylvester and I are with you too. Jack. If you'll have us."
"Of course," said Jack. "The more the merrier. I need all the help I can get."
Mentally, Jack grimaced. He had hoped for a few useful suggestions or ideas. By now he should have known better. His friends possessed incredible powers, but original thinking wasn't included in the list. Deductive reasoning was his job. Unfortunately, even Sherlock Holmes couldn't solve a mystery without a few clues. And Jack had absolutely nothing.
"Why not talk to the mall nymphs?" said Sylvester, leaping into Hazel's lap. Purring, the cat made itself comfortable and began cleaning its paws. "They know the answers to lots of questions. It's part of their nature."
"What a wonderful suggestion," said Hazel. "I should have thought of them. The nymphs are neutral, and they love to gossip. Everyone tells them their secrets."
"Of course they do," said Simon, grinning. "You can't make time with a mall nymph unless you tell her a secret."
"Disgusting little tramps," said Cassandra with a sneer.
"They seem to enjoy themselves," said Hazel, cackling again.
Jack winced. The witch's laughter hurt his ears. "Someone want to fill me in?" he asked. "Who are these mall nymphs? And, more important, can they actually help us?"
"Mall nymphs are the genius loci of shopping malls," said Simon cheerfully. "Like our friend Cassandra, they date back to the time of ancient Greece."
"Don't link me with them," said Cassandra angrily. She glared at Simon. "Shameless female spirits, they called themselves dryads during the Golden Age. They lived in forest groves, frolicking naked among the trees. Entirely devoid of shame, the vixens delighted in tempting unwary soldiers foolish enough to camp in their glades."
Jack stifled a grin. With a flash of insight, he realized a basic truth about the Amazon. Cassandra was a prude. He wondered if the trait somehow tied in with her "insidious weakness." Reminding himself to question Simon about Amazons, he focused his attention on what Hazel was saying.
"Immoral or not, mall nymphs love secrets. They pry them out of any male supernatural they encounter. And, since they are among the most beautiful and definitely the most amorous of all our kind, the girls entertain many, many visitors. I'm sure von Bern or his lieutenants have enjoyed their company numerous times."
Jack pursed his lips. "Uh, how do you propose persuading these lovely ladies to reveal what they know? Or haven't you thought about that?"
Simon smirked. "Trust me on this one, Jack. I'm on excellent terms with the girls. They'll tell me anything. I guarantee it."
Jack turned to the old witch and her familiar. "Hazel?"
"Simon is an obnoxious braggart," said the witch, "but he has a certain way with the ladies. If the mall nymphs will speak freely with anyone, it will be with him."
"Cassandra," Jack continued, "any thoughts?"
"Hazel's right," said the Amazon, her expression sour. "Simon possesses a silver tongue. He can talk a bird out of a tree if he sets his mind to it. Let him work his wiles on the nymphs. After all, do we have any other leads?"
"My feelings exactly," said Jack. He stood up. "I'm ready to head off and meet these nymphs."
"You might be," said Simon, "but unfortunately, the malls don't open till noon on Sunday."
The changeling held up the newspaper with Jack's picture. "While I dislike raising the possibility, since the advent of all those 'Most Wanted' shows on television, aren't you taking a big chance going to the shopping mall? I would hate for civilization to collapse because a nosy old grandmother spots your face and calls the cops."
"I didn't think of that," admitted Jack.
Hazel cackled and scurried for the bedroom, sending Sylvester flying to the floor. "I hate when she does that," said the cat. "Hurrying never solves anything. We cats know better."
Hazel scuttled back into the kitch
en, holding a half-filled flask in one gnarled hand. "Almost forgot I had this stuff. Potion number ten."
She filled a paper cup to the top with the black fluid. It looked like India ink. And smelled like turpentine. Jack wondered if the old witch made the stuff in the sink. He hoped Hazel wasn't going to ask him to swallow it. She did.
"Bottoms up," she said, handing him the container. Before he could blurt out his question about the ingredients, she shook her head. "The same answer as earlier. You're better off not knowing."
Eyes squeezed shut. Jack swallowed. A jolt of electricity raced through his body, standing his every hair on end. As with the previous drink, the sensation vanished in an instant. Other than a slight tingling to his skin, he felt fine.
"Nice trick," said Simon, grinning.
Cassandra shook her head, smiling faintly. "Witchcraft."
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked, suddenly apprehensive. "What happened?"
Hazel handed Jack a small mirror. "See for yourself, dearie."
Gripping the looking glass with both hands, Jack stared at his reflection. He gasped, as he found himself confronted by a perfect stranger. Or, more exactly, a not-so-perfect stranger.
"My hair is purple," he whispered, "and cut in a Mohawk. My teeth are yellow and my skin is too pink. There's a gold skull earring dangling from my left ear. And I don't have any eyebrows. What did you do to me!"
"Touch your ear," commanded Hazel. "Feel an earring?"
"No," said Jack, watching in the glass as his hand reached up and tugged at the gold skull. "Nothing's there. But, in the mirror..."
"It's an illusion," said the witch. "The potion creates a perfect, three-dimensional simulacrum. Beneath the deception, your features haven't changed a whit."
"Thank god," said Jack. "Why purple hair?"
Hazel shrugged. "Why not? These spells work the way they want. Not much I can do to control them. Cheap ingredients."
The witch's tone turned serious. "One word of warning. The spell isn't a particularly strong one. I'm not sure how long it will last. Or if its magic will survive contact with a stronger sorcery. So, beware."
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