by H. L. Burke
Lotta winced as the cart rolled in, its metal wheels scuffing the polished floors.
The captain drew her to one side as the men lifted her father’s body onto the cart. “We can help you make arrangements, but perhaps we should get you home, first?”
She shook her head. “No, I need to … I need to clean up.”
Her gaze darted about the destruction. The state of the shop would’ve embarrassed Father, who was always so fastidious. The mob had left nothing whole. Even papers lay shredded, drifting in the breeze from the broken windows. One such paper caught her attention: a portion of the schematic. She sprang upon it, then on a second, then a third … as the peace officers stared at her, wide-eyed, she collected almost a dozen scraps of torn schematic.
I have to put them together. They were his gift to me.
“Miss,” one of the officers called. “You really should get somewhere safe. Do you have any family we can—”
She walked into the back room, shutting the door between them.
Though her tools had been scattered, the workbench was still intact. After clearing off a space, she laid out the various pieces of schematic and stood over them. Her heart still loud in her ears, all other noise distant, she focused on the puzzle before her. Perhaps if she could put it back together, it would undo the awful thing those men had done.
Chapter Three
Auric settled in a parlor armchair and stared at the empty fireplace. It had been too warm of late to start a fire, but he would’ve welcomed the light. The lone candle on a table across the room couldn’t penetrate the darkness settling around him.
The door creaked open, and Father entered, face drawn. When his gaze fell on Auric, he smiled. “Quite the party, wasn’t it?”
Auric forced a laughed. The wedding guests had remained long after Jericho and Rill had escaped in a coach. The newlyweds were headed to a hunting lodge a family friend had loaned them for their honeymoon. It was now near midnight, and the remaining family had the house to themselves again.
“I don’t envy the servants picking up the mess in the garden, or the good dining room, or the kitchen.” Auric rubbed his hands together.
“Ah, they’ll manage. That’s why we brought on the extra help, after all.” Father sank into the couch then reached into his pocket. He withdrew his stylus and a paper quire. “It’s too dark in here for my taste.”
He jotted several magical symbols on the paper. Light shot across his spell, the paper crumbling to ash in his hand. The energy coalesced into an orb about the size of his head which hovered for a moment before floating into the fireplace and settling. A faint scent of burnt alder wood lingered about the room. Magicians’ spells often carried a trace odor unique to them. Father liked to work with alder quires, but even when he worked with paper, the scent remained. Auric’s own magic had a trace of lavender from the scented wax he used in his tablet.
Auric’s chest warmed. Simple lighting spells were one of the first things his father had taught him.
“Hard to believe Jericho and Rill will be gone for a whole month. The house already feels empty.” Father rubbed his forehead.
Auric shrugged. “I suppose. I don’t know how much of their cuddling and cooing I could stand, though, so it’s probably for the best.”
“Yes, they should enjoy that while they can. Nothing quite like young love.”
Stroking his beard, Auric concentrated on the glowing orb. Maybe he should’ve told Jericho about Inspector Hovawart and his suspicions. Maybe he should tell Father now. Maybe if he did, it wouldn’t feel like something lurked in the darkness, stalking his happy little family, and there was nothing he could do about it.
“It’ll be good to work alone with you for a while. We haven’t had that opportunity yet—to function as partners in the shop.” Father leaned forward, his chin resting in his hands. “I’ve been feeling poorly since we returned from the Fey Lands. At first, I thought it was just the trauma of everything that happened there, almost losing both Rill and Jericho, finding your mother near death—” He shuddered.
Auric’s chest tightened. Their trip to the Fey Lands, culminating in Auric shutting the rifts, had been the start of all this trouble. However, it had also allowed them to rescue his missing mother. She’d been so weak when they’d found her that Rill had to bolster her life energy with Father’s. Rill often worried that she’d given too much from one parent to the other, but Auric knew Father would’ve completed the transfer even if it had cost him his life. Would Father do the same if presented with Hovawart’s offer to confess and spare Auric the consequences? Auric couldn’t risk that happening.
“You’ve been quiet for the last few days,” Father said. “Want to tell me why?”
Leaning back in his chair, Auric forced a smile. “Just a lot going on, is all. No need to call attention to myself on Rill’s big day.”
Father laughed. “Says the brother who used to crash all her tea parties with her friends, making faces and jeering at her like a hyper monkey.”
“I was eight!” Auric threw up his hands.
“You want to hear my theory on what’s wrong with you?” Father tilted his head.
“Do I have a choice?” Auric scoffed.
“You just watched your little sister, and your best friend, ride away to wedded bliss. You’re twenty, living at home with your two elderly parents in the middle of a dull country town with maybe three eligible females near your own age, most of whom already have their own beaus, and none of whom I’ve seen you make any attempt to befriend.” Father raised his eyebrows. “You’re lonely, Auric. You see what your sister and Jericho have, and you want that, and that’s good. That’s natural.”
Auric stared at his father. Was he serious?
“If you’d like,” Father continued, “I can inquire amongst the Magicians’ Guild to see if anyone has any eligible daughters or nieces—”
“Oh, no!” Auric leaped to his feet, eager to escape the discussion as well as fend off any potential match-making schemes. “Thank you, Father, but the last thing I need is you setting me up with some respectable maiden.”
A mischievous grin pulled at the corner of Father’s mouth. “Would you prefer a disreputable one?”
In spite of himself, Auric guffawed. “No, I’ve tried that before.” An emptiness settled in the pit of his stomach at the memory. “Didn’t … make me feel the way I’d hoped.”
Father’s expression grew solemn. “It will happen, Auric. You’re a good young man, and somewhere out there, there’s a lucky young woman who is destined to find that out for herself.”
“Hedward?” Auric’s mother, Iris, poked her head through the door. Her clear blue eyes reflected the light from the orb and her long white hair flowed behind her like a ghostly veil. Even so, she somehow looked far younger than Father. “You should be in bed. I thought you would fall asleep on your feet bidding the guests good-bye.” She strode in and took her husband’s hand.
“You’re right, Iris.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t stay up too late, Auric. We have orders to catch up on in the morning.”
“Of course, sir.” Auric relaxed into the chair and watched as the orb shrank smaller and smaller. Assuming his father had used his standard lighting spell, it would dwindle to nothing an hour after Father had cast it. “I’ll turn in when the light goes out,” he called to his departing parents.
Alone again, he shook his head. This was the worst possible time to consider courting. If Inspector Hovawart could prove that someone in Spellsmith Manor had closed the rifts, they’d come after Father first. Father was in no shape to handle an inquest, let alone whatever punishment the Magicians’ Congress might mete out. It might even kill him.
No, if the accusation was leveled, Auric would confess. He could deal with the consequences. Father was old. Jericho needed to be there for Rill. Auric could handle it. Yes, if it came to that, Auric would take the fall.
Chapter Four
Jericho stepped out of the carriag
e and turned to help Rill down into the courtyard of Spellsmith Manor. The month of honey-mooning had been amazing, but part of him was glad to be home.
“You know I’m capable of dismounting on my own.” She giggled.
“I know, but I like doing this.” He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her. Pulling her against his chest, he kissed her forehead. Even after all they’d shared over the last month, the lilac scent of her hair still sent a thrill through him.
Jaspyr yipped and sprang from the driver’s seat, where their coachman had been kind enough to let him ride. Apparently the fox got “carriage sick” if he traveled inside for too long—at least according to Rill. Jericho wasn’t sure how a magically-animated bronze fox could feel any sort of sickness, but he’d learned long ago that in most matters it was best to trust Rill, even if it sounded like she might be making something up.
“I thought you two would’ve had enough of cosseting each other by now,” a voice laughed.
They looked up and found Auric stepping out the front door.
“Never.” Rill grinned.
Jaspyr frisked about Auric’s ankles, bouncing at the young magician’s knees until Auric bent down and rubbed his metallic ears.
“How was your little love nest in the woods?” Auric asked.
“Wonderful, but still, it’s good to be home.” Rill pried herself from Jericho’s arms and embraced her brother. “Where’s Father and Mother?”
He motioned with his head back into the house. “Inside. Father wanted to greet you, but he got one of his headaches, and Mother insisted he lie down about an hour ago. She’s making sure he actually obeys.”
Rill’s brow furrowed. “Again? I was hoping he’d be better by now. I should talk to Mother.” She hurried inside.
Jericho rubbed the back of his neck before offering Auric his hand. “You managed not to burn the place down while I was gone, I see.”
“Just barely.” Auric sniffed. The men shook hands.
“Didn’t put too many sun symbols on your latest frost ward?” Jericho raised an eyebrow.
Auric punched his shoulder. “It’s good to see you again, too.”
Jericho laughed. Yeah, he’d missed Auric.
They strode into the manor and found Iris and Rill embracing in the foyer. With wedding-related clutter cleared away, Iris had again filled the entry with potted plants and drying herbs. Jericho’s mother-in-law was most at home in a garden, but since she couldn’t very well sleep in a flower bed, she did her best to bring the garden inside with her.
Iris withdrew from Rill and opened her arms to Jericho. Resisting the urge to clear his throat, Jericho accepted a quick hug.
“Hedward heard your carriage pull up, and it was all I could do to stop him from rushing downstairs in his night clothes,” she said as she released him. “He’ll be down as soon as he’s dressed. I’m going to see if Annie has tea ready. Why don’t you all settle into the parlor?”
“I’ll help you, Mother.” Rill followed her into the kitchen.
Auric and Jericho retreated to the small, furniture-stuffed room.
“So, how was your holiday?” Auric asked.
“Wonderful.” Jericho settled onto the couch and stretched out his long legs. “I spent a lot of it teaching Rill magic. She has years of catching up to do, now that your father has lifted his restrictions on her education. I wish I had her knack. She takes to it instinctively, you know? Spells that took me weeks to memorize, she’ll absorb in a day.”
“Yeah, she’s always been good at that.” Auric took one of the two armchairs.
Footsteps echoed from the foyer, and Hedward entered. He smiled and offered Jericho his hand. “Good to see you, Jericho. I trust you’ve been taking care of my little girl?”
“Of course, sir.” Jericho couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face.
Auric winced. “Seriously, Jericho! Don’t smile about my sister that way.”
“Sorry.” Jericho’s grin morphed into a smirk. “So I suppose you aren’t looking for details—”
“Gah!” Auric threw up his hands.
Jericho laughed. He wouldn’t have gone into that, of course. No, that was private, between himself and his bride. Still, there was something gratifying in seeing Auric squirm.
“Behave yourself, boys.” Hedward frowned though his eyes twinkled.
Iris and Rill returned, followed a moment later by the cook, Annie, who pushed a wheeled tray covered in tea things. Jaspyr frisked about their feet until Rill threw him a scone. The fox retreated under the couch with his prize.
Auric offered his chair to his mother then stood to the side as Hedward took the other. Rill sat beside Jericho, melting against him. He placed his hand on her knee. Hedward and Iris gazed at them, starry-eyed, as if in the front row for a romantic theater performance. Jericho’s collar constricted on his throat. Rill gave out a nervous giggle.
“So business as usual around the shop?” she asked. “He might not admit it, but Jerry’s eager to get back to work. Nothing he loves more than good old practical magic.”
Brilliant, Rill. Jericho gave her knee an extra squeeze, glad to have his in-laws’ attention diverted.
“We have a few orders this week, but nothing too pressing,” Auric said. “Still, I think we should let you handle them all, just to make up for being gone for a month.”
“I’m up for it.” Jericho leaned forward. “What is it? Pest wards? Sentry spells?”
“You really shouldn’t be eager for either of those things.” Auric chuckled. “They’re basic magic you’ve done a thousand times.”
“Nothing wrong with basic magic. It’s how we make our trade,” Jericho answered. “Can’t be flashy, theoretical magic with world-saving consequences all the time.”
Auric’s mouth weakened, as if stricken by a sudden bad memory. Jericho scanned his friend’s features. It wasn’t like Auric to keep secrets. If anything, Jericho usually had trouble getting the more outgoing man to keep his mouth shut.
Someone rapped gently on the parlor door. Annie stuck her head in. “Master Spellsmith, there’s a messenger with a letter for you. Says you have to sign for it yourself.”
Hedward stood. “I’ll be right back.” He followed their cook out, closing the door behind him.
“So,” Jericho began his careful prying into Auric’s mental state, “no trouble while we were gone?”
“Of course not. If anything, it’s been deadly dull.” Auric leaned against the brick casing of the unlit fireplace. “Right, Mother?”
“For you, maybe, all young and restless.” Iris smiled. “I’m at the point in my life where I just want to watch the flowers grow and sip a good cup of tea. Speaking of which—” She poured a cup and held it up to her son. “And you, Trillium? Three sugars, right?”
“Oh, just one. The last week or so, if it’s too sweet, I’ve been getting queasy.”
Iris’s eyes glinted like a magpie sighting a shiny object. “Really? And have you been getting enough sleep?”
“Of course—”
A muffled shriek penetrated the door. Jericho sprang to his feet. “That’s Annie.”
“Oh, Master! Help!” the cook cried.
The family rushed for the door, but Jericho with his long legs made it out first. Annie hunched over Hedward who sat, back against the wall, head slumped to the side. He stared blankly forward, half his face drooping like a smushed bit of wax. Jericho’s heart jolted.
“What happened?” He knelt beside his father-in-law, gently pushing the quivering Annie to the side.
“I … I don’t know. He read the letter the messenger brought.” She nodded towards a crumpled piece of paper at Hedward’s side. “Then he said he couldn’t see right and he needed to sit down and … his voice …” She covered her mouth with her hand and stepped back as the family pressed in.
“I’m all … I’m …” Hedward slurred. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed.
“Sir? Master Spellsm
ith!” A chill shot through Jericho. “I can’t wake him up.”
Chapter Five
Auric’s pulse pounded as he stared at his father’s limp body.
Jericho lifted his head from Father’s chest. “Annie, get Will. Tell him to fetch the doctor.”
Rill clutched her skirt in her hands. “It’ll take too long. We need to do something now.”
Iris whimpered and pulled her husband’s head onto her lap. “Darling, please, wake up. Please, don’t leave me so soon.” She looked up, eyes wide. “He’s turning blue!”
“His tongue might be blocking his airway,” Auric stammered.
Iris forced her fingers into her husband’s mouth, but his color didn’t return.
Head spinning, Auric tugged at his beard then instinctively reached into his breast pocket for the book-sized case containing his wax tablet and stylus. “There’s a spell … something ... My instructor in magical healing said there was a way.” He twirled his stylus between his fingers. “I can’t remember. It was supposed to force air into a person’s lungs and revive them. I can’t …” He couldn’t think straight. Spell symbols flashed through his brain along with the droning memory of his professor’s voice. What had he said? He covered his eyes, nearly dropping his stylus.
Rill sprang forward and snatched the tablet from her brother’s hand. She withdrew a stylus from somewhere within her hair and started scribbling. “I have an idea.” Golden light raced across the symbols she’d etched into the wax. Hedward’s chest inflated as if he’d drawn a great breath, then it escaped in a wheeze. His eyes snapped open.
Jericho took the tablet from his wife. “A bellows spell?” He raised his eyebrows. “Rill, this is for starting fires.”
“It worked!” she snapped.
Hedward’s eyes drooped halfway shut, but his rib cage continued to rise and fall with steady if shallow breaths. Auric collapsed to his knees.
A fat lot of good he’d been. He had to learn not to panic.
“Let’s get him to bed and keep an eye on him until the doctor gets here.” Iris slipped her arms beneath Hedward’s shoulders.