Conjuring Quantico (The Federal Witch Book 1)

by T S Paul

  “How many teachers have they sent?”

  I heard a smirk from the far corner of the room. Ignoring my recalcitrant roommate I continued on. “After this morning over a dozen. I keep breaking them.”

  “OK. That explains the overly excited elderly man I had in my office this morning. He made no sense whatsoever, but kept repeating that it was not his fault. What did you do to him?”

  “I still don’t think I was wrong. He was trying to train me to do a diagnostic spell that would trace magical sources. He claims I wrote the wrong word down in my book.”

  “Wrong word?”

  “Most wizards or witches perform magic in a different language. We could do it in English but the use of the different language makes it more of a ritual than everyday practice. Generally, we use Old Norse. There are some that use Latin or Greek. I prefer the Norse. The word actually has five different spellings that mean essentially the same thing. However if used in a spell different things can happen. That was news to me, actually.”

  “What did you do to upset him so?”

  “One of the many teachers they have sent told me to always cast a look-around spell before casting. Just to make sure that there were no bystanders or innocents that can possibly be harmed. Montgomery, the old guy, told me that spell was unnecessary and to do what he told me to do. So I did. He began yelling at me as soon as I spoke the wrong word. The diagnostic failed to happen and there was a bright flash of light. Behind us on the edge of the tree-line a rabbit and a deer had literally just stepped out as I cast. Somehow the spell fused the two creatures. We now have at least one Jackalope here on the reservation.”

  The director smiled and then when she realized I wasn’t kidding, grimaced. “Why do you say at least one?”

  “I think I sort of saw three earlier in the field across the street. The last time I did something like this was when I was four. Those squirrels are still purple. I have no idea how far that spell may have gone. I’m sure the Council will be contacting you before too long. I half expected to hear from them before I ran into your trio of Russians.”

  “About them. Will the Council send someone?”

  “Well, I sent them the required message after I froze them. They usually respond within twenty-four hours. Think of them as cable repairmen. The spell will hold until they show up.”

  Director Mills looked at me and then at Cat. “What am I to do with the three of you?”

  “We would like for you to let us be students, ma’am. It’s why we’re here. Think of us as natural resources. We just need training to make us more useful.”

  “I know school hasn’t started yet, but I want all of you to keep low profiles from now on. This incident is going to make waves. I will take responsibility for most of it, but there could be repercussions. Be careful. Now I need to get back to my office. My assistants must have thought the world ended or something by now.”

  Locking down my lab I scooped up a still unconscious Fergus and exited the building. I muttered to myself as we walked. The protections and the wards surrounding my building slowly began to reform and expose themselves. When we reached the three Russiansicles I telekinetically moved them to the other side of the road laying them in the field. “It wouldn’t look good to have the whoever the Council sends get stuck in my wards...” I muttered.

  As we reached her car, I triggered the last of the wards. The lab was now protected again.

  “I will reissue the orders concerning this place and notify the Marines. I expect to be notified if there are any more accidents. Am I understood?” We all nodded. “Good. Enjoy your classes tomorrow; I will be watching.”

  Cat looked at me as Mills drove away. “Agatha, we are in big trouble.”

  I nodded. “Yes, yes we are. But we’re tough and we can handle it.”

  “Or we just send Chuck in our place and let him deal with it.”

  I smiled at her. “Good plan. Let’s do that one.”

  Chuck looked up at the mention of his name. “Hey now, what am I doing?!”

  Chapter 4

  Picking up my schedule was far easier than it had been the previous year. Gone were the guns and agents shooting at me. I found I almost felt a bit neglected! As I climbed the steps I glanced around at the brand new entranceway and reception desk. The damage hadn’t been much but in the end they replaced the whole thing. It made me wonder what sort of defenses it now contained. Were they the same as the old ones? Or better…? The blonde behind the desk flinched when I gave her my name, but she didn’t attack me like last time. It boggled my mind why in an age of digital communications we even used hard copy class schedules. It had to be some sort of government bureaucracy thing.

  “Miss Blackmore, here is your class schedule. Director Mills left a note here for you to see her this morning. According to her calendar, she is available now. Do you have any questions about your classes?”

  My head was swirling. I just saw the Director yesterday. I got my eyes to focus and looked at the paper I had clutched in my hand. Law enforcement procedures three times a week in the morning, followed by martial arts and phys-ed. Two days I week I had target shooting and basic combat. In the afternoons my schedule was marked ‘special’ with a symbol I was unfamiliar with. I looked up at the mousy blond and asked. “What does this mean on here? Special, with this symbol?”

  “That is why the Director needs to speak to you. Shall I tell her to expect you?” I looked at her. Her fake smile really made me nervous. Well, that and the fact that her right hand stayed under her desk the entire time. What did she think I was going to do?

  “Tell the Director I’m on my way.” I could see her visibly relax and actually remove her right hand from whatever she had it on.

  Shaking my head, I headed up to the second floor. Several agents and security guards passed me on the way, all of them clutching at their sidearms. I considered taking the stairs but got on the elevator instead. Two agents stepped on with me and ignored me. They were talking to each other but kept checking their guns the entire ride up. I got off at the second floor and so did they. The Director’s office was at the end of the hallway. I could sense that everyone was watching me as I stepped up to the door and knocked.

  “Come.” I opened the door and stepped inside. I had to shake my head. I’d been here a half year already, and these people were all still scared of me. The secretary was a youngish man who stood with his hand on his hip as I stepped up to his desk. “My name is Agatha Blackmore. Director Mills is expecting me.”

  “Go right in Miss Blackmore.” He took his hand off his sidearm and sat back down at his desk and went back to whatever he was working on.

  I opened the door and stepped inside. The Director smiled at me and started to say something. I cut her off. “What is it with all the people in this building? Every single one of them looks at me as a threat and grabs their guns. You do realize that if a member of the Witches’ Council ever visits they will take offense at that, right?”

  “I’m sorry, what? What do you mean they grab their guns?”

  I looked at her incredulously. “Really? Have you watched any of the building security footage?”

  “I haven’t. Should I?”

  “Not to tell you how to do your, job but if I was my Grams, you wouldn’t have a building to sit in. She would have leveled the place. They act like I’m going to attack them. That mess last year? They fired first. I didn’t attack anyone until those idiots in the Humvees started shooting at me.”

  She just stared at me for a moment. “Hold that thought.” She pressed a button. “Spence? Do we have access to building security tapes from my office?”

  “Uh, no Ma’am. Those can only be accessed from the security division's office.”

  Looking back up at me she said. “Feel like a field trip? Come on, let’s go watch a movie.” She took her sidearm out of a drawer and holstered it. She grabbed what looked like a tablet and her phone.

  Spencer looked up as we walked by. “Spencer,
I’ll be out of the office for a short while. Only send the most urgent items to me. Thanks.”

  She turned to me as we stepped into the hallway. “I’ve been trying to get out of there all morning. I asked for you today to explain your schedule to you. Besides your regular classes would you be willing to teach agents and others about witchcraft and magic? Just general information and how things work, not the practical part.”

  “That’s a really good idea, Director. When I first got here last year, I was incredibly surprised how ignorant this agency is about the paranormal world and magic. After a hundred years you would think people here would know some stuff by now. I will need to ask permission of the Council, but I don’t see why they would say no.”

  “Great. Turn left up here.” We had been walking down the hall and up a flight of stairs as we talked. As we entered the hallway on the left, we passed a sign that said security offices.

  The Director stopped at the reception desk and told them she wanted badges for two.

  “Of course, Director. Who shall I put for the second one?” The security officer looked at me curiously.

  “Agatha Blackmore.”

  The guard froze in the act of typing it in and stared at the Director. She glared at him. “Is there a problem?”

  “Uh, no Ma’am. No problem. Are you sure Ma’am? She’s one of those.” He made a hand motion.

  The Director looked at me and rolled her eyes. I stifled a giggle. “She’s what, Officer? A student? A woman? Oh I get it, she's a witch. We don’t discriminate around here, you know? But we do represent the government. Give me the badges, please! Now.”

  The security officer paled and quickly made up the badges. His hands were shaking when he handed them over to her. She handed me one and turned back to the officer. “Pick a day next week and report to human resources for race relations training. I will tell them to expect you, Officer Nixon.”

  I clipped the ID to my shirt and followed the Director through the security scanner. It immediately went off. She started to hand over her weapon and the guards stopped her.

  “Ma’am it’s not that sort of scanner. Is there any item in your possession of a magical nature?”

  Once again she glanced back at me. I really couldn’t help myself this time. “Told you so.”

  “The young lady with me is of a magical nature. Allow her to pass.” She motioned for me to pass through the portal.

  “Ma’am, our instructions are to not allow…” He never got to finish his statement.

  “Who am I? What is my position in this agency and building?”

  “You are the Director.”

  “Who issued those orders that you are blindly following?”

  “They came from your office, Ma’am.”

  “They did? Interesting. When did they come from my office?”

  “Last year after SHE nearly destroyed the building!”

  The Director turned in my direction. “Did you really?”

  “No. I sort of wanted to go to school here. They fired first, and the ricochets did a small amount of damage in here. I took it outside.”

  She turned back to the security officers. “As you well know, Director Offenberg was retired for cause. I will review his orders to you, but you will allow us to pass. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. I understand.”

  “Excellent. Now get with Officer Nixon over there. He is going to a training session on race relations down in Human Resources. I will be notifying them of your attendance. Now get out of my way!”

  She passed the portal with no problems but I set the thing off. An alarm began screaming and agents popped out of doorways with guns drawn. The Director didn’t look amused. She turned back around and glared at the security officers who shut the system down and sent some sort of all-clear signal.

  “I’m starting to see the problem you’re having, Agatha. Come on; I have some more heads to collect.” I stuck close to her as we walked the hall. This was actually sort of fun in a morbid way. It was nice to actually have someone on my side for a change around here.

  There was a pair of double-doors in front of us with the words ‘No Electronics Allowed’ prominently displayed on the doors. A row of lockers stood next to the door. The Director took her phone and tablet and placed them inside. She also took off her watch. I followed her lead and placed my phone and tablet inside her locker. My watch was of the pocket variety and very old. It had belonged to my grandfather, and I used it in my spell work.

  The room inside was similar to a casino’s surveillance room. Screens were everywhere. Specialized agents sat and stared at the screens making notes or notifications. No room was sacred. I nudged the Director and pointed to a camera inside her office. Her eyes suddenly got that evil glint I had seen before. Just as she was about to yell at someone I saw another violation. Cameras in the dorm rooms! I felt a small fireball form in my hand for just a moment before canceling it. Our eyes met, and she nodded. She would fix this.

  The agents in the room were completely unaware of the chaos that was about to descend upon them. The man in charge of the room was sub-Director Richard Jonson. His head was down as he studied one of the students in the dormitory. He had been watching, for security purposes of course, for the entire day, when he was yanked out of his chair. Suddenly on the floor he looked up at the angry face of his boss Director Mills.

  “What is the meaning of this?” She pointed at the bank of screens covering the dorm and his own project.

  “Ma’am we have to search for security threats! The previous Director…”

  “Was relieved for cause! This is outrageous! Do you realize the lawsuit that could come from this? They would own this school!”

  “No one can sue the Government and win. It doesn’t matter.”

  “Did I ask for your opinion? I want it shut down! Right freaking NOW!”

  “Ma’am I need authorization to shut down an ongoing investigation into…”

  “Agatha can you?”

  I twitched my finger and a ball of electricity hit the bank of monitors and fried every single one of them in a bright flash.

  “Now. I want all tapes, all records and every piece of paper or record ready for review. Right Now!” Smoke alarms began to sound as acrid smoke started to fill the room. I reached into my pocket, threw a pinch of salt and herbs on the monitors, and muttered a few words in old Norse. The fire that was about to start stopped and the room suddenly grew very cold.

  “Sorry, Ma’am. Thermodynamic reaction. It will pass in a moment.”

  “Agatha, step outside and bring me my phone and tablet please.” I nodded and did as she asked. The leader of that band of misfits chose that moment to object and her yell could be heard through the door.

  When I stepped back inside most of the monitors were now shut down and the techs suitably cowed. She took her things from me and immediately called in reinforcements. I suspected it was going to be a very long day for this corner of the building. She finally dismissed me and admonished me to remember to turn in my badge at the desk.

  My passage back through security was easy as making pie. The rest of the building was still the same. I suspect that she would take care of that too. All the way back to the dorm I searched for cameras. Now that I knew what to look for I was seeing them everywhere. I could see the need in public places and high security areas. But the dorms? I would take care of some of them.

  The hike across campus was pleasant even though I was searching for cameras. It was only a short few weeks past Imbolc and the Oak King still reigned supreme. I speculated to myself whether I could bring Cat and Chuck into the old religion. Ostara wasn’t all that far off. I hadn’t thought to invite them to my rites the previous year. Several members of the ad hoc Pack were here and called my name. I waved as I entered the main entrance to my dorm. Rooming with one of the Alphas had its advantages. There was a camera in the doorway but I left it alone. Same for those on the ground floor in the main rooms and stairwells. They ne
eded those for security. I zapped the camera in the locker room and shower areas immediately. I had to walk the entire dorm, but I killed all the bathroom cameras. The individual rooms were another issue. Stepping outside I found the junction box where all the lines exited the building. A snap of my fingers fried the whole system. I hoped that only the security department had access to those feeds.

  Cat and Chuck were arguing when I stepped into the room. I looked at my two friends. Both had cat eyes and whiskers popping out of their faces. They were both seconds from changing. “Hey! Knock it off!” I yelled at the two of them.

  Focusing their attention on me prevented the change. I really didn’t want to listen to Fergus bitch about two really big cats in the room. He only tolerated the two in human forms.