The Raven's Shadow: The Aegis of Merlin Book 4

by James E. Wisher

  Seated in one of the chairs was a woman that looked exactly like an older version of Kelsie. She wore a black dress slit to her navel, revealing a stunning amount of cleavage. Kelsie let out a soft gasp and Conryu knew just how she felt. Only the strictest mental discipline had kept him from having that same reaction with each new room they entered. Seeing a woman he knew had to be the same age as his mother if not older in such an outfit stunned him. It helped that she looked about thirty.

  Kelsie’s mother stood up and smiled, revealing teeth too flawless and white to be natural. Not that his gaze lingered long on her teeth, what with all the jiggling going on down below. There had to be some sort of magic holding her dress up.

  “You must be Conryu. Kelsie’s told me all about you. My name is Cassandra Kincade and I can’t thank you enough for helping my daughter with her studies. I’m sure without you she would have failed long ago.” She held out her hand and Conryu gave it a polite shake.

  “I don’t think you give Kelsie enough credit. She works as hard as anyone and harder than many. She’s a good friend and I couldn’t have accomplished most of what I have without her.”

  Kelsie’s frown had grown into a bright smile just as he’d hoped it would.

  Cassandra shook her head causing yet more jiggling. “You’re very generous. Would you like a drink?”

  “I’m still underage, but thank you.”

  “Polite and powerful, what an unusual combination.” She walked to the bar, working her hips as she went. What in heaven’s name was she playing at? Cassandra poured herself a drink and turned to Malice. “Would you like one, Mother?”

  “Make it a double. After today, I need it.”

  Cassandra filled a tumbler three-quarters of the way up with amber liquid and handed it to Malice, being sure to lean over more than she had to so he could get a good look.

  Conryu glanced at Kelsie whose face was bright red. If his mother had acted like that Conryu would have been embarrassed as well.

  He couldn’t begin to describe his relief when the servant opened the door and announced, “Dinner is served.”

  Conryu pushed away from a table long enough to seat sixty and sighed. He’d never eaten a meal—no, make that a feast—like that in his life. Eight courses from salad to a little fruit tart for dessert. Beside him Kelsie had only picked at her food. Eating like this all the time probably made you jaded.

  He took a sip of water and fought back a yawn. It had been a long day and he was ready to find out if the beds in this place were as comfortable as he imagined.

  “Was the meal to your liking?” Cassandra asked.

  “It was delicious, thank you.” He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. From Kelsie’s description he wouldn’t have thought her mother would be this nice.

  “Wonderful. Would you join me in my office? I have a business proposition for you.”

  Here it comes. Still, he couldn’t simply refuse the woman in her own house after she provided him with an outstanding meal. “Alright.”

  Kelsie tugged his sleeve and gave him a concerned look. He offered a weak smile and shrug. Whatever she wanted, Conryu doubted he’d be interested, but it couldn’t hurt to hear her out, for Kelsie’s sake if nothing else.

  He followed Cassandra out of the dining room. As he walked he felt the gaze of both Malice and Kelsie on his back. Prime flew along beside him, but the scholomantic remained silent. They walked down a long hall decorated like the rest of the house before stopping in front of a closed door.

  Cassandra spoke a soft word that he couldn’t make out and the door swung open revealing a well-appointed office. She walked across to her desk, turned to face him, and sat on the edge. “I’m not going to mince words with you. I want your genetics added to our bloodline. What’s your price?”

  “Price?” Though he was pretty sure what she was suggesting Conryu was having trouble fully processing it.

  “To impregnate me. I’ve performed the necessary rituals to ensure my fertility and the survival of any offspring. You’ll be in no way responsible for the child or children resulting. When we’ve agreed on a price I’ll draw up a contract stipulating that. It will be necessary for you to remain our guest until pregnancy is confirmed. Even with magical assistance the seed doesn’t always take on the first try.”

  He could only stare as she wrapped up her pitch. And that’s what it was, an emotionless transaction. She didn’t care about him or her future kid. Improving her bloodline was really all that interested her.

  “I’m going to have to pass. Not that I’m not flattered, but I don’t think I could do what you want.”

  “Ten million.”

  He nearly choked. Ten million to knock her up? That was insane. Not that they couldn’t afford it, but still.

  “What about Kelsie?”

  Her lips turned down in a slight frown. “What about her?”

  “I thought she was your heir and that you wanted her to seduce me into—how did you put it, improving your bloodline?”

  “She’s had half a year. Clearly my daughter isn’t up to the task.” Cassandra gave a disgusted shake of her head. “She so seldom lives up to my expectations I no longer know why I bother to ask anything of her. Though by attaching herself to you she has improved her status in the world as one of the primary saviors of Sentinel City. That alone will fend off any challenges from within the family. However she’s simply too weak to trust with the clan’s future.”

  “Kelsie isn’t weak or a failure of any sort. The idea of placing any child, much less my own, in your care, horrifies me.” Conryu turned toward the door. “I’ll accept your hospitality for tonight and be on my way tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll never see each other again.”

  Master, she’s preparing a spell. Prime’s voice appeared in his mind.

  “Cloak of Darkness!”

  Dark magic settled around him an instant before a spell fizzled against it.

  He spun. An aura of light magic still surrounded Cassandra’s hands. She glared at him. “I will have your power, one way or another.”

  “That right?” He raised his hand, crossed his fingers, and focused on the magic she’d cast on herself. “Break!”

  The black sphere slammed into her chest. Magic crackled and broke apart. Wrinkles appeared on her once-smooth face. Her hair turned gray and her breasts sagged, though they mercifully failed to escape her dress.

  She held up her wrinkled hands and stared at them then at him. “What have you done?”

  “Not done, undone. I’ve stripped away all your magic. Stay away from me or I’ll bring this house down around your head.” He turned on his heel and stalked out.

  Prime fell in beside him. “That was close, Master.”

  “Yeah, thanks for the warning.” He let the Cloak of Darkness fade away.

  “Protecting you is my job. What will you do now?”

  “I’m not sure. Part of me thinks I should leave right now, but it’s late and I don’t want another fight if I can help it. Do you know any wards that I can use to protect myself if I stay the night?”

  “Several, Master, have no fear.”

  They reached the dining room and found Kelsie pacing and Malice sipping another drink.

  “That was fast,” the old woman said. “I figured someone your age would have more stamina.”

  “For the record, I’m not for sale.” He turned to Kelsie. “Could you show me to my room? I’m beat.”

  “Of course.” She started for the door.

  “Wait.” Malice stood up and Conryu prepared himself for a second fight. “How much did you turn down?”

  “Ten million. She didn’t like that very well and tried using magic on me. Mind control of some sort I believe. She was too slow.”

  He followed Kelsie out of the room, down a hall, then up a set of stairs. They stopped in front of an open door that led to a large bedroom.

  “I’m sorry my mother tried to use you like that. I had no idea she’d go so far.” She hugged
him.

  “It’s not your fault. I’m leaving tomorrow. If you want to come back with me you’re welcome. This is no place for you, for anybody as far as that goes.”

  “I will, thank you.”

  He nodded and went inside the opulent guest room. Before he even thought about sleeping he had to figure out how to ward the room.

  Conryu floated in darkness. He had to be dreaming as he hadn’t cast a portal. He tried to orient himself, but there was nothing, no sign of Cerberus either. Yes, it was definitely a dream. When slender arms wrapped themselves around him from behind and warm, soft lips kissed the nape of his neck he spun, ready for a fight.

  “Hardly the greeting I expected, Master.” The Dark Lady floated a foot away smiling and gorgeous in her black dress.

  He relaxed. “Sorry. I expected someone else. How are things in Hell?”

  “Better since our contract. No one mocks me now.”

  “Good. I’m glad to see you. I wasn’t sure how to contact you and I wanted to say thanks. Our connection allowed me to successfully dominate a demon and send her back to Hell. I’m sure I couldn’t have done it without your extra power.”

  “Rennet, yes, I know all about that. In fact, she’s what brings me here tonight.”

  Conryu cocked his head. “How so?”

  “She contacted me and said the leader of the Le Fay Society wishes to talk to you.”

  “When?”

  “Right now.”

  “Sounds like a trap.” Conryu couldn’t imagine what they’d have to talk about in the first place.

  “No, Master. She selected this place since you’d be protected by the many wards around Kincade Manor. As long as you don’t move beyond the steps you’ll be safe. She won’t be able to reach you.”

  “What does she want?”

  “I have no idea. Rennet was simply delivering a message.” The Dark Lady’s lips curled in a cruel smile. “After her failure this is what she’s been reduced to. It gives me great pleasure to find her so demeaned.”

  Conryu nodded absently, his mind rushing along as he considered the implications of this invitation. “What do you think I should do?”

  She shrugged. “If there was ever a time to size up your enemy, this is it. It can’t do you any harm.”

  “I guess you’re right. Thanks for bringing me the message.”

  Her expression softened. “My pleasure.”

  He blinked and sat up in bed. “Prime.”

  “I heard, Master. I agree with the lady, this is a good chance to see what we’re dealing with.”

  “Right.” He slipped out of bed and threw on his clothes.

  Now he just had to find his way to the front door without getting lost or running into the crazy people that lived here. He deactivated the dark magic ward he’d set around his bedroom and stepped out into the hall. The house was silent. A hint of moonlight filtered in from somewhere. It wasn’t much, but he’d manage.

  With Prime flying along at his side Conryu tiptoed through the silent halls, eventually reaching the entry hall. He unlocked the front door and stepped out into the cool night air. Ten feet from the foot of the stairs was a dark figure in a mask.

  Conryu marched down and paused on the final step. “You wanted to talk?”

  She moved closer revealing the details of her green dragon mask and crimson robe. She looked like a performer at one of the Imperial New Year celebrations. All they were lacking was fireworks.

  “I am Lady Dragon, temporary leader of the Society. You have done us a great deal of harm in a year.” She had a warm, pleasant voice, totally different than what he’d expected.

  He shrugged. “You all tried to kill me more than once. I can hardly be faulted for fighting back.”

  “True. I admit it never crossed my mind that we’d have such difficulty dealing with an inexperienced wizard. Of course, having never encountered a male wizard before, our ignorance is unsurprising.”

  “So what happens now?”

  “Now? Nothing. But we will see each other again.” Lady Dragon chanted and stepped back into a portal.

  Conryu turned to Prime. “That wasn’t encouraging. I was hoping she’d say ‘sorry, let’s let bygones be bygones’ or ‘live and let live,’ something like that.”

  “That’s far too optimistic, Master. I fear we’ve begun a war and the first battle just ended.”

  Sarcasm was clearly lost on the scholomantic. “At least we won. More or less.”

  “Indeed. Let us hope the next battle ends equally well.”

  Conryu sighed and looked out over the dark grounds. A war, huh? How had it come to this? All he’d ever wanted was a nice, quiet life, work at the bike shop, train with his father, maybe marry Maria someday.

  Instead he got secret societies, deranged industrialists, and politicians all wanting to use or end his life. One thing was certain. He wouldn’t have to worry about being bored.

  Author Notes

  And so year one ends for Conryu. He came through it alive, though only just. I hope you enjoyed reading about his adventures in the magical world. Things are only going to get more interesting for our hero as we move forward, but I thought it might be nice to let him enjoy the rest of his summer vacation. In the next book, most accurately called 4.5, but that I’m calling An Aegis of Merlin Story. we’re going to head far to the east and meet another unlucky person who’s found to have wizard potential. Like Conryu, she only wants to live a normal life. Instead she finds herself rushing across Europe in an attempt to escape those that would make her a slave. I hope you’ll join me for the next installment of the Aegis of Merlin series, Escape From the Dragon Czar.

  James

  Also by James E Wisher

  The Aegis of Merlin:

  The Impossible Wizard

  The Awakening

  The Chimera Jar

  The Raven’s Shadow

  Escape From the Dragon Czar

  Disciples of the Horned One Trilogy:

  Darkness Rising

  Raging Sea and Trembling Earth

  Harvest of Souls

  Death and Honor Omnibus

  The Squire

  About the Author

  James E. Wisher is a writer of science fiction and Fantasy novels. He’s been writing since high school and reading everything he could get his hands on for as long as he can remember. This is his thirteenth novel.

  www.jamesewisher.com

  james@jamesewisher.com