The Elemental's Magic

by Martha Carr

  Diana sat back on her heels and watched, astonished, as the compass pressed out the metal wings and took flight, landing in Maggie's hand.

  Maggie closed her hand around it, grimacing, pressing her eyes shut as the rain ran off her face. She opened her eyes and scanned the sky, looking for any kind of sign that another Elemental had gotten the signal, but there was nothing.

  She looked down at the ground for the telescope, scooping it up along with the backpack. "Let's get out of here. We're the tallest thing around for miles and I don't need to tempt this ship to take another shot."

  Diane stood up, wiping her face with her hand and made her way toward the road in the distance where the dark blue El Camino was parked. "That was too close to the edge of everything. Do you think it worked? Did you see anything we can use?"

  "I have no idea on both counts," said Maggie as they got to the car and she opened the door, sliding in and fumbling for the keys in a pocket of the backpack. She started the car, blowing the heat on them and sat back, looking out through the windshield and up at the sky. Blue was already poking through in places. Nothing seemed out of place.

  2

  Two more days passed with no sign of the Air Elemental or Simon Wesley. If it weren't for the dog squeaking and barking in her kitchen, or Bernie arguing with Wilmark over the finer points of dealing with Kashgars, Maggie might have called everything routine. Taylor was back at work eating donuts in two bites and arguing the finer points of the Cowboys, and even her mother had started up her drumming circle again.

  But Maggie couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the calm. A dangerous lull before the gale force winds.

  "Rule number six and number fifteen, subset D!" whistled Bernie through his teeth, pulling Maggie back to the present moment.

  Bernie stabbed a thick, calloused finger against the kitchen counter. "Plans are shared with fewer than five without special permission, and I already told a few mechanics, so you're out. Not a word about Plan B to get the Earth functioning more smoothly. I've already said too much."

  "You've barely said anything." He grabbed Bernie by the shoulder, squeezing. "I could be an ally. The Godwin Knights have access to ancient magic. Don't discount what I can do to help."

  Bernie rubbed his knuckles into the soft flesh where Wilmark's shoulder connected, pressing hard. "This is not the right time to be breaking that rule. I have my limits!" He glanced over at Maggie and looked back at Wilmark.

  Maggie rolled her eyes, drinking down the last of the coffee in her mug. "It's like I'm watching you two fight in slow motion. I appreciate it, given you're in my kitchen but cut it out or take it outside and get it over with in the alley. Don't want any chickens harmed in your magical man-off. Sling a fireball, pelt him with bubbles, take out some of your frustrations."

  Wilmark ignored her, standing up to his full height and towering over Bernie. "Good to know you have some limits," he growled. He looked at Maggie. "I'm going back out to hunt for Simon and his followers. The Fire fae may be able to help me locate him."

  Maggie reached down to scratch behind Dexter's ears, but he rolled over before she could, and she let out a laugh and rubbed his belly. "You're officially a dog." He let out a squeak and a bark and rolled back over. She stood back up, holding on to the mug in her hands. "I know you're frustrated. Dark magic is giving him a few new tricks. We'll find him."

  "I don't need pep talks. Save them for the gnome."

  "Hey! The gnome is right here." Bernie was ripping open a silvery Pop Tart sleeve with his teeth, smelling it before biting off a corner. "Hmmm, blueberry. Listen, tall, dark and sullen, this isn't a quick fix. We're getting hit from a few very powerful angles." He bit down again, crumbs catching in his beard as he chewed and talked. "Mother Earth, the Kashgars, those tall bastards, and magic that is even older than the Godwin Knights. I get that you want to help and get a check in the win column, but we have a union. No outsiders, no exceptions. Chase Simon, it's a much better use of your time and who knows? You might get lucky."

  Maggie stood up suddenly when she saw the color rise in the elven knight's face. He had the same murderous look in his eyes the last time they fought off Simon.

  She slid quickly between them and felt the knight push against her as he leaned toward Bernie. His hard, muscular back pushing her a few inches across the floor. She dug in and stood her ground, pressing back against him.

  Bernie calmly finished the Pop Tart, glaring at Wilmark, licking his fingers one at a time.

  "Okay, that's enough." Maggie leaned over to Bernie and whispered. "Stop pushing him. He's on our side."

  "He's actually pushing you. Stop enjoying it so much." Bernie arched an eyebrow at her. "And he's on your side."

  "My side includes you."

  Wilmark pushed open the screen door and marched outside, barreling off the back steps till he got to the large tree, his fists clenched at his side.

  Maggie went to the window and watched him standing there, alone. "He's been through a lot. You could give him a break, you know. Finding out you're alone in the world can't be easy. Think about what it would be like if you didn't have Jack or Radar or the thousand other cousins on this ship.

  Bernie came and stood next to her. "There isn't quite a thousand. Don't be so dramatic." He let out a grunt as a single firefly escaped his mouth. "Okay, you have a point. We have to adopt the big guy and make him part of the family." Bernie shrugged. "Meh, he'll be good for getting things off the top shelves."

  Maggie gave him a crooked smile and nudged him a little. "Way to spin the positive."

  "Might even make a good replacement for Jake." He pursed his lips, furrowing his brow. "At least be a distraction. I've seen your eyes pop a couple times when you brush up against him."

  "Isn't there a dating service for gnomes so you can get off my back? Maybe you should go look for trouble, too."

  Bernie looked out at Wilmark in his tall leather boots and tunic, his bow strapped to his back. "You ever wonder if your neighbors are thinking you're having one long Medieval Festival in your backyard?"

  "My neighbors hang with my mother and I'm pretty sure one of them is a magical. We're good." She checked her watch. "I'm heading into work and no one needs to watch the house for me. Go look for answers. If I run into trouble that's not job related, I'll send up a few bubbles. Have you checked on Slim lately?"

  "I tucked him in last night with Del Taco, but you have a point." Bernie smoothed the front of his bright purple sweater that had a dark stain on one of the sleeves. He went to the refrigerator and opened it, staring inside. "We’ll need some snacks for the road."

  "You're not leaving town, it doesn't count. There's nothing new in there since the last time you looked. It was almost easier when the trouble wouldn't stop." Maggie muttered, tapping her fingers on the top of her gun holstered at her waist.

  Bernie stopped rummaging in the refrigerator and threw up his hands. "Now you've gone and done it. Don't you get how your magic works? It's like you're talking to the energy..." Bernie's last words fell away as the sound of the grass in the backyard ripping apart grew louder. A bulge appeared in a three-foot wide circle.

  The ground stirred again, the circular mound breaking into chunks and pushing upward as if something was trying to break free. Wilmark drew an arrow in one swift motion, looking relieved he finally had something tangible to fight.

  The chickens startled and ran squawking into the coop, peeking out from the door, softly clucking. "My egg business is going to wither and die." Maggie leaned toward the window to look out at the wet grass.

  The ground rose another foot, the pieces falling away as Jack's head popped above the surface, bubbles squeezing out from the sides ahead of a rush of water. He pulled his arms out and looked up, blowing dirt off his face and gasped when he saw Wilmark's arrow aimed at his head.

  Jack quickly regained himself and spit bubbles, rapidly covering himself in an opaque shield. Wilmark slowly released the tension on the bow and repl
aced the arrow in his quiver.

  Bernie made a point of finishing the Pop Tart, watching everything like it was entertainment. "Wilmark's going to be a tricky one at Sunday dinners. He seems disappointed he didn't get to skewer something. Note to self, no kebabs on the menu when he's around."

  "Aren't you going to go find out why Jack made such a grand entrance?"

  Bernie swatted the air. "He's done it before. It's his way of letting me know I should be at work. There's a leak somewhere and it's gotten the best of him. It's gonna be a damp day for me."

  Bernie swallowed hard, getting the last of the Pop Tart down. "I suppose it's ironic that was a little dry. You're out of OJ." He made his way out, pushing open the screen door.

  "I'll bet I am." Maggie opened a cabinet, peeking inside at the nearly empty shelves. All that was left were a can of refried beans and a microwaveable oatmeal cup sitting on its side. She went out to the porch and stood at the top of the steps, waiting to see if any more gnome-sized holes were going to appear.

  "Where's the fire?" Bernie was loud enough to be heard in the kitchen. "There's not actually a fire, is there? Come on, spit it out Jack."

  Jack scrambled out of the hole just as a geyser burst into the air, shooting a stream of water above the roof line before dying back down.

  Maggie jumped back, a fine mist coating her face. She recognized the smell at once from all the vacations she took as a child. "That's seawater. Why is water from the Gulf poking out of my yard?"

  Bernie finally looked concerned, marching over to where Jack stood, just as a sand shark popped out of the hole, floundering in the wet grass. "Say it's not so!"

  Jack nodded his head vigorously, throwing up his arms like words were unnecessary.

  "The timing is off on the tides? How? That causes all kinds of problems. Remember that whole butterfly flapping its wings in India and making it rain here? A lot of truth to that one."

  "I don't need to be reminded."

  "But even the tides are connected to the Peabrains. Screw with those and there's mayhem!"

  Jack sputtered syllables not making any sense, letting out a loud growl of frustration until, "Exactly!" popped out. "Come quick, you're the only one who can ease the old girl back into alignment. The more time that goes by, the worse this will get. You remember what happened back in April of '06!"

  "Don't remind me. First there was that earthquake, then the Peabrains got themselves into one world war after another. The ship was running amok for a few decades." Bernie turned and waved at Maggie, already forming bubbles in his hand. "I gotta go. I'll be back as soon as I can but stay away from Simon, what's left of him anyway. He has to be growing desperate and whatever books he's using, they date back to the Library of Alexandria. Very old and powerful and unpredictable and uncharted for the rest of us who have to fight it."

  "What about the saltwater?"

  But Bernie was already gone, sliding into the ground and Jack was right behind him.

  This is the start of something. A cool thread of energy passed through Maggie's head making the ends of her fingers tingle. Yeah, something is growing closer. The tides are just a sign. The storm is almost here.

  Wilmark came and put one foot on the bottom step. "I'll keep an eye on you, even when I'm not here."

  Maggie put her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side. "I'll keep an eye on you too." She held up her hand before he could say anything. "It's a Parker thing, give in now. You wanted to get closer to us, this is part of the deal."

  "That wasn't what I meant by getting closer and you know it."

  Maggie shrugged. "It's what I heard." She sat down on the top step bringing her to eye level with the tall elf. "I know what it's like to feel alone in a crowd full of people." She narrowed her gaze, studying the lines on his face and the pain behind his eyes that he worked at hiding. "You know, I have no idea where you consider home, and you don't have to tell me, yet. But this can be a spot, like a home base."

  He bowed, making Maggie give a small smile. Enjoy these moments before it all comes crashing down. I wonder if all of us will survive. "I'm catching on that if we're going to have a chance, we're going to have to act like a team."

  "You're okay with that?" He stood back, eyeing her. "You went after Simon Wesley alone."

  A shudder went through Maggie at the memory. "Rigorous honesty? No. But if I don't, then someone I care about could get hurt. You somehow made that list, Wilmark. You've risked your life for me more than once..."

  He didn't say anything, like he was considering his words and chose silence. He settled on a short wave and disappeared out the back fence and down the alley in the direction of her mother's house.

  Maggie stood up and let out a deep sigh. "Toni Parker could slow everyone down with a bake sale. Not a bad plan."

  She went inside and poured another cup of coffee and slurped it up, keeping her mouth slightly open to let it cool off, carrying it outside to the back porch. Dexter darted between her legs, dashing off the steps and ran along the chicken fencing, barking and squeaking at Gertie who flapped her wings and ran next to him on the other side. She leaned against the rail just as her phone buzzed and she took it out, glancing down at another text from Jake.

  I can explain, I promise. I'm on your side. There are things you ought to know.

  "You don't give up; I'll give you that." Maggie stared at the message for a moment. There was at least one a day. The memory of his hand sliding up her belly and under her bra darted through her mind, catching her off guard. She briefly shut her eyes, feeling the joy of that moment, pressing her hand against her stomach. A warmth spread through her chest, trailing off into the feeling of betrayal that clung to her most of the time.

  She started to type something, wanting to get the feeling back, but she remembered all the times he could have mentioned it. "That was his chance to be heard." She slid the phone back in her pocket and slurped more coffee. "Still hot. Just the way I like it." Her phone buzzed again, and she pulled it out, tired of being reminded of Jake so many times a day. But this time it was her partner, Peter Taylor calling.

  "What is it?"

  "Sergeant called us in early. There's been another strange robbery and there's even noise now about a serial Robin Hood on the loose. They want something done about it before the media picks up on it and gives this gang a catchy nickname."

  "Okay, I'll head out the door now."

  "No sign of anything ominous or fortuitous?" Taylor pulled the phone away from his head and called out, "Okay, Fozzie, I'm coming. Put me down for fifty if you'll give me the spread."

  Maggie walked back inside, Dexter running in beside her. "Nothing and it's eerie. Unless it's these robberies. My peabrain senses tells me something is up, but I don't know what or when or where. I'm hanging up. Text me the address of the latest robbery hit, and I'll meet you there." She didn't wait for him to answer, grabbing her purse and slinging the strap over her head. "Dexter, keep an eye on Pressler Street while I'm gone."

  He looked up at her, wagging his tail and squeaked and barked as the Huldu book slipped off the table hitting the floor with a bang. Maggie picked it up, looking at the open page her eyes growing wider. "Looks like I'm going to be a little late. I'll need to make a pit stop at Mom's." She left a note for Bernie, propping it up on the counter and headed out the door.

  3

  Maggie went out the back gate and down the alley to her mother's house. She could sense the knight's trail of magic growing stronger and wasn't surprised to find him standing in Toni Parker's large backyard. He was surrounded by Toni's motley crew of friends. They were holding a variety of drums, admiring his outfit and asking him for his sign. Mrs. Fletcher had even taken it upon herself to smudge him and was waving a burning sage stick, blowing the smoke in his direction.

  Wilmark looked helpless, slowly turning in a circle. "I've come to see Kathleen. Is she here?"

  Maggie opened the gate, suppressing a giggle. "Okay, make way, back up from the man c
andy, ladies."

  A ripple of laughter went across the group of women as some of them backed away, still generally admiring the elf. Maggie grabbed Wilmark by the arm, sneezing at the puff of smoke.

  "Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher," Maggie coughed out. "Say hello to your son for me."

  "Will do dear. He still talks about you." Mrs. Fletcher gently waved her sage stick in a large circle. "Who's next?"

  Wilmark willingly followed Maggie in the opposite direction, letting out a sigh of relief that made Maggie smile. "That explains the smell in this backyard," he said.

  "Not entirely."

  "Why was that woman blowing smoke at us?"

  "To calm your chi I think, or maybe it's to get rid of something. I'm not sure but you can consider yourself better off." Maggie pulled the book out of her purse. Her internet bill was tucked in the page and she flipped it open, smashing the bill in her purse. "Have to remember to pay that," she muttered. "I wonder if there's a spell to replace that."

  "That is already a kind of magic. What are you doing here?" Wilmark brushed his hair off his shoulder and stood up straighter, flexing his muscles.

  Maggie furrowed her brow trying not to smile but Wilmark noticed and grimaced. "I wasn't sure how to get them to listen."

  "A common problem and something I weirdly admire about them."

  "Is that where you learned that trait?"

  The smile slipped off her face till she saw the elf smirk and she punched him in the arm, still balancing the book. "You made a joke! Well played. As a matter of fact they're part of the reason I learned how to be fearless."

  "Is that what we're calling it?" He smiled, creases deepening around his mouth and eyes.

  Maggie realized it was the first time she had seen him smile. "Take another look at them." She looked up at him with her crooked smile. "I guess they kind of helped raise Diana and me." Maggie let out a sigh but shook it off. "Not why I'm here and I have a robbery to get to." She held up the book. "Look, I found this."