Magi Saga 2: Shadows of Darkness

by Andrew Dobell

  Dinner had been brief, everyone separating off to do their own thing, so Amanda headed up here and took a couple of hours to run through her fight training in the night air. She felt tired, and even now, despite everything they had discussed and done to make the house safer and to discuss the events and reassure each other, Amanda could not help be feel scared. Deep down in the pit of her stomach, she felt a little nervous about her whole plan to come here and set up a life.

  Had it been the best idea? Maybe she should have returned to Ireland for good and stay there? Would that have been better? Maybe. But she loved New York. She felt a burning need to be here.

  Even now, after discovering the world of the Magi and realizing she could do Magic, that she herself was a Magus, she still also felt that familiar drive she had held inside for years, ever since the days at the orphanage.

  Back when she worked the streets of this huge city she knew she had to do something with her life, she knew that working the streets was not all there could be. She felt a calling, a need to be more, to be something better. She had always struggled to put it into words, to articulate her feelings on this, but when Gentle Water had shown her the path of the Magi, it felt so right.

  She knew she had discovered something important, she knew this would be her path, her future. So she took those first steps, she walked that path and knew it to be right, and for the first time ever in her life, she had that need, that calling, satisfied. But over the last few months, it had returned. She felt that calling again.

  As she looked over the city before her, she knew she had done the right thing, moving here. It had its dangers, true, she had come face to face with one today, but it had been that calling that had driven her here.

  She had realized that although she had found the path, and taken a few steps along it, she now knew this path to be a long one. Finding the road to her calling would never be enough, she had to follow it. That had led her here, to New York, and into the crosshairs of the cities resident Nomad.

  So maybe it had not been the best idea, or the most sensible idea, but one thing she knew for sure, it had been the right idea.

  That thought did not help with her fear of Lucian though. She still felt that sinking feeling.

  She hugged herself against the rising cold of the night as the wind pulled her crimson hair about her head and across her face.

  She needed a hug.

  She nodded to herself and turned away from the city, walking back towards the door that led into the house. She knew she needed someone, someone to hold and to tell her everything would be ok. She might be a Magus, she might have some wonderful and awe inspiring powers, but she still needed love and support, just like everyone else.

  Without really thinking about it she soon found herself approaching Raven’s door. He had been staying with them for a few nights now, and they had chatted, but she had not really spent much quality time with him yet.

  She paused, finding it interesting that she had come to Raven’s room. Yoh wasn’t here, he would be back at the Jade Palace, but she fancied him just as much as Raven. She could have Ported over there just as easily, but instead she walked here. She could have headed to Gentle Water or Liz’ room as well, but she had not.

  Maybe it wasn’t just a caring supportive talk she needed, maybe she wanted something a little more carnal?

  Yoh could provide both just as well as Raven, if they were into her, something she had not quite figured out yet. But she had known Raven for longer.

  She might not have slept with either of them, but she had flirted with both of them now, and had caught their admiring glances from time to time. She felt sure that if the moment were right, things could develop with either of them.

  Her mind had flipped from one to the other too many times to count now, one day she preferred Raven, the next it was Yoh, it was all so confusing.

  But here she was, stood before Raven’s door, and maybe her choice had been made.

  She knocked on the door, gently, hesitantly, wondering if taking this step would be the right thing for her to do.

  The door opened, Raven stood there, smiling, as if from a joke he had just heard. She couldn’t help but notice that he lacked a shirt, and glanced admiringly at how toned he looked. Yep, the fire she felt in her pelvis and the need to hold him grew, she knew this would be the right choice.

  A giggle sounded from inside the room as Raven smiled at… someone, before turning to look at Amanda for the first time.

  The giggle had been female, and Amanda realized that Raven was not alone tonight. He held a sheet around his waist, covering himself up, he had been naked in there.

  ‘Aaah, no bother, I’m sorry, I thought. I mean, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’

  Amanda’s own smile faded and she started to move away from the doorway.

  Raven looked at her, his own smile also fading.

  ‘No, no you’re ok. It’s not a problem, but, I’m sorry, I can’t invite you in. I have…’

  ‘Company.’ Amanda finished. I understand.

  She offered a consolatory smile and walked away, her ego deflated somewhat. She could feel his gaze on her back as he watched her go before a few seconds later she heard the door to his room close.

  Raven shut the door behind him and looked back at the figure in his bed. She held her hand over her mouth, clearly smiling, her eyebrows raised.

  ‘That was close.’ He said.

  The woman nodded and widened her eyes for a moment before dropping her hand from her mouth.

  ‘Certainly was.’ She smiled knowingly.

  ‘You weren’t worried she might see you?’

  ‘Nope.’ She said, calmly and cryptically.

  ‘No, I guess not.’ He smiled at her. He put his hands on his hips and dropped the towel.

  ‘Well Monsieur Raven, where were we?’ She said enticingly and flung the bedsheet that had been covering her away, revealing her beautiful body to him.

  Aroused, he climbed onto the bed and descended into her embrace once more, her arms and legs wrapping around him as she pulled him into her, moaning in delight.

  Amanda sat herself down on her bed with an annoyed scowl on her face. She had not expected to be jilted by Raven. She felt sure that he was single, he had never mentioned any kind of relationship to her over the past year she had known him, and now here he was with some girl, in her house no less.

  ‘Feck.’ She said to no one at all. That had been an embarrassing and awkward few moments. She didn’t relish the thought of breakfast the next day, seeing Raven and the awkwardness that would no doubt surround it.

  She fell backwards onto her bed, her arms out to either side of her and sighed. She didn’t feel like going to bed now, quite the opposite, she wanted to be out the house, away from the situation. She wanted to go somewhere she knew, somewhere she might meet someone and have a fun night.

  A thought occurred to her then. She had been meaning to visit Howie at his Club since getting back here, but the moment hadn’t seemed right so far.

  It seemed right now though. She sat up and thought about it. She could shower, find an outfit and get over there pretty quickly. Hell, Lucian knew where she lived now, there was no need to hide it any more, she should just get out there and enjoy herself.

  The idea really appealed to her, so she jumped up and hopped into the en-suite to freshen up.

  Half an hour later she had Ported to the other side of town. She stepped to the edge of the Alleyway she had appeared in and looked at The Dark Side of the Moon Nightclub on the other side of the street. It hadn’t changed at all.

  The converted church looked the same as it had done just a couple of years ago, the building loomed over her like a black monster in the darkness. Multi coloured light danced on the inside, visible through the darkened windows as they pulsed and moved to the deep bass beat that she could feel even across the street. Wondering if Howie still had a job here, she stepped out and made her way across the street, dodging round taxi cabs
to approach the main entrance with its purple neon sign over the doorway. Other revellers and clubbers hung about outside the club, chatting, drinking, smoking and copulating in the shadows.

  Amanda wore a tight, fitted, backless black mini dress with long sleeves, she wore her bright auburn hair loose, brushed back over her shoulders and strode over the road in her black high heels that clicked on the asphalt as she walked.

  A few semi drunk guys cat called her as she approached the club, she ignored them, but it did give her a nice little boost to know at least someone found her attractive.

  The club had been open a while and the queue had dwindled somewhat, but she didn’t feel like standing in line. Also, she needed to know if there might be any threats to her here, so she shifted her perception into the Magical spectrum. The world around her burst into golden light as the Essentia all around her became suddenly visible. She scanned the building and the bouncers, but everything seemed clean, no residual Magic here, so far so good. Ignoring the queue, she walked up towards the doorway, and as she approached it, reached out with her Magic into the minds of the two bouncers who stood on the door.

  With a little suggestion into their minds, they stepped aside and let her in. She also pushed a little deeper into the mind of one of them, and within moments confirmed that Howie did still work here, in fact he was now head Bouncer for the club. She smiled as she walked past the people in the queue, a couple of whom mouthed off about the skinny red head who was too good to queue with the rest of them.

  Amanda ignored the comments and stepped inside.

  Colour and sound exploded around her as she entered into the main club. The whole room seemed to move and undulate as the huge throng of people danced to the music that reverberated through her chest.

  She scanned the room and saw a few other members of the security team around the club. Her enhanced vision soon picked out Howie, stood towards the back of the room with two other security guys next to the VIP entrance. She started to walk round the room, making her way towards him, watching him the whole time. He seemed happy, laughing and talking animatedly to his colleagues about something.

  She stopped and leant against a pillar where she had a good view of him. She wanted to just look at him for a while, without him knowing she was here.

  Seeing him happy, enjoying his work, melted her heart and gave her a lovely warm feeling inside. Howie had been kind to her when no one else had, he had taken her in and got her off the streets, which in turn led to everything else that led her here, today.

  A true friend and gentleman, he didn’t like it when Amanda took to the streets with Georgina, prostituting herself. She understood why he didn’t like it, but at the time, it had been the right choice for her, something she had to do. Her options had always been limited anyway as an illegal immigrant, she would just have been deported had she come to the attention of the authorities.

  She smiled to herself, she was still trying to justify herself to him, even in her head.

  Well, it didn’t do her any good waiting here, so she walked round the club and got closer to Howie, stopping a few meters from him and stood with her back to a stone pillar, facing him.

  It took a minute or so for him to see her, and he did a double take when he did spot her as a look of surprise and disbelief crossed his face. She smiled back and motioned her head for him to come over.

  He excused himself from the conversation he had been part of and walked over, dodging drunk dancers as he approached her.

  ‘Amanda, wow, it’s great to see you, how are you?’ He asked, clearly happy to see her.

  ‘Hiya, I’m grand thanks, it’s great to see you. One of the guys said you’ve been promoted, is that right?’

  ‘’Yeah.’ He said, rubbing the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed about his success. ‘I run the security for this whole place now, I’m not just on the doors these days. Seems they like what I do here.’

  ‘That’s excellent Howie, I’m pleased for you.’

  ‘How about you? How have you been? It’s been ages.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘You’re looking great by the way.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Are you still with Georgina?’

  Amanda’s face fell slightly at the mention of her friend. Howie clearly didn’t know what had happened. But he saw right away that her mood changed.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…’

  Amanda smiled and put her hand up to stop him mid flow.

  ‘It’s fine, don’t worry.’ She said, and took a deep breath. ‘Georgina has, passed away.’

  ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘No, it’s no bother. It was a few years back now, I’m over it, mostly. Took some time out, went back to Ireland, made some new friends who helped me get through it so I did.’

  ‘So are you just visiting New York?’

  Amanda smiled more fully again, looking back up at Howie’s soulful eyes.

  ‘No, I’ve moved back, so I’m here permanently.’ It felt good to say that. To hear it out load that she would not be leaving the city any time soon. Not of her own choice anyway.

  ‘That’s great Amanda, are you working then? What are you doing?’

  Amanda wasn’t sure if Howie was fishing to find out if she were back on the streets or not, or if this was just a genuine question, either way, she chose to put him out of his misery.

  ‘No job at the moment. I came into some money a little while back so I’m just enjoying life. I have no desire or need to go back to the streets either.’

  Howie flushed slightly, clearly realising that she knew what he had been wanting to know and feeling embarrassed that she had seen through him.

  ‘I know you didn’t like me working the streets Howie. So, here’s me saying sorry to you. Alright? Are we grand?’

  She could see him relax as she spoke, clearly happy.

  ‘We are. I’m just happy to see that you’re alright, and obviously doing well.’

  ‘Thank you. Would you like to get a drink?’ She asked.

  ‘I can’t I’m afraid. Work stuff. We have a busy night tonight so I’m going to be run off my feet. Can we take a rain check?’

  ‘Of course Howie, anything for you, another time maybe.’ Amanda felt disappointed, but it wasn’t very surprising. She had just waltzed in here and kind of expected him to drop everything for her. He had responsibilities now that he could not just walk away from. They hugged and said goodbye before she ambled out of the Club. The music becoming muffled as she stepped outside into the cool night air.

  She found a nearby low wall and sat on it. It didn’t seem to be her night at all. It had been great to see Howie, and they had swapped numbers now so they could arrange to meet up again. Something she felt keen to do soon. But that didn’t help her tonight. She wanted to talk to someone, get some reassurance and just some comfort really.

  There was one final person she could try, he’d be in and maybe he would be happy to see her. So she jumped up from the stone wall, brushing the debris off her rear and left the Club behind her.

  Moments later she stood outside the back door to the Jade Palace, and reached out to Yoh’s mind. The link she had previously created with Yoh let her presence be felt by him, even though he were inside his Aegis protected building. She felt the link open up right away and could feel Yoh’s presence.

  ‘I’m outside, can you let me in?’ She said.

  ‘Sure Amanda-San, are you ok?’ Yoh asked.

  ‘Grand, just grand.’

  It didn’t take long, within a few short moments she sat in his private quarters at the top and back of the building, relaxing into a chair across from Yoh holding a drink in her Lap.

  ‘Thanks for coming over. You certainly dressed up for me.’

  Amanda laughed, looking down at the tiny figure hugging outfit she had on. It really didn’t leave much to the imagination.

  ‘Yeah,’ she said, drawing out the word in a sarcastic tone.


  ‘I take it you’ve been out tonight?’

  ‘Visited an old friend at a Club not too far from here.’

  ‘Aaah, I see. You don’t seem too happy about it.’

  ‘No, I am. It was great to see him. He was busy though, so…’

  ‘You came here.’

  Amanda nodded, looking down at her drink. She wasn’t entirely sure if she should be here now. Sure, it felt like a great idea back at the club. But she really wasn’t sure what she wanted from Yoh now he sat not six foot from her.

  She’d gone to see Raven, if she were being brutally honest with herself, for some affection and maybe some sex. When she found out he had been getting that elsewhere tonight, she ran out to the club to see Howie, on the rebound. Seeing him had been great, but their lives were so far apart now. She wouldn’t have been able to talk to him. Sure, she could have bedded him, she felt fairly confident of that, but why? What was the point of doing that when it could serve to just ruin what remained of their friendship?

  Her mind in a spin, she then came here, still on the hunt for something that, maybe she just didn’t need. She barely knew Yoh really and here she was, alone with him in his apartment wearing a sexy little dress. She felt cheap, like she’d been out for one thing and one thing only and now she’d given herself some distance from it, some perspective, she felt like she could see herself from the outside and wondered if her desperation for some affection would be as obvious to others?

  ‘Forgive me for saying so Amanda-San. But you seem a little… off balance, if you don’t mind me saying so.’

  Her eyes flicked up and she looked at him from under her scarlet eyebrows.

  ‘That’s probably accurate. With everything that happened today, with Lucian turning up like that, it’s thrown me into a bit of a tail spin I think.’

  ‘Hai. He can do that to you.’

  ‘I don’t understand how he found us though. We were so careful.’

  ‘He has his resources, I suppose it was inevitable eventually. I’m surprised he has not found me yet actually, although, my circumstances were somewhat different.’ He mused.