by K.N. Lee
The room felt cooler, almost tolerable. Tiny flames danced at the edges of the destruction all around.
A surge of joy filled Livia’s heart. “I knew you could do it.” Her body released from the wall with a pop. She stumbled, nearly falling on her face.
Egan dropped to the ground, too. She caught herself, while keeping her arms outstretched. Her grin looked ecstatic. “We did it! Go find the way to our escape. I’ll keep drawing the flames inside.”
Livia ran toward the exit Renner and Alicia had taken.
Livia pushed at the metal door. It wouldn’t budge. She rattled the doorknob. It turned in a circle but didn’t yield the door. She pressed her shoulder to the door and pushed again.
Nothing.
“Will it open?”
“It’s spelled shut!” Frustrated, Livia stepped back and examined the door. If she looked closely enough, she could see tiny, shining tendrils of magic swirling and zig-zagging along the frame. She squinted as a symbol came into view. She barely made out the outline of a tree reaching its branches outside the edges of a triangle.
“Liv,” Egan whispered. “I can’t control it much longer! My arms are going to fall off.”
“You’ve got the fire down. Lend me your energy the way I sent you mine.” She closed her eyes and focused on the door.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
Egan’s hands landed on her back, nearly scorching with heat. Her forehead pressed against the back of Livia’s skull.
Livia nearly swooned with the sensation.
With a deep breath, she raised her hands and closed her eyes. Instead of forcing the door open, she concentrated on summoning her and Egan’s power and gathering enough energy from her surroundings to increase her strength.
To her surprise, the flames began to surge around her and intertwined with her electric power, sending jolts of euphoria up her arms.
“What the hell are you doing?” Egan asked, her voice rising to a squeaky pitch. “You’re going to kill yourself! My power destroys, remember?”
“Not if it’s combined with love.” Ignoring her, Livia trusted her gut and let the magic work its wonders. When she opened her eyes, she sucked in a gasp. Her arms were covered in dark flames, with sparks of rust-colored magic encircling them. She lifted them before her eyes in wonder.
“Liv!”
Egan’s voice broke her from her trance, and with a face set with determination, Livia balled up her fist and slammed it straight through the door to the other side.
“Holy hell!”
Grinning, Livia pulled her fist back and shook out her hands. “I did it!”
“Good,” Egan said, swallowing. “Now get your ass back over here and wake these people up!” She shook out her hands, extinguishing her power.
Livia did the same.
Springing into action, Livia trotted to the people on the ground. It would take forever to drag them out. So, she knelt before them and sent secret messages into their sleeping minds.
“Get up,” she urged, sweetly. “Follow me.”
She nearly fell back as her mind filled with the frantic thoughts of the victims. Images of pain and suffering overwhelmed her, but she held her stance, and continued to work her powers of persuasion.
“Come now, we shall leave together. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
A smile came to her face as the people slowly woke up and looked at her.
“What happened?” one of them croaked.
“I thought I was dying but I was helpless to do anything,” another said.
“We’ll sort it out later.” She stood and held her hand out. “Follow me.”
They stumbled to their feet and ambled around. Some tripped over one another. Others blinked a lot, shaking their heads. “This way,” Egan called from her position at the exit. “Out here.”
Livia herded them toward Egan.
“Careful, now,” Livia said. “We’re almost free.”
Egan nodded. Her face was red, and dripped with sweat as she joined Egan outside.
Livia patted her on the shoulder. “You amaze me.”
Egan huffed. “Whatever, chick. What you just did was some freaky shit.”
Livia laughed, but her voice caught in her throat.
A low grumbling sound echoed down the hallway. Then the entire building exploded, sending them flying back and into the street.
Livia
A blur of action happened all around her. Sirens. Shouts. Screams. Being hustled into an ambulance. Being examined at the hospital.
And now, hours later, it was over.
Cup of coffee in hand, Livia stood outside the interrogation room. Her wrist was bandaged and she had stitches sewn into the deep gash on her forehead. She and Egan had taken a nasty tumble into the street, and they both had the bruises to show it.
“This is one long hell of a day,” Egan muttered, leaning against the wall beside Liv. “Or, is it night, yet? I can’t keep things straight in my mind.”
Shrugging, Livia yawned. “I think it’s heading toward night again.”
“At least we caught a few winks at the emergency room. I napped while you were being stitched up.” Egan leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.
“Yes, and I laid my head down and snoozed while you were being checked out. Get this—I even fell asleep while they were stitching my head wound.”
Egan laughed. “At least it’s something.”
Livia took a sip of the lukewarm liquid and cringed. “Can a girl get a hot cup of coffee around here? It’s not like we didn’t just go up against a witch and a lunatic.”
“Thatta girl. Stand up for what’s right,” Egan said, clapping.
Livia laughed. It was weak, and less than jovial, but it was all she had in her. She wanted her bed more than ever. Her bed, and the safety and warmth of Danvers’ arms.
With a sigh, she watched as he came around the corner, heading straight to her and Egan.
No lingering gazes. No tenderness. He overlooked Livia and spoke directly to Egan.
She winced, remembering how coldly she’d treated him, standing before the burning morgue.
“Turns out the victims you saved are all drug users,” he said. “They all got blood tests over at the hospital.”
“So, what?” Egan countered, folding her arms across her chest.
“So, the department wants to shove this incident aside as a drug deal gone wrong.”
Egan frowned. “Can the department get anymore stupid? We told you what happened. Doesn’t our word mean anything?”
Danvers winced. “Well,” he said, shoving a manila folder into her arms. “This young gal…” He gestured toward the interrogation room. “We caught her across town trying to steal a T.V. She’s a junkie. She didn’t give us much but she let it slip she’d been abducted by Renner. Get on in there. Question the only witness who’s not in ICU and give me something to go on.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” Egan said, rolling her eyes.
Livia found herself looking down at Danvers' shoes, too afraid to face the fact that she probably blew it. It didn’t matter, anyway. But, it still stung her heart how he avoided even taking a glimpse at her.
And, it’s my fault.
When he turned to walk away, she risked a glance. Their eyes met and it felt as if all the air in the room was sucked away. A split second crushed her doubts, nearly bringing tears to her eyes.
He loved her. It was written all over his face. He wanted to protect her and care for her, and for the first time she realized just how desperately she craved those things.
She stood there, holding her breath, as he gave her a slight nod and walked away. She watched him, anxious to pull out her phone and send him an apology via text. She hadn’t meant to shut him out when she saw him last.
No. She knew better. She needed to apologize in person, and the urge to do so right then was overwhelming.
“Coming?” Egan said, breaking Livia from her thoughts.
Amends would ha
ve to wait.
“Yeah,” she said, and turned to Egan who had her hands on her hips.
“Can you believe that nonsense? Drug deal gone wrong, my ass!”
Livia shook her head. “I know. It’s dumb. But, let’s see what we can find out.”
Together, they entered the interrogation room where one young woman sat alone behind the long metal desk.
She looked awful. The young woman had messy purple hair streaked with traces of her natural blonde color. Her blue eyes were sunken and bloodshot, with dark circles around them. Her arms were covered with needle marks. She looked as though she had several shots of espresso and had been awake for days.
“So,” Egan began, looking over the information in the folder. “Emma. Tell us what happened?”
Emma shrugged and rubbed her face. “I don’t know. They took us weeks ago. They kept us drugged, and did things I’d never seen or heard of. Freaky shit. I wish I could just forget it all.”
“No, don’t forget. Try to remember more. We want to help you,” Livia said, softly. “Help us so that they never hurt anyone ever again.”
Emma looked at her, digging at her exposed arms. They were riddled with rashes and open wounds from incessant scratching.
“I told you I don’t know. When can I go home?”
“I think we’re done. Danvers?” Egan called to the lieutenant.
A few seconds later the door opened. A uniformed officer strode in. He helped Emma to her feet and escorted her from the room.
Egan and Livia shared a look. Egan gave her a nod, as if saying…you know what to do. Seek out the victim’s minds. Reach out to the ICU ward.
With that, Livia searched the minds of each victim, searching for things they didn’t even know their subconscious minds harbored.
And, each one turned up the same results.
Their minds were blank slates, erased of all recollection of anything that could help their investigation.
Livia turned to Egan and shook her head.
“Nothing?”
“Their minds are wiped.” Livia flattened her palms on the interrogation table. She blew out her breath. “What next?”
“I guess we go see Rion. Maybe he has something to add to the puzzle.”
They got up, headed outside, and made their way to Rion’s office.
Once they’d arrived at the OCME building, and trekked upstairs, Egan pushed her way inside, and sat on his swivel chair.
“Hi, ladies.” Rion flashed a smile at Livia and an even brighter smile at Egan.
“Hey, Rion,” Livia said.
“Go on, Liv. Let’s make it quick and get out of here. I am about to pass out from exhaustion,” Egan said, spinning around in the chair, her long legs outstretched before her.
“Everything okay?” Rion asked.
Livia yawned again.
“Not really,” she grumbled. “Hey, what can you tell us about this?”
Livia had drawn a picture of the tree and the triangle she’d seen on the door that led to the pentagram.
Rion took it from her hands and clicked his tongue. “Wow. I know what this is.”
“Spit it out,” Egan said, still spinning.
He handed the picture back to Livia. “It’s ancient, from the Cypress Coven.”
Egan stopped abruptly. “The what?”
“They’ve been around for centuries. They date back to ancient Greece.”
“Why haven’t we heard of them?” Livia asked.
“Because, we thought they were all dead,” Rion answered.
“Well, apparently they’re still around,” Livia said. “What can we do about them?”
Rion twisted his mouth. “That, I cannot tell you. You see, these witches were particularly rough because they had these fail safes. No one would harm them because if you killed one it would trigger a curse.”
“Great,” Livia said with a sigh. “What kind of curse?”
“Different kinds. They were all rooted in Greek mythology, though. The Cypress coven was all about branding.”
“Greek mythology,” Egan whispered. “You know, I remember a story my mother used to tell before she shipped me off to the asylum.”
“What was it?” Livia asked, intrigued.
Egan never spoke about her mother, and she never pressed her for information.
“Cassandra,” Egan said. “Cassandra was cursed by the god Apollo. He gave her horrible visions and cursed her so that no one would believe her or share in her pain.”
Livia swallowed. “What happened to her?”
“She watched Rome burn and then she killed herself,” Rion answered.
Egan stood from the chair. “So, how do we stop it?”
“You can’t stop it,” Rion says. “That’s why the curse so awful, you see? It only stops when the person is dead.”
Egan frowned. “So, what does this have to do with Alicia Saunders?”
“I’m glad you asked. Here.” Rion turned his monitor toward them. “With the help of a friend, I’ve been digging around.”
Livia leaned forward, peering at a website called The Maraud Outcasts. “What’s that?”
“Well,” Rion said, an impish look on his face. “This website is a front for game players, who are obsessed with the video game known as The Maraud.”
“We’ve played it, remember, Liv? Back at Psi-3891.” Egan nodded at Livia.
“Barely, but, yes, I sort of remember kicking your ass.” She grinned.
“I let you win,” Egan said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Livia waggled her eyebrows. “Okay, go on,” she urged Rion.
“Behind the front, a list of all the members of Cypress Coven appears.” Rion directed his gaze at Livia.
“Really?” Livia could barely sit still.
“Cross my heart.” Rion laced his fingers and stretched his arms forward, palms out. Then, he placed his fingers on his chin and twisted his head back and forth. Pops issued forth from his neck. He wiggled his fingers. “Someone’s got a password.”
“And who might that someone be?” Egan rose to her feet, stepping closer to the desk. She peered at the screen.
“A member of the master race of Fae, that’s who.”
He smiled so broadly, Livia thought his face might crack.
Egan scoffed. “Don’t expect to be called ‘My Lord’ anytime soon.”
He smiled and turned to his screen. His fingers flew across the keyboard. He paused and recited an incantation.
The screen shimmered, revealing the image of a keyhole.
A fairy icon appeared next to it, along with a dumb giggle.
Rion reddened and directed his gaze to Egan. “I know, I know, it’s stupid, but I had to choose from what was available.”
She smirked, lifting her eyebrows. “I think it’s cute. Does it have a name?”
His face grew even redder. “Rion Hearted,” he mumbled.
“Aw. His name is Rion Hearted, Livia.” Egan’s eyes danced with mirth.
Livia laughed.
“Keep going.” Livia twirled her hand in encouragement.
“That’s phase one. Now, we find the key.” He frowned, leaning toward the screen. Using the up and down arrows, he guided the Rion Hearted icon through doors, down corridors and under fences that flashed across the screen unexpectedly. When a key appeared, his character jumped, propelled by key commands. “Got it!”
“You have to do this each time to find what you want to show us?” Livia asked, growing impatient.
Rion shrugged without looking away from the monitor. “ ‘fraid so.”
The keyhole appeared again.
Rion Hearted fitted the key into the hole and twisted it.
A door appeared, along with the words, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure, go away.” Rion tapped a keystroke and the words faded.
An eerie laugh rang out.
“Oooh, I’m so scared,” Egan said. She stepped around the de
sk and stood right behind Rion.
Livia stood and took her place in front of the desk.
Lights flashed. Bells clanged. And then, letters floated on the screen.
“Here’s where it gets tedious. But I’ve already developed a few shortcuts. All the members of the Cypress Coven are listed here. Each one. The game originator made it so that once you get here, you must arrange the letters into names. If you get one name wrong, you have to go back and start over.”
“And you played this until you got all the names correct?” Egan’s mouth fell open.
“Sadly, yes. And, I developed a shortcut, like I said.” His fingers flew across the keyboard. Abruptly, he stood, whirled in a circle, mumbled another incantation, and sat down. “Don’t ask,” he said, his face so red it looked like it would burst into flame.
She waited, her breath in her throat.
Names blurred into view. At the top of the screen appeared the name Alicia Saunders, followed by her title. Coven leader. A tiny star next to her title blinked on and off.
The next name listed was Renner Müntz, Overlord.
At the bottom of the screen, Livia read, Jason Chambers. Recruit.
Rion turned to regard Livia. Any signs of levity or humor were gone from his face.
A chill washed over her, drawing goosebumps along her skin. “What?” she whispered.
“I want you to see something. It’s…it’s going to be disturbing.”
Her eyes met Egan’s.
Egan nodded. We must see. Be strong. Remember our connection.
Livia swallowed. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Rion clicked the star next to Alicia’s name. The image of names disappeared and a huge image of Alicia Saunders appeared.
Her lips were parted as if mid-sentence. A cartoon talk bubble covered her cheek.
Livia felt faint as read the words in the icon.
Kill the telepath.
A small blurry image blurred into view inside the bubble.
Livia gasped as she stared at a photo of herself, standing at the edge of their apartment building, ready to leap to her death.
Egan
Egan stormed from Rion’s office calling her goodbyes over her shoulder. “I’ll check in with you later, Rion.” She thought a minute and whirled to face him. “Rion Hearted,” she said, letting a small smile appear.