by Phil Stern
“Oh, is that right?” Sarina wearily rubbed her forehead. “Well, I should have guessed, of course. Who else could possible be in charge of a secret mission from the future to save us all?”
A long moment went by, Tiffany coolly eying her Coven-mate. “Say what you want to say.”
“All right, I will.” Hesitating, she made a great show of carefully choosing the right words. “Even you can’t be such a fool, can you?”
“How do you figure?”
“You have no idea what her motivations are!” Pointing a finger at the door through which Jenla had just departed, Sarina shook her head. “Or if she’s telling the truth about any of this!”
“Look, I’ve told you the time stone is real...”
“Yes! A really good way of manipulating you. By the stone, everybody knows you can’t resist playing the hero!”
“Really?” Though still slouched against the wall, Tiffany’s gaze never wavered. “Is that what everybody knows?”
“Let’s keep it real here, shall we?” Jumping from the bed, Sarina began untying her Victorian top. “You’re a glory hound, plain and simple. Yes, you’ve done some good work. But you’ve also run off on your own a bunch of times and had to have your stone pulled out of the fire by the rest of us!”
“And this is one of those times, I take it?”
“It’s getting there.” Yanking open the collar, she then bent down to untie her shoes. “There’s also the nasty rumor that you shamelessly manipulated Eleanor into making you lead sorceress on Earth. Kind of ironic, then, that you’ve abandoned that post without permission, now isn’t it?”
“Sarina, I don’t think...”
“No, you didn’t think! Did it ever occur to you that Jenla’s story was all bullshit? That someone wanted to draw you away from Earth at a critical time?” Kicking off the shoes, the older sorceress paced away in the small room. “In case you haven’t noticed, the Coven has a lot of enemies!”
“Oh, I know.” Tiffany thoughtfully glanced out the window, the light oddly swirling about within the rough glass. “I’ve personally fought most of them.”
“We’ve all fought for the Coven!” Sarina snapped back. “Many people harder and longer than you, in fact. So save the sob stories for that boyfriend of yours, because I don’t give a shit!”
Across the street a washerwoman dumped some dirty water from a third-story window. Smiling, Tiffany watched two children dart from the splash on the sidewalk below. “Look, I’m sorry you don’t like me.”
“Oh, grow up. It’s not a matter of liking or not liking.” Still pacing about, the auburn-haired enchantress suddenly stopped in the middle of the small apartment. “Though I won’t be attending your wedding, that I can assure you.”
“Hmm. That’s funny,” Tiffany softly responded, finally turning back to her Coven-mate. “I don’t remember inviting you.”
*****
Always in motion, Caylee casually drifted about the government sector. There was a certain art to remaining invisible in a public area, involving equal parts movement and ease. Twice she exited Highsmith Square entirely, circling about to reappear from a different direction. Yet, as time ticked away and even more police took up station around the area, Peck failed to return.
Leaning against a side wall of the regal Treasury House, Molly wandered up beside her. Neither girl looked directly at the other, two seeming strangers just happening to stand near the other.
“Still no sign, luv?” Idly pulling out a small brass contraption with delicate rubber tubes, Molly squeezed a shot of powder into her nose. “Taking his time, he is.”
Shifting from one foot to the other, Caylee surveyed the crowd yet again. Since joining Peck’s crew she’d been constantly pressed to “take a snort,” as they put it. Oh, it was all harmless, she was told. Just a way of taking the “edge” off.
But since avoiding local narcotics was pretty much the first rule of being a Coven operative, she’d consistently demurred. Even Peck had been unable to sway her, though he’d often partaken of the odd powder when they were alone together over the past two weeks.
“I’d knock that off, if I were you.” Discreetly glancing in Molly’s direction, Caylee nodded down at the “sniffer,” as they called it. “You need a clear head right now.”
“Listen to you. Clear heads, is that it?” Laughing, she nevertheless slipped the sniffer back in her bag. “Seems to me Peck’s got your head all out of whack.”
Caylee irritably drummed her fingers on the cold masonry of the Treasury House wall. “I’m getting worried. He should be back by now.”
“Relax. He’s probably off at the cab.”
“Cab?” By this point Caylee was sick of all the odd Donlon vocabulary. “And what might that be?”
“A bawdy house?” the other girl groaned. “Ain’t you got none of them where you come from?”
“Prostitution?” The sorceress felt her back stiffen. “Are you referencing a bordello of some kind?”
“Well, if that’s where the toffers and dolly mops do their business, then I definitely am.”
“And why would Peck be there?”
“Hmmm. I’m not sure.” Feigning puzzlement, Molly reached for her sniffer once more. “Maybe a quick snog? Men tend to like that sort of thing, you know.”
*****
“Okay, so we obviously won’t be joining one another’s fan clubs.” Tiffany stood once more in the small apartment. “That being the case, why don’t we just stick to business.”
“Agreed.” The merest hint of green flashed across Sarina’s eyes. “Would you like a field report?”
“Please.”
She then briskly described her experiences in Donlon, including the repressive Victorian-era government and late Industrial Revolution technology. “Obviously there’s some direct connection to Earth,” she concluded. “Though I haven’t found it yet.”
“Well, I have,” Tiffany replied. “That’s how we got here.”
“So you said.”
“And you’ve been in Donlon two weeks?”
“That’s right.”
“Have you encountered any demons here in that time?”
“None.” For added emphasis, Sarina slowly shook her head. “And I’ve been all over this city. You’ve been played, Tiffany. The only question is why.”
Another carriage rattled by on the cobblestones outside. In the apartment directly above, a vase fell to the floor with a dull crack.
“Fine. Let’s forget about demons for now.” Still facing one another, Tiffany tried a different tack. “With all the ruckus she’s caused, how is it that you haven’t found Caylee yet?”
“She’s gone deep underground.” Sarina paused. “Actually, it seems your protégé has completely lost her head and joined some local resistance group.”
“I’ve worked with Caylee, yes.” Tiffany smiled while pointedly holding Sarina’s eyes. “But I’d hardly call her my protégé.”
“Nor would I,” the other sorceress pleasantly agreed. “Considering the utter mess she’s made of a simple mission.”
“Agreed. So let’s just collect her and get the hell out of here. All right?”
“Of course. But Tiffany, let’s get one thing straight right now.” Sarina remained quite still. “I’m senior to you, and I’m in charge of this little operation.”
*****
“A quick snog?” Even as the crowd ebbed and flowed about in Highsmith Square, Caylee fully turned to her companion. “You mean sex?”
“Sex?” Molly mimicked. “Yes, magic girl. That’s what happens in the cabs.”
“Wait a minute.” With difficulty, the undercover sorceress controlled her breathing. “You’re saying the resistance runs whore houses?”
“Indeed, luv. The money’s good, and it gives the poor, sweet dander girls something to do. We get some good intelligence, too.”
“And that’s where Peck is now?”
“Could be.” A philosophical shrug. “Our fearl
ess leader likes to keep a close eye on things.”
“Dander girls.” Caylee’s stomach audibly lurched. “I hope you’re not talking about forced labor.”
“Oh, my goodness! The horror of it all!” Molly took another deep sniff. “Have you seen the press gangs, magic girl? Everyone scrubbing the street ‘til their hands bleed?”
“Yes. But...”
“And that ain’t even the worst of it. What the lords and lids have going on in the jails and camps is horrible!”
“But that’s what we’re fighting for!” Grinding her teeth, Caylee waited for a lord in a fine suit to walk by. “To end all that!”
“And we are, luv. All them dander dollies fund our little revolution, see?” Almost dreamily, the Donlon lass stared at her hand-held drug dispenser. “That and all the sniffer stag we sell on the side.”
Standing there by the side of the huge building, watching the mid-morning crowd flow about the square, Caylee’s earth stone began racing. This used to occur often, the magical talisman instinctively responding to her emotional state. As a candidate sorceress she’d had to learn how to separate feelings from power, becoming both a stronger magician and person in the process.
But now it began happening again. The damaged earth stone bucked and surged, sending a wave of heat into her chest. Wind suddenly whipped all about, knocking the sniffer from Molly’s hand. Small rocks skidded across Highsmith Square towards a nearby fountain, while a mounted police officer’s horse stamped about in alarm.
Placing a steadying hand on the building behind them, Caylee felt her power roar up to half-strength and then a little beyond. Yet once again, the earth stone slammed up against the same performance wall she’d been fighting since the battle in Donlon harbor. Roiling and churning for some moments, the frightening rush of raw magic deflated with a sour pop.
Head swirling, Caylee dully slid down to the cool flagstones, only vaguely aware of Molly calling out her name.
*****
George pounded down the wide avenue, pushing aside anyone who got in his way. Unerringly darting down a connecting alley, he ran up and over a huge pile of garbage before hopping over a fence into a side yard. Ducking back out into regular pedestrian traffic, the demon shot an irritated glance at a passing clock. It was close, but he’d still probably miss the big event. With any luck, though, he could catch the rats before they could escape.
So Highsmith Square, eh? Big doings. The resistance was getting some balls, that he’d grant them. Emboldened by Caylee’s presence, Peck’s crew was getting totally out of hand.
But of course, the biggest doing of all would be finally killing the damn witch! For now that Caylee was finally out in the open once more, she’d never escape.
*****
Aimlessly patrolling the block around Sarina’s apartment house, Jenla tried to keep her emotions in check. She’d risked everything to come back in time and avert the biggest crisis the Coven had ever faced! And what did she get as a reward? Being sent out of the room while the adults talked things through.
Pausing on a corner, the incognito sorceress sourly glanced about. If this Sarina didn’t believe them, or just wasn’t willing to help, then she and Tiffany should just...
Without warning, Jenla was assailed by a chaotic wave of magical energy. Nearly stumbling into another pedestrian, the time-traveling enchantress mumbled an apology while sheltering in a passing doorway.
It was definitely Coven magic, yet muted in some odd way. Almost like a candidate witch just getting her earth stone. Or a demon trying to access a captive witch’s power for the first time.
Unbidden, her own earth stone surged up to full power. Shaking out her sleeve, a Coven Stick currently in the guise of a large metal spoon slid into Jenla’s waiting hand.
Stepping back out into the heavy Donlon foot traffic, the magical warrior hurried off towards a large square three blocks away.
*****
“Wrong.” With effort, Tiffany kept her voice at a normal level. “I’m a lead sorceress. I have seniority.”
“You witch,” Sarina breathed. “Lead sorceress? In case you haven’t noticed, this isn’t Earth!”
“Look, there’s a lot going on here you don’t seem able to understand, much less accept.” Magically covering the window, Tiffany then changed into a more svelte local outfit. “Under the circumstances, there’s no way you can effectively lead.”
“I have rank here. Both by general seniority, and by my status as a strike force leader.” Sarina’s eyes now blazed a dull green. “Or have you forgotten that you used to serve under me when...”
A wave of almost violent magical power swept through the room, knocking both young women to the floor. Instinctively raising magical shields, they both quickly darted up again with their backs to one another.
“That was Coven magic,” Sarina tersely observed. “Caylee?”
“I think so, but something’s definitely wrong.” Tiffany quickly analyzed the magical signature. “It’s like something’s choked off. Or maybe...”
A loud roar now rolled down the street outside, rattling the windows once more. Down on the sidewalk a woman screamed, while horses began cantering all about.
“A bomb.” Now Sarina also changed into more action-oriented local clothing. “About three blocks from here.”
“Let’s go.” Tiffany yanked open the door and darted through, followed closely by her Coven-mate.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
IN AN INSTANT, Highsmith Square was transformed into utter bedlam. Stone, brick, and general debris billowed out from the second floor of the parliament building within a thick pall of smoke. A massive boom thundered about, madly reverberating within the partially-enclosed area. People screamed, horses bolted, and alarms clanged. Several officers wildly fired their guns into the air, further panicking the already stampeding crowd.
Still on the ground, Caylee dully watched a flaming chunk of desk arch through the air to land within General Highsmith’s fountain. A heavy metal stapler clunked on the flagstones nearby, skidding into the wall beside her with an awful screech. On her other side Molly cried out in pain, clutching at a bleeding arm.
Peck suddenly reappeared, jogging straight towards them. Unlike everyone else her lover seemed elated by the civic carnage, taking in the horrible scene with obvious satisfaction. Darting around a coughing bobby and wounded businessman, he yanked Caylee to her feet.
“Come on, luv. No sitting down on the job!” Bodily hauling Molly up as well, he then clapped the wounded girl on her good shoulder. “Just a scratch there. You’ll be fine.”
“A bomb?” Breathing heavily, Caylee clutched at his arm. “You did this?”
“Indeed, luv. Tommy and the other boys never showed, so I had to set it off myself.”
“But...” Reflexively snatching up Molly’s dropped sniffer, the sorceress distastefully tossed it away again. “All these people!”
“That’s right, luv!” Clearly, Peck was enthralled with the morning’s handiwork. “That will show them lords and the lids we mean business!”
Now reinforcements began flooding into the square. A quartet of bobbies lumbered by them, blowing whistles and holding revolvers. They were closely followed by horses pulling a mounted Gatling gun.
“We’ve got to go!” Caylee yelled in his ear. “Now!”
“In a minute, luv. Stay here with Molly while I find the others.”
“No!” Taking a step forward, she tried to grab him. “Wait!” But Peck was already gone, swallowed up by the crowd and smoke.
Every instinct told her to run as far and fast as possible. Clearly believing the parliament bombers were still in the square, the bobbies were literally attacking anyone within reach. Even now three of the men turned to the two girls by the Treasury House, advancing with both truncheons and guns raised.
Yet Molly was in no condition to flee. Despite Peck’s jovial prognosis she staggered down to the flagstones, blood flowing freely. Caylee now saw a jagged shard o
f rock sticking from her shoulder, courtesy of their own bomb.
Well, there was nothing else to do. Raising a half-power magical shield, the enchantress grimly prepared to defend her fellow rebel. If she could just disable these two, then she and Molly could slip...
It was then that Caylee first felt the faint presence of another earth stone, rapidly growing in strength as some unknown sorceress closed on her position.
*****
Dodging around a group of people fleeing in the other direction, Jenla oriented on the dulled magical signature close ahead. At this distance there could be little doubt. This was clearly another Coven sorceress, though something was fouling the smooth output of her earth stone.
So in the end they were still too late. Knowing what she did of future time lines, this could only be Caylee post-takeover. Their Coven-mate was already a demon-witch, the ultimate pawn in their wild scheme to take over the universe.
Yet why the magical brownout? In the wars yet to come, the fused Caylee-demon was much stronger than an average sorceress. The fiend would slay a half-dozen of her former sisters that they knew of, driving the Coven completely out of several worlds entirely.
Perhaps this was a warm up period, when demon and slave were learning to work together? Whatever the case, Caylee’s current weakness was a precious advantage she dare not waste.
Changing into a standard tactical suit on the run, Coven Stick now a blazing sword, Jenla made a straight line for Highsmith Square.
*****
Rising to his feet, near the center of Highsmith Square, frosty old Lord Karot angrily brushed reddened stone residue from his resplendent pants. Eyes burning silver, the demon glanced up at the gaping, burning hole in the parliament building. More masonry collapsed to the ground, nearly blocking the formal entrance with rubble and muck.