Concealed Influence

by V. M. Marsh

  Realization dawned on his face. “That’s why sometimes you act ridiculously peppy around other people, right? To make it easier to hide your motives, so people won’t think twice if you ask them to do something weird or out of character for them. They’ll chalk it up to ditzy Emma just being herself, and since you’re so nice and helpful, they’ll want to return the favor by doing what you tell them to, even if it seems off the wall.”

  “Bingo.” I replied sadly. “Our work is important, often life and world changing. So you can see why it’s much bigger than us and they are so selective about who is part of it.”

  His gaze fell to the ground. “And they don’t think the trailer trash from across the tracks is good enough to be one of them or even be with one of them.”

  “It’s just as much about the magic as it is about personality and character. You have to be able to influence people from behind the scenes and have strong magic if needed. I’m sorry.”

  “They have no idea how powerful my magic is.” He grumbled.

  “Uh, remember that dumpster you set on fire in high school to kill that spider for me? We all got a fairly good idea of it back then. Unfortunately, I don’t think they feel it’s strong enough even if you weren’t such a rebel.”

  He chuckled. “I remember that. I would have set the world on fire for you back then.”

  As he looked up at me, his eyes filled with conviction. “I still would.”

  My heart skipped a beat.

  “My magic has grown since then. After I left Wildwood, I practiced a lot. I didn’t have much else to do.” I patted his arm, certain it still wasn’t as strong as he wanted it to be.

  He stomped through the forest, leaving me behind.

  “I’m better than they think I am, better than you think I am.”

  “I think you’re fine, and I don’t care about your magic. You’re everything I could possibly want.”

  “If that was true, you’d be with me. However, you chose someone else, someone the Circle has deemed worthy of you and them.”

  I reared back in shock. I’d never thought of it like that, but it was exactly what I’d done. My actions alone told him I thought he was less and not good enough for me. I cringed.

  “It’s not about you and me. It’s about magic and protecting people, the world. I have to set aside my personal wants and desires for the greater good. Surely you can understand that.”

  “It’s bullshit. You shouldn’t have to be miserable and sacrifice yourself for everyone else.”

  He suddenly stopped and spun to me. Grasping my arms, he peered intently into my eyes. “I am good enough, more than good enough. I’m going to prove it to them. To you. Tell me what I need to do to show them.”

  I felt guilty as hell. Here was the perfect opportunity to get him on board, but it would be deceptive and cruel. He didn’t have a chance in hell of gaining the approval of the Circle. Still, it was another sacrifice I needed to make.

  I cleared my throat and tried to calm my heart, which raced from the betrayal I was about to commit. “To start, you could agree to defeat Bradley, like I saw in my vision. That would go a long way with them.”

  Which was true, it just wouldn’t be nearly enough.

  “Then count me in. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back.”

  A thrill ran down my spine and my heart filled even as I cautioned myself not to react. He might try, but it would be of no use. The Circle would never accept him.

  Chapter Eight

  “Yes, sir. I have you down for October fourteenth through the twenty-fourth. You will enjoy ten glorious days here at Spelton Mountain Resort. We look forward to seeing you on October fourteenth.” Hanging up the phone, I closed the guest’s reservation window.

  It never failed to amaze me how far in advance the resort was booked solid even in the off-season. Fall-foliage was a big draw, but it might be over that late in the season. It was a good thing we maintained year-round events and activities to keep our guests entertained regardless of Mother Nature’s mood.

  Opening today’s arrival list, I prepared for incoming guests. I liked to be familiar with as many names as possible before they checked in, so it sounded more natural when I addressed them. I wanted them to make them feel welcome and valued here.

  Blackwell. That name sounded familiar. If they had visited before, I should mention it to let them know we recognize and appreciate their repeat business. I pulled up reservation histories and started typing in the search box.

  The lobby doors swished open to allow a disheveled man inside as he continuously glanced over his shoulder, like he was afraid of being followed. Confused, I titled my lips into my professional smile of greeting anyway. “May I help you, sir?”

  Bracing his hands on the front desk and leaning towards me, he harshly whispered, “You have to help. The Sanctuary is under attack.”

  I fell back in shock. I must have heard him wrong. “What did you say?”

  “A man is attacking the Sanctuary. He’s stealing magic! Please help us.”

  I felt sick to my stomach and faint. He was here. The Power Thief had found us. Oh, shit. I had no idea what to do. I froze in horror and terror until the man put his hands on my shoulders and shook me.

  “Do something. You have to stop him.”

  I rubbed my face. He was right; I needed to do something. All I could think to do was send out a mass text: Power Thief in Sanctuary. Help.

  I didn’t dare activate the Circle’s Call. It would send all of them to the clearing and away from where they were really needed. Conversely, those who already knew of the situation would be left to deal with effects of ignoring the call while trying to diffuse the situation. That could put them and those they were protecting in further danger.

  Hopefully, the text would be enough. Dropping my phone on the desk, I rushed around it.

  “Tell me where you last saw him.” I ordered as I ushered the man towards the door.

  He resisted and shook his head. “I’m not going back out there. Didn’t you hear me?! That man is stealing powers. I’m not risking mine or a part of my soul. I can’t live a half-life as an empty shell.”

  I glared at him. “Without our aid, others will succumb to that fate. I need your help to keep that from happening to as many people as possible. We’ll need an army to stop him, and I need soldiers in that army starting with you. Now let’s go.”

  I pushed him out the door as he dragged his feet. “I don’t want to do this.”

  “None of us does. Now buck up and get with the program. Tell me where the Power Thief is.”

  “He was by the outdoor pool. He stood there with outstretched hands as some girl screamed and rolled on the ground. The only reason I realized what was happening was because I tripped over one of his other victims.” He paused to shiver as he let out a trembling breath.

  “This teenage boy lay still on the ground. He just lay there, with his eyes open but not seeing anything. He was clearly alive, but there was no life left in him, if you know what I mean.”

  I shivered too. “I do know. I’m sorry you had to witness that. Now let’s put a stop to him before he does it to anyone else.”

  I marched along the side of the lodge, still shoving the reluctant man before me. When we reached the edge of the building, I pushed him against the wall. Crossing to his other side, I pressed my back to the wall and peeked around the corner.

  There was no sign of Bradley. However, grief welled in my chest as I took in the destruction he’d left behind. As the man had described, short brown hair splayed across the grass as a boy laid listlessly just outside the fence surrounding the pool.

  And through the chain link fence, I could make out a teenage girl seemingly frozen across a poolside lounge chair. Her head and arm hung limply from the side of the red canvas lounger as the ends of her straight auburn hair brushed the concrete pool deck. She almost looked dead, but I could just make out the slight rise and fall of her chest.

  Trees beyond
the pool were blackened and scorched. Someone must have tried to fight or lure him into the woods away from Norms at the resort.

  “It looks like he went into the forest. Let’s go.” Grabbing hold of the man’s shirt, I dragged him along behind me.

  “What’s your name?” I whispered.

  “It’s Harrison. Why?”

  “No reason in particular. I just thought it might be nice to stop calling you ‘that man’ in my head. My name is Emma. It’s nice to meet you.”

  He snorted. “I really could have done without all this. I’m supposed to be on vacation, and it costs a small fortune to stay here.”

  I smiled at him. “We’re worth every penny.”

  Smoke filled my nostrils as we passed one of the burnt trees. “Well, we normally are. These are extenuating circumstances. And all guests will be compensated for this inconvenience.”

  I could barely hear his quiet huff. “This is more than an inconvenience, I’d say. Just look at those poor teens back there.”

  My eyes filled with tears, but I blinked them away. I’d have time to grieve for them later. Right now, I needed to focus on neutralizing the threat. If I could find him.

  Every step we took that resulted in a cracking branch or crunching leaves made me cringe. I hoped he didn’t hear us.

  “Psst. Psst.” My head swung towards the conspicuous noise to see a part of a tan face and a hand waving us over from behind a tree.

  I froze until I realized there was no way Bradley could have gotten his hair that blonde again after what he’d done to it with the black dye. Dragging Harrison behind me, I slunk towards the man in the copse of trees.

  When we rounded the tree he hid behind, I was surprised to find a whole group hiding. Women and children huddled together on the ground as tears streaked little faces.

  “You work here, right?” I jolted at the question as he gestured to my clothes. “Your uniform. That’s what the lobby employees wear, isn’t it?”

  “Oh, yes, it is. And I do. Work here, I mean.”

  “You’re in charge then, so what do we do?”

  Damn. I was in charge. That was an unpleasant realization. Looking at the group of twenty or so people, I needed to think of something quickly.

  Then my first problem dawned on me. I didn’t know how many of them were Norms, and I wasn’t sure how to ask without coming across as suspicious.

  I didn’t want to put on my ditzy persona to throw them off since that wouldn’t exactly give anyone confidence in my ability to lead them. Double damn. I didn’t have time to think about how to phrase this. People were being stripped of their magic or even killed. And I wasn’t sure which was a worse fate.

  “I know this is a weird question and may seem like the wrong time to ask, but just go with it. Who here uses the word, ‘Norms’ on a regular basis?” I asked.

  Two women exchanged confused looks, but everyone else raised their hands. Oh, thank goodness I had come across mostly magical beings.

  “Those of you who did not raise your hands, please stay with the children. All other adults, come with me to form a plan.” I led them some distance away, where we could still see the kids, but they shouldn’t overhear us.

  “You all have magic, right?” I wanted to confirm before I began. They all nodded. Good.

  “We need to move quickly; we’ve already lost too much time. Shifters form a group to the left and mages form a group to the right.”

  They quickly separated. “Mages: do any of you have magic that would be good for defense?”

  “I can manipulate dirt and rocks.” One woman spoke up.

  “Perfect. You stay here to defend the Norms and kids. Everyone else will come with me to attack the intruder.”

  I paused. They weren’t going to like this. “The assailant is a Power Thief, so you must be on guard, especially when using your magic. Also, there is no telling what powers he has amassed and learned to use.”

  Gasps and fearful expressions came as expected. “I know it’s frightening, but we are all in greater danger if we let him pick us off one by one. Our only chance is to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. We’ll add anyone we come across to our ranks.”

  There was grumbling, but after a bit of arguing, they agreed. Most of us had grown up on scary stories warning of Power Thieves, so we knew we were stronger together against one.

  “Can anyone dampen the sound of our movement through the forest? We don’t want him to hear our approach.”

  One mage raised his hand. “I can control air some. Enough to keep our sound from carrying.”

  Nodding, I signaled with my hand over my head for us to move out. Even with the mage’s noise dampening air manipulation, we still crept through the forest as stealthy as the untrained lot of us was able to.

  A crack rent the air, and we all froze to see what or who would emerge. A frightened couple popped out from a prickly bush.

  “I’m so glad you found us. Are you the rescue party?” The man asked while the woman sniffed and quietly sobbed.

  “Not really.” I replied. “What do you guys know of magic?”

  “This seems like the wrong time and place for that discussion.” The man huffed.

  I rolled my eyes. “Do you believe in it or not?”

  “Of course, I don’t. What fairytales have to do with anything at a time like this, I don’t even want to know. There is a madman on the loose shooting at people!”

  “Back that way is a group of women and children sheltering in place. I want you to join them until the authorities come to your aid. Make sure to keep your hands in the air when you approach, so they know you aren’t a threat. They have weapons to defend themselves.”

  Sending them on their way, we continued to make our way through the forest. I had no idea where we were going or if we were heading in the right direction. “Can any of the Shifters hear anything? Shift if you need to.”

  One man stripped and after giving his clothes to his companion, shifted into a wolf. A round woman’s face lit up, and she also removed her clothes to hand off. However, she changed into a glorious brown falcon and soared above us.

  As the wolf sniffed and tasted the air, the falcon’s cry pierced the air. While I couldn’t understand the sound, the other shifters moved as one in the same direction. She must have said to go this way. I shrugged as the other mages and I followed the Shifters through the brush.

  Soon, the falcon flew down and shifted back into a woman. “They aren’t far from here. There is a group of mages attacking the Power Thief, but he is holding his ground. They are no match for him.”

  “Yet.” I responded. “Let’s join the group already fighting and turn the tide to our side.”

  Creeping through the woods, faint sounds of a magic battle finally reached me. As we drew closer, I wished there was some way for us to let the others know we were coming and on their side. I didn’t want to startle anyone into attacking us or getting hit themselves.

  “Does anyone have any ideas of how to warn our side of our approach without alerting the Power Thief of our presence?”

  The woman smiled just before she transformed into a cricket. She played a song that sounded natural in the woods, but the other Shifters nodded. Hopefully there was a Shifter in the group ahead to intercept her message. I supposed Shifting had its perks, especially for someone as resourceful as this woman.

  She changed back, but remained nude. The other Shifters took notice as we slunk along and began to remove their clothes as they readied for battle.

  I pushed passed a bush and a large group of mages and shifters came into view. There must have been a few Earth Mages here to have moved that many boulders forming a wall for them all to hide behind.

  Then I spotted Dad peering around the edge of the wall to use his magic. Now the wall made more sense. Dad was a powerful Earth and Water Mage. It was rare for a Mage to have more than one ability, and more rare for even one of those powers to be substantial. However, my mountain of a father was strong i
n both arts.

  If Dad was here, Mom should be around here somewhere too. After searching, I found her kneeling next to someone lying prone on the forest floor. She was probably trying to heal him. If Bradley had stolen that man’s magic, though, she would be of no use.

  Gesturing to those behind me, we resolutely marched forward to join the battle. “Dad, I brought reinforcements. What can we do to help?”

  Whipping towards me, Dad grimaced. “As grateful as I am for additional people, I wish you hadn’t come. The Power Thief is dangerous and you don’t have any defensive magic.”

  Crossing my arms, I glared at him. “I have brains and physical training. I’ll make it work, like I always have.”

  “I didn’t mean to insult you, love. I’m scared for you, for all of us. I don’t know how to stop him. He keeps hitting us with some sort of electricity, and shows no signs of wearing out.”

  “Damn. I wonder if he can tap into emotion or movement for additional energy resources.” I rubbed my chin. “Or maybe he doesn’t exert much energy to use that power. Maybe we need him to do something bigger to drain him.”

  “Like what?” He asked while watching another mage lean around the wall. As I listened to dirt shifting and crashing on the other side of the wall, I studied our small army.

  “What have you been doing so far, leaning around the wall one or two at a time to use magic against him?”

  Dad nodded. “Yes, but even coming at him from both sides at the same time has been futile.”

  “How were you able to build this wall while he was attacking?”

  “We worked together. Some of the shifters distracted him while those of us who could physically and magically move rocks and boulders combined forces to get it up.”

  “It worked before, so why haven’t you tried it again?”

  His shoulders sagged. “We had quite a few casualties from that method, which your mother is attempting to heal. Our numbers are already small, so we have been weary of risking that many again.”