Wrath of Magic (The Mysterium Chronicles Book Book 3)

by Simone Pond

  CeeCee stood up and dusted off her pants. “I wish they wouldn’t call me the Infinite. Brings back too many unsavory memories.”

  “Maybe look at it like someone who endures the trials, rather than what it originally meant?” I suggested.

  She nodded, but I could tell she wasn’t convinced. Some wounds go deep.

  Benjamin helped Isabella get up. “Easy for you to say, boss. You’ve got a badass nickname.”

  I rolled my eyes and rose with the others. It was time to finish the last leg of the journey out of Pyre and get to Mysterium.

  Nils limped over to me. “You’ve got this, partner.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “We do.”

  ***

  We arrived at the meeting spot a little after dawn, exhausted and drained from pushing through the night. But we had made it safely.

  “Jordan, darling!” My mother grasped me in her arms and held me tight. “I’m so relieved. We got wind that Pyre was destroyed.”

  “News travels fast,” I said.

  “We’ve been talking with one of the captains down at the docks, working to secure our transport down to Mysterium. The dock workers are always the first to hear any news. I was worried, but Claudius reminded me of all that you’ve done.”

  I stepped back and took in the scene. There were so many of us. Thousands. “You’ve done well yourself. You got all of these people here safely.”

  My mother started walking with me. “Claudius has taken care of everything. We have a ship waiting for us. Do you think all of you can make it another couple miles, right now?”

  Things were moving so fast. I hadn’t expected the boat to be ready and for everything to be going so smoothly. Then again, Claudius had managed an entire city for decades. Feelings of trepidation butterflied in my stomach. I knew it had to be done—this trip into Mysterium—and I was ready to do my job. But maybe I wasn’t a hundred percent ready?

  “Let’s do it,” I said, because it didn’t matter whether I was ready or not.

  I called out instructions to the leaders of each group to start organizing their teams and prepare for our trek to the docks. Our large party of travelers hiked along the silver wall in the direction of the River Elin. Whenever anyone grumbled, I told them we could rest when we got to the ship. Well, some of us could rest …

  Those few miles to the docks zipped by in a flash. We organized everyone into groups in one of the vacant shipping yards close to the dock. Then Claudius and my mother went to meet with the captain and finalize negotiations for transportation to Mysterium. Nils, CeeCee and I followed behind for backup. We stayed back while Claudius handled the interaction. He handed the stout, grubby man a heaping sack, no doubt filled with gold coins. This made me appreciate him even more—fronting the funds for the continuation of our pilgrimage.

  “Hmm.” CeeCee huffed under her breath.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I didn’t think the coward would come through. Thought he’d back down just like always,” she said.

  “You think Claudius is a coward?” I asked in shock.

  “He’s starting to prove his salt,” she said.

  CeeCee stalked ahead toward the giant ship and stood behind Claudius as the stout captain reached into the sack with his grimy fingers. If the man had any smarmy plans to ask for more money or renegotiate, CeeCee’s sudden presence stifled that desire. The captain peered up at Claudius and extended his hand to seal the deal. They shook and Claudius shouted over to me to call down the troops.

  Isabella and Lily managed and directed the mass of people down the wooden dock and across the footbridge onto the giant ship. First the children and young adults, then the women and men. The trip south would take an hour and everyone would remain on the ship while a core team ventured into the city to discuss business with Prime Master Bachar.

  On the ride down the river, I stood at the helm with Captain Robar. I was glad to have William with me because I didn’t trust the oily captain to mind his manners and I didn’t want to have to put him in his place. Also, William would need to use his wizardry skills to cloak the ship before we reached the docks in Mysterium.

  “So, yer the real thing, huh?” asked the captain, picking at his gray teeth with a piece of something metal. A nail?

  I eyed him carefully, reading every line in his weathered face. For the record, I didn’t trust the rotund fellow for a second. I’d make sure we put Claudius’s best men on the guy when we left to talk to Bachar. He was liable to turn all of us over to Magnus for a small fortune.

  “How much longer?” I asked.

  “About another ten minutes,” he said, disappointed.

  “Go time, William.”

  The wizard gave me a curt nod and pulled his sparkling silver wand from his inside jacket pocket and went to work chanting some cloaking spell. He went on for a solid five minutes, whooshing the wand around in mid-air in concentric circles and figure-eights. The captain grumbled under his breath until I finally nudged him to zip it.

  “It’s my ship, sweetheart,” he said.

  “We paid you a lot of gold, so no complaining.”

  He sneered and elbowed me like we were old pals. “No complainin’ costs extra.”

  William slipped his wand back into his jacket and sauntered over to me. “My work here is complete. Shall we?” He held out his arm in a gallant manner and we strolled out of the helm.

  Outside the sun glistened over the river. The warmth took away the cold chill coming off the water. The temperature in Mysterium never seemed to rise above fifty-two degrees regardless of the season. William and I met up with the others at the port side of the ship. I nestled against my mother’s side as we quietly watched Mysterium come into view. I hadn’t been gone long, but it seemed like forever as we glided closer to the port. The illustrious skyscrapers and mirrored buildings reached up to the blue skies, reflecting light across the city. Everything dazzled and twinkled on the right bank. My mother held my hand tightly. Her nerves must’ve been getting jumpy too.

  “It’ll be okay,” I said.

  “I know. But he’s a stubborn man,” she said.

  I laughed and hugged her close. “He loves you, though,” I said, “and he will give us his ear, stubborn or not.”

  Nils stood close by and asked, “You think Magnus will make an appearance?”

  My mother shook her head. “When I arranged for this meeting with my father I told him to keep Magnus far away. That his being there would be detrimental to my safety. He agreed.”

  “So, probably,” said Nils.

  “Yeah, I’d count on it,” I said.

  The ship docked and only Nils, Claudius, my mother and I departed. Benjamin argued that he should come in case we needed the assistance of flight, but I knew that too many people would be a threat. It was better to keep the group small and manageable.

  We took a taxi to the estate and the guardsmen let us in without any question. It was still Charity Bachar’s home, despite the rift between her and her father. When we drove up the gravel driveway, my stomach shifted from twisting cyclones to a vat of ammonia eating away at my insides. I sucked as much air as I could into my lungs and released it slowly, counting in my head to calm myself.

  Nils patted my knee. “Don’t forget who you are.”

  I nodded, gripping the iron rod like it was the only thing keeping me together. I thought about the gold star in the side pocket of my trousers and wondered if the anointed time was nigh. Would it let me know if I should use it on Prime Master Bachar? Or what if Magnus did show up? Was I supposed to use the final star on him one more time and pray to the Ancient One it would work?

  We pulled up to the front entrance. The driver got out and opened the back door for my mother. I followed close at her heels. Nils and Claudius stayed a safe distance behind us. I tucked the rod into my waistband, thinking I’d look less hostile. My mother punched in her key code and unlocked the door, I noticed the sequence had changed since I’
d lived there. Probably a smart move.

  “Come,” she said, opening the doors and stepping into the grand foyer.

  The scent of fresh pine and lilac breezed over me and swept me back in time. A sense of familiarity echoed in my body, but everything looked foreign. As though I hadn’t lived in the sumptuous estate for fifteen years. The vaulted ceilings were too high, the floors too shiny, the decor far too luxurious and fancy for my tastes. It was a museum, not a place for a kid or teenager. It wasn’t even appropriate for a regular adult. Unless they were considered royalty. I felt like a trail of filth tracked behind me as we walked down the long corridor toward my grandfather’s wing where all business took place.

  The last time I’d been in his wing was when I’d discovered the truth about Magnus and what he’d done to the Ancients. How he orchestrated a mass genocide of all females under the age of three, then polluted the water system to turn the residents into complacent slaves for the right-bank Oligarchs. He was a monster who was able to convince the entire high council, including my grandfather—the Prime Master—to commit such heinous acts. I ran from this estate thinking I’d never return. Yet here I was, not only returning, but coming back with an offer of redemption.

  My mother spoke to the Prime Master’s assistant, who made us wait in the hallway for five minutes before opening the door to my grandfather’s office and leading us inside. I remembered the night of the ball when I’d been forced to use my magic to save everyone from the left-bank terrorist. An attack that Magnus had arranged to keep the two banks at war. My grandfather lost his temper that night and probably would’ve tried to strangle the life out of me had Magnus not been there to intervene. And the only reason Magnus stopped him was for his clandestine and shady purposes. Seeing my grandfather sitting behind his massive desk, staring up at his daughter with tears glistening in his hardened eyes, I felt something soften in my heart.

  He stood and opened his arms, calling out, “Charity, my dear daughter. Come.”

  She remained still a moment, until I nudged her forward. Then she swept across the office and into her father’s embrace. His sobs were audible and somewhat embarrassing. I’d never seen the man show a trace of emotion, so seeing such a display was surreal.

  “I’ve missed you,” he bellowed.

  “And I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I left, but you gave me no choice.” She stepped away and slowly made her way back over to Claudius, where she stood pressed up against his enormous frame.

  Prime Master Bachar returned to his seat and gestured for us to sit. He eyed me meticulously as I shuffled over to the chair farthest from his desk. I felt like a little girl who was about to get scolded for disobeying her parents. And this made me angry. Why—after all I’d done—would I feel so vulnerable?

  “Jordan,” he said.

  “Grand … Prime Master,” I replied.

  “You’ve caused quite an uproar through the Confederated Six.” He paused and studied me quietly, then the slightest of curls appeared on his lips. “Got my counselor running in circles. Haven’t seen the man in weeks.”

  I cocked my head. “Is that a good thing?”

  His smile was weary, but nonetheless, a smile. “These days, yes. A good thing, indeed. Gives me room to sort through things without his constant … suggestions.”

  Everyone politely chuckled, but I held up my guard and kept a straight face. I didn’t need to fake it with the Prime Master anymore. Those days of sucking up to him were long gone. I rose from my chair, taking the rod from my belt and holding it firmly by my side. I dug it into his expensive Persian rug, reminding myself who I was and not to waver.

  “We’re here to offer you a proposition,” I said.

  “So I’ve heard,” he replied coldly.

  “The Ancient One has tasked me with gathering up the remainder of his people throughout the Six. You have a choice to either return to the Ancient One—or stay here and die.”

  Bachar chuckled softly, looking down into his folded hands on his desk. “You certainly do not mince words. Do you, granddaughter?”

  The word struck me like a bolt of electricity to the ribs and I felt myself sway. He’d never called me granddaughter without prefacing it with the word “adopted.” He must’ve been trying to throw me off by appealing to my emotions, knowing how sensitive I was about the subject.

  “I’m not your granddaughter,” I blurted.

  “Jordan …” My mother’s voice carried a warning tone, like she was reminding me not to blow this one chance we had.

  This wasn’t about me. It was about the one chance she had to reunite with her father. I had to govern my temper and play nice, regardless of feelings. Regardless of the past. Just like I’d told CeeCee: Whatever happened to you is in the past. This is about the future. It’s about change. Your return will show the city’s leaders that change is possible. You can be their inspiration.

  “What I’m trying to say is …” I said, “you have an opportunity to fix things going forward. To let go of the past and return to where you truly belong. I know there’s a piece of you that is pure and good. I know this because I’m alive. I wouldn’t be if it weren’t for you helping my father, John Temple, leave Mysterium twenty-two years ago.”

  Charity wiped some tears from her cheeks and added, “If you come with us, we will continue gathering the Ancient One’s people, then go to the Madlands to fight the Final Battle. We will need strategic men like you, Father. And when the battle is over, we will all go to Shteim'esrei—the promised land. Think how glorious it will be!”

  The office grew gravely still. It was so quiet, I could hear Claudius breathing. The Prime Master rose from his chair and stood by the windows that looked out to the River Elin. He remained peering out toward the water for what felt like an eternity, though only about three minutes had dragged by.

  When he finally turned around to face us, tears streamed down his hardened cheeks and he said, “I’m with you.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  The initial shock of Prime Master Bachar deciding to join us sent me tipping back into my chair. Either he was deeply moved by Charity’s words and tired of living under Magnus’s deceitful counsel … or he was luring us into a trap. I wanted to believe in the power of love and its ability to change things, but I also didn’t trust the man.

  “Jordan,” said Bachar, eyeing me cautiously, “I’m sure this comes as a shock to you, seeing as I haven’t been the most accepting or welcoming person over the years. But I only wanted what was best for you. I saw your potential, so I pushed harder.”

  I let out a loud and petulant chuff, sounding like a rebellious teenager and regretting it immediately. My behavior needed to reflect that I no longer needed his damn approval or acceptance.

  “I’m only here for your daughter. No need to explain the past. Bygones can be just that,” I said with confidence, though my stomach was the size of a pebble.

  “Very well,” he said with a bold nod. “I’ll send out an announcement over the newsfeed, offering my people the same deal you gave me. I’ll have my speech writer come up with something to give it a bit more finesse …”

  I interrupted, “Just keep it simple. You can’t pressure them. They must come to the decision of their own free will. Either they want the Ancient One or they don’t. Most of the residents have been bowing down to Ashtar—and Magnus to some extent—their entire lives. Letting go won’t come that easily. But the ones who know the truth in their hearts—like you,” I added for emphasis, “will come without question. You must tell them about the Final Battle so they don’t feel bamboozled once we reach the Madlands. It’s not gonna be pretty.”

  Bachar nodded again, then rounded the desk. He stepped close to Charity and hugged her closely. “Will you stay the night at the estate one last time, daughter?”

  My mother shook her head. “We must return with Jordan to the ship and continue on,” she said.

  “Yes, of course. I must wrap up things here and make sure that announcem
ent gets to the newsfeed without any interference. As soon as that’s locked in, I’ll join you. Write down where you’ll be docked.”

  “Oh, but the ship is cloaked,” she said.

  I stood up, getting control of the conversation. “You alert Charity when you and your people are coming, and we’ll send someone out to direct you.”

  Bachar stared at me intently, then said, “I understand your lack of trust, Jordan. But I can assure you, I only want what’s best for my daughter.”

  Charity gave him one more hug. “I’m so grateful you’ve made this decision, Father. We will have peace in Shteim'esrei—the brightest and most beautiful city. I love you so very much.”

  I turned away and stalked off to the door with Nils limping close behind.

  Out in the hall he grabbed my shoulder and whispered, “You did good.”

  “I trust him about as much as I trust a snake,” I said under my breath so my mother wouldn’t hear as she and Claudius stepped out into the hallway.

  “Forgiveness is freedom, Jordy. People can change,” said Nils.

  My mother shuffled over. “What’s going on, darling?”

  I smiled. “Nothing. Everything’s going according to plan.”

  “Oh, darling. I know when you’re lying. You’re terrible at it.”

  Nils laughed. “You’ve got that right!”

  I ignored them and continued walking down the hall. The air in my chest felt stuck. I needed to get outside and as far away from the Prime Master’s estate as possible. The walls were a compression chamber squeezing me in tight, trying to make me disappear from existence. Nothing good ever came out of that place and getting out was the only goal I could focus on. Had I always felt like this when I lived here? Suffocating under a repository of pressure?

  I don’t know at what point I started running, but I found myself sprinting through the halls and through the main part of the estate, all the way down the gravel drive until I reached the main road and realized I was sobbing and panting.