by Arjay Lewis
“Aye, I mean, yes, Fred.” Frisha released his arm.
“Not Fred—Ed. Eddie Berman.”
She sat back in the chair and raised her fingers to her face, then picked up her spoon. “I’m sorry, Ed. Do ye wish the long and short of it?”
“Please.”
“Very well.” She shook her spoon at him for emphasis. “The Great Evil is going to try to kill ye through one of many possible ways, some of them most creative.” Frisha looked at Eddie, dismayed. “I’m afeerd.”
“What do you mean, ‘many possible ways’? I thought you could see the future.”
“Tis the trouble. I see him killing ye as a tiny serpent, by biting your leg. Then the next moment, he is a terrible huge bird, ripping your heart straight out of your chest with his beak. Oh, ‘tis a mess,” Frisha said as tears appeared in her eyes.
“What are these, visions?”
“Aye,” Frisha whispered solemnly.
“Can’t you do better? Tell me where and when he’s going to attack?”
“Nay, I canna, Ed. And ‘tis pissing me off.”
Eddie grinned at her choice of words.
“One minute thou art being assaulted in Central Park, then the next in a dark cavern—”
“This really isn’t any help, Frisha.”
“I know, I know. Don’t you see? The Great Evil has bent the fabric of time to the point that I cannot tell which future is the true one. The totality of possibilities fall upon each other. ‘Tis bad, Ed, very bad. It means tha’ the Great Evil could win!”
“Win? Don’t you think the Five can stop him?”
“Nay, and if the Great Evil is victorious, it can only lead to one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Armageddon, the end of the world,” she croaked. “Then all the denizens of Hell shall be released upon mankind. I’m terrible afeerd.”
“Don’t panic, Frisha.” Eddie tried to think of the best way to handle the situation. “First things first. While it’s still daylight, go to Marlowe’s townhouse. He’ll know what to do.”
“It’s you I’m afeerd for, Ed. That’s why I came. Give thy staff to another, one trained in the arts who can fight the beast. If ye are lost, then the Five can no longer stand.”
“I promise I’ll go right to Marlowe’s when I get off work. There’s nothing to worry about.” Eddie wondered why his words felt so hollow.
“Be on thy guard! And think on what I say. ‘Tis no shame to surrender thy staff.”
“I will, Frisha,” Eddie rose from his chair. “Now, go to the townhouse. You can see Trey.”
She gasped. “Trefoil is there as well?”
“Yes, Marlowe and I brought him out of the hospital.”
“And I knew it not!” Frisha exclaimed. “Ay! This is terrible. I have lost me divination!”
She fell into a heap on the chair, covered her head, and began to moan. Loudly, of course.
“Frisha, Frisha!” Eddie shouted to be heard over the racket she produced, and came around the table to grab the woman by the arms. “Listen to me!”
She ceased caterwauling.
“Did you ever think that Abraxas might be sending you false visions? Could he somehow have gotten into whatever you use—I don’t know…Psychic Friends Love Line…and messed up the wiring?”
She considered this for a moment.
“I suppose such a thing be possible, Ed.” A grateful smile appeared on her lips. “See! Thou art wise. It was truly a blessing that I came to thee.”
“Now, go to Marlowe, talk to him. If something is out of whack, he’ll want to know. Besides, he’s a big fan of yours.”
“Many's the time I’ve been a help to him.”
“Good, good. You talk to him and I’m sure you’ll figure this out.”
“That’s what I’ll do then!” Frisha rose.
“That’s great,” Eddie escorted her heavyset figure around the table.
“Give an old lady a hug,” she encircled Eddie with her arms before he could squirm away and planted a wet kiss upon his cheek as Eddie grimaced.
“You’re a good man, Fred. And I’ll work with Marlowe to clear me visions. I need to see clearly, so thou canst be warned.”
“I appreciate that, Frisha,” Eddie snaked out of her embrace.
She strolled from the interview room, and Eddie followed her. As he passed, he saw a man leaned over Luis’s desk. His back was to Eddie, but he was almost the same height as Luis, though thinner and more graceful. He wore a beautifully cut gray suit, and his hair long.
Frisha went down the stairs, her spoon raised, and Eddie waved to her as she took one last look back.
“Lieutenant?” a familiar voice called to him, and Eddie turned.
The man who had spoken to Luis was now facing him. He possessed pinched features and Eddie tried to place him.
“Yes,” Eddie said, “Mister…”
“Greywacke,” the man intoned. “Please call me Dru. We met last night. You were asking about the man who was murdered?”
“Ah yes!” Eddie realized it was Drusilicus, the one who stepped forward from the circle to object to his joining.
Eddie was surprised that the man looked totally different, and resembled a successful attorney or stockbroker in his well-cut suit and power tie. Apparently he didn’t share Marlowe’s penchant for outlandish neckwear, and in fact projected such a conservative image that it was hard to accept that he was part of the secret coven.
“I see I am not your first visitor,” Drusilicus raised an eyebrow toward the stairs down which Frisha had just departed. “May I have a word with you, lieutenant?”
Eddie exchanged a look with Luis, who through gestures indicated that he had a low opinion of the man.
“Sure, c’mon,” Eddie led him to the same interview room he’d recently vacated.
“What did our lady Frisha wish?” Drusilicus coaxed as they entered and Eddie closed the door.
“I’m sure you can ask her yourself.”
Drusilicus gave a deep chuckle that seemed well-practiced. “I doubt I will be visiting her cardboard box, and I must admit, she seldom comes down to my part of Fifth Avenue.”
“Where? Near Central Park?”
“No, I live a few blocks from where Fifth Avenue ends at Washington Square. Number twenty.”
Eddie whistled. “Nice neighborhood.” It was the most expensive real estate in the entire city.
“Not as ostentatious as our friend Marlowe, but I live well.” Drusilicus grinned. “May I smoke here?”
“It won’t be the first time someone has lit up in this room.”
With the slightest of nods, Drusilicus reached into the air and a cigarette appeared at the tip of his long slender fingers. He touched it to his lips and inhaled deeply, then blew out the smoke.
“I’m not impressed. There are magicians who can do that with just skill.”
Drusilicus looked at the burning cylinder in his hand. “Yes, I’m sure. I often do this at parties to entertain young ladies. They all think it is manipulation.” He took another long, slow drag then exhaled smoke slowly. “But you and I know differently, don’t we, lieutenant?”
“I’m a busy man, Mister—was that Greywacke? Like the arch?”
“The arch was named for my mentor, one of the truly great prophets,” Drusilicus puffed nonchalantly on the cigarette. “In fact, the old boy was involved in the creation of the park.”
Eddie folded his arms. “Thank you for the history lesson. Now, is there something I can help you with?”
“Perhaps I can help you.” Drusilicus touched the cigarette to the dirty ashtray. “Now that we are not in a place of high passions, we can look at the situation with clear daylight in our eyes.”
Eddie looked at the ashtray, but the cigarette was gone.
“You have been summoned, which I will grant is quite an honor.” Drusilicus leaned back in his chair. “But let me ask you, as a policeman, do you want a partner who is highly decorated or
good at his job?”
“One doesn’t necessarily preclude the other.”
“Well put. I am sure you know men in law enforcement who have received acclaim, but you consider to be inferior, do you not?”
The image of Wilcox flashed through Eddie’s mind. “I do, what of it?”
“Word has come to me that Trefoil was attacked last night. This should make you aware of the danger. I am here today because I believe you to be a man of honor. Considering your calling, you are someone who is willing to put the needs of others above his own.”
“I believe in justice, if that’s what you mean.” Eddie sensed that Drusilicus was as slippery as any politician.
“Good! And I am sure you have faced times where you felt out of your element, or in over your head?”
“Yes, but I found experts who could help me.” Eddie didn’t like this bend in the conversation.
“I am such an expert.” Drusilicus rose from his chair and opened his arms. “Lieutenant, since the unfortunate demise of Riftstone and your summoning, I am sure things have occurred that you are not pleased about.”
“It’s been different.”
“Yes, and Marlowe—he means well. But, he can be blind to anything beyond his own perception,” Drusilicus returned to his seat and issued a perfectly modulated sigh as he sat. “It is what happens to those that have been around as long as he. They forget what it is like to be mortal. They go within themselves, and shut out the world.”
“Like Riftstone?”
“Exactly!” A smile flashed to Drusilicus’ lips. “You are perceptive, lieutenant.”
“So how can we help Marlowe?” Eddie wanted to avoid being complemented to death. Saccharin poisoning, he thought.
“May I speak plain?”
“Please do.”
“Marlowe cannot see how totally unprepared you are! I do not say this to offend you, but as a plea to save the lives of others. Marlowe himself is in very great danger, but he cannot discern the wisest course of action.”
“But you can.” Eddie sat on the edge of the table, watching Drusilicus as if he was a snake. Eddie assumed the role of the careful mongoose.
“Let me tell you my idea, and you can see it makes sense. After all, you are a man of the world, as am I. You understand the risks.”
“And your plan is…?”
Drusilicus leaned forward. “Pass your staff to me and, in exchange, I shall give you mine. You will still have powers, which you can learn to master slowly, as your schedule allows.”
“This way, you’ll carry the Staff of Fire, and be one of the Five.”
“Yes, or if you prefer—I realize how much this must have confused your life. I have an apprentice who could take my staff, and you could be relieved of the burden entirely. Think of it! You’ll be free of these distractions. I can even alter your memories, so the entire experience will be as nothing but a dream.”
Eddie thought of the last two days, and how his life had become utterly insane. He’d lied to his wife and his partner. This would only be the start of the lies if he was to work with Marlowe. Deceit would become a way of life.
“I don’t know.” Eddie felt himself waver. Summoned or not, wouldn’t somebody who had a clue be a better choice?
Drusilicus stood and drew closer to Eddie.
“I understand you have a sick mother, do you not?”
“Yeah, how did you know that?” Eddie challenged. Where was this going?
“I have my sources,” Drusilicus whispered. “Perhaps a wizard—a trained wizard—can help where mortal doctors cannot.”
He leaned back as Eddie contemplated the words. “I have made healing my specialty. Of course, it drains me a great deal, but if you were willing to make sacrifices for me, I, in turn, would be willing to make sacrifices for you.”
Eddie frowned, and silently watched Drusilicus as he returned to his chair and leaned back in it.
“That is my offer, lieutenant. It would solve your troubles, and it would give us a fighting chance against the Great Evil.”
Eddie nodded, but his father’s voice spoke up in the back of his mind. He’s slippery, son. But, he’s just another stuck up white dude who doesn’t want you in his country club.
Eddie inhaled. “That’s a very tempting offer, Mr. Greywacke. Let me consider it.”
“Of course, lieutenant,” Drusilicus effused with a smile on his lips. “I’ll check back with you tomorrow then, shall I?”
“That should be fine.”
“Good afternoon, then.” Drusilicus moved to the door. “By the way, may I ask you to keep our little discussion between the two of us? You know how excitable Marlowe can be.”
“Of course,” Eddie replied as they exited the conference room.
“I’m sure you’ll make the right choice.” Drusilicus continued to the stairs and descended out of view.
Luis stood up and moved to stand behind his partner.
“Who was that creep?”
“Another self-important New Yorker,” Eddie snorted as he shook his head.
“Like we don‘t deal with enough of those.”
“Did you get anywhere with Robbery Division?”
Luis nodded. “They are e-mailing me pictures of the two missing items. Doesn’t sound very helpful.”
“How come?”
“Because it isn’t anything like in your book. No statues or earrings. All that was taken was two pots.”
”Pots?”
“Well, vases or somethin’. Real old clay ones. And here is the funny part. They were in a back room, being prepared to be x-rayed.”
“X-rayed? Why?”
“They were sealed up, and the researchers wanted to find out what was inside without breaking them. So, the pair were stolen the night before they were going to do the tests.”
“Another strange turn of events.” Eddie sat down at his desk and booted up his computer. “Are we okay?”
“Right as rain,” Luis said, who sat at his desk and was quickly engrossed in his own machine.
Twenty-Two
Marlowe pulled back the hood of his heavy cloak to reveal his face in the flickering candlelight. “We shall try again.”
Eddie stepped on the small platform in the center of the room. He was also wearing a cloak, a crimson one with full sleeves and a hood that covered the back of his head and left his face in shadows.
They stood in the huge, open cavern of Marlowe’s basement. It had a twenty-foot ceiling, dark-gray walls, and was illuminated by candles in tall stanchions that lined the room.
“Go!” Marlowe said.
Eddie struck his staff against the floor. Lines of fire shot up to form a pentagram with him at the center. However, Eddie felt none of the flames’ heat, and they neither burned his wooden rod nor his tall leather boots.
“Here it comes!” Marlowe warned as a green light extended from the top of his staff. The beam took shape and changed into a huge, green dragon. It was covered in thousands of iridescent scales that glimmered in the candlelight. The creature stood just outside Eddie’s circle, the huge, yellow cat-eyes watched him as it raised sharp talons.
Eddie’s brow was furrowed in concentration, a flaming, red light shot from his staff, and the creature fell back a step.
It raised its head and flames shot from its mouth. Eddie held his staff aloft and the blaze divided in two, to pass on either side of him.
The large, green creature blinked twice in surprise, then, with a roar, leapt at Eddie. Its mouth opened to show a huge maw filled with pointed teeth. Eddie held up his staff and screamed, as the creature dissolved into mist all around him.
“No, no, no!” Marlowe said. “Eddie you must stay focused.”
“We’ve been at this for three hours,” Eddie coughed and waved his hand to dissipate the burning design. He sat down on the raised platform.
“I know, but we’ve only scratched the surface!” Marlowe implored.
“Aren’t there some magic words you can tea
ch me?” Eddie said.
“Many, but they are complicated, and if you say them wrong you could do more damage than good. It is more useful that you learn to focus your will and intent. They are the building blocks of all magick. You have learned the basics that allow you to control fire. That is a good sign.”
“Why was that part less difficult?” Eddie asked. “Is it because this staff is the one that represents fire?”
Marlowe nodded. “Your element is fire, so your staff has the ability to control it in all its guises.”
“Now, Trefoil’s staff is water. He can, what, make it rain?”
“No. However, if it is raining, he can manipulate the drops as they fall. He can make water rise from a lake and throw it at an adversary.”
“Good to know,” Eddie turned the pole in his hand. “Any fire, huh?”
“You may use any flame to your benefit, as tiny as a candle, or as huge as a forest fire,” Marlowe said. “Shall we continue?”
“Man, I’m all in. Have a heart, it’s ten o’clock.”
Marlowe’s jaw grew firm. “Then let us once more practice the shielding spell.”
Eddie glared at him, tired and disgusted.
“It could save your life,” Marlowe added as he tried to hide his own annoyance.
Eddie nodded and rose. Marlowe held up his staff, and white light sprang from the top. Eddie raised his stave, and a ball of red light encircled him, which deflected Marlowe’s beam.
“Good! It’s not taking you as long to prepare.”
“We’ve done it about a hundred times,” Eddie whined. “I hope I’m starting to get it.”
“Yes,” Marlowe said, the light faded on the top of his staff. “But you must do it a hundred more times, until it is second-nature.”
“Whatever. Look, you and I have got to get out to New Jersey,” Eddie waved the staff in the air and his cloak dissolved around him, and the cloth rewove itself into his suit.
“Nicely done,” a smile pulled at the corners of Marlowe’s mouth. “You have made a fair start, after all. I know! If we don’t sleep! I have a spell that will-”
“Marlowe please! I am exhausted and I have no intention of giving up sleeping with my wife,” Eddie checked his pockets and pulled out his wallet. He transformed the staff into the credit card and slipped it in. “I am willing to make sacrifices, but I have slept with that woman for fifteen years, except for when I was in the hospital and these last two nights. I have no intention of missing another night.” He pulled out his phone.