The Wizards of Central Park West_Ultimate Urban Fantasy

by Arjay Lewis

  “This gentleman is Ahbay Ōbaru,” Marlowe put forward.

  “The name I currently choose,” Ahbay explained and gave a short bow toward Eddie. “How do you do, young man?”

  “Good to meet you,” Eddie returned the bow.

  “And this lady is Eugenia Philalethes.”

  “Perhaps you’ve had a chance to read my books?” Eugenia spoke with an upper class British accent. Her face was striking, thin and possessed of marvelous cheekbones. In her youth she could have easily turned heads.

  “I don’t know,” Eddie replied, “I mostly read murder mysteries.”

  “I mean in your studies,” Eugenia said, graciously. “The Marrow of Alchemy mayhaps? Or Lumen De Luminé?”

  Marlowe stepped forward. “Eddie is still practicing the basics. But I intend to include your writings as part of his ongoing education.”

  “Good, good,” Eugenia broke into a wide smile. She looked Eddie up and down as one might examine a prize horse. She then gave Marlowe an approving nod. “I like him, Marlowe.”

  “I understand you were summoned,” Ahbay said and hooked his cane over his arm, as Marlowe led them into the large living room.

  “That’s what happened.” Eddie had no wish to go into detail about the severed head of their former compatriot.

  “What a surprise for you,” Eugenia beamed. “You must feel like Alice gone down the rabbit hole. I am sure your life has been topsy-turvy ever since.”

  “It’s been a challenge,” Eddie agreed.

  “One can only imagine!” Ahbay chuckled.

  Eddie smiled grimly as they sat down. The chairs were in a small circle, as in the morning meeting with Drusilicus.

  As the group sat, Eddie was affected by just how unimpressive the other three were. They appeared so ordinary that it was inconceivable that this group would be asked to fight a demon.

  Marlowe turned to the breakfast room and called out, “Tea!”

  He returned his gaze to the company, as a tea cart rolled out of the breakfast room, and without the need of an operator to propel it, made its way to the group as they made small talk.

  Eddie watched it, dumbfounded. On the metal tray sat two silver teapots with a sugar bowl and creamer. There were also two tiered round trays, each with three large plates at different levels. One was filled with small sandwiches and the other with elegant little pastries.

  “It is good to see you once again, Marlowe,” Ahbay said.

  “I’m sorry it is under such circumstances.” Marlowe shook his head.

  “We were indeed unhappy to hear of Abraxas’ return,” Eugenia sympathized. “And in New York City of all places!”

  “Hie,” Ahbay agreed. “Once again we are called to lock him away.”

  The teacart cart rolled up to Eugenia.

  “Ah, ladies first? Such gentlemen.” Eugenia turned to the trolley. “Tea, please!”

  The moment the words left her lips, the larger polished teapot rose into thin air and began to tip. A cup flew onto a saucer and maneuvered directly under the brown liquid as it poured. The cup hovered, unaffected by the extra weight of the tea.

  “Cream and sugar, if you would.” Eugenia surveyed the trays of food, and then pointed at various treats. As she pointed, the chosen ones flew onto a plate, which then sailed lightly to her lap. The plate was followed by her tea, which had been prepared exactly to her liking.

  Marlowe meanwhile spoke to his companions. “Do not take this lightly, my friends. Riftstone was lost from underestimating our foe.”

  The trolley stopped next to Ahbay.

  “Coffee, black,” Ahbay commanded, then turned to the others. “It is a treat, as I most often drink tea.” His attention returned to the trolley as it prepared his request. “I shall have a small assortment, kudasai.” Then he turned to Marlowe. “Really, Marlowe, we have fought Abraxas several times. He is at best, an inconvenience.”

  “True,” Eugenia agreed. “The last time we tracked him down—do you remember—in that bunker in Berlin? It was merely the pair of us, Marlowe, but we quickly dispatched him.”

  “It is different this time,” Marlowe warned. “He is more powerful, more dangerous.”

  As Marlowe spoke, Eddie was focused on the floating teapot and unable to control his curiosity, “Are you doing that?”

  Ahbay and Eugenia chuckled quietly.

  Marlowe looked at Eddie, a bit annoyed at the interruption. “No, Eddie. I enchanted the trolley and the tea set.”

  “You enchanted it?” Eddie questioned. “Isn’t that what you do with a talisman?”

  “My dear man,” Eugenia interjected, “an enchantment is any spell that uses an inanimate object.”

  “Excuse our laughter, we meant no disrespect,” Ahbay explained. “The technique is quite simple. To us, such sights are common.”

  The cart now traveled over to Eddie, who realized he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

  “It’s a bit unnerving, if you’re not used to it,” Eddie eyed the cart with suspicion. “What do I do?”

  “Tell it what you want, Eddie,” Marlowe suggested. “Be clear and precise, and keep a picture in your mind as to how you like your beverage.”

  “Coffee!” Eddie announced, a bit too loudly. “Cream, no sugar.”

  The smaller teapot and the teacup obeyed, which made Eddie break into a grin. “Don’t that beat all?”

  Marlowe nodded encouragingly. “Would you like some sandwiches, Eddie?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Eddie relaxed as the teacup flew into his hand. “I’ll take a small assortment…uh…please.”

  The food began leaping off the trays onto a plate.

  “You see, Eddie,” Marlowe declared, “by enchanting an object, it can provide a service whenever we need it.”

  “Oh, yes,” Eugenia said, as Eddie’s plate flew to him and the cart moved on to Marlowe. “And you were quite right, that is how talismans possess their power. Energy is stored within them for an ongoing use and grows stronger with the passage of time.”

  “Yes, that is what we are up against with Abraxas, which is why he is so dangerous,” Marlowe advised. “An ancient talisman was used to return him to this plane of existence. Since then, he has stolen another sigil that contained a portion of his own essence.”

  “Oh dear.” A troubled look passed over Eugenia’s face.

  ”Ah!” Ahbay took a bite from a sandwich. “I might suggest you overestimate his abilities, old friend.”

  “It would be wise to be on guard,” Marlowe implored. “But I should not tell you more until Trefoil can join us.”

  There was a silence that hung in the air, as if the statement was more like: if Trefoil could join them.

  “Well, now,” Eugenia looked at Eddie. “If you wish to cast an enchantment, the tasks must always be simple and repetitive, if you enchant an object to do anything too complicated…well, it can lead to trouble.”

  “I recall a chess set I had,” Ahbay smiled. “I attempted to instill within it far too many moves. Pieces flung themselves at me each time I entered the room.”

  “I think I got it. An enchantment is like a computer,” Eddie considered. “You program it, but it can’t exceed its programing.”

  The three people stared at him in stunned silence, as the tea trolley, which knew its master’s preferences, poured tea and put together a plateful of hors d’oeuvres without even a verbal command from Marlowe.

  “You…you…” Eugenia stammered, “know how to use a computer?”

  “Sure.” Eddie sipped his coffee. He felt a little uncomfortable as everyone gaped at him. “I mean, I have one at the precinct and a laptop I use at home. I used to have a desktop, but I gave that to my kids for their schoolwork.”

  “You have taught your kodomo how to use it?” Ahbay gasped, a look of wonder on his face.

  “C-Could you show us?” Eugenia asked shyly.

  “Well, sure,” Eddie looked at the anxious faces around the room as the realization passed thro
ugh him like an electrical current. “You mean…none of you…know how to use a computer?”

  “They are infernal things,” Ahbay said, his voice rising. “Built by demons to drive us mad!”

  “Really, Ahbay,” Eugenia soothed. “Don’t get yourself all worked up—”

  “Of course!” Ahbay said. Color rose in his cheeks and he seemed embarrassed for his outburst. “However, they do not make sense, and this thing—this Internet—it is most difficult.”

  Marlowe calmly sipped his tea. “It appears, Eddie, that there are things you can teach us.”

  “Hey, computers aren’t that hard,” Eddie insisted, “and you really need to know how to use one these days—”

  A musical theme emanated from Eddie’s jacket pocket. He retrieved his cell phone, stood and stepped away from the others. “Berman.”

  “Lieutenant, this is Alfonso Cuccolo.”

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Cuccolo?” Eddie tried to control the surprise in his voice.

  “I have been contacted by that buyer. The one who was interested in that Native American artifact in my possession?”

  “You think he’s connected with Mr. Yamasuto?”

  “It was the same guy who called me before.”

  “The one that was ‘too pushy’?”

  “Yeah. And get this, he wants to meet me in Central Park.” There was a pause. “Eleven o’clock, alone.”

  “Really?” Eddie checked his watch. A few short hours away.

  “I have given consideration to the suggestion you made earlier that this buyer may wish to do me harm. And I, for one, would prefer to make it clear that I had nothing to do with Yamasuto.”

  “I see that,” Eddie fought to feel sympathy for a hood like Cuccolo.

  “My men will be there. And I shall be a visible enough target that even the Feds should be able to follow. Perhaps you wish to be in on this meeting?”

  “And help protect you?”

  “I’m a citizen, why shouldn’t I be protected?” Cuccolo’s voice dripped with contempt. “However, if I find the need to defend myself, you must be aware that I might need to shoot the bastard…with a legal firearm, of course. You got that?”

  “I understand. NYPD might overlook weapons charges, if it’s a licensed firearm and you own a carry permit,” Eddie hoped the captain wouldn’t give him hell that he’d agreed to this.

  There was a pause followed by a chuckle.

  “I like you, lieutenant. I don’t know why, but you come across as a straight shooter. The buyer told me to meet him at the carousel. You know where that is?”

  “Yeah. And whatever you do, don’t bring the item into the park with you,” Eddie warned.

  “You’re tellin’ me?” Cuccolo replied. “It’s stayin’ safe under lock and key. See you later.”

  Eddie returned his phone to his pocket.

  “What was that about?” Marlowe said.

  “Another talisman.”

  “Oh my!” Eugenia sipped her tea. “Who has it?”

  “A man named Cuccolo. He collects Native American artifacts. He’s also a hood.”

  “A hood?” Ahbay frowned. “He wears a cloak?”

  “A kusemono,” Marlowe explained in Japanese.

  “Ah!” Ahbay nodded. “A gangster.”

  “He has set up a meeting. Our warlock wants to buy his artifact,” Eddie went on. “How come Abraxas is after these different talismans?”

  Marlowe rose. “Abraxas transversed the dimensional barriers with the use of the Amulet of Abracadabra, an ancient Persian artifact. Last night, he slaughtered a man to purloin a Shinto statuette.”

  “What was the figure?” Ahbay leaned forward in his chair.

  “Amatsu Mikaboshi,” Marlowe said simply.

  “The Shinto God of evil. I was the last warrior to face him. He came to me disguised as a sorcerer. We had a battle with katana before I removed him from this plane.”

  “Anything you can tell us from your fight?” Eddie hoped.

  Ahbay shrugged. “He is excellent with a blade.”

  “So, you believe he is collecting talismans from different traditions?” Eugenia queried.

  “Not just different traditions,” Marlowe said. “I believe each one holds an extraordinary portion of his own essence.”

  “Yeah,” Eddie interjected. “Cuccolo was asked to bring his to the park.”

  “It is one of the strongest places of power in all the world,” Eugenia surmised.

  “The releasing amulet lay long hidden there,” Marlowe cautioned. “Any talisman would gain energy in Central Park. This Cuccolo fellow should not bring the charm.”

  “He told me he’s going to the meeting with nothing more than a gun,” Eddie confirmed.

  “Small help against the Great Evil,” Eugenia said.

  “Unless we show up.” Eddie looked around the room at the trio.

  Ahbay politely took tiny bites from a small sandwich. “Marlowe, let us restore Trefoil and then hunt down Abraxas. Even if he has gained power, he cannot stand against us all.”

  “I must agree with Ahbay,” Eugenia reckoned. “With Trefoil, we will be the Five united once again.”

  “Then we cast him out and be done with it,” Ahbay stated forcefully.

  “We are not getting any younger, after all,” Eugenia noted breezily.

  Eddie looked from Eugenia to Ahbay. “You ain’t that old. I mean Ahbay, you’re about sixty-five and Miss…what was your last name, again?”

  “Philalethes,” Eugenia obliged.

  “You can’t be more than fifty,” Eddie guessed.

  “I was born in 1491.”

  “Say what?” Eddie said.

  Ahbay’s smile grew. “And I was born, by your calendar, in 921.”

  Eugenia smiled as well. “He just likes to mention that because he looks so good,”

  “Be that as it may, madame, you are still a beauty,” Ahbay complemented with a slight bow.

  “Especially for my age.” Eugenia added drolly.

  “Let me get this straight,” Eddie said to Eugenia. “You’re over five hundred years old?”

  “Yes,” Eugenia said, “and I am young compared to Marlowe. He is over—”

  “Please, Eugenia.” Marlowe sipped his coffee. “I will tell of my history when it becomes necessary.”

  Eddie stared around the room at them, his mouth suddenly dry. “You people live forever?”

  “Not forever, Eddie,” Marlowe corrected, “but a very long time. You will as well.”

  “What!” Eddie exclaimed.

  “He is quite correct,” Ahbay offered. “When you accepted your staff, you became a new creature. You will age much slower.”

  “And he is the first who can use a computer!” Eugenia put her teacup on her lap and clapped her hands with glee.

  “Wait a minute! You’re tellin’ me I’ll live for hundreds of years?” An enormous grin spread across Eddie’s face.

  Marlowe spoke quietly. “Yes, Eddie. But it comes at a terrible price.”

  Eddie’s smile faded. “I don’t have to give up…y’know…sex or anything?”

  “The price is this, Eddie,” Marlowe went on. “You are left to bury everyone you ever cared for. Friends, spouses, children, grandchildren. By the time you have great-great-grandchildren, no one really knows who you are, or feels any connection to you. Many wizards fake their own deaths, assume new identities and move on.”

  He took a contemplative sip from his cup. “It can be heartbreaking to look at a young woman and see the face of a wife long gone. After centuries, the pain of loss becomes a heavy burden to bear. We become less and less attached to others and seek a solitary life.”

  The room was silent, except for the clink of teacups, and the noise of coffee and tea being imbibed.

  Eddie looked at Eugenia, whose eyes reflected brightly with tears. Even Ahbay seemed lost in remembrance. He considered it for a moment, and saw himself unchanged, while his wife grew old and passed away.

/>   Every day Eddie faced the possibility of his own demise, and could live with that. But, the idea of a continued existence without Cerise made the world a darker and colder place.

  “We have work to do, my friends,” Marlowe reminded solemnly. “The final member of our assembly lies upstairs lost to this world. Our combined power shall rouse him.”

  “Then we should begin.” Ahbay set aside his cup and empty plate.

  “My dear Marlowe,” Eugenia recommended, “shouldn’t we wait until the witching hour?”

  “Nay, we must do it while the powers of light are stronger. After midnight, the dark forces will abound.”

  “Even in your home, guarded by its many spells and protections?” Ahbay asked.

  “Even here,” Marlowe said.

  “Let’s do this.” Eddie reached to his plate to pop one of the small sandwiches in his mouth. An expression of total disgust swept over his face. He spoke with his mouth full. “What wath that?”

  “I believe that you just had a watercress sandwich,” Eugenia clarified.

  “It’th not poithonouth, ith it?” Eddie muttered.

  “No, it won’t hurt you.”

  Eddie grimaced, chewed, swallowed, and grabbed his teacup to drink the final swig of coffee.

  “It is an acquired taste,” Eugenia added brightly.

  “Yeah,” Eddie scowled, “guess so.” He stared at the tea trolley. “Coffee!”

  The pot floated over to him, and refilled his cup, followed in quick succession by the creamer that poured a good-sized dollop.

  Eddie took a careful sip and left his plate of remaining foodstuffs.

  “I’ve got to get me one of these,” Eddie gazed longingly at the trolley. “They’d love it at the precinct.”

  Thirty-Four

  The four of them walked up the long staircase to the second level. The wrought iron lining the center elevator shaft looked both beautiful and menacing.

  Eddie huffed and puffed with each step by the time they neared the top. However, the other three did not breathe hard from the exertion at all. They looked fresh and relaxed as if climbing a thousand steps was part of their daily workout.