Freedom (The Sorcerers' Scourge Book 4)

by Michael Arches

  I stepped out into the cold and discovered that, again, I’d found the wrong group. They headed indoors, and I was about to do the same when I spotted a young couple standing alone at a railing overlooking the churning sea.

  They seem to be arguing. Nothing unusual about that, but the wind carried a single word to me. “Dunarsh.”

  That was the name of the ancient sorcerer who’d created most of the powerful attack spells I knew so well. Another sorcerer? This damned place will let anybody become a member.

  Chapter 4

  I LOOKED CLOSER at the couple and recognized the woman as one of the clan’s teachers, Wanda Smithers. That mashup didn’t make sense.

  I hurried over to her. “Wanda, are you all right?”

  The curvy, black-haired beauty looked at me with blank eyes. “Yes, Moira, I’m perfectly fine.”

  The chubby man with her was blond-haired and blue-eyed, about thirty years old. He looked at me with a narrowed gaze for a moment. Then he said, “We’re fine, lady. Three’s a crowd.”

  He wrapped an arm around Wanda and pulled her closer. She didn’t resist, but she didn’t show any affection for him either. That was classic slave behavior.

  “Something’s damned odd here,” I said.

  He shook his head. “Wanda and I are old friends. We just happened to meet again a minute ago, right, girl?”

  “Exactly,” she said. “We’re enjoying the view and catching up. You should go back inside, Moira.”

  I thought back to what had happened a few minutes earlier. Was it possible I’d misheard the great sorcerer’s name? I didn’t want to make a fool of myself by interfering in Wanda’s love life, but I didn’t get the sense that either felt any real affection for the other.

  What can I do about it? The problem was, I didn’t have much magical power on hand. I still hadn’t got back to full strength after the flu.

  To make sure the blond guy was a threat, I stepped closer to him to touch his arm and directly feel his aura. Even before I made contact, though, I felt the echo of a recent dark incantation.

  Backing away, I stood in front of the doorway that led into the aquarium and took a fighting stance. “I challenge you for magical power.”

  When I froze in place, as always happened after a formal challenge, he said to her, “Follow me, woman.”

  He tried to push past me to enter the building, but magic prevented him from getting too near me before the fight started. So, he ran for a second entrance a hundred feet away, pulling Wanda along. She’d worn high heels, though, probably to show off her pretty legs, and she tripped and fell.

  That put the prick in a bind. He could either keep running and escape, or he could hang onto his new slave, who was now a dead weight. Wanda was gorgeous, and at an auction, she’d be worth a lot. Life is filled with tough decisions.

  He stayed with her, apparently deciding a hot babe in the hand was worth fighting for. Instead of bolting, he helped Wanda hobble away.

  Before they got far, the ten seconds I had to remain motionless ended. A buzzing began in my ears to indicate the fight was on.

  I ran after them as fast as I could and caught the douchebag before they could get inside. He held onto Wanda tightly, so I couldn’t use an attack spell against him without hitting her, too. Instead, I dealt with him the old-fashioned way—punching him hard on the side of the head.

  That stunned him and loosened his grip. I pulled Wanda away and let her drop to the concrete. Then I stood between her and the dumbass.

  A gust of wind blew off the sea, and it carried away my cap. Thankfully, magic would keep everyone from seeing this fight, so nobody would notice my weird hair. Afterward, I’d have to cover up again.

  “I know you,” the sorcerer said. “You’re Bloody Mary. I’ve been to your matches.”

  Another excuse for me to punch his lights out. My anger built, giving me new strength, but it kept me from creating a ward.

  “Dunarsh, stun!” he yelled as he pointed a finger at me.

  The spell hit me at point-blank range, freezing me and stinging like I was covered with ants. His magic was much stronger than I’d expected. He didn’t look like much of a fighter, but I’d been fooled before.

  I tumbled over next to Wanda, and seeing her reminded me of the stakes in this battle. I gathered my fury, and as soon as I could point at him, I thought, Dunarsh, shock!

  Yellow lightning blasted out of my right hand at him.

  The bolt hit his ward and vaporized it, but he remained standing. I’d put all too much effort into the spell, and now I had little magic left to punish this scumbag.

  But I could still fight. I lunged for him and caught him with a roundhouse kick in the chest below one armpit. That knocked him to the ground.

  Given his greater magical power, I needed to finish him off quickly, but I couldn’t conjure another spell.

  He ran behind a nearby tent the aquarium had set up next to a portion of the deck railing overlooking their outdoor tide pool.

  I chased him, but before I reached the tent, he peeked around it and sent a ball of fire at me. His aim was true. The fireball hit me square in the face.

  It burned my skin like crazy, and I could smell my hair on fire! The flames seared my entire head, burning my skin. Even worse, the strong wind fanned the fire. Tears welled in my eyes to protect them, but I could hardly see anymore. The tent was a dark blob against the gray background of the water. He was gone.

  I tried to prepare another spell for when he showed up, but it wouldn’t come. And I was too confused to create a ward.

  Time for hand-to-hand combat. I stretched out my hands as I circled the tent, hoping to feel him even if I was basically blind. I walked around the back of the tent, between it and the railing, and when I got to the edge of the fabric, he smashed into me, pushing me over the waist-high railing.

  For a second, I dangled by my hands over the churning water and rocks below. Luckily, the deck extended for a foot beyond the guardrail, and I could kneel on it while he smashed his fists down on my hands holding onto the top of the rail. I quickly scrambled back onto my feet outside the railing, and I punched him with one hand while holding the railing with the other.

  My eyes finally cleared enough to see again, and my fist found his chin.

  When he staggered backward, I jumped the railing to get on the safe side again.

  As the sorcerer staggered backward, he tripped on one of the ropes holding the tent in place, dropping to the concrete deck. Don’t mess up this chance! Put him away.

  I stepped over the same rope and fell onto the punk, driving my knees hard into his chest.

  He gasped in pain, and I put most of my weight on his chest to keep him from taking more breaths.

  He thrashed with his arms and legs, and one foot smacked the back of my head, but I stayed on top of him, squeezing the air out of him.

  “You fucking cunt!” he wheezed.

  This was my chance to make a bloody mess out of his face—which he deserved—but I hesitated. That might horrify the visitors to the aquarium after the fight when we both became visible again.

  So, I wrapped my fingers around his neck and squeezed until he went limp, unconscious.

  The buzzing in my ears ended. I had won my first challenge fight as a free witch.

  When I turned to check on Wanda, she was still sitting on the concrete deck near the building, holding her ankle.

  I walked over to her. “Are you all right?”

  “All except for my ankle, Moira. May the gods bless you for saving me. He caught me by surprise and stunned me before I knew what’d happened.”

  That was exactly how it usually happened according to the women in the harems I’d met. A chance encounter when a woman was momentarily distracted for some reason, and her life changed in the most horrible way. “Why didn’t you run when he froze following his challenge?”

  “He came up from behind and wrapped his arms aro
und me before I knew what’d happened. When he froze, I was locked in his arms.”

  Which was why fighters always needed to remain aware of their surroundings, but I figured she knew that. I grabbed my hat to cover my bald, scorched head, but the hat didn’t hide my face. It had to be a mess.

  There was nothing I could do about it at that moment, so I helped Wanda to stand. “Put your arm around my shoulders and lean on me. We need to get back inside and find the others. How did you get separated?”

  “I know I was stupid,” she said. “I spotted a seal out in the open water and stepped onto the deck to get a closer look. They are incredibly graceful animals. I was still watching it when the sorcerer grabbed me.”

  Maybe I should’ve released her as my slave right away, but it sure was convenient to be able to tell her what to do. In her eyes, I was a sorceress, and she might resist listening to me.

  I helped her to get over to a bench and sat her on it so I could take care of the dumbass by the tent.

  When I returned to him, he was just coming around.

  “How badly are you hurt?” I asked.

  He patted himself in several places including the places on his chest where I’d knelt on him. “Not badly hurt, Master.”

  I never owned a slave in my life, being one myself, but I’d picked up two. Not sure what to do, I asked, “Can you walk?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  I helped him to his feet, and he winced slightly as he moved his head, but he was in much better shape than I was. My vision was still more than fuzzy.

  The two of us helped Wanda back onto her feet, and we hobbled inside the building. I’d expected to attract a crowd quickly, but maybe we looked homeless. At any rate, folks avoided looking at us.

  It took me a minute to get my bearings again, then I spotted Laura looking all around while still holding a sleeping Samuel. I waved, and she hurried up to me. “There you two are. I was getting worried. Oh, no! What happened?”

  That’s when Frank—I refused to use the ridiculous nickname he’d chosen for himself—rushed up behind her. “Is everything okay? Wow! Moira, you really did a job on yourself.”

  What an idiot, acting like I’d screwed up. It wasn’t my fault my skin was lobster-red, and my eyes remained blurry. “There was a kerfuffle out on the deck,” I said to Laura. “This sorcerer attacked Wanda and enslaved her. Luckily, I noticed before they got away, and I retrieved her for the clan.”

  Everyone in our group surrounded us and started talking at once. I ignored them all, except Laura.

  “You look terrible,” she said. “Let me help you.”

  I’d never been pretty to begin with, and years of accumulating battle scars, I’d got used to how I looked. It was part of my professional image I used to intimidate opponents. But I needed to get my skin and eyes healed. “If you could fix the burns, I can worry about the hair later. I hated it anyway.”

  Laura healed me with our group crowding around, and within a minute, I felt normal again. Although I was as bald as a chemo patient, my hat hid that fact, except for my missing eyebrows.

  When Laura finished with me, Christina hugged me around the waist. “Way to go! You saved Wanda.”

  I stroked her hair and enjoyed the glow I felt inside. Yeah, I saved the ditz from a horrible future I know far too well.

  After more over-the-top praise, Christina let go of me. I whispered in Laura’s ear, “They’re both still slaves. What should I do?”

  She pulled out her phone using the hand that wasn’t cradling the baby.

  “I’ll ask Ian,” she said.

  She stepped away from the rest of us and spoke to him for a minute. Then she approached me and handed me her phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

  I stepped away to a quiet spot.

  He asked me, “So you just had to show off, huh?”

  I bit off a nervous laugh. How could anyone see it that way? He had to be joking. “Honestly, I didn’t have a moment to think about it. I guess I could have remained humble and let the guy waltz off with her. He still can, you know? I haven’t taken his power yet.”

  Ian laughed. “Thanks to the Great Mystery Spirit, you saw the danger and acted. Just between us girls, this isn’t the first time Wanda has spaced out and put herself in danger. Keep them both slaves for now. We’ll sort things out when you return.”

  I was nervous around strong-willed men. He was the first who hadn’t tried to hurt me or take advantage, but I barely knew him. It was best to keep a good watch on him. “Yes, sir.”

  “Thanks,” he said. “Please let me chat again with my wife.”

  Laura talked with him for a few minutes and hung up. Then she raised her voice. “Everybody, back to the bus. We’ve had enough thrills for one field trip.”

  I never got to see those damned sea otters Christina raved about all the way back.

  -o-o-o-

  Seabreeze Inn, Monterey, California

  A CROWD OF several dozen clan members waited at the Inn’s front entrance. Most of them seemed to be worried parents. I was happy to let the kids get off first so they could reassure their loved ones.

  My two slaves and I got off last. By then, most of the crowd had thankfully dispersed.

  A middle-aged woman with hips twice as wide as mine glared at me. “My friend who just got off the bus said you’re keeping my daughter as your slave! That’s outrageous!”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond, but fortunately, Ian stepped up behind her. “Actually, Margaret, Wanda belongs to me now. Moira wanted to release her, but I told her no. Your lovely and brainless daughter needs some punishment. She’s going on maid duty for the next week, with the house slaves. Hopefully, that’ll encourage her to stay with the group the next time.”

  Margaret’s eyes flashed at me instead of him. “I knew no good could come from letting a sorceress stay with us. I’m taking this to the Council.”

  Ian grinned. “I just talked to them. They’re waiting for us in their chamber.”

  Margaret stomped away into the main lobby. Ian motioned for me to follow him. “Bring your newly earned property.”

  The sorcerer, Wanda, and I followed Ian through the lobby to a hallway I hadn’t seen before. One open door led to a bar where they were playing Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir. The smell of nachos was enticing after all that exercise, but I’d have to come back later—if I could find the place again.

  A few minutes later, we reached a large conference room that contained dozens of folding chairs lined up in rows in front of a long wooden bench. Three older female witches sat behind the bench. The wall behind them was covered with paintings of various Celtic gods, including the Mórrígan, my favorite goddess. She was a warrior, like me.

  A powerfully built black woman with white hair motioned for us to approach. In a Southern accent, she said, “I’m Sadie Hawkins, Council President.” She pointed at me. “You must be the new sorceress, Moira somebody or other. I’m afraid I don’t know your last name, child.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know it either,” I said. “The man who raised me, who claimed to be my father, lied to me so many times I frankly don’t believe him. His name is Alan Boyle.”

  That answer seemed to satisfy her because she said next, “Tell the Council, in your own words, what happened to Wanda at the aquarium.”

  I explained what I saw and how I reacted in response. Then I told both of my slaves to tell the truth. They supported my story, and Wanda again apologized for failing to pay attention to her personal safety.

  “Let’s see your head,” Hawkins said to me.

  I took off my cap, and the Council members snickered.

  “Must’ve been some fireball, honey child,” Hawkins said. “It appears someone has already healed your battle wounds. On behalf of the clan as whole, we greatly appreciate your sacrifices to save one of our more ridiculous members.”

  “Glad I could help, Madam President.”

  The
n she said, “Rí benn O’Rourke, why have you chosen to take Wanda as a slave?”

  Years ago, Mom had taught me a little Gaelic, and I remembered that Rí benn was a traditional title for a warlord.

  “Because there’ve been at least two other instances where she’s ignored warnings to remain with groups that were engaged in off-campus activities. Her carelessness puts her in grave danger, and exposes others to serious risks in trying to save her sorry butt. I’m hopeful that a short period of hard work will encourage her to be more careful in the future. If that doesn’t work, I fear she won’t be with us much longer.”

  Several of the councilmembers asked him questions about the best way to encourage Wanda to think harder next time, but he didn’t back down an inch.

  Then Hawkins asked Margaret, “Would you object to Rí benn O’Rourke’s decision if your daughter had been recovered by one of his disciples, rather than the sorceress?”

  Margaret’s face flushed red. She obviously hadn’t expected the Council to challenge her.

  “My ancestors have been a part of this clan longer than any other family, Sadie. We understand our duty to the community, and I simply don’t believe such a minor oversight should be punished so severely. These newcomers don’t appreciate our traditions.”

  “The Council will retire to consider its decision,” Hawkins said. With that, the three witches stood and left the room. I pulled Ian aside and said, “This is getting way out of hand. I should’ve let her go right away, but I wasn’t sure that she’d cooperate with a sorceress.”

  Ian shook his head. “Despite what a number of ill-informed people have said, you are not, and never have been, a sorceress. And as for Wanda’s punishment, the only thing I regret is that I didn’t make it harsher.”

  Not seeing any alternative, I mentioned an even bigger worry. “They love you here, and rightly so. Me, not so much, and this isn’t going to help. I don’t want to get kicked out of here before I can come up with a plan to find Dana.”