by Ben Hale
"I don’t," Max said groggily.
The girl beside him laughed. "It must have been an otherspark."
"What's that?" Tess asked as Max grinned.
"It's a temporary flash of insight," she said. "It's when a mage does magic from a field they don't have an ability for. It doesn't happen often, but it's considered good luck."
Tess smiled at Max. "There you have it. Now, why don't you try again?"
Max climbed to his feet and cast the hex again. This time the ear snapped off the dummy's head. The improvement was enough for Tess to compliment.
"Excellent work," she said. "Now keep practicing while I talk to some others."
She moved on to the next in line, and found Laura and Mike 'practicing'. They had perfected their spell for Drake days ago, and had shifted their focus to practicing combat spells. Both their stone targets were floating in the air. The battle could only be described as part mixed martial arts, and part dismemberment clubbing. She opened her mouth to correct them, but thought better of it. If they could do that with three hundred pound stone figures, they could probably handle themselves in a real fight.
"Good work you two," Tess said.
They halted their argument and spun to face her. One of the stone figures dropped the arm it had taken from the other so it could salute. The displaced arm saluted as well, albeit from the floor.
"Hard at work," Laura said. Her expression was dead serious, but her eyes were sparkling. Mike didn't even try to hide it.
"If only our professors taught these spells," he lamented.
Tess grinned and moved on. She passed Kyle, who was teaching a second-year fire mage how to use traps. She nodded at him, and promised both she would teach them the hydra charm once they were ready.
The next two students were trying to thrash their stone enemies with plants. So far the dummies stood, but Tess showed them a few tricks. A moment later the first-year managed to perform a lashing enchantment. Coiling like a whip, the vine snapped at the figure, knocking it to the ground.
Tess smiled and stepped away. Derek appeared at her side.
"The training suits you," he said, and wiped the sweat from his face.
She threw him a glance, and was immediately distracted by his lack of shirt. "This wasn't really what I intended when I started the Order."
Derek grinned. "I know, but while you have been practicing I got bored. I set up these rooms off of the main chamber so the others could practice."
"Are you sure this is wise?" Tess asked in an undertone. "This might get someone hurt."
Derek shook his head. "Don't you see the impact on them? You can see it in their eyes and the way they walk. It's only been a week and they already think we can win, and it's spreading throughout the school."
Her eyes widened in alarm. "Are students finding out about us?"
"Not yet. Even if anyone told Drake, no one can get through the portal unless you allow it. Everyone at Tryton's feels what you are doing, even if they don't know it."
She shifted, uncomfortable with the praise. "How's the expansion going?"
"Harder than I thought," he said with a sigh. "I don't know where we are, but this material is extremely dense. I've never seen anything like it."
"Eleana won't tell me where the refuge is located," Tess said.
"Who?"
Tess told him about the entity that guarded the refuge and explained how Eleana was only visible to her.
"How's she taking the expansion?" Derek asked.
Tess's eyes flicked to Eleana, who was lamenting a broken section of wall. "She's fine. Will you be able to carve out the space we need?"
He smirked. "Of course, but it might take another week or so. It helps that I recruited some of my earth mage friends."
"What about the dummies?" Tess asked. She watched Laura's dummy tear off the head of Mike's.
"These are meant to be taken apart," Derek replied. "Once everyone can handle simple curses and basic combat spells, we'll start live training."
"Just how big do you plan on this getting?" she asked.
"How about I show you?"
He took her hand and led her into one of the side chambers that his friends had hollowed out. At the end was a larger stone golem down on one knee. Derek's gaze focused on it and a trace of brown magic burst from his hands. In a rasping of stone, the golem rose to its feet.
"You ready?" he asked, and drifted away to give her room to fight.
She grinned and gathered her magic. "Don't take it easy on me."
He laughed. "Then expect the unexpected. Remember, you are fighting the mage, not the creature."
She jumped into the air and flew at the golem, but it sidestepped her blast of fire. Then it came after her with a vengeance. Tess dodged and weaved in the air, trying to avoid its arms. Then she turned and released a sound blast like she'd done with Max. The golem shuddered, but managed to sidestep to avoid the brunt of the attack. Then it went on the offensive.
Tess ducked and swerved, but this time the golem connected with a glancing blow. Tess spun away and landed hard, bruised on her arm. She thought he would let up, but the golem came after her again. Under its reach, she gathered the moisture from the air and sent a blast into the leg joints. Then she leapt into the air—
The stone from under her had subtly climbed over her feet, and she was jerked back to the ground. Her surprise cost her, and the golem swung a massive fist at her head. It stopped short of striking her, but not before she threw her arms up and cast a repelling charm. The golem was thrown backwards at the same time she was knocked to the floor.
Derek was at her side in an instant, concern radiating on his face. "Tess! You ok?"
She wisely waited for her vision to clear, and when it did she felt a rush of heat. Derek was crouched over her, his face inches from hers. Her eyes met his, and the concern reflected there faded to something entirely different.
The world around them stilled, as if nothing but the two of them existed. Her heart battered in her chest, both from the fight and the certainty of what was coming. His desire to kiss her was evident in his gaze. Warmth spiked from her heart, and she reached up to him.
The invitation was all he needed, and he bent to kiss her. The contact sent lightning across her lips, surprising her with its intensity. His arm wrapped under her head, barely noticed with the host of other sensations. The moment could have lasted for minutes or seconds, she could not say. Then he reluctantly pulled away.
"Sorry," they said in unison, and then laughed.
He rose to his feet and helped her up, and then they exchanged a furtive look. He grinned. "Will your dad shoot me if I ask him for permission to date you?"
She laughed nervously. "It's not up to him." Then she recalled how he'd beat her and gestured to the golem. "Don't you think you cheated?" Her smile could not be restrained, and it took any sting from her words.
"I did say you should fight the mage, not the creature," he reminded her. "You rely on your flying too much. It makes you predictable."
She rubbed the bruise that had begun to form. "Thanks for the advice."
Iris interrupted them. "Tess, you should take a look at this."
The worry in Iris’s voice caused them both to turn and find her standing in the doorway. If she'd seen their position, she gave no sign.
"What's going on?" Tess asked, and headed for the door. Derek joined her.
"Benny just performed his spell," she said.
"Let's go," Tess said.
With a sudden sense of urgency they rushed down the hall to find a crowd of their friends gathered. At their center stood Kent, a gifted sound mage in his last quad. His fingers were moving as if playing a piano, but the sounds were mangled. Rather than looking disappointed, he wore an expression of excitement.
"It's like the first time I played a mental piano," he said.
Soft-spoken Benny had a huge smile on his face. "I did it. I made his hands forget how to work the spell."
K
ent lost his smile. "Wait, am I going to get that back?" Benny feigned distraction and turned away. "Benny! It took me five years to get good at that spell. You'd better help me remember how to do that!"
Tess intercepted the memory mage. "Are you ready?"
"I think so," Benny said. "This memorian curse is really hard, but it will make Drake lose his muscle memory. Once his magic is stripped his body won't know how to get it back. It will be gone for good."
Tess had been waiting for days, and now felt like the last piece had clicked in place. All the pent up desire to act flooded her frame until her skin trembled. She whirled to Iris.
"Please tell me you figured out how to get us the horrending blade."
Iris bobbed her head, her expression hard. Derek stepped to Tess's side, his expression concerned.
"What is it, Iris?"
"I figured out how to insert an ethian curse into the mage network. The Harbingers will see it as an order to transfer one of the blades into the Recollection. You'll still have to get it out of its display, but I think it's within your realm of ability."
"Why do you sound so unhappy?" Derek asked. "Can you get us onto Sentre or not?"
"I know I can get you in." Iris jerked her head. "That's not it."
"Then what is it?" Quad had drifted over to join the conversation.
"It means we'll have to manipulate my mom," Iris snapped. "It's the only way to get you inside the Spirus."
"Iris," Derek groaned. "That's Harbinger central now. You know what Alice is doing to her."
Iris rounded on him. "I know you don't care about her, but I do. You have someone to care about instead. Everyone knows that you are in lo—"
"Iris!" Derek flushed. "We don't have time for this. Are you going to help or not?"
"Of course I am!" Static energy crackled across her shoulders. "But if it gets Mom killed then I will blame you forever."
She whirled and stalked away. The others of the Order parted to make a gap for her to gate away. In the ensuing silence Derek released a sigh and turned to Tess.
"She'll do it," he said. "She hasn't forgotten what's important."
"Then we need to get ready," Tess said. She hated putting Iris in that position, but they didn't have much time. Then she noticed that one of their group was noticeably absent. "Where's Shorn?" she asked.
After a moment Kyle shifted his feet. "He snuck out of the school to see Rox."
Tess felt the blood drain from her face. "Getting caught outside the school won't mean he gets Darkened. The Voidlings could kill him."
Derek touched her arm. "He needed to go," he said in an undertone. "He's been having a hard time since Breaker took her. He'll be back."
Tess nodded, and recalled how discouraged Shorn had been. He'd tried to hide it, but he hadn't been the same without her. She hoped he came back alive, and ready. They were going to need him.
Chapter 34: Unwelcome Guests
Breaker placed the final avalanche hex on the tunnel and then stepped back to admire his handiwork. Lit only by a handful of light charms, the rough hallways stretched away into darkness. Isolated in case of discovery, it did not connect with the others. Two had already been found by the Voidlings. Their creators had been taken and their homes destroyed.
Because of them he'd been loath to build one from his own house, but his home lay in a strategic choke point between the streets. Without him the Rayths would have had a far more difficult time getting together. He'd relented, but he'd layered his tunnel to the point that the entrance and exit sealed automatically if any but those he knew tried to approach it.
Wiping the sweat from his brow he slid his hand on the wall and closed the opening. Then he ascended the stairs from the basement and entered the kitchen. Pouring himself some water, he downed the glass and refilled it. Just as he finished it there was a soft tapping at the back door.
He moved to it and touched the rune by the handle. The door promptly turned transparent as if someone had wiped dirt off a window. The charm allowed him to see who was there without letting them see into his house. Recognizing the visitor, he cracked the door and allowed him to squeeze in.
"Ivan," he growled, "I told you not come here."
Short and skinny, the young man was a fire and light battlemage fresh out of school. Breaker had met him during a Rayth training event, and had been impressed with the kid's skills. Given a few years he had no doubt that Ivan would have been invited to join the Rayths.
"You also told me to keep you updated," Ivan countered. "How was I supposed to do that with the mage net being monitored and your tunnel blocked so well."
"Use origami like the rest of us."
"The Voidlings have started intercepting them."
Breaker cursed. Without the enchanted cranes to communicate with, they would have few ways to stay connected. More and more it appeared Alice wanted the mages of Auroraq isolated. United they posed a far greater threat than as fractured individuals.
"What else?" Breaker asked.
"Kendrik is dead. He, Jones, and Baker were killed assaulting a solo Voidling."
Breaker ground his fingers into his fist. "The fool took others down with him. I told him to wait until we had something we could use to fight them."
"They tried using anti-magic crossbows. You know the old mage weapons they used a few centuries ago?" He twitched, not a good sign on the usually levelheaded battlemage. "It was just like when the Harbingers took the Spirus. The victim’s eyes went all black and smoky, like their life had been sucked out of them."
"What about exits from the city? Anyone found a way out or in?"
Ivan shook his head. "The techno shroud around the city is still holding strong. Flyers and air boards can't penetrate it. The Sundrops are still out of commission, and the tornado launchers have been disabled. Unless someone can make a hole in the shroud it looks like we aren't going anywhere. We did get a partial message from the Trimages. At least they are keeping things together groundside."
Breaker ground his teeth. He needed to get Rox out, but how? If the shroud was closed there was no way to leave the city—unless you were a . . .
"What about Northpoint?" he asked, rounding on Ivan.
Ivan’s eyes widened. "That's Harbinger territory now. Only they and those who have turned are allowed in. Why would you have a reason to go there?"
"Because they have to have a way off the city," Breaker said. "They have a lot more going on than just holding Auroraq."
"But the entire Northpoint is patrolled by Voidlings. There's no way you could get past them."
Breaker didn't respond. Was it his only option? Sneaking into the teeth of the Harbinger force could get them both killed—or get them out. Was it worth it?
"Breaker," Ivan said, "you can't seriously be considering that. You'll just get your daughter hurt."
Breaker rounded on him. "Don't tell me how to protect my daughter," he growled. "When you have one of your own you can tell me how you feel."
"Easy big guy," Ivan said, his eyes on the rocks rising out of the floor.
Breaker took a breath to settle himself, and the stones resumed their place in the floor. Fleetingly he decided to reinforce their charms if they came unslotted so easily.
"Thanks for the information Ivan. Next time leave a note in the last light of Hopper's tunnel. I'll check it every night."
Ivan frowned, but didn't accept the dismissal so easily. "The Prime and Kendrik are gone, and most of the other high captains are too. If Hopper and Thames don't survive you will be the highest ranking Rayth."
"I only have one talent, Ivan," Breaker snapped. "High captains and the Prime are always bi or tri mags."
"You're smarter than all of us," Ivan said. "We need you."
"You need to go," Breaker said, and opened the door.
Ivan sighed. "Be safe, my friend."
Breaker didn't respond, and closed the door behind him. Didn't the others see that there was nothing they could do right now? Was Hawk the only
one who was paying attention? The Dark was the threat, and a weapon that stopped it would kill the Voidlings. Once they were gone the Harbingers wouldn't stand a chance of holding the city. They just didn't have enough on their side.
"Who was that?"
Breaker turned to find Rox on the staircase. "No one," he said. "Go back upstairs."
She muttered something under her breath, but before she could leave there was another knock at the back door.
"Now what?" Breaker growled. He tapped the rune again, and the tall figure of a teenager appeared. He seemed familiar, but he couldn't place where he'd seen him. Before he could snap, go away, Rox shoved past him and ushered the boy in.
"Shorn, how did you get here?"
"I skirted the edge of the city on my board," he replied, his voice muffled as he hugged Rox.
Breaker took an immediate dislike to him. "Who the—"
"Dad," Rox said firmly. "Close the door before a Voidling wanders past and sees that we have a visitor."
His grip tightened on the handle, but he closed it. Then he folded his arms. "If someone doesn't start talking right now, bones are going to break."
"I'm a friend from Tryton's," Shorn said hastily.
"He's my boyfriend," Rox said. "Now sit down so we can hear what he has to say."
Breaker wanted to throw him out, but the look on his daughter’s face kept him at bay. How could a sixteen-year-old girl look so forceful?
Rox grabbed Shorn's hand and led him into the sitting room. Without letting go, she asked, "Why did you come? The Voidlings would Twist you for sure if they caught you."
Breaker stepped into the room and leaned against the wall. His folded his arms, his shirt cracking under the strain of holding his shoulders. It annoyed him to see that Shorn was taller than him, and handsome.
Shorn threw him a glance, and then answered, "We hadn't heard from you in weeks. We were worried."
"My dad doesn't think that Tryton's is safe," Rox said, and cast Breaker a scathing look. "What's going on at the school?"
"The kids are scared, so no one is really stepping out of line. It only took a few examples for everyone to obey."