Exodus of Magic (The Mysterium Chronicles Book 1)

by Simone Pond

  “Keep watch on that scoundrel. I’ll come back for him after I deal with this business,” he told his pack.

  A few of the wolves darted off into the woods. I stayed calm as the remaining wolves flanked the Alpha with their haunches raised. I glanced up to the sky for the guiding star, but there was a veil of blackness shrouding the heavens.

  “Why don’t you just kill me?” I asked.

  “Kill? You know how much you’re worth, child?” He smirked.

  “I promise you, it’s not worth it. If you hand me over to Counselor Magnus, you’re just giving him more power.”

  The Alpha tilted his head back and howled in laughter. The other wolves joined in, making a cacophony of ear-piercing bellows.

  “Child, you know not what you speak of. It’s best if you just shut your mouth and come with me. Cooperate and your stay in my sanctum will be nice and easy as we await the counselor’s arrival.”

  He sprung forward and yanked my arm like a twig. I was no match for this brute—not without my magic. Not without the help of the guiding star or the Ancient One. The other wolves stayed in a close pack-formation, trailing behind as the Alpha—dragging me in tow—strode toward a yacht docked in the harbor. We boarded and he shoved me inside the cabin, then tossed me across the lavish living room onto a white leather couch that stretched along the perimeter of windows. The gaudy display of gold fixtures and diamond chandeliers was enough to warrant a pair of sunglasses.

  “Stay put, child.” He then spoke into an intercom, giving orders to the captain to head back home.

  I scanned around for any potential escape routes, but the only exit door slid shut. The windows were too thick for me to attempt a stunt like breaking through them. I was sealed inside this golden tomb alone with the beast. As the engine revved up, the pack of wolves backed away from the dock and headed into the woods. Their work was done. But I noticed something odd as they retreated: one of the animals swooshed across the sky as if thrown. Then another furry body hurtled across the bank and landed in the river.

  That’s when I saw the giant thudding through the sand, grabbing wolves and flinging them every which way. He splashed into the water and walked directly to the Alpha’s yacht. We started swaying to and fro as if in a sea storm. I grabbed onto the leather couch and held tight, laughing at this shocking turn of events. That giant wasn’t only stubborn and spiteful—he was vengeful. He really wanted to see me dead.

  “What in Ashtar’s fiery pit is happening?” the Alpha shouted into the intercom.

  “Sir … have … slight problem …” The voice came back garbled.

  The giant peered into the windows, seething, his temper boiling over. The Alpha’s beady red eyes widened. Once the giant spotted me, waving from the couch, he punched through the thick glass windows with relative ease and grabbed me, pulling me out of the cabin. He kicked the yacht with such force that it shot forward and was pulled away in the current. The Alpha stood at the broken window, staring back in stunned astonishment as his yacht sped away down the River Elin.

  The giant set me down on the bank and folded his arms across his bulky chest. “Now, you gonna tell me who you are, girl?” he grumbled.

  I dropped to the sand, laughing so hard I gasped for air. It took a few minutes before I could fully address the creature towering over me.

  “I thought you came back to kill me,” I said.

  He shook his head. “No. You gotta be special. I followed you to find out who you are.”

  “I’m Jordan Temple.”

  The giant rubbed his large jaw and thought for a moment. “Don’t ring any bells.”

  “I’m the Chosen One,” I added.

  “I knew it! I knew you were special! I’m Dandrek. Sorry about what happened back on your boat. I was just followin’ orders. But you actually freed me from that awful pirate ship. I owe you now.”

  I smiled. “Dandrek—you just freed me from someone worse than those pirates. I think we’re even.”

  He frowned and for a second I thought he would either cry or crush me, or perhaps both. “You saved me and you’re the Chosen One. I owe you.”

  I wasn’t going to debate with this hard-headed giant any further. “Okay. You can start by helping me gather up my friends. We need to get to the Madlands without any more of these mongrel shifters getting in our way.”

  Dandrek gave me a subtle nod, then the two of us went about searching the area. I followed the sniffing giant, whose sense of smell was far superior to mine. He found a few of the runaways hiding in a hollowed-out log, a couple more in a tree, others ducking behind a thicket of myrtle bushes, and then finally he found Abe, who had somehow managed to bury himself in the sand on the bank.

  The one person we couldn’t find was Matthias. The Alpha had flung him somewhere deep into the dark and treacherous woods where none of us wanted to venture. But since I wasn’t about to leave without him, we didn’t have much of a choice but to head into the forest with Dandrek leading the way.

  CHAPTER 20

  The woods gave off an eerie vibe. The screeching emanating from the shadows didn’t help. Neither did the Alpha’s magic-binding spell that was still blocking my powers. I was vulnerable and weak—two things I like to avoid at all costs. Dandrek’s large presence gave some assurance. The runaways, in their cobbled-together pieces of wool I’d stolen from the shack at the trading port, were exhausted, but at least they were warm.

  The giant kept sniffing the air, redirecting us every few yards and taking us deeper into shifter territory. The hairs on my neck prickled and sweat dripped down my spine. Each turn was like navigating through a mine field, not knowing which step might set off the fatal trigger. I really wanted to find Matthias and get the hell out of there as soon as possible.

  We’d been trudging in silence for a while when Dandrek finally halted and sniffed again. He pointed toward a large pine where two wolves were growling and pacing the perimeter.

  “There,” he grumbled.

  “But where’s Matthias?” I asked.

  Abe, who barely came up to the giant’s knee, stepped forward and pointed upward. “He’s in the tree.”

  All of us gazed up at the branches of the tall pine. High above, a figure dangled by the belt of his trousers. It was either dumb luck, good fortune, or his Ancient-born fate that had saved Matthias. Still, he was pretty high up, and I’d never be able to climb up and carry him down without killing both of us.

  “Can you get him down?” I asked Dandrek.

  “Yeah.”

  Dandrek lumbered toward the wolves, who were becoming increasingly agitated. He stopped about ten feet away from the snarling beasts.

  “Hi, guys. You should probably leave now,” he said.

  The wolves snapped and growled.

  “Your choice.”

  In three swift steps, the giant reached down and snatched up one of the wolves by the scruff of his neck. With the wolf he was holding, he batted the other one, launching it some thirty feet away. It scurried off, whelping, while the other remained a limp mass of fur in Dandrek’s large hand. He tossed it off into the bushes and wiped his hands on his pants.

  He studied the tree Matthias was suspended in, then started climbing the adjacent one. The trunk bent like a flimsy reed under the giant’s weight, and I thought for sure he’d catapult across the forest. But he held tight to the branches, directing his weight toward the tree holding Matthias. When he was high enough, he reached across and grabbed the branches of the other tree, pulling it closer. Somehow the giant was able to straddle both trees, bending them together into an arch that slowly sank lower and lower to the ground. Once Matthias was close enough to me, I was able to unhook his belt from his trousers, causing him to drop to the ground. He was out cold.

  “Move back!” Dandrek said.

  I grabbed Matthias by the ankles and dragged him away, while the others scurried behind some trees. Dandrek then leapt off the arch of trees and landed with a boom that shook the forest like an ear
thquake. Both trees shot back up to standing, relieved to be free of the giant’s weight.

  I laid Matthias’s head on my lap; he looked so pleasant when he was unconscious. I brushed back the strands of dark wavy hair from his face. He really wasn’t a bad-looking guy.

  His eyes began to flutter and he murmured, “Am I dead?”

  “Not yet,” I teased.

  He opened his eyes and gave me a flirty grin. “I thought you were gonna protect me from the Alpha, Temple.”

  “Yeah, well, that Alpha is a real jerk. But the giant came back and saved me—and you.” I pointed to Dandrek.

  Matthias sat up fast. “The giant? That sonofabitch wrecked our boat.”

  Dandrek shrugged.

  “He was following orders,” I explained. “He was a prisoner on a pirate ship. Look, if it weren’t for him the Alpha would’ve turned me over to Magnus. And come back to finish you off.”

  Abe sat next to Matthias and patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. He’s on our side.”

  Matthias tried to fight off a smile, but that was difficult to do with Abe. The boy had a powerful magic that made you feel all warm and fuzzy through and through.

  “Fine. The giant can stay,” Matthias said, as though he had the final say in the matter.

  “I’m Dandrek. It’s a real honor helping the Chosen One. I’ll make sure she gets to the safe place alive and well. The prophecy will be fulfilled. The Ancients will rise up again!” He gave a fist pump.

  Matthias chuckled at the moment of solidarity.

  In the wind, a distant echo called to me: You must go see him, then return to the left bank. From there you will lead them back home.

  “We should get out of here. I am guessing after the Alpha licks his wounds, he’ll gather his troops and hunt us down.” I looked up at Dandrek. “Can you lead the way?”

  He beamed. “I happen to know where there’s a scow that’ll hold all of us. Follow me and wait by the bank.”

  Dandrek stomped through the forest and we followed him back to the river.

  ***

  The scow Dandrek had scored was a large flat-bottomed boat for hauling bulk freight. It had been pilfered clean—most likely by the giant’s former traveling companions—and its prior owners had left the empty barge behind on the river.

  “Nice work, Dandy!” I said as we gathered around.

  Matthias started helping the runaways onto the boat.

  Dandrek pulled me aside, his face sullen and unsettled. “Chosen One. Do you ever talk to the Ancient One?”

  “Um—well, sort of. I guess. Does the guiding star count? Why?”

  “I helped really bad men steal things from many boats. We killed many people along the River Elin. I want you to tell the Ancient One that I am sorry and I will pay however I can.”

  The big guy actually had a tear in his eye. I almost lost it myself. I patted him on his hip and told him that I would, reminding him that he was a prisoner who really didn’t have a say in what he was doing.

  “Now that you’re helping me—the Chosen One—that should count for something.”

  His eyes brightened. “You think?”

  I nodded with confidence, though I was winging it. “I know.”

  My impromptu counseling seemed to work, because he gave that big dumb fist pump again and chuckled, getting onto the scow.

  As we cruised down the River Elin toward the Madlands, the Alpha’s binding spell over my magic faded. I sat with Matthias and talked about the files I’d found in Magnus’s office. I explained how I discovered the conspiracy about the fake virus to murder children. I confirmed his suspicions about the water supply being poisoned; he was genuinely grateful to have someone validate the truth he’d been relentlessly trying to expose to his fellow Ancients. Along the way, the animosity I had felt for the left-bank zealot had also faded. I started to understand the chip on his shoulder. Frustration from years of oppression. And the bitterness of knowing a horrific truth that everyone else willingly ignored. He softened a bit as he shared these things with me, and after a while our conversation shifted to more pleasant topics like favorite foods and movies.

  Sometime after midnight, we pulled into a dock. We had finally arrived in the infamous Madlands and though it wasn’t exactly “safe,” the chances of us getting turned over to Magnus by anyone here were slim. Pretty much all Madlanders hated law and order, organized governments, civility, other magical factions, and most of all, Magnus. I’m sure their hatred would extend toward us, but Matthias knew the lay of the land and had a safe place in the city. We just needed to get there before getting caught up in some obscene drama.

  Dandrek got off the scow first and scoped out the dock. Matthias and I started assisting the runaways off when a blast of white lightning blazed right past us and grazed the water. The runaways scattered in a panic. I grabbed Matthias’s hand and my magical protection encased us just as another bolt of lightning fired in our direction. The force of the blast knocked us off balance, sending us over the side of the dock into the freezing river. The icy water wrapped around me, numbing my limbs.

  “You okay?” I shivered.

  “Looks like the crazies have welcomed us.”

  Dandrek’s heavy footsteps thumped on the pier above, splintering the planks of wood. He bellowed as bursts of light flashed overhead. They were attacking the giant. I couldn’t let him die up there alone. I swam out from under the pier and pulled myself up to the platform.

  Dandrek charged toward a spindly man in a black suit who was shooting lightning out of his bony fingers. An enormous white bolt struck the giant in the shoulder, knocking him back a few feet. He shrugged it off and continued clumping toward the man.

  I ran after Dandrek. “Stop! He’ll kill you!”

  “Not if I kill him first!” he roared.

  At the end of the pier, more of the sticklike men in suits emerged from the mist. They raised their hands and began an onslaught of lightning strikes. What the hell were these things? My magic rose up around me in a protective sphere—but Dandrek was outside of the shield. I sprinted to him and grabbed his arm, forcing my shield to cover both of us. The globe of illuminating violet light pulsated and surged. My insides trembled, but I held tight. Streaks of white lightning blazed at us, each one ricocheting off of my shield and shooting back at the row of men. The savvy ones dashed off, but those who remained were fried. My shield dispelled and I collapsed onto the pier.

  Dandrek knelt down. “Are you okay, Chosen One?”

  My energy and magical resources were depleted. I gave a meager and unconvincing nod. He carried me to the end of the pier, cradling me in the warmth of his hand.

  “Is she okay?” I heard Abe’s soft voice.

  “She needs to rest. We must get to Matthias’s safe place quickly,” Dandrek said.

  “Matthias … water …” I murmured.

  “I’ll go get him.” Abe darted away before I could protest.

  “Stop … Abe …” I said.

  “But I must watch over you,” Dandrek argued.

  “Please, get them both.”

  He called the others over to huddle around me and keep me warm. The matriarch of the family untied my wet ponytail and combed out my hair with her fingers. They laid pieces of wool fabric over my shivering body, getting the frigid river water chill from my bones.

  Dandrek thudded through the water alongside the pier and snatched up Abe with one hand, then he squatted and reached below the pier, feeling around for Matthias. When he stood up empty-handed, my heart sank. Had he drowned? Did an encantado shifter get him? As much of a pain as he was, I was getting used to his flippant style. He was clever and courageous. I could fulfill the prophecy without Matthias around, but I wanted his help. I actually enjoyed his company.

  Oh, no … What was I saying? That I liked Matthias?

  I got up and staggered toward the river’s edge. “Find him, Dandrek! Please find him!”

  Before my feet made it to the water, a hand yanked my a
rm, holding me back. When I turned around, I saw those familiar pale gray eyes looking as mischievous as ever.

  “Miss me, Temple?” Matthias said.

  I hit his chest with the one ounce of strength I had regained, but it was a paltry attempt and only made me collapse into his arms like a foolish girl.

  “I thought maybe a water snake got you,” I said.

  He chuckled. With my ear pressed against his wet shirt, I could hear his heart thumping. It grew louder and stronger the closer he pulled me in. It seemed Matthias might’ve liked me too.

  He lifted my chin up. “You okay?”

  “My magic and energy are completely drained, but I’ll live.”

  He smiled, holding my gaze for an extra moment or two. Then he rested his hand on the crown of my head like he had done earlier. A warm tingle began to trickle down my neck and spine, and into my legs. Once again, Matthias was renewing my energy with his Ancient magic. Too bad he couldn’t do the same to replenish my magic resources.

  I smiled, feeling restored. “Thanks.”

  “Happy to be of service.”

  We walked back to the others just as Dandrek was putting Abe onto the ground.

  “Everyone’s safe,” I said with a sigh of gratitude.

  “For now,” Matthias added.

  “Let’s get to your safe place before things get real crazy,” I said.

  Off we went, with Dandrek blazing the trail. We figured with a giant leading the way we’d be less apt for trouble. We were so wrong.

  CHAPTER 21

  The moment we stepped into the teeming streets of the Madlands, it was obvious we were a target. Fresh meat is what I kept overhearing as we plodded through the mayhem of shoddy witches, mangy half-wolves, and ungodly beasts. Fires burned on street corners as people danced around the flames, making burnt sacrifices to their god Ashtar. Grotesque creatures with scaly skin and frosty, glowing eyes wandered in and out of shops. I saw one finely dressed mage strut out of a butcher shop, gnawing on a human head still dripping with blood. We passed by clubs where naked women and men posed in the windows, luring others inside for who knows what, since everyone was already copulating openly in the streets. I saw one man get his head lopped off by a man brandishing a sickle, and another guy get mauled to death by a werewolf. The more depraved undertakings happened in the alleys … things that could never be erased from my memory bank.