The unicorns needed to encouragement. With a trumpeting whinny, the stallion bolted forward, followed by the mare. The pegasus turned, stopping and looking at the filly. Something passed between them. The barest touch of communication hit the back of my mind.
Licentia! The word radiated through my entire being. I give you Licentia! The stallion’s voice echoed just enough for me to hear, and I realized that my filly had gained her name, and her father had passed her onto me.
A bolt of magic hit the filly in the shoulder. She screamed and darted out of the way, her wings flapping to help her keep her balance. She beat them harder, until the wind stirred up dust around us, choking the air.
The slap of flesh hitting flesh echoed as Etta punched one of the young men. He fell down. She knelt beside him. “Sopor!”
That left just the fourth figure. The filly whirled to face him. I clung to her, trying to make tired and exhausted muscles obey. Another bolt of magic hit the filly and she screamed in pain. I couldn’t look behind me without losing my balance, just hoped that the others had gotten far enough away that they didn’t hear it. I stretched my right arm out. “Noceo!” I whispered, my voice growing hoarse from fatigue.
The man staggered back, the spell hardly having an effect. He flung another bolt, wicked and red, at the filly, the smell of burning flesh as it hit her filling the air.
No! I refused to allow my own physical weakness be the reason why my filly would be hurt. “Noceo! Noceo! Noceo!” I managed to rouse myself to yell the words and flung the last of the energy I had at the man.
He stumbled backward.
“I got it,” Etta said, dropping to one knee beside him. “Sopor!” Like the others, he too fell into a deep sleep.
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling the weight of my eyelids. I wouldn’t fade now. Not when we still needed to find the others and figure out what had just happened.
The filly shook. I patted her neck. “We’re safe now. We’ll get someone to put these people somewhere.”
I scanned the buildings, finally seeing a group of faces around one large window that I guessed would be some kind of meeting or common room. Gently, I urged the filly forward. Her head hung low, and she wobbled as she walked, but we made it. “Jerimiah?” I called. “Are you in there?”
A slight scramble of bodies, and then he stepped out one of the open doorways. “I’m sorry we couldn’t do more.”
Rage gave me badly needed strength. “Even if you aren’t offensively trained, you could have picked up the phone and called or texted us. You could have some something. You have heavy equipment here for pete’s sake. But right now we need a place to lock these men up. Do you have a finished room?”
I must have cowed him because he nodded and managed to look ashamed. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “I think so.”
“Have your men grab these people. Put them there. Then I need a phone to call someone in Albuquerque.” First the sabotage that caused the collapse, now this. It didn’t take an idiot to realize that someone didn’t want the academy to be built.
“Of course.” Jerimiah directed his men to come from the room and gather up the fallen. “You know, we didn’t mean for this to happen.” He shoved his hand forward. A bolt of red magic shot from it, and my world went black.
~* * *~
“Sonia! Sonia! Are you all right?” Etta’s voice pulled me from a groggy place where I wasn’t exactly conscious but wasn’t sleeping either.
“What happened?” I managed to form the words though every muscle in my body felt leaden. I touched the surface beneath me, feeling the cool, hardwood floor. I turned my head, immediately realizing I lay in my living room.
“Jerimiah hit you with a spell. I didn’t recognize it, but it wasn’t anything we taught.” She sighed. “When you’re feeling better we have to talk. I’m not exactly who you think I am. I got knocked back for a bit, but the filly helped me get you on your back and we got you home.” She glanced out the patio door.
“Is the filly? Licentia?”
“Is that her name? It’s pretty. Yes, she’s fine. I put some of the salve we got for the first aid kit on her wounds and gave all of them some of the treats. I think they’re happy to be here. No one has left the patio area while you’ve been out.”
I struggled into a seated position. “How long?”
As soon as the filly saw me, she lifted her head, her ears flicking forward. I lifted my hand and then thought better of it, because fatigue still weighed me down.
“Maybe an hour or two?” She pulled her phone from her pocket. “About an hour and a half actually. It wasn’t a sopor spell, but something designed to knock you out. I have a feeling our people aren’t at the building anymore.”
I shook my head, instantly regretting it. “Likewise. I’ve got to let Paul know.”
“Already done. He’s on his way. An Armis team, including Rose. He said you’d know her, are coming down from Colorado.”
“Rose? Great. She works with unicorns.” I groaned. “Can you bring the foot stool over here?” I gestured to the stool by the couch.
She set it before me. It was awkward and ugly, but I managed to lever myself onto it. From there, as Etta handed me my cane, I stood and made it to the desk chair.
“It’s been a while since I hurt this badly. Give me a few moments and I’ll get up and take some pain medication.” I groaned and rubbed my head. “So Jerimiah was working for the other side? And it looked like the construction workers were with him too. How are we going to make sure that everything is safe over at the academy?” I hoped whoever Paul sent would know the answers, because frankly this was getting far out of my depth and fast.
Chapter Eight
Just after dark a truck and trailer pulled into my driveway. I peered out of the window as three rainbow-haired people emerged from the front seat, then a woman opened the back door and held out a rollator for a woman who stepped down from the truck. She stood, nodded, to the woman, then pushed the walker to the back and opened the door. A beautiful unicorn, mane and tail bright cotton candy pink, horn gleaming, backed out of the trailer.
I opened the door. “Rose?” I stepped forward, using the cane though a long nap and good supper cooked by Etta had me feeling much better. We’d also talked, where Etta revealed she had been in training to be an Armis agent until her interest in coming with Paul that first time. It’d been decided that after what both Rose and Oliva had dealt with, even if the only thing I’d had was overzealous teenagers, I might need some protection.
“Sonia?” She strode forward, supported by the walker, the unicorn following her. “It’s so good to see you at last. It’s beautiful here.”
I reached her and we embraced, laughing a bit at how awkward it was with her walker and my cane. “The unicorns and pegasus are around back of the house. I can show you.” I addressed the unicorn, assuming based on our conversations that it could understand me.
“She says she hears them and she knows the way, but thank you.” At Rose’s words, the unicorn walked toward the house to join with the others. “This is Jenny, Tristan, and Kodi.” She introduced the three.
“Pleased to meet you. Rose has told us all about you on the drive down.”
“Come inside. This is Etta, my assistant.” I gestured to her.
“Etta. We’ve heard so much about you.” Jenny strode forward and shook her hand. “I understand you got very high marks. I’m sure Sonia’s pleased you’re here.”
“She’s been invaluable. Paul has filled you in on what has happened?” I started back to the house. “Forgive me. It’s been a long day and my joints are telling me I need to rest.”
“Oh I understand that.” Rose pushed forward. “Don’t worry about The Trio. They’ll camp in the living quarters part of the trailer. If you have a couch, that’s all I need.”
“Great. Thanks. I admit I’m not set up yet to receive large numbers of visitors. Your node will be safe?”
“Yes.”
I opened the door, holding it for her before Tristan took it from me and Kodi offered me a hand to help me inside. I motioned to the couch. Etta tossed a couple of large pillows onto the floor for additional seating.
“I can make tea or get them something to drink.” Etta touched my shoulder. “It’s okay to rest. You and Licentia saved the day today.”
“Oh, you were the one who saved us.” I replied, thinking of her skill with the Sopor. Honestly, I appreciated not knowing about her being Armis before the encounter.
Etta laughed it off, as if I’d said that she ought to run for president or something. “You weren’t trained, Sonia. You were the hero.” She dashed into the kitchen before I could counter her words.
“She’s right, you know.” Rose leaned forward. “Those of us who weren’t trained like this, but who go into this kind of work anyway…” Her words trailed off and she glanced at the Trio. I suspected there were stories there.
“I’m just going to be the Dean. I expect to shuffle more paperwork than I ever will spells.” I shrugged, still not entirely comfortable with the characterization. “The filly did all the work.” I sensed her approval in the back of my mind at the statement.
Etta started the electric kettle boiling, then set out mugs and came back to the vacant pillow and sat down. “What’s our plan?” She turned to the Trio, then glanced back at me. “Not to leave you out, but these guys are legendary.”
I took her word for it, though they looked pretty capable. Even Rose, with the pink streak in her hair matching her bright pink rollator, appeared as if she could take down bad guys. “I understand. Frankly, I would love to get back to reviewing resumes and setting up curricula. I’m not trained for any of it, but at least that’s safer. I hope.”
“You might be surprised,” Rose said with a soft smile that made me think she’d had much the same transformation.
“First we need to go take a look at the building site,” Jenny said. “And when we go, we’ll need to be prepared for anything to happen. If you don’t mind my asking, do you have any training for being in battle either offensively or defensively.”
“No. I was a concert pianist until my RA got too bad,” I admitted. “The filly helped a lot, and I remembered learning Noceo as a last ditch effort in case someone rushed the stage. But this is so far out of my league. I’m surprised frankly I could even do it without music.”
She smiled. “You might be a warrior and just not have been trained. A piano is a bit unwieldly to carry around. Even a small keytar or melodica would be tough to play into battle. But you might want to look up a melodica since it’s pretty light.”
“I’ll do that.” The idea of learning to play another instrument seemed like the perfect thing, something that I could, perhaps, keep with me. Light enough that I might even be able to carry it. Olivia talked about having a piccolo just for that purpose. I didn’t know what, if anything. Rose played. It seemed she might be one of the Armis types who could do magic without any instruments.
The kettle whistled. Etta stood and went to the kitchen, then began handing out steaming mugs of tea. For me, she provided the magical restorative tea, and I smelled the same brew in her mug that she put on the corner of the coffee table. For my guests, it appeared to be a nice herbal blend, something without caffeine. She finished passing out mugs, then sat down.
“We go over there tomorrow, make sure there aren’t anyone lingering,” Etta said. “Then I suggest we talk to Paul about new security, including people who aren’t affiliated with the previous company and get all the hiring information on the workers. I know the Musimagium does extensive background checks on any non-magical person it hires. So either Jerimiah was lying to us about his position, and we’ll need to know about him too, and the workers were magical, or they were in on it.” She frowned. “I didn’t see that many workers when they all came out. Which makes me wonder if some of the attackers weren’t workers themselves.” She made air quotes with her fingers around attackers.
I nodded, because my thoughts had been trending in that direction. “We have to assume that the guys they tried to save aren’t being held anywhere.” I mustered the courage to ask the question I’d been dreading. “What happened to me after Jerimiah hit me with that blast?”
“You slumped down over the filly’s neck. I sent her back here. She didn’t fly, but walked the entire way. Then I hit Jerimiah with a Noceo and ran to follow. Whoever he is, I don’t think he’s particularly bright or strong.”
I chuckled at that one, then sipped my tea. So different from how I’d thought of him.
“I think that’s a safe assumption,” Tristian said. “Paul relayed the information when he called us. I think this was an inside job. Someone doesn’t want the academy—a cool idea by the way—to be built.”
I gave a half laugh. “Talk about an understatement.” I sighed. “But it’s probably true. We’ve got to find out why and who and see what Paul and the Musimagium want to do about it.” Really, the entire topic gave me a headache. I rubbed my temples, then sipped my tea some more. The restorative liquid went to work and I felt better just for holding the mug and inhaling the warm steam.
“Would it make you feel better if we went alone?” Rose asked. “I’d be happy to stay here and keep you company. I’d love to talk to you about your pegasus, maybe see your filly in person. I assure you, my friends are more than capable of handling themselves.”
Kodi smiled ferally.
“I could go with them, if you like. Rose is right. There’s no need for you to go and you can spend your time talking to Paul.” Her phone buzzed. “And they’re in the motel. Want me to ask them to come here?”
“Yes, please.” I stifled a yawn. “If you can give me a few moments to get comfortable.”
“Has everyone eaten,” Kodi asked. “We can make you something for supper.”
“That’d be great. Help yourself to whatever you find. Etta just got groceries a few days ago, so hopefully we’ll have enough for everyone.” I glanced around the living room as I stood.
“I’ll help,” Jenny said. “If you need anything, please let me know. I understand this must be difficult for you.”
“Thank you. You have no idea,” I replied as I went into the bedroom to wash my face, brush my teeth and hair, then change into some pajamas. Something told me we’d be in for a long night and when I came back to the living room, I put a pot of coffee on and grinned at the smells coming from my stove. I think Kodi raided my pasta stash and was whipping up a sauce that would taste heavenly. Some carbs would be the perfect way to spend time with friends, both new and old.
~* * *~
A good night’s sleep greatly restored me, and I slid open the patio door just as the sunlight crested above the horizon. I tiptoed out, closing the door behind me while Rose still slept on the couch. Her unicorn stood in the shade next to where she slept, one hind leg cocked, ears at half-mast in a resting mode. She barely twitched an ear in my direction. The unicorn pair stood next to her, the stallion next to Rose’s mare, and I smiled, wondering if Rose might unknowingly take an extra passenger back to Colorado.
Licentia and Kestara lay side by side, noses almost touching. Her coat looked better this morning, and when she heard me, she turned her head and gave a soft nicker. Then she rose to her feet and walked over to me.
Treats?
How could I forget? I opened my palm, offering her one of the horse treats. She sniffed it, then lapped it up. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
Better. Magic stung. But it’s healed now. You scared me. She stepped forward and nuzzled my chest.
I reached for her, patting her neck. “Like you I’m better now. Don’t worry.” We stood together for long moments. I heard the door slide open behind me and smiled when Rose stepped onto the patio.
“This is a very nice setup you have here. We’ll have to do something like this when I get home.” She walked over to her unicorn, who seemed happy to see her, then nuzzled her hands for treat
s. Rose turned to me. “Oh, you have treats? I never thought of that.”
“Let me get some for you. I’m sure the others would like them too.” I stepped back into the house, quickly filling my pouch with treats, then taking a smaller bag I’d picked up when I first met the equines and set it on Rose’s pillow so they could take it back to Colorado with them. I was rather surprised that I didn’t get mugged when I stepped back onto the porch, where I unzipped the pouch and put a few in Rose’s hand.
She lifted one to her nose and smelled. “Oh they smell like molasses. I bet they taste like granola bars.”
“Kind of.”
“I’d try them too.” She bit off a piece, nibbled on it, then offered it to her unicorn who took very little time in sniffing it, before gobbling it up. Rose laughed. “Oh this is wonderful.” She offered the mare a second one.
The filly nudged my shoulder. I provided her a treat, and then the unicorns came over. Soon, Rose and I were laughing and my treat pouch was empty. By then, everyone was awake and Rose’s three companions, along with Etta, were awaiting Paul to arrive so they could go to the construction site.
Chapter Nine
My stomach churned. Not even Rose or Licentia could calm me as I paced back and forth, then sat down and checked email, going over a couple more resumes Paul must have sent before he’d arrived. According to the clock, they’d left three hours ago and not even a text to tell me what they’d found or what was going on. Paul had brought two people from Armis, stern and imposing figures. The idea of the seven of them descending on the academy and finding out what had happened should have reassured me. Instead, I read emails, typed up suggested thoughts for classes, and wished I knew something other than the piano. I wished something had happened in my life so that I could be out there with them. Sitting at the computer, I felt as if I could be doing more for the academy.
“You’re doing exactly what you need to be doing,” Rose said.
I whirled around in my chair to face her, eyes wide. “Did you read my mind?”
Pegasus In Flight: A Musimagium Story (The Pegasus Enchantment Book 2) Page 5