Talia laughed. "I've never wandered Joharadin for fun. It'll be a new experience. Are you sure nothing's bothering you?"
"Positive. I want to share my city with you."
They chose a section of town not devastated by the invasion. Although it would have been good to see the progress of the clean up projects, Landry knew that wasn't what either of them needed.
People filled the streets. Electric billboards flickered from every surface. Their flashing, changing colors competed for attention. Gusts of hot air pressed from every side as transports moved through the skylanes. Pedestrians stepped on and off the zipways. Joharadin would heal quickly.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked as they stood in the middle of the street with a zipway on either side.
"How about we walk down the middle? Enjoy the lights and the nightlife." A blast of warm air sent her hair flying. She laughed and spun around to take in the scene. "It's nice to see people happy instead of terrified."
She collected her long hair in her hands and tied it in a knot. A group of university-aged men exited the zipway. One of them bumped into Talia.
"Sorry, we should have jumped off the other side." He gawked at her.
"No worries. Have a great night." She smiled and tugged Landry down the street, oblivious to the change in atmosphere.
Landry felt the weight of the stares. Voices didn't carry over the sounds of transports, music and laughter, so he focused his mind at the group. He sensed surprise. Curiosity, eagerness. A quick glance behind showed the boy pointing in their direction. Some of the group shook their heads and wandered away, but the larger part strolled through the crowd toward them.
"Let's take the zipway." He nudged Talia toward the moving sidewalk.
"Why?" She moved with him, weaving through the crowd of people. Some strolled on the zipway while others let it carry them along. "Did you think of somewhere specific to go?"
"No, just thought we could see more of the city this way." He nudged her forward. The group's emotions faded as the distance increased.
They left the shopping district and entered an area full of restaurants. Landry's mouth watered at the smell of smoked meats. Scents of various spices drifted from the bistros and cafes. The air in front of a bakery almost shimmered with powdered sugar. His stomach rumbled in approval.
"Want to eat?" He pointed toward one of his favorite places.
"Sure--"
"Hey, aren't you one of those magic people?" A lady in a pea-green jumpsuit and bright pink scarf stared in their direction. "And you're the Royalist that helped organize all of them."
Landry gathered Talia closer, his gaze darting through the crowd. He had relaxed too soon.
Shaking his head he replied, "You must have us confused with someone else."
"No, she's got purple eyes and you're even better looking than on the net feeds." The woman eyed Landry but thrust her hand toward Talia. "I think it was brave what you did. Can you teach me how to work magic?"
Talia's eyes widened and she automatically played with her necklace. "Um, I don't know. Have you ever noticed anything strange? A feeling of electricity that makes you feel like you can do magic?"
"I don't think so, but surely you can teach me. Inject me with some kind of serum to wake up the magic gene or something."
Landry kept his mind open and alert. Others noticed the conversation. Not everyone's sentiments leaned toward simple curiosity.
"I don't know if there is a magic gene. There's much we have to learn. We'll keep everyone updated as we go." Talia looked to him for support.
"Don't be stupid woman." A man with spikey hair spoke to the lady in green. "Either you can do magic or you can't. They're not going to find a way to give it to everyone."
"But that's not fair." The lady pouted at him. "I'm a good person, why can't I do magic if I want to?" She turned to Talia. "Tell him."
"Genetics aren't my area of study, so I don't know what's possible." She backed closer to Landry.
"See. She can't give you magic." Spike hair glared at them.
A middle-aged man stepped closer. "What do you do? Is there anything useful you can tell us?"
Landry pushed a button on the back of his belt as the crowd around them grew. It would alert his men. He needed to stall, or find a safer place to wait for pick up. "Let's step off the zipway. It'll be easier to talk."
"Sure." The second man nodded toward the center of the street.
Landry backed off with Talia close by his side. He hoped only the three people involved in the conversation would join them. His stomach dropped when ten or more people followed. He looked around to get his bearings. The brief conversation had taken them from the food district into one full of bars and nightclubs. The music blared, the neon lights flashed faster.
Five more people jumped off the zipway. The original college group pushed their way into the circle.
"I knew it was you." Their leader beamed at them. "There's so much we want to ask."
"Wait your turn. There's a line for questions." The spike haired guy shoved him aside. "What are you doing about the problem?"
"The SEF is studying the Dragumon's ship, their technology. It's going to take a while to learn everything." Talia leaned into Landry.
As soon as they touched he spoke to her mind. "I need space."
"Why?" A shiver ran through her.
"Just in case. A team is on their way, so try to keep everyone calm." He stepped away
"No, what are you doing about the mages? Will you post a list of names or keep them a secret?" Spike directed his question to Landry.
"He's not going to answer that. He's a mage too. They both are." A short woman entered the conversation.
The lady in green spoke up again. "She said she'd put me on a list for testing. I want to do magic."
"Listen--" Landry held up his hands.
"We have a right to know who the magic people are." Spike moved toward Landry, but the college guy stopped him.
"What's your problem? These guys saved our lives." He shoved Spike. "They don't deserve to be interrogated by someone like you."
"Someone like me?"
The negative energy level doubled. Landry grabbed Talia's waist, pulled her close, and hit his cloak before anyone could throw a punch. He backed away from the group with awkward steps.
"Put your feet on mine." He spoke to her mind.
"Where did they go?" The short woman asked.
"Was that magic?" The lady in green clapped her hands.
"No, stupid. The Royalists have cloaking technology. They're still here somewhere." Spike growled at her.
People stretched out their arms searching the air. Luckily, Talia had listened and Landry moved away faster with her feet on his. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her breath fanned his ear.
He carried her into one of the alleys. "We'll wait here until a team arrives to pick us up."
CHAPTER FIVE
"I think I finally found places to put all my stuff. What do you think?" Talia waved around the room.
She'd moved furniture around all day in an effort to blend their belongings. Landry didn't think the room looked much different than before she moved in. A photo of her parents and brother sat on a table. Her mirror had been repaired and now hung on the wall, and a dark green throw blanket lay on the back of the couch.
"Where did you put the rest of it?" he asked.
"I kept the most important things." She sat in one of his overstuffed chairs.
"I assumed your brother's couch would stay."
She shrugged. "It's in my office."
"Speaking of the office." He squished in beside her, enjoying her warmth and the smell of mint shampoo. "Can I ask a favor?"
"Sure."
"I'd like a security team to escort you every time you leave the palace grounds."
"Why?" She twisted around to face him.
"It's a precaution. You're a public figure now and I want to make sure you're safe." Landry reached for
her hands. "You won't even know they're around. Promise."
"Is this because of last night? Nothing happened."
"It could have. What if I hadn't been wearing a belt with a shield? I need to be certain you're safe when I'm not with you."
"Why don't you give me one of those belts then?" Her brow arched upward and Landry sensed her annoyance.
"I don't think that's enough." He gently nudged aside her mental barrier.
She stood in their mind space, arms folded while she built her walls stronger to block him out. He could see the anger without feeling her emotions. That little crease in her brow. The downturn of the left side of her lips.
"You don't trust me." She stated it calmly, but he recognized the irritation simmering with the flash of her eyes.
"Come on, you've been in my head. I trust you with my life." And he did.
"But you don't trust me to keep myself safe?"
"Talia--"
Before he could say anything else, she held her hand up. "I think you're being overprotective."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Maybe, I don't know. I'm not used to it."
Landry kissed her knuckles. "Humor me? For a while?"
"Can you tell me why?"
"It's a feeling I've had for a while. Perhaps it's nothing, but I can't take that chance. Not with your life."
"Fine." She sighed and pulled herself out of the chair. "I've got an early morning, so make sure they're ready."
Half way down the hall she stopped and winked. "Don't keep me waiting too long."
She didn't realize how much he worried about her. It would be up to him to keep tabs on the population's sentiments and protect her.
Ryce walked into the SEF foyer as if he belonged there. He hoped to wander around until he found Talia. Unfortunately, he hadn't counted on the guard station blocking access to everything past the entry.
"You have to check in over here, Sir." The guard waved him over and pushed a datapad toward him. "Log your name and department."
Ryce swiped the screen. It required a SEF login and password. "I'm here to see Talia Zaryn."
"You still have to sign in."
"I don't work for the SEF."
The guard plucked the datapad away and slipped it in a drawer. "Sorry, no admittance except for SEF personnel."
"I really need to talk to her. It's important." Ryce fingered the plastic vials in his pocket. He itched to use one now, but without his equipment he couldn't replace them soon. It would be a shame to waste one on the guard.
"You'll have to send her a message through the nets."
"I've tried for weeks. Come on, you can let me in this once. Maybe call her down here?"
The man's eyes narrowed. "If she hasn't replied she doesn't want to talk to you. It's time you left."
"No, no, I need to talk to her. I promise I don't want anything from her. I simply want to ask some questions."
The guard stomped around the desk. "You can walk out, or I can help you out."
"You're overreacting." Ryce stepped back as the smell of sweat from the guard enveloped him. The strength of it drowned out his ability to sense the man's emotions. "Fine, I'm going."
He turned and rushed through the door, colliding with another guy walking in. The older man smelled of grief. Ryce relaxed. He could work with grief, even without a vial. It was one of the basic emotions that flowed from one person to another without extra encouragement.
"I'm sorry." The man clutched at a pile of papers and folders.
"Not your fault." Ryce concentrated on absorbing the man's grief and then reflected it back to him. "It's not your fault they won't help me."
"What do you mean?"
"I wanted to meet Ms. Zaryn. Talk to her about this new magic community." Ryce pushed and pulled at the man's curiosity and sympathy, searching for the right balance.
"Ms. Zaryn? Why do you need to talk to her?" His curiosity dipped into suspicion.
Ryce eased up on his manipulation. He hadn't practiced unassisted magic in a while and it drained him quickly. "I helped with the unbinding. There are things I'd like to discuss with her. Things I need to understand."
The man nodded. "I'm sure you have lot of questions. Be patient. Right now the Royalists are very protective of Talia. Lots of people would like to speak with her, but the excitement will die down and then it will be easier to get an appointment with her."
"Why? Has something happened?" Ryce worried that she had suffered some of the same prejudices as the other mages.
"Maybe, but they don't tell me everything. She doesn't come here very often. Mostly stays at the palace. She'll be at the research site on the north side of the city for the next few months." The man glanced at the digital clock across the street. "I've got to get to work. Good luck, hope you find your answers."
Ryce watched him disappear into the building. His concern for Talia increased. If the Royalists kept her under close guard there had to be a reason for it. Or were they simply keeping her away from those who needed her? Surely, she wouldn't allow that.
"I'll go to the North Field. Then I'll know if she's being held captive or hiding from her responsibility."
Talia slipped out without waking Landry and headed for the SEF. Her guards followed close behind taking up most of the space in the transport. She tried to ignore them, but she knew they were there. At every turn, in every hallway. They monitored her in the lifts, waited outside the restroom. Their scrutiny disrupted her normal routine. Even when she didn't see them, she saw the illusion of their life energy every time she closed her eyes. She'd never experienced that magical impression before. New talent or not, it grated on her nerves.
"Enough is enough." She entered Cahal's office and closed the door. Talia turned her back to the Plexiglas wall.
"Enough of what, my dear?" He guided her to a chair filled with books. "Sorry, let me clear these off."
The sight of the clutter made her smile. At least he hadn't changed. The untidiness of his office calmed her enough to speak.
"Landry thinks I need watchdogs." She hitched her thumb toward the two men in the hall. "I can't concentrate with them looking over my shoulder every minute."
"I'm sure your husband means well. They aren't really in your way, are they?"
Talia slouched. "No. It bugs me. Landry wouldn't tell me why I need them."
"There's your real problem. You simply need to talk to him. Communicate."
"But we can read each other's minds. Literally."
Cahal's brow arched. "Really? So you know every thought he's ever had?"
"Well, no. He's pretty good at blocking me out." She swallowed the rest of her complaint. Landry could block her whenever he wanted, but she struggled to keep him out of her thoughts most of the time. She had improved her blocking skills though.
"There you go. You still need to learn how to talk to each other. Welcome to married life." He shuffled through a stack of books. "Let's see...here we go. This helped me a lot in my earlier days."
Talia took the offered book. Two of its well-worn pages fell out. She slipped them back inside. "The Best Practices of Effective Verbal Communicators?"
Great.
"Give it a read. Until then, do the best you can." He smiled. "I didn't really need to meet with you, but I haven't seen you since your wedding."
"Sneaky." Talia's heart warmed. Cahal had stood in the place of her father. "I'm sorry I haven't been in for the last month. There's so much to explore and study."
"Well, don't forget that you aren't living alone anymore. Go home and spend time with your husband whenever you can." He pointed at the book. "You heading to the ship today?"
"Yes, and since you don't need me, I'll go right now." Talia stood and gave the older man a hug. "I'll keep you posted."
She stepped into the hall but couldn't resist glancing back. Talia watched the older man bend over a book. He scribbled notes in the side of the margins. Cahal really did remind her of her father.
; A momentary twinge thrummed through her chest. She tried not to think about her father because the most vivid memory was the last day of his life. She'd been eleven. Her family lived on protected lands because her father was a botanist.
They'd both been exploring the woods the day he died. Talia had been snuggled between the roots of a large tree when her life fell apart. The trees told her he needed help. It was the first time they led her through the woods by making the moss glow. She found her father lying on the ground, clutching his chest.
Talia remembered holding his hand. She'd never forget the last thing he said. "My little ray of sunshine."
"Mrs. Sutton?" One of the guards touched her arm.
She sucked in a gulp of air before pushing the memory away. "Sorry, just thinking. Let's go."
She walked toward the elevator, lost in her thoughts. Could she have healed him that day? Perhaps the trees had known all along she could save him. Why weren't they clearer? At the time she didn't understand the magic, but now she wondered if she could have changed everything.
Craig Gibbs stepped off the elevator. "Hey, are you okay?"
Talia put on a smile and nodded. "Yes, just thinking too hard. How's it going with the nano translator?"
"Good, good. I didn't know you were in today. A guy wanted to see you downstairs, but they kicked him out." He reached out to shake her hand.
"They didn't even buzz me." She huffed and nodded to the two men following her. "It's getting ridiculous."
Craig laughed. "At least you know you're important."
"All I want is to work in peace." She jabbed the elevator button. "See you around."
Several SEF crews continued work on the Dragumon's ship, but only Talia's team had access to Jaron's spacecraft. It wouldn't fit in any of the SEF warehouses in Joharadin, so it sat in the field north of the city. The Royalists had built a metal fence around it, posted armed guards at the gate and still added the extra protection of an electrical shield.
I wish I could lock these guys outside. She walked up the ramp and through the outer airlock. The SEF team had temporarily removed the inner seal to save time. When installed, the inner doors wouldn't open until the outer ones closed.
Dawn of the Mages (The Magic Wakes Book 2) Page 3