Dawn of the Mages (The Magic Wakes Book 2)

by Charity Bradford

  She listened to the sound of his boots clicking on the floor as he followed her to the hatch. Ignoring it, she focused on the hum of the ship instead. Everything sounded right, but she missed the feel of its vitality flowing through her. Truth was, she hadn't noticed it until it was gone, but energy in all its forms had been part of her every fiber. Without that connection to the systems around her, she fumbled to recall the things she'd learned in school.

  Her fingers rubbed the necklace at a feverish pace. It'll be okay.

  A niggling fear had crept in since the magic disappeared. What if everything I know about propulsions and electrical systems was more magical instinct than knowledge?

  She kicked the release lever and the hatch opened. With a sigh she turned around to crawl down the ladder. Landry stood close, brows furrowed, one hand rubbing the back of his neck.

  "Go ahead. Say it." She tried not to give in to the desire to fall into his arms.

  "Just making sure you make it down okay."

  Why do you have to do that? She shook her head. The realization he couldn't hear her weighed more than the ship's gravity. Instead of answering, she eased down the first step.

  She needed an hour of solitude and data. Her body and hands performed the motions automatically, freeing her mind to think about Landry.

  Maybe they should have waited before marrying. They'd known each other a few weeks before their wedding, but at the time it hadn't mattered. Now she wasn't sure. He'd given up everything for her, and it didn't make sense that she was so frustrated with him.

  She slumped in the chair, resting her head in her hands. He deserved someone who appreciated his overbearing need to protect. That was probably her fault too. She'd been too clingy during the Dragumon invasion. Then she had deliberately sabotaged his attempts to protect her in Joharadin while pushing him away. Of course he had to try extra hard.

  I'll be stronger now. She squared her shoulders.

  The computer blipped. Everything worked well within the expected parameters and she couldn't hide below deck any longer. She walked to the ladder and glanced up. Ten rungs. Her body felt like lead even though technically she floated in space. Each movement required concentration and will power. She forced herself to take the first step.

  Six rungs up she clung to the ladder. Breathing. Resting.

  "Talia?" Landry knelt at the opening, his hand stretched toward her.

  Her heart swelled and she fought back tears. Maybe she could be stronger tomorrow? She allowed him to pull her the rest of the way up.

  "The drive is working as predicted. In twelve hours it'll power down. The energy field will dissipate, and our bubble will go with it. We should be in normal space by six hundred hours tomorrow." She leaned into his side as he helped her to their quarters.

  "Good, that's plenty of time for you to rest."

  "I guess we should talk about this." She waved her hand in slow motion to indicate her body.

  "We need to do something to strengthen you while the magic is dormant."

  "Okay, what do you propose?" She sank onto the edge of the bed.

  "We train your body the old fashioned way."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Think about it. The loss of magic hasn't affected me physically in the same way it did you."

  "It's more noticeable in me because I siphoned energy constantly. I'm not even sure I did it intentionally most of the time."

  "Exactly. I trained my body to work without the aid of magical energy flowing through me. That's what we need to do for you." He stroked the back of her hand. "All you need is to challenge yourself physically."

  "You couldn't tell me that when I was closer to the gym?" Talia squeezed his hand and stood.

  "We can start tomorrow."

  "Tomorrow I'll have the magic back. Let's start now. I'll need to train during the times I'm weakest in order for it to do any good. Plus, I'm tired of being exhausted. Might as well have a valid reason for how I feel."

  Cooley nodded from the weight machine. He stood between two metal plates, knees slightly bent and arms raised above his head. His palms rested on the upper plate.

  "One more set and I'll be out of your way." He took a deep breath and pushed through his legs and arms. The plates reacted to his strength and pushed back with matching force, providing a balanced isometric exercise for his upper and lower body. The veins in his forehead and neck popped out, and in spite of his even breathing, his face turned pink.

  Talia glanced away, dreading whatever Landry had planned for her. "This is going to fix me?"

  "I'll whip you into shape before we reach Orek."

  "I thought you liked my shape," she whispered in his direction.

  Cooley relaxed, grabbed his towel and headed for the exit. "Don't be too hard on her, Sutton."

  Landry turned to her when the door closed. "Seduction attempts will earn you an extra mile, Mrs. Sutton. At least until seventeen hundred hours. After that, it'll get you anything you want."

  "Yes Sir, Colonel, Sir." She teased him back.

  "I've missed this you know." He brushed his hand down her arm.

  "Getting to torture trainees?" She stepped onto the terrain simulator.

  "No, joking with you. Feeling relaxed around you."

  She reached up and touched his face. "Have we ever been relaxed?"

  "Touché."

  "I hoped leaving Sendek would remove whatever barrier stood between us, but it looks like that obstacle is me."

  "You're too independent for your own good." He smiled. "You need to stop shutting me out."

  "Like that's even possible. You can read my mood and mind."

  "But I don't. I want you to share your thoughts and dreams with me. Don't make me search for them."

  "I'll try if you promise to stop trying to protect me from everything."

  "Is this still about the skirmishes in Joharadin?"

  Talia shook her head. "I don't want to fight about that again. Those problems are out of our hands for a while."

  "Okay. Let's both promise to work on communication."

  "That I can do. In fact, I changed my mind. Why don't we talk now?" She nodded toward the door.

  "Oh no you don't. Not after you dragged me all the way to the gym," he laughed and started the machine.

  "I guess I asked for it."

  A smooth surface appeared beneath her feet, the simulation of a city street. Landry set a slow speed. It matched the labored pace she'd perfected over the last day. She smirked when her body settled into the slow rhythm.

  "Is this all you've got? I can think of a more strenuous work out."

  He punched in a new sequence. The ground shifted to sand but retained the same snail's pace. She stumbled then regained her footing.

  "Not till you've finished today's training session." He leaned next to the bulkhead.

  Talia concentrated on moving and breathing. A mental mantra echoed the rhythm of her feet. I'm. Not. Tired. My body...is strong. Not weak. Strong, strong, strong.

  Her legs stretched with each push against the surface. Sweat broke out on her forehead. Her lungs greedily snatched air every other step. She welcomed the burn even though her body protested after five minutes. Each movement pumped her blood faster, clearing the fog from her brain. After ten minutes she glanced at her silent husband standing guard.

  "Thanks."

  "For what?" he asked.

  "For not babying me." She indicated the simulator.

  "Don't worry, Mrs. Sutton. I've learned my lesson on that front. In fact," he leaned forward once more and hit a new sequence. The sand disappeared, but the smooth surface now included a steep incline. "Ten more here and we'll move to the press."

  He walked the length of the ship, with only the drone of the ventilation system and the hum of engines to keep him company. Everyone slept. There were four hours left on his bridge shift. Four hours until the warp bubble disappeared and the computer sent the automated data package to Sendek. More than enough time to imbed
a coded message and set up the piggyback relay. Ryce would be anxious for his first report.

  After engaging the lock, he sat in front of the COM station and hit record.

  "Report one. End of first jump. The Suttons both experienced a cessation of magical abilities when we entered the conduit. Colonel Sutton is fine, but Talia's health is deteriorating. I'll double my efforts to help protect Mrs. Sutton. Nothing else worth mentioning."

  He typed in an encryption key, buried the file within the data queue and deleted all record of the recording from the main system. When the Vis Vires left the warp field, his message would find its way home and no one would know.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  "Lights, fifty percent." The ship responded and Landry sat up in the bed.

  Talia slept, but she thrashed and struggled with the sheets tangled around her legs. He recognized the tortured expression on her face. She's dreaming.

  The magic had returned when they entered normal space. He hovered close, waiting to hold her when she woke.

  She screamed again and someone pounded on the door until Landry opened it.

  "What's going on?" Cooley demanded.

  "She's having one of her dream visions." Landry tried to remain calm but his anxiety came out in the hushed tone.

  "Then wake her up." Cooley tried to push his way to Talia, but Landry shoved him out, allowing the door to close behind them.

  "You can't wake her until it's over. We learned that the hard way. Now go back to sleep."

  "She's in pain and you're sitting there." Cooley's hands fisted.

  "You're going to have to trust me on this. If I wake her she won't remember the dream. We're going into Orek blind. We need the Intel."

  "Heartless, that's what you are." Cooley shook his head but backed off.

  "You're out of line. Return to your room." Landry backed into his quarters and sealed the door.

  Talia had kicked free of the cumbersome bedclothes and her leg muscles contracted. They twisted in knots as she cried out. His hand reached out to massage the offending calf, but stopped as she whispered his name.

  The sound of it wrenched at his heart. She needed his help and he stood by uselessly. He reached out with his mind and tried to send comforting thoughts her way in hope they would ease her pain.

  Eventually she relaxed and her breathing slowed. He rested his hand against her cheek and waited for her to open her eyes. She looked peaceful for a moment and then with one massive intake of breath bolted to sitting, her eyes opening at the last moment.

  "Landry!"

  His arms enfolded her automatically, and she nestled her head into his chest. The shaking started.

  "Shhh. I'm here." He rubbed her back in an effort to soothe the tremors that disturbed her.

  "Hold me."

  He crawled back onto the bed and pulled her closer, enfolding the sheet around her. They clung to each other, waiting for the symptoms to play themselves out. Her mind pushed against the mental barrier he kept in place, and he opened up to her. The sigh of her thoughts and emotions mingled with his, a welcome relief after two days without them. They didn't talk, but let the feelings flow around them, warming, comforting.

  He sensed her worry, her distress, but he didn't seek the images. She would share them when ready. Instead he monitored her mental state. He sensed the moment she focused on his concern for her. His unconditional love. Only then did she calm down as she wrapped those feelings around her fear.

  After a while, the shaking stopped and her body softened against his. She sighed as she retreated from his mind. They both replaced the mental barriers.

  "I know you feel useless, but being here to hold me afterward is exactly what I need."

  "That doesn't make it easier to watch you in pain. How do your legs feel?"

  "Like they've been twisted in knots."

  "They were." Landry moved to massage her sore calves, examining the rest of her as he did so. "You don't have any injuries this time. Do you want to talk about it?"

  "I wasn't hurt in the dream." She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. "I stood in a field with mountains in the distance. At least I think they were mountains, they were hazy and surreal. Anyway, I felt calm at first. I could have been anywhere on Sendek, but I knew I wasn't. The sky was a bit different."

  "In what way?"

  "Well, there were still two suns, but unlike home, they were almost the same size and farther away. The sky looked weird too. Blue, but a shade more purple than our skies."

  "Could it have been Orek? Jaron's world has a more violet sky than we do."

  "Maybe."

  "What else?" He moved to her other leg, working the stiffness out with his fingers.

  She didn't speak right away and when he looked up she wouldn't meet his gaze.

  "Talia?"

  "I didn't stay in the field. I blinked and found myself in low scrub bushes. Lines of men marched through an open gate into a large stone fortress. They were heavily armed and I wanted to hide, but my body wouldn't listen. My eyes scanned their faces against my will, as if looking for someone in particular." She finally looked at him. "I found you."

  "Oh?" His hands stopped their work as he waited.

  "You were a prisoner. Dirt and blood covered your face and clothes. Your arms tied behind your back. They forced you inside. I'd lost you, and I couldn't do anything about it." She sat up. "Landry, I can't lose you."

  He pushed her back onto the bed, covering her body with his. Her face so pale his heart ached. He would do anything he could to protect her physically and emotionally. He had to find a way to prove it to her.

  "Don't worry. You won't."

  Daemon Ryce listened to the message for the third time.

  "The magic returned when we left the warp field. The Suttons know they will lose it again when we make the next jump. Talia had a vision as well. I'm not sure what to think about it. The Colonel wouldn't let us in the room, and I doubt either of them will feel the need to enlighten us about the contents.

  "Do you think she's seen your plan? I wish you could reply and tell me what to do. Since you can't until the return trip, I'll follow your orders unless forced to do otherwise."

  Daemon chewed on the inside of his cheek, a habit left over from the body's previous owner. What if Talia had dreamed about his plans for Sendek? He'd barely started gathering followers to help him search for the demon pit. Once he found it, he'd be able to free others like himself. If only he'd been able to free another demon before the mission. Humans were too emotional and prone to mistakes--the consequence of having a body.

  Even he struggled to keep his host body's emotions in check. The fear of failure simmered at the back of his mind, but he could always smother it with anger. He needed to foster it in others and feed off its delicious results.

  Daemon walked to the large window overlooking the city. Transports filled the air. People moved about their business completely unaware of the changing world around them. Talia Zaryn had escaped him for now, but she would return to a world he'd remodel for her. A world to push her into his grasp. When he had control of her, he would shed this body forever.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  4 Months Later

  "Sutton, Cooley, you need to see this!" The urgency in Craig's voice echoed through the ship.

  Talia and Landry turned off the terrain simulator and headed to the cockpit. After four months of daily training, Talia's body was stronger than before she lost her magic. She walked with confidence beside her husband.

  When they joined Craig and Cooley on the bridge, half the sensors lit up the control panel and static poured from the COM. Blips and beeps punctuated the static as well as bursts of a foreign language.

  Talia's gaze flitted from one screen to the next. "What's going on?"

  "I did the standard communications sweep as we left the warp field and everything lit up." Craig continued to type commands into the computer.

  "What system are we nearest?" Cooley squeezed
past Landry to sit at a console.

  "According to Jaron's records we are four jumps and a week from Orek." Craig pulled up the star chart and zoomed in on the binary system.

  "How can this area of space be so crowded?" Cooley asked. "You said Jaron's world had been completely destroyed. No survivors."

  Landry's eyes glazed over with the faraway look Talia associated with his searching the shared memories. "He definitely believed he was the only survivor."

  "Other survivors may have returned after he left. Or a new group took advantage of a free world and resources." She touched Craig's shoulder. "Is the nano-translator ready?"

  "It will allow us to comprehend the spoken and written word, but I still have some glitches to work out for the speech component." Craig left the room and returned with four small pills. "Here, let's see what's in these messages."

  "Can't you just route them through the online computer to translate?" Landry eyed the small blue pill.

  "Where's the fun in that? I promise these are safe." Craig popped his in his mouth to prove the point.

  "We should have considered others might resettle the planet. This is going to change our plans." Cooley swallowed his pill and l loaded the Vis Vires schematics. "I'll study the weapons available as well as the ship's maneuverability in combat situations."

  Talia watched as the stream of characters rearranged themselves into Dovan. "It's working, Craig. Great job. I'll work on separating the streams into usable data." Talia's fingers flew across the keyboard.

  "Thanks." Craig rubbed his hands together. "I'm going to check the other language files from the common room."

  "Maybe we should postpone the next jump until we know what we're getting into?" Everyone looked at Cooley.

  Landry nodded. "That's a good idea. Don't engage the conduit until we have a plan in place."

  "How do you know these are in order?" Landry sifted through the communications data Talia and Craig had worked on for the last two days.

  "We used a standard degradations algorithm to determine the rate of wave separation based on our current distance from Orek. As long as the messages originated on Orek we are good to go. If they originated elsewhere, we have no way of giving them a time stamp."