Owen looked across the empty garage. He put an arm around Esme’s shoulders, then walked with her to his car.
She leaned into him as they walked, favoring her burned leg. “It was right to tell them.”
“Yeah, I think so too.”
She tried not to nag, but… “Will you make this public?”
“I’m not sure that’s wise, given current circumstances. The alterni endi have been a secret so long… I need to discuss this with someone wiser than myself before I break centuries of tradition.” He kissed the top of her head. “But we’ll figure out what the right move is.”
She frowned. “That was odd, how the crustacox avoided killing you.”
“Yeah… Do you think I’m right about why?”
She nodded against his arm.
Owen sighed. “It’s a weird kind of war when the enemy doesn’t want to kill you.”
Esme smiled against his side. “Can’t say I’m upset about it. If they don’t attack you in battle, that saves me the trouble of having to rescue you.”
He laughed.
They reached his car, and Owen let her out from under his arm as they parted to climb inside. Once the doors shut, Esme shivered and fought the urge to touch her thigh’s burn. Owen noticed this and started the car so she could turn up her heated seat.
“Should we go upstairs and have a healer look at your leg?”
“No, it’ll be fine.” Esme fought a yawn. “Let’s go home. Or… Uh…” She looked at him awkwardly. “I don’t mean I expect to go home with you…or you to go home with me. If you want me to call someone to take me to my house while you go to yours…”
Owen let out an overdramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. “No, I’ll drive you myself. Thaddeus is still visiting his mom in Texas, remember? I’m stuck as your chauffeur.” He started the car.
“Or you could let me drive myself. You owe me a car, remember?”
Owen smiled as he pulled out of the parking space. “I don’t mind. Besides, I’m crashing at your place while your bodyguard is away. Now more than ever, I’m keeping an eye on you. If you sense a rift opening, I want to be right there so we can get a jump on the malevolenci.”
She sighed. “So romantic.”
Owen grinned and drove up the parking ramp.
Esme wiggled down in her seat and was glad for the heat now creeping into her body. She looked out her window at the lights of downtown Kansas City. Unlike in New York, almost no one was on the streets at this hour.
“Sorry to cancel our Europe trip,” said Owen as he drove. “I know you were looking forward to it, even if we would’ve been closing rifts and hunting malevolenci nonstop.”
“My disappointment doesn’t matter. We need to stay. There’s plenty to deal with here.”
We have more than ever to deal with here. My magic… The malevolenci… Pacifying the paranormals so they don’t rebel with the worst timing ever…
She sighed, sure she was getting a stress headache but also sure there was little time for rest. “Do you think your mom will have any great ideas?”
“I hope so.” He turned on a different road, the streetlights drifting up his arms but blinking away as he drove onto a darker street. “At the very least, Mom could step in with the paranormals if we’re too busy.”
Esme saw they were nearing her street. “Does she know the full truth?”
“Yeah. I told her you were my alterni endi right after you read the Chronicle. She already knew about alterni endi because my dad told her about the Oath of Kings long before I swore to it. I’ll catch her up on tonight’s events, but she basically knows what we’re facing.”
Esme frowned out her window.
Poor woman. What would it be like to live every day knowing your husband might have to kill himself to save the world? And then to know your son has taken the same Oath…
“I got in touch with my mom before we went to the rift. We made a tea date for tomorrow. She’s expecting us around three.”
Esme’s head whipped around. “She’s expecting us?”
“Well, yeah. She wants to meet you.” Owen pulled into Esme’s driveway and turned off the car. He looked at her like he hadn’t realized this would be a problem. “Is that okay?”
Esme stuttered a response. “Uh, I guess so.”
“Good.” Owen gave her a side smile and opened his door. “Let’s make sure Bethy didn’t burn down the house.” With that, he climbed out.
Esme sat for a second longer in the car, then shook her head at herself and climbed out.
Tomorrow I meet the queen mother. Why am I so nervous? It’s just Owen’s mom…which is maybe why I’m so nervous. Come on, alterni. You’ve killed a freakin’ bentaforx! You can meet your boyfriend’s mom.
She joined Owen on the stoop and entered her code to unlock the door.
Mirth Lord’s estate wasn’t far off from what Esme had imagined. Somewhere between a cottage and a mansion, the large home sat back on a few acres, fenced in, with a wide gate across the driveway. Owen led her and Hakim from the car, and he made no ceremony as he stepped onto the footpath that ran to the front door.
It was a rainy fall day, but Esme paused and looked up at the house. She took a moment to straighten her lacy black shirt and fashionable belt hidden under the long coat she’d borrowed from Lexi.
Hakim, dressed once again in one of his usual suits, stopped beside her with a knowing grin. “Nervous to meet the queen mother?”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Well, I was the one who introduced you to the king, remember? I know you get flustered around royalty.”
She took a breath and started walking again.
“Relax. I grew up hanging out at this house. Mirth is a trip. If we’re lucky – and we will be because, you know, jinn – she’ll have my favorite biscuits.”
Owen reached the door and didn’t bother knocking before entering the house. Esme followed, stepping into a foyer. They took off their coats and hung them on an antique rack against the nearest wall, and Esme smoothed her bicolored hair, feeling at ease as she looked around.
The foyer’s floor was warm wood, and in the center of the room lay a rectangular rug under a round table, a sparkling chandelier dangling above it. The walls were painted a warm yellow hue, and crown molding matched the wood of the floor. A set of French doors on the far wall led out to a patio. To their left, wooden steps led upstairs. To their right, a wide opening led into a formal dining room.
Well, at least there’s not a suit of armor standing in the corner.
“Mom?” called Owen as he headed toward the room to the right.
Hakim gently pushed Esme ahead, and they walked through the dining room into a hall with skylights.
“In here!” called a woman’s British accent. “I’m setting out the biscuits Hakim likes!”
Hakim fist-pumped and hurried up the hall. When he turned into the light of an open door, he smiled. “Hello, ma’am! You look wonderful!”
Owen waited for Esme, gave her an encouraging smile, and led her into the room.
Esme was again surprised by the normalcy of this house. This narrow sitting room held windows looking out to a back garden. A bookshelf stood at one end, and the other opened into the kitchen. A small round table surrounded by chairs waited in the middle. An old tea set on a tray sat on the table, and two smaller plates held cookies and other treats.
Mirth herself was a lovely older woman, her white hair swept back and bouncy around her high cheekbones. Her eyes were the blue hue that Esme had learned suggested elven blood somewhere in her ancestry, but she was in every other way a normal, thin, elegant human woman. She wore flowing trousers and a blouse that looked fashionable and expensive.
The queen mother greeted her son with a warm hug and kiss on the cheek. She snagged Hakim before he could sit and did the same to him, causing him to laugh before feigning a blush.
Esme shuffled from foot to foot and smiled as the woman turned to her. “Hello…ma’am.
”
“Oh, call me Mirth. Hakim’s the only one who calls me ma’am, and that’s only because he was scared of me as a boy.”
Hakim sat in a chair and shoved a cookie in his mouth, then shrugged at Esme with a grin.
Mirth extended a hand to shake with Esme. “Welcome, my dear. We have much to discuss.” She looked down at Esme’s hand she was shaking. “Your castorcas are beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Esme held out both hands and turned them to show the tops and bottoms of the castorcas. “They’re pretty, but they make it hard to eat Marybeth’s barbecue.”
Mirth chuckled before waving to the table. “Do have a seat. Esme, how do you like your tea?”
Esme froze as she sat between Owen and the queen mother. “Uh…poured?”
Hakim snorted his cookie.
“Thanks, Mom. I’ve got it.” Owen reached for the teapot and got to work, saving Esme. “So how was Italy?”
“Charming as always.” Mirth crossed her legs and rested a manicured hand on the table. “We acquired over eight hundred artifacts for the museum. I added a few from my own collection in London. We should be ready to open within a month. I’ll have to go back a few more times, but I’m pleased with the direction we’re headed.”
Esme took a sip of her tea and felt calmed by the warmth. “I’ve read about your archeological adventures. The discovery of the first troll bridge constructed in this world sounded particularly interesting.”
“Yes, that was a fun one.” Mirth smiled in memory. “I’ve studied Order history all my life. Our kitchen sink society of paranormals is fascinating, don’t you think?”
“I do.” Esme summoned courage and said, “In fact, when I heard about your paranormal studies, I decided to launch my own investigation. I’m been interviewing paranormals for months about their culture, their history. It’s fascinating, like you say.”
And hopefully useful.
Hakim rolled his eyes. “Kiss-ass.”
Esme sent him a half-hearted glare. “Well, you were the first to tell me about Mrs. Lord’s background. I’m not the only one who admires her.” She made a face and looked back at the queen. “Okay, yeah, that sounded kiss-ass-y. I just mean, I’ve always heard good things about you from the paranormals. My guess is they respect you because of the interest you’ve shown in them. I’m trying to follow your example in that way, although I’ve got a lot to learn compared to your experience.”
“If what I hear of your memory is true, I’m sure someday you’ll be far more educated than I.” Mirth studied Esme a moment with a faint smile. Then she took a sip of tea and nodded. “But I’m proud of my accomplishments. My pursuit of paranormal history has taken me all over the globe. I daresay I know almost as much as Roman. In fact, he seemed quite impressed with a few of the artifacts I’d acquired for the museum.”
Owen set down his tea, making a face that suggested he wouldn’t be taking another sip. “You saw Roman in Italy?”
“Yes, he came to oversee a conjuri competition at the Roman Academy.” Mirth winked at Esme. “Named for the city, not the man. Although I imagine Roman would be happy for everyone to think otherwise.”
Esme grinned.
“Anyway, Roman and I didn’t spend much time together. I asked him if he knew anything more about our dear girl’s predicament–” here she motioned toward Esme “–but of course he always was a secretive old cuss.”
“Yeah…” Owen cleared his throat and glanced at Esme. “About those secrets, Mom.” Quickly he explained what had happened the night before and what he’d told their cavali team. He finished with, “Benja made a good point that knowing the truth might unite the paranormals, but I’m not sure.”
Mirth thought for a moment. “Well, this is a development.”
Hakim snuck another cookie and looked from mother to son and back again.
Owen took a breath. “When we spoke on the phone, you said you’d be willing to meet with the paranormals while I’m busy fighting malevolenci. If we tell them the truth, that’ll make things a bit more complicated.”
Hakim made a face. “To say the least.”
Owen ran a hand through his hair, then gestured toward Esme. “We’ve spent all morning debating, but I can’t decide what to do.”
Well, thought Esme with a small smile, we spent all morning debating once I got off the phone with Lexi. That wasn’t exactly a quick conversation. Thank the gods Lexi was understanding, though.
Owen let out a huff. “Our meeting with the paranormals is tonight. Should we keep them ignorant of how screwed we are? I don’t know if the truth would make things better or worse.”
Mirth shrugged like they weren’t discussing the fate of the worlds. “I suggest you meet with the paranormals and test the waters. Feel them out. If the right moment comes, then tell them.”
Owen muttered under his breath, “Damn hippie.”
Mirth smirked at her son. “But I will go with you tonight, if you like. I’ll try to wiggle my way back into a position of importance, politically speaking. You’ll need your space, and I agree that your focus should be on fighting the malevolenci and keeping our alterni endi alive.” She smiled at Esme. “And you need to stay sharp if you’ve any hope of finding a way to stop the demons for good.”
Esme sighed and leaned an elbow on the table, forgetting her earlier attempts to be prim. “Can you think of anything to help us? I’ve memorized so many volumes of the Chronicles of Kings that it’s dizzying. And now the Chronicle of Alterni Endi. I’ve talked to dozens of paranormals and learned about their worlds. But so far nothing’s shown me anything useful about how to win this war.”
Mirth looked interested. “What would help? What are you looking for?”
“Well, I’m starting to wonder how the malevolenci access the alt-worlds when no one else can. No one in my world could travel to other worlds. The werewolves in their home world couldn’t either. Same with the vampires, the fairies, the nymphs – everyone. Even here, the conjuri’s summono spell brings people but can’t send them anywhere except straight back home.”
Mirth nodded in understanding. “You’re trying to uncover how the malevolenci are different because you think that might show you how to stop them.”
“Yes. If I can find out more about the malevolenci, I might learn a way to use this world’s creation magic to stop them.”
“Creation magic…” Mirth’s gaze drifted around with her thoughts.
“It’s a term Ada found in the elven histories,” Esme started to explain. “I only read it yesterday. It’s what an alterni’s magic–”
“Yes, I’ve heard the term.” Mirth looked back at Esme and, apparently seeing the confusion on Owen and Hakim’s faces, explained to the younger men. “Creation magic is the highest level of magical control someone can have. It means an alterni can make up spells of their own, creating new displays of magic that no native has the ability to replicate. All alterni have some use of creation magic, but only the origini and alterni endi can wield creation magic at its full strength. I’ve never understood that part – it seems to me we natives should be gifted with our own world’s magic. However, it’s always been true that the alterni connect with our magic best. And the origini and alterni endi are connected most.”
Esme blinked. “You sound so certain. How do you know all this? I’ve never read anything about creation magic and… Well, no offense, ma’am, but I’m pretty sure my memory is better than yours.”
Mirth chuckled. “Yes, but you can’t remember what you’ve never had access to, my dear.”
“So…”
“I’ve never read about creation magic. I know of it because I was told about it.” Mirth looked directly at Owen. “Trent Simons told me.”
Owen’s eyes widened. “Uncle Trent?”
Mirth nodded, a sad smile on her lovely face. “Trent and your father were close, and I had the privilege of being a third wheel during many of their conversations. After their battles, the three of us would often
sit in this very room – with refreshments stronger than tea, I’ll confess – and theorize on all kinds of things. Trent…” Her gaze hovered on the teapot. “He knew so much. His magic was unlike anything I’d ever seen. ‘Creation magic,’ he called it. Trent studied in that library for days at a time. As the years went on, it became clear that he knew more than any of us. I’d sit here and discuss Order history with him almost every day, and then he and Daniel rode off and fought malevolenci at night. He knew far more than I ever did about our world’s magic. He knew more than Roman, I always suspected.”
Esme tried not to get too excited. “Did Trent tell you anything that could help me wield creation magic better?”
“No, dear. I’m sorry, but I’ve never been any good at magic myself, so I don’t think Trent saw any point in teaching me about it. I doubt I know anything to add to whatever you’ve learned in the Chronicles of Alterni Endi.”
Esme nodded.
Under the table, Owen rested his hand on Esme’s knee for comfort.
They sat for a moment in silence, each in their own thoughts.
Finally, Hakim took another biscuit. “Well, good thing Esme’s amazing. If anyone can use this super-powerful magic, it’s her. But what is she supposed to do with it?”
Owen looked at his mother. “Did Trent ever think he could defeat the malevolenci? End the war?”
“If he knew so much about our magic,” Esme thought aloud, “then he must’ve used it in his own unique ways against the demons.” She had another thought and let out a huff. “Too bad there’s not a Chronicle of Origini, if their magic is as strong as the alterni endi magic. I bet some of them came up with helpful spells too. Maybe they knew more than the Master Conjuri recorded in the Chronicles of Kings.”
Mirth nodded in thought. “Trent spoke passionately about this war. He was fully committed to fighting the malevolenci with everything he had. But I always suspected he hid something he wouldn’t share with Daniel or me.” She faced Owen. “I remember, toward the end of your father’s life, you and I and Trent were at Daniel’s bedside in the Capiti. Do you remember that? I know you were young.”
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