Fabien continued to search for the assigned location to hide the crystal, one that would catch the magic as well as remain undiscovered.
“Here,” Gibbs said as he knelt beside a tree and cleared a hole for the rock. Fabien dropped the crystal inside, and they covered the rock with loose foliage.
“Where next?” Fabien asked as they stood.
Gibbs reviewed the map, held up the location, and they teleported out.
*
Shiff and Marielle landed at their fourth location just outside a small town called Brieland. It lay along a fast moving river that flowed through Amborix. The sound of water crashing against the shore roared in their ears.
Marielle glanced around the tree. The village might be small, but the bar was buzzing. Lights illuminated a large swatch of land surrounding the small building, and the street corner glowed. Music wafted to them.
“This is awfully close,” Marielle commented. Her eyes darted across the landscape, through the trees, into the small village. Her ears perked up as sounds cracked in the forest. She jumped.
“Lial is good. We should be safe. You look out. I’m going to find the hiding spot.” Shiff walked along the trees where Lial had marked for the crystal; his flashlight illuminated the ground, the crevices, the holes.
Another pop echoed in the otherwise silent forest. Marielle trekked toward the sound without benefit of a flashlight. Her eyes took some time to adjust to the darkness inside the trees.
“Hey, baby,” a man said.
Marielle jumped.
The man, with an accent she couldn’t ascertain, leaned against the rough bark. She reached for her flashlight and let the strong light blind his eyes. She noticed a large vomit stain down the bark. Marielle grimaced at the stench that blew to her on the breeze.
“You really shouldn’t be here,” Marielle warned.
This tourist left the security of the tree and tripped against her. She could smell him more clearly.
“Ugh. Awful,” she whispered and pushed the drunken man from her. He stumbled backwards and reached out for a low-hanging branch. He missed and fell.
Without waiting, Marielle held her palms toward him, casting a jinx. Though too drunk to notice the stink, he wasn’t too wasted to be affected by the spell. He quickly rose and ambled through the trees back to the bar.
“You’re right. That was close,” whispered Shiff. “Let’s go.” They teleported to their next location, an unseen man watching them disappear into thin air.
*
Brite and Roland trekked along the border, not just between countries, but between the forest and a hunting preserve. Since it was midnight, they felt it would be safe to wander the forest.
Their flashlights roamed across the trees and along the ground in the area where the crystal needed to be placed. It was heavy with foliage and scattered pine needles.
“There.” Brite pointed and began to clear away enough dead foliage to hide the crystal from anyone who might be traipsing across the landscape.
SNAP!
“Fuck!” he screamed. His hand caught in a trap. Blood spurted from the vein, covering his shirt and jacket in warm, sticky blood. He tried to stand but fell back to the ground, dizzy and lightheaded.
“Shit!” screamed Roland as he examined the metal trap that had hold of Brite’s arms. “I can’t remove this. You’ll bleed out,” he shouted. He reached under Brite’s arms. “I’ll get you to France. Hold on. This will hurt,” he warned.
Brite dropped the crystal as Roland lifted them off and headed back to the Eiffel Tower.
*
“Damn it!” Annie shouted as she read the text from Roland. She paced beside the fire, unable to feel the warmth. Another gust of wind carried across the mountaintop. She shuttered.
And now this!
“What?” Spencer asked, worry lining his face. The operation was not going as smoothly as they had hoped.
“Brite caught his hand in an animal trap. They’re heading to France.”
“If they didn’t drop that one, they’re a few short,” Lial said and sighed as he watched the map. “Never mind. He did drop it,” he added a moment later.
Annie texted Cham with the news. She hadn’t lost a step as she wound herself around the fire. She couldn’t help but glance into the darkness, outside the perimeter of the firelight. She waited the sound of air as it popped, as it was pushed from the space it was in and replaced by a human body.
She wished she could run to him, to have him tell her it would be okay. But for now, just seeing him would have to be enough.
“Where’s their list?” Cham asked.
Lial, cold and cramped up, handed Cham his list. Cham was barely able to hold it against the wind. “They had two more to place,” Lial said.
Cham perused the list with Jory. “Okay. This is easy enough. Any extra crystals?”
“We have extras.” Annie summoned them from her field pack.
“Lial, give Spencer your notes, the map whatever you have. You go with Jory and finish for Brite and Roland. I’m heading back to France. I want to make sure Brite’s taken care of. Has anyone finished?” Cham asked.
Lial reviewed the notes. “Gibbs and Fabien are already back in France. Marielle and Shiff are on their last one. Phillipe and Marcus started late—they should have about five left.” Lial said.
“When Shiff is, done, tell him what happened. Get Phillipe and Marcus here to Mt. Rinehur to help with the spell. You have the memory story from Graham?” Cham asked Annie.
“Yes,” she said and patted the pocket of her jacket.
“When you finish, get the hell out of here.” Cham kissed her with a quick peck on the cheek, took a step backwards, and teleported away. The rush of air boomed as the air took up residence where Cham just stood.
“Okay. Annie, if you need anything when we’re done, let me know,” Lial said. He glanced back at the map before he and Jory dematerialized in the wind.
“This isn’t going as well as we hoped,” Guenther commented. He watched Annie causally.
“No. It’s not. I hope Brite’s okay.” She continued to pace along the fire. The wind blew in rapid gusts, and with it went the heat. She shivered.
“Good news! The Amborix team is fast. Two left,” Spencer announced.
“We should be quick. It’s our home, and it’s small,” Guenther said with a softness to his voice. He hadn’t stopped watching Annie. She felt his stare, though there was nothing angry or menacing in his look. He finally glanced away when two blurry visions simultaneously landed beside him.
“It went smoothly,” Phillipe said.
“Not so much for the Americans,” Guenther put in as he explained the injury.
“That is a shame. It’s quite illegal for someone to leave a trap like that. I hope he is okay. Shall we finish for them?” Marcus asked.
“No. We’re good. I need you here for the spell. We’re now short,” Annie said quickly as she read her phone, which was buzzing nonstop. “The queen’s medical records were adjusted. She now died of an undiscovered heart ailment.” She absently touched her pocket that held the memory modification story.
“And the rest of the crystals have been laid. Everyone is back in France,” Spencer said. He reduced the fire to only ashes with a wave of his palm and continued until nothing was left, until their presence was removed from the mountaintop.
“Ready, Annie?” Guenther asked as she sat in the dead grasses. She summoned the memory potion and poured it on the blue crystal laying in the palm of her left hand.
“I’m ready,” she said. Phillipe, Marcus, Guenther, and Spencer sat around Annie in a circle. She placed her right hand over the crystal and chanted the spell:
Spirits of the wizards in this sacred place
Remake the memories
To save what is dear
Take all memories of this memory maker here.
A spark flew from her hand, lighting the rock. In turn, hot, bright light burst from the crystal
and flew through the air as it searched for the hidden crystals placed along the border of Amborix. Light raced across the countryside, blanketing Amborix in magic. Annie glanced up and for a moment was truly in awe of the magic she had carried in herself for her entire life.
Without wasting any more time, Annie quickly remade history.
Queen Catriona Maxillian of the Royal Family of Amborix has died in her sleep due to a heart defect that she had lived with her entire life. The military has been stationed at the palace to keep the citizenry calm in the face of this devastating loss to Amborix. The royal family is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes of the people of Amborix. It is at this time that the royal family wishes for privacy, as they are still mourning the death of their beloved Princess Amelie and now are mourning the loss of their beloved queen.
Annie held on long enough to complete the story. When she had told all that she needed to, her hands went limp, and the stone fell to the ground. Spencer caught Annie as she fell into him, exhausted from expending so much magical energy. She shook in his arms.
“Queen Catriona’s medical records reflect this?” Guenther asked.
“Our Vampire Attack Unit just completed that part of the modification. She’s had the heart defect since birth,” Spencer said.
Dizziness overtook Annie; the world spun wildly. She closed her eyes as the wind continued to batter them.
“Smart choice,” Guenther said. He knelt beside Annie, handing her a small box. “This is for you. Eat when you get back to France. Restore your strength.”
She placed the box in her pocket and smiled. “Thanks,” she whispered. She leaned against Spencer as he helped her stand.
“Thanks again for your assist with the magic. We have underestimated your Wizard Guard unit. We apologize for the trouble we caused.” Guenther bowed his head slightly.
“I’m glad we could resolve this together,” Annie murmured. She shook as the wind rushed against her petite frame.
“Please keep me apprised of our other conversation.” Guenther wrapped his arms around Annie and kissed both cheeks. He nodded to the group and teleported from the mountain.
“We should leave, too. Please let us know how we can help with anything else,” Marcus offered.
Annie gave both of her counterparts warm hugs. They exchanged handshakes with Spencer before heading back to their homes.
“Well, that’s that,” Spencer said. He left Annie to rest against the large rock as he cleared the mountaintop of their footprints and the remains of the fire until the area looked pristine and uninhabited.
“Okay, my brave partner. It’s time to go.” He picked her up, and she leaned into his grasp as he teleported her to France.
Chapter 29
“It’s done,” Annie said as she gingerly walked through the empty Wizard Hall. Her phone crackled underground, Ryan seemed so far away. She ran her fingers through her windblown hair.
“And Guenther?” Ryan asked on the other end of the phone. Annie bit her lip as she pulled her tangled hair apart, winding several strands around her fingers.
“He thanked me for our help.” Annie glanced behind her and stared at the metal rod hanging from the ceiling at the center of Wizard Hall, so old it was nearly black.
Should I tell Ryan what they want us to do?
“As relieved as I am, I’m somewhat surprised,” Ryan said.
“Are you going to fix this relationship with France or let it be?” Annie asked as she stepped into the hall leading to the hospital wing.
It would be simple enough to do.
Annie thought about Marielle, Jory, and Roland, who had offered her a plan that could potentially relieve the tension between the French and American Wizard Guards.
“We’ll see. For now, I’d rather not think about them or Amelie or the royal family or this case,” Ryan sighed.
Annie’s footsteps clacked against the cement floor. The dingy walls and dim grayish light seemed anything but comforting and safe.
“I think that can be arranged. If there’s nothing else, I need to check on Brite,” she said, reaching for the solid metal door. Though it was painted white, it was covered in thick scuff marks, where the door had been kicked in more than once. Annie pushed the doors open and entered the hospital. Bright fluorescent lights, burned her eyes. She squinted as she came to the empty reception desk.
“Go do that. I’m glad it’s done and you’re okay. Keep me posted on the next step when you get a chance,” Ryan ordered.
“Will do,” Annie said as she headed down the hallway for Brite’s room.
*
“Hey.” Annie was the last in to see Brite. He wasn’t alone; his longtime Wizard Guard partner, Shiff, was sitting in a hard chair beside him. “How’s he doing?” she asked and reached for Brite’s good hand.
“He’s heavily medicated,” Shiff said. “I’m taking him home in the morning. It looks like it’ll require surgery, and I’d rather it happens at home.” His face was drawn, and his eyes crinkled with worry.
Brite’s eyes fluttered open. “Hey, Annie.” His voice had a dreamy, sleepy quality about it.
“I’m glad you’re safe. You had me worried,” Annie said. She moved her hand to his upper arm. It twitched and shook.
“Good meds,” he murmured with slurred speech. He smiled with a light, goofy grin.
“I’m glad for your help, always. I just wanted you to know.”
“Just doing my job…” He let out air and his smile waned. Brite’s eyes flickered closed. His breathing steady, he fell into a deep sleep.
Annie kissed his cheek.
“You staying the night?” Annie asked Shiff.
“Yeah. I’ll keep you posted. Let me know if there’s anything you need from me,” he said.
“You’re off the clock. Try to get some sleep.” Annie touched his arm and headed back to Wizard Hall.
*
“Any changes?” Cham asked when Annie entered the conference room.
“Sleeping. Shiff’s staying with him. He’ll bring him home tomorrow.”
Tension seeped into Annie’s muscles. All she wanted at that moment was to lose herself in Cham. She wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled into his curly hair, mussed from constantly running his hands through it.
He always does that when he’s stressed.
Cham pulled her into his arms and down to his lap. She rested against his chest and listened to his heart beat.
“It’s quiet. Is anyone still here?” she questioned.
“Gibbs, Lial, and I. Spencer’s going home as soon as he talks to you. I have no problem with him going home to the family.”
“You’re the boss,” she murmured and closed her eyes.
Spencer, suited up and ready to return home, entered the room, looking anxious. “You sure it’s okay for me to leave? I don’t have to go.”
“Go home. Shiff’s staying. We’re staying. It’ll be fine,” Annie said.
“I don’t want to leave my partner to clean up the rest of the mess.” He smiled wanly as if trying to make a joke, but he was just as tired as she was.
“Spencer. Go home. Be with Melinda and the boys. You were shot. We have this,” Annie said.
“You were injured too,” he reminded her.
“Your wife is pregnant. Go.” She kissed his cheek and touched his arm. “Go,” she said again.
“If you need me—” Spencer began.
“We’ll manage.” Annie smiled and watched him walked from the room.
*
A small bunk room was housed at the end of a little-used, darkened hallway. It was so old that whichever electric lights still worked could only buzz and flicker as they struggled to light the narrow passage.
It’s claustrophobic down here.
As Annie and Cham passed the paint-chipped walls stained with something she didn’t want to know about, she took out her flashlight and followed the path to the small room with only two single beds. Her remaining team—Gibbs, Lial, a
nd Shiff—filled the crowded space.
Gibbs and Lial, unfazed by the cramped quarters, rolled out sleeping bags and lay out on the floor. While Gibbs broke into his food; Lial put his arm across his face and closed his eyes for much-needed rest.
“He’s still okay?” Annie asked Shiff. He tapped his foot on the floor. The cot squeaked.
“Yeah. I need to get back, though. What do you have for us?” Shiff fidgeted on the bed.
Cham placed his hand on the wall. Light flew from his hands and flashed across the walls, enveloping them in the hazy perimeter of the muffle spell.
When it was certain the spell blocked their conversation from being heard, Gibbs asked, “Plan?” He took a bite of a sandwich.
“The memory modification spell,” Annie said. Summoning her field pack, she tossed it on the bed and searched inside for a crisp apple. They hadn’t yet discussed the possibility of it or the consequences of performing it.
“It’s not illegal,” Gibbs asked.
Annie shrugged. “That’s not my issue. Why would you, a wizard guard, give permission to another Wizard Guard unit to wipe your memory? Yeah I admit, it would make this all go away. While it’s not illegal, it is unethical, don’t you think?”
“That guard, Roland? He suggested it,” Gibbs reiterated before taking a bite of his sandwich.
Annie strode across the small room and turned. “They do it. They admitted they control the masses.”
“Have we ever done this?” Shiff asked. He glanced at his watch, anxious to return to his partner.
“No. No one ever thought to do that. We only perform the spell when it’s a matter of security, or to limit our exposure risk,” Annie said. “I don’t feel comfortable with this at all,” she admitted and laid her apple on a napkin. She was no longer hungry.
“Say we do this,” Lial said. “We wipe their memories of us, Bucky removes the tapes, Graham removes the files. What’s really the harm?”
“Do we want to set this precedent?” Gibbs answered with a question.
“Marielle doesn’t know I’m uncomfortable with it, though I’ve ignored the situation as best I can.” Annie glanced at her phone. An email from Marielle asking if they should be there early in the morning to perform the spell. “She’s asking again. Left me a text message.”
Wizard War Page 27