What the hell was that? Becca spoke in her mind.
Elizabeth was happy to hear her sister’s voice. They hadn’t checked in for a while, and Elizabeth didn’t want to crowd her. Sorry. I needed to get the attention of some bickering wizards and Caleb.
I’m glad to see you’re putting them in their place, but are you okay? I’ve never felt that from you. Was it a vision?
I’m not sure what it is, but I feel great. I’ll talk to you tonight.
Elizabeth needed to focus on the others staring at her in shock. Caleb reached out towards her, but Andre shook his head. Were they scared of her? Maybe she wasn’t so little anymore.
“I want to learn how to use my magic,” she told them.
“Of course, child.” Richard tilted his head and reached out a hand to her. A warm magic soothed her nerves and she wondered what he was doing. After a moment he pulled back and turned to Andre. “Has no one taught her?”
Andre, for the first time ever, looked almost ashamed. “She was weak, broken when she came to us. We were letting her recover.”
Richard made a dismissive noise. “If there is going to be a war, Andre, this child may be your greatest weapon.”
Night had fallen, and Andre determined it would be best to stay until morning. Caleb didn’t like the idea of staying in this house and doubted he could let his guard down enough to fall asleep. But after Elizabeth’s outburst of magic, they knew she needed her rest. Richard had the most experience with seers, so if anyone could assist Elizabeth with her magic, it would be him.
Caleb sat on the back porch, in that same swing they found Richard in. Caleb couldn’t understand what Richard saw with this view. The dead overgrowth from winter was never cut back. Spring fought to find a hold, but so far only the weeds were able to work their way through the skeletal remains.
Nikki stepped out on the porch. “Care if I join you?”
“Of course not.” He scooted over, making room for her on the swing.
“Thanks. Elizabeth is asleep, but Richard and my dad started drinking and telling stories from the olden days.”
“That must be entertaining.”
She shrugged. “Maybe, if I didn’t find it so depressing. Back during the takeover, Richard thought he was ushering in a new world, a better world. One where people could be healed with magic, where crops could be grown in abundance, and hunger ended. Where magic would aid humanity and lift them to a higher level.”
“He was naive,” Caleb said. “Magicians stopped looking at people like people. They were a different race, an inferior race. One that was only there to fuel their cause.”
“Not all magicians.” She slipped her hands into his, proving him wrong.
He held on tight, despite the fact he told himself he shouldn’t. His heart had been beyond broken. Even though the hurt had lessened throughout the last few months, he still woke to the pain of his parents’ death every morning. When he thought for a time there was hope of rebuilding his family with Becca, she made it clear they were only friends. At the time her choice hurt like hell, but then he had been clinging onto the image of Becca as a young woman. The more he saw her for the woman she was, he realized she made the right choice. They would always be family, including Elizabeth, in the non-romantic sense of the word.
Now here was Nikki, someone offering everything he always wanted in a woman. Yet he didn’t know if his heart could handle it. She had made it more than obvious what she wanted over the last few months, but he’d used caution, unsure of the right course. Back at the docks he had proven that he couldn’t protect her like she deserved, and he couldn’t stand to see her hurt.
He rubbed the top of her thumb. “You know we’re heading into scary territory?”
She smiled in return. “We’re holding hands, not running away to get married.”
“I meant this.” He gestured to the house. “We’re heading into war. One we may not win.”
“And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have on my side.”
“A Mundane who can’t protect you?”
She squeezed his hand. “A Mundane fighting by my side for a better world.”
“I don’t know if I can do this right.” He loved having her near him, but he couldn’t defend her, not like he should be able to. Not having magic, he worked twice as hard all the time, just to stay above water. Every time he went up against a magician, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t end up dead or someone’s demon pet.
She turned to look out in the dark beyond. “I’m just as scared as you, but I’m not willing to put my life on hold. We’re fighting for the right. The right to love, to live, and to be who we want. And I want you.”
He watched her profile. How could someone so strong, so beautiful, want him? Maybe she was right. Maybe he should stop fearing what could happen and let something happen.
Chapter Eighty-Three
Talking to the captain hadn’t been as easy as they expected. Kai, the captain’s runner, said he was busy. Darion had other ideas of what that meant. At lunch they cornered Bastian, but he didn’t believe them about the magic and told them to get their lazy asses back to work and stop making complaints. Darion buried his frustration, not willing to fight about it with Navina near. By the time they headed in for the night, he could feel Becca’s frustration building as well.
When Navina headed into the shower, Darion stepped up behind Becca and rubbed the knots in her shoulders. They worked twice as hard to finish double the work. He didn’t like her tired either, not with another magician on board.
A small moan of pleasure escaped Becca, and she relaxed under his hands. After a few minutes, she finally asked. “What’s our next step? I was thinking we head off ship before they dock, maybe. We can float into shore.”
“That’s assuming they don’t notice us overboard and shoot us out of the water.”
“Then what?”
“I’m going out tonight to confront him.” Darion prayed she’d just let him go but should have known better.
She turned, that fighting spirit that he loved flaring in her eyes. “Not without me. We’re stronger together.”
“And that leaves Navina unprotected.”
“I’ll go, and you protect the girl.” She really wasn’t backing down without a fight. He loved her stubbornness but not when it was used against him.
“They think I’m the strongest magician, they’ll go after me first. They will underestimate your powers, and they think the girl is a Mundane. You two have a better chance escaping without me.”
Becca gritted her teeth. “But you know I won’t leave without you.”
“If we get separated meet me in Belize. It’s a big town, easy to hide in.”
“If it’s so big, how can we find each other?”
“We’ll meet at the port.” He reached for her hand. Her rigid form meant she wasn’t happy about his decision but wasn’t fighting it anymore. “This is all ‘what if’. I hope to knock out this two-bit magician for stealing my magic. Maybe someone will go overboard tonight.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. It ignited something deep within, a desire to have her by his side forever. But he had to make things safe first. “If I’m not back, head off in the boat a few hours before dawn. That will give you a head start.”
“How could a simple boat ride cause so many problems?” She asked, worry heavy on her face.
“With you, nothing is ever simple,” he teased, placing one last kiss on her forehead.
“Make it back, or I’ll be forced to hurt you.” Her threats took on a form of affection in Darion’s mind.
“I will.” And with one final look, he headed out the door. He had never figured out how one girl, a supposed Mundane at first, had infected him so completely. Even when they were apart, he had never forgotten her sarcastic smirk or the joy of getting under her temper. Ever since they had combined magic when saving her sister, things had never
been the same. When together, he could feel her magic in every recess of his being. It was addictive. Her taste and smell. The fact they hadn’t been truly alone had been frustrating, but not as much as being apart from her.
He continued down the hall and down the stairs to the lower level. Most of the crew was in for the night, hence the quiet. This ship had a small crew, just enough to run the boat and load and unload the containers. Darion figured the best place to start was their work site. If the magician hit it once, what’s to stop him from doing it again? And the only time available would be meals or at night.
With all the main lights off, Darion conjured a small flame that hovered over his hand and silently prowled the lower level. As he approached the hull, he found the magic was intact. Huh? He reached out to touch the warm metal. Maybe this was all in his head? Maybe his own spell dissipated magic somehow.
Then what about Liz’s vision? There was some reason someone wanted them off this boat. And since they didn’t know anyone on the ship, why would someone not want them here? Simple job, simple passage. Something wasn’t adding up.
As he started to turn around, something out of the corner of his eye struck out. Before he could counter, the world spun into darkness.
After a shower, Becca put her clothes back on, silently pacing the small confines of their quarters. She didn’t like Darion going out on his own. Hours had passed through the night while Becca recited all the spells that she had learned in the past six months. If she remembered enough, fought hard enough, maybe they would get off this boat in one piece.
“You know it’s hard for a growing kid to get sleep, with you worrying so loudly.” Navina sounded groggy.
Becca stopped to stare at the girl. “Worrying loudly?”
“Yeah that’s a thing. Trust me.” She pushed up on one elbow, rubbing the sleep out of her face. “My mom perfected it when she left my dad.”
“Sorry, kid. Go back to sleep.”
“Darion still gone?”
“Yeah.” Becca slapped her mattress. “Gods above and below. Sometimes I just want to strangle him.”
“That must be a code for something ten-year-olds can’t hear.”
“No, right now it’s just strangling for making me worry so much.”
The girl pushed up, her pony tails still damp from her shower. “Then let’s go get him.”
Becca shook her head. “No. It doesn’t work like that. I have to get you to the shore safely.”
“You will, but we aren’t leaving without him either.”
Knowing the girl was right didn’t help things. Becca had to take care of Navina, not put her in danger. In the world today, everything was dangerous it seemed. Where did you draw that line?
“Okay. Let’s see if we can ask around or find anything. But you have to promise me something.”
“What?” With the promise of an adventure, Navina had perked considerably and jumped out of bed.
“When I tell you to go, you go. We should be hitting land soon. It’s close enough that the escape boat should work. I’ll distract them, and you take off.”
She hesitated for a moment.
“Navina. I need to be able to trust you to be safe.”
“I’ll do it.” She reluctantly agreed.
Becca told her the specifics of where they will meet up if they do separate. She didn’t plan on it, but Darion said he was coming back as well and that didn’t work out for him as intended.
The sun had not started rising, but the beautiful autumn shades colored the horizon as they made it on deck. They walked softly, listening for the beginnings of the work day. No one was found on the top deck, so they went below, hoping to catch Bastian or Kai.
Luck was with them, as they found Kai walking down the corridor towards them. Once he noticed them, he stopped. He knew something, and Becca was going to find out what.
He turned around, but before he got far Becca spoke the spell and entered his mind. Don’t leave. You want to talk to us.
For a minute, there was resistance, which surprised Becca. This kid must have grown up around magicians. He may know how to protect his mind, but he wasn’t strong enough to push against her. As he turned back to them, Navina and Becca hurried towards him.
“I’m glad you stopped,” Becca started. “We had a question for you.”
His gaze flitted around. “I’m not supposed to talk to you.”
Becca hated manipulating people, controlling them and stealing their voice. She felt like she wasn’t any better than a demon when she did it. But when push came to shove and those who she loved were in danger, all bets were off. Placing a hand on Kai’s shoulder, she strengthened her hold of his mind.
“You’re an enchantress.” His eyes went wide.
“Yes. So, you’re going to tell us, where is Darion?”
He didn’t answer. She glanced at Navina who looked a little unsettled, but strong. Becca closed her eyes and crawled inside his mind. It was not a nice place to be. Fear grabbed a hold of everything. He built a protection in his mind, but Becca tore at it, piece by piece, until it crumbled. She normally didn’t go for the direct attack. Opening her eyes, she found he bit his lip. A small trickle of blood fell on his chin.
“Where is Darion?”
“In the captain’s rooms.”
“Show us,” she pushed, repeating the spell.
He slowly turned and with Becca’s hand on his shoulder directed them.
“Did you take the magic from Darion’s work?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To contact Jim. I’m supposed to, whenever there are new magicians on the ship. I needed magic.”
Hence why he probably asked for the amulet as well. Contacting people over long distances with magic was hard. The connection she and her sister had was rare. The implications of what he said poured cold dread into her limbs. “What did Jim say?”
“To detain you, preferably alive but dead worked too. The bounty on your head is high.”
“You don’t have enough magic to take us on.” Becca was thinking this through. “That’s why you had to call other people in. Are you the only magician on board?”
“Yeah.”
“Then it should be easy,” Navina said.
“Should.” Becca worried Navina put too much faith in magic. “But if it was so easy, then Darion would be back. Let’s find him and figure what’s next. We can’t take on this whole ship.”
Kai directed them to the captain’s quarters. Before they got too close, Becca pulled all of them into a nearby cleaning closet. Gathering her power, she cast another spell and put Kai to sleep. It worked faster than she expected, and he collapsed on the ground.
“Did you kill him?” Navina asked, not as shocked as she should be.
“No. Who do you think I am?”
Navina shrugged and nudged him with a toe. “He did probably tell the covens where we are headed. He deserved it.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t mean we should.” Becca didn’t like this new bloodthirsty side to Navina. Granted, to survive as a child magician in this world she would have to be tough. Becca glance at the door and back to Navina. “Stay here and keep him under. And seal the door behind me.” When Becca first joined Andre’s community, this young girl could kick Becca’s butt. She could handle this.
“What if you need me?”
“I need you to be safe.”
The girl rolled her eyes but obeyed.
Becca continued down the hall to the captain’s rooms, making sure her shields were up because, despite what Kai said, there had to be someone else strong enough to subdue Darion. Then, because magic was still a new tool to her, she reached down and pulled a small knife from her boot. Her fists were always more reliable tools to her. Or maybe just because she had been fighting for years before she became a magician. Her magic, like her sister’s, had been sealed by a tattoo her family put on her at a young age.
Standing outside the door, she contemplated how to
play this. Naive, unsure of herself as a weak magician? No. She was done with games. With a simple spell, she made sure the door was unlocked and stormed in.
Bastian stood there with a gun pointed to Darion’s head. Which by itself, wouldn’t be so bad, but Darion sat hog-tied inside a pentagram that blocked his power. A quick glance told her it was made correctly with salt and other elements creating the five point star.
Behind Bastian, an older man, presumably the captain, wore a navy blazer and smoked a cigar. “Glad to see you could make it. Here I was thinking we’d have to smoke you out like a rat, an expensive rat.”
Darion glared from the floor and she wondered who he was angrier at: the men for somehow being able to knock him out, or her for showing up when she promised she’d leave. She’d worry about that later. She needed him out of that pentagram.
Trying to influence Bastian, she started the spell.
“Shut up or I’ll shoot.” His face flushed with excitement, or maybe anger.
“You’re not going to kill him if we’re worth so much.” She stepped closer.
The captain exhaled, a bloom of smoke. “True. Bastian, blow out her knee cap.”
The thing was once he started to turn the gun, neither of the men realized that she was far less afraid of herself getting hurt than Darion. She jumped forward, shoving the gun to the side. Slashing out, she cut deep into Bastian’s belly. Not forgetting her other skills, while the man was distracted, hollering in pain, she forced him down with magic.
She underestimated the captain, thinking he had Bastian do his dirty work. No, the older man was on her in a second, taking her to the ground. Her head slammed into the floor, black spots flooding her vision while pain shot down her spine. He picked her up only to slam her back into the ground. Without a second to think straight, she couldn’t gather her magic let alone formulate the words for a spell.
Knife still in hand, she lashed out, only to meet air. Bending her arm, she used her elbow to connect to the captain instead. It met meaty flesh. Struggling to clear her vision, she continued fighting back. Striking out against the heavy man kneeling over her. She scattered something on the ground, but thought nothing of it, with the huge fists still coming at her.
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