by N M Thorn
“Now what?” asked Aidan, looking at Raoul.
“Allow me.” Raoul smiled and got out of the car. He took the chain with the cross off his neck and touched the gate, whispering an enchantment. The cross in his hand lit up with a soft golden light, something clicked, and the gate opened with a loud screeching noise.
“I shall tell Madam Bonneville that the gate needs to be tended,” he muttered, climbing back into the car. “Come on, Aidan. Why are we standing? There is still a ten-minute drive through the park, before we reach the building.”
After a few minutes’ drive, Aidan parked the car on the spacious circular motor court in front of a large building. He got out and halted observing the enormous French chateau-style mansion. The word mansion wouldn’t give the Guardians Headquarters justice. It looked more like a palace. But in reality, any existing royal palace of this world would pale in comparison to this magnificent building.
Raoul didn’t give him any time to enjoy the view. He grabbed Aidan’s arm and pulled him up the steps toward the large double-door. He was about to use his cross to open the doors when they swung open. A tall man in a business suit greeted them with a smile that was colder than the weather outside and bent down in a formal bow.
“Father Raoul de Beaumont,” he said as a form of greeting, “Ms. Bonneville instructed me to escort you”—he threw a quick appraising stare in Aidan’s direction that was infused with arrogance beyond any measure— “and your friend to the Assembly Hall. Please follow me.” The man turned around and walked away without giving them a second look.
Aidan sighed but followed him through the large main hall. The arrogance of this man rubbed him wrong and he would truly like to teach him a lesson in humility, but right now he needed the Guardians’ assistance, so teaching any kind of lessons was out of the question.
As soon as they walked into the Assembly Hall, Raoul stopped and pulled on Aidan’s arm.
“I don’t know what’s going on, Aidan,” he said in a quick whisper. “This is the Guardians Council. All of them… That can’t be good.”
The Assembly Hall was a spacious room with at least thirty-foot high ceilings. Large chandeliers decorated by hundreds of crystal pendants, were hanging from the ceiling illuminating the hall. At the far end, there was a tall desk. Two women and a man were sitting behind this desk. Two smaller tables were positioned on either side of the desk and three people were sitting at each of the side tables.
The older woman that was residing in the center behind the main desk got up and gestured at them to approach. Raoul halted a few feet away from the desk and bowed. Aidan decided to err on the side of caution and inclined his head in a light bow to show his respect for the Guardians Council.
“Father Raoul de Beaumont,” said the woman, a frown seemed to be permanently glued to her face. “Your visit is quite unexpected. Please explain why you are here and what moved you to bring a god of the Celtic Otherworld into our secret facility.”
“I apologize, Madam Bonneville,” mumbled Raoul, bowing again. He reached into his pocket and produced the letter from Father Collins. “Please read this letter, Madam Head Mage. It should explain everything.”
He approached the table and with trembling hands offered the envelope to the Head Mage. She took the envelope and quickly read Father Collins’ letter. Still holding the letter in her hands, she looked at Aidan and a semblance of a smile appeared on her face.
“Mr. McGrath, this letter is from the Master Warden, Father Collins. It tells me you are in need of our assistance,” said the Mage. “Is that correct?”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied Aidan, calmly meeting her heavy stare.
“Father Collins didn’t provide any details in his letter,” continued Ms. Bonneville. “The only thing he said was that we need to treat with utmost importance everything you tell us and assist you in any way we can.”
“I would appreciate any help you can provide,” said Aidan.
“Fine. I would like to hear you out, but in private, Mr. McGrath. Until I know what you need, there is no necessity to get the whole Council involved,” said the Head Mage, sitting back down. “However, the Guardians Council has a small matter that needs to be addressed immediately. You and Father Beaumont are welcome to wait. You can sit down on the bench by the wall. It shouldn’t take long. Once we’re done, we’ll discuss your case right away.”
Aidan and Raoul walked to the bench and sat down.
“That’s unusual,” whispered Raoul, leaning closer to Aidan. “Normally, no one outside the Council can be present at the Council’s assembly meeting.”
In the meantime, the Head Mage waved at the guards and commanded, “Please bring them in. We’re ready now.”
The guards walked out of the Assembly Hall and came back a minute later, escorting two women. Aidan threw one glance at them and his heart stopped, pain squeezing his chest in its iron claws. It was Tessa. His Tessa… Her clothes were covered in dust, stains of dried blood and some other unrecognizable substance. Her long black hair was in disarray and her beautiful brown eyes were red and puffy from crying. Missi didn’t look much better. They didn’t notice Aidan and kept walking.
The guards escorted them both to the main desk and made them stop there. The Head Mage rose, glowering down at the young women with severity.
“Therasia Raegan Donovan, First Level Apprentice and Melissa Ember Clark, First Level Mage. You stand accused of reckless behavior that endangered your own lives and that of others. You broke the rules of the Guardians Order and created chaos in the demonic organization that undoubtedly will result in more bloodshed in the future. You risked the exposure of our organization and the safety of humans in that area.”
“But Ms. Bonneville, no one recognized us as—,” started Tessa.
“Silence!” shouted the Head Mage. “You need to learn respect, Therasia.”
Tessa fell silent, dropping her head to her chest. She looked so little and so miserable that Aidan’s heart skipped a beat again. Involuntarily he started to rise, but Raoul pulled him down.
“Aidan, do not get involved,” he hissed into his ear, applying pressure on his shoulder. “Tessa chose to be a part of the Guardians Order, otherwise she wouldn’t be here. It was her choice and now she will have to pay the consequences for whatever she did wrong.”
Aidan grunted but sat down. He wondered what Tessa and Missi did to deserve all this, but the Head Mage proceeded without giving any details of what happened.
“After a long deliberation, the Guardians Council has decided that a transgression of this severity cannot go unpunished,” she declared, turning to Missi first. “Melissa Amber Clark, you will be demoted to a Witch, First Level.”
“First Level?” gasped Missi. “That’s hardly above an Apprentice…” Her voice trailed away, and she fell silent under the heavy stare of the Head Mage.
“Therasia Raegan Donovan, you are an Apprentice of the First Level, which is the lowest level in our organization. As such, there is no place for demotion. You will be expelled from the Guardians Order. However, you have powers of unknown origin that you’re still not in control of. We cannot leave such a dangerous weapon in the hands of an inexperienced, undisciplined youth and let you out into the mundane world. You’ll be confined to the Guardians Headquarters until we decide otherwise or for the rest of your life. Whichever comes first.”
“Ms. Head Mage, please!” begged Tessa, tears sliding down her ashen face. “Please. I learned my lesson. That will never happen again.”
The Head Mage ignored her, waving at the guards. “Take them away. Please return Ms. Donovan back to the confinement chamber. Miss Clark is free to go to relocate to the Witches’ section.”
Ignoring Raoul’s warning Aidan got up, blocking the guards’ way. He approached Tessa, gazing down at her. More than anything, he wanted to hug her right there, hold her in his arms and tell her that everything was going to be all right. But he knew that it wasn’t the right time for that.
“Aidan…” whispered Tessa, stretching her hand to him.
He smiled down at her and switched his attention to the Head Mage.
“Ms. Bonneville, if I may,” he started. She nodded, and Aidan continued, “I know Ms. Donovan since she was sixteen. And I would like to speak on her behalf as a character witness.”
“Well, that’s quite unusual,” said Ms. Bonneville. “But since you, Mr. McGrath, are our guest today, I will allow it.”
“Tessa is young and inexperienced, but her heart is in the right place,” said Aidan. “I saw her magic in action, and I agree with you, ma’am, her magic is as dangerous as it is powerful. So, instead of wasting her abilities by keeping her imprisoned, you should continue teaching her. Teach her not only how to use her magic but also how to be a useful member of the Guardians Order. I’m sure, the Order can do with a powerful witch like Tessa, once she’s trained properly.”
All the members of the Guardians Council fell silent, staring at the Head Mage. Tessa and Missi turned around, hope gleaming in their eyes. Raoul approached Aidan and stopped by his side.
“Oh, Aidan,” he whispered, sadness shadowing his handsome features, “you’re a god, but a hot human heart is still beating in your chest. Possibly, you saved the woman you love, but it’ll cost you…”
“I’ll pay gladly,” replied Aidan quietly.
“Aidan McGrath, please come closer,” called the Head Mage. Aidan approached the desk, halting a few feet away. “I’m inclined to follow your suggestion, but Ms. Donovan’s pardon would be conditional upon her completing a year trial period. First, Ms. Donovan must respect and follow all the rules of our organization. One step left or right from the rules and the original sentence will apply. Am I clear, Ms. Donovan?” She looked at Tessa over Aidan’s head.
“Yes, Ms. Head Mage,” said Tessa, pressing her hands to her chest. “I will never break any rules again. I swear. Thank you.”
“Second, since you spoke for Ms. Donovan,” said the Head Mage, staring down at Aidan, “I would like you to support your belief in her worthiness by your actions, Mr. McGrath.”
“What would you like me to do, ma’am?”
“For this trial period of one year, I would like you, Aodh mac Lir, to swear your fealty to the Order and serve our purpose as we deem it necessary. One year only.”
Aidan glanced at Tessa over his shoulder. Her large brown eyes were gazing at him pleadingly, still gleaming with leftover tears. She had this very same look on her face any time she wanted something, and he remembered it since she was a child. It was because of this look, these giant velvety eyes, that he could never say no to her. Or maybe, it was because he loved her so deeply that he would do anything to see her happy.
Aidan whispered an enchantment and a long sword manifested in his hand, glistening like ice. He heard Raoul’s gasp, but he ignored him.
“I agree to your conditions, ma’am,” said Aidan. “But before I swear my fealty, I also have a couple of my own demands.”
“What are your conditions, Mr. McGrath?” asked the Head Mage, frowning.
“First, you must also restore Missi to her former rank of First Level Mage.”
“Done,” said the Head Mage.
“Second, I came here because I needed your help,” continued Aidan. “You must provide me with your assistance and allow me to complete my original mission.”
“That goes without saying,” agreed the Head Mage. “I accept both of your conditions.”
Aidan placed his sword, tip on the floor, and went down to one knee before the Guardians Order.
“I, Aodh mac Lir, a god of the Celtic Otherworld, pledge my fealty to the Guardians Order. From this day to the same day next year, I will serve and obey your command as a loyal member of this organization. For the greater good of this realm, protecting humans and guarding the secrecy of the World of Magic.”
The Head Mage walked around the desk and stopped in front of Aidan. She touched his chest and a silver chain materialized around his neck. It looked like regular jewelry with a round silver pendant attached to it. Aidan glanced down at the necklace and with surprise noticed that the pendant had a Celtic Triskele surrounded by a delicate knotwork engraved on it.
“I thought that you’d like it,” said the Head Mage. “Please rise.”
“I do,” replied Aidan, getting up. “But what is it? I am sure it’s not a plain piece of jewelry.”
“No, it’s not,” agreed the Head Mage. “This pendant is our communication device. Also, it will open the door of any of the Guardians’ gateways or locations anywhere in this realm. Father Beaumont will teach you how to use it. For the full year of your service, you can never take this pendant off. If you take it off, we’ll know, and we’ll consider it a breach of your oath.”
“I understand,” replied Aidan, his fingers crushing the pommel of his sword.
“After we discuss your case and you complete your original mission, you’re free to go back home and live your life as usual. However, you cannot leave this realm without notifying us first. It includes your visits to the Otherworld. If the Guardians Order will be in need of your services, we’ll summon you.”
“That’s fine,” said Aidan quietly.
The Head Mage got back to her desk and clapped her hands together three times. “The assembly meeting of the Guardians Council is now adjourned. You all are free to leave. Mr. McGrath and Father Beaumont, please stay behind so we can discuss your mission.”
As everyone was slowly leaving the Assembly Hall, Aidan approached Tessa. He stood in front of her, not daring to put his arms around her, sadness tearing through his chest.
“Aidan, what did you do?” whispered Tessa. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. “I missed you so much.”
Aidan exhaled, his breath coming out almost like a hushed moan, and finally encircled her shoulders with his arms, pulling her closer. “I love you, Tessa,” he whispered, gently kissing her hair. “I would die before I let anything happen to you.”
Tessa hid her face in his chest and her shoulders shuddered in quiet sobs.
Chapter 10
~ Aidan ~
“Tessa, please go back to your room and get cleaned up. After that, you need to attend your lessons. Since you’re still our Apprentice, you have a lot to learn and your chores are not going to do themselves,” said the Head Mage dryly, approaching Tessa and Aidan. “Mr. McGrath and I need to have a grown-up conversation.”
Aidan cringed inwardly at the way the old Mage addressed Tessa. Grown-up conversation? She was treating her like a silly little child. But Tessa didn’t object. She glanced one more time at Aidan, squeezing his hand for a quick moment. Then she bowed to the Head Mage and walked out of the Assembly Hall.
Ms. Bonneville followed Tessa with her eyes until she walked out and shut the door. Then she turned to Aidan and smiled. Since he met her this morning, this was the first time that her face wasn’t scrunched up into a frown. Her smile was relaxed and there was something possessive in the way she observed him. She patted him on his shoulder like she was his best friend.
“No need to look so sad, Mr. McGrath. The lessons are over at three in the afternoon. You can meet with Therasia then. I’m sure you have a few things to… um… discuss,” she said, her mouth twitching in a sarcastic half-smile. “Now, let’s get to business, shall we?”
She walked to the side table on her left and sat down. Aidan and Raoul exchanged a quick look and joined her.
“Well, Mr. McGrath, tell me what brought you here and what I can do to help,” said Ms. Bonneville, now serious.
Aidan explained to her in detail everything that he knew about Gunz’s disappearance in the Dark Nav and about the mage that was behind it. After that Father Raoul filled in the details about the missing page in their Book of Words. Once they finished, the Head Mage touched a pendant on her necklace and whispered a short spell.
The table shimmered with a soft golden light and a
thick book materialized before their eyes. The book looked exactly like the Book of Words that Father Collins had in his church. The mage touched the book with her fingers and the book opened up on its own. She held both hands over the blank pages. With a soft noise, the pages started flipping over. After a few seconds, the Head Mage gasped and got up sharply.
“Cease,” she ordered, and the pages stop, leaving the book opened in the middle. “Father Collins was right. The page is missing.”
“I need this page,” said Aidan, his hands squeezing the edge of the table, almost breaking it off. “I’m sure it was Agent Zvereva who stole the page. There was something in the book she didn’t want us to find.”
“Obviously,” grumbled Ms. Bonneville, shaking her head. “Please stop breaking my furniture, Mr. McGrath. Crushing a few tables in the facility is not going to solve the problem.”
Aidan raised his hands up and leaned back in his chair.
“Madam Bonneville, are you planning to send someone to Paris?” asked Raoul.
“Yes, Father Beaumont, I will dispatch one of the mages to Paris immediately. We need to restore this page in the Book of Words and find out who this mage is and what she is hiding.”
She touched the pendant on her chest again, sending a small amount of her magic through it. A few minutes later, the door into the Assembly Hall opened up and Missi walked in. She looked her normal self now that she got a chance to clean up and the fears and worries were behind her. Missi bowed to the Head Mage and smiled to Aidan and Raoul.
“Melissa, I have a very important assignment for you,” said Ms. Bonneville. “And I’m sure that Mr. McGrath would be happy that it’s you who is going to take care of this assignment and not someone else.”
“What do you need me to do, Ms. Bonneville?” asked Missi, throwing a curious gaze at Aidan.
“Please be advised that anything we are going to say right now, must stay in this room. No one can know about it. Not even Tessa. Am I clear, Melissa?” asked the Head Mage severely.