by D. J. Dalton
“The Council is ready.”
“Very good, thank you, Zeena.” Azalea stood, turning to Keren. “Are you ready?”
With a nod, Keren followed Zeena into the main hall.
Four high-backed chairs sat in a semicircle in the middle of the hall. In three of the chairs sat a shifter from each element, water, fire, and earth. An empty chair sat to their right.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” said Azalea.
Zeena touched Nadria’s shoulder. “We can sit at my desk.”
Nadria took Keren’s hand. “Will you be alright? Do you want me to stay?”
While squeezing Nadria’s hand, Keren’s heart pounded. But she managed a convincing smile. “I’ll be fine.” She hadn’t felt this flustered since high school speech class. While berating herself for letting her nerves get the best of her, she took slow, steady breaths through her nose to calm herself.
“OK. I’ll be right over there if you need me.” Nadria let Zeena lead her away.
When Keren turned to face the shifters, she saw Azalea had taken the fourth chair. Keren hadn’t realized Azalea was a council member herself. A glimmer of hope sparked in Keren’s chest. Maybe Azalea would help convince the others to help.
“Let me introduce the council.” Azalea gestured to the fox shifter. “This is Madam Windsburrow.” Red hair framed the delicate features of her face. She gave a slight nod to Keren. She returned the gesture.
“Next to her is Master Anderson.” The bear shifter’s salt and pepper hair gave him an air of wisdom. He adjusted his burly body in the chair.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” answered Keren.
“And finally, Master Rollins.” His eyes locked onto hers, sending goose bumps down her arms. She lifted her chin, returning his stare.
“Pleased to meet you,” she said with a firm, confident voice.
He huffed, steepling his fingers under his chin. Azalea continued.
Then she motioned to Keren. “This is Keren Stewart. She’s here to address the council. As you know, Keren is cursed.”
Keren took in a sharp breath as adrenaline tingled through her body. She wanted to run and hide. They knew about the accident and Mom’s twisted curse. What else did they know about her? While clenching her fists, she forced herself to remain in place.
“She has witnesses to her ability to summon creatures and these creatures have elemental magic.”
Madam Windsburrow’s pinched eyebrows and wide-eyed reaction told Keren the council didn’t know everything about her. It also told her the council member was more appalled than pleased with the information.
Master Anderson leaned forward in his chair. “Show us these creatures.”
Keren’s throat tightened as her mouth went dry. All four council members waited for her to do something. She looked up, watching One flip and dart around the dome roof. Please, she thought. Please come to life. Nothing happened. Her forehead broke out in a sweat. She closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts on One. Still, nothing happened. When she heard Master Anderson clear his throat, she opened her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” said Keren. “That’s why I’m here. I need help learning how to summon them.”
Master Anderson crossed his arms, sitting back in the chair. A look of disappointment on his face. “Then how did you summon them before?”
“They appeared when I needed them. I didn’t really think about it.”
The door to the hall slammed open. A tall, wild-eyed wolf shifter stormed in. A scar running down his face intensified his menacing look. Three wolf shifters marched in behind him. While glancing at their uniforms, Keren guessed they were members of the warrior pack. She remembered Briggs talking about them. They were far more intimidating than she had pictured them.
“I need to speak with Master Rollins,” Faraday spoke in a grave voice.
Azalea popped up from her seat. After a quick flutter of her wings, she hovered nose-to-nose with the wolf shifter.
“Faraday, you’re interrupting a council meeting.” Azalea put her fists on her hips.
He snarled, leaning around Azalea and ignoring her objection. “We have a lead on the location of the Dark Guild’s primary operations.”
Master Rollins stood. “Let Faraday speak.”
As Azalea pursed her lips, she moved to the side, letting Faraday approach Master Rollins. Keren’s heart pounded. She took a few steps back to give Faraday room but stood close enough to hear the conversation.
Master Rollins put his hands behind his back. “What’s the source of your information and what’s the location?”
“The woman we tracked down at the bowling alley. She broke down during this morning’s interrogation. She said they’re at Madam Murray’s Wax Museum.”
He must have been talking about the woman who chained her to the stage. Her fingers wrapped around her injured wrist.
“That’s an odd location. Do you have other evidence to corroborate her story?”
“The arcanum arrested in Daytona are being interrogated as we speak.” Faraday’s head twitched. “We’re confident they’ll talk by the end of the day.”
Master Rollins put his hand on Faraday’s shoulder. “That’s promising news. Get a warrior on patrol at the location. Maybe they can also verify the woman’s story.”
“Already done.” Faraday lifted his chest.
“Good. Check in with me in a few hours.” Master Rollins returned to his seat.
Faraday turned, walking toward the front door. His warrior pack falling in line behind him.
Just as Faraday reached the door, Master Rollins called out, “and one more thing Faraday.”
Faraday turned. A scowl flashed across his face. “Yes?”
“Kill this girl,” said Master Rollins, pointing at Keren.
Without hesitation, Faraday and his warriors bounded toward Keren. Snarls echoed through the hall. Keren thought she heard Nadria’s scream. Or was it her own? Her mind raced, trying to understand what was happening. She crouched, knowing she didn’t stand a chance against four wolf shifters, but she’d go down fighting. Within seconds Faraday’s body sailed through the air, yellow eyes glowing, and teeth bared in anticipation of a kill.
Then time stood still. Energy pulsed in her solar plexus, racing up her neck to her eyes. She felt her body explode with energy, then One appeared between her and Faraday. Time returned to normal and One batted Faraday away like a harmless fly. The other warriors skidded to a halt.
“Stop!” shouted Master Rollins. When Keren looked over, he had a smug half-smile on his face. “It appears you needed your creature.”
Sweat glistened on Keren’s arms. She drew in long, ragged breaths as her muscles quivered. Once the wolf warriors backed away, she let herself relax.
Madam Windsburrow and Master Anderson sat with their mouths hanging open, staring at One. Keren ran her hand along One’s bat-like wing. It felt like soft leather. Its ruby eyes met hers as it flicked its tail over its head.
“That was uncalled for.” Azalea rushed to Keren’s side. “They could have killed her.”
“But they didn’t.” Master Rollins stood, walking closer to examine One. Its sharp-tipped tail snapped out, nicking Master Rollins’ cheek. A drop of blood ran down his face. After wiping his cheek, he stared at his bloodied fingertips, rubbing them together.
Keren swallowed the lump in her throat. She hadn’t told One to attack him. Would Master Rollins be angry? Would he order the wolves to attack again? Her body tensed, waiting for his reaction.
His eyes snapped to hers. “Can you summon the others?”
“Right now?” So far, she’d only seen one creature at a time. “I’m not sure.”
“Try.” His commanding voice made her jump.
While staring at the ground, Keren focused on Two. A pulse beat in her solar plexus, then Two appeared next to her. Keren let out a laugh. She had done it; she summoned Two. Her legs wobbled as she struggled to remain on her f
eet.
Suddenly, something slammed into her. It was Nadria. Keren would have been knocked off her feet if Nadria’s arms hadn’t locked around her. “Are you alright?”
With the impact, Keren lost control of her magic. She stopped glowing while One and Two turned to mist and dissipated into the air.
“I think so.” She peeled Nadria’s arms away, giving her a reassuring smile, then turned to the council members.
“I say we help her.” Master Anderson stood, his eyes twinkling. “Your curse has turned out to be an amazing gift.” He offered a hand to Madam Windsburrow.
“I agree,” she said while accepting Master Anderson’s hand.
“I also agree,” Azalea said as she stepped next to Master Anderson. “What is your vote, Master Rollins?”
He steepled his fingers while circling Keren. She faced forward, allowing only her eyes to follow him. He disappeared from her left peripheral vision. She could hear his steady, deliberate footsteps behind her. Then he appeared in her peripheral vision on the other side.
He placed his hands behind his back and said, “I agree.” Then proceeded out of the hall.
Madam Windsburrow put her arm around Keren. “Let’s work on your focus and body awareness.”
Keren’s stomach rumbled as it tightened into a tight knot. “Can I get something to eat first?”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Keren
Keren focused on her breathing as she floated in a pool of water. While never having been fond of swimming, she had been skeptical when Madam Windsburrow suggested this flotation technique. But now her mind felt sharp and clear while her body totally relaxed.
“Alright, Keren. Let’s try again.” The water resounded with Madam Windsburrow’s voice. “Draw the magic into you. You control it.”
Without rushing or panicking, Keren called to the pulse. It responded, tapping at a moderate pace. She let it linger in her solar plexus, feeling how its rhythm coordinated with her heartbeat. Then she urged it on. The tapping changed to a throb, then a heavy beat. Warmth rushed up her neck to her eyes. After allowing them to flutter open, she saw the glow of her body had lit up the float tank. She smiled. This was the fourth time she’d called her magic.
“Very good. I think we can move outside the tank. Meet us in the hall.”
Keren released a latch. Moments later, the lid opened. Nadria’s face peered inside the pod.
“What’s it like in there?” Nadria’s nose wrinkled. “It smells salty.”
While stepping out, Keren grabbed a towel. “It’s peaceful. I felt detached yet in control of my body.” She dried herself off, then slipped back into her clothes. “I summoned my magic four times.” While pulling in a deep, satisfying breath, she stretched her arms out wide. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this relaxed.
“That’s awesome.” Nadria touched her arm. “I knew you could do it.”
They walked down a short corridor leading to the Magic Council Chamber’s main hall. When they entered, all the council members turned in their direction.
“You did a wonderful job.” Madam Windsburrow approached Keren, draping an arm around her shoulder. “Now, let’s have you try summoning your magic here.” She led Keren to the center of the hall.
Keren’s stomach rumbled. Azalea raised an eyebrow.
“Hungry again?”
A warmth prickled Keren’s cheeks. “Using my magic seems to make me hungry. But I can continue.”
Nadria laughed. “She’s always had a sizable appetite.”
Azalea flew over to hover in front of Keren. She examined her eyes. “Human physiology isn’t meant to support elemental magic.” She reached out, pulling one of Keren’s eyelids up. “Look down.”
Keren did as instructed. She bit her lip. Maybe summoning her creatures was hurting her physically.
“Once summoned, how long have you maintained an elemental creature?” Azalea released Keren’s eyelid.
“Well,” she thought back to the first time Four appeared. “Things were confusing, but I think Four was here maybe five minutes.” She looked over at Nadria for confirmation.
“That sounds right.” Nadria tapped her chin. “But like Keren said, things were crazy.” Her face paled. “Don’t forget Two and the golem. That felt like an eternity.”
Keren shook her head. “I don’t know how long that lasted either.”
She squeezed Nadria’s hand to comfort her. “Then,” she continued, “Three appeared at the motel.” A chill ran down her spine as visions of the cursed wolf’s savage attack crept into her mind. Her chest tightened, thinking about poor Broden. “It was there maybe, ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Two protected us at Daytona,” Nadria added. “Again, so much was going on, but I think that was about five minutes.”
“The last time was here. You saw One and Two.” Keren shot a disdainful look at Master Rollins. She decided she’d have to be cautious around him. While glancing around, she didn’t see any of her creatures. She wondered if that was significant.
“And how did you feel after each occurrence?” Azalea took Keren’s hand, examining it with a meticulous eye.
“I felt weak and lightheaded. My legs felt like they were going to give out. Sometimes they did. But you have to remember the situations were tense with fighting and running.” She thought back to the hospital magic attack. She had passed out. Could that have been because she summoned a creature?
“You may have limited capacity for maintaining the creatures.” Azalea released her hand, then moved back.
Master Rollins paced the floor. “If that’s the case, she’s worthless in battle.”
“No.” Keren’s heart raced. “I can learn to hold them longer.”
“We’re getting ahead of ourselves.” Madam Windsburrow interrupted. “Let’s get her to summon her magic on demand first, shall we?” She turned to Keren, taking both her hands. “Now, remember how it felt in the flotation pod.”
Keren closed her eyes, trying to relax. Her breathing evened out as she felt the tension wash from her body.
“Good.” Madam Windsburrow released her hands. “Now, summon your magic.”
The pulse felt distant at first, out of reach. She pushed Master Rollins’ comment about her being useless in battle from her mind. When the pulse drew closer, she grabbed it, pulling it to her solar plexus. It reverberated like a bass drum. Energy shot up her neck to her eyes.
“Summon a creature.” Master Rollins’ gruff voice broke the silence.
Keren’s eyes shot open, glaring at Master Rollins. He stepped back, looking uncertain at first, then he steepled his fingers.
Thoughts of Four drifted into her mind. She focused on them. Four came to life before their eyes. Keren heard gasps but couldn’t focus on anyone’s face because the world spun around her. Her legs gave out, and she fell onto her knees. After she released her magic, Four disappeared.
“Bah,” said Master Rollins. “She’ll be useless in battle.”
Keren covered her face with her hands as she leaned forward. She felt dizzy, and her limbs tingled with fatigue. They aren’t going to allow me to help. All of this started because of her. She let the protection spell on the house grow weak enough that the Dark Guild located Marcus’ Book of Shadows. Now, the arcanum control cursed creatures capable of elemental magic. Because of her, shifters’ face a campaign of genocide.
She felt a hand touch her back. Azalea spoke in a soft tone.
“I have a potential solution.”
Keren sat up, wiping tears from her face. “What is it?”
“An artifact. But be aware, they meant its magic for fae not humans. I can’t guarantee what it would do to you.” Azalea held out her hand. “I’ll have Zeena bring a plate of fruit and yogurt.”
She took Azalea’s hand, grateful for the help. “Thank you. Can she bring some of those peanut butter truffles?”
Keren’s strength had returned after she had gobbled up all the cookies and a handful of
grapes. She followed Azalea across the street to The Repository, a single-story building with four white columns supporting a flat roof.
As they walked up to the door, Azalea placed her hand on the door frame. “They entrusted fairies with the welfare of artifacts when the elves disappeared.” After a faint click, she opened the door, ushering Keren into the building.
She wished Nadria had been allowed to come with her. After a lengthy debate, Nadria had relented to Azalea’s insistence on taking only Keren.
Azalea led her across a wooden floor. On each side were four fairies seated at mahogany desks. Their eyes lifted when they walked into the room.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Oakdove,” the fairies chimed simultaneously.
“Good afternoon,” Azalea responded. Focusing back on Keren, she continued, “We track and record the details of each artifact, including their magical powers, if any.”
While inspecting the area, Keren noticed each fairy had an object on their desk. One was a rod, another looked like a plain rock. She remembered her conversation with Ordell at the Kitty Café. Elves made the artifacts, but fairies imbued them with magic.
“How many artifacts are there?”
“In this region, we’ve cataloged just over twenty-three hundred. Now and again, someone brings in an object thought to be an artifact for testing. We believe there are several still at large waiting to be discovered.”
“What do you do with the artifacts?”
“Sometimes we’ll loan them out. A detailed request and interview is, of course, required prior to approval. We also routinely validate potency. Some magic fades with time. But mostly, we keep them secured from malicious use.” Azalea stopped at the front right desk.
“Mr. Kapen, please give me the location of the Band of Endurance.”
Keren raised her eyebrows. That certainly sounded like something she could use since stopping in the middle of a battle to have a snack sounded ridiculous. Hold on a minute, bad guy, let me eat this cheeseburger.
“Yes, ma’am.” Mr. Kapen typed on his keyboard, then looked up at Azalea. “Aisle nine, bin 587. Would you like me to write that down?”