by Martha Carr
“It’s all about focus and intent, my dear.” Lacey waved away the Witch coming in to see if anyone wanted more coffee. “Please see that we’re not disturbed.” Lacey waited till the door was shut with a soft click. “The old wizarding families are wealthy and powerful and have been around for centuries. Their kind are everywhere. You’ve run into them without knowing it but before they didn’t know it either. That may be changing and in this instance that gives them an advantage. Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep the troll by your side a little more often.”
Correk shifted in his seat. “Was that the only item on their agenda?”
Leira knew what they were going to say before they even said it.
“The families experiments with turning humans into shifters has been successful enough.” Lacey pressed her lips together in disgust. “They’re ready to move forward with the next part of their plan.”
“What’s the rest of the plan?” asked Correk.
Turner interrupted her, shaking his head. “We don’t know what that means, exactly. Only the leaders sitting at the table got the details, but we can surmise a few things. We expect them to use the shifters in soft spots heavily crowded with people to put the fear of magic into human beings and get them to pull back.”
“General Anderson will never do that. Hell, the entire U.S. government will never do that. They’ll push back harder with bigger weapons,” said Leira.
Turner raised his eyebrows and could feel the weight of nearly a thousand years. “It’s difficult to know where to aim a weapon if you can’t locate the enemy.”
“Shifters have an advantage…” said Correk.
Leira sat back against the chair. “They can change back and blend into the general population. Fuck, they’re still human even if they’ve been modified.”
Turner pointed a finger in the air. “This is where you come in handy, Leira and why they fear you so much. Your ability to ride the energy without having to physically be there lets you follow the trails that these shifters will leave behind. If you can use the light, bend it without becoming part of it, you can trace the shifters and identify them.”
“Maybe… It’s not quite that simple. The energy doesn’t always show me everything or maybe it can’t. It’s more like puzzle pieces at times.”
“More than we have right now.”
Correk sat on the edge of his seat. “Surely we can track them before harm is caused.”
“Until they release them outside of their current confines there is no trail to follow.” Turner sounded weary. “We will have to play a waiting game and hope the damage is not too extensive.”
I can find some of them. Leira ran her fingers along the bracelet. There’s a connection there. I can feel it. She looked up at Correk. “We’ll be ready.” It was all she said. Better to keep this growing connection to myself, for now. No need to give false hope.
CHAPTER SIX
Correk and Leira emerged in the Starbucks just before lunchtime. The place was filled mostly with students working on term papers, and writers trying to finish their novels. Correk pulled Leira out the side door of the Starbucks and held onto her hand as they headed down the side street and into the alley.
“What are you doing? Did you see something?” Leira peered out from the alley, ready to pull in energy if it was needed.
“No, I wanted to talk to you. Although, it’s good to see you’re taking Turner’s warning seriously. We need to find the troll and keep him closer.”
“We needed an alley for you to tell me that? Come on, we need to get to the warehouse and see if we can figure out where the shifters are being kept.”
“Not the warehouse.” Correk held onto Leira’s arm. “We need to figure out a different plan. The warehouse is a government facility designed to help the human population. All well and good, but this may be something that we can solve without alarming them, or worse. It’s only incidental if something good comes out of it for the magical beings on this planet.” Correk shook his head, his face tense. “They will not take any of this well and once they know, it will be out of our hands. Self-preservation will kick in and General Anderson will come up with his own strategy.”
Leira looked at his hand still on her arm. “Really?” She looked back up at him with a dead fish look. “Peel your hand off Correk. Okay better, where did you have in mind? Lois has been warning us about this from the very beginning. It’s a good bet tampering with humans and their DNA is the line that crosses into panic land for the government.”
“We make it a rule to meet at the sanctuary. Not the one on Oriceran, we’ll use the one outside Austin or even the one in Alaska or Hawaii when we need to. No one outside of who we choose to invite will even know of the meetings. And we keep that number small.”
“Not a bad idea. There’s so many sides to this puzzle now and the sanctuary will keep us hidden from everyone.”
Correk formed a ball of light between his hands, singing into it and pulling his hands apart as the opening grew. “Now we need to convince the Gardener of the Dark Forest it’s a good idea.”
“Shouldn’t be hard once he finds out we’re going out on our own, at least to hunt the shifters and find the old Wizarding families.” Leira stepped through the opening into the forests at the edge of the sanctuary as Correk followed behind her. Leira always liked to take a moment and take in the calm. No sounds of technology or people rushing somewhere.
“I do love this place. It’s like I can breathe here without staying aware of who’s on my six all the time.”
There was a rustle from the edge of the forest. Leira turned, expecting to see an animal foraging nearby. Instead, a familiar figure stretched his arms over his head making the trees and bushes appear to bend and roll.
“Perrom! You’re here.” Correk smiled and took the last few steps at a fast clip, grasping his good friend’s hand.
“I hate it when my father’s right.”
Perrom emerged from the green foliage, the scales along his skin flipping over from different shades of green to honey brown. “He said it wouldn’t be long before you two showed up here again. He predicted the divides would become wider and you’d have to choose sides. I take it things have gotten worse.”
“Not worse as much as we are coming to understand the new reality,” said Leira.
“Come on, follow me further into the woods. Even with the magical protection over this land, these days more caution is necessary. I don’t want to find out the hard way that the darker forces have figured out a way to infiltrate the spells.”
“The Gardener wouldn’t be very happy.”
“He would start his own war if the wrong element ever penetrated a sanctuary. He’s the last guardian of so many things.”
Leira stopped on the mossy path. “Well, that brings me to our request and this is probably far enough in, just in case it’s a hard no. We need a regular place to meet and share information, plan our next steps.” She looked all around at the dense forest, the light dappling the leaves. “The sanctuaries are the best places I can think of where we can talk openly.”
A macaw landed easily on Correk’s shoulder, only managing a raised eyebrow out of the Light Elf. The colorful bird let out a squawk, spreading its wing as it sidestepped down his shoulder to Correk’s outstretched arm, scooting right back up to his shoulder. “The world is changing. Magic is slowly seeping back onto Earth and thanks to Rhazdon everyone got an early heads up. Being able to meet here will be the thing that helps keep the sanctuaries safe.”
“Damn, that’s two in a row. The old man has powers beyond what he’s even shown me.” Perrom smiled, his pupils coming together to look straight ahead. “He already had the same idea and told me to wait till you showed up and asked. Said you’d appreciate his generosity more.” The smile faded as he reached out to a deer who ventured close enough to nibble on nearby leaves. “He won’t tell me what else he sees coming or if it’s his best guess or some strange ability he had that he’s kept to
himself. Either one is possible, but I can tell you that he doesn’t like whatever he believes is coming next. Too many powerful rivalries breaking out into the open for their share of power in whatever form they can get it.”
Leira watched, amazed, as Perrom’s hand took on the look and feel of the fur he was rubbing, the texture spreading up his arm. “We will protect the sanctuaries with our lives, if necessary. We will be guardians of the magic here and not let the forces out there destroy it. Anyone who comes to a sanctuary will understand that they do so with the same agreement.”
“Agreed,” said Correk, holding out his hand. Perrom put his on top as they waited for Leira to do the same.
“What, this is a thing on Oriceran too? Do you guys fist bump and hide away in man caves?” Leira put her hand on the top.
“What’s a man cave? Humans don’t live in caves anymore.”
Correk let out an annoyed sigh. “You both are taking the cool factor right out of this. Come on, this is marking something sacred. The beginning of our Forest of Solitude.”
Leira let out a snort as the bird squawked at her from Correk’s shoulder. “Birds of all kinds generally like me,” he said.
“Yeah, well Super Elf, that’s not a bad name for it. Okay, what do we say here? This is getting weird.”
“All for one…” said Perrom.
“And one for all!”
“Our two worlds are more aligned than people realize.” Leira flexed her fingers, feeling the tired muscle of a nearby bionic animal. She could feel it slowly settling down to rest. “Too bad coming together is turning out to be a shit show so far.”
“Not everything is written yet. Things change quickly these days. We may make a difference yet.” Correk held out his arm for the bird.
The macaw spread its wings, pushing down as it took flight, rising above the canopy and letting out another loud squawk before disappearing from view.
“We should be going. Till we meet again, my friend.”
Perrom startled at Correk’s words and started to say something but stopped himself. I should tell him about Ossonia. We’re old friends…
Leira watched the bird fly away, feeling a momentary peace. May it last. She felt the magic stir in her feet, a thin sliver of it riding up her spine, responding to her emotions. The skin along her chest was flushed as she breathed harder. “The bionic animals are nearby.” The words slipped out. Fuck, broke Hagan’s rule. Said too much.
Correk wasn’t even subtle about it. He reached out and grabbed Leira’s arm, letting the energy flow through him as the bracelet jangled on her wrist. “The connection is growing. You can sense when they’re around.” He looked her up and down, feeling some of the same connection. “If one of those animals is killed…”
“I will feel their pain, but I won’t die.” I hope… “And it seems to have a limit to the distance. I can’t feel anything if they’re not close enough. Close like, within a mile… or two.”
“That’s why the magic sought out that shifter.” Correk was putting two and two together pretty quickly. He searched her face to see if she was trying to keep something from him. “You suspect the same thing, don’t you?” His stomach turned sour as Leira gave a hard nod.
“I didn’t know for sure. There was no point in making a pronouncement with no field testing.”
“Field testing?” His voice rose to a shout as Perrom took a step back and the branches above rustled with the sounds of animals and birds moving further away. The deer Perrom had been petting spooked and ran quickly through the woods as other deer poked their heads out to get an idea of the danger and quickly followed suit.
“From the first damn day I was ordered to help you, you drilled it into me how important it was for two beings who work together to trust each other and tell each other everything. No fucking secrets! I believe those were your exact words.”
“Ordered to help me.” Leira’s expression was strained and anger was quickly replacing the sense of peace. That didn’t take fucking long but it’s leaving in a way I didn’t expect. Less weaponry but still hurts. “That’s the first thought on your mind.”
“I think this is not my fight so…” Perrom turned to go but no one else seemed to notice as Correk cut him off, still shouting, waving his arm.
“After everything we’ve been through that’s where you go. Do you trust me or not?”
Perrom glanced back over his shoulder at his friend as he muttered, “He has got it bad… Elf bad. Last a thousand years bad… Good for him, poor bastard.” He smiled as he slipped further into the forest, the scales along his skin flipping to match his surroundings. He could still hear the shouting as he blended into the background, whistling to the song birds nearby, any guilt about Ossonia floating away.
“Fuck me, of course I trust you! But… I didn’t want…”
“Didn’t want what? There’s no half measures with trust. You’re either all in or you’re playing games.”
“I didn’t want to see you hurt again.” The words came out in an angry rush. The image of Correk lying on the battle field close to death flashed in her mind. She stood there defiant, her hands on her hips, determined to win this one.
Correk shook his head. “Enough.”
“Enough what?” She raised her chin, waiting. “I would have told…”
Correk grabbed Leira by the opening to her leather jacket, pulling her close and pressing his mouth eagerly against hers, letting his tongue glide against her teeth. Leira stiffened at first, her arms out to the side but she quickly gave in and wrapped her arms around his waist, gently biting his lower lip.
The energy swept up through her feet swirling inside of her and rushing from Leira to Correk, sweeping around them, lighting up their corner of the forest, sending a beacon into the sky. Perrom was already a distance away and saw the light pushing through the thick canopy. “Now that’s interesting. Good for you, my oldest friend.”
Leira pulled back from Correk looking at his face and resting her hand against his cheek. “This is not the best timing,” she said, as the light continued to swirl around them. “We still have a few assholes to go take care of.”
“If this is your unique way of saying you’re all in, I’ll take it.”
Leira let out a short laugh and rested her head against his chest for a moment. She let out a deep breath as the peace returned to her and she pulled back, the light dying down and the magic swirling in reverse, back into the ground. “That was a badass kiss, Super Elf,” she whispered, her hand still on his chest. “Really does kind of make opening day of your Forest of Solitude kind of special.”
He reached down and gently kissed her again.
“We need to go.” Leira slowly stepped back from him. “We need to…” she let out a deep breath… “fuck, stick to the singleness of purpose, here.” She held up her hand. “Making out with you is not it. Not yet anyway. We have to go save the fucking world, first. Then we figure out what this means.” Leira headed out of the forest before her good intentions faded away, the rush of energy making her feel lightheaded and her heart beating a little faster.
Correk caught up with her easily, pushing aside a branch. “That’s right, Eireka was sent away when you were still pretty young. I can explain it to you if you like. Even show you in more detail. What do they call it on this planet? The birds and the bees.”
“Very funny. How long have you been wanting to do that? I wasn’t the only one holding back bits of pertinent information.”
“Hit me in the moment. Hey, now that we have a place to meet we should form our own Magic League.”
“You really have to make more friends here than just the troll. You sound like you hang out in a comic book shop all day. I think Yumfuck actually has more friends than you do.”
They came out into the open field at the edge of the forest. The day was a bright blue with a light Texas wind rustling the long grass.
“I’d hold your hand, but I know you well enough to know you’d rather run
down a felon.”
“Oh dear God, you suppose right. Now you’re just messing with me. Where’s a good gun battle when you need one?”
Correk let out a snort of laughter and formed a ball of light in his hands, singing into it as he pulled it apart, creating a portal that opened up into her living room.
“Feeling cocky, opening portals to go such a short distance,” said Leira, stepping through into her living room.
At the last moment, she reached back and held out her hand for Correk, giving him a crooked smile. He took her hand tightly and stepped through, back into the guest house.
“You two look a little too happy.” Mara sat up on the edge of the couch, cocking an eyebrow as she tilted her head. “Good day?”
Leira startled, squeezing Correk’s hand as she let it go. “Nana… what are you doing here?”
“We have to finish planning your mother’s bridal shower, remember? Mayhem can take a back seat for a moment. And whatever you two are up to. Don’t bother protesting. It’s about fucking time. I thought I was going to have to sit you both down.”
“Well, Leira could use a few pointers on…”
Leira jabbed him hard in the ribs with her elbow as Correk shrugged. “Just trying to help.”
“At last, a little happiness in this house. Protect it like a precious flame, you two. There are forces that will test it… Now, come help me pick out a theme for this shindig.”
“A perfect example of my life right now. A little bit of world-wide threat mixed in with normal life stuff.” Leira sat down next to Mara as Correk waved at them, heading out the door to the bar for a beer with Estelle. She smiled at him as he waved, still feeling his lips against hers. Damn, that was good.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Yumfuck set out from the guest house with his small Ninja Turtle backpack early in the morning in search of a mission. He had found his new calling. Tucked into his backpack was a homemade mask made out of his favorite black pair of panties with holes cut out for eyes. “It’ll do for now. I am Batfuck…” he growled as he slid under the gate and headed out into the world looking for trouble.