Greysons of Grimoire

by Tpaul Homdrom

  Greysons of Grimoire

  A World of Magic

  By Tpaul Homdrom

  Greysons of Grimoire: A World of Magic

  By: Tpaul Homdrom

  Copyright © TPAUL HOMDROM 2017

  This edition published 2019

  Cover design and art by Andii Caramella

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people living or dead, places, or events is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  ISBN 978-1-7336969-7-5

  More information at: tpaulhomdrom.com

  For the Dreamers

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1: Dark Tidings

  Chapter 2: In Pursuit

  Chapter 3: The Flute

  Chapter 4: Family Meeting

  Chapter 5: “No Boys Allowed”

  Chapter 6: Melody of Regret

  Chapter 7: The Girl in the Library

  Chapter 8: Things Left Unsaid

  Chapter 9: Falling Stars

  Chapter 10: Questions

  Chapter 11: Feline Force

  Chapter 12: Songs Collide

  Chapter 13: The Best Friends

  Chapter 14: Art is Magic

  Chapter 15: Hollow Island

  Chapter 16: Emerald Inferno

  Chapter 17: Just Jump

  Chapter 18: Chronoshin

  Chapter 19: The Star Sisters

  Chapter 20: The Cartographers

  Chapter 21: Will Wisps

  Chapter 22: Dawn Riders

  Chapter 23: Duel at Midnight

  Chapter 24: Birth of a Summon

  Chapter 25: Remembrance

  Chapter 26: Save Everyone

  Chapter 27: Fool’s Gods

  Chapter 28: The Girl in the Grove

  Chapter 29: A Welcome Reprieve

  Chapter 30: Darkness and Defeat

  Chapter 31: Intangibles

  Chapter 32: Hyperbolic

  Chapter 33: Starlight

  Chapter 34: The Lonely Castle

  Chapter 35: Unexpected

  Chapter 36: Pressure

  Chapter 37: The Radiant King

  Chapter 38: Never Alone

  Chapter 39: Through the Pain

  Chapter 40: Song of Solitude

  Chapter 41: The Next Adventure

  Chapter 1: Dark Tidings

  — G —

  Caleb Greyson leapt from one rooftop to the next, sprinting across the ceramic tiles. Vaulting a chimney into open air, he let gravity take hold of him. He grinned and reached into his pocket as the cool night air embraced him.

  Out came a silver pocket watch. With a click of the top button, it opened, and Caleb held it out like a shield between him and the oncoming street below. A pulse of white light burst from the watch’s face, and time slowed to a crawl. Out from the watch flew a dozen shining white discs, which formed a floating pathway through the air. Caleb pivoted, landing on his feet on the first disc. He dashed ahead, closing the watch as he ran from disc to disc, climbing his wide, improvised staircase to the top of a tall tower. Time resumed its original course, and Caleb heaved a sigh, wiping sweat from his brow.

  Green fire flashed in the streets below. Not much farther now. In the flickers of emerald light, two forms appeared and disappeared. One was clearly human.

  The other, clearly not.

  Caleb opened his watch again and leapt from the tower, slowing time around him once more. The discs flew forth, forming a safe pathway to the low rooftops on the left — a perfect pathway to meet up with his fighting companion. Landing on the first disc, Caleb felt a familiar pressure in his chest.

  “Time Magic takes a terrible toll.”

  So he’d been told by many wise mages throughout his youth as his unique abilities became apparent. Now in his twenties, he was reminded of it time and again, as he used those abilities night after night.

  Like clockwork.

  Not that he regretted training in Time Magic. He loved it, and being the only living person able to use it was exciting.

  Besides, there’s nothing wrong with a little pressure.

  Caleb heaved a sigh and let time resume its natural course as he landed on the rooftops and continued along them on a path parallel to the battle below. Silver moonlight illuminated his way in this neighborhood devoid of streetlights, and as he approached the battle, the green bursts of flame added an ethereal tint to the world.

  “You’re taking your sweet time!” his companion called.

  Caleb laughed. “You said time.”

  A sigh. “You’re insufferable.”

  Finally close enough to join, Caleb leapt from the rooftops once again. He landed in the street, rolling to break his fall, and then was on his feet and charging into battle.

  His companion, Chelsea Reiner, was the source of the green fire. In each hand she wielded a silver lighter. Emerald flames shot forth as orbs, walls, spiraling coils, and lancing daggers. She moved like a warrior dancer, graceful and powerful. Her dark hair, just shorter than shoulder-length, whipped around with her movements, framing fierce eyes that shone with verdant light.

  “Coming on your right!” Caleb called out. Chelsea responded wordlessly, stepping left, keeping the beast that was their target wrapped in flames and cornered.

  Vicious and hideous, their target was a Hollow — soulless monsters, they came in many forms, terrorizing the citizens of Grimoire in the deepest hours of the night. This particular Hollow was a Howler, and looked like a hairless wolf, covered in murky skin tattooed with glowing red markings. Empty black pits took the place of eyes. Obsidian teeth and claws glittered scarlet whenever it attacked.

  “Awfully feisty for a Howler,” Caleb said, eyes flashing as he swung his watch in a wide arc overhead. Chains of white light shot forth, wrapping around the Howler’s legs and muzzle, forcing it to the street as it growled and thrashed.

  “Well, now it’s finished,” Chelsea said, grinning as she blasted the beast with emerald fire. With one final, throaty howl, the wolf-like Hollow turned to ash. Where it had once been was now a large black scar, and in its center, a single crystal fang.

  “Aww, only one,” Chelsea said, giving Caleb a pleading look.

  Caleb chuckled as he closed his watch and returned it to his pocket. “Ladies first.”

  Chelsea smiled, stepping forward and kissing Caleb on the cheek before sauntering over to her prize. “You’re a sweetheart.”

  “An insufferable sweetheart?”

  Chelsea shot Caleb a grin. “My favorite kind.” She lifted the crystal fang, twirled it between her fingers, then placed it in a pouch on her belt.

  “Think that’s the end?” Caleb asked.

  Chelsea pulled out her cell phone, eyed the screen for a moment, then nodded. “One o’ clock. We’re all set. Ready to head home?”

  “Definitely. I’m beat.”

  They began the walk to their apartments, navigating the narrow, dim streets with comfortable familiarity. Few knew the winding labyrinth of Grimoire’s roads and paths better than Caleb and Chelsea.

  They passed the gargoyles guarding the gate to Jacob Crowley’s mansion, wreathed in shadow even as a full moon shone down on it. They strolled under the Hibidian Arches, and took the Moonstone Bridge across Lunaria Lake, its placid waters gleaming an otherworldly silver.

  Chelsea twined her fingers with Caleb’s and leaned against his arm.

  “Have you heard back from you
r sister yet?” Chelsea asked.

  “From Fae?” Caleb asked. Chelsea nodded, and he sighed. “She hasn’t replied. She hasn’t said or texted a word to me in almost a year.”

  Chelsea bumped her shoulder against his playfully. “Maybe you should pay her a surprise visit.”

  Caleb rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she’d love that.”

  “You know, you two could learn a bit from each other. Fae could use some of your sunshiny optimism. And you could use some of her realism. She actually uses more than one Talisman, like most mages.” Chelsea cast a meaningful yet teasing look Caleb’s way.

  Caleb chuckled, his hand brushing against his pocket watch. “I’m fine with one. My mom has one, my dad has one. I like to think they set the gold standard.” Beside him, Chelsea went quiet, a distant look in her eyes.

  She always gets weird when I mention my parents.

  But Caleb didn’t voice his thoughts. He’d tried broaching the subject once, and Chelsea’s reaction had been enough for him to leave it alone ever since.

  A chirp from Caleb’s phone caught his attention. He knew that tone — it was his sound for messages on Re-Code, a messaging app valued for its group chat features. Grimoire’s Hunters had their own Re-Code group to stay in contact and check in with each other. If a message was coming through this soon after Hollow Hour was over…

  Caleb’s heart sank as he read the message.

  “Three kids tonight,” he said softly.

  Chelsea was looking at the same message on her own phone, and nodded slightly.

  “Where do those Pipers go?” Caleb asked, gripping his phone tight.

  “That’s what we’re all trying to find out,” Chelsea said.

  Caleb put his phone away as they started climbing the stairs of the apartment complex. “All our efforts, all our fighting, and still the Pipers slip through our fingers. This can’t keep going on. And I…”

  “What is it?” Chelsea asked.

  Caleb sighed. “This probably sounds weird, but I feel like there’s something darker at work here. Pipers didn’t use to steal children away. Now they do it every night.”

  “You think someone’s pulling the strings?”

  Caleb nodded. “I do.”

  “But who could control Hollows? And why would they want to kidnap so many innocent children?”

  “I don’t know. But I don’t like it. We need to do better. We protect a lot of people, but if we can’t keep the most defenseless among us safe…” Caleb’s free hand clenched into a fist. “We don’t deserve to be Hunters. We don’t deserve to come out here and brag about how many Hollows we destroyed if we can’t save a few children.”

  Chelsea squeezed his hand. “So let’s investigate. Let’s find a way to keep this from happening. But for tonight…” Chelsea pulled away. They’d arrived at the floor of their apartments. “Let’s sleep and recover. Tomorrow we’ll take up the hunt again. Unless you have plans?”

  Caleb shook his head. “Not plans, but…” He thought for a moment. “I think the twins and Delilah are on Fall Break. I should drop by.”

  Chelsea gave him a meaningful look. “Don’t forget about Fae.”

  “I’ll see if I can bring backup to visit her,” Caleb said with a chuckle. “Shana’s always been her favorite.”

  “Nice strategy. Just don’t use up all your energy before midnight.”

  “I know. You can count on me.”

  “Can’t I always?”

  Caleb smirked. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” Chelsea leaned up, kissed him on the cheek. She cast a teasing glance at him as she walked towards her apartment. “You insufferable sweetheart.”

  Chapter 2: In Pursuit

  — G —

  “Fall break is too long!”

  The one complaining was Shana Greyson. She had a slim build, with dark hair and eyes, and her easy smile and energetic nature made her eyes sparkle and her angular features seem softer and kinder. She lay back on the couch staring at the ceiling, kicking her feet along with her whining.

  Lying on Shana’s stomach and staring at the kicking feet was a cocker spaniel puppy with glowing blue fur and deep black eyes. His head followed her kicking feet, ears perking up whenever Shana spoke.

  “I think you’re the only high school student to ever think that,” said Shias Greyson, sitting in the chair near the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table while he read a book. He was definitely a Greyson, with his slim build, angular features, and dark hair and eyes. His eyes had a particular focused glint to them, even as his lips turned upward in a small amused smile. “It’s only an extended weekend.”

  “But I miss my friends,” Shana whined back. “And we don’t get to do any club activities during break.”

  “All of that will still be there when we go back to school,” Shias said. “You should think about taking up a hobby.”

  “I have lots of hobbies,” Shana shot back with a pout. “But I was reading all day yesterday. Everything else requires other people.”

  “What do you have four siblings for?”

  “But Caleb’s away working, Fae’s off at college and never comes home anyway, and Delilah’s out with mom and dad.” Shana sat up suddenly, scooping her dog into her arms, eyes sparkling as she stared at Shias. “But my twin brother is here!”

  Shias sighed, putting his book down. “It took you that long to realize you’re not here alone?”

  Shana pursed her lips. “Don’t make fun of me. It’s mean.”

  “I’ll consider it.”

  “So?” Shana leaned forward hopefully. “Wanna do something?”

  Shias tapped a finger on his chin. “I should train. You could join me.”

  Shana groaned. “Come on, you know I don’t care about that stuff.”

  “Well, you were born into it,” Shias countered. “You don’t have to care, but you can’t just ignore that you have magic.”

  Shana sighed, hugging her dog tight. He nosed his way upward, licking her chin. “What’s so wrong with wanting a normal life?”

  “Nothing wrong about it. It just might be difficult.” Shias started ticking off fingers as he talked. “One: your parents are the heads of one of the most prominent magical families in Grimoire. Two: your oldest sibling is making a name for himself as a powerful Hunter, and I plan to do the same. Three: you love Altair, and he’s a magical dog. He’s not exactly compatible with a normal life. Four —”

  “Okay, okay, I get it!” Shana groaned, standing up. Altair hopped to the floor and wagged his little tail as he watched Shana. “You’re always so annoying when you start listing stuff.”

  Shias shrugged. “So? What do you want to do?”

  Shana’s eyes sparkled. “You’re really asking me? Really truly?”

  “The offer’s expiring soon.”

  “Okay, okay!” Shana waved her hands frantically. “Umm, okay, uh… I know! We should go out!”

  “Out where?”

  “The mall! There are some books I’ve been eyeing, and we just got our allowance.”

  “It’s nice that we have a few things in common.” Shias stood, heading up the spiral staircase at the edge of the family room. “Since we’re the last out, we’ve got to lock things up.”

  “I’ll help!” Shana said excitedly, racing off in the opposite direction.

  She heard Shias mutter, “You only get excited about a few uses of magic.”

  And so what if that’s true? Magic can be cool, sometimes.

  On the second floor, Shana brandished her Talisman, a black-and-silver metal bookmark with a blue tassel. The end of the bookmark lit up with a ball of white light, and she traced a pattern with it through the air. Lights scattered like a million fireflies, seeping into the walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows of Greyson Manor.

  For mages, this kind of “locking up” was important. Ordinary alarms, locks, and security systems only went so far if a mage wished ill on your home or family. So magic was used, and all of th
e Greyson children had been trained in the secrets to the Guardian Magic protecting the manor, and its specific “coding” that was used to raise or lower the wards and safeguards. When “locked up,” Greyson Manor — like many other mage homes — was a virtual fortress.

  “All locked up!” Shana said happily as she met Shias at the front door, slipping her shoes on. She gazed into the eyes of her little blue dog. “Altair, I’ll be back soon, and you can come back out then, okay?” She raised her Talisman. A cobalt-blue portal appeared overhead, and Altair gave an energetic little bark before leaping up and vanishing into magical space.

  “Ready?” Shias asked, slipping on his shoes. Shana nodded, and then off they went, out the front door, down the long paved entrance walk, through the iron gate, and out into the city of Grimoire.

  Grimoire: also known as “The City of Knowledge.” Shana loved that nickname, loved the unique flair and flavor that Grimoire claimed all to itself. Buildings had an old feel to them, with medieval-styled stone exteriors, and the streets were narrow, only suited for walking and cycling. The few cars only drove through the main street that sliced a line north-to-south through the city, and to locations along the perimeter with parking lots, like the apartment complex where Caleb lived. A trolley ran through the center of town along the main street, but besides that, it was all about foot and bike travel. Add to that the fact that Grimoire was full of hills and valleys, and constructed with such narrow, winding, crisscrossing roads, and it meant that the “knowledge” part of “The City of Knowledge” was locally thought of as the need to have extensive knowledge of Grimoire’s geography. It wasn’t a large city in square mileage, but the sheer volume of pathways and streets made it dense and complex. It was easy to get lost, and it wasn’t uncommon to see people who had lived there for as long as five years walk around with a map of the city in hand.

  Shana and her twin brother, of course, didn’t need a map to find their way.

  Standing apart from the many sudden, small hills and valleys throughout Grimoire was the massive crater on the north edge of the city, formed nearly a thousand years ago by a meteor. It was, along with the rocky shelf that rimmed the northward Grimson Bay, the flattest and most open area of the city. That was Shana’s chosen destination: Crater District. It was the most “modern” area of Grimoire, with a rather expansive three-story shopping mall, an arcade, several high-end shops, and a large park that connected to the campus of Grimoire University, a sprawling affair at the northernmost edge of Grimoire, coming right up against the cliffs and looking out over the Bay.