This book contains sexual content and is intended for readers 18+ only!
The next evening I walked quietly up the hall next to Toa. Charles and Jonas walked closely behind. I’d only had four hours of sleep and was still travel worn. My limbs ached and my head hurt. Regardless, I was being called on to face a test with a bunch of really old and highly experienced magical people. Toa wouldn’t comment on why they wanted to see me so quickly, but his clenched jaws and flaring nostrils indicated it was not only highly irregular, but also dangerously suspect.
“You need to relax,” Tao instructed in an eerily calm voice. “When you expect a test, you freeze up and overthink. This cuts down your working memory and you have a harder time pulling the correct answers out of your brain’s storage space.”
“You lecture like Toa, and you glide around like Toa, but this breezy thing is throwing me for a loop. Where’s the frustration? Or the panic?” I glanced at him sideways. “Am I speaking to your evil twin?”
“While I don’t love your sense of humor in these instances, it is less troublesome than your spells stemming from fear. So for that, I am thankful.”
“How do you listen to that guy?” Charles muttered.
I couldn’t help the chuckle.
Toa turned right at the end of the corridor into another long hallway. Charles’ hand on my back made sure I followed.
“This is the beginning,” Toa continued. “They will ensure you are actually a black level power. They need to check Dominicous’ and my findings.”
He turned left suddenly, nearly jostling me, taking us through an empty room. It was then something occurred to me. “Where is everybody?”
I thought back. From the second I stepped out of my room I hadn’t seen a soul. We’d gone through, what felt like, miles of hallway. We’d passed doorways leading to sitting rooms. One gave a quick glimpse of a piano and recreation area. They’d all been empty. What should’ve been high traffic time for this race of people was instead a ghost town.
Then I felt it. A presence. Something lingered on the walls and loomed around us. I felt eyes on me, the feeling clawing between my shoulder blades. Watching from some unseen place. Speculating. Analyzing.
I glanced up, almost certain I’d see bats on the ceiling. Maybe mice on the crown molding.
“Toa?” I ventured, my voice uncertain. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
“They are listening. Waiting. Watching. They are hoping to gain the upper-hand. They are wasting their time.”
We turned into a doorway and cut diagonally across a large room. Books lined the walls and desks and couches loitered around the floor. Not one desk had a reading lamp, and the lights were so low the sharp edges of the desk were hazy in the darkness. Humans probably needed to walk with a flashlight if they wanted to read anything.
After another couple of turns, we stopped in front of a closed door. A blur of movement down the hall caught my eye, dragging my gaze right. A small slice of black melted into the wall at the very end, someone having just walked out of sight. Goosebumps spread across my arms at the unseen watcher, but that feeling of eyes on me was still there.
I glanced behind as Toa knocked, feeling people around me. Body heat, breath stirring the air, huge bodies still and silent…Somehow they were masking themselves from my sight. They were here, though. Watching. Creeping around like boogeymen in the night. I knew it.
Come out, come out wherever you are.
I tore the blanket off my magical inlet and let the elements rush into me, spreading out in my body and spiking my blood. I wafted my magic out, feeling for spells. Like a black light at a crime scene, suddenly I could see.
I recoiled backwards. My fingers tingled with magic, ready to unleash hell.
“You should have done that immediately exiting your suite,” Toa said in a monotone.
Like a heat map of whites and grays, I could see bodies lining the wall. Standing idly, some in two’s and three’s, they just stood around, staring at us. Because of the spell, I couldn’t make out features or even sex, but I could make out the plain outlines of their faces, and most stared straight at me. Magic swirled around them, glowing patches of white making up the spell moving. Add a chain and some sheets and you had what lived in your attic the night before Christmas.
“You are not meant to see them, Sasha. They are employing some advanced magic to stay hidden,” Toa said without inflection as he stared at the door. “They’ve grossly underestimated your ability. I half wonder if they’ve underestimated mine. Absurdity.”
“Don’t people usually come out from hiding when they’re spotted?” I asked quietly.
“Usually. But you are a silly human. Surely you can’t unmask the great leaders of our race.” Toa’s voice dripped with sarcasm. He was not impressed.
I focused in on the largest being, who was standing behind the gap between Jonas and Charles. He stared right back at me. I got the feeling that he didn’t think I could see him.
Which would make him either deaf or stupid, and I didn’t think he was deaf.
“Is someone right behind me?” Charles asked in a whisper with wide eyes.
“What gave it away?” Jonas mumbled in a low voice. “Sasha’s magic pulsing your power, her look of terror, Toa’s comments, or the body heat on your back?”
My eyes lost focus as I saw with my magic, analyzing the spell and its construction. Somewhat advanced, it had a lot of little nuances and intricacies. But compared with what Toa was teaching me, and with what Delilah had done with my help, this was nothing. Child’s play.
Higher level of magic, indeed.
I checked the spell on the next person and the next. Almost to the letter, they were all the same.
Well, when it worked, why strive for originality. Except…
“I see now why you said always tweak your spells just a little from the man next to you,” I admitted to Toa. “Makes it harder for the enemy to pick them apart en masse.”
“If you spent less time questioning, and more time doing, your rate of learning would excel dramatically.”
I rolled my eyes, working on all the spells at the same time. When they were the same, it was really just a matter of duplicating the effort. No thought involved.
“Will you have the energy, though, Sasha?” Toa commented in that same monotone. The man was always on teacher mode.
And unlike usual, I was so thankful for that fact!
With a flourish, I set everything in motion, feeling my energy drain. I tugged on the blood link with Stefan, sensing an immediate surge of energy riding a wave of love. I could handle this counter-spell alone, but since he was in a meeting with Dominicous and some council dude, he didn’t need energy just yet. I might as well keep stocked-up—I had no idea what might come in the next few minutes.
Bodies wavered into view, eerie white glow turning into a shimmer of bronzed skin. Charles glanced behind him, startled, and then directed his gaze down the hall. After a pronounced shiver, he muttered, “Not cool, bro.”
I continued to stare at the large man right behind Jonas and Charles. He had a mop of curly hair and bulging muscle all over his seven foot frame. The man was a goliath.
I couldn’t help myself. “Boo!”
The man’s eyebrows slid down his nose until they’d made a solid vee. Other people down the line glanced at their neighbor. Then leaned forward and glanced farther down the row. Gazes all came to rest on me, some in shock, many in anger.
“That’s not how you make friends, Sasha,” Charles said in a low voice. “Not that you’d want to befriend people who think creeping around and standing behind a guy without saying anything is an okay thing to do. It’s kinda fucked up. Just sayin’”
Jonas rolled his shoulders as his eyes hardened. He must’ve agreed but he couldn’t do anything about it now. Unlike Charles, though, he hadn’t turned around to glance behind him.
The door clicked before it swung open on silent hinges. The same man that checked us into the establishment stood before us, that damned smile once again twisting his lips. His feathered hair was no less 80’s, and unlike me he seemed well rested.
Drugs?
“Well, hello again,” he said, stepping back from the door. “Please come in, we’ve been expecting you.”
We walked into a large convention hall made a tiny bit more comfortable with pretty rugs and well positioned chairs and couches. In the middle of the hall, there was a large table surrounded by cushy leather chairs. Of the twenty available seats at the table, eight had occupants.
We stopped in the space halfway between the table and the door. The twelve or so creepers from the hallway filed in after us, spreading out around the room. Feet apart, hands clasped, they stood staring at us in silence. Guards, apparently.
A heavy-set woman sitting at the front of the table said, “Toa, it is nice to see you again. How were your travels?”
Toa bent gracefully, something like a half-bow, before answering, “They were enlightening, Mage June. It is good to be back.”
“And how long do you intend to stay this time around?”
“That has not yet been decided.”
Mage June stared at him for a second in the same way he always stared at everyone else. Mage requirement? Her gaze then flicked to me. “Has Toa given the scope of our Council—how it operates, how we are sectioned off, and how our Clutch works?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I answered, though I didn’t remember much of it. All I knew with surety was that the Clutch were the group of mages to the Council, in charge of large and tough spells. As such, each of these people had access to the ear of the Council member they were linked to. Their advice was pivotal. All mages, including Toa, wanted a backer in the Clutch to grease the wheels of power. Unfortunately, the Clutch mistrusted anyone with power higher than their own, including each other, and didn’t bother with any power lower. It didn’t speak well of my ability to make friends.
“Good.” Her unwavering stare turned back to Toa. “You were sent to assess her magical power. We received a report that she is a true black power level. Is this correct?”
“Yes,” Toa answered.
“And she deconstructed the spell in the hallway, not you, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Toa answered again.
“I see.” The gaze returned to me. “And you are human, obviously. Have you taken the blood from another in the last three months?”
“No, ma’am,” I responded.
“Not like it would matter.” She shifted in her seat, stocky and well-built. Muscular, though. I had yet to see a pudgy person among this race. All that fighting, sex, and sword work obviously gave a thorough workout.
“Well, then,” she continued, focused on me. “Show me what you can do. Prove your power, if you please.”
“Do not prove it on her, however,” Toa instructed quickly.
Hmm. Good point. I glanced around the room, finding that curly haired creep. He’d be my newest helper. The problem was, most of the complex spells I knew were centered on hurting others so I could win challenges. I didn’t think this was the right setting for that.
“Something simple will do, Sasha,” Toa instructed. He’d probably been thinking the same thing I was.
I resorted to an oldie but goodie. Something that could show my power without a doubt, and wouldn’t hurt anyone. As I was mixing the elements just so, Mage June said, “What spell do you intend, child?”
Child?
“I was going to do a magical box. Um, cage. Like a magical cage?” I mentally stabbed myself for not remembering what the danged spell was called.
“Hmm. And you have done this spell before? With success?” Before I could answer, she waved her question away. “Of course you have. You successfully deconstructed an advanced spell on twelve well-educated and experienced personnel. Proceed.”
I turned back to Curly, seeing his eyebrows lowering even as a grin tweaked my mouth. He knew he was the target.
“On me.” Mage June leaned back in her chair. The other seven people around the table, two women and five men, shifted slightly.
I took a deep breath as Toa stepped away, giving me the floor and room to work. I did not miss that look of warning. I knew better than to kill one of the Clutch. I only hoped I didn’t mess up and do it accidentally. This slow spell working under pressure wasn’t really my forte, even though it was an easy one.
I mixed the elements and cast, the spell forming around her in a hazy black box. The man next to her leaned away.
“Is that it?” Mage June asked of me, gaze pinning me to the spot.
“Well, if I make it a denser box, and you touch it, it’ll shock the hel—heck out of you. It’s not pleasant.”
“And this?” She reached a sure hand forward. One finger barely touched the wall.
A loud zap filled the room. Her hand flinched back.
“This one also shocks, like they’re supposed to, but it doesn’t hurt as much,” I clarified. “Sorry, should’ve warned you.”
“Uh huh. Give it all you’ve got. I need to see what you are capable of.”
I injected energy and power into my magical creation, solidifying the walls until the room could barely make out the inhabitant. My face started to sweat and magic tore through me, wanting more. Wanting me to reach higher, harder. Wanting to push into my body and blast out again.
With effort, I cut off the draw and sucked in a huge breath.
“Was that spell a strain?” the man across from Mage June asked softly.
“Her magic is different than ours, Mage Marius,” Toa responded. “She does not struggle to draw; she struggles to shut off the draw. Once she lays a spell, it will draw energy from her until completed. From her, and whoever is linked to her. This is an extremely rare trait, human or otherwise. I have done research, and the reason it is so rare is because those able to work with such magic are often, at one time or another, overcome with it. They succumb to magic shock—they are killed from it. Survival, then – not the trait itself – is the rarity.”
He had failed to tell me that little nugget of information.
“So, not exactly a gift, then. A time-bomb,” a woman with long blond hair stated.
“Are you sure of this, Toa?” Mage June asked in a tight voice.
“Yes, Mage June, I am quite sure. And in some, yes, it is a time-bomb,” Toa stated in his lecturing monotone. “However, she has learned a primal, rough control of her magic, learning more control every day. She has had some close calls in the past, but at present, she is sustainable. It is her strength of character that creates this one-in-a-million magical situation. Otherwise, she would’ve been dead shortly after puberty when the trait manifested fully.”
Another nugget that he had not bothered to share.
“But you said others use it until they are overcome,” Mage Marius clarified.
“Many begin training at puberty, which is when the trait is discovered. Precautions are made at that time. But, eventually, most magic workers are overcome, yes. Sasha has only recently had training. She has been surviving since age five, and this trait is no different than any other extensive and life-threatening trials she has faced in her life. She has scaled all obstacles, figuring out how to stay alive in any given situation with what is available at that moment in time. She creates some spectacular spells and chants completely randomly for this reason. Predictability is not her strength, however. She is not someone for a line crew. She cannot be counted on for uniform work. She is the head of a link and not the body. A commander, not a soldier. One must take the good with the bad in her case, and if they do, they will be vastly rewarded. If not, she is impossible to control. This is coming from someone who has tried to control her on numerous occasions.”
I blinked back tears. I had no idea Toa had figured out the real me, internalized it, and found it a positive trait rather than a drawback. It meant a lot that he’d taken the time to understand me, and learn about me, so he could better teach me. I wanted to hug the guy.
“Intriguing,” Mage June reflected from within her box. “Let it be known that I have tried to unravel this spell, and have yet been unsuccessful. It is an extremely simple concoction, as we are all aware, but powerful and tight in the construction. Well done, Toa, for your teaching. It is showing through. Now, Sasha, deconstruct this spell and show us some others.”
I went through my gamut of spells I knew wouldn’t backfire, and then went through some that I hoped wouldn’t. All went off successfully within a roomful of contemplative stares until, finally, Mage June said, “That is enough. You still have much learning to do, but you are entitled to your post. You may go.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I glanced at Toa, waiting for him to walk with me to the door.
“Toa, please hang on a moment. I have some things to discuss with you,” Mage June said.
Toa stared at me silently for a beat, before he said, “Go check in with Tim and his people. They arrived this evening. Stay with them until Dominicous, I, or Stefan comes for you.”
“It almost sounds like you don’t think this facility is safe.” The woman with long blond hair laughed as she whisked her mane off her shoulder.
Toa’s intense blue glance held mine. The seriousness of that look and the haunted quality of it createdtingles up my spine. I stepped closer to Charles and Jonas as I nodded. I defied him as often as I listened to him, but in this place, I’d follow his instructions to the letter. If I didn’t know better, I’d say my life depended on it.
Jonas led me out of the room, wanting to be the first in the hallway. Charles followed directly behind, his hand on my back.
“You have your magic all over this bitch?” Jonas asked in a low tone as we started down the hall. “I don’t need anyone sneaking up on me.”
“I’ve got it.” And I did. I wasn’t taking any chances.
After a few feet I asked, “Why was Toa so paranoid, do you think?”
“Because you just showed, without a doubt, your value,” Jonas growled, eyes always on the move. “He tried to lessen your worth, saying you didn’t follow orders, and wouldn’t conform, but the big power players won’t care about that. They’ll think they can bring you to heel.”
“They’ll try, anyway,” Charles added, his bearing tense, his thick cords of muscle flexed from head to foot. “Trying without success would probably be worse than trying with success. The Boss needs to find a backer soon. Sasha just painted a damn target on her back.”
“Does everyone find a backer here?” I asked, feeling my magic mingle with another. I slowed as we turned into an empty corridor.
“No. Not many do,” Jonas answered, slowing with me. He felt it, too. Fire danced in his eyes, a sure sign he was ready to rip someone’s face off. “Which usually doesn’t matter because most leaders aren’t powerful enough to pose a threat. The Boss is, though.”
“So, then, won’t finding a backer be easy?” I whispered, feeling Charles’ hand on my shoulder. My warning tingle started crawling up my back. I wanted to turn around and start sprinting. Where would I go, though? This was a big hotel surrounded by nothingness. I had nowhere to hide.
“He either finds a backer, or he finds the afterlife. The next two weeks will decide.”
“Isn’t it weird that when Toa is all jumpy, Dominicous is calm and jokey, but when Dominicous gets riled up, Toa gets crazy calm,” I wondered aloud. I needed to take my mind off of that magic approaching. Panic and fear were not where my head needed to be right now. It would work against me.
“It’s a great partnership,” Jonas reflected, his muscled flexed. “Where are these—“
Jonas cut off as three men stepped into the corridor a hundred feet in front of us. One guy was slightly in front, his face tilted down in menace. The two behind walked with their chests puffed up, the first guy’s backup.
“Here we go, bro,” Charles growled, turning sideways so a quick turn of his head could have him seeing either end of the hallway.
“Oh God. This is a challenge, isn’t it.” My breath was coming in fast pants. My chest felt tight.
The men stalked toward us. Stefan’s height or more, huge and robust, they were thugs of massive proportions. The front man, eyes for me alone, ground to a halt ten feet in front of me. His lips quirked in a sardonic smile. “We don’t like humans thinking above their station.”
“Thinking above our station?” I said back automatically. “Well, I don’t have to worry about you doing that, huh?”
“If more than one of you challenges, we can step in to defend her,” Jonas drawled. He cracked his neck.
“I live here, haus. I know the rules of engagement,” the man retorted.
Thankfully, my guys didn’t mention Jonas’ statement was for me, not them.
“So what’s it going to be?” Jonas leaned in, his eyes flaring with crazy. “Am I invited to the party?”
The lead thug’s eyes flicked toward Jonas, an answer on his tongue. When his eyes hit my bodyguard, though, those words must’ve dried up, because he shut his mouth with a click. The two guys to the back shifted with darting eyes, a normal person’s version of begging to shuffle away quickly.
“I don’t got a gripe with you, man.” The leader nodded toward me. “I got a gripe with a bitch human prancing around with my kind at her back, like lap dogs.”
“You calling me a lap dog, bro?” Charles growled.
The leader spit to his side and stepped forward. His two buddies didn’t follow.
“Gross. You just spit on carpet.” Magic flared inside me. I took a deep breath and fought the wave of power.
“Let’s go, bitch human. I need to rearrange your face.”
I rolled my eyes and thought about the spells I wanted to do, because obviously I wasn’t going to physically fight a behemoth. “The rules of engagement? Rearrange my face? Let me guess, you’re a fan of cheesy war movies.”
I felt behind me for Charles’ leg, and then applied pressure, telling him to back off. I was aiming for harm, not to maim and certainly not kill, but the spell was volatile at best and not directional—everyone would get a blast.
“All right, then,” Charles said, pulling Jonas back and then further away.
The leader grinned. “It’s not going to take that much space to have this bitch human weeping for mercy.”
“God you’re tough to listen to.” Wasting no time, I mixed the elements and formed a large red ball. Its sides nearly touched the walls. To get around it, he’d have to crawl under it on his belly. No way was this guy doing that.
Of course, it was red. He’d probably try to disentangle it like a common, low-level spell.
Toa tried that once. But only once. Inverted magic was a tricky, unstable thing.
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