Magic Study - Study 2

I had taken Dax back to my rooms. We sat together on the couch. “Don’t worry. I’ve only worked with her once, but you’ve known her for a year. I’ll find her through you.” I hoped. “Relax,” I instructed. I took his hand in mine. “Think of her.” Finding a thread of magic, I reached toward his mind.

A horrible vision of Gelsi, bloody and terrified, filled my mind. “Dax, don’t imagine where she might be. Think of her at the New Beginnings feast.”

The image transformed into a smiling young lady wearing a soft green gown. I felt Dax’s thrill when he held her hand and guided her while they danced. I sent my magic to Gelsi, trying to see Dax from her mind.

She gazed up at him. They had always danced together at the feast, but this time felt different. Her skin tingled where he had touched her, and a warmth pulsed in her chest.

Gelsi, I called, pulling her into the memory.

What a lovely evening, she thought. How things have changed. Dax seemed distant after that night. Preoccupied.

Gelsi, where are you? I asked.

Shame flared. I’ve been a fool. No one must know. Please tell no one. Fear trembled through her mind.

You were deceived by a cunning sorcerer. No one will hold that against you. Where are you?

He will punish me.

She tried to pull away. I showed her Dax’s concern for her. His hunt through the Keep. Don’t let your captor win, I pleaded.

Gelsi showed me a bare room. She was naked and tied to metal spikes that had been driven into the wooden floor. Strange symbols had been painted on the floor and walls. Pain throbbed from between her legs and the multiple cuts along her arms and legs burned. He hadn’t needed to drug her with Curare.

I loved him, she said. I gave myself to him.

Instead of the wonderful loving experience she had expected, Ferde tied her down, beat her and raped her. Then he bled her, collecting the blood in an earthen bowl.

Show me where you are, I instructed.

Beyond the room was the living area and outside I could see a courtyard with a white jade sculpture of fifteen horses.

Have faith, I said. We’ll be there.

He’ll know. He has surrounded the neighborhood with a magical shield, he knows when someone passes through and if he feels threatened, he’ll complete the ritual.

Doesn’t he need to wait until the full moon tonight?

No.

The note left by Alea had originally set the exchange for the full moon so everyone had not only assumed Ferde sent the note, but that the phase of the moon was critical for the ritual.

He had to move many times, Gelsi said. I had thought it exciting. I didn’t know he was the one the Masters were searching for. He led me to believe he was on a secret mission for the Master Magicians.

We’ll find a way, I promised.

Hurry.

I withdrew my awareness and sat back. Dax stared at me in horror, he had been able to see and hear our conversation.

“She will need you when this is over,” I told him.

“We need to tell the Masters—”

“No.” My mind raced through options.

“But he’s strong. You heard Gelsi. He has a shield,” Dax said.

“All the more reason to go alone. They have been searching for him and he knows them. I think I can get through undetected.”

“How?”

“There’s no time to explain. But Gelsi will need you close by. Can you meet me in the market in an hour?”

“Of course.”

I jumped up and started gathering supplies.

Dax hesitated at the door. “Yelena?”

I looked at him.

“What happens if you don’t stop him?” Fear shone in his green eyes.

“Then we find Valek. Otherwise, Sitia will be Ferde’s.”

Dax swallowed his fright and nodded before leaving. I packed my equipment and changed my clothes. Dressed in a plain brown tunic and pants I would blend in with the regular citizens of the Citadel. Covering my disguise with my cloak, I stopped at my parent’s suite on the way out.

Leif sat with them in the living room. I ignored him. “Father, do you have those extra pills?” I asked, hoping he knew I wanted the Theobroma.

He nodded in understanding and went to retrieve them. While I waited, Mother remembered her little invention she had told me about. She handed me a strange device made of tubes and rubber and explained how to work it.

“Just in case,” she said.

“This is great,” I said. “You were right about it being useful.”

She beamed. “That’s what every mother wants to hear.”

Leif had said nothing, but I could feel his penetrating stare as if he tasted my intentions.

Esau handed me the pills. “Are you coming to lunch with us?”

“No. I have something I need to do. I’ll catch up with you later,” I said, giving my father a hug and my mother a kiss on her cheek.

A queasy feeling rolled in my stomach. Perhaps I should tell the Master Magicians about Ferde and Gelsi? After all, it had been only pure chance that saved me from Alea. I was still discovering what I could do with my magic. And now that I had been expelled, would I be able to fully explore my potential?

My mother stopped me just past the door.

“Here,” she said, handing me my fire amulet. “I think you need this. Remember what you endured to win it.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she shook her head, “I want it back.” She squeezed me in a tight hug for a moment.

Examining the scarlet prize in the sunlight, I marveled at Perl’s empathy. I tucked the amulet into my pocket and set a brisk pace for the Citadel.

After I had passed the Keep’s gate, I heard pounding footsteps behind me. I whirled, drawing my bow.

Leif halted a few feet away. His machete hung from his belt, but he made no move to grab it.

“Not now, Leif,” I said, turning, but he clasped my shoulder and spun me around to face him.

“I know where you’re going,” he said.

“Bully for you.” I shrugged his hand off. “Then you know time is of the essence. Go back to the Keep.” I started to walk.

“If I do, I’ll tell the Masters what you’re doing.”

“Truly? You’re not very good at telling.”

“This time I won’t hesitate.”

Seeing the stubborn set to his broad shoulders, I stopped. “What do you want?”

“To come along.”

“Why?”

“You’ll need me.”

“Considering how helpful you were in the jungle fourteen years ago, I think I’m better off on my own.” I spat the words at him.

He cringed, but the obstinacy remained in his face. “Either include me in your plans, or I’ll follow you and ruin