I woke up an hour or so later to voices outside the door. Morgyn and Caleb were talking.
“I’m worried for her,” Morgyn said. “She’s determined and strong, but she still blames herself for what happened. I don’t want it to cloud her judgement. Second guessing like that could end up getting her hurt or killed.”
“She’s showing signs of PTSD,” Caleb explained. “And I’m worried for you as well.”
“Me?” Morgyn asked. “Why?”
“Well, she may have witnessed your death, but you’re the one who actually died.” Caleb sighed. “I’v’e seen the fear in your eyes about those guys.”
“They are a significant threat,” Morgyn said. “Yes, I’m afraid of them, because I know what they’re capable of.”
There was silence for a while. Then, Morgyn’s phone rang.
“Hello?” He answered. There was a pause, and then he said happily, “oh good! Let’s hope it stays that way.” I could hear the smile on his voice. “Thank you, L.” They said their goodbyes and Morgyn hung up.
“They’re gone,” he said to Caleb. “They apparently left angrily and said they weren’t coming back.”
I was relieved, but I had a nagging thought in the back of my mind. That was too easy. They came there with a mission, and simply after talking to L they abandoned it? I shook my head and stood up, heading out the door. I stopped in front of them and smiled. “Thank you, guys.” I hugged them. “You’re so patient. I really appreciate it.”
Morgyn smiled warmly. “Of course.” He gave me an excited face and said, “Those men are gone. L called and said they left without incident.”
I raised an eyebrow and slightly shook my head. “That’s good.” I knew my voice was less than enthusiastic, but I really didn’t believe what we had been told.
Morgyn could sense my uncertainty and gave me a skeptical look. Caleb caught onto this and also looked at me, mentally checking up on me.
I sighed. “I just feel like it was too easy,” I explained. “They were clearly on a mission, and they wouldn’t give up just like that.” I shook my head. “I’m really hoping it’s true and that maybe they realized it wasn’t worth fighting, but I don’t think we can count on that. We need to be vigilant.”
Morgyn pursed his lips and nodded. “Yes, you’re right,” he said. “I don’t know what their end game is, but I’m just trying to stay positive.”
“They have a vendetta for you,” I furrowed my brow.
He nodded, sighing. “Yes. But I’m hoping they will back off a bit.”
I shook my head. “I don’t like to be so negative, but I really don’t think they will. I will keep a close eye on you when we’re in the realm.”
He grinned playfully. “You don’t think I can handle my own?”
I glared at him. “I’m sure you can, but I don’t want to be a bystander, letting people harm you without stepping in.”
Caleb nodded. “I second that.”
Morgyn nodded solemnly. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
I took his hands. “We don’t want you to get hurt either.”
He smiled sadly. “Thank you.”
I pulled him into a hug, and I could feel his heart pounding. He was legitimately terrified of these men. I found myself getting angry that they had this much power over Morgyn. Come hell or high water, I was going to make absolutely sure they wouldn’t hurt Morgyn. And if they did, I would unleash a level of power none of us had seen.
We decided to go to the realm, Caleb included. I found it rather amusing that he was becoming our little vampire bodyguard.
L approached Morgyn, smiling. “Hey!” She beamed. I found it odd. Was she really that happy that the men backed off? What was going on?
She noticed my expression and she smiled at me as well. I smiled back, hesitantly.
Morgyn smiled as well. “Hey L! What’s got you so chipper?”
L shrugged. “Just in a good mood, I suppose.”
I narrowed my eyes. Maybe I was looking too far into it, but L was never like this, and it really seemed she was up to something. As she and Morgyn had their conversation, I watched her movements and expressions. She must have felt my eyes on her, but she didn’t even flinch. She just kept talking, ignoring me.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned. I was face to face with Simeon.
“May I speak with you?” He asked.
My heart skipped a beat. Did I do something wrong? Why was everyone acting so weird?
I nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
He turned and walked toward the kitchen, and I followed. Once there, Simeon turned to face me again.
“I’m not really sure what’s happening, but L managed to get those problematic, dark sages to leave, but she’s been overly happy, bubbly and unlike herself ever since.” Simeon looked at me, his face full of worry.
I nodded. “I noticed she was acting strangely.” I touched my cheek with my fingertip, deep in thought. “Is it possible they did something to her?”
Simeon shrugged. “I’m not sure. They technically can’t use their magic here, but they technically could use it if they masked it behind one of our spells.”
I furrowed my brow. “What spells would mask something dark?”
“If she was put into a trance, they could have masked it with delieriate.” Simeon glanced back over at L, who was still talking to Morgyn.
“But that’s her specialty,” I disagreed. “She would be immune to someone casting her own spell on her.”
Simeon held up his index finger as if he was telling me to hold on. “They are more powerful than she is.” He sighed. “And one of them was the sage of Mischief magic before L was. He taught her everything she knows.”
“Marco’s sidekick,” I said quietly.
Simeon nodded. “Yes. His name is Jay. As you’ve already seen, he is quiet and prefers to let Marco do the talking.” He rolled his eyes. “Even if he didn’t, I doubt Marco would ever let him get a word in anyway.”
I nodded. Yeah. Marco definitely seemed like that type.
I glanced over at L and Morgyn, and saw her standing very close to him, causing him to step back every so often. The look on his face said that he was starting to notice something was up as well.
“I’m going to go over there,” I gestured toward L and Morgyn.
Simeon nodded. “Good plan.”
We walked over, but Simeon kept walking past L, who turned and watched him as he walked away. She then turned to me and grinned.
“So, what were two sages talking about without the other two?” She asked, her tone sinister.
Morgyn’s eyes narrowed. “We have our own little conversations without others all the time, L,” he said, suspicious.
L turned toward him, almost robotic. “I think that should stop,” she said, her grin fading. “We have no secrets here, right, Morgyn?”
Morgyn stepped back again, and instinctively, I stepped in between him and L. She simply shoved me aside and stared at Morgyn, demanding him with her body language to acknowledge what she said.
Morgyn didn’t budge, reaching his hand into his inner jacket pocket, ready to pull out his wand for a duel.
Simeon looked over at us, and I subtly motioned for him to come over. Caleb noticed this and also came over.
“What’s going on?” He asked.
I gestured to L and Morgyn. Caleb watched them and nodded slightly.
Simeon stood close, but far enough for L to not really notice him.
I felt comfortable stepping in again. Three sages and a vampire against one sage gave me some much needed confidence. If she tried to attack Morgyn, my plan was to simply place my hand on his shoulder. Whatever defense he used would be magnified by our power. He seemed to know what I had in mind based on my stance. He was ready. We all were.
L looked around. “Well, Morgyn? Do we have secrets here?”
Morgyn gave L an angry stare. “No, but just because people are speaking in private doesn’t mean they are keeping secrets from other sages. You’re being paranoid and irrational.”
“Irrational?” L laughed. “That’s a bit ironic coming from someone who felt they had a rational response to a little magic experimentation.”
Morgyn stood straight. “L, stop.” He furrowed his brow. “Jay and Marco clearly have you under their control. Why? What do they want you to do?”
L gave Morgyn a menacing grin. “Get you to change your mind,” she paused and stepped closer. “Or kill you.”
A chill went through my body, making my blood run cold. She said “Or kill you” so calmly, like it was just another day to her. I knew she was being mind controlled, but it was still eerie.
Morgyn stepped back again. L stepped closer and raised her eyebrows. “Ready to change your mind yet?”
Morgyn started to speak, but I cut him off. “No.” I said. “Before he can do anything like that, we need to speak to Jay and Marco.” I stood tall against L. “Summon them.”
“Or what?” She asked me, looking me up and down.
I stepped closer to her, my body glowing red as I charged my untamed power. “Do you want to find out?”
L tried not to be affected, but I could tell she was intimidated. She started to step away from Morgyn and I. She sighed. “I will summon them.” She narrowed her eyes. “You have no idea what you have just unleashed.”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” I scowled. As I spoke, Morgyn and Caleb came up along either side of me.
L glared at all of us, her eyes darting from person to person, then finally walked away.
Morgyn watched her go, then turned to me. “What do you plan to do?”
Good to see he wasn’t questioning me this time. “I want to settle this with all of them and get L back rather than-” I stopped myself. I knew that if we were fighting with her and she didn’t let up, there was a chance she could be killed. “The alternative,” I continued quietly.
Morgyn nodded solemnly. “Right. Well I hope it works.”
I glanced back at L, who was walking downstairs. “Yeah,” I agreed. “Me too.”
For the rest of our time in the realm, we were very careful. We knew Marco and Jay could appear at any time, and they were out for blood. We were very clearly in danger, but if the dragon war taught us anything, it was that we could conquer anything. But we weren’t getting cocky. There was no time for that. We would handle this just like any other situation, and hopefully, we would be triumphant.
Morgyn and I trained a bit to keep our minds sharp and also to not think about the current issue. Caleb watched, amused and interested.
As Morgyn and I were just about to have a friendly duel, we heard commotion in the HQ. The three of us dropped everything and ran in. L had grabbed one of the newer spellcasters and lifted him into the air using magic, pressing him hard against the wall.
Morgyn ran over, panicked. I followed close behind. We pulled out our wands, shouting a spell to get L away from the spellcaster. The spellcaster was lifted up and away to safety, and we placed him gently down on the ground. He ran out of HQ, his eyes as big as saucers. I didn’t blame him. I was pretty sure we all wanted to run for the hills because of her.
Morgyn glared at L. “What the hell was that?” He shouted, getting in her face.
L grinned. “That was me getting your attention.” She gestured toward the doors leading to the portal out of the realm. “They are coming. You don’t know the fury you’ve unleashed.”
Morgyn crossed his arms in front of him. “Yeah, you already said that.” He rolled his eyes. “If you’re trying to intimidate me, it’s not working.”
L grinned, leaning in close to him. “Are you suuuuure?” She spoke in an almost sing-song voice, drawing out her last word to tease him. “I can sense your fear, Morgyn. I know those men scare you.”
“I’m simply worried about the realm,” Morgyn shook his head. “I’ll sacrifice myself for the realm any day.”
My heart jumped. I wouldn’t let that happen, of course.
L sneered and stepped back. “They’re here,” she said.
My heart started to race. I had no idea what to expect. I started heading toward the window facing the portal to see them. Morgyn followed, wand in hand.
As I peered out the window, I saw them approaching. Their runes were no longer fading in and out. They were solid. These two had magic, and they were able to use it. L must have done something to allow it. As I turned to look at her again, I jumped. She was right behind me, smiling.
Marco came in and also smiled at us. It was a sinister, mean smile. He approached us like a man on a mission. I started to have a very bad feeling about this, but we couldn’t just turn back now.
As Marco and Jay stood before us, L joined alongside them. Together, synchronized like robots, they leaned in toward us.
“You have no idea the fury you have unleashed.”
(Jay is renamed to Damien starting in the second book, as it was a collaboration with a friend of mine on Instagram. When this it edited, the name will be updated.)
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