Magi Saga 2: Shadows of Darkness (2 page)

‘Drug runners with connections to Haitian Nomads. They won’t be pleased about this.’

‘Will they know who did it?’

‘I’m sure they could take a wild guess. This is Legacy territory and they should expect us to protect it.’ Royston turned to Amanda. ‘I take it you’d like to return to Gentle Water and Elizabeth now?’

‘To be sure, to be sure, once this is all cleared up.’

‘The clean-up crew will be here momentarily, head back with Xain and the others, we’ll deal with this.’

Amanda Smiled. ‘Thank you Roy.’ She said, and kissed him on the cheek.

‘Good luck with your move, let us know if you need anything won’t you,’ he said.

‘I will, and thanks. I’ll see you around,’ she answered.

Royston watched her walk away towards Xain, Orion, Balor and the waiting portal. She had come a long way these past few months. Her Magical ability advancing at an alarming rate and she was now a very active member of the Legacy Coven House. This was only the latest of a string of missions she had taken on with the boys and she had proved herself to be a very competent Magus. The innocent young girl, well, as innocent as a former New York Prostitute could be, that Gentle Water had taken on in Ireland was now a much more confident young woman, and Royston felt somewhat proud of her. He had never had children of his own, instead he considered these young Magi to be his children, and he wondered if this might be how fatherhood felt. He took a deep breath and turned back to the mess before him. There looked to be a lot to clean up and he knew the authorities would be on their way. But they had done this a thousand times before, and no one would be the wiser.

In a darkened room of a Haitian Garrison, the Dreadlocked Nomad sank to one knee before his Master. She turned slightly to look upon him, the bones draped about her ebony skin rattled as she moved.

Lucian did not relish reporting the loss of such a big shipment of drugs to his master but it had to be done. He would suffer the pain of her displeasure for it, he knew, but it would not last forever, and once it was over, he would find those responsible and flay the flesh from their bones.

‘My Master, Baal Nymira, I have news for you…’

Amanda snapped into existence outside the gates to the Himalayan monastery that had been her home for several months now. Gentle Water had brought her and Liz here to help with Liz’s recovery after the events on the train. She was doing well and seemed much better these days. She’d been enjoying learning Magic and could now talk about the events that had changed her life. She cried when she thought about it too much, but then, who wouldn’t. That scar would be with her for the rest of her life.

The snow fell and the bitterly cold air pulled at her hair. Amanda walked up to the gates that were guarded by two deceptively still stone Temple Dogs that sat on either side of the entrance to this hidden place. She stepped up to the door, took hold of the huge metal ring that hung in the centre of it and slammed it home. The boom that sounded echoed off the valley behind her as she waited for the doors to open. Even though it felt cold out here, Amanda’s magic kept her toasty and warm, immune to the effects of the biting wind.

Seconds later the locks opened on the other side of the door and swung wide to reveal a short arched passage way and a square courtyard beyond. Within that open space, the snow fell lazily to the floor, over a tree that sat in the centre of the open space. The courtyard was ringed by a balcony on the floor above, and as Amanda stepped into the space she looked up and nodded to the bald monk that looked down at her.

‘Good morning Little Phoenix,’ he said, ‘welcome back.’ It seemed to be their nick name for her.

‘To be sure, it’s good to be back,’ she answered.

‘Go on through,’ he said, and gestured to the door below, which also opened of its own accord like the main gates.

Through these next gates, she passed through another short passage into the temple proper, where the scene changed dramatically.

The air here felt dramatically warmer and more comfortable and no snow lay on the floor. Within the walls of this monastery, a Coven of Magi Monks lived and made their home. Gentle Water had been one such apprentice who had trained here in his early years as a Magi. As she had understood it, his master had been a western woman who had been called Graceful Phoenix, and given that Amanda and Liz were the only western people here, and she happened to be Gentle Waters apprentice, the link as to why they called her Little Phoenix seemed clear.

The monastery housed a fair number of Monks, Amanda hadn’t counted them, but they were all initiated and they walked around the complex going about their business taking little notice of her arrival.

Set into the side of a mountain, this large Temple, known as The Red Temple, mainly due to the red brick buildings that made up the complex, had been set out over numerous levels, with buildings perched on the side of the steep incline, around a central open communal area that allowed access to the whole Temple.

To her left buildings rose above her up the steep incline of the mountain side, walkways and steps carved in the rock meandered between the buildings, all of them eventually leading back down to the area Amanda had walked into. These buildings continued around in front of her, partially ringing the open space, but stopping before the huge open space to her right, opening up to a shear drop down the side of the mountain.

A couple of trees and ornate Temple Dogs sat on stone plinths were the only obstructions to the huge vista of magnificent snow-capped mountains that stretched off into the distance before her. The temple sat high up on the slope of the mountain above the snow line, allowing the clouds to drift in below the level of the temple. Amanda had often sat here and stared out upon the view, taking in the vast awesomeness of the whole thing.  But Amanda couldn’t waste too much of her time on it today, they had a lot to prepare in order to be ready for their trip in a few days’ time. Along with the continuing mentoring that Gentle Water gave to Amanda, and Amanda in turn gave to Liz, Amanda never felt bored.

Later that same day, after spending a few hours with Liz training her in the magical arts, Amanda sat with her apprentice on the edge of the communal area, their legs dangling over the side above a drop of a few thousand feet.

Amanda leant back, propped up by her hands and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the Temple grounds while Liz sat forward, her hands in her lap. Both wore casual clothing from their training session, leggings and fitted tops. Amanda’s red hair fell loosely about her shoulders while Liz kept her blonde tresses tied up in a ponytail.

Liz was a slim, slight seventeen year old girl who had suffered more than her fair share at the hands of the Nomads and Inquisition already, having lost her family and friends to them. Amanda didn’t really know her before the events on the train over a year and a half ago, but these days she seemed quiet and shy. She’d been really withdrawn straight after the events on the train, and hadn’t spoken barely at all for a couple of months. But’s she’d come a long way and Amanda had grown very fond of Liz, thinking of her like a little sister as she taught her Magic.

‘So the Coven we’ll be visiting in the States, they’re called ‘Liberties Children?’ Liz asked.

‘To be sure, they’re a Magi House, the most influential of the US Houses.’

‘I don’t think we’ve gone into the whole, House, Coven, thing. I’ve heard you mention it though, and, I guess they’re a bigger version of a Coven?’

‘In basic terms yes. The Arcadian Magi are for the most part, formed into groups, known as Covens, a few of these Covens are known as Houses. The Arcadians have a Council, they have the final say on matters of policy and they help to guide the general direction of the Arcadian group. The Houses themselves are informally known as either High or Low Houses. The difference being that the High Houses are the ones that originally formed the first Council after the fall of the Magi Senate in Rome about two thousand years ago. The Low Houses are usually large Covens who have become big enough to hold territory and the Council has granted them House status, which means as the Magi Council rotates its officials they have the opportunity to have members of their House on the Council.’

‘Our Coven is a House right? The Legacy?’

‘Yup, it’s one of the High Houses, it’s been a round a while.’

‘Oh, I remember now, I have another question. I was wondering why are we called Arcadians?’ Liz asked.

‘As I understand it from what Gentle Water has told me, back in prehistory, Magi could travel freely between the material world, and the Aetheric Realm, the Spirit world, which these days we refer to as Arcadia. We used it extensively as a hiding place and a staging point in the fight against the Archons, and so we became known as Arcadians. The name stuck.’

‘Do you mean the Abyss?’ Liz asked.

‘Same place. Before the Archons were banished there it was referred to as Arcadia, after their banishment, and after their influence corrupted the landscape, it became known as the Abyss. I know, it’s confusing, there’s a lot to take in. You’ll get there, don’t worry. Anyway, we have other things to worry about at the moment anyway.’

‘Yeah I know. So we’re visiting the Liberties Children House in a few days, right?’ Liz asked.

‘That’s right, I’m looking forward to it. You?’ Amanda smiled.

‘Of course.’

- The Red Monastery, Tibet.

Chodak smiled, but kept his eyes shut and waited as he listened to the footsteps that approached and stopped a few feet away from him. He heard the sounds of movement as the person sat themselves down next to him.

Certain they were settled, he opened his eyes and looked over to Graceful Phoenix.

‘Welcome, it’s been a long time.’

‘Too long,’ the woman answered.

‘To what do I owe this visit?’ he asked, although he thought he knew the answer to that question.

‘Amanda, she’s gone?’

‘She has.’

‘Then my memories were right. Tell me, how was she?’ she asked.

The Monk smiled, he’d expected Graceful Phoenix to visit now that Amanda had left the monastery.

‘She’s on the next leg of her journey, she’s moving to New York.’

Arrival

Washington DC

May 7th

Amanda, Gentle Water and Liz popped into existence inside a good sized and well-appointed room with a set of double doors before them. The room felt warm with a plush red carpet and wooden panelling on the walls, potted plants sat in the corner, but otherwise the room appeared empty. Amanda's immediate thought being that this rooms express purpose would be for anyone porting in from a distance. Her magical senses lit up with powerful and extensive weavings of Essentia all about her, this place looked well protected. A single person stood waiting in the room, she had short hair and wore a business suit, she smiled at the 3 Magi before her.

'Welcome, you must be Amanda-Jane Page?' Asked the dark haired woman.

'I am, and this is Gentle Water and Elizabeth Fox.' She shook the hand of the woman as she spoke and noted the lack of a strong connection to the surrounding Essentia, she must be an Initiated rather than a Magus, Amanda mused.

They’d all worn some of their nicer clothing for this visit, wanting to make a good impression on the Americans. Amanda wore her long dark trousers that hugged her hips and rear but fell to a loose fit about her strappy high heels, she also wore a white blouse tucked into her trousers. Gentle Water had on a pair of tan chino’s, a white shirt and shoes while Liz opted for a long dark skirt and grey jumper also over a white blouse.

'Hi' said Liz, and she gave a quick wave, Gentle Water nodded his greeting in his typically stoic way.

'You may call me Miss Evans, I am to take you straight through to Victoria, she’s expecting you'.

‘Of course, lead the way.’

They walked briskly from the room, moving through a powerful Aegis as they did so, and down a corridor, passing offices and meeting rooms as they went. All about them there were people going about their business, it looked like any well-appointed government building, but Amanda could feel the Magic here, this was a Magi House, and most of the people here were probably Initiated, people with no Magical ability of their own, even though they knew all about Magic and the Magi hidden in the world at large. This wasn't just any Magi house though, this was the house of Liberties Children, the biggest American Coven and one of only three North American Magi Houses. Although she couldn't tell from this corridor, as there were  no windows looking outside the walls of this building here, Amanda knew they were in Washington DC, but she wasn't sure where in that city they were exactly.

After a short walk they turned through another set of double doors into what looked like a waiting room, a secretary sat behind a desk and comfortable looking chairs around a couple of tables on either side of the room were nearby. Their guide motioned for them to wait while she approached the desk of the secretary, allowing Amanda to get a look around.

The only other people in the room were 3 young women, all of them Magi judging from their Essentia signature. Surprisingly Amanda recognized one of them as a Hollywood celebrity, her name was Melissa Gemelle-Rowe and Amanda has seen her in a few films. Amanda felt somewhat shocked that someone with such a high profile could be a Magi and couldn't help but stare for a moment as she looked upon the group.

Melissa seemed to be comforting one of the girls who seemed upset over something, in fact, they all looked a bit tired and like they hadn't had much sleep. Melissa wore sunglasses, despite being inside, but was otherwise dressed casually in jeans and a loose jumper with a wide neck that hung off one shoulder. The other two women wore mostly black, the one with black hair wore a short dress, the blonde wore leggings and a fitted grey top.

Melissa looked up at Amanda, her face blank as she gazed at Amanda and her companions before she returned to her two friends.

Miss Evens returned from the secretary desk.

'She’s ready to see you, come with me.'

She led Amanda and her friends through the waiting room towards the large double doors at the far end of the room. As they walked, Liz moved closer to Amanda and whispered to her.

'Was that?'

'I think so.' Amanda whispered back.

'Wow, a Movie star and a Magi?'

'I know, it seems like it could never work, but, I don’t know, maybe it does.'

'I’d love to get her Autograph… but I don’t think now is a good time.'

'I’m sure you’ll meet her again. Here we go…'

The group followed Miss Evans into a large, plush office where a confident looking woman with long straight dark hair sat at her huge oak desk. She stood and smiled, she wore a well-tailored jacket and fitted skirt and had a commanding presence that mixed well with what seemed like a congenial manor.

'Amanda, so nice to meet you finally.' She stepped out from behind her desk and shook Amanda’s hand warmly. 'And this must be Elizabeth, welcome to DC.'

'Call me Liz,' she smiled.

'Of course, welcome. And Gentle Water, so nice to see you again, it’s been a while. How’s is the Legacy these days?'

'We are well, thank you. Royston sends his regards.'

'And I send him mine. Come in, come in, take a seat please.' She guided them to the seats before her desk before returning to her chair on the other side of the desk. 'I must say, although I admire what you are doing, I do think it’s folly. New York is not a place for Arcadians like us. It’s dangerous and Lucian rules it with an iron fist.'

'That may be so, but it’s my home and I simply could not live with myself if I didn’t at least try to make a life there. Besides, I have a good feeling about this.' Amanda wasn’t lying about that feeling either. She had quickly come to the conclusion that she wanted to live in Manhattan after the events on the train. She loved Paris and Tibet was nice, but none of them really felt like home. She loved Ireland as well and it would always feel like a home to her, but after growing up there, she needed to be somewhere else, and only once place felt right. New York, Manhattan, the Big Apple, there was something about it, she just knew she needed to be there, that it was home. When she had told Gentle Water, she had expected resistance. She knew about Lucian just as Gentle Water did, and she expected him to say it was suicide, but he didn’t.

Oh, he warned her, made sure she was in no doubt of the danger of trying to set up a Coven in a Nomad stronghold, but he didn’t try and stop her, in fact he supported her from day one, as did Royston. It felt odd, but they seemed to just accept that this was where she needed to be.

Amanda wasn’t stupid, nor was she being suicidal, in fact there had already been a lot of preparation as regards security and secrecy, but she was under no delusions that Lucian probably had spies and informants in the Magi Houses that might talk to him about her plan and that Lucian might come knocking at her door. But that was the other thing about her, she hated bullies, and Lucian seemed like a bully to her, which made her all the more stubborn about moving to New York. Besides, she had fought and bested a couple of Nomads now on her missions with Xain and Orion. True, none of them where of Lucians skill when it came to Magic, so Lucian was arguably more dangerous.

But then, life in general could be dangerous, even Magi get knocked down as they cross the street, and you never got anywhere or did anything without a few risks.

'Good feeling or not, he won’t hesitate to kill you, all of you.' Victoria pointedly looked at all three of them. 'But, we’ve been through this before haven’t we, and I know there’s no dissuading you.'

Amanda nodded, they had spoken many times leading up to this day with Victoria always trying to persuade Amanda to change her mind. But Amanda was certain this was what she wanted to do.

'Has no one else objected to me moving to New York?' Amanda asked.

'The other Covens and Houses? Well, they all think you’re a dead woman. Sure, if you were setting up a Legacy outpost in Texas or somewhere they might put up a fight, but not New York, I doubt they believe you will last a week.'

Amanda half smiled. Maybe they were right, maybe she would be dead in a few days, but deep down, she knew this was right, that this would work out fine.

'If you need anything, you can call me anytime Amanda. I’m not sure how much I can do for you in New York, and you know how slow things move when Magi politics comes into play, but I will do whatever I can.'

'Why have you never tried to take back New York?'

'Oh, we have, but Lucian has the backing of the Arch Magus Nymira in Haiti, and whenever we’ve tried, I mean seriously tried, things have always turned ugly very quickly when Nymira arrives, and a lot of innocents die'

'I see, no bother then.'

'Look, I can give you some help. I've mentioned the Arcadian Magus that has lived in New York beneath Lucian’s radar for a number of years now, he's waiting at your house in Manhattan as we speak. He'll be able to offer you some help.'

'That's awful generous, thank you.'

'Are you ready?'

'As I'll ever be.'

'Miss Evans will take you to the Portal.' Victoria stood, and smiled warmly, although Amanda detected a hint of sadness in her eyes, as though she were saying goodbye. She offered her hand and Amanda took it in both of hers and looked back at Victoria.

'I’ll be fine, trust me.' They were tough words, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t somewhat scared.

The air snapped and the trio of friends appeared in a partially furnished room. The mid-sized room had been carpeted and decorated, and the power seemed to be on judging from the light just above them, but other than that, the room sat empty.

'We’re here, in my house!' Amanda said, excitement making her speak in a higher pitch then normal with a huge grin spreading over her face.

'Hai. Yes, you are,' said a voice in a Japanese accent that she didn’t recognize, and a well built, broad shouldered, and tall Japanese man walked into the room. 'I’m Yoh, welcome to New York.'

Liz ran to the window and looked out into the street, 'Wow!' she said under her breath as she took in the vista of buildings outside before she charged off into the house.

Amanda walked over to Yoh, and smiling, offered her hand. 'I’m Amanda, lovely to meet you, Victoria told me all about you.'

'Not everything I hope. Your things have arrived from Paris by the way, they’re in the other room.' Yoh shook her hand and gave her a short quick bow in return.

'That’s great, thank you.' She smiled at Yoh, a warm feeling spreading over her temples and a slight feeling of shyness passing over her. She quite liked the look of this Yoh, he was handsome and tall. Did she fancy him she thought? Hmmm, maybe. He was a very good looking man.

‘May I have my hand back please?' He said.

'Ah, sorry,' she said, letting go of his large hand. He had a good firm grip.

'Nice to meet you,' said Gentle Water, stepping forward and bowing. Yoh answered in kind before Gentle Water excused himself and smiled at Amanda as he left the room.

Amanda caught the smile and telepathically sent to him, 'Don't give me that look.' Gentle Water didn't answer as he walked out of sight, still smiling.

'I'll be in the Kitchen, have a look around and see what you think of the place, I know you haven't actually seen it in person before.,' said Yoh.

'No bother, I've been looking forward to this. I'll find you soon.'

Amanda practically bounced out the room and started to explore her new home. The place was a large Brownstone house on the corner of an intersection. It had a basement and three floors above that, plus a roof terrace, the place was big, and Amanda knew she had to have it when she saw it for sale, and now she was here, she loved it. She had already chosen her own bedroom on the first floor, from the floor plans she had seen Liz had also chosen hers and was in the process of rearranging some of the furniture even now.

Gentle Water had retreated to the roof terrace and Amanda eventually found him meditating up there when she reached the roof.

She left him be and walked to the railings and looked out over the city. That familiar skyline sang to her heart and filled her with a feeling of belonging. Yes, she was home. Finally.

Gentle Water opened one eye and looked over at Amanda. She stood at the railing drinking in the view taking in a deep breath of New York's air. She seemed happy, very happy, and that made this risky move feel just a touch easier. New York, for Arcadian Magi, was dangerous. This, to his mind, might be a slightly foolish move, but according to those in the Coven who knew better, it was the right move. He trusted their council, and reluctantly agreed to support Amanda in this.

Only time would tell he supposed.

Two floors below, Liz sat on her bed and looked at her newly rearranged room, she felt happy with it, well, for now at least. Her gaze returned to the large window that looked out onto New York's awe inspiring streets, and as she looked, her mind wandered and she wondered what Fran and Stephan would have thought of all this. She thought about them often, and missed her family and friends dearly. It got easier day by day, and Mandy helped as much as she could. But she knew it was something that ultimately, she had to get through herself.

If only they could see me know she thought, see how far she had come, they would be amazed at what she could do now and where she had been. She wiped the single tear from her cheek, took a deep breath and turned her attention to the suitcase on the floor beside her bed, she had a lot of unpacking to do.