Daniel Chesterfield – Mage

Part 3

 

“… he can go about his business.  Move along.”

 

 

Daniel was about to explain when Gordon noticed three men walking towards them.  They were quickly identified as demon-blooded and they were armed.  Everyone tensed, waiting for the inevitable fight.  It never happened.  The demon-blooded approached, asked if the group were the “un-makers” and, after completely confusing everyone decided we were not worth it and vanished.  They get in the trucks and speed back to the manor, avoiding all traffic.

 

That was getting way too easy … and way too fun.

 

Back at the manor, Doc had almost finished up with the last of the patients.  When he was done, the pack expressed their thanks and left, leaving the group to consider their next move; if there was one.

 

Daniel and Michael decided that research is the best option and dove into the library.  Daniel had a hard time concentrating on the research; as he kept trying to, again, explain to the group what he thought they needed to do.  Michael noticed something off with Daniel but said nothing, giving the boy time.

 

After a couple of days Daniel and Michael had found out a few things of interest and reported their findings to the group.  The guys discuss it and, in a flash of brilliance, start to map out the ritual sites on a city map.  Stephen seemed to see something familiar in the pattern when the phone rang.  It was Julie and there had been another ritual, but it was too old for the group to follow up on in their special way.  Instead they map the new site on the map.

 

“Fuck,” Stephen says as he finished marking the map.  “This means something but what, I’m not sure.  Do we have anything in the library on symbology that would tell us what this symbol is?  No?  Fuck, I need a cigarette.”

 

Daniel smiled quietly to himself.  His opportunity had come again.

 

“Guys,” he said as Stephen pulled his pack from his pocket, “I know who can help us.”

 

Daniel felt suddenly nervous.  He took a deep breath and continued.

 

“You know how we have tried to keep a low profile?” he glanced over at Carter, “Okay,” he corrected himself, “you know how most of us have tried to keep a low profile?  Well, despite my best efforts it has not worked.  The mage community knows that we exist, they just don’t … I mean didn’t … know everything about us.  Martina, her brother and the others at the bookstore are mages.”

Daniel glanced around gauging people’s reactions.  There were a couple of hard stares but no one said anything.  So he continued.

 

“For the most part they are okay with us.  My relationship with Martina may have something to do with that.  The rest of the City’s mages … well, I’m not so sure about them.  Anyway, I bring this up because they may be able to help.  Collectively they have much more experience with this crap than we do and they do have access to a nice bookstore.  I suggest we ask for help.”

 

The rest of the group expressed their displeasure in what they had been told, but agreed that at this point it was probably in the interest of the greater good to see how Martina could help.  Since it is only early evening they climb into a couple of vehicles and make the drive to the bookstore.

 

Martina was happy to see Daniel and only a raised eyebrow indicated any confusion or surprise that they were all there.  Martin was also behind the counter but paid not one any attention.  Daniel gave Martina a quick kiss as Stephen unfolded the map.

 

Since there were customers in the shop Daniel put up a quick shell around the group, ensuring that they would not be overheard.  This earned him a stern look from Martina which he just shrugged off with an innocent smile of his own.

 

Stephen explained what they needed, showed them the map and waited.  Martina, still unsure of exactly what was going on called another member of the cabal, Taliesin, to come over.  While they waited Martina asked questions about their activities of everyone at an alarming rate, with Stephen getting the most of them, and those being about his Tower and all of that.

 

Becoming completely confused, and a bit testy from being unable to smoke in the bookstore, he finally snapped.

 

“Look, I don’t know what the fuck you are talking about.  I don’t know shit about any towers or signing any damn book or anything else like that.  Daniel, help me out here.”

 

Daniel looked at him, smiled, and reminded him of the book they found in the library that they both signed; the one title “the Raijne Tower”.  It turned out that there was a sixth Tower out there with only two members – something very special and powerful. 

 

Taliesin arrived about 30 minutes later and, after expressing displeasure at seeing the group, informed everyone that he had called the equivalent of the mage cops.  This earned him an even sterner look from Martina.  Carter cracked his knuckles and Daniel, sensing what he was thinking, kicked him (in his real leg) and gave him the mental “Do this and I will fucking kill you in your sleep” warning.  Carter smirked but relaxed a bit.

 

Martina calmed Taliesin down but became someone upset herself when she found out that Stephen had previously used their Hallows, unaware that it belonged to them, or anyone else for that matter.  Daniel quickly stepped in, said that we all should go to the theater since it was unoccupied at the moment and that amends could be made there.  Taliesin agreed only after learning what the group was asking.  He spent a few minutes gathering books that they would need and then the group left, locking the bookstore behind them.  Daniel rode with Martina, Martin and the others to give directions and to avoid the glares he was getting from Stephen.  He left the link open, but compartmentalized that part of his brain to be background noise.

 

Taliesin was surprised at the ease in which they crossed town.  Daniel tried to hide a small smile, but Martina noticed and gave him the same look as she had before.  Daniel knew he would have a talking to later.

 

 

The group arrived at the theater and Daniel let them in, walking in last holding Martina’s hand.  They situated themselves in the room the theater company used for group meetings and read-throughs.  Once everyone was settled, Taliesin began to explain that the symbol being formed on the map was a very powerful summoning rune and, given the scale, was being used to not only summon a powerful demon but also bring it here physically.  When asked how powerful Taliesin shrugged and indicated it was along the lines of Lucifer.  The group collectively gulps (although for Carter it was because he had stopped at the gas station and gotten a coffee and was taking a drink).

 

Martina asked what we were asking of them, explaining that this was way beyond her cabal’s ability.   The mage community has a whole might be able to do something about it, but that was unlikely since they were still unsure about Stephen and Daniel.  She went on to explain that what we had already grappled with was beyond them.  Upon hearing what we had already faced, Taliesin seemed reasonably impressed and a bit of the hostility there originally started to thaw.  He still seemed to resent Daniel for some reason.

 

The group talked late into the night and, at one point, called Julie and had her come over.  The rest of the rune was mapped on the city and the next three possible sites were identified: Navy Pier, the Gold Coast and the old Watertower.  Based on the timing of the rituals, the next one would happen in 2 days.  It was decided that the group would split up and each take a site.  Julie and the cops, with a well-placed anonymous tip) would take the Gold Coast, Martina and her cabal would take Navy Pier and Daniel and the others would take the Watertower.  A quick call determined that the Skyfire Pack would assist Martina.

 

In the early morning hours the group left the theater, each heading back home.  The next day everyone went over to the manor for a BBQ/introduction/planning session.  Everyone had a good time, especially Carter who decided it would be great fun to turn the steaks with his bare hands.  Stephen tried with his telekinesis but stopped after flinging an uncooked steak straight at Jafar, although he didn’t seem to mind.  All in all, it was a nice and relaxing time, something very much needed given the stress everyone had been under lately.

 

The next morning things were a little different, as the immensity of the task ahead weighed on everyone.  The group went about their preparations, stockpiling ammunition of various types, Holy Water vials and even went so far as to outlay a good amount of cash to purchase a blessed cross that would turn any container of water into Holy Water, which we dropped into the tank of a tank truck that Carter found and converted into an assault vehicle … of sorts.  The day passed and evening came.  Then it was time.

 

The three groups rendezvoused briefly, Daniel set up a mental link with Martina and Julie to help coordinate and everyone was off.  As Daniel and the rest approached the Watertower, Gordon noticed that there was an ambush set up ahead.  They decided to spring the trap and are attacked by normal looking soldier types.  A small firefight pinned the group down – the other group was using some magical defenses that prevented them from being affected by the attack.

 

Carter used the tanker to spray down the assailants, but the fact that they were human meant they only get wet.  The magical protections also turned the high-powered spray into a light mist.  Stephen, in a rare stroke of brilliance, caused a spark within the mist and electrified a couple of the soldiers.

 

The fight hit a standstill for a while before the group was able to break through.  Daniel contacted Martina and Julie to report what they found only to receive news that the other groups were also being attacked; Martina by spirits and Julie by some iron robot-type creatures.  Daniel was worried about Martina, wishing he had never agreed to let her go.  He knew that this was a ridiculous notion – she would have insisted – but he still felt guilty.  At least they had the Skyfire Pack for protection.

 

Beyond the soldiers was a group of 7 individuals engaged in a ritual.  The group focuses their attention on these people, only to realize that only three of the 7 were actually chanting.  The other four were blindfolded.  At a word from the leader, the blindfolds of the 4 were ripped away.

 

Stephen realized first what was happening.

 

“Shit,” he yelled, “those 4 are sleepers.  The fuckers are intentionally inducing Paradox!”

 

Daniel felt his blood freeze as he heard this.  He immediately reached out and tried to confuse the minds of the sleepers so they had no clue what was happening, but realized he was too late.  The wave of paradoxical magic had formed around the ritual and, in a pulse of energy, hit the group knocking everyone prone.  Eyes clouded as unconsciousness set in.

 

 

[Here JiMG will write about what happened back then, but in an attempt not rehash the past (ha ha ha) he will skip forward to the period between getting back and the prophecy.]

 

 

As soon as Daniel understood where, or more precisely when, he was he hastily excused himself from the group and rushed over to Martina’s, contacting her telepathically on the way, saying he was back and would explain everything when he got there.

 

He arrived at the front door, waited impatiently as some exited the shop, and then rushed in.  Martina was at the desk helping someone.  Daniel rushed over, pulled her to him and kissed her, much to the amusement of the patrons.  Martin, who was also close by, looked a bit peeved but in an understanding way.  Daniel finally released Martina, who exclaimed something about the customers.

 

“Don’t worry about them,” Daniel said, “they didn’t really notice anything.”  Martina was about to chastise him for using magic on her patrons again when she noticed that Daniel was joking and the patrons, long-time customers, were giving her knowing and approving smiles.

 

Martin took over the desk as Martina and Daniel went for a walk, where Daniel explained what had happened, where/when they had been and what had happened.  He didn’t release her hand the whole time, a fact Martina picked up on immediately, pleased.  She, in return, explained what they had faced and that they were finally successful in stopping the ritual, as had Julie and her group.

 

The following week passed uneventfully.  After a few days the mages were able to confirm that the ritual cycle had been broken and it would be several years before the summoning could be attempted again.  There were still other threats out there, but for the time being all was quiet.  It was odd for the group to have so much time not spent in active pursuit of demons and other supernatural phenomenon that they almost didn’t know what to do with themselves.  Gordon took some rather mundane PI jobs, Stephen worked on some orders, Carter spent time at the body shop fixing Stephen’s truck and Michael took the time to practice licking his balls, or some other wolf trick – no one was quite sure what he was up to. 

 

Daniel spent as much time with Martina as he could.

 

Several days after returning Daniel started having the nightmares.  They were always the same; he would be spending time with Martina who would then excuse herself for the bathroom or something.  After leaving Daniel would hear in his head her calling him, asking where he was, why he wasn’t saving her.  This unnerved him tremendously but he just attributed it to his time travel and inability to contact her across the ages.

 

Then it happened during the day.

 

Daniel and Martina were out and about, going to see a play that Daniel had wanted to see.  He knew Martina was not very interested in it, but she went because he really wanted to see it.  As normal, when they found their seat Martina excused herself to go get something to eat and use the restroom.  They smiled at each other and Daniel watched her walk away, with some very impure thoughts in his head.

 

He smiled at this as he recalled Martin’s attitude towards him the past week.  Ever since the rituals Martin has seemed to come out of his shell, at least around Daniel.  The two shared some good conversations about magic, especially the use of the mind.  Daniel was astounded at the discipline Martin had in controlling his thoughts, especially given the wild unsettled nature of his mind.  Martin was equally astounded at the ease in which Daniel seemed to pick things up, and to project his thoughts and ideas onto others.

 

It was during one of these conversations when Daniel was attempting to show Martin how he could make people do pretty much whatever Daniel wanted that Martin attempted to give the “brother lecture”.  The thought of that encounter made Daniel chuckle out loud.  Martin had never given that speech before and was stumbling over himself, almost to the point of shutting himself off again.  Daniel, having heard that speech many (many) times before, helped him through it, a fact that Martin appreciated and found slightly comforting.  Even today, before Martina and Daniel left the bookstore, Martin had mumbled “lecture one” to Daniel has he left and the both shared a smile.

 

Daniel chuckled to himself again at this thought.  “Lecture one” was to protect against the exact same thoughts he just had.  Luckily thoughts weren’t actions and so far Daniel has been able to look Martin in the eye and tell him that nothing has happened.  Not for lack of desire on Daniel’s part, but for once he wanted to play this one slow.  He got the same feeling from Martina as well.

 

As Daniel settled back into his seat to wait for Martina to come back his mind went to the events of the past several months and what he and the others had been dealing with.

 

“What the crap” Daniel thought to himself, “I am out on a date and the first opportunity I have I think of the group.  My priorities are way messed up.”

 

Despite his internal chastising, he continued to think about the group.  Or was it a cabal?  Or a pack?  Just what the hell was his group?  Menagerie?  Murder?  Carter?  Daniel chuckled at that one but decided it would be better if nothing was named after Carter – it would only encourage him more.

 

Daniel’s thoughts stayed on just what the group was when the voice pounded into his head.

 

Daniel?  Where are you?  Why haven’t you come to rescue me?  It was Martina’s voice and she sounded afraid.  Terrified.

“What happened?” thought Daniel back to her.  Who has you?  How did you get caught?”

 

Why don’t you answer me anymore?  Don’t give up!  I am still alive.  Help, please …

 

Daniel jumped a bit as Martina, in the flesh, tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he was okay.  She tapped her temple and mentioned that he looked like he had been talking to someone.

Yes, Daniel thought to himself in answer to her question of if anything was wrong.  Out loud he said, “No.  Just thinking of … things.  I didn’t realize how much.  Sorry.  What did you get, Raisonettes?”

Martina smiled, showed the packet of Skittles she had and that she didn’t have to share.  She sang that last bit like a child taunting her brother but smiled as she finished and sat down.  The play started and it wasn’t very good, which irritated Daniel.  Not because it wasn’t good but because his mind was able to wonder back to the voice.  He was sure it had been Martina but here she was.  What has happening?  When the movie got to be really bad, they left early and went back to her place for a while, playing cards and talking.

 

 

 

The next day Daniel had just gotten back from Doug’s with coffee and donuts when Julie called, asking for Michael.  That irritate Stephen a bit, but he half expected it after his little goof with the cigarette comment.  Julie and Michael were talking and Michael seemed a bit worried when Daniel heard Martina’s voice in his head again.

 

Daniel, where are you?  I’m scared.  They’re dead … they’re all dead.  And I think we’re next.

 

“Slow down,” Daniel thought back.  “Start from the beginning.  Who’s dead?”

 

The other Guardians in the City.  They are all dead.  I suspect the other mages are as well.  Wait, they are outside.  They have guns.  Please help, they are …

 

Daniel paused for half a heartbeat as the mental link snapped shut.

 

“Martina …?” he thought.  Nothing.

 

“Guys,” Daniel spoke, almost shouting with hysteria.  “Martina’s under attack.  I don’t know by who.  I just lost the mental link.  I don’t know about you but I am going to help … NOW!”

 

With that Daniel raced across the room, out the door and was hopping into his care when Gordon and Carter reached the passenger seat a fraction of a second later.

 

“We’re coming with” was all they said and Daniel screamed away from the curb.  Splitting his mind into two; one half concentrated on the driving while the other half cleared the road ahead of him.  His emotional state must have intensified the mental control he head because as they drove, it was as if everyone was avoiding the roads they were turning on.  Daniel slowed as they approached the bookstore.

 

It was surrounded by people of all shapes and sizes.  Each seemed to carry a weapon of some sorts and all were trying to get into the bookstore.  Daniel and Gordon went around back while Stephen and Michael went to the front.  Carter got out of the car and walked up towards the small group in back.  Daniel heard a gunshot as he got out and realized that someone had shot at Carter.

 

Daniel focused all of his attention on getting to the front door and inside.  He mentally struck out at two people on the side of the building, bashing them about.  To his surprise they responded in kind.  Not being used to being attacked mentally, Daniel was shaken a bit.  He activated a mental shield, continued to walk forward, drew his weapon and shot one of the guys through the eye socket, killing him instantly.  He snarled “LEAVE” at the other one and continued to the front.  He had a vague awareness of activity happening around him, but none of that mattered.  Getting inside and protecting Martina was the only thing in his mind at the moment.

 

People seemed to part like traffic as he walked up, yet he failed to notice.  He walked straight in the front door to see Gordon tackling two people on the stair.  He had one pinned but the second was able to squirm free and start up the stairs.  Daniel shot him in the knee, dropping him on the stair.  Moving up the stair Daniel got to the apartment door at the top.  Looking around he knocked.

 

He heard Martina’s voice on the other side asking if it was okay to come out.  Daniel glanced downstairs, saw that between Gordon and Carter everyone inside seemed to be accounted for, responded that it was and the next thing he knew he was being engulfed in Martina’s warm embrace.  He kissed her hair and sat there holding her, waiting for his emotions to calm down.

 

It was the sound of the sirens that brought him back to reality.  He checked to make sure Martina was okay, kissed her again and went downstairs.  Not giving a damn who he offended, he ordered the others to arrange some things a certain way and then to leave.  He would take care of this.

 

The group did as ordered, not so much because of what Daniel said but because of the look in his eye.  The cops showed up as Carter silently slipped out the back.

 

Daniel, Martina and Martin spent the next 6 hours explaining to the cops that they were just here discussing their plans for the day when some people broke into the store.  Daniel acted in self defense, shot one of them, wounded another and then was disarmed in the ensuing scuffle.  He was finally able to subdue the rest due to his martial arts training.

 

In the end, due to Daniel’s acting talents, and his more subtle techniques, the cops cleared out and left, satisfied that it was a clear case of self-defense and that all was in order.

 

Daniel opened the mental link to the rest of the group and asked where they were.  Michael responded that they were on their way to a bar called “The Hair of the Dog” and that there seemed to be something wrong in the City.  Daniel, Martina and Martin went to meet them there.  As Daniel drove Michael explained about the werewolves in the morgue and that it appeared as if most, if not all of the wolves in Chicago, were killed.

 

Daniel arrived at the bar a few moments after Michael and the others and together they found that the place was deserted, or at least void of wolves, a very rare occurrence.  Martina explained to Julie about her fears and everyone set off for the Gold Coast to meet, hopefully, with the head of the City’s mages.  When they arrived at the mansion it was apparent that there had been an attack.  Inside Martina was able to confirm that the City’s mage leaders were all there – dead.  As far as she knew, her cabal, Stephen and Daniel were the only living mages in Chicago.

 

Inside the house Martina retrieved a couple of artifacts, and an iron golem, in order to keep them safe.  After a bit they are able to get the Golem back to the bookstore and set it up to defend the artifacts.  Julie and the others left as Daniel stayed back with Martina and Martin.  Martina was still shaken from the day’s events so Daniel stayed up with her all night keeping watch.  It was during the early morning hours that Daniel finally realized what he had done that day – he had killed someone without emotion and without pause.  This shook him profoundly and he vowed to be more careful next time.

 

Early the next morning everyone congregated at the manor to discuss what the next step was.  Michael told Daniel that he did some checking and could only find three wolves in the whole of the City, and those were afraid of him and hid.  Gordon explained that he contacted Persephone to warn her and that they were expecting a report anytime.  Maxwell himself called shortly after and explained that he had called a meeting of the City’s vampire elite to discuss the information Gordon provided.  In response to the group’s warning, Maxwell had the meeting location scouted and found it rigged with hundreds of pounds of C-4.  Carter’s eyes lit up and offered to help disarm the explosives.  Maxwell agreed and set the meeting time for that night.

 

The rest of the day the group discussed what to do.  In the end it was determined that Martina and her cabal would lead the group in a powerful divination ritual that might help determine who was behind this.  The four mages combed the manor’s library for anything that might help and, after finding a few tomes that might prove useful, continued their research at the bookstore.  After a quick dinner it was determined that they had all they needed.  Martina and her cabal just needed the next day to prepare everything so it was set that the ritual would be performed the next night.  Stephen left to go back to the manor but Martina asked Daniel to stay again.  She glanced at Martin who, reading her eyes, raised and eyebrow of his own and the slowly nodded and retired to his rooms.

 

Daniel and Martina talked of nothing important for awhile before Martina excused herself.  While she was gone Daniel picked up one of the tomes they had been using as research and re-read a couple of things.  He glanced up quickly when he heard a small sound.  He did a double take when he realized it was Martina that had made the noise by clearing her throat.  She had changed into a full length robe and her black hair, normally held up, was left down and cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.  Daniel gulped involuntarily at her beauty.

 

Martina came over and, standing in front of Daniel, explained that one requirement of the ritual was that no foreign matter could be involved in the casting.  That meant no jewelry, no glasses … and no clothes.  And seeing as how Martina and Daniel would be taking the lead in the ritual, Martina in the casting and Daniel in keeping everyone connected mentally, they needed to be 100% comfortable with each other.

 

At that, she dropped the robe to her ankles revealing her naked body.  Daniel stood and carefully placed the book on the side table.  Taking her in his arms he shut out the nagging little voice in his head that very briefly said “lecture one”.

 

 

Carter watched as the others moved about the room.  Well, Gordon was near him having a beer as well.  The basement was filled with people and he didn’t know some of them.  It was more that he didn’t remember their names.  Daniel had introduced them all as they had arrived but Carter hadn’t been paying attention.  He only knew that he couldn’t help.  He had no idea how to work magic and he was glad for it.  Hephaestus hadn’t sent him visions recently but he knew that his patron was nearby, in the figurative sense. 

The group was in the basement.  Carter had been able to contribute by pushing the furniture to one side of the house against the walls or into the workshop area.  It had cleared up the lounge area downstairs.  After he finished that task, Carter could only watch. 

Carter recognized Martina and Martin as they set up candles of different sizes and colors around a circle.  No, make that two circles that were being created.  Carter knew that Stephen had talked about putting in some kind of permanent circle and it looked like one had been created.  Someone had chipped the concrete into a circle and then poured copper into it.  Now, the group, who also included Stephen, Julie and Daniel and some other mages Carter didn’t know but they had been introduced as being in Martina’s cabal, were making another circle out of paint on the outside of the copper circle. 

Carter leaned closer to Gordon and whispered, “Do you have any idea what they are doing?” 

“Other than the prophecy thing they talked about?  No idea.” 

Cater didn’t feel so bad.  Well, he didn’t feel so dumb.  So out of his league.  If they had needed something made, he could have done it no problem, out of whatever materials they gave him.  As Carter thought about that, he stopped looking at the specific runes they were drawing and looked at it as a whole.  If the pattern continued, it would need another rune there, a candle there and another small outer circle there.  Sure enough, that’s what they did.  Carter had no idea what it meant but it reminded him of a gear assembly, although much larger. 

Hmmm, Carter thought.  Maybe magic isn’t so different from what I do after all.

“Look at it like a gear instead,” he whispered to Gordon again.  Carter watched as Gordon watched the activity for a few minutes in silence.  Eventually, Gordon’s face changed to one of confusion and then slowly to a realization. 

“I see what you mean, although I didn’t get the gear reference.  But, I can see a pattern emerge.  I don’t know why,” Gordon whispered to Carter.  “It’s not exact but suddenly, it doesn’t seem so different.  I will be more impressed if I recognize what they are doing for the next part.” 

Carter could only nod at that as he turned back and watched the preparation.  One of the people he didn’t know readied some wine and bowls on a table with a smaller circle and two smaller circles, only large enough to hold the wine bottle.  He also saw them pull out some brandy and poured it into some glasses and then almost do a blessing over them.  Carter thought there was a heat shimmer above the glasses as mage waved his hands and muttered a phrase. 

Thirty minutes later and the mages stepped away and checked what everyone else had done.  Stephen corrected something with the wine while Martina added some more lines to the drawn circle.  One of the other mages moved a few candles between the circles.  They all stepped back and looked at it again.  As they scanned it, Carter watched them nod their heads and then turn and check another area.  Ten minutes later, after a few more minor adjustments, they were all nodding at what they saw. 

“Okay, that’s ready.  Now, we should do the second part,” said Martina.  She looked at Carter and said, “Is he going to be able to stay?” 

“What the fuck does that mean?” said Carter, his voice rougher than he meant as he stared at her. 

“Don’t be a dick, Carter,” replied Daniel, obviously defending Martina.  “She means your hand and foot.  We don’t know what affect they might have on this ritual. We need to be pure for it and that,” Daniel paused, “isn’t.  At least it doesn’t look it.” 

“It’s from Hephaestus!  How can it not be pure?” Carter said, his voice rising. 

“Well,” replied Martina, “Hecate would be the goddess of magic among that group.  I don’t know how she views your patron.  Do you?” 

Carter searched her face for sarcasm but didn’t see or hear it.  He thought about it for a second but then shrugged.  “I guess I don’t know.” 

“I think we need your help in this, Carter,” Martina said, “but we don’t know what that will do to the ritual.  It might be more tough or no effect it at all.”  She shrugged.  “I guess we will find out.” 

The mages, Stephen, Daniel, Martin, Martina and three others explained the next part.  Michael, Carter, Julie and Gordon nodded and then went to get ready.  Carter went to his room and took off his clothes.  He pulled out a robe and set it to one side.  He didn’t have a mirror in his room, so he looked at his figure.  Except for the arm and leg, which he wasn’t ashamed about at all, he had few blemishes.  A small scar from an accident as a kid.  A training scar from his military days.  Both of them were tough to see if you didn’t know where to look. 

Carter did a small workout of fighting skills.  It wasn’t enough to make him sweat.  He snorted at that.  He would have to do simple aerobics for a long time before he would sweat, given his strength and endurance now.  But he went through them, clearing out his head as much as he could.  When he was ready, he put on the robe and went back downstairs. 

As Carter got to the bottom of the stairs, he saw the other’s robes discarded off to one side.  He put his there with the others and went forward into the room.  Martina and the other female mage were lighting the candles with a lighter.  Carter expected something a bit more, well, magical than using wooden matches to light the candles.  As he watched, they moved around the circle, touching a wick with the match in turn.  He noticed Martina was going clockwise around the outer circle and the other mage, he wished he remembered her name, was going counter-clockwise in the inner circle.  The candle light made their bodies glow.  Carter wondered what his arm and leg looked like to others in the candle light. 

Nos adveho hic in litania. Nos adveho hic summisse ut vernula of veneficus , expers futurus secui quantum quod ostendo sum mysterious.  Martina and the other mage said the words at the same time, carefully and deliberately as they lit the candles.  As they finished, Carter heard the others come down and take their places.  Martina stepped into the inner circle, the other mages took up points between the inner circle and outer circle.  Gordon, Julie and Carter had circles for them outside of the outer circle.  Michael walked among those outside the circles, walking around the whole thing.  Michael seemed to be growling the whole time.  At times, Michael would be naked but then hair would spring up as he walked and Michael took on some wolfish features.  The features lasted only a step or two before Michael was back to looking human. 

Don’t fuck it up, Carter, thought Carter as he went over the phrase he was supposed to say.  Carter paused outside the circle and tried to push everything from his mind.  He couldn’t do it.  Not because it was hard.  If he was about to enter a fight, he would be in his fighting trance with no problem.  Here, though, having to remember what to say, how to walk and several other things made clearing his mind more difficult. 

“Adeo orbis promptus ut tribuo mihi ut veneficus,” As he intoned this, Carter moved closer to his circle.  “Permissum meus vires exsisto adsuesco assuesco ut necessarius ut ostendo sum res incompertus. Ut unus , sum-,” and Carter froze, his foot over the circle.  It left him!  He knew what he had to say but it was gone.  Carter felt the sweat start and wondered if he could back out, now, and not ruin it when the words came tumbling out, “pallens, tamen ut a humus nos es validus. Quis ego non operor , nos can operor una.”  Carter breathed in relief as he stepped into the circle and turned to face the middle. 

Carter, Gordon, Julie and Michael were the guardians.  They kept anything out that shouldn’t be there.  As Carter remembered it, other spirits and perhaps even demons would be attracted to Martina as she tried to see the future.  It fell on him and the other three to stop them from entering the next circle. 

Carter concentrated on the circle he was in and pushed.  He didn’t think it would work but he felt the energy concentrate in him and then go to the circle.  The circle closed.  Carter felt it snap in place around him, closing himself off but still sensing the others.  Carter couldn’t help but smile.  He had done magic!  Sure, it was easy according to the mages but still.  Carter couldn’t help but be pleased at it. 

Now, he waited.  He kneeled on the floor, resting his backside on his ankles, tensing for anything he sensed.  It wouldn’t be his physical body that he used to protect the others but his mental strength.  He knew that Hephaestus would be with him and help him. 

Carter could hear the mages chanting although the languages were different.  He recognized Latin and maybe Greek but then a few other languages were there and he didn’t know them.  Martina was sitting as he was, kneeling but resting on her ankles with her toes touching and her heels in the air.  She looked even more tense then Carter. 

Martina chanted as Carter watched.  He couldn’t make it out but thought he remembered someone saying she had to do something else before her part started.  Michael kept pacing around the circle, moving among the shadows.  Carter watched as Michael only took four steps to go all the way around the circle.  Michael seemed to step between shadows, appearing in certain points.  Carter stopped looking at Michael as it unbalanced him. 

εγώ έλα όπως έναs ποιόs θέλω σε βοήθεια άλλος. μαγεία υπηρετώ άλλος διαμέσου εμένα. εγώ έλα με έναs χρειάζομαι σε εκείνο βοήθεια.  The words came from Martina but Carter didn’t understand any of it.  It’s a good thing he didn’t have to understand it.

When Carter heard the words, even though he didn’t understand them, he closed his eyes and tried to open his inner eye.  He snorted.  Sure, he thought, open my inner eye.  What the hell is that supposed to- wait.  Carter felt something shift.  He became . . . more.  There was more to see.  The world’s colors dulled but the life force of the others shone brightly. 

Holy crap!

Carter saw the other’s life force and couldn’t help but stare.  Colors and shapes moved around them and Carter didn’t understand what he saw but he knew he didn’t have to.  Carter felt the movement from outside the circle and willed himself over toward it.  A squat demon was coming toward the circle from the darkness.  It was only four feet tall but rotund and with deadly claws on its hands and feet.  It looked like it was shaped together by wax, as it was misshapen and some parts look melted.  Carter didn’t hesitate in his attack.  His punch caught the thing in the face, collapsing it and sending black ichor spraying from it.  Then Carter kicked it away for good measure. 

That’s when Carter saw them.  Martina and Martin had thought there would be a dozen attackers.  They were wrong.  Carter watched as hundreds more of those demons charged.  Well, it looked like hundreds.  Behind them were human shapes but they weren’t all there.  Behind that line was more of those insect looking demons. 

Carter took a breath, even though this form didn’t need it but it helped him center himself, and leapt into the fray.  He saw the blur of a werewolf as Michael attacked.  Michael must have been over twelve feet tall and in his full war from.  Carter hit one demon then another in rapid succession, sending them sprawling into others.  Then he pounced on those that fell, taking those down. 

Carter knew that Gordon, Julie and Michael moved among the demons as well.  Michael attacked with tooth and claw and pushed past the first rank to the human shapes.  Julie and Gordon helped keep the circle free of the demons.  When Michael arrived at the back near the human shapes, Carter watched him pull out his sword and attack.  Gordon attacked with combat knives while Carter continued to use his metal arm and leg to hit the demons. 

A demon slipped past and Carter yelled at Gordon.  Gordon twisted and threw a knife, dropping the demon that approached Stephen, the closest mage in the circle.  Carter could hear the chanting but again didn’t pick out any words.  Then Carter turned and punched and kicked several more demons.  Soon, he was back in the thick of fighting. 

Another demon got past the three of them but this time Julie roared in wolf form, rushed past and bit and clawed it in half before it could reach Stephen.  Carter moved down the line to fill it in better and let him see Stephen better.  A group of five demons tried to rush Carter and bring him down.  He caught their charge and dropped two of them with heavy blows before making short work of the other three. 

Time meant little here and neither did fatigue, for which Carter was grateful.  He lost count at how many demons he fought and destroyed.  They were a blur.  And there were more.  Always, there were more. 

Another got past Carter but he stopped him before it reached Stephen.  It had gotten closer than any of the others, though.  Carter could tell their numbers were their advantage.  He wasn’t sure if they would get past the guardians or not but he kept fighting.

Carter willed his armor and it appeared.  He couldn’t tell if it was only here or his real body had done it but he didn’t care.  Having his armor was like drinking a power drink.  Carter renewed his fighting and pushed the demons back one step.  Two steps.  Three.  They fell in twos as Carter attacked. 

Another slipped past but once again, the wolf appeared and bit it in half.  Carter turned back toward the demons but movement from behind him caught his eye.  The top half of the demon Julie had bit was pulling itself toward Stephen!  Carter slapped several down, tripping those behind them, and leapt for the demon half.  It managed to pull itself into Stephen’s circle but was burned badly.  They smelled of rotten flesh normally, and the smell of burning demon flesh almost made Carter gag.  If it had been in the real world, he might have, but he fought it off. 

The demon pulled itself up and latched onto Stephen with a bite.  Carter saw him grimace but keep going.  Carter reached the demon two heartbeats later and pulled it off Stephen, pulling some flesh as well.  Stephen faltered but only for a second before continuing.  Carter threw the demon part at the group that had surged forward when he left the line.  It caught two and dropped them as Carter rushed into the melee again. 

Again, Carter had to push them back a step then two.  There were too many to go further.  He swing his fists and kicked his feet at any demon that came close.  He fell into a rhythm, which made it easier.  Step, punch, kick, step.  Again and again. 

A wail rose from Martina, or at least Carter thought it was her.  Then a wave exploded from the circle, dropping all of the attackers.  Carter looked back and saw Martina in the circle.  She was kneeling but her back was arched as far as it could go.  Maybe farther.  She moved her mouth but Carter couldn’t hear anything.  Carter saw two figures standing on either side of Martina.  They were beautiful and ephemeral as they spoke to Martina.  They whispered in her ear for several seconds and then were gone. 

Carter’s eyes snapped open.  He felt exhausted but was able to stay sitting on his haunches.  Stephen, Martin and the other mages slumped forward.  Gordon, Julie and Michael moved forward to help them.  Carter did as well.  Martina looked the same here as she did wherever they had been.  Carter couldn’t see the figures next to her anymore but thought they were there.  Then Martina slumped down and Martin and Daniel ran to her.  Daniel got there first and cradled her to him.  Martina looked tired but seemed fine otherwise.  Daniel helped her up and moved toward the couch.  Julie passed out people’s robes and they got dressed.  Carter took a second to realize she knew them by scent.  It was so easy to forget she was a werewolf.  One of the mages passed out the brandy to each person and told them to sip it.  Carter snorted and downed it in one gulp.  He never understood the fancy liquors.  They all get you drunk, what matter the taste?

The energy flooded into him.  The fatigue he had been feeling washed out and was replaced by energy.  It overwhelmed him for a second but then Carter got control and he felt fine. 

“That’s why I said sip it,” muttered the mage.  Carter snorted but said nothing.  He did notice that everyone else was sipping it. 

The group said nothing as they sipped the brandy.  Stephen and Julie sat together, resting on each other.  Daniel was holding Martina protectively as she leaned against him.  Otherwise, the rest sat by themselves.  As they finished their brandies, Carter felt the alcohol hit him.  It actually affected him!  It was as if he was buzzed on that one drink.  It washed over him but as before, Carter mastered it and felt good. 

“I think I have sorted it all out,” said Martina, sounding a bit shaky.  “The vampires weren’t attacked, at least not right away, because it was a vampire that gave away the other groups.”  Martina noticed people’s reactions and kept going quickly.  “No, it wasn’t anyone we know.  It was a group of Romanian vampires.  The same ones after the Raynes and what their family has kept from them. 

“When they realized they couldn’t get into the house, they tried other means.  They tried some different supernatural groups, but I am not sure of all of them.  However, none worked.  They have been trying to think of something else.  What they finally realized was that your group had become too powerful for them to handle on their own. 

“So, they started Ragnarok.”  Martina paused to watch the other’s expressions.  Then she continued, “Not the real thing, mostly.” 

“Mostly?” Carter said out loud.  “How do you have a partial apocalypse?” 

“It’s not the actual Ragnarok that we are experiencing but an . . . echo of it.  It could turn into the real thing, though, if all of the Raynes died.  I don’t think they would go that far.  They don’t want the world to be re-made anymore than we do.  They want their creator back in this world!”  Martina took a deep breath and closed her eyes, in thought.  She opened them and kept talking after a dozen heartbeats. 

“However, it has caused the barrier between this world and some others to be cracked.  Things are slipping through those cracks and coming here.  That’s their plan.  They figure you guys will do what you can to help against these monsters and it might leave you open to an attack from them.  Or you might leave the stake behind and they can get it that way.”

“So, this whole thing has still been about those vampires?” said Gordon, incredulously.  “What the fuck?  Why is it so important to them?” 

“I think you need to see it from their perspective,” said Michael, taking up the story.  “What would you two do to have your parents back?  This is the same thing for them.” 

“Will it work?” Gordon asked the room. 

“It could,” said a mage.  Carter still couldn’t remember his name.  Talisman?  “Vampires are tied to the blood and the stake has their progenitor’s blood on it.  They might have to make a large sacrifice but that won’t be anything to them.  They will do it gladly, whether it’s other vampires or mortals.  They won’t care.”  

“In any case,” said Martina, “they are who we have to stop.  They have aligned themselves with Loki, who is helping them create this chaos.  I think he is using it to weaken his enemy’s scions.  He has brought the Jotuns here and is helping create confusion.  I know that they are somewhere underground and it’s near an abandoned subway tunnel but that’s as close as I could get.  They have wards and guardians of their own.  There was one final thing . . .” Martina trailed off. 

After waiting for a minute, Carter couldn’t help it.  “Yes?” he said, drawing the word out. 

“I’m sorry.  I was thinking about what I saw but it means nothing to me.  I kept seeing this.”  She used her hand to draw VII into the air.  “That is supposed to mean something to one of us as another ally.  However, they must be kept secret from any outside this group.”

“I hate riddles,” muttered Carter.

“There are some other allies out there as well, potentially.  They were referred to as pharaohs but I don’t know what that means.  I do think more mages are coming, or they didn’t get all of them, but I don’t know if it will be to help us or not.  I think that’s everything, or at least everything I remember.  It was like a dream and parts of it are slipping away, which is why this has taken so long.  As I think of something new, I follow it in my memories, so to speak, and see what else is there.  Any questions?  Can anyone think of anything I missed or that we knew but didn’t fit?  Maybe that will help me with anything I might have heard but didn’t understand.” 

Daniel kissed the top of her hair, an expression of pride and love on his face.  He whispered something to her and she smiled.

 

 

The group talked for another couple of hours about the prophecy and things that might have been missed.  No one was extremely talkative; it was more a chance just to rest and collect strength.  Finally Julie stood up and mentioned that she needed to be up early and at the precinct by a certain time.  She looked over at Stephen who had settled back into the seat, tilted her head slightly and gave him a fairly harsh glare.  Stephen exhaled his cigarette sharply, got up and followed her upstairs.  Snatches of a seemingly well rehearsed argument wafted downstairs.

 

Slowly, one by one, the rest of the group rose and prepared to leave.  Martin glanced over at Daniel and Martina when she didn’t get up when Martin did.  A silent exchange took place between them and Martin nodded, turned and walked upstairs with a quick lecturing, yet approving glance back at Daniel.  Daniel wondered if the two of them had their own sort of telepathic link, something born of being a twin and wholly separate from magic.  Daniel also saw a glance from Taliesin that was less than approving, which he ignored.  Soon it was only Daniel, Martina and Carter downstairs.  Carter mentioned that he was going to stay up, on guard, so no one needed to worry about anything.  With that, Daniel and Martina went upstairs.

 

As they climbed the stairs Daniel realized that this was the first time Martina had seen his room.  He momentarily worried that he had forgotten to pick up and that she would see underwear strewn about the place.  Always the gentleman, Daniel opened the door for her and then closed it behind her.  Stealing a quick look around, he was relieved to see that everything was relatively clean and put away.  Daniel may have a slight bit of vanity when it comes to his clothes and appearance, a fact that amuses Martina, but he was less fastidious in his housekeeping habits.

 

Both physically and mentally exhausted they collapsed onto the bed.  It was a bit cramped since it was only a twin bed – Daniel split time between the manor and his apartment downtown so he only needed the basics here – but they snuggled so that each was comfortable.  Daniel ended up somewhat upright in the corner with Martina leaned against him, her head on his chest.

 

Despite being exhausted, they found they could not sleep.  After a few moments of continuing to talk of the prophecy, Daniel finally asked what was on his mind, and had been since they found the other mages dead up at the mansion.

 

“What will happen now that you and the others are all that are left?  Who will take control?  Nature abhors a vacuum, as they say; who or what will fill ours?”

 

Martina thought for a moment and replied that she did not really know.  She wasn’t sure if the mages she saw in her vision were coming to help, or to try and take over.  She was pretty sure that all of the other mages in the city were dead, but she wasn’t completely sure since she didn’t know all of them.

 

“You know,” Daniel said, kissing her ear, “you could always claim the mantle.  After all, you are a leader of a cabal and one of the only legitimate,” he said the word with a tone of amusement in his voice, “mages left in the city.  It seems natural.

 

“Besides,” he continued, “I would feel more comfortable with someone on friendly terms with the Raynes being in charge than the opposite.  It would be less … messy.”

 

Martina agreed with Daniel’s last point, but left the notion of her taking over the city lingering.  She stretched up, kissed Daniel and then settled back against him, feeling the warmth of his body through the robes.  Feeling very comfortable and secure she soon did fall asleep.

 

Daniel remained awake a short bit longer, thinking about taking charge himself.

 

 

 

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