The Mage of Argaris

“It’s dangerous.” Vaena pleaded again, her voice tired.

Ashlyn stifled a chuckle as she had watched the two, she raised a brow slightly to the interaction. “Oh Edgar? Hm yes. He was a spoiled brat that I was forced to entertain for about...ten years or so. His family was filthy rich. He threw money at the Circle of Magi left and right. He just wanted his hands in on the strings to control us. Though I do believe that’s what got me locked away. He didn’t like how strong willed I was. I didn’t bow to him. He had created the council about 5 years before he imprisoned me.” A sigh came from Ashlyn’s lips as she seemed to think back. She glanced to Lana as she assisted her in lifting Vaena and keeping her on her feet.

Vaena felt Lana’s arm wrap around her. Lana’s touch was different from Ashlyn’s. It was warm, gentle. She leaned a bit against Lana as she spoke. “I will find out what happened, Lana.. I promise I will. Once I’m better.” Her head lulled and leaned against Lana’s shoulder as she fought to stay awake, it was a losing battle at this point. But she tried.

Ashlyn grinned and chuckled, “No, no can’t fault them at all. Though she does sound like him. That’s forbidden!” She spoke the words with a slight accent, Vaena’s Great Grandfather’s accent. She laughed to her rendition of it before she quieted down. As they lowered Vaena onto the bed Ashlyn raised a brow slightly, “Hm, I imagine that he would have loved to meet her. She seems very kind.” She watched as Lana looked over Vaena and carefully tucked her in. She then led the woman along to her personal room. Ashlyn took a seat at her desk and chuckled as Lana poured a glass of the old bourbon. “It might have a bite to it.” She commented as she watched Lana take in the room.

Her crystal hues watched, a delighted smile upon her lips as Lana spoke that she had Ashlyn’s final journal. The unfinished one. She reached across the desk with the same smile upon her lips as she opened the journal and thumbed through it. She nodded her head slightly. “No, I don’t mind at all. These notes are quite good. Especially since you’ve had no formal training...” She set the journal back down on the desk and looked to Lana, a grin on her lips. “Forcefully hm? I can imagine that all of the do-gooder mages of the Argaris Academy wish to see blood magic die entirely. Don’t they? That academy has been stuck under the thumb of the capitol since the day it was built.” She rolled her eyes slightly.

Ashlyn drew in a breath as she grasped her glass of bourbon, she swirled it as well before she took a sip. “I’ll have to get us a sealed bottle from the cellar.” She her face was a bit contorted. “Unless they drank it all before sealing this place up. Doubtful.” She smirked once again. She then gazed to Lana. “Hm, isn’t every great story of a powerful mage full of desperation? Go on.” She leaned forward with interest. She eventually leaned back in her chair and swirled her bourbon about as she sipped it, listening to the story. “Blood Mirror...hmmm that’s a good one.” She looked to the old journal. It was one of the spells that Ashlyn had created, to contact a lost lover. The love that she had tried to desperately to turn back time for. “Do you still have any personal effects of your father?” She questioned as she leaned forward once again, her elbows rest upon the desk as she cradled the glass between her hands. “Perhaps, I may repay you for saving me.” She flashed her beautiful smile then. “I want to bring the Capitol to their knees as well.” She looked to the empty glass before she smirked and stood.

The mage walked over to the Decatur and brought it to the desk. “I know where to get more.” She spoke as she sat back down. She poured Lana another glass and topped her own off. She listened once again as the woman spoke of Vaena. “The funny thing about the Capitol. Even 200 years ago….Edgar...” She clicked her tongue. “He was a slimy little snake. He claimed to hate the powerful magic. Yet he roped in the most powerful easily moldable mages to be on the council of the capitol with him...I swear their spines were made of cooked noodles.” She raised a brow slightly and chuckled then. “At the time he had 3 mages. One at the Academy, another at the temple, and the final mage was his grand magister.” She rolled her eyes to the last wording. “They began to push magic about. To stipulate what you could and could not do. Surprisingly enough Reggie and I started the movement to create this haven. This safe place to escape to...along with a few other mages from the temple. We kept it secret from the Captiol.”

Ashlyn grasped the book from the across the desk. She looked over the cover, her brows furrowed slightly. She then began to flip through the book. “Oh….well isn’t this interesting...” She muttered as she read over a few of the spells. “This.” She set the book down on the page that Vaena had marked. “This is part of a rune that I created. This is a rune that Reggie created. And this...I can’t be certain. It must have been another mage...but it appears to be a sort of spirit magic blended in with blood...so you have time magic, blood magic, and light magic all in one spell. Any mage that attempts to do this spell alone will be ripped to shreds. It is impossible. Whomever thought of this as something that can be done...” She pressed her lips together. “I would need to study the runes. But something of this caliber. I do wonder what it is the Capitol has fucked up.” She leaned back in her chair as she held the book in her lap. She flipped through the pages carefully.

“I can guarantee you the Capitol is attempting to cover something up. That is always what Edgar wanted. He wanted his Capitol to look pristine. It was a flawless entity that the people could trust. Thus they would flood money in his direction for his protection against anything and everything that is deemed a threat.” She smirked to Lana’s compliment. “Am I still revered as the best of both?” She chuckled lightly as she sat forward and set the book down once again. “Thank you for the compliment. I do hope that 200 years of surviving without magic hasn’t made me too terribly rusty.” She chuckled lightly.

Ashlyn finished off her glass of bourbon and leaned on her elbows once again as Lana showed off the tattoo of runes. A grin curved up her lips as she looked to it and Lana explained the single glowing rune upon her arm. “Very impressive, Lana.” Ashlyn chuckled lightly. “I was meaning to ask you just how you managed to cast me into a body that happened to look just like my own...I do wonder where my own body is...” She pressed her lips together. “I can’t imagine what Edgar could have done with it...” She sighed softly before she fell quiet to listen to the story. “Oh that is a draw back of the spell. You feel the effects of everything….hmmm I do wonder if I can help you alter it.” She grinned.

“But I promise to be careful.” She crossed a finger across her chest as if to say ‘cross my heart.’ Ashlyn pressed her lips together and shook her head slightly. “Edgar used black caps. It was his favorite torture device. He liked it more than any of the tools, or even using a mage to harm whomever he was questioning. Black caps always got him an answer. It always got him the result that he wanted.” She seemed deep in thought. “You say...it was someone that planned to kidnap Vaena?” Her eyes squinted slightly as she pressed her lips together. “I do not know this world that you live in now. 200 years a lot of things can change...” Ashlyn paused a moment, “But I don’t believe the nature of the Capitol has changed...I can’t imagine them not protecting their most valued asset. To have a mage of Vaena’s calibur. They need her. Even in my time there were very few mages that were strong in the art of light magic. Sure they could perform it. But I can feel Vaena’s magic leaking from her soul...she’s so damaged right now it makes it quite easy to feel.”

Ashlyn shifted back in her chair once again. “Vaena is right though. You two need to get back to your home before the Capitol throws up all the red flags. If they do...I imagine they will lock Vaena down. You will have difficulty even communicating with her. I can’t imagine that will be good for the cause at all...” She finished off her glass of bourbon. “Who is this Damien that she spoke of? A friend of yours?”

**

Damien walked through the damp streets of the city. The neon lights played down and reflected over the puddles upon the streets. He walked at a brisk pace, in a hurry it seemed. But then again, most of the people around him walked swiftly as well. It was the life of the city. Damien pushed a heavy wooden door open and the bell jingled happily. He looked about the wooden counter of the bar that glistened back at him from the old lights. “Good afternoon. What are you drinking?” The man at the bar asked with a warm smile.

Damien raised a hand and then shook his head. “I’m not drinking today, thank you.” He continued back toward the back of the bar.

“If you’re looking for Lana, I haven’t seen her.” The man spoke as he polished up a glass. “The place is a ghost town down there. I’ve never seen it like that...not in the last two years that I’ve worked here at least. Are you one of her friends?” He asked curiously.

Damien grit his teeth slightly as he turned and stepped to the bar. He pulled out his phone and held up a picture of Vaena. “I’m looking for this girl. Have you seen her?”

The barkeep hesitated slightly before he looked to Damien’s serious eyes. “Y-yeah a few days ago. She seemed lost. She went to the coffee shop. Here.” He reached behind the bar and pulled out a small key that was attached to a keyring that held a dog upon it. “Have a look around. Maybe you’ll find out where they both are. I’m worried about Lana...”

Damien grabbed the key, “Thanks, me too.” He spoke as he walked to the back of the bar and descended down the stairs. He slipped the key into the lock and turned it before he pushed the door open. The scent of coffee was no longer in the air. Just the stale scent of basement. He flipped on a light switch and locked the door behind him as he stepped inside. He gazed to the cute establishment. He’d never been here in reality. But he knew of it. The Capitol had been watching Lana for some time now. They were desperately trying to tie her in with the Blue Robbins. A means to lock her away. He stepped over to the counter and looked about before he began rummaging through files.

“Where are you?” He muttered to himself as he pushed things around. He found a card then, it was bent and worn, but it held the sigil for the Blue Robbins. His head tilted slightly as he flipped it over in his hand a few times before he shoved it into his pocket. He pulled his phone out and dialed Vaena’s number once again. “Come on...” He spoke as it rang, and rang. “Pick up the damn phone...” He pulled out a bill for the rent of the coffee shop. “Ah perfect.” He spoke as he found Lana’s phone number. “You had better pick up, Lana.” He dialed her number in and held his phone to his ear.

**

Ashlyn furrowed her brows as a chiming sound began to come from Lana’s bag. “What...is that?” She questioned curiously.

Ashlyn watched Lana with a playful smile as she listened to her speak about Vaena. She swirled the bourbon about within her glass and then sipped from it, she stifled a chuckle as Lana quickly changed tune and rushed away from the emotional nature of her previous comments. She smirked as Lana mentioned the subjugation spell. “Ahhh I had begun to dabble in that just before I was imprisoned. I wanted to give Edgar a taste of his own medicine...so to speak. It would have been my gateway to destroying the Capitol from the inside out. But – I never quite got the chance to perfect it.” She flipped through the pages and looked over the notes. “Runes? Hm. I’ve never needed them.” She spoke a bit absentmindedly as she read over Lana’s careful notes on the spell.

She sat back in her chair as Lana began to explain how runes were used now. Runes were used in the past – but it sounded as though runes were more widely used now. Without a rune the mages would likely be unable to cast. It was a method that Edgar had wanted to push on the Academy years ago. She tilted her head as she looked to Lana’s tattooed arm once again. “Hm perhaps since you are the rune specialist you can teach me to use them in this way that you do...and I can teach you to break free of those runes and really harness your magic. If you free yourself from the runes and you truly breathe your magic...it can change you.” She paused with a grin. “I can see it in you. If you free yourself from your dependency upon the runes – you will be able to cast spells that you never thought imaginable. Then if you add the direction of runes into your practice...well you will become more of a mage than you are now. And I’m already impressed with your skills.” Ashlyn raised a brow slightly before she sipped from her bourbon and swirled it around the glass again.

As Lana pulled the necklace from her tank Ashlyn set her glass down and gently grasped the watch. “Ah a classic, isn’t it?” She spoke as she opened the cover and watched the cogwheels turn with ease, the gentle ticking of the watch was like a melody to her ears. The gentle glow to the piece was curious. Her crystal hues seemed to search for something more she flipped the watch around and around in her hands as she took in each tiny detail. Lana broke her deep focus as she began to question. Her hues lifted and a grin split her lips. “I don’t doubt that your father never spoke of Baylor.” She had a playful look about her. “Of course I knew him – he was my first friend at the Academy long ago. Before the temple was built. Believe it or not.”

“If you think that I push the boundaries of magic, well...he defined the boundaries. By that I mean he pushed his magic to such limits that I didn’t even think it was possible. The way that he could wield fire. It was as if he was fire himself.” She brought her eyes to meet Lana again. “He had a room here. He was one of the 5 that helped to create the archive.” She sipped from her bourbon once again as they began to delve into other topics. “Hm, your father most likely taught you about it because he knew what the Capitol is up to. Why do you think that we grow Ghost Bloom here in the archive? I’ve lost too many friends to Black Caps. If left untreated….” She clicked her tongue and then finished off her glass. Her own cheeks were rosy from the alcohol. She furrowed her brows slightly as she tipped the Decatur and splashed a bit more into both glasses. “This stuff must have gone stale over the years. I’ll have to get us a bottle of good stuff. Something that can really take the edge off.” She commented before she took another sip. “Though I have missed the flavor, even if it is stale.”

Ashlyn cleared her throat slightly and then watched Lana, the anger that showed in the woman. “I imagine that you are correct in your assumption. The Capitol never plays fair. They do not abide by the books that they force others to follow. Are you gathering why I tried to put an end to it 200 years ago?” She raised a brow slightly. “Ah, magic used to spy hm? That is impressive. I can’t wait to see what you find out. I’m certain it will answer our speculations quite clearly.”

She leaned forward as Lana spoke about Damien. A lackey. Her eyes stared to the bag and then to the device that Lana pulled out. She looked to the cell phone and raised her brows, her lips parted slightly. “Interesting...we used other forms of communication in my time.” She chuckled lightly. She leaned a bit more forward as she watched Lana answer and place it on speaker, she went to speak but when Lana held her hand up Lana merely nodded.

“Lana...” Damien sighed heavily. “At least you are alive. I was beginning to think you and Vaena were dead. I have called her...it must be 20 times now.” His voice was frustrated. “I need to know where you are, Lana.” He spoke quickly. “The Capitol needs Vaena. You were not part of the agreement.” His voice was sharp at this point. “If you do not get her back into the city the Capitol is going to issue a search warrant. I won’t be able to stop them. I know you’ve no idea to trust me. But talk to Vaena. She knows me. She has known me for nearly 5 years. She will tell you. You can trust me, Lana. I’m trying to protect her. That is my job.” As Lana spoke of how insane the spell was a groan came from the speaker of the phone. “I don’t think you’re understanding the gravity of this situation, Miss Highland.” Damien fell silent as Lana told him to go home and check on his child and his wife. Silence came from the other side of the phone. “Lana--….” She had hung up on him.

Ashlyn chuckled as she sat on her side of the desk. “Well, for a lackey he doesn’t sound as idiotic as I am used to.” She commented before she stood and swiped the phone from Lana’s grasp. She looked over the glowing screen and swiped her finger along the face of it. The phone began to ring again. “He is persistent though isn’t he?” She questioned and pressed her lips together as she looked to the screen. She pressed the ignore button and then chuckled. “Come along.” She spoke as she tossed the phone back at Lana. “I’ll show you Baylor’s room.” She reached and grabbed the watch then. “And I’m going to see what I can make of this.” She smiled as she walked out of the room easily. Ashlyn walked across the hallway and down a few doors. She paused before a door that was black with amber cracks along it. Almost as if the door was alive with a fire within it.

She pressed her lips together. “Baylor always had interesting ways of locking his room.” She spoke as she looked over the old wood. She tilted her head slightly and held her hand up. Her eyes took on a red glow. A glowing red rune appeared before the door and a moment later the lock clicked open. “But he wasn’t creative enough to keep me out.” She winked before she pushed the door open. The room was much less immaculate compared to Ashlyn’s room. The desk was piled high with papers, books, journals. It was a mess. Ashlyn shuddered slightly. “Now I remember why I never came in here.” She wrinkled her nose slightly. The bed was pushed up against the wall, though it was neatly made it held drab blankets upon it. Ashlyn sat down upon the couch as she focused in on the watch, she turned it over in her fingertips again. “Did your father ever tell you why this watch is enchanted?” She questioned curiously as she looked to Lana. “It might help.” She offered a smile then. “Feel free to look around...it might take me a few minutes. But I’ll get you something.” She relaxed back into the couch and clicked on the watch carefully.

Ashlyn’s crystal hues gazed over Lana as she spoke, the giggle from the woman caused laughter to come from the mage as well. “Well, it is good you accepted.” She raised a brow slightly. “Wouldn’t it be awkward if you had said no.” She smirked then before she laughed once again and sipped from her drink. “Hm blood magic only has that reputation because they want it to. You’re right. You know what the most dangerous form of magic is?” She questioned as she tilted her head slightly. “Light magic. It is the most unpredictable, wild, pure form of magic. Those that are capable of performing such magics are the most dangerous mages that have graced the crust of this plain. Yet, they do not get the bad rap.” She shook her head and clicked her tongue. “No. Because that isn’t what the Council wants the public to believe. The dark magics, the blood magics….those that can harness such powers as spirit magics...it is a different form of magic.” She shrugged slightly. “But magic – as you’ve said. Is indeed dangerous.” She grinned wildly. “That’s why I love it so much.”

She listened to Lana as she began to speak of the past mages. “Exactly, you understand. Craven...he was frightening. I’ve been coined as someone whom is wild. But him?” She grinned and leaned forward. “He’d kill anyone that spoke anything against him. He was a loose cannon. Why do you think he destroyed that entire city? I was honestly relieved when he was consumed by his magic. We went too far. He might be part of the reason that Edgar was so hellbent on suppressing and controlling us.” She fell quiet again as Lana continued. A fond smile came to her lips then. “Ah, Liliana.” She spoke as she leaned back in her seat slightly. “You know – that whole situation was an accident.” She smiled. “But aren’t most things?”

Ashlyn drew in a breath as she listened to Lana then. “Hm yes...I’ve only had one run in with black caps. It wasn’t pleasant at all. I would have rather my bones be broken into a million tiny pieces than to feel like that.” She pressed her lips together as if there was more to speak. But the phone rang at the most opportune time, so she didn’t speak the rest. She waiting and watched the phone call take place. Then when Lana spoke of the alcohol a laugh came over her lips. “I was beginning to wonder why I wasn’t affected.” She raised a brow and lifted her glass. “Better drink up then, hm?” She finished off the glass before she laughed playfully. She watched as Lana twirled about before she began backing out of Ashlyn helping her with the watch. “I think that’s the bourbon talking.” She gave a squeeze to Lana’s shoulder before they walked from the room.

As Ashlyn took her seat upon the couch, she tucked her legs up under herself. Her crystal hues were focused in on the watch. She looked up with a curious gaze. “Me? More family than your own family?” She laughed. “Understandable, I do imagine it must feel strange.” She looked about the room. “Baylor wasn’t...very tactful in his décor either.” She winked before she looked back to the watch. “Oh yes I’m certain the Capitol kept your father quite busy. That is what the Capitol is good at. Keep the mages busy so they can’t do anything while they are snuffed out by the thumb that presses down upon them.”

Ashlyn looked up to Lana as she questioned about her great grandfather. “Baylor was insightful. He was a skilled mage that knew how to manipulate fire as though it ran through his veins. If you asked him he would tell you that it indeed did.” She smirked. “He studied under Elias Stone. You may or may not know who that is. But he was viewed as one of the greats of my time. I even studied under him – until he told me I was wasting my time.” She chuckled lightly. “Baylor had ways of weaving his magic into things – the door to this room for example. That had never been done before and I guarantee you if you look long and hard there isn’t a rune on that door. He didn’t use runes either. He didn’t like the idea of the Capitol and he absolutely hated Edgar.” She seemed to think as her thumb ran over the watch. “But, his hatred for the Capitol was not where it stopped. He began to devise a plan to destroy the Capitol. He wasn’t careful enough in this planning. Where as Reggie and I talked about it...but we didn’t spread the word. Baylor well...he didn’t hold back. He would have screamed his displeasure for the Capitol from the top of this mountainside if that would have stopped them from snuffing us out.”

Ashlyn pressed her lips together, “Word reached the Capitol. Edgar questioned me about it. Of course I denied knowing anything. Ultimately that may be one of the reasons that I was locked away...” She laughed then. “But I wasn’t about to agree to Baylor being executed for his words. I didn’t believe in it.” She bit at her lip slightly. “So he gathered together eight mages that agreed to stand against the Capitol. He marched upon the headquarters...and I really hoped that he would be successful. I was sent to Hulain by the temple to investigate a disturbance – it turned out that was Edgar ensuring that I was not with Baylor. All eight of them died….not to mention the countless lives. I’m certain you’ve heard the story of the city that was destroyed by a careless mistake by me?”

The mage paused, she rubbed the watch with her thumb with a bit more pressure now. Frustration was easily visible upon her expression. “I was blamed for all of those lives and I wasn’t even there. Edgar killed them. He developed a bomb and as soon as those mages were in the vicinity of the city. Boom.” She made an explosion motion with her hand and then shook her head. “Next thing I knew Edgar was questioning the temple. He was questioning us all. Then – I was betrayed yet again. I’m still not certain which mage. But I was locked away by a mage. I know Edgar wasn’t capable of such powers.” She rolled her eyes slightly. “But I do remember that horrible feeling as the numbness spread through my body from the black caps.” She shook her head and sighed. “Baylor was an incredible mage. Just as you are. You’re even more powerful than he was. I can feel it.”

Ashlyn tilted her head slightly as Lana began to speak of how she was expelled. She grinned. “Rightfully so. The Academy is a joke. I’m certain it is no better today than it was in my time.” She chuckled lightly. Though her eyes searched over Lana as she spoked of Vaena. The way she spoke of the woman. “Hm, I do hope you’ve told her how you feel.” She raised a brow slightly and chuckled.

Ashlyn looked to Lana as she sat next to her. “Sensei?” She questioned and rolled her eyes. “Oh shut up.” She turned toward her. “Give me your hand.” She spoke and held her palm forward. She grasped Lana’s hand and then placed the watch within her palm. Ashlyn’s hues began to glow the amber color once again as she whispered a few words of the ancient tongue. She reached to her hip and pulled a dagger. She paused a moment and looked to Lana. “I can’t guarantee what this will do.” She spoke before she gently pricked her palm. Lana’s palm beneath the watch was cut as well. Ashlyn clasped her hand over the top of Lana’s hand. She closed her eyes and began to speak once again in the old tongue that wasn’t even taught in the Academy now. The world around them grew cold. Then the light from the room faded away until they sat in a cold black abyss. The only sound was that of Ashlyn until she finished the spell. Then silence followed. A gust of wind filtered through the woman’s hair. She drew in a deep breath before the world rushed around them and they stood within the Argaris Academy – Present day.

Students walked about in the hustle and bustle between classes. Ashlyn furrowed her brows slightly as she looked around. “Is this a memory of yours?” She questioned.

Ashlyn chuckled as she watched Lana’s nose scrunch. “Oh just the bourbon speaking hm?” She raised a brow. “I’ve been known to say some pretty interesting things while drunk.” Ashlyn grinned. She watched Lana closely for a moment. “You know the funny thing about what I said?” She questioned and allowed a silence to settle before a laugh came from her. “It was all usually the things that I was afraid to say without a little bit of that liquid courage.” She winked before she’d returned her attention back to the watch. “Just, file that back in your mind for later. Hm?”

As they were moved into the memory Ashlyn gazed about the academy. She gazed up to the chandelier. “Well that hasn’t changed.” She remarked before she looked about the victorian style building. It was bustling with students. She walked up to a glass case that held images and articles on display. There was an old picture that was yellowed along the edges. It had Reggie, Baylor and Ashlyn seated before the fountain that was out front of the Academy. They were wearing their magi robes and graduation caps. Reggie had been the valedictorian of their class. Baylor was known for leading things that dealt with the art of battle magic. Then there was Ashlyn, she was known as one of the strongest mages to have ever walked through the halls of Argaris.

Ashlyn glanced over her shoulder and followed Lana swiftly up the stairs. “Five years ago huh? Hm...there must be something that your father wanted you to see in this memory.” She leaned against the lockers and then grinned. “I had 227.” A laugh came from her lips. She looked to the locker a long moment. “To think if we were from the same time we would have been locker buddies.” She laughed lightly. Though the smile from her face was wiped away when she heard the tone of Lana’s voice, the drop in the woman’s mood.

As they climbed the two flights of stairs and headed toward the Dean’s office Ashlyn cleared her throat. “Was this when you got expelled? Wasn’t your father already--….” She stopped speaking as they walked into the office. Ashlyn watched as the memory played out, she leaned against the frame of the door, her arms crossed over her chest. Youth. When young – everyone believes that they know best. Even though most of the time the parent is merely protecting their child. This was the case here. To be under the thumb of the Academy meant to be under the thumb of the Capitol. It was no better. Most did not realize this. But those who did stayed far away from the Argaris Academy.

Though as the memory shifted she watched the interaction between Lana and the soul of her father. He had been trapped in that moment. Waiting for her to come. Waiting to make amends. He told her of a drawer that was in his office. Ashlyn remained a fly upon the wall until the world faded away. She looked to the watch as they returned to the present. The glow of the watch had disappeared and now the metal looked almost dull. “Mhm.” Ashlyn placed the watch in Lana’s hand and curled her fingers around the cool metal that held Lana’s blood smeared upon it. “The magic within this watch is all but gone. I’m sure he is resting now.” Ashlyn assured her with a soft gentle voice.

The mage listened as Lana spoke of the office, Vaena could get to the drawer. She was the Grand Magister after all. “I’ll grab you a few books and the like...we can always return here. I imagine it is as difficult to find as it was years ago.” Ashlyn stood slowly and gave a weak smile. “Sleep well, Lana.” She slipped from the room then.

**

A book slammed shut, the sound echoed within the library of the Argaris Academy. Vaena looked up from the book with tired eyes to the person whom had shut the book suddenly on her, nearly clipping her nose with the covered of the book. “Do you ever do anything besides spend time in the library?” A student asked. Vaena had been bullied her entire life. They claimed she was privileged and that the only reason that she was as strong of a mage as she was, was because her father claimed it to be so.

“I spent a great deal of my time here, yes.” She replied as she flipped through the pages to find her spot again. “If I am to be a great mage one day, I need to sacrifice now so that I can thrive later.”

“You sound like a robot.” The mage spoke and shut the book again.

Vaena looked up as a few others came over they giggled as they picked on her. This is the life that she dealt with until Lana came to the Academy. Lana was the only one that ever stood up for her, she sat with her in the library and ‘studied’ with her while Vaena had her nose buried in the books.

**

An incessant vibration came from Vaena’s pocket in the early hours of the morning. Her eyes cracked open as she reached and pulled her phone from her pocket. She didn’t even have her eyes open as she accepted the call and held it to her ear. “H-hello?” Vaena questioned, her voice groggy.

“Vaena.” Damien spoke from the other side of the phone. “Where the hell are you and Lana? You need to tell me.”

Vaena groaned slightly as she sat up, her side ached. She looked to the makeshift bandage she had made, blood had soaked into it. “On my way back to the city. Don’t worry, Damien.”

A sigh came from the phone. “That isn’t good enough anymore, Vaena. I need you in the office before 9am. If you aren’t there I cannot protect you.” His voice was stern.

Vaena was silent as she opened her eyes and gazed about the dim room. “Damien...what’s going on?” She questioned as she slowly sat up. She looked around the room. She didn’t remember coming in here. She looked to the bed, the bookcase. Was she dreaming? She couldn’t remember.

“You have been missing for 3 days since you were attacked, Vaena. The Capitol is growing impatient with the situation. I have tried to buy you time, but we are out of time.” There was a ruffle of sound and muffled speaking for a moment. “Get here now.” Damien’s voice was demanding before the call was ended abruptly.

Vaena yawned lightly as she stood. She lifted her shirt to look at the shotty job she’d done. She winced as she touched the wound. She moved about the room and opened the door to the hallway. Her hand held her side as she walked into the hall. It was cold. “Lana?” She asked, her voice echoed down the hallway.

“You’re awake.” Ashlyn’s voice came from behind her, a smile upon the woman’s lips. “Good, I was beginning to wonder when you would wake. How are you feeling?” She had a bag over her shoulder that weighed her down slightly to one side. If one peered into the open tote all that was inside of it was books. Old books from the ancient times. Books that were unavailable to those today. Not even the Argaris Academy library could match what was kept here in the hidden archives.

“I’m awake...” Vaena responded she gazed about and blinked a few times. “I need to get back. Something is wrong.” She spoke as she walked down the hall. She could sense Lana – that connection that Lana had formed with her to get her back into the realm. It did something. Vaena paused before the fiery door.

“I wouldn’t touch the handle if I were you...” Ashlyn spoke but she watched as Vaena reached out and did just that. A white glow came to Vaena’s hues and the door opened without any effort at all. Ashlyn grinned but she made no comment. Vaena held her hand to her side as she walked into the stale room of Baylor. Her eyes looked around before she found the heap upon the bed. “Lana...” She spoke again. “We need to go.” Vaena grasped a piece of chalk from the desk on her way to the side of the bed. She began to scribe the sigil onto the floor.

“Why are you so insistent?” She questioned.

“The Council isn’t happy with my disappearance.” Vaena responded. She waited and then she began the spell without another word. Her eyes glowed bright white and the world around them vanished. They were encased in a calming warmth as the world around them morphed into her apartment building. Vaena fell to her knees as they appeared in her new home. Blood dripped from her nose. Though she brushed the blood away and pushed herself to her feet. She glanced to the clock on the wall. It was nearly 3 in the afternoon.

There was a swift knock on the door then. A moment later the door pushed open. Damien walked in with several Capitol guards walked in clad in thick kevlar with assault rifles slung over their backs. “Grand Magister Vaena Beraellis.” He spoke as he walked in. He had a stoney look about him as his eyes stared to her. “You will be coming with us to the Capitol Building.” He looked to Lana and then his eyes fell to Ashlyn whom steadied Vaena as she nearly fell over.

“I do believe she needs her rest.” Ashlyn spoke up, her crystal hues locked on the man. “Grand Magister or not, she needs to heal.”

Damien pressed his lips into a flat line. “She will heal. Within a safe space.” He spoke and then nodded the guards rushed forward and grasped onto her.

Ashlyn reached out as her eyes began to glow red. One of the guards swiftly tapped a stick against her side. Her body jolted and the magic from her eyes dissipated. She gasped as she staggered back. Damien drew in a breath, his brows pulled together. “Don’t do anything stupid, Lana.” He spoke before the guards led Vaena from the room. He stood there another moment. “I told you. There was nothing I could do if you made the Capitol wait. Now look at the mess you’ve caused.” He spoke before he turned and left the room. The door slammed shut and silence settled in.

Ashlyn gasped as she held her side. “What….the fuck….was that….?” She questioned. In the magic community it was called a ‘boom stick’ it was a magical disrupter. Designed by the Capitol to help deal with unruly mages. She groaned as she set the bag of books upon the coffee table. “Why did they take her Lana? What is going on? What did he mean?” The mage was out of her element as she gazed about the modern apartment. She walked over to the window and looked to the rushing of cars below. She watched as Vaena was taken into a black sedan and driven away. “It...is much worse than you even spoke of….isn’t it?” She questioned as she looked to the sky scrapers in the distance. This world had changed immensely.

Vaena looked to Lana as she shooed away the other students. She gave a shake of her head. “If my father ever found out that I started a fight with someone….” A sigh came from her lips. “What they say is not important. My studies are more important...besides, it is their future that they are throwing away by not studying.” She spoke in her posh accent, her eyes glued to the book once again. She scribbled into her notebook as she read over the words. She didn’t seem to notice the endearing comments of Lana and as the apple was set upon the desk she lifted her jade hues once again. “Pineapple – apple?” She questioned. Her brows scrunched together as if the words when spoken together were of another language.

She glanced to the woman and a chuckle came from her lips, “You’re going to fall one of these days Lana.” She commented before her eyes looked back to the book. As the question was asked Vaena looked back up, “This is a journal written by William Higar III. He knew how to use his white magic for defense. I just find it fascinating...it isn’t for one of our classes...I’m not really certain if I would help you with anything...but the way that he writes. I’ve read almost all of his journals that he kept.” Vaena looked back down to the page and continued to read once again, just like that, without another word.

**

Ashlyn groaned as she straightened. She glanced to Lana, “How the hell can they just take her like that?” She questioned and crossed her arms. She could still feel the sting of the boom stick. “Boom stick?” She questioned and shook her head. “I’m not an animal. I was going to defend Vaena, she doesn’t have a lot of strength with what she just did.” She pressed her lips together. “Besides, her side is still bleeding. You saw that right?” She questioned. “What is so damned important that they just...take her away like a damn prisoner?”

Ashlyn moved and sat down on the couch next to Lana as she opened up the slender square electronic device. “I won’t tell Vaena you did that.” She winked and then chuckled lightly. She furrowed her brows as sound began to come from the speakers. “Can they hear us?” She asked softly.

**

Vaena had her eyes closed as she sat in the sedan that moved quickly through the city. She trembled slightly as her hand held her side. She could feel the warmth of her blood against her palm. Blood dripped from her nose. One of the guards looked at her and scrunched his nose. “You’re bleeding.” He held a piece of cloth forward.

“Thank you.” Vaena took it and blotted away the blood from her nose.

“Vaena, I’m truly sorry about all of this. But I had no choice. You understand that right?” He questioned.

She felt the buzz within her pocket as she received a text. Then another. And another. “No. I don’t.” Vaena responded her eyes watched him carefully. The car hit a pot hole and a groan came from the mage as she pressed against her side. “I was fighting to save Lana. She was paralyzed with black caps because of this Black Fox group that the Capitol has no idea about. Imagine if it had been me. Imagine if Lana had not been there.” Vaena had strength in her voice even in her state.

Damien pressed his lips together. “I understand that. That is why the Capitol has furnished a room within the tower for you. It will be more comfortable than the apartment. You don’t have to walk to get to the building.” He gave a weak smile.

“What about Lana?” Vaena questioned.

“You’ll have to take that up with Mr. Reed.” Damien spoke, “He’s the head of the Council after all. I don’t make the orders. Remember?”

Vaena sighed softly as the car came to a halt outside of the Council building. She was pulled from the car roughly. “Stop!” She winced as she held her side. “I have not fought you at all. I came with you. Didn’t I? Is there much reason to be so aggressive? Do tell.” Her posh accent sang strong in this moment. One of the guards watched her a moment before he held his hand forward for her to enter the building. She followed Damien into the elevator and he pressed the button for the 35th floor. The top. That was where Mr. Malcom Reed stayed, in his office with a view of the city. Her stomach knotted as she closed her eyes, her hand still held to her side. She couldn’t imagine what trouble she was in. She didn’t want to. Soon enough the elevator chimed as they made it to the 35th floor of the high rise building. She walked off and stepped into the hallway behind Damien, a guard right behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to him a moment before she followed Damien to the office.

Damien cleared his throat almost nervously before he knocked on the door. He waited a moment and then pushed it open. “Mr. Reed, I have the Grand Magister, as requested.”

Malcom sat at his desk, he was clacking away at his keyboard. His dark hues lifted and fell upon Vaena. “Finally. You can leave Damien and take your attack dogs with you.” He waved his hand. He stood and walked over to Vaena as she stepped into the room. “Miss Beraellis.” He gave a warm smile as he placed his hand on her back between her shoulder blades. His eyes looked to her hand that was pressed against her side. “Are you hurt?” He asked.

Vaena grit her teeth slightly. “Yes.” She responded.

“Come sit. I’ll ring the doctor up to see you. I imagine you’ve had quite a bit of excitement over the past few days.” He helped her to sit and he moved around the other side of the desk. He lifted his phone and dialed a number. “Yes. Alec. My office, I have someone who needs your help.” He leaned back in the chair after he hung up the phone. His dark hues looked to her carefully. “You do realize that you signed a contract. Right Miss Beraellis?”

“Yes, Mr. Reed. I understand. I lost track of time. I couldn’t get us back in time. It is very taxing. But that is not what is of concern. There is a rebel group that aimed to poison me with black caps. Something needs to be ---….”

He waved his hand and shushed her, his brows raised. “It sounds like you’ve been quite busy. Now. You’re not here to talk to me about rebel groups. You’re here to tell me what you’ve uncovered from the book I gave you. Are you preparing for the spell?” He cut her off. He didn’t care about the rebel group.

“Mr. Reed...this spell will take a lot of careful calculation. I cannot do it alone. I will need the assistance of another mage or two. Otherwise it could be catastrophic.” Vaena’s voice was softer now.

Malcom lifted a glass of water to his lips and sipped from it. He watched her as she spoke. “Are you saying that you cannot perform what you agreed to perform, Miss Beraellis?” He questioned.

“No. I can. I...” Vaena’s head was throbbing she was finding it hard to focus.

“Oh good I’m glad you agree.” He stood and walked over to her. His fingers gripped onto her chin and he forced her to look up at him. “You wouldn’t like to know what happens to mages that cannot perform. Would you?” His voice was threatening. She shook her head against his grip just as a knock came from the door. “Oh perfect timing. Come in Alec.”

The door opened and a man with unkempt black hair walked into the room, he had equally dark eyes. He had a small bag in his hand. “Mr. Reed.” He spoke as he walked over to Vaena. “Quite the injury you have here.” He spoke as he moved her hand away and lifted up her shirt to have a look. “Lackluster job of healing too.” He raised a brow and looked to her. “It will be quite taxing, but I can clean this up.” He straightened. “Shall I take her to her room?” He questioned.

Malcom nodded, “Yes, I do believe I got my point across. I want results. I want you to tell me how long until you will perform the spell, Miss Beraellis. Tomorrow morning. Hm? That gives you time to think on it.” He smirked before he sat back at his desk and continued to type away once again.

“Come on.” Alec spoke as he walked her from the room. They stepped into the elevator and went to the 20th floor. It was a floor of apartments for those that worked with the Capitol. He walked her down the hall and to room 2002. “Your fingerprint should do.” He spoke as he glanced to her.

Vaena held her hand forward and pressed her finger to the scanner on the door. It beeped green and the lock buzzed from its space. She walked into the apartment. It was luxurious. Leather sofa, marble countertops. Vaulted ceilings. A gorgeous view of the city. Vaena followed Alec as he led her into the bedroom which held a king size bed that held more pillows than would ever be needed.

“Lay down so I can get a look at your side.” Alec spoke as he set his bag down on the bedside table and opened it. He rummaged around in it for a few minutes before he began to pull out supplies. Vaena stared to the ceiling as he poked and prodded at her side, she winced a few times. She felt the hot sting of a needle as he stitched the wound closed. Then she felt a pinch in her neck. She hadn’t been watching him. She jerked slightly and he placed his hand firmly against the side of her head. “Don’t move.” He spoke in a stern tone. She groaned as she felt the cool liquid injected into her. “That should help you rest.” He packed away the syringe.

Vaena’s chest rose and fell quickly. “What...did you do?” She questioned, the room was circling around her.

Alec looked to her and a laugh came from his lips. “It’s just a sedative. Relax. You look like you need to.” He zipped up the bag and walked from the room. The click of the door sounded a moment later.

Vaena reached for her phone and fumbled it out of her pocket. The room was beginning to blur. She held the button on the side of her phone and it chimed. “Lana...message...” She breathed as her eyes fluttered.

“You have three new messages from, Lana Highland. Would you like me to read them?” Her phone spoke.

“Yes.” Vaena spoke her eyes slipped shut.

“The first of three messages. This is fucking bullshit. Damien is up to no good, and I may have pissed him off when he called last night… it’s a very long story. Get through whatever shit you have to, when you’re in the Grand Office let me know… and be safe. The second of three messages. Also, don’t forget the bonds we have now. We’re stuck together forever. Last message. Buahaha lol smiley emoji. Would you like to respond?”

“Yes.” Vaena dropped her phone on her chest.

“What would you like to say?”

“Lana...I can’t leave the building...they claim it is for my protection...but I am not so certain...their doctor patched me up...but he injected...me with...something...I don’t….” Her voice trailed off.

“I have. Lana I can’t leave the building they claim it is for my protection but I am not so certain their doctor patched me up but he injected me with something I don’t. Would you like to send it?”

Lana didn’t respond. Her chest rose and fell slowly. Her phone slipped from her chest and clattered on the floor.

**

Ashlyn had her brows tugged together. “I think this is going to be the difficult game….if they want to lock her down then I guarantee we won’t be allowed in that building. He didn’t sound receptive to her having help with this spell.” She paced slightly and crossed her arms. “I want to know what is so important to be covered up.” She pressed her lips together. “You have a connection with her though. We could devise a sigil to teleport to her location. So long as you two are linked.” She pondered out loud and then sighed. “Get me inside that tower and I’ll blow the damn place up.” She chuckled and then shook her head. “In due time though. We have to figure out what they are hiding first.” She turned her ocean hues to Lana. “What do you suggest?” She questioned with a raised brow.

Vaena looked up and a giggle came over her lips. Every single time that Lana made a negative comment about Vaena’s father, she would respond in nearly the same way. “Well he is the Dean of the Academy, Lana. I would hope he knows quite a great deal.” She returned her attention back to her book and her scribbling of notes. Then as Lana spoke about the strange apple she raised a brow to look to the sliced apple before her. Vaena reached forward and took a slice, she munched on it but her eyes stayed on the book. Her chewing slowed slightly as she read and then she made a note. Then she would take another nibble. “It’s quite sweet.” She spoke after several minutes, a delayed response. One that Lana would have been used to by this point. When Vaena was focused every response from her was a bit delayed.

Vaena looked up and shook her head, “I’m a student, just like you, Lana. I’m not the greatest white mage. But I am determined to be something of that sort one day.” She smiled and watched as Lana took one of her many books that she was bouncing around between. She finally leaned back in her chair, her eyes focused solely on Lana as she spoke. She tilted her head slightly and glanced to the rune. “Ah yes, one can make a spell chaotic or neutral, or truly on the white magic spectrum. Every form of magic is said to have originally stemmed from black magic at some point in time. But that does not necessarily mean that, that is true.” Vaena loved discussion. It was truly the only way to get her nose out of the book. It was the only way Lana could catch her attention long enough to truly converse.

“The trouble with white magic, if you transition it into a chaotic state, then the chance of completely losing control...well that is quite high. Even a skilled mage with well drawn sigils could have difficulty performing such a spell. White magic can be some of the most dangerous when it is bent to become a defense mechanism. Higar actually died from his research. He failed to keep himself contained. He melted his own brain and organs. I don’t really want to end up like that.” She gave a laugh and shook her head. She leaned forward and cupped her chin within her palms as she gazed to Lana with a smile upon her lips. “Oh combination magic is an interesting thing. Not many mages have mastered that either. I do believe that the Crimson Rose was one of the most well studied in combining two forms of magic together. Blood and Time. Though both of those are strictly forbidden. So I am not certain if her journals or books are even available.” She pondered for a moment.

Vaena smirked as Lana groaned about balance. “Just as you balance on your chair, you must have balance in your magic.” She spoke like a wise old professor. The thing about Vaena, with all her study time she was smart, she knew the answer to most questions. She didn’t have to try. “The study of balance...can get quite dull though, I do believe that I agree with you on that. But we must first understand that before we dive too deeply into the chaos of blending spells together. Hm?” She smiled brightly before her eyes found their way back to her books before her. She scribbled away. After several minutes of silence she drew in a breath and held it, her brows furrowed. She lifted her jade hues and stared to Lana. “What books are you reading to understand combination magic? Do you want me to try to find you something in the locked library upstairs? I could check it out and let you borrow it.” She grinned then. Lana was the only person that Vaena would do such a thing for. She’d done it a few other times with other books that Lana wanted to look over.

**

Ashlyn tugged her brows together, a sigh came over her lips. “We are all prisoner to the Capitol yes. That is what I was afraid of years ago. To become enslaved by them and bend at their every call. That is what they are trying to do. If we don’t stop them, one day that is what will happen.” Another sigh came from the mage as she listened to the way that the man spoke to Vaena. It reminded her much of Edgar and the way he treated mages. She wondered if they were related in some shape or form. “Hm, we can kill him, but another will replace him. We have to destroy the Capitol itself. We have to destroy all of it and create something better that the people will wish to follow. They do not see the Capitol as a threat because it claims to protect them against mages. We are mages, so we are instantly the threat.”

“Edgar was the same way, he tried to push me into doing things that I did not want to do.” She commented. “They are all the same. Power hungry monsters.” A sigh came from her and she shook her head. “I truly do want to know what he is trying to destroy.” She pursed her lips together in thought as she tried to draw any conclusions. But with the little information they had...well...there were no lines to draw. She glanced to Lana’s hand and placed her own hand into hers and gripped on gently. The next thing she knew they stood in Vaena’s apartment. Ashlyn grinned from ear to ear as she looked to Lana. She pat her on the back of the shoulder and chuckled. “I told you that the sigils were holding you back. Doesn’t that feel incredible? What a rush.” She was excited, but her smiled faded as she looked to Vaena whom lay upon the bed. “Hm...” She stepped over and sat at the end of the bed. “Does she look more pale? She does...doesn’t she?” She commented.

Vaena’s heart beat rapidly, but her breathing was painfully slow. Ashlyn gave a nod to Lana’s question. “Yes, yes Geo. He was poisoned with Arimanthine. Another one of the Capitols tricks.” She rolled her eyes slightly. “There isn’t an antidote to it, at least there wasn’t in my time.” She watched as Lana pulled the vials. “In real time? Hm. That is a thought. It could save time, and perhaps actually spend less energy as you combine the spells.” She shifted slightly, watching with interest as Lana drew the sigil onto Vaena’s arm. Vaena’s brows furrowed as her veins began to glow bright red. “Careful.” Ashlyn warned. Though she didn’t interfere. She watched and waited. If she needed to she would step in. Otherwise, she allowed Lana to perform the magic, which she effortlessly performed.

Ashlyn took the beaker of green goop and inspected it. “Hm.” She tilted her head slightly. “Interesting.” She stepped to Vaena’s side and pricked the woman’s finger and squeezed a bit of her blood into the beaker. She glanced to the door where Lana spoke to a camera. “I do hope that we can perform this in two days, Lana.” She remarked as the woman came back into the room. “But at least you bought us time.” She swirled the blood around in the vial with the strange green goop. The two began to mix and turn a black color within the vial. Ashlyn’s eyes sparked a red color. “Yes, I’ll keep her safe.” She spoke and gave a smile. “I won’t let anyone touch your girl.” She winked playfully as she sat on the end of the bed once again.

She furrowed her brows as the liquid within the vial began to glow as she manipulated it. “What are you…?” She questioned as she watched the green color return, it had taken over the red blood cells entirely it seemed. She glanced to Vaena whom had rolled to her side in her sleep now and curled up slightly. Her fingers curled into the cloth of the bedsheets. She tilted her head slightly as she watched the young mage.

**

“Who is that?” Malcom questioned, his teeth grit. “That woman who is she?”

Damien drew in a breath as he stared to the security footage. “I don’t know, Mr. Reed. I’ve never seen her before. She must be one of Lana’s friends. I can look into it.” He spoke.

“You’re useless you know that? You don’t know anything do you?” Malcom snapped as he looked to Damien. “What do you know huh?” He growled just as Lana approached the camera and began to speak to it. Malcom threw a glass across the room and it shattered into several tiny pieces. “I want Lana Highland out of this building!” He snapped.

“You said it yourself, Vaena said she can’t perform the spell on her own. She said the same statement to me. It is a complex spell. She needs another mage that is strong. You’ve seen the notes on Lana. She is a fine mage. She’s unruly. But Vaena will keep her on the right path. I can assure you of that.” Damien spoke as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Malcom scoffed and looked to him. “If she doesn’t, I’ll quite enjoy taking you to floor 13.” He spoke the threat and a wicked grin spread across his lips. “So you had better hope she does.” He turned his attention back to the monitor and watched as Lana moved throughout the building. “That old woman doesn’t follow security protocol...” He growled. “I want her out of this building.”

“Mr. Reed...she’s worked here for over 20 years...she’s a good employee. I’m certain she knew Lana when she was a child...”

Malcom chuckled as they came to the Magister’s office. “You’re not going to find anything in there Miss Highland.” He smirked as he watched her walk into the completely empty room. He laughed as she disbelief spread over Lana’s expression. “Look at her. She thinks she is so clever.” He grinned to Damien. “Go find out who that other woman is.” He shooed him out of the monitor bank as he relished in his victory over Lana.

**

Ashlyn looked up from a book that she’d poured the poison onto. She had drawn a sigil and pieces of the poison were extracted onto the blank pages. “l'Embrayage Interdit.” She spoke the French words with a big of a weak smile. “I found out what they injected her with. It means Forbidden Clutch. It comes from a flower called la Tige Violette, or the Violet Stem. Very rare. There isn’t an antidote per say, but a spell that can be spoken to control someone with this in their system. It wears out over time, but with continued doses...she would have become a puppet. You saved her from that.” Ashlyn set the book on the bedside table. “She would have been nothing more than a puppet to Mr. Reed. She would have done the spell alone too...and I’m sure it would have killed her.”

Ashlyn pondered a moment and then grinned. “You want some time magic do you?” She laughed playfully. “Well, no need to ask twice, Lana. We can make that happen.” She stood and held her hand out. “I’ll need your blood of course.” She spoke before she pricked Lana’s finger. She dripped a few drops of blood onto her palm before she did the same with her own. Her eyes began to glow as she clasped onto Lana’s hand with her own bloodied hand. She grinned with exhilaration before she spoke several words in the ancient tongue. The world around them began to morph and move. Vaena stood up from the bed with the doctor Alec close in tow. They moved backward. It was like hitting rewind on an old cassette tape. Several people were in and out of the room, cameras were placed. The room went from being fully furnished to bare minimum in the matter of seconds.

“A week good?” Ashlyn spoke as they stood in the dark apartment. She smirked to Lana slightly. “I also made sure, it’s about 2 in the morning. There shouldn’t be anyone in the building.” She chuckled, thriving with energy. “This, is what I live for.” She spoke as she walked through the space, her footsteps echoed in a strange way. “We have about an hour before I’ll have to transition us back, otherwise we risk getting stuck here. Got it?” She walked toward the door. “You lead the way.” She pulled the door open and held her hand forward. The bright cheerful humming of Ms Enali could be heard from the hallway as they walked out.

Vaena gazed to Lana with a bit of a smirk upon her lips. “Oh I can imagine that you will be the talk of all the papers one day, Lana.” She spoke, it was a compliment, something that Vaena didn’t do much of. “And...just because I follow the rules set forth by the founders of the Argaris Academy...I may be a goody goody as you call me. But don’t forget I’ve been getting you books.” Her jade hues were locked upon Vaena as she awaited the woman to speak.

“Gray Morlan, hmm.” Vaena hummed in thought, “He was banned for more than just that. Did you know that he miscalculated the spell that he mentions in The Spirit of Conjection. He was attempting to save his ill wife. But instead he turned her into a monster...she was horribly deformed.” She shuddered slightly. “Hm I would be curious to see how much of Marver’s Configuration he actually followed. Morlan was a bit of a rebel of magic. The Academy did not associate with him after this mistake. In fact he was banned and so were his journals and books.”

“But if you were to harness the magic that he spoke of and to use Marver’s ideas...” She seemed to ponder the idea, a smile upon her lips. “That could create an entirely different level of magic, Lana. It could be the beginning of your own study of magic. Hm? Your name could be on the spine of a book.” The excitement was easy to see in her eyes. “I’ll get it for you.” She spoke. “I think you might also benefit from Nichols Passage. It is a good read. He speaks a lot of Spirit Magic in there, so it may help you even more than it helped me. But it should help you hone in your skills and understand a bit more of the science behind our magic.” She spoke before she looked back to her book, almost abruptly.

A moment later the click of boots against the wooden floor of the library could be heard. “You’ll break that chair young Highland.” The dean spoke as he approached. He looked to his daughter whom had several books spread out upon the table. “Vaena, did you forget something?” He questioned.

Vaena looked up to her father with curious eyes, she seemed to think a long moment. Her jade hues then glanced to the large clock across the room. It was nearly three in the afternoon. She was supposed to meet with Professor Tuley at 2pm. She bit her lip slightly as she drew in a long breath. “I must have lost track of time.” She hastily began closing the books and arranging them into her leather backpack.

The dean grasped one of the books which Vaena had reached out to pull back from him but she paused as he looked over the pages. He clicked his tongue slightly and raised a brow. “Vaena, this has nothing to do with the studies that you are currently in.” He spoke and he looked to her with a stern disapproving glare. “If you fall behind in your coursework because you are off discussing the possibility of using your magic for tricks. There will be repercussions.” He warned. He held the book forward to her. “Get to Professor Tuley’s office, now, Vaena.” His voice was displeased. His eyes fell upon Lana. “Miss Highland – you are well aware of the rules of the library here.” He looked to the apple that Vaena hadn’t finished. “I don’t want to catch you breaking the rules again. Hm?” He didn’t wait for a response before he walked from the library without another word.

Vaena reached across the table and grasped the book that Lana had slipped away from her pile. She carefully packed it away into her backpack as a sigh came from her. The smile was gone from the young mage now. “I um...” She looked to Lana. “I will get the book.” She spoke as she hugged two of the books to her chest. “After I speak with Professor Tuley. I um...” She was clearly frazzled by her father. Stressed. “I’ll find you later, Lana.” She slipped away without another word then. Her steps were quick as she rushed from the library.

**

Ashlyn had chuckled as she teased Lana, a huge grin upon her lips. The bright red cheeks of the woman told her more than words ever could. After Lana returned and Ashlyn had spun time back she looked as though she was full of life. It truly was an exhilarating experience. Ashlyn had only ever taken a handful of others through time. It was dangerous and it took a lot of concentration to do so. But this felt different somehow. She imagined that this was different, since she was in a body controlled by Lana, perhaps it was safer. As safe as traversing time could be.

Ashlyn watched as Lana easily destroyed the camera in the room. She clapped playfully. “Ahhh you’re really settling into your magic aren’t you? You’ve been holding back.” She had a delighted smile upon her lips. “The Capitol would see that you never learn to use your magic without runes. They want you to be slow. They want you to have the disadvantage so that they can control you.” She smirked. “But, the more you realize that you can use your magic without the runes, the stronger you will become, Lana.” She was busy talking as they walked through the dead silent halls.

As they entered the office Ashlyn gazed about and looked over the books upon the shelf in the corner. She ran her fingertip along the spine of a book and hummed slightly. She grasped the book and flipped about through the pages as she came to the desk. Her crystal hues gazed to Lana as she easily located the hidden drawer. She smirked, but she didn’t comment. Ashlyn watched as Lana pulled out the folder – left for her by her father. She glanced around the office once again before Ashlyn nodded. “Hold your breath, going back isn’t as smooth...” Her eyes flashed with the amber color of her magic as she grasped onto Lana’s hand. She spoke a few whispered words of the old language. The world around them seemed to suck inward. The feeling of moving forward through time was not filled with warmth, it was cold. Icy like the mountaintop. Crushing like that of heavy waves of water above. Though it only lasted a few seconds before they stood in the completely empty office of the Grand Magister.

Ashlyn waved her hand and a wave of magic came from her, the electronics of the building crackled. “That should give us enough time to get back to the room.” She spoke as they hurried through the hallways back to were Vaena rest peacefully within the bed. Ashlyn walked up to Vaena and knelt, she touched the woman’s cheek and furrowed her brows slightly. Vaena’s brows furrowed to the touch. She glanced to Lana as she began to go through the paperwork within the folder. Ashlyn then looked back to Vaena, “You need to wake up little mage.” She whispered before she stood and went to Lana’s side. She picked up one of the old photos and smiled as she ran her thumb over it. “You were a cute kid, Lana.” She spoke with a chuckle. “Your father? He looks a lot like Baylor. That jawline. Hm.” She tilted her head slightly as she looked through a few more images. “You have your mother’s looks though.” She spoke as she took a seat next to Lana on the couch.

She pressed her lips together as she saw the flood of tears. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as Lana muttered that bastard. “I’m sure he meant well by leaving this all for you. He knew that the Capitol wasn’t going to allow him to live. One wrong step...” A sigh came from her lips as she sifted through each page that Lana set down. As Lana began talking Ashlyn’s hues watched her carefully, she looked over her shoulder. “Fuck.” She spoke, “They really do think they are untouchable.” She shook her head slightly. “So they’ve trapped Vaena in hopes that she will fix it. They gave her an impossible spell that I guarantee they had some mad mage that they have locked away write.” She threw her hands up. “Edgar spoke about keeping mages subdued. But to control us? To use us as a fucking weapon?” She was furious. “They killed your father, Lana. Hands down. He wanted to warn people and they just.” She stopped speaking.

Vaena was sitting up on the edge of the bed. She held a hand to her head. “Lana…?” She spoke as she stood slowly. Her head was pounding. She walked over to the couch and sat next to her. “Is this a dream?” She questioned. Her voice was soft. She reached and looked over the pages. “Tell me...this is some sort of nightmare. This is….isn’t real...” She held the project paperwork in her hands now. Her jade hues looked over each printed word carefully. Her jaw clenched slightly. She was silent as she read over the equations and the complex formulas. She blinked several times before she stood and found a pen and pad of paper. Vaena sat next to Lana once again as a shaken breath came from her lips. She didn’t speak as she began drawing out the formula. She flipped around within the packet as she focused.

“What...are you doing?” Ashlyn questioned as she stood with her arms crossed. The formula kept growing upon the paper as Vaena read.

It took several minutes before Vaena bit her lip. “Oh...this...um...this isn’t good...” Her hues turned to Lana, she had a sense of worry in her eyes now. “We have 4 days, if my math is correct. I um...I checked it...I...” She looked back to the page that was filled with numbers and letters.

“Four days?” Ashlyn questioned as she sat on the foot of the bed, her jaw loose. “Four fucking days?”

Vaena looked to Ashlyn and blinked a few times, “It is entirely possible that I have this...” She spoke, her voice soft. “Five years ago Lana...just after you left the academy...” She paused a moment. “The Capitol came. They lined us up and told us that it was a new serum to help us with our magic. To keep us strong. They only selected about 30 of us...I didn’t want to...but...” She drew in a breath. “I had no choice in the matter.” She swallowed as she held the description of the serum in her hands. “It was this...purple liquid...just like they describe it here...”

“So...if we don’t figure this out in four days...you’re going to lose it?” Ashlyn’s eyes widened slightly. She looked to Lana a long moment.

Vaena set the packet down and leaned back against the couch. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “We have no choice but to do this.” She spoke, her voice a whisper. “If we don’t we are looking at the end of the world...”