The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) (24 page)

"You’re nothing but a mere human who’s playing at being a magician, a charlatan...and you’re not good for her. You can't even manage to keep her safe," says Black between gritted teeth.

"That's enough, both of you. I’m old enough to make my own choices and I came here knowing what kind of danger I would be in. Let me remind you that I was the one who managed to take care of the chupacabra and I might have been able to take care of the chimera as well."

"Don't play the big girl, Lou. You don't even know who you are, or in what world you find yourself. You're a little girl in a strange country. This isn't a children's story about magic wands and fairy dust! This is real and much darker than you could ever imagine. And given your choice of friends, I very much doubt you can take care of yourself."

I’m speechless, so I stand there dumbly, staring at him with my mouth hanging open. It's probably not that impressive a pose.

"What are you doing here, anyways, Black?" asks Zach, probably to turn his attention from me, for which I’m thankful.

"I came to see my horse and I heard the cries. Anyways, what I'm doing here is none of your business. I want you to go and get Jézabel and tell her what just happened. I locked up the chimera, but as we don't know who opened her cage, it's best she comes and investigates. We don't need another injury tonight. Also, I suggest you go and see the healer. A chimera's bite can lead to a drawn out and painful death."

He states the last as if he were talking about the weather.

"I can bring you to Flicka. She's a healer and I'm sure she could help you."

"No, that's ok, Lou. I can take care of myself. The healer is a good friend of mine and she owes me one. I'll just bring you back to your place and then I'll go and get Jézabel."

"No! Go and get Jézabel now. Fix your mistake; I'll bring Lou back to her room."

"No way!" says Zach, puffing out his chest.

"Ok, gentlemen, enough with the cockfight. Zach, go and fetch Jézabel and get yourself healed as soon as possible. You look terrible."

I don't want to be alone with Black, but he did save my life. I don't feel like spending any more time being yanked between the two of them and I don't think he's going to give in."

Zach walks up to me and takes my face in his hands.

"I want you to be careful, don't trust him," he whispers.

"I can hear you, Zach. Believe me, she'll be much safer with me than left to your bumbling care."

"Ok, enough already, Black. I'll go back with you, no need to keep bringing it up."

Zach exits, leaving me alone with my enemy.

He doesn't speak, not a word, but his stare is intrusive. I couldn't be more uncomfortable if I were naked in front of him. I don't know what to say to break the unbearable silence. Black steps forward, forcing me to back up to the stone walls. What is it with these men who want to pin me to the walls? He puts one hand on either side of me and keeps up his silent staring. His presence is so disturbing that I swallow with difficulty.

He raises one hand and brings it softly to my cheek.

"You look terrified, Lou. Are you afraid of me, little rabbit?"

I nod, without thinking.

"Good."

He brings his face so close to mine that our lips touch briefly. He takes a deep breath and pulls quickly away, leaving me there, frozen by what has just happened. Or rather, terrified by the sudden urge to kiss his perfect lips I managed to suppress.

He's no longer looking at me, but at the ground.

"My chauffeur will bring you back. I'll wait for Jézabel. Go on, now."

"But I..."

He cuts me off in a firm tone of voice.

"Miss Mills, I told you to go, now."

His authoritarian tone is not to be trifled with and I leave without uttering another syllable. He doesn't even look at me. This man certainly is a walking contradiction. One moment he’s cold and distant, and the next he’s so close so as to kiss me. My lips are still trembling from their faint contact with his. I would love to return to the grotto and confront him, but I'm so exhausted I haven't the energy for such a discussion.

I can see Black's chauffeur and he opens the back door of the car for me.

"Will Mr. Black be joining you?"

"No, Lord Black told me you would drive me back alone."

"Very well, miss."

The return trip is brief and I crawl right into bed, falling instantly into a well-deserved deep sleep.

"Everyone is a genius. But if we judge the fish on how well he can climb a tree, he'll spend his life believing he's stupid."

Albert Einstein

Friday morning, I wake up and don't feel any after effects of the chimera's frightening crush. Quite the opposite, I feel almost invigorated. Stretching, I go over the events of the last evening and a horrible thought comes over me."

"Zach!"

I jump out of bed and look out the window, wondering where he is, but mostly how he’s feeling. Was the healer able to remove the chimera's venom? To my utter amazement, I spot Zach, fast asleep on a bench just outside my window. I throw on my jeans and my jacket over my sweater and quietly climb out through my window. I don't want to wake up the others with the creaking of the wood floors. I walk over to the bench and gently wake up my friend.

"Zach! Zach, it's me, Lou!" I murmur in his ear, shaking him more vigorously.

He wakes up, still groggy and rubbing his eyes.

"Lou, is everything ok? I’m so sorry about last night."

"Are you nuts? You were the one who was bitten and thrown against a stone wall by a monstrous beast and you ask me how I am? How are you?"

"I'm ok. My friend does miracles for me in exchange for landscaping. Let's just say I owe him big time now. Sadly you haven't gotten rid of me yet."

"Thankfully, you mean! So what’re you doing sleeping out here on a bench?"

He puts his hand behind his head and avoids my gaze.

"I...I didn't want to leave you alone with Black last night and I wanted to make sure you got in ok and that nothing else happened to you. Sadly, I fell asleep."

"Don't worry about it, Black was a total gentleman and had his chauffeur bring me home."

"A gentleman?" he says, raising an eyebrow.

"Do I hear a note of jealousy, Mr. Zach?" I answer, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

"Not at all, but I do find he seems to be around you an awful lot, always nipping at your heels. I've been working in those stables a long time, Lou. It's usually his chauffeur who comes and gets his horse, so last night's excuse, it was more of a pretext to come and find out what the two of us were up to."

"Nah! I don't believe he needs to worry about us. You and I are just friends, right?"

I can read the disappointment on his face.

"Yes, friends, absolutely. Ok, I guess I'll see you later this morning. I have a great lesson planned for you today."

"Great, see you later."

I go back to my room and take advantage of the time I have left before class to do a little surfing on the Internet. I wonder if there’s a Google equivalent for the enchanter's world. In truth, if I check on the Internet, the only thing about magic I find is the human version. I then notice a small piece of glass on my dresser, it's a little like the one that Black's doorman used. If it is technology, how do I turn on such a machine? I shake it, pass my fingers under the glass, look for a button, but nothing happens. I take the tablet and stretch myself out on the bed with it. As I drop to my belly, my pendant falls and comes into contact with the glass plate. It lights up instantly...Of course! My stone must act as a sort of USB key. Whatever, the important thing is that it works!

The interface looks similar to a human Internet research engine, so I type in the first subject that I’m interested in - The Emerald Tablet.

The slate becomes translucent and projects a glow onto the covers of my bed. I roll over and point the tablet towards the canopy of my bed and the screen projects a hologram into the air above me. This image is of a rough piece of dark green stone on which symbols, a little like hieroglyphics, are engraved. I continue my search on the subject of the tablet and I discover that Hermes, the messenger of the Gods, created it and it holds the divine secret, the key to the power of the Gods. I find a translation of the script and this is what I read:

True, without error, certain and most true: that which is above is as that which is below,
and that which is below is as that which is above, to perform the miracles of the One Thing.
And as all things were from One, by the meditation of One, so from this One Thing come all things by adaptation. Its father is the Sun, its mother is the Moon, the wind carried it in its belly, the nurse there of is the Earth.

It is the father of all perfection and the consummation of the whole world. Its power is integral if it be turned to Earth

Thou shalt separate the Earth from the Fire, the subtle from the coarse, gently and with much ingenuity. It ascends from Earth to heaven and descends again to Earth, and receives the power of the superiors and the inferiors

Thus thou hast the glory of the whole world; therefore let all obscurity flee before thee. This is the strong fortitude of all fortitude, overcoming every subtle and penetrating every solid thing. Thus the world was created. Hence are all wonderful adaptations, of which this is the manner

Therefore am I called Hermes the Thrice Great, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. That is finished which I have to say concerning the operation of the Sun.

I’m not sure I understand the profound meaning of this document and, although I continue my research for two hours, all that I get out of it are links to alchemy and the transformation of lead into gold. There’s no mention of a location for the tablet or even of a moonchild. After a while, I start to doubt myself. What if the enchanters around me can tell what I’m searching for on this tablet? I look in vain for a history to delete, then I put the tablet back where I found it and promise myself to consult the Academy library for more in-depth research; it will be safer.

I eat a couple caramels before putting on the last outfit Flicka left for me. For once I feel really comfortable wearing the clothing she chose. Form-fitting black jeans are laced up the back. There always has to be some touch of fantasy with her clothing. I lace up pair of superb black leather mid-calf boots as well. I top it all off with a hooded green khaki sweater with sleeves that end with a point. She must’ve known I would need something more relaxed for the end of my first week here.

I wonder what I'm going to do with my two days off, but I hope to convince Zach to bring me back to the stables; that is, of course if Black leaves us alone. Although I have to admit that a small part of me, a tiny part of me, would like to meet up with him again. Feeling his lips touching mine. My God, Lou! Take hold of yourself, girl!

I leave my room and head out into the garden in search of Zach when I run into Éloï. She isn't satisfied with simply waving a greeting, but heads straight for me.

"Lou, I heard what you did to Jézabel's chupacabra. I knew that you would be a good choice. Listen, I know that my brother is hard to take, but believe me, you'll get used to him and there isn't a greater choice than him for your team."

I can sense by the tone of her voice I’ve impressed her and I gather that's not an easy for her to admit. I’m feeling rather flattered and am not going to hide the fact, so I answer her right away.

"Listen, Éloï. I don't know why, and I'll probably regret it, but yes, I will take you on my team. But tell your brother to cool it a little. In return, I would like you to be friends with Pax and Flicka because they’re also team members and that’s non-negotiable."

"I’ll be happy to talk with them, or, at least, I promise not to be obnoxious to them, but you have to understand something about us. We aren't looking for friends to sit down and eat popcorn with while watching the latest werewolf movie. We’re looking for a team of warriors who, like us, will do everything in their power to succeed in their missions."

She seems to be taking this a bit too seriously, but when she finds out the real quest I’ll be leading them into, her attitude will play to my advantage.

"Ok, well be like that, then. But I want you to at least introduce yourselves to them. To be honest, the fact they think you do voodoo freaks them out a bit."

"And you, do you believe that?"

"Well, to tell the truth, I don't think about it all that much and I don't really care. If you’re useful to me, you can do whatever you want."

She doesn't deny it, so I assume the rumors are true. I should probably go do a little research into voodoo later to see if it will be an advantage, or not.

"Ok Lou, my class is starting soon."

She leaves me without another word, no goodbye, no “see ya later”, nothing. I guess I can't expect much from her. It must’ve taken everything she had for her to congratulate me on my success with the chupacabra. I didn't dare tell her about the chimera because I don't know if it's a secret, so I'll keep that nugget to myself, at least for now.

Zach is already in the garden and signals for me to join him at the end of the field where the scarecrows used to be. I feel a little guilty; it was probably Zach who made the straw men in the first place and now he’ll have to remake them.

Next to Zach is something that resembles a snowman, but made of mud. The man made of earth has dangling arms and seems a little worse for wear.

"May I present Clod of Earth; he’ll be lending us a hand this morning."

Seeing how Zach's hands are stained with mud, I assume he just finished creating his sculpture.

"Oh, really? And how is this man going to help us?"

"Like this…"

Zach places a scarab-shaped pin on the man's body and that's when he literally comes to life. Legs develop from the soil, giving him what’s now an impressive size. The frame of the imposing man who stands before me now is so big it hides the sun's rays.

"How is this even possible?"

"It's possible thanks to this pin, it’s called a Living Charm. It was created by the joint gifts of a master of potions and a master of arms. The living charms are very rare and Bethany gave me one when I became a professor. It's very practical for combat training sessions. It makes them much more realistic."

"And does it work on anything?"

"Not really, only on materials that can be shaped and they need to be made by the owner of the jewel, so in this case, by me. Sorry, my talents have never been in arts and crafts. But don't worry about it; he's not really alive. He moves by instinct and is controlled by my soul. That allows me to show you my combat techniques and you, to practice without worrying about hurting me. Are you ready? Don't be afraid, I'll go easy on you."

"Huh? I imagine I’m as ready as one can be against a six and a half foot senseless man made of mud."

"After the chupacabra and the chimera, this little guy will seem like a teddy bear."

Zach pushes on the body of the scarab charm, and gets in behind the creature. He raises an arm in the air and strikes out into the empty space in front of him and the Clod imitates his every move.

"I want you to launch your attack with smaller bursts of energy; that's important to conserve your strength in the long run. I would also like you to work on mixing your techniques in with your control of time. Don't destroy my work of art all in one go or we'll be spending the rest of the lesson trying to rebuild him. But don’t hold back too much, the dummy is pretty resistant."

Zach backs up a few steps and runs towards me with the improbable foe copying his every move. My first reflex is to retreat, but I catch myself and shoot an energy burst at the man who backs up a few steps on contact, losing some clods of mud along the way.

"Gently, I said! At this pace, he won't last fifteen minutes! Go on, let's start again!"

The mud creature waves his arms in my direction with stunning speed and I take the opportunity to practice my avoidance tactics, even trying a couple of side rolls. I surprise Zach when I pass under the dummy's legs to then hit him with an energy surge from behind, making him tip forward and finish off face down on the ground.

"You’re really quite strong. I see that we'll need to increase the degree of difficulty a bit."

The beast stands up as easily as he fell and moves towards me without giving me time to react. Instinctively, I stop time, which works so well that even Zach is stopped in his tracks, a smile on his face that tells me how much he enjoys this training exercise. I step aside just as time starts up again.

"Great job! Did you stop time? I thought you were in his trajectory for a fraction of a second."

"Yes, I even managed to stop you in your tracks."

He smiles broadly and takes control of the beast once again. We continue this little game for a few moments and Zach proposes to increase the level of difficulty by covering my eyes with a bandana for the last exercise of the day.

"Why not?"

My eyes are covered and I try to rely on my other senses. I hear, but most of all, I feel the presence of the Earthman around me. I feel Zach in my space as well. I  detect something more powerful is present around me, more sinister, but this must be my senses playing tricks on me. I feel almost as if I can follow the beast's movements in my head. Incredible! Once he gets close enough, I turn at the last moment and, seeing as this is my last shot of the day, I send my strongest burst of energy yet towards him. I don't hear a muffled oath from Zach, so I unbind my eyes to find him standing there, looking utterly stunned.