The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) (34 page)

Typically her speech would have hurt me, but today I consider the source. She must feel threatened by me. If she could only understand I have no intention of taking her place, or anyone's for that matter. I simply want to achieve my mission and then get back to my quiet life.

"I'll see you on Thursday for team formation. Good day, Bethany."

The fact that I don't respond to her insult seems to provoke her even more and I can feel her starting to crack. I leave before giving her a chance to answer, letting her stew.

Leaving the building, I notice a text from Zach that came through while I was in the cafeteria.

*
I left. Professional reasons. Back on Thursday. I can't be reached. I already went out to the stables today. Tomorrow, please only feed the peaceful and ferocious creatures because the others only eat once a week and they've been taken care of already
.*

I can't even send him a reply to ask him how he is. I guess that his "professional reasons" are more or less linked to our lesson this morning. I join Black next door, just as he exits the small cafe.

"Zach left town."

"I know." he says, without further explanation.

"How do you know?"

"I arranged the whole thing. I asked Bethany for a special favor, offered her an astronomical amount of money for it and requested Zach carry it out. Of course, she didn't have much choice in the matter."

He can't be serious, can he?

"Why did you do that?"

"I need to have your complete and undivided attention this week and he was distracting you. There are only three training days left before the team creation and we don't have time for his childish temper tantrums."

"Pardon? His childish tantrums? Are you serious? You were the one who took a fit and kicked him out this morning because you didn't like his way of teaching me."

"He provoked me."

"He did nothing at all. If all I am is a key to you, a way to get what you want, you shouldn't have any issue with how he treats me."

He sets his jaw and scowls at me.

I point at him, no longer able to contain myself.

"You’re the most insensitive and the most frustrating man I've ever met. I'll find my way back, don't bother to follow me."

I put on my earbuds and leave at a run, too angry to see if he’s following me. I imagine he got in his car with his chauffeur, too insulted by my comments.

As I get close to the house, I feel a hand grip my arm.

"Follow me."

Black pulls me, not too hard, but hard enough. So, he must have followed me on foot, tracking me without my knowledge. He leads me to a small cottage on the left hand side of his property. The room has a small staircase that descends into the ground. We go down and end up in an artificial cave, dark and humid. He lights a torch and we continue together a few feet down a hewn rock hallway. We reach a round room that is simply decorated with a small hearth for the fire and a tiny wooden table decorated with candles that Black lights. Above the table, on the wall, a painting is the only decoration. The table seems like an altar to the painting. I get closer to see what is on the work of art that is so important as to need a whole room to itself. On the picture I see a beautiful young woman, smiling, with a carefree and serene look on her face. She has long wavy hair and perfect features. I know very well that this must be Eurydice.

"I have a friend who is able to see into past memories and share them with someone. I used a human artist, pathetic, I know, who shared my memories and painted her face. I then had him drink a memory wiping potion and I brought the painting here."

I don't find him pathetic. I have pity for his tragic story, if not for his nasty moods. He continues his monolog, his back to me, still staring at his artwork.

"I spent more than four thousand years venerating someone whose face I couldn't remember. This painting is all I have left of her, Lou. I come here to remind myself where she is. She’s there because of me…in the underworld, Lou. That's worse than the worst possible nightmares I could ever have. I can't stand the fact that she’s there and I’m here. I would change places with her anytime, but the Gods have condemned me. I can't die, Lou and I can't go back there either, I've been banished. My only chance to repair my mistake is you. I’m sorry to put you under so much pressure, but maybe this will help you to make sense of it all and to accept my insensitivity, as you put it."

I walk over to him and put my hand on his shoulder because I understand what he’s telling me, and when he opens up to me, I can finally see the man that he was. He’s so incredibly concerned about the fate of the woman he loves. It's a good thing he’s so annoying or I would have certainly fallen in love with him, a love he never would have returned.

"It's not your fault, I know what happened to you Orpheus, you did all you could and I'm sure she knows that."

I find it strange to say his real name. Orpheus. It sounds so much sweeter than Black.

He looks at me as if I’ve just insulted him in the worst way possible.

“It’s all my fault; I turned around. They told me not to, but I did anyways. And then I lost her forever. What’s worse is that she’s suffering because of me, do you understand? I beg you, Lou, you need to help me save her. If only you knew what I’ve done all these years to create my own personal hell to feel some of her suffering.”

“But you seem to be living a good life in your manor, with your personal chef.”

“I promised Eurydice I would build her a house. It’s the only thing I could do for her. It was my way of waiting for her without going crazy. The manor is dark to remind me of the darkness of where she is, but I created the garden for her return. I know that after all the years spent there, if she comes back one day, she’ll love being in the yard. The cook, I hired him for you. I wanted you to be comfortable.”

He looks out of breath. I guess it isn’t easy for him to confide in anyone and talking like this must be reminding him of all her suffering. I think of the wonderful garden and I finally make sense of its contrast with the house. I can’t believe that he hired Justin just for me!

“I’m sure she’ll love the garden, I think it’s gorgeous. Thank you for confiding in me and I promise to do everything I can to find the tablet. Just try and help me out a little, you’re so hard to figure out. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, nobody can, but I’m on your side and believe me, I’m sure she doesn’t blame you for any of this.”

He offers me a small grin, but I can see he doesn’t believe me. The poor man has blamed himself for so long that I think that until she comes back, he won’t feel any better.

“So, where are your masters of illusion whose goal it is to transform me into a top magician?” I say, winking at him to lighten the mood.

“Yes, good idea!”

“The only way to avoid temptation is to give in. Resist and your soul will make itself sick languishing for what is forbidden.”
Oscar Wilde

We spend all day Monday and Tuesday training and there’s no news from Zach! I managed to get to the stables on Tuesday, accompanied by Black. I even found a way to integrate training into my chores by icing the Yeti’s cage with a flick of my wrist, to his great delight. The leprechauns, and even the troll seemed to appreciate my company more than Zach’s. I guess they don’t get to see many women other than Jézabel. I convinced Black to let me train with my team today, because team selection day is tomorrow and this could serve as a test. He said he wanted to be the one to talk to them about discretion and confidentiality about my state as a Moonchild. Flicka notified the group and they organized an afternoon off from their usual lessons. They should be here any minute.

“Lou, they’re here. Can you come join us in the dining room? Lunch is already on the table,” says Black, leaning on my doorframe, looking preoccupied.

I don’t know if he’s more worried about me, or the outcome of our mission, but whatever the reason, I’m confident about my team and I appreciate Black’s efforts. I know he’s doing this for me. The last two days spent with him have been perfect. His mood was conciliatory and I see he’s been trying very hard. He looks at me for a moment, as if waiting for an answer.

“I’ll be right there.”

We join the others who are already in the process of devouring an enormous buffet of desserts that Justin created for them.

“I never want to eat cafeteria food again! Tell me, when can we move in?!” asks Flicka, meaning it sincerely.

“I don’t believe I’ve enough rooms for all of you,” answers Black, oblivious to her humor.

Black sits at the head of the table and looks at them all seriously. In less than a second he’s gone back to his cold front, but I think that in this case, it will be necessary. What’s more, Black has a reputation to keep. I think I’m the only one who has access to the real Black, to…Orpheus.

“You’re here today to pass a test. As you must surely know, Lou is very powerful. I chose her for high-level training here with me. Lou has told me that you’re each indispensable elements of her team. As I’m her professor, I’m obligated to advise her in such an important choice. Once formed, a team of warriors is for life.”

Nobody speaks. They’re probably thrown by Black’s absurd confidence.

“Also, Lou has some particular talents she would like to demonstrate. But, before going any farther, you have before you a confidentiality agreement. The document explains that if you reveal details of what you are about to see here today to anyone, and whether you're chosen tomorrow or not, you will be banished from this city AND you will never be allowed to practice as a warrior anywhere. Do not underestimate my influence.”

“What on earth would we reveal? We all know what Lou is capable of…no need to threaten us.” Always Pyros, ready to argue.

“Are you signing, or not? It’s your choice to do so, or leave immediately. Nobody is forcing you. However, if you don’t do the training today, Lou won’t be choosing you tomorrow, and believe me, that would be a mistake,” says Black, in a very controlled tone of voice.

“Is this how you feel, Lou?” asks Pyros, still smarting at being told what to do.

“One hundred percent.” I say, nodding.

We’ll see how motivated Pyros is, or if he’s just following his sister out of habit.

“I hope this is worth it,” and with that, Pyros, to my great surprise, is the first to sign the document, shortly followed by the three others.

"Ok! Let's get started, I'm really curious to see why Lou chose you all," says Black, inviting them all into the ballroom.

"Show us what’s so special about your team, Lou," requests Flicka, a little miffed. I assume she would’ve liked to know what was going on before the others.

"Show them Lou, but go easy."

I greatly improved my tolerance for lessons over the past few days and I’m able to use all my gifts at once without draining my energy.

I start off creating a small earthquake, careful not to damage the beautiful chandeliers. I then continue with a weak tornado that I position under my feet to lift me into the air, a little trick that Black and I worked on, then I add two enormous pillars of fire in the center of the room. Finally, I extinguish it all with a deluge and land on my feet. In front of me are four stunned enchanters, and I can't help but smile. I wink at a pleased looking Black.

"I don't understand! How’d you do that?" demands Éloï, hands on either side of her face.

"She’s a Moonchild, you idiot," says her brother, stating the obvious.  Then he continues, "Lou, I don’t like you much, actually, not at all, but I must say... Wow!"

Ok, despite the first part of his statement, that's probably the best compliment I could expect from Pyros. I turn to Black, who doesn't seem to appreciate the criticism. I motion for him to ignore the comment.

"Is Charles aware of this?" asks Flicka suddenly.

I nod.

"Why didn't either of you tell me? I'm your friend, aren't I?"

"Because we didn't know how things were going to turn out, Flicka. I love you, but you have to admit, you’re the girl with the biggest mouth I know. It's very dangerous for me. Many people with bad intentions are looking to control me to find the Emerald Tablet."

"The Emerald Tablet! I thought that was a legend!" says Pax.

"Everyone knows about the tablet and we're just learning about it at the Academy, but I also thought it was only a legend," says Éloï.

"No, the tablet is quite real and it will actually be your first and most important mission. We must find it as soon as possible. My reasons for doing so are personal, but I’m ready to pay whatever it takes to find it," announces Black to the group.

"I'm in," says Pyros.

One by one, the others all agree to the mission. Apparently, when it comes to his mission, Pyros is fully engaged. I knew he would be an important element of the team.

"Ok, so let's start our training. We've lost enough time!" I say, clapping my hands.

"Black, could you please present the masters of illusion. And don't go easy on us, we need to be in realistic combat situations, and this is the first time we'll train together."

"I can hear voices, many voices...at east thirty people...they're walking toward us and they don't seem happy," informs Éloï, using her powerful sense of hearing.

"Is this part of the test?" I ask, turning to Black, who stands there, impassive.

"Yes, Lou. I can feel it, it’s beginning of a very convincing illusion," says Pax, levitating slightly and adopting his combat position.

Flicka whistles and seconds later we’re surrounded by mice and rats climbing over her and positioning themselves as her armor. "I took your advice and actually worked at it during my combat lessons," she answers, smiling from within her little fortress.

Pyros takes out his Swiss Army knife, ready for any eventuality.

“They're almost here, they're ready, and from what I can tell about what they’re saying, they're not enchanters, they're human," Éloï seems to be concentrating hard and paying attention to every word, perfect!

"Humans, good. We'll have a welcoming committee for them," adds Pyros, a little too enthusiastically for my taste.

I know I should expect something like this, but honestly, I didn't really think I would have to fight humans, even if only in illusion. I'll have something to say to Black after this is over. These illusionists are using my weakness to get the upper hand, but I won't let them win. I just need to keep telling myself that this is imaginary.

A sudden banging on the front door, as if a massive object were being thrown into it, startles us. After a couple of strikes, the door gives way under the constant pressure of the assailants. Through the opening, we can see that Éloï was right. We see approximately 30 humans standing there, but not just any humans, it’s a uniformed and well-armed FBI swat team. We freeze for a moment in surprise, and then I realize my team has turned to look at me, waiting for my command. The agents all fire at the same time and we each take imaginary bullet hits that somehow still manage to leave small bruises.

"Failed miserably," says one of the illusionists in a tone of voice that’s filled with derogatory pride.

Black comes up to us.

"I’ve no doubt that you’re great warriors, but what they haven't taught you enough at the Academy is that human weapons are your biggest enemy. You need to gain control from the start or you'll be destined to fail. Let's restart, but this time, show me why Lou believes in you."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were waiting for my commands. I’ll do better next time, I promise," I tell them, embarrassed to have let myself be overtaken by uncertainty. But, at that moment, I receive sudden inspiration and a plan starts to form in my mind.

"Masters of Illusion, please start from the beginning," requests Black, backing up.

"Lou, I can hear the same thing, around thirty men and they're all headed for us," informs Éloï once again.

"Ok, as we already know they’re armed, here's what we're going to do."

I rally them together and share my plan quietly so that neither Black nor the illusionists can hear our strategy.

"They're almost here, Lou, they're right behind the door," says Éloï, already in position for her part of the plan.

As in our previous trial, the FBI agents manage to open the door with the power of their ram. I turn to Flicka to see if she’s ready and she signals she is. The men enter the room and aim their guns at us, ready to replay the previous exercise. I have to admit that it feels strange being on the other side of the fence. I signal to Flicka, who whistles and hundreds of rodents appear and immediately run up the enemy's pant legs. As the little beasts came up from behind, we take them by surprise and our assailants flail around, trying to release the vermin from their clothing, leaving us enough time to overtake them.

I then signal to Pax, who raises his arms in the air, creating his own illusion that adds itself to the principal one. I wasn't sure it would work, but I realize that Pax is more powerful than he looks. The floor transforms into a canyon, tracing a small platform for the men to stand on, subsequently preventing them from taking a step. This tactic works wonders, since the characters created by the masters of illusion are programmed to react in a realistic manner. We take the opportunity and we surround them.

During our earlier planning session, I asked Pyros if he had a weapon on his knife that could capture and disarm the enemy and he told me about his fishing net. I signal to him that it’s time to deploy it and as soon as I do, he pushes on one of the buttons on his knife and a huge iron cage captures the men where they stand. I can see in Pyros' eyes that he feels it’s far from satisfactory. His eyes full of hatred, he pulls back his hand as if to take a swing and he lights it up, aiming at the cage, which is quickly engulfed in a ball of fire. The occupants begin to cry out in pain and suffering.

"That's enough Pyros! Éloï, control him!"

Éloï shoots a ball of ice at her brother's hand, preventing him from continuing his torturous plan.

I create a torrential downpour over the cage and the illusion disappears instantly.

"Why did you stop me? It was only a stupid illusion!" yells Pyros, getting away from his sister's hold.

"There’s no room for cruelty on my team, Pyros. The look you had in your eye was unacceptable. We had the situation under control, they were already in the cage."

"With their weapons, sure! They could’ve killed us through the bars, I had to do something!" He shoots back at me, with a noticeable grumble in his voice.

"I'm leaving. I would be happy to be on your team Lou, but only if you learn to put your human emotions aside. I won't risk my life for your pity of them. They won't have pity on us, believe me!" Pyros says, slamming the door behind him.

Éloï walks over to me and pulls me away from the others.

"Lou, I should’ve told you before. Our parents...they were killed by humans five years ago. A small group discovered their true identities and shot them in cold blood, so please try to understand how my brother feels. We'll see you tomorrow. I hope it won't influence your decision." She leaves and joins her brother outside.

"Great job, Lou! I think you made a great choice here," says Black, signaling for his masters of illusion to clean up.

"Even Pyros? I'm not too sure about his attitude."

"He succeeded where you failed, Lou. Your plan was perfect, except that your love for humans got in the way of making the right decision."

I can't say I agree with Black.

"I don't want to kill humans unless it's the only choice I have!"

"Who says you need to kill them? You could have used Pyros to force them to let go of their weapons. Think outside the box, Lou. You need to realize that evil lurks everywhere, even in your precious humans."

Black is the first enchanter to make me see both sides of the coin, without putting it too bluntly. He's right, I can't make decisions based on my human emotions, I must consider protecting my team above all else.