Witch-Mage Breaking, page 10
“You should tell them.”
“I will.”
“That’s not all, is it?” Claire asked, noting the hesitancy on Thea’s face.
Thea explained Kira’s plan to help with her backlash, which was to use astral projection to communicate with other dimensional beings. “With how things have evolved, it could serve more than one purpose. That is, it could help with my backlash but also move this case along quicker.”
Claire lifted a brow. “Go on.”
“From what Kira tells me, extra-dimensional entities can sense what is going on in our world, but only when witches or mages speak with them during rituals or meditations. Of course, most choose not to do this because of the risks, but very powerful witches could interact with the entities without bringing them into our world.
“If I can project and find some of them, it’ll be the equivalent of checking in with the gossip among the spirits and demons of other realities.”
Which won’t be hard to do. They’re a chatty bunch, Kira revealed. Thea repeated this to Claire, who glanced at Kira, seemingly impressed.
“That’s a whole new pool of witnesses to tap,” Thea remarked. “Though they aren’t the kind we can bring to court, they might provide clearer directions. If nothing else, they could reinforce what we already know.”
Claire mused over this, seeming to weigh the pros versus the risks. She was quiet long enough that Thea became nervous. “Fine, but you must do it with at least one other witch and an AID agent,” she finally agreed.
“I’ll ask Mia and either Jax or Brandon.”
“Both would be better.”
Thea stood to leave, but Claire wasn’t finished. “How are things going between you and Brandon?”
Thea stilled, surprised. The way Claire asked the question took her aback. It was as if Claire assumed they were dating. She didn’t have a good, concise reply and settled for stammering.
Claire smiled, though she looked tired, then explained, “The tension between you two is obvious, particularly on his side. He’s falling back into his old way of doing things. Though I appreciate his desire for protocol, the looser Brandon has been better for the team. He’s had trust issues in the past, you see, but he’s been much better since you’ve been around.”
A flush crept into Thea’s face. She wasn’t sure what to say.
Thankfully, Claire continued. “I don’t know why he has his guard up, but I suspect it has something to do with the fear of losing you, whether that’s as a teammate or something else.” She put her hands up. “I don’t need to know the particulars of your personal relationship with him. It’s none of my business, but if you have done something one or both of you regret, it’d be a shame if it ruined the effectiveness of your team.”
Thea blushed harder at Claire’s insinuation that they had slept together and, further, that one or both of them wished they hadn’t. “Nothing of the sort happened,” she quickly assured Claire.
“Good. The closeness you three share as a team is good, but it should be treated carefully and respectfully. If feelings toward Brandon do emerge, it would be best to deal with them. Have a conversation with him. Don’t hide how you feel.”
Thea was surprised to hear this. She had expected Claire to order Thea never to engage in anything romantic with Brandon. Instead, she seemed to be suggesting the opposite. It made sense. Claire couldn’t stop anyone from having feelings but preferred they faced them head-on rather than continuously beating around the bush. Having this discussion made everything more real to Thea.
She was grateful Kira chose not to add her comments this time.
“I won’t ask any more questions,” Claire added. “I appreciate your candor with me today on all fronts.” She glanced at Kira. “And I won’t say a word about your…methods until they become a problem. Understood?”
Thea nodded. “Thank you.” Well, that had gone a lot better than she had hoped. Claire dismissed her, and Thea half-stumbled, half-walked from her office.
Outside, she found Jax waiting for her. “Ready for a ride home, kid?”
The rumble of thunder in the distance told Thea that riding her bike home was out of the question. She was grateful to Jax but disappointed that Brandon wasn’t taking her home. She forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
A message came through on her phone as they headed out of the building. Thea hoped to find a text from Brandon, but instead, it was an email from her favorite professor, Adaline Jones.
I’m sorry to hear you might not be returning this semester, Thea. I hope you can stop by my office to talk at your earliest convenience. We may be able to move your classes online to make it easier since I’m aware of what is going on with you publicly. I also have news for you regarding the Grimoire.
Curiosity overcame Thea. What did Adaline know about the Grimoire? Thea had learned a lot in the past several months and wondered if her professor had stumbled upon something she hadn’t yet learned. As exhausted as she was, Thea couldn’t go home until she found out. “Actually, Jax, can we make a stop first?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“A wish undying,
A power everlasting,
She sought in caves and cliffsides,
Found in a cage of iron and a field of carrion.
The song of a siren carried across the churning sea,
On swift winds carried the plea.
She drew a circle in the ground,
Filled it with light.
The gods came down and blessed her plight.”
—Alia Fiorina, a Member of Ambrosius’ Mage Circle, Mage Song
Thea was glad that hardly anyone was there when she arrived at Tulane University. Adaline had come by to prepare for the upcoming semester, but no classes would be held for another week or two.
Thea found her professor in the offices as she expected. Jax, having insisted that Thea not go in alone, tagged along with her, and Kira remained hidden on her shoulder. Jax didn’t say it, but Thea knew he feared her blacking out again from exhaustion. Not feeling up to arguing with him about how she was fine, she let him follow her inside.
Adaline gave the pair a startled look, half because of Thea’s disheveled appearance and half because of Jax’s imposing figure. “Thea, you look like you’ve trekked through Hell and back today.”
“Something like that,” was Thea’s aloof answer. “Adaline, this is Jax. He works with me at AID. Jax, my professor, Adaline Jones.”
Jax nodded. “Good to meet you. Thea has had a lot to say about you. Apparently, you’re the smartest woman in New Orleans. I’d shake your hand, but I’m afraid you don’t want to know what else I’ve touched today. That sounded worse than it was. Well, not really. The snake was—”
Thea noticed a flush flooding her professor’s cheeks and curiosity blooming in her eyes. She cut Jax off. “Don’t bore my professor with work talk. We didn’t come here for that.”
Jax snapped his mouth shut but didn’t take his eyes off Adaline.
Kira chuckled into Thea’s head. Someone’s smitten. I can’t tell which one is more taken by the other.
Thea ignored the comment, deciding she’d consider this interaction later. She had more serious things to think about. Adaline was well aware of Thea’s job and more so now that Thea’s work had become so public. To her great relief, Adaline didn’t treat Thea any differently. She neither praised her for saving the city, bowing to her like she was a being from another universe, nor held Thea in disdain for her actions.
“Whatever happened, you’ve clearly tired yourself out. I’m glad you stopped by, though. I’ll make this quick so you can return home and rest.” Adaline motioned for Thea to sit. Jax remained by the door, watching and listening. It relieved Thea to have him here. She could listen to Adaline without worrying about the sudden need to defend herself.
Her mind filled with the conversation she’d had with Claire only half an hour ago and the one she wanted to have with Brandon soon. She banished both as Adaline set a small stack of papers on the desk and slid them over to Thea.
“I’ve shown you everything I know about the Grimoire over time, Thea, and I haven’t found anything new on the Grimoire itself, but I did make some discoveries about Ambrosius. That is, a circle of his followers whose writings have recently been found in Europe. I don’t know the exact location yet.
“A friend of mine in Germany recently sent me excerpts from documents found somewhere over there. He thought I would like to see them. He was right. After reading them, all I could think about was showing them to you. I hoped to do that your first day back in class, but if you can’t make it, now is fine.”
Thea examined the papers Adaline had printed off from her friend’s emails. Several of the writings appeared to be poems. They were scattered pieces, and Adaline had written annotations. One was called “Witch Song” and another “Mage Song.” Both were written by a woman named Alia Fiorina.
Thea’s eyes caught on that last name, wondering why it struck her as familiar. “What does this mean?” she asked finally.
“Alia was one of the members of Ambrosius’ mage circle,” Adaline explained. “As far as we can tell, this circle had thirteen members, including Ambrosius himself. We know this from Ambrosius’ scattered writings as well as a sketch he drew of twelve people in a circle with him standing in the center.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Ambrosius started a cult.”
Adaline chuckled. “He might have inadvertently. You know as well as I do from his letters that he regretted ever sharing his knowledge of The Ancient’s Grimoire. How often do writers regret their greatest work?”
“Not often, I’d guess.”
Adaline agreed. “These members of his circle were some of his most devoted followers, many of whom were hunted down and killed after Ambrosius died. Much of his writings indicate he regrets having formed a circle, sharing his findings, or teaching other mages the levels of power they could reach.”
She tapped the first page under Thea’s eyes. “Alia was the only member of his circle who survived. She ran away. We do not know to where, but some of her poems’ descriptions indicate she was in Ireland or Scotland. It makes sense, given that was where some of the first covens formed.”
“And she became a poet?” Thea asked, unsure of the significance.
Adaline nodded. “Or a prophet, some believe. Sometimes, the two are the same.”
Thea wasn’t sure what to make of the writings. At first read, they seemed like poetic ramblings or part of myth and fairytale. A closer look made her wonder if they were prophecies like what Ambrosius had written before.
The first seemed to be about a witch who became part of a coven.
“A broken heart,
A fraught start.
She rose from rivers and ashes
Tarnished womb, full tomb.
A mountain of fire,
A valley of water.
Her sisters gathered,
thirteen under a full moon,
A blazing sun,
A sky full of stars.
To them the world is broken and healed,
A coven first and last, bound and sealed.”
The second, Thea guessed, was about a witch who parted from her coven and became a mage. Were they the same? Were they about Alia herself?
“A wish undying,
A power everlasting,
She sought in caves and cliffsides,
Found in a cage of iron and a field of carrion.
The song of a siren carried across the churning sea,
On swift winds carried the plea.
She drew a circle in the ground,
Filled it with light.
The gods came down and blessed her plight.”
Thea met her professor’s gaze. “I’m not sure why this is important.”
Adaline leaned forward, lowering her voice. “I’ve discovered in some of Alia’s journals that she was the last to have all three volumes of the Grimoire at one time. She was the one who cast an enchantment over them, making it so only parts of it could appear at a time to someone, then disappear for years.”
Thea’s eyes widened. She had not been searching for these answers the past several months, yet here they were, dropped before her. She did not miss the significance.
Adaline continued. “I would know more, but her writings are in the ancient mage’s tongue and take time to translate. I will update you when I get further.”
“Thank you.” Thea was breathless.
“That’s not why I found it important, though,” Adaline added, her features somber. “Someone came to see me last week, demanding anything I had about the Grimoire. I told them everything I know is published in my book, but they weren’t having it. They insisted that I show what I had about Alia. Thing is, only my friend from Germany and I knew I had Alia’s writings. I have no clue how this person found out.”
Thea’s hands tightened on the arms of her chair. “Who was it?”
“She refused to give a name, and I had security escort her out. Before she went, however, she told me, ‘Tell Theadora Blackwood to mind her business.’”
Thea stilled. Behind her, Jax stiffened. “What did she look like?”
Adaline described the woman, and Thea realized two things. The woman wasn’t Mother Folsom, but she was one of Thea’s Sabbat leaders who had been loyal to Folsom for decades, ever since she joined the coven. Why come to Adaline asking about the Grimoire? And why leave a warning for Thea through her?
“I’m sorry that happened,” Thea stated. “My coven can be difficult. They should have never involved me.” She stood to leave. “I’ll be talking to my coven Mother soon and informing her that she is to leave you alone.”
Adaline gave her a wan smile. “You don’t have to do that, Thea. I’ll be all right. I wanted to tell you because I worried about you.”
“Thank you. I should be going now.”
Adaline wished her a good rest of her day, and Thea walked out with Jax at her side, silent and grave. Thea sighed, knowing she had something else to add to the long list of things to confront her coven Mother over.
Jax told Brandon the next day about what had happened at Adaline Jones’ office and what he and Thea had learned. On the way back to Thea’s apartment, she hadn’t said much, and Jax hadn’t pushed it. She’d been thinking hard the whole time.
Jax recounted this as well, and Brandon’s knuckles turned white around the steering wheel. “I have half a mind to drive to the coven estate right now and tell Folsom off.” Too bad they had more pressing matters to attend to.
Claire had asked Brandon and Jax to check on the names Mia provided from a list of customers who purchased Crimson Coriander from her shop. Mia told them most witches who bought the seeds from her used them for medicinal purposes. According to her, the seeds had the ability to facilitate healing and draw on sympathetic energies to rapidly accelerate it, so even serious conditions could be held at bay with regular tincture or salves.
“Remember when you dealt with Silas at Lafayette?” Mia had asked. “And you came to while hedge witches were healing you? They used stuff with Crimson Coriander in it.”
The seeds weren’t a bad thing. However, they could be used for ill-intentioned purposes and had been for many years. Brandon recalled Claire mentioning a series of cases involving the sale of illegal amounts and potencies of Crimson Coriander on Dark Street several years before he came to work for AID. He’d dug up the cases to see if anything lined up, but nothing had proved helpful.
It was better that way, he thought. If the cases had no direct correlation, it could mean the attacks were a newer plan, not something that had been in the works for years as Silas’ and Samuel’s plots had been.
Mia also shared that most of the folks on the list were regulars with chronic conditions or family members who had them. These people were at the bottom of the list for questioning.
If they didn’t find the true suspects today, Brandon decided, they would question those people another time. The only reason to question them eventually was if they had traded leftover seed for something else. He felt like the case was a spider web he had to unravel piece by piece without getting stuck in it. That is, it seems impossible, he thought.
However, Mia had sounded optimistic on the phone, and Jax distracted him with the story of Thea and Adaline from yesterday. Brandon had a dozen questions but knew Jax didn’t have the answers. Besides, he had to pay attention to where he was going.
Thanks to Mia, they had the address of the first person on their list. Someone who had no history of a medical condition and had only purchased the seeds from Mia one time.
“I wish Thea told me about yesterday,” Brandon heard himself say.
Jax chuckled. “She would have told you the same things I did, maybe with more flare. She was beat when it was over, Brandon. I suspect she’s been sleeping off the magical backlash since.”
“Backlash?”
Jax nodded.
“She told you that?”
Jax shook his head. “I could tell, though. Why else did she black out?”
Worry filled Brandon’s expression. He wished Thea had told him that part, too. What was holding her back?
Jax read the thoughts on Brandon’s face. “She’ll talk to you soon. She needs to rest first.”
Brandon nodded, hoping it was true.
“You shouldn’t have your walls up around her, either. That’s why she’s hesitant to talk to you these days. You two have worked hard to build trust. If you’re afraid of your feelings for Thea, she at least has the right to know why you’re acting this way. I’m sure the two of you can figure it out together.” Jax directed his gaze out the window. “And it would make everything a hell of a lot less awkward when I’m around you!”
“Does she talk about me?” Brandon asked quietly.
Jax whipped his head toward him, eyes glittering. “Maybe.”
Brandon couldn’t help himself. He took the bait. “What does she say?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Jax!”
“What? Are you going to command me to tell you what one of your team members has said to me in confidence?”
