Chapter 10: Magician

When I woke, it was from the pit of black unconsciousness to instantly alert. I found myself on my feet, my power gathering around me as I sought out whoever thought they could get away with my kidnapping.

"My apologies," a deep, velvet voice said from somewhere to my right. I spun toward the sound, knees impacting the well-stuffed sofa I'd been resting on. "It was never my intention that a stranger be drawn into this... situation."

The man lounged against a huge black desk, dressed formally if at ease, his white shirt rolled twice at the cuffs and unbuttoned at the throat, bow tie ends dangling with casual nonchalance. His ebony embroidered vest hung open, a red kerchief peeking out from a tiny inner pocket. My eyes took in his raven hair, swept most attractively to the side, thick and well groomed. His eyes were as black as his hair, framed with heavy brows only adding to his mystery. His wide jaw, cleft chin, perfect teeth, and the barest shadow of beard growth gave him a rugged and dangerous edge.

I adored him immediately.

"I'm sure it was all a misunderstanding." Now that I had my power back under control I felt more at ease. They had no idea who they were dealing with. I shot the tall blonde a glare as she smiled at me from her place at my host's side.

Someone groaned close to me. I allowed a quick look over my shoulder. The couch was curved and took up a large part of the room's center. Just down from where I'd taken my own repose was the young man I'd rescued.

"I take it he was the target and I'm the innocent bystander." That much was obvious.

The man at the desk winked. "How clever," he said.

"Not at all," I answered. "It so happens I've had a previous encounter with this same individual and I'm willing to admit the circumstances weren't so much in his favor then, either."

My host laughed, a deep and rumbling sound, though he was no taller than I and very slim. It was a cultured laugh, designed and polished with time.

"Delightful," he said. "If only we'd met under different circumstances."

I'd been taking in my surroundings as he spoke, the colorful paintings lining the place, the luxurious rugs over polished wood floors, a giant tapestry covering one wall. Even the chandelier was tasteful if slightly sparkly for my liking.

"No matter," I said as the blonde woman moved toward me in that slow, silky way of hers. "We've met now. Only not officially."

He immediately straightened and offered a deep bow, as polished as his laugh. "I am honored, dear lady," he said, "to present myself, The Great All Seeing Eye!"

From the way he said it I assumed I was to be impressed by this revelation.

"Auburdeen Hayle," I said. He strode forward and seized my hand, kissing the back of it with the barest touch. I felt a zing, a touch of power. But this time I understood what it meant.

"Charmed," he said, eyes lifting to mine, his amusement fading. "I had no idea we were dealing with your kind."

"My kind?" If my power hadn't been still humming around me, I'm sure I would have missed the whisper of his own magic as it drifted over me. "Don't you mean our kind?"

He laughed again, only this time there was a coarseness to it that wasn't so pleasant. "Not precisely," he said.

"You're a witch." My kidnapping companion had finally woken and decided to join the conversation. I turned to see him sit up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he spoke. "He's a magician."

A magician? Like a performer? Of course, the paintings, clearly theatrical in nature, some sort of overpaid advertisements of our host hovering over a top hat and a crystal ball They made sense to me now. As did the name he'd offered up.

"I sense power in you," I countered.

He bowed again, but not as deeply. "Our magic is far more subtle."

I wasn't sure if that was an insult or not.

"Are you mad, Vasek?" The young man stood beside me now, ignoring the blonde though I knew if he made any threat she would be on him faster than I could use magic. "What were you thinking, bringing me here?"

The magician shrugged his lean shoulders, a casual gesture. "I feel a certain level of responsibility to you, my dear Jack. I had no idea where this was going and now... I wished to do my part in your protection."

I looked back and forth between them, lost but with more information than I'd had.

"You have no idea what you've done." Jack shook, his whole body taken by it.

"Rescued you from the Brotherhood," Vasek answered. "You're welcome for that."

Excuse me? "As it so happens," I cut in with some heat, "I was the one doing the rescuing before your Amazon over there," I gestured at the blonde who smiled at me, "interfered."

Vasek stared at me, face unreadable. "Is that the case?"

Something about him made me pause. "It is," I said. "In fact, the two men were incapacitated and the police on their way when we were abducted."

The blonde laughed, a silvery peal of pure delight. Vasek smiled at me, an indulgent expression making my blood boil.

"The police, you say." He chuckled. "Well, they didn't need us after all, did they Stella my dear?" The blonde didn't say a word, but she didn't have to. Her expression did the work for her. "My apologies."

He was taunting me, that much was obvious. And, when I thought about it a moment, I realized why. Hadn't Jack been running from the police the first night we'd met?

And was that only last night?

"I don't need your help," Jack jabbed his index finger toward Vasek, "or yours," he pointed at me. "You need to stay away from me, as far as you can." His eyes locked on mine. "I can't have the complications of witchcraft making things worse." Jack spun back to Vasek. "And as for you, feel free to dispense with any misplaced guilt you may be feeling. This was my choice and it's mine to deal with."

Vasek clasped his hands behind his back, nodding slowly. "If that's what you really want."

Jack relaxed slightly. "It is." He let out a large sigh, as if all the tension in his body came from that breath of air. "Once I find the cure, I'll disappear and this will all be over."

He didn't look ill. But he did react oddly when I tried to heal him in the alleyway. "Cure for what?" There was far too much going on around me for which I had no answers and the not knowing was driving me to distraction.

"I told you to stay out of it." Jack didn't even look at me. What happened to the sweet young man I'd allowed under my blanket, the one who kissed my cheek and smiled at me? I did recall the initial feel of him when he'd done so, the magical connection, and his clear concern as he left me. And yet, I'd done him another solid favor. So much for gratitude. It riled my temper further.

"I suppose I should have just left you there to have your head beaten in," I snapped. "Or better yet, told the policeman you were in my hansom."

He flinched as though I'd slapped him. "Perhaps you should have."

Vasek laughed, snapping my anger tighter. I wasn't the only one. Jack's face turned crimson and he spun on his heel, heading for the polished black door on the other side of the room. He glared at the magician as he pulled it open, already half way through. "Stay out of my business from now on, Vasek," he said. "And keep Stella away from me."

The heavy door slammed shut behind him. I stood there a flabbergasted moment, fighting my own temper when I finally realized I was alone with the two people who kidnapped me.

Vasek shook his head at me, black eyes bright with amusement. "Perhaps you should pursue him? That boy has more nerve than sense."

"I'm free to go?" It seemed impossible.

"Naturally. I've already told you, you weren't the intended target."

"But I know who you are," I looked back and forth between them. "Aren't you concerned I'll contact Scotland Yard?"

"And tell them what, exactly?" Vasek glided forward and guided me to the door. He had it open and was gently shoving me out before I could protest. "A pleasure, Miss Hayle."

The portal firmly closed on me and I was left standing alone in a dark hallway. I would perhaps have been at a loss for what to do had I not heard a soft curse from farther down the corridor and recognized it as Jack.

I went after him, moving much more quickly than he in his damaged state, reaching the outer door he exited just as it swung shut behind him. I caught up with him in a dank alley behind the building, my shoes squelching over refuse and a thin film of filthy water that stank of rot.

"Jack, wait." I caught his arm, turned him around. He glared at me, but there was little conviction in it.

"Please," he said. "Please just leave me alone."

"Why won't you let anyone help you?" I let him go. "If you're sick... I know people who could heal you."

"I'm sorry you were caught up in this. And that I was mean to you." He rubbed his face with his hands, looking more tired now than angry. "I'm sorry I chose your hansom, and I'm sorry you were the one who had to rescue me." He shook his head, a bit of the young man I remembered returning to his face as he looked down the alley. "But I just can't have you involved. It's bad enough Vasek knows, that a magician is tied up in this. But to add witchcraft to the bloody mess... I just can't risk it."

"You'd better be on the wary for vampires and weres as well then, hadn't you?" I was in no mood to be kind. "And the Sidhe. Demon folk. You're surrounded by power, Jack. If your problem is based in magic, you're bound to attract attention from others."

I didn't know that for certain, mind you. But from the stricken look on his face I didn't think he'd considered it.

"Bloody hell," he whispered.

"I can help, despite what you might think." I crossed my arms over my chest, determined now. Burdie Hayle did not abandon someone in need. Especially when I didn't know near enough to satisfy my curiosity. "Who are you, exactly? And what do you mean, sorcerers?"

He backed away from me, further down the alley. "Thank you for your help, Miss Hayle," he said as he retreated. "But you'd do well to forget you ever met Jack Bishop."

I stood there fuming. Didn't want my help? Fine then. I'd find another source to give me the information I was looking for. Instead of following him, I turned and went back to the door I'd exited.

Locked. Naturally. I tapped into my magic to change that only to feel a surge of disorientation much like I had when I'd been kidnapped. My power flow was unsteady, coming in surges and patches and making my knees weak.

I leaned against the door for support and tried to sort myself out. Whatever was happening, it wasn't going away. I needed answers now more than ever.

I spent the next few minutes circling the building, looking for an entrance. But the only two doors into the establishment were firmly barred. I looked up at the sign above the front entrance. The Conjury. I'd make sure to remember this place.

Time to go back to the Brindles and see if there was another way to uncover the truth about Jack.

It was only then I realized I was without money, lost in a part of London I'd never seen before without a hansom in sight to hire. A heartbeat of panic gripped me. Sassafras always warned me there would be a time I'd finally get in over my head. I was thinking perhaps I'd finally found that time.

I reached out with my magic, tentatively, worried about the unsteadiness I'd felt. It had faded somewhat, enough I was able to locate the powerful wards surrounding the Brindle house. Perfect directions.

I considered trying the locked doors again, but settled on a furious and undignified retreat.

***