As Jesse bustled between the kitchen and the table, several other witches rose to help her.
Cerri sighed and met Larry’s worried gaze. “She either doesn’t understand the danger ... or, well, let’s talk about that later. We need your help to solve this, Larry. I’m not overstating things when I say that the fate of the world may just rest with you—and Jesse.”
“Well, Fuck. So much for semi-retirement.” Larry snorted in disgust.
“My sentiments, exactly, Familiar.” Cerri rose from the table and turned toward the door. “How about you and I take a walk and discuss things?”
“Can I have one more piece of that delicious dessert before we go?”
With an amused chuckle, Cerri gave Larry a small piece of the remaining baclava. “That’s it, bud. This stuff is so sweet it’ll rot your teeth out. Then how would you eat your kibble.”
“Oh, I’d find a way.” Larry snickered.
“I don’t doubt it. Shall we?” Cerri led the way outside into the late afternoon sunlight and the duo ambled toward the hulking mounds of metal in amiable silence.
The sun darkened as gray clouds crowded the sky. Larry shivered in the unexpected chill then glanced over at his walking companion. “So, you’re an agent with the SBI, huh?”
“Yep. Part time these days, though. As I mentioned earlier, I’m semi-retired.”
Larry snorted. “Yeah, right. I don’t buy that any more than I buy your old lady act. Also, why did Jesse refer to your team as the Brew Crew?” Larry knew he’d likely touch a nerve by mentioning Jesse’s derisive words about Cerri’s team, but he couldn’t help himself.
Cerri grimaced and kicked a piece of rusty metal back toward the heap it had obviously fallen from. “All members of my team are either Water or Earth witches, which means our powers revolve around making and using magical potions or spells. Hence Jesse’s use of the term ‘Brew Crew.” A bitter smile twisted her lips. “Air and Fire witches consider themselves superior as they can control their elements directly, while the rest of us must brew or otherwise create our magic indirectly by using the base element we control.”
“Oh, now I get it. I’m sure Jesse didn’t mean her comment as an insult, though,” Larry replied.
“Perhaps not. But Jesse is a Fire Witch so forgive me if I remain in doubt.”
When Cerri drew to a stop, Larry realized they had walked the length of the scrapyard. A tall solid metal fence rose in front of them, blocking their path. “Guess it’s time to head back.”
“Not yet, Familiar. You and I need to finish our chat.” Cerri squatted, placing her hands flat on the dusty earth. She inhaled deeply then lowered her head as if in meditation. After a moment she nodded once, seemingly satisfied, then sat crossed legged on the ground. She smiled and patted a spot next to her. “Come, sit, Larry. We are well out of range of all eyes and ears.”
Intrigued, Larry ambled over and sat next to Cerri. “So, you’re an Earth witch?” Then it hit him. “Wait a minute. Cerri ... Cerridwen. Holy shit! You’re a Priestess of Cerridwen, the creator goddess. The Supernatural Council sure has sent in the big guns.” Larry growled low. “So much for a quiet semi-retirement. Instead, it looks like Jesse and I have to help the SBI save the planet.”
Cerri’s slight smile had turned into a full-blown grin while Larry spoke. “Yes, Familiar, I’m an Earth witch, and yes, Cerridwen is my patron goddess.” She laughed, the deep rich sound ringing in the air. “And I guess you could say the SBI has sent in the ‘big guns.’ My team handles sensitive cases that call for discretion ... and a whole lot of magical power, which I assure you my team has in spades.”
Larry decided he’d better up his respect level. “I don’t doubt it, ma’am. How can Jesse and I help?”
“First, drop the ma’am. Cerri is just fine. Second, I need your agreement that what I’m about to tell you remains confidential. Even from Jesse.” Cerri’s serious gaze backed up her request for confidentiality.
“Even from Jesse?” Larry frowned. “Now wait just a minute. I can’t keep secrets from my magical partner! That’s how I—we wound up in this goddess-forsaken magical scrapyard in the back of beyond. Our former High Priestess kept dangerous secrets from us and we were too self-involved to press her for answers.” Larry’s ears drooped. “And now she’s dead. And here we are.”
A gentle hand stroked Larry’s head. “Larry, as you have no doubt realized, there’s a major magical situation going on here. There is a lot you don’t know, most of which I’ll share with you tonight. The thing is, though, while I think Jesse is one of the ‘good guys’, I have to confirm that before I can fully bring her into the operation. Of course, she has to know there is an investigation. That’s unavoidable. But she cannot know the whole of it yet.” Cerri lifted Larry’s head so she could meet his eyes with her keen gaze. “Do you understand?”
Larry pulled his head out of Cerri’s grip and took a step back. “But why do you trust me and not Jesse? We both came from the same coven.” His eyes widened when illumination struck. “Crap! Litha really does have her grubby fingers in this mess, doesn’t she? She talked the Council into sending Jesse and me here. So, I’ll ask again. Why do you trust me, but not Jesse?”
“Your loyalty to your new magical partner is admirable, Familiar. As to how I know I can trust you ... I can read your heart, my dear. Familiars are creatures of the earth, are they not? Created by and powered through Earth magic? You have no deception in you, Larry.” Cerri’s wise gaze didn’t waver. “However, Jesse is a Fire witch, as is Litha ....”
“Jesse has about as much in common with Litha as I do with that toadstool over there.” Larry angrily jerked his head toward a squat mushroom growing on a rotting branch that rested against the fence. “She wouldn’t throw water on Litha if she were on fire.” He considered. “In fact, she’d more likely be the one to light her on fire—and, being a Fire witch, that’d be right up her alley.” Larry shook himself all over, snorting in disgust at Cerri’s insinuations.
Cerri chuckled and dipped her head in agreement and the tense atmosphere lightened. “I have a deal for you, Larry. How about you and I discuss what’s happened to date and where we think the investigation needs to go from here. Then we can talk further about how ... or if Jesse can fit into the picture?”
Larry realized that Cerri’s offer was the best he’d be likely to get. “Deal.” Then he remembered his late-night conversation with Carb and Midnight. “Oh, and I might have a few tidbits of news that you’ll find useful as well. I’m, uh, assuming, since you already know about the Universum, that me telling you what I know won’t end with my death ....”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Took a life oath not to talk about it, did you? Who bound you to that, I wonder?” Cerri’s mouth curved in an understanding smile.
Before Larry could begin his tale, Midnight slunk into the dappled moonlight then came to a stop a few feet from Cerri. The feline Familiar bowed her head slightly and raised one paw in deference. “Hail and Welcome, Priestess of Cerridwen. I’m Familiar to Ted, the mage who is—was in charge of this scrapyard.” Midnight glanced at Larry and added, “I also have information to share with you, as well as a request.”
“Thank you for joining us, Familiar. As the Felinus Universum and Familiar to the Universum’s current Guardian, I’m sure you have much to share. Oh, and congratulations on your litter of feline Familiars. I’m glad you have brought them to safety and I applaud your efforts on behalf of your magical partner.” Cerri smiled at the shocked expression on Midnight’s face.
Midnight quickly covered her surprise and accepted Cerri’s congratulations. “Uh, thank you, ma’am. So, you know who—what I am, then. And you know about the Universum.”
* * *
Larry, Cerri, and Midnight talked and strategized well into the evening. After the moon rose above the trees, they all sat in silence, faces tilted toward the sky as they gazed at the stars twinkling above.
“Hello, demon.” Cerri didn’t take her eyes off the sky, but her focus shifted to a small pile of rusted metal leaning against the fence. “Why don’t you come out from there and introduce yourself?”
After a moment, the metal pile shifted and Carb’s squat, green figure slunk out. The gremlin bowed deeply at Cerri and gave a short but formal speech. “Hail and welcome, Priestess of Cerridwen. I am Carb, the ferrous demon in charge of this scrapyard. If I can be of service, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Cerri’s lips twitched but she smothered her smile. “Hello, Carb. Please, call me Cerri. On behalf of the Supernatural Council, I thank you for taking such good care of the scrapyard and the powerful magic it holds.”
Carb bowed again, his large nose almost hitting the ground as he did. “You are most welcome, Cerri.” His face wrinkled with worry as he rose from his bow. “But I’m afraid your praise might be misplaced, ma’am. I’ve been doing the best I can without leaving the scrapyard, but they got Ted anyway. And Midnight went missing and had her kittens in an alley far from home. If only I’d been brave enough to leave the scrapyard to tell someone about what happened.” The little gremlin shook his head. “I mean, I told that Witch Council guy when he showed up, but then nothing happened ....”
“How about we move past the recriminations and talk about what we can do next, Carb?” Cerri patted the ground near Larry. “Come, sit. Larry and Midnight have filled me in.” She smiled slyly. “But, since I know you’ve been behind that pile of metal for most of the time we chatted, you know that. Did they miss anything? Or do you have anything else to tell us that might help?”
Carb plopped to the ground next to Cerri, his face scrunched in a massive squint. “Um, maybe I should mention the half dozen magically shielded mages scoping out the place right now? They’ve been here almost every night, but they can’t get past the wards. Yet.”
Larry jumped up, startled. The mages must be extremely powerful to be able to shield themselves so well that he couldn’t sense them. He glanced over at Cerri, whose calm expression told Larry that news of the mages lurking outside the gates did not surprise her. “You knew they were—are out there, Cerri.”
“Yes, Familiar, I’m aware of their presence tonight. They’ve been here most nights since Ted’s kidnapping. They may be well shielded, but their feet must still touch the earth. My Element.” Cerri sighed. “Too bad I’m not an Air witch, though. While I can sense their presence and location, I cannot hear their whispered words.”
* * *
Cerri shifted her position and gestured the trio closer. “So, here’s the recap, gentlemen—and lady. We know that Ted is the Guardian of the Universum, which is a powerful magical tool that can destroy the earth if it falls into the wrong hands. We know he finagled an assignment to this magical scrapyard so he could hide the Universum amongst the more ordinary, broken pieces of magical machinery here, hoping the general magical buzz of the scrapyard would disguise the Universum’s power.”
After a pause, Cerri glanced apologetically at Midnight before adding, “Either Ted wasn’t careful with his words and actions, or, as we suspect, there is a traitor on the Witches Council, or both. We know the members of the Witch Council are the only ones, besides Ted and the Supernatural Council, who know the tool is hidden here.”
“So ... you’re assuming the Supernatural Council can’t be the source of the leak?” Larry asked his question in a neutral tone, not wanting to piss off the powerful witch at his side. But she worked for the Supernatural Bureau of Investigation, which reported directly to the Council.
“I’m sure the leak is not within the Supernatural Council, Familiar.” Cerri’s words were clipped, her tone final.
Oops, definitely pissed her off, Larry reflected with chagrin. He met Cerri’s gaze in mute apology.
Cerri chuckled and tugged gently on Larry’s velvety ear. “Don’t apologize for asking a legitimate question, Larry. I’ve worked for the SBI for over a century. I know that the Supernatural Council is as susceptible to corruption as any powerful organization. However, in this case I’ve already investigated those on the Council with direct knowledge of this matter—and that number is small, as information this sensitive is compartmented. No, I’m afraid the leak is closer to home. Ted, even if accidentally, or perhaps a corrupt member of the Witches Council.”
Into the silence following her words, Carb interjected. “Okay, so, what do we do now?”
“Now, demon, we find the Universum, figure out a way to spirit it away from here to a safe place, and then neutralize the bad guys. We must succeed soon, or .... well, if we don’t, it won’t matter anymore. To anyone. In any realm.” Cerri rubbed her hands over her face with a sigh.
Larry’s ears perked, head swiveling to meet Cerri’s knowing gaze. “You mean the damn thing will destroy all the realms, not just the earth?”
Cerri’s warning was stark. “Based on what we know, if the Universum is activated and used, the entire galaxy will be destroyed in an instant, including earth and all associated realms.”
Midnight’s chest rumbled with an angry growl.
Carb’s normally upright ears sleeked back against his head. “Even the other realms? The Underworld, Faery ... all gone?” The demon’s mouth curled in a snarl. “Why would anyone create such a devastating magical tool? And how did they plan to survive its use?”
“Why did Alcase create it?” Midnight asked rhetorically. “Because he could.” Her lips curled, revealing razor sharp feline fangs. “Mages do not differ from humans in that respect. In the pursuit of knowledge and power, they often pay scant attention to the damage their inventions can cause—even to themselves.”
The feline Familiar sighed in frustration. “We should probably skip the centuries-old recriminations for now. We’ve got more immediate problems. One reason I stayed away from the scrapyard so long is that, as long as I stayed nearby, Ted could communicate with me from his holding cell on a fancy-ass ship moored near the old marina. I wasn’t able to get too close so I couldn’t hear his captor’s words, but ... Ted’s pain and thoughts, when questioned, told me enough. There’s a powerful criminal mage who wants the Universum and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. I’m fuzzy on what he plans to do with it or if he knows that it’s impossible to use without destroying everything and everyone, including himself.”
Cerri fixed Midnight with an intent stare. “Yes, our investigations have revealed that much but we are still working on discovering his purpose in seeking the Universum. So you know where this mage is keeping Ted. We must free him before he—”
“Ted will never reveal the location of the Universum. He’ll die first.” Midnight’s plaintive meow sliced through the air. “And that time is coming fast. He can’t hold out much longerrrrr—.” Her last words ended with a grief-stricken yowl. After a moment of tense silence, she shook off her sadness and continued.
“Yes, I know where the mage is keeping Ted. That’s one of the reasons I came back to the scrapyard. A few days ago, Ted sensed that ‘friendlies’ had approached the scrapyard’s wards.” Midnight glanced at Larry. “He could sense your and Jesse’s good intentions and knew then that the Council had sent someone to replace him as manager of the scrapyard. He keyed the wards to allow you and Jesse entry, then he made me leave him on that stupid ship and travel back here with the kittens to both warn you and to seek your help.”
“And help you both shall have, Familiar.” Cerri’s words resonated with reassurance and resolve.