I was home alone once again, Ragneth was busy with her royal duty while I was surrounded by open books on meditation, and I had read every single one of them. They were all mostly the same but I had to keep my options open. Most of them suggested a quiet, calm setting, maybe some soft music playing in the background. One book had stated that whale calls was a good one to use, considering whales communicated at a frequency that humans can’t hear, I’d find that very surprising indeed. I did land on bird song however, although it just made me remember all the summers where I was woken up at the crack of sparrows fart by all the bird chirping, which didn’t help me fall into a meditative state at all like the book had stated.

  I was sat, cross-legged, in the centre of my bedroom, bird sounds playing through my speaker and attempting to lower myself into a meditative state. I had been going for about twenty minutes and all I had got from it was a sore arse. I should have put some pillows down before I began. I sighed as I gave up, pausing the incessant bird song. I had tried everything to try and get that old nightmare to happen again. Everything from reading up on lucid dreaming to the meditation, I had even tried staying up for hours on end and hoping exhaustion would bring me closer to my goal. But nothing had worked these past few days. My last port of call was a summoning ritual to speak to the Gods directly from an old book on magic Ragneth had in her office that said really worked. I was highly doubtful that it was going to work but I had to try everything, like Ragneth had said I had to open my mind to new possibilities no matter how impossible or improbabe they may be. I was desperate to find some answers. But I wasn’t sure if this was opening my mind or grasping at straws, but if that meant bringing out some dusty old book based on religious mumbo jumbo then so be it.

  Getting up from the floor while holding my behind, I hobble to the office. Many years ago I had a key cut of Ragneth’s office so I didn’t have to go through the arduous task of picking the lock to enter and then relocking the door when I left. Using the key I had hid in my room for so many years, I hear the click as the door unlocked and I strolled inside. The inside was tidy, Ragneth had made sure to fix all the damaged that occurred the night I gained my magic abilities. As I thought back to that day I made a note to learn that spell at some point since it would inevitably become a spell I would be needing often, especially with a friend like Lucan who is about as graceful as a spider in roller-skates and a health and safety nightmare.

  I had previously made a mental note on where the book was in Ragneth’s library and went straight there, it was a rather unassuming book. It had been thrown out by the castle since it seemed to be nothing more than the ramblings of a madman and Ragneth had taken it home. I agreed with their sentiment since most of the time the writings seemed like a one sided conversation. Like letters you never hear the reply from. But I was drawn to one page where a crudely scribbled diagram of a summoning ritual was spread over two pages when I had originally flicked through it. The rest of the book contained everything from stool descriptions (ew) to recipes for carrot stew (less ew).

  I shuffled through the pages until I got to the one I required, I realised as I stood at the doorway of my room, eyes going back from the instructions within the book to my bedroom, that I was going to need a bigger surface area. I sighed and threw my head back in frustration as I thought about moving the furniture I had in my room.

  After a sweaty, profanity filled reshuffle of my furniture, I had enough room to work. My wardrobe however was not budging and there was no way I was taking it apart just to try a ritual that might not even work in the first place.

  Wiping sweat from my brow, my face red with exertion. I picked up the book and had a look at what I was going to need to do this so called “Summoning Ritual”. The book contained nothing more than “Items that represent each of the six Gods”. I roll my eyes, that was helpful. Not.

  Mumbling to myself aloud I started rattling off items that might make sense to use “water god, a glass of water maybe? Fire.. that one’s a little dangerous, a candle might be my safest bet? Earth god is easy, a plant.” I tap my foot as I ponder on “wind..wind..a fan? Might be pushing it but I’m not sure what else I would use. What gods have I done? Wind, earth, fire, water.. who am I missing?” I scrunch my face up in concentration and think for a second before piercing the silence “Ah-ha! Light and shadow gods. What on hell do I do for those? Light… what produces light and is portable? I answer my question quickly “A torch, obviously. Now shadow.. what gives off a shadow? Anything that blocks light so…Sunglasses? That seems like more of a push than the fan but it’ll have to do.” I realise suddenly that I was chatting animatedly to myself, I shook my head “Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness, the second sign is doing rituals out of a book about poo samples”

  I quickly set about grabbing all the items I needed for the ritual, scourging the house for everything. Once everything was assembled in my room, I took at look a the instructions for the ritual. “Step one: Draw a hexagon with all the points connected in chalk, so they cross in the middle” I mutter under my breath as I read before letting out a groan “Where the heck am I gonna find chalk?” I look down at my feet, my stripy socks obscured slightly by the scruffy carpet “on top of that, how the hell am I gonna draw on carpet?” I let out a noise of frustration and slam the book shut before angrily shaking it in front of me. This ritual better fucking work with all the work I’ve put in.

  I let out another sigh and think once again, I remember spotting some spray paint under the stairs that was left over from when I went and repainted some of our shabbier looking furniture. That could work as a chalk substitute.

  With spray paint acquired. I send an apology to Mrs Garrett, wherever she was, for ruining her carpet and get to work copying the hexagonal shape as accurately as possible. Once it was completed, I stand back and admire my handy work, it was a little wonky in places but looked fine. “Step two: Place each of the items in the corners with the matching elemental symbol.”

  I did as instructed, I confess I had to use the internet to remind me on some of the symbols, but once completed, I lit the candle with the flick of my wrist, smiling widely at the sensation. I don’t think I will ever get bored of it, the power at my fingertips, even a move as simple as lighting a candle filled me with such a rush. The feeling was addicting but I had make sure that I didn’t go overboard with it otherwise the Binders would be at my door quicker than I could blow out the candle.

  “Step three: Standing in the centre, where the lines cross, allow yourself to become the catalyst. Allow the magic that flows through you to escape from your finger tips and wrap around the items. The Gods should answer you.” seemed simple enough. I take in a deep breath and step over the paint, the room smelt like chemicals because of the paint and I tried to ignore it. This was it. The moment of truth. This was my last ditch attempt at communicating with the Gods, to find answers about my magic, about my dreams, about everything. This was a momentous undertaking, if this ritual worked, then my life would be forever changed. My own beliefs would crumble before my eyes. Maybe I’d even change as a person. Take up the cloth and become a hermit or something. Who knows?

  And if the ritual doesn’t work then I’ll be back at square one. And I’ll be nothing more than a scared little kid once again, jumping at shadows and waiting to be taken away because of powers I struggle to control.

  I closed my eyes and focused on my mana, I felt it whirling inside me, like a calm ocean waiting for the right moment and circumstances to become massive waves with the ability to crush and drown anything in its path. I let the waves rise up and flood through me. I could feel a tingling in my fingertips and my toes. I could feel the air become static around me as my mana reacted with the air inside the summoning area. My hair was standing on end and there was a gentle breeze playing with my hair, the smell of dirt invaded my nostrils and the heat of the candle could be felt from where I stood. Each and every item started to react with my magic. The ritual was working! It was really working! A tunnel started forming in my mind, a connection to the gods. It started small, a spot of light that slowly grew and grew. I could see a silhouette of a person standing in the light, the tunnel of light slowly revealing more people as it grew in size.

  Just as it was reaching its full size, just as I was about to finally get some answers. My front door was flung open and slam against the hallway wall. My eyes shot open and I instantly cut off my magic, thinking it was the Arcane Suppression Force coming to take me away, my heart was slamming against my ribs like a base drum at a rock concert. It was all I could hear. Magic sparked and flickered at my fingertips as I prepared myself to fight – until I heard a voice

  “Veylyn! Veylyn are you here?” Lucan’s voice shouted out into the house. He sounded out of breath and extremely worried.

  “Lucan? What’s wrong?” I call out to him, hurrying to exit my room, closing the door behind me as I hide my frustration at him coming in like that. Someone better be dead or dying for him to be interrupting me.

  I hear his thundering footsteps coming up the stairs as I wait for him on the landing “Oh Veylyn thank the gods you’re home! You’ve got to help me!” he exclaimed as he reached the landing, tripping on the last step and sprawling at my feet.

  “Why? What’s wrong? You set another kitchen on fire?” I tease down at him, folding my arms as I wait for him to stand up.

  “No, Veylyn you gotta help me! It’s Alan, he’s been caught by the Binders, him and Stanley were on their way to a safehouse outside the city when he got caught using magic. He was just trying to help but he got spotted!”

  “That’s awful but I don’t know how I’m supposed to help you with this” I explain, it was his own fault for doing magic in public. Its the first unspoken rule of being a mage.

  “Please, Veylyn, all they need is a distraction and they can run to the safehouse outside the city walls. I can help but I don’t know what to do. You’re clever, I know if anyone can think of something it’ll be you. Please Veylyn, I don’t want Alan to end up like all the rest” Lucan begged, his big eyes filled with tears as he looked at me.

  I think for a moment and against my better judgement, I don’t know whether it was because I knew what would happen to Alan if he was caught or if I was just plain stupid but I nod my head. “Alright Lucan, I’ll help you. Let me get my shoes on and we can head straight there. Fill me in on the details while I get ready” I state as I leap into action, barrelling down the stairs towards the shoe rack. If Alan has been spotted by the ASF then the minute are precious.

  “Alan, Stanley and me were on our way to the edge of the city. They had told me that they had a safehouse that they were heading to from the city” he said in a rush as he followed behind me. I grabbed my keys after slipping on my shoes. We rush out the house, locking the door behind me. I don’t need a robber getting curious and finding the summoning ritual in my bedroom while he’s looking for TVs to steal.

  “Where were you when he got caught?” I ask as we run

  “The New Street Market.” he began before continuing on as we alter our course “We were just chatting, trying to seem as normal as possible, when a woman dropped a pot she was selling on one of the market stalls. Alan went over and helped her, did his thing with magic but there was a couple of Binders on patrol that he didn’t see and they spotted him in the act. We ran, but we got separated.”

  I nod as I take in all the information. It didn’t take long for us to reach the market place. A large crowd had formed, all murmuring nervously at the disturbance happening. Their collective gazes dancing between the officers and the couple. I saw a child hiding behind a man’s leg but peeking out enough to still see what was going on. People were scared but their morbid curiosity outweighed their fear. I pushed through to the front of the group of onlookers.

  Three pairs of ASF members had a couple surrounded. One stood in front of the other like a human shield. Stanley, protecting Alan, I assumed. A figure dressed in the ASF uniform and matching black tinted helmet spoke out through a megaphone they had produced from their belt their back was to the crowd and their voice was loud and clear as it echoed around the market “Mage. Surrender now, and we will make sure that no-one gets hurt. If you refuse to come with us, we will be forced to use whatever means necessary to bring you in”

  I glance around at the other two pairs of ASF members, I could see their fingers itching to pull the triggers on their new and improved weapons that looked heavy and domineering as they fidgeted slightly in the tense situation. Things could get messy and fast if I didn’t think of something quickly. I racked my brain for ideas as the scene continued.

  Stanley’s face was contorted in fury, his eyes wild as he scanned the dangers in front of him, his arms wide to cover his partner and they were trembling in fright. “You’ll have him over my dead body!” he roared, his voice was heard clearly without the need of a megaphone. It was shaky and filled with terror but strong and filled with love for his husband.

  “We’re hoping it doesn’t come to that Sir, but we must think of the rest of the people of the kingdom. You have thirty seconds to come to your senses and surrender peacefully before we open fire and take you in by force” replied the first figure before dropping the megaphone back to his belt.

  I heard Lucan gasp at the promise of violence from the ASF member. He made to take a step forwards but I pull him back by his arm “Don’t” I whisper sharply, low enough for only him to hear “We need the element of surprise if we’re gonna help them.” his jaw clenched and unclenched and his eyes began to swim with tears as the silence between the ASF members and his brother stretched thin. I could feel the conflict in him from where I was stood, on one hand he wanted to do something, anything to help his brother now and the fear and guilt that came with having to wait for the perfect moment to strike. The mumbling of the crowd like white noise in the background only made his quiet all that much louder to me.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Finally an idea sprang to mind, but it was dangerous, for me and for Lucan but it’s the only plan I had. I turn to the scared looking boy and command him “Lucan, go to the left and create as much noise and damage as possible. Do whatever you think will take their attention off of Stanley and Alan. I’ll go right and do the same. If you think they’re coming for you, run and do not stop running. Meet back at my place in an hour, that should give us enough time, Understood?” He nodded and sprinted off to the side without another word. I shook my head at the stupidity of the idea I was about to undertake but I rushed to the right, ducking behind market stalls. I could hear the crash of over turning produce and yelling of fright from the onlookers. I heard the ASF demand to know what was going on, I had no idea if they had all been distracted by Lucan or not but I needed to act and quickly. No hesitation.

  I readied myself with a deep breath and a mumble of profanity under my breath and flung my arm straight up into the air. If I was unsure on if I wanted to help before, it was too late now – I had sealed my fate, I released a bright blue ball of energy into the sky. There were screams of horror as people started running in every direction, ASF were instantly on their radios, their voices drowned out by the stampeding group of scared people all pushing and shoving their way to safety. I used the distraction to change my position, acting my best to blend in and look scared before ducking behind a low wall and sending another ball into the air, a fireball this time. I heard the whoosh as it was launched into the air and arched harmlessly in the air before it fizzled out into smoke.

  “Do you have visual on the new target?” an urgent voice was heard, close to my location

  the radio crackled to life “Negative, Commander!”

  “Damn it! We need to get this under control and fast. Alpha team, sweep the east quadrant, Bravo team, sweep the square. Team Charlie, the right quadrant. Go! This could be the Outlier.” the first voice barked into his radio before rushing off.

  Peaking my head out from behind my cover, I spot an overturned market stall, fireworks and firecrackers are scattered about the place. I send a fireball over to light them up. Soon the air is filled with whistles and multicoloured explosions as they go off, going every which way. The air smelt of gunpowder and smoke. The screams reached new levels as people ducked and dived to avoid the wandering fireworks. Lucan amongst them as he flipped, broke and rampaged against anything he could get his hands on. Letting his anger out on innocent fruit stalls and crockery. I couldn’t help but let a tiny smile appear on my face as I watched him work. A firework catches a man in the chest and I cringe, wincing for him, ducking behind my cover once again before scurrying off, following the last dribble of people fleeing the market place, I slide behind a post box, breathing heavy as I glance back at the main market place, I could see Stanley and Alan attempting to sneak away slowly, but there was still the pair of ASF members watching the market place. They only needed the members to be distracted for a small moment and they could get away.

  I pulled in the mana that was deep in my chest and direct it towards my fingertips, imaging a storm in my mind and I send a lightning strike close to the feet of binders before instantly flinging myself back behind the postbox. A thunderclap from the spell echoed around the Market like a gunshot only adding to the screams of people and the whizzing of loose fireworks.

  I could hear the Binders heading in my direction and I bolted. Knowing that the lightning strike would have given away my position. If Stanley and Alan don’t get the opening they need after this then they were on their own. I hope they realise how much I risked for this. I hoped that Lucan had the sense to run to the throngs of people that had left originally. It would be easy for him to blend in with the panicked people and lose the binders. That’s if he had been spotted in the first place.

  That’s what I was planning on doing. I was running as fast as I could, my feet slamming against the pavement and my chest heaving as I sprinted down an alleyway, normally used as a back entrance into the market place. I could see the tail end of the stragglers just reaching the high street that connected to the alleyway. All I needed to do was reach them and I had a good enough hiding place I could blend in with the rest of the pedestrians who hadn’t realised what was happening or pretend I had just come from the market place.

  I could hear the binders pounding footsteps behind me as I burst into the high street before scrambling to act as natural as possible while also staying as out of range as possible, their radios crackled into life as their commander shouted down the line “Where are the original targets?!” he bellowed “Bravo team you were supposed to scope out the Market square! What are your positions?” He demanded. The smaller of the two ASF members yanked the radio from their belt her reply was laboured as they sucked in breath “Had visual on potential Outlier, Sir. Followed them up the alleyway into the high street.”

  The commander swore before replying “Do you have a description Bravo team?”

  “Brief description Sir,” I freeze immediately, my blood seemed to almost stop in my veins and I swear I could have dropped dead with fright right there. I strain my ears to hear the rest of the conversation “suspect has medium length brown hair, about five foot six inche-” the rest was drowned out by sirens as a fire engine thundered past me followed by an ambulance, police and several other Arcane Suppression Force squad cars.

  Shit! I’d really done it now.

  This was not good. This was incredibly not good. They had seen me, I rush to put my hair up under my hood while I race to leave. I hadn’t managed to catch how much of a description they had got of me, so I assumed the worst. They had a full description and if they saw me, it would be game over. I think about my best course of action as I weave between reams of people and objects, trying to put as much space between me and the ASF as possible. I was sweating and I could hear my heart beat in my ears, every second on the street was another second closer to getting caught, I needed to get home as fast as humanly possible without alerting suspicion to myself. I spot a side street that looks near enough deserted and hurry down it as I attempt to get my bearings in my panic state, taking every available turn open to me. Left then left again, a right followed by two more rights.

  Fuck. I was lost.

  I was too panicked, constantly checking over my shoulder as I ran that I had completely disregarded my surroundings, I had ran from the High Street into a residential area with twisty streets and had failed to look for a name of a street.

  I stop running and try to slow my laboured breath and frantic mind, my breathing was ragged and my chest of tight. I felt like I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs and my visioned seemed to blur. I look at the carbon copied houses and feel my panic raising more, I could feel that familiar bubbling of magic in my body and I fought with every remaining ounce of control I had to keep it under wraps.

  I close my eyes and force myself to take deep breaths. I was never going to make it home if I start having a panic attack in the middle of some random residential street.

  The street I was on was empty, the dull sound of sirens was the only sound I could hear, I try to remember the route from the High Street I had taken. Imagining a map in my mind, I walk myself down every street, mapping out every turn and twist I had taken then swear as I realised I’m heading completely the wrong direction for my house. I could feel the bubbling of my magic slowing and becoming weaker, just like the weakening of panic’s monstrous grip on my heart. A few more deep breaths in and out and I would be back to a suitable level of control. Self hatred flowed through me and I scold myself for letting myself get so worked up. Emotions have no place in high pressure situations. Only logic can save you when your back is against the wall.

  I can’t go back via the High street which would be the fastest way home. That street would be cornered off by the authorities by now, so I’d have to risk being out in the open for an extended period of time by taking the longer route. Both options were rubbish but I felt like I had more of a chance if I took the scenic route. I decided to slow to a speed-walk rather than a run, my logic being that most people wouldn’t pay attention to someone who looked like they knew where they were going compared to someone running but wasn’t dressed in sportswear. I could have gotten away with running if I had dressed in my gym clothes, running in normal clothes just makes you look like you’re either late or up to no good, and I’d rather not take my chances.

  I set off again, keeping my head on a swivel and my ears on overdrive as I strain for sirens or rapid footfalls of combat boots. I’m doing better this time at hiding and controlling my panic. I suppose it helps that I haven’t had an emotional breakdown and scorched a large area to dust this time.

  In the end, I managed to reach my house in about fifteen minutes, which was good timing since I had to drop back a few times and retrace my steps as I wasn’t very familiar with the area, as well as a close call with a passing ASF van. I can confirm that it was an utterly terrifying moment and I’m honestly surprised I haven’t need a clean set of trousers throughout this whole ordeal. Alan and Stanley better be bloody grateful that’s all I’m gonna say on the matter.

  I reached my front door, Lucan had been sat outside on the front step and instantly came sprinting up to me when he saw me coming down the street. He pulled me into a tight bear hug after almost knocking me on my arse with the force of it.

  It was awful.

  “Alright Lucan, you can stop being sappy now and let go” I grumble to him as I refuse to hug him back. I’m not a hugger and I meant it.

  “Veylyn! I’m so glad you’re alright!” he said as he let me go “I had no idea that that whole thing was going to go down the way it did” he went on to say as I led him back to mine, ushering him rapidly inside and into the living room. I said nothing as I hurriedly close the curtains, I knew that binders patrolled this area and I didn’t need them seeing me from outside and storming in.

  It took me a moment to realise that the room was filled with a silence, a rare occurrence with Lucan. Either he must be really shaken up or he’s thinking very hard.

  It turns out I was wrong about both of those options. As I turned to him, his face was set in a serious expression. One I had never seen before. His voice was quiet when he spoke “Why did you lie to me, Veylyn?”

  “Huh?” I ask, confused as to what he meant.

  “Why did you lie to me?” He repeated, his tone not shifting

  I frown and place my hands on my hips and tilt my head to the side “Are you going to elaborate? Or are we going to play twenty questions until you tell me?” I snap. My nerves and my patience were frayed and I wasn’t about to be the guest on the Lucan Riddle Show.

  “Why did you lie to me about being magic?” he finally explained after pacing back and forth, his mouth opening and closing a few times like a cod fish as he tried to find the best way to tell me.

  Oh. That lie.

  “I don’t know what you mean, Lucan” I shrug as I turn towards the kitchen, trying to distract myself from this conversation.

  “Don’t play me fool, Veylyn” Lucan snapped. A small fraction of that anger I had observed back at the market coming through. I turn back towards him and raise an eyebrow. The little puppy has a bite after all. “I know I’m not the smartest and I know I make some stupid decisions sometimes. But don’t you dare try to pull the wool over my eyes on this one. I saw you, with my own eyes. You risked your life and your freedom for my brother and his husband. I can’t ignore that”

  “Well you should ignore it Lucan” I bite back, unsure as to why I felt so angry towards him. Was it because he asked me to help Alan and his brother? Was it because, if he had never have asked me, I would never have been spotted by the ASF? My life now hung in the balance of if they saw enough of me to put out a manhunt for me or not. Did I blame him for it? Or was it something else? Was it because maybe… for the first time in my life… I had a friend? And now I was going to lose him because I chose to look out for someone else instead of myself, for once?

  Bluergh! I sure hope not.

  “You saw nothing, you know nothing and on top of that Lucan, you don’t even know me. That’s the safest thing for you now. The ASF know about me, I’m not sure how much they know, but they do. And if they know about me then eventually they’ll know about you.” I walk up to him and push him in the chest, making him stumble back slightly, but he stuck his ground.

  Good on him

  I continue “I’ll be taken to the castle” Another shove. Another few steps back.

  “Where the Queen will work me until my dying day-” I shove him again. We’re no longer in the living room now. The hallway is dim but that doesn’t deter me

  “Making sure I don’t step out of line” Shove

  “-by hurting those closest to me” shove, we’re near the door now and I quickly open it and shove him hard outside before he can even react “I can’t have her hurt you.”

  I slam the door in his face and lock it. His silent silhouette casting upon the door, his shadow in the dimming light of my hallway.

  Eventually, the shadowy figure leaves me and I’m left all alone with my thoughts in suffocating silence. A potential life in chains – nothing more than a pawn for the Queen. He may feel hurt now. But it would keep him safe.

  It was for the best.