Chapter 6
“Vanishing?” Cole asked that night at dinner. “That is interesting.”
“That's what people are saying,” Nicholas said, trying to remain vague. “It seems more to be affecting individual cases and spells rather than large quantities of people. But there is the matter of the Other dropping.”
“There is that.” Cole shoveled food into his mouth like he was starving. “I hadn't thought of putting the two together, but we have had reports of dragons feeling less powerful on Earth. I had always attributed it to Earth's atmosphere.”
“What are you saying?” Peter spoke up from the head of the table. He was always so quiet, so thoughtful. Alexander was his mouthpiece, still, doing so much of the work. “That magic is dissipating?”
“I don't know,” Cole replied. “I don't think it's quite that drastic.”
“Well, magical hybrid,” Nicholas pointed out, “I think this is your job.”
“Sure,” Cole replied. “But I'd like to consult Thomas.”
“Sorry?” Yvette spoke up for the first time. Thomas Dolcetti was one of the few other magical hybrids in the universe. Like Cole, he was half dragon and half witch. He and his family had retreated long ago to Earth, rebelling against the tyrannical old king, Richard. They were a mismatched family, trying to live in peace on the edge of human civilization. Thomas, however, was a trouble maker, broken and struggling. He had allied with Richard, and Peter had pardoned him for his crimes only on the basis that he used his magic to help with his doctor father. Thomas also used to be Yvette's lover for over a year in her short life.
“You can consult with Thomas so long as it is on our terms,” Peter said. “He appears before us; you do not go to him.”
“We would have to beef up security,” Cole replied. “The people will riot if they see Thomas here. His pardon was not popular.”
Peter shifted his gaze to Yvette. “I’m aware. That's why he comes here. We do not bow to his rule; he bows to ours.”
“What are the consequences if magic is leaving?” Nicholas put in.
“It could be catastrophic,” Cole replied. “But I think we are being dramatic, really. It's probably just a singular issue, someone is behind it. Magic is not fading form the atmosphere; the whole world isn't suddenly going to be magic-free.”
“Welcome to my life,” Ariel put in, leaning back in her chair. “It's not so bad.”
“But for those of us who are used to magic…,” Alexander reminded her, and she shrugged.
“You can adapt. That is the whole reason for being alive. Tell me when you will summon Thomas, and I'll make sure to be in the throne room to calm him. As long as it's around my rehearsal schedule.”
“Oh, I will,” Cole grinned. “Bringing him here again is going to be fun.”
Nicholas was not calmed by the conversation they were having. The truth was, almost every magical being could survive without magic. They would be trapped in human form and unable to transport themselves, but they would be alive.
Rosa, however, was pure magic. If her magic vanished, there would be nothing left of her. And the thought of it was enough to make him consider throwing himself off the roof.
“Where are we on sightings of our lovely father?” Nicholas asked. “My intelligence isn't telling me anything. Anyone else?”
Cole shrugged.
“It's just the same. Unconfirmed reports, a body here or there that can't be linked anywhere. If Father is around, he's keeping it a secret.”
“I expected him back before now, to be honest,” Peter finally said. “A battle for the throne, straight out of the movies.”
“Good reference,” Yvette said, who had taught him all about modern culture and films. He smiled at her, scraping the last of his plate.
“In a movie is fine. In our throne room is a different story. In any case, he's in hiding or he's gone.”
“Either way, it's something we should stay on alert for,” Alexander said. “Everyone keep your ears to the ground.”
“Aye,” Nicholas said, as they finished dinner. Yvette stood up, which made all of them scramble to their feet. As the queen, her small presence commanded that they rose when she did. Peter rose as well, taking her hand. “My lady.”
“An early night?” Peter asked, and she nodded.
“Nicholas, I need to return to Earth on Thursday, if that is all right?”
“Of course,” he said. “I think, Enya, you aren't coming then? My caravan has room.”
“Excellent,” she said, and the two of them floated off. Cole kissed Enya on the head, beckoning her off as well. Nicholas was left at the table with his brother and sister-in-law who were deep in conversation. Alexander's plate remained half full, which was a constant source of argument.
“But you can't regain strength unless you do eat,” she tried to argue with him. His decline in health since the war with her people was something she felt terribly guilty over. However, Nicholas felt like he could point out that Alexander had always had issues with food. A civilized dinner was one thing, but the blood lust a dragon needed was a different matter, and he often couldn't separate the cravings he felt. He once thought Peter was the one most unhappy about being a dragon. But Alexander was the one who seemed to fight everything about their dual form.
Nicholas was about to speak out when his phone buzzed. Discreetly, he looked down, trying to not draw attention to his gaze.
It was a message from Rosa, which she really shouldn’t have sent. But it was a picture from the book, and he had a feeling that he needed to see it.
Halloway magic is the strongest and yet the weakest of the coven ancestral magic. It burns bright like a torch for a very short time, and then burns out. Halloway have shortened lifespans, overcome by their magic at young ages. This is a fact often kept secret from outsiders in order to protect them from being the easiest to take down. A Halloway clan of four can take down an entire planet with their magic, but they often have little time to plan such destruction.
He froze, reading the text in the photograph again and again.
“No,” he whispered, his eyes widening. This couldn't be.
And, yet, there it was in black and white.
Rosa was simply following the pattern that every single one of her ancestors had. Burning too bright and then being snuffed out and overcome.
The fact that she was carrying the last of her ancestral magic meant for four people was not lost on him. If they had shortened lifespans, hers was going to be significantly shorter from the sheer burden of the amount of magic she was carrying.
“God,” he said, which drew the attention of his siblings.
“Nicholas?” Alexander asked, grateful for the distraction. “What's the matter?”
“Nothing,” he managed. “Where's Cole?”
“Who are you texting?” Ariel slid over to him, a teasing smile on her face. “First, lipstick on your collar, and now secret messages? Nicholas, I'm starting to think that you do have a secret girlfriend.”
“No,” he said as he pulled his phone away, but she took that as an invitation to play on. She reached for it, dodging his arms. To his horror, she managed to pry it out of his hands. “Ariel, NO!”
She stopped, in shock.
Nicholas had a temper. Everyone knew that. He was out of control, his anger enough to kill an entire room if it manifested into physical actions. But never, in his life, had he yelled at his favorite sister-in-law.
Alexander rose, throwing his napkin down on his plate and holding out his hand.
“Ariel, give me the phone,” he said, looking right into Nicholas' eyes. “Now.”
She handed it over without protest. For Nicholas to yell like that, something had to be terribly wrong. Alexander's authority bore into his brother who stood stock still.
Alexander's eyes flashed over the screen, reading quickly. He was silent for a moment, and then looked to his younger brother.
“Explain,” he said.
Nicholas' brain frantically tried to come with an explanation. “I was trying to look into the theory about magic fading,” he said. “So, I asked some witches–”
“No,” Alexander said. “You are lying. Explain, now.”
“Alexander, I can't,” Nicholas begged him. “Please, don't make me. Please.”
Alexander had never seen such emotion in his brother's eyes. He recognized the look. He had seen it in Peter and in Cole when their lovers were threatened. This was the same glassy stare, the same lost eyes, pleading for help.
“Nicholas,” Alexander chose his words carefully, “is this something that will put us in danger?”
“No, I swear,” Nicholas cried. “I would never do that. How could you even think that of me, brother?”
“I don't,” Alexander said. “But you are not normally so secretive.”
“Please, just leave it be. Please do not make me explain.”
Alexander held his gaze for a long time and then handed over the phone. Nicholas took it with a sigh of relief, putting it back in his pocket.
“Thank you,” he said. “I promise this will make sense someday.”
“Do what you need to do,” Alexander said, dismissing him. Nicholas bowed and left, his hands shaking.
Alexander sank back in his seat, raising an eyebrow at Ariel.
“Who is she?” Ariel asked.
Alexander sighed, picking at his plate again. He thought he might have the strength to make it through the evening if he could find a way to get another mouthful or two in.
“Her name is Rosa Halloway,” he said. “She's a witch, and the last of the Halloway line. I had thought she was long dead, but it appears Nicholas has found her. And from the look in his eyes, it's more than just a business relationship. They knew each other as children, but it appears it has blossomed.”
“Halloway?” Ariel replied, in surprised “There are no more Halloway witches.”
“Didn't they say that about carapaces as well?” Alexander raised an eyebrow at her. “The Halloway are odd witches. They are very powerful, but they use ancestral magic, so they need four. Rosa is all that is left. The rest have died out early, overcome by their magic. It eats at them and eventually destroys their human body.”
“My God, that is not a good evolution,” she said. “So he's being all secretive. Why?”
“He's trying to protect her, I imagine,” Alexander shrugged. “The Halloway, like carapaces, were hunted for their power. Killing them off, stealing their power by a transfer, all those things were common. All of those things were things King Richard did.
“I never met your father and I hate him. Have I mentioned that?” Ariel put in. Alexander quirked an eyebrow.
“You wouldn't be alone. In any case, my dear, I know Nicholas has no evil attentions in mind. If he wants to keep Rosa to himself, it doesn't matter. Without three others, she is useless. She will burn out like the rest, and his heart will break, but that is all.”
“Mm,” she put her hand over his. “Except grief. Which can kill you.”
“He'll be all right,” Alexander sighed. “He's strong like the rest of us. Shall we retire for the evening?”
“Speaking of strong,” she pointed out. “You look like you could do with an infusion of magic yourself.”
“A good night's sleep, that's all,” he slipped an arm around her waist. “A night where I don't have to wear the crown.”
“I can think of ways where you can wear nothing at all.” She nuzzled into his neck, and he chuckled. No matter how dire the situation, Ariel always had a way of making him smile.