Chapter 9

Stella frowned as she approached a woman standing outside a coffee shop. She waved her hand in front of the mundie's blank expression. "Looks like our spell worked. That's a relief because shit has finally hit the fan."

Tseki snorted and rolled his eyes. "You are the Queen of understatement, Stells. I'd bet my Ferragamo"s what Phoebe saw was the sorceress making this happen. But what is her aim with this?"

Aidon's power flickered as he shifted his gaze from the crowd around us to Tsekani. "To distract us. She knows we are here and looking into things. She's got to slow us down so she has time to enact her plan. A lot of planning and effort went into this. She doesn't want to start over."

"Without a doubt. Dark magic takes a lot of effort and sacrifice," I added. "It gives the witch more power but takes more time and effort. They could live their life focusing on Light power without as much work. I'll never understand it."

Murtagh growled at a young mage or warlock who was setting things on fire. I practically peed my pants from the feral sound, so it was no surprise the kid ran. "What do we do about people coming into town? Will your spell cover new visitors until we stop this bullshit?"

Tilting my head to regard Tseki's boyfriend, I nodded my head. "The spell will cover mundies within city limits. I want to see how close to the edge of town this chaos goes. Give me a second."

Closing my eyes, I opened my senses and immediately recoiled. The input overloaded my circuits and made my head start pounding. I curled into myself and continued. It took a bit to weed through the mess. The supernaturals going nuts around us weren't bad people. They were under a compulsion. The sorceress's magic was influencing them and making them act like this.

When my efforts to push away all of the noise weren't working, I switched tactics. I sent my feelers around the edge of the city to see if there were groups like this everywhere. The frenetic energy was absent around the outskirts of town, so I scanned in circles, making my way to the center. Relief swamped me when I realized the chaos was isolated to the five miles around the downtown area. That done, I wondered if I could locate the source of the energy. Perhaps, it would lead us to the sorceress.

Lady Luck was shining down on me that night. It didn't take long to pinpoint. It was like a bright light to the west of where we were standing. Opening my eyes, I pointed down a street. "We need to stop this before we continue searching for the convergence. We can't allow this to continue."

"That's a good plan. We can't keep this under wraps forever. If this were New Orleans. no one would bat an eye, but this is a bit much, even for Salem," Stella pointed out as we started walking.

Aidon gave her an incredulous look. "This would be a bit much, even for that city. Seeing someone with fangs or a little fur is one thing. This is another."

Murtagh lifted a young woman, raking her claws in the air in front of a picture window. "I"m not sure I buy this as a distraction. She would have been forced to use a significant portion of the power she has undoubtedly been gathering. I'd bet she wants to rule the mundies. There's a faction that thinks supernaturals should be running things."

I sighed dramatically as my skin tingled from the proximity to the source of the enchantment. "Ah, the old take over the world shtick. That's a classic."

Stella snorted. "And a cliché. That never ends well for the power-hungry."

We fell silent as we entered one of Salem"s forested sections. The gathering there felt like a surreal blend. A mixture of a Renaissance fair, a twisted tea party, and a particularly dramatic episode of a magical reality show.

"Whatever she did, it transcends species," Aidon pointed out the eclectic mix of beings.

I gathered my courage to approach an elven bard with a harp made of crystallized moonlight, a water nymph whose skin sparkled like dewdrops, and a gnome. "Hey there," I began, cutting through the enchanted atmosphere. "I know you"ve been under the sorceress"s spell, but we need your help."

No one responded. Stella shrugged. "It was worth a shot. Maybe appeal to being used. Everyone acting out is just a tool for the sorceress."

Aidon whistled, the sound pealing through my ears like I was standing next to a speaker at a rock concert. The supernaturals in the clearing jumped and turned to face us. Aidon's wings flared out of his back, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "My mate is here to help release you from the malicious enchantment causing you to act out and risk exposure, so pay fucking attention to her."

A witch closest to us extinguished her fire and paled. "What the hell happened? I didn't even know I was out here. I'm Esmerelda, by the way."

An elf holding his crystalline harp looked around like an animal caught in a trap. A water nymph whose skin glistened like dew sidled closer to him and wrapped an arm around him. Now that we had their attention, we explained about the spell making them act out.

"Will you help us break this? There's an urge to continue burning shit up." Esmerelda asked.

I nodded and smiled reassuringly. "That's why we are here. We need some of you to remain here and help once we unravel the enchantment. We need the rest to head downtown and help those acting out there clean up."

Stella lifted a hand. "We have already cast a befuddlement spell on the mundies and UIS agents are working on finding and deleting any proof they may have obtained. All we need you to do is clean up the debris and ensure mundies make it home safely. The befuddlement won't be lifted until after we are certain this is under control."

There was a murmur of voices as Stella and I went to work. Pulling her aside, I said, "We need to synchronize our magic, align our intentions, and create a counterforce to break the enchantment. Easy, peasy."

Stella snorted. "It won"t be easy, but together we can do it."

Tseki, Murtagh, and Aidon closed ranks around us as we shut out the creatures nearby and focused on the currents of magic swirling in the area. I pictured them in my mind so I knew where to direct our spell. A kaleidoscope of colors enveloped the clearing. Threads of energy, previously invisible, now shimmered in the moonlight. I sent my magic to pull them apart. It was difficult, and felt like I was trying to lift a sixty-inch television by myself.

Stella"s voice joined the symphony of magic, "This is some utter bullshit," she grunted.

I felt the resonance of our shared intent, and a surge of determination coursed through me. Together, we directed our magic toward the threads of the sorceress"s enchantment, unraveling them one by one. As our combined efforts intensified, the enchantment began to weaken. The magical currents pulsed with increasing vigor, but we didn't make enough progress with the threads of the sorceress"s spell.

Esmeralda"s voice rose above the magical symphony, "Add your power to theirs to help them release the binds that hold Salem hostage." There was a chorus of agreement, and I staggered under the deluge of power sent our way.

Acting as a mirror, I reflected it to the spell. And with a final surge of power, the clearing erupted in a burst of radiant light. The enchantment shattered, dispelling the sorceress"s dark influence. The paranormals cheered and celebrated before most headed out.

With the city now free from the shadows that had threatened to consume it, I turned my focus on finding Glimmerford or the Order of Umbra. Stella clapped me on the shoulder, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. "We did it, Phoebe. The supernatural shenanigans are over."

"Now, we need to find Glimmerford. Now that the enchantment is gone, I can tell we are standing above the convergence," I replied before looking to Esmerelda. The elf, nymph, and gnome had stayed behind. I guess I couldn't blame the rest for taking off. "Do you know how we can find Glimmerford?"

Esmerelda looked at the others. I couldn't decipher what passed between them. "You have to be part of the society to get to the pocket realm. Few remain here who are part of that group. They all abandoned their homes and moved to Glimmerford. I've been told of trials needed to gather components to breach the ward."

The elf winced. "Trials? Haven't we been through enough?"

"You don't have to help. We appreciate it but will never force you to be involved," I told him before focusing on Esmerelda. "Can you tell us what we are up against?"

Esmeralda"s expression was serious as she began detailing the trials. "First, we need a feather from the legendary phoenix that resides in the Enchanted Grove. Riddles guard it. So, prepare your minds, not just your magical prowess."

The nymph raised an eyebrow. "Riddles? Why couldn't it involve swimming, diving, or water magic? I suck at figuring cryptic stuff out."

Stella smiled at everyone. "Riddles can be fun. There are lots of us. Don't worry, together we've got this."

Tseki swept his arms out. "Lead the way to this phoenix's house."

Our first destination was less than a five-minute walk. The Enchanted Grove was bathed in an ethereal glow. At first, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. When Esmerelda approached a massive oak tree, I saw the regal woman sitting in the room carved out of the trunk.

Her head swiveled, and her fiery orange eyes landed on us. An involuntary shiver worked its way up my spine. Her aura was far darker than Violet's. "You seek entrance to Glimmerford," she said in a voice that crackled like burning embers. "To claim the feather that dances on my wings, you must answer three riddles."

One of my eyebrows climbed to my hairline. "Good thing she isn't loyal to the Order of Umbra."

Those eerie eyes snapped in my direction and narrowed. I swallowed past the lump in my throat and clamped my lips together. Stella smiled serenely, stepping ahead of me. "We appreciate the chance and are ready to pass your trials."

"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?" the phoenix said, tilting her head.

We exchanged puzzled glances until the gnome, Sir Grumbly Whiskerbeard, chuckled. "It"s an echo! I spend enough time grumbling in caves to recognize one."

The phoenix nodded, flames flickering in approval. "Correct." She hesitated for the barest second before continuing. "I am taken from a mine and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released. Yet, I am used by almost every person. What am I?"

Murtagh"s eyes narrowed, and a wolfish grin formed on his lips. "It"s a pencil lead. What?" He asked as we stared at him in shock. "I learned that one as a kid."

Again, the phoenix acknowledged the correct answer with a majestic nod. The air hummed with anticipation as she issued the third. "I fly without wings. I cry without eyes. Whenever I go, darkness follows me. What am I?"

A thoughtful silence settled over us as we pondered the enigma. Stella"s eyes lit up with realization. "It"s a cloud! It floats in the sky, rains, and casts shadows."

The phoenix"s fiery gaze softened, giving us a nod of approval. "You have proven your minds are as agile as your spirits. The phoenix feather is yours. Good luck in the Crystal Caves."

As the radiant feather descended gracefully into Stella"s outstretched hand, a surge of warmth enveloped us. I was busy looking up and didn't see the room disappear, taking the phoenix with it. Shaking my head, I scanned our surroundings. "Where is this cave?"

The nymph bounced on her feet. I've been there. It's not far. And it isn't really underground. The name is deceiving." She was walking and talking. The rest of us scurried to catch up.

I didn"t have time to get tired when the nymph stopped and gestured to a shimmering pool. A moonlight gem rested like a spectral guardian materialized. Its form was translucent but imposing.

"To claim the gem, you must prove your worth in a duel of illusions," the disembodied voice of the guardian declared.

My head swiveled around, searching for a body, but I didn't see anything. I exchanged a glance with Aidon. "Illusions, huh? This could be interesting."

Aidon didn't even get a chance to smirk at me when the guardian conjured illusions that tested our ability to discern reality. Aidon's sword was in his hand when a gnome walked out of a crevice carrying a muffin. In a swift move, the gnome took a bite of the muffin, causing the cavern to tremble. The gnome expanded into a colossal figure. It towered over us, while the once-harmless muffin transformed into a magical mirror swirling with ethereal patterns.

"Interlopers. Prepare to face the consequences!" The gnome snarled.

Esmerelda recognized the potential danger first. "Reflection might be the key here," she suggested.

That made sense. I looked to Stella. "Let's use the mirror"s own illusions against it. Let it show you what it wants, then reflect it back upon itself."

As the giant gnome swung the magical mirror toward us, we conjured illusions of our own, reflecting the mirage back at him. The cavern resonated with magical clashes as illusions danced and swirled. It all confused the colossal gnome.

Tseki chuckled and patted Aidon's shoulder. "You can put that sword away, big guy. The women have it."

The gnome, now befuddled by the mirrored illusions, reverted to his diminutive form, and the pool settled into a serene glow. "Very well," the gnome conceded with a twinkle of amusement. "Take what you seek and leave this place in peace."

Stella stepped up and grabbed the crystal. "Now what?"

"We have to face the final trial at the Veil of Whispers," Esmerelda replied.

I turned to our helpers with a hopeful look. "Any of you know where that is located?"

The four that had remained with us shook their heads, making me curse. "Okay," I said, thinking this through. "We can do a tracking spell."

Stella pursed her lips. "Why not a reveal spell? I don't think we have enough to track this place."

"It doesn't matter to me which one we use because we are limited on information," I acknowledged.

Stella and I cast the spell and watched as a gauzy, white light zipped through the trees. I started running to follow it. We wound through trails and ducked under branches. I cast a spell dismantling a ward when I felt one in our path. I slowed, praying we could pass through. It was then I caught sight of the gauzy veil shielding a stunning purple flower.

"What do we do now?" I asked, but no one answered.

We stood at the Veil of Whispers, staring at a phantom orchid. The veil was shrouded in an ethereal mist and stood between us and the flower. My gaze was on a swivel when the whispering started.

"Do you hear that?" Murtagh asked.

"Creepy as hell," Stella agreed.

"And cryptic," Tseki added.

I listened intently for any message we were being given. None of it made sense, and we weren't being asked to do anything. "Well, this beats elven riddles and illusions. Aidon, can you decode the messages? That's obviously key to finding whatever we need from here."

Aidon nodded and went to work. He pushed on this rock and moved a fallen branch. I watched as he did seemingly random tasks. Nothing was happening. We remained in place as Aidon listened and then did something else. It wasn't until the veil flickered that I could see something was happening. Instinct took over then, and with a swift hand, I plucked the orchid.

"How did you know to do that?" Stella asked.

"No idea. I followed my gut," I replied as I turned to our companions. "Where to now?"

"We return to the clearing, and you use the hard-earned treasures to get past the ward," Esmerelda told us.

"I assume there's a ritual involved," I said as we walked back.

Esmerelda nodded. "There is. An old coven member told me the highlights when she was recruiting me, but I don't recall all of the details. I will do my best to walk you through it."

I nodded, and our group fell silent as we returned to the clearing. Esmeralda initiated the ritual. Stopping, she looked at me. "You're supposed to merge the ingredients, chant a spell that I don't know, and smear the paste on the ward."

"Where is the ward?" I asked.

Esmerelda shrugged. I barked out a curse and was about to start walking around searching for it when Aidon put a hand on my shoulder. "I will find it while you and Stella do the first part."

I smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks, Yahweh. Does anyone have a bowl?"

The gnome raced off and came back, holding a rock with an indentation. "Will this work?"

Stella crouched down, took it from him, and then looked it over. "Yes. This should work perfectly," she told him. She dropped the crystal onto it, and I added the flower and feather.

"What do you think we should say?" I asked Stella as I used magic to blend the ingredients. Unsure of what to do, I turned them to a semisolid state and grabbed a stick to stir them with.

Stella watched what I was doing as she said, "We could use a mimic spell and make the paste feel like Olive. We know she's a member and can pass through."

"Sounds like a plan. I was thinking of an open sesame spell or a magical battering ram. Your idea is more likely to succeed," I told her.

Aidon called out from fifty yards away. "It's here." He pointed between two evergreens.

My heart started racing as we joined him. The ominous air around us was thick enough to cut with a knife as we stood there. "Ready?" I asked, breaking the silence.

My friends nodded while the others huddled closer together. Without hesitating, I smeared the paste on the ground and up the lower sections of the bark. The space between the trunks shimmered, and a different forest appeared.

Tseki held out his hand. "I'm going first."

He and Murtagh walked through and waved us from the other side. To my surprise, the elf, nymph, gnome, and Esmerelda went with us. The distinct energy hit me the second I crossed through to the realm.

Stella shot a wary glance toward the looming shadows. "There are Dark Fae here."

I nodded and silently started walking further into the realm. "They are. We don't have the potion to see past their glamours, so keep your senses open for anything off. We need to find answers."

As we ventured deeper into the enchanted forest, the Fae influence became palpable. Twisted branches seemed to whisper malevolent secrets, and the air itself shimmered with dark enchantments. We walked silently on a well-worn path. It was our best bet for finding the witches involved in the Umbra cult.

My nerves were strung tight when nothing jumped out at us. I was certain there were creatures out there waiting for the chance. As we navigated through the enchanted woods, we stumbled upon a clearing adorned with eerie blue flames. In the center stood a Dark Fae who was ethereal and unsettling.

The Dark Fae hissed, "Interlopers. What business do you have here?"

I smiled at him. "Just your typical magical tourists enjoying the scenic route through the land of ominous shadows. You must be the welcoming committee."

The Fae"s eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity. "You don't belong here. Leave now or face the consequences."

Aidon stepped forward. "We seek answers about the supernatural threat in Salem. Your involvement is clear."

The Fae"s laughter echoed through the clearing. "Answers, you say? Mortals and their insatiable curiosity. The unraveling has begun, and your feeble attempts to stop it are in vain." Before I could ask more, the Dark Fae vanished into thin air.

I stumbled to a stop as I was heading to the spot where the Dark Fae vanished. A dark-haired woman with an aura of mystery appeared before us. The second my friends joined me, walls rose out of the ground and we were enclosed in a structure of sorts. A building had just popped up around us in the middle of a forest. I was getting used to the magical world, but this threw me for a second.

A roof closed over us and I snapped out of the surprise. I threw a magical bomb at the wall to my right. It bounced off and fizzled out. The only source of illumination was a lone flickering candle and I couldn't be sure but I swear the woman in the middle snickered. Mystical symbols began etching into the wall as if someone was writing them down.

"That was rude," I chided the woman. "You didn't even ask if we wanted to stay. We're searching for Glimmerford and Olive. We need to speak to her. I'm Phoebe, by the way. What can we call you?"

"Phoebe." The woman"s laughter was a haunting melody that lingered in the room. "Names are the masks we wear. In the grand tapestry of existence, I am but a humble weaver."

With a subtle frown, Aidon raised an eyebrow. "Weaving destiny or spinning a tale? We know that clarity is a rare commodity in our world, but we'd appreciate it."

The figure acknowledged his skepticism with a nod. "Indeed, clarity is elusive, and trust even more so. But your path is entwined with ours, like the threads of a complex spell."

Stella scowled at the woman. "We"ve had our share of twists and turns. We want clear directions."

"I"m afraid that's not possible. The journey you embark upon is as perilous as it is profound. Together, you may uncover the truths that lie shrouded in the shadows. Or you could die. I'm betting on the latter. A very powerful being wants you dead."

My blood froze in my veins, and I reached for Aidon. I'd been the target of several evil witches and could say this felt different."

"You'd better stop threatening my mate," Aidon snarled as he took a step toward her. The woman ignored him and started walking.

Tseki, Murtagh, and Aidon charged after the woman, with the rest of us struggling to keep up. The magical roulette continued, and with each spin, the stakes soared higher. Walking away wasn't an option, so I prepared myself for what we might face.