3 Dark Energy (11 page)

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. I can’t wait to see you but I’m running late. I’m going to keep searching through these books. I want to be completely thorough just in case one of them has an effective solution,” Josephine said.

“I understand completely. I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Josephine disconnected the call and dialed Jake’s number.

“Hey, Grandma. How’s it going?”

“I’m fine, sweetie. I just wanted to let you and Alex know I’m running late and need a couple more hours. I know this means you’ll be working an extra long shift today and I’m very sorry about that,” Josephine said.

“We don’t mind. We just want YOU to be safe. Take all the time you need,” Jake said.

“Tell Alex ‘thank you’ for me,” Josephine said.

“I will.”

Josephine tucked her phone back in her pants pocket and reached over for the next book stacked in her to-read pile.  Cyril came to check in on her a short while later.

“Did you need any help in your research?” Cyril asked.

“Not unless you know a sure-fire way to find a way to defeat those curses that are after me.” Josephine’s lips curved in a tired smile.

“I just wanted to let you know if you end up in a tight spot, you are welcome to use the teleportation mirror to travel to this mansion. It’s protected by dozens of different wards and some of them are designed specifically to slow down curses like these. It would take some time for them to break through and I do have a collection of rechargeable niveus enchantments but they will only work for a clan leader or progenitor,” Cyril said. “I would gladly use them to vanquish these things.”

“That’s very generous but I don’t want to risk anyone else’s life. Would you consider appointing me a progenitor temporarily so I could use them?” Josephine asked.

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. There is an enchantment in the scepter of the clan leader that senses those in the family and it will automatically appoint progenitors. It’s supposed to choose people who will best serve to protect the Freeman legacy but we don’t know how it makes that decision. There’s no way I can influence its choice,” Cyril explained.

Josephine regarded him with astonishment. “So you’re saying that your family allows an ancient enchantment to decide who has top level security clearance to your most prized weapons and magical devices?”

“That’s correct and it’s a system that’s always worked well for us.”

“I’m astounded. It’s almost unbelievable.”

“Once you marry Mark, the enchantment may choose you as a progenitor. When a clan leader dies, the enchantment chooses the most worthy progenitor to become the new clan leader,” Cyril informed her.

“I feel like you’re trying to bribe me into marrying your son and it disgusts me.”

“You’re certainly blunt.”

“If you think this enticement is going to make me pressure Mark into marriage, you’re sadly mistaken. It will happen on its own when we reach that point in our relationship.” Josephine knew she could never marry again but she wanted to keep Cyril hoping so he would continue to assist her when needed. With all of these people trying to assassinate her, she wanted as many allies as possible.

“We’re just having a conversation. I’m not trying to bully you or anything. I respect your abilities and your value. And I hope you will consider working for me even if things don’t work out between you and Mark.” Cyril regarded her with an earnest expression on his face.

“Thank you, I appreciate the offer and will definitely keep that in mind,” Josephine said.

After Cyril left her alone, she mulled over his offer to use niveus imperium enchantments against the construo letalis. If they were linked to a power source and rechargeable, they may pack quite a punch and possibly vanquish her assassins. On the other hand, it was putting a civilian in harm’s way and so far, niveus imperium spells only slowed down the creatures. The best chance of success lay in confronting these curses at home. Her cursed house possessed the strongest wards she’d ever come across – even stronger than the ones here in this mansion. Josephine researched the rest of the books but found nothing to help her combat the construo letalis curses. She’d need permission from her boss to stay home tomorrow. Josephine dialed his cell number.

“Josephine, what’s the latest?” Ben asked.

“I’ve found nothing to help me with the curses so I’m thinking the best chance I have to live through this ordeal is to bring the battle to my house,” Josephine said.

“Those were my thoughts exactly. So you’ll be staying home tomorrow. Maybe you’ll be able to make more niveus imperium enchantments before you’re attacked.”

Chapter 11

Josephine was exhausted as she stumbled into her kitchen and started brewing a pot of coffee. She hadn’t slept well last night as she kept expecting her assassins to attack and she hadn’t had the opportunity to speak with Mark as he’d already fallen asleep in the backyard when she’d returned home. She also felt off kilter waking up alone in bed as Mark had slept over every night for the past several weeks. Now that he was camping out in her back yard, she missed his presence in the house. Josephine gazed out the dining room window and saw Mark sitting on the lawn with his eyes closed in the lotus position clad only in his boxers. She took a moment to enjoy the view of his toned body and the streams of sparkling energy that flowed between him and the plants in the garden. There was a complex series of enchantments comprised of a network of flowing light energy in a breathtaking array of colors. Mark was somehow enhancing this setup even as it served to strengthen him.

As if he could sense her watching, Mark’s eyes fluttered open and his gaze immediately sought hers. The subtle energy currents that always flowed between the two of them flared brighter and a languid sense of bliss washed over Josephine. Mark rose to his feet and she poured herself a cup of coffee with plenty of cream and sugar then waited for him in the dining room. Josephine took a sip as she sensed her boyfriend drawing closer. When he emerged in the room, the flow of energy currents between them intensified. Josephine’s body thrummed with pleasure as she stood and embraced him.

“I’ve missed you,” Mark murmured.

“Me, too.”

Mark’s lips locked with hers in a passionate, heartfelt kiss that took her breath away. Josephine ached to be closer to him. Magic cascaded between them and around them in vibrant blue, green and silver streams and sparks. Josephine sensed that physical intimacy would be no match for the energy exchange. She intuitively enhanced the power channels that arced between the two of them and tuned her energy to more closely match his. Josephine sensed Mark doing the same thing with his light energy. Josephine ran her hands down his arms until they had both their palms pressed together. She could barely think as pure pleasure, bliss, and power blazed between them when their hand chakras linked. Mark pressed his forehead against hers so their third-eye chakras met. Waves of pure joy and ecstasy cascaded through them. Josephine felt as if she was going to explode with pleasure. Something snapped into place, and the frequency of all of their chakras tuned into each other with perfect harmony. An explosion of power overwhelmed their minds completely.

Josephine abruptly realized she was lying on the dining room floor with Mark’s unconscious body draped partway across hers. She gently nudged his shoulders and he awoke with a start.

“What happened?” Mark asked with confusion.

“I don’t know.” Josephine’s lips curved with bliss.

“That was incredible.” Mark climbed to his feet and offered Josephine a hand.

“It was better than sex.” She accepted his help as she rose to a standing position in front of him.

A horrified expression dominated her lover’s face. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“My power feels different.” Josephine fully opened her senses and connected to the mini vortex of her house. She couldn’t perceive her own energy that well but she could see there was a link between her and Mark’s chakras. “Can you scan me?”

Mark nodded as he opened his own psychic receptors and focused on her. Surprise registered on his handsome face as he continued to watch her.

“There’s a trickle of light energy flowing into you,” Mark observed. “And you’re also linked to me.”

“I’ve heard of small groups of wizards creating a link between themselves to strengthen their power. It’s very rare and advanced magic,” Josephine said.

“When I saw you, I was just overcome with the need to be closer to you.”

“I’ve always felt a connection between us from the very beginning. It’s slowly gotten stronger and I intuitively strengthened it,” Josephine said.

“Maybe it’s a combination of our love, white magic, and your potent category six power that made this happen,” Mark hypothesized.

“I’m glad it did. I feel absolutely terrific.”

There was a knock at the door and Josephine leveled a puzzled look at her boyfriend.

“Do you think that’s Alice and Helen?” she asked.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t they come over for their morning ritual of cards and coffee?” Mark asked.

“I didn’t think they would want to hang out when I’ve got three deadly assassins gunning for me.”

“I’ll go take a quick shower.”

Josephine answered the door and found both Helen and Alice waiting for her. Soon, the three of them were gathered at the dining room table with their coffees.

“I’m surprised to see you here this morning,” Josephine said.

“With the country at war, there’s always going to be danger. Besides, we want to help,” Alice said.

“I can’t let you do that. These curses are extremely lethal.”

“If you don’t let us stay in the house, we’ll have to wait outside to keep watch.” Helen’s vibrant green eyes gleamed with obstinance. “That would put us in even greater jeopardy.”

Josephine exhaled sharply with frustration then a sense of warm camaraderie enveloped her as she gazed at her two friends who were willing to risk their lives to keep her safe.

“Thank you for doing this,” she said.

“You’re quite welcome,” Alice said. “Helen and I have been working on niveus imperium spells. We’ve created two of them successfully.”

“That’s great news.” Josephine grinned at them with approval.

“There’s something different about you,” Helen observed. “You seem stronger somehow.”

Josephine explained about the link between her and Mark.

“And you did it by pure intuition?” Alice regarded her with awe and stupefied amazement.

“That about sums it up,” Josephine confirmed.

“I wonder if the spells you make will be mixed with white magic now,” Helen said.

“That would be a very nice benefit.”

They lapsed into a companionable silence as they sipped their coffees and mulled over this latest news. When Mark arrived with coffee, Helen still had her psychic senses fully open and was connected to the mini vortex in the house. She gasped with surprise and Josephine threw her a questioning look.

“Mark’s energy is so beautiful,” Helen remarked.

“He’s a gorgeous man…both inside and out,” Josephine said.

Mark blushed and averted his gaze with embarrassment but a pleased smile flitted across his face. He kissed Josephine on the forehead as he walked by and sat down beside her.

“So what’s the plan while we wait for the curses to strike?” Helen asked.

“We all make as many niveus imperium enchantments as possible,” Josephine said.

“Sounds good to me.” Alice grinned with approval then took another sip of her coffee.

They were still on their first cup when Josephine’s alarms sounded. They leapt to their feet and made their way to the living room to gaze out the window. The three construo letalis curses were lined up at the front door pressing their hands firmly against the wards which flared visibly with silvery luminescence that encircled the house.

“Damn. They’re already here,” Alice remarked.

Alice, Josephine, Helen, and Mark pulled out their niveus imperium wands and retreated a short distance from the window so they weren’t quite so visible to the intruders. Terror and guilt tore through Josephine as she worried that all of her friends would die trying to save her.

“Let’s go to the back door,” Josephine instructed.

They gathered at the back of the house and kept their senses open so they’d know the instant the wards collapsed or the curses breeched it. They waited with tense anticipation as time dragged by and finally Josephine started to wonder if her wards were impenetrable. The old owner of this home really knew how to safeguard his place. Josephine flinched when she sensed the three creatures finally slip through the wards. An instant later, they tore the front door off its hinges. Josephine whipped open the back door and retreated with her friends deep into the enchanted garden. Perry was in the form of a white dove sleeping on a weeping willow tree branch. He stirred and awakened at the commotion.

“Perry, is there any way you can help us?” Helen asked the bird.

The white dove leapt off the branch and exploded in a white, sparkling mist as he changed into his human form.

“I’m not sure.” He swept a concerned gave over them. “White magic isn’t for combat.”

“We know that but can you cast a containment spell or something?” Josephine asked.

Perry cocked a brow in bemusement at her then shifted his attention between her and Mark.

“You and dad have linked,” Perry said with amazement.

“Did you just call me dad?” Mark asked.

“Yeah.” Perry offered a sheepish grin. “I kind of think of you that way.”

“Do you know how this connection happened?” Mark inquired.

“Yes, I can tell that it was done with white magic.”

“I had just as much to do with this as he did,” Josephine argued.

“You were able to help him with the spell but it’s definitely white magic. Light energy is very connective and intuitive.”

“Guys, we have more pressing matters to attend to.” Alice motioned to the house where the creatures were lurking.

“You’re right. Sorry.” Josephine focused her attention on the back door and aimed both her wands at it.

Josephine flinched when three men with shaved heads burst out the back door. Gold energy spilled from Josephine’s, Helen’s, and Alice’s wands while white energy cascaded from Mark’s wands. The three creatures froze as the niveus imperium enchantments gripped them tight and immobilized them. When their wands went dark, Mark and Helen pulled out their spares and cast the spells. They waited with breathless anticipation as the gold and white energy continued to swirl around the three construo letalis curses. One of the curses exploded into a black gritty substance as it was vanquished. The other two curses remained intact as the enchantments wore off. The two creatures lunged toward the group with alarming speed but were thrown backward as they hit a large white energy field that flared into existence around Josephine, Mark, Perry, Helen and Alice. Josephine threw Mark a grateful look before returning her focus back on the remaining two curses who now had their hands pressed against the white magic protection.

“Can they get through?” Helen asked.

“I don’t think so,” Mark said.

“Thank God for white magic or we’d all be dead,” Helen said.

Alice and Josephine shot her surprised looks. The two creatures screeched with frustration and began pounding their fists against the white energy shield.

“It looks like you were right. White magic appears to be impervious to curses,” Alice said.

“Dad’s a very smart man,” Perry remarked.

Mark blushed with discomfort. “Please don’t call me that.”

“I guess I could call you Creator.” Perry watched him with a contemplative expression on his face.

“Dad is fine.”

Alice pinned Perry with a combative gaze. “Don’t you think it’s ridiculous to refer to a man that you tower over as your father? Just look at you! You’re seven feet tall and you’re solid muscle.”

“Many children grow up to be taller than their parents,” Perry argued.

“You’re a real piece of work, kid,” Alice said.

Josephine leveled a teasing look at Perry. “I guess that makes me your stepmother.”

Perry’s eyes widened with surprise and a mixture of conflicting emotions danced fleetingly across his face before she could identify them.

“I hadn’t thought of that,” he said.

“We still need to go shopping for plants to place in the front yard,” Josephine said.

“That could be a real bonding experience for the two of you,” Helen remarked. “Stepparents and stepchildren often find themselves at odds with each other.”

Josephine wondered if her friend was serious or just playing along.

Alice’s eyes gleaned with mischief. “As a retired psychologist, I’ve observed many of these types of situations. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to discover that the animosity you feel towards Perry stems from jealousy over Mark.”

“Shut up.” Josephine threw her a disgruntled look and out of the corner of her eye she noticed Perry nodding with agreement.

“That may explain why you were so hostile towards me at first,” Perry said.

Josephine laughed in spite of herself and Perry’s expression became puzzled. The two creatures pounded the white energy field with a flurry of punches and kicks. Even though the protection showed no signs of waning, Josephine tensed and renewed anxiety pumped through her veins. After another moment, the two shaved men exploded into black smoke as they transformed into crows and flew away. Mark kept the shield active until he was certain the curses had really left.

“I wonder where they went. I thought they don’t give up unless they have a secondary target,” Alice said.