Spellcaster series #2: The Acolyte

Symbol of Reku

HEIDI

Rain poured heavily over the town of Orchidville. Or so I heard—I had not been back since my last arrest.

Wynona bailed me out and healed my wounds while Jessie told me about the amended rules—that I, along with every Vampire, was banished from the Worldly realm until further notice. This rule excluded Lord Voltaire's occasional diplomatic visits, but even then, I heard from Jessie, he refused to continue attending any political conferences.

The relationship between humans and Vampires soured to the point where Lord Voltaire severed the connection between the Worldly realm and the Underworld completely. This way, only Spellcasters were allowed to visit from the Magic realm.

Somehow I blamed myself. And Dora. Mostly her.

It was the fifth day since Tristan's disappearance. My heart sank. I didn't care about the banishment. It was the failure to find him that hurt.

I was sent back to the Academy while Wynona and Jessie attended more "diplomatic" councils and meetings with the leaders of Orchidville. I sat in my room and cleared my mind. I needed a plan.

The symbol. It was shaped like a serpent entwining itself into the shape of infinity; its mouth biting its tail. I teleported myself into Tristan's office and looked through his bookcase. That was when I felt a presence behind me.

"I wouldn't expect to see you here, Miss Heidi," Lord Voltaire leaned against the bookshelf. His face was inches away from me, red eyes intense.

"Tristan isn't here and I'm just borrowing his office," I responded, pulling out and pushing back different books. Then I stopped and turned to him. "You wouldn't happen to know about symbols, would you?"

Lord Voltaire tilted his head. He wore a white V-neck with his chest bare. Together with his ponytail, it was like he was fresh out of the 19th century and stumbled into the modern day.

"What kind of symbol?" He asked, curious.

I slid behind Tristan's desk and sat in his chair. I reached into one of his drawers and pulled out an empty notebook before tearing a piece of paper. I drew the symbol on it with a black-inked pen. Lord Voltaire hovered over my shoulder and sniffed. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"The scent of your blood is very strong. Have you been bleeding?"

"No thanks to Dora," I said dryly, turning back to the drawing.

"Are you all right? Are you healed?"

I turned back to him. The look of concern clouded his eyes. I suddenly felt sorry for him.

"Wynona healed me," I assured. "I guess there must be some blood on my jacket. I'll wash it off later."

The symbol was drawn roughly—I wasn't very good at drawing—but Lord Voltaire recognised it right away. He snatched the paper as soon as I finished.

"Where did you see this?" His voice was stern and dry, no trace of concern from before.

"The orphanage. Dora carved this symbol into the floor."

"I need to have a word with the Sages. You stay here until we figure things out," he said before tearing the paper to shreds.

I jumped out of the chair, "I'll come with you. I need to. I can't wait around anymore."

~

Wynona and Jessie came as soon as they were summoned by Lord Voltaire. We gathered at the meeting room of the Lair in the Underworld. I sat myself nearest to the door, across from Lord Voltaire who sat at the helm.