Spellcaster series #5: The Sage

The Dark Sage

VICKY

The mansion of Locke residence was built in the nineteenth century and remodelled when Sam claimed it, according to Jessie. I stood on its flat concrete roof, looking out for anyone that might be patrolling on the premises. A chauffeur, a chef and a maid lived with him. He had a wife and son but no one had seen them since five years ago.

Until today.

I scaled down the rain pipe on the side of the mansion. One of the unused bedrooms—there were eight in total including the used ones—had its window opened. I climbed inside it and into the darkness. I moved as stealthily as I could. Vampires left light footfalls hence why we never got caught until it's too late.

I crept out of the room and made my way down the carpeted hall to reach to the biggest room in the mansion. The door was closed. With my right hand gripping my dagger in my back pocket, I carefully opened the other with my left.

Sam's bedroom was two rooms joined into one. I stood by the doorway and got my dagger ready. I saw the back of his red coat as he stood by the window, staring out into the night with his hands behind his back.

"Ah, Lady Barnette," he turned with calmness on his face, ruby eyes resting on me, "come, have a drink with me."

I didn't budge. Sam took of a sip of his drink before continuing.

"I haven't seen you since the council meeting two months ago. I hear you've been busy in the Underworld."

I held my dagger in my hand. "I know what you're up to, Sam."

His ruby eyes glimmered. "Is that so?"

"I know about your dark energy and attaching a djinn to your son."

Sam put his glass down on a nightstand. "Well, I'm not denying that. I mean, not after you've made such an effort to confront me about it in my own bedroom."

"After all these years," I shook my head and gripped my dagger, "and for what, Sam? To replace Tristan's lineage? Did you also kill your wife for that?"

He shrugged like my accusations didn't bother him. "Perhaps so. I can't possibly deny Voltaire's super soldier. After all, Queen Vicky has finally left her throne to stick her nose in mortal business. We've coexisted peacefully in the last five years and now you want to get in my way?"

"Your wife didn't deserve to die that way!"

There was a flash of yellow in his eyes before they returned to their ruby red.

"I have to sacrifice my family for the success of my lineage. They understand," he spoke in a lower voice.

In a moment of frustration, I flung my dagger at him but he caught it effortlessly. When he did, he threw it back at me in such speed that I couldn't avoid in time. The dagger pierced into the hollow part of my shoulder. I flinched and pulled it out.

"I've faced Dean Ryans long before we met. You think I can't handle you?" I hissed.

Sam's eyes glowed as his red aura pulsated and grew. I closed the distance between us and swung my boot at him. He ducked and kneed me in the torso, dropping my dagger. Then, using his bodyweight against me, he pushed me to my knees and stuck my dagger into my throat. I choked in agony and held the handle of the weapon to pull it out.

"Ah-uh," he wagged his finger at me and held up his fist. With a magical bind, my wrists were cuffed. "Oh, my naive Victoria, who do you think trained him?"

He taunted with an oily smile. Blood was collecting in my throat. I gurgled as he took a seat in front of me unhurriedly and crossed his legs, one expensive loafer in the air.

He sighed. "Now, we'll make a deal. Kill Tristan Embers for me and bring me his daughter, and I'll get out of your hair. But if you try to have any contact with anyone regarding our little meeting, I'll go after the other two Sages and their families."

I felt like I was drowning in my own blood. Sam stood up and held onto the handle of my dagger. He looked down on me, ruby eyes bright.

"Just be glad this isn't the Necromancer's blade."

He yanked it out and my blood spurted everywhere. He freed me from the bind and I fell to the floor. He stepped over me nonchalantly and headed out the bedroom. My body twitched from the shock and pain while his maid stared at me with horror in her eyes from the doorway.

"Sir? Should we—"

"Leave her. She'll live."

I watched the back of his short brown hair and red coat swing behind him as he strode out of his bedroom with his hands behind his back.