Magic Spawn Origins

Magic Spawn: Chapter 32

by Meredith Skye

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"Where is Zane?" asked Edward, perplexed at being left to his own devices. In truth, the "Steward" was no leader, and Rian knew it.

"Leave it to Zane to throw a fit right now," said Rian. "Forget him. We have more important things to worry about."

Edward nodded, with a nervous glance around the campground. The members of the Gondorian Warrior Circle had begun to arrive. Most of them wore their medieval costumes and brought their armor and rattan swords, as was the custom for the annual Halloween patrol.

Grandma Baggins held a radio up to her ear. "Bernard says that he has to shut the burger stand down. He can make it in maybe 20 minutes."

"Thanks," said Rian.

"Yes, thanks Grandma," said Edward, trying to appear in charge.

"We have to make an immediate attack on the crypt," Rian spoke to Edward. "This necromancer is gaining power quickly."

"Yes, well," said Edward, not sure what to say. "Maybe. But, when the others get here, then we'll see. Maybe we'll take a vote."

"Look," said Rian angrily. "We don't have time to vote! He's out there right now conjuring god-knows-what to fight us!"

"Then we should gather some facts and then we can ... make a decision," said Edward in his wishy-washy fashion. Rian bit off a remark and turned away.

"Harlan reports Haley is not at home," said Grandma with a worried look.

"Great," said Rian. Now he began to fear for her. And Anya. Where had they gone?

The newly arrived warriors were either gearing up or standing in groups, waiting to hear more about the crisis. Ten, maybe twelve people, dressed in various homemade tunics, tabards, and boots—sometimes tennis shoes.

Just then a patrol car pulled into the campground and parked right next to the pavilion. Great! Rian recognized it as Daren's vehicle. This couldn't be good.

The door opened and Daren got out, along with his partner—and Zane.

Immediately, the picture became clear. Zane had gone to the police, without warning any of them. And Westin's dead body was still in the pavilion ....

Edward looked relieved to see Zane. "There you are!"

"So, Rian, what's this I hear about you killing Westin?"

"Daren," said Rian, trying to formulate an explanation that his narrow-minded uncle might understand.

"Is he really dead?" he asked.

Rian's throat went dry. "I'm afraid so."

"And you killed him?" said Daren, looking a little bewildered.

"No!" objected Rian.

"That's not how I heard it," said Daren angrily.

Rian glanced over at Zane, who stared back defiantly.

"Let's take a look," said Daren, motioning to his partner to watch Rian while he went inside the pavilion. Rian followed, ignoring the other cop.

"I didn't do it," said Rian.

Daren stopped and bent over Westin's pale body, examining it. "We'll see about that. Dead, all right."

"You're making a mistake," said Rian to Zane. He felt like walking over and punching the coward in the face. Traitor!

"Not as big as the one you made," replied Zane quietly. Daren left the tent. Zane and Rian followed him back to the car.

"Some friend you are," Rian muttered, hopefully loud enough for Zane to hear.

"I'll have to take you in," said Daren. His partner held up a pair of handcuffs.

"You can't do that," said Rian. "Someone's got Mother. I have to get her back!"

"What do you mean? Someone's got Lauretta—?"

"Lauretta is gone. She's been kidnapped. That's what Aldena says."

"Oh, her," said Daren, skeptically. He didn't think much of Aldena.

"Yes, you see," Edward interjected, attempting to be helpful. "There is a necromancer afoot!"

"Necromancer?" asked Daren.

"Yes," said Edward, assuming the cop understood. "He came through from another universe and he's about to rain down terror upon this unsuspecting town."

"I see," said Daren, sarcastically, a tone lost on Edward.

Rian rolled his eyes. He didn't need help from Edward right now, especially not during one of his overdramatic fits.

"The innocent inhabitants of Millersfield will come to rue this day," continued Edward. "The guilty ones too, of course," he amended afterward, not wanting to leave anyone out.

"Thanks, Edward, you can stop helping me now," said Rian.

"You're welcome," Edward said in his noble tone of voice.

"I can go check on your Mom but you have to come in," said Daren.

"We don't have time for that!" argued Rian.

"As for the rest of you, this party is over. Go home," said Daren.

They stood in the campground at the edge of the graveyard. The street lights were out. The only light came from the electric lantern on the table and also the police car headlights. A heavy fog from the lake still hung in the air, obscuring all other light.

"What? You can't enforce that!" argued Edward. "We are the defense of this city."

"He is right," said Ray.

Daren took several steps towards Edward and Ray. "I'm just going to tell you once: if I see you again, I'm going to put you under arrest."

While Daren and his partner were occupied, Rian made a break for it. He grabbed the electric lantern off the table that sat in front of the pavilion, and grabbled a walkie-talkie. He shut the lantern off as he ran around the pavilion, right past Ray, who just watched Rian with a confused look on his face.

"Hey!" he heard Daren yell after him ... just a little slow. "Come back, Rian!"

Not a chance.

With a burst of energy, Rian sprinted towards the lake. The darkness swallowed him. After several minutes of running, he felt the lawn end. His feet hit sand. He could hear the gentle lap of the water.

From here, Rian turned and ran north, along the shore of the lake. He doubted that Daren had a flashlight on him. He'd have to find one in the car, if he had one at all. Someone at camp might have another, but finding it would take time.

Rian's heart beat wildly. He'd never gone against the law before, but Daren was an idiot. They didn't have time for this. Molan had Rian's mother—her life was in danger. And so was Kyran's. He didn't want to spend time trying to explain this to Daren and his dense colleagues ... from a jail cell.

Daren was Lauretta's brother; he should be more understanding!

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