(x) Irregular Magic

chapter 15 - just peachy

The female mage's hands dropped to her side, though she still glowed orange.

"Peaches?" repeated Drax, looking doubtful. The corner of his lip twitched in a derisive smile. "Maybe you're starting to lose it. Go easy on the lacrymeed. It might make you feel like you're floating but it's not meant to be taken more than once a—"

But she wasn't listening. Meredy spun on her heel and began moving towards Thomas' Best Wizard Wares. Her steps were decisive—her foot met the concrete of the street with increasing certainty. As she moved closer, Mattie's heart beat faster in her chest. Terrified that her hammering heart was loud enough to be heard, she did her best to sink into the wall. Behind her, Mattie could feel the boy shift.

The female mage sauntered in their direction until she was scarcely a foot away from Mattie. "Peaches—I swear I smell peaches," she breathed, sniffing the air like a hound. "Looks like the brat was dumb enough to use a soap spell."

Drax shook his head, looking disappointed. "Are you sure you sense his magical trace?"

"Don't patronize me," snapped the witch, baring her teeth. "And stop distracting me."

They were face to face now, though it was clear the other girl was unaware. It was a bizarre experience. From this distance, Mattie could see an old scar on Meredy's eyebrow, but all the mage could make out was the faint smell of the soap spell she had used several days ago.

From what little Mattie knew about tracing magic, it was possible that Meredy was sensing both the magic in the soap spell and in the boy behind her. The boy must have used some sort of bought magic for them to trace him. And somehow, the combination was confusing the huntress. If Spade had been right, Meredy wouldn't be able to detect Mattie at all. However, now she was worried that the magic she had on her was going to ruin everything.

Unnerved by the possibility that she might be discovered, Mattie considered bolting. If Meredy moved any closer, she would realize the soap-spell was coming from her. It was a slim chance but maybe she would be able to outrun them. After all, she had Spade's hat to keep her invisible. The longer she stayed, the more she risked being discovered.

If you leave him, you might be able to escape, said that cold, calculating part of her mind.

Not if it means repeating what happened in Nipon and Karling, she shot back hotly.

It was true that she might stand a better chance of escaping on her own but Mattie wouldn't take that chance if that meant leaving the boy at their mercy. She would rather risk being found out.

It's your funeral.

Meredy paced in front of her, trying to figure out where the peach scent was coming from. Mattie knew her time was limited. She could try and take the boy with her. They were maybe a hundred yards from Departures. If they were fast enough, they could escape Mekto. It would be much harder to track them if they left through a tele-stop. That was, if the mages didn't catch them first.

Considering what had unfolded at her trial, Mattie didn't want to think of what might happen if these mages got their hands on them. Exhaling slowly and as quietly as she could, Mattie gathered up her determination. Rather than be discovered here, she would take her chance and run with the boy hiding behind her.

Okay, Mattie, she thought, trying to hype herself up.

Three seconds. That's all the time you have to be scared. Three seconds and then we're running.

One...

The red-headed mage clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Did I get it wrong?" she muttered under her breath. She cocked her head to the side, wrinkling her nose.

Two...

Mattie knelt down in front of the boy huddled in the cloak and got ready to grab his hand.

"We don't have all day," Drax called, his patience clearly worn thin. He tapped a massive boot against the concrete.

Three!

Mattie had been about to whisper Run! in his ear when a loud clap caused Mattie and the female witch to jump three feet in the air.

"Congratulations," Drax said, his eyes wide and menacing. His ham-like hands were brought together. Evidently, he had clapped so loudly it had scared both of them. "You failed this assignment."

She stepped back, grumbling. "But this is my fifth time."

"Then try for a sixth," snapped Drax impatiently. "Or don't." He motioned in Meredy's direction, and the mage sharply lurched forward, as if pulled by a hook. "No one said it was easy to get into Tenebris House." They started to tele-stepped towards the other end of the street. "Look into Suriha or Japhet. Tenebris is still a hundred years too early for you."

"I don't want to," replied Meredy jutting out her chin.

She could hardly believe it. They were leaving. They had given up. It was hardly an impressive victory but Mattie felt triumphant anyway. She waited until even the sounds of their tele-steps had faded completely to breathe a sigh of relief. It had been an ordeal—one that had shaved several years off of her life. Grinning broadly, Mattie lifted one corner of the ratty cloak. "They're gone," she murmured. "You're safe."

The boy poked his head out, eyes wide. His face looked like it was covered in a layer of dirt. He looked to be about nine, though he looked quite sharp and alert.

Mattie gritted her teeth. What exactly had happened to him?

"Why are you invisible?" he asked her bluntly, his face deadpan. "Are you hiding from someone?"

The corner of her mouth jerked to the side. "No," she responded shortly. Rather than be questioned further, Mattie decided to head towards the Departure Station. The boy was safe but Ren wasn't. Enough time had been wasted from her mistake. Mattie brushed herself off and stood. "Be careful," she warned the boy. "They might come back."

But she had gone no more than two feet when she collided with something solid and invisible. Mattie rubbed her nose, grimacing. Blue streaks radiated from the spot her head had struck. "Ow," she said in surprise. If she wasn't mistaken, that was a barrier spell. The momentary relief at having escaped the mages' clutches was gone, replaced by fear. "What the—"

"I didn't say you can go yet," said the boy, his voice colored by an unexpected arrogance.

She paled and turned slowly on the spot. The boy was stretching to relieve his cramped muscles. In one hand he held his cloak, no longer raggedy and patched but a sleek forest green. His other hand was outstretched, palm up. His fingers glimmered the same sapphire shade as the barrier which prevented her from leaving.

It felt as though her heart had suddenly dropped to her stomach.

"You're a mage," Mattie said.

-

It's not even my upload day and I'm uploading :o

it's a short chapter though

I finally broke the 14 chain. What I mean by that is, I've been stuck at approximately 14 chapters for a lot of my stories. It's been a while since I've written this much so it feels good :D

celebrates