Krimson Mind: The Krimson Cycle Vol. 1

Chapter Twenty-Five

Max studied the pendant that rested in his right palm. It was an ancient piece of hematite carved into a circle. The stone was roughly six inches in diameter and weighed almost a quarter of a pound. It had been enchanted so that it could become as large, or as small as its holder wanted it to be.

Long ago, it was the preferred method of long distance communication between the mages of the world. Any mage worth his salt could use other methods, like staring into a bowel of water, or using a regular house hold mirror. But the pendants quickly grew in popularity thanks to their simplicity and the fact that the user didn't need to have any extra tools, like water, to use it.

"So, the roaming charges on that thing have to cost pretty penny." James joked as he stared over Max's left shoulder. "Does it play and games?"

Max just laughed. He really couldn't stop himself. With everything that had been going on, Max hadn't allowed himself to relax at all in the last three days. He allowed himself to relax just a bit. Max felt a little of the tension seep out of his neck and shoulders.

"It plays a mean game of hopscotch." Max replied with a grin. "Now, why don't you go contact Krimson? She is probably worried herself sick, by now." Max suggested.

"I already did. And I really need to go get into the shower again!" James laughed.

"Good God!" Max exclaimed with a disbelieving grin, "You two are like a pair of supernatural bunny rabbits!"

"If that is the case, I'm just glad that she can't get pregnant!" James said as he left the room.

Max shook his head and began to focus on the task at hand. Max was going to place a call, so-to-speak, to the most dangerous man that he knew. The dangerous man owed him a big favor. A long time ago, Max had saved the life of a young vampire hunter. That hunter went on to grow a fierce reputation of never missing his target. According to those vampires that had not been the target of the Warrior, it was said that he was absolutely relentless. Max felt a twinge of pride. He knew that the Warrior wouldn't have been able to get as far as he had without the help of certain mage.

"Cedric O'Malley. Hear me, and respond." Max said in a clear voice as he stared at the highly polished stone in his hand.

Almost a full minute passed, without any result. Then as Max was about to speak again, the stone became almost unbearably warm. Max looked at his reflection in the stone and watched as it began to change. The image of an Ireland native quickly replaced Max's visage.

Max saw all the classic features that marked Cedric as a native of the Emerald Isle. He had long, orange-red hair that was currently bound in a braided tail. His skin, which was pale anyway, was made even more so by the fact that he did most of his work at night. His face was covered in a smattering of freckles that commonly accompanied his natural red hair. Overall, he looked as though he was between seventeen and twenty years old. That's when Max looked at the Irishman's blue eyes. Cedric had the eyes that had seen plenty of bad things. They were cold, and seemingly devoid of any life. Cedric had the eyes of an experienced killer.

"What do ya want, Mage?" Cedric asked, his Irish accent was as thick as ever.

"Why, I want what all Mages want, of course. I want information." Max replied easily.

"Don't ya all? What bit o' information do ya seek specifically?"

"I want to know the location of the only active portal to Scholomace in America." Max said plainly.

Cedric's face suddenly went blank. There were no emotions, no thoughts, and no trace of anything. Max could have been looking at a statue. It took him a second to realize that was Cedric's way of masking his emotions. Max wondered if Cedric was going to cooperate.

"Giving a rather impressive blank face won't answer my question." Max said as a matter of fact.

"Ya bloody well know I cannae answer ya! If I do, they'll know." Cedric growled in protest. His tone and the look on his face told Max just how serious he was.

"If you do this for me, I will release you from any further debt." Max replied.

Cedric stared at Max through the stone as he thought about it. Max fought to keep his face neutral. Without resorting to some magically exhausting and very underhanded means, the Warrior was the best choice.

"I'll do it. But if ya get caught gettin' to it, I won't help ya. The assignment ah'm on is too bloody important." Cedric replied.

"Thank you." Max sighed gratefully.

"Donnae thank me just yet. The portal ya seek is in the Tribunal's current headquarters. The Lincoln Center in Denver Colorado. They own the top ten floors. The mirror is on the top two. Of course they've got the bloody thing guarded. Ah've got to wish ya good bloody luck." Cedric said.

"Good hunting to you." Max replied.

Cedric's image faded away, leaving Max to stare at his own bewildered reflection. Max sighed heavily and saw relief wash over his face.

"Now it's time for the easy part." He laughed softly to himself.