‘Patton has been living as a Mage for her entire life. Only members of her family know that she is Human. Patton, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you tell others when they ask about your Power?’
Patton, a woman of Asian heritage, smiled slyly. ‘I tell them I know their secrets. That usually shuts them up pretty quick. No one ever wants me to blab, do they?’ She looked to be in her late twenties, and was very pretty, indeed.
‘And that concludes our new members. Oh, no! Wait. We’ve got one more. Where is she? Oh, yes! Hiding up the back there we have R?ven Blacklock.’
Jack spun around, aghast. It was true. Standing in the furthest corner of the sitting room was R?ven, looking as beautiful as ever, her blue-black hair shining in the candlelight. Their eyes met, and R?ven gave a knowing smile. A few of the men in the room smoothed their hair and eyebrows.
‘R?ven is a Siren, or perhaps a better term would be song-bird, as she can also transform into a bird. She has volunteered to be our official messenger.’
A murmuring of approval passed over the room. Jack tried to catch R?ven’s eye, but she didn’t look at him again.
~
At the end of the meeting, Cecilia served beverages and snacks, as usual. She was a very gracious host. Jack wound his way through the throng of H.W.L members, fighting to get to R?ven’s side. It wasn’t an easy task; many of the other men had taken it upon themselves to welcome R?ven to the group. They fussed over her, bringing her food and wine, and talking about themselves excessively. Of course, R?ven didn’t speak, limiting her conversation to nods.
Finally, Jack was by her side. ‘Excuse me, gentlemen, I need to liaise with the messenger.’
‘All right, but don’t take too long,’ said a man who was far too old for R?ven.
Jack looked down at R?ven, his eyes wide. ‘What are you doing here?’ he breathed in awe. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it. On the one hand, it was nice to see a friendly face. On the other hand, it was a dangerous place to be.
‘The same as you,’ she said softly. Immediately, Jack’s legs felt like jelly. It wasn’t because he harboured any feelings for R?ven – it was just the physical effect R?ven’s voice had on him.
‘And what is that?’ he said, his jaw lax.
‘Fighting for human rights,’ she said.
‘Fighting?’ Jack felt himself becoming increasingly brain dead.
‘After Martinez, I spent a month at home thinking about what we’d done. At first, I was ashamed, but then I was proud. I had aided in the rescue of innocent people. I couldn’t sit by any longer while so many humans were mistreated. I quit my job and uprooted myself, flying from city to city over the period of a month, spreading the word.’
Jack thought he might pass out if she continued to talk. Nearby, an eavesdropping male collapsed into a heap on the floor.
‘What … what word were you spreading?’ he asked.
‘The word of Avalon,’ she whispered. ‘The Fire-Mage who would set the humans free.’
Something clicked in Jack’s brain. The sheer realisation of this was enough to snap him out of the trance R?ven had caused.
‘It was you,’ he said. ‘You’re the one who told the Realm that Avalon was the leader of the human rebellion.’
R?ven shook her head vigorously. ‘No … no it wasn’t like that. I told only those who proved themselves worthy of the information. People like us.’
‘What did you tell them exactly?’ asked Jack.
‘I told them that there was one who would help retrieve their loved ones that had been lost. I did nothing more than spread a story.’
‘Don’t you see what that story has done?’ asked Jack. ‘It’s because of this story that Avalon is on the run. She’s in hiding, R?ven. She isn’t building an army.’
‘How do you know?’ R?ven asked.
‘I know Avalon,’ said Jack.
‘Did you not see the revenge in her eyes when Martinez lost his memories? Or the emptiness she felt after retrieving Helena?’ she retorted.
Jack ran his hands through his hair, distressed. This whole fiasco had started because R?ven had spread a lie about Avalon.
‘You’ve caused a big mess, R?ven,’ he said.
She shook her head in disagreement. ‘No, Jack. Don’t you see? I’ve created hope for Humans and Mage-Kind alike. Avalon is a beacon for them.’
‘The Realm is searching for her because you told them to,’ Jack hissed.
R?ven shook her head. ‘I was very selective about who I told.’
‘Well, you messed up,’ said Jack. ‘The story has gotten back to the Realm. Why else would they think that Avalon is the leader of some huge rebel organisation?’
R?ven looked annoyed, an expression seldom seen upon her face. ‘Do you think me stupid, Jack? I told only those with Humans in their family. I’ve asked all to come to Concord City. It is my belief that Avalon will come here too, in her own time.’
‘Come here?’ repeated Jack. ‘Are you mad? You think Avalon will come to the city where security is at its highest? No one is that daft. Avalon is hiding.’