Chosen Chapter 6: The Gemini Factor
Part 3
Xxx
When the huge wooden doors of Magic School swung open, Violet entered the school and was greeted by the sight of two young students chasing after a flying book. A few months ago, she would have been freaked out, though she was surprised how quickly she was getting used to magic. With the support of her friends, she was learning more each day and started feeling more comfortable with her powers. Lately she had been practicing using her powers on command, though they were still difficult to control.
As Violet headed toward Arthur's office, she started feeling nervous, like she always did when she saw him. She knew she liked him, and she suspected it was mutual, though she could not help those butterflies in her stomach. She past a mirror and quickly checked how she looked. She had borrowed a cute purple top from Billie and even wore a skirt, which she normally never did. As she ran her hands through her red hair, she smiled and told herself to be comfortable.
"You can do this." Violet whispered, it was only a date.
As she reached the office, Violet knocked and waited. She heard shuffling in the room and a moment later, she heard Arthur's voice calling her in. When she entered the room, she was shocked to see what a mess it was. Arthur had ancient looking maps hanging on his walls and there will piles of books and paper everywhere. Arthur was standing in the middle of the room, looking at a huge white board with his scribbling on it. She noticed his tie hung loosely around his neck and he was unshaven.
"What is going on?" Violet asked.
Arthur looked up and seemed surprised to see her. "Violet?" He asked confused. "What are you doing here? I mean, I wasn't expecting you. Please, come in."
Violet stepped into the office and closed the door behind her. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I know this looks chaotic." Arthur said. "I've been working on a project, so to speak."
"A project?" Violet asked. "It looks like a bomb exploded here."
"I know, and I always teach my students to be neat and organized." Arthur replied. "Usually I am." He added as he noticed his tie and quickly corrected it. "Normally I hate messes, but I've been really focused on this project."
"So what are you doing?" Violet asked.
"You sure you want to know?" Arthur asked in return.
"Of course." Violet replied. "It looks important."
"I don't really know what it is yet." Arthur replied. "Remember the ruins on the island?"
"How could I forget?" Violet remarked. "We nearly got killed there."
"True, but did you ever take a good look at the ruins themselves?" Arthur asked.
"Not really, I was too busy freaking out." Violet said.
"Of course." Arthur replied. "Well, I did take a closer look at the symbols on the walls. I had seen them before. I saw them on scrolls here at Magic School. The language is ancient, thousands of years old."
"So?" Violet asked confused.
"The symbols and the architecture." Arthur said. "They are the same as other magical cities such as Atlantis and Zanbar. The research I am doing might prove that all these cities are built by the same people."
"Wait, I know you're the history professor here, but how is that possible?" Violet asked confused. "These cities were built all across the world. And wasn't Zanbar a demonic city?"
"It was the seat of power for an evil empire." Arthur replied. "But what if it wasn't always?"
"What exactly are you hoping to find?" Violet asked. "You must have a theory."
"I do, but it's kind of a stretch." Arthur replied.
"So tell me." Violet said in a supportive tone.
"Okay." Arthur said as he took a deep sigh. "I think it all may be connected to the wizard race. I mean, they were once so powerful that the Source became threatened by them, so he nearly wiped them out. What if these mysterious cities once belonged to them? What do you think?"
"Maybe." Violet replied with a faint smile.
"But it is a possibility, and I can't wait to find out the truth." Arthur said. "I love teaching, but making a discovery like this would be even more amazing."
"Don't you think you need a break?" Violet asked concerned.
"I have been locking myself in here for a while." Arthur said pondering. "Wait a minute, I never asked you why you're here."
"Oh, it's not important." Violet quickly said with a blush.
"No, tell me. I think I need the distraction." Arthur replied.
"Okay." Violet said hesitantly with a flustered face. "I was… I was actually wondering if you wanted to go for, you know, a cup of coffee sometimes."
"Oh." Arthur said a little doubtful. "You mean like a date?"
"Yeah." Violet admitted. "Unless you don't want to. I mean, I would total understand…" She quickly added mumbling nervously.
"I would love to." Arthur said with a smile.
"Really?" Violet asked surprised.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Arthur asked. "I wanted to ask you as well, but I just got distracted by my research and then I figured I was too late."
"No, you're not too late." Violet replied. "So you want to get some coffee tonight?"
"Sure." Arthur said. "I know this great place in the city, say around eight?"
"Okay." Violet said with a smile.
"Great, so I will meet you there." Arthur said. "I really should do something about this mess, though. And I think I've been neglecting my students a little."
"I'll get out of your way." Violet said.
"I'll let you out." Arthur said.
The two of them walked to the door and Arthur opened the door for her. As she stood in the opening, Violet hesitated and smiled at him. She was not sure what she should do or say. Should she touch him and just say bye, or even kiss? Arthur seemed hesitant as well.
"I'll see you tonight?" He eventually asked.
"Yes, tonight." Violet quickly said. "I should get going."
"Okay, see you tonight." Arthur replied.
Violet turned and smiled as she walked away. She had a date and she could not help but feel all girly and nervous for it. As she walked past a few students, she told herself to calm down. It was just coffee, she reminded herself. She quickly grabbed her phone and wanted to call Billie, though she remembered she and Duncan were checking out the robbed bank. She hoped that whatever those criminals were planning, it would not ruin the first date she had in ages.
Xxx
As they walked back onto the campus grounds, Billie grabbed her phone and checked to see if she had gotten any messages from Taylor, but there was still nothing. Meanwhile Duncan seemed distracted as well. The bank had turned out to be something of a dead end, though all they knew was that they were dealing with a warlock, which wasn't helpful in catching him yet.
"So what now?" Billie asked.
"We inform Mikelle." Duncan said. "I don't know what else. Perhaps we need to wait until he makes his next move."
"Let's hope the footage from the security cameras will help." Billie added.
"Agreed." Duncan said. "Well, looks like there is nothing more we can do today, right?" He added with a forced smile.
"Why is that?" Billie asked suspiciously. "Anything you want to tell me?"
"Not really." Duncan replied evasively as he continued walking to the dorms.
"I don't believe you." Billie said as she followed him and nudging him with her shoulder. "Tell me."
"Alright." Duncan said with a sigh. "I was planning on going out tonight."
"With?" Billie asked with a smile.
"With someone." Duncan replied annoyed. "Don't get any big ideas, it's not a date, really. He is new in town and he asked me to check out this band at P3."
"Oh my god!" Billie called out. "I am going to P3! I am also meeting someone there."
"Really, that is quite a coincidence." Duncan remarked.
"Not really, the band that is playing is really popular." Billie replied. "I bet half the school will be there. We should go together, though I wanted to ask Taylor along as well. She's mad at me."
"Why?" Duncan asked.
"She thinks I am replacing her with Mikelle and Violet, it's a long story." Billie replied. "So I was thinking of calling Piper to get on the list, so we don't have to wait in line or anything."
"Nice thinking." Duncan said. "So is Violet coming as well?"
"No, she has other plans." Billie said with an amused smile.
"Arthur?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Billie replied.
"I might be a guy, but I am not blind, you know." Duncan remarked. "I can tell when two people are into each other. I am just happy for her, seeing what happened between us."
"Hey, that is in the past, forget it." Billie said.
"Okay. So if you're meeting a guy, what does that mean for you and Jake?" Duncan asked.
"God, why does everyone ask me that?!" Billie called out frustrated. "There is nothing between me and Jake. We spent one night together and he is not interested! I'm moving on."
"You slept with him?" Duncan asked shocked. "On the island?"
Billie sighed and rolled her eyes. She needed to learn to stop sharing such private information even if it was to her friends. Her very judgmental friends. "Shut up." Billie said annoyed.
"Fine. I am just glad it's over." Duncan said. "I don't trust him."
"I know." Billie replied sadly. "A witch and a witch hunter will never work."
"I'm sorry." Duncan said as he gently grabbed her arm. "I shouldn't have said that. I know you like him. I should keep my big mouth shut."
"It's okay." Billie said with shrug. "I know how you feel about him. Besides, we're friends, doesn't that mean we should always be open with each other?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Duncan said a little relieved. "So P3 tonight? Let's just have a night of fun and forget about everything else for a moment."
"I could not agree more." Billie said. "I'll meet you at the club. I have one more thing I need to deal with right now."
Billie said goodbye to Duncan and headed to the dorm buildings. However, she walked past her own building and headed toward Taylor's dorm. She was her friend as well, meaning she needed to be open with her as well, at least as open as she could be. They needed to talk this out. When Billie arrived at her door, she slammed her fist against it.
"Taylor, it's me." Billie called out. "I am not leaving until we talk."
A moment later, the door opened and Taylor's roommate appeared, who quickly excused herself. As she left, Billie headed inside the room and closed the door. Taylor was sitting behind her desk listening to music on her laptop. Billie impatiently crossed her arms and cleared her throat. Taylor turned off the music and swung around his her chair.
"We need to talk." Billie said.
"Don't you have your new friends to talk to?" Taylor remarked.
"You know this is really immature, right?" Billie snapped back her at.
"I know." Taylor replied with a sigh. "But what else am I supposed to do? I feel like you're no longer a part of my life anymore."
"That is ridiculous, Taylor." Billie said. "Just because I have new friends, doesn't mean that…"
"It is not just about that!" Taylor interrupted her as she stood up. "Ever since I met you, I have felt like there is something you're not telling me. I know you went through a hard time with your parents and your sister, but I never got the full story. You never told me the whole truth, and I accepted that, because I thought it hurt too much."
"It did." Billie replied. "But I understand, I do have things in my life that I don't talk about."
"But you do talk about it to them." Taylor said accusingly. "I have been your friend for years, and I barely know anything about you, yet I feel like your new friends know you a lot better."
"Taylor, I wish I could tell you." Billie said. "But it is really difficult."
"Do you think I can't handle it?" Taylor asked.
"I think you can, but I need some time to think about this." Billie said. "Can't we just move past this for the moment? I miss you and I thought we could spend some time together. I am going to P3 tonight. I'm supposed to meet a hot guy there, perhaps he has a cute brother or something?"
"I do really love the band that is playing." Taylor reasoned. "But it doesn't change anything, Billie. We are still friends, and you will still owe me an explanation."
"I promise I will tell you when I am ready." Billie said. "Please just trust me in that."
"Alright." Taylor said with a nod. "I could use a night out. And I think it's about time I meet your new friends as well."
"I think you're going to love them." Billie said contently.
A wave of relief washed over Billie. At least she and Taylor were still friends. However, she also realized she had only delayed the problem, she knew she would have to tell Taylor about her magic eventually. Luckily, she now had some more time to think about it. Billie hugged Taylor and left the dorm room. They had agreed to meet at the club and Billie needed to get ready. She might not be interesting in actually hooking up with Nick, but she at least wanted to make an impression.
Xxx
In a blink, which always felt like being pulled into a vacuum, the warlock Bacarra appeared in the apartment inhabited by the twins. He looked around the room and shook his head. An empty pizza box on the table, a game console in front of a huge television and a shattered statue. These little fools had no idea what they were doing, living like frat boys when they could use their magic for things much greater. They were selfish and ignorant about who and what they were, which luckily made them easy to manipulate.
One of the twins, Bacarra did not know which one, came down the stairs while buttoning up his shirt, seemingly freshly out of the shower. He stopped when he noticed the warlock.
"What are you doing here?" the boy asked. "How did you find us?"
"Did you really think I would not be able to find you?" Bacarra replied. "I always look after my investments."
"We're not your investments." The twin remarked annoyed.
At that moment, the other one came in from the kitchen. "Nick, who are you talking to?" Nathan asked as he looked at his brother, until he noticed Bacarra and frowned.
"I beg to differ." Bacarra said, ignoring his arrival. "I hired you to distract the Chosen and I granted you powers to do so. That makes you an investment."
"So what do you want?" Nathan asked.
"I wanted to check in, see how things are going." Bacarra replied.
"You don't need to worry." Nick said as he headed down the stairs. "We got in all planned out. The Chosen will not bother you."
"Well." Bacarra replied as he sat down on a leather chair and folded his hands. "Inform me."
"Hold on, when we agreed to this, you said you'd let us do it our own way." Nathan said.
"And I will." Bacarra said. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to know what is going on."
"Fine." Nick replied.
As he walked across the room and sat down, Bacarra noticed the twins looking at each other and suspected they were involved in another telepathic argument. He ignored it and pretended to wait patiently. After all, he knew they would eventually do as he asked, no matter how they felt about it.
"We pretended to be college students and got close to them." Nick explained. "They will meet us at P3 tonight."
"And?" Bacarra asked.
"And then we perform a little magic trick." Nathan replied. "There is a bank not far from the club, we lure them there, frame them for the crime."
"And if they manage to escape?" Bacarra asked.
"Then they will come after us, not after you." Nick stated. "Either way, they will not bother you for the time being, which is exactly what you wanted."
"Okay, impressive." Bacarra admitted. "But this will only work if they fall for your tricks, so what exactly are you planning?"
"We can't give away all our secrets." Nick replied with a smirk.
"Still don't trust me?" Bacarra asked in a bored tone. "And here I thought we were getting along. Are you not content with the powers I gave you? The time to pick sides is coming very close, boys, and you don't want to be on the wrong side."
"Why don't you tell us about your plans for a change?" Nathan asked. "You want us to trust you, how about a little trust in return. What is this organization you're working with, what is your endgame?"
"I am sorry, but you'll have to prove your loyalty first before I can let you in on what is coming." Bacarra replied. "Deal with the Chosen and then we'll talk."
Bacarra stood up and corrected his jacket before blinking away. When he reappeared, be found himself standing in the penthouse the Brotherhood used as their meeting place. The circle was coming to a close and soon their final plans would begin. There was a sudden noise, heeled footsteps, and Bacarra spun around.
"I know you are here, Klea." Bacarra said aloud to the empty room.
Two glowing red eyes appeared from behind a pillar and Klea appeared in a shimmer. The beautiful demon was dressed in a simple black dress that complimented her perfect figure.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Klea asked. "How can you be sure you can trust their kind?"
"Please, I have taken that into account." Bacarra replied. "They think they're safe as long as they don't pick a side, but they are mistaken."
"And if they don't choose evil?" Klea asked skeptically.
"They will." Bacarra replied. "And they won't even see it coming. The powers I granted them were purely demonic. The more they use them, the more corrupted they will become."
"And against the Chosen, they will surely need the powers you provided." Klea concluded with a smile. "Their conversion is unavoidable. They will become evil, and we'll have two more pawns to control in this game."
"The time for playing games is nearly over, Klea." Bacarra replied.
"I know." Klea said. "The others should arrive soon to discuss the final details of the plan. Soon this entire city will be ours to grasp."
Bacarra walked to the window to overlook the city. Soon it would all be under their control, theirs to rule as they saw fit, and the Chosen would be too distracted to ever see it coming. Victory was within reach, though as a cautious person, the warlock knew not to celebrate too early. Instead he merely let a faint smile appear on his lips. The time to laugh would come soon enough.
xxx