Mage of Shadows (12 page)

How could I doubt Emily was wrongfully murdered after this? After this girl, her best friend, broke down in front of a crowd of strangers a week later?

If she was a mage, Carmen would have to know, or at least have some idea of who had done it. That would mean like Danae, she would be keeping silent. No doubt she had no choice, how could you tell the police that your best friend was killed by members of your own fraternity? Tell them that a secret magical society was involved?

All I knew for sure was that I absolutely had to speak to her, whatever the risk. A half-baked plan began to form in my head, and I knew I would have to iron out the details- but it definitely could work. As always, I would have to act with great caution. My eyes flicked to look over at Swann, who seemed absorbed in Carmen's heartfelt speech. No doubt he would feel moved, but not to the point of risking his neck. It bugged me that Swann could see what the right thing to do was, yet ignore it to protect himself.

The memorial service ended as Carmen thanked those who had come, as almost an afterthought to the rest of her speech. The applause for her was loud and long, louder than even Danae's. Emily's parents came over and wrapped her up in their arms, and I saw Emily's mother whisper something to Carmen while rubbing gentle circles into her back. Everyone began to stand and mill around. I saw Jimmy begin to search for Nishtha again.

I felt a little guilty then for judging him so harshly. Perhaps his reluctance to find who killed Emily wasn't really about saving his own hide, but protecting Nishi. Despite only knowing them for a short time, I could tell he loved the girl, and she seemed to reciprocate. I, on the other hand, had no one. No one who loved me and no one I loved.

The dark realization came to me just as Nishi found us and seemed to melt against Jimmy, pressing him into a very deep hug. They didn't kiss, but I realized that kissing would be superfluous in that moment, they just wanted to be as near to each other as possible for as long as possible. I felt like an unwanted voyeur watching that instant of intimacy, but couldn't look away from it.

So absorbed in watching, I hadn't noticed Eliza standing next to me until Jimmy and Nishi broke apart. She had been watching as well, a strange look on her face that hadn't passed until I caught her eye. Eliza then promptly schooled her features and just looked somber.

"That was depressing." The curly haired girl said to me, and I could only nod. She had changed, much as she promised, from her sweatshirt and jeans, into a dark blouse and modest skirt. It was the first time I had seen her in dressy attire, but they suited her. A cold wind caused her to shiver and cross her arms to ward against the chill, and I felt an urge to offer her my jacket- before reminding my idiot self that I wasn't wearing one.

A hand on my shoulder caused me to turn, and I found myself facing David and Raj, standing shoulder to shoulder and dressed in twin black suits, crisp and clean.

As per usual, they had their usual inner circle with them, at David's shoulder was his girlfriend Tammy Nyugen, who had only spoken a few words to me in the whole time I had known her. Nearer to a unusually grim looking Raj were their other friends. Sarah Simmons was a friend of Tammy's, and despite being of far different backgrounds they were as close as sisters. The other three with them looked at us with interest, but I didn't recall their names even though I had been introduced to them at least once, and they frequented the apartment.

"Introduce us to your friends, Nick." David prompted, giving a curious smile to my own little circle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Eliza and Nishi return his smile, and felt a bit jealous. David had that effect on people, especially girls. At least Swann still looked guarded.

"Sure." I nodded, "This is Eliza, James, and Nishtha." I gestured to each as a way of introduction, "Guys, this is David and Raj. They're my roommates, and these are their friends."

A short introduction, but it was effective. I watched curiously as the older students and my freshmen friends mingled, trading polite greetings as the courtyard grew emptier around us as people began to scatter in different directions while we remained in place. I glanced towards the stage one last time to see Carmen leaving with Emily's parents.

I stared at her retreating back, contemplating my next move and when to make it. How soon would be soon enough? Was Carmen a mage like myself and Swann, or just a Normal whose friend had been murdered? Would approaching her mark me as an enemy to Archanos? I had no clear answer to any of the milling questions that buzzed in my head. Decisions had to be made, and they would either lead me closer to the truth or render me undone… possibly both.

I lived such a fun life.

Would it be best to just stop trying? The last thing I wanted was to attract the attention of whomever here today had the ability to completely shut down my connection to magic as nothing more than a warning. I wasn't stupid nor was I fearless, magic or no magic, that kind of power could squash me like a bug.

The easy path is no path at all, I decided.

"Hey Nick," Raj brought me back from my thoughts, "We're gonna go grab a few drinks from Lefty's. You and your friends wanna come along? If you're with us, you won't get carded, promise."

I glanced at the other three and was surprised to find them looking interested at the prospect. Nishi and Jimmy shared a glance then nodded in unison. Eliza actually had a slight smile on her face though she wasn't looking at me, but David. I sensed my 'Bio buddy' might've had a bit of a crush on my roommate. Huh, I didn't realize she liked Asians. Then again, I suppose David, being smart, strong, and well-mannered was basically any girl's type.

I met Raj's expectant gaze and shrugged, "Alright, I'm down for that, I guess." It had been awhile since I had a beer, and I could think of worse company to share one with.

It was an innocent moment, my little group melding with David and Raj's to form a larger crowd. Going for a drink after the memorial service could have meant nothing, done nothing, and I would have been none the wiser of the possibilities. It's the little moments that we don't notice, however, that really change the course of our history. Even big decisions stemmed from hundreds of thousands of tiny ones made by people that were never taken into account.

As we walked, friendships formed. Raj greeted the bartender and wait-staff at the bar like old friends, and as we drank, laughing as Eliza sputtered and winced at her first taste of alcohol, memories were created. Stumbling out, hours later, we were inebriated in a way that had little to do with the drinks. The night's air whipped at us colder than ever, but we felt untouchable in that walk back to the dorm. Our group had become something greater and more wonderful in a way that had nothing to do with something as obvious and mundane as magic.

I wasn't sure if we joined Raj and David's friends, or they were added to my own cohort. All I truly understood of that night was that for the first time in a long time, I felt secure. I had found friends who knew nothing of my problems, had no ulterior motives, and simply enjoyed my company.

At one moment in the bar, I caught Jimmy's eye as he was laughing at one of Raj's many corny jokes. He smiled at me, wide and true, and I felt like it was the first time he really did so out of more than sheer politeness. I mirrored the smile, nodding at him, the happy buzz from my third beer having little to do with it. It wasn't until the next morning that I really understood the meaning behind that second we shared.

It was an understanding of sorts. We no longer had a simple alliance, but something else. I woke up the next morning on my couch, saw Eliza passed out on the other sofa, and then went to my room to see that Jimmy and Nishi had taken my mattress. Rubbing my temples to try and sooth the steady drumbeat of my hangover induced headache, I smiled at the couple passed out, unaware of my presence.

There was something more to us now, that was certain. James Swann and Nishtha Mehta weren't just my magical allies, they were definitely my friends.

It was strange and a bit disconcerting being popular.

Well, maybe it was a stretch to call me popular… but I was definitely found myself part of an ever widening social circle in the next week. My days were spent studying alongside my friends, but nights seemed dedicated to hanging around with Raj and David now, the whole weekend a pleasant buzz of social interaction that I hadn't had… well, ever.

I've had friends before, but it was always tight never changing cadre of Users, near or a little older than me and just as immature and reckless. We felt like we didn't need anyone else.

I'm talking like three or four people only.

Never had I ever had to know so many Normals by name, and remembering them all was an arduous task by itself. David and Raj spent their days in the library, but nights were dedicated to eating out, partying, or just chilling at the apartment.

It was a wonderfully simple life, if you didn't count the murder or magical intrigue. Jimmy, Nishi, and Eliza certainly seemed to enjoy the newfound expansion of our little circle, Eliza in particular seemed a lot happier in those days.

"Thank you." She said suddenly, breaking the silence in the study room that we had occupied the following week. We were alone in the room and I looked up quizzically to see the slight blush and embarrassed smile on her face.

"For what?" I had to wonder.

Two of Eliza's fingers gripped a curl of her hair, pulling it straight and playing with it, a nervous gesture of hers, "For coming up to me in lab and asking for help… for being my friend. I mean, I've had friends before, but usually just when wanted something from me, and never talked to me otherwise."

"Sounds like you've had some pretty crappy friends."

She laughed, but it was tinged with bitter feelings that I had no purchase to grasp an understanding, "Yeah… when I graduated from high school I realized just how crappy they were. But here it's different, you're different, and so are James, Nishi, Raj, David, Tammy… honestly, I've never known so many people who accept me… do you know what I'm trying to say?"

Eliza's blush had deepened and she looked really embarrassed now, probably regretting opening up to me about this. But I understood in a way. I had been looking to just use Eliza to further myself in school, I wouldn't lie to myself about that. But past her brusque, bossy exterior was a lonely girl who was actually alright to be around once you gave her a chance to open up. There was more to her than just school, and I wondered how many people over the years had failed to see that.

"I do." I replied with an understanding smile before turning back to my notes, seeing she was still embarrassed with the whole conversation.

Later in the same week, I had a similar one on one talk with Jimmy, but it was I who curiously brought up the subject of our new group of friends.

"Why?" I asked him curiously, "You didn't have to accept their offer to go out after the service. I thought you wanted to keep a low profile."

"I never said that," Swann replied candidly, "Besides, the best secrets are always hidden in plain sight. Surrounding ourselves with Normal friends can't hurt us; it'll only help us blend in here. Plus, ever heard of networking? Your roommates seem to be on point with that, they're pretty impressive."

Weird, I had never considered Jimmy much of the 'networking' type. He laughed when I told him as much.

"Only an idiot tries to do everything on their own." Swann said seriously, "Don't forget that just because we're mages doesn't mean we don't have to lead normal lives as well. As I'm sure you know, magic isn't everything."

Magic isn't everything; those were words to live by when you were a mage in my opinion. They kept you from getting too arrogant.

It only took a casual inquiry to Raj to find out where Carmen Munez's dorm was on campus.

"Why do you need to know?" Raj wondered curiously, looking up from his textbook, actually studying early for a test for once in another attempt to 'get serious' about school. Raj Patel was the type that swore to 'get serious' about once every week.

"Just curious." I replied lightly from my customary seat on the recliner, my eyes remaining on the television in an attempt to look aloof. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Raj looking up at me, studying my face.

Suddenly, he chuckled, "Oh I get it! You have a crush on her, huh? That's pretty cute Nick, but I don't think she wants to rebound from her roommate dying by dating a freshman."

My jaw dropped and I sputtered, "I-It's not like that at all! I don't- I mean, I'm not-"

Raj was openly laughing at me now, and my cheeks flamed red. Of course he would think that… why else would a guy want to know where a girl lived? I should have seen it coming.

"Fine, fine!" I practically shouted so he would hear me over his laughter, "I kind of got a crush on her, can you blame me? She's gorgeous, can you stop laughing?"

Raj's laughter finally died back down to hiccupping chuckles, "Oh man, I'm sorry but you really know how to choose 'em. Carmen Munez is a heartbreaker my friend. She broke up with all three of her last boyfriends, none of them lasted more than a few months, if that. They were also richer, taller, and could bench press your skinny ass. Sorry but I don't think you have a chance."

"Can you just tell me where she lives?" I grumbled, not enjoying my Normal roommate pointing out all my weak points. I was gonna start going to the gym soon, one hundred percent, really.

"Residential Towers, third floor, room 308, make a right from the elevator and go four doors down and it's on the left." Raj recited from memory quickly… too quickly.

"How do you know that?" I asked curiously. I was just hoping that he knew what building it was, I didn't expect that kind of detail.

Raj grinned, "Because her last boyfriend a few months ago was David, and let me tell you that wasn't a very pretty breakup."

Oh, wonderful. Complications.

111

Next Wednesday saw me outside of Residential Towers in the early afternoon chill of October. The weather had descended in a permanent stupor that ranged between cold and freezing, a constant reminder of winter's approach. Jimmy had joked the other day that a Michigan winter extended from November to May, and I had better get used to it. At least I hoped he was joking.