Magic Conquered (Rise of the Arcanist): More than Magic, #7

By Elizabeth Kirke

Once they have you, you don't come back…

 

Our search for Alaria and her blood casters has gone nowhere and no matter what we do, we can't find a new lead. With no other choice, we have to turn to the investigation we had on hold: the mysterious restaurant where magics go missing every six months and never come back.

 

A little digging has turned up when the next group will be there. Now we can find out what's happening to them. We've got a plan and backup waiting nearby. Sure, our plans don't always go the way we intended, but how wrong can it turn out?

Magic Conquered is Book Seven in the Urban Fantasy series, More than Magic, featuring vampires, elementals, witches, and more. If you like your paranormal with a dash of mystery and suspense, make Magic Conquered yours today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Kirke
• Release date: May 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201771119

Book preview

Magic Conquered

Rise of the Arcanist

More than Magic

Book Seven

Elizabeth Kirke

Copyright 2020 Elizabeth Kirke

Cover by T.M. Franklin

Editing by Rachael Riches

Formatting by EK Formatting

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter One

Connor

Considering it was supposed to be a special interest meeting, the night hadn’t been at all interesting so far. In the stool next to me, Fik arched his back in a satisfying-feeling stretch, before sitting back down, curling his tail around his legs.

Do you want another? said the wizard behind the bar. Last call.

Already? I asked in surprise.

Things are getting started soon, he said.

Well, it's about time, replied an impatient voice. A vampire woman sat down in the stool on my other side. Her nostrils flared in the direction of my coffee as the bartender slid it across the counter to me, followed by a bowl of cream for Fik and my bill, the silly little musketeer logo at the top of the paper felt really out of place considering why I was here.

Let me get one of those, the vampire woman said. How many shots of blood did you get?

Three, I told her.

She shot me a look that was part flirtatious, part challenging, then smiled at the bartender. I'll have four. Olivia, she added, extending a hand to me.

Connor.

Nice to meet you.

Likewise.

Olivia looked around and after a moment commented, I don't know about you, but I was expecting a lot less humans.

I nodded; I had been expecting that as well, seeing as the restaurant was hosting a group of like-minded non-humans this evening who were feeling dissatisfied with the way witches and wizards ran things. I glanced over at the wizard behind the bar. It was interesting that he seemed to have an idea that something was going on here, but he couldn’t have known what we were meeting about. Surely, he wouldn’t have been content working here, knowing the bar was hosting people who didn’t want anything to do with him.

Truth be told, I didn’t personally feel that slighted by humans. I did get the occasional side-eye for being a vampire, but it didn’t bother me that much; I was more interested in the relaxed feeding laws and hunting games that this group promised. I didn’t feed without permission and I stayed registered with MES, but it would have been nice to not stress about it so much. I also couldn’t deny the idea of getting to hunt like vampires were meant to was somewhat appealing.

I killed a person when I was first turned, an act that left vampires with a permanent violent streak. Any more than three kills during the turning period and the vampire was reduced to little more than an animal. I was fortunate to have only killed one; it wasn’t as hard for me to resist the urges, but I had my moments where I felt less than, well, human. That side of me was thrilled by the idea of a more exciting feeding once in a while.

I paid the bill and sat while Olivia enjoyed her coffee, sipping my own while Fik lapped up his cream. After he was done, he started cleaning his paws, then stopped and looked around curiously.

Hey, it’s really starting to thin out in here, he commented.

Sure enough, there were only a handful full of people left and most of them were sitting by themselves, with the exception of a cluster playing darts.

No more humans, Olivia said, sniffing the air.

I did the same and couldn’t detect any human scents fresh enough – even the bartender seemed to have gone.

The door opened. I glanced toward it and watched as a vampire walked in, with a large raven perched on his shoulder, piercing black eyes scanning the room. They had my attention immediately. The vampire was flanked by a fire elemental woman and male dhampir. The group looked around the bar as if they were sizing it up.

You think this is it? Olivia asked.

I hope so.

I studied the vampire as he swaggered up to the karaoke stage. His eyes fell on us and he smiled, likely having heard the conversation.

Welcome friends, he said. My name Victor. I'm here on behalf of our esteemed leader, Reave, who was unable to make it to the event this evening.

There were a few mutters from some who were annoyed that he was here instead of Reave. There was no doubt that Victor could hear them, but he seemed unbothered and merely stood clasping his hands, waiting for silence, which quickly fell.

Victor cleared his throat. I see no reason to mince words. You have all been invited here tonight because you have shown an interest in what we are doing. You're here because you, like me, are tired of hiding, tired of feeling like the witches and the wizards do not take your best interests to heart, tired of denying your true nature. But we all know the truth: we are stronger than they are. We are faster than they are. And we outnumber them. It is time we took our rightful place at the top of the food chain. Together we will create a new world in which non-humans are free to do as we please. You. Victor pointed in the direction of a werewolf and weretiger. You like to hunt? They both nodded. How would you like the opportunity to hunt... He smiled and his fangs extended. "humans?"

The weretiger woman grinned viciously, baring her teeth, but her wolf companion looked slightly uneasy.

In the new world we create, Victor continued, We will do just that. Weres can hunt as they please. Vampires, he gestured toward us, will feed with impunity. You won't need permission or limits. Or MES, he added with a sneer. Those of you who join us will reap the benefits and find a place at the very top of our new society. All we ask is that you help us on our way there. Now, we would like to invite you to come to our castle this evening. There, you will meet your future brothers and sisters. Drinks, food, blood, and entertainment will, of course, be provided.

Victor paused and waited as everyone considered the invitation. When I heard the whispers about Reave and his vision, I expected the hunting to be more like a game with willing humans. Victor made it seem more sinister somehow; the way he said no limits to feeding chilled me. I exchanged an uneasy glance with Fik.

I’m in, Olivia said, draining the last of her coffee.

Maybe I was just overthinking it; I was still curious, checking it out wouldn’t hurt.

If you wish to come. Victor said, please follow me. If you do not wish to join us, however, I request you take an exit survey of sorts with my colleague, Singe.

The fire elemental woman smiled and sat at a table. Please, she said. Come sit with me if you do not wish to join Victor this evening.

The werewolf girl stepped forward. I don't think this is quite what I'm looking for.

Next to me, Olivia scoffed quietly.

Very well, said Victor. I wish you all the best. Please wait with Singe.

The werewolf nodded to him. Nice meeting you, she said softly to the weretiger, then she crossed the room to sit with Singe.

Anyone else? Victor asked. Nobody moved. He nodded in satisfaction and strode toward the front door. In that case, please come with me.

Well. Olivia stood. I'm going. This sounds like fun to me.

Wonderful, said Victor. What is your name?

I’m Olivia, she said. And this is my new friend, Connor. I smiled awkwardly.

Will you be joining us, Connor? asked Victor.

I shrugged and glanced at Fik. He swished his tail and I knew he was letting me decide. Well, why not?

We walked out of the restaurant with the others and into the parking lot. The seven of us stood in a small semi-circle, facing Victor and his dhampir companion.

Let’s introduce ourselves, shall we? As I said, I am Victor and this is Tril. His raven dipped his head and cawed.

The dhampir next to him said, I’m Anthony.

I’m Kiana, said the weretigress.

Our eyes turned to a vampire next to her. I’m Joe, he said.

Flint, said the next person, a stone elemental.

The water elemental after Flint nodded. I’m Delta.

I’m Sam, said the last in line, a second dhampir.

Very good, Victor said. Well, now that we're all friends, I say it's time we begin the next step of our journey together.

As he spoke, a bus rumbled up into the parking lot, and I swallowed nervously. This was starting to seem like a little more than I signed up for.

Now, Victor continued, I would like you to consider tonight your first step toward a new life, with a new purpose. There will be no contact with the outside world.

Anthony stepped forward and set a wooden crate on the ground in front of Victor.

Victor extended a hand toward the crate. I ask that you put everything you have in this crate; your wallet, your phone, anything else you may be carrying. You will not need money, nor your phone, and you will not need your identification. Tonight, you are joining a new family and leaving your old one behind. That is, of course, he added with an unsettling smile. "If you do wish to join us after tonight."

What if we change our minds? asked Joe, the other vampire.

Then your belongings will be returned to you and the bus will take you right back here, and we will part ways, said Victor smoothly.

Olivia marched forward and dumped her things into the crate. One by one, the rest of us did the same.

I don't really like this... said Sam, the dhampir. I mean, I'm interested in what Reave has to say but...

Do you wish to leave? It’s certainly not too late to change your mind, said Victor.

Sam nodded. I think so.

Victor looked at the dhampir who had arrived with him. Anthony? Please escort our friend inside to speak with Singe.

Sam nodded and followed Anthony back into the restaurant.

Anyone else? Victor asked. Heads slowly shook and he smiled. Well then, shall we begin our adventure?

Victor boarded the small bus first and stopped near the front, blocking the aisle. I waited a moment, but it became clear he wanted all of us sitting together, so I saw down, with Fik on my lap. The water elemental slid in next to me, then Joe took the third seat in the row. In front of us, I watched Olivia, followed by the stone elemental, and then the weretigress, settle into their seats.

Once we were all settled, Victor took his seat, with his raven perched on the headrest, and we waited a few minutes for, as he put it, the rest of our companions. We didn’t wait long before Anthony and Singe returned and joined him.

The bus rumbled to life and we started on our way. After a couple of minutes of silence, I heard the weretigress speak.

I’m sorry, I forgot your names already. I’m Kiana.

Flint.

Olivia.

The were turned around in her seat and smiled at us. Since I had easily overheard the second round of introductions, I returned her smile.

I’m Connor, this is Fik, I said.

Joe.

Delta.

Kiana reached over the seat and shook our hands, then flopped back into hers.

There was another brief silence and then we all started making small talk. Our topics varied from wondering about Reave, to how far we were going, to mundane things. Nobody said anything about what we were all doing here; I supposed it would be a bit strange to have a conversation about why we were trying to join a secret group talking about hunting humans and disrupting the status quo.

Joe was mostly