Arcane

By Ray Fernandez

This book is a story about the existence of magic in America and a conflict between a magic government and a non-magic government arises as the leaders dispute politics.

In the story of Arcane, the leaders of the government struggle to keep peace. The President of the Arcane government loses grip of peace as fellow politicians begin to take violent action. The Arcane President attempts to stop the violence but the opposition prepares for war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479738564

Book preview

PROLOGUE

In a dark, empty room sits a man looking at a picture of his wife who has now abandoned him. He puts the photo away and takes a drink from his flask. He begins muttering to himself, Why would you leave me with nothing? Reaching back into his long gray jacket, he tears the picture to pieces with fury and stands up. I worked my whole life for that damn family, and you just took it away! He continues his rant as light shines in through a window and reflects off his face, revealing a man with tan-brown skin with dried blood on the left side of his face and a vest that matches his long gray jacket, both looking very tattered. What did I do wrong? I worked every day, did everything I was supposed to, and you leave me and take my whole family with you! John yells as he throws the chair and it shatter as it hits the wall. Blue and red lights begin flashing through the window. Slowly, John turns toward the window with a very solemn expression. William Gate had it coming . . . my whole life, that selfish piece of trash held me down . . . never let me work up the ladder in that company. He stops talking under his breath and pulls out his wand from under his vest. John admired the long slender piece of black wood that had a damaged old look. I lost my whole family and the love of my life! John waves his wand as he yells, and the door flies off its hinges. John starts walking out the door to meet what is coming for him outside.

Meanwhile outside the building, six police cars are parked with all the officers out of their vehicles and set up in formation in front of the aged grey brick building. The ranking official has a name tag, which reads SRG Johnson. One of his officers approaches him and asks, Sir, how do we know that the perp is in there? Johnson looks over to him with his very aged face, which reflected his veteran status to the rest of the officers. Well, son, this guy went into a bar, killed a man over a drink. There were two officers in that bar who tried to intervene, and they are also dead. All the officers get very stern. Hearing this information escalates the situation for them immediately. Johnson continues, The victim who was killed in the bar had a friend who followed the murderer and said he walked into this building. The young officer, whose tag says Deputy Carlton, asks quickly, Well, sir, what kind of gun is he armed with? There is an eerie pause, and Johnson responds, That’s the thing. The man who called it in said he didn’t use a gun. He described the attack with sparks of light going everywhere and stated he didn’t know what happened. The men look around in confusion. Another man steps forward. Sir, how do we handle the situation then? the young officer nervously asks. Johnson turns around to address his men with a stern voice, All right, boys, here’s what we are doing. I am going to address him. If he doesn’t comply, use of deadly force is authorized. This man killed two of our own in that bar, two men who were enjoying their day off and were killed for just being good men.

The police officers all put on faces, ready to kill this man. They all begin drawing their weapons, and Sergeant Johnson draws out his loudspeaker, puts it to his mouth, and right before he begins speaking, Deputy Carlton asks, Do we even know this guy’s name? Johnson shakes his head to tell him no and puts the megaphone back to his mouth. Anyone in the building, please leave! Now this is for the man who killed three people a few hours ago in a bar down the street. We know what you look like, now please come out with your hands up. We do not want to have to use force. Suddenly, John emerges from the house with his wand in one hand and his flask in the other. Johnson begins giving him instructions. Sir, please drop everything in your hands and kick it to us and put your hands above your head. John takes a drink from his flask and throws it away and puts his hands in the air with his wand still on one. Now, sir, identify yourself and get to your knees. Three officers move forward to try to book John, but Johnson puts his hand up to stop them, sensing danger. John laughs. Me? I am John Cutter. I killed the idiots in the bar. I am going to kill all of you. All the officers then take a step back with their weapons pointed at him. He continues, I am feeling very generous, so if any of you wish to leave in order to spare yourself, you may now step aside. John laughs.

Johnson, with his hand still up to hold his men back, instructs, Well, Mr. Cutter, things don’t have to be ugly! Johnson adds. John smirks at Johnson’s words and begins slowly lowering his hands with his wand pointing at the group of men. All the officers are very confused. Johnson raises his voice. Look, John, drop the stick. You are under arrest— Before he could finish his sentence, one of the younger officers fires, and the bullet hits a large clear shield. John laughs at him, waves his wand, and a bright flash comes from his wand. One of the officers yells, I can’t see! All twelve officers are firing blindly in all directions. A few bullets are on target. John is holding his wand out but as the bullets come toward John, a shield stops them. One cop begins to run, and John quickly points at him, and the man is cut right in half. John then begins lashing out and one of the cars flies sideways and lands on two cops. Lights from John’s magic wand keeps flashing as bullets are flying everywhere. Screams are heard by people from a distance. In an instant, all the officers are dead except for Sergeant Johnson, who is standing there, backing up reloading. John swiftly points at him and pulls him down to his knees, and Johnson’s gun flies out of his hands. Johnson looks up at John, whose eyes are completely white. The sergeant then yells, What the hell are you? John answers him slowly. I am something you will never understand, Sergeant. A sound of a rope is heard as John moves his wand, and an invisible rope begins choking Johnson, and he falls to the floor. John then walks past his body, and a loud noise is heard. All the cars are pushed away with brute force, and John Cutter disappears.

CHAPTER 1

Three Sided Dice

Camera flashes go off as President Barrett McCarthy stands on his podium. Barrett’s face has a seasoned look that reflects his experience in politics. His black hair has already begun to gray as he continues to age. President McCarthy looks around at all the reporters who are waiting for his word on why he called for the meeting of congress. A big man in a black-and-white suit walks up to the podium and speaks into the ear of the president. The large man then looks around the room at the other secret service men. As he looks at each one, they nod in approval to signal the president’s safety. The president clears his throat, and the chatter dies down as everyone prepares to hear him speak. If I may, I would like to ask anyone who is not a member of our respected congress to please exit at this time. Some secret service agents begin escorting reporters out of the room. One of the agents then stands beside two men in suits as they take out their name tags. The name tag of one larger and older man in a brown suit says Steinbeck. While the smaller younger man’s name tag reads Wiesel. The Congress looks at the two men in bewilderment as President McCarthy begins speaking, Respected members of congress, I have specifically chosen you today to discuss the passing of the Arcane census bill, which entails a national census of all members of the Arcane community. This meeting is being held as classified, and the information divulged is not to leave this room. A tall congressman stands up and questions, Mr. President, what do you mean by ‘Arcane’? Many of the people in the crowd began looking at each other in confusion. The two mysterious men look at each other and slightly smile at the ignorance of the Congress. McCarthy’s face is still stern but becomes slightly nervous as he continues to speak.

There is a society of people that have extraordinary abilities living in our nation. They have lived and integrated into community for hundreds of years. As he pauses, the crowd breaks out in a load uproar of questions and concerns. Barrett McCarthy raises his hand to silence the crowd. In the back of the room, a tall lean man stands. He has a very angry expression; his nose begins to flare as he hears these words. Steinbeck and Wiesel look at the man, and a look of apprehension comes across their faces. The two begin whispering to each other while Barrett asserts himself to quiet the crowd. Please! Any other questions you may have may be asked after we discuss the issue at hand. Another representative stands up and questions, So, Mr. President, what is this bill proposing? A solemn look comes over the president’s face. Barrett then acknowledges his question. Some of you may have heard rumors about a massive killing spree . . . We learned that an unknown member of the Arcane community killed one of our citizens and fourteen police officers. The crowd begins to ask questions, but the president ignores them and continues speaking. This Arcane community of people is more than capable of things most people would consider impossible. Because of this, we cannot ignore the fact that they pose a possible threat, regardless of the peaceful relationship our governments have shared in the past. This bill proposes that all members of the Arcane society will subject to a census and registration to avoid the risk of any possible threat. Barrett McCarthy pauses to drink from a clear glass of water. Steinbeck and Wiesel whisper to each other for a few moments. Then Wiesel leans over to the secret service agent standing next to him and murmurs into his ear. The agent then puts his hand to his head and speaks quietly into his earpiece. The agent near the president on the stage reacts to this and walks over to the president and conveys a message to him. McCarthy then nods his head and immediately looks to the crowd and sternly declares, I do apologize, but excuse me for one moment. Steinbeck and Wiesel then get up and exit through the back of the room. President McCarthy steps down and is escorted out of the room. As he leaves the room, the crowd begins speaking to one another. The unknown man at the back of the room begins to walk out and slams the door. The president walks into a large office that’s located right next to the