The Last Mage: The Last Mage, #1

By Jeff Brown

Carter Nash is the Last Mage, a powerful, nearly immortal person that has been drawn to the small Mississippi town of McLain in 1987. AT first, he has no idea why the power residing in him has led him there. After a few months, as he's beginning to settle in, events transpire that not only affect him, but also the entire town. A pact that has been in effect for decades finally nears its culmination leading toward the destruction of not only the town, but eventually the entire world. Carter, with a handful of allies, takes on the greatest challenge he's yet faced - a demon with a plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeff Brown
• Release date: Dec 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215638538

Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown created the beloved character of Flat Stanley as a bedtime story for his sons. He has written other outrageous books about the Lambchop family, including Flat Stanley, Stanley and the Magic Lamp, Invisible Stanley, Stanley’s Christmas Adventure, Stanley in Space, and Stanley, Flat Again! You can learn more about Jeff Brown and Flat Stanley at www.flatstanleybooks.com.

Book preview

THE

LAST

MAGE

CHAPTER ONE

There was nothing in the world like a good chili cheeseburger at four in the morning, at least not to Carter Nash. He’d been a huge fan of the concoction since he’d first tried it years before and in 1987 it was his meal of choice. There was just something about the spicy chili atop a good, solid burger with a slice of melted American cheese that just satisfied his palate and gave him just a little more energy. The TG Diner, the only place open at that time in the small town of McLain, Mississippi, had the best he’d ever tasted and four in the morning was just the best time. The chili was fresh and prepared perfectly, thanks to the diner’s main cook, Karen Harley.

He was exhausted and hoped that the burger would give him enough energy to at least make it home for a couple hours of sleep before he had to start his day job, operating the only bookstore in town. His assistant, Leigh Callahan, would be there to open and she would remain on duty until noon, when she would take a lunch break, and he had to be there sometime before that. It would almost be enough for him to recharge after having spent the night performing his real job.

Carter Nash was a Mage, a true Mage, and ostensibly the last one in the world. At least that’s what he’d been told by his predecessor, a man named Martin Grimsby, nearly a century earlier. Carter had been born in Chicago in 1805, the son of a factory laborer and a seamstress. He’d never had an interest in either trade, but he’d paid attention. At the age of twelve, he’d started experiencing strange changes in himself. He was suddenly stronger and faster than the other boys his age. He healed quickly and could see things that no one else could. He also felt the presence of evil when it came near him and that scared him more than anything. Finally, at seventeen, when he’d completed the education his parents insisted on, he’d left home with hopes of joining a traveling circus and using those odd abilities to eventually perform a sort of mystic type show, a fortune teller or something like that.

Then he’d met Grimsby and learned the truth about himself. Grimsby called himself the last Mage and saw Carter as his successor. The two traveled together for nearly five decades, but once Carter reached the age of thirty-five, as Grimsby had informed him, he stopped aging. The power within him had grown strong enough and settled into his body permanently. Once that took place, Grimsby showed him the truth about his abilities and the things he could do and would have to do. Finally, in 1881, Grimsby had revealed the final truth to him.

He transferred his power to Carter, more than doubling the strength he already possessed. But, with that transfer, Grimsby had died. His body collapsed into dust and the man was no more, but Carter had gained his power and knowledge. That was all he needed.

He’d then traveled for the next century, crossing the globe more than a few times, as he followed the visions that came to him, leading him to his next destination and his next task. He enjoyed traveling, enjoyed seeing the world, but he soon grew tired of being constantly on the move and having no place to call home.

Six months earlier, in the fall of 1986, he began having visions that eventually led him to the town of McLain. He’d been in Colorado at the time, taking care of a succubus that had infested a small town there. Once that situation was resolved, the visions grew stronger and he knew that his next destination was Mississippi. He’d been through the state a few times, but never lingered more than a day or two. He didn’t understand the culture, or lack thereof in some instances, and was sure that he would stick out like the proverbial sore thumb, but he’d made the move and seemed to be fitting in rather easily. It wasn’t perfect, but it was more casual than he’d expected.

He’d arrived shortly after the first of the year and began doing his best to fit in with the society, to find his own little niche from which to operate. The idea of the bookstore came to him in one of the visions and it led him to opening the store he’d named Second Chance.

It was more than just a clever name for a used bookstore. It was also his second chance at a relatively normal life. He liked the idea, liked the store, and liked that it gave him a normal appearance for once. He was no longer simply an outsider; he was the new guy in town and was working his way into becoming one of the locals.

Of course, he didn’t think he would be there very long, just long enough to figure out what big bad evil presence had drawn him there. But it was taking a while and a number of other, smaller things had cropped up, giving him a better grasp of the community and its people. In such a small town, the gossip mill ran overtime and despite his urging for the people he helped to keep his true nature to themselves, word got out, especially when someone else needed his help.

He didn’t mind, though. He preferred to go out and tackle the evil forces rather than just sit in the bookstore every day and pore through the dusty old tomes that gave him more insight into the supernatural world.

Then the mayor had visited him with her tale of a haunting in her home.

Sara Berkley was not new to the town, though she was not a native. She’d been born in New Orleans, roughly two hours to the south, and had migrated to McLain not long after graduating high school and dropping out of college after a year.

She’d settled in McLain and worked for a few years for a company that sold and installed swimming pools. She ended up taking over the company and, after over a decade, sold it for a hefty profit. With that, and some residual income from some investments, she no longer needed the job and had entered the political arena. She had some great ideas and an unexpected following pushed her to run for the position of town mayor. She’d been elected by a landslide and she’d been in office since.

He’d met her shortly after moving to McLain and beginning the work of renovating an old furniture store into a large bookstore. She’d been part of the welcoming committee, ostensibly the Chamber of Commerce, and they’d hit it off almost immediately. There was no romance there; he didn’t think there was room for that in his life and doubted anything would, or could, come of it. She’d already become something of a friend and, as of the previous night, a client.

She’d talked to him a few days before about strange things going on in her home. It was an older house, one that she’d inherited from her grandmother as an enticement to move to the town. Everything had been fine for years, but recently things had been happening that she didn’t understand. She hadn’t known his true nature and had told him these things as a friend. When he heard about it, he told her that he could possibly do something about it.

He’d arrived shortly after sunset and revealed to her exactly what he was, though he hadn’t told her just how old he was. At first, she thought he was joking, but he’d shown her a couple of things, little tricks, and that had won her over.

He’d discovered rather quickly that her house was indeed haunted, but it had taken him a while to figure out just what was infesting the place. He finally determined that the spirits had been there all along, but had remained docile until something had happened to disturb them.

He’d spent a long while, and a great deal of energy, trying to determine the root cause of what had stirred up the sprits, but it was vague and with no central location. It was a foul presence, one that he hadn’t encountered before. It wasn’t overly powerful, but it was persistent and, without definition, he couldn’t completely remove it from the house. He finally decided that his best option was to isolate and protect the house from the influence then banish the spirits.

Whatever the force was, it was more powerful and invasive than his initial assessment had indicated. The rituals he performed at first weren’t effective at all and forced him to dig deeper and use more of his power than he’d expected. Those rituals took longer and were more demanding without proper preparation, but he’d finally managed it and the house was secure against the force that he felt was permeating the town.

The actual banishing of the spirits was a relatively easy task after that. The ritual for that was a simple incantation to bring the spirits to him and, after learning their nature through a bit of mental conversation, he was able to send them on to whatever lay next. He freed them from the mortal realm and they seemed grateful for that. Of course, he’d asked them what had stirred them up, but they were as clueless about the nature of the evil as he’d been in trying to discern it for himself.

Sara could feel the difference once he’d finished the rituals while seated on the floor in her living room. She was visibly relieved and instantly grateful. She finally smiled, an absolutely perfect smile, and he could tell that she was going to be okay.

It had taken until well after three in the morning to complete the tasks and he was nearly exhausted when he’d finally walked out the door, after she’d insisted on him remaining for a while, resting a bit while she brought him coffee. He’d known then that he wouldn’t be able to sleep for a while and the coffee would keep him going at least until he could find some real nourishment.

He’d left and looked back as he reached his car, a brand new Camaro, and saw the warm smile still on her face. She was just a doll, standing just a few inches over five feet tall with a mass of thick, curly brown hair cascading along her sharp-featured face, framing it nicely, to flow around her lean shoulders. Her deep brown eyes seemed to almost close as she smiled and that just told him that he’d done his job and she would be perfectly okay from that point on. The evil wouldn’t be able to reach her home and she would be safe from any further supernatural occurrences.

He'd left her home shortly after three and, even though he needed rest, he needed food even more. The TG Diner was open twenty-four hours, something of an oddity in a town like McLain, but he wasn’t going to complain. The place was just a couple of blocks from his store and just a few more from his apartment, though in the opposite direction. His plan was to eat and gain a bit of strength from the food, then go home and sleep for at least four hours, getting up in time to shower and make it to the store and have it open at nine.

He was about halfway through the burger, taking his time and savoring every bite, and alternated every bite with a few fries that complemented the burger. A big glass of true southern sweet tea washed it all down to perfection. Then the door opened and another patron entered the building.

The dining area wasn’t very large, but it was enough. The tables were spaced rather close together with a half dozen booths, complete with vinyl bench seats, lined the outer wall and a few smaller tables with only two chairs were scattered around the room Otherwise, the tables all were designed for four people. Carter, of course, sat where he pleased and had opted for one of the standard tables to give him room to spread his meal out and not feel claustrophobic while eating.

When the door opened, he was more than surprised to see anyone up and about at that time of night, or that early in the morning, It was even more surprising that he actually knew that person.

Her name was Jana Dalton and she was the primary bartender at a rather sedate bar a couple of blocks from the bookstore named The Depot due to its proximity to the railroad yard. He knew the bar had a privilege license and remained open until two in the morning, but the closing processes couldn’t have taken nearly two hours. Besides, Jana looked as if she’d just left the shower and the pale blue wraparound dress she wore definitely wasn’t standard bartender attire.

Her long, coal black hair hung loosely around her shoulders and her lean face, still holding just a hint of the dark tan she’d developed over the summer, seemed cold at first, but Carter knew her well enough to recognize that as her standard bartender expression. It was in the way her dark eyes narrowed slightly and her full lips were set somewhat tightly together.

She was a tall woman, just a couple of inches short of six feet, well over it on the occasions she wore what she called her Shit-kicking boots, and wasn’t a small woman at all. She was just perfectly built and kept herself in fantastic shape. Without his preternatural abilities, he definitely wouldn’t want to tangle with her.

Oddly, her gaze was focused on him as he entered and walked slowly across the floor. He didn’t understand that. They’d spoken a few times on the occasions that he’d visited the bar, but it had been all related to her job, mostly just him ordering another round. It had never evolved into an actual conversation and he didn’t know why she would be walking toward him unless she’d somehow learned about his real job and needed his help.

She continued to stare at him and he at her as she walked closer and he held the burger in both hands in front of him with his elbows on the table. It was then that he realized he was more appropriately dressed for his job as a Mage than as a typical resident of McLain.

He was dressed completely in black, his clothing thick canvas that was the right consistency to allow his power to flow freely. His shoes were canvas as well, with rubber soles, and his socks were black as well. He’d considered foregoing the socks since it was the trendy thing to do thanks to a certain television series, but it just wasn’t his style. He was way too old to follow any of the current fads. He found most of them ridiculous and just didn’t understand the modern fascination with celebrity and fame.

She walked over and casually sat down across from him, almost like he’d invited her to the diner and to join him. He’d done neither, but he’d never minded the company of a beautiful woman. She was a tall woman and sat nearly eye to eye with him. Her expression remained emotionless, but there was something about her dark brown eyes that told him something wasn’t right. He didn’t know what it was and considered that it might be some sort of mental condition or a reaction to spending so much time behind a bar and listening to everyone’s problems. He just didn’t know and waited for her to speak before he made a judgment call.

Before she spoke, Trish Gramercy came from behind the counter to Carter’s left, weaving her full hips between the closely spaced tables. She wore tight jeans and an equally tight pale yellow top that revealed just a hint of very impressive cleavage beneath a stained white apron. She held an order pad in her left hand and a cheap pen in the other. She smiled as she approached, a warm and friendly smile in a wide, almost round, face with her shoulder-length light brown hair, a shade lighter than Carter’s and nearly as long, pulled back into a ponytail. Her wide hazel eyes were narrowed just a bit with the smile, giving the impression that she was happy to see both of them, but Carter wasn’t she really was happy to see anyone at that time of the morning.

Hi, there, Trish said as she stopped beside the table and looked at Jana. What can I get you to drink?

Jana turned her head slowly and looked up at Trish, Coffee, please. Two sugars and no cream.

Sure thing, Trish nodded and quickly wrote the details on the pad. Anything to eat? Or do you need a minute?

Jana finally smiled, a small, light smile, and said, I’ll have what he’s having, but make it a small burger.

Trish nodded as she wrote it down then looked at her and said, Okay, thanks. It’ll be out in just a couple of minutes.

Jana didn’t respond, just nodded once then looked at Carter again. He still didn’t know what to make of her and her presence in the diner at that time. He was too tired, with very little reserve power at the time, to attempt trying to figure that out. He would need rest before he could do much of anything.

As Trish walked away, working her way quickly between the tables, Carter leaned closer, placing his burger on the tray in front of him, and asked, What are you doing here, Jana?

She leaned a little closer and said softly, her voice taking on a more husky tone, I’m just here for one of Karen’s awesome chili cheeseburgers, just like you.

He drew in a slow breath, his eyes narrowing just a bit, It’s four in the morning. Did you have to work late at the Depot or something.

Something, she nodded and sat back. I’m here to see if you really are what everyone says you are.

He tilted his head to the right and asked, What does everyone say that I am?

She shrugged lightly, Some say that you’re a wizard. Others say that you’re working for the devil. And others say that you’re just crazy.

He tilted his head back, And what do you think?

I’m not sure yet, she said. That’s what I’m here to find out.

He wasn’t ready for a confrontation, which is what he felt that she wanted. He wanted to know what was going on before deciding on a course of action and there was only one way to find out without using his power. He would have to be blunt.

How do you intend to do that, Jana? he asked, lowering his hands to his lap, ready to move if necessary.

She sat back and shrugged, I’ll just have to give you a little test.

He shook his head, I’m not in the mood for games.

Before she could reply, Trish appeared with Jana’s food on a dark brown plastic tray. She was still smiling and, as he looked in her direction, Carter caught a glimpse of the morning cook, Karen Harley, peering around from the grill behind the counter. She was roughly the same height as Trish with similar light brown hair, but her slightly thinner lips were always pulled back in a rather sarcastic sneer. Mornings were her time and it was rare that she had customers that early.

As Trish approached, he sensed Jana tensing across the table. It was one of those innate talents that didn’t require much of his magical energy. As Trish reached the table, Carter turned his head toward Jana just as she leapt up, sending her chair clattering across the floor, bouncing off a couple more before falling over between two tables. Jana’s motion was timed perfectly. As she stood up, her elbow caught the tray and sent the food flying. Trish yelped and quickly ducked out of the way, letting go of the tray. It clattered to the floor as the food splattered on the tile floor.

As Jana rose to her feet and Carter pushed his chair as far back from the table as he was able, she grabbed the front of her dress and ripped it open, shoving it off her shoulders to drop onto the floor behind her. She wore nothing underneath.

She stood there fully exposed for a second and her lean face contorted into an angry snarl. Her legs were spread a bit and her arms were tensed for conflict. She leaned slightly forward, causing her large breasts to sway just a bit, until she reached out and grabbed the table. With a simple flick of her wrists, she sent the table flying, flipping over to crash atop the next one over as the remainder of his food joined what had been intended for her on the floor. That strength wasn’t natural and he knew he was in trouble.

He stepped back and held out his left hand toward Trish as he said rather calmly, Get out of here. Go in the back and stay there until I tell you it’s okay.

Trish, her eyes open wide and her jaw hanging open a bit, said, You don’t have to worry about that.

She turned and fled, moving as quickly across the floor as she could.

Carter couldn’t afford to take his eyes off Jana for long. She was approaching steadily, though not yet charging. He focused on her, but glanced to the side quickly to make sure that Trish made it out of the room. Once she was gone, he focused his full attention on her.

He heaved a sigh, knowing that he was going to have to use some of his remaining power to take care of her. He just hoped he had enough left to do the job.

He backed up until his butt touched the chair behind him. That didn’t give him much room to maneuver, but he would have to make do. Jana had looked like she was capable of handling herself physically, but he wasn’t sure that she actually had much experience doing that. But there was more to her that night than the last time he’d seen her. Something had given her the strength and desire to inflict bodily harm on him. He didn’t have the power to figure that out and take care of it, so he opted for the one thing he knew would at least have an effect on her.

It was a simple incantation, one that he’d learned decades earlier, and he intoned it under his breath, speaking in a language that hadn’t been used by man in over a millennia. As he spoke the words, he moved forward and reached out as Jana reached for him. Her short fingers were curled into claws, ready to scratch the skin from his face or arms, and he ducked under those hands. He set his jaw as he reached around her, grabbing her just below the buttocks. He lifted slightly and shoved her back just a bit. It was enough to get her slightly off balance. As she started to regain her footing, he shook his head and slipped his right hand between her legs. He didn’t penetrate her, but he did wedge his hand between her thighs. With the incantation and the physical contact, all it took was a mental push and the magic took effect. In just a second, she collapsed against him and he struggled to hold her up. He was off balance, but he managed to keep her upright and eventually turn her and lower her to one of the chairs.

He heaved a tired sigh as he straightened up and looked at her. He shook his head slowly as he wondered what had taken control of Jana to force her to try and kill him. That wasn’t going to happen and whoever had sent her obviously knew nothing about the true powers of a Mage. That wasn’t something that was general knowledge and, as far as he knew, the only sources that might contain that information were locked away safely in his office at the bookstore. He realized that it might just be a test, someone wanting to see just how strong his powers really were. He just didn’t know, but he would certainly find out.

Once the situation was settled, Trish slowly returned to the dining area, peering around the door at the end of the counter before walking out slowly.

Is it okay? she asked softly.

Carter turned his head and said, Yeah. She’s out and won’t cause any more trouble.

Trish nodded slowly and moved tentatively forward. Once she was clear of the doorway, the cook, Karen Harley, followed her out. Karen was roughly the same height as Trish and had a similar build, but unlike Trish, Karen was dressed for the kitchen and not for serving customers. She wore black pants much like the ones Carter wore with non-slip shoes. She wore a white shirt beneath her own stained apron and it was obvious that she wore nothing beneath it. Her soft face was contorted slightly into a frown and her soft green eyes were narrowed just a bit.

What the fuck is going on here? she asked as she rounded the corner and entered the dining room just behind Trish.

Carter looked at her and said, I don’t know, but I’ll damn sure figure it out.

Good, Karen said, stepping around Trish, and looked around the room. Now I have to clean up this fucking mess. That’s bullshit.

Don’t worry about it, Trish said and looked at her, almost scowling. I’ll take care of it.

She then looked at Carter and asked, What are you going to do about her?

I’m going to get her out of here, he shrugged. I’ll figure out what to do with her once I know what’s going on.

Trish nodded slowly, Shouldn’t we get that dress back on her?

He smirked, "It doesn’t really matter.

Karen paced a little, back and forth behind Trish, as she muttered, This is fucking crazy. The bitch comes in here and messes up my restaurant. I should kick her ass. This is too much. I’ve had it with this place.

Trish stepped forward, ignoring Karen, and asked, What are you going to do with her?

I’ll get her to my store, he said and took a step toward Trish. I can figure it out there. But I do need to use your phone.

Sure, she nodded. It’s behind the counter.

Thanks, he said and moved behind the counter.

He found the hone easily, resting on a shelf just below the cash register at the end of the counter. He picked it up and quickly dialed a number.

Holding the receiver to his ear, he looked at the nude form of Jana Dalton and hoped that she would indeed remain unconscious until he could regain enough energy to figure out what was going on with her.

The phone rang four times before it was answered and a groggy voice came to him.

Leigh, he said. It’s Carter. Sorry to wake you so early, but we’ve got a situation. I’ll explain soon, but I need you to get to the store as quickly as you can. It’s urgent.

Okay, she said. Give me about half an hour. I need to get dressed.

As quickly as you can, he said. I don’t care if you show up naked.

You’d probably like that, she replied, giving him a bit of the sarcasm that he typically spewed out like breathing.

Probably, he said. But it wouldn’t be too out of place tonight. Just get there when you can. This might end up being a pretty big deal.

I’ll do my best, she said and hung up.

He replaced the phone to its spot beneath the counter and drew in a deep breath as he hoped that Leigh would actually get out of bed and make her way to the store.

Okay, he said and rounded the corner of the counter. "I’m going to get