Chapter 1: Magic Shield : Page 1

Chapter 1: Magic Shield : Page 1

“I love the mornings.” I think as I step out of my apartment. I walk down the hall and out onto the stoop. It’s almost 5 am and the spring fog has rolled in off the lake. It’s a chilly soggy blanket, muting the early morning sounds. Even the cheery gas lamps that dance and party each morning struggle to do more than cast an eerie, muted glow of distorted light and shadow.

I shiver, a slow roll up my spine. I sweep my gaze down one way and up the other. The shadows move around, but the street appears to be empty. I shrug deeper into my coat, pull up the collar, and step down onto the sidewalk. I turn right and set out my steps quicker than my usual stroll.

As I reach the dimly glowing lamp, and touch the weathered post, the magic pulsing in the lamp feels reassuring. The lamp brightens in response to my touch, and the sign well above my head adjusts, reflecting the arrival time of the next trolley. I slide the pocket watch my father handed down to me on my 21st birthday from my jacket, and with a flick of the thumb, I popped open the brass lid and checked the time. The soft ticking and gentle glow of the watch is calming, it is a fascinating mix of magic and man-made gears. “Good”, I say. “I’m on time.” A smile spreads as I listen for the approaching trolley, its deep rumble approaching in the distance.

I patiently return the watch to my coat pocket. The area darkens and I shiver as a breeze kicks up. With a groan, I shrug deeper into the thick heavy wool coat, grateful for its warmth and protection from the wet spring chill. I bounce on my heels and rub my hands together to generate warmth with a heavy sigh. “I forgot my gloves again.“

The skin on the back of my neck tingles, a hard shiver. I look over my shoulder, back the way I came. Shadows are moving in the fog, dark and low. “Maybe dogs? Maybe cats?” I whisper. “Could be bear cubs this early in the spring. I know. That’s it, must be cubs, and momma bear in the distance?”

I groan, knowing full well it’s not black bears or brown bears or bears at all. The dark fae must be loose in the city again. I nod once, “Well, best be safe.” I bounce on my heels lightly, gathering magic to me. Then draw a shield symbol in the fog. The fog parts as I draw, and the water particles hold shape as if I were drawing in sand. As I push magic into the symbol, it glows and fades. The lamp above me brightens, illuminating the surrounding area.