Expecting the worst, expecting the fall to end in a sudden splat and to be a little more translucent. Landing instead on something soft, cushiony. Squooshy. The ceiling above me closing, leaving me sitting completely in the dark. Holding my breath, trying to listen, trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Feels like couch cushions. Maybe some kind of giant monster, lulls it`s victims to sleep and then dissolves them. Not the worst way to go.

　　Oh damn. The apartment key. Going to have to try and sneak in again near closing time. She`ll probably be able to give me another one. Hopefully she doesn`t charge too much.

　　Sitting in the dark for a few moments more, waiting for my eyes to adjust, and then light filling the room. Carnival music starting to play. Three people standing off to the side in a balcony, holding up placards. Numbers. 5 6 3. Wait, isn`t that? My shift sideways causing the cushions - they actually were cushions, a giant pile of couch cushions and rugs - to give way and dump me down onto the floor below. The three people in the balcony above wandering out of sight. Completely disoriented now, reaching for reassurance, reaching for my knife. Trying to figure out what was what while clambering to my feet.

　　"Mac," the voice, very familiar, hadn`t heard it in about nine months, "what the fuck took you so long?"

　　My master. My old master.

　　"I`ve been keeping tabs on you since all this," he said, waving his hand in my direction, "here and there. You were asking about us a couple days after. According to what I heard you even knew where we were. But then you disappeared for a bit and now you`re back. What have you been doing? Did all this, ah," gesturing again, "fuck with your head?"

　　"Yeah, it has, but I`m still me." Looking at each other for a long moment. "But what kind of fucking bullshit are you expecting me to buy. I didn`t know shit. All I knew is that I had to find the Council-"

　　"The Council doesn`t exist," my master suddenly shouted.

　　"You see that? That`s what I`ve been dealing with. You guys can`t say anything else. What kind of ass backwards spell did you use to make that happen? I couldn`t get anything else."

　　"Well, you finally managed to find us tonight."

　　"Yes. Because I`m the great detective. I`ve been a little fucking busy doing other shit." Gesturing at my face. "Look at this."

　　Looking at each other.

　　"I didn`t know it would do that," he said, quietly.

　　"You didn`t know it would do what? Are you just finding out that if I say Council-"

　　"The Council doesn`t exist," my master suddenly shouted.

　　"What kind of clownshoes operation are you running down here?"

　　"No one else has said that but you. The topic doesn`t come up. I mean, who would even know about a Council that doesn`t exist? It doesn`t exist."

　　"If it doesn`t exist what are you doing down here?"

　　"Well, of course we exist."

　　Staring at each other for a very long moment.

　　"So how do I get into your little club so I can talk like a normal person. Preferably without that warped no speekie curse where I have to rant like a fucking lunatic about the nonexistence of some Council-

　　"The Council doesn`t exist," my master suddenly shouted.

　　Staring at each other for a bit more.

　　"That was Rudolf`s doing," he said. "Come with me, we need to get him to fix it."

　　Following him from the entry down a hallway, dark brick walls, some lights here and there offering sparce illumination. Entering a honeycomb of tunnels, a few more of them walking around this way and that.

　　"So what were all those numbers about?"

　　"Your score out of ten. I gave you the three. You took way too long."

　　"I think your judgment was a little harsh."

　　"Yeah, I didn`t know you were dealing with that," pointing to his mouth," whole thing. I`ll give you a five."

　　"I can live with that."

　　Continuing along and then entering a room. Giant table in the center, map of Lumeer on it with figures placed in any number of places. Two other older gentlemen in the room.

　　"Master, I understand why you`re here, doing this," gesturing at the table, "they took all our shit and they haven`t given anything back. But who exactly are these guys? I thought Shaker was trying to make good."

　　"This is Rudolf," he said, pointing to one of the men. Dark brown hair, maybe dyed, sculpted mustache and his beard oiled to a point. "And this is Jamil." Pointing to the other. A full head of hair with no such pretensions, silver and grey. Clean shaven. "And Rudolf, there appears to be a problem with your spell." Gesturing at me.

　　"So I was wondering about this Council-"

　　"The Council doesn`t exist." In full old man stereo.

　　"That is a problem," conceded Rudolf, after everyone had turned to look at him. "How long has that been happening?"

　　"More than a month, ever since I found out about you guys."

　　"Is that right?" said Rudolf. "I think my score for you was too low. I`ll give you an eight."

　　"Still deserves a five," said Jamil.

　　Is this what they call sundowning? It is pretty late.

　　"Can you fix it?"

　　"It should be possible, let me get my book," said Rudolf, going to the other side of the table and opening a weighty tome.

　　"Let`s see," flipping the pages, "when incorporated into the ritual The Curse of the Stilled Tongue should only have rendered communication impossible without that side effect. Hopefully a transcription error and not in formulation."

　　That`s who that is. They do use some spell to silence people, but this is on a different scale entirely. And the other one is. Glancing over. Thought Shaker was good with both of them.

　　Rudolf muttering to himself, grabbing a quill from the table, doing a quick scan, flipping back and forth, making an adjustment and then beginning a long chant, filling the room with it`s horrible ominous whisperings. And then it was done. The hairs on the back of my neck and arms standing on end.

　　"Goddammit Rudy," said my master. "Tell us before you just go and do something like that."

　　Jamil momentarily clutching at his heart, but then, miraculously, okay. None the worse. And glaring at Rudolf.

　　"I had to," said Rudolf, unconcerned. "Do you know how many people could have been spouting off that phrase for months? But, fortunately, easy to manipulate the spell once it`s in effect. So, now, please, Ms. Macarthy, if you would."

　　The Council is scary as fuck.

　　"The Council is ssss-" Hissing the last syllable before managing to get a hold of myself.

　　"There, you see," he said, proud. "Thank you so much, my dear."

　　"No problem." Somehow got that out. Relax. They`re not angry at me. "So why are you all involved in this?"

　　"Mac," my master putting his hand on my shoulder, "now that we solved that little problem, we can`t exactly tell you anything until you agree to be bound to secrecy. Rudy`s got another spell."

　　No real choice. Could suicide and get out of here right now, but they`re everywhere. My master alone could keep me at the temple forever. He`d have fun with it. Let me go off for a bit, think everything was fine, then whammo. Taking a calming breath. They`re not angry at me.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　"You said the spell was easy to manipulate once it`s in effect. How far does that go?"

　　"Are you that nervous about it, my dear?" said Rudolf, starting to loom, the shadows behind him starting to gather.

　　"Yes. Extremely."

　　"Such distrust." The man throwing up his hands. "How unfortunate that this is the fate of the noble Magi. Cursed, reviled, called Blood Mage."

　　"There`s a lot of blood," said Jamil.

　　"This is what I`m talking about." Rudolf pointing a finger at him. "My dear, please don`t be alarmed. There isn`t as much blood as this naysayer would have you imagine, and we can tailor the pact in such a way as to set your mind at ease."

　　Going to need reams of paper for this contract. One last question, fixing my master with a hard stare.

　　"That thing that was in my body killing people for the past couple cycles, was that thing with you guys?"

　　"No," he said.

　　Staring real hard.

　　"I don`t believe you."

　　"He wasn`t. Showed up on our doorstep, but a real loose cannon. Can`t work with someone like that."

　　"So you just let it run around killing people?"

　　"We certainly weren`t going to keep him down here."

　　Continuing to stare real hard.

　　"Let`s get these terms worked out."

　　***

　　"Then we are agreed," said Rudolf.

　　"Yeah, I think it`s pretty airtight. I guess I deserve it if you get me."

　　"My dear," he said, giving a small, disappointed shake of his head, "I`ve been trying to assure you that I have no such designs." Reaching into his robe and withdrawing a spike of bone and metal, a ritual dagger, and drawing it across the palm of his own hand. "I`m glad you`re finally ready to join our Pact of Blood."

　　Starting to chant, the words crawling along my skin. A trickle of liquid being pulled from his hand, swirling, suspended in midair.

　　"My dear, don`t be shy." Holding out the freshly bloodied weapon. "We`re going to need more than a bit from you."

　　A familiar grin on his face. See something like it every so often in the mirror. Not my first evil pact and probably not my last. That first one got me all the way out here, let`s see where this one goes. Pulling down my sleeve. It`s not across the lane, it`s down the street. Blade biting deep. My blood joining his.

　　"My dear, please repeat after me. I will not betray the Council."

　　"I will not betray the Council."

　　The weight of the words slamming into me, grafting on, every inch of my body hit all at once. Trying to stay up, but all my strength had fled. Sinking down, but then being supported by Jamil and a flash of warmth entering me.

　　"That takes a toll." His touch had restored me in an instant, my arm now unmarred. Pure, clean skin. Putting his hand on my forehead. "But you seem to be none the worse for the wear. It`s only meant to prevent you from telling anyone not in the know. Please understand that the people here are here because they believe in the cause. That`s why I`m still helping, despite your Director`s fumbling attempts at restitution. Too little, by far."

　　Glancing around at the three of them, knowing instantly that they were members of the Pact. Not a color or describable thing, just a feature that was known. Instant recognition. Makes sense, have to know who`s in, in order to know who not to talk to.

　　"Too little, indeed," said Rudolf. "Unfortunately our compatriots who have gone back to lick the hand dropping crumbs are doing not just themselves a disservice, but all of us. I was surprised Savras informed you of our group considering he declined to join in the first place. If it`s not written on a page he usually has little interest."

　　Savras? Probably my master. My new master. He wasn`t the source but no reason to let them know. But then who was that woman? Sorceror maybe. Gave off that vibe. But possibly the Augur given that tarot card reading. That could be more likely.

　　"What`s your plan?"

　　"We`re still in the reconnaissance stage," said my master. "That business on the last day of the festival didn`t have the impact we imagined."

　　"They canceled the finals."

　　"Yes, but it did not spark the rebellion," said Jamil.

　　The rebellion. Against us. The Council is scary as fuck.

　　"What are you after?"

　　"The return of our homes," he said, "nothing more."

　　Huge sigh of relief. A reasonable demand. Significantly better than mudering all of us on sight followed by expulsion.

　　"Want me to try and play diplomat? I did get the ball rolling, in good faith. I`m aiming to meet with him tomorrow."

　　"My dear," said Rudolf, "I don`t really believe-"

　　"Yes," said Jamil, breaking in.

　　"Jamil, we all understand that the last thing we want is bloodshed," said Rudolf, grin wide, "but I`d venture to guess that Ms. Macarthy is going to have some difficulty convincing the Director, and he the Marquis."

　　"Better that she try," said Jamil.

　　"Rudy," said my master, "I agree with Jamil, but you`re probably right, the odds are negligible. They`ve ignored our entreaties before and I don`t see that changing. But, at the moment, we`re not ready yet. When we do hit, better to have all our ducks in a row, show that we tried to negotiate in all possible ways beforehand."

　　Undoubtedly pushing my luck with this next question.

　　"So where we hitting first?"

　　"Mac," said my master, "that`s why I like you, straight to the point."

　　"Ms. Macarthy, my dear," said Rudolf, "Jamil laid out our cause most succinctly, our purpose is reclaiming that which was taken. And while you`ve probably lost more than most, the first place, I`ll confess, is of personal interest to me. House Solstice is currently residing in my former residence. Given the nature of the enchantments around the place it will provide a prime opportunity to flex our might while also remaining mostly unnoticed."

　　So far nothing too bad. Sounds like we might be simpatico. Get everything back to the way it was nine months ago? Yes, please. Mostly, not going to get everything. Some things that have been stolen can never be returned, the only reminder being a ring of scar tissue and increasingly desensitizing flesh. A slave`s mark for a people enslaved. For those allowed to live, an entire lifetime hobbled. The others, erased entirely. For those blood rituals, those sacrifices to far more pernicious things than any found here, there can be only one response. Auto-da-fe. Hunted down to the last. And their temples, in whatever guise, scrubbed out of existence.

　　But, as far as this situation, six of one, half dozen of the other. Add in Evie and Kate and Magpie, and then the magic, that exquisite little cherry. Possibly came out ahead, even losing all that time. Nothing to be done about it, anyway. Then was then and today is today. Wait, their might? How many of my fellow things in crime are in on this conspiracy? Too confusing a term. Things in league? No, that`s not going to do. Probably overthinking-

　　A throat being cleared causing me to turn to look at my old master. "Mac, you with us? Pay attention. We don`t have time for one of your daydreams."

　　"Sorry."

　　"So like I was saying," said my master, "we`re still in reconnaissance, and we`ve only recently managed to get reliable eyes inside everywhere, so we`re nowhere close to ready. Still building up. So Mac, for the moment, sit tight, don`t worry about it, and we`ll let you know."

　　"Solstice is inside city limits." It should be. "How much help am I going to be?"

　　"Rudy might be able to provide something that will help everything look the other way. Only for a short while."

　　A license to do whatever. Even if only for a limited time. Yes, please.

　　"Gentlemen, it`s an honor to be involved with you in this conspiracy. I greatly appreciate the invitation. Thank you." Shaking my master`s hand. "Thank you." Shaking Rudolf`s hand. "And thank you for patching me back up. Very appreciated." Shaking Jamil`s hand. "But it`s very late, how do I get out of here?"

　　"Mac," said my master, while walking me out, "it`s good to see that you seem to be doing well, given all this. Take care of yourself and stay sharp."

　　"Yes sir." Giving him a real salute.

　　Standing at the bottom of the exit, a rope ladder in the entrance. The lights suddenly going out, the ceiling opening, and one of my fellow conspirators falling onto the big pile of rugs and couch cushions below. Ceiling closing, lights back on. No music. Glancing at my master.

　　"That`s just how it works," he said, sheepishly.

　　"Hey, what can you do? Good to see you." Shaking his hand and then climbing up the ladder. A small tunnel at the top, pushing against something, then finding myself in that newly discovered hidden hallway. Blinking at the brightness of the light. Giving a nod to my new acquaintances at the front desk on the way out.

　　Walking through the streets equipped with Curse-o-Vision. Not many people out this late. None of the few people walking around seeming to be involved. Heading west toward the guild district for a block, but then remembering about earlier. Heading south, away from the inns close to Stormhawk, then back west toward the district. Going to a nicer looking inn with a spider on the logo and catching the tail of the midnight rush.

　　***

　　Getting to the West Gate a little late. Eight ten, Riley and Wolfe, standing there, waiting. Upon seeing each other, an instant recognition. On Wolfe`s face, on my face.

　　"Lucy," said Riley, with concern, "you`re a little late today and you`ve always been here early. You okay?"

　　Keeping my eyes on Wolfe, keeping my face neutral, then turning to Riley

　　"Evie, I really appreciate your concern. Actually, things seem to be going pretty well. I was been busy sorting things out yesterday, up very late last night, and overslept a bit. But thank you."

　　"I`m concerned about you," she said, " but if you say you`ve got it under control, that`s great. You want to go back to the Haunted Forest up north, see if we can get that spot today?"

　　"Absolutely."

　　Tossing out buffs, getting ready, the three of us joining hands with Riley in a small circle. The cold wind from the dead of winter purifying, leaving us refreshed. Walking out the gate, glancing over from time to time at Wolfe. Managing for us to get a little distance.

　　"So what was that, that you were saying about having secrets?"

　　"Said we all got `em," said Wolfe.

　　"Well, I`m very happy to be sharing this secret with you."

　　"Likewise," she said, but then muttering, "I don`t know if I have very many left."

　　"How long?"

　　"Last cycle. It`s a good cause."

　　"You know what it might entail."

　　"It`s a good cause," she emphasized.