Blue Mage: City of Night: A Fantasy Romance Adventure (Book 5) (Blue Mage Series)

  Blue Mage

  City of Night

  Eden Redd

  Blue Mage: City of Night© copyright 2016 Eden Redd

  All Rights Reserved

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  "I really do hate humans....I really do."

  ~Rachnera (Monster Musume)

  ***Blue Mage: City of Night is book 5 in the Blue Mage Series***

  Blue Mage Series

  Blue Mage (Book 1)

  Blue Mage: The Dead Heart (Book 2)

  Blue Mage: The Witch Trial (Book 3)

  Blue Mage: Dark Seduction (Book 4)

  One

  Trystan fell to one knee, breathing heavy and wiping away a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. Professor Hart stood calmly, eyes on the mage. The basement was hot. Sweat poured off Trystan’s brow as he made it back to his feet. A quick hand signal and a water puddle next to him flew up and reformed into a blue staff. Taking it into both hands, he relaxed his shoulders and eyed the professor with coolness under pressure.

  “Maybe we should take a break.” Professor Hart said with an even tone.

  “No, not until we get Nia and Sunara back.” The young mage heaved.

  Professor Hart relaxed his stance. “Pushing yourself beyond your limits won’t help anyone. We are working on a plan to save them.”

  Trystan charged. Professor Hart raised a hand, the air around it hardening but remaining invisible. The young mage made a flurry of attacks but the professor blocked each and every one. With another word, the very air slammed into Trystan, knocking him back. The mage’s staff turned fluid, flying behind him to catch him. With hand signals, the water formed into bolts and blasted forward. The professor knocked each water bolt out of the way but the young mage kept at it, Water bouncing back for another attack. Keeping his calm, he continued to knock them away until he whispered another word. A heart beat thudded and the shock wave blew the water bolts away, throwing Trystan into a wall causing the lights to flicker.

  The young mage slid to the ground and let out a deep exhale.

  Professor Hart eyed him, seeing the haunted dark circles around his student’s eyes. They had been training for weeks since they returned to Stukarr City. College was starting up in just under two weeks but Trystan was training every night. When he wasn’t training, he was studying spells and effects, honing his own skills for the quest ahead of them.

  “Let’s call it a night. We can pick it up again tomorrow night.” Professor Hart said as he walked over and held out his hand.

  “I’m not tired.” Trystan said, standing up, not taking his professor’s hand.

  “You may not be but I am. I’m tired of seeing you fighting to exhaustion. The last thing we need is for you to show up to classes with bruises all over you. I admire your strength but you have to have patience.”

  “This is more important than classes. Once we save them then life can get back to normal. I can’t slow down until then.” Trystan spit out a glob of blood.

  The professor moved in close and put an arm around the young mage’s shoulder. Calmness floated over the mage, pushing down the anguish that clouded his mind. Hart guided the young man to the stairs. The steps creaked as they made their way up and into Professor Hart’s kitchen. Strong hands guided the mage to the kitchen table and sat him down. Turning, he stepped to the refrigerator and pulled out a clear jug of water. Picking up two glasses from the side of the sink, Professor Hart sat down and poured Trystan a glass.

  “Do you think if you keep pushing yourself, you will be able to take on Damon Wick all by yourself?”

  “I don’t have to take him on. I just have to get in, save our friends and get out.” Trystan nearly spat.

  “It is that kind of single-mindlessness that will get yourself killed.” The professor paused for a moment, as if he was picking his words carefully. “I notice you say ‘I’ a lot lately. Have you lost sight of what we are training for?”

  Trystan took hold of the cold glass of water but did not raise it to his lips.

  The professor continued. “I know you are hurting, we all are, but we need to work together.”

  Trystan eyed the professor and his brow formed a hard V. “I have looked at the situation from many different angles. There is no possible way we can enter Fallen York as a force. The numbers are against us. The only way we will be able to succeed is if one person goes alone, infiltrate the enemy and make a quick escape.”

  Professor Hart sat listening to every word before he spoke. “You think that person is you? What about your friends who are also training for this quest?”

  Trystan looked away. “They will just slow me down.”

  Hart took a quick sip of water before putting the glass down. “We both know that is not true.”

  “It is true. If I went by myself to the Broken Islands, Nia and Sunara would have been here in Stukarr City. I would have witnessed the event and then come back to tell everyone what had happened, no one would have been hurt.”

  “I know it can be tantalizing, looking back on past mistakes and seeing what you could have done different but will never have the chance to change. Everything makes sense in hindsight but those events shouldn’t color what you will decide for the future. We can put together a plan and save all involved.”

  “I haven’t heard a plan. I come here night after night, practicing spells and battle strategies but we haven’t come up with the actual plan to save them. Are we doing it tomorrow, next week or a year from now?” The last word came out a little harsh.

  Professor Hart sat back in his chair and let out a small sigh. “If I tell you the possibilities, it will cloud your mind. It will make it harder to see the solutions through the gloom of possible failures. I’m trying to spare you so we can practice at the task at hand.”

  The young mage tapped at his glass in visible frustration. “I think you are trying to spare my feelings Professor.”

  Hart gave a slight nod and remained quiet.

  Trystan leaned in over the table, eyes on his mentor and friend. “Time has run out and I will not leave my best friend to rot.”

  “I am going to talk to you as a friend and not as your professor. Will you listen to what I have to say?”

  Trystan nodded and kept his eyes on his mentor.

  The older mage remained stoic as he spoke. “You are correct in you analyses. From rumors and what information I could obtain, Fallen York is a fortress filled with every kind of para-human from all corners of Lurth. Even with a small force, we will not be able to penetrate their defenses undetected.”

  The young mage’s heart twisted in his chest. “Is that why we have been training? You wanted to keep me busy until you broke the news that we can’t hope to save them?”

  Hart shook his head. “No. We need time to overcome these many hurdles. I haven’t given up and neither have you. It will simply take longer than expected.”

  Trystan stood up and eyed his mentor. “I know we took it upon ourselves to rescue Nia and Sunara but maybe we have to branch out and find allies? Maybe we need to bring others into our group to help find a solution?”

  “I’m weighing that option among many. I promise we will get them back.”

  Trystan lowered his gaze to the table. “I’m sorry Professor. I mean no disrespect but I feel we have waited long enough. Trying to spare me is only holding us back from what we need to do. I am not going to go off on my own but I will come up with a plan. I promise to tell you but I’m not looking for your approval.”

&n
bsp; Trystan turned to leave when Hart raised a hand. The young mage stopped in his tracks and turned back to the professor.

  “You are such a young student. You shouldn’t be going through these kind of trials. You should be learning and exploring the world. I fear my age and experience hold me back sometimes. For that I ask you to forgive me.” Professor Hart’s gaze lowered.

  The blue mage felt an internal pull of sadness. He was about to say something, to remain positive but no words fell from his parted lips. Professor Hart sat for a long moment before looking up to his student.

  “Give me three days. In three days I will be ready to discuss a solid plan with you and the group.”

  Trystan was still for a span of seconds before he nodded. “Three days. I will also spend that time coming up with my own plans. When we get together, we can decide which course of action to take.”

  Hart nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Sleep well Professor. See you in three days.” and with that, Trystan walked through the professor’s home and to the front door.

  Outside, night had claimed the world once again. The mage wished he could enjoy the starry night but a dark fog clouded his thoughts. Feeling restless, Trystan started walking.

  The air was warm and inviting as the mage strolled through the city streets. His phone buzzed in his robe. Taking it out, he looked at the screen and saw Gwen had left a message. The mage shut off the screen and put the cell phone back in his pocket. Walking on, the spire points of the Stukarr Library appeared down a cobbled street. The mage made a beeline for the depository of knowledge.

  The main door closed behind him. There was no one at the front desk so Trystan moved like a ghost, deeper into the library. After a number of halls and countless shelves, the mage stepped into the history section. He knew the books he was looking for. Gazing at the shelf, he picked out a few and piled them on a nearby table. Opening one, he began to read.

  Time spun on. The restlessness he felt earlier began to wane. A bone weary weakness seeped into the young man. Eyes heavy, the mage tried to fight back the siren song of sleep. It had been days since he had a solid night’s sleep. He had only gotten by with an hour or two here and there. It finally caught up with the mage and he didn’t even notice himself fall into sleep’s warm embrace.

  Shadows licked his mind as the glow of his heart kept them at bay. Anger and frustration turned into twisted creatures, clawing and chasing him through dreamscapes. Nia’s red hair shined brightly and the mage ran with all his might to her. Swords made of water, the mage slashed at any shadow too close. When he was close enough to take in her scent, he reached for her. Red hair turned white. Her young body bent and became haggard. Turning to the mage, decay had taken root and her jaw hung from one side. The mage reached out, arms wide to hold her. When fingers touched her gray skin, Nia turned to dust and slipped through his fingers.

  The mage opened his eyes. A dark powerless feeling washed over him. The mage sat up and leaned back in his chair. From down a hall, footsteps echoed. Ignoring the sound, Trystan leaned forward and went back to reading his book.

  “I knew he was here.” Jenny said.

  Trystan turned his head to see Jenny and Gwen walking down the hall toward him. The ink witch eyed him with concern while Jenny looked on, annoyed. Trystan leafed through the open book in front of him but did not get up.

  “He has been doing this ever since we got back. He spends his time looking at history books on the Shadow College or researching spells. I can barely get him to work. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.” Jenny said as if Trystan was not there.

  The ink witch stepped closer to the weary looking mage, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Trystan looked up for a moment before turning his eyes to the book in front of him.

  “Trystan, come home with me.” Gwen said quietly.

  The young mage shook his head. “I need to keep researching. It is the only way.”

  “He is obsessed.” Jenny sighed.

  Gwen turned her head slightly but did not take her eyes off Trystan. “Jenny, can you give us a moment.”

  The busty librarian threw her hands up, turned and walked back the way she came. Gwen grabbed a nearby seat and dragged it closer. Sitting down, she reached out and touched the mage’s hand. Trystan stopped looking at the book and turned his eyes to the beautiful witch.

  Gwen gave a gentle smile. “Professor Hart told me what happened.”

  Trystan closed the book with one hand and squeezed Gwen’s hand with the other. A silence engulfed the couple as they sat. After a long moment, it was Trystan who stood up first. Gwen was to her feet, eyes drinking in her weakened lover. The mage took hold of the witch and held her close, bodies pressing together. Gwen buried her face in his neck and they held each other.

  “You are working too hard. I trust Professor Hart will have a plan.” Gwen said as she took in Trystan’s scent, savoring it.

  “I know he will too.” Trystan said simply.

  “Come home with me.” Gwen whispered.

  “I don’t think I will be very good company.”

  “You need to rest. We will save them both soon.”

  The mage pulled away, eyes lost. “I need some time. When this is all over, we can be together.”

  “Trystan……”

  Without a word, Trystan pulled away. Leaving the books on the table and not looking back, the mage walked off.

  Two

  Night air drifted into the small room. Nia sat with her hands in her lap and a faraway look in her eyes. The room before her contained a nightstand, a door leading to a small bathroom, a bed she was sitting on and little else. The fire mage took in a deep breath. Lifting her hands up, she tried again to weave a spell. There was no fizzle, only silence. Fingers touched the black collar around her neck, raised runes running along the entire piece of leather. Thinking of a smaller spell, the mage made a hand signal and again, nothing.

  The mage was about to try again when the door to her room opened. A blue haired succubus stepped in and closed the door behind her. Small horns shined in the dim light and an even expression masked her face. Nia looked up with indifference. Turning away from the demoness, the young woman stared at her little nightstand.

  “How are you tonight my beautiful pet?” Sunara smiled.

  “Fine, if you mean captured and held prisoner.”

  Sunara stepped in close and sat on the bed next to the fire mage. Nia moved a few inches away but stayed sitting.

  “You are free to leave this little room and explore the castle.”

  Nia shifted away a little more. “So I can trade this cell for a larger one. No thanks. I’d rather stay here.”

  “You don’t know what you’re missing. The gardens are beautiful, even at night. Damon has asked about you and wanted to make sure you knew you could leave your room anytime you wish.”

  “I want to leave and go home to Stukarr.” Nia said matter of fact.

  Sunara eyed the red head. “Why do you want to go back? You remember all the times we talked about how monsters have been mistreated.”

  Nia let out a small sarcastic laugh. “I remember those conversations. I talked about change from within, breaking down the old ideals and bridging human and monster together. I was ready to fight that kind of battle. Not this. Damon wants to wipe out humanity and you are following him like he is some sort of god. You want monsters to rise up and claim Lurth but you’re following a human to do just that.”

  “You have been in here for too long. You don’t know what is happening. Come out with me and we can talk about it. It will help you to feel better.” Sunara smiled.

  “No thank you. You finally showed your true colors and you expect us to remain friends? I am your prisoner and until I go free, I will continue to be your prisoner.”

  Sunara put a hand on Nia’s arm. “What about the time we spent together. Did you feel like a prisoner? We spent nights talking about how we were going to change the world. I still believe we will do th
at, together.”

  Nia pulled her hand away. “I thought we were friends and colleagues. That all went away when you betrayed our friends.”

  Sunara was silent. Nia turned her body away to the small window and looked out at the stars, her mind wondering if Trystan was looking at those same stars.

  “I noticed you haven’t been wearing your eye patch.”

  Nia’s normal and white-eye looked down. “I found it silly to wear it. I have no real reason to hide how I look, especially here.”

  Sunara stared at the fire mage. “Come walk with me.” Sunara said in a breathy sultry tone.

  Nia’s heart pumped blood and warmth washed over her senses. The fire mage’s body relaxed and her vision took on hazy lines. Turning her face to the succubus, breath came out hot through parted lips. The blue haired succubus leaned in and pressed her lips to Nia’s. The fire mage did not fight back. A pointed tongue snaked into her mouth and played with her own. The haze bloomed and Nia found it difficult to think straight.

  Sunara slowly pulled her mouth away and smirked. “You belong to me Nia Stormskyes and as my pet I will discipline you.”

  Nia tried to control her breathing. “Please…..stop….”

  “You tasted my true self. Once you cross that line, your heart will always belong to me.”

  “I…didn’t know…it…would have this effect.” Nia found it harder and harder to concentrate.

  “Most don’t. They think it is a connection like true love. To some degree it is but a demon’s true love is different than a human’s.”

  Sunara stood up and walked to the door. “Come with me. I want to show you Castle Spire.”

  Nia could not help herself as she stood up with her head bowed. The succubus led the way and Nia followed. Together they walked down a large lavish hall. Tapestries hung from the walls and they passed the occasional orc guard. Nia tried to wake herself up from the warm haze but the more she resisted, the more it took hold. Sunara took hold of the fire mage’s hand and led her down a few twists and turns to a large balcony. Looking from the side, she gently pulled Nia next to her. The red head looked out and her eyes drank it all in.