Corruption (Grumpy Old Wizards Book 2) (27 page)

Lorcan shouted with rage and ran toward his weapon. He reached out to grab it but his hand was repelled by the white energy.

“We always come prepared with containment fields,” Ellasbeth announced.

“You must be Puritans,” Cyril said.

“Indeed,” Ellasbeth acknowledged as the stone tablet drifted over to her. The containment field winked out of existence as her fingers closed over the weapon. Lorcan opened one of the satchels tied to his belt and four daggers lifted into the air. Ellasbeth shot four more white energy spheres at Lorcan but his shield repelled them. Lorcan moved closer to the vortex as he pulled out another stone tablet.

“You’re not going to stop me this time,” he vowed.

The daggers hurtled from him in four different directions. Two of them rammed into Ellasbeth’s and Samantha’s shields. As the daggers fell against the white sandy ground, Ellasbeth deactivated them with her wand and confiscated them for safekeeping. The other two daggers rammed into Josephine’s shield. She shot an envious look at Ellasbeth’s wand and wished she had one of those enchantments. Josephine ran towards Lorcan as she ignored the fallen knives completely. There was no way to stop them without wasting too much valuable time. Hopefully, the others would work on that problem. Josephine ran into the vortex as Lorcan activated his stone tablet. Seething red energy blossomed throughout the huge vortex. Josephine walked farther into the shallow water so she was deeper inside it and directed calm soothing energy into its depths. The runes flared a bright crimson as Lorcan and the tablet were both inside the vortex as well.

“You can’t stop this,” Lorcan raged.

“Keep telling yourself that, Toadstool,” Josephine taunted.

The two active daggers hurtled past Lorcan and stabbed at her shield. They bounced away and dropped into the lapping shallow water near her feet. Lorcan glared at her as his grip on the stone tablet tightened. Josephine realized she was actually winning this struggle with the weapon. The vortex contained flecks of crimson energy but the various shades of blue and green comprised the majority of it. Lorcan narrowed his eyes vengefully at her then his gaze dropped down to the tablet and he concentrated on amplifying its connection to the vortex. Josephine and Lorcan continued their struggle but she still had the upper hand. Lorcan’s shield flared into visibility as the others blasted him with various spells. Josephine’s head and body began to ache with the strain of energy that she continued to channel. As her strength waned, more of the red blobs of destructive energy materialized within the vortex. Lorcan’s shield wavered and he immediately activated his backup. Cyril, Mark, Maggie and Jake continued to pummel him with lightning and telekinetic waves. Mark had been forced to revert to conventional protection so he could help with the attack. Ellasbeth and Samantha watched the fight with reserved expressions on their faces.

Josephine struggled to maintain control but most of the vortex was dominated by the destructive red energy again. Lorcan’s shield failed and he was knocked unconscious. He fell facedown in the water while the tablet remained suspended in the air. Josephine ran over to it and grabbed the loathsome device. She deactivated the enchantment and the runes darkened. The vortex calmed down and Josephine’s shoulders sagged with relief. She was tempted to ignore Lorcan and let him drown but in the end, she just couldn’t do it. Josephine hauled him over to the sand and lay him on his back. She placed a call to the police and briefly outlined what had just occurred. Josephine slipped the phone back into her pocket as Ellasbeth and Samantha approached the vortex.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Josephine snapped.

The two Puritans halted and turned to face her.

“We’ve been preparing this enchantment for many years. It’s finally ready.” Samantha held the chalice out to show them as it began to radiate with a gold, shimmering luminescence.

“Put that thing away or I’ll destroy it,” Josephine said.

“We’re stronger than Lorcan. You won’t stand a chance,” Ellasbeth said. “But I don’t want to fight you, Josephine. This is white magic.”

“No, it’s not. I can sense its magical composition very clearly. If it was made of source energy, I wouldn’t be able to see any details,” Josephine said.

“It’s not pure white energy but it’s very advanced and it’s going to make this world a utopia. Puritans have always strived to use magic to eradicate all darkness from this world and to create ultimate bliss and harmony for everyone,” Ellasbeth said.

“I’m not letting anything that powerful anywhere near a vortex.” Josephine pinned them with a no-nonsense look of resolve and authority. “If you try to activate it, I’ll have to arrest you.”

“Arrest us?” Ellasbeth eyed her with outrage and indignation. “We’re trying to HELP you!”

“The description you’re giving me about that enchantment is like a curse. It will be used as a tool to control everyone even if that’s not your intention.”

Ellasbeth and Samantha exchanged concerned looks then directed their attention back to her.

“On second thought, this device could use some more work. There are a few possible bugs in the composition of this enchantment that I’d like to examine more closely and fix before we proceed with our plans,” Ellasbeth said.

The two women turned and walked away from Josephine and the vortex. A moment later, they became transparent for several seconds before vanishing from sight as they cloaked themselves with invisibility. Josephine continued to scan the area and monitor their departure. When Ellasbeth and Samantha boarded their car and drove away, she allowed herself to relax just a bit.

“Puritans are such pond scum,” Cyril said with disgust.

Josephine shot him a questioning look. “Do you think they could really cast an enchantment over the entire world?”

“Of course not. It probably would have just knocked out a few hundred people in the area,” Cyril said.

Chapter 24

Josephine returned to the dining room with her second mug of coffee and sat down at the table beside Mark. Nathan, Alice and Helen lounged with their own steaming cups of java. Josephine was relieved that her life had finally settled down with the capture of Lorcan. Once again, the dark wizard had developed amnesia. The prison was equipped with greater security and magic than ever before. The Valituras must realize it wouldn’t be so easy to spring Lorcan out of jail because they hadn’t even made an attempt in over a week. Many experts in psychiatric enchantments speculated that it probably wasn’t possible to fully reverse the amnesia spell a second time so the Valituras most likely felt Lorcan was no longer a threat to their security. A couple days ago, the old laws restricting the magic that category six wizards could perform was overturned which gave them the same rights as everyone else.

Josephine was overjoyed because she no longer had to worry about Helen getting caught tapping into a vortex. It also meant that if Josephine ever retired again, she could legally do the same. She was absolutely ecstatic over this recent turn of events. Josephine found herself the recipient of good wishes, unwanted conversations with strangers and requests for her autograph. The news had made it sound as though she’d single-handedly defeated Lorcan. Josephine realized she should bask in the glory of this celebrity status but suspected it would be short-lived. Besides, she was entirely too old for all this excitement. Josephine abruptly realized everyone was staring at her. She set her mug of coffee down and her eyes rested on the cards she placed face down on the table before she left for a refill on her drink.

“It’s my turn isn’t it?” Josephine asked.

“Yes!” Alice said.

“Sorry.” Josephine picked a card from the deck and frowned at her hand. Unfortunately, she still had two aces and the deck had dwindled down to almost nothing which meant someone else had her other two. “All right, who has the damned aces?”

“Aha! You’re hoarding two of them! I knew it!” Alice crowed.

Mark and Nathan exchanged amused looks. Josephine chose a card to get rid of and slapped it down on the table with disgust. Mark took his turn next without playing anything. Alice hesitated as she reached for the discards. Josephine’s eyes widened with panic.

“Don’t you dare!” she exclaimed.

Alice picked up the entire row of discards starting with the king of spades.

“Damn!” Josephine slammed the palm of her hand against the table. “I knew I should have held onto that king awhile longer.”

Alice played four kings as her lips twitched to form a smile of satisfaction. Josephine’s cell rang and she gazed at the screen to see it was from the Seattle police department. She cocked a brow in bemusement then pressed the phone against her ear as she answered.

“Josephine O’Connor,” she said in a crisp, business-like voice.

“Ms. O’Connor, this is Captain Patrick Finnigan with the Seattle police department. I would like to offer you a job as an enforcer here. I could start you at one hundred eighty-thousand and we would provide you with a company car plus quarterly bonuses.”

“That’s an enticing offer, Captain,” Josephine said. “Why would you give me a position there when we haven’t even met?”

“Your reputation precedes you. You’re already working for the government so I’ve read all your files and reports. You’d be a great asset here. I can give you a couple of days to think it over,” he said.

“I don’t need that much time. I’m sorry but the answer is no.”

“May I ask why?”

“I’ve visited friends in Seattle and even spent a month there once. It’s always gloomy and rainy. And whenever you guys get more than a couple of days of sun, everyone gets cranky and starts whining about the heat. It would just be too depressing. I could never do it,” Josephine explained.

“If you ever change your mind and another opening comes up, don’t hesitate to give me a call,” Patrick said.

“I’ll do that.”

Josephine ended the call then realized she may have offended Mark and Nathan who were former Seattlelites.

“Sorry about that. You two have never complained about the heat,” she said.

“That’s okay. It’s pretty much true what you said,” Mark replied.

“I’m glad I don’t have to worry about you taking off,” Helen said.

“I consider you all to be very close friends and I’ve always said that friends are the family we choose. I’m not about to leave my family behind for some stupid job,” Josephine said.

“I’ll drink to that.” Alice raised her mug and everyone took her lead. They tapped their mugs together and took another gulp of their coffee.

If you would see all titles available, write to the author, or would like to know when new books are published, you can visit the official author website at
http://johnoriley.webs.com
.

Author’s Note

I hope you had as much fun reading the adventures of Josephine and her friends as I did writing about them. I have more plot twists and surprises up my sleeve for the upcoming books. Readers have the power to keep a series going by making their voices heard. If you liked the story, I hope you will take just a brief moment to leave a review – even just a short one or a rating. It really does help to let other readers know that you liked the book.

The following pages are a preview of the next installment of the Grumpy Old Wizard series,

Dark Energy
.

Chapter 1

Josephine, Helen, Alice and Mark each had a mug of coffee resting on the dining room table in front of them as Josephine shuffled the playing cards so they could play their morning game of rummy. The sparkling crystal chandelier provided an abundance of cheery illumination in the room. Josephine hadn’t owned this large, spacious, pink two-story house for very long and she still found herself admiring the many beautiful features incorporated in the sound structure. When she’d first come to look at it, the dead lawn and the pink colored exterior had put her off just a bit; however, those were things that could be easily fixed and pink houses were pretty common in Sarasota, Florida. The other drawback to the home was that it was cursed and black magic always harbors side-effects. Fortunately, the dwelling was situated on a mini vortex which was a rare phenomenon and Josephine was virtually always plugged into it which was an ability only category six wizards possessed.

The three elderly women were all in their seventies and up but because they were immortal, they’d always enjoy the vibrant health and youthful beauty of a woman in her early twenties. Josephine was the only natural immortal because she was born a six while Helen had been cursed with immortality and transformed into a succubus. Alice was a former vampire but had been cured with a praesentia infinitus enchantment which basically allowed her to live for as long as she could resist the enticing lure of the afterlife. Once Alice decided she wanted to pass on, the enchantment would transform her body into energy and her corporeal existence would end. Alice had put her fiery, red hair in pigtails this morning and applied a glossy crimson shade of lipstick to her luscious lips. She wore pink spandex shorts, a pink blouse, matching colored shoes, and long pink dangly earrings. Helen and Mark both sported casual outfits while Josephine worked today so she’d dressed up a bit with black pants and a cobalt-blue dress shirt. Josephine was gifted with a slender frame, long legs, and a gorgeous face. Her silky black hair was confined in a pony tail.

Josephine passed out the cards and her boyfriend, Mark, took his turn. Mark was eighteen years old and Josephine had been torn with indecision on whether to date a guy so much younger than her but in the end, she’d discovered they were well-suited for each other.

“Is there any news on the Valituras?” Alice asked.

“Not a peep,” Josephine responded.

“I knew they would continue to lay low and just keep on living in secret. I think the only thing people like that know how to do is play it safe,” Alice said.

Mark ended his turn by discarding a queen. Josephine and Alice eyed the card with consideration and longing as Helen picked up a card from the deck.

They played in silence for a while as the discard pile grew. Josephine became tense as she was very close to being able to score some big points. She and Alice leaned forward and fierce expressions dominated their faces as they waited for their chance to make a move. Mark and Helen lounged in their chairs in a relaxed manner as they weren’t very competitive and could care less who won. When Alice’s turn came, she picked up the entire discard pile which elicited a growl of frustration from Josephine who planned on doing the same thing. When Alice played three queens and four kings, Josephine slammed the palm of her hand against the top of the dining room table with frustration.

“I knew you were hogging my queens!”

Alice’s lips curved in a satisfied grin as she arranged her cards.

“I’m not looking forward to going to work this morning,” Josephine grumbled.

“Is something happening today?” Helen asked.

“I have to see Lorcan and try to figure out that stupid amnesia spell. They’ve got all kinds of experts and other OC enforcers working on the memory problem. I don’t see what difference I can possibly make.”

“You’re the one who captured him both times,” Alice pointed out.

“I had a lot of help, too.”

“There aren’t very many category six wizards who work as enforcers and I think you’re even stronger than most,” Helen said.

Josephine leveled a warm smile at her friend. “Thanks, Helen.”

Alice finally ended her turn and they continued playing a new hand.

“I was thinking since you’re both immortal now like me, you should think about joining the workforce. I don’t see why I’m the only one that should have to suffer,” Josephine remarked.

“I don’t know if my nerves could handle it,” Helen said. “I’d probably end up drinking too much and doing a bunch of crazy stuff and the next morning I’d wake up not remembering what happened. Kind of like that old movie with the three guys at that bachelor party called The
Migraine
.”

“I never heard of that movie.” Josephine regarded her with bemusement.

“She means
The Hangover
,” Alice advised.

Josephine nodded in acknowledgement as she picked up a card to take her turn. It was just what she’d been waiting for – an ace. Josephine slapped down four aces and discarded which ended the game. Alice squealed with outrage as she was stuck with a handful of cards.

“Maybe we should mix it up and try playing something different one of these days,” Mark suggested.

“Like what?” Josephine asked.

“How about Bingo?”

“No way! That game is for the elderly. I’m too hip for that kind of thing,” Alice said.

“I think it sounds fun,” Helen interjected.

“Check out my new smart phone.” Alice whipped out a sleek, maroon phone and showed it to her friends.

“That’s so cool!” Mark exclaimed.

“What does it do besides make calls?” Helen peered at the phone with curiosity.

“The question is what DOESN’T it do? This thing has over a hundred apps. I could even watch television on it,” Alice boasted.

“Why would you want to watch shows on a screen that’s so small?”

“It’s called being mobile. You can take it with you anywhere – unlike a television,” Alice explained.

Josephine fixed an earnest look at Helen. “Now that you’re a six like me, I strongly encourage you to join the workforce. Working for the police has given me a sense of purpose in my old age. This country needs more OC enforcers.”

“I could never do what you do,” Helen protested.

“Right now is the perfect time to start. They’re desperate for sixes. You could choose to work in the manufacturing field. I know you can make advanced enchantments because you’ve helped me before.”

“I don’t know. I’d still be an enforcer and a backup for police work, wouldn’t I?”

“That’s true but if you’re only backup, chances are you’ll never have to do any of that stuff,” Josephine explained.

“There’s also the issue of traveling. Enforcers often get assigned special projects out of state. Power vortexes don’t grow on trees, you know. I’m lucky to have an accessible one at Siesta Key beach and then there’s the one here at your house but if I’m forced to work somewhere where there aren’t any around, I’ll start getting succubus urges again.” Helen grimaced with displeasure. “I remember how horrible it was to suddenly get this uncontrollable urge to smooch and make out with random guys in public. There’s no way to know when it would happen. I’m still embarrassed over some of those unfortunate incidents.”

Alice snorted with derision. “You don’t see any of those men complaining, do you? At least you don’t have to drink blood like I used to. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“You were possessed the whole time you were a vampire.”

“I know but I could still see and hear and feel everything that my body was doing.” Alice threw Mark an appreciative glance. “Your skin was so soft and your blood was especially delicious.” Her expression turned apologetic. “And I’m very sorry that I attacked you and drank from you.”

“You were possessed. It wasn’t your fault.” Mark’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Please don’t mention it anymore.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t stop thinking about it and all the other terrible things I did. Although drinking from Dale and those jerks who were bothering Josephine was sort of justified.”

“We all realize you weren’t responsible for your actions when you were a vampire. Try not to dwell on the past,” Josephine advised.

“I’ll try.” Alice’s lips curved in a sad smile.

Josephine focused on Helen again. “You should apply for work as an enforcer.”

“I’ll think about it.” Helen clearly harbored misgivings about giving up retirement.

Josephine fixed her attention on Alice.

“You should think about it too. There’s no reason I should be the only one suffering,” Josephine said.

“Oh, no! I’m too old for adventure and saving the world. You’re one of a kind.” Alice’s emerald colored green eyes conveyed her adamant refusal to engage in this course of action.

When Josephine left for work, she made a brief call on her cell to the police station to report she was on her way to the Clearwater Corrections Facility which was the closest maximum security prison to Sarasota. It annoyed her that she was forced to commute so long to spend time with a man who’d caused her so much grief. A corrections officer named Matt, a dark-haired man with an average build and an alert expression on his face, escorted Josephine to the interrogation room where Lorcan was already set up with two guards watching over him. Currents of negative psychometric energy emanated from the walls of the prison and cascaded against the edges of Josephine’s mind. She did her best to continue to block out the disturbing sensations as she sat down at the table facing Lorcan who was handcuffed to the table top.

The mere sight of Lorcan’s loathsome face elicited flares of righteous anger in Josephine. He was a man in his thirties with short-cropped brown hair, thin lips, a stubby nose and green eyes. He suffered from amnesia due to a memory suppression spell that all members of the Valituras contained in their minds which activated when captured. This prevented the government from discovering much needed secrets about this organization including the enchantments and curses they could create and the identity of other members. One fact they’d already established was that members of the Valituras had infiltrated every level of government in virtually every country throughout the world. The Valituras had managed to spring Lorcan out of jail previously but Josephine had apprehended him again which had caused the memory suppression spell to kick in a second time. Having the spell become active twice had an unforeseen side-effect of inhibiting short term memory as well which caused Lorcan to forget everyone he encountered.

“Hello, Josephine,” Lorcan said.

“This isn’t a social call, Toadstool,” Josephine snapped.

“What did I ever do to you?” Lorcan’s expression was hurt.

“You tried to curse me twice, you turned my best friends into a vampire and a succubus, and you almost killed my grandson.” Josephine’s beautiful brown eyes glittered with hostility.

“It’s hard to believe I did all that.”

“You’ve done that and more, Toadstool.”

“Why are you calling me that?” Lorcan regarded her with puzzlement.

“Because that’s the nickname I gave you when I met you and realized what an ass you are.”

Josephine closed her eyes so she could focus and to discourage any further conversation. She awakened her psychic receptors which unfortunately made her more susceptible to the dominant psychometric energy inhabiting the room which stemmed from the boredom, anger, and sick thoughts of the many previous occupants. She reached out with her mind to access Lorcan’s. It took her several moments to find the memory suppression enchantment which was programmed to mutate its energy signature to blend in with Lorcan’s when detected. Josephine made sure not to probe at it too closely so she wouldn’t have to hunt for it again. She wasn’t an expert on this type of spell so it frustrated her to try and reverse it. She examined the details of the enchantment which was slow and tedious work. When she finally made her first attempt to disarm it, the spell immediately mutated and slipped out of her grasp. She managed to keep track of it for several seconds before it vanished from her sight.

Josephine heaved a frustrated sigh and tried again. When she found it, she noticed it had once again changed its configuration. It reminded her of a network of veins deeply entrenched throughout Lorcan’s mind. She continued to work until it was time to head over to the Sarasota police station. Josephine was immensely relieved to exit the prison.

If you would see all titles available, write to the author, or would

like to know when new books are published,

you can visit the official author website at
http://johnoriley.webs.com
.

The following pages are a preview of the first installment of the exciting new series,

The Winters Family Psi Chronicles,
Transformation.