The People v. Eleanor Warwick

Earlier…

To the untrained eye, it’s nothing but an empty alleyway, but Joseph Traveski’s eyes are far from untrained.

The substantial illusion is obvious to him as soon as he pulls his town car up to the opposite curb. Such an impressive spell so close to his paramour’s apartment is not likely to be a coincidence. Focusing his arcane powers allows him to see through the screen.

He sees a giant snake coiling and striking, fending off a quartet of attackers. “Grace?” he wonders aloud. Sudden alarm widens his eyes. “Cassandra!”

Thinking quickly, Traveski casts a spell. Magic rearranges his DNA and alters his genetic makeup. Now in the form of a small finch, he flutters out the small opening in his window. Swinging around, he prepares to dive through the reptile melee.

Beating his tiny wings furiously, the wizard heads toward the access tunnel with desperate speed. He jerks to the side to avoid Grace’s rearing head but corrects his course in time to swoop down into the tunnel. Coming to a stop above the platform, the small bird expands and shifts into a man.

Joseph rushes into the maintenance room. Upon seeing Cassandra lying on the ground unconscious, he comes to her side and kneels. Brushing her long hair out of her face, he’s relieved to find her breathing. Another blackout no doubt. Traveski scoops her up into his arms and starts to carry her down the tunnel to find another exit.

He stops when he sees the Tempus Stone lying on the floor. He only stares at the artifact for a moment. He could just leave it there. Maybe it finds its way back to her, maybe it doesn’t. At least there would be a chance he could be done with the whole thing.

Looking down at the beautiful and peaceful face in his arms, he can’t help but think she would be better off if the Stone were gone.

The sound of the fight up above quiets. He has to make a decision. And quick.

Brown eyes open wearily.

Cassandra glances around slowly, trying to get her bearings. The surroundings are unfamiliar, but comfortable. She lays on a suede couch in an opulently decorated apartment. She instinctively reaches into her pocket. Panic strikes when she realizes it’s empty. Shooting up, she digs desperately through the rest of her clothes.

A calming hand on her shoulder brings her to a stop. “Cass. It’s me. It’s okay.”

Traveski flinches as she whips her head toward him. Her eyes are wild, and strands of her hair hang over her face. “Where is it?”

“It’s here.” He presents the Stone to her in the palm of his hand.

Cassandra snatches it from him and holds it close to her chest. She rocks back and forth, muttering in what Joseph interprets to be relief. He rubs her back and patiently waits for her to return to reality. When she finally does, she throws her arms around his neck.

“Thank you, Joseph.”

“Of course,” Traveski replies softly as he takes a sniff of her copper hair. “I’d do anything for you. You know that.”

“I do. You and Grace are the only- .” Suddenly pushing him away, Cassandra’s panic returns. “Grace!”

Traveski activates the flashlight on his cell phone as the pair enter the alleyway.

The sun sets upon the Carmadie skyline and visibility in the area is poor. Cassandra pans around frantically. “Grace? Grace?”

Her pet has likely done one of two things: Go home or lie in wait for her return. The latter is the safer bet. Grace gets a little lazy after a big meal.

Not immediately seeing her doesn’t worry Cassandra. Grace will have shrunk back down to normal size at her earliest opportunity, but a few calls of her name going unheeded causes a knot to form in her stomach.

“Grace? Baby?” Her voice dies as Cassandra spots what is left of her pet. Her mouth falls open as she slowly approaches. Dropping to her knees, she stares down at the snake with eyes welling with tears.

“No,” she barely whispers. “This can’t happen. How much more can they take from me?”

Joseph steps up beside her and places a supportive hand on her shoulder but says nothing.

“I’m so, so sorry, baby.” Her voice wobbles as droplets fall down her face. She gently runs her finger along her pet’s scaly body. “You were always there when I needed you, but when you needed me, I failed you.”

Summoning her magic, Cassandra closes her eyes and delves into the pet’s mind. Nothing substantial can be found. Not anymore. However, she does receive a few glimpses of Grace’s final moments. The images are surprising, to say the least.

Warwick was not alone. The creature looks like a demon, with her black eyes and strength that belies her tiny frame, but Grace has literally eaten demons alive. This animal is no demon.

“So, Warwick has a pet of her own,” she says softly as she opens her eyes and wipes away her tears. “Don’t worry, baby. There will be an eye for an eye.”