Taking a small purple crystal out of the bag on her waist, she placed it into a groove on the colorless mountainside. It glowed brightly as the rock shifted, creating an opening. Removing the crystal and placing it back inside of her bag, she proceeded into the passage. She could hear the rock returning to its original formation behind her as she walked down the hallway. A man in his early forties dressed in armor emerged from around the corner. He had short, dirty-blond hair and brown eyes.
“Zoe!” the man greeted. “You’ve returned. Do you have the fragment?” Reaching back into the bag on her waist, she removed the fragment and handed it to him.
Suddenly the image before her eyes morphed to look like Zoe. “Stay out of my head!!” she shouted.
Veronica’s eyes opened. Picking up a pen lying in front of her on the table, she jotted down the latest development on a lengthy piece of parchment. Once she was finished, she turned to Laverick and smiled. “Bingo.” A massive toothy grin consumed Laverick’s face as Veronica got out of her seat. “Stay put,” she ordered. “I’m going to get Lord Quinn. Watch her carefully; I don’t know how long the effects of his holding spell will last.”
Laverick nodded several times. “You got it, Ma!”
The door closed behind Veronica and Laverick immediately jumped to his feet, running around the table and stopping in front of Zoe’s motionless body. She stood like a statue, the look of anger on her face, her mouth still positioned to form words for her argument with Lord Quinn. “Hi Zoe!” Laverick said. “I know ya can’t talk right now but that’s okay. I’m Laverick. Ma and I are gonna be rich and famous thanks to you!”
Zoe was infuriated. Shut up, moron.
Laverick took a few steps toward her, swinging his arms in a carefree fashion as he spoke. “I know you’re a little mad right now but that’s okay, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll let you marry me and we can live haaaaaapily ever after!”
I’d rather die, you stupid man-child!! Zoe’s inability to verbalize her thoughts only made her angrier.
Luckily, at that moment, Veronica reentered the room with Lord Quinn, causing Laverick to scurry back to his seat. Though Zoe was greatly nervous about what was to come, she was relieved to have Laverick out of her sight.
“It seems that the Spade base is protected by an enchanted door,” Veronica explained as she and Lord Quinn made their way back to their chairs. “I saw her activate it using a purple crystal which she kept in a sack. While I will have no trouble directing Laverick to the base’s location telepathically, the door could prove to be a major issue without that crystal.”
Lord Quinn smiled. “There is no need to worry. When she was caught sneaking into Valdis Prison, the guards confiscated her belongings, including a sack containing, among other things, a small purple crystal. It’s currently in the basement with the rest of her possessions.” He sat down at the end of the table as Veronica seated herself on the chair to his left. He glanced at Zoe, then back to Veronica. “What a fortunate turn of events. When I had initially come to you, that old man Roshan was still in my captivity. From what I now understand, he was operating from his restaurant at the time and may have been unaware of the exact location of the most recent Spade base. It seems to have all worked out for the best.” He paused for a moment, looking back at Zoe and smiling. Returning his attention to Veronica, he went on. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, I would like to request a demonstration.” Lord Quinn looked at Laverick. “Show me what you’re capable of.”
Excitedly, Laverick jumped out of his chair and bolted back to the other side of the table where Zoe stood. He came to a halt directly in front of her, as his face suddenly turned to stone. With bulging eyes, he studied her.
This made Zoe incredibly uncomfortable. What the hell is this creep doing?! Hey! Stop that! Is he checking me out?! Ew! Get away from me, weirdo!
“The emerald took years to perfect,” Veronica explained. “It’s the product of countless rituals, performed to perfect detail. I originally created it as a gift for my son’s birthday. I always told him he could be anything he wanted to be.” She watched as Laverick carefully eyed Zoe. Turning her head back toward Lord Quinn, she added, “I believe you will be most pleased with what you are about to witness.”
The smile returned to Laverick’s face as he turned back to his mother and Lord Quinn. “Okay, I think I got it.” Laverick reported cheerfully. He faced Zoe again, this time placing both of his hands on the emerald attached to his bizarre looking necklace. Staring intensely into Zoe’s eyes, he shouted “identitatis apparentia effingo!”
The moment the words left his lips, the emerald glowed and Laverick’s skin became liquid-like. His hair changed shape, perfectly resembling Zoe’s hairstyle. Next, its color darkened, turning black. Then, his entire body shape-shifted into Zoe’s form. Needless to say, Zoe was in total shock as she witnessed the transformation. Laverick now completely resembled her in perfect detail, despite his clothing which was rather loose and baggy on his new form. The emerald ceased its glowing as Laverick took his hands off of the necklace and turned to Lord Quinn.
“Ta-daaah!” he exclaimed in Zoe’s voice.
What the hell are you going to do with my body, you creep?! Zoe screamed within her mind. You’d better hope you’re not around when I’m able to move again.
Lord Quinn smiled. “Excellent. You have exceeded my expectations.”
“Marvelous work, Laverick,” Veronica added, clapping her hands in approval. Laverick bowed.
“We shall carry out phase two in the morning,” Lord Quinn said, turning his attention back to Veronica. “You and your son may sleep in any of the guest rooms for tonight. Report back to this room at 9am for further instruction.”
Veronica got out of her chair. “As you wish. Come, Laverick!”
Laverick placed his hands on the emerald. “Identitatis apparentia authenticum!” The jewel glowed once again as the shape-shifting process reversed itself, returning him to his original form. Veronica walked toward the door as Laverick ran to catch up with her.
Once the two had left, Lord Quinn approached Zoe. He stood in front of her for a moment, saying nothing at first as he eyed the ‘X’ on her forehead. Then, looking into her eyes, he spoke. “When you awake tomorrow, you are to stay in your room. Understood?” He paused before saying, “umbra somnus,” causing Zoe to suddenly lose consciousness and collapse. Catching her as she fell, Lord Quinn carried her out of the room.