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Role Plays
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Bound by Magic
EzraLani’s scream pierced my eardrums. Immediately I throw on a fresh set of clothes before taking off like a bullet down the hallway. I pop up behind her, eyes wide as my gaze settles on the body. The scent of magic lingers in the air, my own pulsing again. Grabbing her wrist I yank her out and slam the door, bringing her back to my apartment. Then I snatch up my phone and speed dial the station.
LaniI feel him appear behind me and pause before he hauls me up and slams the door closed behind us. He takes me back to his apartment before he snatches up his phone and calls the station. I collapse onto the couch with my head in my hands.
"God, she was my neighbor. I mean she lived down the hallway but she was always so nice to me when I first moved in here." I say trying to gasp for air. My lung feeling like they were being choked. Was it my fault? Was her death on my hands because this killer wanted me?
EzraI get Lani a glass of water and hand it to her, one hand rubbing her back. “Take a Deep breath,” i say softly. “It’s not your fault. You know it’s not. He’s just taunting you. Take a deep breath and drink.”
A couple officers and detectives come in not even ten minutes later. They first inspect the scene before finding me and Lani. One dectective and the chief approach us as well a woman I don’t recognize. Hairs stand on the back of my neck. This does not look good. “What’s going on?” I ask them, getting to my feet.
“Ezra Dennan, you are under arrest for the murders of Jane Doe, George Rains, and Leana Davis,” the chief says, grabbing my wrists and cuffing them behind my back. My eyes widen and she starts reading me my rights.
“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! I didn’t do this!” I argue anxiously, trying to pull myself free. The chief’s hand squeezes my wrists, her eyes boring into mine.
“Watch it rookie! You want me to add resisting arrest to the charges?” she threatens.
“I didn’t do it! Any of it, I swear!”
“Then why is your magic at every scene?” the mystery woman questions. I pale, then nod to Lani.
“She can account for my whereabouts! Just ask Lani,” I argue once more as they pull me toward the door. “I didn’t do it!”
“That’s what they all say, rookie. That’s what they all say.”
LaniHe gets me a glass of water and hands it to me as he tells me to drink and breath. That it wasn't my fault. I nod taking a breath, easing my burning lungs as he rubs my back.
Ten minutes later a couple officers and detectives along with the chief are here. An unknown woman walks in as Ezra gets up to ask what is going on. The chief arrests him for the murders.
No this isn't how this is suppose to go. I won't let the killer get away with these murders. Not again, never again.
I hear him call out to me to tell them he was here with me that I was with him the whole time. The chief pulling him to the door with the other officers falling behind her.
"Stop..." I whisper the glass of water falling from my hands. "STOP!" I scream, my magic exploding in a wave of energy and then everything freezes. A few of the officers look around scared, papers and books frozen in air.
"He didn't do this." I tell the chief deadly serious. "The real killer is using Ezra to hide himself. If you take him away you are locking up an innocent man and the killer... my parents killer goes free."
My eyes glow as I step forward. "That happens and I go rogue. You know you will never be able to stop me if I do."
Police Chief“You got anything better than your word, Clare? You know we need physical proof,” I tell her curtly, nodding to Dennan, who passed out when Clare let her magic loose. The detective with me and Ms. Golden lift him up under his arms and carry him out. “Ms. Golden there confirmed it was his magic. But just because you said he was with you doesn’t cut it—with the known facts, it possible you could be covering for him. I know you, Clare, and you’re our best damn detective, but remember ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’ Yeah?”
LaniShe asks if I have anything better then my word and that I know they need proof. I see that Ezra had passed out and they lift him up as they carry him out. My hands tremble as I look at her.
"Captain... you know I can't prove it. Magic syphoning is unheard of. It would never hold up in court. But I swear on my parent's grave that he isn't the killer. I just need time to prove it." I tell her with sigh.
"But I need his help to do it. If you lock him up... the killer will get to him. He'll kill him." I say pleading with her. "Please just give me sometime to prove he is innocent."
ChiefI sigh and rub my throbbing temples. Damn it. They’re gonna give me hell for this... “Fine. You want time, you got it. But on the condition that he is monitored. It’s not that I don’t trust you, Clare, but keep in mind it’s not just his head on the block. Got it?”
“Eriks! Get in here!” I call as an unhappy Ms. Golden and Detective Eriks return with the rookie. His eyes flutter and his head lolls as he starts coming back around. “Uncuff him. Eriks, you’re watching him until we get this mess sorted out,” I order.
LaniShe sighs and rubs her temples. She tells me if I want time I got it but on the condition he is monitored. I nod knowing she could just let him go without having someone watching him.
She calls in one of the detectives and him and the woman from earlier return with Ezra. I sigh glad to see him coming to. She tells Detective Eriks to watch over him until they get this worked out.
"Thank you, chief." I say truly grateful for her allowing this.
EzraMy head pounds as I slowly come around, my vision still fuzzy. When I lift my head I find Lani beside me on the couch. The chief is gone but another detective remains with us, watching my closely. I rub my head. Oh, look at that. The cuffs are gone. “What happened, Lani?” I ask a little dizzily. I rub my eyes.
LaniHe starts to come around and lifts up his head. He rubs his head and asks me what happened before he rubs his eyes. I rest a hand on his shoulder and help him sit up carefully.
"You passed out when I unleased a wave of power. While you were out. I talked the chief out of locking you up but Detective Eriks over there is babysitting you until we find some prove that you are innocent in these murders." I explain.
Ezra I nod slowly to minimize the pain landing through my skull. Wincing I slowly get to my feet and root around my medicine cabinet for some aspirin. All the while Eriks keeps his eye on me. I stare back as I gulp down the mess with a glass of water. “Watch Ms all you want but I draw the line in the bathroom and the bedroom,” I tell him-partially joking.
He just rolls his eyes. I shake my head and look at Lani. “So... what is the plan then?”
LaniHe nods and gets up to grab some aspirin. The detective watches him like a bug under a microscope. Ezra stares back at him as he gulps down some water with the pills. He tells him he can watch him all he wants but he draws the line at the bathroom and the bedroom.
He looks at me after shaking his head and asks me what the plan is. I sigh and slump back down on the couch. "I have no clue. I mean I can't prove that he is syphoning magic from you. At the same time it is not just like we can just track this guy down." I say and bite my lip.
"He's screwing with me and I hate it." I mumble.
EzraIt takes me a while before I get an idea. Not a solid lead, but a place to start. “Come on,” I urge her, finding my shoes and pulling them on. “If anyone knows about magic siphoning, this chick will. Let’s go. Feel free to follow, Detective, but when we get there you’re staying outside. My friend tolerates only so many cops!” I call over my shoulder as I head out.
LaniHe tells me to come on after a bit and pulls on his shoes. I grab mine and remember I am still in his clothes since I never got to change. But he is already on his wait out telling the detective he can follow but his friend only tolerates so many cops.
I sigh, shaking my head as I hurry to follow after him. Detective Eriks not far behind. "Who is this friend exactly?" I ask him as I catch up with him.
Ezra“She’s the closest one I’ve got,” I tell her as I rush down the stairs. I glance to my watch as I run. She should just be closing. I get outside before I grab my phone and call up miss Rainy Day. She picks up, and I quickly tell her that I need to swing by the shop. Agreeing to stay put I hail down a cab and wait for Lani and mr grumpy face.
LaniHe tells me she is the closest one he has got. He glances as hi watch before he heads out of the building. I hurry to follow along and see him hailing a cab.
"Won't my car be faster?" I ask him as Eriks and I catch up.
EzraI shrug. “Maybe, but I already got his attention,” I say absentmindedly as I climb in front with the driver, giving him specific directions to Rain’s hole in the wall. Eriks climbs in the back, helping Lani in as well.
Then we’re off. With my directions we get there in record time—a flat five minutes. Paying our driver I hop out and jog down the alley to the kind of hidden entrance to Rains shop. She’s waiting for us at the door. “What do you want?”
LaniHe shrugs and says maybe but he had already got the guy's attention. He climbs into the front as he gives the cabbie the directions. I climb in the back with Eriks who helps me in.
We get there pretty quickly and Ezra pays before jogging down an alley. I sigh and hurry after him wishing he would slow down. Eriks not to far behind.
A woman stands in a doorway and asks what do we want. I stand next to Ezra and let him down the talking since it is his friend.
EzraRain looks to Lani briefly before her hardened gaze locks onto Eriks. She stiffens. “Whoa, Whoa. Who is this?” She demands.
I shrug. “Don’t ask. That’s as far as he’ll be from me for now,” I sigh. “But focus. Rain, have you heard anyone talking about magic siphoning?”
She meets my gaze with the slightest twitch in her left eye. “Who wants to know?”
I glare at her. “Rain, come on! Quit all the cloak and dagger. This is what is going to keep me out of jail!” I hiss under my breath. Her gaze shoots back to Lani, but my frown deepens. “Don’t even start blaming her. She’s the only reason I’m not behind bars right now. I’m asking again: has anyone mentioned magic siphoning?”
Her jaw works a minute as she thinks. Then she opens the door. “Let’s talk inside. But your bodyguard stays here.”
LaniShe looks at me and then Eriks before she demands to know who he is. Ezra just shrugs and says he'll be sticking around him for now. He brings up magic siphoning and she seems resistant to answer. Even glares at me in a blaming manner before Ezra defends me.
She says lets talk inside but Eriks stays here. He looks like he is going to argue but I hold out a hand to him. "It's fine. I'll keep an eye on him." I tell him.
He frowns and crosses his arms. "Fine but it's your head if something goes wrong." He tells me gruffly.
"Yea, got it." I say with a nod and head inside with Ezra and his friend.
EzraRain leads us into the back office of the store and sits down behind the desk. I sit across from her. “I don’t know a lot, but a few days ago a couple wannabes came in. They’re regulars, so I didn’t think much of them. Both of them guys, names Jason and Rav. They were talking about some crystal used to store energy. I’m not certain which one it was. It could’ve been anything I have here in the store unless they got it somewhere else,” she begins.
I pale at Jason’s name. Swallowing hard I ask, “what did Jason look like?”
She thinks a moment. “Tall. White blonde hair, cut short. Dark eyes. Probably 8 piercings in each ear. Why?” She Eyes me suspiciously.
“So we know who to look for,” I recover quickly.
LaniHis friend tells us about some wannabes coming in and talking about some crystal that is used to store energy. She wasn't sure which on is was but it could be anything in her store unless they got it some where else.
Ezra asks about one of the guys and she tells him about the guy. He says we know who to look for.
"What? Did I just miss something?" I ask looking at him confused. "Who is this Jason guy?"
Rain“Yeah, am I missing something?” I question my friend, watching the color drain from his face. His eyes don’t meet mine. I cross my arms over my chest. His partner looks at him expectantly but he doesn’t say anything. I smirk. He knows he can’t lie to me. “Spill, Izzie. Now.”
Still, he hesitates. Then he lowers his head and scratches his neck. “Jason. He’s my hAlf-brother. He’s always been interested in this, but.... I don’t know.” He shrugs sheepishly.
LaniShe asks if she is missing something and Ezra looks away, his face paling. She tells him to spill now and he lowers his head and scratches his neck. He admits that he is his half brother and has always been interested in this.
"Are you kidding me?!?" I say looking at him furious. "You didn't think that would be important to bring up! Magic siphoning is easiest through blood bonds. It's trying to steal from others where it gets hard." I say pacing.
"You half brother? I mean you really didn't think that was something important to tell me. Any of us." I walk pass him out of the shop needing a minute.
EzraI don’t wait for Rain to start shit with me either. Following Lani outside, I explain, “I was disowned! Okay? I have no connection to Jason except through my father’s blood—and he’s human! There’s not a drop of magic in his body! Ever since he kicked me out I have had no contact with anyone. So yes, I didn’t think any of it was important! How the fuck was I supposed to know he would do this?” Blood colors my face in anger. My eyes water. At my sides my fists tremble, and my magic flares once more. Something shatters. But all I can focus on is Lani.
LaniHe follow me out and explains he was disowned and he has had no connection with his half brother. That his half brother was human and he didn't think it was important because he didn't know he would do this.
He flushes as his eyes water and I can feel his magic flare strongly. My own flares reaching out again towards his, to soothe it.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know." I say softly. "Still you could have mentioned it." I sigh and bite my lip. "If he is siphoning your magic, he obliviously wants some for himself. You are the perfect target. A well of unused, untapped magic."
EzraI don’t comment. Rubbing my eyes I try to calm myself back down enough to think rationally. “Suppose we do follow this—why would Jason kill those people? What connection does he have to you that he’s want to hurt you?” I wonder aloud
LaniHe rubs his eyes and calms down before he asks why he would kiss those people and what connection would his half brother have to me.
"To lure out his prey." I tell him. "Most people don't know and I prefer to keep it secret but I am one of the most powerful major magic users born in a several centuries. There is a lot of people who would want me dead or to use my power." I explain to him.
"If you half brother caught wind of that, maybe he figured if he could siphon from you then he could do the same to me. Heck it is kind of convenient that we are a match."
EzraI sigh. “I guess we’re gonna have to go to my father’s. Jason would only be 16,” I tell her, though I’m wondering if we have enough for a search warrant. Maybe if Rain has video cameras, we can find out if it’s really Jason.
A part of me knows it is, as much as I don’t want to believe it. The thought of seeing my father again has bile rising to the back of my throat.
LaniHe tells me we would have to go to his father's. "You can stay behind if you want. I can get a warrant and go talk with him myself." I tell him sensing the unease at the mention of his father.
EzraI shake my head. “No, I’m fine. I’ll go with you. Let’s drop by tomorrow morning. That way they should be home. Sound like a plan?” I ask her, just as Rain follows us outside with her hands on her hips.
“You okay, Izzie?” She asks me. I nod.
LaniHe shakes his head and tells me he is fine. "Sounds good to me. I'll send in the request for a warrant tonight just in case we need it." I tell him and his friend comes out asking him if he is okay. He nods quietly.
"We should head back to the apartment. I don't want to push the limits of the freedom the captain is allowing you."
EzraI nod in agreement and briefly hug Rain goodbye. She wishes me a goodnight before Eriks steps in and leads us back to the curb while he flags down a cab. “Lani, just a warning—be careful around my father. He doesn’t tolerate magic to any degree. He doesn’t care if you’re law enforcement or if we do have a warrant. If he finds out your magic, it will not end well,” i whisper to her concerned.
LaniHe wishes his friend good night and Eriks goes to flag down a cab. Ezra warns me that his father doesn't tolerate magic to any degree and to be careful if he finds out tomorrow.
"I think I can handle myself." I say with a little smile. "You haven't seen me training but I can take down a man twice my size and strength with ease."
Ezra“It’s not a physical fight I’m worried about,” I explain, “He knows how to get in your head.” I meet her gaze trying to emphasize the severity of the situation. While he may be a peaceful man, his favored weapon remains everyone. And turning them against themselves.
LaniHe explains that it is not a physical fight he is worried about and that his father knows how to get into people's heads. I roll my eyes and snort a little.
"Trust me, he won't be able to touch me." I tell him deadly serious. He can't break a mind that has already been broken. Besides I'm stronger now. They made sure of that.
"Just make sure he doesn't get to you okay. I'll be right there with you."
EzraI sigh. “I won’t.” With that, we all pile into the cab with Eriks riding shot gun this time. I lay my head against the window as we’re driven back to the apartment. I pay half while Eriks picks up the rest. With that I lead him up to my apartment.
LaniHe sighs he won't and we all pile into the cab. I stare out the window as we are driven back to the apartment. The guys pay and we all head up to our apartments. I sigh seeing the police tape across my door and my neighbors door.
"I guess I'm staying in a hotel tonight." I say with a little frown. I couldn't get to any of my stuff and I was still wearing Ezra's clothes he let me burrow. Honestly all I wanted to do was take a bath and slip into my comfy bed but that wasn't happening tonight.
Ezra“No, why don’t you just stay another night with me? It wouldn’t kill you. And I don’t charge per night.” I grin playfully and unlock my door to let us in. Eriks makes himself comfortable on the couch. I just roll my eyes and kick off my shoes
LaniEzra tells me why don't I just stay another night with him. That it won't kill me and he doesn't charge. He grins playfully and open the door. Eriks makes himself comfortable on the couch and I head in with them.
"Thank you, I didn't want to be a bother." I tell him, since he had already let me stay with him the night before. I sigh and take off my shoes as well.
Ezra“It’s no trouble,” I reply as I walk into the kitchen and grab myself some cinnamon pop tarts from the cupboard. “Do you want anything to eat or drink?”
LaniHe tells me it is no problem and asks if I want something to eat or drink. "Yes, please. A glass of water would be nice. Maybe a pop tart too. We didn't exactly get a chance to eat anything today." I say as I sit down at the kitchen table.
EzraWhen I try to ask Eriks if he wants anything he’s already fast asleep. I chuckle softly and put our posters in the microwave for a few seconds and get us both some water. “You think we’ll be able to get a warrant in the morning?” I ask her, handing her a glass of water.
LaniHe puts our pop tarts in and gives me a glass of water. "Thanks." I say as I take it. He asks me about if I am going to be able to get a warrant in the morning.
"I'll call in a few favors and I should be able to get it by then." I tell him and take a sip of the water as I relax in the chair, tired from everything that happened today.
Ezra“Okay.” I nod and take a seat across from her at the table, my entire body sinking as it weighed down by lead the minute I sit. My tired eyes start to fall closed but I rub my lids and make myself take a few bites. So tired. I’m only able to take those few bites before I start for my room. “I’m off to bed. Try to get some sleep tonight Lani,” I murmur gruffly, squeezing her shoulder
LaniHe nods and takes the seat across from me. He starts to look really tired and only eat a little bit before he get up and heads towards his room. He tells me he is off to bed and to try and get some sleep tonight.
"I will." I say with a nod as he squeezes my shoulder. I finish up eating my pop tart and clean up our mess before I head over to his room as well to crash.
I lay down on the same side as last night and sigh softly as I try to calm down and go to sleep. The images of my dead neighbor still plagued my mind through.
EzraAs tired as I am, it’s past one am before I finally fall asleep. Lani sleeps soundly beside me.
When I wake up, I have my arm around her waist with her back pressed to my chest. Blushing I pull back from her and slide out of bed to shower.
LaniI yawn as I stretch and watch up. I hear the shower running and I sit up rubbing my eyes. It takes me a second to catch my bearing, remembering that I was at Ezra's apartment and not my own.
I get up and grab my laptop from my bag to shoot off some e-mails to get things rolling for a warrant. When I got to the station I would fill out the formal paperwork but for now we needed to get this thing started so we can go to his father's house.
EzraAfter my shower I pad out into the living room to find Lani typing away at her laptop. I look over her shoulder and watch as she fires off emails one after another. “The showers open whenever you want to head in.”
He grumbles about the time and I chuckle thinking he was adorable when he was sleepy. He sighs and rubs his eyes before he goes to wash up.
"I'm going to head back to my place. I'll meet you down at my car." I call out to him as I go head back to my place to wash up and get ready for the day.
I open the door and take a step inside before a scream tears for my throat. I tumble backwards as I spot the body. Oh god. There was a body in my living room. It looked just like the others ones we had found. The stretch of magic and death was overwhelming.