Dark Callings (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) (12 page)

“Ebony, look at me.”

Lennox waited. After a few moments, she raised her head. At the misery on her face, Harmony wanted to hug her. She didn’t, knowing that, although it was exciting for Ebony to go places using her power, it could also be dangerous if she ran into an unfriendly being.

“I was much younger than you when my powers manifested. It was fun, thrilling and frightening all at once, having all that power.”

“I…have nightmares my ability to go places will take me from Mommy. I have to master it so it won’t. That’s why I go all those places. So I can always find my way back.” Tears filled her eyes.

Harmony gasped. She hadn’t known—Ebony had never said anything. She glanced at Allure. She shook her head. Seems as if Ebony hadn’t told her, either. Harmony reached for her. Lennox beat her to it, lifting Ebony onto his lap.

“Even if they do, your mom or I will always come find you. You’re not going anywhere away from any of us who care for you.” Lennox wiped her tears, then continued, “I grew up around others who have abilities. I was taught how to use them. You should listen to those who care about you. They’ll guide you in how to use them.”

“Will you help me, Mr Lennox? Will you teach me to use my abilities?”

“Of course I will. But I don’t know everything about the
Maji
’s. So you will also need your mommy’s help, and those she knows who are like you, to guide you.”

“Okay, Mr Lennox. I’ll learn really hard. I’m glad you’re part of our family now.” Ebony hugged him.

Lennox went stiff. He looked at Harmony. She nodded, tears filling her eyes. His shoulders lowered as he relaxed. He slowly lifted his arms around Ebony and hugged her.

Ebony withdrew, the big smile on her face and the twinkle in her gaze signalling she was about to say something outrageous. “But it’s fun to catch people unaware. Mr Cipher was really colourful when I went to the agency. But this really interesting man with deep red hair told him to hush. He introduced himself as Mr Lupo. He knew you and Mommy. He took me around to meet others who were there, too. They were fun. Doing some neat things. Mr Cipher wasn’t his usual self. He was watching us, and, when I asked him why, he said to keep having fun. So I did.”

Harmony exchanged glances with the others, then focused on Ebony.

“What else happened?” Lennox asked.

“We baked a few types of cookie. Mr Lupo loves caramel, like you do. We watched TV for a bit. Since it was getting late, I told them I had to get back to Aunty Allure’s. Before I left, Mr Cipher asked me about them. He had lots of questions.”

“I want some caramel cookies, too,” Harmony said. “Want to make some?”

“Yes.”

“Go and start getting the ingredients ready,” Harmony said.

“Okay.” Ebony slid off Lennox’s lap and ran out of the room.

“I didn’t even know she was gone from the house,” Allure said.

“Cipher made sure of it,” Lennox stated.

“But why?” Harmony demanded.

“I don’t know. But we’ll find out.”

The sound of running feet made her and the others look towards the door. Ebony stopped in the entrance of the living room.

“Oh, I forgot. Mr Cipher sent you a message. It doesn’t make sense, though.” She wrinkled her nose.

“What is it, sweetie?” Harmony urged.

“‘All clear. Begin tomorrow’. See? It makes no sense.”

“We know what it means.”

Ebony shrugged. “Okay.”

She turned then ran away. Harmony stared at the empty doorway. Cipher had cleared the Shadowers, and they would begin working tomorrow.

“Her seer and empathy abilities are increasing,” Lennox said.

Harmony focused on him. “Yeah. When she’s at full strength, she’ll be much more aware than me or Aunt Storm.”

“She’ll be formidable.”

“She will. And if she’s as headstrong as Aunty Storm, who she seems to be taking after, God help us all. ” Harmony moved closer to Lennox, snuggling against his side.

“I’m thinking it’s her mama she’s like.” Lennox chuckled.

“Hush, you.” She poked him in the side.

Lennox caught her fingers, lacing them with his. Harmony glanced at Allure and Vaughn, who were staring at them, smiles on their faces.

“Are you staying to make cookies?”

“Yep. And you’re feeding us, too,” Allure stated.

“Only if you watch
The Flintstones
with us,” Harmony countered.

“If you watch this.” Allure materialised a VHS, showing her the picture.

“
Gargoyles.
I can agree to that. Goliath’s voice is sexy.”

Lennox squeezed her. “I thought that’s what I was.”

“You are all that, Honey Pie, and more.” She winked.

“That is not an acceptable term of endearment.”

“You’re so formal. Just call it a pet name.”

“Fine. That is not a pet name for me. Come up with something else.”

“Okay, Sweetums.”

“No.”

“I’ll have to think on it.”

“You do that. You know, gargoyles don’t look like that. So how can you watch this false depiction?”

“It’s just a cartoon.”

“What is it with you all and these cartoons?” Lennox asked.

“They’re fun. And some had super powers. We wanted them so bad. Now, we have them.” Harmony laughed.

“Yes. Remember when you jumped off the garage roof and broke your arm?” Allure asked. “Mom flipped out.”

“Yeah.”

Harmony stood, tugging Lennox with her. Allure did the same with Vaughn. They walked out of the room, reminiscing about their childhood. Tomorrow, they would face tracking down Blagden. Tonight, they would bake cookies, eat, and watch cartoons.

* * * *

Lennox tightened his power around them as he led the prisoners into their cell. He moved to the side as Lupo passed him, leading his own set. They retreated, closing the cell door behind them. Once outside, they released them. The
Xiruis
bombarded the cell with power, trying to break out. Lennox didn’t fear they’d succeed. They had reinforced the cell after speaking with Lupo. The older the Shadowers were when they turned
Xiruis,
the harder they were to kill or contain.

Lennox rubbed the back of his neck. “A month of rounding up his henchmen, and we’re still no closer to catching Blagden.”

“He’s wily. But we’re dwindling down his force. He has to be nervous and wondering how. He’ll be hiding deep, but we will find him,” Lupo said.

They strode towards the elevator. Moments later, they exited onto the Z level. They made their way to the interrogation room that was set aside for the questioning. They went into the viewing room. Lennox frowned at the occupants. Harmony’s face was impassive as she sat beside Cipher while he questioned a
Xiruis.
Cipher was calm while the
Xiruis
evaded their questions. From where he was, Lennox felt the malevolence of the being. He felt the strain of it on Harmony, so he sent her some power through their bond.

“Thank you, Sugar Lump,”
Harmony teased. Even through their path he clearly heard her tiredness.

“Unacceptable pet name
,” he returned, concern filling him.

Harmony’s laugh in his mind sounded even more strained. Cipher glanced at her then he cut off the interview. He zapped the prisoner away, back to his cell. Lennox faded, then went through the mirrored glass and into the room. He rematerialised, and knelt by Harmony’s side. She raised a shaking hand to cut off what he was going to say.

“I’m okay, Lennox.”

“No. You’re pushing yourself too hard,” he insisted.

“We’re doing as we must,” she stated.

“Why isn’t Storm doing interrogations? I thought you were rotating days.”

“She collapsed. Killian took her home to rest.”

“See? That’s exactly what I mean. There are so many of them. They’re evil. We need more seers or empaths.”

A male voice said, “I’m both. I can do some. I have some minor glamour abilities I can use to change my appearance so they won’t know who I am. I can get Cairo to help me make it better. I’ll bring in another Shadower to take my place in the search. If Dulé was here, he would.”

Lennox glanced at Lupo. “Thank you, Dad.”

Lupo stilled. Lennox frowned, confused as to why.

“You called him Dad,” Harmony said tiredly.

Lennox was startled to realise he had. “That’s what he is. He’s grown on me over these last few weeks. Like a fungus.”

“Always so formal. Say it with me. ‘Like a fungus’,” Harmony teased.

Lupo smiled, putting out his hand. Lennox stood then accepted it. Lupo pulled him into a hug, slapping him on the back.

“See you tomorrow. Pamper your lady.” A surge of power enfolded him, before bouncing to Harmony.

Lennox steeped back. “Thanks, Dad.”

Lupo and the rest faded as he sent them home.

“He’s a mother hen, like you. That will be my pet name for you. Mother Henny,” she said.

“Nope.” He walked over to where she sat in the chair.

He lifted her and took her to the bathroom, then stripped her, himself afterwards, and got into the shower. In quick movements he cleaned them off, and got them out of the shower and ready for bed. By the time he took them to the bedroom, Harmony was already half asleep. Lennox slipped her into bed and yawned, moving behind her then lying down and pulling her close. She sighed, her body resting heavily against his. Her breathing evened out, then deepened. He watched her as she slept, smiling at how right she felt in his arms. A knock on the door made him slide out from the bed. He pulled on some clothes before he opened the door and stepped outside.

“Mr Lennox,” Ebony said.

He turned her, guiding her away from the door. “How was school?”

“Good. The science fair is tomorrow. Mommy’s supposed to help me with my science project tonight.”

“Mommy is tired. I’ll help you with it. Let’s go see what we can make for dinner first,” Lennox said.

“Okay.” Ebony walked beside him.

Much later, he returned to the bedroom. Harmony was still deeply asleep. Quietly, he moved back into place beside her. He held her close then drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Seven

A suffocating feeling jerked him awake. He sat up shaking.

“
Lennox
. What’s wrong? What is it?” Harmony’s voice was urgent.

He moaned, shivering, unable to reply. Harmony gripped him, and he felt her energy flare out, searching for what was affecting him. The sensation of drowning faded, then a steady thrum realigned within him.

“The
Yizleus
is gone,” he rasped.

“Who?”

He meet Harmony’s gaze. “The veil collapsed.
Yizleus
—Shadow World—is gone. It’s now the new X
ielie.
”

“Why are you calling it by its true name?”

“It’s mine to share with you.”

Harmony hugged him. “I’m sorry it’s gone.”

“Me too.”

“
Fyodor will be on his way here, right? Do you want me to help you prepare some rooms for him?”

“No. He’s not going to be living with me. He secured a property near mine. It’s even larger than my own. He needs space for his personal guards, and if they have family, for them, too.”

He stared out of the window.

“
Yizleus
—Shadow World—will always be inside of you as you all decided to set it up to be. The physical world might be gone, but part of it is here”—she tapped her hand over his heart—“with you always. All of you are Shadow World,” she whispered.

Harmony pressed kisses along the side of his face. He held her hand over his heart. He turned, meeting her lips and kissing her. He raised his head, staring into her eyes.

“And you’re there, as well. I love you, Harmony,” he said.

She scowled. “You pick
now
to tell me, when you have to contact
Fyodor, accept his offer to be his second, and strategise.”

“I ha—”

She cut him off. “I’m still too tired to argue with you about this. Accept it. You know you can do it. Besides, Fyodor already views you as such. Make it official and move on.”

“I’ll have to take on a personal guard and provide them a home on our property.”

“Our property?”

“Yes. Aren’t you and Ebony going to move in with me? I know you love it here, but it’s not large enough.”

“I’m going back to sleep. Stop stalling. Go to another room to contact Fyodor. Get things settled.” Harmony pushed at him.