Leviathan (Fist of Light Series) (22 page)

It reminded us of Kathryne's origins and the shaping of her personality in whatever trials she had been forced through. I understood a little better why she was largely quiet about her past. She didn't want to dig into those painful memories and nothing was going to force the issue if she wasn't ready. Herk was another story altogether. He had some very strange habits, coupled with his odd reticence that was frankly unnerving. I couldn't help but think there was something off about him— like one of those people who was interested in tearing the wings off a fly just to see what happens. But I gave him an extension of wary trust, considering his role in recent events. Kathryne had come out okay and I figured her past was equally disturbing as Hector's.

Tiredly, we trekked across Golden Gate Park, taking to the fields instead of the trails or roads weaving through its length.

“Look at them.” Herk indicated at the frolicking masses, the carefree individuals spending a day out in the sun. “So naïve. Running about their daily routines without a care in the world. Despicable.”

“I'd like to see them as innocents,” Kathryne said. “Who are they to know better? No one tore their reality to shreds and replaced it with a darker one. They have a kind of carefree abandon, even if the day might wear on them. My life was never normal. I envy that, sometimes.”

“I understand the feeling,” I said. “But that's not all it’s cracked up to be. Either side of the track, there's always Darkness.”

Kathryne nodded reluctantly and I felt bad for ruining the perfect image of blissful ignorance she’d concocted in her mind.

Jas raised his hand to participate. “I've never been normal.”

Kathryne and I shared a look and a laugh. “We know. Don't change that, or I'll have to beat it back into you.”

We walked by the participants of a soccer game, a referee blowing his whistle shrilly at the combatants locked in their harmless battle. A stark contrast could be seen when the game was compared to the games of blood and death we'd emerged from. Although my past couldn't really be deemed the epitome of normality, I did have a life, of sorts. There had been some genuine moments of joy and times where little worry plagued me. If there was a choice, I wouldn't choose to revert to blissful ignorance. It might not be easier this way, but at least there was an opportunity to see the truth, rather than being inundated with lies and misconception.

“How much further is this orphanage of yours?” Hector looked down his nose at me.

“Not much farther. I But if you get tired, let me know and we'll take a break. Maybe join in on a game or two while you catch your breath,” the threat was dished out.

Jas got out his iPhone and checked the maps, making sure we were headed in the right direction. He became our unofficial navigator, at least until his battery died. Frankly, I was surprised it had any juice left. My brain kept trying to think through possible scenarios of upcoming events, but I tried to rein it in and enjoy the tranquility while it lasted. These moments had been few and far between lately. Jas was dealing with some serious issues, and who knew what was coming down the pipe with The Call. Even now, I could sense its resonance, insistently demanding my cooperation.

The sound of dry crunching overrode all thought of conversation as we walked across a bed of fallen leaves and acorns. Jas had insisted we take a shortcut to meet up with the gang and so we followed his lead. For his part, the navigator had his head suspended inches above the electronic device, trying to uncover its many mysteries. I wasn't surprised when he finally tripped on the thick root of a tree. The phone went flying and he tumbled into a pile of leaves. Red-faced and embarrassed, he retrieved the device and brushed off some of the leaves under our intense scrutiny and enjoyment.

“I thought vampires were supposed to have good reflexes.” Kathryne laughed.

“I'm pretty sure that goes for Were too,” I said.

“Be careful. That little rapier of yours might stick you,” Herk added.

“Very funny, guys.” Jas tried to detach the rest of the leaves but couldn't get to the ones on his back. “Little help?”

“I'm not about to fondle another man.” I backed away. “He's all yours.”

“
Men
.” Kathryne moved to help, shaking her head, but a slight giggle escaped her.

“Still as coordinated as ever, I see.” Mary placed her hands on hips and reveled in Jas' little accident.

My attention had been so narrowed on Jas and his predicament that I had failed to notice the pack show up. It was jarring to see the absence of Sandra and Henry, while the rest of them seemed to have changed dramatically since I'd last seen them. That day had changed most everyone, whether for good or ill. Bloodying your nose against fanatical Empowered and the Fist of Darkness will do that to you. Zack and Simon seemed to have taken something out of the experience, painful thought it was. There was fortitude in Zack's eyes that hadn't been present before. They had filled out a little more, though Simon's lean frame never would be considered bulky. For the most part, the greatest notable change was in their demeanor. Before, where the two had been on the periphery and unsure of their place, they possessed a new confidence. I had to wonder if that was partially because of Henry's absence.

Xavier appeared largely unchanged, although that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He was always somewhat of an enigma and I thought that he might always stay that way. Although, one thing was different, that being Monique hanging on his arm. That wasn't surprising in itself; they made a good couple. Both were spirited and inscrutable, dogged and full of life. Jas had never talked about the blurring of lines between clans and the passing on of shifter genes, and I wasn't about to ask. Mary was present as ever, graceful and in control. Without the suppressing influence of Sandra, I thought she actually branched out and became more grounded. Out of strife and suffering emerged a pack made stronger.

“Glad you guys could make it,” Jas replied. “Although you might have picked a better time to do it.” He shook out the last leaves from his hair.

I moved forward to clasp arms with the guys, glad to see some friendly faces instead of vampires trying to eat my face off. Awkwardly, I returned the excited hugs of the girls while glancing at Kathryne, who introduced herself hesitantly. I might have been overreacting, but it was always practical to play it safe. Kathryne wasn't the greatest people person, but she eventually warmed to them. That was probably due to her unique upbringing, but she was slowly overriding many of those ingrained habits. As always, Herk was mostly silent in his dealings with others, not doing much to make a connection.

“Simon, what happened?” I widened my eyes for comedic effect, gasping. “Your glasses, they're gone!”

“Got rid of them— after. With everything that went down, I finally decided glasses were a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.” Simon didn't need to finish that statement for it to be understood. “Contacts work a whole lot better and keep me from being blinded when they go flying. In any kind of fight, they got in the way.” He smiled easily.

“Good look on you,” Jas decided. I agreed, bumping knuckles with the little guy.

We got moving again, our group augmented by an additional five people. The atmosphere became more lively, as we avoided negative topics. Everyone knew we'd have to confront and explain our most recent troubles, but that was put off. I think it was almost therapeutic for Jas, not being treated like he was fragile. Making a mental note, I'd try to do my best not to treat him like a breakable case. Otherwise, he might just prove me right and shatter.

T
he inner walls of the orphanage resounded with the noise of teenagers happy to be away from school. Apparently they had gotten off the hook due to massive blackouts across the city. We hadn't been gone for more than a couple of days, and in our absence everything was in a shambles. My mind conjured up a faraway tolling as these facts tumbled through my mind. The crowd of children parted for our invading party, sounds of raucous laughter partially restrained. Not having to go to school was always a time to be enjoyed and everyone was participating in their own form of entertainment. I wondered at how bad the power outages had to be to force schools to close down but figured I'd be brought up to speed on the subject all too soon. It looked like the fleeting moment of peaceful tranquility had passed.

I spotted a familiar face and moved towards it gratefully. “Sam, long time no see! How have you been?”

He waved from behind the food counter, looking up from the vat of soup he was preparing. “Caleb! It's good to see your face again. And you brought friends.”

“Yeah, sorry.” I reddened, allowing my friends to introduce themselves.

I wasn't used to being in the company of a large group of people. Sam, with his usual hearty demeanor, greeted the entirety of our party, though his eyes flashed at Herk. Maybe on an instinctual level he sensed his bloody past. Or possibly he thought Hector was a little too old to be running with our crowd. Shrugging, I brushed it off and leaned against the partitioning wall, soaking up some of the heat that steamed up from an enormous pot of soup.

“Any of you guys hungry? There's plenty to go around,” Sam assured us.

“I don't think we have time to eat,” I lamented, turning down the offer.

I'd forgotten that I was with a group of ravenous Were, however. It seemed that no matter how much they ate, more room was available for food. The deed was done, though, so only a few complaints surfaced before we got through the necessary pleasantries and down to business.

“Sorry to barge in like this and start making demands, but we need to talk to Mr. Tanner. Is he here?”

One of Sam's meaty hands tried to massage the information from his brow. “No, he's out, unfortunately.”

“You think you could tell us where he is? We really need to talk to him. Jas here is in a smidge of trouble.” I spaced my fingers apart while nodding in his direction.

Sam turned a consoling eye on Jas before getting back to his soup, adding in seasoning and ingredients. “Ah, hell. I don't think you mean the man any harm. Bill's always got one eye out for kids down on their luck. He's at the church, meeting with some police official. He didn't say what for, but it seemed pretty serious.”

“The church?” Herk was confused.

Sam clenched the soup ladle seriously. “Yeah. You don't know the man, obviously, but he's a right good one. Mr. Tanner's a pillar for an organization within their church dedicated to protecting the innocent. They contribute a lot of their time to the cause.”

Everyone backed up the statement, agreeing wholeheartedly with the words. What Sam said was very close to the truth, but missing some key facts about Bill's exact job description. I didn't doubt that his people did all those things, selflessly and without thought for the personal cost. They worked in God's name, going about his secret business in, well,
secret
. I'd seen them in action and they were nothing to laugh about. Mr. Tanner was the head of that Order, his war hammer at the forefront of all their efforts. There was always a badass side to any faith, if you looked close enough. Michael and the other archangels weren't going around passing out flowers to their enemies in hope that they’d turn all mushy and repent.

“You think he'd mind if we dropped by? It really is urgent.” Kathryne turned on the heat and offered up her doe eyes.

My eyes bugged out at the sight. Sam was hooked, the poor sucker. “I don't see why not. But I've gotta stick here, holed up with these munchkins. Can't be leaving them to the dangers of the night. Matter of fact, they'd probably burn the place to the ground in my absence.”

“I'm sure we'll make it there in once piece if you can give us an address. We've got our very own navigator right here,” I assured him, chuckling.

“Can never find them damn things when I need 'em,” he huffed, putting the heat on low. “I'll only be a minute. Gotta go get me something to write with.”

We all broke out in laughter while Sam rooted around in the back. Jas drew up a self-depreciating smile and flaunted it, unashamed. After a short minute, Sam reappeared with a pen, but hadn't been able to find a piece of paper.

“Navigator, if I may?” Sam’s heavy hand reached out, expectant.

Jas moved forward and allowed Sam to write the address down on his hand, to our collective amusement.

Sam looked up from his work, preparing a stern gaze, but it fell short to something resembling fatherly disapproval. “Now, make sure you all aren't out after nightfall. You still have a good while before the sun sets, but it's best to be careful. The streets aren't safe.”

“We'll be careful.” Simon stepped in.

“Of course we won't be out after dark,” Monique asserted forcefully, backed by Xavier's nod of unwavering support.

“Right.” Mary nodded, glancing over at our resident Werevamp.

“Not if I can help it,” Jas promised evasively.

The rest of us left it at that, hoping it would appease the big man. Although our reasons for wanting to be inside at dark might have differed slightly, the end result was the same. If I had a choice, staying inside would definitely be it. But the universe had funny ways of presenting you with only one option and it usually wasn't the one you wanted, or expected.