The Turncoats (The Thirteenth Series #2) (11 page)

His words hit Val Like a betrayal. She wanted to scream into his face, but deep down she knew that he was possibly right. She took a deep breath. “Ok, but I’m only doing this for you.”

“Are we all done with the talking about me and not to me?” Flo asked.

“You would do well to show my guard a little more respect; she has awesome powers,” Zac commanded.

“Ok, just been here a long time, hunter.” Flo raised her hands in submission. “You’re right. I have been at the end of this girl’s power and she has had Excariot shaking in his boots. All I want is for you to finish off Excariot and his witch and let me get on with my existence as I did before.”

“What do you have to offer us?” Val asked.

“Information. I’m still trapped on the inside and he already has three high priestesses, and he’s planning to catch more every day. He just sends a couple of prisoners out to distract you and sends a couple more to pick up a witch. He isn’t even breaking a sweat. Can you say the same?”

“Maybe not.” Val had to admit if this little girl was telling the truth it could really work for them. “So why on earth would we trust you?”

“Look, I don’t care about you, or him; I care about me. But you’re the only ones strong enough to oppose him so what choice do I have?” “A disturbingly honest speech, but before I take my people into a situation recommended by the oldest and wisest, I want proof. I want to know where, when and with whom he’s going to attack next, and it had better work out,” Val told her.

“Easy. Tonight, eight p.m. Be at this address and be ready.” Flo handed Val a folded piece of paper. “I heard him saying he was sending in the Bendicks. They hunt in groups and he has at least four waiting to attack, so don’t go unprepared. You will find them on your dellatrax under 6339.” Flo opened her tin, shoved a handful of tobacco into her mouth and headed towards the door. “I need to leave; it has taken me far longer than I would have hoped to get such a simple message across.”

“How should we contact you if we need you again, or if this all goes wrong and I have to deal with you?” Val called over.

“I will be back. Don’t worry, everything will work as long as you don’t go in there emotions first.” Flo headed to towards the door, but Jason was blocking her way. “Please?”

Jason looked over her head to Val who nodded in agreement for her release.

“Thank you.” She stepped around him, opened the door and, never looking back, walked out.

They all stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Then Jason asked, “Did we just have a conversation with an ancient, dead, twelve-year-old, tobacco chewing girl?”

“Yes, I think we did.” Val said, shaking her head in disbelief at what had just happened.

“That was
the
weirdest thing…” Jason muttered. “How long do we have before we have to be at...” Val opened the piece of paper. “….the warehouse behind The Party Shack, for priestess pick up?”

“About three hours. It’s time to close up and we need more hands,” Wendy turned the sign on to the closed sign.

“I’ll call my dad.” Jason pulled out his mobile.

“I’ll try Sam.” Val dialled but it went straight to answer machine. “Hi, it’s Val. We have a problem with a child, several Bendicks, I think that’s what she said, and a missing priestess. Assistance would be most welcome. We will be at the warehouse behind the Party Shack at 8 p.m. Bye.”

“So, as you feel so strongly that we should trust her, tell us a little more about Flo,” Fran challenged Zac, who was flapping around the dellatrax.

“Well, I thought it was all a myth. We heard stories of the oldest in training. Apparently they were sent all over the galaxy to find planets that spirits could inhabit. Until tonight it was just a story.” Zac pulled a large volume onto the counter and started flipping pages.

“Why them? And why was Flo in prison?” Wendy wanted to know.

“Well story says that Sliyig, the leader, was planning to take over a planet when the Warden caught up with him. It’s said that they had a battle that lasted days.”

“I’m sorry, but the Warden looks like Father Christmas; I can’t imagine him attacking anything but a cream cake, so it must be a myth,” Val sniggered to herself.

“Show some respect!” Zac snapped, visibly irritated. “The Warden has lived for almost eight hundred years; he has captured some of the most dangerous criminals that this and the Ballany galaxy have ever seen.” He turned more pages clearly annoyed.

Val backed off it feeling uncomfortable; it was obvious she was in the wrong.

After a moment he continued. “They were imprisoned for eternity, but the story goes that the judges decided to use their ability to jump bodies. This child Flo can go from one body to the next, which could be me, you or Val. So under no circumstances can we take any risks while Flo is about.”

“What about Eva? How do we get her back?” Jason asked.

“The good news is she had a book reserved. If she manages to stay out of Excariot’s grip she will be back here to collect it in a couple of days,” Wendy replied.

“Do we have that much time?” Val looked to the others.

“We don’t have any choice. We only have a few hours to get ready for this next arrest and I need Wendy to help me. Here is an image of Sliyig.” Zac turned the book towards Val and the others. He was a man of huge stature, just like the men who had attacked her only a few days ago. He had thick black hair and a muscular body, with a square chin and wide set neck. Not someone you would consider arguing with.

“He doesn’t look like an alien.” Val said, studying the image.

“Just because he’s an alien doesn’t mean he’s any different to me or you Val. You have so much to learn it makes my head spin.” Zac rubbed the back of his neck as if he was tired.

“What’s wrong?” Val asked.

“I’m unsure, but I’m not feeling at peak condition.” Zac sat down on the stool. “Wendy come and connect with the dellatrax. I need you to locate prisoners 6339 so we can find out more about these Bendicks.”

Wendy started to flick through the pages.

“I said connect.” Zac pushed Wendy gently.

“I’m off. I can’t do the white eyeballs thing.” Fran headed towards the cupboard, with Jason hot on her heels.

“We’ll get directions to the Shack,” Jason said as they disappeared.

Wendy stood nervously with her hands floating over the volume of the dellatrax that Zac had on the counter. Zac’s face twitched then, for a change, it transformed into a grin from one cheek to the other.

“Ok, what’s so funny?” Wendy asked placing her hands down by her side.

“I’m sorry, but you all try so hard. The dellatrax would normally be attached to the guard at birth and they would interact naturally with it. Obviously Val can’t do that, but you have a gift that works perfectly in sync with it. So, just relax.” He took her hands and placed them on top of the book. “Feel it. It’s alive. Forget everything you think you know about books. These volumes have all the knowledge; they are created of living things and so they are alive.”

Val, who was standing, watching quietly, saw Wendy’s expression start to soften as Zac held her hands.

“I can feel it. It’s like its talking to me.” Wendy’s face lit up. She threw the cover open and started to flick, stopping every few seconds to touch the page again. Then she stopped. “Here.” Wendy pointed to prisoners 6339.

“That’s it.” Zac patted her on the arm affectionately.

“Can I do that?” Val asked.

“No. You need to learn how to land first,” Zac replied.

Wendy grinned at Val like the child who got a gold star.

“I’m trying my best.” Val was just about to start an assault of whining when the door opened and in walked Shane. “At last someone who loves me just the way I am.” Val grabbed Shane and he reciprocated with a hug. “Come in and I will tell you everything that has happened.” She grabbed him by the arm and started to pull him down the shop.

“Hi Zac, Wendy and bye,” he called.

Val spent a few minutes telling Shane about Flo and Eva, who he remembered well. Then she filled him in on tonight’s little assault on the Bendicks.

“So, do we have any idea what these Bendicks can do?” he quizzed her.

“Wendy and Zac do,” she huffed.

“Hey, Dad, I thought I heard your voice. Ready for some fun?” Jason bounded up and hugged his father.

“I’m sorry to be the party pooper here guys, but I’m concerned about our safety. What happened at the Snakes and Ladders was out of our control, but tonight you want us to walk into an organised fight with four aliens. I’m not happy. I need more answers from Zac before I let any of you go.”

“But...” Jason started to contest.

“No son, end of conversation.”

Zac and Wendy were deep in talk when the others came back. They had obviously found who they wanted and were making notes as symbols floated in the air.

“Is it just me or can you guys see the 3D light show going on?” Val asked.

“Same as before,” Fran replied. “Although it’s much prettier this time.” She reached out to one as it passed through her fingers.

“Hello.” Shane interrupted their conference.

“Sorry, we were making plans.” Zac stood up. Wendy followed and the holograms disappeared.

“So what’s with the lights?” Val was intrigued.

“Oh, Wendy is doing that. The dellatrax likes her and she has a vast knowledge of Theban, one of the languages we use.”

“That’s great Zac, but I need some more information before I send my son and his girlfriend into a dangerous situation.”

“Yes sir, I understand, that’s why they aren’t going. Wendy is going to create a spell for us to protect the high priestess. As soon as we find her we will be able to cloak her from Excariot and his spirits and she will be safe. Only myself and Val will be in danger.”

“Great,” Val replied mockingly.

“No, you need to give me more information before you take Val. There are four of these things so she tells me and at the end of the day I’m the only adult here so I need to look out for her.”

Val felt a lump forming in her throat.

“Shane, I have over two hundred years of experience and this is Val’s duty. She has no choice. Nevertheless, your emotions are touching,” Zac replied.

“And I have eighteen years as a dad, which you have no knowledge of, so give me more information or I will be taking Val home with me tonight.” Shane was serious and they could all sense it.

“Yes, of course. Look at this: Prisoners 6339.” Zac tapped the page. “Bendicks are quite a high level prisoner, but they only have one ability.”

“And that would be?” Shane enquired.

“They can cloak themselves,”

“What, like Harry Potter?” Jason asked.

“Who is Harry Potter?” Zac looked for support.

“Stop it.” Fran pushed him. “What exactly does this cloak thing do?”

“They can become invisible.”

“That’s not so bad, no death rays coming out of their eyes; I think we should be ok,” Val proclaimed confidently, but Shane shook his head. “Look Shane I know you’re finding this hard, but I trust Zac and I’m still here, ok.”

“I want to look after you, I can’t do anything when you disappear, and it’s a hard pill Val.”

“Sorry to interrupt; has anyone noticed the time?” Wendy pulled at Shane’s arm and looked at his watch. “It’s nearly seven already. We need to get ready.” She was right. Val started to get her things together.

“We need to go to the Magic Box for supplies.” Wendy grabbed her bag.

“I wish to come and see this place.” Zac decided, following her.

“Ok, we’ll wait here for you to return.” Val smiled although she felt a little put out. He was
her
hunter and why was Wendy so special? It was her dellatrax and
she
should be bonding with it, no one else. She waited until they had left and Shane, Jason and Fran had all gone to squeeze themselves into the cupboard, then she pulled one of the dellatrax volumes onto the counter. “Ok, feel its life force,” Val said to herself. She placed her hands over one of the pages, surprised that she instantly felt a tingling sensation. “Not so hard after all,” she thought.

That was when it all went wrong. Val’s hands slammed uncontrollably onto the book and some invisible force held them there. Images flashed aggressively around her head. Not the soft neon blue that Wendy experienced, but shades of black, sharp and ugly in form. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Her eyes started to cloud over, but she couldn’t wipe them as her hands were now stuck to the pages. Suddenly everything went black. There was silence. She was alone, somewhere she had never been before and she could hear voices.

“How did it go?” the man asked. Val knew who it was straight away: Excariot.

“They suspected nothing,” a female voice responded.

“Will they trust you?”

“Yes. They have no reason to doubt me, Excariot. Now let me get on with what I have to do,”

“Release the Bendicks and get the priestess here now,” he shouted into the darkness.

Once again Val could feel herself moving. The book suddenly released her hands and she dropped to the ground with a large enough thud for the others to come running.

“What happened?” Shane gripped her under her arms and lifted her to her feet.

“Excariot has let the Bendicks out and I think Flo is a double agent!” Val looked around for her sword. It was on the counter ready to go. She shoved it into her back pocket. “I need to leave now. He has sent out the Bendicks and that means that the girl is already in danger.” Val didn’t know what to do. She had no hunter and no tattoo. What good was she on her own? “Damn!” She felt useless. Then she thought about what Zac had said. This was her duty; it was about time she started to embrace it.

Everything Zac did he seemed to do as second nature. She had never seen him stop and think about how he was going to teleport, he just did it. Maybe she just needed a little more confidence in her ability.

“Shane, I’m going to save the priestess. Please tell Zac where I have gone.” She looked around her; at the others who were staring back with blank expressions. They obviously believed it about as much as she did.

“Do you want a lift?” Jason asked.