Leviathan (Fist of Light Series) (23 page)

“Well, we'd better get going,” Zack offered awkwardly.

“Thanks for the help, Sam.” Kathryne smiled.

“Always good to see some familiar faces.” Sam nodded in my direction. “You guys don't be strangers, ya hear?”

I didn't know how much time there was for reminiscing. “We'll be in touch.”

Jas led the way out the door, but I stopped short, looking at the tables. It had been a long time since I'd been here or taken the time to think about Em. I remembered eating breakfast with her at my side, lucid as can be. Who knew she had the black heart of a raving psychopath lurking beneath the cheery exterior? Just goes to show how hard it is to tell who's on your side, especially when they're close to you.

“I heard you got into a bit of trouble. You make it out all right?” Sam's voice returned me to the present.

I shrugged, giving up on confronting the past. “Trouble seems to have it out for me. I survived the last bit, but I've got a bad feeling it isn't finished with me.”

Sam leaned over the glass, two meaty hands laying out the hard facts. “I remember getting into a lot of things better left alone at your age. You're a good kid. I don't doubt that. But trouble will call you no matter where you go, no matter how far you run. You've got to face it down, outmaneuver and outthink it. I see fire in you boy, that willful defiance which is both your greatest strength and likely to get you in the worst spots.”

My nerves fired and hair stood on end at how closely he came to the truth. “You're a wise man, Sam. I'll try to keep my head above water.” A grin surfaced, though underneath I wondered if Sam was more clued in than he'd let on.

Hurriedly, I caught up to the group, glancing over my shoulder once, but Sam had gone merrily back to work. They had already gained some ground on me but stopped when they discovered my absence.

“Well that was helpful, I guess,” Jas looked down at his hand and booted up his phone.

“How long is it going to take to walk there?” Simon complained.

“I'm hungry,” Zack added. “I wish we would've taken up Sam's offer and eaten some of that chow.”

“I'm sure they'll have something at the church.” I delayed one of the problems, looking to our navigator for the other.

“Can't be too far,” Jas assured everyone. “Says we should get there in less than twenty.”

They expelled some groans at that, but they were more restrained this time. In SF, twenty minutes of walking wasn't far if you were commuting by foot. Considering most of them grew up here, you'd expect them to be more used to the idea. Obviously they were a little on the spoiled side. I grinned at the thought of spoiled Were.

On the way, we speculated about the cause for the massive blackouts, but no one had a concrete theory. While they talked, I assessed my overall state of wellbeing, doing some mental checks and cataloging of pain. Nothing was too bad, although there was still a lingering lethargy. The only answer to that would be more rest, a precious commodity that might not be available for a good while. My wounds had healed remarkably, as usual, with only the worst of them still proving bothersome. I'd added more scars to the collection for sure. Before my powers had developed, there hadn't been many. Now, after the Day of Darkness and between training, the arena, and now
this,
I was rapidly accumulating battle scars. Before, I might have considered them a badge of honor, but now they were just counted as part of the deal. Nothing came without a price.

“Maybe it has something to do with the meteor,” Simon said. “Could be that there's some sort of alien radiation attached to it. Maybe there's some kind of space rock that acts as a sort of EMP.” He got excited at the thought. “Think of the applications if we could mine it from the rock!”

“I'm not so sure,” Zack said. “The blackouts have been all over. Some places have been affected and others are untouched. Maybe it’s some kind of government test, a psychological study of some sort. I bet there are a bunch of scientists and psychologists sitting in a room, charting the outcome.”

That earned a lot of odd looks. “Loony bin, here we come.” Xavier shook his head forlornly.

“How are they supposed to chart the outcomes from inside a room? They won't be able to see anything. But it could be an alien invasion of some sort.” Mary nodded seriously.

“They're going to strap you up in those white vests and give you a nice padded cell to think about all this in,” Xavier continued.

I added fuel to the fire. “It could be the first phase of a zombie apocalypse. First, the top secret government medical facility implements its newest virus test for biological warfare. It works, and the test subject dies, though the massive power they used in testing caused massive power failures. But then it comes back to life, turning the whole city into mindless zombies intent on their endless hunger.”

“What kind of crazy person thinks that up?” Xavier asked.

“You have one effed mind, you know that?” Jas nodded seriously.

“What?” I frowned then gave into the inevitable. “Yeah, I know.”

Our fruitless, yet interesting, conversation blurred the time it took to arrive at the church and we were there in a flash. We all craned our necks upwards to get a full view of the building. It was a Roman Catholic number, all high arches and sharp lines. The church was huge, dominating the area and dwarfing the buildings around it. A set of bleached white steps led to the entrance, flanked by two ginormous stained glass windows. They depicted the timeless battle between Light and Dark, the endless struggle the Order fought. By the time we made it to the giant oak doors, I felt miniscule. I think that was the point.

“You think we should knock?” Jas broke the reverent silence.

“I don't see why you'd need to knock at a church,” Xavier said.

“Who wants to open it?” Simon wasn't getting anywhere near the thing.

“You guys are ridiculous.” I snorted, walked forward and pushed on the heavy oak.

The massive door swung inward on well-oiled hinges, the movement not making the slightest sound. As the scene was revealed, a flurry of activity confronted our group. On the benches, masses of people were arrayed in various states of disarray. Some people looked lost and alone, while others had brought their entire families along. We weren't the only ones looking for sanctuary, it seemed.

“Welcome, welcome!” A priest, fully robed, approached us with a basket of bread and cheese. “Would anyone be interested in something to eat?”

His proposition was met with much enthusiasm and most everyone snatched up something to chow down on. This time, I didn't interfere before making my case. “Actually, we're not here for—”

“For sanctuary and prayer, of course,” the priest interrupted, verifying my guess.

“Yeah, we'll no…” I ran a hand through my hair. “We kind of are, but we're looking for someone, too.”

“Oh. A family member, perhaps? Parents?” he asked hopefully.

“Not exactly.” I went out on a limb. “Is Brother Tanner here? We really need to speak with him, if it isn't too much trouble.”

“Ah, you're all from the orphanage.” The priest nodded sagely. “Right, of course. Come with me, children. We'll see if he can spare a moment.”

The man turned and motioned us to follow. We left the main entrance hall and its many ornate benches behind, passing by an upraised dais and podium. Above that, there was a representation of Jesus nailed to the cross.

I shrugged. “Just roll with it.” The whisper rolled through our group. Silent nods met my statement.

The interior proved just as large as the hulking exterior. It took some time before the priest pulled up before a set of doors. Where they led to, I had no idea, but expected Bill would be behind them. Our guide insisted on and making sure Mr. Tanner wasn't too busy to see us.

He came out a few moments later, his face red. “I'm sorry, but Brother Tanner is otherwise occupied. He'd be happy to see you another time.”

We shared guarded glances, unable to state the real reason for our arrival without looking like a bunch of crazies just escaped from the nuthouse. “Can you tell him Caleb is here?”

I clearly felt a wave of exasperation directed at me roll off the priest. “I'm sorry, child, but you'll have to wait.”

“Screw this. Move aside old man, or we'll go through you.” Herk advanced forward to make good on the threat.

Simon and Zack stopped his advance, barely. “You can't hit a priest!”

“You just watch!” Herk grinned nastily.

Just as things were about to get messy, Bill burst out of the room. “What's all the commotion about?”

“Hello, Mr. Tanner,” Monique offered. “Long time no see.”

Tanner looked around at the assembled crowd, absorbing the situation before diffusing the bomb. “Brother Nicholas, I'll take it from here. Thank you for the help.”

Confusion emanated from our guide, but outwardly he put up a stoic demeanor. “Ah, yes, Brother. I'll be tending to the flock. There are many who need a kind word in these dark times.”

Filing in through the now open door, I looked around the room, assessing. There wasn't much to it, really. A large table stretched across the length of the place and a whiteboard hung on the wall. Chairs were readily available, which was a balm to my weary soul. Sitting down, I watched as Mr. Tanner took a seat on the other side of the table.

“It's been awhile.” I smiled and offered a hand across the table.

Bill took a moment to study the faces arrayed around the room for the second time, then gripped my hand and pumped it heartily. “That it has, my boy. It's heartening to know you're all right. Have you all been doing well in school?”

Jas and I coughed and repositioned ourselves awkwardly. “Yeah, um…”I swooped in to save the day. “Considering all that happened, we thought it was safer to stay away. There were some plans to do homeschooling, but that kind of warped into something else.”

“I see.” Mr. Tanner nodded, not at all fooled by the evasion.

“We're all still making it through, Mr. Tanner.” The rest of the pack chimed in cheerfully while seating themselves.

That seemed to help assuage our truancy, at least. “That's good to hear. And what's this? I see new faces.”

“Kathryne.” She stretched out a hand daintily out to shake.

Jas supplied the required information when it was clear Hector would stay silent. “That's Herk. Don't mind the scars and silence. We found him in an arena dueling Caleb to the death.”

I don't think Bill knew how to take that one. “Ah, what a pleasant place to meet someone. Nice to meet you both, I'm sure.”

Tanner's visage was as powerful as ever, his bright aura beating powerfully on my senses. The first time I laid eyes on him I felt his underlying strength, but now it was immediately apparent.

He took off his wire-rimmed spectacles and polished them on his shirtfront. “I assume, from the nature of your arrival, that you've gotten yourself into more trouble?”

I scratched the back of my head uncomfortably. “Unfortunately. Sorry to barge in here like this, but we were out of options.”

“Nonsense.” He brushed off my apology. “What is it? I will do everything in my power to help.”

“It's not really my story to tell.” I deferred to Jas, looking to him and hoping he could handle it, remembering my latest decision about not treating him like he was breakable.

Jas started from the beginning, leaving nothing out. He spoke about the not-so-pleasant occurrences on his birthday, outlined events in the arena and how Herk came to be a part of our little pack. Then he revealed Sanders' background and most everyone was blown away upon hearing the news. All except for Bill, who merely nodded. Obviously, he knew there was more than meets the eye to the Adams High Football coach and P.E. teacher. I wouldn't be surprised if they already knew each other, given the close relationship in their job descriptions.

The rest of the story held a grim undercurrent, but Jas didn't balk from providing all the details. Actually, he painted a very detailed picture of the events, and it became gruesome at points. By the time he reached the end of the tale, all of us were on edge, leaning forward to hear his soft words. Emotion was palpable, but Jas didn't balk from recounting the painful story. Instead, he put up an outward front of his usual nature, joking and unflappable. Thankfully, this was a tight nit group and everyone sensed that Jas couldn't cope with being pitied. Bill was busy being shocked, while Simon was the first to recover.

“You're half vampire?” Simon asked incredulously, his inquisitive nature getting the best of him. “That's impossible!”

“Werevamp,” I corrected automatically.

Jas shrugged his shoulders. “Apparently not as impossible as we'd thought. Although, I'm probably the only one in existence. I would've died if Caleb hadn't acted.”

“Are you hungry?” Simon continued, curious. “Will the blood of a Were sustain you longer than that of a human? Have you felt the development of any new abilities?”

“Enough.” Bill's chair creaked as he leaned forward and drummed his fingers on the tabletop in deep thought. “Your heart hasn't changed, Jason. Remember that. There is a Darkness inherent in vampires that many of the breed don't care to fight and instead give in to its enticements. From what you've told us, however, you must know that. They are content to wreak havoc among the innocent, their wanton actions depraved and without humanity. Do not let the enticement and allure of this new part of you destroy your humanity. Do not allow your dark passenger to take the driver's seat, no matter how tempting it might be to give in to the whispers.”

Jas gulped. “I won't.”

That sounded a whole lot like an ultimatum. “I'll keep him in line,” I said.

Jas looked around at everyone in the room, tears welling. “I can't thank you guys enough for not looking at me different. That's the one thing I couldn't stand.”

“Think nothing of it,” Xavier chimed in, backed up by Monique.

Mary closed in on Jas' vulnerable form, hugging him tightly. “Don't be silly. We've known each other since diapers. You can't get rid of us that easily.”

Tentatively, Jas hugged back. Like someone had pressed the play button, everyone moved to comfort him. There weren't any particular words said or even consolation offered. A bunch of good people just recognized the pain he was struggling under and tried to do their best to alleviate some of it. I wasn't much one for group hugs but joined in despite my reservations. There was a closeness in that room, with friends that you knew would have your back no matter the circumstances. You couldn't buy that kind of friendship with a truckload of buried treasure. I shouldn't have to mention that Herk stayed away, but he wasn't much for all the mushy touching and he hardly knew any of us.