The Ancient Breed (57 page)

During the ride down, his thoughts drifted to the problem that had kept him out of circulation for a long time. He hated the beast that resided inside him. After all was said and done, he was merely another mutant born of the
Mortal Eclipse
project so long ago, and it had depressed him for months. His prolonged despondency led to a self-imposed seclusion once the NNC corporate papers were filed, and the government negotiations concerning the property deeding, the procurement of Geronimo, and the hefty contract with Homeland Security were completed. With the unwavering support of Gabriella and his two best friends, Nick recently rejoined the human race. He was flying to Columbus, Ohio that afternoon, renting a car, and driving the remaining distance to Duneden. His home.

It was Christmas Eve, but Nick felt no joy. He still had doubts about his status with his two friends. What did they secretly think of him? Were they afraid of him? But why wouldn’t they be afraid? Even he was frightened of the monster lurking inside him. He was very concerned that it could strike at any time and hurt someone close to him.

Nick stepped outside with his carry-on bag slung over his shoulder and saw Rance’s black limousine immediately. He turned up his collar. Swirling snow flurries rode the brisk December wind and nipped at his face as he approached the car. His frosty breath drifted into the chilly air like gyrating smoke signals.

The driver opened the back door, and Nick ducked inside. Rance was impeccably dressed in a black cashmere overcoat, gray pinstriped suit, heavily starched white shirt, and an appropriately conservative tie.

They rode in silence for a while before Rance finally turned to his old friend.

“I’m sorry it had to come to this,” he said sadly. “Even though I understand your reasons for leaving, I just want you to know that politics is the wave of the future for this country’s intelligence agencies. The main reason that I’m sticking around is to prevent as many politicians as I can from diluting our effectiveness with their campaign rhetoric - tying our hands behind our backs and then disparaging our efforts as incompetent whenever a terrorist strike occurs on our soil.

“I still have enough power and credibility in Washington to keep most of those wolves at bay, but it’s going to be tricky.” He sighed heavily. “Washington has become a town of smoke and mirrors. Perception is more real than reality to them.”

“Terrorism is real. Those damn demons and aliens are real, too,” Nick countered.

Rance simply nodded. “The politicians live in a fishbowl, looking out. Nothing is real to them except election poll points and self-gratification.”

“That’s not my world. I’m a pragmatist,” Nick claimed, disgust tainting his tone. “And so are the majority of citizens in this country. They deal with reality every day. I’m through with Washington. I’m in this for the people, and always have been.”

“I understand and I’m glad, in a way. With you, Neo, and Crow beyond Washington’s scrutiny, you could be even more valuable to me.”

Nick studied him suspiciously. “Okay, what’s going on in that shrewd mind of yours, Rance?”

He smiled. “Just this – your new enterprise could handle some investigative work for me as a private vendor,” he explained. “No politics. No press. Just my full backing. What do you say?”

“I say it’s Christmas Eve, and I’ll think about it after the first of the new year,” Nick replied.

The limousine rolled to a stop at the curb in front of Nick’s airline terminal. The two men shook hands as the driver opened the door and took Nick’s carry-on.

“Merry Christmas,” Nick said, as he climbed from the limo.

“Merry Christmas. Give my best to Neo, Crow, and Gabriella.”

“I will.”

“And call me after the first. I have a couple of things brewing that I could use NNC Consultants’ help with,” he shouted after Nick.

Nick nodded and entered the terminal.

As the commercial airliner descended over Columbus, Nick glanced out the window. The rolling, snow-covered country south of the airport resembled marshmallow fields. He smiled despite his dour mood. In two hours, he’d be home. Home for Christmas. The phrase suddenly had a warm and comforting ring to it.

But, would he be welcome? The same nagging doubt surfaced. Time would tell.

Duneden was transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland. The low clouds silently sprinkled plump, vanilla flakes on the rooftops, roads, and lawns of the small community. Tapered, crystalline icicles clung to bottoms of tree limbs, windowsills, and eaves troughs, nature’s contributions to the holiday season.

Nick guided his blue SUV between the open gates of the Wolfe estate and parked along the circular drive in front of the mansion. A recent snowplowing had created a glistening stockade along the brick pavement. Nick grabbed his carry-on and rushed through the falling snow to the porch. The door was flung open, and Gabriella launched her lithe frame into his arms.

“It’s been so long,” she whispered into his ear. “I’ve missed you, Nick.”

When she released him, he felt his heavy heart lighten. He admired her luminous, snow-blonde hair that spilled across her shoulders and breasts, with wind-whipped wisps dancing in the shadow of cleavage displayed in the low neckline of her evening dress. The features of her oval face were delicately carved from a pearl complexion, and the brisk December air painted a blush on her cheeks. She seized his arm and led him inside.

A chorus of voices shouted, “Surprise!”

Nick stood stunned.

Neo and his wife, Liz, were flanked by newlyweds Crow and Jill Smith, and Clay and Blossom Corey.

Nick looked at Gabriella. “What’s all this?” he asked uneasily.

“Just a little post-wedding, Christmas shindig,” she replied brightly.

“Hey, we’ve waited long enough for this joker to show. Let’s break out the champagne,” Crow said as he hugged his friend and new business partner. “Welcome back, white man.”

Neo bear-hugged Nick. “Good to see you, man. We missed you,” he whispered and led Nick into the large living room.

The ladies hugged and kissed him, and Clay gave him a hearty slap on the back. A full, long-needled Scotch pine was festively decorated with antique ornaments, strings of popcorn, and clear mini-lights. It stood majestically in the corner of the cheery room. Brightly colored bows, beads, glittering tinsel, pine garlands, and mistletoe adorned the walls, drapes, cornices, and doorways.

Two bottles of iced champagne and eight long-stemmed, crystal champagne glasses appeared on the folding table beside the roaring fireplace. Crow filled the glasses and handed them to his friends. Nick waited his turn for a glass and then promptly strode out of the mansion to the front porch. He stuffed his hands into his pockets to ward off the biting chill and stared blankly at the white lawn. He couldn’t go through with this. Although they did their best to welcome him, Nick still felt like an outsider. After all, he wasn’t human like the others. He didn’t belong.

Suddenly, a warm, white mist enveloped him, and Gabriella appeared at his side.

She looked worried. “What’s the matter, Nick?”

He told her, anger staining his words. “I didn’t ask to be this way, Gabriella. My father cursed me for life. I’m a freak. A damn freak! How can I face those people inside? I can’t pretend to be human, because I’m not, dammit! I don’t belong. I’m sorry, but I just had to leave. I didn’t want to spoil the party for them. Or you.”

Gabriella slipped her hands into his. “Is that what you think? That we don’t like you for who you are? I can’t believe that you’d belittle your friends like that, Nick. We feel the same way about you as we did last year. Nothing’s changed. And I knew about your special gifts all along, and I still loved you all my life. Whatever’s inside you is part of
you
. It’s not evil or scary, because that’s not you.”

“But I’ve changed.”

She yanked her hands from his. “You rant and rave about perceptions ruling our government in Washington instead of reality, and yet you’re doing the same thing to your friends. If you can’t take the truth, Nick, then hold onto your lonely perceptions. Because you will be alone, through no fault of ours.” She turned away from him to hide her tears. “So, enjoy your pity party and ignore the people who love and need you.”

Nick considered her argument. “You sure that what you told me
is
reality and not an attempt to make me feel better?”

She huffed. “So you’re even doubting me, now? You have a kind heart, unlike your twin, Thomas. You’re not anything like him. He was the freak, not you. And I’m not the only one who ever saw the goodness in you. Jill’s father saw it. That’s why he rescued you from being sacrificed by your own father when you were a boy. If Joe Sandlin hadn’t believed in your goodness, do you honestly believe for a moment that he would’ve risked his life to save you?”

He turned her around and kissed her hard. She kissed him back.

“That felt good,” he said. “I’ve really missed kissing you.”

Gabriella rose on her tiptoes. “I hope that’s not all you’ve missed.”

His smile dispelled the stress in his face.

“I love you, Nick. Nothing you’ve done has changed that one bit,” she asserted.

“Well, I sure love you,” he responded. “Before my pity party, as you so aptly called it, I was planning to ask you to marry me tonight.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really.”

“So, what’s stopping you?”

A slightly off-tune rendition of “Jingle Bells” drifted outside.

“Just the fear of the monster returning when I least expect it. It . . . I might hurt you.”

She threw her arms around his neck. “You’ve controlled it your entire life with your goodness. It’ll only appear when you summon it. That’s why it’s one of your
special gifts
.”

He had to admit that her reference to his condition as a
gift
and not a curse should have set him straight months ago.

“Then, will you marry me, Gabriella, and spend the rest of your life with a man who loves you more than life itself?”

She stepped back and wrinkled her forehead. “Are you certain you want to spend the rest of
your
life with a witch when you dislike magic so much?”

“Absolutely. We’re magical together, and I like that.”

She grinned. “Good answer.”

The front door opened and instantly dispelled the warm mist before they could seal their engagement with a kiss.

“You guys goin’ to camp out here all night?” Crow shouted. “It’s freezing out here. We’ve got Champagne that needs drinking and some unbelievable grub that needs eating. You game?”

Nick squeezed her tight. “If it’s okay with my future wife, then it’s fine with me.”

“Future wife!” Crow stepped back into the foyer. “Hey, everybody, Nick and Gabriella are engaged!”

A loud cheer went up inside.

Gabriella wiped away her cheerful tears and hooked Nick’s arm. “Shall we?”

He nodded, and glanced at his old friend. “It looks like we’re game,
Running Bear
,” Nick quipped as he and Gabriella strolled past a sputtering Crow to begin their new life together.