by Marc Lindsay
“Sure.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up from Selene’s place at midday.”
“No prob,” Jason replied.
“Just bring a towel,” Hector said, then checked his watch. “Well, I better get going, I’ll see you both tomorrow,” Hector added with a grin and gave them the pistol click with his thumb and finger pointed before walking off down the street.
“Well that was totally unexpected,” Jason said, watching Hector disappear in the distance. Selene looked dubious as she too watched Hector.
“Yeah, when something seems too good to be true, it’s because it usually is,” Selene replied.
Chapter 27
Jason and Selene arrived at the library and were surprised to find it closed.
“That’s unusual, I wonder what’s up?” Selene said.
“This could be serious,” Jason replied, concern etched upon his face. He pulled a key from his pocket and let them in through the front door. They made their way quickly down the stairs and in to the staff room where they found Ulysses and Ms Jax engaged in a heated conversation with Ursula Jaeger, their tone deadly serious.
“It’s time for you both to sit down, we have a lot to discuss,” Ursula said bluntly. The pair took their seats without comment and waited for an explanation.
“We’re running out of time and with the new information your grandmother has brought to us, the situation is worse than we imagined,” Ulysses stated.
“You were able to translate the book?” Selene asked.
“Books?” Ursula corrected. Selene and Jason both gave her a puzzled look.
“Have you acquired another piece of the puzzle?” Jason asked.
“No, but you did,” Ursula replied, looking embarrassed.
“I’m afraid you’ve lost me.”
“You have to remember that I still didn’t know you that well.”
“Grandmother what are talking about?” Selene interrupted. Ursula ignored her as she pleaded her case to Jason.
“The guild comes first, it has to,” Ursula continued.
“What did you do?” Selene insisted. Ursula looked uncomfortable, but matched her stare.
“Your uncle’s journal, you never misplaced it. I, I took it,” Ursula said.
“You what?” Selene yelled in outrage. Ursula stood her ground, but the obvious red blush that had crept up her neck was clear to all that she was ashamed of her actions.
“Your uncle was my Captain, the items he has in his possession are Guild property. All I can say is I’m sorry for my deception,” Ursula said emotion cracking her voice, her eyes brimming red.
“I can’t believe you would do this under our noses,” Selene fumed. Jason put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.
“Selene its okay,” Jason tried to placate her. Selene looked at him in confused anger.
“How can you defend her?”
“Hey, I’m not entirely happy with this situation, but I’m sure she had her reasons,” Jason said.
“No, it’s not good enough. She probably did it while you were sleeping, sneaking in like a thief in the night. It’s creepy and cowardly and just plain wrong,” Selene ranted.
“We don’t have time for this,” Ulysses said exasperated. He was completely ignored by the pair.
“Who are you anyway?” Selene said, looking at her grandmother with disgust. Ulysses stepped forward with raised hands between the two women.
“Ursula, Selene, you need to put aside your family issues for the moment so we can get to the heart of the real issue,” Ulysses said bluntly. This seemed to snap the two from their standoff.
“You’re right Ulysses, this is something we can discuss later at home in private,” Selene snapped, glaring at her grandmother.
“The procurement of my uncle’s journal aside, what have you found that’s so urgent Ms Jaeger?” Jason asked. Ursula looked toward Ulysses who gave her a curt nod to continue.
“First up, Jason, let me apologise,” Ursula said. He was about to wave her off but she shook her head. “I did what I did out of necessity, nothing more. But the more I have gotten to know you and the influence you have had over my granddaughter, I have found you to be a rather upstanding young man. So maybe over time you can forgive me,” Ursula added. Jason nodded. He was still annoyed by her actions but also pleased by her praises.
“I understand we all have information, patchy as it may be, concerning the Harvest Festival. The information I have been able to gleam from Jason’s books indicates Perigord is attempting to perform a ceremony he started two hundred years ago,” Ursula said.
“Yeah, we kinda figured that part out. He wants to turn his devotees into superhuman beasts that only he can control,” Selene said defiantly, Ursula ignored the outburst.
“No, not entirely. It’s not his plan to turn his devotees. No Perigord will be conducting the ceremony with plans of turning the entire town,” Ursula stated.
“You can’t be serious?” Jason asked shocked
“I’d believe it Jason. Perigord was a sick man, he’s capable of anything,” Ulysses added.
“So I’ve been told. Imagine thousands of creatures, virtually immune to disease and injury, with strength speed and endurance a hundred times greater than any human swarming over the planet,” Ursula replied. Jason and Selene looked on in shock
“With Heinrich controlling them, it would be a massacre on a global scale,” Jason whispered.
“Global genocide,” Ulysses agreed.
“How can we stop him?” Selene asked.
“We first need to know how he intends to conduct the ceremony and what elements he may require,” Ursula said.
“I think I can help in that department, or rather Jason already has,” Ulysses answered. Jason gave him a quizzical look in return.
“The photographic evidence you both took from the realty the other night details the ceremony,” Ulysses said.
“Why do I feel like a but is coming?”
“Well for starters there is one key component that would be impossible for Perigord to procure.”
“What would that be?” Ursula asked urgently.
“The Gjallarhorn,” Ulysses said.
“Impossible, it’s only a myth,” Ursula shot back flatly.
“Just like goblins, shape shifters, and vampires,” Ulysses said patiently.
“Touché.”
“Wait, hold it, vampires are real?” Jason said astonished.
“Not now Jason,” Ulysses admonished. Jason appeared embarrassed by his outburst and looked sheepishly at Selene who ignored him, her attention on the conversation between Ulysses and Ursula.
“The horn was given its current name by the Vikings who believed that Heimdall would blow the horn signifying Ragnarok, the end of the world. But the horn predates this by tens of thousands of years when it was first brought to this planet,” Ulysses said to the group.
“Who brought it?” Jason said totally consumed by the tale.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure the answer of the horn and the being who brought it is in here somewhere,” Ulysses said as he pointed to the library’s walls.
“What else do we need, to know?” Selene asked.
“The information I’m really lacking are the chemicals and elements Perigord needed for his potion” Ulysses said frustrated.
“Plato’s book, Transmorphagation, details the ingredients required for the ceremony,” Ursula interrupted.
“What are they?” Ulysses asked.
“One is an element in fairly high abundance within this region, the sap from the black sequoia,” Ursula said.
“And the other ingredient?” Jason asked eagerly.
“The other is a mineral called Ambroxilene, usually only found deep within the earth, however I don’t know what it’s used for,” Ursula commented.
“Well that’s a starting point for us. Can you two find any information on Ambroxilene, where it’s found and what it’s used for?”
“We�
��ll see what we can do,” Jason replied.
“Don’t see, do. This is important Jason,” Ulysses scolded. Jason nodded. “Selene, along with helping Jason, we need to know of anyone new in town, people Perigord may want here, people here to assist him somehow in the ceremony,” Ulysses continued.
“What about Onyx and Strix?” Selene replied.
“They’re the muscle. Mind you, Heinrich needs them and they won’t be too far away, so be careful. I can’t stress this enough,” Ulysses added.
“Time is running out, we have only ten days till the Harvest moon,” Ursula said.
“I think it’s crucial that we all meet here after closing each day so we can pool our information together. Agreed?” Ulysses asked, and everyone nodded, the realisation of the events that were unfolding around them and the gravity of the situation hitting home.
Jason and Selene arrived back at his house. His mother was half way through preparing dinner when they entered the kitchen.
“Hey you two how are things?” Helen said warmly.
“Fine,” Selene and Jason replied in unison.
“You don’t mind if Selene stays for dinner, do you?” Jason asked sweetly.
“No of course not, you know she’s always welcome,” Helen replied.
“Don’t worry my grandmother knows where I am,” Selene cut in bitterly. Jason gave her a small tap with his elbow and Selene put on her best smile, which didn’t go unnoticed by Helen who decided not to say anything, but lock it in the memory bank for latter.
After dinner Jason and Selene sat in the study pouring over Plato’s books on chemistry.
“I can’t believe there’s only a small amount of information on Ambroxilene on the net,” Selene said over the top of her book.
“Oh I don’t know, we have a brief description and what it’s used for that’s a start,” Jason replied.
“How strange that something used as a preserving compound is a key ingredient in creating a super race.”
“Speaking of super races, aren’t we supposed to go to the lake with Hector tomorrow?” Jason said smugly, Selene laughed out loud.
“Do we have to?” She whined.
“I think it might be good to get out and mingle, maybe this time I won’t drown.”
“That’s not funny,” Selene said seriously and threw a pillow at his face, which he caught it in mid-air.
“I wasn’t trying to be,” Jason said seriously, the memory of that moment with Ulysses still fresh in his mind. Selene noticed his sudden change in mood and she got up and put a hand on his.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Jason forced a smile to his face and Selene’s eyes twinkled as she caressed his hand with her fingertips.
“What are you doing?” he asked quietly. Selene furrowed her brow slightly.
“Oh I thought it was obvious, ya big lug.”
“Not that obvious.”
“I don’t believe it, a big tough guy and you’re afraid of little old me,” Selene said, a note of frustration creeping into her voice. She started to get to her feet. Jason tugged gently on her arm and pulled her into his lap. Looking into her beautiful silver grey eyes he lent forward to kiss her.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” a voice said, startled. Jason jumped out from his seat and Selene fell to the floor as they both looked around to find Helen leaving the room. Jason was about to call out to her when he finally noticed Selene at his feet.
“Shit, I’m so sorry, she kind of startled me,” he said apologetically, as he helped her to her feet. Selene rubbed her backside.
“You think?” she said candidly and then seeing Jason’s unhappy expression, “don’t worry about it.”
“Maybe we should call it a night, after all we have a big day tomorrow,” Jason said, attempting to change the subject.
“You’re right, do you think your mum will mind if I don’t say goodbye?”
“Under the circumstances I’m sure she’ll understand,” Jason said with a grin.
Later that night Helen stopped by Jason’s room to say goodnight.
“Are you awake?” Helen said. Jason flicked on his bedside light and peered at the doorway through bleary eyes.
“What’s up mum?”
“I just wanted to say goodnight and that I’m sorry for spoiling your moment with Selene.” Jason was quiet a moment before he answered.
“It’s fine, no harm done. But promise me you won’t be acting all funny the next time you see her okay?”
“I promise,” Helen seemed to waiver at the door.
“Is there anything else you wanted to say mum?”
“Jason, Selene is a great girl, but promise me you’ll take it easy, okay?”
“Is this the sex thing you’re worried about?”
“Yes and no, I don’t won’t to see either of you hurt. Remember you don’t have to rush things.”
“I wish,” Jason muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothing, point taken. I promise to take things nice and slow. Happy?”
“Yes, now get some sleep,” and without another word Helen switched the light off and closed the door.
Chapter 28
Despite the fact it was a Saturday, Jason had set his alarm early and crawled out of bed. The mornings had been getting colder but Jason found the weather no longer bothered him as his body regulated his temperature automatically. The alien clothing that Ulysses had given him also worked to protect him from the elements. It also freaked him out a little, the way it responded to his thoughts, however this morning he was glad he had it. Sneaking downstairs, Jason let himself out through the back door and ducked into the shadows. After looking around and ensuring he was alone, Jason concentrated and transformed his body into that of a dog. The changes were occurring easier each time and as Jason practiced, he found he was getting better at cataloguing the process, taking nothing more than concentrating on a memory.
He bolted through the streets in his dog form wearing a small backpack. The freedom of anonymity in this simple guise was exhilarating. The still of the early morning allowed him to stretch his senses. His hearing and smell picked up the wildlife around him. His vision allowed him to see in the dark. Jason ran for a while jumping through shrubs and over bushes, chasing cats and peeing on the occasional car. He then remembered why he had come out in the first place.
Selene stirred in her sleep then sat upright in her bed as she heard a noise from outside her window. She made her way over with a torch from her bedside. Whisking the curtain aside she brandished the beam to the ground below. Dressed in jeans and hoodie stood Jason his hand raised to shield his eyes from her torch light. She quietly opened the window.
“Hey, I thought you might like to come for a ride,” Jason said with a grin. “But before you come, put this on,” Jason added. Before she could respond, he tossed a small parcel in through the open window.
“What’s this?” Selene said puzzled.
“Do you even have to ask?” Jason replied. Selene thought it over for a second then let out a little squeal. Quickly slapping a hand over her mouth to muffle the noise.
“Oh my God, you didn’t? You did! This is so cool!” Selene rambled.
“Hurry up and get changed,” Jason said, waving her away. Selene disappeared out of sight into her room.
Jason paced outside, waiting anxiously for Selene to appear. He was just about to call out to her when a dark figure leapt from the window and landed like a cat in a crouched position a few feet from him. Selene slowly got to her feet. She was now dressed in tight black leather pants, matching knee high boots and a long flowing black leather jacket
“Whoa,” was all Jason could get out. Selene smiled in response.
“Damn straight, so where’s this ride you promised me?”
“Stand back, this is about to get spectacular,” Jason announced. Selene took a couple of paces back just as Jason transformed before her. A large black shape at first, the dark of the early morning partly o
bscuring his form, until he got to his feet, all four of them. Selene looked on with wide eyes at the beast before her, a magnificent black stallion complete with giant black feathered wings.
Selene climbed onto the stallions back and without thinking, leaned forward and ran her fingers through his thick mane. Jason blew a raspberry and flared his nostrils. Selene snatched back her hand and blushed, realising the intimate action she had performed on him. The stallion beat its wings and began to climb towards the sky. Selene was thrown forward from the sudden movement as she clung desperately to the stallion’s neck. Jason gave a mighty flap of his wings and the stallion exploded upward to the heavens. Selene let out a gasp of excitement as they took off. Jason’s flight path took them directly up into the cloud-filled sky, the air felt damp and cool. Selene’s new clothing changed subtly in response to the cooler air. The leather thickened providing her with more warmth and greater protection from the elements. Once they had reached an altitude where Jason was fairly certain they could no longer be visible to the town’s residents, he levelled out and hovered within the cloud. They were still able to view the valley below but were given ample camouflage at the same time.
“This is freakin’ awesome,” Selene screamed out. Jason neighed in response. “If only we could talk…,” Selene was interrupted as the collar on her jacket grew, creeping up and spreading over her ears. She panicked and attempted to pull the alien material from her head when she heard Jason’s voice.
“Don’t fight it, I’m sure it’s not trying to hurt you,” Jason soothed.
“Hey I can hear you.”
“That’s what the jacket’s doing on your ears, it’s acting as a universal translator”
“This is so cool,” Selene gushed.
“You haven’t seen anything yet. Hold on” Jason replied. Selene gripped the stallion’s mane tight just as they went into a steep nosedive. Despite the fact that she had been expecting something, her eyes went wide and she squealed in exhilaration and fear. They plummeted down sharply. The view of the valley in the morning dawn was like a dark blur. Selene could see the ground approaching, getting closer and closer. Her heart was beating rapidly as they continued to fall. She started to see the tops of the trees as her grip tightened on the stallion’s mane.
