Revenge

by T K Eldridge

  Every few steps, the metal in his hand jerked and bucked as the laser-like things hit it. He spun and blocked as best he could, but it was hard with all of the rubble, debris, and screaming people around him. Five feet to the window and he’d be out. Kian broke into a run and jerked his shield as he blocked the beam headed for his torso. Yet, he missed the one that hit his legs. Suddenly he flew through the air and landed hard against the wall under the window. He tried to get up, but something didn’t feel right. Kian glanced down to see what had him pinned, and realized his legs were gone at about his knees. He had the presence of mind to wonder why there was no blood before he passed out, the counter shield lying on top of him.

  That’s where the rescue crews found Kian – alive and unconscious under a stainless steel counter cover, tucked against the base of the window. He was one of only six to come out of the building alive.

  * * *

  Emlen sat on the balcony outside their bedroom, a cup of tea beside her laptop on the table. The article about her wedding and “Irish honeymoon” was going slow. Ryan’s voice drew her attention to the doorway as he called her name. “Ryan? I thought you were with Kian at the PLEA conferences?”

  Em rose to her feet when Ryan didn’t reply. “Ryan?” She took a few steps closer and frowned. “Ryan, what’s wrong? You don’t look well.” She went to rest a hand on his arm and it passed through. “Oh. Hell, no.”

  Ryan shook his head and then spoke, “Emlen, can you hear me?”

  Em swallowed her tears and nodded. “Yeah, Ryan, I can. What happened?”

  “I’m dead, aren’t I?” Ryan asked.

  “Yeah, hon. You are. I’m so sorry. Do you remember what happened?”

  “Sort of. Kian stopped to get coffee at the kiosk and I went in to the conference room. I sat in a chair against the wall because the room was packed. Simon got up to open the meeting and all hell broke loose. Something happened with the security cameras. They started shooting these beams at people and wherever they hit, it blew a hole in them.”

  “Holy hell,” Em whispered. “What kind of weapon does that?”

  “I think it was magical. It tracked people as they ran and tried to get out. Blew holes in the walls and caused the structure to fail.”

  “And Kian?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t see him. I haven’t seen him here, either. I saw a lot of people from the meeting walking into the light, but I needed to tell you what happened,” Ryan said.

  Emlen reached out to grab his arm and when she felt he was solid, she gave him a hug. “You have been the best teacher anyone could ask for. Thank you for everything.” Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked up at him. “Are you going into the light? I can share messages with people if you’d like.”

  “I think I missed my chance this time, and I don’t think I can go without knowing what happened to Kian,” Ryan replied.

  “Okay, I need to go tell everyone downstairs. You want to come with me?”

  Ryan nodded and followed her down.

  Emlen wiped her cheeks, took a deep breath, and walked into the command center and into chaos. People called out information, answered phones, tapped on keyboards. Emlen put two fingers in her mouth and let rip a piercing whistle, then reached out and took Ryan’s hand. The room stuttered to a standstill as they turned their attention to Em and Ryan. Then Emlen let go of his hand for a moment, and took it once more. Gasps and choked out curses rolled through the room as Connor stepped forward and saluted Ryan, fist to chest, head bowed. One by one, the rest of the crew did the same. Ryan squared his shoulders and returned the salute before he started speaking. “What we thought were security cameras in the rooms had been modified somehow. I think they were tech magicked. They became laser-type weapons that blew holes in anything they hit and tracked people as they tried to escape. Blew holes in walls and destabilized the structure. Kian wasn’t in the same room as me, so I don’t know what happened to him.”

  Connor spoke up. “Kian is at the hospital. They found him, and five others, alive. Whatever hit him, one leg is missing from just above the knee, the other just below. No other major injuries. A laser type of weapon fits, because whatever hit him, it cauterized the wounds as it severed the limbs, otherwise he’d be gone too.” His voice cracked and he swallowed. “I’m so sorry, brother. What can we do for you, now?”

  “Let me help,” Ryan said. “I want to do what I can, while I’m here. I want to help figure out who did this and why.”

  Connor nodded, “As you wish, then. I’ve sent two men to guard each PLEA member at the hospital. Two of the injured were passing civilians outside the building. Emlen? Are you up for joining Cullen and I at the scene? I need your psychometry skill to see if we can find out anything about those devices.”

  “Of course, Connor,” Emlen replied, glancing over at Cullen.

  “As long as you promise to stay glued to my side the whole time,” Cullen told her.

  “Not a problem,” Em said. “Have Edmund and Patrick been updated?”

  “About ten minutes before you came down,” Connor replied and turned to one of the techs near him. “Let him know what Ryan told us, please.” The tech nodded and moved to his station to contact the President.

  Em looked up at Ryan. “I’m going to go get my coat. I’ll be right back.”

  Ryan gave her a faint smile. “Might want to put on some sturdier shoes. There was a lot of debris. Hiking boots if you’ve got them.”

  “Good idea.”

  A few minutes later, Emlen, Cullen, Connor and two others waited in the foyer for Michael to bring the SUV around. Ryan had wandered off and said he’d meet them there.

  “After we check the place out, I want to go see Kian,” Emlen said.

  “I do, too,” Cullen told her, taking her hand. “He’s family and he’ll need us. He won’t be able to work for a while, if ever again. He’s got some hard choices to make, but no matter what, we’ll make sure he’s taken care of.”

  “Definitely. Don’t want him to worry about anything,” Em said.

  Connor stepped up and opened the door as the SUV arrived. “Kian won’t have to worry about anything, nor will any of our people that were hurt. We will also take care of the families of those that were lost. That’s what the Garda used to do, and what PLEA has promised as well.”

  “Excellent,” Emlen said as she slid across the seat, making room for the others to get in. Soon they were all headed to the PLEA offices, tension thick as each wondered what they would find. It took a while to get through the barricades and rescue vehicles, yet the ride ended over a block from the building. A haze of smoke and dust still swirled in the air as they walked closer, Connor’s ID the only thing allowing them this close. As one, they stopped across the road from the building, awed by the sheer amount of destruction. A fire lieutenant stood beside Connor, explaining what they’d found and where things were now. The lieutenant said it appeared to be some kind of laser weapon that cut through steel and stone as if it were butter. They had put out the fires and shored up the structure so they could continue the search and rescue process. When Connor told him he needed to go inside, the man nearly screamed at him. Connor told him that he would accept all responsibility, insisting national security demanded it and he would not be kept back. Finally, Connor, Cullen, and Emlen were given hard hats, goggles, breathing masks, gloves and reflective vests. The conference room had already been cleared of bodies, so they decided to go there first.

  The sight that met them was sobering. Blood had splattered everywhere. On stone, wood, plaster, and glass. Shards of wood from the table mixed with chunks of metal from the chairs and reinforcement beams from the ceiling hung in twisted patterns. Yellow plastic tags with numbers marked where bodies had been recovered. Emlen looked up as she spotted Ryan standing near the wall. “Is that where you were found?”

  He nodded and turned to point up at the corner where what looked like a security camera hung from a wire. “That’s one of the weapons.”


  Emlen pointed to where the camera hung. “I need one of you to get me that. Ryan says it was one of the weapons.”

  Cullen climbed over the debris and reached up, tugging the camera free of the frayed cord. He came back down and held it out for Emlen.

  Gingerly, she cupped it in her hands and closed her eyes as she reached for her magic. Images flashed against her closed eyelids and sensations swirled through her body. Emlen’s eyes flew open wide and she gasped. “Out…we need to get out…” Connor reached for the camera as Cullen grabbed Emlen’s arm and they started for the exit. Em stumbled and grabbed on to Cullen as they rushed outside. She turned and stared at the building, then at the two brothers. “They’re still activated. Get everyone out.”

  Connor stared at the thing in his hands, then yelped as it began to vibrate. He dropped it on the ground and grabbed a chunk of stone, then smashed the camera until it was fragments while Cullen yelled for the lieutenant to get everyone out.

  Screams rang out from the upper level of the building and a figure pressed against a window just as a beam slashed through it and shattered the glass, sending the body tumbling to the ground. Cullen lifted Emlen off her feet and started running back towards their vehicle, Connor not far behind. Em watched as more windows shattered and the building seemed to slowly fold in upon itself before fully crashing down into a pile of wreckage. Dust billowed into the street and she buried her face in Cullen’s shirt, mouth covered as he staggered up to the SUV and practically shoved her inside. He dove in behind her, making sure she was shielded by his body as Connor jumped into the driver’s seat. They were headed away from the chaos before Emlen could clear her thoughts.

  “Fucking brilliant,” Connor hissed as he slowed the SUV down to normal speeds and guided them out of the city. “Someone’s been studying their terrorist’s handbook. Get the first attack done, then after the place is crawling with first responders, do the second attack.”

  “Em, are you okay?” Cullen asked as he helped her sit up and get into her seat belt.

  “I’m fine, just shaken. I got an image, but I have no idea who the face belongs to. I’ll have to sketch it out and see if anyone recognizes him. He was scarred and in a fancy kind of mechanized chair.” She shuddered and took a breath. “And he was laughing.”

  Chapter 12

  Two days after the attack on the PLEA headquarters, Emlen was checking her makeup in the bathroom mirror. The G20 summit had begun under the most intense security anyone had ever seen. Camille appeared behind her and smiled at her in the mirror.

  “Hi Mom, what’s up?”

  “Just checking in on you. Wanted to make sure you were okay after the other day. That was too close.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. A couple of nightmares, but with Ryan still around and Kian in good spirits, I’m just doing my best to get through the summit and get us home.”

  “Are we going back to Maryland after?” Camille asked.

  “No, Cullen and I want to go back to Boston. It’s time to settle down and get ready for the baby.” Emlen ran a hand over the slight bulge under her dress and smiled. “I also want to see my doctor in Boston, not deal with a strange doctor in Ireland.”

  “Just remember to take your vitamins and rest, Emmy,” Camille said as she moved to hug her daughter.

  “I will, Mom. Gotta go. Love you,” Em hugged her back and headed out of the room.

  On the stairs, Joel was waiting. “You’re okay, yes?” he asked.

  “Yes, Joel, I’m fine. The baby’s fine. Kian’s in good spirits. You’ve had a chance to talk to Ryan?”

  “Yep. Been helping him figure out this ghost business. He always was a quick learner. One of my best students,” Joel said.

  “Bet you didn’t think you’d be teaching still – after death, eh?” Emlen teased him, then kissed his cheek. “I’ve got to get going. Reception for the summit tonight. Edmund and Patrick asked us to be their special guests, so we’ve gotta hurry.”

  “I thought you looked rather nice this evening. Stay safe, little one. I’ll be around, watching.”

  “We’ll do our best, Uncle Joel. Don’t worry.”

  * * *

  The event was held in Clontarf Castle hotel, a beautiful venue about ten minutes outside Dublin city center. Dating to sometime around 1172, the castle’s history was evident in the stonework and towers, modernized for comfort and security. Emlen felt like a princess, entering the lobby on Cullen’s arm with Connor in front of them, clearing the path. They were stopped repeatedly as Connor greeted various foreign dignitaries and members of the upper ranks of PLEA. They were scanned and screened before entering the function hall, then escorted to Edmund’s table where he sat with Patrick, Thomas, and Thomas’s partner, Evelyn. Hugs and handshakes were shared before the three sat and Emlen let out a soft sigh. “I should’ve worn flat shoes. I’m not going to be able to keep these heels on all night.”

  Evelyn winced in sympathy. “I heard you were expecting. I lived in ballet flats during both of my pregnancies. What size do you wear?”

  Emlen told her and Evelyn smiled. “Perfect. For now, slip off your shoes and tuck them under your seat. After dinner, I’ll take you up to our rooms and get you something to wear. We’re the same size.”

  “You’re a life saver, Evelyn. Thanks,” Emlen replied and Cullen chuckled. “What?” Em asked him.

  “I knew we’d have to get maternity clothes eventually. I didn’t think about shoes,” Cullen said.

  Thomas just started to chuckle, then ended up laughing as he warned Cullen, “You have no idea. You’ll be buying things for your wife and the baby that you never even knew existed. Welcome to fatherhood, my friend.”

  Cullen reached for Emlen’s hand, squeezing it lightly. “I’ll take all of it, and gladly. I can’t wait to meet the child we made together.”

  Emlen had sparkling grape juice while the others had champagne. Once the glasses were filled, Thomas lifted his and looked to Emlen. “To the next Descendant. May the lineage prove true and the blood stay strong.” Everyone tapped their glasses and sipped before dissolving into small pockets of conversation. Emlen, seated beside Edmund, reached out to rest a hand on his arm. “How are you doing, Edmund? Holding up okay?”

  Edmund leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Sweet of you to worry about me, niece, but I’m fine. Patrick and I are doing well and adjusting to the demands of our jobs just fine. No one had time to booby trap the White House residence, so we settled in without any troubles. Have you heard the latest about Jackson?”

  “No,” Em sighed. “What’s he done now?”

  “Nothing, that’s the thing. No visitors. No demands. He reads several books a week, gets no online time and doesn’t watch television. He’s reading everything from biographies to romance novels and seems quite content, from all reports.”

  Emlen frowned. “That doesn’t sound like him at all. Are we sure it’s still JJ they’re holding?”

  “What? You think he’s a doppelganger or something?”

  “Who knows? I don’t put anything past that man,” Emlen replied.

  “Wasn’t Tina keeping an eye on him?” Patrick asked.

  “Yeah, and I have her ring so she can come here if there’s anything to report,” Emlen said.

  “Okay, so if there was something weird going on, she’d have let you know, right?” Edmund asked Em.

  “I’m sure she would have. Or she would’ve told Joel or my mom or someone and they would have let us know, if she was worried about leaving him alone for too long.”

  “Well, that helps,” Edmund said. “Knowing she’s keeping an eye on him.”

  Emlen leaned over, teasing him, “Never let it be said I didn’t do my part for the President.”

  Patrick snorted a soft laugh and shook his head. “Smart ass.”

  “Anything for family,” Emlen laughed and finished her sparkling juice.

  The meal was excellent and conversation flowed. When Evelyn saw that Em was done with he
r dessert, she gestured for her to come with her and the two left the room, Emlen carrying her heels.

  “How old are your children?” Em asked Evelyn.

  “Tasha is twenty-four and Tommy is twenty-two. Tasha works at the UN as an interpreter and Tommy is still at Columbia, majoring in mathematics,” Evelyn replied. They exited the elevator a couple of floors above the function hall and entered the suite. Em took in the elegant furnishings while Evelyn opened a wardrobe and took out a pair of gold ballet flats that would go perfectly with Em’s gown. “Here, try these.”

  Emlen slipped them on and sighed. “Perfect. I meant what I said before, you’re truly a life saver.” She wiggled her toes and smiled. “I’m going to have to get me a few pairs of these. So, um, Evelyn, may I ask you a kind of personal question?”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Evelyn replied, taking a seat on the settee beside Em.

  “Do your kids have magic?”

  Evelyn nods. “Tasha is a telepath and empath. She can read but not plant thoughts or images. Helps her a good deal with her translation work. Tommy is an elemental mage, specializing in water, like me. Why?”

  “Because I’m worried about raising a child with magic, who could end up with a whole collection of skills being a Descendant.”

  “Like with any child, magical or not, boundaries are important. Ethics and morals, right and wrong, the usual things a child needs to learn. There are magic dampening spells I can give you that will help control things if the child exhibits gifts in the pre-verbal stages. They won’t shut the magic off, but tone it down to manageable levels. Shutting off a child’s magic too early can handicap them later,” Evelyn said.

  “Mine was hidden and dampened with a charmed jewel when I was small, so while I could still sense ghosts, I couldn’t see them or communicate like I can now. None of my other gifts manifested until the jewel was smashed and I got acclimated to my magic. Once I started training and learning, things have been developing,” Emlen said. “My mom did that to protect me, though. Hiding me in plain sight and muffling my magic was the best way to keep me safe. She had planned to start teaching me when she was murdered. My grandmother refused to acknowledge magic in any forms, so I didn’t know anything or get trained at all until a little over a year ago.”