Hunted tgl-3

by Ednah Walters

  “Ouch,” Izzy protested.

  “That’s what you get for cheating,” Sykes said, moving to a different seat.

  Kim pushed Remy off her. “Get off me, you oaf.”

  Remy chuckled and plopped on a chair, his chest rising and falling. “How long have you been up here?”

  “Just a few minutes,” Izzy said.

  Kim grinned. “Five.”

  “I’m going back,” Sykes said. “I need to teach Lucien a lesson.” He disappeared.

  “Who’s Lucien?” I asked as Sykes reappeared in the mix as though he hadn’t left.

  Remy rotated his neck. “His childhood best friend, now his nemesis.”

  Izzy and I laughed.

  “How juvenile,” Kim said. “I bet it was over a girl.”

  “What else?” Remy turned and studied us. “Let’s finish this.”

  “Party pooper,” someone murmured, Izzy or Kim.

  “We attack from outside, surround them. Lil, start from the entrance. Izzy, you’re opposite her. Kim, take the south end while I plow them from the north.”

  We teleported back into the fray. Maybe it was the rest that did it or the fact that we were more mentally prepared, but we had them on the run this time. Still, it was a relief when Master Haziel called out, “Enough.”

  The SGs staggered to the nearest chairs while we stayed standing. We even helped up the ones on the floor. Master walked to where I stood.

  “What was that?” he asked.

  I gave him an innocent smile. “We improvised.”

  “Sloppy execution,” he snapped. “You should have done it smoothly, affecting everyone at once, not a few at a time.” He turned and indicated the seated Guardians, who were watching us with puzzled expressions. They probably didn’t understand how we had defeated them. “These are members of Xenith Security Unit, or as they are usually called, Security Guardians. They are our guests for as long as it takes. More will be arriving this evening.”

  “Why?” Sykes asked, his gaze going to a curly-haired guy he’d been fighting—Lucien.

  Master Haziel’s eyes narrowed. “They are here to offer us support. Unless you think you are invincible.”

  “Depends on who our target is,” was Sykes’ cocky response.

  Master Haziel pursed his lips and nodded. “You are going to need that confidence.” He glanced at all of us. “Your team is good, but you are not there yet. Maybe in a few decades. Still,” he smiled and glanced at me, “you must always find a way to defeat your enemies. Do you know why I made you do this little exercise?” he glanced at us, then the SGs. “Anyone?”

  “Because you have a wacky sense of humor?” Sykes said with a deadpan expression.

  “And a mean streak,” Izzy added.

  Master Haziel didn’t crack a smile, though we smiled while the SGs stared with shock. They probably couldn’t believe the bold responses w e’d given.

  “No,” Master Haziel retorted. “Your enemies will not wait for you to notice them before they attack. They will swoop down when you least expect them. I want you to be vigilant at all times.” He turned his attention to the SGs. “The Tribe practices both physical and mental warfare. You never ever let an opponent get inside your head. It does not matter how powerful they are. The Tribe did that to Lil and she just did it to you. Yes,” he continued, pacing, “she used her power of persuasion and compelled you to turn against each other and ignore her team, and it worked brilliantly.”

  What happened to ‘sloppy execution’? My face burned when the SGs focused on me. I expected resentment from them, but all I felt was approval after the initial surprise.

  “You did not really think they overpowered you so easily when you outnumber them and are more experienced fighters?” Master Haziel continued. “She saw an opportunity and used it. She learned from her mistake. In the next few days, you will learn how to fight back against the paralysis that follows a mind-blend with a member of the Tribe. Warm up is over. It is time for some serious work.”

  “Master Haziel?” Izzy called out

  He scowled. “What is it?”

  “Who’s guarding Xenith if the SGs are coming here?” she asked.

  Master Haziel frowned. “A few will be left behind, though there is really no need. The portal will be destroyed by sundown.”

  Gasps came from my friends.

  “You were not supposed to know about this until later today. Now back to work. Get practice swords.” Daggers and swords floated from the wall. “Hand-to-hand combat that way.” He pointed to the area near the door, then the other end of the arena. “Sword sparring over there.”

  I caught a sword and started across the floor, but I couldn’t help overhearing the conversations among my friends. They were planning on going home to see their families immediately after the morning training session.

  With the fear and anxiety came determination. We worked hard. The more Master Haziel pushed, the more we gave him. Still, there was a collective sigh of relief when he called out, “That is enough for today. Lil, stay behind.”

  I joined him in the booth, where he poured water in two glasses, offered me one and gulped down his. I knew the water would be lukewarm as usual and didn’t bother to drink it, though I politely accepted the cup.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, studying me with a frown.

  I shrugged. “Okay.”

  He nodded with approval. “Good. I talked to your grandfather this morning. Do you have any questions?”

  “When will the Goddess need me? For how long?”

  Master Haziel shook his head. “I do not have all the answers. I am sure she will let you know when she is ready.”

  “Does everyone know about me?”

  “That you are the Chosen One? Yes. That the powers of the dagger are inside you because you are the Goddess’ vessel? No. That is between us and the Cardinals.” His eyes sharpened. “I assume you already told your friends?”

  I made a face. “Wasn’t I supposed to?”

  “No, but what is done is done. If you have questions, concerns, or just need to talk, I am here for you.”

  “What if I want to vent?”

  He straightened to his full height, which was several inches shorter than mine. “My students do not vent. They protest forcefully, object vehemently, or show their disapproval passionately.”

  I laughed. Master Haziel did have a wacky sense of humor.

  “Come on. I want you to meet your new team.” He started for the booth’s entrance.

  “New team?” I placed my glass on the table. He pointed toward the floor of the pit, where four SGs—two guys and two girls—were talking.

  “Why do I need them?”

  “They are your backup. You are going to L.A.” Master Haziel indicated we should join the others, but I didn’t move.

  “To do what?” I asked.

  “Bran needs your help with something.”

  “You talked to him? When? Is he okay?”

  “Yes, I talked to him a few minutes ago and yes, he is okay,” Master Haziel said impatiently.

  Relief washed over me. “Why can’t I go with Remy and the others?”

  Master Haziel sighed, then pinned me down with narrowed eyes. “They are going home to see their families before the portal is sealed. They,” he indicated the SGs with a nod, “will be your backup team until your friends return. You must learn to work with other Guardians, not just your regular team.”

  “Why? No, let me guess,” I added quickly. “It is part of my duties as the Chosen One to be flexible?”

  “I always knew you were a quick learner. Come along.”

  The four SGs stopped talking as we drew closer. I recognized Sykes’ old buddy Lucien. From their black hair pulled back in ponytails, pale skin, and brown eyes, to the moles by their left eyes, the two women were carbon copies of each other. The other man had a thin moustache and a goatee. Although it was hard to guess the age of most Guardians, he appeared older than the twins, who looked li
ke they were in their mid-twenties.

  “This is Esras,” Master Haziel pointed at the bearded guy, then nodded at the twins, “Lunaris and Solaris. They are heads of sectors.”

  I had no idea how many sectors were in Xenith, but only the best of the Guardians made sector heads, like my grandfather was the head of the Senior Guardians.

  “And this is Lucien,” he indicated the curly-haired guy with twinkling topaz eyes, “an enterprising young man who might prove to be useful.” There was pride in Master Haziel’s voice, but he leveled the young man a warning glance before looking my way and adding, “You will take the lead on this.” He paused as though expecting the others to say something. When they didn’t, he continued. “Do not take too long. Help Bran and come straight home. The security team is monitoring the area for the Tribe, and so far they have not spotted them since the attack on the island. Should you encounter them, do not engage them. Find a way to lose them and head home. Questions?”

  No one spoke, but everyone grew tense at the mention of the Tribe. I didn’t like the idea of going anywhere with four Guardians straight from Xenith. What did they know about fighting demons? On the other hand, Bran needed my help.

  “What is Bran’s mission and how are we going to help him?” I asked.

  “Find him and find out instead of wasting time asking questions.” Master Haziel dismissed us with a wave, then teleported.

  Releasing a breath, I turned and faced the SGs. They stood with their hands behind their backs, legs slightly apart, body straight, and eyes locked on me as though I were a drill sergeant and they were recruits waiting for instruction. Resentment mixed with curiosity hung around them. The resentment came from the twins. What was their problem? They didn’t like me in charge? Too bad. I thought I caught a twinkle in Esras’ eyes, but I must have imagined it because when I looked him straight in the eyes, he didn’t blink or crack a smile. Lucien’s topaz eyes shone with anticipation. I liked him already.

  “Okay. Let’s relax and get to know each other better now that the taskmaster is gone,” I joked, surprised when my voice came out confident when I wasn’t.

  Lucien grinned. The twins and Esras didn’t relax.

  “I know this is your first time here, so feel free to ask me anything,” I said.

  “Are we going to fight demons, Cardinal?” Lucien asked.

  I grinned at his enthusiasm. “I don’t know. Our objective is to find Bran, help him with whatever he’s doing and come straight back. If demons get in our way, then yes, we’ll deal with them. Please, call me Lil.”

  Lucien’s grin widened. “We heard that your team uses neutral demons as informants and are friendly with them. Can we stop by their den? I’d like to tell my friends back at home that I visited one.”

  “No,” Solaris, or Lunaris, said, disgust written on her face. “We don’t associate with demons.”

  I studied her, not surprised by her attitude. The Guardians’ innate hatred for demons was homegrown. When I first met Remy, Sykes, Kim, and Izzy, they’d felt exactly the same way. Bran had cured them of such prejudices.

  “We do things democratically around here, Lunaris,” I said firmly.

  “My name is Solaris,” she snapped rudely as though insulted I couldn’t tell them apart. She jerked her thumb and indicated her twin. “She is Lunaris.”

  I kept my cool when all I wanted to do was snap back, but I was leading this mission and that meant keeping my cool, just like Remy or Bran would. “We usually go with what the majority decides, which means we vote.”

  “Then I vote we don’t fraternize with any demons, active, neutral or whatever you want to call them,” Solaris said.

  Her sister nodded. The two were angry about something, though I wasn’t sure what. Esras’ gaze moved from me to the twins and back to me again, but he didn’t speak. I had a feeling he was one of those guys who just watched and listened without intervening.

  “That’s going to be interesting, because we are going to Jethro’s Bar and Jethro is a demon, a Neutral to be specific,” I said with just a tiny bit of glee. “And if you didn’t already know, Cardinal Bran is considered a Souled Demon by some.”

  The twins looked at each other and made faces. Their attitude was beginning to piss me off. Lucien raised a finger to get my attention. “Yes?”

  “Can we eat at Jethro’s since it’s getting close to lunch time?”

  “No,” the twins said, in unison this time.

  Esras shook his head, too.

  I gave Lucien a sheepish grin. “Sorry, we’ve been outvoted. We’ll probably be back here by lunchtime anyway. If we are not, we can eat at a restaurant owned by a Guardian.”

  Lucien was disappointed, even though he tried to cover it with a smile. “Is Jethro a member of the Outcasts?”

  “It’s an insult to use the term ‘Outcasts’,” I corrected him impatiently.

  He blinked, his smile waning. “I didn’t know.”

  Feeling bad since he was the only nice SG in my unwanted new team, I gave him a smile. “They are called the Brotherhood of Guardians or just the Brotherhood. And no, Jethro is not a member. He is a neutral Hermonite.” From the corner of my eyes, I caught the glance and eye rolls the twins exchanged. Grinding my teeth, I added, “But that doesn’t mean he didn’t go after human souls at some point. What matters now is he doesn’t do it anymore. He supplies us with information on demonic activities that our Psi-dar can’t pick up. We, in turn, offer him protection.” I glanced at my watch. Eleven o’clock. I gave them a sweeping glance. “Do you know where the weapons room is?”

  “Yes, Cardinal.” Esras frowned. “Master Haziel showed us around.”

  “Did he give you hunting coats to conceal your weapons, too?”

  They all nodded.

  “Good. Wear them and let’s meet outside the weapons room in thirty minutes. Oh, and Esras?” He glanced at me. “Don’t call me Cardinal. Everyone calls me Lil.” I waited until they teleported, then sighed. This mission could turn disastrous if I didn’t watch my temper.

  - 13 -

  UNEXPECTED ANSWERS

  The alley behind Jethro’s bar was filthy, as usual. Leading with Lucien, I slowed down our teleport until I found a spot away from the icky puddles, then rematerialized.

  Lucien grinned. “That was cool. How did you slow down?”

  “A trick I learned recently,” I said absentmindedly, reaching under my trench coat to touch my lower back. It felt warm and tingly, like an itch that wouldn’t go away. Not sure what it meant, I ignored it and focused on Bran.

  A quick scan told me he wasn’t at Jethro’s, which was packed as usual. I still didn’t understand why he chose to sleep at Jethro’s when it took less than a second to teleport home.

  The twins appeared, one after the other. They looked around with disgust. Once again, I couldn’t tell them apart until they spoke.

  “Where are we?” one asked. Her voice was gentler, which meant she was Lunaris.

  “L.A. warehouse district. This building belongs to Jethro. The bar’s entrance is that way.” I pointed toward the front of the building.

  “Yeah, I can feel them,” Solaris said in her high-pitched annoying voice. “Demons,” she added, reaching for the ninja stars she’d placed in sheaths around her waist when we were in the weapons room.

  “No weapons, please,” I warned. Her eyes narrowed as though she wanted to defy me, then she backed down, her hands dropping to her sides and forming fists.

  “Where’s Esras?” I asked when the Guardian didn’t appear.

  “Master Haziel came to the weapons room right after you teleported and needed to have a word,” Lunaris answered.

  “He’ll miss the telegate if he’s not careful,” I warned. A telegate was a trail of energy disturbance left behind when one teleported. “One time, when we teleported here, only two of us made it while the others ended up across town.”

  Esras appeared just as I finished speaking. He was red in the face, uneasiness pour
ing from him.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he said and tugged the collar of his shirt. The fact that he couldn’t meet my eyes told me his nervousness had something to do with me. If he didn’t want to talk about it, fine. I couldn’t take any more mess directed at me. What bugged me more was the twins’ antagonistic attitude toward all demons. They had grumbled while we chose weapons, and I was sure they wouldn’t stop.

  “Before we go inside the restaurant, you need to know it is packed. Don’t do or say anything to antagonize them, because we are not here to fight. In fact, Jethro has a policy against many things, including fights and teleporting, in his bar. If a demon makes a sudden move, don’t assume he or she is about to attack. If you have to respond, just subdue them.”

  “This is not right,” Solaris murmured.

  “Solaris,” her twin warned.

  “You know I’m right,” Solaris snapped. “He did this on purpose. He knows how we feel about…about…” she glanced at me and lifted her chin, “about being friendly with demons.” I had a feeling she meant to say something else.

  Lunaris sighed and glanced at me. “I apologize for my sister—”

  “You don’t need to apologize to her.”

  The way she said “her”, I might as well be something that crawled from the sewer.

  “What is your problem, Solaris?” I asked, working hard to control my temper. “If you feel so strongly about them, why did you volunteer to come with me?”

  “We didn’t volunteer. The senile old fart told us to come,” Solaris said.

  Something inside me snapped. “Don’t call Master Haziel names. He’s many things, but he’s not senile or a fart, whatever that is. I’m sure he had his reasons for choosing you.”

  “Of course, he does,” Solaris snapped. “He is playing head games with us, as usual.”

  My eyes narrowed. “What is that supposed to mean?”