The Trials (The Elite Series)

by Jonathan Yanez

  Connor wasn’t sure how to console a child. Growing up as a single child, he had had plenty of friends, but now as a teenager, his child exposure was limited, at best. Lucky for him, Reap knew exactly what to do. Without hesitation, Reap reached up and grabbed Connor around the neck in a tight hug, still sobbing.

  At first, Connor was surprised and unsure how to respond. So he did the only thing he could do, he hugged him back. The two sat there for a minute, Reap’s little frame heaving up and down, his only answer to his father’s death.

  “It’s okay to cry. Let it out,” Connor whispered to his tiny bald head.

  Reap’s only answer was more sobs and a quivering, “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry? You have nothing to be sorry about. We all cry, even me.”

  Reap pulled back, sniffling. “You cry?”

  “Sure. It’s okay to cry when there’s something worth crying about. Don’t try and keep it inside.”

  Reap sniffled and ran his hand across his pale face. His eyes were bloodshot and his face stained from the many tears already shed. “Why did my dad have to die? Why did it have to be him? I didn’t even get to say good-bye.”

  Connor was far beyond his comfort zone. Killing zombies and chasing dragons, sure, but trying to explain to a child why their father died was a whole different conversation. Connor took a moment to think about Reap’s question.

  Connor was reminded of Lu, Zuna, and even Morrigan’s dependency on fate and that everything happened for a reason. That there was a divine plan in motion and they had faith it would work out in the end, for the best. “Everything happens for a reason, Reap. We may not be able to see or understand why at the moment, but we have to stand firm and have faith that there is a plan in place for each one of us. Things aren’t in our control, but one day we will look back and understand why things had to happen the way they did.”

  Reap’s young mind tried to wrap itself around what Connor was saying and he must have understood, because he gave Connor a weak smile as he asked, “Will I ever be able to see my dad again? And what about Laren? You have to get her back.”

  “You will see your dad again one day. And I promise I will bring back your sister.”

  “Good thing you’re a Judge, because if you weren’t, I’m not sure you could do that.”

  Connor smiled at his logic. “I’m glad I’m a Judge, too. I’m going to bring Laren back to you as soon as I can.”

  Reap sniffled again and was about to ask another question when the two heard the door to the library open again. Kora and Lu walked inside. Kora was the picture of feminine strength as she gave Connor a brief smile. Her hair was pulled back and her eyes were bloodshot, but her voice didn’t quake as she addressed her son. “There you are, Reap. Your brother and I were looking all over for you. It looks like you’re in good hands. Hello, Connor.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Abelardus.”

  Lu walked over to his little brother and embraced him in a hug. Lu’s normally perfect hair was a mess. “You okay, little guy?”

  “Yeah, Connor said everything happens for a reason and I’ll know it one day. And he’s going to bring back Laren. He promised.”

  Connor bit his tongue, unsure if Kora and Lu would agree with his stance on death and fate, but neither of them raised an objection. Instead, Lu actually smiled as he looked at Connor. “He did, did he?”

  Connor held his breath.

  “Well, that’s great, because I’m going with him. I’m going to make him pay, Reap— the man who ki—”

  “That’s great, Lupus,” Kora said, cutting off her older son. “How are you feeling, Reap? You must be exhausted.”

  “No, I want to stay up with Connor.”

  “He’ll still be here tomorrow. Why don’t you say goodnight and run along to bed? I’ll be there shortly to tuck you in.”

  Reap knew arguing with his mother was going to take him nowhere, so instead he turned to Connor and gave him another hug, whispering in his ear, “I’ll be by tonight for another sleepover.”

  Before Connor could agree or not, Reap ran to his brother and mother, giving them both hugs and kisses on the cheek goodnight, and exited the room.

  “Thank you, Connor,” Kora said. “Whatever you told him seemed to help. He wouldn’t stop crying and ran off to be by himself.”

  “Of course, and I’m so sorry for your loss. You can be sure I’m only here now because we’re waiting for information on where Laren is. As soon as we get it, I’ll be leaving to bring her back, I promise.”

  Kora nodded. “I know you will, Connor. Thank you.”

  “I’m going with you,” Lu said.

  “Okay,” Connor agreed. Like Reap with his mother, Connor was beginning to understand Lu better, and knew when not to argue the point.

  “Zheng has sent out messengers calling all the Elites to The Island to stand against Vercin. Hopefully someone will know where Laren is and we can bring her back.”

  “Morrigan was unable to locater her?” Kora asked.

  “It seems Julie Huber has masked their location.”

  “I see. What would cause a woman to serve a man like Vercin is beyond me.”

  Connor had to agree. He had gotten to know Katie’s mom while they were dating, and she was no different than any of them. She had been kind, thoughtful, and even supportive of Connor and Katie dating.

  “Well, I’m going to go check on Reap and make sure he’s still all right. You two boys have a good night,” Kora said as she left the room.

  Lu and Connor stood alone now, and finally Lu could really share what was on his mind. “I’m going to kill him, Connor. I’m going to kill him slowly and painfully for what he did to my father, what he did to my sister, and what he’s done to the Council.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Connor knew this wasn’t the time to bring up Vercin’s superior power and skill, so he just nodded in agreement.

  “I know Morrigan’s prophecy says you are the one that’s supposed to save us from the darkness, and I’m fine with that if you can kill him before I do.”

  Lu’s demeanor had changed from calm and tender around his mother and brother to that of a man possessed. His large frame trembled with anger as he spoke about vengeance.

  “That’s fine,” Connor said. “I don’t care who kills him. All that matters is getting your sister back safe and that he dies before he can take his fight into the human world.”

  Things may need to be done, Connor. Things you may not like. When the time comes, leave that to me.”

  Connor squinted, trying to understand what Lu meant, but Lu was a powder keg ready to explode, and instead of offering any explanation, he turned and left the room. Connor puzzled over what Lu said for a few minutes longer before he decided to give into his body’s call to rest.

  Connor left the door to his room cracked for Reap if he did come in to have another sleepover and threw himself into bed.

  It was one of those sleeps where he was out before his head even hit the pillow. He dreamt that night he was standing on a battleground. The grass was drenched with blood. Lu was standing over a group of prisoners, interrogating them about the location of his sister and Vercin. He killed them one by one as they pleaded with him and swore they didn’t know. Connor was shouting at him, but Lu’s eyes were yellow moons, he had given into his Elite gene and there was no holding him back.

  Connor felt the ground beneath him tremble faster and faster as he pleaded with Lu to stop until he finally opened his eyes and realized that it was Reap shaking him. “Shhhhhh… Connor wake up. I’m here to sleep over.”

  The light from the clear sky coming through the window was bright enough to make out Reap’s figure next to his bed. He was dressed in pajamas and holding the same dragon stuffed animal he had before.

  “Oh, hey, buddy. Do you think this is a good idea? I mean, if your mom goes to check on you and you’re gone?”

  “It’s okay. I left her a note.”

  Connor smiled at the small boy
as they traded places and Connor tucked him in. He pointed to his stuffed animal. “You know, my dragon’s here on The Island. If you want, I can take you to see him tomorrow.”

  Reap’s dull green eyes flashed brighter for a moment. “Really? A real dragon? He’s here? What’s his name?”

  “Uhhhhh… Connor hesitated as he remembered the name Lu had made for the dragon. “He doesn’t have one yet. Why don’t you think of one? I would be honored if you named him.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about it and make a really good name for him.”

  “I know you will.”

  “Thanks, Connor.”

  “No problem. Good night, Reap.”

  “Good night.”

  ***

  Connor woke the next morning, grateful he had been free from any more dreams. He stretched his aching muscles in the makeshift bed he had made on the ground next to Reap. The wood floor was not at all comfortable, even with the blanket Connor used as a mattress, but with the level of exhaustion his body was under, Connor felt as though he could have fallen asleep on a rock.

  Standing beside Reap, he saw the small child still clutching onto his dragon as though it were a lifeline. Connor decided to let him sleep and quietly washed up in the bathroom attached to his sleeping quarters.

  Softly exiting the room, he made his way down the chilly hall to the main meeting room. The palace was beginning to feel familiar to him now. With each step, he felt more at home, almost like he knew this was where he was meant to be. He didn’t have to wonder or worry about getting lost, it was like the palace accepted him and welcomed him back.

  The hall was a bustle of activity. Workers hurried to and from Zheng, receiving instruction on what to do to prepare for the large number of guests they were anticipating, as well as what needed preparation for the coming war with Vercin. Caderyn, Katie, and Kora sat at the end of the large wooden table, eating and talking about the days to come.

  “Take a seat, Connor,” Caderyn offered and motioned to the chair next to him. “Better hurry and get something in that stomach of yours. They say it’s about to begin and I doubt there will be a spare moment anytime soon.”

  Connor sat down, looking at Katie and Kora for explanation. “He’s talking about the visiting Elites that are already on their way,” Kora explained. “It seems as though everyone has already chosen a side, and those who were holding back from joining Vercin have answered your call.”

  Connor gulped down a bite of banana, grateful that things were moving quickly, but nervous at the same time. What would they be expecting from him? Did he have to prove he was worth following? Would any of them have information about Laren?

  Katie seemed to sense his mood because she cleared her throat and addressed him from across the table. “You’ll do great, Connor.”

  Connor smiled at her. Katie looked beautiful as always. Her natural beauty was accentuated with the lack of makeup and her smile reassured him that everything would be all right.

  “Where are Morrigan and Orion?” Connor asked, searching the hall.

  “They are already opening portals in the courtyard,” Caderyn said.

  “Oh,” Katie responded, “you should probably come check out the courtyard. Zheng and his men have been working on it throughout the night.”

  Connor looked over at Zheng to thank him, but the master of the palace was too busy directing traffic and giving orders to notice his gaze.

  “Okay, let’s go check it out,” Connor said, intrigued.

  The group wiped off their hands on clean napkins and rose to walk outside. The journey was short and undisturbed. They stepped out to the courtyard. Connor was completely unprepared for the sight that greeted him. The sun was warm, beating off the coolness that came with the night, and there were people everywhere. The garden that Connor and Katie had walked in the night before was packed with large tents, eating areas, and a section was blocked off where Morrigan and Orion held a portal open for yet another group of Elites.

  Morrigan and Orion must have been hard at work because there were already hundreds of Elites setting up their living quarters, eating breakfast, or talking in large groups. Sweat ran freely down both Morrigan and Orion as they quivered, willing the window to remain open while yet another group of dark skinned, violet-eyed warriors stepped through.

  Almost everyone recognized Caderyn and Kora as they waved and said their hellos. Connor was also greeted, but he couldn’t help but feel as though they were already judging him. Deciding if he was really the Judge that would save them or if Morrigan’s prophecy was flawed from the beginning.

  “I’m not sure how much longer I can hold the gate before I need a rest,” Morrigan said to her co-worker.

  Orion nodded. His black hair was pulled back into a ponytail and sweat dampened the upper part of his tan shirt. “I know. Just one more before we take a break. The Ulfric family won’t like it if they have to wait.”

  “Ulfric? Like Faust and Christof?” Katie asked, stunned, not able to keep the doubt out of her voice.

  Morrigan and Orion let the portal close as the last of the warriors passed through with grateful nods.

  “Yes, but let’s not judge an entire family by the actions of a few. Raban and Randolph are part of that family as well, and if Zheng’s messengers are correct, it was Randolph himself that has persuaded a large group of his family to come and see for themselves the Judge that would stand against Vercin,” Orion said.

  Katie stood quiet, and although no one had mentioned her mother being part of the same family, they were all thinking the same thing.

  “You got one more left in you, old man?” Caderyn said, smiling at Orion.

  “Who are you calling an old man? I knew you grew out your hair and beard to look like me. You’re not fooling anyone.”

  “Yeah, that’s it. I had the prison barber intentionally leave it long because I wanted the ‘Orion’ look.”

  The two men chuckled.

  Morrigan interrupted, “Okay, boys, let’s get this last one done. The portals are getting harder and harder to keep open. It feels like I’m holding up a hundred pound weight.”

  Orion nodded and braced himself for one more go. The two gritted their teeth as the air behind them once again quivered and shook. A space eventually began to tear open, small at first, but then larger and larger until an opening roughly the size of a door was wavering in the sunlight.

  Randolph’s familiar frame stepped through and gave them all a brief smile before he turned to help a small group of Elites from his family through.

  Connor decided there and then that he had forgiven Randolph for his past actions, and to lighten the awkward moment, took a step forward and shook his hand as the portal was closed. “I’m glad you made it, Randolph. Thank you.”

  Randolph gratefully accepted the outstretched hand. “I’m only sorry more of my family would not come. But I have news you will want to hear.” Randolph examined the large, rather noisy gathering of Elites. “Is there somewhere we can talk that’s a little less open?”

  “Come inside, Randolph,” Caderyn motioned. “We’ve been waiting for someone to bring us news.”

  Randolph nodded and the group walked back through the courtyard. This time Connor attracted more attention. He’d never seen most of these Elites. They were a mix of men and women of all ages. A rainbow of colored eyes followed him and his company as they once again entered the hall and found Zheng in the same spot they had left him during breakfast.

  “Zheng,” Caderyn motioned. “It seems as though Randolph has news about Vercin’s movements. I think you should be present.”

  Zheng nodded, gave the men he was talking to some parting instructions, and addressed Connor and the group with a smile. “Please follow me. I have the perfect place we can talk without being interrupted.”

  Zheng led them down a long hall to the left of the large room and opened a wooden door. Connor was quiet as they all took
seats in the small, intimate room. A fireplace burned gently in the corner and the chamber was plainly decorated except for a large circular table that sat directly in the middle of the room.

  Zheng, Caderyn, Morrigan, Orion, Katie, Kora, Randolph, and Connor all took a seat. All eyes were on Randolph as Zheng politely welcomed him to the palace. “I’m so grateful you chose to come, Randolph Ulfric. Caderyn said you have some news?”

  “Yes, thank you for inviting myself and my family. I know things have been stressed as of late, but rest assured my family and I are here because there is nowhere else we would rather be.”

  Randolph said this, first looking at Zheng, but he made his way around the table and ended by staring directly into Connor’s eyes. Connor could barely sit in his seat. He wanted to shout out and ask if Randolph knew where Laren was being held, but he couldn’t. Zheng was being polite and Randolph likewise was showing his appreciation.

  Finally Randolph began. Leaning forward, he started his story from the beginning, right after Connor had left for his third trial.

  “I was woken up by Faust and Christof in the middle of the night the day Connor left for Karnag. They were nervous and pressed their fingers to their lips as we stole out of the castle as quietly and quickly as we could. Once I knew what their ultimate plan was and that they were indeed in league with Vercin, I had resolved to find out as much information as I could so I would be of use to Connor when I finally was able to escape my family.

  “Faust and Christof were none the wiser and answered all of my questions as we traveled from the Abelardus castle to Vercin’s encampment. It seems the two Ulfrics and Julie Huber had been planning Vercin’s escape for years. What made Julie join them was still a mystery, but I knew Faust and Christof are in it for the power and wealth that would come from ruling the Elite race and the human population.

  “We traveled by car to the airport and boarded a flight to one of the uninhabited Shetland Islands, just north of the United Kingdom. Once we arrived we were greeted by Vercin himself, who, I later found out, had just returned from his attack on the Abelardus estate. Vercin was as healthy and dangerous as ever, and his force is one I had not seen in centuries.