Fake: Book One of the Crossroads Series

by Lori Saltis

  The waitress places our glasses on the table. Bridie takes a sip before she answers, “Enough.”

  “How do you explain the one being an Irish girl and the other being a half-breed?”

  Kai makes a loud noise through his straw. I glare daggers at Kingfisher and wish so hard for my hard shoes. Bridie sets down her glass. “That’s none of your business.”

  “I make it my business.” Kingfisher takes a swig of beer and belches. “Sooner or later, that hob’s going to figure out he’s being Charmed.”

  She meets his gaze. “I’m not Charming my husband.”

  “Have you told him yet that you’re Strowlers and that you bedded both men in your canting crew?”

  Bridie’s chest rises and falls.

  Kingfisher leans back in his chair and drains his glass. “You and them kids are Sharpers. It’s in your blood. Sooner or later, you’ll get snapped. Best stash your game while things are plummy.”

  Bridie stands. “It’s time for our next set. Let’s go, children.”

  I push my untouched water toward the middle of the table. Kai takes another noisy pull on his straw before he jumps up.

  Onstage, Bridie’s hands shake as she reaches for her guitar. After Gerry and Matthew died, she faced down so many rakehells. I hate seeing her rattled by this one. I lean close and whisper, “Don’t let him get to you.”

  Bridie snorts. “Him? Hardly.” She adjusts the strap.

  “What’s the next song?” asks Kai.

  Our mother bows her head. Her hand covers her eyes for a moment before it becomes a fist. She looks up and gives a brisk nod. “Black is the Color.”

  Kai’s mouth drops open. I blink and stutter, “But… but… really?”

  Bridie touches the pendant under her dress, a silver and gold trinity knot given to her by Matthew for her thirtieth birthday. “Solo, I think. You two take a seat.”

  “Mum…” I begin.

  Bridie turns abruptly. The stage lights make her green eyes hard and bright. “Sit.”

  A million things come to mind, but I can’t say any of them. I turn to my brother. “Come on, Kai.”

  He doesn’t budge. I tug his arm until he drags after me toward the stools at the side of the stage.

  Bridie steps up to the microphone. “And we’re back for our next set.”

  Applause and whistles greet her. Across the dance floor, Kingfisher pours a glass from a fresh pitcher.

  “Has anyone here ever been in love?” she asks. The crowd laughs and applauds. “More than once?” More laughter. “I thought so. Well, I confess, I’ve been in love twice and both of them black-haired lads.” She strums the guitar. “This song is for my true love, my only love.”

  “Black is the color of my true love’s hair

  His lips are like some rose so fair

  He’s got the sweetest face, He’s got the gentlest hands

  I love the ground whereon he stands.”

  Why is Bridie singing the one song she swore never to sing again? Kai clutches his guitar – Matthew’s guitar – to his chest while my knuckles whiten around the penny whistle Gerry gave me.

  “I love my love and well he knows

  I love the ground whereon he goes

  I have a wish the day would come

  When he and I could be as one.”

  Does Bridie care what happens to her children? She claims she does, claims she married Bill and moved to America for our sake, to give us a better life, but that isn’t true. She faked herself into believing it. The truth is right here; it’s followed her onto the stage. She wants to fade away, but can’t. The pain is too deep.

  “I’ll go to the Clyde, I’ll mourn and weep

  For satisfied I can never be.”

  Kingfisher is right. Our fake can’t last. Bridie can’t Charm Bill forever. I have to find a way to convince her to return to the Crossroads. Until then, I won’t be satisfied either.

  Chapter 4

  Paul

  “Son.” Dad’s voice sounds far away, like the tail end of a dream.

  My room is cool and dark. I close my eyes and burrow deeper under the bedcovers.

  “Son. Wake up.”

  A bright light fills the room with jagged edges. I want to throw my pillow at the offender until I roll onto my back and blink up at my father. My stomach twists. That’s right, the Dragon Shout. We start training this morning.

  “Get dressed, and meet me in the kitchen.”

  Dad leaves. I stare at the ceiling. No geckos. They must still be asleep. Lucky bastards. I know I should haul ass out of bed, but what I really want to do is tell Dad and Head Elder to settle their fight without me in the middle. Fat lot of good that would do, except to unite them in their desire to punish me, and I’d still be expected to learn the Dragon Shout.

  When I get to the kitchen, Mom and Dad are standing at the sink. Their hushed voices fade into silence. Steam seeps from the lid of the tall metal steamer on the stove. Tony sits at the table, arms folded and face solemn. He isn’t usually awake this early. He could be up to say goodbye until next week, but that would be weird. Plus, why is he dressed in workout clothes instead of in pajamas like Mom? He isn’t coming with us. Is he?

  Mom’s face looks tight and pale, as if she’d spent the night cooking instead of sleeping. I hope that isn’t true. It’s bad for her heart to not get enough sleep. She lifts the lid off the steamer. The sweet flour scent of steamed buns fills the air.

  My mouth waters before I ask, “Vegetarian?” I don’t like the meat ones.

  Mom nods with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. She uses tongs to lift out three large buns, placing each on separate plates.

  Tony gets up and sets the plates on the table. Dad joins us and Mom brings over a pot of tea and cups. Then she goes back to the counter and takes out three more buns, placing them into a cooler.

  I blow on my fingers before lifting the bun to my mouth. Then I blow on the white dough surface before taking a bite. The combination of mushrooms, onions and bamboo shoots coated in a thick, rich sauce burns my tongue, but still tastes so good. While I fan my mouth, I stare at the steamer, willing more buns to be inside. Maybe some lotus seed ones. Those are my second favorite.

  Dad reads my mind. “Just one. Too much food will affect the flow of our chi.”

  Our chi. Just Dad and me? “Is Big Brother coming with us?”

  Dad nods. “The Dragon Shout training is always guarded by a trusted and honored Xia. I chose your Big Brother.”

  Metal clatters on the kitchen floor. Mom picks up the tongs, tosses them in the sink and walks away.

  Tony ducks his head and picks at the bun on his plate.

  I reach out using the Silent Speech. What’s going on?

  He doesn’t look up. Choosing me for the honor will make Head Elder angry.

  No shit. Why is Dad aggravating Head Elder and using Tony to add fuel to the fire? Isn’t it enough that Big Brother has to suffer from his father’s disgrace? I can’t ask those questions any more than I can refuse to go along with the training. I used to think the payout for all my obedience would be freedom as an adult. I’m starting to wonder if the exact opposite is true. Dad doesn’t seem free. He seems trapped and Mom right along with him. I don’t want to sign up for that, but I don’t have a choice. That thought makes the bun sit in my stomach like a rock.

  When we’re ready to leave, Mom stands at the front entrance. She kisses me on the cheek, squeezes Tony’s arm and hands Dad the cooler before closing the door behind us. Is she still mad? Maybe I should have told her what I’d overheard. Or would that make things worse? I grit my teeth. It’s my own fault for being a snoop, though blissful ignorance wouldn’t have made this situation any better.

  It’s after sunrise and the mountain casts deep shadows across the compound. As we approach the Ancestral Courtyard, I don’t see the sentries until they step out of the shade of the moon gate. Dad motions them aside. After exchanging glances, they move back into place. I don’t
think anyone is exempt from being searched, not even the Dragon Son. This is going to get back to Head Elder.

  We follow Dad around the spirit wall and toward the Ancestral Hall, where two sentries stand guard at the entrance. Dad doesn’t seem surprised. Maybe they’re extra security, along with Tony, to keep anyone from learning the forbidden skills. Neither guard makes any move to stop us.

  I hesitate at the entrance. The Ancestral Hall is forbidden to children, even me. My tattoo tingles. The edges burn. I’m not a child anymore. I step across the threshold and breathe in the heavy scent of candle wax mingled with incense.

  We walk across the smooth brick floor, our footsteps echoing off the rough, unadorned rock walls. I trail behind, turning from side to side. The cavern is larger than I thought, though I know it has to fit at least 200 people during the Summoning Ceremony. Flickering candles set in crevices carved into the walls provide most of the light. The Elders haven’t allowed electricity to be installed, saying it will disturb our ancestors. Thing is, our ancestors were warriors. How could something like electricity spook them, so to speak?

  The altar to Jade Dragon stands against the back wall. A huge copper lantern suspended from the ceiling illuminates the dark cherry wood panels and the red and gold tapestries draped over the surface. Above the altar in a carved alcove stands a statue of Guan Yu, the patron god of the Crossroads. Way back in the day, about 2000 years ago, he was a general, so he wears battle armor and carries a halberd in his right hand, the Glory Road side. If we were a Wayward Way clan, he’d be holding the halberd in his left hand.

  For the record, I’m left-handed, something else Head Elder blames my parents for.

  At the center of the altar on a jade pedestal sits an oblong wood plaque. Inscribed in gold on its surface are the words: Spirit tablet of the illustrious Jade Dragon Lau Hong Dao, defender of the Hakka and founder of the Two Dragon Clan. Respectfully set up by his pious son, Dragon Son Lau Chao Zong.

  Is it true? Is our ancestor really a dragon who descended to Earth and took the form of a man to protect the Hakka people? When he died, his body supposedly dissolved into smoke and blew into the sky where he regained his dragon form. Then, he broke off pieces of his pearl and formed them into smaller pearls, which he left for his descendants. One of those pearls is embedded into the top of Jade Dragon’s spirit tablet.

  I grew up on stories of Jade Dragon’s heroics, but they always seemed just that: stories. Sort of like the Monkey King in Journey to the West. Thing is, if it’s only a story, how does Jade Dragon manifest his presence during the Summoning Ceremony?

  Dad sets the cooler on the floor and reaches past the porcelain cups of tea and gold plates piled with fruit to open a small drawer beneath a copper plaque. He takes out six sticks of incense and holds the ends to a lit candle until they smolder. Lifting the sticks above his head, he bows three times. Then he stares at the spirit tablet with this weird look in his eyes, like he wants to cry. My mouth goes dry. It’s my fault. I don’t know how or why, but it is. He turns a stern face to us without a trace of tears. The candlelight tricked my eyes. Why would Dad be crying and how could it be my fault? I exhale and want to smile, but can’t, not in this solemn place.

  He divides the sticks evenly between Tony and me. “In my presence and the presence of our ancestor, Jade Dragon, I want you to swear the Oath of Fraternity.”

  What the hell? My mouth drops open. So does Tony’s, which at any other time would be hilarious. “Uncle, Paul and I already are brothers.”

  “Brothers can betray each other,” Dad pauses. He looks down for a moment. His voice becomes tight, “Betray the blood that binds them. I want you to be brothers by unbreakable oath.” Steel returns to his eyes. “Repeat after me. We two, Tony Lau Wai Yi and Paul Lau Wai Kit…”

  Tony lifts his three sticks of incense above his head. I do the same. I swallow to moisten my throat and repeat my father’s words.

  “… Swear brotherhood, and promise mutual help to one end. We will rescue each other in difficulty; we will aid each other in danger. We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to die together. May Heaven, the all-ruling, and Earth, the all-producing, read our hearts. If we turn aside from righteousness or forget kindliness, may Heaven and Earth destroy us.”

  We place the incense sticks in the same brazier.

  Dad’s eyes glitter in the candlelight. “Hold this oath in your hearts. It binds you for life. Paul, you are my heir, but Tony is your older brother and that will never change. You must obey him as you would obey me. Bow to your older brother.”

  When taking the Oath of Fraternity, a symbolic older brother is chosen. Of course, it’s Tony. I turn to Big Brother and bow at the waist.

  “Stop this at once.” Head Elder’s voice echoes through the chamber as he strides toward us, flanked by the two guards from the entrance. My heart starts pounding. I move forward to stand between him and Dad, but Dad grabs my arm and yanks me back.

  Head Elder’s jowls quiver in his reddened face. He speaks in a tight whisper, “What have you done?”

  Dad gazes down on him. “You are not to question the actions of the Dragon Son.”

  “You gave the son of a traitor authority over the future Dragon Son.”

  “My nephew isn’t a traitor.”

  “Your actions are traitorous to our clan.”

  “I am the Two Dragon Clan.”

  “And I enforce the laws and discipline of the Two Dragon Clan.” Head Elder turns to Tony. “Lau Wai Yi, in the presence of Jade Dragon and our ancestors, kowtow before the future Dragon Son and declare him your master.”

  “No.” Dad’s voice rose. “Son, Nephew, follow me.”

  Head Elder motions the guards, who move to stand in Dad’s path.

  Dad pins them in place with his gaze. “You dare stand in the way of the Dragon Son?”

  The guards look from Dad to Head Elder.

  “Stand your ground,” orders Head Elder.

  “Out of my way,” counters Dad. “I am the Dragon Son and you will obey me.”

  “Disobedience to me will cause your expulsion from the Two Dragon Clan,” says Head Elder.

  The guards freeze. The whole clan could splinter depending on their next move. How much does it suck to be them? From their panicked expressions, a whole hell of a lot.

  Thing is, I want it to happen. No more fake bullshit or pretending we’re all united. Everyone chooses sides and then… I don’t know. Maybe Head Elder and his followers can walk out the front gate and start their own clan. Or maybe there will be some kind of war. That doesn’t scare me because most people will choose Dad’s side and we’ll win… unless Head Elder really does have some kind of huge secret that will ruin everything. Sweat dampens my forehead. All right then. Facing the truth is better than living some big fat lie, right?

  Tony drops to the stone floor and bends over, pressing his forehead to the ground at my feet. Heat rushes to my face. If running away was an option, I’d be so gone.

  “Son, no!” Dad calls out.

  Does he mean Tony or me? It doesn’t matter. I reach out to Tony. Big Brother, this is stupid. Don’t do it.

  Tony rises to a kneeling position. His gaze remains calm and cold. Little Brother, I will do whatever is necessary to keep our clan united. He bends again, pressing his forehead to the floor twice more. Then he takes a breath and speaks in a loud, clear voice that echoes off the walls, “I, Lau Wai Yi acknowledge Lau Wai Kit as the future Dragon Son and my master. I will serve and obey him and, if necessary, give my life to protect him and the Two Dragon Clan.”

  My stomach trembles and in a weird way, I want to laugh. Why is everyone making such a big deal out of this? I obey Tony. Everyone knows that. And someday, I will be the Dragon Son and Tony’s master. Like that would ever stop him from bossing me around.

  A tight smile splits Head Elder’s scowl. He motions the guards to follow him out the front entrance.

  Dad stretches out his arm, palm forward. His chest rise
s. His mouth opens wide, as if to shout, but the sound that comes out is more like a whisper, “Kaah.”

  A vibration, like a small earthquake, moves through the cavern. Above the entrance, the stone shelf cracks and splinters. Shattered pieces fall to the ground. A copper brazier tumbles and rolls, spilling incense sticks and ash.

  The Dragon Shout.

  My first thought is, I’m supposed to be able to do that? My second thought is, way to piss off Head Elder.

  And he is pissed. Even as he backs away from the destruction, he throws Dad a look of pure hatred. And I finally get it. Head Elder hates Dad because he can never be as powerful as him, not without the Dragon Shout. That’s why Head Elder wants me to learn the Dragon Shout, so he can use me against Dad. I give a little snort. So not going to happen.

  Head Elder turns to the guards. “Clean this mess.” He steps over the rubble and out the entrance without looking back.

  Dad swipes his hand across his brow. A sheen of sweat coats his cheeks and glistens off his forearms. He motions Tony and me to follow him into the small chamber behind the altar. Out of sight of the guards, he leans against the wall and closes his eyes. I always picture Dad as being almighty, but at that moment he looks drained. I take a step toward him. Tony catches my arm and shakes his head.

  Dad whispers, “Learn from my bad example. I used the Dragon Shout in anger, allowing toxic chi to spread through my body. Whatever the situation, do not attempt the Dragon Shout unless you are calm and in control.” He takes a deep breath. Color returns to his face. His eyelids flutter open. “Son, go get the cooler.”

  Tony and I exchange looks. Then he shrugs and leaves the chamber.

  Dad pulls away from the wall and straightens up. “We’re going into the caverns.”

  The caverns? Well, hell yeah. Finally. All my life, since I’ve been old enough to walk, I’ve wanted to explore the caverns, which are forbidden to children and most of the clan. Only the Dragon Son and the Elders know the extent of the tunnels and caves carved into our mountain. I try sounding casual as I ask, “Is that part of my training?”