Fake: Book One of the Crossroads Series

by Lori Saltis

  Tony’s mind brushes mine. Little Brother?

  My shoulders sag. I exhale before answering. I’m here, in the Dragon Shout chamber.

  As soon as I see Tony, I want to hug him, even though he’s staring at me with that critical grimace.

  “You look like crap.”

  He’s right. My black pants are dusty gray, and my arms and upper body are streaked with cold sweat and cave dirt.

  “Come on. You can get cleaned up before we go back through the caverns.” Tony nods toward the water chamber.

  I don’t budge. “Are you kidding?”

  “The other clans are already assembling in the Ancestral Hall. You are the Dragon Son’s heir. You must look presentable…”

  Big Brother, listen to me. Head Elder is plotting against Dad.

  What do you mean?

  I repeated the conversation between Head Elder and Uncle Tool. Tony’s grim face goes blank. Then he rubs his forehead, as if trying to reconcile what I said with what he wants to believe.

  You’re sure that’s what you heard?

  I want to yell, ‘Dude, Head Elder shits all over you and your dad. What makes you think he won’t do the same to my dad and me?’ I already know the answer. Tony thinks his dad deserves it, and by extension, so does he. Appealing to emotions doesn’t work with Tony. Only logic.

  That’s exactly what I heard. Don’t you see? Head Elder wants to use me to take over the clan.

  But how is he planning to disgrace your father?

  I don’t know. Does it matter? He’ll make some shit up.

  He can’t do that. Jade Dragon will see through any lies. It must be something to do with my father.

  I didn’t want to say it, but it doesn’t feel any better letting Tony be the one to figure that out. I can see it in his eyes, how it makes him despise his father a little more. He gestures with his head toward the path. Let’s go.

  We go as far as we can without the aid of Tony’s lantern, until the darkness becomes impenetrable. He turns up the flame to the barest flicker. I have to follow close behind or lose him in the gloom.

  Voices and footsteps vibrate throughout the caverns, but it’s impossible to tell how close or far. My throat aches and my bare skin feels clammy. All I can think about is getting to Dad before Head Elder tries anything.

  A light shines off the wall further down the path. Tony turns off his lantern and hands it to me. Stay here. Don’t move. Then he’s gone.

  I clutch the lantern and gnaw my lip. I feel like a little kid and I hate it.

  The progression of the light stops. A voice calls out, “Have you found him?”

  The light wavers. There’s a crashing sound followed by scuffling noises. Then silence.

  I hold my breath.

  The light moves upward and becomes steady.

  Little Brother.

  I exhale as I run toward the light. Rounding the corner, I find Tony standing over two unconscious men. He sets a lantern down between them, takes my lantern and we move forward.

  I glance back at the fallen men. Could I have done that? Training and actual combat are two entirely different things, which must be why Head Elder wants to take over now, while I’m still a newb. I stare at my cousin’s straight back. Maybe after we return to San Francisco, Dad will let me go with Tony on his missions so I can get some real life experience. First we have to get through the caverns, which are starting to feel like the beginning and end of all existence.

  Tony stops abruptly. He cocks his head.

  Son. Dad’s mind brushes mine. Hang on. We’re almost there.

  I get a case of the shakes, now of all times. I’m not sick or scared, at least, not any more. Maybe it’s relief.

  Distant footsteps come closer. A dim light brightens as it approaches. Dad appears, surrounded by a troupe of guards. I run to him. He grips my forearms and starts to speak.

  I interrupt with the Silent Speech. Dad, Head Elder is plotting against you.

  Dad’s relieved expression scrunches. What do you mean?

  I repeat what I overheard.

  Dad’s grip tightens before he lets go. Don’t say anything. I can’t trust everyone here. Then he says aloud, “We must hurry. The Summoning Ceremony is about to begin.”

  Chapter 7

  Paul

  We hustle along a path that winds around to the back of clan headquarters. My stomach flutters against the fear that Head Elder has already put his plans in motion, though what can he do now that Dad knows? He and his goons are probably still schlepping through the caverns, trying to find me. What a laugh. Maybe he’ll get lost and miss the Summoning Ceremony. That would be sweet.

  We head straight for Second Elder’s office and barge in without knocking. Dad orders the guards to stay in the hall before closing the door behind us.

  Second Elder shows no emotion as she rises from behind her desk. She’s dressed for the ceremony in the flowing, dark blue robes of an elder. Her square black hat calls attention to the thin, puckered scar that slashes across her forehead, leaving a pale line through her left eyebrow. She’s the clan’s top swordsman and earned the title the hard way. I don’t have a nickname for her since she’s pretty cool.

  “It’s worse than we thought,” Dad tells her. “He plans to overthrow me during the ceremony.”

  Second Elder sucks in her breath. “Head Elder would divide our clan while the other clans watch? That cannot happen.”

  “It won’t happen, thanks to my son.” Dad turns to me with a proud smile. My chest swells. Finally, he’s looking at me the same way he looks at Tony. Then he nods toward the back of the room. “There’s a bathroom to the left. Go wash up.”

  I’ve gone from hero to grimy kid in five seconds flat. Story of my life.

  The mirror above the sink shows how grimy I really am. I reach for a bar of soap shaped like a seashell, but it doesn’t smell like the ocean or even soap. More like a rosebush in full bloom. I hate the smell of roses, so I use plain water to scrub off the worst of the dirt, leaving the sink and the embroidered pink and white hand towels caked with muck. Second Elder isn’t going to be happy. Maybe when this is over, I can buy her some new towels at the night market in Kowloon.

  There’s a knock at the door. I crack it open.

  Tony stands outside looking clean and sharp in black trousers and a white dress shirt. He hands me a similar outfit. “Hurry up. It’s time to go.”

  I tug on the clothes and rake my fingers through my wet hair before rubbing a dark smudge off my nose. I almost look presentable except for one thing. Tony didn’t bring me different shoes. I glance down at my workout boots. The black cloth has turned gray with cave dust and the battered leather tips look weird with my pants. Maybe no one will notice. Yeah, right.

  Mom stands beside Dad in the center of the office. Both are wearing scarlet silk robes with long sleeves that drape to the floor. The robes are bound with dangling gold cords and embroidered with gold dragons chasing each other’s tails. It’s like they’ve put on superhero outfits because they look confident and serene, like a powerful Xia couple that kick ass without blinking an eye. Then I notice the Yang Pearl draped around Dad’s neck. Jade Dragon must be sending out his power vibes. I could sure use some.

  Mom unfurls an identical robe and beckons me over. I’m about to become a super Xia, too. I stand still, arms spread, as my parents drape and bind me. My stomach starts to tremble. I take a slow breath to allow my flow of chi to calm me. I want to be like my parents. I want to make them proud.

  Tony stands nearby, wearing a simple gray and black robe draped over his clothes. It’s weird to think that if Uncle George had come out first, we’d be changing places. Does Tony ever think about that? I’ll bet Uncle George does. All. The. Time. He’d be a crap Dragon Son. Though would he have turned out different if he’d been first born? I can’t imagine Dad being any different, so, no.

  Fourth Elder enters. She’s shorter than Second Elder and the sleeves of her ceremonial garment drag on the
ground. She has grayer hair and kinder eyes, and no cool scar, probably because her specialty is Chinese medicine. No nickname, too, because she takes good care of Mom. When she speaks, she tends to draw out her words with long tones.

  “Dragon Son, all those attending the Summoning Ceremony have assembled. We await you and your family. Head Elder knows you are aware of his plans. He’s been warned that any attempt to speak his lies will result in his expulsion from the ceremony and our clan.”

  Dad glances at Tony before he says, “Good.”

  I don’t need any further proof this all has to do with Dad’s loser twin. Poor Tony.

  Fourth Elder turns to Mom with a grave expression. “Dragon Son’s Wife, are you well enough to attend the ceremony?”

  Mom continues straightening the folds of my robe. “I’m fine.”

  I twist around to look at her more closely. Are the circles under her eyes darker than usual? “Mom?”

  She gives a final tug and takes a step back, her stern expression reminding me, for a moment, of Head Elder. “You are the Dragon Son’s heir. Make us proud.”

  Dad presses his fingers to her wrist and tilts his head as if listening. “Your pulse is uneven.”

  Mom tugs her hand away. “I’m fine. My father must see us united as a family.”

  Dad nods, though worry remains in his eyes.

  The ceremonial robe weighs heavy on my shoulders. I’ve looked forward to this day my entire life and Head Elder had to go and ruin everything. He’s even made Mom, his own daughter, sick. I can’t let that old man think he’s done us any damage. I shift so the robe rests more comfortably on my frame and announce, “I’m ready.”

  My parents’ tense frowns turn to smiles as they look at me before turning again to each other. If they’re using Silent Speech, I hope they’re saying, ‘I love you.’

  Guards accompany us from Second Elder’s office to the Ancestral Hall. It’s sad to think they’re not protecting us from outsiders, but from our own people, our own family. When this is over, Dad’s going to have to do something about Head Elder, but what? Maybe Jade Dragon knows what’s going on and can provide some wisdom. Despite the heat, I get the chills realizing I’m about to meet a dragon.

  Dad and Mom enter the hall first, followed by me, Tony, and Second Elder and Fourth Elder. Clan members handpicked for this honor fill the cavern in precise rows, all facing the altar. Candlelight flickers off their expectant faces. My family goes to the front of the altar and turns to face the crowd, while Second Elder and Fourth Elder take their places in the front row with the rest of the elders. Head Elder fixes his reptile eyes on me, like he’s Godzilla and I’m Tokyo. He looks me up and down and doesn’t seem to notice my dirty boots, which is not normal. My spine tingles. Did he guess I’m the one who ratted him out? I hope so. I want him to know he can’t make me his stooge.

  A gong sounds. Mom and Tony take several steps back and kneel, along with the rest of the clan. I turn with Dad to face the altar. A man dressed in the flowing, dark robes of a Taoist priest holds six sticks of lit incense, which he divides evenly between us. Then he steps back and strikes the gong again.

  Everyone goes silent, though the walls echo with a hum of anticipation. I almost forgot about this part of the ceremony. Jade Dragon first manifested as a dragon at the age of fifteen. Before his earthly death, he prophesied that one of his descendants would also manifest as a dragon. Since then, each heir of the Dragon Son has stood before the altar at the age of fifteen. Now, it’s my turn. Is it really supposed to happen right at this moment? Wouldn’t I have felt something before this?

  If I do become a dragon, Head Elder will shit his pants. Who’s Godzilla now, old man? I bite my lip to force down a smile. Despite how great that would be, I don’t want to be a dragon. Being the future Dragon Son is hard enough. I breathe a sigh of relief as the gong sounds again, though I’m surprised there’s a time limit for manifestation.

  Dad kneels in front of Jade Dragon’s spirit tablet. I drop to my knees beside him. Following Dad’s lead, I hold the incense sticks above my head and kowtow three times, my forehead touching the stone floor. Then Dad speaks.

  “Jade Dragon, your firstborn son is before you. I am the pearl at your throat, the instrument of your will. I seek the wisdom and righteousness that are my inheritance through you. Come forth now. We humbly beseech your presence.”

  “Jade Dragon, we beseech your presence,” intones the clan.

  The gong sounds three times and after each toll, everyone kowtows in unison. After the third bow, the priest takes the sticks of incense from Dad and me, and places them in the main brazier on the altar. Then he backs away.

  Dad closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Silence fills the room and something more: that kind of heaviness and crackle of energy that hangs in the air right before a huge thunderstorm. My stomach quivers. If only I was outside. Maybe I could catch a glimpse of our ancestor above the compound. But no, it’s better to be at the altar, in the actual presence of Jade Dragon.

  The Yang Pearl begins to glow, softly at first, growing brighter until its glare dazzles my eyes. I blink hard. Spots dance. A cold breeze blows from the back of the altar, stirring incense smoke and candle flames. It picks up strength, rustling my hair and chilling my skin through the robe. The pearl embedded in the spirit tablet glows as well. A beam of light emanates from its depths. A similar beam radiates from the Yang Pearl. The two rays join to become a single shaft of light.

  I gasp as a golden glow envelops my father. He closes his eyes and bows his head. Is that part of the ceremony? I follow his example, just in case. After a few moments, I feel this weird sensation, like electricity, is crackling all around me. I slit open my eyes. The glow surrounds me as well. I can feel its thrum in my chest. I want to reach out and touch it, but my fingers are digging into my knees.

  Dad’s eyes open as he lifts his head. “Jade Dragon, behold your heir, my son.” He stops and takes another deep breath. “Lau Wai Kit. He is the pearl at your throat, the instrument of your will. He seeks the wisdom and righteousness that are his inheritance through you.”

  Dad lays his hand on my collarbone. Power flows through his palm and rolls down my spine. I jerk. It’s like a powerful electric shock without the pain. The power surge intensifies. Cold fire pulses through my veins. The Yang Pearl is nothing compared to this. I feel like I can destroy the Ancestral Hall if I want to.

  Jade Dragon swirls through the sky overhead, diving in and out of clouds, impatient to return to the sea. Then he turns his gaze to me. His eyes glow red.

  Stand. Jade Dragon’s voice, ancient and cold, echoes distantly as if from the bottom of a well.

  The energy surging through me lifts me to my feet. My breath comes in spurts as I realize I don’t have control of my movements.

  “Son?” Dad’s whisper sounds far away.

  Turn.

  I spin around, lifting my left arm and thrusting my palm out toward Head Elder. Power coils in my belly, demanding to be released.

  Kill the traitor.

  Breath trembles in my chest. The pressure makes my nose feel like it’s going to start bleeding.

  “Son?” Dad’s voice becomes more urgent.

  Your father cannot – will not – kill his wife’s father. You must. Jade Dragon’s voice trails off in a hiss.

  I wait, but nothing happens. Then I realize. Jade Dragon has pointed me at Head Elder, but he’s not going to shoot the gun. I am a weapon with a conscience and I have to make the decision.

  To be honest, for a split second, I consider it. Then I remember my mother. I can’t. He’s my grandfather.

  His treachery will not cease until he dies. Another hiss.

  I can’t. I won’t.

  Then you must live with the consequences, hatchling. The time will come when you have no choice. Jade Dragon’s voice fades away.

  The power drains from me, making my knees wobble. I blink hard and shake my head. Then I realize I’m still standing in fr
ont of the crowd with my palm aimed at Head Elder, whose reptile eyes finally show some emotion: fear. Ah crap. What should I do?

  I clear my throat. “Um, Jade Dragon spoke to me and,” I pause, my mind blank. “And… he… uh…” I make a wide awkward sweep with my hand to include everybody. “He wants us all to work together and not plot against each other. Um, that’s all.”

  Okay, that was lame. I swivel around and kneel beside Dad. It takes all my remaining strength not to pitch face first onto the floor. Neither the spirit tablet’s pearl nor the Yang Pearl has any radiance. Ah crap. Have I ruined the ceremony?

  Dad’s mind brushes mine. Son, what happened?

  Jade Dragon. He spoke to me. He really did. But – but it was bad.

  Be calm. We’ll talk later.

  Dad stands and gestures for me to stand and face the crowd with him. My knees still shake and my limbs tremble. All that’s keeping me upright is the thought of fainting in front of all these people. Then Tony’s eyes catch mine and hold me in place.

  You can do this, he says.

  Dude, you don’t know. It was bad.

  Doesn’t matter if it was good or bad. You can do it.

  Tony’s right, like always. If he says I can stay standing, then I can. Somehow, that thought calms me down. Strength returns to my limbs.

  Dad’s voice fills the hall, “Jade Dragon has spoken through my heir. We must heed his virtuous commands. We are the invisible Xia that protects our people from criminals and injustice. We must act righteously with one another as well.”

  Wow, Dad really knows how to spin some bullshit. Is that another skill I’ll need to learn to be an effective Dragon Son?

  Everyone rises and applauds, except Head Elder, who stands with his arms folded. Wait until he finds out Jade Dragon wants him dead. He owes us his life.

  Dad gestures Mom and Tony to join us in front the altar. As the hubbub dies down, the Crossroads clan leaders are led into the hall and queued up for their oaths of fealty.

  Traditionally, during September, the clans of the Crossroads pay tribute to the ruling clan of their district on a day of that clan’s choosing. The Two Dragon Clan always chooses the day of the Summoning Ceremony. In cities all over the world, similar ceremonies will be taking place, except San Francisco. That ceremony will happen when Dad returns.