Paul looked down at his papers. "The work I am doing now might have some connection to yours. Though it doesn't make much sense, the scrolls and tablets I have been researching keep repeating something about death and destruction. And there is strong emphasis on death. Like someone's death can cause destruction, or …" He shook his head. It really didn't make much sense.
"Let me see." She leaned forward, taking his notes. "You might be 'ight. Heah in dis section is de symbol fo' de O'acle, and 'ight next to it is death. Maybe de death of de O'acle will cause de St'uctu'e's destuction. Eithah way, we have to do somet'ing. We can't let events unfold without doing somet'ing."
He smiled. Even scared, Ameena was ready to ruffle some feathers. It shouldn't be surprising, though. If guerillas and crooked politicians couldn't stop her, then the threat of Demon's Wrath wouldn't either. "Okay, Hell Raiser, what do you suggest?"
"I was told that dere is moah to dis … p'ophecies dating back befo'e Dietti. Dere ah even 'ecods of de true account of a death in a 'esticted liba'ee govened by de O'acle. If we get enough suppo't, and 'equest de O'acle b'ing fo'ward this info'mation, den we can p'obably stop dis." She stopped, shaking her head and frowning. "First we'll go ovah what you have, to see if it can help us. And …" She tilted her head to one side awkwardly.
"Ameena--"
"I …" She looked at him, and her eyes glazed over. Her mouth opened, head tilting back, jerking. Her eyes rolled up until only white could be seen. Her body slumped to the side, falling out of the chair.
Paul scrambled to catch her. He checked her pulse to see if she was still alive. Everything had happened so fast. He slapped her face, tried to breathe air into her lungs, but her skin was already cooling and paling. He looked around the bar, screaming for help, but none of the occupants seemed concerned.
None of them even looked in his direction as he yelled. He grew silent as the barkeep looked back at him slowly, with no emotion. He just stared at Paul before he turned away.
Looking down at Ameena, Paul braced himself, feeling pressure like fingers clawing into his head. The wormlike energy reached into his heart, crawling under his skin, seeking to kill him. As his heart stopped and vision began to dim, his eyes were opened to how real Moon was, and he prayed that God was just as real.
()()()
Silver Springs, Maryland
Ollie made her way back to her apartment, trying to understand the look Granger had given her after coming from the shaman. He'd looked sick. What did Mama tell him? He'd said nothing to Ollie, but something was bothering him. It was best to leave him with Joc, because if anyone could help him through it, it would be his best friend.
After packing, Ollie lay on the bed, resting her mind before Geo came to get her. She was dead tired and needed a few minutes to collect herself before she was whisked away to Granger's floating palace.
Ollie awoke with a jerk. Had she fallen asleep? Her heart hammered as her eyes adjusted from sleep to alertness. The first thing her eyes caught hold of was a pair of big, brown, concerned eyes. Her breathing finally caught up with her, as did the pain in her back. Ellis was sitting on the bed next to her, looking extremely frightened.
"What? What's going on?" she said, sitting up, ignoring the pain. "What happened?" Something had to have happened for him to look like that.
"You … you don't sleep that deep, Ollie." His voice was soft. His eyes skimmed over her as she took a deep sigh of relief.
"Man." Her heart finally stopped pounding. "You scared the--"
"How do you suppose I feel right now? It took me five minutes to get you to stir. And a few more just to get you to wake. Ollie, you sleep lighter than most of us."
"What time is it?" She looked over at the clock, not wanting to go there with him right then. She tried to focus, but the numbers on the digital clock blurred. Hell.
"Ollie." His voice commanded her attention.
"I don't have answers for you. Not yet." She sat forward and kissed him on the cheek. "I need to get ready."
"All your bags packed?"
"Yeah. I need a shower."
He took in a deep breath, shaking his head angrily. "Fine. Meet us downstairs." He got up, snatched up her bags by the door, and left. He wanted her to be well as much as she wanted him to be happy.
She looked back over at the clock, only to notice a glow from her phone on the nightstand. It showed that someone had called her. Leaning over, she picked it up and checked the caller ID.
It was a restricted number, which meant it could be anybody, but it was very recent. By minutes. Damn, she had slept hard. She checked her messages; she had received one.
"I came to ask if you got my message from your uncle but you were sleeping so hard. I almost had time to slit your throat," the male voice breathed before hanging up.
Ollie cringed, gripping the phone until her knuckles began to lose color. Son of a …
She lay back down, letting the phone roll from her fingertips. Tears came to her eyes as she let the pain grip her. No. This was nothing like before. What was happening to her? Answers? There were none. Not even her mother's family could answer her questions. She pulled in a deep breath, letting the pain ease. She slowly rose from bed, wiping her eyes before making her way to the shower. She let the peppermint-rosemary bodywash wake her as the spray of water cascaded down her skin. She made sure the water was as hot as she could stand it, to match the pain in her back. It wouldn't defeat her. She smiled to herself before she got out of the shower, dried, and dressed.
It was late at night, so Ollie did not expect the kids to still be awake, but as she passed by her living room, she saw everyone in the living area, waiting for her.
They all ran up to hug her.
"Ollie, I haven't seen much of you since you got back. I was hoping we could hang out more." Miko missed her. Ollie hated that.
"You have the others to hang with. You don't need me right now, but I'll be back." Ollie sighed, wishing she was back right now. "Aren't you all supposed to be in bed?" She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Sunny grinned wearily. "Yeah, but we wanted to say good-bye."
Damn. "I'll be back before you know it." She kissed him on the nose. "Y'all take care of each other while I'm gone. Don't make me kick your asses." She grinned at O-no.
"We will." He laughed, knowing he already had one strike against him.
She missed them already. Okay, no more mushy stuff. "I've got to go. Love ya." She unwrapped Miko's arms from around her.
"You better!" O-no nodded, and everyone agreed. He grabbed Miko and let her wrap her arms around him.
"Lock up after me." She winked at him, leaving them behind. It shouldn't be this hard. This has to be done to protect them. No matter how much she wanted to kill for them, it was best for her to lay low. If anyone found out who or what she was, her family would be in even more trouble. So this was for them.
Downstairs in the parking garage, Granger and Ellis stood waiting outside Geo's jeep. Granger looked as suspicious now as he did before. Ellis had dread on his face.
She grinned. "Leave it to a woman to arrive fashionably late."
"Just get in," Granger grunted, getting in the driver's seat. Ellis got in back, leaving the passenger seat for her. "You know," Granger said as he started the car, "your brother's a bit anal."
Ollie laughed, knowing all too well how particular Ellis was.
"What was that?" Ellis asked politely.
"He said you're an ass!" Ollie shouted, though he'd heard it the first time.
"Hilarious," Ellis groaned.
()()()
Ellis sat in the back of the jeep as they drove to the docks in Baltimore, right onto Granger's yacht, Heart of Gold. The biggest yacht on the whole dock was not just a rich man's toy, it was his home. Ellis was quite impressed by how the man spent his money. From Ollie's badgering, they had learned that he lived out not only in his yacht, but in his personal plane as well. He didn't keep a permanent residence, because of hi
s business dealings, but he did have several real-estate properties that included casinos and hotels; if he needed to stay at one, he could.
The man had no dreams or aspirations to settle in one place. But this was not odd for someone of his level. Most individuals beyond Level Two were nomadic. They tended to be happier in new environments, breathing in different cultures, learning, growing, feeding their curiosity and understanding. Granger was no exception.
He took an active role in the day-to-day business of the world, which Ellis found fascinating. Many higher-levels found serenity in observing, while Granger found his enlightenment in doing, working, touching, tasting, creating, and manipulating. It became obvious to Ellis that it was Granger's hands-on approach that gained him such respect and loyalty.
"Man … is that a pool?" Ollie grinned as she checked out the pool and the mosaic artwork at the bottom of it. The mosaic was a replica of Aaron Douglas's 1927 work The Creation. Ellis was amazed at the detail and the color.
"Not even the original is that dynamic," Ellis said, looking over the watery image.
"Well, his work has faded over time. So I decided to get an associate of mine to recreate it as if Aaron himself had done it recently," Granger said, walking past them shrugging.
"Hell, man, it turned out nice," Ollie commented.
"Thank you. Well, make yourself at home." His words came out sounding uncharacteristically uncertain. He wasn't used to company on his floating residence.
A man who looked of Asian descent, possibly East Indian, came out onto the sun deck and looked down at them. He was dressed in loose-fitting off-white clothing that made Ellis think he was a yoga instructor. "Augustus," the man called down to Granger, who immediately looked up.
"Yes?"
"A tour?" The man stood respectfully.
"Yeah, man, a tour!" Ollie shouted.
Granger groaned, rubbing his bald head. He turned to face Ollie with a perturbed look on his face. Ollie just laughed and winked at him. She was starting to get to him. And it was about time. The soul possessor seemed too unaffected by his twin, and she affected everyone. At least, now Ellis knew the man was not made of stone.
Granger shook his head. "I would like you all to meet Dr. Arjun Ravi Dwevedi. Arjun, this is Ollie and Ellis."
"Dr. Dwevedi, world-renowned specialist in world religions and philosophies. I am honored." Ellis bowed his head.
"Ha. I bet you could take him," Ollie said, making Granger chuckle.
"Ollie, please." Ellis frowned at her total lack of respect.
"No, Dr. Mason, it is I who am honored. Three doctorates before the age of twenty-five is no small feat and one even I was not able to achieve. We should talk later." Dwevedi's East Indian accent was so light it was barely noticeable.
"Three doctorates?" Granger looked at Ellis, who just shrugged it off.
"Told ya." Ollie grinned, liking her little victory.
"Follow me," Granger instructed. "Three?" he breathed, clearly shocked.
"Yeah, he received the English doctorate at twenty, after he finished his master's in psychology. Then he received his history and philosophy doctorate three years ago. He's thinking of pursuing law or sociology next," Ollie said with her head held high. "My twin is beyond brilliant. Hell, he even speaks eight languages, not including English. Mostly to translate speech with some of our other brothers and sisters." She wrapped her arms around Ellis, laying her head on his back. Ellis could not help but grin. Though she was blatant and unrepentant, she was his sister, and the best sister any brother could have. "If you ask my opinion, he's wastin' it." There went her Best Sister award.
"Drop it, Ollie." Ellis pulled away from her.
"I thought you read Ellis. Didn't you know he had three doctorates?" Ollie looked at Granger, perplexed.
"Contrary to what you believe, I don't read everything. I like some things to be a mystery. It's boring to know everything right away," he answered as they followed him through the main deck. He showed them the recreation room, the living room, the dining room, the guest cabins, and the private area that housed his main suite. He took them to the sun deck, where there was a bar and an excellent view of the ocean and city as the ship set out into the great blue. He showed them the bridge deck and the bridge.
"Ollie, the bridge is off limits to you if you insist on touching anything." Granger narrowed his eyes at her, knowing her mischievous nature. Ellis didn't know if he appreciated Granger's warning or hated the way he looked at his sister.
"In other words, you want me to behave. Look, Caesar, I'm not in a habit of getting the people I care about most killed. That would include the people they care about as well." Ellis looked at Ollie, shocked. Was she referring to Granger when she made that statement? He turned to Granger whose eyebrows were raised in shock. Ellis was very uncomfortable with this new bond they seemed to share.
"Settle down, big man." Ollie grabbed Ellis's arm and dragged him forward, because he was brooding and glaring. "So, what's next on the tour?"
Granger laughed. "Why do I feel like a chew toy all of a sudden?"
"Hey!" Ollie grabbed Ellis's jaw with one hand, making him look at her. "Cut it out." Her words were forceful. She was annoyed. She pulled him to the side.
Granger continued walking, so as not to get involved, because Ellis was about to get an earful.
"How long you think we're gonna be a guest of Granger's if you continue to act like that?" she snapped.
Ellis let out a rush of breath.
"Granger's being more than hospitable, considering he doesn't have to do any of this. And you're the one who's supposed to be keeping me out of trouble, not the other way around. However, if I need to smack the hell out of you, let's get it over with."
"I'm good."
"Stay that way, or at the next port stop, I'm taking off like I wanted to do in the first place," she said, walking off.
That was what Ellis was afraid of. Any moment, she could take off to retaliate against all those coming after her and Mama. If that happened, she would not surface until it was all over or she was dead. He had to keep himself under control, if for no reason other than to keep her in control.
He could hear Mama now: Protect her with your love, not your hate. Promise me.
()()()
Atlanta, Georgia
Arthur read Elliot's detailed reports of River's hostile invasion of Flame dominated territory in the northeast metropolitan area. The other faction members looked toward him for guidance, now that he was in charge of the Oracle business. The other leaders wanted to kick out River by force, but Arthur wanted to see what had made them choose to invade so abruptly. What in that area made River incur the attention of Flame and Breath? He made sure that everyone in the area kept an open eye on all River activity, and he said not to attack unless they attacked first.
When he learned that all the River intruders were from Mary, Arthur's antenna went up. She had found something. He needed to know what. Rumor had it that she was looking for Demon's Wrath, so maybe she had found a lead. Or maybe she had found something more interesting.
Subtly wasn't her game, so following her actions wouldn't be hard. That was what he needed to do--see what she uncovered before he did anything irrational. Genius. And if she found something dangerous, he'd let the trap get her.
Arthur wondered if the bull would charge.
She did.
Arthur was in the office early that morning after getting an interesting phone call from Elliot. River had attacked in the warehouse district of one of Flame's major cities, but the building was not owned by anyone in Flame. After doing some digging, Elliot had found that the building belonged to an Ella Oden. Nothing was known about the woman, but that was the only building she owned in the whole world. The aftermath of the attack showed nothing. The place had been cleaned up and cleaned out before the sun rose. However, according to Elliot, someone had gotten some exclusive information, for Arthur's eyes only.
"I'm logging into my acco
unt as we speak," he said into his cell phone as he entered the password to his e-mail account. "Yes, I got the e-mail."
"Open the attachment." Elliot yawned.
"Elliot, did you get any sleep?" Arthur asked, concerned. The last thing he needed was his number one agent slipping up and getting hurt. Too much depended on him.
"I'll be fine, boss." The man chuckled, which meant no.
Once he had clicked on the attached file, a picture began to download. And right there on his computer screen, in glorious pixels, was an image of Fire Eye standing on the roof with another man in all white whose back was turned toward the camera.
"This is real?" Arthur toes curled in excitement.
"Yes, very. We are trying to comb the city now for her, but I guarantee you she's gone by now. And there's more."
"More?"
"The man she's with--"
"You know him? You can find him?"
"No, sir. Nothing about him could be revealed from that distance, with his back turned. However, the photographer did notice something … wrong."
Arthur was not sure he liked the sound of that. "Wrong?"
"The man just disappeared. Jumped up in the air, and poof."
That made no sense. "Clarify this for me. Because last time I checked, no one can just disappear unless they were never there in the first place." There were powers with which people had the ability to appear to disappear--camouflage, illusions--but nothing in which they literally disappeared.
"Actually, we checked out the area he was standing in, and the seer said the man jumped up into the darkness and the darkness took him, energy and all."
"Wha--? Is that possible?" Arthur had never heard of such abilities. Acrobats and gravity manipulators could climb walls or practically fly, but … Even though teleportation was spoken of, it never had been documented or confirmed. It was merely myth.
"Well, sir, there has only been one other recorded ability like that or even close to it. They call it shadow dwelling--the ability to travel and blend with the shadows. But sir, the only recorded practitioners belonged to …"
Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy) Page 19
