Over the last couple of days, his seal had spread more. He had learned more about the nature of himself, and it did not scare him; he embraced it. Ollie had taught him that.
For most of his life, he had fought to maintain a strict balance of discipline based on self-control. It had taught him so much. But one woman had taught him more, in less than a week, than he had learned in his forty years of life. The loss of control, the darker energy, was as important as all other energy. It all had to flow. Positive and negative, like all things, had to balance, or energy--life, all things--became unstable. He felt the balance in him smoothing like silk. Positive energy flowed through him as surely as negative energy. Accepting their existence was just the beginning.
"So what would you like us to do, Granger?"
Granger turned to look at the man. He placed his drink on a coaster on his desk.
"Business as usual," he told the man, who nodded. Granger had nothing to hide. And he sure as hell wouldn't hide from Blade. Or Arthur Clifton.
()()()
24
Sanctuary, Rocky Mountains, US-Canada Border
Two weeks had gone by since Ollie had died, and Ellis was getting restless in the large house owned by the shaman. It was over one hundred years old, even though it didn't look it. The old woman's Stone ancestors had built the house out of and into the side of a mountain. It was built at such an angle that anyone coming up the mountain would never notice it for the trees; and overhead, no one would notice it because it blended with the mountain. But the three-story monstrosity had another secret. Like other ancient Structure constructs, this mansion and the mountain it was carved from were shrouded in energy that concealed it. It was energy manipulation from the Old Ways. The shaman's ancestors had used environmental energy, which had lasted far longer than internal energy. Such building techniques were lost now. They built better constructions in the past than they did now.
With his hands in his pockets, Ellis walked past the large windows on the third story looking out over the mountains. It was a beautiful view, but it was missing his loudmouth sister. In the front yard, Bones and Miko were playing chess. Bones had been playing Miko all day, neither giving up, but Bone was clearly going to win this game. What dumbfounded everyone was how Bones had even won against Geo the day before. No one won against Geo so easily, but Bones had. Geo was surprised, because one of the tactics Bones had used was something Ollie would have done. He recklessly and obviously pursued Geo's king. Bones's maneuvers were so cutthroat and so unpredictable that Geo, the internationally ranked chess player, was thrown off balance. Geo and Ellis had looked at each other in shock after Bones's victory. And though Bones had not given Ollie's patented "Kiss ass, bitch!" he gave a wicked grin that sent chills up Ellis's spine. What had that transfer of energy done to Bones? Though he seemed like the same little brother, there were things about him that seemed a little colder and a lot wiser. A little like Ollie.
Once Bones took the final move to checkmate, he put his hands in his lap and looked up. He stared directly into the third-story window at Ellis. Ellis smiled down at him. Miko turned around and grinned as well. The two then ran off down the mountains to play. Ellis didn't worry about them going too far, because their brother Wild Card was outside somewhere and wouldn't let them get into trouble.
Ellis turned from the window, only to catch a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye. He looked back out to see a shadow racing down the mountain after them. If he hadn't known Moon was in the area, he would have been alarmed. But this bothered Ellis. Every time he caught sight of Moon, though they were always like shadows and barely noticeable, they seemed to follow Bones more closely than anyone. The only time Ellis caught Moon in his vision was when Bones moved from place to place.
This shouldn't bother Ellis, but after what had happened to Bones … What was going on?
Staring out the window, he remembered how George had asked about Bones. Though it was just a simple question, it made Ellis wonder if George had some idea about what was happening to his little brother.
Should he talk to his cousin, even though Ellis felt unsettled about the idea? Or maybe he should talk to Granger, who seemed to have an understanding about situations like this. Ellis thought it over as the evening drew near. He sat in the large kitchen with Wolfe as Troy, Cee, and two of his sisters prepared dinner.
"Here," Cee said, sliding a book in front of him. "This one I know you haven't read." She smiled warmly at him. But there was pain in her eyes. She blamed herself for what had happened to Ollie, even though his twin had openly threatened Cee. She was just too warmhearted to realize that it had been Ollie's decision to die.
"Thank you," Ellis said, taking it.
"I'm su'prised you could pry it from the livin' sponge." Sitting across from Ellis, Wolfe grinned, looking down at his drink. "That boy's worse than you. He knows every damn thing, and he sees twice as much. Creepy as hell."
Wolfe was right. "Cee, would an energy transfer like that normally change a person to such a degree that they … take on different …" Ellis didn't even know where to begin.
"It was my first time, Ellis. But I've been trying to figure it out myself." She was also concerned about what could be happening to Bones. "He reached Level Two yesterday."
"You're screwin' me!" Wolfe shot up from the table, and Ellis leaned forward, bracing the table as if the wind had been knocked out of him. "That ain't possible, unless …"
They all looked at each other in shock. The only way to reach enlightenment so fast was Ollie's unorthodox method of altering the mind, allowing a person to open the mind to enlightenment faster. Miko was her first test subject, and the young girl was already a Level Two. The only reason no one else in the Structure knew about this unprecedented achievement was because of Ollie's powers and link to Moon. And it was not considered wise to enlighten in such a manner. But Ollie never followed rules.
"It might be possible that the transfer caused his new behavior." Cee shrugged. "Miko also exhibited a different behavior after her sessions, due to Ollie unknowingly transferring part of her own habits to Miko."
That was possible. "What do you think, Wolfe?" Ellis asked, knowing the man was smarter than he let on.
"You figure somethin', 'cause I'm sittin' on empty," Wolfe said, rubbing his head.
"You've been sitting on that all night," Troy laughed, adding seasoning to the pot of gumbo.
Wolfe grumped. "Aww, shut yer yap. Since yer happy ass got so much to say, I'm-a back down from this lil' hellified shindig an' let you pansies duke it out." Wolfe downed his drink. "'Cause my nerves are wracked."
Ellis shook his head. Wolfe was just as scared as they were. Something could be seriously wrong with Bones, and Moon could know about it. But Ellis wasn't going to bring up that tidbit of information. Especially if Moon was listening in.
"I'll be back," Ellis said, getting up to go talk to Bones.
"What? Ellis ain't cookin'," Wolfe whined. "Not even a biscuit." He sounded so sad. "I understand a need fer a vacation, but don't deprive the underprivileged. Ya gotta cook at least one tasty treat. Hey, buddy, sit yer ass down 'fore ya start bleedin' in the food. You ain't completely healed yet," he said to Troy. "And I don't want blood in my portion. Ewww."
Ellis laughed, heading for the kitchen doorway.
"Ladies, haul ass! I'm starved!" Wolfe shouted, and Cee threw a dish towel at him, laughing. "You'll pay fer that later, foul woman. In my bed." He chuckled as everyone groaned.
As he looked for Bones, Ellis wondered now if he would cook again. He enjoyed it, but it had always meant more to him when Ollie ate it. Although no one enjoyed it as much as Wolfe, he was beginning to wonder if he wanted anyone else enjoying it anymore.
"Ellis."
Ellis did a 180 degree turn and saw Bones coming up the hallway. "You wanted to see me?" The kid smiled. How had he known? Bones had excellent sight, but it had never been that good.
"How are you doing?" Ellis asked.
"Fine. But that's not what you wanted to ask me." Bones giggled. "You want to know about why you think I'm so different. But I'm not. I've become what I was meant to be. Just like Ollie. And just like you will be."
He was speaking in riddles. Mama used this tactic when she wouldn't tell them what they wanted to know.
Bones waved for Ellis to come closer. Ellis bent to his knees and squatted in front of him. Bones went over to Ellis and got real close to his ear before whispering, "If you want to know more, find the Violin's Dogma."
Ellis frowned. The what?
"And don't worry about me. I have been disconnected and am part of the void now. Death had claimed me," Bones whispered before wrapping his arms around Ellis.
Ellis let his legs give out; he dropped to his knees. What was Bones saying? He was disconnected and part of the void? Death had claimed …?
"Bones?" Ellis's voice trembled.
Bones began humming a very familiar tune before walking off and leaving Ellis in the hallway, frozen in fear. Sonata in A minor: Cantabile. Ellis stood up and looked at his brother, who continued to walk and hum, waving his hand as if conducting an orchestra. Sonata in A minor: Cantabile was the melody that Bones was humming. It was a composition by the violin composer Giuseppe Tartini, who also wrote the famous piece La Sonata del Diavolo. Also known as the Devil's Trill Sonata. Violin's Dogma was Devil's Trill, Creed.
Ellis waited until late that night when almost everyone was asleep before he went to wake up O-no. The poor kid had been a wreck ever since Ollie's death. He ate next to nothing and barely slept. He rarely talked or associated with anyone. The kid was in agony, but this had to stop.
O-no patched in the link for Ellis, securing it before shuffling back to his bedroom.
Ellis dialed the number and waited for it to ring. When it didn't, he spoke. "Creed?"
"Line's not secure enough." His voice was flat and emotionless.
Ellis sat at the computer terminal, silent. He didn't know what to say or what to do. He was just so confused.
"I have a question for you," Creed said finally. "What story did I tell you when I branded you?" Ellis cringed, remembering that day. "That story is real, and so was the warning. Bring me Granger." And with that, the line went dead. Ellis took in a deep breath. That had gone better than he'd thought it would.
Ellis got up to leave, but stopped as the sound of a sniff. O-no was still awake.
Going to the kid's bedroom door, he opened it slowly to see O-no curled up on his bed, crying. O-no never cried in front of anyone. Seeing the eighteen-year-old like this broke Ellis's heart. Ollie would know what to do or what to say. Ellis was no good at such things.
When O-no had first come to them, Ollie had let the kid cry in her lap when he got sad. She would never tell anyone, but Ellis was always close by. Ellis took in a deep breath and walked to the bed. Sitting down beside his brother, he began rubbing the kid's back.
"Don't," O-no cried. "I don't want to remember her." He sounded so stuffy.
"Yes, you do." Ellis tried holding back his tears.
"I can't even look at you." O-no trembled. "You look so much like …" O-no shuddered. "Why is this happening? Why are they dying and leaving me? Why?" O-no shouted, sitting up and looking at Ellis. His face was flushed, his eyes were swollen, and tears streamed down his cheeks. Damn you, Ollie.
Ellis grabbed his brother by the back of his neck, holding him close, forcing his brother to look at him. "Listen." Ellis swallowed the lump in his throat as O-no held his breath in shock. "Ollie loved you more than her own life. She wouldn't want this pain for any of us. Especially you. You have suffered enough," Ellis told the boy as he told himself the same thing. She wanted them to be happy. She wanted them to move on without her. "I know it hurts, but don't hide your pain. Let your family help you."
O-no's face turned angry, and he cried, yelling in frustration. Ellis closed his eyes while O-no let it all go. It would take time for them to heal, and they still had Mama's death to deal with.
Mama, where are you?
()()()
Bones opened his eyes to the darkness of his room. Seeing the clock in his mind, it was past midnight. The Moon's shift change would be happening in a few minutes. He had to be ready for it if he was going to slip past them.
Getting out of bed, Bones slipped off his pajamas and put on some jeans and a T-shirt. Taking the packed backpack from under his bed, his slipped it onto his narrow shoulders. He went to his desk and pulled out the letters he had written to make sure they were still there before putting them back. One was for his mother, one for Ellis, and the other was for Geo. He didn't want the eldest looking for him and endangering the family.
Tip-toeing over to Miko's bed, he nudged her awake.
"Hmm?" the girl groaned.
"Miko," Bones whispered.
She groaned again. "I'll remember." She opened one of her eyes.
"Take care of my mother," he said.
Miko sat up slowly. "Are you … are you really going to do this?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Yes." Bones was going to miss his sister.
"When will you be back?" she sighed, now fully awake.
Bones shrugged.
"Oh …"
"But I'll miss you."
"Me too." She grinned.
They wrapped their arms around each other in a big hug. "I left it in the desk, in your codebook," he whispered in her ear.
"'Kay," she said, pulling away from him and looking at him with big, sad eyes.
He went to the door where his sneakers were and slipped them on before tying them. He closed his eyes and checked the perimeter of the house. Everything was set.
He looked back at Miko and waved to her; she waved back. Opening the door, he ran down the hall as fast as he could, just as the first guard was changing posts. He ran down the hall, seeing the Moon in his mind; he made it to the stairs and slid down the railing like he and Miko had done for the past two days. Once on the first floor, he opened the front door, only to come face to face with three Moon agents.
"Sorry, kid," one of the Moons said, looking down at him. "Nice try."
"Actually, it gets better." Bones grinned as two of the Moons were lifted up from the ground and into the darkness. Bones ducked as the last one was kicked into the house, making a loud thud and a crunching noise against the wall when he crashed.
Bones looked into the darkness as he stepped out into the night air. He peered up at the large, menacing figure looming over him.
"Wow, you're big," Bones grinned, excited. "My name's Larry, but call me Bones. What's your name?"
"Look, kid, ain't got time for introductions." It was a mean, gruff voice. Bones was picked straight up off his feet and hauled into the darkness.
()()()
Ellis, feeling odd, slowly opened his eyes to catch a pair of big brown eyes looking back at him.
"You're awake." Miko grinned before climbing on his bed.
"Miko …" he groaned, covering his face with his arm.
"Bones told me to only bother you after you were awake." She giggled.
"Really?" Ellis felt the bed shake. She wasn't jumping, was she? He peeked out from under his arm to see that she was. "Miko." He groaned again. Miko must have gotten him confused with Ollie. She was the morning person, not him. Wait.
His head shot up. The sun wasn't even up. "Why are you up so early?" he sniffed.
"Bones told me to give you something, and he said it was for your eyes only." She stopped jumping, landing on her butt. She held out a folded piece of paper.
Ellis frowned. "Why didn't he give it to me himself?" he said, taking the paper.
"Because he's gone," she said seriously.
Ellis held the paper. "What?"
"Bones is gone. It's all on the paper. And I put his notebook on the desk. He said it's in the old language." She sprang back up. "You better read it before his mom wakes up." She jumped off the bed and ran out the door.
Ellis looked down at the paper and over at the desk. What?
Clearing his head, he digested what Miko had said as he flipped on the bedside lamp. He read the letter once and then again.
Ellis,
I'm leaving. But if you want to find me, you and you alone must do as I say. No one else. No one. You have to take Granger to the Devil. But trust no one. Everyone is against them. And don't let the family come after me. You can't, because if you do, we all die. I'm sorry you don't understand, but you will. Good-bye, Ellis. You are the best brother. And tell Mom I love her.
Larry "Bones" Mason
His words barely registered. I'm leaving. It had to be a sick gag.
But Moon couldn't find the kid anywhere. According to O-no's video surveillance, the moment the kid had stepped out the front door, he had disappeared. His mother was livid, with good reason. Her eight-year-old had run away. And the worst part was that he had told them nothing of Bones's notebook. He only shared the letter. Mama was gone, his little sister was dead, and now this. This was too cruel.
Ellis's face was still stinging from where Bones's mother had slapped him. But Ellis wouldn't say a word. She deserved her anger and pain. His body hummed with the same frustration.
"I'll go pack," Ellis said, getting up.
Geo stood as well. "I'm going too."
Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy) Page 34
