by Martin, CJ
★
It was apparent to everyone that Sam’s words mirrored the Nephloc’s thoughts. He had accurately conveyed what they had tried to keep hidden. The four had been sent to harm Suteko in order to get to Sam. And most horrifying of all, it was confirmed that Kaileen had a list of names and locations of all the Temporal.
Sam fell to his knees. He’d suspected Kaileen had garnered the list during their last encounter in the hotel room. She had probed his mind then. In his weakened condition, Sam couldn’t tell what—if any—information he had released, but now he knew. Kaileen had managed to pull the names and addresses of every Temporal across the globe. And it had been because of Sam’s carelessness.
A heavy heartbeat later, Suteko was beside Sam, filling him with warmth and love in the way only she could. He felt her loving hands on his shoulders unburden the stress and sense of failure. Sam managed to smile and lift his right hand to his left shoulder, covering her fingers. He understood why Suteko had been sent to him. He needed her.
Marcus sighed. “This makes our job much harder.”
They would have to rethink everything. What had been an offensive plan to take down Kaileen, would need to shift to a defensive action to protect the scattered Temporal all over the world.
Without warning, Ian lurched for the lead Nephloc. The Nephloc, hearing a noise, lifted its head. Ian’s right hand, fingers extended, was inches from the terrified Nephloc’s neck when Ian took a blow to his chest. The force of the impact was greater than he could have imagined the old man capable of. As Ian flew backward, his extended arm shattered the wooden chair that had been in the middle of the room. Ian was halfway into a wall before he started to resist.
Marcus flew to the wall and was on Ian screaming, “Control yourself! We gave them quarter, and it is because of them we know Kaileen’s plan.”
“It did not give the information willingly,” he said after regaining his breath. “I say they ought to die.”
Ian was incensed at being publicly corrected; he was eager for a physical confrontation with Marcus. He never liked the old man—at least not since he had caused Suteko to think of him as a monster—it had been the old man, Ian was sure of it. Marcus had put ideas in her head that had led her to turn from him. Not only that, but Marcus’ thought process and leadership was too slow and much too foreign to his liking.
“Maybe so, but not under my watch. From this moment, touching one of these captives means warring with me.”
“Fine with me, old…”
Marcus swiftly, but gently placed the palm of his hand on Ian’s chest; his touch arrested Ian’s movements.
“Bloody hell, old man! Wha...what are you d...doin...”
Ian’s body began to shake as each muscle responded to the energy that flowed from Marcus’ hand. In a way, Marcus’ gift was the opposite of Suteko’s. Suteko’s touch softened; Marcus’ hardened. In short order, Ian couldn’t even speak.
Seeing the sight reminded Sam of when Suteko had stopped time. He remembered bodies that were in motion suddenly became absolutely still; it was as if a camera had captured the moment, but in three-dimensional space and totally real for him.
Marcus hadn’t stopped time, but it was as if every cell within Ian’s body were incapable of movement—frozen in suspended animation. The energy required for the slightest of movements simply wasn’t there.
Marcus took his other hand and placed it on Ian’s back. With some exertion, he lifted a stiff Ian, turned, and walked with him outside the door. “Please do not follow,” Marcus said to everyone else in the room.
Once outside, Marcus kept Ian’s body upright and perfectly still for a few seconds more. Then, like the light of a candle flickering from a puff of wind, various muscles began to throb and spasm. Ian’s arms, legs, and neck arched in random, jerky motions.
Marcus slowly released him, allowing Ian’s body to curl up and rest gently on the ground and against a large oak tree. Once Ian’s head was safely resting against the trunk, Marcus leaned in, hovering over the jagged shape of Ian.
“I’m sorry son, but I cannot allow you to harm them.”
“Ma...Marc...” Ian’s sudden motion sent his face falling to the ground before Marcus could catch him.
“Do not speak. The effects are temporary, but it will take some time to regain your speech and motor skills.”
Marcus looked around to make sure they were alone.
“I will only say this once. Do not second guess me. I will not allow insubordination. The president has given me direct authority in this matter. Anything you do falls back on me. Do you understand?”
Ian was looking away from the old man. The half of his face that was not in dirt had a stream of spittle falling from an opened mouth. With great effort, he was able to make a slight nod.
“Good. I know your anger. It is strong within me as well. These creatures meant Suteko harm. I am not so unfeeling to be unaffected by that. However, it would be in our interest to allow these three to return to Kaileen unmolested.”
Seeing Ian’s hands move, the old man went down on one knee. He cradled Ian’s head and helped him sit up. Ian was able to brace himself with his two arms behind him.
“If you want to harm them,” the old man continued while Ian was regaining some strength, “the best way to accomplish that is to let them go back. Kaileen will not tolerate failure. But more importantly, if they return to her, she will discover that we know her plan, and that we are ready to and have the ability to thwart it. Your actions, which led to one escaping, may have been a blessing in disguise. She will have to be careful. This may slow her down and give us the time we need.”
“Marcus.” Ian spoke slowly and with a heavy slur. He still couldn’t feel his tongue. “Apologies.”
Ian stood, leaning heavily on the trunk of the tree to help himself up. Marcus nodded, turned away from Ian, and reentered the building to release his prisoners.
Seeing Marcus return, Catherine ran out of the building. Marcus tried to stop her, but she ignored his protest. She ran to Ian and threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him down again.
“Oh, Ian. Are you all right?”
He pushed her away. His former strength had not yet returned, but it was enough to knock her down. “Don’t touch me.”
“You have to control your anger,” snapped Catherine as she jumped back up and wiped the dirt from her arms.
“They were there to kill her.”
“Suteko—it is always about Suteko. Why can’t you see that she is not good for you?”
Ian’s face was burning. He turned his head to quell his anger. He was angry at the Nephloc spies, angry at Suteko, angry at Marcus, and all that anger blinded Ian to the one person who cared for him.
“Don’t be a fool—she’s never loved you. I confronted her once. That’s right. I never told you, but she swore that she had never had any feelings for you. Never. Ian, she did something to you. You are under her spell. Wake up to those who truly love you.”
Ian shifted his stance but remained silent. Catherine didn’t dare approach or touch him again, but seeing his dejected and hurt eyes, her heart melted. Every ounce of her being wanted to wrap her arms around him, kiss him, and tell him it would be all right.
“I love you, Ian.” The words just slipped out.
Outwardly, Ian showed no reaction to Catherine’s confession. After a few moments with his head down in silence, Ian turned and hobbled off, moving into the darkness away from the light of the building. Catherine fell to her knees, sobbing.
Chapter Four
“Yes, sir. We are on the train now.” The old man held the phone tightly to his cheek. He had a finger stuck in the other ear, attempting to block out some of the click-clack and other noises ever present when traveling by train. Over the many centuries that he had walked the earth, he’d had opportunity to speak to royalty and leaders of nations before, but his first royal experiences had been with the Caesars. Those two encounters had instilled in him r
espect for authority mixed with a heavy dose of anxiety. People with great power over the lives of others made him nervous to this day.
“We expect to be in the capital within the hour.” A few moments later, he ended the call with, “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
He turned to Suteko and let out a deeply suppressed breath. “I don’t think I will ever get used to speaking to the president no matter how young he is.”
Suteko smiled. Marcus had very few weaknesses. It was nice to find yet another one, however quaint.
Holding up the cell phone, he asked, “I only have a few more calls to make. The news that Kaileen has a complete list is disturbing. That I can now only reach about half of the Temporal is terrifying. The only good news now is those I can contact are taking the threat seriously. The four in the States are now arranging transport by car or bus, and the president has agreed to help scramble air transport for the rest of the world’s Temporal.”
Marcus stood and walked a few rows away from the others. Once again, he had the phone to his ear. He had not stopped making calls since releasing the three Nephloc intruders. Marcus warned those he could and left messages when possible.
If the matter hadn’t been so serious, Suteko would have enjoyed teasing Marcus about his sudden love of modern technology. He had never even touched a cell phone before recent events made resistance futile.
The five present Temporal—Marcus, Suteko, Sam, Ian, and Catherine—were on an Amtrak heading to Washington and a meeting with President Brad Gardner.
The president had full knowledge of how close the Nephloc had come to installing their man, Todd McGregor, into the White House. He also knew the sacrifices Sam and Suteko had made to stop the plot. He had been apprised by Marcus of the operation and was eager to offer his support.
Sam looked at the others. They were the only passengers in their car. Catherine and Ian had appeared only a week before. His first impression of both had been positive. Catherine especially seemed nice, even if her mood was often gloomy. Ian had been the epitome of an English gentleman—gracious and full of jolly good fun. But just a few days after their arrival, Catherine’s mood darkened and she sulked continuously. Ian’s wit turned biting, edged with sarcasm; he became rough with his language and actions.
Sam had just assumed Ian and Catherine were a couple. It was only after he had noticed Ian looking in Suteko’s direction a few times more than politeness dictated that he found out Ian and Catherine lived over five hundred miles apart and rarely spoke.
Marcus stood and said, “Sam, could I have a moment with you?”
Sam nodded, stood, and then followed the old man to the next compartment. The little room between the two cars had a set of restrooms and a janitor’s closet. Sam cracked open each door to confirm that they were alone and then turned his attention to Marcus. The incessant click-clack and roar of the wind nearly sound-proofed their meeting.
“I’m concerned about our Temporal brethren around the world. Have you noticed anything strange with that radar in your head? I mean, have any disappeared?”
“Well, no, but I’m still working out how to use this gift. At times, it is so clear and easy. Other times, it just isn’t there. But I can only sense nearby presences without intense concentration.”
For worldwide searches, having something visual like a map helped greatly, but Sam was just beginning to discover the limitations and implications of his gift.
“I see. Next question. How are things with Ian?” The old man spoke in a hurried speech as if trying to rush through an unpleasant topic.
“Ian? Marcus, my judgment may be clouded, but I sense Suteko is on his mind a lot more than the Nephloc or even the safety of the other Temporal.” Sam’s eyes and tone of voice betrayed his fears.
“Well, son, it does have something to do with Suteko and their past.” Seeing Sam’s face darken further, he added, “It isn’t as you fear. They didn’t have a relationship. I am sure Ian would have liked to have had one, but the feeling was not mutual. He has never forgiven me for stepping in and erecting...boundaries.”
The old man looked around as if he wasn’t sure they were alone.
“Sam, Ian has a history of violence. He has fought in many wars, won many battles. He was once a great warrior and a masterful general, a natural leader. I thought he had worked through his anger, but even though I do not have your gifts, his anger back there was thick in the air. And being reunited with Suteko…and me…Well, having both of us here surely does not help calm his emotions.”
Sam began monitoring Ian the moment the old man mentioned his name. His mouth dropped.
“Suteko...Marcus, he moved next to her.”
Sam started to rush to the sliding door when Marcus grabbed his arm, stopping him at once.
“Do not do anything rash.” Marcus leaned into Sam and spoke in hushed tones. “Ian may be with us, but he is a formidable enemy when provoked.”
Sam nodded and then continued his charge toward the doorway. The door opened and Sam saw Suteko looking up at him with pleading eyes. In an instant, Sam was in front of her.
Ian stood with ease, straightening his cuffs, and laughed, saying, “I was just keeping your seat warm for you, boy.” His laughter reminded Sam of the mocking laugh with which Ian had scolded the defeated Nephloc. It was a torturous laugh, designed to open a fresh wound while pounding in the salt.
As Sam sat in his seat, Ian turned around and headed back to sit next to Catherine. Catherine did not acknowledge him; she was simply staring blankly out the window at the blurring trees and power line posts.
Sam looked upon her with some sadness. When not in one of her moods, Catherine could be quite cordial. When she smiled, though, it rarely seemed sincere. She had a plain face and she acted like she knew it. She wore beautiful long dresses that seemed out of place in this day and age. But they were beautiful. Perhaps a little too beautiful, stealing whatever measure of beauty her plain face afforded her. She tucked a fold of her dress under her thigh and continued her window vigil as Ian sat down, seemingly oblivious to her mood.
To Sam’s judgment, Catherine seemed insecure, always looking to others for meaning or validation. But even still, she would go off on her own to spend long hours in her room, reading or doing who-knows-what away from the others.
Suteko leaned over and cupped her left hand over Sam’s right. She whispered, “Sam, I’m sorry. But you must believe me. There is nothing between Ian and me—there never has been.”
Sam gave a half-hearted smile and reached over, patting her hand that was over his other hand. As he whispered, “I know,” all he could think about was what the old man had said. They’d had a history. What else could that mean? His heart beat a little faster. He was the victor—his girl was sitting with him, not Ian—but somehow Ian’s laughter had cast doubts. It was obvious she had detested his advances, but they’d had a history…
Sam managed to break into a full smile, mostly for Suteko’s benefit. He then closed his eyes mumbling to her that he needed to get a little sleep.
It was a lie.
He had slept over twenty minutes right after getting on the train. This was more than the ten minutes a day he now needed, eternity’s gift and curse.
It was an intentional lie, but as he said it, Sam’s subconscious moved the lie a touch closer to the truth. He didn’t need sleep, but he did need rest. As he let his mind drift and contemplate what history they may have had, he was soon asleep.
Chapter Five
Seeing Marcus, the president rose and said, “Salve, Marcus, quomodo vales?”
Sam stood in the doorway behind the old man. He was having a hard time getting a grip on this new reality. He had no problem with his supernatural abilities—he’d had time to adjust. But being hunted by a powerful and relentless enemy, meeting others who saw his abilities as “normal,” and now, here he was standing before the President of the United States...
Marcus smiled and replied, “Valde bene.”
“I must practice my high school Latin before it disappears entirely. I would say something more, but I’m afraid the only other Latin words I remember are mostly grade school level insults.”
Marcus smiled and turned to allow the others entry.
The president motioned for them to be seated and said, “Welcome. I trust everything went as planned?”
Marcus spoke for the group. “There were four Nephloc attackers. One escaped. After interrogation and learning all that we could, we let the other three return to send a message to Kaileen, the woman behind the current Nephloc threat.”
“Do you think that was wise?” asked the president. “We could have learned more about them.”
“It was either release them or kill them and nothing would be gained by the latter. My primary concern was and is to aid our friends. The one that escaped would report to Kaileen anyway. I deemed it best to control what message Kaileen received.” The president was silent, listening intently. Marcus continued, “Sam, here, did probe their minds, but found little information of interest. I...we believe sending them back will send a message to her that we are not as helpless as she may have hoped. It may buy us some time to organize.”
Ian stepped forward, nudging Sam to the side with a swoop of his shoulder. “Some of us thought the creatures may have had more information vital to our friend’s defense.”
Sam saw Marcus turn to Ian. The look was one of pure anger.
Ian backed down. “But in the end, I think the old man was right.” Finding a nearby chair, he sat down and crossed his legs, looking as if he were indifferent to the outcome of the debate that he had just sparked.
Sam concentrated on Ian’s thoughts. Although the old man had turned away and was looking straight at the president, Sam could clearly feel Ian’s anger toward Marcus. Ian knew the old man blamed him for jumping early to Suteko’s rescue and thus forcing their hand. But Sam understood Ian would not blame himself. He had done what he felt was necessary. He also thought Marcus had made the rash decision to release the prisoners simply to spite him. Ian saw Marcus as a friend who acted like an enemy. The act was growing tiresome to Ian and the intensity worried Sam.
