Valor: The Custos Saga

by Jessica Tastet

  He turned away from her and put the last of his gear in the bag before zipping it shut. “Neither, I’m taking a break and training at home for awhile.”

  “So you’ve made a decision?”

  He turned toward her, but his eyes stared at her forehead. “Don’t do this. I need more than two days to get my head around this. You are Reximortum’s daughter. Do you have any idea what this would do to my life?”

  “I’m Lily’s daughter,” Angelica muttered. “And it shouldn’t matter.”

  “Do you know the death he’s responsible for? People will associate the two of you no matter how much you insist he’s not your father.” Lysander paused and took a deep breath. “I’ve tried to stay out of Vindica politics my entire life. I just want to make the right decision here.”

  Angelica stared at him. What she wanted to say was that if she were worth it, the decision wouldn’t be so difficult. But she wouldn’t appear desperate.

  He walked toward the doorway and she stepped aside.

  Angelica’s breath caught as he passed near her. She could smell sandalwood and spice from his t-shirt. She felt him hesitate at the door. He wanted to say something.

  “Don’t hate me.”

  She closed her eyes. She could feel his conflict below the surface, but now she knew he wanted her to see it and she wasn’t sure how much it meant that way.

  The door creaked and closed behind him.

  She shook herself. No stranger to a broken heart, she’d recover, but she needed to survive first. All the signs pointed to something happening soon and being distracted was a sure way to invite failure.

  She crossed to the beanbag bin in the training room. Time to try her hand at focusing.

  The training room walls held several hand to hand combat weapons such as poles and swords. A bookcase of bins held other instruments of training, including the bags Angelica used for her focus exercises. During training, Mike stressed her inability to block out external stimuli. Perhaps she should have asked Kline for a training tip since Mike hadn’t offered anything she’d been successful implementing. But then she’d kept Kline’s existence hidden from everyone at Vindica house, so she’d have to explain where she learned control. She needed to face that secret soon. A pure blooded Custos attack scared her, and she was certain the others would not want to believe her because of their own fear.

  She stood in the center of the room, closing her eyes to visual distractions. Of course, Mike chided her for closing her eyes to an enemy, but she hadn’t figured out how to shut everyone’s thoughts completely out yet. Training with Mike had been a lesson in humiliation more than skill.

  With a deep breath, she focused on the bags and visualized them rising. They rotated above her hands, then she lifted them eye level. She spun them like a whirlpool; and then commanded them to stop. They halted mid-air. Her neck muscles relaxed, and she again rotated them and then lifted them above her head.

  Her mind settled, leaving her troubles on the side for a moment.

  A shriek pierced through the house. Angelica’s command wavered; she attempted to hold her pace, but the shrieking grew in intensity.

  Serena burst into the room. “This is your fault. You’re trying to destroy me!”

  Footsteps thundered from all corners of the house. John was in the doorway before Serena’s words could sink in, and Trevor stood right behind Serena, concern etched across his forehead.

  What the hell was he doing here? He had some serious stalking issues.

  John cleared his throat. “What’s going on in here?”

  “Look at my hands!” Serena’s voice screeched through the silence. “She’s cursed me. She’s no Valor. She’s some evil monster you let take Valor away from me!”

  Serena sobbed and wailed. Trevor’s eyes bugged at the twisted, horrible position of her fingers. It was difficult to look at, but no one looked away.

  Roxy pushed herself into the room, and Jack followed. Roxy looked from Angelica to Serena, and her brain spun faster. Angelica could tell she was moments away from making a decision. One that would protect her family.

  “Angelica, what the hell is this?” Trevor asked, unmoving.

  Jack grabbed Serena’s hands and glared at Angelica. “Does she pose a threat to you that you need to get rid of her?”

  Angelica looked to John and sadness weighed the creases of his eyes and his lip trembled. Gabney was right. He was too old for all of this.

  “I need to know what happened.”

  Serena wailed. “She’s trying to cripple me.”

  Angelica’s flesh flushed as she felt everyone’s eyes upon her waiting. “I did nothing to her.”

  John raised his hand, sensing the objections coming. “We are all on the same side here, and we must stop this pettiness.”

  Jack stood, glaring at John. “Are you sure? Angelica’s loyalty may rest with her family.”

  Everyone looked from Jack to Angelica. John’s face drained of all color.

  Serena perked up, looking to John. “What is he talking about?”

  John squirmed.

  Jack’s face reddened. “I possess the intelligence to infer her parentage. She resembles him, and that does not place her on our side.”

  Something triggered inside Angelica; it shot straight through, burning her all the way down. She didn’t need to hide from the truth. It didn’t matter. As Madame Lulu had said, she was born Valor, and it didn’t matter who her father was.

  She strode toward Serena and grabbed her hands. Serena cringed under her touch, but the answer clung close to the surface, difficult to hide with her pain.

  Angelica faced everyone. “She tried to curse me, and it rebounded on her.”

  Angelica lowered her voice and glared into Serena’s twitching, crestfallen face. She made sure her voice was heard in the silence of the room. “I’m protected from curses because my mother, Lily Vale, left this to protect me.” Angelica rubbed her finger over the stone around her neck.

  Angelica looked around the room. “My mother sacrificed herself to protect me from my father, Reximortum Vale.“Angelica focused on Serena. “I have reasons to want to kill my father, what are your reasons to continue hurting your father?”

  Serena’s eyes widened and she trembled violently. She yanked her arm away and sprinted from the room. Jack glared at John a moment longer and then followed Serena.

  “Soon everyone will know.” John wobbled to a chair. “This could be a disaster.”

  Roxy stared at him stunned. “You knew?”

  “Of course, I knew Roxy.” John closed his eyes. “I figured you did too with all the hints you were trying to pass along.”

  “But…” Roxy looked toward Angelica. “Is it wise to trust her?”

  John said, “Some will probably take issue with it. The same ones who will remember my mistake with trusting Reximortum.”

  Angelica looked at Roxy. Only time would gain trust there. “I don’t need to be Valor to go after Reximortum.”

  Trevor’s hoarse voice said, “Could someone explain what’s going on?”

  Angelica sighed. “Trevor, I need you to go home today.”

  He grimaced, looking around at everyone in the room. “I told you, I’m here until Saturday.”

  Angelica faced him, squaring her shoulders, although she barely reached his chest. “Listen to me, everyone will know who I am by sunset. If someone wants to get to me, they can use you to do it. You don’t stand a chance against these people. I want you on a plane in a few hours. No arguments.”

  Roxy nodded. “I’ll take him.”

  He seemed to be about to argue, but Roxy glared at him, grabbing him by the elbow. “Say your good-byes or they become permanent farewells.”

  Trevor said, “I’ll call you, Angelica. I’m coming back for Christmas, too.”

  Angelica grinned as Roxy herded him out the door. She had to admire his persistence.

  John looked to her. “I still wish the others could have remained ignorant.”<
br />
  Angelica bit down on her bottom lip. Knowledge was what they could use right now.

  “I think maybe ignorance has been the theme for too long,” Angelica said, sitting in a seat near him. “Recently, someone has been dropping in on me on my walks home, offering training tips.”

  Landon squinted down at her.

  Angelica put her hand up. “I know. I never felt like I was in danger, and he asked me to keep it between the two of us, so I gave him a few days in hopes that I’d figure out more about him and what he wanted.”

  “And did you?” Landon asked, struggling not to lecture her.

  “He claims to be pure Custos.”

  “Impossible,” John uttered.

  “I thought so at first,” Angelica said. “But, he knows things, John. He knows how to do things that even Griffen can’t find records of anyone doing. He’s stronger and faster than anyone here.”

  “Is he a threat to the Vindica?”

  “He says that his boss, another Custos, is worse than Reximortum, and he will come for me.”

  John gripped his cane. “We need to let the Vindica know.”

  “Not without proof,” Angelica said, shaking her head. “Do you know how crazy that will sound? They will believe I made it up to detract from Rex.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “We need proof, but we also need knowledge,” Angelica said. “I need you and Gabney to get me actual specifics on the originals. I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

  Landon nodded. “I have someone who may be able to help us.”

  “I don’t want you to worry about Rex being my father anymore. Everyone will come around to me in time.”

  Landon sighed. “I know. Just so you know, you may resemble him in appearance, but you have nothing of your father’s personality.”

  Angelica laughed. “Lily always said I was my father’s child. I’m beginning to think Lily knew a different man than everyone else.”

  “Maybe,” Landon said, quietly.

  Fifty-Four

  The pen scratched the thick linen paper as Rex’s hand advanced with great speed. The ticking clock above his chair tapped at his brain, and he paused, losing his thought. This was unlike him. His concentration was a source of pride, a strength. He could feel his hold slipping with each new obstacle he approached. So much to orchestrate with details falling just so.

  A sharp knock rattled the door. He leaned back into the leather chair and cleared his thoughts for the visitor.

  Lucilius entered and cast a shadow over the dim-lit room. Rex nodded in greeting and Lucilius frowned.

  “I grow tired, Rex.”

  “I know,” Rex said, careful to maintain eye contact. “I’ve been taking care of loose ends so that everything goes as we planned.”

  “Your people have grown weak,” he said. “I don’t know why we thought you were a threat.”

  Rex raised an eyebrow. The Custos afraid of Dark Soldiers created an interesting scenario. Rex could only imagine it would be caused by numbers because in abilities, they would be no match.

  Lucilius waved Rex off. “Even your thoughts can’t be guarded from me. How did your people allow this?”

  Rex bristled. “We are exploring methods with DNA trials to strengthen our abilities.”

  Lucilius nodded. “I’d be curious what you’d learn about that long lost daughter.”

  Rex didn’t like the easy grin he’d had when he said it.

  Lucilius said, “Three young women dead and now I want my book.”

  Rex didn’t blink. “You will have it when it is all over tonight.”

  Lucilius stared down at him a long time before exiting.

  Rex stood and walked to the French doors leading to the balcony, careful not to allow the sunlight to touch his face. Rex stood on the precipice of the future he’d envisioned over twenty-five years ago. A future that brought the Vindica and the Dark Soldiers back together under one umbrella and created the most powerful organization in existence. With this merger, the world would be theirs to envision however they chose. But, he felt the vision blurring and becoming a remote possibility as his men weakened, his son betrayed him, and now Lucilius expected him to turn over the book he’d searched for over twenty years.

  He saw the years passing, leaving him empty-handed. A potential outcome, and one he needed to plot an exact course of action to avoid.

  A short rap rattled the door and a cloak swooshed against the wood floor. Rex sensed Dark Knight before he spoke.

  “Did you summon me, my Lord?”

  “I need you to take four of our men and visit Larkin Luke at his hotel. He’ll bring you to the young woman, and you are to bring her to me.”

  “What about the young lady that is our guest?”

  “I believe she may be able to shed some light on what my son has been up to, so I’m going to spend some time with her now.”

  Dark Knight bowed low. “As you wish my Lord.”

  Rex sighed, stepping near the shadows of the sun. This moment was turning out to be bittersweet. Lily should have been by his side as he finally, after centuries, united the Vindica people. She’d loved him and in a moment of weakness, he’d ruined it all. The delicate balance between love and power had come as a lesson too late in life.

  What he did now was for her though. She’d wished for a united Vindica. One where everyone united to become stronger.

  This was her legacy.

  Fifty-Five

  Cain felt the chilly air coming off the river, lapping against the large chunks of concrete. A tugboat traveling into the gulf signaled its approach. He felt like that boat, easing gently into treacherous territory, only certain of his destination. His fate and Simone’s fate rested on a sister that he felt no curiosity or desire to get to know. The sister stood in his way, and that’s all he needed to know about her. After spending all these years hanging onto the anger over his mother being taken from him, he’d believed that he’d feel something about discovering a connection to family, but after a few days to get used to the idea, he knew he’d forgone the idea of family long ago.

  A shuffling footstep behind him drew his thoughts back to the men waiting for his orders. Hiding their faces from passerbys, they stared at the sidewalk. The mark of a Dark Soldier was to hide oneself from sight even during daylight when they didn’t wear cloaks. Cain hoped to have a different breed of soldier one day.

  Cain spoke to the wind. “I admire your courage for choosing to follow my leadership. I respect the faith in me that it requires.”

  Lars’s voice trembled. “Won’t we be punished for our betrayal?”

  Cain assessed his choice. He’d been used for muscle up until now, but his fear caused sweat to bead on his forehead. “When we finish tonight, they will fear what we possess.”

  Falcon cleared his throat and spoke evenly. “What is our next step?”

  Cain paused and studied the two he’d chosen. He’d been selective due to trust, but he needed more strength in numbers. Many would come once he had the book. He was sure of it.

  “Getting the book requires Angelica Acacia to take action as Valor, and then we will give her reason to give it to us.”

  Lars asked, “What do I have to do?”

  “You will keep our guests comfortable until tonight. Make sure no one realizes they are missing.”

  Lars nodded and hurried off.

  Cain turned toward the river. “Do I have your loyalty?”

  Falcon stepped even with him. Confidence and loyalty swelled within his chest. “I’m loyal to our cause.”

  Cain nodded.

  Falcon’s thoughts turned toward tonight’s confrontation and his inner turmoil at betraying Landon House. In the end, the betrayal was irrelevant because fear drove them all. Falcon feared a future that prophecies condemned him to die. A New Order could save him. Tonight Angelica would learn the fear of losing someone, just like he feared he’d lost Simone. Everyone feared something. Even Rex feared a prophecy that pred
icted failure.

  Cain remembered before fear ruled his father. At four or five, he remembered running into the drawing room and seeing Rosemary dead. He’d never seen a dead body before, and he couldn’t take his eyes from her crumpled form on the chair.

  Facing the fireplace, Rex had turned to him, frowning. “Are you supposed to be running in the house?”

  Cain had stared at his dirty sneaker. “No sir, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t do it again.”

  Rex’s lips had curved slightly. “I do believe you said the same thing yesterday afternoon when you ran in from killing your pet toad.”

  Cain had peeked at Rosemary again. “Rosemary dead?”

  Rex cleared his throat. “What did you run through the house to show me at this late hour?”

  Cain pulled his gaze away from Rosemary again, and he’d raised his palm to show the two marbles resting in his dirt-smeared hand. He’d focused, and they’d risen and floated inches above his palm. “I’ve practiced all day.”

  His father had smiled, and Cain had tingled with pride. “You possess the same gift as your mother. She’d want you to use it well.”

  Cain had perked up. “Is Mommy home yet?”

  Rex had sat and motioned for Cain to climb in his lap. A rare invitation, Cain bolted into place, still clutching his marbles. “I know you miss her, but I’m sure she’ll return soon. If you have any dreams about where she is just tell me right away, and that way you can help me find her and show her all you’ve learned.”

  “Can I really help you?”

  “One day, you can be my partner. How’d you like that?”

  “Really? You promise?”

  But Rex never fulfilled that promise. After Rosemary’s death and the disappearance of the book, fear crawled through the Dark Soldiers. Rex changed as he delved further into finding the book to beat a ridiculous prophecy. No one would be Rex’s equal as long as he feared losing more of a foothold in the Custos world.

  Cain had stopped wanting it though. He’d grown disgusted with the antiquated traditions and proceedings of a dying organization.