Shift - 02

by M. R. Merrick

  “You don’t understand the Circle. You only understand what you’ve seen. The Circle began millennia ago, when–”

  “We all know how it started and how Rayna was the chosen one born of both worlds to open the portal and raise Ithreal. Blah, blah, blah. Thank you for the history lesson, Marcus. I know how my own kind came to be. Perhaps you can share something we don’t know?”

  Marcus eyed Vincent in the mirror and shook his head. “The council has full control over everything the Circle does. They know more than anyone, and they filter everything a hunter knows to match their will. The council stated that Riley disappeared weeks before the…situation, but that doesn’t mean they’re not involved. Riley isn’t capable of orchestrating everything unbeknownst to the elders, which means we have a bigger problem.”

  “And what might that be?” Vincent sighed.

  “It means Riley has an air or earth elemental on the inside. And a powerful one at that,” I said.

  “Wh–, why those elements?” Willy asked.

  “My god you should have that…condition looked at. Just hearing your voice makes me want to rip off my own ears…or your throat.” Vincent’s tone matched the hungry look on his face.

  Willy sunk as low in the chair as possible. His pale skin darkened to match the black leather.

  “Hey!” Rayna thrust an elbow into Vincent’s side. “Be nice.”

  “Enough,” Marcus said. “One power that can develop from those elements is psychic ability. If an elder were powerful enough–which they are–they could make it possible for Riley to do whatever he wanted. Had anyone on the council become aware of Riley’s plans, a strong enough air or earth elemental could change another elder’s thoughts…even their memories.”

  “I’d like to meet a hunter capable of controlling a demon’s mind.” Vincent laughed and the look that filled his eyes was far too curious.

  “Don’t do anything stupid tonight,” I said, turning to face Vincent. “It’s bad enough we have to go there at all. Worse we have to be there with you. I’m not babysitting tonight, so keep yourself in check.”

  “Watch your tone with me, hunter. If I remember correctly, you weren’t much of a match against me.” Vincent’s eyes lit up and devoured me, daring me to push him.

  “That’s enough,” Marcus said.

  “And if I remember correctly, you’re flammable.” I didn’t unleash the fire, but I let it rise and surge against him in an ember of power.

  “Don’t threaten me with your parlor tricks. I’ve survived your kind too long to fear a child with a match.”

  “Enough,” Marcus said again.

  “Stop the car and let him out. He’s going to get us all killed. He’s not coming.”

  “Fine by me,” Vincent said, and the smug look on his face made my blood boil.

  “I said enough!” Marcus shouted, and his element exploded.

  The air was sucked from the car, and there was nothing but silence. I couldn’t speak, and my chest tightened with fear. I could hear the squeak of leather as everyone struggled and shifted in their seats. I reached out and grabbed Marcus’ shoulder.

  His eyes were a solid white as his magic poured out. He was breathing heavily and a look I’d never seen owned his features. I squeezed his shoulder, tightening my grip to gain his attention, and as quick as it came, the power was gone.

  “What the hell’s your problem?” I asked, panting between each word.

  “When I say enough, it means enough.” The dark brown color seeped back into Marcus’ eyes. He took a few breaths and turned to face me. “Chase, you of all people know what we’re up against. The rest of you need to understand how serious this is, too. The elders are the strongest and the most experienced of the hunters. They have access to books, rituals, and magic that most of you couldn’t dream of. To take this in any way but serious is foolish.” His thick, dark lips moved quickly and enunciated each word with force. Marcus took another deep breath and recomposed himself, his calm expression reclaiming his face.

  “Do keep yourself under control. Not all of them hold the gift of immortality quite like I.” Vincent looked annoyed, rubbing at his throat.

  Vincent was a vampire, but he wasn’t exactly dead. Vampires drank blood to keep their body alive, and besides the demon inside them, functioned just as any human. But when they slept, their life faded. Their bodies died, decayed, and turned to rotting corpses until their next awakening, when they were reformed anew.

  Nobody spoke, and an awkward silence fell over us. I rested my head against the chair and stared out the window. The shadows moved and stood still all at once. In that moment, I wished I could disappear into them and forget this meeting, forget Riley, the Dark Brothers, and everything that had happened, but I couldn't.

  I knew the elders wanted to know about the portal. Now that it was open, any pureblood demon from the other dimensions had access to Earth, but I wondered how they knew we had anything to do with it. There was something more to their motives, and the thought of what it might be made my stomach clench. There were those in the Circle that could’ve felt the shift in power when the wall between our dimension and the others collapsed, but that didn’t explain how they knew I was involved, or that Marcus was alive. Maybe one of the rogue hunters collaborated with the Circle, or one of the elders had a vision. Either way, we couldn’t hide anymore.

  Marcus took the exit ramp off the freeway and turned down a secondary road. The pavement disappeared beneath us and gravel shot up around the vehicle. Dust swallowed the car and the headlights’ reflection off of it was bright. My stomach tightened again and sweat gathered on my palms. We were getting close to the Circle.

  A chill tingled down my spine. I closed my eyes and tried using my water element to calm myself, but between the rough road and my nerves, I couldn’t stay focused. Silence filled the car and the shadows outside were closing in. I silently begged them to take me away. To be able to vanish in that moment would suit my needs perfectly.

  The darkness seemed to shift and move as we drove, and as a chill moved through me again, I narrowed my gaze on the shadows outside. I thought I could see a figure moving through the shadows alongside the car, but it was too dark to make anything out.

  Marcus slowed the car and it bumped onto a new section of paved road. I did a double take as the light reflected off a strange figure. The brief glare of cat eyes flickered through the darkness. They flashed again into the eyes of a snake, and the chill shot through me again. “Did you see that?” I asked.

  “See what?” Marcus asked.

  I searched the edge of the road, but there were only shadows and forest. “Nothing…” I whispered, shaking my head.

  We turned down the tree lined driveway, the scent of my past coming through the vents. As the dust settled, street lamps lit our way, skimming through the vehicle one by one until we reached the bright spotlights that covered every inch of the property.

  The building we approached towered above us, and I could feel the glamour pouring off of it. It was a large warehouse made of worn metal siding and dirt stained windows. Bright lights sat above the garage’s overhead doors, and spotlights swept the grounds from side to side.

  I pulled my magic up from within, fighting to keep my concentration as the muscles in my stomach pulled and released, tightening with each contraction. As the glamour fell around it, the facility’s true form came into view.

  Dark red bricks built the building from the ground up until tinted glass windows took over the last three floors. The massive garage doors were clean white panels, and I knew what hid behind them: assault vehicles, buses, sports cars, SUVs, and bikes. They had a vehicle for every possible need.

  Bright flood lights covered the exterior of the building, revealing the clean, landscaped grounds, and all the doors were windowless steel, laced with silver.

  Large trees, well-manicured bushes, and flowers sprouted from the earth. Dirt walking paths led into the forests, taking you to training areas, gree
nhouses, and herb gardens. Seeing the outside of the compound brought back memories of a life that was no longer mine.

  Marcus slowed the vehicle and we coasted beneath the lights lining the driveway. Only half the lights were turned on, confirming the Circle planned to let the demons in safely. Had they all been on, Vincent wouldn’t have been able to get out of the car without catching fire. Wherever there was a street lamp, a floodlight, or anything electrical, UV lights sat above them, bright enough to fry a vampire to dust in seconds.

  The car gave a soft jerk as it came to a stop. Marcus shifted into park and turned the keys. As the engine died, the silence that pushed against us was thick. I wiped my palms on my pants and took a breath. “Here we go,” I whispered to myself.

  Everyone opened their doors at once and stepped out. The ground beneath my shoes felt both foreign and familiar. Memories of my childhood flooded back. The sound and smell of the woods, the sight of the building, even the paths that led into the forest brought back memories. This was the place I once called home.

  One of the large bay doors creaked as its motor roared to life and pulled the door upward. Dim light filled the garage and we all stood waiting. As the last few panels of the door folded into the building, a man came out dressed in a standard hunter’s uniform.

  Black clothing covered almost all of him: pants, a long sleeve shirt, combat boots, and gloves. His lightly tanned skin shone over his face as the only exposed skin on his body. He had a medium build and walked with arrogance only a hunter could manage.

  “Welcome,” he said, his masculine voice firm and confident. Dark brown sideburns ran down his face and his thick brown hair was styled neatly. He had large, round eyes staring with a hazel glare that looked angry under thick, unkempt eyebrows.

  Nobody responded. We all stood near our respective car doors waiting, and I silently hoped for a quick escape.

  “I’m Jameson. The council has asked me to escort you. If you’ll please follow me, I’ll take you to them.”

  I watched him carefully as he turned and started walking back towards the building. Marcus was the first to follow and we all fell in stride behind him.

  The air was warm for October, and the smell of the forest was thick and cleansing. The bark that hung on the trees gave off a cedar aroma that moved with the cool breeze. Multicolored leaves tumbled across the ground, and the glisten of forming dew danced under the moonlight. I took it all in and it helped calm my nerves, if only for a moment.

  Four hunters walked out of the open garage and my stomach tensed again. They stared as they walked past us, all of them wearing the same black attire as Jameson. The hunters split into pairs, taking separate paths into the forest. I knew they were walking the grounds, but I couldn’t help but watch over my shoulder. I was expecting a fight tonight. Whether physical, magical, or mental, I didn’t think this would end well.

  Jameson led us through the garage and as I remembered, it was full of vehicles. The walls were lined with weapons: swords, knives, shields, and heavy artillery. The back of the garage had a caged off area full of guns, bulletproof vests, and ammo. That was new to me. I’d never seen a hunter use a gun. They weren’t very effective when it came to the Underworld.

  We came to a stop in front of two steel elevator doors and Jameson pushed the button. It wasn’t a standard elevator you’d see in a mall or office building. It was longer and wider, meant for industrial use. As a hunter, you never knew what you might have to fit in one.

  Jameson pushed the number four on the panel and the steel doors closed. The elevator jerked as it started upwards and the silence from the car seemed to be following us.

  As the elevator slowed and jolted, the doors slid open again. Jameson slipped to the front of the pack and led us down the hallway. The calming smells of the forest were gone, and the sweat on my palms thickened. Stale air filled the hallway and flashes of my fifteenth birthday swallowed me.

  I could feel the rough hands of the two hunters that had dragged me kicking and screaming down this hall. The fear that had raced through me was like a freight train driving through my veins. All I could do was wonder what was going to happen. Why didn’t I get an element?

  “Are you okay?” Rayna asked.

  “I’m fine.” I took a deep breath and wiped my hands on the back of my pants. I didn’t meet her gaze, but I could feel Rayna’s eyes staring at me. The soft skin of her fingers reached out and slid down my arm. A wave of goose bumps followed her touch and a chill shuddered through me.

  “Now you two, save it for the honeymoon.” I could hear the smile playing on Vincent’s lips.

  I pulled away from Rayna and my pulse jumped as Jameson reached for the handles on two large, wooden doors. He turned the brass levers and the doors gave a heavy sigh as he pushed inwards.

  As the room was revealed, the memories came rushing back. A room full of hunters had watched the council, and I could see my mom standing at one of the chairs, yelling at the elders. A younger form of me collapsed to the floor as they had announced my exile. I remembered Riley standing in the middle of the room, a smug grin on his face. The head elder had banged his gavel as the room broke out in whispers, and Riley’s cold blue eyes had met mine.

  I stepped back and shook my head before the vision vanished, but my hands were already shaking. The piercing gaze of Riley, even in memory, was enough to crawl under my skin.

  “Come now, hunter, don’t tell me you can kill demons and you can’t face your tiresome past,” Vincent said.

  His hands pushed me forward with restrained violence and I stumbled into the room. Anger flooded into me and I turned in stride. I grabbed Vincent’s shirt and pulled him towards me, letting my blue eyes look down into his.

  “Careful, hunter. We don’t need you losing control and sending us all up in flames.” He wrapped his cold pale hands around mine and broke my grip on his shirt. “There we are. Good boy. That was just what you needed.” He let his shoulder hit me as he walked past.

  Fresh anger coursed through my veins. I swallowed what fear lingered inside me and turned to face the room. Anger propelled me forward and with each step, it pulsed.

  There was a large bench at the far end that overlooked the room, but instead of one, there were five tall chairs sitting behind it. It was higher than everything else in the room, letting the elders look down upon us. Rows of chairs lined each side like a courtroom, leaving a space between them as an aisle. Two long tables sat in front that looked up to the elder’s bench, where the defendants would take their place.

  Jameson escorted us to the tables and we each picked our spots. Rayna, Willy, and I sat at one table, with Marcus, Vincent, and Tiki at the other. I looked up at the elder’s bench and took in each of their faces. Although more weathered than I remembered, they all looked the same.

  Lawrence Blackwell was the head elder. He sat in the middle of the bench, his chair raised higher than the rest. His hair was combed over to one side and the black had grayed, giving it a salt and pepper look. His matching mustache was thick and trimmed neatly above thin lips, and though his face was wrinkling, he still looked youthful. His pale gray eyes were serious and watched us over small wire rimmed glasses.

  Once we’d settled in our chairs, Jameson bowed to the council. Blackwell nodded and waved him away without a word. As the doors latched behind him, the sound echoed through the room, signaling the meeting had begun, and reassuring me that I wasn’t ready for it.

  Chapter 3

  Laurence Blackwell sat on his lofty perch, welcoming everyone into the room and introducing the council. On his right were Tom Bradmoore and Riddley Peterson, with George Carlyle and Jeremiah Clay on his left. They all looked exactly as I remembered.

  When he’d finished, his eyes moved over each of our faces. Besides Marcus and me, I knew he didn’t recognize anyone, and he expected an introduction in return.

  Marcus nodded and stood from his chair. “Here we have–”

  “Please state your name firs
t…for the record,” Blackwell interrupted. Marcus’ eyes met Blackwell’s and they stared at each other for a long moment. “For procedure’s sake…of course,” Blackwell added.

  Marcus cleared his throat, and for a moment, I thought I saw anger flash in his eyes. “Of course. I am Marcus Starkraven.”

  The elders rustled in their seats, with the exception of Blackwell, who stood strong and motionless. He nodded and began writing something down.

  “Next,” Blackwell said.

  “I am Tiki-mi-char-ni-kato of the Suriattas Clan.” Tiki bowed softly and sat back down.

  “Well, that’s a mouthful, isn’t it? And you are not from…here?”

  “No. I am born of the Lavinos dimension.”

  “And where is this dimension?”

  Tiki looked at him strangely. Confusion washed over his face and he leaned forward. “Lavinos…it is where I am from…”

  “Okay…Moving on then. And you are?” Blackwell eyed Vincent over the top of his glasses.

  Nerves clenched in my stomach as Vincent stood. I had warned Vincent to behave, but for that reason alone he might act out to spite me.

  “I am Vincent Taryk, of the Taryk family,” he said.

  Blackwell didn’t hesitate and moved his gaze to Willy. I felt a tension leave my shoulders the moment Willy’s stutter hit my ears.

  “I–, I’m Willy Morrow.” Beads of sweat dripped from his brow and his skin faded in and out from its natural white to the dirty brown of the chair.

  The elders watched him a moment before turning and discussing amongst themselves. They whispered briefly before all their eyes were on Rayna.

  “And the female demon?” Blackwell asked.

  Rayna’s feline eyes lit up. She stood and leaned over the desk. “The female demon is Rayna Lansing. I’m also half hunter. You probably don’t remember, but you murdered my mother.” Her words were quick and sharp.

  She caught me off guard and I instantly felt horrible. I’d spent so much time worrying about her shifting and my own fears of having to face the council that I hadn’t thought about what this might be like for her. She stood in front of the very people who had ordered her mother’s death.