The ringing must have continued far too long because Mambo’s face slowly collapsed into concern, then to outright fear. “He’s not answering.” Her eyes darted around, as if monsters might be approaching from the gardens.
Kaska sensed the change in her master’s mood and moved to sit next to Mambo in high-alert mode, floppy ears forward, body rigid, nose in the air sniffing for potential threats.
Speaking back into her watch, “Call school.”
“Mrs. Filbert, this Mambo Nije. I’m wondering if Martin got caught up on campus for some reason. I ask because we have company and I was expecting him home by now.” Mambo paused, a flash of danger flashed across her face. Rather than the friendly woman in a wheel chair, she suddenly looked very much like a woman capable of great violence. “I see. Thank you.”
She turned to look at Raf. “She claims that Martin left in a hurry this afternoon, right after speaking with your mother.” Mambo rolled toward Raf. Even though not directed at me, the menace radiating off her made me involuntarily shrink back in my chair.
“What?” Raf stood and took a step backward.
“Why was your mom at school? What has your mom done with him?” Mambo continued to advance. Raf stumbled backward until he was against the railing overlooking the river. Kaska moved forward in tandem with Mambo, hackles up, deep growl rumbling in her chest. Raf leaned back over the rail as Mambo and Kaska pressed in on him. Water raged in the river below.
Raf threw up his hands in surrender. “I swear I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ms…uh, Mambo. Raf didn’t do anything.” I said.
My voice seemed to get through and Mambo stared intently at Raf, as though seeing him for the first time. “You really have no idea what’s going on?”
“Really,” Raf nodded his head vigorously.
Something in his face convinced Mambo and her anger drained, though not entirely. “You and your mom aren’t very close I take it.”
“We were never all that close, but I came out to her a few months ago and, after basically disowning me and calling me a disgrace, she hasn’t said a word.” His voice wobbled.
Mambo rolled back slightly, giving Raf more room. Raf almost fell forward with relief.
“You’re gay?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Raf’s chest heaved with emotion.
Mambo threw her head back and let out a cawing laugh so loud birds in the nearby trees took flight.
“You’re gay?” she asked again with obvious glee.
“Yeah,” Raf repeated.
I almost fell over onto the deck. Raf, gay? What? I barely heard the last part of their conversation, I was so overcome by my own tempest of emotion.
“Oh Raf,” Mambo said. “I didn’t know. But of course, that makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” Recovering, Raf’s emotion shifted from relief to anger.
“Your mom needs a female heir. Since you are her only child, she was counting on your to give her a granddaughter,” was all Mambo said as she spun and rolled inside. Looking back out at us she barked, “Come on in. Something has happened. We need to figure out our next step.”
***
“What’s going on?”
We huddled around an island in the kitchen. Raf looked to me for reassurance but Mambo answered.
“I don’t know everything. Martin and I have been married for many years, and he has told me pieces of what he knows, but we have very different perspectives.”
“Whatever, can you just tell us what you know? People have been acting totally insane around me lately and I’d love to know why,” Raf said.
Mambo looked at me then back at Raf, reading the situation. “Short version…There’s a war between two factions. Secret societies that have been warring from the beginning of time. They’ve both established strongholds here in Waterford which is why Martin is here. Well, that and because he has been waiting for you, Harper.”
“For me? You mean my mom.”
“No, I believe it’s you.”
Raf shook his head. “You expect me to believe there is a secret war being fought, and it centers on Waterford? The most boring town in the history of boring?”
“Sure, think about your school. Whose kids go there? We’re just outside of Washington DC. Your school is full of the children of the most powerful men and women in the world.”
Mambo was right. I ran through the list of congressmen, diplomats, supreme court justices, whose kids walked the halls of Langston High School.
Raf rolled his eyes. “Harper, this is clearly crazy. Come on, warring secret societies?”
“Uh, I think she might be right. Mr. Silver and my mom basically told me the exact same thing.” I pulled out Mr. Silver’s book and thumped it down on the kitchen counter.
Raf looked at me with hurt in his eyes. “What? You knew all this?”
“I…I just found out like two days ago. I’m still not sure what to believe. At least I didn’t hide the fact that I was gay.” I lashed out, my hurt feelings burbling up before I could stop them.
“What? Harper, I thought you must have known. Oh man, I am a moron. I’m so sorry.”
I saw him realize that I liked him. Was interested in him. I blushed and bit my lip, trying not to say anything more.
Mambo looked slightly amused for a moment before getting back to business.
“Things have been heating up recently. The Triton Peace Accord,” he looked at Raf, “the two sides have had an uneasy peace for a few hundred years now, but over the last twenty years the Lunates have been taking over museums, archaeology departments. It’s become clear they are looking for something, an ancient artifact of some kind.”
“A relic of power!” I said, remembering the book.
Mambo nodded. “You’ve read Martin’s book.”
“Not really, just skimmed a few sections. But what does that mean?”
“Uh, relics of power?” Raf asked.
“Right, some ancient artifacts have the ability to focus the forces of nature that flow around us. When wielded by the right person, they can become super human. Before the peace accord, battles were waged like gods. Imagine super heroes at war.” Mambo seemed rather thrilled by the thought. “But, over time, people have lost the ability to use the relics. Martin says that both sides suspect there are still incredibly powerful relics out there, and that there are some people who could wield them to great effect.”
“So,” Raf paused, “there is a cabal, I’m sorry, two cabals of evil doers collecting powerful ancient artifacts to turn themselves into super heroes.”
“Correct.”
Raf snorted derisively but Mambo kept talking, “Though evil doers isn’t entirely the right word. But the Lunates have kicked their search for relics into high gear. Martin thinks they might have found a very powerful one. Something powerful enough that they don’t have to abide by the Triton Peace Accord any more, assuming they have the right person to wield it.”
“What would something that powerful even do?” I asked.
“Honestly, Harper, I have no idea, only that it would be truly frightening. I’m just a foot solider. No one tells me anything.”
“Wait, you’re a Sun Warrior?”
“That’s right. In fact your father trained me. He was truly great.”
I stared at her wheel chair. “Did you…was that…?” I blushed again. It must be rude to ask someone why they’re in a wheelchair. Way to go, Harper.
“No Harper,” she smiled, making me feel less like an ass, “I was born to this. There are other ways to fight.”
Whoa, I was about to ask more when Raf interjected.
“Can we stick to the problem? Let’s say I believe any of this.” Raf waved his hands in the air. “Does this mean that the moons are making their move? You think they’ve somehow hurt Mr. Silver?”
“I’m afraid so. Though I’m confused. Martin is a Gnomon…”
“Mr. Silver is a Gnome?” Raf looked like he was about to wa
lk out the door.
“Not Gnome.” Mambo let out another cawing laugh. “Gnomon. He’s our keeper of ancient knowledge. Gnomon is the ancient Greek word for the vertical piece on a sun dial that casts the shadow. Thus acts as the interface between light and dark yet always points to the truth. The Gnomon are neutral. Untouchable to both sides. Were one side to aggress on a Gnomon, well it would be an outright declaration of war. I suspect they have taken Martin but will treat him well. They would never risk actually hurting him. None the less, it’s concerning that they are even willing to accost him at all.”
“So what should we do?” I was starting to think about the time. School was out and my mom would be expecting me home. I really didn’t want to freak her out again so soon after our last fight. I couldn’t tell what the right thing to worry about was. Mambo seemed to believe Mr. Silver would be fine so I guess my mom’s mental stability seemed like the right thing to focus on at the moment. Plus, it was still pretty hard for me to take much of the sun and moon stuff seriously.
Mambo thought for a few minutes, rolling back and forth in the cozy kitchen. I grew more and more agitated.
“Alright, I think we should remain calm. I will get in touch with my superiors and see what they think. Sadly, we won’t be able to do much without confirmation. The Solaris will be unwilling to accuse the Lunates of anything without proof. My superiors are…over cautious I feel. Plus, a plea from me won’t exactly help.”
“Why, aren’t you one of them?”
Mambo smiled sadly, “I am, but Martin and my relationship is forbidden by the Solaris hierarchy. I’m a Solaris and he is a Gnomon. Martin is supposed to be neutral. Loving a Solaris makes everyone question his ability to do his job just as they question my loyalty to my people.”
She shook her head sharply, “But no matter. I still need to go to them. You two should go about your business as if nothing happened. Don’t talk to anyone about this. Leave me your cell numbers and I will call you if I find out anything about Martin.”
“We can’t just sit back and do nothing!” I protested.
“Yeah,” Raf agreed. “If Mr. Silver is in trouble, we want to help.”
Mambo considered. “You’re right. You can be my eyes and ears at the school. Keep an eye on things there, let me know immediately if anything seems off. I know there is a Lunate presence there but have no information beyond that. But we aren’t just going to sit on our hands. Give me a day to organize a plan and I will be in touch soon.”
As we drove away, Kaska and Mambo stood rigid in the door and I could see the tension written on both their bodies. Despite her protestation otherwise, Mambo was afraid that Mr. Silver was gone forever.
Wolves in the Mist
I started to really worry about my mom as we crawled down the dirt road back toward Waterford. Raf’s poor Prius bounced angrily, not built for navigating rutted mud.
“My mom is going to kill me when I get home.”
“I’m actually a little more worried about her killing me.”
“Heh, you might be right. I’ll call and hopefully that will diffuse some of her anger.”
I flipped open my crappy phone. No signal. I looked up at the trees. Though it was only 4:30, the canopy made it dark as night. It was a disconcerting darkness, like we’d been torn from the progression of time experienced by the rest of the world.
“Dammit, no signal here. I’ll try again when we get out of the trees.”
“So, is this why…I mean, is the Solaris versus Lunate thing why your mom is so worried about you?” Raf asked.
“Yeah. She just told me about it two days ago. But obviously, she’s been scared for a long time.”
“Is that why you went to Belize?”
“Yep. We were hiding from some crazy group of Lunates that are supposedly still after my mom.”
“How do you feel about all that?”
His concern pulled the flimsy scab off my emotions. All the fear and anger and uncertainty hit me like a train that I wasn’t braced for. Warm tears slipped out of my eyes before I even had a chance to fight them.
“I’m…” I trailed off. Raf waited me out. “I’m tired of it. I just wanted to stay in Belize. I wish we had never come here.” I looked at Raf. He had been the only thing I was excited about, and now I find out he was never even interested in me. “I still don’t really know what to believe. For a long time I’ve been worried my mom is crazy. Now, I’m really confused.”
“It is hard to buy. But it sounds like there are a lot of people telling you the same thing.” Raf glanced away from the road to me, his grey eyes full of genuine concern.
“I know. After my mom explained everything, I was even more worried, but then Mr. Silver. Now Mambo. They can’t all be crazy, right?”
“Who knows. Sometimes I feel like the adults of the world could all go crazy at once and we wouldn’t know it, we’re so used to being told what to believe.”
I nodded. “Maybe it’s time we become empiricists.”
“Empiricists?”
“Yeah, empiricism, faith in observable data. We should only trust what we can see and touch.”
“Alright, have either of us seen any actual evidence of the existence of the Solaris or Lunates?”
“Well…” I thought for a while. “I don’t know what it’s evidence for, but there was the crying in the library, the bloody tools in the janitor’s shed. Oh, and someone tried to run over me! Plus, I saw a little moon symbol in the library while I was waiting for Mr. Silver.”
“So, what does any of that prove?”
“I guess it suggests something hinky is going on. I don’t think it actually proves anything. We don’t have enough data.”
“So we need more data, then.”
“Right. But how do we do that?”
“I don’t know. You’re the professor here.” Raf looked at me and smiled.
“Haha.” I gave a fake laugh but it felt nice to see his lopsided smile.
We rode in jolting silence for a few minutes, both lost in thought.
“Hey, I wanted to say thanks again for the other night.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. “The other night? Oh, sure, Raf.”
“I, uh, I don’t think I really would have done it. I sort of feel like I should explain.”
“You don’t have to. I think I get it.” I let out another rueful laugh.
“I know I don’t have to. That’s why I want to. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have many friends here.”
To be honest I hadn’t noticed. Harper Dae, least observant person alive? But he was right, he had no friends, which made no sense. Rebellious, attractive, smart. No one cared about someone being gay anymore, if anything it should have made him cooler.
“It’s because I came out last year. I told a few friends that I’m…that I’m gay. Told my best friend I was in love with him.”
Ouch. Guess he understood liking someone who wasn’t interested back. I didn’t say anything.
“You don’t hate me do you?” he said.
“Hate you? What, no! I’m just a little…hehe.” I laughed uncomfortably again. Sounded like an annoying little girl. Bleh.
“You hate me now.”
“Raf, I don’t hate you! Just the opposite. I was just hoping that, if we were stuck in a car in the middle of no where, it would have been to make out, not talk about how you’re gay.” I blurted without thinking.
I blushed so hard I was certain I glowed.
He laughed. “I’m sorry Harper. Oh this is just so messed up. I really like you. I love hanging out with you.”
“I probably should have known.”
“Should’ve known I was gay? I didn’t exactly broadcast it.”
“No, should’ve known no one would actually be in to me.” Just stop talking, Harper. I bit my lip.
“Harper, if I were straight I would definitely be kissing you right now. You know the reason Olivia and her gang hate you so much is because you are much hotter th
an them.”
That, at least, got a real laugh out of me.
“I’m not joking, Harper. You might not be…what the word I’m looking for? Conventional? You’re not conventionally beautiful, but you’re real, and kind, and genuinely hot…in an unconventional way.”
“I think you just said conventional more times in that sentence than most people say in their lifetime.”
“Seriously Harper. Please don’t think this is about you.”
“No, I know. That’s dumb. It’s not like you’re gay so you don’t have to kiss me.” I laughed, letting some of my embarrassment go. The good thing about making a fool of yourself on a regular basis? You get better at getting over the mortification with practice.
The shadow of silence came back and sat with us for a while.
“Is that why you were…on the roof?”
“Yeah, my parents found out. They went insane.”
“What did they say?” I reached out and put my hand on his.
Raf cleared his throat. “Uh, my mom was the one really mad. My dad just shook his head and left the room. But my mom,” his voice cracked, “she said some really terrible things. She’s kind of an important person and she just told me I could ruin her career. That she was going to disown me if I told anyone. She said she…couldn’t love me anymore.”
Tears started dripping down his cheeks.
“I knew they would be upset, but I didn’t expect….”
“They’re wrong. You know that right. They have no right to act like we live in the dark ages. They are the ones being jerks.”
He took a long breath in. “Yeah, I know. It just really hurts to hear that from your own mom.”
I tried to imagine my mom saying that she didn’t love me any more. It sent a jolt of nausea to my gut. My mom drove me crazy but I knew it was because she loved me so much. “I can’t even imagine, Raf.”
“So here we are, both crying.” Raf seemed to feel slightly better.
Me too, actually.
I looked at the clock, 5:00. Still no signal. Crap.
I was opening my mouth to ask for Raf’s phone when we slammed into a pothole. The entire car tilted forward, all but one wheel lifting off the ground. The sound of crumpling plastic was bad but it was the gunshot crack of metal snapping that really sucked. We thumped back down onto all four wheels and sat in total, utter silence except for the faint tic tic tic sound of air releasing from something vital.
Jade Moon (Celestial War Book 1) Page 8
