Drawing Bloodlines

by Steve Bevil

  Malick swallowed hard before diverting his eyes away from Jonathan and then the others. “It’s just that…,” he stumbled. He turned to look at Nathan again. “It just seems that they will do whatever it takes to eliminate a threat.”

  “Precisely,” said Jonathan in a derogatory tone. “It appears that the Order is willing to go to great lengths to keep this prophecy from being known and I intend to find out why that is, by completing the prophecy.”

  “Enough with the male posturing, already!” shouted Lafonda. “Jonathan, what was on the cave wall? What’s the prophecy?”

  Dramatically, Angela tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulders. “Yes, finally!” she said, eagerly. “And what was the inscription outside the secret chamber wall?”

  Jonathan took a deep breath and only the sound of the crackling fireplace could be heard in the room. “Okay,” he said, pausing to take a seat on the edge of the coffee table. Angela and Alan leaned in from their seats and Lafonda, Leah, and the others drew closer as well. “Most people in Cahokia Falls probably have heard of the Legend of the Fallen Ones — the Cahokia American Indian tale about how the world was created and the fallen angels, right?”

  Lafonda and Samantha looked at each other and then at Nathan before nodding their heads. “Not so much a tale anymore,” said Lafonda, “but yes, continue.”

  “See — that’s because that legend is everywhere,” said Jonathan. “Scribed in most of the caves and mounds around this area. It must have been a very popular story amongst the Cahokia people.” He paused, holding up the gold necklace and gold charm from the coffee table. “But unlike the symbols used to represent the Fallen Ones, this was the first time we had ever seen this symbol — the Firewalker symbol — being used by the Cahokia Indians.”

  There was a brief silence again as Jonathan took in their inquisitive and eager faces. “We saw it for the first time on the wall outside the secret chamber,” he said, with a smile. “On that wall, around the Firewalker symbol, were five other symbols and an inscription that said he will be known by those around him; a healer, traveler, teacher, a protector and guide.”

  “And what in the world is that supposed to mean?” interrupted Alan. Angela quickly shushed him.

  Jonathan smiled. “Behind that wall, inside the secret chamber, we discovered a new story that had never been seen before,” he explained. “And see this story — the Legend of the Firewalker — wasn’t only new, but different. It was prophetic in nature.”

  “Explain,” said Alan, in a sarcastic tone.

  “I was just about to,” said Jonathan, pulling up the pictures on his phone. “See, the legend states that in the time before the last battle, he will emerge, igniting the spirit from within, bringing down the veil that separates Spirit and Earth — restoring balance back to the spirit of man.” He paused, trying to enlarge the picture. “And then it says he will wield the power of the three: earth and spirit and fire.”

  Angela, Leah, and Lafonda leaned in to get a better look at the picture, but Jonathan was too quick and had already pocketed his cell phone. “So far we were only able to decipher part of the prophecy,” said Jonathan. “But with Dr. Colvers’ help we should be able to interpret the rest.” Poised, Jonathan looked confidently into the faces of everyone in the group. “I’m certain that this legend is a story of someone to come — the Firewalker.”

  “Well,” said Angela, teasing her hair. “I’m sure I probably won’t be able to find this on Google, but I’m guessing that in order to be the person mentioned in the prophecy, one must be able to wield fire.”

  “Yes,” said Jonathan, with a light laugh. “He will wield the power of the three: earth and spirit and fire.”

  “Ugh!” Alan sighed, dramatically. “The prophecy is called the Legend of the Firewalker. So, it should be a no-brainer that the ‘he’ they are referring to is the Firewalker and he can produce fire.”

  Silence fell on the room again as everyone’s eyes slowly drifted toward Nathan. “What?” he blurted, abruptly, his face turning red. “Why do you guys assume it’s me?”

  “Well, babe,” said Leah, with a shrug. “You are the Firewalker.”

  “W–what?” stumbled Nathan. “Don’t you mean a Firewalker?” Frustrated, he frowned at the nodding heads around the room. “Ugh, look guys, Malick can Pneuma Novo fire too!”

  “Ha!” blurted Alan. “I’m not totally convinced it’s a prophecy to begin with, but Malick? The someone to come?” He shook his head and then let out a burst of laughter. “Now we are talking about unbelievable. Trust me, you’re the Firewalker.”

  Nathan glanced around the room while everyone seemed to agree with Alan. “Ugh!” groaned Nathan.

  “But wait,” said Angela. “So, the person the Fallen Ones are looking for, the one they seek, isn’t Nathan?”

  “No,” said Jonathan. “I’m pretty sure by now they know Nathan is a Firewalker. And if Nathan was the person they were looking for, they would be coming after him and not the medallion.”

  “Okay, let me get this straight,” said Lafonda with a frown. “The Fallen Ones are technically still after us because of this medallion, right?” With a scrutinizing glare, she turned to look at Nathan and he eagerly nodded. “And because we have this medallion, several people died at the concert tonight. And almost Jonas.”

  Immediately, Nathan frowned. “I know where you are going with this Lafonda,” he said, while diverting his eyes toward the fire. “But I just had the dream…” Lafonda continued to glower at him. “Today!”

  “But you could have warned us, Nathan!” she yelled, her long dark hair bouncing on her shoulders. “Several people died today! We can’t afford for you to keep this stuff to yourself!”

  “But I’m not keeping it to myself!” yelled Nathan.

  Quickly, Lafonda pursed her lips. “Oh?” she said, mockingly cocking her head to the side. “Well, let me guess. Who did you tell? Malick?”

  Rigid, Nathan rolled his eyes. “Yes,” he said, reluctantly. “But also Jonathan.” He turned to look at Leah. “And of course I would have said something sooner if I knew that Leah had the medallion.”

  “That just it, Nathan,” said Lafonda. “We can’t afford for you to wait until there is a crisis to tell us these things. Why are you waiting? What are you waiting for?” Irritated, she laid her arms across her chest. “And by the look on your face, I’m sure tonight isn’t the first time you’ve heard about the prophecy, or Dr. Colvers. Or London. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t already know about Argus’s powers tonight.”

  “Amen!” said Alan aloud. “But can we stop calling it a prophecy?” Quickly, Angela smacked him on the shoulder. “I’m serious. He hasn’t even finished deciphering it yet.”

  “On the contrary,” said Jonathan, slowly. He was examining the gold chain and charm, holding it in the air again. “Yes — learning about Argus’s healing powers was a bit of a surprise to all of us, but it definitely provides more food for thought.” Meticulously, Jonathan examined the charm as light from the fireplace cast shadows of the firewalker symbol around the room. “Plus, in combination with his tattoo, it definitely validates our suspicion that Argus is a member of the Order.”

  “A member of the Order?” blurted Angela.

  “Unbelievable!” shouted Lafonda. She turned to look at Malick. “And I’m sure you already knew about this too.”

  “Oh my God, I knew that red colored tattoo looked familiar!” shouted Alan. He dramatically rubbed the back of his forearm with his index finger. “The tattoo of the little native-looking man surrounded by fire on his arm is definitely a knock-off.” There was a frantic look on his face again. “Why are we sitting here speculating about the Order when we should be questioning him?”

  “Yes!” Lafonda said. “And not just Nathan, Jonathan, and Malick. We should all be questioning him. We don’t need you to protect us, Nathan.” She turned to look at him. “We don’t need you to play savior.”

  “Savior?�
�� interrupted Nathan; there was a sudden seriousness to his voice. He stopped to stare disapprovingly at Jonathan and then snatched the gold chain from his fingers. “I’ll be taking that back, thank you.” Jonathan looked at him confused and Nathan placed the gold chain into his pocket. “Look, I really don’t have time for this!”

  “Well, what do you have time for, Nathan?” blurted Leah. “Because you said nothing to me about a dream when I was with you earlier and now Jonathan’s research is not only connected to some group called the Order but also some prophecy?”

  “My thoughts exactly,” sighed Lafonda. “Argus has been pulling the wool over our eyes all this time. And really, you’re not doing anything different than he is — and you’re supposed to be on our side!”

  “B–but wait,” said Angela, her face looking sorrowful and confused. “Does this mean that Argus is bad now?” She looked precariously into the faces around the room. “Because if so, why did he just save Jonas’s life?”

  “Damn it, Lafonda!” Nathan shouted. “Do you really think that I want to be anyone’s savior, that I enjoy keeping everyone in the dark?” Frustrated, he started to pace the room. “You think I like getting these dreams? Watching you die in my arms? Watching Leah get tortured?” He turned to look at Malick. “I didn’t tell you guys a lot of things because Malick said it would keep you safe!”

  “And what good has that done?” muttered Alan, sarcastically.

  Lafonda had a sympathetic look on her face. “You guys,” she said, turning to look at Alan and Leah. “I’m sure Nathan…,” she paused. “And Malick meant well.”

  Nathan suddenly stopped pacing. “Ugh!” he groaned aloud, startling everyone. “Why on Earth do you keep speaking for me?”

  “W–what? I’m not,” said Lafonda, her face turning red. Meekly, she looked at her friends. “I’m not trying to speak for you.”

  “Just stop!” shouted Nathan, promptly heading toward the door. “Just stop. Stop telling Roy, Leah, and whoever else what you think I think — or mean!”

  “Nathan!” Lafonda yelled after him. “Where are you going?” She had a worried look on her face. “We haven’t figured anything out. What are we going to do about getting to London, Argus and the medallion?”

  Abruptly, Nathan stopped. “I don’t know,” he said, with a melodramatic shrug. “Definitely not going to play savior. You figure it out!”

  “Ugh, come back, Nathan!” she yelled, as he continued toward the door. “I’m sorry — your visions or not — we’re all in this together!”

  “Uh, like Disney together?” mocked Alan. “I don’t think so, Lafonda. Speak for yourself.”

  8

  HE NEEDS TO KNOW

  The hallway leading from the den of the Devaro Mansion was a lot darker and quieter than Nathan was used to. Usually, the hallways were well lit, but it was late and Nathan thought the ambience was perfect. Quickly, he stormed through the house and headed straight toward the kitchen. Nathan’s mind was going a mile a minute; he couldn’t believe that after everything he went through to keep everyone safe, Lafonda would think he had a hero complex and that she would consider him in the same league as Argus.

  “Just as bad as Argus?” he thought. “Really?” Slowly, Nathan began to grit his teeth. “I just can’t do this anymore — if Lafonda and everyone else wants in, then by all means have at it!”

  Immediately, Nathan noticed how quiet the hallway to the kitchen was and the kitchen itself seemed oddly dark. Let’s bring everything to light, he thought to himself. No more secrets — starting with Argus! I want to know everything — his involvement with the Order — about his powers — everything!

  Suddenly, Nathan stopped in his tracks. The kitchen was completely dark. “I thought they were meeting LaDonda in the kitchen?” he muttered. He looked around the hallway toward LaDonda’s office, but the light was off, and it was equally quiet. “Are they done talking already?”

  Nathan started to walk away, until he heard what sounded like voices coming from inside. “No!” he clearly heard.

  “What the frig?” he muttered, stepping inside the kitchen and onto the ceramic floors. Guarded, he peered around the room. “Uhh–Hello?”

  Nathan reached to flip on the lights, but froze. “No, Argus!” he heard again.

  “That’s coming from outside,” he said, walking blindly over to the kitchen backdoor. His eyes hadn’t adjusted to the darkness. “What are they doing outside?”

  Nathan peered out of the window and could see Roy talking to Argus. He reached to turn the knob to the backdoor, but stopped when he heard his name. “He isn’t ready,” said Roy. “I’m sorry, but I agree with LaDonda — none of them are.”

  “LaDonda?” mumbled Nathan, straining to hear.

  Nathan could see that Argus was frustrated and he had a worried look on his face. “You heard what Jorge said,” urged Argus. “Now is the time to get them ready — these kids aren’t prepared for this.” He frowned. “After tonight, what more proof do you need? It’s happening now!”

  Roy stood quiet and stared out toward the pool area. Nathan could see the small waves that flapped quietly around the pool edges from the wind. “They have to be scared,” said Roy. “We almost lost Bart’s boy today.” There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he turned to look at Argus. “And I know Nathan must have a lot of questions.”

  “Well, of course he does,” said Argus. “I’m sure they all do — but they’re already using Pneuma, Roy. They’re not the best at it, but they’re definitely past the hand-holding stage and need to be trained.”

  “I understand,” said Roy, while running his hands through his thick white hair. “But we promised LaDonda that we would wait for her return, before we approached the children.”

  “W–wait for LaDonda?” stammered Argus who quickly turned away. He then quickly snapped back around. “Understand — do you — do you really understand?” He looked intently into his face. “But how can you? You haven’t seen what I’ve seen, Roy. We’ve lost so much already — Jackson — Melanie — Diego — Sanford….”

  “Jackson?” muttered Nathan, moving his head closer to the door. “Is he talking about Lafonda’s grandfather?”

  “And LaDonda doesn’t understand?” snapped Roy.

  Argus quickly lowered his eyes and shook his head. “We were prepared — trained — and look where we are now.” Suddenly, he raised his head and his silver-haired ponytail flapped behind him. “And what about Michael, Roy?” Quickly, Nathan’s stomach dropped and then twisted in knots at the sound of his dad’s name. “I know you haven’t forgotten about him!”

  “I know what I’ve lost,” said Roy sternly. “I might not have fought on the front lines like you and others have, but I’m ready to do what I have to at all costs. I’m not going to lose Nathan.”

  Nathan reached to turn the knob to the backdoor again, but stopped.

  “Good!” said Argus. “Then training begins tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” cried Roy. “What part of waiting for LaDonda to return translates to training starts tomorrow?”

  “Okay, okay, I’m not going to continue to argue with you,” said Argus with raised hands.

  There was a moment of silence and Roy appeared ready to enter the house. “But when do you plan to tell him?” asked Argus.

  “Not again,” sighed Roy. “We’ve discussed this many times already.”

  The frown lines on Argus’s tanned and weathered face seemed to deepen. “He needs to know, Roy!” he said, in an angry whisper. “It’s only a matter of time before he finds out — and with Charles’s grandson running around.…”

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” interrupted Roy.

  “Find out what?” mumbled Nathan, looking at his hands. His stomach continued to twist in knots as he listened intently from inside the kitchen.

  “Man — are you blind?” shouted Argus. “With Malick around he’s closer to the truth — more so than ever!” Roy seemed annoyed by his sudden outb
urst, so Argus drew in closer. “We made a promise, Roy, to that boy’s mother….”

  Nathan felt his hand hovering over the doorknob again, but hesitated to open it. “B–but their talking about me,” he muttered. “And I’m so freak’ in tired of all these secrets!”

  “What promise?” blurted Nathan, yanking the door open. “What did you promise my mother? What is it that I need to know?”

  Argus and Roy turned around stunned as Nathan stood impatiently in the doorway. “Uh–Nathan,” stuttered Roy. Roy had a blank look on his face as his eyes looked helplessly at Argus. “We were just.…”

  “Don’t even try it, grandpa,” demanded Nathan, stepping outside. “I’m tired of all the secrets and want to know everything.”

  Argus looked happy to accept Nathan’s invitation to tell him everything as Roy frowned. “Nathan,” said Roy, sympathetically, before Argus could respond.

  “What?” asked Nathan, with a shrug. “How about we start this conversation by talking about — hmm, let’s see — the Order maybe?”

  “Nathan,” said Roy again.

  “Well, on second thought, maybe we should let Argus handle that one since he is the one with their crest on his arm.”

  Argus’s face suddenly lit up. “It looks like they know a lot more than we realized,” he said with a smile.

  Roy turned to look at Argus and frowned. “Don’t encourage him,” said Roy. His eyebrows were raised. “I’m sure Nathan could have a better attitude right now.”

  “Better attitude?” asked Nathan, defensively. “Let’s talk about adjusting my attitude after we talk about what you haven’t been telling me.”

  There was a moment of silence as Roy, Argus, and Nathan looked at each other. “He needs to know,” said Argus, after clearing his throat.

  Ardently, Nathan nodded his head. “I concur,” he said. “I’m not going to let this go. I know Argus has powers and that people from the Order have powers too.” Nathan paused, laying his arms defensively across his chest. “I also know that Pneuma Novo is hereditary so — does this mean my mom had powers? Is that what you have to tell me? Was my mom a part of the Order too?”