Balance of Forces

by Ali Vali

  His laugh echoed in the confined warm space as he thought of the place he’d picked to put Asra where the sun would never touch her skin again. “We’ve come to the end of our story, Asra, and nothing will save you from me.”

  *

  Morgaine kissed Kendal before taking her seat at the breakfast table the house staff had set up on the porch. The unpredictable weather had again slipped into a more summer-like pattern, so Morgaine had chosen a sleeveless white shirt to go with her faded jeans. To the casual observer Morgaine was an All-American coed home for the weekend.

  “My guys will stay with you until you’re done. The regular staff Charlie hires on occasion might not understand some of the things that could happen if Henri decides to come visit,” she said. The young server placed a crisp white linen napkin on her lap, and she smiled at him.

  “You’re leaving already?”

  Morgaine broke a croissant in half and buttered it before she added the homemade strawberry preserves she recognized as Lola’s recipe, which was now a common item at all of Kendal’s properties. “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, I just want you to say good-bye this time.”

  She put the bread down and reached for Kendal’s hand. “That was a couple of hundred years ago, Warrior. Let it go and forgive me.”

  “What can I say? I know how to hold a grudge.” Kendal shrugged, as if acknowledging her imperfections.

  “And how,” Morgaine said with a laugh.

  “Speaking of grudges.”

  “He can’t work with you, so don’t even ask,” she said, putting both her hands up for extra emphasis.

  Kendal looked at the full plate of eggs and bacon the server had put down. “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. Abez has kept the name Henri to taunt me about the past and my failures. One of the greatest of them was Lionel’s family, so I won’t deny him the satisfaction of ending this.”

  “He isn’t ready. The Elders are still pissed that Charlie exists to be able to avenge anyone. Or have you forgotten that little infraction?” Morgaine tried not to sound like she was scolding a small child, but she crossed her arms over her chest, challenging Kendal to deny the truth.

  “One,” Kendal said, holding up a finger. “One in all the years you’ve given me. That’s not a bad record. And I hate to disagree with you, but he is ready. If you try to stop him from helping me, then find someone else to go against Henri, because I won’t do it.” She leaned back and mirrored Morgaine’s pose.

  “You would defy the Clan?”

  “Just because you and they are in a position of authority doesn’t mean you’re always right. In this case you’re wrong, so my answer is, yes, I’d defy the Clan and you.”

  “He’ll be your responsibility.”

  “He always has been. You’ll see, Charlie will be an asset. If I didn’t think so, he’d be a memory by now. That’s why I gave him the gift. He’s a rare man with a caring heart.”

  The corner of Morgaine’s mouth quivered slightly, and she gave in to the smile. “That’s the only reason the Elders upheld my wishes and didn’t bury you under a rock somewhere. Take care of him because Henri will show him no mercy. And you’re right about why Abez chose the name. I want you to take this business seriously, warrior mine. Age has made the enemy not only strong but extremely cunning.”

  “I should introduce him to Piper Marmande. After ten minutes Henri and everyone associated with him would volunteer to drive a stake through their own heart.”

  Morgaine laughed around her fork. “Don’t tell me there’s a woman alive who can resist you? What is the world coming to?” she asked after she swallowed.

  “Hard to believe, isn’t it?” Kendal laughed and looked through the window of the house to the painting over the fireplace. “The closest I’ve come to dying in generations is when I’m on the receiving end of her killer looks.”

  Morgaine clapped, then placed her hand over her mouth as if to not spit anything out. “You have to tell me more about her now. Start with a description.”

  “Darken the eyes and sharpen her features a little, and she looks like that.” She pointed to the portrait.

  “No way.”

  “I literally came close to passing out when I saw her. It was like fate was playing a cruel joke on me for my shortcomings.”

  The staff disappeared when Morgaine stood and sat in her lap. “The fault for what happened lies squarely on Henri. Stop blaming yourself for things you had no control over.”

  “Don’t you get it? He did what he did because of me.”

  “Henri still did the deeds. Kendal, you can’t control his actions and you can’t be everywhere at once, no matter how hard you try. Henri is a vampire. He’s a creature without conscience and soul.” Morgaine caressed Kendal’s face, wiping away the tears that had fallen.

  “You sound so religious.”

  “And you sound like a smart-ass. Christians may think they invented the concept of the soul, but you and I know it’s been there all along. Catholics find God in cathedrals, some think he’s hanging around at tent revivals, and the lost tribes of the Amazon find him in every living thing. Who’s right?”

  Kendal stood, cradling her, and kissed her before putting her down. Morgaine enjoyed the speck of jam she’d missed with the napkin. “You will not drag me into this conversation again, so forget it. How about you gather your best swordsmen for later? I could use the practice before tonight.”

  “You’re no fun,” Morgaine said, pouting. They had argued about different topics over the years, the fights sometimes lasting for decades. “Where are you off to?”

  With a quick slap to Morgaine’s backside, Kendal moved toward her bike. “To a Catholic cathedral to find salvation. If I can’t find that, I’ll settle for Charlie.”

  Chapter Ten

  “Well?”

  “Well what?” Hill said, still shocked to find Piper standing in her office doorway. During their entire business relationship, Piper had always made her come to her office.

  “Did you find anything?” Piper sounded exasperated. “Come on, get with the program. It’s what I’m paying you for.”

  “I found the same thing I found the last time I looked. Didn’t you read my report? She’s like a machine, this woman. Have you seen her college transcripts? Even Einstein, in his science courses, at least, didn’t get that many As.” The computer behind her was finishing its search for any mention of Kendal Richoux, and even after the second time she’d run it she hadn’t found much. She pulled her glasses off and rubbed her eyes because of the lack of leads.

  “Did her pet snake slither back to New York?”

  She handed a one-paged report to Piper detailing Bruce’s itinerary from the time he’d received the call from Kendal and her associate watched his plane take off. “He checked everyone out and hopped a limo to the airport. But they flew to Los Angeles, not New York.”

  “What’s in L.A.?”

  “Aside from the obvious, you mean?” Piper put her fists on her hips in impatience, so she cut the jokes. “Webster International.” She handed over another short report. “Old manufacturing firm on the ropes after the downturn in the economy a couple of years ago. Mr. Babbage is flying this one solo. Well, as solo as you can get considering the team he left here with.”

  “And?”

  The last sheet at the center of her messy desk made Piper exhale loudly when she handed it over. “She hasn’t left the property as far as we can tell from five miles away. Considering the estate owns all the land in every direction, surveillance is a little tough.” The ringing phone stopped her recap since she was alone in the office, all her people out gathering more information for Piper.

  “Hickman,” she said, pausing to listen. “Stay way back and keep me posted if you head into town. I’ll take over once you get here, and be careful. This woman has eyes in the back of her head.”

  “What’s going on?” Piper asked.

  “The big bike just rolled past our lookout
, so it seems Ms. Richoux is headed back to town.” Hill took her gun out of her top desk drawer. “I’ll call you later and give you an update.”

  “You do that, and I want to know her every move. I’m not buying her I’m-not-interested act.”

  An hour later Hill paused at the back of the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter, surprised that it was Kendal’s first stop for the day. A security guard waiting on the sidewalk greeted Kendal after she dismounted. Obviously he was there to watch the bike she was leaving illegally parked on Royal Street. Kendal entered the courtyard through the wrought-iron gate Hill had never seen unlocked and walked past the large Jesus statue with his arms lifted and frozen in praise.

  She dropped her head when Kendal took her sunglasses off and paused for a minute, and started breathing again when Kendal didn’t turn around. “What are you up to?” She was interested in the answer whether Piper was paying her or not.

  *

  Kendal stopped to admire the two massive oaks anchoring the garden in the back of the cathedral; the last time she’d seen them they were tall saplings taken from Oakgrove’s grounds. As she removed her sunglasses, behind her she heard Hill’s engine shut off.

  “I must not be as scary as I thought if she’s still on the trail,” she said softly. The persistent Hill wasn’t an irritation, though, and she decided to play along to see what Piper had in mind. “Could you do me a favor,” she said, speaking the next part into her phone so softly that no electronic listening device could have overheard her conversation as she held up her hand to the priest waiting at the door. “Thanks,” she said, ending her call and so giving the priest permission to move forward.

  “Ms. Richoux, it’s wonderful to finally meet you,” the priest said, shaking her hand enthusiastically. “It’s incredible how much you resemble your father Anthony.” His eyes moved over her face as if he were trying to memorize it.

  Before leaving the city and the identity of Jacques St. Louis behind, she’d made a substantial donation to the Catholic church to help finish the original cathedral and for the care of Angelina and Tomas’s graves. She didn’t usually bother with religion, but faith was the cornerstone of Angelina’s life, so she’d played along. Through the years, she’d come to see what a wise decision it was, since the church seldom asked questions and the priests gladly traveled to wherever she was to collect the funds to replenish the trust.

  “I believe this is the first time a St. Louis heir has actually visited the church,” the priest said, making her smile since the same elderly priest had traveled to New York to meet with her as Anthony Richoux, her last persona. He’d changed significantly with age, but she remembered his thick hair, which had been so black it had reminded her of blackbird feathers, and how Times Square had fascinated him more than anything she’d had to say.

  “Father, it’s nice to put a face with the voice.” She took his hands in hers before accepting his embrace.

  “I’m so glad you’ve finally come. Your family has been absent from this house too long.” He accepted her arm and led her inside to his office.

  “After I finish my business in town, I hope to return more often, Father.” They talked for an hour about the repairs Kendal was financing and the daycare center they were building a few blocks away.

  “When you come back, please block out a day so we can take you around to see the fruits of your generosity. I would also enjoy showing you off to the parish.”

  “That’s a deal, but now I’m just here to pick up Charlie, if he’s ready to go.”

  “Oh, he’s been sitting by the telephone waiting for you to call. Thank you for sending him, though. He did a bit of rewiring for us while he was waiting. He’s really quite handy.”

  “Amazing what having time on your hands will do for a man.” She helped him up and kept her pace slow to not aggravate the man’s pronounced limp.

  “You came,” Charlie said when they entered the rectory.

  “I gave you my word, and now’s your chance to stay here where you’ll be safe.” She put her hand on his shoulder and spoke softly, her words changing his expression to one of disbelief and hurt.

  “I can help you. There’s no way I’ll let you down.”

  “I’m not asking because I doubt your loyalty or believe you’ll disappoint me, but you’ve never done this before. Could you kill one of those coeds you love to spend time practicing your French with if Henri’s turned her into something that’ll haunt your waking dreams? They look so vulnerable and sweet, but they’re still deadly.”

  “But I can’t die, you’ve seen to that.”

  “No, but they can bury you so deep you’ll be as good as dead. Henri’s as aware of our limitations as we are of his, and if he can’t beat me directly he’ll do it through you.”

  Charlie pulled away from her. Glancing at the priest still close by, he switched to French. “Then you don’t want me to come with you?”

  “Do you still want to come with me, my friend? Do you remember your boys and woman enough to avenge what happened to them no matter what we face?”

  “Do I remember? Are you insane?” Anger poured off him, but she ignored his clenched fists and jaw. “Slavers took me from my home and my family in chains like an animal, and I could do nothing about it. I had to accept my fate, but then I was given Celia and four strong sons, only to be left alone again. Do I remember them? I’ve thought of little else for decades.”

  She held her hand out to him and smiled. “Then come on,” she said before turning back to the priest. “Thank you for everything, Father.” She embraced the priest, again noticing the painting hanging in the entryway where they were standing.

  “I don’t know if you’ve ever had the opportunity to see this, so I had it brought out of storage for your visit,” he said, moving her closer to the wall. “It’s uncanny how the St. Louis side of the family has retained their looks.”

  “Thank you,” she said, studying the portrait she remembered posing for. The size of her contribution at Angelina’s behest had moved the priests back then to have the tribute made. It was a gift she’d loaned the church before she departed to Europe.

  “Even though I take my vows seriously, it’s nice to see young love captured so beautifully.”

  “You’re right. It gives us incentive to fight for what’s just,” she said before telling him good-bye.

  On the street another bike was parked next to hers, and she threw Charlie a set of keys.

  “What, no sunglasses?” he asked.

  “They’ve invented places called malls, buddy. You should get out more.”

  The engines rumbled as soon as they were started, and she laughed when she saw Hill dive into the passenger side of her car when she looked directly at her. That Hill stayed put helped clear her mind as she and Charlie headed home. She didn’t want another catastrophe on her hands, or to add any more targets for Henri to use against her. The upkeep of Tomas and Angelina’s graves was enough for a lifetime, even one as long as hers.

  *

  “I wouldn’t have pegged her as the religious type,” Hill said to herself, waiting for her phone to ring. “Piper, you’re wasting your time and money, because she doesn’t act like someone interested in taking over your business.” The call came, and one of her assistants confirmed that the two riders were headed in the direction of Oakgrove. Making a quick decision, she got out and headed to the rectory, since the guard was still there and the gate was still open. Piper’s first question would be about the guy Kendal had picked up and what her connection to him.

  “Can we help you, child?” asked the nun who answered the door. The full habit brought back an avalanche of memories from parochial school, making Hill shiver. Women with wimples armed with rulers were, in her opinion, brides of the devil.

  “Could I speak to the priest who was sitting outside with the woman who came to visit just now?”

  “He’s in a meeting for the next few hours. Is there a problem, or perhaps something I could help
you with?”

  Hill was about to ask what Kendal’s connection to the church was when the painting caught her attention. It depicted a group of men standing around what looked like a cornerstone. Standing next to a priest in brown robes was Kendal Richoux, dressed as a man, and on the other side of her was a woman who very much looked like Piper. “What an interesting painting,” she said, moving past the nun for a closer look.

  “It was from the construction of the first church in the territory. The original building was an important endeavor for Jacques St. Louis,” the nun said. “Of course, that’s not why we chose St. Louis as our patron saint.”

  “Wasn’t Mr. St. Louis the owner of Oakgrove?”

  “Of the original plantation, yes. The house that sits there now has been repaired enough through the years that I’d think it would be brand-new by now. Charlie does such a wonderful job keeping it up for the family.”

  “Charlie?” she asked, still staring at the image on the wall.

  “The young man who was here that you were asking about. He’s Oakgrove’s caretaker.”

  “Do you know his last name, Sister?”

  “Perhaps Father could answer that for you. I’ve always known him as Charlie. I’ve accompanied him to the estate a few times, but I was more interested in looking around than in Charlie’s full name.”

  “You’ve been to Oakgrove?” The opportunity was too good to pass up, and Hill forgot all about the man who’d left with Kendal. Now that her sword-toting mark thought she was off the case, maybe this nun could point out any chinks in the security.

  “Yes, it’s lovely. You should see the lake toward the back. It’s the only place where the fence separating the grounds from the property next door ends. The open space makes you imagine what it must have looked like way back when.” The nun put her hand on her arm like she was telling her a secret. “It’s so secluded it makes me consider skinny-dipping whenever I’m there.”