The Phoenix Chronicles: Alone in the Light (Book ONE)

by M. K. Williams

  “Well, I’ve definitely come to the conclusion that my talks with Sauror are now beyond pointless. He knows nothing more than what he told us before and is more interested in talking about football than dark forces,” Amar spoke with a deep Arabic accent, born and raised in Iraq; he never attempted to hide it.

  “Come on people. I need something!” Brendan’s voice was direct and stern. It was not just in this instance that he spoke in this way, it was simply the way he was.

  “I’m sorry Brendan but I’ve entered his mind, with him awake and asleep, and I think the information you seek just isn’t there. If it is, there is no way I can get at it. I hate to sound as defeatist as Amar, but there really is no point in me trying again,” as Sam spoke, he looked directly at Amar who was opposite him.

  Amar didn’t appreciate this remark from Sam and glared right back. Their impasse was only broken when Brendan slammed his fist on the table.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me? You’re a joke, both of you! Two years we’ve been working on this together and now you’ve the temerity to come here today and tell me that we’re no further along in our investigation than we were when we began?” Brendan looked at them, his face beginning to show the strain and defeat they all felt within.

  Bringing a sombre tone to the conversation, Karnel leaned forward.

  “We could always try the Leceth idea again?”

  All three of them looked at Karnel. He wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing member of the group. His face was a moss green and serpent-like, and unlike the other three, he was in no way human. He was a Vinji, a species that had inhabited the earth for as long as man. The Vinji had a remarkable gift for shape-shifting, which nowadays was used to conceal their true selves from the world.

  A long time ago, they had been a confident species, but now they were feared and hated by the world of men and after several wars with humankind, not long before the Council of Tivernal was formed, they transformed from a race of warriors to a race of impersonators and spies. Their dwindling numbers had led this once proud race to impersonate humans solely to survive the genocide of their people.

  Brendan looked at Karnel knowing his offer was pointless. It hadn’t worked the last time he had tried to impersonate the head of the Council and he knew it wouldn’t work again.

  Completely dismayed, Brendan rose to his feet.

  “Guys, I’m calling this meeting to an end, and I’m cancelling all further meetings on the subject. We haven’t a clue about Sauror’s plans, every lead we’ve had has just led us back to where we are now”.

  The other members rose to their feet too, each with a look of disappointment on their face but also a slight look of relief. It had been two long years of following up leads and mysterious ID fits that had led to nothing. It was right for a line to be drawn. They all felt that if Sauror were up to something of any importance then there would have been more evidence. This was a comforting thought for Sam, Amar and Karnel but Brendan remained troubled. Sauror was high up in the Council and Brendan believed that something of great evil or power was often shrouded in immense secrecy.

  “Well, gentlemen, if anyone does have any further suggestions then please let me know but we’ll leave it at that for now,” said Brendan raising his hands towards the door. The three others made their way across to the exit in silence until Brendan’s voice broke the calm air again.

  “Hang on a second Amar, I’d just like a word with you. I’ll catch up with you two later,” Brendan said to Sam and Karnel.

  Not thinking anything of it, Amar made his way back towards the grand oak table and sat down whilst the other two left and closed the door firmly behind them.

  …

  Kristian’s eyes opened slowly, his head pounding and the room slightly spinning. Sunlight had crept in through the space between the closed curtains and was now starting to warm his feet. Gingerly lifting his head, he tried to work his way through the confusion he felt.

  “Where am I?” he thought aloud.

  It was a few more seconds before he realised that he was actually in his own lounge. Feeling slightly relieved that he had made it back to the flat, he leaned back in an attempt to go back to sleep. He felt a little cold and remained halfway between awake and asleep with the added extra of still being a little drunk. The sunlight that was warming his feet so perfectly was now rising up his legs and past his knees. The contradiction of the coldness of his torso to the warmness of his legs was slightly strange and was stopping him from dozing off again.

  As the rays moved slowly up his body he suddenly had a strange sensation and realised that a part of him that didn’t often get to see the sun was getting a bit more of a tanning session than he had ever hoped for. He looked down in horror to see that he was, in fact, completely naked. He sat up with a start and slowly examined his naked body. Thinking about it, his nudity didn’t really bother him. After all, it was his own flat and Jess was the only other person there. She had seen him naked before and he really had nothing to be embarrassed about. Without the energy or desire to move to his bed he simply lay back and let the warmth engulf his whole body. He was just at the point of drifting back off to sleep when he heard some movement from Jess’s room. He couldn’t be bothered to move; she probably wouldn’t even look in the lounge, I expect she’ll just go to the bathroom then back to bed, he pondered.

  With that very thought, the noise got louder and he heard a man’s voice say, “So, cinema tonight, right? Just you and me.”

  Jumping to his feet, the memory of Jason sharing the taxi back with them from the party filled his mind; he grabbed around for something to cover himself with. Before he could do anything, Jess’s door opened and the footsteps approached the lounge. As quickly as he could, Kristian picked up a cushion and just as Jason emerged, he managed to cover his modesty!

  “Nice, uh, cushion mate!” smirked a tall, dark and handsome Jason.

  “Uh, yeah, thanks,” muttered a very embarrassed Kristian.

  Jason walked towards the door to the stairway with Jess in tow, her eyes locked with Kristian’s as a mixture of embarrassment and surprise covered her face. Kristian merely stood there with his cushion, his cheeks bright red. He mouthed sorry to Jess but she missed it as she followed Jason to the door.

  “Well, thanks for the lovely evening, and I’m picking the film tonight,” Jason’s voice floated up from the stairway below and Kristian dashed into his room. It was less than ten seconds after jumping onto his bed and wrapping his duvet tightly around him that Jess came storming in.

  “You moron! You just had to embarrass me didn’t you?” Her voice was raised but her tone was humorous and he knew that she wasn’t mad with him.

  “I’m so sorry, I must’ve just crashed out last night and I totally forgot you had company!” he smiled at her and she returned it with a cheeky grin. “So, come on,” pried Kristian “what was it like? Tell all!”

  “It was great; he… had… big hands,” as she stretched out her own hands they both began to giggle.

  “Well, I’m glad it went well, and cinema tonight, I hear, I’m slightly jealous.” Kristian loved the cinema. It was the greatest form of escapism for him.

  “Yes, he’s going to ring me later to make the arrangements. I need to go and get some beauty sleep now though. See you later, big boy!” As she left his room, she gave him a little wink. Kristian laughed and thought of how perfect it was, she was finally happy and he was delighted for her. If anyone he knew deserved to be in love, it was her. To him, she deserved the best guy out there.

  …

  The main conference room within the Cardinal Office had been busy for over five hours. The meeting had been going on since nine with only a half-hour break. Everyone’s tempers were beginning to fray. Jonathon was starting to hate this meeting almost as much as he had hated last year’s ‘half-year amendment’ summit. Most of the issues about the summit with the Council were done with, and now everyone was drifting into idle conversations about thei
r own matters; things that would probably be sorted quickly but were tedious to say the least.

  “So, he passed the final trials on Saturday and Roman and I both agree that he’s our choice,” Andrew Gilmore spoke; he was dressed in a long brown garment that was remarkably embroidered.

  “Oh! So Ashleen McKenzie has been disregarded then?” asked Peter.

  Andrew did not have much time for Peter. To him, Peter was a workaholic; a know-it-all who spent too much time with his books and not enough time with his staff. Andrew had met many people like Peter in his forty years with the Order. Andrew was an older gentleman with grey hair, always clean-shaven and dressed rather strangely compared to all the suits that packed out the Order. Peter, by appearance, wasn’t that much younger than Andrew. He certainly didn’t carry as much respect as him, but he did carry an equally high position in the Order. As Chief Librarian of the Great Library, it made him the highest-ranking Nariasdem member in the entire Order of Light.

  Peter was renowned for his knowledge of ancient texts and seemed to know all there was to know about every book in the Order’s archives. If anyone had any questions about the ancients then Peter was the man to ask.

  “Well, Ashleen was carefully considered by both Roman and me. She has excellent control over the magic, knowing more about the subject than almost anyone I’ve ever met, but she lacks the zeal, the panache for it. Magic is not a science, my friend; it’s more an art. It’s easy to read a book and then recite it back to someone, but magic is about instinct, emotion.” Andrew was stern; he didn’t feel the need to justify himself to Peter and he hated it when other parts of the Order interfered with the Coven’s affairs.

  “Oh! I didn’t realise that such a large portion of our budget went to an art department,” snapped Peter.

  Seeing that this could easily get out of hand, Jonathon quickly intervened.

  “Gentlemen, the matter is sorted; it is resolved! Kieran Young is to be the next member of the Trinity and his joining ceremony has been set for the twenty-third of next month. Done! Next on today’s agenda please?”

  Flicking through various pieces of paper, everyone at the table seemed to have lost the flow of the meeting. Jonathon’s patience had all but deserted him when a young female voice suddenly said, “Oh, it’s me!”

  Leafing through her pile of documents, Rachel Winters coughed as she attempted to clear her throat. She didn’t really like the limelight and certainly never enjoyed the larger meetings. She preferred, where possible, to delegate the admin tasks to someone else.

  Her timid voice just about carried throughout the room; everyone’s gaze fell upon her. “It’s just an update really about the lady who was bitten on Friday. She’s responded well to the serums we have explored and the vampyirc-infection rate for the moment is controlled at fifty-nine point two per cent. Still not enough evidence for Jonathon to do anything I’m afraid. Dr. Gambon is hoping that with the next dose there’ll be an even better response and then Jonathon can help.”

  Most people in the room were a little shocked. The meetings were usually concerned with petty squabblings about manpower and the distribution of resources, but this shy young woman had reminded them all about the harsh realities of why they were all there.

  “Oh, and there’s more,” the timid voice spoke again. “She has a son. We’ve located him, but he’s not yet been informed of his mother’s condition. He’s only fourteen and we don’t feel it’s appropriate at this time.”

  “I don’t agree, Rachel,” Jonathon spoke with a grim look on his face. “He’s old enough to know and he should be allowed to see his mother while she’s still the woman he knew. It may soon be too late for her and for him.”

  “Okay then, yes. I’ll sort it,” she demurred;, Rachel realised she had made the wrong decision but she still felt uncomfortable with the thought of the boy seeing his mother as she was, in that condition.

  “Right, next please!” Jonathon was getting tired of hearing his own voice.

  Jumping in before anyone else could speak, Zhing’s voice was resolute and immediately got everyone’s attention.

  “While we are on the subject of this bite victim, you will all have read my report on the events of that evening and will probably all share my concern that Tom Harrowman, the host of the Dark Phoenix, is in London; and it’s becoming apparent that he has a new work ethic.”

  This news came as a bolt from the blue; shocked gasps sounded throughout the room. Nearly everyone hurriedly and urgently looked through the mountainous bundles of papers in front of them. It was disappointingly obvious that barely any of them had bothered to even look at Zhing’s report.

  “Why Tom killed the vampire I was chasing is still not known; you must all agree that he has to be apprehended and as soon as possible,” said Zhing with the obvious intention of wanting to take on the task herself. The room erupted with noise as everyone started shouting their suggestions on what to do about the Dark Phoenix.

  Determined to end this worrying subject, Jonathon slammed his gavel on the table in front of him. There was instant silence.

  “Okay, Zhing I want you to investigate Tom, try to locate him and bring him in. You can use the Alpha Team if you need.”

  “Good,” her reply was immediate and she was clearly delighted with her new orders.

  Hoping that this was the last issue of the day, Jonathon was afraid to ask the question, but once again found himself saying, “Next please?”

  First to speak was Yi-Mao.

  “I just wanted to remind and possibly notify everyone that I have my meeting next week with the Shing’tao and that Brendan and Amar have a conference with the Kar’sin monks, so all three of us will be out of the country. This will leave Zhing as the only Phoenix here in the UK as Adriana is at home in Spain and Oliver is still in Germany. All the other Phoenixes have now been assigned to other offices.”

  His accent was clearly Chinese, unlike Zhing’s, who spoke with a perfect English accent. The others present all nodded as if this was irrelevant. It was in their notes, but few, if any, had taken the trouble to read them, so this was, for many, the first they heard of the arrangements.

  Jonathon prayed that this was the end of the meeting. It had lasted for nearly six hours now. These meetings had long since lost their allure for him: it all seemed old hat and repetitive. In fact, with a fair amount of accuracy, he could predict every agenda item put up for discussion.

  There was a stony silence, as no one gestured and no one spoke. Delight and relief filled most of their minds and then quickly turned to disappointment, when a big-haired woman with huge-rimmed glasses spoke, “Ah, I have something actually!”

  “Go on then, Penny,” sighed Jonathon hoping it would be nothing other than money concerns, which was what she generally talked about.

  “Well, what it is, is,” she started, “three months ago, I was asked by the Trinity to locate an object of great importance.” Penny’s voice was unexciting and boring but her subject matter caught and held each person’s interest. Everyone looked intently at her, no one more so than Andrew, Roman and Peter. Penny was in her early thirties and had been a member of the Order since she was eighteen. She knew the Order’s workings well, but she still felt intimidated by these large meetings.

  “Go on,” prompted Andrew.

  “Well, I have located it, but there is a problem you see, the thing, the object, that I believe to be the ‘Heart of Merlin’ was found in a geological dig several months ago. The stone had formed part of an exhibition, which from last night was being showcased at the Natural History Museum. So I was going to go and check it out and confirm whether it was what I thought it to be, but…”

  “But what?” interrupted Andrew, who seemed quite bewildered by what Penny was saying.

  “Well, somebody broke into the museum last night and stole the stone; the one I think is the ‘Heart of Merlin’, well, from what I can make out from the reports.” Penny looked increasingly unsettled as all eyes gazed upo
n her.

  Not wanting to continue an open discussion on the matter, Jonathon ignored Penny’s statement and quickly ended the session.

  “Okay, ladies and gentleman, thank you for your time but it really is getting late now and we must all retire and eat! Andrew, I expect you will follow things up with Penny?” Jonathon said as Andrew gestured that he would.

  The room emptied within seconds and as Jonathon sat there with Peter and Yi-Mao, he pondered about the ‘Heart of Merlin’. His train of thought was suddenly interrupted when in burst a distraught Brendan. His expression looked pained, but it didn’t take him long to utter, “It’s Oliver… Oliver’s dead.”

  …

  - Chapter Four -

  Goodbye Old Friend

  Jonathon had been sitting down for a while; he just watched as a young man cleared away empty tables.

  I wonder if he’ll recognise me? Jonathon thought. He knew to think this was pointless. The question he needed to ask himself was, does he want to recognise me?

  It had been a hard couple of days and Jonathon knew that what he was about to do meant breaking a promise. He was going back on his word, which wasn’t something he did easily.

  He sat and waited for the young man to make eye contact. Jonathon was a calm man but not a patient one. Now well into his late fifties, he was proud and bold. His appearance didn’t give away his age, his skin was youthful and he still had a full head of dark brown hair. His dark brown eyes followed the young man’s every move. He seemed to clean every table except the one Jonathon was sitting at. It was clear to Jonathon that he had been spotted, but was being ignored. With the desire to get up and go over, he began to edge off his seat; the young man then suddenly seemed to change his mind and headed towards the table. Not making any form of contact with Jonathon, the youth merely wiped the table over limply with his cloth and looked away.