by R G Peterson
As he extracted the symbols from the ring and laid them on the coffee table in the proper order, he explained, “We were discussing the ring. I was trying to figure out why the symbols weren’t fixed in place to stop the pieces from falling off. You know, like they did in Nick’s bedroom. Anyway, the two of us looked at it closer and realized that they’re kinda locked in place, but can be taken off once you know how.”
He placed the fifth symbol on the table.
“Anthony suggested that I put them back on the ring in the same order as I got my powers. We couldn’t figure out where Aether was supposed to go. Then Anthony noticed the smaller notch on the bottom and thought maybe it went there.”
He glanced at Anthony who nodded.
“So, that means Water and Wind go on the left hand side and Fire and Earth on the right. And Aether goes here.”
Terry placed Aether at the base of the ring, flipped it right side up and the light shot out of the top, creating the hologram once more. The five who had not seen this before gasped. AJ shot out of his chair and took a giant step toward the symbols rotating in midair.
“Look,” Maddy shouted. “What do yeh think those be?” She pointed at the symbols circling the holographic globe. But as she said it, it disappeared.
“Whoa,” AJ exclaimed taking a step back. “What happened?”
“It seems like it only stays that way for about twenty seconds,” Anthony offered. He turned to Nick, “Could you make any of that out?”
Nick, thrown by the events of the day, was slow to respond. “Ah, kind of. They were Voynich script, but I was so surprised I didn’t realize it right away. Can you do it again?”
Terry removed the Aether symbol, waited a few seconds and put it back. Nothing happened.
“I thought that might happen.”
He disassembled the ring, placed the symbols back in their original order then reassembled it minus the Aether symbol.
“You ready?” he said to Nick.
“Yeah, go for it.”
Terry slid the Aether symbol back onto the bottom and the hologram appeared once more.
Nick studied the symbols as they rotated around the miniature globe and announced, “I got it.” He turned to Grace and said, “Loss, reveal, six, uinals, four, moons, complete, gain.”
She wrote it down. “Loss, reveal, six, uinals, four, moons, complete, gain…got it.” She stared at her writing and shook her head. “It would make a little more sense, or at least sound better, if we switched it. Six, uinals, four, moons, complete, gain, loss, reveal.”
“Yeah, it does,” Nick concurred.
“But what does it mean?” Miriam asked.
“No clue,” Nick and Grace said together then laughed.
As Terry disassembled the ring, Nick said, “We have a little surprise of our own. We found it this afternoon when Maddy was playing around with the bracelet.”
“I wasn’ playin’ ‘round with it. Yeh were drivin’ me crazy with yehr constant twistin’ and turnin’ o’ it, so I took it away.”
“And began playing with it,” Nick said with a smile. “Anyway, we realized if you wrap it around the proper sized dowel it gives you a message.”
“What’d it say?” Terry asked as he sat forward in his chair.
“It looks like it’s another riddle, ‘One will master others mind.’ ”
“Master?” Miriam asked. “Doesn’t that sound kind of weird? Like you’re a lord or something?”
Anthony asked Nick to clarify, “Is there an apostrophe in ‘others’ to make it possessive?”
Nick shook his head. “That’s one of the quirks of the Voynich script. There is no possessive case. You kind of have to figure it out by putting it in context. But if I had to guess, I would say, yeah.”
“So, ‘One will master other’s mind.’ Interesting,” Miriam said. “And?”
“And…we don’t know. Like I said, it appears to be a riddle.”
Everyone looked at AJ. “What?”
“We know how you just love riddles,” Grace remarked.
AJ looked put out. “I helped before.”
“Yeah, you did and we’re grateful,” Nick added. The others smiled at AJ.
Anthony asked, “Okay, so we kinda have two riddles to solve. ‘Six, uinal. four, moons, complete, gain, loss, reveal.’ And, ‘One will master other’s mind.’ Where do you want to start?”
AJ’s mother called downstairs. “AJ, it’s getting late. It’s time for everyone to go home.”
But before they left, Nick pulled Terry aside. “Be careful what you say and do ‘round Thomas. I’ve got information that he’s Thanatos’ spy.”
Terry’s head dropped, but he showed no surprise. “Are you sure? I was hoping it wouldn’t be him, he’s always been so kind. Why does it seem like everyone around me in my old life is such an ass…?” Grace walked up and Terry never finished his thought.
Chapter 20
“I gave you your first lesson. Remember?”
The following Sunday when Terry arrived home from brunch with Nick and their grandparents, he bounded up the steps of the mansion where Gabriella greeted him once more. She gave him a slight bow and motioned toward the study. He gave his head a slow deliberate shake, remembering his prescheduled meeting with Thanatos. Upon entering the study he noticed Thanatos had refrained from sitting behind his father’s desk and occupied one of the chairs opposite it instead. Terry smiled.
“You are late.”
“Yeah, well the company I was with was much better than what I knew I was coming home to.”
Thanatos seemed unfazed by Terry’s rebuke.
Terry lowered himself into his father’s old leather chair. “Okay, so what‘s the first lesson?”
“I gave you your first lesson. Remember?”
“Yeah, yeah, sometimes you have to be a jerk and force people to do what you want, like you did to me. Got it. Are we through then?”
Thanatos offered Terry a condescending smile. “No. Today we start with lesson two. How to determine who can be bought or, for those who can’t, how to find the dark secrets which can be used to manipulate them.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Thanatos ignored Terry’s sarcasm. “Trust me, at times it can be. But let me share this with you. Maybe it will help you see why I do what I do.”
“I can’t wait.”
Thanatos stood and began pacing the room. It took a minute before he spoke again.
“This planet is on the verge of destruction. It has been headed down this path for quite some time. Man has never honored the sacred trust placed in his hands and spoken of by so many of the world’s religions.
“The Bible speaks of it in Genesis 1:26. ‘Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ’ ”
“Muhammad promised his followers that they would be rewarded if they took care of the earth. Buddhists teach that personal practice and taking care of the earth are closely connected. Gandhi said, ‘Earth provides enough to provide for every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.’ While your Native Americans also believed that God created everything and that He made man the ruler and caretaker of all things. And that man’s ultimate responsibility was to respect everything God made. They teach that man was instructed not to destroy or disrespect His sacred work. Furthermore, they believed that everything has a purpose in life, from the nourishment pulled from the earth to taking care of the water, trees and plants, as well as, the animals.
“For years politicians have been more concerned with business and its profitability than how those businesses affect the earth. As I said, western culture has had little regard for this planet for centuries, but it has been the last thirty-five years that has been the most destructive. In fact, this movement has become so strong that the average person has been convinced t
o ignore science. To shun anyone who would voice a concern for the earth and its resources. To denigrate those who would speak out about the polar caps melting and the climate change that is taking place. They support those who drill for oil and spill it in our oceans and those who frack for natural gas and poison our water supplies. And then they convince everyone that this is for the best, while disparaging the development of renewable sources of energy – solar, wind and hydrogen. All in the name of profits for those who make the largest donations to their campaigns.”
Terry sat forward, drawn in by Thanatos’ discourse.
When he paused Terry spoke up, “But you control many of these people with your riches and their secrets. Can’t you change it? You say all these things, but then don’t do anything ‘bout it. Isn’t that kinda two-faced?”
Thanatos smiled once more, this time it was much kinder. “Yes, I’m sure it must appear that way. But as I said, this is the direction man has been headed for centuries. There are others out there who have even more wealth than I, who believe that their maintenance of that wealth is more important than our stewardship of the earth. They are shortsighted men. Greed makes them blind.”
“So you don’t do nothing?”
“There will soon come a time when man will be at the point of no return. At that moment, the lies and deceit of those who now control many of those in power will be seen for what they are. At that time we – the Elements and you, in particular – must be ready to step forward and take over rule of the earth. The One Spoken of in the Prophecy will be able to do great things – more than you ever realized or dreamed. Through you, we will right the wrongs and put the world back in balance.”
“How?”
“Sacrifices will be made. People who believe so strongly in the current ways, or see their wealth threatened, will need to be converted or eliminated. The One Spoken of in the Prophecy will have to at times be ruthless and at other times cold. But it is all for the betterment of mankind. Do not misunderstand me. I believe that most people will gladly fall in line, but there will be those few who resist. It is essential these people, and those that support them, fall by the wayside.”
“You make it sound like getting rid of litter.”
“In some ways that is what they are – the trash and garbage of humankind who will stand in the way of repairing all that has befallen the earth for millennia.”
“My dad told me that’s what the Earth Elements from Minoa wanted to do. So you like the idea of taking over the earth and killing everyone who gets in your way?” The disgust in Terry’s voice left little doubt as to how he felt about that idea.
Thanatos fixed Terry with his gaze, to the point where Terry grew uncomfortable and turned away, despite knowing it to be a sign of weakness.
“Let me answer your question with a question. If our ancestors had indeed followed the lead of those who possessed the Earth Element, do you think we would be in the predicament we find ourselves in now?”
When Terry raised his eyes and looked at him, Thanatos was sure he had won him over.
Chapter 21
“By the way, what’s your story?”
About an hour after Thanatos left, the Clan met at Terry’s. They had planned to have Thomas drive them to Green Bay for the Gamblers afternoon hockey game, taking Terry’s limo, the only transportation in which all seven of them would fit comfortably. On the way to the mansion Nick made sure everyone knew about Thomas Wade being Thanatos’ inside man and the person who, for over the last year, had kept Thanatos apprised of every move the Clan made whenever they left the city.
Nick also made sure that everyone knew that nothing could be said inside the mansion. Although they had no proof, they suspected Thanatos had the place wired for sound and possibly video allowing him to listen in on every conversation and view every movement that took place within.
They gathered in Tristan Warrington’s study, ushered there by Gabriella.
As she glided toward the door to leave, AJ turned to her and blurted out, “By the way, what’s your story?”
Everyone looked sharply at AJ, aghast at his bluntness.
“What?” he asked as he saw everyone’s reproachful glares. “I’m just askin’.” When everyone continued to stare at him in disbelief he added, “Come on, I know we’ve all been thinking it.”
Gabriella turned and gazed upon the members of the Clan one by one. Despite their disapproval of AJ being so blunt, she could tell the others were every bit as curious as to her role in everything. She let her gaze linger first on Terry and then on Nick, her unasked question – were the two of them truly interested in hearing the answer to AJ’s question? The twins glanced at each other, then back at her and nodded.
“That is between me and the one who sent me,” she answered, but then gave a slight, almost imperceptible come-hither motion with her fingers.
The teens all moved as one, drawn, as if in a trance, and followed her. She led them down two stories to the old Inner Sanctum room. The teenagers placed themselves around the long black conference table near the end closest to the immense fireplace.
As the teenagers sat, Gabriella glided around the room and gave a tiny flick of her hand toward various places in the walls and ceiling. When she returned to the conference table and walked its length she allowed her palm to hover above the center of the table as she moved. When she reached the end where the teens were sitting she stopped and hovered in place.
“Now, what is it you would like to know?”
AJ rushed to speak first. “Why’d you do that?”
Gabriella swept the room with her gaze and said, “Alastor Thanatos has eyes and ears everywhere in this mansion. But for the next twenty minutes he will see and hear only what he has already seen and heard prior to this moment in time.”
“So, like a rerun?” AJ asked.
Gabriella seemed to nod, although there was no visible motion of her doing so.
“And the place is bugged?” AJ followed up with a second question.
Gabriella nodded, once more, or at least appeared to.
“So who are yeh, exactly?” Maddy asked.
“What are you?” AJ amended.
“Some refer to us as ‘Those Who Are Awake,’ or ‘Guardians,’ or ‘Agents.’ The Book of Enoch refers to us as ‘Watchers.’ Others have called us ‘Devas,’ ‘Conscious Thought Forms’ – better described as your conscience. Of course, you know the term “Shining Ones.’”
“Divas?” Miriam asked.
Gabriella shook her head, “No, ‘Devas,’ more along the lines of deities.”
“But you suck all the light out of the room. How can you be called a Shining One?” AJ exclaimed.
Gabriella’s face remained placid, but the teens sensed a smile beneath her impassive exterior.
“There are two types of ‘Shining Ones.’ Among us there are both good and evil entities. Those who remained true to their nature remained pure. They emanate light from their being. Others, who were not true to their purpose, exude a darker countenance.”
“Aha, so you are evil,” AJ shouted.
Once again Gabriella appeared to smile, although, as before, her face remained expressionless.
“Even those of us who erred once are granted a second chance. We may not be as weak as humans, but our natures are not perfect. I am making amends for my lack of good judgment.”
“So you’re a fallen angel?” Grace asked, awe infusing her voice.
“That is another term used to describe us.”
“So how do we know we can trust you?” Nick asked. “Certainly, stealing Terry from the nursery couldn’t have been part of a good deed.”
“There are many things that are beyond the understanding or comprehension of those in this realm. Nick himself has stated that everything that had been done was necessary to bring you both, as well as your friends, to this point in time.”
“You know about that?” Nick asked. The room went silent as each of the teens cast their memories
back to that conversation and how Gabriella could possibly be aware of it.
Terry spoke up. “But there had to be another way.”
Instead of answering, Gabriella gave a dramatic wave of her hand as if she were erasing a gigantic blackboard. A mist surrounded the teens. As it slowly dissipated, the teenagers realized they were in another place, in a different time. They were standing in a rundown, shabby apartment. Two toddlers were playing with toys scattered around a messy living room. Their mother was nearby, hurriedly folding clothes and trying to clean up as if she were expecting someone.
“That’s our mom,” Nick whispered, as if speaking any louder would break the spell and make her disappear.
They heard Andy’s voice before seeing him walk through the front door. He took a step and exploded.
“How can this place always be such a mess? What’s wrong with you?”
Val stopped what she was doing and took a long look at her husband. She scrutinized him for a minute before she asked, “What happened this time?”
Andy glanced at the twins before he stormed into the kitchen. Val followed him. They could hear her ask a question although they couldn’t make out what she said. They did, however, hear quite clearly Andy’s response. “That idiot questioned the way I was doing things. So I told him off.”
“Andy, that’s the fifth job you’ve been let go from in the last two years.”
“Yeah, so what? I’ll get another one. A better one. Someday I’ll get us out of this dump.”
The teens saw Val walk back into the living room and pick up the boy with the unruly brown hair. Teenaged Terry looked over at teenaged Nick and watched as a tear leaked from Nick’s eye.
The mist returned and a moment later they were in another place. The twins were now around nine years old and in their bedroom. Nick sat at a desk, his head buried in a book. Terry was throwing a baseball into a net setup across the room. Terry uncorked a wild pitch and the ball struck the wall, cracking the plaster and putting a dent in the drywall. Nick’s head shot up from his book, a panicked look on his face. A second later they heard footsteps running down the hallway.
