Prophet: Book One (Princes of Prophecy 1)

by L. Ann Marie

  “He is coming in as an Officer. He’ll take the runs to New Hampshire, but he wants a home base. I think a family is next on his list.” Little Ben smiles. “If you have nothing else I need to get to the never ending applications. We have Prospects coming out our fuckin’ ears.”

  I laugh and start toward my room. “Breakfast is at seven. I’m not a fuckin’ short order cook so don’t be late!” I hear Jessie yell and I laugh opening my door.

  Chapter Two

  Eagle Eye

  I carry the book I am reading down and I am surprised to see Jared already here. “Brother.” He comes to me and man hugs. I have always been untouched, the most contact I have is men slapping my back or women and kids hugging me. The man hug is new and a little disconcerting. As cousins I am accustomed to Little Ben and the Little Brothers, but men I do not know well hugging me is odd and a little uncomfortable.

  Darren signs, ‘It is the way’. I nod and sit, finishing the book while I eat. When I close it I am surprised to see Little Ben, Brantley, Sheila, Joey, Jax, Nick and Bull sitting around the table. “I sat with just Darren, Jessie and Jared here. You have got to be the quietest people I have ever known.”

  Brantley laughs, “We like fuckin’ with people.” He is the happiest guy I have ever met. I nod and look at the Officers I will be serving with. Every one of them has proven loyalty and commitment in their jobs for the Princes. An odd man out feeling hits me and I’m surprised. I have never been the one working to keep up.

  “Your value here puts you on equal footing with the rest of the Officers. You are the youngest Officer we have and run multiple businesses along with training scouts and warriors. It is the rest of the Officers that are a bit awe struck by you.” Little Ben says surprising me. Joey laughs making me smile. I tip my head acknowledging his words and thank him in my head.

  He goes on. “Our Officers by job description:

  Me

  Darren as VP, heads membership and all IT Surveillance.

  Jessie as SAA, Training and HS Ops until Taylor is back.

  Taylor, will take over training.

  Joey, Treasurer and Finance.

  You, Secretary.

  Jared, Aerial and New Technology.

  Brantley, HS IT.

  Bull, Security IT.

  Jax, Nomads.

  Nick, Medical.

  Sheila is our go to girl. She knows every job, but yours Eagle Eye. She is HS trained and runs Ops as a lead.”

  I have worked with her in the drug war so he must be pointing this out for the others. I look around and know this works. They are already good at their jobs.

  “Chris and Lee will be joining us later today, they had a breakfast this morning with the Little Brothers.”

  “Within six months we will be adding Aaron, Gene from your Security and Chevy. Within a year our second tier of Officers will be filled. Sebastian, Shilah and Josiah will be on it.”

  I am shocked. “That is almost all of my closest advisors.”

  “You ran the same way the MC does, you surrounded yourself with people that are loyal and like-minded. We will use that to better us. The lack of patch on your back doesn’t diminish your worth to us. We will address that tomorrow and take your advisors as our own. They’ve served you well. It would be a mistake to waste that resource for us and you.” Again, I tip my head to him in thanks for the compliment.

  The table is quiet just watching me. They have no negative feelings here.

  Little Ben draws everyone’s attention, “There are no secrets here. Everyone here knows of my ability to read. That goes no farther than here.” He isn’t asking me to share so I just nod. “These are the people you trust with your life. Together we keep each other safe.” I nod.

  “Joey, explain the take for the first Officer tier and where we are financially.” He looks at her and smiles. She’s excited to tell everyone where we stand. Since the MC picked up the bill for the helicopter and wiring the town we had enough for the compound and a lab for something with technology. She explains Officer pay and benefits then vacation and medical. I am mentally sweating, I hate this shit. Little Ben tells her we get it and moves to Nick.

  Medical will cover the Princes and the support staff. The office is already up and running. Little Ben tells him of two women from the reservation, a nurse and receptionist that will be moving up. He looks relieved.

  Once everyone goes through where they stand Little Ben comes back to me. “Your job is the only one we don’t have an update on. You have meetings already set with the Mayor, the Superintendent, the PD and the Town Council. When you have met with them we’ll need that update to gauge how our people will be received and any potential problems.”

  I smile. “You have my schedule?”

  Brantley laughs. “Everyone’s phones sync at Security. All schedules are available to the Officers here. Any member with a Prince job is available to you, but only Officers are able to access the full program.” Shit. I just nod.

  “Monday Jared will get you up to date with the new program and hologram board. It’s easier when you can see it,” Darren says.

  I smile at Brantley. “Can you put that on my schedule?”

  Everyone, but Brantley laughs. “I already did.” He looks at Little Ben. “I put all the training up already, was I supposed to wait?” I cannot help, but laugh. He does not like confusion.

  Little Ben smiles at him. “You’re good Brother. I don’t think anyone has had a chance to check their schedules.”

  Brantley relaxes and smiles at me. He is a year older than me, but looks young with that relieved smile.

  “Does anyone have anything for me?”

  “Yeah Prez. We have four applying for Nomad from New York, Connecticut and New Hampshire. I wouldn’t bring it up, but they want Security and HS jobs.”

  Little Ben looks surprised. “No on the HS jobs for Nomads. With Security you’ll have to get the backgrounds from Brantley and an okay from Darren and Eagle Eye.”

  Jax looks at me surprised. “I didn’t know you were Security too.”

  Jessie and Brantley laugh. “His company is who LB is merging with. You’ve met with his second Gene. Eagle Eye’s name is Dakota,” Jessie tells him.

  I get a nod and smile. “I didn’t know.” I nod back not having an answer.

  “Anything else?” Little Ben asks standing. No one has anything, but Little Ben asks me to follow him to his office. I get the book from Jared and follow him Darren and Jessie.

  I am more comfortable in the smaller office with less people. I have seen all the Officers, but have not interacted with most of them.

  “That went well,” Jessie says sitting.

  I look at him wondering why. “Is my age a problem here?”

  Darren waves it away. Little Ben sits behind his desk and answers. “I think you shocked Jax. He had no clue you’re the Dakota he’s been hearing about. Your age is not a factor here. If it were I’d have my own set of problems to deal with because of it.” He is right, the men have been following him for years, it should not be an issue for me. He nods. “No one, but my family knows of our abilities and most only know I can read. It was handed down from Nunánuk to my father and yours to keep that close. Because my father is fuckin’ nuts with shielding me, only Jeremy, Aubrey and your Shaman know the full extent. They are and will be a shield for us.” I look at Jessie and Darren. “They know most.” I nod waiting for them to react, but they do not.

  “So, the reason you’re in here,” Jessie says making me laugh.

  “Nomads will never hold HS jobs or run HS Ops. It is a lesson we learned at the MC. They can run skips or event Security, but will never be on Family or HS.” He is watching to see if I agree.

  “I would not have allowed it either. My people are trusting me to keep them safe. Putting a wandering soul in charge of that does not work for me. I need a commitment and loyalty of more than one tomorrow to trust their lives with.”

  Jessie busts out laughing. “I love this guy.
He talks like Nunánuk and you all wrapped together.” Darren laughs with him. I do not know what to think here. I love Jessie, but I am not sure if he is laughing at me. I do not feel disrespect, but look at Little Ben.

  He shakes his head no. “No disrespect intended,” he says, giving Jessie a look.

  Darren jumps in, ‘No, not meant disrespectful.’

  “It really isn’t, you’re young and talk mixed Anglo like a forty year old. Wise beyond your years, I think that’s the saying.”

  I wait knowing Little Ben has more. “I do. It is important that you feel equal to the others. With shared work experience and growing up together, it may throw doubt on you. Jeremy showed concern for you to be kept close. Without him explaining why I have to think it would be doubt that is the concern. Your new position puts you in the inner circle, you are part of my three. I talk with Jessie and Darren every day. Now you. Anything and everything that concerns you is my concern as well. We deal together in all things.”

  The feeling I get has my whole body relaxing. Aside from Gene with work and Chevy and Sebastian on the reservation I carry the weight for all of us. It is good to have someone to share that with.

  Jessie is watching me. “We take care of our own means in everything. Your people are our people.” I have heard it for years, but this is the first time I have felt it. I nod thanking the ancestors for guiding me here.

  “Your people will learn to go to the right people for the help they need. We share that responsibility with you. It is ours collectively to maintain. For today, you need to finish reading the history of the MC. You will understand better once that’s done. The bylaws come next. You need to understand them before you are patched in tomorrow. If you have questions find one of us for the answers. I don’t have a problem with you asking the other Brothers, but only Darren and Jessie know all the reasoning behind them. The other Officers’ eyes glaze over when we talk bylaws,” he says smiling. “Anything new or added will be with you as part of that conversation. As an Officer you are not allowed to talk to anyone about what is said in Officers’ confidence. Unless your advisors are Officers you can’t share with them. We are working to bring them in on a fast track so you are comfortable and have that back.”

  I wave it away. “I have no problem voicing concerns with you. I have never had anyone that I shared everything with. Work is Gene and the reservation is Chevy and Sebastian.”

  “Fuck Brother. No wonder you were relieved,” Jessie says signing for Darren.

  “Nunánuk didn’t share that Eagle Eye. I didn’t know,” Little Ben says with a concerned look.

  “The ancestors and my father guide my decisions so I am never truly alone in making them.”

  “I want fuckin’ ancestors too,” Jessie says making me laugh.

  Darren hits my arm. “You will love the Brotherhood. Everything is shared responsibility so all doesn’t fall on one.”

  I nod. “The ancestors were guiding me here. I believe it is to help where I am needed, but also to learn what I have not. Brotherhood is like warriors, but I have always been a leader. Learning to let go will be a new experience and I am ready to embrace it.”

  Jessie laughs leaning toward me, he has me in a headlock before I realize what he is doing. “I love this fuckin’ guy. You’ll fit right in and love that everyone isn’t complaining to you about the washer or their hang nail.” I laugh because he is not far off then move away and breathe.

  He lets me go and I see Little Ben smiling. “Go find a place away from the fuckin’ crazy Brothers to read. Find one of us if you have questions.” I take my books and stand.

  “This is your home anytime you are here. Be comfortable,” Darren tells me.

  “Thank you I will.” Taking a breath to clear my head I walk out the door.

  I grab a water and walk out the back right into the field. There is an oak that feels like home to me. I take a seat and think about all that was said. The ancestors brought me here for a reason. I read trying to find answers in the pages of the Brotherhood’s history.

  ***

  Jessie

  “Unfuckinbelievable.”

  Little Ben is still looking at the door. “Yeah.”

  “He’s done everything virtually alone,” Darren says.

  Little Ben finally looks at us. “His ancestors guide him; that is an unshakable belief.”

  Seriously? “Dude they’re dead.”

  He looks at me for a minute. “To him they are as real as we are. He has used them as long as he can remember. He has the vision Christian does, but with better control and understanding. It will keep him safe. He’s young and will need to be reminded of his value to the Brotherhood.”

  I can’t help, but laugh. “He merged with LB, gave his casino money just like you and has twenty-seven loyal people coming with him to run his businesses. Not to mention his closest advisors and he’s at the top of the leader board in training. I think he’s covered.” Fuckin’ kid is a walking cliché.

  “Money means nothing to him and status doesn’t register. It’s being valued as a member that will be a concern.”

  “Jeremy and Aponi are giving nothing on him. With Jeremy’s concern I think LB is right. We need to keep an eye out and make sure he sees just what he’s bringing. He’s like the old ladies and doesn’t see what he’s done as important. It just is. You heard him, he’s always been a leader. He’s never had what we see as normal. It will be interesting to see how he interacts with the Brothers when they get here. All our contact with him has been with family, on the reservation, or just us alone. He is a warrior, but has never known true Brotherhood.”

  I roll my eyes. “Sometimes I think it was better when you didn’t talk.” He looks stunned. “You sound smarter than me and it fuckin’ sucks.” They laugh, but there are times I wonder what the hell I’m doing with them.

  Chapter Three

  Eagle Eye

  “Brother it’s time,” Jessie says as he is knocking.

  I check the time and see it is early. I open the door wondering what this is about. He laughs. “Mitch and Geek both do the eyebrow raise. Cool as fuck, but we don’t have time. We got Church let’s go.” He starts walking away before what he said registers.

  I hurry to catch up with him. “Officers Church is now.”

  “Yeah,” he says taking the stairs down to the meeting room.

  We walk in and everyone is waiting. “I thought you had to have the cut to come to the meeting. I am sorry I delayed you.”

  Little Ben waves it away. “We had the Officers’ meeting yesterday. Today is about you. I should have made that clear and apologize for putting you on the spot this morning. When we meet like last night it is Church. It doesn’t have to be a certain day or time.”

  I nod and take my seat by Jessie glad I am not so far from those I know. “You always sit by Jessie. In formation you ride beside him. The seating in Church is set, any other time, it is based on who needs to sit.”

  I nod looking around. Everyone is smiling. “Did you finish the history and bylaws?” Jessie asks.

  “Yes.”

  Little Ben stands up. “You have three questions to answer based on your reading and the meeting last night.”

  Fuck! I did not know there would be a test.

  Darren goes first. “What exactly did you learn from the MC’s history?”

  Okay. I got this. I take a minute to get it right in my head. “The ancestors finally got the President, Wall, to follow their guidance. He started changing the way things were done and put into place his war—soldiers to lead and work toward a greater good. They made mistakes, but changed when they started turning on themselves for money. The fathers taught them money has no value in the face of annihilation. They became a strong force within the community and worked to make their people better. With the changes, they grew to help more than their tribe and taught their sons, I guess that would be you, to live a more harmonious life.”

  “Fuck. We need him to write the blurb on
the website,” Brantley says making everyone laugh. I take a breath. That was one.

  Jessie looks at me with a smile. “As the number two on the leaderboard what will you not do to keep your Brothers safe?”

  I look at him surprised he asks since I ran with HS clearing the drugs. “Nothing. There is nothing more important than making sure all of my people are safe by any means necessary.”

  Joey claps. Little Ben nods toward her. She is smiling making me smile. “What is the Officers’ take? Not your job just Officer.”

  Fuck! I look at Little Ben. He is not helping and I cannot get it from anyone else. Shit. “I do not know,” I say looking at her. What a way to blow it. She just went over this last night.

  “How many people know what the Officers’ take is?” Everyone looks around smiling. “Every single Officer was asked the same question and no one went back to look it up?” Little Ben asks.

  Lee laughs. “We don’t give enough of a fuck to wade through all that paperwork to find it.” I breathe easy knowing I am in.

  Little Ben pulls a box. “Our Officers get their cut before Church and are introduced during Church. Today is yours Eagle Eye. We purposely saved yours for last. You are my third. As it is a new position we wanted this to be special so the impact is not only felt by you, but the Brothers too. Come up Brothers.” Everyone stands and walks to the open space at the head of the table. Jessie guides me to stand in front of Little Ben. “Usually this happens the other way around. Today is special, we have never had someone accomplish so much outside the Brotherhood and earn an Officers cut, let alone an inner circle seat.” I’m stunned. I read how people earned Officer, but did not realize I made it high.

  “Close your mouth Brother.” Jessie elbows my side. Everyone laughs and I snap my mouth shut.

  “Behind you are the men and women that sponsored you. If you take a look back you will see that every one of the Officers are behind you. It was a unanimous vote.” I look back surprised. “Again, not something that has ever happened before. Your sponsors recognize the loyalty and commitment you are bringing to us and our Brothers. They acknowledge and appreciate your ability to lead not only them, but the Brotherhood. They offer to you their knowledge and traditions we hold as well as their support of you in the new position as my third. Everyone here understands the importance of that number and the experience and ability it takes to fill it.” He nods to Jessie. “As your sponsors guide this symbol of our Brotherhood to your shoulders understand they will guide you through the Brotherhood should you need help. In return you remember to offer that guidance and comfort to them and the Brothers that are under you and in need.” I nod feeling numb. I feel everyone’s hands on me sending energy racing through me and it is all I can do to stand still. ‘Sorry Brother,’ he says in my head. “It is with great respect we welcome you into the Brotherhood as a high ranking Officer in the Princes of Prophecy.” He steps to me and the hands fall. Thank God! ‘So fuckin’ proud of you Brother,’ he says in my head and hugs me. ‘They don’t know and will man hug you.’ I thank him for the warning and he laughs. “Welcome your new Officer, Brothers.” Jessie and Darren hit my fists surprising me. Brantley catches me in a bear hug making everyone laugh, but my body starts shaking. “Maybe a slap on the back is enough Brothers. We don’t want him taking off now that he’s ours.” I thank him again and he smiles.