Prophet: Book One (Princes of Prophecy 1)

by L. Ann Marie

  Eagle Eye

  This fuckin’ guy is a piece of work. Prez was right to send me. Jessie would have shot him already. Darren is pissed.

  I look at him. “If you do not close the lane from the highway you will not get a single person strolling your main road. With all of the families and members moving on one day it alleviates congestion for all the others.”

  “We can’t close a lane for the day. We want to keep things friendly, but you’re asking too much. We appreciate the help with the drugs, but the downtown business owners will lose money and I’ll be taking calls all fuckin’ day!”

  I look at him. “We did not help you get rid of drugs. We got rid of them and the gang you were trying to ignore. We brought decent Brothers in and replaced the bad taste the Outlaws left with people happy to see us. I am not asking you to close the road. I am telling you we are closing one lane straight to the Compound. We will open it up after the Compound and have your businesses making money for the day.”

  He is shaking his head no. “The alternative is we block your road completely and no one gets in,” I tell him leaning forward.

  “You can’t just close a road. I’ll have the police remove you.”

  Darren laughs. “They agree with closing the lane to keep traffic flowing.” The Mayor looks like he was slapped. “The Town Council too.”

  I stand and lean over the desk. “Coming here was a formality, a concession on our part, letting you know what is happening in your town. The communication from the Princes to you will work only if you are open to it. I will be the Brother that keeps that communication open. If this office becomes a problem for the Princes, we will remove you and put someone more open to that communication in here.” He has nothing to say.

  “Now that we have cleared that up and you know what is happening in your town, I suggest you shut your phone off for the imaginary calls you think are coming. I will never come to you without doing my homework first. Keep that in mind Mayor.”

  I walk out with Darren following. “Jessie would have shot him.” I laugh. I have never laughed so much and it feels good. “Where to next?”

  “I am on training for the rest of the day.”

  His shoulders drop. “If you like meeting with them why did you not take Secretary?”

  He shakes his head no with a smile. “I just like watching you put these old guys in their place it’s fuckin’ priceless.”

  Back at the compound I change to Security gear and grab a sandwich walking out to the back. Jeremy comes running and I jump over him landing in front of the steps. He laughs. I swallow my bite. “You on defense?” He says ‘yeah’ in my head.

  ‘I am up in ten. Will you demonstrate?’

  He laughs. “With Prez.”

  We walk toward the big tent where defense and practice is set up. I take a water from the cooler and walk toward the front. Jeremy gets lost in the Brothers and I wonder if he changed his mind. ‘Block!’ he yells in my head and I shield looking around.

  “Just in time Brother. I think they are bored with me,” Little Ben says catching my attention.

  A Brother is negative and I am glad Jeremy warned me. I look out over the men and cannot get where it is coming from. “Two volunteers?” Brantley jumps forward.

  “Get the fuck out Brother, let the trainees in,” Jessie says and I thank him. Little Ben yells in my head ‘out loud!’ I look at Jessie embarrassed. “Thanks.” He laughs. Two men come into the front space. Little Ben and Jessie step back. One is the negative guy; he wants to rip my head off. I look at Little Ben.

  “You change your mind little man?” the guy says.

  I smile at him. “I was wondering if I should have asked for three.” The Brothers laugh, but this guy is pissed.

  “The point of my class is to use what is around you to stay safe. Anything can be a weapon if you think about it. You will be learning to defend with any object you can get your hands on.”

  “I don’t need objects,” the big guy says lunging at me. I jump beside Little Ben and pull nun chucks off the table. “Need Prez to fight for you?”

  Flipping over him I hit him in the kidneys with the chucks. “That’s one.” I throw the chucks to the Brothers and flip to a piece of rope. The nimrod is chasing me so I flip back. When he gets close enough I flip catching his neck in the rope and land behind him pulling him back. I release him and he falls. I flip over him and take a cooler cover throwing the rope at the Brothers. “That’s two.” The other volunteer comes at me and I stand still until he gets close. I use the cover swinging like a bat. “He seems nice so I will not hurt him,” I say stopping as the cover hits his nose. “That’s three.” He laughs with the Brothers. I throw the cover and look around. Nimrod is up and inching my way. “Let me make this easy for you.” I walk five feet away from the guy and turn my back to him. The Brothers laugh. Jessie is doubled over. I smile and wait until I feel him close. When I see his arms I drop and scoot back through his legs pulling his feet with me. When he lands the Brothers laugh. I stand and give him my hand. “Thank you for playing. Sorry for putting you on the spot. We have a demonstration I think you will like.” He tries to pull me down and I go, somewhat. “You have a lot of Brothers watching. This might not be the best place for your anger to be pointed at me.” He pulls me harder growling and I flip pulling his arm behind him. “Prez is Doc taking patients?”

  Little Ben winces. “Yeah Brother.”

  I snap his arm and look at the crowd. “Brantley can you get our angry friend to Doc please?” Brantley moves forward giving me a wide berth.

  ‘Will you play?’ I ask Little Ben in his head. He says yes pulling his knife and belt.

  “If you do not know me, I am Eagle Eye your new Secretary. That position deals with keeping the peace. I am very good at my job.” The Officers and Chevy laugh. “If Prez and Jessie would not mind playing along I think we can have some fun with this lesson. There are forty two in the class and four of us. Seems like even odds to me.”

  Jeremy comes to my side. “You have to make a real try for us. We will use whatever we can to stay safe and knock you down. Once you are down, stay down, or this may be the lesson that never ends. If you come at us twice we will make sure you stay down. Fair enough?” They agree and Jeremy runs right through then across the Brothers shoulders. Prez drops his belt with Darren jumping the table and running. No one goes toward Jessie. I laugh and flip to a tent pole climbing up to swing over the Brothers.

  I drop right in the middle of them then squat swiping their legs out from under them. Brothers are laughing all over the place. Someone has my belt loop so I flip over him pulling his fingers free and push him down from behind. I jump into a group and bowl them over rolling away. There are not many left so I turn looking for a group. Jessie has his gun on the last group standing. I crack up. “You said anything available.” He smiles at me. Little Ben swings from the tent bar down. When I look back everyone, but the Brothers with Jessie are down.

  “Jeremy?” He laughs in my head. I look up. This is a circus sized tent and he’s sitting on the ropes at the top. “Fuckin’ kid. CJ will be pissed at me if you fall. A woman on the warpath is not what I need today.” The Brothers are laughing and standing up. ‘Are you good up there?’ He answers ‘yes’ so I go teach my class.

  The men are positive and class runs smoothly. They ask real questions and do not mind doing their own demonstrations at the end. It is good and they have had fun. When I leave I look up, but Jeremy is gone. Walking out of the tent I see him at a table with Little Ben. I make my way to the oak and sit happy to have an hour break before my next class. I close my eyes and connect with the ancestors.

  “It was a good class. Thanks.” I get slapped on the shoulder.

  I pull away apologizing and open my eyes. “Jax.” It takes me a couple of seconds to focus. There are two men with him. I have to remember to say Brothers. He takes his hand off my shoulder and sits beside me. He is positive. I take a breath and try to relax. “Sit Broth
ers. I was relaxing before my next class.” They sit.

  ‘You okay?’ Prez asks. I tell him, ‘Yes. I will be fine.’ He says, ‘Darren is on his way.’ I do not see anyone coming and look at Jax and the me—Brothers. I have to remember to say Brothers.

  “That was awesome man. Do you teach all the classes for training?”

  “What is your name?”

  “Sorry, Cade. I’m from the Connecticut Chapter.” I shake his hand quick.

  “Barry, same place.” I shake his hand too hoping no one else comes out.

  Darren sits beside me with his knee touching me. He nods at them then me. I throw energy answering the Brothers questions. They are both hoping to get into the Security Company. I tell them the company does regular classes and I teach one a week every other rotation. They are happy and make to leave.

  I tell them I hope the ancestors smile down upon them and Jax laughs hitting my shoulder then uses it to stand.

  Fuck. I brace and smile a goodbye. I close my eyes and jump. The ancestors are happy and send me peace. When I open my eyes Jeremy is watching me. ‘Show me.’ I look around and see Darren and Little Ben at the fence. ‘Go ahead Jessie has your class,’ Little Ben says.

  I put my hands on my knees and he moves closer touching my knees with his and placing his hands above mine. ‘My little warrior you know how to jump to the spirit guide. Your disconnect is better, what is it you would like to know?’

  ‘Give a command.’

  I laugh. ‘I am not sure you should have that knowledge so young. I cannot give you an ability Little Ninja, I can only guide what you have.’

  ‘I have the knowledge, but the spirits won’t bless me with the gift! Show me.’

  ‘Do you think using an ability before the ancestors think you are ready will bring you good? Misusing any ability will bring the wrath of the ancestors on you and yours.’ I sit us on a branch and look at him. ‘What has you putting your gift on the line Little Ninja?’

  He looks away from me. ‘Men will come for Little Ben. They will try for Jessie too. They don’t listen. I need to tell them where they can’t be.’

  ‘They take your words into consideration always. What makes you think this will be different?’

  He looks embarrassed. ‘I screw up and take Aubrey out of the yard. It’s just a ride, but they are angry. Everyone is angry.’

  ‘It is not done. You can change that.’

  ‘No!’ He jumps and I feel like I’m in a tunnel. Shit.

  ‘I will warn them Jeremy. Just tell me.’ I am slammed and fight to jump back.

  He is pulled away and I am trying to catch my breath. “Fuck!” I open my eyes to Little Ben holding Jeremy. “Do not ever do that shit again. It will not be the fuckin’ ancestors raining down on you it will be me!”

  He has tears on his face. Shit. “I’m sorry.”

  “I get it; you want to be a regular teenager having a date with your girl, but neither of you are normal. You need protection always. They will never stop trying to get her. Keep her safe. Find a way to live that keeps everyone happy.” I take deep breaths pushing the white away.

  “How?”

  I look at Little Ben. “Maybe ask for Brothers to ride beside your boat instead of in it, maybe close the bay. I do not know, but you cannot put her in danger because you want normal for a day. It will take a second for her to be gone. We have seen what they do to her. Do you want her to?” I need to get away from him.

  ‘No!’

  “Then stop acting like a child and start acting your age. If this is not working fix it. Find a way to get what you want while keeping everyone we love safe!”

  “He sees you taken,” I say looking at Little Ben. I cannot catch my breath and the white is pushing through.

  He looks shocked. “And I wasn’t going to get a warning?” he growls out.

  “He was going to tell you, but it was during a childish stunt so it holds no weight,” I tell him standing up. My body is not ready so I step back and lean against the tree. Darren stands by me, but does not touch me. “I need a minute. He threw fuckin’ everything at me.” I cannot believe he would act so childishly.

  “I’m sorry Dakota. I was acting stupid. I need to fix it.” He puts his hand out to me.

  I lean back. “I am not as trusting as you Jeremy. You did not put me first. I will not allow it to happen again. My people count on my abilities to keep them safe. You throw at me again while I am weak and I may not make it back.” His hand falls and he looks like I hit him. “Your gifts can hurt as well as heal Little Ninja. Learn from this.” He starts bawling, but I need to get away. I make it to the fence and fall. Little Ben lifts me up and I jump knowing I am safe.

  ***

  Jessie

  “Jessie!” Little Ben yells from outside the tent.

  “Stay right here!” I run out the back. “What the fuck happened?” He has Dakota in a firemen’s hold.

  “Get Sebastian and Chevy to his room,” he tells me.

  “I can help!” Jeremy is running to him crying.

  Little Ben stops and turns. “You will sit outside his room and wait for me to come to you. Do not interfere Jeremy. Do not try to get close to him until I know what the fuck just happened.”

  Jeremy’s whole body slumps. “Yes sir.”

  “Don’t let him move,” he tells Darren. Fuck. I run into the tent and look around.

  “Chevy, can you find Sebastian and bring him to Dakota’s room? Prez is waiting, it’s important.” He nods and runs out the front. Fuck.

  I finish the class and set the Brothers up for the target practice. Driscoll and Bull are in this class so I leave them to make sure the Brothers don’t shoot each other. Running up the stairs I stop when I see Darren and Jeremy. “Can I go in?”

  ‘I am on Jeremy watch,’ Darren signs as he shrugs.

  I knock soft and open the door. Chevy and Sebastian are on the bed touching Dakota’s arms. Little Ben is at the foot holding his legs. No one is moving, but Chevy is chanting. I stand against the door and wait.

  “Jessie help us,” Little Ben says and it sound funny. He’s scared.

  I just get to the bed and Jacob comes in and right over to us. I put my hands on him and relax. I’ve done this so many times, but this is the first time I’ve touched Dakota and he’s vibrating. “Jesus.” Chevy keeps going, but he doesn’t sound so frantic. Jacob starts then I follow. I don’t know what the words mean, but I’ve said them before and just keep repeating them. Whatever we are doing seems to help and he’s not vibrating anymore. I look at Little Ben and I’m relieved he’s calmer. When Chevy stops chanting I do too. I don’t say a word, but can see he’s pissed and it’s directed at Little Ben.

  Jacob steps back. “He’s sorry Little Ben. He didn’t know what he was doing.”

  Little Ben moves him out of the way. “He should be sorry. Dakota trusted him!” Jacob moves in front of him again.

  I stand at the door. “Brother, take a minute and think. You can’t talk to him when you’re so angry. Let’s figure out what’s going on and talk to him when we have a better understanding.”

  Little Ben spins and punches the wall. Leaning his head on it he takes deep breaths. “He could have killed him. I trusted him, I knew he was mad, but not why. He could have killed him Jessie. That’s not a fuckin’ gift. I had no idea he could hurt someone like that.”

  “He didn’t either,” Jacob says softly. “He’s scared Little Ben; he doesn’t understand any better than you do.”

  “Fuck!” He takes a minute then turns to Chevy. “I don’t know what happened exactly. When I do I will let you know. I need a minute to talk to Jeremy. Can you stay with him? I don’t want him alone. He needs to know we’re here.”

  All the fight goes out of Chevy and he nods. “Of course Prez.”

  “Sebastian can you stay?” He gets a nod.

  I step aside and watch him breathe deep then turn the knob. “Jacob I need you to talk for him. He won’t be able to get it out.”
/>
  “I’m here with you Prez.” Jacob puts his hand in Little Ben’s.

  “Where do you need me Prez?”

  “Stay with Dakota. Make sure he’s okay and knows he’s safe.”

  I put my hand on his shoulder. “I will.” He walks out without looking back. When the door closes I sit on the bottom of the bed with my knee touching his foot.

  “What the hell happened?” Sebastian asks watching me. He’s not so trusting.

  “From what I can piece together Jeremy did something to Dakota.” They know more than I do.

  “Jeremy did this?” he asks like I’m lying.

  “Did you leave the room as he was talking to Jacob? You know more than I do so don’t play fuckin’ games. Little Ben has enough shit to deal with without you making more.”

  He starts to say something, but Chevy jumps in. “He’s right. Whatever Jeremy did devastated Prez. He had no idea Jeremy could hurt someone with whatever that was. He couldn’t hide it when he hit the wall.”

  I look at him. “Fuckin’ readers.” I smile at him then look at Sebastian. “This will hurt him for a while. He couldn’t know whatever Jeremy did, sounds like Jeremy didn’t even know. Don’t lay this at his feet, he already thinks it’s his fault.”

  He watches me then relaxes. I think Chevy is talking to him. Fuckin’ readers, I think smiling. Chevy smiles. Yep.

  Dakota moves his foot. “Glad you’re back with us Brother.” I watch his eyes open. Sebastian touches his arm. “Move away Sebastian. He’ll be reeling from what he’s already got.” He takes his hand away giving me a look.

  “He is right. I feel like I have been electrocuted right now,” Dakota says slow like he’s drunk. I get up and open his fridge pulling a water out.

  As we wait for him to sit up Sebastian asks me, “How did you know?”

  “I’ve grown up with Jeremy and Christian.” I hand Dakota the opened water.

  Chevy talks to him in Mohegan and I’m thinking this is not good. When Dakota growls I give him a look. “In English.”

  “I do not know in any language. Just drop it,” Dakota says.