Whispers From the Past

by L. S. O'Dea

  He motioned and Jackson and Bo carried Jason’s body onto the pulpit. The crowd gasped.

  “You’ll hang for this,” said Cal.

  “No, Cal I won’t. Do you want to know why I killed him?” He didn’t wait for a response. “It wasn’t because we were enemies in a war. It was because he shot the female I love.” He scanned the crowd. “He shot Trinity the Producer, the Servant, the mixed-breed. However you want to label her, know that to me she is the one I love. The one I’ll marry.”

  There were more murmurs from the crowd. He motioned and the Guards removed Jason, taking him back downstairs.

  “I’m not playing at war anymore,” he said. “If you don’t surrender right now, we’ll kill each and every one of you.”

  “What?” Cal’s face paled as Hugh’s soldiers moved closer. “We have an understanding. You are honor-bound to let us leave.”

  “I’m not honor-bound to follow your laws and practices. They are archaic and only represent one class.” He ran his hand through his hair. “But I won’t kill you, not yet, anyway. You’ll all be given a fair hearing. Your Guards, especially, are just doing their jobs.”

  The Guards were looking around nervously. His soldiers were also nervous.

  “Please, surrender. There’s been enough killing, enough death.”

  “I cannot.” Cal’s eyes pleaded with him. “I took an oath to protect the Supreme Almighty and the Council.”

  “If that’s your decision.” He was tired of this war. Too many of his friends had died. Trinity might die. He needed to be with her, not arguing with Cal. He turned to Jackson who had just come back up the stairs. “Bring the remaining council members up here.” He faced Cal again. “Give me a moment and I’ll make this easy for you.”

  Cal looked at his Guards, confused. A few moments later, Jackson and several other Guards returned with the members of the council.

  “Line them up behind me,” he said.

  The Guards positioned the Almightys on the balcony.

  “Where’s Conguise?” He wanted to start with him.

  “He was separated from the others and we must’ve forgotten to grab him,” said Jackson.

  “You’re not a very good liar.” The damn Guard had no idea what he’d done. This wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d planned. He looked from one council member to the next, but he couldn’t decide. He couldn’t choose who should go first. They all glared at him, eyes filled with hatred and disbelief. That’d change soon. “Bring me a female.” He pulled his gun from his holster.

  “What are you going to do?” Jackson didn’t move.

  “What I have to. Now, give me a woman.”

  Jackson still didn’t move but one of the other Guards pushed a female forward. It was Bette Wilson.

  “Hugh, you don’t need to do this,” said Bette.

  He grabbed her arm and held her in front of him, his gun to her temple.

  “Please Hugh, you know me. We’re friends.”

  “That didn’t stop you from labeling me a traitor and signing the orders for my execution.” His finger caressed the trigger. It’d be so easy to end her life.

  “Hugh, let Councilwoman Wilson go,” said Cal.

  “You said you swore an oath to protect the council members. I’ll kill them all, and when I’m done, you’ll have no oath binding you to fight.”

  “Stop this nonsense,” yelled Cal. “Let her go. This isn’t honorable. This isn’t our way.”

  “Our way? There is no our way any longer. Honorable? Where’s the honor in killing Guards and Servants only because we have no use for them? Where’s the honor in slaughtering Producers, so we can eat them? Where’s the honor in taking the children of the other classes and selling them? We have no honor. Your world, your laws have no honor. Saving lives is honorable. The cost is up to you.” He pushed the gun harder against Bette’s temple and she whimpered. “Surrender Cal or I pull the trigger.”

  “Hugh, you can’t do this.” Jackson grabbed at his arm.

  He turned so that he half-faced Jackson and half-faced the crowd. “I’ll kill a hundred, a thousand people like these before I let one of my soldiers die.”

  “Please, don’t do this.” Bette struggled in his grasp.

  “I was at your daughter’s wedding and you were going to let them hang me.”

  “I never believed you did those things. I had to sign. I tried. The others...I fought for you.”

  “Not hard enough.” He pulled the trigger.

  There were screams from the crowd and gasps from the council members and then it was silent. He let go of her body and she crumpled to the ground. Blood and brain covered the wall.

  “Give me another one,” he said.

  “Shit, Hugh.” Jackson stared at the body.

  He turned and grabbed Doug Sallers.

  “Please, Hugh. Please don’t do this,” begged Sallers.

  He put his gun to Doug’s head. He wouldn’t feel bad about this one. The man was a slimy, immoral coward. “Cal, surrender or he dies.”

  “Captain Folgrant, I release you from you oath,” yelled Doug.

  “I release you,” yelled another councilman and then another. In a moment, they’d all released Cal from his oath.

  “Hugh, let them go. You win.” Cal glanced around. “We surrender.”

  He should’ve known Doug would worm his way out of this. He shoved the councilman toward Jackson. “Lock up Cal and his Guards. They can go directly to prison. They and the council members will need a thorough vetting before their fates are decided.” He headed down the stairs praying Trinity would be awake.

  CHAPTER 66: HUGH

  HUGH SAT IN the hallway, trying to keep his panic contained. It’d been hours and neither the doctor nor Curtis had come out of the room. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t lose her.

  “No word yet?” Jackson stopped in front of Hugh and the others who were still waiting in the hallway.

  He shook his head, unable to speak for fear he’d break down and cry.

  “She’s a fighter,” said Jackson. “She’ll make it.”

  He nodded. He couldn’t talk about her, not now when everything was so tentative. “How are things?” He looked up at the Guard, hoping Jackson would get the message and change the subject.

  “All the prisoners are locked up. I’ve sent additional soldiers to collect those who were detained along the way, but I don’t know if we have room for all of them here.”

  “Double or triple them in the cells. Use the empty rooms with locks for the ones you don’t think are a threat.”

  “Most aren’t. They were just doing their jobs.”

  “I know. Start interviewing them once you get everyone’s name. Turn loose those who were innocent bystanders.”

  “Do you want to speak with them first?”

  “I don’t have time to speak with every House Servant, Guard, Grunt, Stocker and Almighty we captured.” He took a deep breath. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I understand.” Jackson stared at the door, his eyes worried.

  Indy walked toward them. “What did he say?”

  “I told you I’d let you know.” Jackson waved his hand, signaling the other Guard to leave.

  “About what?” He looked from one Guard to the other.

  Jackson shuffled his feet, but Indy looked him right in the eyes and said, “About freeing Jethro.”

  “Jethro was the one who told us about the weapons,” explained Jackson. “According to Indy, Jethro was on his way to free the prisoners at the Warehouse District and then he was going to send them into the forest to warn us.”

  “Why would he do that? He’s been on the other side almost the entire war.”

  “Jethro was done fighting.” Indy’s eyes darted to the door where Trinity was. “You won. He understood that.” He wasn’t referring to the war. “How is she?”

  “I don’t know. You’re claiming that Jethro had a change of heart and was joining our side.”

  Indy
nodded.

  “That’s convenient,” said Gaar.

  “No, it wasn’t.” Indy’s eyes narrowed on the Handler. “He had no idea you were attacking today. Jethro was giving up everything for—”

  The door opened and he stood. Dr. Kalper’s face was grim.

  “She’s alive,” said Kalper. “But...”

  He shoved past the doctor and into the room. Trinity lay on the bed, a blanket covering her. Curtis was cleaning up the bloody towels and clothes. She was pale almost like an Almighty. He took her hand. It was cold to the touch, but that pulse still beat at her throat.

  The doctor came into the room. “As I was saying, she’s young and strong. She has a good chance.”

  “What can I do?” He didn’t take his eyes off her.

  “Pray.” Kalper patted his shoulder.

  “Great.” He and Araldo hadn’t been on good terms for quite some time.

  Gaar hobbled into the room and over to the bed. He brushed some hair off her face, his large hand bigger than her head. “Ah, Little One, you’d better not die. Mirra would not be happy with you.”

  The Tracker pushed into the room as if conjured by his words. “Little One!” Mirra stopped at the bed and tapped Trinity on the shoulder with her long claw. “What happen?” Mirra glared at them.

  “She got shot,” he said. “Saving me.” The words were bitter on his tongue.

  Mirra stroked Trinity’s hair. “Little One, you no listen. Mirra say you big heart hurt one day.” Tears dampened the fur on the Tracker’s face. “Mirra no lose you too.”

  “I should take a look at your leg.” The doctor glanced at Gaar and Mirra, trying to hide his discomfort.

  “I’m fine,” said Gaar.

  “Go,” Hugh said. “Trinity will be angry if you don’t take care of yourself.” He nodded at the doctor. “Let him fix you up.”

  “The bullet needs to be removed,” said Curtis.

  “I’m only doing this for you, Little One.” Gaar squeezed her hand and then turned toward the doctor. “Do you have something to drink? I’m going to need it to ease the pain a bit.”

  “I have better stuff than booze.” Kalper headed out the door, Gaar and Curtis with him.

  Mirra’s eyes moved between Gaar’s retreating figure and Trinity. Finally, she grasped Hugh’s shoulder, her claws sinking in a little. “You protect Little One. I go Gaar-Mine. Back later.”

  “I’ll take care of her.” Soon, the ties that bound Gaar and Mirra would change. He had no idea to what degree. Once their genetic transformations were complete she may have enough Almighty in her to still connect her with the Handler, but if not, she’d be happy being wild and free, forgetting Trinity and Gaar, but Gaar’s fate was another story. If his genetic metamorphosis left him as more Almighty, he’d feel the loss of Mirra for the rest of his life.

  “She’ll pull through this.” Jackson came into the room.

  Tim stood on the other side of her bed. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

  “You should send for Millie,” Hugh said.

  “How do I tell her?” Tim’s eyes were bright with unshed tears.

  “Maybe, you should go. You can’t put this in a note,” he said.

  “I can’t leave her.” Tim took Trinity’s hand.

  “I’ll go for you,” said Indy who hovered in the doorway.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Hugh glanced at the young Guard. “It was a kind offer, but they don’t know you switched sides.” He looked at Jackson. “Send Birdie.”

  “I’ll send Eakers. Birdie’s with Clacker,” said Jackson.

  “How bad is he?” He’d heard the young Avion had been injured.

  “He’ll live, but the doctor isn’t sure he’ll ever fly again.”

  “Araldo.” He stared at the ceiling. An Avion who couldn’t fly would be in constant danger.

  “I’ll write a note.” Tim shook his head. “I don’t know what I’ll say but...” He walked out the door.

  “I hate to bring this up,” said Indy. “But what about Jethro?”

  “At this moment, he can rot in jail for all I care.” This wasn’t Jethro’s fault, but the kid had tricked her, captured her, kissed her and almost mated with her. He’d prefer Jethro had died, but fate was never that kind.

  “There’d be more of you dead if it weren’t for—”

  “Not now.” Jackson grabbed Indy’s arm and escorted him into the hallway, closing the door behind them.

  He pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed, holding Trinity’s hand. There was so much he wanted to say to her. He cleared his throat. “You can’t leave me.” He ran his finger over her partially extended claws. “I need you. You keep me modest.” He smiled slightly. “You know I have an arrogance problem. I tend to think I know best, but you,”—he swallowed back tears—“you make sure I stay humble.” He put her hand back on the bed and rested his cheek against it. “You have to come back to me. I love you.” He closed his eyes. This could not end like this. He’d fought this war because it was right, but also for her. She was free now, truly free. She had to live long enough to enjoy it.

  The door opened and closed.

  “I see the rumors are true.” Meesus stood just inside the room as if afraid to come any closer. Her eyes were on Trinity, filled with sadness and then she looked at him and her face hardened. “I am sorry, but you must come with me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” He wanted to be here when she woke. He needed to tell her again that he loved her.

  “My daughter has been sold. Tonight she will be raped.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. He didn’t need this, not now. “I’ll send some Guards with you.”

  “No! We had a deal which you broke by escaping the estate. If you were there, my daughter would be free now.”

  “I never agreed to be your prisoner.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about your daughter, but I can’t leave.”

  “She will not know you are gone.” Meesus waved her hands in the air. “With her like this what is a couple of hours in her sea of gray? But to my daughter those same hours will be an eternity.”

  Trinity still slept, but there was a little color back in her cheeks. Leaving for a little while might not be a bad thing. He’d go crazy sitting here and waiting.

  Jackson stepped into the room. “Sorry, I didn’t see her come inside. Do you want me to escort her out?”

  “Don’t try it, Guard. This is between High Hugh Truent and me,” growled Meesus.

  “Stay with her.” He kissed Trinity’s hand and stood.

  “Are you sure? We can remove her.” Jackson nodded at Meesus.

  “No. My word is good and we had a deal.” He glanced at the bed. “Trinity will understand when she wakes.”

  He followed Meesus out the door. He did owe her and he needed to get away from the sickroom. He was brittle and ready to crack. He could use the outlet a good beating would provide. He called Indy, Bo and several other Guards to accompany them.

  CHAPTER 67: JACKSON

  JACKSON HURRIED DOWN the hallway toward the prison cells. Hugh would kill him if he found out about this, but Jethro had helped them. The boy had made some mistakes but he was a good kid at heart and his heart was still linked to Trinity’s. When he and Indy had told Jethro that Hugh would decide Jethro’s fate later, Indy hadn’t been able to keep his big mouth shut. The look of anguish on Jethro’s face when he’d heard that Trinity had been shot had resonated with Jackson. He knew what it was like to love from afar, never able to touch. Jethro had done this to himself, but it didn’t lessen the pain.

  Jethro sat up on the cot when he approached the cell.

  “Promise me you won’t run.” Jackson held up the keys.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “Does it matter?” There were too many others nearby. Fortunately, most were Almightys but he wasn’t taking any chances. Either the kid agreed without information or he stayed in his cell.

  “You k
now where I want to go.” Jethro approached him, glancing around and lowering his voice. “I have to see her.”

  “Then promise you won’t escape.”

  “Take me there, and I won’t run,” said Jethro.

  He pushed aside his guilt. He’d do the same for Hugh if situations were reversed. He unlocked the cage and escorted Jethro out of the prison and down the back alleyways that led to a side door of the Council Building.

  “Where’s Hugh?” asked Jethro as they walked down the corridor.

  “Gone, for now.”

  “How long do I have?”

  “A few minutes.” He opened the door to the sickroom.

  They stepped inside and Jethro stopped. “She’s so white and still.”

  “She’s alive,” he said.

  Jethro walked to the bed as if pulled by a string. His hand trembled as he touched her cheek. “Who did this?”

  “The Supreme Almighty.”

  “I’ll kill him.” Jethro’s jaw clenched.

  “Hugh already did.”

  “Too bad.”

  The door flew open behind him. Jackson spun around. Hugh couldn’t be back already, but Tim was still here. He’d pay dearly for the snippy Servant’s silence. His jaw dropped open. It was Mirra. This wasn’t good. Not at all. Tim he could’ve handled but Mirra and Jethro...

  Mirra sniffed the air. “Why you here?” She bared her teeth and stalked across the room.

  Jethro straightened, his hands fisting at his sides.

  “Mirra, take it easy.” He stepped between the two. He couldn’t allow them to fight, not in here.

  “He try take Little One. He hurt Little One.”

  “I’d never hurt her. I’d die for her.” Jethro gazed down at Trinity and then back at Mirra. “But, you’re right. I did hurt her, but I didn’t mean to.”

  “Why you hurt her?” Mirra tipped her head, studying the Almighty.

  “I...I wanted her.” Jethro ran his finger down her cheek. “I wanted her to be with me.”

  “I catch Little One too.” Mirra moved closer to the bed. “Why you here? You no take her. Mirra no let you take her.”