Tesser: A Dragon Among Us (A Reemergence Novel)

by Philbrook, Chris

  Tesser remained calm and took the last few steps towards the drunken college boy. "I am Tesser. It's my job to keep the people here safe. And you must leave. Now." Tesser kept out of arm's reach.

  I don't want him to throw a punch at…

  The man threw a punch at Tesser, but it didn’t land. Tesser saw it coming long before the man was able to wind up to full power, and the dragon-in-human-form caught the punch in his hand like he would an angry child's.

  "Tsk tsk." Tesser grinned and twisted the man's hand forcefully.

  "Ahh!" He screamed as Tesser continued to ply force onto the man's wrist, moving him about as if it were a rudder. Before two seconds had passed, Tesser had the man's arm behind his back at a 90° angle and was walking him out the door.

  "Eat shit and live, BC cock-smoker!" The punched man taunted through a bloody mouth.

  Tesser let the attacker go with a bit of a shove into the still busy late-night street and turned to face the man who had tossed out the final taunt. "You, sir, are next, and I will not stop him from punching you outside of this restaurant."

  The man with the bleeding lip shut his mouth abruptly as a young woman put her arm around him.

  "Good choice. Do not taunt anyone anymore, Mr. Cock-Smoker, or I will ask you to leave. Or much worse." He leveled his golden eyes at the college student. The man was taller than Tesser, but he shrank under the dragon's challenge. When he said nothing in return, Tesser nodded and walked past him into the pizzeria. The couple turned and walked away towards the bathrooms in the rear of the restaurant, face and pride injured.

  I'm not sure that was a correct usage of the term cock-smoker.

  "Whoa. You're a tough guy, aren't you?" Katie asked him as he returned to where she stood.

  I don't know how to answer that question either. This girl has a skill for confounding me.

  "I think that's hot," she said, dragging her expertly painted nails down the front of one of the three shirts Tesser now owned. She leaned in and pressed her young body against his.

  I wonder what she'd think if I told her how old I really am.

  "I think that's reason for a few questions," said a man behind Tesser.

  Hmm?

  Tesser turned and assessed the man who'd made the statement. Katie remained against him. He was far shorter than Tesser but carried his body with poise. He had strong, dark eyes, and light brown, closely cropped hair. He wore a buttoned shirt that was tucked into pants Tesser knew to be slightly fancier than those worn by the average man. He seemed professional and very out of place in the late-night pizza joint.

  "My name is Sergeant Henry Spooner with the Boston Police Department. I'm investigating the alleged attempted rape that occurred several weeks ago near the Pandemonium nightclub. I have some questions for you if you have the time."

  Katie shrank away into the crowd like a shadow fleeing from sunlight.

  Well, shit.

  Chapter Eleven

  Tesser

  "So you are the man who came to Ms. Blake's aid that night?" Spoon asked Tesser as he put his badge away.

  The two had moved outside the pizza shop and down the street to a quiet overpass. No one was listening to them on their guardrail perch.

  Tesser's knowledge of the English language was being tested powerfully.

  This man could make my life very difficult if he suspects something is amiss about me. I must tread very carefully.

  "I helped the woman, yes."

  Spoon nodded. "Excellent. She has expressed a great deal of appreciation to the department regarding your timely appearance, despite your lack of clothes." The cop added a friendly grin.

  Tesser understood most of that. "I've only recently come to Boston."

  "You said your name was Tesser, right? What is that? Russian? French?" Spoon fished out a pack of cigarettes and a disposable lighter. He fired the cancer stick up and took a drag.

  "I am not exactly sure. It's quite old." Tesser was almost nervous.

  This verbal dance is irritating. If this asshole gets too suspicious of me, he might investigate further, and from what I've learned, the government is quite corrupt. Eavesdropping and whatnot. Oh, I've just sworn again in my thoughts; that's a good sign.

  "Never heard of it myself," Spoon said, examining Tesser with a practiced eye. "Where'd you learn to bounce like that?"

  "Bounce?"

  "Yeah, bounce. Security for a club or a bar. Or in your case, a late-night pizza place. Throwing out drunks and assholes? You tossed that punk real smooth. You've clearly got some experience doing it."

  "Hmm. Bounce. I like that. I uh don't really have experience bouncing," Tesser said.

  "You have martial arts experience?" Spoon flicked his ash.

  "Martial arts?" Tesser asked, genuinely curious.

  "Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, BJJ, Karate? Any fighting experience? Ex-military maybe?" Spoon seemed authentically surprised at Tesser's response.

  "Oh yes. I understand now. The style of fighting they do in the Kung Fu movies late at night? I've never been taught how to do that, but I've been in many fights. Many, many fights."

  "Would you say you're a violent man?" Spoon asked seriously.

  Tesser shook his head. "I would not say that I am a violent man. I am capable when it comes to violence." The literal sense of Tesser's statement flew over the cop's head.

  Spoon reacted with a slow, wry smile, "I know exactly what you mean."

  Good. I think I like this man.

  "You have a last name Tesser?" Spoon inquired.

  "Tesser is my most recent name."

  "No, no. A last name, uh, a surname. A family name."

  A family name? I have a very strange family. We've never shared a common name. I wonder if I should create one?

  "No, no family last name."

  "Interesting. So back to the case I'm working, the alleged rape attempt?"

  Tesser nodded.

  "The two men were being aggressive, and you heard them, and came to her aid. Is that more or less the story?"

  "Yes. The two men weren't trying to make a child with her. It was about violence and aggression. I can't abide by rape. I loathe it."

  Spoon looked a little befuddled by Tesser's odd response. "Make a child with her?"

  "Yeah, make a child with her. The sex they wanted wasn't to make a child. It was about power, subjugation. A show of force and manliness. Or lack thereof. They were scum and deserved to be stopped."

  "I see. Did you know that you hurt one man pretty severely?"

  And for that, I have zero regret.

  "It wasn't my intent to harm him severely. He needed to be stopped and the situation escalated to violence."

  Spoon nodded. "There is video of the fight. You're pretty clearly off the hook based on a self-defense basis, and the whole stopping-a-rape thing. You're in no trouble, though I can't promise the prick won't try to come at you in a civil case. His medical bills are going to be pretty astronomical. His wrist is jacked the fuck up. You must be strong as an ox."

  "Jacked the fuck up. I like that expression."

  "Sorry, I cuss a lot. Too much time in the military."

  "What military?" Tesser wanted to learn about this man.

  "101st Airborne, US Army. 187th Regiment, known as the Rakkasans. Heard of them?"

  Tesser shook his head and looked out over Boston's skyline. The word airborne caused his heart to ache. He wanted to soar above the metal and concrete buildings, to let his wings unfurl in the warm summer air and glide. He discarded his momentary daydream and refocused on the police officer.

  "We are Airborne. We jump out of planes and parachute into combat. Or we ride into battle in helicopters. Exciting stuff, if you like getting shot at."

  Tesser responded with a slow smile, "You are a warrior."

  Spoon exhaled some of the rich, blue-white smoke and nodded. "I've gone to war, yeah. I'm not proud of some of the things I've done, but someone needs to do these things for the greater good. America is a won
derful country and I'm glad I served. Have you served in the military?"

  I was wrong about this fellow. I definitely approve of this man.

  "I have never been in the army, but I have served. I too believe in the greater good, as you say. Nothing has ever come without some kind of sacrifice in this world."

  Spoon appreciated the comment before adding a solemn nod. He put out his cigarette butt on the metal guardrail and flicked it into the traffic below. He looked back to the dragon and assessed him for a bit.

  "You know you have very interesting eyes, Mr. Tesser. As gold as the watch I'm wearing."

  "Indeed," Tesser agreed quickly. "A curious thing that makes me, me. Jealous?"

  Spoon grinned. "No, not really. Just one more interesting thing about you. It might be a good idea to buy some sunglasses. I also want to let you know that I appreciate you stepping up and lending that lady a hand. There are precious few people nowadays that would put their lives on the line to beat down some random fucks for a total stranger. Everyone is texting with their heads down or afraid of lawsuits and medical bills. I also want you to know that you've got no worries as far as your citizenship status is concerned. I won't be letting ICE know about your presence here."

  "ICE? Frozen water?"

  "Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They kick out the people who aren't supposed to be here in the States and ship them home. You need a green card to stay here if you aren't a citizen."

  "Pretty strange rules you have here in America," Tesser said, watching the cars zip by on the highway underneath them.

  So many machines.

  "Well, ever since 9/11 America has changed. We're scared now, paranoid. We give up freedoms to try and find safety. Everyone thinks the shadows have teeth."

  Tesser perked up. "Some shadows do have teeth, Sergeant Spooner. You only need to be bitten by one once to fear every shadow from then on. The uneducated fear what they do not know and cannot quantify."

  "You are an odd fucking duck, Tesser," Spoon said appreciatively.

  Tesser grinned. "Sarcasm. I'm not actually a duck. I appreciate that."

  "I rest my case. Behave, my friend. If the guy who got away comes back at you, make sure you whup his ass on camera again. Cover your ass and entertain the city once more." Spoon produced his wallet and pulled a business card out of it. He handed it to Tesser the exact same way Katie had given him her number on the torn menu earlier.

  "I don't have a phone."

  "You're smart, you'll figure it out. Have a good night, Tesser. This was a real pleasure." Spoon shook Tesser's hand firmly and walked off down the sidewalk. In the small of his back, Tesser saw Spooner’s holstered handgun.

  I bet he could whup some ass without that weapon. Sergeant Spooner is a good man, a tested and honorable warrior. His soul shines bright. I would like to meet him again.

  Tesser stood up from his seat on the guardrail and walked confidently back across the street to the pizzeria. It was slowing down in the late hour, but there were still enough tipsy customers to cause trouble. Tesser looked at the cop's business card and slid it into the front pocket of his only pair of jeans.

  Chapter Twelve

  Matilde "Matty" Rindahl

  This was potentially the most important meeting in Matty's life, and she wasn't even slated to speak at it.

  Holy moley, I am nervous as all get-out.

  Matty's hands were sweating. The door to the massive conference room swung open and in walked a middle-aged executive. The room immediately hushed and focused on him.

  Oh boy. There he is. He looks handsome again today. So handsome. Look at those bright blue eyes! He was made for this stuff, not me. I'm a science nerd. Not a highfalutin business executive that sits in on big meetings about huge money.

  Alec Fitzgerald pulled out the rolling leather chair at the head of the massively long board table and took the seat with a wide, disarming smile. He undid his suit button and opened the manila folder that had been placed for him. The array of businessmen and women and scientists packed into the corners of the room stood, nervous and excited, and waited for him to start the meeting.

  Alexis leaned back in her chair near the opposite end of the table and whispered to Matty, "Hot, isn’t he? I would tear that man's suit off with my teeth."

  Matty leaned in and replied, "I'd fight you for the right."

  Alec continued to smile as he sifted through the contents of the folder. Matty watched as he looked at the first sheet intently, then the second, and so on. His eyes were active and bright, and she knew he was absorbing every word, every detail. When he finished, he looked back up and addressed the group.

  "Thank you for coming to this somewhat impromptu meeting. I apologize for the lack of notice and want to thank all the department heads who were able to get all their information and staff gathered in time for today."

  I would straight up suck his dick off. Jesus, I'm lonely.

  "I'm sure you're all really quite nervous, but I assure you there's nothing to worry about. No one is getting laid off today, and I'm about as happy as can be. Everyone can call their husbands and wives and let them know they don't have to pick up that second job to make their mortgage payments."

  Everyone laughed.

  "I've actually brought you all together to share a bit of information about an exciting project that we've kept under wraps for about a decade now. Something my father started that I'm excited to bring to completion with your help."

  The crowd murmured with subdued excitement. The Fitzgerald family had built this corporation and expanded science with respect, attention to their employees, and a zeal for making humanity and the world better. Anything that was thrilling to Alec had the potential to change the world.

  "We've already seen some results from our first ten years of work. I can't share what exactly is going on with the project until we get the rest of our team picked and in place, but I can say that this project has the potential to make our company a world leader in nearly every market imaginable. What I am about to say is of the utmost secrecy, and I would remind you of your employee contracts, and beg you to please keep this to yourselves."

  More murmurs of excitement came from the crowd. Alexis looked over her shoulder at Matty and flared her eyes in glee. This could be a very good thing for them.

  Alec's voice and cadence picked up in its vigor and pacing, "You might recall that about a decade ago we spent a good deal of money on research in Asia. We'd gotten some reports of a few species of flora and fauna that Fitzgerald Industries might be able to analyze, and I am happy to report that the mission we undertook ten years ago has yielded tremendous fruit. We are calling it Project Amethyst."

  A roar of polite applause came from the gathered executives and scientists.

  These people have no idea what they're clapping for. He might be talking about a new jock itch cream for all we know.

  "Hold your applause, people. Thank you."

  The adulation ended and Alec was able to speak once more.

  "We are hand picking people to join Project Amethyst. Several of you in this room will be the first to join the small Amethyst team, but some of you will not be chosen because your current roles are far too important for us to move you at this time. Please don't think this is a slight. I value you—we value you—all, and keeping Fitzgerald Industries strong in our current markets and areas of research is as important to me today as it was important to my father before he died. If you are not moved to Amethyst, your responsibilities will be paramount in keeping everything moving along swimmingly."

  Man, he's good at this. He just told people they were getting passed on a promotion and they're patting each other on their backs in celebration over it. I don't know how this guy could disappoint people. I bet if he pissed on one of these board members, they'd tell him how thankful they were to be warm.

  "My team of assistants will be handing out transfer papers to Project Amethyst at the end of the day today. As it is Thursday, you'll be asked
to pack up your offices and personal affects to move over to our new facility that's dedicated strictly to the project. All the details will be in the packet you get. If you have any questions, you'll be able to ask them tomorrow afternoon at an Amethyst all-staff meeting in the new facility."

  Alexis turned and whispered again, "New facility? Where? When did they build a new building for the company? Talk about hush-hush bullshit."

  "Yeah, kind of strange," Matty replied.

  Or kind of awesome. I feel l like a super secret agent. I need a cape, or a fedora and a snub nose revolver.

  "Again, on behalf of my family and all of the executives of Fitzgerald Industries, I thank you all for your hard work. We could not have done this without all of you, and we will not be able to keep doing it without you."

  This time, no one held their applause.

  I hope I get one of those transfer letters.

  Two hours later, a tall man that looked like he belonged in the Secret Service visited Matty at her cubicle and wordlessly handed her a thick blue envelope with a smile. It contained transfer papers for her to join Project Amethyst.

  Yeah, bitches.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Abraham "Abe" Fellows

  I have consumed so much Red Bull I think my piss will never be clear again. Nuclear urine for me.

  Abe rubbed some sticky cobwebs out of the corners of his eyes. He had been awake for a long time. So long he couldn't actually place when he'd woken up. Everything was a caffeinated blur.

  Where the fuck is this guy?

  Abe had only just gotten back into Mr. Doyle's massive home. He was still sweaty from the mid-July sticky, evening heat and his Wolverine t-shirt still clung to his back. His mission had been to scour the streets and alleys near the ATM where the footage of the man with the golden eyes had been taken. He went from corner to corner for almost ten hours, asking each bum, two-dollar hooker, and store owner if he or she had seen the man.