They had backed the box truck into the driveway so it was easier to pull out while doing her best not to hit anything. Her biggest fear was the truck would take a sharp turn and fall onto its side.
They were off, and she was on her own for the first time.
♦ ♦ ♦
After a long day of packing and unpacking, they needed a rest. There were still a few boxes in the living room, but they acted as pillows for them to lean against.
Kandice told them the first thing she needed to do was buy furniture. Lance suggested they go buy it now to move with the box truck. But Kandice didn’t want to spend any more time moving and just wanted to get the truck dropped off. Blake watched after the apartment while Lance followed Kandice to the drop off location and brought her back.
They all pulled up a box and let their muscles unwind. The repetitive lifting made Kandice a little stiff in the back, and Blake mentioned his legs burning. Lance, however, didn’t seem to have broken a sweat, despite lifting most of the heavy boxes. He picked up the bottle of vodka he’d brought and poured them all another round.
“To a new home.” Lance lift his glass into the air.
They all clinked glasses and drank. Even Kandice got the double shot down in one gulp. After getting used to vodka over the past month, it helped take the edge off any situation. The tension was already leaving her back.
After a couple more toasts, this time with Blake and Kandice both slowing down, Lance brought up the issue with the mayor. He didn’t see a way to get past the security system and guards. The Mortans still hadn’t responded to their request for help, so Lance and Slava were at a loss.
“Slava is worried that if we don’t move quickly, he’ll increase security to where we won’t get in even with their help,” Lance said.
“What’s the security?” Blake asked.
“I’m not too sure,” Lance said. “We’ve not been able to get a view of the actual system. All we know is there are motion detectors, and four to six men on duty at all times. Slava also thinks there is always an Aether Walker inside with him.”
“The two of us can take on the guards,” Kandice said. “Especially if you’ll teach me to change.”
“You still think learning to change is the best idea?” Blake asked.
“Yes.” she said.
“I’ve told her,” Lance said. “It’s dangerous. She could die if it goes wrong. Besides, you’ll never be the same. Just look and me and Slava. Do you want to end up like us?”
“I’ll take my chances, if it means I can fight,” she said. The toll changing had taken on Slava was obvious, but without changing, there would be no way to avenge her mother.
“I think he’s right, sis.” Blake said. “If you can die, it can’t be worth it.”
“I’m an adult!” Kandice said, raising her voice louder than intended. She lowered it back down before continuing. “If I’m willing to take the risk, that’s on me.”
“What would mom think?” Blake asked.
“Mom’s dead.” She regretted it the moment it left her mouth; Blake’s face lost its color. “What I mean is, she’s not here. So, we don’t know. I think she would tell me to do what I thought was right. It’s what she always told us when we didn’t know what to do.”
“Yeah, in school and shit. But I doubt she would want you to risk your life just to fight these Aether Walkers.”
“I want to learn, so I can hunt down and kill the one who got mom. You even said you wanted to kill it too if you could.”
“Yeah, but this Aether Walker isn’t that one.”
“But he’s a killer, too.”
Lance sat still. He wasn’t even holding his glass of vodka. He took a deep breath that Kandice could hear over her own mind racing in anger.
“Kandice,” Lance said. “I've already told you I’ll show you how to change with seals.”
“What?” Blake said.
“When?” Kandice demanded, more than asked.
“We can continue tomorrow, but you need to take the training serious,” Lance said. “We’ve got to get into the mayor’s house sooner, rather than later. With the minions he’s gathering, he’ll be too insulated by the end of the month.”
“This is fucked up,” Blake said. He finished his drink and reached for the bottle. Lance passed it to him, and he poured another tall glass.
Kandice wanted to stop him, but thought better of it when she reached her hand out and Blake glared at her.
He took a deep drink, finishing about half the glass, and breathed out. “If you’re going to risk your neck on this, I have to help.”
“What?” Kandice asked. “You’ve not even trained in Taekwondo in over a year. You’re in no shape to fight.”
“So?” he asked. “I’m good with computers, and it sound like that’s exactly what you need right now.”
Kandice sat in thought for a few seconds. She had no clue about computers, or security systems. Blake was their only option at that point if he had the knowledge he claimed to.
Lance spoke first. “Do you think you can disable a motion sensor and erase any cameras that might be on the property?”
“Yeah,” Blake said. “Cameras will be easy. As for the motion detectors, I’ve never done anything like that before. But, I doubt they can be that hard compared to cracking my school’s grading server.”
Kandice laughed. “You didn’t?”
“Well,” he said. “I may have added a few points to help me pass the classes I didn’t feel like trying in.”
Lance was smiling, “Why are you smirking?” she asked.
“I’m just impressed.” Lance said. “I’d have never figured you’d be a talented fighter while your brother is over here a computer wizard.”
“I’m okay,” Blake said. “It’s not that hard if you know what to look for. I was able to get an admin password by plugging a key-logger on a desktop. Humans are always the weakest point in computer security.”
They all lifted their glasses together. “To having a plan,” Lance said.
Kandice only took a sip of her drink while Blake finished his. He’d have to stay the night. There was no way he could go back to Jackie’s drunk as a skunk.
Seal of Light Page 9
