Naifeh scoffed. “Shouldn’t we take rest before—”
“Enough time has been wasted over these meetings and rest,” Loch said, raising his voice. “There is work to be done.” He ripped off a part of his sleeve, wrapping the fabric around his head to cover his fearsome right eye.
Bartholome resumed his seat calmly, straightening his dinner jacket, which had several more claw marks and tears in it than before. “I would have to agree and insist.” His dead familiars walked to his side, where they became dolls again, falling onto the floor around him.
Naifeh scowled, haughtily drawing out her chair and shoving herself into it.
Although it felt strange, the hunters and their allies all sat back down in their previous positions, ignoring the bits of stone, glass, and other wreckage around them.
“Now listen up,” said Loch. “These are the facts. This group of young people led by Charlie Sullivan, a group that I personally made the decision to train and send into the Otherworld, is a team of monster hunters who are skilled beyond their years. To waste their potential over a lack of formalities—which I have always seen as a hindrance anyway—would be unwise, especially in this day and age. Despite what Wotan would have led you to believe, the Ancients are waking up, and there is very little we can do to stop that. Continuing the training of this young group of prodigies is on that list of very little. We will need every hand, every hunter old and new, in order to face down this ancient threat. And that includes monsterkind.”
Kepi Naifeh lifted a finger, face contorting.
Loch fixed his eye on her. “Be quiet, woman!”
She blinked, jerking back in her chair. Her finger wilted in the air, and shakily she put her hand back down.
“Let. Me. Finish. The subject of working with monsterkind has always been a roiling pit of debate for us. It’s time to put old times behind us and recognize that creatures like the faoladh have been helping us for centuries, despite the ignorance that some of us cling to. I, for one, had never enjoyed the thought of working with monsters until last year, when a small tomte assisted in the defeat of the Dark Prince. His help was invaluable in capturing the varcolac. And in fact, it was thanks to our faoladh friends here that I was able to break from my sickness and reveal Wotan’s treachery. We need them. And whether you agree or not on that matter, I don’t give a damn, but if you so much as touch a hair on my boy’s head,” Loch said, pointing at Liev, “I will personally see to it that you are removed from this council in as painful a way as could be deemed legal in our society.”
He looked directly at Naifeh as he said it. The high-society Egyptian woman seemed to become smaller with each word. She didn’t raise any further objections.
Ashikaga spoke from the end of the table. “If what you say about the Ancients is true, they will need the Icon in order to regain their power.”
“We can assume the piece Wotan was guarding has been compromised.”
“What’s the Icon?” Lisa dared to ask.
“The Icon is the symbol, perhaps the vessel, of the Ancients’ power,” explained Bartholome. “It was broken into six fragments, which we council members have been trying to find and guard for centuries.”
“We had a piece of it here,” said Loch, his face sagging. “Unfortunately, Wotan snuck into one of our towers and stole it.”
It was a lot to take in, and Charlie immediately heard the weight behind his mentor’s words. “He broke into the Tower after we did, didn’t he?”
Loch nodded solemnly.
“It wasn’t you that sent me a vision of the book, was it?”
“No, son. That was the demon. Its objective was to steal the piece all along. And there’s one more thing. They took the mirror box that held the Dark Prince, as well.”
Charlie bowed his head in shame. “I’m sorry, Loch.”
“Sit up, boy. Mistakes were made. As long as you learn from them, that is all I care about right now. Now, here is what I propose. Call out the hunters who have been silent for years, waiting in the woodwork. Reinstate Aisling as guardian of Drakauragh—from what I understand, the girl has already helped turn that village around. As well, she has proven herself here, beyond any doubt.”
“And what about Charlie Sullivan and the others?” asked Naifeh.
“Haven’t you been listening? They are monster hunters. There is nothing further to propose.”
“Aye!” boomed Bartholome, beginning the voting process.
“Aye,” said Priest.
Ashikaga stood from his seat and dropped to his knees. “I was wrong to follow Wotan’s lead, and I knew it. But I could not imagine working with monsters. I see now that it is possible to work next to them. I am ashamed,” he concluded, formally bowing his head to the ground.
“It’s all right, old friend,” said Loch. “Stand up.”
Ashikaga lifted his head from the ground, mischief in his eye. “Who are you calling old? Aye. I agree with your proposal.”
“And you, Naifeh?” asked Loch.
“I see no reason we are even voting at this point. As I understand it, Hunter’s Key, Drakauragh, and now Matsue—if this Chen is still alive—has two council members each, and Wotan’s post has been compromised. My word hardly matters in all of this disorder.”
“I think that’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard you say. The ayes have it. Now let’s get to work.”
Chapter 19
Loch hadn’t been joking about getting to work. The very same day, he snapped the council members into action making calls and writing letters to send across the globe, attempting to fish the remainder of the hunter society out of hiding. He gave Lisa and Liev a list of books to fetch from the Library and told the twins to meet him and the rest of the group in the kitchen. After spending too long in a coma, he felt driven to take care of the more immediate struggles, like hunger. On their way down, Loch spoke privately with Charlie.
“I’m sorry,” was all that Charlie could think to say at first. “I did some stupid things while you weren’t here, and I said some things I shouldn’t have to the others.”
“Charlie, you need not apologize to me. You were without guidance and without a clear path to follow. Many people would have failed completely in your position. I’m proud of you.”
“But the Dark Prince is gone because of me, as well as his diary. I tried to use dark magic to heal you. I yelled at the others.”
“All true. We will deal with the varcolac when the time comes, as well as Wotan. And dark magic has its time and place. Bartholome deals with such power—but you must realize that he’s had decades of training. That man has been to the devil’s door and back because of his gift. I would recommend that you don’t play with that fire unless you are ready to feel the flames, and that might as well be never, if you would like my advice. Now, as for your friends, they might need to hear the things you’ve just told me. They’re your family now, as much as they are your friends, and they believe in you. Remember that whenever you go to the edge, they will be there to bring you back.”
Charlie nodded silently, absorbing every word, and appreciating every moment with his mentor.
Several minutes later, they all met up in the kitchen. Food and drink were splayed across the countertop, dangerously close to a pile of open books, while Loch stuffed his face. Hunger was an understatement after his time away from the waking world.
“I always hated fighting when I’m hungry,” he said, pushing away his first plate of hot dogs and grabbing some breadsticks.
“Careful, Loch,” teased Nash. “We wouldn’t want our teacher to get a pot belly.”
“Hush, boy. Where’s the hot cocoa?”
Laughter filled the room, and it warmed everyone. It felt like old times, sitting in the kitchen, just the five of them with Loch. It was something their hearts had been craving, missing, for months.
Loch smirked at his students, searching their faces for the first time since they had left for Ireland. Their faces were a little older, mo
re tired. He felt a pang in his soul, knowing that when all this was over those faces would be much worse for wear. Some might not be there at all in the end. Loch wiped the grease off his lips with a napkin, pulling over a book with a vintage woodblock illustration detailing six looming figures standing around a glowing symbol.
“It’s time you all learned a bit about what we’re up against. These are the Ancients and this is the coveted Icon.”
The figures on the page were mostly obscured in shadows, but they could see shapes. A serpent. A huge monstrosity with horns and wings. A feminine shape with three heads.
“Hecate,” Charlie said, putting his finger on the page.
“That’s her.”
“Who are the others?”
“Much of our knowledge and texts about the Ancients have been lost. But we do know one to be a dragon, another the witch goddess Hecate, and another an old, old varcolac which we believe to be father of all vampiric beasts. Then a demon, and a god or goddess of death, we are uncertain. The sixth,” he said, pointing to a smaller shadow that had no distinct features, “we know nothing of. The old stories tell of them all, but he is only described as the Old Man. It hardly matters what they are though, as just one of them could destroy an entire clan of hunters in the old days, and the army of monstrosities that marched under their command was unlike anything we have seen in the Otherworld in this day and age. As far as we are concerned, they are death itself. They are the end of the world.”
“How did we defeat them the first time?” asked Darcy. “If they were so powerful, how did we win?”
“That, as well, is somewhat mysterious. I do know that it had to do with the Icon, which was broken into different pieces. How, or why, are answers I do not currently have.”
Charlie sat up in his chair, pushing the book back. “So what will you have us do?”
The five teenagers looked at Loch expectantly, waiting for orders. The elder hunter leaned back, amazed. “Our society is lucky to have you all on our side,” he told them.
“We know,” Liev said with a grin.
“This will take you to the very edge of your existence. Physically, mentally, spiritually. It will take us all to the brink. Are you ready for that?”
Nash crossed his arms as the others remained painfully still. “We’ll do what needs to be done.”
Loch nodded, satisfied. He sat forward. “No matter what happens, this time I will be there with you. I was not able to go with you to fight the Dark Prince, nor the Sagemistress. Today, I hope I redeemed myself a little. From now on, I will be there.”
They didn’t say anything at first, shocked. Finally, Charlie nodded.
“First things first,” Loch said after a time, making sure his words sunk in. “We find Chen.”
Hunter’s Key was buzzed with activity. The five hunters gathered materials to read while they waited for word about Chen, and together they worked with the council members, rebuilding wards that had deteriorated under Dub’s dark magic and the demon’s attacks. Bartholome made calls to different hangars about his jet, trying to track the location of their friend. He also consulted other “sources,” whispering to the air where no one stood, the reply of which no hunter waited around to hear. Fish and Dink returned with news that Wotan was nowhere to be found. They had followed him into Hunter’s Grove, where the former council member disappeared in a flash of fire and sulfurous smoke, gone in an instant.
Later that day, Loch strolled into the parlor, where Aisling and Ashikaga were working together, pouring through a thick book of contacts. Quinn and Connor relaxed at the dinner table, playing a game of chess.
Ashikaga struck a line through a name, and wrote the word deceased beside it. “Next?”
“John Gaile,” said Aisling, a phone in her hand. “He lives in the Midwest and travels a bit. Contact is ...” She began dialing a phone number on the page, but Loch stopped her.
“I want to thank you,” he said, nodding to the faoladh as well. “Without you three, this weekend would have gone very differently. I owe you a huge debt.”
Aisling smiled. “No, you don’t. I’m glad I finally got to meet you. My grandmum always talked about what a great man you are.”
Loch bowed his head. “And she was a wonderful woman. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see her one last time. Although I’m only now meeting you, I know she would be proud, Aisling.”
The girl wiped her eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“I also have to thank you for helping to save Liev. His death haunted me.” He turned to Connor and Quinn. “I’m afraid I cannot teach him much about being a wolf, though.”
Quinn nodded wisely. “We can help in those matters.”
“Please do.”
Just then, Elizabeth wandered into the room. “Loch? When did you wake up? What day is it?”
“Elizabeth! Good to see you, dear friend! Come sit down. We have a bit to talk about.”
Charlie tugged at a fray in his jeans, mildly upset. He was running out of jeans that didn’t have holes or tears in them. “I guess what I wanted to say was ...” He stole a glance at the others.
“We know,” said Liev.
Charlie looked up at him, scared. “You do?”
“Yes. I’ve had my suspicions for a long time, but when I turned all wolfy-like I could tell from my heightened sense of smell. We know now that you are an alien, and I just want to say, Charlie, it’s okay. We still think you’re cool.”
The girls both rolled their eyes at Liev.
“Would you just let him talk?” Lisa asked.
Charlie nodded his thanks to Liev, grateful for his friend’s ability to break the ice in a room. “The thing is, I’ve acted like a jerk lately. I felt a lot of pressure, and I know each of you did as well. If there was anything I said or did that hurt any of you, I’m sorry.”
“None of that mattered,” said Nash. “Everything turned out all right. Well, not everything, but you know what I mean.”
Lisa walked over to Charlie, pulling him into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, too.”
Charlie returned the affection, lost for a moment in the comfort of her embrace. The softness of her hair against his cheek reminded him of the gentle side that few recognized in Lisa. In that moment, Charlie found himself dizzy with his feelings. He considered returning the kiss from the night before, shifting to look at her. They looked at each other for a moment, coming to terms with what the look in each other’s eyes meant, and Charlie started to lean forward.
Quite suddenly, another person bowled into them, ruining the moment. “Oh, you guys,” Liev said in as sappy a voice as he could manage. Darcy joined in on the group hug next, looking at Nash.
“Since when did we get all touchy-feely?” Nash asked.
“Oh, hush and just come here,” she said.
They made room for him, the circle complete. Charlie knew in that moment who he could count on for the rest of time. He would do his best to lead them, and he realized they would lead him as much in return to make the best decisions.
“Well, that’s enough hugs for me,” said Liev, breaking them up. “Any more of that and I’ll start wanting to be scratched behind the ears.”
They chatted freely as they left the room, glad to have a week of angst and worry behind them for good. Lisa winked at Charlie on her way out saying, “Next time.”
Epilogue
“I can’t stand this waiting,” said Nash.
Darcy nodded, sipping her coffee. “It’s all we can do right now.”
“Take the opportunity to rest,” Charlie said. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired from the past week.”
“And it’s already Monday,” grumbled Liev.
Nash lifted his chin at his friend. “I don’t get tired,” he said sarcastically.
The other students watched the hunters with curiosity. After a week of looking like a dismal storm cloud, the five teens were jovial, bringing life to the cafeteria, if such a thing were possible.
; And there was the occasional, noticeable, awkward glance between them. Particularly between Charlie Sullivan and Lisa Vadiknov. The goth twin had set her tray next to Charlie that afternoon.
It wasn’t lost on the other hunters.
“So are you two—,” Nash began to ask, when Darcy elbowed him hard in the ribs.
Lisa blushed, while Charlie frowned, feigning to be oblivious. He looked past his friends and stood up, seeing Bartholome hurrying toward them.
“Bonnes nouvelles!” the tall man called with a big smile on his face. He leaned on the table, and the five teens sat on the edges of their seats, expectant. “I found where they took Chen.”
“Where?” asked Nash.
“Japan. Not far from Ashikaga’s hometown, and a portal city. It greatly concerns me why they are there of all places, but at least we know where to go. We leave in the morning.”
Suddenly, Charlie fell back hard against his seat, causing Lisa to yelp, as well as several nearby girls who couldn’t help but eavesdrop. His sight blacked out, replaced with a startling vision of something else. Hunter’s Key ... no, of Hunter’s Point, the hill on which the Key sat ...
Be ready! Loch’s voice warned in his mind, as bursts of fire and smoke cascaded down the mountain side, overturning trees. It tried to attack the Key, now it’s coming for you. Gargoyles chased the trail of fire, and a loud growl ripped through the air, full of wrath.
Lisa was gripping him by the shoulders, keeping him upright. Charlie came to, immediately looking for the nearest window where he could see the Key. “The demon is coming,” he warned them, right before the school shook from the impact. The lights of the cafeteria flickered, and several students screamed in fright. The room grew quiet as everyone listened for another sound. Screaming could be heard elsewhere throughout the school.
“Everyone out!” shouted Bartholome, his voice booming over the student body. “Go through the emergency exits, not through the school entrance. Go, now!” He pulled out two dolls from his jacket, looking at Charlie. The five hunters had already pulled out their silver daggers as their classmates scrambled from their seats; the sound of shuffling feet, overturned trays, and panic filled the room. Outside, in the hallway, they could see flickering light, and then he appeared. The demon.
Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters: Council of the Hunters Page 17
