02 Seekers

by Lynnie Purcell

  Alex was waiting for me at the theater.

  “What the frickty frak frankness happened to you last night?!” she demanded. “All Eli said was that you got into some trouble and were lying low for the night…”

  “Truth?” I asked.

  “I think I’m entitled to it.”

  “But can you handle it?” I asked, before I could stop myself.

  “Clare…” she said with a sigh.

  Two sentences in to my story she was shaking her head, her eyes wide with fear and surprise.

  When I was done she said, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I touched the hole in my shirt unconsciously. “I didn’t get your toothbrush…” I added.

  She laughed and hugged me close. “From now on I am your shadow. You go nowhere without

  me. Understood?”

  “All right,” I agreed.

  “I wonder why I didn’t feel it.” Alex said thoughtfully as she released me.

  “Feel it?” I asked.

  “You know…last time you were about to bite the bullet I changed,” she said.

  “We don’t know why you changed. It could have been because I was in danger, or it could have been because we shared blood that night and whatever I gave you was strongest then,” I said.

  “I didn’t think of that,” she admitted.

  “It could be you’ll never change again,” I said.

  “We both know better than that,” she replied.

  “Are you two gonna stand there and yap all day, or did you want to make some money?” Spider asked.

  The others were gathered on the stage preparing to go out for the day. I could sense they had been waiting for my return as well, as it was well past the time they normally went out. I was touched at their concern, but I replied to Spider with our customary confrontational tone.

  “Sorry if our personal lives get in the way of you making money,” I said, knowing he didn’t mean the words he spoke.

  “Personal lives are for people who don’t have to worry about survival,” he said. “Speaking of that…Ethan take Twitch today. Me and the dolls have some business to take care of first.”

  “What business?” Ethan asked.

  “We’re going to go see a park about a person,” Spider said.

  “Huh?” Ethan asked.

  “Spider is helping us find someone,” I said.

  “And what are you doing for him in return?” Sprint asked us. “Nothin’ is free to Spider, not even a favor.”

  “Hey, I’m a nice guy,” Spider said in a hurt voice.

  “Uh-huh,” Sprint said doubtfully.

  Spider started to pull us away from the theater doors, subtly not answering Sprint’s questions.

  “Thanks a lot,” he said to her in a hurt voice.

  Sprint stuck her tongue at him as she and the others followed at a slower pace. None of them were fooled by Spider’s evasion, but they didn’t press the issue.

  “Where’s Eli at?” Spider asked as soon as we were outside. “Is he going to be there, just in case?”

  “I don’t know…” I said. “I didn’t ask him.”

  “I’m here,” Eli said. He was walking behind us as if he had been there for a long time. His hands were tucked in his pockets, his hood pulled over his hair. He didn’t look at me. Instead, his eyes focused on Spider. “I don’t think you should be involved in this.”

  “Not involved? I’m already involved. More than you. I’m the one who helped them break into places and find this clue. You can’t just tell me to scram when things get interesting. Not after all I’ve done,” Spider argued.

  “It’s dangerous,” Eli said.

  “Oh, yeah, ‘cause living on the street is the safest thing I’ve ever done,” Spider retorted.

  “He’s old enough to make his own choices,” Alex said, siding with him.

  “And stupid enough to make the wrong ones,” Eli growled.

  “At least, he doesn’t bark commands at us without explanations,” I said. “At least, he acts like a real boy.”

  Eli pushed past us and headed the group, so he didn’t have to look at me.

  “What was that about?” Alex asked.

  “Ask him,” I said.

  “All right. I will,” she said.

  Her bubbly step caught up with his predatory one easily. She started talking, her words bubbling over in an endless stream. She didn’t let his silence bother her; she simply kept talking. I knew, eventually, he would cave into her will. Everyone always did.

  I focused on Spider again, eyeing him curiously. Of all the kids, he seemed closest to Eli. He probably knew the most about him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Do you know how long he’s been…you know?” I asked.

  “Not long. He said five years once.”

  “Oh,” I said.

  That felt like a long time, but I knew how little it was compared to the length of a Watcher’s life.

  I wondered if Daniel had been as angry as Eli when he had been younger, or if that was just Eli’s personality rearing its head. From the joining I had shared with Daniel, I was betting on the second one. Though Daniel had faced lots of personal demons and quite a bit of darkness in his search toward his present course, he always managed to face things with a sense of humor.

  Maybe Eli would outgrow his anger; or else he would be consumed by it and turn into a

  Nightstalker, which wouldn’t be good for anyone involved…

  The park wasn’t crowded when we arrived. Occasional tourists meandered around the green

  grass, but it was still too early for it to be truly overwhelmed with the masses. The booths and blankets laid out by hopeful entrepreneurs dotted the landscape in a strange patchwork quilt of hopeful American capitalism. The church, as always, loomed over the ceaseless humanity.

  “Right,” Spider said looking at my watch. “We’ve got a couple of hours. That gives us some time to look around and think of all the escape routes.”

  “Escape route?” I asked.

  “You should always have an escape route,” he said.

  “It doesn’t always help,” I said, thinking of our first run-in and how epically his escape route had failed.

  “It doesn’t hurt,” he replied.

  Eli looked over his shoulder from where Alex was still talking at him in her fast voice. He gestured with his chin toward the road and Spider nodded. Eli walked away quickly, circling the park, looking for threats, cutting Alex’s words off without explanation. She stared after him, her mouth locked around the word she had been forming. She finally shrugged and turned to me.

  “Get anything?” I asked.

  She made a face and didn’t answer my question. “Now what?”

  “Ask Spider. He seems to know,” I said.

  Spider grinned mockingly. “We all know what to do if something bad happens. Eli is going to survey the area and let us know if anyone is hanging around. We know the meeting is at noon, but I think it would be a good idea to stay away from each other until then. We have to assume they’ll find you, Clare, since they called you out. If something doesn’t feel right, leave the park.

  We’ll keep an eye on you.”

  “I feel just like James Bond…without the Sean Connery accent,” I said.

  “James Bond didn’t need help,” Alex disagreed. “You need a lot.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Sure.” She eyed me sternly. “Be careful.”

  “I’ll try.”

  We split up. I sat near the statue they had in the center of the park, facing the church in expectant alertness. Alex went in the opposite direction and sat on a bench, while Spider roamed around the park begging and occasionally stealing, fitting in perfectly with the crowd. I couldn’t see Eli, but I knew he was around.

  The sun climbed higher in the sky. Sweat trickled down my back and face as the park slowly filled with more people in a progression of endless movement. I felt perched on the edge of ti
me as the people moved in and out of my field of vision. It was like watching a time-lapsed scene in movie, only I was aware of every shift in the frame, every second that divided me from noon. No one approached me or even looked at me funny. I was just another dirty kid loitering on a bench.

  I pulled the picture out as the time slipped past noon and stared at the words on the back. Had this really been meant for me? Not willing to accept the alternative, I pushed the picture back into my pocket and stood. Sitting wasn’t working. All it was doing was making me feel useless.

  And hot. A group of senior citizens with cameras passed me, blocking my view of the church for a moment as I stood. After they had passed, their pictures taken, I started to head toward Alex, so we could rethink our strategy, but my eyes were drawn to the church again. It was there, I found my answer. A bum had appeared on the steps of the church around the senior citizen camera

  brigade. He had a course beard and dark eyes; ragged clothes and a small pack were his only possessions. Out from the pack, he had pulled a small sign written on cardboard. For a crazy-person sign it had strangely eloquent handwriting. It said: We all walk in the shadows. Repent for your sins or burn in hell.

  I was certain he hadn’t been there a minute ago. It was likely he was just another crazy man with a sign, but the words…the words grabbed my attention. The shadows…did it meant the Shadow?

  As in the code word I had agreed to with Daniel? The writing was too close to the writing on the picture. I couldn’t take the chance. If it wasn’t a clue, maybe we could just talk about how we were both crazy.

  Without looking to see if anyone was watching me, I went to the man. He met my eyes with a warm recognition and gestured with his head to go inside the massive church. When our eyes connected, I noticed his were jet black and that, despite his ragged appearance, he had a

  magnetic appeal; it was a sultry sexiness I found undeniable. I found myself blushing in spite of the seriousness of the moment. I did, however, hesitate before following his direction to go inside. Who was he? I started to speak, but he gathered his pack and his sign and took off down the stairs without a backward glance. He was quick, and was lost in the crowd in a matter of seconds.

  Left with no choice – if I was to get answers – I forced open the heavy door and went inside. The interior of the church was as beautiful as the exterior suggested. Rich colors and detailed frescos accentuated the religious mission of the church. I looked around, expecting someone to throw me out for trespassing, but the few people who were in the pews ignored me. Their heads were

  bowed in prayer, and the feeling of peace was palpable. Uncertain of what I was doing, I picked a bench in the middle of the lofty hall and sat down with nervous anticipation. A minute later, Alex followed me through the door and joined me on the bench.

  “Have you taken up religion?” she whispered in my ear.

  “The bum’s sign said I should…and you know how I’m a sucker for signs,” I said.

  “Oh.” She stared at the religious iconography and the many candles in awe. “This place is

  amazing.”

  “Do you think we should let Eli know we came inside?” I asked.

  “I’ll go,” she said. She pointed a finger at me. “If you move from this spot and go chasing fires or criminals with guns, I swear to God…” She trailed off and looked up at the altar

  apologetically. “You know what I mean.”

  “I won’t move.” I held up two fingers. “Scouts honor.”

  Her face was skeptical as she went back out to find Eli and Spider. She wasn’t gone for more than half a minute when a sultry voice, silky smooth with feminine attraction, and oddly familiar, made me jump. “You got my message, I see. Daniel did say you were clever.”

  To my right, seated as if she had been there for ages, was someone I had not been expecting. The dark skin, perfect clothing, and golden eyes reminded me of the night we had made the choice to come down here. Serenity, her eyes mocking and smug, smiled at me as she readjusted her dress primly. My heart started pounding in response to her unexpected, and unquestionably dangerous, presence.

  Chapter 14

  “Cat got your tongue?” Serenity asked.

  “Something does,” I said.

  “You’re wondering why I’m here, and why I left that picture for you. You’re wondering why

  we’re having this conversation and, perhaps, wondering if this is a set up – if I didn’t get you and Daniel down here just to betray you,” she provided for me.

  “Yes,” I agreed half standing, prepared to run. “And I’m also wondering who you really work for, how you know mine and Daniel’s secret password, how you knew I would come to that club last night, if you know where Daniel is….”

  “Lots and lots of questions,” Serenity mused. She looked at her watch. “And so little time.

  Either sit or stand, Clare, you look quite ridiculous crouched over like that.”

  I sat and crossed my arms. My initial mistrust was amplified after long weeks of not seeing Daniel and those same weeks having been spent wondering if, in fact, she had sent us down here just to create chaos. I could sense she was fond of chaos and knew it wouldn’t be beneath her.

  “Let’s start with an easy one,” I said. “What do you want? You didn’t go through all the hassle of arranging a clandestine meeting just because you’ve seen too many James Bond movies.”

  “It is my nature to be secretive. It is every woman’s nature to be secretive.” She smiled a seductress’s smile, thinking I would agree. I scowled back, not in the mood for her games. She gave a long sigh and pulled out a makeup compact to check for flaws on her flawless face. “I need something from you,” she admitted.

  “That’s a great way to start a conversation,” I said.

  “This is a mutually beneficial arrangement,” she corrected.

  “Mutually beneficial…hm…like us coming down here based on your suggestion and everything

  blowing up? How exactly has that helped us?” I asked.

  “It has helped you,” she replied. “And it will help you. Daniel knows that what he is doing isn’t just about information. That’s why he went to your little town and waited for so long and

  endured your little high school the way he did. You have to fulfill the prophecy laid before your feet or we are all doomed. He knows this, just as you need to learn it.”

  I stared at her. I wanted to scoff or laugh at what she had just said, but I couldn’t. Daniel had come to King’s Cross to find me? No, that wasn’t possible: he had come to find a quiet place away from Marcus and the war. He had been seeking refuge…But, no, that didn’t make sense.

  Seeking peace didn’t mesh up with how committed Daniel was to helping people. If anything, it would just make his mission harder. It meant he had to travel further to help them. Daniel coming to King’s Cross to wait for me would explain why he had put up with high school, and why he had been there when I had come to town. He was sent to find me. I scowled at the

  thought, not wanting to think such things of him when everything was so uncertain.

  “Oh my, he didn’t tell you why he was in your little town? What a terrible slip of the tongue,”

  she chided herself.

  My fists clenched automatically at her tone. “Serenity…you’re used to playing games, I get that.

  I get it is how you do whatever you do. I’m sure you’re the best. But you won’t play them with me. Explain yourself or leave.”

  Her gold eyes flickered with dark, but her smile didn’t waver. “Daniel was told by my employer, Odette, that if he wanted a way to stop Marcus forever – Marcus and Daniel are old enemies, you understand – he would have to go to King’s Cross and wait. He was told when you were

  expected and how to recognize you. Those tattoos are very lovely, by the way. Too big for my tastes, but well done.”

  “But how would she know I would come there, unless…”

  “She could see the future
?” Serenity finished for me. “Odette is the most powerful Seer in a thousand generations. Daniel and Odette are old friends. I introduced them, you see. It has been a beneficial friendship.”

  “Daniel used me to get to Marcus,” I said.

  Daniel had been sent to King’s Cross to look for me by the mysterious Odette – our friendship, our love, hadn’t developed as naturally as I had thought. It had been planned. To what end, I didn’t know – but it had been planned all the same. The thought made me sick to the stomach.

  “That’s between the two of you,” she replied. Her voice hinted at a ‘yes.’ “Daniel always has a plan of attack. He always thinks ahead. It’s one reason I respect him…among others. He did not plan this trip well, though. He should have never brought you and the others. It only endangered the greater goal. I have never seen him so thoughtless.”

  “It was my idea,” I admitted slowly.

  “Ah,” she replied delicately.

  “What do you want?” I asked.

  “It’s not just what I want,” Serenity corrected. “I happen to know where Daniel is…if you still want to find him, that is. I’ll tell you where he is in exchange for a favor.”

  “Right,” I said. “And does this favor include selling my soul to the devil?”

  “A person doesn’t sell their soul to the devil, Clare. The devil takes what’s his.”

  “‘Cause that’s not creepy…”

  She put her compact back into her purse and stared up at the altar. Her eyes grew pained. “I made a mistake,” she said in a low voice.

  “A mistake?”

  “I let my guard down, and a piece of highly sensitive information was stolen from me.”

  “What sort of information?”

  “The sort of information that could get a lot of people killed. Odette is committed to peace. She wants to end the war and stop Marcus’s back-alley dealings. The plans I misplaced is a serious threat to peace.”

  “And what did you want me to do?”

  Her painted nails pulled out a piece of paper. “There is a house twenty minutes outside town. I have the address here. The man who stole this information from me keeps his valuables in a safe behind a painting of a woman with a red dress. He will be at the opera tonight with a friend. You have between seven and ten to get in and out without being seen. I should tell you that he has cameras at strategic points around the house you should avoid if you want to remain undetected.”