by J. M. Rojas
CHAPTER 17: RACE AGAINST THE STORM
The Suzuki Intruder sped down the empty streets of Hopeʼs Hill, its roaring engine defying the thunder and lightning that roared back from a dark and angry sky. The bike and its rider appeared like an apparition in the weak morning light that was suffocated by the storm, chasing after the last shadows of night towards the Southlake Forest. Rowan had just made it to the edge of town, where he could see the black pines against the orange dawn, when the sound of howling pierced the air somewhere far behind him. Blood-curdling howls that he knew were not from any dog.
Revenants in dog-shape were loping through the warm, summer-rain after the scent of Rowan and Jinx. Giant beasts with dark fur and burning red eyes, pounding the wet bitumen with their huge black claws and tearing up potholes in their wake.
Veil was at the head of the pack, riding astride Dart who had taken the form of a giant, four-hundred pound German Sheppard. She held tightly to the tangled tuffs of hair around his neck like they were reins; and her small pale face looked resolutely ahead, teeth snarling and eyes hungry, searching for a glimpse of their prey in the foggy distance.
She had ignored Xharan's command to wait for his men to regroup from the search, and had set the remnant of her force on the trail of Rowan's bike. Now they had found the straight road he was on, which entered the Southlake Forest from the south-east of town, they did not falter in their pursuit.
When the rooftops of Willow disappeared below the horizon behind the running pack of Revenant, the steep slope of the mountain began to schism, and the road was gradually shouldered on either side by a rising land shelf. On the upper banks, under the mist of rain, the black-barked trees of the forest loomed like unstirred ship masts on a deathly still sea. Ahead the road was deserted, except for and the bee-buzz of Rowan's bike beyond their sight. Veil would not have sought shelter had a car driven by however, as her and her men were far too gone in their desire for revenge to hide from anyone. The mission could also risk no failure, and the thought of Gha'haram's wrath was always on their minds.
A roar, deeper than the thunder, suddenly rumbled from the western arm of the land shelf, and Dart eased his run into a trot before finally stopping in the middle of the road. Veil threw her red-lit eyes at the sound and found the silhouette of a hulking beast rearing up in the shadows of a copse of trees. It could have been a demon from the underworld, tearing its way up out of the ground; but she knew who stood looking down at them in the shallow valley of the road. She recognised his scent.
Gha'haram stepped into the pale light of the cloud-covered sun, his animalistic form revealed to the pack: a giant grizzly bear that still looked somewhat human with its muscular, barrel chest and upright posture. His thick, twitching muzzle roared again, baring sharp, powerful teeth like a man-trap; and red eyes shone like those of the Revenant-dogs who lowered their heads to the ground in subjugation to him.
The lore-kin enters the forest of his youth. The Revenant Lord said, reaching out to all their minds; though his attention was strongly on Veil. I found the diaries and photo albums in Thomas' secret house. Old and frail and weather-worn. Read the history of Rowan Grey, taken from the Sleeping World into our own. I know all about him and his war against us.
Where has he gone, oh Great One? Veil dared to ask, her talons poised under her bottom lip and her eyes wide like that of an innocent child. Surely he was a decoy to allow the others to escape—
I watched from the woods and saw him head to the secret road. He is not as clever as he might appear. He seeks the other lore-kin and her passengers who have also sought the protection of the forest. Thomas' children is their cargo.
At the mention of their prey, the Revenant-dogs howled in eagerness, their thirst for flesh and blood driving them into a crazed frenzy.
Our trap is set. Gha'haram continued, uncaring of his servants stirred desires, their bestial hunger. They will seek refuge in the Southlake House, and it is there that we will capture them.
Yes! Veil said eagerly at thought of the feast she also craved. Her enthusiasm was like a fire deep inside her chest ready to explode and consume everything. It was the Revenant Hunger, and it had already dissolved half her face and one of her arms, revealing black, brittle bone. The curse of death was heavy on her. Capture them, and tear them to pieces!
No! The bear-man appeared to frown, and a low, threatening growl rumbled in his chest. The Revenant din quietened at Gha'haram's stern command, and Veil cowered under her rain-soaked hood. Only the hollow eye socket of her black skull peering out, a small red fire burning inside. We must capture the Grey children alive. As for the others... they are yours to do as you will.
Veil's dark, sadistic glee crept back, and she freed her blonde locks from the confines of her hood again. Looking heavenward, she sniffed at the stifled breeze, then lowered her eyes to Gha'haram and said. I can smell them on the rain, master. Smell the warmth of their passing. We will do as you command!
Gha'haram nodded, then turned to wander back into the tree-line. Before the shadows could engulf him, he paused. But... we must be cautious. Remember, Mathias and the Lemurians may still be here. They may be waiting for the others. I cannot let them escape. His last words seemed aloof, distant; but Veil could hear a tremble of fear in them. Fear of Kaelan.
Then they will die also. Veil snarled under the dull drum of the rain, urging Dart forward again as if he was a horse. Mathias is—
—A dangerous man. Gha'haram said, his shadow absorbed in the copse of trees he had stepped out of.
Car headlights suddenly rose over the horizon behind the pack of Revenant-dogs.
Quick! Scatter! Veil shouted in her pack's minds.
The sound of swerving and screeching tyres on the wet bitumen filled the air, and the Revenant dispersed on either side of the road like a startle flock of deer.
Unable to right itself, the car steered right into eastern bank of the road and crashed into the land shelf.
Groaning, and barely breathing, the man opened his eyes to find raindrops splattering on his face through the broken window of the driver's door. He began to gurgle then spluttered out a mixture of water and blood that had flooded down his throat, nearly choking him. Attempting to roll over, he found himself in immense pain from his broken bones and many jagged wounds all over his body, which weeped his blood all through his clothes and pooled about him.
Then a shadow loomed over his pale face, and his eyes widened. Someone was peering at him through the broken window.
A young girl smiled sinisterly down at him. He struggled. Tried to scream. Nothing. All he could do was gurgle water and watch...
She had only half a face; the rest was a horrific black skull with a burning red eye. A long skeletal arm reached at him through the window. Those terrible lips parted, and a voice as innocent as the man's own daughter's back at home filled his ears before all went to black.
“Shhh, soon the pain will be over.”
It was a terrible, terrible treachery that flood. Arajasta moaned in Rowan's head. Brought to bare by the craft of my people. The Crown of Dreams is our disgrace! Such a terrible, terrible mistake!
“I get it!” Rowan growled, trying to concentrate on the road ahead. He was annoyed, now, at the constant monologues of despair that the Azlazarani kept espousing from its prison. They had left the highway, and were now travelling down an old dirt road through the forest lands towards Thomas' house, but Rowan hadn't slowed down for he could still hear the Revenant howling just over the wind whipping against his ears. “You feel bad for bringing the Crown into being! But it wasn't your fault. There were many of the Azlazarani—”
Rowan, I was one of the Eleven Architects who conceived of the Crown. I am partially to blame!
“YOU actually conceived and help build that wretched thing?”
Well... I was more of a designer than a builder.
The lore-kin paused, then said, “Don't worry, Arajasta. Mathias and the Library will see this weapon destroyed. From what I remember
, it was made to help benefit the world. I suppose your people did not realise its full capabilities...”
You are right. The voice said, still sounding forlorn. And once I am out of this prison, I will do the best I can to make amends for the damage my people have done. Well, Rowan... my power is weak from that attack on the Grey's home. I must sleep for awhile now to regain my strength.
“Get some rest, I'll try and wake you later tonight,” Rowan said, with his eyes intently on the road ahead. Jinx popped her head up to lick his chin, then ducked back into his leather jacket.
They rode in silence for an hour after that, until Thomas' house appeared on a hill ahead of them, surrounded by a copse of trees.
Rowan pulled his bike up next to the Grey family van, which was ten meters from the house' front door, and sprung from the seat with his glaive in hand. The lore-kin creeped around the vehicle like a poised cat ready to strike, his eyes darting back and forth.
Nothing. The van was empty.
“Emily!”
A noise came from the house, a fumbling at the door handle.
Raising his glaive above his head, the weapon shaping into a long curved blade with serrated teeth, Rowan began to slowly approach the door.
“Its Rowan!” a young girl's voice came from the other side in muffled excitement.
He lowered his weapon, which began to retract with his thoughts.
The door burst open, and Alora rushed over to him, clinging tightly to his waist. Her face buried in his jacket. When his hand began stroking her hair, her shoulders began to convulse in sobs.
“I'm scared, Rowan,” she said, breaking away from him and wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Its okay, little one.” He reached down and wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace. “We're going to be okay.”
James stood resolutely at the door.
“Where's Emily and mum?” Rowan asked softly, staring at the boy with deep concern.
“Inside,” James said stiffly, and disappeared back into the cavity of the house.
Emily greeted Rowan in the foyer with a tight hug and furious barrage of kisses. A large spiralling staircase guarded by ornate balusters stood directly opposite the door, and vanished up to the upper levels of the house, and a latticed door to the left of it led to the lounge room and kitchen beyond. Taking a deep breath, Rowan let himself smile. “This brings back old memories. You and me coming to help dad with the ships.”
Emily smiled back, but there was concern in her eyes. “Do you think they will find us here?”
“They did follow me,” Rowan said, hanging his leather jacket on a coat rack just by the door. “So, I suspect they will. The Revenant are keen hunters.”
“Then we had better be prepared,” Emily replied, her face determined. “We have to protect the children and your mother—”
“Where is Elly?”
“Upstairs, asleep. Caleb is standing watch over her door. Brave kid.” Emily walked over to the stairwell and began to ascend, but Rowan grabbed her shoulder.
“Let her sleep. She must be very wary after all of this. I see you emptied the van.”
“Most of the food is on the kitchen tables.”
“We'll get the kids to put them away, whilst we secure the house.”
Emily nodded. She raced over and hugged her man again, kissing his on the lips. “Don't ever do something as brash and foolish like that again! I thought I'd lost you forever!”
“I promise.” Rowan rested his head in the curve of Emily's neck and closed his eyes. “I promise.”
“You haven't been helpful at all!” Alora shouted to her brother as she neatly organised the contents of the fridge. An esky of cold goods lay at her feet. James walked like a zombie back and forth in the kitchen, feet dragging on the lacquered floor boards, his hands flexing in-and-out of fists. “Can you at least put canned food in the pantry?”
“I have too much on my mind right now, gnat.”
“I told you—”
“You told me, you prefer gnat. Now let me think.”
The girl shrugged and continued to arrange the bottles of milk and juice along the fridge door.
After several minutes, Alora huffed, and said, “Well can you at least tell me what is on your mind?”
“Everything!” The boy exploded, turning to stare at her with wide eyes of disbelief at her nonchalance. “Haven't you noticed the strange things that have been happening in the last couple of days? I mean, seriously. First Jack disappears on some supposed 'holiday' with Rowan and Emily. Then they come back from said 'holiday' without him, and tell us they are some kind of guardians of an ancient race of humans that have come from the past, and that Jack is on some kind of quest to destroy a magical Crown? I mean, this is something straight out of a comic book!”
“You are being irrational, James.” Alora kept her attention on stacking the fridge.
“Irrational? Irrational! 'Lora, I killed a man!”
“It wasn't a man!” Alora screamed, standing straight with her fists balled at her side. “You killed a monster, James, a monster. I know you're scared, I'm scared too, and so is everyone else. We could die.”
Then the girl began to cry.
James rushed to her, discarding his frustration, and hugged her tight. She shrugged him off.
“What?” There was hurt in James eyes. “I wish I was as strong as Jack. Or Rowan. Then maybe we would have a chance.”
“We do have a chance,” the girl said firmly, blinking her tears away. “We have to be strong and stick together. We should be upstairs with mum, James. Like Caleb. Making sure she's okay. Instead we're down here looking after the groceries.”
The last word ended in a little laugh, and James laughed softly too.
“Funny to think that, isn't it?” he said. “We are doing what mum normally does. Or Jack.”
“It is time we grew up,” Alora said, brushing a lock of hair out of her face. “Caleb, as much as he is a pain, is up there looking after our mother. Lets go help him.”
James nodded eagerly. “Yeah, lets go.”
Slamming the fridge door, Alora rushed for the stairs with James in tow.
Elly's eyes flickered open, and a smile crossed her thin lips. Rising on her elbows, she pulled back her thick quilt.
“My two beautiful darlings,” she whispered sleepily, reaching up and bundling James and Alora in her arms.
“I told them you needed sleep, but I suppose just a quick visit is okay.” A voice came from the door. It was Caleb. The normally jovial teenager seemed distant, brooding.
“Its fine, Caleb,” she said, winking at him over Alora's head, which nestled under the womanʼs chin. “You can go and check up on Emily if you want. See if Rowan is back.”
“He is, ma'am,” the teenager said. “They are scouting around the house and the gardens to see if they can secure it... in case... um...”
“Go join them,” Elly said with a smile.
Caleb nodded, then disappeared out the door.
“Mum,” James said, crawling into the bed next to her.
“Yes, dear?”
“Is this a nightmare? Will we wake up and be at home, safe?”
The woman hushed him, and pulled the quilts over the top of all three. “Lets have a nap for a little bit.”
“Okay.”
A tear glided down her cheek, but she didn't let the fear tremble her voice when she said, “Everything is going to be alright. I promise.”
A little meow suddenly brought everyone's attention to the bedroom door.
“Jinx!” Alora cried with joy as the black cat slunk into the room. She climbed out of the bed as fast as she could and scooped up her meowing pet as if it were a baby, nuzzling her neck gently. “I thought I'd never see you again!”
“Rowan must have sneaked her in his jacket,” James said, wide eyed and smiling.
“Well its good to know she is safe,” Elly said warmly. Alora passed Jinx to her mother, and the woman held the cat
up in front of her. Ears twitching, Jinx looked at Elly and meowed. “Come to join us, I see, madam. Oh, and what's this? You're already hungry? You only come to me when you're hungry, don't you?”
James and Alora laughed.
The dark cloud that had gathered over them a moment before was now pierced by a ray of light.
Rowan rattled the old iron bars that caged a dust-stained window. He was at the back of the house, which faced an empty field, stretching to a distant wooded horizon. The rain had stopped and the summer sun poured its rays through the evaporating dark clouds. However to the north where they had come, the clouds were still dark.
“This one is secure!” He shouted over his shoulder.
“We might need to board some of these bedroom windows up!” Emily's voice rung back. She was closing in from the other side of the house, near the eastern gardens.
“There are a lot of them, isn't there?” Rowan said, following the length of the rear wall, towards her voice. He had passed the lounge room, kitchen and bathroom windows, when Emily appeared around the corner.
“I have a feeling they've already been inside this house in the last couple of days,” the blue-haired woman said, huffing.
“Why do you say that?”
“The eastern gardens show signs of recent activity. Shoe prints everywhere. And one of the windows overlooking the courtyard, where Thomas placed that statue, was wide open when we got here.”
Rowan gave her a serious look. “You—”
“I searched the place before I left your mother upstairs with Caleb,” she answered, holding his arm reassuringly. “Don't worry, the place was abandoned when we got here.”
“I'm sorry,” Rowan said, “I didn't mean to suggest... I mean, I know you are smarter than that. I trust your judgement.”
“Don't worry about it,” she replied with a warm smile, “I understand. Its the safety of your family you are concerned about.”
“You are my family, too.” Rowan was about to say something more when he noticed Caleb suddenly appear behind Emily. “Hey kiddo, what's wrong?”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Caleb said, indicating with his eyes over his shoulder, “but I heard a car coming up the driveway when I left the house—”
“You should have stayed inside,” Rowan said, nodding to Emily to follow as he withdrew his glaive and began creeping along the wall of the house. “We have to secure the front door.”
“I'm right behind you,” Emily said, her glaive shaping into a long, silver trident.
Caleb trailed cautiously after her, his back against the wall.
They were halfway to the front door when Rowan's cellphone began to ring from his leather jacket. “Hello?” He answered, ushering the others into the house, while peering down the driveway at the approaching car.
“Rowan! Its me, Jai! Arthur is with me too!”
“Jai! Thank god its you.”
“Sorry it took us so long; but you're lucky you caught us when you did. We were out of town, about to meet with some more Lemurians interested in our project.”
“Yeah, yeah, Jai, listen up, we need you to get to the house as soon as possible.”
“What's happening buddy?”
“The Revenant are on our tail, and they probably spotted your car—that is you isn't it, coming up the driveway?”
“Yeah, that's us!”
“Well, we have to fortify the house. A storm is coming. There's going to be trouble. I suspect they will come at us in full force.”
“Gotcha! Well no need to fear, the cavalry is here!”
“I was afraid you were going to say that!” Rowan laughed, and for a moment he honestly felt all his fears melt away.
