by N M Thorn
A light snickering from the rest of Aidan’s crew brought him out of his state of shock. He blushed and smiled uncomfortably. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare, it’s just you don’t meet a real angel every day, you know.” Gunz chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “So, you are the angel of Wisdom, eh?”
“Yes, I am,” confirmed Uriel. He dimmed down his fierce glow and his mighty wings disappeared. “You probably noticed that my fire wasn’t elemental by nature and I thought you’d figure it out. The meaning of my name—Uriel—is Fire of God.”
“I would have probably figured it out sooner or later,” said Gunz. “It’s just the thought that angels are walking among us, never crossed my mind.”
“Everything is real. Anything your mind can hardly fathom is real. Just get used to that idea and your life in the world of magic will be a lot easier and safer.” Uri laughed and sat down, waving at Angel. “Your turn.”
Angel got up slowly and as he was rising, his appearance began to change. His black hair got longer, falling over his shoulders, down the back of his black trench coat and giant obsidian wings sprung behind his back. The eerie, magical energy of Death washed over Gunz and he involuntarily took a step away from him.
“Are you the angel of Death?” asked Gunz.
Angel chuckled and shook his head no. “I know my wings promote the name,” he replied, expending his black wings, “but I’m no angel. Just Death.”
“Just Death,” echoed Gunz flabbergasted. “One of the four horsemen?”
“No, that was my evil twin,” said Angel snidely, with a wide grin on his face. “Just kidding. Yeah, that would be me, but to tell you the truth—I don’t enjoy horseback riding that much. Nowadays I prefer my Ferrari. Over six hundred horses in one beautifully streamlined body and no saddle sores.”
“I wondered how a modest martial arts instructor could afford to drive a Ferrari,” asked Gunz with a touch of sarcasm. “Doesn’t the IRS come knocking on your door?”
“I pay my taxes,” said Angel, laughing. “Me and taxes are like this.” He crossed his fingers tightly, showing his hand to Gunz. “We’re the only sure thing in life, don’t you know? So, once in a while, I knock on their doors. And it’s a lot scarier… well… at least I hope it is.”
Angel morphed back into his everyday appearance and sat down. Gunz gaped at him, wondering what Death and an Archangel were doing working at a small martial arts school in Parkland, Florida.
“Wow, Aidan. You have Death, the angel of Wisdom and a Russian deity on your payroll,” said Gunz, raking his fingers through his hair.
Aidan cracked a guilty grin. “I guess you met Svyatobor already,” he said. Sven’s eyes lit up with phosphoric light as he tittered. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have sent this trickster after you.” He scratched the back of his head. “I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. I should have expected that after a few tours of duty, you would have some messed up memories.”
“Yeah, he made quite a mess for me… and out of me,” admitted Gunz, cringing inwardly as he recalled all the painful visions that Svyatobor brought forth with his magic.
“Anyway, Zane, I believe, I’m speaking for everyone here,” said Aidan, waving his hand at his divine motley crew, “when I say, don’t leave. Work with us.”
This night is full of surprises, thought Gunz. He remembered the first time he crossed the threshold of Elements Martial Arts and the icy welcome Aidan threw in his face.
“You want me to work for you?” he asked, doing his best not to let any sarcasm through.
“Not for me,” objected Aidan, putting an accent on the word ‘for’. “I believe you already have a job working for the FBI. I’m offering you to work with us. After all, what we do is in line with what Agent Andrews is trying to accomplish, anyway. He’s been on my ass for years, trying to figure out what I am and what my goals are. I’ll come clean to Agent Andrews and our alliance would be beneficial to both sides.”
“Thank you, Aidan… guys,” said Gunz, feeling a little uncomfortable. “I’m grateful for your offer and it would be my honor to work with you all.”
“Why do I feel like a giant but coming up?” muttered Sven, grinning.
“But the last few weeks taught me a humbling lesson,” continued Gunz. “Kal was right. I’m not ready to walk this world. I need to go back to Kendral and learn more about my power, and I definitely need to know more about magic. All this time I was trying to fit in, be a human in the world of humans. Instead, I need to learn how to be the Fire Salamander, living surrounded by humans.”
“There are quite a few things we can teach you here, too,” said Uri. “You’re so young, Zane, and so new to the world of magic, that any of us here easily can be your mentor. You know that out of the four of us, Aidan is the youngest.”
Holy shit! They all have more than two thousand years behind their backs, thought Gunz. He swallowed hard, for the first time in his adult life feeling like an insignificant little boy. For some reason neither Kal nor the Ancient Master of Power made him feel like this, even though they were a lot older than him.
“We also can teach you the kind of martial arts that no mundane can practice,” offered Angel. He got up to his feet and made a few spin kicks, twisting his body in the air one time too many to look natural, obviously using his magic to achieve the desired effect. “The divine school of martial arts. Interested?”
“A lively bunch for a geriatric ward, aren’t yah?” said Gunz snickering and had to jump to the side to avoid Angel’s roundhouse. He raised his hands up laughing, asking Angel to stop. “You all are making me feel like I’m a newborn. And I would love to learn anything you can teach me, but first, I need to talk to my mentor. Only Kal can teach me how to be the Fire Salamander. I’ll be back as soon as I can, if that’s okay with all of you.”
“That’s fine,” said Aidan. “Come back whenever you’re ready.”
Uri got up and tapped him on the shoulder. “Trust me, we all are still going to be here, no matter how much time you spend in Kendral.” His Russian accent was back, and his hazel eyes lost their golden gleam, shining with humor instead.
Gunz waved his hand, unfolding the fire curtain of his portal.
“Don’t forget to learn how to teleport, Fire Gecko,” said Sven, snickering.
Gunz gave them a light nod and walked through the portal.
Chapter 42
~ Zane Burns, a.k.a. Gunz ~
It was nice to be home and not have to worry that someone was after you. Gunz checked all his protection spells and wards. Everything was functioning perfectly. With his eyes half-closed, he headed upstairs to his bedroom with one desire only—to fall on his bed and to sleep for as long as he wanted.
No more Eve, and whatever else supernatural was brewing in the area could wait until tomorrow. Anatoly Karpenko got his daughter back and he should be out of his life too. At least for now. Not for a minute did he believe that Anatoly would keep his word and leave him be. But tonight, if he valued his life, he better stay away.
Gunz walked into his bedroom and looked in the mirror, observing his state of undress and his dirty demeanor with horror. Shower? He glanced at the bathroom door unable to take a step toward it and then flung himself on top of the bed. Screw it… it can wait until tomorrow… No one better wake me up in the morning—
His thought slipped away as he fell asleep on top of the bedcover, without changing or even taking his pants and shoes off.
He was warm and content. His body wasn’t aching with tiredness, he wasn’t bleeding or freezing, and no one was threatening his friends. Gunz sighed, enjoying this feeling of peace. Fire… yeah… I needed it. Gunz turned on his back and stretched, luxuriating in the loving embrace of his element. A little too warm? Slowly, he opened his eyes and jolted upright, hitting the back of his head on the backboard of the bed. A wave of laughter that accompanied his move added to his aggravation and general discomfort.
Right above him he saw Mishka. The wyve
rn was hovering over him, gently sending one wave of fire energy after another through his body. Kal and the Ancient Master of Power, Mrak Delar, were standing next to his bed, laughing. Master Mrak Delar was the first person who told him that he had the Fire Power in him. And he was the one who told him not to be afraid of it and do what came naturally. His advice saved him and his friends’ lives, but it also brought the Fire Salamander to life.
Kal pushed Mrak Delar’s shoulder, pointing at Gunz. “Mrak,” he said stifling the laughter, “you’re younger. Is that something the new generation does nowadays—sleeping half-dressed and in shoes?”
“It’s a new fad, Kal,” muttered Gunz, rubbing the back of his head. “Try it sometime, quite enjoyable.”
Mrak Delar and Kal exchanged a quick look and burst out laughing again. Mishka decided to come to his rescue.
“I think all this dressing-undressing is overrated. What’s the point in taking all the clothes off, if in the morning you have to put them back on?” he asked, landing on top of Gunz’s head and spreading his golden wings protectively.
Gunz moved the wyvern from his head to his shoulder and got off the bed, just now realizing how inexcusably filthy he was. His torso was covered in dirt and dust. Brown streams and stains of dried out blood were covering his arms and wrists where the iron manacles used to be. He raked his fingers through his matted hair, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
“Ahhh, this is not the kind of morning I wanted to have,” he mumbled.
“Feeling a bit uncomfortable?” asked Kal, his thin lips stretching into a snide smirk.
“A little. I’m sorry, I was dead beat yesterday. I hardly made it to bed,” said Gunz apologetically. “I didn’t expect early morning visitors.” He made a pause staring at his mentor and the Ancient Master. “Come to think of it… What are you two doing here so early in the morning.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll get more uncomfortable soon,” promised Kal joyfully.
“How much more uncomfortable can it get?” muttered Gunz, staring at his mentor, wary.
Mrak Delar gave him a light tap on his shoulder and smiled, a humorous twinkle playing in his black eyes.
“Why don’t you take care of yourself first, young Salamander,” he said. “Your mentor and I will go down to the kitchen and make some coffee in the meantime.”
“Thank you,” replied Gunz and rushed into the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, Gunz walked into the kitchen. Kal and Mrak Delar were sitting around the kitchen table with steaming coffee cups in their hands. Mishka had his head down a coffee cup, slurping the burning-hot beverage and purring over it. Gunz walked up to the table and sat down next to Mrak Delar.
“Coffee?” asked the Ancient Master, moving another cup of coffee toward him. “My wife turned me into a coffee addict. Now I need to have it every morning or I feel partially crippled. It’s becoming problematic, considering that Kendral doesn’t have coffee and I need to bring it from this world.”
Gunz thanked the Master of Power and took a large gulp of coffee. “Kal,” he started the conversation, “there is something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it, my child?” asked Kal, suddenly serious.
“You were right, Father,” said Gunz, lowering his eyes. “I’m not ready to live in this realm. My presence here is endangering humans. I think I should go back to Kendral with you.”
For a moment silence enveloped the kitchen. Even Mishka stopped slurping his coffee, staring at Gunz over the rim of his coffee cup.
“Why would you say that?” asked Kal, his eyebrows rising.
Gunz told him everything that happened in the last couple weeks. He gave him a detailed recount of his conversation with Aidan and the fight with Eve. He also told him about his meetings with the two demonic queens and how unprepared he was.
“As far as I can see, you didn’t do anything wrong,” said Mrak Delar, shrugging his shoulders. “Both the Scarlet Queen and the Demonic Queen are a lot older and more experienced than you. Something like this is expected. And Eve and the likes of her will always try to get the best of you.”
“Exactly,” agreed Gunz. “Eve and the likes of her will try to use my power against my will, and I can’t allow that to happen.” He turned to Kal, his chest tightened with guilt. “Father, I need to go back to Kendral with you. I must learn more about my power and how to use my magic. Without that, I am a danger to all humans. I can’t let evil use me ever again.”
“I agree with Mrak,” said Kal, shaking his head. “You handled everything the best you could, my child.”
“Gunz,” said Mrak Delar and Gunz turned to him a little surprised. He never heard the Ancient Master using his nickname before. “I’ve known the Scarlet Queen for years, and this is the first time I heard that she offered someone lessons in swordsmanship. I think you should take her up on this offer. Just be careful, don’t get yourself into her servitude. She’s an ancient vampire, and she knows how to manipulate an inexperienced youngster like yourself.”
“Agreed, take lessons with the queen. Not only in swordsmanship. Open your eyes and learn. Vampires and upirs are dangerous creatures, smart and insidious. The more you know and understand how their species work, the better you’ll be able to protect your people,” said Kal. “But I also agree with you—there is a lot that you still don’t know. So, here is my offer. Come back with me to Kendral for six months. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about your power and Master Mrak Delar can give you extra lessons in magic and Dragon tongue.”
Kal stopped talking, taking in Gunz’s appearance. Then he sighed and picked up his coffee cup off the table, taking a sip of his drink. Neither Gunz nor Mrak Delar said anything, allowing him to continue.
“It’s been centuries since the last Fire Salamander left this world,” said Kal slowly. “And you, my child, are unique in more ways than one. You are a Fire Salamander with magic. Do you know how rare this gift is?”
“It’s rare?” mumbled Gunz. “I thought all Fire Salamanders had magic.”
Kal exchanged a heavy look with Mrak Delar and shook his head no. “My son,” said Kal, “between all the worlds, through the thousands of years, there was only one more Fire Salamander that could wield not only the elemental Fire power but also magic. The rest of Fire Salamanders were only commanding the Fire.”
“It’s you, Father, isn’t it?” asked Gunz staring at his mentor in awe. “You are the only Fire Salamander who has magic?”
“That’s right,” confirmed Kal. He put his large callused hand on Gunz’s shoulder and smiled warmly at him. “Do you realize what it means for you? You are the only Great Fire Salamander besides me who ever walked these worlds. I’ll be happy to have you by my side for eternity, my son. But the truth is, right now your heart is in this world. And you’re needed here. So, stay in Kendral and learn all you need to know. But once you feel ready, you should come back here.”
“And as far as your failure with the Demonic Queen, it wasn’t only your lack of knowledge that made you fail,” said Mrak Delar, his black eyes crinkling with a smile. “It was your physical body that responded to the succubus’ magic. Mishka told us what happened at the Temptress of the Night. There is a way to control your body just like there is a way to control your mind.”
“Oh shit,” mumbled Gunz, feeling close to a heart attack. “I can just imagine what Mishka told you.”
Mrak Delar pressed his hand to his mouth fighting to suppress his laughter but then threw one look at Kal and both of them barked laughing.
“Anyway,” he said after he was able to calm himself, “after we heard the story of your encounter with the Demonic Queen, your Father and I agreed that you require my assistance with this delicate matter. At least until you learn enough to know how to control the magic of succubi and similar creatures.”
“A delicate matter?” parroted Gunz, throwing a quick glance at Kal. “Sorry, Mrak, but I have no idea what you are referring to.”
<
br /> Mrak Delar rubbed his forehead, and then ran his fingers over his eyes and down his cheeks, like a person who didn’t feel comfortable with what he was about to say.
“The kind of matter that Kal can’t help you with, but as a Master of Power, I can.” He reached in his pocket and pulled a bracelet with a single red stone embedded in it. He offered the bracelet to Gunz. “Put it on. Tell me what you feel.”
Gunz took the bracelet and put it on his wrist. As soon as the metal touched his skin, he felt dizzy and a little weaker. “Mrak, what is this thing?” he asked, swaying a little, fighting the dizziness. “It makes me weak and dizzy. Why?”
“Don’t worry, the side effects will go away in a moment,” said Mrak Delar. “But try to conjure the fire. Tell me if you can.”
Gunz connected with the Fire within him and he felt its presence right away, but when he tried to conjure a flame, he couldn’t. The Fire couldn’t go past his skin. His magic was functioning just fine, but the fire power was caged within his body.
“I can’t,” mumbled Gunz. “But why are you giving me a bracelet that suppresses my Fire power?”
Mrak Delar glanced down at him and shook his head. “You’re not too fast on the uptake, are you?” He laughed, his dark eyes filled with good-natured humor. “I’m sure, when the time comes, you’ll figure it out. Just keep in mind, every time you put this bracelet on, it’s good for one hour and after that your Fire will break through.”
Gunz took the bracelet off, staring at the red stone as the understanding flashed over him. “Holy shit,” he whispered, razing his eyes at Kal, a flush creeping up his cheeks.
The Great Salamander tilted his head a little, giving him an arched stare. “My child, I’ll give you thirty-six hours to settle everything at work and with your friends here,” said Kal, rising. “Visit the Scarlet Queen and tell her that you’ll start training with her in six months. She will appreciate this courtesy. In thirty-six hours, I’ll summon you to Kendral.”
