The Black

by D. J. MacHale

"And if he has a crucible, then Damon can't touch him," she said. "But Marsh broke his."

  I stood up and paced in the long train car. The whole picture was becoming clear. Damon called Marsh the source. If Marsh had a crucible, it linked him to Ree, and the poleax. Marsh could be Damon's eyes in the Light.

  Ree said, "I not only have to protect the Rift, but the crucible I brought with me. Two have already been broken, and from what you've told me, it has given Damon dangerous power in the Light. I can't allow a third to be broken."

  "Damon wants me to destroy your crucible," I finally admitted. "That's why I'm here. He said if I didn't, he'd kill Marsh."

  She shot me a cold look. I wasn't sure if it was out of fear for her son, or she was calculating whether or not I would actually try to break the crucible. I didn't tell her that Damon had also promised to give me back my life. That would only complicate things.

  "And?" she asked suspiciously.

  "Do you think I'd break it after all you told me?"

  Ree relaxed. "No, of course not. I'm sorry, Coop. But you see what's at stake."

  She had accepted my answer, though it wasn't really an answer because I didn't know what I was going to do.

  I didn't doubt anything that Ree had told me. It all fit. But it was looking like Damon had changed tactics and Ree's Guardians were the last to know.

  "I don't think it's just about guarding the Rift anymore," I announced.

  "What do you mean?"

  "You haven't seen what's going on in the Light. Damon's gone on the offense. I'm living proof of that. No, I'm dead proof of that. He doesn't need the Rift. If he gets the poleax, he can just create another one."

  "But even if he finds it, he can't get his hands on it physically," Ree countered. "Not unless he goes through the Rift, and we'll never let that happen."

  "What if he gets somebody in the Light to bring it through the Rift for him? Like Marsh? Or that guy Ennis. He could be using Marsh to get to Ennis."

  She didn't have a comeback for that.

  "The guy's a bully," I said. "I know bullies. The only way to stop one is to out-bully them."

  "And how do you suggest we do that?"

  "I don't know. Maybe we could go through the Rift and get the poleax ourselves and use it against him!"

  "No!" she shouted. "It's wrong and it's a sure sentence to the Blood."

  "I thought the Watchers weren't working this neighborhood."

  "There are limits."

  "Okay. Then, maybe I can get Marsh to find it. I've been in contact with him. If he found it, we could—"

  Ree jumped to her feet. "You what?"

  Oops.

  "It was no big deal," I said, backpedaling. "I just wanted him to know that I was looking out for him."

  "But you can't look out for him!" Ree shouted.

  "How can you say that? He's your son!"

  "Cooper, interfering with the living is exactly what we're trying to prevent Damon from doing."

  "But he's causing trouble. We're the good guys!"

  "Cooper, imagine if every spirit in the Black started influencing events in the Light. No matter how noble their intentions were, they'd be changing the course of lives. Of mankind. It would lead to chaos."

  "Or prevent chaos, and protect some people we care about."

  Ree's eyes blazed. "I would do anything to protect Marshall. But the consequences of interfering would be far worse than anything Damon could do to him."

  "Even if he kills Marsh?"

  Ree hesitated. It was a tough question. When she answered, her voice cracked. "I told you, there are worse things than death."

  "I'm sorry, I don't see that," I said. "This guy is trying to cause absolute calamity. Seems to me that anything we did to stop him would be justified."

  "We will stop him," Ree countered. "But here in the Black."

  "Really?" I said. "There were six crucibles, right? Two are gone. One you've got here. That leaves three more in the Light. What happens if they're smashed? Damon's already got some serious abilities. It scares me to think what he'll be able to do if a couple more of those things are broken. How are you going to prevent that?"

  Ree didn't have an answer.

  "I think there's only one way to stop Damon," I added. "You guys have to go after him."

  Ree's eyes lit up. "You're talking about battling evil with evil."

  "I don't think it's evil to protect yourself . . . and those you care about."

  "And what if we lose the battle?"

  "Then, at least you tried. Right now Damon's calling the shots, and I hate to say this but, he's winning."

  Ree stepped away from me and went to the door of the subway car. "I trust Adeipho's instincts," she said. "Our mission is to protect the Rift."

  "Then, you're fighting the wrong fight."

  Ree looked me square in the eye. For a second I thought she might agree with me. Instead, she stepped back from the doorway.

  "Leave this vision, Coop," she commanded. "Do not go back to the Light. I know it's tempting, but you'll only make things worse."

  "So you're not going to do anything?" I asked.

  "We're going to protect the Rift, as always. I know you mean well, Cooper. But stay out of this."

  "What if I don't?"

  Ree gave me a steely look and offered a simple but straight warning. "You don't want the Guardians as enemies."

  Threat received. I walked to the door and stopped in front of her. I didn't want it to end like that. In spite of all that was happening, she was still Marsh's mom.

  "Marsh had a rough time after you died," I said. "He really misses you."

  Tears came to her eyes again. I didn't mean to make her feel bad, I just wanted her to know how much she was loved. "He's a good guy," I added.

  Ree nodded in thanks. I think if she tried to speak, she would have lost it.

  I stepped out of the subway car to find two of Adeipho's soldiers waiting for me. One wore the uniform of a Union soldier from the U.S. Civil War. The other was a woman in green hospital scrubs. Neither had on masks.

  "They'll take you to the edge of the vision," Ree said. "From there you can return to your own."

  "Will I see you again?" I asked.

  Ree smiled. She looked like the Mrs. Seaver I knew. Before.

  "I hope so," she said sincerely.

  We walked silently up and out of the subway station to a deserted New York City. The lady in scrubs gestured for me to walk along a cross street. I expected the two of them to wait at the subway entrance, but instead they followed me down the street. I guess they wanted to make sure that I got out of there.

  I truly believed what I said to Ree. Damon had to be stopped and that wouldn't happen by sitting back and reacting to whatever nastiness he chose to get up to. He was too smart. He didn't play by the rules, so why should the Guardians?

  Why should I?

  As I walked through Ree's vision, I wondered what would happen if I actually got my life back. Could I then find the poleax myself? It sounded as though that weapon was like the black swords on steroids. I would have liked the chance to try it out on Damon.

  I wasn't a stranger to Trouble Town. I knew that taking the easy way out usually meant you didn't get out. It was all coming down to how badly I wanted to protect Marsh. And stop Damon. And being totally honest, how badly I wanted my life back. The real question I had to ask myself was this: Would a full lifetime in the Light be worth risking my eternal soul for?

  Thinking of all the possibilities made my head hurt. I crossed a wide avenue and saw two Watchers standing on the far corner, directly in front of the wall of swirling color that represented the far boundary of Ree's vision. I glanced back to see that my two escorts had stopped. I gave them a quick wave. They didn't return it.

  "Hey!" I shouted to the Watchers. "Are you going to cut these people some slack or what?"

  Their answer was to disappear and go wherever Watchers went when they were confronted by a spirit who challenged
them.

  I had to leave, but wasn't sure where to go. Should I return to my own vision? What would I do there? Twiddle my thumbs and wait for Marsh to die and show up? I wasn't about to sit back and trust anybody else to make the right choices. I had to do whatever it took to get out of Trouble Town. I wasn't exactly sure how to do that, but I knew a good place to start.

  I closed my eyes and stepped through the edge of Ree's vision . . .

  . . . to arrive in ancient Greece.

  22

  I stepped into Damon's vision of the ancient, dusty square.

  I looked right to see the warrior statue in the fountain. I looked left . . . and saw a gloved fist headed toward my face.

  A second later I was on my back, staring up at Damon and the soldier who had clocked me.

  "You are disappointing me," Damon said with disdain. I felt the spray of his saliva hitting my face again, but I was too dazed to do anything about it.

  "That was a total sucker punch," I mumbled. "No wonder nobody thinks you were much of a soldier."

  Insulting the guy wasn't the brightest thing to do. He nodded to his goon, who reared back and kicked me square in the ribs, knocking the wind out of me. I rolled over, gasping, sucking dirt into my mouth.

  Damon chuckled. The guy enjoyed inflicting pain. "Your arrogance will be your undoing," he said reproachfully, as if to a naughty child. "I would think nothing of ending your existence right here and now."

  I turned my head to look up at him and make eye contact. "But you won't," I said defiantly. "You need me."

  His eyes flared. He didn't like being outmaneuvered. "Why didn't you destroy the crucible?" he snarled.

  "Maybe I did."

  He made a gesture and his thug picked me up by the neck and dragged me toward the fountain. He was too big and I was still too loopy to fight. Before I realized what was happening he forced my head under the water. I knew I couldn't drown, but the idea of gulping in water, even if it was an illusion, was terrifying. I probably could have breathed in, drowned, and then stood up as if nothing had happened, but I couldn't be sure so I held my breath until my lungs felt like they would explode. That's when he pulled my head out.

  Damon leaned down and said, "Do not believe for a moment that you are smarter than I am."

  "Maybe I should come back later when you're in a better mood," I sputtered.

  He nodded and the soldiers dunked me again. I imagined my own vision and tried to go there, but nothing happened. It seemed as though to travel between visions you had to make an actual, physical move and since I was being held in place, I was stuck. All I could do was hold my breath and hope that I wouldn't have to learn that spirits could drown.

  I was violently yanked by my hair from under the water until I was once again nose to nose with Damon.

  "Will it end here?" he asked, eerily calm.

  That was an easy one. I shook my head. The soldier gave me a shove and I landed next to the fountain.

  "Now, my friend," Damon said, almost jovially, "let us reassess." He stood over me with his arms folded and a big smile on his face.

  "I didn't have to come here," I said. "I could have gone to my own vision and blocked you."

  "But you did not," he said smugly. "Which means you need me as well. We fully understand each other so please, forgo the tiresome games. Did you locate the crucible?"

  I nodded.

  "Wonderful! Then, why did you not accomplish your task?"

  "It was being guarded," I said.

  "But you had my sword," he declared. "And now you do not. Did you lose it in battle?"

  "Yeah, something like that."

  "Did you encounter Adeipho?"

  "That's who took the sword."

  I sensed him cringe, ever so slightly. "And yet you escaped. I do not understand that. Adeipho is unforgiving."

  I didn't know how much Damon knew about Ree and my connection with her so I had to be careful.

  "He didn't want to let me go. It was Ree's choice."

  "Ah, yes. Marshall's mother. The Guardian of the Rift." So much for being careful. He knew all the players.

  "What do you need me for anyway?" I asked. "You've got more of those spirit-killing swords. Why don't you just fight for the Rift yourself?"

  "Nothing would please me more, but the crucible is preventing me from entering that vision. That is why I need it destroyed. Will you make another attempt?"

  I didn't answer right away because I didn't know what I wanted to do.

  "You have doubts," he said knowingly. "I am not surprised. I can only imagine what Adeipho told you about me."

  "Not a lot of good things," I admitted.

  "Adeipho is a weak pawn. The true power was held by Alexander. But he died before he could ensure I would take my rightful place and command his army."

  He said this as he looked up at the statue of the warrior in the fountain.

  "That's him?" I said. "Alexander the Great?"

  Damon snickered. "A title that was bestowed long after his death."

  "And you think you were going to take his place?"

  "I would have!" Damon snapped. "If not for Adeipho's treachery! What did they tell you? That I was dangerous? That they feared what I would do once I commanded Alexander's army?"

  "Pretty much," I said.

  "Cowards! I followed Alexander's every campaign, destroying the remains of the opposition, ensuring that his victories were complete."

  "Killing prisoners," I said.

  "Enemies!" he shot back. "The history of Alexander speaks only of his glorious victories. The triumphant marches. The expansion of an empire. There is no mention of those who destroyed any possibility of counterattack or reprisal."

  "So you think by killing unarmed prisoners you were responsible for Alexander's success?"

  "My army also fought many a battle," he said defensively.

  "Yeah, I heard you were pretty smart about tactics and all." Damon smiled. He liked that.

  I added, "But you never actually led your men into battle yourself. Why was that?"

  His smile fell fast. I'd hit a sore spot. He dropped to a knee in front of me and pointed to his face.

  "Where do you believe these scars came from? Executing innocent prisoners? I fought valiantly in Alexander's name."

  "You said Adeipho's men did that."

  That threw Damon. It was like I had caught him in a lie.

  "There were many battles," he said, recovering quickly. "This is what my loyalty to Alexander brought me and yet I have been cast as a coward."

  "So what? It's done. Nobody cares about what happened two thousand years ago."

  "Two thousand years or two minutes," Damon exclaimed. "The spirits of the past still exist. My enemies still exist. I can still take what was rightfully mine."

  "What does that mean? You want to get back to the Light so you can keep on killing? Why? To prove you weren't a coward? Maybe you want to eat a couple more hearts while you're at it? You're just . . . sick."

  Damon stiffened and stood up.

  "And who are you?" he said, sounding all superior. "A privileged boy. A petty thief. You have no right to judge me."

  "Absolutely. I'm nobody. But at least I know right from wrong."

  "And where did you come by that wisdom? From your difficult life? From the struggle to survive? From the fear of being slaughtered by invading armies?" Damon spat on the ground in disgust. "You are a naive, pampered child."

  "I lived in a different time."

  "And who taught you the righteous path? Right from wrong? Good from evil? Perhaps your elders? Those you respect?"

  "That's pretty much how it works."

  Damon smiled. It made the hair stand up on my neck. I never knew where this guy was coming from. One minute he was angry, the next he was giddy, then a second later he was in total control as if he held all the cards.

  "Every story has two sides," he said. "Do not make judgments until you learn them both."

  "I think I know a
ll I need to know about you," I shot back.

  "You see the world as a place ruled by noble goals and high standards. Well, let me educate you. The world is not as noble a place as you believe it to be."

  "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

  Damon leaned down, grabbed my arm, and pulled me to my feet.

  He said, "Forgive me for destroying your naive illusions."

  I saw the swirling colored lights appear over his shoulder as he yanked me forward, stepped out of the way, and flung me into the fog. I stumbled, tripped, and landed on my knees in another vision. Looking up, I saw the mailbox with the word "Brady" painted on the side. It took me a second to realize that Damon had flung me into Maggie's vision.

  I was sitting in front of the house next door to hers. The house that would one day become Gramps' home. There was no mistake that it was her vision and not my grandfather's. The gray sky and barren trees were a dead giveaway.

  Why had Damon sent me there? What was he trying to show me?

  I stood up, brushed myself off, and was about to look for Maggie when I caught sight of somebody running around the side of her barn. I only caught a quick glimpse but I knew it was the same little girl that had been dodging around the barn when I'd visited there before.

  Was this what Damon wanted me to see? I decided it was time for me to find out who this kid was so I took off sprinting for the barn, trying not to make any noise for fear it would warn the kid that I was after her. I circled the barn from the opposite side, thinking I would head her off. When I reached the back side, I stopped and cautiously peered around the corner to see . . . the kid wasn't there. She'd disappeared again. I noticed a small, ramshackle toolshed that was built right up against the barn. Either the girl had magically disappeared or she was inside that shed. I ran to the structure, grabbed the door handle, and yanked it open.

  "Ah!" the girl screamed, and cowered into a corner of the hut.

  The girl looked to be around eight years old, so I was twice her size. She wore a short cloth coat over a long white nightgown that was covered with black streaks as if she had been doing some dirty work.

  "Come on out," I ordered.

  The kid kept her eyes on the ground and shuffled to the door so I backed off to let her out. As soon as she stepped out of the hut, she tried to take off running but didn't get more than half a step before I grabbed her jacket.