Memory Hunter

by Frank Morin

  He held his breath as he pressed the pound key to submit the code. It had been valid just weeks prior, but the codes changed every two months. If a new code was in play, a warning would trigger inside the estate and he’d lose the element of surprise.

  Tomas and Sarah waited back at the hotel. If this visit went poorly, he didn’t want them caught in the crossfire. He trusted Tomas to continue the mission to find and free Eirene if he was taken or incapacitated.

  After an eternal two seconds, a green light blinked on and the gate swung silently open. A fraction of his tension eased and he accelerated up the winding drive to the sprawling estate atop the hill. He passed several armed security guards who saluted but did not interfere. Unless they received orders to the contrary, they allowed every facetaker with the correct code unfettered access to the main grounds.

  He parked in front of the huge white, Caribbean-style mansion that reared four stories high with wings that swept back from the circular drive in gentle arcs. He left the car with a valet and entered the building where an aged, tuxedoed butler stood waiting for him.

  “How may I assist you, sir?” The man spoke with a British accent as stiff as his starched collar.

  “Please take me to Meryem.”

  “Should I call ahead, sir?” Even though protocol dictated that Gregorios announce himself, he ignored the tradition.

  “No. We’re old friends and I want to surprise her.”

  “She does like surprises,” the old man said and turned to lead the way into the complex.

  Although the old butler was very subtle, Gregorios caught the shift of one arm between strides. Most likely, the old fellow was alerting security. Good. Gregorios hated unprofessional help.

  The butler led him to a sprawling patio surrounding an Olympic-sized swimming pool. A wide portico shaded the area, with inset stained-glass skylights that cast rainbows of light across the water. Half-reclining in a plush poolside chaise and wearing a surprisingly modest swimsuit, sat Meryem, a voluptuous woman with thick, dark hair that spilled past her shoulders. A couple of shirtless assistants who could have posed for men’s health magazines sat nearby taking notes on laptops.

  The woman glanced over and gasped when she recognized Gregorios. She rose gracefully to her feet with a dazzling smile. Gregorios knew that face all too well and recognized her sensual movements although he’d never seen her wearing that form. It was unusual for Meryem to hold onto a body very long. He’d never known her to look over thirty. Although still alluring, her body was well into its forties.

  “Gregorios!” She glided across the patio to embrace him.

  “Hello, Meryem,” he replied with genuine warmth as he allowed thousands of pleasant memories to bubble through the back of his mind. “It’s very good to see you.”

  She retreated a step to scan him with an approving grin. “You’re looking great. That’s a new model, isn’t it?” For a second, a look of terrible hunger flitted across her face before she concealed it.

  He pretended not to notice. “You look beautiful.”

  She laughed, her rich voice caressing his ears, and took his arm to lead him back to her chair. She waved the assistants away and ordered the butler to fetch food and drink. Then she settled onto the chaise and slid a hand down her flanks. “Always the gentleman, Greg. I’m fat and old.”

  He settled into a seat beside her, not bothering to look around for the telltale signs of security forces watching him through the sights of their rifles. Her adopted form no longer pleased her, so why did she not make a change?

  A pretty young serving girl arrived with a tray heaped with drinks and finger foods. Gregorios ignored it but Meryem selected a tropical drink and took an appreciative sip. “You’re not one for rash moves, my old love. Why risk coming to see me now after so many years?”

  “You know why I’m here. Tell me about Eirene.”

  She made a childish little pout and sipped again. “Here I thought you’d turned over a new life and come to start another affair.”

  “Not yet, I’m afraid.”

  “But you could,” she said suggestively and leaned a little closer. Even wearing that form, she moved with the same seductive grace she always had.

  “We made some good memories,” he said gently, “but Eirene’s still my wife.”

  “For now,” Meryem said without rancor. “Until you move on, just like you did when you left me all those lives ago.”

  He leaned forward and cupped her face with one hand. Fear flickered in her eyes and her fingers tightened around her glass, but she did not pull back, did not embrace her nevra core. So a little trust still lingered.

  Gregorios let his fingers caress her warm cheek and his heart quickened with remembered passion.

  She began to smile and leaned into his hand.

  He wrapped his fingers around the edge of her jaw and tightened his grip. The fear returned to her eyes.

  “Now’s not the time for us,” he said. After tugging gently against her jawline, he released her. Meryem couldn’t quite hide her relief.

  “Now tell me where Eirene was taken and why she was targeted.”

  “There’s much going on, Greg,” Meryem said, leaning back out of reach and sipping again. “Projects half a century in the making are culminating. It’s an exciting time.” As she spoke, her eyes glowed with that same hunger.

  “I don’t care about that. I just want my wife.”

  “You’ll care eventually,” Meryem assured him. “You recently risked another transfer. How are you feeling?”

  “Impatient.” He allowed a hint of anger into his voice.

  Meryem saluted him with her drink. “You and your iron will.” Then her smile faded. “Even you aren’t immune. The day will come when you’ll need us.”

  “Today I just need my wife. Don’t make me ask again.”

  “I’m not a central player right now. Too much work with the consignment team.”

  “I’m not surprised. Some of the world leaders are getting old.”

  “Old and rich,” she agreed with a smile. “Just the way we like it.”

  “I’m glad you’re busy, but don’t change the subject.”

  “Oh Greg, you’ve been out too long. You should see what we can do with face recognition software these days.”

  “Not interested.”

  The consignment team, which Meryem had led for centuries, was responsible for scheduling soul transfers for wealthy clients. They maintained a database of potential clients and suggested body donors. In days of old the preferred transactions were those where rich clients supplied their own transfer vehicle, usually a young relative. When they lacked a suitable host, the consignment team would find and abduct one.

  In the last century, Meryem had started buying donors or, when that was not possible, paying out a large sum to the family of those taken. Disguised as life insurance payments, no one ever complained, even when they had known nothing about the policy.

  The activities of the consignment team had created one of the rifts between Gregorios and Meryem during the short life they had shared together. In his opinion, many of their wealthy clients weren’t deserving of new lives. First-life abuses were usually compounded in later lives. Those who lived long enough and accrued enough wealth for multiple lives sometimes purchased one life too many, suffering mental breakdown as the repeated soul transfers led to soul fragmentation. The resulting broken minds or fractured spirits often led to atrocities that Gregorios’ team had been assigned to deal with. Jack the Ripper was one example, as were several of the more notorious mass murderers.

  Over time he’d become more and more dissatisfied with the system, but Meryem wouldn’t agree with him that things should change. She was proud of her work. It was the way of the world and she would not be ashamed of it.

  “Very well,” Meryem said, drawing him back to the present. “Be stubborn. It was always one of your qualities I found most aggravating. And most alluring.”

  He waited.


  She took a big bite out of a huge strawberry, caressing the fruit with her full lips before giving him a wide smile.

  “If you want Eirene, you need to go to Rome.”

  Gregorios’ heart sank. He’d been afraid of that.

  He rose. “Thanks.”

  “You owe me,” she said as she also stood. She slid one finger down his cheek and leaned closer. “I always collect.”

  He pulled away. “Good-bye, Meryem.”

  “Don’t dawdle, Gregorios,” she called after him as he strode for the exit. “I don’t know the details, but I doubt Eirene will enjoy what they have planned for her. Lab rats rarely do.”

  Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. And yet, I have failed to determine the underlying principle fueling Nobel’s runes. I am one of those who think like Nobel, that humanity will draw more good than evil from new discoveries, but what to do with a power source that defies nature? I am left to conclude that perhaps the secrecy imposed by the government regarding these runes may be necessary until further study can be performed.

  ~Marie Curie

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rome.

  They were really in Rome.

  Sarah could scarce contain her excitement when they landed on a late evening flight. She had wanted to see Rome forever and, despite the gravity of their mission to track down Eirene, she was thrilled to see the city.

  Not that she’d get to see much of it right away. While Tomas headed straight for the Suntara Group headquarters, Sarah was forced to join Gregorios in driving to a safe house in the city. Gregorios was a decent tour guide, but when he talked about the important landmarks lying so close by, but invisible in the darkness, she wanted to tell him to shut up. Better not to know how close she was while still unable to see anything.

  She did get to see the Colosseum. Traffic passed surprisingly close to the ancient home of the gladiator games, and Sarah eagerly studied the ruin with its three levels of stone arches. Although only part of it remained, she could imagine it in all its ancient glory, and the sight took her breath away. She’d seen many photos, but actually staring out the window at it drove home how old it was, how amazing its ancient construction and long life were.

  Gregorios surprised her by making an obscene gesture out his window.

  “What was that for?”

  “Tradition.”

  He didn’t explain further and distracted her by pointing out the Arch of Constantine as they passed. The huge, freestanding triumphal arch would have looked imposing anywhere else but in the shadow of the Colosseum. Sarah still wished they could get out and inspect its three giant arches and the statues standing atop columns flanking the openings. One more sight Tomas needed to show her. A little while later, she caught a glimpse of St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance and that just fueled her thirst to sight-see as soon as possible.

  The safe house ended up being a typical Italian three-story home with salmon colored walls, wooden shutters over the windows, and a garden on the roof. It was clean and comfortable inside and since they had little baggage, it only took minutes to settle in.

  After fixing some dinner, Gregorios turned on the television, looking bored. Sarah spent the next hour fretting until Tomas returned. She tried to keep herself distracted by exploring the safe house. It looked like a normal home with a few additions. The doors and windows were set in steel frames, and she didn’t doubt they were a lot more solid than they looked. A stainless-steel door with a keypad lock blocked access to the basement and she decided not to ask what was kept down there.

  Gregorios revealed that the council owned the safe house, although so close to the headquarters, it was rarely used. That didn’t entirely make sense to her, and he hadn’t sounded as confident about the location’s security as he had about the place they had visited outside New Orleans. The most puzzling mystery was how Tomas could just walk into the headquarters building and search for Eirene without arousing suspicion.

  “I’m in good standing,” was all he had said. “Don’t worry.”

  She did worry. She couldn’t help it. Tomas was her anchor in this frightening new world she’d plunged into. Without him, she’d feel completely lost and too frightened to push ahead. His calm strength had saved her once, and she relied on it until she understood better the dangers they faced.

  At just past one in the morning, Tomas strode in the front door and declared, “She’s here!”

  Gregorios’ mask of calm vanished and he rose as quickly as Sarah did.

  “You’re sure?” Gregorios pressed.

  “I couldn’t risk gaining access to see her in person, but I’m sure she’s being held there.”

  “So the council was responsible after all.”

  “Maybe.” Tomas dropped into an overstuffed chair. “From what I gathered, she was actually taken by Mai Luan.”

  That appeared to trouble Gregorios more than Eirene’s capture had. It terrified Sarah. She rubbed her arms against a sudden chill. The thought that Mai Luan might still be alive had scared her, but it sounded like the terrifying woman was actually in Rome with them. Returning home to the States suddenly sounded like a very good idea.

  “That doesn’t make any kind of sense,” Gregorios said. “The council has to know what she is.”

  “I think they do,” Tomas confirmed. “No one said Cui Dashi aloud, but the way they talked about her, it was clear.”

  “No matter what they want Eirene for,” Gregorios said. “What would drive them to permit any contact with a known Cui Dashi that didn’t involve big guns?”

  “Mai Luan is terrifying,” Sarah said. “But what’s a Cui Dashi?”

  “You’re right,” Tomas said. “You need to know what we’re facing.”

  “Cui Dashi are a melding of bloodlines,” Gregorios said. “They are the extremely rare individuals who inherit the heka rounon gift as well as the active nevra core of the facetaker.”

  “Nevra core?” Sarah asked.

  “It’s our center, our soul force,” Gregorios explained. “Think of it as the fuel cell of our powers. We have the ability to tap our nevron, or the energy generated by our core, and leverage the force of our souls in ways no mortals can.”

  Sarah understood why Tomas just called it magic at first. If she hadn’t experienced facetaker powers and witnessed soul transfers and shimmering soulmasks, she wouldn’t have understood what he was talking about. “So that’s why Mai Luan was so strong?”

  Tomas took her hands. “Yes. When those bloodlines merge, the two different powers magnify each other exponentially. Cui Dashi can enhance themselves beyond anything the rest of us could hope to match, and they can overwhelm the souls of even experienced facetakers.”

  Gregorios added, “If our nevra core is a fuel cell, hers is a nuclear reactor.”

  Sarah shuddered. Although Mai Luan had looked like an unremarkable, slender, Chinese-American woman, she had possessed incredible strength and survived injuries that should have been lethal.

  “The bigger problem,” Gregorios added, “is that the vastly magnified power of the Cui Dashi lead them to view the rest of the world as lesser beings. The next logical step is wanting to take control.”

  “They become dangers to everyone,” Tomas said. “Every single one has turned bad.”

  “That’s why we’ve always united against them,” Gregorios said. “Until now.”

  “It gets worse,” Tomas said. “Mai Luan is scheduled to appear before the council tomorrow. She’s going to use Eirene in some kind of experiment.”

  “Oh, no,” Sarah breathed. She couldn’t imagine what Mai Luan’s plan might be, but the thought of that vile woman torturing Eirene left her shaking with terrified rage.

  Gregorios’ expression hardened, his eyes glinting with points of purple light.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our phys
ical forms.

  ~ Tomas

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sarah eagerly stepped out of a little bus taxi that Gregorios had hired to take them the short drive to Vatican City. She grabbed Tomas’ hand and drew him out of the vehicle to stand beside her. The air was warm and the street packed with the funny little cars popular in Rome. Swarms of scooters and bicycles wove around each other everywhere and crowds jostled past on the sidewalks.

  “This is awesome.” She turned in a circle, trying to take everything in at once. The buildings looked old and a weight of history hung over the city. After the freaky excitement of New Orleans, it felt wonderful, as if she were dipping her toes into a timeless pond. She had felt it the moment they arrived, but the bright light of day magnified the feeling. The air smelled of exhaust, fried street vendor food, all overlaid on top of the scent of weathered stone. Beeping horns and hundreds of small engines made a constant background noise, punctuated by scores of voices talking in many languages. Loud American tourists mingled with English visitors, while French and German accents sounded nearby. All of them were surrounded by the sing-song words of the local Italians. It made a wonderful din, so unlike anything she heard in the States.

  Sarah wore designer jeans, a green silk blouse and a light jacket. Tomas was dressed in khaki pants, polo shirt, and a sports jacket, while Gregorios dressed like a tourist with cargo shorts, yellow shirt, and a typical backpack.

  “Quite a sight,” Tomas said with a smile. “Despite how many times I see it.”

  Sarah had decided not to ask about the coincidence that their planned vacation destination just happened to be the location of the secret facetaker council headquarters. She had ulterior motives for joining him in New Orleans, so she didn’t begrudge him little secrets.