He walked through and soft lights came on. Inside was another room, much smaller than the rest of the trove. However, this room had items that seemed to tell a story, only he didn’t know what it was. There was armor made from leather and metal, weapons of all sorts, robes and cloaks, and jewelry. Hanging on a hook next to a full-length mirror was a gold medallion of the Mighty. He lifted it from the hook. It looked different than the ones they wore now, more detailed, more intricate. He turned the medallion over in his hand, revealing the back wasn’t flat like the one around his neck. He compared the two. This new amulet made the old one he had been wearing seem plain. The center stone wasn’t simply a blue stone, but appeared to be a sapphire that shimmered and sparkled even in the dim lighting. The sword’s blade was a white gold with yellow gold for the hilt. The shield had rubies that formed a border around the edges.
Something else caught his eye. Opposite the amulet hung a simple but elegant green dress with a long V neck that ended at a blood-red ruby woven into the fabric. He took it from the hook.
“This would look great on Patty.”
He had barely gotten the words out when he looked up to see a purple mist clear the air and realized he was standing in a steam-filled bathroom. Running water and humming came from behind him. He turned around.
How?
In front of him was a lady taking a shower. And although the fogged glass obscured most of his view, he couldn’t mistake her hair, darker than usual from the water. Still, it was Patty’s. He turned toward the door to leave, not sure how he got there in the first place.
“Patty, what are you wearing tonight? I’m not sure what to borrow,” Shannon called from the other room.
“I’m not sure. I’ll be out in a second.”
Stephen tried not to panic as he began looking for something to hide behind.
I need to get back to the trove! The purple mist swallowed him just as quickly as it had before.
Relief slowly began to work its way through his body, calming his shaking nerves as he looked around the room he had vanished from only a moment earlier. He looked back at the amulet and placed it back on the hook, shaking his head in disbelief. His eyes shifted to the other hook—empty. And so were his hands.
It was too late. What was done was done. But he still needed to find what he had come looking for.
****
Stephen sat alone in a restaurant, at a table covered with white linen. It might have been the nicest restaurant he had ever been in. The silence, however, was deafening. He glanced at a waiter, who stood patiently at his station, then down at a simple gold pocket watch he had flipped open. Five more minutes. It’s okay. He closed the watch, which had the emblem of the Mighty engraved on it.
He rolled his shoulders, trying to relax. Wearing the dress garb he found in his family’s trove made him feel just a bit uncomfortable and overly formal. It consisted of a black double-breasted suit, complete with a button-down white shirt, ascot, and black vest. Still, it was an exquisite suit, finer than any he had ever owned. His matching long coat, which looked more like a monk’s tunic, hung from the back of his chair. He couldn’t help but think of the first time he had seen this clothing, at Waltz’s funeral.
I wish you were here. I think you’d approve.
The door to the front of the restaurant opened. He anticipated standing and leaned forward. It was only Vincent. He sat back in his seat.
Vincent approached, looking as pleasant as Stephen had ever seen him, and also wearing his official dress clothes. As he neared the table, Vincent stopped and looked around before focusing back on Stephen. Then, he placed his coat on the back of the chair and sat at the corner opposite Stephen. “You were not joking when you asked us to join you for a quiet dinner.”
Stephen tried not to fidget. “No, I wasn’t. Are they coming together?”
“Yes. They seem to enjoy each other’s company more than ours.” Vincent shifted in his seat. “You do not suppose they talk about us, do you?”
Stephen laughed. “No, I don’t suppose. I know.” He pointed to the small shield on Vincent’s lapel. “I see you got your insignia.”
“Yes, Cassandra gave it to me today. She believes I may also have the ability to heal. When I am able to develop it, I will get another insignia as a healer.”
“That’s good,” Stephen said. He felt Vincent’s excitement.
The front door opened again. Stephen looked up to see Shannon walk through, wearing simple pearls around her neck, pearl earrings, and a long black coat, which she quickly removed, revealing a slimming black gown. Her long golden hair hung braided in the back. Her eyes appeared dark, like round onyx.
Both men stood. Shannon approached and sat next to Stephen, across from Vincent, who helped her with her chair.
“I thought Patty was coming with you?” Vincent asked.
A shimmer caught Stephen’s eye, pulling his attention back toward the front. Patty stood smiling as bright as he had ever seen her. The long, green, silk gown kissed every curve of her body, until just above the knees where the fabric began to flow away from her, allowing free movement. The glimmering ruby sat in the middle and just below her breasts. It flickered like fire in the light as she walked toward him. Her red hair hung longer than shoulder length, but not much.
“Stephen!” Vincent’s loud whisper caught his attention. “Close your mouth, please.”
“Sorry, it’s just . . . Wow!”
He walked around and pulled Patty’s seat out. “You look amazing.”
She leaned in close to him and whispered in his ear, “Thank you.”
Hairs stood up on the back of his neck. He pushed her chair in as she sat, then returned to his seat.
Patty smiled at Stephen. “I have to ask you how you did it.”
“Did what?” Stephen couldn’t stop thinking about how gorgeous Patty looked in the dress. The dress! “Oh! How did I . . . the dress?”
Patty smiled and nodded.
“Yeah, that’s some trick. I was in the other room,” Shannon interjected. “Ordinarily, I’d guess it was a medallion, the amulet. But those only work inside Enclave, or in very specific locations.”
Stephen found this curious. He hadn’t realized that before. But now he remembered learning that in one of his classes. “Oh, uh. I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.”
Patty grabbed his hand from across the table. “However you did it, it was a lovely surprise.”
Stephen felt his cheeks warm. “I’m glad you liked it.”
He motioned for the waiter, who hastened to their table with menus. They had the attention of the whole staff. The restaurant would serve no other patrons this evening. Patty and Shannon had both inquired as to why Stephen had gone to such extremes for a simple date. Stephen, however, assured them that it was for security, the best way to ensure that their enemy didn’t attack in a moment when they might be vulnerable and unprepared. Shannon accepted the excuse, suggesting it was wise on Stephen’s part. He sensed, however, that Patty wasn’t so sure.
Stephen’s pretty sure of himself. Would he really rent the whole restaurant for that? Her thoughts poured out to him easier than ever before.
He didn’t like invading her mind, pulling her thoughts without her knowing. Still, this was an exception. He needed to know that she had no clue.
As the evening’s dessert dishes were removed, the waiter brought over two long-stemmed roses, surrounded in baby’s breath and tied with silver ribbon. Both women smiled and said thank you to their men, nearly in unison. Patty’s rose was red, Shannon’s was yellow, matching their hair. The woman showed their roses to each other.
“Oh!” Shannon gasped, nearly dropping her own flower. Her eyes grew round as she stared at the red rose.
“What is it?” Patty quickly looked the rose over as though expecting to find an insect or some other hideous sight. Instead, upon looking into the rose blossom, she too gasped for air, turning sharply to Stephen.
“Is this . . . ? Are you .
. . ?” In all the excitement, she hadn’t noticed that Stephen had knelt beside the table.
“Patty,” Stephen began. “I came back to St. Louis looking for family. I didn’t expect much. I was lost in so many ways. The family I had is gone now. But God’s given me a new one.” He reached up and took the ring from the rose. “I don’t know what will happen. People are disappearing. There’s some battle looming that I’m supposed to win. But before that, I have to find Bernard and keep Vincent’s dad from killing me. Before that all happens, I need to know. Will you marry me?”
Stephen had never seen Patty glow like she did in this moment. “Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes, lass. He’s sure!”
The group looked up to see that Alistair had come through the door.
“I didn’t miss it then?”
“Unfortunately, you did not,” Vincent chided.
Patty turned her attention back to a still kneeling Stephen. “I want to say, yes,” she answered.
Stephen couldn’t help but smile, despite his nerves.
“But,” she continued, causing Stephen to feel nauseated, “I need to know you want a life with me. I feel like you’re only asking because you’re afraid you might not get a chance later.”
Stephen stood. “I understand.” He looked down at the ground. He wanted to smile and tell her it was okay—that he was okay. But he wasn’t.
Patty stood and handed him the ring. “Do you?” She caressed his face with her hand. “I love you. You know this. You can read my mind and feel what I feel. I can’t do the same. Are you willing to open yourself to me fully? If so, show me everything and I’ll say yes tonight.”
Stephen looked around the room at his friends. As his eyes met Shannon, he knew he couldn’t do that, let Patty have complete access to this thoughts and feelings.
He looked into Patty’s eyes. “I do love you. What else do you need from me?”
Patty’s eyes watered. Stephen knew she was hurt. He also knew she loved him unequivocally. “You fight. You win. You live. Then I’ll say yes the next time you ask.” Her answer was simple, and she spoke with surety and grace.
Stephen placed the ring back in his pocket and kissed her hand, then her lips.
Stephen pulled away, not caring that the others watched or that they stared awkwardly at him. “For your love, I’ll find a way.”
Alistair patted him on the back. “Well then, mukker, you better get to it.”
Chapter 13
Stephen completed his regular combat training first thing the next morning. Since Shannon instructed him, it went as usual: the cordial hello, followed by warm-ups, both of which preceded his regular beat-down, even though she continued to tell him he improved. Increasingly, however, he found it hard to concentrate when fighting her. Before, she was only the combat instructor. Now, he saw her as a friend and a lady, making it harder for him to go full throttle with her.
Afterward, he was back in warrior training with Aidan, which was often a combination of strength and agility conditioning, and combat training where he could use his warrior strength and speed. Some days, however, consisted of strength and agility training, followed by speed drills—usually sprints and punching back drills.
Following lunch was the only free time trainees had during the day. Some would pray. Others read and studied Scripture. Forms of meditation ranged from worship, to going above ground and walking around enjoying what God had given. This time was intended for Mighty to strengthen their relationship with God. Stephen, however, most often used this time to train harder. He would have liked to do some of the other, more relaxing activities. Until the weight on his shoulders had been lifted, however, there simply wasn’t time.
He punched the bag—jab, jab, cross. Each combination got faster and harder. Something about the smell of sweat, the thud of glove against bag—the physical exertion helped to clear his mind.
First Waltz. Now Elizabeth. It seemed a vicious cycle that had to end. And he was the one to do it. It was all up to him. That was what Areli, the angel from his vision, had told him back in Metropolis, Illinois.
Adding insult to injuring, Uncle Bernie had betrayed him. Regardless of the reason, it was still a betrayal. Now, Vincent’s dad had come for Stephen. Why? What was the point? Wouldn’t Anthony want his son, not Stephen? It didn’t make sense to him. No matter how hard Stephen tried to reconcile it, he couldn’t. They needed to know Anthony’s connection to all this.
He spun so fast, most would have missed it with a blink. His heel connected with the bag, nearly thrusting straight through. Sand spilled out, and continued to drain as he watched and listened to it settle underneath.
“That’ll need to be cleaned.”
Stephen jerked his head back around. Shannon approached from the observation area.
“Sorry, Shannon. I’ll take care of it.” Stephen pulled his gloves off and lifted the nearly empty bag off the hook above.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it.” Shannon laughed. “I guess you have the training room safety off?”
“Yeah, with all that’s going on, I needed to let off some steam. It’s not quite the same if I can’t use all my strength.” Stephen began rolling the wraps from his hands and wrists.
“I get it.” Shannon slid the empty stand back to the wall, leaving only a hook exposed high above. “This doesn’t have anything to do with the proposal, right?”
“Huh? Oh, no.” Stephen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Things are good. It’s just that with everything going on, I thought . . .” Stephen paused. He didn’t know what to say next—that he wanted to know now how Patty felt in case he didn’t survive the fight? Or that he wanted to prove to himself that he loved Patty as much as she loved him? “It doesn’t matter what I thought. I know she loves me. That’s what’s important. You know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I have a question. Did you ever tell Vincent you were adopted?”
Shannon laughed. “No. Everyone around here knows. I just figured he knew too. It never came up.”
Stephen chuckled. With Vincent’s social skills lacking, it didn’t surprise him that his friend hadn’t heard. “I’m glad he has you. He’s different with you—happier, I think.”
“Thanks. It’s funny you say that. I’m glad he’s happier. I used to hope I could do the same for Dad. They’re a lot alike.”
“I guess they are. I couldn’t see it before, but it makes sense now. I didn’t like Vincent much at first either.” Stephen feigned a smile, hoping he hadn’t offended Shannon.
She grinned. “Dad can be hard to take. But he’s a decent man, not perfect, but decent. He lost something when Mom died though.”
“I’ll try to cut him some slack.” Stephen looked around. “Where do you keep the broom?”
“It’s in the closet by the locker room.”
Stephen took off at a jog, dropping his gloves and wraps in his bag up front. He found the broom and dustpan, then sped back over to the bag.
“Stephen,” a familiar voice called out.
“I’m popular today,” he joked as he turned again. “Pastor Buchanan—uh, David.” He saw his friend rarely, but always enjoyed their visits, though he still hadn’t gotten use to calling him by his title. “What can I do for you?”
“Can you spare a few minutes?” Pastor Buchanan asked.
Stephen looked at Shannon and shrugged.
“Go ahead. I’ve got this. But you have to train with me at least one extra session this weekend.”
Stephen rolled his eyes and smirked. “If you insist.” He took off toward the door, grabbing his bag as he went.
“You can call me Pastor Buchanan, you know.” The old man put his arm around Stephen’s shoulders. “Edge still calls me Pap.’”
That made Stephen happy, not that he had a problem with the title. Stephen just felt more comfortable calling him Pastor Buchanan. He thought of him more as a friend and mentor, which he needed.
As the
two men walked into the David’s chambers, they were greeted by Sam, Anastasia, Alistair, Vincent, and their trainers, Commander Brahms, Colvin, Aiden, and Cassandra.
Stephen stopped and looked around. The mood in the room was mixed. Vincent and Alistair had no idea why they were there either. Brahms knew, however. His tension eased. It wasn’t bad. That was all he needed to know and didn’t probe their minds any further.
He smiled at Vincent and Alistair. It’s nothing bad. I don’t know what, but nothing bad. Alistair appeared to relax. And although Vincent’s appearance didn’t change, he thought he saw Vincent’s chest fall as though he let out a long, slow breath in relief.
“I’m glad we’re all here. Let’s sit.” Pastor Buchanan motioned toward a large table in an adjoining room.
Everyone moved to the next room, finding their seats.
Stephen looked around as everyone got settled. Pastor Buchanan’s quarters were not what he expected. The rooms appeared spacious, yet humble, with only sparse decorations. He noticed a family portrait and smiled at the site of a teenaged Edge with braces.
“Honored David, Sam, and Anastasia,” Commander Brahms began as he looked to each. “It is quite unusual to have a meeting like this with the trainees present. We haven’t even had a chance to discuss it among ourselves.”
“What are we discussing?” Aidan chimed in.
“I’m sorry, but we felt it would be best for everyone to be on the same page from the beginning. These aren’t kids, like our usual trainees,” Pastor Buchanan replied.
Stephen leaned toward Colvin, who sat next to him. “What is this about?”
“No idea,” he whispered. “Victor, the commander, asked us to meet him here.”
Chronicles of Stephen BoxSet Page 41
