by C E Johnson
Once they were settled in, he continued the tour taking them to a passageway near the middle of the house. “Here’s my central control area.” He gestured toward a blank wall. Emily could detect the signature of a faint yellow aura identifying the location of a secret door.
Murmuring an incantation, Hadrian opened the mage-locked door. He also added Emily and Dr. D to the mage-lock to give them easy access, and they all entered a thin passageway that branched to the north and south. They took the north branch first, descending to a basement with a series of rooms and tunnels. Hadrian showed them how they could escape to emerge in a forested area away from the main home.
While walking, Emily opened one of the side doors in the passageway. “Whoa, what’s all this?” She took a step into a massive storeroom filled with generators, parts, machinery, vehicles, and shelves of electronics. A ramp at the back of the room angled toward the surface.
Hadrian stuck his head through the doorway. “My backup plan in the event of an EMP.”
“EMP?” Emily wasn’t sure what the initials stood for.
“An electromagnetic pulse.” Hadrian gestured toward different areas of the cavernous area that seemed to stretch forever. “I’ve stored food, multiple layers of backup generators, and several underground wells for water. I’m ready for anything, including a prolonged power disruption.”
“You could feed an army for years.” Dr. D entered the room and surveyed the area with his hands on his hips. “Better organized than my Castle Cave. If any disaster hits Earth, I’m headed here.”
Hadrian continued the tour. He led them out of the basement to the south branch in the initial hallway. “Here’s my control center.” Accessing a retinal scanner for entry, he led them along a ramp into a room where almost every inch was covered with computer equipment and electronics. There were monitors showing ‘active areas’ throughout the world with scores of maps and alerts constantly flashing across a variety of screens. He sat down at one of the computers, his fingers darting over the keys. “Is there anything else you remember about Samil or Droth?”
Emily used her memory spells to pull out any recollections that she had that might be important in tracking the two. “While I was on Acacia, I heard Samil talking to his sons about Droth, saying Droth was his general, so they’re definitely connected. My parents also told me that when I was young, a man named Samil approached us at a restaurant in Austin. They said Samil was riding an enormous motorcycle.”
Hadrian glanced at her, eyes burning intensely. “What kind of motorcycle was he riding?”
“My parents called it a Tomahawk.” Emily pulled up a chair next to her brother.
“Interesting.” Hadrian began to type again on his keyboard. “I know of that motorcycle. Only a handful of those were ever officially purchased, but perhaps more were built and sold on the black-market. I think that’s our most promising lead. Maybe I can find out if someone made one legal to drive on the roads. If so, I think we’ll have a pretty good lock on Samil’s general location in the past.”
Dr. D moved toward a screen which was centered on a live satellite image of Austin, Texas. “If we can find traces of Samil or Droth here on Earth, maybe we can track down what they’re trying to accomplish.”
“I haven’t heard much on Samil, but I’ve learned a few things about Droth.” Hadrian pulled open a drawer and retrieved two folders. He handed Dr. D and Emily each a file. “Dysis captured individuals in two separate groups of mercenaries that were attempting to abduct Emily. Both were under Droth’s command. One group tried to kidnap Emily at her home, and the second group attempted to capture her on the horse ranch where she trains. The mercenaries reported that Droth wanted to hold her for his commander ... I presume that must be Samil.”
“We need to find them here on Earth, where they aren’t as powerful.” Dr. D scanned through the file. “We need to reverse this deadly game and start tracking them.”
C H A P T E R 4
Monuments
The morning sun sent out fingers of light that touched Emily’s face with probing tendrils of warmth. She was in a somewhat sheltered area, a type of courtyard, off the side of Hadrian’s house where she was experimenting with her mind-link. Delving deep into Xena’s mind, Emily delighted in the pack-like sensations flowing through her Doberman as she played with Duke, who was almost as fast as Xena.
But not as fast, Xena taunted.
You are the fastest dog I know, Emily giggled.
Without warning, Xena stopped running and turned her head in a new direction, growling softly. I hear an approaching engine. Xena positioned herself in the shadows, watching, waiting.
A car rolled in slowly over the gravel. Dysis emerged from the vehicle with a wide smile and laughing eyes. “Enjoying the tiny house of Hadrian?”
Emily felt relaxed around Dysis. “It’s a nice house.”
She’s alone, Xena whispered as she moved out of the shadows, softening her stance.
Dysis’ head swiveled abruptly as she noticed Xena watching her, and her straight black hair began to sway delicately over her back. “I see Xena has me under observation.” Xena went to Dysis and allowed herself to be pet. “Hadrian thought you might enjoy a day walking through Washington D.C. while he and Dr. Dalton do some research. Are you up for it?”
Emily nodded. Hadrian and Dr. D had told her about the plan. “Sure, I’ve never toured the sights here.”
“I thought we would begin with an exploration of the museums,” Dysis gestured for Emily to follow her to her car.
I should go with you. Xena moved forward to stand by Emily’s leg.
Stay here with Duke, Emily advised. I’ll only be gone for a little while and I’m not sure if you can go into the buildings. She was certain leaving Xena was the right thing to do, but she couldn’t stifle a stab of discomfort at their separation.
They toured the Air and Space Museum and the Holocaust Museum with Dysis lecturing as they walked, “The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum complex, all started with money from James Smithson.” They viewed Smithson’s crypt which was on the first floor of the Smithsonian Castle, a small room with stained glass windows and dark marble flooring.
They spent time in the gems and mineral area in the National Museum of American History. Emily walked behind Dysis as they entered a section displaying stony meteorites that fell to Earth from space. They went to the gems area, Emily was curious if there were magestones hidden in the treasures, but there were no auras associated with the stones in the displays. She studied the Hope diamond, a large stone of a dark gray and blue in a necklace.
“That’s a big rock.” Dysis joined her. “Over 45 carats.”
Emily thought the diamond was pretty, but it was dwarfed by the diamond that she gave Tiamat. “I’m not a fan of diamonds.” Her heart began to race as she remembered her narrow escape from Tiamat’s nest room.
Dysis raised one eyebrow questioningly. “It’s the world’s largest deep blue diamond.” Dysis leaned toward the display case, “Some believe there could be a curse linked with this diamond.”
“I guess we shouldn’t steal it today,” Emily teased, trying to keep her voice warm. She thought back to the spell that Samil and Suci placed on the diamond dragon, essentially cursing it. Cold fingers began gripping her spine as she remembered the damage the explosion had caused. She pulled away from the case, her skin covered in goosebumps.
Dysis glanced at Emily and seemed to notice a change had come over her. She took her to an exclusive dining room in the Smithsonian Castle. They ate together, and Emily began to relax again. They gossiped, and Emily enjoyed laughing and giggling, she felt a young girl again without the weight of the world on her shoulders.
“I’m glad Hadrian has stopped his investigation of you. I was hoping you weren’t a fourteen-year old enemy of the state.” Dysis’ voice was as warm as Emily’s food, and Emily was surprised by the level of kindness in the agent’s words. “I still haven’t figured out
all your secrets,” Dysis continued quietly, “and Hadrian still hasn’t completely told me what makes you and Dr. Dalton so interesting, but I enjoy your company.”
“I’m not that intriguing.” Emily felt the urge to tell Dysis so much more, but the words caught in her throat. She could tell Dysis was trying to figure out the puzzle of her new relationship with Hadrian, but she wasn’t going to give her many clues until she talked more about Dysis with Hadrian.
Dysis shrugged. “I’m sorting through the clues. Any chance you’ll let me know what he sees in you?”
“I’m not sure what he sees exactly.” Emily felt color rise in her cheeks as she answered vaguely. She wanted to switch the conversation to focus on Dysis. “How long have you been working with him?”
“For quite a few years. I was one of the first recruits to his team, and I became his sparring partner. Usually I beat him, so maybe that’s why he keeps me around,” she gave Emily a half smile. “I’ve worked my way up in the Blacksky agency to be one of his main advisors.”
Emily debated what to say next. Impulsively she blurted, “I think Hadrian likes you.”
She saw a touch of surprise in Dysis’ eyes with her candor, but Dysis appeared to catch herself quickly. “I’m not sure what you’re picking up on, but I’ll take that as a compliment. I have a lot of respect for Hadrian.”
They left the restaurant and began to tour several monuments. Emily was enjoying her time with Dysis. She already felt like she had made a good friend, not to the level of Anna, Isabelle, and Elizabeth, but Dysis was fun to be around. They walked to the top of the Lincoln Memorial, and stared out over the mass of tourists walking on the grassy National Mall that stretched to the United States Capitol. Emily found herself studying Dysis’ back. Beneath her clothing where her hair touched, Emily thought she could discern the hidden shape of a sword hilt. The sword didn’t scare her, instead it comforted her.
Emily sat on the cool white steps letting the sinking sun warm her body. Magenta streaks were merging with crimson and rose in the sky, giving her a color show of red against the departing blue. This is a nice vacation. She closed her eyes and leaned back.
Black and red magicians, her ki boomed in her head, waking her from her day-dream. Her eyes snapped open, widening in amazement. Instinctually, she began scanning the region around her position.
What’s going on? Xena was instantly in Emily’s mind. I told you I should have gone with you. Xena was viewing the scene through Emily’s eyes, ready to give advice.
I’ll be careful, Z, Emily whispered, while springing to her feet. She shifted into a spell-casting stance.
“What is it?” Dysis exchanged a wary glance with Emily.
“Something’s wrong.” Then, Emily saw it. There was something unusual at the back of the mall near the National Air and Space Museum: a faint black and red glow of two auras. Her heart was pounding, and a thin sheen of sweat was forming on her skin. “You’re never going to believe me, but there’s someone at the back of the Mall … someone I think Hadrian’s going to want to talk to.” Emily pointed. A shiver went down her spine.
“What are you talking about?” Dysis followed Emily’s gaze, disbelief written on her face. “I can’t see people that far away.” Her brow was furrowed.
“Please, just call him, quickly.” Emily continued to watch the black and red glow in the distance, the auras of two magicians from Acacia. The black aura was vibrant. Its magician was powerful with components of integrity, and intelligence. The red aura was just as robust, but with an underlying current of venom and spite.
Should I cast a camouflage spell? Emily debated if her aura might be seen by the men.
Do it! Xena growled. Stay hidden. Emily began to whisper the incantation.
“What are you doing?” Dysis gave Emily a measured look as she fumbled for her phone.
“Preparing myself.” Emily whispered Mouwe, while composing her mind. She pulled, and let the magic flow. There was a small drain on her energy. She kept her eyes trained on the area of the two magician’s auras, drawing again from her magus to pull their auras into view intermittently, studying them. She didn’t think she had been spotted.
Dysis gave Emily a long look. She was on her cell phone. “Hadrian, this is Dysis,” Emily could hear the doubt in her voice. “I’m involved in a somewhat unusual event. Emily thinks something’s wrong. She wanted me to tell you there’s someone out here on the Mall … someone you’re going to want to talk to.”
The phone was immediately passed to Emily, and breathlessly she began to relay the scene before her. “I see two auras at the edge of the Mall.”
“Are you positive?” There was tension reverberating in Hadrian’s voice.
“I’m positive. There are two magicians. My ki alerted me.”
“I wonder if it’s Samil or Droth. I’ll mobilize a Blacksky team right away and pull in the FBI. You’ll be the point coordinating with Dysis. Don’t approach the magicians and don’t get hurt. Can you give the phone back to Dysis?”
“Sure, but it’s not Samil. I’d know his aura signature anywhere.” Emily handed the phone to Dysis. She opened and closed her right hand which ached with the want of a sword.
She could hear her brother’s voice roaring on the phone to Dysis, “Don’t let these individuals get away.” Dysis’ body stiffened while listening to her commander explain his plans. She was still as a statue; her jaw was set.
Dysis ended the call. She went to stand side-by-side with Emily. “Hadrian just activated our best team for interception based on what you’re seeing from across this considerable distance.” There was iron and steel in Dysis’ words. “What do you mean when you say you see a magician?” Dysis stared at Emily with eyes that weren’t cold, but rather questioning. She wanted answers.
Emily gave a forced smile. “Hadrian will have to tell you most of what’s going on.” She could hear the desperation forming in her own voice. She took a deep breath, hoping to slow her racing heart. “I have a gift for seeing certain people.”
“I guess I have to trust you for now.” Furrows deepened in Dysis’ brow. “Hadrian obviously trusts you.” The sky continued to darken. “Who are they?”
“I’m not positive, but I think at least one of them could be a criminal who might even kill others without a second thought.” The colors were departing from the sky, and everything was turning a gloomy color of lead. Emily’s mouth felt dry. She wanted to tell Dysis everything. “Hadrian told me your teams are investigating those who might be a threat to the government and you’re also investigating people with psychic powers. Both of these people may have unusual powers and they both have the potential to cause a lot of damage.”
“Okay, we’ll track them.” Dysis pulled out her phone and typed in a number. “I’m going to call the team coordinator. You just talk to me and I’ll relay your vision to the team.”
Emily’s skin felt alive with electricity. She used her magus to pull their auras into view to track them. Her breath was coming short and rapid. “The individuals are still at the far edge of the Mall, not moving, they’re by the Air and Space Museum.”
Dysis set up her teams while talking with a Blacksky coordinator who would put the last steps into motion and who would relay important information. Dysis identified herself by her code name. “This is call leader, Blade. I have two hostiles near 7th Street and Jefferson Drive. The individuals are highly dangerous. We will observe and possibly intercept. Let me know when the team is fully assembled.”
Emily felt her body tighten. The men were walking in her direction. “The individuals have started to move. They’re headed our way.”
“There are two, I repeat two, mobile hostiles identified. Both targets are together, and they are now in motion.” Dysis continued to relay Emily’s findings. “They’re headed west toward the Smithsonian Castle, approaching 12th Street. Get me ‘birds’ in the sky. I want to watch them.”
Team members were now arriving. Emily heard their voi
ces linking in on the phone conversation. Every new voice that joined the conference gave a call sign and apprised Dysis of their position. Dysis kept the team continually updated.
“They’re moving slowly, getting close to the Memorial.” Emily still couldn’t make out their features, they were too far away. She could only see their auras. She felt a pressure on her chest, and she tried to swallow hard. Her stomach was in a tight ball.
Dysis was calm and collected, all business. “The targets have crossed 14th Street and are approaching the World War II Memorial and 17th Street. Get a team ready to intercept.”
When at last the magicians were in true visual range, Emily pointed them out to Dysis. “There they are, over there, those two men.” Dysis quit talking mid-sentence as Emily gestured toward two. “The older guy and the younger guy next to him,” Emily said in a hushed voice. She let the men’s auras fade from her mind’s eye, welcoming the end of her magical-drain.
Dysis studied the men. When she spoke again, there was a new hardened tone to her words. “There will be a change in the intercept. I need two more teams. Now! The targets are both male, one approximately sixty years old, white hair, in good shape, but walking with a faint limp. The second has brown hair, sunglasses, thirty-five years old. Both targets are in visual range of the Lincoln Memorial. The men are not alone. They are walking with a team. I repeat, they are with a team. At least ten hostiles are guarding the center two, forming a peripheral circle of defense.”
Emily was impressed at Dysis’ skill with observation. Xena was instantly in her mind. Too many enemies. There was worry in Xena’s voice. Back away from there. Emily took another deep breath to steady herself, but the air was becoming thick with uncertainty.
Dysis gave the men a long look. “The two primary targets are on the north side of the reflecting pool near Constitution Gardens. Keep observing but be ready to move on my call once we get our other assets.”
The men continued along their path toward the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. With Dysis’ guidance, Emily paid more attention to the ten men loosely grouped near the magicians. The older magician in the center of the soldiers walked with a slow deliberate gait: the same type gait that she noticed in Hadrian and Dr. D, likely a side effect of the differences in gravity and weight for many individuals crossing to Earth.