Shadow Play 5

by Vega Lizzie

  His expression changed as he saw Robin and Liam carefully helping Chloe from the back of the Jeep, “Oh God, was I responsible for her getting hurt? You could have come to the house,” he offered then watched his daughter shake her head, “Not for this, Dad. We had to do something…necessary. Better, you don’t know. Chloe’s coming home to the Cities with us. She’ll be fine.”

  He watched as the others eyed the monstrous RV Shannon had reserved, “I’ll fly out at the end of the week and get this thing back. Given how much you paid to rent this beast, I could...”

  “You could take Mom on a vacation?” Shannon grinned, changing the subject, “Maggie’s idea. Miller will be way less distracted now so he can help. Nola’s on board too.”

  After a few minutes, Terra materialized, still with a towel on her head, “Gonna burn those clothes. That was…unpleasant.” She was unusually subdued as she hugged Harris and climbed aboard the huge camper to check up on Chloe.

  “Seeya Pops. Give Mom and Maggie, my love. We’re gonna lay low for a while but that doesn’t mean you can’t come and see us, right?”

  He nodded, “I’ll do my best to make that happen. Maggie for sure.”

  She smiled at him, “I understand, Dad. It’s okay.” She took a breath, “I’m gonna call you guys in a few days or so, once we get resettled in the Cities.” She held his gaze longer than usual, then he looked over to the RV, “You have quite a family, don’t you? I’m so proud of you.”

  She tipped up and kissed him on the cheek, “Thanks, Dad. That means the world to me.”

  He offered his arm, “May I?”

  Shannon looked at the RV and her family gathered at the windows, watching them, “Dad…”

  He only nodded as she turned and hugged him. As they walked to the vehicle, Terra came down to the door then stepped back as Chloe quietly said something to her. She gasped and sat down in the front seat, eyes already welling up.

  Shannon took the first step and began to turn but her father shooed her into the RV and she smiled through her tears as she closed the door. She slid the window panel open as he repeated his words to her, “I’m really proud of you, sweetheart. Come home anytime.” We…no,” his voice cracked, “I need you in my life.” He winked as a tear ran down his cheek as he tapped on the window to Shannon’s right. Terra slid her window open as he offered his hand up to clasp hers, “Keep her safe for me, okay? We’ll see you soon.”

  “I will,” Terra choked, “we all will.”

  Olivia leaned over Terra’s shoulder, “Did you like the light show, Grampa?”

  He chuckled, “I did. You guys are pretty impressive.” He held his hands far apart, “Our fishing contest? You’re on, sweetie.”

  Olivia chuckled, “You bet.” She tipped her head to Terra, “These two are gonna cry for about a hundred miles. I’ll send you pictures.”

  “Will not,” Terra blurted, then sniffled looking at Shannon, “Mom, do something.” The entire bus erupted in laughter. Shannon could only smile, “Perfect. Seeya, Dad. I love you.”

  She looked back at her family, then to her father with a wink, “And for now, we disappear.”

  Chapter 44

  The courier looked up in the driving rain as the sleek black helicopter circled the helipad. Even on the lower level of the stairwell, the change in air pressure was enough to lift the ceiling tiles in the sparse reception room. God forbid the lone passenger see weakness as she opened the door against the swirling winds and made her way to the top of the rainswept stairs to greet him.

  Fifty floors up, the stunning view normally captured a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountain ridges. Today the distant snow-capped peaks were shrouded in clouds and mist as the summer squall barreled through the city.

  The passenger didn’t react visibly when he saw the courier at the railing. Only a sly smile crossed his lips as he joined her on the reception level. “Well now, Jade, you don’t rise to the surface very often. It’s safe to assume someone has done something stupid?”

  Only a slight tilt of her brow belayed any emotion, “Yes sir, I apologize for having you meet this way. The airport would have been more comfortable for you, but there’s been an incident of merit in Montana. During the episode, an interesting phrase was mentioned.”

  Taking off his raincoat, his executive assistant was quick with a hanger and disappeared with it down the hallway. He turned and looked his most trusted messenger dressed in a somber grey sweater and black jeans, slowly looking her up and down, “You’re a walking thunderstorm as usual,” he snickered, hoping to get a reaction from her, yet her always stoic expression held. “Fine,” he shrugged, rejected yet again, “where and what?”

  “Helena. The sheriff’s kid seems to have been disappeared.”

  “And why is that important?” he shook his head, obviously disappointed, “He’s a complete buffoon. I only tolerate him because of an old family connection. What happened?”

  Always about business, Jade gave her report. “A series of fire fights broke out around the city against an unknown faction. The net result was the majority of our supporters have been wiped of their memories. One team member managed to escape before he was turned. He’s waiting out by the elevators.”

  “Faction,” the man repeated, “interesting you choose that word. Conclave or Third Council?”

  The answer didn’t come quickly. “Neither,” was the almost confidant reply, “er, possibly both? Descriptions of the battles suggest a blend of both groups battle magic styles, but the event included something at the end that is more akin to a fireworks show.”

  “Fireworks…”

  “It was like they were showing off, Sir. Celebrating.”

  “Or mocking their adversaries?” he countered. “I appreciate your attention to detail as always, but it sounds more like a bunch of drunk cowboys to me. You mentioned a phrase? I have a meeting to get to.”

  “Yes, I don’t mean to keep you. I assure you I will look into it to the best of my abilities.” The older man smirked, “Try to keep the body count to a minimum this time, if you would be so kind.”

  “Yes sir.” The young woman snapped her fingers and the reception door opened to the hallway. A young man shuffled in, desperate not to make eye contact with the impeccably dressed businessman. She directed him to sit in one of the guest chairs. Outfitted in well-worn jeans and cowboy boots, the young man looked completely out of place in the corporate setting. His arm in a sling, he sat straight up in the lounge chair, and looked terrified.

  “Like you told me,” she directed, “tell this man what you saw, from start, to your unfortunate finish.”

  “Uh, um…we were out for beers…” He stopped talking and his eyes landed somewhere in between both of them. He’d begun to shake, and his face was increasingly pale.

  “What’s your name, son?” the man asked quietly, “try to relax. Just tell me your story, in detail please. How old are you?”

  “Twenty, sir. I just turned twenty.”

  “Of course, you are,” he smirked, “continue, please. You were out for beers?”

  The young man managed a single nod, “Yes sir. Darien said we had to get ready to do some work, but the attacks started before we were ready. They came out of nowhere.”

  “I’m sure they did. How many were there?”

  “I…I think I saw four in the first attack but sometimes it seemed like there were five or two of them looked exactly alike. It happened so fast.”

  Jade exchanged a tired look with the older man. “What happened then?”

  “There were ten of us. They split us right down the middle and all hell broke loose. Darien has always said to keep a lid on our magic, but the little girl shot a plasma rail right down the middle of the street and then they came after us.”

  “Little girl?”

  “Teenager, I think. Just a kid, anyway. The others were late twenties, maybe. One older woman, maybe forty?”

  “You don’t seem quite sure…the older woman w
as the leader of the group?”

  “If anyone, it was the girl. I took a couple of her orbs off my shoulder. She looked like a high-schooler.” He tried to reach to touch the back of his shoulder for emphasis, wincing at the attempt.

  “What did you do after the first attack?” the messenger asked. The young man was silent, then mumbled something under his breath.

  “Your name, young man?”

  His frightened response was another mumble.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Wyatt, sir,” the young man cleared his throat, “I ran, sir. I’m sorry.”

  “Mmmm, not a problem, Wyatt. Your advance to the rear is giving us valuable information. It won’t go un-appreciated, I assure you.” Jade pursed her lips at his comment, eyeing the doorway to the helipad.

  “I got in the truck and called one of the other guys. They had the same issue and one of them was hurt real bad.”

  “Guessing he wasn’t hit in the back,” the older man mused, “and why is that important in your story?”

  “The attackers…they stopped fighting to help him. It…it just wasn’t normal. What they did rattled the guys so much, they stopped fighting… and just watched one of their team do a healing spell on our guy.”

  Another look was exchanged between the two, “I’m guessing that had quite an effect on them.”

  “That’s what they said. After a while we could see three or four areas of plasma bursts in the city and a ton of orb work. Then it moved up into the foothills.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “I took the truck and tried to get up to the hills where Darien took the girl. I could see fighting at the old fairgrounds. That didn’t last long either. That’s when I saw her. They caught me at the overpass when I caught up to Jacob and his friends.”

  “How many this time?”

  “Five…I think. But I think there was one from the first group. They all sort of looked alike.”

  The businessman looked to the courier, “You keeping a head count?”

  Jade nodded, “Somewhere between ten and half the city of Helena. Whoever they are, they’re organized.” She pointed to the young man, “This…is where it gets interesting.”

  “Yes, Wyatt,” the man grinned as he pinched his finely tailored dress pants at the knee and sat down next to him, “I’m on the edge of my seat.”

  “Darien was there. He began to argue with one of the women. He was really pissed, er angry, saying something about going overboard and…and ruining everything for him. He went all static at her and she held him back over and over with a shield wall that looked like playing cards. He couldn’t get past her defenses.”

  “What did she look like, another grade schooler this time?” It was clear that the businessman was being sarcastic, but he took deep breath to calm himself. “I apologize. That was uncalled for. Please continue.”

  “Wyatt,” Jade interjected, her normally monotone voice had softened, “be careful to tell this next part word for word like you told me.”

  “Yes, sir. She ah, was about thirty maybe, she was all in white. She was as angry as Darien. She was yelling about almost drowning at some hotel and then she took it up a notch yelling about being attacked by the cinnamon girl. Darien didn’t know what to do. It got quiet for about five seconds, then Darien created a diversion and they chased him up into the hills. It ended up there.”

  The businessman cleared his throat and took a short breath. He looked shaken, then turned to the young woman, shaking his head, “It’s not much to go on.”

  “It’s the first mention, albeit vague, in the last six years. I’m gonna follow up.”

  Young Wyatt sensed a moment of calm and, figuring the more the two mysterious people heard, they better off her was. “It was a standoff for a minute before Carter and Miller rolled up in Carter’s half ton. Suddenly there was a guy with swords and some chick with a snake. The high school kid shot a plasma orb that went way off target but just when the guys were getting out of the truck the orb came back down the block and blew the tires off.” He sighed, “I’m not embarrassed to say it. I turned around and ran. I was scared to death.”

  “No, you weren’t,” the man said suddenly, “but this will be one of those rare moments in your young life that doesn’t end the way it should.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a fat money clip, quickly peeling off five new one hundred-dollar bills. He handed the cash to the shocked and visibly relieved young man.

  “This should get you home and maybe a pair of respectable boots that aren’t caked with horse shit.” He looked at Jade, then traced his fingers across his temple. “Kindly escort him to the elevators and be back in two minutes. I’ll have worked out the assignment by then.”

  “Yes, sir. Two minutes.” Jade gestured to the young ranch hand, “C’mon Wyatt, you are one lucky cowboy.” She turned to the businessman and for the first time during her visit, a half-smile crossed her lips, “I’d figured about 15 seconds.”

  He grinned, “Pretty close. Sixteen point four and change, allowing for the wind speed. I started doing the math in my head when he told me about the orbs hitting his sorry ass from behind. Such a mess on my pretty sidewalk, though.”

  She jostled the young man, the elbow of her black leather jacket catching him hard against his bad shoulder, “Yep, he did the math. Lucky boy today, Wyatt. Let’s go get you started on your fast food career. You’re going to forget this day ever happened.”

  When she returned, she had a curious look on her face, “I’m shocked that you didn’t launch him off the roof.”

  “No one to appreciate the lesson. That dumb hayseed has no idea what he just went through. It sounds more like Conclave to me. Someone rogue.”

  “There was more. Once he told me his story, I checked in with a reliable contact in Helena. Whoever it was, they ended the event with a lightshow. They did light rails in a ring around the city. There were at least three sets of two, then up on the foothills…” she waited for a moment, knowing how he would likely react, “Up in the foothills, someone created an obelisk. A big one. Witnesses put it at well over a hundred feet tall.”

  “Goddammit,” He seethed quietly, “They found it. They found the fucking artifact…now what? They were organized. Maybe a paramilitary group? I can think of a couple.”

  “With teenagers? Doubt it. It’s not like it would be laying in the middle of the street. Finding it took some effort.” Although stating the obvious, the young woman was quick to imply immediate action. She had little desire to test her own resistance to gravity. “It will leave a trail. I’ll find out so you can get it back.”

  “Absolutely not.” the man thundered, “Do not make a fucking move against them until we know everything about them. More importantly, find out how the hell Darien would know about our little Gwen.”

  “There’s little proof, sir. It may be nothing, but I will do my best.”

  He was silent for a moment, again looking her up and down, “There’s been some talk lately.”

  She knew what he was talking about and nodded soberly, “I’m all in, a hundred percent.”

  The man snorted in response, “I’d still take you at eighty-five or ninety. Anymore, and I’d be afraid of you myself. So, your demons are in check?”

  She could feel her face tightening, knowing that her response was critical, and she opted for a single cocked eyebrow, “Most of them,” she replied, her expression completely emotionless, “Enough to get the job done.”

  “Very good,” he smiled. “If I’m to be honest, I’d sort of given up and planning on a different sequence of events. She’d be twenty-five, maybe twenty-six by now?” He shrugged in a rare moment of indecision, “I have no idea really. I’ll have to rethink all of this.”

  Glancing down the hallway, she saw Wyatt wobbling against the elevator doors, “Maybe she had a run in with the leader somewhere. A coincidence maybe?”

  “There are no coincidences anymore, Jade,” The businessman chuckled as he stroke
d his bearded chin, “The hunt, it seems, is back on.” He watched carefully as the young woman considered his words. “You seem disappointed.” Only then did she crack the tiniest of smiles.

  “I know you want to dive into this, but just do the surveillance,” he added, “for now. If, and when you learn something more concrete, I’ll send the twins to back you up.”

  “And then?” she asked, her voice still flat, but he knew what she desired more than anything in the world. His silence was meant to tease out a reaction and still, she didn’t bite. She hated them just slightly less than she hated him. Her very existence depended on keeping him informed. Feeling the heat rise up her shoulder blades, she steadied herself for the assignment.

  “Then, you may eliminate any threat.” He turned to her, ready to go out the door to the executive suites, “as you see fit.”

  “With pleasure,” she said softly. A slight tip of her head and a sly smile was his only reward as she watched the glass doors close. She held her tongue knowing anything they had just talked about was carefully recorded, knowing he’d pour over the tapes for every word the young cowboy had said, probably zooming in on her features.

  “Deviant,” she thought as she crossed her arms as if pondering her next move. Raising her arms slightly to lift her breasts, she’d give him something to think about. And my demons, she thought, are mostly in check, ‘cept the one that counts. Knowing he had left the floor via his private executive elevator, she walked out to the hallway. Stepping into the public elevator car, she instinctively looked to the floor to avoid the overhead camera.

  She smiled briefly before looking up then took a deep breath, And now, finally, it begins.

  Chapter 45

  Terra’s day was less than stellar. A poor outcome in court had set her on edge early in the day and, as the afternoon had continued, it seemed that each hour brought another disappointment or roadblock for her clients. She frowned at the idea of having yet another therapy session at the end of the week.