by C. A. Bleu
Lorcan stopped at the front of the room. The faces staring back, old and young, men and women, they all belonged to him now. “I have brought you here today to remind you who is in charge. My father may be gone, but be warned, I know all that he knew.” Lorcan spoke slow and deliberate, casting deep stares into the somewhat skeptical eyes that looked back at him.
One man in particular didn’t seem to think Lorcan deserved eye contact. Before the man knew what was happening Lorcan was in front of him. Little did he know, Lorcan had been debating on which of these contacts he was going to use to make an example of. It just so happened this man was one he could afford to lose. With a pistol pressed hard into the left temple of this weak link, Lorcan growled, “Do you not realize who I am? You will look me in the eye when I am talking to you.”
Realizing the gravity of his situation the man’s voice shook. “Yes, sir, I’m sorry, sir.” His cocky arrogance from moments ago now replaced with fear.
Smiling with satisfaction, he breathed in deep, absorbing the fear radiating off his subject. Since Erebus’s death, Lorcan’s ability to grow stronger and live longer off the fear of others had doubled. It was not to the full extent as Erebus, but it made his desire for power even stronger.
“It’s too late,” Lorcan said in a slow evil tone. Pulling the trigger, he left a hole in the man’s head, watching as his body slumped to the floor. A collective gasp replaced the eerie silence of the room. Some paled, while others glanced around to one another with panicked eyes. The man’s body fell with a thud between two other men. Everyone looked straight at Lorcan, giving him their utmost attention.
“That’s better,” he said, basking in the feeling of absolute control over these men and women who thought they were so powerful. Knowing they now realized their place, he breathed in the fear pulsing off of them. Satisfied with his captive audience, he proceeded to share his plans for the coming weeks. With the help of those gathered in the room, in less than two weeks nuclear weapons would hit precise targets inciting the next World War. He would annihilate the most populated cities in the world and knew each country would blame one another; escalating into World War III. He would cause total destruction to the human population, and to the world. Through the resulting fear and chaos, he would weed out all the Protectors of the Trinity, starting with Zara Trinity, and Dimitri.
Chapter 40
Leading the Protectors around the back toward the lower level of the property they took out two more guards. Aaron’s team secured the back entrance while their second team was now stationed at the front. With the guards taken care of, Aaron slowly opened the back door. Stepping quietly inside, the others followed in single file close behind. Making their way toward the center of the building where they believed Lorcan may be. The blueprints the Protectors found on this home showed a large room in the lowest level central to the home. This seemed the most secure spot for Lorcan to have his people gathered. As Aaron approached a door in the middle of a long hallway, he raised his hand indicating for them to wait, he could hear someone talking. With guns drawn they continued slowly, silently closing in on Lorcan.
Inside the room, Lorcan basked in the awe and respect he saw in his follower’s eyes as he shared the details of his plan. Glancing around the room, filling his lungs with immense power he suddenly stopped cold in his tracks. He was picking up on a trickle of fear and adrenaline, but realized it was not from within the room. In an instant, he realized someone was there.
Knowing in his gut how bad this situation was about to become, he looked to the others before quickly heading to the back of the room. Lifting up a hidden floor panel that led to a secret exit, he looked up at the confused, questioning looks of the others.
“If any of you want to live, I suggest you follow me,” he said, disappearing down a hidden staircase.
Approaching the closed door he believed contained Lorcan and the others, Aaron paused, realizing the talking inside had stopped. Turning the doorknob slowly he cracked open the door and stepped in, flanked by Dimitri. Two men froze with their hands up, they looked as if they were about to climb down inside what appeared to be a trapdoor.
Cursing under his breath, Aaron spoke into his wrist mic, alerting the Protectors of the escape. He gave orders for a team to go toward the front and rear of the home, watching for the exit, not knowing where the trap door may lead.
Stepping forward, Jake easily apprehended the two men left in the room. Aaron and Dimitri quickly headed down the trapdoor in pursuit of Lorcan. The escape ladder dumped them into a dark, damp, underground passageway. Running in the direction of the fading footsteps, they fired shots into the darkness. Passing by the men and women who dropped wounded, they continued on in pursuit of Lorcan.
Lorcan raced ahead of the group knowing two of his top priority contacts were right on his heels. If they could make it out, he would still be able to move forward with his plan to destroy the world. He felt a brief moment of gratitude that his father had made him memorize all the hidden emergency exits at every property they owned.
Lorcan knew that whoever was there, likely the Protectors of the Trinity, would be wasting their time searching above ground as this passage would lead them far away from the home. Once he took out his pursuers, he would be free. Turning, he fired back some shots of his own, hoping to slow down or kill whoever was following him. Smiling, he continued running, from the sound of it he had hit his target.
Back upstairs, Zara had momentarily frozen in the hall unsure which way she should go. Her heart calling for her to follow Dimitri and Aaron but something inside told her to go back outside. Deciding to go with her instincts, she headed out the back door. Reaching out with her powers, she looked for clues to the underground passage and where it may lead.
A surge of power shot through her, tilting back her head, her hands shot straight down, fingers pointing down. The earth was showing her the map of the hidden passage and the way out. Raising her head, she smiled to herself, with her fiery amber eyes glowing she headed toward the ocean. For an instant, she considered telling someone, but as no one had involved her in the planning of this raid she had no mic or any other way to contact anyone.
With determined strides and a longing in her heart to put an end to Lorcan, she rounded the back of the property line near the beach. Continuing about a hundred yards east through the sand until she saw a large drainage pipe coming from inside one of the sand dunes. Knowing there was a hidden door just inside the drainage pipe that would soon open up.
Zara had never been so grateful for her powers. It was as if the elements were pulsing energy into her, wanting Lorcan taken out of this world as well. Slowing her steps when she neared the exit of the passageway, she opened herself up to the powers that were calling her. With the ocean at her back, swimming through her veins, she knew it awaited her command. She considered sealing up the passageway, but that may only endanger Aaron and Dimitri and she was unsure where they were. Sending up a quick, silent prayer, hoping they would make it out, she heard footsteps pounding toward her.
Bracing herself, she stood rooted in the sand with the ocean ready and willing behind her. For a moment she worried there may be more of Lorcan’s followers than she realized. Gently touching her stomach in a protective caress she reached deep, tapping into all of her power.
Taking a few cautious steps back toward the ocean, her boots just inside the water’s edge, she put more space between her and whoever was about to step out of the exit door. Power ignited inside her when she caught her first glimpse of who could only be Lorcan. Standing in the moonlight, he was the spitting image of Erebus. She watched his eyes light first with surprise then recognition as he stood frozen for a moment in shock.
“How?” was all he managed to say on a shocked whisper.
Those following bumped into him as they exited into her ambush. One by one eight more men stepped out from the drainage pipe, surrounding him. They too stood frozen, stunned more by Lorcan’s reaction than seeing Zara.
Only relaxing when he raised his weapon toward her.
Smiling, taking pleasure in ending her life, he knew how much pain this would cause Dimitri. “A perfect ending to this evening. This is for my father,” he said through gritted teeth as he pulled the trigger.
The bullet exploded from the gun, a plume of smoke surrounding it. Stopping midair halfway between her and Lorcan, it hung, glistening and rotating as Zara cocked her head to the side with a smirk. The men around Lorcan looked at one another, fear and disbelief etched on their faces. Backing up, they attempted to distance themselves from Lorcan.
Letting the bullet drop to the ground, she asked, “Do you really think you can hurt me?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt the bitter taste of mounting fear, realization touching the back of her mind that Aaron and Dimitri had not yet emerged. The men behind Lorcan moved to scatter and run off. Not taking her eyes off him, the ocean responded to her command. Huge waves lashed out on either side of her and Lorcan, capturing the others in deep pools of water, lifting them off the ground and dragging them out to sea. Their muffled screams faded, and she knew they would never be seen again.
Staring, he shook his head in disbelief when a golden glow surrounded her. Gasping the moment her amber eyes began to spark with fiery red and gold. With deep sagging shoulders, he knew this was the end for him. Opening his mouth to speak, he paused, hearing footsteps coming from behind him. Sidestepping quickly, he grabbed the man in a choke hold with his gun pointed at his temple. Zara’s eyes widened in fear just as Lorcan realized he had Dimitri right where he wanted him. Laughing out loud, he knew if he must die tonight, at least he would get to take Dimitri with him.
“Zara, I’m sorry,” Dimitri said with pleading, defeated eyes, knowing he had but moments left to live.
Zara’s heart ached seeing the man she loved in Lorcan’s grasp with a gun to his head. Her mind raced over what she could do to help, she would not be able to stop the bullet in time. Even if she cut off his air, he could still pull the trigger. Fear shot through her realizing Dimitri was covered in blood, but he didn’t seem to be wounded. Dimitri gave her a pitying look, he saw the moment she realized that Aaron was hit. The look on Dimitri’s face made her think Aaron may likely be dead already.
“Let. Him. Go,” Zara commanded of Lorcan as her anger boiled and the ground began to shake.
“Never,” he said, leaning into Dimitri’s ear. “This is for all the years you took my father away from me.” Time slowed as his hand grew taut with the pressure applied to pull the trigger. Fearing a stray bullet could hit Zara, wounding her or their unborn child, Dimitri decided not to fight back. Closing his eyes with a whispered prayer for any way out of this and to save Zara, he heard the gunshot ring out as Zara screamed.
“No!” she yelled, reaching out in disbelief, watching as both Dimitri and Lorcan dropped to the ground.
Behind them stood Aaron, barely holding himself up, just inside the drainage pipe, smoke pooling from the tip of his outstretched gun. His eyes met Zara’s just before he collapsed to the ground. Rolling out from under Lorcan, Dimitri quickly hopped up, grabbing his gun. Casting a quick glance at Zara, he sought silent permission.
Nodding with tear-filled eyes, she watched as Dimitri shot Lorcan right between the eyes. Running past Lorcan’s body she knelt beside Aaron, taking his hand. In an instant, Dimitri was kneeling, taking Aaron’s other hand in his.
“Aaron, no, I can heal you,” she said, tears falling down her cheeks. Seeing that he was barely breathing, she couldn’t even fathom how he had made it this far.
“No… Zara…” Aaron said between gurgled breaths. “You need your strength,” he managed to say, glancing toward her stomach. Looking at Dimitri, he said, “You… take care of her,” giving him a weak squeeze of his hand. Glancing back toward Zara he managed to say, “I’ll see you again one day. I love you, Zara.”
Eyes looking upward, they began taking on the glassy far off look of death. Breathing his last breath, a small smile crept onto his face. Zara collapsed onto him, tears flowing, but somewhere deep inside she knew her mother was welcoming him home.
Calling into his shoulder mic, Dimitri notified the Protectors of their location. He stayed kneeling by Zara’s side until the others arrived. Slowly, he helped Zara up, holding her tight, she felt weak and fragile in his arms. The somber looks from the others broke Zara’s heart even further, seeing the respect and admiration they had for Aaron. Wiping away her tears, she looked toward the ocean, calling for it to take away Lorcan’s lifeless body.
A slow growing wave approached and lifted Lorcan’s body off the ground, swallowing it up as it disappeared back into the ocean. The Protectors looked on in awe, watching Lorcan’s body disappear. Silence fell, and Zara realized they were looking at her, awaiting orders.
Standing up tall, strong and brave, she gave the orders for the men to bring Aaron’s body back to their headquarters and prepare for the Trinity funeral rite. She and Dimitri stood back, watching as they lifted Aaron, carrying him to an awaiting van out front. Following in their wake, Zara leaned into Dimitri, allowing his strength to guide them while she began to process this loss.
Chapter 41
Pulling up the dimly lit cobblestone drive toward the front entrance of the Trinity Protectors’ headquarters, a shroud of silence permeated the car as Dimitri took Zara’s hand in his. Up ahead they saw a group of Protectors dressed in black carrying Aaron on a stretcher through an arched gateway toward the back of the Property. Tears fell down Zara’s cheek as she watched them disappear.
Parking out front, Zara took in a deep steadying breath. With Aaron gone, she didn’t know who to turn to among the Protectors, she felt lost. As if hearing her unspoken thought, the wooden doors of the front entrance opened and out walked Jake. The pained expression in his teal eyes spoke volumes as he walked toward her.
With Dimitri by her side, she asked, “Jake, who is in charge of the Protectors now?”
“Well, quite honestly Zara, you are.” He spoke quietly, respectfully sensing the impact this loss may have on her. “The Protectors are here to serve you, and all the Trinitys, but we do have an operations director, Philip Martinez. I will introduce you. Preparations have begun for Aaron’s funeral. Are you aware of our tradition?” He looked solemn, awaiting her response.
“Yes, Aaron did tell me about it. I participated in my grandmother’s back at our cabin. I want to be a part of his too, please let me know when things are ready,” Zara said, placing a hand on Jake’s shoulder, pausing as she passed him on her way to the front door.
When she and Dimitri passed over the stone tile image on the floor of the angel floating above the Trinity symbol in the entry hall, she could have sworn she saw it glow. Her eyes may be playing tricks on her, but she saw movement within each of the images of the elements. Hearing Dimitri’s gasp, she thought he must have seen it too.
Upon entering their room, Zara was drawn to the pictures of her mother. Overwhelmed by her broken heart she sat down on the edge of the bed. She longed to see them, wanting to hug them all, but every time she tried nothing happened.
Taking her hands, Dimitri asked, “Why don’t you go wash up before they come to get us?”
Nodding, Zara walked silently toward the bathroom. She didn’t have the energy to bathe, but she washed her face and hands at least. Looking at her reflection, she couldn’t stop the tears that fell.
Her heart ached, missing her family. Hearing a strange noise from the bedroom she cracked the door. Watching Dimitri move about the room, she felt a warmth spread through her. He took off his dirty shirt, replacing it with a clean gray T-shirt. The steady strength in his graceful movements was comforting.
Feeling her eyes on him, he turned toward her. Those crystal blue eyes connected with her broken heart, healing her from the inside. Walking toward him, she hugged him hard, listening to his heartbeat. A quiet knock on the door interrupted their solemn embrace as Jake announced the
y were ready. Squeezing Dimitri’s hand, she said, “Let’s go, it’s time to say goodbye.”
Chapter 42
Leaning back, soaking in the hot bathwater, Zara tried washing off the memories of the night. Closing her eyes, she reflected on her life with Aaron. Imagining all the times he had challenged her, pushed her to make her stronger. Realizing how he had always put her needs first even while he had been enduring his own silent heartache.
Grateful for the time she had with him, she let her heart remember. At the funeral, she had chosen to place irises beside him; blue, purple, and white. The vision of his flames swirling to the sky as she said goodbye will be etched in her mind forever.
Climbing from the tub, she found herself staring in the mirror. Despite her flat affect, she looked stronger, more defined, even in this time of grief and weakness her power shined through. The golden flecks in her eyes sparked and she felt a fission of power surge through her. She allowed a small space for hope to swell within her broken heart, hope for what was to come.
Dimitri lay in bed awaiting her, watching her. Climbing in next to him she rested her head on his chest as he wrapped his comforting arms around her. They were both silent, embracing one another; Dimitri caressing her hair until sleep finally came for her.
Dreaming about her future, in a world without hate and violence. She dreamed of her mother, grandmother, and Lozen Trinity. Of a little boy with dark wavy hair playing in the back yard of the Protectors’ headquarters, running through purple wildflowers near the edge of the sandy beach. With the wave of his hand, she watched as he made a kite fly higher and higher.