The Shadow Box: Paranormal Suspense and Dark Fantasy Thriller Novels

by Travis Luedke

  It seemed that the only person I had left at that point that was not mad or upset or expecting something from me was Terry. He was my last stone of sanity. Only as the days crept closer to the meeting, he grew quieter, which is a real trick for someone that already doesn’t say a whole hell of a lot.

  The days seemed to drag on, slowly ticking away. But the night before our meeting seemed to come rather quickly. I didn’t go alone to see Amun and the gang, Terry and Carmen joined me. It was the night we’d be meeting with Michael, his wolves, and Amun with his vampires, to go over the plan once more.

  The car ride was silent and uncomfortable. I was glad for the radio. It helped, just a little, with the tension in the car.

  Johnny was not in the front store when we arrived. Instead, Simon was in his place. That was one wolf I wasn’t happy to see, our last encounter didn’t turn out for the best. As a matter a fact the shit hit the fan. It wasn’t my fault, but I had a burning suspicion that he blamed me for getting himself into trouble. But if he did, he didn’t show it. As we entered the store, he rose to his feet, not forgetting the mistake he’d made last time.

  “They are waiting for you in the conference room,” he said, with just enough of a bow to keep him from getting into trouble.

  If he was being polite so could I, right? “Thank you, Simon.” See I knew I could do it. He didn’t respond, so we kept moving.

  “Think he’s still pissed at us?” I asked, when we reached the stairs.

  “You do have that effect on people,” Carmen said. Her underhanded comment hit hard. But it wasn’t the time or the place for me to get defensive. Besides underhanded or not, she was right.

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  She was behind me on the stairs, so I couldn’t see her reaction. Though I heard her take a breath as if to say something, which she did not.

  The large doors moved out of our way. Someone knew we were coming, and was opening the doors for us. The doors I’d learned in the past few visits had to be opened telekinetically, so even the young vampires couldn’t open them without help.

  The conference room was packed full, vampires and wolves alike, but three chairs remained open at the table. I counted no less than twenty vampires and at least as many wolves. At the head of the table were two chairs. Amun and Michael sat there, equal in status. To their right sat Tarja, Alexander, and Johnny. To their left the three empty seats and Seth. I didn’t know any of the others that sat at the table. I assumed if they warranted a seat, they were of some type of importance. Everyone rose when we entered, even Amun and Michael, and the murmur of voices stopped. It looked like we were being formal. “My friends,” Amun was the first to speak, “please sit.” Not that it would make any difference in the room, but every one of them cleared out from behind our chairs. I liked the idea, I knew deep down I couldn’t get out of the room alive if a fight started, but not having any of them at my back put me at ease.

  Everyone returned to their seats, save Amun and Michael. “We are gathered here to aid our friends.” It was Michael who spoke. “They are facing an unknown enemy, one that Amun has vowed his vampires and I have vowed my wolves to fight.”

  Amun continued. “This enemy, being mortal, or immortal, is thought to be linked with the Council. As every one of you here has been sworn to fight the Council until your final death, you are being called to this battle.” I didn’t know even half of the collected army, and they were being called to fight next to me. Perhaps even to die for me. That thought turned my stomach. As Amun continued to speak, I felt the need to call the whole damn thing off. But I knew that I couldn’t. These were the men and women trusted by Amun and Michael, I trusted them, so I had to trust their judgment. “Mr. Black, please, would you enlighten everyone on the events leading up to this.”

  His eyes, along with everyone’s in the room, were focused on me. I’d told the story time and time again. So why was I so frozen? Public speaking had never been a problem for me. I mean, fuck, I knew everything that needed to be said, all I had to do was stand up and say it. I took a deep breath wondering where to start. With my eyes shut, I felt Carmen’s hand wrap around mine. That was just what I needed. Her touch soothed me; let me know that I could face these people, vampires, lycans, or whatevers. With the newfound confidence I stood up and began my briefing. Starting with the abduction of William up ‘til the present, I left out no detail that might help them understand what I needed from them. Afterwards I returned to my seat and Carmen’s touch.

  “Thank you, Mr. Black,” Michael said. “We’ve already taken a look at the building where the meeting has been set up. It’s a large empty warehouse. This could be used to our advantage. We will have ample space to hide throughout the building without letting our presence be known. Wolves, vampires and humans, will be working side by side. Mr. Black and the other humans may be recognized, so they are to be hidden close, but not too close.”

  “Who is to be the stand in?” Someone butted in.

  “That has not been decided,” Michael continued, undeterred by the interruption. “Keep in mind, our primary target will be to gather information. If fighting doesn’t start, you are all to stay hidden.”

  A murmur of voices began in the room. “Why are we risking ourselves for Guild members?” A vampire cried out. I turned my chair to see who had presented the question. It was the tall young vampire that I’d insulted days beforehand.

  Before anyone else could answer, it was Alexander that stood up. He might not have been very intimidating on a mental or metaphysical level, but when it came to physical, he knew what the fuck he was doing. “For no other reason than your master has bid you to, Shawn.” His voice was booming with anger.

  “And what of the Messiah? We’ve all heard that he,” a long bony finger tipped with a nail which looked more the part of a claw pointed at me, “has been involved with the Messiah. What about that?”

  I wanted to drop him right there. I didn’t think it would go well, but that didn’t stop me from wanting. I wasn’t the only one. The rage of being challenged was painted all over Alexander’s face. “What of it? If you don’t agree with Amun’s choice, you are welcome to challenge him, or me, over it.” The vampire was smarter then he looked, or acted; he backed away. “If any vampire would like to step up and challenge me over this mission, do so now!” Silent as the grave took on a whole new meaning in those few seconds. There were lesser vampires in the room that could take Alexander out if they had the right opportunity. I was sure he knew that, so why was he fighting so hard?

  “It looks as though no one wishes to take you up on that,” Amun said, looking very pleased.

  “The same goes for any wolf. If you do not wish to be a part of this, challenge me now.” Michael was now also standing. I hadn’t thought the room could have gotten any quieter, but it did.

  “Very well,” Amun began speaking, “since we’ve gotten that out of the way, we still have a lot of planning to do.”

  “I will be the stand in.” There was no need to look around to see who had said it. He was sitting right across from me. Johnny, spoke again. “I wish to take that post.” He wasn’t looking at me, but at Amun and Michael.

  “Jonathan, you do not need to take this position. It could be very dangerous.” Michael had not returned to his seat.

  “I know.”

  “No,” I said flying out of my seat, “I can’t allow someone else to take such a risk.”

  “We’ve been over this, Mr. Black; you cannot be the one.” I knew that. I truly did. But did it have to be Johnny? He was too young for this. He was someone that needed protection. The moment the thought entered my mind, I realized how asinine it sounded. He was a werewolf and perfectly capable of fighting and defending himself. But at the same time, it was true, he wasn’t a leader, not yet anyway. And I did not want to see him hurt or dead before he became one.

  “Please, Mr. Black, it would be my honor to serve in the post.” His voice was strong as was his expression, he wanted
it, and I didn’t know why. It had to be someone, I thought to myself. I just wish it were someone else.

  “Very well.” I could agree, but that didn’t mean I had to be happy about it. He, on the other hand, looked absolutely ecstatic over the idea. I wanted to know why. “If you get killed, I’m gonna kick your ass.”

  “Thank you, Jonathan,” Amun spoke very softly, judging from his tone, he was no happier with the decision than I was. And I had a feeling that he’d miss more than a free meal if something were to happen to Johnny.

  The plan was simple. Johnny would stand in as the hit man that I had created over the Network. He’d gain as much information as he could. If shit went bad, the rest of us were there to rush to his side, if it came to that. If all went well, we’d have a direction to go. We’d know who we were after and, more importantly, who was after me. I was paying full attention to the meeting, but I couldn’t keep my mind from wandering around. Not many of the vampires or wolves wanted to help me, but it was very clear, at that point, that they all would. Only for the sake of their masters, Amun and Michael, would they lend aid to us. And what’s more, I couldn’t blame them. We, humans, have hunted and killed their kind for God knows how long and now they have been ordered, not asked, to fight with, and for us. Not very fucking fair if you ask me. They were all we had to count on, if there’s a God or Goddess or someone, anyone looking down on us, I hoped they’d spare a little help.

  The plan was set, we spent the rest of the time meeting and greeting our soldiers. Despite not being liked by most of them, I was comfortable with them at my back. Well, as comfortable as I was going to be. I knew not all of them would be with us when the time came. You can’t have that many supernatural creatures in one spot and not draw attention to yourself. I had a little bit of a problem with the idea that I didn’t get to pick the ones that I wanted, though when it came down to it, Amun and Michael knew them better than I could. I’d just have to bend over and take their decisions. Fuck. I did have one that I did not want there; one soldier that I wouldn’t allow with us.

  After the meeting had come to a conclusion, I pulled Amun aside. “Would you please step outside for a moment?” I asked, I thought it was very polite.

  “Yes, of course.” No questions, no doubts, he led me outside, Carmen and Terry followed. God knows I didn’t want to leave them in there by themselves. I didn’t think they would come to any harm, not with Michael and Tarja there. But I have been wrong before. So on he led; it was nice to think that he respected my issues of having people at my back; though that night he was not the one that I wasn’t comfortable with.

  Outside the night air was chilly but felt nice after the power contained in that room.

  I pulled a smoke out of my inner breast pocket. “Are you sure this is the best option?” I asked out loud, before I lit the cigarette. In my mind I made a totally different statement. “I don’t want Shawn there.” It wasn’t a request.

  His mind laughed at me. “I did not think that you would. It is my fault really,” his laughing stopped and his mind’s voice became solemn, “he has been looking to prove himself as a warrior. Too young, there are not many from your time that know about fighting, about true warfare. If you do not want him there, he will not be there.”

  “Thank you.” I could talk and inhale at the same time; I just thought that was cool. Okay, so the real reason for the mind speaking was to avoid the keen ears of vampires and werewolves. Amun could totally separate his internal and external voices. A craft I’m sure he’s perfected over the centuries.

  The next night was going to be a long one. We, Carmen, Terry and I, needed to go home and try to get some rest. I was doubtful, to say the least, that I would rest. But home we went.

  Carmen did sleep in my room that night. It was a comfort to have her there, but not enough. I spent most of the morning gazing at the ceiling. I was worried. Before I’d gotten involved with the world of the undead and the furry, I didn’t have anyone to fret over. I only worried about myself, which this may be a bit shocking, I didn’t do so much. I knew how to keep myself alive, that was enough for me. Now, fuck, now I had friends and, I use the term loosely, subordinates. I didn’t view them as such, but my view on the matter held the weight of helium.

  The thoughts that other’s lives were being put at risk for a jackass like me weighed heavy on me. But the sleep that had eluded me so strongly finally submitted, for a time.

  I dreamed again.

  To say I dreamed again may be putting it a little light. I had another goddamn nightmare. I was back in the moldy stinking dungeon. It was the same again, always the same. A friend lay dead at my feet as I fought against a beast of a man that I did not know.

  I was so helpless; there was precisely dick I could do.

  I screamed.

  I fought.

  I failed.

  Then I woke, still screaming. I was awake but I was still trapped. I couldn’t get lose; I tore at my restraints, cursing, yelling, fury and fear poured out of me. I had to get out. I had to get free. Someone other than me was yelling. I couldn’t make it out nor did I care. I was trapped and the approaching touch of that monster from my nightmare was still creeping closer and closer. His laugh was still in my head. So I fought on.

  The fighting paid off. I was free and on my feet. I’d stopped yelling. I was trying to make sense of where I was and what had happened. I didn’t even recognize my own room. My heart still raced with fear. I stood there mostly naked, dripping with sweat trying to catch my breath. My lungs burned at the effort.

  Carmen was still there, she was the voice I’d heard screaming. She was also off the bed. A good thing that she was, the satin sheets where torn, violently, and the blankets had been tossed across the room during my fit. She was holding a gun and it wasn’t mine.

  My eyes traveled from the pistol up her arm and to her eyes. “Are you gonna kill me?” My voice was still trembling and heavy, my lungs still short on air.

  Her eyes were wet, tears welled in them, but I knew she wouldn’t break down. “No,” she said, “I thought you were going to kill me.”

  I didn’t know what I was doing. What had I done to make her think that I would kill her? Even try to? Or want to?

  “Why—” But I didn’t finish.

  The fear in her eyes was just too damn much for me, my knees buckled from under me. With a thump I was on my ass, clutching my legs to my chest.

  “The dreams?” The fear was not only in her eyes, but also still in her voice.

  I didn’t trust mine. I nodded. Yes, the dreams.

  Was this nightmare about to come true? I knew that the meeting, even with the vamps and lycans, would not be the safest undertaking. But God, if it was going to lead us to such an end, was it worth it?

  I stopped hugging my legs and let my face fall into my hands. She approached me, very slowly. I could hear her feet shuffling across the hardwood floor as she crept toward me. Kneeling, she began to reach for me. I shied my head away from her hand. Quickly she recoiled.

  I raised my head. When my eyes met hers, I asked, “Would you have killed me?” I knew the answer; I didn’t know why I had to ask. But I did.

  She didn’t answer, she didn’t have to. She just swallowed hard.

  “Maybe you should have.” Again she reached out for me. And again I turned away. I wanted nothing more than her touch. I longed for it. But I denied myself. I didn’t deserve it. If I’d scared her so much that she would draw against me, I didn’t fucking deserve the comfort of her touch.

  “Why?” She asked, her voice still shook, but it held a hint of anger.

  She didn’t understand why I wouldn’t let her touch me. It wasn’t her I was upset with. It was me. But I knew that I could not make her understand that. Perhaps it was self-deprecating to make myself suffer when she was offering me the comfort that I needed. But did I give a fuck? No.

  “Perhaps it would have been better for all of us,” I took a deep breath, “if you had.” She looked s
o shocked at my statement. “Carmen,” I continued, “I am bringing nothing but a shit storm of hell to everyone here. I’m not even sure if by coming here I didn’t have something to do with your father’s abduction.”

  She completely ignored the comment about her father. “Please, Vinny, tell me about the dream, please.” Her voice was so soft, comforting, no more anger.

  “I can’t.” No lies, I couldn’t.

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  A little from column ‘A’ a little from column ‘B’. “Both.” She didn’t look like she understood me. “I’m sorry,” I said, “but, it’s just… I can’t bring myself to talk about it. I don’t want you, or anyone else, to suffer those horrors.”

  She reached again. I could never say she wasn’t persistent. That time she didn’t let me back away. “You can’t protect everyone, Vincent.” I heard what she was saying, but all I could think about was the soothing feeling of her touch.

  Why did she make me feel that way?

  “How do you do that?” I asked. I didn’t mean for it to be out loud.

  Her lips curled into a grin. And I realized that I too was smiling. “Do what?”

  “Calm me with just a touch?”

  She shrugged as her grin turned into a smile. “I, my dear Mr. Black, am just that fucking good.”

  I let out an evil little chuckle. “Oh, my dear Mrs. Piper, how I would love to know how fucking good you really are.”

  My chuckle and comment was answered with a blushed giggle. “Wouldn’t you just?” Her smile turned from playful to seductive as she leaned in and kissed me, softly at first, then deeper. She pulled back from the kiss. “Wouldn’t you just.” Forcefully pushing me onto my back towards the wooden floor.

  I wanted to ask what she was doing, but I didn’t dare say anything to ruin the moment. Experience had shown me that no matter how well things were going with her, she’d pull back. I didn’t want that.