Alterverse

by Keith B Darrell

  Sharon Mordecai handed a coffee cup to Katrina. “Would you like cream or sugar?”

  “Cream, please,” Katrina purred. “This is a switch, you serving me.”

  “I’m used to seeing you downstairs at Bubastis. It’s not often you make the trip up to our office but just because we’re bounty hunters doesn’t mean we’re not hospitable.”

  “I’d never say that. You and Pandora have always treated me kindly over the years.”

  “Pandora thinks of you as part of her extended family. I’m sure if Cody hadn’t insisted on having his own godmother Katarina serve as the twins’ godmother, Pandora would have chosen you. I know how fond of you the kids are.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say, but from what I know of gypsy lore they take the role of kirvi quite to heart. I’m sure Katarina is a wonderful godmother.” Katrina smiled. “Her name has a lovely ring to it.”

  Sharon shook her head. “Pandora’s been my best friend since, well ever since I became a sucker, but I’ll never understand how she could have fallen for a Gypsy, let alone one with the lycanthrope gene.” She shuddered. “It’s almost like bestiality.”

  “But think of how special the offspring of their union are. There aren’t many children descended from both vampires and werewolves.”

  “I’m not surprised. Thank the Dark Gods Pandora at least had the good sense not to marry him. Can you imagine what a disaster that would have been? It’s bad enough the children chose to follow tradition and adopt their father’s surname.”

  The door to Nightstalkers, Inc. opened and Pandora Pennyworth stepped inside. “That was a waste of time. So much for the great lead.” She noticed Katrina sitting in their office. “Katrina, are the kids all right?”

  “They’re fine, but I couldn’t keep them in the coffee shop. They got a text from a friend and rushed out.”

  “Damn, I told them to stay at Bubastis. I suppose now that they’re teenagers they have minds of their own. Thanks for babysitting as long as you could.”

  “There was something I wanted to mention to you. Ordinarily I wouldn’t interfere but you know how fond I am of the children.”

  “Of course I do,” Pandora said. “What is it?”

  “I’m concerned they could be in danger. Children at that age often become idealistic and don’t always realize the serious consequences associated with their actions.”

  “At their age they’re more hormonal than idealistic,” Pandora said. “All Quinn thinks about is girls and all Ursula thinks about is one particular boy. But that’s normal teenager stuff.”

  “I overheard them talking about becoming involved with a resistance movement. I believe that’s what the text was about also.”

  Sharon frowned. “What sort of resistance movement?”

  “Against the status quo,” Katrina said. “The government… Perhaps even the Dark Gods themselves. Of course, all teenagers rebel against authority but if they become involved with older radicals they could be exposing themselves to dangerous situations and serious repercussions. My only concern is for their safety.”

  Pandora’s eyes widened as Katrina spoke. “I had no idea. I appreciate you making me aware of what’s going on. If it’s true, they don’t realize they’re playing with fire. I’ll talk to them tonight and put an end to this. Thank you so much for coming to me. You won’t mention this to anyone else, though?”

  Katrina shook her head. “You may count on my complete discretion. I feel badly betraying their confidence but keeping them safe is the most important thing.”

  Pandora showed her to the door. She closed it behind Katrina and turned to Sharon. “How could they be so foolish? They know their mother spends her days hunting subversives.”

  “I blame the gypsy influence on them. You let them spend entirely too much time with Cody at their campsite.”

  “But the lycanthropes enforce the Dark Gods’ regime. I’m sure they’re not responsible for filling their heads with political propaganda.”

  Sharon shrugged. “No matter. We’ll have to report them.”

  Pandora’s jaw dropped. “Those are my kids! They even call you Aunt Sharon. How could you think of reporting them?”

  “You said it yourself: it’s our job.”

  Pandora snarled, baring her fangs. “Not when it comes to my kids.” She leapt at Sharon, flying across the desk and pinning her to the wall. “If you ever again suggest anything that might harm my children I’ll drive a stake through you myself.”

  Ursula sniffed as she and her brother neared the campsite. “Mmmm, traditional gypsy cooking.”

  “I wish they didn’t use so much garlic,” Quinn complained.

  “At least it only gives us heartburn; Mom and Aunt Sharon can’t eat garlic at all.”

  Quinn saw the caravan of vardos up ahead. “Look, there’s Dad with Luna and Aunt Lupe.” He ran to Cody Fenris, followed by Ursula. “Dad!”

  Cody waved them over. “What are you two doing here? Your mother said you were supposed to be at Bubastis.”

  “You spoke to Mom?” Quinn asked apprehensively.

  “She called me a short while ago. She’s worried about you; both of you.”

  “Aw, Dad, we’re old enough to be on our own.”

  “That depends on where you go. It’s one thing to go out for ice cream or a burger with your friends but it’s quite another to be attending meetings of a resistance movement.”

  Quinn and Ursula exchange shocked glances.

  “How —?” Quinn sputtered.

  “Obviously Mom told him, but how did she know?” Ursula asked.

  “That’s not important,” Cody said. “What is important is keeping you two from getting killed.”

  “You don’t pick fights with opponents that are far more powerful,” Lupe said. “And no one’s more powerful than the dark deities.”

  “Professor Eligos taught us that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Ursula said. “The Dark Gods are persecuting witches and warlocks, killing mortals who oppose them, and harming our friends. They’ve taken Alaric’s parents.”

  Quinn nodded. “They have absolute power and they’re abusing it.”

  “Perhaps,” Lupe said, “but there’s nothing that can be done about that.”

  “That’s what people always say,” Quinn said. “And that’s why things never change. It’s up to our generation to be the change we want.”

  Ursula looked at her brother admiringly, surprised at his passion and articulateness. “We know the risks, but we won’t be dissuaded. It’s because we know the risks that we came here today. We’ve started training to work as a team but to be effective we need to master our own hereditary skills. You can show us how to do that Aunt Lupe, like you did before.”

  “Certainly not,” Lupe replied. “I’m not going to help you endanger your lives.”

  “But that’s just it, Aunt Lupe,” Ursula said. “You’d be training us to hone our skills and protect ourselves.”

  “I think it’s a superb idea,” Luna said. “One should never go into battle unprepared and they’ve clearly made up their minds. They’re no longer children but rather teenagers, not much younger than we were Lupe when we went off on our own against the wishes of our elders.” She turned to Cody. “And you’re one to talk: abandoning your clan to run off with a vampire. You know teenagers will always rebel no matter what adults say. The only question is whether we equip them with the survival tools they’ll need.”

  Ursula looked at Luna with new eyes. She was beginning to see what her father and brother saw in Luna, finally able to look past her resentment. Her stepmother’s surprising supportive response had the effect of endearing her to Ursula.

  Katarina and Karoly walked over from the campfire a few feet away, having overheard the conversation. “The authoritarian regime put in place by the Dark Gods is far from supportive of homosexuality,” Karoly said. “I’d like to live in a world where I didn’t have to skulk about furtively in the shadows to
be with the ones I love. Is it wrong for Ursula and Quinn to wish to bring about a better world?”

  Katarina inhaled a deep breath. “Cody, my child, you know I love your children as if they were my own and I’d unhesitatingly sacrifice my life to protect them. But I’ve seen the suffering inflicted by the Dark Gods on the mages and especially on their innocent children. You’re a good man, Cody Fenris, and you’ve always taught your children to do the right thing; the honorable thing. Do not blame yourself for having taught them too well.”

  Cody turned to the twins. “You may visit whenever you wish and Luna and I,” he glanced up at the others, “and anyone else who chooses, shall help you hone your hereditary skills as lycanthropes.”

  “What about Mom?” Quinn asked.

  “Your mother will come around,” Cody said. “I know Pandora better than anyone. Her children matter to her more than anything and in the end she’ll choose you above all else, whether or not she supports your cause.”

  Lupe gave her brother a concerned look. “You realize, this may pit us against Romulus and the rest of the clan, who serve the Dark Gods with unquestioning loyalty?”

  Cody grinned. “It was you who talked me into coming back to the clan all those years ago. Maybe Romulus’ own authoritarian rule has become superannuated.” He turned to his children. “Now tell us about your resistance movement.”

  Later that evening, Katarina made her way through the woods along the familiar path to the hidden cave. She carried baskets filled with vegetables and small pots of freshly cooked stew, and blankets she had traded for with the townspeople in exchange for gypsy baubles. The shivering children greeted her enthusiastically when they saw her. “Aunt Beast!”

  The older Gypsy woman passed out the hot food and blankets. Young Emma Twitch approached her. “Your timing is perfect, Aunt Beast. I doubt the younger ones would have lasted much longer in this cold without hot food and warm blankets.”

  Katarina grimaced. “It’s sinful to be forced to live in these conditions. What sort of deities would inflict such suffering on mere children?”

  Emma sighed. “Unfortunately, it’s not only the Dark Gods. They’ve found willing acolytes among their human worshippers, the vampires, and even your own kind.”

  “For which we shall bear the shame for generations to come. But tonight I bring hope in addition to these much-needed supplies. My godchildren visited the clan today and brought news. Your nephew Alaric has returned from his journey to other realms and he has not come back alone. He has allies; powerful allies.”

  “Allies?” Emma repeated. “To what end?”

  “The eternal idealism of youth in search of a cause to rally around. Justice? Equalitarianism? Freedom? Self-determination? An end to persecution? Change? Revolution?”

  Emma eyed the older woman cautiously. “Revolution?”

  “Your nephew may have left a boy but apparently he has returned a young man, motivated and determined to change the status quo. I’m told he seeks retribution for the abduction of his parents and an end to the capricious and arbitrary authoritarian rule of the Dark Gods. Alaric is leading the Resistance against the Dark Gods.”

  Emma’s face flushed with terror. “He’ll be killed. The Dark Gods won’t tolerate dissent let alone any potential threat to their regime.”

  “Possibly. But if the boy is as determined as I’m told he is, and his numbers continue to swell, he may well achieve the impossible and become one of history’s great leaders.” Her eyes scanned the faces of the young witches and warlocks filling the cave. “And perhaps the savior of his people and the redeemer for the rest of us.”

  “He can’t do it alone. No one could.”

  “Of course not. But he may inspire the multitude that can.”

  “Alaric is my flesh and blood. He needs me, and if what you say is true Aunt Beast, by helping him I’ll be helping all of these children and many, many more.”

  “But you can’t leave them alone,” Katarina said. “They’re too young and you know I can’t stay, as much as I wish I could.”

  Emma nodded. “And we appreciate all that you do, Aunt Beast.” She called out, “Tad!” Her changeling lover joined them. “Aunt Beast, this is my boyfriend Tad. He’ll look after the children in my absence.”

  “Absence?” Tad asked. “Where you going?”

  “Where I must. Can I count on you to do this for me?”

  The changeling gazed into her eyes. “You know you can always depend on me. How long will you be gone?”

  Emma shrugged. “As long as it takes to find Alaric and help him accomplish his goal.” She smiled at Tad. “But when I have, the children will be able to leave the cave and return to their lives and you and I will be able to start our life together.”

  “Then it will be worth the wait. Are you certain you don’t want me to accompany you?”

  Emma shook her head. “The children need you to survive. You can accomplish far more good here than by my side.” She glanced at Katarina. “Aunt Beast will let you know when it’s time for us to reunite. But for Alaric’s Resistance to succeed it will require the power of Hecate – and that means finding and merging with my sisters. I can’t do that here.”

  Tad nodded. “I understand. Stay safe out there.” He wrapped his arms around Emma and kissed her.

  Aunt Beast sighed, hoping she was not witnessing their final embrace.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kaya glanced nervously at her older comrades a few paces ahead of her. “I don’t think we’re ready,” she whispered to Síofra.

  The changeling dismissed her concerns. “We’ve been practicing every day for nearly a month.”

  “The others have, but all we’ve done is show up.”

  “That’s because we dinnae have any special powers like the others. Well, ya dae but ya cannae control when ya turn intae a giant snake-girl.”

  “I’ve really tried to control it but I don’t know how.”

  “If the Nagá high priestesses can turn intae snakes at will then ya’ll be able tae also. After all, yar a hypnalis just like them.”

  “But they were trained by the serpent cult. I was raised by my mother in an isolated cabin without anyone to show me how to become a hypnalis. It only happens when I’m scared to death.”

  “Maybe it has something tae dae with adrenaline. All that matters is that when ya need it yar power kicks in. I’m just here for moral support.”

  Kaya couldn’t tell if Síofra was joking. She gazed into the changeling’s baleful dark orbs and tried to picture her as the team’s cheerleader. The others ahead of them stopped walking.

  “We’re here,” Alaric said resolutely.

  Nitrate perused the Doric columns rising from the crepidoma of the edifice in front of them. “It looks like something out of the Dreamscape. A bit ostentatious, don’t you think? I would have expected the Dark Gods to have more class.”

  “The Temple of Nemesis has existed since the beginning of recorded time,” Alaric said. “It’s a symbol of the faith of her worshippers.”

  Quinn frowned. “You do realize Nemesis is one of the Dark Gods? Do you really think you can charm her into siding with us against her siblings?”

  Alaric nodded. “They may feel some tribal connection to each other, but at their core the Dark Gods are merely personifications of concepts integral to humankind. Nyx is the night; Thanatos is death… To deny their own reason for being would be suicidal. If they have to choose between betraying their siblings or betraying the very concept they personify, they’ll choose self-preservation as any living creature instinctively would.”

  Quinn glanced back at his sister several feet behind them. Returning his gaze to Alaric, he said, “I wonder if you’d feel the same if you weren’t an only child.”

  “Relax. My father’s a trickster demon; the art of persuasion comes naturally to me.”

  “No offense, but your father wasn’t able to talk the Dark Gods out of banishing him.”

  “It’s compl
icated,” Alaric said. “The Dark Gods are forces of Chaos in the struggle against Order. Tricksters are natural Chaos agents because they’re rule breakers but they can also represent a threat to the Dark Gods because they’ll break any rules, including those made by the gods themselves.”

  An epiphany struck Quinn. “So that’s why you wanted Kita on the team. Kitsune are trickster spirits.”

  “Any battle between Order and Chaos is doomed to end in a stalemate, so when we challenge the Dark Gods we need a team composed of both Order and Chaos.”

  Quinn looked at their companions a few feet behind them as they contemplated the imposing edifice before them. “The changeling’s a Chaos agent; her innocent companion a representative of Order.” His gaze shifted to each member of their team, mentally assigning them roles.

  “Don’t dwell on it,” Alaric said. “Accept that it’ll help tilt the scales in our favor. Just let me do the talking.”

  Quinn bowed with an exaggerated wave of his hand. “After you.”

  Alaric climbed the steps of the crepidoma and entered the temple, followed by Quinn, Ursula, Asabi, Nitrate, Kita, Katsumi, and Asmodeus. They walked along a sinuous corridor lit by oil-soaked torches secured in gold-plated sconces – passing several caryatids, all chiseled in Nemesis' likeness – and ultimately leading into a large throne room. Nemesis rose from her throne. “Few make the pilgrimage to Ramnous. It is an arduous journey for most.”

  Alaric stepped forth holding Poseidon’s trident and genuflected. “Your temple is located in a rather remote locale, overlooking the Euripus Strait as it does. I’m certain the tidal currents make it a perilous journey for your worshippers. Fortunately, we came with an emere who can open wormholes between faerie spots.”

  Nemesis studied Asabi. “Come closer, girl. You are not as you appear.” The implacable avenging goddess arched an eyebrow. “You’re not from here.”

  “We came from another continent through a wormhole as Alaric has said,” Asabi replied.