Kandice pulled out a seal. It was impossible for her to take them on alone, but the urge to rip him apart, limb from limb was strong.
Lance: Kandice, don’t attack!
Kandice: Ok! We’ve got to get this fucker though.
Lance: We will!
Kandice hid again until the mayor’s SUVs left, then drove back to Lance’s to discuss the night and go over each other’s notes. Her mind was on autopilot from the night's events, she made the whole drive without speeding.
Lance and her argued from the moment she got there. First, about what had happened to the girls that went inside. Then, about when they should attack the mayor.
Kandice’s blood boiled - something needed to die. Lance, an Aether Walker, it didn’t matter. The rage took over her entire body. Slava stepped between them as the voice of reason. They apologized, and Slava pointed out that clearer heads would prevail in the morning, after a good night sleep.
Chapter Ten
Sunday, October 2nd
Right before noon Kandice pulled into the driveway of her aunt’s house. She got out of her car and rang the doorbell. It took a couple minutes before Blake answered.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“Almost,” he said. “I just woke up a few minutes ago. Let me finish getting packed.”
“Hurry up. I don’t want to be here when Aunt Jackie gets back.”
She followed him up the stairs to his bedroom. It was a total disaster. There were dirty clothes everywhere, and his trashcan was overflowing with empty energy drink cans.
“You need to clean,” she joked.
“I know. Aunt Jackie has been on my ass about it. She’s been a little less of a pain, though, since you left. I think she’s worried I’ll leave too.”
“Have you decided if you want to move in with me?”
“I don’t know.”
Blake shut down his laptop and loaded it into his backpack. He took off his shirt and put a fresh one on. At least, it might have been clean, since it came from a pile of disheveled clothing. He had never been that tidy of a person, but this was the worst his room had been. He seemed like one of those people that was too busy to pay attention to his surroundings. In the past, his room always got worse the closer they got to finals.
“Okay,” he said. “Let’s go.”
Kandice popped her head into her old room. It was the same and didn’t appear to have the Aunt Jackie cleaning treatment yet. Maybe her aunt expected her to change her mind and move back in. Jackie had always lived somewhat in denial of reality.
When they were backing out of the driveway, Kandice saw Jackie’s car turning onto the street. They would have to cross paths for her to get out of the neighborhood. It wouldn’t look good if she sped by so they ended up making eye contact as they passed each other. Kandice didn’t stop, smile or wave. There was still nothing to say to her.
A couple minutes later, Kandice got a call from Jackie, but she ignored it and let it go to voicemail. Her aunt was likely just going to bitch at her, and there wasn’t a point to go through the routine anymore.
♦ ♦ ♦
The team sat in the living room, sipping vodka. Even Lance took small drinks. Kandice finished explaining the other night, and Blake sat silent taking it in. Lance had gone first, to explain how he got into the house.
“The best option is to cut power,” Blake said, after a few moments.
“How?” Lance asked.
“I’ve read that if you shoot the power line’s transformer, it will release an electromagnetic pulse, and knock out the power,” Blake said. “That would be enough to get you inside, if you time it right.”
“What about police?” Kandice asked.
“Slava?” Lance asked.
“There are ways to stop phones,” Slava said. “We have done it before. It will buy you some time.”
“It will all come down to timing.” Lance raised his glass. “To victory.”
They all clinked their glasses together and finished their drinks.
Slava had been keeping an eye on the mayor’s compound for a few weeks. He explained that, at most, the mayor would have four guards. Three walk the grounds, and one inside. He also had the female that stays close to him. She left and came back throughout each day. He wasn’t sure if she slept at the mayor’s house, but she was there most nights. He decided they must plan for her to be there.
They agreed that Slava would be the lookout, and Blake would only go inside once Lance and Kandice cleared the house. Slava and Blake discussed a plan to get Lance and Kandice inside. While they got into the details of the plan, Kandice asked Lance to speak with her alone.
They went upstairs, leaving Slava and Blake to their planning.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” Kandice told Lance. “I know you said it’s only because I’m new to changing, but it’s not.”
“I feel the same for you,” he said. “Trust me, I want this just as much as you do.”
“Waiting is pointless. Life is too damn short. I saw two young women die last night. I’m too young to die with regrets.”
“You’re not going to die. That’s part of my point. We have to keep our distance until the mayor’s dead. You have to be willing to walk away and let me die if it comes to it. I promise, I’ll do everything I can to protect you, even if it means dying to save you.”
“If you feel that way, why not be with me?”
“Because, if we were together, you might try to stop me.”
Kandice tried to move in closer to him, but Lance stepped back. “I’m sorry, Kandice. I won’t allow this to happen. When the mission is over, we can talk about it more.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Lance left the house to run to the grocery store. Kandice assumed it was to clear his head.
She sat back down in the living room while Slava and Blake kept talking about ideas of how to get them all on the compound without being caught. Slava noted they had added cameras all along the wall of the property after Kandice and Lance had tried to break in.
They continued to ask Kandice questions, but her short answers weren’t helping move the plan along. Her mind was far away from their conversation. Lance’s response left her in a foul mood.
Slava walked towards the front door. “Mail is coming.”
He went outside, and sure enough, the mailman pulled up to the street mail box shared by several houses. Kandice and Blake watched as Slava received his mail after showing a key to the mailman.
“How do you do that? How did you know the mailman was there?” Kandice asked, once Slava was back inside.
He laughed. “I can see around me.”
“What do you mean?”
“It is hard to explain. I see the whole street in my mind. The people who pull onto it and driving down it.”
“Wow,” Blake said. “That’s awesome. How do you do it?”
“I gained sight when I changed the first time,” Slava said.
“Can Lance do the same?” Kandice asked.
“No,” he said. “Each person gains their own ability, and sometimes, it will take years to find what ability it is.”
Kandice looked up at the mail Slava was holding. There was the typical junk mail everyone got, and at least two bills, but there was a letter in an envelope made of paper that looked expensive. The paper danced between gold and brown, and royal-blue lettering on the front peaked out.
Slava pulled a knife out of his pocket and used the blade to cut along the top of the envelope. Kandice could smell cedar even though the letter was six feet away.
Slava’s face grew stern as he read it.
“Kandice, you are in trouble,” he said. “The Council has learned about your presence here. They want to meet you.”
“May I?” She held out her hand to read the letter.
Dear Mr. Pukher,
It has been brought to our attention that you and your grandson have been in contact with a young woman who can see Them. The Biancardi twins wi
ll meet with you on the 5th of October, at 1:30 PM at your home. Please plan accordingly and accommodate them. It would be best if the young woman in question were present.
Sincerely,
Cara Dinapoli
Kandice read the letter twice and gave it to Blake.
“They didn’t mention Blake,” she said. “Do you think they know about him too?”
“I do not know,” Slava said. “However, it is best you come.”
“Who are these people?” she asked.
Slava poured them all drinks. “This will take a while,” he said.
He started by explaining ancient Rome. Aether Walkers had been a part of the world since before then, but it was in Rome that they were first written about. What he and Lance call the Council, was just older families that had seen them for several generations. Some families could trace their heritage back hundreds or even thousands of years. During times of great turmoil, many families would die out, so only a handful could trace their heritage back to ancient Rome.
The older families didn't hunt down Aether Walkers, but instead led newer families. There was a constant power struggle where the older families would try to get new families to swear loyalty to their own causes. Slava explained it was close to feudalism, except there were no serfs farming, and families almost never fought against each other.
Slava and Lance weren’t tied to any other family, but they worked for many. Cara had asked them to look into Austin. There were no established families in the US. It was up to other families in Europe to look after it.
He went on for over an hour, explaining history, and how some wars had been about ridding the world of Aether Walkers who gained too much power. Through his story it became clear to her why getting rid of the mayor was so important. If he continued to gain more power, he could end up gathering enough influence to be governor of Texas, and that would be disastrous.
The Biancardi twins were excellent fighters, but their main job was to keep an eye on other hunters of Aether Walkers.
“She called the Aether Walkers, Them,” Kandice said. “What does everyone else call them?”
“There are many names,” Slava said. “So, she calls them, Them, because the name is unimportant.”
“Should I worry?”
“I doubt it.”
“Are you really going to meet with them?” Blake asked. “These people sound dangerous. Like a secret government.”
“They are only dangerous to Aether Walkers,” Slava said. “They will not attack you. They just want to find out who you are and what you can do.”
“Do you think they know Lance taught me to change?” Kandice asked.
“Maybe,” Slava said.
“We need to go,” Kandice said. “I need to think this through. I’ll call Lance when I’ve decided if I’ll meet them.”
“Kandice,” Slava said. “It will be best you do. Lance and I will protect you. You are not in danger.”
“Okay.”
It was important to think it through, but if Slava felt it was safe, that was reassuring.
Blake followed her to the car, and Slava closed the door only after they pulled out of the driveway. They kept quiet the whole drive back to Jackie’s house. Kandice kept running through scenarios of what could happen. Slava saying they would keep her safe, gave her the impression there was more to this visit than he said. It seemed impossible for them to protect her from a group that had unlimited resources. They had discovered her existence without anyone other than the four of them knowing about her abilities.
When Kandice dropped Blake off, her aunt came outside. Kandice waved to her and drove away. It wasn’t the time for a heart to heart with that woman. There wasn’t a reason in her mind she’d ever need to speak to her aunt again.
Chapter Eleven
Wednesday, October 5th
Kandice drove to Lance’s early to get the place ready for the meeting.
Lance and Slava seemed worried by the letter’s orders to accommodate the Biancardi twins. It could mean anything from providing a proper meal with great wine, to setting up the guest room because they’d be moving in. Lance had spent a couple days shopping, to prepare for any scenario that might occur. Kandice’s job was to wear a nice dress, and prepare herself to answer any, and all personal questions the twins might ask.
At 1:15 PM, Kandice walked into the house wearing a crimson dress. The shoulder straps caressed her outer shoulders, and her cleavage hung out just enough to make her uncomfortable. It sounded like Lance was already in the kitchen cooking. His knife was tapping away on the cutting-board.
“You look magnificent,” Slava said.
Kandice blushed a little. “Thank you.”
The living room looked much the same, however, next to the typical vodka bottle were two bottles of wine, and a bottle of whiskey.
“Sit and relax,” Slava said. “They will be here soon.”
“Do you want a drink?” Lance asked Kandice over the counter.
“No.” She lied.
He was staring at her chest, and her heart raced. A drink sounded great, but it was more important to keep her wits about her than trying to take the edge off. Kandice could smell the vegetables Lance was sautéing in a pan. It made her stomach groan for comfort food.
“Anything new happen with the mayor?” she asked Slava.
“He has added more security,” he said. “He had a crew out to add security cameras throughout the ground.”
The three of them spoke about what this would mean for their plan. Kandice noticed that Lance hadn't touched his glass of vodka, and there was sweat on his brow. They agreed that the plan would move forward, and they would deal with the cameras when they got on the property. Lance thought he could move fast enough to disable a camera without it catching him. Regardless, he intended to change before going over the wall.
At 1:30, the doorbell rang. Slava looked to the door in surprise. When he opened it, the twins walked in without saying a word. They were a perfect copy of each other, reminding her of the twins from the Shining, and her skin crawled.
“Is this the girl?” the twins asked in unison as they entered the living room.
“Yes,” Slava said. “This is Kandice.” He lifted his hand up to Kandice.
She stood up. “Mr. Biancardi, Mr. Biancardi, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“She lies,” the twins said in unison. “But she’s a beauty, so we’ll forgive her.”
They turned to Lance. “How goes the fight?”
“Good,” Lance said. “We’re planning to attack at the end of the month.”
“Excellent. Cara will be glad to hear it. Now, Kandice, please sit.”
She sat down in her usual spot, and they both sat across from her. They sat so close to each other, they were touching. Their proximity to each other made her feel even more uncomfortable. It felt like they were touching her in a way. While their suits were the same dark gray, their shirts had a different blue striped pattern and their ties were yellow. One had dark blue spots while the other had light blue. It was a small difference, but enough for Kandice to tell them apart.
Their olive eyes stared at Kandice with intensity, it made her feel much like a fly caught in a spider’s web.
They smiled, and their sharpened teeth shone. “Kandice, why don’t you tell us how you met these men.”
Kandice glanced at Slava.
“Don’t look to them,” the twins told her. “Lies will not do. Slava, leave us.”
Slava wasted no time and went to the garage.
Kandice explained her short time tracking Aether Walkers by night, and her run in with Lance during one of these outings.
“Aether Walker,” they said. “This is a nice phrase. Continue.”
Once her story of tracking Lance down the second time was complete, the twins looked away from her for the first time. They looked into each other’s eyes for a minute and Kandice regretted not taking Lance up on the offer for vodka.
The twi
ns looked back at Kandice. The next moment, the twin on the right opened the bottle of vodka and poured her a glass.
“Drink?” they asked, and the twin handed her the glass.
“Thank you.” They can sense my thoughts, this will go over well.
“Lance, two wine glasses,” they said.
Lance came around the counter with the glasses and handed them to the twins. As he walked back to the kitchen, he gave Kandice a reassuring look.
The twin on the left opened the bottle of merlot and poured a small portion of wine into each glass. They both lifted their glasses and swirled them around.
“When did you first see Them?”
“You mean Aether Walkers?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Kandice didn’t want to share this, it was too personal. Over the past month, she’d done well not to dwell on her mother’s death. It felt good, like the progress people talk about when they see a therapist. They had no right to know such a personal story. They each smelled their wine, then took a small sip.
“This will go best if you answer our questions.”
Kandice understood their meaning and explained about her mother’s death. Upon hearing her describe the Cthulhu like creature, that had attacked with its tentacles, the twins raised their hands to silence her and looked at each other. This time, they didn’t break eye contact for what felt like an eternity to Kandice. Something was happening between them, but it wasn’t clear what. They seemed to communicate with each other through telepathy.
Lance had finished cooking and was setting the table.
“We are familiar with this one,” the twins said. “It has been around for many years. Was your mother a seer?”
“No,” Kandice said.
“Uncertainty. Do you know this, or are you assuming?”
Kandice couldn’t be 100% sure, but her mother had never reacted to an Aether Walker in her presence. Though, there was no way to know since she’d never seen one herself before the night her mom died.
“She wasn’t a seer,” Kandice said.
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