by K. H. Pope
“Go ahead,” she says.
I go into the foyer for privacy. “Hello,” I answer.
“I need to speak to you right away. Can you meet me?”
“Yes, I can.” I’m excited. “Wherever you want is fine.”
She gives me an address in Haughton, Louisiana. How she made it out of Bossier City, I have no idea, but it sounds like she’s not safe.
“Julie, do you have a coat closet?”
“Yes,” she answers. “Why do you ask?”
“I’ll be coming out of that. Okay?”
“You’re a witch?”
“No, Julie, not exactly. I just don’t want you to freak out.”
“As long as you get here as soon as you can.”
“I’ll be there quicker than you think.” I hang up the phone and go back to the living room. “Evelyn, I have to use a transfer chamber.”
“There’s a closet in the foyer. Don’t forget to stop by Moltean Corporation. And if you need to get in touch with me again, I’ll be back in town tomorrow night. I have business in Germany.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
CHAPTER 14
All eyes are on me when I step out of the transfer chamber. There’s at least ten people in the room, ranging from as young as a newborn to an older gentleman. Most of the men are holding guns. Some of the females are, as well.
“Alice,” Julie calls from another room. “In here.”
Everyone goes back to what they were doing. Some have curtains pulled back. Others are loading their weapons. Suddenly, a rock comes through a window. Someone screams. A man with a rifle takes aim and fires one shot. A young boy, probably no older than ten, fires off a shot, as well. Two women comes over with planks of wood and begins hammering them over the hole.
“Alice, come with me.” Julie grabs my hand. I quickly snatch away. Instantly, her guardian angel appears, and I feel like I’m going to be sick to my stomach. This happens every single time. When someone I haven’t touched before put their hands on me or grazes me, I feel horrible. Their guardian angel appears. Their presence makes me weak.
“Is something wrong?” Julie asks.
“No,” I answer as I try to get myself together. “I’m fine.”
“Please, come with me so we can talk in private.”
We go upstairs. I’m a little dizzy, but I make it. We come to an empty bedroom. Julie pulls back the window. I go over to see what she’s looking at. Two dead bodies are in the front yard. Trash is everywhere.
“What’s going on, Julie? Who were they shooting at?”
“Neighbor across the street had his house broken into. Someone stole whatever food he had, killed him, and took over his house. My dad is trying to keep that from happening to us.”
“Who are all those people downstairs?”
“Most of them of neighbors that lost their home. Some are family.”
I look out the window. One of the men that was shot is trying to crawl away. He’s leaving a trail of blood behind him. The very few people that’s walking by on the street don’t even stop to help him.
“You have something to tell me, Julie?” I ask, letting go of the curtain.
“I lied to you last,” she replies. “I’m sorry, but I had no choice. Max is in trouble.”
“What kind?”
“Someone called him Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of last week. He was being threatened.”
“By who?”
Julie cross her arms nervously and says, “Max said her name was Pearl.”
Well, that makes sense. She did answer the phone when I tried calling Lana back at the Sheriff’s office yesterday.
“What were the threats about?” I ask.
“She told him that he better do what she asked, or she’ll ruin us.”
“What did she want him to do?”
Julie shrugs and pulls at the back of her neck.
“Did you ever talk to her?”
“She called me on Thursday. At first, I thought it was someone from Moltean Corp calling him in to work because that was the number on the phone. When I picked it up, it was that woman. She told me to tell Max that he better do as she says, or we’ll be living in Viking, too.”
“You said the call came from Moltean Corp? Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, it appeared on my cell phone.”
“Okay,” I nod. My temper is boiling. There’s one more question I have to ask before I go. “What is the current number your husband used that people contact him on?”
Julie shakes her head and says, “I don’t know.”
“Is it programmed into your cell?”
She brings it out and brings up the number. I punch it into mine.
“Have you tried to call it?”
“It’s dead.” She’s shaking. “I don’t even get a voicemail.”
“I’m going to Moltean Corporation after I leave here. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
She nods and says, “Find him alive, please. Don’t let him be dead.”
I give her one last reassuring look, and I walk over to the closet to call for the transfer chamber.
I’ve been going at this investigation all wrong. I should have gone after Pearl in the first place. After all, she did answer Lana’s cell phone when I called it yesterday. But that’s okay. I’m on the right track now, and when I see Pearl again, I’m going to re-gift every threat she ever made to me and Julie. But I have to make her tell me where Lana and Max is located first. I’m sure that’ll be easy.
CHAPTER 15
Upon exiting out of a restaurant in Alexandria, Louisiana, I notice that this place is a whole different world from all the other places I’ve been. Life seems to be untouched by the chaos the Fellowship is causing. There isn’t a line of cars. No roaming gangs. People aren’t trying to kill one another. Two ladies speed walk by me with weights in their hands, and they’re smiling and talking. Why does it seem like this place isn’t real? Whatever. I’m not going to put much thought into it. Obviously, someone is protecting this town, or at least, the area I’m in.
I cross the street to Molten Corporation. The building is a six story brick structure set among perfectly green lawns, wrought iron lamp posts, and manicured trees and bushes.
When I enter the front door, I’m put off by what I see in the lobby even more. A long rectangular stainless steel desk is on the far end, and it goes from the left wall to the right wall with no space for entry. There isn’t a hallway that leads to offices or to elevators behind it, just a silver wall with the company name in big bold silver lettering. How do visitors get to the other floors from here? Then I feel it. Magic has changed the look of this place. The lobby is an illusion meant to keep the unwelcomed out.
Four receptionists, spaced out equally, are manning the unusually long desk. Each looks like a supermodel, make-up perfect, sitting up straight, speaking in perfect English. They have different hair color, the same upswept hairstyle, and all of them are wearing the same style blazers with scarves that match their hair color. I recognize one of them. It’s Livna from the Sheriff’s office. This time her movement is more fluid, graceful. Maybe, it’s not her.
The brunette on the far right sees me first. A smile appears on her face, and she cordially says, “Welcome to the main headquarters of Moltean Corporation. How may I help you?”
I answer in a phony upbeat voice, “Pearl Nakamura, please.”
Upon hearing my request, the brunette looks over at Livna. She stands, adjusts her jacket, and comes over to the brunette.
Livna coolly states, “I’m sorry. We didn’t get your name.”
“My name is Alice.” Then it hits me. I know what they are.
“You must make an appointment in order to see Miss Nakamura,” Livna firmly states.
“I don’t need an appointment,” I say in a matter of fact tone. “Just give old Pearl a call, and she’ll come right down.”
I have the attention of all four women now. The only one that doesn’t
show any fear is Livna.
“You have two choices,” she says. “You can leave on your own, or you can be removed by force.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“This is your last warning.”
“All of you are statues, right?” I ask pointing at them in general. “Made of stone? I will have you know I’m pretty good at turning rocks to dust.”
My comments garner a gasp from the brunette and redhead, but they all know what my threat means.
“Now, one of you need to run along and tell Pearl that I’m here.”
Fearful of my threat, they back up to the wall, including Livna.
“Alice,” a familiar voice says from behind me.
I turn around to see Pearl standing in front of the front entrance. She’s facing me squarely, prepared for any move I might make towards her.
“Pearl,” I respond.
“So glad to see you.”
“You won’t be for long.”
She laughs, and my blood boils.
“Tell me,” she says playfully, “why am I so lucky to have you here today?”
“Lana and Max. Where are they?”
“I never heard of them before.”
“Where are they, Pearl?”
“You need to leave before you get hurt.”
This time I chuckle. “Who’s going to hurt me? You?”
“Oh yeah,” she answers with confidence.
I’m not waiting for her to follow through. I bring forth energy from the core of my body, and it travels the room in invisible waves. When it hits her, it sends Pearl flying into the wall. I rush forward before she can recoup, and I grab her throat. I send another surge through her body, and she screams in agonizing pain. I’m returning all of the discomfort she caused me in full. She manages to wrap her arms around me, and she tries to shock me. I channel the energy right back through my hands into her.
She gives me a head butt that I wasn’t expecting, and I’m on the floor head hurting and feeling dizzy. I can’t get back on my feet. Pearl sends another charge that hits me in my side, which makes me seize uncontrollably.
I try to focus. Her lightning energy is no different from my dynamic energy. I’m fighting her effects when I shouldn’t be. I absorb it and combine it with mine. She hits me two more times in quick succession, and I take them right in. They create a change that wakes me up and gives me motivation. I’m ready to fight back once again.
When I get back on my feet, a man steps in front of me. He’s facing Pearl. She’s yelling at him to move, and he gives her a warning to back off. Pearl sends another burst of lightning, and it almost hits his face. The man manages to block it with his arm, and Pearl vanishes before he can retaliate. He looks at the burn hole in his shirt sleeve and shakes his head.
“Always got to have the last shot,” he remarks evenly.
He’s about to touch me, but I step back out of his reach with raised hands.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he says with genuine concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I point at his shirt. “What about you?”
“Not even a flesh wound.” He offers his hand. “John Zuller.”
“Alice,” I say as I lift my hands. “Sorry, I don’t shake hands.”
“So, you’re the one Mrs. Crowe called me about. I wasn’t expecting you to arrive like this.”
I chuckle and ask, “So, John Zuller, where did she go? We’re not done chatting.”
“Is that what you two were doing?” he asks.
“We tend to communicate better that way.”
“I think both of you have done enough chatting for now, and I’m sure she’s long gone. She’s not the type to stick around.”
“That’s too bad.”
“How about I treat you to coffee?”
I look at him with confusion.
“You know what that is, right? I know a great spot right down the street. Plus, Mrs. Crowe said that you needed help. I’m here for you.”
I check him out. John Zuller is somewhat of a handsome guy. He has on a wrinkled blue shirt, a beige tie, and dark blue pants. His brown hair is messy, and he has a long face with clear chestnut colored eyes. He’s tall with an average frame, and he appears to be evenly built. He doesn’t look bad at all, and his help is definitely needed.
“Coffee it is,” I remark.
CHAPTER 16
John takes me to a coffee shop on North Bolton Avenue, about half a mile from Moltean Corporation. He has a regular brew with no creamer, and I have a caramel cappuccino. I’m watching him sip his coffee and gaze out onto the quiet street. The jazz music is playing overhead, and he’s tapping the table lightly. I’m not sure what the hell is going on in this town or with him, but it’s too quiet and too creepy.
“Why isn’t there fires or people dying in the streets?”
“It’s protected. Evelyn Crowe’s business is located in this town, and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep it going.”
I nod, still thinking the place is weird.
“So, Alice, you have a last name?”
“No,” I answer. “I don’t.”
“Unusual for a person not to have one.”
“I’m a fallen angel.”
“Really? Interesting.” He folds his hands together on the table. “How old are you?”
I shrug and shake my head. “I don’t know my age.”
“Have you been alive since the beginning of time?”
“Time is irrelevant to angels. I don’t know.”
“The fallen is considered to be very powerful, Alice. You can’t be killed. The Magi Elite, especially the Congressional Branch, fear your kind.”
“My kind? They have no reason, and I’m not as powerful as they think. I mean you saw what happened back there. Pearl got the upper hand on me, and she’s a witch.”
“She almost got the upper hand. She can put you down, but she can’t keep you down.”
“She didn’t run,” I point out. “Well, at least, not in the beginning she didn’t.”
“Pearl doesn’t want to look like a coward. Why were you two fighting, anyway?”
“Friends of mine are missing, and I wanted Pearl to tell me where they are.”
“Lana Wells,” John state before lifting the cup to his lips.
“Yes, and Max Sullivan.”
“I’ve met them both. She’s very classy, and he’s very nerdy. She also makes less of a dramatic entrance than you do.”
“I’m sure she does,” I remark casually. “How do you know Lana?”
“She used to see Harrison Piedmont. They had a fling at one point.”
“Piedmont? Does he have a wife name Martha Piedmont?”
“He does.”
I would have never put that together. “Lana and that guy had a fling? Why they stop seeing one another?”
“He wouldn’t leave her alone about her house. Every single time they were together, he made an offer to buy it. I think she got tired of him and dumped him.”
“Why is he so interested in her property?”
John scratches at his chin and says, “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. Tell me.”
John looks around the coffee shop. A girl is wiping the counter with a towel, and she’s wearing headphones. She isn’t paying any attention to us. There are no other people inside.
He whispers, “A chamber has been located under that house. There’s something very valuable locked in there.”
“What is it?”
“I hear rumors that it could be an amulet or something ancient. It’s something that will give a witch or a wizard a boost in power, a very large boost.”
“Is Lana aware of the chamber?”
“I don’t know.”
“So, Harrison Piedmont is trying to buy Lana’s house to gain access to this chamber that has some hidden power in it?”
“It’s possible.”
“Has he been in the house to get this object since she’s been gone?”<
br />
“He can’t. No one can. The chamber is protected as long as the owner is still alive, but there’s a catch. If Lana is killed by magical or ordinary means, the room and the house will disintegrate with the object inside. There will be no recovering it after that. It loses its supernatural properties and becomes dust with the ground.”
The house is still intact. That means Lana is alive, but what about Max?
John remarks after he sips his coffee, “Whoever created the spell can break it.”
Ammon comes to mind. He might have put the spell on the house, in a way protecting Lana.
“Is there any other way Piedmont can get the house and the object?”
“If Lana gives power of attorney to Jeff Wells, he can sign over the property to Moltean Corp. It’ll sort of belong to them anyway because Jeff’s realty company is a subsidiary.”
“I read about his business online last night. I didn’t see anything about his real estate company being a subsidiary to Moltean Corp.”
“It is a well-kept secret.” John finishes his cup of coffee and let out a satisfying sigh. “I’ve told you too much.”
“You haven’t told me enough. I still don’t know where Lana and Max are located.”
“I don’t know, either.”
“Where is Harrison Piedmont? I want to talk to him.”
John shakes his head. “You can forget it now. After your show at Moltean today, I’ll be surprised if they allow you in the parking lot.”
I huff. Now, I regret asking for Pearl in the first place. I should have just asked for John. Damn it. What can I do now? I start thinking. The only person I haven’t spoken to yet is Jeff. “I have to find out if Jeff Wells is still alive.”
“You might find him at his office here in Alexandria,” John says. “I hear his house burned down in Hosston. And if I were you, I wouldn’t be making the same type of entrance you made at Moltean. You’ll scare him.”
“He needs to be scared. He’s a snake in the grass, and he needs to be tied in knots.”
John smiles at my threats like their cute. I don’t mean for them to be cute at all.
“So, getting back to Harrison Piedmont. How close are you to him?” I ask simply out of curiosity.