by Lori Saltis
Mr. Cole comes in and everyone shuts up. While he drones on about George Washington, Father of Our Country, blah, blah, blah, I think about how to fight around my clothes. The skirt will hamper my movements and give Kevin an advantage. I have P.E. for fifth period. I can stay in my gym clothes and hide in the girls’ loo until after sixth period. That will work.
The classroom door opens and Vice Principal Ikeda steps inside. She glances around the classroom, looks at me and says, “Penny Sparrow, come with me. Bring your things.”
Everyone watches me shove my book into my bag and walk out the door. My fingers itch to flip them the bird. I follow Vice Principal Ikeda at a glum distance as we head toward the administrative office. It looks like Bridie and Bill will be fighting over me again.
Chapter 6
Paul
Sweat trickles down my cheeks and drips off my jaw. I want to swipe my forehead, but my bare arms are just as slick. I wipe my wet palms down my pants and squint at the midmorning sun filling the Ancestral Courtyard with light and heat. Not a cloud in the sky. Is this how an egg feels sitting in the middle of a frying pan?
“Is he ready?” Head Elder glares at me from the shade of the red awning set up in front of the Ancestral Hall for the Summoning Ceremony. Dad and Tony stand beside him, expectation clear in their eyes.
An egg has it easy. All it has to do is fry.
Dad walks up to me. “Are you ready?”
I nod. My tattoo, which hasn’t bothered me all week, now itches and burns.
Dad hangs the Yang Pearl around my neck.
As the smooth side of the amulet rests against my skin, I feel the now-familiar thrum of power. I close my eyes as that power spreads through my body and tingles at my fingertips. I raise my left arm.
“What is he doing?” demands Head Elder.
My eyes pop open.
“Silence,” commands Dad.
I grit my teeth. Dad knew Head Elder wouldn’t approve of me using my left hand for the Dragon Shout, but he insisted the use of the dominant hand is more powerful. It’s also another way of showing Head Elder who’s in charge. I’m all for that, but not the bullshit that comes with it at this particular moment. If I can’t concentrate, I won’t be able to do what they want, and then I really will be a fried egg.
I shut my eyes and once again focus on the power of the Yang Pearl as flows through me.
Jade Dragon plunges through the ocean, causing rogue waves to appear on the surface. He remains invisible, moving through water and sky, gaining the wisdom and power necessary to – slowly, so slowly – fill the holes in his great pearl. He seems to pause as he notices my presence. Such a speck of a boy, yet still his descendent.
I open my eyes. The Yang Pearl glows. I hold out my palm in the direction of a man-sized, straw-filled dummy hitched to a stand across the courtyard. As I open my mouth, I use my voice to focus the power surging through my body out through my palm.
I breathe out the power sound, “Kaah.”
Both dummy and stand propel backward, smashing into the wall and crumpling to the ground. A nearby tree trembles as leaves and twigs fall from its branches.
My legs wobble. I suck in my breath and the tremors worsen. A dark pattern veils my sight and a loud buzzing sound fills my ears. The Yang Pearl tingles against my skin. I take another breath – slower this time – and concentrate on the pearl, allowing its energy to spread through my limbs. My vision clears.
Dad and Head Elder look at each other instead of me, their faces red and angry.
The buzzing fades.
Head Elder pounds his fist into his palm. “He must be able to achieve the Dragon Shout without the aid of the Yang Pearl.”
“He can,” Dad’s speaks over Head Elder, “But not without difficulty. He’s been practicing all morning for this demonstration. I’m not going to exhaust him. He needs more time to regain his strength and replenish his chi.”
“This is your failure – your unwillingness to train your son properly.”
My heart hammers, making me dizzy again. It’s not Dad’s fault. Without the Yang Pearl and the faraway power of Jade Dragon, I’d struggled to achieve the Dragon Shout. Dad had been patient and Tony encouraging, but it had knocked me on my ass until yesterday, when I was able to shift a boulder without the aid of the pearl. I lick my lips. They feel like sandpaper. I could try again, but I need water.
“Head Elder, my heir has proven his ability to succeed me. This demonstration is over.” My father strides across the courtyard toward me. His hard expression softens as he speaks. “Are you all right, son?”
Honest answer?
No.
Correct answer?
“Yes.” I take off the Yang Pearl and hand it to him. The thrum of power evaporates as Jade Dragon disappears into a cloud bank. I swallow, trying to moisten my throat. “I’m thirsty.”
Dad looks over his shoulder. “Son, go get your brother some water.”
Tony heads for the entrance to clan headquarters. Third and Fifth Elder brush past him as they enter the courtyard. Both are men, with their yang numbering, while Second and Fourth Elder are female with even, yin numbers. Despite this, there isn’t a true balance, not with Head Elder included. Why isn’t there a Sixth Elder? Is it intentional, to keep the women outnumbered? I frown. That’s not fair. Maybe when I’m Dragon Son, I can change that. Who would I make Sixth Elder? Auntie Cat. Definitely. She’d kick ass as an Elder. She’s Dad’s younger sister, so she’ll probably still be alive after he dies…
Dad. Dead. What am I thinking? The sun must have fried my brain.
Third Elder approaches Dad. I call him the Vampire because he’s got this creepy, pointy smile like a grinning corpse. “Dragon Son, the delegations from the other clans are gathered in the grand pavilion, but there’s a problem. The Beggar Chief insists on smoking a cigar. It has an offensive odor. The other clans have protested. The chief of the Iron Fan Sisterhood is threatening to walk out.”
“Brother Ash likes to make trouble.” Dad shakes his head. “My son and I need to prepare for the Summoning Ceremony. Can’t someone else take care of this nonsense?”
“I have the delegations on a conference call in my office. Perhaps if you spoke to them.” The Vampire shows his yellow fangs as he motions toward the entrance to headquarters.
Hesitation crosses Dad’s features. He looks at Head Elder, now deep in conversation with Uncle Tool. That’s what I call Fifth Elder. He’s Head Elder’s oldest son and struts around the compound like he’s the boss and everyone else is bullshit, and he talks to Mom like she’s a slow ten year old. Good news is he’s older than Dad, so hopefully I won’t have to put up with him as Head Elder when I’m the Dragon Son.
Tony reenters the courtyard and Dad’s expression clears. He turns to me. “Stay here with your Big Brother.”
I nod. I want to wait in the shade, but I don’t want to get any closer to Head Elder and his tool of a son. Tony tosses me a sweaty plastic bottle. The cold water tastes like sweet relief and I already feel a hundred times better. I wish I could drain it dry, but excess of anything would be bad for my chi.
“You did good,” Tony whispers. “Don’t let Head Elder tell you different.”
I smile before taking another gulp. I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks, as long as Dad and Big Brother are happy.
After Dad and the Vampire leave the courtyard, Head Elder hollers, “Wai Yi. Go to the end of the courtyard.”
What the hell is he up to? Nothing good. I turn to Tony, whose face has gone blank. Don’t go.
Tony inhales through his nose. I have to. I can’t disobey him. He walks across the courtyard until he gets to the designated spot. Then he turns and faces me. Whatever happens, don’t be afraid. I can take it.
Head Elder lifts his head at an imperious angle, as if he thinks he’s looking down on me even though I’m taller than him. “Wai Kit, you will demonstrate the Dragon Shout using Wai Yi.”
The slick bottle slips fro
m my fingers. Water sprays my legs. I reach out to my father. I can’t sense him, but I cry out anyway. Dad. Help. Head Elder. He’s trying to get me to hurt Tony.
No answer. That’s why the Vampire insisted on a conference call. He’s making sure Dad is too distracted for me to reach.
“Now,” shouts Uncle Tool. He’s standing there with his arms folded and legs apart, like he’s a thug in a third-rate movie.
I shout back, “No.”
Head Elder’s mouth twists in an ugly sneer. “So, it’s true. Your father didn’t teach you to use the Dragon Shout on a man.”
He’s twisting things around again. Trying to make it Dad’s fault. “He did, but not without the Yang Pearl. There wasn’t time. I…”
“You will do as I command.”
Little Brother. Tony’s voice brushes my mind. You did it before. You can do it again.
No. Not without the Yang Pearl.
Remember, you were able to push me.
I need the Yang Pearl. Without it, I might use too much power. I could hurt you. I could kill you.
You won’t. I have faith in you. Have faith in yourself.
I take a deep breath to steady my pounding heart. Tony believes in me. I can do this.
“Grandson,” Head Elder snaps his fingers. “The Dragon Shout. Now.”
A cold breeze gusts through the courtyard. Leaves and twigs skitter across the cobblestones. Where did that come from? Jade Dragon! Is he somewhere overhead, awaiting the Summoning Ceremony? Or is he waiting for his descendent to prove himself worthy and take command?
Head Elder snaps his fingers again.
Who the hell is that old man, a mere human, to order me around? Maybe I should demonstrate the Dragon Shout, but not on Big Brother. Head Elder’s baleful glare makes my left palm itch. I lift my hand, but instead of blowing the old man into the wall, I snap my fingers.
Head Elder’s jaw drops.
“I am the Dragon Son’s heir. I obey no one but him and Jade Dragon.”
I stride across the courtyard toward the entrance to headquarters. Head Elder and Uncle Tool recover enough to block my way. I veer and enter the Ancestral Hall instead.
Inside, I halt before turning in a slow circle. What the hell? Last night, when we finally headed home, the Ancestral Hall looked identical to when we first entered. Since then, the main cavern has been swept clean and additional lanterns lit to provide twice as much light. Fresh coils of incense hang from the overhead beams. Benches line the walls and straw mats have been rolled onto the floor.
Everyone will be arriving soon for the Summoning Ceremony, which means Head Elder is running out of time. He’ll be after me any moment now, trying to use me as a weapon against my father. I shiver, the cold air chilling the sweat on my skin. The old creep has to find me first. I grin. All I need is a good hiding place. Not a problem.
I run around the altar, grab a lantern and head into the caverns. I turn the wick as low as possible to find my way along the path.
The past week hadn’t been so bad. During the day, I had practiced wielding the Yang Pearl and performing the Dragon Shout. At night, Dad had led Tony and me through the caves, into different chambers with even more drawings. It would have been fun, like a camping trip, if it hadn’t been for all the expectations dumped on my shoulders.
“Wai Kit,” Head Elder’s voice echoes from behind. “Come back at once.”
Anger burns in my throat. I bite my lip to keep from yelling, ‘Like hell!’ so I don’t give him anything to hone in on. I pick up my pace. Soon, they’ll see my light and be able to follow me. In case they’re already on my tail, I wind around several bends, taking the alternate routes Dad taught me.
“Wai Kit.”
That sounds too damn close. Head Elder can sure move fast for an old man. I turn off the lantern. Darkness envelops me, but I know I’m not far from the end of the path. I press my back to the wall and keep going, quick and silent. The cold, gritty stones scrape my skin, but that’s okay. I’ll take a lot more punishment to ruin Head Elder’s game.
I stumble over a jutting rock and grasp at the wall to keep from falling. The lantern flies from my hand. The sound of its crash echoes through the caverns. The smell of kerosene fills the air.
“Wai Kit. Stop where you are.”
Damn! I press against the wall and hurry forward. As my eyes adjust to the dark, I can make out the shapes of the rock formations. I round a tight corner and the walls of the cavern become wider and more visible. They’ll never catch me now. I run toward the sound of water, breathing in the fresh air that blows through the passage.
When I get to the Dragon Shout Chamber, I turn from side to side. What should I do? I can run outside and hide in the forest, but maybe that’s what they expect. Maybe there are already guards outside waiting for me to appear. And what about Dad and Tony? They’re going to come looking for me. Dad is going to be so pissed. I rub my forehead. Aw, shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have run off.
Footsteps sound behind me. I’m out of time. Where can I hide? I twist around and come face-to-face with the drawing of Lau Chao Zong. It’s almost like he’s beckoning me into the cubbyhole. Quick and silent, I clamber up the rocks and squeeze into the crawl space behind the drawing. My temples pound and my breath sounds like shouting. I jam my fist to my lips and breathe through my nose.
Head Elder’s voice comes from outside the chamber, “Did he come this far?”
“We don’t know,” replies an unfamiliar male voice. “He dropped his lantern. He might have gotten lost in the dark.”
More footsteps sound, followed by an angry voice, “What have you done with my son?”
Dad. I exhale through my fingers. I start to wiggle out and stop. Would my sudden appearance make things better or worse? I squirm further in.
“Your son ran away,” replies Head Elder.
“Why?”
“Because he is disobedient.”
“Wai Yi told me what you ordered him to do, against my command, and now he’s lost.”
“Your son is lost because he lacks discipline and ran like a child instead of obeying orders like a man.”
Mean old liar! My knuckles scrape against the sandy stone. The cubbyhole is starting to get uncomfortable, but if it makes Head Elder sweat to think he lost me, I can stay here for hours. Still, I don’t want Dad to worry. I close my eyes and reach out to him.
Dad, it’s okay. I’m all right.
Son! Where are you?
I’m hiding in the Dragon Shout chamber. Do you want me to come out?
Dad hesitates a few moments before replying. No. I don’t want Head Elder having any further access to you. Wait for your Big Brother. He’ll come get you.
Okay. I also hesitate. Dad, I’m sorry…
Don’t be. None of this is your fault. Stay put.
“The guards will fan out through the tunnels,” Dad says aloud, his voice crisp with authority. “I want my son found in time for the Summoning Ceremony.”
I sigh as footsteps become fainter, moving in multiple directions away from the chamber. How long will I have to stay in here? It’s getting stuffy, not to mention really cramped. Good thing I don’t have claustrophobia. I close my eyes. Maybe I can pretend I’m lying in bed. Yeah, right, on the world’s most uncomfortable mattress.
“Are they gone?”
My eyes pop open. That sounds like Uncle Tool.
“Quiet, you fool.” That’s definitely Head Elder. It sounds like they’re in the chamber, right below me. “Our plans have changed. Inform Third Elder. Use the Silent Speech. I want none of this spoken aloud.”
Then why is he talking out loud? Maybe Head Elder can’t practice the Silent Speech. It requires absolute trust between two people. He obviously doesn’t trust anybody, not even his own son. How sad is that?
“What are we to do?” whispers Uncle Tool.
“We must find my grandson and keep him away from his father.”
“But the ceremony… the blessing from Jade D
ragon…”
“After we disgrace and banish the Dragon Son – former Dragon Son – I will take possession of the Yang Pearl and commune with Jade Dragon.”
My mouth gapes open. What the fuck? Is he serious?
Even his son gasps. “Will Jade Dragon allow this?”
“He will, once he learns of his descendant’s transgressions,” Head Elder speaks with complete certainty, as if he knows the mind of Jade Dragon. As if!
“What about the other clans. Should we dismiss them?”
“No. I want them present to witness the Dragon Son’s disgrace.”
“What about Wai Kit? Will he cooperate during all this?”
“He will in exchange for his father’s life and the safety of his cousins, and his mother.”
Fifth Elder doesn’t say a single word to protest or defend his sister. He really is a tool.
The silence stretches into minutes. I stretch my neck, straining to listen, but don’t hear a thing, not even footsteps. Had they left the chamber as silently as they entered? Or are they still lurking? I don’t dare move.
Dad? I reach out. No answer.
Every passing minute feels more like ten. I shift a little so my tattoo isn’t pressing against the coarse stone. Some symbol of manhood. Maybe five hundred years ago, a fifteen-year-old was considered an adult in the Two Dragon Clan, but not anymore. Even if I do replace Dad, I won’t be allowed to rule until I’m eighteen years old, the standard age of adulthood on the Crossroads.
I get that lightbulb-above-the-head feeling. That’s why Head Elder wants to overthrow my father. It will give him three years of complete control over the Two Dragon Clan. This can’t wait. I have to warn Dad right now.
I squirm out of the cubbyhole, sit on the ledge and listen. All I can hear is water gurgling in the next cavern. I climb down the rock pile and though I tiptoe, I can still hear my movement. I want to use the Silent Step, but that takes a lot of chi energy and I’m already running short.