Jade Moon (Celestial War Book 1)

by Julia Richards

  “Ah, you read my book?”

  “That and had a long talk with my mom.” Mr. Silver steepled his hands, something I’d never see anyone else do except as a joke. But he was perfectly serious. “Very good.”

  “But first, that girl, Olivia. She’s in the bathroom crying up a storm. I think someone hit her.”

  “Oh dear.” Mr. Silver stood up. “Let me go find Mrs. Louie. She can go in and check on her.”

  “Mrs. Louie?” I couldn’t believe he would trust her with anything.

  He patted me on the shoulder, “Things are not always what they seem, Harper. Surely you have figured that out. Go on back and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  ***

  Glancing down at my brand new cell phone, I wandered back toward my old library spot with the orange disco chair thinking about what Mr. Silver said. I tried to imagine Mrs. Louie as anything other than an overzealous jerk. Rather than just being mean, I guess it’s possible she really believed I was skulking around the library up to no good. And it wasn’t crazy to think I was the one who tore things up after seeing me there at school on the security video that night. Maybe she was just a rules-nazi, someone who believes in following orders and hierarchies of power more than anything else. A perfect foot soldier of the Solaris if I had to guess.

  As I passed, I glanced down the dark hall where I’d heard the crying. A bright new bulb lit the entire dead end and I could see evidence of recent construction; drywall dust and a strip of plastic sheeting. I thought about going back for a closer look but, to be honest, I was afraid. My entire body tingled with fear, that sense you get when walking down a dark hall and suddenly feel like there is something behind you. You know it’s irrational but you still run to your lighted room and slam the door behind you.

  I retreated to the security of disco chair and waited for Mr. Silver. No tortured child called out to me, though I sat on high alert, ears straining. As I glanced around, my eyes were caught by a small symbol etched along the back wall. A crescent moon so small I might have mistaken it for a chip out of the brick if it hadn’t looked identical to the moon embossed on Mr. Silver’s book.

  Moving close, my finger danced over the tiny mark.

  I was leaning in for a better look when Mrs. Louie boomed behind me, “Harper Dae, thank you for informing us about Olivia.”

  I let out a squeak of surprise and did the exact same spin around, hands up in defensive position that I did last time.

  She squinted at me suspiciously, lips pressed so hard together they were white. “I thought Martin would be back here by now. He said you were here with his permission.” She looked around for Mr. Silver and didn’t seem particularly pleased that I was alone. “You best be on good behavior or I will see you suspended again.” Then she spun on her low heels and stalked away leaving me in a ridiculous crouch, heart banging in my chest.

  I sat down and, after making sure I was alone, pulled out Mr. Silver’s book to read while I waited. Flipping forward a few pages, I read on, starting in the middle of the section.

  This is why balance must be maintained. It is the duty of the Gnomon, the keepers of knowledge, to ensure that neither the Solaris nor the Lunates gain inordinate power. Though the Gnomon are neutral, they will often work closely with this Solaris and Lunates that support the goal of harmony. Throughout history, small groups of Solaris or Lunates have broken away from the larger group and attempted to seize power for themselves.

  For example, ancient Roman Emperor Aurelian created his own cult called Sol Invictus, or Unconquered Sun. This cult almost plunged all of Europe into a generation of drought and ruin. Likewise, Madonna Oriente, a Lunate in twelfth century Milan, made a power grab for her faction. Though she had good intentions, her machinations could have had dire consequences. Fortunately the Gnomon stopped her before any damage was done.

  These kinds of imbalance have happened time and time again. However, we are currently enjoying one of the longest quiescent periods in human history. After the Triton Peace Accord, there has been no over hostility between the two groups. Alliances have even formed between certain segments of the two sides as they appreciate the necessity of working together.

  That said, the historical tension between the Solaris and Lunates has not been entirely eased and there remain those on each side dedicated to gaining ascendance.

  Got it, balance matters. I flipped forward to a section titled, “Relics of Power.” Sounded promising.

  Each of the two faction has a series of relics associated with their seats of power. The power inherent in the universe, light and dark Anima, is focused through these ancient artifacts that convey power upon the proper user. Sadly, most of these relics have been lost to the ravages of time.

  It is important to note that, technically, the objects themselves are not magical.

  I looked up from the book. Magical? Oh boy.

  Anima, the two forces that are inherent in the universe, flow in what are often called ley lines. Most ancient holy places dedicated to the Solaris and Lunate gods were located in places that have internet power associated with them. Copan, the pyramids of Cheops, Tenochtitlan, Stonehenge, all great ancient cities and temples are located at powerful convergences on natural Anima.

  Because it is so concentrated, certain objects regularly used in rituals within these locations often become imbued with this power. Though clearly not true for all ancient objects, those that were used to tap into the Anima, still have the ability to focus this power. A magical residue of sorts.

  While these important relics can convey supernatural abilities, they are rarely used in the modern world. The objects themselves have often been drained of their potential. Likewise, the Solaris and Lunate followers appear to have lost the ability to properly utilize these focus objects.

  Many argue that this reduced ability to utilize the magical properties of these relics is the true reason the recent peace had lasted so long. Without the ability to access the extreme power stored within these relics, neither side can ever hope to gain genuine supremacy over the other, forcing them to accept the terms of the Triton Peace Accord.

  Whoa, that sounded very cool. Plus it made me wonder about the Lunates that dragged Mom into their little antiquity theft ring. Were they searching for new relics of power?

  I read on, lost in thought until the bell rang over my head, making me jump. I had been reading for a long time in my cozy disco chair. Where was Mr. Silver? A terrible sensation crawled up my back like an electrified slug oozing against my spine.

  “Mr. Silver?” I called out, maybe he got caught up at the front desk with another student.

  “Mr. Silver?” tucking the book away in my bag, I headed out. No sign of him at the front. The second bell rang and the halls echoed with the sound of closing doors as everyone settled into their next class.

  I walked the empty halls. I checked in the bathroom where Olivia had been crying. The main office. The library again. I even knocked on the men’s room right outside the library and, when no one answered, I peaked inside. No one.

  “Monkey nuts,” I whispered to myself, unsure what to do. Finally, just before the next bell rang, I went into the main office where the head administrative assistant sat.

  “Um, I was supposed to meet Mr. Silver in the library but he’s not there. Do you know if he had to leave for some reason.”

  She tilted her head with genuine concern, “I’m sorry sweetie, he didn’t say anything.” She gave me a saccharine smile, “Between you and me, that man is a flake. It’s possible he forgot.”

  I thanked her, quite certain I didn’t slip his mind. Without any other options, I realized there was only one other person he had indicated any trust in. Mrs. Louie. Ugh.

  I went to her classroom and waited for the bell to ring. After the students filed out, I stepped in and swallowed my pride.

  “Mrs. Louie, uh, Mr. Silver never came back and he seemed anxious to talk to me. I’m a little worried.”

  She looked
at me for a long time with an unreadable expression. “After we spoke about Olivia, he did say he was going right back to speak with you. I was surprised he wasn’t there when I stopped by. Why he left you alone there is beyond me.”

  “I’m just worried something is…wrong.” I wasn’t sure what to say, exactly. Not wanting to sound like a total loon.

  Something in her face shifted a bit, softer yet still unwelcoming. “You know, I knew your father. You look very much like him.”

  I gasped. “You’re a Solaris?”

  “Never say that out loud!” she hissed.

  I stumbled back at the vehemence in her voice. Pressed against the cinderblock wall, I felt sick.

  She studied me closely, shaking her head. “You’re just like him, think the rules don’t apply to you. But he was a good man.” Something in her harsh voice finally broke. “He was such a good man.”

  She looked almost…human. Holy crap, she had a crush on my dad! No words came to me.

  “You’re right to be concerned.” She chose her words carefully. “I’m not sure what exactly is happening, but something is amiss. Mr. Silver is our knowledge keeper. He doesn’t just disappear.”

  “What should we do?”

  “I can’t leave now but here’s his home address. Perhaps you can track him down.” A few students began filing in for fifth period. She scrawled something on a piece of paper, shoved it at me and said, “Shouldn’t you be in your next class?”

  I glanced at the address she gave me, “Thanks, Mrs. Louie.”

  She ignored my thanks and began shuffling papers on her desk. Dismissed, I headed out into the hall wondering how I was going to get all the way out to the river. Though part of Waterford, Mr. Silver’s house was at least fifteen miles away.

  Pondering how to get there, I literally ran into Raf who had obviously stopped in the hall to greet me.

  “Oh!” I bounced off his shoulder and he grabbed me.

  “Harper, what the hell. You okay?”

  “Yeah. No. I’m freaking out a little.”

  He gave a lopsided smile, “So, nothing new then?”

  “Ha ha. Actually, I’m really worried about Mr. Silver.” I explained everything to Raf, leaving out all the sun moon craziness.

  “Yeah, that doesn’t sound right. I’ve got my car. Want me to drive you out there now?”

  “Don’t you have class?”

  “Sure, just like you do. But who cares? Sounds like this is more important, right?”

  I eyed him, remembering what my mom had said about not trusting anyone. But then I remembered our dinner together. Breaking and entering. That just didn’t add up to bad guy.

  “I’d love that. I was just wondering how long it would take me to walk.”

  Mr. Silver’s House

  We snuck out of school and drove past downtown Waterford onto a winding road toward the Potomac river. The road was barely paved and so narrow that we had to pull over for oncoming cars. Then, after a few miles, there was no one else around. I had another flash of concern about Raf. Could I really trust him?

  His floppy purple hair fluttered in the heat blasting from the dash board. I wasn’t sure, but he looked slightly Latin, long faced, dusky skin though more coppery than anything, dark roots showing where the purple was growing out. A faint scar I hadn’t noticed before ran down his right cheek and over his lips. His grey eyes scanned the road intently.

  It made me doubt everything. If I couldn’t trust this person who seemed so sincere, then who wanted to be part of some crazy secret war. Though having Mr. Silver confirm it sure made it hard for me to dismiss my mom’s story. I chose to trust my gut and believe in him. Gut or some other part of my body at least.

  We reached an unpaved road and Raf, consulting his phone, made a right onto the rutted nightmare. Towering pine trees closed in around us and the afternoon sun disappeared under the canopy. After almost ten minutes I was about to tell Raf to turn around, sure we’d gotten lost. Just as I opened my mouth, we broke into a clearing. At the end of the rutted road stood a small blond-wood house rising from a brilliant garden somehow still blooming with flowers of every imaginable color. Though tiny, the house proportions were perfect, the high roof blending in with a cluster of mature oak trees spreading out in every direction without another house in sight. The garden was a barely controlled riot of wild flowers somehow blooming in the pre-snow air. A small gray stone path wound among the flowers to the house. An unfamiliar dark-skinned woman opened the door and waved for us to come inside.

  “You know who that is?” I asked Raf. The woman in the doorway looked friendly enough from the car but I was feeling rather paranoid.

  “No idea. Think we should wait here?”

  As we contemplated, a massive goofball of a dog shoved his way past the woman and came loping toward the car. Some kind of reddish-golden monster, it’s tail wagged, tongue flapped. I swear the horse-sized creature had a smile on his face.

  “Kaska!” the woman shouted. As she emerged from the doorway I realized she was in a wheelchair. Or something like a wheelchair. Higher than usual, it held her almost upright and she shot forward after the dog.

  Raf and I looked at each other.

  I shrugged. “What the hell.” In my mind, dogs are like radars for bad people. Someone with a dog that happy couldn’t be evil.

  I stepped out of the car and the clearly over excited dog barreled into me almost taking me down.

  “Kaska, no jumping!” Kaska completely ignored the woman wheeling toward us at incredible speed.

  “It’s okay, I like dogs,” I shouted while wrestling the beast off me. I gave Kaska a vigorous ear scratch which calmed her down, content to press against my leg and pant like the worlds fuzziest steam engine.

  “I am so sorry. She’s just got a mind of her own.” The woman approached and held out a hand. “I’m Mamboli Njie but you should call me Mambo. Can I help you?”

  “My name is Harper Dae. Um, I’m not sure if you can help.” I wasn’t sure what to say. For all I knew this woman was the main warrior of the Lunates. “We were actually just looking for Mr. Silver.”

  “Ms. Dae! Martin has spoken of you often! Please, come inside and we can have something to eat while we wait for Martin to get home. It shouldn’t be long.”

  Rather than explain everything, I just followed her in. Mr. Silver’s house was built around a wide-open main room, skylights and windows everywhere. All neutral colors, the house exuded peace and comfort. Following Mambo, we pushed through the kitchen door into another sun filled room tiled entirely in pale yellow. The cheerful space smelled of garlic and cinnamon, glowing oven promising something delicious inside.

  Moving smoothly on the whispering machine, Mambo pushed open french doors onto a huge deck. I briefly wondered how she was making it move before taking in the beautiful deck. The entire back half of the house cantilevered out from a bluff over the Potomac river. Vines of flowering honeysuckle tangled across the wooden lattice high over head. A string of fairy lights twinkled among the pale green vines. The view from the deck was upstream to the actual Waterford Falls. Through the narrow gorge, water roared over rocks in the distance.

  A heat lamp glowed above us making the deck a little cocoon of warmth in the cool winter air.

  “I’m glad to finally meet you, Harper. Martin has developed a real fondness for you. And you must be, Rafael. I know your mother.” Mambo’s smile seemed vaguely strained.

  “Nice to meet you too. You live here with Mr. Silver?”

  “Martin is my husband.” Mambo gestured to the table, “Please sit down. Can I get you a glass of wine or juice? Maybe just a cold water?

  “Uh, I’ll have a wine,” I said, hoping to sound very grown up. Though kids drinking in Belize was no big deal, we certainly didn’t get offered glasses of wine.

  “Water for me,” Raf said admiring the view.

  “Oh,” I jumped up, “do you want me to get the drinks?” I tried not to look at her wheel chair thin
gy.

  Mambo laughed. “No thanks Harper. I’m fine.” She paused and reconsidered, “Actually, help with drinks would be great. Come on inside.”

  She turned and rolled away.

  Inside, she slid the door shut and said, “What’s going on, Harper?” I could see the tension in her eyes.

  I explained what had happened, deciding to listen to my gut yet again and trust this woman with the happy dog.

  She processed what I’d said. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but I’m glad you came. Though I do wish you hadn’t brought the boy with you.”

  “Raf?”

  “Yes, I simply don’t know if he can be trusted.” Mambo casually glanced outside, giving Raf a subtle evil eye. “I do hope you’ll be cautious around that boy.”

  With that she gathered the drinks and sped back out to the deck. I huffed after her, frustrated that she didn’t let me ask for more detail.

  At the table, Mambo’s entire contraption lowered until she was sitting at level with us.

  We sat in uncomfortable silence. I couldn’t understand why Mambo seemed so put out by Raf.

  “Harper, how are you and your mom settling in?” she asked.

  “We’re good, thanks.” My turn to be evasive. Though she claimed to be Mr. Silver’s wife, I wasn’t sure if I could trust Mambo.

  She seemed to sense my bland answer and silence fell again.

  I felt compelled to fill the silence, “I’m really worried something has happened to Mr. Silver.”

  Mambo glanced at her watch that looked like some sort of space age capsule. “It is unlike him to not call me if he’s going to be late. Let me try giving him a call. Most likely it is just something silly that came up.” Speaking into her watch she said, “Call Boo Bear.”

  I pressed my lips together in an effort not to laugh out loud. Raf smiled again for the first time since we got there.

  Looking off into the distance, Mambo was clearly listening to a phone ring, though I couldn’t see it anywhere. Leaning over slightly, I caught a glimpse of a small, black object in her ear. Fancy.