* * *
"All three have criminal records," Matt informed Winkler over the phone. "We ran fingerprints through the database, and got positive IDs on all of them. I'd bet money they didn't have ties to Tanner, though. Their crimes were committed back east, mostly in New York and New Jersey."
"You were their target, that's easy enough to see," Winkler said. "They intended to take you down. They got Andy, instead."
"There's no reason for me to be on their radar—unless somebody sent them in my direction," Matt observed.
"I think that's exactly what happened."
"I'm beginning to agree with you. How's the kid?"
"Still impaired."
"Not good. Tanner somehow knew exactly what to do to take him out of the game."
"Wildrif knew. I'd bet a lot on it."
"You're right. You think he's playing all the pieces against each other?"
"I do."
"How much are they paying him?"
"No idea. Bear in mind, though, that he didn't look wealthy to me when we picked him up with Obediah's bunch."
"True. Is he not spending the money, or is he being compensated in another way?" Matt asked.
"Something to think about," Winkler muttered. "I've got mine working on the Smith woman, hoping we'll get a hit on her credit cards."
"I've got her tag number and vehicle description distributed, but it varies, state-to-state, how actively they search for that," Matt said. "It's probably safe to say she's left the state of Texas."
"Long gone," Winkler agreed. "Her son says he has no idea where she might go, and New Mexico would be the first logical choice, so I'd bet she didn't go in that direction."
"Will Tanner send more after you?"
"No idea. If that were me and I'd just lost fifteen of my best wolves, I'd take time to regroup and form a better plan before making another attempt."
"Something must have made him think he'd be successful in this attempt," Matt said.
"Wildrif," Winkler growled.
"You have to ask yourself what Tanner actually accomplished in that raid, since I'm pretty sure the humans weren't on his payroll."
"All Tanner accomplished was taking the kid out of the game." Winkler held the phone away from his ear and cursed. Matt heard it anyway. "You think that was Wildrif's goal? What about the hit on Adele, when those Elemaiya showed up to take Ashe? Something doesn't add up, here."
"I agree."
* * *
Aedan sighed as he walked down the steps to the safe house. How would Adele react to his appearance? Would she take him back after he removed the compulsion? Would she forgive him for placing it? He didn't have many answers; all he knew was that he had amends to make—with his wife and his boy. Somehow, he'd been given another chance and he was determined to make it work.
* * *
Ashe was surprised when Trace spoke at Andy's funeral. Six werewolves, per tradition, had guarded the carved wood box holding the body since the evening before.
"I have hope," Trace said, "that this is not the end. That something else waits for us. A better time. A better life. Perhaps a better world. Andy certainly deserves all those things. What more can we ask of anyone, than that they give their life to save another? What greater gift is there?"
Ashe turned to watch Winkler as Trace delivered Andy's eulogy. Winkler's head was bowed, leaving his face in shadow. Ashe turned away, giving the tall werewolf privacy in his grief.
* * *
"Honored One, William Winkler has offered the use of his jet and a safe place to sleep while we work in the states." Tony had offered to make the call and Gavin allowed it, shortly after nightfall. "It appears Ashe's talents have been disabled through treachery—he was wounded during our last assignment, and the werewolf nurse was compromised. The boy was given a large dose of opiate and, as Winkler puts it, can't touch his talents because of it. We have no idea how long the effects might last."
"This is evil news," Wlodek said.
Gavin, who stood nearby as Tony placed the call, nodded his agreement. "Honored One," Gavin began, knowing Wlodek would hear his voice clearly; "it is evil news. The boy was more than cooperative, and surprised both of us with his willingness to help. The talents he possesses are, if anything, even more astounding than originally reported. It is my suggestion that we court him for future work. His ability to move about in the day will be a decided asset. I see no need for vampirism in this case. The Council can pay him fairly and the boy is not greedy, if my sources are correct."
"Yes, I have had information on that as well." Wlodek didn't elaborate and Gavin didn't press the matter. "I will agree to leave you where you are; I merely expect you to keep me apprised if your situation changes."
"Of course, Honored One," Gavin replied. He nodded at Tony, who ended the call on his cell.
"I feel better now," Tony breathed a sigh. "I hope the kid can get that crap out of his system soon. We could use his help."
"I know. Our next objective is Hughes Humphrey, and he is younger and less intelligent than our previous targets. We can pursue him easily enough without assistance from Ashe."
"Where is he?" Tony sorted through folders in Gavin's briefcase, searching for the proper one.
"New York, according to his file. And then we must find Alan Everett," Gavin added.
"Where is Alan? Best guess?" Tony lifted an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Likely in New Orleans," Gavin replied.
"No. A vampire in New Orleans? That's rich."
"Anthony, this is no time for levity." Gavin offered Tony a severe frown. Tony burst out laughing.
* * *
"Marco gathered clothes and sent this," Cori handed Ashe a duffle filled with Ashe's clothes, plus a bag from a popular electronics store.
"What is this?" Ashe dug in the bag, first.
"Something Gavin asked him to give you," Cori grinned. "I already peeked. You'll like it."
"Holy cow. It's the new tablet," Ashe was tearing into the shrinkwrap-covered box quickly. "Gavin bought this for me?" Ashe stared at the tablet as he considered the possibilities.
"Look, it's one of those with an Internet connection anywhere, and the contract has been paid for a year," Cori waved the receipt in front of Ashe.
"He paid for that? Dang, that was nice," Ashe breathed, checking the tablet to see if the battery was charged. "I can use this to place calls and do face time," Ashe powered it up, finding it had a partial charge. "I'll plug this in and start getting apps loaded."
"Marco wants one," Cori grinned. "I'm saving money to get him one for Christmas."
"Cori, I'll lend you the money and you can pay me back," Ashe offered.
"Really? That would be awesome," Cori laughed.
"Here, let's order it online, and send it to your home address," Ashe began tapping on his new tablet.
"Ashe, we really miss you around here. I know you work for Mr. Winkler, but it's just not the same. And after Hayes and all that," Cori said.
"Yeah. Jimmy, too. And Andy."
"Marco says Winkler misses Andy. More than he's letting on. I know werewolves see friends and Packmates fall, but we've had more than our share."
"Yeah. I hope we don't see any more of it. If I get my stuff back, I'm going hunting." Ashe chewed his lip in determination as he ordered a tablet and entered Cori's address through an online website.
"What will you hunt?" Cori whispered, blinking at Ashe in concern.
"That's who, Cori. And there might be several on that list."
Chapter 14
"I just don't know how to act," Adele smoothed her dress nervously. "I feel as if I haven't seen Aedan in months." Adele had taken extra care with her clothes and hair while waiting for Aedan to arrive.
"It hasn't been that long, Mom," Ashe said. It was late—past midnight—and Nathan had left Star Cove an hour earlier to collect Aedan at the airport. He'd taken Hector and Edmond with him; they'd be boarding the Council's jet for a return flight to New York an
d would fly from there to the U.K. the following evening.
"I know, I just miss him," Adele breathed.
"Maybe I should go to Sali's, or go back to Mr. Winkler's place tonight."
"No, hon. You stay here. You haven't seen him, either." Ashe didn't point out that he had seen Aedan, and Aedan had sent him home. It wasn't a good memory.
"Is that a car in the drive?" Adele ran to a window near the door to peek. "It's them. Honey, do I look all right?" She turned to Ashe, a mixture of hope and terror on her face. "Will he be happy to see us?"
"I sure hope so," Ashe mumbled.
* * *
"Ready, Father?" Nathan asked as he and Aedan climbed out of Nathan's car.
"Yes." Aedan had dressed carefully in a suit and tie, and adjusted his cuffs and the tie's knot before nodding to Nathan. Steeling himself, Aedan strode purposely toward the front porch and climbed the steps. Before he could reach out to ring the doorbell, the front door opened and Adele threw herself at him, holding on tightly and weeping as she repeated his name, over and over.
* * *
Dad's home. Mom's happy. He's in shock, Ashe texted in response to Sali's question.
Great. At least I'm out of house arrest, so we can hang tomorrow after school if you want.
Maybe. I have to go online and check my assignments. No idea what that's gonna be, Ashe responded. Need to get with Mr. Winkler, too, and see what he wants.
You coming back to Star Cove, since your dad's home?
No idea. I didn't say much to Dad. He took Mom to the back deck for a talk, so I went to my bedroom.
Things are kinda messed up.
Some things are worse, some things are better, Ashe responded philosophically.
I need to get in bed, it's nearly two, Sali pointed out.
Yeah. Goodnight.
Ashe tossed his cell onto his old dresser before smothering a yawn. Part of him wanted to sleep, another part wanted to ponder his current problem. He couldn't avoid the worries that plagued him, wondering if anyone might be in danger while he was so helpless.
* * *
"I got your message." Hughes Humphrey stared at the one before him. He still hadn't figured out how a stranger might get not only his cell-phone number, but have information that might save his life.
"My name is Wildrif, and I'm something of a clairvoyant." Wildrif looked better than he had in a very long while. New clothes, shoes and a haircut had done wonders for the Dark Seer.
"Your eyes are different colors," Hughes pointed out the obvious. Wildrif held his sarcasm back.
"I have a business proposition for you," Wildrif said, ignoring Hughes' witlessness. "And money to get you to the country of your choice, should you decide to help me."
"It depends on how much money and what you want. I don't mind killing, but it has to be somebody who won't be missed too much. I'm in enough trouble as it is."
"That isn't what I want," Wildrif smiled.
"What do you want?" Hughes' curiosity was piqued.
"I want to be a vampire. Just make the turn and leave me in a safe place. When I wake up, I'll give you the number to a private account holding three million dollars."
"I don't have to stay and take care of you?"
"Certainly not." Wildrif sounded offended.
"Sounds good," Hughes shrugged. "Maybe if you cause enough trouble as a vampire, it'll take some of the heat off me."
"Precisely what I was thinking," Wildrif agreed. "How long do you think it might take?"
"Oh, you seem in pretty good shape. Maybe five or six days."
"Good enough. Is there somewhere nearby where we might do this quickly? I'll make sure you're safe enough from the ones who hunt you."
"Gavin Montegue never misses," Hughes agreed. "I need as much help as I can get to stay out of his way."
"Do what I say and your safety will be assured," Wildrif lied smoothly. "Shall we go? I've written out precise instructions for making a vampire. Be sure to follow them exactly."
"Okay."
* * *
"We have a message from the Bright camp." Raze fingered the envelope in his hand.
"They know where we are?" Baltis rose from his throne in alarm.
"Not at all. This was handed to one of ours outside the gate in Kansas City. I doubt there's reason to worry; from what I heard from the messenger, there may be good news inside this." Raze offered the envelope to Baltis. "I hear they have someone waiting for a reply from you, should you choose to respond, at the same location."
"This is rather unusual; I can't recall getting a message such as this before." Baltis warily accepted the envelope—it was addressed to him in the Elemaiyan language. Cautiously he lifted the flap and withdrew the paper.
Greetings, Exalted Baltis, the message began.
* * *
Ashe slumped at the island in Winkler's kitchen. His parents had spent the night together, and Aedan was now in his bunker while Adele slept late. Marco had gone to Star Cove to pick him up early; Ashe had left a note for his mother and quietly closed the front door behind him so he wouldn't wake her.
He was now going through assignments for his college courses; he had English Comp I, College Algebra and History, 1865 to the Present, to deal with. He envied Sali and his high school curriculum after reading the online syllabi for his classes.
"Read the syllabus?" Winkler asked, sipping a cup of coffee at the kitchen island while Ashe made notes for his first assignments on the new tablet. Flossie Thompson had set a plate of food in front of Ashe, and he was absently eating bacon and eggs while he scrolled through information.
"Syllabi, and yes, I have," Ashe mumbled, biting into a strip of bacon.
"Did you get to talk much with your dad?"
"No. Mom jumped in his arms and started crying, so I sort of kept out of their way," Ashe shrugged.
"Wise," Winkler agreed. "Kid, your dad will probably talk to you tonight, and I need to see him, too. We'll get this mess straightened out. I won't revoke the guardianship until I'm sure he won't leave again."
"I don't think Mom remembers that she even signed those papers," Ashe set the tablet down on the island and turned to Winkler. "Stuff happened and I still can't explain it."
"No improvement on the ability front?"
"Not as of this morning. I'd have come without bothering Marco for a ride."
"Understood."
"Mr. Winkler, you're not obligated to keep me on the payroll. Without my talent, I'm a glorified file clerk."
"I doubt you'll ever be that," Winkler patted Ashe's shoulder. "It'll come back. How long to finish your first assignments? Loren could use some help with Andy's computer."
"Yeah." Ashe's shoulders slumped at the mention of Andy's name. "I figure I can finish this stuff in four hours or so."
"So, maybe after lunch, then?"
"Sure. Tell Loren to hang in there until then. At least they couldn't take some things away."
"Kid, you healed up quick from that bullet wound. Maybe this will go away faster than normal, too." Winkler's dark eyes stared at the cabinets lining the walls as Flossie bustled through, preparing spaghetti sauce for lunch.
"I sure hope so, but I don't know what the normal healing time for this is. Mr. Winkler, I had another visit from Griffin."
Winkler's head swiveled toward Ashe. "What the hell did he say or do this time?"
"He says that opiates are the bane of the Elemaiya. That it dampens their talents, leaving them virtually powerless if enough is injected. I didn't think to ask how long those effects last."
"We've pretty much figured those things out for ourselves," Winkler muttered dryly and took another sip of coffee.
"He said something else, but didn't bother to explain it, so it didn't help at all," Ashe added.
"What was that?"
"He said the answer to my problem is around my arm." Ashe pulled back the left sleeve of his T-shirt, revealing the eight gold medallions. "Griffin said that the Elemaiya can't read
them now and don't know how to use them properly."
"Maybe you should focus on those tonight, then. After you get your work done."
"It may not do any good," Ashe sighed. "I can't read them, either. Never really tried. I thought the symbols were decorations and didn't mean anything."
"They don't look like letters, but what do I know?" Winkler shook his head. "I flunked Alien Studies in college."
"That's so funny," Ashe grinned. "You never flunked anything."
"My dad would have killed me." Winkler gave Ashe a quick hug. "Come on, finish your food and get to work. I have a meeting with the Grand Master and Matt before they leave for the airport."
"Have fun storming the meeting," Ashe quipped, going back to his food.
* * *
"I can't say it for sure," Matt said. "I wish the kid was okay—he could help with this."
"What can you do if you think he's tailing you?" Winkler asked.
"Curtis isn't known for being ethical about anything he does," Matt replied. "The President isn't really aware of the scope of his program, either. It sounds innocuous to anyone who isn't familiar with Curtis and his methods."
"U.S. Intelligence and Foreign Communications Division sounds innocent enough," Weldon agreed. "Sounds as if they monitor phone calls and email messages."
"They do that, too, even though other agencies are doing it. Supposed to be watching the watchdogs, if you can believe Curtis. I think it's just his way of collecting dirt on everybody, including highly-placed government officials."
"Including you?"
"Including me, I believe." Matt didn't sound pleased. "It would be easy enough to send those three criminals after me, when he had intel from Zeke, who likely informed him that he was about to take Winkler down."
"Killing two or three birds with a single blow?" Weldon growled softly.
"That's what I think. Curtis has a lot of influence, so it wouldn't be hard for him to set up one of his puppets in my place if he can eliminate me. That will give him even more power. I have better, more reliable agents, and we can move faster. At least he doesn't know about the vamps and wolves."
Legend of the Ir'Indicti 5 - Destroyer Page 16