Drawing Bloodlines

by Steve Bevil

  “Concentrate on what?” Malick asked, with one eye open.

  “Shh!” said Ms. Pam, yanking his arm. She then leaned in and whispered. “Where is it again that you said you wanted to go?”

  “Uh, yeah,” said Malick, “Black Manor.”

  Ms. Pam nodded. “Keep your eyes closed, don’t talk, and concentrate on the location. I need to pick up on its vibration.”

  “Ah,” she said, raising her arm. A small blue light crept from the tip of her index finger and, in a flash, it engulfed the door to the shoe store in front of them.

  “It’s done,” Ms. Pam said, opening her eyes. “One doorway to Black Manor.”

  Nathan approached the illuminated door in awe. “How did you…?”

  “Open a doorway to Black Manor, even though I haven’t been there?” she interrupted. “Magic.” She winked. “No, not really, but no time to explain. It’s just one of many skills a Traveler can develop. That’s if they have the right teacher.”

  “Okay,” said Taylor energetically. “I can’t wait to check out this Black Manor.” He checked his sword. Finding it securely sheathed to his side, he stepped through the door.

  “Who’s next?” said Sweet Pea with a smile.

  Nathan turned around and he saw what he thought was a look of uncertainty on the faces of his friends.

  “I promise it’s safe,” said Malick. “We can trust them.”

  “We?” said Alan, rolling his eyes. He folded his arms across his chest. “You act like we’re in this together.”

  Malick frowned.

  “Me,” said Nathan finally. “I’m next.” He confidently strolled past Alan and then stood at the foot of the illuminated door.

  “I’m right behind you,” said Lafonda, walking up behind Nathan.

  “Ditto,” said Leah, and Jonathan also followed.

  “I hope it’s not a trap!” shouted Alan as Nathan and the others disappeared through the once-solid door.

  “Thank you so much,” said Mrs. Devaro. “I appreciate you doing this for us.”

  Ms. Pam nodded. “Good luck watching over them,” she said. She cast a worried look toward the blue door. “You’re going to need it.”

  Mrs. Devaro froze. She appeared surprised by Ms. Pam’s comment.

  “Come on,” said Sweet Pea, reassuringly. Together, they stepped through.

  “Well, I guess I’m up next,” said Malick with an upward stretch of his arms.

  “Not yet,” said Ms. Pam. “Grabbing him again by the arm.”

  “Come on, Alan!” whined Angela. She looked down at her bloodstained hands. “I can’t wait to get out of these clothes.”

  “Does everyone have amnesia or something?” protested Alan. “It was just this morning that the Order attacked us in Dr. Colvers’ office. I can’t believe you’re going to follow them!”

  Angela winked at Malick. “Sometimes you just have to trust your gut-feeling,” she said.

  “My gut-feeling is telling me you guys are crazy,” said Alan.

  “Okay, well, you can stay here and hope you don’t have another run in with the Fallen Ones, or you can come with us,” said Angela. “And don’t forget you don’t have any powers.”

  Suddenly, Alan became oddly quiet.

  She shook her head at him and then smirked as she led him by the hand. “I thought the no powers thing would help you see it my way,” she said. She turned to look at Malick. “See you on the other side.”

  “I’m going to kill you if we die,” said Alan as they disappeared through the doorway.

  The group met with silence again, only the faint sounds from the nearby street filled the alley. Malick hesitated before turning to look at Ms. Pam.

  The remaining Vanguard watched closely. “Does this have anything to do with my last name?” he whispered.

  “I don’t know why you’re whispering,” she said. “I’m sure they recognize your name.”

  Jinks and Jax strained their ears to listen.

  “I do hope you know what you are doing straddling both sides of the fence like this,” said Ms. Pam. Malick looked confused. “Or maybe you are as stupid as you look, and you really are working for your grandfather.”

  “No!” said Malick. “I’m not working for anyone.”

  Ms. Pam looked at him skeptically. “I know you know there was a time in the Order’s history when they were accused of searching for the Firewalker.”

  She had a blank look on her face and her eyes appeared to glaze over as she stared out into the fog. It was as if she was recalling a memory. “Any sign, any clue, lead or hunch — they pursued it. They did everything in their power to try to discover the Firewalker’s bloodline. There wasn’t anything imaginable that they wouldn’t do.”

  She leaned in close to him and whispered. “And don’t pretend you don’t know who I’m referring to when I say ‘they’.”

  Malick quickly glanced over his shoulder and then nodded. “When you learned that I was a Malick, why didn’t you rat me out?”

  “Because I learned a long time ago to stay out of your family’s business,” said Ms. Pam. “Especially if it has anything to do with the reigning Grandmaster.”

  18

  INTRUDER IN THE NIGHT

  Malick sat quietly while staring into the crackling fire that burned in the small fire-pit behind Black Manor. The sun had set hours ago and the few trees that dotted the open field were now practically invisible.

  Remnants of the day’s fog continued to circle about them and, in the background, light from Black Manor’s all-glass conservatory pierced the darkness.

  “I’m all done checking the parameter!” said Taylor, enthusiastically. There was a small, maroon, burlap bag in his hand and he was covered from head-to-toe in black dust. “I don’t think anyone followed us. Not a single sign of a magical doorway, anywhere. I think we’re safe.”

  “Did you check inside the manor?” asked Malick, breaking his silence.

  “Yup, sure did!” said Taylor, hovering behind Malick and Sweet Pea. “But I don’t think Jonathan was too thrilled with me throwing handfuls of Tracking Dust everywhere.”

  “Tracking Dust?” asked Angela, approaching the fire pit. Accompanied by Alan, both were dressed in clean clothes and appeared to have gotten a shower.

  “I saw you tossing some of that stuff around earlier,” said Nathan, also joining them. He took a seat around the fire pit, next to Angela and Alan. “What is it?”

  Taylor continued to stand behind the group. He glanced down at Malick and Sweet Pea before explaining. “It’s a compound made specifically to track movement between realms,” he said. He held out the maroon burlap bag. “See, traveling between realms and across spaces leaves a trace.” He reached inside the bag and displayed the black dust in his hand. “When this stuff touches the residue left behind by Pneuma, it glows a bright blue color.”

  “It can also be used to track someone down,” added Sweet Pea. “Not only does it show you the spot in the room in which they left, but you’ll also know where they have gone.”

  “Sounds like a supernatural LoJack,” said Lafonda, joining them. She had changed clothes and wore a dark gray IUCF hoodie. “Too bad that stuff doesn’t glow bright when someone isn’t telling the truth.”

  There was silence among the group now and Lafonda took a seat on the other side of Malick. It appeared that all eyes focused on Malick, Sweet Pea, and Taylor.

  Sweet Pea leaned in toward Malick. “And that’s Lafonda Devaro, right?” she said. Malick nodded. “The same Devaro as in, LaDonda Devaro and the Great Upheaval?”

  Malick’s eyes grew wide. He turned to look at Lafonda and looked astonished.

  “You really need to brush up on the Order’s history,” said Sweet Pea, with a chuckle. She shook her head while looking at him. “And spend some time in the Hall of History, Books, and Records.”

  “W–what?” asked Lafonda. “What’s the Great Upheaval? LaDonda Devaro is my grandmother.”

  There was a
concerned look on Sweet Pea’s face and by the look in her eyes, it appeared she was turning to Malick for guidance. Quickly, Malick shook his head and Lafonda appeared to become more agitated.

  “I spoke with Malick about what happened,” said Sweet Pea, speaking aloud. She looked up at Taylor and he vigorously showed protest against what she was about to say by shaking his head. “And it’s just hard for me to believe the Order is behind these attacks. See, all authorized attacks would have to come from Master Percy, or another Master. And something like this … attacking other people who can Pneuma Novo? We would have heard about it.”

  “Oh really,” said Nathan, with a huff. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a shiny gold necklace. Sweet Pea’s eyes immediately went to the gold charm that was in the shape of the Firewalker symbol. “Do you believe me now? The woman that keeps attacking us left this behind in the caves, back in Cahokia Falls.”

  The charm from the gold chain glinted as Nathan held it near the fire. “Malick,” said Sweet Pea, abruptly, leaning in. “I think that belongs to Liz VanNess.”

  Malick bit his lip and then cast his gaze into the fire.

  “What!” blurted Lafonda. Her mouth gaped open as she turned to look at Nathan and then at Malick. “Malick, you know her?”

  Alan drew a deep breath, pointing at Malick. “And you still trust this guy?”

  “Well?” asked Lafonda, aggressively. “Do you?”

  “Please, wait you guys,” pleaded Sweet Pea. Her nose crinkled, appearing to connect the line of freckles that speckled it. “Malick said I’m the only one at the Order he has spoken to — and I believe him,” she said. “And if that is, in fact, Liz’s necklace, I don’t know how she would even know about the caves, or even about Dr. Colvers. I know I haven’t said anything to her.”

  “And I haven’t heard any commands or briefings about caves or about a Dr. Colvers at the Order,” added Taylor.

  “Well, unless he’s lying,” said Alan. Angela rolled her eyes and nudged him.

  “Well, that’s great that you believe he didn’t say anything to her,” said Lafonda. “But the fact is … if Malick knows the woman that has been attacking us; he didn’t say anything to us about knowing her.”

  Sweet Pea appeared still to be deep in thought, but suddenly a look of remorse washed upon her face. “Malick might not be the one that said something to the Order,” she said, quietly, “but I think I might have….”

  “Yes!” said Malick abruptly, standing up. “I do know Liz.”

  “Tell us something we don’t know,” said Alan, mockingly.

  “Shh!” said Angela.

  Malick ran his hand backward through his hair and looked around the group that sat around the fire pit. It was as if he just realized he was standing up. “And Liz and I…” he said. He paused to look at Lafonda. “Liz and I — we also dated.”

  “What?” said Lafonda, dramatically, with a frown. “The woman that has been attacking us? The blonde?”

  Slowly, Malick nodded.

  “I knew she was acting way too familiar at Dr. Colvers’ office,” said Alan. He turned to look at Angela. “You’re losing your touch, Angela. I’m surprised you didn’t peep that.”

  “I promise you, I had no clue Liz was behind these attacks until Dr. Colvers’ office,” said Malick.

  “And when, exactly, did you plan on telling us?” demanded Lafonda. “You would think this is something you would want to tell us right away.”

  “I’m not surprised,” said Taylor, with a laugh. He attempted to wipe some of the black dust from his cheeks with the back of his hand. “Malick and Liz used to be hot and heavy. I’m sure he found it difficult to rat her out.”

  Malick looked down at Sweet Pea and then frowned at Taylor. “And there’s more,” he said, nervously.

  “More?” said Nathan.

  Malick hesitated, taking a few deep breaths before speaking. “You and Jonathan are correct,” he said.

  “Ha!” interrupted Alan. He smirked. “Quick, somebody run inside the manor and go get Jonathan. I’m sure he’s going to want to be out here for this.”

  Malick took another deep breath and sighed. “My father is a member of the Order,” he continued, “and so is my grandfather.”

  “What!” blurted Nathan.

  “Wait for it…” said Taylor, in a sarcastic tone.

  Malick gave Taylor a nasty look before he continued. “And my grandfather is also the Grandmaster,” he said. “He’s the commander-in-chief of the entire Vanguard for the Order.”

  “What the…” said Alan, nearly dropping his cell phone. “Now we know exactly where your loyalties are.”

  “It’s more complicated than that!” yelled Malick, and Alan and the others appeared taken aback. “I have tried my best to protect all of you.” His brown eyes pleaded with Nathan. “You don’t know what it’s been like living in the shadow of my family’s crazy antics. Everywhere I go, people judging me for things I didn’t do!”

  Malick turned to address the group. “In the world of Pneuma Novo, everyone is judged according to their lineage — what powers people in their bloodline had and how they used them, for good or for evil,” said Malick. “And as Nathan and Lafonda discovered from Madam Esmeralda earlier, thanks to the shenanigans of my grandfather, our family’s reputation isn’t the best.” Appearing frustrated, he sat back down, dramatically. “And now I just learned that even Nathan’s mom had an unsavory run-in with him.”

  “So, then, most likely whatever it is that your grandfather wanted from my mother probably has something to do with the Order,” said Nathan with a frown.

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” said Malick, casting his head down. “But knowing my grandfather, and the fact that she was a member of the Order … then probably so.” Malick appeared mentally exhausted. “But I promise you, I am not aligned with my grandfather, my father, or the Order. Every summer, my dad tries to pressure me to join, so that our family’s name continues with the Order, but I refuse.”

  “He’s telling the truth,” said Sweet Pea.

  “But why should we trust him?” asked Alan. “From the beginning, he’s done nothing but keep secrets from us. He even convinced Nathan to lie to us.”

  “Because there is no place for me or Nathan, at the Order,” said Malick. Nathan and the others looked confused.

  “What do you mean?” asked Sweet Pea. She had an inquisitive look on her face. She looked up to question Taylor, but he responded with a shrug.

  Malick opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated. There was a brief silence as he cast his gaze into the fire. The circling fog billowed anew and swirled at the base of their feet.

  “When I was about nine years old,” said Malick. “I used to live with my father and grandfather at Malick Castle, the official headquarters for the Order.” He continued to look into the fire and smiled. “As you can imagine, as a kid I used to have my run of the place. Liz was there too. We would often play hide and seek together.”

  The wind picked up, causing the fire in the pit to sway back and forth. “But there was one night Liz and I didn’t get a chance to finish playing hide and seek,” said Malick. “See, Liz was always good at finding me, so that night I decided to hide somewhere different. Somewhere other than my normal hiding places. I decided to hide in the Grandmasters Vault — beneath the Grandmasters’ Chambers.”

  “Okay, so, what does this have to do with anything?” asked Alan, while tapping his fingers on his cell phone.

  “Please, let him finish!” said Sweet Pea. There was another moment of silence, but she encouraged Malick to continue with a nod.

  “The Grandmasters’ Vault was formerly a part of Grimm Castle, the original headquarters for the Order, but a big section of that castle was destroyed in the Winter Fire and is now a part of Malick Castle,” explained Malick. “The Winter Fire happened a long time ago and a lot of people don’t know about the vault. So, imagine my surprise when I heard someone other than me in there.”


  “Who was it?” asked Angela, sounding intrigued. “Was it Liz?”

  “At first, I thought it was Liz; that she was trying to scare me out of hiding,” he explained. “It wasn’t until I heard my father, in a heated argument with someone, that I realized it wasn’t her. I heard my father say that the man, in the vault with us, had broken in, and that his name was Jim Grimm.”

  “Jim Grimm!” said Sweet Pea. “As in James Grimm, one of the sons of the previous Grandmaster?”

  Malick nodded. “Yes,” he said. “And I also heard my dad yelling at him, for writing in Grimwald Christopher Grimm’s diary.”

  “Grimwald Christopher Grimm’s diary?” asked Sweet Pea, sounding amazed. “But according to the Orders’ archival records, the Grimm Diaries were destroyed in the Winter Fire.”

  “Yes,” said Malick. “But I know for sure one of the diaries is actually in the vault, and that my father was trying to prevent James Grimm from taking it.”

  “And why is this Grimwald guy’s diaries so important?” sneered Alan.

  “Grimwald Christopher Grimm was just one in a line of Grimms to serve as Grandmaster for the Order,” said Sweet Pea, proudly. “His diaries are important because, for the first time, we had another account of the prophecy that was given to the Order, outside of what was documented by Sir Luca Bilodeau.”

  “Oh my God!” whined Alan. “Another prophecy?”

  Angela rolled her eyes at Alan. “And who is Luca Bilodeau?” she asked.

  “Sir Luca Bilodeau,” corrected Sweet Pea, “was the first-ever recorded Dream Walker in the history of the Order.” She paused, connecting with the faces around the fire. “In 14th century France, he received the prophecy in a dream and recorded it in what has become known as the original scrolls….”

  “Well, if you have these scrolls,” interrupted Alan, “why do you care about what this Grimm guy wrote?”

  “I was just getting to that,” scoffed Sweet Pea. “The original scrolls were lost long ago, and the Grimm Diaries confirmed what our scholars had believed to have been in the scrolls all along.” She looked happy again as she peered over the red flickering flames of the fire. “See, the prophecy was the catalyst for the Orders’ very existence; it’s the reason why we’re here. It’s our creed.”