Lister Crowe

by Matthew Kenny

  “Could you heat the lighter and hand it to me?” Lister said from the back seat.

  “Jesus!” Donovan gasped as he jumped a bit. “How long have you been awake?” Donovan pushed the lighter in and began to heat it.

  “A little while.”

  Donovan looked in the mirror and saw Lister was working on something in the backseat. From what he had seen of this kid he knew it could be anything: a gun, a bomb.

  “What are you doing?” Donovan asked happy to have someone to talk to who might be able to hold a conversation.

  “I needed to make a few adjustments to my resonator, I have a feeling we are going to need it.” Lister was looking at Donovan in the rear view mirror. “I felt so useless at the college.”

  The lighter popped and Donovan handed it back to him. Lister turned back to what he was working on. Donovan did not press the subject but he did not think Lister Crowe was useless. He was apparently one of the smartest people on the planet right now. Who could have made a device which allowed people to travel through dimensions? Donovan had a slight idea about how the portal worked but such rudimentary knowledge was not sufficient to explain it. He had never been a great student and like his two left feet it seemed science was not something which would benefit him. Seeing the truth of things was his power and it was a good one to have. He saw the truth… he was not going to have anyone to talk to on the ride.

  Donovan was under orders and he was having problems squaring them with the reality which sat in the car with him. He was not a bad man. As a matter of fact he was one of the good guys. At least he thought so. He had orders to follow though and if he did not do so it could mean his sanity’s end. They deserved the truth though and he was going to tell it to them before they came face to face with what could possibly be their last moments.

  They continued on into the afternoon which soon became evening as the sun, which was still hidden by clouds, set behind them. It was not long before the night was upon them in full. The sky held no stars, no moon and the headlights led the way as they rushed to what may be their doom.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Karak was in the center of the ballroom hooked up to a complicated machine. It was stainless steel and up with various needles and cutting utensils on robotic arms which sat motionless at the moment. He was unconscious and strapped down with multiple thick cloth bands which each could hold a horse. Alton found himself regretting this demon-man would never wake again and lamented the fact he would never get to know him. He could use someone with blood not of this realm in his employ.

  The room was quite large as a ballroom should be but this room was not filled with guests or merrymaking. This room had it’s purpose tonight and they would make history here. On the walls were pictures depicting a variety of outdoor scenes. The paintings and tapestries were made by masters as were all of the pictures in his home and it was evident in their craftsmanship. Two large fireplaces, one on either side of the room sat cold and unused. The room smelled of old wood and wine which seemed ever present. It was one of the most stylish mansions on the east coast and it was the Tremont legacy. Soon it would be the birthplace to a God on Earth.

  “If this works you know he is not going to let us live.” Cassie said to Alton as she circled the table lightly running her fingers over Karak’s unconscious body.

  “I know.” Alton said with finality, a smile twisting the corner of his mouth into what would appear to the layperson as a sneer. He had not expected such a statement.

  “What is so funny?” Cassie’s unseeing eyes were not looking at her brother.

  “Nothing, I didn’t think you were aware of the danger we are in. Of course I should have known you did.”

  “Yes, you should have.”

  “We must be ready to take action.” Alton said knowing she had been thinking the same thing. Perhaps, he thought, she had placed the thought in his mind. He knew from experience it was not something out of the realm of possibility. “You are reading my mind again.” he said.

  “I don’t need to read your mind brother. I can sense your betrayal.”

  Alton did not react to the comment his sister had delivered in such an easy going way.

  “It is not me you betray though so please continue your machinations. They may provide us some cover in the near future. Some way for us to escape a fate designed by our forbears.”

  Alton hated it when she used words and terms which were over his head. He was not stupid but she was levels above him and at times he wished she would speak plain.

  He wondered if she knew the details of the plans he was making. If she did know then were they really his plans or had the ideas been placed there? The thought made his eye twitch. Lister Crowe’s computer was hidden in his room waiting for someone with more technical knowledge than himself to unlock it’s secrets.

  “They are almost here.” Cassie said calmly.

  “Crabtree?” he asked.

  “Yes.” she answered as she continued to circle the table. She was examining the half breed demon with vision Alton could only imagine. “As well as your nemesis and the world jumpers.”

  At first Alton did not know how to react at the idea of Donovan crashing their party. The man was such a thorn in his side it caused his to lose sleep some nights as he imagined the various ways he would like to end him. Though he could cause trouble with the ceremony the turn of events was not all bad. Not only could this night bring about a great awakening but he would have his personal reckoning as well. Tonight was the night for the page to be turned once and for all.

  “They can not be allowed to disrupt the transformation and Crabtree must not know of their intrusion. Once Crabtree has changed, then… we will take action.” Alton knew then his sister had her own plan and she would brook no deviation.

  “What action?”

  “You will know when the time comes.”

  “You have to give me more Cassie.” he was on the verge of grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking the answers from her.

  Footsteps echoed down the hall and into the ballroom. From the cacophony Alton could tell multiple hard soled shoes were coming in their direction. He did not expect Crabtree to come alone for a man of such power could not be expected to arrive without a sizable entourage.

  “What’s the plan Cassie?” the words hissed from him as the moment to spill the beans was fleeting. She paid him no mind and it infuriated him.

  “Cassie!” Crabtree called in a joyful tone. His voice echoed through the large empty room reverberating off the walls. Alton’s mouth curled into a sneer at the sound.

  “Alton.” he said with obvious distaste in his voice as he approached the table and the twins.

  “Lord Crabtree, it is very good of you to come.” Cassie replied extending her hand. With a chivalry Alton knew the man did not possess he took her hand lightly and kissed the back of it. Such aged and worn out pleasantries annoyed Alton. He tried not to show his feelings because Crabtree, a student of the human condition, would sense it and find some way to make him pay for what he would consider insolence.

  “How are the preparations coming?” Crabtree asked turning his attention to their guest who was strapped to the table.

  “Everything is in order my lord and we are ready to proceed when the alignment begins.” Cassie was all propriety and manners which was something Alton rarely was.

  “Quite a specimen.” Crabtree was looking over the naked half demon laid out before him. He looked at him as though he were a steak on a plate ready to be devoured, nothing more. It was obvious to Alton, Crabtree did not appreciate the great gift about to be bestowed upon him. The two were in the same predicament for Alton himself did not know what his sister had in store.

  “He is my lord. He is quite strong physically but his mind is weak. A more perfect confluence could not have been foreseen.” Cassie was merely playing the role of the subservient Alton knew but he did not know exactly where her allegiance lie.

  Crabtree circled the tabl
e like a dog preparing to relieve itself. His demeanor was of one who could barely contain himself. His face was flushed with more color than Alton had ever seen in the man.

  “We are going to make history tonight.” Crabtree stated and Alton hated his superior tone. ”You do realize that.” he looked directly at Alton as he spoke. Alton not expecting to be spoken to and was taken by surprise.

  “Of course.” he said then added quickly “My Lord.”

  Alton could see Crabtree did not believe the last and it showed on his face which had received far too many cosmetic surgeries in an effort to stave off the inevitability of age which was threatening him. Alton could feel the weight of his gaze as he held the Tremont heir in his eye. Is he wondering if he should just have me killed right now? As if in answer Crabtree smiled and resumed his inspection of the preparations which had been made.

  “I am going to your fathers study to rest for awhile.” Crabtree began toward the hall from which he and his crew had entered. He paused before his sister:

  “Cassie, please join me.”

  “Of course my Lord.”

  He held out his hands indicating his desire for her to lead and the two left the ballroom. Crabtree had left a contingent of four heavily armed thugs to guard the area perhaps from Alton himself. They wore sunglasses and trench coats all in black intending to look menacing. To Alton they looked like a cliche. Crabtree was many things but original was not one of them.

  He was glad when the old man had left but he was furious he had taken his sister. The thought of such a self absorbed prick spending time with arguably the most powerful creature on the planet made Alton want to rip Crabtree’s head clean from his shoulders. Alton took solace in the idea a wave was building and would soon be coming to wipe out Crabtree and society. It would be replaced by the glorious vision Cassie had related to him many years ago.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Thank you for spending some time with me Cassie.” Crabtree began after she had taken a seat. “I have been meaning to come see you for some time.”

  They were in what had been her fathers office as Crabtree paced the room, his hand clasped behind his back. His head was up and back was straight. Though Cassie could not see the man with her eyes she could sense the pompous air he exuded as he moved.

  “Of course my Lord. I will always make time for you.” Cassie seemed ever the servant but she knew full well the man to be a liar and an opportunist.

  “We are two of a kind you and I…” had Cassie not been more disciplined she would have let out a laugh. She knew the man a fool but the fact he thought himself her equal was ridiculous. “At this point in time we have a chance to remake this world the way it should be. I need to know…” he paused in his steps. “are you with me till the end Cassie?”

  “Of course my Lord.” she answered having prepared for the question in advance. Cassie was sure nothing he would say or do in their meeting would come as a surprise to her. He paused for a moment regarding her, sizing her up and she waited. He continued:

  “Good.” he resumed his pacing. “I am going to need a guild once the transformation is complete.”

  “I am prepared to do all I am able to ease your transition.” her tone was easy and cordial. If only Crabtree knew what was in store for him he would not be acting so superior, she thought. Her plan had been eleven years in the making and her time was soon.

  Alton had nearly caused it all to crumble as his lawless nature had almost overcome him. His impulsiveness had been his downfall since childhood but he did have his uses and his connection to darkness came in handy from time to time. Alton’s power, the power of their father, was more earthly than the forces Cassie harnessed. He depended upon blood, pain, sacrifice and woe, the results were uncontrollable at best.

  “At The Winter House we have been preparing as much as we have been able but there are still so many unknowns.” Crabtree sat in the chair behind the desk. “That is why I am here alone. The other members are afraid of what result may occur.”

  At first Cassie had not been sure of the viability of her plan but she was satisfied with the results so far. The news of the other members not attending cooled her mood a bit as she was hoping to destroy them all at the same time but a bit of alteration could be tolerated.

  “You and I have been friends for a long time Cassie and I respect you more than any being on this earth.” Cassie knew it to be a lie. If he had truly respected her he would not have kept her caged as he had… as the Cabal and her parents had.

  ”That is why I have this for you.” Crabtree placed a figurine on the desk between the two of them. The signature it released when he set it down was immense in its power and very familiar. She cocked her head to the side her brows knotting.

  “Is that…” Cassie was usually never surprised but on this occasion she was. Her movements became more of a pop and lock than the fluid grace she normally exhibited. “Tinker?”

  “Yes. This is what keeps him on this earth.”

  Cassie reached out and picked up the figurine of her friend and lifelong companion. Finally she had her answer: The totem was used to act as a control for Tinker and it was how Crabtree was able to speak with his voice those many years ago when she had first seen their subterfuge.

  “I thought you might like it.” he finished.

  Crabtree had pushed her off balance and it would have distressed her horribly had she been thinking rationally but she was lost in memory as she ran her fingers along the surfaces of the figure. On the night of her epiphany when he had tried to disobey, it was her friend Tinker and not Crabtree. Cassie immediately came to realize he had been caged all along and had watched helpless, perhaps jealously as she had broken free.

  “Thank you my Lord.” she finally managed.

  “You deserve it Cassie.” Crabtree said magnanimously. His tone broke Cassie’s revere.

  The anger was always present and ready to ignite. Most of the time she was able to keep it under wraps but from time to time she had moments like the one she found herself in. Her plan had been years in the making and she was so close to seizing what she had worked so hard for… her vengeance. Cassie had made deals with some of the most vile beings in the multiverse and had done things no soul would dream of doing for fear of death or insanity. In order to know the moments she had needed she had given of her body and she would be damned if she were going to let her virginity be lost for nothing. She found her cool and rebuilt her walls in a moment.

  Crabtree was a master of manipulation which was how he had risen to his place of power within the Cabal; that and his ruthless nature. Cassie was going to put Crabtree to good use after his transformation she thought as a genial smile spread across her face.

  “Thank you my Lord, I will treasure it.” she hoped she was appearing genuine for everything was in limbo as the moment stretched. He was not a trusting sort but Cassie had hidden her tracks very well through both subterfuge and murder. She was not afraid to get her hands dirty to achieve her aims. The Tremont patriarch, Cassie’s father would have been proud had his death not been the first link in the chain.

  “Is that all?” she asked.

  “Yes…” Crabtree seemed satisfied with the conversation. Cassie stood. “Would you like me to walk you to your wing?”

  “Not necessary my Lord.” She gripped the figurine as she passed Crabtree not turning her face to him but instead faced down. She appeared the supplicant and made her way expertly around the furniture. The door swung open at a push from Tinker who waited outside.

  “I will see you at my rebirth then.” Crabtree said cordially just as she reached the door. Cassie stopped for a moment and nodded without turning. A toothy grin appeared on her face meant for her alone.

  “I can’t wait.” she said.

  Once Tinker had shut the door she shook off the shame of her buckling under to the weak fool. If he were not to be condemned to a living hell soon and subject to her whims he would never have exited her fathers study.


  It was time to get back to her realm for her most expected guest was soon to be making her appearance. All of the years of forging documents, planting instructions and bona fides for the transformation Crabtree was going to undergo were coming to a head. Her patience was being rewarded two fold as a creature of immense otherworldly power was coming to her. As soon as the pure blood demon had appeared Cassie had felt the signature dark and powerful and it called to her. The half demon with it’s nearly human DNA would be used for the becoming. The full blood was hers.

  The night had begun as many others but it was going to end with her in possession of such power as to make the richest feel a pauper.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The Temple really set their agents up in style Lister thought as Donovan retrieved the drone from the back of the SUV. It was not long before he was expertly piloting it over the mansion and it’s grounds. He stayed high enough so the guards patrolling the place would not be able to see or hear it but close enough to allow them to examine the area.

  Two gates allowed access to the property and they were both being guarded by a sizable force of six heavily armed men. Patrol dogs were being led around the perimeter and with their lack of abilities Lister saw no way he and Donovan could make it by them. Vita, as fast as she was, would have to go in first and take one of the gates to allow them entry. The back would be the easiest as it was closer to the main house which would mean they would be in the open for less time.

  A workman’s shed stood along the west wall and would be the best place for her to enter. The two men tasked as guards were not vigilant they found after Donovan had brought the drone in for a closer look. The two were playing cards and joking with one another, their caution non existent. It did not take long for Donovan to get the drone back and packed up. The odds were against them and the chances of them pulling this off were thin at best.