Darkness Shatters: Book 5 (Sensor Series)

by Susan Illene

  Emily looked at Olivia. “How long were you stuck in Purgatory?”

  “For about six hundred and forty years.” She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, but when she looked at Micah her expression turned to one of regret and sadness. Too many lost opportunities. She’d lived out numerous human lifetimes without him.

  Emily shook her head. “That’s awful. You definitely needed him more than I did.”

  It was strange seeing this other side of my adopted daughter. Between fighting off the plague and grieving for Hunter, she’d somehow become more sensitive to others.

  “So what is there to do around here?” Yerik’s son—or rather, Tormod—asked.

  “Good question.” Micah looked at me. “Do you have any ideas, Melena?”

  I thought it over. “Well, I’m supposed to be helping out DHS, I but haven’t had a chance to get by the office. I’ve gotten a bunch of calls from O’Connell demanding I assist him with some local problems. Do you think any of the nerou would be up for joining me? There might be some fighting involved.”

  “I’ll go.” Tormod stood.

  “Actually, I’d like to go, too.” Olivia looked at her father. “Something tells me it’s important we work with Melena on this.”

  He gave me a martyred look. “My daughter hasn’t even been here a day and you’re already stealing her from me.”

  “Not until tomorrow at the earliest,” I reassured him. “I’ve got to call O’Connell first and make the arrangements with him. Plus, I won’t keep them out all day. You’ll still get plenty of time with her, but she’ll need something to do while you’re healing plague victims.”

  His shoulders slumped a little. “Very well, but you better take good care of her.”

  “I will,” I promised.

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  “And this, ladies and gentleman, is a branch of the supernatural division for the Department of Homeland Security,” I explained, bringing them into the reception area.

  “Welcome,” O’Connell said, inclining his head.

  He was standing in his office doorway with his arms crossed. The agent wasn’t entirely convinced of this idea, but I’d told him it was the only way he’d get me to show up.

  I turned to face the nerou. “That guy frowning over there is the boss.”

  I could afford to inflate his ego a little if it made him more cooperative.

  “Who else works here?” Olivia asked.

  “Just him and me at the moment. There are hundreds of cities the department has to cover so they can only afford to put a small number of agents in each one.”

  I doubted they even had a branch in every city, but I didn’t want to overload the nerou with too much information at once. They were still looking at me funny when I talked on my cell phone. Explaining traffic lights had been another fun conversation on the way over.

  “What exactly do you guys do?” another nerou asked.

  I’d brought four of them with me—Olivia and Tormod, plus two nerou healers whose skills with diseases were too weak to be useful. They could handle trauma injuries with great finesse, but not illnesses. Micah had explained this wasn’t uncommon and that some healers had specialized abilities. They’d volunteered to come with me after they heard we were going out.

  O’Connell came to stand directly in front of the nerou.

  “We manage relations between supernaturals and humans—especially since they decided to come out publicly.” He scowled at me like it was my fault. “And for the near future we’ll work to resolve disputes. My superiors want to see order returned as soon as possible.”

  That was part of Yerik’s plan. He wanted the government intervening so as to smooth the way for sups and humans to live alongside each other as peacefully as possible. The only delay was coming from the angels. He’d expected them to intervene by now. This was too big for them to stop anymore, but he’d hoped they’d do something to calm the violence.

  Tormod cocked his head. “How will we be doing that?”

  “Follow me.” O’Connell gestured for us to move toward his office.

  We stepped into the room and found an array of items laid out on his desk. There were guns and magazines with rubber bullets, official badges, and two dozen elixirs on his desk.

  “Wait a minute.” I grabbed one of the elixirs. “This is the exact same potion a group of humans used on an angel they beat up last night. Where are these coming from?”

  He shrugged. “I have no idea. At first we used the witches we’ve been holding to make them, but their elixirs were weak at best. Then we found a source willing to sell them to us wholesale. I’ve not been privy to who that is.”

  “We really need to discuss those supernaturals you’re holding,” I said, setting the elixir back down. “If they haven’t committed a crime then you should let them go free.”

  He gave me a dispassionate look. “That’s not up to me.”

  I set that aside for a later battle. First we needed to get the situation in Fairbanks under control. Then I’d see about freeing the innocent sups they were holding in their facility—with magical wards and heavy security so we couldn’t break them out without a major fight. There were about fifty of them still there not including the pixies I took back.

  “Fine.” I took up a rifle. “You and I know how to use this, but the nerou don’t. We’ll need to find a range and give them a crash course first.”

  He shook his head. “There’s not enough time to make them good marksmen today. We’ll just give them unloaded rifles to hold for looks. You and I can do the shooting if necessary, but hopefully we can just talk the crazies down.”

  If it got too out of control, we could use brute force, too. Not that O’Connell would approve unless they were supernaturals.

  “Okay.” We began handing out the supplies. When we got to the elixirs, I looked at Olivia. “Do you know what this does?”

  “Only if it’s very close.” She took hold of it. “This can freeze someone so they can’t move.”

  Well, that answered one of my many questions. They had a weakened version of my abilities.

  “Correct. Is it that way for every type of magic? Do you have to touch it to detect it?” I asked.

  Another nerou grabbed a vial. “For spells we have to be within arm’s reach or have it targeting us. We can identify the race of an individual if we are within twenty paces of them.”

  I was hoping they could tell the difference between humans and sups. Twenty paces was workable enough for the job we had before us.

  “Any other talents I should know about?” I looked between them.

  “He can use compulsion.” She indicated Tormod. “Though most of our people aren’t stupid enough to let him use his ability on us.”

  That had to be some serious compulsion if he could use it on the nerou—even with their consent. It probably came from his father being half demon. Despite Tormod’s young age, his power level was higher than other nerou who were several times older. At least if we needed to compel any humans he might be able to do the job.

  “I’ll take that into consideration.”

  O’Connell and I finished handing out gear and explaining the purpose of everything. He also brought out black BDU uniforms the nerou could use if the need arose. They were spares he kept on hand for emergencies. I’d already purchased jeans, sweaters, and boots for them before coming over so at least they had something normal to wear.

  “Let’s go,” I said once we were all set.

  “I’m driving.” O’Connell pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “I’ve got a government van that can hold us all.”

  He led us out of the building to a back parking lot where he kept it. The nerou sat on benches in the rear compartment and I climbed into the passenger seat.

  “I’m thinking we drive around and see if there’s anything going on.”

  “I’ve got a better idea.” He flipped a radio switch and police communications came over it. “This will tell us where we need to
go.”

  Right. I wasn’t used to using police activity to track supernatural issues. There were calls coming from all over the city—more than the police could possibly handle. They had to be working overtime to keep up.

  “Wow. They’re busy,” I commented.

  “Which is why I’ve been trying to get you to come in,” he said, exasperated. “I can’t do this job alone.”

  I understood his point, but it’s not like I was slacking off over the past few days.

  “Well, I’m here now.”

  “Listen to this.” He turned the radio up.

  It was a report coming in about a group of teens attacking another group in a high school parking lot. There was a mention it could be supernatural related. Only one unit called in saying they could go, but not without backup.

  “That could be something.” I buckled my seat belt.

  “I agree,” O’Connell shifted the vehicle into gear.

  Glancing behind me, I caught the nervous expressions on the nerou’s faces—except for Tormod, who looked keyed up. This was their first time out for something like this, but the exposure would help them get the hang of things. If the angels could see how well they resolved disturbances then their chances of being able to stay increased.

  “Listen, guys. The goal today is to keep people from hurting each other. Nothing too complicated. Think you can handle it?” I glanced at each of their faces.

  A bit of the tension eased out of them.

  “We can do that,” Olivia said. “We’ve lived together for so long fights broke out between us a lot. Whoever was nearby had to break it up if the guards weren’t around.”

  “And Ivan taught us how to subdue people,” Tormod added. “He said Lucas showed him how to do it.”

  I’d known that much, but it was good to see they felt competent about it.

  “We’re here,” O’Connell announced.

  I turned and found we’d reached the school. At the other end of the parking lot, two groups of teens were fighting each other and there were a few young werewolves mixed in there. A couple of teachers were off to the side yelling at them, but no one paid any attention to them. One security guard was unconscious on the ground.

  I raced around the van and popped open the back doors. “Here’s what I need you all to do. Space yourselves around that group of kids. Hold your rifles up like you mean to use them, but if anyone tries to run just knock them down. Remember, humans are fragile so don’t hit them too hard. For the werewolves, you can be a little rougher.”

  “Wait a minute,” O’Connell said as we sped across the parking lot. “You haven’t consulted me about this plan.”

  I kept going. “I’ve got more experience than you do and we don’t have time for lengthy discussions. If you want to make a plan, then you better start offering one before I do.”

  We reached the mob and the nerou spread out. I pointed O’Connell to where I wanted him. He hesitated, but he went. When a teacher came forward I waved him back. My plan was to get this over with quickly and with the fewest possible injuries.

  I put my fingers to my lips and whistled shrilly. That got a few people’s attention. I pulled out my shiny new badge next and held it up.

  “I am with the Department of Homeland Security—supernatural relations branch,” I shouted, getting more attention. “You will cease fighting immediately or you will be arrested and confined until such a time as the U.S. government figures out what laws you’ve broken. If you’re smart, you won’t want to wait around that long to find out.”

  A big guy came sauntering up to me. “There’s a lot more of us than there are of you.”

  “You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” I smiled.

  He hauled his arm back and shot his fist toward me. I caught it mid-air and twisted it. In another second he was on the ground with his hand pulled high up his back and my knee digging into his spine.

  I leaned down and whispered in his ear. “You’re in a new world where size and strength don’t always add up. Stop the violence. It’s not worth it.”

  After one last dig of my knee, I let him up. He scrambled away and went to stand with his friends.

  “Anyone else?” I lifted my brows.

  By this time, the fighting had stopped altogether and the nerou were giving menacing glares that discouraged any further violence. At least they had the hang of that.

  “Who are you?” someone asked.

  “Perhaps you missed it. I said I’m with the Department of Homeland Security—Supernatural Relations Branch. These are my partners who surround you. Our job is to promote peaceful relations between humans and sups and stop any violent encounters between races when we discover them.”

  At least, that’s what I’d be doing whether my new bosses liked it or not.

  “So there are supernaturals here?” a girl asked.

  The students began eyeing each other. I glanced at the nerou, giving them a look that said to be ready if things got ugly. They tensed and watched the crowd closely. They might not understand much of what was going on, but they did understand the need to keep violence at bay.

  “We also stop human-on-human violence when you turn on each other due to suspicions of supernatural activity. What started this anyway?”

  A blonde female with a bloodied nose and tangled hair stepped forward. “Some of us are pro-supernatural. We were planning to ride together to a meeting after school when we were attacked by guys that don’t like who we support.”

  “For those of you who are pro-supernatural and were attacked, please step toward me.” I beckoned them with my hands.

  Slowly, ten of them came forward—one of them a werewolf. I walked down the line confirming their story so my senses could check the truth. Each one had, in fact, planned to go to the meeting.

  “Go to your teachers waiting over there.” I pointed at the edge of the parking lot where a handful stood. “Have them take you guys to see the school nurse.”

  They passed through our perimeter, avoiding getting too close to the stoic nerou.

  I directed my attention to the anti-sup guys, which numbered about twenty. “Now, tell me why you all attacked those students.”

  “They’re vamp and werewolf lovers,” one guy spat out. There was a murmur of agreement all around.

  It was rather ironic, considering there was a werewolf standing right next to him and another at the edge of his group. Those two guys had chosen to play along rather than blow their covers. Now they had fear in their eyes as they worried if I’d call them out. I wouldn’t, but I couldn’t say I wasn’t tempted.

  “You do realize vampires and werewolves have been here the whole time?” I asked the guy who’d spoken. “Their existence is nothing new.”

  “Yeah, but it’s not like we could do anything about it before,” he argued.

  I gave him a curious look. “So if I decide I hate men, would it be okay for me to go around beating them all up? Just because they’re men. Even if they’re good men.”

  He snickered. “You could try.”

  “I already did.” I nodded at the large guy I’d taken down when I first arrived. “But only because he attacked me first.”

  “That was just lucky. You couldn’t take us all.”

  “Which brings up my next point. Are you such cowards you have to have greater numbers to attack innocent kids?” I paced in front of them. “Someday you’re going to be the minority for one reason or another and you’re not going to like it when you become the target.”

  “I doubt that,” someone in the back said.

  “You’d be surprised.”

  The sound of sirens finally came. I looked up the road and saw several police cars coming toward us. I’d done all I could to talk to the kids. Most wouldn’t change their minds in one day, but it had to start somewhere.

  A few teachers headed toward us. I ordered the nerou to stay on guard and met them.

  “I’m the principal here,” a tall, balding man said. “Thank you for tak
ing care of this.”

  I shook his hand. “You might want to have an assembly and talk to the kids. This could get worse.”

  “We’re planning one now,” he reassured me. “Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some students to handle.”

  “Of course.”

  I beckoned the nerou and instructed them to stand by the van. Then I joined O’Connell, who was speaking with the police.

  He handed the officer a card. “You can call this number for our credentials.”

  “I will.” The man took it.

  Another cop stayed with us while he called it in. Ten minutes later we were cleared and allowed to leave.

  “Well, it’s all theirs now,” he said.

  “Good.” I opened the passenger door to the van. “I didn’t want to figure out what to do with a bunch of teenagers after we calmed them down.”

  He gave me a thin smile. “Me, either.”

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  It was almost the end of the second day and the nerou were starting to get the hang of patrolling. We’d even taken them to practice shooting rubber bullets this morning—targeting trees in the woods, of course. Since the high school incident yesterday we’d stopped several humans from killing a vampire, a werewolf from hurting his next door neighbors, and suppressed a riot at the local blood bank. Which was ironic since vamps could only drink fresh blood.

  “Think we should call it a day?” O’Connell asked.

  It was almost six in the evening. I was definitely tempted, but then a call came over the radio. Three guys were threatening to burn down a tattoo shop. I knew the address they gave very well.

  “Nope. We’ve got to get that one—now!”

  The agent didn’t question it and put the van in gear. He had to remember that was the shopping center where I used to work. Luckily we were only five minutes away.

  When we arrived, Cori had her gun trained on the would-be arsonists. Two of them had guns, too, and the guy in the middle held a can of gasoline. I was surprised they hadn’t shot her yet. They looked determined enough with the fierce expressions on their faces.