"I think, at first it was dangling around Gregory’s neck. I was hanging on a rock ledge over an abyss. He tried to help me and somehow I held on to it and probably tore it away from him. Then I fell screaming into the abyss and the amulet floated above me in the air."
"Oops," Aiden said, "that means you’ve died in yours dream?" She nodded, "I guess so. In real life, I fell out of bed and hit my head." Aiden started laughing, but one look at Moonworthy and he fell silent again. Moonworthy looked at Leyla fascinated. "What was among you in the abyss?" "I think it was lava."
"Damn, then you fell into a volcano?"
"I guess so." She shrugged, "There is only one volcano in line and that is Mount Etna in Sicily, but I am sure you already know that, you are quite the detective as it appears to me. Leyla smiled wryly, “Of course, I know that, but what does all this have to do with the Maltese Amulet?"
"You have a very strong bond with Gregory. His thoughts are sending you some kind of subliminal messages, probably without him being aware of it. Really interesting," Moonworthy said. “But on the other hand there are many people that would take you to some psychiatric clinic for your statement." Leyla looked quite shocked. He laughed amused and for the first time since she met him, he radiated something like warmth.
He stood up, "Does anybody want some coffee or a Coke? I don’t have anything else around unfortunately." Aiden and Leyla looked uncertain, "Don’t make such a fuss, I haven't poisoned anybody lately, actually not as long as I can remember. At least so far." Aiden cleared his throat, "I’ll have a Coke," and Leyla nodded, "me too." Moonworthy went to the kitchen and took out two cans of Coke from the fridge. Natalie meanwhile had disappeared into her room. This was somewhat strange, as she was quite the curious type usually. Either she had placed her ear at the door in her room to hear what they were talking about, and what they wanted from Moonworthy. Maybe he had forbidden her to be there and listen. He started talking again, "Now back to our amulet, this amulet plays a big role in a love story reminding of Romeo and Juliet, which took place in Malta a long time ago. One of the leading characters was a man within the Akando rows, a direct descendant of the three Onendas that stranded in Sicily." Leyla and Aiden looked puzzled at him. "Well, I guess, I don’t know how much you two know about the Onendas apart from the prophecy in which Gregory is involved, but I think we can talk openly. I myself have studied my family for years, and it has kept me busy, that much I can tell you. That’s why I know pretty much all the details." Aiden and Leyla still looked clueless, what was he up to? "His name was Jamiro and he was Alawa’s son. She was one of the original Onendas who stranded in Sicily long time ago. After her death, he grew up in a convent. Legend says he was a devout good child. When he found out, who had killed his mother, he mutated into a gunman and erased almost an entire family, including one of the most important families in Sicily.
Aiden was about to say something, but Moonworthy stopped him raising his hand and continued, "No matter what you have heard my friend, my research is not sugarcoating any part of the story, even if he was one of us. He was also a cold-blooded monster, from time to time his fuses just blew, so to speak. He was a choleric, and when things didn’t turn out the way he wanted, he went crazy. He didn’t take no for an answer and he killed women and children without showing mercy, when he thought he had been treated the wrong way. His revenge was beyond any mercy. Then he fled by boat and landed in Malta. He was the founder -" Leyla finished the sentence, "of the Milan." This had become crystal clear to her while Moonworthy had been talking. "Well, someone has done her research homework damn well," he looked impressed.
"That is correct and it was also Jamiro who fell in love with the wealthy daughter of a Maltese landowner. Her name was Aaliyah and her father was against the connection because he realized that Jamiro was a ticking time bomb, that one never knew exactly when and where it would go off again. Anyway, he took Aaliyah away to the north of the island. As we all know love is blind, he grinned. Aaliyah didn’t want to separate from her crazy lover. As for the rest of the story, I don’t have that many details the deliverances are unfortunately quite scrappy. Anyway, she killed herself, but the exact circumstances are not known and Jamiro buried the amulet. Which to my knowledge belonged to Alawa. He had given it to Aaliyah, and it must be somewhere on the Island of Malta.
Previously he hunted her parents down and killed them. He blew up their house literally, because in his opinion he found them guilty for Aaliyah’s death and as I said he was not exactly squeamish when it came to punishing other people, especially when he was in rage. There was a counterpart of the Amulet, maybe it was Chiana’s,
I don’t really know. He wore it a lifetime around his neck as a memento of his great love. It is said that neither he nor Aaliyah ever found peace and are still spooking around until today on the island, until a certain descendant will be able to find both amulets any will redeem them." Aiden shook his head, "But if his big love killed herself, how could he be the founder of the Milan?”
"Oh boy," Moonworthy looked pitiful at him, "You're thinking just like a girl," Aiden fell silent obviously offended. "While he lost his soul mate, he was still a man, and men wanted desperately to pass on their genes especially back in time.
Jamiro had at least several children with another woman as far as I know." Leyla sighed, "I think I’m gonna feel sick. She was the love of his life and he had quite a good time after she killed herself." Moonworthy laughed, "Yes, I think you're right, but emancipation was not a big issue at that time and men idealized their big love on one side, but that did not stop them from continuing to breed like rabbits." Leyla was still shaking her head, "Unbelievable!" Aiden grinned, "There are even worse cases, for example, the Taj Mahal, the guy had locked up his big love and no one else was allowed to see her, but when she died he build this splendid insane Mausoleum to remember his big love." Leyla looked at him tapping her forehead, "And this is an excuse for Jamiro’s behavior, or does it make it any better, what are you trying to tell us?" Aiden had obviously dropped a brick and Moonworthy unexpectedly came to his aid, "I think what he means is that men get the most stupid ideas that you can imagine when they are in love." Leyla grumbled to herself, "I guess you could say that and it does explain a lot!"
"Well, now that we have clarified that the so-called stronger sex is having troubles for centuries with love, I would like to put the focus on the real problem here, and discuss it further," Aiden said. Moonworthy nodded, "So, back to the Milan. There are still some families in Malta, forming a secret community. They are very successful in the tourism and viticulture. Their leader’s name is Ubana Nirros. He is a great-great grandson of Jamiro if my research is correct. Tradition had it that the Milan unlike the Akandos can control only water and earth."
"Why do you know all this?" "Some things can’t be found through research?" Leyla looked at him suspiciously, "You're absolutely right, I’ve traveled some time ago to Sicily and have an informant there, who told me a lot of things. He is an old man by now, but he knows a lot about the old times. For example, you should know that most of the local Akandos in Sicily, which usually belong to the Vultures, have no powers or in rare cases, very strong ones."
"But Angel," Leyla started to talk, "I’ve told you most of them. But there are a few exceptions and their powers are very strong. My informant says that there was a member of the local Vultures some time ago, who had the power to control fire, he got into big troubles with the Milan."
"Why?" Leyla and Aiden asked simultaneously. "Well, what can I say there was at least another love story without a happy ending of which I’ve heard." Leyla rolled her eyes, "Damn, do any of these love stories ever end well? It is not very encouraging if I may say so." Moonworthy continued ignoring her objection, "Apparently, a young woman who belonged to the Milan ran away from an arranged marriage and landed in Sicily. There she met Emanuele Garibaldi and the two fell for each other. But the Milan tracked her down and forced her to return to Malta where the weddi
ng took place as scheduled with the unloved Milan guy." Aiden and Leyla were listening mesmerized, that could simply not be the end of the story, and it was too banal.
Moonworthy continued, "What no one knew, was that the girl had become pregnant from the fiery Akando Sicilian guy. She gave birth to a boy, and he was brought up in the marital union. As the boy was a Cuckoos egg, no one ever told him about his powers and his origins had fatal consequences. When the boy's eighteenth birthday approached, he burned down the northern part of the Island in his awkwardness, since he didn’t know how to handle his powers. His mother and her husband were killed at that time." Leyla put her hands in front of her face in shock, "The poor boy, he must have felt horrible!” Moonworthy nodded, "And on top of it, they chased that poor boy away. He was totally confused and messed up. He fled to Sicily and my informant found him on the beach. But, rumors about his very strong powers with fire, got around fast. The Vultures wanted him in their ranks and sent him a young woman on his heels to beguile him. I don’t know what happened after that to that boy, he must be a young man by now. I haven’t heard from my source lately." Aiden rubbed his forehead thoughtfully, "What does this all have to do with the amulet from Leyla’s dream? Didn’t we lose track of our topic completely?"
"Not at all, because this boy has indeed something to do with the amulet. At least with the amulet, which Jamiro received from his mother Alawa. The only thing he had left of her. The boy's mother owned this amulet since Jamiro was her ancestor. She gave it to her son, and as we know the second amulet was buried with Aaliyah. Now, the legend says that only this boy that is in his mid-twenties by now, being a descendant of Jamiro and the Sicilian Vulture will be able to find the second silver amulet to free Aaliyah's Spirit, since she never found her freedom until today."
Leyla looked baffled, "Fair enough, but what does it have to do with Gregory?"
"More than you think," Moonworthy gave her a strange look, "the legend of the Milan says that the boy can accomplish his mission only with the help of the prophesied savior." He took a deep breath, "That it is of utmost importance to the Milan that Aaliyah's spirit finds peace. They will fight at the Saviors side against the Vultures if he brings the amulets to the Etna and they would even break their pact with the Vultures."
"What kind of pact?" Leyla looked quizzically. "They have committed themselves to renounce the use of their powers and to stay away from Sicily after the tragic incident of the fire."
"It would mean war between the Vultures and the Milan, if that happened?" Aiden asked. "Definitely!" Leyla looked thoughtful, "Gregory must have met this young man, why else would he have left Sicily. He told me that he was no longer in Sicily, but on another Island. I am sure that this boy or young man is behind everything, he must be the reason Gregory dumped me out of the blue." Moonworthy nodded, "That's quite possible, because he’ll sure have told him that the Milan will fight at his side once he frees Aaliyah's spirit and I am sure he doesn’t want to get in danger any of you unnecessarily." Aiden got up walking restlessly up and down the room, "And yet, I am still of the opinion that he needs all the help he can get, including ours. We will not let him down." Moonworthy agreed, "I am absolutely of your opinion, and I'll go with you when you go to Sicily." Aiden and Leyla looked surprised at him, "You’ll come with us?" Aiden asked. "Yes I will go with you, and I assure you that you can use my help. I have studied the Onendas for many years." Leyla and Aiden were quite surprised, but thought that the idea was good. Insider knowledge would certainly not hurt.
Moonworthy laughed at their reaction. "Looks like our next school trip will go to Sicily." Natalie strolled out of her room. "We're going to Sicily? When?" Chayton Moonworthy cleared his throat, "Natalie, I told you on several occasions that it is much too dangerous for you."
"I don’t care," she looked at him defiantly, stomping her foot with her slipper, "you said yourself that I am an Akando, namely one of the few where both parents are Akandos. That means I'm stronger than most of you. He nodded reluctantly, "Yes, but your powers are yet to properly emerge. You are probably more of a late bloomer, because so far you haven’t noticed anything, right?"
"I don’t give a damn about that, in a few weeks I'll turn eighteen, the powers will show soon enough. Gregory's is my friend too, dammit." She pointed angry at Leyla, "She is not even seventeen and no Akando. Are you kidding me? I’ll come along in any case." Moonworthy sighed in resignation. Natalie could be quite stubborn he knew that. Where she got that from was a mystery to him. Reluctantly he said, "Well, then you’ll come with us, but I will not let you out of sight, so that we're clear." Natalie touched her chest, "My God, I really can come with you, I’m so happy," she hugged Leyla and Aiden stormy. She seemed very enthusiastic to be allowed to come along, "Folks I'm so glad that I can go with you," she waved cheerfully at them and got back into her room.
Moonworthy called after her, "I hope you are aware that we are not going to summer camp. We are going to war. " But Natalie had already disappeared into her room. He looked at Leyla and Aiden shrugging, "She sometimes is a bit stubborn, I honestly don’t know where she’s got that from. " They both grinned standing up to say goodbye. Aiden reached out his hand to Moonworthy, "I guess I’ll see you at our next meeting. I will inform my People in the meantime." Moonworthy nodded waving them goodbye. Already on the stairs Leyla turned around again, "Do you think Gregory has managed to find the Amulet and that Jamiro and Aaliyah's spirit have been freed?" He shrugged, "We will certainly find out soon."
Murderous Intent
Gabe was whistling a tune to himself, while he was in the shower. The hot water run down his body and he felt as if he got new power from it. He tensed his muscles and rolled his aching shoulders. He had not slept well, apparently he wasn’t as cold blooded yet as he had hoped. But, his plan was firm and he wouldn’t change his mind. He was going to kill his old man this weekend and make it look like an accident. He had to do it in a way that no one became suspicious. If his uncle and all other relatives were convinced it was an accident, none of them would doubt that he was the rightful leader of the Canadian Akando-Vultures at this tragic moment. Getting rid of Gregory would be an easy task to fulfil with their help and the Sicilian families. Whether the legend was dangerous for the Vultures wasn’t clear for Gabe.
He wasn’t superstitious and to be honest, he didn’t believe in that legend crap and it didn’t matter to him at all. Because everything that mattered to him personally was his private vendetta against Gregory, and he didn’t care for anything else. Hatred was devouring him from the inside. He had made a fool out of him, by creeping in and getting his confidence that filthy traitor. That was unforgivable and had to be punished with the death sentence. He stepped out of the shower rubbing his wet hair dry. He put both of his hands down on the sink looking at his reflection for a moment. Today was going to be truly a good day. He would take care of it. A few minutes later, he looked out the window when Carmine Grande parked the red Ferrari and got out. Gabe picked up his phone dialing quickly a number, "Hey Gary, he has just arrived. You have ten minutes. I'm counting on you," he hung up and went to the door to meet his father smiling, "well, so are you ready for our fishing trip?"
Carmine Grande had a suspicious look on his face. That boy was up to something he could feel it. He didn’t know what it was, but something was going on, "I'm ready, we can leave whenever you want to." Gabe shook his head smiling. He was looking discreetly out the window, "No need to hurry. I have a new snazzy coffee maker, and I think we should dedicate it some time. I can prepare about ten different types of coffee. What can I get you?" Carmine Grande was amazed what was going on with his son? Had he come to his senses overnight? Did he finally have this insane idea out of his head to go on some private vendetta journey against Gregory Rossi, tagging along the Vultures? He hoped so. As for his part, he didn’t have the slightest wish to be involved in some war with a bunch of superstitious idiots and to jeopardize his position. Sure, Gregory had to be eliminated, bu
t without a big fuzz and causing unnecessary attention. He knew enough good people in Sicily who would do the job with a well-placed bullet from an ambush using a silencer. A few phone calls and the matter was settled and as good as taken care of. Then there would be no one bothering them for another century before the next Savior appeared. All a matter of organization and he would not allow his son to cause a huge drama, raising dust with the Canadian Vultures down in Sicily. Far too startling and bad for the organization, the only thing missing was the press getting wind of the legend. He seriously could do without that shit. Delicate stuff like that was taken care of inconspicuously. Otherwise, he risked his neck. But, Gabe was a hotheaded kid, too driven by his wish for revenge to understand that.
Carmine himself doubted the truth of the legend, and even if it was true, and the forces of nature aimed against them, primarily the Sicilians would be affected eventually. The curse or the prophecy had been pronounced there at the time and the bloody volcano was in Sicily not in Canada, and frankly he couldn’t care less if the Island sank into the ocean or not. Big deal! To show his moral support and his interest for the security of the Sicilian Vultures, he would give instructions to his middleman on-site. Gregory was as good as dead. Gian-Carlo was a reliable man. So far, he had concluded any job to his satisfaction. For what it concerned him, he was certainly in no mood to fight. It was all just a question of money and as he had always had the money and the position, there had never been a problem and everybody had his price. Money could buy anything and anyone. It had never been necessary for him to get his hands dirty and it would stay exactly this way. He wanted to enjoy his life. No one was irreplaceable and he didn’t want to lead the Vultures forever. He planned his resignation, and then he would buy his own Island and find a hot twenty-year-old girl who adored him and read every wish from his lips. He sipped his espresso. Yes, that was exactly what he would do.
Elementary Virtue: The Prophecy Page 25