Order of Vespers

by Matilda Reyes

  “Screw that. It’s my goddamn choice whether you like it or not. Protect does not mean hand over to some sick madmen. You heard what they’re planning to do to you. I’m not letting that happen.” Jordy glared at me the way he did right before a punch came flying toward my face. “Not your choice, so don’t bother trying to change my mind.”

  The nurse muttered all sorts of unflattering things about how unfair it was for Jordy to save his girlfriend while Cecilia had to die.

  “I’m not his girlfriend!”

  “Seriously? That’s your response?”

  “No.” Frustration threatened to boil over. “Point is that no one is choosing me over anyone. I’m going with them, Nurse Hatchett. Do you think I wanted this? I’d trade my life for theirs thousand times over. You have no reason to believe me, but I won’t return without them, no matter how long it takes.”

  “Well said.” Dakarai’s approval bolstered me more than the pills currently being shoved down my throat. “Get her a can of pop while you’re at it.”

  “Now,” I said with renewed vigor. “Do we know where they are? Did the cars stop moving?”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  I leaned against the wall of the conference room and willed the Percocet and caffeine pills in my system to kick in. It probably wasn’t the best idea, but it was the most practical. I needed to be sharp, which meant the pain needed to disappear. Adrenaline would take care of some of it, but I was relying on good ol’ Percocet to handle the rest.

  Earlier in the day, I’d gotten the impression that Jordy’s team of super assassins numbered in the thirties. Only ten joined us.

  Nine men and one woman sat at the conference table, oblivious to our presence. Perhaps it was the comfort and faith they had in their team. Maybe it was an utter disdain of people like us. Hell, maybe they just didn’t care because this crisis was just another day for them.

  Dakarai sidled up to me and leaned against the cheap pressed wood panel. His face mirrored the exhaustion of everyone in the room, but there was something deeper in his expression. Resignation. “I must tell you something before Jordy arrives. Promise me you won’t overreact.”

  “Why does everyone keep saying that? Have you seen me overreact today?”

  “No, you haven’t. However, I am not convinced that’s the most appropriate response. Having a breakdown would not be unexpected or judged. It happens to the best of us.”

  What was with everyone telling me how to react? I was comfortable with my responses. My judgment wasn’t clouded. On the contrary, my senses and thoughts were sharper than ever. I was what I needed to become, what everyone had hoped — their greatest weapon.

  “Dude, I’m fine. I’m saving the dramatics for afterward.”

  Dakarai smiled with understanding. “I am remaining behind. It’s too dangerous for both of us to unleash the full extent of our abilities in the same space.”

  “We need you. I need you to walk me through everything.”

  “Jasper, we both know that you no longer need my guidance.” He kissed my forehead with the tenderness of a big brother and parental figure combined. “You don’t listen to me, anyway.”

  “Hey,” I said with mock indignation. “I’m the epitome of the ideal padawan.”

  “You’re no longer a padawan. The student has become the master.”

  “Can I change your mind?”

  Dakarai shook his head. “No more than I can change yours. Take care of them for me. Mikael will be more useful than you imagine, but he still needs protection. And Jordy needs you to remain safe. He will not rest until he believes that the threat is gone. You must keep him grounded and sane.”

  “Do I need them?”

  “You never needed any of us. Nonetheless, we found one another, and it would shatter us if you didn’t return home.”

  Damn him. I’d never wanted to care about anyone after my family died. Then Mikael, Dakarai, and Jordy stormed into my life. Those three annoying, stubborn, emotionally bumbling oafs had become the dearest parts of my life. I’d walk through fire if it meant sparing them an ounce of pain.

  My eyes flew to his and asked the unspoken question. He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “They will need you. After. Promise me you’ll take care of them?”

  Jordy’s appearance ended our conversation with the grace of a serrated knife. He had a stack of folders in his arms, which he promptly dropped on the table. It struck me as a bad time to give in to the maudlin feelings so close to the surface, so I refrained from tackling him with a hug.

  He pulled his chair from under the table and slid it toward me, his expression daring me to refuse. It was a small gesture, the most he’d do in a room full of his employees, so I didn’t have the heart to turn him down. I lowered myself into the cushioned seat and bit back a sigh of relief.

  “Right. I’m going to make this quick. We’ve located the vehicles outside of a warehouse in Brooklyn. It’s less than ideal because of the proximity to the housing projects.” He sighed. “In your packets, you’ll find a layout of the facility with points of ingress and egress. You’ll also find your assignments. Look everything over. We’ll reconvene in five, and we’re rolling out at 21:00. Go.”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Dakarai knelt in front of me. “Remember everything we’ve taught you. I have faith.”

  “Faith in what?”

  “You,” he said. “You’ll do what is right, and you will protect what is yours. I ask one favor.”

  I scooted to the edge of my seat and wrapped my arms around him tightly. “Anything.”

  “What I’m about to suggest is based on years of research and prayer. I don’t ask you to believe anything, only that you follow my instructions. It may be the only way to save us all. I mean you as well. This is not a suicide mission. Do you understand?”

  Ice water sluiced through my veins. “I’m listening.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  IGRUNTED AS I HEFTED another bag of ammunition into the back of our black SUV. The trunk resembled the armory of a small country preparing for an insurrection. It wasn’t enough though, I was thinking. But of course, without a head count, it was impossible to know the extent of what we were facing.

  My corporeal body and I had become well acquainted in the last several weeks, so when she screamed that I was a masochist, I was inclined to agree. Each bruise had taken on a life and personality of its own. The ribbon of purple covering my spine threatened to give out before I could make it inside the car. Although my right knee wholeheartedly agreed, the left one was holding out for a miracle named Percocet and the goddess Caffeine. Neither body nor mind approved of those things called nerve endings and pain receptors. They were as unnecessary as a gallbladder and infinitely more debilitating.

  “Out of the way,” Jordy said. He hefted the remaining two bags into the trunk. “Get inside. We need to talk.”

  Dammit. Nothing good, in the history of all humankind, had ever proceeded those words. I’d hoped that we’d have a quiet moment before we walked into the madness, but that seemed unlikely. “What?”

  The toe of his boot slapped against the asphalt floor. He sighed. “I’m tired, Jas. It’s going to be a hell of a long night, so say whatever is on your mind.”

  “Yeah.” I blew out a breath. It was just a string of words that would likely be forgotten before we left the garage. Shame heated my face. I’d navigated my way through similar conversations with Dakarai and Mikael. I stared at the ground and spoke in a quiet voice. “Thank you for everything. You didn’t have to invest so much time into teaching and training me. I can’t imagine how you found the time to sleep with so many responsibilities.”

  “I’m organized. What are you doing?”

  Audacity became me. I patted his cheek and grinned. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you’d find out sooner if you just listened?”

  “Too many times. So?” Jordy gently tilted my chin upward until I met his gaze. “Don’t you dare.”

  “Chill out. I’
m the one who’s supposed to save the world, which means I’m entitled. Hush.” We gazed at one another, and I tried to communicate what I’d never say out loud with my eyes. I hoped his reddening face meant that the message had been received.

  “Talk.”

  “You’ve been good to me in your way, even when you knocked me out. Twice.”

  “Stop.”

  “Jordy,” I said over his protests, “promise me something. Two things.”

  “No. I’m not doing this.”

  “Promise me that when this is over, you’ll take care of Mikael. You’ll need one another.” I covered his mouth when he began to speak again. “And promise me that you’ll remember that you’re a good man, Jordy McAllister. You’re loved, and you’re worthy of being loved.”

  Jordy tugged me into his arms and held me tightly. “I hate this,” he whispered into my hair. “Please. I’m begging you, stop talking. You don’t get to waltz into my life, drive me bat shit crazy, assault me, and make me care about you. Don’t lose hope, honey. Not just yet.”

  “I’m not hopeless.”

  “You’re not helpless either,” he retorted. “Don’t act like a victim of circumstance and fate. Nothing is written in stone.”

  “The shackles of circumstance and fate no longer apply to me.”

  He glowered. “What does that mean?”

  “What it’s supposed to mean. You’ll see when the time comes.”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Mikael settled into the back seat of the vehicle and slapped my arm. “What happened?”

  “Nothing happened, doofus. I needed a moment like we had earlier.”

  He sighed heavily. “Did it help?”

  “No. Nothing will make this easier. He doesn’t know, Mikael, and I’d like to keep it that way. We all need Jordy to be on his game. This will ruin it.”

  “I wonder why.”

  Jordy slid into the driver’s seat. “What do you wonder?”

  I glared at Mikael with a thousand threats we both knew I’d never realize. “He wonders why I’m walking around with a pill bottle. I’ve already said I’m leaving it in the car. Did you want to talk about something?”

  He pressed a finger to his lips and pointed to the lights above the center console. Quicker than I thought possible, he removed the cover and tore out a flat disk that resembled a button. It turned into dust between his fingers. “Listening devices. I wouldn’t care, except we need to discuss something that only Dakarai and I know. We’ve been sitting on it for a week now.”

  “You cannot keep information from the Circle,” Mikael said. “Why would you violate that oath?”

  “Because those who administered the oath had broken a much more sacred vow. Charles, Miriam, and Ian are missing.”

  “Oh crap,” I breathed. “No, no, no. This is the worst-case scenario. Five alarm fire. Right?”

  Mikael grabbed his head and groaned. “Shadows and anonymity are no place for the greed that lies in their hearts. They would venture into the dark to become gods among men.”

  “Dammit.” As an afterthought, I patted Mikael’s leg. His face was ashen, and his hands trembled with the weight of another vision of death. I passed over a bottle of water and ibuprofen. He passed on the Percocet. I shrugged. “Your loss. Back to my original point. Dammit.”

  “In a nutshell.” Jordy tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “It’s not unheard of for someone to become disillusioned and leave the Order. High Council members retire and are replaced. They don’t disappear and go completely off the grid. We’re walking into one of two unenviable situations. Either they’ve been kidnapped and are part of the sacrifice or—”

  Mikael kicked the back of Jordy’s seat. “Please, let’s hear the better of the two scenarios.”

  “I’d bet that our plans will be derailed by someone we least expect. And if you kick my seat again, you’re going to find yourself without a foot. Not in the mood, Mikael.” Jordy reached behind him with one hand and managed to untie the laces of one of Mikael’s boots. “I call a shenanigans truce for the next twenty-four hours.”

  “Fine. It’s time for me to explain the disillusionment.” Mikael leaned forward in his seat. “I am sorry, Milaya, but we lied to you.”

  I snorted. “Color me surprised. I’ll muster up some righteous anger later. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Jordy took my hand. “Remember your first meeting with the High Council?”

  “Duh.”

  “We lied when we said that the Annonnimus One doesn’t speak. Mikael, Dakarai and I have all had visions and conversations with the big guy. So have some High Council members. We are bound by powers, magic, whatever you want to call it, and cannot reveal this information to anyone. This is a failsafe. I’m shattering the glass on the firebox.”

  “Why?”

  “What if you served an entity who was selective of those with whom he communicated? If you’re not one of those chosen? Would you become bitter with the knowledge that you’re good, but not good enough? We wanted to guide you through the process and work on your direct connection, but the binding, well, bound us.”

  “Is that what you think this is? A revolt? Why would they — ” I broke off with understanding. “They want to be heard. If they absorb the abilities of those who have that existing connection, they’ll be more powerful than we can imagine.”

  “Blood sacrifice has always been a way for humans to communicate with those beyond our perception of the world: demons, gods, whatever. I’ve done extensive research on the topic. Everyone thought I was losing my mind,” Mikael said, his mouth drawn into a sad smile, “again.”

  “Okay. What’s the point of this?”

  “Many cultures believe that the blood contains the soul and wisdom of a person. It’s important that the blood flow from someone important and the innocents. Cecilia is of the Circle and one of the direct lines. She may not be physically powerful, but her blood is the repository of the wisdom of the ages. The High Council and the Circle are the only ones aware of her importance.”

  Jordy grimaced. “We’re left with two options. If we can’t save Cecilia, then we must collect and destroy her blood.”

  “How do you destroy blood that powerful?”

  “Fire. The hottest, most destructive fire conceivable.”

  Sonofabitch.

  Images flashed before my eyes. My siblings and I stood before an altar drenched in blood. Three unique abilities balanced each other in the destruction. Livie compelled those presiding over the ritual to collect the blood and bring it to us. Jude created a wind tunnel around us to keep us safe. My soul energy burned bright as I destroyed the sacred blood. In the last moments, hands clasped together, and the wind became a maelstrom that contained the final expulsion of energy. Blinding light surrounded us, exploded through us.

  Although I knew it was wrong to speak poorly of the dead, I was pissed off. “Screw you guys for dying and leaving me to clean up the mess. Typical. Jerks.”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Exhaustion was a bitch who hated me. My eyes refused to open, so I curled up in the front seat while Jordy drove us through Brooklyn.

  “Is she asleep?” Mikael whispered.

  “Yes. She needs to recharge. I need time to come up with a new plan or six. She’s going to wait until my back is turned, sneak off, and do something stupid. I can’t protect her if she goes rogue.”

  “Jasper was never meant to be contained. We have to have faith in her instincts and hope that she has a shred of self-preservation remaining.” Mikael sighed. “She’s young and innocent.”

  “No, she’s not,” Jordy said. “Jasper lost her innocence today. I refuse to let her die out of some misguided desire to atone.”

  Mikael hummed in agreement. “Have you told her? Time is short, my friend.”

  “She’s cute. I’d bet that if she had a blanket, it would stop somewhere around her eyes. What if…”

  The car rolled to a smooth stop.

  “No, I haven’
t told her. There’s no point.”

  “It’s the end of the world, brat. What better time is there to confess?”

  Whatever they meant, it was clear that Jordy didn’t want to talk about it.

  He shook my leg gently. “Hey, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?”

  “Good.” My body still matched the colors of the rainbow if they’d been dunked in oil and left out in the rain. The bruises began to sing in rounds. First came the arms.

  Jasper sucks.

  She got beat up.

  She didn’t fight back.

  Hurrah!

  The legs followed, and by the time we reached my head, I had an impressive four-part acappella.

  “Time for some caffeine. You can take half a Percocet now. Carry another in your pocket. But that’s it.”

  “Got it. We’re here?”

  “Yeah. Everyone is in position.”

  “Half a mile perimeter? How do we keep them from slipping through the wide cracks?”

  “Not my department. Something about a neutralizing net that turns idiots into babbling idiots. The average person will grow sleepy and find the nearest place to nap. People with abilities will lose them until we remove the nets.” Jordy turned in his seat to speak to Mikael and me. “Once we exit the car, things are going to happen at a rapid-fire speed. The only way all three of us go home is if you listen to me.”

  Mikael grunted. “The plan where I stay in a corner until everything is over?”

  “The one where you comfort the rescued children and use your considerable strength and knowledge to protect them.” Jordy’s knee began to jiggle again. “Jasper, you know the deal. You stick to my ass like a shadow. The goal is getting in and out as fast as possible with minimal injuries and no fatalities.”

  “I know. I won’t leave your side.”

  The lies were spilling from my lips with greater ease. I gave him the same expression as I had Dakarai and Mikael, but he appeared unfazed. “You’ll try. Save me the trouble. Stay with me.”