"You have no idea where you might go? There's no way to keep in touch?" Ashe toed the ground. Sali sat on the grass beside Ashe, his tongue lolling from his mouth as he followed the conversation, still in wolf form.
"Director Jennings won't allow it," Steven Pendley sighed.
You're a quarter child, aren't you? Ashe sent to Steven Pendley.
Yes. That was a very good guess, Ashe. And I have mindspeech. I only discovered that when we met you, Edward's father replied. That makes Edward more than half Elemaiyan. I don't know what this will mean for him eventually. I have to worry about keeping him safe for now.
I hope you can tell me about them, someday. The Elemaiya, I mean, Ashe said, sipping his soda.
I hope we live to tell you, Ashe, Steven Pendley replied.
* * *
"Director, I'm afraid I have bad news," the Captain of a local police precinct in Silver Spring, Maryland informed Bill Jennings over the phone. "We've located your assistant—his body was found in Chesapeake Bay, near Cape St. Claire. Looks pretty bad, sir. If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd been chewed on by animals."
Bill went cold at the news. "Send the body to the forensics specialists at the FBI, please," Bill said. "Did you find any personal effects?"
"His wallet, but the money is missing. Credit cards are still there with his identification. I don't think this was a robbery, sir. I get the idea that the killer knew who he was."
"And likely who he worked for," Bill muttered. "Get the body to the FBI as quickly as possible. I have some investigations to make. If Vince was killed for information, we may all be in danger."
"Understood," the Captain agreed. "I'll send word when the body is delivered."
"Thank you, Captain." Bill hung up. "Vince, what have you done?" Bill whispered, raking a hand through his hair.
* * *
"You'd better hope they don't tie the two incidents together," Josiah hissed at Trina over the phone. "I got a call from my contact, here, and he's ready to take everybody apart. The body was found, and found quick. What the hell were you thinking, letting somebody else do this?" Josiah raked fingers through his thick, brown hair.
"I had to work late," Trina snipped at Josiah. "And you said it had to be done in a certain place at a certain time. I trust the person who did this for me, so stop complaining. The human's dead. Wasn't that your goal?"
"You mucked this up. You owe me and I won't forget," Josiah snapped and ended the call.
* * *
"We have to move them a night early," Bill Jennings was on the phone with Winkler. He stood at the airport, ready to board a flight to Oklahoma City. He had assignments sorted out already—Vince never had that information, so it was still safe.
"I'll make sure Trace, Jason, Roger and Toby are ready," Winkler said. "I'll be there as well, and I'll inform Marcus and the vampires so we can prepare for the move."
"We'll move the families first—we can haul belongings later. Have them take one small bag each and we'll get them to the airport. I'll have private jets there to take them away. The trucks will come in at the time we originally arranged."
"I'll take care of things from this end, Director," Winkler promised.
"Thanks. At this point, I don't know whether to curse Vince or mourn his death."
"We'll investigate, Director. Let's just sort out the families first."
"Right."
* * *
"Are you capable of fireblasts?" Wildrif contacted the warlock by phone to ask the question.
"I and one other. Will we need them?" The warlock was puzzled over why they might be needed.
"Just in case," Wildrif shrugged. "Get those kids out at all costs, and meet at the designated location. Someone will take the kids off your hands and hand over the rest of the money."
"Good enough," the warlock agreed and ended the call.
* * *
"We have to leave tomorrow?" Edward looked up from the video game that he, Ashe and Sali were playing. Bryce and Keith sat behind them, waiting their turn.
"I'm afraid so," Winkler said. "Something happened and the Director thinks it's for the best. Pack one small bag to take with you; trucks will come later to gather your other things."
"So much for having a party before we go," Bryce grumbled.
"I'm sorry, son. The Director just wants all of you to be safe," Winkler apologized.
"Yeah. I get that," Bryce sighed.
"We can have popcorn, sodas and watch movies tonight," Steven Pendley suggested.
"Sounds good," Ashe said. "Can we help?"
* * *
Ashe was getting ready for bed later when Ren appeared inside his bedroom. "Ashe," Ren began uncomfortably, "I have to say good-bye, tonight. I can't come back."
"What?" Ashe was in the middle of reaching for pajamas when Ren made his admission. "But you can't just leave. You're my friend. I don't want to lose all my new friends at once."
"I do not wish to leave you behind, either, friend Ashe. But I must. The half-blood children are leaving, and they are the ones I am studying. My father and my uncle will not allow me to return."
"But," Ashe argued.
"I know. I feel the same," Ren studied his feet. Ashe looked at Ren's feet as well, noticing for perhaps the first time that the tall blue youth wore sandals made of woven fibers.
"Ren, we haven't had enough time together," Ashe mumbled. "I want to be your friend—always."
"Then we will remain friends always, Ashe. I will remember you as long as I live."
"Same here," Ashe said.
"I must go." Ren disappeared.
"Damn," Ashe muttered.
* * *
"We can't even give them snacks to take with them," Adele said as she, Ashe and Aedan walked through the field behind their home the following evening. Director Jennings had arranged to move the families as soon as the vampires were awake. Winkler, Trace, Jason and the other two wolves were already helping the families load into several black SUVs that the Director had sent to collect them.
"This is so messed up," Ashe said softly. His skin was itching, just as it had been when he'd known his mother was in trouble. "Dad, they shouldn't be going."
"Son, the Director is calling the shots. We cannot interfere."
"But Dad," Ashe breathed, scratching at his arms.
"They have as much protection as anyone can give them. And Mr. Winkler and his wolves are going with them, just in case."
"Dude," Sali trotted up, leaving Marcus and Denise behind. "This is so messed up," Sali echoed Ashe's words as he stared at drivers and agents loading bags into cargo areas. Edward handed his backpack to an agent, who tossed it in with his father's bag.
"Come on, Sali. We have to say good-bye," Ashe trotted toward the SUV before Edward could climb inside.
"Ashe," Edward looked up as the two boys approached. "Sali."
"Edward, I, uh," Ashe didn't know what to say. He felt so uncomfortable; his skin continued to itch and he had no words to say, suddenly.
"Yeah," Edward nodded, staring at his feet. "I just, well, I never had such good friends before."
"We hate this," Sali said. "You should be able to stay."
Ashe blinked as he looked up at Edward—Elizabeth's ghost was standing at Edward's shoulder, making the same gesture she'd made inside Luanne's bedroom.
"She's here," Luanne came to stand beside Edward.
"Lizzie?" Edward whirled to stare at Luanne.
"Yeah. Right behind us," Luanne breathed. "She keeps doing that gesture thing. I have no idea what that means."
"It's kind of creepy," Edward shivered.
"What?" Sali didn't understand.
"Elizabeth's ghost," Ashe said. "She's been hanging around ever since, well, ever since." Ashe shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders.
"You guys see a ghost?" Sali's eyes were wide and he took a step back.
"Sal, she hasn't done anything," Ashe said. "And only Luanne and I can see her, I thi
nk."
"She isn't dangerous," Luanne agreed. "She just keeps holding her arms out like this," Luanne copied the gesture, stretching her arms out and then pulling them upward until her hands were nearly touching, high over her head. "Nobody knows what that means," Luanne dropped her arms.
"Looks a little silly," Edward nodded.
"Everybody into the vehicles," Bill Jennings barked orders.
"Ashe, I wish we could stay," Luanne leaned forward and hugged Ashe tightly.
"Yeah," Ashe was stunned when Luanne let him go.
"Ashe," Edward stepped forward and awkwardly offered another hug. Ashe clapped Edward on the shoulder and stepped back.
"Take care, man," Sali held out a hand. Edward took it briefly and nodded once to the young werewolf.
"Ashe," Bryce and Keith had come to say good-bye. Ashe copied Sali, offering his hand. In minutes, all of them were loaded into waiting SUVs and doors were closed. Philip and his mother loaded in last of all; Ashe watched as Philip sullenly climbed into the back seat of the SUV and sat beside his mother.
* * *
Pierce and Hilbah waited for Diamond and Ruby to return with carryout from a local restaurant. The time had been set and they had more than an hour before the children were scheduled to arrive, but Pierce was hungry and if they didn't return soon, there might not be enough time to eat. Pierce was angry and out of sorts while Hilbah sat huddled in a corner of the cellar, lit only by a camping lantern that Pierce had supplied. Hilbah stared intently at Pierce. It made Pierce uncomfortable. He was ready to snap at Hilbah when the strange, point-eared man spoke.
"Your death will come at the hands of one you know," Hilbah said softly, his eyes glowing strangely in the lantern light. The gun was in Pierce's hand and Hilbah was dead before Pierce even realized what he'd done.
"That saves us having to kill him; he was worthless anyway," Diamond handed over a bag from the restaurant. Pierce pocketed the gun he'd stolen from Nick Lawford and accepted the bag of take-out without a word.
* * *
"Is the ghost still here?" Sali asked as they watched five dark SUVs drive toward the entrance to Cloud Chief.
"It got in the car with Luanne," Ashe said, shaking his head over the oddity.
"Son," Aedan's hand dropped onto Ashe's shoulder, "Take Sali to the gate but not beyond, hear me? You can wave good-bye from there."
Ashe searched his father's eyes. "You mean I can mist us there?"
"I'm giving you permission," Aedan smiled.
"All right," Sali pumped his fist. In seconds, Ashe and Sali were mist and blazing toward Cloud Chief's hidden entrance.
* * *
"This is Sorrel's work. Strong, but it won't keep us out," the warlock muttered, pulling back the dark magic he'd employed to detect the barrier. "Ready?" he glanced at the line of six others, male and female, that stood beside him. "Then let's begin," the warlock said as each one nodded.
* * *
Ashe kept pace with the lead SUV, where Winkler and Director Jennings rode with Philip and Jackie Raymond, before ranging ahead to rematerialize beside the gate. The vehicles were nearly there and Ashe and Sali had hands raised to wave good-bye when the witch's shield fell and the first hurled firebomb upended Director Jennings' SUV.
Chapter 18
Aedan barely had time to register Ashe's mindspeech as he and Nathan raced toward the blast. Marcus and many other werewolves were running as well, but they were far behind the two vampires.
"The shield is down!" Adele shouted to others who'd ran or driven up. "Marcie's on the phone; she and Jason heard the blast in Cordell and the Cordell Fire Department is on the way. This is awful," Adele waved her cell phone in the air.
"Come on, we may need to help," Denise DeLuca drove up and flung a car door open. Adele climbed inside Denise's small car and held on while Denise sped toward the gate.
* * *
Sali went to werewolf, Ashe turned to mist. Winkler was climbing out of the overturned SUV and Ashe registered that he was swiftly turning to wolf as well. Two warlocks hurled more fireblasts at the SUVs, but those vehicles were attempting to get around the one that carried the Raymonds and Director Jennings.
Winkler tore into one of the warlocks and Sali, seizing the opportunity, leapt at the witch who was attempting to help the warlock against Winkler. Aedan and Nathan ran up at that moment, even as a hurled fireblast hit another SUV.
Think fast, Ashe, filtered into Ashe's misty brain—it was a voice he didn't recognize—it sounded adult, and Ashe only knew of one adult with mindspeech—Edward's father, Steven Pendley. This wasn't Steven Pendley. Making up his mind swiftly, Ashe flashed from one SUV to another, lifting all the teens and their parents inside his mist.
Jason, Trace and the other werewolves, along with Director Jennings' agent-drivers, pelted from SUVs, the werewolves turning to wolf, the agents with guns drawn. Director Jennings was the only one who didn't move; he was unconscious, his head cut and bloody. At the last moment, Ashe lifted the unconscious Director in his mist as well. Unsure where to take the children and adults he carried at first, Ashe turned in a complete circle while he desperately searched for a solution to the dilemma.
* * *
"The plan's been compromised!" Wildrif's voice screeched into Diamond's cell. "The warlock and his people are fighting for their lives. You'll have to take the children away yourselves."
Diamond nodded to Ruby, and he and his brother each grasped one of Pierce's arms and disappeared before Pierce had an opportunity to shout at either of them.
* * *
"We're on our way." Rend, the Dark King's Destroyer, ended the call he'd gotten from Wildrif—it was almost identical to the one Diamond had gotten from the wild-eyed clairvoyant. "Come on, those stupid spell-casters have managed to muck this up," Rend informed his three brothers. "Sorry, it will expend too much energy if we take you along," Rend informed Josiah and the six werewolves that stood before him. "Here's your money," Rend tossed a heavy bag to Josiah. "We'll be in touch." Rend, Slash, Grind and Crush all disappeared before Josiah could say a word.
* * *
"Quick, get in the storm shelter," Ashe had carried all his passengers to the shelter between mobile homes. They'd never used it until now, but it was built of strong material and buried in the ground, with a thick door that could be latched once they were inside. Ashe could still hear the noise of fireblasts being hurled at the entrance to Cloud Chief, while werewolves, vampires and a few shapeshifters attempted to fight off rogue spell-casters. Steven Pendley and Rocky Hill carried Director Jennings between them; the Director still hadn't wakened.
"Hurry," Luanne and Edward were lifting the shelter's heavy door so the others could get inside. Bryce, Keith and Macy helped shaky mothers down steep steps after Director Jennings was taken in first.
"Son, shouldn't you come with us?" Michael Caldwell, Keith and Bryce's father placed a hand on Ashe's shoulder.
"I need to check on Sali," Ashe winced as another fireblast exploded at the gate.
"I'm not going in there," Philip Raymond announced as his mother attempted to pull him down the shelter's narrow steps. Smoke from burning grass filtered past as Ashe stared at Philip Raymond. Philip backed away from the shelter entrance, refusing to go inside with his mother.
"Dang," Ashe breathed and prepared to mist Philip inside the storm shelter.
"You stupid," the sentence wasn't finished as a voice shouted directly behind Ashe. Jackie Raymond screamed as a bullet tore through her shoulder. Ashe whirled to find the man who'd attacked him and his mother inside Cordell Feed and Seed. Behind that man stood two others Ashe didn't recognize, and both were just as shocked at what the man had done as Ashe was. None of them, however, were expecting what happened next.
Philip had been angry for a very long time, and his anger found an outlet that night. Turning to mountain lion, Philip hurled himself at the one who'd once called himself Philip's father. Philip Raymond Sr. had been a CIA spy for many years b
efore going rogue and acting as a double agent. Until he'd been discovered. He'd disappeared after that, and Jackie Raymond had tearfully lied to her son, telling him that his father was dead.
Now, Philip slashed and clawed at Philip Raymond Sr.'s throat, even as the gun his father carried fired. Ashe and the others watched in horror as father and son fell to the ground, dead of their wounds. Jackie Raymond kept screaming as four more men appeared from nothing, immediately engaging the first two strangers in a firebombing battle. Only these blasts were fifty times more deadly than those hurled by the warlocks and witches at Cloud Chief's entrance.
A mobile home behind Ashe was hit and tossed high into the air, exploding with a resounding boom that flung Ashe to his knees and forced him to cover his ears. Michael Caldwell dragged a weeping, bleeding Jackie Raymond toward the shelter as the battle continued around them. Another mobile home blew apart as Ashe struggled to stand. The remaining homes were hit and exploded while Ashe watched the battle between Dark Destroyers and Bright Jewels. He ducked flaming debris as it blasted outward and rained from a smoke-filled sky. A fireball was aimed directly at him and he was prepared to turn to mist when everything slowed and then stopped in midair.
"What the?" Ashe could move, but everything else had stopped where it was. Ducking away from the fireball that had almost reached him, Ashe studied it in terrified curiosity. He could have walked between other fireblasts if he'd chosen to do so; the fireballs hung in midair between combatants.
"We must hurry; there is little time. If I suspend everything for more than a few of your Earth minutes, others might suspect and attempt to undo what I have done."
Ashe nearly jumped at the eight-and-a-half-foot blue giant that appeared at his side. "Ren?" he whispered, stunned at the sight of his friend, who was now an adult.
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