by R. Lee Walsh
“In addition, it seems that graffiti related to the notorious Eastside Anaheim street gang has mysteriously disappeared overnight. Thousands of buildings, bridges, walls and street signs appear to have been wiped clean of all EA symbols, furthering speculation as to what exactly transpired between Fernando Cabrera and the EA.”
“He's taking it back,” Yuri says suddenly, startling her.
She elbows him hard. “Don't sneak up on me like that!”
Ignoring her, he stares at the television. “Whatever this Cabrera guy says today, you can bet this is just the beginning.”
Scowling, Peach looks at Robbie, then motions for Yuri to follow her out of earshot by the front window.
“What do you mean, the beginning?”
Yuri shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “It all makes sense now.”
Growing irate, she points her finger in his chest. “Spill it Gitano. I mean it.”
Brushing her hand away, he turns to face the front window, watching an elderly couple walk by. Exasperated, Peach is about to rip that new stud from his nose when he glances back toward the kitchen speaking in a low voice.
“Last time we spoke, Riley said we needed more help. I disagreed because I thought he was talking about the Sheva since he still has contacts with them.”
“Since when?” she responds, her face turning deeply red. The Sheva are Irin traitors who chose to abandon their way of life in favor of human living. Giving up all but longevity, the only reason they're allowed to remain at all is because they've sworn never to reveal themselves or breed with humans. But especially never to interfere or harm an Irin. The penalty for any infraction of the treaty is eternal fire.
“Since always. I thought you knew.”
Peach pauses to collect herself. If Riley kept in contact with the Sheva without telling her, then what other secrets might he be keeping? “So, if he wasn't talking about the Sheva--you think he meant the gangs?”
“Obviously he's up to something. Plus, if you'll recall, this entire region was once part of his territory. He loved it here.”
“But people died. We're not allowed to kill.”
“Anymore,” he replies softly, staring into her eyes. In the time Before many humans were killed at the hands of corrupted Irin. So many in fact, that the survival of mankind itself was in jeopardy. A bloody war raged between the Irin, which resulted in a new world order. The corrupted were defeated and the victors signed a treaty with humans, ensuring this could never happen again. “You yourself said things are changing.”
“Yeah, but you don't think he's …?” she whispers, feeling the need to defend him. “He would never--”
“Of course not,” he interrupts. “All I'm saying is that if our powers are becoming more visible, then it stands to reason his are too. War is coming and there's no one I trust more when it comes to strategy. Whatever he's up to, the only thing we can do is wait for him to fill us in.”
Glancing toward Robbie, he pushes Peach toward the kitchen. “Now go make us some food and try not to scare the help.”
“Robbie?” she snorts. “He couldn't care less what I think.”
Narrowing his eyes, he elbows her lightly. “Wake up. He came back to guard this place because he doesn't care?”
Frowning, Peach leaves him at the window to go to the kitchen. Robbie's already in the cooler pulling eggs and butter from the shelves, handing them to her without comment. Taking them, she pulls a pan down from the rack, starting breakfast.
After they've eaten, she leaves him and Yuri with the clean up, then goes to the office to distract herself with paperwork. There are two deliveries before noon and she wants them out of the way before the news conference. Rounding Toby's desk she finds a second set of clothes sitting on his chair. She doesn't even bother looking around. Muttering a four letter word, she moves the clothes to the desk, then focuses on the task at hand.
The office phone rings, the shrill sound startling her. She answers before it rings again.
“You're in early.”
“Oh, hey Tob. How's your family?”
A half hour and a thousand repeated instructions later, she hangs up, rubbing her hands through her hair. Why did she volunteer to do this? Suddenly three weeks seems like eternity. Sighing, she stands and picks up her clothes, heading back through the kitchen. She hears Robbie and Yuri whispering and finds them doing prep work together. They stop talking when she appears.
“Going to change,” she says, looking between them. “Let me know if the delivery truck comes in.”
“Sure,” Yuri replies without turning around. He motions vaguely at the clock hanging over the pass through. Eleven thirty. “Better hurry.”
Chapter Eight
The first hours of a hostile takeover are crucial. To start with, the element of surprise is absolutely essential.
“How did you know it was me?” Mannuel asks Riley, sitting on the front steps of his house.
Leaning back to absorb the sunshine, Riley watches as more and more people continue to venture out on the streets. Little Pedro and his cousins, Christina and Angelique, lie coloring on the crumbling driveway with colored chalk.
“I saw the mark on his shoulder when he approached me in the park. From there it was just a matter of following him home. Plus, they look just like you.”
The children giggle and Mannuel watches their innocent play with a grandfather's pride. “What about them?” he asks.
“You knew the rules, Mannuel. Your kind were allowed to remain here as long as you didn't interfere with the natural order and children are specifically forbidden. They may be innocents now, but it doesn't change what they are. Your grandsons are a prime example of what happens when the two races mix.”
“They're not all bad,” Mannuel pleads, his hands shaking. He had twelve children, all of them extremely violent. Not one is still alive. He had such hopes that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be different, that diluting the blood would solve the problem. Sheva blood now ran through thousands in L.A alone.
“Your grandsons didn't even know what they were until I explained it!” Riley growls at Mannuel. “This is not our world! It belongs to those born to it. Once again we have ignorant half breeds running loose and everything we fought so hard to protect has once again been corrupted. There are reasons we aren't permitted to breed with humans! Wanting something you can't have doesn't mean you can just take it. Have you forgotten what it was like Before? Our children were monsters that nearly wiped out the human race. They had to be exterminated.”
Hanging his head, Mannuel fights to maintain his composure. He knows the penalty for breaking the treaty. Not just eternal fire for himself, but death to his entire family along with every corrupted Irin.
“Please,” he begs glancing toward his precious great-grandchildren. “You can see for yourself-they're not like the others. There must be something--anything I can do to save at least some of them.”
Riley straightens, leaning his massive forearms on his knees. He looks over at the children then squints at Mannuel. Contrary to what others might believe, he knows all too well what it means to love a human.
“Maybe there is.”
“Anything. I swear it,” Mannuel says, holding his breath.
“The way I see it, neutral is no longer an option. You're either with us or against us. As the leader of the Sheva, your answer is binding on all of them.”
Mannuel sighs, nodding his head. He looks around his neighborhood, his brow furrowed. “If I agree, do you swear to protect us? All of us?”
“This is war. You know I can't guarantee they'll survive, but I can promise that as long as they swear allegiance with us, no Irin will attack them.”
Mannuel swallows the lump in his throat. The offer's more than generous. In the old days there'd be no negotiation--they'd already be wiped out. The fear and guilt that have plagued him since the birth of his first child has just offered him a reprieve. They both know he'd be a fool
not to take it.
Mannuel offers his arm to Riley, reciting the ancient words that bind the Sheva to the Irin. Clasping each other's forearm, they embrace as brothers, and an electrical charge passes between them. After millennia of a half life with only longevity and being impervious to mortal injury, Irin power once again courses through Mannuel, a gift that he will transfer to his grandchildren first, then the others.
“I gotta go,” Riley says, releasing Mannuel's arm. “Meet me at the press conference in a half hour. Tell Roberto to stay with Peach until I get there.”
“That reminds me. Robbie said she has a male visitor with her today. Tall. Blue hair?”
Frowning, Riley looks off into the distance. “He say what his name was?”
Mannuel pauses, hesitant to even speak his name. “Yuri.”
Riley grins. “This day just keeps getting better. Wait--then who's with the Last Descendant?”
“I was going to ask you the same question.”
His expression darkening, Riley hurries toward his iron horse. No matter what else is going on the girl is their first priority. Without her, none of this even matters. There's no way Yuri would leave her without ample protection, but still he feels guilty for pulling him away from her even briefly. Perhaps he should have called Yuri sooner.
Waving goodbye to the children, he starts his bike feeling an energy he hasn't felt since Before. In the last three days he's assembled an Irin army, and with the Sheva's help, the impossible just got a little closer.
For Yuri to come here, even temporarily, means Peach is freaking out. Grinning from ear to ear he roars down the 91 Freeway, anticipating her expression when he strolls into the T-Bird this afternoon.
Chapter Nine
“Sign here,” the delivery man Lonnie says, handing Peach a clipboard. It's 11:58 and she's practically chased him back and forth to his truck, helping him unload the weekly delivery. Scribbling her signature, she pushes him out the back door, slamming it behind him.
Racing back to the bar, Peach stands with Yuri and Robbie, staring at the television screen. Luckily, the T-Bird is only open for lunch on weekends, so they should have no more interruptions until the other staff begins arriving at three.
“You alright?” Yuri asks, elbowing her playfully.
“Shut up,” she snaps. “You know, you could have helped with the delivery.”
“True, but I'm supposed to be incognito. Technically, I'm not even here.”
Rolling her eyes, she takes a calming breath, then focuses on the TV. Robbie and Yuri exchange an amused glance which only makes her fume more. Somewhere in the last hour they've become fast friends and it's obvious they're sharing a private joke at her expense.
“Here it comes,” she says, pointing the remote at the television.
Standing behind a podium in front of the hospital, the Los Angeles police chief makes his opening statement.
“While we still have more details to confirm, Mr. Cabrera has volunteered to share inside information about criminal activity throughout the area. In exchange for his cooperation we have agreed to allow him to make a formal public statement, after which we will attempt to answer your questions.”
The crowd of reporters falls silent, sans flashbulbs, as Fernando Cabrera is led to the podium. Limping, he's so badly beaten, his features are nearly indistinguishable. Surrounded by police officers, he steadies himself with one hand on the podium, the other arm in a sling wrapped in bandages. He bows his head for a moment, then clears his throat, staring up at the camera.
“I'm speaking now to my family. Those in the EA and to every banda who hears my voice. There can be no more bloodshed. It matters not what barrio or banda you are pledged in, we will all suffer for even one small act made by any gang member and the punishment will be severe. A week from now there will be a reunión. I urge each and every one of you to attend. In the meantime, every trace of banda related graffiti must be erased.”
He pauses, appearing exhausted from this short speech. Before reporters can start shouting questions, he once again speaks.
“And to the citizens of Los Angeles, I extend my apology. As Padrone of the EA, I am responsible for the acts of my people. I cannot change the past and I do not expect your forgiveness. I only ask for your patience as we attempt to right a terrible wrong. Que se termine.”
Signaling the end of his statement, the cacophony of reporters erupts.
Visibly shaken, Robbie rubs his bandaged hand. Peach reaches over to pat his arm. “You should go be with your family.”
“No,” he responds without looking at her. “But I think I'll go get some air.”
Yuri and Peach watch him go, waiting until they hear the back door slam.
“What the hell can Riley be thinking?” Peach explodes. “They all suffer for the act of one? Since when are we the judge and jury? We're supposed to be in Portland right now, not waging war against every gang in the country. Even if we had an army here, there's no way to enforce any of that!”
While she rants Yuri watches the screen, listening as reporters fire questions. Cabrera remains eerily calm, his gaze steady as he tries to respond to shouted questions. The camera angle changes to encompass the audience and a familiar face is briefly caught on camera, standing at the edge of the crowd. Time has not been kind to him, but there's no mistaking the leader of the Sheva. Stunned, Yuri glances toward the kitchen. The similarities are unmistakeable. Son of a…
“I should probably go,” he says. “I need to get back to Portland.”
“Are you nuts?” Peach shrieks, pointing at the television. “Did you not see what just happened?”
“I did,” he nods, forcing himself to remain calm. The Sheva have broken the pact and obviously Riley's aware of it. The question is how many other abominations are there?
The back door opens and closes, alerting them to the return of Robbie. Peach steps toward Yuri, speaking fast and low. “Before the week is out, every gang in this city will be at war. I didn't want to believe it before, but it's obvious Riley's gone rogue and you're the only one who can stop him. I swear to God if you walk out that door now, I'll--”
“You'll what?” Riley interrupts, standing in the kitchen doorway. Mannuel and Robbie are with him. He nods once in greeting, then raises an eyebrow at Yuri. “Nice hair.”
Entirely undone, Peach storms toward Riley, her eyes flashing neon green fire. “You!” she shouts. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?”
Mannuel and Robbie back up slightly, exchanging a worried look. “Maybe we should wait until you two are done talking,” Mannuel says, motioning for Robbie to follow him back into the kitchen. Peach waits until they're out of earshot. Riley meets her glare, his expression all innocence.
“Rogue? Please. Where's the trust?”
“It disappeared with all my stuff!”
“I was doing you a favor. It's already back in Portland.”
Shoving him in the chest, she howls with frustration, then paces next to the bar. “This isn't a game, Riley! The whole city's in an uproar and don't tell me you had nothing to do with it. That nice old man who just ran out of here? Fernando Cabrera is his grandson. I know you don't care but I do. These people are my friends!”
“Huh. Funny, you never mentioned being friends with the Sheva.”
Gaping, she looks to Yuri for his support.
“How many are there?” Yuri asks, glaring at Riley.
“Nationwide? Close to a quarter million.”
Yuri blanches, running his hands through his hair. “This is a disaster. We don't have time for this.”
“How many what?” Peach interjects. “What are you talking about?”
“Perhaps now would be a good time to properly introduce us,” Mannuel interrupts, returning from the kitchen. Robbie follows, standing behind him.
Riley sighs, motioning to Mannuel. “Peach, meet El Cabecilla Cabrera, former King of the Sheva.”
Peach feels the blood leave her head even as
fire rises up in her belly. “You're lying,” she hisses. Unlike Riley and Yuri, she's never met the ancient Sheva. After the war they disappeared with the mutual understanding that they stay clear of the Irin. She glances over at Robbie and the gravity of this situation finally sinks in. A quarter million Sheva children?
“What have you done?” she shrieks at Mannuel. “The penalty for corruption is death for all of them!”
Mannuel winces, but holds his ground. “Former.”
“Former what?”
“Sheva,” Riley interjects, moving to stand between them. “They've sworn allegiance back to the Irin.”
Yuri stares at Mannuel, the pieces falling into place in his mind. A quarter million Sheva children sworn to the Irin.
An army.
Vibrating with outrage, Peach crosses her arms over her chest. Even though he's technically a criminal, there's nothing they can do to Mannuel or his family. To attack them now would be to harm a sworn Irin. Even she won't risk eternal fire. “You're still a criminal,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Fair enough,” Mannuel nods, glancing at Yuri.
Ignoring him, Yuri focuses on Peach. He's never seen her this enraged. While he admits what Riley accomplished here is nothing short of miraculous, it will take time for all of them to accept this change. He's also worried that Riley pushed Peach too far this time, even if it was just part of their stupid games. “Hey, lets go take a ride,” he says to her. “Before I head back to Portland.”
“I got work to do,” she mutters, stalking toward the kitchen. Everyone moves to let her pass.
“Let me handle her,” Riley says. “She'll be fine in a couple days.”