by J W Kiefer
Jared’s eyes went from disbelief to anger in a flash. He lifted the sword up and glared at the still glowing blade. He gritted his teeth and growled audibly at the weapon. To Jeremy and Sanctuary, it looked like he was only staring at the weapon. Both men knew that Jared was having it out with Tzedakah through the mental bond they shared.
Out in the cold night, sirens wailed.
“I hate to break up this touching moment,” Jeremy said, “but we really need to go.”
More sirens could be heard now closer and coming from many directions, and the people who had been controlled by Dominion were beginning to stir.
“Now would be preferable.”
Sanctuary turned and put his hand on Jared’s shoulder. “We need to go. Your issue with each other can be addressed somewhere more private.”
Jared blinked his eyes and looked up at Sanctuary as Tzedakah’s glow faded. “We agree. Who are you, anyway?”
“Introductions and pleasantries can wait till we are far from here.” He turned his gaze from Jared to the sword. “If you would be so kind, please teleport us away from here before we are discovered by the humans.”
Tzedakah’s radiance flared until the energy exploded in a bright blue flash. A cop car followed by an ambulance pulled into the parking lot just as the flash blinked out. The police officers shielded their eyes from the light burst and slammed on their breaks, the ambulance screeching to a halt behind them. When they were finally able to see again, the three men had vanished.
Thirty-Six
Still agitated from her confrontation with Steve, Dana headed for her car. While she had a hard time fathoming that he was involved with Jared’s murder, but she couldn’t ignore the very loud warning screams of her instincts every time he came around. She made it halfway to her car before she heard an explosion thunder in the distance.
She scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the noise. Car alarms blared somewhere in the distance and she heard the faint sounds of sirens. The other officers stopped packing up their gear and they looked slightly confused as they discussed what they had just heard. She cautiously made her way to where they were congregating.
“Did anyone see what happened?” she asked.
Officer Lee shook his head. “Sounded to me like an explosion and possible impact tremor.”
Lee’s alert but composed demeanor told Dana that he was a combat veteran. Most of the remaining officers seemed unsure of what to do and meandered around talking quietly amongst themselves.
Suddenly Lee pointed to the sky at about two o’clock. “There. It’s a bit of a ways off, but I think I saw residual flashes that could have come from an explosion.”
Dana turned to look in the direction Lee was pointing and what she saw was so absurd, that at first, she did not believe her eyes. Forks of blue-black lightning streaked up from the ground, striking an object hovering in the air. The light show was brilliant and fantastic and easily visible for miles around.
Just as quickly as the dazzling display of radiance had begun, it ended.
“Did everyone else just see that?” a female officer asked.
A few officers murmured replies. Then everyone’s radios and cell phones went off at once.
“All available officers, 10-33 at the Red Roof Inn on 590 Fairview Street. Officers and emergency services already on route,” said a calm female voice.
Dana glanced down at her phone and saw a text from dispatch and knew at once it was about whatever they had just witnessed. “Okay, everyone,” she said, “head to your vehicles and let dispatch know you are on route. Lee, do you have a cruiser with you?”
He shook his head and pointed to the female officer who had spoken earlier. “I’m with Dawes, ma’am.”
“Dawes, can I borrow your partner for a few?” Dana asked her.
The woman nodded. “He’s all yours, Detective.”
“Thanks,” she said. “Come on, Lee, I am over here.”
Lee fell in line with her, confirming her guess that he was former military. Before they had even gotten halfway to where Dana had parked her sedan, they heard a faint noise that sounded like a roar followed by another loud clap. Both officers stopped dead in their tracks and turned back to face the direction they had originally seen the lightning.
“I don’t see anything,” Lee said quietly after a few seconds of scanning the horizon. “Whatever made that noise must be below our field of view.”
“Agreed.” Dana turned and quickened her pace. “We better get moving.”
As the two officers headed away, neither of them noticed the dark figure that watched them from the shadows. Steve had also heard the explosion and had come out to investigate.
It was obvious the cops were riled up about something. Every single one was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. As Dana and her new friend got in her car, a wonderful thought popped into his mind. He could solve the Dana problem right here and now.
Binghamton was obviously in chaos at the moment. What better time was there to strike? After all, if the explosion he’d heard was some kind of terrorist attack, then the deaths of two random police officers would most likely be attributed to that and not investigated any deeper. He would have to kill both her and the officer with her, and that was impulsive. He had promised himself he was going to be less impulsive. But… he could always work on that tomorrow.
Pointing in the direction of the two officers, he imagined a blade made of dark energy shooting from his fingertips. Nothing happened. He turned his hand over and stared at it, confused. He was certain he had imagined the same knife he’d conjured before, so why had it not manifested?
The first time had been effortless, so he doubted it was from a lack of effort. He tried again, concentrating harder this time just for good measure, and was met with the same result. Frustrated since his prey was about to get away, he grimaced and examined his hand again. Perhaps if he thought back on what he had been doing and thinking when it had first manifested, he could discover what he was doing wrong.
Steve tapped his lips. “Well, all I remember thinking was how much fun it would be to kill Dana.”
As soon as the feelings of anticipation entered his consciousness, dark energy tingled in his hands. Smirking, he again raised his hand and pointed it at the unsuspecting officers. This time a thin dark blade coalesced from the shadows.
Dana and the other officer were in the car now with the engine started, so he changed his aim to one of the back tires. His plan was to blow out a tire, forcing them to exit the car directly in his kill zone. At least, so he thought. He really had no idea what the range was to his new weapon, but today was as good a day as any to test its limits.
He made his hand into the shape of a gun. Just as he suspected, the blade warped to his imagination and extended out past his index finger, allowing him to better aim the shadow blade. He closed one eye and aimed for the back tire facing him.
“Boom,” he said as he lowered his thumb.
The shadow blade exploded silently from his fingertip and raced toward the car. Before the darkness had gone two yards, it was intercepted and deflected by a glowing purple and black thin sword. As soon as Steve’s eyes registered the newcomer, he felt a slight breeze pass by his body that ruffled his hair.
Unfazed, Steve lowered his arm and cocked his head to one side. The man was absolutely absurd. He was clad in black with a large-brimmed hat with a red feather sticking out of it and dressed as if he belonged at the Renaissance Faire. He replaced his rapier in the scabbard on his hip and smiled at him maliciously. Steve was instantly struck by the man’s nightmare black eyes.
Steve was in awe of the man’s obvious strength. He could sense it emanating from him in waves of power. The man watched the two officers speed off down the road. As soon as they were safely out of view, he scrutinized Steve with his dark eyes.
“Well now, what do we have here?” he said. “I see you have grown since last I saw you, infant.”
Steve squinted suspiciously and allowed the dark energy to form in his fingertips again. “You’re like that damn China man who was following me, aren’t you?”
The Musketeer laughed out loud. “China man? Monsieur, how absolutely delightful. I have not laughed so hard in a siècle. Well, in your tongue, I think it is a century. In a fashion, I suppose that I am. I am, how you say, more…” He snapped his fingers. “Malevolent. Yes, that is a good word for it.”
Steve tried to process what was happening to him. He had supernatural powers and he was pretty sure he knew where they came from, but this… this was just bizarre. He really had to wonder if he’d finally lost it.
“Are you real?” he asked.
The Musketeer smiled at Steve the way a cat would a mouse. “Am I real? Monsieur, you have the ability to conjure shadow weapons and you ask if I am real?”
“Well, can you blame me? Your manner of dress is a bit… out of date. Besides, I was raised Christian. Demons and angels I get, but you, now that is something new entirely.”
The Musketeer waved away Steve’s confusion. “My boy, there is much about the universe you do not know, but now is not the time for teaching. Let me ask you, what were you planning on doing to those two policiers?”
“I was going to kill them.”
When Steve declined further elaboration, the Musketeer said, “Oh, mon ami, you really are such a blunt instrument.”
Not sure if he was being insulted, Steve shrugged. “Why did you stop me?”
“Because, my boy, now is not the time for killing dear Dana. You need only be patient a little while longer.”
Steve was not sure who or what this man was or what his intentions were. That made him nervous. He casually put a hand behind his back and allowed the dark energy to build up in his fingertips just in case.
As if the man could read his thoughts, he turned around so his back was facing Steve and raised both hands up. “If you think you can hit me, then go ahead and strike.”
Steve’s eyes went wide as the man suddenly vanished. Before he even had time to wonder where the man had gone, he felt a sharp object pressing against the small of his back. It was at that very moment that Steve realized just how outmatched he truly was. A fear like he had never experienced before petrified him.
The tip of the Musketeer’s rapier bit into his skin as the man leaned closer to speak in Steve’s ear. “As fun as this little distraction is, mon ami, time is ticking away, and our window of opportunity is short. Now listen to me very carefully since I will not be repeating myself. Find a woman you fancy and go be a blunt instrument. When you do, he will sense it and he will come; and when he does, you will understand why I stopped you tonight.”
Steve managed to stutter, “Who will come?”
But there was no reply.
It took him some time to dare turn around to see if the man was truly gone. His heart was still racing from the confrontation. Whoever the Musketeer was, one thing was certain: he was no ordinary human being. Steve could still feel the spiritual echoes left by his immense power.
The words the Musketeer had said right before he vanished resounded in his mind. “Find a woman you fancy and go be a blunt instrument.”
That was simple enough. It was time to go hunting. The night was waning fast and he was dying to try out his newly discovered powers.
So with a smile, he stalked off into the shadows.
Thirty-Seven
Jeremy threw up again. He hated teleporting, and twice in one night was definitely a record for him. Since he was from the city, he had no idea where they were. He did recognize that they were on the roof of a rather tall building. Of course, “tall” was relative. Compared to the lofty skyscrapers of downtown Manhattan, even the tallest buildings here looked small.
“We are still in town,” observed Sanctuary. “I had hoped for a destination that was farther away, but this will do for now.”
“At least Dominion is gone. For the moment.” Jeremy sat in the corner with his eyes closed, holding his stomach and feeling miserable. “That’s something anyway.”
Jared stared out at the night sky. It was late or early, depending on your perspective. Soon the sun would be cresting the eastern horizon and the day would begin for the ordinary people of New York’s Southern Tier. He still could not get Joe’s terrified expression out of his mind. No matter what argument anyone made, he knew it was his fault the young man was dead.
Sanctuary placed his large hand on his shoulder. “Jared, I am sorry it took me so long to find you. I was detained. What has Tzedakah told you so far?”
Jared continued to stare off into space lost in his own thoughts. It took him a minute to realize that someone had spoken to him. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Sanctuary scrutinized him for a few seconds before he spoke again. “It was nothing important. How are you adjusting?”
“To being a murdering monster? Not well.” He spat.
“Jared, it is not as it seems. You are not a murderer; in fact, you are the farthest thing from it.”
“Tell that to the young man whose arms I cut off,” he retorted. “Oh, that’s right. You can’t; he’s dead.”
“That was not your fault,” Jeremy interjected.
Jared turned on him. “Oh really? How about the teenager back at the convenience store? Was he my fault?”
Jeremy had no idea what to say to comfort him, so he went back to nursing his nauseated stomach.
“What is it Tzedakah has told you?” Sanctuary asked.
Jared glared at his sword. “Not much. It keeps trying to invade my mind and I don’t like that. I never liked alcohol—never even tried drugs—because I don’t like the feeling like I’m out of control. These mental intrusions are a thousand times worse.”
“I see. Now I understand why it took control of your actions earlier. Unfortunately, there was probably no other way for it to protect you. You were in more danger than you realized, and even though Jeremy is a fine fellow, I am sure he was very much out of his depth.”
“I’m sitting right here, you know,” Jeremy said. “Yeah, he is a bit full of himself, isn’t he?” This last statement was directed to the sky.
“Tzedakah’s actions may seem harsh,” Sanctuary continued, “but I can assure you, they are absolutely just. In fact, Tzedakah is the living embodiment of justice, and every action it takes is for that purpose and that purpose alone. To mortal perceptions, justice can at times seem harsh and unfair, but justice is the one force in the entire universe that is absolutely and always impartial.”
“So, it was just for that young man to die?” Jared asked incredulously. “He was being controlled by a demon and had no idea what he was doing. How could his death be justice? I don’t buy it.”
Sanctuary grimaced. “Jared, not all things are as they seem. To a normal mortal, possession is frightening and incomprehensible. It is the stuff of nightmares and legends, but in reality, it is not so mysterious. To be frank, no one can be possessed if they do not want to be. Yes, it is a process of influences and persuasion that steers a person toward an eventual destination, but in the end, the person must follow willingly.”
Jared fell silent. The situation still seemed wrong to him, but he had to concede that there was much about the universe he did not understand. The fact that he was alive and walking around was confirmation of that. Even so, killing people like this did not sit well with him.
He turned his head slightly and looked at Sanctuary out of the corner of his eye. “And what about what Tzedakah does to me?”
The big man pursed his lips. “That is a different matter entirely and will require a bit more explanation.”
Jared shook his head. “I thought you’d say something like that. Who or what are you, anyway?”
“I have many names, but you may call me Sanctuary.”
“Yeah, of all of God’s minions, he is the one who is the most meddlesome,” Jeremy said. “And you don’t have to take my word for it. You wi
ll see for yourself before long. Ask him what happened to the last person he ‘helped.’”
“That is enough, Jeremy,” Sanctuary chastised. “Your problems with me have no bearing on the current situation. You and I both know the severity of what it is he is facing.”
Jared could feel Tzedakah in his head. He had not completely forgiven the sword for its earlier intrusion, but he was beginning to see that it was important that they find a way to work together. Whether he liked it or not, this was his new reality, and he had to find a way to cope.
“I apologize for taking control of your body,” Tzedakah said, sensing how Jared’s mood. “I hope you understand that I had no choice. I know this is difficult for you, but you need to start trusting me.”
Trust you? Jared thought. How can I trust you? It’s not like we are partners or something. It’s funny, really. In the normal world, weapons are instruments to be used by men, but I have the feeling that the roles are reversed when it comes to us. I am the instrument being used by you. You ask me to trust you, but how can I when you keep using me as some kind of tool?
“If you would trust me, then I would not need to ‘use you,’ as you say. But the longer you fight me, the more unpleasant our time together will be.”
“Jared?” Sanctuary inquired, concerned after a few minutes of prolonged silence.
Jared turned his gaze from the sentient sword and looked up at Sanctuary. “Sorry. We were talking.”
Sanctuary nodded. “I know you feel trapped, but what is happening to you is of the utmost importance to the world as a whole. Sometimes what is required of us for the greater good must take priority over our own desires.”
“And there it is, the ‘you need to sacrifice for the greater good’ speech,” said Jeremy getting to his feet. “Well, that didn’t take long. I think this is a new record for you, Sanctuary.”