by Shawn Reilly
Soon they would see that he was back in man form and would come to bind his hands again. He had to work fast. One behind the other, the rats raced across the room leaving tiny black sooty paw prints behind on the wood floor. Ari rubbed them away with his leg the best he could. Reaching down he stroked Cade’s back first, and then his sister’s. He saw both concern and fear in their eyes, especially Casin as she nuzzled against his hand.
“I’m all right,” he mouthed. “I’ll take care of you.” Hearing the arrival of the snowmobiles Ari leaned over so Cade could climb up his arm and chew the rope around his neck. The knot was far too tight for Ari to manage with his cold numb fingers. While Cade chewed, Casin took cover between his back and the wall, playing lookout. She was good at this, covering for her mischief making brother.
Ari felt the rope loosen considerably, but the voices outside were drawing nearer. He couldn’t risk them being caught. “Get out of here. Go now before they catch you,” he instructed the rats.
Chattering to his sister Cade jumped off Ari’s shoulder and darted across the room. Casin tried but the door unexpectedly flung open and it slammed into the opposite wall, startling her back into her hiding place. Ari scooted back even further, sandwiching her small warm body against his lower back and the wall.
A man whose width easily spanned the doorway stepped inside the cabin. Through the folds of a scarf draped around his face, his dark gaze fell on Ari. He recognized those eyes, those menacing, hostile eyes. Removing the hood, the man started unwinding the scarf, and Ari placed those eyes with a face quickly enough.
“My God,” Ari uttered, “Zareth Ross.”
“Ari, Ari Lake,” Ross smiled wide. “Glad you remember.” Removing a glove, Ross crossed the room in three easy strides and extended a hand in a mocked gesture of friendship. Ari noticed dirt under his nails and caught the faint hint of grease, as he gingerly repaid the gesture.
“Zareth,” Ari answered. “I guess I owe you for this charade. You might as well give up. Asher won’t come here for me.”
“Aah Asher, “Ross grinned, “all heart that young man is.”
Ari pressed his biceps against the wall to further add protection to little Casin. The poker game had come to an abrupt end with Ross’s arrival, and the fowlers were moving around now setting up metal chairs before the podium. Behind Ross several others began to file into the room.
“I bet your wondering where I’ve been,” Ross said pulling one of the metal chairs loudly across the floor.
“No, not really,” Ari remarked.
Ross’s lips curved upward into a sneer and Ari found something quite deadly in his reaction. Turning the chair around so that it was facing Ari, Ross sat down. As he spoke he started unfastening the many buttons on his coat.
“Three years ago an old friend came to pay me a visit. I didn’t want him to, but he made me see the light anyway. I was working on a fishing boat in the Florida Keys when I realized I was—”
“That explains the smell,” Ari retorted. Ross’s lifeless eyes landed on him, but without skipping a beat he continued.
“—reveling in hatred and thoughts of revenge against your brother when an epiphany came to me. I thought, Zee why on earth are you standing here wallowing in hatred for the man who betrayed you, when you very well could be doing something about it. You should be leading a rebellion I said, but not against him, because I have come to see a bigger purpose. So, then do you know what I did, Arimus Lake?”
Ari shrugged his shoulders, “You saw a shrink?”
Ross’s smile grew dangerously wider. “No, I followed my own advice. I found a new purpose.”
“And so-o-o here you are, purpose realized,” Ari said. “And it looks like you picked up a few strays on your way.”
“We have nothing against you Ari,” one of the fowlers said. “You’ve always been kind to us.”
“That he has been indeed,” Ross laughed. “But let’s not forget that in his attempt to speak on our behalves, he did nothing to stop his brother from making us outcasts from among our own people.”
“Asher didn’t banish you, Grant did. And it’s not like you didn’t give him a reason.”
“That’s true Zee. He can’t be blamed for something his brother or Grant did,” the fowler agreed. Ari knew him somehow, and he was quite positive that he had seen him lately, but he was having a hard time recalling where. With the fear of them finding Casin, Ari was more than just a little nervous. He wondered what was taking Asher so long. He wouldn’t have come without a plan.
Before Ross could respond the lead fowler ordered the nicer fowler back to work. This one hadn’t been as kind to Ari. He had showed his leadership early on from the moment he got out of the four-wheel drive offering help, to when he ordered him inside the truck.
When Ari refused, he had silently pointed at the flock of birds flying above them. He was a tall wiry man with rough weathered features and thick muttonchops. Ari got the distinct impression that whatever had caused Asher to kick him out of the Union was enough to rage a war of bitterness inside of him for centuries to come, whether justified or not.
“Sorry Zee, Russell won’t interrupt you again,” Muttonchops said.
Ari placed him now—the nice fowler. He worked at the bait shop near the lake. Russell was old man Benton’s grandson and Ari found something sad in knowing that. There was a lot of commotion as chairs were put in rows and Russell along with other fowlers resumed their jobs of sweeping straw, mud, and snow off the wood floor. They handed out flyers to the newcomers, in preparation for what appeared to be a meeting or frighteningly enough a recruitment campaign.
Cold wind swept in chilling Ari instantly as the door opened. For a split second his eyes betrayed his hopes when he realized it was only Muttonchops going out for more firewood. Ross started to laugh. He slapped his thighs and gave Ari a wry smile.
“You Ari Lake are a genuine specimen of the illogicality of human emotions. Your mind may not believe big brother in all his heartless arrogance will come for you, but it is obvious in your poor, pathetic puppy dog eyes that your heart wishes differently.”
“He won’t,” Ari flatly said.
Eyebrows arching in a ‘we’ll see’ manner, Ross took to his feet and headed for the pulpit. Behind Ari, Casin was getting fidgety. Ari saw Muttonchops stacking wood in the fireplace and he had a strong hunch that was where Cade was hiding.
“Asher where are you?”
An overwhelming sensation washed over Ari. He knew the feeling once, a long time ago in a time and place when both he and Asher were different, before Asher had severed the bond between them, before memory had gone vague, and meaning and purpose had been lost to years of bitterness and routine. Possibly his mind told him nothing would ever change, especially Asher, but his heart felt otherwise and then Ari heard him loud and clear.
Astonishingly Asher had restored the spirit bond. Asher was coming, and he told him to get ready. Ari glanced around the room trying to hide his sudden anxiety. He had to keep the twins safe, that’s the only thing that mattered to him. The chairs were full now and standing next to Ross was a strange man in a red robe Ari had failed to notice before, and a sickening sensation washed away any comfort that Asher had briefly given him.
“What is this, church?” Ari asked. Again the expression on Ross’s face made him involuntarily shudder.
“Yes Ari and we’re so glad that you and your rat friends could join us. Oh there’s no need to continue to hide them. I’ve known all along that they were here.”
Ari leaned forward as Ross started toward him. “Run, run sweetheart!”
Casin scurried for the fireplace but Muttonchops spotted her and reached for a log. When he screamed and pulled his hand back, Cade dangled from his thumb. Ari fought to get to his feet, but in one sweeping move, Ross reached down and jerked him to a standing position.
***
Asher closed his eyes seeking two particular sounds, the gentle rise and fall of the tiger
breathing, and the swishing of the falcon’s wings. The night was quiet now, peacefully still. Over the pungent smell of snowmobile exhaust, Asher caught the scent of pine needles mixed with tiger fur, and knew that Kennedy was lying in wait near the giant evergreen, where he had seen the wolf. Nixon however remained a mystery. Even with his heightened instincts, Asher could not locate him.
“What is this?”
At the sound of an angry voice, Asher peered in the window, careful to stay just out of sight. He could see Ari, in a dirtied white shirt standing before Ross with a rope around his neck, and the sight of his brother being treated like an animal enraged Asher.
A blur of brown fuzz raced across the room, followed by another as both rats dashed for the safety of a fireplace, and then things took on a new perspective.
“Stop they’re just children!” Ari cried.
Asher could see him now, a man with thick sideburns welding a log, preparing to swing. Ari was concentrating on him, but what he didn’t see was Ross standing with his foot raised high ready to stomp the approaching brown rat as she ran underneath. Asher hurried to the door. Using his magic he sent the door flying backward off its hinges, and as it did it took out the man with the log.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ari sent an elbow into Ross’s side and removed the rope from his neck. The twins had done as Asher instructed and that was to free the binding that restrained his brother. Instead of going after Ari, Ross stood his ground and gestured instead to his followers the Gothi.
“My friends, it’s time we show some hospitality. Our Keeper has dropped in to pay us a much expected visit,” and then directing a smirk at Ari said, “and you said he wouldn’t come.”
“You took my brother. You knew I’d come?” Asher countered.
“Exactly,” Zareth Ross laughed.
Fowlers transforming into a variation of bird forms flew straight toward Ari causing him to dodge out of the way. Asher on the other hand did not budge as a flock of grackles flew at him. Only in the last second did he put up a magic wall. Hitting head on, the birds dropped to the ground, and like the man he had knocked out cold with the door, they too remained still.
The smarter fowlers, having seen their buddies’ demise, flew out the door and into the night. Most of them being small birds didn’t concern Asher, but the hawk might pose a problem for Nixon, if he was still around. Several smaller creatures, including the two women who didn’t want to be a part of the show, slipped out the front door only to be greeted by the sound of a tigers roar.
With Kennedy preventing any of the fleeing outcasts from returning, Asher’s main focus turned to Ross, and the Gothi. The Gothi wore long red robes and around the outline of their bodies was a noticeable red aura which he had never before witnessed. They started to chant in unison and as their voices grew, the aura proceeded to grow stronger.
His eyes fell to their hands. Just as he expected, they were wearing the trademark leather gloves without the fingers that along with the red eyes, was all the affirmation that he needed. The Gothi were practiced in the arts of death magic.
“Arimus go outside,” Asher commanded eyes narrowed on the strange men.
“It’s nice to see you to brother,” Ari shook his head, “but I’m not leaving you to enjoy this party alone, besides Casin is hurt.”
This time Asher’s attention was diverted as his eyes wildly searched the floor, only to discover the small brown rat lying next to the wall. A small puddle of blood pooled near her front left paw. In his mind he saw the frightened child who had wet her pants running from his presence, and something close to remorse washed over him.
Shifting to his boy form, Cade reached out a hand to touch his sister. Tears filled his eyes but the boy said nothing. Cade never said anything. When those eyes dashed upward though, seeking the man who harmed his sister, no words were needed.
“I had no idea they were children,” Ross turned to Asher imploringly. He stood before him, a man of considerable height, long greasy hair and a face marred with pox marks. The very sight of him sickened Asher. He was ready to fight and every fiber of his being illustrated that. There would be no forgiveness.
“If that’s the case,” Asher said, “you won’t mind if my brother takes them and leaves.”
“By all means,” Ross said, eyes intent on Asher. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to talk. This night is turning out far better than I could ever imagine.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Asher watched as Ari approached Casin and very gently scooped her up in his hands. He stroked her back lovingly, told her not to shift then disappeared out the door with her in one hand, and Cade’s hand in the other.
Turning his attention back where it belonged, Asher realized that a new group of Gothi had come through a back door and joined Ross and those that remained. When they realized they had caught him off guard, Asher took a blast of lightening. The fiery laser infiltrated his body and he stomached the pain. He remained still as four men rushed him. He waited until he could see the arrogant whites of their eyes, and then slowly Asher raised his arm, palm facing his attackers and sent out a wave of lightening in return. As the light surged through their veins like molten lava they began to shake and shriek in pain, until ultimately they fell unconscious to the floor.
Another quickly followed. This one a stocky looking Asian youth about Nixon’s age, Asher caught with a side kick to the abdomen. His attacker’s eyes widened and a small whoosh of air escaped his lungs as he slammed backward against the wall. He hadn’t expected Asher’s strength and that was obvious by how quickly his features twisted into rage. Asher could tell by the hint of purpose and pride in that expression that he planned to recover quickly, and come back with even more force than before, but Asher didn’t have time for bruised egos.
***
Nixon gripped the branch tighter in preparation of yet another arctic blast. With the gale slamming into the side of the tree, it became caught up in a mad sort of wind dance as it swayed, twisted and bent back and forth. Over the top of cracking limbs and whistling wind, he could almost hear the gravelly voice of his father calling him a coward. The others were below fighting, making a stand, while he hid like a frightened child in a Blue Spruce.
Still Nixon couldn’t budge. He couldn’t follow through with orders. The sight of his father for the first time in years had been too much. Now he couldn’t stop the thoughts from coming. Nixon pinched his falcon eyes closed and held on tighter. His father was everywhere, hiding in the closet, under the bed, behind the door. He could almost imagine him climbing up branch by branch to get to him, eyes glowing, mouth snarling in disgust. The smell of him floated on the pine and smoke scented air.
How many times had he stopped in the drug store to smell the Old Spice aftershave in the fragrance aisle? Like a moth to a bug zapper, Nixon wanted to be drawn to the memory, if for no other reason than to keep the hatred alive. Things hadn’t always been bad. When he was lonely or sad, Nixon often slipped up and thought of those times, but typically all it took was a fast recap of the pain and hell his father put him through to summons the image of the monster he became in the end.
One sunny afternoon the two of them batted a ball around on the front lawn, and then on a cold rainy day, a few days later his father swung that same bat at him. Nixon just couldn’t understand what he had done to make his dad hate him so much.
He was just a boy, a boy that wanted his father’s love.
At the sound of Kennedy’s tiger roar, Nixon looked below. He saw her grip a smaller cat in her massive jowls and tossed it like a stuffed animal into some nearby brush. The animal didn’t reemerge. Then he saw him, Ari moving carefully along the porch. He had Cade’s hand in his and he had Casin in her rat from pressed against his chest. The front of Ari’s white shirt was smeared red and Nixon could smell the coppery traces of blood on the wind.
Lifting off the branch Nixon rose up on the air current, and then circled back in the direction of the cabin just
as Kennedy spotted Ari, shifted and threw her arms around him. Nixon landed and shifted back just as Ari handed off Casin to her.
“Nixon.” Ari embraced him. “I’m glad you’re safe. You okay buddy?” he asked.
“Am I okay?” Nixon looked Ari over. He couldn’t see any physical signs of injury, just the blood on his shirt and a little on his hairline. “What about you?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” In a hurry, Ari pulled Cade around in front of him and then pushed his body forward. Nixon circled the boy with his arms since he was shivering. “We’ll talk about this later,” Ari said. “Just get the twins out of here. Call Linn, Kennedy,” he told her.
“She doesn’t have a phone,” Nixon was quick to interject.
“Yes I do,” Kennedy stuck her hand in her coat pocket. “I found an old one tucked away in my dresser. I thought it might come in handy.”
“Good girl.” Ari patted her on the arm, causing Kennedy’s face to beam with his praise. “Tell Linn to meet up with you somewhere so she can take Casin to Doc Garrett, and then once you see to her go directly to the manor. If we’re not there, come look for us. I need to get back to Asher.”
Before Nixon could say anything else Ari hurried away back in the direction of the cabin. Kennedy eyed him suspiciously when he stepped in front of her and took Casin from her hands so she could make the call. While she punched in Linn’s numbers, Nixon pretended not to notice the fact that she continued to stare, and instead worked the scarf from around her neck. When he had it freed, he wound the fuzzy material around Casin’s small rat body to keep her warm. He could make out blood on her front paw, but nothing else. Cade stood quietly staring at his sister and Nixon figured the two twins were having some sort of rat chat.
“Is she badly hurt?” He lowered so he could see Cade’s expression, knowing he wouldn’t answer verbally. Just as he assumed he would, Cade shook his head, but Nixon could tell that he was still worried.