by D. N. Leo
"What?" Sweat trickled down Zach's forehead.
“I told you. It's Kyle Wolf. He controls people's minds. But he can only do it to one person at a time. So do what I say," Ciaran said.
Tadgh stared at the girl, trying to probe her emotions. Nothing. He couldn’t see or feel anything, but a cold chill ran up and down his spine.
“I’ll go up,” Tadgh said and charged toward the back entrance. Jo and Madeline went around the back and up the stairs.
Before picking the lock of the apartment, Tadgh signaled Ciaran's phone. Receiving the signal, Ciaran said, "Now, send your sound wave to Riko."
Zach shifted, then began.
The sound hit, and Riko lifted her chin up. She blinked her eyes.
Zach staggered back. Blood trickled from his nose.
“The sound bounced back to you because it hit Kyle. He’s strong, Zach. Can you hold?” Ciaran asked while grabbing at Zach and supporting him from the back. Zach nodded and fixed his stance.
Tadgh, Jo, and Madeline broke into the apartment and hurried toward the balcony.
Riko looked around, looked down, and started crying. She shook, stood up, and began to climb back over the railing.
Chloe yelled at Riko. "Jump! You were supposed to jump!" Chloe pushed at Riko while Riko was on top of the railing. Riko cried and clung to the railing as tightly as she could.
Chloe grunted out the words again. "Jump! I told you to jump!"
On the ground, Ciaran said, "He’s got Chloe now. Send the sound to her."
From the apartment, Tadgh grabbed Chloe, pulling her inside while she kicked and screamed.
Jo helped Riko climb over the railing and get safely onto the balcony.
Madeline ran to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. She filled a bucket she found in the corner with water.
In the living room, Chloe still kicked and screamed like a madwoman. Tadgh held her, but he had the feeling he would not be able to hang on for long. Her strength was incredible. It was almost supernatural.
On the ground, Zach sent more sound signals. Both his nose and his ears were bleeding now.
Jo ran to the balcony and called out, "Tadgh’s got her now. It's okay."
Zach stopped the signal and slumped to the ground.
"You think I got him?" Zach asked.
Ciaran shook his head. "Don't know. Can you get up there?"
Zach nodded. They ran up the stairs.
Inside the apartment, Madeline splashed water everywhere. Jo grabbed a knife, too. She pushed Riko into a corner and kept an eye on her in case she was taken over again. Jo focused on where Madeline sprayed the water. If she saw any sign of the beast, Jo swore to God that she would stab it until it was nothing but pulp.
Chloe grew stronger by the second. She shrugged off Tadgh.
Ciaran and Zach stormed into the apartment.
Chloe jumped on top of the table.
As soon as Tadgh lost Chloe, he felt a strange sensation at the back of his neck. He heard something echo in his head. His vision blurred. He felt an urge to act on something. He felt as if he was waiting for an order.
Tadgh closed his eyes and shook his head. He knew what was happening.
He saw Chloe standing on the table. She leaped as though she could fly, aiming straight for the glass coffee table.
Tadgh heard a clear voice in his head. "Step aside. Let the bitch fall." Tadgh knew he had to act against the voice. He focused.
There was a very strong sensation urging him to obey and do what the voice had said. Tadgh grunted. The voice was telling him to step aside. Tadgh clenched his teeth, rushed toward the table, and caught Chloe mid-flight.
They both fell onto the glass coffee table with Chloe on top of Tadgh.
Tadgh’s vision cleared. The voice was no longer in his head. There was no more sensation, but he felt a searing pain on his back.
He saw Madeline and Jo leap to a corner and stab at something.
There was a sound like a roar.
Then he saw Ciaran. Ciaran said something. Tadgh could have responded, but for some reason, he thought he would be better off shutting his mind down and letting go.
Tadgh passed out on the floor in a pool of his own blood.
Chapter 113
Kyle clung to the ledge of the hospital’s window and looked inside. He was sure the humans couldn’t see him. But his hands were still shaky, and he was still in shock from the attack on him at the apartment. He wasn’t sure about much of anything now.
Madeline and Jo, those bitches! The LeBlanc boys. The Australian musician. I’ll kill you all! Kyle clenched his teeth. He had found the weak link in the group—Tadgh. Kyle smiled as he peeked into the room. He could get into Tadgh’s mind. Tadgh couldn’t guard his mind the way the others could, but Kyle knew he had to be careful because Tadgh had an extremely strong will.
Kyle crawled through the window.
“Damn!” He sensed Madeline at the end of the corridor. She could sense him. He couldn’t fight yet. He climbed back out and fled.
Tadgh opened his eyes in an emergency room to Jo throwing herself at him. She hugged him and buried her face in his neck. She stayed like that for a long time but said nothing.
"I’ve had quite a few women propelling themselves at me in a short period of time. Is this an Australian thing?"
Jo sat up. Her big green eyes filled with tears.
"Oh, no. Don't cry, beautiful. This is just a little scratch."
Jo could not keep those big tears from rolling down her face.
"If a little scratch incapacitated you for a few hours, it’s no wonder Ciaran considered sending you home."
"What?" Tadgh winced with the pain.
Zach and Chloe walked in. Chloe had a few cuts and bruises which had been tended to. She approached Tadgh’s bed.
"Zach told me you took the brunt of the table for me. Thank you. I'm so sorry. I can't remember a thing."
Zach stood behind Chloe. He looked at Tadgh and shook his head, telling him silently not to say anything to Chloe.
"I can handle a glass table, but I can't handle tears from those green eyes. Could you help me stop them?" Tadgh nodded at Jo.
Jo wiped at her face.
“Why don’t you both go outside for some fresh air? Don’t go too far, though,” Zach said.
Chloe nodded and took Jo out of the room.
"How are you doing, really?" Zach asked.
"It hurts like a bitch." Tadgh winced again.
"You've lost some blood. Your brother was royally pissed."
"Why? It’s not as though I wanted to fall on the table."
"I don't know. He's pissed at something. Maybe it’s not you. Maybe he’s pissed at that fucking dickhead, Kyle Wolf."
"Well, let him be mad,” Tadgh mumbled.
"The beast really got to Chloe, man. She can't remember a thing. She was really out of control."
Tadgh rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it."
"I guess it's true what Ciaran said about the mind-bender. He messed up the man in the bush and made him kill his family. It wasn't me at all."
"So now you're not going through the gate?"
"Yeah, I will. I promised. And there are . . .”
Ciaran and Madeline entered the room.
"How are you doing, Tadgh?" Madeline asked.
"I've been better. Some pretty intense stabbing you and Jo did at the apartment." Tadgh grinned.
"Yeah, I can do a lot of damage. Where's Jo?" Madeline asked.
"Out with Chloe," Zach said.
Ciaran stood still and said nothing.
"I've got to take Chloe home." Zach glanced outside to ensure that Chloe had not come back. "Here’s the thing. I agreed to go through the gate partly to redeem myself from what happened in the bush but mainly because of what happened a few weeks ago.”
Zach looked toward the door again and saw no sign of Chloe.
He continued, “I went back to the bush to visit the site again to remind myself of what I did . . .”
“And when I came back, there was a strange aura following me. All hell broke loose from there. Spooky stuff like voodoo and possession occurred. People died. I almost died. The girl you saw, Riko, she was one of the survivors.”
“You think it was Kyle?” Tadgh asked.
“Before, no. My friend, Dan, called it the Zodiac Shifter because Kyle attacked people based on their zodiac signs. Dan is into supernatural and paranormal stuff. I’m not. I thought the ‘thing’—whatever it was—had done something similar to my sound-bending trick. I hadn’t told anyone I’m a freak show, so I couldn’t tell anyone about the mind-bending suspicion, either."
Ciaran nodded.
“Sciphil Nine approached me and told me if I agreed to be a Sciphil successor, I could help a lot of people, so I jumped at the chance. Pete referred only to what had happened in the bush,” Zach continued.
“Ayana and Pete didn’t know about Kyle going around killing innocent people based on the zodiac signs?” Ciaran asked.
“I don’t think so. I wanted to kill the bastard, so I agreed.”
Ciaran nodded. “That’s fair enough.”
"I couldn't make the connection. But I know now—after what happened today— that the bastard in the bush and the Zodiac Shifter could be the same guy and could be Kyle Wolf . . .” Zach said, trailing off when Chloe and Jo entered the room.
"We'll talk more tomorrow, Zach," Ciaran said.
Zach nodded and left the room to take Chloe home.
"I've made arrangements for some accommodations outside the city,” Ciaran said.
"Thank God. This hospital bed is killing my backside." Tadgh sat up and winced with pain. Madeline helped him out of the bed.
"If you withhold any information from me, I'll send you home, Tadgh," Ciaran warned.
"Ciaran, not now, not here," Madeline told him.
"I don't know what you’re talking about,” Tadgh said.
"I know you, Tadgh. There’s no chance you would have willingly copped the fall," Ciaran continued.
"Ciaran, let's go to our accommodations first."
Ciaran stopped talking and strode out of the room. Madeline knew that was the best way for him to handle a situation when he was steaming. They’d had a long discussion. Ciaran suspected Tadgh took the fall on purpose to avoid Kyle controlling him.
Ciaran suspected Tadgh was vulnerable to Kyle’s attacks.
Chapter 114
The mansion was half an hour’s drive from the city. It was imposing but homey. It surprised Madeline that the area became so rural after only a ten minutes’ drive out of the city. But she had to admit she knew little about the rural concept. She shouldn’t be calling an area rural based only on its lack of high-rises and traffic and the fact that she could hear animals. She knew for a fact that some people in New York had pet tigers in their apartments in the middle of the city. And New York was obviously not a jungle.
Ciaran had chosen to stay in Werribee because the LeBlancs had a lab nearby. He needed to make further arrangements for the trip the day after tomorrow.
Early in the morning, Madeline went out for a walk around the mansion. She knew Ciaran had been up and about for a while. But she wanted to give him a bit more time to do what he needed to do. He would find her when he needed her input.
Toward the back of the garden, she saw Tadgh sitting on a fence, smoking.
"First of all, I didn't know you smoked. Second, it's a huge fire hazard to smoke next to a barn."
Tadgh grinned and put out his cigarette. "A bad habit I developed from traveling a lot. Helps clear my head."
"Smoke and clarity really don’t belong in the same sentence, Tadgh. But sometimes I prefer a muddy head so I don't have to think at all."
Tadgh laughed. "Muddy head! What a description."
"What do you need a clear head for? Anything I can help with?"
Tadgh shook his head. "Nah. I don't even know what I need. Better go inside to see what Ciaran is up to."
“How’s your back?”
“Fine. Thanks.”
Madeline gazed into Tadgh’s eyes. “You can see people’s emotions, Tadgh. I’m sure you can see Ciaran’s gigantic concern about you being susceptible to Kyle’s control. If that’s the case, you have to tell us.”
“So that he’ll send me home?”
“Better than losing you to Kyle.”
“I told you I’d kill the bastard, Madeline. I saw what he did to the girl in London. I saw what he did to Jo. He might be invisible, but he’s not invincible. He’s not human, but I think he has flesh and blood of some kind and can be hurt. Especially judging from the fact he roared like a pig when you stabbed him. So I just need time to think. I’ll figure out how to kill him.”
Madeline nodded. “All right. But if he gets into your head, I will knock you out.”
“Deal.” Tadgh smiled. “Your grandfather said Kyle was a Sciphil, and he was dealing with Black Rock. Is that right?”
“Yes. Something happened in Eudaiz. I think he somehow snatched me and ran to Earth. He was exiled. So he can’t open the Daimon Gate and go back to Eudaiz himself. He has to tailgate us. But why kill people for their innocent souls?” Madeline asked.
Tadgh snorted. “Typical psychology of evil. I think it has to do with the Black Rock. Kyle betrayed Eudaiz for the Black Rock. He must have made some sort of deal—that he had to control and rape innocent souls. Some sort of a score.”
“That’s a scary thought. How did you figure that out?”
“Got it from my big brother. Ciaran uses the same principles to design evil guys in his hologames.”
Madeline shook her head. “Sometimes real life is stranger than fiction. Unfortunately, Kyle is not a character in a game. . .” She trailed off. “Tadgh, what is it? What are you thinking about?”
“Huh?”
“You just had that faraway look on your face. You thought of something?”
Tadgh nodded. “I just put some things together. I might have something—”
Madeline gasped. “Jesus Christ."
"What is that?" Tadgh instinctively pushed Madeline behind him.
"Kyle. Run! Go inside, Tadgh!"
Chapter 115
Tadgh and Madeline stormed into the reception room and almost trampled Jo. The breakfast tray Jo was carrying flew through the air and fell to the floor. Coffee cups, a teapot, croissants, bread, plates, and other sundry items scattered on the floor.
"My breakfast is ruined! What a start to the day." Jo scowled. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Then she saw the look on Madeline's face.
"Kyle." Jo clenched her teeth and grabbed the butter knife from the floor. Tadgh grabbed her and held her back.
"Jo, that's a butter knife you've got. Do you really think you can kill a beast with that?" Tadgh asked.
"Would you prefer I use my fingernails?"
"I won't let you go out there," Tadgh said.
"Put that the other way around, pal. I won't let you go out there. Kyle can’t get to me. But he can definitely get to you. So you’re staying right here." Jo jabbed her finger at his shoulder.
Tadgh grabbed her arm. "Don’t point your finger at me, young lady."
Jo mocked his British accent, “Oh, this lady is definitely pointing the finger at you!”
Ciaran walked into the room and saw the commotion. "What the heck is going on?"
"Kyle was out there. These two are fighting over who’s going to go out there and take the hit. Don't worry, Ciaran. I’m not letting either one of them go," Madeline said dryly as she pointed to Jo and Tadgh.
"And how do you plan to fight Kyle, you two? What weapons are you going to use?" Ciaran asked.
"She's going to use a butter knife!" Tadgh snorted.
"Better than your fists. You could barely hold a woman in check last night,” Jo ranted.
"I saved her life!” Tadgh raised his voice.
"Then who will save yours?" Jo squeal
ed and threw the butter knife at him. Tadgh jumped out of the way.
"I’m convinced you’re controlled by Kyle right now, madwoman,” Tadgh growled.
"Stop your bickering, you two. I have a plan. If you want to help, then follow me to the library."
Ciaran turned around and walked quickly toward the library. Jo followed, stomping her feet. Tadgh glanced at Madeline, who was watching him closely. He put his head down and scurried toward the library. Madeline followed after taking a minute to glance around to be sure she sensed nothing from Kyle inside the house.
In the library, Ciaran opened a box. Inside the box were ten golden daggers.
"Holy cow, where did you get these?" Tadgh asked.
"I had them made for us,” Ciaran said dryly. He picked up a dagger and handed it to Tadgh. "Feel it."
"Heavy,” Tadgh said.
"They’re made of our family gold, and it's top grade. Juliette mentioned that the Daimon Gate test is a transmutation process. It's equivalent to the most stringent process used in alchemy to produce pure gold."
"Pure gold against pure gold,” Tadgh said more to himself than to anyone else. “Wow.”
Ciaran gave a dagger to Madeline and Jo. "I hope they’re not too heavy for you."
Madeline felt the dagger. "It's comfortable. Not heavy at all."
Ciaran spoke. "When I shot at Kyle, the bullets didn't seem to have much effect. The most damage Kyle sustained was in the swordfight with Richard. Ayana and Pete also fight with swords. I don't think Eudaiz’s technology is too primitive to make guns. But I speculate that metal causes more damage to people from Eudaiz than gunpowder."
"So we take two each?" Tadgh asked. He grabbed two daggers and weighed them in his hands.
"Sorry I'm late,” Zach said from the door. "Oh wow, haven't seen anything cooler than this in my entire life." Zach admired the daggers. "Are those for us?"
Ciaran nodded. "Two each." Ciaran handed two daggers to Zach.
"Wow, I could kill any creature with these," he said, obviously impressed.
“What can you tell us about the gate, Zach?” Ciaran asked.
"It's like a role play game, but it plays with your mind. My training was one-on-one. I was by myself with a lot of projections and reflections based on my own personal experiences. I don't know what will happen if a group goes through it. Will we each see different things?"