Once, and For All

by Kendra G. Johnson

  Jake had a sense of the thoughts among the group and decided to address it head on. “Okay, ladies and gentlemen, you aren’t a bunch of jarheads.” He looked at Danny Mac and Andy and grinned. “Well, except for a couple of you.” They smiled back at him. “But we are all riflemen in our own right. And as such, I think there are a few things you need to know about traditional combat veterans. We train and we prepare.” He paused, then added, “And we wait.” He looked at each one of them to make sure they were getting his point. “And when it is time, we fight. War is made up of lots of time spent doing nothing, or in the very least, doing things that don’t seem productive. But it is necessary. So I guess what I’m getting at is don’t let Washington dictate to you about what you know we need to be doing. It is all part of the big picture. Don’t lose sight of that.”

  The band considered this and nodded in agreement. Danny Mac and Andy remembered the tedium of being garrison Marines. It was painful. They both would rather be shot at than police their barracks back at Camp Lejeune.

  Mrs. Gage broke the silence. “I for one will not be dictated to by any government.”

  Everyone laughed, but they knew she was deadly serious.

  * * * *

  Their lunch of smoked salmon was not eaten with much relish. Restrained tension filled the atmosphere. The band was almost relieved to finally see the car pull up the drive. Let’s get on with it—whatever it is, was the general unspoken consensus.

  If it had not been so deadly serious, it would have been comical to see the band line up along the second-story balustrade of the terrace, waving good-bye to the faces of Danny Mac and Kenann from the back window of the retreating car.

  The band disassembled and Andy went to his comm room. He came running out to the landing, calling for a council of war. Everyone hurried into the main floor. He looked down at the expectant faces.

  “They’ve used a jamming device. We’ve lost them!”

  * * * *

  Danny Mac waited for the vibration ping through his watch to alert him that Andy was monitoring transmissions. The longer it went the more the realization sank in. Magda was jamming any signal. He should have considered this possibility. They were on their own.

  Kenann saw the thoughts cross Danny Mac’s enigmatic face. He gave nothing away, but Kenann had learned to read subtle changes in his eyes that no one else would notice. She knew something was wrong. Staring straight ahead, she reached over and took his hand. Danny Mac squeezed her hand slightly in acknowledgement of her message. She got it. They were in this together, but alone.

  Both of them were concentrating on memorizing their route, noting landmarks and any road signs. They were on the road for over an hour when the driver pulled up to a large ornate gate and pushed the intercom button. He was passed through and they made their way up a long tree-lined drive. The estate was not a castle, but it was definitely ornate and sprawling. Magda was waiting at the entrance to greet them. They were reminded of the way Mrs. Gage would be there to meet her guests at her frequent gatherings. Magda, despite her beauty, paled in comparison to the warmth and appeal of Mrs. Gage.

  “Welcome, my friends,” Magda greeted. “I am so happy to have you visit us.”

  Danny Mac wanted to tell her to cut the crap but was not sure if she was playing a role for the benefit of someone else, so he decided to play along. No sense in antagonizing her this early on. “Thank you for having us.”

  They were taken into the grand foyer and the servants were instructed to take their bags to their room. They followed her toward the back of the house when she moved her arm to indicate they were to enter the library. As they came through the open door, they were met with several austere-looking men in suits standing in a semicircle, staring at them. Kenann’s knees almost gave out. Danny Mac’s light touch on the small of her back suffused her with strength and she stiffened her spine and her resolve. She was a child of the Most High God. These people had no power over her.

  No one spoke for a brief moment as the men appeared to be sizing them up. Danny Mac waited. Magda finally broke the silence.

  “Let’s all be seated as we wait for Adolphus.”

  Everyone made their way to the nearest chair, still not speaking. They did not have long to wait. Kenann had her back to the door when she felt the presence of a man behind her. Her skin began to vibrate with electricity and tension. Danny Mac’s eyes were intent on hers, as were everyone else in the room. He rushed to kneel in front of her when her eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed back into the high-back wing chair.

  “What are you doing to her?” Danny Mac growled menacingly.

  The man said, “Revealing her.”

  Kenann was starting to rouse at that point. Adolphus tried to move Danny Mac out of the way and was met with a grip of steel on his arm and an impenetrable wall as he stood in front of Kenann, shielding her from this man.

  “You dare to challenge me—to touch me?” Adolphus demanded.

  “Listen, bud. I am her high priest. And I have been sworn as her protector.” Danny Mac took a shot in the dark and prayed it hit the mark. “You are nothing but the errand boy.” His menacing face prevented any interference from the others in the room.

  The rage was evident on the older man’s face. Adolphus wanted to destroy this man who stood between him and the Chosen One. But years of preparation and prophecy restrained him in the end. The voice in his head warned him to be careful of this man. “So be it.”

  Danny Mac chafed her wrists as he knelt again in front of her. She looked at him with confused eyes, but to his relief, eyes of recognition. “Are you okay, Your Highness?”

  Kenann got the message and the read of the room. Her inner stirrings and response to this Adolphus would be analyzed later. It was showtime. “Yes, Daniel.”

  She made to stand and Danny Mac quickly stood, reaching out his hand to her. He smiled inwardly as she adopted the imperious air of royalty in her manner. At least he hoped she was pretending.

  She turned to Adolphus. “You summoned me.” It was both statement and question.

  He stepped forward slightly but paused when Danny Mac moved closer to Kenann. “Yes, Your Highness, I am the one who was to reveal the Chosen One.”

  “Chosen One? I am Inanna. Goddess of ancient Sumeria. I am known as Ishtar by the Babylonians and Isis by the Egyptians.” She took a calculated risk. “I know nothing of this Chosen One of which you speak.”

  “We have had a prophecy passed down in our sect of the Order that the Chosen One would come and complete our destiny. It was revealed to me recently that Ann James was the key to finding her. And we were right.” Adolphus looked triumphant.

  “If what you say is true, then I must be given all knowledge of your work in this present time. Within this information is the key to what I must do. You must be thorough. Neglecting the smallest detail could mean destruction. Once you have revealed this to me, Daniel and I will meditate and return to inform you of the next steps.”

  The group of men looked from one to the other. This was a risk they were loath to take. Secrecy had been their stock and trade, and to sit down with virtual strangers, regardless of their pedigree, was a difficult decision for them to make. The apparent leader of this group stood and came near Kenann—but not too near, as Danny Mac’s powerful presence discouraged it.

  “Please allow us to formulate a concise and coherent summary of our work. Would you like to retire to your room to rest before dinner?”

  Kenann’s first instinct was to look to Danny Mac for his opinion, but she stopped herself. She was the high muckety-muck here. She deferred to no one. “Yes.” She paused as if considering. “And have some of that lovely English tea sent to our room as well.” She turned, still holding Mac’s hand in an outstretched, regal manner. A servant was dispatched to show them the way.

  Upon entering their suite of rooms, they did not break character. As usual, they were acutely conscious of possible video and audio monitoring.


  “Are you tired, Your Highness?”

  “When we are in private, you may dispense with formalities, Daniel. After all, we are lovers.”

  “As you wish, Inanna.”

  “Yes, Daniel, I am weary. Being revealed again is very tiresome. No matter how many times it has happened over the years.” Kenann hoped someone was listening. This was good stuff, she thought, laughing to herself. She reached out her hand to Danny Mac. “Lie with me.”

  He raised his eyebrow. Did she mean “lie with her” or “lie with her”?

  Kenann almost did laugh then. “I am in need of comfort. I simply wish for you to hold me.”

  “As you wish,” he said again. Both were reminded again of The Princess Bride and Wesley’s way of telling Buttercup he loved her. He sat first on the bed and made room for her to lie down beside him. He pulled her into the crook of his arm. She curled into him and took that comfort she desperately needed. She was going to need all the strength she could get in the coming hours.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Mrs. Gage sprang into action. “Get that drone up in the air!”

  Andy perceived her plan in an instant as did Jake, who ran out the door to pull up one of the cars to the door. Andy was on the terrace, launching the drone, when Mrs. Gage and Carter ran out to the car. Once Andy made his way down and into the vehicle, they sped off with Jake at the wheel.

  It took a few minutes for Andy to locate the vehicle. He ran the state-of-the-art drone high to check all roads leading away from the castle. He zoomed in the camera on targeted vehicles and finally found the license number he had reflexively memorized as Danny Mac and Kenann pulled away that afternoon.

  Andy called directions to Jake as he followed the vehicle from the air. With increased speed they were able to get the targeted vehicle in sight but held back so as not to arouse suspicion. They passed the entrance to the estate as Danny Mac and Kenann disappeared behind the iron gates. Jake drove a few miles ahead and pulled into a small village square.

  “Well, what is the plan?” Jake asked.

  Carter and Mrs. Gage looked at each other, both deep in thought. No one spoke as the options were weighed.

  Andy finally said, “You can bet they are armed and surveilled to the teeth.”

  Mrs. Gage agreed. “No doubt.” She considered some more. “I think it’s time to bring out our secret weapon.”

  They looked at her in confusion.

  She smiled. “Blade.”

  * * * *

  They hurriedly returned to the castle. Mrs. Gage and Blade were transformed into local peasants and transported back to the village near the estate. Since she spoke the language fluently, this would be no concern. Blade would assume the role of a deaf-mute again.

  She secured a room in the village at a small hostelry and had a moped-type bike brought to her by one of her staff from a nearby village. They marveled again at her vast network of resources and contacts. She assured the men that she and Blade would be fine. They would do some recon in the village and see what they could see. She would call them if needed. She made a helicopter available to them at the castle so they could get to her quickly, and were thus dismissed. They didn’t like it but could not fault her plans or her logic. She had things well in hand.

  * * * *

  Kenann dosed a few minutes as Danny Mac weighed his options. So far he had been able to pull off his bluff of proprietary protection over Kenann, which gave him a semblance of power. He would guard this at all cost. Right now it was the only leverage he had. He looked down at Kenann’s face, relaxed in sleep. He adored this crazy girl. She surprised him with her resilience and quick wit in crisis. She made him laugh at her zany antics, usually involving Judy. Lucy and Ethel, they called themselves. He smiled as he realized most people their age would not get this reference. He saw Moira written all over that. He saw Moira’s influence written all over Kenann. Now that he had met Ann, he thanked God she held no trace of that woman.

  Kenann stirred and looked up at him and smiled sweetly. He bent to remind her in a whisper, “Hello, Inanna.”

  Her countenance immediately changed to haughty. She winked at him to thank him of the reminder. There was just no regal way to get out of bed, so she rolled onto her side and sat up, putting her feet on the floor. Danny Mac rolled out on the other side and came to kneel before her.

  “I am your servant, Inanna.”

  She almost smiled, but when she saw the look of love in his eyes she stopped. She was swamped by the intensity of his emotion. She put her hand to his cheek and spoke with sincere conviction. “And I am yours, Daniel. I know I am a goddess, but you have stolen my heart. Through all eternity we will be together.”

  And because they were lovers, both real and in her role of goddess, she bent and took his mouth with hers. The kiss held all the passion of the past and all the desires for the future. Danny Mac pulled her to him as they kissed and knelt on the floor together. He turned and cradled her in his arms as he deepened the kiss.

  Magda was furious as she watched this on the monitor. She saw now that her chances with Daniel were well and truly wasted.

  * * * *

  They were told by staff when to come down for dinner and were dressed and in the foyer when the bell rang for them to enter the dining hall. As they had rightly assumed, the dress was formal. Better to be overdressed than under with this crowd, so Danny Mac and Kenann made a striking pair as they joined the others. Magda was decidedly cool. They both wondered what had brought this on and realized the reason at the same instant. They looked at each other and smiled, knowing she had been viewing their passionate display earlier. Danny Mac took Kenann’s hand and kissed it. This did not go unnoticed by Magda, who turned away in disgust.

  In a display of pride or a play to attach herself to another powerful man, Magda went to Adolphus and leaned into him provocatively and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and nodded, looking at Danny Mac and Kenann.

  The game is afoot, Danny Mac thought.

  The man who had earlier presented himself as the leader sat at the head of the table. The others found their seats according to the place cards on the table. Danny Mac and Kenann were not surprised to find themselves separated. The meal was exquisite and the wine was of the highest quality. But Kenann found herself nostalgic for the soup beans and corn bread she had eaten at Granny’s table in West Virginia. A movement across the table caught her eye. Adolphus was gesturing to his tablemate in conversation. Kenann noticed a distinctive marking across his left palm. Instinctively, she rubbed the scar across her own palm.

  No one pressed them for information. The conversation was rather banal. When the final course had been completed, the leader, whom they now knew as Jamal, announced that they would retire to the drawing room across the foyer and continue their discussion from earlier.

  * * * *

  Jamal continued to stand as the others seated themselves in the available chairs. “We know that you and your high priest were vetted by another of our number in the desert of Egypt.”

  Kenann merely nodded with complete confidence, indicating for him to go on.

  “Ashton, here,” Jamal said, indicating a short, stout man to his left, “saw you on the dais that night with Pierre.”

  Kenann became very still. Danny Mac did not breathe.

  “He has confirmed what Pierre declared regarding your true identity. It is unfortunate that in recent months that particular sect of the Order has gone silent. We do not know if they have gone underground per protocol or if they have been eliminated for some reason. That is why we maintain separate sects, in the event of exposure. The survival of the Order is the ultimate responsibility of us all, don’t you agree?”

  Another regal nod from Kenann. She was on high alert as she took in every nuance of the group for clues as to how she should proceed.

  Jamal cocked his head to the side in question. “I must ask you, how does it work between your persona as Kenann and your identity as Inanna?”
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br />   Kenann did not hesitate and was relieved an answer came to her readily. “I come whenever needed or summoned. I am never far from the surface. Kenann does not know of my existence, but Daniel does.” She turned to him with warmth. “He is my guardian and my protector. He loves both me and my current host Kenann.” She paused a moment and added, “He is key to my survival.”

  She decided to take charge of the conversation. “Have you prepared my summary report? I am anxious to begin.”

  Jamal nodded. “We have.” He nodded at a man standing to the side who prepared the screen and projection device. Jamal continued. “We thought pictures would be more impactful, so we have prepared a visual summary of our work. Following the presentation, you can ask us any questions you may have and we will proceed from there.”

  Another nod and the screen came to life. The next twenty minutes horrified Kenann. Their crimes against humanity were extensive. She knew she could never truly understand the love of God, but now she witnessed its counterpart of pure evil.

  * * * *

  Mrs. Gage and Blade had made the rounds of the village square and beyond before retiring late to their small set of rooms at the hostelry. Blade had increased Mrs. Gage’s acceptability by the villagers. She had taken in this poor orphan boy and they looked kindly on her. The villagers were highly suspicious and superstitious of the people who lived in the big estate up the road. One older village woman gave the sign against the “evil eye” and spat on the ground. They wanted nothing to do with them. They were bad.

  Riding around on the small scooter, they encountered an encampment of Romani gypsies on the edge of town. Initially, they were suspicious of Mrs. Gage and Blade, but she had been around enough of the Romani to win them over. Before Blade knew it, they were seated around their campfire, watching men and women dance. A large laughing man with an impressive mustache slapped Mrs. G. on the back, almost knocking her out of her chair. Still laughing, he picked her up and tossed her into the air. She laughed, saying something to him and patting his cheek. They left soon after that. She had no desire to spend the night in another gypsy man’s caravan wagon. She had gained what she came for.