Scales of Justice

  Remember who you’re fighting for, a deeper voice sounded in my head and the images of the women and children we’d rescued, along with the men, women and children lying dead in Akore’s compound in India played like a movie in my head. Suddenly, I was infused with a strength I didn’t know I had.

  “No—more—,” I screamed and shoved the trident with everything I had. Akore gasped as the last of his magical ability faded away and my weapon slowly pierced his chest and crushed his heart. I kept pressing until the trident passed through his body and only stopped when it was firmly buried in the ground beneath the dead sorcerer.

  My breath heaved and my grip on the trident faltered and I started to fall forward. I felt Jason’s arms break my fall as he lay me gently on the grass. “We did it,” I said softly but my voice sounded strange to my own ears.

  “You did it,” Jason looked at me with such love. I couldn’t help but smile to think about how grateful I was to have this man in my life. I lifted my right hand to caress his face but stopped when a wrinkled hand touched his cheek. It took me a few seconds to realize that the wizened hand belonged to me and I began to shake uncontrollably.

  I lifted both of my hands and was shocked to see the papery skin covered in age spots. My hands trembled as I looked at them and my eyes darted towards my life-mate and I came undone as I only saw love and compassion in his eyes. He bent down and kissed me gently.

  “I’m so proud of you,” he whispered against my lips and I tried to answer him but found for the first time in my life I was speechless.

  What’s going on out there? Hillaes’ mental voice broke through my dismay.

  Jason helped me sit up and I looked to see that he must have separated Akore’s head from his body when I wasn’t looking. Akore is dead, and I’m old—really old. I broadcast and leaned against Jason as I was hit with a wave of dizziness.

  I was afraid that might happen, Hillaes sent, a note of embarrassment in her mental voice.

  You don’t think that should have been something you warn me about? I shouted.

  “The same way you warned me what you and Hillaes had planned?” Jason huffed as he arched one eyebrow and looked at me.

  Hold on, Hillaes sent.

  “You heard me mentally talking with Hillaes?” I asked, surprised by my weak voice.

  “You’re broadcasting to everyone,” Jason answered as he gently tightened his hold on me.

  “You’re not freaking out that I’m an old woman; I’m freaking out I’m an old woman, why aren’t you freaking out?” I asked, my voice growing shriller as I talked.

  “I told you I wanted to grow old with you,” Jason answered with a smile.

  “But I didn’t plan on it happening in one night,” I shrieked and looked up to see Jason still smiling.

  “Why are you so calm?” I grumped and Jason just laughed.

  There was a flash of light, the sound of a tree snapping in two then wind came rushing to envelop me. My toes began to tingle and that feeling quickly spread throughout my body until it felt as though I was holding a live electric wire. It wasn’t painful but was certainly energizing and I felt like every cell in my body was being stretched.

  “Ah, that’s better,” I exclaimed as I touched my face and felt smooth skin rather than the wrinkles that had been there moments before.

  Jason chuckled and I narrowed my eyes as I looked at him. “How did you know I’d go back to normal after Hillaes did whatever she did?” I asked.

  “She destroyed the charm, and your life-force that was stored inside went back where it belonged," he answered smugly.

  “How do you know that?” I asked, confused.

  He pulled me to my feet, wrapped his arms around me and leaned his forehead against mine before he answered. “You kept blacking out after you killed Akore and Hillaes kept everyone apprised on what was going to happen.”

  “That’s how you cut off his head without me being aware of it,” I said.

  He nodded, “and that’s why it’s just the two of us. The rest of the team, except for Wu and Hillaes, are disposing of the soldiers’ bodies.”

  “We did it, we stopped Akore," I said as I lay my head on his chest. “Are you angry I didn’t tell you what I was going to do before I did it?”

  “I was, but when I saw how you suffered, I couldn’t stay mad. I must admit, I didn’t tell you about regaining your life-force so you’d understand what I felt when I heard you screaming in agony," Jason said with tears in his eyes.

  “Please forgive me,” I said and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his chin. “Let’s make a deal, I won’t hold anything back if I’m planning on sacrificing myself for the good of all and you don’t let me think I’m going to grow old before my time.”

  “I can live with that,” Jason said and gave me a real kiss.

  September 15

  Cape Town Clifton Hotel

  Cape Town, South Africa

  “Well done,” Josef said from the screen. We were gathered around the dining table in our suite having finished a wonderful dinner, sipping coffee and leisurely enjoying the desserts on our plates.

  We left Akore’s compound while it was still dark and before the authorities stormed the property. We decided to leave the women locked in their cells so the police would have a justifiable reason to enter the compound. Robert and Steve flew the soldiers’ bodies far enough out to sea so Brian could deal with them, but we left the bodies of Akore’s victims where they were in the water as further evidence of his evil. Unfortunately, no one would know that he’d already faced justice, but since we knew the truth, we were satisfied with that.

  “I’ve been in contact with Colonel Dlamini and the women found at the compound will be reunified with their families. The colonel told me that each woman was given a financial settlement from an anonymous benefactor and have already been contacted by the best mental health professionals who offered to treat them free of charge,” Enzokuhle explained.

  “Imagine that,” I said around a mouthful of Tiramisu.

  Brian snorted and looked at me until I shrugged.

  “When Jason and I were making our way up the smuggler’s tunnel we stumbled upon a hidden room full of gold and jewels. Akore doesn’t need the money any longer so I figured it would be wise to put the funds to good use. Enzokuhle knew a guy who could easily convert the items we discovered into cash.”

  “That was fast work,” Carlos commented.

  “We were motivated,” I answered.

  “Very commendable,” Josef agreed, continuing with his part of the debriefing. “It will take us some time to follow the money trails before we can shut down everything Akore was involved in but, now that we don’t have to worry about finding him, we can focus on that.”

  “What will be done with any assets found?” Wu asked.

  “There are several organizations that help victims of human trafficking. They will be receiving some rather large anonymous donations," Josef said with a smile on his face. “We will do everything we can to wipe Akore’s influence from Earth and use the empire he built to heal rather than destroy.

  “On a final note, King Alister and Queen Aileene will be stopping by my office in Phoenix tomorrow on their way back to Theria from their honeymoon. I will update them on the details of the mission, so I’ll need your written reports in the next twelve hours. Enjoy your celebration, but not too much,” Josef chuckled darkly as he signed off.

  “That makes me glad I spent the majority of the operation floating in the harbor,” Brian said smugly.

  “Good for you. That means you’re rested and ready to report what you did with the boat, and every person on board, as well as a detailed statement on how you handled each body Steve and Robert dropped off with you,” I smiled sweetly then laughed at Brian’s expression.

  “You’re kidding, right?” he asked hopefully.

  “Nope,” I said as I took another bite of my dessert. “Looks like you shouldn’t have made that comment about my hair after all.”<
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  “I knew that was going to come back to bite me,” Brian grumbled while the rest of us laughed.

  October 14

  Newport Beach, California

  As I ran up the stairs from my private beach, I wrung the water out of my hair. I needed to hurry because it took Jason and me longer than I anticipated to place Nick’s memorial reef. Even though I’d been busy with wedding preparations, I didn’t forget the promise I made to my friend that we would swim together one day.

  One of the things Bobbi told me when we returned from South Africa was the Eternal Reef Company was going to deliver Nick’s memorial reef two days before my wedding. When I started to stress out on how I was going to get the reef moved to the spot I’d chosen, halfway between Newport and Catalina Island, Jason assured me he would be happy to help me fulfill my promise.

  Two hours before dawn, Jason and I carried the completed concrete reef down the stairs to the private beach below my house. Actually, Jason carried it because he was afraid I would fall and hurt myself; good call. After Nick’s body was cremated, his ashes were mixed with the cement used to make the mold of the underwater memorial. This would provide a special place for aquatic life to create a new coral reef. Jason helped me place the marker, then kissed the side of my head and swam away so I could spend some time with my memories of my friend. Every time I swam by the place we set the memorial, I would think of Nick and remember the conversations we had together. After promising that I would come back to visit often I hurried back home so I could tend to the last-minute wedding preparations.

  I thought of what I’d already accomplished this morning while I ran up the stairs. Suddenly, the top of my foot caught the bottom of a step and I began to stumble forward. I compensated by throwing my arms out to the side but smacked my left hand against the railing and my fingers went numb. I wasn’t going to fall on the stairs, again, so I climbed faster which meant I was falling upwards at an accelerated rate.

  It took what little coordination I had to keep from falling on the steps, but I knew it was a lost cause as I moved even faster. However, the lack of another step when I reached the top of the stairs was my undoing. My momentum kept me moving forward but my feet got tangled and I sprawled face first in the grass. I lay there for a moment, trying to catch my breath, and laughed at how ridiculous I must have looked; I’d have to watch the security footage later to see if it was as bad as I imagined.

  “Are you okay?” Alister asked and I waved my hand at him from my face-down position on the lawn.

  "It’s always entertaining to watch you attempting to walk,” Shelley teased as he picked me up and stood me on my feet. “Please tell me you’re wearing heels while walking down the aisle tomorrow.” Shelley grinned and drew me in for a bear-sized hug.

  “Perhaps you should consider a wheel-chair?” Alister snickered and I repeated the enthusiastic hug with him.

  “I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow morning,” I said as I disentangled myself from the High King, “not that I’m not happy to see you, Your Majesty," I stammered and finished with a sketchy bow.

  “Oh brother,” Shelley muttered, “if you keep bowing and scraping to doofus here, he’ll get a big head. Bigger than it already is, I mean.”

  “May I remind you that you are Doofus and I’m Stretch?” Alister asked with an offended air.

  “Don’t pay them any attention,” Aileene said as she joined us with her arms wide. I stepped into her embrace and thanked her for coming.

  “My turn,” Bernie called, and I gave the unicorn shifter a hug. Aileene moved next to Alister and slipped her hand in his while Bernie did the same with Shelley.

  “Thank you for coming,” I said, happy to see them. I’d known Alister, Bernie and Shelley since they were born, and I was honored they came to my wedding. Of course, Shelley had promised that Alister would officiate, but it still touched me that the King and Queen would make the effort.

  “Aileene reminded me that as the officiant of your wedding I needed to be present for the rehearsal. Besides, I received a request from one of my loyal subjects to bring her a day early.”

  “So we could go shopping,” Mom said with a smile as she stepped into view.

  “Mom,” I exclaimed and burst into tears.

  “Shhh, baby-girl,” she whispered as she gathered me in her arms. “I told you I would be here for the wedding but really wanted to get here early so we could spend time together. You’ve described this place so well to me over the past month I realized I wanted to be part of that world," Mom said with a glint in her eye.

  “Did—you—just quote part of a song from The Little Mermaid?” I asked with a laugh.

  Mom nodded and grinned, “Muir and I have been watching many of the movies you and King Alister have recommended. I must admit I’m rather partial to the ones about mermaids. It’s amazing how many things they get wrong about our kind.”

  “I also wanted to spend time catching you up on what’s been happening in the aftermath of your mission to destroy Akore,” Alister commented.

  “Thank you. Since Josef sidelined me, I haven’t gotten any reports,” I grumped.

  “Um, that was actually my doing,” Alister said looking sheepish. “I wanted you to be able to focus on your wedding without having to worry about your duties as a member of Tionchar.”

  Even though I had been frustrated about being kept in the dark, I had to admit to myself that it was nice to be able to focus on wedding plans since returning from South Africa. King Alister looked at me and smiled pensively and I realized he thought I was angry that he made that decision for me.

  “Your Majesty, you are the High King, and it is my responsibility to obey,” I said with a smile as I stepped into another hug. “Besides, I know you only did it because you thought it was best for me and I trust you.”

  “I may be High King but I’m still learning how to rule effectively. The last mission cost you so much, I didn’t want you to miss out on the joys leading up to your special day," he said as he squeezed me and let me go.

  “I’ve asked Brian and Jason to join us,” Aileene added as she started walking to the large table on the deck next to the house.

  “And I’ve taken the liberty of asking Chef Louis to prepare breakfast for us,” Mom said with a smile.

  “Chef Louis?” I asked in wonder.

  “You didn’t think he was going to miss your wedding, did you? He told me you talked to him about your wedding menu when you were six-years old, and he insisted on cooking for you when he heard you were getting married tomorrow," Mom said as she put her arm around me and led me to the deck.

  “But I already hired a caterer,” I said, dismayed.

  “Well, about that,” Jason said as he kissed me on the cheek and held out my chair for me. “When your mom told me she wanted to surprise you with Chef Louis, I explained things to the caterer and she was more than happy to cancel the contract.”

  “It didn’t hurt that you paid her the full amount you agreed to plus a fifty percent inconvenience fee,” Brian laughed and punched Jason in the arm.

  “She certainly was more understanding after that,” Jason agreed with a smile.

  “I can’t believe you were able to keep this a secret,” I smiled at my soon to be husband and squeezed his hand when he sat next to me.

  “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve,” he smiled, and I was once again overwhelmed that I was going to be able to spend the rest of my life with this man.

  Breakfast was fabulous and the company was even better. Alister filled me in on the progress with the women and children we rescued, and I found out that both Gita and Diya were going to take me up on my offer to live with us in January when they completed their treatment program. I was relieved to hear the others were making progress, but I had a special spot in my heart for the sisters, especially Gita who took on the slavers to protect her younger sibling.

  In the month since we executed Akore, Tionchar operatives around the world had worked
with local law enforcement to dismantle many of his human trafficking operations and were rescuing more captives each week. Computer experts working for Rex Industries located each of Akore’s bank accounts, siphoned those funds and donated the money to organizations dealing with modern-day slavery.

  I was happy to hear this but didn’t think Jason and Brian were as excited as I was. It turned out that I was the only one kept in the dark and they had been receiving weekly updates from Josef and King Alister. When Jason apologized and tried to explain why they decided not to tell me, I patted him on the chest and told him it was fine, and King Alister had already explained.

  “Uh oh,” Shelley grimaced as he looked at Jason, “you’re in for it now Dude. She just told you it was ‘fine.’ I’d hate to be in your shoes.”

  “We’ll talk about this later,” I smiled sweetly at my confused looking man. “You boys have fun today doing whatever manly things you’ve got planned. The girls and I are going to have some fun of our own," I said as I rose.

  I’m not really upset, I sent to Jason. Alister is the High King and if he gave you an order you must follow it. He really did explain things to me earlier and I am fine with his decision. I just wanted to tweak Brian a bit and this was the best way to do it. He’s going to be wondering all day if I’m angry. I bent down and gave Jason a kiss. “See you later for the rehearsal.”

  We walked out of the house and started to get into the limousine waiting in the driveway. I looked around and saw Mom, Aileene, Bernie, Hillaes and Yoli but realized that there was someone missing from our group.

  “Give me a minute,” I said and hurried back inside to the office on the second floor.

  “Hi Cyndi, did you forget something?” Bobbi asked with a smile as she looked up from her computer.

  “Yep—you,” I said as I made my way to where she was sitting. “Please save what you’re working on and shut everything down," I finished with a smile.

  “I thought today was just for friends and family,” she said.