Guardian of the Earth House (29 page)

He meant “primates” not “prenatals.”  For some reason, Parald insisted on speaking English and not Elemental during meals, even though he sucked at it.  Listening to every one of his never ending translation mistakes was like having molten lead poured down your throat.

Gion had to close his eyes briefly against the impulse to kill Parald and just stop his mindless blathering once and for all.  His knuckles went white around the handle of his fork, fighting the urge.

Another slip.

Too many emotions crowded in on him, now.

It was Ty’s fault.

Kay slammed into the dining hall before Parald could say anything else; which was lucky for both Gion and Parald.  For once, Kay’s America’s Sweetheart blonde curls were disheveled and her baby blue eyes glowed with an almost fanatical light.

“You’re late.”  Parald complained, oblivious to her agitation.  He remained consistently oblivious to
everything
outside of himself.  “You know dinner begins promptly at…”

“She’s here!”  Kay interrupted.  Kingu stalked in after her.  “I felt Tessie jump into the Air Kingdom!”

Gion’s face remained impassive, but, somewhere inside of his mind, he smirked.

Bingo
.

*****

Up above on the balcony, Tessie grinned.  “Bingo.”  She glanced up at Job.  “Stand back, honey, the show’s about to start.”

Job frowned, not really sure what to say, but feeling like he should say
something
.  Before he could, Cross took matters into his own hands.  Cross just reached over and grabbed Job’s arm.

Cross’ Shadow energy swirled around them and they both disappeared from view.  Melding into the Shadows was one of the powers of a Shadow Phase, but Cross was strong enough that he could make anything or anyone vanish
with
him.  It was incredibly impressive and Job really was touched that the boy had taken an interest in his safety.  Still, Cross was going a bit overboard with his protectiveness.

Job’s family had always produced the most gifted Phases, but Cross was truly special.  Perhaps, there was some bias involved, since Job loved Cross, but he really did think that his nephew was destined for immeasurable greatness.  Cross was supporting the entire Shadow House, he had unprecedented powers, plus he had prevailed over so much in his life… and he wasn’t even three hundred years old, yet.  It was extraordinary.

One day, Cross would be the strongest Elemental.  To Job’s way of thinking, it was just a matter of time, so long as Cross continued learning how to control his energy and he didn’t get himself killed in some fight that he’d started with his questionable social skills.

That didn’t mean that Job would let his nephew take control of his life, though.

“Cross, next time please don’t make me invisible without some warning first.”

Cross didn’t release his hold on Job’s arm. “You want me to
wait
to save you from shit?  Sorry.  Don’t think so.”

Job pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand and wondered how Nia put up with Cross’ “I know what’s best for everyone” mind-set.  It was exasperating.  Except, of course, people always accused Job of having a similar attitude…

“That is so cool.”  Tessie stared at the spot where they were standing, trying to see them.  “You know what kinda awesome stuff you could do with that, Cross?”

“Well, I thought of visiting ladies’ locker rooms, but I already found my Match.”  Cross’ voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.  Job could still see him, but he knew that the others couldn’t.  “So, what would be the point, when I have Nia?”

“Did you think about bank robbery, though?  ‘Cause…”

“Tess, can we focus on one crime spree at a time?”  Job asked, striving for patience.  “Teja, please come over here so you can disappear, too.”  When she made a face and actually obeyed, Job looked back over at Tessie.  “Alright, sweetheart, we’re ready when you are.”  All three Phases were invisible, now.

She blew a kiss in his general direction and stepped closer to the balcony.

Down below, Kay’s normal June Cleaver sweetness had been replaced with shrill demand.  “I don’t know where she is or why she’s here, but I’m telling you
Tessie’s in the Air Kingdom
.”  Kay jabbed a finger at Parald as he tried to ask a question.  “Now, I’m warning you,
find
her or…”

“You bitch!”  Tessie interrupted at a volume that echoed through the palace.

Everyone turned to stare up at her with expressions ranging from surprise, to fear, to triumph.  Tessie stood there for a beat, braced against the railing and acting her heart out.  “You killed my Match.  Job is dead and it’s all your fault!”  Not even Greta Garbo could have looked more tragic and alone.

There were muffled gasps from the Air Phases.  Some of them looked genuinely horrified at the news of his demise.  Job couldn’t help but be sort of moved by their distress.  He had no idea that so many people cared if he was around.  It was humbling.

Not that there weren’t
some
Phases happy to see him go.

Parald gave a gleeful chortle and actually pumped his fist in the air.  “Boo-yah! 
That’s
what happens when you steal my woman and my people, Job!”

Saxon raised his glass in mock toast.  “Adios, ya sanctimonious piece of shit.”

“We would have felt it if Job died!”  That came from Amarna, who, as far as Job remembered, had never said anything so forceful before in her life.  Her eyes blazed.  One day, when Marna was finally ready to move against Parald, the Air House rebels might actually succeed.  That woman could be a queen.

Isaacs, one of the Air Phases Job would have voted most likely to go insane and start scalping his enemies for sport, got to his feet.  “Impossible.”  His colorless blue eyes stayed fixed on Tessie suspiciously.  “What could kill Job?”

“Kay did!”  Tessie screamed.  “Admit it!”

“Must you make such a scene?”  Kay waved a dismissive hand.  “Goodness! 
Yes
, I used the Health Tablet to manufacture a germ for the Earth King through his connection to you.  Alright?  But, there’s really no need to get so loud about it.  Just come down here and let’s discuss this like civilized beings, sis.”  She batted her eyelashes sweetly.

“Forget it.”  Tessie bit off.  “I’m done talking.  You killed my Match and now I’m going to kill
you
, you fucking psycho.”  She pointed at her sister.  “I don’t care if it collapses existence.  Without Job, I’d rather the world just end!”

“Someone’s always trying to end the world.”  Parald grumbled.

Kingu grunted.  “Sadly, they never succeed.”

“Now, now Tessie. I’m sure that Job is in a better place and all that other whatnot.”  Kay airily cooed.  “And, really, it’s
your
fault for trying to Match with him to begin with.  We aren’t like them.  You should know not to involve other people in our games.”

“You’re going to pay for this!”  Tessie screamed at Kay.

And that was Gion’s cue.

Job really wasn’t sure what to expect, but he certainly hadn’t known that Gion could fly.

Well, really it was more of a propelled jump.  The Air energy slammed out like a geyser and lifted Gion upward.  With fewer House members to draw on the Elements, most Phases had felt their energies increase since the Fall and Gion had always been powerful.

But, still, this display was… surprising.

Job had never heard of an Air Phase who could do anything even
close
to what Gion just accomplished.  Considering Gion’s tendency towards enigmatic, apathetic badness, seeing his easy use of power was a somewhat ominous sign.

Cross and Job exchanged a sideways look.

Teja swore quietly.

Saxon’s face went dark with jealous anger.

Gion kept the energy beneath him.  He went soaring right onto the balcony and landed directly in front of Tessie.  “Ta-da.”  He dead-panned quietly, so the Phases downstairs couldn’t hear.

“Oh please.”  Tessie hissed, even as her mouth twitched.  “Playing for the cheap seats, much?”  She was the only one who took Gion’s show in stride.

The gleam in Gion’s eyes was almost… amused?  “I am just so disappointed that Job gets the fun of watching you from now on.  Really.  It’s been a joy, Quintessence.  But,” his sword came out with a gleaming flourish and he raised his voice so everyone down below could appreciate his theatrical efforts, “now, you’ll die.  Horribly.”

Tessie rolled her eyes at his words.  “I should have written out a script for you.  That was terrible.”  She complained even as she held up a palm to dramatically ward him off.

Beneath them, Isaacs squinted as if he knew something was wrong, but he couldn’t quite process what.

Gion’s blade swept towards Tessie’s neck and Job took an instinctive step forward. Teja and Cross tightened their grips on him, trying to stop Job from breaking cover.  Job felt his own power gathering, ready to strike out at Gion if the other man went one inch too far with his method acting.

Job had shields cloaking the presence of all their powers, so there was no way Gion could’ve sensed the rush of Earth energy.  He still somehow knew that Job wouldn’t be liking this part, though.

“Calm down, Councilor.”  Gion didn’t even look in Job’s direction.  Not that he
could
have, even if he wanted to, since Job was invisible.  Instead, Gion’s attention remained fixed on stalking Tessie.  “If I really planned to hurt this girl, I would have done it during one of the endless soap opera marathons that she made me endure.”

“Asshole.”  Tessie muttered, but she clearly wasn’t genuinely worried.  She let out an ear piercing scream and backed away from Gion with classic silent-movie-heroine-meets-the-bandit subtlety.  “No!”  She hit one of the support pillars and Gion stepped forward, blocking her from the view of the Air Phases racing up the stairs.

Gion twirled his sword and the black metal glinted like death.  “Ready?”

“Ready.”  Tessie ducked, hidden by the flowing fabric of Gion’s cape.

The sword arched backwards, gathering momentum.

Job tensed, everything in him
screaming
to grab his Match.

“Stop!”  Kay shrieked.  “You’ll destroy us all!”

“Gion, you idiot!  Don’t kill the Quintessence!”  Parald bellowed.  “We need her alive!”

Gion hesitated and then lowered his sword.  “Yes, sire.”  He turned towards his boss.  “Of course, you’re right.  But, she has to pay.”

“You’ll never take me alive!”  Tessie shot back. Her hand slid over grab Cross’ arm.  While Gion’s Air energy kept his cape waving like a shield, hiding the switch, Tessie disappeared and Teja took her place.

“You’d better not screw me over on this, Gion.”  Teja warned and pushed him.  Gion staggered a few steps.  It looked as if he barely caught his balance before he went right over the side of the balcony.  It was some impressive stumbling.  Although, it did seem like Teja had done her part to make the shove look as realistic as possible.  She’d tried her damnedest to send him careening over the edge, in fact.

Gion swore and caught hold of the banister to steady himself.

Teja smirked and took off running in the exact opposite direction that Cross, Tessie and Job planned to go.

“She’s getting away!”  Gion called to the others and his frustration only sounded half faked.  “Go back the other way and try to cut her off!”  He headed off after Teja without so much as glancing towards the spot where Tessie had vanished.  But, he still managed to whisper, “Stay invisible and don’t get caught.  If questioned, I’m eager to deny knowing any of you.”

Job wrapped his arms around Tessie, holding her against him as the Air Phases followed Gion in giving chase.  They thought Teja was Tessie, which would buy some time.  Teja would lead them around for as long as she could and then jump out of the Air Kingdom to safety.  But, in the meantime, she would keep the others busy while Tessie, Job and Cross went after the Heath Tablet.

“Could you believe that crap?”  Tessie muttered. “Guy is
such
a bad actor.”

Job wasn’t sure he agreed with that, but it didn’t seem like the best time to debate the issue.  “Are you okay, Tess?”  Seeing the sword aimed at her really had been traumatic for him.  He ran a hand over her hair.

“I’m fine, honey.” She pressed her lips to the side of his chin.

“Good.”  It was also a really bad time to notice how good her body felt pressed against his.  The Phazing energy arched between them and Job let out a slow breath, trying to calm it.  “Right.  So… um… let’s go steal the Tablet from Kay’s house.”

Cross gave a half smile.  “Damn, I never thought I’d ever hear you encouraging anyone to break the law, Councilor.”

Tessie hugged Job around the waist.  Apparently, she wasn’t concerned about igniting the Phazing energy.  “It’s not about breaking laws.  It’s about doing what’s right and my Match
always
does what’s right… even when it’s a felony.”  She winked at Job and her palm slid down to surreptitiously squeeze his rear.