The Seven (Fist of Light Series) (32 page)

“They’ll bring to the world Light, Darkness, Death, Destruction, Chaos, Peace, and Healing,” Jas recited groggily, attempting to sit.

Razor nodded at Jas. “We found out that Kasper had been speaking with a man from the order of The Chosen, refining his ideas, planning to implement them.” His voice promised retribution. “He began to withdraw further in on himself, became irritable, raved for hours about what needed to be done and how he would implement these plans. He put all his efforts into finding the remaining Seven so that he could begin furthering his goals. Kasper thought he would need to force those he found into doing his bidding, but they were of a kind, matching his darkness seamlessly. So he turned on us.” As Razor’s voice rose to a crescendo, his power lashed outwards.

The Earth around him cracked from the force of his anger, and Jas finally found the energy to stand. At least for a fleeting moment, because directly after he rose to his feet he latched painfully onto my shoulder, for moral support, no doubt. I took a moment to look behind me, making sure that no one had been forced over the precipice by the display of power. No one had, although I saw the Doc and Noah approaching, walking through the parting crowd.

“Healing takes a certain amount of energy from the patient, although most of it comes from within me,” Hailey told us when she noticed Jas’ weary state. “He will need rest.”

Jas found the strength to stand on his own, at that. “So what you’re saying is that some evil ghost dude is trying to take over the world? Hasn’t he ever seen what happens at the end of every movie?”

“This isn’t a movie,” I said. “In reality, bad people succeed in their endeavors all the time.”

“So how’d you find me?” I asked. “And where did you lose your arm?”

“They found you through following the Call,” an alter ego of Razor imparted, flashing in beside a much more confident, flawless version of Hailey.

Compared to the tough-as-nails image Razor presented, his companion was even more formidable. He was all decked out in spikes, leather, and chains. He looked like he ate little children for breakfast and didn’t care that it gave him indigestion. There was a tranquil quality to his aggressive behavior, however, as if he fought the good fight, but used dirty tactics and whatever means necessary to secure peace. In Hailey’s alter ego, there was an entirely different representation. While Hailey seemed run-down, I saw a young girl who could take on the world in her buoyant counterpart. Her hair was lustrous and thriving, her eyes mesmerizing. An amber light seemed to radiate from under her skin, a healthy glow that was a balm to my fatigue.

“And you must follow your calling as well,” the other Hailey said. “If you don’t, you will surely perish, along with your loved ones.”

“That’s just a guess, isn’t it?” Spike, as I had come to think of him, said.

The alter-ego Hailey looked offended. “A guess! Surely it is more than that! At least an educated conjecture, if not a refined extrapolation, perhaps?”

“Quiet in front of the children, you two,” Jeeves said, for once assisting in maintaining the peace.

“The Clan Meeting is looming,” I said. “Surely it can wait that long, when you are only able to provide me with an educated guess?”

Hailey’s double fumed. “Fine! And it was an extrapolation! The end is nigh!” She giggled, flashing out.

“She’s always been the weird one,” Spike confided in a whisper before he too disappeared.

“I’m really confused,” Jas confessed.

“Don’t worry, I’m in the same boat,” I said.

R
azor and Hailey ended up under Noah’s wing. His extension of protection was only worth so much, however, so all bets would likely be off once the Meeting was in session. At least the crowd had dispersed and no one had tried to brain the two newcomers from the confines of their drunken stupors. No doubt, that would have been a really bad idea for any of those who tried. The good news was that Jas got the once over by the Doc and was pronounced whole, although exhausted and in need of sleep. I went to see him the next day, bright and early, just to irk him.

“Next time, we should try to be a little smarter when we charge a beastie two times the size of us,
okay
?”

He was already up when I came in, staring at the ceiling from his bed. “I thought I could take him, and I knew you would be backing me up.”

I laid down on the cold floor, taking a gander at the magnificence of sheetrock and plaster. “We should coordinate then, so we both go in at the same time.”

Jas produced a racquetball from somewhere and idly began throwing it at the wall. “Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

We fell into silence

“What’s the deal with the new blood?”

I told him, not leaving anything out, explaining every little detail that I could remember.

“Crap. Do you think your parents are in danger?”

I threw my hands up, flinging the ball across the room. “I don’t know. I think she meant that everyone would be in danger if this Kasper guy got his way. Which really is just common sense, ‘cause he’s crazy as a three-dollar bill. I’m not even sure my parents are still alive, let alone looking for me, or being held captive. There are too many abnormalities that jumble everything up in a series of misinformation and happenstance.”

Jas bent over the bed to pick up the ball, which had rolled back to him. “Wait, what? Take it easy, cowboy, with the deep, introspective thought, so early in the morning. It’s hardly past sunrise!”

“I don’t know what the hell to think anymore. I’ve got people in one corner telling me this, with all certainty. Pan to the other corner, and you get different information about what’s going on from another source. My parents told me they’d find me, and you and the Viper told me they are being held captive. This tolling, I’m supposed to follow it, but it’s discordant and…
wrong
. Jeeves is a closed book because some code prevents him from divulging any truly useful knowledge. I can’t walk into a bomb zone without every asset available; I need to know
more
.”

“Damn. If I was confused before, now I’m confounded. You think too much. Maybe you should just jump on the gravy train, see where it takes you. You say you need all this information, and I think you’re going to get it.”

“So, basically, don’t do anything, and if I follow that rule, the Christmas ghosts of Past, Present, and Future will come to me in a dream and tell me what I need to know.”

He nodded wisely. “Yeah, exactly, man. Just look at all the hero stories. There’s always someone who tells the main character what’s up. ’Cause really, if they didn’t, then the dude would die for sure.”

“Your logic astounds me,” I told him. “Problem is, I’m not the main character in a
damn
fantasy book. I’m a disillusioned kid who grew up on the streets, probably orphaned by now. I’m just a kid who grew up in a world full of darkness, looking for a sliver of light.”

Some time passed before Jas responded. “Sounds like a damn hero to me.”

“Bleh.” I made gagging noises.

He grinned and opened his mouth to say something when the door burst open.

“How long have you two lovebirds been cooped up in here?!” Henry exclaimed.

The pack of misfits was on his heels, and they all rushed behind Henry to give Jas their congratulations and condolences. Congratulations on his encounter with the supernatural, and condolences that it didn’t go as he hoped. There was edginess in the atmosphere, one that pointed at an important matter that had nothing to do with Jas’ ego.

Xavier spoke up first. “The newcomers are speaking to the Clan. They’re hoping to win the support of the members in order to bring our might against the coming Darkness.”

“What’s with all this encroaching Darkness crap?” Jas complained. “Why can’t it just be all rainbows and sunshine for once?”

I thumbed my nose at Jas. “Rainbows and sunshine? What kind of make-believe world you livin’ in? We should probably go check up on those two, before something catastrophic occurs.”

“One more thing. Your dad’s up there too, Jas; he’s been providing them with his support,” Simon added.

“What?! Let’s get there already, then!” He vaulted out bed.

Henry whistled, and the girls giggled. “You might want to put some clothes on, first.”

The crowd was captivated. “If you don’t act now, then it’s very possible a second chance won’t be provided. Darkness will sweep the land and engulf every soul in its path. Any resistance won’t be concentrated or concerted enough to do any good,” Razor said, his voice extending to the very edge of the crowd.

“Then let’s go kill this monstrosity, and all of those who would think to force their will upon the Were Clan!” someone shouted in challenge.

The predatory crowd voiced their sentiments, catcalling and roaring their defiance. When another supernatural predator on the food chain stepped up to challenge the rule of the wild, these men and women put them back in their place. Not because it was the right thing to do, but because they could not be seen as weak in the eyes of a world that preyed upon the weak.

“Now wait just one moment!” a voice made itself known amid the noise.

“Hey, look, there’s my dad!” Jas pointed to the left of Razor.

“Let’s get up there, guys,” I said before making my way through the crowd.

An old man, looking much aged though still spry and lively, hopped up into the boxing ring that had become a stage. “This is a matter to be discussed by the Council and decided by those who have the wisdom of experience behind them!”

There were some grumbles, but they quieted down when Noah spoke up. “No, he is right, my fellows. But fear not. This is an important matter, and we must get involved. I have been aware of the coming crisis for some time, and called this Meeting in order to properly address it. You must trust we will make the decision that will benefit our Clan, and respect your seniors’ decisions. It would not do to stray from the established customs.”

The aged Were spoke once more. “The Council meets on the morrow. Until then, let the festivities continue. Hold nothing back, for we may be going to war.”

Not surprisingly, this statement was met with much cheer, and with wild abandon the crowd broke up to discover their differing celebrations. No doubt there would be a lot of people deep in their cups this night, and there were sure to be some people getting riled up. By riled up, I meant of course that they were going to go stark raving mad, and get inebriated to their detriment

Noah spotted Jas, who was waving frantically and calling for his attention. As we waited for Razor and the rest to arrive, we watched the crowd disperse with relative disinterest, since there was nothing else to do.

“Well thank you for all the support, Mr. Franklin,” Hailey acknowledged in her usual muted tone.

“Of course, my dear, of course. We happen to have had much the same agenda, by happenstance,” Noah told her.

“
Happenstance
?” Razor spat. “No such thing, in these circles.”

“Alas, but that is the way of things,” Noah said.

“Are you quite finished bemoaning your fate?” Jas joked, smiling.

“Speaking of fate, anyone think we should go seize the day, or what?” Henry winked.

Jas looked to me, and I shrugged. “Who knows in advance what their destiny shall hold?” I said. “I’m riding the gravy train, remember?”

Jas laughed at my reference but hadn’t offered up whether or not he preferred to join the festivities or sit this one out. It was obvious Henry was going to go attempt to discover his own destiny this night. Even if his destiny consisted of getting roaring drunk and not being able to look back and remember this night in the near future. Most of the group volunteered, and I figured trivial laws like the legal drinking age ceased to exist here. It made a good bit of sense that the Clan got started partying early, because of the more animalistic nature of the beast.

I knew one thing for sure, though. It was far too early to be getting started on anything that dulled the senses and reflexes. My nerves were on edge, beginning to fray from their constant employ. I was too amped up about all the happenings to get down on
that
particular level. Although, I always found it wildly entertaining to see people make fools of themselves. It always makes for a good laugh. Maybe I would attend after all, to loosen up a little in the face of such darkness. I don’t know when my life went from bad to worse, but it seemed there was need of a change in the status quo to lighten my mood.