Chapter Eleven

Disturbing tha Peace

Texas

Someone’s been blowing up my phone with a 404-area code. After call number three in the span of ten minutes, I answer it while I’m making a sandwich in the kitchen.

“Hey.” Khaven’s tight voice instantly makes my Spidey senses tingle.

“What’s up?”

“I’m jumping.”

“For joy?”

“No,” he says. “Leaping. My powers, I mean.”

“And that’s…bad?”

“I don’t know what you did the other day, but it’s like…my healing was latent. I can stand, walk.” He huffs over the phone.

“You’re walking now?”

“Fast as I can when no one’s looking. Alexander spiked my drink or something. I fell asleep during the day, and he…he knows I’m healing, and he knows it’s because of you. He walked my dreams, which means he knows about—”

“Khamari.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah. I haven’t heard from him in a while. You?”

“He came to me in my dreams two nights ago. He said…” I swallow. My throat is closing like I’m going into anaphylactic shock.

“He said what?” Khaven asks.

“He thinks someone is following him. Alexander, maybe?”

“I don’t know, and I’m not gonna lie. I knew Alexander was devious, but I didn’t expect him to pull a bitch-ass move and drug me.”

“Where are you?” I thrum my fingers across my thigh, getting more and more nervous from this conversation.

“Supermercado near Lake Lanier. Luckily, some guy dropped me off.”

“Cool. I’ll pick you up.”

“Get someone else. Khamari needs you more.”

“I… Okay. I’ve got to run it by my commander. Drop your location and someone will be there soon.”

“Real soon,” he replies quickly. “We’ve only got three hours.”

“Okay, got it. Bye.”

After I disconnect, I call Charlotte to send the calvary for Khaven and update her about my and Khaven’s conversation about Khamari.

“I’ll send someone right away. I’ll be over tonight to talk about what we should do about Khamari.” Charlotte’s calm and confident voice, even over the phone, relieves the pit of tension that sits in my stomach.

“I’ll let Rose and the other Prussakovs know once they wake up.”

“You can, but I’ll be over by the time they awake. We have much to discuss.”

“Thanks, Charlotte.”

I stop pacing the floor when I notice a presence behind me. Anton leans against the counter, with a frown on his face. If I had to guess, he’s heard most of our conversation.

“It’s my job, honey,” Charlotte continues. “And don’t worry. I have some contacts in our African Division who have been following Khamari. Haven’t heard back in a few days but I’m following up now.”

“Okay, Anton just got here, so I’ll tell him what we discussed. Bye for now.”

I end the call and stare at Anton, who mutters something indiscernible even to me under his breath.

“How much did you hear?”

“The entire conversation with Charlotte.”

“Good. I’m going to Egypt. We need to find out where Alexander has taken Khamari.”

“It’s not my father who has him. It’s the Temple Guardians.”

“The warriors who protect the gods, right?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know—”

“Khamari entered my dreams last night.”

“He what?” I ball my fists at my side. “And why are you just now telling me?”

“Because I knew you’d immediately want to fly around the world to follow him.”

Why does everyone think I’m following him?

“It’s not about following Khamari. We need to find the Emerald Tablet before they do. Whatever. I’m going to Egypt, Anton.”

“Then I’ll be there. With you.”

“Why, so you can make sure I don’t screw up?”

“I’m going—”

“Just save it, Anton. We trained for hours this morning and not once did you bring it up. And you had no intention of telling anyone. You were just going to leave him there to die.”

“I had plans to inform Charlotte tonight.”

“Sure, you did. I’m going to pack. See you at the meeting.”

…

I packed light, but I have everything I need from clothes to small weapons. A knock sounds on my door.

From the light sniff, I already know who it is.

“Come in, Rose.”

“Heard that we’re going on a field trip.” She leans against the doorjamb.

“Yep. I’m packed and ready to go. Just need the green light from Charlotte.”

“She’ll give it to you. We have to find that tablet.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. Aunt Mila says I can go.”

“All right, then.”

“Don’t be so morose, slayer. We’ll find your boyfriend.” She walks over to pat my back.

A tiny tingle shoots up my forearms. “Ho-lee smokes.” I stumble back when I see a series of numbers and symbols around her head.

“Look up. D-do you see that?” I ask.

“Ummm…” She looks up and then around the room. “No?”

“You don’t see the numbers around your head?”

“Anton! Aunt Mila. Texas is seeing weird things!”

“Hey, you snitch. Give me a chance to process.” I punch her shoulder.

“No way. You already have souls talking to you and now this? Best to get it all out in the open.”

In seconds, two more unwanted vampires rush into my room, followed by Charlotte, who must have just arrived.

Anton takes a step closer and puts his hand on my shoulder. “What do you see?”

I stare at numbers over his head. “Numbers. Eight point five in red. Nine in blue, nine in purple. What does that mean?”

“Can you see mine?” Rose whispers.

“Yeah. Six-six-six.”

“What?” Rose gasps and then crosses herself.

When I laugh, Rose attempts to swat me, but I dodge her attack.

I look back at Anton, and his numbers have disappeared, though I clearly remember the stats. And Rose’s, but since she wants to yell my business, I’m not telling her anything.

“Your powers from the stone are increasing,” Anton declares. “I think you may have access to one of the slayer’s power.”

Rose gasps. “Oh my God. Maybe you can talk to my uncle?” She stares at her aunt. “What do you think, Aunt Mila?”

The powerful redhead vampire who looks just like Rose, or rather, Rose looks just like her, gives her a tragic smile and says, “Perhaps she will one day.”

“I believe she could sense our strength in a numbered system,” Anton answers.

Mila bites her lips. “Only Remington could do that.”

She and Anton share a worried look. So much for keeping my freaky talents to hear souls on the down low.

“You knew him?” I ask the old vampire.

“Yes and no,” Mila answers. “His powers were… are legendary.”

Charlotte paces the floor, her steps sluggish from worry, I think. “Not even Richmond possessed this ability.”

“He didn’t?”

“No. He could only connect with sixty-five souls. Remington was around, but he never lent his powers.”

“Really? White men usually love to give each other power.” I cross my arms, but inside I’m preening. Haha. Take that, Bitch Rich.

Anton stares at me with an odd look overtaking his usual calm expression. He views Remington as a wildcard. Me? I’m fine with whatever advantage I can get over Alexander.

“So are there no other Internists that can sense someone’s powers and abilities?”

Anton sits on a chair near my desk. “All Internists can sense whether someone is stronger or weaker than themselves. But, no, never a breakdown in physical, mental, and spiritual ability.”

“Is that what the colors mean?”

“Yes,” Anton answers. “Red is physical, blue is mental, and purple is spiritual. Remington could see that, and he’d documented it in the book Richmond gave us.”

Well, good. Guess his methods do work for me.

Remington, the blob, is a taskmaster. Every waking hour he zaps me with energy that immediately heats my skin, rushes my blood, and pushed the pace of my heartbeat.

Ironically, he forces me to slow down, breathe, and concentrate on emptying my mind. My personal best is three whole minutes. Then, when I asked him about the soul kiss and repeated verbatim what Anton had told me, he told me to tell Anton to mind his business. I mean, he didn’t say mind your business . He said, “This is a Maximus matter, and you should be able to master all specialized skills from the souls.”

From the looks of that funky frown on his face, it’s clear that Anton is not pleased.

“What happened when you saw Rose’s statistics?” Mila asks.

Rose cackles. “I gave her a pat on the back.”

“May I touch your hand?” Mila asks.

“Yeah. Go ahead.” She reaches for my hand, and I see it.

“Holy crap.” My eyes widen at her stats. Nine physical, ten mental, nine spiritual. She just barely edges out Anton. I had no idea.

I dart my attention to Anton, wondering if he knows.

Then I hear Remington’s voice. “Memories.”

I turn my head back to Mila. “Wow, you’re pretty powerful, huh?”

“I’ve been alive for a very long time.”

“I heard a voice, too. He said…‘Memories.’”

“Remington told you this?” Mila’s voice dropped low.

“He did.”

“I can…” She clears her throat. “When given the opportunity, I can lift memories from others and share my own. It is done through touch.”

“D-did you see my memories?” I jerk my hand back.

“A little. But I quickly blocked it.”

“Thanks.” I swallow and look away. I don’t want anyone else to know the depths of my pathetic-ness. Is pathetic-ness a word? If so, someone should place my picture near the word. Example: see relationship with Khamari.

Speaking of Khamari… “Can we leave ASAP?”

Charlotte nods. “Sienna will charter our plane and you will leave by sun fall tomorrow, along with Rose and Anton.”

“Who’s Sienna?” I ask.

“My new assistant. She’s competent, and I did enough brain scans to make you proud. She’s clean.”

Charlotte isn’t so happy-go-lucky anymore. Not that she’s a Debbie Downer, but a little jaded. Cautious. Given her rank and responsibility, she should be careful.

“Oh. Nicholai will join you there,” Charlotte says to Rose.

“What?” Rose snaps.

“I’ve sent him a message to let him know of our plans,” Anton confesses.

Rose puts her hand on her hips like she’s reaching for a double-barrel gun. “Why?”

“He’s relocating to offer us assistance against Alexander. It only makes sense he meets us directly in Egypt.”

“He’s not a part of our crew. We did just fine by ourselves in France.”

Aunt Mila lifts her hand, silencing Rose. “Your uncles and I will monitor Alexander here in Atlanta. Nik isn’t as far, since he’s still wrapping up his affairs in London. He is a boon and you know this, malen’kiy.”

“But—”

“We have our plan.” Charlotte clasps her hands, interrupting Rose’s bitch fest. “Now, if you all would excuse me, I need to speak to Texas alone.”

Rose stomps out, while everyone else files out of my room like the adults they are.

I flop on my bed and sigh. “How’s Khaven?”

“He’s safe. We aren’t sharing his whereabouts just yet. Just in case—”

“There’s a mole. Or if Khamari mistakenly leaks our plans. I get it.” I roll my head against my pillow. My eyes are closed, but I can sense Charlotte’s restlessness.

“Now, while you’re in Egypt—”

“I’ll be safe…and make good choices,” I promise my commander before she can lecture me.

“I’m sorry. I may not be the traditional commander that Paris used to be, but I can’t help but worry. You are still very new at this, and I realize that none of this is very fair, but you are our most important resource.”

“Yeah. And it would suck to do another ceremony for another Maximus.”

A kick to my leg tells me just how Charlotte feels about my quip.

“Ouch.” I snap up and rub my ankle.

“Hush. You know it’s more than you being the Maximus. You need…no, you deserve time to mature as a slayer. Anton is doing an amazing job but—”

“Why didn’t Anton tell me about Khamari? I thought he…trusted me. Respected me.”

“He knew you’d go rushing to find Khamari.”

“That’s my job.”

“I’m telling you this because I’m keeping my promise to be honest with you. But I’m also telling you this to prove him wrong.”

“What do I need to prove to Anton? He’s the one that’s being a lying jerk about this.”

Charlotte doesn’t respond, just looks on with me with assessing eyes while I rant on.

Finally, I let my anger go. “Anyway…what do y’all expect of me?”

“We expect you to take care of and be aware of your surroundings. To make sound decisions because, like it or not, you are our biggest weapon against the vampires.”

“Then weaponize me. After we defeat Alexander, let me go into the field.”

“We’ll talk about it when you get back,” Charlotte confirms.

“Promise?”

“Yes. I’m a woman of my word.”

I stand. “You are. I respect that.”

“It’s something we both need, given the lies those who loved us have told.” She heads for the door. “I’m off, but…take it easy on Anton. He isn’t trying to be deceitful. He just wants to—”

“Protect me.”

It’s a reoccurring theme. I’m strong, but not strong enough. But they won’t allow me to test my strength.

“I’ll see you when I get back.”

“You better.” Charlotte twists the handle. “Stay safe.”

“Always.”