Ember Shadow Fall (Book Two)

Chapter One

I saw the dust rising long before the sports car came into my view. It was 3:48 pm according to my watch – perfect. My truck was already hidden deep in the woods, so I could investigate the scene undetected. I planned to remain hidden until I could discover whether they have Ember with them or not. I need to determine how many of ‘them’ are involved in this little scheme. Then, I plan to deal with ‘them’ accordingly. This situation is going to turn deadly.

The driver parked the car and let it continue to idle quietly in the afternoon sun. It was a 1979 Trans-Am, jet black with an electric blue bird on the hood. It had T-tops and appeared to be in mint condition. Swiftly performing a mental inventory of the school’s parking lot resulted in nothing. This car definitely had never been parked on school grounds.

I continued my ‘gypsy systematic mental inventory’, just like my father had taught me. Working through my memory in reverse, I started with the most recent recollections of every place I had been and continued all the way back to the first day we had arrived in this area. The night we stayed at the Mountaineer Motor Lodge there had only been two other cars in the parking lot. I had never seen this Trans-Am before in my life.

Using my incredible new sniper vision, I easily read the car’s license tag from a great distance. The classic had North Carolina vanity plates that read S/FORCE. The windows were illegally tinted with limousine mirrored film. For some odd reason, not even my new unbelievably sharp visual skill could penetrate the dark windows. I couldn’t see anything at all inside the vehicle. There could be six people crammed into it, or just the driver.

I will plan on meeting up with seven guys, just in case…

When no one stepped out of the car, I figured the driver was waiting on others to arrive for back up. I didn’t dare move a single muscle, because I didn’t want to risk giving away my current location. I had a decided advantage in this situation since I was well hidden. Also my vantage point offered me the ability to observe them without being detected.

My breathing sped up and my heart began to race in preparation. I felt more than ready to take on an army, so I wasn’t worried about seven guys – not even a little. I looked in every direction for signs of other vehicles that might be approaching. It wouldn’t matter how many people show up for this little ‘party.’ No amount of manpower (and nothing on earth, for that matter) was going to stop me from getting Ember back.

We were still alone when 4 p.m. arrived. It became evident that they were just waiting to see if I planned to show up. Suddenly, panic flooded through me as I realized something terrible. The driver had left the Trans-Am idling the entire time. This suggests that they are prepared to leave if I don’t meet them at the rendezvous, right on time.

I immediately jumped up from my hiding place and started to run toward the parked car. The idea that they would drive away if I didn’t show up on time, overwhelmed me. There was no chance that I was going to allow that car to leave without chatting with the people inside it. I wasn’t sure if I could outrun a Trans-Am on foot, but right then, I kind of thought I might be able to…

Of course, I’m not about to test that theory…

The sinister side of me was poised to attack. But I didn’t have time to plan any real strategy. So I thought of something on the ‘gypsy fly.’ Chances are they wouldn’t bring Ember to this meeting. They would have her stashed somewhere else. So I planned to question them and let them lead the conversation. Hopefully, they would make a mistake or say something that would lead me to her. I had, at least, a semblance of a plan prepared when I ran into the clearing.

Then, I did something I had never done before in my entire life – I underestimated myself.

The driver of the sports car must have seen me because the door was being pushed opened as I approached. Suddenly, I was blinded by my furious rage and consumed by red-hot vengeance. I ran like a madman toward the person that was getting out of the vehicle. I was an unstoppable, terminal force, even though I clearly heard my inner voice of reason again, bellowing NO… through the mind-numbing shrieking.

I didn’t even know if this person HAD Ember, but that suddenly didn’t seem to register.

I slammed full force into the driver of the Trans-Am. I must have hit whoever it was right in the gut, because I could hear the rush of wind as they lost their breath from my first strike. Their body collided with the now closed driver’s side door of the car. It sounded like a head-on crash. The safety glass in the window instantly shattered, and so did the T-top. Glass rained from the sky and pelted my skin like a shower. As the shards sprayed across the hood, they sounded like a bunch of little bells.

Terror washed over me once the rain of glass ceased falling. I didn’t even question this person before my ruthless rampage. I knew the amount of force I used could easily level a five story building, and I had unleashed it all. A human body couldn’t possibly survive even one swing from my fist.

The driver of the car must be dead from my vicious attack…

That assumption would be proven wrong – and fast. The driver of the Trans-Am pushed me backwards with an unearthly, powerful energy force. My feet lifted off the ground, as my body sailed skyward. Gravity finally regained control after twenty feet or so. My body slammed back down to the earth with a loud thud and I heard someone shout STOP… The voice sounded small and far away though. I was completely off the rails in my furious state. So basically that issued command only added fuel to the raging inferno of my current existence.

I will never stop until Ember is returned to me…

In one quick motion, I was back on my feet and rushing toward the driver in a state of wrathful vengeance. I had no intention of replying to his demand with my voice. I would use my fists to do my talking. His cheek bone made a shattering noise when I punched him.

He responded to my assaultive answer by slugging me in the jaw. It felt like his fist was encased inside concrete when it made impact. I stumbled backwards a few steps before I regained my bearings. Still consumed by unrestrained anger, I had no intention of ceasing. I grabbed the driver around his waist and tossed him with all the strength I possess. He landed three football fields away, but he wasn’t even remotely close to surrendering to me.

He was upright again before I could barely blink my eyes. Like a streak of lightning he was tackling me within seconds. I grabbed his shoulders in an effort to land on top of him. Whoever gets pinned to the ground will likely be forced to surrender. We landed on our sides and he temporarily established his dominance. Needing to regain the upper hand in this combat situation, I used both knees to shove him off of me. It knocked him off balance long enough for me to roll him over. I had command for a nanosecond before he re-established his control.

For some unknown amount of time, we rolled around in a crazy brawling frenzy. It was a total stalemate, but we both refused to let up. One of us would take command and the tables would turn almost immediately.

The driver managed to dodge one of my fists when I was on top with the momentary advantage. The earth sprayed into the air as my fist slammed into it. It looked like an asteroid from outer space had landed, exploded and formed a crater in the spot. Then, he rolled me over and tried to land a punch against my eye. I dodged his fist at the very last second and my crater’s twin formed where his fist collided with the ground.

We continued this intense battle until most of my fury was finally exhausted. I was winded when I realized – with no small amount of wonder – we could have continued to fight like this all evening. Neither one of us would break a real sweat or cause any permanent damage to the other.

This is insane…

This ridiculous brawl is a complete waste of my efforts. So I rolled off of his body as I pushed him away. I crouched back down with my hand resting on the ground for support. I urgently attempted to clear my bloody red vision. I needed to see who my enemy was, before I could figure out what to do next. Fighting him seemed to be a useless endeavor, so I required an alternative plan.

My thoughts were still angry and black although most of the rage was spent during the fight. My vision seemed to be attached to my mind set though. I was blind from the overwhelming anger.

Well that was highly entertaining, but absolutely ill advised. We cannot afford any delays… my enemy stated as he stood back up, straightened his clothing and brushed himself off.

I held my breath and waited for a possible offensive move since I was currently crouched below him, in the weaker position. However, my enemy didn’t appear to be interested in attacking me anymore. He simply stood in place and waited for me to say something in reply.

His facial features were imperceptible because my eyes refused to cooperate. I could only see a silvery outline of his body. This guy’s skin appeared to be bright red with some black tints swirled into his form. It resembled a strange variation of a tie-dyed body suit with matching hair dye.

I became frustrated when my vision refused to clear up so I could see him. In order to force it into compliance, I pounded hard on the back of my head. All I managed to do with this action was rattle my brain around some more. It was the only thing I could think of though, so I continued to perform the same unsuccessful action.

Now, I trust you feel better. I would like to get to the business at hand, if you are finally mentally prepared. It is already after 4:30 and therefore, enough time has been wasted on an ineffectual enterprise.

"What might this business be that we have to conduct together?" I asked in a dark voice that wasn’t my own.

I thought we might attempt to find your sister, Ember – now that you have exhausted your temper tantrum or whatever that was you were experiencing earlier…

My emotional firestorms collided into a swirling, massive heap of utter chaos as soon as he said her name.

Ember…Ember…I need to find Ember…

Shock, awe, relief and fury twisted into a living, breathing entity inside my heart. The darkness started to recede as something hideous dawned on me. I could have just killed the only person who seems to know anything about where Ember is. Plus, he’s even offering to help me find her.

I had never been moved to commit such a violent act – especially one that was unplanned. Although it was a terrifying thought, the darkness had temporarily overwhelmed my every movement. I had reacted based solely on those black emotions. I tried without success, to figure out exactly when and where I had lost myself to the shadows. I might have just endangered Ember’s life by allowing my rage to take control of my actions.

Tray, I simply do not have all afternoon to fight and play games with you. I offer to you my skilled assistance, but this is a ‘take it or leave it’ type of situation. My offer of assistance is not subject to any negotiation on your behalf…

My mind tried to wrap around the words he was saying. I still couldn’t see anything beyond his shadowy outline. Even that surreal image was blurred around the edges. I trusted less than a handful of people on this whole planet. I couldn’t place his voice, but I was sure he wasn’t among them. Warning bells were sounding inside my head…

Gimme a freakin’ sec… I finally replied in my own semi-rational voice while I attempted to figure out what I should do.

I have given you over thirty minutes worth of seconds. Precisely, how many more would you like for me to offer you?? the guy countered in a formal, but very sarcastic tone.

My head was screaming in pain. I really needed a few minutes to somehow get my vision restored and to work through a plan once I could see him. Although my brain would protest against this action, I decided to channel an obliteration anyway…to buy me some more time.

I would not bother to waste the energy on that obliteration if I were you. I feel quite sure your head is greatly protesting your prior uses of your ability from earlier in the day… he stated in a matter of fact tone.

His words made me thoroughly panic. This ‘formal speaking, blurry guy’ somehow knows about my skill and he is obviously immune to it. I started to furiously rub my eyes in a pointless effort to force them to regain their focus. The only thing I managed to accomplish from that ridiculous action was to blur my vision even more. I couldn’t seem to think clearly. My mind was swirling chaotically, like a turbulent storm. It was still caught somewhere between encompassing darkness and horrific agony.

Ember…

My unknown enemy squatted down in front of me just like we were going to go head-to-head again, but his posture was relaxed. He obviously didn’t want to fight anymore because he stayed a respectable distance from me.

Still, I was apprehensive and couldn’t seem to stop having my current freak out session, regardless of that awareness. My body continued to react to my overwhelming anxiety and suddenly I was totally blind. I couldn’t even see his outline anymore. Before I went sailing over the edge into complete mass hysteria, my enemy would offer his assistance.

Stop rubbing your eyes…performing that particular action will only make them worse. The colors will gradually fade if you try to relax and calm your nerves. Focus on the direction and sound of my voice. Now, start counting backwards from ten in your head. Slow your breathing with each passing number and allow the dark emotions to flow away as you approach the number one… he stated with quiet authority.

He must have some personal experience with ‘insane-fury-driven-temporary-blindness’. I decided to comply with his wishes because my crazy rub-fest really had just made my vision worse. Obeying his command, I forced my breathing to slow down while counting backwards. The blood red color started to diffuse and his eyes slowly came into focus. By the time I reached number four, I could see my enemy clearly. Staring at him in total shock, I finally realized who was crouching in front of me.

Which one are you? I asked and he looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Although it was ridiculous at that point, I tried to sound casual. We just had an altercation, so nonchalant is pretty much out of the question. My Ay’sha heritage is difficult to ignore. Gypsy casual is what I fall back on in cases of dire circumstance.

Which one? he eventually replied.

Well, I know you’re one of the leaders. But I need to find out what to call you, since you obviously knew my name before we met here… I responded.

I am Jaysen Ivester, although I feel sure you knew my name already, he remarked.

Although I recognized his face, I didn’t know his name before now. But, I’ll never actually reveal that little piece of information.

Jaysen had chiseled facial features and stood at least 6’0" tall with a lean, muscular build. It looked like he worked out on a daily basis. He had very dark brown hair and light blue-gray eyes. For some reason, he reminded me of one of those Greek gods in a painting. He was wearing black denim jeans, but the rest of his outfit was off-white – well a dirty, off-white now that we had our heated exchange of sorts.

My mind quickly recalled the past few weeks of school. Willow and I had been covertly investigating the dark clique. We were searching for information about a prank someone pulled at Ember’s sixteenth birthday party. Someone had switched the printed instructions on the back of the invitations. Whoever tampered with those invitations also invited two people from our past to come and this had revealed our location. In turn, it could have endangered Ember’s life.

Also, those responsible for that prank almost caused a bloodbath at her party – courtesy of me. They managed to scare a few years of life out of my little girl too. Although they would be unaware that I have homicidal capabilities when it comes to her protection, they would understand how horrified Ember would have been from the prank. Her interview in the school’s newspaper made it abundantly clear that she is a very private person. She doesn’t enjoy being in the limelight or surrounded by crowds.

The dark clique had become one of the initial targets of our investigation. Our attention had been shifted to them originally because Ember told me about some weird ‘stare down incident’ that she had experienced with one of their members. It had shaken her up when it happened. So the dark clique captured our attention.

Willow and I quickly discovered that they are a closed rank, secretive society just like our gypsy culture. That meant what we originally thought was just an ill-conceived prank, might have actually been a dark clique con job. Gypsies are capable of keeping their conquests to themselves for extended periods of time if necessary. So we had to at least give some consideration to the fact that the dark clique might keep their invitation switch a secret too.

This realization forced us to intensify our investigation. Our close scrutiny of their group members produced no results for us. Well, they became even more closed and secretive, but that doesn’t count as ‘results’ – per se.

All those were wasted hours. They had shut down, just like a band of gypsies. Yet here was Jaysen Ivester – one of the Doms no less – standing right in front of me. He’s also offering his help…unbelievable…

Willow and I had barely been able to catch a glimpse or two of him. Even those brief glimpses were strange because Jaysen still looked kind of ‘far away and blurry’ to us. It was like he was somehow partially hidden behind a frosty glass wall while we were watching him. Although Willow and I couldn’t figure out what this ‘blurry glass wall’ was exactly, we both figured he must be one of the top dogs in the pack. Only leaders remain hidden from view and would be so elusive.

I’m not sure how ‘buddy-buddy’ we are going to be considering I just tried to kill him in a righteous fit of pure rage. I didn’t feel any real dark clique insider information forthcoming from him, in my near future.

He had his arms crossed, leaning against his car in silence. I stood up and narrowed my gaze now that I could see him.

When, precisely, did you meet Ember? I asked him in a deadly serious tone.

I have never had the pleasure of making your sister’s acquaintance before…

So why all the interest in helping to locate her, if you don’t even know her?

The question was dripping with sarcasm. I just couldn’t seem to help myself. This dark clique Dom seems so arrogant with his formal, up-town speech. He was like a talking ‘demi-god, Ken doll.’ It didn’t help matters that Willow, who’s always my voice of reason, wasn’t here to shut me up. I could almost hear her saying ‘Oh my goodness, Florida why don’t you antagonize the only guy who might be able to help find Ember until he leaves you standing high and dry? Lemme know how that works out for ya…’

It is my business to know everyone that attends my school. However, that is a story for another time and place. I am willing to help you attempt to locate Ember. Also, before you loudly pose your demand, I will offer that I do not know who took her or why. I will say if someone within my ‘circle’ played any part in this, they will be dealt with by me personally…

"You’re telling me that you don’t know if one of your dark clique lackeys had anything to do with this? That certainly doesn’t speak well for your flippin’ leadership skills, bro," I informed him in an even more sarcastic tone and laughed.

What exactly did you call us? Jaysen questioned me inquisitively.

I just insult the guy’s leadership abilities and the group name is all he’s worried about?? That’s priceless. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t respond to his question – all I managed to say was ‘dark’ and ‘Ember made’.

Jaysen shook his head in confusion and waited for me to get myself back under control. He shifted his weight from foot to foot and appeared to be getting impatient. Panic raced through me when I realized he would leave if I couldn’t pull myself back together, somehow. So I bent over and took a few deep breathes until I stopped laughing.

Hopefully, you have finally exhausted your temper tantrums and finished having your obvious psychotic breakdown…

Your leadership skills might be severely lacking, but I’ve gotta give you your props there, buddy boy. You sure can take and deal a punch, I interjected jokingly as I tried to reign myself in.

Do you want my help to find Ember – yes or no? Jaysen questioned me in a frustrated and serious tone.

I still want to know ‘why’ you’re so all-fired willing to help me out, especially since you don’t even know us… I stated in a voice that matched his attitude.

"As I have stated, I am not interested in answering your questions or playing your games. Here is what I am offering. Oh, and if you interrupt me in a joking manner again, I am leaving.

"I am willing to help you track and retrieve Ember to the best of my abilities. You, however, must first agree to my non-negotiable conditions. I will require your sworn blood oath to uphold them because we have no reason to trust each other. This journey will probably not change that fact either, if you choose to embark on it with me and utilize my skilled assistance.

In order to receive my help you must agree to never reveal my involvement in this matter, to anyone at all, ever. This includes Willow and most especially, Ember. You will use your obliteration skill to ensure that everyone at school and your work place believes you and your sister are both at home while we are gone. You will also convince them that you are each unable to leave your residence for whatever reason. Should we successfully find Ember alive – I will be…

Did you just…use…the word…‘alive’? was all I managed to choke out before I doubled over to vomit.

I couldn’t tolerate the possibility that we might find her any other way. I would lose myself to the darkness for sure if I thought she might not be alive. Unbridled horror washed through every fiber of my being as my reality crashed into my awareness again.

Ember…Ember…need to find…my little girl…

You will recall the fact that I do not know who took her or even why. Therefore, I have no way to guarantee any particular outcome in this situation…

I wanted to punch him something fierce, but it wouldn’t really help matters. Jaysen was just stating the truth whether I wanted to hear it or not. He waited until my sickness had passed before he continued listing his conditions.

Upon our return from this journey, I will be required to go back to school a few days in advance. Therefore, you must agree to wait until I give the directive before you and Ember return to campus. I estimate that I will need two to three days, at the very least before… Jaysen stated, but immediately stopped talking.

He narrowed his gaze suspiciously and looked at me with an intense stare. Jaysen’s facial features seemed to transform into something dark and sinister. It appeared as though he was reading my mind. Then, somehow he did…

"I will NOT assist you if you plan to run away with Ember upon her discovery. Let me make my position and my proposed deal abundantly clear. I am risking a tremendous amount by simply standing here talking to you. I will be required to explain my sudden disappearance of days or weeks once we have returned.

I will not concede on this issue – my name and my involvement in this matter MUST not be revealed by any means. I need you to understand that the ‘not revealing my involvement’ clause includes telling anyone about it or performing any action that will alert the world to my participation. My involvement in this matter will definitely be discovered if you both disappear forever upon my return, Jaysen shouted at me to make sure I heard him.

I would weigh his words carefully, although everything inside me was screaming that I should run once I find Ember. Jaysen is one of the Doms of the dark clique – his emphatic announcement solidified my beliefs. One or more of his people might be behind this current situation – or he at least ‘thinks’ they might have had a hand in it. This meant he was willing to offer his help only because he feels a sense of responsibility for his ‘family’ and any damage they might have caused. It’s a quality I would have admired tremendously if my entire life didn’t depend on trusting his word right this minute. Trusting him wasn’t something I could simply do though…

However, it’s a well-known fact that gypsy Doms never walk away from their ‘families’ for anything that I’m aware of. It stands to reason that the dark clique would follow suit. I have also never known any Dom to vanish from their family in order to run any type of ‘job’ in person. So Jaysen has to be telling me the truth. He is willing to personally help me locate my little girl, without any protection from his pack and that proves what he’s telling me. He really is risking a great deal.

He is acting on a code of honor…

Jaysen must truly believe someone from his dark clique family is responsible for Ember’s disappearance. He’s trying to make it right by offering his personal assistance. He’s also willing to place his own life in danger to do that. He would have to answer to the primary Doms for abandoning his family. Those answers are usually deadly…

This is just perfect – wouldn’t ya’ know?? I’ll have to apologize for the insult about his leadership skills. I will offer that apology to him too. It will just be much, much later – close to never, in fact.

I understand your terms and conditions so far. Continue… I finally stated because it was obvious he wasn’t going to resume until I said something.

Finally, you will not be permitted to ask me any questions whatsoever, at any point during our journey unless I provide my express consent to do so. Please repeat each of my conditions… Jaysen requested.

"In order to receive what you call ‘your skilled assistance’ in this matter I must swear a blood oath to the following things. I will never reveal your involvement to anyone in this matter, for any reason. This includes all my loved ones and especially Ember. I will need to use my obliteration skill on key people, so everyone will think that we have a highly contagious sickness. I’ll convince them that no one should come over to our house or even call us, because we need our rest in order to recover.

After we’ve secured Ember, we’ll return home. I’ll wait until I receive your freakin’ authorization before we return to school. Once Ember and I come back, I won’t know you because we’ve never met before. Lastly, I swear to not ask you any questions, about anything, the whole time we’re together. Does that about cover it, Pal?? I asked.

"Indeed, those are my terms. You now have exactly thirty minutes to decide if you want to utilize my help. If you choose to do so, I must insist that you leave immediately to make the necessary arrangements on your end. The deadline does not afford any delays.

You will be required to park your personal truck in a highly visible place in your driveway should anyone choose to check up on your story. I will arrive at your residence, in another vehicle, at 6:09 pm. If you are not outside and ready to depart at precisely that moment, I will accept that action as your choice to decline my offer. Should you choose to decline, then I bid best of luck to you, and we never had this discussion… he told me.

I can think of one potential problem that you should be aware of, Buddy Boy. Ember is just as immune as you are to my obliteration skill. So, if she sees you, you’ll have to try and strike this ‘I was never involved and you can’t let anyone on earth know I was’ deal with her – good luck with that one…

I will, of course, keep that in mind… Jaysen offered as he struggled to close the driver’s side door on his crashed Trans-Am.

Chapter Two

Jaysen turned out of view before I moved an inch. I ran back to where my Chevy was hidden. Sitting in my truck, I tried to consider my options as quickly as I could. It turns out however, that I wouldn’t have much to think about, in that respect at least. I didn’t actually have any choices available other than his offer.

I honestly have no idea where to start looking for Ember, much less where to find her. I wondered how Jaysen was going to track her movements. He claimed to have no knowledge about who took her or why they did it. So in my estimation, it seemed like we are in the same boat when it comes to finding Ember. Her face flashed in front of my eyes when I thought about her name. My thoughts wandered obsessively to Ember although I didn’t have time to fall apart or think about unanswerable questions.

What’s happening to her? Is she being harmed? Will I ever find her? Will her soul still be intact when I do? How will I survive the night without knowing that she’s safe? Can I get this new dark essence under control so I won’t endanger her further?

I inhaled deeply and somehow found more strength inside myself than I ever knew existed. I couldn’t afford to just sit here and obsess about anything. Forcing my thoughts to what needed to be done right this second was a challenge, but I did it. My watch revealed I had twenty six minutes left to the deadline.

There’s no way I’m going to miss it…

Jaysen struck me as a guy who would keep his word – at least he would keep it when it comes to throwing himself into mortal danger just to help me find Ember. That thought lit a fire under me and I floored the accelerator. I knew he wouldn’t wait one second after his appointed time.

Why should he wait on me if I missed the deadline anyway?

If I didn’t show up like he had instructed, Jaysen could pat himself on the back and say he tried to make it right by me and Ember. He could simply return to school tomorrow and go right back to being one of the dark clique Doms – business as usual. His conscience would be clear and my little girl would be easily forgotten. Whether I liked it or not, he would be able to do that too, because I live by the same code of honor he lives by.

It occurred to me, much to my horror that Jaysen seems to know I’m on my own with Ember. His comments about leaving my truck in a highly visible place and the fact that he didn’t ask me about our parents suggests that maybe he’s been observing us for a while.

Willow and I have been observing him and his people for the past few months. So, maybe he’s just repaying the ‘favor’…

He evidently knows we’re on our own and I’m fully responsible for Ember. I have no clue how he figured those things out from casual observation though. These were shocking revelations and they made me extremely nervous, but I couldn’t do anything about them. I urgently need his assistance. So regardless of how much he knows about us or how he happened across the information, in the end it doesn’t matter. I desperately need his help because I’ve got to find Ember – period.

I would kick myself repeatedly for ignoring the dark clique before my investigation. Ember and I had attended this school longer than any other one, ever. Frankly, those dark clothed kids didn’t matter in my world because they weren’t connected to her in any meaningful way that I knew of. She had told me about an isolated, strange incident that only involved one girl. That particular girl hadn’t done anything else to arouse my suspicion. Other than that one instance, Ember had virtually ignored them.

Willow and I had jointly agreed that if Brylie Flynn turns out to be behind the ‘birthday-party-invitation-switch-prank’ that it is likely a girl hazing thing. It will still infuriate me if that turns out to be the case. We could never prove any of the allegations against Brylie or any of the elusive dark clique girls for that matter. It also seems highly improbable that those particular girls could keep something of that magnitude a secret anyway.

I had listened in fascination as Willow explained the possible reasons Brylie might have pulled the prank on Ember. It could be because she was threatened by Ember’s sudden popularity. She said it could be something like everyone used to follow her around and they stopped to follow Ember after her crazy meltdown in the cafeteria. Or, Willow told me that sometimes girls just don’t like other girls. No rhyme – no reason behind this dislike issue – it’s just some kind of chemical reaction that makes certain girls repel another female of the species. I had thanked my lucky stars that I was born a male because who wants that insane and unknown drama on top of everything else girls do, think, see and worry about.

Holy Creator, my head hurts just thinking about it…

I had actually considered just walking right up to Brylie one day, out of the clear blue sky and using my obliteration skill to find out if she was behind it. That particular plan had a couple of insurmountable problems attached, preventing me from actually doing it. First, Brylie is always surrounded by her sisterhood of worshippers. I couldn’t channel an obliteration to all of them without risking permanent brain damage. Second, Brylie is definitely her own biggest fan. I figured that she would have interpreted my direct approach as an invitation of sorts. I had zero interest in talking to her about anything other than Ember’s party invitations. I also had less than NO interest in her as a potential dating partner. I knew my direct approach would be misinterpreted as my having an interest in HER personally. The only way to wipe the encounter from her memory is to be able to channel it to her friends as well. That brought me squarely back to my original problem.

I’m glad now that I trashed that plan without trying it. If Jaysen is immune to my gift, his clique will likely be immune to it as well.

Who are ‘they’ anyway?

That particular subject would have to be shoved to the back corner of my mind to be sorted out later. I had a whole new problem that was looming close on my approaching horizon, commanding my immediate attention.

I had promised Willow that I would never use my obliteration skills on her again. Since I didn’t intend to break a promise to her, I needed to think of something gypsy creative. My skill doesn’t work on Rave or Celeste either, but Jaysen obviously doesn’t know it. I couldn’t risk telling them anything, although they are trustworthy. They would never reveal anything to anyone – no matter what. Jaysen’s right in this case though. He and I don’t have a way to trust each other.

How could I possibly convince him to put blind faith in two people he has never met and one that he might only know through our joint secretive investigation of him and his clique? He wouldn’t have any way to persuade me to place my trust in three random people on his word alone. That meant I was left with figuring out what to say without violating my promise or lying to them either. I would consider my options while I made the other necessary phone calls.

I called the school and told the secretary that Ember and I would be absent due to a family emergency. Then, I used an obliteration on her because I didn’t have time to answer a long slew of questions.

What I told the school wouldn’t matter anyway. The administration can’t disclose student information. So, that meant Krista would have to be the one to get the word out. I didn’t have time for an inquisition from Ember’s best friend either. I would have to use multiple obliterations to keep Krista silent and gain her compliance.

Ember and I have a rare form of the flu and we’ll be out of school until further notice… I told her and felt the first obliteration stab slice through my brain.

She was ready to launch into her questions.

No, just listen. Spread the word that we are too contagious to accept visitors and too weak to talk on the phone…

Another slice assaulted me, but I kept on talking and channeling.

Keep everyone updated by telling them that our conditions are unchanged…

I clinched my fists against the onslaught of pain.

Prevent anyone from coming near our house. If you can’t stop them call my cell…it’s the only number we have anymore…

My nose was bleeding when I hung up with her. I wiped it off with shirt sleeve before I called our landlady, Nora Dills. I told her I would leave the next two month’s rent in the mailbox for her to pick up. I convinced her that she had seen both Ember and I today. She should report to anyone who asks that we are very sick and they should leave us alone.

My head was screaming from channeling so many obliterations and from formulating all the details of my deceptions simultaneously. It usually takes more than three minutes to plan a good con job. I simply didn’t have any time to think them through. At least I felt like I had covered all my bases. That’s the best I could do. I had other things to accomplish in a very small amount of time.

Rushing around, doing stuff at this breakneck speed makes breathing almost bearable for me…

Spinning into our driveway, I only had sixteen minutes left before the deadline expired. I grabbed my wallet out of the truck and ran into the storage shed where our old station wagon is parked. The hidden lockbox is located underneath the spare tire. I removed $12000.00 in cash and stuffed $1500.00 into an envelope for Nora. I ran back inside the house and yanked down the steps to the attic. My emergency ‘run’ bag was stashed in the back corner. It remains stored separately from the rest of the cash and somewhere Ember can’t stumble across it. I would have to explain why I have false identifications for us and how I obtained them.

My ‘run’ bag held two additional driver’s licenses in the last names of ‘Smith’ and ‘Keller’. It also held birth certificates and Social Security cards in those names for both me and Ember. Although we never had occasion to use our false identities, it was good to be prepared for the contingency. We might need to become brand new people if the situation became dire enough.

I had created this bag for us right after we ran away. I had added and removed stuff as necessary over the years. I had decided that if our ‘run’ bag was never accessed by the time Ember graduated that we would take a cruise around the world in celebration.

So long Caribbean dreams…

I said a quick prayer as I crawled back down out of the attic. I couldn’t put the inevitable off any longer. Calling Willow is necessary, but I still have no idea what to say to her. I already dialed her phone number twice and hung up both times.

I didn’t want to leave her again, without at least giving her some idea of what’s happening and why I’m doing it…

Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea. I ran to the bathroom and wrote a message in symbols with Willow’s lipstick on the mirror. The symbols would look like hieroglyphics to anyone other than her. Willow and I had managed to keep in contact with each other when we were kids because of our ‘symbol message system’. These messages became our own personal treasure hunts every time we changed locations. We would always search through every square inch of the fairgrounds in order to find each other’s hidden message.

I didn’t want Willow to have to search at all this time. She needs to know that I had no choice about leaving her here and I will be back to her as soon as humanly possible. I asked her to pick up our mail at the post office and pay any bills that needed to be paid with the $5000 I was leaving in her nightstand drawer. Also, I warned her not to come back to our house once she picks up the money. If anyone asks she should tell them we’re sick.

After the message was written and the money situation was handled, I only had four minutes left to the deadline. So I finally ‘bit the bullet’ and called her number. I wouldn’t have time to call Rave and Celeste too. I would have to send them a message through Willow.

Oh my goodness Tray, what on earth’s happening? Are you and Ember okay? Willow questioned breathlessly.

Are you listening? I responded with a question only because I didn’t have time to spare.

Yes, I’m listening… she said timidly – her voice thick with concern.

It was a great show…especially the encore…only one lighter was allowed…no one told us that’s policy…we had to toss the other one away…sorry you had to miss it…definitely the next one for sure…you won’t have to tell me anything about it…been repeated…you remember…don’t forget to take time for reflection… I offered her in our language.

I’m sorry I missed that encore…but I’ll remember to hide my lighter so I can use it at the next show…I didn’t miss anything because I was with you in the light…that’s where my spirit goes…the next show will be here sooner than we think… she said back to me and I only had two minutes left.

"Willow, Ember and I are very sick and we need everyone to know that we’ll be out of school for a long while. You saw us both today and you know enough to be concerned. In fact, you’re speechless from worry. The type of flu we have will be contagious until my fever breaks. I sure hope that occurs soon.

It was a good thing that you washed your hands before you left because we wouldn’t want you to catch this. Tell Rave that we’re fine without his specialty and I’ll be back to work when I’m up to it. Also, please tell Celeste that Boo was right this morning. I’ll see you very soon – take care of yourself… I told her without benefit of any obliteration.

Between the conversation in our language and the message I left for her, Willow would understand that something very bad happened to Ember and I’m trying to fix it. She would also know that it would be dangerous to call me. When she responded I wasn’t surprised that she sounded perfectly normal – we have run hundreds of con jobs together through the years…

Tray, please take care of that business matter as soon as you’re humanly able and I’ll tell Uncle Rave and Aunt Celeste that we should all remain here at Sunridge until your flu bug is cured. We can’t chance getting it and giving it to Boo… Willow stated.

I said goodbye and hung up with her as a dark blue Pontiac Solstice pulled into my driveway. I looked at my watch and it was exactly 6:09. I tossed my bag into the trunk before I opened the passenger side door and got into the car without saying a single word.

Chapter Three

At first, I only bobbed up and down on the surface of reality. I was stuck somewhere between being semi-awake and imprisoned inside the most frightening nightmare I had ever experienced. I struggled to find a way out of the terrible dreamscape that currently held me captive. There was no means of escape though. I was still immobile and my mind screamed from its weighted confinement. The shadows refused to release me…

I am no longer human…or made of flesh and bone…

I am blackness...consumed by flame…

The embodiment of agony...

My spirit light had vanished, somehow. It had been replaced with a burning torch and an endless inferno of pain. My mind cried out for some type of relief, but my mouth refused to issue the request – no words would be spoken.

I desperately tried to regain some sense of reality, but the darkness that surrounded me refused to lift. So I was unable to comprehend what was happening or where I was. My thoughts swirled turbulently as I attempted to open my eyes to look around. Before I could do anything else at all, I felt the tell-tale sting. The shroud started to envelope my mind. My brother’s name echoed through my head as the shadows quickly descended – Tray…

The darkness claimed me…

Chapter Four

Not taking his eyes off the road, Jaysen powered up Ember’s broken iPod. He morbidly rubbed his finger across the dried smear of blood. Although he did have a cord attached to the device, he didn’t plug it into his stereo system and I was grateful that he didn’t. Just the thought of listening to her music playing through the car’s speakers was enough to make me almost come unglued. This whole situation was surreal enough already without adding something else into the lunacy of my new, tortured existence. The device illuminated, but the volume was turned all the way down. Jaysen must have used the attached cord to charge the battery while he drove over to my house.

Do you know how to drive a stick shift? Jaysen inquired – this blood oath about ‘asking no questions’ obviously wasn’t going to extend in both directions.

Yes, of course, I replied.

He stopped beside the lake and parked in the same space I had pulled into with Ember about a hundred times before. My heart lodged squarely in my throat because I could almost feel her spirit. The gravity of my situation struck me again and I started to shiver from the ache. I struggled against the darkness and the overwhelming feeling of despair.

Jaysen removed what looked like a ceremonial knife from the console of the car. The handle was covered in various jewels. It had silver and purple writings along with some type of unknown symbols in between the stones. The blade was razor sharp.

In order to seal the blood oath you repeat precisely what you will do in terms of it being your desire and not what you have simply memorized as those things I require from you. Also, you must start the oath with the phrase, By my blood I – your name – bind this agreement… Do you understand my instructions so far? Jaysen questioned me, but I didn’t bother to answer him – it’s much faster to just demonstrate…

"By my blood I, Traywick Pateman, bind this agreement with Jaysen Ivester. I agree to willingly follow him until Ember is found and retrieved. It is sworn by my blood and given through my oath that Jaysen’s name will be obscured from this moment until we part ways. His name will be sealed from disclosure even from those I love most. I will never speak of his involvement and I will never perform any action that will reveal it either. Having done everything within my power to ensure Jaysen’s name was withheld before we embarked on this journey, his name will continue to be held in secrecy – sealed by my honor.

It is further sworn by my blood that I will keep Ember safely shielded beside me until Jaysen desires to have us return to school. Our return will occur only upon his instruction. I promise to ignore everything that will transpire between us and not ask a question unless Jaysen provides his express permission to do so. These things I vow by the spilling of my blood and bind faithfully on my word of honor… I offered the blood oath and watched Jaysen’s facial features color from surprise and confusion.

The Ay’sha Doms use blood factions to seal their deals between families. I assumed these were similar to blood oaths and I must have guessed correctly. Rave taught me some key phrases in case I ever needed to bind a blood faction for Ember. I have no idea how my boss knew about Ay’sha blood factions because the Doms don’t permit anyone else in the families to witness their deals. Of course, I didn’t question Rave as to how he came by the knowledge, but I was grateful he taught me. Blood offerings are exclusively a male treaty in the gypsy culture. It was obvious that Jaysen’s ‘culture’ had heard this language before.

This oath is sealed with our blood between Jaysen Ivester and Traywick Pateman – that which binds on earth to the heavens above. Nothing shall break this – our sacred covenant of honor… Jaysen affirmed.

Next, he gripped the blade of the knife and slid it down his enclosed palm. The blood dripped freely from the wound.

It is sealed with our blood between Traywick Pateman and Jaysen Ivester – that which binds on earth to the heavens above. Nothing shall break this – our sacred covenant of honor… I replied and used the knife to slice into my palm.

We clasped our hands together and our blood mixed. I felt a bizarre tingling sensation sweep through my forearm as his blood flowed into my veins. The covenant was sealed and I would be forever bound to the promises I had offered.

Jaysen looked me directly in the eye one last time before he wiped the dagger clean and returned it to the console.

It is highly probable that you will not understand what is happening at any time during our travels. You will be required to take it on faith that I am doing everything within my power to find Ember… Jaysen stated, cryptically.

He shifted the car into first gear and stepped on the accelerator. The engine roared in protest as he pressed the gas pedal to the floor. He stroked the smeared blood on the iPod over and over. I thought it was all going to disappear.

By the time Jaysen shifted the Pontiac into fifth gear, we were cruising along at what felt like Mach 1 in an Air Force fighter jet. I could feel the force of gravity push me backwards. It’s been years since I had ridden in the passenger’s seat. I hate having no control over the wheel. So I was filled with anxiety on top of everything else, but I didn’t say a single word about my current mental state. I even managed to keep my facial expression gypsy neutral somehow.

We continued to cruise at this incredible speed for an unknown amount of time. Then inexplicably, Jaysen lost his sense of direction. He suddenly couldn’t seem to make up his mind about which direction he should drive. He would turn right and a few miles later he would turn left, only to repeat the same pattern. At one point, he made a full U-turn and sped back in the same direction we had just traveled in a few moments before. It was insane and felt pointless in my estimation. All I could do was watch in confused shock and hold on for dear life.

He never even slowed down remotely when he decided to change the direction. The tires of the Pontiac screamed in protest every time he did it, but miraculously they stayed on the ground. We actually passed three different police cars while cruising at warp speed, but they ignored us. It was the craziest thing I had ever witnessed. It was almost like we were invisible although I knew that wasn’t possible.

We had been randomly traveling in this same bizarre fashion and Jaysen’s haunted expression had not changed at all. So, I decided that our loony pattern was set and these would be the only strange things I would witness.

I should have remembered that, in my life, nothing is ever that predictable.

The dark clique Dom’s expression still remained the same, but something unbelievably horrible started to happen…

The interior of the car began to sizzle with what felt like an energy field of tremendous power. This ‘energy field’ was nothing like Ember’s spirit light though. This growing specter of power felt warped and tainted. Jaysen seemed to use the dark energy to force the car to accelerate even faster. The Pontiac isn’t capable of travelling at this unheard of velocity, but somehow it was breaking a land-speed record. It rocketed through the night like a demon possessed car bent on going straight to Hades as fast as possible.

Suddenly the madness that had occurred so far became almost insignificant. I started feeling deathly claustrophobic as the energy field expanded, rapidly. The small interior wasn’t big enough anymore for both of us and the energy too. I felt like I was a tiny fish swimming around in the mouth of a hungry whale.

The dark energy pressed hard into my flesh as it consumed the limited space. I was being smothered by its encroaching intrusion. The energy didn’t have any available place to expand, but it didn’t seem to care. Right before I lost consciousness, it finally released me a little bit. I inhaled swiftly before it expanded once again. The energy field repeated this horrific pattern without a single deviation.

Even the brief opportunities it provided me with to breathe weren’t very helpful because the air inside the car became almost toxic from the fumes. It smelled like rotting meat that had been left sitting out in the hot July sun. It was so disgusting that I could ‘taste’ the odor on the back of my tongue. So I struggled against breathing in the noxious fumes and tried not to gag during my brief reprieves from the pressure.

I watched in terror as another type of energy field surrounded Jaysen. It appeared to squeeze him in a frozen death grip. His body was immobile. He somehow managed to steer the car although he barely kept it in his own lane while the icy entity overwhelmed him. He looked like a demonic ice sculpture as his evil stare penetrated the windshield.

This new foul