Shadow of Hope (11 page)

Chapter: Sixteen

Chris looked at the array of weapons on his kitchen table. He picked up a Desert Eagle and slammed the magazine home. He pulled the slide to chamber the initial round, switched the safety on, and holstered the weapon.

Chris heard three sharp raps on his door. It was about time. “It’s open Evan! Get in here!”

He heard several heavy steps. He removed a kriss blade from the table and held it at the ready. He saw Evan’s stout frame silhouetted in the doorway.
God, he must be wound up.
The Evan Chris knew would have snuck in right under his nose. And with his Chris’ past combat experience, that was no mean feat. He shook his head irritably. “I can’t even trust you to watch my daughter at a god damn isolated no-man’s land for three days.”

Evan bristled. “If your daughter had listened to my instructions instead of going all cowgirl and trying to save the day, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place,” he snapped.

Chris shook his head again. “She’s just like Helen. Once her mind is made up-”

“It’s made up,” Evan finished softly.

Helen. He remembered the joy her name brought him the day she pledged to be his forever. He remembered the pain her name brought him when he was required to verify her body after the car wreck. He held a hand up. “I’m sorry Evan. I know it’s not your fault. It’s just that I’m worried. I’m scared to lose her, like I did her mother.”

“I am too.” Evan’s
voice still lowered, Chris was shocked to hear his admission. It wasn’t a small known fact to him that Zoe and Evan had…issues.

“What’s all that
?” Evan asked, indicating the table. And changing subjects, Chris thought dryly. He eyed Evan with a patronizing gaze.

“I know your own arsenal is a little out of date, but we call these pistols and automatic rifles nowadays,” he said, gesturing to the assorted small arms dealer’s wet dream sitting on the oak dining table.

“And these,” he said, pointing to an assortment of tactical blades which included the standard Special Forces beloved standby, the K-Bar, which was a veritable Swiss army knife on steroids. “-pointy things, are knives.”

Evan grimaced. “Clarification. I
know
what those are, I even know what the thermal image recognition radar is, and I know what the rest of the stuff in your guerilla toy box is. More to the point though, what is the purpose of the wolf’s bane, garlic, and holly oak crosses?” he asked, arching his brows.

Chris looked away, embarrassed. “Helen once told me that dark forces would pursue the mirror one day. And those who held it. I wasn’t like her, or even you, Evan. I have no supernatural roots. The enemies I kill are flesh and blood, and God knows I have more than enough of that on my conscience.
But this…spiritual warfare, as you might call it? I’m but a tiny fish in a very big ocean.”

Evan nodded. “Leave those. I assure you, they mean nothing to what we’re up against. I’m not sure who or what is behind this, but those old remedies from ancient times won’t stop it, that much I
am
sure of.”

Chris nodded, but said nothing. Several seconds passed before Evan broke the brooding silence. “Why didn’t you ever tell Zoe about the mirror? About her responsibilities as the Gatekeeper?”

The question hit Chris like a sledgehammer. He let out a long, heavy sigh before answering. “You will find this out soon enough, Evan. When you have kids of your own-”

“I’ve taken the Blade. I am committed to that purpose. I plan on having no children.”

Chris’ eyebrows raised quizzically. “Even those who serve the Blade have children Evan. Or else you wouldn’t be here.”

Evan shrugged. Chris continued. “When you have children, you see the world differently. They could be thirty years old, and you will still want to protect them. To tell them there are no monsters. I had seen three generations of Zoe’s lineage pass without seeing dark forces attacking. I told myself
the car accident taking her mother was just that, an accident. And for awhile, I was content to believe it too. I had more than enough on my mind between Zoe’s upbringing and my job. And by denying the hard, cold reality, I let her down.”

Evan rested a hand on Chris’ shoulder. “You did what you thought was right, Chris. Oh that all parents could say that.”

“I’ve been taught to measure success by results, Evan. In the battlefield, good intentions and good results are hardly equitable.”

“Then let’s make sure the results justify the intentions this time.”

Chris nodded. “
Then
you can find out what I mean about being a father.”

Evan looked like Chris just ripped on
e in church. “Are you implying I-”

“I’m implying we’ll both be happier once Zoe is back safe.” Evan didn’t seem inclined to argue that.

“If Zoe’s phone is still with her, we can trace with GPS-”

“Don’t bother,” Evan said, interrupting him. “It’s at the farm on her nightstand.”

Chris’ mind began cycling the best possibilities for finding her. Evan held up his long sword. “Besides, this will work much better. Trust me.”

***

They pulled up to the abandoned paper factory.

“You sure this is the place?” Chris asked dubiously.

Evan nodded. “Like a divining rod to water.”

Chris reached in back of the car and pulled out the thermal imaging unit. He flipped switches and honed it right at the face of the building. He held the rubberized lens border to his eyes, pressing tightly to conform
to his facial outline. “Two forms. What the hell?”

Evan stiffened. “What is it?”

“One’s dead-”

Evan opened the door in a flash. Before he could exit the vehicle, Chris grabbed him. “Evan! Calm down! The dead body is male! There’s a female form secured to a table of some sort. That could be Zoe.”

Evan sat down and processed the information. “Then…did she kill her captor? That seems unlikely. I mean, she may be discovering her powers, but-”

“Let’s operate as though there are multiple assailants at work here. I can’t see just one man managing all this. There’s only one entryway I can see offhand
, in the front. Damn, I wish I had more time for surveillance!”

Evan placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’ll work out, you’ll see.”

Chris had his doubts, this reeked of an ambush. All his years in the field taught him what it smelled like. But he wouldn’t show those doubts to Evan. They needed to get in fast and hard and get Zoe out of here as quickly as possible. “Okay. We’ll storm the main door. You on the right, I’ll take the left. You grab Zoe and get the hell out of here, you hear me? Whatever happens, just get her out! That’s your duty and you’re sworn to uphold it. Understood?”

The look on Evan’s face said out of a hundred ideas he would have chosen this one last. But he didn’t argue. He stood and saluted with his sword. “Yes, sir.”

Chris exited the car and they made their way towards the urban equivalent of Pearl Harbor.

Chapter: Seventeen

Zoe watched Aries stab the man he called Lucian to death. Her heart wrenched for this man she hated not more than an hour ago. No one deserved this, no one. Fire flared in her gut and she clenched the locket in her hand. It allowed him to pass through the field and loosen the cuff before he died. She looked over at her bound shoulder. She vowed his sacrifice would
not
be in vain.

Her
newfound powers coursed through her veins, she could harness the energy at will. As she held the locket, it brought a sense of comfort. It was if she could feel the generations before her uniting, sparking the small flame inside. The information passed down through the ages flooded her mind. In an instant all the pieces came together, she knew who she was, what her purpose in life was and how she was going to kick the shit out of Aries. She said a mental prayer to Gaia, asked her for guidance and the ability to be strong like the women before her.

Aries
came toward her, she struggled a moment before soothing words from the past calmed her mind allowing her to focus.
You are not alone my child.
The bolts fell to the ground.

“And now for you, self-proclaimed Gatekeeper,” the dark voice said. Aries turned toward Zoe, sheathing his sword and raising his hands. She rolled off to the left side of the altar, dropping off and into a crouch on the concrete floor as waves of flame burst forth around her, the altar taking the blunt of the attack. The five elements flowed through her and she could wield
them at will.

This was not a man, but a God. Her faith in being able to defeat him began to falter,
but the gentle voice spoke to her again.
He may have years of experience on his side child, but Aries has always thought himself invincible. His ego is his weakness; use it to your advantage.

The voice felt familiar and warm, like a favorite childhood blanket.

“Self-proclaimed? From where I’m standing, I
am
the gatekeeper,” she yelled, hoping to distract Aries with her banter.

She
could tell by the look in his eyes that he was pissed. How could a young mortal hold the power he so desperately tried to claim all these centuries? The voice was right. His ego would be his downfall.

“Not for long.”
Shit!
The voice was right behind her! She swung her left arm back, up towards Aries’ midsection. He caught it, squeezing. She gritted her teeth against the pain and brought her other hand around, still clutching the locket. She placed it against Aries’ knee and forced her will into it. He yelped and loosened his grip as his knee gave a resounding
pop.

His weight buckled on that side, and she raised her right hand again, punching him in the groin. On his way down
, she brought her knee up into his face. A feeling of strength and confidence filled her. Until his forehead whipped up, smacking into her and sending her to the ground. He grabbed her legs and pulled her closer. She kicked at him, but he held her legs scrambling to get on top of her.

She would not win in hand-to-hand combat, this she was sure
. She moved to the side avoiding the fist aimed at her face. His hand went through the concrete, dust and little pieces of rock filled the air around her, she needed to do something and fast.

She heard a gunshot and jumped. “Chris, no! If he didn’t show on thermal, he may not be tangible!”

“He looks pretty damn tangible to me, Evan!”

Zoe’s heart flooded with relief. Her father and Evan were here. “It took you guys long enough!”

Aries stood and turned towards the two new arrivals. Zoe kicked at the back of his knee. He turned back and grabbed her by throat, dragging her up off the floor. He held her face to his. “Though your fire pleases me, it also distracts me. Now wait. I won’t be long. Then you and I are going to have some
real
fun.”

He threw her down next to Lucian.

“Zoe!” She heard her father’s panicked shout.

She stared into Lucian’s deep blue eyes. He had a smile on his face.
His eyes no longer had the deep, sad look she saw before he died. She put the necklace in her right hand back around her throat where it belonged. She reached over and closed his eyes, then grabbed his knife from his sheath. “You won’t need this anymore, Lucian. I’m sorry.”

She rose and saw Evan circling Aries and Chris keeping at his back.
Good. They were looking at all options.

She stalked after Aries, her steps as light and still as a Panther’s. Aries waved his hand and Evan went flying. Chris raised his
firearm, took aim, and unleashed a three-round burst. They went straight through Aries. “A man of war. It’s been long since I’ve had the pleasure,” Aries replied with a pleased voice.

“Dad! Duck!”

Chris hit the floor, and Zoe unleashed a blast of flame that sent Aries hurling into the front of the building with a sharp
crack.
Evan returned to his feet, and ran at Aries, swinging the sword with precise strokes. Aries checked each blow and placed a hand on his hip. “Mortals.” He shook his head. “You don’t know when you’ve been beat.” He glanced and saw Chris get to his feet. “Stay down, or die, the choice is yours.” Chris took another step. Zoe screamed, but it all happened in slow motion.

Aries
raised his hand and sent a powerful burst of energy toward her dad. She was too far away and couldn’t get to him. She watched as he hit the wall, bouncing off it and landing on the ground. As slow as it all seemed, the very second she opened her mouth to warn him, she was already too late.  Her dad lay on the ground, blood pooled around his head. She couldn’t move at first, and then time seemed to catch up with her as she heard the screams coming from her mouth. “Noooooooo!”

She ran to where her dad lay
, dropped the knife, picked up his head, and cradled him, tears streaming down her cheek. She frantically checked for a pulse, trying to still her breathing enough to feel one. Nothing. “No. No!”

She laid his head down, vaguely aware of the sounds of battle behind her. She grasped the locket, removing it from her neck and placed her hands over his body. “Please work,” she prayed. “Please work.”

She tried for over five minutes, chanting every spell she knew for healing and restoration. Finally, she collapsed against him sobbing. Grief was replaced with rage. Aries took her mother and now her dad. Energy oozed from every pore, she knew what she had to do. She grabbed Lucian’s knife and turned to where Aries stood fighting Evan. The sorrow and numbness had been replaced with purpose.

Evan ducked Aries’ now unsheathed sword and countered the backhanded blow with his. Aries brought his other hand up behind the clashed swords and flicked his wrist, sending Evan flying and landing a few feet shy of where Zoe now stood, having closed some distance.

Evan rose to his feet as Aries stalked towards them. “Evan,” Zoe whispered. “We have to do this together. We can’t stop him unless the two of us take him on as one.”

Evan turned towards her and his eyes adjusted, as though just noticing her for the first time. “Where’s Chris
?” he asked, looking around her. His eyes must have seen her dad’s fallen body because he stood shaking. “No. No. No.”

She placed her hand on shoulder. “I checked him, Evan.” A fresh cascade of tears streamed down her face. “He’s dead.”

“NO!” Evan whirled to confront Aries who closed the distance at a brisk stroll. He looked less than concerned. Zoe grabbed Evan again, harder this time.

“Evan! We have to do this together! Distract him. Cover me while I position myself to attack his blindside.” Her voice dropped a few levels. Evan gritted his teeth, but nodded.

She remembered what the voice said:
ego
.

“I have an idea, but I need you or this won’t work.”

Evan nodded and then added. “As long as it results in his death.”

“Oh he’s going to die today.” She turned and called out. “You worthless piece of shit. I know why you couldn’t open the gateway.”

Aries stopped and a grin slid across his face. “Do tell, daughter of Gaia.”

“Sure, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

He tapped the sword onto the cement floor. “I’m waiting.”

She grabbed Evan’s hand and whispered to him. “The sword and the shield can defeat him. Do you understand?”

He raised his sword and nodded.

“Because you’re a dumbass. You were a dumbass who lost it not only once, but twice. I think
its funny how you consider yourself to be so powerful, but you can’t manage to hang on to a locket. Pathetic really.”

Aries
smile disappeared and he charged toward them.

Zoe combined the power of all five elements and willed her energy into Evan’s blade. They remained still as
Aries got closer until he was on them.

“Let go Evan.”

Evan released the sword and Zoe sent it into Aries chest. He fell to the ground. She used her power and pulled it free; returning it to Evan. Aries lay motionless.

“
Um, Zoe? He’s still breathing,” Evan said, approaching the body with his sword raised.

Zoe placed her hand on his chest. “He’s a
god, we can’t kill him, but we can do something that will be worse than death.”

“I’m listening.”

She removed the locket from her neck and bent down. “Gran, you and the other spirits should be free by now, but I need your help.”

Gran appeared before them. Evan glanced up. “Ummm Zoe, I can see her.”

“It won’t last long. My powers traveled through you to your sword, so for now you can see my Gran.”

“Zoe, dear you freed us.”

“Yes, Gran. Can you tell me about the gateway?” Zoe glanced down at Aries.

Her Gran smiled. “I think that would be a fine idea.
He’s always wanted in there. I think we should honor his request.”

“But can he get out? Will he get Hope?” Zoe asked.

Bright lights began to show up one by one until the brightest light arrived. The last light, floated past them, over to Lucian, and then to Chris. Zoe and Evan followed it until it stopped before them. A woman appeared, the most beautiful woman Zoe had ever seen.

“Merry meet my children.” Gaia reached out and embraced Zoe then Chris.

Tears streaked Zoe’s cheek.
This
was the voice she heard, the warmth she felt. Her goddess, her mother. “Brightest blessing goddess.”

Gaia reached her hand up and brushed away the tears. “I am your mother first and always, child.”

Zoe smiled and then turned toward Chris. “Can you bring him back?”

“His time here is gone, but take comfort in knowing he and your Earth mother have been reunited and they will watch over you together.”

Zoe gave a small smile. “I’m all alone now.”

Gaia glanced at Evan and then back to Zoe. “You are and never will be alone.”

“Godes- I mean mother, can we put him in there and still keep Hope safe?”

Her laugh was melodic. “Yes, my child you can. I’ve moved Hope to another location. Zoe
, Evan, your families have served me well, now two lines once divided be rejoined. The task will go to another. Thank you both.”

“
Wait, are you saying the Templars no longer bear responsibility for Zoe’s lineage? The Gateway no longer needs protecting? What do you mean 'rejoined'?’” Evan asked.

“I think you know,” Gaia said.
“I see you have many questions about the responsibilities you once held.”

She caressed Evan’s face. “But every man should bear his own free will; bound neither to gods nor to other men.”

Aries limbs began to stir. “We need to do this before he wakes.” Zoe and Evan walked over to him and knelt down, she placed the locket on his chest and he placed the tip of the sword on top of the locket. “You wanted this Aries, it’s all yours now.”

There was a bright flash of
light, Aries was gone, and the necklace lay on the ground. Gaia reached down, picked it up, and handed it to one of the lights. The form became visible and Zoe became alarmed by what she saw... “Don’t give it to him! He served Aries, and now he’s dead. He can’t be trusted with it!”

Gaia smiled and Lucian bowed before Zoe. “Lucian has paid his dues many times over. He has been forgiven and welcomed into my light.”

Lucian remained refused to meet Zoe’s gaze. “I have done things which are unforgivable for the lifetimes of several men. I know I have caused you harm and suffering. I know I don’t deserve your mercy. But to pass on, and to assume my responsibilities without issue, I must ask you’re your mercy nonetheless. Please forgive me daughter of Gaia.”

Zoe placed her hand on his shoulder. She wanted to be angry with him for all the problems he caused. If it wasn’t for him she would…she looked over at Evan…she wouldn’t have met him. She thought about her dad being dead because
of him kidnapping her and involving Chris, yet those thoughts were washed away by the knowledge he was with her mother and that Lucian himself suffered over countless lifetimes as he had made her suffer.  He may have caused a lot of trouble, but he brought her to Evan and for that alone, she could forgive him. “I forgive you.”