Legend of the Ir'Indicti 5 - Destroyer (21 page)

"Yeah. Sure. Easy for you to say." Ashe lifted the sleeve covering his left arm and gingerly touched the eight gold medallions circling his biceps. At least they weren't as tender against his skin as they'd first been. When they'd first appeared, he could barely stand to touch them, and it was worse if someone else tried.

"How am I supposed to read these things now, to get back what I lost?" Ashe shook his head in bewilderment. "This just gets worse as it goes along."

* * *

"Any improvement?" Trajan asked as he settled at the Evans' kitchen island. "Mrs. Thompson is bringing dinner for you and your mom."

"No improvement. Not since five minutes ago, anyway, when I last attempted to mist," Ashe grumbled dejectedly. "Want coffee? Mom asked for some a few minutes ago. She got up and took a shower. Said she'd be down in a few minutes."

"I'd take coffee." Trajan nodded. "Shirley says we can have a service for Andy tomorrow afternoon at the usual spot."

"He shouldn't be dead." Ashe poured water into the coffeemaker and turned on the brewer.

"True. Winkler and the Grand Master want to hunt Zeke again, but Peyton says Zeke is probably moving his compound, if he hasn't done it already."

"What's happening with Peyton? They're not thinking of killing him, are they?" Ashe turned worried blue eyes on Trajan.

"Not at the moment. He's telling everything he knows to the Grand Master, and a lot of it confirms what Weldon already suspected," Trajan sighed. "Winkler's sending Peyton to Dallas afterward, to train with some of his other wolves. Most of the education Peyton has is self-taught, so he may be enrolling in night classes, too. Loren is filling in for Andy. Winkler may make it permanent. Loren catches on pretty quick."

"Wish I could help," Ashe said. "Can't right now."

"Understood."

"Here." Ashe poured a fresh cup of coffee for Winkler's Second. "Any news on Dawn Smith? Is anybody making sure Randy has something to eat?"

"No news, and yes, Randy is being fed. He's in good shape, other than worrying about his mother and his job. Winkler let him call Sara once, but that's the only call he was allowed to make. He didn't tell her about his mother."

"What did Sara say? She's a bunny shapeshifter, you know."

"Didn't know that," Trajan shook his head. "Winkler said she couldn't come down to see Randy until things were more settled."

"Wish I could see the implications of all that," Ashe remarked.

"Is the coffee ready? It smells good," Adele walked in, dressed in jeans and a comfortable top. Her feet were bare and her hair pulled back in a single braid.

"Sit down, Mom. I'll get it for you." Ashe went to the cabinet to get another cup.

"Ashe, why are my recent memories of you so hazy?" Adele asked. "Do you think it's a side effect of what happened last night?"

"I don't know," Ashe lied, setting a cup of black coffee in front of his mother. "Mrs. Thompson is bringing dinner for us later."

"That's so nice," Adele lifted the cup to her lips.

"That's my phone," Ashe pulled the cell from his pocket and checked the text he'd received. "It's from Dad," he whispered, opening the message.

Coming home. Will arrive in New York to spend day. Be in Corpus Christi Sunday night, late. Have informed Nathan. He will pick me up. Will explain when I arrive
.

Ashe read the message twice before handing the phone to Trajan. "Holy shit," Trajan swore.

Chapter 13
 

"Fifteen trackers are dead and Wildrif has disappeared," Zeke snapped. Hutch stared at the floor surrounding Zeke's desk—Ezekiel Tanner had nearly destroyed the desk inside his new study in anger, sending a laptop, files and everything else flying when he learned of Wildrif's perfidy. "Have you sent anybody out to track him?" Zeke barely kept the snarl from his voice.

"I've got three out, but they lost the scent just before he reached the river. Probably had somebody pick him up," Hutch growled low. "If it was somebody from the other side, he's long gone by now."

"I shouldn't have given him a new cell phone. He dumped the other one in the desert when we went to get him," Zeke huffed. "Who knows if he intends to sell us out, now? How's the move going?"

"Well enough. Two more loads and we're done."

"Get it done quick. It may not be enough, but at least Peyton won't be able to send the Grand Master against us."

"We don't know that Peyton is still alive."

"Thanks to Wildrif high-tailin' it out of here. If I ever catch him," Zeke's hands clenched in fury.

* * *

"Buck, I'm sorry. I just feel that something's missing," Adele sounded tired over the phone. He'd called and she'd thought to allow the call to go to voicemail. Instead, she'd answered, determined to end her relationship with the werewolf as gently as possible.

"Adele, I wish you'd think about this before dumping me." Buck didn't sound happy.

"I promise to think about it—I just can't promise that I'll come to any other conclusion," Adele brushed tears away. "You were good to me, and I appreciate that. More than I can say. It's just—not right. Not what I want. I'm sorry."

"Look, both of us got hit last night. I'll call you back in a couple of days and we'll talk again." Buck ended the call.

"That went well," Denise DeLuca sat next to Adele at the kitchen island.

"I'm sorry you had to hear it. Did Ashe let you in?"

"Yes. He went out to talk to Sali. How are you feeling?"

"Not so good, after that." Adele tapped her phone. "The good news, I guess, is that Aedan is coming home. He texted Ashe. Maybe he was afraid to talk to me."

"Things haven't gone so well, lately," Denise agreed softly.

* * *

"Anything new?" Ashe asked as he and Sali walked through the Star Cove community.

"Nope. Marco is at the beach house with Loren, and he says things are really quiet over there. Says he's talked to Cori three times today. She almost freaked when he told her about last night."

"Not many people knew what was happening," Ashe said.

"Ashe, what's wrong?" Sali stopped on his trek around the community and stared at Ashe.

"I'm blind as a bat, no pun intended," Ash muttered. "Dang. I don't know if I can even change to the bat," he added. "Sal, will you pick up my clothes if I turn?"

"I guess, but dude, it's still daylight."

"Doesn't matter. If I can't do this, I really am screwed." Ashe concentrated on turning to the bat.

"Looks like a bat to me," Sali muttered dryly as Ashe flapped in front of his face.

Yippee!
Ashe sent.

"Dude, turning to an itty bitty bat is no cause for celebration," Sali pointed out.

You can hear my mindspeech? Answer if you can
.

"I hear you. Won't you fry those tiny wings if you fly around too much in this heat?"

It's either that or run naked through the street to get back home
, Ashe pointed out.

"Young one, perhaps you'd like a ride?" Ashe flapped around to see who'd spoken. She was ancient and lovely, with blue-black hair captured in a braid down her back and dark eyes that held wisdom and pain in their depths.

I'd accept a ride
, Ashe agreed.

"He speaks with his mind? That's wonderful," she stated. "I am Opal Tadewi, one of Alvin's friends."

"Alvin?" Sali blinked.

Principal Wright
, Ashe supplied.

"Oh. Man, I didn't know he had another name besides Bear."

"He does," Opal smiled. "Young one, you may sit on my shoulder," she tapped her right shoulder with a finger. "Perhaps you will tell me which house is yours?"

Sali gathered Ashe's clothing and followed Opal and Ashe down the street.

* * *

"Hey, Mrs. Evans. Ashe turned." Sali lifted Ashe's jeans and sneakers.

"Who is this?" Adele saw Opal as she walked around Sali.

"I am Ashe's ride for the present," Opal smiled. "I hear you had a traumatic experience last night. Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm all right, I just feel a little confused," Adele smiled. "I have coffee. Would you like some?"

"I'd appreciate a cup. Young one, perhaps you'd like to get dressed?" She addressed Ashe, who still perched on her shoulder. Ashe flapped away, following Sali up the stairs.

* * *

"Man, Mom will blow a gasket when she figures out I don't have any clothes here. They're all at Mr. Winkler's." Ashe came out of the bathroom, fully dressed again, his hair ruffled from pulling the T-shirt over his head.

"Marco said Cori was coming home for dinner with her mom and Dori," Sali said. "Maybe she can go by Winkler's place and pick up stuff for you."

"That's fine, but what then? Mom signed a paper, making Mr. Winkler my guardian. Does she remember that at all, or are her brains completely scrambled?" Ashe turned a worried glance on Sali.

"No idea, man. Maybe you should talk to Mr. Winkler first. Or the Grand Master."

"They've got their hands full, don't you think? Zeke Tanner is still causing trouble, Dawn Smith is trying to kill my mom, Randy's under house arrest when he didn't do anything, and the Elemaiya are showing up for who knows—uh-oh." Ashe's eyes widened in alarm.

"What? That uh-oh didn't sound good, dude."

"Sal, they were trying to get me, last night. Why didn't I see this before? Oh, man, this is a hundred times worse."

"See what?" Sali asked.

Ashe almost ran through his bedroom door, heading for the stairs. Sali trotted behind, still asking questions. "Where's Mr. Winkler?" Ashe's sneakers squeaked on the tiled kitchen floor as he sailed into the kitchen.

"He's still with Marcus and the Grand Master at our house," Denise DeLuca answered.

"I need to talk to him," Ashe breathed. Sali caught up and bumped into Ashe, nearly knocking him over as Ashe stopped still to call Winkler on his cell.

"Is he always this abrupt?" Opal smiled at Adele. Sali righted himself before pulling Ashe back from a near fall.

"Not always, unless there's something important going on," Adele replied. "Honey, what's going on?"

"I sort of know more than I did," Ashe said. "Mr. Winkler, can I see you for a minute?" Ashe asked when Winkler answered the call.

"Thanks," Ashe hung up. "Mom, I need to go to Sali's house. I'll be back." Ashe raced out the door, Sali close behind.

* * *

"You're sure about this?" Winkler knelt beside the chair Ashe had chosen in Marcus' den. Marcus, Sali, Trajan and the Grand Master were waiting for Ashe to explain why he thought the Elemaiya had been waiting for him to appear to save his mother the night before.

"Well, they were waiting for me in England, when they tried to take Dad," Ashe pointed out.

"So, Dawn Smith is not only involved as Tanner's informant, she may be dealing with the Elemaiya, too?" The Grand Master attempted to puzzle things out.

"I think Wildrif is pulling strings in all this," Ashe muttered bitterly. "You think he's taking money from all sides?"

"Could be," Winkler's forehead wrinkled as he considered the idea. "Kid, I never thought I'd miss that crazy talent you have, but I do now."

"We'll just have to figure this out the old-fashioned way, until the crazy talent comes back," Ashe said. "I have a headache, again. Sal, got any aspirin?"

* * *

"Do you have a last name?" Curtis Roberts asked.

"None that matters," Wildrif shrugged.

"You say you're the one providing all the intel? Through Tanner?"

"Yes. He has failed to pay for my services or provide proper compensation of any kind. Therefore, I offer my services directly to you."

"What can you give me on that kid? The one in those photos?" Curtis asked. He studied Wildrif as his new informant considered the request. Curtis thought Wildrif looked much like the homeless people he sometimes passed on the street. Dressed poorly in ill-fitting clothing, Wildrif wore shoes too large for his feet, his mismatched eyes made everyone around him uncomfortable and he needed a bath and a haircut.

"The child is dangerous most of the time, but I have recently learned that his power is diminished. If you can arrange to take him before his power returns, you might command it instead of the pretender, Matt Michaels."

"Where did these photographs come from?" Curtis held up the two photographs he'd discussed with Arthur Vaine.

"An acquaintance, who owed me a favor," Wildrif dismissed the photographs with a wave. "He is no longer alive—William Winkler and the boy saw to that."

"That's too bad," Curtis muttered. "Look, how about I set up an account for you and deposit what Tanner was scheduled to get, then hand you some cash and find a place for you to stay? You can clean up there and I'll have my associate, Mr. Calhoun, get shoes and clothes. Just give him your sizes and he'll take care of it."