Awakening: The Elder Chronicles, Volume 1 Read online

  "So, what do you say to a hot shower?" Alec asked with a wide grin.

  The prospect excited her. "Yes, please!" she said with gusto. She needed one. The smell of stale alcohol surrounded her, and a warm shower seemed like a step into Elysian Fields. Goose-bumps emerged on her flesh.

  Alec pressed the buzzer for one of the building's flats. It took more than a minute for an answer. The tinny static-filled speaker made the deep baritone voice nearly impossible to make out. Apparently, though, Alec had very little problem understanding the confusing mixture of white noise and garbled speech.

  The buzzer sounded, and she could hear the electronic door locks move inside the door with a click. With the building's ancient elevator out of service, the seventh-floor flat was solely accessible by a long hike up the stairs. Even for New York City standards, the walk to the stairwell made it apparent how seamy and filthy living conditions were here. Unnamable substances had stained the hallway carpeting, including, judging from the lingering stench, alcohol and urine. She walked past a puddle of vomit on the floor and kept hearing the distinct skittering and chittering of rats within the walls.

  When they arrived at the mid-hallway flat, they found the front door left unlocked for them. Elena followed Alec inside.

  The word small overwhelmed the flat's diminutive nature. Even compared to what she remembered of the studio apartment her parents had once rented in Brooklyn. The single room had one interior door leading to a combined shower stall, sink, and toilet. The idea someone could collect rent for such a confined space seemed ridiculous, but she had to respect the efficient use of every inch.

  The quintessence of neatness, there was not a single item out of place. But it made sense, as even one misplaced item would have cluttered the space.

  A solitary window provided ample light, which revealed a lone man seated on a folded futon resting against the wall beneath the window. He glanced up at Alec and his face brightened.

  It has been many years, my dear friend, the man said to Alec mentally. How long? Do you remember?

  Elena could hear the entire conversation passing between the two men. She found it a bit odd she could understand them. They were in France. She knew next to nothing of the French language, but yet as these two mentalists conversed, she could understand every word spoken. Perhaps there are no language barriers when speaking telepathically.

  Yes, René, Alec replied with equal warmth as they shook hands, I do remember. It has been more than two hundred years now since I was in Paris last. But it has been a mere thirty since we last spoke. The expression on his face took on a more serious countenance. How are things?

  They are not going so well, the new man, René, replied, his face turning sour. The battles rage on, and the Opposition has been gaining much strength here in Paris. I have spoken with our leaders, and they refuse to offer me the additional resources I need. It would seem Paris is largely under the influence of the enemy.

  Elena would have described his expression as if he sucked on a lemon.

  You will have to be careful in this city, my friend, René said, for you can trust no one anymore.

  Alec nodded in understanding. I was worried this would be the case. Your words of caution are well heeded, René.

  He paused for a moment. You received my mother's advance notice?

  René nodded. Yes, I did.

  He stood and walked over to the kitchen portion of the flat. She noticed in spite of his great height, he had gone to pot. His doughy body, sunken eyes, and sallow skin betrayed the lack of care he took in himself and the overabundance of cheap cologne, which smelled as if he'd bathed in it, could not sufficiently mask his strong body odor.

  "May I interest either of you in a drink or something to eat?" René asked aloud. It surprised Elena his mental voice matched his physical voice so well.

  Before they could even answer, René turned his back on his guests and fished in his cabinets for a few teacups.

  Elena shook her head, about to open her mouth when Alec spoke up, "Sure," he replied. "We would love something to drink."

  "Good!" René responded." How does tea sound?"

  Alec stared at Elena and tipped his head toward René, indicating she should be the next to respond to the kindness extended by their host. After a mouthed protest, she replied, "Tea sounds wonderful."

  René set himself to the task of preparing the tea.

  Yes, they are both here with me, René's mental voice announced to nobody.

  The voice entering her head startled her. It belonged to René, but she had heard no question for him to answer. She decided not to say anything and instead eavesdropped.

  What are your instructions? René's voice continued.

  Elena spun her head to Alec and flashed her eyes wide to attract his attention. Again while René's attention focused elsewhere, she shook her head and mouthed a single word to Alec, "Danger." Alec cocked his head sideways and furrowed his eyebrows.

  She could tell Alec seemed conflicted. René was an old friend and he needed to confirm whether he’d actually become a threat.

  "René, how have you been faring in the battles? You said our leaders have not been supplying aid."

  René didn't respond immediately. His attention instead seemed to be focused elsewhere. Elena continued to eavesdrop.

  I understand, René told his inaudible conversant. We shall speak of conditions later. They will be here when you arrive. Is it true you were hurt by the girl? Is she really the Source?

  René responded to Alec, "Excuse me, dear friend, I missed what you asked."

  However, Elena heard something quite different. René again spoke with someone else. This time, with a little bit of effort, she had managed to hear the voice. The female voice she did not immediately recognize but somehow sounded familiar. Unfortunately, she could not make out the words it spoke.

  "Ah," Alec responded to René. "I was wondering, René, how you have been surviving through the battles. After all, if the Opposition is gaining so much momentum, and our leaders refuse to provide any additional support, I can imagine things are tough." Alec's voice took on an accusatory tone. "Such times could drive someone to extreme measures."

  René responded gracefully, but Elena noticed he avoided eye contact. He peered over their shoulders as though he expected something to come crashing through the window behind them.

  "I have managed to hold my own," the overweight Daimon replied. "My network of informants in Paris is quite extensive, and my accounts hold more than enough gold to purchase human support when it is needed."

  Alec paused and studied at René with an obvious question burning in his eyes. "Is there anything we can do to help you while we are here in Paris?" Elena knew he itched to ask another question.

  René's face remained expressionless and paled. "No, my friend," he replied with a slight, humorless laugh. "I cannot ask anything of you. After all, you are already on a tremendous quest of your own. And what kind of help could I expect from you and a—human?" René ended his response with a mirthful smirk and another forced light laugh.

  Alec, responded, "Very good. Then, I don't have to explain why I am here."

  "As I said before," René replied. "I received advance word of your arrival. Your mother's message arrived yesterday."

  Alec probed, "So then, will you be able to help us?"

  René stared out the window over their shoulders again. He was restless, and seemed to be in perpetual motion.

  "To find the Elder? How could I help you find the Elder? He is hidden. There are rumors he is in South America, and other rumors he is in Africa. Personally, I like the stories of him being buried among China's famous clay army." Another humorless laugh. "It's my favorite. But no, I do not have his location."

  "René," Alec began, "you have been a great friend to my family for nearly four millennia. You are one of the last third-generation Daimones who has ever met and spoken with the Elder." He added, "Surely you must have some idea?"

  Ren
é shook his head excitedly. "No!" he yelped, as if he were being questioned under torture. "I don't." He had lost control of his voice. But before he continued speaking he managed to regain some composure. "As I said," he continued, "nobody does. But I may be able to give you some helpful information." He paused and glanced at his watch. "Unfortunately, it is not here and may take me some time to gather. Why not make yourselves at home? You can stay here until I can put everything together."

  René was stalling. "No. We need to be going," Alec told him.

  René gawked in a mix of confusion and fear. "What do you mean, no?" Elena could hear the rage permeate his voice. "It will take me some time to get all of the correct information together. There are legends and tales, which may have clues as to the Elder's resting place. It's a complicated puzzle." The man's voice kept cracking under stress. "Please, stay a little while. I can make you something to eat."

  "Again, my friend," Alec nearly spat this last word, "I said no. We have other errands to run and must be leaving. We can return later for your results."

  Alec turned toward Elena and gestured toward the door. "Elena, let's go. We're leaving."

  She nodded and stepped toward the door.

  "No!" René shouted at Alec. "You can't leave. I have information for you." René's voice strained with fright.

  Elena interrupted. No, René, she said to him mentally. You don't have any information. Nor are you any longer Alec's friend. I can sense it in you. You're lying. You were lying when you said you had information. But you were not lying when you told the Opposition we would be here when they arrived. You have been stalling to keep us here.

  René's face paled. You can hear my mind?

  Elena nodded. René hung his head in shame.

  Without warning, René moved with amazing speed. He reached across the counter and wrapped his hands around Alec's throat in less than an eye blink. Elena, however, reacted as quickly. As she'd done with Israfil, she summoned tremendous pain and pushed it into his mind with all her strength.

  René stopped dead in his tracks. She could see his grip on Alec loosen. His eyes grew expressionless. A gush of blood poured down through René's nose, eyes, and ears, coating his shirt. His body fell limp to the floor in front of Alec.

  Alec's eyes were wide with shock. What happened? he asked Elena.

  He attacked you, she replied, her hands shaking, and I reacted.

  Alec kept pressing. But what did you do to him?

  Elena turned to him. Her reflection in the stainless steel toaster on the counter spoke volumes; her face had gone completely stark white. Numbness spread from her lips and through her face. She wanted to run away. Had she really killed someone? With her mind?

  I...I...I did the only thing I could think of, she said. I filled his mind with pain like I did with the other Daimon back in Canada. Except, when I did it last time it crippled him. I was afraid it wouldn't work on René because it didn't work on the woman back in London.

  Alec walked over to her and gave her a hug. She barely felt his arms squeeze her. Gazing up at him, she could see the concern painted on his face. Involuntarily, she shivered.

  Elena, this is an ability powerful Daimones possess. He rubbed her back. Well, it would appear either your abilities have grown much in the last few hours, or you haven't found your full strength yet. I would say you somehow destroyed his brain with your mind. Alec held her by the shoulders, and locked eyes with her. Are you okay?

  His embrace took the edge off of what she had done. She knew Alec wouldn't judge her for what had happened. She pulled back slightly. Me? she replied with amazement. Am I okay?

  Alec nodded, his eyes locked onto her eyes. Yes, you, he said. It's not an easy thing to come to terms with, killing someone. But don't be hard on yourself, Alec continued before she could say anything. You did the right thing. I am proud of you!

  Elena didn't understand. Proud of me? Why are you proud of me? I wasn't attacked. You were. I killed a man. Not in self-defense, but in cold blood.

  Alec's voice became firm. No! What you did was not in cold blood. It was most definitely self-defense. He paused and his voice softened. What do you think he would have done once he had finished killing me? He would have been after you next. It was self-defense, but... Another pause. Don't you realize? You saved my life!

  Elena nodded, half listening to what he said. But... she began.

  Don't dwell on this, he interrupted. What's done is done. This was a powerful and terrible man who would not have had any qualms about snuffing your life or handing you over to the Opposition.

  Elena nodded again, finally accepting what he said. Then, she decided to change the topic. Did he hurt you? she asked.

  Alec smiled and hugged her again. I'm fine, he replied. He barely managed to get his hands around me before you killed him. She hugged him again, running the whole exchange through her mind. The conversations, the attack, René's conversations with...

  She gasped. It all made perfect sense. The mental voice René had been conversing with sounded so familiar because it belonged to the woman back in London. Alec, René was talking to someone else. It's why he was so distracted. He was trying to keep us here. Stall us until they showed up. Oh no, it dawned on me who he was talking to... I recognized the voice. He was talking to the woman from the pub in London. She is coming for us.

  Alec paused for a moment and scanned the room. We have to get out of here. If what you heard was correct, then there are others on their way. He paused. René was an ally for a very long time and I can't believe he betrayed us to the Opposition. He was probably our greatest asset here in Europe. Following his cue, Elena also scanned the place. Out the window, something moved on the horizon.

  Elena pushed away from Alec. She could hear the din of voices in her head. I can hear them. They are still far off, but their voices are becoming clearer. They're coming, she told him, her voice cracking. We have to leave.

  Alec didn't hesitate. He released her and moved toward the exit. Elena, please put your hands in your pockets, and don't touch anything as we leave. They had not touched much in the place, and Elena's fingerprints would not be on anything.

  He opened the door, leading the way out of the flat. She followed swiftly and quietly pulling the door closed behind them with her foot. Outside the building they stepped out onto the cement sidewalk and headed to the nearest street corner. At the intersection of Rue de la Maison Blanche with Avenue d'Italie, they turned south and walked to the first Metro stop they could find. Elena knew they needed to put as much distance between themselves and Paris as they could, and fast. But she also needed some answers. Since she'd left school a few short days ago, she had constantly been on the run, pursued by some unknown organization who apparently wanted her dead and also seemed to be ahead of them every step of the way. And now, she had killed someone.

  As they approached the bus waiting at the Metro station, she stopped dead in her tracks.

  "Alec," she said, "wait."

  He did not appear to hear her and kept walking forward. A little louder, she repeated, "Alec, wait!"

  Several hundred feet away, he finally stopped and turned around. Elena, why are you stopping? We need to get going! Let's go! You said it yourself. They are coming!

  He reached his hand out to her. She could see the urgency in his eyes. However, neither had any effect on her.

  No, Alec, she said. I am not moving anywhere until I get some answers. Answers that make sense.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elena, we don't have time for this, Alec barked. We have to keep moving. They'll be here any minute and the bus is about to leave!

  No, she told him. I am not going until I have answers. I am tired of running and not knowing why.

  He started walking back toward her. And don't even think of carrying me, she snapped. I will scream as loud as I can and make sure we are caught.

  Elena, why are you doing this?

  Doing what? she asked.

  Putting yours
elf in danger like this? he replied.

  See, there's the problem, she retorted. What is the danger? I was attacked at my school by some dead football player, have been running for days on end, and am doing all sorts of weird things with my mind while being involved in some strange war I don't know anything about. And now I am killing people with my mind. I need answers, Alec. And I need them now!

  Alec stared at her for a few moments then began walking toward her again. Fine, he said in exasperation. You'll have your answers. But we have to get somewhere safe first. They're gonna be here...

  Elena cut him off midstride. Then you better start talking.

  He threw his hands in the air. We'll both be captured and it'll be your fault.

  She glared at him. Fine. We get somewhere safe, and then you start answering my questions. Or, you can forget about going to see this Elder. She stared hard into his eyes. Deal?

  Yes, he conceded. Deal.

  They boarded the bus and sat together in silence along its route. Alec watched the buildings and storefronts pass by and signaled Elena they were getting off at the next stop. Within a few short minutes, they were crossing the threshold to a quiet little café.

  Okay, Alec said in exasperation, we should be able to hide out here for a little while.

  "How about we get ourselves a nice private table so we can talk?" Elena whispered. Alec followed Elena's lead, and they made their way to a secluded table.

  Sorry, she said, I figured if we were up front and center not saying anything it would seem suspicious. We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention.

  Alec smiled at her. No, her replied. Good thinking. A waitress came over and took their orders.