Page 12

SPIRITS

C aden’s tough words to Valerius were slightly belied when after Caden turned off his phone, tossed it to Wally and then… couldn’t shift. He wondered if it was because he hadn’t taken off his clothes. No time for that. Besides, getting naked in the middle of the street would just add to his embarrassment.

“Nothing’s happening. Does it take this long normally?” Tilly asked Wally and Rose. “You guys shifted immediately and--”

“Guys, you can’t look at me. I can’t do this with you all looking,” Caden pleaded with them.

“But I want to see you shift!” Tilly cried.

Wally reached back and patted Tilly’s shoulder. “Another time, Tilly. Let’s look away and give Caden a little privacy.”

“Is that normal?” Tilly grumped.

“There’s a lot of weight on Caden’s shoulders, Tilly,” Rose said and Caden both wanted to kiss her for knowing that and yell at her for reminding him.

All three of them turned in their seats and looked to the other side of the street. It was incredibly weird to see the backs of their heads. But Caden shook it off.

“Take Tilly back to High Reach, Wally,” Caden reminded the Rat Shifter.

“Rose and I will keep her safe as houses!” Wally assured him without turning around.

Caden shook his hands, rolled back his shoulders, cracked his spine and prepared to shift.

Okay, let’s do this, Iolaire!

Iolaire rustled its wings and stood up. The two of them then… waited.

Nothing is happening, Iolaire!

Iolaire shifted its wings again and Caden saw an elderly lady had just come out of one of the homes lining the street. She was heading towards the end of her driveway where her newspaper was waiting for her in its plastic wrapping. Caden watched with growing horror as she moved about two inches with every step. She shuffled then stopped to catch her breath, shuffled again and stopped. He gauged the length between her and the paper.

Thirty feet. It’ll be hours before she gets it, Caden realized.

“What’s happening? Is anything happening?” Tilly said in a stage whisper, which probably meant that even the old lady could hear it.

“There’s a person,” Wally muttered. “Oh, boy. This will be a while.”

If we do nothing!

Caden dashed over to the paper. The old woman looked alarmed and brought her bird-like arms near her chest. She likely thought he was stealing her paper, not understanding that most people read online. He jogged up to her, a smile plastered on his face, hoping that he looked harmless.

Like I am if I can’t shift! Iolaire, we have to do this!

“Were you looking for this, ma’am?” Caden offered the paper to her.

She blinked behind thick coke-bottle lenses at his face before looking down at the paper as if it was a mimic and might transform into a monster. She was looking up at his face again.

Maybe she thinks I’m the monster…

“Can I help you back to your door?” Caden’s voice was getting a little high and tight.

We have to get out there and find that bomb, Iolaire!

The elderly woman took the paper from his hands. “Oh, my, that’s quite kind of you.”

She twittered and held the paper close to her chest as if it was a sacred object. She then slowly tottered to face her door. Caden’s eyes gauged the distance now between her and her door. Could he just leave her at the step? Did he have to hold the door open for her? What if she wanted to chat?

“You look a lot like my brother Billy,” she wheezed as they seemed to crawl at a crab’s pace to her front door.

“Oh?” He hoped if he kept his responses short then she wouldn’t continue the conversation. He was sorely disappointed.

She stopped. Two feet from the front step! She turned to him, smiling vaguely, as she clearly remembered some fond memories.

“You don’t look like Billy now . I mean Billy doesn’t look like you now , because he’s old, you see. Still my little brother, but much older than you,” she prattled on, telling him some story about how Billy was actually a paper boy and here he was delivering her paper just to be kind .

Not to be kind! I need you to stop looking at me so I can shift!

But Caden didn’t say that. He just nodded and smiled though that smile was becoming more and more desperate as the story or stories went on. She was now telling him how Billy actually became a reporter and actually wrote for the paper he had delivered for. But then Billy got laid off and wasn’t that sad? In any event…

Caden took a step back and said, “Miss--miss--”

“You aren’t going, are you?” The elderly woman asked and looked so sad as she murmured to herself, “Of course, you are. Why would you want to listen to an old woman talk about her little brother who passed away well before his time?”

Tears welled in her eyes, but she squared her birdlike shoulders and prepared to hobble in on her own. Caden internally groaned.

“Actually, I do have to go, but I promise that I will be back and I really do want to hear about Billy,” he told her.

“Oh, that’s all right. You don’t have to say that. I’ll be fine--”

“No, I’m not making an excuse. I really do have to go, because you see…” His mouth went dry. He was going to reveal to the world he was the White Dragon Shifter. Why not to this woman first? This time he squared his shoulders and said in a voice that sounded almost authoritative, “There’s danger in Reach and I have to stop it.”

She looked at him skeptically. “Really? Well, then you must be off.”

“Yes, I must, but I will be back,” Caden promised her as he memorized the address. “I promise.”

Then he turned and raced down away a few feet and shifted . There was no hesitation. No problem. He became the White Dragon. He heard Tilly clap and cheer. So did Wally and Rose.

Iolaire immediately flapped their wings and they were twenty feet in the air. Caden had them crane their neck around to look down at the old woman. She had dropped her paper and her hands were up to her face like the kid in Home Alone.

I really hope that we didn’t give her a heart attack, Caden told Iolaire.

His Spirit observed the old woman carefully and showed him an image of her giving them tea and cookies in the future. Iolaire thought that she would be just fine.

Okay! Now let’s find that bomb.

Iolaire took them higher into the sky and turned them towards Reach’s main entrance far below. The parade route for King Anwar would follow the main curving road that went from the entrance to the gates of High Reach. Already the route was lined with people at least a dozen deep. Despite all of the bomb threats and the deaths, people were still out in force to greet the Silver Dragon.

The popular Dragon Shifter whose territory encompassed the Middle East and more was known for his style, beauty and sparkling wit. He had turned an area known for its conflicts into one that was mostly peaceful. Viewed as a god by many in the region, he was a beneficent one, at least. He ruled justly and, while not as forward thinking as Queen Jahara in some respects, he had instituted human rights for all in his territory.

Many of the practices and laws that had made women second-class citizens in many of the countries he ruled were now gone. The social stagnation that had kept power in the hands of the few was relaxed. Oil revenue was still important, but he was shifting his territory’s economy towards renewable energy and bio-technology. He was intent on making some of the deserts into gardens once more. King Anwar’s name meant “brighter” or “more luminous” in Arabic and that was how he spoke of the future. He gave people hope .

And now, he might be walking into death, Caden thought grimly as he and Iolaire began to fly the parade route. I don’t see Spirits, Iolaire? Do you?

Caden wasn’t sure exactly how this “seeing Spirits” thing was supposed to work. He hadn’t seen any before and--

Holy smokes! How did you do that?

Caden gasped as suddenly he saw balls of light dancing on the breeze and bouncing along the rooftops and darting in and out of homes.

Are those all Spirits? There are so many of them!

Truthfully, there looked to be enough Spirits to join with each and every citizen of Reach. And that was just in the city. A brief glance outside of Reach’s walls showed that the density of Spirits was less, but there were still a ton. It was a sobering sight.

Iolaire, the Spirits understand that if they join with every human that there won’t be any more humans ever again, right? No babies… that’s the tradeoff for immortality.

Iolaire hooted sadly that yes, the Spirits did know. But some of them wanted to be in this world so much that they might not hold back. If there were enough deaths… Iolaire did not have to end that sentence. Caden understood. The Faith’s plan would tempt the Spirits just as much as they hoped it would.

Except now the Faith doesn’t have to do the dirty work. Humans First is doing it for them. Caden gritted their teeth. C’mon, Iolaire, we’ve got to find that bomb!

Iolaire narrowed their eyes so that they could judge how many of the Spirits were in any one place. They flew over the entirety of the parade route to check out the density of the Spirits. There were so many of them. They clearly were reacting to the people’s excitement and maybe the near presence of King Anwar.

With everything happening, maybe Valerius should have stopped people from congregating.

Valerius, Chione and Marban had talked at length about the risks the night before at dinner. Chione thought that it would deeply offend Anwar if they cancelled any sort of welcome because the other Dragon Shifters had gotten one. Especially since Mei had gotten one.

“Anwar likes a spectacle more than anyone. Considering the fact of that ,” Chione had said as she had pointed to the helix with her fork, “he’ll be more touchy than ever.”

“As if I care,” Valerius had grunted and drunk more wine.

“I’m more worried about the people’s safety than his offense,” Caden had said carefully. “Maybe if we just explain to him--”

“He does not listen to explanations. Not at first. He merely feels the offense and blocks out everything else,” Chione answered with a sad smile.

“I want all the Dragon Shifters here to discuss a way forward, but if he has such thin skin then maybe it’s best if he doesn’t come!” Caden stated as he gripped his wine glass so hard he snapped the stem. Everyone had looked down at that. Caden flushed. “Sorry. Sorry. Just the Dragon Shifters are supposed to be the adults in the room, right? And some of them are acting like--like kids!”

Chione smiled. “There was a reason why the ancient Greeks described their gods as they did with those characteristics. I’m afraid that the nature of all beings who hold great power can become rather ridiculous if not carefully reminded of their fallibility.”

“Do not bother trying to call off the parade. People will come out to see King Anwar no matter what,” Marban said as he patted his lips. “And the Faith will use his arrival in any case if they wish to. If not to harm people along the parade route then they will set off one of their bombs in an old people’s home or by a nursery school.”

Valerius narrowed his eyes. “Meaning that we can do nothing to stop them?”

Marban sighed. “We can , but they will just adapt to all we do. Of course, bring out your Claw and the police and spies and observe every inch of that route. But if they wish to harm someone… they will. We are going to lose people no matter what. But if we lose our way of life… then we truly lose.”

Caden thought of that now. Marban was right. The Faith, Humans First or whoever else wanted to harm people would. They would stop some of the attacks but not all. Somehow they had to win over as many hearts and minds as they could. That was the only way to truly stop the attacks.

And I have no idea how we are going to do that, Iolaire , Caden said to his Spirit. Maybe King Anwar will have an idea or two. I hope so.

They had swung around and were now going back up the parade route. They’d seen all of it so maybe now they both hoped they would notice some more clustering of Spirits. But no matter where they looked, it always seemed like the thickest clustering of Spirits was just ahead. And worse, as they flew over, the crowd grew more excited as did the Spirits who seemed to adore Iolaire. So many Spirits were rising up to greet them that it was getting very hard to see. There were simply too many of the bouncing balls of light.

Iolaire, this isn’t working! I’m not seeing more Spirits in one place than another! I can hardly see with all these Spirits around us!

Iolaire flapped their wings, but the powerful burst of air did nothing to the glowing globes of light. They weren’t real , or rather, they weren’t on this plane so they couldn’t be pushed away.

Panic flooded Caden. It was one thing to talk about the inevitability of people being hurt. How one couldn’t save everyone. How hearts and minds needed to be changed. How Marban’s people would get into these groups and rot them from the inside out in time. Time they simply did not have right now. He had told Valerius not to come out, but now, he was wondering if he had made the biggest mistake ever thinking that he and Iolaire could do this on their own.

We need to--

But Caden was cut off by the sound of silver horns from the entrance to Reach. Iolaire whipped their head around. The road outside of Reach had appeared deserted, which was strange on such a beautiful, sunny day when a Dragon Shifter was to arrive. Caden had simply hoped that King Anwar was late. But in that moment as Iolaire twisted them around to see a massive line of vehicles on the road. They were all black Mercedes except for the first one, which was a silver color the exact same shade as King Anwar’s Dragon, Evren, and was at the front of the line.

How did he just appear there, Iolaire?! Caden asked his Spirit in mystification until he remembered. Oh, God! Of course! He can distort light. Make himself--and others evidently--invisible. As well as weaponize it.

There was a large sunroof on King Anwar’s car and the king himself popped out of it, standing on his seat so that he could see and wave to the crowd. His short, dark brown hair was combed back. A full, but neatly trimmed beard covered his strong jaw. He wore long purple robes with a deep fuschia wrap over one shoulder.

King Anwar reached down into the cab of the vehicle and emerged with a heavy sack that he held up for all to see. He said something that had the already cheering crowd cheering louder. He dipped a hand into the sack and threw a handful of something to the people who immediately got down to pick up whatever it was. And King Anwar wasn’t the only one sending these little golden disks to the crowd. Every vehicle’s doors opened and a shower of-- gold coins! Real gold coins! --dazzled the crowd.

It was at this moment that King Anwar looked directly up at them. He was smiling broadly as he spread his arms wide, spraying coins everywhere, as if to say, “See how generous and wealthy I am? You could have had all of this! You could have had me throwing everything you’ve ever wanted at you and your family and friends!”

But Caden knew in his heart that he only really wanted Valerius. His gruff, grumpy Dragon King. Irritable, short-tempered, generous, brave, wonderful Valerius. And that was when he saw the clustering of Spirits by a two-story shop just around the next bend of the road, not 100-feet from the front of King Anwar’s car.

Iolaire! There! Land there!

His directions had been unnecessary as the White Dragon Spirit had seen the same thing he had. Iolaire speared them towards the ground right outside of that building. People let out cries of alarm as they landed with a thunderous boom. People had scattered out of the way, but they were all looking at the White Dragon with shock. This was not the playful, gentle White Dragon they had come to know and love.

Iolaire immediately had them swinging around to face the front of the shop. There were plate glass windows along the front of the first floor and bow windows on the second. It was likely one of those stores where the owners lived above the premises. Caden had no idea whether the owners were innocent victims of the Humans First plot or co-conspirators in it. He would not hurt people if he could help it, but he needed to find that bomb.

Iolaire lowered their head so that they could see through the plate glass windows, but the glare kept them from seeing anything. Iolaire thrust one of their claws against the glass. It shattered so easily that Caden didn’t even feel it. There were rows upon rows of aisles filled with chips, pop, cookies and candy. It was a convenience store. When they drew in a deep breath to smell for the bomb, all they got was nostrils full of chip bags, which they snorted out. Iolaire tried to reach into the shop and feel around, but Caden knew that wouldn’t work.

Iolaire, we’re bomb-proof even in our human form, right?

The White Dragon Spirit paused in what it was doing and answered in the affirmative.

I know that this wasn’t how we planned on revealing ourselves, but now is the time, Caden told his Spirit.

Iolaire assented. They had their immediate family safe in High Reach and they had to get inside the store. The Spirits were clustered thickly by the second story. The bomb was there and it was only a miracle that it hadn’t gone off. He could have had Iolaire simply cover the building with its body, but the bombers--and there were people in there, he could hear heartbeats even over the roar of the crowd--would be dead and maybe innocents too. No, he had to get the bomb out of there without ripping off the top of the building.

“Iolaire!” King Anwar’s voice broke through to him. The Silver Dragon Shifter had left his car and was striding towards them. He was a handsome man, face full of concern, as he called their name again. “Iolaire, what are you doing?”

Caden wondered if Anwar thought he was stealing his thunder or something from the way he had been described the night before. But the Silver Dragon Shifter appeared concerned and not angry.

Here goes nothing!

Caden then shifted into his human form. There was a collective gasp before there were hundreds of flashes as people took pictures of him-- in the nude, of course, great, just great --as he grasped Anwar’s left bicep.

“There’s a bomb! Up there! We have to get it out of here before it goes off!” Caden pointed towards the second story. “Help me!”

He didn’t wait to see if Anwar was coming, but instead jumped up to the second story. One leap. He knew he could do it. He grasped the bottom of the window frame and was about to smash it open when a beam of light streaked overhead and the window simply disintegrated.

Light as a weapon! Wow!

Caden though did not have any more time to admire Anwar’s abilities. He pulled himself up and through the window and into the second floor. Anwar was by his side, having jumped up easily as well.

The two of them saw the following. There were over two dozen barrels--from the smell of them they had fertilizer in them--filling the front room. There were three people there. Two men and a woman. They were all three hunched over a timer. They hadn’t quite finished with the bomb yet.

This would have destroyed more than a whole city block…

Caden did not think. Later, Anwar would tell everyone that Caden’s eyes went a spooky white as he sent a wave of ice at the three of them. Ice wound around all three of them, freezing them in place. The timer fell from nerveless hands. He then heard some running footsteps downstairs. There were more than these three in on the plot.

Two men raced from the front of the building. No one stopped them because they didn’t realize who they were. Caden leaned out of the building and extended a hand towards the running men. Ice shot towards them. Ice wound around the fleeing men’s legs and immediately took them down. There were screams from shocked people, but mostly there was stunned silence.

“Look after these… people ,” Caden’s voice was deep with disdain and barely repressed rage as he spoke to Anwar.

The Silver Dragon nodded and looked a little wide-eyed himself.

Caden jumped from the second story window and landed in that classic superhero pose before straightening up and stalking over towards the still-struggling men. They were on their fronts. He flipped them over. When they saw him their eyes went huge and their nostrils flared with fear.

“You are going to tell me,” Caden intoned as his eyes narrowed, “absolutely everything .”