Heaven's Trumpet - 5. Revelations

[Chapter 5]

What is a dream? Is it categorized by brain activity receiving some hidden stimulus within the body? Is it the mind conducting fantasies that are normally repressed? If these are speculations of what is a dream... then what is a nightmare?

I knew the answer to that question. Intimately. A dream, you could forget worries and lose your sense of self within its wonder. A nightmare was the opposite. It was a thing that crawled within the back of your mind, slithering against the deeper recesses of your soul, an ancient force that thrived in the dark hungering for freedom above all things. It held you down within its grip, feasting on happiness, and reveling in the despair and horror it wrought. I knew what a nightmare was alright. And even in the waking hours now, I was still afraid.

The bell for the sixth and last period rang loudly throughout Centinneal High. Kids steered clear of me as I wandered through the bustling hallway. I looked a mess and knew it. Pitying looks had been thrown at me all day, but I dodged the concerned questions and consoling pats on the back.

No one knew what to do with me. They prodded and asked their probing questions, but I wasn’t up for talking. I wasn’t ready. Not yet. The horror of last night’s dream was all too fresh. I knew it hadn’t been real, but I couldn’t tell my mind or soul that. I was haunted by images of the end of the world - no, that had only been the beginning. The end of the existence is what the true unspeakable terror was.

I deliberately took the long way to my next class. They would be waiting at my locker, I knew it. Kevin, Adam, Killian, Ryan — would be there ready to play the reassuring friend. I appreciated the sentiment. But I couldn’t deal with it now.

I ducked into a bathroom and crossed the space to the counter lined with sinks. Running the water I splashed some on my face, sighing when the cool liquid touched my skin. My reflection almost made me jump back. My eyes were tinged red with dark circles underneath them. My skin was pale like Casper. Free of its usual styling gel my hair lay limp, gently curling at the ends with bangs brushing my forehead. I looked like a skateboarder, which is why I normally kept it short. It was getting a little long, but I wasn’t worried about a haircut. Why bother? It was almost End World. That is unless we stopped it.

It was a tall order. No pressure.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and exited back into the hallway. I didn’t watch where I was going and crashed spectacularly into another person. I caught a flash of surprised green eyes before I hit the ground.

“Sonofacrackwhore!” I yelped, rubbing my lower back.

I looked up and a pair of apologetic green eyes met mine. Isabella Graison was stunning up close. Where her brother was the epitome of handsome with strong square features, she had a soft beauty about her. I started helping to pick up her scattered books.

“Sorry about that.” I handed off her stuff with a sheepish smile. “I really should’ve been paying better attention.”

Two tiny pinks dots tinged her cheeks. Someone was the shy type. Where're my manners. Mom taught me better than that.

“I have you in one of my classes.” I managed to muster up a half smile. “My name’s Chad.”

My hand was slapped away and Ian swooped in like the giant bat he was. He thrust his sister back and stepped between us like some hero protecting a damsel in distress. I stared at him with wide eyes. He looked like a redhead Zorro. No, it wasn’t a compliment.

“Uh, can I help you?” I asked slowly.

Ian narrowed his eyes. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t go around attacking my sister.”

My jaw dropped. “Attack? It was an accident, you rodeo clown. I was about to introduce myself before you apparated from whatever level of purgatory you spawned from.”

“Stay. Away. From. My. Sister,” Ian said through clenched teeth.

I shrugged completely not in the mood for this CW channel drama. “Okay.”

I took pleasure in turning around and just walking away. He looked itching for a fight and I wasn’t in the mood to give him one. Taking the wind out of his sails was enough for me. I rounded a corner and suddenly my arm was grabbed. I stared into Kevin’s brown eyes in surprise. Where did he come from? Was I seriously that out of touch with my surroundings that anybody could get the jump on me?

I looked around at the deserted hall and quirked my eyebrow. “Kevin, don’t you have class?”

“I did until I noticed that my best friend is acting like a depressed teen from 13 Reasons Why.”

Ouch. “That was low.”

Kevin released my arm and stepped back, crossing his arms. “Well, what’s with the zombie routine?”

I shrugged feeling put on the spot and ten kinds of awkward. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night and I’m stressing out over so many things...” I fumbled over my words.

Kevin’s face softened and he laid his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, dude. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just—” I ran my palm down my face. “I’m fine, Kev. Just really, really tired and... I just need a break.”

Kevin frowned, his eyes shining with worry so strong that it made me avert my eyes. “You take too much on your self sometimes. The world won’t fall apart if you flake for a day.”

I wish that were true. “It sure seems like it.”

“I know you’re all gung-ho for school and all,” Kevin said seriously. “But I think you should go home for the day. It’s Friday and you should start your weekend early by skipping last period, going home and getting some rest.”

He was actually on to something. I didn’t know if it was the exhaustion or what, but Kevin was actually making sense. My smile was a little tired and it felt like it took more effort than it should.

“I’m going to take you up on that advice,” I replied.

A bright and sunny smile lit up Kevin’s face. “I’m glad you decided to listen to reason. Otherwise, I was going to drag you out of here myself. You okay getting home by yourself?”

I snorted. “I’m not an invalid, Kev. I’ll be alright. You go on to class. I’m going to head out. I’ll call you later. If Adam asks you where I am, tell him I went home. Okay?”

“No problem.” Kevin was still smiling. He patted my shoulder. “Just get better for me.”

I gave him a small smile and made my way out of the building.

* * *

I didn’t dream this time.

It was dark when I woke up. I crawled out of bed and looked through the window. The sun was long gone and the moon and stars were out in the clear night sky. I closed my curtains and looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was a little past seven o’clock. I had been asleep for over four hours.

Kevin was right. I felt better after a much needed rest. My body felt relaxed and my mind was a lot clearer than earlier. The dream from last night wasn’t an oppressing weight on my shoulders anymore. It felt just as dire, but now I wasn’t going to pass out from the thought of it.

I yawned and scooped up my phone from under the blankets. Four missed calls and six text messages. Two of the calls were from Adam. One was from Mom and the other was Kevin. The texts were from my friends, all wondering what I was doing, and where I was. I got to work updating everyone, while I cleaned my room.

It felt good to clean. It was relaxing to let my mind focus on only one thing as I let my body move on autopilot. I tensed as a pair of arms slipped around my waist, pulling me back into a solid chest. I grinned and looked behind me into Adam’s piercing gaze.

“When did you get here?” I asked pleasantly surprised.

Adam chuckled. “I hopped in the car as soon as you returned my phone call. I was worried about you. We all were. What’s going on, Chad?”

He called me by my name. It wasn’t often that he didn’t use a term of endearment when addressing me. He must really be worried. I felt the now familiar rising terror at the memory of the dream.

“I had a dream last night,” I began after gathering my thoughts. “It was a prophetic dream I’m sure of it. I don’t why I had it, but I dreamed of the future.”

Adam turned me around and I tilted my head up to meet his curious eyes. “And what did you dream?”

“The end.”

He frowned. “The end of what?”

“Everything.”

* * *

I stared into four faces each tinged with varying expressions ranging from horror to disbelief. Yep. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Now you knew how I felt. I slouched in the chair as I finished telling the events of my dream from last night.

“Are you sure this was a prophetic dream?” Nathaniel asked once he recovered from his shock.

I rubbed at the goosebumps on my arms. “I’m sure of it.”

Ryan pushed his glasses up his nose then shared a worried look with Killian. “I think we better speed up our efforts on finding the Keys before the skinwalkers.”

“Did you get any hits back through the database search?” Killian asked. He looked shook but there was a determination in the set of his mouth.

Ryan pressed something on the table and a holo array swirled up from the table’s center. It gradually rotated so that all seated at the triangular table could get a good look. I didn’t know that the table had a built-in terminal that could access the systems. Trust Ryan to know about that nifty feature.

Ryan flicked his fingers at the floating holoscreen and the image changed. The new image showed a row of azure script in Atlantean. Ryan pointed at the screen, and a particular section and its accompanying sub-section became bolded in red.

“The results are few but informative. There are indeed three Keys and each Key contains a fragment of the power of Heaven’s Trumpet. The Key of Power is hidden in the center of the universe. The Key of Reality was placed at the bottom of the deepest ocean beneath the endless red sky. Last, the Key of Time and Space was hidden in plain sight.”

Adam was reading the screen with a puzzled frown. “These are just clues and not exact coordinates.”

Ryan shrugged. “It’s all we have.”

The script was replaced by a picture of a hybrid hammer and ax. Its top was heavy and looked like ordinary metal but much shinier, and contained the appearance of a hammerhead except it also had the sharp blade of an ax attached to its end. Next to the fusion of the hammer-ax was a blood red diamond about the size of a baseball.

I leaned in to study the images. “Are those the Keys?”

Ryan nodded. “The hammer is the Key of Reality—”

“Which was retrieved from its hiding spot by Odin and bequeathed to his son and heir, Thor,” said a female voice, interrupting Ryan.

I jumped up, startled. Celeste stepped forward clothed in a short, white dress that came to her knees. Her eyes twinkled, amused by our fighting stances. I wasn’t. I quenched the fireball in my palm. I was ready to fry her ass. She really had to wear a bell or blow a horn when she came around us.

“Uh, so I guess you’re back.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.

She nodded. “I’ve been informed of where my boundaries lie with what I’m allowed to tell you.”

“So you’re really our advisor like Nathaniel?” Killian asked.

She nodded. “Correct. It is nice to see you all again.”

Nathaniel again looked flabbergasted by her presence. Geez. You would think he never had seen a woman before. I rolled my eyes and got us back on topic.

“The Key of Reality belonged to Thor, as in the god of thunder? He was like real?”

“Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and the Key of Reality are one and the same. Its power over reality was what enabled the thunder god to accomplish amazing feats.”

“Thor was real?” I repeated.

Nathaniel shook his head, sending me an exasperated look. “Yes, Chad. Many deities and old gods from myth are real. When Man began to look more toward Christianity and other alternative religions, the old gods decided to break most of their ties with Earth.”

Well wasn’t that just a fun history fact.

“And the diamond?” Killian's tone of voice said how little he cared about random old gods.

Celeste turned toward the holoscreen observing the images intently. “The Heartless Diamond, also known as the Key of Power. It has the power to boost a wielder’s own power a thousand fold or bring out innate power in any creature. It still remains in its resting place, although the enemy has already acquired the hammer.”

“You have to be fucking shitting me!” Killian groaned, angrily running his hand through his strawberry blond hair.

Nathaniel’s expression was grave. “So that means they only need two more.”

I swore. “This is really not good.”

“Understatement of the year, darling,” Adam whispered, grabbing my hand. There was a slight tremble in his fingers when they locked with mine. I gave it a comforting squeeze and tried to be strong enough for the both of us.

Ryan made a frustrated noise and he stared with a frown at the rotating screen that was flashing a set of blinking glyphs. I could read enough Atlantean to know that it basically said ‘Access Denied’.

“I can’t seem to access any more information on the third Key.” His irritation made his voice deeper. “Chad, can you try? Your clearance is higher than any of ours.”

I went over to his side and laid my palm over the touch console built into the metallic table. I picked at my memory and found the password that could initiate a royal override of any protected system.

“Atlantis database core, unlock protocols omicron-omicron-seven-break-nine,” I rattled off, confident that I was remembering correctly.

A computerized voice responded from seemingly nowhere. “Activation code recognized. Good Day, Prince Emrys. Awaiting final authorization.”

“Royal override of protected entry Liot-XXC1, authorization; Prince Emrys Cor. Execute.”

“Standby.” The disembodied voice responded. Rolling script raced across the screen as the photon based data was transferred through its crystal banks. There was a moment’s pause then the voice sounded back, “Unable to comply. Security access insufficient. Higher authorization required.”

I blinked. That was different. “Who would have clearance?”

“King Oriens, Ruler and Golden Monarch of Atlantis, and its Imperial Provinces.”

Killian sighed, disappointed. “I guess we won’t know what the third Key is.”

“So my father hid away all information on the third Key from all but himself.”

Adam rubbed my back. “Smart move. If two of the Keys are gathered at least the last would only be known to him.” He turned to Celeste. “Can you tell us more about the last Key?”

Celeste looked away, and said softly, “I’m sorry, but I’m unable to tell you. It’s forbidden for higher powers to directly interfere too much in the affairs of lower beings.”

“But you told us about the other Keys!” Killian looked like he was a second away from throwing a lance of plasma in her face.

Her blonde hair shined as she tilted her head, catching the light. “What I told you won’t interfere in the course of natural events. You would have eventually found that information with additional research. Any further direct help with count as divine intervention.”

“And that’s a no-no,” I said dryly.

She graced me with a humorless smile. “To put it simply.”

“We appreciate you skirting the rules for telling us what you could,” Nathaniel said profusely. Adam and I shared amused glances. He was acting like a schoolboy with a crush. It was sickening yet funny. “I know that you walk a fine line.”

He just met her! Someone was really hard up for a date. I tried to smile as nicely as possible, considering the situation it was weak at best. “This means you can’t help kick some skinwalker ass?”

Celeste shook her head. I gave her a point for looking apologetic. “I cannot. I will nevertheless be helping you with training to better master your powers.”

Killian snorted. “Sure, lady. Last time I checked we were doing pretty damn good without outside help. We took out a trio of shadow demon lords last year. What’s your stats? Just how powerful are you anyway?”

Celeste fixed him with a cool stare. “I was a part of the host of angels that warred with those ‘shadow demon lords’ forefathers in heaven and trapped them, and their ilk in perdition. I am older than anything you can comprehend. I was singing the Gloria before light even graced this world. I’m not here to perch on your shoulder. I’m a soldier of heaven.”

A plus for the great rock ‘em, sock ‘em speech. I was impressed. I turned to Killian and said slowly, as if speaking to the kid who could never color within the lines, “That means she can kick your ass.”

“And yours,” Killian muttered back sourly.

I shrugged. “Could be worse.”

Ryan cleared his throat. “Excuse me. But why do we even need another advisor?” There was a trace of defensiveness in his voice. “Nathaniel has done a great job.”

“He has,” Celeste agreed. “He isn’t being replaced or shunned. I was sent as a mentor and confidante, and to help you further become in tune with your celestial bindings.”

I brightened with sudden understanding. “So you’re like the Mace Windu to Nathaniel’s Yoda.”

She cocked her head. “I do not understand.”

Killian laughed. “You’re preaching to the choir, lady.”

“Can we please address the emissary of the beings who endowed you all with your powers with something classier than ‘lady’?” Nathaniel asked wryly.

“And let’s not forget,” I butted in, staring at Killian. “You keep running your mouth and I’ll have to bring down the smack.”

He let out a loud bark of laughter. “If you say it a bit more I’m sure you’ll even believe it one day.”

“Was that an eye roll?” I demanded. “Listen here you sorry sack of shit. I’ll kick your ass so badly your drunken Irish ancestors will sober the fuck up from the sheer brutality of your ass kicking.”

Killian did roll his eyes that time. “You keep running your mouth, but all I hear is whump, whump, whump,” he mocked, miming a moving mouth with his hand.

“Is that an invitation?” I smiled darkly, gathering my magic. I’m sure my eyes glowed electric blue from the sudden influx of energy.

Celeste’s voice broke through my haze of anger, making me jump. “It’s unusual that two souls so connected exhibit discord between themselves. I would have assumed you two were the best of friends.”

Adam smiled like the biggest clown in the universe. I wanted to smack him. “I’ve been saying it’s all an act for the longest. Frenemies my ass.”

“Adam?” I smiled sweetly. “If you want to use that thing between your legs I would be quiet now.”

His smile dropped. Good boy.

She shook her head with a smile. “My apologies but I’m being summoned. I have other duties to attend.”

Light enveloped her body and she was gone. Adam leaned back in his chair.

“I like her. If she’s the real deal then maybe we can get back to the fighting level we used to be at before our reincarnation.”

“I quite agree,” Nathaniel said. Surprise, surprise.

I chuckled. “Of course you would agree. Every time you see her it looks like you just got sucker punched.”

Ryan rubbed his mouth trying to hide his grin. “I thought I was the only one who noticed.”

Killian shook his head, not bothering to hide his sly smile. “We definitely all saw the puddle of drool he covered the floor with when she was here.”

Nathaniel recovered quite well, but he couldn’t hide his blushing cheeks. At least his whole face didn’t turn red like mine. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Damn this fair skin of mine.

“If you’re quite done with your teasing.” Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. He looked perfectly composed once again. “We still have matters to discuss.”

He was right. I actually forgot about the troubles we were facing for a minute and fell into old habits. I had been joking and laughing like it was it was any old day. It wasn’t.

“Go on, Nathaniel,” Adam said seriously. He had come to the same conclusion. The time for games was over.

Nathaniel steepled his fingers together and rested his elbows against the desk. “Last night one of my contacts informed me of a woman, who is a rather strong psychic. From what I gathered this woman can get information on these skinwalkers and the organization they work for. Maybe she can even discover the location of the third Key.”

That sounded like the best news all day. Hot damn. Looked like we got a lead. “Where does she live?”

“Los Angeles.”

Ryan polished his glasses then placed them back on his nose. I don’t know why he still wore them. It was not like he needed them. Not when you could see further naturally than a pair of binoculars, but I guess old habits die hard.

“When is she available so we can speak to her?” Ryan asked.

Nathaniel smirked and I blinked for the first time realizing how handsome that simple action made him look. He looked downright sexy.

“With the right amount of incentive, she’ll see us whenever.”

Adam and I exchanged a look. My boyfriend cleared his throat and asked, “What incentive? We don’t have to do anything...unnatural do we?”

The smirk fell from Nathaniel’s face. “Unnatural?”

I sighed. “He means naughty. Do we have to put on a donkey show or sex the broad up?”

Nathaniel choked on air and hastily corrected himself, “Dear heavens, no! I meant cash. All we need to do is lay down some cold hard cash, and she’ll tell us whatever we need to know. Do you boys always think of sex?”

We all shared a look and laughingly replied, “Yeah!”

“Oh, gods above!” He looked like he was going to faint. “And to think the fate of the world lies in your hands.”

“And these hands are known for kicking ass and taking names!” I stated, standing up. “If we’re done here. Let’s go.”

Killian gave me his usual what the hell look and asked slowly, “Go where?”

I looked at them just as confused. “L.A., where else?”

Ryan frowned. “Chad, we can’t just get up and go to L.A. We don’t know how long it will take, and what will we tell our parents?”

They were still looking at me like I was nuts. I let out a frustrated breath. “You guys want a competent leader, and right now I’m being that person.”

“We need to make plans first before we rush off up north to another city,” Killian said pointedly.

They didn’t get it. I ran my hand through my hair and swallowed thickly.

“You guys are thinking like we’re still fighting the Lords in Shadow. We aren’t fighting against them this time. There are no small incursions into this world or an army of demons trapped behind a barrier.” I slammed my hand on the table, making them jump. “This is the end. We’re facing an unknown enemy who is threatening not just this planet, but this whole universe. And guess what? They’re winning. They already have one Key. All they need is two more and we’re fucking wiped from existence.” I met each one of their gazes, one by one. “This isn’t a secret war this time. The universe is at stake. I have a feeling that we don’t have a lot of time, but I’m damn sure going to make sure if we’re going down... then I for one am going down swinging.”

Adam’s face was completely serious. He tapped his shoe against my heel and I could feel the heat of his leg so close to mine. “I’m with you, darling.”

Ryan nodded, the Executioner peeking through his mortal guise, with gray eyes glinting a warrior’s calculating stare. “I’m always at your side, my prince.”

We all looked at Killian who hadn’t said a word. Silently he looked up, staring at me neutrally. I held my breath and watched carefully, as his lips slowly twisted into a small smile.

Killian nodded and said slyly, “On your mark: ready, set, go.”

“Okay then,” I said, breaking into a smile. “Okay.”

“I’m proud of all of you.” Nathaniel beamed. “You’re turning into the men I remember. Chad’s right. The enemy is winning, and we don’t have the time or luxury to wait around for them to get another Key.”

I scuffed my foot against the ground. “Aw shucks, Nathaniel. You’re making me blush.”

“Of course I will live to regret those words,” he sighed.

If death was on the horizon I was not going to go without getting some good laughs in.

I sobered up quickly and declared, “Let’s go to work.”

* * *

It’s been years since I’ve been to L.A. The last time was during my thirteenth birthday and I was amidst a crowd of cheering fangirls at a Justin Timberlake concert. He threw his hat into the crowd and I ended up getting into a fight with a preteen Blair Waldorf wannabe over it. I lost. She pulled my hair real good. Bitch.

My hand unconsciously went to the back of my head, rubbing at the spot where a tuft of hair had once been yanked out.

Ryan gave me an odd look. “Chad, why are you rubbing your hair and looking teary eyed.”

I dropped my hand quickly and put on a bright smile. “No reason.”

It was past eleven at night and busy in L.A., but we were downtown so it wasn’t surprising. It took less than half an hour to get here by bubble, courtesy of Killian’s infamous Sun Rise technique.

Adam was a riot. His head kept turning this way and that as he took in all of Los Angeles. Sometimes I forgot that he lived a large portion of his life without sight. His reaction to some of the sites we passed was pure gold. His delighted squeal at a drag queen with a pink mohawk and so many piercings it should be illegal was a memory that would entertain me for years to come. If we made it past this crisis and had years to look forward to.

Ryan looked awkward and somewhat shy as he strolled at his boyfriend’s side, who was the antithesis of his current demeanor. Killian walked down the strip like he owned it. Even though the sun had long gone down the boy was wearing designer shades. Normally I would be annoyed at his strut, but I couldn’t stop thinking they looked too cute with arms wrapped around each other’s waist. Killian and cute should never be put together. The urge to vomit was strong, but I was holding it back by pure will.

Adam bumped his shoulder against mine and nodded at them. “It’s sweet they’re finally being affectionate in front of us.”

I stared at him suspiciously. “Are you reading my mind?”

Adam wiggled his eyebrows. “If you’re thinking about me and you doing something that involves chocolate then yes.”

I tried to hold back my smile but lost. Damn. “You think you’re just too cute.”

“I aim to please,” he said, his whole face lighting up.

He was smiling that adorable grin at me that only appeared when he was proud of himself. It usually came in moments like this. When he did something cute and wanted me to see, always with the same megawatt smile on his face. He was like a big puppy and I loved him for it. He was an attention hound, but he was my attention hound.

People didn’t even blink or look twice at our hand holding. In fact, a little old lady even gave us isn’t that just precious smile as we walked past. Not that I had dealt with a lot of homophobia in my life, but it was always nice to not worry about it.

Nathaniel walked ahead of us diligently checking the slip of paper in his hands.

“I think the building should be right around here,” he muttered, searching our surroundings intently. He pointed to a bar across the street, looking triumphant. “There it is.”

I looked at the sign above the bar proclaiming it Thirteen O’clock. I wondered briefly how Nathaniel was going to get us past the huge man manning the door. He was Hispanic with a thick black shirt stretched over his broad shoulders and pecs so tightly I was for sure it was painted on.

The bouncer looked down us from his impressive near seven-foot height and glared. “This ain’t no arcade, man. Take the kids and get lost.”

“Kids,” Killian grumbled under his breath.

Nathaniel didn’t back down. He stepped up to the bouncer. “We have business with Early Dawn.”

The man jerked a thumb at us and I put on my best I’m older than I looked face. “One Direction has to stay. This ain’t no kiddie roller rink.”

“We have business to attend to with her.” Nathaniel put emphasis on we. “They’re not children. Now move or you will be moved.”

Ryan and cracked his knuckles. A pleased smirk tugged at his lips. “Please give me a reason.”

A woman walked out from inside the bar and stepped beside the man. She was small. Maybe all of five foot. Short. Her eyes were dark brown, the same color as her long hair. She looked Pacific Islander, but I wasn’t sure. She smiled and then placed a hand on the hulking man’s, huge tree trunk of a forearm.

“Deon,” she murmured softly. “It’s alright. She wishes to see them.”

Deon reluctantly stepped aside, glaring at Ryan in particular. Poor guy didn’t know that this woman just saved him a broken bone or two. Picking a fight with a boy who could punch a fist through a brick wall was not to be messed with. I waved at Deon, smiling widely at the sight of his clenching teeth and followed the others.

“I’m Mia.” The woman led us through the mutely lit bar. “Please follow me.”

Music with a pulsing bass beat thrummed through the air and made the floors shake. Most people danced and more gathered at round tables spaced throughout the room. I caught a flash of light out of the corner of my eye. A man in his early twenties conjured a tiny ball of blue flame, and a girl who was forming a globe of ice cried out and pouted when the boy melted her efforts. The crowd around them laughed and jeered.

“Parlor tricks really,” said Nathaniel amused, watching my amazed expression.

I shook my head and pushed through my shock. “They’re wizards! Is this a magic bar?”

Mia heard my question and turned around. “This is a bar for all those in the know of the more esoteric aspects of the world. Practitioners of the Art, people of non-human lineage, those with the gift, and enlightened mortals are all welcome.”

A dancing couple began levitating above the dancefloor to the beat of the music. A circle of their friends laughed and sparks of green and silver into the air to the cheering of the crowd. A gaped at doves made of smoke that flew above my hand. I followed their trajectory and a handsome brown skinned man with an afro grinned at me charmingly.

“Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron,” Adam said out the corner of his mouth, ribbing me.

I laughed at his Harry Potter reference. It was no Leaky Cauldron. This bar was infinitely more upscale. I hadn’t been in one before but this interior looked expensive. Mia led us toward the back of the bar where it was less crowded, then through a dark unmarked hall.

She pressed a series of numbers on a keypad beside a heavy looking metal door. I habitually watched as she pressed the numbers, but past the eight digit I gave up trying to follow. A light above the pad turned green and she waved us in after her.

The music shut off as soon as the door clicked shut behind us. I readied my magic to the surface. This was the perfect opportunity to spring a trap and I wasn’t taking any chances. The décor ahead was a circular room that was done in earth tones of dark green and brown. Potted trees and plants were arranged against the walls and thick curtains, hiding different rooms or corridors, made the room appear bigger.

“She will be with you shortly,” Mia announced. Her hips swayed in the short red dress she wore, as she walked to one of the curtains and ducked behind it, presumably to fetch her mistress.

Killian glanced around the room thoughtfully. “You know what; I think I’ve seen this setup in a porno once.”

“I thought snark was my area?” I pouted at Adam.

He kissed my cheek and replied in a kind tone, “Remember darling, sharing is good.”

Nathaniel let out a long suffering sigh. “Please, let’s act a little more mature. We’re here for a reason.”

I winced. He was right. I couldn’t help it. Everyone knows that I flip flop more than a pair of shoe ware of the same name. A curtain moved aside and a woman gracefully walked through the opening.

She was about my height of five ten. Her long black hair was plaited in a thick braid adorned with a pair of raven feathers, and a single streak of gray. Her dark eyes watched us, intense, weighing. Her skin was the ruddy brown of a Native American exposed to plenty of sunshine. She wore a tan dress and set of gleaming jewels rested upon her neck, shining under the lamplight.

“I’m Early Dawn,” she said in a low, rich alto. “How do you do?”

Nathaniel dipped his head in a greeting. “We’re well. We are-”

“The Chosen,” she finished, still staring at us. “And you’re their advisor. Tales of your deeds have spread quickly through our world like wildfire. I always knew I would meet the Avenging Angels of Atlantis in my lifetime. Please sit.”

This woman was different from what I expected. I banished thoughts of a scowling woman wrapped in a shawl hovering over a crystal ball and a deck of tarot cars. We moved to the couches and took a seat around a coffee table that was adorned with a single vase filled with freshly cut lilies.

She turned her gaze on me and those dark eyes glittered with mirth. “Stand up and let me get a good look at you.”

I slowly rose to my feet not bothering to hide the confusion on my face. I knew this was going to be some type of sex shit. I closed my eyes. Did she have a thing for blonds? Oh no. What if a group of guys suddenly came out from behind one of the curtains ready to make me their bitch?

“I don’t want to be gangbanged!”

Early Dawn’s lips twitched and she laughed. “Relax. It’s not that type of show. I just wanted to get a good look at the Prince of the Atlantis. It’s not every day I get to meet the heir to a lost kingdom.”

“Destroyed and buried kingdom,” I corrected and failed to keep the bitterness from my voice. My last memories of Atlantis sinking beneath the sea still hurt.

“For now,” she smiled mysteriously. I didn’t have time to ponder what she meant before she continued. “You can sit. You do look the part of a prince. You won't have any trouble gaining loyalty from your people.”

Wow. Someone was out of touch. “In case you forgot,” I interjected. “I have no people. Atlantis is long gone. Except for certain places, artifacts, and magics... we’re all that’s left.”

She shook her head. “That’s not true. All humans born with innate power owe its source to a descendant from Atlantis. Even I owe you my allegiance, for the Atlantean genes is what grants my psychic talent.”

“I never thought...” I trailed off. This was going to take some time to process.

Early Dawn patted my arm. “Don’t worry about it now. I daresay there are more important matters to discuss for now. The enemy you face... Those users of the Witchery Way — the Skinwalkers. They’re only the tip of the iceberg of your true foe.”

Nathaniel’s green eyes widened. “So you know who controls them?”

“I do.”

Adam leaned forward, anxious and curious. “Can you tell us?”

Early Dawn nodded. “Yes. For a thousand bucks I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

What the hell? Did I suddenly get lost on the set of Narcos. I knew we would have to pay her, but I she had seemed so nice. Now she was all Machiavelli out of nowhere.

“Weren’t you just a minute ago talking about owing me allegiance? If this is how you usually do it, then you have to work on your openings.”

She shrugged unabashed. “This place doesn’t run off air. A girl has to keep a business running somehow.”

“A girl can keep it running by going out and sucking off— ” Killian started to say before Ryan slapped a hand over his mouth.

Nathaniel slammed his hand on the table and when he lifted it there was a stack of crisp one hundred dollar bills. Someone was a baller. He sat back in his seat folding his arms and staring her down, as she picked up the cash, quickly thumbing through it. I was impressed.

He said in a cold and clipped tone, “You got your money. Tell us what we want.”

Early Dawn sat the cash beside her. “Of course. I’m a woman of my word. Your true enemy is an ancient sect known as the Order of the Dying Star. They’re more commonly called the Unrelenting.” Her eyes slowly clouded over, turning milk white as she looked not at us, but through us, and into that place that we couldn’t see. “They answer to the Black Pope of Damnation. He was once a sorcerer but he’s something else now. Something inhuman.”

“Black Pope? Are they some type of fanatic religious cult?” Ryan asked.

Early Dawn cocked head as if listening to some unheard voice. “They worship It That Came Before.”

“Why Heaven’s Trumpet?” Adam’s brow was furrowed. He looked like he had a million questions. “That weapon is more powerful than anything in existence. What’s the point in ending the universe? They’ll die too.”

She nodded, white eyes piercing through him. “Power is the answer,” she said hollowly. Her voice gained an odd echo as if she was now speaking through some type of filter. “The Trumpet will sound and its retribution will be swift.”

She was starting to scare me. I chanced a look at the others. They could see it too. She was seeing too far into the currents of time. If you swim in the currents, eventually they will rise above and swallow you whole. I wanted to stop her but we needed more answers and she was getting paid damn good money.

“Where is the second Key?” I asked sharply.

“It once existed beneath the deepest ocean under the endless red sky. Now the ocean is no more but the red sky remains eternal.”

Nathaniel’s head snapped up. Realization shone in his eyes. “You’re talking about Mars? The Khanite Mars was one of the first colonies to be destroyed during the Fall, but— ” Nathaniel cut off, thinking intensely. “What if...”

I vaguely remembered that Atlantis had colonies off-world, away from Earth. Like Lemuria. But there were others, too. On Mars, the Moon, Neptune, and Venus. They were all abandoned before Atlantis fell whether by natural destruction on the planet, or the Lords in Shadow had taken them out before moving on to Atlantis.

I put the pieces together following Nathaniel’s line of thought. “Are you saying that the Key of Power is on Mars?”

“I’m almost certain,” Nathaniel said. “If I remember correctly Mars had the deepest sea known to us and its sky remained red despite efforts at terraforming.”

Killian cleared his throat. “That’s all well and good. But Mars is a wasteland last time I checked.”

“We’ll see about that,” Nathaniel said, smiling wolfishly.

Early Dawn’s head suddenly jerked as if stricken a blow. She gazed intently at me and I shuddered at that unnatural stare.

“Blood, blood, blood, blood,” she intoned deeply, sending a shudder of dreadful familiarity to shoot down my spine. “Your blood... His blood...” She reached out and snatched my wrist in an iron grip. “From the void it rests, it comes, it conquers. All shall taste fear. The universe shall weep in despair.”

She keeled over and I shot up and over the couch as if the hounds of hell were at my feet. That was impossible! How did she know those words? The words that I had only heard one other time in a nightmare. I wanted to curse her on the spot. I wanted to fry her hair from her scalp. Who was she to bring up that memory? And why?

Adam appeared at my side, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me into him. I fell against his chest realizing I was breathing like I had just run a mile. My heart pulsed so hard it was heaving against my ribs. I had to focus on being calm. I took a deep breath feeling my shoulders and back release their tension.

Nathaniel helped Early Dawn sit up and she leaned back on the couch as Mia rushed into the room. She took over from Nathaniel, helping her mistress sip down some water from a glass she brought.

Early Dawn’s eyes were now clear and normal, but full of pain. “I reached too far,” she groaned. “I almost lost myself.”

“Thank you.” Nathaniel's expression was beyond grateful. “You’ve been a big help to us.”

“I suggest you find that Key quickly. They will find it soon.” She was holding a hand to her temple, wincing from a pounding headache.

She only confirmed what I already knew. “Did you happen to see what the third Key was— even better— where it is?”

“Sorry but no.” She shrugged, apologetic. “I think Chronos himself blocked the location from those who can swim against the currents of time.”

Damn. Even a god was in on hiding the location of the third Key. That would make finding it that much harder. If we got to it before the Unrelenting then we could hide it, or worse case scenario we would protect it with our lives.

We bid our leave from the psychic. Adam’s hand in my own was warm and a comforting lifeline as we navigated through the crowd of dancing people in the bar. My thoughts were racing. The visit had been informative. We had the location of the second Key and now knew who the hell we were fighting. Now, all we had to do was:

Find the Keys and keep them safe.

Prevent Heaven’s Trumpet from activating.

Stop the Order of the Dying Star.

And at all cost prevent the universe from going pop. The list wasn’t long but it was daunting. These goals seemed almost impossible when stacked against the odds. We were losing the race, but we were getting our second wind, and maybe we had a shot at winning this thing. It seemed impossible but we had heard that before. A boy’s got to have a goal after all.