The Judge (7 page)

Chapter 15

It was only the second time Connor had been around the human populace since his change into an Elite Judge. Now he found himself sitting in the middle of Central Park. There was a table next to him and another chair on the opposite side. The sun was high in the sky, comfortable in it’s own time zone compared to The Island. Dozens of people passed by, either jogging, walking their dogs, or strolling along hand in hand with their loved one.

A light breeze rustled the short grass and tall trees. Connor found himself smiling at the scene despite all that was going on around him. So many people were genuinely happy. They walked without a care in the world, smiles plastered on most of their faces. When he was caught looking at one of them, more often than not he was met with a grin or nod.

‘One of them.’ That’s what your calling humans now? So much has changed and now, all of these people are depending on you. Whether they know it or not.

Connor even missed the feeling of his old clothes. During the trials and his stay at the palace, he sported traveling clothes or the bright orange robes the monks wore inside the palace. Now he was wearing his favorite pair of jeans, Converse, plain shirt, and hoodie.

Connor had to force himself away from the enjoyment of being in the human world. He stopped smelling the hotdog stand blocks away, stopped watching the sincere enjoyment of couples, and focused on what was about to happen.

Caderyn, Morrigan, Orion, and Zheng were all there in the park with him. They were far enough away not to bring unwarranted attention to themselves but close enough to be at Connor’s side in a second’s notice if things went bad. They were all disguised and blended in nicely with the scenery, especially Orion, who had disguised himself as a homeless person lying on a bench a few yards to Connor’s left.

Connor wasn’t alone much longer. A tall figure walked towards him. It was easy to tell it was Vercin. Everyone else seemed to be lost in their own little worlds. Vercin walked, head held high, with purpose.

Soon Connor could make out distinct features. He had short hair and eyes that seemed to twinkle, one eye blue, the other brown. To his surprise, Vercin the greatest evil the Elite nation had ever faced, was also wearing dark blue jeans. A black shirt and a long pea coat blended him into the crowd nicely. He carried a box in the crook of his left arm.

“Mr. Moore. Thank you for coming. I think this is the first time we have met. I mean in the flesh, of course, and not through the use of dreams.”

Connor stood up, still recovering from Vercin’s normal appearance and easy manner of talking. “I think you’re right.”

“Thrown off a bit?”

“Why would I be thrown off?”

“Oh, I mean that I’m not dressed in armor with a sword at my side. Or maybe that I don’t have fangs sprouting from my mouth and laughing wildly.”

Connor had to remind himself that this was the man that had killed all five members of the Elite Council. He was a dangerous threat, not to be trusted. “What’s in the box?”

Vercin smiled and placed the box on the small table between the two chairs. He opened it and revealed chess pieces inside. “Oh, I thought what better way for a king to know a Judge than over a game of chess. You can tell a lot about someone from the way they play.”

Connor followed suit as Vercin took a seat and started setting up chess pieces. The box he had brought opened up into a chessboard.

“I hope you didn’t ask for this meeting so we could play a game.”

“Oh, but Connor, we have so much to talk about. Humor me, just one game while we discuss the fate of the human race. You do know how to play, don’t you?”

Connor was reminded of his mother, who had taught him how to play checkers when he was young and chess as he had matured. “Yes, I know how to play.”

“Well, come then. Indulge an elder in a simple game for a few minutes.”

Connor found himself arranging smooth marble playing pieces. Vercin smiled and continued, “That’s the spirit. Now what shall we discuss first? Laren? Your surrender?”

Connor felt his temper flare as Vercin mentioned Laren’s name as nonchalantly as someone discussing the weather. “What did you do to her? How?”

Vercin sat back with a small smile and laced his fingers behind his head. His black chess pieces had been arranged. “I think you know. Laren’s Elite gene has been rendered useless. She’s as human as the people who walk all around us now. As to how we did that, well, perhaps you would like to hear it from the man responsible?”

Vercin looked from side to side. “I’m not going to be assaulted by your father or the others here if I motion over another, will I?”

Connor’s surprise at Vercin’s knowledge of his company must have showed because Vercin’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, Connor I told you this is a chess game. The key to winning is always staying two, three, four, even five moves ahead of your opponent.”

Connor was mentally kicking himself for allowing Vercin the satisfaction of taking him by surprise. He took a long, calming breath. “It’s okay. Motion whoever it is over.”

Vercin nodded. He slowly waved with his right hand. At first nothing happened. Then Connor caught sight of an older man dressed in a suit approaching the chess table. He had thinning grey hair, steel rimmed glasses, and a sturdy black cane.

“Karnag, you will remember, was a prison for only the most violent and twisted Elites. The Doctor is neither of these but his questionable methods for testing new strains of viruses landed him in the prison, nevertheless. May I introduce Doctor Henry Hyde.”

The elderly man smiled at Vercin and extended a hand in Connor’s direction. Connor felt inclined to accept the handshake. He stood and shook the doctor’s hand more out of natural reaction then genuine interest.

“Doctor,” Vercin said, “I was just discussing the fact that you have found a way to nullify the Elite gene and turn near immortal beings into something quite human. Would you like to elaborate on the subject?”

“Oh yes, thank you. Mr. Moore, it is actually very exciting, groundbreaking work that is being done. I have managed to isolate the gene that makes us so unique. After some trial and error, I have found a way to render the gene dormant. Much like you, I understand. I mean, before your gene was awakened.”

Connor had heard enough. “How do you reverse the effects?”

“Well—” the doctor started.

“There is no way, Connor,” Vercin said. “Doctor, that will be all, thank you.”

The elderly Elite gave a short bow and walked away, disappearing in the busy flow of human traffic.

“And there you have it, Mr. Moore,” Vercin said as he made the opening move of the chess game. “Your move.”

Chapter 16

Connor refused to believe there was no hope for Laren. He told himself Vercin was lying. That the twisted would-be king was relying on him to crack and break under the news. Connor refused to give in to desperation. Instead, he moved a pawn, countering Vercin’s move on the chessboard. “We’ll find a way. You might not be able to reverse the effects of whatever the doctor has done, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be undone.”

Vercin shook his head. “Stubborn till the end. But what will you do when we weaponize the virus and use it against you and yours?”

“We’ll fight. We’ll find a way.”

“Brave but foolish. It doesn’t have to end in bloodshed for you and your followers, Connor. There’s still a way out of this. There’s still a way for peace between our two factions.”

“You want us to join you or sit on the sidelines and watch as you destroy the world and enslave humanity.”

Vercin scoffed. “You make it sound as though we’re doing some great injustice. We’re taking what’s ours. As the superior race, we were born to rule. If you won’t join us, then stay out of the way.”

A tense moment passed before Connor shook his head. “No. We won’t stand by and do nothing as you destroy humanity. We can’t.”

Vercin let out a frustrated sigh before he moved another piece on the board. “You make it sound like I’m going to lead the inmates of Karnag in a coup against the government. It’s the twenty first century. Like everything else, tactics must evolve. I’m not interested in mass genocide, Mr. Moore.”

“Then what is your plan?” Connor asked, expecting his question would go unanswered. But Vercin continued the conversation.

“Even as we speak, the very best and brightest Elites Karnag has to offer are climbing the political and corporate ladders of this world. Never underestimate the power of bribery, blackmail, lies, and intimidation. Those that will not give in to our demands will meet tragic accidents. It’s beautifully simple.”

“You have a twisted view of simplicity,” Connor said, moving another game piece.

Vercin nodded. He motioned to individual pieces as he drew analogies. “It’s all a game, Connor. I have my pawns, the inmates I’ve freed. You have yours, the Elites of the families who have sided with you. We both have our castles, rooks, and knights. For you those would be your Orions, Caderyns, and Zhengs. For me they are Christof, the doctor, and a surprise I’m saving for later. Finally, we have our queens, the sorceresses Morrigan and Julie. And we know who the kings are, don’t we?”

“This isn’t a game, Vercin. I won’t join you or stand down. If that’s the only reason you called this meeting, then you have your answer. If it’s a war you insist on, then we will give you a war.”

“I was afraid you would remain stubborn. Your delusions of grandeur in being a Judge will be your downfall. But like I said, I plan several moves ahead. You didn’t think I hadn’t anticipated the stubbornness of youth, did you?”

Before Connor could answer, Vercin continued.

“I wonder what your mother is doing right now?”

Connor’s eyes flashed worry, then anger. “You leave her out of this. Haven’t you done enough? You were once a Judge like me and my father. You were tasked with protecting our race’s secret, not destroying it. What happened to you?”

“Power happened to me, Mr. Moore. I realized that I was not meant to be a tool used as a Judge and then to vanish back into the history pages of our people. My power is a gift and one I intend to use to its full potential. But let’s not change the subject. If you don’t stand down, you put your mother’s life in danger.”

Connor’s mind was already doing the math. How fast he could make it to his mother’s shop. If he could make it before Vercin. He was reminded that Morrigan had sent Pete and Joe to watch over his mother. “No. Whatever you threaten me with, whatever you plan to do, I’ll be there to stop you.”

“Well, then,” Vercin said, standing from the table. “I guess the rest of the chess match will have to be played out in real life. How fast do you think you can make it to your mother’s shop?”

Chapter 17

Connor gritted his teeth as he stepped through a portal Morrigan and Orion made. The group had found a secluded spot in the park surrounded by trees. With one step he moved from greenery and the open sky to asphalt and the back of his mother’s flower store.

“You did the right thing,” Caderyn said, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks,” Connor said with a hollow ring. He still wasn’t any closer to finding a cure for Laren.

“There’s no way Vercin could have made it here faster than us, Connor,” Morrigan added as the portal snapped closed behind them. “Your mother will be safe. We’ll have to take her to The Island. She’ll have to know about all of this but her safety is our first priority.”

It was only as they walked through the small loading and unloading zone in the rear of the building that Connor realized how emotional of a moment this would be for both of his parents.

Connor looked at his father and saw something other than courage and strength on his face. Worry swam in Caderyn’s eyes, worry, joy and a hundred other emotions. Connor saw it all but before he could ask if there was anything he could do, the back door of the shop opened and his mother walked out.

Rebecca was the picture of aging beauty; her brown hair pulled back, twinkling eyes, and a smile that would make anyone feel at ease. She flashed her smile now as her eyes first caught her son. “Connor? Connor, is that you?”

Connor smiled and was reminded how much he had missed his mother. He ran to her and gave her a hug. She was wearing a green apron covered in dirt but Connor didn’t care. He held her for a moment before he was reminded of their situation. “Mom, are you okay?”

She pulled away from him, still beaming. “Yes, of course but what are you doing back from college? Oh, I’m being so rude who are your frie—”

Rebecca Moore stopped mid-sentence as she first was caught off guard by the strange clothing Morrigan, Orion, and Zheng wore, and then saw the man who had left her almost nineteen years ago. The man she had loved without hesitation, the man who had broken her heart and left her with a new son on the way now stood in front of her. Rebecca lost all words.

Caderyn took a step forward and cleared his throat. In a moment Connor witnessed the man who had charged dozens of Elites while rescuing Laren, who had ended hundreds of lives as an Elite Judge, reduced to a stuttering mess of a man. A boy who was still very much in love.

“Rebecca—I—I know I have a lot to explain, but right now the most important thing is that we get you to—”

Rebecca didn’t wait for Caderyn to finish. She crossed the few steps between them and for a second Connor thought she was going to hug Caderyn or even give him a kiss. Instead she slapped him. She just didn’t slap him, she struck him across the jaw so hard his long grey hair whipped across his face.

Rebecca’s hand recoiled like she had just punched steel but she hid her pain and the wrath of god made its way through, “How dare you come back.” Tears were filling her eyes and she was trembling with rage. “How dare you, Caderyn Moore. When you left us—”

Wild barks shattered the air. Deep howls and growls came from the front of the store.

“He’s here,” Morrigan said.

“Who’s here?” Rebecca asked, taking a closer look at Morrigan. “Do—do I know you?”

Morrigan grinned at Rebecca. “You’re going to have many questions and we will answer them all, but for now trust us. Trust your son. We must be going.”

“No.”

Everyone turned to Connor, who had taken a position on the small landing that served as the docking bay for delivery trucks. “We have to send a message to Vercin. We can’t let him bully us. We can’t just run away all the time. I say we fight. Here and now I say we make him regret this decision.”

“Ahhhhhh! Just like your father,” Orion laughed. “I think it’s a great idea.”

Orion stopped talking as Rebecca caught his one good eye with a deadly stare. “Connor, what are you talking about?”

“Mom, stay here. We’ll send Pete and Joe back here to protect you. You need to trust me.”

Rebecca half nodded, numb with the events surrounding her. Connor could only imagine how much confusion she was going through at the moment but there was little he could do now.

“She’s here,” Morrigan said. The sky was beginning to darken at an unnatural rate and mist was forming at their feet. Morrigan let out a shrill whistle and two large dogs bounded around the corner of the building, still barking their warning. “Thank you, boys. We need you to stay here with Rebecca and make sure nothing happens to her. We’ll deal with Vercin.”

The large bloodhound and bulldog nodded and trotted over to Connor. Despite the circumstances, Connor found himself making time to smile and rub the dogs’ soft ears.

The moment was short lived as the responsibility of being a Judge weighed on his shoulders. “Follow me.”