CHAPTER 16
THE REST OF THE NIGHT was spent tossing and turning. With the first ray of sunlight, Connor found himself sitting up in his bed. He scratched his head, thinking once again about his dream from the night before. What could it have meant? It couldn’t hold any real meaning, could it? It was just his subconscious playing a cruel joke. Then Connor remembered what the man, the creature in his dream, had said about his mother. Dream or not, he clenched his jaw and reminded himself how many people were counting on him to succeed. It wasn’t just the Elites, it was everyone, including his mother.
Like most mornings, the knock on the door came early. Connor didn’t even have to ask, he knew who it was. “Come in.”
Morrigan walked into the room bearing her normal gifts of food and clothing.
Deciding to skip the details of his night, Connor focused on the present and his growling stomach. “Are you going to make me smell out my food again?”
“I don’t think that is necessary. What I do think is necessary is that you get out of bed and ready for the day. We don’t have any time to spare. Lupus and Larentia said your training went well yesterday. How do you feel?”
Connor rose from the bed and stretched. “Great. I’m actually surprised I’m not sore or aching.”
“Well, at least we know your healing factor is working. Now, quickly into the shower,” she scrunched up her nose as if a skunk had just made its presence known. “You smell horrible.”
Thirty minutes later, Connor was once again seated with Morrigan by the window.
“As you know, Lu is teaching you strength and fighting techniques, Laren speed and survival techniques, and I am here to make sure you have as much knowledge as you can retain about who you are and your capabilities. Do you believe that you are not only a Judge, but the Judge that will deliver us in our time of need?”
Connor thought long and hard before he answered the question. “I know I’m an Elite and I do believe that I’m the Judge in your vision. What I don’t understand is how I’m supposed to be this great person when I can’t even lift a boulder, or run through the forest as fast as the people I’m supposed to protect?”
“Because you have to believe in yourself. Don’t think you are strong, don’t think you are fast, believe you are. Know you are and find whatever it is inside of you that drives you to be better. Whatever emotion you draw strength from, use it; make yourself master over your emotions and you will have all the power you need.” Her eyes darkened and she looked at him as if she were a mother talking to her son. “But be careful to harness this power, do not become a slave to your emotions.”
Connor nodded. “I think I know what I have to do.”
“I think you do, too.”
And that was it. That was the end of Morrigan’s visit. She led him outside the castle walls and once again to Lupus’ drill camp.
“Did you come ready to do work, rookie?” Lu asked with a grin, his shoulder-length brown hair falling around his face.
“Are you ready? I’m not holding back today.”
“Well, let’s see it.” Lu pointed to a boulder the size of a large suitcase. Connor gritted his teeth and set to his task. His mind was racing with things that made him mad, that made him angry. He squatted next to the boulder, his hands searching for a grip along its jagged edges.
Your father is still alive. You were left in the dark all these years and he’s alive. He didn’t leave you. People took him away from you. Connor’s arms shook with the exertion as he strained against the rock. Mom must be worried. She’s all alone now. All by herself while you’re out playing savior. First he left her and now you left her. His legs and thighs screamed under the pressure, but still he pulled.
Faust was going to kill them. He was seconds away from killing Lu and Laren. He would have murdered them without a second thought.
Then, there it was. Just like before when he was playing sports, except one hundred times magnified. There it was like a shining answer, the rage, the power, that “it” factor that he’d tapped into so many times in the past. Here it was, this time it was on steroids. It was an inner source of power before, a force that he could draw strength from. Now it was a hurricane of emotion and rage.
Connor let out a roar as he felt the power coursing through his body. He felt numb, he felt invincible. Then the boulder moved, not a lot, just a few inches. Connor put his back into it now. Grunting, his vision turned red, almost blurry as he lifted the rock from its place and threw it into the water.
He sank to his knees. His mouth felt different. It wasn’t painful. It was alien, as if his teeth belonged to someone else. He looked at his reflection in the river and didn’t recognize the person looking back. Two red eyes stared at him. Fangs had sprouted from his mouth.
“It’s okay, Connor. Control it. Don’t lose yourself to it. You have control.”
Still gasping for breath, he shook his head. It was intoxicating, it was a drug. He wanted more. He didn’t want to stop, although he knew he had to. This wasn’t him. It was part of him.
Grabbing his hair with both hands, he shook his head back and forth and screamed. He had to stop it. If he was ever going to be the man he needed to be, he had to learn to control it. Then it was gone. The power faded, the surging feeling ebbed, and he was left kneeling on the river bank, Lu standing beside him.
“I knew you could do it. It’s not easy now, switching it off and on. It will be, you’ll learn.”
And Connor did learn, quickly. By the end of their session, Connor could lift more than he’d ever dreamed, punched almost as hard as Lu, and their sparring match went so well that after Connor had pinned him a few times, Lu even began teaching him different styles and techniques.
The two stopped as they saw Laren approaching, panting from their day of training. “I know you can’t see it because it’s just you and not a class, but you’re doing great. You’re light years ahead of where you should be. I almost take back all those mean things I told my sister about you.”
“It’s okay. I thought you were kind of a tool for a long time.”
“I still am kind of a tool.”
Laren smiled at her brother as she passed him. “Ready to run, Connor?”
“The question is, do you think you can keep up with me, Miss Abelardus?”
“That’s the spirit. All right, try to keep up. I’ll start off at a steady jog, then a run and push it to a sprint at the end.”
Connor nodded.
The two took off into the forest at what Laren deemed a “steady jog.” It felt more like a run to Connor. He reached for his power again and felt it pulsing slowly. He tapped into the feeling and energy coursed though his body.
When Laren was ready to push the pace, Connor met her stride for stride.
Fifteen minutes later, Laren looked at her running partner. “Ready? Here comes the sprint.”
“Let’s get after it.” Connor gritted his teeth and grabbed on to his internal beast. His legs moved faster than he thought possible as the two flew down the forest path.
Trees and bushes became blurs of green and brown. Connor didn’t even turn to see Laren’s pace. Instead, he focused on the path and let the rest of the world fall away. There was only one thought in his head, run.
Connor lost all track of time, and although his lungs burned, he would have continued down the path had Laren not called a stop.
“Okay, Flash, that’s enough for one day. I think it’s your turn to find dinner.”
Connor stopped and smiled at her panting. “What’s on the menu tonight? Roast squirrel with a berry sauce, fried rabbit and figs, frog legs and lettuce?”
“Whatever you can scavenge. You’re the chef tonight. Although frog legs do sound tempting.” Laren laughed.
Connor turned and walked into the woods, surveying the forest floor. He searched just like Laren taught him. Slowly and deliberately, his eyes scanned the forest floor until he found a tiny paw print.
Following the trail, he soon found himself beside a tree. Looking into the branches, a large grey squirrel returned his gaze. The branch the squirrel sat on was ten feet off the ground.
Laren appeared beside him. “Think you can get him?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Connor backed up a few feet, and before his mind ran through the reasons that his plan couldn’t physically work, he started running. He jumped as high as he could and pushed off the tree trunk, propelling himself higher. The squirrel’s mouth dropped open, and if it was possible for squirrels to look surprised, this one did.
Still flying in the air, Connor grabbed the animal off the tree branch, and for a split second, thought he was going to die. Gravity overcame his upward momentum and sent him falling to the hard forest floor ten feet below.
You’re going to die. Morrigan is going to be so pissed. He hit the ground on both his feet and tumbled awkwardly to the side.
Laren rushed over. “Are you okay, Connor?”
Connor rolled onto his back, covered in leaves and dirt, holding onto the limp form of the squirrel. “I did it.”
“Yes, you did. Starting to believe in yourself a little bit more?”
Laren helped him up and he gave her a boyish grin. “Yeah, I guess so. Now let’s eat.”
It was as he was preparing the fire that Laren showed her pride on his advancement.
“You’ve accomplished in two lessons what would have taken a normal Elite months to master. That’s great, Connor. How do you feel?”
“Alive. Everything’s starting to click. I can tap into that power inside me now, I just have to make sure I can turn it off just as easily.”
“I agree, you want it in short spurts. Our greatest strength is also our greatest weakness if we let it consume us and lose control.”
The next day went by much too fast. That morning, Morrigan informed Connor that Katie was granted access to the castle with strict orders not to leave the grounds. She also told him of the events that were going to be held that night in his honor. Since there hadn’t been a Judge challenged in such a long time, everyone was somewhat hazy on the exact etiquette of how the ceremony should proceed. History demanded a celebration, in today’s world, that meant Connor would be interviewed by a group of reporters and then taken to a celebratory dinner.
Sessions with Lu and Laren were shortened to give Connor time to prepare for the night’s events. Lu was happy with his student’s progress, only wishing they had more time to go over weapons training. He consoled himself by telling Connor, “Oh well, if you need a weapon, grab the biggest thing next to you and throw it at your enemy.”
Likewise, Laren was thrilled with his advancement in only three lessons, but regretted not having more time.
The evening found Connor in the shower with Morrigan shouting directions to him from the other side of the door. It was beginning to become a routine.
“Some of the reporters may try and stump you or ask you off-the-wall questions. Remember, take your time, and you always have the option of replying with no comment.”
Connor was nervous and couldn’t help thinking that with such a big night ahead, he should be terrified. A room full of cameras and journalists all looking at him, not only for answers, but possibly for their lives if they believed in the prophecy. He would have been more nervous except something had happened in the last few days. Connor knew he was different. He knew he belonged here, and he was beginning to believe he was the Judge that was foretold. He was as strong as Lu, as fast as Laren, and this was only after three days.
“I hung your tuxedo on the hook behind the door.”
“Tuxedo?” Connor shut off the water and started drying himself.
“Yes, tuxedo. What did you think you would be wearing? Converse and a V-neck?”
Connor unzipped the garment bag, he had never seen a tuxedo before. At all his high school dances and proms, Connor had been content to wear his one suit or just a pair of slacks and a shirt and tie. He knew how hard his mother worked at the shop and couldn’t justify spending money on things that weren’t really that important to him. Any extra money from the job he worked aside from the shop either went to his mother or a savings account.
The tuxedo was stunning. Connor was never one to keep up with trendy fashions or have expensive clothes. A good pair of running shoes and something portable to play music were all he had ever really wanted. This was a piece of art.
His tuxedo was jet black with a white dress shirt, and black cummerbund and bow tie. The material it was made from felt expensive, the fabric was rich and soft. His black dress shoes were so shiny they were almost blinding when the light hit them.
“Everyone will be at the banquet celebration as well; the Council, politicians, and, well, the richest and most powerful Elites on earth. Just remember to show respect. Also remember that they’re all here to see you.”
Connor walked out of the bathroom, bowtie in hand. “I have no idea how this thing goes on.”
Morrigan was also elegantly dressed in a long, sleeveless purple dress, her hair was pinned up and long silver earrings dangled from her ears. She looked Connor up and down.
“Did I put something on wrong?”
“No, Mr. Moore. Not at all, you look very handsome. You’re going to take everyone’s breath away.”
The tuxedo transformed Connor from an attractive eighteen-year-old kid to a head-turning secret agent. He fixed his hair the way Laren had shown him, and shaved his face.
Morrigan took the bowtie from him and wove her adept fingers through the material.
Chin up, Connor stared at the ceiling. He was getting nervous as the time for his interview approached. You can do this. You know what you are now. You know what you’re supposed to do, he told himself.
“There, perfect.” Morrigan took a step back to examine her work. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
The castle was alive with last-minute preparations. At this point, everyone knew Connor’s face. Word spread like wildfire since the trial, when the Council declared him a Judge. Servers passed by staring, some were even bold enough to say hello or venture a handshake. It was humbling and a bit empowering at the same moment. Morrigan quickly maneuvered around these exchanges politely, informing them they were on their way to an interview and couldn’t be late. She led him to a side door and stopped before she went in. “Do you need a minute?”
“No, it’s like a band aid. I just want to pull it off and get it over with.”
“Remember who you know yourself to be. Be honest and the rest will take care of itself. I’ll be there in the front row. Take your time, there’s no rush.”
Connor nodded, readying himself for the chaos he knew would ensue as soon as she turned the doorknob.
Whatever Connor was expecting, he was wrong. It was a zoo. As he entered the room, camera lights went off in such a quick succession it sounded like machine gun fire. Dozens of reporters all spoke at once, begging him to answer their, and only their, questions. Morrigan gave them all smiles and led Connor to a podium that was arranged for the interview. An interview that now seemed more like a press conference at the White House.
“Please, will everyone be seated?” Adolpho’s voice was heard via microphone from the podium.
With a reassuring smile, Morrigan left Connor standing next to Adolpho. “There’s no reason to behave like a pack of wild animals. I’m sure Mr. Moore will be more than happy to answer all of your questions. As was discussed, we’ll start left to right, beginning in the back. Each reporter may ask two questions, and for the sake of time, if your question has already been asked, please don’t ask it again.”
The small room died down. Reporters were dressed in tuxedos and gowns, obviously attending the banquet celebration, eager to ask their “ground breaking” question. The only noise now was the steady clicking of cameras.
Adolpho leaned in next to Connor and whispered, “A bit of advice. If you start getting nervous or freeze, just imagine them all as chubby puppies.”
Connor looked at him, confused.
“Don’t ask me why. It’s worked for me for centuries.”
With that comment, Adolpho stepped down and took his seat next to Morrigan. Connor felt as though he was a valued object up for bid, everyone eyeing him and deciding how much he was worth.
An elderly man in the back broke the silence. “Mr. Moore, do you believe that you are the next Judge that will fulfill the prophecy?”
“Yes—and yes. Those were both of your questions, right?”
The room giggled at his boyish remark. “Yes, Mr. Moore,” the elderly man smiled. “I’m done.”
“One down.” Connor meant to say this under his breath, however he was standing too close to the microphone and it picked up his internal pep talk.
The room laughed again. The next reporter was a young woman with curly red hair and cheerful amber eyes. “Mr. Moore, if you do think you’re the Judge of prophecy, and are going to save us from this impending doom, what doom do you think is coming?”
Connor couldn’t help thinking of whoever Faust was talking to that night he’d spied on him. He couldn’t say that, though. “I don’t know. What I do know is that whatever it is, when it comes, I’ll be ready.”
A few reporters smiled and even more heads nodded in approval.
“And my second question is: are you prepared for the Tests?”
“I’m ready and able to do whatever it takes to prove to you who I am and what I’m capable of.”
The young lady thanked him and took her seat, giving the floor to a burly man that looked as though he had eaten too many jelly doughnuts.
“Mr, Moore—”
It was the fourth time Connor was addressed as “Mr.” that night and he couldn’t help cutting in. “You can just call me Connor. That goes for everyone.”
The room exploded in smiles. Connor gave them a sheepish grin as the man began again. “Well, then, Connor, we understand that you have been recently turned, awakening the dormant Elite gene. How have you been handling the change?”
Connor leaned into the microphone. “I feel like a superhero.”
Morrigan told him to be honest, and at his answer, the room erupted in laughter. Connor won them all over within a few minutes by being himself.
The remaining questions seemed to last forever; questions about his childhood, what he thought about his father’s imprisonment. One middle-aged woman, who was wearing a revealing dress, even asked if he was single.
When the last reporter finished asking their two questions, Adolpho rose to take the stand. “Thank you, Connor. I believe there is a celebration being held in your honor next door. Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please follow us, the night is about to begin.”