Accession of the Stone Born: The Vigiles Urbani Chronicles (19 page)

Isidore snickered. “In plain English, Martha was more of a hands on girl, whereas Andrew here would rather direct the orchestra. Both of them are stupidly powerful, but only one of them had the will to use it in the way the coin saw fit.”

Coin…what the fuck were they talking about? Now that I was totally confused I looked up at Andrew. “Coin?”

Andrew didn’t answer right away and padded down the hall next to his bedroom, calling over his shoulder. “You’ll see shortly.”

Isidore looked over at me and groaned. “I’m not sure you should do this.”

“Why not?” I asked.

Andrew reappeared before Isidore could answer. He held a small velvet bag in his hand, and as he approached he nodded at me. “Hold out your hand.”

Looking up at Andrew, I snickered and held out my right hand. “This is it? No ceremony, no badge?”

His smile was gone. Now his face was strained. He was nervous. “The ceremony will have to wait till everyone is here next week, but I do have a ‘badge’ for you.” Andrew looked back at Isidore. “You’ll be my witness.”

Isidore grumbled. “Do I have a choice?”

Andrew shook his head. “Not really.”

Isidore gave Andrew a level look and waved a hand in my direction. “Get on with it then.”

Andrew pulled the string on the bag and it fell open, and its contents fell into my open hand. It was a single silver denarius, with a wreath and crossed swords on one side and the symbol for Pax Romana on the other.

Something stirred in me. I felt my head swim and a rhythm building all around me. Brilliant blue flames erupted in the palm of my hand, spreading around to encompass everything from my wrist to the tips of my fingers. The coin began to melt and the flesh of my hand seemed to groan in agony of being burned from the inside out. I wrapped my ruined left hand around my aching, flaming right and my breathing became labored.

I felt the coin awaken…it was alive, sentient, and highly intelligent. It peered into the dark recesses of my mind and took stock of my soul, and rejoiced. The tension inside of it eased, its consciousness expanding alongside my own. It was comfortable for the first time since it had been birthed into this world, and it knew as well as I did that it was home.

The flames danced across my hand, unfolding themselves and stretching out into a long, thin reptilian snake-like creature with wings. It coiled itself around my forearm, sliding up my arm, around my elbow, and up to my bicep. There it pulled its head back and drove itself into my deltoid hard enough to knock me out of my chair, sending me crashing hard into the floor. It burned a hole the size of a quarter through the sleeve of my shirt, burrowing through my flesh.

Then, just as suddenly as it had started, it ended; blissfully, thankfully, and mercifully, it was all over. I found myself curled into the fetal position on the floor. Unwrapping myself, I slowly pulled my left hand away from my right and stared at the palm. There in my big meaty paw I found the Pax Romana seal branded deep into the flesh. Instinctively I flipped my hand over to find yet another brand. This one was of two crossed swords cupped inside of a wreath. Unlike most brands I’d seen in my life, these were highly detailed with fine thin lines, almost as if they’d been cut into my flesh instead of burned into it. Then I remembered I wasn’t alone in the room, and looked up to see Andrew and Isidore leaning over me looking worried.

I groaned, rolled over onto my back, and held out both hands. “It appears that fate has seen fit to give me a matching set.”

Isidore put out a hand and helped me back into my chair. “Are you all right?”

Looking over at him and then back at Andrew, I nodded. “I think so. Why do you ask? Did that not go as planned?”

Andrew’s concern was clear to see as he eyed my right shoulder. “Can you pull up the sleeve so we can get a better look?”

Grabbing the bottom of my ruined sleeve I pulled it back, and there emblazoned on my shoulder was the ancient Roman standard, Aquila or Eagle, grasping crossed lightning bolts. Both men crowded around me to get a better view.

Andrew looked at Isidore as he pointed. “Ever seen anything like it?”

Isidore shook his head. “Never.”

Looking down, I looked back at them as if they were taking the short yellow bus to school. “It’s an eagle.”

Andrew looked down at me with utter amazement, as if I’d uttered the dumbest words in the world. His voice was full of the Bart Simpson “Duh” when he spoke. “I can see that, you dolt!” He shook his head and fell back into his seat with a thud. “I’ve just never seen it appear on a
vigiles
, or anyone else for that matter.”

Isidore stood behind my uncle as he kept his eyes fixated on the ancient symbol. “I’ve dealt with a few
vigiles
in my life, but I’ve never even heard of such a thing.” Finally raising his eyes to search my own, he said, “You seem to be a very unique, if not an extraordinary man, Gavin Randall.”

As I looked down at my hand, the being inside my head shared its knowledge with me. Anyone could carry a badge, but only a true
vigiles urbani
could wear the true mark. Looking over at my shoulder, it saw the Aquila through my eyes and squirmed in delight. “Hail Caesar!” flooded my mind as I unrolled the sleeve and pulled the ruined cloth over it as best I could.

My mind expanded and I felt the other
vigiles urbani
who’d carried the coin before me, their knowledge just out of reach for now as the connections were so new and tenuous. Other minds popped into view for less than a second before fading into the background, to be sorted and filed later by my new friend. Then a new consciousness rocked me back in my chair as it took hold and released me nearly instantly. It was pleased, and then it was gone.

Shaking my head, I shook the feeling of the overwhelming consciousness off and looked up at Andrew. “Sorry about the coin.” As soon as I said it I knew that this was the way it was supposed to happen. “You knew it would vanish.”

Andrew looked at me curiously. “I did, but how did you know?”

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. “I... just knew. It’s as if there are things that I understand now that I didn’t before.”

Concern crossed Andrew’s face as he looked back at Isidore. “Could it be happening already?”

Isidore appeared slightly panicked by the idea. “Not this fast. It never happens this fast.”

As I heard their words I understood their conversation. The connection between the person and the
vigiles urbani
contained within the coin normally took months to develop, sometimes years to fully emerge as a fully functioning tool of the Archive. For some reason this wasn’t taking days, weeks, months, or years, but seconds, minutes, hours, and at most days.

Shaking my head, I grumbled. “But it is happening right before your eyes.”

Isidore’s concern was written across his face, much like my uncle’s, as they both eyed me. Isidore nodded. “I suppose it is.” He snapped to attention as he slammed a hand over his chest. “All, hail the
vigiles
.”

Andrew stood and they both intoned the next phrase together. “All hail Caesar!”

Isidore continued to stare at me for several more seconds before looking over at Andrew. “You know that Ms. Dodd and the triumvirate are going to be pissed about this.”

Andrew snarled. “They can be pissed all they like. It’s within my rights as governor to place people in positions that need to be filled.” For a moment Andrew looked to be smelling garbage. “Besides, it's only Robert who is chomping at the bit for this. He has designs on becoming governor one day.”

Obviously Robert had missed the memo. “I take it he doesn’t know about your whole age impairment.”

Andrew glanced over at Isidore with a conspiratorial face. “Not many people do. As stone born we don’t go around advertising it.” He waved at Isidore. “It’s hard to hide from someone who has known you for fifty years, but yeah, it’s not common knowledge.”

That made me think. “Unless he does and he’s got a hand in the plot to kill you.”

That wiped the satisfied look off his face as he considered my words. “That would be very bad for business, but all things considered equal, not out of the question for the little shit.”

Making a mental note to return to this conversation later, I shifted gears. “Now, as far as Ms. Dodd is concerned, how much fuel will this add to her fire when she files that report against you?”

Andrew’s face told the story of just how little he cared about that report. “I have a duty to assign people to an area. If anyone is stupid enough to volunteer for such a position and they are capable, then I’m duty bound to see that it happens. I’m perfectly within my right to do what’s best for everyone.”

Isidore snickered. “It isn’t exactly politically savvy, but since you are not an elected official it doesn’t matter.”

Andrew blew out a breath and eyed Isidore. “As Gavin pointed out, they could be plotting to kill me.”

Isidore’s form shifted slightly, he slammed his hand into the table, cracking the wood. “Don’t even joke about that!”

Andrew winced. “I was only kidding!”

Isidore growled. “And I find that shit extremely funny.”

Putting my right hand on the table, I looked between them. “You two need to sit back and relax. Consider that my first order as
vigiles
.”

Isidore’s form returned to normal and he leaned back in his chair. “Sorry about the table.”

Andrew didn’t seem to be bothered by the outburst. “It’s only wood. Besides, I’ve needed a new table for years.”

Isadore looked around sheepishly. “You seriously need to update this place!”

Andrew closed his eyes and steeled himself against what was obviously an old argument. “Don’t even start with that shit. I’ll call the carpenters and have them repair the table.”

Isidore’s eyes grew wide as he started to envision remaking the apartment. “You could update this place with a more modern style.”

I looked around the room and made a face before looking back at Isidore. “I like the decor.”

Isidore sighed. “Fuck me, and you’re the new
vigiles
. I was hoping you’d have good taste.”

I waved my hand around the room. “What do you call this?”

Isidore didn’t even hesitate. “OLD!” he grumbled. “I’m older than either of you and I wouldn’t be caught dead in this place. There’s so much wood, and even more wood as far as the eye can see. Then there’s that leather atrocity that you call a couch.”

Andrew huffed. “You’re a fucking werewolf…don’t go all vegan on me!”

“I don’t care about the leather, it's the design. It looks like something I’d find Edison owning.”

Andrew looked truly offended. “That was low! You know I despise that man!”

Isidore dismissively waved off my uncle. “It isn’t as if you knew him!”

Andrew pulled his shirt straight. “That’s not the point. He was a thief! I hate thieves.” Andrew turned his attention to me. “Thieves deserve a special place in hell! As the
vigiles
for the Southern United States, I expect you to be extra tough on them!”

I didn’t care for thieves, but I didn’t like being told how to do my job. “This seems like an old argument and one that I’ll stay out of.” Looking at my uncle, I smiled. “But when it comes to the job I’ll do what needs to be done.”

Andrew barely acknowledged my words. “Good man.”

The three of us sat there for several hours, talking about the rules and regulations for the Archive, both locally and globally. I was beginning to see why Isidore had tried to talk me out of it. It was a little late now…I’d already agreed and been marked for life.

My first task would be to find out what really happened to Martha and the others. Once I’d done that I’d be within my rights to put that person in the ground. The UCD would be useful up to a point, but if I were right about who was behind these crimes the perpetrator wouldn’t survive the encounter. There was, of course, the second option…that the council would need to find a new
vigiles
at the meeting next week because I’d been killed. Either way things would come to a head very soon.

Chapter 12

At around 2:00 p.m. Isidore needed to go out for supplies and to pick up a few things from home. Just before he was ready to leave I asked if he could drop me off at Touro so I could check on Heather. I’d meant to drop by yesterday, but with the trip across the lake and all the reading I’d lost track of time. I wasn’t going to do that again.

Andrew was clearly hesitant about me going out and he made several excuses for me to stay, the best of which was about my new position. “Do you think it wise to taunt Robert the first day on the job?” he said.

While his concern was touching, I really needed to visit Heather. Andrew wasn’t thrilled when I waved and followed Isidore out the door. “Don’t worry so much, I’ll be fine.”

Andrew made a point to follow us down, a ruse to lock the gate behind us. Stopping, I turned to face my uncle. “The fact I’m the newest
vigiles
means I have new responsibilities, the first of which is to save your life, and by extension, my own.”

Andrew reluctantly agreed. “If you could avoid a confrontation with Robert that would be fantastic.”

He was right, of course, but there was an even chance that wasn’t going to happen. “I’ll do my best.”

It was a clear, bright, hot, and very humid afternoon in the city. The black pavement radiated heat like giant hotplates. We pulled up outside the hospital and I thanked Isidore for the ride as I hopped out. Ducking as I passed through the sliding glass doors, I wound my way through the lobby until I found the information desk.

The elderly woman at the information desk was probably in her late 60’s or early 70’s, with white hair, thick glasses, and hands that shook. Her voice quavered as she spoke on the phone, and I waited until she hung up. She looked tired and feigned cheerfulness when her old bloodshot blue eyes fell on me. She flashed me a mechanical smile as she ran her arthritic fingers across the keyboard, speaking in a bored tone. “How may I help you?”

Giving the older woman the most cheerful look I could muster, I stepped closer. “I’m looking for Heather Broussard; could you tell me what room she’s in?”

Again she flashed me a mechanical, insincere smile and slowly typed in Heather’s name. The smile faltered before turning into a frown, and she looked back at me with suspicion. “She’s in a private room with strict instructions not to be disturbed.” She saw the look on my face and she held up a finger in my direction. “In simple English, I can’t tell you where she is.”

That was odd, but then again her father was the head of a department and her mother was the head of another, so it wasn’t too far out of the question. Fortunately for me, I was large enough to easily glance over at the monitor and see the room number for myself. “That’s all right, ma’am. Thank you for your time.” I turned to leave and stopped, looking back at the woman. “Where’s the cafeteria?”

She instantly relaxed, thankful I wasn’t going to press her further on the issue. Her nose scrunched up as she pulled a face. Leaning forward, she whispered just loud enough for me to hear. “You don’t want to eat there. The food is terrible.” Leaning back in her seat, she raised her voice, pointing down the hall. “Just follow the hallway till the end and make a right. You can’t miss it.”

I gave her a wink as I touched my nose and nodded. “Thanks for the heads up.”

When I turned to leave, she gave me a sly grin and raised a shaky hand to wave. “Have a wonderful day.”

I took the hall she’d pointed out, but instead of making the right I made a left and hit the nearest set of stairs. Slowly pushing the door open, I stepped out onto an old fashioned if not generic and tired looking fourth floor landing. The carpets were threadbare and the floor smelled like an old folks’ home. I found the placards on the wall denoting room numbers; rooms 400-425 were to the right.

Of course, the lower numbers were nearest the outer wall, which meant I walked most of the hall before finding room 404 second to last on the right. When I put my hand on the door I heard raised voices on the other side. It was clear by Heather’s tone that she wasn’t pleased with her guest, and seeing as how I was the new
vigiles
in town, it was my job to ensure she got her rest.

The door stuck a little when I pushed it open. As the gap widened I caught sight of Heather sitting up in bed and red faced as she wagged a finger at the man standing over her. Heather’s “friend” looked to be in his mid-40’s, with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail in an attempt to be hip, but mostly looking old. He appeared frail, waiflike, and his pallor was sickly white.

He pointed a long boney finger at Heather and huffed. “You should consider yourself lucky that I’m even willing to take you back after you embarrassed me by taking a mutt to the wedding!”

Heather’s eyes bulged as she growled at the little man, making him wince. “We were never dating, you dolt!” She waved her hands out in exasperation. “We went out a couple of times because Dad forced me to!” And then she finally processed the rest of the sentence and looked at him blankly. “What are you talking about, a mutt?”

Ah, Brad! So this was the vegan who didn’t want to attend the wedding with her.

Brad rolled his eyes. “Don’t be daft! I know you took that mutt from Andrew’s to the wedding!” He huffed and a vein popped into view on his temple “How could you stoop so low as to be seen in public with a werewolf? Are you trying to prove your father right?” His voice was suddenly full of venom. “That you’re some kind of fucking whore?”

And we’re done! I tapped my big knuckles against the door hard enough to make them both jump, and stepping into the room fully, I let the door close behind me. Looking at Heather, I gave her a once over. “Afternoon, Heather.” Turning my head slightly, I glared at Brad. “You must be the vegan.”

His head snapped back as if I’d slapped him and he puffed out his chest as he tried to intimidate me. “I thought Robert placed sigils around the hospital to keep your kind out!”

Wow, Robert’s a bigger asshole than I thought
. If a werebeast was injured they couldn’t be treated at a regular hospital…well, at least not this one. That was low.

I took a step closer and he stumbled back. “I’m betting the man hasn’t got a clue about ‘my kind.’” Just to be an asshole I stuck out my hand in his direction. “I’m Gavin.”

He recoiled, nearly tripping over his own feet. He looked back at Heather, who was busy trying not to laugh, before whipping his head back at me. “You’re obviously too dull to understand how much you’re upsetting Heather! You should go now before I’m forced to remove you.”

Brad ran his thumb against the ring on his index finger, clearly his focus item. I stepped closer, looked down at the weasel, and snarled. “I’m not the one leaving.” Pointing at his ring, I looked him in the eyes. “Try it and I’ll rip it off and shove it down your throat.” Looking over at Heather, I smiled, allowing my tone to soften. “You’re okay with me staying, aren't you?”

She pulled her eyes off my right hand and a conspiratorial look came over her before she flashed me a warm smile. “I would like that very much.” She turned to Brad. “You really should go and find someone who wants your company.”

Brad squeezed between the bed and me, scrambling towards the door. “You wait till your father hears about this!” He paused. “If I walk out of this room, we’re over!”

Heather lifted a hand and waved. “Bye.”

Brad stormed out in a huff, and a moment later the door closed with a soft click, very anticlimactic.

I looked down at Heather and chuckled. “Sorry about that, but he was kind of being a dick.”

She snickered. “No kind of about it; he was being an asshole.” She beamed up at me. “Looks like you’ve saved me twice in less than a week.”

I blushed hard and took a seat on the edge of the bed. “I do what I can.” Making a more thorough inspection of her, I shrugged. “You look a lot better than the last time I saw you.”

She snickered and grasped her stomach. “Don’t make me laugh, it hurts.” She flattened the sheets. “Besides, something about not gushing blood from an open wound can do that for a girl.” Her lips twitched, yet she fought back the case of the giggles. “So why does Brad think you’re a werewolf?”

“Who says I’m not?” I asked.

Her head tilted in such a way as to tell me that she wasn’t about to buy into my bullshit. “The fact you’re a
vigiles
makes that clear.” She folded her arms and waited. “Care to fill me in on what’s going on outside these walls?”

I ducked my head, blood rushing to my cheeks. “Your father may think I’m a werewolf since he met with Andrew yesterday.” She sat there waiting for me to explain myself. “He may have been a dick to Isidore, and I may have implied that if that’s the way he felt about werewolves, he could count me in.”

Heather’s lips curled up in the cutest crooked smile that allowed the slightest chuckle to escape. “You told my father that you were a werewolf?”

Shaking my head, I held out my hands defensively. “I never said it, but I never denied it either.”

She winced as she laughed a little too hard, and she punched me in the arm. “That’s for making me laugh!” She wiggled under the sheet, trying to get comfortable. “No one’s called since I’ve been in here.”

“That’s because your father has you on restricted access. It took some doing for me to figure out which room you were in.” Looking around the room, I searched for her mobile. “Where’s your phone?”

She grimaced. “I think my father took it.”

Pulling a phone out of my pocket, I handed it to her. “Use mine.”

She took it and tucked it under her thigh before she looked up at me. “What are you going to do for one in the meantime?”

With all the skill of a day one magician, I made a show of pulling a second phone out of my pocket. “I signed up for Google Fi last week, and got my new Nexus phone last night.”

She raised an eyebrow in my direction…I’d like to think she was impressed. “You know this whole werewolf scam is going to go south very quickly when he finds out you’re a
vigiles
.” She looked around the room and whispered, “You do know he’s one of the triumvirate members.”

And there goes all the feel good in the room. Sighing, I closed my eyes. “About that; do you think you could avoid telling him about my new position for a few days?”

She held out her hands, indicating how helpless she appeared. “I’m in no condition to fight with him, so your secret's safe with me.” She glanced over at the door and shivered. “You know that Brad went to find my father and have you thrown out.” She rubbed a hand gently over her stomach and suddenly changed the subject. “From what Mom said, I’m going to have a pretty nasty scar.”

All I could think of was that it was a scar I’d like to see. “Scars give a person character.”

She pursed her lips and waved a hand in my direction. “Maybe for a man, but I’m fairly certain men like their women unmarred by such things.”

I nearly choked at the comment. “Then they aren’t men worth having! Besides, I have never known a man that got a woman naked and saw such a minor flaw that said nope, not gonna happen. I can promise you at that point it’s not your stomach they’re focused on!”

It was her turn to go crimson. “Thank you again for being there the other night.” She paused for a moment, taking in a breath. “If Brad had been there I’d probably be dead.”

Glancing back at the door, I sighed. “I really want to disagree with you, but after meeting the man I’m fairly certain you’re right.”

Her mouth fell open, feigning offense at the words. She looked back at the door and up at me sheepishly. “I don’t want you to go, but it might be in your best interest to do so. I’m sure my father will have security with him when he arrives.”

That was probably a safe bet. Stepping away from the bed, I allowed myself to get to the reason I’d come. “I’ll go, but before I do, any idea why someone attacked you?”

That sucked the joy right out of her. She had clearly given it a lot of thought but still hadn’t found a reason. “Honestly, no. I really wish I could help but I’m at a loss.”

I’d guessed as much. If she’d known anything, Kimberly and Robert wouldn’t have shown up on Andrew’s doorstep. “You’ve got my phone; use it as you see fit. And if anything comes up my number is already in there under speed dial 1.”

She gave me one of those “Oh really” looks. “Speed dial 1...I guess you think pretty highly of yourself.”

And with that she was happy again. Gripping the handle of the door, I turned back.  “Someone has to. If not me, then who?” Stepping out the door, I held it open. “Get back on your feet quickly, and remember, call me or Andrew if you need anything.”

She waved. “I will.”

Taking the nearest staircase down, I avoided the roving security guards that seemed to be on high alert. I guessed Brad had found Robert and cried on the old man’s shoulder. Ducking out of a side door, I hustled off the hospital grounds and blended into the Garden District’s afternoon health enthusiasts. The elderly strolled through the shaded streets next to new mothers jogging with strollers, trying to get back into trophy wife shape as quickly as possible.

For a fleeting moment I thought of going to the UCD, but all things being equal I had no idea where they were stationed, let alone who to speak to. No, it was best for me to return to Andrew’s place, do some digging through Martha’s papers, and see where that took me. While I was at it, I needed to do a bit more research on my new position. Fact of the matter was I’d gone into this job only slightly less knowledgeable than my last. Considering how that turned out, I should probably focus on not fucking this one up. Sweat coated my forehead and ran freely down my back by the time I returned home to find Andrew sitting with Isidore at the living room table drinking scotch.