After the Calling

<<Madness: Part II

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“Stay here, and don’t touch anything. I’ll be right back,” Layne said to Aeryn and Tobias after leading them to a room above the club. The room was sizable, but furnished only with a bed and some floor cushions. There was also an odd collection of candles at one end of the room.

“What can he do, Aeryn?” Tobias said, as Layne made his way back downstairs.

“I don’t know,” Aeryn answered, distracted by the numerous flames. “Every time I tried to channel his energy, all I could feel was this intense heat.” She walked over to the lit candles and squatted in front of them. “As if I was reaching towards fire.”

Tobias began examining the room. “I’ve been trying to see if I could hear something, but, there is too much outside buzz. Everything is static.” He folded his arms. “And besides, I’m a little bit too stressed to focus. Can you get away from there before you set yourself on fire?”

“There is something about these candles… or the flames. They don’t burn me.”

“They don’t… WHAT?! Are you sticking your fingers in the fire?!” Tobias said, rushing over and pulling Aeryn to her feet.

“Hey, relax!” Aeryn huffed, shaking herself free. “Just look.” She bent back down and slowly eased her index finger toward the wick of one of the candles. The flame danced around her finger as if trying not to touch it. She moved her finger directly on top of the wick, and flame went out. When she took her finger off the wick, the candle reignited.

Tobias paused for a moment, staring at the flame. “Okay, I’m freaking out,” he said, although his voice was calm.

Aeryn stood up. “It’s like the flame would rather extinguish itself than burn me.”

“Officially. I’m freaking out.”

“Tobias, just relax. I think I’ve heard about something like this. It’s called – ”

“Pyrokinesis,” said a woman’s voice from behind them.

Tobias and Aeryn turned, startled, as an old woman made her way into the room, with Layne not far behind her. “My dear Layne was gifted with the ability to manipulate fire, weren’t you Layne?” She said, walking slowly toward the bed. Layne did not answer but instead began moving an armchair toward the candles.

Aeryn and Tobias watched as the old woman she took off her scarf, folded it neatly and pushed it under the bed.

“Layne, I had a box of scarves under here. Did you see where it went?”

“It’s in Mickey’s car,” Layne answered, positioning the chair.

“No, no, I swear I took it out of there.”

“You didn’t.”

“I swear I did.”

“Really, you didn’t.”

“I suppose my mind isn’t what it used to be,” she sighed and went to sit down in the armchair.

As she did, Monroe also made her way upstairs and into the room. Monroe ignored the whole group other than tossing a cold look in Aeryn and Tobias’ direction, and went to lay down on the bed.

“And Monroe here,” the old woman continued, not looking at her. “was granted the gift of Pyromancy.”

“Pyromancy?” Aeryn asked, as the woman made herself comfortable in front of the lit candles. “Fire reading?”

“Fire reading.” Layne confirmed with a frown, walking around the floor cushions to take a seat on the floor very close to the flames.

The old woman chuckled. “Monroe makes it difficult for Layne to keep any secrets. She can see his soul in every flame he controls. But they do make an interesting pair.” She smiled at Aeryn and Tobias. “As do the two of you. Why don’t you have a seat? The rest of our little coven should be returning very soon.”

Although Aeryn felt uncomfortable, she did as the woman asked and took a seat on one of the low cushions on the floor, urging Tobias to do the same. She had the feeling that this woman could help her.

“My name is Ryan,” the old woman said as the sat. “Ryan Lee. I am under the impression that you want to speak to my husband.”

“Jericho Lee?” Aeryn perked up. “Yes. My brother he… I was told that Jericho could help me find my brother. That as a precog, he could see something, or show me a path, or… Is there a way that I can speak to him?”

“No,” Ryan replied, staring into the flames in front of her. “At least not in this plane of existence.”

“What?” Aeryn couldn’t hide her confusion.

“Jericho died at the fall of The Calling. He was one of the many who refused to join with Rowanne, and paid for his freedom with his life.”

Aeryn sat dumbstruck, shaking her head slightly. “But… I was told that… “

“Don’t be shocked, love. There are not many who know that Jericho was killed. And it is best to keep that knowledge quiet.”

“Then why are you telling us?”

“Your visit was foreseen. And it was foreseen that I would help you. Maybe helping you is telling you what I can.”

“Foreseen? Are you a precognitive also?”

Ryan smiled. “No. I do night have foresight. I’m more of a… post-cognitive.”

“The past?” Aeryn asked. “You can see the past?”

“Fragments of it. I’m more of Psychometric really. An object reader. I can see more clearly if I have a belonging or an item that was nearby a heavy energy exchange.” She cocked her head to the side. “But I do not need to be able to see the past to see that you have a heavily scarred aura. That you experienced a significant trauma that has much to do with your brother.”

Tobias, who had remained silent the entire exchange, let out a rush of air from his nose as his face tightened into a scowl. His change in energy caused even Layne, who had been stiffly staring into the candle light, to turn and look.

“It appears that you are not the only one with the scars, Aeryn” Ryan smiled, joylessly. She looked away from them. “But you are not here to dwell so much in the past, but rather salvage your future.”

Aeryn shook her head and tried to return to the previous subject. “If you are not a precog, then who is making these predictions? Who saw us coming?”

“Jericho.”

Aeryn blinked, coming very close to being frustrated. “You just told me he was dead.”

Ryan nodded. “We have come into the habit of being quite evasive, haven’t we, Layne?”

Layne replied with his own nod.

“Junior,” Ryan said, quietly.

“Jericho Lee Jr.?” Aeryn asked.

“But his precognition skills are hazy at best. He recently mentioned something about the sun setting at night to Layne, and that translated into your comment about sunglasses, Tobias,” Ryan gestured.

“That was his premonition? Tobias’ sarcasm?” Aeryn said knitting her brow.

“Hazy at best,” Ryan replied, amused. “It’s less because he isn’t gifted, more because he does not embrace them. He knows that it is mainly his abilities that keep us underground, hiding, lying…”

“Stripping,” Monroe said from the bed across the room.

“Stripping,” Ryan agreed. “He knows that if he becomes even a quarter as powerful as his father was… Well, these are not friendly times that we live in. There are times that I’ve wished both of my sons were latent.”

“Both?” Aeryn asked.

“Dresden. He is my eldest, and he is latent. He has a strong sense of intuition, however. He can tell if he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or the right place at the right time.”

“He doesn’t have intuitive abilities,” Layne said from the floor. “He’s just lucky.”

“Layne and I disagree on Dresden’s capacities, but I think as his mother, I should know,” Ryan explained good naturedly.

“So you live… here?” Aeryn asked.

“Not really. This is more of a safe house. Someplace to stay if something goes wrong.”

“Your safe house is in a strip club?” Tobias finally spoke up.

“Well, if you were looking for someone, would this be the first place you look?” Ryan said calmly.

“I suppose not.” Tobias looked over at Aeryn.

“Besides, while his flames are harmless now, Layne’s ability with fire is a very capable defense. If it did every come down to it, he could fend off any would be attackers, at least for long enough for us to make a break for it.”

They were all startled by the sound of someone stomping up the stairs. “Mom! He’s gone!” Aeryn and Tobias turned to see Dresden on the staircase. “The little jerk slipped me again!” Dresden said, trudging into the room.

In a moment, both Ryan and Layne were on their feet.

“Dresden, shush. He wouldn’t leave if he knew he was needed,” Ryan said walking toward her son.

“Yes, he would. I swear, you need to stop making excuses for him all the time! He’s a brat because you let him get away with anything. One day he’s gonna get himself killed. He’s going to get all of us killed,” Dresden was fuming.

Monroe sat up from her quiet spot on the bed. “Dresden, don’t come in here causing problems. Just eat it and go find your brother.”

“Mind your business, Monroe,” Dresden snapped.

“Chill. Out. Dresden,” Layne said. “This is as much her business as anyone elses.”

Ryan piped up. “Maybe you and Layne could -”

“Layne and I can’t do shit, Mom. I’m not going to look for him, AGAIN!” Dresden said, angrily.

“I said chill out, man,” Layne rumbled.

“Whatever,” Dresden said, throwing up his hands. “Do what you want. I’m not indulging that little asshead anymore.” He turned to leave.

“Dresden, he’s your brother.” Ryan called after him, but was ignored.

Layne sighed, turned to Ryan. “Niether of them will go far. I’ll pick them both up.”

“I really wouldn’t want you to go alone, Layne,” Ryan said sheepishly. It was clear she was embarrassed by the encounter.

“I’m sorry,” Laybe apologized to Aeryn and Tobias. “We aren’t a very pleasant group.”

“You’ve told us,” Tobias said.

Monroe slid off the bed and made her way toward Ryan. “Typical,” she said, crossing her arms.

“Don’t worry about it. Monroe, look alive.” Layne said, walking towards the stairs. “You know how to get in touch with me if need be.”

“Have at it,” Monroe mumbled.

“Thank you Layne for saving the day again,” Ryan said, giving him a grateful look.

Layne smiled for the first time since Aeryn and Tobias had arrived. “I suppose I must. I’ll be back.”
 

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Madness: Part IV>>