Chapter Twenty

Broderick cocked an eyebrow and exchanged glances with Davina, sitting in the chair next to him, clad in a terry-cloth robe with her arms folded.

She’d just awakened from the sedative when Benson had escorted everyone into the conference room. Broderick had aided her behind the others and they’d all taken seats around the widescreen television displaying the news.

Malloren, Cordelia and Amie held hands as they huddled together, whispering, only half-focused on the broadcast.

The sisters and daughter have finally reunited. Broderick glowered, vowing to confront Malloren the first chance he got.

“The Illuminati was once thought a far-fetched conspiracy theory,” the news anchor continued. “This morning, thousands of documents were published on the infamous Wiki-Leaks site, allegedly proving this organization not only exists, but the President has been named as the U.S. Representative for this organization...as well as many of the presidents before him. Stumpf’s role as the leader of the United States has been one of bucking a traditional system of politics, so following in the footsteps of his predecessors would seem a little out of character. However, leaked evidence has not only indicated the President has been a long-standing member of the Illuminati as an investor, but this organization through the Russian representative is allegedly responsible for him winning the presidential election.”

The small “screen” behind the anchor played a jumbling video of Ronald Stumpf in handcuffs, struggling and ranting at the authorities while being escorted out of the White House. “You can’t arrest me! I’m the President of the United States!”

“The President is being brought up on charges of treason, conspiracy and tampering with the election, obstruction of justice, and his alleged ordering of yesterday’s attack on a condominium in Los Angeles adds attempted murder to the charges.”

News footage showed a smoking ten-story building with a large hole four stories up, exposing a demolished apartment, along with amateur video of S.W.A.T. troops entering the complex.

“Though no survivors were found inside, eyewitnesses say they saw a couple leap from the dwelling and flee the scene. Authorities were skeptical of the accounts until this cell phone footage confirmed the amazing feat.”

The view switched to another amateur video of a vertical screen with hazy margins. A woman carrying a large man—Kahli and Angus—jumped from the destroyed open wall and plummeted four stories. Gasps and expletives came from the cell phone owner and accompanying witnesses as the couple disappeared behind a bordering wooden fence.

The camera followed to catch the woman’s head pop up. “Stay with me, baby!” She was clutching her companion, wounded and bleeding.

“The woman miraculously fled the scene carrying the full-grown man.” The cell phone footage shrank to the over-the-shoulder view behind the anchor. “Authorities are uncertain if the couple were responsible for the explosions, and are searching for their whereabouts. The names used to rent the space were John and Mary Smith, and though their identities checked out through the Airbnb site, authorities are speculating those names are aliases.”

The screen cut to a distraught young man with a news microphone in his face. A blue banner slid into the bottom of the screen from the left, labeling him Sam Johnson—Condo Owner. “The whole building shook. I only missed the disaster by a few minutes. I had just handed John and Mary their keys and showed them around the condo. They were renting the place for the week through Airbnb.” He covered his dirt-stained face with his hands to muffle his whimpers. “God, I hope they’re okay. They were such a nice couple.”

“The President is also being charged with resisting arrest and assault. White House staff in attendance reported that the President punched a Secret Service representative who attempted to escort him into custody. Jane Sanchez is our reporter on the scene in Washington, D.C. Jane, what can you tell us about this morning?”

The screen split in two—the anchor on the left and a dark-haired woman on the right, clutching a microphone and nodding at the camera, obviously waiting for the anchor to finish his question in the delayed audio feed through her earpiece.

“As you can imagine, Tom, the Capital has been thrown into chaos. Normally, in a situation like this, the President’s attorney is contacted and arrests are never part of the initial process. There would be a negotiation for any conditions of custody to ensure the incident doesn’t get the attention of the press. However, word leaked from the White House shortly after President Stumpf assaulted Agent Steve Jones, the Secret Service member who was present during the negotiations. Due to the violent response of the President, he had to be subdued when he leapt toward others. Agent Jones is being treated for a broken nose and a minor concussion. Other charges are pending. Jane Sanchez, reporting from Washington, D.C. Back to you, Tom.”

“Thank you, Jane. This just in from the White House.” The news feed cut to the White House press room and the Vice President in mid-conversation. “...and I was as disappointed and surprised as everyone else. In all honesty, I did not come forward with this information due to the speculative nature of the conspiracy theories. The implications were laughable, but the evidence we found was compelling, so we continued our probe. When the FBI investigative team learned about the Wiki-Leaks documents, confirming everything we’d uncovered and more, I knew we had to pursue our findings. I just wished I had done so sooner. No more questions, please.”

As the Vice President stepped away from the podium, the newsroom anchor resumed his report. “That was the tail end of a surprise press conference given by the Vice President. We’re told another statement will be released later today. Last night’s terrorist attack is apparently what brought the facts to light. Wiki-Leaks posted new information about their findings this morning, which declared the United States is not the only country involved. Reporting from the BBC.”

Footage switched to riots around the globe and protests at the capitals while a female British newscaster narrated.

“Country leaders are also experiencing a break-out of evidence that their primary leaders are representatives of the Illuminati, and many secondary positions in their administrations or staffs are admitting something very similar to the Vice President of the United States.”

The screen changed to the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, standing at a podium with camera flashes exploding like a lightning storm. “Admittedly, I was reticent to believe these preposterous claims brought to our attention by Vice President Fence, but I promised to look into the matter, as he confessed how insane the idea seemed to him, as well. Once I took the opportunity to do so, we found some rather startling video evidence of this secret organization known as the Illuminati and the Prime Minister’s involvement.”

Benson waved to Martinez, who pressed a button on the remote and turned off the television. “Most of this is the same footage that’s been repeating since six o’clock this morning, so you can always tune in later to see more. We have people informing us of any new developments as they come to light.” Benson rubbed his bald head and winced. “All those secondary positions held within the various governments are controlled by Prince Jesse Amir.”

Broderick crossed his arms. “That’s why this is such a media circus. Jesse’s people are the ones who leaked the information, aren’t they?”

Benson nodded. “It certainly moves his agenda along quicker than trying to position his team through legal channels.” He motioned toward the conference table dominating the center of the room. “Please direct your attention to our projector. We have some important information to share, which you won’t be seeing on the news. This recent development of Los Angeles being under Martial Law and the secondary ruling seats is something we have been expecting, just not this soon.”

“What evidence do ye have about these secondary roles?” Broderick asked. “How many countries are involved?”

“Forty-two, and they’re the top-ranking countries in the world. There are a few smatterings of smaller countries serving as go-betweens, which have unsavory trade routes practiced in human trafficking. Some are just eager to come into power. As far as evidence, the first indication we noticed that these rulers were tied together was this.”

Benson clicked the remote and the white light against the screen changed to an image of the U.S. Vice President. He clicked again and the image changed to a close-up of Fence’s right hand.

“We noticed world leaders were gradually appearing with this ring.” Benson flipped through several pictures taken over the last decade. “Some were not yet in the positions they hold now. But as you can see...”

He advanced to a split slide of at least a dozen secondary leaders holding office today, the close-up images of their hands overlapping their portraits. They all wore a gold and/or silver rings with a scorpion emblem.

“This letter is the most recent example we have in our possession, which confirms who is behind the symbol. All other examples are buried in the archives, but they’re on the way.”

The next slide was a handwritten note with a scorpion on the letterhead in the same style as the rings.

My Dearest Malloren,

I will never forget our night together. I know you might not feel the same, since I used it to get close to you and get to what I needed. But don’t take it personally. That time with you was precious to me, even though I had an agenda. I know I led you to believe I didn’t want the coins, but I’m just too controlling to let you keep them. I need my father to die and I can only ensure that happens if every single one is in my possession. I’m sure you understand.

We strive to the same end—the fulfillment of the prophecy. You have my word. It will be achieved at long last, my English Rose.

Faithfully yours,

Jesse

Malloren’s cheeks mottled red, but she avoided eye contact with everyone in the room. “Um, Cliff, I didn’t have the chance to tell them yet.”

Broderick rapped his knuckles against the conference table and Malloren jumped in her seat. “Ye knew when ye met us in England.”

“Then after ye left. That’s what ye were doing, wasn’t it? Trying to recover the coins. That’s why it took ye so long to—”

Benson’s lips tightened to a forced grin. “Mistress Rune is correct. The timing isn’t important.”

Broderick seethed, but kept the peace. This was an age-old duel with Malloren and her damn secrets. He’d deal with her later. “Duly noted. Forgive the interruption. Proceed.”

“Thank you, Rick.” Benson waved the remote. “Jesse Amir has been waiting for the Illuminati to make a bold enough move to cause a stir.”

“They’re getting in the way.” Benson clicked to another slide with the Vice President shaking hands with a known head of an oil corporation on a conference stage. “Our informants have confirmed most of the primary leaders are, indeed, Illuminati dignitaries, and the recent oil crisis was actually a plot to generate large sums of money to not only make these leaders rich, but to fund their armies.”

“Armies?” Jericho shrugged. “You said the Illuminati controlled the armed forces, right?”

“Not anymore.” Broderick snorted. “Sneaky bastard. Jesse let the Illuminati foot the bill to bolster the current military, and then stole the troops right out from under their noses.”

“Precisely.” Benson clicked through several documents with the words TOP SECRET emblazoned in red on either the top or side margins. “But instilling the New World Order was only part of the Illuminati’s agenda. The larger military forces were not only meant to control the population, but to expose vampires, werewolves and elementals so the Illuminati could eradicate them.”

Anthony rubbed his face, his cheeks a greenish shade of white. “The riots and chaos would not only flush out the supernaturals, but give the Illuminati good reason to keep everyone under Martial Law.”

“Agreed.” Benson twirled the remote in his fingers. “The good news is we’re fairly confident Jesse’s people are not Vamsyrians...yet. We believe the Prince has used the Vamsyrian ability of compulsion to win them over, then promised immortality if they do his bidding. As such, we at least have a little bit of time before they can all be transformed. They’ll need to be in the public eye, so they’ll have to be seen during the day. His people don’t have the blood of Norse sun wolves like most of you do. But once Jesse has his pawns in place, we think it’s only a matter of time before they’re transformed and the cat is out of the bag.”

“To turn the human population into cattle for vampires.” Cliff frowned. “He plans on taking over the world.”

“O’ course.” Broderick cupped his hand around his ear. “Did ye hear that? It’s the sound o’ the other shoe droppin’.” He sighed. “For all Jesse’s claims that he’s on our side and wants the prophecy fulfilled as much as we do, I knew he had other motives. I should’ve guessed all along this was the punchline.”

“I wouldn’t be so hard on yourself, Rick.” Benson smirked. “We only recently discovered his true plan when Mistress Rune arrived with the news from the Pentagon.”

Realization slammed into Broderick like a swinging anvil and he whirled to the credenza behind him. “No, dammit. Where’s that box with the metals? Ah!” He tugged the aluminum case to the conference table, popped the latches and tossed open the lid. “The gold-like metal on those scorpion rings.”

Korban pointed at the inside with his toothpick. “May I take a look at those?”

“Please.” Rick slid the briefcase across the table to the earth mage, who extracted the silver clump.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Korban popped the toothpick back into his mouth. “Rick, this silver metal is the same composition as your Lunar Eclipse ring.”

“I’ll wager the gold matches the metal in the Solar Eclipse ring, as well.” Not able to take off said ring without falling unconscious to Vamsyrian day slumber, Broderick extended his hand toward Korban.

The earth mage nodded. “You nailed it.” He put the shimmering chunks back into the briefcase and passed it to Broderick.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Well, we can be certain those bastards in office are definitely Vamsyrians. I’d bet my townhouse in London those gold scorpion rings are like my Solar Eclipse ring. Those leaders are all day walkers, thanks to that metal.”

The crowd released a collective groan, and Martinez and Benson glanced around the room.

Angus raked his fingers through his hair. “Kahli and I saw a werewolf take off a silver ring and easily change into his human form.”

“So,” Rick added, “we should also assume those silver rings on the world leaders have made them all immune to silver. For those of ye not aware of the properties of the lunar metal—at least for a Vamsyrian—it gives the wearer immunity to silver, blocks mortal thoughts and basically contains the power o’ the moon. Since werewolves are controlled by the power of the moon, these rings now give them the ability to change at will instead of only during the full moon cycle.”

“Then that proverbial cat will be out of the bag sooner than we thought.” Benson rubbed his bald head and paced in front of the screen. “In spite of our efforts, we’ve just been caught with our pants down.” The Head Administrator shut off the projector. “My team needs to gather intel so we can locate the whereabouts of the Prince. Malloren, I need everything you’ve heard from our source at the Pentagon. Please come with me and Nelson so we can compare notes.”

Benson directed his attention to Broderick. “We’re going to need that storage space where you have your paintings. Would you mind if we moved things around a little? We’ll be careful, I promise.”

“O’ course.” He shrugged off Benson’s concern. They had hundreds of ancient artifacts. Rick knew his personal belongings were in good hands.

“Angus. Kahli.” Benson jerked his chin in their direction. “Will you please contact the Elementals and rally as many of them as you can.”

“On it, mate.” Angus placed his hand at the small of Kahli’s back and they filed into the hall.

Benson turned to Cordelia. “Will you and Peter please contact all the Norse wolves?”

“We contacted them before we left the UK.” Cordelia slipped her fingers into Peter’s, grasping his hand. “They should be here any time now.”

“Yes.” Benson gathered his notes and shoved them into his briefcase. “We think Jesse’s next move will be for Davina. The Prince has an army of werewolves, and now that we know they can transform at will and the world leaders are in his pocket, we’re going to need all the help we can get. I’ll reinforce the Hebrew incantations around the compound and cover every inch so they can’t get in, but that will only keep out the immortals and werewolves. Any human breech can be handled by everyone else.”

Broderick grumbled and scrubbed his face, trying to clear the mounting anger and fear threatening to consume him. The prophecy was closing in and he wanted out.

“There’s nothing we can do, Rick.” Benson cast him an apologetic frown and smoothed his mustache. “I’ll let you know when we have more information.”

Just after Benson exited, Dr. Thompson poked his head through the doorway, a small black medical bag clutched in his hand. “You.” He pointed at Davina, still sitting at the table. “Up to your room for some bedrest.”

“Whoa, lass.” Broderick dashed to her side. “I think you’d better listen to Doug.”

He strolled down the hallway toward the elevator. Dr. Thompson pressed the button and the lift appeared almost immediately.

Rick stepped onto the elevator, carefully maneuvering so as not to smack Davina’s ankles on the doorway. Thompson followed and jabbed the button for the apartments.

As the doors slid closed, Broderick spied Angus and Kahli across the lobby. His brother’s brow was furrowed and, at the last moment, he locked eyes with Rick.

Thompson raised his hand in acknowledgement as the bell dinged. “We’re almost there, huh? You and Angus have reconciled. We’re in the home stretch.”

Broderick cocked an eyebrow, but kept his mouth shut. Home stretch, my arse. He finally had Davina with all her memories, something he’d never thought possible. He wasn’t about to lose her now to this damned prophecy. Once the doctor did whatever he came with them to do, Rick was getting Davina out of here and away from all this business.

As if sensing his anxiety, she rested her head on his shoulder and nestled closer. “We’ll get through this, Rick.”