The Leading Edge of the Storm Front
#87 of The Moonrise Chronicles
Maggie found who she was looking for, and once she got a promise of at least of show of their presence and support, she made good their escape. As one they traveled south to the point she knew in her heart was going to be somewhere close to where the two forces were going to meet. She only hoped that Billy had come through for her. It was by now nearly twenty four hours after she had left. She reverted to her human form, grabbed her cell phone and sent him a text. He was sitting in the kitchen of her grandmother's house when it went off. He jumped a little and nearly cried out when he saw her number. He stood, acting as if it were a call. "I've gotta take this outside." He walked around the house and punched in an answer to the text. Got it all. Where will you be? She replied immediately. "Not sure. Will give details when known.
He wasn't too happy with that. He had a feeling she was going to try and back up Edward all by herself. That might make her brave, but it also made her reckless. He needed to get this stuff to her pronto and along with it, himself and the rest of the group. He was just coming around the house when a strange car pulled up. It took him only a second to recognize his aunt and uncle. It was the next car to pull up right behind them that threw him totally off. At the rate people seemed to be coming there wasn't going to be room on the street to pass between them. The couple introduced themselves, asking for Edward. "Sir; ma'am, it's good to see you. I think you'd better come inside. It's getting a little crowded in the house, but we're all here for the same reason, so I think that'll be excused." Indeed it was getting cramped inside. Introductions were made, though the two newest members were known to a few already present. It didn't mean that their presence didn't cause a stir. Billy's and Verona's parents and the newcomers where familiar with each other, but until only a few minutes ago had assumed that both parties were previously deceased. They were, after all, the Petersons. Edward's parents. "Where is Edward?" "Gone, along with Maggie." "Yes, who is this Maggie? We're a little confused by the story she told us." Kathryn coughed into her hand to get their attention. "I'm afraid we don't have that much time right now. I'm still unclear on a lot of it for reasons that are too complex for me to state clearly to you, right here and now. But as far as I can comprehend things, he adopted my daughter and they then fell in love." There was only stunned silence. "Then we must assume that he has gone though the transformation despite the obstacle?" "Obstacle?" The silver coin had seemed irrelevant to any of their recent dialog, so Edward had skipped over that. Of course, a few people knew of it, but not all. A hurried discussion was held, but there was simply too much information and not enough time. They had to rush into the present situation. Kathryn finished up with; "So our present problem is that Maggie's real father wants her, and I have gone out of my way to keep him from realizing that. It was just recently that matters have come to a head." "I'm still confused. Edward adopted a little girl and now intends on marrying her? That doesn't sound like our son." It was at that moment that his mother noticed the ring on Leo's hand. A quick glance showed others wearing similar ones. "Where did you get those? We thought there to be only one, and it was lost!" Marcus smiled. "Your son has been up to a lot more than I think you would ever believe. He was rooting around and found your parent's ring. It was buried under the rubble of their burned out house." "Edward? We left him alone hoping he could live a normal life. We did our best to divert any attention away from him! How could this have happened?" Leo had not yet been introduced or explained. Since they didn't have a ring, two were lent to them so that he might say a few words. "I firmly believe he is achieving what he was seemingly meant for. He has been through thick and thin these past few months, and I must commend him on the job he has done. Very few of the Kind can die and come back, but with my help he did just that." "And who exactly are you?" He stood and bowed. "Leonardo da Vinci at your service." The couple looked at each and stared back at the master. "Is this some sort of joke?" For an answer, the master did a mild transformation before going back to his white bearded self. "I assure you this is no joke. I created the rings and so much more over five centuries ago. I created my own; what did he call it? Oh yes, a cryo-chamber. I used the technology of the metal to freeze my body. I had no idea it would work so well or for so long, but here I am. And I must say, this is a remarkable world you have got here." Edward's mother looked pale. "Our son has done these things for real?" "You have no idea the things he has been doing. But this present situation may be the culmination of it. What happens within the next few days may make or break him." "But he's in love with a little girl?" Kathryn nodded. "Yes, but not so little. While I see your point, and as her mother I also do not approve, I also know better than to interfere. She has a touch of her father in her. She is old enough; she is simply not developed enough yet. You of all people should be aware of the developmental differences not only from the Kind to humans, but among the Kind themselves. " Verona turned red. "For example, I'm a lot older than I look." "Yes, what about you? Edward mentioned something about you carrying his child?" "Yes, I'm afraid so. It was a matter of biology. He had what I needed when I desperately needed it." She looked at her husband. "I don't think we did him any favors." "Now dear, you're talking like your own mother. If you wish to chastise him, then the first thing we need to do is to make sure he survives. After that, I have a feeling he'll be so glad to see you that he won't hear a single word you're saying!" "Yes, if we may ask, why did you leave him?" This was Anna asking. "He was an adult, in human terms. If he had not gone through the transformation, he would have lived a normal life and died without ever knowing the truth." "But you didn't answer my question. Why did you not tell him the truth? For that matter, what truth are you speaking of?" "We were hunted. My parents settled in that remote spot they called Wolf Creek in an attempt to avoid being detected. We were hunted because of that ring." "Yes, we are all aware of that. Your son has killed one blot on our reputation in New York, and another in France; the one they called Cardinal Medici." "Edward killed the cardinal?!" "So you know of him? Actually, the cardinal killed him, and I and the twins had to carry on. In the end, he was utterly destroyed." "So you're saying that Edward is a hero?" "Far above that madam, "replied the master. "He is far above anything I have ever seen or heard of when it comes to the kind, bar one." "And who exactly would that be?" "What rather than who madam. Maggie's father for one. If he has those of his kind about him, then they will prove to be a formidable force to contend with." "But aren't they werewolves like us?" It was the first that she admitted to being one. "Werewolves yes, but not like us. Maggie mentioned a legend while I was hovering over the ocean on my way here. I took the liberty of looking it up on that com-pu-ter device. It has only increased my fears. They had sparked far greater legends than the simple stories I read on the glass screen." "But -what-are-they?" she asked in measured tones. "They are the malum animarum, the lupus alatum, the filii diabolic, the profana progeniem!" "All are words and phrases from the Taburnum. We assumed they were mere lies, or nothing more than children's bedtime stories." Her colored lessened even more. Leo shivered. "I have never met one, though they say they are like us in the human form and unlike us in their transformation. It seems that some herald of their kind came to this continent a long time ago, though whether as a passenger or a stowaway I cannot say. This form of the Kind is considered an abomination by many, and yet by some to be the higher calling of our being." Kathryn spoke. "William is very much a killer and yet the same can be said for us. I like to think the difference is that we can still feel love. He had many emotions, but not a single one had any concept of the meaning of pity, or kindness, or gratitude. He wants Maggie not from some need for family, but for the fact that her blood will help to strengthen their dying line." "Dying?" "Yes. Because they think that their's is the best blood on the planet, they have chosen not to commingle with others. They suffer the effects of inbreeding." "So you loved him, but he didn't love you in return?" "I'd like to think he tried, but he was too far gone in that respect. Once the fantasy faded, I saw him for what he was. I won't ever say he is evil, but he has his own priorities. He has his own needs. And woe to any who stand in his way, for he will sweep them aside like dry leaves." "So Edward has gone to meet this person, and this Maggie has gone after him? So where does that leave us?" Billy guffawed. "Sittin around listening to tales instead of figuring out where this here battle is going to take place." "True," said Maria. "We need to be with them regardless of their wishes. I think that Edward has gotten it in his head that he is the strongest, and therefore the one who must protect the rest. I am unclear why he has been acting so recklessly, but I have been given some insight into that. He must be made to realize that at some point he would be better off with the help of his family and friends. I would have thought he would have at least waited until you got here." She was referring to his parents. "He only called us and told us that he had found us, and that he loved us. It was this Maggie girl who actually called and told us where to find him. Only now they are both gone without a trace." Billy stood. "Look, if it's all the same to you, I say we all shut our traps and head east. I have faith in Maggie. I'm sure she'll let us know where to find them, and when she does, I'd like to be a lot closer to them than I am now." "Now son..." "Shut up pop. I don't have my motorcycle with me, or else I'd go by myself. So if I go, you all go. This is all or nothing. Edward has been trying to make things better for us, to the point that he's willing to risk his life. Hell, the dumbass has only been a full were for like a few months! What's wrong with all of you? We're all going to die some day. I'd rather it be a tad further down the road, but if my time is up tomorrow, and I can die knowing I've hopefully made life better for someone else, than I'm going to do it!" "He's right," said Maria. Alexei had been pretty quiet, not wishing to alarm or anger Verona. Now he spoke his mind. "If it weren't for him, I would still be stuck in a child's body; my sister would still be living in the wilds, and my other sister here would have remained out of sight and her daughter, my niece, would still be in a coma. He has brought this family back together after nearly a century. I give him all the support I can in his relationship with my grand niece, because he is a good and honorable man. I would lay down my life so that she would have a chance at happiness." Verona stood. "I don't disagree with you, but I happen to be with child. I will protect Edward, but I will protect his child with more fervor than I will him. He has his own mind and his own power. If he wishes to expend it as he sees fit, then I think it behooves me to do the same. Does anyone have a problem with that?" No one did. Billy rose. "Then I say we eat, hit the bathroom and grab whatever we think we'll need. I have a feeling we'll find out soon enough where this is going to go down and from there I guess it's a matter of making a show of force. Me, I'd sure think twice before messing with this group, even if this Leeds fellow is a tough bastard." "So where are we supposed to go?" "I don't know, but I have faith that we'll know at the right time." He couldn't tell them about the stuff he had bought. Heck, he couldn't even explain it if he had reason to tell them. It was packed in the back and under a tarp. So hopefully no one even noticed it. Nor could he tell them that he had heard from her. That particular part was killing him. He knew they were worried and confused, but he had made a promise. He was a man of his word. Just then his phone went off. He looked at the text. "Well folks, I hate to spoil the suspense but it's time to roll."