ALPHA AND OMEGA: BOOK 6 - CAUSATIVE RELATIVITY (THE PROBLEM OF LIZ)

Part 4

(Tuesday, September 14th, 2004)
(New York, NY)

The long, black limousine stopped in front of the warehouse. Sam exited from the driver's side and opened the door in the back with a flourish. Rath and Vilondra emerged first and stood to the side and then came Ava and finally Zan.

Nicholas watched the procession from an upper window with amusement; they were certainly putting on a good show. His troops had watched earlier as the shape shifters had planted a get – a – way car around the side of the building. They didn't know whom they were dealing with if they thought he didn't know their plan already.

As the hybrids and their entourage entered the building, Nicholas walked down the stairs to the meeting room to greet the Royal Four. He reached the bottom of the stairs just as they came into the room, Zan and Ava in the lead, followed closely by Rath and Vilondra, with the two shape shifters bringing up the rear.

"Welcome Zan, Ava," Nicholas greeted them formally with a bow, but turned it into an insult by disregarding their titles. "You may not recognize me in this form. You knew me on Antar as General Calles Nicaron, on Earth I am called Nicholas."

"Nicholas," Zan sized him up briefly and returned the insult, "are we to negotiate with Kivar's servant?"

Nicholas smiled in admiration. He had only had brief interaction with Zan on Antar before his death but Kivar had continually reminded him not to underestimate the boy King. "I assure you Zan, I speak for Kivar." He stalked a few steps closer, drawing out the moment for effect. "But you don't speak for the Royal Four."

Zan held his ground and narrowed his eyes in suspicion, waiting for Nicholas to continue.

"Kivar has known of your plan in its entirety since before we left Antar." Nicholas motioned to Zan and the others. "Even though you are unaware of all of the implications."

Rath started forward. "What are you talkin' about?"

Nicholas glanced at him dismissively and turned back to Zan, "Keep a leash on the pit bull."

"Rath," Zan spoke the single word, but made it sound like a command.

Rath looked like he might argue, but Lonni's hand on his arm caused him to back down.

"That's better," Nicholas said with a satisfied tone.

"Why don't you say what you mean, little man?" Zan challenged.

Nicholas turned away from them and walked toward a window overlooking the street, and then suddenly turned back to face Zan. "I don't suppose you have ever heard of the Granolith?"

Zan studied the boy before him but his expression gave nothing away and he shook his head. "No, never heard of it."

"No," Nicholas mocked him, "you've never heard of it." He motioned over Zan's shoulder. "Why don't you ask your protectors about it. I know they've heard of it."

The four turned to the back of the room but the shape shifters were nowhere to be seen.

"Oh!" Nicholas exclaimed with mock surprise. "It looks like the shape shifters have deserted you," he gloated, and while their backs were turned, Nicholas raised his hand and sent a powerful burst of energy across the room that hit them and knocked them to the floor.

Zan struggled to get up but only made it to his hands and knees before Nicholas used another burst of energy to knock him down again. Zan belatedly raised his hand attempting to erect a shield, but Nicholas aimed a long steady stream of crackling energy at the heart of the shield and it crumbled in a matter of moments.