Kindred Souls

Chapter 20 - Enforcer

Soren lets out a long breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies me. It's as if he's weighing something in his mind, deciding whether or not to pull me further into this mess. After a moment, he speaks, his voice lower, almost resigned.

"Rain, there's more you need to understand about me—about what I do." He pauses, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Enforcers," he continues, "are chosen, but not like any regular appointment. It's... not something you can apply for. It's a calling, something ancient. Only a select few per generation are chosen. We don't answer to anyone except each other, and we operate in complete secrecy."

I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of what he's saying. "Chosen by who? How?"

My breath catches, as my mind races. I have heard about enforcers, the ones who operate in the shadows, keeping balance in their world—often by any means necessary. Not much is known but they have existed as far as the first generation of Kindreds. I hear they will silence anyone who tries to tell the humans about our kind or try to use our existence for selfish reasons. With such power, there are only a handful that will exist in each generation.

"There is no individual enforcer. We move as one entity and operate as one in the shadows. We ensure that Kindred law is upheld and are often called up to handle the dirtiest work, including neutralizing rogue Kindred or negotiating with rival factions. There are never more than seven at a time and each generation only sees a handful of Enforcers. We receive a Calling of sorts when we turn thirteen and have an early awakening."

I am surprised to hear of their early awakening. I never heard of anyone awakening before they turned eighteen.

"It starts with a series of ominous, unavoidable signs. Some speak of recurring, vivid dreams where an ancient voice speaks in a forgotten tongue, while others feel a constant pull towards a specific, remote place, an abandoned temple that no one else can find. Those who follow the call are tested through a life-threatening trial, where they must survive an encounter with a shadowy presence—an entity older than the Kindred themselves. Most are never heard from again. But those who emerge from the ordeal bear the mark of an Enforcer, a scar-like symbol that burns itself into their skin in a place only other Enforcers can recognize..."

He pulls up his shirt to reveal the burn sigil in between his chest.

"I can see it?" He seems to understand my puzzled tone.

"Partners can usually see them, but usually after marking each other," he watches my reactions carefully.

"But?" I wait for his response in anticipation.

"But we seem to be different." He shrugs.

"So... these kids just die if they don't pass, if they aren't ever seen or heard from again?" That seems over the top.

"That is just the way." He states calmly. He doesn't seem to think it's an issue. Sometimes, his hot and cold answers really throw me off.

"Usually, our true identity is hidden. It is only revealed in certain unique cases. Since Enforcers work as one in the shadows, they operate as one mind and are linked telepathically to other Enforcers of their current generation. We have certain powers that not even the most powerful Kindred can match. If one Enforcer falls, a new Enforcer is immediately chosen."

"No one, I truly mean it--no one--outside the order is ever supposed to know. Not even family." He nods slowly.

I feel a cold shiver run down my sine. "Then why are you telling me?"

"It's obvious our bond is different. It's not just that you're my mate--it's stronger than that. There's something about it that makes keeping this secret impossible. I feel compelled to tell you. I shouldn't even want to. In fact, it's almost impossible for an Enforcer to break code." He seems conflicted at our unique situation.