The Link

Chapter 31 - Epilogue

The room was cased in old wood paneling that was hand planed 150 years ago by a master craftsman. It had been well preserved with oil keeping its luster, a source of pride for the owner. Shelving, a little darker than the walls, lined the bulk of the perimeter holding leather-bound volumes that may have been as old as the walls. The trim along the top of the shelving displayed hand carved rose blooms that further enhanced the wood.

Four exquisitely detailed reading tables were laid symmetrically in the center of the room, each with two antique green glass shaded lamps. Plush claw foot chairs, four surrounding each table, completed the luxurious functionality.

Seated at the front table on left were two elderly men. Both long in years, but rigid in stature. Before them lay many pictures scattered beneath the lights. One wore an Italian tailored gray suit that seemed to fit the decor. The other, simple jeans and a sweater. Both were waiting patiently in silence with a stilled confidence that extruded power.

The door to the room opened on silent hinges. A middle-aged man in butler livery led in a tall, well dressed, black man. The butler left with the same silence with which he had entered.

"You lost it, Anthony?" The suited man asked the man who had entered. It was plain that he already knew the answer. It was more of an accusation.

"I assumed I had more time, Mr. Blackstone," Anthony said after he stopped before the table with a small bow. "They recovered her quickly. I was misinformed about the man's skills. I was led to believe he was uneducated and untrained. That was not the case."

"You had no opportunities?" The man in the sweater asked.

"I passed on one, thinking another less risky opportunity would arise," Anthony replied. He bowed his head lower in shame. "Poisoning its food would have identified me immediately. I'm sorry I failed you, Mr. Sabbatini."

"You failed yourself," Sabbatini sighed, "and humanity as well."

"It's done," Blackstone added, "and can't be undone. How was she removed so quickly?"

"The woman, Natalie," Anthony said, "she turned both of the guardians and somehow impaired Corbett."

"Or it did," Sabatini spat, lifting a picture of a small child from the table, "demons can be very tempting. We won't underestimate it again."

"I have had hints that General Podgorski may have involved himself," Blackstone said.

"That Jew!" Sabatini said, waving the picture at Blackstone, "first they stake our Lord to the cross, and now they work for humanity's ruin."

"Calm yourself, Nicholas," Blackstone said, "we will find it again. Then Anthony will redeem himself." He looked at Anthony as if it were a question.

"I shall, sir," Anthony said, "even if God calls for my life, I will rid the world of the hooved one."

"Then find it and kill it," Sabatini ordered as he ripped the picture in half.

***************************************

Preview: The Link 2, Chapter 1 - Teegan

***************************************

I am human, mostly. That's what they tell me though I seldom feel normal. My friend Samantha tells me she doesn't feel normal either, and she came into the world the old-fashioned way. I guess it is part of high school. I might feel better if I had a date for prom.