The Sage Chronicles: Family Matters, Book 2: The Sage Chronicles, #2

By Michael Jerome Johnson

The Sage Chronicles: Family Matters

Book 2

The Three have declared war on the city.  

The battle lines have been drawn on three fronts. On one front, an invasion from an army of Rabids, led by Wyldes, threatens to tear the city apart. if the city falls, the world will follow. On another front, the fate of two worlds hinges on one man divided into two. If the two Sages fail this time, nothing, and no one will survive. But in order to succeed, they must make a sacrifice that will leave only one of them standing to face The Three, alone. On the most important front, the life of a tiny baby will either tear warring Nations apart, or bring them together.

And what three families sacrifice to save everything will shake them all to their core.

308 pages

• Language: English
• Publisher: MJJ
• Release date: Jun 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513054551

Michael Jerome Johnson

Michael Jerome Johnson is the author of The Sage Chronicles: Family Matters, Books 1 and 2. He also contributed three pieces to the anthology - Campfire Tales From Hell: Musings on Martial Arts, Survival, Bouncing, and General Thug Stuff." Gods, Created is the first of three novellas featuring characters from The Sage Chronicles. The next two will be released in 2017.

Book preview

Chapter 54

Clear, Sage said from the balcony of the Loft.

Clear, I said from the kitchen.

We holstered our weapons and looked around at the damage. Marianna put up one helluva fight. Judging by the energy signatures coming from the blood spatter, we could tell that she made all of The Three bleed, badly. But we found a lot of her blood in one corner of the Loft. That’s where she was taken down. We could smell the strong scent of her energy signature, which meant she was taken alive. That was something. It also meant our plan was still in play.

Taking in the mess you made?

Grace appeared from the shadows.

Is that why you asked only me to come along? To hide your mess from my sisters?

I’m not in the mood, Kitten, I said.

She got right in my face.

This is my ‘I don’t give a first class fuck about your mood’ face, she said.

Give your father some space, Kitten, Sage said.

He’s lucky I don’t make some space in his head.

Grace was still holding her Pulsar carbine in her hand. I didn’t know if she was going to knock me upside my head with it, or shoot me.

Sage gently touched Grace’s shoulder.

Get you hand off me, Dad, Grace said.

Sage was about to say something.

It’s okay, Sage, I said.

It is NOT OKAY, Grace said.

Sage looked at me. I nodded and sent a thought to him. He went into the living room.

Speak you peace, quickly, I said. We have a lot of work to do.

Grace slammed her gun down on the kitchen island.

Where do I start? Grace said. The fact that you didn’t tell my sisters that their mother is alive? That you didn’t tell me my aunt was alive?

No. I didn’t.

Why? And don’t you dare tell me because you and Marianna decided not to tell anyone.

Fine, I won’t tell you that.

We were silent for a few seconds. When Grace realized that was exactly what I was going to tell her, the things that came out of her mouth surprised even me. Her cussing was so creative that I took mental notes. As she ranted I realized there was only one way to answer her. I put my telly discs behind my ears.

...And give me one fucking reason why I shouldn’t call Teya and Mari and tell them just how much you fucked up? Grace said.

I grabbed both sides of her head, and touched my forehead to hers. I let her see nearly everything I’d done and learned during the past seventy-five years. I left out very little. As with Sage, Grace struggled toward the end of my story, fighting, desperately, to disconnect. I held her close and slowed down the stream of images and thoughts to give her a chance to absorb my story at her pace. She stopped fighting and grabbed the lapels of my coat, begging me with her thoughts not to stop. She begged me to tell her everything - to leave nothing out.

I didn’t.

When I finished, she hugged me tightly, not wanting to let go. I didn’t want her to let go.

Sage poked his head around the corner.

I found Marianna’s phone, Panther, he said.

Grace went over to Sage and hugged him, tightly. He returned the hug. When they separated, Grace looked at both of us.

It’s unfair that you two have to keep such secrets, she said. Especially from our family.

There is no other option, I said.

I know, Grace said. That still doesn’t make it fair.

No, it doesn’t. Sage said. But it’s necessary.

And it’s your story to tell, not mine. I’ll keep your secret.

Thank you, Kitten, Sage and I said.

Now, Grace said. What’s on Marianna’s phone?

Chapter 55

We were watching the battle between Marianna and The Three on her Smart phone.

She’s holding back, Grace said. Look. Right there. When she breaks SynJyn’s arm, she could have easily broken his neck instead. Yet she chose not to. And then, when she attacks the Unicorn, she let him grab her leg and throw her into the corner.

We saw how the Rabids, and finally SynJyn, stomped Marianna into unconsciousness. Then we looked up from Marianna’s Smart phone at the corner where she was thrown and stomped.

If you don’t get the chance, Dads, I’ll stomp that bitch’s ass much worse than he did Marianna’s, Grace said.

If you’re around, Kitten, Panther said, We’ll leave you a taste.

Thank you.

Would you mind cleaning up this mess, Kitten? I asked.

Love to, she said.

Two seconds later, the Loft was back to it’s old self again.

Much better, Grace said. She wrapped her arms around one of mine. What else is on her phone, Dad?

I found this analysis of SynJyn’s energy signature, I said. Interesting reading.

Grace read over my shoulder. Then she looked at Panther.

Really? She said.

Yeah, Panther said.

How will your plan work now that you know, for sure, that the gods are involved? Grace asked.

No idea, I said. Looks like we’ll be improvising more than we expected.

Yeah, Panther said.

I looked at him.

What’s up, Bro? I asked.

Mom and Marianna, Grace said. He’s worried that they’re in worse danger than any of you expected.

Yes, Panther said.

They’re tough, Panther, I said. And they’re the best at what they do.

They may even be better than you two. Grace said.

Maybe, Panther said.

But you still don’t like that it’s only the two of them in there. Grace said.

No, I don’t.

Then I’ll send a Silhouette team in there to watch their backs.

I shook my head.

Normally, I’d agree, Kitten, I said. But not with this intel. Look.

They gathered around me and read the intel off Marianna’s phone. On the screen were the Black Elfin word for spies, and the crests for the Shadow Guard and Silhouettes. Under them was a list of the spies’ names in a code I didn’t understand.

Damn. Grace said.

Do you recognize the code? Panther asked me.

No, I said.

Me neither. He said.

I do, Grace said. It’s a code Mom and I created when I was a kid. Here.

I handed the phone to her. A minute later, the names faded into view. The list of names belonged to members of both Grace and Makela’s teams.

I need to tell Makela immediately, Grace said.

Not through regular channels, I said. They’ll be checking those.

I have an idea, Panther said. Come with me.

Grace picked up her carbine and she and I joined Panther at the top of the stairs leading to the living room. He took out his Smart phone pressed an icon on the screen and a portal appeared in the center of the room. On the other side of the portal was the inside of Makela’s office in the Royal Palace.

The Transport? I said.

Panther nodded.

I synced it up to the phone so I can take trips through time and space without the Transport if needed, he said. So far I can only take myself and one other person.

He took an identical phone out of a nearby drawer and tossed it to me.

I thought you could figure out a way to expand the number of people I can take, he said.

Give me a minute, I said.

I opened the back cover of his phone and looked at it. Then I took out a Phase Pen, adjusted it to a certain frequency and aimed it at the phone. A green beam shot from it into the phone for ten seconds. I looked at the phone’s screen, pushed a few icons, and nodded in satisfaction. I put the cover back on and put it in my pocket. I did the same thing to Grace, Panther’s and Marianna’s phones.

Now you each can take up to ten people with you, I said. I’d have calibrated your phones to take more, but they need an upgrade first.

This should do for now, Grace said. Thanks, Dad.

Of course, my dear, I said.

Here, she said. She handed Marianna’s phone to Panther. I’ve copied Marianna’s intel on my phone.

Be careful, Kitten," Panther said.

I will.

She kissed Panther. Then me.

You two be careful, too, Grace said.

We will, I said.

Promise, Panther said.

The portal closed behind her as she walked through.

Then I collapsed on the sofa.

Elsewhere

You are an enigma, Pretty Thing, the Unicorn said to Marianna. You shouldn’t exist in either this world or the Pocket. And yet, here you are.

Marianna hung, spread eagle, from an Energy Slab. The Slab was designed by the gods to suck the life energy of a Black Elf into it, killing the Black Elf slowly and painfully. The life energy stored in the Slab is then laced into the psionic and/or magical energy of a god, giving that god the power to affect the void of certain Black Elves. The Slab also sucked the energy from Half-Blacks, rendering whatever powers they had inert. The Slab was doing that to Marianna, now. The Unicorn liked how the spread eagle position emphasized her physical attributes. He liked it a lot. He pressed his body against hers while he took in her scent.

You never did learn how to respect your elders, Marianna said.

The Unicorn slithered his hands between Marianna’s back and the Slab and down to her butt and grabbed it.

Then he ground his crotch against Marianna’s crotch.

You may look like her, and smell like her. The Unicorn licked Marianna’s armpit. Even taste like her. But you are not my elder. So what are you?

An enigma, Marianna said. She sank her teeth into the tip of the huge bump on the Unicorn’s forehead. The Unicorn screeched in agony and tried to get away from her, but Marianna had rammed her back and butt against the Slab, trapping his arms and hands. The Unicorn planted his feet on the Slab and, with great effort, wrenched himself away from the Slab and Marianna’s teeth. He landed on his back, hard. The back of his head slammed on the floor even harder. That pain didn’t begin to match the pain from the chunk of flesh that was ripped from his forehead by Marianna’s teeth. Marianna spat the chunk into the Unicorn’s face as he writhed in pain on the floor.

Someone started clapping in the shadows.

Slow clap for the Nasty Bitch. Taking out Horny Head with both her arms, and her sweet legs, strapped to a Slab.

Come a little closer, boy, and I’ll show you how it’s done. Marianna said.

SynJyn’s eyes flared.

I am not a boy, he said.

Ooooo, did I insult your baby dick ego, boy? Marianna cooed. Mommy’s sorry.

That got the reaction Marianna wanted. SynJyn flung himself at her, launching a vicious right hook to her jaw. One foot before his punch landed, SynJyn’s fist hit an invisible shield. Electricity coursed through SynJyn’s body, freezing him in place. The longer Marianna smiled, the more electricity coursed through his body. When Marianna tired of watching SynJyn suffer, she dropped her shield, releasing him. SynJyn crumpled to the floor whining and cradling his severely burned hand.

Two down, Marianna said. Wanna make it a third, Simon, or do you prefer hiding in the shadows?

A jolt of burning energy shot from the Slab into Marianna. She reacted to the pain, physically, but refused to scream. Eventually, the energy subsided. Marianna collapsed as much as she could, being pinned to the Slab.

That should take some of the Black out of you, Simon said. He stepped out of the shadows next to the Slab. Henchmen! Several Wyldes emerged from the shadows. Take SynJyn and the Unicorn to the healing room.

Yes, Lord Simon, they said in unison. Seconds later, they were gone with their charges.

Simon turned to Marianna. She raised her head, slowly, looking him in the eyes. Even with bedraggled hair and bruises on her face, Marianna was a gorgeous woman. What was left of her shirt barely covered her breasts. Simon took his long, wide, purple scarf from around his neck and draped it over her shoulders. He spoke as he arranged it just so.

That was clever of you, my dear. Stealing some of the Black trait from the Unicorn to offset the Slabs energy, and accessing some of your powers to incapacitate SynJyn. He never met a taunt he could ignore.

When he had covered most of Marianna’s breasts, he crossed the length of the scarf over her stomach and around her back.

Lean forward.

Marianna did, slowly and deliberately. Their faces were now two inches from each other. Their eyes never left each other as Simon crossed the scarf around her back and brought the ends around to the front of her again. He draped the ends over her hips and tied them together. His hands lingered on Marianna’s hips. She did nothing to discourage him.

There was a time, long ago, Simon said, when I succumbed to your seductions.

I remember, Marianna purred. Every detail.

I paid, dearly, for that indiscretion. Simon kissed her, roughly. I won’t make that mistake, again. He took two steps away and admired her. Purple is your color. And the navy blue pants compliment it, perfectly. Now. He waved his hand in front of Marianna and the Slab sent a surge of energy through the scarf into Marianna. This time, she did screamed. Simon sat in a chair a few feet away from the Slab. The Unicorn was right. You shouldn’t be here. So where did you come from and why are you here? Simon waved his hand in front of Marianna, again, and the surge stopped.

Marianna took a moment to steady her breathing. Then she looked at Simon.

Could you repeat the question, again? She purred. I was too busy feeling all tingly inside.

Simon shook his head.

You always had spunk, I’ll give you that, Marianna. Or whoever you are. He said.

Why do you find it so difficult to believe that I’m real? Marianna asked.

I made sure you were trapped in that vortex. There’s no way you could have escaped without me knowing it.

And yet, here I am.

How?

My secret.

Simon waved his hand in front of Marianna. Nothing happened. He stood up and waved his hand, again. Still, nothing happened. He tried four more times with the same results.

Oh, yeah, about that, Marianna said. When you had the Slab suck the Black out of me, I laced it with my own magic.

You poisoned it, Simon said.

Um-hm. And it was so easy to do when I discovered the Black trait the Unicorn has was stolen from my husband. I know, because I’ve tasted his for many years. And although I’ve tasted yours only once, I remember it’s distinct pungency. So when you kissed me, I laced my magic with your energy signature, too. I’d find an antidote, soon, if I were you.

Nonsense. Even if you did poison the Slab, I wrapped my scarf around you. It’s designed to dampen a Warrior Mage’s magic. There’s no way you could have poisoned me.

This thing? Marianna smiled and the cuffs that pinned her to the Slab disintegrated. She leapt off the Slab into a diving forward roll. She landed five feet in front of Simon. She started examining the scarf. This isn’t the first time I’ve run into this kind of scarf. Black Elfin microfiber, right? I think I’ll keep it. She looked at Simon. Now, about that poison you ingested...

Simon sent a concussion pulse into Marianna’s stomach, sending her flying back toward the Slab. He didn’t wait to see if he had damaged her with the pulse. He turned and ran from the chamber. He slammed the door as he exited and pressed an icon on a panel next to the door. The glass surrounding the chamber emitted a pale yellow light. The light illuminated the glass walls, the ceiling and the door that made up the chamber.

I strongly advise you not to touch either the walls nor the door, my dear, Simon said. The force field will fry you, instantly.

Marianna flung the chair into the farthest wall. A blinding light burst from where the chair hit the wall. When the light had subsided, all that was left of the chair were ashes on the floor.

See what I mean? Simon said.

Isn’t it ironic when gods use science instead of magic to trap their captives? Marianna said.

Hang tight, Simon said. All three of us will be back to talk soon. But to keep you company – Illyria!

Illyria appeared from the shadows outside the chamber.

Yes, my lord? She said.

Watch her, closely. If she escapes, kill her.

With pleasure, my lord.

Simon turned to Marianna.

I look forward to our next talk. He said.

Me, too. Marianna said.

Simon pressed a button on his belt and teleported away.

Duet

Sonuvabitch. I said.

It’s all right, Sage said. I’ll be all right in a minute.

All right my ass. Lie down. Let me give you another dose of my energy.

No. No more doses.

Are you crazy?

Sage gently grabbed my arms.

It’s time, Sage said. I’m ready. No more doses.

I knelt next to him.

It’s too early, I said. We still have another day.

Sage sighed.

Time isn’t waiting for one more day, and neither is the Restoration.

He said. Even if you gave me another dose, I don’t expect to make it through the night. It’s time. 

Panther was devastated. The thoughts that rumbled through his mind were overwhelming. I gently grabbed his head and touched my forehead to his to comfort him and calm his mind before his thoughts drove me insane.

After some time, Panther went to the bay window and looked out into the night.

We have to tell the family, he said.

No we don’t, I said.

They have a right to know.

I have a right to go out on my own terms. I’ve earned that much.

Panther turned to me.

What did you have in mind? He asked.

We go to the meeting and answer as many questions as we can, I said. The rest can be saved for later when you’ve absorbed all my knowledge and plans. Zara will be crowned the Ruler of the Pure Elves at midnight tonight. I think I can last until after the coronation. Then, we excuse ourselves, come back here and complete the absorption in private. Where it all began.

Leaving me to tell everyone what happened, Panther said.

I smiled.

I’m too chicken shit to tell them, I said.

We both chuckled at that. I sat down on the coffee table and stared at the floor, thinking.

Tsetu and the girls will be livid, I said.

Uh-huh. Sage said.

Zara will kick our ass because we didn’t keep our promise.

What you mean our ass, white man?

I flipped Sage the bird. He laughed.

Even Tolliver will be pissed, I said.

Sage nodded.

He’s the biggest and best surprise in this whole thing, he said.

Yes, he is. I said.

We couldn’t have a better partner, or friend, Sage said.

True that, I said.

We sat, quietly, for a while, caught up in our own thoughts. I made sure to keep the volume of Panther’s thoughts down to give him some privacy. I took out my phone and looked over all the intel Illyria had gathered.

So. I said. All your suspicions about The Three were right, I said.

Yeah, Panther said. Whoopee.

Fuck regrets, Bro.

I’m about to lose by best friend, ever, Panther said. I’ve earned some time for regrets.

I nodded.

I’m gonna miss our time together, too, I said.

Panther nodded. A text message pinged on his phone. He looked at it. Then he looked at me and winked.

What? I said.

Panther showed me the message on his phone.

They moved up the timetable for the invasion. He said.

Damn. I said. This changes everything.

Including how long Marianna can stay prisoner.

There’s no way you’ll be strong enough to extract her and help stop the invasion when we merge.

We’ll have to extract her now, Panther said.

Even if you dose me, I may collapse in the middle of the extraction. Then we’re all fucked, I said. We’ll need help. And with the girls doing a round the clock vigil with Tsetu, and Zara with her new duties, we’re short-handed.

Not necessarily.

You have a plan? I asked.

I do, Panther said.

Do tell.

Read my mind and tell me what you think.

I did. I liked it.

A lot.

We’ll have to ditch the Shadows guarding us, I said.

As if that’s gonna be a problem, Panther said.

I smiled.

I’ll take that extra dose now, I said.

Elsewhere

Illyria and Marianna stood staring at each other.

‘I figure we have twenty minutes, tops, before they come back and skin you alive,’ Illyria said, telepathically.

The Unicorn screamed so loudly it echoed throughout the Citadel.

‘Make that thirty,’ Marianna responded, telepathically.

I WILL CUT OFF YOUR LIMBS AND MAKE YOU EAT THEM, RAW. The Unicorn yelled.

‘Must be talking to you," Illyria said.

‘Must be,’ Marianna said.

‘What did you do to him?’

‘I injected a tiny energy bomb into his system when I bit him. If anyone tries to heal him, magically, his nervous system will short circuit through his entire body as it rejects the magic.’

‘Like a Slab shock.’ Illyria said.

‘Worse,’ Marianna said.

‘You are a Nasty Bitch.’

‘I learned from The Master.’

‘You learned well, Grasshopper.’

They smiled at each other.

‘How did you survive?’ Illyria asked.

‘You saved me.’ Marianna said.

‘I would have remembered that.’

‘You haven’t done it, yet.’

‘...Oh...What was Sage doing while I was saving your life?’

‘No idea,’ Marianna said. ‘Your brother-in-law keeps some secrets even from me.’

‘I need to have a talk with your husband, next time I see him.’

‘Knock yourself out.’

They stared at each other some more.

‘It’s so good to see you.’ They both said, together.

‘I want to hug so much,’ Illyria said.

‘When we do, I’m never letting you go,’ Marianna said.

‘Me, neither. Illyria frowned. I’m sorry I was a disappointment to you.’

‘You were never a disappointment to me, Sis, no matter how angry I was at you.’

‘Thanks, Sis. That means a lot.’

They smiled at each other.

‘So. Why did you let yourself be capture by The Three?’ Illyria asked.

‘I have some intel about Simon and SynJyn,’ Marianna said.

‘What intel?’

Marianna told Illyria what they discovered.

‘We think there’s a lab, here, where it was done.’ Marianna said.

‘Hmm,’ Illyria said.

‘What?’

‘There’s a place in the lower part of the dungeon where only The Three are allowed. Not even I have access.’

‘Can you get access?’

Illyria thought about it.

‘I’ll see what I can do.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You have an exit strategy?’ Illyria asked.

‘Technically, no.’ Marianna said. An explosion rocked the Citadel. ‘But the boys do, even though they’re early.’

‘It’s probably because of me. I sent intel, earlier. The Three have decided to launch the invasion tomorrow instead of next week.’

‘Damn. Panther said he’d need me to help stop the invasion. But I can do a lot to stop the invasion even if I’m still in the Citadel. He knows that.’

‘There must be another reason,’ Illyria said.

‘But what?’ Marianna said.

Illyria. Simon was speaking over the intercom. You’re needed in the grand chamber, NOW. We’ll join you, soon.

What about the prisoner, my lord?

Make sure she isn’t a problem while we get rid of the other problem upstairs.

Understood.

Simon shut off the connection.

Illyria looked at Marianna.

‘Marianna, I...’

‘Do what you gotta do, Sis,’ Marianna said. ‘I’ll be fine.’

‘I’ll get that intel out somehow.’

‘I know you will.’

Illyria let out a slow breath before sending a mind blast into Marianna’s head. Marianna collapsed on the floor. Illyria hoped she sent just enough energy to knock her off her feet without rendering her unconscious. Marianna had suffered more than enough from The Three, in spite of making them pay for hurting her.

‘Be safe, Sis,’ Illyria whispered into Marianna’s mind.

‘You, too,’ Marianna whispered back.

Illyria smiled, and teleported away.

Chapter 55

The plan was simple, direct, and a helluva lot fun. Rile The Three so much that they’ll overreact and retaliate,