Tearing The Shroud (42 page)

‘Yes, sir, by twenty-five pounds of muscle.’

Justus walked toward the school, trying to imagine it. The second car parked across the street, and the five men piled out. The Square, as Justus thought of the Asian, strapped something on his hands. ‘What’s this?’ he asked as the men joined them.

He held up a leather-wrapped fist in answer. A steel plate with short fat spikes covered his knuckles. Justus nodded and smiled. They entered the grounds on the side street and came to the road that looped the campus. Justus pointed to a large darker area to their right. ‘Spread yourselves among the trees over there, and we will bring our foe to you.’ He handed each of them a small bottle. ‘Drink this just before the fight. I’m sure you’ll find the effects beneficial.’

They nodded and slipped the bottles into their pockets.

‘What time is it, Sebastian?’

‘Eight-thirty, sir.’

‘Fashionably late. Perfect,’ he said, as they walked toward the loud music and festive lights.

Chapter 41

Evening
Cloister of Berdine

Jolie was exhausted. The previous day she’d instructed a class of young Warriors in field medicine from dawn until dusk. Afterward, she had just settled down to dinner when a runner came with a report that a patrol had returned with heavy casualties. Jolie looked longingly at her plate of steaming food and sighed, stuffing a few pieces of roast between slices of bread then stood up. ‘Take me to them,’ she said. She ate as she followed the messenger. Sari was out with one of the patrols and Jolie hoped this wasn’t hers.

Though it took all night and through the next day to treat their tragic injuries, she never saw her loved one’s face. When dinnertime came, she didn’t have the energy to do more than stumble to Coleman’s room. The Matriarch had provided a second bed when she found that Jolie and Sari took turns sleeping in a chair near Coleman each night. She rested easier, even in the cramped quarters, knowing she could respond to him if needed.

After kicking off her bloody boots and disrobing, she slipped into a clean cotton shirt and lay back on the pillow, falling instantly asleep. She dreamed she was flying, as she often did. This time she fluttered and flitted along, directed as much by the gentle breezes as her thin wings. She looked at them with her faceted eyes. They were orange, black, red, and gold, shimmering as they glowed with life. She called to her sisters and brothers, ‘Come, let us share our love.’ They flocked to her, and she moved with them through the night.

Chapter 42

Samedi Gras

Vinni and the gang walked down Caf Lane. The fog had thinned somewhat, adding a surreality to the night. Jule’s hand fit perfectly in his, as if created to be there. Her touch both calmed him and sent a little thrill up his back. Even without all the supernatural moments he’d experienced lately, Vinni, both parts of him, never imagined he’d be walking alongside a girl like Jule on a night like this. The student population had turned out en masse for the nearly controlled chaos, in costumes ranging from jogging suits to giant lobsters. As they came to the car smash, they saw E.T. standing on the hood with a sledgehammer, ready to have the first whack.

A student dressed as a used car salesman barked to the crowd through a megaphone. ‘Step up, folks. Three swings for a dollar; keep what you knock off. E.T., show ’em how it’s done.’ With his three swings, E.T. concentrated on caving in the windshield as the crowd counted the blows and cheered him on.

‘Alll-righty, who’s next?’ A petite blonde pixie raised her hand, and the crowd cheered as she smashed each headlight and one taillight. ‘Don’t be shy; get an ornament for your gal.’ He pointed at Vinni, and Jule grinned, patting his arm.

‘Do it, Vinni,’ she said.

Vinni tried to wave them off, but the barker wasn’t letting go. ‘Oh, he’s shy. Don’t disappoint the little lady. C’mon, folks, let’s get him up here.’

The crowd started chanting, ‘Do it, do it...’

‘Okay.’ He dug out a dollar, red-faced. The crowd cheered as he hefted the sledgehammer, gauging its weight, and walked to the car.

You sure we should do this?

Vinni nodded.

‘It looks like he’s made up his mind.’ the salesman announced.

Vinni opened the driver’s door and motioned to Knife.

Knife asked, ‘What’s up, bud?’

‘Let me borrow your bat.’

‘Sure thing.’

Vinni wedged the bat in the door’s joint to keep it from recoiling. ‘You might want to stand back,’ he suggested to the crowd.

‘He’s ambitious, ladies and gents! Don’t worry, though; there’s no dange — ’

Vinni’s swing slammed the door backward into the fender with a metallic screech. The side mirror flew into the air and landed on the hood.

The assembled students grew quiet in disbelief while Flea and Knife shouted, ‘One!’

His next blow tore the stressed top hinge free, and the door tilted sideways.

‘Two!’ the guys yelled.

His last strike ripped the second hinge from the tortured metal, and the door clattered to the ground. There was a long moment of stunned silence. Then Flea said, ‘Three?’

Vinni turned to Jule. ‘Honey, would you like the mirror or the door?’

‘The mirror please,’ she said casually.

The crowd went wild. Vinni took the mirror and handed the sledgehammer to the student. ‘I can’t believe it,’ the salesman muttered. ‘Remind me never to tick you off.’

Vinni shrugged. ‘It was rusted.’

‘Um, who’s...next?’ the barker asked.

Knife grabbed his bat, Jule kissed Vinni enthusiastically, and they walked down the lane.

‘Wooohooo, a kissing booth,’ Flea said, making a beeline for it.

Knife grinned. ‘Yeah, he’ll be there all night.’

‘Or ’til he runs out of money,’ Vinni said.

Jule started giggling and pointed at a group of guys in matching white costumes and swim caps. Vinni and Knife didn’t understand until one of them turned and they read the writing on his back, ‘Fallopian Tube Swim Team,’ then joined her snickering.

‘I’m going to the egg throw booth; frat-boys
must
be punished.’ Knife pointed to a fraternity initiate sitting behind chicken wire, dressed like a schoolboy. As people splattered him with eggs, he yelled, ‘Thank you, may I have another?’

‘Enjoy,’ Vinni said.

‘Hey, a picture booth,’ Jule said. ‘Let’s get ours taken.’

‘Excellent idea.’

As they stood under a cobweb-covered arch, Jule saw Emily and waved.

‘Who’s that guy she’s talking to?’ he asked.

She shrugged. ‘I’ve never seen him.’

‘Okay, guys, smile.’

They posed like newlyweds with Jule holding a mirror bouquet. ‘One more?’ Vinni asked.

‘Sure,’ the photographer said.

Vinni scooped Jule into his arms.

‘Careful, my butt will show,’ she said with a grin.

‘That’s okay. It’s a great butt,’ he said and kissed her. The gal snapped the picture at that moment.

‘Perfect. That’s the best of the night.’

They paid, gave her their room numbers and headed toward the drink booth. Emily appeared from the crowd with the new guy behind her. ‘Hi, guys, how’s your night going?’ she asked in a singsong way.

‘We’re having a great time.’ Jule said, holding up the mirror. ‘Look what Vincent got me.’

‘Oh,
nice
,’ Emily said, causing Jule to frown at her sarcastic tone.

Something about Emily’s guy felt wrong to Vinni.

You’re right. I’ve seen this look in the ring
.
I don’t feel any magic though.

A large football player hovered behind the rocker.

‘Julie, this is Jimmy,’ Emily said.

‘A pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman who’s so
well equipped
.’ His smile was predatory. ‘Be careful not to cut yourself.’

Jule frowned and pulled her head back. ‘Thanks, I will.’

‘Vincent, I believe you
already know
Jimmy,’ Emily said.

He shook his head. ‘Sorry, Emily, I’ve never met him.’

‘Don’t try to deny it — ’

‘Emily, thank you for introducing us,’ Jimmy said.

Emily blinked and raised a hand. ‘But, wait, I thought — ’

‘You thought incorrectly, imbecile,’ he said, his eyes never leaving Vinni. ‘I have something for you.’ Jimmy flipped a small black object at Vinni.

He knew what it was without looking: a domino.

Jule rounded on Emily. ‘You led this person to us!’

‘I, but, yes.’ Emily’s eyes darted.

‘Do you have
any idea
what you’ve done?’

Vinni took Jule’s hand gently.

Emily stepped back, confusion and betrayal warring on her features. ‘He, I...no. I’m...’ She started to cry and rushed into the crowd.

‘I’m sure you have no desire to do this here.’ Jimmy looked at the partying students around them. ‘I’m only here for you, so why don’t we take this where fewer people will be...affected.’ He motioned to the tree-covered grass area up the slope.

‘Vinni, you...’ Jule said fearfully.

He still didn’t sense any thing magic about the guy or his enormous guard. The biker with the other domino had lied; his gang’s attack wasn’t a coincidence. ‘It’s okay, Jule.’ He smiled.

She looked lovingly into his eyes and nodded.

‘It’s been distinctly
enjoyable
meeting you,’ Jimmy said to her. ‘Shall we?’ He motioned and walked up the path. Vinni followed, glancing to see the huge football player fall in behind him.

Ambush?
Vincent asked.

I am.

A throbbing steadily pulsed in his head. The Tearer was using power miles away and the distraction worried him, but by the time they reached the grass the feeling had departed. They turned off the path and walked to an open area among the trees. Vinni sensed movement in the darkness and glanced around, picking out the shapes of men emerging from behind the trees.

I count four.

I missed the blocky one.
The last man raised something to his lips and drank.
He took something. Drugs?

Potions?

Vinni unsheathed his blades.
Let’s put them down, but don’t kill ’em.

The men closed on him. One had a large knife; three others held pipes, and the blocky one had his fists up. The rocker and jock stood aside, apparently not wanting to risk themselves.

As Vinni bolted toward the unarmed opponent time shifted, and he brought the
wakizashi
snapping toward the man’s temple. Inexplicably, a fist thrust outward, blocking the strike. Shock registered in his blade and mind; he’d moved as fast as Vinni. Pain exploded in his back, and as he instinctively arched, the blocky man punched him in the chest. Spikes punctured his pectoral muscle, firing the nerves in his left arm, and he nearly dropped a sword. Vinni bent his legs and launched himself in a flip that cleared him of the two attackers.

He landed and regrouped; the men were all in front of him now. Two with pipes fanned out, working together to divide his attention; they came in fast, one swinging at his stomach and the other at his head. Vinni ducked and the high blow passed inches over his head as he blocked the low strike. He flicked the blade upward at the man, and his attacker pulled back, taking a shallow cut across his arm, laughing in surprise. ‘That’s some good stuff, boss,’ he called to Jimmy.

He and his partner came at Vinni, raining down blows. Vinni blocked most of them, but only by the smallest margin. Several passed his defense, but he managed to take them on the meaty parts of his body. The punishment was brutal, but he accommodated it. His chest was no longer bleeding, and the pain had left his back. The two men pulled back, and the knife wielder came at him.

Another thing registered, beyond the pain — Jimmy was using power.

Jule watched them go until they crested the embankment then darted through the crowd between the booths. She slipped into the darkness and up the slope, the blaring music covering the sound of her passage. Creeping through the fog, she tried to remain unseen. Up ahead the sound of metal striking metal punctuated the blaring music of the carnival. Jule followed it, moving from tree to tree. She peeked around a eucalyptus and there was Jimmy, profiled nearby. She couldn’t see what was happening but Jimmy must have watched the fight Vinni was having. Why was he waving his arms around like a conductor directing a symphony though?