The Judge (9 page)

Chapter 20

Connor looked at himself in the mirror. He was a mess. His shirt was ripped in a dozen places. The once white fabric was more black and red from burn marks and  blood. Aches and pains crossed his body in so many places he didn’t know where one stopped and the next started.

He gritted his teeth as he crossed his arms over his head and began the painful process of taking off his shirt.

A knock on his door interrupted the excruciating experience. “Umm… I’m changing, give me just a second.”

The door opened anyway and Laren walked in. “Well, I guess this is a perfect time, then.”

Connor turned and was reminded for the hundredth time how beautiful Laren was. It was only the memory from their last conversation that hindered his enthusiasm in seeing her now. “I’m glad you came.”

Laren smiled as she stood next to Connor. Her eyes lowered and she talked to the ground. “Connor, I have—I have something to tell you. It’s not every day I have an emotional breakdown. What I said before you left, I mean I was a mess. The loss of my father and all the feelings. Uhhhh… I hate feeling feelings. I just haven’t been myself and I hate this weak person that I’ve been and…”

Connor lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers and kissed her. A tingling sensation started at his lips and spread down his body. After a few seconds had passed Connor held her at arm’s length. “You don’t have to explain. I can’t imagine what you have had to go through these last few days. I just need to know that Laren is back. That MY Laren is back.”

“I’m back,” she said. “I was just feeling so vulnerable and confused and I hate that feeling and—”

“Laren, Laren, I just said it was okay. You are allowed to show me weakness. I’m still going to love you. You don’t always have to be the cold, calculating business woman who negotiates industry meetings in forests.”

Laren smiled wide. “Thank you. I’ve never had anyone understand me the way you do.”

A moment passed where a weight was lifted from Connor’s shoulders. He had Laren back, his Laren. Now with her at his side he felt like he could do anything.

“What did you say you were doing before I walked in?”

“I’m happy to have you back, Miss Abelardus.”

Connor filled Laren in on what happened as he showered and changed. His healing factor had already closed his wounds. The shower’s hot water still stung but it was a price Connor was willing to pay.

“So, your mother is here now?” Laren asked through the cracked door.

“Yeah, I want to see her as soon as I can but Orion’s safety has to come first. I think I have a plan that will save him and let us confront Vercin once and for all.”

“You do? What is it?”

Connor stopped soaping his hair as he panicked and poked his head out of the shower curtains. Laren’s voice had come from somewhere very close, and sure enough, she was in the bathroom, perched on the counter. Connor pulled the white curtain close around him as his face turned a bright red. “Laren, what are you doing?”

Laren feigned knowledge of doing anything remotely out of the ordinary. “What? I’m talking to you.”

“Yeah, but I’m taking a shower.”

“So?”

“So. I need some privacy.”

“Oh, come on, Connor. It’s not like I can see anything.”

Connor speed rinsed the soap out of his hair and wrapped a thick towel around his waist before he stepped out. “I need to talk to Morrigan and Zheng. I’d like you to be there, too.”

Laren bit her lower lip as she nodded. “I’ll go and get them and have them meet you in the war room.”

Connor smiled. “Thank you, Laren.”

Laren winked at him and walked out of the room.

Connor changed into loose fitting pants and a white shirt with large sleeves. While staying at the palace, Connor had quickly discovered that clothing options were limited. The simple monks that lived in the palace all wore billowing orange tunics. The only other choices for clothes were the pants and shirt Connor wore now. The monks used these somewhat ordinary clothing for long travels around The Island.

Connor threw his damp black hair out of his face as strands tickled his forehead. Stepping into the hall, he was tackled with a warm hug.

“Connor, you’re back!”

Connor grimaced at the force of impact from his small friend. Reap was noticeably stronger than before. The small boy even had hair growing on his once bald head. “Hey, Reap. Yeah, I just got in. I’m heading to a meeting now. Want to walk with me?”

The small boy was all too eager to join as he skipped next to his hero. “Connor, I feel so much better now. I don’t know what it is but I’m doing it. I’m fighting my battle and I’m winning. Do you remember? Do you remember when you told me that we all have a fight? That defeating my sickness was my quest?”

“I do and I’m proud of you, Reap. I always knew you could do it.”

The little boy beamed at the praise and his eyebrows raised as synapses fired. “Have you seen Spero yet?”

It took Connor a second to remember that Reap had used the Latin word for hope as a name for the dragon. “No, I haven’t, but I’ve been wanting to.”

“Wait till you see him! He’s changing, Connor. The Isla—”

“There you are.”

Laren poked her head out of the war room as Connor and Reap made their way down the palace hall. “Mom was looking for you, Reap. I think someone forgot to clean their room today and make their bed.”

Reap frowned and raised a slender fist as fingers shot up one by one. “Making beds? No, I have more important responsibilities now. I have to take care of Spero, make sure the perimeter is secure, answer questions that visitors have—”

Laren shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know that you do a lot, but it would make Mom feel better if you also took care of the little things.”

Reap thought about this for a moment and then nodded. “Okay, I will, but only because you asked so nicely.”

The small boy waved and was off at a run, starting to sing a song that Connor found vaguely familiar. “He’s doing so well, Laren. I can’t believe he’s the same boy that I visited before.”

Laren motioned Connor inside. “I can’t, either. You’ve given him hope, Connor… Now that that’s the dragon’s name, I mean that literally and figuratively.”

Connor smiled, thankful for the compliment as he walked inside. Morrigan and Zheng were already there. Both were changed and sharing a small meal. Zheng was wearing a bandage around his head, aiding in the healing process from the wounds he had received at Vercin’s hands.

“I’m glad to see you are up and ready,” Morrigan said with a smile. “I would say I’m surprised that you’re ready to get moving so quickly, but that’s the Connor we all know and love.”

Zheng nodded. “A man of action.”

Connor eased himself into a chair. Laren took a seat beside him. “We have a lot to do. I want to get a plan set and your opinions. First, has there been any word on my father?”

“He’s going to be fine. In rough shape and it will take a few days for even our healing process to mend the damage, but he will recover,” Zheng said.

Connor let out a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Orion, everything inside of me says to go after him now but without knowing where he is, it seems like we need a plan. If Orion is the only one able to come to and from The Island, does that mean we’re stuck here?”

“Orion is the ferryman, but that title is bestowed on someone by the king of The Island. If Zheng were to appoint someone else, then Orion would lose his ability to find The Island within a day or two.”

Zheng shifted and his amber eyes met Connor’s with unease. “Is that what you wanted me to do?”

Connor shook his head. “No. I don’t think Vercin will hurt Orion. He wants to use him to get here. But if Vercin knows the title of ferryman can be changed, then he’ll be coming within the next few days.”

Zheng let out a sigh Connor could relate to. “So you want Vercin to come to The Island?”

“I think that’s the best way. It will ensure the humans are protected. We can determine where we fight and prepare our strategy.”

Morrigan and Zheng nodded.

“Two days, then,” Laren said. “Two days to prepare, if he doesn’t come sooner.”

“It’ll all be over soon,” Connor said, “one way or the other.”

With the realization that his father was safe and that Orion would be spared ensuring a passage for Vercin to The Island, Connor was reminded of his hunger. He couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten. He dug into grilled chicken, cheese, and fruit as Morrigan brought up another subject.

“Lu has been—shall we say, encouraging, the doctor to start work on an antidote for the virus he created. We’ll need that and in large doses if Vercin is going to weaponize the virus. We have to anticipate that will be his first choice as the battle begins.”

Connor was trying not to stuff his mouth but he was failing. He nodded along as Morrigan spoke.

“The more I think about it, the more I feel like I should go now and make sure that Lu isn’t overeager in his motivation. The doctor will work best with all his limbs attached,” Morrigan said as she rose from the table. 

“Now that we know the battle will take place here, I’ll ready the palace’s fortifications and natural defenses. I think we may have a trick or two for Vercin when he arrives. The palace has never fallen to an enemy and I don’t plan to be the King that allows it to,” Zheng said.

Connor debated saying something, but with the chicken in his mouth, he settled for a thumbs up. Morrigan and Zheng left the room with their tasks as Laren scooted her chair closer to Connor’s. “You know, I think that’s one of the things I like about you the best.”

Connor raised an eyebrow. “What is? That I can eat?”

Laren laughed and shook her head, making her dark brown hair bounce around her face. “Well, yeah, but that’s not what I was talking about. I admire how you can hold the weight of being a Judge on your shoulders but still be that eighteen year old guy I met in the forest.”

Connor cleaned his hands on a linen napkin and leaned toward Laren. “You know what I like about you the most?”

Laren raised an eyebrow. “Please, Mr. Moore, do tell.”

“I like that—”

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Connor said, turning in his chair, expecting to see a messenger. Instead, Rebecca Moore walked in, her eyes locked on her son’s. She gave him a smile he hadn’t realized he missed.

“Connor. Oh, and Laren. Am I disturbing you? I was told you would be here.”

Connor rose from his chair and crossed the few feet between them in a second. “You’re never disturbing me. How are you feeling?”

Rebecca took a deep breath. She let it out with a short laugh. “I feel like I’m a crazy person. Katie filled me in on everything but she talks so fast I’m not sure I have it all. Connor, son, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Come sit down with us.”

Rebecca smiled at Laren as she found a seat at the table. “Laren, you’re also one of the, the Elites, is that right?”

“Well, I was, but I’m human now. That’s been a recent development. I’m sorry. I wish this wasn’t all so confusing for you,” Laren said.

Rebecca adjusted her clothes that looked so out of place inside the palace. “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a lot to handle but I’m glad you two have stayed so close with everything going on.”

Connor confirmed what he thought his mother was hinting at as the corners of her lips twitched. 

“Mrs. Moore, I think I should give you and your son some time to catch up,” Laren said, as her face turned red and she rose too quickly from her seat. Her knee bumped the underside of the table top. The whole table shuddered with the impact.

“Thank you, Laren,” Rebecca said, ignoring the awkward blunder.

Connor smiled at Laren’s uncharacteristic shyness as he nodded a goodbye. Laren left the room in a hurry.

“You’re in love with that girl, aren’t you?”

“Mom.”

“What? You’re still my son, Judge or not. A mother gets to ask these kinds of questions. It comes with the job.”

Connor looked at his mother and nodded. “I think so.”

Rebecca smiled. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’ve chosen wisely. Laren is a strong girl and I can see how much she cares for you just by the way she looks at you.”

“Thanks, Mom. Are you okay? I mean, with all that has happened and all that you know now? It would be a lot for anyone to handle. Especially—you know—seeing him again.”

Rebecca took in a long, slow breath as she shook her head from side to side. “I never thought I’d see your father again, Connor. He left me—he left us—when I still carried you. I’ve hated him for so many years. That’s why I never mentioned him while you grew up. It was too painful for me to remember. All his memory brought was grief.”

Connor found himself in a position to give his mother counsel for the first time he could remember. Now he had to make the choice whether to encourage her to open up again to a man who had wounded her so deeply, or advise her in the opposite direction. Connor was thinking that maybe he should just remain silent but his mother wouldn’t let him off that easy.