History of the Changelings Billy Barker, Zorn, Brad Jenkens by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

Time for the rebirth

It has now been four weeks. Reluctantly his wives, all three of them granted him permission but only after the emperor told them that there will be an army of demons watching him from the sideline. He is proud. Walking down the main street, what was once a ghost town is thriving. News of the rebirth of the town has spread throughout the country.

Those empty stores are now a tourist market, craft stores, there is even a craftsman that makes furniture. For those who want to eat on the go, there is an authentic fish and chip place. Most want to eat dinner at one of the three restaurants The hotel has just been reevaluated and has been awarded four and a half stars for service and comfort. They are starting to get attention. Limousines service, two large conference rooms that can be booked as one. They have even been told that the king and queen will be coming to dedicate those to the late queen.

The best thing about that is there is a full size marble statue of her that is rumored to be so good that there are some demanding that it should be displayed in their museum, not some hotel.

This town is alive. The realtor is telling me that he is receiving requests from companies about open land. I tell him to buy the land around the plant and make an industrial park.

We lease and will build to suit.

As far as the plant, Collen came through. Even though the number was small of those who chose work over the six month pay. The jobs were mostly filled with people he passed but the rest were those that we retained from the original crew. We were up and running by the time of the Royal visit.

They even changed the town’s name to Elizabeth

Over the next few weeks Elizabeth has become a popular destination. Sleepy hollow is becoming a good housing market for the new manufacturing plant workers to live. Only the locals know that it is the spot where they found the limo with the two of us knocked out.

Even that sleepy little inn that we bought is almost always booked up solid. Who knew that the country side was where a lot of people wanted to stay. Go into Elizabeth but escape to the old world.

Kile and Sarah are now engaged.

I talk to both.

“We are being asked to help convert other areas here in Great Britain. What would you say to becoming the corporation face here? I’m hesitant on going into Europe yet. Tied up too much in self inflicted regulations. It’s not ruled out, but not for now.”

Kile thought about it for a few seconds then said that he would like that.

I tell him

“You need an office. That maintenance shop is the right spot. Remake that into your office.”

“Can’t do that. It’s being remade into office space for the factory. The current is old and the space can be used for manufacturing and development. I would like to see something at the front of the industrial park.”

We came up with a plan.

“I’m leaving it up to you. You now can make some major purchases. All I ask is to not buy up too much. We are already at the tipping point here. I think that we acquire any more here in town. Envy will start to grow. A few civic projects for the town.

After Brad went home, work was started on the new corporate office. We kept it simple in design but it is large enough for expansion if needed. Right now we need the space for around thirty to forty people.

Since it was the entrance to the park we had them make it attractive, inviting landscaping is a must. All around, there are places to sit and enjoy the area. It may be an industrial park but it does not need to look like it. We even installed lighting so people could enjoy a night out under the stars.

In a very short time it was done.

I talk with Sarah,

“Now that this is done and we are here as long as we want to, it’s time to start planning our wedding. What do you think?”

“I would like to do what Brad and Brenda did.” She tells me. “Can we go to the town hall and get married? I would like that and maybe later we can have a public ceremony.”

This town, there cannot be anything that escapes the gossip network of a close knit town.

We did not even get out the door of the town hall before there was a large crowd gathered. They even had rice and streamers. Everyone was cheering. The owner of the Italian restaurant came over and told us that he is making a very special dinner for us.

Everyone came in. It was a party.

When we returned to the hotel, we were intercepted. The manager escorted us to a suite which had been decorated in white and flowers. Champaine on ice and luxury hors d’eourves.

It was a wonderfully unexpected surprise. We enjoyed the night immensely. Sarah was finally able to relax. She told me that it all felt like she had to avoid pinching herself. If it was a dream, she did not want to wake but now she knows it is a real life dream.

“I have never felt so complete in my life. I do hope that someday we have children. You will make a wonderful father. They will be spoiled rotten.

I think to myself that for the first time in my life, I am truly happy. I hug her and we drift off to sleep. Tomorrow we occupy the new office and get everyone to work improving the area.

Back home

My three wives are happy that I am home. I can catch up with all. Rose is the newest.

As soon as she and I got back home from being kidnaped by Jimmy. I was in total lockdown, not that I minded. The two, Brenda and Maribell told me that, if Rose wanted a big or small ceremony later, she could have it, BUT, the three dragged me by the collar and we went to the Justice of the Peace.

They could see that Rose had a lot of tension that needed to be released.

They had already arranged a green card for her but also signed her up for dual citizenship.

I sat afterwards with the four. I should say that the three wives and I sat, Gloria just buzzed. She now can change into full harpy then back to full human. She very rarely uses the halfling form. We feel that the half from will probably fade away over time. I cannot tell if that is sitting well with Brenda. She goes from half to full.

I pay her special attention at those times that she feels down.

Maribell is really showing now. It’s only a matter of weeks before she is due. I sometimes think that is why the rush on Rose. I try not to be clingy, Gloria does enough of that.

Since Maribell is irritable with a watermelon stuck inside her, Gloria has taken to hovering in front of her and will touch the belly. I think she knows it’s almost time and hovering is not being in the way. A child’s mind.

When not hovering, she will now sit with Rose. Mom now is for meals and changing. As Brenda sometimes says. when she feels left out. All bets are off when she hears Pompa. He’s got her until he leaves.

She now brings a small book for him to read to her. He has more tolerance than the rest of us. Most times it is the same book.

After weeks back, we are sitting around the common room.

Devon walks over to the TV and turns it off. His phone is ringing. All we hear is him saying that he wants the manor completely surrounded now. He does not hang up.

Harcourt and Judith appear. Judith takes Gloria and goes into a room, closing the door.

“Something is very wrong.” I say “What is it.”

Devon tells us to sit down.

Harcourt tells us, “There has been a bombing in Elizabeth. Our corporate office has been destroyed. It was fully occupied. All are dead.”

Frantically Rose asks about Sarah and Kile.

“Sorry, it was fully occupied. A group claims responsibility. The Irish revenge. The authorities officially say that they are still investigating but our insiders say that Jimmy’s relatives believe him and are exacting revenge. We tracked a group of them. They have boarded a plane and are in country. The corporate headquarters are in complete lockdown. All people have been transported to their homes. We are going to convey your family to the demon capital.”

I am angrier than I have ever been in my life. I’m seething. I’m actually growling.

Devon says “I knew it!”

I look at my wives. Their looks are a combination of astonishment, awe, and they are squirming. Rubbing their legs together enough to start a fire. Then I look in the wall mirror. Standing there is a full blown monster of a werewolf. Claws, fangs fur and attitude.

My wives all look like they want to drag me somewhere.

“I guess you were right. I seem to have some demon blood after all. I’m not going to let this go to waste. I want even the mansion staff in your palace. We’re going hunting.

Where are they? You would not have guards around the perimeter if you didn’t think they are close. If they are this close, My people stay here. I am attacking them.”

I let out a howl. I hear Gloria giggling yelling DaDa. I open the door and she flies right by pompa and into my hairy arms and snuggles.

“Everyone stay in the basement and lock it. Devon pull your people tighter to the mansion. If we were to move people, I would bet that they would follow. My family is not going to be hurt.”

I am getting more feral by the minute and it feels good. I have a lust for revenge. Those people did not deserve to die. I was too lenient.

“Jimmy needs to hang himself in his locked room. I ask you to have that done. Harcourt, Maribell is very close to delivering your grandchild. This needs to be over now. If anything happens to my child, there will not be any named Connor left alive on this planet.”

With what I have become, both Harcourt and Devon seem to follow what I am asking.

“I will be on the door of the basement.” Harcourt says “The only way anyone will get by is over my dead body.”

“Don’t you die. You need your grandchild to call you Pompa.” Devon tells him. “I’m going to take care of Jimmy.”

With that he disappears. I do find myself asking. If they can disappear and re appear, why drive or fly? Then I feel an urge welling up in me. I look out the window at a spot on the edge of the mansion groomed lawn. Without even thinking about it, I am in that spot.

Then I smell something off. An unfamiliar yet familiar smell. I am able to sneak up on it.

Someone that does not have a demon smell. It’s the smell of Great Britian. The sea, The crisp meadow smell and also the smell of ages past.

He never knew what hit him. I knocked him out and flashed us back into the mansion.

There were other demons there. They bow as I tell them to watch him. Don’t let him get out of that chair. They bow and say that it will be done.

Devon reappears. Smiles then bows himself.

“You must have many questions. First, just accept it. You are more than anyone of us. I thank my daughter for stopping me that day. “

“Why did you have Rose keep the phone line open on that day?”

“All cell phones have a GPS locator in them for emergency purposes. That way, all you need is to dial 911 and they know your exact location. Your senior monitoring service can find you. We can go to familiar locations. I had visited Jimmy a few times just in case. That is why I was able to pop in his room and hang him by his bed sheets. We did not know where exactly you were so we needed Rose to keep the phone on.”

The man in the chair speaks.

“Jimmy is dead?”

Devon tells him “He would not have been but for the fact you killed a very close friend and all those locals that we employed. I bet he did not tell you fools that he kidnaped Brad and tried to with Rose all because Rose continually turned him down even before Brad came on the scene.”

I try and returned to human form.

“I saved Rose from a sink hole, I paid off her car that was lost and I bought her a new one. We sat in the break room and she kissed me. He dragged her off and locked her in a store room. He helped the man who stabbed the man who you killed along with his wife.”

As I continue the anger is welling up and I’m morphing into a figure of everyone’s nightmare. My wolf’s head is now touching the ceiling. I must be over nine feet.

The man said,

“Jimmy was right. You all are demons.”

“JIMMY DID NOT FIND THAT OUT UNTIL AFTER HE FUCKED WITH US!” I roared I hear thuds under the floor and a loud giggling. “DaDa” over and over.

Devon tells the fool

“That’s his daughter and my granddaughter. You wonder why he is like that. If it was not for the fact that you killed all those innocent people we may have let you go.”

I walk over to him. I have had enough of this. I let someone go that should have just disappeared. I have lost dear ones. I will not do that again.

Grabbing him by the neck, we are back in the yard. I hold up the man and yell,

“You wanted war, you get war but on our turf.”

I close my fist around his neck. Bones snap, tissue tears and his body fell to the ground but I still hold his head.

“You started this, COME GET ME!”

I howl. I hear quite a few other howls. One by one screams are heard. One by one bodies are thrown into the pile until only wolves come out and kneel.

All the other demons, with the exception of the ones that relieve Harcourt. They all come out and kneel.

Emperor Harcourt comes out with Devon.

“The true supreme ruler has emerged from his long slumber. Zorn has returned. This ground, this family is sacred and will be protected at all costs.”

I stop him right there.

“If I am Zorn returned, then I decree, none of our kind will die except of old age. You are now all my family, not subjects. My family does not get hurt. Harcourt, Deven, we go inside. There are many things that we must discuss.”

With that we go back inside. We walk and all I hear is cheering behind us”

As I enter the door, I hold up my fist and yell “FAMILY LIVES!”

The family comes up from the cellar. I had drawn the curtains so the backyard cleanup is not a “distraction. As big as I am, a little fledgling melts me. Gloria is holding on and singing. Even Pompa can’t get her to let go. I return to my normal form but she wants me. So we all sit.

“With all my family here, the two of you need to explain this whole situation. First, who the hell is Zorn?”

I notice that Judith, Brenda and Maribell gasp at the name.

Harcourt stands and bows. Before he speaks, I tell him that no one will be more irritated than me, if my family starts to bow to me. My immediate family does not bow to me,

“We understand, but it was a requirement until you ordered it suspended. Zorn was the first leader of the race called demons. He was a very powerful lycanthrope but he was a

wise and gentle man. Full of charity for all. He was a righter of injustice but there was an incident.. One of his children was killed by a person he had let off. He caught the person by the neck raised him up and closed his fist around that neck with the same results.

That act resulted in our race being labeled as evil, as demons. We took on our disguise and blended in. Zorn ruled and had a full life but to his dying day he regretted his leniency. Brad don’t regret your motives for sparing Jimmy but remember the lesson and learn from it.”

Devon now speaks,

“You are now the top ruler of our world. I don’t mean just the demon world but the whole world. This fact you cannot ignore or resign from. You can choose to work in the world’s background. For now, I would recommend that you work in the background. There are still some of Jimmy’s family out there.”

I tell him,

“We need to end this now. I’m not going to order the annihilation of the Connor clan but we will go to England. I want a neutral place. Bring his family there. I want a face to face. They need to know just who they are fucking with. Since I now can just flash in and out. Call the hotel and get a room. Have them lock it with a do not disturb sign. This way we don’t need to erase memories. Then we have the driver take us to the meeting.

I would actually have the meeting in an open meadow. Patrolled by us of course. Bring Karl in on this, he needs to know.”

“Karl actually is one of us, so he now knows.” Harcourt tells me. “The whole demon world knows that Zorn has returned. What you ask will be done.”

“My ladies, I need to end this so I will be going, for a day. We will not live in a constant state of lock down. I need also to make the arrangements for the burials. I think Kile and Sarah will be buried there. You must know now that nothing will happen. I want the three of you here. Brenda and Rose, you both need to be here for Maribell. Judith, I feel that I don’t even need to say anything. Watch over them. Finally, Gloria, I know you love me but you need to stay here. You need to be here for your younger brother or sister.”

With those words, she goes over to Maribell. This time she does not hug her belly but puts her back to Maribell’s stomach and in full harpy, she crosses her arms. She looks like a protector. Lord of the flying diaper.

Devon and I are melting. It’s too cute.

Calls have been made and we are in a room, in our England hotel. Slipping out the side door, we meet up with Karl. I sit up front with him. He seems uncomfortable so I tell him that he is to treat me like I was before.

“That’s a royal order.” With that the tension is broken.

It is a grim task but one that needed to be done. We are taken to the site.

Before us was a scene from a movie or the news but this was real. I find myself needing to control myself. Families of the victims are gathering. Once all families that are there are nearby.

“I am as broken as you are. My friend, no they were family died also. Your loved ones are my family. I apologize that this has happened.”

Over their objections I bow to them. Then continue

“Their funerals are mine. You can have them buried where ever you would like but I have bought a large section of the cemetery here. My two are going to be interred there.

I welcome you to give them rest there but only if you want to. Each will have a place for you when it is your time. As far as your future. Each of you will have their expenses paid. House, paid. car, paid, the top salary, my friends, is now yours for your life. I consider you as family. I will tell you that they tried to attack my family’s home. They failed, catastrophically for them. This threat to my family will end.”

I point to the ruins.

“This will never happen again. Contact the local undertaker or your own and tell them to contact the plant. They have all the permissions and will have your arrangements covered. Once this is all over, just come to the plant. There is someone there that will make everything happen. Now I have to make the arrangements for Kile and his wife Sarah.”

After some talk with the police, I go to the plant and meet up with the person that will be taking care of this. We close the door and that person bows.

“One of us?

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Good this is a task that only we can do. What’s your name?”

She tells me her name is Sharon.

“All the plots have been purchased. Stones have been ordered for all. What I figured, if it is alright with you, your majesty”

“While we are here not in public I want you to drop the ‘Your majesty.’ It is not known outside our people yet. You are my family. Just call me Brad.”

“Thank you yo, Brad. Where was I, oh yes, What I figured, if it was alright with you, is that all the stones will be a memorial. The name and date will be there even if the person is not buried there “

I tell her that I like it.

“I just told the group that were there that they were to contact you for everything. As soon as Kile and Sarah are released.”

I turn to Harcourt

“Do we have any one of my family, in that business. If we do, I want them to align with the local undertaker. Let him know that these two will be handled by that person. My family handles my family. The local will be paid his full price but I want those two perfect and in the same casket. I want them to rest together, holding hands”

Sharon says that it will be done. She will have the man who makes the custom furniture that has the shop in the center to drop everything and make that casket.”

“For royals” I say

“For royals.”

We say our good byes and leave it in her hands.

Devon says while we are on our way out of town that it actually would be nice to have that lid the thick glass and make it so they could be seen sleeping.

I tell him that it was only good for the mausoleum back home. I did tell him that I wanted to modify that lower floor so that my wives and I could be together. Maybe make it a setting. All of us watching a movie.”

He chuckles, “Knowing your wives, the viewing area would need to be plus eighteen only.”

We get to where we could see the canopy. Under it was a set of chairs with people watching us as we get out of the limo.

“Show time.” We all disappeared and then reappeared in front of them as humans.

I had already set this up back in the mansion so I stood there, looking at them. They all had very disgusted faces. Ready to kill looks. I morphed into the full Zorn werewolf.

Devon went to his hellcat and much to my surprise, Harcourt is also a lycanthrope.

Now the meadow is full of all the types. Harpies, felids, canid and such. I wanted it clear to them that this was all or nothing.

In that form I speak. I tell them about my first encounter with Jimmy, how he helped the man who stabbed my friend, how he tried to kidnap Rose and myself. How I put Rose out.

“Jimmy was rejected by Rose before I met her. I was willing to let this rest but your clan had to push it. You believed Jimmy that we were demons yet you still had those innocent people killed. Know this, we are demons. I am the imperial leader of the world of demons. My father in law here is a Duke of the demons. My other father in law is Emperor of the demons. You fucked with the wrong people. I don’t think you have heard, I have had Jimmy hung in his room. The people you sent after my personal family, all died a horrible death. I personally squeezed one person’s neck until his body fell from under his head. All have been buried in an unknown location. Each face down.

Each cursed to wander below their eyes. Right now, you are the heads that did not stop this. Something that Jimmy brought on himself. I give you a final warning. You and all your relatives both close or distant, are now under demon surveillance. A stray thought or word and that person will just vanish. Leave us alone. Very soon, very soon, a long-time human scandal will be righted. Until then I have informed all the world of your existence. Each time one passes anyone of your clan they will say Zorn. That will show you what you are up against.”

As I am getting ready to release them I turn one more time to them with the biggest and most ferocious I can get

“If anyone so much as utters a dispersion against my family you all will disappear. Look around you. This is just a very small portion of us.”

I now address the demons.

“How many of you are from just this area?”

All raise their hands

“How many are of my family?”

All raise their hands.

“The world of demons stretches around the world. They are all my family. They all have waited for my return. They are my eyes and ears. Remember this, I will not lose another family member. DON’T FUCK WITH US, PERIOD.”

Staying in our forms, we walk to the limo, then I say.

“All my children thank you for your protection. You may go. Leave them to walk and think about their future.”

The demons all bow and disappear. We get back into the limo and start to drive. I am the first to speak.

“The second any of them go to the church to enlist them, that person’s family disappears, man, women, children, dogs, cats, goldfish, houses everything. Most of the churches are corrupt. There are still a few that are true to the creator of all of us. Let’s go back to town.”

Back in town, the mood is somber. Their hero was taken out by a cowardly act along with family and friends. I had to assure them that this is not changing my opinion of the community. BBM is staying.

“The hero’s house that we are still building will be my families vacation home here. I will be bringing my family here in a month to visit. For those who haven’t heard, Rose is my third wife. My second wife is due anytime now. Once she has delivered and it is medically safe for the baby to travel, we will come. Just be comforted to know that Zorn is now protecting this town. Now I must leave to see that wife.”

As I start to walk, I notice that quite a few of the residents bowing as we pass and saying Zorn. Yes, this town will be safe from now on.

A shot rings out and a large man jumps in my way then drops. Shot through the head.

I yell “GET THAT SON OF A BITCH HERE NOW. How dare they kill one of my children.”

Being dragged down the street is one of the Connors that was on the field. As he is dragged people are saying Zorn as they kick him. He now is in front of me. I look at him.

I squat down and whisper.

“I’m going to keep you alive. I need you to hear this.”

“This man is from the Connor clan, they are the ones that are responsible for the bombing deaths. They are reacting to Jimmy’s delusions about my wife Rose. Bottom line. I ask you, who are the real demons among you, people like myself who has, even under all this distraction has stayed and will stay with this town. I have learned, in the past few days that my lineage is that of the imperial original Zorn. I am a demon by the human language. I can change, I am a lycanthrope. I am the ultimate leader of the demon race. I ask you, what evil have I done? Now the Connor’s have attacked my home. They have killed your neighbors, your friends, your family. My corporation is providing funerals for all. We have bought plots and are having head stones for all including an extra plot for their spouse. Who’s the demons? We are paying off all loans and mortgages for them, who’s the demons? We are giving the surviving families the top salary for their life, who’s the demons? Connor’s acted on a jealous spurned kidnaper and killed all those people. We met them this morning and gave them a warning that if they would stand down so would we. This is their answer. One of your own, without thought took the bullet that was meant for me.”

I turn half way. Seeing that, over half the crowd turn. The remainder look at the people they have known all their life.

“I ask you to tell me. Look at these people and tell me if you see an evil person or your friend just in a different form. I want you to watch. Would you all return back to the human form.”

They do.

“Now I will say, after you have seen them in both forms and before this one can say anything”

I shift into the full form. There were a few gasps but also quite a few cheering from the normal.

“Standing here in my full form, do you think that I could hurt you? I also ask you, what have you seen or heard me do that is evil. I care about all of you. Why would I tell you that you are protected, if I was that evil. Zorn was a fair and just man. He had his child killed by a human. He took revenge and that family had church influence so we were

declared demons. This man who was killed just now is my child. I told them that if they broke that pardon. Their family would disappear.”

I look at him then say to him,

“Even biblical text says the sins of the father extend to the sons for generations. I told you that your family will disappear. Bring his family forward.”

My children bring the old to the young. I ask them,

“Who is this man?” To the last they each didn’t know him.

“Okay, take them back home.”

“Home for them is in the states. They all have a house there and jobs. I told you that I would wipe out your family. I did but I bet you thought that I would have killed them. I look at the crowd. There is the inspector. He looks at me bows then says Zorn. The man who took that bullet will have a special place in the cemetery. We consider you all family. We take care of family, His family is my family.”

I turn back to my human form and walk among the crowd. The shooter is being taken into the hotel by Devon.

Devon tells me “I will take care of him at the mansion.”

After a minute or so, I hear a familiar voice screaming. I feel a large thump. “DaDa.” It’s Gloria. I am stunned. Brenda comes up to me. Before I could ask.

Brenda tells me that she saw her pompa appear in a flash and before he could catch her, she was yelling DaDa and went through. I had to follow her. We need a tether or a locked room for these flashes..

“Gloria, I thought you were looking after mom Maribell.”

She hugged harder, “Want DaDa.”

“Brenda, take her back now, we had someone killed just now.”

“Folks, this is my daughter. With other Connors out there, this area is not safe for her.

They may try to kidnap her. I’m going to go back to the states but I’ll be back.”

We go into the hotel room and flash back.

Devon is totally unhinged. He let his grandchild go into a danger zone Hearing him beat up himself would have been funny if he was not making sense. He is crying when he sees her safe. I grab a roll of masking tape and a marker. Walking over to a room, I put on the door a large amount of tape then wrote Travel room lock at all times. Then I go over to Devon, and put a piece of tape that I wrote on his chest.

“Pompa is sorry and I will not let it happen again.”

He looks and questions the wording.

“Shouldn’t it read and he will not let it happen again.?”

“No, I worded it right. Think about it. Once was an accident, it would be my fault if it happened again. I will not tether her. That room will have a key pad lock on this side and two forms of locks on the inside. Would you have that taken care of? Regardless of who. That door stays locked. Make sure that everyone knows what happened, why it happened and what will happen to anyone that flashes in any other area of this mansion will never flash again. There will be an open cell phone in that room. Are we clear pompa?”

“Yes”

“Gloria you need to show pompa you are sorry.”

She’s smart. She now knows she did something that was very wrong. Slowly she goes over to her pompa. Her head was hanging. She hovers in front of him but may not know the words.

Devon grabbed her into a hug. He is crying, she is crying and he tells her,

“You scared me. You could have been hurt very badly. I don’t think I could go on without you. Pompa’s sorry.”

She says to him “Sorry” then really weeps her eyes out in his arms until she was spent.

Mom took her to bed.

Devon tells me that he will slit his own throat and have himself cremated then scattered if he ever causes her to cry like that again. “I would not want my body to be anywhere next to my wife.”

Right now he is a broken man. Brenda comes over to him, saying nothing she brings him to her shoulder and he weeps on her shoulder while she rubs her hand all over his back. Finally she says

“You are going to make her cry worse. The day we put you in with mom. We will not cremate you. I’m having them figuring out how to open mom’s block. I like the way we are going to do Kile and Sarah. I want you and mom sleeping together. They tell me that they should be able in a complete vacuum room. With you there, My Gloria will be comforted, like I am with mom.”

He is now calmer but pledges to her that this one will never be repeated.

With all this, as if it was not enough, Gloria is back and pulling mom towards the bedrooms. She is pulling with all her might then she says one word. As she is pulling, she says “Time”

Brenda goes running saying get the doctor here, it’s time.

All the stress of the past few days has caused Maribell to go in labor. We hear a flash coming from the room and Judith coming out dragging a walking zombie called Harcourt. I am ordered to take custody of him and she disappears down the hall. We were told that Gloria refuses to leave the room so they cleared a shelf and have her lay on a pillow. She was told to protect and she saw what happened when she left so she was not leaving.

There was no time to spare so I had Devon, go into the room and fetch the doctor.

Another flash and a bewildered doctor exits the room and is shown to Maribell. The verdict is that she is too far along even to move her with flash.

We prepared for this so we have everything.

A new face

We men are now veterans or should I say that Devon and I were. Harcourt is a mess.

He is pacing and trying to go down the hall. We keep bringing him back. Finally on the last try, I went full werewolf on him and ordered him to sit.

“Don’t make me roll up a newspaper.”

When I went full wolf, I felt a familiar impact. Her language is getting better.

“Pompa, it is doggy dada” and she now has a song of words none of us know. But she is enjoying herself. Then she says something that sets Harcourt down the hall. Gloria is repeating what she hears. She says “Almost.”

He is intercepted by Judith, Rose and Brenda who takes Gloria. Brenda tells me that it is my time to be the first to see my new child. As I’m going down the hall, the doctor comes out. Ten toes, ten fingers and healthy as I pass him. I enter the room. There is Maribell glowing, tired but glowing.

“Brad come hold your son.”

He is perfect.

I ask what is his name going to be? She says

“Would you be upset if we called him Kile?”

“That’s a perfect name. Kile I’m your daddy”

I kiss her and give him back because I hear Harcourt fighting his way down the hall.

“Mom, let dad come in. He needs to meet his grandson, Kile.”

He now is slowly coming in. A grandson. He is shuffling, back to Zombie but as soon as he sees the baby he melts. Judith picks up the baby and shows it to him.

“I’m not letting you hold him right now. You’ll drop him. Look, touch but it will be tomorrow before you pick him up.”

All they can do is stare and smile.

I am still amazed at the information network that we have. With in minutes, my phone is lighting up with congratulatory texts. In minutes it goes silent. The last was Devon with a select all. He said

The family has a new face. A son and heir. It is private time for them. Please hold your congratulatory messages until the morning. It is the family wish that any donations be made to the England bombing relative fund.

By the morning, we received a message from Sharon that the fund has surpassed the forty million pound mark. All in commemoration of the new born heir. She said that every one will be paid off, supplied with pay for life and there may be enough for college funds.

I text back, the corporation will cover the short fall but it sounds like even that will not be necessary. At the end of the day we had enough to not only put those children through college but also those town children as well. She says that people have been in and out all day.

I ask her to send a list of who donated so at least we can blanket thank you to all.

Flowers, stuffed animals and anything you could imagine for a baby is showing up.

Gloria was born before my awakening but she is reaping the benefits. The tv room is now wall to wall stuffed animals. I can almost smell her circuits burning. She is dive bombing the pile crashing into them. She is now, to our astonishment, wading through them on her legs. Pompa was filming her. Maribell can get up today so I have everyone come in to see her walk.

When she saw that the baby was there, she took to wing and hovered. Timidly she reached out and touched him. She looked to Maribell. Maribell said to her.

“This is your baby brother Kile.”

Gloria looks at him, “Brother?”

“He was just born so it will be quite a few months before he talks”

She flies off to the pile and brings a small animal.

“Brother” and smiles as she gives him her choice, then flies back to dive bombing and walking.

Harcourt is now calm enough so Maribell walks over to him.

“Want to hold your Grandson?”

He lovingly takes the baby into his arms. Looking at him he says,

“You are now my heir but more importantly you are my grandson.”

Before he could say anything more, Gloria flies up to him and says,

“Not grandson, brother”

Judith tells her. “He is your brother, not ours. To us and pompa. he is grandson. To DaDa and Mama he is son. Until other babies are born, only you can call him brother.”

“My brother?”

“Yes”

She is on the ground and, with a wing assist to keep from falling is running around “My brother My brother” over and over.

Then she runs to Rose and sits in her lap. Cuddles Rose’s belly and says to it. “I would like you to be like me. I only want one brother.”

Mouths are open and not a word is spoken. Is she talking to someone other than Rose?

It turns out that my wife Brenda has been keeping as supply of early pregnancy tests here as a just in case supply. Without a word she leads Rose away. In a while we hear screams coming from that area.

Rose comes out holding a plastic stick Judith and Maribell look at it and squeal. Rose walks over to me. I am numb, I know what that is. She gives me a long kiss and then says thank you.

Harcourt is looking back and forth but Devon says.

“You can’t help yourself, can you. That scene would be with the three of you in bed.”

He later had to explain about my wanting to be with them in a sealed cube when they pass. The problem is that Maribell and Rose have not been to the Devon mausoleum.

Brenda says that tomorrow, she wants to show everyone and propose something.

Brenda also wants to introduce Gloria to her namesake.

Today, there is one task that has been put to the side or should say to the cellar.

Our cellar was designed by Harcourt as with all the mansion. I lead the way, followed by the two grandfathers. Harcourt walks up to a wall looks at a small stone and says some words. A door opens to reveal a line of cells.

Draco goes to one and opens that outer door. There is an inner cell door. Made of bars so close that only fingers can get through. You could see that it was not meant for comfort. Big enough for a flush toilet and a cot. That cot is bolted to the floor and there is no access to the underneath. Actual walking area was two foot by four foot.

“How do you like the states?” I ask him.

“Why don’t you just kill me and get it over with?”

“Oh hell no, I told you that I would keep you alive. Death is too lenient for you. Aside from Jimmy, you are the stupidest man ever to live, I gave you a chance and you tried to kill me. Your family does not even know you. They are alive and doing very well. Your wife’s long time husband treats her and his children very kindly.”

That one got to him, he is going into a tirade.

“That’s my wife, my children.”

“No longer. You never existed. We even expunged your name from all records. No one to look for you. The remainder that were on that field were treated to what exactly is happening to you. With their being fully aware of who you are. They have been altered, reprogramed that they can never mention you, even in writing. Outwardly they will not show but their inner thoughts will know you, remember you and curse you for bringing this on them.”

I stand and old memories from Zorn flood in. I chant for a while. Devon and Harcourt are kneeling with their heads bowed.

When I finish, I ask them to stand.

“As emperor, you are my next, Devon you are his equal but for this time only I ask you, emperor, Do you understand what I just did?”

He only answered yes.

“Please explain to this one just what has happened to him.”

“You have been changed. You draw your substance through the air so you will never eat food again. You will not die, ever. You will not age. Any illness or injury will not kill you.

Jump off a cliff, throw yourself in front of a train, no matter how mangled you will suffer then return to as you are now. You cannot harm anyone. As you have realized, you no longer have a vocal language and you cannot read or write. You will recognize our kind and will prostrate yourself anytime you see one of us. You will within the day grow thick fur head to toe.”

Devon turns to me,

“This is the reason we are called demons. What has been done to him is, well your ruling. I don’t question it.”

“Take him to where the others are. The deep forest of the north west is where his kind lives.”

I look at the two, Zorn did this to those who tried to harm his family. Immortal and walking the forests and mountains of the world. Seen but never to be captured. He will join the legends. As it was in Zorn’s time, I will visit the oldest and ask that one if they wish to stay as they are, come back to normal or be released to just a normal life span, to be able to die.

“I allow you to flash him from here. Get one of my people to do this.”

He opens his phone and tell the person that they are to flash here for this time only.

The Connor man is taken out to the forest and turned loose. I went with him. After letting him go, I summon the oldest,

I yell, “I, the reborn Zorn call Kaled the elder to appear before me.”

It took an hour but a tall hairy being kneels before me in the company of the person who brought Connor here.

“You are in the presence of the one who sentenced you to this thousands of years ago. I have put another in this forest. As with tradition from times past, I now ask you, in front of this witness, what is your choice? Remove all the curse and you live again but as a normal, stay as you are or stay as you are but with mortality. You do not have the choice of me killing you. You may speak.”

Kaled asks to be left here but as a mortal. I grant his wish. He walks over to the nearby cliff and jumps off as we flash to my locked travel room. I thank my helper for his role as witness. His last job is to inform that Kaled chose mortality and of his own free will jumped. He bowed then flashed. Only then did I leave the room.

I sit with Harcourt and Devon. We are in my study and the door is locked.

“I am and will always be your son. My parents did not want me. You two are the best fathers a man could hope for. In private please stay that way. I need to say some things so please listen then I ask for both your guidance and advice.”

“Since I emerged as Zorn. I have had to do somethings that go contrary to the way I am normally. This whole Jimmy thing brought it to head. I realize that deep inside this was stirring. The factory that we were given, instead of trying to work it out, well we now sit where that town was. I threw it into their faces, people were hurt. Later, you asked me if I had demon blood. Remember that Devon. There have been other instances but when we started with England, things started to snowball. I let Jimmy live and it resulted in a lot of people being killed. I thought I was doing good but at every turn I found anger taking over. Devon you said it. This is why we are called demons.”

I fall silent

“Yes, we are demons,” Devon says “that is a fact that cannot be changed. Because of our nature, our nature will lead us down paths like this. You have done nothing but protect your family.”

Harcourt now speaks. “No matter how hard you try. No matter how solid are your fortifications, you can’t stop a lone gunman. Oswald, McVay James Earl Ray and a lot of others have shown that fact. It’s your answer to them that defines you. Are you going to just publicly shake your fist and say each time “this is the last time” but never follow through. You have shown the world that you will not tolerate this.”

Devon now continues,

“You have shown the world, and it is the first right step towards unification, that your first action was to take all those families under your protection and provide for them. You rebuilt the town, a hotel chain, you rebuild period. Those hard decisions are unfortunately part of your new life but so are Gloria and Kile. Rose’s child also. Your next steps will be critical to who you will be.”

“That’s just what I’m afraid of. There will be temptations to become a dictator. I saw that even this morning. That is what frightens me.”

Devon now looks me in the eye.

“Think of that speech you gave after the man took a bullet for you. That man was a human. Not a demon. You inspire people. Don’t let the fact that you are supreme go to your head. Those children of yours are your grounding rods. Anytime you feel that you are getting a big head, just picture a dirty diaper bomber striking. Nothing shrinks a big head more than a face full of diaper.”

“I ask one thing of both of you, stop me when you see that I need it.”

They agree and we get up. As I open the door, I do get a face full. I was distracted.

Devon goes to take her. I stop him. “I’ll face this alone.” And stoically walk down the hall as Brenda sees me with some shit on my face and laughs.

“She can put things in prospective, your majesty.” Laughing as she bows.

I change Gloria and tell her that I love her.

Changed she flies off but I’m frozen in place being enveloped by light. A werewolf approaches me and says

“You have done well my son, for you are my son. Those that raised you were the ones I put in place to get you to adulthood. I’m your father Zorn. You were born after your brother was killed and just a day before I fell. I sent you forward as a baby. I knew that there would be a time that we would rebuild the civilization.

It was the birth of Gloria that triggered the awakening. You know that she, Kile and Arron are going on to greatness. That is a fact that cannot be changed. You will lead them.

Your actions have greatly advanced that.

You will continue to lead with your heart on your sleeve but a sword on your belt and a ring of wisdom on your finger. That sword has been released from its captivity and will be with you shortly. Compassion with intolerance of injustice. Thank you for making my actions justified. Now you have to go. Your family is trying to wake you.”

With that I hear my name being screamed. I am in a seat and I hear crying but I also hear a giggle.

“Honey are you alright? Come back to us.”

I stand up and grab Gloria. “You know don’t you?”

She shouts Yes then says more clearly and succinctly,

“Grandma Gloria now.”

“Devon call for the limo. The family mausoleum is the place that I will tell you what I just had happen. Until then, I will not answer anyone but Gloria knows what happened don’t you my darling.”

She will not let go. I do not say a word. When we reach that building. I tell Gloria,

”Stay in mommy’s arms until we are inside. Once inside show them who is grandma Gloria.”

We all go to the door. Maribell and Kile are in a wheel chair. We approach the area where the door will appear. To everyone’s amazement, Gloria starts to talk what sounds like gibberish but the door appears and opens. She flies to the exact shelf that her grandma is and starts talking to her. The bed in which her body is laying shifts to the slightly tilted position. The front door closes. There are enough seats for everyone but Gloria stays where she is looking at her namesake.

Devon and Brenda are stunned when a voice they recognize as wife and mother speaks from the ledge. It was coming from Gloria the granddaughter.

“I have been granted this one time to talk. You all must know that Gloria is special but so are Kile and Arron. Brad has been visited by his father Zorn. What he tells you is to stay in here. Brenda, I’m so proud of what you have become. Brad thank you for this granddaughter. Darling, you have a very long time until we are reunited. I want your body next to mine both here and in the new world. I will be watching.”

With that Gloria comes down and falls asleep in pompa’s lap. No one can speak so I get up. This was all part of Zorn’s plan. I was born to his wife the day before he fell. He did not die of old age, he was killed. He told me that he knew that this was the time I needed to be here. He set me with caretakers. I was told that I will lead our three children into the good future. Rose I’m told that our child will be called Arron. He did not give a hint as to sex. The name can be used for both. He told me that I must lead with my heart on my sleeve but a sword in my hand and a ring on my finger. He did say that the sword has been released from its captivity and is making its way to me.”

That startles Devon. Handing off the sleeping Gloria, he goes over to his grandfather’s body. He picks up a sword that is resting on the top of the glass. He is frantically looking the glass over. He finds nothing. No break. Brenda is also frantic as Devon walks over carrying the sword as he would carry Gloria

Brenda exclaims

“What is happening! First Brad is in a trance, Gloria says we have to come here. Mom speaks through her. Now the sword. That was inside the box with him. Dad you always got a kick out of how he always carried that with reverence. He was the one that built this and invented the process of preservation. What is that sword doing outside?”

As Devon approached, the sword leaped into my hands and glowed. Out of my mouth now comes the voice I know. It is Zorn.

“The caretaker has released my sword to its rightful owner, my son. You all are here to witness this and my declaration. Devon Satten, your family line dates back to my most trusted companion. I entrusted the sword to him that it was to be passed down with the instruction that only the descendant that sword picked would possess it. Your grandfather was at the right time to keep it safe until Brad awoke. Also, it was to make sure Brenda and Brad were to meet.”

“Harcourt Granden, your family also traces back to my trusted advisor. Your line was preserved for that reason also. Back in a forgotten corner of your treasury, there is a ring. It will lead you to it. Go now, Gloria will not follow you.”

He flashes out then after a short time he returns with a very plain gold ring.

“Put that on Brad’s finger.”

He does and it glows,

“He now has the wisdom of the ages.”

“Finally, Rose. Named after a beautiful flower that has thorns to protect it. Your family also traces back to my most trusted general. After this child is born you will awaken. You are a felid. You have had adversities but you have always landed on your feet. You must go back to your home country. The aunt that you loved is holding the last piece. You and her will know it. With the three pieces in his possession, with his three wives by his side and his three children he will bring the lasting peace this planet needs so desperately.”

He leaves and I am back.

“I heard all he said. As he was leaving, he told me that he forgot. Maribell, you know that you are a lycanthrope. I was asked to relate that Kile will be even greater than me.

Harcourt, Devon you now realize that your roles as seconds to me date back to the beginning. Now do you accept that role?”

They take to the knee and both say they accept.

What I say next is from me.

“You now know why this had to take place here and now. That was your wife talking to you. That was the Zorn that gave us all the tasks we were born to. You see that this had to take place here among these dead as witness. Shortly we will need to expose all this to the world. There are forces gathering since we let it be known that we do exist. I will lead with a heart on my sleeve.”

Rose speaks

“My aunt has a broach that she said that her husband gave to her when they were married. It is a treasured family heirloom as he put it “from the beginning of time. The heart on your sleeve. You and I need to go there now.”

I try to hand off the sword to Devon but he could not handle it anymore.

“It must go with you. Your family there will know about it. We will make sure everyone gets home safely.”

After everyone leaves, including Gloria. The mausoleum is again closed up solid. She looks at me.

“I’m a felid?”

“That’s what the man said. You must be, you caught me.”

With that, we are now in that room.

“Before we go any further, I need to talk to the manager.”

We find him at the reception front desk.

“Do you have a moment?” I ask

He takes us into his office.

“As you must know, I’m of the demon clan. That is a label that we will be correcting with actions. We can travel in a flash. That’s why we need that room. I have my suspicion that you had some knowledge of that.”

He changes into a felid. “I got that impression your majesty.”

Rose is fascinated. We can tell that she wants to touch the ears. He lets her do just that.

She is enthralled and touches her own ears and closes her eyes.

I tell him that she has just learned that she is a felid but is not going to be allowed to change until she delivers.

“So, Arron is on its way. No one knows what sex it will be but our world knows. There is no mistaking it. The second you touched the sword and had the ring placed on your finger, we all knew that it is starting. Rose, we have had someone helping your aunt and keeping her safe. Wait, no way, she has the heart of Zorn. The rumor has always it was made from his actual heart after he died. His body was recovered and they found that his heart had been changed into a gem. That gem was crafted into a broach of sorts and passed down through his family. My god, it is close isn’t it. The feeling we all got with the two artifacts is going to be nothing compared with the unification of the three.”

He is in awe.

“I’m going to make you an offer. I would like you to take over the position that Kile held.

That would include the other hotels, the factory, and other future acquisitions. I do feel that we need holdings in Ireland and Scotland. I think over here the tourist trade is the most lucrative. I’ll leave you to think about it.”

“No need, I’ll take it especially now that you said that we will be concentrating on tourism.”

“Get a few from the plant and Collen from the labor board involved. I see us not buying but supporting small manufacturing. Corporate will act as bank. Your instincts as a felid, I can’t help myself, Your feelings will smell out the rats.”

He puffed out his chest and says, “Instincts can smell out what is a good investment. I would like my office here.”

I can feel the ring

“Renovate half the ground floor for office space Make three rooms your offices and the rest will be rented out. They will not be sold.”

He is watching me play with the ring.

“If the ring is telling you that, should I convert the rest of the floor into office space.?”

“Not yet.”

I use his computer to register him with the corporation and give him the autonomy that I gave Kile.

He received the letter and the breakdown as we left. He is having good trouble with what he is reading.

As I close his door, I tell him that he needs to tell all his employees here and fill them in.

“My advice to you, these people here are fully following what you want. Tell them that the future top promotions, will be offered to this flagship first.”

And we leave. Karl is outside waiting. Have to find out how the system works. There again, he said they all felt when two of the three were reunited. I will have to try to attune with the force.

Trying to get in the limo but people want to know about Kile. My people all want to see the ring and sword. They do not touch but they want to be able to pass down that they were there. I think to myself, wait a few hours.

“Karl,” I say, “not to sound sarcastic, but why do I feel I don’t have to tell you where to go.”

“Rose’s aunt it is. By the way the hot line is activated by thinking DNC.”

“What in the heck are you talking about? DNC?”

“Just think demon news channel.”

Sounds crazy but Rose and I try it. We suddenly hear about the sword and the ring have been reunited with their rightful owner. Special thanks to the Granden’s and the

Satten’s for their dedication over those long eons. It goes on for just a few more seconds. and it fades out.

Karl says, “It fades out. Now you are registered, news flashes come automatically.

When Kile was born it almost never faded. There was only a long silence this morning about you. Only the ripple of the two being together”

We made it to the aunt’s home. Sure enough there was a blip about me arriving at Rose’s aunt. Could this be the location of the heart? Then it faded. This is actually annoying. I may need to find a way for me to turn it off. I had a thought, so let’s try it. I think turn DNC off. I hear goodbye in my head. I rib Rose.

“I just thought turn off DNC and it did. She did and immediately she said,

“That was annoying. Social media in your head.”

We go into the house. Her aunt is a feisty old lady.

“Rose you haven’t been to see me in a while. Then I’m told that you married and just found out that you were pregnant. About time. This your man, handsome. Maybe I’ll lure him away.”

I hold out my hand and speak

“Brad Jenkins, Rose’s husband.”

Then she does something that was not expected. Standing there was a felid. Old yes but in a very alluring way. She looks at Rose.

“Your mother wanted to keep it from you to protect you. A shame that you have found out but can’t until you deliver. DNC. Old superstition. Worse that could happen is that you would have a litter. We have been informed that it won’t happen.”

She looks at me, winks and sashays away. Gone for only a few minutes, she returns with a box wrapped up in a cloth.

“I was given this as a wedding gift and was told of its origin. I don’t want to give it up. My husband gave it to me,” as she is tearing up. Then she shudders, stiffens up and says that it was hers until the rightful owner shows. She thrusts the box at me. I take it and untie the cloth. Before I open it, I tell her,

“I will have an exact copy made for you down to any wear marks and scuffs. The copy will be returned to you. Know one thing, both you and your husband will be remembered until time itself dies.”

As I opened the box, it was like the earth itself shook. There it was, the heart. I asked the aunt if she would pin it on my sleeve. She told me that once I laid eyes on it. She could never again touch it.

“Only Rose can now touch it other than you. You two are now one flesh. Only your wife Brenda can touch the sword and only Marabell can touch the ring. Rose pin it on his left sleeve.”

When she does the quake was of such force that it was felt around the world.

The aunt said, “Damned DNC, I wish I could turn it off. They get annoying.”

I tell her,

“Just think turn DNC off.”

She does and then says,

“I can die in peace without that in my head. I have fulfilled my role. I wish I knew if I will be reunited with him.”

I tell everyone to leave the home and guard the perimeter. I need to say something in private to her. I’m going to tell you something. I tell her how we were in the mausoleum and that Devon’s wife talked through our daughter. At the end of what she said she told her husband that he still had a long way to go but she will be waiting for him in the new world.

Then I felt something and let it happen. When I woke up, the aunt was crying and Rose was hugging her.

“These are happy tears. You blanked out and my uncle spoke to us. It was his voice.

He told her that now that her job was done, she could rest. When it was her time, he would personally come to get her. He said that he loves her and is proud that she got to be the one to finish the task. He told me that he wanted her body to be with his but don’t dig him up. Just put her on top.”

The aunt speaks “I knew it was real because he made the comment that he always enjoyed me being on top. Thank you, your majesty.”

She said she was tired and wanted to take a nap so we left. By the time we got back to the hotel. I received a call. Rose knew. I was told that the aunt had passed. They found out because she shouted “yes my darling”

Rose said,” She is gone. I knew from the way my uncle talked that he was on his way.

She is happy and so am I. I don’t think that I will ever cry for someone dear passing. I now know that it is another world that we go to and people are waiting. I saw it with Gloria a baby who can barely talk, talked in a voice that Devon and Brenda knew. You spoke in a voice that could only have been Zorn and now in my uncle’s voice. The final is that she said “yes, my darling.” Before you ask, it was in my mind. She said it to my uncle and I heard it like I was in the room. I saw them hand in hand then fade out.”

We had all the arrangements made, including the fact that she was to be placed directly on the husband’s coffin. For someone that wasn’t known until a few days ago. The turn

out was amazing. It wasn’t for the notoriety but for the respect of completing a task that spanned millennium.

I stood there and let those who knew her talk about her. When everyone was done. I spoke.

“I only knew her for a few hours. A feisty felid who charmed my heart. When is came time for her to give up the heart I now wear on my sleeve, she cried and said it was her marriage gift. She gave it to me and I told her I would make an exact copy. That will be made and it will be placed in a position of honor.”

Rose stepped up.

“While we were driving back to the hotel that day, I knew she left. I saw in my mind my uncle come and get her, they walked hand in hand to their new world. When it is my time, I have asked Brad to put that copy in my hand so I can give it to her.”

We stepped up to the open grave and each put a handful of dirt then threw the flowers that we had in. Each attending did the same buy the time the last person put in their handful, the diggers only had to replace the sod.

Her house is still in the same condition. Everything in the place it was. The only thing missing is the box and wrap. When they found her, she was clutching them. She still is. I made sure of that.

We returned home to the mansion. We need to take a vacation.