The Gathering (DR) Page 5

  "Okay," Daniel said. "So who can we get help from? Your mother?"

  Ash snorted. "You know where to find her?"

  "Um, no, I thought you . . ." Daniel looked my way again.

  I cleared my throat. "I was told our mother separated us because the St. Clouds would be looking for twins. She left me at a hospital in Portland, but she kept you. Raised you."

  "You heard wrong."

  "Oh." I paused. "So she aban--Left both of us?"

  "Abandoned. She abandoned both of us. You at the hospital as a baby, me with some so-called friends when I was five."

  "Oh."

  "Yeah, oh. I haven't seen her since and I don't want to now. If you're going after her, count me out. I'll suggest you save yourself the trip, though. She doesn't give a damn about either of us. Dumped us on strangers to save herself."

  I sat there, stunned. Then I said, "Is there anyone we can go to?"

  He stared at me, then laughed. "You guys really are spoiled rich kids, aren't you? When things go wrong, you don't have a clue how to save yourselves. Just run in circles looking for a grown-up to do it for you."

  "Does it look like we can't save ourselves? We're free, aren't we? But our parents think we're dead."

  "Good. Makes it easier to disappear. No one to come looking for you."

  "I don't want to disappear. I want my parents back."

  "Why? They sold you out."

  "I don't believe that."

  "Then you're not just a sheltered rich kid. You're a stupid one, too."

  Daniel cut in. "We also need help because the Cabals have our friends."

  "Then wish them well and start making new ones. They'll be fine. The St. Clouds and Nasts will take care of them. They're valuable future employees." Ash eased back on the bench. "Look. I came for my sister. I know how you guys grew up and I figure she's not going to last ten minutes on the street. I'm going to take her someplace safe. I didn't expect"--he waved at Daniel and Corey--"an entourage, but I suppose it's a package deal."

  "It is," I said. "But we're not running and hiding. We can't."

  "Maya can't," Daniel said. "There's a problem with skin-walkers after they start shifting."

  "What?"

  "One of the first subjects is the sister of the guy who gave me Cyril Mitchell's number," I said. "She's been shifting for a few years now and she's . . . brain damaged."

  "From the shifts?"

  "Maybe brain damaged isn't the right term. It's like she's becoming more . . . animal. All she cares about is eating and sleeping and running around the woods. Now I'm starting to shift, and . . ."

  "You've noticed changes?"

  "No," Daniel said. "But it's only been a week and Rafe told her it took awhile with Annie. If Maya starts reverting like that, we can't exactly take her to a hospital and ask them to fix it. We need help from the people who did this to us."

  "And how the hell are you going to get that? Ask nicely?"

  Silence. This was the part we hadn't worked out. Hadn't dared discuss.

  I spoke first. "Ideally, we'd find someone who worked for the project--a scientist or a doctor--who has either left the St. Clouds or is willing to work against them. Which sounds like Cyril Mitchell."

  "Yeah, it does. Which means you're shit outta luck. I'm not even sure he could have helped. This is . . ." A look crossed Ash's face. Something like fear. "Big."

  "It's huge," Daniel said. "And I'm not letting it happen to Maya."

  "So how are you going to stop it, benandanti? Put all their scientists in choke holds and use your power to persuade them to help?"

  "If I have to. The better option, though . . ." He took a deep breath. "Is a truce."

  "What?" Ash laughed and shook his head. "You really don't know anything about Cabals, do you?"

  "No, but I'm hoping you'll fill us in. I do believe, however, that under the right circumstances, a truce is possible. For that, though, we need our parents--not because we want Mommy and Daddy to hold our hands, but because these people won't take our demands seriously. We're just kids. We need to get to our parents and let them know what's happened. Yes, maybe some joined the project voluntarily, but they didn't sign up so their kids could be taken away. If they know the truth, they can use it. Threats. Blackmail. Whatever it takes. Get the Cabals to help us on our terms."

  Ash looked me in the eye. "This stuff about the girl. Annie. You've met her?"

  "I have."

  "Could she have been faking it? Maybe her and her brother set this up so you'd think you need a Cabal's help?"

  I shook my head. "It was real. She's regressing, and it's . . ." I swallowed. "I can't imagine it."

  "Fine," he said. "We'll try it your way. It won't work, but I can tell you're not going to believe that until you've given it a shot."

  TEN

  ASH DIDN'T GET A whole lot more pleasant after that. He insisted he'd come to rescue me, but acted like I'd found him--against his will--and now I was clinging like a burr, tenacious and irritating.

  When we finished eating, he wanted to find a spot to hole up for the night.

  "We need to stake out a good place now," he said. "Before it's dark. Otherwise, all the good spots will be taken."

  "We found one the night before last," I said. "We can just go back--"

  "Never use the same spot twice. Not when you're running."

  He seemed to have some experience with this. A lot of experience? I looked down at his tattered sneakers. I had a feeling he didn't live with those "so-called friends" of our mother anymore.

  "So where do street people live in this city?" he said. He shook his head. "Why am I asking you? Hell, this is Canada. The great socialist nation to the north. You guys don't even have homeless people, I bet."

  "We have them, unfortunately," I said as calmly as I could.

  "Guess socialism isn't really working out for you, huh?"

  "Canada is a democracy. That means we're not a socialist country or a communist country or a--"

  "We have homelessness and we have gangs," Daniel cut in. "Both of which could be an issue in finding a place to spend the night. You're right, though. We have no idea where to look for a spot. We're going to need to rely on you for that."

  I cleared my throat. "Actually, there are a few dozen homeless living here in the park. Long-term campers deep in the woods. When Vancouver had that big windstorm in 2006, they had to go looking for the homeless people, make sure they were all accounted for. Dad came over to help with some other rangers."

  "Make sure they were accounted for?" Ash said. "What? They keep a roster, check in on them from time to time?"

  "The park management knows they're there. They aren't hurting anyone, so no one bothers them."

  Ash shook his head as if this, too, was clearly the sign of a backward nation.

  I said, "As long as we get deep enough in the woods and don't bother them, we can stay here for the night."

  And I'd really like to stay in the forest, if I can. But I didn't say that. I had a feeling it would make him decide to stay anyplace but here.

  "We should," Daniel said. "It makes sense. We're not going to need to worry about gangs in here."

  "All right," Ash said. "Find a spot."

  As we headed into the woods, Ash just followed along, glancing from side to side, as if he expected wolves to leap out.

  Earlier, he'd seemed perfectly comfortable climbing trees. Adept at it. And as long as we'd kept to the edge of the forest, he'd been fine. But Stanley Park is bigger than New York's Central Park. As we got in deeper, leaving the sounds of the city behind, he grew even more tense and quiet.

  "You okay?" I said when he jumped at a sparrow hopping through a bed of needles.

  "'Course," he snapped. "Just paying attention. Someone has to."

  Corey nodded. "You never know. That sparrow could have had an Uzi hidden--"

  Daniel elbowed him to silence. Ash fell back, scuffling along, until we got far enough in. He caught up then. He didn't join o
ur conversation, but did stay close as we continued moving through the woods.

  We found a decent place. As Daniel and I cleared twigs and brush for sleeping spots, Corey and Ash stood off to the side. Ash watched us, as if daring us to ask him to help. We didn't. Corey seemed not to have noticed what we were doing. He was staring out into the forest, lost in thought.

  I leaned over to Daniel as we both bent for the same rock. "You should probably talk to Corey about the vision thing."

  "I was just going to say the same to you." Daniel took the rock and motioned for me to follow him a few steps away. "You're the one he told about them in the first place."

  "Only because--"

  "He didn't want to worry me. I know. But while I think that might have been part of it, it's partly just . . . It's not about boxing or girls or cars. Not something he wants to talk to a guy about. Having visions? Way outside his comfort zone. Too . . ."

  "Touchy-feely mystical?"

  "Exactly. For that, he'd rather talk to you. Like I'd tease him or something." He rolled his eyes.

  "I'm more likely to tease him. But okay. Let me give it a shot."

  "Thanks." He glanced over at Ash. "Speaking of comfort zones, I think your brother finds it easier talking to me. Is there anything I can ask him for you?"

  I shook my head. "There's plenty I want to know, but I need to ask myself. When I think he might actually answer. Which could be never."

  "Don't let it get to you."

  "I'm not."

  "Liar."

  I smiled, shook my head, and walked over to Corey.

  Daniel was partly right. Corey was really uncomfortable with his newfound powers. But I'm not sure talking to me helped. Everyone else seemed to have physical powers. His was mental. Corey was really better with the physical. It didn't help that his came with the most serious side-effect of all--debilitating headaches. He felt ripped off.

  "I think it's just a transition period," I said. "You're coming into your powers, and the headaches are a sign of that. Once it develops properly, they'll go away."

  "Or not."

  "Maybe if we do get you a crystal ball, that would help."

  "Thanks."

  "You know I'm teasing."

  "Yeah, and I also know I'm being a brat. I just . . . I don't . . . I don't understand it. What's happening. It doesn't feel . . ." He glanced over. "It doesn't feel like me. Changing into a cougar fits you--you're a nature freak. Being an evil-hunting warrior fits Daniel. Sam, too. Being mermaids or whatever fits Hayley and Nicole. But this . . . it doesn't fit me."

  "There may be more to it," I said. "Parts we don't know about. No one else just has one power. We need to find out exactly what you are."

  He was quiet for a moment, then said, "I think I might know more. I . . ." He glanced over to where Daniel was trying to engage Ash in small talk. "He should hear this. Daniel, I mean. I guess there's no way of doing that without him overhearing." A pointed look at Ash. "But if he makes a crack--any crack--I'll deck him. Brother or not."

  "No argument here. He's not exactly Mr. Congeniality."

  "No kidding. I think we're going to need a DNA test to prove you two are related."

  "I'll take that as a compliment."

  ELEVEN

  WE WERE BACK AT the "campsite," which was just a sheltered clearing with an empty spot that should have held a campfire, except that we had nothing to start one.

  When Corey announced he had something to tell Daniel and me, Ash decided to take a walk. I would like to think he was being polite, but he probably just didn't want to sit through a boring personal conversation.

  "I know what I am," Corey said. "I looked up those two words you guys saw on that paper with skin-walker and benandanti. I had to guess at spellings, but I eventually got a hit."

  Daniel caught my look and gave an abashed nod. We hadn't even thought of that. The words had been blocked when we looked them up in Salmon Creek. That should have been the first thing we researched at the library.

  "I'm sorry," I said. "We should have done that."

  Corey looked confused. "Why? Finding the right term for what I am is hardly a priority. It's not like looking up something that's supposed to be real. Whatever we find on the web is just stories. Like with you guys. I looked up you both, too. Daniel's supposed to be fighting for the olive crops. I bet you don't even know where the nearest olive crop is."

  "No idea," Daniel said.

  "And Maya? You're supposed to be an evil witch." He paused. "Well, they got that part right."

  I pitched a pebble at him.

  "Hey, I was nice to you earlier. Gotta balance it out. Point is, I looked up sileni and xana. Hayley and Nicole are xana, which is a really obscure kind of Spanish mermaid-siren cross. A blond water spirit that sings. I couldn't find much on them. But apparently, they have some kind of evil-fighting skills themselves. You know how sirens are supposed to drive guys crazy with their singing? Well, xana can do that, too, but only to folks who deserve it." He paused. "Which means I really gotta be a lot nicer to Hayley."

  "Good idea," I said. "So that makes you a sileni, then. Which is . . . ?"

  He poked a stick at the dirt, like he was prodding an imaginary campfire. It took a moment before he said, "You know what a satyr is?"

  "Um, a guy who's half goat?"

  He glowered at me.

  "What?" I said. "It is, isn't it? Centaur is part horse. Faun is part deer. Satyr is--"

  "It's a lie. They were confused with some Roman monsters when the Romans and Greeks started hanging out together. The real Greek satyrs were followers of Dionysus. They looked human."

  "Dionysus," I said. "God of wine, women, and song. You know, when you said you didn't fit your type--"

  "Yeah, yeah. So okay, these satyrs liked to run around, drinking and chasing women and playing some kind of harmonica. Their leader was a guy named Silenus, who had visions of the future."

  "Ah . . ."

  "He was a minor god," Corey said. "He taught Dionysus."

  "Like Chiron and Achilles."

  "Huh?"

  "Oh, right. You slept through Greek and Roman mythology. You said you didn't need to know it because it wasn't applicable to your life. Guess you were wrong, huh?"

  Daniel chuckled.

  "So Silenus was a minor deity," I said. "What's the connection to you?"

  "It's complicated. You remember those long stories we had to write in English last year? Mr. Parks accused me of having constancy errors?"

  "Continuity errors," I said.

  "Whatever. It wasn't a big deal."

  "Your characters changed names. More than once."

  "Only by a few letters," he said. "Anyway, obviously Parks never read myths. Those guys were zinging out continuity errors all the time. Sometimes Silenus was one guy and sometimes sileni was a word used for all his followers."

  "It's the influence of other cultures. Plus regional difference and the impact of oral storytelling."

  "Was that an exam answer you memorized?" He shook his head. "No one likes a keener, Maya. Stuff the commentary or I'll call your brother back."

  "I heard that," said a voice from the woods.

  "Yeah?" Corey called back. "You know how to avoid hearing things you don't want to? Don't eavesdrop."

  "Hard to do when you have super hearing," Ash said as he stepped into the clearing.

  "Also hard to do when you won't go very far, in case that Uzi-toting sparrow finds you."

  Ash flipped him off and strolled back to the "campfire," taking his time, so we wouldn't make the mistake of thinking he wanted to join us.

  "Yeah, you're a sileni," Ash said as he lowered himself onto a log.

  "You knew?" Corey said. "Thanks for the 411."

  "You never asked."

  "I'm asking now, then. What else can you tell me?"

  Ash shrugged. "Nothing, really. I know what benandanti, xana, and sileni are, but it doesn't have anything to do with me, so I didn't see the point in studyi
ng up. You're supposed to see visions, which I guess you do. That's your main power. That and charm."

  "Charm?"

  Another shrug. "Like benandanti have the power of persuasion, sileni have the power of charm. People like them. Doesn't seem as if that one kicked in yet. Maybe someday."

  "Hey, I've got charm. It just works better on chicks." He glanced at me. "Right?"

  I arched my brows.

  "Not you," he said. "I mean chicks I actually like."

  Daniel sputtered as my brows went higher.

  Corey glared at both of us. "You know what I mean."

  "Yes," I said. "Speaking purely from an observational standpoint, you have your charms. Particularly with girls who've been drinking or whose sense of judgment is otherwise impaired. Which probably comes from the satyr angle."

  "Very funny. What happened to wanting to make me feel better about this whole vision thing?"

  "That was before I discovered you're a Greek god. I don't think you get to feel bad about that."

  "Greek god?" He smiled. "I kinda am, aren't I?"

  "Great," Daniel muttered. "His ego really needed that."

  "A minor Greek god," I said. "Very minor. Possibly with a horse tail. Or goat legs."

  Corey reached over to thump me in the arm and I ducked away, laughing.

  I could see Ash getting ready to leave again, so I turned to him. "Is there anything else you can tell us? About any of the types?"

  He shrugged. "Probably not. Depends on what you already know."

  I could just ask him to tell us everything he did, but I had a feeling that the more specific our questions were, the more likely he was to answer. Lengthy discourses weren't his style. Yet another reason to wonder if we really were related after all.

  "Can we tell you what we know and you can help us fill in the blanks?" I asked.

  "Guess so."

  His tone suggested he'd really rather not, but he'd agreed, so I plowed forward before he changed his mind.

  According to Ash, Project Phoenix hadn't attempted to resurrect four extinct supernatural types. It had tried for six. Two had been a complete bust, though, as far as anyone could tell, which is why they weren't on Mina Lee's list. As for what those two types were, Ash didn't know. It didn't concern him.