Chapter 10

It had been almost six solid months since the Sahara, Jack noted as he stared at the flip calendar by his arm.

Wow, didn’t feel that long.

Jack drummed his fingers on his desk. The door opened in another second and he smiled the special kind of grin he always had in stock for Marc. ‘How you doing, loser?’

Marc cocked his eyebrows and sneered back. ‘Fine as hell, wanker.’

‘Take a seat then.’ Jack motioned him to the plush chair before his desk.

Marc sat quickly.

‘So what’s the ore quality in shaft 13?’ Jack shot his wheeled chair over to the bar fridge that sat next to his desk. He opened it and pulled out two beers – throwing one to Marc.

Marc caught it deftly. ‘Alright.’ He took a swig.

‘That’s a glowing assessment – is that really why I hired your sorry arse?’

‘You didn’t have to hire my sorry arse – I already worked for Knights.’

‘Oh yeah. So you up for snooker later?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’

Jack chuckled and took a hearty sip of his own beer. It was amazing really, how much their relationship had changed since the ‘incident’. Jack had been ready to throttle Marc all through those six weeks on the run with Levanah – he had absolutely convinced himself that he hated the guy.

But then a funny thing happened. When they made it back to the ‘real’ world and assumed their ordinary lives…. Well Jack had started to realise Marc wasn’t all that bad.

What was that saying about friendships being forged in fire? Well it was something like that – after a while they had found that their insane adventure had forced them together. No one else, save Thompson and Levanah, really knew what they’d been through.

And an adventure like that changes you – it really does. Jack, for one, realised that he had been living in the shadow of his father for too long… that he had been conjuring a monster from the darkness where one did not exist. His whole life he had run away from Knights, not because he didn’t have what it took, or desire to keep his father’s company running – but because he had been too frightened to try. His father had left some mighty large shoes to fill after all.

Jack could only guess how the adventure had changed Marc. He seemed more mellow for one though – that danger and confusion was gone from his eyes. He was enjoying his life – enjoying his job.

So despite all their lingering hatred… somehow they had become friends. It was awkward at first – but eventually they both realised that true friends share experiences – and being chased around the world by a powerful organisation was one hell of an experience.

But the teasing would never stop. Jack always assured himself that Marc just needed to know how much of an idiot he was.

One other thing, maybe, had changed. One other obstacle had shifted out of their path. One petite, beautiful ex rogue.

Jack wasn’t about to lie – he’d found Levanah attractive beyond measure. But it quickly became clear to him that she didn’t feel the same way. For a while he had dreaded she would choose Marc instead – but even he came up empty handed.

Was she saving herself for Torre, for when he got out of prison?

Nope. Levanah had turned Jack down because she liked ‘older men’. For the past five months she had been dating none other than Thompson.

Though it was still kinda painful, Jack had to admit they made an appropriate couple. Two hardened warriors used to the pain of solitude…

He was kind of old for her though, right?

Well she didn’t think so and that was all that mattered.

Marc leant forward in his chair. ‘What are you thinking about,’ he waved a hand around, ‘your face has gone all ugly. I mean more ugly than before.’

Jack laughed. ‘Don’t worry – the women will still adore my money.’

Marc laughed as he took another swig. ‘You were thinking about Levanah weren’t you?’

‘Maybe I was.’

‘Well I’m sure she’s happy – she’s a Master after all. I reckon they have it pretty good.’

‘Yeah.’ Jack still couldn’t quite get his head around that – Levanah, a Master. Of course there had been an opening after Dar… In a way it kind of suited her though, her experiences had made her much, much older than her years.

Still she had her work cut out for her. The Sect was still in a state. And they had to find a way back into the good books of the world’s governments. But with Levanah at the helm she was sure to change their policies – make them less of a burden, keep the Sect’s true purpose alive.

‘I imagine she’s sunning it up in the White House write now-‘

‘Not a lot of sun in the White House,’ Jack interjected.

‘Well they’ve left a window open. Anyway, I’m sure she’s negotiating some new deal – something fair, something responsible. With her at the helm I think the Sect will be safe for now.’

‘You know what,’ Jack placed his beer onto his desk and cast his eyes out of the window, ‘I think you’re right. But you’re still an idiot.’

Three years later….

Marie Dominique was starting her first day of training to become a nun for the Sect. She was excited and couldn’t stop curling her frizzy black plaits through her fingers.

She looked around at all the other children – some older than her, some younger. They all mirrored he own feelings – they were all fidgeting around and talking in hushed whispers.

This would be it – from now on they would be trained to use Sigils.

Marie rocked back and forth on her heels, the long hem of her robe brushing against her dark black skin.

It was cold here in Italy – far colder than it had been in the Congo…. Because apparently that’s where she’d come from before. They’d told her that one day her hazy memories would return, but for now she had to concentrate on bringing her power under control.

Marie sucked in a breath as Father Preston strode into the hall. He had been talking to one of the Masters in the doorway – Master Levanah. For some reason she kept on smiling Marie’s way…. And Marie had a funny feeling they knew each other.

But she couldn’t concentrate on that now – she had to learn to control her power just like they’d told her to. She was here to protect witches apparently – to do that she need to learn to be the best possible agent. She was a witch too so she had to do everything she could to protect her own kind.

Apparently lots of things had been changing in the Sect recently – they said that some of the most important old traditions had been replaced. Now everybody knew what they were doing here – which made Marie happy. She hated being confused or lied to.

Master Levanah smiled at her one last time before retreating back through the door way. If Marie did really know the Master, and how cool would that be, then one day she would remember.

She just had to give it time.

THE END