Knights v Hunters; The Return

Gabe organised his children and Nate to conduct a very friendly, but very undercover house-by house search in Knight town. He could have done with more bodies to conduct the search, but he didn’t trust anyone else right now, not even Seth!

“Since our tracking abilities relating to Noah have obviously been compromised, we have to use our other abilities to conduct this search. Some of you are Sensors; Nate, you have abilities as a Seer which you haven’t fully developed yet, but are more than capable of harnessing. Use your abilities where you can. Grace and I will also be doing the rounds. We know it’s going to take quite a bit of time, but until we find an easier, quicker solution, that is how we will proceed. Let me know if you find something or if you’re in trouble. We have to obviously use our communication devices. Nate, please ensure that our devices are only open to us.”

Nate confirmed that it was so as he and the rest of Gabe’s children dispersed.

“What’s coming our way, Gabe?” Grace asked, looking into her husband’s worried face.

“Nothing good,” Gabe confirmed. “We’re going to be attacked by our own kind and I need to find out why and who else is involved. Noah can’t be the only Knight from this town who is betraying us.”

“The Hunters were kind to help us,” Grace stated.

“Yes, it’s more than I could have expected and I don’t think that we gave them any information that they couldn’t have found out on their own, with time, in any case. I think that is the last bit of help that we will get from them though.”

“Because they’re preparing to defend themselves as well?” Grace asked.

“Yes and if Jude is half the leader I know him to be, then he will protect his compound first and foremost.”

Grace stood outside her home with her husband, surveying the town that spanned out before them. This was the only home she had known, the only place where she had felt safe. The Guardians had protected their town for centuries and now, even they were being defeated by something so sinister that it would change all their lives.

Grace turned to her husband, her blonde hair flying in the strong wind that had built up, and took his face in her hands.

“Whatever happens my love, I want you to know that I have no regrets when it comes to us. I couldn’t have wished for a better husband, a better life.”

Gabe placed his hands on his top of his wife’s. “What is this, a goodbye speech?” he asked puzzled.

Grace smiled. “No, this is “in case I get too busy to let you know” speech. I’m proud of you, Gabriel. You’re the leader that will save the Knights, of that, I have no doubt.”

“I would give up leadership of the Knights if it meant that my family and the rest of the Knights could be safe. I would give up everything for you, Gracie,” he said, tucking a stray strand of his wife’s hair behind her ear.

“I would never ask you to. You were born for this role, I just don’t want you to die because of it,” she cried.

Gabe wrapped his wife in his arms. Something more than what was happening now, was troubling his wife. He knew that she would share it with him when she was ready, but what if they didn’t have time? Grace was a Seer and whatever she was processing now was instilling great fear in her.

“Gabe, can I ask you a favour, without you asking me the reason?” When Gabe nodded, Grace continued, “can you give the Guardians an instruction? I think that it will save us when the time comes.” Grace leant in close to her husband and whispered in his ear. Gabe was taken aback by her request, but he wordlessly agreed. There was no one in this world that he trusted more than his wife.

Caleb wandered restlessly through the Hunter compound, Rafe barely able to keep up with him. “Hey, wait up! What’s going on?” Rafe asked.

“I don’t like the fact that we are about to have uninvited guests in our compound and we don’t even know why. We need to track Mrs Ginello, find out who else is on her team and stop them before they can get to us.”

“Nothing I would like more, but Dad is right. We are stronger together,” Rafe argued.

“Yeah? Rafe, I refuse to hide here within the compound whilst the condemned Untouchables plot against us. We’re better than that!”

They argued back and forth for over an hour and eventually Rafe conceded defeat. Caleb had made several valid arguments, all of which aligned with their beliefs. Maybe they should have a serious discussion with their father and Ethan.

They found the two senior Hunters in the control room, monitoring the situation unfolding in the Normal world. Jude sensed his sons before he saw them, knew that they were going to ask something of him that he would be reluctant to give.

Rafe was the first to speak. “Dad, we’ve listened to you and Uncle Ethan these past few days and have no doubt that your assessments are correct. However, Caleb and I feel that our time would best be served back in New York. We want to track Mrs Ginello more, find out what and who we are up against.”

Ethan started to protest, but Jude held up his hand, asking Ethan to allow Rafe to continue. Instead, Caleb picked up the argument, “It’s never been our nature to sit and wait, Dad. When our backs were against the wall, Hunters have always gone on the offensive and we have always won. Rafe and I can add more value by going out there and doing what we have always believed in.”

Jude looked at both his sons. This was not an easy decision because he wanted them both close if anything happened in the compound, but they were correct. Hunters were known for their bravery and fortitude; sitting back and waiting was not part of their fabric. However, if anything happened to his boys, Ava would never forgive him! He turned to Ethan who seemed to understand exactly what was going through his mind and merely shrugged in resignation.

“Okay,” Jude agreed. “Ethan and I will tell you exactly what we need you to do. You will be on high alert at all times, you will not engage with the Normals beyond what is expected and you will keep a safe following distance from the Untouchables.”

Rafe and Caleb sighed in relief, but there were more instructions to follow. “Becca will join you,” Ethan added. “She has completely healed and she wants to get involved and Caleb, you and her make a formidable pair of Trackers. Rafe, we need you to get a full check-up from Ava before you leave the compound. You seemed a bit off in early training and we want to ensure that you are strong enough to leave.”

Rafe was taken aback, unaware that he had been so closely watched during training, but then again not surprised that Ethan had picked up on his initial sluggishness. Between his father and Ethan, they barely missed much. He agreed to the check-up, knowing that his mother was stricter than any Healer he had ever met and that she would be more cautious knowing that he was going out to track the Untouchables.

Ava shone a light into Rafe’s eyes. He reared back in pain initially before recovering. “Did that hurt?” she asked in surprise.

“Just a bit. Think it’s the after-effects of the migraine I had,” Rafe responded.

“That was weeks ago and the first migraine you’ve had in your life. Have you been stressed recently? You haven’t said anything, but you look it.”

“Mom, I’m fine. I just want to put an end to this episode with the Untouchables.”

“I know, son. As do all of us, but I can’t pass you if I think that you’re not fit enough. You could not only place your life in danger, but Caleb’s and Becca’s as well. Now, I gather you and Eden are no longer together. Is that going to serve as a distraction when you are out of the compound?”

Rafe took a deep breath. “I’d rather not talk about that, Mom. If I didn’t feel well, I wouldn’t take a chance out there, but I’m fine. My focus is back, I’ve been better in training and my instincts are sharp. Trust me!”

Ava closed her eyes for a second. She wanted to believe him, but knew that broken hearts didn’t heal quickly and Rafe, who had been so careful with his own, would not easily get over the love of his life. And yet, she knew that her sons would protect each other and Rafe and Caleb worked better together than on their own. She would write her report as a Healer and not as Rafe’s mother.

Caleb was not surprised that his brother had passed his check-up, but he knew that he would have to keep an eye on him during this mission. Ethan had given them the green light to leave in two days and to utilise the apartment that they had leased when working on their last mission. Rafe had the distinct feeling that they would not be able to avoid Detective Peck, but Caleb mentioned that they didn’t have time to pretend to be going to NYU or to even help the detectives on any cases unless it was in their own interest. On their last mission, they had run into Detectives Peck and Channing, two of the NYPD’s finest and had assisted them in apprehending Gage McCall, one of the Untouchables who was targeting former Knights together with his partner Roan Gentry. The Hunters had taken a liking to the two detectives who had believed their cover story of being students at NYU, who happened to live in the same building as Detective Lena Peck. However, after the Hunters had eliminated McCall and Gentry, they had to leave New York due to Becca’s injuries, but the unexplained deaths of the two Untouchables as well as their crew right outside the police station in which McCall was being held, had led to an internal affairs investigation. The two detectives and their Captain had been suspended. Now Rafe and Caleb had to ensure that they kept their interactions with the detectives to a minimum, since they had an important mission of their own.

Back in Knight town, Gabe’s children had made steady progress visiting the homes of several Knights. They hadn’t found anything suspicious and had picked up no sign of Noah thus far. Matthew and Josh had run into Seth several times and instinct had guided them not to apprise the Elder of their task, although they were under no illusion that he knew exactly what was going on. Nonetheless, Seth had let them continue on their way each time, a wry smile on his face.

Nate and Kyra had also made several visits to the other Knights. Kyra discovered that Nate had excellent sensory and tracking abilities, very much like Matthew. He had, on occasion, informed her when a house they planned to visit would be empty and where the occupants currently where, allowing Kyra and Eden time to conduct a thorough, albeit illegal, search of the house. It was during one of these searches of an unoccupied house belonging to Jeb, a Knight aged almost forty years old and currently out on a mission, that Eden stumbled upon incriminating evidence in his bathroom cabinet. She immediately relayed the information to her father who asked that they vacate Jeb’s premises as soon as possible.

“What was it?” Nate asked Eden.

Eden turned around, ensuring that no one was within earshot as they continued to walk down the street.

“Jeb had about eight vials of rosemary extract in his bathroom cabinet,” Eden whispered.

“Enough to kill about a hundred Knights!” Nate exclaimed. Although harmless to Normals, rosemary was a poisonous, largely lethal substance to the Knights.

“Exactly. My father has ordered a Guardian to watch Jeb’s house. I’m sure that he’ll be home soon so then we can see what he gets up to without him knowing that we’re on to him. We couldn’t sense Noah in the house though, so if he is in Knight town, he isn’t in Jeb’s house,” Eden said.

“Let me find out who are Jeb’s friends and others he closely associates with,” Nate volunteered. Eden agreed. “I’m sure that we can identify a few more corrupt Knights within that lot.”

Eden and Kyra continued their “visits”, now more alert than before. Soon they would meet up with their brothers and compare notes during their break. Eden had the feeling that they were getting closer to learning more about Noah’s whereabouts.

Grace had returned early from the searches because Dina had called her, desperate for an ear. The plea in Dina’s voice was evident and despite the need to comb Knight town as quickly and thoroughly as possible, Grace had to leave Gabe alone to continue, with the excuse that an old friend needed her. The thing that Grace loved most about Gabe was that he trusted her implicitly and didn’t question her when she needed to leave. Grace smiled as she switched on the kettle, whilst awaiting the arrival of Dina.

Five minutes later, Dina knocked on the kitchen door and Grace noticed the lines of worry on the older woman’s face. “Come in, Dina. I’m just making us some tea,” she said, as she led Dina into the warmth of the kitchen. Dina smiled nervously as she took a seat at the table and waited for Grace to pour their tea.

Grace seated herself opposite Dina and waited for her to start the conversation.

“I’m sorry to have disturbed you, Grace. I know how busy both you and Gabe are with everything that has happened recently. Now you have to listen to the rantings of an old woman.”

Grace waved her off. “You know I always have time for you, Dina. Now what do you want to rant about?” she asked with a smile, trying to make Dina more comfortable, for the older woman was becoming more nervous by the minute.

Dina seemed to take a deep breath before she started to speak. “Grace, I know that what’s happened in Knight town with Noah and the Guardians being killed has got everyone in a tailspin, especially the Council, which might be the sole reason that Seth has been acting so strange lately,” Dina began.

Grace knew that Seth’s behaviour could also be attributed to learning that his son Lucas was no more, but she didn’t want to interject just yet.

“It’s just that his behaviour has escalated over the last few weeks. I mean, I told you how he isolated himself when Lucas was banished. He planted a tree in our garden in his memory; they were so close, whereas Lucas and I just never connected in the same manner. Anyway, in the last few weeks, Seth has spent a lot of time alone sitting in the garden. At times, I swear I’ve heard him talk to that tree like he used to talk to Lucas!

I’ve also heard him outside our window a few times, talking to other Knights when he assumes I’m asleep in bed. I’ve heard them mentioning Noah’s name several times, as well as the names of others, who I believe may be members of the Untouchables. At first I thought that they were trying to impose their own justice on Noah, try other ways of finding him, possibly without Gabe or the Council’s permission, which would be against the rules, but recently, I’m not so sure.”

“Did you recognise the other Knights who were with Seth in the garden?” Grace asked, a bad feeling flowing through her.

“One of them was Jeb. You know he has that distinct raspy voice? Well, I would recognise it anywhere. The other Knight was a bit more difficult to identify – I can’t remember hearing that voice before, which is odd since I know just about everybody in Knight town.”

“Anything you could discern about that voice?” Grace asked, hoping that she could identify it through Dina’s description.

“Well, it was a very strong voice and it sounded like that of someone who was used to being in charge. Even Seth stopped to listen to what that Knight was saying. I sensed a level of respect between them. I initially thought that it could have been Gabe, but there was something in that voice which didn’t match that of Gabe’s,” Dina recounted.

“What was it?” Grace asked curiously.

“It sounded cold, scarily so. Gabe’s warmth is conveyed when he speaks. I know that sounds strange,” Dina apologised.

“No, no that makes sense. You have always been very instinctual, so I trust your view on this. Dina,” Grace paused, realising the sensitivity of what she was about to ask, “you said you weren’t sure anymore that Seth and the other Knights were seeking their own vengeance on Noah. What do you think now?”

Tears welled in Dina’s eyes and she shook her head, as if to infuse courage into her. “Grace, I heard them last night again. They were talking about a Blocker that they knew well and who could help them with something. You know that other than Gabe, we haven’t had any Blockers in Knight town for decades, which means that they could only be referring to an Untouchable or a former Knight. And why would they assume that this Blocker would help them now?”

“What are you saying, Dina?” Grace asked, wanting the woman to say the words that had brought her here, for she wouldn’t approach Gabe with mere supposition.

“Oh God, Grace, I fear that Seth is behind what has happened in Knight town!”

Eden caught up with Kyra and her brothers a few hours later. She was frustrated that they had not found anything else since searching Jeb’s house and standing outside their town hall, she felt overcome by a sadness she didn’t want to acknowledge. She shook it off and placed a smile on her face as Kyra spoke. “Nate said that he has been unable to find anything more about Jeb. Apparently, apart from his engagements on his missions, he kept largely to himself. His family is all but gone now. He has a sister here but they don’t seem to be very close.”

Josh shook his head. “Maybe his friends actually live outside Knight town. That could explain why he is involved in this.”

“Maybe,” Matthew agreed. “The Guardians at the gate will let Father know as soon as Jeb comes through. Maybe then we’ll get some answers.” Matthew suddenly stopped talking and tried to focus on what his senses were telling him. He turned to Eden. “Is anyone using the town hall today?”

“No, it hasn’t been used in weeks, not since the Council meeting with the Elders where Father exposed Noah. Why?” Eden asked curiously. She could see the look in Matthew’s eyes, see that he was analysing something, mentally searching, scenting.

“I don’t know, maybe I’m just tired,” Matthew responded. “Just hearing things, that’s all.”

Eden knew that Matthew rarely just heard things. His focus was amazing, just like Rafe. “Don’t discount it. What did you hear?”

“Something rustling. Could just be a rat,” he reasoned.

“Is it coming from within town hall?” Josh asked as Matthew nodded. “Well, since we’re on a break, we might as well check it out,” he said, already walking into the building, his siblings following closely behind.

The town hall was frequently used for large-scale meetings with the Knights. It was also generally the venue for the meetings with the Elders, although recently, the Elders had taken to meeting at each other’s homes. Today, the hall was expectedly quiet. The siblings quickly searched the rooms, noting that everything was as it should be. They met again at the back of the hall, each shaking their heads, indicating that they had not found anything suspicious.

“Told you I was hearing things,” Matthew joked as they made to leave, but Josh held out his hand, effectively silencing them.

“I don’t think that you’re hearing things,” he exclaimed. “Did you hear that?” They all paused, trying to not even breathe as they listened. “That’s definitely a rustling sound!”

“I heard that too,” Matthew said, “but where could it be coming from? The rooms are all clear and I definitely didn’t see any rats up here?”

“Maybe it’s coming from the basement,” Eden said. They all turned to look at her. They had forgotten about the basement. No one had been down there in years.

“Worth a look,” Josh said, as they all headed towards the basement. When they approached the basement door at the back of the town hall, they realised that the door was locked. This was unusual. Nothing in Knight town was ever locked up.

“Father didn’t mention that the basement was in use,” Matthew said, trying the door again. “Think he’ll forgive us if I break the door?”

“Let’s call him first, okay?” Kyra asked, already a bit spooked.

“Good idea,” Eden said, taking out her communicator. A quick call to Gabe revealed that the basement shouldn’t be in use, but he didn’t discount the possibility that the Elders could have commandeered it for their own purposes.

Eden ended her call. “Father said to proceed with caution, but you have permission to break the door down, Matthew. He will explain if any explanation is required.”

“Yeah well, maybe someone should explain why the basement is locked in the first place,” Josh grumbled, standing back from the door. “I don’t hear any sounds anymore,” he said.

Matthew had placed his hand on the door and closed his eyes. Eden could see that he was deep in concentration. He had definitely felt something again.

“Matt….,” she began, but was interrupted when he beckoned her to the door and taking her hand, he placed it against the door as well.

“Close your eyes and feel,” he instructed. Eden did just that, closing herself off to everything else around her, including Josh and Kyra.

Seconds later, she opened her eyes in shock. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked in wonderment.

“What do you think you felt?” Matthew asked.

Eden swallowed. “It felt like a faint pulse. That’s impossible, right?”

Kyra stiffened beside her brother. “Could it be a rat?” she whispered. Kyra hated rats.

Matthew responded. “It’s definitely a pulse and you’re right, it’s very faint. Someone or something is down there.”

“We need to break this door down,” Josh said. “Need some help?” he asked his brother. Matthew shook his head, raised his foot and kicked in the door. It gave way on the second kick and Matthew stepped in, switching the light on as he went. The basement, lit up, looked just as abandoned as the rest of town hall. Matthew hesitated on the top step, trying to sense if anything was out of place. The basement was clean, devoid of boxes or any collection of junk.

“Go down,” Eden said as Matthew was blocking them from descending as well. Matthew ran down the steps, Eden close behind him. Gabe’s children spread out in the basement, Kyra a bit squeamish at the thought of running into any rats.

“Eden,” Matthew said, “I don’t see anything here, but I definitely can hear a faint heartbeat.” Eden walked towards Matthew. She also heard it, but there was nothing around them. “Wait,” Matthew said, “there’s a door under the staircase!” He tried the handle, to find that it was another locked door. He kicked in the door again and it gave way easily this time. He took a second to adjust to the dark, the room too small for him to get in easily. He beckoned Eden forward for she could fit in easier.

Eden had just stepped into the room when a rat ran past her, shocking her into emitting a squeal. “Don’t you dare laugh!” she warned her brother. She moved further into the small room, the smell of dust heavy on her nostrils, when she saw what seemed to be a figure huddled in the corner. She whispered for Matthew to join her, which he did, having to almost bend in half to be able to manoeuvre in the too-small room.

Matthew and Eden approached the figure in the corner, both of them on high alert. As they neared, they noticed that the seated figure seemed to be that of a man, although they couldn’t be sure because the face was covered with a pillowcase. Eden was shocked. Who was this? Who would do this? The man’s hands were tied up, raised above his head, the rope loose enough though. As Eden made to untie the rope, Matthew pulled her hands away. She turned towards him, a question in her eyes. He pointed to the rope and she looked closer. It was covered in a green substance. Rosemary! she realised. The ropes were tied loose deliberately. If this man had tried to pull against the ropes, he would pierce his skin, thus allowing the poisonous herbal extract to enter his system, effectively killing him if left untreated, but only if he was a Knight. She looked at his wrists – it looked un-bruised.

Matthew quickly took of his T-shirt, protecting his hands with it as he untied the ropes from the man’s hands. The man slid sideways, obviously unconscious.

Behind them, they heard Josh and Kyra crawl into the room, Josh uttering a curse as his head hit the ceiling. “What’s going on?” he asked, coming to a standstill as they saw the man. “Who is that?”

“We don’t know yet,” Matthew responded as he felt the man’s pulse. “Whoever he is, he isn’t in good shape.” Matthew looked at Eden and she nodded, as he gently removed the pillowcase from the man’s face. They all reared back in shock.

“Oh, Matthew,” Eden cried as she recognised the man. He looked gaunt, possibly twenty pounds lighter, but his features were unmistakable. She looked at Kyra who had tears in her eyes. “Kyra, call Father and let him know that we found Noah!”

Gabe knew that his home was empty before he even entered it, which puzzled him, because Grace was supposed to be there. She wouldn’t have left to join the search again, without letting him know. He walked out, just as his communicator buzzed. It was Kyra.

He answered as he walked towards Seth’s home. He knew that Grace had left early because Dina wanted to speak to her. Maybe Grace had gone to Dina’s home instead? “Hi Kyra, everything okay?” he asked, hearing her laboured breathing before she even replied.

“Father, you have to come to the town hall urgently. We’re down in the basement,” Kyra said. “We’re with Noah!”

Gabe changed direction and raced towards the town hall. By this time, Josh and Matthew had carried Noah from the basement into the hallway. They looked at their father as he bent over Noah.

“He’s still breathing, but he’s unconscious. We have to get him to a Healer fast,” Matthew said.

“Call Nate, Kyra. His father’s a Healer and will treat this confidentially. We’ll take Noah over there. Josh, bring our car around, son,” Gabe instructed his son.

While Josh ran to fetch their car, Gabe looked Noah over. He had lost a considerable amount of weight and looked extremely weak.

“You know what this means, don’t you?” Gabe asked his children. “Noah has probably been kept here since his ’supposed” escape and whoever took him, made it seem as if he was responsible for murdering the Guardians. Noah hasn’t been behind the fraud in Knight town, but someone sure made it seem like it was him.”

They carried him to their car and drove him a short distance to Nate’s home where his father Michael was there to meet them. A quick examination by Michael revealed that Noah was severely dehydrated, probably starved and he had a few broken ribs that had not healed well.

“Michael,” Gabe pulled aside the Healer. “I need you to keep this between us. No one is to know that Noah has been found and is with you.” Michael nodded in agreement. “Do what you can to bring him around quickly. I need to talk to him urgently, because I think that us locating him, has just given the true betrayers sufficient warning to flee!”

“I’ll try,” Michael said, “but he really isn’t in good shape. A month of near starvation accompanied by water deprivation and several beatings, has incapacitated him.”

Gabe nodded and told Michael to do what he could. He called his children and Nate outside, to discuss their next moves. “The Guardians will inform me of all movements into and out of Knight town. I suspect that the Knights involved in this mess will want to leave in a hurry. Nate, stay here with your father, guard Noah and let me know when he comes around. Eden, Matthew, I need you both to go to Seth’s home and find your mother. I think that she was on her way to see Dina. Josh, Kyra, come with me, I want to check a few homes close to the town hall. Whoever held Noah captive, had to have lived close enough to come and go without any suspicion.”

Eden and Matthew made their way to Seth’s home. “Did Seth say anything when you ran into him today?” Matthew asked his sister.

“Nothing beyond asking us how we were doing. He seemed to be busy with something, but I think that he knew what we were up to. Why?” Eden asked curiously.

“Just curious,” Matthew said as they ran up the driveway to Seth’s home. They knocked on the front door several times, but there was no answer. “Let’s try the back door,” Matthew suggested, because the two women often met in the kitchens of each other’s homes. There was no answer at the back door either and he sensed that there was no life in the house.

“Open it,” Eden suggested. Matthew did just that and he called out for both Dina and his mother as he entered the kitchen. Eden spotted something in the lounge as she proceeded through the kitchen. Dina!

“Dina,” she called as she approached the older woman. Dina sat with her head back against the sofa, her eyes closed as if in deep sleep, but Eden knew better. She knelt next to her and held Dina’s hand. “She’s cold,” Eden said through her tears. “I think that she’s been gone for a while. Oh, Dina!”

“How could this have happened?” Matthew asked, rifling his hand through his hair, while looking around the room. There was a cup of tea in the table next to Dina. He picked it up, smelt it, and then understood. “She’s been poisoned,” he told his sister. Meanwhile, Eden was starting to put together pieces of the puzzle.

“Seth,” she whispered.

“I’ll call Father,” Matthew volunteered. Eden heard her brother inform her father of Dina’s passing, but she also heard Gabe’s agitated voice on the other end, which was unusual for her father. She stood up, waiting for Matthew to convey whatever he had heard. Matthew ended the call, the blood seeming to have drained from his face. “Father says that he just received a call from the Guardians. Seth passed through not long ago with Mom. Eden, I think Seth has kidnapped Mom and taken her into the world of the Normals!”