“Go on, shoo! Get lost! Git!”

That stupid coyote is sitting right on the road, in broad daylight. Anyone passing by will notice him. And they’ll get suspicious. And that won’t be good for me. Anything out of the ordinary that will attract the guards’ attention will not be good for me. And everyone knows the coyotes are with the police. So go away!

“If you going to stalk me, do it from the tree line, you dolt. I won’t forgive you if you mess up my operation. I’ll… I’ll make winter coat out of you!”

I would never do that. But he doesn’t know that. But he’s been watching me long enough to know I have the skill to do so if I wanted to. And that includes hunting the pelt’s owner first.

“I’m not afraid of you! Don’t make me come over there.” I cross my arms.

The annoying thing squints its eyes but takes the hint and backs away into the shadows of the trees nearby. Good. Let’s get this operation started.

Oh wait! Kara always gives her operations cool names. What should I call this one? Hm… Operation Godfather. Since I’m going to be spying on a mobster. It’s perfect! Okay, now I’m ready.

I’m standing beside a tall grey brick wall. The first barrier. Down the road, not far from my position, is a large iron gate with two men with machine guns at either side. There’s no going in that way. Not that I was planning on it. Someone like me doesn’t need to.

Accessing the Spiritual Energy in my core is as easy as breathing. While telling it what to do still takes some concentration, my Master says I’m a natural talent and I’m already years beyond my peers. Hmph, take that you rich brats. I took a good look at that evil boy at the funeral, and my reserves are already a whole third bigger than his.

Of course, no one can know that. I lightly tap the jewel hanging on the invisible and unbreakable chain around my neck. An eighth of my power is used at all times to keep this activated. Even while sleeping. I doubt that brat can activate his abilities when he’s asleep. Even most adults can’t do that.

The Jewel comes from… the place where Ma lives. It can’t be interfered with or detected by any powers. Well, not powers from this world. You would need something from the Other Realm to even detect it.

It completely hides my Aura, my Spiritual Energy, and even my very presence should I want it to, making me invisible without being transparent. So obviously I’m going to activate that power here.

As for this wall? Baba says I’m too thin, but it’s difficult to fly when you’re too heavy. I can feel the energy in my core churning pleasantly. It only takes me a moment to find the right frequency, and when I do, up I go!

I’m a little wobbly but that’s okay, Master says once I understand the nature of wind better, I’ll be able to soar smoothly.

Indeed, I can already feel the difference between the air around me I breathe- the air that is still, and the breeze that flows past me, never stopping. The air that travels the world, and sustains the world, and the air that remains, and sustains me.

They’re different. They feel different, smell different, taste different, they are separate and also one.

Oh? I’m a little steadier now. Good thing too. I allow myself to drop onto the top of the wall and take a good look around. It’s a large, white, sprawling, building, built in the standard Mediterranean style with dark brown Tuscan tiled roofing. It’s a good thing I bought that map.

I slip off the edge and land lightly on the ground. I’m on the other side. A hundred and fifty or so feet in ahead of me is a tall dark copper coloured metal fence, the second perimeter. There’s another gate further down from me, aligned with the iron gate from before. It has two more heavily armed guards. You get through that, and you reach the front of the building, with the multi-car garage to the right.

Like before, I’m not going in that way. I wasn’t invited, after all.

This fencing is close, each metal bar is only a couple inches apart, and on the top of the fence are sharp spikes. I could hop over it again, but I don’t feel like it. I’m not worried about the spikes- I just don’t feel like it. Mhm. Besides, I’m not far from the guards, and even if they can’t see or Sense me, doesn’t mean they can’t hear me. Or, smell me, depending on their species.

It’ll use up a bit of juice, but that’s fine. I shrink myself down until I’m no taller than the grass they need to mow more often. Then I walk on through, between the closest two bars. Once I’m across I let myself grow back. Shrinking has always been a strange feeling to me. I’ve never gotten used to it. Even though it’s one that should feel the most natural.

Oh well. I’m in the main area now. Alright! Now, according to the map the head honcho’s main office is on the west side of the building. Time to go.

Getting past the thick brick walls and metal gates wasn’t as hard as it should’ve been. This is a mob family’s compound. But I guess I can’t judge them too harshly, not everyone has skills like mine. Which is probably a good thing for society. I use my gifts responsibly. But not everyone does.

It also wasn’t difficult to find the main study of ol’ Frank, this is why it’s imperative to do proper research and information gathering before an operation. Yup. This seems like the place that any secret mob in-family fights would happen. This is where it happens in the movies, at least. Those can’t be wrong.

Best part is I have a good view of the multi-car garage from here. So when they return from the Interment ceremony, I’ll-

Ah! And they’re back, there’s the limo. One of the guards with the biggest machine gun is waving them through. It looks army grade. This is so exciting! It’s like I’m in a real mystery novel. Just wait until I tell Kara everything, she’s going to be so proud of me.

They’re entering the house now. There’s three of them, Frank, Freddy, and um… that’s Rodney’s coach, the Instructor, who was on the T.V segment. He found the body. What was his name? Mr. Javier, that was it. So he’s part of the fam, huh? I guess he does look a bit Italian. Maybe.

I guess he doesn’t have to be Italian, he just needs to be, well, one of those Selkies. Seal People. He could be from one of the Scottish tribes instead. An immigrant of sorts, like me. Either way, he’s in with the mob.

Peeking carefully into the room, it looks pretty fancy. The walling is dark wood paneling, with actual slats, and one wall is all grey wood bookshelves, the other has… my gosh, those look like seal skins.

Blessed All Spirit!

Well, that’s one way to keep your men in line. Guess they can’t rebel when your boss holds the key to your Shifting. Um, or those could… be trophies. Ooh, there’s another shiver.

The wall farthest from me has the door and some ancient looking sea maps, and there’s a large desk in front of the window I’m looking through. Behind the desk, facing it, almost in the centre of the room, is a large dark green couch that looks a little stiff.

There’s also a small wine bar in the left corner.

It’s a fairly standard office I’d say, if a bit on the fancy side.

I hear, and see the beginning of, the door to the room opening and I quickly squat down. Yikes! I figured they would end up here, but it looks like they went straight for the office. Sheesh. Give a girl a little warning next time, won’t you? Even if they can’t see me, I still need to be careful. You never fully know what can happen.

Man, my heart is pounding. I hope it’s not as loud as it seems to be to me.

They’re still over by the entrance, and all I can hear right now is a muffled argument. Oh wow, how juicy! Okay, they’ve shuffled into the room now.

CRASH!

Eep! Wh-what was that? It sounded like a glass or something. This is getting heated.

“Watch your words!”

That sounds like the voice of the Instructor, Javier. I recognize it from the T.V segment where he was featured.

“Shut the fuck up, Tony!”

So it’s Instructor Tony Javier. If that’s his real name. In the movies mobsters always use nicknames, after all!

“Let the man talk.”

That voice, like something right out of mob hit movie, is for sure Frank’s. He didn’t speak at the funeral, but I can tell. He’s got that distinctive mobster lilt. That typical slow, tension building, rough voice.

“You dare get mad at me for being late to the Interment? I was kicking those shadowy fuckers outta there. You really wanted to save face and let them down there? After what they did? You shouldn’t have let them step foot there.”

“Supposedly did. And now they know we know, so thanks for that, you moron.”

Ooh, boss Frank isn’t happy with him.

“What ‘supposed?’ Your informant told you she saw-”

“That’s not how I want this handled. You’ve made it difficult to move later. Now they’re cautious.”

“Difficult? Are you for real, brother? The fuck is that about, you heartless bastard! This is about Rodney. This isn’t about you and your schemes. Do you even fucking care?”

“Watch it!”

“What? How am I wrong, Tony? You didn’t make it to any competitions or birthdays for the last five years, but hey, at least you found time to attend his funeral. Good job, pat yourself on the back, why don’cha? I was half expecting you to skip out on this too!”

“Freddy! That’s enough!”

“No! You butt outta this. And you, you got him involved in your stupid crap and then you couldn’t be assed to stick around to protect him. His death is on you!”

CRASH!

Wow that was… a lot more information that I was expecting to get out of this. That angry Freddy man said he was late to the Interment because he was kicking out those shadowy… um… baddies. Shadows? Where did I hear that before?

Kara! She warned to be careful of shadows. Oh dear, but I haven’t been, have I? I’ve been so busy and got distracted by that Coyote Clan stalker. I need to start paying attention. So there are shadows involved in this somehow… Is there a power like that? I’ve heard stories but I’ll have to research this more. I’ve never heard of such a Clan or Tribe living here. Could it be one of those Hidden Clans? Oh my, how fascinating.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Are you done?”

Hoo boy, Frank really doesn’t sound too pleased. But he’s still calm, all things considered. In movies it’s not usually good if guys like this are calm, though. I hope Freddy makes it out of this. I don’t really want to witness a murder. I just want to solve one.

“Yeah, I’m done. I’m fucking done with you. I want out. We never should have gotten involved in this deal. Who are we even helping? It was all for nothing! And you never should have used child fucking soldiers.”

“Enough of this! You think he doesn’t know that?”

“I want out, brother!”

“Get out, then. The door is there.”

“My Lord-”

“Silence.”

I hear a door slam nearly off it’s hinges. Then nothing. And then a very deep sigh.

“If you told him what was really happening, what was at stake, he wouldn’t be so-”

“It wouldn’t change anything. Would just paint a target on his back. He’s too soft. It’d be like shooting a sack of wool. There wouldn’t be enough stuffing left to burn and bury.” There’s a tapping sound, like from a pen. I guess this guy has a habit similar to my daddy’s. That’s… not comforting. “Did those two get my messages?”

“…Yes, sir. They were received. But we received no response as of yet.”

“Che. Those two worthless bastards didn’t even come back for their own brother’s funeral. I’ve been too soft.”

“They’re both very busy-”

“No more calling. Order Francesca back. I need her here.”

“Sir, what if she doesn’t want to come?”

“If she won’t fulfil her duty then you can inform her that she is no longer my daughter. And your next call can be to Yves. I’ll need to redo my will.”

“But you already lost one child-”

“Irrelevant. And order that kid Rocco to get his damn suit back already. That whore of his has held on to it long enough. He needs to come back, too.”

“He doesn’t seem to mind her having-”

“He’s a useless twat without it. And a lazy little shit even with it on. Cut off his allowance completely. And inform his debtors of his current residence. He’ll come back. And his whore will leave him.”

“He seems pretty serious about-”

“Not my problem. Once you’ve settled all of that, contact the Balancer.”

That Tony guy makes a sharp intake of breath at that. Why is that so shocking? What’s a Balancer anyways? Is that some mobster lingo? Ooh, I should write that down. Um, later. Write it down later, Chayla. Now is certainly not the time.

This Frank… he doesn’t seem to be a good father. His daughter doesn’t want to come back for whatever reason, his son… seems unreliable, and it seems he didn’t give Rodney the attention a father should give his child. But there’s a problem with the siblings, too, if they didn’t even come back for their own brother’s funeral like he said. What a troubled family. Ah, I really love Baba right now.

I guess all that dysfunction comes with the territory of living a life of crime. That’s sad.

“You can’t be serious. I know you’re hurting, but Himura’s only children are still, well, children!”

“So what? He should have considered that before. Rodney was thirteen. His kids are the same age. It’s balanced just fine. My boy was just a child, too, and that bastard still killed him. Since he likes killing kids so much, he can have a taste of it. Hell, he even sent his own son to do his dirty work instead of dirtying his hands himself. So what if his son is child, too. If he’s old enough to kill, then he’s old enough to die. And he will die. Call the Balancer. The hit is for Yoru Himura.”

“This… this will start a Blood War.”

Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Mr. Romano is ordering a hit on a child. That’s what Balancer means? His kid was killed by this… Himura… so now he’s going to kill Himura’s child in retaliation? Is this the dark ages? Ai. So that Japanese man from the funeral and his son, that gave me those bad vibes…

Himura is the last name, so this Mr. Himura had his son kill Rodney for him? Ah! I solved it. I knew it was the right choice, coming here. Now all I need is to gather evidence. But how am I supposed to do that if they kill the murderer? Don’t they want justice? Is this their justice? That makes sense. They are a mobsters. It all makes sense.

No it doesn’t! What do I do? Even if that boy killed someone, he’s still a child, and everyone deserves a fair trial. But I guess this is the world of adults, so what do I know? Telling my daddy wouldn’t do any good. I’d have to confess to everything. I can’t betray Kara again.

Oh. This… Kara must have felt like this too. Knowing a terrible secret and not being able to say anything. Poor Kara. We really failed her. This is such a terrible feeling.

Oh that’s right, I can tell Kara. That’s perfect, she’s so smart, she’ll know what to do. I might be good in school but this kind of thing, oh, I really don’t know what to do at all.

Ah, Frank Romano is laughing now. It’s a scary laugh. I’m getting chills.

“Himura started the Blood War when he spilt my son’s blood. It’s already begun. Unfortunately for him, it isn’t one he will win.” He pauses. “That reminds me, I hear our little informant is in a bad situation right about now, herself. Seems those old fogies are going to start a Blood War of their own. That long hidden clan will resurface, then. Then, send word to Tribe Nine. Tell them whatever they’re planning, I want in.”

“Fighting on two fronts… will it be alright?”

“Two? Come now, we’re fighting on three, friend. Or have you not noticed the signs? Besides, if I’m right, they will all converge in the end.”

“I’ve… noticed some things. Is it really the-”

“Shh. Yes, I believe it is. You know what that Owens told me today? That shithead didn’t even bother attending the service, he just ambushed me on the way to my car. I hate Hunters.”

“What did he say?”

“Told me when he rescued our little informant from one of the Traitors, he caught a glimpse of a White. Bastard was fishing for information. Like I would tell him anything.”

“A White…? What do you m- wait, spirit? Impossible! They can’t descend.”

“Don’t. Won’t. Shouldn’t. Not ‘can’t.’”

“My Lord, just… what in the hells is happening?”

“Don’t you read, Tony? It’s just as the Ancient Diviner foretold. From the old stories from the First Era. All the mentioned signs are there. Here. The current Era is ending. Something new approaches.”

Whoa. So cool! A real White Spirit descended in Ashvale? Here of all places? Those are Holy! And what was that about an Ancient Diviner? I never heard any stories like that. Was my Baba holding out on me? Or does the Romano family just know more… that’s… probably it.

Hmph. Well, I don’t believe he knows more than the library. Seems I have a lot of research to do. My slump is finally over!

“What’s going to happen? How will this one End? Not another Advent? Or an Apocalypse? But those were only theorized-”

“Maybe both. Maybe neither. But I intend to be a part of it. And that girl is a key.”

“Then, ten years ago-”

“Yes, it had already started then. Before then, even. We’re late to the party.”

“That poor child. Just what will happen to her? I heard that after we left the Meeting-”

“She will die.”

“Gods!”

Their informant seems to be in ill health. They keep saying ‘girl’ so it must be a young person. Maybe a college student? And she’s super important apparently, a key to something. But she’s destined to die. How sad… but wow, I wish I knew who they were talking about.

At least I know one of my theories was right. All those connected things on Kara’s Wall of Conspiracy seemed to point to some big change happening. Something bad. This seems to confirm that is true.

To think Kara was able to discover this before even these high-level Bosses… she’s so amazing! I mean, she didn’t seem to know what that all meant but that was because of her amnesia. She would have totally figured it out if her mind wasn’t messed with.

Frank Romano chuckles again. “Don’t worry too much. Like the last time, I doubt it will stick. Don’t forget who her parents are. Such troublesome tribes. And she has the blood of both. There’s a reason those senile Third Eye leaders won’t cease suppressing their resurgence, despite the Vow. I can’t say they’re completely in the wrong. But I can’t stand on their side this time.”

“To think I would live to see such a thing…”

“To that end, Tony, call the Fisherman as well.”

More mobster lingo. Kara is going to love this.

“The Fisherman? What do you need him to find for you?”

“Tell him to fish around for anything regarding Kara Lowe, as well as her parents Dana Lowe, and Thomas Kelsey, from the last decade. Her father has most likely been using an alias. We don’t know enough about them. The Elders were fools to leave them alone. Too much is unaccounted for. There’s a missing piece to all of this. I bet it’s there somewhere, in their past. Besides, I want to give our little informant a worthy gift after her generous contribution.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That will be all for now.”

“I will… get started.”

The door shuts again, much quieter this time. But my mind is reeling.

Kara… is the little informant? That means Kara… is the person who will die? Again!? And she’s the key? To what, exactly? And her father… is that man?

Thomas… Kelsey. Oh dear.

Holy Spirits, bless me. And I thought the rumours about her mother were bad.

“Are you still there, little rat?”

My blood runs full cold. Ice. Oh. Oh no. I’ve been discovered. How? I was so careful. With my powers I shouldn’t be able to be Sensed!

He hasn’t moved from his seat. He’s just talking to me through the window?

“Do you want me to call my men?”

“No! Please. I’m sorry.”

He laughs again. There’s no humour in it. “You’re a friend of hers, right?”

“Of- of Kara?” I can barely breathe.

How does he know that? Ah, of course he does, he seems to know a lot of things. Even that man, the Hunter named Owens, wanted information from him. My father said of everyone is this city, I should stay away from that Hunter the most.

“That’s right.”

“I am. Or I- I’m trying to be.” Is he going to kill me?

“Tell her to stop by for a visit when she’s… free.”

“Sorry?” A message? For his informant, who is Kara? He’s letting me go? But I’m a trespasser, that’s illegal! Ah, but he’s a criminal. Maybe he doesn’t care, then?

No of course he cares! Chayla you idiot.

I don’t understand. “If- if you knew I was here, why did you let me listen to-”

“You should leave now. The hounds will be making their rounds soon. You’ve got about five minutes. Friend of Kara’s or not, I won’t be calling them back.”

“You… I’m trespasser, and you’re letting me go?”

“I won’t stop you from leaving. Whether you’re able to… that is up to you.”

Then I do hear him get up from his chair. A large shadow briefly covers me as he passes by the window. Then I hear the door close and lock. And then nothing. No alarms. No shouts.

But I do hear faint barking.

I run.

There’s no time to spare on flight or shrinking, both of which will slow me down. He said five minutes, but mobsters lie all the time! It’s their job. Maybe he cares I’m Kara’s friend, but why should he leave me be after this? Just to send a message? If he wants to see her so badly, he has a million other ways to get her there or send any message he wants.

I’m expendable.

The best power to use right now is that. Oh, but I really don’t like it. And I’ll feel so sick tomorrow. And Master said I’m not quite ready for sustained uses. But those do not sound like normal dogs.

Finding the right frequency for this spell is more difficult. And the metal bars are coming up fast. And the dogs even faster. Focus now, if this goes wrong, you’ll be Lost.

I can tell it worked when my vision immediately is showing me two worlds, one on top of the other, but slightly askew, like that one piece of paper in a stack that doesn’t want to fall in line no matter how many times you tap it or shuffle them all.

One of the worlds looks normal, what I see every day. But the other one is… off. Its normal appearance is deceiving, and if you look close enough, you notice the subtle differences. But I can’t look too closely. That would mean death.

A person’s eyes aren’t meant to see both at once, a person’s brain is not meant to process both at once, and a person’s body is not meant to be in both at once… most people’s feet should not touch this Other Realm at all.

My eyes are spilling tears, my brain is being stabbed with a million tiny needles, and my feet burn with each step I take, because this is unnatural. Both worlds are trying to tear me back across to one side, and the barrier wants to split me in two.

This second world is always overlapped with ours. This is the universe as it really is. As it has been for ten thousand years. But the barrier holds firm. When on one side, you can see only that side, interact with only that side, there is always one side and another. Intersected but separate. Traversing so casually is not possible.

But not impossible for me. Barely. I’m still not strong enough to cross over. Even just this… I’m still too weak to go see her… Ma, you’re still so far from me.

But just this much is enough. For now. While treading the barrier between Earth and Pangea you are neither here nor there. My feet leave no dents in the grass, no noise in the wind. The air won’t hold my scent. I am not here. I am not there.

And I can walk through walls. That’s the important part.

I phase through the metal bars like they’re merely an illusion, and head towards the grey brick wall. Not long after a pass I hear wicked snarls and a grating, scraping sound made from sharp teeth biting iron.

I turn back just before passing through the wall and see a Cerberus! There is no way they have a permit for a three headed dog! I’m telling my daddy.

Ah, no, I can’t tell him. Oh my, he would be furious.

As soon as I’m through the wall I undo the spell immediately. The pull from Pangea was becoming far too strong, I was almost Lost, and the longer I’m present there, fully or not, the higher the chances of attracting and/or encountering a Daemon.

That… would not end well. And if I ended up accidentally causing a breach here in town… not even Master could save me then.

But I lived and that didn’t happen, so it’s fine, right?

Yeah, it’s fine. Sheesh, let’s dig my bike out of the ravine and get out of here.

Hm?

“What are you looking at? Got something to say?” I place my hands on my hips.

That stupid coyote is sitting out in the road again. It probably left the trees the second I passed the wall the first time. Even though I told him not to. Rude!

“You’re not a good listener.”

Again, it squints its eyes and retreats to the tree line. Bah! As if I’m trusting you again.

Not that I ever did. But that’s not the point.

I grab my bike and head home, checking behind me more often than I need to for mere traffic, half convinced a three headed dog, or an angry Romano will appear there.

But they don’t, and I make it home in time for dinner with Baba.

And I don’t tell him anything at all.

I really am an ungrateful child.