Truth Behind the Mask Page 3

  Pagan wandered over to where the coin spun on the pavement. She flinched at the heat from the car that licked at her skin. She halted the coin’s twirling by putting a foot on it, then picked it up and held it in her small hand. The head and tail sides were visible in the light from the fire. She started to walk toward the car.

  “Daddy, what’s this? Daddy? Mommy?” she called, stepping closer to the car. She was intent on reaching her parents, giving no thought to the danger. She didn’t know why her parents weren’t answering her, why they weren’t cautioning her away from the fire. So she figured it was all right and just kept on heading toward them.

  The car exploded with a furious roar. The blast threw Pagan across the road, cracking her skull against the pavement where she came to land, knocking her out cold.

  When she came to, she was left with the barest minimum of hearing in both ears. The force of the explosion had shattered her tiny eardrums and rendered her deaf. The coin had still been clutched in her hand, another tangible memento.

  For Pagan, that night had brought about many changes with each loss she had endured. Her parents had been killed; their family restaurant had been destroyed. The coin became just one more souvenir left from that fateful night. Both she and Melina had vowed to find Phoenix and his gang and avenge their parents’ deaths, no matter how long or what it took to gain justice. It shaped their whole lives and those they touched.

  “Hey, what’s got your attention so bad?” Rogue asked, coming to stand beside Pagan and looking down at where she had been staring for so long.

  “Just remembering stuff,” Pagan replied with a soft shrug.

  Rogue was still for a moment, then nodded. “Remembering is good, but I need you to put that on pause for a moment while we go see what’s happening down on Cater Street. Word’s coming in of a disturbance down there. The police have already been dispatched.” Rogue put a hand on Pagan’s arm. “You up for it?”

  “It’s what I was born to do.” Shaking off the memories of the past, Pagan brought her attention back to the present. She took off behind the agile Rogue as they ran for the edge of the building and dove over it with silent stealth, ready to face whatever the city had in store for them that night.

  Chapter Three

  The Past…

  The headquarters to the Vigilante Council were hidden deep within the bowels of Chastilian. Ironically, it was nestled underneath the city’s police department and accessed from a tunnel leading from the building next door. The innocuous tailor’s shop had beneath its floors a whole series of tunnels that branched out across the city, many left over from the modernization of the sewer system. The Council Chamber had dark gray walls lined with crumbling statues striking heroic poses and dominating the corridor leading to the main meeting hall. Red lights illuminated each figure in a blood-red glow, casting shadows on the walls behind them, making them appear larger than life. Rogue Ronchetti walked down the hallway with a tempered arrogance. She knew every inch of this hallway, from the light fixtures to the less-than-tasteful decorations. She personally had had the Council wired for every intrusion, be it an eavesdropping device or an actual physical break-in. She was the best at her job. The Council knew it, and false modesty aside, Rogue knew it too. She was twenty years old, her body honed from the martial arts training she performed every night. She purposely threw off a brooding air that kept most people distant. She tried to smooth down her unruly curls. If I could just tame these blasted curls I would be much happier, she thought as she toured the long corridor. She drew to a halt as she passed a photograph, newly hung and draped in black, of Alexis and Camillin Osborne, founders of the Sentinels. She shook her head as she remembered her father breaking the news of their death to her. Reagan Ronchetti was another founding member of the small band of citizens who had decided enough was enough and they were taking their city back from the thugs that were ruling the streets. They had feared nothing, felt that right was on their side, and had set to reclaiming Chastilian. But Xander Phoenix and his men had gotten to their members first, and what the Osbornes had learned had gone up in flames that night with them. Losing the restaurant as well had been a double blow that many feared the Osborne girls would never recover from.

  Melina had been able to identify the name of the ringleader, but the darkness of the raid had hidden the other men’s faces from ever being recognized. Rogue had gone out that same night with her father, and they gathered their people to search for Phoenix. They asked the vagrants living in the alleyways, bumped into old friends and questioned them—soon the whole city was alight with the need to find the man who had ordered the deaths of the Osbornes. The police were more than aware that there were people who were tired of being held captive by those who wanted to bring Chastilian to its knees. Instead of trying to shut down the self-appointed Sentinels, they enlisted their help and in turn helped them. Chastilian was a big city; what transpired during the day only intensified when darkness fell. The city needed all the protection it could get.

  Xander Phoenix was found rolling dice in a local gambling den. This time when the Sentinels faced him, they did so with more care. They waited well into the early hours for him to leave the building. When he finally came out alone, flushed and happy at his good fortune that night, they grabbed him. They wore scarves and balaclavas to hide their faces and were careful not to give away their identities. With the deaths of the Osbornes, the Sentinels had learned that to be the silent force against evil, you had to protect yourself first.

  Rogue took in the framed newspaper clippings that captured the moment when Phoenix was apprehended. He had been delivered to the police by the elder Ronchetti, who had handed him over to the chief of police, Aaron Cauley. Rogue had watched from beside him, with the other Sentinels gathered nearby. The chief watched his officers manhandle the murderer away and then gave Ronchetti a curious look.

  “Hiding your identities now?”

  “We need to protect our families as well as the city. This way we can do both.” Ronchetti nodded respectfully in the chief’s direction. “With your help, of course.”

  “The Sentinels are a great help to us. I just wish the city didn’t need you.”

  “As long as there are people like him killing innocents, Chastilian will have need of us all.”

  “I’ll help all I can.”

  Rogue was amazed that was but a few days ago. Since then her whole world had shifted and turned upside down. Now the Sentinels were going to rebuild, grow stronger, and make sure that nothing like the loss they had suffered that night would ever happen again.

  Shaking off the weight of the past, Rogue finally entered the main hall. She scanned the room for the two people she knew were due to come before the Council that day. She straightened her crisply ironed shirt nervously, wanting to look her best. She sought to find the woman who had captured her heart, and when her eyes finally fell upon Melina Osborne, the room disappeared and all that remained was the woman she loved. Melina’s long hair was wild and untamed, falling over a somber dress that bespoke her mourning. For all the pain that was etched on such a young face, Rogue still thought Melina was the most striking woman in the room.

  And with her was Melina’s little sister Pagan, who held her own special place in Rogue’s heart. Her clothes were more befitting a child, blue dungarees matched with a bright T-shirt. Rogue knew Melina was determined for life to go on as normal for her younger sister, whether they were in the hallowed hall of the Council or not.

  Pagan was the only child allowed to enter the rooms that housed the technology center that watched over the city and kept the peace. She had been called along with Melina to meet the Council to discuss what direction the Sentinels were to take next. It was thought that Pagan, being but a child and rendered deaf, would be no security risk. Also, Melina refused to be separated from her sister and had made that point very clear when summoned to the Council. Rogue smiled as she watched them both. No one messed with Melina Osborne where her sister was concern
ed. She was highly intelligent, almost frighteningly so, and a marvelous match to Rogue’s own intellect and intense demeanor.

  Rogue had met her two years previous at another such Council meeting and had been caught staring at her. Melina had called her on it after the meeting, much to Rogue’s chagrin. Rogue had apologized and then was amazed when Melina invited her to the family restaurant where, she was told, she could stare all she liked in much less stuffy surroundings. Rogue had set to courting her, treating her with the respect she deserved. As their courtship lengthened, only Melina got to see what the Rogue behind the stoic face was really like. Now, two years later, fate had dealt Melina a cruel blow, and Rogue was more than ready to aid her in whichever way she could. That was what Sentinels, and more importantly, women in love, did.

  Rogue watched as Pagan followed Melina into the huge room, the small child made to seem even smaller by the vaulted ceiling and towering walls. Pagan clutched Melina’s hand, clearly trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Rogue recognized the particular frown that appeared on the little girl’s face. She knew that Pagan was well aware that her parents had been special. The little girl had seen inside the lighthouse that housed screens with so many views of the city. Rogue knew that Alexis had even set one up to play Pagan’s favorite cartoons. Pagan, for all her age, knew her family was more than just a restaurant business. She had seen more things in her short lifetime than many other children, and her parents had chosen not to hide anything from her. Pagan was destined to be a part of the wider family, one built from trust, not blood.

  Rogue hastened over to them and saw Melina’s face light up with relief as she drew near. Her heart tripped at the look she received.

  “Rogue.” Melina let go of Pagan’s hand and quickly hugged Rogue to her.

  Rogue held her tightly, feeling her shivering with nerves at being called before the Council. “It’s going to be all right, I promise,” she murmured.

  “How can you be certain, Rogue?”

  Melina’s breath warmed Rogue’s ear and she shivered at the caressing touch.

  “Because I fix things. That’s my job.”

  Melina pulled away and studied her intently. “Not everything can be fixed so easily.”

  Rogue shrugged. “Then we do what we can to repair. You have nothing to fear here. You’re among family.”

  “My family were killed.” Melina’s voice trembled and tears welled up in her eyes. Rogue wiped away the tear that fell across Melina’s soft cheek.

  “Not all of them,” Rogue reminded her and then bent down to Pagan’s level. “How are you today, Pagan?” She watched as Pagan studied her intently, watching her lips form the words.

  “I’m okay, but I’m hungry,” Pagan replied, displaying a gap-toothed smile.

  Rogue picked the little girl up easily. “I promise we will all go out for lunch after this meeting and then you and I can work on your lip-reading skills. Would you like that?”

  Pagan nodded and nestled her head in the crook of Rogue’s neck. “Rogue’s here, Mel, it’s gonna be all right now,” she mumbled and tightened her arms about Rogue’s neck.

  Melina shook her head. “What is it about the Osborne girls that just draws us to you?” She took Rogue’s hand in her own and squeezed it.

  “For you, it’s because you know I love you with all my heart.” Rogue leaned down and planted a tender kiss on Melina’s lips. “For Pagan, she knows I love her because she’s a wonderful kid, one who’s going to make a marvelous Sentinel some day.”

  Melina bristled immediately. “She’s deaf now because of that blast. What kind of Sighted would I be to send out a Sentinel who is impaired?”

  “One who will know that if we hold her back she will never realize her full potential. She’s just hearing impaired, Melina, not living impaired.”

  Melina sighed after a moment. “You love her because she’s cute too.” She ran her hand down Pagan’s back as she snuggled into Rogue’s arms and watched everything going on around her.

  “Just like her sister,” Rogue said.

  Melina looked about the room as everyone began to take their seats. “Do you know what is going to happen here today?”

  “I have a good idea.”

  “Have you been speaking with your father?”

  “Yes. So you have nothing to worry about. The Council have no idea what strength you possess. The blast did not render you weak. The blows you received did not break you. And you have me by your side.” She looked down at Melina. “Nothing is going to happen today that you don’t wish. I will personally see to that.”

  “I love you, you know that, right?” Melina wrapped an arm about Rogue’s waist and hugged her.

  “I both know it and feel it.” She smiled at her. “Let’s go see what the Council has to say.”

  The Vigilante Council was suitably reverent in their dealings with the loss of Alexis and Camillin Osborne. There were five men and a woman who chaired the top table, ones who had worked alongside the Osbornes, the elders of the Sentinels. Reagan Ronchetti sat among them.

  “We have lost great people from our midst.” A voice from the inner circle of tables spoke. “But now we must decide what is to become of those left behind.” The man’s voice echoed about the room. “There is first the matter of the young child. She has to be considered now that she has been left deaf.”

  Rogue stood from her seat beside Melina and Pagan and addressed the Council. “She’s just deaf, not incapable. We should hone her abilities while she’s young, not cast her to one side because she cannot hear.”

  “How do you know she would become a Sentinel?” another asked.

  Rogue looked down at Pagan, who had been watching everything. She was aware she was being talked about and looked to Rogue for explanation.

  “She’s still here,” Rogue said bluntly. “The blast, by rights, should have killed her.” She looked down and silently asked permission to take Pagan into her arms. Pagan immediately reached up to be held. Rogue took Melina’s hand and helped her to her feet. “Chastilian has lost two of its most brave,” she said as she looked at Melina, “and I’m not the only one who mourns their passing. But until the time is right for Pagan to step forward, should she so choose, we have others who can take their mantle and keep the streets safe. Our numbers are growing. Your children are following in your footsteps. Now we need to turn our attention to whatever comes next to test us and be better prepared for it.”

  “I know how to run the computers that the Sentinels rely on,” Melina said. “The lighthouse need not be shut down as a base. I know what my mother, as a Sighted, did. It’s the Sighted’s job to watch over the city and keep track of all the chatter so the Sentinels are kept aware of what is happening when they go out. I can direct whoever is sent; that was my mother’s legacy to me.” Melina stumbled over the last few words, and Pagan reached out to her. Rogue handed her over and Pagan clutched at her sister, obviously sensing something was wrong and wanting to comfort her.

  Rogue faced the Council. “The Osbornes were killed not because they weren’t vigilant, but because they allowed themselves to be recognized outside of the dark that the Sentinels work in. If the Sentinels are to continue, then we need to be bigger and better than the ones who mean us harm. We need to be stronger, harder, more determined to stop the rot before it spreads across the city like a disease. We need to be better equipped, to be a force to be reckoned with. We have to befriend the dark because that’s where our enemies hide.” She looked at everyone in the room, then finally at Melina and Pagan. “And we must never, ever, let the dark follow us home.”

  “The child could be put with another family,” a woman’s voice said.

  “No!” Melina roared, startling Pagan, who drew back in her arms and stared at her wide-eyed. Melina’s grip on her intensified. “I have had my parents taken away from me. You are not taking Pagan too.”

  “But she’ll need a family environment. Her home was destroyed too,” the woman continued
.

  “She has family,” Rogue said and stepped closer to Melina. “With Melina’s permission, I will move into the lighthouse with them while we start to build a new home. The insurance will cover for a new home to take the place of the old. Melina has already told me she doesn’t want another restaurant where the old one stood. I have my own money to start my own business now. We can build something that’s ours on old foundations. You are all aware it will be only a matter of time before Melina and I commit to each other. Pagan will have a family who will care for her.”

  “You’ll need help,” a gentle voice said from the circle.

  “Then we’ll request it when we do,” Rogue replied. She addressed Melina formally, her heart pounding at what she was suggesting. “Do I have your permission?”

  Melina nodded furiously. “They’re not taking Pagan away from me,” she whispered, her voice quivering.

  “No one will. I promise. They’ll have to go through me first,” Rogue said. She directed her speech to the Council once again. “Do what you have to do to make sure Pagan is safe with her sister. The lighthouse will be lit again. The legacy of the Osbornes will not be lost. It has merely been passed to their children now.”

  “The child is too young,” someone said.

  “But she will grow, and in time, she will fulfill the destiny she was born into.” Rogue stared at the Council. “Whether she actually hears its calling or not.” Rogue guided Melina from where they stood and made it very clear they were leaving. She put a gentle arm about Melina’s shoulders. “Let’s get you both home,” she whispered and began to lead them out.

  Melina looked up at her. “You’re coming with us, yes?”

  Rogue smiled shyly as her heart swelled at the look she was being given. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Melina blushed. “It’s a good thing my mom and dad approved of you.”