They were gone. In an instant, they were all gone. I didn't blame them. I understood. I preferred begging them to leave to a rescue attempt that would have certainly ended all of our lives. What made me furious at myself was the inevitable pain my death would cause. If I had the chance of going back and being able to change my decision I wouldn't. Their lives were more valuable and meaningful that mine. I would rather sacrifice myself than risk their lives. I knew I had made the right decision. Hopefully they wouldn't hold it against me when I was dead. As for getting into heaven, I hoped that dying for those you loved was a ticket in.
The Compromiser
The Black Prophets TrilogyBy Raquel MontoyaAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Raquel Montoya
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4520-0888-2Chapter One
Four Warriors
"Are you sure the Vitsmor is in there?" Sin asked, with uncertainty in his voice.
"All the clues lead to this place," I replied, rising from the blood-stained ground I had been examining. The blood had not been completely absorbed by the soil, which meant it had been shed recently. "He couldn't have gotten far. The blood hasn't soaked into the ground."
"I doubt the Vitsmor could be in there," Miki said.
"I agree," Sin said. Loa remained silent.
"If you fail to see the obvious, then leave. I'm perfectly capable of destroying the Vitsmor myself," I said.
"No, I won't leave you alone. You're not strong enough to even battle a Vitsmor by yourself. We won't let you," Sin said.
"Then quit your complaining and let's go," I demanded through clenched teeth. We entered into the abandoned school building. It was dead silent, and the only light was what the moon produced through the broken windows and holes in the walls.
"I still don't see what the Vitsmor would be doing here. All Vitsmors do is hunt, and any normal person would never come here," Miki said.
I ignored her.
"This is not the first time we've had to hunt Vitsmors in a place where they're not usually found. None of the places are related, except that they're all abandoned. That's why we have to hunt this Vitsmor, to investigate why they are hanging around places like ... these," Loa explained. Loa was the Chief Detective. He was the one in charge of figuring out what attracted Vitsmors to abandoned buildings. Without him, the Order would be lost. Loa's family had been in the Order from the beginning. Loa's great-great-grandfather had helped my great-great-grandfather establish the Inferno Order. They had discovered how to terminate a Vitsmor's existence.
A loud scream and subsequent crash ended the argument.
"It came from upstairs. Miki," I said, motioning to her.
"Time for work," she said, pulling off two dark-red bracelets with black spikes. She threw them in the air and they crashed into each other, forming one huge ring nearly as tall as she was. The giant ring fell into her hands. She called it Spade's Ring, her defender. It obeyed her, and only her. Anyone who tried to steal it ended up with wounds from its razor-sharp spikes.
She threw the ring upward as hard and fast as she could. It smashed into the ceiling, cutting a hole for us to jump through.
"I'll go first," Loa said. He leapt up through the hole and arrived upstairs. As he landed above, there was a loud growl from behind. I turned around to see an orange-haired, maroon-eyed man standing a few feet away. I pulled Inferno Dragon, my sword, from its sheath.
"You guys go. I got this one," I said, eager to kill the Vitsmor.
"But-" Miki began to protest.
"Unless you want your precious Loa to die, I suggest you leave. I'll be fine. I'm not as weak as you think," I replied. Miki and Sin jumped up, leaving me alone.
"How preciousss it isss to sssee when sssomeone sssacrificesss themssselvesss for sssomeone they love. But in mossst cassses the brave one diesss ... jussst like you will," the Vitsmor said.
"It speaks. I wouldn't be so sure of that, snake. I don't mean to brag, but I've seen monsters like you run in fear at the mere mention of my name," I said. The Vitsmor laughed a high, piercing cackle. His maroon eyes sparkled with despair. "Are you going to stand there and laugh? It will be easier for me to destroy you, then. Or are you going to actually attempt and fight me in a mere struggle to even make even a tiny cut on my skin?"
"Ah, ssso you want to play then. Well, let'sss play," he said. He lunged toward me. When he was a few inches away, I stepped to the side and grabbed his orange-red hair, tossing him to the ground. I placed my foot on his back, pointed my sword at the nape of his neck, and bent down to whisper in his ear.
"Why have you snakes suddenly become interested in these abandoned places?"
He laughed and struggled to free himself. I pushed my sword into his neck just enough to draw blood.
"Tell me why," I demanded.
"You will never know," he said, laughing. He was getting on my nerves. I turned him over and pointed my sword at his heart. He laughed again, but his eyes showed fear.
"You're going to kill me," he said, between laughs.
I drove my sword into his heart, confirming his prediction.
I heard three thumps. Sin, Miki, and Loa were behind me.
"Gosh, that was so much fun!" Sin exclaimed.
"Shut up, Sin. This is no time for having fun. Search the building. There may still be more Vitsmors," I said. The swooshing of air confirmed that they left. Just as I was about to join the search, something shoved me to the floor and pinned me down.
"Who are you?" a male voice asked.
"Get the hell off me," I said.
"Not until you tell me who you are," he said. What an idiot. He had left my hands free. I twisted my arms around my back, grabbed his arms, and threw him off me.
"Shit. Ow. That hurt," he groaned from across the room. I quickly got up and looked at the boy. I rolled him over with my foot and pointed my sword at his face. He had messy silver hair that reached to his chin and bizarre, sparkling silver eyes. He looked about my age or eighteen. He had an oddly carefree look on his face for someone at the end of a sword.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"If you didn't answer that question when I asked, then why should I answer it when you ask?" he asked, staring at me and then the sword.
"Because if you don't, I'll kill you," I replied with a smirk.
"Good reason. Name's Allen. Allen Parker. And you are?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Well, I'd like to know the name of the pretty girl who's holding a sword to my throat."
"W-w-what were you doing here and why?" I demanded.
"That's none of your concern," he said mockingly.
"I don't have time for your games, idiot. Now tell me, what were you doing here?"
"I'm just a traveler. I needed a place to stay for the night but I have no cash for an inn, so I decided to spend the night here. Happy? Can you kind of put that thing away? You're hurting me and I think I'm starting to bleed."
"First off. Are you human?"
"Um, yeah."
"How do I know you're not lying to me?"
"Punch me, I bruise. Cut me, I bleed. It's not that complicated."
I bent down to smell him. He smelled of filth and dirt, nothing like a Vitsmor. Vitsmors smelled of blood and tears, and only of blood and tears.
"What are you doing?" he asked as we locked eyes. I hadn't noticed how close we were. Our faces were only inches away. My heart accelerated and I had to catch my breath. I had no idea what this feeling was.
"Emi?" Sin stood a few feet away with a look of confusion on his face. Miki wore a look of amusement and mockery. Loa was expressionless. I backed away but held my sword at the boy's throat.
"Who's this?" Sin asked, nodding to the boy.
"He's cute," Miki said, looking Allen over. Loa glared at Allen and pulled Miki to his side.
"His name's Allen Stalker," I said.
"It's Parker. Allen Parker," Allen said.
"Whatever," I said, not bothering to look at him. "He says he's a traveler and needed a place to crash but didn't have any money."
"I think you should let me stab him to death with Stealth Twins," Sin said, pulling out his twin daggers.
"Cool it, Sin," I said coldly. He frowned in disappointment.
"You know, I really appreciate how you guys just talk about my death right in front of me!" Allen shouted, looking at my sword and Sin's daggers.
"Relax, idiot, we're not going to kill you ... yet," I said.
"Great. That makes me feel so much better," Allen said sarcastically.
"Wait. What's your last name?" Loa asked.
"Parker. Allen Parker. Why?" said Allen.
A look of fear and shock showed on Loa's usually expressionless face.
"Loa, what's wrong?" Miki asked worriedly.
"The Prophecy ... Emila, the Prophecy is coming true. The Compromiser's Prophecy has come true," Loa said, fear dripping from every word.
"Shit," I cursed. I sheathed Inferno Dragon, pulled Allen up by his shirt, and pushed him against the wall.
"Are you in any way related to James Parker?" I demanded.
"Who?" he asked.
"James Parker, the son-of-a-bitch who betrayed us?"
"What? No, I don't even know who the hell that is," he said.
"Liar," I said. The rage I felt drove me to drop him and pull Inferno Dragon out again. Just as I was about to stab Allen, Loa placed himself between me and Allen.
"Emila, no, you can't," Loa said, holding his hands up.
"Loa, move or you will join him and his traitor family in hell," I said. Miki pulled off her bracelets and merged them. She stood in front of Loa, anger showing in every inch of her face. She was ready to attack me. She didn't care who she attacked to keep her precious Loa safe. She was my best friend-but I knew she wasn't strong enough to take me.
"Emi, come on. Chill," Sin said.
"Emila, you know the Prophecy better than any of us. You know how important Allen is," Loa said.
I hated admitting Loa was right. Allen was just as important to the Order and the Prophecy as Miki, Sin, Loa, and I were. But I hated that. He wasn't worthy of it. I took a deep breath in an attempt to relax myself, but that was impossible. It took every ounce of strength I had not to murder Allen.
"Fine. We'll bring him back to the Order, as long as he keeps his mouth shut," I said.
"Congrats, Allen, you get to live," Sin said.
"Yay," Miki said, taking Loa's hand and skipping toward the door. Allen followed with a confused but relieved expression on his face.
"You okay?" Sin asked.
"You worry too much," I said, giving him a small smile.
"Well, if I didn't worry, your emotions would kill half the world," he replied, gently shoving me forward.
"I've progressed. Last time it was one fourth of the world."
"Let's not bring it any higher."
We made our way out. I knew this day would eventually come, but I hadn't expected it to be this soon. I hadn't known how the Prophecy's fulfillment would begin. Even worse, I didn't know how it would end.
Chapter Two
The Prophecy
We approached the secluded Gothic mansion that was the headquarters of the Inferno Order. I had expected Allen to annoy me during the drive, but it was actually Miki who irked me the most on the way to headquarters.
"Who are you and what is your business here?"
"Oh my gosh! Did you see that? The door spoke!" Allen exclaimed. I rolled my eyes.
"I am Emila Ranos, leader of the Black Prophets," I said.
"I am Blaze Hono, member of the Black Prophets," Sin said.
"I'm Rose Tengoku, member of the Black Prophets," Miki said.
"I am Daichi Kitazawa, member of the Black Prophets and Chief Detective of mysteries related to the Inferno Order. Allen Parker accompanies us today, and I assure you he is not a foe but a friend," Loa said. The tall, wooden doors creaked open and we walked in.
"Welcome back, little sis." Santi, my older brother, embraced me in a bone-crushing hug. His huge muscles encircled me, and I hated how weak he made me feel. I waited impatiently until he let go. "Miki, Loa, Sin, how are you?
"Fine," Sin said.
"Great," Miki said joyously.
Loa stared at Santi without emotion, not caring to answer him.
"Who's this?" Santi asked, nodding toward Allen.
"I'm All-"
"I think it's best if we talk about that in private. It's a rather delicate subject," Loa interrupted. Santi nodded.
"Miki, you show Allen around. Don't discuss the Order or our job," Santi ordered, as Allen gazed around. Miki smiled, nodded, and kissed her precious Loa on the cheek, causing him to gently blush. She skipped off with her ponytails (black, with orange highlights) and Allen following. The rest of us walked to the nearest meeting room to discuss the situation.
"What's the big news?" Santi asked, placing his huge hands on the center table and looking at each of us. Loa looked at Sin, then me, debating whether he should tell Santi his theory about Allen Parker.
"I think Allen Parker, the guy who came in with us, is the fifth Black Prophet. I think he's the Compromiser," Loa stated slowly.
"What? How? Are you sure?" Santi asked, quickly becoming tense.
"Almost. He has the last name and hair and eyes," Loa said.
"Just because he has the same last name and hair and eyes as James Parker doesn't mean anything. We need solid proof. The Prophecy isn't something to play around with," Santi said.
I believed Loa's theory was right, but I knew it would take more convince Santi. I took it on myself to provide the evidence. Without anyone noticing, I left the room and made my way to the library, where all our archives were, including the Book of History and Book of Prophecy. The Book of History explain how the Inferno Order came to be and everything about the Vitsmors. The Book of Prophecy detailed the Compromiser's Prophecy and what would happen if the Prophecy was not completed. I went to the back of the library, unlocked the glass case that held the books, and grabbed both volumes. They were ancient but still intact. I opened the Book of Prophecy and read:
The secret hunting of the Vitsmors has been occurring since Salador Ranos and Rubert Kitazawa discovered the existence of the Vitsmors. These two discovered the way to destroy a Vitsmor's existance. They established the Inferno Order, which consisted of the warriors, who call themselves the Black Prophets, who hunted and killed the Vitsmors. For decades, the Inferno Order succeeded in hunting and killing the Vitsmors, until one of their own warriors betrayed them. James Parker, the traitor, was one of the Black Prophets sent to destroy what were to be believed to be the last Vitsmors. But Parker was conspiring with Slymort, the strongest and oldest of the Vitsmors. At the subsequent battle, he joined with Slymort, killing his own comrades and many of the most powerful Seekers-this slaughter is known as the Great Defeat. During the next few months, Salador Ranos dedicated himself to finding James Parker and avenging those murdered, including Rubert Kitazawa. Once Salador Ranos caught James Parker, he tortured him in punishment for those killed by Parker's treachery. But before killing James Parker, Salador Ranos cursed the Traitor and his descendants with the following: Because of your betrayal and murdering, you, James Parker, will suffer endlessly in hell and your family will have the greatest misfortune brought upon them. But because things must mend, your great-great grandson will clear your name's dishonor and mend your wrongdoings. But his deeds will have consequences as severe as your betrayal. He will bear a mark on the wrist of his right hand, a cross for the lives you so mercilessly took, with a star to show he is the dark light long awaited.
I closed the book and rushed back with it to the meeting room. Santi, Loa, and Sin were still debating how to prove if Allen was the Compromiser.
"I have proof," I said, setting the book down.
"What is it?" Santi asked. I opened the book and read the part about the mark that would be on the Compromiser's hand.
"So if Allen has that mark, then he's the Compromiser?" Santi asked. I nodded.
"Then let's see if he does," Santi said. I sat down while Loa went to look for Miki and Allen.
"What if Allen really is the Compromiser, Santi?" Sin asked.
"Well, then we'll see which side he takes. Hopefully he'll side with us. We'll train him and then who knows what'll happen," Santi replied.
"The idiot doesn't even know who he is the descendant of. When I asked him if he was related to James Parker, he said he didn't even know who that was. I think we should start by asking him if he knows about his family," I said.
"Fine. We'll do as she says," Santi said. Loa, Miki, and Allen entered the room. Miki sat down, but when she saw that Loa was standing against the wall, she moved her chair to where he was. Sin and Santi remained in their seats.
"Your name is Allen Parker, is that correct?" Santi asked Allen.
"That's right," Allen replied, looking at each of us in turn. When he reached me, he quickly turned his gaze away as if embarrassed.
"Okay then, Allen, tell us about yourself," Santi said.
"Well, my name is Allen Parker. I'm eighteen years old. My birthday is February 10. Um, I like-"
"No, Allen. I meant family-wise. Like who are your parents, et cetera," Santi said.
"Oh. Well, my father's name was also Allen. I don't have a mom," he said.
"You don't? What do you know about her?" Santi asked.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Compromiserby Raquel Montoya Copyright © 2010 by Raquel Montoya. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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