Weighing the Scales: Dragonsigns, #2

WEIGHING THE SCALES

Dragonsigns – Book Two

Ken Hughes

Windward Road Press

LOS ANGELES, CA

Copyright © 2021 by Ken Hughes

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Windward Road Press

11923 NE Sumner St Ste 879426

Portland, OR 97250-9601

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

ISBN paperback: 978-1-7350002-6-8

ISBN ebook: 978-1-7350002-5-1

Book Layout © 2017 BookDesignTemplates.com

Cover © 2021 by Sleepy Fox Studio

Weighing the Scales/ Ken Hughes—1st ed.

To Scott

— I never know what you’ll summon up next

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: GUARDED

CHAPTER TWO: A REST

CHAPTER THREE: CLEAR TO SEE

CHAPTER FOUR: MENDING

CHAPTER FIVE: TARGETS

CHAPTER SIX: RALLY CRY

CHAPTER SEVEN: NEAR AND FAR

CHAPTER EIGHT: HOLLOW

CHAPTER NINE: RANK AND FILE

CHAPTER TEN: CRACKS

CHAPTER ELEVEN: LOOK OUT

CHAPTER TWELVE: BLUE MOON

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: BEHIND THE LIES

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: ON THE TABLE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: COVERED UP

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: ALL MINE

PREVIEW from TAKING WING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER ONE: GUARDED

Miss nothing. He could be anywhere.

Colin crept down the broad, bright corridor, searching the walls for that one faint mirage-blur in the fluorescent glow that could be Eric’s outline. If the bastard tried again, he had to spot him.

Colin’s sister was out of sight ahead. They’d wheeled Terri out of surgery, but he had to move softly and hang back or crouch down in hopes none of the doctors noticed the faint shape of him—all while keeping his concentration on controlling the skein that covered him.

Eric’s had more practice with invisibility, and everything else this magical substance does. And he was here trying to take Terri back just minutes ago.

Colin slowed his tired feet, stared through the gauzy haze over his eyes at the junction of corridors ahead. Two, no, three nurses stood talking with a doctor at some kind of station: watch for any reaction— if those cops get in your way—

And two uniformed police stood behind them. Of course they did, just when Colin felt the urge to reappear and simply talk to them, take his chances to work with someone again.

Bea wasn’t stationed among the cops. She wouldn’t be, anymore.

Instead Colin edged around the intersection—his foot scraped on the floor once and he saw a cop glance up, but he froze and the cop looked away again. There was nothing but a trick of the light to see, if they had no idea his glimmer could be more.

Colin moved up the corridor to the side, away around the staff. The hospital’s mix of sounds and stillness in the night sounded almost peaceful, so there had to be a way to work around the crowds and catch up with Terri.

Make no sound. Keep in the corner of every eye that could notice me. Hold onto the concentration twist that makes light blur around me, and spot any outline that could be Eric... Bea had used skein to help her see their hidden enemy, but Colin could only search every pattern of light he saw.

The next intersection was clear, free to let him turn back toward where Terri had gone—

Something twitched at the intersection beyond it, at the edge of a corner. Colin blinked, started on the wider circuit toward that. It looked like simply a shadow, but he couldn’t ignore it.

And how many shadows and detours would it take? Did he have to check every inch on Terri’s floor, and then check it again, just because Eric could be here? Tiredness blurred at his vision.

A doctor stepped into view at the junction, then another. Colin pulled back, back toward the more direct way around. He had a sudden image of his sister lying alone in some room and Eric simply coming in through her window. The skein’s strength could tear right through glass, or iron bars.

Even the intersection he’d passed up had a nurse standing in it now. But she stood off at the corner staring at her tablet, easy for Colin to slip past her and her cart and on toward where Terri should be.

A foot scuffed on the floor behind him, where no person had been.

He whirled. A motion, a huge skein-bulked blur lunged at him.

He flung himself clear, far as the skein could let him leap. In midair came one thought: Eric should be faster, staying invisible was slowing him down too—

Colin slammed against the wall, glanced off it and crashed down against some clattering shape—the nurse’s cart.

And even that impact didn’t cover the crunch of Eric’s fist gouging into the wall.

Colin looked up, saw the nurse whirling toward him. Can’t let go, have to keep the skein hiding me from light.

Eric sidestepped her. That blur took a slow pace to move out of the nurse’s line of sight, and began stalking toward her.

No! Colin sprang up and advanced on his enemy. Eric hadn’t lunged yet, she wasn’t his real target...

Footsteps raced up in the corridor. A woman charged into view, short blonde hair and watchful eyes and no fear at rushing into the scene. Bea wasn’t really a cop anymore, and she’d lost her skein, but she was still here.

Two uniforms pounded up behind her, and a doctor at their heels. Colin froze, watching Eric—the blurred shape was already crouching down, letting their gazes pass over him.

Ma’am? You alright? one cop said the nurse.

That son of a bitch trying to get to his sister? the other growled.

They still think it could be me... oh. These two were the same cops that had walked into Colin’s last fight with Eric, the ones he’d attacked in the confusion...

They all looked right past them both now, staring around and missing the two mirage-shapes. All except Bea looking in Eric’s direction, no doubt watching his every move.

Eric edged back, away. Colin let out a hushed breath; of course Eric wouldn’t risk so many witnesses seeing the not-quite-hidden outlines they ought to be watching for. And Bea let him go.

A motion up the other way caught his eye. Another uniform stepped out from a doorway, with Colin’s mother behind him.

If Zara—she was always Zara, to everyone—had just been in that room, then Colin had found Terri. He moved toward them.

So you just knocked the damn cart over? one cop was saying behind him.

No! I wasn’t anywhere near it—

Colin edged away, smooth and silent as he could move. One officer up ahead walked a few steps towards him but never glanced over as he slipped by.

Zara stayed at the doorway. Colin heard his foot scrape on the floor now, and she blinked and stared at the approaching shape.

It’s just me. Somehow his whisper was enough to distinguish his blur from Eric’s, and the hardness that had been tightening on her face eased away.

He slipped into the room.

The space was small, too small. But it had room for the unconscious Terri da Costa.

His sister looked odder than ever, as pale and wasted away as when he’d found her, but now surrounded by medical tubes and wires instead of the skein she’d been encased in. She’d survived the Rayo Hill Earthquake, and Eric had kept her prisoner for three years with the skein to keep her alive... and then he’d ripped the stuff away when Colin rescued her.

And he still wants her back. To take her away, or prove he’s right, or something.

The guy’s long gone. Words from one of the cops drifted up from outside. "We all going to stay here all night?"

Eric Rowe has already killed four cops, Bea said. Any time you want to look away, you keep that in mind.

"I get it. But look, you shouldn’t even be here, Miss Simms."

Colin shook his head. If the police did pull out, if he had to keep watch for Eric all alone—and they forced Bea away too...

He looked at Terri again, so still. Hours ago she could barely crawl, even when she was coated in skein, and then Eric had taken that and she’d still defied him. The doctors must have stabilized her, but they’d just gotten her back.

Soft feet behind him showed Zara stepping into the room. Her gaze went right to him; his control over the skein must have slipped, but she didn’t even blink at the silver-green-sheathed figure of her son.

Instead he stepped into her hug.

One warm, sheltering moment after so many hours chasing Eric and trying to keep Terri—and Zara herself—out of his claws... For one moment Colin wondered how she’d talked the hospital into letting her stay this late with her long-lost daughter. But then, saying no to the heart of the Hillside community had never been easy.

They say they’ve sewed her all up, Zara said. As best they understand all her half-healed injuries. They think she’s good. Or, alive.

Zara was doing it again. Refusing to show her fears for her children’s sake, and almost succeeding.

But Terri had a whole church collapse on her...

Don’t forget, she spent years wrapped up in what has to be the perfect bandage. Colin forced a smile, though she wouldn’t see it behind her shoulder. And I’ve got plenty of skein to give her—but wait, it’s no good until she wakes up to control it.

And she had to wake up. This was just the anesthetic, not some sign that she’d bled out the last of her strength. It had to be.

The door moved.

He’d forgotten the police out there. Now he had one instant to clutch at the skein’s power and step out of Zara’s hug, before the cop looked in.

Looks like it’s nothing, ma’am—‘Zara,’ sorry. The man looked at her, frowned, but made no real reaction to whatever faint silhouette he saw behind her. And... when we find your son, we’ll try not to hurt him. We just need his whole story on how he found your daughter, and all the rest of it.

You mean lock me up while you bury me in questions, Colin thought. He held his breath until the cop had stepped outside again. And I let my guard down, stupid!

The door was closing, but it halted and Bea stepped in.

When she’d shut it fully behind her, he let himself reappear.

She didn’t even blink at that. She only said I’m sorry, Zara. I keep telling them Eric’s still a threat. I suppose it’s hard to believe.

Colin slipped forward a step to her, enough to keep his voice from the cops outside. And you’re so sure you can’t tell them what they’re up against.

Bea only looked back at him. That same controlled face, really almost as young as his, that he’d been just learning to get a smile from... She’d taught him to hunt Eric, tracked down Terri beside him, but she’d always been so certain they had to hide the skein from her superiors.

And now Terri was here, helpless, and the police still had no idea what they were guarding her from. Was it really a surprise they were talking about reducing her protection, or ready to suspect Colin himself?

He glanced at Zara. His mother stood so quiet now, when it should be her fire and insight pushing them and making every step ahead clear. That she kept still meant that they’d reached a point with little left to say—or no choices at all.

But we survived. He looked between Zara and Terri again, both alive. Except Eric could be stalking back toward them right now, or else watching for some time tomorrow or later, simply waiting for the police to let their guard down. A few of those voices rattled out in the corridor, dry, scattered sounds that felt as restless as drumming fingertips.

While Eric was... something cold slid up Colin’s spine. Eric was far enough gone to lash out at anything, and now they knew the price for making even more skein was simply human flesh. Did Eric even have limits now, to how far he could build up his strength or what lives he could toss to it?

He was our friend. But he blames the family and the whole town and its history for Terri and more—

Colin looked down to see his hands trembling, shaking with rage and just too tired to hold it in.

Bea broke the silence, with a sudden, confident I’ll stop him. The whole department’s looking for him now, and I can still use that. It has to be done.

I hope you’re right. Zara barely stirred as she spoke.

And while you’re searching? Colin said. If the police let their guard down watching Terri...

A voice pushed through the sounds outside. Calm, soft, and stilling the fragmented noises from the police: What happened here?

False alarm, sir, one of them said.

That voice. Colin whispered to Bea, Who’s that cop there?

Lieutenant Hoyle. He’s running this now.

He spotted me when I first got to the hospital, and he let me go. And we need someone to get how serious this is.

‘Get’ what? Bea’s voice dropped lower, and fiercer. Invisibility, bulletproofing, and now using that ‘protection spell’ to make more skein by feeding people to it? —Oh yes, Zara told me what Eric tried doing to her, she added. You know once you tell them about the skein, this’ll never be about protecting you, or stopping Eric.

It can’t mean you have to shoot someone when they’re helpless, or risk your badge over it. Even Eric.

Colin stepped past her, toward the door.

Wait! Zara snapped. You heard how the police spoke about you. It’s not safe.

It’s not getting any safer. Not for Terri, trapped by her injuries and waiting for Eric to come after her again, with Colin afraid to step away or sleep at all. They needed that police protection.

Colin reached up to the crown of his head. His fingers dragged the skein back, and a thought magnified the motion to make the stuff split and peel away, down his head and on down his body.

Zara’s breath caught when his face appeared. He’d only had a glimpse himself, of the raw scars on his face and arms, from trying to control what the spell did to the skein. Now just pulling the stuff away from the gashes stung worse than any bandage—

He kept his eyes looking past her, and kept his features steady as he flattened the skein to slide in under his shirt. At least she didn’t have to see his pain too.

It’s either keeping a full police watch here, or Eric wins.

He opened the door.

Hey! That’s him, what the hell—

The two nearest uniforms closed in on him. One scruffy beard, the stocky build on the other—of course those were still the two that had broken up his fight with Eric in the church, the two he’d lashed out at. He looked around for Hoyle, but the lean older man he remembered was nowhere in sight.

The bigger cop grabbed him and wrenched him around in an arm lock. Don’t you move!

If he was going to fight, Bea said, why would he be here? Think.

Sure you’d say that, the other said. We know about you and your boyfriend.

They just go right to that, when Bea and I never let it happen.

Colin gritted his teeth. Where’s Lieutenant Hoyle?

The cop’s grip tightened. What’s it matter? You hit my partner, da Costa.

So hit me! Colin flung back. You want us even, fine. But I’m telling you, it’s the same man who’s been attacking all of us.

Hit you? You think I’m stupid? The cop shoved Colin a step, toward Zara watching it all. Her lips were clenched white to keep silent.

The two cops pushed him down the corridor. Colin tried to move with them, to keep pace and walk with some dignity. Sure, enough concentration could spread out the skein under his shirt sleeves and give his arms the strength to fling the cops off, but he needed them to listen.

That’s enough.

Hoyle stepped into view. Colin knew him by his calm voice—and the way the officer’s grip went slack—more than the lean build and the wisps of red hair that he’d glimpsed in his first minutes here.

Lieutenant. Bea’s voice came from behind them. Colin has come forward to explain his side of the last few hours—

Hoyle held up a hand to cut her off. Thank you, Simms. We’ll discuss your suspension later. He turned to Colin. Now, let’s talk, the two of us.

Just tell him the truth, Bea said. That Eric Rowe actually is that stealthy—

Coaching a witness? Hoyle warned. Now, this way.

Sir? That was the cop who had Colin’s arm.

Hoyle waved them to back off. The cop let go, and Colin stepped clear and followed the lieutenant away.

For a moment they could have stepped into normalcy, no officers watching them or need to hide from anyone, only the quick stride of the man in front, and the doctors and nurses they passed. Except for the glances Colin caught from some of them, at the marks on his face.

Hoyle stopped them at a simple junction, where stepping around the corner gave them a hint of privacy. He gazed over their surroundings, and turned to Colin. All right now...

"Can you help Bea? Colin found the words gushing out. She’s a cop who chased down a murderer—"

And tried to shoot that murderer when he was captured.

Shooting to wound him! Colin wanted to say. But Hoyle probably knew that too.

And the lieutenant went on It’s only the fact that Eric Rowe is still such an obvious threat that’s kept charges from being filed so far. He let out a sigh. Her sergeant and I are doing what we can. But, did you really come here to defend your friend?

No. Colin squared his shoulders. "I came to defend my family. You’ve got witnesses now that prove Eric held my sister prisoner, and he grabbed my mother trying to get her back. He’s still trying."

Two doctors in white walked by in the corridor. Hoyle let their footsteps pass, then said Is that why you’re here? Go on.

Alright. Look... I know Detective Simms was bending the rules when she let me near the case at all. But I know a bit about Eric. I was the first one to recognize it was him, and I was right.

Hoyle’s eyebrows rose, slow and thoughtful. How’d you manage that?

His voice. Colin drew himself up taller, sloughing off the weight of the last day’s fighting, anything to make the truth credible. "Eric Rowe used to be our friend; he was engaged to Terri. Not that we had a clue he’d been all twisted up by finding she’d survived the earthquake. But he’d been holding her prisoner for all three years, and when we found where he kept her..."

He looked at the floor a moment, until he forced out the next words.

Then I rushed in ahead of the cops, and pulled her out myself. I know, it would have been cleaner if I’d let all of you do that.

Awkward, but understandable after so long, Hoyle nodded.

Thanks. But the next minute was when it went south: Eric caught us in the street and attacked. I’m sorry I left Bea and the others there, but I did get Terri away from Eric for a while. Then tonight he set a trap—

Never mind that now. Hoyle’s eyes locked onto Colin’s. Several of our officers tried to bring you back, but you got away from them all in broad daylight, carrying your sister. You want to tell me just how you pulled that off?

Well, the Hillside’s my home turf, I guess more than for the officers there. Colin frowned; one mention of how from Hoyle and he turned evasive? But he went on And I only had to make it to the top of the hill, above the streets—

You make it sound easy. Hoyle waved that aside. I know a bit about you, Colin da Costa. Some martial arts, but mostly you’ve been a workhorse for your mother’s community efforts since you left school.

Because we lost Terri. It sounded defensive, even to Colin’s own ears. I guess that’s me. What are you saying?

That being able to throw a punch doesn’t tell me how you left Rayo Hill’s Finest in the dust. Not that morning or when Rowe escaped tonight, and then a third time with me here. He leaned forward, gaze boring into Colin. We have a four-time cop-killer out there. But you, you bring your sister and then your mother out of danger, and you come back with those scars...

He waved at Colin’s face.

I need to know how that’s possible.

"You need to know it is possible, or Eric will just keep killing," Colin flung back. I’m stalling again—but he felt his fists clenching, ready to push back the more Hoyle leaned on him. You can’t stop him with ordinary guards.

"I asked you how you got past us."

Too easily. I mean, can your cops be ready for the smallest little sign that someone’s creeping up on them? Can you keep them in pairs as if any moment could be the one someone gets hit? At least that kind of protection might make Eric back off. He waved around the corridor; any corner of that space could be Eric creeping in if they turned their backs on it.

You’re explaining security to me? Hoyle scowled. How is that different from how I’d protect any victim?

It has to be better! Eric’s already lured Zara out and grabbed her once, to get Terri back. He’ll try again if you can’t stop him. He leaned in to meet Hoyle’s gaze. That is the real goal, right? Bringing him down?

"Four. Dead. Cops. Of course bringing him down is the goal."

Glad to hear it. Colin stopped to let his breathing ease. I just don’t think your protection here will do it.

The security is fine. Hoyle took a step into the main corridor, and waved. Two uniformed cops marched into view.

Colin stared—they couldn’t be arresting him now, could they? But the two men held back, still a few paces away.

Holding his voice even, he told Hoyle I hope you’re right. One other thing: when Bea shot Eric, he was reaching for a weapon. And even then he was strong enough to break away from your cops, and me. And take Zara.

That’s still hard to believe, Hoyle said. Even the way this case has gone, the more you claim, the harder it is to swallow.

Does that mean... If you believed it, would you let Bea off the hook?

This isn’t a negotiation, and Hoyle glanced at the two cops. Like they might have overheard that, like he couldn’t make promises in front of them, but...

But, what would Bea want? Colin felt the extra glimmer of hope in his mind turn harsh and ugly. Bea was the one still fighting to keep the skein’s secret to themselves; trading it for her badge would be a betrayal.

And... did he need to give the whole story right now, if he could just make them open their eyes?

I asked you a question, Hoyle said. "Tell me how you keep dodging us, and I might look the other way for tripping over our investigation."

A bluff. It had to be.

But Colin’s teeth clenched. Threatening to take him away, with Eric still out there?

Through his teeth he said "But, you are hunting Eric, and watching for when he makes his next