Book 3: Chapter 5
The others went much more smoothly as they heeded their boss's words and relaxed their defenses. For each one, Garrett sent out a dream flower seed, planting it into their minds. He refrained from growing any blooms past the first, and instead commanded the flowers to begin absorbing the energy of the curse. It took about forty minutes for the flowers to absorb the entirety of the curse, and by morning all five of the remaining awakened had been cleared. As morning was just about to dawn, they prepared for the next phase of their plan. Though Cynen was going along with Garrett, it was clear that she still had some reservations, but she played along.
When she reappeared in the inns office, Garrett was already sitting in his wheelchair, a calm expression on his face. His shoulders were slightly stooped, his weak looking body and thin face giving him a fragile air, making it impossible for her to equate him with the confident, broad shouldered mask wearing man she had just been negotiating with. All it had taken to achieve the misdirection was a simple use of Illusory Dream, creating an image of him to remain standing nearby while he slipped out of the Ghosts Mirror. When she saw him, Cynen nearly sneered, until she remembered that it was Garrett who was the public face of the Klein Family, and they were now allied.
That masked man. Your leader. What is his name? Cynen asked.
A faint smile crossed Garretts face as he met Cynens fierce gaze.
He isnt our leader. But you can call him Geller, or the Dreamer.
Taken aback, Cynen walked over to stand in front of Garrett, looking down at him with narrowed eyes.
Hes not in charge?
No. Though you can take anything he says as the will of the Klein Family. Just as you can take my words in the same way.
Who is in charge? Can I meet the boss?
Shaking his head, Garrett let his gaze sweep over the five awakened who had appeared behind Cynen as Isabelle threw them out of the Hollow Space. Each of the five carried a bloom that had been strengthened by consuming the curse, growing to two or three blooms. This was Garretts true insurance policy. Of the seven awakened who had come to attack, there were only these five left, and each one of them was carrying a dream flower. They would continue lurking beside Cynen, growing naturally and serving as Garretts eyes and ears.
It was a risk of sorts, as there were undoubtedly mysterious artifacts that would be able to tell that they were carrying parasitic dream entities within their bodies. Furthermore, the dream flowers would begin to propagate when they returned to the crypts, increasing the spread of the flowers to the northernmost part of the city. The spread of flowers was already impossible to miss in the dream, and seeing more pop up might raise some suspicion, but Garrett knew it was a risk he had to take. Ideally, he would have been able to plant a dream seed in Cynen herself, but her soul spark was simply too strong and she would have been able to tell it was there.
There was a knock on the door and Obe opened it up, faint confusion appearing on his face when he saw Cynen and the others. They all looked tired and like they had gone through a fight, but otherwise were unharmed. Cynen in particular stood out to him as he saw her casually talking with Garrett. Stopping by the desk, he bowed to Garrett.
You wanted to see me, boss?
Yes, Garrett said, holding out a piece of paper that had some writing on it. Can you get this copied and distribute copies throughout our territory? Can you also call Gavin here? Id like to talk to him about our new agreement with the Grave Walker gang.
Sure, boss, Obe said, nodding his head and quickly leaving the room with the piece of paper in hand.
Cynen watched him go, a faint confusion on her face. Sensing that she had a question, Garrett just looked at her and waited. After Obe vanished, she turned to Garrett.
Just like that? No questions?Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Chuckling, Garrett waved his hand.
What need is there for questions where there is trust?
Shuddering, Cynen shook her head.
There is something really wrong with all of you. You use mysterious artifacts, you work with monsters, your lieutenants just obey your commands with no hesitation. Its creepy. But dont get me wrong, Im happy youre on my side.
I was going to say, arent you the one who wanders around the crypts? That isnt a whole lot better.
It creates a binding agreement. It will help us ensure that everyone is being truthful.
Ignoring the barb, Garrett caressed his chin with his fingers. He had been learning everything he could about mysterious artifacts, but Garrett had never run into one like this. That seemed to suggest that there were more powers beyond the Dream than he had realized. Looking around, Garrett realized that there wasnt a hint of the Dream anywhere in the large building. The building also lacked the depressive aura that shrouded the rest of the cemetery and instead there was a fresh, bright smell. Figuring it had to do with some way the building had been constructed, Garrett put it out of his mind and brought himself to task.
The plan was simple. First, allow the group to be seen clearly. Second, hold a subordination ceremony that would show that the Grave Walkers had won. Third, sign the agreement. With the first part of the plan complete, Garrett and Cynen began the second. Their ceremony wasnt complicated, and it only took about ten minutes for them to perform it. Garrett recited an oath promising to support the Grave Walkers as the stronger gang, while Cynen returned an oath committing themselves to protect the Klein Family. The oaths were more of a formality than anything else, but they were performed for the sake of tradition.
More important than the oaths was the agreement itself. Garrett had drafted it that morning, and it was absolutely watertight. Even a careful reading would give the impression that the Klein Family was the weaker of the gangs, but it set things up in such a way that most of the benefits flowed toward the Family, rather than to the Grave Walkers. All of this was done in the main room of the Grave Walkers headquarters, and by the time they were done, there was a large crowd gathered outside. This was the most important part of the play, as among the crowd were members of other gangs coming to see what was going on. Heading back out onto the steps, Cynen looked around proudly and gestured to Garrett, Obe, and the others.
Today marks a great victory for the Grave Walker gang. We welcome the Klein Family, and associated gangs, under our banner. While we will not directly absorb their territory, they will be under our protection. Let the word be spread that we have gained a new subordinate gang.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as everyone looked at Garrett and the others from the Klein family. It was rare that a gang fight would end up with a solution like this, but it wasnt entirely unheard of. Still, the Klein Family had been acknowledged as one of the fastest growing gangs in the city, so to see them pulled under the Grave Walkers umbrella was an impressive feat. A heavily muscled man with an open vest that revealed his bare chest stepped out of the crowd and walked closer, stopping when he was at the foot of the stairs where Cynen had addressed the crowd.
Congratulations, Deaths Flame. I didnt realize you knew how to leave people alive. I would have thought that you would have burned them all to a crisp.
Paskal, has your boss let you out of your cage to run wild? Cynen said.
Paskal just grinned at Cynens words as he stepped forward heavily, his foot landing on the first step.
Dont cause trouble, Paskal, a thin woman said, appearing next to him. This is supposed to be a happy occasion, not a clash between gangs.
Gero is correct, Cynen said, her expression easing as she released the pressure she was building up.
The thin woman flashed a smile at Paskal and then turned to Garrett.
Dont let him scare you, Mr. Klein. I am Gero Twin Blade, of the Ebony Association. The muscle head is Paskal the Crusher, of the Brass Tiger Syndicate. Were your neighbors, so we thought we would come by and see how things shook out.
Youve seen it, so you can leave now, Cynen said, her expression dour. And dont let me find you creeping around, or youll get a taste of my wrath.
Sneering, Paskal looked at Garrett and shook his head.
The company you are keeping is getting worse by the day, Cynen. At this rate, youll fall from your seat before the next meeting. Its pathetic.
Green flames burst to life around Cynens hands as she stepped forward, staring down the short flight of stairs at Paskal.
Want to try me? You can see if Ive lost my edge.
Knock it off you too, Gero said, giving both of them a hard look. If you want to fight, wait for the meeting. If you brawl in the street, youll cause problems for everyone.
Spitting on the ground, Paskal turned around and walked away, not bothering to say anything further and with a little smile that wasnt friendly at all, Gero trailed after him, leaving Cynen and Garrett looking after them. Her mood ruined, Cynen dispersed the crowd and stomped back into the gangs headquarters leaving Garrett and the others outside.
What was that about? Ryn asked.
Im not sure, Garrett said, but Im going to find out.
