01 Red Queen by Christopher Pike

Author:Christopher Pike [Pike, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

WE LEFT TOWN IN THE opposite direction jimmy and I had taken, heading west into a sun that was drifting toward the horizon. I wore a heavy pair of sunglasses but the glare did not appear to bother Kendor. A half hour outside the city, he instructed me to pull off onto a dirt road as we approached a row of rocky hills. The path was heavily pitted and I was glad for our sturdy SUV.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, one of the few things he had said to me since getting in my vehicle.

“About Lara. Can I ask you about her?”

“Let’s wait and discuss her later.” He added, “Ask another question.”

“All right. Do you still enjoy killing?”

“Still?”

“My father said you were quite the warrior in your youth.”

Kendor was thoughtful. “When I was young and fought with others toward a common goal, I found killing satisfying, but only if our purpose was noble. Otherwise, no, I take no pleasure in hurting any man or beast.”

“Does that mean you’re a vegetarian?”

“Yes.”

I chuckled. “Sorry.”

He was not offended. “I amuse you. Why?”

“It’s just that you remind me of a vampire.”

“I didn’t know you believed in vampires.”

“I don’t.” I paused. “Should I?”

He smiled but otherwise did not respond. We drove on. Long stretches of silence did not appear to bother him. After living a few thousand years, I suppose even I would have worked out my chatty nature.

“What was the last battle you did enjoy?” I asked.

“The Battle of Alesia. 52 BC. I didn’t enjoy it but it was important for several reasons.” He looked over. “Did you read about it in school?”

I hesitated. “Did it have something to do with Caesar?”

“He was a true friend.”

I had to struggle not to squeal with pleasure. “You knew him? That is so cool!” I cried.

“I’m glad you approve.”

“Did your Council even exist in those days?” I asked.

“Your father has spoken to you about us?”

“Yes. Is that all right?”

“My feeling is, the more you know, the better. In those days the Council was present, but we were loosely organized and didn’t do much to influence humanity. However, we did see the Roman Republic as having the potential to unify Europe, and for that reason we supported its development, in Cleo’s usual low-key manner.”

“I detect a note of sarcasm,” I said.

“Your father has probably told you Cleo and I don’t always see eye-to-eye. We share the same desire to help mankind but our methods differ. She feels humanity is best served by learning from its mistakes. But I tire of its unlimited ability to repeat the same mistakes.” Kendor shook his head as if remembering a thousand arguments with his associate. “Sometimes I wish she’d let us take a more proactive role.”

“Like a Caesar?” I said.

“Yes. Every now and then someone appears in history that the Council recognizes as having the ability to take mankind to a higher level. Whether they’re a witch or not is unimportant. In many ways it’s better if they’re not, although

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