Read Online The Blood Eagle in the Big Easy by K. A. Lange - Free Book Online Page A

Another set of sharp intakes of breaths and queasy looks made their way around the room. The King of Zulu spoke in a deep gravely voice as he gestured toward the old photos. “I was under the impression that all of the business in Maine had been tended to at the time.” He leaned forward in his seat as he gave me a grave look. “Understand that I was a recent addition to the courts during that time, but from what I was told the threat was terminated. And now you expect us to clean up your mess?”
    Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling to control my anger I shook my head. “I have no idea who gave you that particular impression sir, but it was and still is a mistaken one.” I quickly motioned for the others to follow along. “If you open the files from the original case you will see that there were at least five of the higher ranking members that were never accounted for.” I caught myself clenching and unclenching my right hand as I spoke as 20 years of anger threatening to take over. I took in another breath and steadied myself. “To make matters worse I never discovered the confluence of their power. It always left me feeling uneasy and today is a perfect example as to why.”
    I was caught by surprise, much like everyone else, when I heard an aged voice no more than a whisper drifting across the still air of the room to completely fill the emptiness. All attention turned to the aged Rex who glared at the Gatekeeper. The Gatekeeper visibly shrunk as he tried to make himself as small as possible, trying to avoid the aged man's wrath.
    “It would seem that our previous scribe may have been a little premature in my counterpart, King Zulu, tutelage. Isn’t that correct Gatekeeper?” Rex seethed.
    “Perhaps he misunderstood my instructions.” The Gatekeeper said as his voice broke slightly.
    “It was this particular incident where I lost my leg from the knee down.” Rex wheezed stopping to take a puff from an inhaler before continuing. “It nearly cost me my life and only by the grace of God and our good friend Viktor that I survived the day. But I do digress, please carry on.” Rex rasped.
    It was a rarity for the old man to speak in public anymore due to the pain involved. Having been diagnosed with both throat cancer and emphysema, it was only the gravity of the situation that compelled him to do so now. I bowed slightly and nodded at him in thanks. “This particular set of crazies were playing on an entirely different level than anything most of us have ever encountered.” I held up a hand to stop any of the younger members who were pushing themselves off the wall to argue the point. “Before any of you get indignant, yes I am sure of that statement, and if you want confirmation please read the files provided after our meeting. If you still want to pull them out and measure after that, please feel free to discuss it with Rex. I am sure you will get the scope of the situation in its entirety at that point.” The idea of discussing this with King Rex, more than anything, caused them to shrink back into the darkness.
    The Gatekeeper stood and addressed me. His voice was wheezy and slightly higher pitched than a man’s voice should be as it cracked, as if his balls were finally dropping after fifty plus years.
    “If you are so very concerned about, ‘the crazies’ as you call them, then why aren’t you out there doing something about them instead of here?” He threw up his hands in mock surprise. “Wait a minute! Let me guess!” as his face suddenly contorted into a sneer. “You want the council to do your job for you. Isn’t that right?” Anger and hatred filled his voice. “Are you not the mighty and all powerful Viktor Engel Warden that we have heard so many stories about?” He waved a hand at me as if dismissing me. “I would appreciate it if you would just get to the point and allow the rest of us to get on with our day!”
    I could have sworn I heard him stamp his foot under his desk