Post by Admin on Aug 8, 2020 20:59:18 GMT
Leo's Time - Closed (Hogsmeade Village, Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe)
Frank Cole
Cole placed Hope Jennings small hand in the crook of his arm and headed for the door to Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe. Through a reliable source he had found out that Leo Spellman, the last Spellman brother on his list of must talk too's was planning on meeting Gab Lupin at the Tea Shoppe to exchange information. Cole was hoping it was in written form. He had brought Hope Jennings for several reasons. She was a weapons specialist in his small army, she was a retrieval specialists and she was dating Franco Spellman. Cole had asked her if she had met the other brothers on one of her furloughs and she had told him she had met them all. He had informed her their target this time was Leo Spellman. All she had said to him was "yes, sir." None of his men and woman questioned him about anything he planned. It was not out of fear but more out of respect and knowing he would try very hard not to have personal or collateral damage to anyone.
Punta, Cole's head elf, was also with them, and had notified Darik, Sara Puddifoots head elf and friend that they would be arriving for afternoon tea and possibly dinner. Cole knew Darik would put the situation in context, but he also knew the elf would know, that Cole would keep it as light as possible, especially in the main dining room.
As they entered, the small bell over the door announced their arrival. Darik meet them and quietly lead them to a back table. Cole took the seat against the wall where he could see out of the back of small windows in the front of the tea Shoppe, after pulling out Hope's chair and making sure, she was comfortable. Punta had slightly bowed to Darik and taken a place against the wall not far from Cole.
"Tea and small sandwiches will be all we will require at the moment, Darik." Cole smiled and nodded. As Darik walked away, Cole looked around the room on the pretense of asking Hope, who was sitting on his left, if she needed anything. Gabriel and Natalie Lupin were sitting at a table in the back corner of the Tea Shoppe. From the dishes on the table, he surmised they were having a meal with Sara Puddifoot, owner and operator of the establishment. Cole had talked with the woman before and had always been polite on the visits he made to Hogsmeade, which were infrequent because he was too close to the school and did not want to paint too large a bulls eye on his back.
(OOC: Takes place just after Everywhere Else, A Test of Loyalty, Part V, On the Other Side. Hope Jennings is an admin character and is being used to further the story.)
GABRIEL LUPIN
Gabriel still had several hours before heading to work. He worked as a Bouncer at the Shadow Lounge. He and Nat had accepted Sara's invite to High Tea. Smiling at his wife Nathalie sitting off to his right, he turned when he heard the bell and knew they now had company in the otherwise empty Tea Shoppe. Frank Cole had just walked in with a very young girl on his arm.
Nathalie slowly shook her head as she turned her eyes in the direction her husband was looking. Turning back she watched her husband's body language. Gabriel was not fooling her, because he had become very alert and a lot less relaxed. She asked, "Expecting trouble Honey?"
Gabriel shook his head and tried to relax. Leo Spellman had sent word that he needed to get information to Neo and had asked Gab to meet him. Gabriel worked with Neo or Cooler as he was better known back at the Shadow Lounge. The man was good at breaking up fights or other disturbances. When Nathalie's eyes met his, tried to calm her as he said, "No sweetie. I guess I just worried because Leo and Neo still aren't talking to each other. Nat, those boys used to be so tight and now all four are..."
Gab's werewolf senses went on high alert as his hearing picked up Fixer placing an order, indicating he was going to stay. He said as he stood, "Be right back ladies. I see somebody I need to have words with." The werewolf knew Fixer being here meant that possible trouble for one of his friends and that meant Gab hoped to get the man to leave.
(OOC: Gab and Nat are both my characters.)
Darik HouseElf
Darik, had waited at the front door when Master Frank was expected. He was not worried anyone would think there was something wrong, because he always tried to greet customers as they entered. Master Gab, Mistress Nat and Mistress Sara were enjoying a dinner together at the table Mistress Sara called her own, near the back far corner of the Tea Shoppe. When Master Frank entered, Darik had bowed slightly, greeted them and led them to a table near the front back corner. It would allow them some privacy and keep as much as possible from disturbing any other patrons who might enter. Master Leo was due anytime and that did not bode good for a pleasant relaxing night. The clock on the wall, read 6:10 pm. Master Leo was expected anytime. Darik saw Mistress Sara wave him toward her table.
Sara had been enjoying herself immensely. It was not often she could get Gab and Nat to sit down together. Nat was her part-time waitress and friend and Gab was always working at the Shadow Lounge or off helping someone do something. When the young man became straight as a board, after seeing who entered, Sara started to wonder if there was going to be a problem. Frank Cole had come to the Tea Shoppe several time, but had always been a gentleman and never caused a problem. This time he had brought a beautiful young lady with him. Sara was glad to see the man was finally showing some companionship. He always looked so stern when he visited.
Sara motioned to Darik to stop by the table. When the elf arrived she softly said, "Darik, I hope we are not expecting problems. If you need too, please do not hesitate to call for help from someone," raising her eyebrows she added, "maybe from the school."
Darik smiled but answered, "No Mistress Sara, no trouble. I was notified a day ago that Master Frank would be arriving. I think things can be worked out."
Sara nodded, but before she could say anything else, the bell over the door announced another customer.
(OOC: Darik HouseElf and Sara Puddifoot are both my characters.)
LEO SPELLMAN
Leo had been debating on whether to inform his brother of what he had overheard at the Ministry. He smiled as he realized Gab was probably waiting at the Tea Shop. The bouncer was best friends with all the Quints and Leo trusted him. The trip to the Tea Shop had been a time to remember for Leo Spellman. He remembered just how close he and his brothers had once been. They might not always have seen eye to eye, especially where Frankie and Kat were concerned but they never been as secretive as Leo knew they now were.
He knew Neo thought him to be wreak but he had swore never to reveal what his father's journal had revealed. Leo had never understood their father's vanishing but he now at least understood why they had never heard about the MacIntosh side of the family. He cringed as he thought, "I still can't believe that out of all of us, I am the one that carries father's maternal father's curse? Gabriel sensed something in me about a year after Gabriel had first turned into a werewolf." Leo Spellman opened the door still debating on whether to burden his brother Neo with the real reason he went extreme in the stuff he did like surfing.
Gabriel seemed to be heading towards a table that had a man and woman at it. Leo smiled as the man looked familiar as if Leo had known him or at least seen him long ago. He said jokily as he walked up to Gabriel, "Thought you work Shadow Lounge Gab? You want Darik to think you don't trust his Bouncing skills?"
Gab glared at Fixer until he heard Leo. He laughed realizing what Darik might think of the werewolf confronting Fixer. Gabriel took Leo's arm and led him towards Sara's table saying, "No, Sara would not be pleased if Darik was on his bag all night. We can talk after high tea."
Leo felt Gab lead him towards Sara's table. He wondered just why the hair on the back of his neck was standing up. He glanced at the man at the table as he once again wondered just how he knew that man.
FRANK COLE
Cole had watched Gab rise from his seat and head in his direction. He sat back in his comfortable captain's style chair, rested his arm on the table and just watched with relaxed interest as the man approached. He knew Gab would not start anything in the main room of the Tea Shoppe so it was going to be interesting what he was going to say. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Darik's attention turned to his table. The elf was still being polite and listening to Sara Puddifoot, but his attention was on Cole and Hope.
When he saw Leo enter he was about to beckon him over but knew he would not be able to draw the man's attention before he met Gab coming closer. As the two men headed for Sara's table, Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment and an ever-ink pen. Scribbling a note he handed it to Punta and quietly said, "Please take this not to Master Leo. I have asked he join us, him and only him. Please make sure of this very quietly." Cole smiled and nodded to the elves unasked question. When the elf headed for the table, Cole smiled at Hope who was looking a little worried. He motioned for her to stay seated. She had moved to across the table from him, so she could see the room.
Leo was about to sit across from Sara when he was handed a note by Darik. Reading the note, Leo shook his head as he said, "Excuse me for a moment, it seems I am requested at the other table for a few moments." He watched as Gabriel shook his head as Gab whispered, "Not alone, you're not!" Leo chuckled as he said, "Relax Gab and enjoy your high tea. I know him but can't remember from where. I will be back and then we will talk." Leo walked over to the other table and said, "So you wanted to talk, Mr. Cole? I would advise for you to make it quick as Gabriel don't like or trust you for some reason. I trust my friend's instincts."
Cole nodded to the chair between him and Hope. Motioning toward Hope he said, "My I introduce my charming companion. I think you might recognize her name. Hope Jennings this gentleman, who is about to join us," Cole raised his eyebrows as Leo slowly sat down, "is Leo Spellman, one of the Spellman Quints. Leo Hope has known a couple of your family members." Cole chuckled because Hope was dating Franco Spellman when she was able to earn leave time.
Leo shook his head and then smiled at the young lady. He said calmly to Hope, "So you are the young lady that Gabriel told me about not long ago. It is nice to finally meet you Miss Jennings." He looked at Fixer as he said, "If you just wanted to inform me of who Frankie is interested in, Gabriel beat you to it. Now if you will excuse me, I came to talk with Gab." Leo started to push himself slowly out of the chair to return to Sara's table.
"Thought we could talk about your sister and how your brothers have gotten to know me and what I can do." Cole had not moved from his relaxed posture. "You are the last of the male quints I need to talk with. Your sister and I have talked only at the Shadow Lounge and I would like to keep it that way, if possible." Cole glanced at the other table. "Gab and I will eventually have a talk also but I thought you and I should come to some kind of an understanding first, on my abilities and how I can help you through your problems, especially the one problem which you are having difficulties learning about. I can give you a safe place to explore what worries you."
Gab senses caught Leo's panic and misread the cause. He needed to deal with this thorn in Neo's side before Leo was pushed into betraying the Ministry. He said to Nat and Sara, "I need to find out what Leo wanted to pass on, be right back."
At the same time, Leo shook his head as he said, "No need as I don't interfere with my brothers' lives and they leave me to my own idea of fun. So now as I said I came to talk with Gabriel." He stood at his full height of 6'1".
Punta reacted immediately to the quick hand signal from Master Frank He made it half way across the room before Master Gab had even moved from his chair. By the time Master Gab was on his feet, Punta was standing directly in front of him shaking his head. Punta looked around the human, to catch Darik's eyes and let his fellow elf know he was not going to cause any problems if possible, but Master Gab, was not allowed to interfere with what was going on at the other table.
Cole had never taken his eyes off Leo. "Suit yourself, but I believe the Ministry would be very interested in some talks your brothers have had with me. What happened on my island could be put in several different lights depending on how the information was passed along." Cole lowered his voice and demanded, "Now sit down Leo Spellman and let us talk, or maybe you would like to take this into a much more private space, like one of the back rooms."
Gab and Nathalie's special hearing picked up something about the back rooms. Nathalie smiled as she realized that the man at the other table was not wanting her husband involved. She looked at Gab and gently pulled him back down saying, "He is safe if I am reading the man right. Come on Gab let Leo handle this." She watched until Gab sat back down. Then she looked at Darik as she said, "Egyptian Room though Darik tell the man I will be unhappy if he shows that Gab worry was justified."
Leo had caught the threat against his brothers and his sister. His anger at the man was mixed with fear for his brothers. He looked towards Gab as he finally got what Gab was worried about. He turned and lowered his voice, "Mr. Cole, you threatening my brothers is something you should not have done. I might not talk or see my brothers but that does not mean I don't watch their backs. Also Gabriel would tear you apart if you even thought about endangering Frankie or Neo." He was about to deal with the man but then heard Nathalie and Darik.
Darik headed to the table where Master Leo was sitting with Master Frank and his friend Mistress Holly. He knew Master Frank had planned for this problem so when he reached the table he said quietly, "Your room is ready for you Master Frank when you are ready to use it. It is the one at the end of the hall on the left." Darik had the guest room set up to resemble the interior of a mountain cabin as Master Frank had requested when he sent the note saying he would be staying a couple of days.
Cole nodded to Darik Turning to Leo and said, "I have been able to get us a private room, where we can talk. Holly, Punta and also Darik if you wish may join us. But…" Cole glanced at the other table where all eyes were on them, "… no other human will be allowed for now. Will you join me?"
(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread)
LEO SPELLMAN
Leo gave a sly smile but the thing he said, "I would prefer Miss Jennings stay out here." Leo was worried about hurting the girl should his rage at her boss activated the gene and he changed. He knew Nathalie would calm Gab down though it scared Leo that Gab would not be there to stop him if his worse fear was realized. Leo had no idea of whether he would turn on just full moons like Gabriel or if he would turn any time.
Cole rose from his chair and signaled Holly to also rise. He motioned toward the hallway which started just not far from behind Sara's table and said, "No Holly will be joining us. Your only choice is whether Darik goes or not. Make your choice and proceed down the hall."
Leo whispered, "And if I choose not to? What then?" He was worried about Holly and Sara.
Leaning on the table, Cole whispered back, "I do not care if you have Darik there or not, but you are going to that room." Lowering his voice even more he said, so only Leo would be able to hear, "I would rather not make you, because then I might have to make sure Gab, Nat and Sara cannot interfere." Cole gave Leo a questioning look and then stood back up straight and again motioned toward the hall. "Your choice."
Leo inwardly cringed, as he understood. Leo was a risk taker but with Sara being in the crossfire, Leo knew he could not chance it. He looked at Darik as he said, "Stay close to Mistress Sara, Darik. It seems Mr. Cole wants a private chat."
He turned to look at Fixer as he said as calmly as he could, "Guess this chat goes private. One thing you should keep in mind though Mr. Cole. Threatening Sara is not a very healthy way to live. Gabriel and Nathalie usually make that point very clear. Now shall we?" He started for the hallway
Darik bowed slightly, looked at Cole and then to Punta. Cole was not sure what thoughts had passed between the two elves, but Darik again bowed to Punta and headed to Sara Puddifoot's chair.
As they passed the table, with Punta in the lead and Cole following Leo, Cole kept his eyes forward. A glance out of the corner of his eye showed Gab was half out of his chair and Nat, had her hand on his arm. The hall extended about fifty feet. On the right were three doors, which led to meeting rooms. They backed up against the kitchen so food could be passed through, to the occupants. Cole had chosen one of the three guest quarters off to the left. These were magically decorated to the taste of the person staying overnight. They headed for the last one, and Cole had requested a mountain cabin effect.
Punta unlocked the door and stepped in. Leo followed and was instantly relieved of his wand by the elf. Cole smiled as he walked past Leo to the small round wooden table, pulled out one of the chairs, turned it and straddled the seat. Motioning to the other chair he said, "Please be seated Leo."
Leo smiled as the elf took his wand. As he headed straight for Mr. Cole, Leo said, "You must not know much about me and my brothers if you think loss of my wand is going to stop me from dealing with a threat to my brothers. You made a bad move threatening my family Mr. Cole..."
Cole quickly pushed back out of his chair while waving Punta out of the fight. Just as Leo reached him he stepped to the side, grabbed the nap of Leo's neck with his left hand and elbowed the man's back with his right arm. Leo ended up on the bed, bounced off and hit the floor hard. Cole just stood and waited as the man started to get up.
Leo smiled as he jumped up fast but instead of attacking again, he just got into a relaxed position as he said, "So Mr. Cole, you going to tell me why Gab don't want us talking? I know he don't trust you and that it most likely has something to do with either Neo or more likely Frankie. You do know getting on Gabriel's bad side is not healthy. So why and just who do you work for, the Seven, Khalid or Matthew MacIntosh?" He had to think, as this man was familiar as was his style of fighting.
Cole stood up and squared his shoulders. Pointing to the other chair he said, "Please have a seat Leo, so we can talk in comfort. I did not bring you here to fight."
Leo relaxed as he sat down saying, "If that was not your intent then I suggest you don't threaten those I care about Mr. Cole. I am more level-headed then the others except when people mess with my brothers. I know you don't I Mr. Cole and not from recently either?"
He smiled at the girl as he said, "Don't worry Miss Jennings. I am usually more relaxed then this. It is just I have learned that Gabriel's senses are usually never wrong and he really don't like your boss. I guess it got me wondering if Mr. Cole was a problem for my brothers." Leo was surprised by Gabriel and Nathalie's reaction to this man and that had Leo worried.
Holly had waited in the hall long enough to make sure they had not been followed into the room. When she entered, she magically locked the door and stood just off to the side of it. If someone tried to barge in she would be able to catch them from behind. When Leo spoke to her she just nodded and then turned her attention back to the guard duty she was assigned to. She had smiled when she saw the consequences of the move Leo had apparently made just before she came in. The Captain was fast and used minimum effort when fighting. The troops called it the art of not fighting and although it was practiced by many, only a very few had mastered some of the moves.
(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)
COLE
Cole re-straddled the chair and folded his arms on the table in front of him. "First, I do not work for anyone but myself. I collect information and no I do not always sell it to the highest bidder. Most of the time I don't sell it at all, but use the information to gather more information. Second, it is not important where we have met before, and I must tell you, I am really surprised you can remember that far back." Cole had saved Neo in Egypt, when Neo was 10 and Cole was 12. Neo had ended up in the hospital and Cole had visited him there several times. A couple of the times had been when one or more of his brothers had been there. "What I have brought you here to talk about is your relationship with your brothers."
Leo smiled as he finally remembered. He reached into his robe as he said, "Neo's blood brother. That is why you look familiar. I have the picture we took that day Frank. I look at it to remind myself what true friendship is." He wanted to stay off the subject of his relationship with his brothers.
Cole nodded. His copy of the picture was safely incased in a frame in the main house on his island. "Very good Leo. It took Neo and Franco longer to figure it out." Smiling he continued, "but I am not going to let you change the subject. You and your brothers have stopped working together. You are all fiercely trying to help each other without coming into contact. This is a weakness which can be played by others. It is a weakness, which must end. So what do you suggest I do to help you and your family remedy this fact?"
Leo laughed as he said, "Frankie's is most likely safely locked away like everything else mother took. Neo's disappeared when we were twelve and Neo took that job he is still running from. As for my brothers and I not coming into contact, we have our reasons. Leave it alone, especially where I am concern. Just know it is more dangerous for them if I don't stay away. If that is all then I have a chat with Gabriel to finish." He started to get up.
"Franco has his picture in his possess. I made sure I gave it to him when I went through your mother's vault. It was very interesting some of the things I found. All of them are of course safe in my personal vault on my island at the moment. I will be happy to let you see them when you come to visit." Franco had taken Cole to his mothers vault under protest and under duress. Cole had made sure all the items were safe. The items belonged to the quints, but he needed to make sure some of them did not fall into the Dark Sides possession. "I really must insist you tell me why you are not working with your brothers, Leo."
Leo just shook his head as he finished standing. As he turned to head for the door Leo said, "Leave it be, even Gab understands to not push. Let's just say I am not the same as I was in that picture. Now if you will excuse me, I really must say goodbye. Do yourself a favor, stay away from me." Neo's blood brother was always counted as family and Leo now needed to protect him as well.
Leo asked Holly, "You going to see Frankie anytime soon? If so, tell him good choice. He will understand." Leo liked Holly and wanted his brother to know that he approved of his brother's choice.
Cole didn't move but turned his head and said, "I am afraid you can't leave Leo." He looked at Punta and gave the signal for Leo to be put back in his chair and his feet restrained to the legs. To Holly he said, "You may leave if you like. I do not want to cause trouble between you and Franco."
Holly looked at Leo then turned to Cole and said, "No Captain I will stay. If Frankie can not see I must follow orders then he will break off our relationship." Holly cringed, because she did not want to loose Franco. She was falling for him fast and she knew the attraction was mutual, but she had a job to do.
As Punta was forcing Leo back into his chair, Cole nodded his head and turned back to the man, fighting his confinement every inch of the way. "Fighting is only going to make Punta use stronger measures, Leo. I suggest you stop now."
Leo shook his head as he said, "Can't you understand Cole, I can't be trusted to be near them?"
Leo could now not move out of his chair. Punta was standing directly behind him so he could correct any moves Leo might make which would injure him. Cole pushed himself slowly out of his chair and walked to the side of the table. Resting his hands on the table he looked up at Holly and smiled trying to let her know everything was going as planned. Turning his hands so he was facing Leo he asked in a quiet steel laden voice, "Why can't you be trusted around them, Leo?" Then he waited.
Leo shook as he said, "Let's just say I am more like Gab then I would like except I was born with the curse."
Cole didn't move but just asked again, lowering his voice and putting more emphases on each word, "Why can't you be trusted around them, Leo?"
Leo shuttered as he said, "I have the werewolf gene and unlike my siblings, mine has been activated. I won't be a threat to them. So leave it be please." He was scared because all the research he had done told nothing about gene werewolves only bitten ones. It made him wonder if he would only change on a full moon or if he would change at any time.
Cole straddled his chair again and calmly spoke. "Now that was not so hard was it." Cole looked at Punta over Leo's shoulder and received a nod. "The gene you carry is definitely active but you will not turn because you have not been bitten by one of the alpha-males of you family line. Since you have not been bitten according to Punta's read of your body, then we need to train your gene. Each gene enhances something in its carrier."
Leo shook his head as he asked, "How can you be so sure when even Gab has no clue of just what damage was done? This don't get back to my brothers but Gab was the one that activated it. It was not his fault and was just a accident. I was bringing his Wolfsbane potion and he changed before the potion could take effect. He has been blaming himself since. I won't risk activating my brothers' gene."
Cole again looked at Punta. The elf stepped closer to Leo and put two fingers to the man's temple. After a few heartbeats, Punta lowered his hand and stepped back. The elf shook his head and then smiled. Cole nodded. Punta had just told him the injury that Gab had inflicted did not activate the werewolf gene. "Leo Gab did not bite you, if I am correct. His saliva did not combine with your blood, so you will not change. So we need to figure out what your enhancement is and see if we can augment it, then we need to get all the Quints together and get them working as one." Cole felt less certain of carrying this process out then he was trying to sound. Getting all five quints together and setting up a situation where they were required to work together for a purpose was going to take some thought.
Leo looked at the elf and then pulled up his pants leg to show Cole the not quite healed wound. It hurt but he would not tell anybody. He tried to smile as he said, "Good luck but I just can't risk it. I promised Gabriel that I would protect others from the threat I have become."Gabriel had been trying to get him o tell the others but Leo was unsure if their link had created a very big problem.
Punta stepped around to the side of Master Leo's chair and looked at the wound. Stretching out his fingers he placed the tips on the cut and closed his eyes. He knew the heat he generated would sting, but Master Leo needed the wound healed. When he took his hand away, the deep scratch was now only a thin red line. Standing back up straight he walked to his original position and looked at Master Frank. Punta nodded and took one-step back.
Cole smiled as he said, "The wound has been healed, Punta took a reading of your body and the gene is not activated as far as turning you now or at any time in the future. So we are back to our original problem of what enhancement you have received." Cole steepled his fingers in front of him and looked at Leo over the lips. Tapping the tips on his lips, he thought of what made this brother special. Franco had received a greater ability to change into animals of his choice; Neo had received the ability to move quicker and with greater agility. Marco had the ability to read people and come up with a way to get what he wanted from them, the Muggles called it fighting the system ]/i], but unlike most Muggles Marco usually succeeded. He hadn't been able to pinpoint Kat's abilities yes, but the possibility existed she had a photographic memory and she was also was good at settling her brothers disagreements. Leo liked to take risks and was good at thinking on his feet so maybe that was his specialty, the ability to take in what was happening at lightening speeds and use the information to stay safe. His problem was to convince Leo he needed to start working again with his brothers. Folding his arms again on the table in front of him he said, "You like to take risks and you can think on your feet, so I think we may have discovered you enhanced ability. What do you think?"
Leo smiled as he said, "Yes, I am but not when it will hurt others. Neo called it having a Death Wish. I just call it being Adventurous. You are asking me to risk my siblings and it is just something I can't do. Sorry but I can't..."
Cole interrupted Leo with, "I am not asking what you can or cannot do where your siblings are concerned Leo. You will find I do not usually ask for what I want. I find a way to get it with minimal damage to either my surroundings or the person from whom I am getting information. At the moment you are strictly a fact finding job to me. Now I wish to know about your sister. What can you tell me about her, especially any special traits she might have."
Leo shook his head as he thought, "Kat is off limits. This man is really wanting to be skinned alive!" He glared at Fixer as he said angry, "Touch Kat and you will better run!"
Cole chuckled and said, "I am trying hard not to touch your sister. I really like her." Cole chuckled again at the look on Leo's face. "I know she is taken by another, Leo. I like her. I do not want her as a love interest or anything close. The more I can find out from you and your brothers about her he less likely it is to need to personally talk with her at a location of my choice. So answer my question and help me stay out of her personal life, or don't answer and I will let her know part of the reason she will be visiting me, is because her brothers refused to try and protect her." Cole inwardly snickered.
Leo's eyes went red as he said, "You have no business with Kat! Leave her alone!" Leo was torn between protecting his sister or protecting his family from what he was becoming. He looked at the elf and then at the man asking the questions. After several minutes Leo Spellman was still torn.
Cole motioned Holly to the table. Signaling for her to bend down so he could whisper in her ear he said, so only she could hear, "Go to the Hog's Head. In the attic there you will find a small box that looks like a wardrobe cabinet. Bring it to me." Holly nodded, looked at Leo one time and left the room. Then Cole motioned for Punta to take the same position. To the elf he said, "Mind link with T-Bell on Master Khalid's island and have him send the receiving cabinet to my island. Then get in touch with one of the others on the island and have them receive and set up the cabinet in the corner of my office. Oh, and Punta, keep Darik out of the loop. They cannot get mad at him for something he does not know is happening." When Punta had nodded, moved back to his original position behind Leo, closed his eyes and sent the mental message, Cole turned to Leo and said, "That answer will not do Leo. Now let's try again. What do you think your sister's specialty is?"
Leo had gotten even more worried when the girl left. He slowly shook his head as he said, "I won't betray my sister to you or anybody. My sister's secrets are her business and hers alone." He knew it was risky and the man might take his angry out on his brother Frankie.
Cole nodded and looked at his watch. Holly walked in the door carrying a doll size cabinet and place it in the corner, then took up her position back in front of the locked door. Cole looked at Punta to make sure everything was set up on the Isle of Perdition. Receiving a nod the turned to Leo and said, "From what I have been able to find out, your brothers have a time limit set up on finding the others, if one of you does not show up for a scheduled meeting within half an hour. Now I know you are not normally involved in this procedure, unless it is extremely difficult to find the person. Your brothers ban together to find the missing Quint. Am I right in this?"
Leo tried to not give away that every Friday he had lunch at his sister's. He always arrived at noon. He was shaking as he prayed this guy did not realize that if he or Kat were not there Tal'mac would notice and call his brothers. He had to keep quiet.
Cole nodded and signaled Punta to enlarge the cabinet. It was a Portkey with the other end now established on the Isle of Perdition, in his office. "You still have not answered me Leo. Let me help you with an answer. Tomorrow is Friday and you and Kat always eat lunch at noon. I won't go into details with what you normally order, but suffice it to say, if you do not show up, your brothers will be notified and head out to find you." Cole could see the question in Leo's face as he asked himself, how Cole knew all of this. "To answer your unasked question, I told you my job, the one I have set for myself, is collect information about places, things and especially people of interest to me. Your brothers will be fed enough information from clues I will establish to lead them here to the Tea Shoppe. I have rented this room for three days, and Sara is very particular about her guests being disturbed, so the room will basically be locked down. Your brother's will be allowed to enter the room, because everyone will believe I am still here. Because of past dealings with them, they will not hesitate to enter the cabinet when they are instructed to. Now all I need is bait for my little test I am setting up? Who do you think I should use Leo?"
Leo went white and said shakily, "Please let them be. They have enough to worry about without learning about what I learned by accident." He had not even told Kat about the family secret. Leo cringed as he remembered the promise he had made to keep his siblings out of MacIntosh hands.
"I am afraid you all must learn to work totally together, Leo. In order to do that you all must be in the same place. Now what I have to decide is whether Kat will work with you or she will be the bait of the for the trial by combat you and the other Quints will work your way through. Maybe I have you be the one to choose if she will join you in the test or be at the other end ad take the consequences of your failure to work together. Of course, if she is with you and you brothers I will have to come up with someone else to take the consequences. So what do you say Leo, which shall it be?" Cole smiled and leaned back and grabbed the back of the chair he was straddling waiting for Leo's answer.
Leo cringed as he thought of the only way to protect his siblings. Swallowing hard he said, "Use me as bait, just leave the rest be. They don't know the family secret and they never can know."
Cole laughed. "How can I have the four brother's working together if one of them is being used for bait?" Cole slowly shook his head then looked dead at Leo and said, "Choose Leo or I will toss a coin and it will be Kat or maybe someone a bit younger. Choose Now!!!"
Leo jumped to his feet, even with his feet magically tied to the legs of the chair. He leaned over the table and exploded, "You leave Charlie and Dalton alone or I'll tear you apart!"
Cole folded his arms on the back of the straight back chair and smiled, "What happens to others is all totally up to you Leo. The question before you is whether Kat is the bait or I pick someone else. It is your decision, not mine."
Leo sunk in the chair as he said, "Kat, but if any harm comes to her..." He shook his head as he realized that either way Friday night his family's fate would be sealed.
"Very good, I think I can come up with an appropriate consequence for Kat, if you four can not work as a team. This is going to be very interesting." Cole pushed himself out of the chair and walked to behind Leo, where the cabinet was now standing six feet tall. Turning to Holly he said, "You will stay on guard here. I want someone in this room at all times. And Holly, you are on duty the whole time, so when Franco shows up, remember that."
Holly went to attention and although her eyes questioned Cole, her answer of "Yes, Sir," pleased him. She would know if she stayed true to her job, it would be rewarded later. Cole always made sure he rewarded his men and women for good jobs, with something they needed or wanted.
Nodding to Punta, to release Leo's feet from the chair, Cole opened the door to the cabinet and motioned toward the inside, "Leo, you will please enter the cabinet. It is time to move our little meet and greet to more familiar territory for me. Oh and this room is sound proof so if you want to yell be my guest." Cole again motioned toward the opened cabinet.
Leo shook his head as he said, "I am not going anywhere with you! You don't understand if I don't have that chat with Gabriel it won't matter if me and my siblings ever work together. As of Friday night my family's fate is sealed." He hated what he had promised Matthew but either he had to show up tomorrow night with Gabriel or Matthew was going to deal with them all including Charlie and little Dalton.
Cole put his hand in the air with his fingers opened. Quickly he snapped his fingers into a fist and gave Punta the signal to restrain Leo. Cole saw Punta add a little extra to the restraints to make sure Leo would not fall. Stepping closer to the man he said, "I know about your meeting for tomarrow night, Leo. Gab would have gone, too, I am sure, but it is not going to happen. I will personally send my regrets to Markus. That should keep him mad enough with me to keep him away from the family. Oh and Dalton and Kat are both being protected twenty-four-seven."
Motioning toward the cabinet one more time, Cole added, "Please enter the cabinet on your own Leo, or I will have Punta give you assistance. If you show up at the other end bound and restrained, it is going to give my men a reason to believe they should not treat you as my guest until I get there. They tend to be a bit rough with those they think have angered me."
Leo shook his head as he said, "You have sealed all our fates. You can't protect us all. Matthew won't like me crossing him. As of Friday night, Matthew will deal with all those who he considers Lone wolves and that includes both of Kat's children Charlie and Dalton. Markus acted in good faith and risked Matthew's wrath to help me and act as go-between. Me bring Gab is just a sign to Matthew that Gabriel won't hunt the Clan anymore. Markus says Matthew just wants to talk to Gabriel." He did not believe that was all Matthew wanted but Leo was willing to take the chance as long as Gabriel was. The main thing was Markus swore that Matthew would be at the meet as would the man that attacked Gabriel.
He was still shaking his head but headed for the cabinet as he finished, "I will hold you personally responsible if my siblings pay for this failure to end the feud."
Cole nodded and closed the door of the cabinet. He needed to have a talk with Jonathan MacIntosh aka McChey and see what he could set up to help keep everyone safe. Something did not ring true, because Matthew never got his hands dirty . Cole could not picture him taking time out of his rule the world schedule to even consider Leo and Gab. When he opened it he stepped inside and followed Leo to his island. It would be good to sleep in his own bed again.
(Continued in Isle of Perdition, Leo Rejoins the Family)
CLOSED
Frank Cole
Cole placed Hope Jennings small hand in the crook of his arm and headed for the door to Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe. Through a reliable source he had found out that Leo Spellman, the last Spellman brother on his list of must talk too's was planning on meeting Gab Lupin at the Tea Shoppe to exchange information. Cole was hoping it was in written form. He had brought Hope Jennings for several reasons. She was a weapons specialist in his small army, she was a retrieval specialists and she was dating Franco Spellman. Cole had asked her if she had met the other brothers on one of her furloughs and she had told him she had met them all. He had informed her their target this time was Leo Spellman. All she had said to him was "yes, sir." None of his men and woman questioned him about anything he planned. It was not out of fear but more out of respect and knowing he would try very hard not to have personal or collateral damage to anyone.
Punta, Cole's head elf, was also with them, and had notified Darik, Sara Puddifoots head elf and friend that they would be arriving for afternoon tea and possibly dinner. Cole knew Darik would put the situation in context, but he also knew the elf would know, that Cole would keep it as light as possible, especially in the main dining room.
As they entered, the small bell over the door announced their arrival. Darik meet them and quietly lead them to a back table. Cole took the seat against the wall where he could see out of the back of small windows in the front of the tea Shoppe, after pulling out Hope's chair and making sure, she was comfortable. Punta had slightly bowed to Darik and taken a place against the wall not far from Cole.
"Tea and small sandwiches will be all we will require at the moment, Darik." Cole smiled and nodded. As Darik walked away, Cole looked around the room on the pretense of asking Hope, who was sitting on his left, if she needed anything. Gabriel and Natalie Lupin were sitting at a table in the back corner of the Tea Shoppe. From the dishes on the table, he surmised they were having a meal with Sara Puddifoot, owner and operator of the establishment. Cole had talked with the woman before and had always been polite on the visits he made to Hogsmeade, which were infrequent because he was too close to the school and did not want to paint too large a bulls eye on his back.
(OOC: Takes place just after Everywhere Else, A Test of Loyalty, Part V, On the Other Side. Hope Jennings is an admin character and is being used to further the story.)
GABRIEL LUPIN
Gabriel still had several hours before heading to work. He worked as a Bouncer at the Shadow Lounge. He and Nat had accepted Sara's invite to High Tea. Smiling at his wife Nathalie sitting off to his right, he turned when he heard the bell and knew they now had company in the otherwise empty Tea Shoppe. Frank Cole had just walked in with a very young girl on his arm.
Nathalie slowly shook her head as she turned her eyes in the direction her husband was looking. Turning back she watched her husband's body language. Gabriel was not fooling her, because he had become very alert and a lot less relaxed. She asked, "Expecting trouble Honey?"
Gabriel shook his head and tried to relax. Leo Spellman had sent word that he needed to get information to Neo and had asked Gab to meet him. Gabriel worked with Neo or Cooler as he was better known back at the Shadow Lounge. The man was good at breaking up fights or other disturbances. When Nathalie's eyes met his, tried to calm her as he said, "No sweetie. I guess I just worried because Leo and Neo still aren't talking to each other. Nat, those boys used to be so tight and now all four are..."
Gab's werewolf senses went on high alert as his hearing picked up Fixer placing an order, indicating he was going to stay. He said as he stood, "Be right back ladies. I see somebody I need to have words with." The werewolf knew Fixer being here meant that possible trouble for one of his friends and that meant Gab hoped to get the man to leave.
(OOC: Gab and Nat are both my characters.)
Darik HouseElf
Darik, had waited at the front door when Master Frank was expected. He was not worried anyone would think there was something wrong, because he always tried to greet customers as they entered. Master Gab, Mistress Nat and Mistress Sara were enjoying a dinner together at the table Mistress Sara called her own, near the back far corner of the Tea Shoppe. When Master Frank entered, Darik had bowed slightly, greeted them and led them to a table near the front back corner. It would allow them some privacy and keep as much as possible from disturbing any other patrons who might enter. Master Leo was due anytime and that did not bode good for a pleasant relaxing night. The clock on the wall, read 6:10 pm. Master Leo was expected anytime. Darik saw Mistress Sara wave him toward her table.
Sara had been enjoying herself immensely. It was not often she could get Gab and Nat to sit down together. Nat was her part-time waitress and friend and Gab was always working at the Shadow Lounge or off helping someone do something. When the young man became straight as a board, after seeing who entered, Sara started to wonder if there was going to be a problem. Frank Cole had come to the Tea Shoppe several time, but had always been a gentleman and never caused a problem. This time he had brought a beautiful young lady with him. Sara was glad to see the man was finally showing some companionship. He always looked so stern when he visited.
Sara motioned to Darik to stop by the table. When the elf arrived she softly said, "Darik, I hope we are not expecting problems. If you need too, please do not hesitate to call for help from someone," raising her eyebrows she added, "maybe from the school."
Darik smiled but answered, "No Mistress Sara, no trouble. I was notified a day ago that Master Frank would be arriving. I think things can be worked out."
Sara nodded, but before she could say anything else, the bell over the door announced another customer.
(OOC: Darik HouseElf and Sara Puddifoot are both my characters.)
LEO SPELLMAN
Leo had been debating on whether to inform his brother of what he had overheard at the Ministry. He smiled as he realized Gab was probably waiting at the Tea Shop. The bouncer was best friends with all the Quints and Leo trusted him. The trip to the Tea Shop had been a time to remember for Leo Spellman. He remembered just how close he and his brothers had once been. They might not always have seen eye to eye, especially where Frankie and Kat were concerned but they never been as secretive as Leo knew they now were.
He knew Neo thought him to be wreak but he had swore never to reveal what his father's journal had revealed. Leo had never understood their father's vanishing but he now at least understood why they had never heard about the MacIntosh side of the family. He cringed as he thought, "I still can't believe that out of all of us, I am the one that carries father's maternal father's curse? Gabriel sensed something in me about a year after Gabriel had first turned into a werewolf." Leo Spellman opened the door still debating on whether to burden his brother Neo with the real reason he went extreme in the stuff he did like surfing.
Gabriel seemed to be heading towards a table that had a man and woman at it. Leo smiled as the man looked familiar as if Leo had known him or at least seen him long ago. He said jokily as he walked up to Gabriel, "Thought you work Shadow Lounge Gab? You want Darik to think you don't trust his Bouncing skills?"
Gab glared at Fixer until he heard Leo. He laughed realizing what Darik might think of the werewolf confronting Fixer. Gabriel took Leo's arm and led him towards Sara's table saying, "No, Sara would not be pleased if Darik was on his bag all night. We can talk after high tea."
Leo felt Gab lead him towards Sara's table. He wondered just why the hair on the back of his neck was standing up. He glanced at the man at the table as he once again wondered just how he knew that man.
FRANK COLE
Cole had watched Gab rise from his seat and head in his direction. He sat back in his comfortable captain's style chair, rested his arm on the table and just watched with relaxed interest as the man approached. He knew Gab would not start anything in the main room of the Tea Shoppe so it was going to be interesting what he was going to say. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Darik's attention turned to his table. The elf was still being polite and listening to Sara Puddifoot, but his attention was on Cole and Hope.
When he saw Leo enter he was about to beckon him over but knew he would not be able to draw the man's attention before he met Gab coming closer. As the two men headed for Sara's table, Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment and an ever-ink pen. Scribbling a note he handed it to Punta and quietly said, "Please take this not to Master Leo. I have asked he join us, him and only him. Please make sure of this very quietly." Cole smiled and nodded to the elves unasked question. When the elf headed for the table, Cole smiled at Hope who was looking a little worried. He motioned for her to stay seated. She had moved to across the table from him, so she could see the room.
Note:
Please join me at my table, Leo. I wish to discuss yours and your family's future.
F. Cole
Please join me at my table, Leo. I wish to discuss yours and your family's future.
F. Cole
Leo was about to sit across from Sara when he was handed a note by Darik. Reading the note, Leo shook his head as he said, "Excuse me for a moment, it seems I am requested at the other table for a few moments." He watched as Gabriel shook his head as Gab whispered, "Not alone, you're not!" Leo chuckled as he said, "Relax Gab and enjoy your high tea. I know him but can't remember from where. I will be back and then we will talk." Leo walked over to the other table and said, "So you wanted to talk, Mr. Cole? I would advise for you to make it quick as Gabriel don't like or trust you for some reason. I trust my friend's instincts."
Cole nodded to the chair between him and Hope. Motioning toward Hope he said, "My I introduce my charming companion. I think you might recognize her name. Hope Jennings this gentleman, who is about to join us," Cole raised his eyebrows as Leo slowly sat down, "is Leo Spellman, one of the Spellman Quints. Leo Hope has known a couple of your family members." Cole chuckled because Hope was dating Franco Spellman when she was able to earn leave time.
Leo shook his head and then smiled at the young lady. He said calmly to Hope, "So you are the young lady that Gabriel told me about not long ago. It is nice to finally meet you Miss Jennings." He looked at Fixer as he said, "If you just wanted to inform me of who Frankie is interested in, Gabriel beat you to it. Now if you will excuse me, I came to talk with Gab." Leo started to push himself slowly out of the chair to return to Sara's table.
"Thought we could talk about your sister and how your brothers have gotten to know me and what I can do." Cole had not moved from his relaxed posture. "You are the last of the male quints I need to talk with. Your sister and I have talked only at the Shadow Lounge and I would like to keep it that way, if possible." Cole glanced at the other table. "Gab and I will eventually have a talk also but I thought you and I should come to some kind of an understanding first, on my abilities and how I can help you through your problems, especially the one problem which you are having difficulties learning about. I can give you a safe place to explore what worries you."
Gab senses caught Leo's panic and misread the cause. He needed to deal with this thorn in Neo's side before Leo was pushed into betraying the Ministry. He said to Nat and Sara, "I need to find out what Leo wanted to pass on, be right back."
At the same time, Leo shook his head as he said, "No need as I don't interfere with my brothers' lives and they leave me to my own idea of fun. So now as I said I came to talk with Gabriel." He stood at his full height of 6'1".
Punta reacted immediately to the quick hand signal from Master Frank He made it half way across the room before Master Gab had even moved from his chair. By the time Master Gab was on his feet, Punta was standing directly in front of him shaking his head. Punta looked around the human, to catch Darik's eyes and let his fellow elf know he was not going to cause any problems if possible, but Master Gab, was not allowed to interfere with what was going on at the other table.
Cole had never taken his eyes off Leo. "Suit yourself, but I believe the Ministry would be very interested in some talks your brothers have had with me. What happened on my island could be put in several different lights depending on how the information was passed along." Cole lowered his voice and demanded, "Now sit down Leo Spellman and let us talk, or maybe you would like to take this into a much more private space, like one of the back rooms."
Gab and Nathalie's special hearing picked up something about the back rooms. Nathalie smiled as she realized that the man at the other table was not wanting her husband involved. She looked at Gab and gently pulled him back down saying, "He is safe if I am reading the man right. Come on Gab let Leo handle this." She watched until Gab sat back down. Then she looked at Darik as she said, "Egyptian Room though Darik tell the man I will be unhappy if he shows that Gab worry was justified."
Leo had caught the threat against his brothers and his sister. His anger at the man was mixed with fear for his brothers. He looked towards Gab as he finally got what Gab was worried about. He turned and lowered his voice, "Mr. Cole, you threatening my brothers is something you should not have done. I might not talk or see my brothers but that does not mean I don't watch their backs. Also Gabriel would tear you apart if you even thought about endangering Frankie or Neo." He was about to deal with the man but then heard Nathalie and Darik.
Darik headed to the table where Master Leo was sitting with Master Frank and his friend Mistress Holly. He knew Master Frank had planned for this problem so when he reached the table he said quietly, "Your room is ready for you Master Frank when you are ready to use it. It is the one at the end of the hall on the left." Darik had the guest room set up to resemble the interior of a mountain cabin as Master Frank had requested when he sent the note saying he would be staying a couple of days.
Cole nodded to Darik Turning to Leo and said, "I have been able to get us a private room, where we can talk. Holly, Punta and also Darik if you wish may join us. But…" Cole glanced at the other table where all eyes were on them, "… no other human will be allowed for now. Will you join me?"
(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread)
LEO SPELLMAN
Leo gave a sly smile but the thing he said, "I would prefer Miss Jennings stay out here." Leo was worried about hurting the girl should his rage at her boss activated the gene and he changed. He knew Nathalie would calm Gab down though it scared Leo that Gab would not be there to stop him if his worse fear was realized. Leo had no idea of whether he would turn on just full moons like Gabriel or if he would turn any time.
Cole rose from his chair and signaled Holly to also rise. He motioned toward the hallway which started just not far from behind Sara's table and said, "No Holly will be joining us. Your only choice is whether Darik goes or not. Make your choice and proceed down the hall."
Leo whispered, "And if I choose not to? What then?" He was worried about Holly and Sara.
Leaning on the table, Cole whispered back, "I do not care if you have Darik there or not, but you are going to that room." Lowering his voice even more he said, so only Leo would be able to hear, "I would rather not make you, because then I might have to make sure Gab, Nat and Sara cannot interfere." Cole gave Leo a questioning look and then stood back up straight and again motioned toward the hall. "Your choice."
Leo inwardly cringed, as he understood. Leo was a risk taker but with Sara being in the crossfire, Leo knew he could not chance it. He looked at Darik as he said, "Stay close to Mistress Sara, Darik. It seems Mr. Cole wants a private chat."
He turned to look at Fixer as he said as calmly as he could, "Guess this chat goes private. One thing you should keep in mind though Mr. Cole. Threatening Sara is not a very healthy way to live. Gabriel and Nathalie usually make that point very clear. Now shall we?" He started for the hallway
Darik bowed slightly, looked at Cole and then to Punta. Cole was not sure what thoughts had passed between the two elves, but Darik again bowed to Punta and headed to Sara Puddifoot's chair.
As they passed the table, with Punta in the lead and Cole following Leo, Cole kept his eyes forward. A glance out of the corner of his eye showed Gab was half out of his chair and Nat, had her hand on his arm. The hall extended about fifty feet. On the right were three doors, which led to meeting rooms. They backed up against the kitchen so food could be passed through, to the occupants. Cole had chosen one of the three guest quarters off to the left. These were magically decorated to the taste of the person staying overnight. They headed for the last one, and Cole had requested a mountain cabin effect.
Punta unlocked the door and stepped in. Leo followed and was instantly relieved of his wand by the elf. Cole smiled as he walked past Leo to the small round wooden table, pulled out one of the chairs, turned it and straddled the seat. Motioning to the other chair he said, "Please be seated Leo."
Leo smiled as the elf took his wand. As he headed straight for Mr. Cole, Leo said, "You must not know much about me and my brothers if you think loss of my wand is going to stop me from dealing with a threat to my brothers. You made a bad move threatening my family Mr. Cole..."
Cole quickly pushed back out of his chair while waving Punta out of the fight. Just as Leo reached him he stepped to the side, grabbed the nap of Leo's neck with his left hand and elbowed the man's back with his right arm. Leo ended up on the bed, bounced off and hit the floor hard. Cole just stood and waited as the man started to get up.
Leo smiled as he jumped up fast but instead of attacking again, he just got into a relaxed position as he said, "So Mr. Cole, you going to tell me why Gab don't want us talking? I know he don't trust you and that it most likely has something to do with either Neo or more likely Frankie. You do know getting on Gabriel's bad side is not healthy. So why and just who do you work for, the Seven, Khalid or Matthew MacIntosh?" He had to think, as this man was familiar as was his style of fighting.
Cole stood up and squared his shoulders. Pointing to the other chair he said, "Please have a seat Leo, so we can talk in comfort. I did not bring you here to fight."
Leo relaxed as he sat down saying, "If that was not your intent then I suggest you don't threaten those I care about Mr. Cole. I am more level-headed then the others except when people mess with my brothers. I know you don't I Mr. Cole and not from recently either?"
He smiled at the girl as he said, "Don't worry Miss Jennings. I am usually more relaxed then this. It is just I have learned that Gabriel's senses are usually never wrong and he really don't like your boss. I guess it got me wondering if Mr. Cole was a problem for my brothers." Leo was surprised by Gabriel and Nathalie's reaction to this man and that had Leo worried.
Holly had waited in the hall long enough to make sure they had not been followed into the room. When she entered, she magically locked the door and stood just off to the side of it. If someone tried to barge in she would be able to catch them from behind. When Leo spoke to her she just nodded and then turned her attention back to the guard duty she was assigned to. She had smiled when she saw the consequences of the move Leo had apparently made just before she came in. The Captain was fast and used minimum effort when fighting. The troops called it the art of not fighting and although it was practiced by many, only a very few had mastered some of the moves.
(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)
COLE
Cole re-straddled the chair and folded his arms on the table in front of him. "First, I do not work for anyone but myself. I collect information and no I do not always sell it to the highest bidder. Most of the time I don't sell it at all, but use the information to gather more information. Second, it is not important where we have met before, and I must tell you, I am really surprised you can remember that far back." Cole had saved Neo in Egypt, when Neo was 10 and Cole was 12. Neo had ended up in the hospital and Cole had visited him there several times. A couple of the times had been when one or more of his brothers had been there. "What I have brought you here to talk about is your relationship with your brothers."
Leo smiled as he finally remembered. He reached into his robe as he said, "Neo's blood brother. That is why you look familiar. I have the picture we took that day Frank. I look at it to remind myself what true friendship is." He wanted to stay off the subject of his relationship with his brothers.
Cole nodded. His copy of the picture was safely incased in a frame in the main house on his island. "Very good Leo. It took Neo and Franco longer to figure it out." Smiling he continued, "but I am not going to let you change the subject. You and your brothers have stopped working together. You are all fiercely trying to help each other without coming into contact. This is a weakness which can be played by others. It is a weakness, which must end. So what do you suggest I do to help you and your family remedy this fact?"
Leo laughed as he said, "Frankie's is most likely safely locked away like everything else mother took. Neo's disappeared when we were twelve and Neo took that job he is still running from. As for my brothers and I not coming into contact, we have our reasons. Leave it alone, especially where I am concern. Just know it is more dangerous for them if I don't stay away. If that is all then I have a chat with Gabriel to finish." He started to get up.
"Franco has his picture in his possess. I made sure I gave it to him when I went through your mother's vault. It was very interesting some of the things I found. All of them are of course safe in my personal vault on my island at the moment. I will be happy to let you see them when you come to visit." Franco had taken Cole to his mothers vault under protest and under duress. Cole had made sure all the items were safe. The items belonged to the quints, but he needed to make sure some of them did not fall into the Dark Sides possession. "I really must insist you tell me why you are not working with your brothers, Leo."
Leo just shook his head as he finished standing. As he turned to head for the door Leo said, "Leave it be, even Gab understands to not push. Let's just say I am not the same as I was in that picture. Now if you will excuse me, I really must say goodbye. Do yourself a favor, stay away from me." Neo's blood brother was always counted as family and Leo now needed to protect him as well.
Leo asked Holly, "You going to see Frankie anytime soon? If so, tell him good choice. He will understand." Leo liked Holly and wanted his brother to know that he approved of his brother's choice.
Cole didn't move but turned his head and said, "I am afraid you can't leave Leo." He looked at Punta and gave the signal for Leo to be put back in his chair and his feet restrained to the legs. To Holly he said, "You may leave if you like. I do not want to cause trouble between you and Franco."
Holly looked at Leo then turned to Cole and said, "No Captain I will stay. If Frankie can not see I must follow orders then he will break off our relationship." Holly cringed, because she did not want to loose Franco. She was falling for him fast and she knew the attraction was mutual, but she had a job to do.
As Punta was forcing Leo back into his chair, Cole nodded his head and turned back to the man, fighting his confinement every inch of the way. "Fighting is only going to make Punta use stronger measures, Leo. I suggest you stop now."
Leo shook his head as he said, "Can't you understand Cole, I can't be trusted to be near them?"
Leo could now not move out of his chair. Punta was standing directly behind him so he could correct any moves Leo might make which would injure him. Cole pushed himself slowly out of his chair and walked to the side of the table. Resting his hands on the table he looked up at Holly and smiled trying to let her know everything was going as planned. Turning his hands so he was facing Leo he asked in a quiet steel laden voice, "Why can't you be trusted around them, Leo?" Then he waited.
Leo shook as he said, "Let's just say I am more like Gab then I would like except I was born with the curse."
Cole didn't move but just asked again, lowering his voice and putting more emphases on each word, "Why can't you be trusted around them, Leo?"
Leo shuttered as he said, "I have the werewolf gene and unlike my siblings, mine has been activated. I won't be a threat to them. So leave it be please." He was scared because all the research he had done told nothing about gene werewolves only bitten ones. It made him wonder if he would only change on a full moon or if he would change at any time.
Cole straddled his chair again and calmly spoke. "Now that was not so hard was it." Cole looked at Punta over Leo's shoulder and received a nod. "The gene you carry is definitely active but you will not turn because you have not been bitten by one of the alpha-males of you family line. Since you have not been bitten according to Punta's read of your body, then we need to train your gene. Each gene enhances something in its carrier."
Leo shook his head as he asked, "How can you be so sure when even Gab has no clue of just what damage was done? This don't get back to my brothers but Gab was the one that activated it. It was not his fault and was just a accident. I was bringing his Wolfsbane potion and he changed before the potion could take effect. He has been blaming himself since. I won't risk activating my brothers' gene."
Cole again looked at Punta. The elf stepped closer to Leo and put two fingers to the man's temple. After a few heartbeats, Punta lowered his hand and stepped back. The elf shook his head and then smiled. Cole nodded. Punta had just told him the injury that Gab had inflicted did not activate the werewolf gene. "Leo Gab did not bite you, if I am correct. His saliva did not combine with your blood, so you will not change. So we need to figure out what your enhancement is and see if we can augment it, then we need to get all the Quints together and get them working as one." Cole felt less certain of carrying this process out then he was trying to sound. Getting all five quints together and setting up a situation where they were required to work together for a purpose was going to take some thought.
Leo looked at the elf and then pulled up his pants leg to show Cole the not quite healed wound. It hurt but he would not tell anybody. He tried to smile as he said, "Good luck but I just can't risk it. I promised Gabriel that I would protect others from the threat I have become."Gabriel had been trying to get him o tell the others but Leo was unsure if their link had created a very big problem.
Punta stepped around to the side of Master Leo's chair and looked at the wound. Stretching out his fingers he placed the tips on the cut and closed his eyes. He knew the heat he generated would sting, but Master Leo needed the wound healed. When he took his hand away, the deep scratch was now only a thin red line. Standing back up straight he walked to his original position and looked at Master Frank. Punta nodded and took one-step back.
Cole smiled as he said, "The wound has been healed, Punta took a reading of your body and the gene is not activated as far as turning you now or at any time in the future. So we are back to our original problem of what enhancement you have received." Cole steepled his fingers in front of him and looked at Leo over the lips. Tapping the tips on his lips, he thought of what made this brother special. Franco had received a greater ability to change into animals of his choice; Neo had received the ability to move quicker and with greater agility. Marco had the ability to read people and come up with a way to get what he wanted from them, the Muggles called it fighting the system ]/i], but unlike most Muggles Marco usually succeeded. He hadn't been able to pinpoint Kat's abilities yes, but the possibility existed she had a photographic memory and she was also was good at settling her brothers disagreements. Leo liked to take risks and was good at thinking on his feet so maybe that was his specialty, the ability to take in what was happening at lightening speeds and use the information to stay safe. His problem was to convince Leo he needed to start working again with his brothers. Folding his arms again on the table in front of him he said, "You like to take risks and you can think on your feet, so I think we may have discovered you enhanced ability. What do you think?"
Leo smiled as he said, "Yes, I am but not when it will hurt others. Neo called it having a Death Wish. I just call it being Adventurous. You are asking me to risk my siblings and it is just something I can't do. Sorry but I can't..."
Cole interrupted Leo with, "I am not asking what you can or cannot do where your siblings are concerned Leo. You will find I do not usually ask for what I want. I find a way to get it with minimal damage to either my surroundings or the person from whom I am getting information. At the moment you are strictly a fact finding job to me. Now I wish to know about your sister. What can you tell me about her, especially any special traits she might have."
Leo shook his head as he thought, "Kat is off limits. This man is really wanting to be skinned alive!" He glared at Fixer as he said angry, "Touch Kat and you will better run!"
Cole chuckled and said, "I am trying hard not to touch your sister. I really like her." Cole chuckled again at the look on Leo's face. "I know she is taken by another, Leo. I like her. I do not want her as a love interest or anything close. The more I can find out from you and your brothers about her he less likely it is to need to personally talk with her at a location of my choice. So answer my question and help me stay out of her personal life, or don't answer and I will let her know part of the reason she will be visiting me, is because her brothers refused to try and protect her." Cole inwardly snickered.
Leo's eyes went red as he said, "You have no business with Kat! Leave her alone!" Leo was torn between protecting his sister or protecting his family from what he was becoming. He looked at the elf and then at the man asking the questions. After several minutes Leo Spellman was still torn.
Cole motioned Holly to the table. Signaling for her to bend down so he could whisper in her ear he said, so only she could hear, "Go to the Hog's Head. In the attic there you will find a small box that looks like a wardrobe cabinet. Bring it to me." Holly nodded, looked at Leo one time and left the room. Then Cole motioned for Punta to take the same position. To the elf he said, "Mind link with T-Bell on Master Khalid's island and have him send the receiving cabinet to my island. Then get in touch with one of the others on the island and have them receive and set up the cabinet in the corner of my office. Oh, and Punta, keep Darik out of the loop. They cannot get mad at him for something he does not know is happening." When Punta had nodded, moved back to his original position behind Leo, closed his eyes and sent the mental message, Cole turned to Leo and said, "That answer will not do Leo. Now let's try again. What do you think your sister's specialty is?"
Leo had gotten even more worried when the girl left. He slowly shook his head as he said, "I won't betray my sister to you or anybody. My sister's secrets are her business and hers alone." He knew it was risky and the man might take his angry out on his brother Frankie.
Cole nodded and looked at his watch. Holly walked in the door carrying a doll size cabinet and place it in the corner, then took up her position back in front of the locked door. Cole looked at Punta to make sure everything was set up on the Isle of Perdition. Receiving a nod the turned to Leo and said, "From what I have been able to find out, your brothers have a time limit set up on finding the others, if one of you does not show up for a scheduled meeting within half an hour. Now I know you are not normally involved in this procedure, unless it is extremely difficult to find the person. Your brothers ban together to find the missing Quint. Am I right in this?"
Leo tried to not give away that every Friday he had lunch at his sister's. He always arrived at noon. He was shaking as he prayed this guy did not realize that if he or Kat were not there Tal'mac would notice and call his brothers. He had to keep quiet.
Cole nodded and signaled Punta to enlarge the cabinet. It was a Portkey with the other end now established on the Isle of Perdition, in his office. "You still have not answered me Leo. Let me help you with an answer. Tomorrow is Friday and you and Kat always eat lunch at noon. I won't go into details with what you normally order, but suffice it to say, if you do not show up, your brothers will be notified and head out to find you." Cole could see the question in Leo's face as he asked himself, how Cole knew all of this. "To answer your unasked question, I told you my job, the one I have set for myself, is collect information about places, things and especially people of interest to me. Your brothers will be fed enough information from clues I will establish to lead them here to the Tea Shoppe. I have rented this room for three days, and Sara is very particular about her guests being disturbed, so the room will basically be locked down. Your brother's will be allowed to enter the room, because everyone will believe I am still here. Because of past dealings with them, they will not hesitate to enter the cabinet when they are instructed to. Now all I need is bait for my little test I am setting up? Who do you think I should use Leo?"
Leo went white and said shakily, "Please let them be. They have enough to worry about without learning about what I learned by accident." He had not even told Kat about the family secret. Leo cringed as he remembered the promise he had made to keep his siblings out of MacIntosh hands.
"I am afraid you all must learn to work totally together, Leo. In order to do that you all must be in the same place. Now what I have to decide is whether Kat will work with you or she will be the bait of the for the trial by combat you and the other Quints will work your way through. Maybe I have you be the one to choose if she will join you in the test or be at the other end ad take the consequences of your failure to work together. Of course, if she is with you and you brothers I will have to come up with someone else to take the consequences. So what do you say Leo, which shall it be?" Cole smiled and leaned back and grabbed the back of the chair he was straddling waiting for Leo's answer.
Leo cringed as he thought of the only way to protect his siblings. Swallowing hard he said, "Use me as bait, just leave the rest be. They don't know the family secret and they never can know."
Cole laughed. "How can I have the four brother's working together if one of them is being used for bait?" Cole slowly shook his head then looked dead at Leo and said, "Choose Leo or I will toss a coin and it will be Kat or maybe someone a bit younger. Choose Now!!!"
Leo jumped to his feet, even with his feet magically tied to the legs of the chair. He leaned over the table and exploded, "You leave Charlie and Dalton alone or I'll tear you apart!"
Cole folded his arms on the back of the straight back chair and smiled, "What happens to others is all totally up to you Leo. The question before you is whether Kat is the bait or I pick someone else. It is your decision, not mine."
Leo sunk in the chair as he said, "Kat, but if any harm comes to her..." He shook his head as he realized that either way Friday night his family's fate would be sealed.
"Very good, I think I can come up with an appropriate consequence for Kat, if you four can not work as a team. This is going to be very interesting." Cole pushed himself out of the chair and walked to behind Leo, where the cabinet was now standing six feet tall. Turning to Holly he said, "You will stay on guard here. I want someone in this room at all times. And Holly, you are on duty the whole time, so when Franco shows up, remember that."
Holly went to attention and although her eyes questioned Cole, her answer of "Yes, Sir," pleased him. She would know if she stayed true to her job, it would be rewarded later. Cole always made sure he rewarded his men and women for good jobs, with something they needed or wanted.
Nodding to Punta, to release Leo's feet from the chair, Cole opened the door to the cabinet and motioned toward the inside, "Leo, you will please enter the cabinet. It is time to move our little meet and greet to more familiar territory for me. Oh and this room is sound proof so if you want to yell be my guest." Cole again motioned toward the opened cabinet.
Leo shook his head as he said, "I am not going anywhere with you! You don't understand if I don't have that chat with Gabriel it won't matter if me and my siblings ever work together. As of Friday night my family's fate is sealed." He hated what he had promised Matthew but either he had to show up tomorrow night with Gabriel or Matthew was going to deal with them all including Charlie and little Dalton.
Cole put his hand in the air with his fingers opened. Quickly he snapped his fingers into a fist and gave Punta the signal to restrain Leo. Cole saw Punta add a little extra to the restraints to make sure Leo would not fall. Stepping closer to the man he said, "I know about your meeting for tomarrow night, Leo. Gab would have gone, too, I am sure, but it is not going to happen. I will personally send my regrets to Markus. That should keep him mad enough with me to keep him away from the family. Oh and Dalton and Kat are both being protected twenty-four-seven."
Motioning toward the cabinet one more time, Cole added, "Please enter the cabinet on your own Leo, or I will have Punta give you assistance. If you show up at the other end bound and restrained, it is going to give my men a reason to believe they should not treat you as my guest until I get there. They tend to be a bit rough with those they think have angered me."
Leo shook his head as he said, "You have sealed all our fates. You can't protect us all. Matthew won't like me crossing him. As of Friday night, Matthew will deal with all those who he considers Lone wolves and that includes both of Kat's children Charlie and Dalton. Markus acted in good faith and risked Matthew's wrath to help me and act as go-between. Me bring Gab is just a sign to Matthew that Gabriel won't hunt the Clan anymore. Markus says Matthew just wants to talk to Gabriel." He did not believe that was all Matthew wanted but Leo was willing to take the chance as long as Gabriel was. The main thing was Markus swore that Matthew would be at the meet as would the man that attacked Gabriel.
He was still shaking his head but headed for the cabinet as he finished, "I will hold you personally responsible if my siblings pay for this failure to end the feud."
Cole nodded and closed the door of the cabinet. He needed to have a talk with Jonathan MacIntosh aka McChey and see what he could set up to help keep everyone safe. Something did not ring true, because Matthew never got his hands dirty . Cole could not picture him taking time out of his rule the world schedule to even consider Leo and Gab. When he opened it he stepped inside and followed Leo to his island. It would be good to sleep in his own bed again.
(Continued in Isle of Perdition, Leo Rejoins the Family)
CLOSED