Chapter 22
The funeral was, to Dylan’s surprise and relief, uneventful. Mr. Miller said a few words, as did the funeral director. No clergy was present to perform an actual service, and Dylan was okay with that.
Once the gathering had concluded, and they were preparing Homer for his descent into eternal slumber, Gabriel whispered. “What are you going to do?”
Mr. Miller smiled softly. “I’ll leave you all alone for a few minutes.” He took the funeral director aside to discuss what Dylan assumed was business to do with the funeral.
Dylan stood at the foot of the casket holding a man he didn’t really know—barely even remembered. He sighed and looked down the row. His father’s grave was only a few stones down. He saw a line of Coates family plots going so far back in time some had simple slate stones; the names lost to history—though he assumed he had their writings back at the mansion. All of them guarded the worlds. All were ready to die for what was right. All had been preparing for something, and Homer believed it was him. He placed a hand on the coffin, closing his eyes. When he spoke, his voice held strength and passion he didn’t recognize. “I claim my birthright. I am a son of the Coates, guardian of the paths of peace.” Electricity coursed through his veins. Fire pulsed under his skin. “I will restore order to the worlds and claim my mother’s throne.” He heard his mother’s voice, but she sounded a thousand miles away. Wind roared in his ears. His eyes flew open. “I will avenge the death of my father. I will avenge the deaths of the innocent victims of this war, and there will be peace. The gates will be open. Forever.”
A distant howl thundered across the valley. Gabriel shivered beside him. He closed his eyes, and he could see everyone around him. The funeral director returned and started lowering the casket. The wind picked up. He made a comment about the wind, but Dylan didn’t care to listen. Overhead, lightning arced across the sky and thunder rumbled.
Once Homer was in the ground, Mr. Miller approached him cautiously, his voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know exactly what that was, son, but I think you did it right. Homer didn’t tell me the details, but I know he had some powerful magic. Saw some things in the war that most people wouldn’t believe, though I suspect you would. I think he’d be proud of you. I’ll be coming by tomorrow with paperwork from the bank to transfer the accounts to you.”
Dylan nodded. “I want mom on them too. Take your fee and know that if anything happens to me, my family is to be taken care of. Gabriel too. Write up a will similar to Homer’s. Short and simple. We can take care of the details when you come by tomorrow.”
“What do you think’s going to happen?”
Dylan shrugged. “Hope for the best. Plan for the worst.”
Mr. Miller chuckled. Dylan left him to oversee the details and walked towards the car, lighting a cigarette as he walked.
His mother came up beside him a few minutes later. He smiled, knowing she was trying to calm herself down. “Why? You could have ended it. You didn’t know those other worlds existed a week ago, so why risk yourself to help them?”
He looked into her eyes and saw resigned recognition cross her face. “You already know, but I’ll say it anyway. You remember Dad better than I ever could, but what do you think he would have done? What would he have wanted me to do?”
She nodded. “Fuckin Coates. Always doing what’s right, consequences be damned.”
Dylan chuckled. “At least I came by it honest. You guys get back to the house. Gabe and I need to talk. Ask mamaw to keep looking into what I asked her about earlier.”
Merrin nodded. “Fine. Just whatever you do, come home. I think you’ve thrown down a gauntlet today, and I just pray you’re ready for what’s coming.”
He nodded silently, and she turned to gather her mother and sister.
“You came out of that alive. I’ll be honest, I was worried she was going to kill you herself.”
Dylan flashed a smile at Gabriel. “Nah, I think deep down she knows I didn’t have a choice.”
Gabriel placed a hand on his arm. “We always have a choice.”
Dylan shook his head. “Yes, and no. If events aren’t pre-ordained, then there’s some level of predictability in all of nature. It’s the only way a gift like theirs can work.”
“It’s wrong sometimes.”
Dylan smiled. “Yeah, but when it’s wrong, it’s like when you’re at a concert and hear someone hit a wrong note. It’s almost as if the universe works to the harmony of a song that no one hears. I think they do, in a way. What they do is mostly guesswork, but when you know the song by heart, you know what notes will come next.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “What happened up there? I think even old Mr. Miller could feel it, but God knows I did. So did everyone else.”
Dylan shook his head. “I don’t know exactly, but what I do know is my mind is at peace. Whatever that ritual was, it grounded me. I think I know exactly what I’m doing now. For the first time in a long time.”
Gabriel nodded. “So, what’s our first step?”
Dylan grinned. “We make sure he knows exactly who he’s dealing with. From there, we go home. Mamaw’s been researching what I saw earlier to see if we can’t get you some answers.”
Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “Peggy’s? Are you fucking insane?”
Dylan chuckled. “Possibly. But I know he won’t try anything with customers in the building. Too many witnesses. Too many people who know who I am.”
Gabriel sighed. “I don’t know. If he wants to stop you, maybe nothing will keep him from doing something crazy. Who’s going to believe a handful of hicks? Or he could just kill them all.”
Dylan shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think he could see us that night at mom’s. whether he was actually there or using magic to watch, he knows some of the power I’ve come into. Besides, I don’t think he’s the one calling the shots. We’re just going to rattle his cage a little.”