“I still don’t understand why you thought it best I send Aquarius out in the field instead of me going. He’s a whizz when it comes to seeking out commonalities in events.”
“While I can’t see it yet, a different task awaits you.” No sooner had she murmured than Sage’s gaze unfocused, the sign of a vision rolling over her. “I see Aquarius returning within the next few days and, from then on, working diligently to solve the mystery.”
“Good. If anyone can find a link in what’s happening, it’s him.” Aries and computers did not get along.
“Unfortunately, neither he nor the others will be back in time for the hockey game this Saturday night in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It will have to be you who attends.”
His brows lifted. “You know I don’t follow sports.”
“Maybe you should. It’s the Stanley Cup match, and it’s a doozy. The Maple Leafs are playing in the finals, something that hasn’t happened since 1967.”
“Still don’t care.” And since when did Sage know anything about sports?
“Be that as it may, you have to go.”
“And leave you alone? Like fuck.” Aries only rarely went on missions because his task involved more the coordinating of them. Not to mention, he’d long ago made a rule to never leave Tower without at least one warrior to guard it.
“You don’t have a choice. You have to be there. I already bought you a ticket, and it was not cheap.”
When Sage stood firm on an issue, a warrior should always listen because she wouldn’t insist without a reason.
“I take it something is going to happen.”
Her eyes swirled as she spoke in what he called “the Prophecy voice.”
“Shattered ice. Blood. Death. The screams of the innocent echo around the world, their deaths heralding the beginning of our end.” Sage dropped out of the trance and shook her head.
“Sounds like I should be bringing more than just myself to this game. Maybe I should call back some of the warriors.”
She shook her head. “I saw only you.”
“Me alone against whatever is going to happen?” He couldn’t help a skeptical note.
“Even were you to bring all the warriors, it would make no difference. Tragedy will strike.”
“Then why even bother going? You know I hate leaving you alone.” Even more now with the baby.
“Given our roles, it’s never about what we want, but what we must do.”
A reminder Aries should not have needed, and in that moment, he envied Libra the freedom from the burden of safeguarding the world. Would they never know peace?
CHAPTER 1
Grayson lacedup his skates and tuned out the noise of his teammates. The upcoming game, the last of his professional NHL career, would be intense. The Maple Leafs hadn’t made it to the Stanley Cup finals since the sixties. Six games they’d played thus far and they were tied three to three. This final match would decide the winner.
If they could pull it off, Grayson would end on a career high. Now, if only he could figure out what came after.
How did a forty-some-year-old man, who’d made hockey his whole life from the moment he could hold a stick, shift into another career? Some well-meaning friends had suggested he turn to coaching. Perhaps see if Team Canada wanted him, or some of the local sports clubs. An option, except for the fact he couldn’t properly teach how to be a good player. Some guys studied the game, could spout off strategic plays and how they worked. Grayson simply hit the ice, stick in hand, and let instinct guide him. His dad used to say Grayson could see the ice, predict where people would move, and get ahead of them. How was he supposed to explain something that had always come naturally?
Forget coaching. What else did that leave? His buddy Ralph told him he should get into boxing. After all, he’d never hesitatedto drop gloves and pummel an asshole who thought they could get away with chirping or tripping. Not on his watch. He’d surpassed the Leaf’s icon Tie Domi for penalties and might just squeeze out the top spot held by Tiger Williams if he got kicked off the ice for at least seven minutes in this final game.
How would that look on his resume?
The head coach entered the locker room and launched into a speech both inspirational and threatening. If they lost, chances were the owner would scrap a good chunk of the players and staff. After all, these final few games should have been a cakewalk, seeing as how they’d beaten their opponents in the regular season without fail.
Grayson stood with the others when it came time to slap hands and utter a manly yodel that got them pumped for the game. The young guys bristled and bounced on their blades with excitement and energy. Veterans, like Grayson, preserved it. Too fast and furious out of the gate would leave him gassed and sluggish.
The team emerged from the locker room and headed onto the ice to the roaring of the fans in the packed stadium. While some of the fellows waved and showboated, Grayson stretched as he did a slow skate around the arena, limbering and loosening muscles made solid by years of following a strict exercise regimen. What would he do when he no longer had to work out and practice seven days a week? Hopefully not get fat. He’d best find some kind of active hobby and fast.
