Repairman Jack [10]-Harbingers by F. Paul Wilson

Despairing? Not even close.
    Jack didn't know how, but he was convinced that Rasalom had been behind those deaths. Maybe not directly responsible, but involved. The result was unrelenting rage—at Rasalom, and at the Otherness.
    "What's he like?" Davis said.
    "Just a guy. He doesn't wear a cape or have a vulture sitting on his shoulder. Pass him on the street and you'd never give him a second thought. Just an ordinary, everyday guy… until you look in his eyes and he lets you see what's going on in—"
    "Daddy?"
    Jack glanced to his right and saw a chunky preteen girl standing in the doorway. She had blond hair, blue eyes, a pimple on her chin, and an open book in her hands.
    "What is it, Diana?"
    "Can you please help me with this algebra problem?"
    The Oculus smiled. "What were you told about interrupting meetings?"
    She looked down. "Sorry. But I'm just not getting it."
    "It's hard at first, 1 know. Keep trying. I'll be in as soon as I finish here."
    She smiled.'"Kay."
    When she was gone the Oculus turned back to Jack.
    "My daughter. I took her out of school when the Adversary began killing off the Oculi. Now I homeschool her." He smiled ruefully and shook his head. Jack couldn't read those eyes, but he sensed the man's love for his daughter. "I never realized what an awesome responsibility it was."
    "What about her mother?"
    "Dead. A fire in a Midwest Home. The Oculus there and her son—our son—were killed. I had taken Diana to raise, so she was spared. But our boy…" His mouth twitched. "He would have taken his mother's place had he lived, just as Diana will take mine, but…"
    Jack wondered about that. Diana had normal blue human eyes. Would she develop her father's black eyes as she got older?
    Whatever. Jack had had enough of this for now. His scars still itched but had stopped burning. He still had questions, but he felt too much like a prisoner here. He needed to walk free, get back to the real world, feel New York City pavement beneath his feet.
    He stood.
    "Okay, you help your daughter while I—"
    The Oculus shot to his feet. "You're not leaving!"
    "That's the plan."
    "But there's so much I wish to know! About the Sentinel—"
    "Wouldn't know him if I tripped over him." He turned toward the door. "Bye."
    Miller stepped in front of him.
    "Not so fast. You'll go when he says you can go."
    Jack turned to the Oculus, checking Davis's position as he moved. Close enough for Jack to land a side kick to his knee hard enough to bring him down if it came to that. Miller wouldn't be so easy. Miller wouldn't be easy at all.
    And of course, they were armed and he wasn't.
    Better be cool.
    "Am I a prisoner?"
    "No, of course not, but—"
    "Then I'd like to go."
    "But you were led here for a purpose—to join us."
    Right. He'd get on the sign-up line right behind Godot.
    "I'm not much of a joiner."
    "But there's so much we need to discuss."
    "We'll make a play date. Now, can 1 leave peacefully or do things have to get ugly?"
    The Oculus sighed. "Very well. But please come back."
    Jack wanted a repeat too, but more on his terms. Not as a captive audience.
    "We'll work something out."
    He turned back toward the door but Miller still blocked it. He glared past Jack at the Oculus.
    "Are you out of your mind? He knows all about us now. We can't let him go!"
    "We can," the Oculus said. "And we will."
    "This guy's a fake. He's not the Heir."
    "But he is."
    "What have you been smoking? The Heir will come from the yeniçeri."
    And then Jack got it. If anyone was going to be designated the Heir, Miller had expected to be him.
    "Hey, Miller," Davis said. "Cool it."
    Miller pointed at the Oculus. "I signed on to protect him. That doesn't mean I have to kiss his ass. This is a bad move and I take no responsibility for any damage this guy winds up doing."
    He turned and stomped out of the room.
    Jack turned to Davis. "You have some things of mine, I believe."
    Davis nodded. He looked embarrassed. "Yeah. Come on. I'll get them for