Out of the blue, p.1
Out of the Blue, page 1
OUT OF THE
BLUE
NIRANJAN
First published by Geetha Krishnan 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Niranjan K
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Niranjan K (Geetha Krishnan) asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Editing by Fair Editions
Cover Design by Taurus Colloseum
Formatted by Fair Editions
I have referred to the book By the Skies by J.E. Mueller in this book with author’s permission.
THIS BOOK CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS
Domestic violence
Death of a family member
Domestic abuse
Grief
Loss
Death
Blood
Violence
Alcoholism
Trauma
DEDICATION
To my husband
Happy anniversary. Twenty years is nearly not enough.
Table of contents
Prologue
one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
OUT OF THE
BLUE
Prologue
S
omething was coming towards him, and Aydin found himself petrified, completely unable to move. The thing stopped an inch before his face, sniffing the air. Aydin didn’t know what to call it. It was insubstantial, passing through solid obstacles like nothing he had seen before, but it looked solid. It was an undulating mass of grey, forming the shape of the objects it passed through. Right now, it had the shape of the chair Aydin had pushed on its way before fear, and the wall at his back had rooted him to the spot.
“Hey!”
The shout came from behind the thing, and it turned. Aydin took a couple of cautious steps back, angling to a side so he could see his rescuer. He wasn’t going to run, leaving whoever it was to face the thing alone. He saw a stranger, but from the uniform it was evident, they were a student in the academy too. They were an older student, probably someone in their final year. Aydin couldn’t see their eyes from here, so he had no idea what their powers were.
Someone clapped a hand over his mouth, bodily lifting him, and Aydin struggled till an unfamiliar voice hissed in his ear, “Stop fighting me, I’m trying to save your ass here.”
Aydin quietened down, and the hand was removed from his mouth. He turned his head to meet quizzical blue eyes, so similar in colour to his own, though a shade lighter.
“Come on,” the student holding him whispered. “Tatum will keep it distracted. Let me get you back to your dorms.”
“Shouldn’t we help?” he whispered back, but allowed the older boy to carry him through a hidden door behind a tapestry.
“Against a Stirthen?” the student snorted. “Nothing we can do. Tatum has a gift, so she’ll be fine for now. I’ll find a professor to help her once I get you to your dorms.”
Aydin was put down once they reached the main corridor of the school, somewhere he could recognise.
“I can get to the dorms from here,” he said. “You should help your friend.”
“She’s my sister,” the boy said, his hand on Aydin’s shoulder as he led him towards the dorms. “So, not bloody likely I’ll leave her there. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
“I’m Aydin,” he said since there didn’t seem to be anything more to say.
“I’m Vihaan.” The older student smiled at him. “You’re in which year?”
“Seventh,” Aydin replied. “Are you a final year?”
“Not yet. I’ve two more years to go.”
They were in front of Aydin’s dorms now, and Vihaan knocked on the stone wall thrice. The wall melted away, and a stern-faced man stood there, his hands on his hips.
“And what was this one doing out so late?” He directed his question at Vihaan.
“There’s a Stirthen on the 4th floor, the secret corridor,” Vihaan said. “He was trapped there. Tatum is distracting it now.”
The man’s demeanour changed and he stilled for one moment before glaring at them again. “I’ve informed the professors. You may return to your own dorm, Vihaan. Tatum will be fine.”
Aydin knew that the keeper of the dorm had just communicated to the professors through a mind link. How he wished he could learn it, but it was taught only in the final year.
“Can I see this one to his bed?” Vihaan asked blandly, making Aydin bristle. He was not a little boy. He could see himself to his bed.
The keeper sighed. “Stay here, then, and I’ll go get your sister.”
He made a portal to the 4th floor, just outside where Aydin had been confronted with the Stirthen, and stepped through.
“Why aren’t we allowed to learn portals and mind links till the final year?” Aydin grumbled, his irritation at Vihaan forgotten in his own fascination.
“Because you need to be older to learn to use them with some degree of responsibility,” Vihaan answered, as he stepped into the hallway leading to the 7th year dorms. “You should get to bed. I’ll be here till the keeper returns.”
Aydin nodded, and turned towards the dorms before looking at Vihaan again. “Thank you,” he said. “You and your sister saved my life.”
“You’re welcome,” Vihaan said. “Now get to bed before the keeper returns and we both end up in trouble.”
“Good night,” Aydin said before opening the door to the dorms and entering it. Everyone else was already in bed and asleep, and he made his way to his own bed. Getting on to it, he curled up on a side, wriggling inside the sheets, and closing his eyes. His heart was beating normally now, but he could still feel the debilitating terror that had gripped him when he’d seen the thing.
He sighed as he curled up into a foetal position, hugging his pillow close. Despite being safe, and back in his dorm, he didn’t think he was going to be able to sleep anytime soon. Not without knowing Tatum was safe as well.
It was going to be a long night.
One
A
ydin portalled to the house of the crime scene to find his entire team already there. There was a very obvious smirk on Alora’s face and he shook his head, mouthing, “Don’t say it.”
Zendaya hid her own smirk, but Jaziel and Case2 looked neutral which fooled Aydin none.
“Aydin,” Kannon’s voice held tension, and his face, so normally impassive in even the worst crime scenes, was pale. “I think you need to see this.”
Aydin stepped forward to where Kannon and his people were examining the crime scene. The victim was on their side, a magical bubble encasing them.
“We’re done with the room, and we’re starting on the vic,” Kannon said, his voice hushed as he led Aydin to where they could see the dead person’s face clearly.
Aydin sucked in his breath, feeling something tighten within his chest. A scream built up which he swallowed. This was not the time, nor the place.
“We have to inform Commander Vihaan,” He heard himself say, his voice steady and calm, despite the turmoil that churned in his gut.
“He’s at the annual conference in Berkit,” Kannon said. “There’s no way to contact him while there.”
“This qualifies as an emergency,” Aydin insisted.
“I can’t make that call,” Kannon said. “I don’t have the authority.”
Aydin pressed his lips together. Technically speaking, Kannon was right. As the investigating officer, Aydin had the authority, but he didn’t want to go through the proper channels. Not because of delay, but because of their impersonal nature. The alternative was a risk, but did he have a choice?
“I’ve the authority,” he said finally. “I’ll portal to Berkit. This stays between us till I return. No one on your team or mine is going to be told.”
“Aydin, you can’t–” Kannon started, but Aydin had already gone back to the front room where his team was already using their magic to examine any traces of evidence.
“The crime scene is off limits till I return,” he told them. “Zendaya, you’re in charge.”
“Where are you going, boss?” Jaziel asked, a frown between his brows.
“Tell you after I’m back,” Aydin said, stepping out of the house.
He wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do, but he knew that following procedure was entirely unacceptable. There would be consequences for what he was about to do, but right now, he couldn’t be bothered. He didn’t really want to think too much. Nausea was building in his gut and he held it back. He couldn’t afford to break down no matter how much he wanted to.
The portal took half a minute, and he stepped through, to be surrounded by guards in an instant. Establishing his credentials was the work of a minute and even then, he was made to wait in a windowless room where it wasn’t possible to cast any spells while Vihaan was sent for. Aydin sat on the chair they had given, his face buried in his hands as he tried to figure out what exactly he could say to Vihaan.
“Explain your presence here,” Vihaan said as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him, his expression as icy as his voice.
Aydin rose, finding his words stuck in his throat. How was he to tell Vihaan that his sister had been murdered? Aydin hadn’t been in touch with Tatum since school except for the occasional greeting cards and messages. He didn’t even know she had moved back to Heshin, but this right now wasn’t about him.
“I’m sorry,” he forced himself to say as he took a couple of steps that brought him right into Vihaan’s personal space.
Vihaan didn’t move, or speak, but there was a change in his expression, something almost like fear.
“It’s Tatum,” Aydin said, his hands coming up to grip Vihaan’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, Vihaan.”
Vihaan’s face paled, then crumpled, and Aydin pulled him into a hug, whispering, “I’m sorry,” again.
Vihaan clung to him, no longer the commander, but his friend, and Aydin’s heart ached for him as much as it did for Tatum who had been ready to distract a murderous entity so a child could get to safety when she was a child herself.
“How?” Vihaan asked, his voice choking.
“Kannon’s team and mine are at the house now,” he said. “Kannon recognised her. I have forbidden him to tell anyone till I told you.”
Vihaan’s grip on his body was almost painful now. “Aydin,” he said, his voice breaking. “I want you to nail the bastard who did this.”
“You know I will,” he whispered.
“I should–” Vihaan released him, his breath coming in short gasps, almost sobs. “I should make my excuses; we should leave, I’ve to make arrangements.”
Aydin pushed him on to a chair. This was familiar. This he could do. “I’ll tell them. We’ll portal back. I’ll make the arrangements. You stay here till we have to leave.”
“Aydin,” Vihaan caught his hand. “Thank you,”
Aydin patted his shoulder. “You’re my friend,” he said.
He left before Vihaan could say anything. He and Vihaan had drifted apart after the debacle with Joe’s case a year ago. Aydin had been angry with how Vihaan had handled Alora and about the impossible deadline he had been given them, but none of it mattered right now.
He went to the head of their law enforcement. He was going to get chewed over, but he was prepared for it. Ailani was not a bad sort, but there were limits to what even she could tolerate.
Ailani’s black eyes were like flint as they rested on him, no trace of the doctor she had once trained to be. “Have you any idea of the embarrassment you had caused us?” she asked. “The reputation of our nation is at risk here. What was so important that you couldn’t wait a week for this to be over?”
“His sister was murdered,” Aydin said. “I had to come. I’m sorry.”
“You do realise that there are emergency channels for situations like this,” she said. “Procedure that would have taken maybe an hour more than your unauthorised portal?”
“I know,” Aydin muttered, feeling like a ten-year-old again. Yet, he stood his ground. “But I wanted to come, and procedure would have sent a message.”
“So, what you want is more important than Heshin’s reputation?” She looked furious.
“No, it’s . . .” Aydin sighed. “I couldn’t let him be alone at this time, so yeah, maybe. Fire me, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. He would have done the same for me.”
“How delightful!” She stared at him, angry still. “Sentiments are good, Aydin, but they shouldn’t overtake reason.” She shook her head. “Take him home. I’m not firing you, but a two weeks’ suspension might be warranted. Perhaps next time you’ll think before acting.”
Aydin nodded. It was no less than he deserved. He had expected worse, to be honest, but he had meant what he said. He would do it again, consequences be damned. A two-week suspension meant he would have to trust his team to nab the bastard who had killed Tatum, but if he couldn’t trust them, there was no one else he could.
Two
V
ihaan’s apartment looked the same as when Aydin had been there last. He couldn’t recall when that was. There was a time when they had keys to each other’s apartments, but that had been before the whole mess with Joe’s case.
Aydin forced his mind back from the past. He had to take care of Vihaan now. He made his friend sit down, before making his way to the kitchen. A cup of tea might help, and his lips quirked upward in a twisted half smile. Was there anything that could help? Vihaan was still sitting where he had left him when he returned, his face buried in his hands, and his shoulders shaking. Aydin let him cry, as he poured the tea, the scent of cardamom tickling his nostrils.
“I want something stronger,” Vihaan said, not lifting his face as he brought the tea to him.
“Kannon and Zendaya are coming over,” Aydin said, as he sipped his own tea. “I think you would want to be sober for that.”
“Why are you here?” Vihaan asked. “You should be with your team.”
“Two weeks’ suspension,” Aydin said carefully.
“So, what? You’re going to babysit me for two weeks?”
“You know I won’t stay if you’d rather be alone,” Aydin said. “I contacted your solicitors. They’ll take care of all the arrangements for the funeral.”
“Once the force releases her,” Vihaan muttered. “Fuck suspension! Aydin, I need you to look into this!”
His eyes were red and swollen, but his glare was steady. There was also desperation in them which was reflected in his voice too.
“My team will look into it till I’m back.” Aydin said steadily. “You know Ailani will fire me if I ignore the suspension.”
“I know.” Vihaan hung his head again. “I know they’re good, but, damn it, Aydin, they aren’t you!”
“I’ve asked them to borrow Syltt for questioning any witnesses or suspects, and Fiderin has also agreed,” Aydin said. “So, you don’t have to worry about someone trying to lie and get away with it.” Fiderin was the head of the team Syltt was part of, and despite the healthy competition between him and Aydin,—their teams had a tally board as to who solved more number of cases—he had been entirely understanding of the situation, and extremely willing to help.
“That’s why Zendaya is coming here, isn’t she?” Vihaan muttered. “Because I should know, shouldn’t I, why someone would want to kill my sister? I should know her friends and associates.”
“But you don’t,” Aydin said. He wasn’t surprised. Tatum had always valued her privacy, and despite how close she and Vihaan were, the only parts of her life he knew about would be the ones she allowed him to know.
“She moved back to Heshin only a month back,” Vihaan said. “Any people she might have known back in Derfis are unknown to me. We never discussed anyone.”
“What about anyone she might know here?” Aydin asked. “What about Jagger? He wasn’t happy when Tatum broke up with him as I remember.”
“That was years ago,” Vihaan grimaced.
“Maybe, but he was the reason she left the country. Perhaps he knew she was back.”
“No offence,” Vihaan muttered. “But I don’t think he has the balls to actually kill someone, unless it happened accidentally.”
“It didn’t,” Aydin said, his voice low. “I don’t remember Jagger. Was he in your year?”
“A year senior to me,” Vihaan said. “He is an okay guy, to be honest, and even after the break up, he was more of an annoyance than a threat. She just didn’t want to be annoyed.”
