Midnight Rain

by Cecily Magnon

  The man made him sick.

  They had to crack the Project. Find out what it’s really about.

  This was the objective information Kingston had asked him to wait for.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  January 30th, Bimini Island

  Fawna rushed home, taking the family car and promising to return later. The woman her father had brought to the Sanctuary was dying. She felt it. Her energy was terribly weak, it was a surprise she’d managed to hang on as long as she had. Dex, Sabine and Mariana were her best source of help on the island, but what if they weren’t enough?

  Was she holding on for something or someone? Fawna couldn’t stop thinking about the mysterious woman, and what could have happened to her. She was beautiful. It would be impossible that someone out there didn’t care about her.

  The woman needed a lot of help. Her familiar helped with her energy level, but she needed so much more. Fawna’s mind wandered to Toqeph. He wasn’t just a dream. He was real. An angel. If anyone could help, it would be him, and she was the only one who could communicate with him.

  She floored the gas pedal, hoping a goat didn’t suddenly jump out in the middle of the road and send her careening into someone’s yard. She paid close attention, sending out her energetic feelers to sense what was ahead. A good driver probably wouldn’t need to use supernatural abilities, but she wasn’t exactly a good driver.

  Thankfully, she was home within minutes, already thinking of ways she could induce falling asleep. She wasn’t tired, in fact, she felt the opposite. She felt a worried type of excitement bringing wild sensations of alertness, nothing like this had ever happened to her before. Problem was, it was only in her sleep that she’d been able to connect with Toqeph. She needed to wind down, and fast. How was she going to sleep when her blood was pumping her full of adrenaline?

  Lost in thought, she nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Mr. Snow standing in their driveway. “Dearest creators,” she gasped, thankful she stopped in time. She reached for her pendant, feeling the calming energy travel from her hands, into her arms, and into her heart. “How are you Mr. Snow?” She was in a hurry, but she couldn’t be rude to the old man. “Is your rooster okay?”

  He laughed and pointed across the driveway into his yard. The rooster was near some berry bushes, scratching at the ground. “He’s well, and you?”

  “I could be better,” she admitted.

  “Sabine called… asked me to check in on you.” He didn’t look like he was going anywhere.

  She almost rolled her eyes, but caught herself before her eyeballs twirled inside her head. “I’ll be fine, Mr. Snow. I was actually just going to take a nap.” That was not a lie.

  Mr. Snow started walking toward her. His steps were strong and steady despite his age. He placed his hand carefully on the hood of the family’s old yellow car. His smile had faded and he looked a little too serious all of a sudden. “Fawna…” He looked out toward the magnificent blue of the ocean. “That night. I saw you. During the storm…”

  She swallowed and her spine tingled. That was the night she had spoken to Toqeph.

  “I saw you get pulled into the sea. I ran after you and the boat, but the winds were too strong, and I got tossed back and fell.”

  Her heart was thundering, like the sky had been that night, deafening and ominous.

  “The waves carried you out so far and so quickly, I lost sight of you. I called out.” He was shaking his head, his eyes beginning to glisten. “I was afraid you had drowned. I’d never been more frightened.”

  She should have drowned that night, but somehow she ended up on Toqeph’s Island, or did she? Not knowing the difference between her dreams and reality was really aggravating.

  “I tried to call Dex and Sabine, but the lines weren’t working.” He dipped his chin, his winter white hair blowing gently with the mild breeze. “I went back outside to try and spot you again… and your boat was back. Tied to the coconut tree.” He turned to her. “I went to your house to check, and there you were asleep on the couch.” His bushy white brows crinkled and met in the middle. “Dearest creators, I had never been so relieved to see anyone.” Mr. Snow was studying her now, his cinnamon colored eyes looking unsure. “What happened, Fawna?”

  She returned Mr. Snow’s gaze. She wished she could tell him, but she didn’t know how to explain it herself. One moment, her small boat was capsizing. She went under. Next, she was home. “I don’t know, Mr. Snow.”

  Mr. Snow nodded softly. He wasn’t going to push this issue, but he looked sad. “I’m just glad you’re okay… maybe I was seeing things.”

  She took his hand. “You’re completely well, Mr. Snow. I had a little adventure that night, but I managed to get back.”

  He squeezed her hand. Tenderness washed over his face. The smile she was used to seeing returned to crinkle the corners of his mouth. He chuckled, “Thank the creators I wasn’t hallucinating. At my age, that kind of thing can get me sent to the loony bin.” He said in dismay. “My children would have a field day if that were to happen.”

  She quirked her head, a smile hooking the side of her lip. “Creators?” Only Others used that word to refer to the Almighty.

  Mr. Snow nodded. “Yes, child. I’m a witch. Non-practicing.” He chuckled. “My rooster is my familiar.” His voice came out with a prideful lilt.

  Fawna laughed. No wonder the rooster never left Mr. Snow’s side. She didn’t detect the rooster’s energy as anything other than an animal. It was the same with the raven, the woman’s familiar. She wondered if something about familiars kept their true natures hidden.

  “So, what are you up to that’s got your Ma so worried?”

  “Nothing,” she said quickly, her eyes diverted away. She was a bad liar.

  Mr. Snow’s rooster came strutting toward them. It’s bright red cockle swaying beneath the deep orange beak. Mr. Snow bent down with ease, picking up the bird with both hands. He carried the rooster like a football in his arms as he started to turn toward his house. “Well, whatever you’re not up to, if you need any help, just give me a call.” He waved and started to cross the driveway into his yard where he set his familiar down near another bush.

  Fawna bit her lip, the butterflies fluttering in her belly. “Wait! Mr. Snow?” She probably shouldn’t ask, but she had a feeling it might be better to have Mr. Snow around. “Have you heard of Toqeph?”

  He stopped and twisted to look at her. His lips pursed in thought. “He’s an angel. Angel of Atlantis!” he declared.

  Hadn’t Mariana mentioned Atlantis as well? “Atlantis?”

  Mr. Snow was nodding. His lips pursed again. “Bimini Road. That’s all that’s left of his kingdom. Everyone says Atlantis is in the Mediterranean. They are wrong. It is here. Bimini is all that is left of the once great continent.”

  It was a local legend. The Bimini Road was a big attraction for divers and tourist. An underwater road advertised as the last remains of Atlantis. “That’s just stories, Mr. Snow.”

  “Atlantis maybe. But not Toqeph. Toqeph is real.” He looked out toward the sea again. “He still watches over the island.” He turned slowly to look at her, his eyes sparking with a sudden realization. “Perhaps it was Toqeph who rescued you that night.” He pointed at her, as if declaring the truth of his statement.

  Her eyes widened. Words refused to come out of her mouth to refute Mr. Snow.

  He was nodding. “You know Toqeph.”

  She couldn’t lie. This man was a family friend. “Yes. I dream about him. That night you saw me, I spoke to him.”

  Mr. Snow’s square little jaw started to lower. “He’s made contact?” He bent over and picked up his rooster and walked towards her. “It must be time....”

  “Time for what?” What was Mr. Snow talking about? “I want to contact him.” She waited for a reaction. “There’s a woman in trouble. I’m hoping Toqeph can help her.” There it was; she confessed her intent. “Can you help me?”

  “The la
st time you spoke of Toqeph. Demons attacked the island.” He was nodding again.

  Her brows quirked in question. “From six years ago?”

  “Yes.” His energy dimmed, sadness replacing any brightness. “Many people suffered. You included.”

  “I need to talk to him. To ask for his help.”

  The old man looked frightened. “Summoning is dangerous business, Fawna. It takes years of study, practice.”

  “No. Mr. Snow. You don’t understand. I can talk to him in my dreams,” Fawna reassured. “There’s no summoning.”

  Mr. Snow was shaking his head vigorously. “Messing with your dream state is dangerous as well. Only Dream Walkers have that kind of power. You may not wake up.”

  “This woman is in real trouble. She’s dying. We need to help,” she pleaded. She was sure Toqeph was the woman’s best chance.

  “If she is with your mother and Mariana, then she is with the best people on the island who could help her. Let them do their work.”

  She nodded, only because if she spoke, she might argue with their old neighbor.

  “Do not do anything foolish, Fawna,” he warned.

  Could he tell what she was thinking? Toqeph wouldn’t harm her. Besides it would only be in a dream. They would talk. She would ask for help. Hopefully all before she woke up.

  “Fawna.” He gave her that knowing eye.

  She was beginning to feel impatient. “Mr. Snow. All I’m going to do is take a nap. Nothing will probably happen.”

  “No. You stay awake until your parents get back. In fact, I could use some help around the house. Come.”

  She groaned. She felt like a kid being told what to do.

  “Fawna, when I thought you had drowned, I felt like I lost a granddaughter.” He looked down on the ground. “You and your family... Are my family. You are all I have. My children...” He shook his head. “I might as well be dead to them.”

  Her heart broke for the kindly man. He’d always been more than a neighbor to her. He was like a grandfather. Always giving her little gifts, sending over her favorite foods, watching over her when her parents were out. She’d grown up with him. He was family. She couldn’t imagine her life without Mr. Snow in it.

  “If it’s within my power to protect you, I will. Please. No naps?”

  “Okay.” She gave him a tight smile. She would concede. She didn’t want to cause Mr. Snow anymore grief. She prayed the woman would hang on longer. Night was coming, and so would sleep.

  ***

  Dex lifted the woman from the couch. His big arms used to carrying various loads to and from his boat including passed out, drunken tourists at times.

  He looked down at his ward, studying her. She’d never said a word to him, yet he felt connected to her. The raven hopped on his shoulder, its talons pinching into his muscles. Gentle warmth spread through him, easing his worries as the raven nuzzled his cheek, making him smile. “You love her, don’t you?”

  Yes. It spoke in his mind. I was with her father for a long time. Now I hope to be of help to her.

  “I hope we can help her,” he breathed out. How he wished his cousin Rosa was here now. She would know what to do. His family’s magick was old, ancient, going back to time of the Olmecs. Over the years, new blood was added to the family through marriage, the magick kept growing and changing until it became completely unique to their line.

  Rosa had never married and did not have children of her own, but when she became Will’s guardian, their family’s magick evolved again to include Will’s strength and unique abilities. Rosa had written to him, telling him about how she would honor the crow in her lessons and teachings to Will.

  To have a ‘crow’ on his shoulder now...

  I am a raven. Not a crow, the bird interrupted his thoughts.

  “You’re a big crow. Yes?” Dex teased. “I’ve heard you ca-caw, like a crow.”

  The bird sighed, exasperation obvious in its voice, humans...

  “I’m more than human, crow.”

  I am more than a just a bird.

  Dex chuckled enjoying his banter with the bird. “I have supernatural abilities.”

  I can eat your eyeballs, the bird countered.

  “You win.” Dex would have laughed had the situation bringing them together not been so dire. Dex placed the woman gently on Mariana’s bed. “What is your mistress’ name?”

  Elysa Amalfi, daughter of William Koraki, the raven announced reverently.

  Dex’ eyes grew wide as his whole body warmed from his elemental gift. William Koraki? Seriously? “Do you know where he is?” he asked the Raven, all joking gone from his system.

  No, but I can find him. The bird flew off of his shoulder, and perched on the headboard right above his mistress’ head.

  “Please find him. Please, I beg of you. We need him.”

  The bird stretched its black iridescent wings in a crescent above its head, a low croak pulled from its throat, and it disappeared.

  “Dearest creators. I think our prayers were just answered.” Making the sign of the cross, he knelt down next to the bed and closed his eyes. “Will. We need you. Please hurry.”

  Chapter Thirty Five

  January 30th, Bimini Island

  Night took over from the day as slow as island molasses. Mr. Snow found every reason to keep by her side, even having his rooster keep an eye on her when he had to step away. True to his word, he kept her busy all day with work around the house.

  She stretched, twisting her back side to side to work out the knots from the day’s work. Fawna settled in on the couch and looked out the window. She watched anxiously for Mr. Snow’s lights to turn off from across the yard.

  She was tired. Whether she wanted to sleep or not, there was no stopping slumber from claiming her. She laid back, pulling her favorite coverlet to her chin. It wouldn’t take long at all. Her eyes were already heavy and unable to remain open...

  In the early morning hours, Toqeph’s dark wings stretched across the ocean. Long shadows cast over the waters that had just claimed thousands of lives--his people. He had not stopped searching for survivors, hoping against all odds there would be more.

  Searing pain spread through his heart like hot coals as his eyes swept past the area where his beloved Island should have been. Instead, the waters were still, the ripples small and peaceful, like it had always been empty.

  He closed his eyes as the echoes of his people’s screams reverberated loudly in his mind. The sound of the children crying burned his soul. He could hear each one of them. He knew them all by name. He could still see their cherub faces smiling and laughing as they played under the sun. It should have been that kind of day, instead the worst of evil was set upon them.

  How could he have been so stupid? How could he have been so blind? He had trusted her. Deceptions. Lies. It was her hatred that caused this. Jealousy had consumed her heart, turned her rage into something so dark and uncontainable she destroyed a whole civilization.

  Hours upon hours, he searched. It didn’t matter that he no longer detected living energy. He’d only been able to find a few handfuls struggling against the water. The very few strong enough or lucky enough to have escaped the deluge brought by waves so tall, they covered the skies.

  “Dearest Father, please just a little bit longer. I need to find more people,” he begged as tears slipped from his eyes and dropped into the ocean.

  “No, son. There are no more.” There was a long pause, a deep sigh. “You have saved all those you can.”

  “Dearest Father, please.” He clenched his jaws. “Please let me see to the few and make sure they are well… before I have to go.”

  “Yes, son. That much can be given.” The unison of voices both male and female were soft in his mind, their understanding resonating through his system. Father, the All-Being, was granting his request.

  “Thank you,” he whispered into the wind as he rushed toward the small parcel of land he had found miles away from his beloved home. This wou
ld be the last time he would have any contact with his people--the eight he found. His entire body tightened, his ebony wings angling back, increasing his speed to get to them.

  He landed softly on the beach, his wings folding behind him. He didn’t bother to make them disappear as he trudged through the soft sand to find the children huddled together tightly. Eight children were all that was left of his Island home. They should have had a life of peace and joy. Two were teens--seventeen of age. Had their families survived, they would have started looking for mates soon. Three were older children--eleven and twelve years of age. They were in a delicate stage of childhood, both too young and yet not old enough to know any better. Would they find their place now? What about the three little ones? They were no more than babes toddling around, and completely dependent on someone else for their survival.

  His fists clenched tightly, and his heart pounded furiously in his chest as he watched them lay like strewn rags on a beach. There had to be something he could do for them before he was sent away to face his punishment. He should have done more on the Island. He should have seen the evil who lay beside him, but he let his love blind him.

  The children were stirring as if sensing his arrival. Their small bodies slowly lifting from each other as they twisted to look at him--their eyes so bright and full of hope, unlike his that had dimmed with anger and despair. “Children,” he greeted. He tried to steady his voice.

  The eldest of the children stood up, his corn silk colored hair shining under the sun. “Toqeph.” He angled to look around his wings. “You are alone?” he asked.

  “Yes, Esmer. I am.” He softened his voice for the young man. He could see both fear and pain shadow the young man’s face, yet he stood firm, squaring his shoulders, before he turned to the children behind him.