His urgent voice startles me, and I spin to my own window. The plane is descending. Below us, fires rage across the heartland. The sky is thick with black smoke billowing upward. From this height, I can see the damage the flames are making. It’s covering thousands of miles. We bank right, and fires burn as far as the horizon goes.
All the crops are ruined.
In a matter of minutes, we are landing on a small runway.
“Sir, we’re at Emporia Municipal Airport. Wichita is to our southwest and Topeka is north of here.”
“Thank you,” Vash says.
“I’ve called ahead and ordered you a vehicle. It doesn’t seem like it’s arrived yet. I’ll bring your bags around as soon as we’re done taxiing.”
“Okay.”
“What are we going to do here?” I ask. “We can’t stop the fire from spreading.”
“No, we can’t. But we can help the hospitals, drive people to the city, and help them protect their homes. Anything. They’ll need capable bodies here.” He looks directly at me. “I know you’re anxious to get back to Minnesota, but without Kieran and Sidelle, there’s no use having a meeting without them. We can be here for a day or so and head out early tomorrow morning. Maybe Kieran and Sidelle will also be back by then.”
I nod. It’s all I can do. I know we must help these people. The smaller towns won’t have the medical needs or manpower. Plus, Vash is right. We have no other information to go on except that Oriana confirmed that someone kidnapped a girl and is holding her in a vocivus room. We can spare another day or two. Zoe would want us to.
Clutching my cell phone, I swipe it to “on,” so I can draft a text to Kieran.
Me: We’re in Kansas, outside of Wichita. Fires are spreading across the Midwest. Vash and I are stopping to help. Be back in MN in a few days.
Immediately, I find a response.
Kieran: OK, Sid and I will wrap up here. She can’t stop the rain, but it sounds like you guys could use her glamour to put out the fires.
Vash and I wait inside the plane. The air is too thick with smoke to be outside. In a few minutes, Sidelle and Kieran appear outside the plane.
“You rang?” Sidelle asks as the door drops to let us out. “Word on the street is that you guys need my help.” She winks. “We weren’t doing anything. You know, hanging around the massive pool falling from the sky that someone created. And they didn’t even serve us any drinks.”
“I showed Sidelle your text about the fires; we came here.” Kieran rolls his eyes. “All the angels are stretched thin helping the entire world with all of the mess that’s going on, so it might be only us here to cover the Midwest.” He fists his hands. “I suspect that this is what Aiden wants.”
“How so?” I ask.
“Whoever is pulling the strings here needs us saving the Ordinaries, so we can’t focus on finding Zoe. It’s the perfect cover. Misdirection. And it’s working. Between the flooding, droughts, volcanoes, and now fires, every Order is stretched thin.” He turns to Vash. “We met up with Alpha Nickola in London, and she confirmed that Knights and Marqs are breaking through the Veils’ gates in record numbers. They’ve sent as many as they can afford to Stonehenge to squash any more coming through. But many are breaking across the barrier using some lesser known locations. Knights have been spotted near the Drombeg Circle of Ireland; Marqs are rising out of the ground near the Carnac Stones in France and on the Balearic Islands of Spain. Europe is overflowing with demon activity.”
“We can’t think of that now,” Vash says. “We can only do what we can do here.”
“What are we waiting for?” Sidelle asks. “Why are we still standing around doing nothing when there are a ton of folks and land that needs saving?”
“No vehicle,” I say and rotate my hands, imitating driving. “Vash and I can’t appear and disappear all over the world. We need human technology to get from place to place.”
“Well, duh, silly boy. That doesn’t mean that Kieran and I need to stay here and wait for you to drive to wherever.” She cocks her hip out. “So, what’s the plan? K and I have our work down to a science, but from the looks of this place, that won’t work out as well. We’re not even near any cities.”
“But we are in the middle of nowhere, and you can call for rain and extinguish the fires. Or at least try to. If that fails—”
“It won’t. I’ve got this.”
Sidelle strides a few steps away from us and raises her arms. She stops and calls to Vash, “The pilot?”
“He’s fine,” Vash answers.
A slight breeze picks at her black hair, but nothing as forceful as the gusts of wind in the south. Clouds increase over the blue sky. Darkness blankets the lands, and it hides the sun’s rays and mixes with the fires’ smoke. Her body glows bright green with enough glamour to force rain to be squeezed from the clouds. It pitters down, caressing the ground. Hissing and popping sounds are heard around us as the coolness of the water hits the raging fires.
Smoke billows as the heat dies.
The prairie grasses are saved; it’s not a total loss.
The rains continue to fall, but Sidelle’s glow is growing dim. She’s tiring, using all her reserves. Her footing falters and her arms lower. She’s swaying. Kieran catches her body as she collapses into his waiting arms.
Our vehicle finally makes its way toward us, and Vash and I pile into the front, as Kieran gently lays Sidelle across his lap in the back. I glimpse behind me and watch him stroke her hair. Our eyes meet, but neither of us says anything.
Turning back to Vash, I ask, “Where’s next?”
“We need to see how far the rains went and to make sure the cities are safe.”
Vash turns the ignition switch, and we drive down the two-lane highway toward Wichita. All around us I notice that the ground, crops, and grass smoke. Heavy, soaking rain saturates into the land. During the hour-long drive to the city, it continues to pour.
Maybe this is our second lucky break.
Chapter Nineteen
Shay
We make our way southbound along County Road Fifty, turn left onto Inter-state 135, and head into Wichita proper. The most logical place to stop and regroup is the Botanical Gardens on the west side of the city. It should be private enough from human eyes. Plus, the radio station we listened to on the way said that the city is in lockdown due to the excessive heat advisory.
As we pull into the parking lot of the gardens, Vash secures a map, and we head into the Shakespeare Garden. Teak benches surround a beautiful, two-tiered limestone fountain. Hawthorn trees line the perimeter. Wild flowers fill in between stone paths.
We pass under a large trellis on our way.
It’s magical, and I would hate to see this place burn.
The heat has risen, and the winds have picked up. It’s not raining here, but the char smell lingers in the air.
“How bad is Europe?” I peel off my black jacket and use the bottom of my T-shirt to wipe my face. “Vegas was really hot and thinking back on it, unnaturally so. I should have known something was wrong. But I was too anxious to get back to Minnesota.”
“It’s the same as here,” Sidelle says. “Strange weather. High temperatures, lots of rainfall.” She pinches one of the yellow daisies from its stem and plucks the pedals, watching them fall in the breeze. “Why did you go to Las Vegas, anyway?”
“I was looking for someone.”
“Did you find them?” Kieran asks.
“Yes, and some trouble along the way,” Vash confirms.
“I was looking for an old friend who owed me a favor. Oriana is a Knight who I’ve crossed paths with before, and I helped her out of a jam. She hears a lot of stories from the demons that pass through the city. When they relax or are drunk, they get loose lipped and they talk. So, I knew that she would probably know who and maybe even where Zoe is being held.”
“We found the demon at the Purple Zebra,” Vash says. “And convinced her to leave her gambling habit for a few minut
es to talk with us outside. Some Knights found us in the alley and wanted to make a name for themselves by taking out an Alpha.”
“But we wiped the floor with them, eventually,” I say. “Oriana said that someone kidnapped a girl and is keeping her in a vocivus room.”
“Really?” Kieran asks. “She’s said vocivus?”
“Yes, why?”
“Because Michael said that only angels can create them.”
“What are they?” Sidelle asks.
“They’re special rooms placed within the Void.” Kieran paces to one of the benches and sits, shoulders slumped. “The space moves from Level to Level, so they are hard to track. Only the creator knows exactly where it is and can bring anything into the room or can exclude any item. Powerful Light can be used to bring items in, if it’s not already in the room. The only way out is if the creator lets them go.”
“Well, we know that Zoe is being kept in that type of room by Aiden,” I say. “Now, we have to find out where and if there’s a way of breaking her out.”
“Yes, and we need to continue helping the Ordinaries with this mess. The angels are doing all they can, but once a soul dies, they cannot bring them back. Massive amounts of souls are making their way into the Heavens lately.”
“What about my people?” Sidelle suggests. “If we can get my father to open a porta, Summer will help. I know they will. They can take care of the rains to dowse the fires, and maybe my father can stop the downpour that’s causing the flooding.”
“Let’s try it.” Kieran slaps his hands against the bench and stands. “It’s all we’ve got for now. Sidelle, go see your father and get as many fairies as he can spare. I know you probably don’t want to, but you may need to contact Finn, too, and get help from Winter.”
“I’ll go see my father first, and if I cross paths with Finn, I’ll update him. I haven’t seen him since the battle in Winter.” A green shimmer envelopes her body and she disappears.
“All right, what else do we have?” Kieran asks. “Shay, why don’t you get some rest? We’ll hang out here for a while and see if Sidelle comes back. You look horrible, and you’ll need your strength when we rescue Zoe.” He claps me on my back. “There’s going to be an upcoming battle if the weather keeps up like this. The next phase will probably see animals dying in mass numbers like on the beaches of Italy.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll see if she’s sleeping and can Dream Walk to me.” I lie on one of the benches and close my eyes. My mind fights me, but eventually my body relaxes and I’m asleep.
I find myself standing on a beach, like the last time. No footprints mark the pristine sand. “Zoe?” I call out to her, in case she can hear me. The gentle waves lap against the shore as the bright sun warms my face. “I’m here, waiting for you.” It’s relaxing, and I wish I could stay here forever. I’m mentally and physically stretched to the limits. It’s been almost a month since I’ve held Zoe in my arms, and we’re no closer to finding her. She’s going to turn eighteen in a couple of weeks, and I won’t even be able to be with her on her special day. It’s not fair.
I’m pouting like a petulant child. I can be selfish for this minute. No one is around and seeing me fail. I can have this moment. My strength is waning.
God, I miss her.
“Zoe, I need to see you. Please come visit me in my dreams.”
Today, I have my wings out. They twitch as if someone is watching me. I turn around, but no one is there.
Millions of tiny sparkles light and merge together, forming an orb. As the circle solidifies, a shape appears. A girl with long, brown hair emerges. She’s wearing yoga pants and a purple T-shirt. Her smile breathes fire into my body. Her athletic build is running across the sand toward me. “Shay!” the person yells.
I know that voice instantly as her body solidifies. “Zoe!” I lift my body with my wings and gather her into my arms. “I’m so happy to see you.” My wings wrap around us like a protective bubble. I kiss her feverously, not allowing her to talk.
Finally, we break apart.
“Shay, I’ve missed you so much.” She places her head on my shoulder. “Tell me everything. But first, what day is it?”
“It’s Friday, June 7.”
“My birthday is in two weeks. My phone died probably four weeks ago. Tell me something good.” She leans up and gives me a soft kiss on my cheek.
“I love you.” My hand wraps about her waist and refuses to let go. I pull her down to the sand, never breaking contact. I proceed to tell her everything that is happening on earth. I describe the natural disasters, and what we’re doing about it. About all the souls that have died. And what Kieran thinks will still happen. I end the story with Sidelle’s trip back to Fairyland to enlist the help from Summer.
“Aiden lets me see where you guys are at and what you’re doing through a special mirror,” Zoe says. “There’s been sound on and off. My heart broke the day I saw all these colored orbs release into the Heavens, the day of the flooding. I guessed what they were, and now you’ve confirmed it.” Her eyes tear. “With everything that is going on, you guys haven’t had time to look for me.”
“No, we haven’t. Zoe, I’m sorry. We’re all doing what we can. When I was in Vegas, someone corroborated that you are being held in a vocivus room. And we think that Aiden created it especially for you. Only he can let you out, so it doesn’t matter if we know where you are, we can’t break you out of it.” I hang my head.
“It’s okay, Shay. I know that all of you guys are doing everything to find me and help the humans. They need it more than me. I’m not dying in that room.” Zoe bumps my shoulder. “Well, maybe a teensy tiny bit from boredom, but I’ll survive. There are people out there around the world who are not that lucky.”
“You’re amazing, you know that, right?” I kiss the top of her head.
“Have you guys figured out what Aiden is?”
“Kieran said that Michael confirmed that only angels can create vocivus rooms. But I tend to disagree with him. I know he was the one who tortured me, and the place had to be somewhere in Hell. So, unless there are angels in Hell ...”
“He’s a demon.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he told me. I guessed, and he didn’t deny it. He said he’s tortured beings for a very long time. Plus, he kidnapped me. No angel would do those things, right?”
“Not any that I know of. But the person I met in Vegas, she’s a Knight ... well, she isn’t all bad to the core. She’s helped me out of a few jams in my life.” I watch as Zoe’s lips flatten. She’s mad but won’t contradict me. “Look, whatever Aiden is, it’s up to you to get him to release you. You’re going to have to figure out his plan and get ahead of it.”
“I know. I’m realizing that, too.” She sighs. “He’s not all bad. I don’t think. If he was, why does he visit me? He asks me a lot of questions about me growing up, my future, and the way I see the world. If he wants to kill me, he would have done it already.”
“No, he wouldn’t. He needs you to be eighteen, so he can see your wings or your Heaven’s Mark. He won’t do anything until then.” We both contemplate that and look out toward the blue water. “We still have time. But Zoe, you need to get him talking. If he’s chatting you up, he’s doing it for a reason. You need do the same. Maybe he’ll slip, and you can get yourself out. You’ll be coming into your powers soon.” I squeeze her hand. “I wish I was there for you to help you. I know Kieran wishes that, too.”
“It’s enough that I know you both are thinking of me. But okay, I’ll get Aiden to open up to me. Somehow.”
“Good. Now, let me hold you until you have to go.”
Since it’s my dream, I think of the sun setting. Bright oranges, reds, blues, and purples canvas the sky. The full moon shines on the opposite side while the sun sets. Twinkling stars dot the horizon.
The waves lapping the shore are the only sound besides our breathing, which is in sync with each other. The sun finally sets, and the ocean
stills, leaving only the beating of our hearts.
Chapter Twenty
Zoe
I need a distraction from Aiden and my thoughts about him. The screen pulses, waiting for me to view it. The scene shows me a sleeping Shay on a teak bench. I know he was just with me in a Dream Walk. He’s been mumbling ever since the dream ended. His body has been moving on autopilot.
Everyone seems to be waiting for something to happen. Vash is pacing, and Kieran stands perfectly still.
“Hey, Vash.” Kieran nods. “How do you think Shay is handling this?”
Yes, sound!
“Better than I would be.” He’s sitting on the fountain ledge, running water over his fingers.
“I can’t say if I would be or not. I’ve never known love like what they have.”
Oh, K. What Shay and I have goes beyond what normal people have. But what you and I have will always hold a special place in my heart. You’ve been, and forever will be, my best friend.
“You’ll find it someday, Kieran.” Vash pats his shoulder. “It’s whoever you’re meant to be with. I know you love Zoe, and you thought you were in love with her at some point. But you’ll know when it happens. The earth will literally move and tilt on its axis. Your heart will pound every single time you see her. Your mouth will spew incoherent words when you’re around her. Mushy thoughts will consume you. And they’ll be what you think about when you wake, right before you go to sleep, and everything in between.”
“That sounds wonderful.” He closes his eyes.
“It is.”
Kieran is thinking about something or someone. I hope it’s the latter. Maybe something will go beyond friendship with Sidelle. They’re both Eternals. But she still has Finn whom she keeps at arm’s length.
“Kieran,” Vash says. “You have a huge heart and generous soul. And we all love you for it. Someday, hopefully soon, you’ll find what Shay and I have. It’ll come. I know it will. You, of all angels, should know that.”
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