"I'm not cool as a cucumber, but I have also learned that freak-out mode doesn't help. It also is what makes people do stupid things because they aren't thinking clearly." I looked around to see if anyone was watching us. "Let me try something."
I stood up and closed my eyes and took a slow and controlled breath. I tried to bring my awareness to the present moment while pulling from my experiences, starting with the first time I left my body. I heard all of the advice from Graven and Gram whispering in the back of my mind. I took the urgency of the situation and fused it with the energy that vibrated both inward and around me.
I knew I needed an answer. I felt I could almost reach out and grab it. I focused on Maritza with the intention of opening my eyes to look deeply at her and her many bodies to see what might be wrong with her. Maybe I could draw water from somewhere nearby, the only problem was whether or not it would be drinkable.
The tingling started at the tip of my head and trickled down the back of my neck, dancing down to my finger tips and toes. My muscles tensed and the feelings started over and over again in waves. The sensation intensified, growing inside me until I felt like I was going to burst. Whatever I set in motion I no longer had control over. My jaw tightened and my arms lashed out to my sides. The fuse had been lit and it was shrinking fast until a burst of emotionally charged energy violently released forcing my head to fall back and my chest to rise up to the sky.
I tried to reclaim the moment and forced my eyes open. What was bestowed upon my sight was anything but the grimy alley where my friend was sitting on the curb. I wanted to be scared, but an overwhelming calm came over me.
I looked around searching for anything I could make sense of. I looked down and found myself hovering in a warm gold fog. I swiped at the air in front of me trying to see where I was.
This wasn't the first time I had been there either. I remembered flashing there when I was escaping from my underground prison cell. "Hello?" I called out in the hopes that there would be someone who could help me to understand where I was or what I was doing there.
I had a hungering for knowledge. What did I need to know? I searched my mind for answers that seemed hazier than they should have.
A soft voice sliced through the clouds at me. The voice was delicate, I wondered if it came from a child.
"Call upon the records, they are here for your reading pleasure. Head with caution that some things are not meant for you to see."
"What? I don't understand," I yelled into what seemed like an infinite universe of nothing.
"But, here is the everything. All that is and all that could be is written here. Imprinted with its very existence of nothing, because only when there is nothing can you be filled with the ultimate existence of everything," she stated.
"Maritza, I have to help Maritza." I waved my hands again in front of my face trying desperately to clear away what was obstructing my view. "I need to help her. I think that is why I am here."
I felt the warmth wrapping around my ankles as the gold air swirled around me. I found myself in a cylindrical shaped room or horizontal tunnel. I looked up and down, the room extended in both directions further than I could see. The walls were lined with what looked like old scrolls of parchment.
"How am I supposed to know what these are or what they say? There are millions of them." I reached out to touch one. Before my hand made contact, a scroll slid out of its slot and unrolled to reveal a text.
I started to skim part of the document and realized it was about gargoyles, females in particular. There were several things that could affect their transition between forms.
It explained that sometimes when they are transitioning at the same time as they are experiencing an emotional spike and are hit with a surge of energy like lightening or an electrical shock it could interfere with her core energy. The increased energy input can cause an uneven power flow. In an attempt for her bodies to protect themselves, they redirect the influx to other parts that can handle or suppress the surge of energy at the time.
Although this can happen in a male gargoyle, it is more common with females. They have a different way of dealing with emotions than their male counter parts. I guess it is true men and women are wired differently.
"I guess that makes sense, but how am I supposed to help her get unstuck?" I was getting way too comfortable with talking to myself.
The words on the scroll started to get blurry and the letters started to rearrange themselves on the page. After a few seconds they came back into focus.
I continued to read until I came to a passage that was titled How to help someone move past an energy block. Remember that we are all healers. At the very core of our existence we all possess light. Our light radiates outward, some of us shine brighter than others. We can all use our light to help heal those who are open to the process. When your awareness increases, so will the strength of your abilities. Each person is the sum of life itself, a gathering of experiences. We all store this in our light. Those with a higher state of awareness will be able to access this energy in order to amplify their own light. This is when you can then use your light by releasing it and dispensing it to heal others.
When searching the bodies, a healer must be aware of the twelve primary meridians. It is there where you will see what needs healing. Not all people are willing or able to be healed. Although we all possess that core light, some have allowed it to be out shadowed by the darkness. It will take more than the strongest light in order to help it burn bright again.
Learning to move patterns of energy can take years of training. There are few who will be born with the innate ability to heal with their light with no training. In order to get someone's energy flowing after they have experienced a blockage you must first be in tune with your own flow of energy. The power and effectiveness of each person's healing light can vary.
I wasn't finished reading the scroll when it started to glow and roll itself back up. The parchment floated back into the empty space on the curved wall. I looked around wondering if I could pull another scroll. I needed more information.
I looked up and down what felt like an infinitely long space. How could I move up and down. I tried to move my arms up and down in an attempt to force myself through the space. With each slap of my arms the gold fog rolled in thicker and thicker.
"Fates can be changed when you let destiny become your guide," the soft voice came from the distance.
I tried to wave away the cloud in front of me and knew in my heart that there was nothing more for me here at this time. I tried to focus back on my present moment and on Maritza who needed me. I had no idea how long I had been gone.
I suddenly felt like my awareness was shoved back into my body faster than it was ready for. My arms were still at my sides and my head slightly tilted back. My lungs felt like I had been under water too long and sucked in a gasp for oxygen. The tingling sensation I felt earlier coursing through my body started to subside, but did not altogether stop. I lifted my head and tried to open my eyes, but I realized they were open. My surroundings started to come back into focus.
I could feel his presence without having to see him. Our connection, at least on my end, was growing. Once my eyesight was back to normal it was locked in on Maritza who was standing in front of me. Even though her face was a mix of human and canine attributes, it wasn't hard for me to see that her eyebrows were clenched together and her lips slightly tightened.
"What happened to her?" demanded Graven as he walked over into my line of sight.
"I don't know. She started to float into the air and her body tensed up and her eyes clouded over and became white. I tried to talk to her and called her name, but she didn't answer. I was afraid to touch her," Maritza started to explain.
"And what the hell is wrong with you? Are you ok?" Graven ran over to us.
I looked down and realized my feet were not planted on the ground. I looked at Maritza. I looked past her and around her. I searched every layer of her being. I kne
w that we were the same deep inside. Her light was strong, but I could see that there was an obstruction near her throat.
When I looked at Graven in this state, his throat region had a soft blue glow to it. Maritza had an absence of color. I remembered from my Anatomy and Physiology courses at college that the thyroid gland was a regulator. It made sense that this was where her problem was located. She clearly was unable to regulate her body.
I don't know if Gargoyles even had thyroid glands, I would assume that at least in their human form they must. Without deliberating on my actions I just reached out and gently placed my hands lightly over her throat, fingers on either side of her neck and my thumbs overlapping at the center of her throat.
"What is she doing?" Graven asked.
"I don't know, but she is not hurting me, she said she was going to try something," Maritza whispered.
I closed my eyes and opened my heart. I pictured my light flaring out like a hot sun. With my mind's eye I manipulated the rays to flow from my hands into her throat. I pictured my light filling the empty cavity so that her energy could once again find a balance and a flow. My hands started to get warm as I poured my heart and soul into my new friend. She had tried to save my life and she fell victim to my power. I needed to make it right.
My hands were heating too fast. I remembered what the parchment said about being aware of your level of power and light. I lowered my hands in fear that I was going to do more harm than good.
My jaw unclenched as I opened my eyes. I felt my muscles unravel and ease back to a relaxed state. My feet made contact with the ground and before I could say anything, I watched as Maritza's face returned to its stunning human form. She threw her arms around me.
"Thank you, Kasha. I was so worried about you." Her words tickled at my neck as she embraced me.
I returned the hug with the same veracity and held her tight. "I was worried about you too," I whispered to her and we both started to laugh.
Before we unlocked arms, Graven came over and hugged us both. "I am glad you are both safe, but I think it is time for us to go now."
We all unlocked from our group hug. Maritza and I smiled at each other. The words didn't need to be spoken, but it was clear that a bond had been made between us.
"What about our-"
"Looking for these?" Graven held up four shopping bags full of clothing.
"I think maybe our shopping trip is over for the day," Maritza joked as if we would be shoe shopping after that. "Oh crap, what time is it? I have final inspections at the club at four thirty."
"Believe it or not it is only two thirty," Graven told us.
It felt like hours had passed. I guess everything happened faster than we realized.
"I think I am in need of a serious shower and a hearty dinner. How about the rest of you?" Maritza had the best idea I heard all day.
Chapter Seventeen
GRAVEN ESCORTED US BACK TO the black SUV. He tossed our bags in the back while Maritza and I climbed into the back seat. Graven didn't ask why no one wanted to sit up front with him. I felt like Maritza didn't want to be alone. I knew she needed to regain her strength and if sitting with her to show her support helped, then that is what I was going to do.
We took a different path back to the vehicle. I suggested we not go back past the shopping area we were in. I had a rotten feeling in my belly about the sales clerk at the store. I don't know what it was, she didn't actually do anything wrong, that we knew of.
"How was your shopping? I hope that part of your day was at least successful." Graven tried to lighten the mood. I appreciated him trying to put a positive spin on our traumatic afternoon.
"It was ok. We got some great stuff. I was having fun," Maritza said to me, but her intonation in her last sentence was almost a question as she looked at me to validate her experience.
"Yeah, I normally am not really into shopping, but we had fun. We tried on some funny stuff too." I smiled at Maritza. "But there was something really suspicious about the sales lady. Don't you think, Maritza?"
"She was a bit creepy with her thin red lips," she agreed.
"I just didn't trust her. Why did she give me an open bottle of water? The thought crossed my mind that she had put something in our drinks. It seemed like she was stalling us and trying to keep us in the store as long as she could, perhaps it was just a sales tactic." I rubbed my hands over my knees. "There was something unsettling about the way she kept her eyes on us. Even as we left the store, she came outside and watched us walk away."
"Really, I hadn't noticed her come outside," Maritza said. "Well, I won't be shopping there again anytime soon." She started to laugh nervously so I joined her with a little chuckle.
"What about those men? And the van? What happens to them?" I asked.
"I made a call to have it taken care of. You won't need to worry about those men again."
"Won't the police be asking about the crash?" I didn't understand, "Shouldn't we report the attack?"
"We don't report this kind of stuff to the human authorities," Maritza announced.
"Oh, what about Detective Ryan?" I asked.
"That is different, and out of our control. The fire set off the central alarm mandated for city code. When they broke through the office door, Anton's body was there for them to see.
"We actually need to find a way to get his body out of the coroner's office before they do their autopsy. I am afraid if we don't find a way soon that Ziona will handle it herself," Graven explained.
"That won't be good for anyone involved. Lives will be lost." Maritza looked down at her hands. She didn't have to spell it out any further for me to feel her concern for Ryan's safety.
We rode back the rest of the way to the hotel in silence. That was until my stomach started to growl.
As we pulled up into the courtyard I asked, "Anyone else in the mood for a giant cheeseburger?"
Graven smiled at me in the rearview mirror. "I am now." I loved the way he looked at me. Hunger flashed in his eyes, my heart fluttered knowing it was for me and not the burger.
We scarfed down three cheeseburgers and two giant plates of French fries. I had worked up quite an appetite between shopping, nearly getting my ass kicked, power blasting four cretins, taking a bizarre mystical journey, and using my light to heal Maritza.
"I'm going to go take a shower and get ready for my meeting." Maritza got up and put her napkin on her plate. "I'm going to use your shower Graven, I don't have time for a bath."
"No problem," Graven said.
I was still picking at the little bits of French fries. I couldn't get enough of the salt. I was dragging them across the plate attempting to coat them in the last bits of deliciousness.
I was a little surprised that neither Graven nor Maritza mentioned what happened after the attack. Maybe Graven expected I would talk to him about it anyway, but I wondered what was going through Maritza's mind. I saw that look on her face, she was scared and didn't know what happened to me.
I myself was not too sure what happened. I reached for my drink and played with the straw in my glass before I put it in my mouth to take a sip. The sudden silence was driving me nuts. While I took a few small sips through my straw without lifting my chin I looked up at Graven through hooded eyes.
His lip curled up at the corner. "I like watching you eat."
My checks flushed. I looked down into my glass and realized there was nothing left for me to suck up so I was forced to put my glass back on the table.
"Can we still go to Patience's house after we get cleaned up?" I asked him, changing the subject.
"If you feel up to it. We can do whatever you want. We are planning to head back to Sedona late tonight, but the rest of the day I will take you wherever you want to go."
"Do you think I should astral project over there and tell her I am coming?" I wondered out loud.
"No, I don't know what is going on with Ziona's minions. I spoke with her while you girls were shopping. She said that she
told The Taker that it wasn't them and that we were working on a different lead."
"What else did she say?" I asked holding my breath.
"She said that he wanted to make sure that at least one of the story keepers met their fate at the hands of The Takers reach. He knows that there is a power play going on and he wants to set an example. She said she doesn't know who they are going after, and she can't call off the hunt until someone pays the price."
I stood up. "That freaking bitch. Graven, maybe we should go now. I have to warn them, and I really want Patience to know that I am ok. Maybe I should have told her sister I was safe the last time I projected to her house."
"We have another problem Kasha, besides The Taker." He got up and started to put the plates back on the serving cart. "It wasn't The Takers guys in that van today. They didn't know who hired them. But they did say that The Taker would soon know true darkness.
"They were more afraid of who or what had hired them than anything that The Taker might have in store for them. That's not a good sign. The only other information I was able to extract from them was that they were after you, not Maritza."
"Yeah, I kind of figured that. I think I am starting to get used to being hunted." I helped him by finishing clearing the table. "What if they tell someone about what I did?"
"They won't be telling anyone anything!" He grabbed my hand and stopped me in my tracks and turned me into him. His finger gently lifted my chin.
"I told you I would die protecting you. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe." He kissed me on my forehead. "Although you seemed to have enough power to handle yourself."
And there it was, the elephant in the room finally made an appearance. My abilities and powers were escalating faster than I could grasp. I didn't know what I was capable of. There was one person who seemed to know or thought he knew; The Taker, and it wasn't like I could ask him. Or could I?
Betrayed: Breaking the Darkness Series Book Two Page 17