“That was Elaina, a sweet Terran, but naïve of the consequences of her actions. And he is Sylisan’s son, Vincentor. She is his wife. He simply came after her.”
The man’s face turned red and the veins in his neck swelled. He pointed to the way they came. “She partook of the energy of a server to survive, Rhune! She’ll never be allowed to leave!”
Rhune’s sigh rumbled in his throat. “Ah, well, there are a few things you should know about the return of the High Ones. Things have become a little more complicated.”
He glanced around the sparse hall. Cherubim lined the walls of the foyer, just as they had in all the Shilo Manors, but the special touches Lilith had brought to the one on Cornerstone Deep weren’t a part of this house. It was definitely a bachelor’s abode, and Rhune could imagine the women having a time with redecorating. Especially Colhart’s little Terran angel. “Tell me, Zacharius, where is the young couple? I expected them to have found their way here by now.”
“The last time I checked the Utopian, they were headed this way via the highlands.”
“A difficult point of view to find the manor, especially if you’re not familiar with the area. I’ll go after them.” He looked at his watch and called up the scry. The luminescent face throbbed as he spoke. “Bhiorus, Vincentor Shilomacj.”
Vincentor’s essence appeared over the face of the instrument as the Smoke of Night, and Rhune widened the view to gather where to find him. A large city expanded to the right, the mountain side to his left. Ahead lay a quaint ferry crossing.
“That’s near Carter’s Cross,” said Zacharius. “It’s been the target of several incidences. They don’t need to interfere there, Rhune.” The man placed his hand on Rhune’s arm and lowered his chin, accentuating his point. “You don’t need to interfere there. Just go get them and return immediately. This world doesn’t need the influence of outsiders, whether you mean well or not.”
Rhune cleared his throat. He knew what Zacharius referred to, and he didn’t blame him one bit. With a nod, he dispersed his elements into the Smoke of Night.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cole glowered at the Utopian as he watched the activity in the hologram above the mirrors. How arrogant and self-serving this dimension is. How can they possibly believe no harm will come of their meddling? By the light of a full moon, several men slowly neared the sheer bluff, beside the boulder that had dropped during the fight with Dressen. They get no closer to the portal. “James, get in here now!”
Footsteps rumbled down the hall as what seemed like the whole group responded to his call. They filed into the hallowed study, including a blond-streaked stranger—who could only be Jarrett—and then clambered around the desk. Cole nodded at the dark picture above the tulip-shaped stage of mirrors.
James’s brows bit together as he scanned the scene. “They’re at the portal. I’ll go. You get those globes ready.”
He turned, and as a dark mist overtook him, he added a direct thought to Cole’s mind. “Watch the girls for me.”
Cole glanced at Linda and then watched the scene play out in the hologram.
“He said it was to the right,” said a man in the image. “Sir Vincent was defending it.”
Lord Carrington. Cole’s glower deepened.
“Lord Dressen had to have made it open,” said another. “The wizards wouldn’t have done it, not knowing he wanted to get through.”
“Maybe it only shows if you say something they would say. Sound…magical.”
One of them scoffed at the same time Cole did.
“No, really. Say something.”
“Like what?” The man’s voice turned deep and mocking, “I command you to open!”
Linda’s cheek quirked.
“No, like…bhiorus.”
“Where did you learn that?”
“I overheard Sir Vincent once when he searched for a harvest subject.”
Linda leaned her curves over the desk to peer past Jarrett. “They can’t open it just like that, can they?”
Cole shook his head. “Only if you...”
As if one of the men had read Cole’s mind, he finished his sentence. “Speak the name of where you want to go. Like where they’re from. Yeah. Meridian.”
White lines traced the tall arch of the doorway to the realms. As the center melted away, an array of multicolored neon lights beamed through the rock.
Blood drained from Cole’s face, Linda covered her mouth with her fingers, and Jarrett cheered. Everyone looked at him.
“What? It’s cool, right? Just look at it!”
Cole’s command punched the air. “Linda, you and the girls grab only what you can carry to take with you to Midway Summit. I’ll get that spell ready now!”
Linda rushed out of the study with the girls, and Jarrett twirled in all directions. “What about me? What should I do?”
Cole scowled at the man. “Go home.”
His blue gaze locked onto Cole’s. “I can’t go home. My golden girls are all I have in the world. My home is nothing without them! If they’re going to live in some other dimension, I’m going with them. Dad said it himself; those girls have a right to have their father in their lives. I may not be worth much, Sir Shilo, but I have a right to have them in mine too.”
A grimace twitched on Cole’s lips. Whether he liked it or not, the words struck a chord in Cole’s heart. The man was right. But another Terran soul on Midway? He could always perform a partial memory sweep, but with children involved he’d have to go deep into the man’s psyche. He shuffled his feet as he squared his shoulders. The children. They did deserve to have their father in their lives.
With a heavy sigh, Cole raked his fingers through his hair. If the gods allow it, then so may it be. James is really going to love this one. “If you have nothing, then I guess you’ll be packing light.”
As James reached the bluff landing, he formed his upper body to allow breath. Gnashing his teeth with his snarl, he pulled his dark essence to billow around him, creating an ominous sight for the men to behold. He filled his lungs with salty sea air and bellowed as one brave—or stupid—soul stepped into the white void. “Halt!”
Their gazes whipped to see him. Jaws dropped and eyes opened wide. He drew his hand through the air and wind whirled. Rubble rose and bulleted their bodies. They backed behind the boulder for safety.
James formed between them and the gateway to the realms. “What do you think you’re doing? To enter this portal is a breach of the covenant!” He waved his hand at the face of the bluff, and the door closed.
“Wait, Lord Travis is in there!”
With a shake of his head, James looked at the man. He let the grave tone in his voice speak of the finality of the act. “Lord Travis is gone. If he reaches Meridian, he’ll not be allowed entry and turned away, lost to roam the portal the rest of his days. All noblemen know the consequences of a breach such as this.”
Stepping into a wide turn to face the portal, James gathered his energy. Let’s show them who they’re messing with. His arms bulged as he commanded the rubble to create a blockade before the face of the bluff. His growl accompanied the upward motion of his fists, and his chest expanded, shoulders arched. His biceps grew twice their size as he commanded a protective shield to warp over the barricade. A thick opalescent sheen expanded over the blocked portal, and James shoved at the air before him. The protectant shield rammed into the bluff, causing pebbles to clatter to the landing.
He wheeled toward the men. “Because of the selfish designs of the noblemen, this portal is to be closed. The Gods have spoken. The Sentinels have been called to serve elsewhere, and Cornerstone Deep will be dead to the Arched Spectrum of Realms until the Gods, Taravaughn, Gryffin, and Arylin deem it worthy to reopen. Pray for mercy! You have defiled that which was sacred!”
Furling his cloak before his face, James allowed his angry black eyes to be the last view of him the men would see. He dispersed his elements and shot toward Shilo Manor. Foolish, foolish souls
.
Should he have attempted to help Lord Travis find his way back? A screeching roar sounded through the arbors, and his senses soured. The answer came clear as Gryffin spoke directly to his heart and mind. “The laws are clear. The door must be sealed.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vincent flew low along the woodland harboring the peaks of the mountain, and several small tracts with camping sites appeared among the trees. None promised a safe haven to rest so that he could assess Elaina’s condition. Her elements flew along with his, content, serene. Given her state in the caves, Vincent had to wonder how. His nerves edged on exasperation. Then it hit him. She’d opened so fully to him again, he’d taken on her excess of energy. Whatever makes her more comfortable is my duty at this point. My sweet Elaina, the mother of my child, I’ll forever seek your comfort and joy.
As he rounded a gorge, a lakeside ferry tethered to a pier came to view. A boathouse neighbored the long boardwalk, and a small shack sat in a grove a few yards away. Families filed from the barge, cheer evident in their laughter. Children romped on the sturdy planks as fathers donned packs no doubt used during the trip. Waves rushed up the sandy shore and crashed into the small bluff not far from the party goers. Sprays shot high onto a cave landing and drizzled down the steep rocky foundation.
Nausea washed through Vincent’s essence, and Elaina’s condition rushed back to him. Right. Find a place to rest. He dipped beside the rugged shack and pulled their elements together with her in his arms. Tremors overtook her body, and he quickly scooted around the corner to enter the little abode. He barely registered the sign on the door that read Carter’s Cross.
For such a rugged look, the modest home seemed comfortable enough; bed, settee, tripod table with chairs, and the equivalent of a stove and basin. The people seemed advanced enough to have indoor plumbing and lighting.
As he quickly laid Elaina on the bed, a chorus of screams erupted from outside. He peeked past the door and blinked twice to pull together the scene. Golden beams shot through the air, hit the travelers, and returned in a heartbeat. A man nearby grasped his chest, gasped, and then fell to the ground with a groan.
Vincent scanned the area for the cause. His disbelief passed his lips in a mumble. “I didn’t know they had advanced weapons here.”
“It’s called a Talit. And they aren’t weapons.”
Rhune’s voice caused Vincent to choke on his breath, and he wheeled around to face the man. “How long have you been here?”
“As soon as we got our Linda squared away, I thought you could use some help. I got to the manor expecting to find you there, but alas, you and the Terran butterfly hadn’t made it. I scryed for you and surmised you were lost, my dear boy.”
Vincent glowered. “Never mind that. What’s going on out there?”
“I’d hazard to say the deep dwellers have surfaced. Those beams look much like the ones Sylisan created to help a portion of the settlers who branched off into the caverns. They refused to believe in the mixing of blood.”
“Mixing of blood?”
“They insisted on keeping their bloodlines pure, and as such, refused the gift of life I offered.”
Right. He did mention that along with the prophecy. As much as Vincent wanted to know more, he turned his attention to Elaina, writhing on the bed, but couldn’t ignore the activity outside. “Okay, so they’re the deep dwellers. How do we stop them from hurting these people without calling attention to ourselves?”
“Well, that, my boy, is a question suited for a Head of Sentinels. We’re to observe and keep the natives from the portal while not influencing their ways. This is their domain.”
“You mean do nothing?”
“I mean, mind our own business and get your lovely wife to Shilo Manor for safe haven. While you’ve been wasting time, she’s suffering. I had no idea she carried your child. It looks like she lingered a short time in the portal and it accelerated the growth.”
Spasms punctuated her pleas. “Help me. Vince…please, help me.”
Vincent spun on his heels and faced his love. Her tremors had turned to sharp jolts, and he reached her in one long step. Kneeling before her, he let his hand hover, afraid to touch her. How delicate was the child? How gentle must he be? A father. I’m to be a father! Of a living breathing child that Elaina and I made. What do I do?
“My boy, if you don’t scoop her into your arms and fly, I’m about to. She needs attention best shown to her in Shilo Manor.”
Ignoring his insecurities, Vincent gently wrapped his arms around Elaina. “It’s okay, Elaina. We’ll get you help.”
Her breath puffed against his neck. “Help…me.”
Sweet Gods! He took on the Smoke of Night the same time Rhune did and followed his uncle as he darted out of the little shack.
Midway Summit Shilo Manor looked surreal to Vincent as it loomed on a large mound off the mountainside. White blossoms crowned the arbors that surrounded the ancient home like a blanket of snow. They were obviously the white flora, prepared to accompany Meridian souls to their next lives, a prominent part of the Sentinel tools. He’d come to cherish the bright beautiful petals, despite the reminder of their duties to them.
Darting over the front lawns, Vincent’s senses sighed in relief. The door flew wide, and as they entered Rhune halted. Vincent scattered his essence and those of Elaina’s to keep from flowing through the jumble of molecules. He scoffed to himself. Not that it would make much difference. He’d felt his uncle’s strong presence the entire way. As he billowed to gain control, he noticed the reason for the sudden stop.
A man who looked much like Rhune in stature excelled in what must be the area’s fashion of the time—sheened hair, indigo jacket, and black shoes to match his trousers. His set jaw didn’t look inviting, and Vincent wondered what had gone wrong to cause the stern look.
A second man wore dark blue, and his outfit mimicked a military hero—badges, clips, pins; they all adorned his collar, arms, and breast. His hands tucked at the crook of his arms, the man lifted his clean-shaven chin to peer at them with dark eyes.
Vincent took solid form the same time Rhune did, and Elaina’s weight pulled downward on his arms. He tightened his hold.
Rhune greeted the man to their left. “Zacharius, who is this? I tell you of a confidential situation, and you contact a local?”
Zacharius’s deep voice filled the receiving hall with little effort as he shook his head. “This is the High Admiral. In accordance with our agreement with the nobles of Midway Summit, a spokesman has been notified of the breach. This affects their people. I’m sure you remember the last time this happened, Rhune. The gods refused help, and you stepped in. He doesn’t want a repeat of the effect it had on his world.”
Vincent sneered at the obvious disregard for the crying woman in his arms. “This is my wife, and she carries my child. She will get help whether any of you are ready for it or not.”
Rhune held up his large hand, and Vincent rolled his jaw, ready to rebuke. But Elaina’s jittery voice sounded beside his ear. “Venus. Venus…blessed us…with this…child. The Gods have found…favor with us.”
The man to their right dipped his brows into a deep furrow. “Are you telling me my Goddess allows your entry into our dimension? That she sanctifies this breach after her willingness to let the others die for seeking worlds beyond their own?”
“If you’ll recall your history, High Admiral,” said Rhune. “Those colonists sought for riches and eternal youth. They were selfish in their search. Elaina here desires to give her husband a family. A blessing the Goddess Venus dearly loves to grant.”
Zacharius held his hands to his sides and spoke to the Admiral. “There has been no contact from the gods. Positive or otherwise. If they condemned the entry into their world, I would have heard of it by now. I have, however, heard from the counsel of Meridian. I’m to be replaced by a Triad of Sentinels.”
He didn’t think it possible, but the General’s brow furrowed deep
er. “A triad?”
Rhune stepped toward him as he nodded. “Three that act on behalf of the Gods when needed. High General, the prophecy is about to come to pass. As I replace Zacharius, I’ll see to it your world will only change for the better.”
“For the better? Under whose terms? What’s better to you could bring chaos to Moraine. These changes will pass through me and my trusted advisors first. I expect to be counseled on everything that happens and have say in such happenings. You will take the place of Zacharius at the university and be monitored regularly.”
Rhune nodded. “I’m aware of his contribution to ancient studies. I’m an excavator in my own right and am willing to take his position.”
A burst of exasperation rattled in Elaina’s chest, and Rhune quickly turned his attention to her. “But now, if I may, this young lady requires attention. Vincent, my boy, lead the way to your new room. I’ll do my best to prepare her. She’s in for a trying delivery.”
Delivery.
Reality hit him anew. Of all the things that could have happened, he never expected this. Did Venus really intervene? Or was it the phenomenal love making session while in Smoke of Night that brought them this miracle? Every fiber of his being had burned with their joined climax. Every molecule had sought her satisfaction, and he had felt every particle of her open to him.
In an instant, Vincent dispersed their elements and darted to the third floor master suite. Elaina’s emotions melded with his, and he realized how frightened she’d become. No doubt the acceleration of gestation caused shock, and now she faced an experience she was ill prepared for. Hoping and praying didn’t account to actually knowing and preparing for the moment.
He gently laid her on the bed and then pulled their essences into solid form. Her scream tore at his heart.
“Vince, I can’t take it anymore! I feel like I’m on fire. The baby… Oh, sweet Venus, help me!”
Rhune materialized beside him and quickly cupped Elaina’s face with his large hands. “Elaina, everything is going to be fine.”
Destiny (Cornerstone Deep Book 3) Page 13