by Lynn Veevers
“Who did you have in mind?” Kenneth asked his father that night.
“I think my brother, Art, will be the best one to recruit. He will want to spend Thanksgiving with his family, so I will ask him to come down from Kansas on Friday,” Owen said.
“You have a brother?” Kaya asked, rather surprised.
Owen laughed his full belly laugh. “Yes, my dear, Art is my twin brother and less than ten minutes older than me, but he never lets me forget it. I also have three sisters, two older, one younger.”
Kaya was not the only one blindsided by this new knowledge. Dahlia was just as shocked.
Owen chuckled at the expressions on their faces. “It isn’t a big deal, ladies.”
Cara glanced around the room at the different conversations taking place. She knew the long and short of what was going on, and so the rest of them weren’t worried about her sitting there as they tried to hash out the details of when they were going to head up to Missouri and how they were going to go about it.
“Art is a scent tracker and he will be the one to pick up on Shannon's trail. Lucky for us, Eric brought along a hairbrush that belongs to Shannon. It will definitely have her scent on it,” Owen told everyone.
They had all come to the conclusion that since Cole would be up for Thanksgiving in two days, they could convince him to come along on the hunt-rescue mission. His ears would be invaluable. Owen told the group they would leave early Friday morning to get into Branson at one or two in the afternoon. It was over a five hour drive.
They were almost done figuring out time frames and dates when Cara suddenly raised her voice to an impressive volume to be heard over all the chatter. “Hey!”
The room fell silent and all eyes were on her.
“I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but has anyone stopped to think you might be reacting exactly the way this Senka woman wants you to? There is a good chance you may be walking into a trap. Stop and think about this for a minute. She knows about Natural Mystics, knows a powerful one is part of your pack, a pack that is now directly tied to her former family. So what better way to lure in what she most desires than to hit at home? Kidnap the niece who happens to be the sister of her diseased nephew. Her nephew’s widow is now under the protection of the same pack that protects what she believes is the Pinnacle. It is simple logic, folks. You need to plan this as if it is a trap. How can you reach your objective and still get everyone out alive?”
Cara sat back down at the kitchen table. The room was dead silent, then Owen finally spoke up. “Smart lass, this one is. We cannot rule out that we are likely being baited.”
Cara nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, that is absolutely correct, or that Senka is lying in wait for us to deliver Kaya right into her hands. And by us, I mean all of you. I can help with strategy from here, but other than that I am useless in this situation. I am strong in brain power, not physical power,” she said.
Anissa laughed, genuinely amused. “Well, I am strong in the physical sense and not bad in the smarts department,” she said.
Cara scoffed sarcastically and had everyone’s attention again. “A little thing like you, strong in the physical department? Please, these are pretty much supernatural beings who are faster, stronger, and bigger than you.”
Kaya saw the onslaught coming. She figured Cara best learn the way she had about Anissa, so Kaya settled back against the counter and said nothing. After all, Cara was completely out of line.
Anissa straightened from where she was propped up by the sliding glass door, gingerly working her yo-yo. She now held the yo-yo in her hand. She was a woman of little adornment, so she wore no jewelry sparing the silver ring on her left middle finger. Anissa had a reddish-brown complexion like Kaya, only with the slightest hint of golden undertones instead of red. Her dark, espresso-brown eyes where blazing with angry fire. Kaya had learned over time that Anissa was half Shawnee Indian and half Japanese. So yes, she was slight of frame, but she could move. Unfortunately, Kaya suspected Cara was about to find that out the hard way. The room was so quiet you could have heard an ant walking across the tile floor. All eyes were on Anissa, watching, waiting.
“For someone who is as intelligent as Kaya has told us, you certainly are as stupid as they come where judging others based on their appearance is concerned. You don’t know me and you have NO idea what I am capable of,” Anissa said, clearly working at keeping her temper in check.
“Oh, I am sure you are capable of whatever it is you assume you are capable of,” she said with a sarcastic roll of her eyes, “but I think in this situation, you’d best stay here with me while everyone else who is properly equipped for a threat of this magnitude takes care of it,” Cara finished with the authority of a natural-born leader.
The problem was a natural-born leader had just crossed paths with a natural-born rebel and was about to find out exactly what that was like. Anissa clutched her yo-yo in both hands and twisted her hands around it. Everyone heard a distinct click and took a step away from her. Anissa’s face had flushed red and anger flared in her eyes.
In one fast motion, she deployed her yo-yo and it made an ominous whizzing sound as it traveled through the air. A millisecond later, Cara’s glasses were flung off her face and there was a gash where the nose piece had sat.
Cara reached her hand to her nose as she yelped in pain. She stared at the blood on her fingers tips, and when she glanced back up, Anissa was casually standing right in front of her. She knelt down so she was eye level with Cara. Anissa put her left hand on Cara’s right shoulder and turned the yo-yo over in her palm so Cara could get a good look at it. It was black, and, rather than being shiny, had a finish that resembled matte black spray paint. There were three blades protruding on each side of the yo-yo for a total of six.
Cara made eye contact with her, and Anissa saw genuine fear in the other woman’s face.
“That’s right. You are smart, Cara, except when it comes to judging a person’s ability. In that respect, you’re an idiot. Never assume that just because the cover of a book looks innocent and nonthreatening that the story within is as well. If I am to be completely honest I am getting so tired of having to repeat and defend myself to the same types of ignorant people over and over again! It’s exhausting.”
Anissa fit the two-pronged silver ring into the side of the yo-yo, turned it, and the sparkly edged blades retracted back into the body. Slowly rising to her full height, an unimpressive five feet and two inches she started to walk away. She stopped and threw a look back at the now shaking Cara.
“Just be grateful I didn’t cut up your pretty little face with these instead.”
Anissa pulled two fans from her back pockets and flared them open. She flicked her wrists and razor-sharp blades extended out of the tops of the fans. They locked in place with an audible click, like that of a spring-loaded pocket knife. There were six blades on each fan, one topping each arm.
She flicked her wrists again and the blades retracted back into the now ordinary-looking fans. She redeposited the fans in her back pockets and walked back to where she had originally stood, going right back to working her yo-yo like nothing had happened. Kaya was confident Anissa had gotten her point across loud and clear.
A pale and completely astounded Cara exclaimed, “Since when are yo-yos and fans deadly weapons?”
“The fan is no ordinary fan, but a Japanese combat fan called a Tessen, and my yo-yo is an ancient secret that has been kept for many a millennium. There is a reason why there is so much controversy over the origin of the yo-yo and its original use. I am not inclined to share, so let’s just say it is definitely a device capable of killing. Cara, things are not always what they appear to be, and my weapons just proved that. It is something for your knowledge-craving mind to think about,” Anissa said smugly.
Anissa never ceased to amaze Kaya. She had not seen it going down quite like that though.
“OK, well, let’s move on,” Owen said, and everyone huddled around the tab
le to work out a plan, everyone except Anissa and Kaya.
Anissa was still quietly fuming. Kaya walked up and stood beside her.
“You know, your friend is a self-righteous twit, just like you,” Anissa said with a good-natured smirk.
Kaya laughed and Anissa joined her in the act.
“So, I have seen this yo-yo a hundred times—you have it with you everywhere you go. I just assumed it was your favorite thing to do to pass the time, but now I feel like I should have known better. Can I see it?” Kaya asked.
Anissa giggled and then placed it in Kaya’s hand. Kaya was surprised by the sheer weight of it.
“Wow, what is this thing made of? It’s heavy!”
“Well, this yo-yo is a one of a kind. Its body is made of tungsten carbide, as are the bearings. It’s why it feels so much heavier than a traditional yo-yo. The string is comprised of Kevlar, which is a synthetic thread made of a special braided plastic. Kevlar is used to make bulletproof vests, to give you an idea of how strong it is. Then there are the blades. They are set up on a mechanism that can be activated or deactivated with this ring I always wear. The prongs fit the side of the yo-yo, clockwise to deploy the blades and counter to retract them. They are diamond-encrusted blades, super thin and incredibly precise,” Anissa finished with a wicked grin.
“I think that is a plan that will work,” Owen said and Anissa and Kaya looked in his direction. Rather than have Owen repeat himself, Kaya figured she’d have Kenneth relay to her what happened when they decided to turn in for the night.
Owen and Dahlia decided to go check on the kiddos and then take a walk to Noah’s memorial. Josh kissed Anissa affectionately and announced they would not be staying. Leaving to walk them to the door, Kenneth left Cara and Kaya alone in the kitchen. A pink band aid was placed over Cara’s cut that Samantha had gotten out of her first aid kit. Noticing that Samantha was not in the room any more Kaya realized she had no idea how long she’d been gone.
“Do you know where Samantha disappeared to?”
Cara had raided the freezer at some point and was eating out of a pint of chocolate, brownie, fudge ice cream. She turned the spoon over in her mouth, sucked off the contents, and then pointed it toward the back patio door. Kaya followed the spoon’s direction and saw Samantha and Eric sitting across from each other at the umbrella table in the middle of the deck. They were clearly engrossed in each other’s company. You could pretty much see the sparks flying off of them.
Cara was now standing beside Kaya and talking in between mouthfuls of ice cream.
“Oh boy. My brother does not have a chance in…well, you know where. He is no competition for that type of chemistry, or that kind of attraction. We can’t even hear what they are talking about, but you can feel the absolute connection they have and just look at their body language. It is screaming take me to bed. There is absolutely no denying they have the whole package when it comes to the foundation needed for a lifelong union. Thank goodness my brother is not here to see this. He really likes her. I haven’t seen him look at a girl the way he looks at Samantha since…well since he fell for you.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Kaya saw Eugene walk into the room. He had just returned from his walk around the estate in search of some natural inspiration to write by.
“Speak of the devil!”
“I resent that!” Eugene said as he walked toward Cara and Kaya. “I am the furthest thing…Cara, what happened to your face?” Eugene asked, alarmed.
“It’s a funny story actually. Come with me to the family room and I will tell you all about it,” she said, trying to distract him.
“Yea, okay, sounds great, but first I need to find Samantha. I had an epiphany for my book tonight while I was on my inspirational walk and I wanted her opinion on it. Where is she?”
The direction Cara’s eyes traveled gave her away. Eugene looked through the sliding glass door, spotted Samantha, and started walking toward the door. He stopped a few feet short and stood there for a moment, watching the pair on the patio. The two were so involved in what they were talking about they had not even noticed him at all. Eugene took a step away and spun back around.
“You know, how about you tell me the story now, sis? Samantha is busy. I can tell her later.”
“Tell me what later, Eugene?” Samantha asked, standing in the doorway leading to the patio.
“Oh, it’s not important. It can wait,” Eugene said, not turning around and trying to sound casual, but it came off cold.
Samantha had not missed the chill in his voice and walked over to lace her arm through his.
“Don’t be silly! We are about to start a fire in the portable pit. Come and talk with me. Kaya, you and Cara should come out also.” Samantha slightly tipped her head back and her nostrils flared, something that was barely noticeable, but Kaya knew it meant she’d picked up a scent, and then Samantha shouted toward the front door.
“You too, Kenny-Poo! We’ll be on the back patio. Bring the marshmallows!”
She led Eugene out onto the patio and sat him down next to her. Eric was still seated on the opposite side of the table. Kaya exchanged confused expressions with Cara.
“Honestly, she doesn’t know what she wants, let alone who she wants! It’s clear she doesn’t want Eugene going anywhere though,” Kaya said, rolling her eyes as she walked outside to join them.
They’d all been sitting around the fire talking, eating marshmallows, and enjoying each other’s company for about two hours when Eugene faced Samantha.
“So I have to be up in New York Friday morning. The editor of one of the bigger magazines, not going to say which one just yet, has read some of my articles for other publications and wants to talk to me about a section in their magazine....a big section that runs weekly. I am going to be leaving early Friday morning and heading up there. Dad is sending a company jet. I was wondering if you would accompany me?”
Everyone had their attention riveted on Samantha.
“I’m sorry, Eugene, but I can’t. I have a prior family engagement. We are all going to Branson on Friday morning. I am so sorry. I’d love to, but I just can’t.”
He gave her an easy smile he almost never used; Kaya hadn’t seen it in years. She realized Eugene more than just liked Samantha. He had genuine feelings for her.
“It’s all right. Family should always come first,” He said in complete understanding.
Eric stood up and stretched.
“Well, I am going to hit the hay. Got to get up early in the morning to call my sister Renee and see how she is doing.”
Everyone told him good-night and he headed into the house with Samantha staring after him. It was obvious to Kaya and everyone else around the fire that Samantha was struggling with which direction she should go, Eugene or Eric. Everyone, that is, but Eugene. He was living in blissful ignorance, or so Kaya thought.
Samantha decided she wanted some girl time and invited Cara and Kaya up to her room to paint their toenails. Declining the offer Kaya apologized saying she was tired and ready to go to bed soon. She knew the invitation was a request for counsel in disguise. Kaya figured Cara could more than handle it. Samantha and Cara left for Samantha’s bedroom and Kenneth and Kaya were about to go to bed when Eugene stopped Kenneth.
“Hey man, you mind if I talk to my sister alone for a minute?”
Kenneth told him he didn’t mind, gave Kaya a kiss on the forehead, and headed inside. She gave Eugene a sideways glance and said, “Sister?”
“Yea, sister, which is the status you are to me now, officially. You are going to end up married to Kenneth whether you know it or not, which makes you a lost romantic cause to me, not that you weren’t already. The chances of a romance with you has been a lost cause for years now. I was so deep in the friend zone there was no getting out of it. I have accepted it, but you are far more than a friend to me. You are as dear to me as my own flesh and blood.”
Kaya didn’t know how to respond at first, but then said, “Well w
e are already pretty much married but thank you, Eugene.”
“I need you to be straight with me about something, Kaya. What is going on with Samantha and Eric? Please don’t lie to spare my feelings or sugarcoat it. Give it to me straight,” he said earnestly.
Kaya had known Eugene most of her life and knew he was a man of worth, dignity, and honor. Even with knowing all that, she was not going to tell him anything without asking Kenneth if it was OK. So she told Eugene to hold on a minute and let her think. She closed her eyes and tipped her head down to ensure he would not see the blue light up her eyes. She reached out to Kenneth and told him what was going on and he gave her the OK. She told him she would tell him when to come down. Kaya returned her attention to Eugene after saying a few words out loud.
“Even if I told you, you would never believe me.”
Eugene raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “Try me.”
She spent the next fifteen minutes explaining everything pertaining to her exclusively. He took it in stride, surprisingly, then asked her if she could prove any of what she’d said. She stood up, walked over to him, and sat in his lap.
“Kaya, what are you doing?” he asked her uneasily.
She batted her eyelashes innocently. “This.”
Kaya morphed into a beautiful white, long-haired Turkish Angora. She kneaded at his leg then lay down and started purring. He immediately started sneezing violently. Kaya meowed smugly as she looked at him and thought to herself, That is what he gets for needing proof rather than taking my word for it.
He picked her up and set her gently on the patio where she morphed back to her Human Form and sat across from him again.
“Is that proof enough?” Kaya said, just a tad perturbed.
He nodded his head yes. “That was mean, Kaya! You know I am allergic to cats, but what does any of that have to do with Samantha?”
“I am getting there,” she told him and reached out to Kenneth again, all the while keeping her eyes on Eugene. She knew exactly when he saw the blue because he just stared in disbelief. A few moments later, Kenneth walked out onto the patio.