by C E Johnson
Take a deep breath, Xena began. Her words had an instant calming effect on Emily. We must learn whatever we can.
“Take Dr. Dalton to the car,” Dysis spoke curtly to her Blacksky team.
Emily could hear the rest of the team leave her godfather’s office. Dysis spoke quietly, but Emily continued to use Xena’s hearing to listen in on both sides of her conversation.
“What are your plans for the girl?” Dysis asked.
Hadrian’s voice was faint, but even distant he sounded curt and cold. “I want you to stay near Emily Whayne, but don’t intercept her. I want to use her as bait.”
Emily could hear Dysis sigh and she could tell Dysis didn’t agree with everything Hadrian was doing. She was walking in her direction now; her voice was louder. Emily pictured the female agent standing just above her, looking out through the window panes. “Now that Dr. Dalton is isolated, I’ll reassign my extra teams in the field to observe her more closely. I really can’t believe she was almost kidnapped right before my eyes, but it won’t happen again, sir.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. Review your videos. If you see conclusive demonstration of unusual talents, I want to interrogate her.”
“Several agents reported that there was something strange about her last swim meet so I’ll review the event tonight,” Dysis promised.
Emily listened to Dysis walk away. She opened her hand to see what Dr. D had left her. There written on the paper was a series of numbers, a global positioning coordinate. He wants to lead me to the place where I was born, Emily whispered to Xena, her heart was still racing away.
And he knows about your brother and family, Xena added.
Emily tried to get a firmer handle on her emotions. She was terrified, but she was also excited in a nervous way. We have to start down this path, she repeated to herself again and again, hoping that if she said it enough times, she would convince herself. Emily began to creep out from under the ledge for a better view.
Wait, Xena advised Emily to stay hidden a little longer. Xena watched from the shadows under the ledge as several large black vans sequentially pulled out of the parking lot and sped away. Now, she urged Emily.
With Dax clinging to her, Emily jogged home using the back-woods path. She burst into her home, ran upstairs to her room, and put on her swimsuit and sweat clothes. The small otter crawled into the large pocket in the lower center of her top. “I’m going for a quick jog with Xena before my riding lesson,” Emily yelled to her parents. She was flushed and breathless, dying to tell them about the alarming events surrounding her.
Don’t involve them yet, Xena advised. Protect them from becoming drawn in with Blacksky until we discover what Dr. D has hidden.
You’re right, Emily whispered. Everything is too incredible right now. Besides, she didn’t think her parents or the police could help her with these agents. In fact, the police probably worked for Blacksky.
“Be careful, dear,” her mother called back. “That was a short lesson with Dr. Dalton.”
Emily wasn’t sure how to answer. “He went off to a meeting,” she finally responded, the words almost sticking in her throat. She didn’t want to lie to her parents—she just couldn’t tell them the whole story right now.
“Don’t take too long, Em. You don’t want to keep Isabelle, Apache, or Mr. Henry waiting.”
Emily peeked out of her window into the front yard and looked down the street. She noticed several men leaning against a large dark-colored vehicle, smoking cigarettes. Through the backyard, Xena advised. They ran back downstairs. While descending, Emily heard a report playing the audio of an erupting volcano in Alaska on the television her mother was listening to. Heart pounding just as loud as the explosions being displayed on the screen, she turned and dashed with her bondsmate out the back door and into the backyard, her body filled with a nervous, trembling type of uncertainty. Running swiftly, she bolted through the gate to the greenbelt paths behind her house. Sprinting over the rocks and through short green cedar trees, her mind began to calm with her actions.
It’s clear, Xena encouraged her with a composed and steady mindset. I think at this pace we’ll outdistance any followers.
I’m worried for Dr. D, Emily whispered.
I didn’t smell too much fear in him, Xena comforted her. He obviously prepared for this moment.
Emily appreciated Xena’s advice, giving her a brave little nod. She studied the map on her phone. The first coordinate took her to the shore of the lake where she liked to swim with Xena, and the clue was, “Don’t rock the boat.” She continued her jog to the location, pleased that she knew the answer to this clue immediately. He was describing the large boat-shaped rock on the far shore of the lake that she had laid on just the other day. Dr. D had once gone swimming with Emily and her family and he had remarked several times on the unique shape of the rock. Emily let Dax out of her pocket when she arrived, and he dove into the water. “Hide in the reeds,” she advised the sleek otter before he disappeared amongst the hydrilla.
After placing her sweat clothes on the shore, Emily swam across the lake to the rock with Xena paddling at her side. She focused on Xena’s strength, pushing the dread and fear out of her mind. Would she find information or another clue in this area?
I’ll find whatever it is, Xena promised. Muzzle dripping with water, Xena sniffed the back of the boat-shaped stone. She started to dig at the back of the rock, eventually pulling out a tube. Hands shaking, Emily opened it and took out several sheets of paper.
Emily, destroy all my letters after you’ve committed them to memory.
If you’re reading this, I’ve likely been taken in for questioning by a paramilitary group called Blacksky. They are led by a shrewd commander named Hadrian. One of their duties is to investigate individuals that could represent a threat to the United States. I’m no threat to the United States, but they’re using this ruse to track and observe me. I believe Hadrian actually wants information about portals to another world. Somehow, he’s learned about magicians and I’m convinced he’s looking for my portal. I should be able to deflect most of his questions for several days. During this time, I hope you’ll return to the land of your birth.
Emily stopped reading and took a deep breath, she felt all at once like ice was running through her veins. She wondered what exactly his portal was and what other worlds he was talking about.
Keep reading, Xena advised with excitement. Her bondsmate sat on her haunches with her back to Emily, at attention, guarding her. Xena’s fascination settled Emily’s mind and changed her fear to intrigue. Dax appeared out of nowhere. He waddled over to Dr. D’s paper and pointed to it with his nose. Emily continued reading:
I’m hoping my training will protect me from portions of their questioning, but I want you to be ready for anything I might reveal about you. You will need to know some information to help you make an important decision.
You and I are not from this world. We are from a place called Acacia, a parallel world to Earth, where magic is common and much more powerful.
Emily felt a flush creep up her neck. A shiver went through her body and mind as she considered the possibilities of such a place. She was astonished by his words, but she fully realized that she desperately wanted it all to be real.
Although this is earlier than I had planned, I think you’re ready. I hope you’ll return to our world to better develop your skills to survive both on Earth and on Acacia. I hope this quest will eventually lead you to all the members of your family. You will have to be careful as the path is dangerous, but the time has come.
Emily sat still for a minute, wondering if the story was simply too fantastic.
There’s truth in his words, Xena whispered. Deep down, Emily knew Xena was right. He obviously hadn’t told her all the facts about everything he knew about her, but she didn’t believe he had ever lied to her.
I will tell you a little about my past and about Acacia in my letters, as these details may help you on your
trip and may help convince you to go.
Emily continued reading his words which revealed that he was actually royalty in one sector, called Angkor, and that Dax had found a lake in his lands with a great portal deep underwater, linking Acacia and Earth. He didn’t want to leave too much information about the portal in one place and he left her another coordinate and clue in the tube.
Memorize it, Xena advised.
Emily’s heart was racing along with her thoughts. She murmured her memory incantation, Memoria, ensuring the words from the story and the coordinates would stay with her forever. She would review all of this when she had more time.
He wanted the paper destroyed, Xena reminded Emily.
Emily understood why she had to destroy the paper, Hadrian could be tracking her. Whispering Fegkos fulgar, she watched as the papers erupted in blue flame. She took a deep, trembling breath and got ready to move. If she stopped to really think things over now, she wasn’t sure if she could draw the courage to keep going down the path he was encouraging her to follow.
“Okay, Dax. I’m going to leave you for a while. Stay safe, and I’ll come back for you with Dr. D.” Her voice was shaking as much as her body. Her world was turning upside down. Bowing his furry head, Dax slid back into the murkiness at the edge of the lake. He began to paddle through the green currents in the shallows before turning once to look back at her.
Thinking about the world of Acacia, Emily’s mind was in a fog. Following Xena, she could scarcely even remember crossing back through the water and starting her trek away from the lake. Preoccupied, she didn’t look back as she rounded a bend. If she had, she might have seen a small regiment of men with auras, magicians, descending toward the boat-shaped rock upon which she had sat. They flipped her boat-rock and every other rock where she had just been.
“We almost had her.” A green magician with a flushed face followed his sniffing bondsmate which appeared to be a weasel or a ferret. “My bondsmate sees a faint blue aura residual in this area.” He began sifting through the ashes that remained with his link. “Droth is going to be upset that she slipped through our fingers again.”
“Droth is relentless.” A violet magician with a hawk on her shoulder added. “We’ll get her soon.” She stroked a sheet of fine scales on her bondsmate, shining like steel.
“We can still capture her during her horse lesson,” declared their squad leader, a red magician named Milo who knew of Droth’s secondary plan. “I’ll alert our full regiment of mercenaries to be in position with the tranquilizers and cages.” The magicians began to further discuss their plans. The team then dispersed back to their vehicles. The men never noticed Dax, who had been hiding in the weeds by their position, listening to their every word.
Emily and Xena sped along the wrinkled limestone and deepening shadows on the path to home. Emily felt faint. Let me breathe for you, Xena urged.
Emily nodded, opening her mind to her bondsmate. Xena helped Emily take deep breaths of air. Xena let the rich smells of nature rush through her nose and into Emily. Scents of dirt, leaves, and grass were passed across and Emily began to calm.
Leave no trail, Xena advised.
Emily understood. She practiced leaving no marks on the rocky ground while running, just as Dr. D had taught her. Guided by the extra sensations supplied by her bondsmate, she didn’t encounter any other runners or agents. Rushing into her front yard, she collapsed on the warm grass, where the two shared a quiet moment as sweaty skin and dog fur met. Thoughts and concerns flitted across their link, calming Emily. I don’t know how people mentally survive without a bondsmate, she wondered appreciatively.
Neither do I, Xena agreed. Once her mind was calm, Emily sat up, only to groan quietly in dismay when she saw a large vehicle with tinted windows still parked along the road a few houses away, watching her. Sensing her discomfort, Xena emitted a low growl from somewhere deep in her throat.
Easy, Z, Emily whispered.
“Em, is that you?” Her mother stepped out of the front door onto the porch. “Get your stuff on and get moving, young lady. Your lesson’s in twenty minutes. I’m sure Andrew Dalton doesn’t like paying the bills for someone who isn’t on time.”
Emily rose, rushed to her room, and threw on her breeches and riding boots. She could hear her mother listening to President Hughes talk about his Stargate Project on another commercial after which the news resumed. There was another earthquake, this time in Peru, hitting along the central coast with hundreds dead and thousands affected. She reflected on Dr. D’s words about the dragons. Her mind was spinning round and round. She joined her mother and the two wordlessly watched the images of the destruction.
“I can’t imagine so much death.” Jean’s eyes were moist. “Can you imagine the mess after such a huge natural disaster? They’re probably going to be without electricity for a long time.”
“What would happen if we lost electricity here?” Emily studied the devastation on the television wondering how people survived in the past. “We’re so dependent on power. I really can’t imagine what life would be like without it.”
“Luckily, I don’t think it’s something you’ll have to worry about.” Her mother stood up. “Let’s get to that lesson. I’m sure Mr. Henry is waiting for you … and for your dog.”
Scott Henry, the owner of Oaktree Stables, loved dogs almost as much as he loved horses and he had plenty of both. He allowed Xena to roam the ranch during Emily’s lessons, and surprisingly Xena liked the horses better than the other dogs. They’re closer to my size, Xena teased.
Mr. Henry only had a few varieties of horses, but Dr. D had Emily study all of these and more during her tutoring sessions. Her usual ride, a strong brown quarter horse was tied up by the front gate, searching for a bite of grass. Next to Apache stood Mr. Henry with an angry scowl on his face and his arms folded above a big belly that strained over his belt. Sturdy muscles stretched his lightweight tan-colored cotton shirt. His normally pale skin shone with a tint of red from the sun, and his large, red mustache was pulled to the sides in gelled perfection.
“Emily Whayne, what’s the meaning of this tardiness?” he roared, overacting with feigned irritation. Emily smiled faintly, but she was in no mood to put on a similar act, so she simply gave him a hug. Xena ran up to Mr. Henry and excitedly goosed him with her nose before giving Apache a delicate lick on the muzzle.
The stable is almost empty, Xena noticed immediately.
“Where are all the other horses?” Emily glanced toward the stables. Xena was right, the area was usually packed with stallions, mares and geldings.
“Two groups came in a few hours ago and rented most of the horses. Some confidence building exercises.” Mr. Henry played with the corners of his mustache. “The money’s good, so I let them go.” Mr. Henry approached Apache, running his hand along the horse’s flank and feeling her legs. “Well, you need to give Apache a workout. Isabelle is on Argos, and she’s waiting for you by the big oak tree on Easy Street Trail.”
Emily vaulted up onto Apache in a fluid motion. Leaning toward the beginning of the trail and shaking his head, her strong horse pranced nervously in a circle. Focusing on the word of power, Armus, she whispered an incantation to help quiet her steed. Apache slowed his movements and stood calmly with his head held high.
“You always have a way with the high-spirited horses.” Mr. Henry gave her a quick nod that showed he was impressed as he threw her the reins. He began to inspect the straps with methodical motions. “Remember to always go down your checklist before a ride.” Before he inherited the ranch, he had been enlisted in the military for a number of years and he claimed certain patterns were now ingrained in him.
Emily had a burning desire to gallop away to find the next clue, but she steeled herself to wait for his usual words of advice. His words of wisdom were a required part of his checklist before he allowed her to ride, and she had found there was no way around this prerequisite. Steadying her mind, she attempted to appear calm and atte
ntive. As he smoothed her saddle blanket and checked the last cinch on the saddle, he taught. “Alexander the Great perfected the use of a cavalry wedge against the Persians. The wedge will get you where you need to go by focusing your energy on one specific area instead of breaking up your forces. Sometimes you have to attack the head of the snake to disable the enemy’s leadership.” He ran his hand along Apache’s neck and gave him a gentle pat. “Be careful out there. Stay away from the other groups. I didn’t really like some of those men.” He muttered darkly to himself, “What we do for money.”
Wheeling her stallion toward the yard, Emily gave him a weak smile. She waved good-bye to her mother as she rode past the jumps at a brisk trot. Mr. Henry thrived on challenging his students. Emily often had to clear obstacles like oxers, open water areas, ditches, and combinations of up to three jumps in a row. Once past the jumping yard, Emily angled toward Isabelle’s location. The name Easy Street was a misnomer. The trail began on level ranch land, but quickly shifted to hill country caliche, infamous for the slippery scree it created on the switchbacks and ledges of the trail. Apache’s hooves clattered on the mixture of gravel, sand, clay, and silt. The sounds of metal striking stone resonated through the air disturbing several mockingbirds, who began to admonish her with their chatter. Harsh angry cat-like hisses emerged from the creatures while they flashed the white patches on their wings. Emily began a series of climbs and descents, with caliche often breaking into small pieces and slipping away along shallow drop-offs.
As she rode, she wondered where Dr. D was right now. A lump formed in her throat, so prominent it affected her swallowing.
He’ll be fine, Xena assured her, instantly in her mind, supporting and encouraging her.
Thank you, Z, Emily whispered. She rode on, surveying the rolling Texas hill country. Scattered clusters of trees had overcome the limitations of the thin rocky soil and they stretched tall toward the sky. Wildflowers added color to the grasslands. The bluebonnets had recently faded away, and now scattered patches of yellow coreopsis predominated. Small swift-running streams, fed by underground springs, merged into little rivers that eventually flowed into Lake Austin. Emily closed her eyes, letting the smells wash over her mind while galloping over a gentle incline toward Isabelle.