Bluestone

by C E Johnson

  “I don’t get it,” Dysis murmured in confusion. She leaned gently against Hadrian as she looked at the images with him. “He was fine on our trip here, but now he almost died.”

  Hadrian peered at each image of the sequence just before Dr. Dalton’s heart stopped, trying to ignore the distracting scent of jasmine wafting from Dysis’ too-close presence. He continued to skim the security footage, but her black hair looked so soft and her perfume was becoming positively intoxicating.

  “There,” Dysis pointed at the monitor.

  Hadrian felt flustered that he had missed the clue and he coughed to cover his embarrassment. While replaying the scene, Dysis pointed at Dr. Dalton’s mouth and Hadrian realized what she had seen. Dr. Dalton appeared to be muttering something.

  “He’s saying something,” Dysis whispered.

  “Could he have somehow induced this?” Hadrian turned up the speakers to their highest volume. “I can’t imagine him wanting to die, but he looks so determined.”

  Dysis was staring at him. “Follow your instincts,” she encouraged. “You’re able to see more in individuals than anyone I’ve ever met. What do you think he was doing?”

  Hadrian was dying to share all his knowledge on magicians with her, but he didn’t want to scare her away. Could she accept his belief that there were people on Earth that were actually from another planet, people with interesting powers that would set them apart from Earthlings? This doctor, Andrew Dalton, had something unique about him. Hadrian had read every report on the man and he knew he had found something uncommonly rare. There was no way he was going to let the doctor expire before he revealed all his secrets.

  “Dysis, we have to figure out what he was saying.” He turned to one of his other agents in the room, “Check all our microphones. I want to know his last words.”

  “Got it, director.” The agent nodded before dashing out of the room.

  Dysis tried to stifle a yawn. “Did you send Dr. Dalton to Bethesda?”

  Hadrian knew she was exhausted from her rapid flight back to Washington D.C. “Yes, and after you rest, I want you staying near him with a hand-picked team of your best agents. Don’t let this guy slip away.”

  “Yes sir.” As Dysis turned to leave, Hadrian reached out and grasped her hand.

  “I’m glad you’re safe, Dys.” He turned her to face him and slowly put his arms around her. She stiffened and then relaxed, leaning into his embrace. She tilted her chin up to look at him, and he kissed her gently. “I think we could both use a drink later,” he murmured huskily.

  She grinned before pushing herself away from his chest. “I’d enjoy that.” Then she was gone.

  For a fleeting moment, Hadrian felt out of control and he liked it. He shook his head to clear his mind, but Dysis, his brilliant protégé with her statuesque frame, remained in his mind’s eye. He looked at the slumped over body on the monitor images and tried to focus. What are you hiding, Andrew Dalton?

  CHAPTER 21

  Luke

  Emily woke early, performed her tai chi in the yard, and then went for a morning jog with Xena. She studied her surroundings and recognized three of the agents watching her. Blacksky agents, she realized. She didn’t like anyone around her, but she hoped they were protecting her from Droth. After her run, she entered her house and closed the door tightly. At some point they’re going to take me in to evaluate me.

  We should leave tonight, Xena urged.

  Emily showered, put on her Ammolite necklace, and headed down the stairs with Xena to get ready for her fencing lesson.

  Her father joined her for breakfast. “Have you seen Hurricane Isaac? It’s up to a Category 3.” He turned on the television and instantly became mesmerized by satellite images of the hurricane. “A storm’s a-brewing,” he teased in a low and ominous tone.

  “Don’t I know it,” Emily quipped back.

  Her father dropped her off early at the academy and she rushed into the building. She tried using the search spell Dr. D had used in her dream-link to find his next hidden clue, but it revealed nothing. Shrugging in frustration she prepared for her lesson. She slipped on her protective plastron and jacket. She wore breeches, gloves, and gauntlets, and tucked her mask under her arm bib. She and Luke often fought without the mask, never striking near each other’s head, instead enjoying seeing each other’s eyes as they fought.

  Emily peered around the gym. Luke was reading on a bench. She thought she saw two men she recognized watching her. She was actually becoming weary of the repetitive appearance of the agents following her and doing nothing. She almost wanted to scream at them and perform a spell in their presence to finally goad them into action, but she couldn’t do anything to disturb the chance that she might begin her journey to Acacia that night. She felt some anxiety that these agents were here, and her note was missing. Could these agents have uncovered the message? Will they follow me tonight? Is that their game?

  Relax, Xena whispered in a soothing voice. I’ll protect you. Emily flashed love back across their link, feeling a calm settle in her mind.

  “You’ll be challenging Luke today,” Coach McAdams said as he approached Emily. He had brown hair, bulging muscles, intelligent eyes, and a fierce work ethic. “Work on your right hand until you’re tired and then switch to your left. You never know when you’ll need to use that other arm. I’ll be watching you from my office.”

  Emily approached Luke. His lanky frame looked more impressive in the layers of his fencing garb than usual. He was even starting to put on some muscle, which he never hesitated to show off. I really don’t want him to see me being taken away by federal agents. Emily wondered what he would think about magic. She wished she could share her powers with him and she wished she could share her fears.

  “Em,” Luke said softly. He looked up with his signature roguish warm grin. Instantly she felt better just being in his presence. She glanced at what he was reading while he was waiting for their practice to begin and she saw it was an English translation of ancient German writings on fencing warfare. Luke read all the old texts.

  “You’re such a nerd sometimes,” she teased him.

  “Nerds will inherit the Earth,” he bantered back.

  “I thought Coach McAdams would do some teaching today, but I guess he’s realized we’re so good, we don’t need an instructor anyway,” she gestured toward their Coach who was entering his office.

  Luke laughed, pushed his book away, stood, and the two went through their usual intricate handshake. She finished the final move a little quicker than Luke this time. “You barely got me,” he laughed as he leaned closer to squint speculatively at her necklace. “My lady, where did you get such an extraordinary piece of jewelry with such obviously expert craftsmanship?”

  Emily blushed and waved him away, “Some goofball with no muscles gave it to me.”

  “I don’t know. He must be really charming to have given you such a thoughtful gift.” Luke waggled his eyebrows mischievously and began to strut triumphantly in front of her.

  “He’s okay, I guess,” Emily bantered back while rolling her eyes, “but sometimes he seems so conceited.”

  Luke chuckled before turning suddenly serious. He glanced down at his equipment. “Oh, Em! I grabbed the wrong epée this morning. I had yours by mistake. Anyway, this note was in your scabbard along with this key.” He tossed the items to her and watched her curiously. “I hope you don’t mind. I accidentally read a line or two. Interesting. I didn’t know your godfather was into dungeons and dragons.”

  Emily laughed, relieved that it was Luke who had found the note. Attempting to act calm and relaxed before the agents watching her and trying not to show how important it was to her, she pocketed the note and key. She now knew the answer to the riddle. I am the keeper of sharp death. I am no stone, yet I blunt the most powerful blade—a scabbard.

  “On guard,” she said in a low voice, clutching her weapon in a firm grip to hide her nervous excitement, and their battle began. She starte
d by trying to tap Luke high and inside toward his underarm by extending her arm in a lightning maneuver and bending forward in a rush. She never had to temper her blows with Luke.

  “Trying to catch me off guard before I was ready.” Luke made a tsk tsk noise. “I’ll have to counter that with my quarte parry.” He emphasized the word quarte with an overdone French accent while beginning a defensive action to deflect her attack by moving his weapon to cover himself so fast that Emily could barely see his blade. “I’m going to have to embarrass you today.” Luke’s words were droll, playful. “I’m sure you know how well I did in the last tourney.” He yelled, “Riposte,” while launching himself forward.

  Emily had been taught eight basic parries, prime through octave. She selected the appropriate response, blocking his attempt.

  They went back and forth with cuts and feints, and Emily was in bliss during their competition. The routine was easy, cathartic. As the two friends fought, they threw out many more terms in their overdone accents, attempting to make their opponent laugh. “Prise de fer,” Emily cried in a thick French accent, a phrase literally translating into “Take the steel.”

  Luke roared with laughter and had to catch himself from falling. “Touché,” he choked out to acknowledge her hit, once he could talk.

  “Moulinet!” He performed a circular cut after he composed himself. Their instructor taught them this was a flashy and impressive move, usually too slow to use and rarely performed in modern fighting. With this challenge, they worked tirelessly to perfect the sequence. They fought until their arms were too heavy to lift and then switched to their left hands. Emily’s speed and quickness challenged Luke’s longer reach. At the end of the last match, Luke stumbled, grabbing Emily for support.

  “An interesting way to try and get close to me,” Emily spoke softly. Her face was pushed into Luke’s. She was enjoying his nearness and she didn’t immediately recoil. She loved the smell of him, the feel of his touch.

  This time it was Luke who flushed. “I surrender.” He was breathless. He slowly straightened, and they made their way to the water cooler, enjoying a relaxed silence for a time. Luke spoke first, “Your fighting’s pretty good, but I think you need more intensive French language

  lessons.”

  Emily giggled. “I think you have a real shot at the national team, if you can eventually learn to beat a girl.”

  Luke began to fiddle with his epée. “My parents are throwing a back to school party at my house next week. I was wondering if you’d want to come.”

  Luke’s family owned a home on Lake Austin. It was a ten-acre property with a huge house. Longhorn cattle roamed the land, and there was a pad for the helicopter that Luke’s father flew. He even let Luke take the stick at times. “I’d love to come.” Emily tried not to focus on the extra flutter in her heart.

  “Maybe you can tell me how the dragon story is going when I see you.” Luke gave her a wink.

  “I’ll give you a full update on that.” Emily didn’t care that she might not even be on Earth at the time of the party or that she might be in federal custody, she was flattered to know how much Luke liked her. She made sure she didn’t skip to the locker room. Once alone, she quickly unfolded the papers:

  Emily,

  This is your last note. Regardless of what you choose to do, I’m proud of you and I’m impressed by your character and strength.

  If you do cross, be careful of who you trust. Use your spells to determine who is speaking the truth to you but realize your spells won’t work on the dragons. The dragons are on edge lately, restless with worry, and they’re being highly protective of their Queen, Tiamat. I think something ails her. They will likely report anything suspicious or threatening back to her, and broody dragons are dangerous. Conceal the height of your powers from the dragons. There are legends of dragons destroying magicians that grew too powerful for them to trust. Also, if you meet anyone who is dragon-bonded, try not to make them an enemy, for such persons are rare and powerful.

  Once you cross the portal, go to the Eldest Tree, and find the map and supplies I’ve hidden. You will know the tree as it is by a waterfall. From Portal Lake, go to Angkor by way of a storehouse I have in the woods, my Castle Cave. In Angkor, Ladon will be awaiting you to give you a prophecy.

  This will be an incredible journey. I’ve been with you for longer than you realize, and I’ve seen you blossom into a strong young lady. You are ready for this challenge.

  Know that I’m here for you and I’ve always been your guardian and I always will be. I was present when a magician named Drogor attacked your family based on a prophecy known as the Dragon Prophecy, and I was assigned to take you to safety. I brought you through my portal and gave you to the Whaynes on Earth, hoping to shield you from future attacks. I wanted to keep you hidden until I identified all of your attackers. Even though Drogor’s relatives might still be searching for you, my hand has been forced. There’s no other choice. You need to go back, to gain more knowledge and discover your true self. Eventually, I’ll take you to meet your family, but once I do you’ll be exposed. I don’t want to reveal you to your true family until I’m certain of your safety.

  Your key is enclosed. My office window is unlocked. Good luck, and may the blessings of the dragons be with you,

  Dr. D.

  Emily felt conflicted. She was terrified by the events around her, and yet she wanted everything to be true so badly that she could make herself forgot all about the dangers for a minute. She sat imagining Dr. D talking with her real parents. He must be their friend. She went through her ritual in a daze, casting her spell to destroy the paper. A flash of heat and the paper turned to ash. Emily pocketed the key while flushing the paper remnants down the toilet.

  Luke thinks this is something we made up. It’s better this way. She wished she could take Luke with her to Acacia, but she knew that wouldn’t be wise. She laughed to herself as she pictured Luke going across the portal and talking in his thick French accent.

  CHAPTER 22

  Goodbye

  Back at home, Emily could hear her father and mother talking loudly downstairs. “Check out the size of this growing monster,” Richard exclaimed to Jean. “Hurricane Isaac has strengthened into a Category 4.”

  Emily couldn’t shake the antsy feeling, roiling in the pit of her stomach just as powerfully as the hurricane was rocking Earth. She buried her hand in Xena’s warm fur. There’s just no way around it. The longer I stay, the more I endanger myself, my parents and friends.

  We can do this, Xena encouraged Emily while sending thoughts of love, and confidence across their link. Make the final preparations, Xena urged.

  Emily darted down the hall and peered over the stair-rail at her parents. “I’m going to go for a jog tomorrow morning, so I might miss you when you go to work. Do you mind if I hang at Anna’s tomorrow and possibly spend the night?”

  Her father answered, “Of course. It’s almost the end of summer.” He appeared at the bottom of the stairs and gave her a warm smile. “I think you should have a few fun nights before going back to school.”

  “Can we have dinner soon? I’m going to hit the sack early tonight.”

  “Sure, dear,” her mother called from the kitchen. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yeah, just tired from a lot of exercise lately. I’m going to text Anna.”

  Emily sat on her bed and texted her friend to plan a potential sleepover. She was certain she could gain extra hours with the confusion.

  Xena jumped up on the bed next to Emily. Emily rubbed her silky fur. If we leave tonight, Z, we’ll have a full night and day of Earth time to try and make it to the portal and get back home.

  That’s over a year of Acacean time, Xena murmured thoughtfully.

  Events were moving so rapidly, Emily felt as if she were in some sort of a strange dream. Yet, she found that if she kept herself busy, the fear in the pit of her stomach didn’t really bother her. She pulled out her prized possessions, the small hea
dband, the net of tiny green stones, and the note found in her baby basket telling her to become strong for a possible journey to find her parents and twin brother. Dr. D must have brought me this note from my parents, Emily leaned against her bondsmate as she talked to her link.

  He’s watched over you for a long time, Xena whispered.

  I never pictured the quest quite like this. Emily’s skin felt cold and her heart felt chilled. At least you’ll be with me, Z. I just wish my parents and friends could go, too.

  We’ll find your family on the other side, Xena promised.

  Emily went into the bathroom and slowly brushed her teeth and got ready for bed, a part of her felt proud she had made a decision, but another part felt anxious at the enormity of the situation.

  You need to say your good-byes Xena urged gently.

  Emily went downstairs for one last moment with her parents. She sat on the arm of her father’s leather chair.

  “How’s your love-light tonight?” Her father gave her a backrub. They liked to joke together about the term ‘love-light,’ which she learned from her teachers in kindergarten. When she was happy, her love-light was strong; when upset, her love-light was dim.

  “Strong,” Emily leaned against him. “How’s yours?”

  “You make my life happy. I treasure the time I get to spend with you. You’re a good kid.”

  “I love you, Dad. I’m lucky someone put me on your step.” She pictured Dr. D placing her on their porch in a snowstorm.

  She gave him a kiss and then went over to her mother who was reading. “Anything good in there?” Emily snuggled next to her mother.

  “This book tells me that I must give you a sense of self to help you define who you are. Do you know who you are, Em?”

  Emily thought for a moment and answered, “I think I know who I am, but I’m just learning who I’m going to be.”