All of the confusion and fear, started to fall away from herself.
She allowed the words to filter through her once more. Could she really take on the world? Instead of allowing realization to onset more fear, Coralie allowed a determined smile to spread across her face, answering herself …Yes.
Coralie could take on the world, and she would. She knew, now, that she could take on the world and win.
This was her life.
This was her reality.
This is what she was born to do.
Chapter 25
Alex saw the silhouette move in the moonlight. Just slightly. No major movements in the darkness. Only something he would notice. He stealthily crept closer to the dark, though almost invisible, silhouette underneath the moonlight.
“I knew that you would come...” a voice said, breaking the silence in the open wheat field.
Startled, but composed, Alex asked in an arduous tone, “Who are you?”
“I guess I could start by asking you the same question, but I already know who you are...”
“You are a Watcher. Why are you here?”
“We all have our detailed duties. We all have our specific missions to complete, don’t we?”
“Why are you after her?” Alex demanded. “She means nothing to you!”
“I have my reasons...”
And with those words, he allowed anger to overcome him, and he swiftly and strongly charged the silhouette, slamming his own body directly into him. When the two came to a friction-ness stop, Alex shouted, “Who sent you?” Alex could see the whites of his teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
Smiling, the young man said, “You stupid infantile! I know who she is ... as well as what that means.” He paused, allowing a slight chuckle to pass through his throat, as he shoved Alex away from him, effortlessly. He hopped to his feet with ease, continuing his end of the conversation. “As far as 'who sent me?', now ... I can't give up all my tricks in one show, can I? I mean, what would keep you coming back for more? Speaking of coming back...”
“You will NOT be coming back!” Alex growled in anger.
“Oh yes, it is certain that I will return, just as it is certain that I will run into you again, yes? But so be it – Don't be alarmed,” the Watcher said, with a pause, taking a moment to glance back in the direction of the Collier house. “I just came for the show … the reveal, the big unveil. Though I have to say, it was quite the letdown. Not quite a two thumbs up. But I've got to give some credit for the intensity underneath the layers ... though, I have to admit, I was expecting water-works.”
Alex permitted, seemingly against his will, his rage to overcome him again. So, he charged the Watcher once more, slamming him again into the earth. This time, though, Alex did not have a good grip on his opponent, and the young man rolled quickly to his feet.
“Like I said before,” the Watcher said, brushing himself off, “I only came for the show, not to fight anyone.” He looked at Alex nonchalant and said sarcastically, “I intend to go now ... that's a warning, in case you felt the need to pounce on me again as I'm leaving...”
Alex gritted his words through his teeth. “If you do as you say and you do decide to return – it is true – you will meet me again. Only this time, I won't be so nice...”
“Wow,” the Watcher said, favoring his head, “... that was you being nice, huh?”
Alex shook his head tauntingly.
“Well, then, I look forward to it ... see you soon...”
Alex said nothing, as the Watcher walked away. He merely clenched his teeth in anger, popping his jaws. It was the challenge that intrigued him. It was the chase that motivated him.
Suddenly, Alex felt a wave of realization. He realized that he had just let a potential threat to Coralie slip away into the dark shadows. Slipping away, to perhaps one day reappear. And who knew when that would be. There was only one of him tonight. Next time, though, there would surely be more to accompany him.
How stupid? How selfish?
For the first time, ever, he had been the one to put Coralie in danger. He was supposed to be protecting her. Instead of protection, he had added fuel to the fire. He had made it game.
He looked around and the Watcher was nowhere to be found. Alex remembered his words. He had promised that he would return. That he would be back. And from the look in his foe's eyes, the Watcher intended to keep his word.
Alex knew that he must alert Cal and the others, but how was he to explain the events that had just occurred? How was he to explain what would surely lead to upcoming events involving Coralie's safety?
Alex looked toward the Collier house, staring into the silent field between them. He began to make his way through the waving wheat grass, as it swayed in the warm breeze that would soon bring summer.
* * * * *
Coralie sat very still, looking up at the night sky, hugging her knees for comfort. From this place, up on her rooftop, it seemed she could see every twinkling star. She felt small.
The moon shone bright overhead. Bright enough to illuminate almost every waving strand of wheat grass that resided in the field beside her house.
Thoughts raced through her mind. Her thoughts were scrolling so fast, it made her head hurt. She didn't want to think anymore, but she couldn't stop the thoughts that trailed through her mind. Her thoughts continued at a pace all their own.
“Hey, I thought I might find you out here...”Court said, easing himself out of Coralie's bedroom window and onto the rooftop.
“Just taking a minute to process things, you know...”
“Yeah,” Court said, taking a seat beside her, “I understand, it's a lot to take in.”
“To say the least,” Coralie paused to take a moment to breathe. “Court -” she started, then pausing again, only to continue with her next words of declaration. “I've always known...”
“Always known what?”
“You know, that I am different ... I've always felt incomplete. Like something was missing. All of this time was missed.”
With empathy underlying in words, Court said, “It's okay, you know –”
“What?”
“To be angry...”
“The truth is, I probably should be angrier with my parents than I am. They knew all along and they've kept this from me. It's kind of hard to swallow. Something like that - your own parents betraying you...” Coralie said, her words filled with hurt.
“Yeah, I blamed them at first, too, but then -”
Coralie's eyes widened in shock. “You knew? And you didn't say anything? You didn't tell me? How could you not tell me?”
“I told you the other night that I would not rest until I found out exactly what was going on. I had to get to the bottom of it all.”
“But you knew me, you knew who I was … you knew all along.”
“Yes, I knew. I know who you are, who you really are, Cor,” Court turned to face her with intense eyes. “But you have to understand that I am already a part of this life. I know things, yes, but I have Elders to listen to. Individuals who are much higher in rank than myself.”
Coralie commented snidely. “Let me guess, my father?”
“And mine, as well as some others...” Court said, with confirmation.
Coralie shook her head in understanding.
“But I promise Cor, I didn't know what they were doing to you until they found us at the lake. That's when I saw it for myself.”
“Wait – what?”
“I confronted them, your parents, about the use of their so-called methods of keeping this life from you.”
“Yeah, and how did that go?” Coralie asked sarcastically.
“Well, with your Dad, not so good … and with mine, much worse. When my Dad got word of my confrontation with your father ... he was very displeased, to say the least.” Courtland paused, for only a moment. “But I couldn't just stand by and watch them take away … you. I couldn’t bear to watch them erase who you are. Life is supposed to be based o
n experiences, and you had absolutely none to remember. I could see how bad it was hurting you, not knowing. I couldn't stand it.”
“Do you know how? I mean, what it was exactly that kept my memories from rising to the surface?”
“I don’t know much, just the basics.”
“Well, it’s still more than I know.”
“True. I know that it's been going on for a long while. Since you were around the age of three, I think.”
“Three???”
He nodded 'yes', and then said, “After expressing much concern, though they disagreed with your parents, some of the Elders got together and pointed them in the direction of Madame Marisse.”
“Madame Marisse?”
“Yeah -”
“Who’s that?”
“Ever heard of Beings?”
“Like what sort of Beings?”
“Witches, warlocks … Ever heard of the practicing of Magic?” Court asked.
Coralie's eyes widened.
“I'll take that as a yes. Madame Marisse told your parents that it would only be temporary. That it would not work forever. Your bloodline, your heritage, would one day begin to overcome the Magic. You would one day be too strong. The potion Madame Marisse gave your parents was supposed to wipe your memory clean when you were exposed to the life...”
“Supposed to?”
“Well, it worked, for a while, without a hitch. But your parents, being the overprotective jewels that they are, began to give you the potion on a regular basis – when you were exposed to the 'Warrior life' and when they had but a mere suspicion that you had been.”
“So, that’s why I can remember certain things, but not others.”
“After a while, recollection of all sorts began to seep through the potion's potency...”
“So, if Madame Marisse had been wrong, and say, that the potion was still working like it was intended, my parents would have continued this charade, continued to live this lie right in front of me?”
“No. I admit it, I was angry when I first found out what they had been doing to you. I wanted to run to you. I wanted to tell you, but I decided to confront your father first. He told me of their plans to tell you, plans that were already in place, long before I confronted him.”
“Only because their methods were not working anymore.”
“Maybe so. Maybe not.”
“Who's side are you on?”
“Cor, yours, of course ... I'm always on your side, but I've known your father for a very long time...”
“Hello, I'm his daughter. I’ve known him my entire life.”
“I mean, in this life ... I know your father for who he is. Not as Coralie Collier's father. Not as Mrs. Collier's husband. And not as Professor Collier from the University's Biology and Genealogy Departments. I know him as a fellow Warrior. Let me say, no one questioned him and his methods of choice more than I, but I began to see his reasoning.”
“And what was that, exactly?”
“Your protection.” Court paused to ensure his sincerity. “Once he suspected that someone may be after you, things were different. He wanted to tell you, he just didn't know how.”
“And you truly believe that?”
“Yes, I do...”
“I don't know.”
“About what?”
“I just don't know what I'm in for, you know. I feel like I have waited all of my life for this moment, for this chance … and now, I don't have the fondest idea of what to do with it.”
“Sure, you do.”
“No, really, I don't know anything about being a Warrior, let alone a Great Warrior...”
“You don't have to know everything just yet. The fundamentals are in your blood. Some things will come so natural. You are a Natural-born Heroine. There are plenty of things that will come to you as second nature, and the finer details will come later.”
After a few silent moments ticked by, Coralie asked quietly, “Court, when did you know? About being a Warrior, I mean?”
“Like you, I had always had this feeling that my family was different.”
“So, what? Did you walk up to your parents one day and start the conversation with – Hey Mom, Dad, feeling a little strange today ... anything you wanna tell me?”“ Coralie said, with sarcastic, lighthearted tone.
“Not exactly, but close...”
“Sorry...”
“Don't be,” Court said, easing Coralie's feelings of remorse. “Look, I've been an active part of the Warrior life since I was five...”
“Five???”
“Yes, I'm somewhat of an overachiever,” Court said, playfully. “I have had the opportunity to travel with my parents to grasp a better understanding of this life, and I had begun my training at a very early age.”
“And ???” Coralie asked, anticipating answers.
With reassurance, Court continued, “And ... I'm still learning...”
“So, there's still time for me, eh?”
“Of course, there is. Look, this is just a new chapter in your life, and if you want, I'll help you.”
“You'll help me?”
“Yeah, I mean, I can help you with your transitioning and training, anything you need.”
Coralie gave him a look of gratitude for his offer and his understanding. Then she took a deep breath. “I just wish they would have told me sooner, you know. I mean, I get it ... they were trying to protect me. But why try to protect me from something that is a part of me? Why protect me from who I am?”
“Look, Cor … We all make mistakes and we have to live with them, but shouldn't we be able to take these mistakes as learning experiences as well. I mean, that's what mistakes are, after all … aren’t they? Aren’t they are just opportunities to grow as a person?”
“When did you become such a wise creature, Courtland Cumberlin?” Coralie teased.
“Been working on it for a while ... pretty good, huh?” Court teased back, causing Coralie to smirk. “Now that's what I like to see...” Court said, pausing for a moment to caress the side of her uplifted cheek bone. “Listen, I've got to go. I need to check in with my Dad. I'm sure that I'm due for a run of some sort.”
Coralie started to ask, but without a word leaving her mouth, Court said, “I'll explain later. You've got enough to process tonight.” He leaned over and kissed Coralie's forehead. He then rose to his feet, and walked over to the edge of the Collier's three story roofline. He turned to her, reminding her, “I'm serious, about the training ... I'll help you. You have absolutely nothing to worry about, okay?”
“Thanks, Court.”
“My pleasure, my love ... I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with those words, Court jumped off of the rooftop and ran off into the night.
Coralie smiled. Such mixed feelings and emotions ran through her. Trying to process so much was tiring, yet she knew there was no way that she would be able to sleep. Not tonight.
She needed to clear her mind. She needed to think. The thought crossed her mind to run off to her thinking place. But she had tried that once already.
Then another thought waved through her mind like the blond, waving wheat grass that harbored in the neighboring field.
Maybe a quick run. Not too far. Just for a while.
Her actions were as fast as the thoughts themselves. She felt nothing but air beneath her, as she leapt off of the three story roof. Nothing, that is, until her feet landed gently onto the ground below.
She paused for a moment to allow a smile to creep onto her face.
Accepting this life may not be so hard, after all.
* * * * *
Knock. Knock.
“What are you doing here?” Cal asked as he opened the door.
“I have to talk to you ... It's important!”
“You could have called.”
“But I was already here...”
The last word of that sentence sent a chill across Cal's body. He stepped outside, closing the door behind him. “Here?”
“Yes, Sir,”
Alexander answered.
“And why were you here?”
“Whoever it was, I tracked him here.”
“Do you know who he was or what information he was after?”
“No, Sir. I don't know who he was or why he was here.”
“Did you handle it?” Cal asked sternly.
“Well, sort of...”
“What do you mean, sort of?” Cal asked, aggravated at this expression.
“Well, Sir, he, umm ... he got away.”
“Got away!” Cal repeated in fury.
Trying to explain, though stumbling over his words, Alex said, “Yes Sir, I seemed to have scared him away.”
“But you spoke to him?”
“Only for a brief moment.”
“So you confirmed that he was -”
“Yes, Sir. He is after her ... but for what reason, I don't know.”
“Nevermind the reason!”
“I will protect her, Sir!” Alex said, reassuring.
“You had better! This is my daughter's life we're talking about here!” Cal shouted, then quickly dropped his pitch, for fear of being heard. “You protect her with every grain of strength that you have, Alexander. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir –”
“Anything else? Anything at all?” Cal asked, desperately.
“Yes, Sir. Something about layers.”
“Layers?”
“Yes, Sir. When he spoke, he said something about intensity underneath the layers. Almost as if he could sense what was being felt...”
“Intensity under the layers, what does that mean?” Cal said, then paused in thought. “Do you think he has a Gift?”
“Possibly.”
“And you don't know his name or who he is?”
“No, Sir.”
“Where he’s from? Who sent him, even?”
“Again, I’m sorry, Sir.”
“Well, then, find out!”
“Yes, Sir. And one more thing, Sir, I am certain of his return.”
“How certain?” Cal questioned with deep concern.
“Sir –” Alex began, but quickly snapped his head, looking away from Cal and in the direction of her.
Empyreal: Awaken - Book One Page 16