“The meeting should be over soon,” said Sebastien. “Let’s wait and see. Maybe it won’t be as bad as we’re thinking.”
“They sure are taking a long time for it to be better than we’re thinking,” Meghan replied, holding no hope.
Ivan kept his thoughts to himself.
Nona hopped up. “My cat sense is telling me there’s a nice juicy...”
“Don’t need to hear the details, Nona,” said Meghan, as playfully as she could muster. “Go. Hunt. Eat.”
Nona liked being in the encampment. Being so far hidden in the woods, small rodents didn’t scare so easily; hunting was almost too easy. Meghan thought if they stayed long enough, Nona would end up getting fat with all the food roaming around. The Catawitch certainly enjoyed it.
The tale of the ship’s battle with the Slopikes, Amphivena and Salt Spiders, had already spread like wild fire through the encampment. Looking over the ship now, the damage made perfect sense. Meghan wondered how Colin had found the ship? And what would have happened if he had not...
A door opened.
“Finally,” breathed out Meghan.
A few bodies exited, people Meghan didn’t recognize.
No one spoke a word.
No one tried to make eye contact.
Meghan’s first thought: It’s even worse than we thought.
After a painfully long minute, Billie and Noah exited, with Kanda and Arnon directly behind.
Billie came up to them and at first, said nothing. Their desperate gazes cried out for good news, which she could not give them.
“I know how much you all want to know what’s happening on the island. I’m afraid all I can truthfully say is... it’s bad. Really bad.”
“What happened?” asked Ivan. “We fled just after Jae jumped over the cliff. I knew things would change after that, but... what’s happened?”
Billie explained all that had happened after Jae had jumped off the cliff. How everyone was confused and disbelieving of what they had witnessed and how Garner and his wife had confronted Juliska, casting off any disbelief that might have lingered.
“After our failed attempt at an attack, we fled, too. Those who came with me on the ship are all that got away. At least to my knowledge. As to what’s going on back there, right this very minute, I cannot imagine. But I have no doubt that Juliska is very much in charge, and that everyone’s lives are in grave danger. She has a host of Scratchers and an army of Stripers at her beck and call.”
Meghan’s chest heaved as if weighted down. She thought about all those innocent people on the island. She wondered about the Mochries, Jae’s family... were they still alive? What had happened to them after Jae’s death? She felt instant guilt for not having thought of Mireya sooner. How was she coping with what she thought was her brother’s death? They didn’t even know he hadn’t actually died.
“Our escape,” continued Noah, “was with the aid of someone in the Striper guard. We feel fairly certain it is a trap. In part to follow us to wherever we sought out help, and in part to hunt down the two of you,” Noah aimed at Meghan and Ivan.
“Us?” they asked together.
“Yes,” answered Billie. “We can’t be sure why, but for some reason, Juliska is hunting you both. Apparently she is quite determined to find you, if she let us go in hopes of locating you. And here we are, we’ve shown them exactly where you are.” Her tone held nothing but apologies.
“I can’t say it’s not disturbing,” said Meghan, “but honestly, I’d rather know. If you were not here, Billie, we wouldn’t even know she is hunting for us.”
Ivan kept quiet but nodded his agreement with Meghan. She could not tell what he was thinking.
“If we were tracked here, we may have put this entire encampment in danger,” Billie said.
“Which is why we will need to act fast,” Arnon said.
“We all knew time was of the essence,” added Kanda. “But our guests have made that point exceedingly clear. Juliska has become as equally threatening as the Grosvenor.”
“Is there a plan?” asked Sebastien.
“Nothing, as of yet,” answered Arnon. “We are taking the night to mull things over.”
“We will meet again tomorrow. A decision will need to be made then,” finished Kanda.
Arnon and Kanda took their leave and started towards home, their heads together, whispering as they walked.
Meghan turned to Billie. “Regardless of the circumstances, it is still nice to see you.”
“And you all as well,” she answered, looking worn.
“Listen,” said Meghan, taking them aside and out of earshot of anyone that might be nearby. “There’s something I wanted to tell you guys before you turn in for the night. Sebastien, you haven’t heard this yet either,” she told him.
Ivan did not join. He leaned up against a tree, still having not spoken. Meghan cast him a worried glance; she could not tell what was going on in his head, but he looked far away. Not present.
She put him out of her mind for the moment and whispered, “I know how the ship got here.”
Billie and Noah waited wide-eyed for her to explain.
“It was Colin.”
“Colin? How did he...” Billie was cut off.
“Is Catrina with him?” asked Noah.
Meghan raised her hands motioning for them to wait and let her explain.
“Sorry,” said Noah. “We’ve been wondering for such a long time...”
Meghan nodded, continuing her explanation. “Colin’s abilities as a Projector are... impressive, from what my uncle has told me. Exactly how he found you and got you here, I have no clue. And in regards to Catrina, as of a few days ago, Catrina and Colin were still together and they were,” she paused, searching for the right word. “I hate to say fine, because I don’t imagine them being fine, but they are together and alive.” She attempted to sound positive, but there wasn’t much to sound positive about.
“For now, alive does sound just fine, thank you,” said Noah. “You have no idea what a relief it is to hear something. When we helped them escape...” he trailed off, peering awkwardly at Meghan.
“I messed up,” she replied. “We don’t have to pretend it didn’t happen.”
Noah nodded graciously. “When we helped them escape, we didn’t know if that might be the last time we ever saw Catrina. To know she’s still alive, it makes a disastrous day end just a little brighter.”
“Colin really brought the ship here?” Sebastien asked Meghan, still stunned.
“Yeah. He did. We didn’t talk, he just let me know it was him and then vanished.”
“He’s a powerful young man,” Billie said unexpectedly. “But a good one, too.”
“He has changed though,” said Meghan. “Didn’t have a choice, I guess.”
“That’s the real shame of it all,” Billie spoke with an edge of fire in her tone. “You young people, forced into a battle created by stupid old people!”
Meghan for some reason found it humorous. A bit of Billie’s usual spunk had found its way back.
Billie tossed Noah a knowing glance. He returned it with a silent shrug. Billie looked directly at Meghan.
“There’s something else you should know. During the meeting, the subject of Colin was brought up.”
“In what way?” she asked.
“Curtis was explaining how Amelia died and that Colin had been publicly ousted as the Projector,” said Noah. “And, the subject wasn’t exactly expanded upon, but it seemed clear they had been discussing things previous to that moment. To what extent, I’m afraid we don’t know.”
“Do you think they are hunting him?” Meghan barely dared to ask.
Billie reached out and patted her shoulder. They didn’t know. But they feared this was the case, too.
Meghan blew out a distraught breath. She wondered if Kanda and Arnon had been in on these discussions. Surely not! Surely if they had, they would have shared this information with her.
“
So, not to change the subject,” started Billie, “but I just need to ask... how is it that Jae Mochrie is alive?”
“Oh, right,” said Meghan. She took the next few minutes and explained the situation.
“That poor boy,” Billie whispered when Meghan had finished.
“And also rather lucky,” Noah added. “Does he have any idea the chain reaction his stunt set off?”
Meghan could not tell by his tone if he were pleased or disgusted.
Noah picked up on this and added, “I didn’t mean that in a bad way. This thing with Juliska was going to happen. It was always just a matter of when. Jae’s actions, as far as I’m concerned, were beyond brave.”
“I don’t think he sees it that way.” It was Ivan that said it, sidling up alongside Meghan.
“Maybe he doesn’t now,” said Billie. “I’m sure he’s still feeling guilty for what he did, but choosing to forfeit his own life to reveal Juliska’s secret, and die rather than accept his fate, shows great bravery.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” said Meghan. “You guys should go,” she added. “You must be exhausted. They’ve got you all set up somewhere?”
“Yes. The people here have been very kind. There were a few empty homes and we’ve graciously been offered them, for as long as we need. I think this young man standing next to you had something to do with that happening so quickly.”
“It was nothing,” replied Sebastien. “Glad to help.” He wore his most Sebastien-y smile, the one that always turned Meghan’s legs to jelly.
“I think we will bid you all goodnight,” said Billie, staving off a yawn.
“Yes. If we don’t return soon my wife is sure to come searching,” said Noah lightheartedly.
“Have a good night,” Ivan said, with a nod.
They watched them disappear into the darkness now veiling the encampment; lanterns popping on, flames bursting to life, lining the walkways with hazy shades of orange and yellow.
“I wonder what’s going to happen now?” asked Meghan.
“With what?” asked Ivan. He looked and sounded spent.
“Is everything too vague an answer,” she replied.
Overwhelmed. That was what Ivan’s face had read earlier that she could not read at the time. It was still there. A mix of tiredness, worry, doubt, regret, with a small side of defiance... or was it denial? Maybe it was a little of both.
They fell into an awkward silence as they walked. The path was wide enough only for two to walk side by side.
Ivan fell a few steps behind.
Meghan wondered if he’d go inside tonight? She almost felt like forcing him to. Maybe she’d sneak him one of Kanda’s sleeping potions.
Fallen leaves crunched under their footsteps, the sound almost deafening. Meghan was suddenly overly aware of each breath she took and how loud and raspy it sounded.
“Do you ever miss boring?” asked Sebastien, out of the blue. “Just hanging out at the lake, sitting around the campfire...”
“Stuffing my face with blackberry dumplings and homemade ice cream,” Meghan added, her eyes lighting up.
“Whoopie pies,” said Sebastien, his mouth watering.
“Listening to Kanda tell stories,” Meghan added, her eyes lighting up. “Good thing Colin’s not here, he’d never let me hear the end of it! Me, wanting to learn something.”
“Who wants to learn anything in the summer?” joked Sebastien.
“Not us,” she said back.
Sebastien stopped and shook his head. “How pathetic is it that I would die to have just one good old boring day like that again? What am I? Fifty years old?”
Meghan grinned widely at the thought and a giggle escaped. She didn’t even get upset about it. The giggle turned to laughter, which got louder and louder. “Sorry,” she squeaked, unable to control it.
Sebastien sucked his lips into his mouth trying to hold back his own laughter, but a moment later, he had given up and joined in.
Meghan shook her self, trying to stop. Her body refused to cooperate. Why couldn’t she stop laughing? Nothing about their lives was remotely funny! If anything, things were getting worse by the day. And yet, she kept laughing, Sebastien right along with her, unable to control himself anymore than she could.
Meghan and Sebastien heard something strange behind them.
It sounded like a low garble stuck deep inside a cavern.
She turned and stared at Ivan.
“W-was that you?” she stuttered.
He stiffened, shaking his head, no, but a disgruntled snort escaped his lips.
“That was you!” Meghan replied, in a stunned tone. Her own fit ended, replaced by astonished awe.
Something exploded from Ivan’s mouth.
It came out in a torrential flow of uncontrollable force that he could not stop.
“I didn’t even know that you knew what laughter was,” said Meghan, in total disbelief.
“How do I stop this?” choked out Ivan.
“Stop it? Dude, just let it out. You’re way too uptight,” said Sebastien.
This infuriated Ivan even more, and yet the laughter would not stop. It was coming out if him now almost as if being forced. It was beyond laughter. More like completely cracking up.
“Okay, you’re freaking me out a little bit now,” said Meghan.
“Yeah, I was just kidding,” said Sebastien. “Well, sort of,” he added so only Meghan could hear. She shrugged, unable to disagree. Ivan wasn’t one to be overly or publicly emotional.
Ivan doubled over, having a hard time catching any air.
“You are so not okay,” said Meghan.
Ivan fell to his knees, unable to keep his balance.
“Go away,” he pleaded. “Please, just go.”
He was no longer laughing but still struggled to take normal, controlled breaths.
“Definitely losing it,” Sebastien whispered.
“Maybe you should go,” Meghan told him.
“Yeah. Okay. Um, if you need anything, I’ll be at my parents’ house.”
“Thanks,” she mouthed as he departed.
Meghan heard Nona’s concerned thoughts enter into her mind but asked her to stay away, too. She could handle this on her own.
She helped Ivan lean back against a tree and took a seat next to him. He turned away, refusing to look at her.
“And stubborn Ivan reappears.”
“Is it impossible for you to just leave me alone?”
“Can’t do that. You’re clearly not okay. Actually, I think you might be having a panic attack.”
“I don’t have panic attacks.”
“You do now.”
Ivan groaned. “You’re going to be even more of a pain now that you’re my sister, aren’t you?”
“Don’t have a choice, do I? We’re family.”
“I don’t have panic attacks,” he reaffirmed.
“Maybe you haven’t before,” she agreed. “But Sebastien has a point.”
This was the wrong thing to say. He started to get up. She pulled him back down.
“I’m being serious, Ivan. You do have a tendency to bottle things up.”
“Maybe I don’t have the need to share every little thing I feel with everyone I know!”
Meghan kept her temper in check, even though she wanted to shout back at him.
“Ivan, having a panic attack isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it makes you more human. It shows you care about something so much, that it literally hurts to think about it.”
“That’s not me,” he said.
“Again, maybe it wasn’t you. But it is now. Look at everything you’ve been through! You watched Jae commit suicide only to find out he’s still alive but has this horrific task ahead of him. You can’t help him. It’s all him. You found out you have a sister and she, I, have some terrible choices ahead that you can’t make for me. You found out your mother is still alive! Everything you were working towards was all based on lies... What you’re feeling right
now, Ivan, is helplessness. Nothing is going the way you thought it would. Everything’s changed. It’s going to keep happening. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it!”
“And what, now that you’re my sister I’m just supposed to share everything I feel with you?” he looked partly angry and partly disoriented.
“There’s no rule that says you have to, but you can. I’ll always listen. I may not have helpful advice, but I’ll always listen.”
“As the older sibling, shouldn’t I be taking care of you?”
“Ivan, we’re not little kids. We can take care of each other.”
“I don’t know if I can do that,” he spoke honestly. “I don’t know how to do that.”
“You already do it. Obviously without realizing. You’re the only reason I survived the last year with any stitch of sanity remaining. All the rest of it... don’t let it bottle up so much. You’ll turn gray before you’re twenty-five! Strike that! You’ll go bald before you’re twenty-five!”
“Speaks the girl who worries about everything.”
“Red head,” she reminded. “No graying here, I’ll go straight to white.”
She could practically see his eyes rolling in reply, even though he had leaned his head onto his hands.
His breathing normalized.
“So, just how much time does it take for new realities to sink in?” he asked.
She frowned. “This isn’t something you can just rush through. There’s no guide to surviving life’s little surprises. If there was, I’d be the first one in line. Besides, you were being a great big brother before you even knew you were one. You’ve already got that whole worrying-about-everything-I-do-thing down, really well.”
“You are not going to be any less of a pain, are you?” he asked, sounding deflated.
“Oh, heck no! If anything, big bro, I’m going to be even more of a pain. And you can’t do anything about that because we’re family, and you have to love your family, no matter what!”
He thought about that for a minute.
“Do you believe that? Completely? Because the other side of your family, Colby and your father, things are going to get... complicated.”
Control (Book Seven) (Fated Saga Fantasy Series) Page 9