It only seemed as if minutes had passed yet mentally I felt burned out. I had not even taken a shot at attacking anyone with memories. Who would I target? I barely knew anyone except Molly. How could I hurt my best friend? I gulped down the saliva stuck in my throat.
“Molly, we need to be able to have Starla use a memory against someone. You have, known her, the longest. If Eva was here, we’d ask her. May we try it?” asked Nayla reluctantly.
Molly appeared a bit sullen, “I know she won’t in actuality mean the attack, I guess we could attempt it.”
I repositioned myself on the blue pillow. My butt had started to fall asleep. Man, I didn’t expect I’d miss being out in the cold running an obstacle course. In, addition, my nerves twitched, as I ran my hands down my legs, striving to calm myself before, I began.
“Now just relax, bring to the surface a recollection you had of an occasion Molly made you furious. And so you’re working to get a hold of that negative energy. Drive it towards her. Molly, you’ll experience a slight jolt. It shouldn’t be too painful,” cautioned Star.
Molly winced, but looked as if she was attempting to stay strong.
My mind was totally blank! Molly and I had, in no way, any serious battles. The worst thing I ever thought of her was Jenson. I bowed my head low because this shot would be, below the belt, particularly knowing that Molly didn’t favor men. I grabbed the sides of the cushion I sat on, digging in hard bringing myself to the instant they pulled up in her parent’s car. When I alleged, she’d taken him from me.
A flash of light pierced out of the middle of the inner circle where the candles sat shooting towards Molly. I didn’t see what I’d initiated. My eyes being closed and all.
“Stop!” shouted Kaya.
Star seized me.
“Control, deep breaths, will it down inside of you. Calm as an ocean, soft sand beneath your feet. You are no longer there learning to control this is critical. You have to be able to pull yourself out of the memory as well as in,” she instructed.
I started to hyperventilate and tried to catch my breath. Vibrations pulsed throughout my body. I shook violently. Then it stopped.
My eyes fluttered open. I gasped at the sight of her. Burn marks up and down her arms. How could she, or Maine who I hadn’t yet met ever forgive me?
Nayla huddled near Molly.
“Have you already failed to recollect the ability we bestowed her?” Star glimpsed at the two of them.
I didn’t reply, just sat there, taken back at the power I had to deliver pain to others.
“We can’t let this injury set in, or else you’ll not be able to rejuvenate from this. Even though, it was gifted it’s also, learned. Touch your affected area, imagining a bright healing light radiating over your arms. Now take your hands lightly running them up and down on the infected area. Concentrate, breath, gradually,” instructed Nayla.
“Good, good, it’s starting to fade out,” said Star.
The burns gradually disappeared from my sight.
“I don’t believe I can do that again, not to someone I care for.” I stammered, hugging myself.
“This is good, it’s needed Araina,” said Star. She eased herself off her pillow. Then blew out the candles and retrieved them one by one.
Molly came over to me offering her hand to help me up.
“Look, it’s OK, they’re almost all gone now. I don’t want you to be bothered by minor burns.”
I touched her arms, observing leftover red marks that remained. “I hope Maine isn’t too angry with me when she sees them. I haven’t even met her yet I’ve already managed to get you hurt before the operation.”
“I’m Ok. In fact, I need to ask you something Nayla.”
“OK, go ahead.”
“How much healing will I be able to do, before I run out of juice?”
“We’re not certain. Since you are a beginner, I’d say you could probably heal up to ten minor injuries, major ones maybe two.”
“I’ve also been apprehensive about what may occur when we invade the outskirts of Thunderhead Bay. Have the wolves you assigned yesterday left yet to scope it out?”
Nayla pranced in the circle as we stood up gathering the pillows off of the floor.
“I’ve spoken to them. Four of their members will be on the way there tonight. I told them to remain till morning, but they said, the night would be a much better occasion to monitor them without being noticed. Personally, I believe they are nuts. Don’t they know that’s when the bandits tend to roam about causing the most trouble,” she said, shaking out her fur.
“Where do I put these?” I asked Star.
“Set them over on the shelving unit next to the fireplace where I put the candles if we should need them again,” she replied.
I did as she had asked. Afterward, I returned to the middle of the room near Nayla, Kaya, and Molly. We stood in peace until Nayla Nudged me onward.
“We’ll be going to dinner with the rest of the clan members,” she urged.
“So we get to meet up with the boys, witness what they learned. I bet they got to do some actual hands-on fighting! What happens if my memory weapon doesn’t work? We didn’t even apply any physical fighting techniques,” I grumbled to Star.
“You will. There will be one last session before you go to Thunderhead Bay tomorrow. You don’t have anything planned do you?” spoke Kaya.
“No. Molly, any plans?” I asked.
“It won’t matter much if I’m gone. Mom and dad have been frequently arguing if I should be permitted, to date Maine. Mom’s more understanding,” Molly said, directing it towards me on our way into the dining hall.
I patted her gently on the back and smiled. “It means a lot to me you’re here you know.”
“That’s what best friends are for,” she replied.
Once in the dining area mundane chatter filled the room on the subject of what we might have to eat. We sat down at a large table. Half of a log had been cut to create a serving area.
“Is that where we’ll get our food from?” I asked sitting down.
“Yes, the young adults will bring out the fare to form a sort of buffet for us. We have about fifty people in our clan,” announced Kaya.
“Wow, I’m not sure I can handle them all at once,” I replied.
“Now what were you going on about earlier? Ah, you said, we were going to find out what may arise at, Thunderhead Bay,” Star interrupted.
“I sought to invoke a spell, but after, you were burned Molly, I thought it better to wait, til tomorrow,” responded Kaya. She played with her fork next to her napkin, “Maybe, or we could try...”
“No!” shouted Cavin, stepping into the room. “I don’t want you trying to foresee the future. The bandits can read minds. It would put us at great risk. We can’t let them know our intentions to attack. If we’re lucky we’ll only have to deal with Minder, and it will be peaceful if luck is on our side.”
Kaya hung her head in remorse as if she’d been slapped. Star placed a hand on her back.
“The wolves will return soon. They’ll tell us what’s going on. We’ll do our best with that,” Nayla spoke trotting up to Kaya.
Cavin stood on the other side of her, gazing up at her face.
“Everything else is going as planned?” she asked him meekly.
He sighed, “The boys will be here soon. They were messing around throwing snowballs at one another. One of them hit me. I told them I’d had enough fun tumbling and avoiding on the mats today.” He placed his muzzle in Kaya’s lap, and she patted his head half-heartedly.
“I’m just watching out for the tribe. We cannot let anything slip out, to the opponent. They already have Lang, Cal, and Nuria; they killed Star’s parents and many others to prove their point. I’ve yet to understand their method,” he said in a harsh tone.
“If someone tried to do an experiment, on me, I’d be pretty angry too,” argued Molly eyeing Cavin.
“You’re right, but they should have g
one to the authorities or another clan for aid.”
“Did they?” I asked.
“No, Personally, I don’t know the circumstances. Minder is the first person in the group to contact us. Well, Nuria I mean, given that you’ve found the note.”
“What a mess, these scientists could still be out there. Each step we take, I keep gaining knowledge of truths kept!” I exclaimed stomping my feet on the ground.
“Araina, it will be alright,” assured Nayla.
“No! When we get our members back, we cannot let this rest! As a guardian, I refuse to allow those corrupted bandits to remain free.”
A loud crash echoed in the hallway. I began to get up to see what happened.
“Wait here,” instructed Cavin his fur stood on end as he crept forward towards the entrance way.
Kaya leaned near to me, “My dear, you are taking on too much. Do you realize what kind of danger we are already in?”
“Better to get all the knots untied, then to leave something undone. If we can bring them over to our side, we might be able to join together to find these foes,” I whispered.
Cavin was now outside, in the hall, he had to be. Minutes passed, five, maybe, then footsteps approached. I started to stand up only to see the boys playfully stumble into the doorway.
“What the hell happened?” Owl choked. He leaned against the door frame. Lance and Jenson were behind him.”
“You tell me, we heard a crash. Cavin went out to see who, or what was there, and now he’s gone,” Molly blurted.
Nayla trotted to the doorway. “You boys better get in here, sit down, and take off those wet coats. You should have left them in the mud room,” she scolded.
They took off their gear, leaving them in a pile, then came to sit with us at the table whereas Nayla stood off to the side.
“Did you see anything out there? We heard something smash, then a scuffle perhaps you passed him on your way here?” she asked.
Lance averted his eyes peering into the kitchen’s open window. Clan kits had sauntered in silently beginning to prepare our meal. The smells wafted over to our table.
“What?” he asked.
Jenson shifted in his seat, and Owl took something out of his pocket. I thought it was important, nope only some gum.
“He was headed towards the Rangers station. He only told us to get to the dining hall, eat, and afterward either head home or stay in the guest rooms for the evening,” said Jenson.
A rather large hybrid Fox, half human interrupted our conversation. He waltzed up to our table, placing large goblets of water next to our plates. “My name is Raze; Tonight I’ll be serving you warm vegetable soup with hot bread. The desert will be an apple crisp after the light banquet. Please go on with your meeting,” he said, turning away back to the kitchen.
“Kits huh?” I said.
“They are preparing the meal. That is our server. They do not have hands Araina,” said Star, placing her own on her head shaking it slightly.
I slouched down in my chair. This had been, a lengthy day. I was ready to go home and curl up in my warm bed. Turning my hand over, I looked down at my wrist watch. It read 7 p.m. I still had Jone’s class to deal with. When the heck, would I study or write that damn essay?
“Araina, I want you to know I’ll discuss what we spoke about with Cavin. I’ll see what he thinks about us finding a way to pursue these scientists, for now though we must focus on getting Lang, Cal, and Nuria back home safely,” said Kaya standing.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To find Cavin, stay, eat, and rest. You’ll need to be ready for the dawn. I suggest you stay here tonight if possible.”
“Can’t, Molly and I have to study for that test in Jone’s class.”
“Me too,” spoke up Jenson.
“Well, then I’ll see you all bright and early, say six a.m.?”
I about hit the floor! Six am, I guess we’d probably all be up all night. If I’d have my materials for the class with me, I would have stayed put. We just nodded to Naya as the soup was brought out, and she exited the lounge.
Chapter 28
(Thursday)
Last night, when I’d come home, mom had been working on book orders for the library. Briefly, I regurgitated the daily events. She was anxious about me going into the field. Jenson had sadly returned home. There was no time for a late night rendezvous or sneaking him into the house. I couldn’t find the flip couch, hence I’d slept on the floor, allowing Molly my bed. Forcing myself up out of the scattered blankets, I floundered making my way to the bathroom. The soreness in my backside made me bend funny. My head was a pounding mess. I couldn’t believe I had managed to write the essay for Jones class. It wasn’t great, pretty rushed, if you ask me. Molly and I had gone through our notes until we crashed. No time for girl-talk either.
Stepping into the shower, I cranked up the hot water. It eased the pain and soothed me. This case was full of loose ends, maybe instead of untying knots we should be tightening them. I laughed, and it echoed against the walls. I placed a hand, on the tile. Gosh, I was a disaster. I needed one night alone with Jenson. Stop! I told myself, one night of passion wasn’t worth it. Jez was I that stressed? Turning off the water, I dried off and dressed myself. Glimpsing in the mirror, I considered myself rather attractive.
“Hey, we need to get moving,” said Molly, pounding on the door.
I opened it, letting the steam escape into my room.
“Mind if I take a quick one?” she asked, grabbing her clothes.
“Sure, we have about half an hour before Jenson picks us up. Did you call your mom, last night?”
“Hmmm, yeah,” she said tightly holding her conditioner in her hand. “Dad just flew off the handle again, with me staying here. Now he thinks you and me...” she rolled her eyes, and then continued, “are an additional item.”
“Your dad has such a stereotypical view doesn’t he?”
“Sure does.” Then Molly shut the bathroom door behind her.
“Dang, it’s early!” Jenson affirmed standing in my kitchen.
“Yeah, mom and Megan are asleep. I don’t imagine I’ll see them until the twilight. After this session do you want to stop by, study a bit before the big test tomorrow?”
“Sure, Molly?” he asked.
She’d been quickly devouring frosted turbo rings while she sat at the table.
“I ought to go home tonight. I need to work some stuff out with my folks. It’s mostly my dad, I’m concerned about. Mom’s being supportive, but dad just assumes that staying over at someone’s house implies a relationship.”
Jenson chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh man, so now he’s assuming that you and Starla?”
“Yep,” she said.
Jenson slapped his hand on his knee and tried to control his laughter. “Your dad is a piece of work.”
“No, he only wants me to be, well what he considers normal. Let’s jet, OK. I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” said Molly, placing her cereal bowl in the sink.
“OK, get your coats, and I’ll meet you in the car,” Jenson said, pointing to the curb where he’d parked. He opened the front door and went outside. Molly gave me my coat, then put her’s on.
“Jenson wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings, you know. It’s comical to him, that your dad just can’t love you.” I put on my jacket and grabbed my gloves and hat.
“Yeah, but not so for me,” Molly answered, pulling open the door.
The cold wind hit my face, and I wanted to turn back. One more session, the test with Jones, then we could go to Thunderhead Bay. I just wanted Cal and Nuria back. Lang, I wasn’t so sure about. I didn’t even know him. Is he even still alive? Damn, those scientists! I wondered where they were, if they were dead, or in hiding? Perhaps the bandits had already killed them, but continued to seek revenge. I hoped I wouldn’t have to miss math class. Wait, did I just think that! Gah, the clan and mystery were taking over my life.
“Wake up Starla
-Araina, this is your life,” I heard Cal whisper. Cal where are you? And how does she know my fox name?
The snow had gotten worse while we drove. Jenson tried to keep his car on the road. The tires were having trouble gripping as we slid in the slushy snow.
“I wish I’d have gotten snow tires,” he grumbled, as we slowly pulled to a stop at the last light before entering the park. Molly and I had been hanging on to the car door handles fearing for our lives.
“Yeah, I wish you would have too,” I replied. The light turned green. Jenson eased the car across the road, into the parking lot nearest the station.
Molly jumped out of the vehicle racing to open the passenger door for me. I fought a smile and tried not to laugh. Obviously she was going to give Jenson hell for what he’d said to her this morning.
“Considering you, like my dad think she’s my lady I might as well treat her as such,” she remarked smugly. I hugged Molly, giving her a small peck on the cheek. Jenson shook his head at our silliness. At that instant, he linked his arms with mine and Molly’s. We trekked along to the cabin with the snow crunching under our feet and the sunlight peaked out of the clouds.
Nayla and Kaya ran up to us out of the wooded area in fox form. They were puffing and out of breath.
“Did you find out what happened last night?” I babbled stopping a few feet from the lodge. Jenson and Molly huddled against me for warmth, the wind bitter against my skin.
“Bad news, Lang is dead, has been for over a year. A postcard came notifying the ranger with no return address last night from Nuria. She said, she couldn’t give the precise location where she and Cal are staying,” said Kaya.
Uneasiness swept over me. Cal had contacted me this morning. Had she not?
“Did it say anything at all about how he died? Did the bandits kill him?” Jenson asked.
“Nothing, hopefully, Cal and Nuria will clue us in,” she said turning towards the Ranger’s station.
“Let’s go. Star has set up the lodge for our last minute training sessions. I figured with the test in Jone’s class you’d want some time for that. Did you get any studying done last night?” Nayla said, with a smirk.
Myth (Book 1) Page 22