by Jaymin Eve
“So I can’t go back to Artwon yet.” Ria’s voice was barely a whisper.
“I think it’s because the Seventine were releasing the fourth at the same time.” Brace looked grave. I wasn’t sure I’d seen his face this coldly chiseled before. “The two energies collided.”
“It definitely looked as if the fourth was released,” Lucy said.
We locked eyes again in a silent communication.
I squeezed my eyes closed so tight that they ached. I knew what I had to do now, but was I strong enough? And how could I go through this without sharing the secret with Brace?
Chapter 13
Josian was pissed off.
I’d totally forgotten to bring him to the mountain and only remembered when I’d tried to contact him and find out when he’d be back. Lucy and I had decided we were going to need additional help. I had no idea how to break a melding bond. I was sure there had to be way – there was always something – but if there wasn’t, this life was over for everyone. Josian had coldly informed me that he was on his way home now, and that I was going to get my ass kicked.
I’d happily sent Brace and Colton off to Abernath. They needed to go deal with the clan problems. And I needed a chance to gather information on how to break the bond.
“I’ll be back for you soon. We need a night in the snow,” Brace had promised me when he’d kissed me goodbye.
I wondered if that would be my last kiss for a while.
Ria, Talina and Fury were hanging out by the ocean. Through the front window I could see the three of them splashing in the shallows. Ria was handling her worry and disappointment a little better now, but I could see a glint of desperation in her gaze.
I was so feeling that today. Lucy was with me in the front room. We were just silent, staring out the window at the girls. I was wondering when they’d had it repaired after I’d smashed through it.
“I think the vision was wrong.” Lucy interrupted my musing. “I’ve barely had a prophecy since the gathering. It’s as if something was prompting them.”
I snorted unhappily. “Can we really risk it?”
“I need to speak with Frannie.” Lucy rested her chin on her hand. “She might be able to shed some light on my messed-up version of being a soothsayer.”
Since Francesca’s visions had also dried up I wondered if she would be any help.
A doorway opened behind me. Josian’s power stormed through in a mass of energy that had my hair standing on end and my heart-rate increasing. He was followed by an unsmiling Lallielle, freaky white-haired Francesca and lastly Samuel.
I heard Lucy’s soft gasp.
I should have warned her that he would be coming. I knew that my parents would be keeping a close eye on him for a long time. He would have to earn their trust back.
I prepared for my father’s angry words. I deserved them. Instead, he enclosed me in a tight hug.
“You’re trying your best to kill me. I’m not used to being stressed and now it’s all I do. My daily thoughts consist of: what’s Aribella doing right now? Have the Seventine hurt her? Do I have an ulcer?” He pulled back to look at me. “And I know I found a gray hair this time.”
I tried not to smile too broadly. “I’m so sorry. I got caught up in the ritual and … I forgot to call you. Where’s Quarn?” He hadn’t come through the doorway.
Lallielle laughed. I was so happy to see that. “Our daughter is just the same headstrong Walker personality as you, Josian. And Quarn is still at the castle, helping to sort out everything.”
“Mom, can you show me which room you’re moving me to?” Samuel interrupted. “After a few months of being a hanging energy bag … well, some new clothes wouldn’t go astray.”
“I second that thought,” Francesca added.
Lallielle nodded, giving Josian a brief kiss as she moved toward the doorway. The entire time Samuel had been standing there he’d just stared at Lucy, and she’d steadfastly kept her eyes on the floor. It wasn’t until he left that she looked up.
“Does he really have to stay here?” she asked out loud.
Josian’s face hardened, his bronze eyes flashing. “I’ve tried to reason with Lallielle, but she insists that it’s better he stay where we can keep an eye on him. I agree, but for different reasons to her.”
If Lucy’s face was anything to judge by, she was moving out today and sleeping on the beach.
“Lucky we aren’t here much,” I said.
“Any time is too much time.” She sighed.
It was strange how Lucy seemed to alternate between hating him and feeling sorry for him.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” Josian interrupted.
I took a deep breath and caught Lucy’s eye. This was her time to jump in.
“I had a vision, Jos,” she started. “And it doesn’t look good.”
Josian sat silently while Lucy told her story. His expression didn’t change, although his eye color shifted often between bronze, gold and amber.
“So right now I need to know,” I chimed in when Lucy had finished explaining, “is there any way to break a melding bond?”
Sympathy laced his expression as he faced me. “You do know what you’re asking? To break the melding bond is akin to me tearing your heart from your chest.” He laughed. “Actually, it’s worse than that, because you won’t die, but you’ll wish you had.”
I nodded. “It’s the last thing I want to happen. I can barely breathe when Brace is just off on Abernath world doing his Princeps thing. But we’re talking about the fate of every living thing on seven or more worlds.”
Josian nodded. “I know: there’s no choice, but I just wanted to prepare you for how bad it’s really going to be.”
I gulped. “So there is a way? And do you agree with Lucy that I shouldn’t tell Brace?” I think I’d been secretly hoping it was impossible.
He nodded. “Despite the fact no one has seen a melding bond since the beginning of our time, I have an idea that might work. And if you tell Brace, he’ll never let you break the bond. I would kill for Lallielle. Walker men never see reason when it comes to their mates.” His smile was sad. “When do you want to do this?”
Tears pricked my eyes at the thought. “As soon as possible, I guess. But I need a few days with Brace first. Then, after I break the bond, once I pull myself together, I’ll head to the next planet.”
Josian met my gaze. “If you pull yourself together,” he finished ominously.
I sucked in sharply. Damn, I hoped I was strong enough for this. “I’ll meet you back here in a couple of days. And can you make sure I don’t waver in my resolve?” I took my father’s hand. “I need you to be strong if I can’t.”
He nodded, hauling me forward for a kiss on the cheek. “Your mother is planning on organizing a fair to celebrate the return of our people. Angelisian hasn’t had one for many years. It’ll be spectacular. You don’t want to miss it. We can leave straight after that.”
A smile crossed my face. I remembered Brace telling us about the town fairs when we first came here. It would be a great opportunity to see the different gifts of the First Worlders since they often had displays and shows.
Josian left the room after promising to explain to Lallielle and the girls where I’d gone for a few days. I hoped they would think I just needed time with Brace before going to the next world. No one could know of the vision. I needed them to keep the faith that we could beat the Seventine and, more importantly, Brace couldn’t find out. Apparently he would lock me up and throw away the key.
“Can I please come with you?” Lucy turned her pleading blue eyes on me. “I know you want alone time and I’ll stay out of your way, but I just can’t be in the same house as Sammy yet. I’m not ready for that first conversation.”
I hugged her. “Of course, Luce, you don’t even have to ask.”
How’s everything going? I kept my tone light as I contacted Brace.
Missing you like crazy. I can’t get away for a few
days, so let’s decide now when we’ll be together again.
I mentally pictured his strong jaw and chocolate eyes. The sound of his voice was like coming home. I couldn’t believe I was going to lose that.
Funny you mention that, how about Lucy and I visit for a few days before I head to the next planet? I’d like to see Abernath world.
His tone lightened as he answered. Sounds like the best idea ever, but are you sure you can waste any time before heading to the next planet?
Right now there was nothing more important than what was going to happen.
Lallielle is having a celebratory town fair in Angelisian in a few days. I really want to see that, so I figured I could go to the next world when it’s over.
I’ll be there in a few minutes for you and Lucy. You don’t need anything. Our home here is very well equipped for visitors.
My heart fissured a little more at the words ‘our home’.
See you soon, love, he said as he withdrew from my mind.
Lucy was waiting patiently. She always knew when I was physically but not mentally present.
“All good?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yep, he’s on his way now. Apparently we don’t need anything.”
“Yeah, sure, they always say that, forgetting my legs don’t go on for miles.”
“Word,” I said with a laugh, “you’re single-handedly bringing back the rolled-up pants look.”
“No, I’m not.” She sniffed. “Should be a punishable offence to wear that bad a fashion statement.”
She rubbed her head then, her eyes closing. My heart stilled. Was she having a vision? I was starting to dread the bad news her gift brought. Finally her lids popped open again, her hand still holding her head.
“I might not be getting many, but when they do come the visions are a little quicker and easier now,” she said, dropping her hand. “The longer I fight it the worse it is when it comes.”
“What did you see?” I bit out in my impatience.
“Oh, right.” She laughed. “Nothing too crazy. We were with Brace, standing somewhere with very green grassed mountains, and for some reason you were lying flat on the ground.” Her nose screwed up a little. “Pretty strange vision, if you ask me. I’m not sure what the point was.”
I shrugged. Couldn’t have been too important if that was all she’d got.
A doorway opened in the corner of the room and Brace’s power entered before he did. It was as if he had a circumference of energy around him at all times.
His strong features softened as he met my gaze. Like a magnet drawn to its polar opposite, I couldn’t stop my feet from crossing the room and entering his embrace. My feet left the ground as he pulled me into his arms and up to meet his hard chest.
“Hello, precious.” He kissed my lips, pressing down hard and capturing me completely.
“Get a room,” Lucy trilled as she moved closer.
I laughed, pulling back a little.
“You two should stop rubbing in my lack of a love life,” she groaned.
Brace set me down so I was able to give her a gentle nudge. “I forgot that everything was about you.”
“How could you forget that?” she asked. “I remind you at least once a day.”
She wasn’t kidding.
“Ready?” Brace moved toward the door, his hand entwined with mine as he pulled me along. “I was in the middle of a training session and need to get back.”
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Lucy said.
I found myself unable to answer. The faster time moved the closer I was to breaking the bond. I was never going to be ready for that.
We stepped into the doorway. I had one hand linked with Brace’s and the other helped Lucy along, although we were using the doorways so much she was getting very good at negotiating the vacuum walk.
It was a fair distance along; these worlds must be far apart.
I was seeing lots of green at the other end. It was brightly lit, streaming light shining through the door. When we reached the end, Brace didn’t hesitate, stepping through and bringing us with him.
All I saw as I stepped out onto the brightest green grass I’d ever experienced, was similarly shaded mountains in the background, and then, as if a ton had been dropped on me, I hit the ground.
Lucy let out a shriek. I tried to lift my head to see what had happened, but I couldn’t move it off the ground. I also couldn’t speak and my heart-rate was doing something strange.
“Abby, hang on, baby. I forgot about the gravity. Abernath has more gravity than any of the First World planets. We’re in another star-system.”
I could understand his words although my ears were having trouble adjusting. I might have missed some of what he said.
“I’ll help Lucy with a little bit of shielding energy, but your Walker side will adjust for you in a moment.”
He had barely said that sentence when I felt my body ease slightly. The pain and pressure in my chest and along my joints lessened, and I could move my head a fraction of an inch. Another few minutes and I was able to lift it off the ground. Breathing was easier and my heart stopped trying to pump itself out of my chest.
“I’m so sorry,” Brace said again as he fitted his hands under my arm-pits and helped me up to a sitting position. “I just wanted you to see my world so badly. I didn’t even take into consideration the differences which would affect you.”
His expression was crestfallen. I could see how bad he felt.
“It’s okay.” The tightness in my throat eased. My voice sounded huskier. “No wonder you’re so quick and fight like a ninja.”
Relief crossed his face as I spoke. He helped me stand.
“Yes, when I move to a world with lighter gravity it feels as if I can float.”
Training in this gravity would be beneficial, increasing my speed on First World by so much. I’d see if we could fit in a session before I had to leave. Who knew if I would get back again before the end of my journey?
Lucy was standing on my other side. She was looking around and appeared to be in no discomfort. I could see energy surrounding her, like a full-body force-field.
“Well, this was my vision,” she said, indicating toward the mountains. “I guess I was supposed to be warned about the gravity.”
I laughed. “Great warning.”
“Yeah, it’s a gift.”
I took a moment to observe our surroundings. We were on the edge of what looked like a field. And everything was a vibrant green, the grass and mountains running into each other. The only thing to break the endless color was a few scattered trees and a stream running in the shadow of the closest mountain. It looked almost unreal; like a painting.
“This is as close as we can get to the main compound via doorway. Que warded it many years ago against unauthorized entry,” Brace said. “And the entrance is hidden.”
He wasn’t kidding. I could see nothing beyond the green sloping grass and large mountains. Brace started to move in the direction of the stream. Lucy followed without effort. I took a tentative step. My limbs and joints ached slightly, and I felt more tired and weighed down than usual, but managed to keep pace. But I definitely wasn’t going to be running any marathons. At this thought I found my feet swept out from under me. Brace swung me into his arm, cradling me close.
“Your body will continue to adjust,” he said. “Walkers can live anywhere.”
When we reached the stream he barely broke pace, reaching down, and I think my eyes almost fell out of my head when he lifted the edge of the water like a large piece of paper and peeled it back. On the other side was a whole other world.
“Welcome to the Abernath world,” Brace said as he ducked his head and stepped through.
He set me back on my feet, and I realized most of the discomfort had eased. It was almost like normal now for me to walk.
The noise hit me first. It had been silent on the other side but here a plethora of sounds abounded. It was a city. Huge, with a mix of old-fashi
oned and very advanced-looking modern facilities.
“This is where the majority of Abernaths reside; about ten thousand,” Brace started to explain as we walked along the large main path. “Que decided long ago we were stronger together and, even though Walkers don’t have a home planet, he searched until he found something suitable.”
Faces turned as we ventured further into the bustling city. Men, women and for the first time Walker children. They had bright, curious faces, less innocent than Earth babies’ but nowhere near as jaded as the adults that surrounded them protectively.
“Bwacie. Bwacie.”
We stopped at the sound of a tiny voice screaming for Brace. A little girl burst into view, sprinting around a large group of women standing in front of a clothing store. I wasn’t great at determining the age of children, but she looked about two. Her hair was raven black, hanging in silken waves down her back. Her skin was fair and her eyes were the same blue shade as –
“Colton.” Lucy breathed out in a huff. “She looks just like Colt.”
“Yes.” Brace nodded as the little girl reached our side and he scooped her up. “This is Petal, Colt’s niece.”
“Magenta has a child?” I couldn’t keep the shock from my face. She wasn’t exactly the maternal type.
“No, not Magenta.” Brace grinned at me; he’d read my thoughts.
“My mommy is missing, but she come back one day.” Petal’s voice was sweet as she snuggled into Brace’s chest.
I was getting a strange range of emotions watching Brace cradle Petal so gently. It was clear that he loved her. Those damn tears pricked at my eyes again. It wasn’t as if I wanted children any time soon, but one day I could picture Brace cradling our child just as lovingly. But who knew if that could ever happen now? I doubted my ability to destroy the Seventine. And I wasn’t sure I believed that a melding bond could ever be restored after being broken.
Brace, who hadn’t noticed my pain yet, continued to talk. “I never even knew she’d been born. I was on First World, but we’ve become friends, haven’t we?” He tickled her little belly.