The Wishing Hour

by J. Adams

  Jude's eyes move to the president's and he continues.

  “Rachael Walton was hurt, yes, and I'm sure she still hurts from time to time, but Rachael doesn't have a malicious bone in her body. She is a good person, completely without guile, and she truly cares about Lady Celine, a fact that does not make you happy. You two have had arguments over her kind feelings toward Lady Celine, so the murderer isn't your sister.” He pauses, staring at him intently. “It isn't you, either. So if it isn't you or your sister, and you are not protecting her, then who are you protecting?

  Jude runs a nervous hand through his hair. He is suddenly finding it hard to keep his thoughts shielded.

  “Your wife hasn't been too happy with the discontent between you and your sister, has she? Every time you and Rachael argue, every time she witnesses Rachael's pain and sees her tears, it upsets her, doesn't it?”

  “My wife has nothing to do with this!” Jude explodes before he can stop himself.

  The president's eyes are sad. “She has everything to do with it, Mr. Walton. And the fact that this is the first question you've responded to during the entire time you have been here tells me with absolute certainty she has everything to do with it.”

  Jude closes his eyes and lowers his head as the pain of his wife's betrayal pierces his heart all over again. He is unable to stop the tears from filling his eyes and falling down his face. If only he had known . . . He suddenly feels a gentle hand on his shoulder and looks up to find the president kneeling beside him, his own eyes wet with unshed tears.

  “When did you find out it was your wife, Jude?”

  Prompted by the gentleness of the president's voice and the love he quickly feels emanating from the man, Jude answers. He can feel Devon's gaze burning into him and keeps his eyes averted from the man's face, concentrating on the president's.

  “This morning, we quarreled. I went up to my study to cool down. I took a few moments to meditate and ponder the things I'd said. Feeling better, I went back down to apologize to her only to find that she'd left without a word to anyone. I decided to sit in the living room and wait for her, hoping she would be back soon. A half an hour later I heard this loud explosion. A huge cloud of black smoke rose in the air. The streets were instantly crawling with people running toward the smoke. But I stayed home. I wanted to be there when Gwenyth came back.” His voice breaks. “Soon people were walking back, most of them in tears, with the news of Lady Celine's murder, as well as her true mate. Someone had blown up their home, killing them and some of their guards. I was in shock, couldn't believe it. I mean, I had been angry about the loss of Rachael's mate on Lady Celine's behalf, but I never wanted her hurt. I never wanted her killed.

  “A while later I went back into the house. Gwenyth was standing at the kitchen sink, scrubbing her hands. She hadn't noticed me standing there, she just continued to scrub with this slight smile on her face . . . and in that moment, I knew. I said, “Woman, what have you done?” She just continued to smile and said, “I've made things right–a life for a life.””

  Jude shakes his head sadly. “She finally turned to me, saw my expression, and began to cry. I led her to the living room sofa, where she told me everything–about poisoning the fruit, constructing the bomb, and how she'd accomplished all of this by using an eagle to ferry both messages and supplies back and forth from here to the surface. She blamed Lady Celine for everything, for the arguments, the unhappiness, Rachael's loneliness. She said it was only fitting that Lady Celine's life be taken to pay for the loss of James. She had become so bitter, she gave no thought to how many other lives would be destroyed in the process. She begged me to protect her and I said I would. And what a great fool I have been, about everything.” He meets the president's eyes. “With Lady Celine no longer living, the prophecy can't be fulfilled because there will be no golden child to destroy the enemy and bring peace to the world.”

  “The prophecy will still come to pass,” the president say softly.

  Jude's eyes widen. “What . . . but how?”

  “We felt it was best to keep this information confidential until we discovered the assassin. Lady Celine and her mate escaped. They are safe.”

  “Safe?” he whispers, not able to believe it.

  “They are safe. We can now inform the rest of the city that the Woman of Prophecy and her mate were not in their home when it exploded.”

  Smiling sadly, Jude said, “But I haven't told you the wost of what Gwenyth has done.”

  “What else has she done?”

  Jude swallows hard. “She . . . she paid for the supplies with information. She told the enemy about Challis. They know where we are.” Seeing the president's eyes widen, he presses his head in his hands and begins to sob bitterly.

  President Simon stands and turns to his counselors. His voice is surprisingly calm. “Send a squad of peace keepers to the Walton's home and pick up Gwenyth.” One of the counselors immediately complies. “Devon, contact Aaron and tell him to make ready the all the squads. Tell him the enemy has the exact coordinates of Challis. They must not get through.”

  Devon nods and quickly takes his leave.

  “I will contact Sebastian and fill him in.” With his connection to the animals, President Simon is sure the powerful guardian will have their help and will protect his mate with everything in him.

  “I would like to go with them to pick up my wife,” Jude says. “Please.”

  President Simon nods. “You may go.”

  * * *

  Staring at the portrait of her and her husband and son, Gwenyth swallows her emotion and blinks back the tears that press. She would lose everything now. She had gambled and lost. She thought their problems would be over with Celine and her mate gone, that Jude and Rachael would finally be able have peace and happiness between them again. She had done it for them.

  Nothing is turning out the way she had hoped. She had given it her all, but it hadn't been enough.

  There is a knock at the door and she takes a deep breath.

  Gweynth's face is expressionless when she opens the door and comes face to face with her husband and two peace keepers. She had known they would come, and in a way, she is glad they discovered the truth. As much as she wanted to let Jude take the blame, when all was said and done, in the end she had known she couldn't. She loves him too much to offer him up as a sacrifice. If they had not come for her, she had been prepared to go to them and confess. She is not sorry for what she did, only that Jude got caught in the middle.

  She finally meets her husband's eyes.

  I'm so sorry, he begins. I tried to . . .

  It is all right, she interrupts. The tears she'd fought back now fill her eyes. I love you, Jude. Take care of our son. He will not understand. Tell him I love him.

  Gwenyth . . .

  She shakes her head. There is nothing else to say. She leans forward and kisses him, then steps around him and leaves with the peace keepers.

  Twenty-seven

  Mount St. Helens

  Standing in the middle of the dimly-lit medical room, Lord Derth looks up at his latest created Urchin. Part man, part machine, Lord Derth has been harvesting both weak and deathbed humans for years, implanting mechanical parts and deadly toxins that the creatures can use to kill their victims. Then newly-created Urchins are trained in the art of warfare, taught to use weapons made especially for them, schooled in ways to administer their deadly poison, and incapacitate with the acidic mucus they produce. They are pure killing machines, bred for no other purpose than the annihilation of man.

  With sadistic pleasure, he gazes upon his final masterpiece. At seven feet tall, the new Urchin towers above the rest. Built from the same blueprint, this Urchin possesses advanced training, able to take on a dozen of its kind at once, incapacitating them all. Lord Derth has had to replace many due to the training of this one, but it has been well worth it, for his new killing machine is unstoppable.

  In another five minutes, the Urchin's regeneration will be
complete. Then it will join the ranks of the others and lead the killing army to the north where, thanks to one of Challis' traitorous citizens (they can't even trust their own people) they will enter the center of the earth and destroy the Woman of Prophecy along with the rest of his enemies. Until now he had wanted the pleasure of killing her himself, but that desire is no longer at the forefront. Now he just wants her dead, period. Today it will finally happen.

  He smiles, visualizing the victory. It will be sweet. * * *

  North polar opening

  After contacting warriors in Russia, Greenland, and Canada, as well as troops guarding the south opening, Aaron shakes his head sadly and wonders how one person could be so blindly stupid that she would put so many lives at risk to satisfy her revenge on one, and the Woman of Prophecy no less! Until now, he would never have believed it of one of his people, that a Challissian would put her own blood lust before the safety of her own people. He can't even fathom such a thing!

  Shaking his head once more, he clears the anger from his mind and concentrates on what lies before them. Their orders had been clear. No one must be allowed to enter the opening. New warriors are arriving from Challis this very minute. Hundreds of them. They must guard every inch of the opening and provide as much coverage as possible. The delivery of the golden child is very close. If they can hold off the Urchins long enough, the birth will bring them instant victory. The prayers of many are centered around this. Surely The One hears their heartfelt pleas and will stand with them.

  * * *

  The assassin is in custody, but it is still not safe enough to come out of hiding, for war is drawing near as we speak.

  I understand, President.

  How is Celine?

  She is a little tired but doing well.

  Do you have everything you need?

  Yes, we are prepared and anxiously awaiting our son's arrival.

  We are as well. What a joyful moment that will be. Stay safe and may The One watch over you.

  And you.

  Sebastian continues to softly stroke Celine's bare stomach, giving her a sip of water every ten minutes or so. She is tired but feels fine otherwise. Since he'd kept his mind open to hers during his telepathic communication with the president, there is no need to repeat what had been said.

  “It will be soon,” she says softly. “I can feel it.” “I feel it as well, beloved.”

  She sighs and closes her eyes. “Tell me some more

  things you will do with our son.”

  “Well,” he begins, thoughtful for a moment. “When he

  is old enough, I will teach him how to connect with the

  animals, maybe even take him for a ride on a mammoth.”

  When she laughs, he says, “I'm serious. Mammoth riding is

  an art form.”

  “Really? And you've ridden one?”

  “Many. I rode them all the time as a child and quite a

  few times as an adult.”

  “Okay, this is something I will have to see one day.” “And you shall. I will also teach him how to use his

  powers properly when they begin to emerge. How to

  discern between good and evil, right and wrong. How to

  laugh and enjoy life and look for the good in everything.

  How to be fiercely protective of family. How to be strong in

  love, true to his mate, and love unconditionally.” He pauses and smiles. “But I can do none of these things without The

  One guiding me.”

  “And he will,” she says. “Just as he guides you now.”

  She covers her mouth and yawns.

  “You are growing more tired, my heart. You should

  sleep for a while.” He pulls the blanket up over her. “I won't

  leave your side.”

  “Okay,” she softly replies without protest.

  Ever alert to his surroundings, he holds her close and

  wraps her in his warmth.

  * * *

  Stand ready, men! Aaron commands. They are here! The attack is fast and brutal. The cries of war can be

  heard in every direction. Thoroughly trained to defend

  themselves against every Urchin weapon, including

  shielding

  warriors against their acid and venom, the Challissian fight with everything they have. Their indestructible swords pierce hearts, decapitate arms, heads, and legs. There is much blood, more than any of the men have ever seen at once. Even after losing a body part, some of the Urchins continue to fight until they can no longer

  stand, in which case the warriors speedily finish the job. Though the warriors are trained to use many weapons,

  each man is extra-gifted in the use of a specific weapon.

  Some are trained to wield a sword well. For some it is the bow and arrows. For some it is knives, throwing stars, blow

  darts, the ax or spear, or in Sebastian's case, all of them. But Aaron's weapon of choice is a four foot long pick ax.

  Wielding it up, down, and sideways, each blow lands with

  accuracy. He bears cuts and bruises on his chest, arms, and

  legs, but he gives as much as he gets and eventually

  overpowers his foes. All around him Urchins drop like flies. In the midst of the battle, something fast zips by Aaron

  at an incredible speed, but there is no time or opportunity to

  stop it.

  Sebastian! he telepathically shouts, one made it past us!

  Stand ready! I repeat, stand ready!

  Understood, comes the fervent answer.

  After disposing of the first wave of Urchins, a second

  wave attacks and these creatures are even stronger than the

  first. They continue to fight with abandon, suffering a fair

  amount of injuries and losing several men on every side. But

  even with the blood and lives lost, they continue to overtake

  the enemy. The battle lasts for the better part of an hour and

  the Challissians are exhausted, but they keep fighting until

  the last Urchin is down.

  All captains report! Aaron calls.

  One by one the men answer and report how many of

  their own are dead. The total comes to forty. Forty out of four hundred. Aaron had expected lives to be lost, but it still

  saddens him to lose even the forty.

  Continue to stand guard, he orders and each captain

  complies. Everything in him wants to go down to assist

  Sebastian, but he can't leave his men. There has been no

  word of the child's birth yet and he can only pray that Celine

  is protected.

  “May The One be with them.”

  Twenty-eight

  I am standing on a large rock and see nothing but ocean for miles. Massive waves break against the rock, the water turning frothy before receding. I am completely alone, staring out over the deep waters. The wind whips my hair away from my face and presses my dress back, making it cling to me. Somewhere I hear my name being whispered in the wind and the voice is familiar to me. As the voice slowly grows in volume, I recognize it. It is the voice of my true mate calling to me.

  Just as I open my mouth to call back, I suddenly find myself standing on the edge of a large, gaping hole. I look down, but I can see nothing below. I stand silently listening, and after a moment, I hear sounds coming from the dark opening. I hear animals calling out, almost as if they are calling to one another. And in the midst of all of it, I again hear my true mate's voice, only this time he is not calling to me. This time his voice is filled with the sound of war–war and exhaustion.

  Then a light appears, illuminating the hole, and I see him. He is bloody and battered. His shirt is practically hanging from his body, exposing long cuts and gashes on his chest and torso. The creature he fights is massive, almost as tall as my mate. He looks half human and half machine and his reflexes are just as fast as my mate's. He is injured
as well, but, like my mate, it doesn't slow him at all. They continue to fight, blocking each others' blows. The creature spews an acidic substance from its mouth. My mate produces a shield, easily blocking it before the poison can touch his skin. Lightening fast, the creature reaches out with one of its long claws, but my mate leaps back and quickly produces a bow, releasing an arrow in less than a second. The arrow pierces one of the creature's eyes and it staggers back a bit, then pulls the arrow out.

  Three enormous leopards suddenly appear and attack the creature, knocking him to the ground. The creature opens its claws and catches one of them around the neck, severing the head from the body. The two remaining leopards bite and scratch the grosslydeformed body. It spews acidic venom on both and they fall to the ground, rolling back and forth as the deadly poison eats through their fur and gradually consumes their bodies.

  I cover my mouth and tears roll down my face as I mourn for the brave animals. One of the tears falls down the hole and hits the creature's bald head.

  Pausing for a few seconds, the creature slowly looks up and sees me, then begins crawling up the side of the hole.

  “No!” I hear my mate roar, coming after the creature. He grabs one of the legs and yanks it back down. It turns and and rips his chest with one of its jagged claws and I scream.

  I come awake with a gasp.

  Finding myself alone, I sit up. My ears instantly pick up loud sounds coming from outside the cave. One of the sounds stands out with absolute clarity. It is the sound of tearing flesh. It matches the sound I just heard in my dream . . . only it wasn't a dream.

  Somehow, through my subconscious, I've witnessed the entire fight.

  Sebastian! I anxiously call. He does not answer me.

  Sebastian!

  I am about to stand when a sudden jolt of energy shoots through me, causing my flesh to tingle. The sensation spreads over my limbs. The baby is pressing, but I can't ignore the silent call of my mate. I try to fight the urge, knowing he would want me to stay here for the sake of the baby, but the call of his life force to mine is stronger. The energy begins to burn through me and before I know it, I am standing at the cave entrance.