by Julia Crane
One of the men knelt down on one leg, and with shaky hands he placed his weapon before him. My mother gave a curt nod. Soon the others followed. How quickly they changed with the father and son out of the picture.
“Rise, my children. There is a new dawn, a new world. I know it will take you time to accept the new ways, but I promise you, if you stand beside us you will prosper beyond your wildest dreams. We will rebuild Earth to her former glory.”
My mother was nicer than me. Despite my feelings for the tribe, I also knew she was doing the right thing.
Suddenly a thought struck me, but now was not the time to discuss such things. I’d have a talk with my mother later when we could be alone. In that instant I realized what the core problem was with Earth. And it could easily be redeemed. Almost too easily, really. I couldn’t believe no one had seen this.
But for now I just wanted to get back to the sanctuary and make sure Michael was okay. A quick glance told me his mother was dead. She’d stayed, fought, and died with her husband.
I wondered how Michael would handle the news. Would he hate me once he learned what I’d done to his tribe? His mother and father?
“If you’ve been injured come forward and we will heal you. Do not be afraid.”
They exchanged glances, and fear radiated off them in waves.
Finally the little boy stepped forward and held out his arm.
Reaching out, I lightly grasped it. I turned it slightly and noticed there was a large gash on his forearm; the muscles were exposed. Looking into his eyes I placed my hand slightly over the wound, felt my magick release, and instantly healed his arm. The others whispered in shock. The boy’s eyes widened and then he threw his arms around me, stunning me.
I pulled him into the hug, sending a wave of love and forgiveness into his soul. I felt the shift in his energy. Tears rolled down his face when he finally pulled away.
After that they all came forward. We healed them—body, mind, and spirit.
If only they had allowed this from the beginning, I thought, feeling suddenly drained and sad for all the loss of lives. Except for the father. That I would never have remorse over.
Even if it meant losing Michael’s friendship.
Chapter Seventeen
My mother and I went to work bringing the vegetation around the compound back to life. Within a couple of hours a garden was in bloom. There were murmurs of surprise, and surprisingly, gratitude. A few of the tribe admitted they’d been living in fear under Michael’s parents’ reign. Slowly the women and children that had chosen to leave earlier returned. We healed them as well. Even though they didn’t have any physical injuries, their spirits were in turmoil.
Blake still hadn’t returned. I had no idea what he’d done with the brother and couldn’t really care less. Although, a part of me was glad that the brother had caused the uprising. Even though there was a lot of death, it had cleared a path for us to move forward.
As we made our way back toward the sanctuary, I wondered if the tribe had really seen the light or if they’d just been placating us out of fear. Probably a bit of both.
I laced my arm through my mother’s. “I realized why this planet cannot pull itself back together.”
Her head tilted. “Oh? What are your thoughts?”
I took a breath. “They need a leader. It’s no wonder there is no stability in the lands. They need a king and queen to look up to. If not, this land has no hope to ever be whole again.”
My mother sighed. “I agree with you, but who? I’ve been searching for a human who has the backbone for the job, someone that will be able to help integrate the new world, but so far I’ve come up empty. Everyone is too spread out and so disillusioned by years of war and heartache.”
“Why not you?”
My mother’s laugh was so abrupt it startled me.
“Daughter, you must be kidding. They would never approve of a magical creature at the helm. That would only cause more unrest. And I already have a kingdom to run.”
My shoulders sagged in frustration. As usual she was right. But there had to be an answer. They needed a leader, one that would bridge both worlds together. There had to be someone. “Do the people have gatherings? Is there ever a celebration when everyone is together?” In our world we’d often come together to celebrate.
She shook her head. “What is there to celebrate? They are trying to survive, so there isn’t much energy for anything else.”
My mother’s word struck me to the core. I felt my face darken. “What is there to celebrate? What about life? Perhaps if they put their focus on gratitude instead of hatred they wouldn’t be in this position.”
“It’s not that easy. You are naïve if you believe in such a way. We’re both at fault. Until both sides concede their wrongdoings there is very little hope for survival.”
“There is always hope,” I said fiercely. I would not have agreed to bring my children into this world if I hadn’t truly believed that. “We’ll figure something out. We have to. In the meantime, we need to really put our focus on Mother Earth. Once she is healed the planet can heal. After we check on Michael I’d like us to join forces and send a wave of energy to her.”
My mother patted my hand, and a smile touched her lips. “You will make an excellent queen someday.”
Being queen was the last thing on my mind. That was a job I was in no rush to take.
A soft breeze caressed my skin, warm sun beat down on me, and mentally I gave thanks to the great mother. I knew she was giving her thanks to me in return.
I could see our building off in the distance.
My heart rate accelerated slightly at the thought of seeing Michael again. I didn’t care for the feelings that had already set in toward him, but it was too late to worry about that now. I would let it run its course and see where it went. Nothing long term, that much I knew. Right now I could use a friend and an ally, and if nothing more came out of it, that was fine with me.
Once we got into the house I cast my senses out for Michael and realized he was in the basement. I’d expected the guards to put him up in a room, not bring him down to the cold, sterile facility. I hurried down the stairs and burst through the doorway.
Of course, Henrek didn’t look up at my entrance. My mother was trailing behind me.
“Where is he?” I demanded.
“In here.” Michael’s voice sounded rougher than normally.
I hadn’t even noticed the side room the few times I’d been down there before. I’d been too distracted by Henrek.
I pushed through the doorway. Michael was laid out on a large bed. As soon as he saw me he tried to sit up, winced in pain, and dropped back down.
With a smile I strode across the room and sat down on the bed next to him. Placing my hands on his chest, I tuned into his energy. His heart beat loudly. What a wonderful sound. I sent him a small burst of energy, relieving his lingering pain instantly.
Michael’s weary gaze locked on mine. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“You might not feel that way in a minute.”
He pushed himself up to sitting with an ease that surprised him. “I don’t remember what happened.”
Reaching out, I touched his temples and closed my own eyes so I too could see exactly what happened. I saw an image of Michael sitting uncomfortably on a chair, his eyes continually darting around. I knew he was wondering where the invisible guards were. If it’s awkward for me, I couldn’t imagine what it must be like for him. After a few moments he stood up, said he was leaving, and walked out the front door. None of the guards tried to stop him, which surprised me. But then again my mother hadn’t given them an order to do so.
At first it looked like he was going to make it back to his place without issue, but at the last minute his brother stepped out of the shadows. “You’re with the enemy?”
Michael spun around to face his brother. “Cole. What the hell, man, you’re following me?”
Cole looked in both directions before ta
king a step forward. “I knew something was up and wanted to make sure you were all right. And when I saw that chick change her form … I was curious.”
“Are you going to tell Dad?”
Cole shrugged. “Depends. What’s in it for me?”
Disgusted, Michael shook his head. “Not a goddamn thing.”
“Are you banging her?” he smirked.
“What?”
“The faery chick. What’s she like in bed?”
I sucked in a breath, and even now Michael’s breathing increased. He tried to pull away but I kept my hands firmly in place.
Michael lunged forward, unleashing his coiled fury, but his brother was faster. He stepped aside and Michael almost lost his footing. He staggered forward. With a growl Michael slammed into his brother. They grappled on the ground, each getting in several solid punches. Michael gripped Cole’s shirt in his fist. “Don’t you ever speak about her in such a way again or I will kill you myself.”
His brother laughed and held up his hands. “You’ve never known how to take a joke. Lighten up, brother.”
Michael pushed him back on the ground and stood up, staring down at his brother. “Why didn’t you tell the others?”
Cole sprang to his feet, a sly grin curving his lips. “Like I said, I was curious. And I’m sick of Dad’s bullshit. If you know a way out of this mess we’re in, you can count me in.”
I almost dropped my hands in surprise. Thank goodness I hadn’t killed his brother. Michael would have never forgiven me.
Michael held out his hand and pulled his brother to standing.
“I’m not going to involve you in what’s going on, but I promise you as soon as I can pull you out of the tribe I will do so. It’s just too dangerous right now.”
The brother looked like he wanted to press the issue but shrugged and grinned. “Whatever it takes, man. I just want out.”
Michael nodded and they continued on their way back to the commune. Mentally I fast forwarded the scene. I wanted to know how it went from this to Michael being beat nearly to death.
Just as they walked into the opening of the cave Cole turned toward Michael. Reaching out he grasped ahold of Michael’s wrist, and in a flash he flicked out a knife and drove it into Michael’s side. Michael’s eyes widened in disbelief just as Cole pushed him back. “Father, we’ve got a traitor on our hands. He’s working with the enemy. I saw him with my own two eyes. The girl from earlier? She’s a creature with powers. A faery.”
Michael glared at him. I could feel his rage mingled with disappointment in his brother.
His brother didn’t shrink away from the glare—if anything he stood taller.
I could barely stand to watch what happened next. In a flurry Michael was surrounded. Within moments he was on the ground curled up in a ball, trying to protect his head as they kicked and hit him with objects. Blood splattered with each kick, and after what seemed like forever Michael’s hands dropped to his side, his body limp. His father looked down at him in disgust. “Dispose of the body.”
Having seen enough I dropped my hands. How could a father do that to his own child?
We embraced without words.
Chapter Eighteen
Reluctantly I pulled away from his touch. My stomach filled with icy dread. There was no getting around it, I had to tell Michael the truth and deal with the consequences. It was best to get it over with before I chickened out and he found out from someone else. I sucked in a deep breath before letting the words roll off my tongue. “I killed your parents and a good portion of your tribe.”
Michael blanched, a horrified expression crossing his face as he stared back at me in stunned silence. The tension made his body as tight as a bowstring. Finally he blinked but still did not speak. Turning his head he stared off into nothingness, as if he were trying to soak in the words. I know it must have come as a shock to find out the people that raised him were no longer alive.
Panic welled up inside of me. My heart hammered against my chest. I swallowed hard. What if he didn’t forgive me? Had I made a huge mistake by acting in anger? No, I followed my instinct and I didn’t regret it even if he did hate me.
After what seemed like an eternity he finally spoke. His mouth twisted, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “What happened?” The pain caused his voice to shake.
Instead of trying to explain myself, I once again touched his temples and replayed the events from the time I found him beaten till it was over.
Pulling away, he glanced at me for a moment and then looked away as if he couldn’t stand the sight of me. “You didn’t even give him a chance to speak.”
“He didn’t deserve a chance. He forfeited that right when he didn’t stop the tribe from beating you to death. He relinquished that right when he chose hatred over the love for his own flesh and blood. Hate me if you wish, but I don’t feel an ounce of remorse. If I could bring him back to life and kill him again, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Michael covered his face with his hands.
I stood up. I knew he couldn’t stand being near me and it was tearing me apart.
“Michael.” My voice shook with emotion.
“Don’t. I just need time to process.”
“You hate me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. My insides twisted.
His hands dropped and he shook his head before pulling himself back up to sitting. He attempted to smile though sadness was etched on his face. “I don’t hate you. I probably would have done the same thing if the roles had been reversed. It’s just a lot to take in. Everything is happening so quickly. And even though my parents were cruel people, they believed in their cause. I cannot fault them for that. As much as I’d like to believe they were redeemable, I don’t think it’s true. It doesn’t mean I won’t mourn their deaths. I hope they find peace wherever they go after this life. But it doesn’t mean that I think you did the right thing either.”
I fought the urge to reach out and run my hands through his disheveled hair. I wanted to touch his heart and remove his pain, but I knew he had to process this on his own without the help of magick. I didn’t want him to like me again because I removed his pain, his memories. I wanted him to accept me for who I was. We were moving forward with something life changing for the both of us … that is if he hadn’t changed his mind. My heart seized. I hadn’t even considered that. Even though my mother said we had enough DNA, I would not allow Henrek to go through with it if he was not willing. I don’t care what my mother wanted.
“If you’ve changed your mind …” I let my words hang in the air.
He dropped his head into his hands and rubbed them across his face as if trying to scrub his mind clear. I knew he must feel guilty for going against his family. Even if he didn’t want to admit it.
“You mustn’t blame yourself. My actions were my own. Even if we hadn’t come to an agreement about the halflings, I would have done the same.”
Michael swung his legs over the bed and stood up. Pacing the room, he said, “I do blame myself. If we hadn’t met they would still be alive. Deny it if you want to, but it’s the truth.”
“Your father was filled with hatred. That is not being alive, that is taking up space in a shell of a body and radiating hate. He projected evil.”
“Evil brought on by your kind! If magick had never entered our realm we would have still been living in relative peace.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, my chin jutted out. “That is a lie. The world was crumbling long before your father came into existence. He had an opportunity to forge peace, but instead he chose to take the offensive and kill any magical creatures out of his fear. I do agree that magick coming to Earth, out in the open, was probably not the wisest choice. But it was made long before you were even a thought in the creator’s eye. To default to that line of thinking serves no one. What we must do is move forward from here. There has to be a merging. And like it or not, getting rid of your father has taken us a giant step forward.”
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nbsp; Michael crossed the room and stood before me. His eyes were filled with anguish. “Do you know what the worst thing about all of this is?”
I shook my head. I saw both shame and despair on his face.
“That I still want to do this.” He moved forward; his voice was rough, his jaw clenched. He sounded mystified and a little scared.
I couldn’t breathe. My heart pounded so hard in my chest I was surprised it didn’t jump out and dance around on the floor.
We were now so close our energies were merging as he stepped into my space. I could feel the very essence of his body; it was as if we’d somehow dissolved into one. I’d never felt anything like this before.
He looked down at me, his eyes so focused on me that it made me shiver.
The ease with which he took my breath away was both exhilarating and frightening.
He stroked the hair away from my face, and I nearly groaned at the sensation. His fingers were hot against my skin. All my senses were heightened. If I could stay in that moment forever, I’d be blissful till the end of days.
I reached my hand forward and placed it on his chest, feeling it rise and fall under my touch.
Frowning, he leaned down. I tilted my face up as his lips touched mine, his mouth hesitant, unsure. I pressed myself against him, his body firm beneath mine. I opened my mouth, increasing the kiss. His hands were in my hair, kissing me desperately. As if he needed me to breathe.
When we finally pulled away to catch our breath, I took a step back searching his face for any signs of regret, but there was none.
“I’ve wanted do that since we first met.” He smiled sheepishly. “I just didn’t expect it would happen under these circumstances.” I could feel him pulling away from me.
“I should probably go.” I absently smoothed down my dress, not sure what to do with my hands, but he reached out and grabbed my arms, tugging me closer.
“Don’t you dare. I don’t think I could stand to be alone right now,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.