Crais

by Jaymin Eve

  On the couch Lucy and Talina crowded in on either side of me. Looking at their eager faces I had to smile at these crazies I called friends. I spoke quickly, trying to find the words to describe the best night of my life. I might have left a few of the moments out, the ones I really wanted to keep private.

  “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” Lucy sighed. “He built you a dream home.”

  “He said he loved you.” Talina sighed as well. “I wish I knew what happened to Ladre.”

  She didn’t mention him a lot, but I knew he was often in her thoughts.

  “We’ll find out one day, Talli.” I gave her a hug.

  “At least you don’t have to worry about the love of your life turning into a traitorous bastard who will be sliced and diced into ten pieces the next time I see him.” Lucy stared at her nails; they were bright orange.

  First World had this machine which tinted your nails, skin or hair. Lucy loved hers and almost every day had different colored nails.

  “I want to see this cabin, Abbs. We need to have a sleepover under the stars. After you wash the sheets, of course.” She wrinkled her nose.

  Shaking my head, I elbowed her in the side. “What you both need is a new love interest.” I changed the subject.

  I wanted to see them happy and just because I was off the market didn’t mean they couldn’t branch out and have some fun.

  “Well –” Lucy started.

  But before she could finish we were interrupted.

  Josian strode through the doorway. “I’ve been looking for you three. We have things to discuss. Everyone’s in the sitting room.”

  He waved us out the door, bringing up the rear so we couldn’t escape. I skipped every second step on the way downstairs and managed not to fall. As I walked into the room, I noticed the Reds were missing. They must already be off informing everyone of the Walker gathering.

  I sat on the long couch, Talina and Lucy squishing in next to me. Brace was against the wall, Lucas beside him. They were having a discussion, but Brace caught my eye, locking me in his gaze. The slightest smile crossed his lips and, before I could stop myself, images flooded my mind and the blush spread like a sunrise across my face.

  “Two guesses what Abby’s thinking about right now.” Lucy smirked at Talina.

  “Can you blame her? He’s hotter than hot, and from what she said ... I’d probably still have him tied to my bed.”

  Lucy snorted. “Oh, yeah: handcuffs, whips and –”

  “Stop,” I whispered in mortification. “I’m going to kill you two if you don’t shut up now.”

  Red is your color, gorgeous.

  I glared at him.

  And, for the record, I think I’d be the one tying you to the bed for the rest of our days.

  “Oh, eff me,” I said out loud.

  Lucy snorted again. “Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about.”

  I couldn’t help it as my laughter erupted.

  “Just so you both know: Brace can hear every word you’re saying.” Maybe that would shut them up.

  But instead of being embarrassed like normal people they both laughed harder.

  “Tell him that I have some restraints if he wants to borrow them.” Lucy winked at the two men across from us.

  I wasn’t even going to ask her why she had cuffs.

  “Why did I have a daughter? Honestly, I’m not sure I can handle the stress.” Josian muttered his favorite lament as he walked in the room with Lallielle.

  Quarn was the last to enter, giving me a wink as he sat in the single seat. I was happy to see him again. He’d had to be at the castle for the last few weeks, helping with security.

  Josian and Lallielle sat on the floor.

  “Alright, I have some new information.” Josian got right into it. “The planning for the Walker gathering is underway. We’ve decided on one First-World month from now. We will hold it at that same field as the last battle. It’s large and isolated enough to house everyone. We’re inviting all clans, even the Abernaths.”

  “What?” Brace stood straight. “You do not want Que anywhere near this if you’re trying to gather information to stop him.”

  “I understand, but there must be members of your clan who don’t agree with your father’s actions. The Doreens have orders not to approach any Abernaths. I’m leaving it up to you to discreetly get word around.”

  Brace’s expression was troubled, but he gave a slow nod. “I have a few trusted friends. I’ll pass the information on.”

  Josian also gave a slight head dip. “That’s the best we can do.”

  “Has there been new activity now that there are three Seventine released?” I had to ask. My guilt wouldn’t let me ignore it any longer.

  Josian shook his head. “Actually, everything has been quiet. As far as we can tell via the Walker networks there have been no new lost tethers on any of the worlds. It’s as if they’ve gone to ground somewhere.”

  “If I was the key to releasing the third Seventine, then are the rest going to just stroll out no problem now?” I needed to know if I had greatly accelerated the time-line to the final battle, I still had four half-Walkers to collect.

  Lucy snapped into soothsayer mode. “From what I can gather,” she glared around the room, “and let me tell you this seeing-the-future thing is not easy, but I know a few things. Firstly, without Abby they could never have freed the third. Her blood is from the ancients. This was a safety mechanism woven in by the originals when they first contained the Seventine.”

  Damn, I was such a frigging moron.

  “Second, it’s not going to be easy to release the rest of the Seventine. In fact, each subsequent release will require even larger influxes of energy.”

  “So we have time to stop them still.” I breathed a few sighs.

  “There’s always time and hope, until we’re all dead.” Lucy smiled brightly. “And then we might be the undead, so it’s a never-ending cycle.”

  “Wow, how have we done without your insights before now,” I drawled at her. “Not to mention that unwavering optimism.”

  “Have you seen Francesca in your visions?” Lallielle interrupted us, her voice shaky. “I’ve heard that since you’re so rare you can keep tabs on each other.”

  Lucy’s lips thinned into fine lines as she hesitated. “I’ve seen glimpses of her, Lalli, and it doesn’t seem as if she’s being forced to stay away. Her location is murky, but ... she’s not unhappy.” Lucy’s expression turned sympathetic. “I could be wrong. It seems as if the more I allow these images in, the more that flood through me. I’m still not very good at getting the fine details.”

  “You’re doing a wonderful job. It takes years to become proficient at this gift,” Lallielle said, trying not to look upset, although I could see her forehead wrinkling as she turned to stare out the window.

  Lucy’s face fell at Lallielle’s distress. I reached out and gripped her hand.

  “So what do we do for the month until this reunion?” I said, wondering if I’d have enough time to go to the next planet.

  “I don’t want you leave First World for a while,” Josian said. “I need you here to help me with the setup. It’s going to take quite a lot of maneuvering to make sure we don’t end up with clan wars.”

  Did I look confused? I certainly felt confused.

  “The clans are very competitive. To prevent daily battles we must set up separate territories for each.” Brace smiled. “Then we have just one central gathering point that acts as neutral ground.”

  I groaned. “You Neanderthals are going to spend most of the time in a peeing contest, aren’t you?”

  Josian roared with laughter. “I’ll have you know, Aribella, we were around long before the Neanderthals.”

  “Even better,” I muttered.

  “Shit.” Lucy jumped to her feet.

  Everyone stared at her as she paced.

  “Josian is correct: Abby, Fury and Talina are important. Without your presenc
e no one is going to take this seriously. You have to be included in all parts of the entire gathering.” She looked a little stunned. “And I have to say that if even a tenth of the things I’m seeing are true then ... Walker’s are ... they’re damn crazy,” she finished before sitting back down and holding her head in tented fingers.

  I wondered what she’d seen.

  “It’s true.” Brace raised his eyebrows. “Everyone is going to be a little stupid trying to meet these mythical half-Walkers.”

  “Speaking of mythical pains-in-the-butt, where’s Fury?” Lucy asked, without lifting her face. “Shouldn’t she be here?”

  I’d forgotten about the prickly Crais half-Walker. No wonder it was so peaceful in the room.

  “She went for a walk, something about needing to clear her head,” Lallielle told us.

  “And if she comes back with a personality transplant then double score for us,” I said.

  Lucy snorted, lifting her hand in the air for a high-five.

  “I wouldn’t dream too big, super Abby. While I have returned as less of a dragoona, don’t expect me to start passing out hugs.”

  Fury’s voice filled the room. She’d just walked into the entrance. Dune wasn’t in his usual place, attached to her hand.

  “Looks like you lost an appendage,” I noted.

  She actually gave me a half-smile. It looked forced but was a vast improvement on her normal scowl.

  “Dune is waiting for me outside. We’re going swimming.”

  Lucy lifted her head then. “Who are you and what have you done with Fury?”

  Fury shrugged. “Let’s just say I saw a different side of super Abby and her faithful side-kick Lucy yesterday. We have more in common than I thought and I ...” She paused to consider her words. “I guess I’ve decided to be less difficult. It sounds as if we have quite a battle ahead of us and if I know anything it’s the strength of a united front.”

  I exchanged a quick glance with Lucy. Her expression of surprise must be mirroring my own. Personally I would believe Fury’s shift in personality when I had a little more evidence of its permanence.

  “Great to hear,” Josian boomed, smiling broadly. “Grantham will be here in a few days. We are going to discuss the Walker convention. He’s excited to meet the half from his clan.”

  Fury nodded once. “I’ll see you back here tonight then.” She left the room.

  “I wonder what the hell she saw in my dream power.” I shook my head.

  “Clearly something more life-changing than the time Sarah Morrison pantsed you in front of everyone,” Lucy piped up.

  I groaned. Oh, no. She hadn’t seen that, had she? “Damn. Why is it always the moments I want to forget?”

  “What’s pantsed?” Brace and Lucas asked together.

  I lunged to cover Lucy’s mouth, but I wasn’t fast enough.

  “Sarah yanked Abby’s shorts down to her knees,” she spluttered out around her laughter.

  I hung my head. “And it happened to be a no-clean-underwear day.”

  “Yep, she was bare-assed for the entire world to see.”

  I could remember the mortification like it was yesterday.

  A swift grin crossed Lucas’s face. I held up a hand, halting him before he made his comment.

  “Moving on from that lovely memory ...” I said, my words trailing off as two strangers entered the room.

  A man and woman, more gorgeous than any two people had the right to be, stood framed in the massive doorway. They looked similar. The man had shoulder-length platinum-blond hair which was pulled back in a clasp held at the nape of his neck. The woman had the same unnatural-colored hair. It fell to her waist in a thick straight sheet. They were tall, both well over six feet, and as they stared around the room, I noticed the unusual color of their eyes. They were such a light icy blue it was almost white.

  Only one breed of life-form was this perfect. Walkers.

  Brace shifted forward, moving across the room faster than I could track. I held my breath waiting for the explosion of power. Brace was always protective but it had reached epic levels since his return. But instead of the battle I’d expected the three of them met in a fierce hug, Brace scooping the other two up and spinning them around.

  My jaw fell open. It was probably inches from dragging on the floor. Clearly, they knew each other. Talina placed her hand on my face, closing my jaw.

  “Sorry,” she whispered, “I was worried you were going to get carpet-burn if your chin dropped any lower.” Her eyes twinkled.

  “Wow, it looks like your hot-as-hell mate has his own set of hot friends.” Lucy turned to me, her blue eyes registering her interest in the newcomers. “Who are the blondie twins?”

  I shrugged. I had no idea. But she was right: they very much looked like twins.

  The three of them conducted a rapid discussion, before both sets of icy blue eyes shifted to lock on me. I felt a warm acceptance from the man, but there was something hesitant in the woman’s gaze. I clashed eyes with her, and I swear she immediately judged me and found something lacking. She dismissed me by turning away. Brace faced the room, the pair falling in on either side of him.

  “I want to introduce my oldest friends, the wolf twins, Magenta and Colton. They’re Abernaths and have defected from Que to join our battle.” He pulled them further into the room to introduce everyone.

  Wolf twins? That was a strange introduction.

  Josian stepped forward and did that Walker-handshake greeting. I realized this was the first time I had seen a full Walker female. Magenta had a hardness about her, her beauty tempered by a diamond strength. One difference with us half-Walkers is we’re much more human than a full Walker, every flaw and emotion out there for the world to see.

  I noticed a definite interest from Lucy when Colton took her hand and kissed it gently. I nudged her. She did not need to fall for a damn Walker. That could only end in tears.

  I was the last one to be greeted. Brace pulled me into his arms. My heart jumped as his strength encircled me. Our melding bond sprang to life, the golden aura surrounding us.

  “This is Abigail. My life,” he said.

  Colton nudged Brace aside and wrapped me up in a Walker hug. I refer to it like that because they all hug the same way: full-bodied bear hugs. I chuckled, patting his back a few times. He was warm, the way Brace always felt. Walkers definitely ran hot. He leaned his head in close and took a deep breath. Did he just sniff me?

  “Okay, that’s enough. Hands off.” Brace snatched me back, although his glare didn’t faze Colton at all.

  He just laughed out loud, a deep masculine sound which filled the room and had Lucy and Talina not so discreetly fanning themselves.

  “Abigail and I are going to be great friends,” he said, his confidence obvious. “So you’re just going to have to deal.” He flashed me a set of brilliant white teeth, another Walker trait.

  “Don’t forget who got their ass kicked last time we battled, Colt. I will bury you.” Brace sounded serious but his grin implied otherwise.

  Magenta cleared her throat then, distracting the men. I faced her, attempting to mould my expression into a friendly welcome. Her features remained impassive and unreadable. Examining her, I wondered why her parents had named her after a deep red color. She was the palest person I’d ever seen.

  “Don’t mind my sister,” Colton started. “She doesn’t like competition, especially in the form of a stunning red-haired mystical half-Walker.”

  Magenta growled at her brother but didn’t bother to respond. Meanwhile I was going nuts trying to figure out what Colton meant. In what way could I be competition to her, except if it came to Brace? I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t care how gorgeous and powerful she was. If she came near Brace I was going to take her apart and put her back together inside out. She wouldn’t be very pretty then.

  I like this side of you, Red. Your tendency toward violence is quite the turn-on. Brace picked up my thoughts as he crowded closer to me. But you have
nothing to worry about. Magenta and Colt are my oldest friends ... the only real family I had growing up.

  Oh, you and I are definitely going to be having a little chat later, Brace. He had some explaining to do, especially about Magenta.

  Looking forward to it. His words sent bursts of heat through my body. He’d layered them with so many more meanings then the words suggested.

  The twins moved, distracting us.

  “I’d like an update on everything that has happened since you left, Brace.” Warmth entered Magenta’s dulcet tones as she faced him. “And we have a list of Abernaths who want to attend the gathering.”

  How did they already know about the event?

  Her manner of speaking had the immediate effect of dismissing everyone in the room besides Brace. Clearly she was not interested in what the rest of us had been doing. Colton, on the other hand, seemed very approachable, flashing around his blinding white smile as he answered my unspoken question.

  “Yeah, word got around to us that there was a Walker gathering being organized. Mags and I decided to take it on our own initiative and find the loyal Abernaths. We did our best to verify everyone on the list, but something tells me one or two of Que’s spies made it through.”

  Josian acknowledged this with a swift nod. “It was inevitable. A gathering on this scale could never be kept a secret.”

  “I don’t know how you think this is not going to be a massive disaster,” Magenta said, tossing back her perfect hair. “The last time we met, on Earth, we destroyed that city.”

  “You met on Earth?” I blurted. “But your powers are limited there.”

  She spoke slowly, as if I were a moron. “Even with limited powers Walker fighting created what you now refer to as the Grand Canyon. Imagine the damage they could do on First World.”

  I exchanged a glance with Lucy. She looked both amused and horrified.

  “What’s so funny?” I had to ask.

  “Just the way she speaks to you, like you’re a child.” She was laughing as she said this loud enough for the room to hear.

  Magenta shifted her hard gaze to Lucy, her eyes widening slightly at the lack of respect she saw there.