by K. B. Draper
It was out now, so if she could take away some of the pain or curiosity she’d give her niece that at least. “When you two are together I can see the golden bond of Seeker and Guardian between you, which is normal. But there’s also a red light connecting you which tells me you are soul mates. One doesn’t have anything do with the other, but together they make each of the lights brighter, stronger,” her voice changed and her last few words softened, becoming distant as she drifted off into her own thoughts, “more powerful.”
“Does this happen often with Seekers? Their Guardian and soul mate being one in the same?”
Aunt Ruby dropped her gaze to the table. “It’s extremely rare,” she said with sorrow evident in her voice.
“How often?” Daylen asked, but her aunt didn’t answer immediately. “Aunt Ruby?” She laid a comforting hand on her aunt’s shoulder.
“I only know of one other time.” Aunt Ruby laid her hand over Daylen’s.
“You and Uncle Jack?”
Aunt Ruby shook her head slowly. “No. Uncle Jack and I were soul mates, but he was not my Guardian.” She straightened her spine and took a deep breath, fortifying herself for the rest. “Well, not in the same sense as we’re talking. But I did lose him because he was trying to protect me.”
Daylen had never known her Uncle Jack. Her aunt changed the subject every time she tried to bring him up. When she quizzed her mother, the only explanation she received was “There was an accident” but she never offered any more details. She only knew he was a good man and he and her aunt were very much in love. Daylen pictured the photo of Uncle Jack on her aunt’s desk. He was a handsome man with a slim, athletic build and long dark eyelashes which outlined his golden-brown eyes.
Daylen sat again, laying her hands on her aunt’s. “How did he–” Ruby waved off Daylen’s question.
“Not today,” Ruby murmured softly. “One day, I promise,” Ruby added, knowing her niece would want, and for her safety, would eventually need to know the prophecy and the full Seeker legacy. But for now, she would continue to protect her niece, continue to prepare her and help her realize her full powers; their, Daylen and Kanyon’s, full powers until they were strong enough to fight the battle she hadn’t been able to win. The battle that cost her Jack.
They let silence stretch between them for a few minutes until Ruby spoke. “Alright then, that’s enough of that.” Ruby pulled her hands out from underneath Daylen’s, giving her niece a quick affectionate squeeze. “Okay, so we’re all squared away. You know all about your lesbo guardian angel and Seekers are an equal opportunity employer.”
“Another thing that could be added to the nonexistent handbook,” Daylen quipped as she gave her aunt a smile. For now, she’d allow her aunt to use humor as an escape from the uncomfortable, vulnerable, and emotional moment. Just the way my lesbo guardian angel always does in similar circumstances. “Thanks for telling me,” she added in a more serious tone. Her aunt responded with a nod, tears glistening in her eyes as she stood to go. She had a million more questions obviously, but after seeing the pain at the memory of Jack, the questions could keep for another day. “Aunt Ruby?”
“Yes?” Ruby answered, stopping and turning before she exited.
Daylen’s back was turned to her aunt so she lifted her hands above her head. “Check out Kanyon’s hands next time you see her.” She wiggled her fingers, mocking her aunt’s earlier movements. “Size and dexterity won’t be an issue.” Daylen smiled as her aunt chuckled and walked out of the kitchen. She let her arms drop when she heard her aunt’s shoes hit the stairs then sank lower in her chair.
Kanyon, her Guardian, her soul mate? She was overcome with excitement and resentment, fear and desire, want and disbelief, so she let her thoughts drift to her aunt’s pain instead, Uncle Jack. She had thought as much, his death had something to do with her aunt being a Seeker. No one confirmed or denied it because no one talked about it, but now she had another piece of the puzzle. Her aunt lost her soul mate because he was trying to protect her. She ran frustrated hands through her hair. Protecting … the exact job Kanyon was now apparently fated to do. She sighed heavily as her heart began to ache. Which only means if Kanyon is my soul mate and Guardian, then she’s at a double risk of getting hurt or … No.
Flashes of Kanyon the night before, getting struck and kicked because of her flew through her mind. “No,” Daylen stated out loud. “Fated or not, I won’t let Kanyon suffer any more pain because of me.” I will not let her suffer the same fate as my Uncle. Screw fate. But her heart reacted to the thought of a life without Kanyon. I just can’t risk it, can’t risk her. She thought, trying to ignore her heart’s thundering protest.
Chapter 9
Kanyon attempted to go back to sleep after Daylen left, but found it impossible. She tossed and turned, unable to shut out the events of the last two days. Her mind drifted to the dream. Was it even a dream? It had felt so real, well minus the whole standing in clouds and talking to a mysterious cloaked woman about some air drawing of an eye symbol. And the whole story of being a Guardian and Daylen a Seeker? Despite how completely asinine it sounded, it felt real. At least the need to protect Daylen was very real. She had felt that from the moment she first saw her. And now this … this what? Spirit? Guide? Whatever she was, this woman was telling her to protect Daylen. Did she seriously believe a spirit was sent to reveal her destiny? Now she was really losing it. Was I twilighted into a screwed-up remake of A Christmas Carol, cast as Scrooge haunted by the Spirit of the Future? If that were true, where was past and present? At a Union meeting? What’s next? Am I going to find myself kneeling next to Tom Cruise at the Scientology alter? Better yet, maybe my next gig will be an infomercial with Dionne Warwick, promoting some 900 number where people can talk with the chatty departed. She grunted, flipped over, and planted her face in her pillow.
Spirit, ghost, guide, whatever she was, told Kanyon she, of all people, would be responsible for protecting someone … How could she do that when she could barely take care of herself these days? But this was about Daylen. She wouldn’t … couldn’t let anything happen to Daylen. Frustrated, she tried to shove the images to the back of her mind, only to have the mystery woman and her flaming symbols come back to the forefront. She didn’t want a spirit, especially some soft-spoken, overly polite, angel like, hooded lady. If she had to have one, she wanted a Whoopi Goldberg-like spirit. One with a sense of humor. Wanda Sykes? No, Chelsea Handler. Yeah, Chelsea Handler; a funny, drunk angel with a sense of humor, not a proper speaking … before she could finish her rambling rant she found herself surrounded by clouds as she had the night before.
“You wish for a sense of humor?” the hooded woman said as she walked through the fog toward Kanyon. “That is possible.”
Kanyon looked in the direction the woman indicated with her outstretched hand. A mirror appeared in the fog and Kanyon walked closer. “Oh, very funny!” Kanyon yelled as she placed her hands defiantly on her hips, still assessing her reflection.
She was wearing blue eye shadow all the way up to her eyebrows, way too much red blush, a teased-out pigtail on the top right side of her head, and the absolute worst 1980’s inspired outfit. She took in the awful ensemble, complete with an oversized T-shirt that hung off one shoulder and read “Choose Life” in big neon green letters. Her lower half sported baggy MC Hammer pants in colors which looked like Miami Vice had thrown up all over them. The legs of her pants were tucked into neon pink scrunch socks and her feet were crammed into bright teal, ankle high Reebok tennis shoes. As she sucked in a breath to perform a very over-exaggerated sigh, she caught an overwhelming, nearly eye-watering scent of … She turned from the mirror to the woman. “Seriously? Liz Claiborne?”
“I find great satisfaction in the most minute of details.” Kanyon watched as the signature, red triangle bottle of perfume vanished from the woman’s hand.
“Very funny.” Kanyon frantically waved at the air in front of her. “Did you have to use the whole bo
ttle?” She waved her hand closer to her nose this time in an effort to clear some breathing space. “Geez.” Kanyon coughed as the woman stood smiling and obviously thoroughly enjoying herself. “Okay, so besides proving you have a torturous and warped sense of humor and a ...” she coughed twice, “extremely tolerant gag reflex, is there another reason you’re here?”
“Of course.” The woman took a few steps, but quickly retreated when she hit the perfume mushroom cloud surrounding her victim. “Oh my, maybe a tad too much detail.”
“You think?” Kanyon coughed out again.
The woman waved a hand to dissipate the stench. After sniff testing the air and finding it tolerable, she continued forward. “I am just curious why you let Daylen say good-bye this morning? I thought once we cleared the little matter up about the cults, you might accept your role as Guardian and assist her?”
“She made it pretty clear she doesn’t want my help.” She kicked at what would have been dirt, if they weren’t standing in a cloud. “And I don’t blame her because I tend to make a mess of things.”
“I am sorry. Did I need an invitation to this pity party or …?”
Kanyon had heard the line before and rolled her eyes. “I take it back.”
“Take what back?”
Kanyon groaned. “I was just mouthing earlier. I don’t want Chelsea as a guide.”
“Very well then.”
“And it’s not a pity party. I just don’t …”
The woman softened her voice. “Know how to handle the feelings you have for her?”
Kanyon’s head shot up in protest. “I don’t have any feelings ... I mean, ugh … I don’t know what … and she wouldn’t …” She ran frustrated hands through her hair, well tried, they stuck in the mass of teased hair and hairspray. “Nice.” She glared at the woman. “Anyway, it doesn’t even matter. She never wants to see me again.”
“Kanyon, you wear your heart on your sleeve. Anyone can tell you have feelings for her, and that is a wonderful thing. It will serve your heart well to accept it.”
Uncomfortable, Kanyon tried to walk away. After two steps, she recognized her thighs were catching air and the low hanging crotch of her pants was rubbing between her knees. Remembering the ridiculous outfit, she turned back to her tormenter. “Are we done with this getup?”
“As soon as you admit I have a sense of humor.”
Kanyon cocked her head, faking annoyance. “Really?” The woman inspected her robe, flattening nonexistent wrinkles. “Fine. You have a sense of humor. You’re the funniest, the funniest … What the heck are you anyway?”
The woman snapped her fingers and Kanyon was returned to her sleeping pants and tank top. “Well, I hope one day to be a friend, but for now I am a guide of sorts, along with my husband. We are sent to help Seekers and Guardians.” The woman turned and offered a seat on the bench which appeared behind them.
“Help them with what?” Kanyon moved to sit next to her.
“We help them with a number of things.”
“Like dress in embarrassing outfits?”
She snickered softly. “That is just an added benefit. But more often, we help them understand their calling, develop their powers, and guide them in times of need.”
“You’re here invading my dreams to help me …”
“Understand your calling as a Guardian.”
“Right. I’m a Guardian. What if I don’t want to be a Guardian?”
“You have free will. We do not force anyone to become a Guardian.”
“And if I use my free will and say no?”
“We would find another person to take your place.” She paused for effect. “I am sure there will be several willing people who would want to be partnered with Daylen. Protect her, take care of her ... Actually, now that I reconsider, there is a really nice man, large, strong, and most attractive. Oh yes, he would do well. It will not be a problem if you want to pass on–” She stood, posed as if she was going to snap her fingers and disappear.
Kanyon reached out to grab her arm. “Whoa, hold up there, jackrabbit. Stop jumping into things. I didn’t say I didn’t want to, I was just asking what if … Geez.”
The woman laughed. “And you are unsure of your feelings for her?”
“Fine. Maybe there’s a little something ...”
“Something, yes.” She didn’t want to explain the “something” for Kanyon as she believed the discovery of one’s soul mate should be a sacred moment between the two fated souls. However, she was not opposed to giving fate a little nudge. “So, this something–” she began again, but as she spoke she could feel Kanyon’s walls go up.
“I haven’t figured out that something just yet. Anyway, why should I spill my guts to a hooded stranger?” Kanyon crossed her arms in half-hearted defiance.
“I can fix the hooded part if you would like?” She took Kanyon’s raised eyebrow as a “Yes, please” and slowly lowered her hood.
Kanyon went total cartoon, bugged-eyed and slack-jawed. “You have got to be shitting me! Dionne Warwick?”
The woman laughed softly then a light shimmered over her face. “That was priceless.”
Kanyon blinked away the residual light spots dancing across her eyes. As her vision cleared she took in the woman’s face. She was … breathtaking. She had light, flawless skin, long golden hair with loose ringlets which fell down her back, bright, liquid blue eyes; Daylen’s eyes with the added sparkle of Ruby’s, she thought. And she glowed. “You glow.”
“Yes, that is the reason for the hood. I found that I tend to frighten people when I show up aglow and surrounded by clouds. People kept thinking they were deceased. I began to wear the hood after one visit where I was mistaken for the light and they tried to pass through me. That did not end well for either of us.”
Kanyon laughed. “Understandable. You’re very angel-ly.”
She smiled. “Thank you, but I am not an angel. I am a Seeker, like Daylen, but just a different ...”
“Pay grade?” Kanyon inserted.
She chuckled. “Yes, a different pay grade.”
“And your husband?” Kanyon held up a quick hand. “Wait. Let me guess. A Guardian.”
“Yes.”
“If I’m a supposed Guardian, why isn’t he here recruiting players for his side?”
“We are a team. And it just so happens I am better at recruiting and he is better at … training.”
“So, I will meet …”
“Marcus,” she supplied.
“Marcus,” Kanyon repeated. “I’ll meet him eventually?”
“Well, I guess that depends on you.”
“Me?”
“Are you going to let Daylen walk out of your life?”
Kanyon dropped her head. “Point taken.”
The woman stood in front of Kanyon, laid a hand on Kanyon’s head, and ran it softly down her hair. “You are the chosen one, Kanyon. Her one. But it is your choice.”
“What if I can’t … What if I ...”
She felt the guilt and sense of failure pour from Kanyon and her heart ached for her. “We all make mistakes, my child.” She lifted Kanyon’s chin. “But the bigger mistake would be not forgiving yourself, to continue to punish yourself, and continue to think you do not deserve anything better.”
“But what if I can’t, like literally can’t? What if I screw things up? Or even worse, what if I fail? Guardian, I mean, I haven’t seen the job description, but it sounds serious. I screwed up a normal earth job. What if I screw up this …” she waved at the clouds and the glowing woman, “whatever-this-is, job.”
The woman smiled softly. “Whatever this is,” she made the same motion with her hand, then placed it over her heart, “can see into a Guardian’s heart, mind, and soul. You were chosen for a reason, Kanyon. It is up to you to choose to become the person you are fated to be.”
“But I–” Kanyon stopped when the woman laid a finger across her lips.
“Maybe start with opening your heart and figu
ring out that something you have for Daylen.” She gave a comforting squeeze to Kanyon’s shoulder, then turned and began to walk away. “If you do, Daylen might just help you figure out the rest.”
“Hey …”
The woman turned back. “Yes?”
“You didn’t tell me your name.”
“No, I guess I did not. It is Isadora.”
Kanyon nodded. “Isadora? Wow, that’s kind of old school.”
Isadora grinned. “You could say that.”
“Can I call you Izzy?”
“I would prefer Isadora.”
“Iz?”
Isadora shook her head. “No.”
“Geez, you’re no fun.” Isadora looked at Kanyon thoughtfully then smiled wide and laughed. “Oh crap, what did you do?” Kanyon stood quickly and began to spin around trying to get a look at herself.
Isadora simply replied with a half shrug.
“Really?” She held out her arms, which were covered with bright yellow feathers. “Ahh, come on, a chicken suit?” She flapped her wings in irritation. “Subtle. Real freakin’ subtle.”
“I thought it fitting given the current situation.” Isadora chuckled.
“I look like a bad mascot for a fried chicken chain.” She flapped her wings again. “Okay, okay Isadora, I’m sorry. You’re totally fun! You’re a blast …” She yelled at Isadora’s fading image. “I’m not a chicken!”
Isadora flipped up her hood. “Prove it,” she challenged then vanished. “Oh, I forgot to tell you …” Kanyon jumped at the voice behind her. She spun just in time to see Isadora fade back in. “I got you a present.”
“A present?” Kanyon narrowed her eyes, looking down to see if anything had been added to her chicken suit. “Where is it?”
“I am having it delivered.” Isadora smiled, then faded out again.
Kanyon woke in her bed with someone yelling her name. “Kanyon! Kanyon, for God’s sake, you’re still in bed? It’s the afternoon.”