Close-up: Take 1 of the Kanyon and Daylen Series

by K. B. Draper

  “I have to say, this is quite enjoyable. We did not have such things during my day.” Kanyon nearly swerved off the road at the sound of Isadora’s voice.

  “Holy Christ!” She straightened. “You nearly killed us.”

  “I am already dead.”

  “I’m not! Don’t do that again!” Kanyon took a couple of breaths to calm her racing heart. She looked over at Isadora and the full reality of the situation hit her, she could look over at Isadora. “I thought I could only see you in my dreams?”

  “No, most certainly not. Why did you think such a thing?”

  “Ah, I don’t know, maybe because I’ve only seen you in my dreams.”

  “Because that was the only time I thought you would listen.”

  “So, you can just drop in whenever? And that was you doing the whole sizzle then pop to the head thing this morning?”

  “Yes, and yes.” Isadora, who had been holding her hood in place, released it and her golden blonde hair flew free in the wind. “This is quite fun.”

  Kanyon glanced at Isadora who was smiling widely. She took her through the winding valleys and gave her speed when the road smoothed out. Kanyon found herself at the same scenic overlook where she stopped with Daylen.

  “I can see why you like these machines.” Isadora ran a hand over the dash. “They are quite powerful and thrilling.”

  “Want to take a walk? Or glide, or whatever you do?” Kanyon asked as she held the door handle.

  “I would love to.”

  They made their way out to the benches and watched the waves crash against the rocks. “More power,” Isadora stated simply.

  “So, you can visit anytime, day or night, when I’m awake or in my dreams?”

  “Yes.” She smiled as she saw Kanyon realize the implications of her ability. She chuckled softly. “Do not worry, Kanyon. I kind of knock, I guess you could say, before I ever visit so I will not be showing up in your shower. You do have your privacy and moments in which I cannot interrupt.”

  “Good to know. Okay, so what’s up? Why are you here and what was the deal with this morning’s little electric show in my body? Did you do that?” Kanyon sat and Isadora followed suit.

  “I did not do that, you did. I did give you, what did you call it? The “little love hug” and then the pop on the head,” she winked, “but what you felt before was your power releasing.”

  “My power?” Kanyon eyed her skeptically.

  Isadora nodded at Kanyon’s car. “Like your machine.”

  “The Trans Am?” Kanyon asked, glancing back.“Like your Trans Am, you have power inside you, lots of power. As you accept your role as Guardian, your power is released to you.”

  “Power? What kind of power?”

  “That I do not know entirely. You are unique, like no other Guardian before you, and you are connected to Daylen. She is like no other Seeker. Your power, both of your powers will continue to grow stronger; she as a Seeker and you as a Guardian.”

  “Surely you have some idea. I mean, are we talking power like, leap tall buildings in a single bound and stop bullets with my teeth, or sucky Aquaman, talk to dolphins kind of power? Or Martha Stewart, make centerpieces out of twigs and gourds kind of power, or–”

  Isadora raised a hand to stop Kanyon as she laughed. “You are truly like no one else. I so enjoy you.” She laid a hand on Kanyon’s knee. “I do not know the true depths of your powers, as they are destined to be greater than I have ever seen. But if they are like my husband, Marcus’ powers then you will be able to sense danger, especially when it comes to Daylen. You already have a warrior’s mind and body. You will only become more knowledgeable and skilled. You will not only fight better, but smarter. You will likely develop some supernatural abilities as well, like anticipating your enemy’s actions. You might be able to control or manipulate some or all of the four elements; air, water, fire, and earth.”

  “This is surreal. Are you sure I don’t have a brain tumor and I’m dreaming all this?” Maybe when I fell off the horse I hit my head and I’m in a coma …”

  Isadora placed her hand over Kanyon’s. “I know this is unbelievable, but it is real, and you are our chosen Guardian, our warrior.”

  Kanyon sighed heavily. “You’re sure I’m not dreaming?” Isadora pinched Kanyon’s hand. “Ouch. Geez,” Kanyon cried, yanking her hand away.

  “You are not dreaming.”

  “Okay, I’m a Guardian.” She shook her hand out. “How do I know what to do now?”

  “Just keep doing what you have been doing.”

  “Getting in fights and frustrating Daylen?”

  Isadora laughed. “It is a good start.”

  Kanyon thought for a long moment. “Controlling fire and wind, huh? I’ll be a hit at birthday parties.” Kanyon chuckled, but it soon died off and she lowered her head, thought for a second, and then raised it again meeting Isadora’s eyes directly. “You’re sure I’m the one? You’re sure I can do this?”

  “I have no doubt. When you come to believe as I do,” she nodded toward the car then the ocean, “you could be as powerful as both the Trans Am and the ocean.” Isadora gave Kanyon’s hand a comforting pat, then stood.

  “You’re leaving?” Kanyon jumped to her feet. “Don’t you want to ride back? I mean, I know you don’t need a ride back, but …”

  “We will do it again, soon.” Her eyes sparkled. “I thoroughly enjoyed it.” She began to fade.

  “Isadora, wait!” Kanyon rushed to say.

  “Yes?”

  “Quick question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Should I be scared of this power? I mean, what if I can’t control it?”

  “You will know what to do when the time comes. And Marcus, he will help you.”

  “Where is this no good, lazy husband of yours? Isn’t he supposed to be teaching me things? What has he been doing, drinking Rum Runners on a beach somewhere?”

  She laughed at the thought of Marcus sitting on a beach, relaxing long enough to have a drink. Oh, this is going to be so much fun. My serious, resilient warrior and this one with such charm, wit, and more power than all before her, they are going to teach each other so much. That is if they do not kill each other. She smiled at Kanyon reassuringly. “Do not worry, Guardian. Marcus, he …” enveloping the memories of all the times he fought and protected her, “… he will be there when you need him.”

  “Will he be sober?”

  Isadora laughed again. “Oh, I can guarantee it.” Oh yes, this is going to be very entertaining.

  Chapter 17

  Daylen crashed face first into her bed as soon as she downed a glass of water and three aspirin. Her dreams came quick and vivid with the facts of the case replaying in her mind. Then she saw it, the Blood Ring, an intangible glow just out of reach.

  Although her conscious mind would have resisted, not believing it was possible, her subconscious mind reached out and searched for the ring. She heard it like a siren’s call and she began to follow its allure. A light flashed and she suddenly found herself where she’d been earlier in the day, Defalco’s house. She walked through the front door without challenge, wandered through the halls and up the stairs until she stopped in front of a closed door. She knew instinctively the ring lay in the room beyond as if she’d placed it there herself. She reached for the doorknob only to have it dematerialize in her hand.

  Another flash of light and she found herself in a different place, one she knew well. A place she had visited many times since she was old enough to remember.

  “Hello, Daylen.”

  Daylen ran to the woman and gave her a welcoming embrace. “Isadora, I’ve missed you. Where have you been?”

  Isadora returned the hug and then released her, holding her at arm’s length and smiling warmly. “I have missed you too, my child.” Isadora dropped her hood and ran a hand through her hair to straighten it. “Sorry if I look a little tasseled and windblown, I just went on a most exciting adventure.”


  “Is that why I haven’t seen you in so long, you’ve been vacationing?” Daylen asked, curious about the endless destinations a non-corporeal person could go. “Wait, Marcus went on a vacation?”

  Isadora chuckled softly. “No, we have not been on a vacation in a number of years. I have been …” she tilted her head thoughtfully, “… recruiting, I guess you can say. But I want to talk about you. A lot has been going on with you these last couple of weeks. Ruby tells me your powers are developing rather quickly and as I can see by this last feat, your Seeker sight is developing well too. You have a good idea where the ring is located?”

  “I guess.” She turned and began walking, Isadora falling in beside her. “Is that what that was? I mean, it could be just a dream.”

  “Did it feel like a dream?”

  “No, I guess not. It felt more like a calling or …” She paused in thought.

  Isadora put an arm around her shoulders. “A calling is accurate. As your powers grow, you will likely sense or feel the items in which you seek.”

  “Yeah, though I thought at first I could see the Blood Ring, it was more the emotions that were drawing me to it. So much …” she closed her eyes and concentrated, “jealousy?”

  “Pride?” Isadora offered.

  Daylen stopped. “Yes, but …”

  Isadora encouraged her to keep walking. “Pride is very powerful. It can encompass many things, some good, some bad. When it takes the form of jealousy, lies, spite, or vengeance it can cause man to do a number of evil acts.”

  “Kill.” Daylen remembered the story of the Blood Ring’s creation.

  “Yes.”

  They walked in silence for a long time until Daylen finally spoke. “Seems like I’m getting a lot more visions lately and I definitely have been seeing … feeling,” she corrected, “feeling more auras and emotions. The people I’ve talked to on this case and the emotions they’re emitting are almost overwhelming.”

  “Ruby has taught you how to shield against such things?”

  “Yes, it’s been working up to a point. But today …” Daylen tried to find the words.

  “Today they nearly overcame you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was Kanyon with you?”

  Hearing Isadora speak Kanyon’s name took her by surprise. Of course, she didn’t know why. If what her aunt said was true, Kanyon was a Guardian and of course Isadora would know. “Yes, she was there.”

  “And she was able to assist you?”

  Daylen thought about Kanyon’s steadying hand; her fortifying embrace. “Yeah, I guess she did.”

  Isadora smiled at the soft reluctance in Daylen’s voice. “Tell me how this new partnership is going.”

  “Okay, I guess.” Daylen moved from under Isadora’s arm. “I just didn’t expect … her, of all …” She ran frustrated hands through her hair. “I’m scared.” She finally admitted.

  “You care for her and you do not want her to get hurt?” Isadora offered.

  “Exactly. How did she get roped into this chaos? I don’t need any help. She can go back to acting and …”

  Isadora stepped forward, took both Daylen’s shoulders in her hands, and waited until Daylen looked up. “You have such a big heart, my child. I so love you for that. And the love I have for you wants no harm to come to you. I would fight to my last breath to keep you from being hurt, but my love does not keep me from letting you be who you want and who you are meant to be.” When Daylen started to lower her head again, Isadora placed a fingertip underneath her chin. “Kanyon is your partner in this fight. The two of you are special, chosen ones, fated ones. Let her make her own choices. Let her be who she desires to be.”

  Daylen sighed heavily as she pondered Isadora’s words. “Ugh, you and Aunt Ruby are playing the same record. You’re right, of course. It’s just so hard to let someone protect you, fight for you, and put herself in danger because of you. And she has so much to lose. I don’t want to be the cause of that.”

  Isadora pulled Daylen into her arms. “My child, I think the same about you.” She squeezed her tight then released her. “Kanyon is stronger than you think and the two of you share a special bond, an incredible, powerful bond. You can use the power, the bond, to give you strength when you need it and you can also use it to give her strength when she is in need of it.” She lightened her tone. “I have a feeling she is going to need it a lot. I think she has a special knack for getting into trouble.” Isadora gave Daylen another quick hug. “Trust yourself, your heart, and trust her.”

  Isadora began to fade. “Isadora, wait. Is Kanyon my, you know …”

  “Your soul mate?” Isadora filled in. “Child, you do not need me for that. Your heart already knows the answer,” she offered, and then faded with a wink.

  Daylen walked into the office the next morning to see Kanyon already sitting at her desk. “Why are you always here so early?”

  “I’m a morning person.” Because Dodge makes me be one. “Feeling better?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks,” Daylen replied, dropping her bag on her desk.

  “What’s the plan today?”

  “We’re getting the ring.”

  “You know where it is?” Kanyon asked surprised.

  “I have an idea.”

  “An idea?” Kanyon asked suspiciously.

  Daylen waved a hand at her. “Idea, premonition, whatever.”

  Kanyon leaned forward, curious. “You had a premonition of where the ring is located?”

  “Yep.”

  Kanyon shrugged. “You’re kind of taking all the fun out of investigating if you’re just going to premonition all the answers.” Daylen gave her a flat look. “I’m just saying, if TV shows did it that way it would be like, “Gasp! The ring is missing,” commercial, then the good guy would be like “I know where it is! It’s in the safe at the villain’s house!” Case closed. The end. Commercial, bad ratings, and the show gets cancelled.”

  “Yeah. Well, I don’t know what to tell you. Our ratings are just going to have to suck I guess, because I’m pretty sure I know where it is.”

  “Fine. So where are we going?”

  “Back to Defalco’s.”

  “I’m sure you’re right and that’s totally who took the ring, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You almost blacked out with all the bad juju yesterday.”

  “I know. I think my shields will be stronger this time,” she said as she thought of Isadora telling her to use the bond. She walked over and laid a tentative hand on Kanyon’s shoulder. Feeling the sizzle of energy, she smiled. “Plus, if anything goes wrong, you’ll be there.”

  Kanyon eyed her suspiciously, wondering what invoked the sudden trust and willingness to rely on her for protection. “Okay,” she agreed reluctantly.

  Daylen removed her hand. “I’ll be even stronger if I have …”

  Kanyon’s eyes lit in excitement. “Please say French toast!”

  “French toast.” Daylen smiled.

  “Yes!”

  Over a mouthful of syrup soaked goodness, Kanyon thought she might push her luck and bring up a topic from their to-talk-about-later list. “We still haven’t talked about the other night.”

  “No, we haven’t.” Daylen took a bite and chewed. She’d reluctantly accepted the Guardian-Seeker bond, but she’d seen the power Lexi had over Kanyon, so her heart, okay her brain, wasn’t too keen on the whole “soul mate thing” just yet. She knew she loved Kanyon, but she also knew love was a two-way street and thought Kanyon’s street had led her and Lexi up to Make-Out Mountain. “And I really don’t think we need to discuss it.”

  “But what you saw–”

  “What I saw was you kissing Lexi.” Daylen heard the harshness in her own voice and knew she was being the unreasonable, jealous chick, but she didn’t want to talk about it. She wanted the image of the two of them locked in an intimate embrace to stop replaying incessantly in her mind. She sighed and softened her tone. “Kanyon, please. Can we just let it be and move
past it?”

  Everything in Kanyon wanted to say no and that she didn’t want to let it go, but she saw the pain on Daylen’s face and conceded with a nod.

  “Thank you.” Daylen took another bite but her appetite was gone. “I think we should catch the bad guys before they go to work.” Or have any more time to use the ring.

  Kanyon crammed in the rest of her toast. “Okay, let’s do this,” she replied around her last bite.

  Daylen shook her head. “I think we can spare enough time for you to chew.”

  Back on Defalco’s doorstep, Kanyon turned to Daylen. “You’re sure you’re ready for this?”

  “Yeah.” Daylen took in a breath, inhaling the electricity that was thick in the air around them, and felt her body hum. “Yeah,” she repeated and pressed the doorbell. “Just stick to the plan. I’ll distract and you excuse yourself to look for the room I saw.”

  “Will do,” Kanyon confirmed as the front door swung open.

  “Good morning,” Lydia said as she stood in the doorway. With no attempt to mask her utter disgust, she thrust out an irritated hip. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “We are,” Daylen took in a breath and fortified her shields against Lydia’s assault of hate, “here to see Mr. Defalco.”

  “Mr. Defalco, Sr. is not available, but I’m sure Johnny will be happy to see you.” Lydia threw a smirk at Kanyon.

  Kanyon repaid Lydia’s snide body language with a “bring it on” smirk of her own.

  “We’ll talk to Junior then,” Daylen snapped.

  “So, Lydia, they’re making you answer their door now?” Kanyon asked as they stepped into the foyer.

  “They’re not making me do anything. I’m only answering the door because the maid quit yesterday. Apparently, she talked to some agent who was able to get her some role or something.” Lydia huffed. “Like she has a chance in hell of making it.”

  “You said ‘they’. I’m just curious, whose bed were you in last night?” Kanyon asked as Lydia began to retreat.