True Fate

by Varadeaux, Shayna

  Avery smiled at the thought, maybe she and Eric had a chance to be together after all. They just had to find the right person who could tell them what they needed to get his bond with Lilith removed.

  "How do they know these things?” Avery asked.

  "That's a long story I'd like to share with the entire group sometime. It would be better to take you there and let them tell it themselves. Mostly it is passed down through generations.” Savannah answered.

  Avery nodded and grabbed Eric's hand, they may have a chance after all.

  Chapter 21

  Nia paced and Aaron did as well while Isabel sat calmly at the kitchen counter. Rhea and Adam were watching the television intently trying not to focus on the missing part of their group. Nia and Aaron were definitely worried enough for all of them.

  ‘Eric?’ Nia thought for about the millionth time, reaching out to his mind. She was certain something was wrong or he would have answered already.

  Relief flooded her features and Aaron came to her side as the reply finally eased her tension. ‘Everything’s okay we will be there soon.’

  With a sigh of relief Nia took Aaron’s hand, “They’re alright. They are on their way here.” She told him.

  He let out a breath, relieved to hear it himself. Aaron was certain he could protect Nia but he hadn’t learned much yet from the other Guardians.

  Realizing that she hadn’t told Isabel yet about Savannah Nia now had to do it quickly. She went to the kitchen area where she had seen Isabel seated at the high counter.

  “We have a newcomer to the group but Lilith doesn’t know she is with us and we want to keep it that way.” Nia told her quietly.

  “Okay. You can trust me Nia, I thought we already established that.” Isabel said looking at Nia questioningly.

  “I know. It’s just from what I’ve heard you and this person, don’t exactly get along.” Nia explained.

  “Who is it?” Isabel asked tilting her head in curiosity. “Oh, just spit it out!” She added as Nia fumbled with her words.

  “It’s Savannah Madighan, Avery’s sister.” Nia said in a rush.

  Isabel laughed long and loud at the worried expression on Nia’s face. “Nia, it has been ages since all of that even transpired, I have no issues with Savannah. As a matter of fact she would probably be an asset to you.” She responded nonchalantly.

  Just then there was a low humming which Nia assumed was the others arriving.

  “Stay put and don’t worry.” Isabel said sternly as she hopped off of the stool and headed towards the door they had come through earlier.

  Nia went and sat beside Aaron on the couch opposite Adam and Rhea. “I guess they’re back.” Nia said shrugging her shoulders.

  ###

  Now that she thought about it, it had been at least five years since Savannah had been to a Guardian safe house. She was a little worried that some sort of surveillance would tip off Lilith to her being here.

  “Don’t worry I will take care of the cameras. Just don’t get out until I tell you to.” Darragh said reminding her of the strength of their connection.

  She blushed knowing he could hear every thought. Come to think of it she had already had some interesting thoughts on their way there.

  Eric and Avery got off the car telling the others they were heading for the weapons room to see if there was anything useful.

  Savannah waited patiently looking through the cd’s Darragh had brought along for the ride.

  “I didn’t expect to find you alone.” Savannah flinched as Isabel’s accent cut through her like a knife.

  The last time they were in the same room together, Isabel swore she would have her head.

  “Hello Isabel.” Savannah replied gracefully exiting the car with her auburn braid swinging around her. Isabel went around to Savannah’s side of the car flipping her dark locks over her shoulder. She crossed her arms and waited to see how Savannah was going to handle this.

  “They told me you were here.” Savannah said coolly.

  “Look I just wanted to say that I would like to let bygones be bygones. I prefer to leave the past in the past. Water under the bridge and all that.” Isabel informed Savannah who smiled a wide grin.

  “I agree. There’s no need to explain. I can sense your sincerity.” Savannah replied.

  “Good, I want what’s best for Nia. My loyalty to Lilith is all show.” Isabel stated plainly.

  “I am glad that we can get past this, we have a hard road ahead of us you know. There has been some tampering and breach attempts in the glamour.” Savannah said.

  “Well that’s not good. Do you think we are being followed?” Isabel asked. “We were but they aren’t the enemy it turned out. We need this whole team using their skills to their fullest.” Savannah said relaxing against the car.

  Darragh walked into the room and froze.

  “It’s okay. We aren’t going to kill each other, you can relax.” Savannah told him giving a curt smile to Isabel, who was just noticing the promise marks around their wrists.

  “Wow, congratulations you two.” She was stunned but this was not important. Her focus was on escorting Nia and getting Brennan out of Lilith’s reach before it was too late.

  “I’m going to check on Nia.” Savannah said and Darragh and Isabel followed.

  Nia sighed in relief when Darragh and Savannah entered the room. She went to them looking past them and seemed to freak out a little.

  “Oh, don’t worry, they’re okay they just went to the weapons room to see if there’s anything useful.” Savannah said quickly feeling the despair that had swirled around Nia.

  She sighed in relief and went back to sit and wait. Eric and Avery came into the room and Eric asked for Darragh’s help with something.

  The guys disappeared out the door. “So what was all that about? Who were those guys?” Nia asked no longer able to wait.

  “At first we were worried but we found out it was a long lost friend. He is a trusted ally and has offered to help if we need it at a moment’s notice.” Savannah explained as Avery went to poke around in the fridge. She wasn’t sure what Darragh or Eric wanted Nia to know about the liberated people so she steered clear of the conversation. She was still trying to digest the information herself.

  “That’s good. I was really worried. I don’t think I have ever been that terrified!” Nia said glancing at her friends.

  Savannah nodded and touched Nia’s arm in passing, she went in search of water.

  “Um, you guys.” Rhea said from the couch as she stared at a rapidly paling Adam. “I think we need to get Adam topside as soon as possible. He’s claustrophobic.” She informed everyone putting a hand on his clammy forehead.

  “Great cause we’re all finished.” Eric said coming into the room. Darragh stood behind him nodding, it was time to go.

  Savannah stepped to Adam with a cup of warm liquid and handed it to him. “You should drink this. It will steady your nerves and slow your breathing.”

  He looked at her then Rhea who in turn looked at Nia who nodded and he took the mug from Savannah and gulped down the most amazing thing that had ever passed his lips.

  He took a few deep breaths and noticed the difference almost immediately.

  Rhea put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a smile. “You okay to walk, you had me worried.” She asked.

  Adam nodded patting her hand. “I feel better.” He said trying not to stare in her eyes too hard.

  “Okay.” Avery said with a clap snapping Rhea and Adam out of their hazy moment.

  Everyone else had filtered out of the room already loading up to get going. Rhea blushed and Adam grinned getting up and walking to the car only slightly shaky. Nia laughed when she saw the goofy smiles her friends were wearing. She hoped one or both found some courage soon.

  They piled into the suburban which now had a large box attached to its roof along with the turtle that housed their luggage. Weapons was Nia’s guess.

  ‘I’m glad you are o
kay, you had me worried.’ Nia sent to Eric. He just caught her eyes in the rearview and smiled.

  Chapter 22

  Hours passed with nothing out of the ordinary happening and Nia was ecstatic for it. For a little while there was conversation and laughing like they were just a bunch of friends on a road trip.

  Everyone seemed to settle into their own hushed conversations after the last stop for food. They hadn’t seen a gas station for a while and they had no other choice even though the atmosphere was unsettling. Nia tried to brush it off as small town mentality and they were newcomers passing through.

  Savannah and Darragh were talking to Aaron while Avery and Eric and Nia Rhea and Adam were sitting in the suburban still. Thinking she may not get the chance for a bit Nia decided to go to the restroom.

  Nia and Rhea went and Isabel followed. They went into the tiny two stall restroom and an old lady was there washing her hands. Unless Nia was seeing things the elderly womans sniffed the air then grinned broader displaying her yellowing teeth. The girls used the restroom and when Nia came back out the lady was still there looking at her.

  Isabel moved in front of the woman. “Do you have a problem with my friend lady?” she asked. “Oh. Heavens no dear.” she said sweetly then shocked them all by adding.

  “But I do with you guardian!” she shouted shoving Isabel against the bathroom door pushing her up it cutting off her breath.

  Isabel gasped and her feet dangled as Rhea screamed and Nia silenced herself trying hard to get centered. Water shot out of the toilet violently in the open stall and pummeled the old woman’s face. She hissed and dropped Isabel who quickly recovered.

  The old lady charged Isabel and they tumbled into the handicapped stall leaving the door clear. Rhea bolted through it dragging Nia along.

  One look at the girls and Savannah rushed to the bathroom where a loud wail then screeching got everyone’s attention. A man stepped from behind the counter and another came out from the back rolling his neck. Nia froze as things blurred around her, Rhea was tugging her towards the exit as Eric and Avery came rushing in with weapons drawn they got the girls and backed them out the door. Darragh was in with Savannah and Nia could see them sizing up the men as they sped away. Minus two, she was shocked when Isabel moaned from the backseat. Avery was there with her as Eric and Aaron got them as far away from that place as possible.

  “Are we just going to leave them?” Nia asked blinking away tears that were silently cascading down her face.

  Adam was holding Rhea tightly and Aaron moved to the seat in front of Nia and grabbed her hand. “Are you okay?” he asked sending her as much comfort and calm as he could spare.

  “I guess.” He looked behind her then.

  “How is she?” he asked Avery. “She will be okay but she’s healing slowly. I think the blade was poisoned.” Avery said with an even tone.

  She hovered her hands over Isabel’s bloody shoulder. “I’m freaking fine, that stupid old crone was nasty.” Isabel said through clenched teeth.

  “I’ve really done all I can do for now. Nia could do some more and get you functioning. Savannah did teach her a little.” Avery said yawning.

  She scooted away from Isabel and moved her from laying to sitting. Nia turned in her seat and busied herself with doing as much healing as she knew how.

  She reached out to Savannah’s mind, “Are you guys okay?” she asked.

  “Yes.” The response was immediate and she had never been so happy to hear Savannah’s voice in her mind.

  “We are going to track a hunter that got away. We will meet up with y’all later. Don’t worry Nia. This is what we are trained for and you are surrounded by the best.” Savannah assured Nia as much as she could. Satisfied with the response her tension eased and she focused on Isabel until she was too sleepy and drained to continue.

  Eric insisted on driving from here on out, only switching off with Avery. He said he needed Nia in the center of the vehicle for the rest of the trip.

  About a mile back almost everyone had drifted off to sleep. When Nia checked her GPS she was surprised to see they would only need to drive for a little bit tomorrow before they reached their destination. When it began to get dark she put her head up against the window and stared up at the stars.

  By the time she saw the dust flying in front of the suburban they were a good ways onto a dirt road. Eric noticed the curiosity in her eyes.

  “That ranch is close by, not too far, another safe place for us to stay for the night. The others will join us here too.” He informed her.

  She squeezed Aaron’s hand that she’d been holding and he stirred, rubbing his eyes and looking around he stretched and asked Nia, “Where are we?” she smiled and told him where they were headed.

  They were talking about her Aunt Amarie when the brakes screeched and dust and dirt flew up high making their visibility zero.

  “What’s going on?” Nia asked at the same time Rhea did.

  Aaron clenched his jaw he felt every hair stand on end. He had never felt this before but he knew immediately it meant danger. The dust settled slowly as a group of hunters stood menacingly in the center of the road. Eric was silent and pale and Avery cursed.

  Nia felt faint and her head began to throb. “Block your mind Nia, NOW!” Eric practically screamed as Rhea gasped and Adam grabbed Rhea’s hand. Nia focused as much as she could pushing away the throbbing invasion she felt in her brain.

  She focused and imagined her mind had a thick vault door and as soon as she clicked the lock the pressure dissipated. “Aaron I need you to get up here and drive he said moving to Avery’s seat awkwardly. Aaron unfastened his seatbelt and moved to the driver’s seat without question. He was in full guardian mode now.

  “Rhea, Adam get in the seat with Nia, quickly and you need to put your seat belts on.” Isabel ordered.

  They undid their seatbelt and hurried over the seat to get strapped in. Nia grasped Rhea’s hand scared speechless. The men outside were talking to each other and looking in the vehicle but they weren’t close enough to see their faces but Nia was glad for it.

  “I’m getting out and you will take off like last time okay.” Eric said speaking only to Aaron, who nodded gripping the steering wheel.

  “Isabel stay with them and do whatever you have to do but keep her safe.” He said looking at Nia who was overwhelmed with a sense of fear for their entire group.

  There had to be at least ten men and that’s just the ones they could see. Ten or more against two?

  Eric and Avery got off the vehicle quicker than Nia’s eyes could follow.

  Aaron jolted to car to the left and sped away she supposed under Eric’s direction.

  She held tight to her bond with Eric needing to make sure he was okay. They saw a headlight behind them and Nia began to get truly frightened. Rhea was whispering prayers under her breath and Aaron was focused on, no doubt the instructive driving directions he was receiving from Eric.

  She looked back and saw only darkness then the lone headlight came at them from the side.

  “Nia, listen to me. If anything happens you remember you have untapped powers. If this comes down to you protecting yourself everything is a weapon for you. Understand?” Isabel said readying for an impact.

  “Aaron you are going to have to slow for me to jump. I need to take care of the guy on the motorcycle.” Aaron slowed his speed and looked at Isabel in the rearview and nodded. She leapt from the back door and it slammed shut behind her as Nia watched her roll and crouch readying for a fight with both swords drawn.

  Aaron picked up the pace and weaved through fields until they stopped violently getting stuck in mud. Aaron slammed a hand on the steering wheel.

  “Dammit!” he looked at his passengers and looked around frantically, he had three people to protect and very little in the way of skills. He had been taking lessons in his naps on the trip from Darragh while Savannah drove but this wasn’t a dreamscape and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for this. He
could see exceptionally well in the dark and he saw a large pond with an overhanging embankment. He decided that would be a better hiding place than the vehicle. Here they’d be sitting ducks.

  “We are going to run when I say, okay.” He said motioning to the pond. Nia took a deep breath and squeezed Rhea’s hand they were both shaking and Adam was too.

  “Okay let’s do this.” Adam said trying to work up his own courage.

  The four of them bolted from the vehicle Aaron grabbing Nia’s hand and shoving Adam and Rhea to run ahead of them, leaving the doors wide open they headed for the pond, tucking themselves under the embankment.