Whispers From the Past

by L. S. O'Dea

  Verly moved toward her. She struggled not to run and hide behind Gaar.

  “My dear, Trinity.” Verly hugged her and then pulled back, grabbing both of her hands. “I have watched you for so long and I’m glad we finally met.”

  The Forest Witch’s eyes seemed to draw her forward to another place. She was no longer standing on the shore but in a forest of shadow and mist. Possibilities hid behind every bush, all of them tempting her with promises of happiness, safety, and love. The mist vined around her legs, pulling her into darkness. She tried to grab onto something—a tree, a branch, anything—but it was all made from fog, slipping through her fingers as she fell. She clawed at the ground, trying to find purchase because if she went into that darkness, she’d never return. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing but a puff of smoke came out. Her hand clasped onto something. It was warm and solid. Safe. She grabbed it with her other hand, clinging for her life. She tried to sit up but the vines wrapped over her legs and around her body, growing over her—cocooning her in cold and darkness. She was trapped, unable to move. A bird sang in a tree above her. It was Chirps, the little crow she’d nursed back to health years ago. A ray of sun shone down, highlighting his dark feathers and making them shimmer blue. Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She unclenched her hands, letting go of whatever she held and then she was back on shore, standing in front of the Forest Witch.

  “You did well, my dear.” Verly smiled at her and gave her a quick hug. “Now, heed my advice.” She clasped Trinity’s arm and escorted her toward the boat.

  The others followed.

  “What advice?” She stumbled after Verly.

  “The advice I showed you.” Verly dropped her hold and strode away.

  “What does it mean?” She called out but Verly ignored her.

  “Crazy witch,” mumbled Gaar as he climbed onto the boat.

  She stared after the Forest Witch.

  “Come. Time go.” Mirra tugged on her arm and she followed the Tracker onto the canoe, Hugh and Travis behind them.

  Hugh was forced to take the seat directly in front of hers since Gaar had taken the front and Travis the back. He faced away from her his back stiff. He didn’t want to talk and that was fine with her. She didn’t want to talk either. She had other things to do like figure out what the Forest Witch’s message meant.

  CHAPTER 36: TRINITY

  TRINITY HAD GIVEN up trying to decipher her vision hours ago. Every time she thought about it she broke out in a cold sweat. She’d been so helpless, trapped. It made no sense. What did Chirps have to do with anything? Once again, Verly had given her more questions than answers.

  Her eyes roamed over Hugh’s back. He was drenched in sweat and had just handed the oars to Travis. The two of them had been taking turns rowing with Gaar. She’d offered to help but all the males had ignored her. He continued to stare straight ahead, like the last ten times he’d taken a break. Travis would turn and talk to her but not Hugh. She’d messed up bad this time and wasn’t sure how to fix it.

  “Mirra,” said Hugh, turning and keeping his eyes on the Tracker. “May I ask you some questions about your pregnancy?”

  “Babies dead. No more say.”

  There was a hollowness in Mirra’s voice and demeanor that scared her. She ran her hand down Mirra’s arm in a comforting caress. “He might be able to help next time.” She glanced at Hugh but he refused to meet her gaze. She missed him—his friendship and even his teasing. She wanted to make it better between them but she had no idea how to do that. She’d hurt him and she couldn’t undo it.

  Mirra stared out over the water. Hugh glanced at Gaar and he shrugged as if to say there was nothing to lose.

  “When did you first start having pains or think something was wrong?” asked Hugh.

  Mirra didn’t answer for a long time, but finally she said, “Babies move lot. Then move little. Then move no more.”

  She rested her head on the Tracker’s back. That must’ve been terrifying for Mirra.

  “Do you remember when they started to move less?” Hugh’s voice was soft and comforting.

  Mirra shrugged. “Many days ago. Weeks maybe.”

  He nodded.

  “Do you know what’s going wrong?” She could tell he suspected something.

  Other than a slight tightening around his mouth, he ignored her. “Was it the same as the time before?”

  She crossed her arms over his chest. She was only trying to help. He could be mad at her, hate her even, but he didn’t have to be such a jerk.

  “Before no pain. No blood. Only dead babies.” Mirra’s voice was barely a whisper on the wind, but Hugh must’ve heard.

  “You didn’t notice them not moving that time?”

  Mirra turned and stared at him, her expression thoughtful. “Yes. Babies no move first time.”

  He nodded and ran his hand through his hair. It fell across his forehead and her fingers itched to brush it back, but she’d lost that right. She’d thrown it away for a few kisses from a boy who’d only existed in her dreams.

  “Did Sikka have the same issues?”

  Mirra nodded. “What wrong? Why Tracker babies die? Trackers strong. Why babies weak?”

  He grasped her paw. Mirra’s eyes narrowed. He paled, staring at his hand as if he hadn’t realized he’d touched the Tracker. He let go and Mirra’s expression eased a bit.

  Trinity bit her lip to keep from smirking. Served him right.

  “I may be able to help you have healthy babies,” he said.

  “Really?” asked Gaar.

  “That’s wonderful. How?” She leaned forward, her knee bumping against his.

  His lips thinned and he shifted away.

  “You no trick Mirra. Mirra no like trick.”

  “I promise. I wouldn’t do that. I’m sorry about your babies and I want to help.”

  Mirra glanced at Gaar and he nodded.

  “You can trust Hugh.” She squeezed the Tracker’s paw.

  Hugh shot her a disgusted look.

  “I’m only trying to help.” She couldn’t stay quiet another minute.

  “I don’t need your help.”

  Now, she wished he wasn’t looking at her. His disinterest was better than his anger.

  “How you help?” Mirra’s tone was cautious as her eyes darted between the two of them.

  “Let me get back to camp and look at some of the notes from my experiments.”

  “Mirra no be experiment. Mirra no be caged. You no take blood.” The fur on the Tracker’s back raised and her lips twitched, showing her teeth.

  “No. No cage.” Hugh leaned back, shaking the canoe in his haste. “And I don’t need any more blood.” He glanced at Gaar who tipped his head slightly. If Hugh did need blood, Gaar would get it for him. “I already ran some experiments in the lab.” He took a deep breath. “I would never experiment on you.”

  The hair on Mirra’s back lowered and she turned to stare out over the water again. Hugh started to say something and shut his mouth. Even he understood it was time to drop the subject.

  The rest of the trip was silent. She snuggled against the Tracker, sharing comfort in their misery. When they arrived on shore, Gaar hid the canoe in the weeds and Mirra took off into the forest.

  “Stay close.” Gaar yelled after the disappearing Tracker.

  “She’ll be fine. She’s doing much better physically.” She touched Gaar’s hand. This had been hard on him too.

  “She doesn’t have many years left to have offspring.”

  Say burst from the bushes, stopping a few feet from her. He dropped a shiny black stone near her feet and darted back into the brush.

  “Thank you, Say. It’s good to see you too.” She bent and picked up the rock, slipping it into her pocket.

  “You and your friends.” Gaar shook his head.

  “He’s okay. A little odd, but okay.”

  “A little?” Gaar’s eyebrows shot upward. “That’s like saying Mirra’s a little dangerous.
”

  She sent Gaar a half-smile and her eyes caught Hugh’s. He turned his head, but there’d been something in his face besides sorrow. Had it been amusement, longing? She wasn’t sure but she felt a little better as the group followed Gaar into the forest. Maybe, they could repair their relationship. They may never be mates, but she couldn’t imagine her life without him as a friend. She had a lot of apologizing to do, but no matter what, she didn’t want him to hurt.

  They traveled for hours. Gaar kept the pace slow, stopping several times to survey the area ahead. Apparently, Jethro and his Guards had been scouring the forest for her. As much as Verly annoyed her, she owed the witch her gratitude. She wouldn’t have escaped without the Forest Witch’s help. Jethro had to be furious with her and although part of her didn’t care, another part couldn’t forget the hurt in his eyes when he’d realized what she’d done, but it was nothing compared to the pain in Hugh’s eyes. If only she could go back and undo everything. Go back to the night before she’d discovered Hugh’s lies.

  Gaar stopped. They were almost at the war camp, but something was wrong. Gaar had his head back and was sniffing. She did the same. She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hadn’t been paying attention and that could be deadly.

  “Wait here,” he whispered and disappeared into the brush.

  She leaned against a tree, more than used to following his commands.

  “He’ll get over it.” Travis rested his hand on the branch above her head and glanced at Hugh who stood several feet away, facing the other direction.

  “I’m not so sure.” She shifted so she couldn’t see Hugh. If he were visible, her eyes seemed to find him no matter how much her brain told them not to look.

  Travis leaned down so his lips were almost touching her ear. “He’s in love with you. He’ll forgive you.”

  “I don’t think he loves me anymore.”

  Travis leaned back, smiling smugly and tipping his head slightly in Hugh’s direction. She turned and caught Hugh glaring at them before he quickly looked away.

  Travis leaned in again but not as close this time. “He can’t keep his eyes off you.”

  Hugh had been jealous. She wanted to throw her arms around Travis and kiss him, but after what had happened with Jethro that probably wasn’t the smartest idea in the world. So instead, she whispered, “Thank you.”

  “The camp’s surrounded,” said Gaar as he stepped out of the brush.

  “By who?” asked Hugh.

  “The Almightys’ Guards. I counted at least thirty of them.”

  “Shit.” Hugh ran his hand through his hair.

  “Our troops can handle thirty Guards.” The war camp was full of Guards, Servants, and Producers and they all knew how to fight.

  “Yes, if they were here.” Hugh’s words were clipped. “Almost everyone is gone. Out looking for you.”

  Her heart dropped to her feet. Whoever was at camp would be captured because of her.

  “It’s my fault.” Travis moved a little closer to her. “I was the one who disobeyed. If I hadn’t gone—”

  “Yes, you disobeyed, but so did she,” said Hugh.

  “I...I didn’t mean...”

  “You never mean to cause any of the messes that you do. Your problem is, you don’t think.” He turned toward Gaar, dismissing her. “Can we get closer?”

  “Yeah. Follow me, but stay quiet.”

  “I can’t be quiet and move as fast as you guys. I’ll catch up,” said Travis.

  She and Gaar nodded their agreement and slipped into the brush, followed by Hugh. Knowing your weaknesses was as important as knowing your strengths. It looked like Travis finally understood that lesson. She sidled up near Gaar. Her heart caught in her throat. Jethro stood in the center of the camp, while a few of his Guards moved from tent to tent, searching.

  “Trinity isn’t here.” Kim was outside Jackson’s tent.

  “I think I’m going to check for myself.” He walked over to his sister, peering down at her. “I can’t really take your word for it anymore, can I?”

  “Me? You’re questioning me and my loyalties? You stabbed Jackson.”

  “I didn’t mean to do that.” His face paled as he glanced at Jackson who stood in the yard surrounded by three Guards. Jackson had a swollen eye, a bloody lip and a bandage around his torso.

  “I know,” said Jackson. “But don’t do anything else you’re going to regret. Stop this before someone gets killed.”

  “Jackson’s swollen eye and lip are new.” Hugh’s whisper was almost a hiss.

  “Don’t worry.” Jethro smiled, but his jaw was clenched. “I’ve changed my mind about killing Hugh.”

  She glanced at Hugh, but he remained focused on the camp. She had no doubt that Jethro had planned on killing Hugh because of her and what she’d done. Her hands trembled as her claws extended. She wouldn’t let that happen, ever.

  “That’s great,” mocked Kim. “Now, all you need to do is change your mind about capturing Trinity and we can all go back to being friends.” Her arms were crossed over her chest and her foot tapped the ground. She was pissed and her brother would be sorry if he turned his back on her.

  “That, my dear sister, I cannot do.” His smile grew wider. “A man has his pride.”

  “Oh please. You men and your pride.” Kim grabbed his hand. “You were holding her prisoner. She was scared. She did what she had to do. You know that. Please, leave her alone.”

  Jethro’s face relaxed for a second and then hardened again. “No.”

  “If you can forgive Hugh, you can forgive her.” Kim kept a tight hold on his hand as he tried to pull free. “You were friends once. She saved your life.”

  “Forgive Hugh?” He leaned down by his sister and his words were hard and cold. “I...will...never...forgive Hugh.”

  Kim dropped his hand. “But you said...”

  “I said I wouldn’t kill him and I won’t. I made a promise to Mom.” He smiled again. “But guess what? Mom doesn’t care what happens to Trinity, so she’s mine.”

  “I don’t understand.” Kim’s brow wrinkled. She looked at Jethro and then Jackson. The Guard looked away.

  “He didn’t tell you?” Jethro laughed. “Jackson had to hear Mom. She kept screaming it while I was beating the crap out of Hugh.”

  That explained the bruises on Hugh’s face.

  “Jackson, what’s he talking about?” asked Kim.

  Trinity kept glancing from the camp to Hugh. His face was like stone. Whatever the news was he wasn’t happy about it.

  Jethro put his arm around Kim’s shoulder. “Well, big sister, we have another member in our little family.”

  Kim looked at him, confused.

  “Hugh’s our big brother, half-brother, but”— Jethro sighed dramatically—“still our brother and Mom really doesn’t want me hurting him...again.”

  Kim’s face paled and she looked at Jackson, who was shaking his head. “You knew and you didn’t tell me.” She stormed over to the Guard.

  “It wasn’t my place. I shouldn’t know but I overheard and I’m sure Hugh would’ve told you but he left and...”

  Kim went to shove him, but stopped, her hands inches from his bandaged torso. “You’re going to pay for that.”

  “I’m at your mercy.” Jackson hung his head, a slight smile on his lips.

  “Oh, stop it,” said Jethro. “You both make me sick. Go mate and leave the rest of us in peace.”

  A few of the Guards chuckled. Kim blushed and Jackson sent Jethro a warning look. Apparently, Jackson and Kim were back together and that was great, but what was this about Hugh being related to the Remores? It seemed he was keeping a lot of secrets from her. He had to understand that this disagreement of theirs wasn’t entirely her fault. She looked back at Jethro and her chest constricted. She was wrong. This mess was her fault, no one else’s.

  Jethro’s Guards finished searching the tents.

  “She’s not here,” said Indy, walking over to Jeth
ro.

  “Then we wait.”

  Indy leaned closer to Jethro, whispering. She and Gaar shifted forward to catch his words.

  “We don’t want to be here when their troops get back,” said Indy.

  “I agree.” Jethro took a step away from his Guard and turned toward the House Servants, Guards and Producers who were huddled in a group. “It looks like you folks get to take a little trip.” He nodded at his Guards. “Tie their hands. I’ll add them to my collection of prisoners in the Warehouse district.”

  “Jethro, don’t do this,” said Kim.

  One of his Guards walked toward her.

  “Jethro, take your sister home,” yelled Jackson as he struggled with two Guards.

  “Leave her”—Jethro pointed to Jackson—“and him. They can let Hugh and the others know what’s happened.” He stared at Jackson. “Tell Hugh that I’ll give him every prisoner I have, including the Producers from my camps in exchange for Trinity.”

  The blood drained from her face. She could free them all. She glanced at Hugh, but he was gone. Panic gripped her and then she saw him. He was making his way through the brush toward the back of camp.

  CHAPTER 37: TRINITY

  TRINITY MOVED FORWARD but Gaar grabbed her arm.

  “Watch, wait,” he whispered.

  She repeated the old mantra in her head. It stilled her body, but not her heart.

  Hugh continued on his path and then stepped out of the bushes at the back of the camp. “Tell me yourself.”

  Jethro turned, his eyes narrowing as a false smile spread across his face. “Hugh, my brother.”

  Two of Jethro’s Guards grabbed Hugh and escorted him to the center of camp

  “So, where is she?” Jethro looked around.

  “I don’t know. What did you do with her? You had her last.” Hugh’s face was hard with anger.

  “Oh, I had her last all right.” Jethro’s eyes gleamed. “But do you really want me to tell you everything I did with her?”

  Trinity covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a gasp. He wouldn’t. They didn’t. Gaar’s hand landed on her shoulder, keeping her from moving.

  Hugh burst free from the unsuspecting Guards and lunged at Jethro. The boy dodged, but Hugh’s fist grazed Jethro’s jaw before the Guards tossed Hugh to the ground, punching and kicking him.