by T. G. Ayer
No choice, though. Had to work with what I was given.
I focused on the path the feedback energy made for me. With my eyes closed, I sensed the ether, seeing it in a certain way. The ether isn't a visible thing. You can't see it just because you want to. It's always there, around us, between us. But only certain people have the ability to see it such that they have a good understanding of its components.
Even those who can travel through the veil like Saleem, generally won’t see the makeup of what they are moving through. I supposed the ability to see it made me special.
Energy crackled around me, shimmering, sparkling threads of power ebbing and flowing, like a convoluted spider's web leading in a million different directions all at the same time.
This was probably one of the main reasons I came back willingly. It was like swimming in the milky way and being right there among the stars and the galaxies. Sometimes it felt very personal, as if I was invading a private place, but it was always only because it was necessary. I only ever entered the Ether in order to search for someone. Or to practice.
Right now things were a little more serious than mere practice.
I focused, trying to free my mind of any doubts. The calmer I was, the easier the tracking was. Taking a deep breath I focused on the pulsing energy that was Gia Santiani.
And found myself tugged so hard in a completely different direction that I felt a an almost physical jerk against my essence.
Chapter 8
Breathing slowly, I focused on the energy that pulled me along so fast I was unable to stop it without injuring my mind permanently.
Self-preservation and curiosity kept me skating along unfamiliar threads until the strange force lightened its hold on me. Now, finally able to take a breath, I relaxed long enough to sense a familiar presence.
Spinning around I scanned the Ether, the pure blackness of the plane, the sparkling threads of life connecting essences with their souls. The likelihood of bumping into another SoulTracker in the Ether was slim. But, I was in luck.
Or not.
A spot to my right bulged against blackness, the area distinctly more gray and smoky than the rest of the darkness around me. I squinted at the hazy figure, even though squinting really didn’t work in this plane.
Tempted as I was to glide closer, I maintained sufficient awareness of the dangers lurking within the Ether. Trackers have gone missing far too many times for us to be complacent. One of the first rules of soultracking.
But I got the sense that I knew the owner of this disturbance. Some instinct within me assured me the presence was safe, allowed me to edge closer until I no longer needed to squint.
Within the haze, a familiar face formed, high cheekbones, rich brown skin, stunningly green eyes, my mind and heart placing a recognizable form on an intangible essence.
Samuel Fontaine. Master Teleporter. Mentor.
The last time I’d spoken to Sam-Sam was when I’d left him behind in Dastra, the demon plane.
I’d gone in to save Samantha Martin, a young mind-mage of extraordinary power, abducted by the demons. I’d run into Samuel there, in the last place I’d ever thought I’d see him, but being able to talk to him, to see his face filled with light and expression, however strained, had made me forget the reality.
Because in real life Samuel sat in his bedroom, a mere vegetable, his body fading away while his mind traveled who knew where.
For now, he was here in the ether, but for how much longer?
“Samuel?”
My throat tightened even though I only spoke the words in my mind.
A strained smile curved his lips. “We have little time, Melisande.” The urgency in his voice was amplified by the use of my full name and the expression on his face; frustrated, almost desperate. And angry.
And Samuel Fontaine never got angry.
My stomach hardened but his next words made me forget my own discomfort. “I was duped. I fell for it like a fool, Mel.”
“What happened?” I asked, all thoughts of Gia Santiani gone from my mind.
Samuel shook his head casting off fine wisps of shimmering light. “Too much to go into now. I was tricked and you need to know the truth.”
I shifted closer but before I could urge him to tell me what this truth was, my vision of Samuel faded into nothing. I grabbed hold of Samuel’s thread and skimmed along it, no thought to what waited for me at his location. All I could think of was Samuel was in trouble and I had to do everything possible to help him.
I came to a halt so suddenly that I lost control as I popped out of the ether and landed on my back on a hard-packed bare floor. I had no time to flail around. Rolling over, I sprang to my feet recognizing the iron walls of what had been Samantha’s prison in Dastra.
I was back in the demon plane.
Where I’d left Samuel to do whatever it was that had kept him from the land of the living all these years. The mysterious woman, who he’d referenced in conversations but never named, must have some kind of hold on him.
A quick glance around the room revealed two bodies. Demons, their amber skin gleaming with tattoos and blood, a convoluted mess of black lines. The thin black lines across their throats told of the power of their killer to make such clean incisions.
Concentrating on what could have inflicted such injuries on them, I didn’t register movement behind me until something solid slammed into the back of my head. The blow had minimal impact since it was only my projection he could see but the fact that he could physically affect my astral self terrified me.
I spun around putting distance between myself and the demon, and was surprised to see my attacker clutching his throat, black blood spilling through his fingers. His physical aura was strong, filled with magic which made sense as to why he’d been able to impact my astral projection. Someone had taught him well.
He stared at me, desperation widening his eyes and I drew closer. Reaching out to me, he curled bloodied fingers beckoning me. I obeyed, though with much more care, having already learnt my lesson.
He grunted, coughed as he tried to clear his throat to speak. “She betrayed us.” He gurgled the words through the blood pooling in his throat. As he laughed I raised my eyebrows. “So stupid . . . supposed to use her . . . but-”
He fell to the floor before speaking another word. Giving him a wary glance, I scanned the room again for any sign of Samuel.
Nothing.
I flitted out of the cell, down halls and into rooms ruined by the explosions I’d set off on my last visit. I was surprised the place was still occupied as the bombs we’d set off had destroyed much of the building.
A quick scan of the building revealed more dead bodies and not a sign of Samuel.
Despite my frustration I knew it was a waste of time sticking around to look for him. He’d managed to sidetrack me once in the ether.
He’d do it again if he needed to.
I re-centered my mind and tethered myself to Gia’s feedback, following along the shimmering weblines, tracing the thread across the vast expanse of the ether.
The Ethereal plane was much larger than one would expect. Of course, it made perfect sense considering it housed the living energy of all the souls in all the realms. It was a universe all on its own and that's what I found incredibly beautiful.
I skimmed along the feedback thread lightning fast only slowing down as I reached the edge of the ether where the energy strengthened as it slipped through the Veil and into our plane. I blinked as I recognized my surroundings.
Gia's bedroom.
I hesitated then noticed a hump beneath the bedclothes. Someone was sleeping in Gia's bed? Gliding forward, I frowned. Not Gia.
Gina, fast asleep. A second glance around the room confirmed this wasn't Gia's bedroom. Gina's room was decorated in a similar fashion, but the darkness and moonlight stripped away the colors leaving a multitude of grays.
What the heck was going on?
My surprise threw me straight out of the proj
ection and back onto my couch.
I must have gasped or revealed my surprise in some way because Drake was kneeling beside me so close that when I sat up my forehead cracked hard into his cheekbone.
"Ouch." I rubbed my forehead suppressing a few swear words. "Damn it, Drake. Your bones are like freaking iron."
He shrugged. "Gargoyle." I made a face. He sat back. "What happened?"
"I must be tired. I was just surprised about where I ended up. Lost my concentration."
Drake scowled. "I'm assuming that's not a good thing?"
"Nope."
"So where did you end up?"
Still rubbing my forehead I said, "Gina's bedroom."
"No shit."
I sighed. "No clue why it took me there, but that's what I saw."
"Try again."
"Yes, sir."
Drake pursed his lips as I sank back and followed the feedback again. This time I didn't waste a second, just sped along and popped out the other end. The space was dark, but warm. The sound of water slapping against rocks drifted to me. Heated moisture filled the air. Hot tub? I'd seen one beside the swimming pool on Santiani's patio.
Squinting, I recognized the figure sitting chest deep in the water. The haunted look in Santiani's eyes troubled me, but why had I ended up with him?
I had no problem admitting how confused I was.
Why would the feedback lead me here? It seemed to be taking me to places Gia had inhabited, rather than to the actual site of her body. Dead or alive, the feedback usually took me to the body of the missing person. Not to the people who were searching for her.
Something was very wrong.
I opened my eyes to find Drake pacing. He rushed to my side. "What happened? You didn't look like you were too successful."
I didn't even bother to roll my eyes. Shaking my head, I looked at the strand of hair still clutched within my fist. "I have no idea what is going on." I sighed and dropped the hair onto the coffee table. "I need to go there."
"You're not going there alone, that's for sure."
"I'm perfectly capable."
"Yeah. Perfectly capable of bleeding your brains out all over Santiani’s front steps."
"Don't be so dramatic."
"It's been happening too often, Mel. I think even Samuel would agree with me. You need to take precautions."
My eyes widened. Drake was using Samuel against me? Drake who didn't think I should visit Samuel? Drake who thought Samuel, my mentor, had manipulated me. The same Drake who I’d never tell about Samuel’s dangerous attempt at contact in the ether.
He must be worried.
"Look, I'm fine. I really am. I'd know if something was wrong with me."
"Mel, I know you all too well. You wouldn't tell me if you were ill because you know I'd stop you from jumping."
I grinned. "It's not stopping you now is it, gargoyle?"
Drake grunted. "You want to check the place out? Let us go together. No jumping. Not yet. And especially not when a mere loss of concentration can kick you right out of a projection. Amali knows what would happen if you have to fight someone off."
"I'm not an infant, Drake. I can take care of myself."
He straightened. "I'm well aware of that. I'm just concerned you’ll teleport somewhere and be unable to get home because you're not up to it physically." He turned and headed for the threshold. "I'll drive you there. You do your thing. I think it's best if you keep your jumps to necessity, rather than convenience. Just until we can figure out what’s going on with you."
I opened my mouth. Then closed it on my comment. How could I respond to that without making myself look petulant and immature? Especially when he was right.
I sighed and got to my feet. "Fine. If it makes you feel better, we'll do it your way."
He was already heading for the door.
Chapter 9
I had to admit that riding out to the Glades on the back of a motorcycle was a much better experience than teleporting.
Kind of.
I had the wind in my hair because I refused to use a helmet. Drake used to give me a real hard time about my refusal to wear the helmet, but I'd convinced him I was fully capable of jumping in case of an accident. I'd never hit the ground. What I didn't tell him was the helmet made me feel claustrophobic. That something about its closeness to my face, the feel of the leather against my skull, being enclosed inside the helmet felt like being inside a coffin.
Like I was suffocating.
Now, with the air pummeling my skin, even with almost being unable to breathe, I felt alive.
I may have to trade the truck in for a motorbike.
Drake skidded to a stop in front of the gates to the Santiani mansion and I pressed the intercom button. The gates began to open before I could say a word, confirming the security must include a camera covering the gate. That would be of greater help if they kept the tapes.
Drake rounded the drive and stopped in front of the steps. Taking off his helmet he said, "Camera at the gates."
I saluted him with a finger to my forehead. "Exactly what I was thinking." I jumped off the bike just as the front door opened. Marshall stood in the threshold his expression one of patience, and what looked like relief. I must be seeing things.
Drake toed the kickstand and settled the bike into place before alighting and following me up the stairs.
"Ms Morgan. How nice to see you again so soon."
"Hi," I said giving him a warm smile. "I need to have a look at the place again. Especially Gia's bedroom, and the pool area. And I think Gina's room as well."
Marshall's eyebrows rose. He didn't have to speak to say that was going to be a tough ask. He dipped his head. "Mr Santiani has given explicit instruction that you will have the property at your disposal. There is nowhere you cannot go except for the security safe. For that Mr Santiani will have to be present."
"Thanks Marshall. Appreciate it."
I stepped away, studying the entry hall.
When Marshall reached for Drake’s helmet he refused to let go. As the two men held a mini tug of war for the helmet I shook my head and glared at Drake.
"He's not going to steal it, Drake."
At last the gargoyle let go and took a step toward me.
"And neither will I put it up on eBay." Marshall spoke in soft, respectful tones as he turned on his heel and walked off, leaving Drake staring after him his expression contemplative, somewhere between amused and not wanting to show it, and concerned Marshall may be logging into his eBay account this second.
"Come on." I tugged his sleeve. "You’re the one who insisted on coming, so follow me."
He grunted but said nothing, just followed in silence as I headed up the stairs. The hallway was dark except for two hall lights flickering like torches. I headed to Gia's bedroom and opened the door. Drake followed me inside and I jerked my head at the door. He obeyed and closed it softly. A quick scan of the room and it appeared untouched, exactly the way I'd found it earlier today.
"Thought you said the feedback took you to Gina?"
I nodded, placing a finger on my lips.
Drake nodded too, understanding my intent. I straightened and closed my eyes, projecting directly into the room opposite the hall. As I'd suspected, it belonged to Gina. Which meant she'd at least be aware of her sister's comings and goings.
I inspected the room slowly, starting with the bed. A rounded shadow in the center of the bed, shifted and turned.
Gina.
Satisfied she was asleep I scanned the rest of the room. Nothing untoward stood out to me. As I did a second sweep, a face loomed in front of mine so suddenly I almost shrieked with shock.
Gina was right in front of me, her face inches from mine. She stared straight at me and for a moment I was convinced she could see my projected essence.
But when she blinked and her eyes refocused, I could tell she was looking right through me. But it was enough to convince me to retreat. Holding my breath I returned to my body and s
ucked in in a soft shocked breath.
"What happened? Drake whispered, making me jump.
"What the-" I muttered, unable to hold back the shock.
"Why are you so jumpy?"
"Because Gina just scared the living shit out of me."
"What happened?"
"She just appeared out of nowhere. Right in front of me."
"Sounds like a horror movie."
"Damn straight it does."
"And she scared you." He sounded amused.
I ignored him. "She looked like she knew I was there. At first I thought she'd seen me but she hadn't. That doesn't mean she wasn't looking for me." I shook my head.
"How would she have known you were there?"
"Maybe she has the sight? Maybe she's a mage? Some humans have partial powers." I shrugged, not wanting to contemplate what other possibilities there were to consider.
Drake stiffened then turned on his heel and headed for the door. He bent and placed an ear against the door remaining still for a few moments. Then he lifted his head and gave me a nod. All clear. But that didn't mean it would remain that way.
It wasn't as if I was afraid of Gina, or concerned for her. I just didn't want to tread on the wrong toes. Not just yet. Gina was a possible witness. She was also a possible suspect.
I headed to the balcony door, beckoning Drake to follow me. The last thing I wanted was to use the hallway to go back downstairs and end up running into Gina.
I needed time to figure out how I felt about her.
We hurried down the stairs and I made my way to the pool, edging along the glittering mosaic tiles toward the now empty hot tub. I walked slowly toward it, inspecting the ground and the tiles for anything that could belong to Gia. Perhaps a strand of hair, maybe a drop of blood. Anything that would explain why her feedback had brought me here.