“Speaking of Ju Hai, I better hash this out with her now.”
He gave me a penetrating look. “Are you sure you’re up for this? You’ve already pushed yourself so hard tonight. Couldn’t we just call her?” He nodded to the landline telephone at the center of the table.
I shook my head with a determined expression. “I need to have this conversation with her via Spirit. To make sure she tells me the whole truth, and to make sure nobody else is manipulating her.”
Realization lit in his eyes. “Like your father.”
“Or Riku. Or any other Mindbender here that we don’t know from Adam—or Hikaru, to use Elemental lingo.”
The other three exchanged glances, with Dia being the one to speak up. “What do we do if she does lie to you, or if she is being manipulated?”
I bared my teeth in an expression more suited to that fox-faced kitsune on the Mindbenders’ door. “Then we fight our way out of here or die trying.” Or to be more accurate, I went kamikaze to give them a fighting chance at freedom. Because I would so not be up to fighting past an undetermined number of Mindbenders. Hell, after the night I’d had, I wouldn’t even be able to make it past just Riku and Colin after I got done speaking with Ju Hai.
Dia echoed my smile with a fierce grin of her own. “All right then, Firebird; I just wanted to be sure you hadn’t lost your edge.”
“As if.” I leaned back in my chair and glanced at Jake. “I’m not sure how long this will take, since it will be the greatest distance I’ve attempted to communicate like this. I don’t think my father will be dumb enough to strike out against me after how hard I kicked his ass earlier, so the biggest danger I face should be overexertion.”
He gave a grim nod. “If you look like you’re about to collapse, I’ll shake you out of it.”
“Good,” I replied, and then shut my eyes to meditate for a few moments. Once I felt ready, I engaged Elemental vision, sought the nearest band of Spirit, firmly fixed Ju Hai’s face and psychic presence in my mind, and made the mental leap of faith…
It took long, tense moments of zipping through glittering darkness until my psychic presence burst out of the thread of Spirit closest to Ju Hai. She must have expected me, because she sat alone in the middle of the ceremonial circle where I’d so recently spoken my oaths as liegelord. Her legs were crossed, and she held a relaxed yoga pose, with eyes closed and a peaceful expression on her face. Even now, in the wee hours of the predawn morning, she appeared fresh and unruffled. Very much my polar opposite.
Her eyes flashed open, and she focused immediately on the band of Spirit from which my presence had just appeared. That had me wanting to clench my teeth and fists in the real world. She’d never been in danger that day when my Spirit-infused firewall had nearly burned Breena and Ju Hai to death as I’d believed.
She was the first to break the heavy silence between us. ((Good evening, Cassidy.))
((Ju Hai,)) I acknowledged without prettying things up with social niceties. ((I see your manipulation of circumstances continues apace.))
Her lips twisted ruefully. ((I deserve that barb, but I won’t apologize for anything I’ve done. It’s all been necessary.))
((Necessary for the greater good?)) I sarcastically queried.
((Exactly.)) She leaned elbows on knees and took a single deep breath. ((Riku said you found Colin and he told you the truth behind Hikaru’s Own.))
((He also told me that you’d confirm his words. But can you explain any of this insanity in a way that I understand? In a way where I’ll ever be able to trust you again? In a way where Jake will be able to trust his twin brother or aunt again?))
That barb struck more closely to home, and Ju Hai looked more properly abashed. Not that she went so far as to apologize. ((I do confirm that Riku is my brother, and that he and I assumed control of Hikaru’s Own after our father sacrificed himself to stop our grandmother’s insanity. Before Father’s time, it was known as Imani’s Own. We took it from the straightforward honor guard it had always been to an organization that brings together all who have the ability to channel even a drop of Spirit. To train them in how to use their abilities and, more importantly, pledge themselves to use that power for good and not evil.))
((That all sounds very noble, Ju Hai, but it doesn’t explain why you’ve kept it a secret these not just decades, but centuries. Why hide in the shadows rather than informing the Beholden Clans and Freeholders of your organization? And you obviously don’t find all Mindbenders. Case in point: my father and me.))
She inclined her head. ((We do not, but no person or entity is infallible. And we do place at least one of our number with each Clan and Chapter. We work from the shadows because so do those like your father and Yukari. It’s often nearly too late to stop them as it is. If they knew to watch for us? It would be that much worse.))
I chewed on her words for a moment. She seemed sincere, and I didn’t sense any falsehood. That didn’t make her right, but it did seem to make her truthful.
((Why did you not come to me before now? Why all this cloak-and-dagger routine?))
((Because of my visions, Cassidy. They Foretold disaster if I came to you more directly. You are to be the Elemental world’s greatest weapon against this threat posed by your father and brother. And like any weapon, you must be forged from flame. The challenges you have faced—and overcome—have made you what you are. They have tempered you like fine steel. It is not my place to deny you that tempering.))
How very sensei-like she sounds. It reminded me way too much of Yoda training Luke on Dagobah. Sorry young Padawan, you have to walk uphill to Jedi school in the snow both ways just like I did. I mentally rolled my eyes, although some of her words struck a chord. I did feel as though my abilities had been tempered like fine steel in the challenges I’d lately faced. That old saying What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger existed for a reason.
((You speak of tempering and so, too, did your brother mention testing. He claimed you said I’ll need Hikaru’s Own as much as I need the Beholden and Freeholders to face my father.))
She nodded, a thoughtful expression replacing former serenity. ((My visions reveal that your father has been augmenting his forces more quickly than you have your own. He is consolidating not just the Stalkers who he pretended to be one of, but also many Elementals who eschew both Clan and Chapter.))
That grim pronouncement had me mentally shuddering. ((So this test I am to face?))
She shrugged. ((Riku is Marshal of Hikaru’s Own. Your test will be his to devise. I made my choice to remain part of Clan Zi centuries ago, just as he chose to remain in the shadows.))
((Which reminds me. How have you managed to keep his existence secret all these years?))
((Everyone believes he perished with our father. And Hikaru’s Own ostensibly disbanded with my grandmother’s defeat, as it appears to do each time a pure Mindbender is defeated.))
((But this time you gave the group a more active role?))
((Indeed. Why should one person bear the burden that our father bore? And what better way to help spread the burden than by bringing together everyone blessed by the fifth element? It also decreases the risk that any of them will attempt to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps.))
((This still doesn’t explain why you felt it was okay to lie to Jake—and to your own Quatrain—about Colin’s death. Why did you let us flounder our way through the search for Colin when you could have just told us where to look the whole time? We never would have known it hadn’t come from one of your Foretellings.))
She merely arched an elegant brow, leaving me to groan at my own obtuseness. “That was part of my test.”
Her eyes began to sparkle with amusement, cementing my impression of her playing inscrutable Jedi to my exasperated Padawan.
((You keep speaking of these terrible visions of dire futures you’ve seen. No offense, but I’m not exactly in a rush to take everything you say on faith. Especially not when you’re always so vague.))
((Now Ju Hai, really. Have I ever struck you as faint of heart?))
((When you put it that way, I suppose not.)) She gestured and a small, circular pool of water flowed up from the ground below her. Sapphire light flashed in the air around her. ((Continue channeling Spirit while you look into the water. This will drain your energy even more quickly than just communicating with me, so I’m not sure how much you’ll be able to see.))
((Just do it.))
She nodded and brilliant blue light flared again, touched with glittering black bands of Spirit. I drew in even more glittering black threads and stared intently into the serene pool. Scenes every bit as terrible as she’d warned began etching themselves into my mind. Garrett learned how to forcibly bond liegesworn without emotional blackmail, and together he and Dorian bound all of the St. Louis Freeholders as their minions. Our Clan was no match for them, even augmented by Hikaru’s Own. Every single person I loved was either killed horribly or bonded against their will. Eventually, only my siblings, Bianca, and I were free; but then her children were stolen and we sacrificed ourselves to save them. And of course, that was the missing puzzle piece that let Garrett take over the entire human world as well as the Elemental.
That scene flashed into a second where I struck out against Dorian and killed him permanently, only to find that Garrett deliberately sacrificed his former ally to draw me into a trap. He had forced Nic to take my parents hostage in exchange for his own parents, which meant the only way for me to save my parents was to give myself up to Garrett. Again, I saw him use my unique abilities to conquer both the Elemental and human worlds.
A dozen more scenes flashed by, each filled with blood and betrayal and sacrifice. Every few scenes would end slightly more positively; each of those spun out from Ju Hai’s decision to keep the things she’d chosen to keep secret from those who would view her actions as a betrayal. Reluctantly, I began to understand why she’d chosen to walk that path anyway. Every scene played out in ugly, bloody Technicolor; with the darkest visions always showing Garrett and Drew cutting down most if not all of my loved ones to get to my siblings and me.
Ju Hai was right that her sharing those visions with me would wipe me out quickly. Exhaustion tugged at me from the physical world, and a flood of disorientation hit. There were still so many unanswered questions I needed to ask her. But time halted its annoying flow for no Phoenix, and it was past time for me to go.
((We’re going to have a much longer chat in person after I ace this test,)) I promised with steel coloring my tone.
She inclined her head regally, but any response she might have verbalized was lost as my psychic presence began hurtling back across the hundreds of miles it had earlier travelled until wham! I slammed back into my body with sickening force.
Chapter 15
My eyes snapped open, and I nearly lost the contents of my stomach thanks to severe vertigo. Jake’s worried gaze met mine, but his body relaxed when I managed a sickly smile. Biting back the threatening bile took a tremendous amount of will. Good thing I’d done so much tempering like fine steel, as Ju Hai had put it.
The others eyed me with nervous anticipation, so I put them out of their misery. “Ju Hai confirmed that Riku’s telling the truth and can be trusted.” I swallowed as I thought of the terrible scenes she’d shown in that reflecting pool. “And as much as I hated the experience, she showed me the worst of her Foretellings.”
Rhianne’s eyes widened. “Whoa. I’ve never known her to do that for anyone. She usually plays things close to her vest and tells people the bare minimum of what she sees. Most of the time, she only even shares that much with her Quatrain and the Firsts.”
Given how absolutely gutted her visions had made me feel, that was probably a good thing. Few people would want to experience that once, much less multiple times. It gave me new respect for Ju Hai’s abilities, fortitude, and determination. I also understood the enormity of what she and Riku were trying to do with Hikaru’s Own.
“Let me just say that we are all screwed if we can’t unite the Clans and Freeholders. But first we have to secure the support of Hikaru’s Own.”
Jake frowned. “You’re certain we need them?”
He was still struggling with the fact his brother had betrayed him, only to seemingly replace him with their mysterious uncle and Hikaru’s Own. But we didn’t have time for holding grudges.
“Not only do we need them, but we won’t be able to convince the Freeholders or other Clans without them. I’m not sure exactly what we need to do to make that happen, but I know for sure which options won’t work—and those all involve failing to gain Hikaru’s Own as allies.”
Jake made a disgusted face but nodded. “Understood.” His brows furrowed as he leveled another appraising glance upon me. “You look like shit, sweetheart. No way you’re up to any test they may have devised in your current state.”
My wince was for his lack of tact rather than physical discomfort. “No arguments here. They’re gonna have to let me get at least a few hours sleep before I’ll be up to that.”
“Eight full hours,” Jake corrected, the iron in his voice and expression hinting he would not be convinced otherwise. Another yawn cracked my mouth wide open, so I just nodded.
I composed myself as best I could and led the way back into the other room. More than an hour had passed, so it wasn’t a surprise to discover that the throne room stood empty. The door opposite the room where we had just emerged stood open, however, and voices could be heard murmuring on its other side. My four companions trailed behind as I crossed the room, nearly stumbling but somehow finding the will to fake a freshness and strength I did not feel.
Stepping through the second doorway revealed a combination lounge and kitchen. A few comfortable-looking sofas and chairs had been strewn about the room in casual seating areas. Riku, Colin, and the two women from earlier were busy setting up an early morning breakfast buffet as if they’d expected us. Ju Hai had obviously given her brother a little heads up.
Speaking of her brother, Riku’s expression sharpened, and his gaze zeroed in on me the moment I crossed the room’s threshold. “Ah, there you are. I assumed you might like to refresh yourselves.”
Especially me, given that I looked like hell warmed over. Felt that way, too. My mouth began watering at the fragrances drifting my way. Fortunately, I managed to hold back the drool.
“Refreshments sound divine,” I said with as much cheer as I could force. Minutes later, we sat around a huge dining table laden with all the makings of a 5-star hotel’s complimentary breakfast. Riku waited patiently for me to inhale two servings of croissants, sausage, bacon, eggs, and hash browns. Once the worst of my debilitating hunger was appeased, I got right to the point.
“I am willing to face one test of your devising to prove my worth to Hikaru’s Own. However, I need at least twelve hours to rest and recuperate. I’ve faced down my father on the psychic plane twice in a day’s time. Not to mention the other times I’ve channeled Spirit.”
Riku nodded regally. “A valid point, and one with which we agree. We will also keep our word to invite your other group to join you here.”
“You mean groups, plural. We can call the second group to have them meet us here.”
He tapped a finger against the dining table. “Again, perfectly understandable. I’m happy Ju Hai convinced you of our sincerity.”
“She did,” I replied with one of my new wolfish smiles. “But what you should keep in mind is that after I prove my worth to you, you shall need to prove yours to me.”
Dawn had begun painting the surrounding Ozark landscape with myriad colors that were as vibrant as those in the Elemental realm when the second of our missing groups reunited with us. Bianca’s hands rested upon her steadily-increasing stomach as Nic and Liam hovered protectively n
ear her, Avani bringing up the rear while they crossed the courtyard to where we waited just outside the main building. Jake and I were the only two from our original expedition waiting outside, but Bianca barely noticed us. She only had eyes for Colin.
We hadn’t warned him about her newly expectant state, but he’d already known thanks to Ju Hai. Rather than upset that his preferred bondmate carried someone else’s children, his face reflected genuine happiness.
We had warned Bianca that Colin was already among the living and that she should prepare to hear some hard truths. But for those first few moments they set eyes upon each other, everyone and everything else faded away.
She raised trembling arms, and he immediately responded by crossing the dozen feet separating them to sweep her into a romantic embrace straight from one of my favorite novels. Liam, who had become surprisingly protective of the woman he once hated, watched the embracing lovers with laser vision. His expression did not reflect the happiness I’d expected him to feel after his beloved baby brother proved to be already alive. He seemed much more suspicious than pleased.
After a long, searing kiss, Bianca pushed back so she could reassure herself that Colin actually was in one piece. He smiled at her as tenderly as Jake had ever looked at me and then reached out a gentle hand to touch her belly. “You’ve been one busy Bee indeed, I see.”
Bianca gave a choked laugh, placing her hands over Colin’s. “That’s for sure. And I can’t believe that you’re here, safe and sound! And free of the wildness!” Her eyes narrowed, and her tone grew accusing. “Did you bond someone else?”
Colin’s free hand closed over both of hers before she could pull away. “No, Bee, I swear there’s never been any other for me. But…I may have misled you, misled everyone, about the wildness.”
Forged from Flame Page 20