To Surprise A Seer

by Jane Cousins

  “And not just you.” Elijah advised. “The Yanez brothers fought with one of the Jag-offs just up the coast from here about the same time you went missing.”

  “And I’ve travelled back in time twice now to the day the Yanez family found the Santa Maria Rosa and Kristiah went berserk and killed everyone on board. No idea how I’m doing it, but both times Matias and I were touching.”

  Nico laughed suddenly, no trace of humour evident though. “I was just considering the irony of this whole mad situation. If not for Kristiah approaching Mama, we would never have gone after the Maria Rosa. Never have found the Shard, tablet… knife, whatever the object of power actually is. And Copper wouldn’t have ended up back in time, play acting as a Goddess, opposing a mad High Priest who wants to kill off the human race and rule the world in eternal darkness along side a God of the Underworld.”

  “If that asshole teamed up with Sek and Mot we’d all be in serious trouble.” Nell looked around the room at a number of quizzical faces. “Sorry. Just going down the worse case scenario pathway.”

  “Down.” Quinn clicked her fingers. “That day on the boat, Copper either fell or jumped overboard.”

  “And swam back in time five hundred years? Doubtful.” Nico observed.

  “Let me finish. The last time I was there, Matias… the Matias of ten years ago, he managed to throw Kristiah, in her hybrid form, over the railing and here’s the thing… there was no splash. There have been so many other things to worry about I only just remembered now, how weird it was that I didn’t hear her hit the water. And water has been a theme present every time I’ve returned to the present. The first time I went overboard, the next moment I came up spluttering in my pool. The second time I was engulfed by a large wave and somehow fell into my pool again.”

  “Your pool is salt water, isn’t it?” Elijah enquired. “Perhaps that has something to do with it. Jodie found herself waist deep in the ocean when she went back.”

  “But why did I go in the first place?” Jodie asked. “And there wasn’t any salt water around in that cavern when I some how made my way back here to the Sanctuary.”

  “Hold on.” Matias looked to his brother. “Everyone keeps saying that Jodie disappeared the same time we encountered the Jag-off on the Low Coastal road… we were in salt water.”

  Nico shook his head. “Not us… you, Matias. The tide was high, you got out to move some debris off the road and…”

  “Maybe that was the trigger that not only sent Jodie back but allowed a hybrid Jaguar creature to travel to the future.” Elijah looked convinced by his own words.

  “And Jodie was gone for approximately seven minutes, I wonder if that was about how long it took you to defeat the creature or get out of the water?” Nell stared at Matias intently. Suddenly the excitement drained from her blue eyes. “Only one problem. Jodie had a brief fade in the early hours of yesterday morning, just before four the morning.”

  “Four in the morning!” Matias grinned. “I couldn’t sleep and I was running on the beach, not looking where I was going, for a brief moment my foot got wet.”

  “Shit.” Elijah’s eyes narrowed with speculation.

  “Yes.” Nico looked pleased and intent.

  “Hold on.” Quinn held her hand up. “You run on the beach every day, you said. Surely you’ve been swimming, at the very least wading before?”

  Matias shook his head, flushing slightly. “I seem to have developed a small phobia when it comes to the ocean.”

  “He hasn’t been on it or in it since that day on the Maverick.” Nico provided before glancing at Matias. “Not something you could really hide from me, Hermanito.”

  “So we have a trigger.” Elijah stood up, flexing his shoulders. “One that explains how a Jag-off was suddenly able to track you down after ten years. It can’t be a coincidence that the first time you touch seawater one appeared. Now we just need to determine which of you.” He looked between Jodie and Quinn. “Are the most vital ingredient to the time and place travel.”

  Nico likewise let go of Jodie and stepped back, rolling his shoulders. “How do you propose we do this? And when?”

  “I want to gather a team of Enforcers, we’ll arm up and perform a couple of controlled experiments. You up for it, Jodie?” Elijah looked towards the occupant of the bed.

  “Once I get these tubes out of me. Sure.”

  “Wait.” Nell held up a palm. “Not so fast. Jodie, you’ve been in a coma. You are going to need to take things slowly for at least a few days until you are back to full strength.”

  Matias shook his head, his jaw clenched tightly. “Copper might not have a few days.”

  “She’s not only survived in that place for the last ten years but looks as if she has flourished. Your sister, the Goddess, will be fine for another day or two.” Elijah glanced out into the hallway as Nell pulled open the door and exited, she did have other patients to look after. “You two.” He addressed Taite and Adrian, the two Enforcers assigned guard duty. “Get in here. I want Alpha Team on call and tell them to be at the Training Centre for a briefing in two hours.”

  Adrian sent Jodie, his apprentice, a wink before he began texting.

  “We are going with you.” Nico announced, radiating stubbornness.

  Matias’s expression was beyond stony as he watched the nurse whisk open the drapes to reveal burgeoning blue skies, the sun already well clear of the horizon. Another beautiful warm Autumn day was forecast for the Southern Sanctuary.

  Quinn didn’t like the vibe she was picking up from Matias. Despite his grim, stoic expression, he radiated urgency and determination. “What is it? What’s wrong?” She kept her voice low, unable to stop herself from reaching out and placing her bare hand on his t-shirt covered shoulder. Matias reacted automatically, reaching up, his warm calloused hand engulfing hers, squeezing it lightly. Quinn couldn’t help but flinch slightly. “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”

  “Touch you? It’s a risk I’m always prepared to take.”

  “Hah. Easy for you to say. You’re not the one hurtled back through time or who hits the ground like a rock in a dead faint.”

  “I’d catch you, Quinn. I’ll always catch you.” Matias let go of her hand.

  “Talk to me. What’s the problem?”

  “I don’t have days. If we wait, I’ll be back in the fishbowl. The stay awake potion will only last for so long… and Copper, she needs me whole to help her. She’s been alone for ten years.”

  Quinn could empathise with Matias’s feelings. He was stuck between a rock and hard place. “At least you can take comfort from Jodie’s memory. Copper looked healthy, it appears she’s adapted well to her situation.”

  “Maybe. But she’s still alone. Dealing with a power hungry High Priest with magic powers and his band of merry clawed hybrid Jaguar followers. I, for one, don’t like those odds.”

  “We all set?”

  Adrian looked up from his phone and nodded at Elijah. His hazel eyes brimming with unspoken curiosity. “Alpha Team are affirmative.”

  “Good. Look, I appreciate that the two of you have a stake in this.” Elijah eyed the Yanez brothers. “But you have to understand that it’s not just your sister’s welfare at stake here, we are talking about the possible end of the world if this mega Priest asshole gets his hands on what ever it is he is looking for. Alpha Team is a highly trained unit. And they have saved the world more than a few times. Bad enough I might have to take one civilian along for the ride.” Elijah glanced over at Quinn, who had proven she could time travel back to the past already. “No offense.”

  Quinn just rolled her eyes at him in response.

  Nico refused to be put off. “But your focus will be on annihilating any continual threat Gap’gn poses. Not on convincing our sister that you are her allies and that she should trust you and return with you.”

  “I will set my Team priorities, the safety and return of your sister will be one of them.”

  “And that’s supposed to
reassure me?” Nico scoffed.

  “Enough.” Matias interrupted. “We are wasting time by talking round and round in circles.” Lightning fast, Matias snatched up a bag of saline whilst he slapped his other hand down upon Jodie’s bare wrist. “I’m going to get my sister, now, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

  “No!” Several voices rose up as one in protest as Matias squeezed the bag tightly.

  Saline water sprayed the room.

  Quinn’s hand shot out to grab Matias, trying to stop him from doing anything foolish. Between one blink and the next she found herself standing in waist deep sea water. Her hand still gripping Matias’s warm, bare arm.

  “Shit, Quinn. You were supposed to let me do this alone.” Matias groused even as he helped a spluttering wide-eyed Jodie gain her feet.

  “Then you’re an idiot.” Quinn stated.

  “Is that your professional opinion?”

  “Oh, I think we are all in agreement that you are an idiot.” Nico sent his brother a half smile as he helped to steady Jodie. “I’ve got you.” He had made a grab for Jodie’s leg as soon as he recognised the determination in his brother’s eyes.

  “I was going to say rash and foolish. But idiot also works.” Elijah stood on the other side of Jodie, his sword already drawn, his eyes scoping the beach and tree line. His liquid quick reflexes had resulted in him also hitching a ride. And the fact that Taite and Adrian had managed to grab hold of Elijah was no more than he expected.

  Taite likewise was scanning the jungle, sword drawn, whilst Adrian had turned to face the ocean, keeping a watch for any threats that might arise from the water.

  It was strange to be in the reality of Jodie’s memory. It made Quinn feel disorientated and ten kinds of worried.

  “Shit. Okay, we’re here, we deal. Everyone on me.”

  Quinn didn’t stop to think, just followed Elijah as he slogged through the shallows up the beach and stepped in to the jungle.

  “We should wait here for Copper.” Matias protested.

  Elijah shook his head. His eyes continually roaming the immediate area looking for a threat. “No. The beach is too exposed. Come on, follow me. I remember the path. Watch out for traps and keep up.”

  “I-” Matias was about to lodge another protest when a distant howl sounded, followed by another and another.

  Shit, the Jag-offs sounded like they were aware they had uninvited guests in the area. Matias started running, following the others, diving into the dense jungle that crowded up against the black sandy beach. Damn, he had to find Copper, and fast. And he needed to protect Quinn.

  A niggling ugly question raised its head. If it came down to a choice between saving his sister or Quinn, which one would he choose?

  Damn, too bad he wasn’t still a goldfish, he wouldn’t have had all these unanticipated feelings to deal with. And he’d thought so naively that he would be able to manage any side effects the stay awake potion might incur… but he hadn’t counted on caring for Quinn so damn much. Shit, he was on the verge of falling in love with the woman and he’d brought her to this primitive hellhole.

  Huh, he might just have to concur with the consensus, he really was an idiot.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Quinn was surprised and proud of herself as she moved through the jungle. She wasn’t a trained Enforcer, but she’d witnessed enough of their memories over the years to easily follow the hand signals they utilised. And thanks to her years of discipline and devotion to yoga, she was able to move with a speed and litheness that didn’t make Elijah wince every time she put her foot down… probably only every fourth or fifth step.

  Of course no one moved like Elijah. One part shadow, one part wind, and one part wild predator. It must have been frustrating for him to have to slow down so the group could keep up. But the Head Enforcer showed no signs of impatience as he signalled everyone to avoid yet another trap hidden off to their left.

  Honestly, the jungle all looked the same to Quinn, but she was pretty damn sure Elijah knew exactly where he was going. His tracking skills alone were legendary, but no doubt he’d also memorised the path thanks to witnessing Jodie’s memory. One viewing would have been more than enough for Elijah.

  Still, Quinn didn’t allow herself to relax until they entered the first ravine, remembering how Copper had said the Jag-offs weren’t fans of the tight fit or rocky landscape. A couple of times Quinn glanced back to check on Matias, who always appeared to be close on her heels. And she was also concerned for Jodie, who looked too pale, thankfully Adrian remained close at hand in case his apprentice needed help.

  Quinn was completely lost as they turned left, right, left again, scrambled through a narrow tunnel and finally emerged into a wide circular canyon, the rocky floor covered with tenacious vines, ferns and determined trees.

  “I don’t recognise this place.” Nico looked around at the jagged, looming, stone walls.

  “Tracks. The most foot traffic led this way, so I figured it had to be some sort of communal space or meeting area.” Elijah scanned the ground, bending over to pick up several small rocks.

  “Do you think Copper knows we are here?” Quinn enquired.

  “Well her people certainly do. I think we just need to ask them for an audience with their Goddess.”

  “I don’t see anyone.” Matias scowled, eyes scanning the bowl shaped space.

  “Then you need to pay closer attention.” Elijah turned, raising his voice slightly. “K’in.” He sent three stones flying through the air in quick succession.

  Quinn couldn’t believe her eyes as the stone walls began to move… no, not the walls, people, camouflaged to look like the stone walls. Three had detached themselves and begun climbing upwards with incredible agility and strength.

  “How did you know they were there?” Nico looked gobsmacked. Secretly impressed with Elijah’s throwing arm. The Head Enforcer had deliberately come within half an inch of hitting each of the camouflaged targets.

  “Firstly, setting up sentries is something I would have done. And secondly, I could see them.” Elijah wasn’t boasting, he was just stating a fact.

  Holding up his right hand, he signed instructions to his Enforcers. Taite and Adrian moved into position accordingly. Jodie, looking peeved but resigned, sank to the ground to rest. Arguing with Elijah was an exercise in futility. When he said rest, you dropped.

  Elijah walked over to Matias and Nico, giving them his best hard eyed, slate grey stare. “You two need to remember that when she arrives we will be dealing with K’in, a Goddess, not your kid sister Copper. She has highly trained warriors, numbers yet unknown, that follow her… worship her. Here, in their presence, she is not family, she is a beloved deity. Who they will kill to protect. Maybe even kill to keep her here. So lock down the heroics and any other big brother fantasy you’ve been entertaining about saving the day, and follow my lead.”

  “Or…?” Matias growled out between clenched teeth. The Head Enforcer was talking sense, didn’t mean he wanted to hear it.

  “Or, I will personally drop you. Remember, anything you do, anything you say… even if they don’t speak English, they’ll recognise the tone… it will affect us all. We know already we have one enemy here, we don’t need two.”

  Nico reached out to wrap his arm around Matias’s shoulders. “We’re here, Hermanito, that is a miracle in itself, be patient for just a little longer.”

  Matias nodded. He’d gone off half-cocked, grabbing Jodie and spilling the saline… putting Quinn at risk and all those who had joined them on this trip. He would bide his time, and follow the large, muscular Enforcer until he saw an opportunity to safely extract Copper from this mess.

  The group’s attention shifted as a half dozen vines dropped from the wall on their left. Seconds later, people covered in mud and green vegetation clambered down the vines with frightening ease. Coming to a halt on the cavern floor, still and silent. Short sharp spears held low but at the ready. Thin rope like vines encircled t
heir waists and arms, allowing sling shots, blow pipes and darts to be secured safely to their bodies at all times.

  They were not a tall people, averaging around the five-foot mark but even covered from head to toe in mud and leaves they were clearly wiry, fast and strong. Their eyes were uniformly dark brown and held curiosity but no sign of fear. It was difficult to distinguish sex given the mud and leaves plastered to their bodies, but Elijah had the sense that at least two of the warriors facing them were female. Though neither was K’in.

  “She’s not coming.” Nico uttered the words barely above a whisper, disappointment lacing his tone.

  Elijah sent him a steadying look. “Wait for it. She’s a Goddess, they like to make an entrance.”

  He’d barely finished speaking when a figure dropped down from above, hurtling to the ground at a break neck pace. Both Nico and Matias gasped, she was going to kill herself.

  At the last second the dark black vine snapped upwards and the Goddess K’in casually stepped onto the ground. Her face a blank mask of various shades of mud but Elijah recognised humour sparkling in those golden caramel depths. Shit, he hoped this place hadn’t sent her mad. It was one thing to deal with a woman playing at being a Goddess. It was a whole other bucket of piranhas if they were dealing with someone who actually believed they were a Goddess.

  K’in raised her arms upwards, and by some miracle, under all that mud, Elijah could tell she was raising an eyebrow in expectation.

  “Kneel.” He hissed under his breath. Dropping to his knees to suit his words. Relieved when the others, including the Yanez brothers, followed his example.

  Sheer elation thrummed through Matias. They’d found Copper. He studied her closely, except for her voice and her eyes which were still as he remembered, it was a little hard to tell any other changes time had wrought thanks to the layers of mud and leaves. She did seem taller, or perhaps that was just because she was standing and he was kneeling.

  As he watched her interact with her people, in an ancient language he had no hope of understanding, he began to notice subtle differences. The way she stood, spine straight, shoulders thrown back, it spoke of a confidence that his kid sister had distinctly been lacking in. There was no sign of her wire frame glasses, and he wondered if she no longer needed them or if something had happened to them.