The Bridge Over Snake Creek

by Nikki Bolvair

  My nose scrunched as I jerked up my shorts and tugged my shirt back down. “What are you going to do with that?”

  June put a finger up. “Just a sec.” Then she proceeded to step outside the door, leaving it slightly ajar. “Doctor Churchill, can you come here for a moment?” she called. There was some murmuring outside the door before I heard audible cussing.

  “What is it?” I heard Dad ask worriedly.

  “It's nothing and everything,” Dr. Churchill muttered. I snatched the pump in my hand and marched over, opening the door further to see Dr. Churchill with the phone in hand, his eyes wide, shoulders stiff. I leaned against the door, worried. “What's wrong?”

  Dr. Churchill swallowed and turned around to me. He was frightening me. “It appears that we have something to talk about, Hannah.”

  Dad looked from the doctor to me then to June. "Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?"

  Dr. Churchill agreed. "Yes, of course." He motioned to me and the room. "Let's take this in there."

  I stepped back inside as all of them filtered back into the room, apprehensive about what Dr. Churchill knew. I remembered his wife had a mark... similar to mine in color, but what did that mean for me?

  Dad curved his arm around my shoulders and tucked me into his side. "Okay, now what's this all about?"

  Dr. Churchill grimaced. “Do you think you could wait out in the lobby while I talk with Hannah?”

  Dad tensed. “No, whatever you have to say, I want to hear it.”

  I twisted out of my dad’s arms and looked up into his worried gaze. “Dad, please.”

  His face fell. “You- you want me to leave?” He shot his eyes to the doctor. “If it was bad news...”

  “I would tell you,” Dr. Churchill interrupted.

  “I’m not leaving. I’m her dad and she’s a minor.”

  June put a hand on my dad’s arm and he turned to her. The doctor came up behind him and touched his shoulder. My dad dropped unconscious.

  Shit. I didn’t think they’d do that. “Wait! What did you just do to him?” I questioned, worried and confused as June and Dr. Churchill maneuvered him onto the examination table. “Is he going to be all right?”

  Dr. Churchill answered, “He’s going to be fine. I just put him to sleep so we can go to the council.”

  I backed away from him, upset with the whole situation. “I don’t like this.”

  He made his way to me, not touching me to show he wouldn’t do to me what he did to my dad. “I promise you, your dad is fine. It’s similar to what Tarragon did to you. A sleep-like state.”

  I got angry. “You should have asked. Told me what you were going to do beforehand! He’s my dad. The only parent I have left! I can’t keep this a secret forever. Why does June get to know and he doesn’t?”

  He held his hand out in a placating gesture. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. That wasn’t my intention. Your dad will eventually know about you and us, but right now the council doesn’t even know. We can’t let your dad know before they do. We have rules, okay?”

  I nodded, but I still wasn’t happy.

  Dr. Churchill turned his attention over to June. "Cancel all other appointments for me today or send them to Dr. Ridder.”

  She glanced over to my dad. “What about...?”

  “I’m taking him with us. We don’t want anyone finding him unconscious in here. And call Deb to meet me at the councilmen chambers”

  June gave my dad a quick glance before nodding to Dr. Churchill and slipping out of the room.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I knew what was going to take place even before Dr. Churchill touched me. White light enveloped us temporarily, and we were transported to a place I'd never been before.

  We were in a lobby of sorts with a cutout window above a high counter that looked akin to one you’d find in a doctor’s office. Off to the side was a set of windows and stairs that led down into what I assumed was the basement.

  The blonde lady behind the counter, who was on the phone, rose when she saw us, putting out a hand and angling the phone on her chin so she could talk. Her eyes widened at the sight of my limp father carried over Dr. Churchill’s shoulder as we made our way to the stairs. “Wait - don’t go down there,” she called.

  Dr. Churchill ignored her, going first as I followed. I heard her grumbling about protocols and such before we made it to the bottom.

  Down there was a sitting area where others were waiting. A guard stood by some double doors and held out a hand when he saw us. “Whoa-whoa, wait a minute. What do you think you’re doing Dr. Churchill?” He briefly glanced to my dad then to me. “You know you need an appointment for things like this.”

  Wait, did the good doc make people pass out often and bring them here?

  “Kevton, I am not needing a mindsweep this time,” he argued, trying to bypass the guard.

  Kevton matched him in his movements. “Sorry, I can’t let you go in there.”

  Dr. Churchill shifted my dad slightly and my eyes widened as he began to slide down to the floor. The guard leapt forward to help and the good doc let him, giving the guard all my dad’s weight. “Thanks.”

  Then he waved to me and I hurried forward as he went for the doors.

  “No, Doc!”

  But it was too late. After one guilty glimpse at my dad, Dr. Churchill and I hastily entered into a large room.

  For being in a basement, the ceiling was high with brown craftsmen beams going across the length. I wasn’t sure if they were structural or if they were just for decoration, but they were impressive.

  Benches lined the aisle we walked up with a few people sitting in them. On the far side of the room was a large, tall, wood pew where three people sat with a few more individuals sitting on a lower level. The vibe of the whole room was one of a court room. The conversation was flowing until the judges – that’s what I assumed they were - on the top row noticed us.

  An old gentleman rose up above all the rest and everyone quieted. "What is the meaning of this Dr. Churchill?"

  The not-so-trustworthy doctor ushered me forward. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it seems we have another Lydent female in our midst. Hannah, this is the Lydent council."

  The people in the benches began to murmur. "Hush!" The old gentleman lifted his arm up, emphasizing the need for silence, and the room quieted. He peered down at me. "Hello, dear. I’m Young Currington; to my right is Rick Judson, and to my left is David Faine. We are the main councilmen. The others are our associates. What is your name?"

  I straightened my spine and raised up my chin in a defiant manner. "Hannah Cain."

  "And who are your parents?"

  "Rex Cain and Ann Caldwell."

  Gasps broke the silence. David shot up from his seat on the high bench. He had pristine white hair combed to the side and a stern face with wrinkles that made him seem less harsh. "That's blasphemy!" he growled, pointing a finger my way. "My daughter would never go against Lydent law."

  I tensed. "No matter what law you say she broke, my mother was Ann Caldwell."

  "I will not hear of this," my apparent grandfather argued. "Show us proof! Where is my daughter?"

  My stomach twisted as if a whirlpool had settled inside me. "My mom is dead.” My voice echoed through the entire space. “Since I was twelve. Cancer took her. Her last dying wish was for me to come here if I became sick. My father kept his promise. Looks like you're stuck with me grandfather."

  Voices rose up again, and Dr. Churchill kept his hands on my shoulders, giving me a comforting squeeze before he spoke.

  “Young, she’s Adam, David, and Marrain’s granddaughter,” he assured them. “She is Lydent. It has been proven by my Deb this morning. And this afternoon it has been proven that she is both my sons’ bondmate.”

  "Save the lights," my grandfather huffed in disbelief.

  I froze and whirled around, moving myself away from the doc's hands. His green eyes, so much like his sons’, were appr
ehensive, like he was unsure what I’d do. “What? Why? Why would you even-”

  The walls rattled as vibration skated along my nerves. “Silence!"

  I spun back around to defend myself but another person blinked in. It was Deb. "Young, my husband called me to come here to ease your concerns. You know my talents. Believe me when I tell you, I verified the girl’s heritage and lineage. She is Ann's daughter and Lydent."

  "But she is sick,” Dr. Churchill picked up, pleading my case. “Has been since receiving her mate mark. I have a theory that since she hasn't been given the Potentia Elixer, her body is reacting to the residual substance that she was given when first conceived by her mother. She would have been fine, but since our kind have evolved, I believe females now require the Elixer after their thirteenth year to survive. Think about it, we haven't ever come across this issue before.”

  The old gentleman named Young, who appeared to be leading this courtroom, slid a glance over to my grandfather and sighed. "David, do you have anything at all to say?"

  Brown eyes stared hard at me. My grandfather uttered six words that left me feeling uneasy before he lighted away, or shimmed, as they called it. "I need to warn the others."

  Warn them? Like I was a threat.

  With my grandfather gone, Rick, the other councilmen, rose from the third seat. "How did we not know that Ann had died? No one reported receiving her light, as far as we know." All eyes turned to me. "Unless you received it."

  I shifted, uncomfortable. "I'm not sure I understand. What does that mean?"

  Deb came over to me. I swear she could see how freaked out I was, and she placed a gentle hand on my arm, bringing me into a hug. "Don't let them see your fear. Stay strong. We're backing you up," she spoke softly to me.

  "I'm requesting the Elixer from LD pharmaceuticals," Dr. Churchill stated with confidence, "and that her Lydent introduction be placed in our family’s care since she is my sons’ mate and her father has a rapport with me."

  "This is most unusual," Young remarked, his kind eyes turning to me. "Did your mother ever speak of us? Where she came from?"

  I stepped away from Deb and peeked over to my dad to make sure he was still upright and sleeping before shaking my head. "No sir, she did not."

  Young sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose as he thought. He gestured to the other council members. “Anyone disagree with this?”

  There were murmurings of no’s, but one yes.

  It was a younger man standing down below the council platform like we were. He never glanced my way but declared his opinion loud and clear. “Yes, I disagree. I do not believe my grandparents have had enough time to fully address this situation. They have yet to grieve for my wayward aunt. Give them time, give us time. They might have an opinion on this, since she is our blood.”

  While my cousin - it was weird calling him that, because I didn't know him - spoke, Hooks appeared. His entrance was so surprising that I jerked back against whoever was behind me.

  He stood in front of me; his expression was pinched with worry. “You need to speak up.”

  “Why?”

  “Who are you talking to Hannah?” Deb whispered.

  “Shh,” the good doctor hushed.

  When I tried to explain, Hooks shook his head. “They can't see me. Only you can.”

  “Okay,” I replied hesitantly.

  It was then that my cousin paid attention to me. “See, even Hannah agrees with me.”

  Deb sucked in a breath. “Hannah.”

  Eyes wide, I leaned to the side to peer past Hooks. What did I just agree with?

  “We should wait to see what happens with my family,” he continued. “Maybe she would like to know my grandparents.”

  I frowned. He had said “my” not “our” family.

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “That's not-”

  “Tell them that you want to stay with your bonded mates,” Hooks told me urgently. “Tell them that the separation would wear you thin.”

  “Obviously Hannah is conflicted,” my cousin stated, his glance darting over to me.

  “She is not conflicted,” Dr. Churchill muttered behind me.

  Young snapped his fingers at him, and he went quiet. Then councilman turned his gaze to me. “Well, speak up, child.”

  “I want to stay with my bonded.” Deb squeezed my shoulders in encouragement. “I...I have separation anxiety.”

  Young nodded as if he understood. “Do you know what that means? To remain with your bonded.”

  I shifted my gaze back to Hooks and once again he told me what to say.

  “My bonded and I need time together. Separation would only work against us.”

  “Good girl,” Dr. Churchill murmured.

  “I understand, but don't you want to see your family? They could help you integrate into our world and get to know you better.”

  Uneasy with Young's suggestion, I shook my head. “Sir, those are people I don't know. I’ve spent time with my bonded. And my father is my family. I wouldn't want to be taken away from that. From him. What happens to my father when he realizes I'm gone? Is that what you want? For me to just leave him? Why can’t he know about Lydents?”

  Young sighed. “Because your father is not Lydent, he can’t know about us. Not until we get this situation under control and see what we need to do. So I propose that we temporarily put your introduction into Dr. Churchill's care, and after that, we’ll have the releasing of your mother's soul.”

  I jerked back. “What the hell is that?”

  Rick smiled and answered, “See, this is why you need to be educated in our world. It is a funeral, in a way, to remember your mother.”

  Hooks seemed to relax. “You did well.” And then he disappeared.

  The friendly councilman went on explaining, “It's a way to remember your mother. Where everyone can put memories into an item, usually it's their favorite item, and we all get to keep a piece of them with us and learn.”

  My brows scrunched in confusion. “You guys can place memories in objects when someone dies?”

  Dr. Churchill spoke up gently. “Typically the memories are placed into a single item. An item that was with them. If we don’t have that, we all gather together our own memories of the person who has passed and generally place those in a fruit as a symbol of life and death.”

  Young raised his gravel and struck it. “We will have the celebration this coming weekend. Gives us a day to plan. Are we all in agreement?”

  There were murmurs of agreement, but I could tell that my cousin wasn't all that happy about what had transpired. He turned to look my way and gave me what seemed to be a forced, but encouraging, smile before he strode over and held out his hand.

  “Hello, Hannah, I'm your cousin, Neko.” His voice was slick. Too slick. I wasn’t sure I believed him.

  Giving a suspicious glance, I placed my hand in his, and we shook hands. When I moved to pull away, he kept hold, tightening his grip snuggly. “I hope we will come to be friends. Then family. Welcome to the Lydent world.”

  He let go and slid a glance to Dr. Churchill, who was behind me, and nodded before he left. My first two experiences with my family, and only one had seemed to go over well. I wasn't certain how I felt. Mom did stay away for a reason. I just didn't know it yet.

  After Neko left, Young brought our attention back to him. “It has also come to my attention that we will request for the Elixer to be delivered. Once Hannah has had a few days to adjust, I would wish for her to attend Hydrent. I see she has a restraining cuff already; please link me to it as well.”

  "Will do," the good doctor answered.

  “Hydrent?” I questioned, turning to Deb, confused.

  “Don’t worry. It's the school for Lydent guidance,” she whispered. “It's to be expected.” She patted my shoulder. “You’ll be fine.”

  I looked over to my father. He was still slumped over. I winced, realizing he’d probably have a kink in his neck. “And what about my dad? I know the
council said they will talk about him knowing when everything settles down, but can I ever tell him? Can he eventually know?”

  She gave me a squeeze. “Let's get your father and get back to the clinic and we'll talk more about that when he wakes up.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  After the meeting with the Lydent council, the four of us shimmed back to the exam room where we had previously been. Dr. Churchill placed my dad on the table and stood, combing his hand through his hair as he sought out his wife, who was beside me.

  He opened his arms and she went to him. “Can you believe it?” she whispered in awe. “Our sons have a mate.”

  “It’s magnificent.” He chuckled as he darted a glance over to me.

  I shifted, uncomfortable. “Yeah, about that, what does that mean?”

  Deb twisted in her husband's arms to face me. “You said you felt the pull, that you wanted to be near them. Your mark.”

  My brows narrowed. “Hooks showed up and told me to say those things.”

  “What? When?” Dr. Churchill demanded. “We didn’t see him.”

  I pursed my lips, realizing how unbelievable it was going to sound when I told him. “He was invisible.”

  Dr. Churchill chuckled. “Right, and only you could see him.”

  “Exactly.”

  Confusion clouded Deb’s face. “Honey, no one can do that. It’s an extinct talent. Astraltion hasn’t been documented in our records for ages.”

  I stiffened and folded my arms. “So, you’re saying I’m lying then?” I eyed the two of them.

  “No, of course not,” Deb soothed. “It’s just, Hooks is a very private person. We weren’t aware that Astraltion was something he could do.”

  While I was glad they didn’t think I was crazy, my emotions were all mixed up. A lot had happened today, and I wasn’t sure I was really taking it all in. “So what does this mean for my life? Being Lydent? Will the council get the medicine for me? Will Hooks? Am I going to have to stay here forever?” I walked around them to stare at my dad. “And what about my dad? I won’t leave him.”