“I understand. Truly. I’ve considered running and hiding, trying to avoid my destiny. But it would find me.”
Slowly, the edges of her mouth turned up, a smile forming. She reached up and touched her daughter’s face. “I’m so proud of you. And you’re right. Our destiny will find us. You have your mama’s word. I’ll stop letting fear rule my life. You know I’m here for you, right?”
Before Reagan could respond, Madeleine stuck her face into the room. “Susie, I need you in the training center in a few.”
Mom nodded.
“She’ll be there,” Reagan said.
Madeleine made as if to leave but snapped her fingers and turned back. “Oh, and I think you’re supposed to be in the library.”
“That girl gets bossier by the day,” Reagan said, trying to lighten the mood. Then, she squeezed her mom. “I know, and I love you. We’re all under so much pressure, but we can do this. Are you nervous about going to look for the sword?”
“Yes,” Mom said, her voice still shaky. “But your father assures me he won’t take his eyes off me. Of course, that worries me, too. I need him to be focused. I couldn’t bear losing him after everything.”
Reagan took her mom’s hand. “We’re going to make it. It’s not going to be easy, but we need to believe we’re on the side of good. In the end, good prevails. Right?” Not the best inspirational speech, Reagan knew, but she couldn’t stand to see her mom looking so defeated.
Pushing back her shoulders and lengthening her spine, Mom said, “You’re right. Faith. That’s what Cecilia said. Okay, no more excuses. It’s time for some training. Do you think Madeleine will remember that Sarah and I are just beginners?”
“No chance,” Reagan said and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Any chance there’s something I can grab for breakfast?”
Both ladies stood. “There were some breakfast burritos a few minutes ago. You should hurry and grab one. I’ll head to training.”
Since Reagan slept in the same clothes she existed in day in and day out, there was no need for more than a quick bathroom stop and brushing her teeth. After her five-minute routine, she downed a burrito in record time and headed to the library. Gone were the days of fashionable clothes and primping in front of the mirror for an hour.
Only Nana was there when Reagan arrived.
“I thought I was holding everyone up.” She kicked herself for not indulging in a second burrito.
“Winona and Jessica were here early, so they just took a break. They’ll be right back,” Nana said. “They’re both doing great. Jessica’s protection field is amazing, but it drains her quickly. I only had her show me a bit, and she needed some food. That’s actually where they went.”
“Oh, I must’ve just missed them.” Happy to have Nana alone for a few minutes, Reagan brought up her mother’s dream. “Does that mean something to you?”
“One of the things we’re going to discuss today is our strengths. Each of us has a gift, something to aid in this mission. I believe our destinies are tied to our abilities. You have a gut power to protect, whether it’s fire, wind, or whatever you can access. Sarah has healing, Winona can affect emotions, and we just discussed Jessica. Your mother, however, has fought who she is for so long, her gift has been less obvious. But I wonder…”
Irritated at the length of Nana’s pause, Reagan pushed. “Wonder what?”
“My best guess is that she has the gift of premonition, or at least a warning system. There’s a reason she was so adamant to run away all those years ago, and something told her to seek out help with getting pregnant. I don’t think she fully understands it, or can explain it, but she’s told me enough over the last few weeks for me to sense it in her. It’s a rare gift.”
And a useful one, Reagan couldn’t help but add in her head. She hoped her mom could handle such a gift. With everything ahead of them, seeing the future could be terrifying. Could her dreams have been more than just an overactive imagination? Reagan shuddered at the idea.
Then, another thought struck. “What about Madeleine? She’s an awesome fighter, and now she’s amplified by Amélie’s angel blood. Any signs as to what her gift is?”
Before Nana could answer, Winona and Jessica came back.
“Hi, ladies. Reagan and I were just talking about gifts. Each of our abilities will be a necessary piece to defeating Rafe. But some will be needed more frequently than others. Together, we’re exponentially greater than we are alone. How about a little demonstration?” Nana asked.
When the girls nodded, she continued. “Sit down and hold hands. Now, Reagan, I want you to push your energy around the room. Create a wind tunnel, if you could.”
Reagan had only been able to do such things in extreme situations in the past, usually when fear or desperation took over. Not wanting to disappoint, she did as she was told. Squeezing her eyes shut, she thought of the intensity of wind when they contacted Cecilia. Then, Reagan imagined Rafe bearing down on Rowan, teeth bared. A slight wind blew, just enough to move her hair around and tickle her face.
“Push it, Reagan. Feel it. Ladies, help her.”
With Nana’s command, Reagan could feel both her hands being squeezed. She remembered every time Rafe had taken something from her or from people she cared about. Within seconds, the wind speed picked up. If she hadn’t been sitting down, she would’ve had trouble steadying herself. Even in the chair, and holding onto her sister and friend, Reagan could barely keep herself upright.
“Okay, girls,” Nana said, her voice raised.
Reagan could barely hear.
“Back it down.”
She took a few deep breaths and felt her body ease as the gusts went back to breezes. Some slight cramping and lightheadedness followed.
“Someone get her a Gatorade,” Nana said.
Reagan opened her eyes. She tried to stand but found the room spinning.
“Don’t rush it. Jessica went to get you something.”
“Why does everybody else seem okay?” she asked.
“We’re only aiding your power. With prolonged contact, we’d all feel effects, but not like you would. Same would be true if Winona was the source. Or Jessica. Even me. At least in theory. I’m still learning, too,” Nana answered.
Jessica came back and handed Reagan a Gatorade.
Tilting her head back, she guzzled it in seconds. “I guess we should simply carry a case of Gatorade wherever we go in addition to our clothes.” Reagan’s attempt at humor seemed to fall flat, because it was greeted with a room full of blank stares. When she was stressed, it was an easy go-to; even though it wasn’t always appropriate or appreciated. “Sorry.”
“Stop saying sorry,” Winona said. “We’re all figuring this out.”
They tried a few more exercises over the next couple of hours—Winona with pushing emotions and Jessica with her force field—before declaring it was lunchtime. By then, all of them were starving. They ran into the other training group near the cafeteria. Just ahead, Aunt Sarah pressed her head back and forth, shoulder to shoulder, while Mom arched her back. Groans and creaking sounds bounced off the walls.
Reagan leaned close to Nana. “Looks like Madeleine really didn’t take it easy on them.”
She shook her head. “Glad I’m too old for that stuff.”
Sometimes Reagan forgot Nana’s age. How many elderly women held their own in such extreme circumstances? Scanning from Nana’s face to Mom’s, and then Aunt Sarah, sadness gripped Reagan’s chest. Odds were, even if there was a victory over Rafe, she’d have to survive losing all of them. Madeleine was one of the strongest women in the cave, and loss was eating away at her. Her family was gone, consumed by the war. Reagan looked up and ran both hands through her hair, holding them at the nape of her neck and letting her elbows collapse toward each other. She had to keep it together.
“And I thought we had a tough morning.”
Aunt Sarah’s voice caused Reagan to relax. She asked, “How did that go, by the way? Did Mom hang
in there?”
“She did, although I think we’re both going to need an extra-long shower and some Ibuprofen.”
“Wolf blood is like an IV-pump of pain meds. Our pain tends to be intense but fade quickly,” Reagan said. “But I bet you have a few more tricks up your sleeve than just simple Ibuprofen.”
Aunt Sarah smiled. “I’ll never tell.”
Minimal conversation occurred as the ladies focused on their food.
Finally, Madeleine spoke up. “I think I’ll give my ladies a break and join you in the library for a bit.”
From Reagan’s left, she could hear her mother’s exaggerated exhale just as Sam and Dad came over.
“You ladies look like you’ve been through the ringer this morning,” Sam said as he moved to Jessica and massaged her shoulders. She leaned her head back, and he kissed her on the forehead.
Although everyone knew Reagan and Rowan were together, they never gave into PDA. Instead, they met at off hours and in dark corners. Even at seventeen, she understood her role as a leader, as did Rowan. Plus, it helped keep her mind in the game instead of on Rowan’s chiseled physique and mesmerizing good looks. Well, most of the time.
“Earth to Reagan,” Winona said. “Let’s get back to work.”
Even a momentary lapse rarely went unnoticed; another reminder that a personal life wasn’t in Reagan’s near future. She wished she’d seen Rowan at lunch; his presence always gave her a boost of energy. Gathering her trash, she assumed the command center was abuzz with planning, especially since Ricardo, Sasha, and Papa weren’t around either. An image of Ricardo and Winona in the dark popped into Reagan’s mind.
“Hey, Winona, wait up,” she said as she caught up to her sister. Thankfully, nobody else was close by. “So, you and Ricardo. What’s going on?”
“Shhhh. I don’t want anyone to know. It’s new, and I’m not really sure what it is.” Winona’s words were barely above a whisper.
From their first meeting a few months ago, Reagan had rarely seen anything but confidence and strength in her sister. Feeling protective, Reagan wondered if she should have a talk with Ricardo. Winona had spent much of her life being raised in a cave by an old man; she didn’t know anything about boys and romance. Reagan didn’t want to see her sister’s heart broken.
“Okay, but I’m here if you want to talk. Always,” Reagan said.
Winona smiled and took her sister’s hand.
They were the first to make it back to the library.
Reagan took a moment to peruse the massive amount of books. She missed the days of escaping into the latest paranormal read, never suspecting she’d find herself in a world crazier than fiction. As she ran her fingers along the spines of volume after volume, she heard the other ladies arrive.
“Looks like we’re all here,” Nana said.
Reagan joined them by the table.
“Madeleine, we were working on how we can come together to strengthen each other’s powers.”
Nana took a slight breath, and Madeleine interjected. “I’m not sure what I have to offer. Dad told me my mother had angel blood, but he wasn’t able to give me too many details. He didn’t last that long.” She looked away from the ladies, focusing on a spot in a far corner of the room. Her nostrils flared, and her chest rose with breath before she continued. “If I hadn’t seen the vision of Dyani passing her power to Jessica, I wouldn’t have understood the gift Amélie gave to me. Even with that, I don’t know how it’s affected me. I don’t really feel any different.”
Throughout her speech, Nana had been nodding, as if it all meant something to her. “It will be revealed to you in time. Usually, our most vulnerable times showcase our greatest strengths.”
Reagan had no doubt Madeleine’s gift would be amazing. Throughout all the battles and training sessions, Reagan had never seen someone stronger and more agile. From the visions Amélie had shared with Winona and Reagan, she knew physical strength and tactical maneuvering were instinctual for Madeleine.
For the rest of the day, the ladies alternated between sessions of strength training and mind manipulation. By dinnertime, everyone was exhausted and ready for bed. Everyone except Reagan, Jessica, and Madeleine.
They had a job to do.
Nighttime emerged as the sun set, and with it, Reagan’s nerves escalated.
After everything she’d been through, she had yet to come up against a vampire. And she’d only seen one through a vision and on a movie screen. As she, Jessica, Rowan, and Papa raced through the woods to their rendezvous, Reagan hoped they had enough backup. Ricardo and Sam would be a few yards away to the east, while Madeleine and Sasha were the same distance away to the west.
Throughout the run, Reagan saw odd flashes of light and strange breezes, ones that seemed to caress her skin and offer a bit of comfort. Even stranger, she felt a presence like none she’d ever experienced. Hoping Nana had put a protection spell on them, Reagan accepted the comforts as gifts.
An hour into the run, Papa slowed down, and the others followed his lead.
Shifting back into their human forms, Papa threw clothes to everyone from the pack he’d been carrying.
Reagan couldn’t help but wonder what hunters, or other people wandering the woods, thought about ripped pieces of cotton scattered across the ground in certain areas. She pushed the random thought aside and focused on their mission.
“We’re close now, and I’d rather proceed cautiously at this point,” Papa said.
It was a cloudy night, so the darkness surrounding them seemed more intense than usual. She wished Lucent could’ve met them in broad daylight at a very crowded Starbucks instead. With each step, even the smallest twig underfoot caused a rippling, thunderous sound. At least, in her mind. She took a couple of deep breaths and tried to calm herself. If only Winona had been there, she could’ve eased Reagan’s anxiety.
They reached a small clearing, and Papa put his arm out to signal for everyone behind him to stop. She couldn’t see much from her position. Then, she sensed something—first to her left, and then to her right.
“Welcome.”
A voice echoed through the night, and she could only assume it was Lucent.
Papa and Rowan edged forward, and she and Jessica followed.
Lucent came into view.
Reagan couldn’t help but be captivated by his gorgeous face and debonair qualities. Hollywood had nailed the image of a vampire leader, a man who’d walked the Earth for generations. He was part Greek god and part classic movie star.
As Reagan stepped closer, she felt a strange sensation on her arm, like a feather brushing against her skin. Tilting her head to examine the area, she found nothing. Was Lucent doing something to throw her off? From her limited vampire knowledge, some of which Papa had gone over earlier in the evening in preparation for their rendezvous, she knew the creatures were alluring and deceptive. She closed her eyes to regain her composure only to be bombarded with pulsing lights. Panic bubbled up, and she inhaled before braving sight again. A strange breeze blew, and the smell of lavender filled the air, light and slightly sweet. She wondered if she was somehow causing it.
“Thanks for agreeing to see us,” Papa said.
Reagan forced herself to focus on his voice.
He and Lucent closed the gap and shook hands. Out of the shadows, a few figures emerged, both male and female.
Papa took a step back.
“As you have brought your friends, so I have brought a few of mine. I hope you’ll understand,” Lucent said.
Papa nodded.
“There’s really no reason to beat around the bush. I know why you’ve come, and you must know my concerns.”
“Of course. It really boils down to our word that we’ll only use the angel sword to defeat Rafe. With rare exception, your kind has kept to themselves and only taken what you need. We’ve done the same. We want peace once Rafe is gone. If he wins, there will be nothing but suffering. For you and for us,” Papa said.
“Do
you have the sword?”
What started as a breeze turned into a stronger wind. Leaves swirled, and Reagan reached up to hold her hair back.
“Reagan, it’s okay,” Jessica whispered.
Everyone seemed to be looking in Reagan’s direction. She wanted to tell them she wasn’t doing it, but she wasn’t entirely sure. To ease everyone’s minds, she simply nodded. Beside her, Jessica was in distress. One arm was curled under her abdomen as she bent over.
Reagan squeezed her friend’s hand in support, wondering if she was reacting to her own demon blood.
“No. We’re close to finding it, though.” Papa picked right back up where the conversation left off.
Lucent took a few steps closer to Reagan. “Is this one of the chosen ones?”
Something about the way he said it, combined with his proximity, made her skin crawl. Wind speed picked up with each movement the vampire took toward her.
Papa, Jessica, and Rowan formed a closer circle around Reagan. “You already know the answer to that question, don’t you?” Papa said, his eyes narrowed at Lucent.
“That I do,” Lucent replied, meeting Papa’s glare.
“Is everything okay? We’re feeling strong winds here. Didn’t know if it was you or nature.”
It was Madeleine in Reagan’s head.
“It’s not me.” She pushed her thoughts back.
Out of nowhere, she heard soft music.
“Will you agree to stay out of things until the battle is over?” Papa asked.
Lucent never looked away from Reagan. “What’s in it for me?”
“Is there anything in it for you to help Rafe?”
“He’s offered me safety,” Lucent answered.
Rowan joined in. “You can’t trust Rafe. I know that better than anyone.”
A few feet behind Lucent, Reagan noticed one pulse of light then another. She remembered a similar sight back in Georgia when she saw lightning bugs for the first time. But she never saw those types of bugs in Colorado. Moving lights blended into a glowing ball, increasing in size with rapid speed.
Reagan felt the hair all over her body stand up. Everyone seemed on guard, each bending at the knees as if ready to transform. Then, wings emerged from the ball of light, and a body started to form as the air stilled. As the glow faded, she saw a young male or female, she wasn’t sure which, before them. Everything about the creature took her breath away. It hovered for a moment before it spread its magnificent wings. Then, it softly lowered its feet to the ground.
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 39