Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series

by Tia Silverthorne Bach

  “Are you okay?” Winona asked Jessica.

  “He can hear us,” she answered. “Let’s grab some lunch and see what we can come up with.”

  “What about Cheveyo? Do you think he’ll have some insight?” Reagan asked. She didn’t want to drain him any further, but they were in a time crunch; the longer Donovan sat in that cell, the more likely someone would come looking for him.

  “I hope so. I just don’t want him in that cell trying to help,” Winona said.

  Reagan understood. Her mind drifted back to the images from the battle. One of the last scenes she remembered was Donovan struggling to get off the ground once Nana’s microburst knocked out the rest of his army. He must’ve been stronger than they were if he survived her onslaught.

  “How did we get Donovan here? Could anyone have followed?” Knowing Papa was with Nana right after the battle, Reagan hoped Rowan had some answers.

  “One of the guys got the van started, so we put you, Winona, and Donovan in the van with me, Ricardo, and Sasha. Everyone else met us back here.”

  “If only the stupid van had started as soon as they flipped it over, then—”

  Rowan took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. “You can’t do that to yourself. Ifs are a dangerous game.”

  They might be a dangerous game, but they were an easy one. She’d considered several decisions she could’ve made to change the course of events. No! she yelled in her own head. She couldn’t bring Nana back; instead, Reagan would honor her grandmother’s memory by destroying Rafe.

  Donovan might be the answer.

  Reagan’s nose alerted her to the proximity of the kitchen. Several pack members gathered around tables; she hadn’t seen so many people out and about in a while. Each cave had a similar setup, so she didn’t have many new things to learn. Only the prison area had been different so far, and for all she knew, there was a similar space in their last home.

  Rowan and Papa grabbed food and excused themselves to check on something at the command center.

  Reagan made a sandwich and noticed Aunt Sarah sitting close by. She caught sight of Reagan and smiled. Taking the empty chair next to her aunt, Reagan laid her food on the table and then drew her aunt into a hug.

  Pulling back, but not letting go, Reagan said, “Nana used her last words to pass on a message for you and Mom. You know how much Nana loved you, right?” For some reason, she hadn’t told her mom earlier and planned to remedy that as soon as possible.

  “I could say the same to you. You brought the fire back into her. For years, it was just the two of us, and I worried about her. She was looking so old. But around you and Winona, she looked young again. I started to believe she was; that we’d never lose her.” Aunt Sarah’s lip quivered, and she barely got the last word out.

  “I thought of her as Papa’s girlfriend. She looked so amazing the other day in her gold gown,” Reagan said. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine a more normal life with Rowan. A real relationship, not one that existed in the confines of war and prophecy.

  “Did you get any information from that scumbag’s head?” Madeleine’s voice startled Reagan, and she jumped a few inches out of her seat.

  Jessica and Winona joined them at the table before Reagan could respond.

  “So?” Madeleine prodded.

  “He blocked us. We got nothing. We’re going to ask Cheveyo for some help removing the block, since we aren’t sure what to do next.”

  “Maybe we need full strength. Let your mom and aunt join in. Me, too.”

  After everything they’d been through, Reagan wanted to expose as few people to Donovan’s evil as possible. Still, six increased their power. If only they’d had six… Reagan stopped the line of thinking before it avalanched into more supposition. “What do you think?” She looked at Aunt Sarah.

  “My mom would’ve wanted us to do whatever was necessary to defeat evil. I don’t want to let her down.”

  Reagan squeezed her aunt’s hand, downed the last bit of sandwich, and pushed back from the table. “Let’s get Mom.”

  One by one, the other ladies did the same.

  Aunt Sarah reached out for Reagan’s elbow and pulled her close. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”

  “Sure,” she whispered back. “Ladies, can you give us a second?”

  “We’ll wait for you in the hall,” Winona said.

  After watching them go, Reagan turned back to her aunt. “What’s going on?”

  She looked around the room and seemed to deem it private enough. Two other people sat in a far corner, but otherwise, they were alone.

  “Nana came to me a few days ago with some concerns about Madeleine’s gift.”

  “Did she finally figure it out?”

  Nodding, she continued. “Yes. You know how Amélie could transfer her energy and feelings into others? Actually, I guess Winona does the same thing. Anyway, Madeleine has the opposite effect. She can pull things from others. Or at least, that’s what Nana expected.”

  Reagan considered the revelation. It made sense. Madeleine always seemed to be the superior fighter; maybe she drained her victims of strength instead of just being more capable. A thought hit with such intensity it felt like an electric jolt. “Does this mean she could be the key to getting information from Donovan?” It was the kind of news she needed.

  “Well, yes, I think that could work. But Nana was worried, and so am I.”

  “Worried about what?” Reagan asked.

  “You know how you worry Winona will give too much of herself, maybe drain herself in an irreparable way?”

  Reagan nodded.

  “What if Madeleine does the opposite? It’s one thing with strength; it’s another thing entirely when you’re absorbing evil.”

  Stunned, Reagan wished she could ask Nana for advice. Sadness crept back in with the thought. Pushing the heaviness away, a skill Reagan had become too adept at over the previous months, she refocused on Donovan.

  “We won’t let that happen, okay?” She tried to sound convincing, both for herself and her aunt.

  “Okay,” Aunt Sarah said. “Should we go get your mom?”

  Action. One of the best solutions to overcoming doubt and fear. Reagan rolled her shoulders back, took a deep breath, and walked out to meet the ladies. Last time she saw Mom, she was keeping Cheveyo company. Assuming she was still there, Reagan headed in that direction, followed by the other ladies. As she suspected, her mom hadn’t left, and she sat alone by Cheveyo’s side.

  “How—”

  Mom’s finger flew to her lips as she pointed in the direction of the hallway and got up from her seat. Winona moved past them both and laid a hand on Cheveyo’s arm. He didn’t move.

  “He hasn’t woken since you left earlier,” Mom said. “Sarah, can you help him?”

  Aunt Sarah shook her head. “I’ve tried everything I know.”

  “I don’t know how much longer he has.”

  Fate seemed to be picking them off one by one. How were they supposed to defeat Rafe with dwindling numbers? Faith shaken, Reagan wished she had some way to boost it again. But it wasn’t the time. They had to see if Donovan could provide them with some advantage. Lord knows they could use one.

  “Reagan, you okay?” Mom’s words penetrated Reagan’s musings.

  “Yes, sorry.” She went on to explain their plans and asked if her mom was up to it.

  “Seeing his face will make me sick, knowing he’s the one who killed my mother, but I’ll do anything it takes to end all this pain and suffering. To preserve what family I have left.”

  It was a running theme. None of them wanted Nana’s death to be senseless, although it very much felt that way.

  Reagan motioned for Winona. She joined them back in the hall. “I don’t want him alone. Could we grab someone on the way?”

  “Sure, Sasha’s usually in the command center, and that’s where we’re headed. I’m sure she will.”

  Winona hesitated, her eyes still on Chevey
o.

  Placing a hand on Winona’s arm, Reagan said, “We should go.” She felt insensitive, aware of her sister’s pain and reluctance to leave, but time wasn’t their friend. They had a job to do.

  She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip. “Let’s go.”

  They moved in silence toward the command center. There, they found the usual suspects. Mom asked Sasha if she could sit with Cheveyo, which she agreed to do.

  Winona’s shoulders relaxed.

  “We have a plan,” Reagan announced to Papa. She detailed the plans with an added idea, one that came to her on the fly. “I’m thinking Papa and Rowan should be there and see what we’re seeing. It’ll be easier than trying to show them after and having to relive what I know will be awful.” No matter what, she knew the images would haunt them all forever.

  “Sounds like a plan. Is everybody ready?”

  Hesitant nods occurred in sync.

  Falling in line behind their commander, they followed Papa back to the depths of the cave.

  Donovan sneered when he saw the group before him. “Had to bring reinforcements, huh? I guess I should feel honored. But you could bring as many people as you want down here. You’ll get nothing from me.”

  Reagan hated him more with every word he spoke.

  Papa turned his back to the cell and kept his voice low. “Do not let him antagonize you. He wants to get in your minds. Don’t let him.” With that, he faced the bars again and opened them. Everyone stepped inside. It was a tight fit.

  To make the circle strong, Reagan suggested she take one of Donovan’s hands while Winona took the other. Then, Reagan had the other ladies join hands while directing Rowan to stand behind her, his hands holding her shoulders, and Papa to do the same with Winona. Madeleine faced Donovan on the other side of the circle.

  On the way to the cell, Reagan wondered if she should tell Madeleine about the theories but decided against it, afraid it would spook her. Reagan closed her eyes, hoping her instincts were right, as Aunt Sarah chanted “Let us see” in Latin.

  Light receded and darkness filled the void. Then, undecipherable images flashed in and out of Reagan’s mind. Her head began to swim, and she felt lightheaded, followed by rising nausea. Without warning, their connection was severed. Reagan put a hand against the cave wall to steady herself and looked around the room. Everyone but Madeleine seemed affected.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  Reagan looked at Aunt Sarah. Confusion gave way to realization. Was Madeleine draining their power as she pulled from Donovan?

  “What’s wrong Reagan? You look like you might be sick. Did you see something? All I saw were—”

  Interrupting Mom before she could go any further in Donovan’s presence, Reagan said, “I have an idea. Can we all step outside for a moment?”

  Papa narrowed his eyes, but she didn’t hesitate. She turned and left the cell.

  “Do you really think anything you do is going to stop what’s destined to happen?” Donovan spat. His voice sounded more desperate than usual, and Reagan wondered if he felt Madeleine’s pull.

  Once they were several feet away, and out of Donovan’s sight, Reagan pulled Madeleine aside. “I don’t have a lot of time to get into the details, but Nana believed your gift was to drain others. Kind of the opposite of what your sister could do. Back there, when we were holding hands, I started to feel weak.”

  “But I’ve touched you before, and…” Madeleine seemed to be processing the new information.

  “Yes, but were you focused and amped by five others with power?” Reagan didn’t understand all the specifics of their powers, but she needed Madeleine to follow. “I think if you were to hold Donovan’s hands and try to see into his mind, it just might work. Then, you can show us what you saw. Focus your energy on taking his. But, I have to warn you…” Unsure the best way to say it, Reagan decided to be direct. “Don’t pull too hard. If you do, I’m not sure what’ll happen. Am I making sense?” She couldn’t tell if she was.

  “Yes, I think. I want to try.”

  “We’ll all be in there with you. If at any point you feel like it’s not working or you’re going too far, please, stop.” Knowing Madeleine attacked everything with all she had, Reagan reemphasized the point. “Promise me you’ll stop.”

  “I will.” With that, Madeleine spun on her heels and reentered the cell.

  “What’s—”

  Reagan stopped Papa. There was no time for explanation. “Trust us.” She then took Winona’s hand and communicated everything from Aunt Sarah’s confession to the most recent conversation with Madeleine. After, Winona squeezed Reagan’s hand.

  “What’s this?” Donovan asked when Madeleine grabbed his hands. “I know you. I can feel our connection. My mother tried to have an effect on me, tried to make me better. What makes you think you can accomplish what she couldn’t?”

  “Because I don’t want to help you. I want to destroy you.” Madeleine closed her eyes and tightened her grip.

  Reagan watched the color of Donovan’s hands change from pale, to pink, to a deep purple.

  He thrashed against the wall as much as he could within the limits of the chains. “Someone get this crazy woman off me!” His eyes bulged.

  Papa stepped forward, but Reagan put an arm out. “She’s got this,” she said with more confidence than she felt. Then, she heard something crack.

  Donovan’s howls echoed throughout the small space. “She freaking broke my hand.”

  Wishing Nana was there to give some advice, Reagan turned to her aunt and mouthed, “What do I do?”

  She opened her mouth and tried to respond, but Donovan’s moans drowned out any other noise.

  Madeleine seemed taller and her skin glowed. Then, her hair stood on end, and the veins in her arms pulsed under her skin.

  Afraid, Reagan put a hand on Madeleine’s shoulder. A rush of energy knocked Reagan back a couple of feet. If Rowan hadn’t caught her, she would’ve crashed into the wall. He steadied her.

  Determined to try again, she moved forward. As she reached out to touch Madeleine, Winona came up and joined her right hand with Reagan’s left.

  “Put your other hand around her front. I’ll do the same, and we’ll hold hands against her waist,” Winona communicated.

  Reagan didn’t think about it; she just trusted. Once in place, images came rapid fire into her head, like a movie played in super fast-forward mode. Beatings, blood, mistreated women. All seared into her memory. Her energy waned, but another worrisome feeling took her breath away. It felt like fire, burning hot hatred, and it grew in intensity. Her vision went as red as the glowing eyes of the demon wolves. Terror filled her soul. With all the energy she could manage, she pulled against Madeleine.

  Winona joined in.

  “Papa, Rowan!” Reagan yelled. “Pull Madeleine’s hands off Donovan!”

  She could see them trying to pry Madeleine’s fingers from Donovan’s, but it wasn’t working. “Madeleine! Stop! Don’t let him consume you! Don’t let him win!” Reagan yelled into her friend’s mind. “This isn’t what your sister would want. She hated evil. Don’t take it in!”

  Reagan was catapulted backward and slammed against the wall, falling to the ground with a thud. Upon impact, the wind was knocked out of her. As she struggled for breath, the room spun.

  “Reagan, are you okay?”

  Madeleine.

  Grateful to hear her voice, Reagan calmed herself, focusing on getting air to her lungs. “Yes.” She finally managed. “Is Donovan…”

  “He’s still alive. I wanted to kill him, but I couldn’t.” Madeleine looked dejected; her shoulders slumped, and her gaze cast downward.

  “We can’t become evil in order to destroy it.” Reagan heard the words come out of her mouth, but it still shocked her. It sounded like something Nana or Cheveyo would say.

  Madeleine extended her hand and helped Reagan back to her feet. “I know. Amélie would say the same thing.”

  “What did yo
u see?” Reagan asked. She’d seen enough to feel sick to her stomach, but nothing she thought might help them defeat Rafe.

  “I’ll show you in pieces. It’s a lot to take in,” Madeleine said and then addressed the rest of the room. “Let’s head to the library, and I’ll show you what I saw. Hopefully, there are some clues.”

  As they filed out of the cell, Reagan noticed Donovan’s limp body. “Are you sure he’s not dead?” she asked Papa as he offered his arm.

  “I checked. There’s a pulse. Not much of one, but it’s there.”

  She wrapped her arm around Papa’s and leaned into him. “We can’t keep him here.”

  “No, we can’t,” he said.

  Part of her wanted to ask the next logical question, but she hesitated. Donovan couldn’t be allowed to leave. She guessed his demise would fall to Papa. It sucked to be the person responsible for everyone else.

  Once assembled in the library, Madeleine offered for Papa and Rowan to hold her hands and see. They sat still for a few moments before their hands fell away. Reagan walked over, wondering what was wrong.

  “We can’t see anything,” Rowan said.

  “I’m having a hard time sharing the memories toward them after…” Madeleine’s words trailed off.

  “I can help,” Winona said.

  Not willing to let her sister face the evil memories alone, Reagan joined in.

  Madeleine’s brain was the haystack, and they were searching for a needle. She’d absorbed so many memories, sorting through them was difficult.

  Reagan could see Donovan beating Jessica and his mother and pushed past, searching for Rafe’s face. Battle scene after battle scene played, leaving Reagan with images of gruesome killings and horrific displays of torture. Those who died quickly should’ve been grateful. Then, there were the women. Used until they were with child and then thrown aside.

  Wishing she could look away, she focused harder. She didn’t want to have to view any of it again, but missing something wasn’t an option.

  “Wait, stop there,” Papa said.

  Reagan wanted to tell him he didn’t have to speak out loud, but it didn’t seem the time. As if focusing a camera, the vision became clearer and closer. Rafe was talking to a Native American, one who looked very close in age to Cheveyo.