Kyle sank to his knees, “Mom?”
“How could you do this, Jack?” Nat’s voice came from behind him.
A crackling voice answered from his mother’s mouth. Jack seemed to be answering through her, “I am sorry Natalee. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
“Come back and let’s talk about this.” Nat said, her anger clear.
A hollow cackle came out of his mother’s decaying mouth. “No, I will not be coming back. That lunatic will kill me.”
Natalee’s breathing was labored. Kyle could tell his sister was doing all she could not to lose it. “Then let her go.”
“Very well,” his mother’s mouth said. Then she went limp, falling to the floor in a heap.
“What the fuck?” Kyle began.
“She has been dead for days.” Nat began, “Dad told me. He is super powerful, and other people’s powers don’t work well on him. The Faith found that out the hard way. So did Jack. I am guessing he kept Grandma away?”
“Yeah, he said her power would inhibit the healing.”
“It would have destroyed the illusion.” Nat answered. “He was somehow able to use her powers after she was dead, but he needed us to believe she was alive.”
“How?” Kyle asked, “And why?”
Nat just shrugged, slowly walking to her mother’s corpse and kneeling next to her. Cal walked into the room, and waved for her to come to him. Natalee complied, while Kyle watched in shocked disbelief.
With an overwhelming sadness, Cal held his staff up and their mother’s corpse burst into flame. It was a hot flame, but the stone of the building would not burn. They left her cremation experience, and walked out to the courtyard. His father had returned, but his mother was gone. Kyle wasn’t sure how much more he could take.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Constantly looking over her shoulder, Kim made her way through the brush. She knew that Maxine Craven’s dogs would find her, if she wasn’t careful. Maybe even then they would find her. She was terrified. Slipping away while no one was looking was less difficult than she had assumed. No one even looked at her any more. She could tell they all blamed her for Rich’s death, and maybe that was correct, but she couldn’t remain with them any longer. She doubted anyone would come after her this time.
Her full intent was to make her way south, then up into the mountains. Apparently that Eric Fine had opened the pass and was no longer harassing the passersby. Perhaps she could slip by without notice, and make a life for herself up in the mountains. With no sign of any dogs, or followers, she crept her way out of the bushes and almost ran into a running Jack Collins.
“Oh!” she exclaimed.
Jack looked at her with some apprehension. Had he been sent to return her? “Jack, I can’t go back.”
“What?” He asked. “Oh, yeah, not a problem. I am heading south and west. You can follow along if you want.”
Her fear of being returned was replaced by an annoyance that Jack didn’t even seem to care. She could follow if she wanted? What kind of nonsense was that? She thought the people from the Bluffs always looked out for one another. She guessed a lot must have changed in the few months she had been away.
“Look,” Jack said hastily, “I need to be where I am going before nightfall. We can walk together.”
“Where are you going?” She asked sheepishly.
“They need a healer at Manitou,” he said, “I am not welcome at the Bluffs. They don’t really like me there, because I like to do things a little bit differently. Everything has to be the way they say. And bringing that Hermit guy into camp? That guy is a monster.”
“I agree,” Kim cut in with fervor. She was thrilled she had found someone else who saw what she saw.
Jack stopped and looked at her. “Oh,” he said, “You aren’t going back at all either?”
Shaking her head, Kim sighed with relief. “No, I will never go back there again. They don’t like me anymore.”
Jack smiled. “I guess we are in the same boat. Do you want to go to Manitou with me?”
“If I remember correctly, they don’t take women in.” She hung her head, he was going the one place she couldn’t go.
“I am pretty sure they changed all that.” He replied, “Plus, they are only warriors. I am sure they could really use your kinetic abilities. What were they again?”
“Fire,” Kim said softly. She wasn’t sure she would ever want to use them again. After all of the Faith’s teaching, most of which she believed, it had been her who had accidentally set the pyres ablaze. She was just trying to get away. She had no idea it would light them up and burn Rich to death. She saw this ability as a curse of the Adversary. “I would prefer not to use it.”
A strange look came over Jack’s face. “Perhaps I can help,” he said.
Kim didn’t know what he meant, but he was friendlier than anyone had been the whole march back to the Bluffs. They fell into an easy conversation, and she found him a little intruding with his questions about her powers, but she was sure he was just interested in making her feel okay.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Ashes. Natalee sat with the bowl in hand, waiting her turn. They had discussed it for a while, but in the end, Kyle had sacrificed his own desire to do this and had allowed Nat to carry her mother’s ashes to the edge of the cliff. Since Rich had no family, Kyle was set to release his ashes. Kevin, the pastor who was taking over the chapel with Rich gone, was saying words to the assembled people. Nat couldn’t hear them, she was so involved in her own grief and inner thought.
Every person in the Bluffs had come out to pay their respects. That was nice. It was also special that all of the demi-humans had come to pay their respects also. They hadn’t even known Kate Ward. Survivors from camps, survivors from the towns and from Hillside, even some of Eric’s men had come to pay their respects. It was beautiful. She heard the low howl and turned to see the small band of werewolves lightly howling their grief. She knew it was Max who was feeling the pain. This sort of thing didn’t even surprise her any more.
When her time came, she released her mother’s ashes into the wind. Watching the dust float away, she turned to look at her father. Their love had been the ideal. It was the model of which she planned all relationships around. She could remember them laughing, and being too affectionate for a teen girl’s likes. Now he just stood there, stoic, his sunglasses hiding the emotions she wasn’t even sure he still had. He didn’t even remember her. Her father would have been devastated, the Hermit was stone.
A moment later, she traded places with Kyle, as he released Rich’s ashes into the air. They were carried away, as her mother’s had been. Over the day, some of the Terras had made statues of both Rich and her mom. They were beautiful, and moving. Different kinetics had come together and bonded with two of their few remaining imprinted diamonds, so fire and water, air and light, would all play over the faces of the statues to a thrilling effect. It was a nice thing to do, but it wouldn’t replace her mom.
She didn’t have a lot of time to think about treating her mom better, about being a better daughter. A group had been called by her Uncle Ted to join as leaders and get more structure in their government. They could no longer simply and loosely attempt to let things happen. It had cost lives. The Bluffs had defined territory now, and there would be much more structure in the days to come. As the ceremony came to a close, she didn’t look around, she just made her way to the Council chambers as requested. She and Kin had never made up. He still didn’t forgive her for not saving Cliff, and refused to believe that the dragon was actually Cliff. Her father was distant, and a different person. Her brother was taking care of his boyfriend, and her uncle was taking care of her aunt. Her cousin had run away, and there just wasn’t anyone else with whom to share her grief.
Inside the audience portion of the chamber sat around fifty people and she moved to the back and took a seat. Pretty much every faction was represented, and every known leader was present. She hoped it would start soon, and saw her Dad s
tanding with Jordan and Emma, while looking at Grand Master Pike. Did he have the memory? Was he trying to place the face? She couldn’t tell. Her uncle stood up and addressed the assembled group, assuaging her concerns about time.
“Thank you all for coming,” he began, “as you know, we are in a position where we will need to be a little more rigid in our form. I don’t think there is any dissent about that. It has been two and a half years since the Event. The time has come to stop pretending it is all going to go away. So, I have decided to help with that structure, with the aid of my sensei, Grand Master Pike. He has agreed to train blacksmiths up in Woodland Park, using the rough model we developed at the Hillside for healers. We will also train their healers, and anyone else willing to learn. Adam is going to create a structure at the Hillside Healing College (that is what we are calling it), and we will accept forms of payment for that training.”
There was some question about payment, but Ted just let the grumbling die down before continuing. “As most of you have heard reported, our old paper US currency is useless in the markets. But the coins seem to trade well. We have decided to adopt a certain standard for trade, and will attempt to fairly influence its use in our lands. Our lands extend from Kettle Creek in the north to old Highway 24 in the south. They go east to Sand Creek and west to here at the mountains. Natalee was wise enough to set up an outpost on the eastern border. We will need to create and man a few more than that. People need to feel safe.”
The agreement was wide enough, that it didn’t hold up his speech for long. “Those outposts will represent districts. They are North, South, East, Central and Bluffs. The council will appoint leaders to each, we don’t have titles or responsibilities yet, so don’t ask.” A laugh went around the room. “Today’s goal is to begin. This beginning is with the Council. Moving forward, responsibilities and structure all are in place. About half of our existing council have chosen to depart, including myself.”
A shout of dissent went up from the assembly, but Ted calmed them down quickly. “Kayla and I need time. I will be here for you, just not in that role. He doesn’t know I am doing this, but as we will need a new leader, I would like to nominate someone.”
Nat’s ears pricked up, she was sure he was talking about her Dad. This might keep him around, Nat was already feeling like he didn’t want to be in the Bluffs.
“Kyle,” Ted said, surprising both her and her brother, “I wish to nominate you to be the Head of the Council of the Bluffs. It is a lot of work and responsibility, but I know you are capable.”
The shock on Kyle’s face was delightful to his little sister. He stammered out, “I would be honored to serve, but I am sure someone else…”
“All those who approve?” Ted called out to a chorus of Yes! “Any no?” he called out to silence, before a wide range of congratulations were shouted at her brother. “Excellent!” Her uncle exclaimed. “Your duties begin tomorrow. As for all of the other seats, we will increase the total seats to ten. Three will be trainer positions, who do not have to sit in every meeting. Those will be Healer training, Adam; Kinetic Training, Niall; and Warrior training, Natalee.”
Nat had a buzzing in her ears. Did he just say she was in charge of warrior training?
“Sorry, Nat,” Ted called out, “We couldn’t ask. You might have said no. Everyone welcome Commander Natalee Ward, she will be taking over Britt’s duties. He needed the time to recover.” She blushed at the welcome and congratulations that now came her way.
“Our other council members were chosen by the existing council unanimously. They are Phineas, the centaur, for Security and Guard. Dr. Emma for Supplies and Provisions, continuing her role. Jordan has agreed to handle diplomacy with other groups due to his recent ability revealing itself. Chief Healer at the Bluffs has been appointed, and Kelly has agreed to do it. Our head of research will remain Jenny. And lastly, our treasurer and keeper of the coins, will be Jeremy. Any questions?”
There were none and they adjourned quickly. Passing the myriad of well-wishers, she made a b-line for her father. He was listening to Grand Master Pike, as she approached.
“Dad?” she said and he turned to look at her. He looked around the room and nodded to Jordan, who quickly came over to translate.
“I am going with Pike.” Her father said, through translation. “I am not ready to settle down, and I want to see his town. I will always be around. If you need me, use this.” He handed her a ring, which she immediately recognized as her mother’s wedding ring. “I have imbued it with a …” Jordan stopped translating and just looked at her dad.
Cal made some wild gestures, which she was growing used to seeing. Jordan nodded and continued, “I have imbued it with a calling ability.”
Jordan spoke for himself, it was apparently too hard to translate. “I don’t know how to say what he is trying to convey. Basically, if you hold it, and think about needing him, he will know. Is that right?”
Her Father nodded, then took his sunglasses off. His laugh-lines and eye-wrinkles were overshadowed with sadness. He was clearly diminishing his glowing eyes a bit, so she could see his expression. He was sad to be leaving her. He hugged her closely.
Jordan’s voice softly added next to her, “He loves you. His memory is completely shot, but he knows he loves you. He knows he loves your brother. He knows he loved your mother. He says that Pike will be able to help him focus and perhaps get his memory back.”
“I love you too, Dad.” She said, the tears in her eyes matching the longing in her chest.
Cal and Grand Master Pike turned and walked out of the room. She knew he wouldn’t come to say goodbye. Cal Ward would have done anything for one last moment with his daughter. But, the Hermit needed to wander. She wondered if he would ever again be just one person.
As she watched him go, a hand laid on her shoulder. She looked up at her brother. “He’ll be back. Deep down inside of him is our Dad. He is just fighting his way to get back.”
Nat looked down sadly, then a grin covered her face and she looked up at Kyle, “Whatever you say, Council Leader.”
His hand on her shoulder went around into his normal brotherly side hug. “Yeah, bite me…Commander.” They both laughed and walked out of the Council chambers. Their grief would take months, if they ever got over this loss. But they had each other, and that would be enough for now.
THE END of Book Two
EPILOGUE
He sniffed around. There were plants, but not much else. Letting his senses intensify, he waited to hear any sound, smell any scent. But there was only the sound of the wind; only the scent of old death. Originally he had flown down to the old resort, forgetting it had once been Eric Fine’s compound. Even after all of this time, it was a burned out husk of a resort with all of the buildings nearby completely destroyed. It wasn’t a bad choice, because there were no people. But it was flat and boring and there was no place to make a lair.
People feared him now. He was huge, with a massive wingspan. He had to admit he loved it. Though he had at first been afraid of how others perceived him, he could think of nothing better than the fact that he had become a dragon. His brother trying to spear him to death when he landed at the Bluffs was not awesome, but perhaps he could find a way to communicate, to let others know who he was.
After the resort, he had another thought and had ended up here at the installation formerly known as NORAD. Nothing had been open for him to go inside, but high above the big doors, he had found a small outdoor garden. He smelled the dead air coming from an opening inside. It meant that there was a door open inside this enclosure. The plants had escaped the enclosure through a makeshift entry. It looked like nature itself had helped him out, but he wanted to make sure no one was inside.
Without a sound coming, he knew he was okay to proceed. He began to tear into the little enclosure with teeth and claws, eventually opening it to nest size. He giggled to himself on the inside. He couldn’t produce eggs because he was male, but a nest would have been so
cool!
Seeing the open door, he sniffed at it. The air coming out was dark and wet. If he had to guess, when the rain fell it had flooded. There were animals inside, small animals, he could hear their chittering. He lit into the doorway and in another two hours or so, he had torn a hole big enough to get himself inside. It was still pretty cramped for a being of his size, but it would do for now. He would take the time to open his new lair up. Perhaps he would even open another door. If he could get the main door open, that was even bigger than him. For now, he had a place to rest. He had a place to sleep. He had a place to bring his prey, to feast on it. He felt bad that he had to steal cows from farmers to have enough to eat. But he needed sustenance, and the cows were the best he could find. He loved being a dragon. If he could figure out a way to breathe fire, he thought he might be the most joyful dragon of which he had ever heard.
Glossary of Names
Books in which the character appears are listed in parentheses as (b1) or (b2) or (b1, b2)
Adam Cross – 35, former US Army Medic, former restaurant manager at Pep’s, Healer; head of Hillside Healing College (b1, b2)
Alan Stone – 64, commanding officer at Fort Carson; Lieutenant General; deceased (b1)
Alex – Warrior; Council Bluffs (b2)
Alton Tooney – 57, registered sex offender and neighborhood handyman, Black Forest; deceased (b1)
Amy Paolo – 26, wife of Mike; Aquakinetic; deceased (b1)
Andy Summers – 30, clerk at Fort Carson, Private First Class; General Andy Summers, second in command to Eric Fine; Manitou Camp; Warrior (b1, b2)
Annie Grace – undetermined age, leader of Annie’s Camp; powerful Empath (b2)
Anthony Johnson – 29, scrounge, heavy weapons, Corporal; Council Bluffs (b1, b2)
Antwon Shabazz – 21, Healer; Council Bluffs (b2)
Ben Smith – Empath; Council Bluffs (b2)
Beth Merritt – 70, mother of Kayla Craven and Kate Ward; Council Bluffs; Void Mystic (b1, b2)’
Fear of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 2) Page 17