Heaven's Eyes

by Jason A Anderson

  Once outside, Trent yanked his arm out of Kiah’s grip and demanded, “Why’d you drag me outta there like that? Talk about looking suspicious!”

  Kiah hurried down the steps and over to Trent’s beat up truck.

  “If Levahn’s been released, it’s possible his SoulChaser has shown up. Now that we’ve been inside, I think I can close in on his most recent location. It’s likely that if we wait too long, the retrieval will be over before we find him.”

  Trent hesitated. He had hoped that once Kiah located Levahn, that the former SoulChaser would go away and leave Trent alone. But it didn’t look like it was going to play out that way.

  Resigned to more shlepping around, Trent nodded. Then he said, “But if we’re going to do much more looking, we’ll need better wheels. My clunker isn’t good for stop-and-go commuting.” He paused, then a mischievous twinkle began to creep into his eyes... a twinkle that had been missing for years. “And I think I know where I can scare us up something.” This time, he grabbed Kiah’s arm and pushed him toward the truck. “Get in.”

  “Where are we going?”

  As he opened the driver’s door, Trent said, “Ever been to a Fair?”

  Chapter 44

  “Unexpected Reunion”

  As she climbed out of Nick James’ stretched Hummer, Taya grumbled to Nick, “When you suggested we go to the Centennial, you failed to mention that she would be coming with us.”

  Taking her hand to steady her, Nick replied, “Come on, meet her half-way. She’s agreed to try and get along, for the sake of the two boys.”

  Taya glared at Shannon, who was trying in vain to smooth her son’s hair. The care she showed the little boy, who reminded her quite a bit of her own Natey, softened her heart a bit. She turned her glare on Nick, but she could see that he knew he had her hooked.

  “Fine, for the boys.”

  Nick smiled and nodded in agreement. He put a reassuring hand on the nape of her neck as the eight of them, Alexander and Amy included, wandered toward the main gate. Still shut against general admittance, he didn’t look forward to the reaction of all these people when they were let in early; but that’s how Jake wanted to handle it.

  Nick’s attention was snagged by Levahn’s reaction to the Centennial. The rogue’s eyes were open wide, trying to take in the sights, sounds and smells as they walked toward the entry gate.

  “Hey, the end of the line is back there,” a burly man near the front of the crowd called out, thumbing back down the long line.

  “We’re helping with one of the vendors,” Amy called out unexpectedly.

  Trying to stay as low-key as possible, the group kept on walking.

  Shannon nodded to Jake, standing on the other side of the main gate, talking to one of the Centennial organizers. He noticed her, excused himself and hurried over to meet them.

  “Great, you made it.”

  “Hey, what’s going on? How come the rest of us aren’t getting in, yet?” the burly man demanded and the crowd around him echoed his sentiment.

  Trailing the group in order to make sure no one got left behind, mainly Levahn, Alexander held up a restraining hand, even though he was nowhere near the man. “Easy, it’ll be opening soon.” Then he followed the group through the gate.

  Before they could hear much of the remaining protests from the crowd, they had moved into the fairgrounds.

  Before Taya could argue against it, Natey let go of his mother’s hand and ran up and grabbed his father’s.

  Taking a cue from his new best friend, Damon hurried over and took Jake’s other hand.

  Jake looked down at them both and smiled, which brought smiles to both little faces, as well.

  “Who was that man you were talking to?” Shannon asked.

  “Oh, he’s the organizer for the car show tomorrow. I wanted to find out how early I have to get the cars here.”

  From behind them, Taya said, “Of course, a car show. That makes sense.”

  Jake glanced back and smiled at her. “I’m entering the Mustang, the DeLorean and the Raptor. And I talked Ron into entering his Tesla, since I think it’s the only Roadster Sport in the entire area.”

  As Jake explained, Shannon caught his attention and discreetly tapped her lips with two fingertips. Suddenly, acutely aware of the drink he had in Chaz’s limo, he patted his pockets. From his peripheral vision, he noticed Shannon reaching into her compact shoulder bag, then she held out a small silver strip to him.

  “Thanks,” he said, accepting the strong mint gum, peeling it, then popping it into his mouth.

  “So, other than an outlet for stroking your own ego, what does this Fair have to offer?” Taya asked.

  They all grew quiet at Taya’s venom, but after a few heartbeats, Jake said, “Well, for the adults, there’s the gift shops and the museum exhibit at the far end of the midway. And for the kids, there’s the carnival right next to it–”

  “Carnival!” cried Natey and turned to his mother. “Can we go on rides?”

  “Yeah, mom. Can we go?” Damon asked Shannon.

  For once, the two mothers found themselves facing the same unified front. After sharing a knowing glance and slight smile, Shannon said, “Sure, we can go.”

  “But only for a little while,” Taya added. “I don’t want you getting sick or anything.”

  “Yeah!” the boys called out in unison.

  “But,” Shannon interjected, “before you do anything young man, we’re going to do something about that hair of yours.” She knelt down next to Damon and tried combing through the blond strands with her fingers.

  Watching, Jake couldn’t help noticing that Shannon’s blouse and jacket had ridden up in back, exposing several inches of lower back. There, embedded in her cream-colored skin, was a tattoo of a red dragon in flight about the size of a silver dollar. Before he could help himself, he said, “Nice art.”

  Shannon paused to look up at him. “Like that? I had it done about a year ago. I’ve got a rose blossom on my ankle, too.” She leaned a little to the side, exposing the green and red artwork right above her left foot.

  “Sure not something you would have done... when we were younger.” He felt his pulse race watching the twinkle in Shannon’s eyes.

  She smirked and said, “Sometimes, you’ve just gotta say, ‘What the Hell’.”

  “Indeed. I thought about getting some body art done, but someone who shall remain nameless, talked me out of it,” Jake said, his voice teasing rather than accusatory.

  “Go ahead and mark up your body, see if I care,” Taya snapped. “Remember, when you’re old and wrinkly and the tattoos look terrible, that I told you so.”

  Jake chose to ignore Taya’s verbal jab, content to give her the last word. Instead, he cast a discreet eye at Levahn.

  “Who’s that?” he muttered to Shannon.

  Shannon chose discretion, as well when she said, “Tell you the truth, I’m not exactly sure. Mr. James brought him along.”

  “Daddy!” Natey barged into the quiet dialogue. “Come on! I wanna ride the Merry-Go-Round!”

  Laughing, Jake turned the group and they began to walk down the midway. It didn’t take long before the myriad of delights to be partaken of divided the group into two schools of desire, the kids versus the adults. After a quick debate, Jake agreed to shepherd the two boys, while the adults took Nick, Alexander and Levahn to show them around.

  The little boys had but one immediate desire, so Jake shelled out the money for tickets that the two boys proudly handed to the tattooed carney before clamoring into the rickety ride.

  Jake stood leaning on the safety fence surrounding the Merry-Go-Round, keeping an eye out for the two riders. The Centennial had finally opened and the grounds were swamped with people. If the early numbers were any indication, this would prove
to be a good financial endeavor.

  “Figures I’d find you here,” a familiar voice said behind him.

  Jake turned and found Trent and Kiah standing a couple feet back, watching him. “I was wondering if you’d show up. Good to see you, too, or you two.” Then he heard the calling of his son and returned his attention in time to see Natey pass by on an orange horse. Beside him, on a black motorcycle, sat Damon, grinning ear-to-ear.

  “So, this is how you’re spending your time while rogue souls are on the loose?” Kiah asked.

  Turning his head, Jake replied, “I’m here with Taya and Natey, and Shannon and Damon. And Nick, Alexander and Ron are around somewhere, all packing heat. Plus there’s hundreds of people, maybe thousands.”

  Before them, the ride began to slow and a few seconds later had come to a complete stop.

  Jake watched to make sure the boys found the exit and their moms waiting there.

  “Come on, the girls are this way,” he said and led them along the perimeter of the security fence to the ride’s exit. “Look who I found, or should I say, look who found me.”

  Shannon stepped over to them, Damon’s hand in hers, and said, “Is this someone I should know?”

  “Trent, hi!” Taya called, brightening noticeably.

  Jake pointed to each man in turn. “Shannon McKenna, Trent Massey and a man I know only as Kiah,” he said.

  Everyone heard Taya gasp and astonishment mixed with fear filled her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widened and she almost scooped Natey up and ran into the crowd. As it was, she couldn’t take her eyes away from his. They were deep, brooding, and endlessly old.

  “Taya?” Trent called to her.

  “Taya!” came from Jake.

  “Mommy?” finally cut through Taya’s distraction and she looked into the concerned face of her son. Kneeling beside him, much as a lioness protects her cub, she asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Natey said.

  Taya nodded, then turned her panicked gaze slowly to the newcomer.

  “Taya,” Trent said and knelt next to her. He also had deep concern on his face.

  “That’s him!” She gathered Natey into her arms and held him tightly.

  Trent shook his head and replied, “No, it’s not. It’s not him. It’s Kiah!”

  Taya looked from Trent to Kiah and then back to Trent.

  “Not him?” she asked.

  “Mommy, I can’t breathe!” came her son’s whiny gasp from beneath her coat. She relaxed enough to not strangle him, but didn’t let him go.

  “You’re referring to Masaal. He can’t harm you again. He is Soul Lost,” the handsome, dark-skinned man assured her.

  “Never?”

  “Here, let me help you up.” Trent coaxed her to loosen her grip on Natey and stand. “Kiah isn’t here to take anyone back with him. He’s a Guardian now.”

  Taya’s disbelieving gaze moved from Trent to Kiah and she slowly shook her head.

  “A Guardian Angel?”

  Kiah smiled... a smile that held nothing but warmth and kindness.

  “I’m here to watch out for Kenah’s brother, my brother-by-marriage, Levahn. It has proven more of a challenge than I expected, I must admit.” His gaze dropped to Natey, now peeking out from behind Taya’s coat. “I’m no longer a SoulChaser. Kenah and I have a child of our own, now.”

  This announcement went farther than anything else in soothing Taya’s fear.

  It also seemed to astonish Trent and Jake, both of whom turned to Kiah.

  “I didn’t know that,” Trent said. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Confused under their piercing gaze, Kiah replied, “Because it didn’t seem relevant.”

  “Not relevant?” Jake said.

  Smiling broadly, Trent gave Kiah a manly embrace. “Of course it’s relevant. Congratulations!”

  Taya took the time that the men spent congratulating Kiah to regain her composure. The breeze tossed her hair a bit, drawing her gaze up to the swirl of dark gray clouds above. She then turned, took Natey by the hand, and walked away.

  Jake made to follow her, but then did a mental back-step. “Wait a minute. Did you say Levahn?”

  “I did. Why?” Kiah asked.

  Jake grinned and shot Nick a cocky grin. “Have I got a surprise for you.”

  Stepping uncomfortably close, Kiah said, “Do you know where Levahn is? I feel strongly impressed that he is nearby.”

  “You’re a Guardian Angel. Can’t you look around and see him, or pop over to where he is?” Jake asked.

  Kiah scowled, stretched up tall and looked around. Then he looked back at Jake. “No.”

  “Well, I don’t know where he is at this exact moment, but I can find out,” Jake said, holding up a hand to forestall Kiah and Trent, who were both about to comment. He retrieved his phone from a pocket and set it to dialing. “Come on.” He turned and gestured to the Centennial, as a circus ringleader would announce the events beneath the big top, then he led the two men into the crowd.

  It was but a matter of moments before Kiah suddenly sensed the presence of Levahn nearby. It happened with such sudden intensity, he wondered what other abilities being a Guardian gave him... abilities he wasn’t yet aware of. Turning a corner in the midway, he about ran into the man, heading to meet them.

  To Kiah, it seemed like Levahn almost glowed a faint gold, like Kiah could see his aura bleeding through the host’s skin. Without hesitation, he reached out and took Levahn’s arm.

  Startled, Levahn took a half-step back and promptly tripped on a child’s stroller cruising right behind him. Kiah’s firm grip kept him from falling. “Brother!” he said when he’d regained his footing.

  “Relax, I have you,” Kiah said, to which Levahn shuffled out of the main walkway to allow the family behind him to pass.

  Once the way was clear, Kiah stepped close to Levahn, blocking him from moving back into the crowd. Kiah stood several inches taller than Levahn’s host, so he looked down into the man’s eyes. “Have you lost your senses?” he demanded.

  A bit put-off by the closeness, Levahn asked, “Uh... what?”

  “You’re rogue, Levahn. You know what that means, don’t you?”

  Levahn didn’t miss the accusatory tone in Kiah’s voice. “I just wanted another chance. I thought that I could do better–”

  “By breaking the rules and putting your eternal progression at stake?”

  “You and Kenah broke the rules all the time!”

  Kiah hesitated, then said, “It was the nature of our Calling. Occasionally, we had to bend – yes, sometimes break – the rules to accomplish the mission. It was never for our own benefit. That’s the difference. Rather than working within the confines of your eternal reward, you’ve overreacted and now put everything you’ve already accomplished at risk.”

  Without warning, Jake interjected himself into their discussion. “Uh, you guys may want to dial it down a notch or three,” he said.

  “I’m inclined to agree with him,” Nick said from Kiah’s other shoulder.

  Suddenly aware that the intensity of their discussion was beginning to attract unwanted attention, Kiah put a companionable arm around Levahn’s shoulders and they moved as a group away from the midway to a large area filled with picnic tables beneath lush shade trees.

  “So, this is what you really look like,” Jake said as Kiah walked Levahn over and bodily sat his brother-by-marriage down at a table. Then he paused and turned his attention to Jake.

  “Sorry, I forgot that you’re not use to seeing me like this,” Kiah said, gesturing to himself.

  Jake shrugged.

  “I’m use to you being inside someone else. This just seems like another form.”

  Kiah shook his head.
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  “This is my actual body. The Calling of Guardian transcends the mortal coil.”

  Jake stared at Kiah and blinked.

  “No more jumping from host to host,” Kiah dumbed it down for the benefit of all listening.

  “Oh, good!” Jake said with a smile and nod.

  Looking around him, Kiah realized that his audience had grown considerably. He shot Nick a helpless look.

  Picking up on the vibe, Nick clapped his hands, capturing everyone’s attention. “I have a question. Who wants ice-cream?”

  “Yeah!” both boys yelled in agreement.

  “Wait, what?” Shannon asked in confusion.

  Taya remained suspiciously quiet.

  “Then follow me!” Nick instructed and began marching back toward the midway, Damon and Natey close behind. Like a centipede, a line quickly formed behind them as everyone left the two brothers alone.

  Still a bit edgy – having found a rogue, but unable to send him back to the Afterlife – Kiah managed to make himself a little bit comfortable sitting on the table beside Levahn.

  “Did Kenah send you?”

  Kiah shook his head. “No, I came on my own, without your sister’s support – or permission, in fact.”

  Levahn looked up at Kiah. “You’re gonna be in trouble when you get back,” he said, the voice of experience leaking through.

  Rather than agree, Kiah looked up and let his gaze travel over the dozen families gathered to eat their supper under the gray clouds. “The fact that she sent Trent to find me, to help me find you, tells me that she’s more concerned about you than I.”

  “It’s just, you and Kenah have such a perfect Afterlife. And I know that Amberleigh won’t wait around forever. She deserves better than me...”

  “Yes, she does,” Kiah said.

  Glancing up, Levahn grumbled, “Gee, thanks for that.”

  Kiah grabbed Levahn’s shoulder, trying to convey reassurance.

  “They all do. Men, we always marry above our station. I think that’s an eternal principal.”

  Levahn looked up and found Kiah smiling. For the first time in the last several minutes, the Guardian looked more like Levahn remembered him in the Afterlife. That scary intensity, though not quite gone, had at least dimmed a bit.