by Jaymin Eve
Every culture, race and religion practices different traditions for birth and death. On Earth, we’d been taught of the elaborate funerals that were performed to mourn the dead. I didn’t understand the entirety of the event, having never witnessed any myself, but it seemed quite abundant. But that was before the downfall.
In my lifetime it was common practice to burn our dead. There were just too many bodies and not enough burial ground. When the spread of disease peaked around the early twenty-first century, it just became more practical. So this Spurnian death ceremony was something very new for me.
We learned that the Spurns look at birth and death as opposite sides of the same coin. They took Raror back to the waters from which they are born. An eeriness filled the air as thirty Earons entered the water. We stayed on the edge of the pontoon; we could see but were not too close. It felt very mystical here, situated directly under one of the moons. The ceremony started the moment the moons reached their highest peak. It was at this point I gasped, but quietly enough not to disturb anyone.
A luminescence of some type spread along the surface of the water surrounding them. It was like the most beautiful oil slick, shiny and filled with intermingled greens and golds. It wasn’t thick and filmy; instead it flowed.
At this point the Earons began a chorus of lilting song. There were no words, just a heart-wrenching keening that formed a melody. Talina appeared on the side of the pontoon, away from where we stood. She carried Raror, although he was now completely wrapped in white, even covering over his face. She descended slowly into the water, pushing her floating brother before her. Her brethren continued their song of mourning.
For what felt like the fiftieth time that day, tears gathered in my eyes, spilling over. I didn’t wipe them. The magic kept me immobile. There were no words spoken, no goodbyes or memories of Raror shared. Instead, they swam in a circle, keening their song, and letting the glow surround them.
Finally their music reached a crescendo. Talina paused with Raror in the center. She held him slightly aloft, as though he were an offering to the gods. And then she released him. I expected him to sink beneath the briny depths, but that wasn’t the case.
Talina moved away, and left Raror floating in the middle of a large circle of Earons. They continued to sing, although it was quieter now, coming to what felt like its conclusion.
Then slowly the luminescence moved across to surround Raror, shifting and growing over the top of his shrouded form. I wanted to rub my eyes, not quite able to believe what I was seeing, but my heavy arms still wouldn’t move.
Then he disappeared into that glowing slick.
The moment this happened the waters cleared, the moon moved from the peak of the sky and the glow, along with Raror, was gone.
None of the Earons moved. Raror’s body had been long departed before they broke the circle, making their way back to the pontoon. I raised my hands to wipe away the last traces of tears. The spell was broken. I realized that during the entire ceremony none of the Earons had cried. In fact, except for Talina’s tears, I hadn’t seen one shed. And yet the pain was clear on their faces.
“I am ready to leave with you now.” Talina interrupted my thoughts, her words were flat.
She stood there looking the same, just with red and swollen eyes, but she was also different, as if something inside her had died along with Raror.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “We can stay a little longer.”
That may not have actually been true. I didn’t know how urgent it was that we returned home.
“No! Raror is in the fade with our ancestors. I have no reason to stay on Spurn.” Strands of her emerald hair fell across her face, and for once she didn’t shift them away.
“We need you to stay and rule Earon.” The female from earlier was standing before us.
The rest had disappeared inside the pontoon. We were still on the lower decking.
“And ... I need you to stay. I am pregnant with Raror’s young.”
For the first time since her brother’s death an emotion besides devastation crossed Talina’s features.
“You have no idea how happy it makes me to know that my brother’s essence will live on. But I cannot stay here. I have never been welcome on Spurn, and this is not going to change. If anything, Raror’s ... death …” She hesitated over the word. “His death is only going to make things harder for me.”
She moved closer to the smaller Spurn. “It is your responsibility to rule now. You are carrying the only true heir to Earon.”
And with those words she turned away and held out a hand to me. Her message was clear: get me away now.
Chapter 12
We’d been back on First World for two days. And for the first time since discovering my home planet the skies were cast in low dark clouds. Heavy shattering rain trapped us inside my parents’ massive house. The weather was almost a direct reflection of the darkness Talina was living in. She barely left her room, and refused to speak with anyone while she struggled with Raror’s death.
The first morning I’d found her standing out on her balcony, letting the pouring rain wash over her.
“I wish Raror could have seen this,” she said as I leaned in close to her.
I couldn’t tell if it was tears or rain that washed down her cheeks in a rhythmic manner. I didn’t know what to say, so I reached out and held her hand.
The rest of her time was spent in the ocean, or trying to adjust to First World: she hated the clothes and the food. In fact, most of First World’s food made her sick; it was far too rich and fatty compared to what she had survived on previously. Although Josian assured her she should eventually be able to eat anything, right now I think she was basically eating quant, the sweet pink fruit I loved. Its juice was the closest thing she could find to Spurn’s cucreamer.
On the third morning I made my way down the hall. Pausing at her door, I rapped my knuckles lightly against the wood. I wasn’t surprised that once again there was no answer. I understood her need to mourn, but I was at a loss about the correct etiquette. Should I leave her alone or offer comfort?
“Hey, Abbs, trying to find Talli?” I turned to see Lucy sauntering out of her room, which was ten feet from Talina’s.
“Yeah, but as usual she isn’t answering me,” I said.
As I examined Lucy, I wondered what was up with her uncharacteristically disheveled appearance. Her blond curls were everywhere, and I was pretty sure her shirt was buttoned up wrong, which was very unlike my fashionable friend.
“I saw her just before, out my window. She was making her way to the ocean.” She had started running her hands through her hair in an attempt to tame it.
“What’ve you been doing?” I had to ask.
“What do you mean?” Lucy said, guarded.
“You don’t keep secrets from me, Luce. Aren’t you the one that says ‘life is for sharing’?”
She laughed a little, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I’m not secretive, Abigail. I’m just trying to be a good guest and allow everyone to settle in before indulging my need to share,” she said.
And then suddenly all was explained as Samuel strode out of her room.
“Aribella.” He looked uncomfortable as he squeezed past.
I waited until he’d almost cleared the hall before I faced Lucy. Her smug expression told me everything, and I really should have guessed.
“So I’m guessing the underwear plan worked.”
I felt kind of annoyed and couldn’t figure out why. Maybe it was that Lucy seemed to be moving so fast. I didn’t want my friend to change too much before me.
Chuckling, she watched Samuel’s broad shoulders until he was no longer visible. “Actually, no, he’s staying adamant that we be properly mated before that.”
I hadn’t expected that answer.
“So, I assume you’re planning to hold the ceremony tomorrow?”
Lucy’s lack of patience was as legendary as my own.
“Word, Abbs.” She winked. “But ... actually I am enjoying the practice and prelude more than you can imagine. Samuel’s skills are numerous.” She trailed off.
I covered my ears and hummed, before sighing as I dropped my arms back down. “I knew I’d regret asking. Oh, and your shirt is buttoned wrong.”
“I’ve missed you.” She linked her arm through mine, not even bothering to glance down.
Must be love. No way would she be this disheveled in public otherwise. I gave her a squeeze. I’d missed her too. We had gone from spending most of our time together on Earth to being so busy we regularly had to make time to catch up on each other’s lives.
“Where’s Brace?” she asked as we made our way downstairs to the main living area and slouched into the soft couches.
I slanted my right brow in her direction. Her tone was mildly sarcastic.
She smirked. “It’s just odd not seeing him attached to you.”
I bristled. “I’m still my own person.”
She held a hand up in mock surrender. “I didn’t mean anything. And it’s not like I can talk. I understand this mating bond thing. You have no idea.” She looked curious now. “And Sammy explained that it will be a hundred times stronger for you two being Walkers.”
It had been coming for days. Her words acted like a catalyst and all of my suppressed emotions suddenly burst free. But instead of words all that emerged was this crazy kind of screech. A long, loud scream that stole the breath from my lungs. Lucy jumped at least a foot off the chair, her face a picture of astonishment. And then the words started to spew from my mouth in a manner usually reserved for lunatics and … Lucy.
“I cannot breathe without him. He’s off now, something to do with leading his father astray, so he’s too busy to search for me. And I literally ache.” I stared at my hands. “This isn’t what I wanted. It’s too much, too big. He’s slowly becoming my everything. I don’t have the type of life that’s gentle with someone’s everything.”
I fought against the unease that was always present when Brace wasn’t close. And at this distance our bond was sporadic, kicking in sometimes while at other times I felt all alone.
“You shouldn’t feel like that, Aribella,” Lallielle said.
My concerned mother had just walked through the door, which wasn’t a surprise; her daughter had just finished screaming like a banshee. “Your bond with Brace is the strength that will allow you to conquer all.”
Josian followed looking relaxed, as usual he displayed no sign of worry. He lifted us both together into a bone-crushing hug. Despite the pain, I sank into their warmth and comfort.
“I’m sorry, baby girl, that you feel your independence has been taken. I understand Earthlings are raised to be strong and able to survive alone. You don’t trust easily.” He set us free then, allowing me a few deep breaths. “But that’s the reason you should cherish this gift you’ve been given. Walkers are designed as two halves of a whole. We have a genetic predisposition to never betray our true mate.”
I nodded then, in a quick bob. “I understand that Brace is a gift. He’s amazing. But what happens if I lose him? How do you survive?”
“There’s no point living a half-life to prevent hurt. I would rather one day with your mother, than an eternity never knowing the joy she has brought me. It just wouldn’t be a life.”
Lallielle’s eyes sparkled, although I couldn’t see any tears.
“I feel the same way,” she said.
The pink aura surrounding them was again visible as their bond tightened and flexed.
Josian smiled. “You only feel so bereft because he’s not close. You get used to the sensation, but I remember how uncomfortable it was in the beginning, being away from your mother, as if a sense had been cut off.”
Josian was right. Brace better get his butt back soon. If he was going to meld with me, then he better stick around so my brain didn’t go insane thinking he was dead.
“I wish the rain would stop so we could explore the town,” Lucy said. “That would be a great distraction.”
She’d told me earlier that it had been pouring for a week before we returned.
“Ah, we have rain so seldom. I’m really enjoying this cool and soothing weather.” Lallielle stared out of the window. The ocean was a stormy gray color, matching the sky above. “Perfect weather to snuggle up and watch a movie.”
“Speaking of which, Frannie has me leaving on another mission tomorrow, so we are off to enjoy a movie,” Josian said.
He swept Lallielle up over his shoulder, and stormed off, caveman style. She gave me a resigned smile behind his back, but didn’t protest.
“I’m not sure I believed Jos’ story, but his plan is a good one. We could actually catch up on some flicks.” Lucy was sprawled back in the chair. She looked almost asleep.
“I don’t think you’re going to make it through a movie.” I laughed.
She opened one eye a little wider.
“Tell me about it. I seriously need to start getting sleep, but the nightmares are putting a dent in that plan.”
“You’re still having nightmares?” I hadn’t realized. “Why didn’t you tell me? What’re they about?”
She snuggled down further into the white couch, her face partially covered.
“There’re a few different ones that visit me. And they’re as real and detailed as that dream I had before I was kidnapped. I sometimes wonder if I’m actually there, and it’s not really a dream.”
“They sound almost like premonitions.”
She wiggled around, shifting her feet so they were further apart. “I know, but when I was kidnapped facets of my dream were there, although mostly it was very different.”
“You need to ask Frannie about them,” I said.
She met my eyes. “I don’t trust her, Abbs, and these dreams ... they aren’t good. We seriously do not want them to come true.”
“Give me some details.” She looked really freaked out.
She flipped over, her discomfort obvious. On her back, she stared up at the high white ceilings. “The first dream starts on First World. We’re searching for something, but no one will ever tell me what it is.”
“Who is we?” I interrupted her.
“All of us that went to Spurn, plus your parents and Frannie.” She glared at me. “And stop interrupting if you want me to have a chance at getting through this.”
I mimed the motion of zipping my lips. She smirked before continuing.
“So, we’re searching for something, and then suddenly we’re standing at the base of these black mountains ... which I assume are those Brace described to us.” Her voice lowered. “Even in the dream I get this urge to shower. I have the creepiest sensation up my spine the entire time we’re standing there. Suddenly, this hole opens up and an army emerges. But they’re like zombies, Abbs. Disgusting, stinking, rotted, half-human things. And they attack us.”
She gulped then. “It’s not pretty.”
“I’ve dreamed of the mountain too, and as crazy as it sounds, I think we need to explore there.” I knew it held an important clue or information.
Lucy dropped her gaze to glare at me, but before she could reply we were interrupted.
“You must finish gathering the halflings. That’s the most important job.”
Francesca stood in the doorway. Her white eyes looked ... somewhere. It was hard to tell.
“Dammit, woman! How long were you standing there?” Lucy was sitting up now, looking more awake. “Don’t pop up in the middle of a scary story.”
“I sensed a divergence from the plan, and needed to make sure things stayed in place.”
“You’re weirding me out, Frannie. Maybe you should back off with all this prophesy stuff,” I said, standing.
Just being in the same room as her set off my inner alarm. Lucy was right: something was off with her, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I could never tell if it was her gift that gave me chills or if there was more.
She smiled, but it wasn’t nice, and it did nothing to reassure me. “You know I can’t let you do that. People shouldn’t know too much of their future. You may alter something that is fundamental to survival.”
I wondered if she meant her survival or mine. She swung around to leave the room. I still couldn’t understand why my Walker abilities couldn’t break her mind-block. But Josian said he couldn’t either.
“We need to keep an eye on her.” Lucy stood next to me. “Suspect is an understatement.”
“Word,” I said darkly.
Late that night I lay curled up under my fluffy covers. I was enjoying the sound of heavy rain, but if it continued like this we were going to need a boat. Talina would be fine at least. A shock of electrical spark suddenly flooded me. My heart jumped in joy, and the melancholy that had been plaguing me lifted. Brace was back.
“I’m more than back, Red.” His words came out of the darkness from the rear of my room. “I’m waiting patiently to kiss my beautiful mate.”
Jumping out of bed, I tripped over before throwing myself into his arms.
“Where the hell have you been?” I demanded, my fear and anger clipping the words short.
“I missed you too,” he said, sounding happier than usual, “and thank you for wearing such outstanding attire.”
I blushed, wishing Walkers didn’t have such good night vision. I was in a little singlet and matching shortie shorts. No bra, of course, just the inbuilt one already in the top. Pulling back, I crossed my arms over my chest.
“What happened with your father?” I asked.
“I don’t want to talk about that.” He took a step closer, devouring me with his eyes.
I shivered.
He smiled in a slow curve. I suddenly noticed where we were standing and a thought burst free.
“You remember that day you ran into me, when I’d just ... uh, gotten out of the shower?”
