But then, he throws his head back and laughs. I hear his laughter. I am seething with rage.
“Ada!”
I try to move my legs and this time, they move. I don’t waste a second and start running.
“Ada, stop!”
I cannot stop. How dare he!?
But he keeps getting farther. He raises his right hand and the ground swallows half of the animals he had killed. I hear flapping wings. But I don’t dare look.
My eyes are set on this monster. He laughs once again. I am close to him. He doesn’t see me, and the flapping sound gets louder, nearer.
“Ada! For God’s sakes, stop.”
He calls a tornado. No. I cannot let him get away. I am close enough to hear him say, “Goodbye Princess.” With so much venom and victory that my skin crawls. And he steps into the tornado and vanishes.
I stumble and fall, and the winged creature lands in front of me. He looks at me with tears running down his face.
I scream. With everything in me, I scream. I want to bring that bastard back and kill him with my bare hands.
‘Who the fuck are they? I will kill them!’
Kali starts telling me. The second one was Betin.
The bird takes a step towards me. His intelligent eyes look at me. Tears of rage and grief are still running rampant on both our faces. He lowers his head, blows on my face, and I close my eyes.
Kali’s voice telling me another name follows me in the dark.
====
I open my eyes to screams of my name. And in front of me is the bird. I gasp and scramble to get up.
Strong arms pull me back, but my eyes do not leave the bird. How is it possible?
Kali gasps, and she too is as surprised as I am.
Baba steps up close to me and bows to the bird. The Bird gives him a nod, but then refocuses his eyes on me.
I loosen myself from the tangle of arms that are holding, and I take a step towards him.
My eyes start watering again. Kali is crying too.
The bird lowers his head. And waits.
I raise my hand and tentatively, raise it to his face, slowly. Asking for his permission. He gives me a nod and dips his head lower.
I place my hand on his beak. We both close our eyes. His skin, fur, is soft. So soft. But he all muscled beneath.
‘Hello Kazi.’
I gasp and stumble.
I don’t know why these things keep surprising me. But still. The only voice I am used to hearing in my mind is Kali’s.
Who is this?
‘I am Jobian.’
I gasp again.
“What? Ada, what is happening?” someone calls from behind me.
Are you the same person? The one I saw in Kali’s memory?
‘No. That was my great grandmother, many times over. But all of us have been trained and told that we are to wait for you.’
Who told you? And how can I hear your voice?
‘You would always hear us. The land told us that who we had been waiting for is coming. This was the signal.’
The storm and the uncovering of the evidence?
‘Yes.’ Jobian tells me grimly.
How come nobody has heard of you?
‘We have never come in front of others. When Sama died, she passed her last magic to us, enabling us to cloak ourselves at will. To anybody who might stumble upon us, will look at a huge tree. Whether it is a God or a Gifted or a Human.’
Oh God. Jobian, did you know her?
‘I know her in my heart, always will. Just like I know you now. We were waiting for you.’
We? And what are you all called?
He smiles. He smiles!
Wait, he can't hear my thoughts too, right?
Can you? Hear my thoughts too? I ask Jobian.
‘Not if not directed at me. Once you are riding on my back, then I will be able to hear all your thoughts. Much like Kaleira. But right now, only the thoughts you send to me can reach me.’
So what do I call you?
‘Zielaath. We were called Zielaaths.’
On cue, several other shapes fly over and land around Jobian.
“Do not be afraid. This is my family. We will tell you more about us later on. First you need to reach Kailamat. And we are here to take you.’
I nod and turn to look at everyone.
‘I will take you and one more with you. The others have to select their own Zielaaths. Zielaath and rider, both of them choose each other.’
Will they be able to communicate like I can with you?
‘If the Zielaath so chooses. You have to know that all the Zielaaths will talk to you. But others are not a guarantee.’
I nod again.
The faces of my family look at me. They look weary and tired. Exhausted. I think I had started running in my trance and they had to follow me here.
To think about this later.
“They are called Zielaaths. They will take us to Kailamat. But you need to choose one of the Zielaaths and they have to select you too. This here,” I say gesturing behind me, “is Jobian. And he will take me. One plus will come with me. But the rest of you have to connect with one of the rest.”
As soon as I say this, almost everyone takes a step towards me. Dad cuts them all one look and they stop. He starts walking towards me, but is intercepted by another Zielaath. This one is the same height and build as Jobian. His feathers are streaked with orange. He lowers his head towards Dad. Dad looks at me in question, and I give him an encouraging nod. He raises his hand and as soon as his hand touches the Zielaath’s forehead, they both gasp.
I can see Dad and him communicating.
So, can I ask what his name is? Or is that rude? I ask Jobian.
He chuckles. ‘You can ask anything of us and none of us will say no. You have to understand that Zielaaths came here with Sama from Arhanyth. We are magical, ourselves. And you can ask us anything because not only is Sama fused with you, but also you are you. My ancestor who you saw in your vision? He had time travelled into the future. And he had sent your face to all of us. Your face and Sama’s story has been passed down to generations of Zielaaths. Because who we are waiting for. My ancestor thought you worthy going by your screams, rage and tears. Someone who could feel so deeply for someone else, strangers really, deserves our unconditional love.’
But, it could have also been because Ida-Samara’s soul is infused with mine. All that rage and tears could be by her, you know. Maybe I am not deserving of your love.
That thought had been eating me alive. Of course everyone wants love. But not when it is meant for someone else. I don’t want to be a proxy.
Jobian walks in front of me and the Ziealaaths around give him space.
‘That was you. My ancestor would have known if he is looking at Sama crying or someone else. Besides, if it was Sama, you would know his name. Like I said, we are magical. And my ancestor knew what he was looking for when he looked at you. Really looked at you. All of this?’ he looks around and extends his wings as if they were arms. ‘All of this is because you are you. Not Sama. Not Kali. You. Ada. I know your name. All of us do. Ada, Sama, all my friends, and Kaleira, make Kazi. But you, Ada, you are the one who is moving all the pieces now. All of this is because of you.’
I nod, because really, there is nothing else for me to say. He is convinced of this. And I will try to be convinced of it too.
He stands beside me and we look at all the Zielaaths and my family trying to establish connections. One Zielaath trots over to me. I raise my eyes and see it is the one Dad was talking to.
Sure enough, Dad is the rider.
When they reach me, Dad slides down, and the Zielaath rolls his eyes. He rolls his eyes!
“Baby girl,” Dad comes to me and hugs me. Lifts me so that my feet are dangling from the ground. “You scared me. You scared us.” We stay like that for a few more moments. Then he steps back and smiles at me.
“Come, meet Thabika,” he tugs me towards his Zielaath. He, Thabika,
lowers his head, and I raise my hand to greet him.
“Hey Thabika, good to meet you,” I say.
‘Good to meet you too, Ada.’ He speaks in a gruff voice. His voice, his eyes, his demeanour, reminds me of Dad.
A spontaneous laughter leaves me. ‘No wonder you and Dad chose each other.’
Thabika smirks. Swear to God an honest smirk.
‘Yeah. I think he is my spirit animal.’
I blink. Then I burst out laughing.
‘Oh God. Thabika! You and I are gonna be besties!’
‘We already are. Anybody who could calm Jobian, is always gonna be my bestie.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You will know soon enough. Looks like some of your friends need help.’ Thabika gestures towards where Ian and Ash are caught up in a battle of wills. Lexie is standing in between them with her arms crossed over her chest, scowling at them both.
‘What’s happening?’
Before Thabika could answer, Lexie catches my eye and exhales a sigh of relief. She runs to me and wraps me in her arms.
“You scared the shit out of me! What happened back there?” she asks me.
“Lots. I will tell you later. What’s going on with Thor and Loki over there?” I ask, gesturing towards Ash and Ian.
I hear a few snorts around me and realise it is the Zielaaths. Lexie rolls her eyes.
“I have a newfound appreciation for what you deal with. Ian wants to ride with me. Ash insists that Ian ride with anyone but me. It’s like my opinion doesn’t even matter.”
“What is your opinion?”
“I just want to go wherever we are meant to, and get this done with. And then I need to know everything that happened with you, starting from the cemetery.”
I nod, and an idea lights up. Kali snickers.
“Hey! Ian, ride with me?” I shout.
Everything comes to a screeching halt. Ian looks at me wide eyed, then his face splits into a wide smile. Ash, on the other hand, looks like he swallowed lava.
“Come on people, we don’t have time. We need to get there,” I add for emphasis.
“I am riding with you.”
Four voices. Enzo, Ash, Ry, and Vee.
Lexie snickers, and surprisingly, Dad snickers too. Lexie and I look at Dad, shocked. He ruffles my hair, winking at me.
“Lexie, you ride with me,” he tells Lexie and starts moving towards Thabika, who winks at me too.
Lexie looks at me wide eyed. “He said I ride with him,” she whispers.
“Yeah, I heard. Go. Unless you don’t want to,” I whisper too.
“I want to. I so want to. Umm….”
I nudge her towards Dad, “go.”
She gives me a beaming smile and walks to Dad.
“Ian!” I shout, “come on, chopchop.”
He throws his head back and laughs, and starts running towards me. He is a damn good looking dude. It’s sad actually. Because, if he hurts Lexie, I am going to have to gut him.
‘Your mind is a marvel babydoll,’ Kali says.
‘I am seriously worried about what influences you had. Babydoll?’
‘Suits you.’
I scoff at that.
“Gudiya?” Baba calls out. I turn and find him standing next to two Zielaaths. He extends his arms out and I walk into them. “You okay?” he asks me softly.
“Yes Baba. I am. I will tell you everything later. We don’t have time right now,” I speak into his chest.
I step back and raise my eyes to look at the two Zielaaths. They both dip their heads and I raise my hands to greet them.
‘Thank you for coming to us,’ I tell them.
‘Thank you for coming to us too.’ They say in unison.
‘Take care of my Baba please,’ I tell them.
They look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Shit, did I insult them. I am about to explain when the right one says, ‘we will. All of us will. Anyone related to you, is related to us. Don’t worry Ada.’
‘Thank you. I was getting worried that I offended you. What are your names?’
‘I am Bellaira, and she is Walreet. Your Baba is coming with me.’ The right one says.
I give them a nod, turn to Baba, give him one more hug, and walk back to Jobian.
Ian is waiting for me with a smirk on his face. He slants his eyes towards the four brooding pillars standing around. I wink at him as I reach him.
I face the guys and find that Enzo, Ry, and Vee are glaring daggers at Ian and Ash.
“You guys chose your Zielaaths?” I ask them.
They whip their heads to me, as if they didn’t even realise I was there. Wow.
Enzo’s eyes soften and he nods. “Yes. Vee is with Ry. I am going alone. You sure you're okay with Ian?”
“Of course, why won’t I be? And who is Ash going with?” I ask.
“He will have to go and talk to Sensei. Because of him you are going with Ian.”
“Hey!” Ian protests.
I roll my eyes, and at the same time Bellaira trots over to us, with Baba perched on top.
“Problem?” he asks us, raising his eyebrow.
‘Wow, he is stern.’
Bellaira speaks into my mind. How?
‘All of them can speak to you, you idiot. Jobian told you!’ Kali reprimands me.
Oh yeah. But I didn’t realise it would be without touching them.
‘By touching them you open the communication channels.’
Okay. Makes sense.
I look at Bellaira and send, ‘yeah. Everyone else is shit scared of him.’
She looks at me with unblinking eyes, as if trying to tell me something.
“May I come with you?” Ash’s voice breaks the concentration Bellaira and I had going on. I give her an apologetic smile, which she returns with her I understand smile.
“Why?” Baba asks Ash.
“Umm… I… Actually…. Um… If-”
“Ba!” Dad shouts, “Put them out of their misery. Let’s all start. And Ian, I’ll be watching you like a hawk.”
The smirk slides off Ian’s face. Thabika snickers but manages to give Ian a glare. As if he too would be watching him like a hawk. I roll my eyes.
“Come on then,” Baba tells Ash, who looks like he is going to faint any second now.
“You guys are evil,” I whisper-shout to Enzo, Ry, and Vee.
They look at Ian with enough murder in their eyes that a lesser man would be running scared. Ian? He winks at them.
He holds his hand to me, clearly goading them more. I give them all a smile, take his hand and we step towards Jobian.
‘You clearly are a busy girl,’ Jobian says, tilting his lips up as he bends so that Ian and I climb on top.
As soon as I am settled, a sense of deep peace and love fills me. What is that?
‘That is this land and your connection to them,’ Kali says.
‘Hello Kaleira. Nice to meet you,’ Jobian says.
I almost stumble off his back, but Ian’s arms hold me in place.
They can hear each other?!?
‘Hey Jobian. Beautiful name, by the way,’ Kali chirps.
Is she flirting?
‘Thank you Kaleira. Ada, we can hear everything you say in your mind right now.’
Oops.
I feel something prick inside my head.
Did Kali just hit my head?
Jobian’s chuckles fill the air around me as he takes off with us.
Chapter 52
Enzo
I watch sullenly as Ian wraps his arms around Ada. I am going to kill Ash.
‘But he is with your Sensei. Do you still want to kill him? I will help,’ Auxerio, my Zielaath, speaks.
It is just a figure of speech. I am not actually going to kill him.
Now I know why we chose each other. It was an instant connection. Both of us are bloodthirsty.
‘Please. I am not bloodthirsty. I identified with your rage, and so I offered my support. Besides, she is going to be fine. She
looks comfortable and safe.’
I look at Ada, sitting snugly in Ian’s arms, both of them talking and smiling about something. A fierce twinge of jealousy wraps my insides.
Pa and his Zielaath glide close to me and Pa calls my name.
I look at him and he gives me a smile. “Enjoy the ride Enzo, and be prepared for what we are heading towards. She is safe. Soon you can talk to her, okay?”
I blink, as does Lexie, who is sitting to the front of him.
Is Pa giving me assurance?
‘He most definitely is. Why are none of you as intelligent as Ada?’
“Umm… what do you mean?” I ask Pa.
He gives me a look dancing with mirth.
“Just saying that enjoy the ride and connect with these magnificent beings. Ada isn’t going anywhere,” he winks at me and his Zielaath tilts his head to me. They glide away, and Auxerio snickers.
‘Wait, what did you mean that why can't we be like Ada?’
‘Is that not plain enough?’
Oh My God. I think all of them are like her, that’s why they like her. Same sassy comebacks, same attitude, same puzzle riddled words.
‘We do not like her. We love her. We have been waiting a long time for her and I cannot divulge anything more, except to say that she is amazing.’
As if I don’t know that.
I start focusing on the ride, and Pa was right. I should take this moment in to cherish forever. I mean, how many people get to meet these majestic beings? Forget meet, how many get to even know of them? How many actually even get a chance to touch them, let alone riding with them and talking to them? How many can actually look at Ada while gliding through the clouds? Uninhibited, untamed. Shining like her favorite colour - wild.
We glide over the length and breadth of St. Lucia. The mountain peaks look tiny. The air is cleaner and lighter. And this muscled beast between my legs is a powerhouse.
‘Well, thank you. But I don’t swing that way,’ Auxerio says.
What?
Oh right. They can hear our thoughts. This is what Ada and Kali feel all the damn time.
‘I have a message for you,’ he says.
‘What?’
‘Your girl says that you should smile more. She likes your dimples.’
My head whips to her. She is looking at me while Ian looks over her Zielaath’s wings. Ada winks and my heart builds itself up. I give her my full smile, with the dimples. She crosses her eyes and sticks out her tongue.
Circle of Time: An urban fantasy (The Kazi Chronicles Book 1) Page 35
