by G. P. Ching
“Always happy to see you, Master Dane.”
“You can call me Dane, Archibald. It’s okay with me.”
The gnome’s eyes widened. If his smile got any broader, his face would split in two. “Oh, thank you. You are very kind to Archibald. Always very kind.”
Dane tried to think of something to talk about, to be polite, before he asked for directions back to the school. “So…did students come here often before the school closed?”
“Oh yes. They liked to surf and have bonfires. Those were the days when every room in Eden was full, before the war.”
“Right. The war. So everyone left Eden to fight, and no one came back. They must have won though because Earth wasn’t invaded.”
“Some came back, but the school was never the same, and human lives are short anyway.”
“Oh.” Dane grimaced at the thought of how short his human life had become.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Master—er, Dane. Despite your short lives, you humans are dreadfully important. It’s an honor for us gnomes to serve you.”
“Uh, thanks.”
Dane tapped his feet together, watching sand sprinkle down to the beach. As soon as his shoes were clean, he set them right back down. “I’m going to Nod with Malini to save Cheveyo’s body and kill as many Watchers as possible in the process. She’s hoping to send a warning, to force the Watchers back into hiding. They’re too close to the surface again.” He hadn’t meant to dump, but the words flowed out like spilled milk. “I’ll probably die.”
Archibald nodded, keeping his eyes on the ocean. “Soulkeepers will always win against Lucifer because of their self-sacrifice. Watchers find virtue repellent.”
“Yeah. I’m hoping.”
“You are a powerful Soulkeeper.”
Dane turned his head to stare at the gnome’s ear. The corners of Archibald’s mouth twitched downward.
“How much do you know about what I can do?”
“Gnomes know our Soulkeepers. We have excellent hearing and eyesight. Perceptive too.”
“So you know that I can borrow gifts?”
“Yes. And that you are greatly loved.”
“Loved?”
“Yes.”
Dane stiffened, and tears threatened the corners of his eyes.
“True love is a powerful thing,” Archibald said in a low grumble. “Love, friendship, self-sacrifice, kindness, courage, commitment—these are the true gifts of the Soulkeepers. The rest, the power, is just a seasoning to bring out the flavor.”
Without thinking, Dane tossed an arm across Archibald’s shoulders, disregarding that he’d surely be scuffed with dirt by the action as gnomes were always covered in the garden they tended. He didn’t care. Archibald had given him the perspective he needed to do what he had to do. Even if this mission meant his death, stopping the Watchers might be the most important thing he would ever do for the world. This place and these people were worth saving.
“Thank you, Archie,” Dane said. “You’re a good friend.” He released the gnome and stood from the log, resisting the urge to brush off the streak of dirt that had, in fact, gathered down the side of his shirt.
Archibald gave a small smile and nodded, blinking his eyes slowly.
“Can you show me how to get back to the school?” Dane asked.
“Of course, Mast—er, Dane.” Archibald flipped his pointy hat on top of his head and led the way into the jungle.
Chapter 26
Doppelganger
Back inside the grand entryway of Eden, Dane was met with a flurry of tears and hugs from the twins and Ghost, and a smattering of ill-aligned anger from Jacob and Ethan. In fact, Ethan looked slightly murderous with his arms crossed over his black t-shirt. He wouldn’t meet Dane’s eyes, and his countenance was cold as ice.
“Dane, Samantha and I are going to help,” Bonnie said. “You can’t borrow our power, but we have an idea.”
Rending his attention away from Ethan, he looked into Bonnie’s emerald green eyes. “What?”
She scanned him from head to toe, stepped back and reached for her sister. He glanced at Malini, but the Healer didn’t seem to be any more informed about this idea than Dane was. She approached to stand next to him as the sisters melded together, their flesh taking on the consistency of worked clay, rounding into a pale cocoon. When they hatched from their metamorphosis, Dane had to catch himself on the jewel-encrusted wall. One of them, he couldn’t tell if it had been Bonnie or Samantha, looked exactly like him and the other, Malini’s twin.
“We’re going to take over your family life while you’re gone,” they said in unison. “So you don’t have to disappear again.”
“I’ll take care of your mom and the farm as well as I can. And keep you in school,” the other Dane said in Bonnie’s voice.
“And I’ll do my best to blend in with the Guptas,” the other Malini said in Samantha’s voice.
Malini placed her hand over her heart. “Can you do the voices?”
“Can you do the voices?” the other Malini mimicked, placing a hand over her heart.
“Oh. My. God,” Jacob said, staring between the two. “Something about how she moves her hand is slightly different, but I don’t think anyone will notice. Believe me, I’m having trouble.”
Malini narrowed her eyes at him. “You had better remember she’s not me.”
Jacob gave her a twisted grin. “Would never happen, but you’d better stay alive to make sure.”
“You’ll have to help her,” Malini said. “She doesn’t know my parents or my family history. You’ll have to help her be me, Jacob.”
“It’s a good thing we’re inseparable then.” Jacob approached Malini, tucking her into his side and kissing her forehead.
Dane was momentarily distracted by the intimacy. No matter how close Samantha resembled Malini, Jacob would never be able to fake the closeness between them. With any luck, their family and friends would assume they were going through a rough patch.
“What about Bonnie?” Ghost asked. “How will she blend into Dane’s life? She probably doesn’t even know how to drive a combine.”
“Maybe I can fake it? How hard could it be?” Bonnie said.
“I’ll help her,” Ethan interjected.
Dane met his eyes and jerked at the turmoil behind them. His tight throat made a noise like a whimper.
“I’m the only one who can. I know all about your family, I’ve helped on the farm before, and we’re friends so your mom won’t be surprised I’m helping you.”
“Are you all sure you want to do this?” Malini asked.
“Hell yes. This is the only way we can contribute,” Samantha said. “Plus, I need out of this place. I’m going stir crazy here. It makes sense for us to do this.”
Malini ran a hand through her hair. “Does your mom know about this?”
Bonnie and Samantha exchanged furtive glances.
“I do,” Grace said from the shadow of the hallway. Dane wasn’t sure how long she’d been standing there, but surely she’d been in the lecture hall during the briefing.
“Grace,” Malini said. All eyes fixated on the redheaded woman.
“I know, I know, I’ve given you a terrible time lately. I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. This work we do deserves scrutiny. The decisions we make need to be challenged. This is our course, and my daughters have been keen to enlighten me on their desire to be of service. I approve, and I will help them for as long as needed.”
Malini’s eyes darted from face to face, her lips pressing together. She straightened and linked her hands in front of her hips. “Well, today there are only heroes in Eden. Bonnie and Samantha, please proceed with your plan. I believe Dane’s mom is waiting at the hospital for some things from home. He can brief you before you go.”
Dane nodded.
“We need to get started with Dane’s training right away,” Lillian said. “I’d like to add one power at a time until D-day. Who wants to go first?”
&n
bsp; All eyes turned toward Ethan. Was it so obvious that he was the most likely candidate? The person who wouldn’t stall at being the first, the guinea pig.
Ethan slid his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. “I’m ready.” His voice broke a little. “Let’s do this.”
Dane met his gaze and swallowed hard. Good lord, this was actually happening. His stomach fluttered as he approached Bonnie to tell her the basics about his family, his father’s illness, and the hospital where she would find them. And then, his doppelganger walked out the front door to take over his life.
* * * * *
Inside Lillian’s dojo, Dane paced with his hands on his hips, avoiding eye contact with Ethan by counting the weapons on the wall. Neither of them could hold still, and nervous energy ricocheted off the walls. The thought of taking Ethan’s gift was both exciting and terrible. A Soulkeeper’s power was a sizeable part of their identity, a part of their soul, and Ethan’s gift had saved his life once when he was younger. He’d been beaten badly for being gay, and his telekinesis had protected him. If Dane took it, he might not be able to defend himself.
“I don’t want to do this,” Dane said.
Lillian gave him a disappointed scowl. “This isn’t the time for cold feet, Dane.”
“It just seems cruel, stripping him of his power like this.” Dane shifted from foot to foot and crossed his arms over his chest as if his hands might accidentally bump into Ethan and steal his gift.
For his part, Ethan was twitchy and wide-eyed. Dane could practically hear the guy’s heart pounding across the room, and despite his recent revelation he might want to be the cause of that particular physical reaction, this was far from the reason he had in mind.
“Just do it,” Ethan said. “All of this…waiting is just making it worse.”
“I don’t want—”
“Dane! Come on. Nothing you can say is going to make this easier. I’m here, and you have my permission, so take my gift.”
“Lillian, would you give me a moment alone with Ethan?” Dane asked.
She seemed reluctant, glancing between the two of them, but eventually caved. “Okay. I’m going to go get some water.”
Dane waited a moment, watching his friend. Only, friend didn’t seem like a strong enough word, and in the end, he decided now was the perfect time to tell him so. If he was expected to take his power, it seemed only fair that Dane leave him something in return. He’d known for a long time he had feelings for Ethan; he just couldn’t admit them to himself before. But now, faced with his impending and probable death, he didn’t have the luxury of denial. If he was going to tell Ethan, it was now or never.
With intensity and purpose, Dane charged forward, jaw tight. He reached for Ethan, sliding his fingers behind the nape of his neck. There was no thinking, no analysis, only feeling as Dane’s mouth crashed into Ethan’s.
Everything stopped.
For a moment, he thought he might have misinterpreted Ethan’s signals. His lips were hard, his body frozen, even fearful. But only for a moment. Ethan responded, his strong hands gripping Dane’s hips and pulling him closer, setting the two of them off balance. He retreated, taking Dane with him until his back smacked the wall. With equal parts passion and abandon, he returned the kiss, pressing into Dane’s mouth hard enough to leave a bruise.
For months, they’d been friends. For months, they’d carried a torch for each other. Ethan was his other, and his heart almost broke that he’d waited so long to admit it. Ethan shifted against his mouth, completely lost in the kiss, and that was when Dane took his gift.
Under his skin, the power shifted, the telekinesis slipping over his tongue like a hot drink on a cold day. The transfer sent shock waves through both their bodies. The energy of the exchange broke them apart, both panting from the experience. Ethan’s eyes shifted to the floor, and Dane realized that he might think the kiss was simply how Dane exercised his power or a clever distraction to numb the effect.
Dane had to set him straight. There was only one thing he could say.
“You’re the first to know.” He shrugged his shoulders.
Ethan’s face relaxed as the words settled in, and Dane remembered how he demanded to be the first to know.
“You are…?” Ethan prompted.
“Falling in love with you. Yeah. I think that’s the only label that matters.”
A radiant smile broke across Ethan’s face but was soon replaced by fear and dread. “We’ve got to get you out of here. You can’t do this. It’s suicide.”
“I have to, Ethan.” Dane blinked slowly. He’d thought they were beyond this.
“No, you don’t. We could sneak away. I’ve got money on the outside, plenty. You could shove Cheveyo into the first human body we come across, and you and I could leave this place and never look back.”
With a shake of his head, Dane cracked a sad smile. “As tempting as that sounds, we both know it’s not going to happen.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not that person anymore.”
To Dane’s utter disappointment, Ethan jerked away. “I’m glad you told me first,” he said. “But I can’t do this now.”
Confused, Dane spread his hands. “Right now is all I got, Ethan.”
“Bullshit. I fully expect you to kick Watcher ass and come back home…to me. We’re not done with this conversation.”
Ethan stormed out the door, passing Lillian on her way back in. She crunched her eyebrows together and turned to Dane expectantly.
“It’s done,” Dane said. With a little effort, he used Ethan’s power to flip a horrifically large knife off the wall and into her hand.
With an elated wail, she forgot all about Ethan and attacked.
Chapter 27
Transfer
As much as Dane would have liked to spend more time with Ethan before he went to his probable death, Ethan had no interest in long goodbyes. He left the following morning at sunrise, telling only Dr. Silva of his plans. He’d gone to help Bonnie but promised her he’d check in after Dane and Malini began their mission. His absence stung, but Dane understood. Ethan had always been protective, and if he stayed, especially if things between them advanced, he’d never be able to let him go.
Luckily, Dane had enough to keep him occupied from the loss that weighed his chest like a barbed anchor. After Ethan had left the dojo, he’d sparred with Lillian, using his new telekinesis until a migraine hit him so fast and hard he thought he might die. He’d been able to sleep the pain away, but a new day meant a new gift. Time for him to continue his training.
Ghost volunteered to go next. He blinked into the dojo without notice and scared Lillian half to death.
“Damn it, Ghost! I hate when you do that!” she yelled.
He chuckled and pointed his chin toward Dane. “Hey, he doesn’t have to kiss me for this to work, right? Because from what I saw yesterday, I don’t think I could handle the heat.”
Embarrassment flamed up Dane’s cheeks. “You friggin’ eavesdropper!”
“It’s what I do.” Ghost’s smug attitude filled the room.
Lillian ignored the exchange. “Let’s hustle boys. Dane and I need time to practice after the exchange.”
“My pleasure.” Dane struck quickly, snatching Ghost’s bare wrist and yanking his power from him in the metaphysical equivalent of arm wrestling. Compared to Ethan, whose gift had tasted like a hot beverage, Ghost’s was all grit and ice. The flow chilled his fingers, and Dane released him promptly as soon as the transfer was complete.
“Oh.” Lillian gaped in their direction.
Ghost’s eyes were blue, instead of their usual purple, and his dishwater blond hair was now honey brown with platinum highlights. He was tan, and the red Quick Silver shirt he wore stood out against the wood grain and white rice paper of the dojo. Ghost was no longer a ghost. He was stunning, more than noticeable.
“Huzzah,” Dane said, allowing his mouth to drop open.
“What you said,” G
host murmured. “Lillian, do you think the Watchers will notice his eyes?”
Eyes? Dane leaned left to see his reflection in the wall mirror. His body looked blurry, nondescript even, and his eyes were…purple.
Lillian shook her head. “I’ll ask Grace to get him some contacts to be sure. He’s forgettable this way.”
“True.” Ghost smiled. “Hmm. Gives me an idea of showing Samantha how unforgettable I really am.” He made a face like he had to go to the bathroom.
“Are you okay?” Dane asked.
“Yeah, it’s just been a really long time since I had to walk out of a room the old fashioned way.” He cleared his throat. “Old habits.” He nodded his goodbyes and made a hasty retreat.
Dane spread his hands and looked at Lillian who seemed slightly taken aback by his appearance. She composed herself and retrieved a bladed staff from the wall.
Her eyes flashed. “Don’t die.”
* * * * *
“You’ll need to be aware of her,” Jacob said the following day.
Dane had been practicing in the lab, manipulating the water in ever more creative ways while Jacob coached him with tips and advice. They’d decided to take a break when Dane’s head started to throb, a sure sign he was pushing his limits again. Every day he’d added a power, but every day the length of time he could wield them grew shorter. He felt stretched to the limit, and although he wanted to listen to what Jacob had to say, he struggled through the pounding hammer in his brain.
“Say again,” he slurred.
“You’ll need to be aware of Malini. She won’t be careful with herself. Your job, well, my job through you, is to care for her. Use the water to heal her if she burns herself.”
“I’ll do my best.” Dane cradled his head in his hands.
“No,” Jacob insisted, yanking his arm so that his head jarred painfully. “Do better than your best. I’m not fooling around here, Dane. You’ve got to be willing to die for her.”
Dane turned his head to scowl at Jacob.
