by Tiffany King
"I know sweetie. I just feel like I lost you somewhere between our move from Montana and now," she said stroking my hair.
"You haven't lost me."
"I know you miss him, but don't lose yourself while you're away," she said, cupping my face so that she could peer into my eyes.
I nodded my head and placed my own hands over hers. Using my God-given powers, I shifted some of her anguish aside and replaced it with the small amount of joy I felt the previous day after Haniel accepted my plan to find Mark.
"I love you Mom," I said, giving her a quick peck as the doorbell rang from downstairs.
"I'll help you with your bags," she said more lightheartedly than she had been in weeks. My nudge of emotions had worked their magic on her and hopefully they would linger for awhile after my departure.
She grabbed one of the suitcases I had abandoned in my doorway and headed for the stairs. I glanced around the comfy haven we had created one last time. My emotions were like a kaleidoscope mixing together. I was anxious and excited to begin our journey and to finally be able to leave the human charade behind for a while, but I also felt so sad to leave the one person that had always been there for me. I slung my backpack over my left shoulder with one of the straps and grasped the handle of my fuchsia suitcase.
The wheels of the suitcase thumped down the stairs behind me as I made my way to the foyer.
"Here I'll get that," Shawn said, bounding up the last few steps to grab the heavy suitcase from me. He scooped it up like it was as light as the feather pillow on my bed.
"Sheesh, must be nice to be freakishly strong," I muttered for his ears only.
"I'm Hercules baby," he said, leaping down the last three stairs.
"I can get that Mrs. Miller," he said, grabbing the second suitcase from my mom's hand.
I had to stifle a groan when I saw the astonished look on my mom's face. Shawn was about as subtle as a Mack truck. He forgot sometimes that not everyone had strength that would rival a superhero from a comic book.
"I promise I'll call you tonight," I said to my mom, hoping to distract her from Shawn.
"I'm holding you to that. If I don't hear from you by nine o'clock your time, I will catch the next flight out, do you understand me?" she asked, dragging me in for a tight hug.
"I promise, but I won't make it there if you squeeze all the life out of me," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I love you," I added softly.
"I love you too Sweetie," she said in a voice thick with tears.
I pulled away gently, not wanting to open that can of worms again. My plan was to get out before her tears swayed my resolve.
"I'll take care of her Mrs. Miller, don't worry," Sam said giving her a quick hug.
"I trust that you will, no matter what," she said, looking at Sam sternly, making it clear that she knew more was going on in the situation than I had led her to believe.
I grabbed my favorite sweatshirt off the banister and threaded it through the strap of my backpack so my hands would be free to give my mom one last hug before we headed out the door.
"I'll call you, I promise," I called behind me as I climbed into the used Explorer my band shared. I closed the door behind me and rolled down the window to get one last unobstructed view of the house that had changed my life forever. My eyes took in the wooden porch swing that Mark and I had sat on so many times, discovering our shared connection.
My mom leaned against the wooden pillar, waving, just as Shawn slowly pulled the car away from the curb. Her face was etched in grief and I felt ashamed being the cause of her heartbreak. I couldn't help thinking about how disappointed my dad would be in me. I just hoped that if he was observing us from heaven he would understand my reasons.
As Shawn accelerated, leaving my house behind, I closed my eyes and let the wind blowing through the window wash over me as I regained control of my emotions. As effortless as this had become for me, I still found it nothing short of extraordinary. Haniel had recently commented on my astonishing control of not only my own feelings, but also those around me. I had discovered after a trip to the mall with Shawn and Sam one afternoon that I could filter the emotions of those around me without even having to work at it.
Sam had been awestruck. "You're like a Disney character. You turn weeds into flowers as you walk by." She joked. "How are you doing it?"
"I don't know," I answered honestly. "It just seems like second nature to fix them."
Haniel was closemouthed about my new gifts, but I had heard him telling Shawn and Robert that surviving the pain Mark had inflicted on me has turned me into some kind of hybrid Guide, but he did not get specific about what he meant. I scoffed at the idea, but knew he was right about my new gifts. I had been careful not to use them on my mom or my friends, but I finally caved when things heated up the night before between my mom and me. I employed a touch of them to redirect some of her anger.
"You okay, Krista?" Sam asked from the front of the car.
I opened my eyes to see her peering at me intently.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just ready to get started."
"We know you are, but we're concerned about how you're going to handle this situation."
I didn't need to ask what she meant. I was well aware of the fact that they all thought that Mark was not merely a Forgotten Soul like I was banking on, but that he had turned dark like his father. The subject had been closed for discussion around me, but it was obvious I needed to give them some kind of reassurance.
"I know it's likely that Mark can't be saved," I said quietly. "But if that's the case, then I'm doing exactly what I should be. Mark's worst fear was becoming like his father. If Mark is 'black-hearted' like his father, then it's up to us to stop them."
"Krista do you really think you could just stand by idly while the Protectors destroy him? I don't even think I can, and I know for a fact that Shawn became nauseous at the thought," she said, looking at Shawn for confirmation.
I understood exactly what she was saying, and maybe I'm just living in denial when I act like I can handle it, but what else am I supposed to do. If it comes to that, it has to be our band that takes care of it. "It's what the Mark we knew would have wanted," I said plainly, turning my gaze back out the window. I caught Sam and Shawn exchanging a look out of the corner of my eye, but I ignored it.
"So, Kieran's band showed up early this morning," Sam said, obviously deciding a change of subject was necessary.
"They did?" I asked as excitement raced through me. Our brief time spent with the other band, before the horrific events that transpired, had left such a lasting effect on me. I had grown attached to all of them, but my real attachment had been with Grace and Kieran. My heart pinched painfully as I thought about how empty their band would be without Grace, their "sunshine," as I had come to think of her. Her death had hit me the hardest out of the four band members that were lost in June.
Today was already looking brighter though. I was glad Kieran was here. She had been a godsend in my darkest hour.
"Haniel said the other band should be here by noon and then we'll be heading out," Sam continued.
I nodded my head absently—my mind still preoccupied by the task that lies ahead.
Chapter 4
Sam and I jumped out of the car before Shawn shifted into park. "Holy crap guys, where's the fire?" he groused good-naturedly.
Sam and I ignored his playful jibe, taking the stairs up to the apartment two at a time. We burst through the door together, startling the ten Links inside the room. Sam and I skidded to a stop in the doorway and it was obvious by the strained silence that our exuberance had interrupted a serious discussion.
"What's going on?" I asked. My strong emotional gauge made it clear I was the object of their gossip which didn't sit well with me at all. How typical that I finally escaped the gossip-laced hallways of high school, only to have it follow me into adulthood.
"Nothing," Kieran said, rushing forward to give me a long hug. I remained stiff in her ar
ms, still a little irritated, but after a moment, I finally returned the hug. I had missed my new friends dearly, and who was I to blame them for talking about me. I was a novelty in our species. I had powers none of them had ever seen or felt. Under normal circumstances I might feel flattered by their admiration, but I would trade it all to have Mark back again.
I knew I had to shake this melancholy though. The whole woe-is-me attitude that seemed to follow me around like a dark cloud would do nothing to help get him back.
"We're just concerned sweetie, don't hate us," Kieran said, understanding why my emotions had shifted around so rapidly.
"I know," I said apologetically.
"Krista, it's good to see you," a husky voice said before I was drawn into a tight bear hug.
"Hi John, it's good to see you too," I said, allowing myself to sink into his embrace. If you would have told me two months ago that I would consider John one of my closest allies, I would have scoffed at the idea. Especially since he had once berated me in front of everyone for falling in the ice cold ocean at the most inopportune time. All of that was forgotten though once he and Kieran returned home and made it their personal mission to see who could text me the most in one day. What started out as daily antidotes quickly turned into long humor filled messages about pranks he and Kieran would play on each other. When I first met them shortly after graduation, I had no idea they would turn out to be so witty. I loved my band members dearly, but John and Kieran had become my sounding board, always willing to lend an ear.
I moved out of John's arms and slid into Amelia's embrace next. "I'm so glad to see you looking so well," she whispered quietly in my ear. I nodded my head, knowing I didn't need to answer.
"Hi Krista," Jenna said as I finally turned to her. Unlike the others, she waited to give me a hug, choosing instead to study me critically for a moment, much like Lynn would do. Their uncanny similarities made me smile. Jenna returned my smile before giving me a quick hard hug.
Paul and Keith, who were Amelia and Jenna's Links, were the last to pull me in for bone-crushing bear hugs. I giggled at their apparent happiness to see us.
"So, what's the plan Haniel," Paul asked once all the greetings were out of the way and we were all sitting on the oddly matched furnishings scattered around the room.
"When Jacob and his three other band members arrive, we will load up the provisions and sleeping gear that Robert and Shawn informed me you would need," he said in his typically formal way.
"Yeah, we kinda figured that. My question leans more toward what our plans are once we head out."
"The journey in motorized vehicles will take approximately five hours. I will be joining you there," he said, never being one to travel by traditional human methods.
Sam giggled. "Wow Haniel, talk about being a diva."
Haniel's expression at her words made us all burst out laughing. Picturing Haniel as the classic stereotypical role of a diva was comical.
Haniel had learned enough from hanging out with Sam and I over the summer to understand that Sam's remark was less than flattering, which made it even more hilarious.
"Haniel the diva, oh my lord, my side hurts!' Kieran chirped between the laughter bubbling out of her.
All seven plus feet of Haniel waited patiently while we finished laughing ourselves out. After several moments our mirth finally dissipated.
"Can I continue?" He asked Sam pointedly.
"Um, sure, sorry about that Hannie," Sam said in a tone that made it clear she really wasn't.
"Once we all convene at the location I have indicated on the parchment," Haniel said, indicating the map behind us on the dining room table, "We will set out on foot. The Dark Angel has chosen his headquarters wisely. There are no roads or trails that lead to Victor's headquarters. We will have to create our own path through the rough uninhabited terrain of Mt. Shasta"
"Then how does Victor get to his Lair?" Shawn asked.
I grimaced at Shawn's choice of words.
"He uses the motorized flying machines that seem quite popular with your military," Haniel said, clearly searching for the proper phrase.
"Helicopters," I provided, giving him some help.
"Ah yes, he uses helicopters to enter into his secure location. A word of caution however, once we are on the mountain, Victor will be aware of our presence. He will use whatever means necessary to deceive or destroy us. It is essential that you understand that Victor now possesses greater strength and ability than any of you have ever seen. He is no longer a mere pawn for the Dark One, but an ally, and is treated as such. His powers will equal mine in many aspects.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked, all joking gone from her voice.
"He will have many different resources available to inhibit the success of our mission."
"Like Daemons?" Sam asked.
"Daemons like you have never seen," Haniel answered without elaborating.
"Will they be worse than what we've dealt with before?" Sam asked, gnawing on her lower lip.
"Dude seriously?" Shawn said, clearly aggravated that Haniel had Sam worried.
"It's okay," Sam said pulling out of Shawn's arms. "I don't need it to be sugarcoated. What kind of Daemons?" She continued, turning toward Haniel for clarification.
"Daemons come in many different forms. To describe them all goes beyond my abilities."
"What else will we be facing?" I asked, noting an undercurrent in Haniel's vague explanation.
"It is impossible to know precisely what means Victor will use. For now, you should prepare yourselves for attacks in many different forms."
"Shawn and I purchased netting for us to surround our campsite with, per Haniel's instructions, to help give us some kind of barricade against any attack. The netting won't keep them out, but at least it will serve as a warning," Robert said, making it clear none of this was new information to him or Shawn.
"What about when we're hiking?" Jenna asked in a shaky voice, clearly not a fan of anything that could creep up on us either.
"Don't worry honey. We'll be on high alert as we hike up the mountain," her Link Keith said looking fierce.
An uneasy feeling suddenly curled its way through me. This would be another sad example of the fact that I was the odd man out. Of course, how could I complain about the absence of my Link in a situation that just the other day I was prepared to do alone?
"Ugh, I hope we don't run into spiders when we're hiking," Jenna mumbled.
"What spiders?" I practically screeched. Daemons I could handle, but if a spider fell out of some tree and landed in my hair, I would lose it completely.
"I got your back Sis, don't worry," Shawn teased. He had experienced my bug phobia firsthand when we were picking out furniture together at a garage sale and a big fat hairy spider crawled across the arm of an old recliner we had been contemplating. Needless to say, my screeches could be heard in the next county. After that, I flat out refused to even consider the recliner, convinced that a nest of them was hiding beneath the cushions.
"Thanks," I said, grateful I could always count on my brother.
"So apparently, we have multiple obstacles to face," Shawn said, doing a spectacular impression of Haniel.
His words broke the tension that had enveloped us all since learning that Victor would have multiple Daemons and who knows what else at his disposal.
Shawn's little joke started everyone talking at once. We all seemed to be in fairly good moods considering the uncertainty of the situation. When Jacob's small band arrived, we were all laughing and joking. Haniel of course, took his customary meditative position in the corner of the room. Once again, I was passed around in warm embraces. After the hugs had been issued, I found myself surrounded by my fellow Guides as we chattered about mundane things, steering clear from any subject that was off-limits. I could sense their keen interest in me and knew they had discussed my hybrid powers, but was relieved that none of them asked about them. After a half-an-hour of chitchat, we got ready to head out.
The guys got to work loading up the back of the Explorer with all the gear. They laid the second and third row seats down to maximize space. It was decided that Shawn and Robert would drive the Explorer and the rest of us would ride in the passenger van that John had rented from the airport.
Lynn gave Robert a searing kiss before she climbed into the last row beside Sam and me. The other Guides and Protectors piled into the second and third rows while John and Jacob sat in the driver and passenger seats.
It was a long scenic drive to the Cascade Mountain Range, where Mt. Shasta was located. After several hours, our tired crew finally pulled onto the narrow dirt road that Haniel had marked for us on the map. The trees encroached on the vehicles from all sides with many of the branches trailing along the exterior of the cars. After a quarter of a mile, the narrow lane ended, disappearing into the vast denseness of the mountain terrain. "Amelia's Paul," as we called him, since Jaime's Protector was named Paul also, slid the door open. We all took turns filing out of the large vehicle and standing in the narrow gap of empty space between the van and the forest that threatened to swallow us whole.
"Well this ought to be fun," Lynn muttered to Sam and I as we studied the woods beyond us.
Sam and I both shot her grimacing looks, causing her to burst out laughing which got a questioning look from Robert as he opened up the hatch of the Explorer.
"I wonder where Haniel is," I said to my friends.
"I see you made it here after all," Haniel said, stepping out from the forest in front of us. "I believe the journey should have taken less time to travel," he continued pointedly, looking at the new hiking boots that incased my feet.
I grinned at him sheepishly. "You couldn't expect me to trek through this terrain with my tennis shoes on," I said, trying to defend myself.
"Evidently not," he responded in a way that would have sounded sarcastic coming from anyone else but him.
