She didn’t, other than her friends—Lizzie, of course, and Austin, who was about as far away as he could get while still being on the stage. His presence still made her stomach twist and turn. She kept her eye on the people, wanting to see how they responded to the presentations.
The reactions at first were mostly disbelief. Some people even got up and left. But as the presentations continued, Nicole noticed less and less disbelief and more outrage, frustration, and anger.
After the recorded presentations were over, many hands shot in the air when Coolidge asked if there were questions. Most of them were directed to him, and the few that were directed to her wanted more specifics about the Tarians.
“How did you get this information?” one man asked. “You’re an Arete—surely they knew that.”
Nicole took the mic from Coolidge and addressed the man. “I joined them for several months.”
The man chuckled, standing. “I knew you looked familiar. Do you remember me?”
Nicole squinted, trying to see his face past the bright lighting focused on the stage. “Not really . . .”
The man removed his shirt, waving off the people who exclaimed in shock. He was wearing a tank top underneath. Nicole’s jaw dropped and she raised the microphone. “Yes, I do remember you.” She laughed, then looked out over the audience. “I met this man while I was recruiting for the Tarians. He thought I was insane and didn’t know I was spying on their group. I spent a lot of time with the Tarians and gained quite a bit of respect from people before I left. In fact, I was supposed to be their leader.”
“The one they’ve been talking about for years?” a man called out.
Nicole nodded, though she wasn’t sure how the guy knew about that. Tarians weren’t very secretive regarding their plans for world domination, but Aretes tended to ignore everything the group did.
“I was introduced at their last world convention as the leader who would destroy Aretes everywhere.”
The man in the tank raised his hand. “And they actually believed you’d do it, being an Arete?” he asked. “Or did they not know you were one?”
“Oh, they knew. They have a device that alerts them to the presence of all Aretes. I was completely honest with them—well, as honest as I could be without them finding out I don’t want to destroy Aretes.”
A woman in the middle of the auditorium got to her feet. “How do we know you’re not on their side?”
Nicole half smiled at the reactions from her friends. All of them were shaking their heads, upset at the woman’s question. It didn’t bother her.
“You don’t need to know—I’m not leading you. Professor Coolidge is. And after watching my reports, if you don’t know by now where my loyalties lie, nothing will convince you.”
Nicole knew her response was a little on the harsh side, but she was positive others in the audience had the same doubts. It was best for them to know her position now. The woman looked disgruntled, but she seemed satisfied enough to sit down.
Coolidge took the mic from Nicole. “We’re not here to prove loyalties—we’re here because we have lives to defend. The Great Ones will be arriving in two weeks. And thousands, if not millions, of Tarians around the world will be attacking major cities.
“If you are interested in helping us fight, contact me or Professor Nielsen in Ohio. And if you know of anyone who would want to join us—and I hope you will—please have them do the same.” He pointed to the back of the room. “We’ve got printouts for you. Take as many as you need—we’ve printed thousands. Distribute them. Go door to door, if necessary.”
He started pacing, running his free hand through his hair. “We’ll need Silvers who are natives in all of the elements, and as many of them as possible. They’ll be taking up guard at the key cities.”
The man in the tank top raised his hand. “How many will you need per city?”
“At least twenty. Four over Wind, four over Fire, and so on. Once every location has at least that many Silvers, we’ll increase the number in each place.”
“What about Aretes who aren’t Silvers?” the lady from earlier asked.
“Personally, I’d like a hundred at each location and a thousand at Salmon, Idaho.” Coolidge raised his hands at the murmurs. “I know gathering this many people in only two weeks will be difficult. But we need to try, at least.”
The man in the tank raised his hand again. “How many Silvers need to be in Salmon?”
“As many as possible.” Coolidge pinched the bridge of his nose. “Though, our powers will pale compared to what the Great Ones can do. This is why we’re doing everything we can, including recruiting Aretes who’ve passed on.”
Several people in the audience scoffed. “Have you lost your minds?” a man called out.
“Recruiting dead people—what are they going to attempt next?” another responded.
“Is it possible?” the man in the tank top asked, his face open, no sign of scorn there.
Coolidge nodded. “Yes, actually. We’ve been in contact with Aretes who’ve passed on multiple times. For some reason, their magic allows them to visit us and be seen where a regular human doesn’t seem to have that opportunity.” He pointed up at the blank screen behind him. “And for those of you who still doubt, how do you think Rebecca has been getting in contact with Nicole? Or was, before Nicole started blocking her? She’s been dead for several months now.
“Believe us if you will, or don’t—it’s up to you. But those of you who do believe, if you have Arete family members who’ve passed on, get their names to us, and we’ll have our representatives in the other dimensions contact them. We need as much help as we can get.”
Coolidge motioned to Nicole. “I’ll turn the time over to Nicole to talk about our international plans.”
Nicole nodded and walked to the mic. “There are several countries that never allowed the Tarians to infiltrate them. Unfortunately, most of them aren’t powerful and don’t have access to funds. But they can still provide manpower, and they still have Aretes who will most likely be interested in helping out, as long as their government allows it.
“We’ll have to be discreet about this. The Tarians have been organizing and preparing for this war for over a hundred years. They’ve got the upper hand in every area. But we are more powerful than they are, literally. If we’re united, we’ll defeat them.”
Coolidge joined her. “Also, the USA was one of the countries that resisted infiltration as much as possible. I’ve been in contact with the Secretary of Defense. He’s an Arete and is very anti-Tarian, as most of you probably know. He and I worked on a government contract several years ago. We’ve spoken about the current dilemma, and he’ll be contacting militaries around the world.”
Coolidge stepped back and Nicole continued addressing the audience. “During the world convention, I learned that the Tarians really struggled with getting any militaries on their side. Instead, they ended up procuring weapons and warheads illegally. We believe we’ll be able to convince a lot of military personnel to help, even if we can’t get their entire organizations on board.”
She put her hands on either side of the podium. “Please remember that we won’t be fighting just Tarians—we will be fighting monsters too.”
Several people groaned, and a general sound of murmuring swept over the audience. Nicole could tell that this was the tipping point—most people seemed okay with fighting regular humans, but fighting creatures that were stronger and more magical? This didn’t encourage them. In fact, many got to their feet and were heading out of the auditorium.
Austin jumped up and strode to the microphone. Nicole barely got out of the way in time. She had to back up all the way to the other side of the stage to avoid throwing up in front of everyone.
“Do you want the alternative instead?” he asked. “All Aretes destroyed? Anyone who opposes Tarians cut down? Great Ones on earth, ruling over everything and everyone, with Rebecca acting as their pet? I definitely don’t.”
The pe
ople who were leaving turned and looked at him. He continued.
“Yes, this will be hard. But what isn’t? Even inconvenient things are difficult to go through, like running out of hot water. But what we’ll receive if we work and fight together is our lives. Our freedom. Aren’t these things worth fighting for?”
Most of the people in the audience clapped, shouting their approval.
After Nicole and Austin returned to their seats, Coolidge tied the meeting up, directing people to the handouts by all of the doors.
Almost immediately, the man in the tank—now wearing his shirt again—jumped onto the stage and approached. Nicole thought at first that he was headed toward her, but he stopped at Coolidge instead, giving the professor a big hug.
“It’s good to see you, Rick,” Coolidge said.
“Same.” He and Coolidge turned and walked away, their voices low.
Lizzie chuckled. “So, you ran into him while recruiting for Tarians?”
Nicole nodded. “Super awkward. He said something like, ‘Aren’t you on the wrong side?’ and the only thing I could think of doing was handing him a flyer and telling him to learn more about us.” She leaned back in her seat and rubbed her eyes. “The Tarians with me then were weirded out by the exchange. And I almost blew my cover. Glad to know he’s not holding it against me.”
“Apparently not. And he and Coolidge seem to be good friends.”
Nicole glanced over. Rick and Coolidge were laughing about something. “Yeah, they do. It doesn’t surprise me—his magical print is stronger than many others’. They’ve probably worked together before.”
“He’s a Silver,” Austin said from where he sat several chairs down, head resting against the back of his seat with his eyes shut. “Naturally a Water Arete.”
Lizzie scowled. “How can you tell? He doesn’t have any hair.”
Austin peeked at her. “That’s because he shaves it off. And you can tell which is his native power just by the magical print around him.”
“No, I can’t. Maybe you can.”
Austin chuckled, but didn’t say anything more, shutting his eyes again.
Nicole thought over what he’d said, though. She’d been unaware that a person’s native ability could be sensed. She’d need to learn how to do that.
***
Later that day, right when Lizzie and Nicole were sitting down for dinner, Dave Young called.
“We’ve arranged for the land to be purchased. You’ll need to come meet to sign the papers, as already discussed.”
“Whoa! That was really fast.”
Dave chuckled. “My Realtor is very good, but your money was even more persuasive.” He hesitated. “But you need to know something. You’re not technically buying the land—you’re loaning it from the government for a few years. They understand that it might be destroyed, but they’d rather have their grubby fingers on it again anyway.”
Nicole snorted. “That’s ridiculous. But fine—a few years ought to be long enough for everything to resolve itself. So, when do I come out?”
“There’s a flight from Seattle to Boise first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll meet you at the airport, and we’ll head to the offices together.”
They ended the call and Nicole looked at Lizzie. “So, um . . . that was Austin’s dad.”
“Why’s he calling you? Awkward!”
Nicole smiled. “He’s buying the land where the machines are located, just in case. And yes, it’s a bit awkward. Last time we talked, he said he couldn’t wait to meet his future daughter-in-law.” Nicole looked at Lizzie earnestly. “Is it weird that I’m nervous to meet him? Especially without Austin there to shield me?”
Lizzie chuckled. “I think you’re looking too deeply into this. Is Austin’s mom going to be there too?”
“I don’t know—I doubt it, though.”
“Then don’t worry about it. It’s just a business transaction.”
Nicole groaned. “It would be, but he’s already told me I’ll soon be calling him Dad.”
Lizzie laughed outright. “And what would it harm you if you did? Your own dad is a bit of a dud.”
Nicole smiled. “You’re right. I’ll stop freaking out.”
“No, you won’t,” Lizzie said, shaking her head. “I know you too well. But you can stop panicking about it. Just go with the flow.”
That’s what Nicole would do. She hoped.
Chapter Five
The moment Nicole stepped off the plane, she was greeted with a huge sign that said, “Right here, Nicole!” At first, she wasn’t sure it was for her and glanced back to see if anyone else was responding. But because she’d been one of the last ones to get off the plane, and because the man and woman holding the sign totally fit her idea of what ranchers would look like—not to mention the fact that the man looked exactly like Austin—she realized quickly it really was for her.
Dave and Elyse were both there. That caught her off guard. So, this wasn’t strictly business, then. She walked toward them, trying to gauge their personalities by their clothing.
Dave wore a large cowboy hat, Wranglers, and cowboy boots. Elyse was dressed in jeans and a button-up shirt, her hair in pigtail braids. That made Nicole smile. It gave the woman a softer edge.
Elyse threw her arms around Nicole the moment she was close enough. Whoa. Yeah, Austin didn’t inherit his hesitancy from her, then. Where did he get it from?
“We’re so glad to finally meet you!” Elyse said. “Austin hardly ever talks about anything else.” She pulled back and looked Nicole in the eyes. “And just as pretty as he said you were.”
Dave handed the sign to Elyse and also gave Nicole a big hug. “We’ve been here for an hour already—wanted to make sure to greet you the moment you got off your plane.”
Nicole smiled. “Well, you succeeded.” She glanced at her phone. Nine o’clock. “What time did your flight take off? I mean, if you’ve been here an hour already, you must’ve gotten up pretty early.”
Elyse waved her off. “Psh. We’re ranchers. Three in the morning is early to us, not five.”
“You wake up at five?” She groaned. Austin wanted to take over his father’s ranches . . . and Austin and Nicole wanted to get married. What was she getting herself into?
“Well, with cows and chickens to take care of—” Elyse started.
“Not to mention horses, goats, and ducks . . .” Dave said.
Elyse chuckled. “There’s always something to do.”
Nicole glanced at the two of them as they left the airport. Their magical pulses were strong—stronger than Austin’s and Coolidge’s. “Do you use your powers to get things done?”
Elyse shrugged, but Dave immediately said, “Yes. All the time. Being an Arete makes things much easier.”
Nicole nodded. “Good to hear.” She took a breath. “Austin has told me so much about you—things you’ve experienced.” Her gaze drifted back to Elyse. “His teacher poisoning you . . .”
Elyse sobered. “We’ve definitely had our share of tribulations, mostly at the hands of the Tarians. We’re excited to help get rid of that scum. The sooner, the better.”
That made Nicole happy—she hadn’t expected them not to help, but hearing their willingness to join the fight made it more real. “And it’s definitely going to be happening sooner—has Austin told you that the deadline moved up?”
“Yes, he did,” Dave said as they approached the desk at the car rental agency. “And we’re ready for it.”
“In fact,” Elyse began, “we’re heading to Salmon as soon as we finish up here. Going to start scouting out the area, take some pictures, talk to the locals—figure out who owns what property near Copperhead Peak and get to know those owners. That sort of thing.”
Nicole breathed a sigh of relief. “You have no idea how good it is to hear this,” she said, watching as Dave signed papers for an extended-cab pickup. She hid a smile at that and the familiar saying came to mind. You could take a man out of the country, but you co
uldn’t take the country out of the man.
After several minutes of waiting, they were taken outside to the truck. Dave made sure everyone was buckled in—Elyse up front and Nicole in the backseat—then maneuvered the truck off airport property and onto the streets of Boise. “We meet Casey, our Realtor, in an hour. Are you hungry? Might as well get some food while we have the chance.”
Once he had Nicole’s answer—yes—Dave headed toward a restaurant and placed their order at the drive-through. The food soon came and he handed it out. “Sorry. We like eating in the car. It’s much homier than going inside a fast-food joint.”
Nicole shrugged. “I’m good with it.” She took a bite of her breakfast bagel.
Dave turned on the radio, scanning until he found a classical music station, then settled into his seat.
“Schubert?” Nicole asked. “You don’t strike me as the classical music type.”
Elyse laughed. “It’s pretty much all we listen to. Country comes in a close second. I bet you thought it would be our first choice.”
“It had occurred to me.”
They finished eating their breakfast in silence, then drove to meet Casey. Nicole liked the Realtor immediately—he was as open, friendly, and honest as Dave and Elyse, and definitely didn’t have the stigma that Nicole had come to expect from Realtors. She realized her view was limited to the people her parents worked with, and they actually liked working with scumbags.
Dave and Casey explained to Nicole what each paper she was signing was for, and the whole ordeal was over in a little under an hour. A few bankers were there, signing on behalf of the government. They made copies of the documents for everyone, then Dave and Elyse offered to take Casey and Nicole to a small lunch.
They had to eat quickly, as Nicole’s return flight was scheduled to leave at one o’clock, but Nicole still really enjoyed herself. If she and Austin got married, she knew she’d be welcomed into the family with open arms.
She couldn’t say the same thing about Austin and her family. That made her sad.
After lunch was over, they parted ways—Casey going wherever he needed to be, and Nicole, Dave, and Elyse heading to the airport, where they would hang out until Nicole’s flight was scheduled to board. Dave made the comment that he and Elyse could have driven to Salmon right away, but they wanted to spend as much time with Nicole as possible.
Reclaim, Mosaic Chronicles Book Five Page 7
