She thought through everything she’d learned over the past year. Her hands ached to hold a cello, and she realized with sadness that it’d been months since she’d last touched one. She simply hadn’t had time.
Knowing she was distracting herself, Nicole forced herself to concentrate. She felt a slight pulse as the Great Ones drew near—hopefully they were still far enough away for her to do something.
Then an idea occurred to her. Maybe she could use a part of what she’d learned earlier, when she’d stolen the monsters’ air.
She nodded to herself, knowing that was her best bet, then reached out to Aretes around the field, selecting several in each group.
She hesitated, making sure she knew how to proceed, then pushed to those people, forcing wind through their vocal folds, asking that wind to move around the mouths in the way necessary to form the words she needed the people to say. She trusted that the wind—her magic—would know what to do. It would come out as a whisper, since she couldn’t control the actual mouths and voices of the people. Maybe if she pushed just harder, the wind would possibly cause the jaws and tongues of the Aretes to move a little.
She hoped it would be enough. She hoped it would be audible.
But Nicole felt resistance—a lot. She turned to Coolidge. “They’re not letting me through. Send a pulse to them—have your magic follow mine. They’ll recognize your print easier than mine.”
Coolidge nodded, and Nicole sensed as his pulses glided along with hers, prodding at the people she was working with.
Almost immediately, the resistance melted away. She felt the Aretes relax their mouths and airways.
“Spread word that the Great Ones are coming,” Nicole whispered. “Hide. Don’t think about them—that will draw their attention.”
She heard as the whisper started being repeated at higher volumes and relaxed her hold on the Aretes whose breath she’d controlled.
“That wasn’t too hard,” Nicole said, glancing at Coolidge. “I can’t create sound, so I wasn’t going against my natural ability. Creating sound involves controlling living flesh. But I can control wind.”
He clapped her on the back, not noticing her flinch. “Genius idea. Now, um . . . hide.” His eyes were on the link. “They’re almost here.”
Nicole looked as well, but couldn’t see anything. She didn’t doubt Coolidge, though. With some effort, she, Lizzie, and Coolidge pulled the Youngs up the steps and into the farmhouse, where Joe was huddled near a window.
“The war’s over?” he asked skeptically, a dazed expression on his face.
Nicole was glad to see he wasn’t in horrible shape after getting knocked out. “No, it’s not,” she said.
“Then why did all them monsters stop fighting?”
Nicole glanced outside. He was right. She hadn’t noticed, but every monster had frozen in place, their expressions slack. Aretes who hadn’t heard the news of the arrival of the Great Ones were knocking those beasts down quickly and easily
Just then, a magical pulse started growing, originating from the link. Nicole’s hand automatically sought out her necklace, then grasped at her neck when she remembered the thing was gone.
The pulsing was strong—it rattled against her ribs, forcing her heartbeat to change rhythm.
“Don’t think about them,” Coolidge said. “Get down—lay on the floor.”
Nicole did her best to obey, but her mind refused to cooperate. Only the approaching beings filled her thoughts. She sensed them calling the lesser monsters away, commanding them to return to their dimensions. Telling them that their role in this war was over.
Ignoring Coolidge’s warning hiss, Nicole crawled to the window to look out. She didn’t know why, but something inside her compelled—forced—her to do so.
At first, the link wasn’t visible at all. Then she realized it was because something huge, massive, blocked it. She couldn’t see the top of that thing. All she could see were layers and layers of vines that writhed and squirmed. Too green and leafy to be snakes. The object lifted, moved closer, then set down, crushing several Tarians and beasts in the process.
“It’s a leg,” Nicole whispered. “A leg.”
No one responded—she hoped they were more successful at ignoring the Great Ones than she was.
But for some reason, she knew that ignoring these creatures wouldn’t do her any good. As Coolidge had already said, they knew she was here. Knew who she was. She couldn’t hide.
Nicole . . .
Their pulses pounded against her. She felt them reach to her magically. They inspected her inside and out, hesitating at her heart.
A sudden pressure forced Nicole to the floor of the farmhouse. She could barely breathe, couldn’t move. She screamed, sensing as the Great Ones continued probing her mind, their touch searing, like a hot iron. She felt them replace all of her senses with new ones—mental, rather than physical. She saw what the Great Ones saw, heard what they heard, felt what they felt.
They called her to come, and suddenly, she was outside, floating two feet above the ground. The Great Ones towered around her—several sets of legs visible. She looked up but couldn’t see anything but the vast legs.
Nicole struggled, swinging her arms, trying to get down, but nothing she did worked.
She sensed it when the Great Ones startend laughing. It was a patronizing chuckle. They were amused by her antics.
Where is the other . . . one of the Great Ones said. Nicole thought she physically heard the voice, but the language was guttural and impossible for her to understand. The thoughts came directly to her mind in her own language.
Just then, Austin appeared next to Nicole. His eyes moved wildly around before landing on her. She could see worry there—frustration too.
Almost as soon as Austin was outside, he was slammed into her over and over. She tried to push him away, but again, her efforts were in vain. And again, the Great Ones laughed at her.
Why so eager to get him away from you, another voice said, this one softer than the first, when not long ago, you couldn’t stay away from one another? Isn’t this what you want?
Austin’s face was pressed up to Nicole’s, his lips smearing along hers. The force behind the push was strong enough for Nicole’s teeth to hurt the insides of her mouth. If it was hurting her, Austin was definitely feeling it too.
“Stop it!” Nicole screamed. “You’re hurting him.”
More laughter.
That’s the point, little one, the softer voice said.
Let’s fuse them together. That came from the first Great One. Then they’ll never be parted. They can be in each others’ arms forever.
The skin on the right side of Nicole’s body started opening up. It felt like she was being cut with millions of shards of glass. Pain radiated throughout her entire body, making her scream. And she wasn’t the only one being tortured—blood poured from the left side of Austin’s body, and she could see the agony in his eyes.
“No!” Rebecca screamed, appearing next to Nicole. “Have you forgotten your purpose here? Why I’ve brought you?”
Why you’ve brought us? the louder Great One said. Oh, by all means, do give us a reminder.
“We’re working toward joining two Aretes—me and Nicole—into one supreme being! Let’s not lose focus.”
The Great Ones chuckled.
And aren’t we doing that right now? asked the softer-voiced Great One. Besides, what makes you think you’re better than the boy?
“I’m more powerful. And I’m her grandmother.”
Of course the hag tries to reason with us . . . the big-voiced Great One said.
“It’s less effort on your part.” Rebecca looked like she was searching for other reasons. “Plus, there will be different, more entertaining results.”
Through her pain, Nicole sensed boredom in the minds of the Great Ones. She realized something then—they really didn’t care what happened. They simply sought entertainment.
The Great Ones finall
y decided to continue with Rebecca’s plan. Nicole saw their mental conversation play out quickly—the possibility of trying something new, which was what Rebecca proposed, versus doing something they’d done before, which was what they were attempting with Nicole and Austin.
Nicole breathed a sigh of relief when the pain stopped, the blood that floated in the air around her returned, and her skin patched together again. She saw the same relief mirrored in Austin’s eyes. For a moment, the Great Ones seemed to forget he was there as they conversed. The conversation was so fast and so intellectual, Nicole wasn’t able to follow it. She did sense multiple voices, however, and wondered just how many beings were nearby.
The pain had finally disappeared, and for the first time in a while, Nicole was truly grateful for her grandmother.
Until she remembered what the woman wanted to do with her instead.
The Great Ones turned their mental attention on Nicole, sensing her thoughts.
Yes . . . it will be painful, the one with the big voice said.
And not just physically, said the softer-voiced Great One. It must hurt emotionally as well, as penance for your disobedience. If you’d only obeyed, little one, this would have been a fast process that you and he wouldn’t remember.
The loud-voiced Great One chuckled. We’ll save the purification of your heart for last. No sense having him be a stranger to you—we want both of you to remember your agony as much as possible as he inflicts the wounds.
A knife appeared in Austin’s hand. He saw it at the same time Nicole did. Absolute terror flashed in his eyes as he realized what was about to happen.
With his other hand, Austin shoved Nicole. She landed on a hard surface, banging her head. At first, she was too shocked to react as the surface raised to the height of Austin’s waist. Then she rolled over, trying to get off of what was obviously a table before anything could happen.
Austin grabbed her shoulder and yanked her back, stomach up again. He pinned her down, his forearm across her collarbones, and set the knife aside. Then he tied her arms with straps that appeared.
Nicole kicked, no longer caring if she caused him harm. He wasn’t doing this—the Great Ones were. One blow landed him solidly in the stomach and he doubled over, coughing, before slapping her across the face.
Nicole’s eyes smarted and she gasped, losing all fight, trying not to cry as Austin tied her legs and ankles too.
His eyes didn’t leave her face and she could see the absolute horror and misery there—he was begging her to forgive him.
“I love you,” Nicole whispered. Then she looked upward to where she knew the Great Ones watched. “Please, please let us go.”
The Great Ones only laughed.
Nicole tried another tactic. She gazed intently at Austin. “Fight them, Austin. Overpower their control on you.”
He can’t, said the soft-voiced monster. The magic inside his cells obeys its masters.
Austin picked up the knife again.
The louder Great One whispered, Let him hold her heart in his hands and watch it beat its last beat.
Rebecca stepped to Nicole, an expression of pure glee on her face. “They’ll have him remove your least-important organs first, starting with your kidneys. Your heart and brain will be last.”
Nicole shook her head, staring at her grandmother. “Rebecca, you can’t go through with this!”
The old woman raised an eyebrow. “You think you can convince me to put a stop to a plan that has been in the works for over a hundred years?” Rebecca clicked her tongue. “Such naivety.”
Austin approached, his gaze torn, troubled, tears falling. He grabbed her shirt, pulling it up to her ribs. The knife point pricked her skin, and Nicole screamed from the pain.
Apparently, the Great Ones wanted to draw out the operation because Austin’s movements slowed. Nicole sensed the Great Ones chuckling, enjoying her misery.
She threw up and was vaguely aware of the Great Ones laughing even more.
This one must enjoy vomiting, as she frequently allows her body to do it.
Nicole had no idea which Great One said it. Austin pulled his hand back and the pain subsided. How deeply had she been cut? The agony was dissolving—they must not have had him push the knife too far. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe through the pain, to think, to concentrate before they had him continue.
She was her only hope for survival. Coolidge and the others in the farmhouse were probably frozen. Austin wasn’t in control of his actions. He couldn’t speak.
Nicole knew better than to think she could use magic against these beings, but she could use her voice. She could use what she knew about Rebecca.
Casting her thoughts around, aware that the Great Ones knew what was on her mind, Nicole mentally said, Rebecca plans to continue usurping your strength and abilities. This is only the first step. She’ll gain more and more power.
The Great Ones chuckled.
And you think we’ll allow her to do so? the loud one asked.
“What are you saying to them?” Rebecca asked, glaring at Nicole. “Don’t pay her any attention! Finish the procedure! You’ve barely even cut her!”
Nicole ignored the woman, sensing that she had the Great Ones’ attention. Perhaps not immediately, Nicole thought, but she’ll pester you until you do. And if you allow her to remain free, she’ll seek out other sources of power. Nothing will stop her until she rules over you.
The Great Ones were silent for a moment.
Search her, the louder one said.
I have, the soft-voiced Great One said. There isn’t anything in the hag’s mind to show what little one says is true. And besides, it isn’t possible.
Ignoring the denial, Nicole turned to Rebecca. “What do you plan to do with your powers once you have them?”
Rebecca answered immediately, without thought. “Rule over the earth with the Great Ones.”
A grumbling sounded through the skies and Rebecca glanced up in fear.
“I mean, underneath you, Great Ones—always a step below.”
Just one step?
“Or however far below you I need to be.”
Nicole continued. Isn’t she already where you want her? If she were higher, she’d have access to things she doesn’t now. Nicole took a deep breath, hoping what she was about to say was true. That she wasn’t gambling needlessly with her life. And there are others who are nearly as powerful as you, aren’t there? What’s to stop her from seeking them the moment she’s out of your sight? How do you know she hasn’t already talked to them, found a way to prevent you from seeing all her thoughts?
The Great Ones scoffed. You speak of things you don’t understand, the loud-voiced one said. This woman will never be at our level.
Oh, I’m sure that’s correct, Nicole thought. She decided to change tactics. And do you really plan to stay here on this planet, ruling over insignificant humans? Sure, we’re amusing for a time, but what happens when you grow bored? What happens when the planet can no longer support such powerful beings? You’ll destroy it and move on? Doesn’t that require more energy than moving on now?
The Great Ones hesitated for a moment.
“Stop trying to talk them out of this!” Rebecca said, an ugly sneer on her face.
Nicole raised an eyebrow at the woman. “You really think I’ll obey?” She lay back on the table, exhausted from the mental conversation and needing a brief break, even if she risked going under the knife again. Her side ached.
Austin stood motionless next to her, the same panic still in his eyes. It occurred to her that he might not be able to hear the conversation. She sent him a reassuring look, glad that for the time being, he wasn’t getting pushed around like a dummy.
She wondered if his blocker had been broken. How had the Great Ones even sensed him? Thinking this made her wonder . . . and she looked back at Rebecca. “Are you hiding your thoughts from them?”
Rebecca’s face went blank for a moment, her jaw dropping. Sh
e recovered quickly. “What are you talking about?” she sputtered.
Nicole smiled. “You’re keeping them from sensing your true intentions, aren’t you?”
Rebecca looked up, fear crossing her face. “I would never do something like that,” she said, more to the Great Ones than to Nicole.
Is that so? the soft-voiced Great One said. Then why are you suddenly so afraid, so riddled with guilt?
“I—I’m not.” Seeming to be giving up on defending herself, Rebecca glared at Nicole. “I’ll kill you myself.” She lunged at Nicole, her hands encircling Nicole’s throat. She leaned over, screaming in Nicole’s face.
Just as soon as they’d gripped Nicole, however, Rebecca’s hands released their hold. They spread apart, her arms straight, Rebecca’s face registering shock. “What are you doing?” she shouted. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t touch or control me in any way.”
And why is it so important that we not touch you, we wonder . . . the soft-voiced Great One said.
Rebecca’s clothing started shredding and her body turning. Soon, she was down to a simple set of underclothing, a black object tied around her waist.
What’s this? the loud Great One said.
The black object was ripped from her body and smashed midair, pieces of metal flying in all directions, nearly striking Nicole and Austin.
The moment the object was no longer whole, a horde of thoughts and memories flooded through Nicole’s mind. At first, she couldn’t make sense of them. They weren’t her own—where were they coming from? Then she realized she was seeing them through the Great Ones, who were witnessing them in Rebecca’s mind.
Nicole had been right. Rebecca had sought out many other powerful beings. All promised to help the woman once she reached a certain level of ability, but she had to get it from the Great Ones first as a way to prove her intentions. Once she’d done that, the other beings would unite and come against the Great Ones and destroy them, eventually combining their strengths to make Rebecca into something far more powerful than the Great Ones had been.
Reclaim, Mosaic Chronicles Book Five Page 18
