Ariel Rising

by A. J. Sparber

  I lay Davin down on the large bed and inspect him. His breathing is ragged, he’s covered in sweat, and my heart is about to shatter into little shards. I have to do this. I have to help him.

  Lana tosses me a gown. “I’m going to turn off the equipment outside. Why don’t you clean him up and dress him. There should be cleaning wands in the closet behind you.”

  “Okay,” I say.

  I clean Davin as best I can and carefully dress him in the Olympian version of a hospital gown.

  Lana returns and sits down in a chair across the room. “Are you ready, Ari?”

  “Yes.”

  “Place one hand over his wound and the other on his forehead. Focus on your love and then push your energy into him…all of it. Empty yourself, Tink. Become one with him.”

  I get up onto the bed and kneel beside him. “Hey, Warrior. I know you’re strong, so you have to help me, okay?”

  His breathing is shallow. Too shallow.

  “Okay, here we go.”

  I focus on pushing all of my energy out through my hands. And it hurts. The pain is unrelenting. It’s as if I’m being bruised, battered, beaten, burned, and bludgeoned—all at the same time. I know I’m screaming, but I can’t hear anything because there are freight trains and stampeding cattle racing through my head.

  A soft blue halo gives way to a raging red glow. We’re like two halves of an angry setting sun. I’m either going to heal him or blow us both to kingdom come. The entire room seems to be fading in and out of view. I begin to tremble uncontrollably. It’s not my emotions. The entire room is shaking. I brace for an explosion, and I pray it won’t kill us all. But then the shaking stops. The noise in my head stops. The pain stops. And my world goes black.

  I’m pretty sure I’m alive because every muscle, every joint, every tendon in my body is sore. Am I dreaming? Or am I trying to wake up?

  My mind spins out of control as non-sequential thoughts fly every which way. Words and colors and shapes. One word rushes out of the maelstrom and hovers in front of my mind’s eye.

  Davin.

  Davin?

  “DAVIN!”

  I bolt upright, eyes wide, as a warm arm wraps around my waist. Davin. He’s looking at me—concern etched in his gaze. His hair is damp and falling into his eyes. His gown is matted to his body. It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. His eyes lock onto mine.

  “I am here,” he whispers in my ear.

  “I–I thought I lost you,” I stammer.

  “I was lost, but now I am found.”

  “Just hold me,” I say softly.

  He pulls me to him. I’m sobbing.

  “I was so afraid of losing you. I–I don’t know what I would have done if…”

  My voice fails me.

  He laces his fingers through my hair and softly brushes my lips with his. Then he pulls away, abruptly. But he’s smiling.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “Nothing could be more right, Love. But I’m afraid we are not alone.”

  “It smells like a locker room in here, you know? I think both of you could use a nice long shower. Perhaps a monsoon, yes?”

  I turn and look across the room. Lana is curled up in a chair, an enormous grin plastered across her face. “You guys can really sleep,” she says through a deep yawn.

  “How long have we…”

  “Twelve hours and forty-two minutes.”

  “Is he healed?”

  “Oh, yeah, he is very healed. You did good, Tink,” Lana says.

  “Tink?” Davin asks.

  “Not important,” I say, brushing him off, as I turn back to Lana.

  “Lana, what do you mean by very healed.”

  What did I do now?

  She grabs a scanner and walks over to the bed. “I’ll show you.”

  She waves the scanner across Davin’s body, then holds it out to me so I can see the readouts.

  “Davin’s energy reading should be close to 180, but it’s over 400—and so is yours.”

  “I did this to him when I healed him? I made him stronger?”

  “Yes. And somehow you made yourself stronger, too.”

  Davin scratches his chin. “How is this possible? Lana?”

  “It’s totally impossible, Davin. That’s what makes it so wonderful.”

  Lana is positively beaming.

  “You are definitely sisters,” he says with a crooked smile and a tilt of his head.

  “We have lots to talk about,” Lana says. “But right now you two really need to get cleaned up. Ella brought fresh clothes for you this morning. They are in the bathroom.”

  “Alright,” Davin says. “Is everything secure on the island?”

  “Yes. No one followed us here. Tal insisted that we maintain lockdown until he knew your condition.”

  Davin reaches over to the bedside table and activates an info panel.

  “Tal…”

  Tal’s voice comes over the speaker. “It’s good to hear your voice, my friend.”

  “Thank you, Tal.”

  “And how is Ari?” Tal asks.

  Davin gazes at me, lovingly. “She is perfect.”

  “Have you been monitoring the closed-circuit scanners?” Davin asks.

  “Yes. We are clear.”

  “Good. Contact Thalia and give her a report.”

  “I will,” Tal says. “Given the circumstances, we are safer here than we would be if we left the island. We should remain here until we are absolutely sure there is no risk. Agreed?”

  “Yes. Make sure that Andi knows Ari is fine. Tell them we will conference later.”

  “I will.”

  “We’re going to get cleaned up. I’ll see you in about an hour.”

  “Take your time. And Davin…?”

  “Yes?”

  “Welcome back,” Tal says, as the info panel winks off.

  Davin turns to Lana. “We will meet you in the kitchen in an hour.”

  Lana smiles. “Take your time. I will be drinking coffee and talking with Ella.”

  Chapter 27

  Davin and I stand motionless, lost in a tender embrace. A brisk tropical shower falls from above, as a warm breeze whispers over our skin. My hand moves lovingly across his stomach. I can’t help but smile at how completely he’s healed. All that remains is a slightly raised border where Lana patched him.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “Not a bit.”

  “He nearly killed you, Davin. I thought you were going to die,” I say, choking back a sob. “I just want to hold you.”

  “It must have been hard for you,” he replies. “I underestimated him. I was not prepared.”

  “I couldn’t bear to lose you, Davin. It was terrifying. It was…”

  “It is over. We are together.”

  “I know, but you have no idea…my heart was breaking. If you didn’t come back to me I think I would have died, too.”

  “Don’t say that, Love. You are stronger than that. I know you are.”

  “Everyone seems to have so much faith in me. But when you were wounded, I froze. I began to shatter into little pieces. If we were alone, Cylar would have escaped, because I was useless.”

  “What happened to Cylar?”

  “Lana happened. She incinerated him. It should have been me, Davin. I should have avenged you. But I was helpless.”

  “Ari…”

  I shake my head and gaze into his eyes, gently stroking his cheek. “Heal me, Davin. Make the pain melt away,” I whisper, as my lips hungrily seek his.

  Our kiss deepens and my healing begins, as Davin and I drift away to our own personal paradise.

  I am home again. But for how long?

  “Davin, it’s been nearly three hours. They’re going to wonder what happened to us,” I say, as I dress.

  “I don’t think so.” He’s grinning from ear to ear. “I don’t think they will wonder at all.”

  “Davin!”

  “What?”

  “Let’s
go,” I say, with a huff, taking his hand and dragging him through the doorway. I look to the left and then to the right, and then it strikes me—I have no idea where we are going. I stop short and turn to face him, embarrassed. “Um, which way do we go?”

  “I was wondering when you’d ask,” he says with a chuckle. “Third door on the right.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Wait.”

  “What?” I ask.

  “Lana called you Tink. What does that mean?”

  I sigh. “Oh, it’s just a nickname she gave me. When I was little, I reminded her of Tinker Bell.”

  “The little fairy?” he asks.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s cute.”

  “Yeah. It is.”

  As we enter the kitchen, Ella pops up and darts over to us. “Thank goodness Davin and you are okay.” She pulls me into a hug. “I was so worried about you.”

  “We’re fine, Ella.”

  She pushes me back and looks me in the eye. Then she looks at Davin. “Don’t ever scare me like that again. You both mean so much to me,” she says with tears streaming down her cheeks. “I love you guys.”

  “We love you, too, Ella,” I say with a warm smile.

  “Um, now that I know you’re okay, I do have a question?”

  “Hmm?”

  “According to Lana, you and Davin have been showering and dressing for the past three hours. Which took longer? I think it was the shower. Am I right?”

  “Ella!”

  “Oh, you’re so easy to rile.”

  “No, you’re just very good at it.”

  “You love it.”

  “Says you.”

  But she’s right. It’s just Ella being Ella and I wouldn’t ever want her to change.

  “Uh, where’s Reyna?” I ask, wanting to thank her for helping me.

  “She’s patrolling the island,” Tal says.

  “She is alone?”

  “Thalia sent a recon team. Reyna wanted to help,” Tal says.

  “Seto is with her,” Lana says.

  “Oh. That’s good.”

  “He will comfort her. She feels very ashamed.”

  “It’s not her fault,” I say.

  “She knows that, but she is still ashamed,” Lana replies.

  “Is it safe outside?”

  “Yes. And they are wearing armor, just in case.”

  “So what else has been going on?” I ask.

  “Well,” Lana says, “Ella and I have been talking about old times in Edgewood.”

  “That’s nice.”

  Ella chuckles. “When she came out of the infirmary, she was a mess. Wild hair, no makeup, and totally worn out. She looked just like she did when we were kids.”

  Lana huffs. “Yes, well, it just goes to show you how hard I had to work at looking plain. And the only reason I looked tired all the time was because of my little sister and you.”

  “Lana,” Davin says, “you always had that earthy, natural look. It becomes you.”

  Lana picks up a pastry and throws it. She gets him right in the nose.

  “I don’t like this kind. Try one of those,” Davin says, pointing to a tray of chocolate squares, as he wipes his nose with a napkin.

  “Okay, children,” I say, “get us up to speed. What’s the word from Portal City?”

  Tal clears his throat and takes the floor. “A lot has happened. At dawn, your father conferenced Thalia.”

  I gasp. “Dad made contact? What about Mom. Did he talk to her?”

  Tal nods. “Apparently, your parents had a very emotional reunion. Andi told me to tell you that it’s all good.”

  Lana looks at me with a big smile. “He adores her, Tink. He always will.”

  Davin reaches up and catches a tear as it rolls down my cheek. “This is a happy tear,” he says.

  I nod as several more glide down my face.

  “What else, Tal?”

  “Graduation is off. Thalia said it would be too dangerous for Ella and you to be on Earth right now. The Zon have been extremely active.”

  “What’s going on?” Davin asks.

  “They are stirring the pot. Creating political tension. The plan is for Ari and you to remain on Carina, with Lana. She will help both of you learn to use your new abilities.”

  “New abilities?” I ask.

  “Thalia did not elaborate. I’m sorry,” Tal says.

  I look at Lana, who nods. “Carina is perfect. We need privacy. And the water and sand will allow for soft landings.”

  Davin and I exchange glances. He looks as startled as I do.

  “The rest of us will return to Portal City tomorrow,” Tal says. “Thalia will brief us on the entirety of what Damian disclosed to her.”

  “When do Davin and I get briefed?” I ask.

  “I’ll take care of that,” Lana says. “But there is one thing I must tell you all.” She purses her lips. “Reyna allowed herself to be controlled by Cylar so that we could gather more information. She is a very brave Warrior. Thalia will explain the rest to you back in Portal City.”

  “When will we go back to Portal City?” Davin asks.

  “You will return in time for Ari’s celebration,” Tal replies.

  “Good grief,” I say. “With all that’s happening, they still want to have a party for me? That’s ridiculous.”

  “Your father will be attending,” Tal says.

  “Oh, and what happens after the party?”

  “We will have a brief holiday and then we go to Earth.”

  Davin gives him a questioning look.

  “Paradise has declared war on the Fallen,” Tal says.

  “Rules of engagement?” Davin asks.

  “The gloves are off, Davin.”

  “We can reveal ourselves?” I ask.

  “Once the battle begins, our presence will be hard to conceal,” Tal says.

  “Oh, my God. The Fallen want to do what they did to Olympus. They want to start wars, and then, when the dust clears, they will enslave what’s left of humanity. Do they actually think they can pull it off?”

  Lana looks me in the eye. “They are prepared this time. They will not underestimate our power.” Her lips slowly curve into a smile. “But they will be completely unprepared for you, Davin, and…Ella.

  “Ella?”

  “I told Dad that you changed her. He seems pretty sure that if you changed her, she is special. And after what I observed last night, I would tend to agree. Now that Thalia knows what to look for, we’ll have answers in a few days.”

  I look at Ella. “What did I do to you, honey?”

  “Don’t get your knickers in a twist, sweetie. What’s done is done, and if it means I can help save people, then I’m all in.”

  “You really think three people can save an entire world, Lana?”

  “You’ll have an army of angels with you. Including some secret weapons. They won’t know what hit them.”

  “You like to push me, don’t you?”

  “That’s what good coaches do, baby sister.”

  “Argh.”

  “Was that a growl I just heard?”

  “You’re pushing it.”

  “I know. It’s one of my cuter talents.”

  Thalia’s recon team is recalled to Portal City. Seto, however, opts to stay behind, refusing to leave Reyna. As they enter the sanctuary, I greet Seto and then pull Reyna off to the side. She looks a little frightened.

  “Reyna, I know what you did. It was very brave. Thank you—”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Ari. It was my duty. But I do want you to know that I am happy for Davin and you. I loved him very much, but that was a long time ago. I would never do anything to hurt him.” She takes a deep breath, and we lock eyes. “Do you believe me?”

  “I do.” I place my hand on her shoulder. “I really do. I understand that you and Seto are together. He is a good Warrior. A good person.”

  A blush paints her cheeks.

  “You really care for
him?”

  “Yes. I…” She falters, averting her eyes from me.

  We aren’t friends, so I don’t want to press. “Are you hungry?”

  She looks down at the floor. “I was going to prepare dinner for Seto and me. I wasn’t sure I was welcome to dine with you.”

  “Don’t be silly,” I say. “I insist that you join us.”

  Her eyes brighten. “Thank you, Ari.”

  Hmm. Maybe we can become friends. “Go get Seto and meet us in the kitchen.”

  “Okay.”

  Not surprisingly, Davin and I eat like two angels who haven’t eaten all day. That is to say, like a pair of ravenous bears, newly emerged from a long winter’s hibernation. Seto and Reyna smile as they watch us.

  After dinner, we meet up with the rest of the group in the conference room. Lana is regaling everyone with legendary tales of Baby Ari and Baby Ella. It seems she has an excellent memory for detail.

  “Ella, do you remember your chocolate art exhibition?”

  “Um, not really. How old was I?”

  “You were four, and your mom had dropped you off at Ari’s for the day. I left both of you in the family room, watching a movie, while I cleaned up the kitchen. When I returned to the family room…” Lana pauses, looking wistful. “One entire wall was covered with stick-figures. Brown stick-figures. You’d used melted chocolate bars for your paint. It was a mess and I didn’t know what to do, so I sat in a chair and stared silently at the wall, until Ari and you started poking me. I guess you wanted to see if I could still speak.”

  “I did that?” Ella asks. “I must have gotten into a lot of trouble, huh?”

  “As much trouble as a four-year-old could. But you were so cute, and it was so hard to stay angry with you.”

  “Do you still paint with chocolate?” Tal asks.

  “Yes. But I only do body painting now. Wanna be my canvas, sweetie?”

  “Ah, no. I don’t think so.”

  “Coward,” Ella says.

  “What did Ari do for fun?” Davin asks.

  “Well, I wouldn’t call it fun, because she was really serious about it, but one day—when she was about five—she decided to play doctor with the family puppy. I heard a pathetic whimpering sound coming from Ari’s room, so I opened the door, and the poor little puppy was running around in circles—frantically snapping at her rear end. It seemed that Ari had tried to take the creature’s temperature, with a rather plump electronic thermometer. I removed the device and looked at Ari. I was about to scold her, but before I could speak, Ari looked at me with doleful eyes and said, ‘Princess doesn’t like her temperature taken.’ I laughed so hard that I began to cough. Ari looked at me with concern in her eyes and said, ‘You sound sick, Lana. We should take your temperature, too.’”