Ember Rising Light (Book One)

by C.K. Mullinax

  Chapter Forty Two

  Between the layers of covers and Ember’s body heat, I woke up pouring sweat and disoriented. Then awareness flooded through my foggy mental picture. I braced myself to be overwhelmed by the blinding, crushing pain, but nothing happened. I sighed in relief when I realized that Rave must have fixed me. Amazing…

  “Ya’ know, Ember that can’t be a very comfortable position for you to…”

  That was the only thing I managed to say before she reached up and smothered me with a hug so strong it knocked the air out of my lungs. I desperately need her to release me because oxygen is a necessary thing. I was also being internally fried and needed to cool down in a very bad way. I had obviously terrified her. So I would allow her to hold me in that awkward, uncomfortable position until she decides it’s okay to let me go.

  I felt her quiet sobs against my neck and managed to shift my arms enough to hug her back. My eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and I saw Rave and Celeste standing near the foot of the bed. They were watching the scene unfold, helpless to stop it. I had really frightened Ember and this result was inevitable.

  Then I noticed that my sister’s skin radiated a crazy unearthly heat, like she was consumed by a high fever. It was my turn to be terrified. My eyes widened in sudden fear. Celeste silently mouthed the words “…she’s fine”. I didn’t know how that was possible. I have felt fires that are cooler than her skin. Rave smiled and nodded in agreement. So I relaxed again and waited for Ember’s emotional tide to cease.

  “You are never allowed to do that to me, ever again!” she exclaimed.

  “No promises, but I’ll do my best,” I replied.

  Ember and I both thanked Rave repeatedly for everything he did to help us. He said, “Think nothing of it…” while he gave me a very knowing look. He and I both understood clearly what would’ve happened without his intervention. I knew he would never say anything in front of my sister, but I would speak with him about it later, in private.

  Eventually, Ember released her death grip. The chilly wind on my neck helped a little. But my body temperature was still near the boiling point. Kicking off the covers also cooled me slightly. Still, those weren’t nearly enough to quell the raging, internal heat.

  Rave must have understood my current challenge. He quickly opened up the bedroom window. The wind rushed inside the room and spun around Ember. She finally stood up, but her mini-cyclone continued to spin around me at her bidding. My body temperature plunged back down into the normal range so fast that it made me dizzy.

  Once my body temperature was stabilized, I felt wonderful. Rave is a powerful healer because I realized that I hadn’t felt this good in years. I stood up and prepared to go to work since I had enough energy right that moment to toss a car twenty feet with my bare hands. But, Ember had other ideas. She realized what I was planning and demanded that I lie back down.

  “I’m fine – inside and out – see…” I told her.

  In order to convince her of this, I lifted her up, over my head just like I used to do when she was an infant.

  She peered down at me with a very worried expression. But she isn’t concerned about being suspended high over my head. She’s anxious because she doesn’t believe that I’m back to good. The absurdity of this moment is comical and I started laughing, intermittently. I just couldn’t seem to stop myself.

  Ember looks just like a rag doll replica of herself. Only, rag dolls are always smiling. Her facial features are etched with frustrated anxiety. That’s not a good look for a baby doll…

  “I don’t know what you find so funny, but I’m not sharing in the comedy. You hurt yourself today and I’m sure you’re gonna reinjure something critical by holding me over your head. I’ve gained some weight, lately…” she informed me.

  She was fibbing about gaining weight, but even if she weighed 300 pounds I could’ve easily lifted her. I had no intention of letting that little piece of information slip – not to her or anyone else. I put her down. Then, I tried to get by her, but she blocked my path. I faked left and went right – she matched me move for move.

  “We can do this all afternoon Little Girl, but I’m not going back to bed,” I announced and fought back the laughter.

  I wanted her to at least think she had the authority to prevent me from leaving. I watched her swing between opposition and allowance. We stood there in a traditional Mexican standoff – David vs. Goliath style. This would have likely continued for the next several hours, but Rave intervened.

  “You can let him pass little one. He’s right – my medicine is a cleansing fire – he’s back to normal now,” Rave offered with a quiet authority.

  Ember politely turned around to look at him as she prepared her protest. I used her temporary distraction to my advantage. I made my escape into the Jansens’ den. Boo was occupied in the corner with his books and toys. He didn’t even look at me.

  My sister chased me, annoyed. By the time she reached me I was already sitting on the couch. The fact that I was sitting must have appeased her for the moment. She sat down on the floor in front of me and stared into my eyes.

  “I would’ve figured something out back in the lunchroom with that massive swarm of people. You didn’t have to do that…” Ember announced.

  She truly believes that she could’ve handle it. But sadly I know better.

  Rave and Celeste listened closely as we explained what happened in the lunchroom. Celeste was the first one to speak after we finished telling the story.

  “This is partially my fault. I have been so focused on Ember and her education that I neglected to work with you, Tray. Bad things happen when we stretch our skills without practice,” she stated with her own look of concern.

  I tried to interrupt her and tell her that she’s not at fault. But Celeste waved her hand in my direction to dismiss my words before I even spoke them.

  Women…can’t ever convince them of anything!

  “Using obliteration or any spiritual gift takes careful practice. You both obviously have the skill base to expand your Ay’sha abilities. Honestly I have no understanding of how either one of you are capable of it. It appears that if you become afraid or angry enough, it is somehow possible. Calling on a spiritual gift out of any strong emotion can produce devastating consequences.

  “You are extraordinarily lucky that Rave is a powerful shaman or…” her thought trailed off.

  It was clear that Celeste wasn’t going to voice what that “or” would’ve been either, and she didn’t need to say it. I understood her perfectly.

  Ember turned deathly pale and looked like she was going to puke any second. I watched her spirit light lift toward the sky in fear from the revelation.

  It took some time before she finally regained command over it. She had no control when it first illuminated. That was very evident. I exchanged a look with Celeste because I knew she was right.

  “Ember, would you consider allowing me to home school you – maybe just through the rest of this year? That way I could teach you about your gifts, you wouldn’t fall behind in your studies and it would give things at school a chance to settle back down,” Celeste directed the question to my unsuspecting little girl.

  My heart lifted for a fraction of a second because that plan would solve everything. Ember would get plenty of intellectual stimulation. Plus she would be with me so I could watch over her. I should have known that nothing would ever be handled that easily – at least, where Ember is concerned.

  “I can’t explain it exactly, but I have to go back to school,” Ember stated quietly, looking very distressed.

  “Alright, home school is out. So would you at least consider going to one of the Vaydem Schools? Rave’s family is very connected and I feel relatively sure that he could get you in…” she inquired and looked over towards her husband.

  My boss didn’t say anything to his wife, but somehow they communicated with each ot
her. I was puzzled because their facial features didn’t even change. But when Celeste turned back to Ember she had her answer.

  “Rave can get you enrolled in a Vaydem School. They offer general educational and spiritual gift classes as a daily part of their curriculum. They also offer courses that we think you would enjoy taking. Classes like the history of Vaydem ancestral rituals, those are taught by elders and elemental essence channeling…” Celeste coaxed.

  I watched Ember flounder around in indecision. Celeste was offering her something tantalizing.

  “Let’s deal, Little Girl. If you’ll transfer to the Vaydem School, I’ll let you choose your grade level…” I offered and placed all my cards on the table. I wasn’t going to let this opportunity go down in flames without a fight.