by Wilson, Maer
After a few moments I got control of my emotions long enough to give my family a shaky smile. My beloved Nana Fae smiled back and nodded encouragingly. Mama Deb and Evan tried smiles of their own, but they were flat. Parker looked as if he was going to cry. The other dead simply continued to look afraid, which I did my best to ignore. I was already scared beyond anything I could imagine.
I looked for my Thulu, and he stood where he'd been. Determined, strong, loving. Still standing next to him, Reo stared at me intently. When I made eye contact, his thoughts broke into mine for a moment.
“Strong and calm, Fi, strong and calm.”
Reo's thoughts and empathy eased my fear a tiny bit, but my brain quickly skittered off again, looping, jumping, looking for a way out. I'd catch on something for a moment, then off I'd go again. I wondered if Michael's insanity was contagious.
The wait for Jones seemed to drag on forever, but it eventually ended after about ten minutes.
Jones and the others returned with the three relics in their boxes. Aurelia held the four panels. Jones had put on an elaborate robe over his clothes. Black and studded with gems and embroidery, it was open in front to show his regular clothes. Wide sleeves hung almost to the floor. It was lined with a deep red satiny material. He carried another like it over one arm and handed that one to Sarah Grant, who handed him the scroll, before putting her robe on. Jones also carried a leather bag.
I felt Michael's muscles move as he unfolded his wings and rose up from the ground, easily taking me with him, his strong grip more than a match for the gravity that pulled me. He backed away slowly to the far end as everyone seemed to move with him. It had to look pretty strange seeing the entire group of different beings move as one, almost as if we had been choreographed in some bizarre dance. I wasn't even tempted to giggle though. I just wanted it to be over.
Michael settled back to the floor and lowered me more gently than I would have expected, but he didn't lessen his tight grip.
Thulu made sure he stayed in my line of sight. He nodded encouragingly.
I wasn't sure why Michael hadn't killed me yet. The thought occurred to me that maybe my death was a way of reversing the spell Jones was going to use to close the portal. Would a blood sacrifice be able to do that? Open the portal instead of close it? It seemed to be the only thing I could think of, and it sure explained why Michael was allowing Jones to continue uninterrupted. I willed my brain to go back to sluggishness. I didn't much like the alternatives it was conjuring.
Jones and Grant purposefully cleared a circular area of the floor, with the portal in the center.
Michael turned us slightly, and I saw we were near the small portal. It pulsated in fits and starts, sputtering to a larger size about three feet in diameter, before retracting to less than a foot across. There was no pattern that I could see.
I did notice the glittering dust of dead Light Ones on the floor in front of it. I had the hysterical thought that it gave whole new meaning to the term “angel dust.” I was almost thankful the dagger at my throat prevented me from voicing that thought. I wondered how many Light Ones had tried to use the erratic portal only to die when it contracted on top of them. It looked to be a lot of dust, and that was a lot of desperation.
Jones and Grant continued to set up, ignoring the rest of us. Someone had placed a simple wooden table near the portal and put the boxes and panels on them. Jones held the scroll and referred to it several times as he and Grant pulled the relics from their individual boxes. The boxes had been refitted with what looked like memory foam. Jones and Grant put them under the table.
Michael moved us to one side so we had a clear view of what Jones and Grant were doing.
Thulu countered and stayed where I could see him, with Reo still at his side. My dead family and friends moved to be nearby.
Jones pulled items from the leather bag. He set down two small silver boxes, unlatched each and raised the lid to show what looked like dirt in one and sand in the other. He pulled a gold box out. When opened, it revealed four small white balls.
I guessed the balls were made from rice flour, if the panel had been correct.
Jones pulled two small clear glass bottles from the bag. They both looked like water to me, but again using a panel as a guide, I was sure one was rice wine. There was a different rune embossed on each bottle.
Jones took another look at the scroll, rerolled it and handed it to Grant. He moved to our side of the table and looked up at Michael. His voice was quiet, yet carried in that empty space.
“I am ready to begin the ritual, Michael. Killing this human will not stop what I have to do. You will only succeed in taking one step closer to what your brother had become. I cannot believe you would do that. Killing is not something you do lightly, and this would be a meaningless death.”
“Amends must be made for my brother's death. The death of this human will hurt you.”
Jones looked down at me, dark eyes full of regret and pain. “This human is disrespectful, willful, contentious and stubborn – and her death would hurt me very much.” Jones continued to stare at me. Softly, so no one but Michael and I would hear, he said, “I am so sorry I brought all of this to you, my dear La Fi.”
Had Jones really just apologized to me again? That had to mean he had no way to save me. I had a couple of false starts, but finally managed to say, “Not your fault, Jones.” I looked up at him and saw compassion and something else I didn't – or wouldn't – give a name to. I moved my eyes upward to indicate Michael. “They're the ones to blame.”
I looked at Thulu and realized he was only a few feet away. He stood with his fists clenched to one side and looked ready to launch himself at Michael. I made sure he saw me and gave a tiny shake of my head.
“The cycle will never end, Michael.” Aurelia had joined us. “Gabriel killed millions of Dark Ones in his invasion of their world. He has killed goblins, elves, fairies and almost every other race over the eons.”
She paused to look around at the other Light Ones. “Your race is in trouble. Your energy needs have grown to the point where you are damaging the very ones you need. The elves do not blame the Light Ones as a race. We place blame on your leadership. With Gabriel gone, you have a chance to begin anew. I swear the elves will work to return Light Ones to the balance they had in ages past. Please let us help you.” Her voice held a note of pleading, along with the ring of truth.
Michael said nothing, but his hold on me tightened slightly.
Jones and Aurelia exchanged a look. To me it looked like one of regret and defeat.
Tears again pricked my eyes as I made another scan of my family and friends. I stopped with Thulu. I wanted my last living memory to be his face, but my attention was caught by Jones's voice, and I watched as he began his ritual.
He spoke in a musical language I didn't know, yet I understood what he said.
“Elements of Fire, Earth, Water and Air, please grant me your strength for this portal closure. I offer cleansing fire for the element of Fire.” He held out his hand and a cold, blue fire ran from his fingertips to each of the four relics, bathing them for a few moments before going out.
“I bring dirt and sand for the element of Earth.” Jones took a pinch of each from one of the silver boxes and placed it on the gold plate.
“I offer you clear spring water for elemental Water.” He took one of the bottles, removed the cork and poured water into the pitcher.
“The element of Air already surrounds us and infuses all that we do.” He took a deep breath and exhaled over the plate. He took three more, one each for the pitcher, dagger and cup.
“I offer you the fruits of the labor of this planet's people.” Jones took the four rice balls and arranged them on the plate. Removing the cork from the second bottle, he poured a small amount of rice wine into the cup.
“I give you my own blood as a symbol of my covenant with you and a seal upon this portal.” He picked up the dagger and made a shallow cut across his left palm.
Holding his closed fist over the pitcher, he counted out four drops of bright red blood before removing his hand. He picked up the pitcher, swirled it around four times clockwise, repeated it four more times counter-clockwise and returned it to its place on the table.
“This world is in danger and in need of your protection. Bring forth the Light Ones who would hurt this planet and its people and send them through to their home world undamaged. Elements of Fire, Earth, Water and Air, I beg you to give me the strength to seal this gateway and let the seal remain closed.”
Jones looked up at me, then at Michael. I had time to wonder if his ritual had failed before I felt a slight wind that quickly built around the portal area. My hair whipped into my face.
The portal quickly grew and stabilized large enough for the Light Ones to pass through easily. The Light Ones next to the portal were quickly pulled in by an unseen force.
I had time to catch the surprised looks they threw at Michael before they disappeared one by one.
More and more Light Ones materialized and were sent through the portal after the ones already in the building were pulled through. The line of Light Ones being pulled from Earth went on for long minutes, until it was only a trickle. Finally no one was left but Michael and his guards.
Michael's guards were drawn closer to the portal and followed their fellow Light Ones through. Michael also moved closer, but it felt as if it was of his own volition. I sensed no straining from him, but he still held me captive. Michael stopped just in front of the portal, and I realized the spell definitely did not have the hold on him it did on the others.
“I will hold the elves to their offer to help my people.” I felt him give me a slight push away. I turned to look at him in surprise.
“I release you from your promise to Gabriel,” he said. “My apologies to you and your family.” Michael handed me the dagger he had held to my throat. I clutched it in one hand.
Michael nodded to Jones and the others and stepped deliberately into the portal. Another second and the portal completely closed, with no sign of its previous existence, except the glittering dust on the floor.
A stunned silence, before the realization hit me that it was over and I wasn't dead. Strong arms closed around me, and I looked up to my husband's relieved face. Sheer joy coursed through me as I hugged him tightly. Everyone was congratulating Jones and each other and thanking everyone else for their help.
I felt the euphoria of being alive as tears of relief streamed down my face. I wiped them away with the back of my hands. We still had a lot to do. First of all, I wanted to go to our family and share the news. I again thanked all of the others for their help.
Thulu had a smug smile on his face. I followed his gaze to Reo, who stood talking to Sloane. They stood close together and seemed intent in their conversation.
Jones repacked the relics, with help from Grant and Aurelia. I asked him to please open a portal to Erik's back yard. He quirked an eyebrow at me, but quickly opened the portal.
Reo came over to give me a hug, saying he had things he needed to do. He stayed behind, Sloane standing by his side. I gave Jones a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before I stepped through, followed by Thulu.
Chapter 39
The yard was packed when we arrived, with more people coming from the house as word spread we were there. The portal winked out behind us as we made our way to Erik and asked for a family meeting. He looked at the dried blood on my throat. I'd forgotten it, but Thulu quickly got a damp cloth and dabbed at my neck.
“It's gone. Someone must have healed you.”
I nodded and moved toward the house as Erik called in the adults for a family meeting.
I still held Michael's dagger, uncertain what to do with it. It felt heavy and big for my hand. I saw the tip held a bit of blood – mine. It was plain, with a wrapped leather handle. The blade was the same silvery, strange, swirly material as the relic dagger.
I set it on a table as we settled in the family room. Even cousins had shown up this time, and there was no way for us all to fit in the room. People filled the hallway. Erik had seemed to age twenty years in the last twenty-four hours. He was listless, defeated and didn't make his usual “Thulukan business” line.
Thulu looked at his father for a long moment. Quietly, firmly, with a touch of sadness, he became the third generation to start the family meeting with, “This is Thulukan business. What happens with Thulukans, stays with Thulukans.”
The torch had been passed. I blinked back sudden tears and tried to concentrate on what Thulu said.
He told everyone about the events of the last day. His announcement of Gabriel's death was met with grim satisfaction from most and even a few ragged cheers. The news of the Light Ones expulsion from Earth and the closure of the portal was met with relief and a lot more vocal response.
When Thulu was done, we answered questions until they seemed to wring every detail from us. Finally, they gave us a break. Most made their goodbyes and set out for their own homes. We were once again down to mostly immediate family.
Nana Fae came to me and said that she, Mama Deb and Evan had something they wished to discuss with me and Thulu. We moved to the den and shut the door.
“We've decided to remain here for a while, Fiona,” my grandmother began, making sure she faced Thulu so he could read her lips.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“We think there might be some work we can help with at your agency. Word has already spread about your connection to the elves and fairies. People have been hanging around at the fringes, hoping to get to see you. We asked them to give you some time, and they agreed, but I think you are going to have a lot more work in the future. We want to help.”
“Besides,” added Evan, “I'm not ready. I can still advise the family on financial matters. Since we have our own translator anyway.” He smiled at me, and I tried to smile back through my exhaustion.
Thulu answered first, “I think that's a great idea, and I'm glad you'll stay.”
“Which reminds me, Nana, why didn't you let the elves heal you?”
She smiled apologetically at me. “Because, my dear sweet girl, I was dying of cancer. It had spread too far, too fast. So much damage had been done, I doubted the elves could have repaired everything. Especially since it had made its way into my brain, the one thing even the elves have trouble with. I'm so sorry, but really this is for the best. I'm not in pain anymore and not trying to hide it from you.”
I absorbed this news with less shock than I would have thought. Maybe a part of me had suspected. I gazed at her, my last blood relative that I knew of, and I felt a bit alone. At least until Thulu took my hand, reminding me I was never alone.
I nodded in acceptance, too tired to really give it the attention it truly deserved. The two of us needed to sleep, and I told the others I was going to find a place to collapse for about a month. I claimed one of the sofas, with Thulu beside me, and dropped into oblivion.
Turns out it wasn't for a month, but I did get a few hours of deep sleep and woke up feeling grungy, but refreshed. Thulu and I retrieved our SUV and drove home.
We made sure all was well with Parker and Jenna. Parker had kept her distracted while we were gone, and she still didn't know much of any of the events of the last few days. The two of them were in their usual positions in mid-air, with Sophie snuggled in Jenna's arms, when we came into the house.
I was going to have to do something about Jenna and soon. I went upstairs and took a shower, letting the water revive me. I was almost human again when I went back downstairs to a late breakfast, trying to think what to do about Jenna and her parents. Thulu sat in the booth, savoring his coffee. It smelled so good, I even poured a cup for myself, heavily ladling in the sugar. Thulu wisely made no comment on that.
I found my purse and retrieved my phone. For once, it still held a charge, and I called Jones, put him on speaker and asked if Thulu and I could see the Masons that morning. I slid into the booth and st
arted to spread jam on the toast Thulu had set on the table. Jones said he'd set it up. I thanked him and was about to end the call, when he asked if he could see “the child” beforehand.
I looked at Thulu, who shrugged, and at Jenna, who gave me her sweet smile, oblivious that she was said child. I agreed, curious as to what Jones wanted with her.
“Under my supervision, of course,” I added.
“Of course.”
Thulu called the jeweler and asked that Cara's locket be delivered by special messenger once the repair was complete. He agreed.
We cleaned up the remains of breakfast quickly and locked the house back up again. We left for the hospital, taking the kids and Sophie with us. The street traffic had seemed to return to almost normal as we drove out of the city.
I turned to Jenna in the back seat and explained that we had found her parents and were going to see them. She bounced up and down in the air. I got her attention long enough to explain that they wouldn’t be able to see or hear her.
“I know. Parker said live people can't see us dead people usually. Only special people like you and Papa Thulu.” Her use of the name startled me for a moment, but I quickly recovered.
“That's right.” I sent a grateful smile in Parker's direction. He nodded in acknowledgment. “But I'm happy to tell them what you want me to, okay?”
She gave that sunny smile of hers and nodded. I turned back to face the road.
Jones was waiting at the far end of the parking lot at the hospital, leaning causally against the limo, dressed as usual in a tailored suit. We pulled up next to him and moved to the side of the car away from view of anyone in the hospital. Stuart opened his door and greeted us before getting back in.
We introduced Jones to Parker and Jenna. Parker held her hand and watched Jones warily. Jones stooped down in front of Jenna and asked her if she remembered him. She frowned as she thought and finally said she did.
“You took me from my Mommy and made me sleep in the other room.”
