by Eleanor Eden
I opened my mouth to argue, but suddenly Money was ripping up the driveway on a trail of speed, flying dirt, and flashing denim-covered legs.
“Jesus!” I exclaimed, having been surprised enough for the day.
“Oh, shit,” he gasped, then bent over, hands on his thighs. “I got worried when you didn’t reappear,” he looked at me, then Odyssey. “Is she – reluctant?” He looked at me again. “Because I don’t blame you if you are. Let’s take the car.”
I nodded, still frowning. “We’d have had to, anyway. Well, I would have.”
“I can only take one at a time,” Odyssey said quietly.
Money looked between us again. “But Journey said that’s how we’d go to Sp -”
Odyssey shook her head. “Let’s talk about it at the big house.”
There was nothing more I hated than feeling left out – whether it was for my own good or not.
“I’m getting the feeling someone’s going to try and tell me I’m not going over there, and I’m saying right now that isn’t an option.”
Odyssey met my eyes. “Journey said as much, and the Entity laughed, knowing he was right. We have options, Burden, but let’s talk about them together?”
I nodded. Odyssey nodded back, and then once toward Money, then wisped into space with an easy step and the familiar pop!
“I don’t know what options she’s talking about,” Money said, his voice low as he opened the passenger door of the car for me, “but there’d better be one that involves me being glued to your side, because that’s the only one I’ll consider.”
I smiled a grateful smile as he rounded the car and got in.
“I want Eve with us, too,” I said.
He looked at me and without a word, nodded.
Then he started the car.
Chapter 32 – The Plan
Journey looked tired and anxious when we all gathered in the upstairs living room.
“Garrett, take Eve to play,” he said quietly, but I stepped forward to stop them.
“Garrett and Eve are at least as much a part of this as we are; I think they should stay.”
Jay glanced at Odyssey, who shrugged.
“Are you OK with that?” he raised his eyebrows at Garrett, who nodded, then got down on the floor, pulling some cards out of his pocket and smiling at Eve.
“You’re not using his new name,” Money teased Jay.
For once, Jay came out of his seriousness for a moment. “I understand now why it’s hard to switch once you know someone by a certain name,” he smiled at me.
Odyssey sat on the stone hearth, hugging herself as the fire warmed her. I thought somewhat absently about how the leaves had started to turn. It was late August, and the Summer seemed to have gone by before we’d had the chance to savor it.
“What do you think of Odyssey’s new gift?” Jay looked between Money and I.
Money folded his arms and shuffled his feet. “Besides being nauseating, it’s kind of cool,” he conceded, and Odyssey smiled brilliantly.
“Timely, too,” Jay noted, his eyes on the fire from where he sat in the overstuffed armchair.
Money came to sit beside me on the sofa. “It’s time to go?”
Jay nodded. “Legion has established itself as an earthly presence, and it’s not slowing down.
Odyssey leaned forward. “Humans experience it as a storm, but even the longest storm has never behaved like this. It’s started attracting attention.”
“What does that mean? Behaving like what?” I asked.
“Garrett’s family home and vineyards were perched halfway up a mountain; luckily nobody goes up there since the destruction of it all. It was the highest point that anybody in Barcelona lived, luckily.”
“So that’s where it is?”
Jay nodded.
“The mountains are frequently shadowed in mist,” Odyssey said, and I jerked my head to meet her eyes. She gave a little nod. “Like our dream. And it’s a good thing; the swirling dark ‘cloud’ has been largely hidden until now.”
“What’s happening now?” Money asked, his voice soft.
“It’s grown; it’s getting stronger, gathering more darkness.”
“And people are noticing?”
Jay gave Money a short nod, his lips pressed together.
“So, what’s the plan?” Money asked, and I glanced at the kids, who were quietly going through Garrett’s cards.
I got the distinct feeling they were listening more than focusing on their activity.
“Legion affects the atmosphere; planes going in and out of Barcelona are being grounded, now,” Jay stood, stuffing his hands in his pockets restlessly.
“So, we can’t fly?” Money questioned.
“Not reliably. Some flights are going through, but it’s unpredictable.”
“It’s not just that,” Odyssey cut in. “If Legion has consciousness – and we believe it does, or else why gather? – it could purposefully affect flights that bring the Fated closer.”
I looked at her, making an effort at being calm as my growing fear gnawed at me. “Is that why your gift has suddenly made itself evident?”
Odyssey lowered her eyes. “The Entity said it’s always been there; I just needed to fully acknowledge it.”
“So, you got a little push?” Money grinned.
She nodded.
Jay sat again. “We need to get there quickly to try and weaken the storm on Garrett’s property; the less people are interesting what’s going on, the better.”
“It’s already made the papers, especially as it’s been getting worse since the vineyards were decimated,” Odyssey’s eyes went to Garrett.”
“What are the papers saying?” I asked.
“There’s some innocuous stuff – theories related to global warming, or the development of a tricky weather system in that particular spot in the mountains, which would explain the events that destroyed the land.”
“What else?” I pushed, my eyes on Jay.
“And then there are the superstition-fueled stories about – er – the apocalypse, basically,” he frowned.
“The area is rather known for its legends and beliefs around the dead,” Odyssey said. “I’m sure you’ve heard of El Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead?”
“It’s celebrated in Barcelona?”
She nodded. “But, lucky for us, many residents travel to the major party places elsewhere in Spain to celebrate. That said, there are rumors about the appearance of the storm in the context of the upcoming celebrations. Fear is growing.”
I sighed, fighting impatience. “So, what do we do?”
Garrett’s voice made me jump as he appeared between Odyssey and I. “As many of us as possible need to go and dispel the storm – or at least lessen it.”
I nodded.
“And the sooner, the better,” Jay cut in. “The closer we get to the Day of the Dead, the higher the risk of the type of mass hysteria that will cause national – even international – attention.”
I threw my hands up. “Well, let’s get to the point, then. We all know Odyssey has this new ability to transport to a place she’s been before. I assume that’s where the three of you were when you were doing research?”
Jay nodded, his lips pursed in a whitening line. Eve had walked to him and was climbing up on the chair. Jay brought her to his lap, his expression instantly softening.
“And we all know Odyssey can’t take Burden,” Money said, but we were all thinking it.
“I’m going,” I stated baldly, my eyes on Odyssey.
Garrett put a little, warm hand on mine. “We need you,” he said, his large, dark eyes round with sincerity.
“He’s right; you’re one of our strongest, and what you and Money can do with dark energy is critical as we try to cut this thing down,” Odyssey said, her voice soft.
“So, what do we do?” Money asked, taking my hand as he leaned forward.
“The Entity believes Legion still needs time to grow; if it w
ants to spread fear on a larger scale, anyway.”
“Of course, it does,” Money rubbed at his chin. “That’s what the darkness has always wanted. Fear is what it thrives on.”
Odyssey nodded. “So, we know Burden can reach it in time, even if she has to travel an alternate route.”
I frowned. “But no planes, right?”
She shook her head. “Even if we tried, we’d be prevented. The Entity is strong on that point. You’re too important.”
“Then, what?”
Jay moved to sit on the edge of his chair, Eve balancing on his knee with a cheeky grin. “Odyssey will take everyone else, one at a time, to our home in the mountains of Barcelona. It is near to the property; just below it, really, but still safe.”
Money was already shaking his head. “I travel with Burden.”
I squeezed his hand.
“We need you there, Money.”
“I can’t cast, still. I need Burden for that; we know Eve is only able to connect to light energy, and I’m miserable with it, now.”
Jay glanced at Garrett. “We were wondering if Garrett could help.”
I looked at the small boy at my side, and Odyssey reached for him. He sat on her lap, his luminous eyes on Jay.
“Garrett is still learning, too,” I reasoned. “They could both be jeopardized.”
“If Money stays with you, how can we begin to dispel it while we wait?”
Money and I exchanged a look. “Have you found the other Fated?” I asked, looking to Odyssey.
She shook her head. “We know they’re there, but no, we haven’t found them yet.”
“What about – maybe having Garrett there will chase it back into itself – or at least stop it from worsening?”
“We know his proximity would be a threat, and he is willing to remind it that he’s near, but Burden,” Jay’s grey eyes held mine, “Garrett needs Eve, still.”
I looked at Money, then between Jay and Odyssey, feeling trapped. “I don’t want Eve there without you,” I said, my eyes on Money.
“I won’t leave you behind,” he replied without hesitation.
“Maybe there’s no choice.”
Everyone was quiet as I watched Money’s eyes darken.
“The Entity said we’d choose right,” Garrett piped up, his little voice surprising me, again.
I looked at Money, feeling a bit sick, but said the words, anyway. “You need to go.”
He shook his head. “No.”
“Burden is strong, even alone,” Jay leaned forward again, and Eve climbed out of his lap and then crossed to Money.
Money lifted her, absently, and she snuggled into his chest.
“She’s safest with you, Money,” I sighed. “And she needs to go. If I know you’re all together, protecting each other, I’ll be fine on my own,” I finished, then looked at Jay. “How do I get there?”
It was Odyssey who answered. “You’ll take a four-day train ride to Nova Scotia, a passenger ferry to Conception Bay, and then board a freighter to Spain.”
“Newfoundland?” I asked, and she nodded. “How long will it take me to get to Spain?”
She looked at Jay before answering. “Three weeks altogether. Two on the Freighter alone.”
“Oh, my God,” Money ran the fingers of his free hand through his hair.
“The Entity says it’s best; this way, her approach will be quiet. We know the dark ones can sense the Fated. Her long trip will have it distracted from us.”
“It’s all theory, Journey,” Money said darkly.
“It’s the only way,” I said, knowing it was true and hating it all the same.
Jay and Odyssey stood simultaneously. “We must go.”
“What, now?” Money looked incredulous.
Jay nodded, then went to the desk in the far corner.
“He’s going to book your travel,” Odyssey said, her eyes on mine. I saw an apology in them.
I looked at Money. “Let’s go pack.”
Money looked at Odyssey. “We have time for that, right?”
She nodded. “Of course, but be as quick as you can be. We leave from here, tonight.”
“By seven,” Jay added from his seat in front of the computer, his eyes still on the screen.
Money stood and helped me up. My thoughts whirled. It had been quite a while since I’d been alone for so long, and never in so vulnerable a state.
“Burden,” Odyssey stood and came over to us. “I will transport to Newfoundland and board the freighter with you; that way, I’ll be able to transport to you and give you updates.”
“And keep track of her, too – and her safety,” Money added, his eyes dark on Odyssey.
“Of course. We all want to protect you and the baby, Burden.”
I nodded, almost overwhelmed at her comforting words. “You could bring Money, too,” I brightened further.
She looked doubtful. “We’ll have to see how things go in Spain; he may need to stay – for Eve and Garrett.”
I deflated, but nodded. “Of course.”
“The freighter is a wonderful way to travel,” Jay piped up from across the room. “A limited number of passengers and plenty of privacy. And I’m booking you the best room they’ve got.”
I nodded, still processing. My eyes suddenly swam with tears, and I turned to face Money and Eve, who was still in his arms. I looked at Money, “I’ll miss so much! She’s growing so fast – I won’t even know her in three weeks.”
“She’s slowing,” Odyssey put a hand on my shoulder. “Think about it.”
I frowned at her.
“You’ve been too close to notice. Here, come with me,” she said, leading us from the room and down the hall to Eve’s nursery.
I gasped when she turned on the lights, revealing a line of pictures that had been mounted in chronological order above her bed.
“It’s her,” Odyssey smiled, her voice almost reverent.
The pictures were all in the same setting, save the first two. There was one of her as a newborn, and the next was her with my family. After that, each photo featured her in the back yard, the trees her backdrop.
“Five months,” Money said, stepping closer to the wall.
It looked more like five years. “It’s hard to believe,” I sniffed, a tear spilling to my cheek. I looked at Odyssey. “Thank you; this is wonderful.”
She hugged me. “It was Journey’s idea,” she said into my hair. I pulled away to study the pictures again. “But look, here’s what I want you to see.” She walked to Money’s right, gesturing toward the last few pictures.
I got closer, smiling as I saw Eve’s face as she scanned the photos from her perch in Money’s arms.
“Look,” Odyssey encouraged again, so I did.
And though the last three pictures could easily have been taken over a year, it was undeniable; her progress had slowed. I raised a hand to my mouth, more happy tears escaping. “I see it,” I said, relief flooding over me.
Money passed Eve to his left arm and pulled me close with the other. “Me, too,” he said, planting a kiss on the top of my head, then whispering, “Everything is going to be OK.”
Chapter 33 – Goodbyes
Things went fast after that; I know I’m forgetting some of it. Funny how events can take up so much space in one’s memory, whether they be positive or negative. I guess a part of me knows the events that followed needed room to dominate my thoughts for a long time, so what happened right before it all is fragmented, now.
But let me tell you what I do recall.
Packing was ridiculously quick; Odyssey told Money only to bring essentials; she still wasn’t sure what effect transporting would have on items. So, Money resolved to bring nothing for himself; he’d buy what he needed once he was in Barcelona. But he would hold on to Eve’s favorite blanket as he travelled.
I thought that was sweet. But then, that’s how Money was. Selfless.
My packing was only slightly more complicated; living in the tiny
house had taught me to hone down my essentials. I packed a small suitcase borrowed from Odyssey with clothes and toiletries, and my backpack was filled with a water bottle and my phone, some fiction I’d been meaning to read, a good camera, and a puzzle book.
