by Miki
On second thought, I take out a business suit I haven’t worn since college and look it over. Better try it on to see if it’ll work. For the meeting in Scotland, I might need a little better look. I’ll have more influence as an ambassador, if I look the part.
The dress fits perfectly. It’s still new, even if it’s several years old. It isn’t too out of date. Navy is a great color for negotiations, but I need a little power color. I pin a little organza bag with ruby studs and a nice necklace of two-tone gold shaped like a teardrop with a large ruby in the center, to the shoulder of my dress. It’s perfect—not too much, but a little to give me confidence. The jewelry was Mom’s; by wearing it, she’ll be right there with me. Now, a pair of nude heels will finish off this look.
Putting it all in a garment bag, I decide I’m going to trim my hair and get a shower. Tingles—is someone watching me? I turn. There’s Mica standing in the doorway with a faraway look in his amber eyes.
“You know, princess, I saw your parents a few times. They were both wonderful people. Beautiful and brilliant in their fields. You’re as beautiful as your mother, but you favor your father more. Thank you for helping my people. You are amazing for even considering what you are doing. Your brothers are fine, I sent John home a few minutes ago. I’ll wait in the living area while you shower. If you need anything, I’ll hear you if you call me. I’ll be here for you always, Kendra.”
“Wait a minute, Mica. Would you please do me a favor?”
His eyebrows raise a little as he nods slightly.
“I feel like I’m stepping into unknown territory with a wolf at my back. I’m probably going to mess up more than once. I’ll keep going, though. I’m good at finishing what I start. Will you guide me on the protocols I might not understand? For example, in my culture it is good manners to chew with your mouth closed. I noticed that is not such a consideration for Ceorfan. If I do something wrong, will you sort of give me the eye, boot me under the table, or interrupt before I make a fool of myself?”
“Of course, if that’s your wish. I won’t boot you, but a soft nudge, I might consider.”
“It’ll help me a lot. I want to be respected and show respect. We’re going into a political situation. So much can be construed wrong, and I don’t want to fuel a fire. It would be the most wonderful thing if the humans of this world and the Ceorfan could coexist on a friendly basis. At least that’s what I want. Do you think it’s possible?”
“It’s a goal we can work on together. There’ll be many obstacles. I for one would like to live free not having to hide anymore.”
“Which reminds me, thank you for trusting us and not putting the glamor back on. I’ll be out soon. Should we cook before we leave, or eat dinner in Navan?”
“Navan, if it’s okay with you. They are planning a feast tonight to welcome you and your brothers.”
The doorman buzzes around 6:30pm. Jared is coming up with his bag in a hurry. When he gets inside my door, he’s panting. He takes out his phone to call Dana. Okay, I’m watching his every move, waiting.
“Alright… just making sure… are you are on the way?” His one-sided conversation with our baby brother is confusing and a bit unnerving. “Make sure to keep to the shadows as much as you can. There’s a crowd in the parking lot… I think they are just a bunch of kids gathering for a party… I’m not sure… something seems off.” Finishing, he hangs up.
“Sis, stay away from the windows. I’m not sure the people in the parking lot are all innocent. One of them looks kinda cagey.”
“Okay, do you have a gun on you?” I reach to touch my own concealed 1911 at my waist. He nods and lifting his shirt showing me his gun, a Sig Sauer 1911 with wood grips. We are so related!
Right then, the doorman buzzes Dana up. When he comes in, he sets his backpack on a kitchen chair, he says, “You’re right, Jared. Something’s off with this crowd. A little squirrelly guy by the building’s got my donum a singing.”
When our mom was a kid, people called it extra sensory perception, or ESP. Granny taught her it was a, gift from God, and she called it ‘donum’. Our mom continued the tradition, so now when we know something that others would call ESP, we call it donum. We know what it means and we don’t have to spend time with the dumb looks or BS unwanted input from people we barely know.
Mom and I both taught the boys to pay attention to their feelings. My speech went something like this: “If something feels wrong, it probably is. If you walk into a room and it feels funny, don’t wait—turn around and leave. Don’t ignore it. If you think someone or something isn’t right, just act like you know it’s a fact, then leave it or them alone. I mean it. Call me and I’ll come get you, come hell or high water!”
Their response went something like this, “Leave us alone. You’re not Mom. Stop. No, you’re not going to fix my hair.” Well, strictly speaking, the bit about the comb was only said when they were getting ready for a date. I always tried to help.
Jared takes donum more seriously than Dana. He doesn’t like to admit its existence outside the three of us. I know he recognizes it and reacts as needed to stay safe, and that’s good enough for me. It’s also why, with him calling it out this bluntly, it’s more than just a feeling. Because he said it out loud, it means we need to take action. We don’t talk about it. We all pick up our bags and take off to the roof. Kino and Amber had woken from their torpefied sleep. Statues or efs replace their likenesses where they posed. We wouldn’t be back for a while.
Mica holds out the portal stone. “Is everyone ready? Here we go.”
The portal opens. It looks just like a large doorway. Light surrounds the rectangular opening, then the sound of shots being fired rings in the air. I can see chips fly off of one of the statues.
Mica motions for us to hurry into the portal, preceding him, then he comes after us. The portal is closing when I see John on the roof with several others in his company. He takes aim, shooting his gun into the opening. The shot hits Mica in the back. My slow-motion time starts as I jump forward. I’m going to kill that asshole.
Jared knows me so well. He jumps with me, catching me, holding me back. Mica leans forward, falling. Dana, who is closest to him, pulls him up onto his shoulders in a fireman's carry instantly, asking, “Where’s the medical facilities?”
The portal closes, and Jared puts me down. I huff. Lips pinched, I follow as Kino leads us straight to the Ceorfan medical chamber. The gargoyles there discern the problem quickly, provide a floating stretcher out of nowhere. Dana puts Mica down on the stretcher. A nurse shows us where to sit, so we’re out of the way. Kino is singing, low and calm. He assures me Mica is in the best of care and Jericho is on the way. He has the best chances of survival.
We are in a big cave room. There are beds and what looks like a surgical table from a futuristic movie. A lounge area complete with coffee, and more chairs, or benches, made of stone. One area behind a ridge of stalagmites looks like a laboratory. It is closed off with glass much like you would see in the movies. In that area, I see a brightly lit pond, like a giant blue topaz.
I jerk my focus to Jericho as he bursts through the doorway, coming straight to me. What? I know he can see our bleeding friend; we all can. He takes my hand in his. “Edling, will you help? He needs your blood. He will not live without it; the bullet is in his heart.”
“Of course I’ll help. He’s mine to protect,” I say.
We are standing at the floating stretcher. Mica is pale and unmoving, I tell him, “I’m here for you.” Then I say to Jericho, “Don’t hurt him mage.”
Kino is beside me. His song is speaking to me. I understand he is deadening my hand, so I feel no pain. I nod to him, letting him know without words that I approve.
Jericho quick as lightning, is holding my hand over Mica. I don’t have time to disapprove or make him stop. I guess it’s okay or I might try to fight him. He flicks his wrist, cutting Mica’s chest, sticking a thin blade into the cut, and popping out the bullet—while at the
same time, he cuts my palm. My blood pours into the open cut. There’s light connecting me and Mica by the blood. It’s giving him life.
Weird. I’m full of energy. Mica is okay now; my knower knows it. We’re connected now. I’m aware of everything about him and his body. His heart is healed, now the chest. If there is anything in his body that’s wrong, it will be corrected. He’s healed. My blood stops, my hand healing before my eyes. My vision is blurred the way it was when I was in my spirit form like the night we met. I look over at Jericho. “Neat trick, Mage.”
“Thank you. That was not me, but you, Edling. Thank you for the gift of life.”
I turn and find my brothers, Amber, Kino, and now Mega, along with the medical personnel, watching me with wide eyes.
Mega speaks first, telling me thank you for saving Mica.
“Of course, I’m here for you, all of you. It’s nothing.”
“No, Edling, not many others would heal a Ceorfan. The doctors tell me he’s going to be fine. He will be sleeping in this form, then his gargoyle form. He needs to rest. Will you all come with me?” The king asks.
He shows me back to the room I had the night before. He also has rooms for Jared and Dana. Amber stays with me for a few minutes, letting me know this was my chamber as long as I wanted it. “Rest and clean up for now, I will be back in an hour to take you to dinner.”
Thirteen
Sanctuary
Kendra
I go straight to my bathroom. I need Spar. Where is he? I take off my bloody clothes, then get into a pool in the floor, lit with clear blue coming from it naturally. I sink into its warmth. I lean back, forcing myself to relax, making lists in my mind.
I’m calmer, but I WILL take care of that Benedict Arnold, John. My anger is now a slow burn, not the raging inferno it was before. The question is, do I give him a chance to talk or just start shooting? Calm well—maybe not calm, per se.
Betrayal is a big deal to me. I can’t stand being lied to. I can’t fathom that what he did was anything but betrayal. His shot could have killed Mica—or one of my brothers, for that matter. No, I won’t give him the benefit of the doubt. I’ve been to the shooting range with him. He’s a crack shot, almost as good as me. No way was that an accident. He shot at us on purpose, he was aiming at me, Mica got in the way.
First step, I’ll call Chris at the office. I won't tell her what happened, but I know she’ll tell me if John is working or not. Then I’ll call Capitan Murphy. He needs to know I’m okay, but traveling. I need to know how he is faring after the Drinker shooting, too.
Next, I need to get my tablet out and study Ceorfan history. Laws, too. I need a better understanding of them. The Ceorfan are much more than protectors. Without stepping on toes, I need an idea of the people we’re meeting for the Scotland trip. I need to meet with Fin to verify exactly what he’s expecting from me. I need to make sure Jared and Dana are protected there. Or are they coming too?
I hear a soft bell sound from the doorway. It’s Amber. “May I come in and help you with your hair?”
"I love for people to wash my hair, Amber. Maybe we can speak a little about what’s going on. Do you know what is expected of us tonight? Oooooh, this feels so good!" Her little hands massaging my head are going to put me to sleep.
“Nope,” she taps me on the shoulder, "Rinse."
I sink into the water, obedient to her request. I pop up, and she starts massaging my head and hair with conditioner.
"Amber, do you know how I can reach Spar? I’d like to talk to him."
"He’s in the training room with Apex. I can show you how to write him a message on your tablet when you’re dressed. Also, I brought you some clothes for tonight, if you want them. I had unpacked your bag and noticed you didn't have anything appropriate for the party tonight. Oh, and are your brothers… attached?”
Party! Great, just great! I don't want to party! I need to get started on the list in my head. I need some rest. Amber must feel my shoulders tighten.
She tells me, "Relax, it is a dinner for you and your brothers to be introduced to the King and into the Ceorfan society at large. This is the way, Kendra. We are a people who are not alone for long stretches of time, then we’re in situations demanding we be alone for equally long stretches. We value every member of the Ceorfan. It’s a gift to each other to be in each other's company. Does that make sense? You’ll honor us by accepting our presence in your life. It would be a terrible hurt not to be accepted by you and your brothers."
I relax. I understand rejection. Yes, it always hurts. I will not knowingly do that to this loving, giving race of beings. "Of course we can party."
She smiles and holds a towel toward me. She leaves, and I get out and dry off. Calling out to her, I walk into my chamber. “Amber, are you any good with hair? Will you help me fix this mess?” Feeling like I have made another instant, life-long friend, I make up my mind to trust her, something I do infrequently. I never need any help. I can do everything myself. Yeah, whatever, that’s just me. I start to feel a little self-conscious, like I might have overstepped, when she reaches out and hugs me.
"I’d love to help with your hair. Not all gargoyles have hair, Kendra. I’ve always wanted to have some, but I also think it would ruin my look. We’re going to be the best of friends. I’ll even trust you when I am torpefied. Not something any of us do easily."
"Torpefied? I'm not sure what that means, but I'll do my best."
"It is the process of changing to stone when we sleep. It’s the time we are the most vulnerable. It’s precious to us when we find one who’ll guard our sleep. Oh, yes I remember Mica telling me, now.
"Let's get you dressed." She has the most beautiful pale material in her hands. It sparkles and glimmers like sandstone. When the light hits it, it shimmers. “What color is this? This material is like chiffon-spandex.”
"One of our number’s gift is making material for clothing. The color is a changing color. Against your skin, it’s pinkish tan; against mine, it’s greener."
"That is amazing. How do I get this on?”
"Well, it’s basically a wrap technique. You’ll master it quickly. Let me help." She wasn't kidding about a wrap technique; she wrapped it up, around, and under my arms then viola—I’m dressed. It looks wonderful on me: sexy, yet very comfortable.
We chat while she fixes my hair, leaving it mostly down. “I have some sandals to go with your dress. They don’t have heels.” She explains heels are not for caves.
“These are beautiful. Thank you!” Though if I didn't know better, I’d say they’re spun gold with inlaid diamonds.
"You are ready.” She showed me how to access all the Ceorfan contacts in my tablet. I write Spar a note. “I hope to see you at the party tonight, my love.” We are so close, yet, I’m still so far away from him.
"I’m going to go talk with Mason for a bit. I’ll meet you at dinner, unless you need anything right now."
"I’m fine, Amber. Thank you for all your help, thank you for just being you, and thank you for being here for me, most of all."
I scan the crowd for Spar. The normally temperate cave is warm tonight with all the party-goers in one space. The space is as large as two football fields. I didn't know there was going to be a stage!
King Findare calls me over to his side, where he’s standing with my brothers. When Kino brought me to the party, he said they would be here. He also said Mica was asking for me. I want to eat and leave. Then I can go see how he is doing, hopefully.
I might be here for a while. Someone is giving a speech. There’s a podium made of a clear stone shot through with a blue veining.
King Findare begins, "You look beautiful, Kendra. Thank you for gifting us with your presence.” He motions for me to sit in a chair on the podium. Jared and Dana sit on either side of me.
"There's the Macbard blood sticking out. I love you for your protectiveness,” I say, patting both of their knees at the same time.
"The king is right.” Dana s
ays. “You look beautiful. You always do."
"You just love me."
King Findare stands, smiling, putting on a kingly demeanor. Gripping the sides of the crystal podium, he addresses his people. “Ceorfan High Guild, Ceorfan Guild, and Macbard family."
This is amazing. No microphone is evident, but it sounds as if he is coming through speakers.
"I thank you all for being with us tonight. I have a few announcements, starting with: Kendra Macbard and her brothers are joining us in our endeavor to overcome Baratium and his league of evil. They have managed to murder another entire city, in the Philippines this time. They left their calling card, as many of you have seen firsthand. Every man, woman, and child were guillotined. The heads were put on pikes attached to the government buildings, much the way our ancestors were in the Viking wars. Even though our ancient grandmother's head can still be seen, these human heads were taken down, matched to their bodies on the ground, and given a respectful burial. We are collecting information, as I speak, to try to stop Baratium from committing another act of senseless evil. Mica has many of the Elite Warriors collecting data across the globe. If anyone can get any information, even if it is just from a dream, report it to the Elite Warriors Guard.” The king pauses to let the gravity of his announcement sink in with the crowd.
“Moving on, the Macbard family will be going to Scotland by the end of the week. It is our hope that TASS will work more easily with them than they have us. TASS has not always worked well with us. However, the Ceorfan are now considered a nation in the governments of the Earth and TASS is standing with us.” At this statement, a collective shout was made throughout the crowd.
