Chosen One

by Scarlett Dawn

  I got silent nods all around.

  Leric stepped into the room, resting his shoulder against the doorframe, arms crossed over his white linen shirt, and eyed everyone, nodding approvingly. Although his gaze faltered on the two prone Elders…and his lips trembled the barest bit, raising his eyebrows to me. “Is it my turn now?”

  Elder Bridges’s and Elder Samson’s head instantly shot up, but that appeared to be all they could do, and I turned my attention back to Leric. “Very funny.” I waved a hand at the table. “Leric, this is Elder Bridges and Elder Samson. Elders, this is Leric Damon, the One.”

  The masculine nodding of heads ensued with a few slurred words before they dropped them back to the table.

  Leric chuckled quietly for a moment, then cleared his throat, stating to everyone else, “I just wanted to stop by and clarify one thing.” His head tilted toward me. “She’s your priority. Should a fight commence and you see me injured, I am not the one you save. She is. Get her out. Keep her safe.”

  “Leric,” I murmured through our connection.

  “No arguments,” he replied, but dipped his head to everyone else, then spoke aloud to the silent room. “We’ll be leaving after breakfast, so please take care of any last minute business before then.” He slipped out of the room.

  I cleared my throat, staring where he had been for a moment, then bent and picked up Isolde from where she hopped in front of me, trying to get my attention, and a thought occurred. “Who in this room has Vizoacs?”

  Everyone raised their hand, except for Sin, and he muttered, “Odd kid out.”

  I handed him Isolde. “Not really.” I rubbed my face. “Shit.” I flicked a finger at everyone. “Your Vizoacs will have to come with, otherwise, they’ll freak out while you’re gone.”

  Elder Merrick’s wolf huffed quietly, and he murmured, “Mine is a damn menace, and he only shows up when he wants to.”

  I got nods all around.

  I shrugged. “Well, I guess they’ll show if they’re supposed to.”

  Elder Farrar’s eyes glowed a bit, and then he murmured on a quiet chuckle, “Oh…they’ll come.”

  Exiting to the back lawn of the Elemental section after breakfast, duffle over my shoulder, I paused for a moment. Everyone also stopping as they exited. It looked like a break in a zoo had occurred. Four gigantic lions, two small wolves, and two massive eagles were scattered about the lawn, all sitting proudly, waiting. Behaving…

  “Told you,” Elder Farrar muttered, whistling loudly. A golden eagle launched into the air, flying and fluttering to land on his outstretched arm, and I watched in amazement as the eagle carefully kept from digging its claws in.

  “He’s gorgeous,” I murmured honestly, staring in rapt fascination. I stepped closer, murmuring up to him in a voice I didn’t even recognize. “Aren’t you handsome?”

  He squawked, a shrill piercing sound, and his chest puffed proudly.

  “He likes you.” Elder Farrar grinned down at me. “He doesn’t like many people.”

  “That’s because he’s handsome.” I nodded, smiling at the bird. “Yes, you are.” I paused, realizing everyone was staring. “What?”

  Sin cleared his throat. “We’re going to ignore you just did the “baby talk” thing to probably one of the meanest Vizoacs in history,” a twirl of his finger, “and move along.”

  I cleared my throat. “Right.” I peeked back up to the bird, and whispered quickly, “But you are handsome.” I waved an arm. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

  Everyone having said their good-byes already, we moved toward where Leric stood with Roselle and Reese off to the side, he having said it would be better to bring them through from outdoors, even with the protection I had given them, since there was so many. Vizoacs lumbered toward us, and I heard Elder Merrick’s wolf huff directly behind me, then he whistled loudly. I heard a piercing squawk, then the fluttering of wings behind me. I glanced back, and then stopped dead in my tracks, my jaw gaping.

  I stared at the biggest eagle I had ever seen sitting proudly on Elder Merrick’s hand. He was pitch black, the morning light shimmering on its glistening feathers, appearing tinged with glistening blue it was so deep, its eyes a piercing gold that peered straight at me. “Oh, my,” I blinked slow, “You. Are. Striking.”

  His head cocked, and he screeched loudly, fluttering his wings, damn near preening smugly.

  “You’ll give him an even larger ego with comments like that, which he doesn’t need,” Elder Merrick muttered gruffly, and tilted his head behind me. “We should catch up.”

  I cleared my throat, glancing back to see everyone had continued, and I turned, walking faster, but I couldn’t help but stare at the magnificent eagle. “What’s his name?”

  “Shithead.”

  I tripped, barely righting myself. “You can’t be serious?”

  “He shits everywhere,” Elder Merrick grumbled. “So, therefore, Shithead.”

  I stared at the eagle, who was glaring—and he was—at his owner. “You are better than Shithead.” His head bobbed. “See, even he agrees.”

  Elder Merrick grunted. “Too bad he didn’t get to choose his name.” Navy eyes met golden ones, “Right, Shithead?”

  Shithead’s wings fluttered in agitation.

  “I can’t call him that,” I muttered. “It’s just not nice.”

  “Better than what Elder Zeller called his for a while,” Elder Merrick mumbled quietly, and Shithead bobbed his head in, apparent, agreement.

  “I’m not even going to ask.” I moved to catch up, making some headway to their longer strides, but I froze when I heard the fluttering of wings directly behind me, then stilled completely with my arms out to my side, a freaked as hell silent scream caught in my throat as I felt eagle feet land on my shoulder, and the soft brush of wings against the side of my face…as Shithead settled down heavily. And just sat there. My wide, frightened gaze stopped on King Zeller about twenty yards away where he had turned around, having arrived at Leric’s group first, and his own eyes widened marginally, seeing the enormous eagle on my shoulder, golden eyes peering down at me.

  Elder Merrick made a choking noise behind me, but a second later, I heard him mutter a curse and he was swiftly standing next to me, holding his hand out, ordering on an extremely quiet growl, “Get back over here now, and don’t do that again.”

  Feathers ruffled against my frozen face, but I felt Shithead’s feet walk down my shoulder with the barest kiss of his claws before he hopped to Elder Merrick’s outstretched hand…and he proceeded to shit, his wings ruffling in irritation as he glared at his owner.

  “Yes…a Shithead you definitely are,” Elder Merrick drawled, and navy blue eyes found mine. “Are you alright?”

  I patted my shoulder, my shirt not even torn. “Yes, he just scared me.” I eyed his Vizoac. “He’s just as screwed up as mine.”

  Elder Merrick eyed Shithead. “Apparently.”

  Elder Farrar called loudly, “The One is ready to go!”

  I nodded, and started moving forward again, shaking my shoulders a bit, working the stiffness out of my frame from that fright, extremely glad I still had my eyes, not really relishing them to be pecked or scratched out. Inhaling, I moved to the center of my group and glanced to Leric, who had luckily missed that bit, talking with Roselle, and I stated, “I may use some of your power.”

  He nodded once, white rolls swaying about his bronzed face. “With the Vizoacs, I’d imagine so.” Red lips tilted. “I’ll head over first, and warn the Guardians.” His eyes glowed a bit, and he was suddenly gone, Roselle and Reese glowing, and disappearing directly after him.

  “Alright, gentlemen,” I waved at the Royals watching from the back of the manor, but continued speaking to those around me, “I’d like each of you to grab your Vizoac with one hand, keep a tight grip, and hold onto me with the other. Whatever you do…” I stressed the words, “do not let go of me.” I had no clue how long this would take with so many, and especially, t
hrough to the Temple. “And remember, when we arrive, try to wipe the look of wonder off your faces.” I adjusted my duffle’s strap over my head, and bent, picking up Isolde, holding her in one hand easily, then motioned for them. “Let’s go.”

  They instantly moved in, their excitement barely contained, trying to appear professional, but each arm hooked around mine or around my waist was tight, cramped almost with their Vizoacs around us.

  Letting my Core flare to life, I glowed brightly, stating, “Tell your Vizoacs not to freak out during this please.” That would not be a good thing, and smartly, each owner instantly did as I asked. “Now hang on. And remember, game faces, everyone.”

  Instantly, I pushed my power to maximum strength, and everyone’s eyes glowed around me as I concentrated on so many connections…and we vanished…floating in the cosmos, brilliant beauty all around. I heard their gasps, saw their faces flying around, their grips on me instantly tightening. But it was hard, my body trembling with the effort, and I instantly pulled through my bond with Leric, needing his strength before I lost it. The power came, my glow brightening, and I shuddered, my Core filling again. Immediately, I started pulling their tethers in quick succession, making sure to grab up the slivers wrapping around them, their Vizoacs. Sweat beading down my face, I glanced up in the dark brilliance, stars and moon and comets all around, and saw Elder Merrick and Sin, both watching me, watching my glowing hands work, pulling the tethers from the hands on me. Chest pumping with the effort, I heaved with all my strength, lifting the tethers to my lips, my muscles trembling, exhaustion almost consuming and I pulled more power down my bond with Leric, my glow brightening, strengthening me, and I whispered on a gasp, “Temple, give us access.”

  It wasn’t instantaneous, the pull feeling like a rush of wind as we were hurtled through the brilliance surrounding us, everyone gasping, including me as I hung onto their tethers, or risk losing them, and I shouted, “Don’t let go!”

  A brilliant flash of white light erupted, like a sonic boom…and our feet were suddenly on the sands of the Temple, the ocean’s waves rolling, sounding behind us in the twilight of the early night, brilliant stars twinkling overhead. Guardians standing on either side of us, staring avidly, but not attacking. The deep, tall white stairs lifting a few yards in front of us. The majestic white Temple lit with the fire of the stars, appearing ethereal in its glow above. Leric, Roselle, and Reese already at the top of the stairs, looking down on us, waiting patiently, a small smile playing on Leric’s lips as he eyed the men’s responses around me, and I whispered on a tired pant, “Welcome to the Temple, gentlemen.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Luckily, they hadn’t forgotten about the game face comment, their expressions quickly blanking as they released their death grips on me and their Vizoacs.

  I waved a hand at King Collins, when he continued gripping my arm.

  “Step back for a moment.” I shooed them all away. “All of you.”

  I placed Isolde on the sand by my feet.

  As one, they stepped back, instantly moving into the roles they had been afforded, doing as I bid without me having to ask twice, which I was eternally grateful for with the powerful Guardians watching. Inhaling heavily much needed oxygen, I let my head tip back, keeping my Core open and lifted my arms…and the brilliance of the stars shone down on me, all my Lajaks eyes instantly glowing, some shading their eyes as the pure rightness of the stars filled my Core to overfilling, revitalizing it, instead of depleting it dangerously from my body. Sighing heavily, I shut it down, relinquishing the stars gift, my Core closing, and I stopped glowing. I was still tired, but it wasn’t draining on me anymore. Cracking my neck, I ran a hand through my hair, and tilted my head to the stairs. “Let’s go.”

  As I moved forward, Elder Merrick and Elder Farrar were instantly on either side of me, Sin and Elder Bridges directly behind, the other four walking side-by-side behind them, and I watched as the Guardians instantly dipped to one knee as I started to move past. I faltered for a moment, never having experienced that before, but I quickly put my feet back into motion, and took the steps, dipping to pick Isolde up when she had trouble.

  Leric smiled when we reached the top, stating softly, formally, “Welcome, Elders, Kings, and friend, now Lajaks.” He tilted his head forward, saying even more quietly, “Remember to pass through the entrance at the same time as my Chosen.” He straightened, and held his hand out to me. “Ready?”

  I inhaled, and nodded, and accepted his hand, allowing him to pull me beside him. “What are we going to do first?”

  “We’ll go to my study for a meeting.”

  “Alright.” I moved slowly letting my Lajaks quickly spread out, their pace even with mine. I hovered a foot right before the entrance, and they followed suit, mimicking my motion, stepping over the boundary, the entrance to the Temple, safely before they quickly pulled back into rank, Elder Merrick standing directly on my left now, Elder Farrar next to him with Leric taking his spot, their impressive eagles behaving and resting on their shoulders. Walking over the white tiles of the first foyer, the sanded walls brilliant with the spattering of stars fire, I knew my Lajaks were having to keep their expressions wiped clean…especially when they saw all of the spirits milling about in their scantily clad beautiful white attire, probably more in this one large foyer than they had seen in their entire lives, the soft music of the fountains our backdrop.

  All conversation stopped inside the room, heads swinging toward us. The spirits didn’t mask their shock, though, their fear and confusion clear. Their eyes widened enormously as they watched us move, their jaws gaping the barest bit. Hell, I even saw a kid run behind his mom’s skirt and hide, plus, it sounded like someone dropped their drink, glass shattering somewhere on the left, and I muttered under my breath, “That’s about the norm.”

  Leric’s shoulders shook the barest bit, but they stopped a moment later, muttering under his breath, “Hope you’re ready for that French silk pie.”

  Mrs Damon pushed through the crowd of gawkers and smiled beamingly at us before rushing forward. “Finally, you’re home.” I hadn’t seen her since Leric had used the Primal Diamond and been shot to hell, so I was sure she was excited, but she came at us in a flourish, both of us stopping. She hugged her son fiercely, then turned that all-encompassing hug on me, and I actually felt my Lajaks shifting closer, even felt the brush of Shithead’s wings on my shoulder, but I only hugged her one armed, Leric not releasing my hand.

  And then, she let go…and dipped down on one knee, head bowed before me, murmuring respectfully, “Chosen.”

  It was like the gong was sounded, or some other wacked out shit, because instantly, everyone’s eyes widened even further, and they all dropped to one knee, bowing their heads, an instant, resounding hushed, “Chosen.”

  I stared, just as wide-eyed as they had been, squeezing Leric’s hand brutally, hastily asking through our connection, “What the hell do I do?”

  “Tell them to arise.”

  I stalled. “Arise or rise?”

  His shoulders shook. “Either.”

  “Not funny.” I cleared my throat, and stated clearly, letting my tone carry steel I wasn’t feeling, blanking my expression, “You may arise.”

  Thank God, they did.

  “It’s good to see you again, Mrs Damon,” I stated softly, now peering into her twinkling eyes.

  She winked, and whispered, “Always enter with fanfare, Chosen.” Her brown gaze went to her son, and she stated clearly, “Don’t keep your father waiting.” And with another head dip in my direction, she left with the same type of pizzazz she had entered with, clapping her hands at the boy hiding behind his mom’s skirt, lifting him into her arms, talking to him quietly.

  As we moved through multiple different atriums, down thin hallways, twisting then going straight, and curving again, the response was the same in each opened area…because I quickly realized Leric had strategically placed a lone individual in each room to greet us, t
hen bow before me, announcing who I was as if we were old friends, so I made damn sure to hold my head up when I entered into the third atrium.

  Finally, after a half hour of walking, we reached his study, but unfortunately, the show didn’t stop there. It didn’t just hold his father as I had assumed, but was crammed with spirits who wore white flowing pants and white ribbed vests over their bare chests or ribbed strips for the women tied around their chests, each with a small black tattoo of a tiger on their right arm, all moving with a grace that was almost frightening, and as one, they all bowed when we entered, murmuring, “Chosen. One.”

  I swallowed, and let Leric tell them to “arise” that time, since they had mentioned him too.

  Leric’s voice entered my mind. “They’re the elite Guardians of the realms.”

  “Oh,” I responded a bit grumpily, “That’s good to know…now.”

  Mr. Damon greeted me kindly, putting my fears to rest as I watched the spirits who were so obviously deadly move to take their seats at the table. I took my duffle off, dumping it on the couch in front of his darkened window, my Lajaks doing the same, the items cumbersome, their Vizoacs moving eerily to sit around the room, while they themselves took up stances almost the same. Elder Merrick and Elder Farrar stood directly behind me when I sat at the table next to Leric, our hands still clasped and resting on top of the table for all to see…which they did glance at covertly.

  Leric wasted no time, demanding, “Bring us up to date.”

  Mr. Damon took the lead. “It’s Cullo and Jeria.” He glanced about the table. “The two cities have been having riots, and Eski and Nosa are on the verge of the same.” His brows puckered. “Where the hell is the remote? I just had it.”

  All seated glanced at the table, even peering under it.

  My lips pinched, trying to keep them from trembling. “Check in the cushions of your chairs.” I had wondered what the hell that remote went to the last time I was here.