Marsali and Zoe walked to the front and everyone stripped their clothing except for Marsali and Airic. Zoe smiled at Marsali and then nodded to Zach. Within seconds she and Zach had shifted. Marsali laughed and her laugh sounded like chimes on the wind. She nodded to Zoe with a smile, her and Airic shifted within seconds also. Everyone looked to them stunned, before they had only seen Zoe and Zach shift that fast.
It took a couple more minutes and then everyone had shifted. Zoe looked to the door and saw Mary and Mateo watching along with Arthur and his children. Ella and Jonah stood there in shock. Justine walked over to the boy and Mary asked him if he wanted to ride on Justine’s back. Jonah ran to Justine and started to climb. Arthur laughed and walked over to help his son up on her back. He then turned to Ella when Gabe walked up next to Justine. Elle refused and took a step back. Abby had come out the front door and looked to Ella.
“You don’t need to be scared. I am gonna grow ups and look just like that. You don’t have to ride his back eithers. He can carry you in his arms. See I show you.” Abby explained and then walked over to Gabe and he scooped her into his arms and held her close to his body. Abby giggled and then wiggled to get down. She ran over to her father then and he scooped her up into his arms. Ben stood next to Ella and coaxed her forward. Gabe held out his arms and Ella stepped forward although a little reluctant. Gabe went slowly so that she wouldn’t freak out and stood there with her until her little body relaxed. Then Ben walked over to his father and climbed up on his back.
After everyone was ready and back facing forward Zoe let Marsali take the lead and soon they were all flying. She took them all around the mountain and then over the cliff to the water. Finley and Oliver flew into the water with the rest of the Water Dragons and they followed the rest of the group from underwater. When Marsali turned to head up the cliff they all came back up out of the water. She then headed to the forest and the border of their land. She took them around a few more times and then they all landed at the clearing once again.
After they were all dresses again they headed back inside. Zoe and Kaiden set a fire in the fire pit and Marsali asked that the last ones born sit around the fire.
“Everyone else may stay, but I want the ones involved sitting around the fire. Zoe has mentioned that she has some questions for me and I would like to have all of those answered before we do this spell.” Marsali instructed
“Marsali and I had a talk while we were putting Lily down. She hinted that this spell might take away the rest of her magic, the magic that is keeping her and Airic alive.” Zoe spoke up
“Which, I am happy to do. I have been alive thousands of years and I would like to finally rest. Airic and I have not been able to have children since our last child. It is time for us to go.”
“But you just got heres.” Abby pouted
“Oh honey, look at me. What color am I?
“All of them.” Abby responded
“Yes I am, but how do the colors look?
“Like they are running away, they aren’t bright like everyone else’s.”
“Exactly baby. I am tired. No one should live this long.”
“So you want to sleep?” Abby asked
“Yes baby I want to sleep.”
“You can use my bed.” Abby smiled
“Thank you honey, now is there anything any of you would like to know?” Marsali asked
“Why did you wait so long to come back?” Kaiden asks
“Well Kaiden we went to die, we went far away where there was no one else. When we didn’t die we traveled the world. We never let anyone know who we were and we just quietly watched. I was able to cloak us both until Alex was born and the ability passed to her. But by then we were already back here on the mountain Airic was born on and the mountain I chose to call home. I had spelled the cave when I first found it so we were cloaked the whole time we were in there. As soon as you and Zoe found the cave again we both knew she was our blood. We wanted to show ourselves then, but the journal chose that moment to show itself and I knew great trouble was ahead. Airic and I talked it over for weeks and decided that we would wait until you asked for help. You were absolutely right to go out and find the last born ones and bring them home. This land is your birthplace and it will heal you.” Marsali replied
“What do you think is wrong with Aldrich?” Alexi asked
“Well from what you all have told me, he sounds like an ancient. Meaning, when it was just us Dragons as you all know, we killed each other to gain magic. Because the Blood Dragons can heal or kill with their hands with just a thought, they thought they were the most powerful. Being born as a Pearl we automatically knew we were the stronger though. We are the only ones who can make another. We also had all the abilities you” she gestured around to the last born “have, but combined into one person.” Marsali responded
“What is my ability?” Halina asked
“That dear will come to you when you need it most. I have informed Zoe and I am not asking her to keep secrets, but your abilities come to you when you need them most. So if she would like to share that is up to her. I am a bit more mischievous and like surprises.”
“Well that’s obviously a DNA thing. Zoe and Zach do it all the time with their surprises and secrets.” Halina joked
“Marcus is the same way.” Iraina stated
“What was it like creating us?” Finley asked
“It was a decision that took some time for me. I knew I was the last of my kind and would die alone. I watched Briec and Neala during that time. I watched them with the rest of the villagers. How they interacted with the children and all the adults. I saw something that I had never had in my lifetime and I wanted it. I became so jealous of what they had that when I made myself look human, I made sure to look seductive and well prettier than Neala. But when I talked to the both of them together, I realized that I could not steal their love, it was a solid thing and so I asked to join them instead. I made sure that when I went back to the cave that night that I wrote that kind of love into the spell. I wanted all the soul mates to have a solid love that nothing could break. Briec and Neala were also unable to conceive. When I watched them I assumed that their kids had grown. So for my pettiness I made sure they would be able to have children.”
“Also, when I asked to join I asked them to give me a mate and they did. At first I was weary, Airic is a great man, but he isn’t one for conversation as you can tell. But I silently accepted it and performed the spell. At first I didn’t feel anything and felt a little dizzy. I even forgot to tell them how to change.”
“She was not dizzy, the woman passed out as soon as I got back from telling Briec how to change.” Airic said. Everyone looked to him because that was the most they had heard come out of his mouth.
“Yes well I was tired after the spell it did drain all but a little of my magic. But the next morning was the best of my life. I felt the Pull to Airic and the love was overwhelming. We made love that morning and Airic turned into his Dragon. And as you all saw, we are bigger than everyone else. I take my true form and because he was tied to me, he was larger too. Our children were as large as us, but over time got a bit smaller and stopped at the size of your Dragons. We had a very happy life and I have not regretted my decision at all. I am very glad I made the fail-safe spell also. If not for my past I fear I would have never thought of it and you would not be here today.” Marsali finished and took a drink of wine that Mary had brought out.
“When you turned the originals were they a family or a Sect?” Iraina asked
“We were a family, just like what Kaiden and Zoe have done. I am not sure where the Sect thing came from, but I am a little ashamed of the Pearls who acted like dictators. But the past always comes back and the power tends to go to some people’s heads. I am very proud of the people you all have become. This love and family is how I meant for you all to be.”
“I am very proud of them too.” Marcus smiled at Zoe and Kaiden
“Thanks Dad” Zoe sm
iled
“What do you think will happen once we perform this spell?” Kaiden asked
“I think that both Airic and I will die or nothing will happen, but the spell.”
“I am very thankful that you have come to us in our time of need. I am also very glad that you made us who we are. I wouldn’t want any other life than the one I have with Zoe.” Kaiden said
“You are most welcome Kaiden. Now I have told you our story and I wish to know all of yours.” Marsali asked the group. Kaiden went first and then around the room they went for the next two hours. Marsali was saddened by their stories, but she knew the land would heal them over time. Ben and Abby had both fallen asleep after Justine had told her story. When Etana finished telling hers, she was the last, Marsali stood.
“I am ready to do this spell if you guys are. We don’t need to wake them, just carry them outside. When we get outside we will all need to hold hands or touch. Pearls in the middle with Abby and Ben next to them, Airic and I will stand behind the young ones. Zoe and Zach do not concentrate on finding your magic. It is there and will flow more freely if you just relax. Are you all ready?” Marsali asked
“Yes” they all said together as Marsali scooped up Abby and Airic did the same with Ben. They walked out into the clearing and got in a line. Marsali took a show off of Abby and then one of Ben’s as well. She positioned the sleeping kids head to heat with their hands resting on one another and their exposed foot to the one next to them. Zoe decided to sit so that she could reach the small girls foot. Eventually they all sat so that they were more comfortable. Marsali placed her hand over Abby’s foot and Zoe’s hand. Her other hand went to the heads of the sleeping children where Airic’s hand was. Marsali nodded once she felt the connection of all of them touching. Marsali worked her spells by humming and soon everyone was humming with her.
The Magic swirled in the colors of the races. Zoe had her eyes closed while she hummed as the wind brushed her cheek she looked up. The group took a collective gasp between the humming. They watched as the magic swirled around them in a rainbow of colors.
“Finley please create a little wind and send it up.” Marsali asked
Finley took a deep breath and concentrated on just wind, like her and Zach had been working on. The breeze came and lifted it up into the air.
“Higher” Marsali commanded and Finley made it go higher. “That is good, now Halina it is your turn. Let go of one hand and point it up. We need to seal it to the other spell.” Halina looked over confused but did as she was told.
Halina wasn’t sure what was going to happen so she just relaxed and held her hand to the sky. Within moments lightning was shooting from her hands and into the air. It hit the border and crackled down from the top. The group looked awed as they watched the swirl of colors and the lightning effect of Halina’s ability absorb into one solid thing.
When it was done there was a rainbow of color in a huge circle around the land. It now looked solid as a wall. Like someone had taken a giant glass bowl, swirled some color in it, then tipped it over them all trapping them inside.
Everyone was so amazed at the giant bowl that they did not see Marsali and Airic collapse.
Chapter 32
Not Ready
Gosha and Alexi were the first to notice the collapsed bodies and they ran forward. They both placed their hands on them and searched for life. It was at that moment that the group turned and saw Marsali and Airic on the ground. Piper ran in to grab Abby and Brad ran up to grab Ben. It felt like forever before Alexi and Gosha spoke. Everyone stood around waiting in silence. Zoe had begun to cry and Kaiden was trying his hardest to console her.
“They are alive, just in a deep sleep that I cannot wake them from.” Alexi stated
“Oh thank goodness.” Zoe moaned out and then began to laugh.
“Take them to one of the empty rooms. We will let them rest.” Kaiden stated
“We will check on them every few hours to make sure they are still alive.” Gosha said
“Thank you Gosha. I think we could all use some sleep and talk more in the morning. Hopefully they are awake then and will join us. I also believe that they would want us to continue with our lives and not hover over them. Tomorrow we will all take the day off from training and just enjoy ourselves for a bit. It has been so hectic that I have not even seen the farm or checked on the builds. We will continue training after a day off and get back to normal. We don’t know what to expect, but we know Aldrich is coming for us and we need to be ready.” Kaiden stated
“Sounds good, I know Hugh wanted to see you when you had rested from being away. I will have him come up to the house in the morning for breakfast.” Mary said
“Sounds like a plan to me. Goodnight everyone. Oh, Halina that was awesome!” Kaiden mused
“It was pretty amazing.” Halina said shyly
“My butterfly has sparks.” Zach whispered into Halina’s ear and then wrapped his arm around her and led her inside.
In the morning as they sat around the table and ate Alexi had informed them that Marsali and Airic were still in a deep sleep. Kaiden looked over to Oliver and gave a curious stare.
“Where are Marty and Sue?” Kaiden asked Oliver
“Oh they are a bit shy and won’t leave our room. I was hoping to take Ben up later to see if maybe he could talk with them.” Oliver said
“Who are Marty and Sue?” Ben asked
“They are capuchin monkeys that Oliver saved after their mother was killed. They hide in the closet now and we can’t coax them out. You were not in the house when we came here and once we got to the room they ran there and won’t come out.” Finley said
“I would love to see if I can talk to them.” Ben replied happily
“So Morgan and Quinn, is there anything you guys would like?” Zoe asked
“We have done a bit of wandering yesterday and saw the farm and the area you have for the water park, but the only garden you have is the small one that is Mary’s private one. Quinn had to pick out a lot of rotten onions, his ability to tell healthy from sick is quite beneficial with food. And I know all Earth Dragons can help things grow or manipulate the earth. But with my ability we don’t need seeds. I just need to see what it is you want grown and I can make it grow from nothing. I know Cassie and Aubry love to garden as well as Mary and well…I was just hoping we could make a larger garden.” Morgan squeaked out.
“Actually I was going to speak with you all about that. With so many of us here now we run out of food quickly. The farm is a meat source along with milk and cheese. So vegetables will be much needed. I am not denying the foods we all love, but this will help with a majority of the food supply.” Kaiden responded
“We know it’s just something we take satisfaction in and if it benefits us too that is a bonus.” Morgan replied
Hugh walked in from the kitchen then with about ten men. They all had plates that they had gotten from the kitchen in their hands. Quinn looked up and stuck his nose in the air. He smelled a sickly sweet smell and it was coming from one of the men who walked in. Quinn knew the smell well and one of those men was deathly sick.
“Hugh it is good to see you again.” Kaiden said walking over to Hugh.
“You too young man, Would you and Zoe like to take a walk with me today and I will show you all that we have finished and still working on. I have let about thirty men return home for some time. They have families and have already been away from them for about a month now. There are about twenty still here and they are the single men who wished to stay.” Hugh informed him.
“Sounds good, I can’t wait to see what you have done. Let me just get a blanket for Lily and we can head out.” Zoe said as she stood and walked to the big living room that they watched movies in and kept some blankets. Zoe grabbed one of the warmer ones and wrapped it around Lily. When she turned back to walk back into the dining room she noticed Quinn staring at Hugh and all the men. His eyes were darting between all of the men. She thought it curio
us for a moment and then brushed it off as maybe he was just curious about the human men.
“We are ready” Zoe announced glancing back at Quinn who was now whispering in Morgan’s ear while watching the men. Morgan looked up startled and watched the men too.
“Is there something wrong Quinn?” Zoe asked
“I smell sickness and death.” Quinn answered
“Oh?” Zoe asked startled and the rest of the table quieted.
“I am sorry, it is not as foreboding as I made it sound, but one of those men is sick and does not know it.” Quinn tried to explain himself
“What is he talking about?” Hugh asked looking worried
“Quinn’s ability is health and sickness. He only has to be near it to tell.” Morgan explained
The Blood Dragons stood and walked around the table to stand in the open.
“May we touch you and see?” Vivi asked. The men looked at one another confused and then one stepped forward. Vivi places her hand on his face and then smiled after a moment. “You are very healthy, but you have an old break in your leg that did not heal properly, may I fix it?” Vivi asked
“Wow that happened when I was four. We had no money for a doctor so my mother put a splint on it, but I don’t feel any pain from it.” He explained
“No not yet, but you will as you get older.” Vivi replied
“Then yes you may heal it. Is it going to hurt?” he asked
Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) Page 18
