by Mikayla Lane
There was no way to hide the tie-dye painted retro school bus, the multiple vans that looked like something from a 1960’s peace rally, old silver bullet type pull behinds or the multitude of motorized and towed vehicles. Almost all of which were painted in outrageous colors.
“Stealth isn’t a word they understand, is it?” Traze muttered as he stood beside David and stared in surprise. “It looks like the Gods dumped all the rejected rainbow colors on them to warn away others.”
David slapped him in the back of the head.
“My son and my wife are in one of them,” David growled.
“Sure she didn’t get that divorce? She may not be your wife any longer,” Traze asked, genuinely curious.
“I don’t know, but I will find out,” David promised, determined to speak to Jodi. Soon.
Traze pointed at an old beat up looking motor home making its way to the front of the line.
“There’s that Rex guy now.” Traze didn’t need to say it.
David had already noticed the man in the driver’s seat and a shock of blond hair in the passenger one. Seconds later, Carol’s head popped up in between them. Rex stopped the rig at the front of the line, the door opened, and Carol came striding up to them.
“Change of plans, boys,” she said as she walked.
David cringed at the thought. This was already ridiculous enough, and it was taking everything in him to not storm that RV and confront his wife. The only thing stopping him was the look on Tiernan’s face when the boy said he didn’t trust David. It was still eating at him.
“What now? We gotta pick up the elephant lady, fire-eater, and a real super freak?” Traze mocked.
A rock suddenly struck him in the back of the head, and Traze yelped in pain.
“Stop that shit!” Traze snapped.
“Learn some respect!” Carol shot back, hands on her hips as if daring him to smart off again.
“Enough!” David growled squeezing the bridge of his nose to alleviate a sudden headache he got at Carol’s appearance. “What change?”
“Jenny and Kurt are coming. Our psychics warned they’ll be arrested and killed in custody if they stay,” Carol explained, concern evident on her face.
“Aren’t they the owners?” Traze asked, feeling a little sorry for the older couple.
“Yes, but their son is staying. He has unique abilities that will deflect the authorities from our trail. We’re in the lead, Kurt and Jenny are in the rear, and you can fit yourself in anywhere,” Carol called out behind her as she headed back to the motorhome.
“When this is over, we will never speak of this horror again. Ever,” Traze muttered with a shake of his head. “Where’s Gibly?”
David looked up in time to see the cat’s furry head pop up beside his son in the motorhome and stomped off towards their SUV. He’d been waiting to get the cat alone so he could get a better explanation of those dreams Gibly was supposed to be helping him with all those years ago and why the cat didn’t tell him about his son.
He and Traze got to the vehicle, but when they looked back, the park was completely empty. The only thing that remained was the dust trail left behind from the bizarre caravan.
“Dude, just stay behind the crazy plant lady. Do you really want to be stuck between a cartoon character mystery van or a tie-dyed school bus? I don’t. Let’s take up the rear on this one,” Traze suggested as David revved the engine.
Moments later they were flying down the gravel road and quickly caught up to the thankfully normal looking fifth wheel trailer being pulled behind a blue truck. David considered passing them and every other vehicle until he was behind the one with his wife and son in it but decided against it. He had a better idea.
“We need to brainstorm this.” David shocked Traze and left him momentarily speechless.
The second Traze recovered he didn’t hold back.
“What the hell are we going to brainstorm when we have no damn idea what’s going on?” Traze threw up his hands, venting his frustration. “Do you have a fucking clue that I missed back there? Someone is after them, and this freak show caravan might as well have neon signs pointing right at us from all sides! And these crazies are our own! I say we brainstorm how to redirect them somewhere besides Dillon. How’re we going to explain this to the humans there?”
David saw Traze gesturing to the bizarre line of vehicles in front of them and shook his head.
“Gypsies?” David suggested, and Traze burst out laughing.
“Oh yeah! No worries, we’re just collecting gypsy freaks and putting them in your town! Grai is going to shit!” Traze snapped.
David slapped him in the back of the head.
“Shut up! Damn! We don’t even know these people, and until we do, they should get the benefit of the doubt. Keep in mind, Tiernan is an ancient Prime so they can’t be too bad, or he wouldn’t be helping them.” David felt an overwhelming need to defend his son even though he was just as clueless as Traze.
“I’m sure that’s what people thought about the Dark Prime too,” Traze muttered.
“He’s a child!” David snapped.
“So was the Dark Prime when he swallowed the beast pod of Satalis!” Traze countered.
David’s eyes flashed silver, his anger allowing his Prime powers to flare.
“Don’t ever compare my son to that evil bastard!” David snarled at Traze.
“Chill out. I was joking,” Traze admitted. “But I do think we should be careful around the others until we know what their deal is. They could be manipulating your wife and son.”
David thought about that for a minute, and the possibility didn’t make him feel any better about leaving Tiernan with them. It also could explain why they hadn’t let him see Jodi. They could be using her as leverage. David wished he’d thought about that before they had left the park.
“The next time they stop, I’m going to force the issue of riding with Tiernan,” David warned Traze. “I need to talk to him and find out what’s going on here.”
“I agree. It’s the smart thing to do, and you need to get to know the little man. He’s so serious. And what’s with this Sentinel crap? Isn’t a Sentinel a guardian? Since he’s an ancient, does he command one of those relics Lara is looking for?” Traze asked, shocking David with his insight.
David still hadn’t thought much beyond the small boy who acted way too old for his years. He also hadn’t missed the fear, hope, and loneliness in the child either. David had yet to consider the power Tiernan could command and didn’t want to think about it until he could get to know the boy.
“That needs to go on the back burner. Tiernan’s my son, and that part comes first. We’ll figure the rest out after I get to know him,” David insisted.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t want to put it on a front burner or we might be screwed,” Traze said as he leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. “Wake me when the Troupe of Terror stops for a break.”
David just nodded his head, his mind spinning with what he knew and what he needed to find out before they got close to Dillon.
*****
Gibly turned at the whimpering coming from the back of the motorhome, and he looked at Tiernan.
“I can help her. For now. You must speak to your father soon, or it will be too late,” Gibly warned the Prime child.
The small boy’s shoulders sagged for a moment as if the weight of the world were on them before Tiernan slowly straightened himself and shook his head.
“Not until I know it’s safe for her,” Tiernan replied with fierce determination.
“You have your daddy’s ego. That’s not a good thing,” Gibly warned as he jumped down and went into the back of the motorhome.
“The cat’s right, son. He might be a few years late and not real bright if he missed all those clues you gave him, but he’s your dad, and the guy looked plenty shell-shocked to me. Maybe Jodi did tell you the truth about all that. At least that one time anyway,” T-Rex said softly, trying his best
to help the confused, scared and lonely little boy.
Rex and Carol exchanged worried glances as they watched the emotions flit across Tiernan’s face. They sighed in frustration when they saw the same determination settle into his young features, making him appear older than his years.
“I can’t trust either of them. I must learn the truth on my own,” Tiernan replied with an air of maturity that shouldn’t exist in a 10-year-old.
It broke Rex and Carol’s hearts to see the beloved child struggling with his pain, fear, and mistrust of those that were supposed to love and adore him. One tried to kill him all the time, and the other had been gone for 10 years. Why David was absent was what everyone wanted to know, and no one was leaving the boy alone with either of his parents until they were certain Tiernan would be safe.
“I appreciate the concern I can feel in your energy, but I’m doing well. You needn’t worry so much about me,” Tiernan said, his maturity only making the couple more sad for the childhood he never had.
“We love you, boy. You know that,” T-Rex muttered, his emotions getting the best of him.
Carol put a loving hand on the child and squeezed a too-thin shoulder before she walked into the back with Gibly, hiding her sniffles.
“I know that, and I love you as well,” Tiernan replied, forcing a smile for the kind man to ease his worry.
The ancient Prime beast residing in the boy’s brain released a flood of warm, loving energy into the broken-hearted child and called out to the name pulled from Traze’s mind. The beast reveled in the response and awaited those who were the only hope for his host and himself.
“Rest Tiernan. It won’t be long now,” the ancient Prime beast, Carasus whispered through Tiernan’s mind, sending a powerful wave of energy through the boy.
T-Rex smiled sadly as Tiernan fell asleep in the chair and turned as Carol came back up to the front.
“Jenny and Kurt said he’s staying behind them. He hasn’t moved from their bumper since we left,” Carol whispered, unwilling to wake the exhausted boy as she relayed the information about David.
“Ratchet, Gayle and Marv at the diner said he never hurt them, even though they drugged him. That doesn’t sound like a monster with a quick temper or an abuser,” T-Rex said with a snort. “The guy seems genuinely surprised that he has a son and is handling it pretty damn well if he didn’t know.”
“Will you stake Tiernan’s life on that?” Carol asked as she gestured to the sleeping boy.
“Never,” Rex instantly replied.
“I tell you he not know or understand the dreams,” Gibly offered as he came back up to the front and hopped into the chair with the boy. “Tiernan also not try real hard to make it clear either. He stubborn and afraid like his daddy. They both have much to learn.”
“Time is running out. Everyone better put away their dicks because this pissing contest needs to end,” Carol snapped, then lowered her voice. “If Tiernan’s not going to open up, then we have to force it and you know I’m right. We’ll put Jodi with Jenny and Kurt. You and I can ride with them or that Traze boy.”
“I’ll take the killer over that Traze kid any day. He’s weird,” T-Rex replied with a distasteful look on his face.
Carol chuckled softly so she wouldn’t wake Tiernan.
“He probably thinks we are too,” she said with a smile before turning serious again. “We have to do this. For Tiernan’s sake.”
T-Rex nodded his head sharply, hating it but knowing his mate was right.
“We’ll hit the rest area in a few hours,” Rex suggested.
“I stay with his mother,” Gibly insisted, knowing his energy might be the difference between her life or the child.
“Are you sure?” Carol asked with concern. “She’s dangerous and mean. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Gibly snickered, his whole body shaking with his mirth before he flicked open a wicked-looking claw on his front paw.
“I dangerous too,” Gibly replied.
“We can’t let David near her until Tiernan has a chance to get to know him,” Rex warned, looking at his mate and the cat to make sure they agreed with him.
Gibly nodded his furry head.
“I not tell or let him close but the boy must speak of it soon, or all hope will be lost,” Gibly promised.
Rex listened intently to the new chatter running through the shengari’ and looked at Carol and Gibly with concern. Gibly laughed.
“Grai not take a chance with his people. He good man,” Gibly assured the couple.
“Cloaked ships above us, though?” Rex asked with concern, wondering if the craft were there to kidnap them.
“Grai not take anyone. He good man,” Gibly promised, trying to alleviate the fear in the couple.
“I hope you’re right because we’re not looking for war. We only want safety for our people,” Carol said, unable to stop herself from staring upward out the windshield for a sign of the ships now following them.
*****
Tristan felt the desperate cry for help rush through his mind and studied the energy and the path it had taken to get to him. He waited until his father left for the office in Dillon before he probed his brother’s mind. When he realized it was safe to disturb him, Tristan projected himself in that location.
“Tristan!” Mikal exclaimed and pulled the winged warrior to him for a hug before pulling away in concern. “What’s wrong?”
“David is in desperate need of you, though he doesn’t know it yet,” Tristan said with a half-smile at how perceptive his brother was.
“Is he turning anomalous?” Mikal asked in surprise.
He and his brothers had only met the Ex-Seal a few times and had immediately liked the man. Mikal couldn’t imagine that the guy could have destabilized so quickly when he was properly bonded to his Prime beast.
Tristan shook his head.
“No, his bond is not in question,” Tristan assured Mikal. “It is not David’s beast that needs you. It is the ancient Prime residing in his son that requires your assistance.”
“An ancient in the son of a normal Prime? How did that happen? Shouldn’t you get Lara?” Mikal asked, wondering what Tristan was leaving out.
“This situation is complicated, and there is much at stake. Lara cannot help with this. Not yet. The boy needs you, but trusts no one, not even his father,” Tristan explained, intentionally leaving out many details.
Mikal rubbed a hand over his head and began to pace in front of the Talunaha buried in the mountain in Alaska.
“How do I get the kid to trust me if he doesn’t trust his own dad?” Mikal asked, unsure what Tristan needed him to do.
“That is the other thing. You can’t let David or Traze know you are there,” Tristan warned. “Not at first. It is imperative that you evaluate the situation before acting.”
Mikal whistled and looked curiously at his brother.
“You want me to go behind their backs and earn the trust of a Prime boy and do what?” Mikal asked, not liking the way Tristan was leaving out important details.
“Save his life,” Tristan stated, shocking Mikal.
“The boy is in danger? From who?” Mikal asked, immediately on board if it saved a child.
“Himself,” Tristan answered cryptically.
“Can you be a little less vague?” Mikal asked with a quirk of his brow.
Tristan chuckled and threw an arm around Mikal’s shoulders.
“I honestly can’t tell you anything else. You will have to figure this out on your own. It’s your natural instincts that will enable you to correctly assess the situation. If I tell you more, it will only cloud your judgment,” Tristan said with a grin.
“You don’t want our other brothers involved?” Mikal asked with a sigh, already knowing the answer but wanting confirmation.
“No. You are the only one needed for this. The others will not be able to help. Although you may need to call on Alderic,” Tristan warned.
Mikal shook his head
at Tristan.
“I can’t get our brothers involved, but the most powerful Dranovian we know may be required to port here from another world? What the hell is going on Tristan?” Mikal demanded with concern.
Tristan grabbed Mikal’s head in both of his hands and pushed the boy’s location into his brother’s mind then kissed his forehead in affection before he smiled and pulled away.
“Be safe, my brother. This is very important to me so call if you need me, and I will be there,” Tristan said then disappeared.
Mikal cursed and kicked a small rock before he turned into his wind form and shot out of the mountain. He contacted his mate Chance through the shengari’ and asked her to lie to his siblings about staying longer at the Talunaha for training to hide his absence.
A few hours later, Mikal hovered over the RV leading the motley band of vehicles with David and Traze taking up the rear. He was descending towards the roof to send out his senses when the wave of power nearly knocked him out of his wind form.
“What the fuck?” Mikal whispered to himself as the competing power and energies crashed around him. “Tristan, what have you gotten me into?”
Mikal sensed a new presence and immediately contacted the newcomer.
“Father, what brings you here?” Mikal asked Indrid through their shared connection.
“I felt the disturbance and was heading here when I sensed you,” Indrid explained. “This is dangerous, son.
“Tristan sent me to help,” Mikal stated, not wanting to say more.
“You have little time before the child is completely consumed and he will fight you. The woman is nearly lost,” Indrid warned, not wanting his son involved but knowing Mikal was the boy’s only hope.
“There is no other choice.” Mikal allowed his senses to look further into the troubled boy and a fierce determination to save the child swept over him. “He is worth it, and I must try. The world cannot afford to lose him.”
“Just remember that the world cannot afford to lose you either,” Indrid replied. “I will lend my energy to Gibly’s to help hold off the inevitable. Call me if you need me.”
