I imagine average people outside of the facility not yet implanted suffocating, collapsing, and dying in their loved ones arms. Children, those that are ill, and the elderly would be the first to go. The image of the children filtering in the schools from earlier on the television alter in my mind now as images of suffocating, dying children in classrooms.
Still seeing the altered image in my head, I mumble, “Are we already implanting the civilians?”
Balthazar nods. “Our engineers are producing them as quickly as they can now. Guardians are being sent out on missions all over the globe with the intention of helping the civilians, bringing them into our facilities and safe houses for shelter, and offering them hope through implantation.”
Sebastian adds, “With the modified Copula, we will be able to administer intravenously modified levels of trace elements directly into the new Copulas reservoir to counteract the changing elements in our world. The DNA will begin altering almost immediately within the body.”
I add, “If their body accepts the alteration. If they adapt.”
Sebastian’s face becomes solemn on that note. He adds, “We have not added the elements that have shifted dramatically within the last 48 hours.”
I ask urgently, “Why, what are you waiting for?”
Sebastian, “We are waiting for a slowing of the changes. If we tried to modify the elements, inject them, then they shift dramatically again, we would be wasting time on a select few rather than spending time on implanting more and trying to head off the casualties. We need to try and save the masses rather than just a few.”
I nod realizing that I was being hasty with my response. “I know you are doing what you can Sebastian. I didn’t mean to make you feel like your efforts were pointless.”
Sebastian reaches across the table and puts his arm on mine. “We are implanting them as fast as we can, but there is a chance that the changes to our environment will not slow, rather intensify. That paired with the veil being open...no one will survive.”
I lean my head back and run my hand over the back of my neck and nod. I know that death is a possibility. It doesn’t make it any easier knowing that I am sitting in here unable to do anything to help. I look up at the group. “Wait, why aren’t we out there bringing in the civilians to this facility?”
Balthazar runs his hand through his hair. “We are. Just yesterday, we sent the Kyoto facility guardians and our crew out to do a quick sweep within a mile radius of the facility. Each time we send them out, we will broaden the radius.”
Caleb asks, “How many times have they been out?”
Balthazar replies, “Just twice. Each time collecting about four or five citizens; families right now. They are being housed in the west wing of the facility.”
I feel a desire to be out there with our team, helping them bring in the civilians.
Xander groans, and then voices my sentiment, “We should be out there rounding up civilians.”
Balthazar responds, “No, we need to get you both ready for tomorrow.”
Wait a minute, he just said “you both”. I look over at Xander accusingly. His eyes move to mine cautiously as he gauges my reaction. A sure giveaway that this was discussed while I was in the make-shift media room. I huff angrily, “Who decided you were coming, Xander?”
Standing his ground, Xander narrows his eyes and clenches his jaw. “I did.”
I shake my head and snap. “I don’t want you going with me.”
Xander bolts up and comes to stand in front of me, eyes blazing. “Are you serious? If you think you are going anywhere without me you are dead wrong!”
I rise out of my chair, ready to argue, nose to nose. “The hell you are!”
Sebastian interrupts, “Jesca, he is linked to Nate as well. The more help you have there, the quicker we can get them out and back here safely.”
He glances at the back of his son’s heads, then back at me. “I am going also. Ezra has been like a son to me since I took him under my wing. I started all of this, I wouldn’t think of not going with you to help.”
Both Caleb and Balthazar’s heads rear up in their father’s direction, shocked by his decision. Sebastian raises his hand at them. Just that gesture silences any argument from them before it begins.
Xander hasn’t moved, his eyes still holding me in his sights. “Jesca, look at me.”
I shift my eyes from Sebastian to him for a second. Long enough to see the redness around the rims. I look away quickly, focusing on an empty chair nearby. His cracking voice tears at me.
“Jes, I told you that we would get them back together and that is what we are going to do. I’m going.” Xander roars, “Damn it, Jesca! Look at me!”
Startled and slightly pissed, my eyes snap up to meet his. The redness around his eyes is no longer threatening, the tears have fallen.
“I made a promise and I’m not about to break it!” He thinks, “It is etched in my soul, Jes.” Xander drops his gaze and whispers huskily, “I need to get out of here.”
I want to reach for his hand, keep him here with me, but before I can, he turns away and stalks from me. By the time I find the courage to look at the double doors, he is gone. I want to go after him, find out what the hell is going on with him. Why the tension has becomes so thick between us. For now, I accept the fact Xander needs to be alone.
Chapter 11
Jesca
Caleb, Ezra, Balthazar and Daniel are talking about the world above us. Which Dobrian guardians are being targeted by the Sondians and how Gabriel Griffin has taken over the Sondian fellowship flawlessly since Michael Sanderson’s disappearance.
What about my parents? Were they being targeted? “Roan, Delilah, Bethany, are they okay?”
Caleb looks at me. “Yes, when the intersection was days away from its apex, we opened the Georgia facility up to the guardians in the area. Your adoptive sister, Bethany, came in with the family she was staying with. She was panicked, wanting to know if you were safe and if we could track down her parents. At that point, Balthazar and Sebastian had been in contact and told me that you were among the other guardians preparing to stop Sam Crest and the other Sondians from opening the wormhole. I told her you were safe, leaving out all of the details, and tracked your parents down in Boulder, Colorado. They made their way back to Marietta knowing that they would be safer within the facility with Bethany.”
Thank God they are safe. Part of me wishes I could see them, just to make sure for myself they are okay. Yeah, the dynamics of my relationship has changed a little, but they will always be a part of me. If anything was to happen to them...I can’t think about that. They are safe and together and that is all I need to know.
Caleb continues, “When I got the call from Balthazar about Nate and Ezra, your parents had just arrived. Roan and Delilah volunteered to come in my place to save Emelie the trip and be with you. Bethany was ready to come as well. They didn’t realize that I was the only one that could help with what needed to be done here, until I told them what I was anticipating…sending our guardians after Nate, Ezra, and Sam.
I look from Sebastian to Balthazar to Caleb, and finally to Daniel. I ask hastily, “Did you tell them that I was going?”
Daniel runs his hand over his mouth. “It would only panic them.”
The conversation takes a detour. Sebastian asks Balthazar how far the team working on the devices found in the Sondian safe house have gotten on acquiring the coding and what other resources are needed, other than Caleb, to extract the coding and transmit it to our Copulas to traverse.
They lose me as they start talking in terms beyond my capacity. I zone out and think about what will happen after we traverse. Will we make it? Was it a fluke for Sam, Ezra, and Nate to cross the event horizon of a black hole? Did they astral project beyond the event horizon? The realm they are in, it is like ours. I’m sure the beings made it so as a trick, just like Ezra said to Nate. When we get there, we will be targeted as well. We need to find them quickly and get out o
f there. They will try and draw us into the illusions. We can’t let that happen. If Nate hadn’t snapped out of the illusion that the beings had created for him, would he have really died? Would I have died?
My thoughts revert back to Xander’s face looking so confused and filled with sorrow before he left the cafeteria. We seem so close, connected, one minute and distant the next.
Sebastian interrupts, “Jesca?”
I blink and look at him. He is staring at me, waiting for a response. I’m at a loss having missed the question.
Sebastian eyes me curiously, “Where did you go just then?”
All of them are watching me now. I need a cover. “I was just thinking about what it would be like when we get over there; beyond the veil.”
Sebastian looks at the others then rises from his chair. “Enough talk, we need to get to work on the devices now that Caleb is here.”
Sebastian addresses me again, “You should rest while you can. We will come to get you and Xander when we have something.”
I nod and start to rise, when Monica enters the cafeteria. Concerned about Corinna, I ask, “How is she?”
Monica looks hesitant when she says, “She is responding very well. Her healing ability is astounding and her body is accepting the adaptations of the modified Copula.”
I interject, “But…” knowing there is more that she is not saying.
Monica looks at me then the others with her hands on her hips, “She is still mentally unstable. It may be a side effect that will fade once she adjusts to the alterations the Copula will provide her body.”
Mentally unstable? What if the modified Copula couldn’t fix the damage the Sondian Copula had done to Corinna’s mind. I ask, “What are her symptoms?”
Monica shifts her stance. “I have caught her talking to herself. When I confronted her about possibly hearing voices, she became withdrawn and skittish. I asked her if she was experiencing anything out of the ordinary. She told me she felt nauseous and dizzy, but nothing else.” Monica starts to pace. “I gave her something to help with the vertigo and I have a staff member sitting with her around the clock, monitoring her for any other symptoms that could be dangerous to her or others.”
I think back to my experience in Corinna’s mind. Everything revolved around Sam. Her memories of him, the way he looked at her, the emotions he stirred in her. “It could be Sam.”
I look at Sebastian, “She and Sam are linked, well, were linked before her implant was removed and modified. Maybe their bond is stronger than the manufactured link, like you said earlier.”
Sebastian nods. “Yes, it could be possible that he is influencing her.” He looks at Monica. “Let us know if her condition worsens.”
For a moment, I think of Xander and the bond he and I have gained since being reunited at the cabin.
Monica starts to leave the cafeteria. I call after her, “Wait, let me walk with you.” Monica turns and waits for me to catch her. We get out into the hallway and she immediately asks, “So, where are you headed?”
I look at her out of the corner of my eye. “My room. Going to try and get some rest.” I’m such a liar.
Monica looks at me and snickers. “No you aren’t.”
I avoid her eyes and focus on the white floor tiles. “What, have you been in my head too?”
Monica ignores my sarcasm and continues, “You need to talk to him.”
I act ignorant of who she is talking about, “Who?”
Monica rolls her eyes and places her arm on mine bringing us to a halt. “Jesca, I have not tried to pry into that pretty little head of yours, but I do have eyes. The tension between you and Xander is as thick as molasses.”
I look away from her and nod. “Yeah, I know.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and looks down the hallway. She doesn’t say anything for a minute, just stares. “Can you find your own way from here?”
Her words hold so much more weight on my heart and mind than what she might have intended. I nod. “Yeah, thanks.”
Monica nods and walks away in the opposite direction. As I slowly walk, I wonder if I am going in the right direction. The halls all look the same.
Her words ring in my mind, “…find your own way.”
I have not attempted finding my own path since before the facility in Nevada. With Ezra and Nate gone, the intersection causing a global evolution, finding my own path is no longer an option I can stall on. To make finding my path more complicated, two men are wedged smack dab in the middle of it. When Nate and I met in the facility, our connection was undeniable. When we found out we were linked, we chalked our connection up to just that; a link. The more time we spent with each other, the more Nate and I questioned our unique bond, wondering if it could be something raw and organic rather than manufactured. What did we do when the pressure of the possibility became too much? We denied it and distanced ourselves from each other. Even after we agreed to keep our intensifying attraction in check, our hearts continued to fight and forge for a much deeper bond. A bond that not even the farthest distance can break.
When he told me he loved me before heading into that forest. His admittance in that moment weighed on my heart so heavily, I couldn’t bear to release him without him knowing that I loved him too and it wasn’t just the damn link. The clarity of my feelings couldn’t have been at a worse time. We were going into a battle with the Sondians, trying to save lives and seal the wormhole that Sam was going to open. I couldn’t let myself break. I got a handle on my emotions, let go of Nate, hopped out of that SUV, and headed into that forest. God, I was so freaking stupid.
I don’t realize I am crying until I feel the cold tear tickle my cheek. I quickly wipe it away and shake my head as I continue down the hall.
Then there is Xander. When I met him, he was an intriguing, beautiful mystery. Complicated, magnetic, challenging, and intoxicating. It didn’t take long to realize that I was falling for him. As quick as he entered my life, he disappeared. He had good reason though. He needed to figure out who he was and how to trust anyone after what Sam had put him through. When Ezra told Nate and I that Xander was the other guardian we needed to bring along with us to Japan, I wondered what our reunion would be like. The reunion was emotionally charged. One night in the cabin, he opened his heart and soul to me with fearless abandon and passion that he had never shown me before. I was left speechless, unable to fully and totally open my heart and soul to him because both were torn; torn between two men, two cousins bound by blood.
The day Xander left to meet with Sam Crest before the intersection, I felt a desperation come over me. He was going to walk with the enemy in order to get us an advantage. He was sacrificing himself for our fellowship; for me. I couldn’t let him leave without him knowing that what he was doing was so selfless and that he was loved. When I told him I loved him, I did it with fear coursing through me. Fear that if I didn’t tell him those words, he may never hear them from anyone after that day.
I come to a dead stop in the middle of the hallway, put my hands on either side of my head, and rest my forehead against the cold, stone wall.
I think about what Nate saw that night between Xander and me, before he left for Sam’s. The moment Nate saw Xander in my room, he read us both and it broke his heart. He turned and walked away and I just stood there; I did nothing to comfort a man that had held me night after night as I cried out nightmare after nightmare, premonition after premonition. A sob escapes my lips. I quickly cover my mouth to keep from being heard.
When he threw himself into that wormhole with my father, sacrificing himself for us, I realized that I had taken every act of kindness, compassion, and love between us for granted.
With frustration boiling in me, I pound my fist against the wall. Damn it, Nate! Why did you have to be the hero and throw yourself into that wormhole with my father? I could have fought with you! You, Xander, Ezra, and I, we could have fought against Sam! But you… You took it all on yourself to protect us! To save us! Try
ing to be the hero! That was stupid, Nate! Now look! You and Ezra are there in danger and Xander and I are here trying to get to you before you die! You can’t die, Nate!
I pound my fist once more, cover my face with my palms, turn and crumble to the ground. As I sit there panting, I imagine Nate sitting next to me, comforting me, something Nate has always done...my constant. As I continue to invent this fantasy, a scene of something I have only heard bits and pieces about from Nate takes over in my mind.
I’m hovering, looking down at my father holding a little girl in his arms; it’s me. I was so small. Two other adults and a small boy linger near us as Ezra tries to hush me. He can’t though, I am broken and I need my mother, I need more than Ezra can give right now.
I hiccup a cry into my palms.
The small boy, it is Nate. He moves away from the shelter of his mother’s body and walks toward Ezra and I. He reaches out to take my small child-like hand and I huddle further into his arms; frightened and shy. When his hand touches mine, my entire body sighs and softens from the ridged fear I hold within. It’s like this little boy melted away all the fear within me as I relived this moment.
Of course he did, it is Nate....Nate is my constant, he always has been.
Little Nate tugs my hand gently and I slide down from my father’s lap. He leads me away, down a hall, into a room, his room. Seeing that I am tired, he helps me climb into his bed. He is bigger than me, older than me, so he takes care of me.
My heart swells and my hiccups become long weepy sighs.
Ascending the Veil Page 10
