by Jaymin Eve
See you soon, baby girl.
His presence left, and for some reason I felt reassured. Just a small sliver, but it was better than the massive engulfing level of fear and responsibility which weighed me down. Too late I realized I should have asked him about Francesca and Samuel. I wasn’t sure where either of them were, but I didn’t want them in this battle. It was dangerous. Beyond the abilities of First Worlders. This was a Walker battle and I really wished the other species and races would leave.
Not because I didn’t appreciate their help and support. I totally did. But because I couldn’t feel responsible for their deaths. Sure, it was already a fight to the death – if we didn’t re-imprison the Seventine, none of us would be talking about this in a few days – but I just had so many friends and family here. So many loved ones. So much to lose.
Brace found my hand. “Don’t think so hard on this, Red. We can only do our best. I have faith that we’ll win, but if we don’t, at least we know we fought all the way. We didn’t roll over and let them take us.”
His words shot a beam of … power or something straight down my spine. I felt myself grow taller.
He was right.
I had to stop letting the fear get to me. I had to find an internal strength to do this and stop relying on pep talks from others. I had to be strong enough alone. The Mother of All, Josian and Brace all believed in me. Now it was time to believe in myself.
“Is Lasandra here?” I realized that Brace had loved ones around too. “And Caty?” I was pretty sure his sister would be safely stashed on Abernath.
“Both of them are home. I asked Mother to leave earlier. She couldn’t help them with Que’s regeneration chamber, and there was nothing else she could do here. I’m calmer knowing I don’t have to worry about them.”
I rubbed at my eyes. I was feeling the effects of the last few days. The hungry and tired thing was starting to catch up with me.
“I’m surprised she let you order her away.”
Lasandra seemed like a hot-headed, battle-everything sort of woman.
Brace chuckled. “She didn’t leave easily, but luckily I had Caty to use as a guilt-inducing incentive. She gets all riled up to protect her children. I just had to remind her that Caty would need her if … the Seventine win.”
No doubt Lasandra would take her daughter and escape to another star system before the convergence.
The path was starting to lighten now, and I knew we were approaching the end of the dark mountain. Tension slithered across the group; everyone was rigid as they strode out.
It was early morning on First World now. There wasn’t much light, just enough to highlight the hard eyes and jutted chins of us all. Our sacred guides had shrunk to their smallest sizes and remained close to our sides.
It was still disconcerting to glance down and find a snake as wide as my thigh cruising along beside me, but I wasn’t afraid of Sass any longer. When we’d joined in the Mother’s realm, a bond had formed between all of us. I understood now that just because the outer shell was scary, the inside was beautiful and ancient. The aura of the sacred animals had a base color of cream and gold. Then each of them had power colors woven through. Red, light-green and purple featured heavily. When I opened my senses it was like being splashed with a rainbow. I found this ability really wicked, actually. Before my Walker half had fully developed, I’d been so blind. Seeing with my eyes and not my power.
There were lots of noise and crowds on the outside. We drew attention from all of those around us, and more than one being bowed as we passed. A pounding sound echoed, growing louder as a brunette male burst into view. He wore no identifying marks, but I could sense his energy. He was Walker – Abernath to be precise.
Brace stepped toward him. “Thank you, Trent, I appreciate you getting this for me so quickly.”
I had absolutely no idea what my mate was talking about until the tall, lanky Abernath handed over a small sack. It looked to be made of hessian or something, and the base bulged with whatever was inside.
As Trent disappeared again, Brace opened the bag. “You all need to take a moment and replenish yourselves,” he said to the half-Walkers. “Walker energy isn’t limited by hunger or thirst, but neither is it strong without sustenance. You need to be as strong as you possibly can be.”
I nodded in a few short bursts. “Yes, Brace is right. But we have only moments, so eat, drink and get your shit together. The Seventine are out there, and we’re all that stands between them and the end of the worlds.”
The girls moved forward and pulled breads, fruits and small energy drinks from the bag. I knew that green concoction was from the faeries, and it was potent. I’d had it once. Still, it might give us all a much needed boost.
Jedi caught my attention then, waving at me as he left. My heart stuttered as I watched the dark-skinned male disappear through the crowd. I hoped he would figure this out and return with something positive for us.
I wasn’t the only one to watch him until he was sucked into the masses. Blood-red eyes remained locked on him until the last second. Then Sapha and I clashed gazes, and I could practically see my reflection in the glassiness of her eyes. She was scared. We all were.
We ate in silence. There was no enjoyment in the food. It was purely about filling a need. I took an extra moment to use one of the portable bathrooms that had been set up. It was a relief to wash away some of the grime on my face and hands.
It was as I was crossing back to Brace that an explosion of energy rocked me.
For a moment the rush of power was deafening, and it was difficult to remain standing. Then it was over.
I started to run and didn’t stop until I was next to the half-Walkers. I almost screamed as I took in the scene which lay out in the center of the ash-filled plane. It took my brain forever to catch up with what my eyes were seeing. It was only seconds, but felt like hours I stood there trying to catalogue the devastation.
When we’d ventured inside earlier the battle had been small, limited to pockets outside the dark and blackened mountain range. The clans and other races had been keeping it at bay, and mostly were just mingling, training and battle-planning.
Now there was a crater the size of a football field in between the Seventines’ army and our people. It was as if a bomb had been dropped right on top of us, many bodies littering the center of the circle.
I choked back a sob. I could see the victims were a mix of Walkers, pixies, First Worlders. At least fifty were down. I had no idea if it was anyone that I knew, but even so, they were all someone’s person. And that was not okay.
“No more delays,” Delane said.
Her normally yellow-toned skin had blotches of pink across it. “The Seventine are just getting started. We must fight now, or the casualty rate will be astronomical.”
She was right.
I turned to Brace, Colton and Lucy. “We’re going to join our energy and start destroying the Seventines’ minions. I need you all to check on the clans and races for me.”
Brace started to protest, but I interrupted him.
“It’s going to be okay. You’ll be in contact with me every step, and you have other responsibilities. You’re the princeps. We’re the princeps, and I won’t let you shirk that duty for me. If I need you, I will call.”
Frustration rode across his features. He had both of his fists clenched. “I’m not okay with us being separated, but I’ll concede to your judgment for now. But if I catch the slightest hint of any extra trouble … well, nothing will keep me from your side, Red.”
Somehow he sensed that I had an underlying motive of keeping them safe and off the battle field. I knew it wouldn’t work for long, but any time where they weren’t out in the middle of the bomb-dropping zone was a relief for me.
His warm lips descended and captured mine. Every kiss at this point was vitally important. Who knew if it might be the last? He was gone too soon, and I rode out the uncomfortable, tearing sensation along my body. Colton strode out
behind him. Lucy stopped and her arms went around me in a tight hug. I sucked in deeply before crushing her to me.
“I love you, Luce. Stay with Brace and Colton. This is going to be crazy.”
I felt her nod against me. “I agree with Brace. The second you’re in any kind of trouble, I’ll be flying my pixie butt out there. The only thing stopping me now is I’m not part of the super seven, and I’m not much help to you.” She shrugged. “So instead I’ll go and rally the troops … and make sure that Malisna and everyone else is okay.”
Lucy had other family to think of now too. She was a daughter of leaders and was both important and loved. But she was still my everything and letting her out of my sight was not easy.
“See you soon, Lucy loo.”
Her eyes were shimmery as she untangled herself from me, and then she was gone, tucked under the arm of her mate, none of us having enough time to really say goodbye.
It’s not goodbye, baby. I’ll be back by your side before you know it.
I love you! I said it with as much strength and emotion as I could find.
And I you.
The one thing I loved most about Brace was his ability to understand that he couldn’t bubble-wrap me against this fight. That he had to let me have a semblance of freedom so that I could do the job I was born for. It went against his nature to leave me, but he was strong enough to know there were no other options for us right then. I forced my breathing to even out as I whipped around to the group.
“Quick check … are all of your mates okay?”
There were nods all around, which was a relief.
“They’re fighting,” Fury said. “Dune, Lucas and Ladre are together.”
The boys had all connected after spending so much time in our group. Probably bonding over their mutual exasperation about the way we all got into trouble.
“Lucas isn’t a mate,” Ria said, her tone even.
Although, I detected the slightest slice of happiness from her. She liked knowing he was okay.
No time for that now.
“Grab on to your guides.”
My voice was hard. I barely even recognized it; a cold anger had settled over me.
The moment I saw each of them touch their animal, I reached for Cerberus. He saved me the trouble by resting one of his heads on my right shoulder. Clever little hellhound. I didn’t really have to fling the golden cord any longer. It knew its place and wanted to be where the energy was.
The familiar power exploded between us again and shimmery beams shot out. Just momentarily, though. We were old pros now, managing to dial down the visible energy. The first few times I’d joined with the half-Walker a cage of golden light would surround us, but now there were no visible signs of our connection.
I focused my senses on the area, and immediately felt a trickle of something being off. There was energy here, and it was not natural.
“Is everyone getting a big blast of douchebagness from across the way?” I pointed out into the distance, toward the royal forest. Where the Seventines’ army was. “I’m thinking that’s where we’re going to find them.”
Talina visibly shivered. “I can feel them. I don’t like it; they feel unnatural. The land rejects them.”
Ria wrapped her hands around Sass. The anaconda was twirled around her feet, his massive head near her stomach.
“Talli is right. The land doesn’t welcome them here. It wants me to get rid of the energy that’s upsetting the balance.”
Well, that was a plan I could get behind.
“Okay, just as we practiced in the other realm. We’ll wait for Eva to determine their weaknesses, and then we’ll use whichever element is most lethal. Do not waste energy here. It’ll run out much faster than in the Mother of All’s realm. We have to be smart about our attacks.”
I felt their agreement through our shared bond, so without any more delays we moved. I started fast, dodging through the crowds, and stepping deeper into the war zone. Eva was right by my side.
“You doing okay with all this?” I said, my voice low. “I know you’ve kind of gotten thrown in the deep end and there hasn’t been much time for you to catch up.”
She reached back and grasped the hilt of her sword, but didn’t pull it out just yet. For obvious reasons. It was totally not easy to run with a long-bladed weapon, especially in a crowd this thick.
“I’ve been in the deep end since my family were killed. I know nothing other than pain and battle now. I’m … actually doing okay. I don’t feel quite so empty when we’re joined together, and battle stops me from thinking about everything I’ve lost. The adrenalin dulls the pain for a few moments. I don’t think, I don’t feel, I just react.”
It was the longest speech I’d heard from her since she’d told me what had happened to her family. Her pain was like a beacon; it broadcast from her very pores. I would hazard a guess that the agony was no less debilitating today than it had been the day she lost everything.
They say time heals all wounds, but something told me that was bullshit. Time might eventually dull the edges, but nothing heals wounds this deep. And as Walkers, we couldn’t even hope that old age and death would soften the memories before returning us to our loved ones.
Of course, the Seventine might change all of that. They could definitely kill us, and then Eva would see her family sooner rather than later. It was what a part of her wanted, but I was selfish enough to hope it would never happen. I hoped she stayed with us as part of my half-Walker family. That one day we’d be enough to ease some of the pain.
Thousands of eyes locked onto us as we ran, taking in the unusual sight of seven half-Walkers with permanent marks and a menagerie of sacred animals. Relief and respect simultaneously crossed most faces, especially those that belonged to the Walker clans. The crowds scattered, getting out of our way and giving us a clear run to the field. Most of the faces were drawn, tired and dirty. I wasn’t sure I’d seen Walkers look this beat up before. Usually they were all shiny and new-like.
I knew from Delane that in these preternatural battles, there was no downtime. They took shifts so that they could still get some rest and keep a solid line of defense. The princeps and leaders of the other races never stopped. When they weren’t coordinating everything they were fighting themselves. The leaders did not hide behind their people. They were out in front.
“Princeps,” a male called from my left.
I quickly turned to acknowledge him, but he was already lost in the crowd. Others bowed their heads respectfully to our group. A sense of relief was filtering through them; they thought the cavalry had arrived.
“No pressure, hey?” Eva almost smiled. “I’ve never had anyone look at me like I’m Christmas and pudding all rolled into one.”
Christmas. That was a dream from my life on Earth. I used to read the books. I saw the fat, jolly man in the red suit. But Olden had not celebrated any holidays. Lucy and I had promised ourselves that one day, when we got out of the Compound, we would have Christmas. Oh, well, had to survive this battle first.
I grinned at Eva. “Yes, no one believed half-Walkers existed. We’re sacred and mythical creatures to most of the Walkers. You’ll get used to the staring eventually.”
“I don’t get stared at much anymore,” Fury said, all casual-like.
I chuckled. “Strange, because you’re generally so likeable. Maybe they didn’t appreciate the way you flicked them in the eye when they got too close.”
“I totally am likeable,” she agreed, choosing to ignore everything else I’d said.
I chuckled again. Most Walkers had learned pretty quickly how sharp Fury’s tongue could be. I knew she was a big softy on the inside, but you had to dig through layers of attitude to find that out.
As we closed in on the active section of the battlefield, focus descended over our more battle-ready halves. Delane held her weapons now, wings slightly elevated as she used them to glide through the crowd. Lina was close to her side. The unicorn possessed a simil
ar strategic mind and would be assessing the battle too. The sacred animals were so tuned in to us. They knew what we needed, and could maneuver themselves accordingly.
I had never realized how truly important they were to us, not just for the comfort and support, but because without them we wouldn’t have been able to join our powers. We just didn’t have the time or mental strength to handle it yet – possibly in a few months, but by then it would be too late. The guides were truly a gift.
As the last of the crowd parted we ran out of the tented zones and onto the field. I scanned the area, taking in as much as I could. Although, I forced myself to just skim over the large crater because now was not the time to lose my shit and bawl like a baby.
Instead I focused on the living members of our army. To my left, sitting high amongst some black and deadened trees were the tree sprites. They had weapons. Most of them looked to be archers, but some also clutched spears. One pulled his arm back and heaved the wooden weapon out into the crowd of fire-lizards they fought.
Whoa.
Despite his slender appearance that spear had completely sliced through one creature, and then into another. The spear returned to the sprite’s hand. Wicked.
“Do you think you can give them a few more trees for cover, Ria?” I pointed across to the ragged bunch of dead limbs which were housing the brown-skinned fey.
“On it,” she said.
I felt the swell of energy then as she pulled from our collective. Her green-tinged power flickered across my vision, before fading away. Sass took off, sliding with ease and speed through the crowd. No surprise that those she passed looked less than impressed to see a massive-ass snake at their feet. It was slightly amusing the way the First Worlders shrieked and tried to climb the closest person as a means of escaping her. Yep, it was funny, but none of us laughed. We were too tense.
Ria’s power left via her extended arms, and Sass helped by dragging energy along the very ground he traveled. Greenery shot up everywhere, fast-moving and ancient in appearance. There were massive trees with trunks the size of small houses, vines, smaller undergrowth. It was a jungle. Okay, Ria had decided to not just help the tree sprites with some cover. She was giving our entire army a fortress to hide within. Clever Queen.
