Chapter 37
Back to Business
The battle on Easter Island with Shawn had been a draw, at best. As far as I could tell, there was no clear victor. And that was Shawn against multiple groups that could wield Akasha. They had generations of practice. My newest army had a long way to go, and fast, if we could hope to surpass that. God knew what else Shawn would bring to the next fight.
I jumped off my makeshift stage and walked toward Clay's group. "Let's start here. Everyone else pay attention."
Despite the large mass of people and the soft grass below our feet, you could hear a pin drop.
"Now – face each other and join hands." I instructed.
Clay was the first to oblige. I was counting on his cooperation. He joined hands with Uri, then reached for the Water – a female, who reached for the Air, another female.
I lowered my voice, forcing it to become less commanding. I was a coach now, not the general. "Call your elements. Just barely. Let's start slow."
I stepped back and let them do their thing. The women went first. I felt small threads of energy weaving around us, stopping momentum just as the air felt heavy enough to produce moisture. As the wind picked up, tousling our hair, moisture droplets began to form. The Water and the Air were increasing their power, each trying to outdo the other. They played tug of war with the available energy.
"Work together – join your forces; don't try to top one another."
They looked at each other. I suppose I could've been more specific, but they needed to figure out how to do it on their own. Finally, a spin of air allowed the moisture in, and the two powers merged. That was all it took – for one to relent.
A series of quiet gasps behind me almost broke their concentration. Their flows wavered.
"Shh," I said, focused on the group of four. "Now – add the fire. Not too much," I warned. "It'll dry everything up. Just a bit."
Uri nodded, swallowed hard, then closed his eyes. Sweat beaded his temple. Contrary to his demeanor and appearance, his flows were controlled, masterful almost. The fire came in easily, warming up the small pocket of elements in the middle of their circle.
I glanced at Clay. "Now earth."
This would be the most volatile element. Usually, it was dependable, steady, and stable, but I had already messed with it. As Clay worked, the ground below us rumbled in protest.
"Steady, steady…"
He decreased his power, but kept the element going and directed it toward the middle of the circle. Specks of dirt and dust entered the fray. Chaos ensued. The circle broke hands and backed away from the maelstrom in the center.
"Hold your ground!" I yelled over the havoc. "Control your element!"
They stopped, one at a time, each taking their cue from the other. Then they began to lean in, taking control instead of cowering in fear.
"Good, good. That's it! More earth. Less air. Condense the fire."
As the group found their balance, the elements melded together. Tighter and tighter, soon becoming indistinguishable as separate entities. A solid, white light, starting in the center, grew. It flickered, and moved a few feet at a time. Although a long cry from what I saw accomplished on Easter Island, it was beautiful. Mouths dropped open, astonished. Almost without realizing it, the four stepped back into place and rejoined hands.
The ball of light steadied.
I broke the awe of silence, "This is your goal. This is what you should be practicing. This ball of energy, Akasha, is the most powerful thing you will ever create. A full circle, one from each element, will be able to stop twenty Elementals."
Micah stepped up to one side of me. Susan, who still held Bee, stepped to the other side. I took Bee in my arms and kissed her cheek.
I turned my attention back to the group. "Release your weaves. Disconnect carefully, drawing only your power into yourself."
The group obliged, each looking worn out but proud. Except Uri; he kept his eyes fixed solidly on his shoes, and backed away from the center of attention as inconspicuously as possible.
"Is that what I saw on Easter Island?" Micah asked.
I nodded. "Yes. Each group will need to be able to conjure Akasha on their own. Then I can use it to defeat One Less."
All eyes turned to me, wide with emotion. Whether it was fear, respect, doubt, or awe, I didn’t know. Most likely, it was all of the above.
Micah took a step closer, and put his arm around me. He turned and planted a kiss on my forehead. My cheeks grew hot; I never did well with public displays of affection. "Now can we start the Wiccaning?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah." I cleared my throat. "Sorry."
Susan stood at the table, rolling her eyes. "As much as we probably needed that reorganization, it maybe could have been accomplished without setting Bee's gifts on fire."
"I was just making a point," I defended myself. What could've possibly been in the box, anyway? A baby blanket? A rattle? She was almost past the rattle stage anyway.
"Here." Susan handed me a box. "Open this quick, before you set anything else on fire."
I had the good grace not to counter, and pulled the red ribbon off. I lifted the top of the box off and looked inside. There was an enlarged black and white picture of me and my mother. I couldn't have been any older than Bee was now. It was the cover to a scrapbook at least three inches thick. I looked up at Susan, eyes wide with surprise.
She smiled. "Micah brought back all of your belongings he put in storage when you first came to the Chakra. I went through some of the boxes of photos and keepsakes to make this for Bee; I hope you don't mind."
I looked back down at the picture, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat. Mom and I were outside, sitting on a blanket of grass. There was no telling where; we moved so often. Mom held a small crystal, letting me feel it. She had eventually used that crystal in a necklace she’d given to me as a gift. I opened the book, and there was the necklace, tethered to the inside of the front cover.
My eyes went blurry with tears.
"That is the same crystal, right?" Susan asked.
I nodded, not trusting my voice enough to speak.
"Thought so," Susan said. "Not sure if you wanted Bee to have it or not, but I thought it was a nice touch."
"No, it's…" I swallowed. "It's perfect. Thank you."
Susan touched my shoulder. "Just something for Bee to get to know her family. I left lots of blank pages so you can add to it."
I closed the book; I didn't think I could handle a much longer trip down memory lane – at least not with an audience. I threw my arms around Susan's neck. My heart ached for my mother. Although it was her hair I wanted to bury my face in, Susan's vanilla-scented shampoo helped to ease the pain in my chest. I squeezed Micah's hand; he was always there to keep me grounded. He was my here and now. I looked at Alex, and the groups of people he helped to form. These people were my family now, and I really couldn't have hoped for better.
With my sobs under control, I pulled away from Susan. "Thank you," I told her, as I dried my eyes. I took a deep breath. "Will you be Bee's Godmother? Or whatever the Wiccan equivalent is?"
She smiled. "Goes without saying."
I looked over her shoulder at Alex. He was standing stiff.
"What's wrong?"
"The box that burned was my gift to Bee."
My face paled, "What was in it?"
"Money."
"Oh." I relaxed, but his demeanor was still alarming. "How much?"
"You don't want to know."
I nodded. "Fair enough. You can make it up to her by being her Godfather."
He almost squealed. "Make it up? You’re the one that burned the box!"
"Yes, but you are the one who didn't bring a fire extinguisher."
He growled. "Just open the rest of your gifts, will ya?"
Chapter 38
Red Skies
After the Wiccaning, I laid Bee in her crib and slipped into my own bed, next to Micah. I drifted off to the sound of rai
n on our window, and the white noise produced by Bee's video monitor.
By the time Micah woke the next morning, I was already up, showered, started laundry, had breakfast, and fed Bee. He joined me at the window overlooking the large grassy expanse of the Chakra without comment. A red sky replaced the rain from last night.
"Pretty," Micah commented. "Don't wake up to that too often."
"Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning," I mumbled.
"What?" Micah glanced at me.
I shrugged. "My dad used to say it."
"What does it mean?"
"It means we should go back to bed," I stretched out my muscles.
He shook his head. "Can't. Not after all the trouble you stirred up last night."
I looked at him, raising my eyebrow.
"Don't you remember? It's reorganization day!" He prompted with false excitement.
"Ugh. I should've just left things alone." I continued to try to work out a kink in my right shoulder.
"Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve." He walked over to the blanket on the floor, where I had set Bee with a few toys. He picked her up. "Come on, let's go find Aunt Susie – she's on baby watch first today." Nearly out the door, he looked at me over his shoulder. "Get a move on, Kaitlyn. I'll meet you out there."
Get a move on? What did he think I'd been doing the last two hours? I need coffee…and more food.
I got stuck with dish duty at my previous attempt for coffee that morning. I made my way to the kitchen, my steps a little quicker with each rumble of my stomach.
The conversation died out as soon as I pushed my way through the door. Two Fires, a man and a woman, ate together at the table while two Waters hovered over the coffee machine on the counter. I narrowed my eyes at all four of them. Apparently, it was going to take much more work to break them of the habit of congregating with like elements.
The Waters avoided my gaze, finished their coffee, and left through the side door. Apparently not the type to make waves, I snorted to myself.
I started another pot brewing and glanced at the Fires sitting at the table. They were making no attempt to leave or dodge my gaze whatsoever. In fact, they were watching my every move. My eyes drifted to the bandages around two of the man's fingers; the accident I witnessed not two minutes after my arrival at the Chakra. One for which he probably blamed me.
Great.
"So…looking forward to today?" I asked as I began my search for the bagels.
"That depends," the man answered.
"Depends on what?"
No bagels. Maybe oatmeal?
"Depends on you."
The girl laughed. "Stop it, Brandt."
I pulled the oat canister down from the cupboard. Empty. I slammed the cupboard shut, frustrated at the lack of food and irritated at his answers. "On me how, exactly, Brandt?"
He stood, the woman doing the same. "On how good you are at doing your job." Brandt picked up an apple from the ceramic bowl in the center of the table and tossed it at me.
I caught it, mid-air. "You gonna clean up that mess?" I nodded to the bagel crumbs scattered around the table.
He shrugged. "Not my job."
"Just what is it that you think you are supposed to do around here?" I picked up the plastic trash can, carried around to the table and brushed their crumbs into it. I slammed the trash can down on the ground.
It didn't have the effect I was going for; they both laughed.
What is this, kindergarten?
Brandt waved his hands in front of his face while squatting down and thrusting one leg out in a cheesy, karate stance. "I'm the fire-starter!"
Yes. Yes, apparently this is kindergarten.
The pair left the room, still laughing. All that was missing was a sweet high-five. Though maybe they saved that for outside, where they could add a little jump to it.
I sighed, sitting down in the chair and took a bite out of the apple. This was going to be harder than I thought.
*
After my completely fulfilling breakfast of a single apple, I hunted down Alex and Micah. Despite my know-it-all façade, I was lost. I was going to need their support.
We approached the Water camp only to discover it had been completely torn down, their collective supplies split up and reallocated among them. The Chakra provided everything they needed, but even within the small community, a trade system for precious goods – one that probably included bagels – had developed.
A Water approached. "Hi, I’m Morgan."
I shook her hand. "Hi."
"So…how do you want to do this? I mean, where is each group going to be staying? The Airs prefer to be inside—"
Alex snorted. Morgan arched her eyebrow at him.
"Sorry," he said. "Continue."
She turned her attention back to me. "The Fires and Waters aren't allowed inside, and the Earths will probably refuse to leave their garden."
I looked at Micah, then Alex, hoping for a suggestion, or help – or anything. They both put their hands in the air and took a step back.
My stomach rumbled. I rubbed my temples, thinking.
I stopped. Fine, if this is my show to run, I am going to run the hell out of it.
"Rotations," I said. "Each group gets one week inside, one week at the garden, one week at the Water camp, and one week at the Fire camp."
"Kaitlyn," Micah spoke up, "I don't think—"
"What? That it will be safe? What happens when they don't have a choice but to sleep inside somewhere? No," I decided, crossing my arms. "They will learn to live in each situation as a group, and will learn to take care of each other as they go."
I turned toward the Fire camp, ready to take them on as long as I was on a roll. "Besides, I sleep with a Fire every night. Why can't they?"
We left the Water Elemental behind in stunned silence. The Fire camp was just as I suspected; fully erect. A large group stood off to the side in a circle, playing hacky sack. A few sat around their bonfire, poking sticks at the flaming logs. Brandt approached us.
I stood a little straighter, feeling more confident with Micah and Alex behind me. "Where is your group, fire-starter?"
He smiled, uneasily eyeing Micah out of the corner of his eye. "There," he pointed to the majority of them and then waved his hand toward the fire. "And there."
"No – I mean your new group. Your circle appointed last night."
"Oh. We’re still doing that?" He yawned.
I crossed my arms, "Yes, we’re still doing that." I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying more.
"I don't even remember who they were." Now he was looking at his nails.
Alex consulted his clipboard. "Nina and Natasha; they don't have an Earth."
I nodded toward Alex, my eyes still on Brandt. "What he said."
Micah and Alex exchanged a smile that said, 'Well isn't she cute'.
I rolled my eyes.
Brandt still looked bored.
"Where’s Uri?" Alex asked, looking at the only tent that was not only taken down but rolled and stuffed neatly into a sac alongside a sleeping bag and small tarp.
"Huh?" Brandt followed Alex's gaze. "Oh. He did that last night, haven't seen him since. Fag probably found him some poof to bunk with." His head whipped back around to us, worry lighting his eyes, "I mean, not that there is anything wrong with that. Or is there? I'm not really sure what your policy is on that here."
"Our policy is that we don't call people fags," I said, mouth hanging open.
"Right." Brandt nodded his head once. "So that means…"
I narrowed my eyes at him but Alex interrupted before I could speak, "We need to find him." He turned on his heel, heading back to the Chakra. Micah and I jumped into a jog to catch up.
I frowned, studying his face as we moved. "What's wrong?"
"Elementals aren't allowed to leave their camp overnight – at least not without my permission. We do it for accountabilities sake."
"Has h
e done this before?" I asked.
Alex looked down at me. "Uri isn't the type that breaks rules. Especially not like this – I made it very clear that unauthorized absences can get you kicked out. We haven't had any instances so far."
"Which one is he again?" Micah asked.
"The scrawny kid with brown hair and glasses," Alex said.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about him," I said. "I think he might have powers – other than just fire, that is."
"What?" both men asked in unison.
We entered the Chakra.
"I'm almost positive he detected Susan's weaves the other day. He wouldn’t be able to do that unless he had at least some power over the element, would he?"
"No…" Micah said cautiously.
"And did you see how much control he had over fire the other night? More than even me."
"Yeah, but men can't control all the elements. They aren't Gaias." Micah countered.
"Well, Shawn has some pretty awesome powers over all the elements," I said.
"Yeah – a power absorbed from you," Micah followed Alex inside and down the stairs to the basement.
"What about evolution?" I pressed the issue.
Micah stopped short. "I don't think that happens with powers. It has been this way since the Seven was created, and even before then according to some records."
"Or maybe the Seven has just seen it this way for so long. They're too closed off to other possibilities."
Alex stopped in front of his dark room.
"What are we doing here?" I asked him.
"I let Uri spend time in here whenever the teasing got too bad."
"Teasing?"
"He didn't quite fit in with the Fires," Alex said, punching in his code to the steel lock. He pushed open the door and flipped on the lights. No one there. I turned to go.
"Wait." Alex stepped in, picking up a piece of folded paper on the table. Micah and I looked over his shoulder as he opened it.
Thanks for giving me a place to feel welcome. I realize now that darkness is the only place I can ever be me. I'm sorry I had to do it. I am scared – so into the dark I go. -Uri
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