"What does he mean?" I practically squealed. "Dark as in evil? Oh my God, I have to find Bee."
Micah and I ran for the library.
Alex followed, trying to convince us, or himself, "I don't think that's what Uri meant. He's not like that."
"Yeah," I shouted over my shoulder. "Neither was Vayu." The Seven had not been without traitors recently.
The three of us burst into the library, practically tripping over each other and sending paper on the nearest table flying.
Susan, standing directly in the path of the maelstrom frantically began reaching out, snatching pieces of paper midair. "It took forever to organize these notes!"
"Where's Bee?" Micah beat me to the question.
"Why? What happened?" Papers forgotten, the remaining pieces fluttered down to rest at Susan’s feet.
I wanted to shake her. "Where is Bee?" I repeated the question, entirely too loud.
"There – in her playpen." Susan pointed. "It was her naptime but I still had work to do, so I put her down in here." She followed us to the playpen. "Was that wrong?"
I bent over, laying my hand on her chest while Micah put a hand close to her mouth.
"Steady beat," I reported.
"Breathing okay," he replied.
We each took a deep breath as we straightened.
"Will someone tell me what’s going on?" Susan stamped her foot.
"Uri’s missing," Alex said. "For some reason these two think that directly translates as a threat to Bee."
Understanding flooded Susan's eyes. "Ah. Okay then, well – I'll check with the guards and start reviewing tapes. Do we want to do the lockdown thing?"
"No," Alex answered. "I'd rather use everybody to search for him. Like I said, I don't think it’s malicious, but I do think he is in danger, from himself."
Susan turned to me. "Do you want to come with?"
I shook my head no, one leg already in the playpen. "Not leaving her."
"Okay, then. I'll be right back." Susan left the room.
"What are you doing?" Micah asked.
"I'm doing my thing. Don't judge." Just like on Easter Island, I crawled into the pen with Bee, lifting her on my lap to make room. She didn’t so much as stir. Without another glance up at the faces that surrounded us, I began to make my shield. They all took a step back.
Alex cleared his throat. "I need to organize the search party."
"Make sure they stay with their new groups!" I whisper-yelled after him.
I looked out of the corner of my eye. Micah's dirty boots were still there. "You don't have something better to do?" I asked, looking down at Bee.
I heard him shuffling and grunting, and the dirty boots dropped down on the floor next to the playpen. Two socked feet climbed in with me. "No – as a matter of fact, I don't have anything better to do."
He watched as I completed the shield over the top of all three of us.
"It's weak," he commented, eyeing the shield.
I narrowed my eyes. "It's new to me. I'm still practicing."
"You're copying what you saw on Heard and McDonald Islands – the shield around Shawn?"
I nodded, but kept my lips pressed tight. I wasn't expecting to have to defend my magical abilities to him.
He didn't notice. "Male magic is slightly different from female magic, which is how they balance each other. Shawn was probably putting more emphasis on the female elements of Water and Earth, in order to compensate for the fact that he was a male, so you can't emulate exactly what he did."
I looked up at my shield. The weaves braided together and glimmered blue, like ocean waves.
"Try dialing those back and strengthening Fire and Air – the male elements," Micah said.
I drew more energy into myself, but as I condensed the fire and increased air, the bonds grew thicker and stronger. Sweat beaded down my forehead, and my hands began to shake. Manipulating all four elements at once was difficult.
"Here," Micah offered his hand.
As I took it, the shield clinked like swords clashing together. Shimmers of golden light rushed through the dome.
"See?" he said. "We can make it stronger together."
I looked at some of the people gathering around us, awed at our golden dome.
"Throw something at us," I told the nearest gawker.
"What?" He froze, eyes wide.
"Come on – just throw something," I said. "Get that chair. I want to see how strong this is."
The guy swallowed hard, retrieved the wooden chair, and dragged it back to his previous position as though it were made of lead.
Micah did his part to share the burden of energy, but the shield would not last forever. I glared at the man holding the chair. Intimidated into action, he lifted the chair with both hands over his head and paused, glancing at Bee. A frown creased his forehead.
"Just do it. I won't let anything happen to her."
He threw the chair. Every head in the room followed, eyes glued to the piece of furniture as it spun toward the golden dome, toward us. Micah and I instinctively leaned over Bee, protecting her with our bodies should the shield fail.
The chair hit square on, then bounced off. Waves of distortion rang throughout the dome in ripples. I looked at Micah; his smile matching my own. Bee woke with a start.
I laughed. "Shh, there, there. Good girl. It's okay. Look at what mommy and daddy made."
Her eyes flit to the dome. She smiled too.
"Okay, now try your element," Micah told the man.
He glanced around, as if to emphasize there were plenty of other people to pick on.
Micah didn't back down.
The man sighed, shoulders sagging in defeat. Almost immediately I felt weaves of air being spun. He reined them in, tighter and tighter, until a mini tornado was born. It was good – he had been practicing.
Papers whipped around the room, and everyone else backed off – the women trying to tame their hair. I beamed – not one gust found its way through the shield. My hair was spared.
The small dust devil banged against the dome. Each time it did so, it became less stable. As it lost speed, large masses of wind floated away, no longer tethered to the tornado. The man struggled.
"Do you feel that?" Micah asked.
"What?"
"Each time the wind touches the shield, a little bit of power gets absorbed into it. Look – it's actually throwing off the balance."
I peered into the dome. The weaves weren't as tight, as one braid of power grew in mass, the others began to detangle themselves from it.
"You're right." I concentrated, adding more energy to the other three elements, compensating for the attacks. They righted themselves, once again melding into a solid mass.
We both turned our attention back to the man. The tornado was gone, and he was hunched over, trying to catch his breath. Two others came up alongside him, giving him the support he needed to stay upright.
Micah said, "He used everything he had against us – didn't even leave a scratch."
I nodded, slowly dissipating the shield. Bee giggled.
Micah continued thinking out loud, rubbing the scruff on his chin. "But he isn't necessarily that strong. We need to test it against someone much stronger."
The 'not so strong' Elemental was now being dragged from the room. He shot Micah a dirty look.
"Thank you!" I yelled after him, then lowered my voice. "We should do something for him – as a thank you."
"Like what?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. A week free of chores or something."
"Talk to Alex about it. Hey…" Micah's eyes lit up. "We should ask Susan!"
"Ask Susan what?" Susan walked into the room, taking in the scene. "And what the hell happened?! This place was organized when I left!"
We both stood, Micah helping me and Bee out of the playpen. "Well, what do you expect? This isn't the first time Kaitlyn has trashed the library."
Shocked squeaks came from either side of him, one from m
e and one from Susan. Susan retaliated with a sharp kick to his shin. I slapped his arm.
"Ow!" He held up his hands, backing away. "Remember the turnips!"
"Well," Susan said, jabbing her finger into her brother's chest, "You can be responsible for cleaning up. After all, you are her Ardwyad."
"Will you guys quit fooling around?" Alex walked in, exasperated. "We are missing someone. This is serious."
The smile disappeared from all our faces.
"Come on," said Susan. "Security feeds show him leaving the building from the east side. Let's start in the forest."
Chapter 39
Unlikely Friends
We started into the forest, taking the same secluded path Shawn had used to lead me to my saining with Cato. The red sky from that morning popped into my head. This was not going to be good. I double checked the knot of the sling holding Bee. I turned the sling around so she was at my front. She was far easier to protect when I could curl my body around her.
Before, when running with Shawn, the forest had seemed to work with me. Now, I kept tripping over roots and running into branches; the energy seemed off.
Ahead of us, Alex fanned out the groups so no inch of the forest went uncovered. Twilight was fast approaching the Chakra, and the last of the day's sunlight filtered through the trees. The longer the shadows grew, the closer Micah stuck to me. Alex soon began to ignore his own orders to stay spaced out, and alternately walked next to me and next to Susan, as if he couldn't decide who to protect. I solved his problem by inching closer to Susan, myself. Now we were four strong. Well, four and a half if you counted Bee. Four and a half strong, walking through the thick forest looking for a man that had kept far too many secrets for comfort.
"Here!" A lone voice echoed through the forest. "We have him over here!"
Brandt.
No one seemed anxious to follow him. We hesitated, only turning our bodies slowly toward the sound.
I said what we were all probably wondering, "Do you think it is a trap?"
Alex shot me a look, obviously offended. Uri was the underdog; there was no way Alex believed Uri would turn traitor. But then I wondered if Alex thought Shawn or even Vayu could do what they did. His track record wasn't good.
"Come on." Susan took a step forward. "Let's all just go."
Micah took my hand, reminding me of how much stronger our shield grew with that simple act. We walked forward, pushing branches out of our way, squinting into the shadows that grew darker by the minute, and being far too loud about it with the leaves and twigs crunching under foot.
After several minutes of walking, muscles tightening out of anticipation of an ambush with each step, we entered a small clearing. Brandt stood there, in plain view, his back to us. Not exactly threatening. I relaxed my fists, which had been clenched so tight I had nail marks in my palms.
Two other groups of three stood in the clearing; Airs and Waters. A few were holding each other tight at the arms. One woman was openly crying. Also not very threatening. I relaxed my shoulders. Once the Elementals noticed us, they shifted away from each other as if I would choose now of all times to berate them for not staying in their new groups.
"Where is he?" Micah asked as we came alongside Brandt.
Brandt raised an eyebrow at us. His arms were crossed over his chest. I almost expected another snide remark. Instead, he said, "Look up."
I didn't want to, but my chin lifted along with everyone else's. A pair of black and white converse shoes swung in the air, one of them untied. I swallowed hard, refusing to look up further. I covered Bee's face.
"What's the matter?" Brandt asked me. "Not one for admiring your own handiwork?"
Alex stepped in between us. "What is the matter with you! Get him down! Maybe it's not too late!" Alex pulled out a knife, moving toward the tree.
Brandt smirked. "Look at him. It was too late the second he chose to jump."
Involuntarily, I glanced up. Uri's neck was bent at a cruel angle. He didn't suffer – not in death, anyway. I swallowed, hard, and looked at Brandt. "Why is that my handiwork?"
"Isn't it obvious? You pushed him too far."
"I pushed him too far?!"
I prepared to defend myself further, but I didn't have to. Micah stepped in front of me, taking a swing at Brandt. He connected, and Brandt went sprawling.
Brandt regained his footing quickly, and went for Micah. Alex stepped in between the two. "Goddamn it – stop! We need to cut him down!"
Brandt halted his attack, rolled his eyes, and flung his hand out toward the hanging body. A fireball shot through the air, hitting the swinging rope. Fizzling, a suspended silence, then a loud thud. I had turned away.
"Son of a bitch!" It was Alex's turn to take a swing at the Fire, who soon found himself sprawled on his back, again. "You're out of here. First thing tomorrow – on the boat, if I'm feeling generous by then."
The Airs and Waters quickly made themselves scarce among the trees. Brandt rubbed at his jaw, standing slower this time. He began walking away. "Fine."
"No," I said.
Everyone turned to me, mouths open, including Brandt.
"What?"
I'm not sure who asked.
"He stays." I met Micah's steady gaze – then turned to Alex. "Did you see what he just did? That kind of accuracy, it's…" I glance over at Brandt. "It's not something you can teach," I finished under my breath.
A smile crept across Brandt's face. I had him convinced, at least.
"I'm not sure it's your decision to make," Alex said.
We both turned to Micah, imploring him to take a side.
Unfortunately, he did. "I'm sorry Kaitlyn. I'm going with Alex on this one."
My turn to let my chin drop. How. Dare. He.
"Actually." Susan stepped forward, interfering in our standoff. "As the Seven's Rais, it's my decision to make."
Alex and Micah didn't object.
Susan reveled in her new role, studying each party with a critical eye.
Come on, Susan. Girl power. I'll get you a new pair of shoes. I'll treat you to a manicure. Anything.
She turned to Brandt, who stood silently, awaiting his fate. "He stays."
Brandt and I both let out an audible sigh of relief. She lifted a finger. "But – you've got kitchen duty for a month."
I smiled, remembering the bagel crumbs he left behind that morning.
"Starting now. You're excused." She shooed him away with her hands, off to the kitchens.
He turned, sending a nonchalant, two-fingered salute my way first.
My eyes widened in surprise. Did I just make another friend? Or was that an insult?
Susan walked to Alex, leaned into him, and whispered into his ear.
He nodded once, then turned to tend the body.
"You'll help him?" Susan asked Micah.
Micah nodded as well, refusing to look in my direction.
"Come on, girl." Susan put her arm around me. "I think it's Bee's bedtime."
I looked down at Bee in her sling; she had somehow fallen asleep during all the commotion. Maybe because of it – good defense mechanism.
Once we were out of earshot, I asked, "What did you tell Alex?"
She gave me a wry smile. "I told him to come find me after."
That kind of promise would get him through the worst of times.
She changed the subject, "Just out of curiosity – why do you want the Fire to stay?"
I looked at her in surprise. "Why do you want him to stay?"
"Because you do."
"Really?"
She shrugged. "You've made some good changes just in the short time you've been here. I'm kinda starting to trust you."
"Just kind of?"
She glanced at me, telling me I was pushing my luck.
I made a valiant attempt to keep my ego in check. "I don't think it is a good idea for anyone to leave. Too big of a chance Shawn could pick them up – learn all our secrets."
She hung her head
. "If Shawn wants in, he'll get in. I'm not under the illusion that we have complete control in here." She gestured back to the gruesome scene we just left. "If tonight taught us anything, it's taught us that."
I took a deep breath.
Should I go there? I may have already pushed my luck too far.
I went there, "Susan – the way we treat them, I don't think it's going to give us the best results."
She stiffened.
Crap, can't go back on it now.
"I mean, to fight Shawn, we need complete commitment." I avoided looking at her. "And with the way we're treating them…well, we're just pushing them away. They will bail first chance they get." I lowered my voice, "One already has."
That struck home; her fists tightened.
"Are you blaming me for what happened?" she asked.
I didn't answer her right away. She stopped walking, turned to me, and lifted her eyebrows, demanding an answer.
I cleared my throat. "I'm blaming all of us."
There were several long seconds of silence as we stared each other down. I waited in silence for her reaction, trying to see past the stone face and penetrating green eyes of hers. Had Micah been giving her lessons?
Bee broke the tension. She let out a long half-sigh/half-snore, snuggled deeper into the sling, and sucked her fist back to sleep.
I adjusted the sling's strap on my shoulder while I risked a glance at Susan. She was smiling down at Bee. I sighed in relief – she'd stay with team Kaitlyn, once again thanks to Bee.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "It's just…I've seen this all before. On the Galapagos Islands."
"No – it's ok. You're right, of course." She touched the silky brown strands on top of Bee's head. "Sometimes it's just not easy hearing the truth."
Susan resumed walking, back to business. "What we're doing here just isn't enough. Shawn always seems to be one step ahead. We need to be one step ahead."
I stayed quiet, letting Susan sort through her thoughts.
"He has several advantages." She began ticking things off her fingers. "One is his Athame, which has its own base of power. Another is his knowledge. Everything he has gained from Cato, from his own research, and everything he will keep gaining from the Athame. The third is his locations; Heard and McDonald Islands, Galapagos, and he may have more."
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