Rowan and Papa exchanged glances. I can’t be the only one who’s considered this, Reagan thought. “They came after me and Sam. And what about Sam? If we don’t get him back, won’t they just kill him? You said the prophecy depends on both of us, right?”
“It does; the two of you together. Your powers will either condemn us all to Hell or save us. Let’s just say we each want different things, but we all have something to gain,” Papa said.
Frustrated and confused, Reagan could at least see the silver lining. She wasn’t sure if she was on the right side, or even what that meant, but at least it was keeping Sam alive for the time being. And herself.
“We can’t go back to the house. I’m sure that place is surrounded.” Papa was the one pacing now.
“What about Nana? I was able to talk to her before; maybe I can get through to her and have her meet us somewhere. She could bring Mom.”
Papa stopped dead in his tracks.
“It’s been long enough. We need Nana. And we need Mom.”
“She has a point.” Rowan was a man of few words, but at least he was backing Reagan on this one.
“I haven’t kept her safe for all these years just to get her killed now!” Papa walked away, each pounding of his feet reverberating in the cavern.
Reagan started to follow, but Rowan grabbed her arm. “Let him go. He knows we need to talk to both of them, but he’s scared.”
“I know. I’m scared, too.”
Rowan pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her. She let her head fall into his strength and closed her eyes. “There’s more.” So much for relaxing. She popped her head back to look into his eyes. “Your dad isn’t going to want us to meet with your mom.”
She pushed hard against Rowan’s chest, creating as much space as she could in the shortest time. “My dad?” Not her dad, too. Could nobody in her family be normal? “Does my dad know about all this? Does he know Papa is alive?”
“Your dad was with your Papa that night years ago. But I’ve already said too much. Let’s find your grandfather and start planning.”
She shouldn’t have left it there; she should’ve demanded answers. All the fight seeped out of her body. It was so much to take in, and she wasn’t sure she could handle more. Forcing one foot in front of the other, she followed Rowan out of the room through a long, dark hallway and let the questions die on her tongue.
There was no stopping the gasp that escaped her lips when they entered the next area. Weapons, some she recognized and some she didn’t, were everywhere. In many ways, this cave was a bunker.
Papa was rummaging through a box to her left. He must have sensed their presence, because he started barking orders without ever looking up. “Get Madeleine, Sasha, and Ricardo. We don’t have the luxury of time. I say we move tonight.”
Rowan nodded and left Reagan, brushing her hand on the way out.
Moving back and forth between crates, Papa picked up several weapons and inspected them. He’d open one gun and check the interior, put it down, and then repeat the process. Then he moved onto knives and swords. For several minutes, Reagan simply watched, mesmerized by her G.I. Joe grandfather; but the silence was only making her more nervous. She walked over and laid a hand on his arm. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. My gut is telling me to trust you, like it told me to trust Nana. Still, I need to hear some of this from them. I’m not sure what to think about my dad right now. He was so distant when we lost Sam, yet he knew. He knew!”
She heard him mutter, “Dammit, Rowan.”
“Don’t blame Rowan. You should’ve told me.”
He pulled his hand out of the box and turned to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I know. I should have.”
“Then tell me now.”
Papa’s arms dropped to his sides, and he leaned against the closest wall. “As I told you earlier, that night was horrific. Bodies everywhere. Screaming. Your mother and father had been together for a while and he wanted to come with me. He was from a powerful family, too. We had no clue the magnitude of that day. When a few of my buddies and I rushed in, I asked your father to go home. Someone needed to be there for my girls and Jackie. I think I knew in that moment it wasn’t going to be me.”
His pain was obvious, and she couldn’t bear it. She wanted to offer some kind of comfort, but he seemed too tense for touch.
“Rafe had me pinned. There was so much pain. Next thing I know, I’m being pulled back into the woods. Rowan saved me. He dropped me here with a few others. I was months recuperating. My gut instinct was to run back and get your mom, Sarah, and Jackie. But I didn’t want this life for them.”
Rapid fire questions were a new standard in Reagan’s life. Why did Rowan leave her grandfather behind after saving him? Why were those wolves attacking people then? Did they already know about the prophecy? She tried to calm her mind and formulate one question. “I don’t understand. What were they fighting about then?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if it was about the prophecy, Sam and I weren’t even born yet.”
“I didn’t find that out myself for quite a while. And it’s convoluted. There was an internal battle in their pack, and some of that hinged on the prophecy. Guess they knew about the power of the witch blood mixed with wolf blood. Jackie’s mom did everything she could to protect her only daughter and future grandchildren. That woman knew they would fulfill the prophecy.”
“How could Nana’s mom know?”
“She was quite powerful. Jackie never knew her father, and her mother never spoke of him. She died when Jackie was in her early twenties. She inherited a spell book and the knowledge that her children would be very important. That’s about all I know. Jackie and I didn’t talk about too much. There’s so much we didn’t want to face. We were so stupid and naïve. You know, ‘good will win’ kind of stuff.”
“But nobody mentioned werewolves? And nobody came after Nana?” Reagan wondered just how much her great-grandmother had known.
“No. Shape-shifters are very common in Native American lore, which runs through my veins as well as your Nana’s. And yours. We suspected the activity in the area was more than simple animal attacks. But we had no clue they were looking for us—for Jackie. And I never said nobody came after Nana. It just wasn’t the wolves.”
“Doesn’t the prophecy speak of wolves? You know, that prophecy you still haven’t shared with me.” Reagan paused for dramatic effect, hoping Papa would soon reveal this guarded secret. “And who else came after Nana?”
“Wow, you do take after your mom. Constantly questioning, like a dog with a bone.”
“That’s not funny. And, like usual, you didn’t answer my questions.”
“The prophecy is vague, and we’ve had many who’ve counseled us about it over the years. We feel we have a pretty good handle on the meanings.”
“But, wait, Mom and Aunt Sarah weren’t wolves, so…” Reagan trailed off, confusion and frustration taking over.
“They were part of the plan, and shielded with intense power for so long. The first of many evils didn’t find my Jackie until she was in her twenties; and the prophecy mentions a time period.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“The battle begins when the chosen turns eighteen.”
She gasped. She’d be eighteen in about six months.
“Wow, we really don’t have much time. How do we know it’s not when Sam turns eighteen? That would give us a few more years,” Reagan asked, hopeful.
“We can’t take that chance. Usually the first born is the key to all spells and magical power. Your Nana was the first born—the only child from great power—and then your mom was first born, and then you. We knew it wasn’t your mom because of a vision your Nana had. Every sign points to your eighteenth birthday.”
“Wow, and I thought my eighteenth birthday would be all about getting ready for college and looking forward to making my own choices.” Reagan knew she sounded like a
whiny brat, but she felt she deserved a little time to wallow in her predicament. April was about six months away, not a lot of time to save the world. Or whatever her mission was according to this mysterious prophecy.
Before Papa could respond, Ricardo walked into the room. If Enrique Iglesias had a twin brother who was a werewolf, the sexy young man before her had to be him. Papa seemed to only have a few people in his inner circle, and Ricardo appeared to be one of them.
“I haven’t really had a chance to introduce myself. I’m Reagan.” Reagan extended her hand, and Ricardo took it, briefly touching his lips to her knuckles. She couldn’t stop the blush that spread across her cheeks.
“Nice to meet you, guapa.” One moment, Ricardo was nothing but charm. The next, he was all business. “Okay, Jed. What’s the plan? Rowan sent me in here to help. Said we’re going to meet your better half and your daughter.”
“Yes. Keeping them safe is my number one priority,” Papa said, a stern look on his face, like a general ordering his private into action. They walked over to a table with a huge map. Reagan joined them. It looked to be a map of the Colorado Springs area. She couldn’t believe how close to home they were. He pointed to an area, and started detailing his plan to Ricardo. “You and Sasha will be here. Madeleine and, well, just tell Madeleine to choose someone she trusts.”
“You know Madeleine has trust issues,” Ricardo responded.
“Yes, that’s why she should choose. I need her head in the game,” Papa said, then turned back to his map. “Madeleine and her partner will be over here. Gather some good fighters and put them around the perimeter. We’ll be in and out quickly, but I’m going to be the one who escorts my family. They won’t know I’m there, but it has to be me. Reagan, you’ll be with Rowan. He’ll lead you around to throw off anyone who might lock onto your scent.”
“When are we moving on this?” Ricardo asked.
“The next day or so. I need to work out some kinks first,” Papa answered.
Ricardo nodded. “My life is theirs, if it comes to it. I won’t let them take your family.”
Reagan was surprised Ricardo didn’t salute after he said it. Unlike Madeleine, where all Reagan could feel was threatened, she sensed she could trust Ricardo. Just as she was about to thank him, Rowan and Madeleine walked in. Of course they’re together, Reagan thought. She immediately chided herself for being jealous. Nothing was more important than saving her family.
“What are the plans, boss?” Madeleine asked, after shooting a dirty glare toward Reagan.
Reagan did her best to match it.
“Ricardo will fill you in. Rowan, you and Reagan are with me on this.” Ricardo and Madeleine started studying the map, while Papa led Reagan and Rowan to another corner of the room. “Rowan, I’ll show you where we’re going to meet when Ricardo and Madeleine are done. You’ll take Reagan there. I need you guys to leave an hour, maybe two, before our scheduled meeting time. I want you take the most circuitous route you can come up with. It’s imperative nobody follows you.”
“I’ve just received news Rafe is out of jail. He’s going to be even more determined now.” Rowan hung his head, and Reagan sensed his shame for his brother’s actions. “But you know I won’t let him get Reagan. I’ll let you know if we need to back out or postpone.”
“We know,” Papa said. “Now, Reagan, I need you to try and get a message to Nana. You need to tell her to meet at these coordinates.” He rattled off some numbers. Reagan repeated them several times to make sure she had them down cold. “Ask her to bring your parents. Tell her we’ll get her an exact day and time soon. Reassure her they’ll have an escort the whole time. Someone they can trust.”
“Why can’t I just tell her you’ll be there?”
Papa looked down and took a deep breath. When he started talking, his voice cracked and she knew he was holding back a lot of emotion. “She’ll know soon enough. I want to tell her. I want to explain.”
“But I’m not even sure I can connect with her again. I really don’t know what I’m doing.”
“That’s an understatement,” Madeleine said.
Reagan forgot Madeleine and Ricardo were in the room, and wasn’t in the mood for anymore nastiness. “Like it or not, you need me. So you can keep your comments to yourself.”
“Ladies, ladies.” Ricardo stood in between the two hot heads, but directed his comment to Madeleine. “You know what they say about red-heads and their tempers. You might not want to make her mad.”
“No, she doesn’t want me to get mad.” With that statement, Madeleine sauntered out of the room, several weapons in hand.
Ricardo shrugged, bowed to Reagan, and followed his fellow soldier out.
“Ugh!” she said, breaking the weight of silence in the room, and threw both fists down by her sides. “She makes me crazy.”
Rowan spoke up, “Listen, I know Madeleine is a lot to take, but she’s fighting for you. She’s willing to risk her life for you, your mother, your aunt, and your brother. We all are. Shall I go on?”
Reagan shook her head from side to side. She didn’t like Rowan standing up for Madeleine and didn’t want it to continue.
“Okay, back to the task at the hand,” Papa said, and looked at his granddaughter. “I need you to try and open up a channel to Jackie.”
She closed her eyes and focused her energy on bringing up an image of Nana. It was easy to recall the day in Georgia in Nana’s garden. How the sun showcased the older woman’s fiery red hair. How comforted Reagan always felt when she was in Nana’s arms at night, trying to keep the nightmares at bay. “Nana?”
Reagan waited. Nothing. She squeezed her eyes shut more tightly and curled her fingers into fists. With every ounce of concentration she had, she focused and kept repeating her grandmother’s name. Over and over, until…
“Oh, Reagan. We’ve been so worried! Are you okay?”
Fighting an intense desire to jump up and down with joy, Reagan forced herself to remain calm. “Nana, there’s so much we need to talk about.” She quickly passed on the coordinates and details.
“I haven’t left your mother’s side since you disappeared. We’ll be there. And, Reagan, we love you.”
Tears poured down Reagan’s face. She didn’t want to open her eyes and lose the connection. Slowly, she forced them apart. Rowan and Papa were staring at her. Their eyes seemed to beg for answers, to know if she was successful.
“She’ll be there.”
Papa came up and hugged her, almost knocking the wind out of her. “I knew you could do it. There’s so much you can do, and will need to do. You have to believe and trust your gut. You remember those old cartoons with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, both trying to convince the character to do what they wanted?”
“Are we really talking about cartoons right now?” she asked with a cocked head and a hand on her hip. She appreciated the sudden lightening in mood.
“Just remember those voices are from a real angel. From everything Jackie ever told me, I know Cecilia is with you; like she’s always been with my Jackie.”
“Who’s Cecilia?”
“She’s your great-grandmother, Nana’s mother. She’s the one who foresaw the events, and the one who foretold the prophecy.”
Papa ordered everyone to get some sleep. Reagan struggled but managed a few hours. Sitting in what appeared to be a large conference room the following afternoon, he explained the plan to meet Nana and the others. Concerns were voiced, mainly about safety, Reagan’s lack of skills, and her exposure to Rafe.
Hey, I’m sitting right here! Reagan thought. She knew she was inexperienced and new to the wolf game, but she had the most to lose. What more motivation did she need?
After talking strategy with the key players, Papa dismissed everyone but Rowan and Reagan.
“She’ll need to transform several times to get a feel for it. I need you to take her out and teach her,” Papa told Rowan. “It’s getting late, so now’s a good a time as an
y. If you have any issues, I can help, but I think you two can work together.”
Nobody asked her opinion on anything; they talked around her the whole meeting. When Rowan stood up to leave, she followed. Miffed, she refused to say a word. The first day she arrived the cave entrance seemed to be open, but now she noticed a boulder blocking it.
“You can help if you want,” he said as he began to push the large rock aside. She refused to move, crossing her arms over her chest. Nobody wanted her help before, so she refused to give it now.
“Listen, I know this is hard. But you’ve got to trust us.”
“I understand, but then let me play a part. Ordering me around, or ignoring me altogether, isn’t helping.”
“You’ll feel better with some training. And you’ll be more involved. It doesn’t serve any of us to keep you in the dark,” he said, walking farther into the woods. She stayed close to him. A few yards from the cave, they stopped. “We’ve had too many close calls to take any chances. It’s time to teach you how to shift. Your body knows how to do it, you just have to practice.”
She didn’t realize how much of the day was gone, and the darkness surprised her. It was a cloudy evening without any moonlight.
“So it’s true, we don’t need a full moon to transform.” Everything she knew about werewolves came from a movie, television show, or book. Only a few weeks ago, she’d never have believed they existed, much less be concerned about how to shift into one on command.
She thought back to her time with Rafe. When they were together, he’d take her on mysterious dates—ones that involved alcohol and memory gaps. Had she shifted on those nights? “I think I might have shifted before, but I was drunk and don’t remember.”
“And you wonder why we aren’t all handing over the reins and letting you be a top advisor on our plans.” Rowan’s voice was full of sarcasm.
His accusation hurt. She regretted every moment spent with Rafe. “I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am, but I believe your brother slipped me something.” She searched Rowan’s eyes for understanding, but it wasn’t there. “Whatever. Tell me what I need to do.”
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 19
