“Thank God. We can use any advantage we can get,” Madeleine said.
Lost in a deep sleep, Reagan almost had a heart attack when someone tried to rustle her awake. Jumping up to face her attacker, she recognized her mom just in time.
“God, Mom. I might have hurt you,” Reagan said, her pulse racing.
“I’m so sorry.” Mom looked down, clenching the side of the bed with her hands.
Noticing her distress, Reagan scooted over and pulled her mom close. “What’s going on? You look like you might throw up.”
“I’ve been having those dreams again. I just have a really bad feeling about today. About everything.”
Not the words Reagan wanted to hear right before a mission everybody was already nervous about. “Tell me what you’re seeing.”
“I keep seeing Rafe’s face, or I think it’s him. It’s more that I sense his evil. I see Nana in pain and you screaming. I think I already told you that part. Anyway, now I’m also seeing us all running. You, me, Jessica, Winona… all of us who’d be holding the diary. I can’t shake it.”
Taking a couple of deep breaths, Reagan searched for words that might be calming. In truth, she hoped to do the same thing for herself. “Listen, you’re really anxious, as we all are, about today. We’re putting a lot on the line to find this sword. But remember, Cecilia and her angels have our backs. I expect, if I’ve deciphered her words correctly, that we’ll see the angel of wisdom today. And let me tell you from my Lucent experience, in an angel’s presence, you feel nothing but safe.”
She remembered the feeling of calm and comfort when the angel came during their meeting with Lucent and had to believe it was the same way a child felt with his or her mother. “This isn’t just us against Rafe. It’s Heaven versus Hell, good versus evil. This has been the plan long before we existed. And if I have to be on a side in a terrifying situation, I’ll take good any day.”
Feeling her mom’s body relaxing, Reagan stood and put a hand out. “Come on. Since we’re up, let’s find everyone and get ready for today. What’s that old saying you always used when Sam and I wouldn’t do our homework or clean our rooms? Something about the Devil?”
Mom smiled. “I think it came from the Bible; although not word for word. Paul said something about those who waste their time being idle are easily led into sin. I don’t remember the exact verse. Anyway, the saying is: ‘Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.’”
“So, let’s get moving.”
Reagan glanced back at the clock beside her bed. It was just past four in the morning, although with all the hustle and bustle around the cave, it seemed more like noon. They headed toward the command center and bumped into Jessica and Sam along the way.
“Good morning,” Mom said, giving Sam a hug and then Jessica.
“Guess you guys couldn’t sleep either,” Jessica said as she pulled back from Mom.
“No, we figured action was better than worry,” Reagan said.
“Us, too. Since you ladies are here, I’ll leave Jessica with you and go find Dad and Papa. I think I’m in the van today with Dad, but I want to make sure.” Sam kissed Jessica on the forehead and Mom on the cheek. “Be careful.”
The previous night, there was a quick meeting, and some preliminary assignments were handed out. Papa told everyone to be flexible to change, and he was planning to make adjustments as necessary. Last Reagan heard, she and Madeleine were going on foot with Rowan and Ricardo while Winona, Jessica, Sam, Dad, Mom, Aunt Sarah, and Nana were going in the vehicle. Papa and Sasha were going to stay close to it, but out of sight, and a select team would be scattered about. Cheveyo would stay at the cave with a few trusted guards.
After Reagan’s suggested plan for manipulating Rafe’s attempts to find out what they were doing, Nana had come up with a plan with Cheveyo. He’d stay back and do his best to send false information to Rafe, hoping to lead him on a wild goose chase. However, Cheveyo would only do that if he sensed Rafe’s involvement.
Once in the command center, Reagan approached Rowan. “Hey there.” It seemed way too airy and light for the day, but it came out before she could stop it. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Pretty much the same as we talked about yesterday. You’ll be with me on foot. Once we get near the church, we’ll meet up with the van and have you ladies use the diary. Hopefully, we won’t be too far from where we need to go at that point.”
From your mouth to God’s ears, Reagan said in her mind. Yet another mantra she heard constantly growing up. She’d never paid it much attention before, but she hoped God was listening. No—she backtracked—she knew He was.
She put her hands close to Rowan’s, letting her pinky slip over to rub his hand. “We’re going to get through this. You know that, right?”
He faced her, leaning his head close to hers. “I don’t fear anything but losing you.”
Unapologetic to anyone who saw, she leaned closer and held onto him with everything she had. In that moment, she completely understood. Not only did she feel the same way, she even understood the personal hell her Papa must be going through. She pulled back and looked around to see where he was, but she couldn’t find him. “Where’s Papa?”
“He was just here. I think he might be with your Nana. I know that’s where I’d want to be right now.”
ↄↄↄↄↄ
With the van packed and everyone in position, transformations began as the vehicle roared to life. They were on their way, for better or worse. Reagan and Rowan had calculated an approximate running speed to keep within a safe distance of the van, knowing what speeds it was capable of. Plus, they were in constant communication with Papa.
There were no plans for breaks or stops, except for a quick stop for dinner, so the trip would only take about two and half hours, according to last minute calculations. Since they weren’t traveling at top speeds, Reagan could ease back into the run and take in the scenery. Not too much changed, especially since they stuck to the woods. It was a beautiful but cold day. Snow had been light for the region that year, just enough to cap the mountains. Everyone on the bus had on coats, but Reagan and her pack were fine. They ran hot, even in human form. Something about the shimmering white of slight snow calmed her. Apparently, nature was on their side.
Right on time, Papa communicated a slower pace and suggested a place to stop. Those on foot arrived a few minutes before the van. Reagan looked around. They’d stopped in a wooded area with a rock formation on one side and some gigantic trees on the other, leaving very little room for the van to pull in. Of course, meeting on the road, or pulling into a parking lot, was completely out of the question.
Nana exited first, holding the diary. One by one, each passenger came into the clearing. Just as Aunt Sarah emerged, Reagan noticed a fluttering to her left. She turned to examine it and discovered a beautiful butterfly. Normally, such a simple thing might not have caught her eye, but its gold and blue colors bounced off the white scenery.
“Ladies, let’s gather and see if we can get some information,” Nana said, flipping pages until she came to the first blank one.
Nobody else seemed to notice the butterfly, so Reagan focused on the task at hand, all while keeping the colors in sight. The chosen ladies each laid a hand on the guide and closed their eyes. Words appeared, very faint at first.
Reagan knew she shouldn’t be peeking, but she couldn’t help herself. She was anxious to figure out where they needed to go and get back to the safety of the cave. Just then, she felt a brush against the back of her neck like someone was moving her hair to one side. She jerked back, and in doing so, pulled her hand off the diary. What few words had appeared faded into nothingness.
“What’s wrong?” Mom asked.
“Sorry,” Reagan said, still checking the scene to see if anything was amiss. “I thought I felt something.” She noticed the butterfly had flitted away, although she wondered if it was ever really there.
“I know this is stressful, but we really need to con
centrate.” Nana’s voice sounded scolding, like a teacher talking to a disruptive child.
With hands back in place, words filled the page again.
Papa looked over Reagan’s shoulder and shouted a few commands. “Looks like we’re close. If I’m reading this correctly, we need to find a cemetery in Ortiz. Someone get me a map.”
As he said the words, a crude map appeared on the pages.
“Never mind. It looks like it’s about six miles away. We’ll cross some railroad tracks, and then head…”
An intense wind picked up and flashing lights burst into Reagan’s vision, keeping her from hearing the rest of what he said. She drew in a breath, panicked at first, but then the scent of lavender filled the air. Her body relaxed. Ahead of her, various stunned expressions appeared on people’s faces—everything from mouths hanging open to wide eyes—so she turned around. There, as beautiful as the one from her meeting with Lucent, but with a slightly different face, stood an angel.
“Did Cecilia send you?” Nana asked.
The angel nodded. “Please, put your hands back on the book.”
“Follow him” appeared.
After reading the words, the women looked at the angel. He led them back from where they’d come. Reagan glanced at Nana, wondering if she was also confused. It wasn’t the direction the map suggested.
Before they could react, Mom clutched her head and screamed. Reagan ran to her mother, getting there just in time to help her to the ground. She was shaking uncontrollably.
Nana, Papa, and Aunt Sarah hurried over.
“Mom, what is it?” Reagan yelled. She didn’t mean to raise her voice, but she was scared.
Mom’s eyes were fluttering, and her head thrashed from side to side.
“Give her some space,” Aunt Sarah said.
“Wolves… red eyes… monsters!” Mom said, her voice getting louder with each word.
“Follow me,” the angel said.
“Steve, get Susie back to the van. Sarah, Jessica, and Sam, too. Let’s go,” Nana said, as she stood. She sounded like a female version of Papa in commander role.
Steve picked up his wife, whose body had gone limp.
As everyone scrambled, Papa said, in a roar, “Everyone else, lock on me.”
Running up to him to make sure of his plans, Reagan said, “Wait! We have to follow him.” She pointed to the winged creature. “He’ll keep us safe.”
Papa hesitated, looking at the angel and then back at the van. Steve was in the driver’s seat with his hands out, palms up, as if waiting for directions.
“Lead the way,” Papa said, waving his arm for the van to follow. “Stay in human form. We’re getting closer to town, so we can’t risk shifting.”
He must’ve sent commands to the others, because pack members shot off in different directions.
Reagan took off with Winona and Rowan close behind. They stayed tight to their guide, who transformed into a shapeless, bright moving light. Dashing through thick woods, Reagan kept a keen eye out for any dangers. Daylight might be great for avoiding vampires, but it was less than ideal for staying hidden. A group of overzealous hunters could be a real threat. Even though the pack wasn’t in wolf form, they were moving fast and might look like a danger to anyone in the area.
Within minutes, the light re-formed into the image from earlier. Reagan slowed to a walk. They came to a stop at a road.
“There’s the cemetery.” Winona pointed to their right.
Reagan had expected something more majestic, but everything in the area was rundown. With overgrown grass and shrubbery, she wondered if anyone took care of the sacred ground. They crossed into the area just as the van and the others arrived.
Throwing up dust, the van pulled off the road, and Reagan ran up to check on her mom as Nana opened the door.
“How is she?”
“Out cold,” Nana said.
Reagan poked her head inside. Her dad held her mom like a baby; her limp body looked small and fragile. Reagan edged into a seat in front of them. Her father’s expression made her chest tight, as if her heart would burst under the pressure. Was that anger she saw? Did he blame her?
She reached over the seat and touched her mom’s forehead. It felt clammy.
“She doesn’t want to disappoint you, but this is too much on her,” Dad said, his head down, and his eyes transfixed on his love. “I can’t tell you how many times she’s woken up screaming in the last month, but it’s been worse the last few nights. She can’t sleep, and then she’s expected to use what’s left to…” He let the words fade away as he leaned down to place his forehead against his wife’s.
Reagan pulled her hand away and let it fall in her lap. She wasn’t sure what to say. If she could send her mom home and never ask another thing of her, Reagan would. But that wasn’t an option. Defeating Rafe trumped going easy on her mom. But it sucked.
“I wish I knew another way, but I don’t. If we don’t succeed, we’re all dead. Mom doesn’t want that. You don’t want that.” Reagan stood and took a few steps toward the front of the van before turning back. “I love you both so much.” Afraid to wait for a response, she hastened her pace toward those awaiting news.
Papa stood just outside the van. “How’s your mom?”
“Still out. We just need to start searching until we can access the diary again,” Reagan said.
“A slight setback everyone,” Papa announced. “Susie’s still out. Until she comes to, let’s do the best we can. Split up and search. Yell out if you see anything.”
For a moment, indecision paralyzed Reagan. Nothing stood out, not that she thought there’d be a sign heralding the angel sword’s location. They couldn’t dig up the entire cemetery. Especially with an angel present—or at least she hoped he was still with them—it didn’t seem right to desecrate a bunch of graves. Walking around kicking at the dirt wasn’t going to work either.
“What’s your plan?” Winona asked.
Reagan threw a hand to her chest.
“Sorry. I feel like we’re all walking around without a purpose,” Winona said.
Reagan looked around. Everyone was moving slowly through the cemetery. Split up like they were, she was afraid they’d draw attention from any passing motorist. After all, how often did a large group gather unless it was for a recent death, and it was clear no new bodies had been laid to rest there in years.
“Aren’t we supposed to feel something? Maybe if you, me, Madeleine, Jessica, Nana, and Aunt Sarah walk around slowly, we’ll get a jolt or something,” Reagan said. A jolt? What a silly thought. Like a small burst of lightning would hit and they’d simply know what to do. “I know it sounds insane, but spread the word. Everybody else can stay near the van.”
Winona nodded.
Reagan closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Is this a wild goose chase? Maybe I should go shake Mom until she wakes up. Feeling guilty for the thought, Reagan moved through the overrun grasses, hoping for inspiration. There wasn’t a clear path to walk, so she meandered around.
Half an hour later, she was ready to throw in the towel and head home. On the way back to the van, she caught Papa’s gaze. “Is it time to head back to the cave? We can’t stay exposed without a better idea of what we’re looking for. With Mom still out…”
“I agree.” He threw his hand up in the air and motioned for everyone to come back to the van. A group of defeated faces assembled. “I know this seems like a waste, but we know the cemetery location. Early tomorrow, we’ll come straight here. With everyone healthy, we’ll have better luck. Same formation going back. Let’s head out.”
Dejected and heavy, Reagan pushed herself to move, forcing one foot in front of the other. After everything she’d put her mother through, they hadn’t even found the sword. How much more could Reagan ask of her mom? How much more would Dad allow?
ↄↄↄↄↄ
Darkness settled as they arrived back at the cave.
Reagan waited with Rowan, eagerly anticipat
ing the van’s arrival.
Everyone else who was back had retired for the evening, claiming exhaustion.
Reagan knew a dark cloud of failure hung over all of them as well. She couldn’t sleep until her mom returned. She paced just inside the stone walls.
“They’ll be here soon. Five minutes tops.” Rowan didn’t make an effort to stop her movement.
“I just want Mom to be okay. I don’t know how much more she can do. Each time she helps, she gets weaker. I’m worried. She didn’t ask for this.”
“None of us did.”
She stopped with such force she leaned forward slightly before regaining her balance. Her back was to Rowan. She chastised herself for the thoughtlessness of her words. Before she could turn, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She let her head fall back into his chest.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I just wish I could—”
Rowan’s head jerked toward the road. “They’re here.” He took her hand and led her outside.
Bright headlights came into view. Papa came running up beside the vehicle, which pulled to a stop a few feet in front of her. She ran to the side door and opened it.
Aunt Sarah and Nana were in the front row, so they slid out.
Reagan eased the seat down to make it easier for her mom and dad to exit, and then moved back a few feet. Mom still seemed weak as she stepped down to the ground, followed by Dad, who kept a hand on her the entire time.
“How are you doing?” Reagan asked.
“I’m fine. Just tired. A good night’s sleep will do me a lot of good,” Mom answered.
“We’ll meet in the library at six tomorrow morning. The guys will pull the van into a safe spot and leave our equipment on board, so it won’t take us long to get going. See everyone bright and early.” Papa turned and left.
Reagan’s dad nodded, looking dejected, and guided her mom into the cave.
“I love you guys. See you in the morning,” Reagan said to their retreating forms. A mumbled “love you, too” came back from her mom.
Nothing from Dad. It felt like a slap in the face.
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 42
