Reagan recoiled at the rebuff, and a hand touched her shoulder. “It’s been a hard day. She’ll be fine. After tomorrow, we’ll have the sword. We’ll all feel better then.” Nana kissed Reagan’s cheek.
“Did Mom talk much on the way home?”
“She kept saying she could see the wolves coming,” Nana said. “She said they had red eyes.”
How could her mom know? She’s never seen Rafe’s demon wolves, Reagan thought as she tried to remember if she’d described them to her mom at some point. “What do you make of it, Nana?”
“Your mom is seeing something important, but the timing of it can be tricky, especially since she’s still new at this.”
“I wish I could help,” Reagan said.
“I know. It is what it is right now. We all have a role, whether we like it or not. Now, you and Rowan should try and get some sleep.”
Reagan knew that wasn’t going to happen.
“Tomorrow will be better. I promise,” Nana said.
After tossing and turning for hours, Reagan checked her bedside clock. Five in the morning. She leaned back into her pillow and stared up at the ceiling, hoping for some kind of divine intervention. Or maybe just a sign of how the day would go. Assuming the angel of wisdom would join them again, the divine would at least be there to help.
Before she could sit up, Winona walked into the room. “You up?” she asked as she turned on the lamp beside Reagan’s bed.
“Yeah. Guess I’m not the only one who couldn’t sleep.”
Winona sat down. “I’m worried about Cheveyo. Holding up shields and trying to help your mom has been tough on him, and it’s not letting up. He’s getting weak.” Thanks to the light, the dark circles under her eyes and the heaviness in her face was evident.
“I’m sorry. Mom doesn’t have another intense day left in her, either,” Reagan said. She pushed herself up from the bed as Winona did the same. “We have to find that sword today.”
“Agreed. Let’s go. I’m sure we aren’t the only people up.”
They made their way to the kitchen through barren and silent hallways. After grabbing a couple of bagels, they continued to the command center to find some activity. Papa, Rowan, Madeleine, Sasha, and Ricardo sat around an oval table.
“Are we ready to go?” Reagan asked.
Papa and the others nodded. A somber mood filled the space.
“Come on guys. Yesterday was a bummer, but not today. We can do this,” Reagan said, forced into the unenviable role of cheerleader. “Do I need Winona to juice you all up with some energy and happiness?” She teased. A part of her wouldn’t mind a boost of adrenaline.
“Reagan’s right,” Papa said, pushing back his chair and standing. “We’re going to get this done. Winona, I’m going to have you in the van. Do you think you can keep Susie calm? I think it’ll help our chances of success.”
“Yes.”
Reagan clapped her hands together. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll get the ladies and meet you all at the entrance in fifteen.”
Light gray skies marked another early winter morning. No bright sunshine yet, but there was a soft glow cushioned by fluffy clouds. Everyone took their positions and set out for the cemetery. As they neared the area, Reagan freed her mind, hoping to sense the angel again. A few miles from their destination, a pulsing light appeared followed by the feeling of butterflies in her stomach and the slightest aroma of lavender. Wisdom had arrived.
Breathing out a slow breath, she knew there was only one thing that could ease the last of her frayed nerves. In a small wooded area just outside the cemetery, she lowered herself onto a long collapsed tree.
Ricardo, Sam, Jessica, Madeleine, and Sasha seemed to understand Reagan’s need for space, so she found herself alone for a few minutes. Closing her eyes, she reached out to Winona.
“How’s Mom? Is she up to this right now?”
“I’ve kept her as calm as I can. Her visions are disturbing. I can see why she’s so upset,” Winona replied.
Reagan made a mental note to ask her sister about these visions once they had the sword safely in their possession. Senses on high alert, a crinkling close by nearly caused Reagan to fall to the ground.
“It’s okay. It’s just me.” Rowan extended a hand. “Shall we go? The van’s pulling up now.”
She blew out a cleansing breath, took his hand, and stood. No matter how many times she felt his skin on hers, she’d never stop appreciating how right it felt. Even slight contact sent a soothing sensation through her body.
As they came upon the road, the van pulled up and stopped. Dad was the first out of the car, followed by Nana and Aunt Sarah. Winona helped Mom out of the van, and then wrapped her in a hug.
“Since we’re so exposed, the angel of wisdom said he’ll speak to us as needed but remain out of sight,” Nana said.
Hoping the search would be quick and fruitful, Reagan was the first to put her hand on the next blank page of the dairy when Nana held it out. Four more hands joined. Words appeared instead of a map: “An unnamed symbol of sacrifice and love marks what you seek.”
Reagan mulled over the sentence as she waited for more details that never came. One hand after another pulled back as each person gave up at a different time. Hers fell away last.
“On the edge of many lost, remember the gift,” came a voice in her head.
Looking around the group, Reagan asked, “Did you get that?”
Winona and Nana nodded.
“What’s happening? We don’t want to be out in the open for long.” Dad never took his eyes off the surroundings while speaking. He held his rifle so tight his hands were turning red.
Reagan put a hand on his, hoping to offer some comfort. He let his eyes rest on hers for a brief second before looking off into the distance again. She wondered if they’d ever connect like they once had and let her hand slip off his before summarizing the plan. “We need to search the edges of the cemetery for some kind of symbol of sacrifice.”
Everyone spread out. Winona and Reagan walked straight ahead to the farthest plots. On the way, she saw many names and dates. Some of the writing on the headstones was fading, and others were no longer legible. Sadness wrapped around her. Toward the back, she saw a tarnished silver cross coming out of the ground with no name or dates.
She touched her sister’s arm and then pointed to the item.
Winona nodded, and they took tentative steps toward it.
Remembering earlier direction on finding the sword, Reagan wondered why she didn’t feel anything. Wasn’t she supposed to be drawn to the thing? Or, maybe simply noticing the cross in the overgrowth and chaos was the pull. She bent to move the dirt from around the area, wishing she had a shovel. Then she remembered Madeleine’s planning skills and asked Winona to see if she could find something they could use to dig.
While waiting, Reagan scraped at the dirt with her hands. She considered transforming and digging with her paws, but there wasn’t enough cover to feel safe. Frustration built. Her hands weren’t making much progress in the hard earth.
“Here,” Madeleine said.
Reagan turned and saw her sister and Madeleine with a small shovel and pick ax. “Perfect,” Reagan said, reaching for the pick ax. She hacked away at the ground as Winona dug close by.
“I’ll check and see how the others are doing,” Madeleine said.
Another ten minutes of digging produced nothing. Exhausted, Reagan wondered if they’d ever find the sword—or if it even existed. What were the chances nobody else had found it, even someone who didn’t know its power? Was it displayed in someone’s collection somewhere? She knew she shouldn’t doubt her ancestors, but annoyance and responsibility were heavy weights. If she couldn’t find it, the world was doomed.
Sitting down for a breather, she noticed Winona’s slumped shoulders and bowed head and assumed she had the same concerns.
Reagan knew she needed to pump them both up. “We’ll find it.” She wished she could put some convic
tion behind the words.
As she got up, she heard Sam call out. “Reagan, Winona, over here.”
As they turned toward his voice, Reagan saw Jessica on her knees, clutching her stomach. Then, Reagan felt a warm tug in her gut. Concerned, she quickened her pace.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I feel sick, but I can’t walk away from this area.”
“Maybe something’s here.” Reagan scanned the area.
A few feet away, something caught her eye: A cross, made from two branches crudely tied together with twine, standing about three feet tall.
“I think I found it.” Reagan fell to her knees and started digging, overcome with a sense of adrenaline fueled by hope.
Rowan placed a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you let me take over?”
She leaned her head on his hand for a second before standing.
Papa and Dad joined in. Soon, everyone gathered to watch.
It was like watching a kid slowly unwrap their birthday present, although with a lot more at stake.
“Hurry,” Winona said. “Cheveyo just contacted me. His power is waning, and he doesn’t know how much longer he can hold the shield protecting us. He said it feels like someone is banging against his head.”
With her last word, Rowan transformed and began digging. Everyone closed in to form a barrier of protection, in case anyone traveling by stumbled upon the scene. A hole, several feet deep, formed within five minutes. Then, a loud clang reverberated around them.
Reagan moved forward, her heart racing, as the men continued to dig. A glint of metal blinded her. Recovering, she blinked a few times to even out her vision.
Partially uncovered, she could see the steel of a blade. “Dig up closer to the handle, but don’t touch it.” She fell to her knees and tried to free the weapon.
“We need to hurry,” Winona reiterated.
Determined to get back to safety, Reagan reached into the soil, wrapped her hand around the exposed blade, and pulled. When it freed from the dirt, she went flying back and landed on her butt. Suddenly, she knew what King Arthur felt like when he freed Excalibur.
Nana took the sword as Aunt Sarah helped Reagan to her feet.
“I need to get this wrapped.” Nana scurried away.
Reagan looked down to find blood flowing down her arm. “Maybe grabbing the blade wasn’t the best plan.” Humor probably isn’t the best option right now, either, she thought. She didn’t care. They had the sword.
All they had left to do was get home.
Papa barked orders. As he ushered the van occupants back to their transportation, along with the sword, Jessica screamed, “They’re coming!”
Slamming the doors closed, Papa gave the signal for Dad to take off. Squealing tires left behind a trail of smoke, acrid with the stench of burning rubber, as Reagan and everyone else transformed and took off in different directions. There was no time for a plan or caution, only action.
Trusting Papa knew the best way home, Reagan locked on to him. Something was wrong; she could tell their path back wasn’t the most direct.
“I’ve got a few on my tail,” Madeleine communicated.
Switching gears, Reagan connected with Madeleine and took off in her direction.
“Winona, stay with Papa!” Reagan sent the message to her sister, terrified she’d change course, too. What if Papa turns to help Madeleine, too? Reagan’s mind grabbed onto the chilling thought.
“Jed’s leading Sam, Jessica, and Winona home. Ricardo, Sasha, and I have your back. Go!” Rowan said.
An intense feeling of being surrounded by evil overwhelmed her. She slowed down. Just ahead, she saw Madeleine do the same. Prickling heat traveled up and down Reagan’s spine, and she could feel the hairs on her back bolt upright.
“Behind you!” Madeleine screamed.
Reagan swung around just as a demon wolf slammed into her. Rolling for a few feet, she couldn’t tell up from down. Finally, both wolves scrambled to their feet, and she backed up to assess the situation.
Red-eyes glaring, the demon wolf bared its yellow teeth and lowered its mangy head as it crept closer.
She charged into the wolf, throwing her body, paws first, into the demon’s. Then, balancing on their hind legs, they continued swiping their paws at each other. Reagan ground her back legs into the ground, driving the beast several feet before slamming it into a tree. A deep whimper pierced the air.
Then an unexpected, stabbing pain penetrated her upper right shoulder. She spun around to face more glowing, crimson eyes. There were four demon wolves in the small area. With heads bent, they approached with exaggerated steps and bared teeth.
Madeleine was cornered by two.
As panic rose, Rowan, Sasha, and Ricardo burst through the trees in an onslaught attack. There were five of them, and the odds were in their favor. Rowan was by Reagan’s side in seconds, but not before the wolf she’d pinned into a tree pushed her away and jumped on her back. It found the open wound on her shoulder and ripped into it with razor-sharp teeth. Reagan cried out, and Rowan drove into the wolf, breaking its neck.
“Run! We have this covered.” Rowan’s clear command sent her flying toward home.
Feeling disoriented, she couldn’t hone in on any of her pack. She ran with everything she had with no clue where she’d end up. Pain pulsed in her shoulder, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. Numbness spread down her right leg, causing her to hobble and slowing her pace.
“I am here,” a voice whispered on the wind.
She couldn’t quite place who it was, yet something deep inside her responded. Lavender had always been one of her favorite smells thanks to its calming effects. It made sense that it would precede protection. Against all logic, she came to a stop. A soft sound caused her to perk her ears. An owl. She edged toward the sound, and then saw the creature a few tree branches above her. It spread its wings and morphed into the angel. Wisdom.
Reagan cried out in relief as her body shifted back to its normal state.
“Follow me. I’ll get you home.” On the last word, he transformed, spreading his massive wings before leading the way.
Rowan caught up after a few miles and changed back to human form.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “You’re bleeding pretty badly. Do you think you can make it?”
“Yes. Is everybody okay?”
“Sasha’s hurt pretty bad. Ricardo and Madeleine are taking turns carrying her.”
Reagan sent up a prayer and locked eyes on her winged companion. Grateful danger seemed to have passed, she couldn’t overcome a feeling of dread that finding the sword was a bit too easy.
By the time the cave came into sight, Rowan had Reagan in his arms. She slipped in and out of consciousness. Frightening images flashed in rapid-fire succession. Then, darkness took over.
“Did you really think a sword would save you?” Rafe spit the words at Reagan as she slashed at him with metal. “And did you think I didn’t know about her?” He had Winona by the throat and was throwing her around like a rag doll.
Reagan saw everyone she cared about lying dead on the ground just as she heard the sound of Winona’s neck snapping.
Rafe threw his head back, and sick laughter filled the space as he dropped her limp body to the ground. “You actually believed you could win. It’s sad.”
“I’m not afraid to die!” Reagan screamed.
“Then, so be it.”
ↄↄↄↄↄ
Reagan’s eyes flew open, and her heart pounded like a jackhammer.
“You’re okay. I’m here,” Rowan moved closer, wrapping an arm around her.
She slid into the comfort of his warm chest and clutched the blanket close to her chin. Her throat felt on fire. “Water?”
Leaning over to pick up a small bottle from the floor, he handed it to her. “Here you go.”
Letting the cool liquid slide down her throat, she searched her memories for a clue as to how she ended up in bed
with Rowan. Not that she was complaining.
Images from the dream were forefront in her mind, making it difficult to remember anything else.
“You’re shaking,” Rowan said as he pulled her tighter.
“Bad dreams. My head’s pounding.” An owl, an aching shoulder, demon wolves. Everything flooded back. “How’s Sasha?”
“She’s recovering faster than you are. Pretty much back on her feet, but her injuries were worse initially. Sarah thinks you reacted to the demon bite.”
Becoming more aware of her surroundings, Reagan looked at her bandaged shoulder and tried making small circular movements with her arm. Just lifting it a few inches from her side sent a ripple of pain down her back. She flinched.
“Be careful. We keep having to re-bandage it. There’s been a lot of pus and oozing.”
Not what she wanted to hear from her hot boyfriend as he lay in bed, practically naked, next to her. A small chuckle escaped from her throat; she was thankful for a moment of brevity.
“What’s so funny?” Rowan asked, a gleam in his eyes.
Glad to see something other than concern on his face, she put her uninjured arm around him and squeezed. “How’s everybody else? Mom?”
“She was just in yesterday checking on you. She’s still looking pretty ragged, but now she’s been worrying about you for a week,” Rowan said.
“A week!” Reagan pushed herself to sitting with her one good arm.
He nodded.
“Where’s the sword?”
“It’s safely locked away.”
Her apprehension from the previous week returned with a vengeance. “Getting the sword seemed too easy.”
“I wouldn’t call watching you struggle easy, and Sasha’s just now back on her feet. Plus…” Rowan hesitated.
Reagan knew there were more complications. “Tell me.”
“Cheveyo hasn’t left his bed since we got back. Winona found him unconscious when we returned. She’s been transferring strength into him, but that’s left her pretty weakened. And, Lucent contacted us yesterday.”
“Lucent?” She knew they had a tentative agreement, but his name didn’t inspire feelings of security.
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 43
