Portals

by Wilson, Maer

  Reo didn’t show anything new, but his existing abilities were much stronger. I had my new telepathy and psychic abilities to deal with. Carter had some empathic ability. No telepathy, for which I was grateful, but he could pick up on emotions. That might have had a lot to do with some of his precociousness and his desire to please. Sloane gave us each some simple exercises and started all of us working on blocking exercises.

  They weren’t too terribly difficult in theory. We put up mental walls and Sloane would blow through them, but we got the idea. He wanted all of us working on that, even Thulu who wasn’t coming out as telepathic or empathic.

  “You should learn to keep your defenses up at all times, but that may be hard for you at first. Do try, though.” said Sloane. “You don’t want any hitchhikers in your minds.” He smiled.

  We smiled back. I made a little progress, which was a big deal for me. Sloane insisted we keep going. I finally got so I could repel many of Sloane’s attempts. I could see what I needed to do to strengthen the walls so that I would eventually be able to block him out completely. It was a new way of thinking though, and one I’d have to get used to. It also took enormous amounts of energy.

  Sloane eventually pronounced us ready to defend ourselves enough to get by.

  “You must continue to work on these exercises. I recommend you include it in your study time with Carter. Make a habit of practicing daily until you have it down as second nature.” Sloane looked around at us. “Any more questions for me?”

  We looked at each other and Carter raised his hand. Sloane smiled and nodded to him.

  “Can we eat now?”

  We all laughed and Thulu swung Carter up in the air before hugging him tight.

  “I think that’s a great idea, Carter. Let’s go see about having a snack.” Thulu tucked Carter under one arm. It was one of Carter’s favorite places and he waved at us, grinning broadly and eyes sparkling as Thulu headed downstairs, trailed by the rest of us.

  I felt hungry, too. Maybe using all that mental energy added to my appetite. I looked at the kitchen clock and realized we only had an hour before Jones would come to collect us. Time enough to eat first.

  I started pulling out stuff for sandwiches and salads and everyone helped. We had a filling lunch set up in the dining room in no time. It was a quiet lunch, with lots to occupy our minds. We didn’t want to discuss too much in front of Carter either.

  Reo and Sloane popped back out to get Reo’s gun. I went upstairs to pack Carter’s backpack for the day, while Thulu retrieved our guns. Mine was waiting by my purse on the kitchen counter, when I came back downstairs. I quickly slipped it into the special pocket and slung the bag over my shoulder. Thulu took the backpack and we went into the family room to await Jones’s arrival.

  We played a few of Carter’s games while we waited, but I was distracted and didn’t have my usual enthusiasm. I tried to make up for it, but I was beginning to get a little nervous. I was so used to my feelings being discounted - and rightfully so, if forced to admit it - that it was still hard to take them seriously.

  All too soon, my phone sang to me. Jones with a terse, “I am on my way.”

  Seconds later the portal formed and Jones stepped through, closing the portal behind him. I called Erik to alert him to our arrival. Jones opened the new portal and Erik said it had formed there. I gave Carter a hug and a kiss on his head before Thulu picked him up and slung the backpack on his shoulder.

  Thulu was only gone a minute or so before ducking back in. Jones closed the portal and asked about Reo and Sloane. I started to call when they both appeared in the room, with an audible pop.

  We looked at Jones expectantly and he quickly reformed yet another portal. He stepped through and we followed behind. I have to admit I had a moment of “what the hell am I doing?” but Thulu had my hand and we stepped through together. It was my usual butterscotch experience and I was comforted, feeling what were now familiar sensations. I relaxed even more as I stepped into Jones’s gorgeous library a second later.

  Many of our magical friends were there. Aurelia and Belus were both present, along with several elves I didn’t know.

  Romeo and Juliet were present, probably as chroniclers. Aela was there with what looked like two squadrons of fairies, armed with bows and swords.

  Ceil, our pixie friend, was also there. Her white hair and pink skin were almost pale against wings that were bright yellows, oranges and red. The colors brightened even more when she caught sight of Thulu and me and she flew over, eyes bright with anticipation. Smaller than the goblins, but much larger than the fairies, her wings blew a breeze across my skin.

  We exchanged greetings with Ceil and then others who came up to us. Jones motioned me over.

  “Are you ready to try to help me connect to the two you saw before?”

  I nodded uncertainly, having no idea how he expected me to do that.

  “I will help you,” he smiled encouragingly. Making me think once more that he read minds.

  He held his hands out to me. I glanced over at Thulu, feeling a bit silly, but he smiled and nodded. I took a deep breath and placed my hands in Jones’s large ones. They were both harder and gentler than I expected. I hadn’t noticed before, but being in front of a room full of people made me self-conscious and aware of every little thing. God, I hated being the focus of any group and cringed inside. Probably outside, too, because Jones gave my fingers a light squeeze.

  I looked up into dark brown eyes and heard him speak inside my head. “Okay, La Fi, just remember how you connected before. Can you picture that for us?”

  I shook my head and sent my thoughts at him. “It just happened. It was that loud noise and then their voices. I didn’t do it on purpose, and I have no way of knowing how I did do it.” Why hadn’t I thought of that this morning? I could have asked Sloane how I connected and how I was supposed to re-connect with them again. Now, here I was in front of all these people and no clue how I was supposed to do anything.

  “Do not worry. I did not expect that you would know what you did, my dear La Fi. Simply recall the conversation you connected to last night. I believe that will help me direct you back to them. Once you make contact, simply invite them to meet with us.”

  I nodded and tried to remember the loud roaring sound and the voices that appeared in my head. Jones was a presence in my head, unobtrusive, but definitely there. It made my head feel crowded again.

  I sighed and tried to bring my thoughts back to concentrate, much like Sloane had taught me about the wall that morning. Taking what I’d learned from him and trying to apply it to finding - what were their names? I pictured the silhouettes I’d seen, one smaller than the other and the sound of their voices, one deep, one somewhat higher. Trabohren - that was the higher voice - the one who could track Jones. The other was Khadentok. Unfamiliar names, exotic sounding. I tried calling to them, trying to reach them, repeating their names.

  I flashed on a memory from the month before. The first time I’d seen Jones and demanded his real name, as if I could banish him if I knew it.

  “Stay focused, La Fi,” his voice in my head sounded amused.

  “Stop that, Jones.” I pulled my mind back to the others and began the process once more, building the picture, faster this time. I called their names. “Trabohren? Khadentok? We need to speak with you. Hello? Trabohren? Khadentok?”

  I felt approval from Jones and grew a bit more confident. I called to them again using their names. “We mean you no harm, but it’s important we meet with you under a truce. Elves and fairies will be present and also wish to speak with you. You will be safe.”

  Suddenly I felt the roar, but it quickly subsided. I wondered if Jones had done something to make it leave so quickly, but I had connected to Trabohren. I felt her disdain and distrust, even though all I could see was a dim figure.

  “Why should I believe you?”

  I showed her the room I was in. I hoped she could see it through my eyes, as I looked around an
d focused on Aurelia, Belus and Aela. Even if she did not know them personally, no one who saw those three could doubt their power.

  I felt a shift in her attention.

  “This is where you are now?” she asked.

  “Yes, we feel it is necessary that we speak with whoever is in charge, your leader or council or whoever.” I finished lamely. Good god, I had no idea what their hierarchy was.

  “I will pass on the message and contact you when I have an answer.”

  “Thank you.”

  The automatic politeness seemed to catch her off guard, as she hesitated, but a second later she cut off contact. It wasn’t the abrupt shove of the night before, so maybe I was making progress.

  “You did well, La Fi.” Jones’s tone and the feeling I got from him was that he was pleased and proud.

  The tension in the room had ramped up a little. I once again felt drained and Thulu was right next to me and led me to a loveseat. He sat beside me, with his arm around me protectively.

  Sloane handed me a flask and I sipped cautiously, then gratefully as I recognized my favorite elven drink. Okay, so it was the only one I knew, but still I loved it. It rejuvenated me immediately and I breathed a sigh of relief.

  Jones filled everyone in on the exchange, letting them know the message had been delivered. Now we would wait. Hopefully not too long.

  Thulu leaned over and quietly spoke. “Dad said the barbeque is on for tomorrow.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “Seriously?”

  Thulu nodded. “That’s what he said.”

  “We have some work to do when we get home then.”

  He gave me a hug and planted a kiss on top of my head.

  Aurelia sat in the chair next to us.

  “How are you feeling, La Fi?” Her tone said it was more than polite banter and I closed my mouth right after opening it and really thought about how I felt.

  “I’m a little off, Aurelia. Nothing bad, just things feel odd. I’m not sure I can describe it.”

  She held out her hand. “May I?”

  I put my own hand in hers and waited while she did whatever it was she did.

  “I don’t sense much change from last week, although there is a subtle shift in your mind. Perhaps your medical technology could detect the difference, as well? It does not feel alarming to me. Are you frightened?”

  I felt Thulu shift next to me and looked at him. His eyes looked into mine intently and his arm tightened around my shoulders. I turned back to Aurelia.

  “I’m not sure frightened is the word for it, Aurelia. Concerned maybe? Curious. Certainly more than ready to control whatever is happening to me.” Another glance at my husband. “To us, actually. Well, if you have any tips to give us, please feel free to jump right in any time.”

  “You’re in good hands, with Sloane. I have asked him to continue to work with you all. He assured me that he had already decided to do that.”

  “Sloane is awesome indeed.” I said.

  Suddenly, I heard Trabohren in my head.

  “Our leaders have agreed to meet with your group.”

  “Thank you, Trabohren. Do you need directions? Can you teleport to Jones’s estate?” I wasn’t sure what to ask, but her amused answer came quickly.

  “We will teleport to his estate.”

  “I will let him know to lower the defenses for your arrival.”

  She cut the connection again. Apparently she wasn’t big on hello and goodbye.

  I quickly told the others and Jones briefly closed his eyes.

  It was several minutes of tense waiting before three people appeared. I didn’t recognize any of them, which surprised me. I expected to see the two men I’d seen at the jail, but these were three strangers. At least until they spoke.

  Aurelia and Belus, gracious as always, stepped forward. Jones made no move at all, which I found interesting.

  “Welcome,” said Belus. “We are pleased that you accepted our invitation.”

  “Speak what you have to say. We are not in need of pleasantries.” The voice I recognized as belonging to the one known as Khadentok. He was a rather ordinary looking human. Medium height, a bit chunky, with a round, cheerful face. His expression was far from cheerful, however, and at odds with how he looked. He looked around the room scornfully until his gaze hit Jones. The saying “if looks could kill” went through my mind.

  “Very well,” said Belus. “May we at least know to whom we are speaking?”

  Khadentok looked the elf prince over for a moment, before nodding shortly. “I’m Khadentok. This is Bhendaron.” He indicated one of the women standing next to him. Bhendaron was taller and thin, perhaps in her sixties, with thinning grey hair and piercing pale blue eyes. She didn’t acknowledge the introduction, simply watched us.

  “Trabohren is our assistant. We are the rulers of our people,” Khadentok continued darkly.

  “Thank you. I am Belus and this is my mate, Aurelia. You already know Dhavenbahtek, the others are friends. Perhaps you can tell us why you are on this world?” Belus showed that he, too, could get to the point.

  “It does not concern you.” Khadentok said coldly. “All we require from you is that you turn over the traitor to us.”

  “I’m afraid that will not be possible,” said Belus mildly.

  I was curious about the term traitor. Why call Jones a traitor? I had a sneaky suspicion he hadn’t given us all the facts.

  “Then we have nothing else to discuss.”

  “Ah, but we have. You have invaded this world. We are aware of Satorah’s intentions to use humans to go to war with the Light Ones.”

  Khadentok shook his head. “We are already at war. We have always been at war.”

  “Not any more. The Light Ones are sequestered on their own world. Gabriel is dead. Michael has no desire to war with anyone.”

  “There can be no peace until they are all dead. They are a menace.”

  “But your Supreme Commander, Lhukharocet, has decreed a truce. Both sides hope to have it turn into a permanent peace,” Belus continued calmly.

  “Bah, he is not our leader. He ceased being our leader when the traitor sent us away.” Khadentok’s disdain practically dripped from his voice.

  “Our people no longer belong to Phaete. We are of the Rock.” Bhendaron laughed bitterly. “Such a lovely world the traitor sent us to.” she looked darts at Jones. “Did you even think to check on us? I’m guessing you never did. That world you sent us to seemed fine in the beginning. Plant and animal life in abundance. A veritable jungle of a world. We should have been able to thrive there.”

  “I made every effort to find a world that would sustain you,” Jones said stiffly.

  “Yes, yes, no doubt,” Khadentok said in a voice heavy with sarcasm. “However, the world had an interesting weather pattern. The weather was fine for several centuries. That wasn’t the issue in the beginning. It was the truly insane ones you sent through with us. Not everyone was violent, but you made no distinction, did you?

  “With few healers, those who were sick or who had gone insane died off eventually, but not before they killed others. It took some time to find them as they scattered into the jungle. Eventually we were able to eliminate them. However, our numbers dwindled before we finally managed that. Once the murders stopped, we were able to build up our society again. It took centuries, but we were steadfast.

  “Then the weather changed. It became hotter and hotter. Vegetation began to die off and the animals that thrived on it did as well. We moved to cooler parts of the world, but always the same thing happened. Maybe in a year or ten or a hundred, but always the vegetation died. We maintained gardens and used our magic to bring the water from deep underground. Soon the only living trees and plants were those we kept alive. We lived under magical domes for centuries upon centuries. Finally, the rains returned, but gradually. We did not thrive on that barren piece of rock and our numbers dwindled.

  “We have repeated the cycle several times now. We have a
djusted to the hateful world you gave us.”

  Jones seemed pale under his dark skin. “I had no idea.”

  Bhendaron spoke. “Do you think that exonerates you?” Her voice was low and rough. This was the malevolent entity I’d felt before with Daria. Her hatred of Jones came off her in waves. “You made no effort to know. You should have been there with us. You knew about the experiments and even encouraged them, but when the spells failed, you turned on your friends. You sent us off to die and cared little about it one way or the other.”

  Jones raised an eyebrow. “Of course, I did. The spell failed. It had created defective beings. Everyone agreed they had to be removed. At least my way allowed you to survive. That was more kindness than you would have received from the others. And now you blame me for that? Perhaps I was wrong and should have allowed them to exterminate the entire group of you. I regret the world was not as it seemed. I never saw it in its desert incarnation and had no way to know it would undergo such a transformation.”

  “Words. Meaningless words.”

  “Yet, true words nevertheless. The fact remains that you are alive because I gave you an option. One that my brother and his advisors did not want to give you. One that the majority of our people did not want to give you. Blame me for this if you care to. You are fools and possibly as insane as you were that day I sealed you on your Rock.” Jones’s tone was ice cold.

  Belus spoke up. “There may be accusations, but the facts remain as they are. You have appeared on this world and cannot remain. We will not allow you to take it over. Nor will we allow you to harm the people here. You must return to your own world or appeal to Lhukharocet to return to your origin world. A third option would be to request assistance from the Council of Worlds. We can attempt to find you another world where your people can thrive.

  “Make no mistake, the people of this world can be very violent. You may not find them as easily subdued as you imagine. Humans may not have your magical strength, but they have technology that is truly frightening and they will use it on you if they feel threatened.”