A Chosen Life

by K. A. Parkinson

  Tolen shrugged. “Why not? It’ll take a while to throw out my human notions and start seeing things the Hidden way. So why is it so important to understand the life force?”

  “Okay, this is where it’s gonna get really weird.” She twisted her ponytail in her fingers. “Since we showed up, have you wondered why the Raksasha, and all those other Dark creatures, have never been seen by humans—why you haven’t ever heard about their freakiness on the news?”

  “Definitely.”

  Macy nodded in his direction and dropped her sucker stick in a hole in the door panel. “You ever study physics?”

  “Are you kidding? I lived for physics. I was bound and determined to figure out the answers to my issues.”

  “Come up with anything?”

  “Not really.”

  Macy nodded with a smirk. “Einstein and a few others came pretty close. I find the M-theory the most interesting.”

  “Dimensional theory?”

  “Right.”

  “So . . . the Hidden is a different dimension?”

  “Sort of.”

  Tolen tilted his head. “Sort of?”

  “Dimensional theory only answers some of the questions.”

  He leaned back and stretched his arms above his head. “The likelihood being that the Dark are only visible to those that belong to that dimension—and since the Raksasha are obviously not from this dimension, humans can’t see them.”

  “That’s my guess. When Bastian explains it, he uses all the Hidden terms and history that basically says things just are what they are and you have to accept it. I’ve always liked trying to see how humans explain things they don’t understand. It’s fun to put Hidden and human together. Like a puzzle.”

  He looked at her with an odd expression, like he was surprised she would be interested in studying. She started to feel defensive before he said, “I didn’t think anyone else besides me liked to study the weird stuff.”

  She shrugged, ignoring the pleasure she felt over them having something in common. “There’s a whole lot more to it than even I understand. I know that it wasn’t always like this though, that’s why it’s only a theory.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, back in the early days of this world humans could actually see the Dark. I don’t know how.”

  Tolen nodded his head, totally involved. “Bastian keeps talking about the Balance. What exactly is it?”

  “I bet you can guess.” She smiled.

  Tolen looked out the window at the last remnants of the town and his eyes narrowed. “It must be the force that keeps the Hidden and human dimensions separate, yet capable of co-existing without destroying one another.”

  Her smile widened. “You’re good. I think humans can see the members of the Hidden race that follow the Light because they’re made up of particles from both dimensions. Humans can feel the Dark’s effects when they are close by, but they can’t see them.” She snorted. “I never fully understood a child’s instinctive fear of the dark until I learned of the Dark. Darkness is so much more than just the absence of light. The Dark thrives in the night because all forms of light drain their power, although natural light is the strongest.”

  “It makes sense,” Tolen tapped his chin, lost in deep thought. “If you bring relativity into play, anyway, how our actions affect time and space. It explains how you knew the Dark was headed toward my house.”

  Macy nodded. “Exactly—you’ll be able to sense it too, once you learn to recognize the different vibes in the Balance.”

  “But it doesn’t explain how the eight gifts work.”

  “Sure it does. Think about it. We’re all made up of molecules right? And so is everything around us. The eight had the ability to manipulate them. Once they imparted those gifts into the Balance, the Balance could select who to give those same abilities to.”

  “So we’re actually just manipulating molecules . . . ” He nodded to himself. “That’s what Bastian meant when he said ‘human’ is a relative word. We’re all interconnected as mass and energy, just different kinds.”

  Macy wasn’t sure why his analogy made her uncomfortable. Maybe it had to do with the fact that she was human and he didn’t know it.

  Tolen went on, oblivious. “This is finally starting to make sense. Funny that being a physics nerd finally paid off.” He gave her a sideways grin that turned quizzical when he saw her face.

  She quickly rearranged her expression, nodded, and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.

  “So, why are there Chosen ones? Shouldn’t all those with abilities be fighting against the Dark?” he asked.

  “They are fighting, in a much bigger war on a much grander scale. You’ve only seen it from the human side so far.”

  He raised an eyebrow, the look on his face intrigued.

  She glanced in the mirrors again. “The Chosen ones are needed because there aren’t enough Hidden kind to protect themselves, as well as the oblivious humans.” She could see he still didn’t understand and took a deep breath. This was a legend she didn’t care to re-tell, but he needed to hear. “It all began with your standard quest for dominance. In the beginning, there were Hidden who figured they were more powerful than humans for a reason. They wanted slaves. The Guardians, the group that leads the Hidden, freaked out and put a stop to it. But the idea was there and continued to grow.

  “The Dark at the time was just matter in space; it seemed to be drawn to power, but it avoided the Light and all its attempts at contact. So the Hidden ignored it.

  “Then the wars began over the freedom of the human race. The Guardians noticed the Dark matter seemed to be growing. They didn’t realize it was feeding on the contention of the people until it was too late—like a parasite it attached itself to the Hidden dimension layer upon layer, coating the areas of the worst conflict, but staying away from the strongholds of the Light. They felt the creepy effects of the Dark strengthening, especially at night, and the Light cautioned against seeking it out. The Guardians even sent messengers into the enemy camps, warning them that the Dark seemed to be focusing on their fighters—they were afraid of what the strange power might be after. They begged the other side to come to an agreement, to make peace . . . ” Macy chewed the side of her lip. “The freaks cut the heads off the messengers and sent them back to the Guardians in bags tied to their horses.”

  Tolen shuddered in her peripheral vision.

  She plowed on grudgingly, knowing what she had to say next was so much worse. “The idiots ignored the warning and went out after the Dark. Something unconscionable was born.”

  She looked over to see goose bumps on Tolen’s arms and lowered her voice. “The Dark took them over. Rather than winning a slave race for themselves, they became the slaves for the Dark. It literally mutated them—took all decency out of them. Without even the tiniest bit of kindness or charity left inside them, they became the demons that spawned legend and the horrors of the blackest nightmares. They no longer cared about making themselves a grander race. They only wanted power and the Dark’s control of this world. They killed anyone—human or Hidden—that stood in the Dark’s way.

  “People were dying everywhere. The Guardians sent out their Protectors, and the Radia Warriors were formed, but the Dark continued to grow in power and numbers.

  “According to legend, the Radia Revolution was the bloodiest battle this world has ever seen. The Light won, but barely. Hundreds of thousands of people died. The alliance between humans and Hidden evaporated.”

  Tolen blew out an exasperated breath. “Why?”

  Macy sighed. “The humans figured it was the Hidden’s fault that the Dark had come—they thought if they broke off the alliance with the Hidden, then the Dark would leave them alone. They were afraid—or just crazy.” She shrugged. “They made this psychotic pact with the Guardians and a Shroud was created
in the Balance, completely blocking humans from seeing the Dark from that day on.” She shook her head. “But the Guardians knew the Dark wanted to dominate all life, human included, and they didn’t want to leave the humans unprotected.

  “So they begged the Light for a solution. One day the Watchers showed up with weird news. The Radia shards they had spent their lives guarding had split in two. One half had disappeared, but they could feel the broken pieces sending for them. They could see images of children who held the shards. This was a huge deal because the shards had astonishing powers and up until then, the Watchers were the only ones capable of taming them.

  “They eventually discovered that the Light, through the Radia shards, had shared the eight gifts with select humans—and—uh other Beings—whose duty it would be to exist among the humans, and unbeknownst to them, protect them from the Dark and work as spies for the Guardians. The Shards gave the human Chosen a single extra-sensory gift, as well as the ability to see the servants of the Dark. So, for obvious reasons, the Dark has been after the Chosen ever since.” She trailed off, wondering if Tolen had noticed her blunder. The last thing she needed was to have Bastian bite her head off for letting slip to Tolen that he was the only member of the Chosen who wasn’t human, but he was lost in thought, his eyes glazed over.

  “That is definitely no fairy tale.”

  “Nope.” She reached in front of him to the glove box and pulled out two more suckers—retelling creepy old legends was draining. He took the one she offered without really looking at it, ripped off the wrapper, and put it in his mouth.

  “So what happens to a human Chosen if they lose their shard?”

  Macy swallowed loudly. “They lose their gifts and are blind to the tactics of the Dark.”

  “Wow, scary.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Strange. This is the first time since I found out I wasn’t human that I feel like it might actually be a good thing.”

  Before she had the chance to really think about the pain Tolen’s words triggered in her, the Jeep lurched and sputtered again and she smacked the steering wheel instead. “Piece of crap.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “This POS has been rusting in that garage for who knows how long. The carburetor isn’t happy.” She started to pull off at the next exit.

  “Macy.” Bastian spoke from the back and her and Tolen jumped.

  She glanced in the mirror and swallowed guiltily. “Yeah?”

  “We really do not have time for a pit stop.” He was gazing ahead, watching.

  “Bastian, if I don’t get carburetor cleaner and some decent gas into this thing, we’re going to be walking.”

  His eyes flashed. “Make it a fast stop.” A muscle twitched in his jaw and his hands were gripping the seat as if it was taking all his self-control not to rip it to shreds.

  Macy’s hands tingled. Is it that bad?

  Bastian gave an almost imperceptible nod and his eyes flashed to the back of Tolen’s head.

  He wouldn’t tell her until Tolen wasn’t within earshot. Goosebumps rose on the back of her neck. She glanced over to see that Tolen’s hands were clasped tightly in his lap again.

  o o o

  Tolen’s mind was running a million miles an hour as they pulled off the highway. He’d enjoyed the conversation with Macy, and for a moment had forgotten about the ache in his heart. He felt guilty, like he had again betrayed his mother and best friend by momentarily giving up his grief. He was also confused by the fact that he couldn’t hate this girl—no matter how much he wanted to. Talking to her had brought out all the earlier curiosity he’d had about her and intensified it. As their conversation went on he felt the anger settle deeper and deeper until he could hardly feel it at all.

  Yes, she was more than he’d originally thought. He still thought she seemed a little arrogant, but there was depth to her as well. She was kinder and more considerate than her rough attitude suggested, and she genuinely seemed to want to help him understand. He felt frustrated that Bastian had woken up and interrupted them. As soon as the Watcher spoke, the anger rushed back to just below the surface and he’d had to beat it back down again, hide it beneath his mask.

  But when Macy finally let go and really talked to him, all he wanted was to know more about her. But why? What was it about her that could make him change his focus so easily?

  Who was this girl?

  Chapter Twelve

  A Storm

  Is Coming

  The tiny gas station in Winnemucca, Nevada, smelled funny, like wet wood and mold. Macy resisted the urge to plug her nose as she rummaged through the dusty cans and boxes in search of carburetor cleaner.

  Tolen and Bastian raided the snack aisle beside her. Bastian tried not to look nervous, but his eyes told otherwise.

  Tolen turned the corner, holding up a can of pears. The label looked ancient. “Do I even want to check the expiration date on this?” He lifted the can and grimaced at the numbers on the bottom.

  Macy grinned. “It’s probably best to just put it in the basket, dude.”

  “I thought there were laws against doing stuff like this.”

  Macy laughed, “You can’t honestly tell me that they were good about it in that tiny little grocery store in Green River?”

  Tolen smirked and lifted an eyebrow. “Actually, Mr. Grange was pretty good about staying at least within the year mark.” His smile faded.

  Macy gritted her teeth. Chalk up another ‘stupid’ for her. Here he was, trying so hard to appear normal and in control, and she had to go and bring up sad memories. Crud, she was terrible at small talk.

  “No, you’re not.” Tolen put the can in her basket.

  “Huh?”

  “Didn’t you just say—?”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Oh. I could have sworn . . . ” Tolen shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess I’m hearing things.”

  Bastian looked at her and they shared a worried look. Her earlier suspicions were on the mark. Tolen could sense her thoughts.

  A bottle of motor oil slipped from her fingers and bounced off her toe. “Ow! Damage!”

  “Macy.” Bastian reproached quietly.

  “What? I didn’t cuss.” She picked up the bottle and put it in the basket, instead of throwing it across the store like she wanted to.

  “Close enough,” Bastian murmured.

  “Why do you do that?” Tolen asked, fighting a smile.

  “What?” Macy snapped.

  “Use alternative swear words. Is cussing against a Hidden law or something?”

  Bastian ran a hand along the shelf, occasionally pulling something off and putting it in the basket. “In a way. Blasphemy is not allowed in the Guardian court. But, I have my own reasons for why I do not like to hear vulgarities spilling from Macy’s mouth.”

  Macy flicked her hair behind her ear. “Bastian believes that profanity is the attempt of a weak mind trying to express itself. If you’re so weak minded that you can’t think of a better word to say, then it’s better to keep your mouth shut.”

  Bastian smiled.

  Macy held up a finger. “But . . . ”

  The smile faltered.

  “ . . . I happen to think that a well-formed and properly timed expletive is usually the best way to get the desired effect, and release built-up tension in a less harmful way than throwing something.

  “Besides, I don’t use normal, weak-minded profanity—I use my intelligence to come up with cleaner, less-offensive alternatives.” Macy nodded her head with the air of a dignitary speaking before Congress.

  Tolen coughed to hide a laugh.

  “I rest my case.” Macy grinned.

  Bastian sighed and turned toward the checkout counter. “I think we have enough supplies to take to the Binithan.”

/>   “Is it alright if I use the restroom before we leave?” Tolen glanced to the back of the store and Bastian nodded.

  As soon as he was out of earshot, Macy stepped in front of Bastian.

  “Okay, he’s gone. Spit it out, I can take it.”

  “It is nice to see you two getting along. He hates me, but his feelings are softening toward you.”

  “Yep. It’s great. Stop stalling. What’s up?”

  Bastian sighed. “Something is not right.’

  She rolled her eyes. “Nothing is ever ‘right’, Bastian.”

  He gave her one of his most exasperated looks. “Not long after we escaped the canyon I felt a double shift in the Balance. One is an energy that has followed us both day and night—it is gaining speed, but is not sinister, and does not cause me too much worry. The second shift was subtle enough that, had I not been so in tune, I may not have noticed.”

  “What is it?” Macy repeated, her pulse quickening.

  Bastian’s eyes narrowed. “A force I have not felt for hundreds of years.”

  “What?” she asked again, her Kuna heating.

  “DéHool.”

  Macy rocked back on her heels. “Those demonic dogs that hunted the Watchers during the Revolution?” That particular story still managed to make her break into a cold sweat. “But they were all locked in Misery with Darsapean. Weren’t they?”

  “That is what we thought. Someone is working very hard to mask their presence, but I am certain that is what I can feel.”

  Macy’s palms tingled, her Kuna building faster and faster. “Then what are we waiting for? Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

  He looked her in the eyes. “It is worse.”

  Panic swelled in her heart.

  “I believe the Dark has discovered that Tolen is the Ninth.”