A Chosen Life

by K. A. Parkinson

  Tolen looked at her, but she met his concerned gaze with defiance.

  She bit her trembling lip and clenched her jaw. She didn’t like pity.

  Tolen looked away, but had to admire her strength as she determinedly went to face these demons of the sky that had taken so much from her. He clenched his teeth and focused on the road. He would not let anyone down this time.

  o o o

  Macy’s head spun. She only remembered feeling this sick once before; when she was five years old and had ridden the merry-go-round six times in a row on a dare.

  For the past ten years she’d run from just the memory of the Shadows, and now she was running toward the real thing—and not just Shadows, but Phantom trees, Raksasha, DéHool, and who knew what else. The power of the stones in her ears fought with the thorns of dread that pierced her heart.

  Bastian kept looking at her and squeezing her hand. She wished he’d stop. It only made her feel more weak and stupid. She wanted to tell him she’d be fine, be sarcastic, say she could handle this crap, but she knew he’d see right through it.

  Tolen kept flashing concerned and apologetic looks at her as well. She knew from his earlier empathy that he was sensing her emotions. She squirmed in her seat. She didn’t like him thinking she was weak. It was starting to tick her off.

  That’s it, focus on the anger. You can do this. You can do this! She focused on her anger, forcing it to cover her fear. Her fingers tingled and she held the Kuna there, letting it bring her a small measure of comfort. She didn’t look at Bastian. She knew he didn’t like her using anger to channel her Kuna, but right now she didn’t care.

  Tolen turned onto National Monument Road—obviously following Ardia more than the signs that pointed the way to the park. “Ardia says this is the direction we have to take. The Shadows are on the western border of the Lava Beds. Raksasha are hiding in some of the caves waiting for night. The Phantoms are everywhere. She said to assume all dead trees have one inside them, and be wary of the half dead ones as well.”

  “Does Ardia know where the door to the Binithan is located?”

  “Yes. We need to go in through the north entrance. There’s a parking lot there where we’ll leave the Jeep. She’ll guide us in from the Visitor’s Center. She said we’d be safest if we travel above ground in the open. She’s trying to get as many of the live trees to help guard us as she can. If we can stay away from any cave entrances and dead trees, she thinks we’ll be okay. I can see the door in her thoughts though, and to me, it seems to be pretty far in. We might not make it before the sun goes down.”

  The wind howled outside the Jeep. Plastic bags, food wrappers, and other garbage whipped across the road. It was fast becoming a gale outside. The sky continued to darken the closer they got. Tolen turned on the headlights, but it didn’t dispel the gloom. When the park entrance finally came into view, the sky swirled with black clouds, and the wind blew fiercely enough to rock the Jeep. Tolen pulled into the parking lot and stopped. Macy’s heart thudded painfully in her throat. She could taste acid on her tongue.

  Bastian’s eyes were resigned; it made the Kuna move from her fingertips into her palms. Bastian looked at her and Tolen and nodded.

  “Let it build.”

  “Let what build?” Tolen shook his head.

  “Your gifts are reacting to your stress. That is the tingle you feel in your hands. Let it build, but stay focused. Do not let your emotions rule your judgment. Keep your head straight and your life force should be able to call your gifts as they are needed. Concentrate on recognizing the shift you will feel when your life force senses the presence of the Dark. It will guide you.”

  Macy wondered if Tolen had any clue what Bastian was referring to.

  Bastian turned toward her. “Can you run?”

  She spoke through clenched teeth. “Yes.”

  When she looked up, Tolen was watching her with concern. She fought the urge to roll her eyes, straightened her shoulders, and took a deep breath. “Alright, what’s the plan? How far will we need to run? And will I need to pace my Kuna?”

  Bastian twisted in his seat and handed everyone their packs. “We will let Ardia determine our speed.” He looked at Tolen. “Remember your life force increases your natural abilities. When the need arises, say the word ‘mig’nata’. It means ‘the body’, and it will tell your life force to increase your strength. When you feel the power build, concentrate on sending it to your legs. Do not do it unless absolutely necessary, it will drain you quickly.” He looked back at Macy. “Do not call your Kuna unless you feel you have no choice. I cannot foresee as of yet if you will need it. Stay alert and focused. Trust your feelings.”

  Bastian handed Tolen a small bow. “Have you ever used a bow and arrow?”

  “No, but I think I can figure it out.” Tolen slung the bow and quiver of arrows across his back. He was trying to sound confident, but Macy could see the fear and uncertainty in his eyes.

  “That is a Shupata. The arrows are drawn to the power of the Dark. If you at least aim in the general direction of the servant, then the arrow will do the rest. You only have five arrows, however, so use them sparingly.”

  “No guns?” Tolen’s attempt at sarcasm sounded more like relief.

  “Human weapons will not work on the Dark; only weapons forged in the Hidden way.” Bastian jumped back to business. “The trees Ardia is asking for aid will be drawn to you as a Nature Speaker, but because you do not yet understand how to communicate with them you must rely on Ardia. Stay focused on her thoughts and listen to her warnings. Do not leave my side. Understood?”

  Tolen swallowed loudly, nodded, and shut his eyes. Macy assumed he was calling to Ardia.

  “How are we going to do this?” She tried to keep her voice calm and avoid being rude, but failed. The anger she was channeling overruled patience. “How are we going to fight off Raksasha, Phantoms, avoid the Shadows, and protect Tolen at the same time?”

  Tolen’s eyes snapped open and he shook his head. “I can take care of myself. I know how to fight. You just take care of you and let me worry about me, okay?” His hands twitched by his sides.

  Macy shrugged angrily and pulled a sucker from her pocket.

  Bastian sighed in frustration and motioned for them to get out of the Jeep. The wind slammed into the doors hard enough that the hinges groaned from the effort to open. Macy jumped out, looked at the gathering Dark and clenched her fists in her pockets. Tolen had no idea what he was talking about. He had no clue what they were headed into—what was going to happen to him as the Shadows moved in.

  Bastian gave them both one last worried look and turned to lead the way into the depths of the storm.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Black As Night,

  Death By Light

  The stones in his ears might have been heightening Tolen’s emotions, but even without them, he knew he’d still be furious with Macy. Just because he didn’t know how to control his abilities didn’t make him a complete waste of space. He diligently ignored her, concentrating instead on Ardia’s life force as she moved briskly across the rocky terrain.

  Tall Junipers coalesced in clumps so thick it was hard to see where one tree ended and the next one began. Ardia didn’t like them—she kept calling them weeds and nuisances, but she managed to make friends with them despite her irritation. They listened to her requests and swayed their coarse branches over the three of them as they hurried across the park.

  Bastian’s head whipped around constantly and it made Tolen edgy. What did the Watcher see that he couldn’t?

  The wind picked up and turned icy. Not a single human remained in the entire park aside from them. Thick, ashen clouds completely hid the sun. Only an eerie gray light dimly illuminated the dismal terrain, casting strange shadows over the bizarre, volcanic landscape.

  The hair on Tolen’s neck prickled. It hadn’t la
in down since they’d left the Jeep. It was creepy how much he could now understand what Macy meant, about feeling the shift caused by something evil. As they walked farther and farther into the enemies’ territory, he could feel something growing, something foul and dangerous. His entire being shied away from the feeling. The urge to flee was almost overwhelming.

  Tolen! Hide! Ardia screamed.

  “Under here! Hurry!” Tolen dove under the nearest tree and the other two followed without question. The tree spread its lowest branches over them just before the unwelcome squawk of a flock of crows met their ears.

  Tolen shivered and the tree pushed its branches lower to cover them. The needles pricked into his skin but he didn’t care.

  Bastian mouthed, “Spies.”

  They waited, hardly daring to breathe, until the flock passed.

  The tree lifted its branches and Tolen slid out from underneath. “I’ve always hated crows.”

  Bastian and Macy dusted off their clothing and cast frustrated looks at the sky. Tolen noticed Macy sway a little and Bastian reached over to steady her. She realized Tolen had seen and quickly shrugged out from beneath Bastian’s hands.

  Bastian sighed and motioned Tolen to lead the way again. “The Light and the Dark use different birds for different purposes.” He seemed to be trying to cover the awkward moment. Tolen had to strain his ears to hear him over the rushing wind. “Birds can cover great distances quickly and have incredible eye-sight. The Dark uses crows—a daylight bird—because of their fearlessness and cunning. The Light uses owls—nocturnal—because they are bold, and wise.”

  Ardia shifted to a clump of Indian Paintbrush—drained of color in the gray light—and Tolen paused.

  Ardia, how much farther?

  Tolen, it is not the distance you have left that I fear. The door to the Binithan reads the hearts of those nearby, senses their intent and purpose. The Doogar will know the amount of evil that is swarming above them. They may have sealed the door.

  It felt like someone had punched him in the gut. What does that mean? They won’t let us in?

  They may not even know you are trying to enter. If they sealed the entrance once they discovered the Shadow Storm was above them, their defenses will be set—the door will not open again until the threat has passed.

  So we could end up stuck out here? He turned anxious eyes to Bastian, but the Watcher’s eyes were focused on the black horizon.

  A light sheen of sweat covered Macy’s forehead and upper-lip. She had a wild look in her eyes. “Bastian—they’re coming. I can feel them.” Her hands started to shake. Tolen could smell the strange minty, floral scent coming from her again.

  Bastian ducked until his eyes leveled with hers. He placed one hand on her arm and the other on Tolen’s shoulder. “Yes they are coming, but you and Tolen are stronger than the Dark. We will get to the door. I am certain Handrak was able to get word to the elders. They are expecting us. They will keep the door unsealed.”

  Tolen wanted to believe Bastian’s words, but the horror of their situation was settling in, despite the stones in his ears. Gut-wrenching dread made his heart beat faster as his hands started to shake. Ardia paused up ahead and he could feel her concern.

  We will die if we don’t make it to the Binithan in time. Won’t we?

  Ardia flitted back to a closer tree. Tolen, I fear the outcome for you would be much worse than death.

  Bastian looked around them. “Tolen, I can sense a band of Raksasha, likely they are hiding in a cave nearby. Ask Ardia if there is a side route we can take. We need to avoid being seen as long as possible. They may be able to sense your life force, but if they cannot see or smell us it should take them longer to discover our exact location.”

  Tolen tried not to think about the fact that his life force was the reason their trek was so dangerous and asked Ardia if she saw what Bastian needed. He pointed in the direction she showed him in his mind. “There.” It was a rocky fissure carved deep in the ground. “It’s narrow and steep, but it will hide us from view of the Raksasha. She’ll show us where to climb back out. Some stumps of burned trees that stand along the top edges concern her. They’re not the best houses for Phantoms, but if they are close enough to sense me . . . ”

  Bastian nodded. “We will be ready for anything.”

  Tolen shivered. The wind whined through the cracks of the fissure, causing unnatural, hair-raising echoes. Thin chinks of gray light seeped through narrow openings, throwing strange flickers along their path. But it wasn’t the strange tricks of the light or the creepy wind that was giving him chills, it was the fear that pressed in on him with every step he took.

  He’d been afraid before, of both silly and serious things, but this was different. It felt as if they were moving toward a living, breathing monster of despair. The poisonous tentacles reached out to him, assaulting every cell in his body. The farther they walked, the more that panic and terror threatened to overtake him.

  The Shadows were very, very close.

  He could hear Macy’s ragged breathing and Bastian’s soft footfalls behind him. Ardia’s blue life force occasionally dropped down to flit through the grasses that poked here and there from the walls. She kept him putting one foot in front of the other.

  Fifteen minutes later the temperature suddenly dropped and the gray light dimmed even more.

  Sunset.

  A loud shriek ripped through the wind from somewhere above them and Tolen stopped. Bastian moved to his side. Macy leaned over with her hands on her knees, her whole body trembling.

  “The Raksasha are above us.” Bastian whispered.

  Ardia?

  A group of ten, maybe more. They are spreading out, searching, but in random formations. The Camouflage must be working. They know you’re here, I’m certain they can sense you, but they don’t seem to know your exact location yet.

  “Ardia says they haven’t discovered us.” Tolen glanced at Macy. “How close are we to the Shadows?”

  “They are still miles away.”

  Tolen ran a hand through his hair. Miles away and it felt this bad? He hated to think how he’d feel without the Serenity Stones. He checked to make sure they were still molded in his ears.

  Bastian’s jaw flexed and he lifted Macy’s arm. She tried to pull away from him but her strength seemed to be draining every step they moved closer to the Shadows. “Keep moving,” he said through his teeth.

  Tolen duck! Ardia shouted.

  Tolen dropped and yelled, “Duck!”

  A barrage of black spears slammed into the fissure wall where seconds ago their heads had been.

  Unearthly screeches ripped through the night air, and before Tolen could get back to his feet, at least thirty Raksasha jumped into the fissure with them.

  Bastian ran in front of Tolen to protect him and began swinging his machete. Black Raksasha blood saturated the rocks. Macy twisted and curled between the creatures, brandishing her knife, shooting fireballs, launching herself off the walls to kill at least half, but Tolen could see she was weakening—fast. She wouldn’t be able to continue much longer. The Shadows’ effects were too strong.

  He had to do something! Ardia! Help!

  Roots shot through the side of the fissure and wrapped around the Raksasha, crushing the life from them.

  “Run!” Bastian shouted as more Raksasha lined up at the top, ready to jump.

  They barely made it a few feet when a thick black root shot through the side of the fissure and knocked Bastian into the opposite wall. Macy threw her hands out and shot a burst of flame at the tree, but as the fire ate up the dead wood, the tree wrapped its blazing branches around her waist and dragged her up and out.

  “Macy!” Tolen screamed.

  “No!” Bastian began clawing his way up the rocky ledge, blood running thickly down the side of his head.

  Tolen scrambled
after him as fast as he could.

  As soon as he reached the top, Raksasha surrounded them and a monstrous skeletal tree stood formidable at their head, gripping an unconscious Macy in one of its vast branches. Its trunk swirled with black and purple energy. Bright orange flames licked from its roots and snaked their way farther and farther up the tree.

  A Phantom.

  “Tolen! The Shupata!” Bastian ran forward swinging his machete at everything in sight—black heads and arms flew through the air, black blood splattered the ground. Tolen tried to lift his arm and take off the Shupata, but he couldn’t. He stood frozen to the spot, his eyes locked on Macy’s limp body being thrashed around as the Phantom tree swatted at Bastian.

  Tolen could feel the Raksasha closing in. He could feel the Shadows’ blanket of fear getting heavier. The pull of the Dreamers pressed in on him, more powerfully than ever. But he couldn’t give in. He wouldn’t!

  “Macy!” Bastian’s anguished cry carried in the howling wind and broke Tolen’s stupor.

  His eye burned as if someone had shoved a branding iron into it. Colors flashed blindingly bright across his vision and he saw several seconds into the future. Into Macy’s future.

  “No!” The image of her broken and lifeless body, crushed by the Phantom, sent waves of agony through him. “NO! Macy!” The Shupata fell from his hands as he ran forward without a thought of what he was doing. He only knew he couldn’t allow what he’d just seen to happen.

  Out of nowhere six different trees, life forces burning red and gold, roots lifting and curling through the hard ground, converged on the black tree.