The Wanderer's Children

by L. G. O'Connor

  This is one of the happiest days of my life! The fact that you will grow up knowing that I’m your father, and that I can spend every day with you makes me happier than I thought I could ever be. I’ve been watching your brothers grow from afar for five years, and it has torn me apart. But to be able to hold you more than once and to be a part of your life is the best gift I could ever hope for in this life. I love you so much, and look forward to savoring every day.

  Love,

  Your Father

  Michael could feel his father’s joy and pain shoot through him with every written word. It soothed him knowing how difficult this was on him, and that he’d truly loved each of them. He released a breath and paged ahead. He’d come back later and read more. What little he’d read had already drained him emotionally.

  He’d already discovered what he’d come here for—the truth, and, by default, the second son… his missing brother.

  Michael stopped at an entry made when he was five years old. He froze. A picture of him with a haunted look in his eye holding baby Susan stared back at him. He remembered having it taken the night he’d been punished. The writing on the entry was blurred as if drops of water had fallen onto the page.

  Michael read it.

  Today, I raised a hand to my son. Oh, please God, forgive me! He could’ve hurt Susan badly, and I saw red. I wanted to punish him for jeopardizing a life I fought so hard to bring into this world. Every life is precious. He needed to learn never to do something like that again to Susan. But I’m afraid I may have caused an irreparable break within him. He’s just a small boy, too young to understand certain things. I was so angry, I told him he should be ashamed, and he was. I felt his shame. He thought I didn’t love him, and that’s why I was punishing him. I pray he forgives me, and I will spend my life proving how much I love him. He’s a good, sensitive boy. He’s so special. I can’t believe I raised a hand to my son. There just didn’t seem like a better way to teach this lesson…

  Michael’s eyes were wet. It hadn’t been water but his father’s tears that had smeared the ink.

  Weariness overtook him, and he closed the portfolio, snapping the lock shut. Setting it aside, Michael pulled the blanket up from the bottom of the bed and crawled underneath. He curled into a fetal position, only vaguely aware of the tears still falling softly from his eyes as he fell asleep.

  “Michael.” The voice was crystal clear—his father’s voice. His eyes fluttered, trying unsuccessfully to open.

  “Don’t fight me, Son,” he said softly.

  Michael did as he was told and relaxed, remaining in the state caught under the veil of sleep between dreaming and waking—knowing this wasn’t a dream. Michael’s eyes opened this time to see his father standing at the foot of the bed, surrounded in light. He looked exactly as Michael remembered him, like a young Robert Redford dressed casually in the clothes he died in—jeans and a button down shirt.

  Michael stared, knowing this place was just a facsimile of the room where he lay asleep.

  “Dad, is it really you?” he asked, the blanket falling away as he sat up. The pain related to his father’s death hit his heart with the speed of a freight train.

  “It’s really me. I haven’t been able to manifest since the night I came to your dojo, the night I told you of your Calling. Even now, I can only come as far as your unconscious mind.”

  “I have so many questions…” Michael said, over the lump in his throat.

  “I know, Son. Time is precious, and there’s a lot I need to tell you before the pull becomes too strong and I have to leave,” he replied, trying to mask the urgency in his words.

  “What pull? Where are you? In Heaven?”

  “No. I’m with Hannah in the place where the veil is thin enough to… stay in touch. We’re here with… others, waiting to help you,” he said.

  Michael snapped to attention. His father was with Cara’s grandmother. “What do you mean?”

  “Michael, we’re part of your bridge. You’ll need us all for the Final Battle,” he said. “But the longer we stay, the stronger the pull to take us over to the other side, into Heaven. Next time, you may need to come to me,” he said.

  “What bridge? And how will I get to you?” Michael struggled to understand, panicking he wouldn’t know what to do.

  “The bridge between Heaven and Earth,” he said. “The most important thing right now is to find your brother. I’m sorry about how this had to unfold, but it’s you and your brothers who play a vital role as part of the Twelve.”

  “What kind of role?”

  “Each of you has special gifts. Combined, the four of you are the most powerful communication device the Angelorum Twelve have at their disposal. You, Michael, are the linchpin to that communication.”

  Things snapped into perspective for Michael. He was ashamed for putting his petty concerns ahead of something so much greater. A rush of cinnamon surrounded him.

  “Don’t ever hang your head in shame again, Michael,” came his father’s stern reaction, and then his voice softened. “Forgive yourself for what happened with Dr. Farris. It wasn’t your fault, Son. I wish you had told me while I was alive instead of carrying this painful burden alone. Nothing could ever take away the love I have for you. And please forgive me for what I put you through. For that, I’m deeply sorry.”

  Tears sprang to Michael’s eyes. He could feel the crushing ache he’d been carrying loosening and separating from his soul. His spirit grew lighter, the smell of cinnamon dissipating.

  “If there’s one last thing left I have to teach you, it’s never be afraid to love. Love is life’s most precious gift and the only thing you can take with you into Heaven. You have many new people in your life to love. Give them as much love as your heart can give, and receive as much as they are willing to give in return. The heart is infinite in its capacity—may you never find any boundaries in yours. Do you understand?” Light blazed around his father as he spoke.

  “Yes, I understand.” He needed to embrace the love that surrounded him—from his family, Sienna, Cara, his new brothers, whoever else he met going forward. He needed to loosen his control and let them in.

  Most of all, he needed to make peace with his past.

  His father looked over his shoulder with sudden agitation. “Michael, I have to go. Find the Book of Four Rings. It holds the final piece of what you seek.”

  “Where do I look?”

  “Search the diary. I love you, Son. Send my love to your mother, brothers, and sister.”

  His father vanished.

  Michael eyes flashed open. He knew what he had to do.

  Chapter 75

  MICHAEL

  Chicago, Illinois, 4:00 PM CT

  MICHAEL PARKED HIS MOM’S car at the curb in front of the suburban house where he grew up, north of Chicago. Clutching the steering wheel, he took a few deep breaths.

  He glanced over at the modern split-level where Roger used to live and shuddered. Dr. Farris had sold the house not long after he’d attacked Michael, and a new family with older children had moved in that Christmas. Even now, Michael had trouble looking at the house.

  Two years after his attack, the story had hit the papers: “Local pediatrician caught molesting young boy during the night in Chicago hospital.” As far as Michael knew, Dr. Farris was still behind bars.

  May he rot in Hell after that… Michael thought bitterly.

  Michael’s eyes shifted to the woods behind the house. The neighborhood backed up into a strip of undeveloped land that was owned by a trust and keep as preserved land, despite all the attempts builders had made over the years to buy it and change the zoning.

  A few kids rode by on bikes and then disappeared around the corner onto the next street.

  Michael grabbed the backpack on the front seat, locked the car, and took the public path at the end of the street into the woods. Midway down the path, he veered off into the trees and tracked back to the section of woods behind the Farris house. Michael swep
t through the brush which cleared as the trees grew taller and their high canopies blocked the light, leaving areas free of undergrowth.

  He walked until he found it. The massive oak still stood with its five-foot-wide trunk, hiding his secret buried somewhere at its base.

  Sinking down with his back to the tree, he clenched his fists and the memories came flooding back.

  Can’t run, hurts, Michael thought. Limping deeper into the woods behind the Farris house, he wanted to hide. Tears blurred his vision as he stumbled over branches and through the brush until it cleared. He looked behind him and could no longer see the house.

  A big oak blocked his path. Its branches fanned out far and wide, creating an umbrella in the sky. The trunk was huge, yet somehow inviting in its immensity. Its lowest branches were like arms, offering a promise of comfort.

  Michael sank down along the tree’s trunk and sat gently on the ground. He hugged his knees and cried, not knowing what to do or how to hide what had happened.

  Daddy won’t love me anymore, he thought. That’s what Dr. Farris had said. “If you tell him, he’ll toss you out like garbage.”

  Am I really garbage now? Michael wondered, crying harder.

  If only he hadn’t drunk that pop.

  He wished he was like that karate guy, Jet Li, in the movie he watched with his father. The bad guys knocked him out, but when he woke up he broke away and beat them up. Nothing like this would happen to him. Jet Li could defend himself. Beat up anyone who tried to hurt him.

  Michael’s tears dried as an idea formed in his head. He could do that. He could learn karate and be as good as Jet Li. Then no one could ever hurt him again.

  It was getting darker. If he left now, there would be just enough light to make it home.

  He winced as he got up. There was one more thing he needed to work out. He couldn’t let his father read his mind. Lucky for him, he’d just taught Michael how to shield his thoughts, explaining that they weren’t the only two Telepaths in the world.

  If I act perfect, no one will ever know… That’s what I’ll do.

  Slowly, Michael got up and took the small spade from his backpack. He dug a wide hole at the base of the tree. With uncanny precision, he found what he was looking for under ten inches of packed soil. He extracted his mostly intact Cubs cap. Balled up and protected inside the heavy canvas was a small pair of bloodstained boy’s briefs.

  Clenching them in his hand, a tear broke free and rolled down his cheek. “It’s time to set you free,” he said.

  He pulled what he needed from the backpack. Following Boy Scout rules, he built a small fire pit. He struck one match and then another until he had a small blaze going. Taking the cap and briefs, he tossed them into the licking flames.

  Standing back, his eyes stayed glued to the fire as he watched the evidence of his black day burn until it disappeared forever.

  Chapter 76

  SIENNA

  New York City. Thursday, May 30, 11:45 PM ET

  SIENNA’S HEART LEAPED when she heard his knock at the door. She’d made up her mind. Her heart wanted more. Sex was no longer enough. That said, she wasn’t going to make it easy for Michael. He’d have to work for it. Otherwise, how would he ever appreciate her?

  Just to be sure, she looked through the security peephole. Flowers covered the hole. On second thought, maybe she wouldn’t be that hard on him.

  She cracked open the door.

  Lowering the bouquet, he looked at her with big blue puppy dog eyes, wearing an apologetic smile. “Hi,” he said.

  Arching a brow, she said, “Hi? That’s all I get?”

  Still holding the flowers, he swept her into his arms and carried her into the apartment.

  She wouldn’t let him sweep her off to bed to avoid talking about what had happened. “This can’t just be about sex anymore, Michael,” she said.

  His eyes locked on hers. “It’s not,” he said softly but definitively. He put her down, laid the flowers down on the nearest table, and pulled her into an embrace.

  Pushing back a tendril of her hair, he stared into her eyes. Soft and welcoming, his lips met hers in a tender kiss, his arms tightly circling her waist. She melted into his hard body, each line and ripple familiar as it connected with her.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her ear as he held her.

  “How sorry?” she whispered back, enjoying the warmth of his body next to hers.

  “More than you’ll ever know,” he replied.

  “I was so worried about you,” she said, her veneer cracking. He squeezed her tighter. Tears sprang to her eyes, “That dream. You gave me that dream, didn’t you?”

  “Yes,” he said in the barest whisper.

  “Cara told me you could do special things. Since we’ve shared dreams before… Did that really happen to you?”

  “Yes,” he repeated, holding her close.

  “It hurt me to see it.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought you deserved to know after what you did for me.”

  “Thank you for trusting me.”

  He pulled back and cupped her cheek. “Can you be patient with me? I have some things that I still need to work out, but I want to be with you while I do.”

  Her heart sped up. “What are you saying, Michael?”

  “I’m saying that I don’t want to run anymore. That I want to be with you.” Tipping up her chin, he searched her eyes with a look she never expected. Her breath caught. “I’m saying that I love you, Senny. That I really want to be with you.”

  Her heart burst wide open, and tears of happiness slipped down her cheeks. She crushed him against her chest and whispered, “I love you, too, Michael.”

  He rested his head next to hers. “I thought maybe I’d lost you, pushed you too far.”

  “When I read your note, I didn’t know what to think. You didn’t return any of my calls…”

  He sighed. “I forgot my phone when I left Cara and the others. I never had it with me. I didn’t mean to worry you. I came back as soon as I could.”

  Shifting out of his embrace, she wiped her eyes and smirked. “You owe me, buddy.”

  With a mischievous glint in his eye, he asked, “What do you want as reparation?”

  “I want fifty points credited to my account, and I reserve the right to use that paddle again,” she said with a wicked look.

  His crossed his arms. “What? That’s a lot of points. Are you going to go all 50 Shades on me?”

  “If you don’t answer me, I’m going to up it to seventy-five,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

  “Lady, you drive a hard bargain. Fifty points it is.” He sighed and stuck out his hand. “Shake on it.”

  They shook and rather than letting go, he drew her into him.

  She nuzzled the soft skin of his neck. “Well, don’t just stand there, take me to bed.”

  “With pleasure,” he growled, scooping her up and whisking her into the bedroom.

  “My points, my rules,” Sienna said when he set her down.

  Wasting no time, she unbuckled the belt on his jeans in record time. Lifting his shirt over his head, she tossed it to the ground. Trailing kisses over the hard muscles of his abs, she worked to release him from his pants.

  She sprang him free, already hard, and pushed his clothes to his ankles. He kicked them aside, and she took him in her mouth. He let out a moan as she drew him in, trying to swallow him whole as she caressed him with her tongue, her fingers kneading his balls. She loved the sweet taste of his skin, wanting to memorize the intoxicating feel and smell of him. Since her Calling, she was suddenly aware of him in a more organic way, his energy merging with hers the closer they got physically.

  One thing was clear. Every inch of him was hers.

  “Sienna,” he gasped, gripping her shoulders.

  Pulling himself out of her grasp, he pushed her onto the bed. “I know this is your party, but may I?” he asked, looking lustfully at her thighs.

  She nodded. What the hell. If t
hat’s what he wanted, who was she to stop him?

  He removed her jeans and thong in one fluid motion. Kneeling at the foot of her bed, he pulled her down to meet his mouth. His tongue was her undoing, unlocking a volcanic orgasm.

  As she lay panting, he stood and guided himself into her. Letting out a low growl, he drove himself home. His long, smooth strokes lit up every nerve ending in her core as he caressed her from the inside, filling and stretching her to perfection. Their fit was custom made to give her the most intense orgasms she’d ever had.

  Quickening his pace, the wave of her ecstasy started to crest with earth-shattering potential. He threw his head back, swelling inside of her until their passion erupted. They cried out in unison, pulsing in and around one another. She could almost feel the blood move through her veins as her climax engulfed her in an unceasing wave.

  “Michael!” she cried, as her body and spirit united with him in a way it never had before. The prickle of electric rain under her skin spread through her in a blanket of pure love and happiness.

  Collapsing alongside her, he pulled her into his arms as his chest heaved wearing a bliss-filled smile. “That was… beyond amazing.” He kissed her hair. “I promise that I won’t leave you like that again.”

  “Good. I might not forgive you next time,” she said, gazing into his eyes. She leaned in and kissed him.

  His expression softened. “I never thought that I could have someone like you.”

  She blinked. “Why would you say something like that?”

  “I’ve always been too afraid,” he confessed.

  “Of what?”

  “That someone like you would never love me,” he whispered.

  Sienna swallowed, sensing another breakthrough. “Was it easier for you to pretend it was just about the sex?”

  He nodded. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t make you feel bad.”

  She shook her head. “You’ve always made me feel special, Michael. You’ve never treated me like you just wanted me for sex,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.

  “I’m glad.”

  “You’re a good person, Michael. You’ve been that from the beginning. It’s one of the things I love about you.”