“So, is that the last of our people?” River asked.
“Yeah,” Reaper agreed.
“What’s next?” River asked.
Reaper crossed his arms and looked beyond us to think.
“I think it might be good for everyone to take a day,” Daniel suggested before Reaper could speak. “We’ve had a traumatic couple of days, and time to gather our thoughts would be good for everyone. I think we’re all agreed that attacking Marcus is the way to go, but that sort of thing should be prepared when we’re fresh.”
Reaper thought about it. He finally nodded.
“We should wait for Sara and Shawn to wake up, anyways,” Reaper said. “Their help will make the difference once we start to move against Marcus.”
“Good,” Daniel replied.
King and River eyed each other for a moment then King reached out and tentatively took River’s hand. They disappeared down the stairs to talk in private. Margaret and Jackson followed after them at a slower pace, their hands linked as they walked. Serenity went back to the room Eli had healed her in, content to spend her time in private. Alex stared at Reaper. Her x-ray eyes moved across his face. Her expression was uncertain – she obviously had things she wanted to say. Her lips moved to form the words, but Reaper was not in the mood. He did not want to have to endure her reasons for choosing Eli over him. It would only distract him from the war he was preparing to fight. It would hurt too much. He walked away and went in to the room directly across from the stairs. A vine-made door blocked us from seeing him inside. Alex’s face fell as he closed us out.
“Alex…” I started to say.
Alex held up a hand to stop me.
“It’s fine,” Alex said.
“It’s not…” I replied.
Her lip quivered with the tears that were hovering in her eyes, but she didn’t reply. She turned away and walked down the stairs, not allowing me to comfort her. I frowned after her.
“Why won’t she talk to me?” I asked.
“Because she’s afraid,” Daniel replied.
“Afraid? Alex?” I asked.
“Alex is afraid that talking to you will mean that she has to be honest about her emotions, and she doesn’t do well with that,” Daniel said.
“Alex is very honest,” I said.
“Not when it comes to putting herself above others,” Daniel said. “She’s gotten in to a habit of being there for others and neglecting herself. Now, suddenly, she has two people vying for her attention. It’s a difficult reality to face.”
I sighed. “Yeah…”
I tugged on Daniel’s hand to get him to walk with me. We moved down the steps at a slow pace, our minds a million miles away. I was dwelling on the situation between Alex and Reaper – it was an easier place to dwell than Marcus was. It felt more immediate. We had been building up to the fight with Marcus for so long that it felt surreal to know the moment was close.
“Do you want to talk about how you just saved upwards of five hundred people over the course of a night?” Daniel asked after a moment of silence.
His mind had been focused on our night of rescuing the others. He was focused on the change I had gone through.
“No,” I replied.
“You were amazing,” Daniel said. “I’ve never seen another Watcher move the way you did. You took out most of them without even needing any of your talents.”
“That was the historian’s training,” I said.
“It was more than that…” Daniel replied. “Natural ability.”
“We are born to be violent, aren’t we?” I asked.
“Some more than others,” Daniel said.
I could tell he wasn’t thinking about me, rather he was contemplating his own aptitude toward violence. It was something I had never so fully understood until the moment I had changed. It really was as if the change triggered something in my brain – a pull to do the wrong thing for the wrong reason, just because I could. No matter how much I wanted to save people and help them, the pull could not be ignored. It was a pull Daniel had faced for a hundred years.
I finally understood why he spent so much time worrying he would turn in to a Nightstalker – not only because he had seen it in a vision. It was something most Watchers had to keep an eye on at all times. Those who did not ended up working for Marcus, or similar; and at the very worst, they irreparably turned in to a demon. It was no easy fate to consider. I wondered if I would be faced with the same fate as the others. My talents were still being discovered – did that make my fate worse if I lost control, or did I never have to worry about such a thing?
I realized that getting to the point where I killed without regret would be as much of a torture as being trapped in the form of a Nightstalker forever. I also realized that my mind had let go of the deaths easier than I thought. The vast expanse was willing to let the past lie in the past. I held on to a profound fear that delving too deep in to the uncharted expanse would make me loose the part of my personality that did not like killing. It was as if the old part of me was hanging on to a life preserver in the middle of the Atlantic without hope of a rescue. Did I dare allow the new me control over my life? What would that mean? From the way my talents were developing, I felt the damage I could do would be exponentially worse – not only ‘worse’ but also world ending.
“We have to visit the historian soon,” Daniel said after a moment of silence. “She told you to come back after the change.”
“That’s true,” I said.
“Though I don’t think she can really teach you much more,” he added.
I stopped walking and turned to face him.
“Daniel…” I said.
“What?”
I wanted to admit to him all my fears – for the new me developing with the change and the way Marcus was starting to unravel the world, but I decided to let the moment go. I needed light, not dark.
“What’s your serious opinion on post-modern architecture?” I asked.
“Seriously?” he asked.
“Why not?” I asked back.
He smiled and shrugged, allowing for the change of subject easily. He was surprisingly well versed in architecture. He had serious opinions on form, design and the changing art of architecture. I listened to him willingly even as we walked the strange domain of the plant-made city. As we walked, I had to constantly remind myself that the city was not a dream. Someone had actually built the rooms and stairs with their talent.
We could not escape the stares of the others, no matter how far we walked. People were curious and wanted answers to what my oddness meant for the future. I didn’t know how to tell them that I knew even less than they did. Familiar faces stuck out from the sea of faces. I saw Ileana and Mick, along with the others we had rescued from the castle, grouped together in one part of the vine-made rooms. Mick smiled seductively as we passed, and Ileana nodded cordially. The rest of their group maintained a dark vigilance. They were eager to get on with the violence and pay Marcus back for ruining the lives they had built up. Others of the Saints that I had come to know smiled at me in greeting. Some were brave enough to call out my name.
Finally, near the edge of the vine-city, and on another platform made of leaves, we came across my family. They were gathered together on the platform, keeping each other company. There was a lot of laughter coming from their space. It was even louder than the sound of insects. Alex was playing with Cora’s hair while Sprint watched. They were engaged in serious girl talk that was more about bonding than any one thing in particular. Twitch, who was reading a book, was sitting near Ethan and Spider. The boys were messing with the radio Spider had taken from Ellen and Sam’s house; Spider was trying to pick up a station through the static. Ellen, Sam and Naomi sat near enough to keep an eye on things but far enough away that their serious conversation would not interrupt the others’ fun.
Daniel and I joined them, knowing we had been searching them out all along. I sat on the platform and pulled Twitch in to my lap. He ac
cepted my touch happily, though his eyes barely moved from the book. His thoughts greeted me warmly, and I knew he was glad to see me again. Alex glanced at me, to see if I was going to bring up Reaper and Eli. I smiled at her reassuringly and brought up something else instead.
“Did Han and Beatrice find out anything about the virus?” I asked her.
“Not yet,” Alex replied. “They have a whole team working on it.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” I replied.
“You think so?” she asked.
Her question held a curious double meaning.
I nodded.
“Yeah,” I said. “You’re stronger than most.”
She smiled and went back to playing with Cora’s hair. I was quiet as I watched the others. I soaked up the peace; I could feel that it would be my last chance for a while. As I sat, the ‘thumpthumpthumpthump’ – which sounded like a tiny hummingbird using a jackhammer – made a return appearance. It was a curious sound, and my brain latched on to it. There had to be a reason I was hearing it – sounds didn’t just come from nowhere. I looked at Daniel, who was helping Spider and Ethan with the radio. He was the only other Watcher handy. He had to hear it.
“Do you hear that?” I asked Daniel.
“What?” Daniel replied.
“That thump sound,” I replied.
“Thump sound?” Daniel asked.
“Like something thumping,” I explained. “It’s very annoying.”
“Thanks for that,” he replied. He frowned and concentrated. “No…I don’t hear anything that sounds like a ‘thump.’”
The sound got louder at our words, almost as if it could her us. There was no mistaking that it was close. I frowned and tried to pinpoint the source. I sat Twitch back on the ground and stood. I moved in the direction I thought it was coming from. My movement took me directly toward Ellen. The sound was coming from her. She looked up at me as I stopped in front of her. Oblivious to her confusion, focused on the mystery, I knelt down, still following the source. I put my head against her chest. I heard her heartbeat, but I also heard something else – the ‘thumpthumpthumpthump’ was louder. It was as if she had two heartbeats. That was impossible. Unless…
The dawning of the truth was sharp and clear. There was no other explanation.
“Mom!?” I said as the truth hit me. “You’re pregnant?!”
Ellen’s eyes widened and a blush heated her face. She looked at Sam for help. They had obviously planned to tell us under better circumstances. It was why they had been so adamant about talking to us in person. They were not just getting married…they were starting a whole new family. Alex’s eyes had widened as well. Her gift had not let her in to that particular secret. For once, Ellen and Sam had managed to keep something from us.
“Well, we were going to wait and tell you…” Ellen said.
Her expression was nervous and her thoughts were filled with worry. She was worried I would resent the new family she was building up – somehow blame her for moving on. I put my arms around her, being careful not to hurt her with just a hug, and held her tight.
“This is great,” I whispered to her.
Her arms wrapped around me.
“Promise?” she asked.
“I couldn’t be happier for you if you gave me chocolate and episodes of the ‘Twilight Zone,’” I replied.
Ellen released me and smiled. Her brown eyes were full of warmth and happiness – she actually glowed with her happiness. It was a wonder I had not noticed the glow earlier. Alex had a shocked, surprised expression on her face. It was the expression she had practiced on the boat so many weeks ago, only now it was real. She jumped to her feet. She hugged both Ellen and Sam with an expression I had not seen on her face in a long time – complete and utter joy. She was happier than I had seen her since before Eli had stepped out of the shadows of that cave and changed her life forever.
“Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?” Alex asked, her question bubbling over his lips. “Do you know names? How far along? When are you due?”
Ellen laughed at her excitement and, still holding her hand, answered her questions with equal excitement. I walked back to Daniel and sat next to him. As I sat, Naomi winked at me. I smiled, and Daniel put his hand in mine. He allowed his feelings of happiness to move through our touch then he spoke. His words summed up my joy at the knowledge of something so normal in the chaos we were in the middle of – it also expressed my ultimate fear that with Marcus stepping up his game, the kid would never have a normal life.
“How about that?” Daniel asked.
“Yeah,” I agreed.
The feeling of joy and fear ran circles in my chest. I wanted to let the joy win out but my brain was so excellent at multi-tasking. Both emotions held equal ground. There was another feeling. The clock had started ticking again – ticking down to a moment in time that would change us forever. It made me impatient and nervous. It was all I could do to keep my seat and watch as Alex and the others piled Ellen with question upon question about her pregnancy.
The subtle tick-tick-tick was almost as compelling as the sound of the ‘thumpthumpthump’ that I now knew was the heartbeat of my brother or sister. It was a sound that could not be ignored. The ticking told me that I would not like what came next – it told me to enjoy the moment in front of me.
It would not last.
Chapter 18
Daniel and I spent the day with my family. At night, when the time came for them to sleep, we moved back through the forest. We had no destination beyond one that kept the tension out of our minds.
As the darkness fell, however, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I needed to be doing something. I needed to be moving. My patience had not improved with the change. Daniel noticed my feelings as we walked around a particularly large tree.
“We should wait and see what Reaper has to say before we run off and try to fight Marcus single-handedly,” Daniel said.
“I didn’t say I wanted to fight him single-handedly,” I replied.
“Yeah?” he asked skeptically.
“Have you ever met that dragon-girl who chased us in New York?” I asked. “Do you know who she is?”
“She has a reputation – as does her brother,” Daniel replied. “He was the one in the hooded cloak.”
“He was in New Orleans,” I said.
“Yes,” Daniel replied. “The Seekers down there said that he and his sister were born evil – they’ve never known what ‘good’ is. It’s not in their personalities to know.”
“That’s kind of dramatic,” I said.
“Accurate, though,” Daniel replied.
“What was with the circus act when they attacked us?” I asked.
“They were part of the circus before Marcus found them. I guess they think it makes them look intimidating…or else they are just crazy.”
“How come the brother didn’t recognize you in New Orleans, if you both have such widespread reputations?” I asked.
“He never met me before I joined the Seekers in New Orleans,” Daniel replied. “I didn’t make a habit of getting seen. My name was more like scary story.”
“Was that a humble brag?” I asked.
“Without the humble part,” Reaper said, stepping out from behind the tree.
Next to him were a girl I had never seen before and Preacher. The girl had pale green eyes that held a swirl of brown and short, pixie-style hair. She was willowy, lanky even for a Watcher. Her green eyes took me in with respect and curious understanding. Reaper noticed my look.
“Oh, this is Fiona,” Reaper said. “She’s responsible for our little city.”
“This is you?” I asked, gesturing at the vine rooms.
Fiona smiled and nodded.
“Yep,” she said.
“Your talent is amazing,” I replied.
Her smile grew. Her white teeth flashed brilliantly against the greens surrounding us. The vines twitched with her smile.
“Thanks,” she replied.
“We were just talking about growing the structures out,” Reaper said. “We have more people all of a sudden, thanks to Clare.”
He meant my night of rescuing the Saints and the others we had consequently saved in the process.
“How are Sara and Shawn?” I asked to deflect away from mention of me.
“They’re finally awake,” Reaper said. “They claim they’re fine now, but I think it’ll be morning before I send them out again.”
I was relieved to hear they were awake. I had been worried. I knew the weight of carrying the ship and the people was no small thing.
“I was thinking that it might be best for you to see the historian before we meet tomorrow to talk about our options,” Reaper added. “It’s best to get that out of the way, so we can focus on Marcus.”
“That’s a good idea,” Daniel said.
Daniel turned to me, to ask me when I wanted to go. I didn’t need the question. I was eager to speak with the historian – I wanted to see if I exceeded her expectations with the change or failed them. I wanted to see what she had to say. I held out my hand out to Daniel.
“Let’s go now,” I said.
“Well, I suppose that answers my question,” Daniel said, taking my hand.
“Do you want someone to go with you?” Reaper asked.
Daniel looked at me. I shook my head at Reaper.
“There’s no need,” I said. “We’ll talk to her then come back.”
“Alright,” Reaper agreed easily. “Be back by dawn…”
“Okay,” I said.
“Be safe,” Preacher added.
Fiona waved a ‘goodbye.’ I smiled in parting then pulled the familiar sight of the abandoned mine in to my head. I set us on the road, to give me time to prepare for what she would say, to give her time to see us.
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