“Uncle Kas! That’s cheating, I can’t catch him up there,” Kyle groans at my feet, his arms reaching up for his brother as he tries to jump up to my height. At age six, he is starting to become his own person, he is definitely an Alpha in the making.
“Now then, Kyle, what have I told you about being a big brother? You are meant to help your little brother. Not chase him!” I say with a stern voice, which my smile makes ineffective.
“But I was helping him! I was teaching him to run fast like me!” he says proudly. I can’t help but chuckle at the cheeky grin on his face.
“Boys! I thought I told you not to bother your Uncle,” Dani says coming into the clearing. Kyle hides behind my legs while Ty tucks himself into my chest.
“They’re okay, Dani, they aren’t bothering me at all. Much the opposite,” I say, bringing Kyle back to my front and ruffling his hair with my hand. “You here for the meeting?”
“Yeah, I figured you’d want some solidarity. A reminder that you’re not alone in all of this.”
I put the boys down and bring her close, kissing her hair. “Thank you, Dani. How has everything been with our guests?” I enquire.
“They seems nice. I’ve not spent time with everyone yet.”
“No? I did notice you spending quite a bit of time with one of them though,” I say rising my eyebrow at her in question.
A blush creeps up her neck and spills across her cheeks. Since her husband was killed, she’s been lost. She’s been a great mother to her boys, and has kept things going when I’ve been needed elsewhere, but she never seems to do anything for herself. It’s nice to see her re-joining the world of the living.
“I…he… just, Dimitri – he’s easy to talk to. I can’t really explain it, but I guess he makes me… feel,” she whispers, looking up at me with wide eyes.
“Aaron would have wanted you to be happy, Dani. He was my best friend, and losing him hurt us all, but he wouldn’t have wanted you to die alongside him.”
She nods as a lone tear runs down her cheek. She wipes it away quickly before gathering up the boys and sitting down beside me on the tree trunk. The pack begins to filter into the meadow, everyone taking a seat depending on their place in our hierarchy. It’s an archaic way of life, but it’s one that works for us here... Jackson is the last to join us, and that fact isn’t missed by a soul here. It’s a minor display of insubordination. Just what I need right now.
I stand and the murmuring across the group stops, the only sounds are those from the birds and the trees that surround us.
“I know many of you have questions as to why I have made the decision to help our guests, but have not felt able to come and ask me directly.” I pause, looking them in the eye. “As I told you all some nights ago, our help is needed to recover a young girl who has been taken. I understand some of you feel it is not our place to intervene – that it is the business of the Fallen; that we should keep to ourselves.”
“Too right!”
I hear someone yell out. I turn in the direction of the voice and shout, “Well you are wrong!” my voice booms across the opening. “What I could not tell you the other night, because it was not my place to, is that that girl has an affinity to my wolf.”
The gasps from the crowd stop me. I had known it wasn’t going to be an easy speech, but I had underestimated their response. I clear my throat and continue, giving them no more time to get themselves in a frenzy. “The girl in question is the Chosen One. She is part Fae, part Fallen, and I have spoken to her with my mind. She is the Reborn. This is why we include ourselves in the business of the Fallen, because it is not just their problem. If Cole is able to unleash her power, and use it for his own good, he will wreak havoc across the earth, scorching everything in his path. That includes us and everything we hold dear.”
Whispers start back up among the pack, and I hear questions fired rapidly to each other.
I need to be strong. “This is not a time to panic, brothers and sisters. This is a time to call upon what our ancestors taught us. What they passed down to us. It is time to fulfil the destiny fate has set out for us. If we stand united, we shall stand strong.”
Jackson stands up and says, “I still don’t see why we should fight for them. Why should we sacrifice? Why should we play second fiddle to them? They’re filthy creatures, not even from this earth. Why should I take orders from them?”
“You take orders from me!” I shout. Silence descends across the meadow. “Unless you wish to take that power from me, Jackson, I suggest you fall in line.”
“And if I don’t want to?” he says jutting his chin out in defiance.
“If you do not want to, then we shall settle this the old way,” I roar, standing tall and transforming my hands and teeth to those of the wolf. I feel him stir inside me, ready for a fight. Jackson steps backwards and my wolf growls through me until he submits.
“Does anybody else have a problem with my decision?” I look across my pack, making my will known. No-one says a thing; most have their eyes to the floor. I turn to Dani who grabs the boys’ hands and follows me out of the clearing. I calm myself enough to appear myself again by the time we come back to the reservation.
“Well, that could have gone better,” Dani remarks, sarcasm dripping from her words.
“No one died, so it could have been worse,” I say, smiling.
***
I head back and look for Dimitri. I know how close he and Dani have become in the somewhat short time they’ve been here, but who says love is measured in time, maybe a week is enough time. I’ve never been so lucky to experience love so I can’t know – and I can’t judge. I just want to make sure he’ll watch out for her while I’m gone. She’s still so fragile after losing her mate. I know she acts like it doesn’t bother her, but I know she’s still healing. I also want to know how serious he is about her – she’s my little sister, and after everything, the last thing she needs is some Fallen bastard messing her about. Don’t get me wrong, Dimitri seems like a solid guy, but I don’t know him and that makes me wary.
I round the corner of the main building and find him sat comforting Rose. I stay back and watch them. He seems genuine in his concern for her and Addie. He’s appeared aloof since his arrival, but I’m beginning to think the step back he’s taken has more to do with being here than who he is. He seems to understand that all of this is bigger than his wants and needs, and I respect him for that. He lifts his head and sees me watching him, raising his eyebrows in question. I walk towards him and smile down at Rose who is crying.
“Are you okay, Rose?” I ask.
She clears her face of the rolling tears with the back of her hand. “Yes, sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, dear girl. Cry if you need to and don’t mind me. Would you mind if I stole Dimitri for a few moments though?”
“Oh, erm, no of course not. If it’s okay with him I mean. I can go back to my room.” She looks to Dimitri for his guidance.
“It’s fine, honey. You go back. You know where I am if you need me, okay?” Dimitri says this to her with the same warmth in his eyes a father would have when looking at his child. He hugs her before she goes and then stands to greet me.
“Kas, what can I do for you?” he asks
“I was coming to speak to you about Dani.”
“Oh God, not the big brother talk?” He laughs and I join him.
“Not quite, but maybe a little – yeah, I won’t threaten to break your legs or anything though,” I chuckle.
“Oh good. Seriously though, man, what’s up?” he asks.
We start to walk along the tree line at the edge of the reservation out of hearing. This is more awkward than I had anticipated. “I know you and Dani are getting… closer, and I just wanted to make sure you’ll look out for her when I’m not here – while all this shit is going down.”
He turns to me, his eyes wide with honesty, “Sure, man – of course! It’s not something you even need to
ask.”
I smile. I’m beginning to really like this guy but he still needs to know that when it comes to my sister, I’ve got her back. “I also need to make sure you know she’s not healed yet,” I say. “Not after Aaron died. He was a good man, and a great dad to their boys – but I don’t think he was such a great husband to her. He put the pack first, which made him a great enforcer, but not such a great mate – plus his mother was a raging bitch.”
“I know all about Aaron – and his mum. I’d like to give that woman a piece of my damn mind. Dani sat and explained everything to me a few nights ago after Ty mentioned him. She was almost apologetic, which I didn’t understand at all, but then she explained a few things about their relationship. Trust me, I know she’s still broken – and I’m all too aware of how fragile she is. I’m not looking to do anything but help her heal.”
“I can respect that, but I had to say. She’s my sister ya know?”
“Oh, I know that feeling, man. I’ve been around Addie since she was ten. I’ve watched her grow up, and she’s like my little sister, too. That’s why I’m here. Dani was a nice surprise, I won’t lie. Addie will love her – and the boys.”
“We’ll get her back, Dimitri. Everything is going to be fine. You’ll see.”
“Have you been able to speak to her again?” he asks.
“I have not, and not for lack of trying either,” I answer honestly.
“You know Rose and Xander managed to get to her? But something went wrong, and no-one has any idea what.”
“Yes, I heard. The girl was foolish, she could have gotten them all killed, but I understand why she took such risks. I will continue to try and reach her with my wolf.”
“Thank you, Kas.”
AEVEEN
There is so much to learn in this world, I almost miss my oblivion. Emotions. Politics. Choices. Trying to work out who I can actually trust around here other than Cole, is tough. He’s already warned me people would try to get on my good side because of who I am to him. Apparently, being his daughter earns me a high standing. I’d rather be able to fade into the background and observe people, but this is what I’ve got and I’m not going to waste it. I’ve spent too long locked away to waste this chance. I have at an actual life. I never knew if I’d ever get this chance so I don’t intend to quash it.
Cole introduced me to a few people, Olivia obviously, then his Lieutenants. Each of them were polite. I remember them from before, when I was with Addie. Then he introduced me to Eli, and I’m not sure what to think of her. Cole told me she is delicate, that the Fae broke her long ago, which explains the crazy look in her eyes. She seems almost childlike and Cole cooed over her as if she were a doll. She looked at him like he was her whole world. I’m not sure what happened, he didn’t elaborate, but he said she was key to his plans – so I need to get along with her.
Now, I’m sat in a field watching hundreds of Demons and Shades train. I was training this morning, but I was vindicated - it was clear within moments that I don’t need training with my powers; Addie was the one who couldn’t control them. I am my powers; they are part of me. Using them is the same as walking and breathing for me. It’s the combat skills I struggle with the most, which is why I’m sat here watching what Cole called, ‘the cannon fodder’ train in hand to hand combat. I’m meant to be studying their movements and techniques but I get distracted by the world surrounding me.
This field is huge; I don’t know the words to describe how big it is. An open space, protected by huge trees and bushes that continue for miles around our boarders. It’s almost as if someone cut a hole in a forest and plonked us here. Mind you, knowing Cole, that could be exactly what happened.
A bell sounds and everyone stops fighting and starts to make their way back into what Cole calls the house, but to me it seems more like a hotel. A building with this many rooms, and this many people, is not a house. I wait up on my hill until everyone is gone. The noise of fighting has finished and now it’s peaceful out here. I lie back and stare up at the sky, watching the clouds roll by.
“You okay out here?” I look up and see Logan stood over me. His face is taut, as if he’s fighting an internal battle over speaking to me.
“Fine, thank you,” I say, giving him the opportunity to leave if he wishes. He surprises me by sitting down beside me, so I sit up and stay quiet, giving him time to speak.
“It’s so surreal,” he says wistfully, looking out across the field. “Seeing you walking around, hearing your voice, and knowing that you’re not her. It just… My mind can’t seem to wrap around it. I knew Addie almost my entire life, and now she’s gone – but I can’t deal with that because you’re still here; walking around like it’s your right, when you stole it all from her.”
He takes a deep breath before pulling up some of the grass and snapping it with his fingers, staring at it intently. “I don’t know how Liv does it. She knew Addie longer, loved her harder, but she acts like you’re her new bestie – as if you aren’t the reason our friend is gone.” He stands, agitated. I watch him from the corner of my eye – his level of emotion is curious.
He starts to back away, but there’s things he feels compelled to say. “I know everyone expects me to fall in line, and for us to just be friends, but I don’t think I can do it.”
“I don’t blame you.” I say to him, which stops him in his tracks. “She was your friend – but did you ever know I was inside her? That she was part demon? Micah told me all about my mother, and Cole confirmed it. I know you need to blame someone, and that someone is me, Logan. I did nothing wrong. All I wanted was to be free.”
“I didn’t know, but what gives you the right to take her away? You must be a demon, because they’re the only ones I know who would feel so self-righteous about something so heinous,” he says vehemently before running off.
I can’t say I’m surprised by his outburst, but I do feel a little sad which shocks me. Maybe Addie’s emotions are filtering through. I know from Addie how loyal a friend he is and how kind he can be. I had hoped we could be friends.
I get up and make my way inside, everyone I meet on the way to the sanctuary of my room, says hello. I close the door and lean against it, trying to navigate this life is exhausting. I fight to push down all of the emotions that swirl inside of me. I’m almost afraid to let them out. I let small trickles out, enough so that I can function in this world, but if I let them all out I think I might drown.
I’ve not heard or felt Addie since I broke free. I have no idea if she’s still in here. And regardless of what Logan says, I do feel sad about that. I’ve also known Addie our entire life, too. We grew together. I felt every grazed knee, every crush, every broken heart. Now she’s gone, and it’s strange to be alone in here. Even if I couldn’t talk to her, I took comfort in knowing she was there, hearing her, seeing things through her. Its things like this that make me feel like she might still be here with me. Emotions are so foreign to me, to feel anything so distinctly of my own violation is unlikely. Everything I ever felt, I felt because of Addie, or so I thought. The emotions filter through at the most unexpected of times. The uncertainty of it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It feels as if I lost a part of myself, but I can’t be sad about it otherwise what did I fight for? It’s as if I’m a walking contradiction, like I’m still not my own person. Will I ever be free of her?
KADEN
I’m laid face down on the ground alongside Kas and Xander, and we’re looking over to the place Cole is hiding out. We are watching the hundreds Cole has gathered, train. Their numbers are enormous. I see the grim look on Xanders face, and I know he’ll wonder if I knew about this. If I was part of this – and maybe once upon a time, I was; but that time has passed. Addie changed me.
I can see her from here, perched up on a hill on the other side of us. From the way she’s sitting, she doesn’t look like she’s in pain; she looks as if she’s intently watching everyone below her. It makes no sense – surely if she were free like that, sh
e would leave.
“We need to find out more, this is useless. She’s right there. Something is wrong,” I say.
Xander doesn’t take his eyes off her and his voice is robotic. “Maybe we’re too late. Maybe he told her he was her father. All this proves is how little we know – we can’t do anything; we’ll just get people killed.”
His sense of failure frustrates me. “Come on, brother. She’s right there. We could just go and get her and bring her back with us!”
“You think I don’t want that!” he says between clenched teeth. “LOOK AT HER! Something isn’t right. The Addie I know wouldn’t just be sat watching a fight. She’d be in the thick of it, telling them to pick up their balls and man up after she pins them. Something is wrong, and if we just go in there, who knows what damage we’ll do. I want her back just as much as you do, more so even, but I’m not willing to put her in more danger to do so. You’re too rash, Kaden, too quick to act. This needs thought, finesse, not brute force.”
“And I suppose you’re the great thinker here right, big brother? Maybe you just don’t like it because I said it first. This isn’t about us, it’s about her!”
Crash (The Immortal Chronicles Book 2) Page 12
