“Yeah, like
being able to heal yourself almost instantaneously while the rest of us take
days if left on our own. And of course, there’s no advantage to me killing you
since your Essence all but dissipates when you die, leaving me with nothing.
No, I need a different strategy with you. I just don’t know what it is,” he
muttered as if it was an afterthought.
What? I could
heal myself. And why couldn’t he strip me of my Essence like he could a
Guardian? Jessica had a lot to teach me if I made it out of this mess. “Mmm
hmm,” I mumbled, hoping he’d keep rambling. The more time I bought, the better
my chances. I was sure he had some trick, some way to capture me and take me
with him in the end, but I wasn’t giving up hope.
“Then again,
there’s something to be said for stealing an ordinary human’s Essence,” he said
with a gleam in his amber eyes. “The hunt that leads up to the kill…oh, it’s
such a rush. And the power we gain and sustain when we extract all of someone’s
Essence. I don’t think your Guardians will ever wise up. They’re so weak – so
concerned about human life.”
The more he
talked the more disgusted and horrified I became. They were murderers, killing
people for their Essence. Suddenly, I felt chilled to the bone even though we
stood in the dark shadows of the trees and the temperature was probably around
85 degrees. In fact, not only did I feel colder than a block of ice, I felt
like he was chipping away at me with an ice pick, and I might shatter at any
moment. I certainly didn’t want to touch him and pollute myself with his
tainted Essence.
He hopped down
landing only inches away. “Well Alex, it’s time to hold up your end of the
bargain.” He smiled, baring dingy, yellow teeth. A mix of blood, animal fur,
and cigarette smoke permeated from his body. Foul and disgusting. I hated the
way he called me Alex. More than that, I just plain hated that he knew my name
at all.
He stood
unbearably close now. Blood crusted around the scratches on his face and torn
skin hung from his neck. Jason had inflicted some damage, but this guy was
obviously strong. Sighing with resignation, I pursed my lips and reached out to
touch him. But at that exact moment something crashed through the forest in the
distance. We both turned our heads in haste. Blazing through the thicket and
cornering trees at full speed, a golden-colored animal raced towards us, making
loud chirping noises. I gaped in surprise when a cheetah came into view.
Quick in his own
right, Kieran swore under his breath and spat out, “Our time together has been
most rewarding, Alex.” His gaze was intense and his smile wicked. “And while
its good-bye for now, have no doubts – I will find you again.” With that he
leaped straight up in the air, and when he landed a good 30 feet away, he was
once again the lean, mean reddish mountain lion. Using his long tail like a
rudder, he turned sharply through the trees and disappeared with a burst of
speed.
I’d been
surprised to see a cheetah. I was even more astonished when, as it dashed past
me, it transformed into a huge shaggy black bear and continued running with a
fast shuffling gait. Watching his massive and powerful body was fascinating.
His legs on one side moved swiftly together rather than alternating like most
four-legged animals. He stampeded over a couple logs, squashing them easily,
and followed the mountain lion into the thicket.
I didn’t have
time to wait around and see what happened next because I had to get back to
Jason. Tearing through the forest as quietly as possible, I found him in the
same place I’d left him – at the bottom of my protective wall. I whispered a
silent prayer when I saw he was still alone. Sitting in the middle of a dark
green bush and leaning against the log, he didn’t look overly comfortable. But
at least he was part way up. His color looked better, but he was still a mess.
“Alex, thank God!”
he exclaimed. In a worried voice he asked, “Did he touch you?” I frowned at him
and he amended his question, “I mean, did you touch him?”
“No,” I said
softly.
“How?”
“Shhhh.” I held
my finger against my lips and shook my head suppressing tears that were trying
to spring forth. I placed my hands on his neck, and he flinched but nodded. His
eyes held a significant amount of gold spots. Not normal. Looking at him
distracted me, so I closed my eyes and concentrated. His Essence felt stronger,
and that eased my worries.
“Quick,” he
broke the silence after another minute, and I looked up, “we need to move
behind the trees.”
“Why?” I asked
impatiently, knowing he needed more of my Essence “We need to heal you before
they come back. You need to be able to protect yourself,” I said with
exasperation.
“No, they’re
coming – right now.” Just as he said that the forest erupted into a thunderous
cacophony, like numerous trees were being felled simultaneously.
“Madison?” I
asked but already knew the answer to that one. I knew how loud she was when she
was pissed off, and from the sounds of the mass destruction heading our way,
I’d say her name was written all over it. Only this was decibels higher than
her usual rumblings.
He nodded and
said, “Her and Andrew.”
“Tattoo guy with
the energy spheres,” I clarified.
Nodding, he rose
to his feet and motioned for me to follow. “Let’s go.”
Just before
rounding the log barrier, I stopped and watched Andrew fly backwards into the
clearing. His hands were out and he was throwing energy blasts everywhere.
Smaller trees split and toppled over, and large potholes blasted the forest
floor to pieces.
Madison rushed
into the now cluttered clearing with her long hair whipping in the breeze, a
breeze she’d created with her own anger. With her hands out in front of her,
she appeared to be lifting things off the ground and hurtling them through the
air. Huge branches, logs, and even boulders flew towards Andrew, like
pre-programmed missiles. She tilted her head slightly, and I knew…I knew she’d
been the long-haired girl in the alley who’d been launching buckets.
All Andrew could
do was counter with his energy blasts. Loud “booms” erupted as things collided
overhead, decimating treetops. Shattering into millions of particles, the rock
shards and huge chunks of timber scattered in all directions. One Guardian and
one Ray-pac together had created a war zone, and it was spectacular.
Tight black
shorts and a form-fitting, ultra blue tank top highlighted Madison’s long lean
legs and toned upper body. She was beautiful, and she was deadly. Andrew didn’t
stand a chance this time.
“Alex, get over
here now,” Jason roared.
At that moment,
a rogue sphere flew over my head and blasted off the top three logs in the
wall. I dropped to the ground and scrambled on my hands and knees to get away
from the falling chunks, but splintery pieces sprayed my back. When I glanced
up, I saw a huge tree section, about five feet long and two feet across,
hurtling straight towards me. As I cried out, the massive log smashed into my
head.
And my world
went dark.
I knew my eyes
were closed, but I wasn’t ready to open them. My whole body ached, and my head
was throbbing something terrible. I felt weightless like I was on a swing. I
thought maybe I was dreaming until a hand touched my shoulder. Jessica’s hand
for sure, because I could feel her Essence pouring into me. Her Essence was
good. Strong.
“She’s waking
up. Step back you guys; give her a little room. She’s going to be freaked out
enough as it is.” At the sound of Jessica’s voice, I opened my eyes and found
five anxious faces peering into mine. Well, Jessica, Jason, Max, and Laci
looked anxious; Madison appeared more put out than anything else.
“How are you
feeling?” Jessica asked. She was sitting next to me on an L-shaped couch,
holding my shoulder with one hand and tugging nervously on her ponytail with
the other.
“Crappy,” I
answered groggily. “But better and better with every second you share your
Essence.” I smiled but shuddered when I touched a clump of matted hair on the
back of my head.
Leaving some
space between us, Laci dropped down on my other side. “We’re so glad you’re
okay. We knew you would be, but that didn’t stop us from worrying.”
“Speak for
yourself,” Madison muttered under her breath and plopped herself into a large,
comfy-looking chair across from me.
“Madison,” Max
scolded, shaking his head. He and Jason remained standing.
“Where are we?”
I asked, looking around for the first time. The modest-sized room was snug but
cozy. Cream colored carpets offset by cherry cabinets and matching end tables
brought a certain amount of luxuriousness to the space, while black trim and
glossy finishes added a touch of elegance. Nestled in one corner was a small
kitchen; the other corner held two short sets of stairs, one leading up and one
down. Large, slightly angled windows stretched all the way around us.
Everything beyond the windows was blue. The light blue sky extended forever until
it came down and met up with a deep, dark blue. Water!
“We’re on
Jason’s boat out in the middle of Bellingham Bay,” Max said.
“Oh.” I turned
and stared out the window behind me at the waves rippling across the ocean. The
boat was rocking gently; that explained the swinging sensations.
“Well,
technically it’s everybody’s boat. I just happen to be the one who lives on
it,” Jason said and leaned back against the counter.
“What? You live on
a boat?” I asked, looking at him incredulously. As my eyes swept over his white
t-shirt, jeans, and the huge red marks on his neck, I suddenly remembered
everything. The sunlit forest, the mountain lions, the Ray-pacs, the falling
tree…
“Yes,” he said quietly.
I covered my
face with my hands and moaned. “It’s all coming back. Oh crap! Everything is
coming back.” My head shot up. I pointed at him and stuttered, “You…you turned
into a…a mountain lion.” Panicking, I started breathing hard, and Jessica wrapped
an arm around me. He nodded slowly with a pained expression, and I continued in
a shaky voice. “That was insane…” I covered my face with my hands and then
glanced back up at him, “but amazing.”
Tilting his head
forward, he narrowed his eyes and jabbed a finger my direction. “You didn’t
listen to a word I said. I told you to stay hidden. But oh no, you jumped right
in at the first opportunity. You put yourself in the worst kind of danger.”
Livid, I glared
at him. He sure knew how to push my buttons. Startling Jessica and Laci, I
pushed off the couch and shook my finger at him. “You were lying there
helpless, and the odds were not in your favor. You’re lucky I didn’t listen to
you. Or, or – you’d look worse off than you do right now.” Advancing deep into
his personal space, I smacked my hand against his chest.
“Calm down you
two,” Max said sternly and stepped between us. Looking at me, he said, “Lexi,
you’re right. He is lucky you acted, because you saved his life.” Jason snorted
and Max looked at him severely. “Lexi’s stronger than you give her credit for.
You should be grateful.”
Shamefully,
Jason studied the floor. Eventually he gazed at me with unwavering eyes, and
said, “I am grateful.” In a strained voice he said softly, “I’m only angry
because I was terrified. I didn’t know what they would do to you, and I knew I
was powerless.” He looked intently at Max and said with frustration, “Now they
know about her being an Amethyst, and they won’t stop until…”
“Jason stop!”
Jessica interrupted. She seized my hand and dragged me back to the couch.
Meanwhile, Max
veered Jason over to the empty chair by Madison and shoved him into it. “You
sit down and be quiet for awhile. Let me do the talking.” Jason nodded and
slumped into the chair, refusing to meet my eyes.
Max exhaled
loudly, drummed a hand against the counter, and ran the other through his jet
black hair. Standing before us in a red button down shirt, he gazed out the
sliding glass door towards the back of the boat. “Lexi, today has no doubt been
shocking and probably frightening as well.” I nodded and listened intently as
he continued, “It’s time we told you everything, but I’d like to start from the
beginning and work our way up to today. I think a more chronological telling of
events will give you a better understanding of who we are and what we do.
Afterwards, you can ask as many questions as you want. Does that work?”
“Yes,” I said
thankfully, sitting down and sinking back into the cushions. “Some history
would be helpful, and I’m way past ready for explanations.”
For the next 15
minutes he talked and everyone else kept quiet. Some of what he said I’d
already learned from Grandma Rose’s journals and some from Kieran. Basically,
their kind had existed for centuries. They called themselves Seers until they
linked and became Guardians. Linking took place anywhere between the ages of 16
and 23. Because they’d been gifted with special abilities, they believed their
main purpose in life was to act upon their visions and protect the general
population, the
Innocents
, from accidents and tragic deaths. Innocents,
for the most part, were unaware Guardians even existed.
I wanted to tell
them all, right then and there, about my premonitions and that I was a Seer,
but I was afraid to interrupt. I decided to wait until I’d heard everything
they had to say first. That way I’d receive unbiased information and wouldn’t
be drilled with a bunch of questions before I’d asked mine.
Max cleared his
throat. “Others, like us, exist all around the world. Basically, there’s a huge
network of Guardians. The ability to have premonitions is hereditary, and while
immediate offspring tend to inherit the ability, there is no guarantee they
will. In fact, in many cases the gift of prescience skips several generations.”