Ascending the Veil (28 page)

I think of the moments before we left the facility to ascend the veil. The ant farm, I asked Angela to take care of them while I was gone. I wondered then what made me chose her of all the guardians to take care of the ants. Something greater than fate was at work when I
chose her.

The thing is, Angela never appeared to be that strong to any of us, but for some reason the day we left the facility to ascend the veil of our universe
, I chose her to take care of the ant farm, just like Ezra asked me. In some divine way, I may have been passing the watch over our team; resting their safety in her hands. We always considered her the timid one. Turns out she was one of the bravest.

I could easily be wrong about the ant that collapsed the tunnel on himself just as I was wrong about Angela being alone when she died. I look above the buried ant and see an ant posted at the edge of the hole where the collapse occurred. It is one of the more lively o
f the remaining ants, moving its upper limbs near its mandibles; it almost looks like it is praying.

A day after the explosion that saved the Nick, Luke, Elisha, and location of our facility, someone who never ceases to surprise me went back to see if anyone survived. Siobhan. I think she had hoped she would have found Angela alive. When the story was being told by Monica, Siobhan had to leave the room. She couldn’t hold in the pain any longer. Monica said that when Siobhan came back that day she told them she had found what resembled pieces of Angela’s clothing; the person unrecognizable. Siobhan had torn off part of the clothing from the body and carried it in her hand back to the facility. Said she wanted a piece of Angela with us to remember that her spirit would live on with them.

All of my assumptions about the computers holding months and months of video files of the last year while we were gone were correct. The story that I assumed by the titles of the files was correct as well. To date, it has been estimated that a third of the world’s population has been obliterated because of the re-climitization effects of the elements and the invasion of the beings from beyond the veil. The Sondians and Dobrians alike are being picked off by the beings equally now since we are the only viable threats; there were no other humans pre-implantation surviving in this world at this point.

As I watch the ant keeping watch over the edge of the collapsed tunnel, I wonder who will be keeping watch over us now.

We board the two private planes in the middle of the night for Marietta, Georgia as planned. As I sit here, in the cabin of the plane, I think of my mother, Anna. I don’t know if she made it out of the hell she so valiantly entered to get us out. I know that Monica and the others say that our modified Copulas have made it impossible to link with others, but I refuse to believe that my mother and my bond would break so easily.

I refuse to believe that any bond I have made with those I have come to love and respect would break so easily.
I still had my abilities, right?
One of my abilities was Telepathy; transmitting information from one person to another through the mind. Monica said the abilities would be off due to the elemental shift in our world now, but once we adapt, our abilities would as well. Monica said that the abilities might mutate and we wouldn’t know how they would be affected until they return, if they return.

I close my eyes and lean my head back on the headrest and focus on what I remember about my mother’s energy, her essence: vibrant, potent, warm, comforting, nurturing, always protecting.

Her voice is a whisper blended with the hum of the plane’s engine, “I’m here.”

Immediately upon hearing her voice, I open my eyes and look for Ezra. He has occupied the seat next to me, head lulled to the side and eyes closed. I almost shake him awake, tell him that mom is here with us, but then I hesitate. I think to myself
, her soul will find his again on its own time.

I look beyond Ezra and see Nate and Xander in the two far seats, side by side, both of their eyes are closed. Nate shifts and becomes tense. I wonder if he is dreaming; a nightmare. Xander’s brow is furrowed and his jaw is working over time; always on guard, protecting. I can’t deny I love both of them and I know my decision to not choose between them will only come back to haunt me. For now, it will keep them alive and surviving. That is all the justification I need for my decision right now.

I lean my head against the chilled window and stare out into the darkness, the new and uncharted world beneath us. I would expect fear to creep into my chest right about now, but it doesn’t. It is the strangest thing, but I don’t fear the path I am on or this ancient legacy I have inherited. In our transforming universe, our evolving world, adapting, evolving, and surviving will only be one part of mankind’s deliverance. Transcending the legacy I bear, discovering it’s blessings among its curses for our world, will be the other.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, thanks to God for blessing me with family, friends, and mentors that have encouraged me and supported my dreams throughout my life. They have come at various stages of my childhood and adulthood. The timing of their intervention was always miraculous. Those “angels” need to know that the wisdom they passed on stuck with me persistently and would not let me quit. It was that wisdom that encouraged me to write, publish, and promote Piercing the Fold: Book1 and Surfacing the Rim: Piercing the Fold Book 2.

Much love to my husband and children who were and are my endless cheerleading squad. Husband, thank you for understanding the need for take-out on more occasions than not due to my need to finish writing “one more chapter
, honey.” I love you Greg Kimball.

To my three blessings, my children. Thank you for telling mommy to never give up! It not only has given me strength, but has helped me realize that I have taught you the true meaning of never giving up through my example! Win for mommy!

To the book blogging and book reviewing community that embraces, supports, and promotes authors for no other reason except their love of books! You keep the reading community alive by spreading the word about books daily! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my publishing house, Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly, along side of Hot Ink Press and Vamp
tasy Press; One House United...what an amazing family of authors! You have embraced me into the family with open arms and I am so happy to be a part of our publishing house family!

To the fans of the Piercing the Fold series for loving the characters and wanting more! Much, much love to you! Writing this story for you has been a pure joy. You will never know how much your Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, and Goodreads comments, messages, and reviews have meant to me. It still amazes me that this series has moved some of you to create your own Pinterest boards, graphics, dream casts, and jewelry. I am truly humbled by the inspirations this story has stirred within you.

Make sure and keep up with my projects, events, giveaways, upcoming releases, or just to chat on my wall by visiting and liking my website and social network pages. Would love to hear from you!

www.venessakimball.net

http://www.facebook.com/VenessaKimballAuthor?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/VenessaKimball

About the Author

In 2010, Venessa Kimball was struck by an idea, a story, that needed telling. Having always been passionate about the written word, Venessa embarked on writing what would become her debut novel, Piercing the Fold: Book 1; a mature young adult/ adult crossover, paranormal, science fiction series. July 2, 2012, Venessa Kimball independently published the first book in the Piercing the Fold series. Book 2, Surfacing the Rim, independently released March 14, 2013.

In August of 2013, Venessa joined the publishing house, Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly. The Piercing the Fold series has been acquired by them starting with re-release of Piercing the Fold: Book 1 on September 3, 2013. Surfacing the Rim: Book 2 was re-released on September 22, 2013 and Ascending the Veil: Book 3 will be released for the first time on November 5, 2013. Transcending the Legacy: Book 4 will release in Spring
2014.

As for the future, Venessa is already filling her Work-In-Progress folder. One project being a New Adult Contemporary Fiction novel. The other being an Adult Contemporary Fiction novel. Both projects will reflect her diversity as a w
riter in other genres. Will there be more Paranormal/Sci-Fi projects? Yes, there will be. :)

When Venessa is not writing, she is keeping active with her husband and three children, chauffeuring said children to extracurricular activities, catching a movie with her hubby, and staying up way too late reading and writing.

PIERCING THE FOLD SERIES BONUS MATERIAL:

Not long ago, I issued a contest for the fans to bring on their artistic ability and breathe visual life into scenes and characters from the Piercing the Fold series. This was prior to my signing with Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing and I didn’t know if we would be able to follow through with including these illustrations in Ascending the Veil: Book 3.

Once again, Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing has shown how they have embraced all aspects of this series, including supporting the amazing fans celebration of this series. These three pieces are original creations (sketch and graphic design) from these talented fans. I am so happy I get to showcase their talent here for you to see.

Kate Cowan, Rebecca Nelson, and Whitney Bear thank you for expressing your love for the Piercing the Fold series through sketch and graphic design techniques. As a writer, my desire is to give readers more than just a story. It has given me so much joy knowing that this series has stirred such expression of talent within you. Much love to you ladies!