Crais (24 page)

I threw myself all over his naked chest. “I love you like that, Brace. Thankfully I have a Walker heart. I think a human one would explode from this much emotion.” I pulled back to see his face. “You’ll have to put up with my immature insecurities for a while. I’ve got a few years to go to catch up with you.”

“Baby, it’s not
time’s
job to rid you of your insecurities. It’s mine. If a man loves his woman right, protects her, provides for her and cherishes every single facet of her complex personality, then there will be no need for insecurities.”

A soft smile spread across my face. “Now I understand why women date older men. You’re so wise.”

And suddenly we were very busy again.

Later that morning, after a leisurely rinse-off in the warm springs, I was dressed and searching for the others. I’d found a few more vintage tees that Josian had dug up for us. Considering how much he hated Earth, it must have been a sacrifice sifting through its clutter for our shirts. My dad was one of the good ones. I’d left Brace in the kitchen preparing food for breakfast. Lucky for me the boy could cook, because I didn’t have a clue. On Earth we’d been more into throwing knives than using them for dicing food.

The caves seemed so quiet. T
he last time I’d explored this place there had been so many Walkers filling it up.

Sudde
nly the golden cord that I now recognized as part of my conduit powers tugged at me, urging me to carry on along the corridor I was in.

Now, normally I would
hesitate to follow directions from a golden cord, but for some reason a curiosity overtook me. I continued until I reached the garden. The urge persisted so I stepped out onto the soft dirt, careful not to crush any of the smaller delicate plants. Something powerful was on the other side. I don’t know how I knew that, but I did. I could feel the warm glow beckoning me, drawing me closer.

Once I was through the garden
I noticed a small alcove hidden to one side. It was emitting a glow, subtle but alluring, and was definitely the source of the power. I slid my way along the rock wall, my soft steps slowing as I neared the opening. What the hell did Josian have hidden back here? I peered around the corner.

“Abby!” I jumped ten feet in the air as Lucy screeched in my ear.
“What you doing sneaking around?”

I held one hand over my chest to stop my heart beating out of its cavity.
Lucy, wearing a Mario Brothers’ vintage tee, was standing at my side.

“
Could you give a girl some notice before you try to scare her to death?” I turned back to the alcove. “There’s something hidden here.”

She grabbed my hand. “What is it?”

“I don’t know yet.” I peered around the corner again, and what I saw brought a shocked gasp to my lips.

I yanked Lucy into the opening, both of us dumfounded
by the vision before us.

“Are you seeing what I am, Abbs?”

“It’s a freaking fairy land,” I finally gasped out.

A miniature world was spread out before us, complete with forests, thousands of
fragile little plants, a stream and tiny houses built into the hills and grassy land. And the inhabitants were peering up at us, their huge eyes watchful as they waited for us to move. Finally, the most delicate of all that I had seen stepped forward. She looked female, long wispy hair falling around her face, and a light cloth covered her body. Her head was large, disproportionate for her tiny frame. I couldn’t see any wings, but otherwise she looked like the epitome of a miniature fairy.

“Aribella?”
Her delicate voice rang out, breaking our stunned silence.

I dropped to my knees, bringing my face closer to where she stood.

“How do you know my name?”

She danced closer to me and
, as if sensing safety, the rest of the inhabitants followed.

“Josian speaks of you often
,” she trilled. “Did we not stock enough food for you?”

So apparently it
was
cave fairies who had stocked the place.

Lucy and I walked back to the kitchen in silence. I wasn’t sure about her, but I felt like a little kid discovering fairy tales were real. Everyone turned as we stepped into the lit room. They were sitting around the table eating plates piled high with eggs and smoked meat.

“Where have you two been?” Talina asked. “Usually we have to fight you off to get any food.”

“We were just in fairy land,” Lucy practically screeched. “Like tinka-bell, fairy godmother, grant-me-a-wish miniature land. They sounded like bells, freaking bells and tiny prancing feet.”

“Is this an Earth thing?”
Colton side-whispered. “What are they talking about?”

Brace
leveled his gaze on me. “You found the lalunas?”

I shook my head. “Lalunas are stones. These were tiny little people.
”

“You know the lalunas are their own worlds
? That’s what happens when one is broken.”

Colton launched to his feet. “No gods damn way. Josian has a function
ing laluna world?”

Brace nodded. “Yes, they
’ve been with him since the beginning of time. They chose to break free of their walls.”

“So
, let me get this straight: that blue stone that follows Abbs everywhere has fairies inside?” Lucy crinkled her brow. “How do they fit?”

Brace
tilted his head, his smile broadening. “More like the essence of ... fairies, as you call them. Once the stone is destroyed the power it contains will manifest into the laluna people and their world. You must be careful of them. They are ancient, powerful and dangerous. Josian is the only one they care for or are loyal to.”

“So if my laluna exploded
–?” I started.

“You would be the only one to control them
. You’re their bonded guide.”

“If they break free without a guide?”
I watched him closely.

His eyes darkened. “You must hope that never happens
. They are beyond our ability to contain, and they have no clear emotions or control without the help of a guide.”

Lucy sighed. “They seemed so cute and sweet.”

Brace nodded. “They have spent many years with Josian. He has tamed them somewhat. But never accept gifts or advice from them. You don’t want to owe them. Always seek Josian’s help if you need them for anything.”

“What can they do?” Dune asked.

“Everything,” Brace said. “They have the ability of creation and destruction at their fingertips.”

I looked at Luce. “Well
, at least we know where our shirts came from.”

I managed to stay away from them for the rest of our time there, even though their power continued to call me. I’d had enough of manipulation by powerful entities. They seemed to screw with my head all too easily. My own laluna had not arrived in a long while, but I knew it would be back when I needed it.

“I can’t believe we have to leave tomorrow.” Fury was sprawled across the soft rug in the television room. “I don’t think I’ve been this relaxed in years.” Her head was cushioned on Dune’s stomach.

“Personally I think I’ve gained ten pound from all of this amazing food,” Lucy said, throwing her head back and trying to catch popcorn as I launched it at her.

Colton snorted. Lucy spun around to glare at him.

“What’s that snort for, Coltonnn?” She dragged his name out.

“I
’ve never understood why women stress about gaining weight. Personally, the more curves the better for me.”

“Well
, you just shot to the top of my list.” Interest was written across Lucy’s face.

“What list?”
he asked.

She shook her head, refusing to
say more.

“Seriously, where is this list located?”

I smiled to myself. She was going to torment him with this. I just hoped she wouldn’t get in too deep with this Walker. I really liked Colton, but he had ‘player’ written all over him.

That night as I lay in Brace’s arms I let out a contented sigh.

“Is it wrong that I kind of don’t want to go back in the
morning?” I missed my parents, but this felt like such an escape from our responsibilities.

He tightened his arms
. My head shifted on his tensed bicep.

“I know what you mean
. My instincts are telling me to throw you over my shoulder and escape somewhere.” His lips brushed my cheek. “But since you tend to frown and kick me where it hurts when I go all caveman, I’ve discarded that plan.”

“Clever,” I said, “and I have to say my
feelings about this gathering are very up and down. A storm is coming, Brace, and I can’t tell if we’re going to get caught in the centre.”

“I’ll keep you dry
, baby. One thing I have is a really big –”

“Don’t,” I interrupted him with a laugh, “don’t say it.”

“Umbrella,” he finished. “What did your dirty little mind think I was going to say?”

I shook my head. “Go to sleep.”

“Love you, Red.”

I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face all night.

Day one of the Walker gathering was off to a brilliant start.
I was following Brace and Josian across the field as they sped over to defuse a confrontation. And we hadn’t even started any of the organized events yet.

I really couldn’t believe how quickly the last month had sped by
, even with our few days away. The open field was now packed to capacity. Josian estimated, based on Doreen’s numbers and their last gathering, that each clan had approximately ten thousand members. So now we had almost seventy thousand hot-headed, egotistical god-like creatures filling the mountain space.

Suffice to say
the view was awesome. There were plenty of very fine male specimens, but most of them needed major personality overhauls. I’d never met so many asshats in my life. The stories of gods and the hell they’ve caused were entirely believable. And their fanatical obsession with us half-Walkers, both positive and negative, was destined to result in some butt-kicking. Mostly by Fury.

I heard that, Red. Fine male specimens
, huh? I’m thinking I’ll lock you in our tent until this is over.
Brace might be busy keeping the peace, but he always occupied a corner of my mind.

I’d love to see you try that
,
I said, following at my much slower pace, dodging around Walkers.

I
n the early days I’d questioned why we had to camp out here when we could trace back home in seconds. Apparently there were two reasons.

No one wanted to leave in case all hell broke loo
se, and there were also rules for these gatherings. The most important centered on honor.

You could not run from anything that happened here
and, to make sure everyone obeyed, a sacred spell was cast over the circle of moonstale stones. From the moment of entering the perimeter, no one would be able to leave until the final day. Seven days from now. I wondered how much the damage this many Walkers could do in that amount of time.

I had to decrease my
pace as I arrived at the fight, pushing my way through the crowd toward the angry voices.

“I’m going to kill you, dog
. Don’t think there’s any place where you’re safe from my wrath.”

I wasn’t surprised to see a
n angry Relli Walker with both hands wrapped around Colton’s throat, holding him against one of the thud trees. Colton was one of those who just found trouble, wherever it was hiding. Glancing around the animated crowd, I felt a sense of ... patriotism almost, to see everyone’s marks on display. I still thought the pulsing red of Doreen’s lace network was the most beautiful, followed closely by the Whar clan’s purple design. It was an intricate indigo square-style pattern. Of course, as I stared at Brace, his heavily muscled arms crossed as he stood at Colton’s side. Abernath’s was hands-down the sexiest. His head swung around to lazily pin me to the spot, the slightest smile creasing the corners of his lips. I bit my own lip as the blood rushed through me, spreading a path of heat.

Damn.

I managed to wrench my gaze and focus on the fight; okay, it may have been
after
Brace turned away. But everyone has a weakness. Mine just happens to be six and a half feet of sexy Abernath Walker.

The giant shook Colton again and involuntary
laughter burst from me, drawing their attention. I shook my finger at Colton. Brace’s friend was proving to be great entertainment – unlike his sister, who was teaching me the concept of ‘watch your back’.

“What have you done this time, Colt?”

He was always sticking his white-blond head where it wasn’t welcome.

“This dog was sniffing around my tree
.” The Relli Walker must have loosened his grip minutely; the color was starting to return to Colton’s ivory features.

I glanced
at my father. “Is he speaking literally? Or are there some Walker metaphors I’m missing here?”

I heard Colton waste some of his very precious breath snorting out laughter.

“Either officially challenge or walk away, Edmond,” Brace interrupted before Josian could answer me. “You know the rules; random fighting is not tolerated.” His lilting accent, adopted from years on First World, was calm.

But I knew he could snap into action within a blink of my eye.

“How is it that they seem to know the names of all seventy thousand Walkers?” Lucy’s breathless voice had me spinning around.

She stood next to me
, her breath coming in gasps. She’d clearly sprinted to get here.

I eyed her carefully, raising my eyebrows. “If I was a suspicious kind of person, Luce, I’
d think you were stalking Colt.”

Her eyes
widened, the picture of innocence, something she used to her full advantage amongst these Walkers. In general they spent a lot of time shielding the women, and Lucy especially inspired their protective instincts. Colton was an exception; despite their few interactions in the caves, he had mainly ignored her, which had only increased her interest.

“We
’re an old race and have had many thousands of years to meet each other,” Josian answered Lucy’s original question.

“Who gave you permission to speak
, Earthling?” Another voice rang out.

I growled
. Those damn elitists were getting on my nerves. I spun to glare at the small group of Walkers who’d decided that half-Walkers and Lucy were the crap under their boots. Especially Lucy. We were keeping her abilities quiet at the moment, so they thought she was a useless human.

At these words Colton moved into action, smashing aside the hand
s on his throat. Okay, he had definitely been letting that Walker hold him. He stalked across to the Abernath who had spoken, getting right into his face.

“If you value your life, you will never speak to her like that again.” His tone was low. “Her name is Lucy
. You will use it.”

And without a backwards glance Colton stalked off.
The Abernath he’d threatened gave Lucy a wide-eyed look before turning tail and departing himself.

“You wish you could be his stalker now
, right?” Lucy said, one of her hands pressed against her chest. Her voice was light and breathless. “Damn,” she muttered.

“
I take it you’re not issuing a challenge?” Brace gave the original Relli Walker one last chance.

The man pursed his lips
, before shaking his head. “He’s not worth it, but you tell him if he comes around again I will neuter him.”

Brace gave one nod.

Once the tension had dissipated everyone left to go back to their clans’ territories. There were no set events that day. The real fun would start the next day. This moment was for settling in and socializing.

“This week is going to be awesome.” Lucy pranced beside me as we left to find Talina.

I’d been on my way to meet her by the lake when the fight broke out.

“Huh?” I stared in dis
belief. “Are you crazy? If this is day one, they’re going to be tearing each other apart by tomorrow.” I grabbed her arm. “Promise me that you won’t go off by yourself. Make sure you’re always with one of us. These Walkers don’t give a shit about you and some of them might actually prefer you dead.”

Lucy snorted. “Don’t you worry that gorgeous head about
me. I’m not useless; I have my fight training and if all else fails my soothsayer abilities.”

Walkers had exceptional hearing, so we really shouldn’t be having this conversation here, but I needed her
to understand. Lucy wasn’t great with accepting limitations.

I leaned in closer. “You’
ve seen them fight. I wouldn’t stand a chance and you have even less than me.”

She opened her mouth but I cut her off.

“And Mom told you that your visions can be very hit and miss. Sometimes you’ll see everything, sometimes nothing and, most importantly, you often don’t see your own direct future.”

Lallielle
believed Lucy was exceptionally strong as a soothsayer, maybe even more so than her sister Francesca, who was believed to be the greatest ever. But she’d had no training and no time to really understand and develop her abilities.

“Just don’t get over-confident
,” I finished.

She was quiet for a moment, before
her laughter rang out. I was about to give her a good whack when she darted out of my reach.

“I
recognize that look, Abigail. We’re so not going to have a bitch-fight here and entertain the Walkers. I just found your whole mother speech funny and sad.” Her expression sobered as she stepped closer. “We were always equals and now you’re so much stronger and more powerful. I don’t like being the weak one that people have to look after.”

She was uncharacteristically serious as she waited for my reply.

“You’re smart, resourceful and the future has you on its speed-dial. No one thinks you’re weak.” I took a deep breath. “You’re just my best friend, soul sister, and I can’t live without you.”

Her eyes widened and looked a little shiny.
“Are we having a moment here, Abbs?”

She was close enough now to step in and throw her arms around me.

I leant down into the hug.

“I love you too.” Her voice was muffled in my arm.

“Am I interrupting something?”

We pulled
away to find Fury standing five feet from us. I recognized the flash of pain and loneliness before her mask fell back into place. We’d been together a lot in the caves, but she was always a little distant, holding back pieces of herself.

“Dune’s with the others trying to get the setup
finalized for the banquet tonight.”

That’s where Brace and Josian had disappeared too
also. They had a stadium of neutral ground which could house about a hundred thousand people. All of the important events were going to happen there.

“We’re just heading to swim with Talli. Do you want to join us?” I shoved my curls back
. I was getting so lazy with my braid.

She nodded
, falling into step with us.

“Have you found out anything
about your father?” I asked her as we walked.

She shook her head. “There are too many Walkers here
. I have no idea where to even start.”

Fury had been hoping her father held answers to her mother’s life and why he
had just left them, but it wasn’t an easy task to figure out who he was. Dune knew what he looked like but so far they had not crossed paths.

W
e were in the Doreen territory now, moving toward the section of lake reserved for us. There were so many Walkers mingling around, eating, chatting, and playing these weird mind games where it looked like they were just staring at each other for an hour. They were a fascinating race to observe.

None of them looked older than
in their late twenties, but I felt as if I could tell the older men and women by their actions. Many of them were isolated, sitting on the open rock mountains, not moving for the day. Josian had woken many of them from their sleep stasis, and they weren’t particularly happy about it, but apparently we had a statewide emergency with the Seventine.

Word of mouth had gotten around about us half-Walkers. So far their curiosities had been limited to open stares and lulls in conversation as we passed by. But something told me sooner or later the Walkers would not be so reticent in approaching us. Hopefully Josian would
address these concerns and answer most of their questions that night.

Reaching the edge of the lake, I started to strip down to my low
-backed one-piece swimsuit. Lucy had on a racy red bikini, far skimpier than I would have worn in front of everyone, but she didn’t care. Fury wore a leafy concoction that she’d created in the forest. And, knowing Talina, she was probably butt-naked, showing off her awesome gills-skills by sitting on the bottom of the lake.

“Hello
, ladies, mind if we join you for a swim? We’ll be the most fun you’ll have all day.”

My shirt was half over my head. I struggled to shrug it off so I could see who the haughty voice belonged to.

“I mind,” Lucy said, dismissing them. “What about you two?” Her voice sounded bored.

Finally I freed myself, finding a pair of douche Walkers standing on the edge of the lake. I didn’t pay much attention to their appearance besides noting that one had red hair and the other
’s was a light brown. Yes, apparently not all Doreens were reds. They were tall with defined but slim-line muscles.

“Run along
. We don’t have time to tame any boys today, and you won’t like that kind of spanking anyways.” Fury shot them her famous glare.

The
brown-haired one, who was the speaker, clenched his fists and took a step closer. His demeanor changed from teasing to waves of anger in seconds.

“Do you know who I am? Who my father is?”
he started.