“Well?” Dad stood.
Nathanael stepped forward and almost hid me behind him, as if Dad were the threat. “With all due respect, Mr. Gardiner, she doesn’t need to know.”
Dad touched his arm. “Son, we understand you want to protect her, but by protecting her from this, it could be detrimental to her resolve if that situation were to happen. Saydi must be prepared for all possible outcomes. She needs to know,” he insisted, ominously.
Resigned to Dad’s reasoning, Nathanael reluctantly released me. Dad took my hand and seated me between him and Mom.
Nathanael pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head lightly.
The hesitation from Dad led me to believe he may be rethinking it.
“Well?” I pushed.
Dad patted my hand. “Their plan would be to capture you and take you to their realm. There, they would perform rituals for as long as it took, until you give them what they want.”
Ignoring the commotion that was threatening to rupture inside me, I asked, “What kind of rituals?”
Nathanael was monitoring me, watching closely.
“It will be a variety. You’ll be tortured,” Dad confirmed.
Nuff said.
While Nathanael cuddled me up, they told me, not in great detail, that my torture would be the ultimate mind game, along with some physical things. My imagination was capable of getting a gist. However, my concern wasn’t for me; it was mostly for Nathanael. All that time he had known about it and kept it from me, never showing me those emotions. The pressure on him knowing that had to be almost unbearable.
Pearle questioned, “What do we know about the donums of Job and Joshua?”
They all looked to Nathanael again.
“Let’s begin with Job,” André suggested.
Nathanael kissed my head and took centre stage again, crossing one arm over his chest, then resting the other on it. “We all have the same strength muscular-wise, as well as our running abilities and being able to turn into hideous creatures.” Then he tried to make light of it. “Other than that, we’re our own individual people.”
We laughed.
“Job has lightning, yet the only time I’ve seen him use it is if there is a storm. I don’t think he knows how to bring the storm about. However when he does, it will light the whole sky and earth. He has pinpoint accuracy when striking and also has the gift of fire, which is somewhat stronger than mine.”
He took a deep breath and informed me, “The wind would be considered a nominal for him and last but not least, his ability to swim. He can swim faster and deeper than a whale and, of course, can breathe under water.”
“What about non-physical such as mind reading, along those lines?” Zack asked.
“Again, we all have the power of suggestion. I haven’t noticed any others. That’s not to say he doesn’t have any.” He flicked a glare at Mora. “Apparently those types of things are prevalent in some family genes.” There was still an animosity toward his mom, making me anxious.
Dad put his arm around Mom’s shoulder. “What about Joshua?”
“As we all know, Joshua has the ability to change eye and hair color and some minor facial features. That’s a very minor donum. His greatest is his gift of force, like a shield. He can take someone’s ability, whether a full-fledged Tov or a Half Light, and literally use it against them.”
Everyone simply gaped in confusion. Nathanael shuffled from one foot to another before explaining. “Say fire is thrown at him. He can ricochet it off his hands or body against the one who threw it or anyone else, for that matter. He too has pinpoint accuracy. That ability alone is the most powerful, because he can use it at the same time for many attacks at once and still be able to aim it at whomever he wants. It also goes without saying, he’s almost untouchable.”
It was a little confusing for me and I didn’t quite understand. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you mean.”
He smiled sweetly. I just wanted to kiss him.
Then he continued, “Let me explain. If I’m throwing fire at him, you water, your Dad here ice, no matter how far apart or how close they come at him, he’s still able to focus enough to throw every single one back to whatever target he chooses.”
Everyone “aw’ed” and nodded.
Zack looked at him thoughtfully. “Is there a way to stop it or block this ability?”
Nathanael shook his head. “Not really. His sensory depth is keen, and you can’t even catch him off guard. No...the only way to stop him is hand to hand combat, one on one.”
“What else does he have?” Dad asked.
“Other than that, nothing.”
“Hmm, that makes sense.” Dad nodded and got to his feet, rubbing his chin.
Everyone watched him in anticipation.
Mora finally spoke, “What is it, John?”
He put his finger up in the air and shook it gently, deep in thought. “It’s the circle of three.”
Mora gasped, as did the other Tovs.
“What?” Mom, Nathanael and I asked at once.
Dad nodded, still in his own world. “As we have a prophecy, so do you.” Nodding toward Nathanael.
Nathanael sat beside me, pulling me into his side, letting Dad have the stage.
“It’s a prophecy the Pyre don’t know we know about. A Pyre lost his life for the information.”
I sat up, but Nathanael pulled me back. “I need you near me.”
Okay, no problem.
Dad moved on with his reiteration of the prophecy. “It is said three men with the same identity will battle to the death. Yet it never reveals in detail which battle and we always assumed it would be Pyre, never fathoming it could be Half Nights—it mostly speaks of the circle of three. The first is the Protector: he has limited donum, but his ability and marksmanship are like no other—Joshua. Second, the Guardian: He has more donums, able to use the elements and even his mind to do his bidding if the enemy gets past the Protector—Job.” He stopped pacing and looked directly at Nathanael. “The Warrior...”
Everyone jumped up, including Nathanael and me.
“No way!” I screamed.
Dad motioned with his hands for everyone to stay calm and listen. “He is the one they will protect at all costs, because he is the strongest and will ultimately bring them to victory.” Dad surveyed me, a concern on his face. “But it will be at a cost...”
Mom yanked me away from Nathanael, holding me to her. “No!”
Nathanael stepped forward, challenging Dad for something, although he wasn’t sure what.
Dad wasn’t threatened, and as a matter of fact, he was sympathetic for the way Nathanael had approached him. He took Nathanael’s hand. “At the cost of the one he loves.”
All Tovs jumped to their feet in a stance at the ready—they would take Nathanael out if he were to make a move on Dad. How they could even think that was beyond me.
The words tore up Nathanael’s throat. “Never! It’s impossible!”
Yanking his hand away from Dad’s, he wheeled around and pointed at Mora. “This is your doing! Because you’ve come into my life, you’ve given Father the upper hand.” He was trying to find someone to blame.
“Nathanael,” I said, warming up to his side. “It’s not her fault.”
It was no use.
“Now I have to confront him as to why! Why he kept us from you and what donums I might have of yours I need to strengthen...” Tears rolled down his face. “...So I can fight against you... Against Saydi,” he choked.
Squeezing me hard, his voice grew louder. “By being here, you’ve given him stronger sons," he yelled, thrusting his finger at her. “Father never spoke of you after we turned ten. He never told us you were a Half Light, keeping the fact we may have hidden donum from us. We only trained with what we knew. Now that I’m aware of you, he’s going to ensure we find out what hidden donum we have so we can strengthen them.”
It was tearing him apart, loving his dad and me, then throwing Mora into the mix. For him, she was a wrench that would destroy us.
His eyes went darker. “You say Father’s plan was to produce the strongest Half Nights and that he never had any intention of allowing you in our lives. If that’s the case, then why would he hide the fact that we may have other donums?”
Mora cautiously stepped a little closer. “Nathanael, I don’t know why, but what I told you is the truth.”
Stiffening, he stepped back. “Job and Joshua are going to work twice as hard and now I have to go and face Father, all in a hope he doesn’t kill me because you’re here.”
A whole lot of gasps went through the room. Pearle threw her hand up to her neck. “Oh my!”
Mora tried to reason with him. “Nathanael, I know right now you are very angry with me, but use your head, son.”
“Don’t call me that!” he spat at her.
She didn’t flinch. “Even if your father doesn’t know yet that you boys are the circle of three, he’s not going to harm you with this battle so close at hand.” She reached for him.
He cowered away.
“Your father will not harm you, and though you may not think so, you’re his strongest, not his weakest.”
She turned and spoke to everyone. “When Andrew discovers, if he hasn’t already, that his boys are the circle of three, he will have them strengthen all of their donum. If Saydi doesn’t willingly give up her Spirit Light, the battle will go on and they’ll just take it.”
Nathanael’s hands rolled into fists at his side, his face was red hot. “She will not be the sacrifice!” Then he spun around at everyone. “Not one more person is to mention or think of it!”
Zack took a chance and faced Nathanael’s rage. “Can I say something?”
“Please,” Dad allowed.
“Nathanael, though I was fooled about what your intentions were, you must remember this...” He paused. “Everyone, please sit and calm down. We’re all forgetting what it is I’m about to say.” He waited.
Nathanael nestled me into him on the couch and whispered, “It would never happen.”
“A prophecy is just that, a prophecy. What the recipient does with that declaration is the real outcome of what is to come.” Zack smiled at Nathanael. “With each challenge that presents itself, you will make a decision and that decision will solidify the prophecy. Ultimately, it is up to you with the decisions you make, which prophecy will come to pass.”
Mora smiled. “Free will.”
Zack smiled back. “Exactly.”
Nathanael got it too. The turmoil he was feeling diminished somewhat and he became calmer. His heart went back to an almost normal beat after a few minutes. He got up and held his hand out to Zack. “Thank you. You put some things into perspective. There will be no more confusion because I know exactly what I have to do.”
Zack’s hand covered Nathanael’s. “Find where you need to be and it will be right.”
Nathanael gave a quick nod and released his grip. “Thank you.”
He turned to everyone and announced, “I get it, and I’ll deal with it. It’s been a good morning, I think. But I have to go to the office and confront my father about Mora...” He wouldn’t even look at her, “And tell him I gave Saydi the ring.” His mouth twitched with a smile.
Dad reached over and took his hand. “Thank you.”
Everyone took turns thanking him.
~ * ~
Nathanael held my hand as we walked back to his car.
“You were a good son,” I said.
He huffed and snorted.
“You were. You listened to what she had to say and took it all into account, and not once did you judge, well...up until then.”
He smirked.
“It’s a learning curve.” I chalked it up for him.
Turning us, he lounged back against his car, holding me close against him. The crisp air made his beautiful breath dance. “Saydi, with all the new information, it seems I’ve done nothing but put you in the line of fire. Are you still mine?”
It wasn’t a surprise to me that he asked, I could feel it coming. “Nah! I’d cuddle up against any boy’s chest that had the strength of seven hundred men. What girl wouldn’t?
“You’re sassing me?”
“Of course I am, and you’re stuck with me now,” I proclaimed, holding my finger up to show him my promise ring.
The corners of his mouth curled up into the most beautiful smile.
“What did you mean earlier? About me learning what your traps were?” I asked.
He sighed, then kissed my nose. “My job is to tempt you with things you want, things that aren’t good for you. You know that.”
“But you haven’t,” I insisted.
He delved into my eyes, one eyebrow raised. “Oh! Haven’t I, or for that matter, haven’t they?”
“Nathanael you’re scaring me.”
“As you should be. Don’t ever let your guard down when it comes to the Pyre and the Tov.”
“I don’t think I have.”
I felt his hands clench against my back. “Yes, you have!” he informed curtly.
“What are you talking about?”
He spoke low and quiet. “Your anger towards Norma. The strong dislike you felt toward your parents when they wouldn’t let me see you. How you had no problem being with me at the pool, knowing it went against your parents’ wishes.” With a tight smile, he continued, “All of those things feed into what Father wants. You wanting to betray your parents’ trust...”