Blood Love (God Wars Book 4) (18 page)

"Ashe?" I turned to him.

"Do it, but let me get Traje and Bill in here, first. If you fall, they'll catch you."

* * *

Kay's Journal

Ashe left me in the kitchen, where one of the shapeshifter women worked to prepare lunch. I knew this was an unusual occurrence but Bill, who normally cooked for everyone inside the big house, was doing research with Trajan for Ashe. I wasn't sure what research it was and didn't want to pry.

After all, I was seeing plenty back on Earth, and that's where we'd return once Bree and Ashe finished their errand here.

At least Kalia's fear of women no longer held sway as I watched Adele Evans prepare lasagna. "I didn't know what Ashe was—who he was—when he was born," Adele said abruptly.

"You're his mother?" I was amazed my voice didn't tremble or squeak when I spoke.

"Yes. For the most part. You'll have to ask him about the rest—it's very confusing."

"You think he'll answer my questions?" I watched as she placed a layer of cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of the large pan before ladling sauce over them.

"I think he'll do just about anything you ask, including moving the planet," Adele replied.

"He can do that?"

"Hon, Ashe is one of the Three. I don't know what might be beyond them."

* * *

Breanne's Journal

Ashe had already assured me that his shield would block my energy pattern if I
Changed What Was
at SouthStar. I figured the attempt would drain me, but it needed to be done.

The half-Elemaiya waited expectantly while I considered what I had to do for them. "I'll try to restore your immortality, while I'm at it," I nodded to Macy, Luanne and Keith. "You'll be like you were before, if I can pull this off."

The same goes for you
, I sent to Elizabeth and Philip, whose ghosts also waited. This was a test—to see whether they deserved to keep physical bodies. Ashe had spoken with them already about it.

"Don't worry," Ashe held out a hand, "Nothing will happen to you if she's not successful; you'll just remain as you are."

"You ready?" I nodded to Trajan and Bill, who stood on either side of me.

"Yeah," Trajan said.

"Same here," Bill agreed. I pulled as much power as I could to me and began.

* * *

Ashe's Journal

I'd only seen her like this once before, and that's when she'd kept me from joining the rogue gods. She shone so brightly inside my study I had to shield the eyes of everyone else present. They might have been blinded, otherwise.

I felt grateful, too, that she didn't collapse until she finished. Without even
Looking
, I knew she'd been successful. I stared at the physical bodies of Philip and Elizabeth, corporeal again for the first time in centuries.

Bree was unconscious in Trajan's arms, while Bill washed her face with a cold, wet cloth, attempting to wake her. Kevis appeared and checked her vitals while I rose from my chair and walked toward Elizabeth and Philip. Philip hadn't been humanoid in a very long time.

"Is this real?" he held out his arms and stared at his feet—both of which were bare. Actually, all of him was bare, but like most shifters, he didn't seem to care. Without a word, I
Pulled
clothing in and tossed it his way.

"What do you think?" I asked as he snagged the pants with one hand.

"I think this is awesome," he grinned at me. Macy giggled while Philip shoved legs into trousers and fastened them with hands that shook with excitement.

"Are we?" Keith began.

"You are. You sure as hell are," I said, grinning like a lunatic. "You're immortal. Breanne did it."

"She's the one who brought us through," Luanne breathed.

"Yeah. Only it hasn't happened yet," I attempted to explain.

"What?" Elizabeth stared at me.

"Never mind. Nothing to worry about. Trajan, how is she?"

"She's drained, but that's no surprise," Kevis answered instead. "I suggest you let her sleep for a while and then bend time to get her back. Remember what I said about heavy lifting?"

"I remember," I sighed. "Luanne, are you in charge?"

"I guess," she shrugged.

"Then Trajan will get all of you to Le-Ath Veronis tomorrow. Queen Lissa will see that you get to your respective assignments after that. You all have mindspeech; send to her, Trajan or me if there are problems or you find anything. I especially want to know if you find any rogue-engineered gates. Okay?"

"We will," Luanne nodded. "Tell her—Breanne—thank you. From all of us."

"I'll tell her," I said.

* * *

"Wisdom," the Ear nodded to the Mighty Mind.

"Where are the others?" Wisdom asked.

"Coming. Even the Mouth is coming," the Ear replied.

"Good."

"Is the time near?" the Ear asked.

"Yes and no," Wisdom replied.

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis—present

Lissa's Journal

"Nori, you'll have Reemagar, Lenigar and Jerigar, plus Keith Caldwell and Macy Hill," I said. "Jett is getting Serrigar, Valegar, Luanne Jansen, Elizabeth Frasier and Philip Raymond." Norian had folded to my study when I informed him that I had the information he needed on the volunteers.

"I'm heading one of the teams, just as Jett is manning one of his. Which of those five do you suggest I work with?"

"Norian, at times I think Reemagar believes you're nuts, so that's probably not an option."

"Well, that means all Larentii probably feel the same way. I'll take what was her name again?"

"Macy Hill. Don't push her, Nori, or I swear I'll smack you myself."

"I'll let Kooper have Reemagar, if that's all right, and Lendill can take Lenigar. I'll figure out the other two before tomorrow. Who's bringing the volunteers to my office?"

"Ashe asked me to take the Elemaiya where they need to go, so I'll bring them. The Larentii can get themselves around."

"Isn't it rather ironic, that he asked you to transport the Elemaiya?"

"These were never affected by my edict. At least not by much. They were at SouthStar all this time," I huffed. "Besides, I'm a quarter Elemaiyan, or have you forgotten?"

"I haven't forgotten," Norian grumped. "Breah-mul, are we ever going to be together again?"

"Norian, tell me again why we're not together now," I snapped.

* * *

Breanne's Journal

Kevis was leaning over me when I woke. Wearily I slapped a hand over my face. "How long?" I mumbled.

"Seven hours. Not bad," he grinned. "Mom asked how you were. She wants you to visit again when there aren't so many around."

"Kevis, I'd love to visit your mother." I removed my hand and blinked at him. "I have so much crap to do," I shook my head at him.

"I know," he soothed. "I sent a message to Grae and Barry, too. They asked to be updated."

"Does he mind if you call him Grae?"

"No. Barry doesn't mind, either." Kevis' green-gold eyes held laughter. "If you speak their name sincerely, that's all they're concerned about."

"Okaaay," I said.

"Come on, you can trust me, I'm a doctor," Kevis snickered. Yeah, that made me laugh.

* * *

"Ready to go back?" Ashe asked when he appeared inside my bathroom. Kevis had helped me up and left me alone to brush my teeth.

"I'm hungry," I muttered. "Sorry."

"I know, there's no need to apologize. What do you want?"

"A hummus sandwich," I said.

"I'll take you," he offered. "Kay may want something, too. We ate four hours ago and she napped afterward, so we should be ready to help Bill when we get back."

"All right," I shrugged. Night had fallen on SouthStar, and I knew Trajan and Bill had gone to bed where I was. Trajan and Bill in the past were waiting to start their workday.

* * *

Earth—past

Hank's Journal

I knew they'd been gone several hours, although only a few minutes of time passed on Earth. Breanne still looked exhausted. Ashe explained that she'd
Changed What Was
for five half-Elemaiyans. Two of those five had been ghosts. They lived, now, thanks to Bree.

"Baby," I pulled her against me, "You feeling all right?"

"Yeah." She hunched her shoulders.

"Come on, I'll be transportation today," I said. I nodded to Trajan and Kalenegar—they'd help keep an eye on her. I just hoped we'd get through the rest of the day without her dropping.

* * *

Breanne's Journal

If I were honest, I only wanted to snuggle against Hank and sleep again. We had to go to Arkansas, first, and then to Colorado. Charles approached when Hank let me go and placed a latte in my hand.

"Thanks," I offered him a smile and sipped the coffee drink. "Mmm, real sugar and half-and-half," I sighed blissfully. "You are awesome," I nodded at Charles.

"At times," he grinned at me.

"Ready?" Bill turned to Hank.

"Ready," Hank nodded. He skipped us to Arkansas.

* * *

"You some of them from the government?" The man held a rifle, the barrel (thankfully) pointed downward as we stood outside a gate leading into mostly wilderness. Tall grasses grew around the barbed-wire fence and at least three parakeet-sized grasshoppers jumped out of our way when we walked up.

"I'm from the government," Bill pulled out his ID.

"You're not gettin' in," the man declared.

"You will not only let us in, you will politely show us around," Gavin growled.

"Yep. Come on in. We're buildin' a retreat for like-minded folks," The man stood aside and waved us through the gate.

I think that means the huntin', shootin' kind
, Jayson's voice filtered into my mind. I smothered my snicker against Hank's shoulder.

With the gun now draped lazily over his shoulder, the man, dressed in denim pants, a sleeveless checkered shirt and frayed baseball cap, led us past the construction. Buildings were going up, and wooden frames were everywhere. The sound of saws and hammering echoed throughout the peaceful woodland.

After dropping my shields and reading the workers, I knew none of them were obsessed. They'd volunteered for the work and none had been taken unwillingly from anywhere else.

No building permit aside
, I sent to Bill and the others,
all these people want to be here
.

I detect no underground construction
, Kal offered.

They'll get flooded in the spring,
Ashe added.
They're building too close to that creek
.

Three strikes
, Bill's sending was dry.
This isn't our target
.

"We've seen enough, thank you," Bill called out. "Good luck with your facility," he added.

The man stood and watched as we headed toward the gate. Hank skipped us away the moment we were out of sight.

* * *

"The apocalypse is upon us," the woman in Colorado spoke gruffly. "Our operation is secret. How did you find our hidden compound?" Another gate stood before us, on grassy public land with a lake and mountains in the distance.

"Spy satellites," Jayson lied with a grin.

"I knew something was going on. Are there aliens with you?"

"Yes. Definitely," Bill agreed. "Why?"

"They're taking over," the woman whispered. "Didn't you know? Why did you let them come along?"

"I am an alien to you," Kal stepped forward. "I mean no harm, but there are others who are not so benign."

Kal, she's crazy
, I sent.

I know this, but as they say in your culture, even a broken clock is right twice a day
.

He was correct up to a point, only it was rogue gods attempting a takeover and employing a few aliens to aid in their cause.

"We will examine your construction, to make sure it will withstand alien scans," Jayson said. How he said that with a straight face, I'll never know.

Without anyone laying compulsion, the woman let us through the gate.

These buildings weren't wood—they resembled concrete bunkers. We walked between square, cinderblock constructions and around scattered piles of roofing material. Only a few workers labored here, and the ones I read had other jobs; they were doing this on their days off.

Some underground construction
,
but it is small
, Kal reported.
I believe it is to be used for emergency purposes only.

No obsessions
, I added.

This is on public land
, Bill snorted mentally.
It'll have to be torn down
.