Empyreal: Awaken - Book One (20 page)

Just once, he wished that he didn't
have to follow all of the rules.

Just once, he wished that she could
see him for who he is ... not as just some random guy she bumped
into in the park. Someone who's real. Not a backdrop.

“Well, you have already crossed a line
that can't be uncrossed, Alexander, your stealth cover has been
compromised ... this is something you can't fix, you can't take it
back ... she has seen you and she knows who you are...” Cal paused,
thinking of how harsh his words must sound. He lightened his tone
and continued. “What's done is done ... I trusted you, Alexander, I
have trusted you with Coralie's life ... there are others out there
who would endure anything to be in your position...”

With a hint of disgruntled sarcasm,
Alex said, “Yeah, bet I could name one, in particular, right off
hand...”

“You cannot allow indifference to get
in the way of your duties...” Cal added, nonchalantly to Alex's
previous sarcastic comment.

Agreeing, Alex remarked, “You are
right, Sir ... but if I may ... yes, your daughter knows me, but
not as the real me ... she doesn't know that I am a Warrior, that I
am a Protector, that I am
her
Protector, even ... maybe
being a friend to her could bring me closer to her so that my
duties –”

“Alexander, no...”

“What's the harm in protecting her a
little more closely?”

“What if, say that you continue on
this path, hanging out with my daughter, finding her friendship ...
what if she finds out that you are a Warrior?”

“So, what if she find out?”

“How would you explain? Don't you
think that any relationship you have formed with her will diminish
once she finds out? She will feel betrayed.”

“Something you know about
firsthand?”

“Alexander, this matter concerns
you...”

“Well, then I will just have to
explain to her...”

“Forget it, it would never be a
possibility ... you can’t mix friendships and your duties as a
Warrior.”

“Why not? Were you and Chamm not
friends? Were you and my grandfather not friends?”

“Well, of course, we
were...”

“What better of a duty than to be a
Protector of a close friend?”

“Well, I guess you could be right …
it’s not completely unheard of...”

“Exactly, and soon, Coralie will know
all about her heritage and lineage...”

“Alexander, we have decided to tell
her tonight. Our alternate methods of sheltering her from this life
have faded, diminished. Memories are seeping through the
cracks.”

“Yes, Sir … it seems as
so...”

“We knew that these types of methods
could not last forever. We've been expecting it...” He paused to
take a deep breath and said in a low voice, “Madame Marisse warned
us of this...” He hung his head low with these words, ashamed to
speak them. After a moment full of thoughts of his daughter, he
sighed deep, then continued in a louder tone, “ ... So, by the
morning light, she will know everything ... Coralie will know the
truth about who she really is.” Cal concluded.

With a grin spreading across his face,
Alex said, “Now, Sir, that is the best news that I've heard all
night.”

“Alexander, I trust you as her
Protector ... my daughter is very important to me...”

“She is important to me as well, Sir
–”

“Don't mess this up ... and don't
forget your position –” Cal stated in a respecting, demanding tone,
one of which only a leader could get away with.

“I won't, Sir –” Alex
obliged.

“Alexander, one other thing ... I know
how you feel about her,” Cal said, reading him, “but please know,
that she has feelings for Courtland Cumberlin...”

“I am aware of this, Sir –” Alex
confirmed, trying to hide his indignant.

“This is not the time to try to
complicate things any further ... do not try to confuse her – know
your place, know your position. You are here to protect her ... her
protection is your only concern. Do you understand?” Cal's demeanor
displayed harsh petition, respectfully. A trait that he had
received from his father. Coralie had this same trait. This thought
made him smile inside, underneath the hard layers.

“Yes, Sir –” Alex answered
respectfully, “Coralie is and will
always
be my only
concern.”

“Very good, Alexander,” Cal said,
turning to walk in the direction from which he had come.

“Yes, Sir.” Alex said, as Cal walked
away.

Then he turned back just in time to
watch the sole purpose for his existence walk in the opposite
direction with someone other than himself. His chest felt heavy. He
wanted to be next to her. But instead, he waited.

Alex waited until he was certain that
Coralie could longer see him, and then he started in their
direction.

“Mom? ... Dad? I'm home...” Coralie called out,
as she entered the front door, Court trailing close behind
her.

“Coralie?” Katelyn answered, running
toward her daughter from the family room. “Coralie, here, honey,
I'm right here.”

“Where is Dad?” Coralie asked
nervously in his absence.

“Your Dad will be back soon,” Katelyn
paused to glance at Courtland. “He had to check on a situation.”
Katelyn hugged her daughter tight in her arms, then she quickly
spoke again, distracting Coralie from previous words. “Oh, honey, I
was so worried.”

“I know, Mom ... I am so sorry that I
ran out like I did … I was wrong, so wrong ... “ Coralie said,
returning her mother's hug.

“No, honey ... it's not your fault...”
Katelyn said, admittedly.

“Yes, Mom, it is ... I shouldn't have
gotten so angry ... it's just that –”

“We know...” her father's voice said,
coming from the open door behind them. The sound caused the three
of them to turn in his direction.

“Dad –” Coralie started.

Cal continued. “We know that you have
been experiencing some things that have been questionable in your
eyes. And yes, you have every right to question, as well as every
right to be upset with us.” Then he paused, taking a deep breath,
as if it pained him to say the words that were about to come from
his mouth. “Please take these words that I am about say with
forgiveness in your heart. And especially for your mother's sake, I
wish you would take our motives into consideration...”

This last statement left Coralie
standing in a confused state.

“I think this would be my cue to
leave,” Court spoke up, excusing himself politely.

“No … please stay!” Coralie expressed
desperately. She could not bear the thought of him not being by her
side. Especially now. She needed his provision. She needed his
encouragement. She needed
him
.

Coralie could feel the truth coming.
Finally. Something that had been long awaited. Though she had
longed for this moment – this time of truth – she feared it, as
well.

Court looked to Cal and Katelyn for
their granting. “You are welcome to stay, Courtland, if you
wish...” Cal said, with an uneasy, sternness to his
voice.

Court knew he would be able to listen
to the conversation through his connection with Coralie, but to be
present would at least give her peace and ease of mind. That's what
he cared about most. So he nodded in agreement, and took hold of
Coralie's hand, giving it a slight squeeze, relaying
comfort.

Cal and Katelyn made their way into
the family den, exchanging but mere glances. Not daring to say a
word, most in part because of Coralie’s questioning eyes. Court and
Coralie followed them in silence.

Once the four of them were in the
room, Cal was the first to speak. “Coralie, there are some things
that you should know...” He paused for a moment. Long enough to
give his wife a quick glance for reassurance. When she nodded, he
continued. “Cor, I almost don't know where to start. Imagine that …
me, Cal Collier, at a loss for words.”

“Dad, just spill it. If there's
something that I need to know - I mean, if there's something that
you need to say ... Please Dad, just –” Coralie cut her words off
before she lost her composure, then continued as her equanimity
resumed. “Just tell me...”

She felt the slight pressure of a
squeeze of her hand. She knew the comforting gesture came from
Court. But she couldn't turn her eyes away from the faces of her
parents.

Coralie acknowledged that whatever
this was – whatever the announcement, whatever the outcome,
whatever the truth – she had to know. She had to know the
truth.

“Cor – maybe we should start from the
beginning...”

Coralie sat in silence, awaiting the
truth that had for so long been hers to hold.

* * * * *

Buzz. Buzz.

Xavier looked all around himself. He
retrieved the buzzing phone from his pocket, and he answered.
“Hello?”

“Xavier, I must have a word with
you...” a familiar voice said.

“I can't talk now.”

“But we need to discuss some things
–”

“I do not have the time.”

“Well, then you must make time!” The
voice snapped on the other end of the line.

This tone took caught Xavier's
attention. “You've got exactly sixty seconds … Go...”

“Now that's no way to speak to
–”

“Fifty-Five...”

“Well, you will be very pleased at the
information that I hold for you. Are you certain that sixty seconds
is all you have to spare?” the voice questioned, trying to entice
his desire to listen closely to his following words.

“Thirty–seven...”

“Okay, if you insist … I'll keep it
short. Plans have changed. But only just slightly.”

“What has changed?”

“Well, you may have to stick around
awhile ... but only a short while.”

“I had no intention of leaving. Not
until another move is made. It's like the game of chess, Sir. As
soon as they make their move, I will then make mine ... but not
until...”

“Very good … I will notify you if I
have any further information.”

“That won't be necessary.” Xavier said
with confidence.

There was a huff in amusement. “You
may not think as much, but you need me more than you think you do,
young man.” Another huff escaped him. This time irritation was
mixed in with his fading amusement. “You remind me of someone I
once knew...”

“Is that so?” Xavier said, allowing a
huff of his own to escape his breath. “Maybe you should introduce
us sometime...”

“Oh, young Xavier ... though I admire
that impeccably, brilliant wit of yours, I must say, you need to be
more observant to those around you –”

“What are you mumbling about?” Xavier
asked, becoming more irritated by the moment.

“Funny thing, young Xavier...” the
voice said with just a hint of amusement.

“What's that?” Xavier questioned,
keeping his sarcastic tone.

“How small this big, big world is ...
You see, we find ourselves crossing paths with those around us, but
never really seem to take notice ... you will have specific
instructions very soon –” the voice said, this time in a more
unyielding manner.

“Can't wait –” Xavier said under his
breath, just low enough to ensure difficulty in hearing by the
common ear.

“Oh … and young Xavier?”

“Yes?” Xavier answered, trying to hide
his irritation.

“You may want to pack an overnight
bag, along with some of your personal things.”

“For what reason?”

With amusement still underlying in his
tone, the voice on the other end of the line spoke. “I have a grand
feeling that you may be taking a trip very soon...”

“But you just said that plans have
changed –”

“Yes, as of now … but sometimes change
is good. Especially
this
kind of change in
plans...”

“And what kind of change in plans are
we talking about?”

The voice allowed a muffled laugh to
escape him, but for only a moment. “The kind that guarantees to
play out in our favor...”

Taking a deep breath, Xavier backed
down from his previous assured arrogance. Without another word he
knew what was coming. Maybe it was lacking in details, but the big
picture was crystal clear. It would not be long before he had his
chance. A chance to prove himself – his true self ... something
that he would not allow himself to fail at ... even when,
especially when, he would be face to face with those who caused all
of this.

This was something that he could not
let go ... The reasoning nor the excuses mattered.

“Do you understand?” the voice of the
man on the other end of the line asked him, sternly.

“I do, Sir...” Xavier said, allowing
his voice to sound defeated.