Igniting Spirit (Gathering Water Book 3) (14 page)

I flashed back to the final moments in the fight. I hadn’t even consciously used my powers, yet had destroyed the remaining Clades completely. Utterly. If I’d had time to dwell on it, the memories would have given me nightmares — as it was, I had a hard time thinking of what I’d done to them.  “No. I took care of it.”

“I was useless in that fight, Della. I should have had your back and instead could have gotten us both killed.” His face was down like he was too ashamed to meet my eyes.

“We were really outmatched, Cash. You did have my back.”

He didn’t respond at first. “When do you think I can start training again?”

“Cash —”

“I’m not going to let this— “ he gestured to his leg “ — make me weak, Della. I’m not going to sit on the sidelines while you’re probably going to be out there risking your life — again.” He was almost shouting, he was so upset.

I held up both hands. “Okay, okay. Talk to your doctor about how long it takes for one of those prosthetic legs, alright? I wonder how long you have to stay in the hospital. Now that you’re awake, and Dove has healed all your physical injuries, I don’t see why you have to stay here.”

“I’ve just been waiting for some type of transportation. Crutches, wheelchair, whatever can get my crippled ass out of here, and I’m gone.” He looked around as if something might be forgotten in a corner.

“Cash, your parents would kill me if I let you do that while I’m here.”

“Well, that’ll just be the sacrifice you have to make to help your favorite cousin out.” Cash’s voice had gone back to its usual playful tone. It wasn’t quite the same, but close enough.

“What type of sacrifice are you two talking about?” Clara’s voice came from the doorway.

Cash and I both turned in her direction. I stood up and walked a few steps in her direction, giving Dove my spot next to Cash. Clara came to stand next to me while Dove and Cash gave each other one of those “brotha-man” handshakes that all males know.

“He seems to be doing okay,” Clara said.

“Thanks to you, he is,” I told her. “He’s trying to find a way to get out of here. It seems wrong though, right? He just woke up.”

“Yeah, but there’s nothing actually wrong with him anymore. The hospital will try to keep him here, anyway, but if he pushes hard enough, they’ll have no choice but to release him.” She said it so matter of factly that I knew she was right. Besides, Cash was an adult — it’s not like we could make him do anything he didn’t want to.

I put up a token argument about it though. “What about physical therapy? Won’t he need to… I don’t know, have that?”

“Yeah, definitely. Of course, Dover just got off the phone with your Uncle. He’s using some of his connections to get Dove’s next internship here. Cash will be starting PT with a certified therapist next week. They’ll make the decision whether he’s going to get a prosthetic or use crutches, then start working with him on that. Dove’ll be coming over after work each day to work with Cash some more with whatever he decides.”

“I forgot that he’s almost done with his training to become a physical therapist.” Did that make me a bad friend, that I couldn’t remember something like that?

“Yeah, he’s not really qualified to be working with Cash one-on-one,” she shrugged a shoulder, “But Connor and Ellis are assuming that Cash will push himself too fast. I think they’re hoping Dove being with him will dampen that a little, in addition to his having a better idea on which things would help Cash the most, and he’d be able to keep an eye on him to make sure he’s following doctors orders — at least some of the time.”

Our voices were pretty low, though it wasn’t necessarily because we were trying to hide our conversation.

“Why does it make me nervous to see you two conspiring over there?” Cash raised his voice to get our attention.

“Because you’re smarter than you look,” Clara answered.

“Does this mean you’ll stop breaking my heart and take me out sometime?” Cash  asked, waggling his brows, while Dove called out “Dude” in protest.

“Oh, now it’s
me
taking
you
out? These propositions keep getting more and more romantic.” Clara rolled her eyes.

Cash’s face fell. I hoped Clara wouldn’t fall for whatever ploy he was cooking up. “I wish I could take you, Clara. But, you see… I’ve misplaced a limb, and until I get a replacement, I can’t drive my vehicle. S’not safe. And as I always say,’“safety first.’”

Clara’s eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?”

My cousin’s face split into a grin. “Hey, a pity date is still a date. Whaddya say, Dove, don’t you think your sister should give me a shot?”

Dove laughed, then patted his friend on his shoulder. “Cash, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: She’s not your type, bud — she has too much self respect.”

Cash clutched his heart with both hands. “That hurt, Dove. That hurt real bad.”

Before I could add my two cents about the type of girl Cash was usually into, I felt my ring flare up. Looking down showed the color had changed to yellow, which was mine and Ezra’s sign for “let’s meet up.” If that weren’t enough of a distraction, Alexander knocked on the door before letting himself in.

“Epiklayra, a moment?” Alexander reverted back to using my official Elfennol title, but I hoped it was just because Clara and Dove were in the room and that he needed to speak to me about Ethnos business.

I straightened my back and lifted my chin to meet his eyes. “Of course, Alexander.” I looked at the other three people in the room — my friends — and excused myself. “I need to step outside for a minute, guys.” Then turned to follow Alexander out of the room. He led me to the small waiting room that was next to the vending machines. We both stood, despite the chairs that were in there.

“What did you need to speak to me about, Alexander?”

“Your father just contacted me. The Council will be here before nightfall. The message was brief, but I am under the impression that rumors have reached their ears and they are in a hurry to come here and discuss things.” Alexander stood with his legs apart, and arms locked behind his back. It was like he was at attention, and I had a random urge to say “at ease,” before what he said sank all the way in.

I rubbed both hands over my face and groaned. “I don’t have time for them to be early! We still don’t know where we’re going to meet them. I don’t know if Uncle Connor has had a chance to explain things to the other Dunamis, and I wanted to meet the other Clades in the area to make sure they aren’t tainted by Kaylus’ evil. Can we postpone a meeting with them for a few days?” I also wanted to make sure Cash was okay, and hopefully get him settled back in at home.

“We can, but I do not think that would be the wisest course to take at this time. As for the location of the meeting — I believe that your father and Uncle discussed a few possibilities last night. There were several options that will give us an advantage in case things go badly.”

“You don’t think it will be dangerous, do you?” I twisted the ring on my thumb.

“It is better to be prepared for something that does not happen than the alternative,” he said.

I nodded. “Thank you, Alexander. I’ll talk to Connor about it, as well, but I think you’re right. Can you ask my father to meet me at my house in an hour?” I was really going to need to learn how to communicate through the gems… sometime.

“Of course, Della. I believe Laurel will also be here around that time. I am glad she will arrive before the Council. She is well respected, and her support of you will only help things,” Alexander said.

“Plus, she’s awesome.” Laurel had become a close friend when I was in Eurybis learning about the Elfennol.

“Yes, there is that, as well.” He smiled.

After I was done talking to Alexander, I called Ellis on my way back to Cash’s room to let her know I would be leaving. Only Dove was still there when I walked in the room; he and Cash were hovering over Dove’s phone, laughing at what sounded like a rap battle between Chuck Norris and… Abraham Lincoln?

“Did Clara leave already?” I asked when they looked up.

“Yeah. She said she would be back later, though. Did you need her?” Dove answered, looking up from his phone to meet my eyes with his.

“No. Will you be sticking around? I’ve got to head out, and Aunt Ellis won’t be able to get back here for another hour,” I asked him.

“I don’t need a babysitter. I’m fine, guys,” Cash told us.

We ignored him. “Yeah, I was planning on hanging out for the day, so no worries. I want to be here when his doctor comes in to discuss a therapy plan. Did you hear that I’m staying in town for another semester?”

“Yeah, that’s awesome. I have a feeling that more than Cash will be needing your healer mojo. I hope I’m wrong, though.” I tried to look happy about it, but not too happy so he wouldn’t get the wrong idea. When we broke up, one of the points I’d made was that he was going back to school after Christmas break — that our paths only lined up for a short time before they split again. It took a minute to explain that it was more than our physical location that was preventing me from wanting to pursue a relationship with him. Laurel had told me a few months ago that if you were with the right person, you’d be willing to fight for them to make it work.

I hadn’t been willing to fight for Dove, and that made it clear that we weren’t right for each other.

My ring flared yellow again, Ezra probably reminding me in case I forgot about it’s earlier color change. He was next on my list though. “Okay, I really do have to go. Cash?” I walked closer to him.

“Yeah?”

“Brush your teeth and change into real people clothes before that doctor comes. Your bag is in the floor next to you. If you’re serious about wanting to come home, looking like a patient will not help your cause. And it’s been three days since you’ve brushed your teeth.”

I saw my cousin slide his tongue over his teeth. “Yeah, they do feel a little furry.” He grabbed my arm, pulled me close, and huffed air in my face. “Does my breath stink?”

I took my free hand and flicked his earlobe, then jerked away. “You’re disgusting.”

When I left a few seconds later, Alexander followed me to Cash’s Jeep and I told him Ezra needed to see me when he asked. I wasn’t sure where he was, at first, but my tracking ring seemed to be coming from the direction of my house, so I just headed there.

Journal,

I knew I wasn’t making it up! I
knew
it! What is between Derek and I is absolutely real. Absolutely true. Breathe Gabby. You can’t write if you don’t breathe — all you can do is pass out.
Derek came to see me
.

Inhale. Exhale. That’s a good girl.

He makes me forget how to breathe!

I have a problem.

I can’t believe he came to see me. Yes I can. I mean, when I went for a walk last night on the beach, tracing the same path we’d taken together a couple weeks back, I didn’t expect to see him. But I wasn’t surprised when I did. I just turned, and there he was, watching me.

But not in a creepy stalker way. Watching me in a “hurry up and see me already” type of way. I walked over to him, slid my hand in his, and we just kept walking as if it were a normal thing for us to see each other. Our conversation picked up where we last left it — we’re both going through a little more pressure at home right now. I talked about my issues with my dad and brother, no specifics — I still don’t know why I’m so wary to tell him exactly who I am — but he gave me some great advice. Well, I guess we gave each other the great advice. He’s going through similar issues. His family doesn’t trust him, doesn’t think he’s ready for his future.

We’re going to prove them wrong, though. I’m not sure how he’s going to do that, but I’m going to knock Connor on his ass the next time he brings up practicing. I know I can. I’m stronger than he is, at least when we’re using our abilities. I can’t do that with my dad, but having Connor back off and back in my corner will mean a lot. It hurts that he doesn’t trust me.

When I told Derek that, he stopped and turned me to look at him. “Anyone that doesn’t see what you’re capable of is a fool, Gabby.”

I asked him, “Are you a fool?”

And he was all “I’m a lot of things, but never a fool.”

AND THEN HE KISSED ME.

Like, a lot.

Holy crap, I’m in love with him. I know I am. What’s more, I know he feels that way about me, too. He doesn’t need to say it. I can
feel
it.

I know it’s irrational and just plain crazy.

But I’m not exactly known for my rational and sane behavior, so it’s cool.

*****

A brief walk through my house proved it was empty, but I knew he was close so I walked out the back door and was greeted by about two dozen people standing in my backyard. Ezra was sitting on one of the stairs, waiting. I walked down until I was standing on the step above him.

“Sorry it took so long. Cash woke up!”

His face split into a grin, and I knew he was happy because of how happy I was. “That’s amazing. Does he seem back to normal?”

I paused. “For the most part. As normal as I can expect, I guess.” I let myself feel Cash’s loss for a minute because I could without fear of Cash sensing it, then I clamped it down. I would
not
get in the habit of dwelling on unhappy things. “The real reason it took so long for me to get here was that my father got a message to Alexander saying the Council will be here by nightfall,” I told him.

“Really? I thought they weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow.” He looked up at me.

“Yeah, but I guess now they’re in a hurry. They probably heard rumors about my being seen with Clades.” I couldn’t take my eyes off the crowd of people standing around, not moving or sitting. Just standing there. I looked up the stairs at Alexander’s motionless form. He was doing it because it was his go-to mode when he was taking my safety a little too seriously. Well, my life was a big deal, so not
too
seriously.

“Ezra? Why are they all standing like that?” I leaned over, whispering.

“Because I asked them to.” He didn’t sound happy about their complete obedience.

I raised one eyebrow, silently asking if he was okay. He just shrugged a shoulder and mouthed ‘“later”.

“So, were all these people spying on me?” I knew there had been Clades in the area, watching, but had no idea there were so many.

“Mostly. There are a few that I couldn’t track down — probably my father’s people — and another who didn’t make it.” He was staring straight ahead now, and something about the way he said that made me think his morning had been a lot more eventful than mine.

I sat next to him on the stairs. “What do you mean?” I asked after throwing up a sound Shield around us.

“Three of the men were not doing so well when I reached their safe-house. They’d been marked by my father, but refused to follow him once word got out about what happened. Their spirit was being eaten away like your cousins was. I was able to save two of them, since they weren’t human — they’re the ones standing closest to us with the reverent look on their faces —” He sounded annoyed by that. “But I’m still getting the hang of these abilities and didn’t act quickly enough. The other person didn’t make it.”

His hands were resting in front of him, clasped together so tightly his knuckles were white, even though his voice betrayed none of his emotions.

I placed a hand over his. “Hey, it’s not your fault.”

“I know. But I have no idea what I’m doing and need to train. But besides the two that I was able to save, all these men are acting as if I’m my father because of my Thanatos abilities. They’re terrified. That’s why they’re standing like that. They’re in formation, and when I told them to relax, about a third of them prostrated themselves because they thought I was displeased.” He sounded equal parts hurt and exasperated.

“That must have been an interesting sight.” I kind of wish I had seen it.

Ezra looked sideways at me, the corner of his mouth twitching. “It would have been more interesting if it was happening to someone else.” He stood up, and I followed suit. “I don’t sense any more of my father’s taint on any of these people. But, I’d feel better if you would take a look, too.”

I dropped the sound Shield, amped up my Fire Temper, and looked at the men and women in my yard. When I saw no inky stains on their auras, I increased my Temper to an almost uncomfortable level, and walked among the people, eyeing them up and down in case they were marked like Cash had been instead of the all-over inkiness.

“They all check out. Clean bills of health. Now what?” I asked him.

Ezra stepped forward and addressed the people. “The Elfennol Council will be arriving this evening. Della and I need to be informed on when they arrive, and how many people they have with them when they do,” he said in a loud voice. “We also need to set up a watch around the island, for anyone else who may be an ally to Kaylus.”

Two Clades separated from the pack, stepped forward, and volunteered to head up each of the tasks that Ezra set. Ezra touched two fingers to one of the gems which adorned them — whichever one they used as their primary communication gem, like a cell phone — and gave a small amount of his energy to it so he could reach them if he needed to, and receive updates. The two men then grabbed a handful of people each, and left to fulfill their new jobs. The only people left now were Ezra and I, Alexander still on the deck, and the two Clades whom Ezra had saved.

Ezra directed his attention to them. “You understand why you weren’t chosen for either task, right?”

The one on the left spoke up. “Of course. How can you trust us when we were your father’s pawns only yesterday.”

“Lord Ezra, we owe you our lives. If you don’t trust us, we will help in whichever way we can until that trust has been earned,” the other one said, and I saw the reverent look that Ezra had mentioned. It was smart to keep these guys close to us, but I had a feeling they would be loyal to Ezra, no matter what.

“We intend to give you that chance.” Ezra looked at me, then over his shoulder at Alexander still standing at the top of the stairs, and with a small head nod, motioned for him to come down.

“Alexander, do you have any ideas on how to use these two considering their past affiliation with Kaylus?” Ezra asked him once he made his way down.

Alexander wasn’t big on facial expressions most of the time, but I could tell he was pleased that Ezra sought his advice on the matter. Maybe he just wanted to show off all his brilliant ideas. “I do. First, I would like to ask them both everything they know about your father and what his plans may be, including the names of every other person they know he is in contact with. Once the Council meeting is over I can send people to track down and watch any of his allies that have not already disappeared from where they should be.”

“That sounds good to me.” I wouldn’t have been surprised if Ezra already had asked some questions, but I knew that Alexander would be able to roust out any information that may help us. “Oh, we need to discuss what is going to happen once the Council gets here. Where should we meet?”

“Will you two please wait inside for Alexander?” Ezra asked the two men he saved, and I realized as they walked up the stairs that I didn’t even know their names. Would it be too undignified to ask the Ethnos to wear nametags? “Is there a meeting place, yet?” Ezra asked.

“No. It is something we must decide on very quickly. Lord Derek is currently speaking with a few members of our house and informing them about what has been going on, so that they are warned and prepared to stand by their Lord in case the worst happens.”

I didn’t ask what the worst would be.

“I think I know of a good place for the meeting,” Ezra said. He took a small step closer to me, so that we were once again touching. “There’s a wildlife preserve south of here. If we go after dark, I doubt there will be any humans about. If we set up on the sound side, it will be more difficult for any guests to pop up without our being aware. There’s not really much cover for our people besides the water, but —”

“That sounds great to me, Ezra. I think I know the place that you’re talking about. Or, at least the park.” I seemed to remember passing through it with Uncle Connor and Cash before jumping in the water for our testing with the Elfennol. If it was the same area, it was definitely secluded enough.  For a moment, I entertained the idea of having the Council come to my house for dinner or something instead. I pushed it quickly away. If something went wrong, and with my luck something always went wrong, I wasn’t in the most abandoned part of the island during the winter. I didn’t need neighbors to see something crazy, or worse, get hurt. And I definitely didn’t feel like being hospitable to people who might side with a millennia old prejudice and fear of the unknown rather than be willing to change for the benefit of… well, everything.

The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to planning exactly what we would say. Derek informed Alexander through his gems that he would head to the area Ezra had suggested and set up a specific location with some of our people. We were supposed to wait to head over when we got word the Council was near. Laurel, who was supposed to meet up with us that day, was sticking around the compound and helping with the networking. She’d come to the meeting with my father. Alexander spent a good amount of time with the two Clades whom Ezra had saved. Their names were Jeremy and Sander, and I know that neither gave Alexander as much information as he would have hoped. Not that I was a mind reader or anything. Alexander told me and Ezra in so many words. He also said that there were a few leads he could follow up, even though they would just confirm suspicions he already had. While he’d been doing that, Ezra and I had talked to Lena and Ian. I wasn’t sure it would be a good idea for them to come, but I wanted more people there who I could trust to help Ezra. As a Thanatos, he would be best able to convince the Council of exactly how dangerous his father is, but it was a double edged sword. There was always a chance that in proving his father was a danger, the Council would decide that
he
was the bad one and try to dispose of him before his “darkness” spread. Which was bologna. I didn’t intend on letting him leave my sight, let alone my side, until this whole thing was over and done with.

Right before it was time to go, I changed into a nicer shirt and pants that Aunt Ellis had given me, and made an attempt to look like I knew what the heck I was doing. Or maybe it was so that I would stand out in my oh-so-human clothing. I wasn’t
just
Ethnos— my human heritage had made me more powerful than any of the Council members were, at least once I had better control and understanding of what I could do. I wanted them to remember that when they looked at me. I wasn’t exactly sure what the future held, but I was beginning to have an idea that the fate of the Elfennol would rest on the fact that I was half Dunamis. I wasn’t going to let them forget that. I wasn’t going to forget it either. Not when it seemed like so many things circled back to the fact that I was a bit of both worlds — not when the guy I seemed attached to shared a remarkably similar heritage.