Island Shifters: Book 01 - An Oath of the Blood (59 page)

Beck reached over to grab her hand tightly in his. She glanced to the side. Rogan’s face was deathly pale, and Airron looked like he was preparing to flee.

“MOOMBAI!” the Mage thundered, the resonance of his voice deep and terrifying.

I am here, Mage.

“Is it you who has summoned me?”

It is.

“The battle has begun.” It was a statement.

Yes, Mage.

“The
Savitars
?”

They are here, all of them.

The white wraith swooped to hover in the air directly before Kiernan and the
Savitars
. “I am pleased to see that I made the right choice. It was with the utmost remorse that I set you on the path to Callyn-Rhe, but you have proven yourselves more than worthy.” Galen bowed down to them. “My eternal gratitude,
Savitars
.”

Beck spoke up. “Thank you…Grandfather.”

For a fleeting second, the sparkle was back in the blue eyes, and then it was gone.

“ANGELS!”

Bajan leaned into her when more ghostly forms emerged from The Protetor one after the other. The glowing wraiths launched high into the air and then settled down onto the ground, taking shape into a more solid human form. Although not quite as large as Galen, they were just as formidable. All of the angels had a look of supreme strength and power.

Kiernan cried out as her mother, Grace Kenley Everard, stepped before her. “Maman!” she cried and fell to her knees. “I was right… it was not a dream.”

“No, Keke. Bajan summoned me to your side. He was so worried for you that his spiritshifting responded to your distress. Luckily, your young man had The Protetor in his backpack, and I was able to cross into this world and go to you.” Her mother reached out to touch her hair and it felt like the tickle of a light breeze on a summer day.

More shapes stepped up from behind the Queen, and the reunions played out simultaneously.

Jaimes and Constance Atlan glided over to Beck. “Father! Mother!” Both of the Atlans stood with hands on hips, swords of light glowing from the scabbards at their sides.

Constance Atlan smiled gently down on Beck from her immense new height, head and shoulders above him. “We are so proud of you.”

“Why?” he demanded guiltily. “I could not save you. I tried, but I could not break the shield!”

Jaimes Atlan reached out to put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “It was meant to be, Beck. Do not weep for us. We walk in the light now. Find peace in that knowledge until we are together again.”

Two Dwarfs dressed in battle gear approached Rogan. The man said, “You may not remember me, but I am your father.”

Rogan trembled. “I do remember you, father. After all of these years, I finally remembered.” He reached a hand out toward the woman. “Mother…”

“I am here, my son,” she said.

Rogan soaked in the sight of the parents he now knew gave their very lives for him. “You never left me,” he stated in wonder.

“Never!” replied his mother adamantly. “Do not for one moment ever believe that to be so. You were my life, Rogan Radek, and you must never forget that!”

Jeni and Joshe Falewir looked down at their son, Airron, who was wearing a wide grin on his face. “I never thought I would see you again.”

His father’s face donned a grin to match his. “
Asha
, my beloved son.”

“
Asha
, father.” Suddenly, Airron frowned. “If I had not been sent away during the battle in Pyraan, maybe I could have…”

His mother interrupted him. “Done what, my son? We are all where we should be for a reason. Yours is to protect this island.”

Airron nodded. “Because of the blood oath?”

“Yes,” said his father. “But more importantly, because you are a shifter.”

A young Dwarven soldier in the blue and maroon of Deepstone stepped out front to greet Rogan.

“Dillon!” exclaimed Rogan. “Why? Just when we were getting to know each other!”

Dillon shook his head. “Do not question fate, my friend. Are you watching over Janin?”

Bret Schwan, the Scarlet Saber, who accompanied the
Savitars
to Iserport, traded grasps with Beck and Airron.

“Avalon?” questioned Beck.

The Saber nodded ruefully. “She got the best of me. Make sure the witch does not do the same to you!”

Another tear slipped down Kiernan’s cheek when Titus emerged looking around hesitantly. As soon as he saw her, he glided over to hover in front of her. “‘Ello agin,” he said shyly.

Kiernan reached out her hands to him. “I am so sorry for what happened to you, Titus.”

He nodded. “I know, and that is why I want you to know what an admirable person you are. I just wish we ‘ad more time to get to know each other.”

She cried out. “Oh, Titus!”

“I must go,” he said. “Tell my Da that I am in a safe place and love ‘im!”

“I will, Titus, I promise!”

More shapes stepped forward to greet the
Savitars
. There were several shifters from the Magical Kingdom of Pyraan, including young Katrin Allendale, who looked like she could bend an oak tree with little effort.

Kiernan held her fists to her stomach in pain when Colbie Nash stepped in front of her. She reached out to him. “Oh, no. Colbie,” she moaned.

“Princess,” he acknowledged and bowed to her.

“My father?”

“Alive, but needs our help.”

“What happened to you?” she asked.

“Exactly what was meant to happen, Your Grace,” he said smiling and then glided away.

“ANGELS! DRACAS!
SAVITARS!
” roared Galen Starr interrupting the gatherings. “The time is now!” The Mage soared high into the sky, raised his radiant sword above his head and swung it down and pointed north.