The Guardian's Wildchild (29 page)

Sidney sipped her drink and expressed her delight. “Mmm, I might want another. But we need to fix something. Your shoes and socks have to go.”

Sam hesitated, then nodded and tossed off his shoes and socks.

“Do you ever go for a swim in the ocean, Sam?”

“Not unless the ship is anchored, and that’s not in the plans tonight. So how does this Sidney picnic go?”

“Picture this, Sam. You’re in a meadow carpeted with wild flowers. Beside us is a river rushing toward the ocean a few miles away. Mountains surround you, as do tall cedars and birch trees. Evergreen scent perfumes the air. The meadow is filled with the music of birds and humming bees. Great place for a picnic. Now, there are two levels of Sidney picnics. One is the ‘feast or famine’ picnic where you find a rock to sit on and try to down the cheese and crackers before the critters do.”

“Critters?”

“Yes. A very hungry lot and no manners. Then, there’s the ‘share with nature’ picnic. It’s understood that ten percent of all the food will be placed outside the perimeter of the blanket. Critters are not allowed on the blanket.”

Sam grinned. “Well, I doubt we’ll be bothered by critters here.”

“That’s what you think. Have you checked for ladybugs under those bushes lately? And a wee mouse peeked out from under that azalea while you were mixing this drink.” Sidney leaned toward Sam’s ear and whispered, “We’re not alone.”

Sam laughed. “Damn. This was supposed to a private party. Now, since I’m supplying the critters, blanket, and food, would you mind supplying the meadow, mountains, and all the rest?”

“No problem. Just imagine you’re at my home.”

“What’s this place called?”

“It’s an island. We refer to it as Hawk’s Island. A red-tailed hawk claims it as her territory.”

“We? Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”

Sidney stood up and placed her empty glass on the bar counter.

“Would you like more tea?” Sam asked.

“Not just yet, thanks. This isn’t easy for me. I’ve never talked about my people to anyone before. It’s a little frightening. I’ve vowed to always protect them — at least, never put them in any danger.”

“Are your people similar to a religious group ? Are they in trouble with — ”

Sidney put up her hands to stop Sam. “No, no. Not religious — more spiritual. And not in trouble.” Sidney paced, searching for the right words and where to begin. She put a hand to her chest to comfort the ache building in her heart. The recollection of the meadow made her homesick, and she was having doubts this was the right thing to do.

Sam stood up and placed a hand on her arm. “Are you all right?”

The doubts vanished. Somewhere in her soul, she believed she could trust him. “Yes. You better sit down. This is going to be a bit of a stretch.”

Sam sat down, and Sidney returned to the chair beside him.

“Sam, I’m what’s called a Guardian.”

Sam grinned. “I know.”

“What? You know?”

“Uh huh. Just wanted to hear you say it.”

“Where did you, I mean, how … ”

“Relax, Sidney. It’s okay. I understand. A few days ago, actually in Acapulco, a man told me about the Guardians. Didn’t believe him at the time, or at least had some doubts. It seemed such bizarre story. Then I realized there was no other explanation for all the odd things that’ve happened since you landed on my ship.”

“Like what?”

“Oh, little things. Like the storm that rocked all the other ships except the
Nonnah
the first night after your arrival. Like the visions, the feather, the — ”

“The feather?”

“Yes. I’ll show it to you.” Sam got up and disappeared into his private quarters. A few minutes later he returned with an envelope in his hand. “Here it is. The medical staff found it by your bed.”

Sidney pulled out the feather. Sam was surprised at her reaction.

“You look shocked,” Sam said

Sidney breathed the name. “Celeste.”

“Who?”

“Oh, sorry. Her name is Celeste. She’s the hawk the island is named after.” Sidney hesitated. Turning to Sam, she became solemn “She’s no ordinary hawk. And she wouldn’t bring this gift to you unless, unless you and she were connected.”

“Uh huh. Well, our scanners confused us a great deal. The report indicated the bird is thousands of years old. How do you know this is from your hawk?”

“Whenever I’m in trouble, Celeste shows up. Helps me get through life’s challenges. She’s more spirit than a physical bird. She’s always been a great source of strength for me. It’s hard to explain. I know her energy.” She handed the feather back to Sam. “It’s your feather. She brought it to you.”

“Don’t think so. Wasn’t beside
my
bed.”

“If she left it by your bed, your staff would probably have just thought it was garbage and disposed of it. She placed it so you’d take more notice of it. She knows I didn’t need her feather. We communicate on a different level.”

Sam took the feather and admired it again. “Why would the hawk want me to have this?”

“Probably to help you see things more clearly. Sort of like from her viewpoint when she’s flying above the cliffs. She sees everything from a higher perspective. Does that make sense?”

“You mean the feather could cause me to see things through a vision?”

“Possibly. Visions are very powerful messages. But you’ll only receive a vision if you’re open to that experience.” Sidney studied Sam for a moment. “Actually, I believe you’re a waking Guardian, Sam. You’ve just been side tracked for a while. It happens.”

Sam smiled. “A
what
Guardian?”

“A waking Guardian. Most of humanity are sleeping Guardians, moving unconsciously throughout their lives unaware of their Guardian nature. You, in spite of that rule book of yours, have begun to tune in to your inner wisdom. Do you understand?”

Sam placed the feather back into its protective envelope and abruptly changed the subject. “I’m hungry. How about you?”

“Famished.” Sidney let the subject drop.

“All right. I’ll get the food and bring the blanket out.”

After a few minutes, Sam returned and uncovered the dishes of food. To Sidney’s delight, he’d selected an array of exotic appetizers and finger food. Several small saucers contained a variety of dipping sauces, pickles, cheeses, and an assortment of breads.

“This is wonderful, Sam! All this could keep me satisfied for a week.”

“Glad you approve. The dessert tray is still in the fridge — a special treat. I’ll get the wine ready.”

Sidney laid the blanket down in the shaded part of the veranda, and they sat down across from each other. For a moment Sam simply watched Sidney. Seated in her lotus position, she’d closed her eyes and tilted her face up toward the blue evening sky. He realized she was giving thanks to the universe for the bounty before them. Quietly, he followed suit.

During their meal, Sam quizzed Sidney on her home and lifestyle on the island. He was fascinated. More and more, he was certain Hawk’s Island was the same place that had refused him safe passage to its shore. He told her of the many times he’d sailed to a particular island but had been unable to find a safe entry past the surrounding reef.

An easy silence fell between them. They had the realization that the island, and perhaps, more, connected them.

“Sam, I believe Hawk’s Island could become your home.”

Home,
he thought. The word conjured up visions of people laughing, children playing. “Well, that may depend on how successful I am over the next week.” He leaned toward her and in the voice of a Hollywood criminal, “If ya got an extra bunk, babe, I might hafta hide out in yer neck of the woods until the heat’s off.”

Sidney was momentarily speechless. She never expected Sam to be playful. She giggled, and then crossed her arms as though carefully considering his request. “I don’t know. Will you be the captain still, or Samaru?”

Sam grinned and continued the charade. “Just Sam, babe. And I’ll be traveling light. Just me and my boys, see.”

“Good!” She chuckled. “Just what are you planning?”

Sam stiffened. He suddenly felt odd playing the part of a shady old-fashioned tv character. He returned to being the starched captain. “How about dessert first?”

“Later. I’m too full for dessert. I’d rather hear about your situation.”

“How about a walk?” He stood and offered his hand to help her up.

Sidney accepted his offer, and together they walked along the veranda’s railing. As they stood looking at the ocean’s horizon, Sam knew he had to make a leap of faith, to finally trust Sidney. If she was ever going to reveal all her secrets, she had to believe Sam had come clean with his. So he told her about Joy’s death and that his boys were living with Admiral Garland because Sam was under suspicion of participating with the underground.

“I’m not sure if I understand.” Sidney said. “You’re saying that Admiral Garland is holding your sons as hostages? How can he do that?”

“It’s kind of a trade off. I get to see my boys once in a while and stay out of prison. Or I can refuse to follow orders and go to prison and probably never see them again.”

“Sam. I can’t believe you’d do anything illegal. You’re so … ”

“So what?”

“Well, so by the book. What did you do to make the admiral suspicious?”

“It’s the implications that I probably at least knew about what Joy was doing. You see, she came across one of the admiral’s confidential files. She’d retrieved only a small portion of it but enough to discover he was mining crystals. These crystals were thought to be special, I guess, a potential source of energy.”

Sidney felt a constriction in her throat and moved away from Sam.

“I believe you and my wife were both seduced by Badger. I believe you went after that
Thy Kingdom Come
file. The one concerning crystals.”

Sidney placed her hand against her chest and turned away from Sam again.

“You look frightened. For Christ’s sake’s, Sidney, we’re talking about a crystal. Not a weapon of mass destruction.”

“You’re right. I did go in to retrieve the crystal file. Badger needed to know who was controlling the crystals. In the wrong hands, this particular crystal can be a lethal weapon on a scale you can’t even imagine.”

“You can’t convince me a crystal has that much power.”

“Sun crystals do. And you, my friend, have one.”

“God, you’re giving me a headache. Where?”

“On your desk. You have it on a pedestal.”

“Oh, that one. Darn thing keeps moving every … ” Sam eyed her suspiciously.

“Every what?” She grinned.

“Never mind. Look, it’s got a certain beauty, even some mystery, but a lethal weapon? Lorna’s more lethal than that crystal.”

“Would you like a demonstration?”

“Don’t move.” In a flash Sam ran into his office and returned with the sun crystal. “There! There’s your killer crystal.”

Sam was about to hand it to Sidney, but he reconsidered. Swiftly, he pulled his hand back and covered the crystal with his other hand.

“Just exactly how do you plan to give a demonstration — lethal or otherwise?”

“Why, Sam, it sounds like you might be a believer.”

“You know, Miss Sidney, before you arrived I’d have tossed this piece of glass in a drawer and forgotten about it. Now, well, I’m not so sure.”

“That’s why the sun crystal has been safe for thousands of years. The vast majority of people believe only in the physical world. Universal energy and the forces of other dimensions are talked of and experienced only on a superficial level — more like a game or toy. But once humanity evolves, using energy and other dimensions will be a way of life. The sun crystal is a tool to access and magnify our limited ability to access the universal energy and higher dimensions.”

“Uh huh. Now the translation please.”

“The short version — universal life force energy surrounds you and empowers you to create what you need or desire for yourself. It’s what I access to heal or to guide people to the higher dimensions.”

Sam nodded. “Like with Marcus Darby.”

“Right. The sun crystal is a tool to amplify this energy when more power is required. However, the sun crystal doesn’t determine whether the energy will be used for the higher good or to cause misery.”

“Uh huh. Just how powerful is it?”

“Depends on your ability to quiet your mind, connect with the crystal’s energy, and focus on the desired outcome.”

“Doesn’t sound easy. Not just anyone can do that.”

Sidney nodded. “True enough. And, fortunately, people dominated by their ego and filled with fear and hatred will have extreme difficulty in getting the crystal to work for them — but it’s not impossible.”

Sidney looked sadly out toward the horizon. She knew Frank Butchart was a lethal risk.

“There is one who can,” she continued as she turned back to Sam. “Frank Butchart. He is, or was, a Guardian. He was once very powerful and has been able to retain a lot of his power. But using the powers for evil has backfired on Frank. Whatever energy you create, returns to you, Sam. Frank has become weaker, but he’s still dangerous.”