walker saga 06 - dronish (9 page)

I mulled his words over. “And if they’re locked away they’ll no longer have power over you? Or anyone?”

“They’ll have no power unless they escape.”

My bracelet warmed then. I gasped, holding it up in front of me, but thankfully there was no pain. Just a sudden burst of warmth. Then it started to melt again, dripping off my hand and reforming into a blue stone nestled on the forest floor.

Josian and I both stared at it.

“What does that mean?” I widened my eyes.

A broad grin crossed my father’s face. I blinked a few times. It was odd to see him so joyous. I hadn’t seen that expression in a long time. Then he threw back his head and laughed.

Great, the stress had gotten to him and he’d lost the plot.

“They like my plan, baby girl,” he spluttered through his laughter.

How the hell did he know that? Shaking my head, I knelt down and curved my fingers under the stone, prepared to pick it up again.

The moment my palm wrapped around the blue surface, I flinched as whispers of energy crossed my mind, and then there were voices in my head. It says a lot about my recent life that my shock lasted all of a second before I was okay with what was happening.

Lock away all of the lalunas. We are too powerful; we will contain the Seventine and right the wrong of our brethren. We must right the wrong.

A symphony of voices continued to echo through my mind, and I was reminded of Francesca’s prophecy from a long time ago. That the end of days was written in mineral. Maybe that was to do with the stones, and the bindings on the prison. I had a brief thought of my aunt. She had been lying low in the beach house, depression claiming her ever since her gift of prophecy had fled. I knew Lallielle checked on her all the time. I hoped it was enough.

Pushing these thoughts aside, I stood up and faced Josian. “My laluna does like your idea. We need to gather all fourteen lalunas and lock every single one away.”

He straightened. “Did they tell you that?”

I nodded. “Yes, they want to repair the damage from their brethren and contain the Seventine.”

Josian stood taller than I’d seen for a long time. A light descended over him and he started to glow, in that same way he had when I first ever saw him. I hadn’t realized but over time his light had faded out, and that probably had something to do with his laluna manipulating him. Especially once he started to remember it. Now, though, he looked like the gods that Walkers were worshipped as. Furious, fierce and utterly spectacular.

“I’m going to find the stones, baby girl, and we’re going to lock them away.”

I bit my lip. I was thrilled at his enthusiasm, but – “How are you going to find them on the worlds?”

He reached across and took the stone from me. “We already have the First World pair. Tenni will have to be last. The others I can find using this.” He held the stone aloft. “They’re beacons for each other.”

My lips parted as a grin forced itself across my face. The fact that my laluna didn’t disappear from his hands meant it was definitely agreeing to this plan. I moved closer and, standing on my toes, waited until he leaned down so I could kiss his cheek.

“This is going to work, Dad. We’ll lock them away forever and imprison the Seventine and live happily ever after.”

Fairytales were awesome for a reason.

He chuckled uneasily before it was cut off abruptly and sadness descended again. “All of that sounds simpler than easing the hurt I’ve caused Lallielle.”

I knew Mom had not been far from his mind. He would have no respite from his own hurt and guilt until his mate forgave him.

“Mom is an incredibly strong and forgiving woman.” I offered the comfort I could. “Just give her some time; it’s a remarkable healer.”

“Time, hey?” He ran his hand through his red mane. “I’m not very patient, but I’ll do my best.”

We walked back to the Doreen area and I left Josian at the main war tent again. He was going in to explain his plan to the princeps, and then, with my laluna in hand, was going to be jetting off to the worlds to find the other stones. We’d probably cross paths with him on Dronish.

Lucy was in my face as soon as I found the girls again. “So you’re absolutely sure you don’t want me on this trip?” she demanded. “Who’s going to watch your back without me there?”

She was being mean now because she was pissed off. She knew the half-Walkers had each other’s backs.

“I want you there, Luce. Trust me, I spend most of the time we’re apart worrying about what the hell you’re doing.” I hugged an arm around her stiff shoulders, mindful of her wings. “But your power is too strong now that your pixie side is unlocked. They’ll swarm us on Dronish. It’s more dangerous for all of us if you’re there,” my voice was low, “so stay, enjoy a few days with Colt … have a break, meet your father. You’ve lots to be sorting in your own world.”

I met the light blue eyes of her mate over her shoulder. His white-blond hair was falling messily over his features. It used to be longer and he’d worn it tied at the nape of his neck, but now it was too short for that. His current length was just enough to be sexy.

Thank you, he mouthed to me, his relief apparent. Of course it was. For once he didn’t have to be the bad guy.

“Fine.” Lucy finally relented. “I’ll wait here, like the poor little pixie, but you all better get your asses back here, like tomorrow.”

Her eyes took in all five of us. And I wasn’t the only one to flinch a little at the hardness of her gaze.

Okay, well it was mainly me and Talina. The other three were unfazed.

“If you’re bored, or need something to do, you can help Jedi research,” I said to Lucy and Colton. “He told me he’s found some important texts on the conduit and the prison. It might be crucial information for us to lock away the Seventine for good.”

Lucy’s solemn expression did not waver, but she nodded decisively. “We can do that.”

I gave her one last hug before she turned and left with her wolf-Walker. I watched as their familiar visages disappeared across the green field. I hadn’t been to any of these worlds without Lucy and I felt uneasy leaving her behind. As if we were growing away from each other, moving in different directions. Which was not okay with me.

I forced myself to focus by turning to Fury. “Did you check on Dune?”

She nodded, her white hair flying around her face. “Yes, I traced back just before and he’s holed up observing the zone we’re worried about. But all is quiet at the moment …” She trailed off.

“After we find the sixth girl, I’ll come with you to Crais,” I said, and then turned to face Talina. “And we can go to Spurn also. I’ll see if I can sense anything on either world.”

I was particularly tuned in to the Seventine. Apparently there was a bond between me and the first. And I had that stubborn, niggling feeling in my gut, the one I used to get on Earth when a ganger was about to ambush me. Something big was going down on one of these worlds, and I wasn’t sure we’d get there in time to stop it. It was hard to know which of the tasks was the most urgent. Gathering the half-Walkers was always the top spot, but sometimes other things could be equally important. Especially when it came to the Seventine.

Delane’s wings stretched a little as she shifted on the spot. “What do we need before we travel to Dronish?” Her tone was low and serious. “Do you know the terrain? Weather? Will we be able to breathe?”

I blinked at her a few times. Damn, I could have used her on some of the other planets. We mainly just popped along and hoped for the best. Of course, for most of the worlds I’d had Brace with me. Walkers had so much information at their disposal, and I had none.

“I think maybe we need some facts about Dronish before we go there,” Delane finished.

She had her left eyebrow raised in that way where I knew she was mentally calling me a moron. It was an expression she had down to an art.

Lina and Cerberus wandered up to us and stood to the side.

I glanced at my faithful hound. “What’s up, Cere? Are you two planning on coming to Dronish with us?”

Both of his heads nodded at me while his four eyes locked in with that intensity which I was coming to see was all animal.

“But won’t they feel your energy?” I said, looking from the hellhound to the unicorn.

And then, I swear they looked at each other and started laughing. They didn’t really make a noise. It was more about how their heads jerked around and snorts emerged.

“Are they laughing at you?” Fury said as she stepped forward. “That’s freaking awesome.”

I couldn’t help my own smile. Even though at times they were ferocious beasts, they were also pretty adorable. “I think we better gather some information on our animals also.”

Josian was supposed to have helped us, but he was busy at the moment.

As a group we wandered across the grassed area and into the wide open entrance of the Doreen war council tent. I was having some trouble with the fact that my father was no longer the princeps. I wasn’t sure what this new leader was going to demand of his people. I hoped he wasn’t the same sort of crazy dictator as Que, but to think that someone thought they had the power to control me was … well, crazy. I was no one’s sheep. I would not cow down to anyone. If you wanted to lead me, you needed to gain my respect. I didn’t know this new leader, so for now I would lead myself, utilizing the wise council of my friends and family.

Okay, I wasn’t great with authority.

Five men and three women were in the room. They were scattered between two tables, scrolls and maps and parchments spread out in every direction. A board was erected at the back of the space, with images and information pinned to it.

Eight pairs of eyes locked on us when we entered. The largest of the men, who had been standing near the board, narrowed his eyes at me.

He straightened and stepped closer, stopping about three feet from us. “Don’t bother to announce yourselves. Just stroll right on in.” His tone was hard, biting as it washed over me. And straight away it had my energy roiling inside. “Now get out of the tent and follow protocol.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Fury said. “Did I just hear you correctly?”

She turned astonished gray eyes onto my face, but before I could verbalize my own version of ‘what the eff?’, Cerberus was suddenly huge, filling the tent, and both of his heads were doing that ominous growl which reverberated along the ground and had every hair on my body standing on end.

Guess he didn’t like rude-ass Walkers either.

The man, who had dark-red hair, not as potent as my own but in the same shade, took a step back. I knew it was Gerry. I could feel the mantle of leadership on him now, even though there hadn’t been time for an official ceremony. Besides, who else would think they could come at us so aggressively?

“Cere.” My voice was calm as I laid a gentle hand on his leg. He was filling most of the space in the tent. Luckily the ceiling was high or he’d have knocked it down on top of us. “It’s okay, no need to eat him just yet.” I settled my eyes – which I’m sure were as hard as the emerald stones they mimicked – on the arrogant man.

“I’m not sure what you think your role in our life is, but I’m … we’re not one of your subjects.” I let some of my power leak into the room as I spoke, and I wasn’t the only one. Tendrils of fire, water, earth, and air trickled along with my own. “We’re original powers, half-Walkers with a far bigger responsibility than princeps of a Walker clan. You will show us respect, or I’ll do everything in my power to remove you from leadership.”

And I would.

Rightfully it should be Josian here. Due to unfortunate circumstances I was stuck with this unknown leader during a time of war. Which was a right old pain in the ass.

He swallowed hard. His breathing increased for a few moments as he debated what he was going to say. I knew he wanted to slam me down, put me in what he thought was my rightful place, but … he was hesitating. Which told me everything. He wasn’t sure he could take us on. I could guarantee he was no match.

“Why have you come here?” he finally said. “I mean, what can we help you with?”

Much better. I exchanged a glance with Fury. She was grinning from ear to ear.

Ria was the one to answer. “We need information on Dronish and on the sacred animals.”

I had no problem with the Regali half stepping in. I wasn’t the leader of the half-Walkers; we were a team. I might have called some of the shots in the past, but we were all powerful in our own right. And I respected the hell out of every single one of my friends.

Gerry’s lips thinned as he gathered a few papers. “I have to leave, but the others will fill you in on any information you need.”

He edged past Cerberus and strode out of the tent opening, no doubt the only action he had right then to take a little bit of power back. The moment he disappeared from sight my hellhound shrunk back to his horse size and took his place beside Lina.

A beautiful woman who had been standing near the largest table dropped the papers in her hands. “Sorry about Gerry,” she said as she started to move. The light filtering through the tent highlighted the purple streaks in her black hair. “I’m Heidi, and I’m happy to fill you in on both the sacred animals and Dronish.”