walker saga 07 - earth (6 page)

I rested my elbows on my knees, cradling my head in my hands. I’d barely slept in the last few days and, while I wasn’t feeling great, I wasn’t as exhausted as I should be. Thank you, Walker genetics.

What was happening inside?
All of a sudden I couldn’t sit any longer. Jumping to my feet, I started to pace. Would they be able to free Josian? Or had the lalunas anticipated this? Who knew what protections those crazy-ass faeries had on that tank?

I’m going to shut down the bond for a minute, Red. I need to focus.

Damn, I’d been relying on the bond to keep me updated.
Okay, but you be careful. I’m going to be really annoyed if you get hurt.

Understatement of the year.

He chuckled.
I love it when you talk badass, baby. I love you.

I love you.
I was all warm inside. His caressing words of love always did that to me.

He cut the bond off, and I had to stop myself from marching back into the glass building and finding my mate. I hated being cut off from him. Hated it like Lucy hated bras. Couldn’t blame her; they were damn uncomfortable.

I was slightly distracted as green glitter started to rain off the pixie herself. “I can’t stand it when Colt blocks himself from me.” She was darting around, her wings moving rapidly within her cloud of pissed-off glitter. “I have no idea how you survived when the lalunas severed your melding bond.”

I almost hadn’t survived.

My mind was now in that dark place, the place I’d existed in when I’d been separated from Brace. Lucy was not melded; she couldn’t really understand the intensity of our bond. The pain had almost crushed me, and I wasn’t sure that I’d ever fully recover. Still now, there were ragged edges between Brace and me. We were trying to smooth them over, but the lalunas had warned us that what was broken might never be the same again. Right now I was going to just be grateful that I had him back, that the endless gulfing ache of loneliness which had crushed my soul was no longer there.

You doing okay, Red?
Even with the shield between us, Brace still sensed my distress.

I pulled myself together. We had shit to deal with.
All good. Is everything okay in there?

We’re still working on it. There were a few little … traps,
he said.
All good now. We should be out in a moment.

I felt a surge of joy. I couldn’t wait to see my father; I needed a big bear hug. Walkers were the best at those, and Josian’s were amazing.

Lucy seemed calmer now; at least we could all finally breathe without inhaling lungs full of pixie dust. Lallielle and Lasandra were still, silent, watching the world around them. Most of these ancient beings had limitless patience. They had long lives and didn’t rush about trying to fill in time. Lucy and I still reacted like humans, losing our shit and fidgeting with nervous energy. A thumping sound drew my attention. Something heavy was pounding along the stone path.

A familiar lumbering gait came into view and a broad grin spread across my face. I took off and practically threw myself at him. Twin heads wrapped around me, and the scent of his fur filled my nostrils. Cerberus, my sacred animal and friend. He had sensed my distress and was here for me.

I soaked in his comfort for a long moment before pulling back. Both of my arms shot out and I scratched him behind the ears. A purring rumble shook his chest. I wondered for a moment if any more of the other half-Walker females had found their animals. Talina already had Apollo, the stunning, blue-and-silver water dragon. Delane had Lina, the majestic black unicorn. And Fury had Crete, a tiny fluffy kitten, which to her disgust was the cutest thing ever. She wanted large and fierce. Although, something told me that kitten would not have left her arms since she’d found him.

Ria and Sapha had no animals yet, plus our unknown Earth half-Walker.
Crap.
I really needed to get going and find her, but I just couldn’t leave until I knew Josian was okay.

Voices drew my attention, and I hurried back to the group, Cerberus right behind me. Colton had emerged from the glass building.

Lucy fluttered up to him. “What happened?” she asked as I stepped closer.

Brace wasn’t out yet and the wall was back up between us.

“We managed to free Josian. We had to sever the energy extractors,” Colton said, running a hand through his blond hair. “He’s fine, but needs time to recuperate.” He turned his white-blue eyes on Lallielle. “He’s asking for you, Lalli, you should go to him.”

His words shot relief through me. I needed to see my father before I left too, but I’d give Lallielle a few moments first.

My mother paused just long enough to drop a kiss on my cheek before dashing into the glass horror house.

“Where’s Brace?” I asked.

Colton’s features hardened. “Josian was easy. There were only minor securities on his cage, and he should make a full recovery. Que, on the other hand …”

“Bastard,” I heard Lasandra mutter.

Colton continued. “We can’t figure out how to break the tank’s seal. The wires were simple to disconnect, but there’s very strong energy around his actual tank. Ancient energy. Brace and Grantham are trying to unravel it now, but they think it’s going to take a while.”

I fidgeted a bit. “I don’t have time to wait for him; I have to get to Earth. We’re on the clock and the last Seventine could be released at any moment. Plus the convergence is closing in.”

Colton nodded. “I know. Brace is giving it one last go. Then he’ll leave it to Grantham and a few others. They’ve sent out a call to the history keepers, Nos and Jedi especially.”

Nos was Ria’s father, and also a visionary. He held memories passed down by all the past visionaries. If the information was known to Walkers, he was the best bet for remembering it.

“Abby and I can go to Earth without you … you know, if you need to stay here,” Lucy said.

Lasandra clasped her hands together, the noise loud enough to echo across the space. “I think that’s a great plan. The girls are more than strong enough to venture to that little world.” She said this like Earth was a hick country town out in the boonies. “Everyone else should remain on Abernath to contain whatever destruction Que is about to unleash.”

Colton snorted, followed by a growl. “No way in any of the worlds will Lucy or Red be going to Earth without us.”

His tone brooked no argument, and I knew that the boys had already discussed it inside and nothing would change their minds. My relief was instant.

“No argument from me,” I said. “You and Brace are like ganger deterrents. They don’t like taking on anyone who looks more badass than them. Plus, he might need me to keep his butt safe.”

Colton’s expression morphed into one of pure amusement. “Oh, man, I can’t wait to tell him you said that.”

Lucy had just narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth when a throat cleared behind us.

“I think I’m man enough to be okay with Abby keeping me safe,” the deep voice said, “and my butt.”

My heart rate increased as he stepped into view. I drank him in, all six and a half feet of pure bronzed beauty. My mate was freaking hot; way, way hot. I owed the fates like a bottle of wine and some flowers, because they had lined me up with pure perfection. And it went so much deeper than his looks. The way Brace had stood by me, even through my complete effups. Even when I had broken our bond without consulting him. He fought for me, for us, and he was completely deserving of everything good in all the worlds. I just needed to deal with this Seventine crap, so we could get back to the good.

I didn’t hesitate, moving rapidly to his side. Distance between us felt wrong. “What happened? Is Dad okay?”

Brace’s arms wrapped around me and he drew me closer, the heat of his body seeping into mine. “Yes, he’s with Lallielle, and they’re going to take a doorway back to First World.”

I lurched forward. “I want to see him first.”

Brace’s arms tightened, stopping me from diving through the front door. “Calm down, Red. No one’s leaving without you. I just wanted to update everyone before I took you through.”

Lasandra straightened, her cold expression cutting right through me. I couldn’t understand why her hatred toward me was growing, and I had neither the time nor inclination right then to deal with it.

“What’s the update, Brace?” Her focus was exclusively on her son.

“I’ve contacted a few of my technologically inclined Abernaths. They’ll be working to break open Que’s tank before he completes his new body,” he said. “Also Jedi and Nos are researching for me. They’re in the war library. Que will be moved to the dark mountain. I can’t bring all of the men here; they’re needed there.”

Lasandra pursed her lips, before giving a few little nods. “Yes, it would be better to move him rather than bring everyone here to Abernath.”
Oh.
She didn’t like strangers on her world. “I’ll help them. I have much knowledge from my father … your grandpere. This technology might have come from him.”

Brace smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that. Your knowledge is invaluable.”

Lasandra was gone then with a quick kiss on her son’s cheek. The rest of us were invisible, which was a hundred times better than being the focus of her sharp tongue.

Lucy shuddered as soon as the blond hair disappeared into Que’s house. “Anyone ever told you that your mom is an uber-bitch?” She made the cross symbol, as if warding off evil.

Colton snort-laughed before trying to cover it up with a cough.

Brace didn’t sweat Lucy’s bluntness. He was nothing if not honest. “Yeah, she’s having a moment right now. It’s hard to know what to do. Before she was taken prisoner she barely had a bad word to say about anyone. Que tried plenty of times over the years to destroy her, but she stayed pure. Now, though …” His features tightened. “We’ll just have to give her time.”

Well, if we all survived, we’d have plenty of time up our sleeves. We were basically immortal. Or at least really hard to kill.

By then Lallielle had had a few minutes with Josian. I wished I could give them longer, but I was on the countdown. I started toward the door.

“We’ll wait here for you.” Lucy said.

I paused, throwing my head around to catch her gaze.

“No need to crowd Jos when he’s probably all discombobulated.”

I smirked. “Someone found a dictionary last night.”

Lucy’s expression morphed into a grimace. “Hanging around these old dudes is rubbing off on me in the worst possible way. Big words are for losers.”

Colton and Brace exchanged looks. The wolf-Walker crossed his arms, muscles in the biceps straining. “I have never, in my life, used the word ‘discombobulated’. And I’m not that old.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” I said, turning to give him a commiserating pat on the arm. “I’ll be back out in a minute, and then we can head to First World.”

“I thought we were going straight to Earth.” Lucy’s eyebrows rose to almost meet her blond-and-green streaked hair.

“I want to check in with the girls, make sure they’re okay. When we left, the battle was on the brink of starting. I just … I have to check them.”

No one said anything. They all understood the bond I shared with the girls. It was ancient and it was important. Moving quickly, I strode through the glass building, Brace right on my heels.

“Is he still in the basement?” I murmured, my words hasty.

Brace’s low tone was both soothing and spine-tingling. “Yes, Grantham will take your parents back to Angelisian as soon as you’ve seen Josian.”

Oh. “So they won’t go to the dark mountains?” Secretly, I was really happy about that.

“Not until Josian has recovered. He’s vulnerable right now, and we don’t want to give anyone a chance to take advantage of that.”

I would personally be drop-kicking anyone who tried to take advantage of my family again. Effing lalunas. Freaking Que. Stupid Seventine. All total asshats.

The journey through the ugliest-building-to-exist seemed to take far less time than earlier. I wasn’t as nervous. I knew what was going to jump out at me now. Taking the stairs two at a time, I was still amazed by how much more graceful I was now than before my Walker powers enlightened.

The starkness of the basement room was very obvious about halfway down. Brace had done a real number on it. It was probably all kinds of wrong, but I got a little turned on when he went crazy-powerful-Walker, and blew shit up. Working hard to conceal my current thoughts, I hoped the pink flush of arousal was fading from my warm cheeks.

My eyes remained locked on the small group. They were crouched around robo-Que’s tank. Josian was draped between Grantham and Lallielle. My eyes scanned him, searching for any injuries. He seemed smaller, despite the fact he topped out near seven foot. The fact that his power was weakened had impacted his aura. When I opened my energy up and searched hard, I could sometimes see auras. I was thankful that the beautiful pink and silver of my parents’ bond seemed to be intact. Lallielle might have been spitting mad at Josian before he disappeared, but no one could doubt the love and devotion which was always there under her anger.

“Baby girl!”

The moment I heard his voice I ran, my feet swift across the cold, dank space. I had to stop from throwing myself at him. He definitely looked worse for wear.

A grin split his features. Those bronze eyes still held some of the old twinkle in them. “Don’t you dare treat me like an invalid.” Massive arms opened and he held his own weight as Lallielle and Grantham stepped aside.

I ran into him, wrapping my arms tightly around his broad back. The scents of home, Walker, and princeps surrounded me. Technically Josian was no longer the princeps, but nothing official had stripped him of that title, and I could still feel the mantle of leadership on him. He was the true princeps and every Walker knew it. It was why the current stand-in princeps of Doreen was so pissed off and trying to throw his domination around. Like that would ever control Walkers. They had to respect you and respect had to be earned.

I don’t know how long I stood there in my father’s arms. I probably could have stayed in his comforting embrace forever, hoping like all little girls that their parents would shield them from the horrors of the world. It was only as he stumbled against me that I remembered he was weak and needed rest.