A Chosen Life (16 page)

An uncomfortable lump formed in Tolen’s throat. He reached over and laid his hand over Macy’s clenched fist. Warmth surged up his arm and seemed to crash right into his heart.

She looked at him, her eyes unable to mask the anguish she obviously felt.

Tolen offered an understanding smile. The corner of her mouth lifted before she looked away, pulling her hand out from under his, and the warmth disappeared.

He took a deep breath and focused back on Ardia’s life force, while a strange and overwhelming desire to protect Macy filled him, body and mind.

The stupid part of such a feeling was that he didn’t have the faintest idea how.

Chapter Thirteen

Into the
Storm

Tolen’s blue eye shifted and he saw Ardia’s life force flash twenty miles ahead, from a half-dead Juniper tree. He felt
mostly
in control of his emotions. He couldn’t feel a trace of anger. Instead he felt an odd combination of trepidation and excitement. He could feel the vibes of the Shadow’s darkness ahead when he concentrated, just as Macy said he would figure out, and he understood that they caused the sense of foreboding he felt. He didn’t like that it was his fault that Macy would be close to them, but he couldn’t deny the tiny measure of excitement he felt to be going to a place where he could start to find out what had happened to his mother and best friend
and
more about his dad. Dane mentioned in Green River that they wouldn’t be staying at the Binithan for long, but maybe because of what had happened they would decide to let him stay. Maybe then he wouldn’t need the Watcher anymore.

A tiny spasm of regret followed this thought. If the Watcher left, so would Macy.

You’re close.
Ardia’s voice echoed through his mind and pulled him back to the present.

And the Shadows?

Building . . . and gaining speed.
Her tone turned urgent.
Tolen, I do not know if you will make it in time. You must hurry!

We’re going as fast as we can.

I am going into the park ahead of you. I want to check your path. Keep on your current course. Follow the road. I’ll be back.

Tolen took a deep breath.
Okay.

“She does not think we will make it in time?” Bastian leaned forward between the seats and Macy wrapped her arms tighter around her legs, her fingers leaving imprints in her skin.

Tolen squeezed the steering wheel and relayed what Ardia had said.

Macy’s lips turned white. Tolen wanted to console her, but he had no idea how. How do you console someone when they are headed toward something that had taken all they loved most? He felt sick at his earlier excitement, and determined that this time he wouldn’t be a danger to the others. He would do his best to fight any way he could. He glanced in the rearview mirror. Bastian was rubbing his temples with his eyes closed.

“Phantoms,” Bastian whispered.

Macy gasped.

Tolen! Phantoms!
Fear laced Ardia’s scream.

“What are Phantoms?” Tolen shouted.

Bastian’s reply came out in a nervous rush. “Demon spirits—as evil as Ardia is good. Dark servants put them into the skeletons of dead or dying trees and the Phantoms reanimate them.”

Tolen remembered the strength of the trees in Green River, the ones that had been fighting for him in the battle with Jeff and his friends. He imagined that kind of power fighting
against
him, and his palms started to sweat.

Ardia, what are they doing?

They have been put into nearly every dead tree in the park Tolen. They’re everywhere!

“What do we do?” Tolen asked aloud.

Bastian and Ardia both answered at the same time.
We fight.

The clouds in the distance were flat black. They blocked the sunlight— it looked like evening instead of midday.

“Tolen, turn up the radio.”

He did as Bastian asked and the long beep-beep-beep of the Emergency Broadcast System echoed through the jeep, followed by the computer-generated voice repeating the same warning. A radio announcer came on right after the warning, his voice muffled by the wind blowing in the background.

“A storm of record proportions is making its way along the California coast. Evacuations as far inland as Tule-lake continue. Even the Lava Bed National Monument has closed; all visitors have been escorted out. Meteorologists are unsure how long this storm will last and are telling residents to head to their basements or storm shelters, and stay away from windows—”

Bastian leaned forward and switched off the radio.

Tolen was grateful for the silence. Bastian said it should be easier for him to avoid that warm safe place in his mind, but as they neared the Shadows, the temptation to go there was stronger and harder to fight than he’d believed it would be. He clenched his teeth in frustration. He could do it.

Bastian started singing as soon as they passed the first sign indicating the remaining distance to the Lave Beds. His deep voice resonated through the interior of the Jeep, sending waves of calm calculation flooding through Tolen. His panicked heart slowed slightly and the fight to stay conscious got a lot easier.

Macy remained pale and sweaty beside him. The farther they went the weaker she seemed, but the look on her face now was resolute. She started to pull more stuff out of her belt. Not the dirt she used to make the Glockshaw, but what looked like small, softly glowing green rocks.

“Tolen, pull into that rest stop.” Bastian pointed at a blue sign.

Tolen maneuvered the Jeep into the slow lane. “I thought we were in a hurry.”

“We are not going to beat them there. We need to prepare.”

Tolen’s stomach clenched as he guided the Jeep into the empty lot and set the parking break.

Ardia echoed the Watcher’s statement gravely.
He is right.

Macy held two of the green rocks out to Tolen. “Serenity Stones,” she answered his questioning look without emotion. “Put them in your ears.” She waited for him to take them, handed two to Bastian and then put a pair in her own ears.

“The stones help counter the fear caused by the Shadows,” Bastian explained. “However, the emotions they evoke are artificial and the stones will eventually dissolve.”

Tolen pushed them into his ears. They weren’t hard as he had expected. They seemed to mold themselves to the shape of the inside of his ears until he couldn’t feel them at all. Instantly, a warm blanket of peacefulness fell over him and a desire to defend those around him intensified. It was strange having the two conflicting emotions— fear and serenity—swirling through his body. He could still hear every noise around him as if he had nothing in his ears.

Macy grabbed handfuls of what looked like tiny pieces of dried grass out of a bag he recognized as one she’d been filling in his garden, reached over, and sprinkled it all over him. “Camouflage,” she mumbled.

It was oddly heavy and seemed to attach to his skin. He felt strangely giddy and his defenses climbed higher still. The clash of emotions was getting uncomfortable.

Macy covered herself and Bastian with the herbs as well.

Tolen sniffed his arm. “This smells familiar.”

“Your mother has been mixing it in your soap and laundry detergent to help mask your scent, just in case.” Bastian responded.

“Oh.” Tolen ignored the pang at the mention of his mother. “Do all these emotions actually help against the power of the Shadows?” His voice came out stronger and louder than he intended.

“Yes.” Bastian murmured. “The Shadows use fear and anxiety in order to weaken their prey. We must prepare for the assault that is to come. Emotional weapons are by far the most dangerous. The stones will help keep the Shadows from draining us at a distance and the Camouflage will mask the smell of our blood from the Raksasha—hopefully buying us some time. We should have an hour at least before the stones dissolve and we sweat off the Camouflage.”

“What happens if they get close? How are we supposed to fight black clouds?”

From yet another pouch, Macy pulled three skinny rods, about three-inches long, covered in old leather, and handed them out.

“That is a Light spear, Tolen.” Bastian laid one of his huge hands over Tolen’s, stopping him from un-wrapping the rod. “It must be used as a last resort. Light spears are extremely powerful and will drain your life force quickly.”

Tolen put the rod in his front pocket. “How do I use it?”

“Get back on the road and I will explain.”

Tolen turned the Jeep back onto the nearly deserted highway. His arms trembled so much it was hard to steer.

Bastian spoke in a low voice. “The Shadow Wraiths are made up of a thick, black, oily mist. They darken the clouds to the nearly opaque black you see ahead. When they prepare to attack, they leave the storm and encircle their victim. Depending on their purpose, they either carry you in their black dreams to the Shadow Realm where they will imprison you, or they drain the life from you.

“If the Shadows get close enough that they begin to leave their storm and descend upon you and their dark Fear begins to fill your heart, you will open your spear and hold it above your head. The strength of the good inside of you is intensified by the power of the Light that is contained within the spear. It will cast a dome of protection over you, enabling you to run away. I only hope we will not have to use them until we are near the Binithan. If we use them too soon and we are not close enough to the entrance it could weaken us to the point of collapse—” He stopped when a soft whimper escaped Macy’s throat.

Tolen looked at her, but she met his concerned gaze with defiance.

She bit her trembling lip and clenched her jaw. She didn’t like pity.

Tolen looked away, but had to admire her strength as she determinedly went to face these demons of the sky that had taken so much from her. He clenched his teeth and focused on the road. He would not let anyone down this time.

o o o

Macy’s head spun. She only remembered feeling this sick once before; when she was five years old and had ridden the merry-go-round six times in a row on a dare.

For the past ten years she’d run from just the memory of the Shadows, and now she was running toward the real thing—and not just Shadows, but Phantom trees, Raksasha, DéHool, and who knew what else. The power of the stones in her ears fought with the thorns of dread that pierced her heart.

Bastian kept looking at her and squeezing her hand. She wished he’d stop. It only made her feel more weak and stupid. She wanted to tell him she’d be fine, be sarcastic, say she could handle this crap, but she knew he’d see right through it.

Tolen kept flashing concerned and apologetic looks at her as well. She knew from his earlier empathy that he was sensing her emotions. She squirmed in her seat. She didn’t like him thinking she was weak. It was starting to tick her off.

That’s it, focus on the anger. You can do this. You can do this!
She focused on her anger, forcing it to cover her fear. Her fingers tingled and she held the Kuna there, letting it bring her a small measure of comfort. She didn’t look at Bastian. She knew he didn’t like her using anger to channel her Kuna, but right now she didn’t care.

Tolen turned onto National Monument Road—obviously following Ardia more than the signs that pointed the way to the park. “Ardia says this is the direction we have to take. The Shadows are on the western border of the Lava Beds. Raksasha are hiding in some of the caves waiting for night. The Phantoms are everywhere. She said to assume all dead trees have one inside them, and be wary of the half dead ones as well.”

“Does Ardia know where the door to the Binithan is located?”

“Yes. We need to go in through the north entrance. There’s a parking lot there where we’ll leave the Jeep. She’ll guide us in from the Visitor’s Center. She said we’d be safest if we travel above ground in the open. She’s trying to get as many of the live trees to help guard us as she can. If we can stay away from any cave entrances and dead trees, she thinks we’ll be okay. I can see the door in her thoughts though, and to me, it seems to be pretty far in. We might not make it before the sun goes down.”

The wind howled outside the Jeep. Plastic bags, food wrappers, and other garbage whipped across the road. It was fast becoming a gale outside. The sky continued to darken the closer they got. Tolen turned on the headlights, but it didn’t dispel the gloom. When the park entrance finally came into view, the sky swirled with black clouds, and the wind blew fiercely enough to rock the Jeep. Tolen pulled into the parking lot and stopped. Macy’s heart thudded painfully in her throat. She could taste acid on her tongue.

Bastian’s eyes were resigned; it made the Kuna move from her fingertips into her palms. Bastian looked at her and Tolen and nodded.

“Let it build.”

“Let what build?” Tolen shook his head.

“Your gifts are reacting to your stress. That is the tingle you feel in your hands. Let it build, but stay focused. Do not let your emotions rule your judgment. Keep your head straight and your life force should be able to call your gifts as they are needed. Concentrate on recognizing the shift you will feel when your life force senses the presence of the Dark. It will guide you.”

Macy wondered if Tolen had any clue what Bastian was referring to.

Bastian turned toward her. “Can you run?”

She spoke through clenched teeth. “Yes.”

When she looked up, Tolen was watching her with concern. She fought the urge to roll her eyes, straightened her shoulders, and took a deep breath. “Alright, what’s the plan? How far will we need to run? And will I need to pace my Kuna?”

Bastian twisted in his seat and handed everyone their packs. “We will let Ardia determine our speed.” He looked at Tolen. “Remember your life force increases your natural abilities. When the need arises, say the word ‘
mig’nata
’. It means ‘the body’, and it will tell your life force to increase your strength. When you feel the power build, concentrate on sending it to your legs. Do not do it unless absolutely necessary, it will drain you quickly.” He looked back at Macy. “Do not call your Kuna unless you feel you have no choice. I cannot foresee as of yet if you will need it. Stay alert and focused. Trust your feelings.”

Bastian handed Tolen a small bow. “Have you ever used a bow and arrow?”

“No, but I think I can figure it out.” Tolen slung the bow and quiver of arrows across his back. He was trying to sound confident, but Macy could see the fear and uncertainty in his eyes.

“That is a Shupata. The arrows are drawn to the power of the Dark. If you at least aim in the general direction of the servant, then the arrow will do the rest. You only have five arrows, however, so use them sparingly.”