Leader: Book Three (Princes of Prophecy 3) (9 page)

No one has anything so I follow them out. I pick Lily up on the way to the Club. She’s happy to see me and thanks me for lunch with a kiss. “You keep that up and the Brothers will have to wait for me to give them the status.”

She steps back. “Oh.” I take her hand and she slides in behind me. I have to adjust myself and swear, making her laugh. I run through the status and what I know about the next threat. By the time I shut my bike off I’m not hard and have a plan forming for the meeting tomorrow. When I walk in I see Dakota and Jeremy first. They’re both smiling. I’ve thought of something that’s going to help. Thank fuck!

Dakota does his war cry and everyone stops and looks for me. I raise my hand and tell them our status and how proud I am of everyone. IT for making the jumps to alternates smoothly and HS and Security for clearing the pussies so quickly. The PD for catching and keeping the pussies away from the town centers. Dakota for clearing the lock on the building, especially since I was in it. They laugh. I tell them about the boat and Jared and Dakota clearing it. Once I’m done I walk around making sure I thank everyone for their part. I hug Dakota then Lily does making him laugh. Since we had no casualties and only two injuries everyone is in high spirits. I watch Dakota leave with Jess, not really surprised he isn’t staying. Jessie is talking to Jax and his crew – the Nomads help keeping the businesses safe. I’m glad he recognizes them. I thank Jax and get a big smile. “It’s a good day Prez.”

I laugh. “It is.” Lily puts her arm around my back and I look down then follow where she’s looking. Fuckin’ Ramsey is hitting on a whore. I just shake my head. He is a moron. Sheila walks by him and he moves away from her making me laugh. I guess it’s good to keep him around.

I put my water on the bar and ask for a beer, surprised to see Trapper. He hands me a beer smiling. He looks good with his hair cut and beard trimmed. “I didn’t recognize you Trapper. Glad to see you’re making yourself useful.”

He laughs. “It feels good Prez Little Ben Knight.”

Lily cracks up. “Just Prez or Little Ben works. Done didn’t have to take you to work with him. I thought he was covered?”

I’m looking around for Lee. “I asked. He’s been good enough to show me where everything is. It’s a job I can do and I’m happy to help. A good way to give back ya know?”

He’s a good man. “I do. We pretty much live by that. If you have experience in a job let Done know. We have a shit load of businesses that are always looking for help and a temp agency that helps people find jobs.”

He stops wiping the counter. I’m surprised watching him, he never hits a bottle or glass. “I’m blind Prez.”

I laugh. “You’re not dead Trapper. You’ve cleaned the whole fuckin’ bar without hitting a bottle. I think you see better than some people with full sight.” He shrugs, not quite believing me. “You know our VP is deaf, our Treasurer has broken bones that healed wrong in her back and we come from a place where disability is not an acceptable excuse. The MC has a woman in High Security that is mute but talks through a chip and another with Down Syndrome. The way we see it, if you’re not dead you’re useful somewhere. Don’t cut yourself short because you can’t see. Use what you can to make your life happy.”

His eyes tear up. I look away. “Is that true, Jessie?” he asks, looking toward Jessie. I smile; he knew right where he is standing.

“Every fuckin’ word. He didn’t mention the robotics and prosthetics, but you get the picture. Prez won’t tell you something if it isn’t true. Let Done know what you can do and we’ll find you a job doing it or something close to it. We’ve got a whole fuckin’ world of crazy out there and we need to find a way to make it better. You being useful is a way to make that easier on us. Tomorrow we may find someone else that needs a place in useful. That’s how it goes around here,” Jessie tells him and I’m so fuckin’ proud.

Trapper has the biggest fuckin’ smile on. “I’ll talk with Done. I was a pretty decent mechanic and worked with PAL. Maybe I could find something in there. Thanks Jessie and Prez.”

Jax steps closer to the bar. “I’m Jax, Trapper. I was just talking to Jessie and overheard. I have a group of kids coming from the Boys’ Club to help in the garage. It sounds like you may be able to help. I got no fuckin’ clue about kids and these fuckers are bitchin’ about being too old for the Boys’ Club.” Trapper laughs and I slap Jax on the back. He throws me chin.

“I’ll let you get on that job Trapper; I’ve got Brothers to thank for saving my ass today.”

He laughs and I walk on. “That is an awesome thing to do. Thank you,” Lily says as I’m walking to Driscoll.

“Fuckin’ Brothers always surprise me. I am proud of Jessie for putting it so easy for him and Jax for giving him the hand he needs.”

She laughs shaking her head, but I’m at Driscoll and don’t ask what that’s about. I thank him and tell him about the meeting tomorrow. My dad already texted him. I get to Jared and tell him about the HS comments on the bikes. They love the hologram boards on the shield. He’s happy they’re using them. With my thanks out of the way I look at Lily. “Ready to be done here babe?”

“I’m starving.” She smiles up at me. I look around for my HS then throw chin as I walk out. Hyde follows us to the Deli then the compound.

“It’s been a good day, but it feels good to be home.” She slides out from behind me.

I nod. “It has and is.” I’ve been running scenarios and want to run them by my father so I’m a little distracted.

Inside she takes the bag. “Go do your Prez thing and I’ll get this on the table. If you’re late, I’ll sit with you while you eat.”

I smile. “Love you baby.” I bend and kiss her.

She pushes me away. “Go so you can love me once you eat.”

I laugh walking out and call my dad on the OC and tell him what I’m thinking. He starts typing and I wait. Jeremy comes in and starts typing. My dad looks up. “Thanks.” He turns back to his screen and starts typing again. “Will get it to Geek.”

He shuts the feed down and I look at Jeremy. “You’re moving too fast for me. What’s that all about?”

“Help.” He smiles and walks down the hall toward the stairs.

“Okay then. Help.” I get flashes of Security and the compound here blowing up and he turns.

“Help.” He runs up the stairs laughing.

Thank fuck he’s helping. Lily is in the living room reading something so I grab my plate and sit beside her. She puts her book down and I see it’s the Center book. “Finish babe. I’m good.” She picks it right back up and I smile. It feels good to have company while I eat even if she’s busy. She’s making notes as she reads and it throws me a weird feeling. I look forward and try to focus on where and what it’s from. I finish eating without figuring it out and add it to my list to ask Dakota.

Cleaning up I bring her some wine and ask about her day. She closes the book and thanks me then is telling me about Deirdre and the hologram boards. I take her for a walk on the beach and get the weird feeling again. “Fuck no!” Pulling her back I head right to Jessie and Dakota’s.

“What’s wrong?” She’s nervous.

I slow down. “I have to talk to Dakota. I need you to go inside. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

She nods and walks up our stairs as I walk by them. I call him in my head. “I am here Brother.” He walks out of the house and stands on the deck.

I’m fuckin’ pissed. “You weren’t going to warn me?”

He looks at me and I want to hit him. “You know why I could not. You know what the balance is like and you know the reason. Hitting me will not bring you the answer you are looking for. I got counsel, as I always do when it is a difficult decision. I agreed with it and everything happened as it should. We will not always be so lucky. My counsel included Tess, she is not happy with any changes, but agreed to let you find your way for this one.”

My hands hit my knees. “It’s not over.” I need to breathe.

“No, my Brother, it is not.” His voice is soft sending a chill down my back.

I’m fucked. I can’t ask and risk changing what is meant to be and I need to protect Lily from a threat. If I ask, I risk another fuckin’ horror story starting and if I don’t, I risk losing her. I can’t do this. “What do I do Dakota?”

He sits in front of me. “Ask the ancestors Brother. I cannot answer for you. I can only guide your way. You are the leader Brother. You must make this decision, but we have ancestors that will help guide you as I do. Sit, jump with me Little Ben.”

I don’t sit so much as fall to my knees. She’s mine to protect. I can’t do this one alone. I jump and feel a peace roll through me. My head clears and I see the decisions I’ve already made. My spirit guide is a crow and he takes me over the water knowing my challenges are causing me doubt. I didn’t like the crow at first. Co listed its meaning as: magical, shape shifting, change, creativity, spiritual strength, elegance, energy, and higher perspective. I accepted that the ancestors know a fuck of a lot more than me. I was so lost two years ago. Today I am feeling that doubt, but for different reasons.

“The ancestors have accepted you as a great leader Brother. That acceptance comes from the future, as well as the past. It is an honor to be accepted so young. It shows of the story you will leave behind when you join our ancestors. Your story is long my great leader. You will make changes that touch many lives, you are good and just in your guidance. The ancestors see it already.”

“Is Lily’s story written Dakota?” I want to ask if her story is long with mine, but I can’t.

“No Little Ben, it is not written yet. The ancestors are wise and guide us, but cannot know all. They guide us by their knowledge of what is.”

So my decisions can impact her story, but at what cost? I can’t ask that. I can’t force another Aubrey story. “I can only ask for peace and guidance for the decisions I will have to make. I can’t ask for what is not written.”

He flies over the ridge. “Very wise my great leader. The ancestors offer that peace and guidance as well as the strength for you to do what must be done. The ancestors smile today. Look at the colors Brother, feel the power and peace, keep them in your heart and draw from them what you need.”

I thank the ancestors and Dakota. I’m feeling more settled. I can’t think of what could happen. I have to make decisions and take what the seers give me and adjust. It has always worked. I can’t work backwards. I open my eyes and he’s smiling. “You truly are a great leader. I am honored to be a guide for you Brother.”

I throw him chin and stand. “Thank you Dakota for being here for me.”

I walk home and everything is running through my head. I can’t do a fuckin’ thing about the future, but I can use what I know to make the right now good for all of us. Pres once told me with a threat comes a fierce passion. I feel that now. A fierce passion to make this time in our lives as good as it can be. With that thought comes peace. It is not the best plan I’ve ever had, and it isn’t guaranteeing me the future that I want, but it’s what I have to work with.

I find my girl with her book and put it on the table then lift her up. “Time to love you.”

She giggles and I love it. “I like the sound of that.”

I carry her up and set her down kissing her. When she moans in my mouth my hands find her buttons and start moving, but she’s not happy with my progress so she helps. I think about her being here right now and slow her down. I want her to feel what I do and tell her as I’m touching and kissing every part of her. She smiles when I tell her how surprised I was that she’s pierced and I’m glad I didn’t have to wait for the heal time. I was taking her to have it done, but don’t tell her that.

“Why did you want me pierced?” She turns red asking.

I smile then flick her bar with my tongue. “So you feel it all. Pierced gives you more of what is good. My bars feel good every time they hit friction, just like yours. I want you to feel everything the same way I do.” She nods. I keep going and she lets me go at my own pace. I suck on the crease at her leg and she moans. I give her a nip there and get another one. She loves everything and isn’t afraid to show it. Moving back up her legs I flick her ring and her body jumps. “Mmmm I like that.” I start at the bottom and work my way up to her ring. She’s got my hair in a death grip and doesn’t loosen her hold until she comes.

She’s taking shallow breaths and I smile lifting her up. She holds me as I’m sliding in. “Fuckin’ perfect. That’s what it feels like right here, Lily. Fuckin’ perfect.” I start moving her and feel lightheaded. What the hell? ‘Jump!’ I jump and she holds me tight. “Holy fuck, hold on Lily.” She moans and I start moving her. Jesus it feels better here. The wind touches us and I feel it on my chest when she’s against it. I laugh then moan.

“Perfect,” she says trying to move faster. “Please?”

I move her and it feels like I’m spinning out of control. The wind feels like it’s holding us together. When her body tightens I pull her down hard so her ring is hitting and she screams just as I explode into her.

I blink frantically opening my eyes. “Holy shit that was phenomenal.” I feel the bed on my back and wonder when I landed here. I must be losing it. I can’t think of any rational explanation so I’ll stick with that one. Lily is out. I give myself some time to calm down and breathe normally then I move her so I can clean her up.

I have never smoked, but feel the need for a cigarette or something right now. I clean her, smiling at that. Once she’s clean I kiss her head and pull on my pants. In the kitchen I pour some Jack and walk out to the deck. That was the craziest feeling and I’m so fuckin’ glad it happened with her. It feels right.