Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) (18 page)

Chapter 32

Not Ready

Gosha and Alexi were the first to notice the collapsed bodies and they ran forward. They both placed their hands on them and searched for life. It was at that moment that the group turned and saw Marsali and Airic on the ground. Piper ran in to grab Abby and Brad ran up to grab Ben. It felt like forever before Alexi and Gosha spoke. Everyone stood around waiting in silence. Zoe had begun to cry and Kaiden was trying his hardest to console her.

“They are alive, just in a deep sleep that I cannot wake them from.” Alexi stated

“Oh thank goodness.” Zoe moaned out and then began to laugh.

“Take them to one of the empty rooms. We will let them rest.” Kaiden stated

“We will check on them every few hours to make sure they are still alive.” Gosha said

“Thank you Gosha. I think we could all use some sleep and talk more in the morning. Hopefully they are awake then and will join us. I also believe that they would want us to continue with our lives and not hover over them. Tomorrow we will all take the day off from training and just enjoy ourselves for a bit. It has been so hectic that I have not even seen the farm or checked on the builds. We will continue training after a day off and get back to normal. We don’t know what to expect, but we know Aldrich is coming for us and we need to be ready.” Kaiden stated

“Sounds good, I know Hugh wanted to see you when you had rested from being away. I will have him come up to the house in the morning for breakfast.” Mary said

“Sounds like a plan to me. Goodnight everyone. Oh, Halina that was awesome!” Kaiden mused

“It was pretty amazing.” Halina said shyly

“My butterfly has sparks.” Zach whispered into Halina’s ear and then wrapped his arm around her and led her inside.

In the morning as they sat around the table and ate Alexi had informed them that Marsali and Airic were still in a deep sleep. Kaiden looked over to Oliver and gave a curious stare.

“Where are Marty and Sue?” Kaiden asked Oliver

“Oh they are a bit shy and won’t leave our room. I was hoping to take Ben up later to see if maybe he could talk with them.” Oliver said

“Who are Marty and Sue?” Ben asked

“They are capuchin monkeys that Oliver saved after their mother was killed. They hide in the closet now and we can’t coax them out. You were not in the house when we came here and once we got to the room they ran there and won’t come out.” Finley said

“I would love to see if I can talk to them.” Ben replied happily

“So Morgan and Quinn, is there anything you guys would like?” Zoe asked

“We have done a bit of wandering yesterday and saw the farm and the area you have for the water park, but the only garden you have is the small one that is Mary’s private one. Quinn had to pick out a lot of rotten onions, his ability to tell healthy from sick is quite beneficial with food. And I know all Earth Dragons can help things grow or manipulate the earth. But with my ability we don’t need seeds. I just need to see what it is you want grown and I can make it grow from nothing. I know Cassie and Aubry love to garden as well as Mary and well…I was just hoping we could make a larger garden.” Morgan squeaked out.

“Actually I was going to speak with you all about that. With so many of us here now we run out of food quickly. The farm is a meat source along with milk and cheese. So vegetables will be much needed. I am not denying the foods we all love, but this will help with a majority of the food supply.” Kaiden responded

“We know it’s just something we take satisfaction in and if it benefits us too that is a bonus.” Morgan replied

Hugh walked in from the kitchen then with about ten men. They all had plates that they had gotten from the kitchen in their hands. Quinn looked up and stuck his nose in the air. He smelled a sickly sweet smell and it was coming from one of the men who walked in. Quinn knew the smell well and one of those men was deathly sick.

“Hugh it is good to see you again.” Kaiden said walking over to Hugh.

“You too young man, Would you and Zoe like to take a walk with me today and I will show you all that we have finished and still working on. I have let about thirty men return home for some time. They have families and have already been away from them for about a month now. There are about twenty still here and they are the single men who wished to stay.” Hugh informed him.

“Sounds good, I can’t wait to see what you have done. Let me just get a blanket for Lily and we can head out.” Zoe said as she stood and walked to the big living room that they watched movies in and kept some blankets. Zoe grabbed one of the warmer ones and wrapped it around Lily. When she turned back to walk back into the dining room she noticed Quinn staring at Hugh and all the men. His eyes were darting between all of the men. She thought it curious for a moment and then brushed it off as maybe he was just curious about the human men.

“We are ready” Zoe announced glancing back at Quinn who was now whispering in Morgan’s ear while watching the men. Morgan looked up startled and watched the men too.

“Is there something wrong Quinn?” Zoe asked

“I smell sickness and death.” Quinn answered

“Oh?” Zoe asked startled and the rest of the table quieted.

“I am sorry, it is not as foreboding as I made it sound, but one of those men is sick and does not know it.” Quinn tried to explain himself

“What is he talking about?” Hugh asked looking worried

“Quinn’s ability is health and sickness. He only has to be near it to tell.” Morgan explained

The Blood Dragons stood and walked around the table to stand in the open.

“May we touch you and see?” Vivi asked. The men looked at one another confused and then one stepped forward. Vivi places her hand on his face and then smiled after a moment. “You are very healthy, but you have an old break in your leg that did not heal properly, may I fix it?” Vivi asked

“Wow that happened when I was four. We had no money for a doctor so my mother put a splint on it, but I don’t feel any pain from it.” He explained

“No not yet, but you will as you get older.” Vivi replied

“Then yes you may heal it. Is it going to hurt?” he asked

“I can have Alexi block the pain from your brain if you like?”

“Yes please, I am sort of a puss when it comes to pain.” He admitted

Vivi rolled up the pant leg on his left leg while Alexi stepped forward and placed her hands on his face. They worked together and a few moments later, Vivi was rolling the pant leg back down and standing up. She smiled at the man and he walked back to the group. Hugh urged another man to step forward and all he had was asthma that Christian healed his lungs of. One by one the men stepped forward and nothing was found wrong with them.

“I still smell it.” Quinn stated as he got up to smell the men directly. Hugh remained next to Kaiden and when Quinn got to him he look Hugh in the eye.

“Alright boy, yes it is me.” Hugh said

“What is it Hugh?” Kaiden asked worry for the man written all over his face.

“Now before you all step forward.” Hugh halted Vivi and Alexi from coming closer as they started to walk towards Hugh. “I was diagnosed with a tumor in my brain stem about three months before you called me to come here. I know what you all are capable of and I know you could probably take it out. But my wife is dead. My sons are moved on with families of their own and they know that I am dying. I promised your parents that if the day came that you called I would finish this project and that is what I intend to do before I die. I have come to terms with this and I do not wish to be healed. I have had a great life and making homes and things for you all have fulfilled my heart.” Hugh stated.

“But….” Zoe started to say

“But nothing dear Zoe, we are almost done and if I go before we are complete, the men know what to do. I have also left one of the married men in charge when I die. My men all know that I am sick and have been told not to say a word. I do not want a big fan fair thing to happen, I just want to work and die.” Hugh said a little more gruffly that he usually spoke.

“Ok” Zoe responded weakly. “How about you show us around?” with a smile Hugh quietly walked out the door and showed them around. First they walked to the condos that were completely finished. They walked inside of an empty one and Zoe was amazed at the detail inside. There were three fairly large bedrooms and another empty room upstairs that had no closets. Hugh told her it could be a playroom or a movie room. The downstairs portion had a nice kitchen with plenty of room. There were two living rooms and a separate dining room with a small bathroom.

After the condos they went to the barracks and saw that they completely remodeled. They now all had separate rooms, like dorms, with two per room. Bathrooms were also placed between every three rooms. From the barracks it was a short walk to where the Earth Dragons homes were and Zoe fell in love with the log homes that she saw. There were five of them. Zoe walked in the first one and saw right away that Cassie and Aubry must have been in there decorating. There were no windows that she could see and the forest smell was rich inside of the home. There were pots of flowers and plants throughout the home. The downstairs was two bedrooms that were large and open. There was also a living room that was fully furnished with large moss green couches and hints of brown were in the cushions on it. Upstairs there were two more large bedrooms that opened up onto a huge balcony with no rails.

“They wanted a balcony with no railings that they could walk out and shift from.” Hugh said

“It is lovely what you have done here Hugh. You have out did yourself once again.” Zoe responded

They walked through all the homes and Zoe was a little saddened that only two of the homes would be used. When they left the forest they walked to the Onyx homes and then the Fury’s. All were open and inviting and each home was perfect for each race. The Fire’s homes were amazing and large. The Water Dragons homes were elegant bungalows. They each had four bedrooms and an open floor plan. The Blood Dragons homes were scattered throughout all the other homes here and there. They had wanted it that way.

They found Finley and Oliver at the farm and she was in a got pen playing with the baby goats. Oliver was in with the horses feeding them by hand. Niall met them in the barn and showed them everything he had gotten and then the apartments that were inside. He was very thankful that he was of use at the farm. When they were all done they walked back to the house and then up to Mary’s house. Mary had not yet moved in to her home, but it was finished. Her stuff had arrived from Wyoming and she was in the home putting it all in a proper place.

At dinner that night Zoe informed everyone that the homes were ready and that everyone could begin moving in. The men were still working on some of the houses, but for everyone that lived in the main house, their homes were done.

“That is fantastic!” Shiloh squealed

“What about us?” Justine asked worried that she was going to have to move out, because Ben was the one that belonged in the house.

“Sis I want you to stay in the house. It is going to be a long time before me and Abby are able to live alone, so it is yours and to me it always will be.” Ben explained

“You are an awesome little man you know?” Justine smiled at her little brother

“I know, Marty and Sue told me too.” Ben said so nonchalantly.

“Oh you talked to them?” Finley asked. She and Oliver had spent the whole time at the farm today that she completely forgot about having Ben talk to them.

“Yep I did, they are a little jealous of the babies in the house and scared of the dogs. But I introduced them to the dogs and they know not to mess with Marty and Sue. Oh and they love their names, they said that their mother never named them. But they would like you to leave a window open so they can explore the trees. It is colder here for them, but as long as Oliver and Finley are here, they know it is home. I also tried to tell that that they were your babies too. So they should be better when you go up. Oh! And they want their own room.” Ben said and looked very seriously at Oliver and Finley.

“Well then I guess we will have to order a ton of stuff do make a monkey room.” Finley replied and Ben smiled and then filled up his plate.

“SURVIVORS IN THE FOREST” came over the radio on Mateo’s hip.

“Guess we have more for dinner.” Zoe said as she stood to go outside.

Chapter 33

Planning

Aldrich arrived in Germany a week and a half before the mercenaries were supposed to arrive. He had given them the location of his old Sect, where everything started. The main house of the Sect was still here, but all that was left of it was a burned husk of the former home. When he arrived there he walked around the edges of the home and noticed all the flowers that grew within their ashes. He smiled to himself know that he was the cause of this. This is the home where it all started, the beginning of his reign.

He decided to camp here since the area was vacant of any other people. His sons milled about the area, they all knew this was his former home and the birthplace of Vivi, even the younger ones knew. He had made sure to tell each one what he did, fear was the gateway to power. If he made his sons fear him, then he had total control over them. After all his sons were only half human and he was the Dragon, they all knew of his power.

He made his sons erect his tent, which was a massive tent like kings of old used to use. He had them place a bed inside of furs, just like old kings used to do also. He of course had the chests like them full of his books and weapons. Although he never touches a gun, to him they were useless weapons. But his sons needed them, because they were only half-bloods and did not have the skill he processed. One day they would and that day was very soon.

After his camp was tent was furnished he sprawled on the bed to think of a plan. He knew they were protected somehow, he just didn’t know how. He also knew that none of his sons or daughters had ever found the location, all he did know was that it was somewhere in Ireland. Every single time he sent a group there within days they were back home and confused about how they got back home. That is where these humans would come in handy. They had no Dragon blood running through their veins so they should be able to find it very easily.

All he needed to do now was come up with a plan and he had about twelve days to plan one and then he would take over as King.

When they got to the forest there were five people. They introduced themselves and swore fealty. There was a Earth couple, they were named Josiah and Brielle. There was a Blood female and her name was Sarah. The last couple was a Fire Dragon couple named Adara and Monroe. They quickly made their way back to the house and now they all sat at the table once again.

“Usually at dinner we have a Share and Tell. It helps us get to know one another as well as sort of a counseling session for us. But first I would like to tell you everything that we have learned over the last two months or so. We have just arrived back from getting our newest three Dragons. We had a wedding yesterday and then they turned for the first time. So they also have not had a chance to have our Share and Tell, this will be the first time for them too.” Zoe told them and then she and Kaiden took turns telling them all they have learned. They ended with telling them about the spell they performed the night before and how Marsali and Airic were in a deep sleep down the hall.

“So our creator is asleep in the next room and we are just sitting here eating?” Adara asked dumbfounded.

“They are alive still, but they will not wake up no matter what we do. Trust me I have tried everything.” Alexi confessed

“May we see her?” Sarah asked

“I guess that is ok.” Alexi said and led them to the room Marsali and Airic were asleep in. They looked over Marsali and then Airic then they all went back to the table. One they sat back down Zoe started telling them her story. When she was done Kaiden told his and then Justine and Gabe. After that it went around the room and when Finley was done Oliver started.

“My name is Oliver and I was twelve when my parent left for a flight one night and then didn’t come back. They always told me that if they didn’t come home I was to stay hidden. That if I ever felt a Pull to hide. I went to the rainforest and met a few monkeys that kept me company. They showed me how to find food and survive there. About a year ago I learned how to go invisible when I happened to find myself between a Jaguar and her cubs. Usually they stayed away from me, but me being so close to her cubs was a very bad thing. Obviously I went invisible and got away just fine. That was really the only bad thing that happened to me in there. Then one day I feel a Pull like no other Pull I have felt before and then I see her. I wanted to deny her and I did. But I learned it was fun to piss her off than to try and stay away from her. Turns out we have a lot in common too.” Oliver finished

“My name is Quinn, and up until about three days ago I had no clue who or what I was. I always knew my name though. I grew up in Algeria some family had me until I was five and then I just left. I lived in caves all over the mountains. Food was always hard to find, but I always knew which animals were safe to hunt. I can smell any kind of sickness. I made weapons from what I could find and hunted that way. Then the other day I feel something I have never felt before. It felt like a string that pulled me right to them. I was scared and got my bow ready and ended up face to face with John. My arrow was pointed right at his face and then the next thing I know little Tia who was at the back of the line was then standing next to John and she had my arrow in her hand and was yelling at me. Anyway they tell me what I am and I knew they were right. I knew I was different and hell living in a cave is hell so I came with them.” Quinn said

“You didn’t even tell anyone how they got you to go by dangling me in front of you.” Morgan teased. “I am Morgan and I was living in Afghanistan with my parents. They were great and they taught me everything. We lived in caves too after their Sect was destroyed. My mom was pregnant with me when it happened, but they never told me how it happened. They told me that if I felt a strong Pull like I did with them to go to it, but if I felt a weak one to hide. Then about eight months ago we were out looking for food and came upon some men. They were yelling at us and pointing guns at us but we couldn’t understand them. Then my father pushed me behind him and started to move the earth below the men. Then I heard a loud pop and my father fell on me. I fell between two large rocks and was edged in there with my dad laying on the opening. I heard the men scream and then so did my mother. Then I saw her ashes float across the air and I smelled the flowers, flowers that weren’t there before. My father was asleep or unconscious he never said anything. I don’t know how long I was trapped there but after I thought too much time had passed he turned to ash. His ashes were all over my face and a flower landed in my mouth. I was so scared. I managed to get out and ran back to the cave. I stayed there until Quinn showed up. Then we came here.” Morgan finished

“My name is Sarah and I was living in Australia until about a week ago. I was in a Sect there and when we heard about the killings we all went into hiding. My mate Raymond and I decided to leave one day. We went to New Zealand for a few years and then got lonely so we went back. We got back to the place we all hid, which was like a big underground warehouse. Inside was full of ashes and flowers. We were so caught up in what we saw that we never felt them. There were three of them and for a moment we thought they were friends, until they shot Raymond. I lost it and ran at them, they shot me, but not in any deadly places. I managed to grab two at once and took them down with a touch. The last one ran when he realized what I did. I didn’t give chase I was too busy healing myself. I stayed in Australia because I had nowhere else to go. I was in an internet café on the beach and looking for anything on one of the computers. I tend to surf the internet when I am bored and I came across your blog. I hitched rides and bought a plane ticket and here I am.”

“I am Brielle and this is my mate Josiah. We were in Asia after our Sect was destroyed in Indonesia. Like most of the other adults here, especially the Earth Dragons, we stayed underground a lot. Twenty years on the run is quite tiring and we have been looking for others every day. About three weeks ago we finally get a clue and make our way here. It’s been hell, but we have had each other.”

“Saved the best for last, I am Monroe and this is my mate Adara. We have been living all over and staying one step ahead of the half-bloods. We hang out near airports so we know when they arrive and then we watch them from a distance. When they leave we know it is safe to relax and live. But we really miss others like us and being ourselves. It’s nice to finally feel at home. This place is unreal.”

“We are glad to have you. You guys good with training and stuff?” Kaiden asked

“Absolutely” Brielle said and all the others nodded.

“Good now on to other good news. We have rooms in the house or we have had homes built and you may have one of those. But we would still like to have breakfast and dinner with everyone here. You see this is not a Sect this is a family. We will not rule over you and we will fight by your side, always.” Zoe said

“That sounds even better.” Adara said

“Where did all these kids come from?” Sarah asked

“They are Aldrich’s children, just like I was.” Vivi said

“You are all amazing people to have taken them in like that,” Monroe stated

“And that is why they are an excellent King and Queen.” Marsali stated and the whole room turned to her and Airic who were standing near the fire pit.

“Oh I am so glad you are awake, you had us all on edge.” Zoe squealed and ran to her throwing her arms around Marsali.

“I dreamed about a Blood Dragon with a lot of men. He is sleeping in tents and it felt like he is waiting on more to arrive. He is next to a large house burnt to a shell of what it was. The inside is full of flowers that grown when we die.” Marsali said

“What was around the house?” Brad asked

“It was an open field surrounded by a large wrought iron fence.”

“Could you see the tops of the bars?” Brad asked

“Yes they looked like Dragon heads.”

“He is home.” Brad stated “He is back in Germany at our old home.”

“Should we hit first? I mean we could be there tonight and take them all out.” Charles asked

“No!” Marsali said

“But he is at our reach.” Gabe said

“If you go there you all die. I feel that in my bones and you must live. You are safest here and he will be here shortly, that I know. Head my advice and do not go to him.” Marsali begged

“But we could end this now!” Colby yelled

“Zoe and Halina are pregnant. You cannot go.” Airic said “They both carry Pearls within them. I can smell the babies’ blood and it is mine. Two Kings are in their bellies and you will protect your women, one of you will carry the Queens to those Kings. You must not go.” He bellowed out

“Let me see.” Vivi said as she walked over to Zoe and placed her hand over her belly. Zoe was barely five weeks, but there was life inside her. Vivi then walked over to Halina and felt the same, but Halina was closer to eight weeks. “He is right.”

Kaiden and Zach yelled their glee and wrapped their women in their arms. Marcus and Iraina both started to cry with happiness. Then the entire room erupted in cheers and shouts. They all knew then that their race would survive.