Nyteria Rising (The Thirteenth Series Book 3) (13 page)

Val landed clumsily, dropping the books along the landing as she ran. She didn’t care; she had the one she needed held tight to her chest.

Zac was following with more style. “Why did you feel the need to tell them Daniel was dead?” he asked her as they arrived at Shane’s door.

“I wanted them to hurt like we are.” She barged in. Sam and Wendy weren’t there, but she had the next best thing. “Belinda I need you to do something.”

“What’s that?” she asked as Val shoved a book at her.

“Zac, tell her how to make it work. Uncle Julian, step aside.”

“Belinda these books are a life force, very much like your trees.” Zac took Belinda and guided her towards Shane. “They can sometimes heal people if the connection is strong enough.”

“But Zac, I don’t have a clue what to do.”

“Belinda, I will guide you don’t worry. You are the only person here with the right intuitive skills.” Zac knelt down at Shane’s side. “Hold the book out and place it on his chest.”

“Won’t that hurt him?” Fran asked.

“Nothing could hurt him more than he’s suffering right now,” Zac reassured her thoughtlessly.

Belinda held the book above his body.

“I need you to search for your healing powers. Like Wendy, you have been focused students for many years, you more so, as you are clearly old. All I want you to do is tap into that river of power.”

She looked at the book, and across the bed at Jason whose eyes pleaded for something – anything to help his dad. She laid it to rest as gently as she could on Shane’s body. He coughed, a gurgling sound in his chest, making them all hold their breath.

“Place your hands on the book, Belinda.” She followed Zac’s instructions. “Now focus. The book will tell you what to do. You must listen with your magical senses not your human ones. As you are the mother of Wendy, then this will be strong.” Belinda closed her eyes and, as Val had predicted, the book knew what she was and started to create its holograms. Lightning blue images rose up from the cover. They wove up her hands and circled her arms. It was such a mesmerising image, beautiful yet painful at the same time. The air in the room was still and they could have heard a pin drop. They climbed and climbed and then, to everyone’s horror they stopped. Like someone had switched out a light.

“What’s wrong?” Val asked.

“It’s not enough,” Zac replied. “She’s not had enough practice we need…”

“Me. You need me.” The door was open and in the entrance stood Wendy.

“Wendy,” Val hugged her. “Is Sam with you?”

“He’s coming,” she reassured her.

“Please help us. You know what to do,” Fran pleaded. Belinda moved aside to give room to her daughter. They smiled briefly at each other; there would be time for reunions later. Wendy knelt down placing her hands on the book. It only took a few seconds for the holograms to start lifting into the air once more. They were vibrant blue floating out into the room. Wendy was obviously doing the best she could, but nothing was changing.

“Wendy come on,” Val urged.

“Please Wendy, save my Dad,” Jason pleaded.

A familiar voice broke the air of desperation. “Let me through.”

Val twisted. “Sam, where’ve you been?” She wanted to hug him out of relief, but knew it wasn’t the right moment.

Sam looked at the holograms. Then, to Val’s surprise, he reached out, catching one in his hand. It floated in his palm for a moment as he observed it, then faded away. “Wendy, you need to stop. It’s too late.”

“What exactly do you mean it’s too late? You can save him. Use whatever you used to save me,” Val insisted.

“His injuries are too severe.” Sam moved past her, and her body went from hopeful to defeated in a second. “Jason, look at me?” Sam knelt next to him at the bedside.

“No, save my Dad. I don’t know what you two have done in your time, but you owe him this. Please save
him,” Jason said, still refusing to take his eyes from his dad.

“If I could, I would have already done it. I do owe him my life, many times over. I won’t take this time you have left. Don’t waste another breath on me.” Sam kissed Jason’s head and stood back.

“You’re lying,” Jason sobbed.

Wendy stopped, the holograms faded away and she lifted the book gently from Shane’s body.

Shane’s eyes opened. “Son.” Wendy had done enough to allow him to return to consciousness.

“Dad, hang on, I can get you to a hospital. Let’s get him in a car.” Jason’s voice was hoarse his throat closing with the pain as he attempted to stand.

“Stop, listen to me.” Shane’s voice was faint. “This is out of your control son. Sam’s right, he can’t heal me.” He took a laboured breath. “Before I go, you need to know the facts. I don’t have much time, so just listen.” He coughed, blood coming from his wound. Val was now crying openly and Susan pulled her in close.

“I’m a soldier son, I’m a fighter and so are you. I’ve lived a life beyond imagination.” He reached for another deep rasping breath and Val could see how much pain he was in just trying to hang on. “I have fought with Sam to keep this planet safe for you, son. I’ve faced Death and he’s missed me far too many times. Sam will look after you now.” Jason’s head rested on his dad’s chin as he cried uncontrollably. “Val, come here.”

She moved over, almost scared to reach out for him. “Yes?” the words seeped from her lips almost as quietly as Shane’s voice.

“It’s been an honour. Keep fighting, Val. A soldier never asks why, they know in their heart that they were
meant to protect those who can’t do it for themselves.” He reached out for her as she knelt next to Jason. “I’ll see your Mum soon son. I bet she’s just as beautiful as the last time I was with her. No more paintings. I love you boy.” Shane closed his eyes as Jason cried out in pain.

“Stay with me, Dad, I don’t want to be here alone.” Jason hugged Shane, blood soaking into his shirt.

Val stood, her world smashed to pieces, her heart broken and unable to deal with what she was watching. Her dad walked up to her, but she couldn’t cope with this. She walked out past them all. Why Shane? He’d never hurt anyone. It was her fault, but blame wasn’t what she needed right now. Now she wanted revenge. She would capture Lailah and anyone else who stood in her way in the process. She walked downstairs towards the front door. Pulling it open, she stepped out into the dark.

Her pain filled body burst into flames, lighting the garden as she bellowed, “COME FOR ME COWARDS!!” Her heat burned her tears into vapour before they fell. She closed her eyes and there was darkness.

The tattoo parlour was lit only by the street light outside its large front window. Val’s flames reflected off the barber shop floor as she walked over to Shane’s work chair. In her mind’s eye she could see him tattooing the beautiful girl with the Rock’n’Roll red hair Zac had been so taken by. Kneeling down next to his chair, she allowed her flames to die out, sobbing uncontrollably until it felt like she would drown. She felt so full of pain and confusion. No one could tell her this was ok, that taking Shane was something that was just one of those things, that she didn’t have the right fight to back. They were going to taste their own medicine.

Pulling herself up she headed towards the swing doors. As the air rushed through, she could smell his aftershave. She remembered the first time she and Delta had been here and Shane had joked about Bruce Wayne. She had known him for such a short time. How could he be gone? Would he still be alive if she had never come here? As she walked into their space, the stunning pictures of Elizabeth filled her with sadness. ‘No more paintings’ he’d said. She wandered over to the coffee maker. It was filled and ready. She pushed the button and sat down at the glass table, passing her hand over its soft cold top. One more word, that’s all she wanted,
one more chance to say she was sorry. But death was so final.

The coffee whooshed and glugged. Val went to get a drink. It seemed like a good plan: coffee first, then she would hunt them down and imprison them all. Yes, she would have a drink then go and deal with Delta.

The hinges of the swing doors gave her the heads up that someone was coming, but she had no fear. No one else would take anything from her today.

“Hi.” Sam greeted her. Walking over to the percolator he poured himself a drink and sat down. “Just taken your uncle home and thought I’d find out what you were up to.”

She glanced at him. “You won’t stop me.” She took a sip.

“Doing what?”

“You know what. They can’t get away with killing Shane.”

“I agree.”

“I know you’re going to tell me it’s not right to want revenge, and that I’ll be just as bad as them if I do something stupid. But I’m not going to stop until I capture them because they didn’t think about Shane when they took him.”

“Yup you’re right. Jason wants revenge as well. He’s going to hunt them all down, and he has no powers, so ‘best of luck’ I said to him.” Sam took another sip glancing at Val from the corner of his eye.

She sat up straight. “Are you crazy? He’ll be killed, stupid idiot. Where’s he gone? We need to get him.”

“Why? Everyone wants justice here. What makes you think you’re hurting more than Shane’s son? Let him get on with it. You seem to be doing ok on your own.”

“Are you mad? They’ll shred him. At least I have powers.”

“You don’t get to choose who takes revenge, Val. Let’s all take it, then we’ll all feel better. Lucky for Jason that Shane didn’t take revenge on the people who took Elizabeth, because if he had, Jason would have had even less time with his dad, and you wouldn’t be here, and the journey you’re on to save so many lives would never have happened.” Sam looked at Val for a response.

“I don’t understand.”

“Shane has been in endless situations that put his life in danger before you knew him, and he lost loved ones, but he never lost sight of the final outcome: your arrival.”

“So you’re saying it’s my fault?”

“No! I’m saying that if Shane never took direct revenge on the people who took what he most loved, but strove to bring the one thing that could release us all to the light, then I know he wouldn’t want you or anyone else to avenge his death by dishing out the same rough justice. He would want you to honour your power and position. He would want you to be there for Jason, to protect him through everything, and respect who he was. To look to a brighter future and not be stuck in the bitterness of the past.”

“But it hurts so much. I don’t know how to deal with this pain. I can’t breathe.” Her eyes overflowed.

“Use the pain to bring us all together, and let’s get this situation under control. I have some explaining to do and I need you and Jason to listen to everything I’m going to tell you. Are you ready to go back?”

“Not yet.”

“Ok,” he nodded.

Val sat for a moment in contemplation. Sipped the last of her drink quietly and then wiped away her tears. “Sam?” She put her coffee cup on the table.

“Yes.”

“Do you think he’s really with Elizabeth?”

“Definitely.”

“I need to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Daniel’s lying all alone, dying, back at your house.” Val knew now that whatever had happened she didn’t want his death on her hands.

“Then we’d better leave.” He took her hand. “Let’s go and do the right thing.”

“Where is he?” Sam asked pulling the office door open.

“Just there,” she pointed to the door.

“I’m going to get Wendy. You go and talk to him. Remember what it feels like to be away from your home and different without wanting to be.” Sam headed down the corridor leaving her to go in.

She pushed the door open hoping someone would be there, but they were obviously all still looking after Jason, although now there was a fresh glass of water next to the bed. Daniel was still alive, just, and he clearly wasn’t going anywhere. “Hello,” she mumbled awkwardly as she moved a chair from the corner over to the bed. “So, you’re out cold still? Then this would be a really good time for me to say maybe I was a little harsh earlier when I said I hated you. I really don’t know you at all. I was stressed and, well, stuff comes out. We got the Dellatrax, thanks.”

The door opened and Wendy came in. She looked like her eyes might fall out of her head from crying. Gripping
the healing book, she rushed to Daniel’s bedside. She needed no instructions and quickly placed the Dellatrax on his chest. Val watched as the holograms skipped up and around. In her heart she knew he wasn’t as badly injured as Shane, and that he would survive.

Sam came to watch over them. “Wendy, just be careful. We don’t know what Daniel will do when he wakes up.”

She nodded and sat back as the holograms faded. “I know it’ll be ok.”

Daniel’s body began to shake violently. He took a huge gasp of breath, his chest lifted and his back arched from the bed. Val was scared. Was he dying or living? He fell limp onto the sheets and, for a moment there was no sign of movement. Then slowly he opened his eyes and looked straight at Wendy. “I’m so sorry I left you,” he whispered.