Regali (A Walker Saga) (4 page)

“They’re just stupid kids, Red, I’ll deal with them.”

I snorted. Anyone less than four hundred was a kid to him.

Jonathon lifted his arms then. “We didn’t mean harm
. It’s just our duty to spread the words of the originals.”

This had to be the group that had been harassing Lucy and us half-Walkers during the entire gathering.

“I’ll give you one chance to leave.” Josian stepped forward with a few Doreen elders. “If we have to ask again, you won’t be leaving in a conscious state.”

The group hesitated
, but as they glanced between Josian, Brace and Colton they must have decided they were outmanned. With one last glance, Jonathon reached down to grab his hood.

“If I hear of your extremist actions again
,” Brace called after them, “I’ll exile you from Abernath. Keep that in mind.”

“You don’t know who we are
,” one of the hooded said.

Brace grinned. “But I know Jonathon and I know how to make him talk.”

“Squeal like a bitch actually,” Colton added. “Might be fun.”

They were just turning to leave when suddenly Jonathon turned back to us and started to speak. But this time his voice was different, flat, as if he
were reciting a speech.

“Children of Gods, born unknown and alone,

the seven are needed to eliminate. Take heed,

for baby will not live till four and one year

unless removed from the world here.

The youngest and strongest to collect.

Lost and alone, a god-man is the key.

Gather the
halflings, stone and fear.

The end of days is written in mineral.”

“Oh
, eff,” Lucy said, “that’s the prophesy from Frannie, right?”

I nodded, trying to figure out what was happening.

He continued to repeat it over and over and suddenly he added a few words to the end. Words which were not in English.

“What did he say?” I asked Brace, an edge of panic in my tone. I was getting one of my bad feelings about this.

“He added two extra lines to the end,” Brace said, his tone short.
“Death is near and will come on swift winds, unless the first half meets a fiery end.”

“First half? That’s me
, right?” I attempted to swallow the huge lump in my throat.

Suddenly Jonathon flung his hands forward
. He was still chanting and from his finger tip these red and yellow sparks emerged. I had to look twice because the first time I hadn’t realized that the spark was actually solid, until it shot toward me with the force of a missile and hit my shoulder with a thud that knocked me backwards.

“Detain him.” I heard Brace order before he dropped to my side. “Josian
, is that what I think it is?”

His expression wasn’t giving me much hope that this was nothing to worry about.

“The scepter of Klaus,” Josian muttered.

I was about to start yelling, demanding someone tell me what the hell was sticking out of my arm, when I felt it beneath my lace marks. My blood started to pulse, and it burned suddenly, as if my very skin was on fire.

“What’s happening?” I gasped out.

“The
scepter was a weapon developed early on by the Seventine. I thought the originals destroyed it all.” Josian looked panicked.

“What does it do?” Lucy all but shrieked.

Josian ran his hand through his hair in an agitated manner. “When they knew that they couldn’t kill an original they found this. It literally turns a Walker to stone. A living statue.”

“Keep her heart beating
,” Brace bit out. “I know Que still held a few bottles of the cure.”

“But you can’t leave
,” Talina said, sitting close by, a few tears running down her face. “The moonstale is up for another ten hours.”

“She doesn’t have ten hours.” Brace stood abruptly. “Just keep her heart beating.”

I couldn’t feel my left arm anymore. The burning was lessening, but so was any sensation there.

“Stay with me
, baby girl,” Josian said from one side. “Your mother and I will feed you our energy to fight the spread.”

My parents each took my hands, although I couldn’t feel anything anymore. I just lay there watching their perfect faces shimmering under the moonstale dome. Warmth started to spread through me again
, and I could feel the warring within my blood. And then Josian’s lace marks flickered a few times before disappearing. Noise erupted around us in a huge conglomeration of sound. The moonstale had fallen.

“Brace is badass
,” Lucy said.

And then in that moment Josian’s mark reappeared. Brace must have figured out a way to disable the dome
to allow him enough time to open a doorway. I mentally urged him to hurry. My parents were helping but the loss of sensation was still slowly creeping along my body.

“Her marks have stopped swirling
,” Fury snapped out. “Brace better move his butt.”

The words continued over me as everyone spoke
, but my ears seemed to have suddenly stopped working right. I kept missing parts of the conversation. And then the burning sensation moved to my eyes, and I couldn’t move them around any longer. My stare was locked on my father’s face as he continued to pour his energy into me. I guessed I looked calm on the outside, considering I couldn’t move my face anymore, but on the inside I was screaming. The claustrophobic sensations ripped through me. I was unable to move my body, but was still aware of my surroundings.

Josian moved out of my line of sight and my desperation grew. Now I could see nothing but
the darkness of the First-World sky. How much longer until I was a statue? At this desperate thought, Brace was there, filling my view. A dash of hope flared. He leaned close to me, his lips moving, but I caught none of what he said. Except the last word. Sorry.

Oh
, crap.

Something struck me hard, right in my chest above my heart. The fact I felt anything at all told me the force used. And then I was on fire. If I’d thought the burning sensation before was painful that was only because I didn
’t have this new pain as a comparison. My skin was charring off my bones, lava flowed through my veins and embers repeatedly stabbed through my body.

I screamed, or attempted to
, but no sound emerged. And then when I was mid-wail my screams started to echo around. My vocal cords were free; the paralysis was starting to wear off. Whatever Brace had done was working. Halting my wails, I gritted my teeth and rode out the pain.

“You’re doing great, Abbs, it’s almost over now.”

I could finally hear Brace’s voice and the sound was more soothing to my pains than anything else would have been. And then I could feel his warm hand wrapped around mine. Piece by piece my body became my own again, until finally I was able to stand.

Lucy ran at me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. Talina was right behind her and then on a very unusual note Fury was the last to join our group hug.

“I thought you were gone,” Lucy said, her voice muffled. “Your skin went this stunning shade of gold, but I could see the life disappearing from you.”

“Don’t do that again
,” Fury bit out as she pulled back. “Us halves need our fearless leader.”

I laughed then. “Okay, I’ll try not get hit by some weird, ancient unheard
-of rock and turn to stone. Seriously, how many times in one life could that happen?”

“You’d be surprised.” Colton grinned. He was standing next to Brace.

Taking two steps, I threw my arms around Lallielle and, as always, Josian joined in. I could hear him muttering about gray hair again. When he pulled back he addressed the many Doreen members who were gathered around us.

“I think it might be time to call it a night
,” he started. “Brace and I have a few Abernaths to deal with.”

I could see five of them standing to the right of us, their hoods still in place and
Doreen men around them, keeping them in place. The rest must have escaped in the uproar.

“I’ll take Red to our tent and make sure she
’s fine. Don’t start without me.” Brace’s words were tense. He was not happy, his eyes black as pitch, and I wouldn’t like to be in those Abernaths’ robes when he got to them.

We move
d through the dispersing crowd, and I had to say I felt completely fine, as if nothing had happened.

“You’re trying to give me a heart attack, Abigail
. I didn’t think I’d make it in time.” He pulled me closer.

I looked up into his face.
“What would have happened if you hadn’t? Is it permanent?”

“I’ve never known anyone to come back once the heart
is frozen. The curative liquid only works if the organ can still pump it around.”

My blood chilled again at the thought that I
had almost become a living statue.

“Thank you
,” I said softly. “I don’t know how you managed to break the dome, but I’m so glad you could.”

Brace managed to laugh. “Don’t ask
. I’ll probably be in shit over that soon. Worth it, though.”

We reached the tent and Brace made sure I was safely inside on our blow
-up bed. “Don’t leave; I need to know you’re safe, just for five minutes.” His expression pleaded. “Please.”

“I’ll be right here waiting for you
,” I promised.

He hesitated, before a grin crossed his features and he reluctantly moved out of the door. “See you soon, Red.”

My pulse raced as I watched him leave. I couldn’t wait for him to return.

The next morning I felt great as I got ready to travel to Regali, the ominously dubbed ‘planet of the beasts’. Colton’s sister, Magenta, had been there before and, using her knowledge, Colton was going to open a doorway into the jungle of Artwon. Apparently this was the most likely place to find the half, as it was the most densely populated.

I’d traced from the field to my room in Angelisian the moment the moonstale dome had fallen on the gathering. My head was pounding a little, but I seemed to have recovered pretty quickly from
the previous night. Brace and Josian had not gleaned much information from the Abernaths. They didn’t seem to really know anything of importance. And Brace was sure that Jonathon had no idea how he’d come to possess the scepter of Klaus.

I was in my closet, just collecting a few essential
clothing items, when I felt Josian’s presence enter my room. I was getting much better at not just sensing the energy, but also individualizing it to fit with its owner. I popped my head out of the wardrobe door.

“Dad.” I smiled as familiar bronze eyes locked on me. “What’s up?”

He stood straighter, his ivory skin glowing softly as always. “I know you’re in a hurry to gather the next girl, and try that ritual for the four, but we have to do one thing before you leave.”

I tilted my head to the side
, waiting for him to continue.

“Lucas is to be inaugurated tomorrow night at dusk. All of us have been requested to attend.”

I attempted to keep my expression calm, despite the tumultuous storm brewing inside. Lucas’ father had died a little over a week ago, a debilitating immune disease taking its final toll. After the days of mourning and farewells for Emperor Christian, it was now time for his son to take the throne. Lucas was a friend of sorts, but a friend who wanted more. He believed I was his destined Empress, despite my clear melding bond with Brace, and at times it made for tension and awkwardness. But he would expect our attendance and I owed him that much respect.

“Okay
,” I finally said. “I guess we can delay another day.”

What I really wanted to say was: hell no. But First World was my home and I needed to make sure I didn’t piss Lucas off too badly. Josian grinned
. He couldn’t read my guarded thoughts, but my expression probably gave me away.

“We
’ll take the buggies to the castle tomorrow morning. Lucas has also requested no doorways or tracing with so many people around,” Josian said, his tone dry.

Walker’s didn
’t like orders, even if they were phrased as polite requests.

After Josian
had left me to finish my packing, I opened my mind to Brace. I already missed him and he’d only been away on Abernath for a few hours. He was trying to help maintain a semblance of order, and assist in the decision for appointing the next Princeps.

Something told me it was going to be Brace and there was nothing we could do to stop it. He
had told me he didn’t want the position because he would be gone so much. But I had encouraged him. If nothing came of the ritual for the four I had no choice but to break the bond, so maybe a little distance was for the best. My heart tightened inside my chest, as if someone had reached in and grasped it tightly before slowing squeezing the life out of it.

Red.

His voice washed over me. I quickly locked the negative thoughts away.

Are you okay?

I hadn’t quite hidden everything. He could feel my worry.

Yep, just missing you like crazy.

I poured all of my love into those words, without even meaning to.

I
’d much rather be with you than trying to wrangle these Walkers. I swear not one of them can make a decision without ten hours of discussion.

He paused.

Well, in regards Princeps, there seems to be no doubt about who they want.

I sighed.
They chose you, didn’t they?

I felt him hesitate.
Yes.
He paused again.
But I haven’t accepted yet.

Why?

Because it’s a big job. Not always, of course, as you can see from Josian. Walkers manage themselves mostly fine, but someone has to sort out the mess Que made … I’m going to be gone a lot.

I swallowed, working hard to remind myself that this is what I wanted.

You should take it, Brace. You were born to be Princeps, and frankly you’d make an amazing leader. You’re a little hot-headed, but if you get that under control …

He snorted.
I’m only like that with you, Red. Most of the time I’m cool as ice.

I felt his attention shift.

Baby, I have to go now. A problem and an idiot have both come to my attention.

Tell Colton hey.

Brace laughed.
See you tomorrow at Lucas’ inauguration. Be good and I love you.

I felt him withdraw from my mind. My heart lifted at the thought of seeing him t
he next day. I was glad he was going to be there for the ceremony. I had no idea how I was going to survive breaking the bond. Even when the Seventine had possessed him, there’d still been a bond between us, and it was still the worst pain I’d ever felt. I clenched my fists. This ritual had to work.

“Abbs?” Lucy’s voice broke me from my thoughts.

I turned my head as she walked into my room.

“Have you heard from Brace?” She flopped onto my bed.

She looked tired. I knew her vision was keeping her up at night. And she wasn’t the only one.

I sauntered closer to her. “Why do you ask?” I paused at the edge of my bed, staring down at her.

She shrugged. “No reason, I just recognize that desolate look on your face.”

I laughed.

She sat up straighter, her glare nailing me.

I returned it with my own stare. “You don’t fool me, Lucy
. You want to know if Colt is coming tomorrow.”

She huffed, her brows narrowing over her eyes. “Please, I don
’t care what that mangy mutt is doing. It’s simply a community service to know whether I have to call animal control.”

“I think maybe your overkill on the dog jokes indicates something deeper than that. What happened last night between you two?”

She flopped back on the bed, closing her eyes. “Nothing,” she mumbled. “Absolutely nothing.”

I was reaching out to shake the living crap out of her
– she was being deliberately obtuse – when Talina popped into my room.

“I have some news
,” she burst out.

Lucy and I spun in her direction.

“I’m going to stay here and help Josian and Lallielle search the dark mountains.”

We stared at her for a minute.

“I know I wanted to go to Regali with you both, but I need to help search.” She huffed in a breath. “I have a strange feeling about these mountains.”

“Fair enough
,” I said, trusting Talina’s judgment. “I hope we’re quick finding this next girl, then we can come back and help you search.”

“What do you know about Regali?”
she asked, dropping onto the bed next to Lucy, her luxurious emerald hair spreading out around her. “Do you have a game plan?”

I shrugged, shifting from foot to foot. “Nah, you know me
: just show up and see what happens. It’s apparently a very intense jungle, this Artwon.”

“Yes,” Lucy interrupt
ed, “we’re more worried about snakes and spiders.”

Talina nodded, her lids half closed. I knew she would have no idea what Lucy was talking about
; they had different predators on Spurn. But she agreed anyways.

“Where’s Fury?” I asked.

“She’s with Grantham. He’s helping her with her energy. They definitely have complementary powers and already after a few sessions she’s getting stronger,” Talina said, her words reminding me of Fury’s insatiable need to increase her fire power.

I was also reminded of my own need for improvement.

“We need to try my tethering again. With that tip from the Walker about conduit power, we might just have a shot at controlling the energy,” I said.

Talina nodded, sitting up and facing me. I was dying to test out this conduit skill
. It would be useful to know if I could use my mind to create and destroy.

“Yes! We have to be so strong that we can call on the power at any moment and fully utilize all of our individual strengths.” Talina’s brown eyes flared with a determined light. “Let’s go now.”

We stood facing the ocean, the grass under our feet a vibrant lime green. The water splashed in its tumult of blues, the majesty
, as always, taking my breath away.

“You ready?” Talina turned her head to face me.

Taking in a lung full of the salty air, I nodded. From the corner of my eye I noticed Lucy drop down onto the ground. She was our run-for-help girl.

The air shifted around us as Talina called her energy and the water surrounded her. I flung forward my golden cord and
, without any physical contact needed, a strand flew from the center of the water spout and we were tethered together.

So you don’t have to touch us.
Talina’s voice held a curious wonder.
Let’s see what else we can do.

The Walker had said my mind and energy
were the key to controlling this tethering. That if I simply visualized what I wanted, I could manifest it.

Josian
had said this was unheard of, even from the original Walkers. The ability to create and destroy on that level was the domain of the lalunas alone; not Walkers.

I could see the golden thread attached to the watery center
. I tugged on it again and, as before, it simply stretched out.

What are you going to do?
Talina asked as she watched me. She stood calmly, knowing she had no control over what I was doing.

I laughed.
I have no idea. I’m going to picture an axe or sharp object and use it to cut the cord.

What about scissors?

I paused. That could work.

It took very little effort now to manipulate my energy and it no longer scared me. At some point my power and I had formed an understanding and there was an almost co-dependent bond between us.

I mentally shaped a very sharp pair of scissors, and strangely enough they appeared before us in almost a ghostly specter. I directed them toward the tether.

Closing my eyes
, I forced the blades of power shut. An explosion flashed and my eyes flew open in time to see a massive shimmering wall of energy form between Talina and me. Her eyes widened and at that moment we were blasted apart. I flew backwards. It felt like the wall was slammed against my body, pushing me. And if the force didn’t abate soon, I was going to hit the house. I noticed then that the cord tethering me to Talina had not fully been severed; it had only partly disconnected.

And if I wasn’t mistaken the partially broken golden cord was the sparking, fizzing force pushing me back.

I formed my scissors again and, using more of my energy, I surrounded the cord and forced the blades to close. Screaming out with more of my strength, I finally heard the clink of the metaphorical power scissors as they cut those final strands. The wailing wall of energy died and I hit the ground with a hard thud, the final force sending me into the front window of our house.

I braced myself as the glass shattered around me
. I could feel the jagged points cutting through my shirt and into my back and sides. A scrape burnt along my cheek. The piercing pain started at my lips and continued up past my eye. I wanted to scream. The pain was agonizing as glass punctured along my body, ripping through my delicate skin.

Finally I stopped moving. I was in the front meeting room, my blood spraying around the white carpet and walls like some macabre painting. I shuddered, my body shaking as I fought the urge to
collapse. I knew the glass still littered my body and I really didn’t want to push it in further.

“Aribella, don’t move.” My father’s voice sounded from the back doorway.

“Wasn’t planning on it,” I croaked out, my voice shaking.

I heard more movement behind me, followed by a gasp which definitely came from my mother.

“Do something,” Lallielle murmured.

Damn, what could they see, besides the ton of blood I was dumping on the
floor?

Lucy’s horrified face appeared on the outside of the broken window. Behind her was a dripping wet Talina.

“Glad to see you had water to cushion your fall and not a damn house.” I shuddered more.

Lucy practically dived through the window then
. I flinched as she snatched at my face. I couldn’t stop the cry from escaping my lips and I let my mental shield fall briefly as the burning pain lashed at my face again.