True Fate (38 page)

Yes, there was a rebel group called "The Ban
Si" that would stop at nothing to do just that, but they were not the
council's defectors, not all of them. It was only one defector in particular,
Elias, who formed the rebel clan. He felt they had a right to rule with an iron
fist and dole out judgments on their own kind. He had been a General in the
United Army, when the realms were working side by side. Elias was slick, mischievous,
extremely handsome and very smart. He uses his talents as his weapons and he is
always eager to use them. He caught wind of the prophecies long ago and had
been scouring the planet almost as long as the good guys to find Nia.

The rest of the 'defectors' are The Liberated.
They live in peace in small communities spread out around the globe just
waiting. They have dark stories of Lilith’s rise to power and they have been
waiting for Nia since before she was even born.

Savannah hoped that Nia would go with her to meet
them someday soon. She needs to hear the stories first hand so that she could
be certain to watch her back where the ever so helpful Lilith was concerned.
She wanted Darragh and Avery with her for that trip too. This was big, really
big. Maybe the prophecy was about to be fulfilled. One thing was certain,
Savannah was going to make sure Nia fulfilled her destiny or at least knew what
was at stake. She just has to wait for the right time to clarify all of it for
everyone involved. '
Lilith’s time is coming to an end and there's nothing
she can do about it now
.’ Savannah thought with a smile. This was going to
get interesting.

Chapter 20

Nia told Eric she needed to stop soon. They
stopped twenty minutes later in a small town well lit and occupied. The plan
was to avoid secluded areas where they could be attacked outright for the quick
stops. They all got off to use the facilities and get drinks and something to
eat that they could take with them. Luckily there was a fast food place
attached to the gas station. They were on their way in no time, she had noticed
Darragh inside ordering and sensed Savannah was close by probably glamoured
from sight until Nia could talk to Isabel and decide whether to tell her about
her or not. After lunch Nia swore to herself she'd start that conversation.

They had been on the road most of the morning and
well into the afternoon. It was around two when Nia finally struck up the much
needed conversation. "Isabel, do you think I could talk to you for a
minute? In private?” she asked her quietly.

Eric and Aaron were talking driving schedule and
what the goal was before a rest would happen. Rhea and Adam had headphones in
and were tethered together by a splitter. Avery was leaned back with her eyes
closed seemingly asleep. Isabel glanced around and nodded at Nia who felt the
bubble she was pushing out encase her right away.

"So?” Isabel said sounding leery of Nia.

"I need to tell you something and I don't
want you to freak out. Okay?” Nia said carefully, trying to convey her
sincerity. Isabel tilted her head studying Nia like she was a puzzle.

"Go ahead.” she said finally.

Nia took a deep breath and prepared for the worst,
"I looked at your mind...” she said waiting for an outburst that didn't
come.

"Now before you get pissed at me, please
understand I had to know if I could trust you or if you were infinitely loyal
to Lilith.” Nia said quickly, hoping her explanation would calm the fire that
was clearly brewing in Isabel's eyes.

"Okay... and?” Isabel said without wavering
one bit, trying to figure out what Nia had seen.

"I know about Brennan and your plans to
leave the court.” Nia said quietly.

"Nothing had better happen to him because of
you! I will kill you myself destiny or not!” Isabel seethed finally releasing
what Nia saw brewing and she didn't blame her either.

"Whoa! I'm not going to tell anyone, I swear
it! I'll even let you bind me to that if you want. I just needed to be able to
trust you. From what I gather Lilith is shady and I just can't chance it.",
she explained in a rush. Isabel took a moment to calm her shaking body and her
fury that had surfaced without warning.

 
"So
now you know. What does that do for me, and what about Brennan?” Isabel asked.

"Well, I want to help you get Brennan out of
there. Maybe figure out how we can do that without tipping off Lilith... I'll
help you in whatever way I can, we all will. ", Nia told her.

“Okay?” Isabel said squinting at Nia probably
trying to decide if she could really trust her. "I have some plans in mind
I'll think about it and get back to you.” Isabel continued with a small smile.

"If we can bring him through a realm, would
that work?” Nia asked.

"Maybe.", she responded thinking.

"Let me know.” Nia told her, letting the
conversation end there for now.

"Hey Nia, your phone.” Rhea was telling her
as Isabel's bubble disintegrated. Nia looked down to her phone on her lap and
saw a text from her mom.

Mom: Nia, I know you are upset but please, for
me, can you check in maybe once a day?

Nia: Yeah, sorry I have been preoccupied. I will
call you tonight.

Mom: Thank you sweetheart! Your dad said to leave
you be, but I just can't! I love you Sweet Pea.

Nia: Love you too mom. TTYL

"Thanks." Nia said to Rhea, "It
was my mom.” she explained. Rhea gave her a sideways glance realizing she had
spaced out or something.

"Everything okay?” Rhea asked.

"Yeah, she was just worried, wants me to
check in more.” Nia explained and Rhea nodded,

"Good idea, but maybe don't give them a
location just let them know you're okay." Rhea said slowly.

 
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I have
no clue who's hunting me, but whoever it is has to know who my family is. So
yeah, the less they know the better.” Nia agreed.

Eric pulled over and he and Aaron switched
driving duty, Nia was buckling into the front seat and Avery and Eric were
getting into the back seat when they exchanged a look and Eric froze. Avery
crouched by the suburban and closed the door as quietly as possible. Eric's
voice came bellowing into Nia's mind,
'Stay in the car, no matter what! I
mean it Nia!’
he sent through their bond.

Aaron grabbed Nia's hand as Eric sent him
instructions on what to do next. Darragh's car stopped and he got out looking
at the tree line his hand at his side assumingly on his weapon. About a minute
later Nia felt sick to her stomach, "What the hell is going on?” Rhea
asked.

Adam had pulled her down in the seat as far as
they could go and still stay buckled in. "I don't know but Eric said not to
leave the car.", Nia hissed.

Darragh unsheathed his sword when Eric and Avery
did the same. Eric looked at Nia and with a smack on the hood Aaron let Nia's
hand fall and took off like a shot. Nia could see a few men walking out from
the trees drawing their own swords.

"What are you doing? You can't just leave
them!” Nia screamed in a panic. Turning to see what she could with them fading
into the distance.

"It's okay Eric is guiding me to our
destination and they will meet us there. He says they just want to talk.” Aaron
explained trying to calm her as he turned sharply onto a farm road then a dirt
road causing Nia's panic to skyrocket as they were thrust into almost zero
visibility due to the dust they were kicking up.

"Why do they need weapons to talk? Where are
we going? Aaron?” Nia asked trying not to seem as panicked as she really was.

"Sorry love, I'm trying to concentrate.” was
all he answered.

Rhea spoke up just then, "Just relax Nia,
once we get to safety I'm sure we can figure it out. Just stay calm and let the
man concentrate.” she tried her best to sooth Nia, she knew how much the
unknown freaked her out and how scared she was for the others they had left
behind. Isabel was in the back chanting under her breath and it was definitely
not helping to calm their nerves.

Aaron pulled up to a barn and Nia could feel a
buzz emanating from it, Isabel jumped off and opened the doors scanning the
perimeter, Aaron pulled the suburban inside and cut the engine as Isabel
secured the barn doors. There was more room inside than Nia thought there was
as lights started flickering on.

She noticed the walls she had assumed would be
thin wood were metal on this side and there was an upper level that looked like
it was enclosed in bullet proof glass. There was also an elevator directly in
front of them. She was puzzled as Isabel got back inside and they started
instead to descend.

"Okay I'm not liking this at all. “ Adam
said finally speaking. "I'm a little claustrophobic.” he said with an
audible gulp. He felt like he swallowed a mouthful of sand. He was going to
have to really focus on not hyperventilating.

"Deep breaths, and here, put this around
your wrist. It will help.” Isabel said with a smile.

"Thanks.", Adam responded and eagerly
took the thin leather cord she gave him. Rhea wanted him to feel better but she
really didn't like this new girl. She may not have had the courage to tell Adam
how she felt, but she certainly didn't want to see him ogling some random guardian
girl.

The lights were flickering as the platform they
were on jerked to a stop.
 
Aaron pulled
into a parking spot beside a camouflaged hummer. Isabel got off of the car,
"It’s okay you can get out, this is a safe place.” she told the three
terrified people staring at her.

Nia opened her door first and the rest quickly
exited the vehicle she went around to Aaron who was standing and stretching in
the center of the room. He started walking towards a doorway and entered
flipping the lights on like he knew the place.

"Eric said to wait here, they won't be too
long.", Aaron informed them.

Isabel walked to a chair in the corner and
propped her feet up fully relaxed.

Nia and Rhea went hand in hand to the couch and
settled in while Aaron walked around looking at everything in the room. Adam
stood by the suburban looking up, probably wondering how deep in the earth they
really were.

"Adam, come on and see if you can work this
remote, so we can see what's on.” Rhea suggested trying to get his mind on
anything but his claustrophobia. He reluctantly moved towards them, his skin
looked pale. Nia thought he would vomit but he strolled up to them and took the
remote taking a seat next to Rhea.

###

Hunters were former guardians who worked for
either a queen or a court. Rogue hunters were mercenaries offering their
talents to the highest bidder with little moral standards. Eric was certain
these were rogues but he couldn't be positive until he could find out why they
were following them.

Avery and Savannah stood at the ready as the men
approached and Darragh stood the other side of them. Eric knew his guardians
were ready for anything with weapons drawn and no doubt they'd come out on top.

Darragh stepped forward. "What business do
you have with my travelers? Why are you following us?” he asked. Three of the
men stood just as ready but parted as a man with fire red hair exited the tree
line.

"Darragh? Savannah? Is that really you two?”
the man asked followed by bellowing laughter.

Avery and Eric were confused and looked at
Darragh and Savannah questioningly.

"Rowen?” Savannah asked skeptically
squinting at the man.

Rowen was a mammoth of a man, he had to have been
at least six and a half feet tall and so broad he made Darragh look normal
sized. He had a rough leathery look to his skin and a scar that ran the length
of his face, jagged and fierce.

At first glance he seemed to be very good looking
but rough and battle worn. He wore hunter blacks and carried a broad sword. The
men who were with him were just as puzzled as Eric and Avery.

He bellowed another laugh making the ground hum,
"Of course it's me! Who else would I be?” he said continuing his jovial
laughter.

Darragh sheathed his weapons and Savannah did
too. They approached Rowen and each one embraced him, with smiles and disbelief
on their faces.

"They told us you'd died.” Darragh said
clearly dumbfounded.

"That's great! It means my plan worked!” he
explained. Rowen walked up to the man on his right and smacked him across the
back of his head.

"What's wrong with you, put your weapons
away! These are friends!” he said and all of the men with him complied immediately
and without question.

"Why were you trailing us?” Savannah asked.

"Well, that is a matter for a safer place,
follow me. Sorin will stay with your vehicle and keep it hidden.” Rowen said as
a man who Avery supposed was Sorin went to stand by the car.

Savannah motioned for Avery to come to her and
she did. Eric was just watching, ready for anything. Until they found out
exactly what this Rowen and his men wanted he wouldn’t relax. He followed close
behind his fellow guardians into the trees.

"There's a pretty strong glamour up ahead
and no matter what, you need to stay in your own protective layer.” he informed
them. They all pressed out an individual bubble and encased themselves in it.
Savannah could sense the darkness looming in the air, it was thick and sent her
hairs standing on end.