Chapter Five

 

Silence hung thick in the air of the ship as Declan stared between Nalini, Asha, and Dizarion. The three of them didn’t speak or look at one another as they avoided Declan’s question. He was pretty sick and tired of being ignored.

“If someone doesn’t tell me what the hell is going on I’m going to call in my entire damn family. Between all of us we’ll browbeat the truth out of someone,” Declan threatened although he wasn’t sure the mighty warriors or his immortal mate would care.

Dizarion snorted, and Asha stifled a laugh. Nalini looked sympathetically at Declan and shook her head.

“We cannot be threatened. What goes on, is as it’s meant to unfold.” Asha’s eyes were narrowed and glittering dangerously as she spoke.

Declan was getting ready to reply to Asha when Nalini cleared her throat and got his attention.

“We just don’t know what we can say. It would be better for you to give your concerns to your brother, Tristan when he comes to you,” Nalini suggested, hoping to settle everyone down.

Even a Dranovian of Declan’s power couldn’t compete with the Night Walker or the Light Bringer, and Nalini didn’t want to see Declan hurt from testing the warriors.

Declan crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the three of them with narrowed eyes.

“Have it your way,” Declan snapped.

“Chris, I got some major shit going on right now. Meet me at the Talunaha. Keep it between us for right now, but I’m bringing my mate with me. And Tristan and Tiernan’s seconds,” Declan growled through the shengari’.

“You bastard!” Chris snapped back. “We’ve been worried sick about you! You missed your check-in, and I’ve been holding off Mikal and everyone else who wanted to hunt you down! What the hell is going on? And major congrats, by the way.”

Declan continued to glare at Nalini, Asha, and Dizarion as he spoke to his brother, his anger not cooling at all.

“It’s going to take more time than I got right now to go through it all. Let’s just say, you’ll be shocked. I still am,” Declan replied.

“Then you better have coffee ready when I get there,” Chris warned. “My son still thinks I don’t need any sleep and keeps me up all night.”

Unable to look at the three people who refused to give him any answers, Declan stormed off into the cockpit and looked at his instruments. They only had another twenty minutes to go before they arrived at the dark pyramid and he decided to wait at the controls and cool his temper.

“I’m sorry,” Nalini whispered as she sat down in the seat beside him.

“I need some fucking answers!” Declan growled, before forcing himself to calm down.

Nalini sighed heavily and slumped in her chair.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have the answers that you need,” Nalini admitted.

“You know damn well why the guardians were recalled. How do you expect me to help or protect you if you don’t tell me what’s going on?” Declan demanded in helpless frustration.

“You won’t have to protect me. My father is returning soon, and he will put an end to this curse if your brother and the Dark Warrior don’t do it first,” Nalini assured him, though her doubt throbbed in her energy.

“Will you even know when he comes back?” Declan asked.

“I would know his energy anywhere. The moment he awakens, my Father will come find me.” Nalini was a little more confident when she spoke this time.

Declan only shook his head and stared at the view screen in front of him. He hated that everyone was hiding information from him, but he detested feeling helpless to protect his mate more.

“Tell me about your Talunaha? Is it the dark pyramid in Alaska that you speak of?” Nalini asked.

Declan snorted and shook his head.

“What’s there to tell? You probably know more about it than I do,” he ground out. “Hell, you were probably around when it was built!”

“You’re being childish now. When you decide to talk, I’m ready,” Nalini whispered before she stood and left the cockpit.

Declan ran a tired hand down his face and forced himself not to follow her. He was exhausted. Emotionally and physically at this point and knew he wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone right now. He hadn’t felt this helpless since he was a small child before his Father found him, and he hated recalling the feeling now.

“You’re being an ass,” Dizarion said as he appeared in the empty seat beside Declan.

“You’re a bastard, and I could do without your company right now,” Declan growled at the Night Walker.

“Too bad. The women are chatting about girl stuff, and it’s grating on my nerves,” Dizarion admitted with a grimace. “So we’re almost there?”

“Yes,” Declan ground out, hoping to ignore the irritating man.

“You’re mad at the wrong people, you know. We don’t have a choice in what information we can and cannot reveal to those not of our class,” Dizarion explained, hoping it would calm Declan. It didn’t.

“Your class?” Declan asked, his eyes blazing at the Night Walker in fury.

“There is a hierarchy, a chain of command that must be followed. To break those rules would be a punishment you cannot fathom. Your brother or Tiernan are the only ones who are allowed to tell you more,” Dizarion explained then shrugged his shoulders. “You should understand what it’s like to try and keep secrets.”

Declan was quiet for a moment as he thought of all the years he and his brothers had hidden from the hybrids and humans while desperately trying to protect both. It would have saved them a lot of trouble on many occasions if they’d been able, to tell the truth about who they were, but it would have also opened a can of worms that could never be put back again.

It cooled his frustration considerably to know that the Night Walker and Light Bringer were in the same situation but it still didn’t make him feel any better.

“If it didn’t involve my mate, I would agree with you. Nalini changes everything for me. I know you can’t understand that, but I can’t give up finding out what’s going on if it will protect her,” Declan replied, feeling the shift in Dizarion’s energy.

“You’d be surprised what I understand, Dranovian. Because of that, I will tell you this. Her father has returned, and his awakening will come soon. You need to hope he finds you acceptable for his daughter or even Tristan will have a difficult time saving you from Kartikeya’s wrath,” Dizarion warned as he leaned back in the seat and looked out at the world below them.

“He really is a world guardian? Of war?” Declan asked, curious about the man who’d be coming for his daughter at some point.

Dizarion snorted and nodded his head in agreement.

“Oh, he’s more than that. You’ve seen Nalini fight, right?” Dizarion asked with a quirked brow.

Declan nodded his head. “Yeah, she’s incredible. I know her father taught her.” He also knew there was more to it than that.

“The only reason she does not prevail against them nightly is that they overrun her. Their numbers are greater. Kartikeya once fought dozens of rogue Prime and an innumerable amount of daemons in one battle. He not only survived, but he also slaughtered them all. He was created specifically to be a daemon killer.” Dizarion was very impressed, and it could be heard in his voice as he spoke.

“How can you know such a thing?” Declan challenged, scoffing at the outrageous claim.

Dizarion turned his eerie dark eyes to Declan, his expression blank.

“I was there. So was your brother, you should ask Tristan about it when you see him,” Dizarion admitted, almost smiling at Declan’s shocked expression.

“Docking procedures have been initiated, Declan. I await you and your guests in the Talunaha.” Xaratia Tarona’s voice echoed through the cockpit.

“We’re here!” Dizarion lunged to his feet and left the cockpit.

With the controls being handled by the Xaratia, Declan sat back in his seat and cursed the disappearance of the Night Walker. He had more questions than when the man had come into the cockpit, and it wasn’t sitting well with him.

As the ship landed and cloaked right outside the pyramid, Declan stood and went into the main cabin of the transport. He looked over at his beautiful mate and couldn’t help but smile at the excitement he could feel in Nalini’s energy.

“We haven’t made another entrance since the last was destroyed, so we have a little climb to get inside,” Declan explained as he opened the hatch and jumped outside.

“We can help,” Asha said with a laugh as she spread her wings and grabbed a laughing Nalini.

Declan watched the women fly to the tunnel blazed through the mountain by Tristan and his Light Bringers. Moments later he was snatched roughly and carried through the air by the Night Walker. He almost threw up his coffee at the dizzying speed they were taking through the tunnel before Dizarion deposited him in front of the pyramid.

Declan took a moment to settle his stomach and catch his breath while Nalini stared wonderingly at the dark granite pyramid that was buried within the mountain.

“Xaratia Tarona, I am honored to see you and your home again,” Nalini said as she bowed deeply in front of the entrance to the pyramid.

“Daughter of Kartikeya, I welcome the opportunity to help shield your energy until your father can come for you.” Tarona’s voice held a deep respect for Nalini and her father.

Nalini’s eyes welled with tears, and she hid them with another deep bow to the pyramid.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Nalini choked out as she stood back up.

“It is my honor,” Tarona replied.

Declan was just wondering what Tarona could do to shield Nalini’s energy when the capstone of the pyramid lit up with a brilliant blue energy. The rays of light made the interior of the mountain shrouded in a blue haze.

“My turn.” Asha clapped her hands together and held them upward as white light shot out from her fingers and intertwined with the blue.

Without a word, Dizarion held his hands up and allowed his dark energy to weave within the blue and the white until it created a hovering net of sorts that encompassed the perimeter of the mountain.

When Asha and Dizarion lowered their hands the shimmering net of blue, shot through with the dark and light energy, remained hovering in the air around them.

“That should do it! Where’s the food? I’m starving.” Asha groaned and rubbed her stomach.

“I could definitely eat,” Dizarion agreed.

Declan shook his head at the two warriors and remembering his promise to have coffee ready for Chris, he led them to the dining hall and kitchen. He entered the room and headed directly to the coffee pots, making several at one time. Declan had a feeling they would need it.

“Can I help?” Nalini asked as she stood beside him, watching him put filters and coffee in before he flipped the switch.

 

*****

 

Morgan Van Helfen dressed in the clothes laid out for him by his mother the previous night. He shuffled into the bathroom in his room and brushed his teeth and blonde hair before he grabbed his backpack and went downstairs to the dining room.

“Morgan, honey, make sure you eat enough for breakfast. You have that test today,” Robin Van Helfen advised as she smiled tenderly at her adored son.

Morgan just nodded his head, exactly three times before he moved to stand in front of the steaming silver covered dishes on the sideboard. He absently picked up a plate and began to fill it when his father came into the room.

“Morgan! You ready for that test today?” Reginald Van Helfen asked cheerfully as he grabbed a plate for himself.

Morgan nodded his head, exactly three times and briefly forgot what he’d been doing until his father put a few slices of bacon on his plate. Exactly three. Figuring he had enough food, Morgan went to the table and sat beside his mother, Reginald followed.

“I heard that there’s a new girl in your school. Have you met her yet?” Robin didn’t bother to hide her grin as she asked. She’d heard that the girl had taken an immediate liking to her son.

Morgan blushed a dark red as he recalled the beautiful blonde girl who’d not only been so kind to him, she’d eaten lunch with him the day before. He didn’t understand the strange emotions and energy that ran through him when he was with her, but Morgan hoped he’d see her again today. Even if he didn’t understand half of what she spoke of.

“What’s her name?” Reginald asked, surprised at his autistic son’s reaction at the mention of the girl.

Morgan’s mind wandered for a moment, distracted by the strands of energy that floated around him before he nodded his head, exactly three times.

“Is-abel Newton,” Morgan replied before he looked at his plate and studied the size of the three portions of food.

“Eat baby, you need to go to school soon,” Robin prodded gently, grateful when her son started to eat his bacon.

The parents chatted with their son throughout the meal, not really expecting any answers, but happy for any communication he attempted with them. As the only son of the older, wealthy couple, they doted on their 18-year old child and never gave up hope that he’d overcome the worst of his disability.

An hour later, Robin and Morgan were standing outside of the private school that Morgan attended. They had a program for autistic children that had produced some of the most significant results they’d seen in their son. The fact the kids were in the same school as normal children enabled them to deal with the social issues generally associated with autists.

Robin stood in front of Morgan on the front steps and fixed his collar on his uniform shirt as he fidgeted under her fawning hands. Finally, she kissed his forehead and stepped back.

“Go, you don’t want to be late.” Robin made a shooing motion towards the steps.

Without a word, Morgan turned and walked up the steps and into the school. He felt her presence long before he saw her, but his breath caught in his chest when he saw her flowing blonde hair bobbing through the crowd of kids towards him.

“Kar-, sorry, sorry. Morgan. Have you thought about what I said? We have to go. Soon! Maybe you need more energy,” Isabel whispered before she pulled him in for a hug.

She shot him with bolts of energy, everything she could spare in order to awaken who she knew lived within the handsome but quiet man-child.

“Young lady! There is none of that in the hallway! Get to class!” One of the teachers yelled as she forcibly separated Isabel and Morgan.

As the teacher’s hand pushed at Isabel, Morgan’s shot out and grabbed it with a bruising grip as his dark eyes blazed with an unearthly light.

“Do not touch my wife again,” Morgan snarled, terrifying the teacher.

“Wife?” the woman muttered stupidly as she tried to remove her hand from his grip.

“Yes,” Morgan whispered as he turned his gaze to Isabel. “I remember everything now. Where is our daughter, my love?”

“In grave danger,” Isabel whispered back, tears flooding her eyes as she recognized her ancient warrior. “I had to awaken you the moment I knew who you were.”

Morgan let go of the teacher’s hand and gently cupped Isabel’s cheek as he lowered his mouth to her lips and kissed her passionately. The young lovers ignored the gasps and whispers from the students around them as they separated, their eyes only on one another.

“We must go now,” Morgan said as he took Isabel’s hand and led her down the hall.

“You can’t leave! Class is starting soon!” The teacher yelled as they walked away.

“Yes, it is. I’m going to teach some daemons not to fuck with the Guardian of War!” Morgan roared as he slammed open the front door of the school with such force it flew off the hinges and skidded down the steps.

Isabel grinned up at the tall, handsome warrior who was in full possession of his power.

“I’ve missed you,” Isabel said as she led him to the car she had parked in the lot.

Morgan stopped at the passenger door and used his energy to unlock the door before he helped Isabel inside. When she sat, he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.

“I have missed you too, my love. Now we need to get our daughter back,” Morgan promised as he unlocked the driver’s door and started the engine before he got in the car.

Morgan sat and studied the instruments real quick before he turned to Isabel.

“Send it to me,” he said.

Isabel reached over and grabbed his upper arm as she shot energy bolts into him, explaining how to use the car and the laws he needed to follow to keep them out of trouble.

“Material things to get us there?” Morgan asked, knowing he only had the lunch money his parents gave him every day.

Isabel nodded her head and opened her backpack.

“Several credit cards and quite a bit of cash. I’ve been hoarding it all since I ate the Prime pod at the beach three years ago and realized who I was. I’ve gotten kicked out of more schools than I can count looking for you,” Isabel admitted with a mischievous grin.

“Did you find her? Is she well?” Morgan asked, his voice breaking with emotion and fear for his beloved daughter.

Isabel shook her head and sniffed away the tears that sprang to her eyes.

“Not yet. I thought I felt her when my parents took me to India last year, but I couldn’t follow the energy. It was so faint,” Isabel explained as her shoulders slumped. “She’s not on any of the computer systems used today, but I wouldn’t expect her to be either. It’s been impossible to find her.”

Morgan reached over and squeezed her hand in support.

“I will find her. We will have our daughter back. Do you know when the daemons began attacking her?” Morgan asked, trying not to squeeze Isabel’s hand too tightly as he waited for her answer.

Isabel sniffed and shook her head.

“I only hear her screams at night. Ever since I was a small child, I’ve heard and seen her in my dreams. It was awful before I realized who I was, now . . . it’s unbearable,” Isabel whispered brokenly.

Morgan growled as he squealed the tires out of the student parking lot and headed towards his house.

“Where are we going?” Isabel asked.

“To my home, to inform my current parents that their son is fully functional and needs their help. It should go pretty good,” Morgan replied with a grin.

An hour later, Morgan was sending bolts of energy into his unconscious mother while his father looked at him in wide-eyed wonder.

“Father, I need your help. Please. I’ve told you all I can, and if you don’t lend me your plane, I will be forced to take it,” Morgan warned his father.

Isabel was helping Robin to sit up as Reginald nodded his head.

“I’ll have the pilot ready the plane for you. He’ll need flight plans, so you have to tell him where you’re going. And what about Isabel’s parents? What will you tell them?” Reginald asked as he looked at the beautiful girl his son claimed was his ancient wife.

“My parents already told me that I can travel anytime I want since I turned eighteen. They think that allowing me freedom now will help me settle down later,” Isabel explained.

She didn’t want to admit that her wealthy mother only cared about her next drink and her father stayed away while he screwed everything in sight and spent her mother’s money. No one would miss her, and she wouldn’t miss them either.

I have my own family to worry about, Isabel thought with a smile at her returned warrior. And a daughter to save.