Harmonizer's Evolution (Balancer's Soul cycle) (61 page)

For the next hour Sorono explained
everything
to the shocked crowd
, but didn’t let sensitive minds overhear certain details
.
Not only that
,
he planted mental images to prove a point.

Everyone went from looking from Sorono on the platform to where Connor stood behind
Sarah
.
She
knew he stood calmly behind
her
, but it was embarrassing n
onetheless when
many
people looked their
way.
She
didn’t feel th
at anyone was hostile towards them
, but apparently those that were the most dangerous looking had known someone wh
o lived down in South America. She
also saw that some were skeptical, but the more they listened, the more they realized the truth
and gravity
of the situation.
The mental images proved the words.
By the end of Sorono’s recounts all present believed what is happening.
Then Sorono had explained the numbers
he discovered
.
The mated Balancers were leaning on each other for support like they needed to hold onto something or else lose their l
ink to sanity. The Changers were all either looking for a fight or uncaring. And the Keepers were silent and calculating.

After a moment of silence Sorono asked in the fading light
“Are there any among us who have concerns?”

Several hands and claws went straight up. Sorono then pointed to
the
first
to arrive
, Bryce. He was one of the closest and his deep voice was unmistakable. He remained in his large form and stood as one of the uncaring kinds of Changers. He
Began
speaking loud enough so that all could hear him. “So this emergency gathering is for what purpose? Why should we get involved?”

Suddenly Sarah
saw a smaller person jump into the air and land beside Sorono on the platform.
They
all recognized the Head of the Changers. He stood proudly beside the giant
. His dark form
gave off
a somewhat similar
feel
to Sorono, even though he wasn’t transformed. His accent was unmistakable and his
tone of ancient authority
reached all
. H
is silver eyes scanned all who were present and they slowly found a target. “My child, Bryce. You may not have
had
my direct hand at your ascension, but you realize what is at stake.” Then his eyes began drifting around the silent crowd. “To all Changers that are here, I know for a fact that you were all once human, even if you no longer wish to admit it. Each and everyone here has a strength that any human couldn’t ever match. That being said, So What!?”

Some in the crowd began mumbling
and looking around at each other in confusion.

Her
brow
drew together in hearing this. Sarah
tilted
her
head back and looked to Connor for advice.
She
then projected
her
mind into
her
husband
’
s.
“Connor, what is he doing? It doesn’t sound like he’s aiding us at all. It sounds more like he’s giving everyone an out.”

Connor looked down at
her
and only smiled. His mind
felt
calm and serene. It was like he didn’t have an answer to the Elder’s plan
or…

“That sly old man…” Poseidon spoke softly to
her
left. His green eyes were locked on the other Head Elder while also show
ing a faint smile. He realized Sarah
staring right
at him and he pointed to the stage and said
in a hush tone
“Raphael is a master of reverse psychology.
He can make you think it was your idea
all along,
to fight even if he was the one to put the thought in your head.
He’s even tricked me a time or two.
Just give it a minute and you’ll see what I mean.”

Her
eyes drifted to the platform again and both Sorono and Raphael were both expressionless. The crowd continued to mumble until Raphael raised a hand for silence and to regain control over the situation. “My question to you is
;
So What!? So what if the humans are attacked? So what if
they are brought back to the time before technology? So what if these other repugnant Keepers take control over the planet and reign supreme? What will happen then?” Everyone in the crowd went completely silent from his obvious questions. All that could really be heard were the few crackles of fire that were lit to shed light in the clearing. Everyone could hear the unspoken answers he
gave
them
. He was basically saying, after the humans were
destroyed, the
other immortals would all be next on their list. It will only be a matter of time
before
they
fell too
. “We’ve all witnessed evils of this world and some of us have done
those same
horrific acts. Our law states that we are only allowed to kill if it is in self defense
or to keep our secret
. These other Keepers are doing this to serve
their
own purposes. They want to rule over all instead of coexisting
or hiding in secret for safety
.
Everyone wants to gain more in life, but not many realize the costs of the gain. Sometimes we need to be told that in life there is more than our own selfish ambitions of fame and glory. We share this world equally, even if our companions are much weaker than we are. We immortals live much longer than every other life form on this planet so it is our duty to guide those who cannot understand, not enslave.

“Now that you all understand that
,
let me speak pointedly at my kind.” Many Changers shifted their weight uncomfortably
at being singled out
. “I can see that many of you are split evenly on either preparing for a glorious fight or running away in fear
with your tails tucked between your legs
. Ask yourself a very personal question. When you were human
,
however long ago it was
,
were you ever once protected by someone stronger than you were?
I
t could
have
be
en
a parent, a spouse, friend or someone you’ve never met.
Now imagine if they weren’t there to protect you. Can you all imagine where you would be?”

“Yeah worm food.” Mark said silently while finally finding
his way to
Sarah and the rest
. He, Kara and
Jack
were all quietly making
their
way over. Since
they
were so far away from everyone else, only a handful of people heard him.

He and the other
s
stood close
by
and went silent as Raphael continued. “Now let me ask you, my brethren. Could you honestly just sit idly by and allow these creatures take the lives of those we have the power to protect? Imagine how grateful you were to your protectors… now imagine how fulfilled you would feel protecting the innocent.”

Raphael’s words had the effect Sarah
hop
ed
. Poseidon was right
and he winked when she came to an understanding
.
This ancient man had helped everyone to show them that they needed to step forth and become a force of good.

“The other Head E
lders and I have spoken about what we should do.
The four of us have decided to offer each of you a personal choice.” His tactics were definitely strange because he wanted people to think for themselves rather than giving them an explicit order. “If you wish to fight for the freedoms of humanity and even your very own future, you are given a single choice. You will all be given a twenty four hour grace period to give us a definite answer. You may join us in the fight or you may leave and wallow in your own miserable pity.” Then the captivating Elder ended with “Just so all of you
know, e
very single elder is going to fight with everyone else
, but if we die and you choose to flee from the upcoming war you’ll be forever exempt from taking my seat
. We won’t be sitting on our thrones
like politicians because we have a stake in this world too.”

When everyone went silent at this realization, Sorono placed a grateful claw on Raphael’s shoulder.
“Thank you
,
my friend. Your words are indeed wise and I will most certainly reflect upon them.”
Sorono’s leathery lips pulled into proud smile.

Raphael then smiled and leapt off the two story crate.

Sarah
felt Connor’s emotions shift.
Her
eyes drifted up and saw that he was slightly concentratin
g, but he
simply peered
forward. She
realized he was using his
telepathy. She
then wondered what he was saying so
her
mind easily slipped into his.
“…rry, but Sarah and the kids need to go home. I’ll meet you back here in the morning.”

“Now before it becomes too late I have a special surprise for each and every one.”
Sorono said instantly and unabashed.
Suddenly
she
felt C
onnor’s chest and abdominal muscles tighten. That meant only one thing… Sorono th
en turned his entire head in their
direction
. Even from this distance
she
could see the
probing
hazel eyes that were deceptively calm. Then he asked
“Sarah, will you and Connor please bring forth our newest legacy?”

Oh great.
Her
face flared in embarrassment. Then it became even brighter once the entire crowd turned towards
them
.
That isn’t fair.

“You’re telling me.”
Connor th
ought and she had forgotten that she
was still in his mind.
They
sighed in defeat, simultaneously.
They
knew that
they
couldn’t get out of the spotlight without going through this.

Sarah
pulled
her
back from his chest just before Connor spoke evenly. “Amphrite, may I hav
e my daughter?” Sarah
watched as the two tall figures walked closer to
each other. Amphrite sensed their embarrassment and handed over the
daugh
ter to her father. Connor met his mate’s
eyes and said “I knew he was going to do this sooner or later. I’d hoped it would be over twenty
years from now, but whatever.”

The
n
Pearl said
“I
t w
ill
be
all
ok
, Daddy
. Let’s go already.”

They
then began walking together, toward the silent crowd.

The eerily silent crowd parted as
they
approached the lined crates. When
she
finally looked up, both Veronica and Shannon had somehow made
their
way up to standing beside Sorono.

Then
she
watched as Connor lazily jumped atop the cr
ate that rose
twenty feet tall. Sarah
crouched down, cradled
her
son securely to
her
breast and leapt.
She
used the correct amount of force to land
atop the solid metal platform
. When she checked the safety of her
son, his hazel and green eyes were alight with wonder. This was the highest he’s ever jumped in someone’s arms. Connor and
Sarah
agreed that they were too young and fragile to do anything…strenuous.

She
slowly turned around to feel entirely self-conscious. Everyone in the entire crowd star
ed
at
her
. Darrel moved so he could see everyone for himself.
Conn
or moved to stand directly on her
right while
also
being
embarrassed.

The
heavily burdensome
silence
finally ended as Sorono stepped forward.
“Before we begin asking more questions, I thought it proper to introduce our newest family members.”
Sorono stood directly to
her
left and
Sarah
watched as he moved his left hand in a greeting manner.
“Many of you remember over a year ago about the interruption during the meeting.”
Some people in the crowd snickered
where as others glared
.
“We’ll I’d like to introduce my mate, the Honored Mother, Veronica.”
Connor and Sarah
watched as Veronica gave a polite bow.