The Ascended (4 page)

"I'm Hercules baby," he said, leaping down the last three stairs.

"I can get that Mrs. Miller," he said, grabbing the second suitcase from my mom's hand.

I had to stifle a groan when I saw the astonished look on my mom's face. Shawn was about as subtle as a Mack truck. He forgot sometimes that not everyone had strength that would rival a superhero from a comic book.

"I promise I'll call you tonight," I said to my mom, hoping to distract her from Shawn.

"I'm holding you to that. If I don't hear from you by nine o'clock your time, I will catch the next flight out, do you understand me?" she asked, dragging me in for a tight hug.

"I promise, but I won't make it there if you squeeze all the life out of me," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I love you," I added softly.

"I love you too Sweetie," she said in a voice thick with tears.

I pulled away gently, not wanting to open that can of worms again. My plan was to get out before her tears swayed my resolve.

"I'll take care of her Mrs. Miller, don't worry," Sam said giving her a quick hug.

"I trust that you will, no matter what," she said, looking at Sam sternly, making it clear that she knew more was going on in the situation than I had led her to believe.

I grabbed my favorite sweatshirt off the banister and threaded it through the strap of my backpack so my hands would be free to give my mom one last hug before we headed out the door.

"I'll call you, I promise," I called behind me as I climbed into the used Explorer my band shared. I closed the door behind me and rolled down the window to get one last unobstructed view of the house that had changed my life forever. My eyes took in the wooden porch swing that Mark and I had sat on so many times, discovering our shared connection.

My mom leaned against the wooden pillar, waving, just as Shawn slowly pulled the car away from the curb. Her face was etched in grief and I felt ashamed being the cause of her heartbreak. I couldn't help thinking about how disappointed my dad would be in me. I just hoped that if he was observing us from heaven he would understand my reasons.

As Shawn accelerated, leaving my house behind, I closed my eyes and let the wind blowing through the window wash over me as I regained control of my emotions. As effortless as this had become for me, I still found it nothing short of extraordinary. Haniel had recently commented on my astonishing control of not only my own feelings, but also those around me. I had discovered after a trip to the mall with Shawn and Sam one afternoon that I could filter the emotions of those around me without even having to work at it.

Sam had been awestruck. "You're like a Disney character. You turn weeds into flowers as you walk by." She joked. "How are you doing it?"

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "It just seems like second nature to fix them."

Haniel was closemouthed about my new gifts, but I had heard him telling Shawn and Robert that surviving the pain Mark had inflicted on me has turned me into some kind of hybrid Guide, but he did not get specific about what he meant. I scoffed at the idea, but knew he was right about my new gifts. I had been careful not to use them on my mom or my friends, but I finally caved when things heated up the night before between my mom and me. I employed a touch of them to redirect some of her anger.

"You okay, Krista?" Sam asked from the front of the car.

I opened my eyes to see her peering at me intently.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just ready to get started."

"We know you are, but we're concerned about how you're going to handle this situation."

I didn't need to ask what she meant. I was well aware of the fact that they all thought that Mark was not merely a Forgotten Soul like I was banking on, but that he had turned dark like his father. The subject had been closed for discussion around me, but it was obvious I needed to give them some kind of reassurance.

"I know it's likely that Mark can't be saved," I said quietly. "But if that's the case, then I'm doing exactly what I should be. Mark's worst fear was becoming like his father. If Mark is 'black-hearted' like his father, then it's up to us to stop them."

"Krista do you really think you could just stand by idly while the Protectors destroy him? I don't even think I can, and I know for a fact that Shawn became nauseous at the thought," she said, looking at Shawn for confirmation.

I understood exactly what she was saying, and maybe I'm just living in denial when I act like I can handle it, but what else am I supposed to do. If it comes to that, it has to be our band that takes care of it. "It's what the Mark we knew would have wanted," I said plainly, turning my gaze back out the window. I caught Sam and Shawn exchanging a look out of the corner of my eye, but I ignored it.

"So, Kieran's band showed up early this morning," Sam said, obviously deciding a change of subject was necessary.

"They did?" I asked as excitement raced through me. Our brief time spent with the other band, before the horrific events that transpired, had left such a lasting effect on me. I had grown attached to all of them, but my real attachment had been with Grace and Kieran. My heart pinched painfully as I thought about how empty their band would be without Grace, their "sunshine," as I had come to think of her. Her death had hit me the hardest out of the four band members that were lost in June.

Today was already looking brighter though. I was glad Kieran was here. She had been a godsend in my darkest hour.

"Haniel said the other band should be here by noon and then we'll be heading out," Sam continued.

I nodded my head absently—my mind still preoccupied by the task that lies ahead.

Chapter 4

Sam and I jumped out of the car before Shawn shifted into park. "Holy crap guys, where's the fire?" he groused good-naturedly.

Sam and I ignored his playful jibe, taking the stairs up to the apartment two at a time. We burst through the door together, startling the ten Links inside the room. Sam and I skidded to a stop in the doorway and it was obvious by the strained silence that our exuberance had interrupted a serious discussion.

"What's going on?" I asked. My strong emotional gauge made it clear I was the object of their gossip which didn't sit well with me at all. How typical that I finally escaped the gossip-laced hallways of high school, only to have it follow me into adulthood.

"Nothing," Kieran said, rushing forward to give me a long hug. I remained stiff in her arms, still a little irritated, but after a moment, I finally returned the hug. I had missed my new friends dearly, and who was I to blame them for talking about me. I was a novelty in our species. I had powers none of them had ever seen or felt. Under normal circumstances I might feel flattered by their admiration, but I would trade it all to have Mark back again.

I knew I had to shake this melancholy though. The whole woe-is-me attitude that seemed to follow me around like a dark cloud would do nothing to help get him back.

"We're just concerned sweetie, don't hate us," Kieran said, understanding why my emotions had shifted around so rapidly.

"I know," I said apologetically.

"Krista, it's good to see you," a husky voice said before I was drawn into a tight bear hug.

"Hi John, it's good to see you too," I said, allowing myself to sink into his embrace. If you would have told me two months ago that I would consider John one of my closest allies, I would have scoffed at the idea. Especially since he had once berated me in front of everyone for falling in the ice cold ocean at the most inopportune time. All of that was forgotten though once he and Kieran returned home and made it their personal mission to see who could text me the most in one day. What started out as daily antidotes quickly turned into long humor filled messages about pranks he and Kieran would play on each
other.
When I first met them shortly after graduation, I had no idea they would turn out to be so witty. I loved my band members dearly, but John and Kieran had become my sounding board, always willing to lend an ear.

I moved out of John's arms and slid into Amelia's embrace next. "I'm so glad to see you looking so well," she whispered quietly in my ear. I nodded my head, knowing I didn't need to answer.

"Hi Krista," Jenna said as I finally turned to her. Unlike the others, she waited to give me a hug, choosing instead to study me critically for a moment, much like Lynn would do. Their uncanny similarities made me smile. Jenna returned my smile before giving me a quick hard hug.

Paul and Keith, who were Amelia and Jenna's Links, were the last to pull me in for bone-crushing bear hugs. I giggled at their apparent happiness to see us.

"So, what's the plan Haniel," Paul asked once all the greetings were out of the way and we were all sitting on the oddly matched furnishings scattered around the room.

"When Jacob and his three other band members arrive, we will load up the provisions and sleeping gear that Robert and Shawn informed me you would need," he said in his typically formal way.

"Yeah, we kinda figured that. My question leans more toward what our plans are once we head out."

"The journey in motorized vehicles will take approximately five hours. I will be joining you there," he said, never being one to travel by traditional human methods.

Sam giggled. "Wow Haniel, talk about being a diva."

Haniel's expression at her words made us all burst out laughing. Picturing Haniel as the classic stereotypical role of a diva was comical.

Haniel had learned enough from hanging out with Sam and I over the summer to understand that Sam's remark was less than flattering, which made it even more hilarious.

"Haniel the diva, oh my lord, my side hurts!' Kieran chirped between the laughter bubbling out of her.

All seven plus feet of Haniel waited patiently while we finished laughing ourselves out. After several moments our mirth finally dissipated.

"Can I continue?" He asked Sam pointedly.

"Um, sure, sorry about that
Hannie
," Sam said in a tone that made it clear she really wasn't.

"Once we all convene at the location I have indicated on the parchment," Haniel said, indicating the map behind us on the dining room table, "We will set out on foot. The Dark Angel has chosen his headquarters wisely. There are no roads or trails that lead to Victor's headquarters. We will have to create our own path through the rough uninhabited terrain of Mt. Shasta"

"Then how does Victor get to his Lair?" Shawn asked.

I grimaced at Shawn's choice of words.

"He uses the motorized flying machines that seem quite popular with your military," Haniel said, clearly searching for the proper phrase.

"Helicopters," I provided, giving him some help.

"Ah yes, he uses helicopters to enter into his secure location. A word of caution however, once we are on the mountain, Victor will be aware of our presence. He will use whatever means necessary to deceive or destroy us. It is essential that you understand that Victor now possesses greater strength and ability than any of you have ever seen. He is no longer a mere pawn for the Dark One, but an ally, and is treated as such. His powers will equal mine in many aspects.

"What do you mean?" Sam asked, all joking gone from her voice.

"He will have many different resources available to inhibit the success of our mission."

"Like Daemons?" Sam asked.

"Daemons like you have never seen," Haniel answered without elaborating.

"Will they be worse than what we've dealt with before?" Sam asked, gnawing on her lower lip.

"Dude seriously?" Shawn said, clearly aggravated that Haniel had Sam worried.

"It's okay," Sam said pulling out of Shawn's arms. "I don't need it to be sugarcoated. What kind of Daemons?" She continued, turning toward Haniel for clarification.

"Daemons come in many different forms. To describe them all goes beyond my abilities."

"What else will we be facing?" I asked, noting an undercurrent in Haniel's vague explanation.

"It is impossible to know precisely what means Victor will use. For now, you should prepare yourselves for attacks in many different forms."