The Eclipse of Power (5 page)

“B’Lana this is Xandrie, she was my partner when I was in
London.”

“Hi Xandrie, it’s nice to meet you.” I put out my hand to
shake hers. She had a firm grip. I had to match her grip. I couldn’t let her
think I was weak.

“B’Lana, it’s nice to meet you as well. What a pretty name.
I don’t know that I have ever heard an Earth name like that before.

“Lancer, good to see you made it out of the prison safely.”
Xandrie looked at Lancer with puckered lips and her brows drawn close together:
almost like she had eaten a sour piece of candy. It appeared she did not like
Lancer.

“Xandrie, good to see you too.” Lancer didn’t even look at
her when he responded. He was looking at Ash.

“Ash, can I talk to you for a moment?” Lancer asked Ash as
he walked into the other room.

I looked at Xandrie and asked, “What’s up with you and
Lancer? Are you friends?”

“We were lovers when I was in London and it didn’t end
well.” Xandrie said matter of factly.

“Oh, I had no idea.” Which made me want to listen in to what
Ash and Lancer were saying.

I just caught the end of the discussion,
“…she will never
work with me if I get to come back to Earth. She will have to join a different
squad. Why would you bring her on to our squad?”
That was Lancer asking
Ash.

Ash replied,
“She will do whatever she has to in order to
keep B’Lana safe. Don’t you even care if she is safe? I don’t know what
happened between you two, but you need to get past it.”

“Xandrie left me for Cash. I knew we weren’t mates, but I
still cared very much for her. She just up and left me one day, with no
forewarning. We had concert tickets that day too, and she just walked out and
said goodbye, no reason for it.”

“Um, Xandrie, can I ask what happened with you and Lancer?”

“After Hannah died our entire squad had issues. We did not
get along well. And Lancer just seemed to stop caring, so I left him.” Xandrie
didn’t seem to have any issues telling me her past with Lancer.

I knew I needed to vet her, but I was inside my own head
thinking about all of the drama that we might have to deal with once Lancer
returned.

Ash and Lancer walked back into the room with Xandrie and
me. “Ok, we need to round up the warriors so we can start interviewing them.”
Ash said to everyone.

“Ash what about your other friend you told us about last
night?” I asked.

“He can’t make it today. He plans to meet up with us at the
courthouse tomorrow.” Ash explained.

The Reverend had a list of eight of his guards he believed
would work well with us. They were sent in one at a time to the living room
where Ash, Lancer, and I were meeting with them all. Ash and Lancer asked them
questions while I read their minds to see if I could sense anything wrong, or
if their loyalties were not with the Reverend.

I sat on the couch next to Ash and didn’t say anything until
the seventh guard came in. He seemed nice enough, and answered all of the
questions properly. But I sensed something dark in him. I couldn’t put my
finger on it, but I knew I could not trust him.

“Reuben, how long have you worked for the Reverend?” I
needed to see if I could find out what was bothering me about him.

“I have been with Reverend Del for only six months, but I
have attended services at his church since I was a child. I have known him most
of my life.” Reuben responded.

“What about your family? Do they still attend services at
his church?”

“Yes, my entire family is part of the congregation. In fact,
one of my cousins is a leader at the church and studying to become a reverend
himself.”

“Do you keep in touch with your family regularly, now that
you are working here? I can’t imagine you get much free time.”

“Yes, I speak with them at least once a week, and I see them
in services as well. The Reverend is good about giving us time off to attend
services.”

I was listening to what his mouth said as well as his mind,
and something wasn’t adding up. He said he spoke with his family regularly, but
his thoughts were different. They seemed to say he rarely spoke to them.
Someone else had become more important to him.

“Ok, thank you Reuben for telling me more about yourself.” I
knew he was not to be trusted.

“Ash, don’t trust him. I can’t put my finger on it but he
is going to betray the Reverend or us.”
I said via mind speak.

The next guard to come in was cleared by us all as well.

Once it was just the three of us, I told them both I didn’t
trust Reuben. Lancer didn’t understand, but Ash did.

“Lancer, if she doesn’t feel comfortable with a guard, we
can always find another one. I think it is important for her to feel
comfortable with them all. They are the ones who are charged with protecting
her after all.”

“I know, I just find it odd that she doesn’t trust him after
such a short conversation.” Lancer said.

“Lancer, a lot has happened since you went away. Ash and I
have learned to trust each other’s instincts. And mine say that Reuben is not
to be on our team.”

Lancer got up and went to find the reverend to let him know
we needed one more guard and that we would not be taking Reuben.

Xandrie took that time to come in and talk with us.

“Ash, I haven’t read her yet, ask her some basic
questions about what she has been up to lately. People she has seen, things
like that.”
I said for only him to hear.

After their 20 minute conversation I felt confident that
Xandrie could be trusted. All we needed was one more guard.

Lancer had been standing outside the room listening to our
conversation while waiting for another guard to show up. Once he did, they both
walked into the room. That is what caused Ash and Xandrie to stop sharing their
stories.

Xandrie got up and said she would be by the cars checking
them out and making sure we had enough weapons.

“B’Lana, what are your weapons of choice?” Xandrie asked.

I responded with, “A Glock, at least a dozen throwing knives
in my pouch, two knives which can be strapped to my belt, and a Ketensa. Those
are what I take into battle with me now.”

“Well, I see you like to be prepared. I think I am going to
like you.” She smiled at me as she walked outside.

Less than 30 minutes later, we were all getting into the
vehicles. The Reverend had supplied us with eight warriors, all of the weapons
we wanted, and three Cadillac Escalades. We had with us the two warriors from
the trip the day before as well as Xandrie. Lancer looked like he really wanted
to join us. He must have had cabin fever.

Ash drove our vehicle and I sat in the passenger seat.
Xandrie was in the seat behind Ash and one of the warriors who came with us
from the day before, his name was Isaac, sat next to Xandrie. Then one more was
in the third row. We had five bodies in our vehicle and each of us was loaded
down with weapons.

Ash pulled out while the other two vehicles followed. Not
once did we say out loud where we were going. But mentally Ash and I had been
discussing it and we both agreed that we should go see Lancer’s family and make
sure they were alright.

Turned out, they were just fine. There was some confusion as
to where they were to send their communications. His sister said she would
contact him as soon as we left.

“Now for the fun stuff!” I didn’t want to tell them where we
were going, but also didn’t want them to think we were just running errands all
afternoon either.

We pulled up to what I could only describe as the most
beautiful park in a rain forest. The sun was still shining on the entrance
which had lush green grass all around and a cabin, for what I could only assume
was an information center and hopefully a little shop! I hoped to be able to
buy some souvenirs on this trip.

We pulled all of the vehicles to the side of the cabin. There
was a small parking lot located between the cabin and a large stand of giant
trees. Back on Earth I would say they were Sequoia trees. But I didn’t know
what they were called here.

“Ash, what are those huge trees called?” I pointed to the
giant redwoods.

“Don’t laugh, but they are the same here as back on Earth.
Anything we have here that is the same actually came from Earth so we call them
the same names. That is a Redwood Tree.” Ash looked at me and smiled.

We all walked into the cabin to see if they had souvenirs
and any pamphlets on the park. I was looking specifically for a trail map that
also listed the various plant life.

I bought a few things like key rings, postcards, magnets,
and a cool map that rolled up nicely for the travel home. We put all of our
items in the cars and then started to head off to the nearest trail head.

I had that same feeling of being watched again. I looked
around but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, well for here anyways.

“B, this is the trail that leads to the waterfall Cash told
you about before we left.” Ash pointed to the trailhead on our right.

“Cool, let’s go that way! I am anxious to see what he was
talking about. Can I take pictures?”

“Yes, you can take pictures. I don’t see why you can’t take
photos as long as you keep them inside headquarters.” Ash looked at me and
laughed while I took out my cell phone to take some pictures.

“You actually brought your Earth Cell Phone here? You do
know that AT&T doesn’t have any cell towers on Sendryl, right?” Ash just kept
laughing, and Xandrie joined in with him.

“I do know that. But as soon as we walk back through any
portal on Earth, I will have use of my phone again. I am keeping it off while
here so that I have it when we get back. But I think taking a few photos will
be fine.” I took my phone out and turned it on. I wished at that moment that I
could have showed them to DeeDee.

Maybe one day she would know all about this life.

It took a good 45 minutes to hike to the waterfalls. But on
our way we walked right through the middle of a giant redwood. Someone at one
time had carved out the middle of the tree to make room for the path. It was so
crazy to see part of the trunk missing but yet the tree was still alive. I, of
course, took a few pictures of Ash and myself in the middle of the hole in the
trunk. That picture was turned into the wallpaper on my phone.

Once we got to the waterfalls I understood why Cash wanted
me to see this. “It is magnificent! I don’t think this is as big as Niagara
Falls, but it sure is more beautiful.” The main waterfall started at the top of
a mountain and stepped down between various pools of water between the top and
the bottom. There were five different pools along the way before the water
eventually ended in the large pool we were standing next to. All along the side
of the falls were rocks covered in various types of flora. There were so many colors;
almost all of the colors of the rainbow were represented.

It was so beautiful, I wished I had brought my swim suit. I
took off my shoes and socks then rolled my pant legs up and walked into the
water. It was almost as warm as a bath.
I am definitely coming back with a
picnic lunch and swimsuit. This is somewhere I want to spend an entire day
playing in the water and napping.

Others in our group did the same thing. Half of us were
walking around in the shallow end of the warm pool. The rest were sitting on
the grass next to the water. It was like a combination of a park, a nature
preserve, and a Hawaiian waterfall. It didn’t seem like it could be real.

I started getting that strange feeling again and the hairs
on my arms stood up. Whatever was watching me was really close. I made my way
out of the water so I could get my shoes on and look around. I told Ash what I
was feeling.

“Alright, listen up. We might have company, everyone get out
of the water and get your shoes on right now. Xandrie and Isaac take a few
guards and fan out, look for any visitors.” Ash was giving directions to the
rest of the guards as well. We stayed there by the water.

“B, are you a good swimmer?”

“Yes, I’m a strong swimmer. I grew up on the beaches of
Newport and Huntington. You had to be a strong swimmer with the undercurrents
there.” I knew what he wanted. If we were attacked and it looked bad, I was to
take off into the water as fast as I could.

“Are you going to make me swim away alone? I won’t leave you
here”

“No, B. If I go down you need to get away. Take Xandrie with
you if you can, but don’t stay here if something happens to me.” Ash walked
closer to me as he said that. Then he put his arms around me and kissed my
forehead.

“Ash, don’t talk like this. Nothing is going to happen to
you. We stay together and watch each other’s back. We are a team.” I looked up
into his eyes and saw something in his eyes that I rarely see, it looked like
longing. It only came out when he was serious, which was almost never.

“B, I need you to understand that I couldn’t take it if
something happened to you. I would die for you. Don’t stay around if something
happens, please. You have to make it home.” He looked into my eyes and slowly
started moving closer to me. I thought he might kiss me, and I thought I might
actually want it this time.

Just then a flying animal flew down over my head so closely
that I felt its wings brush against my head.

Ash and I both exhaled and he touched his forehead to mine.

“Hey girlie, now isn’t the time for kissing that boy.
Rippers are coming for you.” Said a voice I didn’t recognize. Ash and I both
turned around and couldn’t see anyone, not even the guards. The only thing near
us was the flying animal I thought was a bird. It looked like a baby dragon.
But
dragons don’t talk do they?

“Who’s there?” I asked out loud.

“It’s me, I am here.” Right then the little dragon flew up
to perch on my shoulder.

“W-what? Are you talking to me?” I asked the dragon.

“Yes, I am a dragonette and my name is Fillie. You are
B’Lana and that handsome male specimen is Ash. I have been watching you since
you arrived. You are in danger. Some of your guards might already be dead. You
need to leave here now.”

“How many enemy troops are here? Are they all Sendryl
rippers? Are any of the cursed rippers with them?” Ash asked the dragonette
like he talked to dragons every day.

“There are at least a dozen enemies and a couple of them
came from Earth. But no hybrids.” Fillie confirmed.

“Follow me and I can help you find a safe way out of here.”

“Wait, how do I know we can trust you? I am not used to
talking dragons, Ash do you understand what’s going on?”

“B, dragonettes are gifts from the Creator. They only choose
to talk to those they have chosen to protect. They never lie. And they don’t
deceive. I have only seen one talk before. Fillie has chosen to protect you for
some reason, don’t question it. At least not now. We have to get going.”

“What about our guards and Xandrie? We can’t leave them here
to die. We have to warn them.”

“Girlie use your gifts. Reach out to them with your mind and
you can find out where they are and call them back safely. But hurry I hear
them approaching now.”

“H-how do you know?” I couldn’t believe she knew I had that
power.

“No time to discuss this. We have to get moving… too late.
They are here.”

As Fillie said that, three rippers came through the trees.
One of them had obviously spent time on Earth as he looked just like a vampire.

“Oh how sweet, B’Lana has befriended a dragonette. I will get
two trophies today.” The lead ripper said as he glided towards us.

“Who are you and how did you find us?” I asked him

“My name is Martelle, sadly you won’t have much time to
remember my name. However, I will be the last thing on your mind before you die.
Everyone wants you alive, but I want you for dinner.” Martelle’s eyes seemed to
get redder as he got closer to me.

Next to him were a male and a female ripper who lived on
Sendryl. They did not have the spider web veins around their eyes.

Ash stood in front of me while I reached out to find our
guards. I found most of them along with Xandrie, they were all fighting
rippers.

“You have to get back to the cars, Ash and I will make
our way there to meet you. Xandrie, come back and help us if you can. Ash and I
are up against three rippers in the meadow next to the falls.”
 I hoped
they all got the message and could get out.

“Martelle, you might as well leave now before we kill you.”
Ash was very confident we could take them.

I took out two throwing knives and sent one quickly to the
male next to Martelle and hit him straight in his left eye. And I sent another
one to the female but she got out of the way. She brought up her sword to block
the next one I sent at her.

“I see you have learned a few things since you joined the
Sennafae. This should be fun. I haven’t had my food put up any sort of fight…
ever. I might take my time with you now. I was going to end you quickly, but
you look like you might be so much fun. And with a dragonette too. She will
make for a nice stuffed trophy.”

The dragonette flew off my shoulder and went for Martelle,
but he was too swift and got out of the way. So Fillie flew over to the female
ripper and was able to get in a swipe at her face with her wings.

Martelle walked closer to us and I threw a knife at his face
while Ash tried to distract him with a question. “How did you find us? No one
knew we were coming here.”

Martelle blocked my throwing knife with his sword.

“Some of the human technology actually works here. We put a
tracker on your car and followed the signal. Why didn’t you take Reuben with
you?” Martelle asked as he approached Ash and attacked him with a Ketensa.

Ash blocked the strike with his Ketensa and I tried throwing
another knife. “How did you know about Reuben? Ohhhh, he was going to betray us
to you wasn’t he?” Martelle blocked my knife.

“He already did, he is the one who put the tracker on your
SUV, then called us.” Martelle said as he took out a small knife and tried to
jab Ash with it.

Ash blocked and got in a good hit with his sword on
Martelle’s arm. It sliced it down to the bone. Martelle backed up to examine
his injury. “Lucky shot, you won’t get another one again.”

I looked over to Fillie and she was holding her own against
the ripper. Looked like Fillie had scratched out one of the ripper’s eyes.
“Good job Fillie! Keep it up.” I yelled over to her.

That little bit distracted Martelle enough that I was able
to get a throwing knife out and sent towards him before he saw it coming.
Sadly, I missed his eye but did graze his head enough to cut through his ear.

“You witch! How dare you get a knife into me! You are my
food, learn your place or I will slowly kill you and cut you into small pieces
while you yet live.” Martelle was very angry at that point, his eyes were piercing
red and focused on me.

We heard screaming come from the female ripper as Fillie
blew fire into her face. The female ripper’s head was engulfed in flames which
quickly made their way down her entire body. She fell to the ground writhing in
pain and screaming as she slowly burned to death.

“That was something I didn’t need to see, ever.” I quipped
as I turned my attention back to Martelle who was coming at me with his sword.
I brought mine up just in time to block his strike, and then I brought my smaller
knife from the side of my belt and tried to stab his stomach, I missed.

But I hit a much better target, his family jewels…

As he bent over in pain Ash brought his sword up and cut off
Martelle’s right arm, with the sword still gripped tightly in its hand.

I kicked him in his chest and he fell backward. Right before
I brought my sword down I said, “Tell First I sent you to rot in hell with
him.” Then he lost his head.

Ash grabbed me and I dropped my weapons so I could hug him.
We were standing there hugging as Xandrie and three other guards ran into the
clearing yelling, “B’Lana are you alright? What happened here?”

Ash let go of me and I turned in time to feel Xandrie
wrapping me up in a big hug. “I heard your voice in my head! How did you do
that? Is the prophecy true? Are you the hybrid our prophets spoke about a
thousand years ago?” Xandrie was making no sense to me.

“Of course she is, dummy. I wouldn’t have chosen her if she
weren’t.

“Girlie, you are the only hybrid I have ever chosen.”

“Fillie, there hasn’t been a hybrid Sennafae in almost 200
years, who would you have had to choose before me?”

“Don’t you know, dragonettes live for over 500 years. I have
chosen three honorable Sennafae before you. But you are the first human to hear
me speak.” Fillie said as she landed back on my shoulder.

“Oh my moons! A dragonette has chosen you! Do you understand
what this means? You must be the hybrid the prophets spoke about!” Xandrie was
getting a bit too excited. And hugged me again, very tightly.

“Umm, not to change the subject, but what happened to the
rest of our guards?” I really did want to change the subject. Anything to get
everyone’s attention off me was what I was shooting for.

Isaac said, “Most are dead, but a couple are on their way
back to the vehicles to make sure they are secure. We should head back as
well.”

Just then a ranger, or what looked like a park ranger to me,
came into the clearing with a large group of warriors behind her.

I immediately grabbed my sword and knife off the ground and
stood in a defensive position.

“Don’t be afraid, we are here to help. I saw the rippers
coming in after you and I called the local constable. He sent these warriors to
help. Looks like we will need a clean-up crew as well.” The ranger said as she
addressed Ash.

“Thank you Donifal, we appreciate the assistance. Now if you
will excuse us, we need to get back to the Reverend’s house and clean up.” Ash
said as he grabbed my hand and started walking us out.

“Now wait a minute, we need to know exactly what happened
here, and Miss you can’t be taking the wildlife home with you. That little
dragonette needs to stay here.” Donifal said as she was looking at me and
Fillie.

“Now you look here Missy, I chose her. We are bonded now and
you have no say over this whatsoever! The impertinence of a park ranger!”
Fillie said as she started to puff out her wings a bit.

“Wh-what? A dragonette has chosen a human hybrid to bond
with? How is that possible?”

“Because she is the hybrid the prophets spoke about. That is
how. Now move out of our way. You better get to cleaning this mess up Missy or
the decaying bodies will stink up the place and the more predatory creatures
will come out before you get back to your cabin.” Fillie was being quite
demanding. I just hoped she wouldn’t be bossing me around like that.

She then rubbed her head up against my cheek, almost as if
she knew what I said, and she said, “We are bonded girlie, that means we are a
team.”

Half of the warriors who came in with Donifel escorted us
back to our vehicles. We took the time to search them and found the tracking
devices. The warriors took them back to the constable so they could investigate
further. Maybe even track down the others from the rebellion.

“Ash, can you let Xandrie drive while we sit in the back?” I
just wanted to curl up next to Ash and rest until we got back.

“Of course, and Isaac you take the front passenger seat.”
Ash said as he handed the keys to Xandrie.

We all piled in and Fillie took the captain’s chair in the
middle for herself while Ash and I took the third row seat. He sat back against
the side of the vehicle and I leaned up against his side. He put his arm around
me and I wished so badly that we did not have ripper blood on us right now. It
would have been somewhat romantic if we were clean.