Eclipse of the Heart (5 page)

Fillie had an idea that was truly heart-stopping. “What if
they are only working together until B’Lana is dead? There is a large group of
Sennafae who are afraid of what she will do. The prophecy has always been
something that divided even the most loyal citizens of Sendryl.”

I looked at Ash and all color drained from his face. The
tendons on his neck stood out and he pulled me to him and hugged me fiercely.
“B’Lana, there has been a great debate about the prophecy, but no one really
knows what it all means. We don’t even have the full prophecy anymore. The
writings were destroyed centuries ago. Now all we have is what was passed down
through the religious oral history. Every time someone writes it down, someone
else comes along and destroys the writing. It might not even be about you. It
could be someone else.”

“It is about B’Lana, I would never have bonded so easily
with her if it wasn’t her. We dragonettes have our own version of the prophecy.
One of us was always intended to bond with the human fae hybrid who was to
usher in the great change. She is to do marvelous works that no one had seen for
over a thousand years. She will bring our people together again. She will
protect the humans, and Earth.

“B’Lana, this is to be your legacy. It will happen. Do not
fear the enemy as you will have a great amount of followers who will do
anything to keep you safe. And you will, of course, have me at your side
always.” Fillie came over and sat on my shoulder and rubbed her head up against
mine. That seemed to be her way of hugging me.

“Thank you for the confidence Fillie, but how can you be
sure I am this girl of the prophecy? Are you even sure we are bonded? What
exactly does that mean?”

“Did you feel someone following you when you first arrived
in Sendryl?”

“Yes, was that you?” I knew someone had been following me
from almost the beginning of the trip.

“I felt a pull towards you almost as soon as you walked
through the portal. I found you easily and followed you every day until we met.
And you felt me around you. While I was watching over you, I was also working
my way into your mind. You would not have noticed this, but once I did that we
were bonded. If you were not the one, then I would not be able to communicate
with you over long distances. The other day you reached out to me when I was
over 100 miles away. My last bonded Sennafae warrior was never able to reach me
that far away. You did it in less than a week.

“You are The One.”

I couldn’t believe what she told me. I got up and started
pacing the room and rubbed my hand over the back of my neck. I couldn’t stand
still. I kept opening my mouth to talk and then closing it as I just couldn’t
focus enough to get a sentence to come out of my mouth.

“Ok, let’s say I do believe you. What exactly am I supposed
to do?” I looked between Ash and Fillie hoping one of them knew what to do
next.

They both answered at the same time.

“Train,” said Ash.

“Train,” said Fillie.

I looked at them both and smiled. At least they were on the
same page.

“Ok, I think I need to get some sleep. It’s late and it has
been a very long day. Please tell me I can sleep in tomorrow?” I was exhausted.
I knew I needed the sleep but I also needed to start training first thing in
the morning. I just hoped first thing didn’t come until after 10 am.

“Yes, you can sleep in. No one will come in and wake you up
tomorrow. But the following day you will have to get back into the habit of
getting up at 7 am to begin your training day.” Ash was very adamant about when
the day should start before we ever left for Sendryl. I had gotten into the
habit of being up by 6:30; I wanted coffee before he put me through his
grueling training sessions.

“Alright then, good night everyone see you all tomorrow.” I
walked away with Fillie on my shoulder and started getting ready for bed.

About an hour after I fell asleep, I was woken up by someone
climbing into my bed. “Ash what are you doing? I was sleeping.”

“B’Lana, I remembered how difficult it was for you to sleep
the last time there was a bombing. I figured I would stay with you in case you
had nightmares again.” Ash put his arms around me and tried to get me to lay
back down in the bed with him.

“Boy, you better get out of her bed right now! I won’t stand
for any funny business with my girl!” Fillie had been woken up and she flew
over and was buzzing Ash’s head.

“Fillie, it’s ok. We had some issues with nightmares a few
months back, both of us. So we slept together, but nothing funny happened. It
was just so we could sleep.

“Ash, did you have a nightmare tonight? Is that why you came
in here?” I figured he was too chicken to admit he was having trouble sleeping.

“No, I thought you might need the comfort. This past week
was pretty brutal for you. Are you sure you will be able to sleep?” He really
did look worried; he had wrinkles above his eyebrows and he was rubbing his
hand on my back.

“I think I’m fine, but you can stay as long as you promise
no funny business. No trying to kiss me or anything else inappropriate.
Remember, Fillie is in here too.” I laid back down and waited for him to
decide.

“Deal. I promise no funny business, I will just sleep with
you in my arms. Those few nights we slept together were the best sleep I can
remember ever having. I could use a few nights like that again. Couldn’t you?”

“Alright, just a few nights. Then we both have to get used
to sleeping alone.” I turned my back to him so we could spoon.

“I don’t like this one bit. Are you planning on mating? What
is that called here on Earth?” Fillie was on the bed with us now.

“Fillie, it’s called marriage, and no we aren’t. We are not
doing anything other than sleeping, and apparently arguing with you. You can be
the chaperone, make sure Ash doesn’t do anything inappropriate. Let’s just all
go back to sleep. Ok?” I shut my eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.

Ash stayed true to his word, there was no funny business all
night and he let me sleep until I woke up on my own. Both he and Fillie had
left the room, quietly, before I ever woke up. I got up and showered and went
to the kitchen looking for coffee and food. That was where I found them both,
arguing.

“She is the girl who is going to save your race! If you
aren’t planning on mating with her, then you need to stop playing with her. She
is not some floozy you can have your fun with and then dump when done with
her.” Fillie was flapping her wings and looked about ready to breathe fire on
Ash when I walked in.

“Fillie, it isn’t like that…” Ash stopped talking as soon as
I walked in.

“Good morning B, how did you sleep?” Ash walked over to grab
a cup of coffee for me.

“I slept like a baby, thank you. How about you? No
nightmares?” I took the cup of coffee from his hand. His fingers grazed mine
and lingered a couple of seconds longer than necessary.

“No nightmares, in fact, I slept so good I was going to see
if we could make this a permanent thing. We could both get a good night’s sleep
every night.” Ash winked at me as usual, but Fillie was not having any of it.

While I just rolled my eyes at him, Fillie came over and hit
Ash’s face with one of her wings. I just laughed.

“Fillie, it’s fine. Leave him alone. When here on Earth Ash
is just big flirt. Pay him no mind when he says stupid stuff like that.” I
reached out for Fillie to put her on my shoulder and went over to the table to
sit down.

Ash put his hand on his heart and rather dramatically said,
“Oh that hurts B, that really hurts.” He tried to pout and make it appear as
though he was hurt by my words, but I knew better.

“Ash, stop messing around and fix me breakfast, or brunch. I’m
hungry and I know you two have a very long day planned for me.”

Ash just laughed and said, “Your wish is my command.” Then
he went to fix me a ham and cheese omelet.

◊◊◊

It was a long, grueling day. The first two hours were spent
with Fillie working on my mental abilities. She knew I could mind speak easily
now, so she focused on my secret ability, even Ash didn’t know exactly what I
could do, only that I had another ability I was keeping to myself. On Earth we
called it telekinesis, on Sendryl, they didn’t have a name for it. It had been
centuries since anyone had had the ability and with all of the old documents
destroyed, no one even knew it was possible, except for Fillie.

We kept this first training session closed. No one was able
to witness what I did. At first it was very difficult trying to get anything to
move. But eventually I was able to move a few smaller items. It seemed easier
if I threw something with my hands to make it hit the mark than to pick it up
with my mind and make it hit the mark. Fillie said within time I could throw
heavy objects across the room.

I was frightened of this gift at first, as it just made me
even more different than everyone else. Plus it could be a very dangerous gift
if I didn’t get control of it. I could see myself trying to throw a log at a
ripper but hitting Ash or Lancer instead! That thought scared me to death. And
that is what made me decide to work on this gift and get as strong as I could
with it.

After 45 minutes of trying different tactics, Fillie
decided to let me throw knives with my hands and then guide them to the
bullseye with my mind. After about 30 minutes of practicing I got really good
at it. It made me wonder if I was already using that gift since knife throwing
was my best ability with a weapon.

I thought back to the first attack on Sendryl after we
arrived, and wondered if those knives I threw really were guided by my
thoughts. I had a feeling that to some degree I was using my new gift.

Then we took a break and had lunch. After that Ash tortured
me. Plain and simple, no other way to describe what he did but torture. When we
were done working out with running and weight training, I could barely walk. He
helped me to get to the kitchen for a light snack. But I couldn’t get up from
my chair, so he carried me to my room to get my shower kit and a change of
clothes, then he carried me to the bathroom.

“B, I could help you into the shower and even help to wash
your body for you. You know I wouldn’t miss a spot, right?” He gave me that
devilish grin of his while raising his eyebrows several times.

“Ash, you are not going to help me do anything where I have
no clothes on. So just forget it. What you could do however, is talk the
Commander into getting a mineral bath set up here like what the reverend had at
his compound. That would take away all of my sore muscles. And in the meantime,
you will be giving me a strictly platonic massage when I get back to my room.”
I waited until Ash left and then I slowly got undressed and made my way to a
hot shower. It helped a little bit, but not nearly enough.

I hoppled my way back to my room where Ash was waiting for
me. I laid face down on my mattress and Ash proceeded to give me a good back
massage. An hour later Fillie came to tell us that dinner was ready.

“What in the name of the two moons are you two doing in
here? I heard moaning from the other side of the door. Ash, you better be
keeping your promise to me.” Fillie came in and hovered over my back, to keep
Ash from touching me.

“Fillie, he is helping me. My muscles are so sore I could
barely move. Ash gave me a back massage to help loosen up my muscles. He worked
me too hard today.” I tried to turn over so I could see Fillie but I didn’t
have the strength to move.

“Well, dinner is ready so get moving. Everyone is waiting
for you two.”

When we finally made it into the dining room, everyone took
one look at me and busted up laughing. Cash had to pay Toren $20. Apparently
they bet on how haggard I would be after my work out.

“Ha ha, very funny guys. Now if you would be so kind as to
help me get a plate of food?” I looked to Toren since he won the bet.

Toren was very helpful and grabbed a plate of food for me,
while Ash helped me to sit. My thighs were burning from the weight training and
I had a tough time sitting down. Toren commented that I looked like a werewolf
from one of his video games. I was bent over and my knees where bent but I
couldn’t sit without help or stand up straight.

“Ok Toren, just wait until I get you back, it might take me
a couple of weeks to have the energy, but I am thinking of ways to get back at
you right now.” I looked over to Fillie and then back to Toren’s drink. We both
watched as his juice slowly made its way right into his lap.

Toren stood up quickly and bumped the table and most
everyone’s plates bumped around so much that some had food on their laps. But
curiously, Ash and I had no problems with our plates.

Ash leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “I saw that.
If you aren’t careful these guys are going to figure out you have more power
than you have let on.” He quickly kissed my temple and turned towards his plate
and started eating his dinner.

I looked down at my plate and tried to hide my smile.

When I woke up the next day, my body was still very sore
but it did feel a little bit better. I looked at the injury from the shrapnel
and realized that it was healing too quickly to be normal. I called out to
Fillie and asked her about it.

“Yes, you should be healing faster. You are part Sennafae
now. That should not surprise anyone. They all heal quickly and easily. The
more rest you get the faster you will heal.” Fillie wasn’t the least bit
surprised that my injury was almost gone.

Ash said that today he would take it a bit easier on me,
but I needed to work out to make sure to get that lactic acid out of my
muscles.

I spent half the day working with Fillie and she was
impressed with how well I was advancing. I told her that I thought I had been
using my power of telekinesis without even realizing it. So she had me practice
moving small objects with my mind. I stacked books until I got it perfect, then
I moved some chairs. Those took a little bit longer to work with. By the end of
our session, we figured out that the heavier the object, the more brain power
it took. Which in turn make me physically weak.

We weren’t sure if I was so weak from working out or if it
was due to the mental exertion. We kept working on the mental activities over
the following week. I did get stronger. Working the mind was similar to working
muscles. Eventually my brain and my muscles all got stronger.

After two weeks Lancer finally showed up. Everyone was very
happy to see him and he seemed very happy to see us as well. He was not very
happy with Xandrie. It turned out they had spent an awful lot of time together
over the past two weeks and he was sick and tired of her.

“Xandrie, I am so happy you are here! Finally another
female in the group! We should go out and do something. Since we have returned
we have hardly seen any rippers and the number of missing girls has done down
as well. Maybe the rippers have moved on?” I really was happy to see her. I
felt like she might become a good friend, she would never replace DeeDee, but I
was happy to have her there with us.

“B’Lana, I have missed you as well! Who else am I going to
get to help me give these guys a rough time? We need to teach them who owns
this place! Am I right?” Xandrie just laughed and hugged me and then she went
to Ash and hugged him as well.

Lancer spent the next two weeks anywhere but where Xandrie
was, while Cash couldn’t seem to get enough time with us. I knew they had
history, but it seemed that Cash wanted her back. So one evening I decided to
go and hang out with Lancer and left the two of them alone. Ash tagged along
with me.

“I think we all need to go out to dinner at that taco place
we all went to, how about next Tuesday we have dinner there? Lancer even you
liked that place. Since it seems that the Rippers have moved on we should check
out those humans who used to work for them.”

“B’Lana, I don’t think we should go there just yet. We both
have some work to do before we are ready for another fight.” Lancer seemed like
he was depressed. He wouldn’t look at me and just laid there in the bed zoning
out. He barely participated in our conversation.

“Ok, that’s it. You have had enough time to get over
whatever is bugging you. Tomorrow night we are all going out to dinner. I am
not taking no for an answer.” I looked right into Lancer’s eyes and made sure
he looked back at me.

“B’Lana I refuse to spend any more time with Xandrie than I
have to, especially with Cash hanging all over her.” Lancer said.

“Oh, I get it. You are jealous of them. Ok, how about we
just make it a few of us. It can be just be you two, Toren, and I. We could
also invite the Commander. Does he ever leave and do anything besides work?” I
started laughing picturing the Commander going to a nightclub and dancing. I
doubted he even knew what a nightclub was.

“B’Lana, I am not jealous. I am still mad. After all this
time she still refuses to tell me why she just walked out on me. I don’t think
it’s asking too much to know why, do you?”

“I’m not getting into the middle of this. You two need to
talk and figure this all out. We all are working together now. Even if we don’t
see any more rippers here, we do live together.

“Hey, what happens if we don’t find any more rippers here?”
I looked between both Ash and Lancer as I had not thought about that before.

“B, the other squads have been out looking every night for
rippers, they found a couple and killed them. But they have not seen any signs
of ripper activity for a week now. If we can’t find any more of them,
eventually Command will have us move to another city. By next week we will have
a small group travel to another city and check it out. The rippers wouldn’t
have gone far. Commander Tera has been looking at reports of people missing and
he thinks they may have gone up to Santa Barbara, but he isn’t sure. There is a
party college there and the missing students could just be out partying.” Ash
said that we could all go somewhere for lunch tomorrow. Maybe even Joe’s Taco
Shack.

I went and spoke with Xandrie later that night and asked
her to talk to Lancer and let him know why she left him, it was only fair. She
said she would the next morning.

When lunch time came the next day Ash, Lancer, Toren, and I
all went to Joe’s for lunch. Lancer was in a better mood, but still not back to
himself.

“Lancer, are you upset over Xandrie, or is it something
else that’s bothering you. Since your return I have hardly seen you. And I know
it isn’t because of her, there have been plenty of times we could have done
something and you just stayed in your room or sat on the couch playing video
games. Don’t become an Earth boy who stays inside and plays video games all day
long ignoring real people. That won’t work well for you. You need to be outside
and fighting the bad guys in real life, not in video games.” I sat down next to
him at lunch and put my arm on his shoulder and tried to give him all of my
attention while Ash and Toren looked around to see if they could find the
humans who worked with the rippers.