The Guardian's Wildchild (38 page)

Savannah twirled under the light as it cascaded over her form. She giggled as she lifted her arms toward the ceiling and danced in a circle. When the shower of love had been completely received, Savannah revealed something she held tightly in her small hands.

They were red rose petals. As her fingers unfolded, the petals lifted and joined to form a large red rose. Gradually, the petals closed in to form a rose bud.

Sidney was in awe of the miracle. Savannah looked at her with a mischievous expression and motioned with her finger for Sidney to lean forward. Sidney did so, nearly touching Savannah’s forehead with her lips. As she considered planting a brief kiss, Savannah raised the rose bud to her lips and blew. The bud dissolved into a glowing red mist. Surprised, Sidney gasped in wonder. In so doing, she inhaled the mist.

A warm sensation unlike any other traveled throughout her body. Before she could utter a word of gratitude, the child spirit spoke. Her voice had a musical tone, like the sound of children laughing and being completely at peace with their connection to their higher selves. It surprised Sidney into silence.

It wasn’t so much that it was the first time Savannah had spoken; it was what Savannah had said that shocked her. The moment before Savannah had slipped back into her world, she’d tenderly caressed Sidney’s face with her tiny fingers and softly said, “Mommy.”

Sidney inhaled and held it. It was the only method she knew of to keep herself centered in a crisis.

“Breathe deeply,” her beloved mentor had always told her on the days when her world turned upside down. “Step outside the trouble. See it as being separate from you. See it from the perspective of your higher self. Then make your choices.”

It had always worked when she remembered to do it, but this time was different. It seemed impossible to step outside the trouble. Sidney was flooded with emotions ranging from sheer delight and exhilaration to utter turmoil. She calmed enough to notice Danik was waiting for her.

“Shall I make an appointment, miss,” he said in a mocking tone. “You seem to be rather occupied.”

Sidney was never so grateful for his humor. “You should talk, Mr. Busybody. What’s up?”

“Got some irons in the fire. Waiting for your ship to come in, if you’ll excuse the expression. Tried getting into the base but — ”

“Danik, you didn’t!”

“Easy, girl. No, not me. Somebody else. Anyway, no one but the military is allowed in there now. That memory rod with the file will likely remain in that elevator shaft till the building falls down. Where’s Mr. Wonderful?”

Sidney smiled and fidgeted. “Last I heard he was flying to New Seattle.”

“Don’t play coy with me, little sister. You know exactly where he is. Maybe he can help us get that file.”

Sidney glared at her brother and shook her finger at him. “He’s got enough trouble.”

Danik chuckled. “Yeah, like what!”

“He wants to get his boys away from Admiral Garland. The admiral will do whatever it takes to stop him. I’m worried that Sam, I mean Captain Waterhouse, will do anything to get them back.”

“Yes, Sidney, I understand Sam’s situation.”

“No you don’t. Danik, he’s a waking Guardian. He’s in a very vulnerable state right now. We could lose him again.”

“Again?”

“Yes, he found his way to the island. Then his wife was killed and he got off course.”

“Are his powers manifesting yet?”

“Yes, and he’s very powerful when focused. But Danik, he’s extremely desperate to get his sons back and to get out from under the admiral’s control. If he allows his anger to rule his actions, if he causes harm, he could slip further into the Dark sleep, perhaps beyond our reach.”

“But don’t you see, if he helps us get that file, the information on it may be enough for the underground to take down the admiral. If the admiral’s out of action, our problems are solved, including Sam’s.”

“The admiral’s not the problem, Danik. And, I’m not sure taking him down, as you put it, is the right way to go. He hasn’t always been ruthless. He once was a very wise man. Just like Frank Butchart.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve got some plans for good old Frank, too.”

Sidney turned her back to Danik. It was frightening to hear him talk like that.

“Sorry, Sidney. Didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Greystone wants me to bring him back home. Remember? Come and sit with me.”

The siblings sat down on the floor facing each other. Danik got up on his knees and held out his hands, palms up. Sidney did the same and laid her palms onto his.

“You seem rather tense. Is something else wrong?” he asked.

Sidney released the essence of her energy into her hands and let her secrets flow along with her love for her brother. Her experience with Savannah rose to the surface.

“Yes, I remember Savy. She’s quite a … Sidney!” His eyes were wide. “Oh my God, Sidney, you’re pregnant!”

“Thank you for announcing that in such a sensitive manner. Been in too much of a state of shock to sense anything but terror and joy, all at the same time.”

Danik held her and rocked her in his arms. “My baby sister’s going to have a baby — Savannah. Uncle Danik. That sounds nice. You think Savy will like me?” Danik paused. “Does he love you, Sid? Sam, I mean.”

“Hard to tell. He’s spent the last year shut down, and he’s very good at hiding his feelings, physically
and
energetically.”

All too soon Danik released her. “Got to be going, Sid.”

“Don’t say anything if you see him. Okay?”

“Uh huh. Love you.”

22. Madame’s Spy

Early Morning, Sunday, July 14, New Seattle

Admiral Garland arrived at the naval base early Sunday morning. He hurried to his office without acknowledging the security personnel when they greeted him. Slamming the door shut, he flicked on his computer and entered codes to bring up the secret files.

“Computer, open file
Thy Kingdom Come
.”

He searched through the document’s subfolders, hungrily looking for the research reports. Entering more codes, he opened the file he was certain had proven the crystals were capable of transforming matter. He’d tried to dismiss Sam’s outrageous claims, but all night the captain’s words echoed through his mind. The only way he was going to silence them was with solid evidence against his crazy theory.

Glancing over the report, he retraced the scientist’s data. There were inconsistencies in the crystals’ response to manipulation. Sometimes the crystals obeyed the energy stimulus. Other times, the crystal remained lifeless. He searched for a pattern. Finally, he found it. There it was — so obvious now that he was searching for it. The only times the crystals appeared to function were when Butchart was present.

“Damn!” Activating his comlink, he shouted, “Captain Butchart, report to my office!”

In the minutes before Butchart arrived, the admiral devised a plan. He calmed down and sat casually behind his desk. He wanted to see how much of a fight Butchart would put up if he was told he’d not be present during the upcoming demonstration. When Butchart arrived, the admiral directed him to sit.

“Frank, I’ve been advised that the East American Naval Port requires a temporary placement of someone with your skills. You’ve been selected. I’ll need you to advise who can perform your duties in your absence.”

Butchart was briefly stunned. “Sir, we’re busy setting up security for the government leaders’ visit to our base next week for the demonstration. Our most influential leaders will be present, and they demand a high level of security. Surely another security officer is capable of filling the East American position, sir.”

“No, Frank. I know in your efficient hands security has already been planned and details addressed. All that’s needed is for your staff to carry out your instructions. You’ll leave in the morning.”

Butchart began to almost convulse in his chair and stood up. “Admiral, I must be present during the demonstration.”

“Sit!” For a while, the admiral simply sent daggers of rage in Butchart’s direction. Butchart had become his military confidant and his personal advisor. Now, like all others, he’d been proven unworthy.

Butchart did his best to regain his composure. He’d been through countless moments over the years when the admiral had appeared to be on the verge of personally conducting a beheading. He lowered back down into the chair, shifting his position only once.

The admiral stood and unlocked a drawer in his desk. He pulled out a crystal. As the sunlight caught the facets, jagged rays of light swirled throughout the office and into Butchart’s eyes. He winced. The admiral placed the crystal gingerly on his desk as though it was important that it sat just so.

“I know why you believe it’s urgent that you be on this base during the demonstration. You!” He thrust his finger toward the captain. “You’re responsible for the success of the scientists’ work. You turned the water to wine. You, and not the scientists, made the chairs disappear. You, Frank!”

“Sir?” Butchart placed a look of puzzlement on his face.

“You heard me. Activate this, this rock. Make it dance, lower the temperature in this room, blow up this whole goddamn desk, if you like. Hey, how about making it rain. That’s it.” He waved his hand in the air. “Make it rain, Frank.”

“Sir, the scientists — ”

“Forget the scientists. Unless you’re some cult voodoo headhunter, this is just a damn rock. Isn’t it?”

Butchart was sweating and becoming flushed. “I don’t believe that’s true, sir.”

“Don’t you lie to me. The only times the so-called sun crystals worked were when you were present.
You
made the crystals work, not the scientists. You’re part of some damn cult!”

Butchart leaped out of his chair. “And who gave you that line of bullshit?”

“As a matter of fact, it was Captain Waterhouse.”

The muscles in Butchart’s face flexed with the clenching of his teeth. He shook his head. “That’s interesting, Admiral. Why would he have any knowledge of the crystals?”

“Apparently our prisoner told him.”

“Goddamn it, Admiral. Why the hell are we even considering what she’s telling Waterhouse? Just because his brain has probably shifted a bit south of his head doesn’t mean we have to give any credit to a prisoner’s lies. She’ll say anything to save her skin.”

The admiral moved around his desk to stand directly in front of Butchart.

“In every lie, I’ve discovered there’s a hint of truth.”

He went to his door and opened it to see if anyone was eavesdropping. All was quiet. He closed the door and returned to Butchart.

“How successful is the demonstration going to be if you’re several thousand miles away?”

Butchart looked away and remained silent.

“Damn you, Frank, you have unique powers, and you kept that valuable information from me.” He stepped close to Butchart. “Why?” he shouted, thrusting his fist up to Butchart’s face.

Butchart flinched. “Sir, if I’d told you ten years ago that I could move objects from one place to another location, or that I could transform water to wine, I know exactly what you would’ve done. You’d have fired me on the spot. You’d have never even asked for a demonstration. I even tested that ground with you. Do you remember me telling you that some people have unique powers? You laughed so hard you nearly choked!”

“Never mind that for now. If Madame finds out we’ve deceived her,
we are dead!
She believes our scientists are capable of unlocking secret methods that’ll allow her to command these damn rocks herself. Will she be able to do that?”

Butchart hesitated. “It’s possible, sir. But not without considerable training.”

The admiral slumped into his chair. “Well, how do you suggest we give her that good news?”

“We don’t, sir. As long as I’m present during the demonstration next week, she’ll be reasonably satisfied with her scientists. With me always accompanying you, you’ll never fail.”

“I need to know more about just who the hell you are.” The revelations were hitting the admiral too fast. He didn’t know who to trust. “Finish your immediate business then stay off the base until we can discuss this at my home office tomorrow night. Now get out!”

Butchart nearly ran to his office. He swung into his chair and focused on slowing his breathing. Activating his computer and initiating the voice scramble codes, he placed the call.

“Yes?” said the voice on the other end.

It always amazed Butchart that Madame, with all her power and wealth, answered her own calls. No go-betweens, no messengers, no second in command, no mistakes.

“Frank here. You may be receiving a call from the admiral soon. He may shut down the project. Waterhouse got him agitated.”

“And how did that happen, my dear?”

Butchart tensed. Madame was most lethal when she was being nice. “That damn prisoner on the
Nonnah
has knowledge about the crystals.”

“Our dear Miss Davenport, yes?”