The Heart-Shaped Emblor (The Ewlishash Series) (23 page)

Jaden nodded and pointed toward the door. “They come in over there. One of the men will be checking on me soon. They don’t let me leave this room, so I have no idea where to go once we’re out.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

I rubbed her arm. “Like I told you, you need to trust us. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“For now, Kiera will stay here with you. Alexander and I have to go over there and wait for the men.” I kept my voice calm and powerful.

“Wait.” Jaden grabbed my arm, the look on her face desperate. “I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. This experience has given me a lot of time to think, and I wish I had done things differently. Please, can you forgive me?”

I didn’t really know what to say. Part of me felt irked that she was taking up time with apologies. Getting out should have been the only thing on her mind. But Jaden needed to get it off her chest, in case our plan didn’t go well. I didn’t speak it aloud, but I smiled in forgiveness before standing up. Jaden’s breathing grew heavier when she saw my face, and her eyes closed in relief.

The moment we reached the door, Alexander pulled something shiny and black from his boot: the obsidian knife I’d seen at the Celtic store in town.

“What’s that for?”

“Protection.” He eyed me like I was silly for having to ask. “It’s natural, so it can shift with me. You didn’t expect me to come unarmed, did you?”

“No,” I replied. “I suppose not.” I turned back to the door, and waited.

It seemed like we waited for an hour, though it wasn’t nearly that long. Finally, the door creaked open, and I could hear two guttural laughs. The men had no idea what waited for them behind the door, and when they saw me, they froze solid.

For being so large and muscular, they sure seemed shaken by the fact that a teen, a child, and a young man were standing between them and their captive.

One man reached behind his back, fumbling for something. Kiera clasped her hand over Jaden’s eyes, prepared for what was coming. Alexander immediately changed into his translucent state. The men did as well. I, however, stayed in solid form.

They must have sounded some type of alarm with whatever had been behind the broody man’s back, because within seconds, the large warrior-garbed leader rushed the room, sword drawn. The weapon looked like the same Celtic sword I’d seen in my dream.

The leader appeared stunned when his eyes found me. I kept my face void of emotion. I had no idea who the man was, and I didn’t see the need to try to intimidate with dirty looks.

The silence gnawed at me. I could feel Alexander floating above me, as the other men floated above their leader. After a quick survey of the room, and the men in front of me, I decided I would speak first.

“Hello.” I stood up straight to appear strong. “My name is Aislinn. I’ve come for Jaden. You’ve taken her against her will and asked her questions about me that she obviously doesn’t have the answers to. We have come to take her out of here.”

I waited for the man to catch his breath. The leader seemed to have complete control over the others. Odd, since Tirates were supposed to be too selfish to work together. I must have been their common goal.

“You look just like your mother.” His eyes flickered with curiosity, and he sheathed his sword. “Except her irises were emerald, not blue, and your eyes hold power that hers did not possess.”

“I will gladly stay and speak with you about whatever it is you were trying to get out of Jaden, whether it be about Relina or not. But you have to stay in solid form, all of you.” I looked up at the men hovering above us, Alexander included. Such hot heads. “I want to discuss things in a calm manner. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to take her out of here.”

“Humph.” The large man sounded like thunder. Just like my dream. “You are indeed like your mother. I’m not sure that I have many questions now that I have what I needed.”

“So you won’t mind if we just leave now?” I asked curtly.

“Why the rush?” His words began to sound like the hissing of a snake. My stomach turned into a knot, and I tried to focus.

“If you have no questions for me, then what’s the point of staying?”

“Ah,” the man bellowed. His crooked smile made me quiver. “Don’t you have questions for me?”

“No.”

“You don’t want to know why I took your friend?” His scowl was eerie. He began to pace back and forth along the floor in front of me, and I could see a heat wave around his feet, just like the one I had seen a couple of nights ago. Panic set in as I realized I did have some characteristics of the Tirates.

“No.” I shook my head as I backed away. “It can’t be.”

“Why not? Don’t tell me you didn’t suspect?” His deep laugh mocked me as my heart began to race.

I looked straight into his eyes, and my face hardened. “I guess I do have some questions, but first, you let Kiera take Jaden out of here. Once I know they’re okay, we’ll talk.”

“If you insist.” The man motioned to the two floating above him. They reluctantly became solid again and went to retrieve Jaden.

Kiera uncovered Jaden’s eyes, and Jaden looked terrified as the men approached. They didn’t harm her, however. They simply helped her to her feet and waved Kiera and Jaden to the door. One of them stayed behind; the other led them out.

I waited until I had some indication that they were free, safe. Soon, Alexander changed into solid form as well. “They are far enough away. They’ll be fine.” He spoke urgently.

I turned back to the strange man, who was now staring at me with his arms crossed. “I told you my name, do I get yours?”

“Huh,” he chuckled, a bit less like thunder this time. “I’m Farrow. I used to be very close to Relina. Of course, that was many years ago.”

“Why did you take Jaden?”

“To get you here, of course.” His dark eyes sent another surge of disgust through me, and a loud voice in my head warned me to be careful. “I had to know if the rumors were true… if Relina’s daughter did become a Ewlishash, and if you were Relina’s daughter. It seems that you very much are.”

“Why didn’t you just ask?” I snapped, and Alexander shot me a look of warning. I forced myself to calm down. “As far as I know, I am Relina’s daughter, but I don’t know who my father is, and I only recently found out about my mother. I don’t know very much about her yet.” I hoped my offer of information would get Farrow to lighten up and speak more casually.

“First, I didn’t ask because I wasn’t able to get close enough to you. You are very well protected.” He paced again, this time putting one arm behind his back.

“Second,” he met my gaze. “The only reason we took Jaden was to see if you truly were Relina’s daughter. I know the Jarwin would not have authorized this little visit you have made, which tells me that, despite starting to change less than a day ago, you are already defying the Jarwin. Only the daughter of Relina would so blatantly go against the Jarwin like that.” He smirked. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame you for going against them. They do tend to be a tad controlling.”

“I will not comment on the Jarwin. I haven’t had the chance to get to know them. In this case, they were clearly wrong, and I chose to act anyway.” I really didn’t like Farrow comparing his feelings about the Jarwin to mine. He made me want to vomit.

“Figures. I guess you have chosen a side, and it does not appear to be ours. Pity. Your mother was so good at getting what she wanted.” His wicked smile widened.

“My Mother was a Tirate?” Something caught in my throat as I tried to speak.

“You didn’t know?” Farrow’s question taunted me.

“Does it sound like I knew?”

“Your mother was one of the most powerful. She knew exactly what she wanted, and she got it every time. Even now, I am still bound by the spell she put on me. It is sad, a pity that she is gone.”

“Spell?”

“I am not able to bring harm to you. Relina cast that spell on many of us. She even cast a spell on your father. That is how she got him to impregnate her.”

“Do you know who my father is?” I didn’t want to give Farrow any ammunition against me, but my desperation to know more about my father was too strong.

“No,” he admitted. “But Relina and I were together until she met your father. She never told me his name out of fear that I would destroy him, keeping her for myself. But she did admit that when he refused her because she was a Tirate, she cast a love spell on him. When Relina got pregnant, she withdrew the spell, and your father left immediately. He left your mother alone to raise you.”

“But Relina didn’t raise me. She died,” I objected.

“On the contrary. Relina went into hiding, out of fear that—” He cut off abruptly.

“Fear of what?” I asked impatiently.

Farrow narrowed his eyes. “I think I have given you all the information I can right now. Maybe it is best for you two to leave.”

“If that’s your wish, I would like to get back home myself.” I took a piece of paper from my pocket and handed it to him. “This has my cell phone number on it. I thought I might need it, so I came prepared. Next time you want information, call.” I forced a smile, trying to make him see that we didn’t need to be enemies, even when every fiber of my being twisted with revulsion.

“I will keep that in mind. It has been interesting.”

“Likewise,” I replied flatly.

I turned to Alexander. “See you in a moment.” I nodded to give him the okay to leave.

I closed my eyes and tried to will myself back to Hope’s house, but my mind circled with thoughts of Relina. I kept thinking about how Farrow had information about me, information about my mother, and he kept it secret.

At first, my frustration kept me from shifting. Then fear kicked in. I’d sent my only means of protection back to Hope’s, and now I was unable to make it there myself. My fear made me even heavier than the frustration.

TRAPPED

I
pushed all my questions aside and focused once more on Hope’s house. With relief, I felt myself begin to shift. I became a floating mass of nothing again, and willed myself out of the Tirate’s lair.

I couldn’t leave. What was happening? Fear fired off like pistons throughout my essence. Panic vibrated through me, slowing me down, though not back into a solid form.

“Why?” I shouted. “I made a deal with you! Why have you trapped me here?”

Farrow floated before me, and smiled his wicked smile again. “I am not holding you any longer than I need to.” He gave a thunderous laugh. “You told me you would answer my questions, and I have one more.”

“Hurry, then,” I urged him, trying to stay calm. “Alexander will return for me if I don’t make it home soon.”

He grunted. “Alexander will not be able to find us. You see, we are moving as we speak. This is not just a building. I am sorry that I had to deceive you to get what I needed. All right, in truth, I’m not sorry, but I have inconvenienced you, and that may prevent you from wanting to help me in the future. That fact is most unfortunate.”

“Just spit it out and let me go!” I screamed, my anger turning me from translucent to a light shade of red.

“In due time, Aislinn.” His energy felt so negative that it caused a strange throb to circle through my essence.

“Why the delay? Just ask me.”

“This is not something I can ask. This question has to be felt.” All three men began to laugh. I began looking for the door. If I could move fast enough, maybe I could get by them, but the other two were blocking the only exit.

I forced myself to the wall and attempted to float through, but I was shocked like a thousand electrified fences were touching me all over at the same time. I gasped in horror at the severity of the pain that surged through me.

“Please! Let me go!”

“Keep her here, boys, and keep your distance from us, regardless of what happens.” Farrow’s dark eyes turned toward the other men, and he winked with satisfaction. Then he turned his half-invisible glare to me. “You ready, my dear?”

“Ready for what? What are you doing?” But I already knew. Something inside me was already preparing for the worst. He planned to touch me. I couldn’t figure out why he would want to do that. Alexander said that it was too dangerous, that I should never touch a Tirate. Concern over having Farrow’s negative energy with me for the rest of my life sent me searching to find an escape. I wanted to avoid him at all costs. But if what Alexander said were true, why would Farrow risk having my energy inside him?

On the far side of the room I finally saw my chance: an opening in the wall. Thinking I’d spotted a way out, I went for it. When I got there, it turned out to be a shadow, not a window. My disappointment only grew when I turned to go the other way and found myself trapped. I had nowhere to go, nothing I could do. Fear crept through my essence like acid, trying to slow my vibration.

I attempted to manipulate my fear, hoping to change into solid form. At least then he couldn’t mesh his energy with mine. But it was no use. Whatever they had set up in the room prevented me from shifting again. I closed my eyes as the vision of us mixing flashed before me.

“No, Farrow, please. The Jarwin told Alexander mixing could be fatal. Between my mother’s spell and the Jarwin’s warnings, aren’t you afraid that this may destroy you?” My voice sounded weak as terror ran its course.

“I am counting on it.” Farrow’s eyelids lowered ominously.

The shock of his answer sent me into a state of confusion. “You want to die?”

“Very much so,” he admitted. “You are my only chance to have some peace before I go, to feel hope just once before I die. If you are Relina’s daughter, then this should work.”

“Should? You don’t know for sure what’s going to happen?”

“No, I don’t, but I do believe that the stories of you are true. I have already seen that you are different. One of a kind, maybe; I’m not sure yet. You can do something that no one else can, except the Jarwin, but they will never help someone like me speak with the celestial ones. They believe me to be unworthy, despite my attempts to be something more. That is why I need you.” His voice grew stronger and more confident.

“You realize that I can’t guarantee anything right?” I spoke clearly and with strength of my own. “You’ve taken someone against her will, and now you hold me against mine, and you’re trying to force your way into getting something that these last acts alone should prevent. What if the celestial beings I connected with earlier, reject you? What then?”

“I know there are no guarantees. If I must pay a penance for what I have done, then I gladly will. To be able to have hope, to feel anything aside from misery, for once in my entire life, I would pay any price. Even death.”

“But the death of someone else as well?” I countered. “Are you more important than me? What if I die in this process? Alexander said this was dangerous, even without my mother’s spell on you.”

My question stumped him into silence for a brief moment, then the look on his face became fierce. “I’ve never heard anyone say mixing with a Ewlishash could be fatal. I don’t think you will die.”

“But you don’t know!” I shot back. “If you had just asked in the first place, I may have agreed, but now? Why should I take this risk for someone who has no concern for me whatsoever? I could have asked for guidance from above. From whoever or whatever I connected with earlier, but now that you’re forcing this on me, what will they think? You really should have thought this through.”

“You’re right,” Farrow admitted, much to my surprise. “I didn’t think things through all the way, but part of that is because of you. I never thought you would want to speak with me, even if I could have made it past your guards. And why should you agree to help me if it could destroy you?”

“I could have connected and asked if there was a safer way. Some way for you to feel them without hurting anyone. I have felt them, and they are nothing but pure and unconditional love. I don’t think they would have objected.” My response went from frightened to lecturing in a manner of minutes when I realized Farrow’s intent had not been to kill me. Though he had been extremely selfish, I understood now that he needed hope.

“I didn’t know. I will probably die when I touch you anyway, just because of the spell your mother placed on me, but I can’t take this place anymore. I am done with this life.” Farrow’s voice cracked. Where had the fearsome warrior gone? Who was this weak man who hovered in front of me, looking like a frightened child?

“I have an idea,” I interjected. “But it involves a drastic change on your part. You may not die, just be different. If you could feel the love just once, and know that there was something more, something to look forward to, would you give up your abilities?” Farrow’s mouth fell open when he realized what I was asking of him.

“If I gave up my abilities and had to stay here, how would I survive?” He struggled with his words, horrified.

“Like everyone else. Most people don’t have powers, but they struggle every day to help others and do the right thing. They go to work for money to buy things. They don’t all just take it. Some may steal, but not most. You can be like those hard-working people that you have caused pain and heartache to, just to get what you desired. You can walk in their shoes for a while. If you agree to this, then I’m sure I can convince the celestial guardians to let you connect just this once.”

I waited for his answer, and when none came, I spoke again. “If you try to force me, we’ll both be destroyed. I will not allow someone so selfish to force me into a connection. I may not agree with the Jarwin when it comes to guiding you all, but at the same time, I can’t let someone take what should be earned.” My face went rigid.

Farrow’s gaze found the ground as he considered my words. I couldn’t even grasp what I had offered. It felt like I was just following orders. The words that came from my mouth seemed to have changed, like I had become a different person, someone with power. The terror that I had felt had subsided, replaced by a strong voice of reason.

I could feel something moving inside my own little bouncing atoms. I could feel some of what I felt earlier, while connected with the celestial abode—like there were trillions of little voices trying to help me. The more I listened, the more I could feel them. Had I opened some kind of channel to them? I still didn’t even know who or what they were.

Farrow met my eyes. “I will give up my abilities if I can connect.”

I nodded, smiling graciously. “I must connect for a moment, to ask for guidance. Will you lessen whatever it is that is preventing me from changing, so I can speak with them?”

Farrow looked to the men and nodded. Then he turned to me. “Okay, but no tricks.”

“No tricks,” I agreed. “I wouldn’t lie about something like this. I’m not even sure I can when it comes to those I connected with earlier. I will return shortly with their answer.”

I closed my eyes, letting my energy swirl up to the stars again. The connection took no time at all. The instant feeling of warmth took all the remaining fear away. I didn’t even need to instigate the conversation, as they already knew why I had come.

“Yes, child. How may we help?”

“I just need to know if I can help this man, Farrow. I’m sure you already know his story much better than I do, but rather than force me to connect to you, he has agreed to give up his abilities in exchange for feeling hope and peace, even if it is short lived. Is this possible?”

“Of course, dear, but he cannot connect with us in the state that he is in. We will gladly strip him of his abilities in exchange, but the only way for him to feel us is if you two connect first. Then you can reach us. Farrow was correct in that assumption. He does not have the same DNA as you do. It is impossible for him to connect on his own.”

“But won’t we die? Won’t we be in terrible pain?”

“You will feel great pain, but you will not perish. We are unsure why any of the Jarwin teach that dying is a possibility, when it is not. They have their reasons, yet they are incorrect. You will, however, know everything about him, and he about you. He may not remember all of it when he is just human again, you will. You will be able to feel anything he felt at any given time just by thinking about it. It is very selfless of you to consider this, and that is noble. But make sure you want this, Aislinn. It will be harder for you than for him.”

“I don’t really want all that; all I want is to help. I don’t want pain or suffering or to have to know all the terrible things he may have done or experienced. Is this the only way I can help? And will I still be able to connect with Alexander later if I connect with Farrow now?”

“You can connect with as many as you want to. The result will be different for a Tirate than when you connect with Alexander. There is no other way. We will tell you this: This is part of your path. Sometimes pain and chaos bring harmony and peace, if you are willing to help.”

“I am. Thank you. I will return with him soon.”

“We will be waiting.”

I let myself slowly spiral back down to Farrow, not looking forward to what was coming. When I reached him, I could see that I shone brightly again, feeling very light and loved. Farrow held a look of pure bliss and anticipation.

“They told me you and I must connect first, then we can connect to them. They will strip your powers upon your return. You will be an average human. I will know everything about you, and you might remember some things about me. Is this still something you want?” I tried to relay the instructions as clearly as possible.

“And you won’t die in the process?”

“They tell me no. The Jarwin are misinformed about that, though they did not explain any further,” I answered swiftly.

“But you will feel my pain? Know all that I have done?” His face contorted.

“Yes.”

He shook his head. “Are you sure you want to do this for me?”

“It’s why I’m alive, my reason for being. I’ll be okay.” My eyes didn’t leave his. Deep down, I really wasn’t sure why I felt so compelled to help a man who had caused so much harm already, but he was giving up the one thing that made it possible for him to hurt others so badly. How could I ignore a sacrifice like that?

“All right, I guess… Are you ready?” He seemed almost as nervous as I did.

“Yes.” I closed my eyes and waited for him to come closer.

I could tell when he began moving. The pain increased quickly, becoming almost unbearable by the time he reached me. I cried out in agony when his energy brushed mine. Before I could shout for him to stop, we became one.

All his negativity was like millions of knives stabbing every tiny piece of me. There were thousands of screams running through me and, worst of all, rejection, abandonment, and hopelessness.

I saw his mother leaving him alone in his crib while she went to shoot up in another room, Farrow crying for hours while she ignored him. I experienced the heartache he felt from the moment he was born.

A bully beat him up at lunch, and his stepdad beat him up for not defending himself. Farrow’s sorrow over his mother when she up and left, leaving no note, to never return. His stepdad’s fury when he had to raise a child who wasn’t his. He took every ounce of bitterness out on Farrow.

Farrow’s change and how frightened he’d been. How he hated what he became until his gift proved useful in finding his mother and seeking revenge. His first terrible deed. Then those that followed.

I felt his rejection when he learned of the Jarwin and tried to get help from them. His first love, his first loss, his first terrible act against a human. All of these things swam through me like they were my memories, my experiences.

As the memories progressed to adulthood, I saw my mother, Relina. He
loved
her, but she left him for someone else, and he was devastated. My mother looked crazy, evil.

The pain became so intense that no matter how hard I tried, I failed to reach the celestial abode. I sent Farrow the sense to assist me in the connection, then tried at the same moment he did. Finally, after what felt like hours of agony, we were able to connect. The relief came instantaneously. Love and compassion surrounded us as the heaviness stayed below.