Wild Fire by Heather Glidewell

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The Gathering of the Gifted

  “So we will separate those that we feel amplify the Warden’s power. Those that wield fire will be with Dawn, earth will be Helen, wind Krista, and water with Rose. All other troops that are of pureblood and non-element background will be with Vetis and myself.” My mother said as my father looked at her with approval.

  “What about those that have multiple powers?” Matilda, the fae leader, asked abruptly.

  “They may choose who they wish to assist.” My father said simply nodding towards the four of us.

  “Each Warden will choose two additional leaders. One from each side. We are a melting pot of darkness and light. The common goal is what brings us together. We want to keep all sides happy.” My mother smiled at the room. “Vetis and I will be in the front as the representatives of Heaven and Hell the other purebloods will fight with us as well as any other member that has no element power but great strength, behind us will be the heads of the allies, and behind you will be each brigade led by their Warden.”

  “Who will they choose?” Max asked his hands on his lap.

  “They will choose who they feel compliments them best. Unlike Dawn the others have no worked with members of the group before. They will not know right off the bat who they want at their sides. It is their choice. And it is ours as the heads to make sure that we do not interfere with their choices.” My father answered and Max nodded.

  “When it comes to battle we remain with our troops, while we will be fighting beside them it is their power that will lead us to victory.” My father smiled. “I have more news as well.” He looked at my mother then at me his eyes dancing. “Both God and Lucifer have called out to volunteers, those that wish to fight with us and keep the Queen from penetrating the gates of both Heaven and Hell will be allowed to fight without punishment. As long as they agree that if the barriers are broken to return to their posts and defend their home.”

  There was a mixture of muffled whispers. I could have picked out a couple and listened but I chose to let each being have their own opinion. If they were not allowed to interfere with my work I felt that I should not interfere with theirs. When the room quieted Hawthorne, a sweet coven leader from New Jersey, stood up.

  “So the celestial powers will be assisting. With the Angels and Demons on our side we cannot loose!” I wondered how he got here, how any of the Vampire coven leaders got here to be exact. There were at least four of them in the room with us, and it was morning.

  “You would think that.” My mother said softly. “However, many of them feel that this is a battle they should not be involved in. So far we have only been able to get a handful of each side to agree to assist us. I’m sure more will have a change of heart, but first they will want to know what we are up against.”

  “Miranda is not a sweet girl. She may look young and vulnerable, like you could break her like a twig. Know this though, she is ruthless. She will kill you without thinking.” I said sitting up straight. I was the only one to ever face off against her. I was the only one to ever face off against John as well, her second in command.”

  “What about this boy, Wesley, which you are so riled up to bring home? We know that two of the strongest beings in the Queen’s ranks have loved and been loved by two of our Wardens.” Lux, the leader of a mixed group of Carriers, spoke.

  “I can promise you this. If it gets to the point where I must sacrifice my love for the Purebloods I will not do it. I just ask that if anyone has to kill him that it be me.” I said loudly looking around the crowded room.

  “The same goes for me. John took my life so it’s my turn to return the favor to him.” Krista had an edge to her voice that I had never heard before. Maybe she was coming to terms with the rival blood in her veins. Either that or she just wanted to get even for what he had done to her.

  “The question is can you both do it, if it comes to it?” Matilda asked her eyes narrowing.

  “Yes, without a doubt.” Both of us said at the same time.

  “That is reassuring, of course we won’t know until you are faced with the task.” Matilda’s eyes were still narrow. I could tell by the way her eyes shot between us that she did not believe that we could actually do it.

  “Are we going to be able to pull the Harbinger before the battle breaks?” Hawthorne asked changing the subject just a little. I could feel the tension begin to drain from the room.

  “The original plan was suggested by Dawn’s friend, Adam. The problem is the only beings that have been able to penetrate the Queen’s protection on the boy is Peter.” My mother sighed. “As we all know if Wesley was to touch the Reaper he would die. We want him alive.”

  “Why?” Matilda asked her eyes flashing. What was going on with the fae leader?

  “He could be of service to us.” My father said.

  “We have our own Harbinger, in fact we have three. What does one more mean to the force?” Matilda was perturbed. Not only were her eyes narrow now but her lips were stretched thin.

  “Yes, we do have several in our presence but Wesley has the blood of one of the strongest Harbingers I have known in his veins.” My mother was speaking of Greta of course, the sadness that crossed her face told me she was still grieving.

  “You are just attached to the boy as your daughter is.” Matilda said growling.

  “I have my reasons for wanting Wesley alive. Yes, my adoration of his deceased mother is one of them. The other reason is that her death was caused by the creature that has taken him.” My mother frowned at Matilda. I could tell by the aggravation on her face at the fae leaders constant questioning.

  “We have our concerns with the age of those that are following her.” Edmund said stepping up from the corner. I didn’t even see him come in. “I am ancient and very skilled in a fight, as are my children. We all know that a newly made Vampire or Were has incredible strength. Is it true that a majority of those that stand with the Queen are newly made?”

  “I don’t know the answer to that one. It has been months since Wesley was able to summon Dawn. The last we knew she was recruiting along the banks of the Rio Grande. However, each group that has shown here has come from all over the country even stretching into the Canadian provinces. I wish I could answer that question but without a spy I cannot be certain.” My mother looked at me and I instantly looked away. I didn’t want to think of the last time I saw him, the changes in him, and the way he denied ever being changed.

  “You don’t seem to have many answers.” Matilda huffed. My eyes turned towards her and I growled.

  “Why are you being such a bitch?” I bit. Her eyes widened her lips turned up into a grin.

  “Listen. I am not here to be your best friend. I am here to protect my family nothing less. I don’t need a group of teenage hooligans leading my family into some battle they might not make it through. I will fight but that does not mean I have to be your friend.” He spoke eloquently yet her words still managed to piss me off more than she already had.

  I stared at her wishing I could set her on fire. The tension kept climbing more and more as the want to rip her face off increased. The room was in complete silence and I sat there unable to speak because I knew what would come out of my mouth.

  “When do you want to begin training?” Edmund asked glaring at Matilda who had her arms crossed and looking around the room a smug look on her face.

  “Today if at all possible. We would like the girls to meet their troops and start preparations we do not know when we will be needed.” My father stated nodding at the tall vampire. The tension had passed.

  “Then I suggest we end this question and answer session and let the Wardens do what they are on this Earth to do.” He smiled at Matilda and she shot him a go-to-hell look.

  “I second the motion.” Max declared standing up and winking at me. “Let’s let the Wardens show us what they are made of.”

  “Sou
nds good. Girl’s let’s get you outside to meet your troops.” My mother said a huge smile on her face.

  Though it was not required of those living in the compound to fight it was no shock that most of them were standing outside split into groups depending on their gifts. It was unorganized yes, but it was beautiful. It’s hard to explain the emotion that came over me. It was a bit of elation mixed with a deep dread. These people were going to lay down their lives for us. Ok so I thought more of those willing to sacrifice their own mortality for me, a nineteen year old confused girl. How could I ever live up the expectations that they had of me and the other’s.

  Krista looped her arm with mine and skipped along beside me as we came up on the line of the multi-talented. There were about fifty of them total. Out of all the creatures that had taken refuge in our back yard this group was the most talented. I really shouldn’t say that but I couldn’t control wind, water, or earth so I feel that those who were able to master two elements were on a playing field above us. The only different between us and them was that fact that our blood was from the Creators and was never mortal or evolutional immortality.

  “We should train together.” She smiled at me and I raised an eyebrow. “You know like spar. We need to learn their weapon proficiency right?”

  I laughed and nudged her a little. “Yes that we definitely need to do.”

  Her eyes became wide with excitement.

  “Then it’s settled Wind and Fire will work together.” She giggled like a school girl.

  “What about Helen and Rose?” I nodded towards the two older girls talking in hushed whispers looking over at us. Rose’s jaw was still set when she looked at me. For some reason she had serious issues with me. Issues that did not even form until we had set until we made it to Harrisville.

  I guess I was to blame for the predicament that we were in. If I had not jumped her ass that first day things would have gone a bit differently. Then again how was I to know that standing up to her was going to cause this much of a problem I might have handled the situation a little differently.

  “I think they have become fast friends.” Krista interrupted my thoughts. “Their dislike of everything going on draws them together. I mean Helen is nice and all but she has this bitterness to her. Rose, I think her affections for Adam have clouded her judgment.” Krista sighed and turned her back to the girls. I could tell the last thing she wanted was for them to think we were talking about them.

  “You could very well be right.” I nodded at Rose and she frowned back at me. “I really wish I knew what her problem with me was.”

  “Apparently it has to do with John. It bothered her that she was powerless against him but you stood confident.” Krista shrugged. “It was just something I overheard her talking to Adam about.”

  “Great. So because I came to her rescue she now dislikes me for it.” I groaned. I was going to have to stop saving people. Well at least people that really didn’t want to be saved. So it wasn’t so much the confrontation the day before, that was comforting but yet it wasn’t.

  “I think she expected Adam to have more power than he did. She didn’t realize that a Protector’s power grows over time. A newbie is not going to be as strong as one that has been around for several years.” Krista explained. “Adam didn’t know either.”

  “I suppose that makes sense. I mean he was incognito there was no way for her to know. She reached out to the first person she knew. Does Rose know about the history that Adam has with Helen?” I questioned taking my eyes off the other two Wardens.

  “I’m sure she does. Adam told her this morning that Helen and he had something. She asked him if anything had happened with you. He seemed confused but told her no, you were just his best friend.” Krista shook her head. How was she finding out all this information? At the same time I was glad to hear that Shawn’s favor to me had been successful.

  “Ok, you have to tell me how you know all of this.” I laughed as I watched Rose and Helen approach the line of multi-talented first.

  She pointed to her ears. “For some reason over the last few weeks I have been able to hear any conversation that I want to. All I have to is hone in on it and then I know what people are saying.” She smiled apparently proud of her super skill.

  “I can read the minds of the possessed and nervous.” I giggled. “We make one hell of a pair.”

  “That we do. Let’s get to talking to these guys and see who they want to assist.” I pulled her to the front of the line, Rose and Helen had taken ten of multi-gifted with them so we had less to discuss with.

  It took us only a few minutes to make our way through the line. Out of the thirty left I managed twenty while Krista pulled ten. I groaned when I saw how many I had compared to the others. Of course let me give both Rose and Helen more of a reason to dislike me. My mother split us off into four directions making sure we each had about fifty acres between us. I had quite a few fire wielders as opposed to the others. It seemed out of all the elements fire was the most prominent, or at least the most desired.

  “Good morning.” I yelled loudly hoping that they could hear me in the back of the formation. “We have a lot to cover and not a lot of time to do it in. The first thing I need is for you to split into how many of you are dark and how many are light. This will give me an idea what we are working with here.”

  There was a shuffle of feet as everyone moved from one side to the other. By the time it was said and done I had a pretty even number. I sighed with relief this wasn’t what I was expecting. It was better than what I had thought it would be.

  “Fantastic we are evenly matched.” I clapped my hands together. “Those that are weapon proficient please step forward.”

  Just over half moved to the front. I had been hoping for more. I saw my brother smiling in the corner and Minerva on the other side her hands on her hips as she looked at the rest that stayed back. Just by watching I already knew who my co leaders were. The sad thing is I had a feeling those in my multitude already knew as well.

  “This is good. I need one proficient to take one or two that are not proficient and find what they feel most comfortable with.” I said rubbing my nose. I didn’t realize how much work this was going to be. I needed to make sure I had a notebook in order to write everything down.

  If your computer would stay charged you could use that. I looked around wondering who I had just heard but then I realized it was just Shawn by the smug look on his face.

  You would think that would be the most logical. I might have to though. The only way I’m going to learn everyone’s name is to have it typed into a spreadsheet. I winced as those with weapons skills started working with those that were unskilled.

  ”Why isn’t our powers enough?” Asked a young woman over the crowd.

  “I wish I could say that it was, however even I have to know how to use a weapon in order to fight in a battle.” I answered her glancing at Shawn as he smiled.

  “What do you use?” One of my unskilled questioned.

  “Shawn? Do you mind a spar?” I asked eyeing him wickedly. He had been the one that trained me, found my weapon of choice. I had been waiting for this day for what felt like forever.

  “Of course.” He reached behind his back and pulled his long sword out, Minerva shot him a smile and he set the blade on fire. I glanced at her again as she rolled her eyes.

  “Shawn’s proficiency is the long sword, mine is the broad sword.” I pulled mine out and instantly it burst into its smooth white flame.

  The rest of my fire wielders started to circle around us so that everyone could see. Shawn’s sword swung first but I blocked. It was an even match if you ask me. My blood knew what to do just as much as his knew. After twenty minutes of sparing we both fell over laughing. The applause shook me from my hysterics and I remembered that we had been watched.

  “Can we all do that with our weapons?” A teenage girl asked a smile
on her face.

  “Yes, Minerva and I can show you how.” He looked at the pretty blonde and she rolled her eyes again. Though he had a heart stopping moment with Helen the day he met her, there was something stronger going on between him and Minerva.

  “Awesome.” She said her eyes lighting up. I pulled the fire from my weapon and smiled at her.

  “Come here.” I beckoned to her and she stepped forward nervously.

  “What’s your name?” I asked her as I handed her my sword.

  “Kelly.” She stammered. The confidence she had in the crowd was waning.

  “How old are you Kelly?” I asked. “Now truthfully none of us are going to be shocked.” I winked.

  “Two hundred years old.” She grinned softly. My eyes went wide.

  “I wasn’t expecting that old.” I laughed. “May I ask what you are?”

  “I am a Pureblood Were. I age super slow, puberty has been a bitch.” She joked holding my sword awkwardly in her hands. According to one of the Were leaders that I had met those that are born of Pureblood parents aged at a much slower pace than a human that was bit.

  I laughed at the girl and looked around the group at all the approving stares. Nobody was looking at me like they wanted to kill me they all looked like they wanted to learn.

  “How does it feel in your hands?” I asked looking at Shawn.

  “Amazingly light.” She flipped the sword once in her hand.

  “Have you ever held a weapon before in your life?” I asked her watching as she spun it easily.

  “Yeah. My mother gave me a baseball bat. It’s what saved me from being taken.” She frowned. “It didn’t save my mother though.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” I wasn’t the only one that looked sad at the odd conversation. “How did you come to become inhabited with the fire shard?”

  “Apparently I was blessed. My parents didn’t know how it happened. However, every few generations a group of pups tend to have extraordinary powers.” Kelly said loudly. She was proud of who she was. I would be too honestly, knowing that I was sanctified with extraordinary powers. Wait! I am blessed with extraordinary powers. Why couldn’t I be as confident as this young woman?

  “First, I want you to think of what triggers your fire.” Shawn said softly. “Don’t worry if you get it wrong at first. Dawn burnt about an acre of grass to the ground on her first try.” The crowd laughed and I took a bow.

  She closed her eyes and she started to shimmer as her hands turned white.

  “Well done.” He praised her. “Now think of the sword as an extension of your hand. Feel it as another piece of you.” The flamed wavered and slowly crawled from the handle to the blade. She has managed to create a fire from her wrist to the tip of the sword. It was quite impressive. “Very nice.”

  Kelly opened her eyes and looked at the sword. Suddenly she jumped as if the sword had burnt her. She was spooked by the amount of power that was in her. She dropped the sword to the ground and it instantly went out.

  “Did I do that?” She looked at me amazed her eyes still holding quite a bit of fear.

  “Yes you did. You did very well.” I leaned in to where only she could hear me. “You did better than me on my first try.” She smiled and blushed. Shawn gave her a pat on the back and Kelly returned to the circle.

  “I expect everyone to have a weapon figured out by tomorrow, for now get with a proficient fighter and figure out what you feel is the best fit for you.” I watched the circle break as Shawn stood next to me.

  “They love you.” He said softly putting his longsword back in its holster.

  “How do you know?” I asked stupidly instantly wanting to smack myself.

  “Why do you even ask anymore?” He laughed patting me on the back.

  “Habit I guess.” I shook my head. “Hey, thanks for doing that favor for me. I just wish that now I could patch things up with Helen and Rose they seem to have some bad blood for me.”

  “It was never said that the Warden’s would get along. It was only said that they were more powerful together.” He shot me a smile and rejoined the crowd.