portal prophecies 01 - keepers destiny (25 page)

Diana looked at her surprised. She obviously had never considered there could me more at stake than her own life. It made more sense now. There were possibilities for what her role in the future might be. She nodded indicating she understood and took a seat quietly reflecting on everything that had been said this evening.

“Nathan,” she said after a few minutes. “Can we tell him first before the others? It is his family we are talking about after all.”

“Of course,” William said. “I am asking him to come here now.” Having a telepathic link to almost everyone would definitely have its advantages. It would also mean a lot more people talking about things he didn't necessarily need or want to hear and at all hours. He would have to have a lesson or two on when it is appropriate to use the link.

“Gran!” Nathan said moments later running in. “Isn't it great! Did you see? They called me and without saying anything. Not even leaving the room. Just think, I can call them when I find something or when I need help or if I want a cookie.”

“No!” Mike said sternly causing the boy to turn and look at him.

“I think there are some things you need to do for yourself still. Imagine if you were working hard and heard twenty people all ask for soap in the shower or a drink outside. It would ruin your line of thought,” Diana said.

“Soooo...no cookie?” he asked scrunching up his nose.

“No, cookie,” Mike said smiling this time.

“We will have a class or two to go over what is appropriate to ask and not, as well as to teach you all how to communicate with just one person at a time rather than all of us at once,” William added.

“Phew,” the boy said motioning as if he was wiping sweat from his brow. “I was worried there I might always be in trouble.”

Diana laughed.

William had already turned his attention to Willow. She wasn't moving and was staring at the picture on her arm. The picture was fading in and out.

“Surely that doesn't mean that you are being reconsidered as a guard,” he said. The others turned their attention to her as well.

Willow looked up. The two black cats appeared. She wasn't sure what it meant, but Aslo would answer for her.

“No...Willow has a unique talent. She must have developed it during all those years we were together. She was a child and no matter how much we drilled into her no one was to see the pictures on her skin, a slip up most certainly should have occurred. We always thought it was dumb luck, but now it appears she can hide marks on her skin on command. We never noticed because we were the pictures. No one else did because they never knew we were there.”

“The picture hiding doesn't mean it's gone?” Mike asked.

“No, it is still there and still has the same effect as it does on anyone else, just it's invisible and she can choose to show it again when she wants to. A talent that may come in handy for her one day,” Aslo responded.

“I don't suppose you are tired?” Mike said smiling at Willow.

“No, definitely not. I think I have had more than enough sleep for today,” Willow answered.

“How about I show you some sights of this world? Promise you'll love it,” he said.

The invitation caught Willow off guard. She hadn't ever expected Mike to be nice to her. Things really had changed while she was sleeping. “Sure, I would like that,” she answered. It was the truth. She was excited to finally see some of what she had read in books and it still bothered her she didn't know exactly where she was.

“Make sure you two are back for the meeting tomorrow morning,” William said smiling. “Oh and Mike, you might want to remember you still don't know how to keep all your thoughts private yet.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Mike went to get a vehicle and a few minutes later pulled round in what he called a Jeep. It had no top or doors, but other than it looked pretty much like a small truck. She hopped in. Mike leaned over, pulling a belt from beside her around her waist.

“It's for safety,” he said, connecting it to a metal-piece by the edge of her seat. A click sounded.

For the first time, she noticed he had a musky smell to him, manly and strong. She liked it. When he sat back in his seat, she had an urge to lean towards him, close her eyes and let the aroma fill her senses.

Probably not a good idea she thought blushing, then hoping no one else heard her thoughts, causing her to blush a little more. She also realized she was grateful Aslo and Kiera decided to stay behind and help Clairity and Ashlyn adjust. Last thing she wanted was for anyone to think she had gone boy crazy.

“Everything alright?” he asked noticing the flush colour on her skin.

“Yeah great, I was...just thinking how odd it is having to worry about what everyone else hears. I mean, am I safe having thoughts to myself? I am used to guardians hearing everything but not everyone.”

“I know what you mean, but I don't think they can hear everything. It has a trigger, emotions I think control it. William can request the mental connection with other guards on and off. May take us some time to get used to it all,” he answered with a big smile on his face.

The drive itself was fairly uneventful. No top on the jeep meant a lot of wind. Hearing wasn't going well. She tried to yell for him to hear her. The results were inconclusive. He would nod and agree mostly, probably trying to be nice. She quickly decided not to speak until they stopped, settling on taking in the surroundings instead. They past fields and farms, animals and forests. Occasionally, they drove through a town, with lights and store fronts. Signs captured her attention and imagination. This was all so much more than she had been used to and nothing she had read even began to describe what she was seeing.

When they finally stopped, they were on top of a hill of some sort. Looking down, she could see a city below all lit up. It was spectacular. Her eyes widened taking in as much detail as possible. There must have been thousands of lights. She imagined herself down there. There was no chance it could look like night at all. In the distance she could see a lake. She hadn't yet gotten used to big areas of water, especially ones that were deeper than her height. The thought terrified her. Nathan had read a few books on boats and swimming, but it wasn't something she felt the need to experience anytime soon. Past the water there were more lights, another town perhaps. She couldn't help but wonder how many this world held.

“How many towns are there?” she asked.

Mike laughed. “To many to count,” he replied.

“Really? I mean, I had an idea it was big from the maps, but this goes way past anything I could ever imagine. How do you keep track?”

“We don't really,” he answered. “Generally people live in one area. They get to know their area of the world pretty good. If they go outside that area, they use a map or if they go long distances they hire someone to show them around.”

“Can we go down there? See what a town that big looks like up close?” Willow asked.

“Sure, hop back in. If you are hungry we could stop for some food somewhere. I am sure we could find something open,” he answered.

“I thought we passed all the farms on the way here. You mean there is land to grow things down there too?” she asked.

“No, it's complicated to explain in full, but food is sent to places where they prepare it and serve it to other people for money,” he said.

“Money?” That word was something she hadn't learnt about in any book yet.

Mike let out a big breath of air, “I can see this isn't going to be easy.” He couldn't help but smile at her. She was staring at him with such interest. “In your world everyone had a job, correct?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Here it's the same. Because there are so many people, we assign values to jobs they do and a system to exchange services. You do a job, you get money for it, then you use the money to get things from other people.”

“I don't have any money,” she said with a frown.

“I do. I will get you something,” he promised.

By the time he started driving again, she was thoroughly confused by it all. Everything was so big here. There were so many people, so many things. As they approached the town, more and more vehicles appeared on the road. People were out walking about, even at night. Some had strings attached to animals. She made a mental note to ask someone about that later. The lights made everything bright just as she had thought they would. They stopped at a building.

“This is a fast food restaurant,” he said. “They can make your food in a few minutes. What do you like to eat?”

“Apples, berries, tomatoes, oh and I very much like peaches,” she answered.

“They have burgers and fries that are pretty good,” he said.

“What are burgers and fries?”

“Hamburgers, ground beef cooked and served on a bun?” he said trying to explain.

“Ground beef?” she asked

“Meat, from a cow,” Mike answered.

“How do you get it from the cow?” she asked with a look of worry on her face.

Mike must have missed her concern. “Well it is dead first.”

“Dead?” she screeched. “You eat dead creatures?”

“Yessss...” he said unsure if that was the right answer.

“Oh I would like to go back now I think. I am sorry. I was taught the only thing worse than eating something that has died is killing it to eat.” Thinking of all the discussions about wars they had been having lately, she added, “Or drinking its blood.”

“Okay. Well, I didn't realize you were a vegetarian. They do have salads, fries are fried potatoes. There are other options.”

“Vegetarian? Maybe I should have read a few more books before experiencing your world in person,” she answered.

“A vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat meat, just vegetables, fruits, some eat cheeses and drink milk as well, breads and grains,” he said.

“Yes, I guess that is what I am...I can grow what I need anywhere,” she said, looking around. “You go ahead and have whatever it is you like to eat.”

“How about we go somewhere else. There is something I want to show you. This I think you will like.”

Willow agreed and before long they were walking across a field of cars towards bright lights and loud sounds. There were people everywhere, all ages, some holding hands, some using weapons that squirted water, some with gigantic stuffed creatures. People were laughing, screaming and a few vomiting. There was loud music and all different things that spun around in circles. In the middle was a gigantic wheel that caught her attention.

“It's a ferris wheel...a ride. People go on it for entertainment,” Mike said. “Do you want to go on it?”

“Yes please,” she answered smiling.

They waited in a line for quite a bit of time, however Willow hardly noticed. She was too busy watching the big wheel turn around, carrying so many people. She was fascinated by their faces going on and off the ride. Then it was their turn. She could hardly control her excitement. The attendant showed them to their seats and listed off some rules about not standing or leaning over while the ride was operational. Then he moved on to the next couple. The wheel turned to let another group off and on. She sat watching all the people and attractions on the ground. She could see everything. Mike pointed out a few interesting places they could go to while they were there. The wheel went round a few times. The feeling was indescribable. Willow couldn't imagine there was anything much better to experience anywhere in this world than that ride. All too soon it was stopping, letting people off and the two of them were back on the ground again.

Mike took her hand, leading her over to a stand selling all different kinds of foods. He bought her something he called cotton candy. It was pink, sweet and melted in her mouth like she had never felt before. Then they were on to another ride, which spun round in circles and made her scream, not so much a frightened scream, but an excited one. Everything happened so fast there. They played games. He won her a fake creature, which was soft and hug-able and after a few more rides, they tried apples with a candy coating on them. The taste was sweet and tart at the same time.

The two spent time looking around, just walking through the crowds of people and seeing everything. This was by far the best night of her life. She had never done anything more exciting and free. Willow felt a tug on her arm and turned to see a short older lady dressed in bright colours with scarves and jewelry. She wore dark makeup around her eyes and a bright red lipstick covered wrinkled lips.

“Be forewarned on Hallows Eve those who are not of this world shall take to the streets, blood shall flow and death shall follow. Your presence attracts what we cannot explain. Your destiny is written. You best make sure you listen,” she said in a voice with an unusual accent.

“Hey!” Mike said turning around and realizing someone had a grip on Willow. The woman turned, disappearing into the crown.

Willow felt her world spinning. This feeling had become far too familiar since coming to this world. Her knees buckled and everything went black. Mike reached her just in time to stop her head from hitting the ground.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

When Willow woke in the jeep, they were already turning the corner to enter William's property. Looking at Mike, she could see the concern on his face. A wave of guilt came over her for ruining the evening. She had been nothing but a pain all night, especially with the eating meat thing, which in her own defence, had caught her off guard. Admittedly, she probably could have handled that better. Then she passed out in the middle of what Mike had called a park. Why did the woman's words affect her so much? Maybe everything all together had just overwhelmed her, a combination of the excitement of all the different sights she experienced during the evening. She did know one thing. She had been having the best time of her life and she doubted Mike would want to take her anywhere new again.

Mike parked and came round the jeep to her side. He hadn't realized she had woken up, but even seeing her eyes open, he lifted her out of the seat and carried her towards the main building. She didn't mind, not that she was tired or light headed, but she enjoyed resting her head against his shoulder and inhaling his aroma again. It made her feel safe and warm, something she couldn't remember feeling, at least this strong, in all her memories.