Crais(31)

Can you see check on Lucy, Talina and Lucas for me?

He sighed. Why? What’s happened?

Just check, please. I’ll explain everything in a moment.

When his presence left, I focused back on the room. Nothing had changed in their melodrama, except Fury was now tapping her foot.

I tuned out again when Josian returned.

It wasn’t easy but I managed to sense Lucas. From what I deduce they are all fine. I heard mention of a meeting hall. Does that information mean anything? And why are you away from the group?

His voice rose at the end. But at least I knew where they were now: back where we started. I needed Josian to teach me how to do that ‘sensing people’ thing.

We got a little separated. And now I don’t want to leave Fury, the half-Walker, until I can figure out how to get her to come to First World.

If she’s too stubborn, just knock her out and drag her back.

I shook my head. Walkers were not very versed on the best way to ensure a woman’s assistance.

That might have worked for the cavemen, but unfortunately, if we want her trust and co-operation on this whole Seventine thing, knocking her out is probably not the way to go.

His laughter boomed out. Yes, things were so much easier in the old years.

Wanting my mind-protection back, I wasted no time explaining to my father everything that had happened since we arrived. Josian listened intently, adding a few comments. Eventually he let me go, after making me promise ten times I would not wait very long to contact him again. I pulled my energy back around my mind at the same time Fury exploded.

“Dune! I’ve waited long enough. Explain everything to me now.”

At least this time she didn’t burst into flames.

He turned to face her, finally done with his domestic duties. “Food will be ready in a little while. Let us sit.”

Since I was already sitting, I assumed he wasn’t talking to me.

Fury marched along behind him before stopping near my hammock. “I need to speak with Dune alone. Leave.”

I stared up at her, not at all uncomfortable with her prickly personality. She was annoyed and scared, and I could understand that.

“This is not her fault. Your fate has been written from the start. Your mother knew you could not outrun it forever, although I have tried my best to protect you.”

And just like that I was forgotten again as she stomped over to sit next to the surprisingly astute Dune.

“Tell me,” she snarled.

I laughed out loud. This chick was hilarious. With people skills like that she must be popular here. Dune distracted her from the bitch-slap she was sending my way by starting his story.

“Your mother and her Walker mate were very much a strong couple,” he said. “They lived in this cavern for many years, happy and secure in their love.”

Fury’s expression didn’t soften despite the seemingly joyful tale he was weaving. I guess she knew there was no happily ever after at the end.

“And then your mother got pregnant. The Walker said it was forbidden and that no one could ever find out about your half nature, that there would be wars and more death than any could handle. He said the only way to assure this secrecy was for him to leave and never return.”

Dune stared at his hands. His stilted way of speaking eased as he got into the story.

“Your mother swore me to secrecy and together we spread rumors that you were the chosen child to save all nomads. That way we explained the birth of a nomad and assured that no one would come looking for a half-Walker. Your mother died of a broken heart. She mourned away her days waiting for the Walker to return, but he never did.”

“Yeah, good of her to forget about the child she had.” Fury’s eyes flashed.

“She loved you, but it was as if she had lost half her soul when he left her. She fought it but was never the same strong woman again.”

I spoke up. “How has Fury escaped the nomads until this point?”

Dune turned his dark eyes toward me.

“At first, when she was a baby they never worried about her. She was too young to be of use. And she seemed so vulnerable. She could not be in the sun or garner energy the way we do. But once Gena, her mother, died, she was up for grabs by anyone who wanted to influence the chosen one. I took her away, hid her with the tribes, hoping that she would stay safe until she was of an age that she could make her own choices.” He sighed. “I never counted on the desperation of the nomads. They have tried everything to propagate our race and, after a time, they decided it all rested with Fury.” He captured her gaze. “And then she used her power.”

“At the last tribe gathering,” she whispered.

He nodded. “Yes, and it drew every single one of us like a dragoona to the sun. They’ve been desperate to find you ever since.”