He blinked a couple of times. "Why do you think we could help?"
"I've visited the Shades of the Athame; they were able to share their powers with me. I am trying to defeat a threat to humanity."
He tensed, retreating back to his circle. "Our sisters are rapidly disappearing! It is you?!"
"No!" I followed him forward, refusing to let him go that easy. "I don't wield the Athame! It is the one I spoke of, the threat – he must be doing something to the Shades!"
I don't think he believed me. He turned his back, flying faster toward his group. I could see them beyond him, preparing their light again.
I increased my speed, aiming for his back. Just before I hit him, I yelled, "Hey!"
He turned, eyes wide. I expanded my shield, encircling us both. Before he could react, I closed the shield, tying off the ends.
He beat at it, caught inside. He turned back to me, balling his fist. I glanced at it; light emanated from between his fingers.
"I wouldn't do that in here; you would destroy us both," I said. It seemed likely enough.
He believed me, releasing the energy. It hovered in between us until I drew it into the shield. He watched it merge, then looked through the shield at his men. They wavered in indecision. They certainly couldn't target the very thing that held their leader.
"Okay." He crossed his arms. "You have my attention."
I took a deep breath. "I’m not going to harm you, but I think we can help each other. The same man I intend to destroy has the Athame. He alone is responsible for what is happening with the Shades. Teach me, and I'll find the Athame."
"What do we get out of it?" he asked.
"You mean besides helping your sister Shades?"
"Yes."
"And helping Earth?"
"Yes," he repeated.
I huffed. "What do you want?"
"To be released."
"I can do that?"
"I believe so."
I thought for a minute. It was worth a try. "Deal." I extended my hand.
He just looked at it.
All right. I let it drop.
"So I’m ok to come back?"
He nodded. "Yes – and next time, you will be releasing at least one of us."
"I will?"
"To prove that you are both reliable and capable."
"Okay, until next time." I released the shield and we separated. I didn't turn my back until I was sure I was out of firing range.
Back in my body, I sat upright, taking a deep breath. "Ow!" I looked down at my arm. It bled profusely. "Shit!"
I slowly made my way down the ladder, off the captain's bridge. As soon as my feet hit the deck, the door opened.
Arnold poked his head out, eyes drawn straight to my arm. "What kind of meditating did you do?"
I just smiled, riding the high of my victory. A bleeding arm wound, or Arnold, couldn't bring me down. He handed me a first aid kit. After wrapping the wound, I walked to the back deck then slid in under the blankets with Bee. I was in a good mood. No nightmares for mama tonight…
* * *
"Easy there, princess." Shawn's words echoed through my head, annoying me. Blue eyes stared through me. The fire was there, as was Bee's snoring – my only grounding.
My shoulders sagged, but I looked around; still no one else.
"Where's the baby?" he asked.
I looked back at Shawn, there was no Athame this time. Instead it was a gun, cold and dark against his white skin.
I blinked, feeling Akasha at my back. Before, I destroyed Akasha, letting Shawn have his way. That wouldn't have been the right decision.
"Kaitlyn – the baby is mine."
I mirrored his words with my own lips. He didn't seem to notice. He continued with the same words, and the same motions as before.
The light behind me started to rise. I walked around Shawn this time. His back was now in front of me, and I could see Akasha beyond him.
He continued talking as if I were there, "It's already too late!"
I raised my arms with Akasha, forcing it to go faster; to go higher. The light increased with power, and I had to shield my eyes. Just as blood tinged the flame, Akasha breached the top of the wall and my insides shook with anticipation. This was what I was meant for; I was fulfilling my purpose.
"Yes!" I shouted. This had to be right.
I released Akasha over the whole of the world. The sky fell, smothering the fire and throwing us to the ground. After the explosions stopped, I lifted my head to look at Shawn.
His clothes had caught fire, but he made no move to put it out. Instead, he lay on the ground motionless. Bits of bone poked through his cheek. The rest of his face was scorched, like the ground he lay on. He rolled his eyes toward me. "Too late."