Earth(59)

The magic was subconscious; I hadn't even realized I was doing it.

I am literally walking on water here. Probably means there is a right choice to make.

But I still didn't know what it was. I stepped to the entrance of the cave. Dawn approached, and the rain was petering out. I stayed still for quite a while, breathing in the chilly air. When the sun crested the treetops, I held my hand up to shield my eyes. My wrist tattoo caught my attention again. What I had thought was just a detailed, Celtic knot, was actually words. I turned my wrist as I read them.





I am the hero of this story.





I dropped my hand. "Damn straight I am."

I looked to the west. It was time to relearn the element of air.





Chapter 35





What is it Worth?





Shawn landed in the cave once again, this time with two useless, bandaged hands. He came barefoot. Arianna stood on the ledge, waiting for him.

She glanced at his feet. Her hands went to her hips and her lips pressed together in a snarl. "You will not be sending these women off to the Goddess with your feet."

Shawn almost shrank back. He held up his hands in defense. "Not sure how else it can be done."

Arianna roared, going partly translucent and growing in size, "I am not without knowledge of the pain you have caused others. A few minor burns are the least of it!"

Shawn took a step back, and his foot slipped off the ledge. His arm shot out for something stable, but it went straight through Arianna. She caught him at the wrist, but did not pull him back right away. Instead, she ripped at the bandages. Tearing them off, she took bits of freshly-healed skin with them.

Shawn's yelp was barely heard above Arianna's roaring. Shreds of white bandages, tinged with Shawn's blood, floated down to the pool below. Arianna quieted, slowly returning to her full physical manifestation. She pulled him back firmly on the ledge and released his wrist, throwing it down to his side. Shawn resisted the urge to curl his hand up into his chest.

Arianna stepped to the side, revealing an even longer line of women than before. "You may begin, Athame Wielder."

By the time Shawn had released five Shades, he was on his knees fighting back tears. Yellow pus oozed out from the exposed, shredded meat of the palm. If any more burned away, bones would be visible, Shawn was sure of it.

Arianna glance over his shoulder. "How badly do you want Akasha? What is it worth to you?"

Shawn didn't respond.

"What is she worth to you?" Arianna repeated.

Shawn glanced up at Sarah's cave, then slowly got to his feet. He held up his other hand, "Unwrap this for me."





Chapter 36





Favors





Erika stood from readjusting her backpack. The group was covering thirty miles or more a day, walking at breakneck speed. Well, breakneck speed for Erika. Her shorter legs took two strides to the men’s one. She rubbed her shoulders. These dang straps keep digging in, she thought. Another few miles and they'll start bleeding.

"They're ready, got everyone in your camp accounted for?" The annoying little man with the notepad asked Erika.

"Yes, David." She mumbled, readjusting her straps once again. She watched him turn on his heel and walk away. Perhaps she couldn’t account for Lucy, but given the uproar over Sabrina’s disappearance, not to mention the prisoners, Erika would never fess up to it. Besides, Erika had enough people owing her favors – they could cook the books.

Erika heaved the bag back on her shoulders as the wind picked up behind her. A yellow rain coat flapped away on a stray gust. Someone else chased it down. Good material was hard to come by, after all. Erika turned. "Oh – hello Lucy."

Lucy was smoothing out her shirt. It looked as though it had just been through a tornado.

Erika cleared her throat. "Your tattoos are healing nicely."

Lucy smiled. "Water does a body good." She stepped forward, reached behind Erika and pulled on two straps. A hard jerk, and the waist buckle cinched in.

"Oh – wow. That really helps!" The shoulder straps no longer dug into Erika’s skin. "Thanks!"

Lucy shrugged. "Well, I do owe you."

From the front of the line, Erika heard David call the group back on the trail. "So…" Erika asked as they fell into line. "Where have you been? I was about to report you missing."

"I've been around; hanging out in the back mostly."

"Hmmm." Erika didn't buy it. She'd been to the back several times in the last few days. "Well, try to stay more visible, if you can. I may need to call in one of those favors."

Lucy smiled again. "Like a piggy-back ride?"

Erika laughed out loud. "Something like that. A 900-mile march in a month does not do a body good."