The Diamond Bearers' Rising Read online

  Clara says, “What Nate is saying, Calli, is we tapped into the energy of individuals in the compound and found one who was on the edge.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Clara continues. “Well, imagine using your Reader power and sensing the minds of a small group of people. You might be able to determine one person who has ill thoughts or who has bad intentions. What we do is evaluate the energy given off by individuals.”

  I ask, “Nate, do you have a cosmic power?”

  “No. I’m just naturally aware.”

  Clara says, “When Nate and I were captured, I realized he possesses an innate talent for Spellcasting. I taught Nate to meditate, clear his mind, and sense possible futures and the factors leading to them. I found he was able to do this better than most kids his age, and with me nearby, the two of us could sense the leader of the military forces was a ‘solid’ player in the compound, like a big brick wall preventing anyone from escaping. The leader’s mind was too strong to be swayed by impulse, and he certainly would not make a mistake. As long as he was in charge, nobody would leave the compound alive.”

  I wipe my mouth with my hand. “That leader was Chris’s father.”

  “Yes, I know.” Clara’s expression softens. “I understand Chris’s personality all the better now, after seeing with my own eyes the man Chris had to deal with on a regular basis. However, one of General Harding’s associates, a woman with a very strange essence connected to the flow of time, was unstable. She was quite explosive, determined, and dangerous. We could sense a lust for power in this woman, and a struggle to keep herself from murdering the leader and all witnesses.”

  “That’s amazing to hear you talk about Deus Ex that way. She was everything you describe.”

  Nate points to me. “I sensed you too, even though I couldn’t see you.”

  “Me? Really?”

  “Well, I didn’t know who I was sensing, but now being around you, I recognize your presence. I’ve felt it before. Someone else was with you at the compound, but they didn’t want to be sensed.”

  What? My confused expression is answered by Clara. She says, “You were with a ‘force of nature’ who wished to remain hidden.”

  Beth’s hand flies to her mouth and she looks at me. “You were with—” Her head twists to her brother. “You could feel her. Nate, you could feel her.” I can tell she’s proud of her little brother and rightly so.

  The only explanation I can come up with for Crimson being able to be sensed is she allowed them to feel her. Crimson did, after all, adjust Beth’s vision to be able to see Unaltereds. Maybe she knew Nate would become instrumental as well.

  Clara continues. “We sensed that if the unstable one’s mind was ‘nudged’ in just the right way, it would lead to a chain of events that would not only destroy the military leader, but herself as well; the outcome of that future would be freedom for everyone in captivity. I taught Nate to focus his mind on the future we wanted to happen, the future of every friend getting out of there alive, and together, we determined the quickest path to that goal was to inspire greed in the woman.”

  I don’t know what to think about their possible influence with the events at the military compound. Part of me wants to believe Clara is a psychic of some kind, but she’s a Runner and can’t be both. I don’t know enough about Spellcasters to determine one way or another.

  I tread carefully, saying, “I’m curious how you felt you had any effect on Deus Ex. It seems just as likely she would have shot Harding and tried to steal the diamond anyway, with or without your ‘psychic powers’ interfering. Are you sure it wasn’t just coincidence?” I take another sip of juice. I am reminded of how my father grilled me about my ability to see the future. I’m doing the same thing, ironically.

  Clara tilts her head slightly and smiles. “I cannot prove what we did had any effect on the female’s behavior. It is just as likely she was going to lose self-control in that moment anyway, and maybe Nate and I were just engaging in wishful thinking. It is a sign of good mental health for Spellcasters to doubt the efficiency of their own abilities, as many things do come about by chance alone whether we influence them or not. However, Deus had already come close to a diamond before, I could feel the need for it strongly on her mind, but some part of her held back until a more opportune moment to strike presented itself. All we did was give her a little ‘nudge’ in the right direction, one that made her think that moment was then and there, and you know the rest.”

  I say, “Whether or not you two influenced her, Deus Ex’s sudden betrayal to General Harding was fortunate and in line with nature’s will. However, I’m saddened that she died. She didn’t have to.”

  Clara nods. “When we sensed her death, we were saddened also. We were aiming for her to incapacitate General Harding, which she did. Her end came by her own choice.”

  I look down at my hands. “I tried to convince her to let go of the diamond, but she wouldn’t. She was too greedy.”

  Beth reaches over and places a comforting hand on my knee.

  Clara says, “Once people cross over to greed and selfishness it’s extremely difficult to change back.” She pauses.

  The air feels heavy with loss. So many people have died in such a short amount of time, it’s hard to fully grasp the magnitude. I simply haven’t allowed myself to stop and think, to remember. I place my hand on Beth’s to let her know I appreciate her thoughtfulness.

  Clara clears her throat. Beth removes her hand and we both wipe our eyes. Clara says, “On a different note, Nate and I have been experimenting with topaz crystals ever since they were discovered to store cosmic powers. Topazes are actually very useful for storing just about any kind of power, cosmic or not, and in the right conditions we can enchant the crystals with some of our own Spellcaster abilities. Some of these enchantments haven’t been very noticeable, others have been dangerous, but there are a few useful ones we have stumbled across. The most useful topazes we created can send signals between each other. When one is rubbed the other will vibrate or hum like a pager device.” She hands me a small clear plastic container with two yellowish topazes.

  “Thanks, Clara.” Just by looking at their pale color, I can tell they aren’t Imperial Topaz.

  She continues. “We have also been using the same spell to detect passing animals in the woods, so in the future we might be able to tell if intruders are approaching the compound before they reach us.”

  Nate grins proudly. “Motion detectors. Those were my idea.”

  Clara nods and says, “Nate and I are curious to know how well the pager-topazes work in the field and how many times they can be used before they must be charged again. I’m sure you could help us gather that information, Calli.”

  We talk for a while longer then prepare to head back to the airport. Before we leave, Clara gives us two boxes of freshly bottled juice. “Be sure to give a box to Captain Rutherfield,” she says.

  I raise one eyebrow.

  “He’s one of my loyal customers.” She smiles. “I will let you know when the Clan Gathering will take place.”

  * * *

  Once Will drops us off at the airport and delivers us to our waiting plane, I ask Beth, “Do you want to come with me to Ohio? I need to visit my parents and reassure them I’m all right. You wouldn’t see Brand for a couple days, if that’s okay.”

  “I’m just fine with that. If I’m not around him he can’t repeat with me.”

  “Are you getting tired of him doing that?”

  “Yes.”

  I double-check with Rodger Rutherfield to make sure it’s all right for Beth to continue to Ohio with me.

  Rodger says, “That shouldn’t be a problem at all. We will still need to make the planned stop in Denver to refuel. I’ll call ahead and have food service waiting for us.”

  “That would be great,” Beth says, having overheard.

  “I have a contact inside the airport who helps me out quite often.”

  I ask, “Rodge
r, how did you meet Maetha?”

  “I met Ms. Lightner twenty-years ago when I applied for the position of private pilot.”

  “I’ve noticed you are always alert, no matter what kind of schedule you’re asked to undertake. What’s your secret?”

  “No secret, really, just healthy living. That and Clara Winter’s juice.”

  “That makes sense.” I smile. “Speaking of, one of these boxes is for you.”

  “Great! Ms. Winter thinks of everything.”

  A few hours later we arrive in Ohio where my parents are waiting by the small municipal airport hangar—the same location my mother watched me jet off with Chris not long ago.

  “Calli.” My mother smiles brightly. Her Unaltered aura energizes with her excitement. My eyes water and my throat constricts with the knowledge of why she and I have the same aura—we’ve been genetically altered. She hugs me tightly. “Good to see you.”

  We release and I wipe my eyes. I turn to my father and give him a hug.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Beth Hammond. Beth, these are my parents, Allan and Charlotte Courtnae.”

  They shake hands and exchange greetings. Then we climb in their car and drive to the house.

  My mother says as we drive, “We want to hire a bodyguard for you.”

  I let out a slight groan. I knew they’d bring this up.

  My dad’s eyes connect with mine in the rear-view mirror. “We’re worried, Calli.”

  My mom obviously doesn’t like my resistance and protests further. “You were shot! You need to be better protected.”

  I lean forward. “I was being protected. You two don’t know the whole situation or what we were trying to do.”

  My mom says, “Why don’t you tell us?”

  I note the drained countenance of my father and realize he’s lost sleep over me and my situation. I consider the possible consequences of saying too much and wonder how much I can tell them. A little guidance from Crimson would be great about now. But no.

  “Well,” I say, “you know I have the diamond in my heart. The man named Max Corvus was about to post on the Internet about me and my diamond. He’s afraid of me and the people with powers in general and thinks we’re trying to take over the world. We stopped him before he uploaded his information about me, but he also escaped.”

  “He’s out there right now?” my mother asks, her hand flying to her mouth.

  “We know he fled the country. He’s most likely in Europe. But he might put his information back up on the Internet. Because of that, I’ve been staying out of sight, which includes not going back to college at this time. I need to stay out of public places to minimize the possibility of innocent bystanders being injured should I be attacked.”

  My dad nods his head. “Which is exactly why I think you need extra protection!”

  “The only bodyguard I can have needs to be someone from within my group.”

  “What about Brand Safferson?” my mom asks. “You and he make such a cute couple.”

  “Charlotte,” my dad objects, “an effective bodyguard needs to be unattached to their client. Brand and Calli are too close.”

  Beth coughs, or chokes, I can’t be sure. “You and Brand?”

  “No!” I speak slowly yet firmly to my parents. “I was never dating Brand. I was assigned to him by Maetha to teach him about his power and this new world. That’s why we hung out together. Brand is actually going out with Beth.”

  My mother blushes and averts her gaze from Beth. “Oh. I guess I completely misread his behavior around you, then. What about Chris?”

  “Chris has to keep his position with the government. He can’t be with me all the time. But that’s not even the point. I can take care of myself. I can see my own future, heal my injuries,” for the most part, but I leave that bit of info out of my tirade, “I can flee a situation in a flash. I don’t need a bodyguard, Mom and Dad.”

  An awkward silence settles over the car.

  My dad clears his throat and asks, “Are we going to have to go to the cabin again if Max resurfaces?”

  “I wouldn’t rule it out.”

  My mom asks, “So no college?”

  “Not till this clears.”

  * * *

  After a night at my parents’ house, Beth and I are back on the plane.

  Beth says, “It’s interesting your parents identified Brand’s crush on you, Calli.”

  “That doesn’t mean I have a thing for him. I like Brand as a friend, I didn’t always however. He kind of grew on me.”

  “Well, to be honest, it’s always bothered me the way he looks at you.”

  I want to say, get in line. I don’t. “Beth, did Justin ever tell or more like accuse you of Will having a thing for you?”

  “What?”

  “Will liked and still likes you.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t . . . ”

  “Do you see what I’m getting at?”

  Beth stares at me, then starts to laugh. A giggle at first, then an all out belly laugh.

  I start laughing too. The whole thing is really silly. I try to speak through my laughing. “Beth, Chris doesn’t like how Brand looks at me either.”

  “Really? Brand gets jealous when other guys look at me, too.”

  We laugh some more.

  “I was pretty jealous of Kikee and Chris.”

  “You should be. Chris actually did stuff with her.”

  My laughing comes to a halt. “He didn’t know what he was doing.”

  “Is that what he told you?” Beth is still chuckling and wiping her eyes.

  I become completely serious. “Yes. I believe him. I even watched him break things off with her in D.C.”

  “She came here from Alaska? For Chris?”

  “You know what? I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I think it’s safe to say we all have normal jealousy levels, but deep down none of us would hurt the others.”

  “I sure hope you’re right,” Beth says in a quiet voice.

  “Me too. If we all become Bearers, it would be ‘unbearable’ to be fighting all the time.”

  “I agree, and I like your pun.”

  Chapter Seven - The Surrendering

  The remaining days of January seem to fly by. After visiting Clara and my parents, Beth and I returned to Denver. Brand, Anika, Beth and I scour the Internet ever day. We look for signs of Max’s blog, any newly posted paranoia topic, paranormal sightings, and UFO articles. Nothing yet raises suspicion of Max resurfacing or other people taking his ball and running with it. Most of the other articles, photos, and video we’ve watched are easily debunked or determined to be photoshopped.

  Crimson has kept to her word and not interfered with my day-to-day life. I know Beth is a little let down to not be in her presence. She really admires Crimson. I’m still a little uncertain when it comes to decision making, feeling like I should decide what Crimson would decide. It’s hard for me to make my own big decisions and not second-guess myself.

  Anika and Brand are finally getting along. She’s lightened up on expressing her beliefs and Brand has lightened up on expressing his.

  Jonas has bi-located several times to talk to Anika. He has to do this through me because I’m the only one in Denver with a diamond which also means I have to be nearby so he’s able to keep his connection. Even though I feel like their relationship isn’t working out, I don’t interfere.

  Today, we’re having a Bearer Gathering. I received word from Jonas to bi-locate to Maetha’s diamond at noon. I go into my room and close the door so I’ll be able to meditate without distraction. Sensing diamonds and their owners is second nature to me now. I don’t struggle one bit determining who belongs to which.

  I connect with Maetha’s diamond and focus on her surroundings. She sits in a plush chair in a living room of sorts. Seated in person on other chairs are Yeok Choo, Chuang, and Jonas. Other Bearers bi-locate and arrive all around me, including Chris. He moves his form by mine. He looks good and I can’t help but smile.r />
  Speaking to my mind, he says, I wish I could hold your hand.

  I know. This is kind of strange for both of us to be in our bi-located form.

  Maetha begins. “I’ve called this Gathering for an announcement to be made.” She turns her head to Yeok Choo and nods.

  Yeok Choo stands from her seat, appearing tired and defeated. She clasps her hands in front of her, cinching her pale blue robe around her waist. “I’m choosing to sur-render my diamond.”

  As if choreographed, many Bearers react with sounds, words, and actions, all expressing sadness and loss. Chris and I exchange confused glances.

  Yeok Choo continues. “The pressures of being a Diamond Bearer in this new era are too much for me to handle, and Marketa’s death . . . I can’t go on.” She sits down and wipes her eyes.

  Maetha says, “A Surrendering will be held the last weekend of February. I’ll be communicating with each of you to give traveling instructions. Due to the increased risk of detection, we’re going to need to be careful. That is all.”

  I’m stunned by the lack of emotion displayed by Maetha. In fact, she seems a little mad. But I may be misreading her.

  A few Bearers approach Yeok Choo and talk quietly. Maetha stands and walks over to me and Chris. She motions to Jonas for him to join us. I look into Maetha’s eyes wishing I could read her mind.

  “Calli,” she says, “I want all of the Bearer candidates in attendance for the Surrendering. You will travel with Brand, Beth, and Anika.” She turns to Chris. “You’ll be traveling with Mary. She’ll be in your area at that time and will be in contact with you. Now, return to your places and continue with your duties.”

  “Wait.” Chris leans closer to Maetha and whispers, “What is a Surrendering?”

  Maetha looks at each one of us for a moment, then says, “Yeok Choo is choosing to give up her diamond. She will die. A Surrendering is a funeral prior to death, although in the past this only happens when a diamond needs to be used to wipe out a clan. Like with Gustave when he sur-rendered his diamond for you, Calli. Yeok Choo is the first to simply give up.”