The Diamond Bearers' Rising Read online

  I want to ask her how Yeok Choo will die, if we’ll have to witness her death, or if this is considered suicide, but I feel that might be insensitive and a little morbid, so I don’t. Instead, I ask, “Is this frustrating to you?”

  “Extremely.”

  Chris says, “What do we do at a Surrendering? What’s appropriate?”

  “Well, imaging attending a funeral or wake and the kinds of things you’d say to the surviving family members about the deceased, maybe memories, things you’ll miss. Those are what you’d say to Yeok Choo at the Surrendering.”

  Jonas says, “Oh, like what you might say to a dying grandparent?”

  “Yes.” Maetha says. Her attention is pulled away and she leaves us.

  We linger a little longer then Chris and I say goodbye. Chris’s form vanishes, then Jonas says to me, “Calli, wait. I wanted to thank you for letting me communicate with Anika through you. I know it puts you in a bad position.”

  “No problem, Jonas.”

  “Well, thank you.” He dips his chin.

  I let go of Maetha’s diamond and open my eyes in Denver. I go out to the others and inform them of Yeok Choo’s Surrendering.

  * * *

  I can’t believe how quickly the last couple weeks have flown by. Nothing of any kind of concern to Bearers has happened on the world-wide-web, none that we found anyway. Chris has bi-located to me only a couple times. He’s been busy with his job. I’ve seen Jonas more often, however. He and Anika are unraveling relationship-wise and I’m sad for them. Beth and Brand seem to be struggling as well. I imagine being confined to the house 24/7 isn’t easy for any relationship. Throw into the mix the fact that I’m in the same house and it makes for a bad combination. I’ve tried to keep my distance from Brand for Beth’s sake. I’ve thought about having a repeating session with Brand where I tell him what’s bothering Beth but decided against it. If Beth ever found out, I think it would destroy our friendship.

  We’ve arrived in Bermuda and are being driven to the docks in a large van Maetha arranged for us. I stare out the window and am mesmerized by the many different flowers, all bright pinks and oranges and trees with huge fronds and peeling bark. This is paradise.

  The waiting boat is more like a large yacht. Sleek lines, polished wood trim, with three levels of windows, seating in the bow and open area in the stern. Workers haul wooden crates of supplies up the gangplank and hand them off to others who take them down below.

  Beth and I look at each other with excited expressions.

  Brand whistles through his teeth. “Money, money, money”

  Beth, Brand, Anika, and I board the boat. Beth and Brand roam the boat, exploring. Anika and I take a seat in the front. I notice every employee on the boat is a person with powers of some form or another. It makes sense to only hire people who are going to be loyal and keep sensitive information quiet, like the island’s location.

  Once we leave the docks and head out onto the open ocean, I turn to Anika. “Have you used the Seer topaz?”

  “A little. There’s still a lot of power remaining in it.”

  “What do you think of it so far?”

  “Honestly, I think it’s wrong to dwell on the future.”

  “How so?”

  “The future is already set, so why look for it.”

  “Well, that’s why I charged the stone for you so you could see the benefit in knowing certain things ahead of time and make necessary changes to fix potential problems.”

  “But I don’t believe we can change what’s going to happen. So, a Seer stone is only useful to view what’s going to happen.”

  “That’s not true. Otherwise, Chris would have died several times already. I saw his future and made changes to keep him alive.”

  “My belief system says you didn’t change the grand plan. You only think you did.”

  My frustration levels are mounting. “Well, you don’t have to keep it, you know.”

  “I know.” She glances down at the ocean waters below us. “I have one more future I want to look for, out of curiosity of course, then I’ll give it back.”

  I assume she wants to know if she and Jonas have a future together. I’m certainly not going to look, even though I could. Anika and I make small talk for a little while longer, then she lays back in a reclining chair and closes her eyes.

  My mind is on Chris. I’ll be seeing him in person for the first time since New Year’s Day, since finding out he’d been using the prism, and discovering how he feels toward Jonas and Brand. I’m tempted for a moment to seek him out in my mind, but I hold back. He’s probably already on the island, waiting for my arrival.

  After an hour, the boat slows. I look off the bow to see why, but all I see is ocean in every direction. The boat continues forward. Then before my eyes a shimmering hole begins to open in the air before us. Through the hole I see an island in the distance. The hole grows larger as we approach and our boat glides through. I look behind and watch as the hole shrinks to nothing. The island in front of us is large with mountains, cliffs, and beach area. As we near, I admire the palm trees lining the pristine beach and make out the dock where we’re headed. Using my Hunter’s vision, I identify Jonas on the dock waiting for us.

  The boat comes to a stop and a shipmate throws a rope to Jonas who ties us off. The gangplank is extended to the dock.

  “Hey guys,” Jonas greets us. “I don’t get many visitors here. I feel like I’m welcoming you to my personal island, which is kind of true. I’ve certainly explored every inch of it since I’ve been here.”

  Brand steps onto the ramp first and jumps off at the end as a wave moves the plank a little. He turns around to help Beth.

  She pushes his hand aside. “I don’t need your help, Brand. I can do it myself.”

  “Okay, have it your way.” He steps back a half step and drops his hand a little. I notice his positioning. I think Brand knows Beth is about to fall.

  Beth starts down the plank and is about to step onto the dock when an excessively large wave rocks the boat, causing her to slip. Jonas dives forward and catches her before Brand.

  “See,” Brand says.

  Beth stands with Jonas’s help and glares at Brand. I choose not to read her mind to see what she’s thinking. Their relationship would be difficult to navigate under the best of circumstances.

  Jonas moves aside so Beth can pass, then he holds his hand out for Anika. She gladly accepts after seeing what happened with Beth. She doesn’t let go and gives him a hug. He hugs her back and I decide to get myself off the boat instead of waiting for help.

  “Jonas,” I call out, after I step onto the dock. “Has Chris arrived yet?”

  “No. Not yet. Come with me, guys, I’ll give you the tour.”

  Anika turns. “What about our luggage?”

  “They’ll bring it. Don’t worry.” Jonas points to the dock workers.

  We follow Jonas up the path toward the buildings. One large building is surrounded by many smaller structures. Each has a Southern plantation look to them, something straight out of Gone With The Wind.

  Jonas points to the biggest building and says, “Maetha and the Bearers have used this island for centuries, living in huts and a large cave on the other side of the island. The main house was built in the late 1700s and is just that, the main house. That’s where the food is prepared and laundry washed. Maetha employees a team of twenty people of various powers to run the details and specifics on the island. The smaller units or bungalows were built as they became needed. They are basically individual dwellings for each Bearer. Mine is over there,” he says, pointing to the right.

  Brand says, “Yeah! Let’s go see your bachelor pad.”

  Jonas’s eyes shoot to me first, then to Anika. “Actually, I . . . um . . . it’s a mess. I’ll show you later. Let’s go see other parts of the island. Follow me.” He turns in the opposite direction of his bungalow.

  I speak to Jonas’s mind, What’s the matter?

  I have
pictures of you pulled up on the computer screen because of the research I was doing. I don’t want Anika to see that and leave the island thinking all I do all day is look at images of you.

  Oh, gotcha. I think to myself how I wouldn’t want Chris to see the images either. I add, Would you make sure you remove them before Chris arrives?

  Uh, yeah.

  Jonas says out loud, “Most of the other Bearers are here already. They’re at the main house and the surrounding grounds. Sarangerel and her parents are located on the far side of the complex. They won’t be joining us for the Surrendering. I overheard Maetha instructing them to stay in their bungalow till morning. Don Harding is also here, but he was given the same instructions as the others. I guess the Surrendering will be a little intense.” Jonas stops abruptly at a fork in the path. “Come with me. I want to show you the best beach on the island.” He leads us along the pathway through the trees and bushes for a few minutes until we emerge on a beautiful white sand beach with a gentle slope. The water level, which is at high tide right now, laps against the sand about thirty yards out.

  Beth and Anika let out gasps and fluttery sounds at the beauty of the setting.

  Jonas motions toward the horizon where the ocean meets the sky. “That’s west. This is the best beach for sunsets, if you ask me. And over here is the beach house bungalow.”

  Brand asks, “Who lives there?”

  “Probably Crimson,” Beth answers.

  Jonas states rather bluntly, “No one lives in that one right now.”

  Brand shouts, “Dibs! I want dibs.”

  “You have to be a Bearer to get a bungalow,” Jonas says. Then lowers his voice and becomes serious. “There’s a couple empty bungalows right now.”

  His words bring grimness to our conversation. I have to assume they’re empty because of the recent deaths of Diamond Bearers. This beach bungalow probably belonged to one of them. Tonight, another Bearer will be gone.

  “Come on,” Jonas says, waving his hand over his shoulder. “Let’s go to the main house.” He leads us back the way we came. When we get to the split on the trail, Jonas says, “Go on ahead, I’m going to go clean up my place.”

  “I’ll come with you and help,” Anika offers.

  I jump in and say, “Actually, Anika, why don’t you come with Beth and me and let Brand go help clean up the mess. You know, guy time.” Brand lets out a grunt. I continue. “We’ll go see the other Bearers.”

  Jonas wraps his arm around Brand’s shoulders. “Guy time! Yeah.” Thanks Calli.

  You’re welcome.

  We continue to the main house and enter the opened front doors. The atmosphere is solemn and serious. Different Bearers stand in small groups, talking quietly, holding drinks. I’m reminded these people are all here in person, not bi-located.

  Chuang sits on a couch, wearing a quartz blanket like a robe. The material shimmers beautifully in the sunlight streaming in through the window behind him. Chuang, however, looks ill. He’s obviously not improving. I focus my mind on his injury and delve inside his body. The confusion powder seems to be conglomerated in one mass in his belly. Instead of dissolving and breaking down, the materials have merged together. If nothing else, the mass could be cut out and removed the old-fashioned way.

  I wonder if I should offer my help to heal him?

  As I near Chuang, our eyes meet, and his brows lower. He says to my mind, If you had let Jie Wen go in with guns, I wouldn’t be powerless right now. And here Crimson wants you in the leadership position. We’ll all perish, given enough time.

  I’m sorry you feel that way, Chuang. I believe I could help you if you’d let me.

  Not a chance!

  Have it your way. I walk away figuring if I was able to detect the mass, some other Bearer will too, and he’ll get the help he needs one way or the other.

  I overhear mental communications. Did she talk to you? What did she want?

  She said she could help me if I wanted her to.

  Of all the nerve, thinking she can heal you when no one else can.

  Exactly.

  Huh. I guess I’m wrong about someone else helping him. I wonder if my enhanced healing ability is why I’m able to detect the mass. I walk into the next room and find Yeok Choo sitting among many vases of flowers. The whole scene reminds me of going to Anika’s parent’s funeral, only Yeok Choo is still alive and thanking people for coming.

  Anika comes up behind me and says, “This is wrong.”

  “Why?” I ask without turning around.

  “For one thing, it goes against nature’s will to end your own life. Second, God’s will. Third, suicide is against the law.”

  I turn and face her. Lowering my voice, I say, “Well, I’d recommend you keep your opinions to yourself today. As for the law, I don’t know what the laws are for Bermuda or if this particular island even falls under their authority. Besides, Yeok Choo faked her death all those years ago. That’s illegal too, when you think about it.”

  Anika makes a grunting sound but doesn’t formulate any words.

  I continue. “I plan on simply observing these amazing individuals and listening to their stories of great accomplishments. Then I’ll join the others in celebrating the life and death of an influential person of history.” I don’t wait for Anika to respond. Instead, I walk into the kitchen.

  Maetha and Crimson are seated at a small breakfast table, staring at each other. They must be having a mental conversation. Maetha looks my direction, then Crimson’s head turns. I note the exhaustion on both their faces.

  Crimson says, “Calli, good to see you.” She stands from her seat and turns her head toward Maetha. “We’ll talk later.”

  Maetha nods.

  I protest. “You don’t have to stop on my account.”

  Crimson smiles. “We’re not.” She walks out the back door and onto the wraparound porch, disappearing from view.

  Maetha motions for me to sit in Crimson’s vacant chair. I do. She says, “How did everything go with Clara?”

  “Good. She’s going to set up a meeting with the clans but thinks it will be a few months out.”

  “Yes. It won’t be easy for her to make these arrangements, but she’s had more than enough experience with the clans to know how to convince them to agree.”

  “Maetha, how old is Clara?”

  She smiles slyly. “I was wondering when you’d clue into Clara. What was it that made you suspect her age?”

  “Her antique collection—it’s just like yours.”

  “Yes, she and I have similar taste.”

  “Are you going to tell me her age?”

  “I will say she’s older than Duncan, but that’s all. She doesn’t want anyone knowing her history and she’s gone to great lengths to protect it.”

  I nod my head but add, “I can’t help but feel let down to be kept in the dark.”

  Maetha says, “You know, she feels the same way about you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She wonders why she’s not being told everything.”

  “Why isn’t she?”

  “She’s not a Bearer. And you’re not a Spellcaster. Neither of you understand the complexities of the other, nor the catastrophic potential of merging the two.”

  I stare at Maetha. “But you’re a Spellcaster and a Bearer.”

  “Yes, making me qualified to alert you to the dangers of associating too closely with any Spellcaster.”

  “You’re confusing me.”

  “I know, but that’s not my intention. I am hoping to impress upon your mind the reality of working with Spellcasters. They work alone for the most part.”

  “Clara told me quite a bit about them when I visited her.”

  “Well, I advise you to use caution when around any Spellcaster.”

  Does that include Maetha, I wonder.

  We end our conversation and I walk back into the room with Yeok Choo. I need to offer up my condolences . . . or whatever this would be called. Fabian is
speaking with her, so I wait by the wall. I overhear him talking about Yeok Choo’s involvement with the early Chinese dynasties and the Silk Road with western countries. For a moment I imagine I’m in history class and am learning specifics I’ll be tested on later.

  Fabian moves on and I approach Yeok Choo. I’ve thought about what I’ll say, but I still feel strange saying the words. “I want to thank you for your accomplishments in the history of the world. I wish I could have gotten to know you better.”

  She stares at me with vacant eyes and a dull expression. Her mind speaks to mine. Marketa was my world. You took her from me.

  That’s not what happened.

  Leave me. The pain and harshness of her words hits right to my core.

  I turn and walk from the house, feeling heavy and downtrodden. I miss Chris. I need him and his comfort. Walking along the pathway, I see the junction that leads to the beautiful beach. I look over my shoulder and head toward the sound of the waves and surf.

  As dense foliage opens to beach, I stumble upon Brand and Beth having a heated discussion. Neither one of them sees me. I should turn around and leave but Beth’s tone snags my attention.

  She says, “No, Brand. You don’t get it.”

  “What’s there to get? I don’t like fighting. So what if I repeat and keep you happy?”

  “You’ve manipulated me to keep me happy. I feel like you’ve taken my choices away.”

  “Well, what if I’d let you fall on your face today when you got off the boat?”

  “At least I would have known you didn’t repeat.”

  “No. You would have been mad that I didn’t repeat, knowing that I can.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Yes. I do. That’s why I repeated. You know Beth, I know you better than you know yourself. I’ve seen more sides of you, more reactions, all because I choose to repeat a situation or conversation until you’re happy.”

  “Can’t you hear yourself, Brand?”

  “Yes. Very well, thank you.”

  “Don’t you see anything wrong with manipulating me?”

  “No. Do you want to know why I do what I do with you?”

  “Enlighten me, please.”

  “Because . . . because I feel like what we have together is worth the effort. Because how I feel about you is worth working for. I love you, Beth. But you don’t feel like you’re worthy of being loved, so you push me away constantly.”