The Diamond Bearers' Rising Read online

  With that, everyone turns and begins the trek back down to the main house. Yeok Choo’s life is over and life in general is moving on. Harsh reality.

  When we reach the house, Chris says, “Let’s go walk on the beach and watch the sunset.”

  “I know the perfect one. I’ll take you there.” I lead him to the pathway that will take us to the beach Jonas showed earlier. As soon as we arrive at the edge of the sand, I’m taken back at the picture-perfect view spanning out in front of us. The setting sun casts oranges and yellows through the clouds that very well could be painted on the sky. They look that perfect. We are truly in a tropical paradise. Too bad it’s not for a better occasion.

  We kick off our shoes and start out onto the sand, walking for several minutes hand in hand in silence. Chris lets go and quickens his pace to get in front of me. He crouches down and picks something up.

  “What’s that?” I try to peek over his shoulder.

  “A pebble.” He stands and turns toward me. I look down at his hand. It looks like any other ordinary rock, oval, smooth, grey in color. Chris says, “Did you know that when a male penguin finds a female he wants to impress, he searches the whole beach for the perfect pebble to present to her? This can take some time, too.” He steps a little closer to me and I can feel his heat. “When he finds the perfect one, he waddles up to the female and places the pebble at her feet. A proposal of sorts.”

  My heart begins to race and my voice drops involuntarily. “Are you going to give me a pebble?”

  He looks me in the eye. “When I find the perfect one I will.”

  My cheeks heat up and I become flustered. I decide to joke my way around his serious hint at a proposal. “I’ll only accept a pebble if you waddle first.”

  Chris tosses the tiny stone into the ocean. My eyes follow the pebble wishing I could have kept it. He says, studying my wistful gaze, “That one wasn’t perfect.”

  We walk some more before he leads me up the beach where we sit on the sand cuddled in each other’s arms. The sun is almost covered with water, or so it seems. Yeok Choo is gone, covered with dirt, resting among her comrades on Maetha’s island of Immortals. What a crazy life I find myself in. Only a handful of years ago I was happy to people-watch at the mall with Suz, or travel with my parents to their medical conferences. Look at me now.

  The last pixel of the sun sets and we get up from the sand to go back to the group. On the way, I say to Chris, “Have you tried to look into Chuang’s body to see the powdered stuff?”

  “No. I thought it can’t be viewed.”

  “I saw it earlier. I think I could remove it, but he’s obstinate.”

  “I’ll go talk to him.”

  As we walk along the path through the thick greenery, I notice the transformed Shadow Demons are nearby, like they always are at night. I guess I thought maybe they couldn’t travel over water or something.

  Once we get to the group, I notice out at the perimeter of light and darkness other Shadow Demons, not the ones that usually follow me, lingering. I search the crowd for Crimson to ask her about their presence. I can’t find her. I see Maetha and walk over to her.

  “Maetha, why are there so many Shadow Demons here?”

  “They seem to be attached to whichever Diamond Bearer used obsidian on them to alter their states of existence. Each Bearer who helped eradicate the Demons has told me of their herd of followers.”

  “Is that what they are now? Followers?”

  “For lack of a better word, yes.”

  “Has anyone reported seeing any dangerous Demons?”

  “No. They are all benign.” She points to one near Duncan. “Do you recognize that one?”

  I look at the eerie, not-quite-human, a hint of animal, skeletal frame hanging in the air just above the ground. “Is that Justin?”

  “I believe it is.”

  I walk over to what might be Justin’s form. It doesn’t look at me. I walk directly toward it only to have it float out of my way. Now I’m standing amidst many other demons, my own demons join the mix. “Can any of you hear me?” I ask. No response. I walk out of the darkness, back to Maetha. “I haven’t been in a situation where other Bearers’ demons were present. When we’re indoors, the demons aren’t there. What can we do about them? Can we release them permanently, so they’re not bound to us?”

  Maetha says, “I don’t know.”

  “Can we use them for good?”

  “How?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Let me view my future concerning them.” She closes her eyes and concentrates for a minute or so. “All I find is a future without them.”

  I should look for my future too, but I see Chris talking with Chuang. I’ll look for my future later. “Excuse me, Maetha.” She nods and I walk away.

  On the way over, I intensify my hearing to listen to Chris and Chuang.

  Chris says to Chuang, “You don’t know if that’s true.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  I figure Chuang is telling Chris all about my leading them into death and destruction in China. I make sure I control my visual cues representing my emotions.

  Chris replies to Chuang, “Do you want to?”

  “No. Before this Surrendering began, I felt differently. Adamantly so. I even attacked Calli when she asked if I wanted her to help me. Now, I’m willing to try anything to stay alive.”

  “What made you change your mind?”

  “Yeok Choo saying she knew she couldn’t act in the best interests of nature any longer. She’d gone through too many lives, searching for happiness, and when she finally found it with Marketa, she knew she’d be done if anything ever happened to her. I don’t feel that way at all. I want to keep living, helping humanity, guiding progression, only now I have this powder preventing me.” He flaps the quartz blanket that’s draped over his shoulders. “And I have to keep this on at all times to have enough strength to move around.”

  Chris asks, “What if Calli can’t help you?”

  “I won’t stop searching for a way to heal. I’m not done. I’m reinvigorated and fully accept my duty of being a Sanguine Diamond Bearer.”

  Chris sees me coming their direction. “Well, here’s your chance to mend things with Calli.”

  I speak to Chris’s mind. You know, we’ve heard this type of speech before, from Marketa in Tennessee. She fooled us into believing she was dedicated to the Bearers. Do you think Chuang is doing the same thing?

  Ask him.

  I approach them, pretending Chris and I haven’t just spoken. “Chris, can I talk with you a moment?”

  Chuang reaches out and touches my arm. “Calli. Earlier you offered to try to help me. Is the offer still open?”

  “Of course.” I keep my words professional. I am not going to walk blindly into another situation of life and death. “I’d prefer to attempt to heal you out here in public, though.”

  Chuang looks around the group and swallows a couple of times. “What if you can’t heal me? Do you want everyone to see your weakness?”

  “I prefer not to create an opportunity where any supporter of Marketa can try to finish what she started.”

  Chuang’s eyes rush to my pointed stare. His voice lowers to a whisper. “I had no idea she was going to go that far. I certainly wouldn’t have condoned it.”

  “Chuang, I will try to help you whether or not you decide to support me in the task that’s been given me. I would be pleased to have you join in the cause, but I’d ask that you keep your opinions on methods used to yourself.”

  He nods.

  “I think you should lie down on the ground in case my healing zaps your strength.”

  “All right.” Chuang lowers to the ground, sits, then lays out flat, the quartz blanket still covering his body.

  What are you doing, Chuang? Don’t let her touch you!

  I’m choosing Calli, Kookju.

  Why?

  I don’t want to end up like Marketa and I certainly don’t desire Yeok Cho
o’s choice. I’m also curious to see what kind of power Calli has.

  I’ll be here to stop her if she hurts you.

  I listen to these telepathic words between Chuang and Kookju, trying to keep up the guise I can’t hear them. I decide to communicate on my own. I send my thoughts to Chris who still stands by my side. Chris, watch Kookju. He might try to stop me.

  Shouldn’t we get Maetha or Crimson?

  Maetha’s not far. Besides, you and I have the most power in this group.

  I kneel by Chuang and hover my hands over his injured stomach. Once I’ve scanned his body, I say, “Your internal organs are healed and are in good working order.”

  “Yes, I know. But I can’t use any powers on the substance.”

  By now, the crowd of Bearers has quieted and gathered around us. I sense Maetha has joined the group. I don’t look up at anyone. Instead, I focus my mind on the mass inside him. The confusion powder is merged with natural fluid and minerals from his body. It has calcified. I use my powers on the minerals and fluid instead of the substance.

  I say, “You know, Chuang, a modern x-ray would have revealed the powder had bound together. A skilled surgeon could have cut this out of you. Instead, I will.” I look up and find Maetha. “Do you have a blade or scalpel on the island?”

  “Yes. Give me a moment.” She runs away in a flash.

  Kookju kneels on the other side of Chuang. “Don’t let her do this, Chuang.”

  I don’t say anything. I keep my eyes on Chuang. If he’s truly wanting me to heal him and he’s being truthful with his words about recommitting himself to the Bearers, his reaction to Kookju will show it.

  Maetha returns with a small medical kit and hands it to me.

  “Chuang, listen to me!” Kookju pleads.

  Chuang says to Kookju, “Would you heal me?”

  “You know I can’t.”

  “Calli says she can. I’m going to let her try. I trust her.”

  “She’s a child!”

  “And you’re an old man who can’t heal me. I’m tired of you encouraging me down paths of pain. You’d have me refuse her help and continue to live in misery.”

  “You’d live, though. She might kill you. None of us can see your future while you have the confusion substance inside you.”

  “Exactly why I want it removed. Move aside, Kookju.” Chuang issues the order, then turns his head to me. “Proceed, Calli.”

  “All right. We need to take off the quartz blanket and expose your stomach. The blanket’s power will try to heal my incision before I can complete what I need to do.”

  Chuang tosses the quartz blanket off and allows others to pull it out from under him. I push up his shirt and lay my hand on the side of his stomach. “I feel it.”

  Kookju swoops back in. “I want to feel what you feel.” I move my hands away and Kookju takes over. “I don’t feel anything.”

  I form a circle with my finger and thumb showing the approximate size of the one-inch lump I’m going to remove. “It’s this big and is deep inside his belly.” I hold up the scalpel and position it over Chuang’s skin.

  Kookju grunts in disproval.

  Fabian declares, “Oh for the love of Odin! Would you get out of the way, Kookju, and let her work?” Other Bearers mutter their support of Fabian’s declaration.

  Kookju, obviously insulted by the majority siding with me, gets up and storms off.

  I look at Chuang, the blade still hovering above his skin. “Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  I push the blade into his skin and pull gently toward me, leaving a slit and gushing blood. Chuang cries out in pain. I use my healing powers and mentally pull the lump up through his body toward the opening I’ve created. A limit is reached. An obvious blocking or confusion of my powers. I close my eyes and focus on my diamond. I feel my heartbeat escalate and my heart heats up. Then my hand over his stomach begins burning intensely. With my eyes still shut, I hear the gasps and vocalized amazement from the group of what they’re witnessing.

  “How is she doing that?”

  “What kind of power is she using?”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

  Something touches my palm and I open my eyes. Through the blinding blue-green bright light emanating from my hand, I see a blood-covered ball. I close my fingers around it and drop it in the grass away from him. The bright light diminishes rapidly until I bring my hand back to his body and lay it flat against his stomach and incision. I close my eyes again and focus on my diamond. I desire to heal his injury, mend his cells, and strengthen his energy levels. My hand feels on fire again and I assume the bright light is back.

  When no more injury is detectable, I remove my hand. All available energy drains from my body and I can no longer hold myself upright. My body slumps sideways uncontrollably. Chris catches me and wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders, rubbing my arm.

  The questions and congratulations come from all directions. First and foremost from Chuang. I can’t focus on his words, though. Everything seems to be fading to black.

  Maetha says, “Chris, wrap her in the quartz blanket and help her to her bungalow. She’s drained her energy.”

  * * *

  I don’t know how long I was asleep.

  Maetha is by the right side of my bed. She says after meeting my gaze, “Calli, that was amazing. No question about it. However, don’t do it again unless someone’s life is threatened. Chuang could have been healed by someone else once you removed the mass.”

  “He and I both needed to prove we could trust each other.” I pause. “I don’t know why I couldn’t feel my energy draining. I would have stopped if I had.”

  Someone touches my left arm, making me jump a little. I turn my head and find Chris. He takes my hand and brings it up to his mouth where he deposits soft kisses to the back of it.

  Maetha clears her throat. “Well, I’ll let you get back to doing that special healing thing you do. The sooner she’s back on her feet the better.”

  “How long was I out?” I ask Chris.

  “About an hour.”

  I pull my hand away from his mouth and wiggle over in the bed, lying on my side. I pat the bed like he’s done to me in the past. I absolutely love the delighted grin he gives me as he moves to the bed. He lies down on his side facing me, takes my hand and intertwines our fingers.

  He says, “You should have seen the faces of everyone else while you pulled the blob out of Chuang.”

  “Because of the blue glow?”

  “No, well yes, but because of your ability to move the blob with your mind.”

  “I didn’t want to go digging into his body, so I brought it to me.”

  “That’s telekinesis, Calli.”

  “Oh. Yeah. I suppose it is.”

  “No one else can do it.”

  I think for a second, running the list of my abilities through my mind. He’s right. But then I remember something. “Chris, when I cleared the poison out of Justin in the hotel room on the way to the Death Clan, I pulled the poison up his throat and out his mouth.”

  Chris props himself up on his elbow, excitement flashing in his eyes. “I remember. Only I didn’t know that was as unusual as it really is. Everything you were doing back then was mind-blowing so it kind of got mixed in with everything else. But this isn’t that simple, apparently.”

  I don’t know exactly why I can do what I do. I glance down at our connected hands, then let my eyes travel up his arm, to his shoulder, and finally to his face resting in his palm. His blue eyes gaze at mine, searching for my thoughts, but not reading my mind. My body still feels heavy with exhaustion from healing Chuang yet being this near to Chris—mesmerizingly handsome Chris—I feel better with each passing second. I know a way I can recharge quicker.

  I bring our connected hands to my mouth and kiss the back of his hand, then let go and reach forward, sliding my fingers along his neck and back into his thick hair. Exerting the smallest amount of pressure wit
h my fingertips, I move him toward me.

  He reacts as if he’s been waiting for me to ask. His mouth descends to mine in urgency and his body moves next to mine seemingly on its own. We pick up the excitement where we left off New Year’s Eve.

  I feel light as air, yet heavy with yearning, absorbing his body heat. Time could stop right now, and I wouldn’t have a problem with it. In fact, the world could end, and I wouldn’t care because I’m in his arms, his strong caring arms. It’s enough to make my head spin.

  My mind is spinning a lot.

  Devastating images from my nightmares and a few new ones fill my vision. I’m on top of the same building from my other dreams. I see panicked masses running through the streets. Explosions and fires burn the city. Is it an earthquake? I wonder in my mind. Then I see a few people walking through the streets in a group, six or seven men and women. The frightened crowd flees from them. The group members seem to be shooting lightning bolts out of their fingertips. Then one of the members, a woman, looks up at me. I realize Crimson is standing next to me, looking in the direction of the small group. She turns to me and says, “We must go.” She grabs my waist, pulls me to her, and pushes off with her feet. My heart explodes with horror as she launches into the sky.

  “Calli.” Chris calls my name. I wish he’d save me from the nauseating experience Crimson is bent on giving me.

  “Calli!”

  I open my eyes and find Chris sitting on the bed next to me with both his hands on my shoulders. My body shakes uncontrollably. “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure. But you’re glowing bright blue.” He relaxes his hold.

  Sitting up next to him, I look at my hands. He’s right.

  “Did you have a vision?”

  “Yes, about Portland.”

  “What made you scream?”