Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) (8 page)

Chapter 13

Worry

Once Etana and Charles arrived at the table and made their plates everyone quieted down to eat. Some threw curious looks at Etana, but most just accepted it. Kaiden took this opportunity to shed light on everything that has happened in the past month.

“Everyone this is Etana and Finley, as you can all see Charles and Etana are second chance mates. Finley here knows what she is now, but does not know the full history, so if you all don’t mind I would like to go over the history. We can do our share and tell now or we can wait until dinner. It is up to you.” Kaiden looked around the table at the approving faces and continued. “I will start at the beginning, the beginning we found in a journal about a month ago now. In this journal we found out that a woman, actually a Dragon, created us with magic. She was only a Dragon and had to use her magic to shift into a human. Before she created us she lived for thousands of years when only Dragons lived. She explained that the Dragons of her time were all jealous of each other and constantly killed each other off. When one died the magic of that one went to the others.”

“When she realized that she was the last she moved to this mountain and watched the humans that resided here. She must have seen something that she liked and she approached them and gave them a gift of magic. She created a spell that created us. Now because she had come from a history of jealousy and violence she created fail safes within the spell. These fail safes were only to come out in the face of extinction. Now to jump to twenty four years ago a Blood Dragon named Aldrich had a mate. When his mate gave birth to Vivi over there something snapped in him and he killed his mate. He then went and killed his King and Queen and then the whole Sect. Over the last twenty four years he has located all Sects and destroyed them. He had captured Marcus and held him for twenty two years trying to convince him to turn his children.”

“We rescued Marcus and have brought him home. Since that time other survivors have made their way here and we have begun training. We have recently had an attack on us here, but it was from a missile that was attached to a chip, he had those chips implanted in his children. We got them out in time, but missed one. We lost a lot of our own in one shot and we are still healing from that.”

“Now Finley, your mate is out there and we think we know his location. You see we are the last that have been born for each race. That means that it is up to us to restore the balance. We have heard that you are a little reluctant about all of this, so do you have any questions for any of us?” Kaiden asked

“Did any of you not want the soul mate thing?” Finley asked

“I did not want any man after the past that I had, but as soon as I felt Gabe and then saw him, everything clicked into place for me and I was immediately in love with him. You can deny it all you want, but as soon as you lay your eyes on his, it’s over.” Justine laughed

“So that’s it huh? The pull really just pulls you in and you lose yourself?” Finley snapped

“Not at all, I am still me and Gabe is still him. We still do the things we like and we find things that we like to do together. It is something that feels so right and I wouldn’t change any of it for anything.” Justine answered

“I don’t want to be a freak. I just want to be normal.” Finley whined

“Trust me Zoe and I grew up together and we both thought we were freaks. Then Kaiden shows up and tells us that we are completely normal. Here everyone is like you. You are no different from anyone here. You can be yourself here and have anything you want. Once we have Aldrich gone and his children gone we can go back out in the world. But I know that I don’t want to do that.” Justine explained and then she told Finley and Etana her past.

Zoe watched Finley’s face as everyone told their past. She knew Finley had grown up with a normal safe life, privileged in fact. Finley watched each face and with each emotion Finley felt, the weather would change outside. Once everyone shared their stories it was either Etana or Finley’s turn. Finley looked to Etana and stayed quiet. Etana took the hint and started to share her past.

“I was born and raised in the mountains range of Israel. My mate found me when I was twenty two and we spent fifty wonderful years together. I was in the mountains gathering the sheep when they came. All of a sudden I felt Raja disappear, he was my soul mate. I ran as fast as I could, but then I felt the others. For two years previous we had gotten letters of the killings, but my King was a stubborn one. He thought he was safe where we were and took no precautions. Life went on as it always did. Anyway, when I felt the strangers I hid. I ran far enough away that I could see them, but they could not feel me. As soon as I saw them leave I waited a little while and then ran to the village. I gathered all of Raja’s weapons and went back deep into the mountain. I spent ten years training myself to use his weapons and then three more getting my body where I thought it needed to be. You see I am a Fury and I should be a natural fighter, but my King knew I was good with animals and so that was my job. After I got my body where I wanted it I joined the Israeli Army. There I learned how to fight and shoot guns. After my time was up seven years ago I have been out hunting them down. They are getting harder and harder to find.” Etana finished and Charles wrapped her in a hug.

It didn’t appear that Finley was going to share anything so Zoe and Justine decided to show her around the house and grounds. They started at the top floors and made their way to Finley’s suite.

“Why is my apartment bare?” Finley asked

“Because this is your home, we left it blank for you to decorate anyway you want to. See I put books here on the table and you can order anything you want. This space is for you and your soul mate to decorate any way you want.” Zoe explained

“And what if he doesn’t like what I do?” Finley asked

“Finley he is made just for you. You and you only, if you wanted to decorate this suite all by yourself, trust me he will love it and feel at home here.” Zoe explained

“I’m scared. I have never had a boyfriend and I have never been interested in having one. I have always just focused on being normal and fitting in.” Finley admitted

“We know. We have done the same our whole lives. Only difference is you had money and people who loved you. Here you can be who you truly are without having to hold back and hide. Let Finley shine.” Justine laughed

“I think I can manage that, but what if his past is bad like your guys? I mean right now I really feel the spoilt brat and hate it. I worried about clothes and shoes, worried about being popular at school and being captain of the swim team. I wanted everyone to be jealous of me to envy me. Mainly because I didn’t want to be the freak, the one they laughed at.” Finley confessed

“It’s hard for both of us to compare with that Finley. We hated being in the lights and people looking at us. We always wanted to be unseen and just blend in. We knew that if they knew what we could do that they would watch us. So when we were alone that is when we let ourselves come out. Do you know what you really like to do? Do you know what the real Finley likes to do?” Zoe asked

“I love animals. I would love to ride a horse and have some. I would love goats and pigs. I would love to have a little farm.” Finley blushed

“We can do that, there is tons of land here, hundreds of miles that are protected within the border. Honestly I would love that too. Maybe we could have Paulo and Adam build some corrals. I know I would love to see how Ben reacts to them. He could be a big help to you Finley.” Justine said

“That is a great idea, but Finley on a farm they also use the animals for food. Would you mind that?” Justine asked

“I don’t think I would, but I would like some that were just for pets too. Apparently my parents have boat loads of money so that won’t be an issue.” Finley stated

“Honey we all have boat loads of money and well it really doesn’t matter at this point who buys them. I will speak with Kaiden and Paulo and have them set up an area and order some things before the animals. We might need to speak with everyone and see who has experience with animals and they could be what I have heard called the ranch hand, basically just someone who works with them all the time and cleans their barns.” Zoe explained

“Yeah I didn’t think about all of that. Not really sure I want to spend the day cleaning up poop.” Finley cringed and they all started to laugh.

After they were all done laughing they continued the tour of the house. Finley was amazed at all the things they had and how many people lived here. She was thinking that she might not ever get bored. She had a suite that she could escape to if she wanted to be alone and the times that she wanted to be around people she could. All the little kids and babies she had seen at breakfast were nowhere to be seen.

“Where are all the little ones that were at breakfast?” Finley wondered aloud

“Oh most are probably sleeping right now it is nap time, but during training Ada and Leon keep them in the playroom that is now somewhat of a daycare. We are headed that way now, I wanted to show you the map anyway.” Zoe explained

“What map?” Finley asked confused

“The other night when I played my guitar it spoke to Maggie. She started screaming for a map and so we got her one. We only had one of Europe, but that didn’t stop her. She marked different color dots on them and we knew right away that the dots were us. Jaco worked his magic and printed out enough to make a world map and now that one has lots of dots on it. Here we are.” Zoe explained

They entered the playroom and Finley saw all the sleeping toddlers and babies, but she was drawn to the map covering a large mirror. There were dots all over Ireland and then a blue one in Brazil. One green was in Afghanistan and another was in Africa. Then there were lots of colored dots all over, but what stood out to her were the half red ones.

“What are the half red ones?” Finley asked

“Those are his sons and this red one here in Alaska is him. This blue one down here in Brazil is your man. We believe that is him because he was one of the first to appear on the map. The night she made the original dots there was only a couple. Yours, your parents, the two green ones, this one and then the orange dot was close to you. She also marked this red one in Australia, but these three are our priority to get now. They are the kids, the last of us.” Zoe stated

“He is all alone.” Finley whispered.

“He is and we need to go find him especially now that you are here. We need to make a plan” Zoe announced

Chapter 14

Search and Rescue Team

Zoe and Kaiden spoke after the girls had come down to the training area. They were planning a big barbeque again and some of the guys were currently bringing down the grills. Kaiden had told Charles and Sebastian that they wanted everyone to attend tonight. They had some plans to make and wanted everyone’s opinion. Tables were being set in a huge circle with the kids tables in the middle.

Zach had worked with Finley a little on helping her control the weather. Once she had looked inside of herself and came to terms with who she really was the control came easy to her. So for tonight she made sure that there were clear skies and the moon shone brightly through. Strings of lights had been put back up and the stereos were brought back out, but they were not playing yet. About four tables were lined up together and food was being placed on them.

There was an assortment of burger, steak, chicken and ribs. At least ten different salads were made and placed around the meat. There were also lots of bags of chips and even dessert was placed on the last table with the plates and utensils. Donny was standing near the tables keeping all the meat nice and hot. Once the last plate was brought to the table the lines formed as people started to make their plates. Kaiden and Zoe waited until everyone was done and then made theirs. Everyone was here, Kaiden and Zoe both enjoyed the moment.

As Kaiden looked around he noticed that most were done with most of their plates and so he stood.

“May I please have everyone’s attention?” All heads looked up to him. “Please continue to eat while I speak I just have a few things to go over with you all. Finley has made a request and I think that it is a very good one. How do you all feel about having farm animals?” The half-blood children immediately went wild and an older man stood. He was in his forties and Kaiden recognized him. “Niall good to see you here” Kaiden greeted.

“I would very much enjoy some animals. The hunts have become hard as there is so many to feed now. Also I have experience working on a farm. I would like to help.” Niall informed them.

“That is very good to hear because that was going to be my next question. Would you mind being the one in charge of the barn and the supplies needed? I surely don’t know what is required.” Kaiden informed Niall.

“I wouldn’t mind at all, I know what you will need and I got my sons here that can work there also. They got nothing else to do.” Niall said looking to his sons, but the two men looked eager to work with animals

“Great I will leave you in charge of ordering the supplies and animals, please also get with Finley and let her tell you what she wants. Also order pigs, chicken and cows in plenty, as we will also use those for food. I know she informed Zoe that she would like some as pets also. Paulo and Adam would you two be kind enough to make some corrals? I will get with Hugh to plan a large barn.”

“No worried there Kaiden, I know just the one to build. I will order it tonight after your speech and have it delivered in the morning.” Hugh announced

“And we would be happy to build corrals and fencing. Those cows are going to need a lot of room. Would you like a mud pit for the pigs?” Paulo asked

“You guys may have free reign over anything you want to do here. This is not just my home. This home belongs to all of us and I want you all to be happy here. So yes I think a mud pit would be wonderful. I also think a pond in the large areas would be good so that they have a constant source of water. Now is there anything else anyone wants before I get on to the big items?” Kaiden asked

“Can we have a water park? I saw one on the computer the other day and it looks like a lot of fun. I mean I need to learn to swim and nothing to deep because I don’t want the little ones to drown, but I think Abby would like it.” Ben asked

“Ben, little man that is a wonderful idea, we can have that worked on. I know our Water Dragons would love to be able to swim all the time, and Finley could I give you a job?” Kaiden asked

“I guess?” She looked at Kaiden confused

“Well you were Captain of a swim team so I was thinking you might be able to teach the little ones. Anyone else can help too. I was just thinking that you might enjoy it more.” Kaiden confessed

“I think I would enjoy that very much.” Finley smiled a radiant smile and her parents beamed next to her. Little Ben was smiling too and Abby was giggling next to him.

“Anyone else?” Kaiden asked the crowd

“I don’t have a huge want, but I was wondering if we could make paths to all the houses and things, and maybe place benches here and there. I like to walk, but my old legs are not what they used to be.” Shari was one of the half-blood adults who chose not to turn a long time ago and was well into her fifties now.

“Of course Shari that was somewhat in the plans, well the paths were. I think Aubry and Cassie love to landscape, so maybe they can help?” Kaiden looked to the two women in question.

“Free reign, right?” Aubry asked

“Free reign” Kaiden agreed

“We got it covered then. I know just what to do.” Cassie announced

“Good, anyone else?” Kaiden asked again. No one stood up and said anything so Kaiden took a deep breath. “Alright, some of you are aware of the map and most have only heard talk of it. Well Maggie definitely marked dots on a map and the dots turned out to be true. Emery and Kendal came to us, but Etana and Finley were still just dots until this morning. Maggie has since added more dots all over the world, but the three I am concerned with most are the blue one in Brazil, the green one in Africa at the northern area and the other green one in Afghanistan. Maggie has also marked all the half-bloods.”

“What I want to do is create two teams. One will be a rescue team and the other will be a hunting team. The three dots that we need to retrieve first are in remote locations with no other dots near them, so Zoe and I will be on that team. Finley I would like you to come with us to Brazil at least. If you do not want to come to get the others I will understand we can drop the two of you off before we go get the others. Would anyone else like to come with the rescue party?” Kaiden asked

“Gabe and I are in.” Justine announced

“John and I are too, I know Mom and Dad are going to throw a fit when I try and volunteer for the hunting one, so we will save them the stress.” Tia announced

“If Finley goes we go to. We will also stay on to get the others.” Emery stated

“Ok rescue team covered, anymore and we won’t have enough seats for the ones we need to get. Now the hunting team, Alex I’m not sure if I want you going on this team. They won’t feel us until we are right on them and there is no one to rescue, so I would feel better if you stayed. However I would like either Vivi and Christian or Alexi and Gosha to be on it. I am sorry Ada and Leon, but I do not feel that you are ready to go out of the border. There are eight seats on the jet so I need six more.” Kaiden announced

“I will go.” Etana stated

“And I go where she goes.” Charles stated

“Daddy no!” Penny pleaded

Etana turned to look at Penny with nothing but compassion on her face. She took the girls face in her hands and told her, “Penny I will protect him and bring him back to you safe and sound. I would die a thousand deaths if I lost another soul mate, so you can guarantee nothing will happen to him. He has more to live for than I do.”

“I don’t want you to go either. You also have me to live for too and future babies. I would like a brother.” Penny cried softly while Etana and Charles wrapped her in their arms.

“We will go.” Carmine stated and he and Ava stood

“And us.” Colby and Makayla stated simultaneously

“We would love to go too, but with Tia and John going I would rather wait here in case anything happens.” Camilla announced

“We will be the healers on this mission, they are my brothers and we are better fighters that Alexi and Gosha.” Vivi turned to Alexi “I will make sure I bring him home safely.”

“Thank you” Gosha told her while Alexi nodded.

“Alright we have our teams. We will leave the day after tomorrow. Hunting team I would like you all to train together tomorrow, learn each other’s weaknesses and where the other might need help. I would also like some of you men to plan some surprise attacks on them. Try to take them down. Jaco can you get us coordinates for the three we are to rescue? Kevin will fly the rescue team and Seamus will fly the hunting team. Seamus you may hunt or you may stay on the jet. It is up to you on what you want to do. The only thing I ask is that you do not kill anyone innocent of our fight. Also try not to do it in public.” Kaiden warned

“No one will be harmed but the ones we are hunting.” Etana informed him

“Thank you. Now let’s all get a good night’s sleep some of us have a long day of training and others need to plan.” Kaiden announced.

Everyone stood and started to help with the cleaning. Once the tables were clear and the area cleaned up everyone headed to their room to be alone.