Shadowed (28 page)

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"Dang," Ashe breathed as he stared at the suspended battle between warlocks, witches and the community. He and Ren had traveled to Cloud Chief's entrance after dumping their other cargo in a field on the far side of Cordell. "What am I gonna tell them—about Edward and the others?" Ashe turned to Ren.

"You won't have to tell them anything. Do you recall your game—the one in which automobiles exploded?" Ren asked, his bright blue eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Yeah," Ashe nodded.

"Watch this," Ren held out a hand and each empty SUV exploded in a fireball, making no sound at all. Debris rained down without touching any Cloud Chief resident. It even missed the witches and warlocks—those that still lived, anyway. Only two of those remained at the moment, although Winkler was about to take down the witch while Ashe's father held the warlock in a stranglehold.

"All will believe that the others perished in these blasts," Ren said. "Including the Director. You must keep this secret to yourself, young Ashe, or the children might still be in peril and our work to keep them safe count for nothing. There is one last thing," Ren went on. "The next gate you open upon this planet will be the last gate you open upon Earth. Make sure it counts. Good-bye, friend." Ren bent down and embraced Ashe tightly before disappearing. Ashe stared around him as the action resumed.

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Ashe and Sali watched somberly as the funeral procession was displayed on television. A journalist spoke about the service that Director Bill Jennings had rendered to the country before giving his life in the line of duty. Ashe's skin tingled slightly as the journalist mentioned Anthony Hancock, Director Jennings' predecessor, who had also died in the line of duty. Ashe pretended not to notice when Sali wiped his eyes.

Everyone in the community believed the children and their parents dead, and there were no announcements or news coverage of their demise. Even an altered account of Director Jennings' death was given—that he'd died in an explosion with his assistant, Vince Jordan. Ashe mourned with Dori, Wynn and the others, only for a different reason—he missed Edward and the others and had no idea where they'd been taken. He trusted Ren, though, and believed they were in a safe place for perhaps the first time in their lives. At first, it was difficult keeping the secrets from Sali and the others, but he held them inside and it became easier over time. And he found himself hoping that somewhere, someday, he might see the half-Elemaiyan children again.

After the battle at Cloud Chief's gate, the Cordell Fire Department had somehow been misdirected to a field west of town, where evidence of a grass fire was found. Fortunately, the fire was already out when the firefighters arrived. Ashe figured it was the aftermath of the battle between the strange men he'd dumped there before all disappeared.

Somehow, too, the body of Philip's father had disappeared. Deciding that Ren had somehow managed that in addition to many other things, Ashe thought he might be in the clear—at least for a little while. As to the reason and purpose behind the shield being taken down, Aedan and Nathan had questioned the only living warlock after the battle, and he'd spouted off some wandering tale of revenge against Paul Harris, saying that Paul had offered him money for services in the past and then had never paid. The warlock seemed much surprised to learn that Mr. Harris had perished a year earlier.

The warlock was turned over to the Spell-Caster's Consortium for judgment and punishment afterward, for violating their laws. And somehow, the witch's barrier surrounding Cloud Chief had magically repaired itself. The last thing to come about was Jane Scott and Nick Lawford's waking in an Oklahoma City hospital, with no memory of what had transpired in and around Cloud Chief and Cordell.

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Two days before Ashe's fourteenth birthday, Ashe walked along the path where the mobile homes had stood. None survived the battle between the Dark and Light Elemaiya and Nathan, Aedan, Trace and Jason had all pitched in to clean up the debris. Ashe kicked at a few clumps of dirt and grass as he contemplated what had happened in such a short span of time.

Things were settling into a normal routine; he and his mother were back to work at Cordell Feed and Seed and Chump and Wormy were locked up in a windowless house for the rest of the summer. Word had it that both boys snarled and spit at the ones assigned to take meals and clean clothing, including Diane and Neil Booth. Ashe shook his head over so much disrespect. Chad and Jeremy had nobody to blame except themselves.

The community breathed ragged, relieved sighs over the whole thing and Winkler, Trace, Roger and Toby had gone back to Dallas. Jason stayed behind and asked Sali's Aunt Marcie to marry him. She said yes. The wedding was scheduled in August and the community was already making preparations.

Ashe waded through knee-high grass where Edward's mobile home had stood. Now, only the outline of the foundation was evident, while new grass attempted to consume the imprints. "I wish I knew where you were, Edward," Ashe sighed. "I hope you're safe and happy."

Sali trotted up beside Ashe, panting a little since he'd run from his house as wolf. Ashe didn't speak to the young werewolf at first, pondering instead the beautiful woman he'd seen on the other side of his gate. Her image ran through his mind, as did her silent words for him. He also weighed Ren's final warnings. Had he ever thought of not befriending the tall, blue youth?
Thanks
,
Ren
, Ashe sent out in silent gratitude. There was no reply.

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Epilogue

"So, young Renegar, have you learned something from your study of the Elemaiya?" Nefrigar smiled down at his brother's child. Nefrigar, Keeper of the Larentii Archives, was ancient, although his appearance belied that fact.

"Yes, Uncle," the nine-year-old Larentii child smiled back at his only uncle as he handed over a tiny crystal data chip. "You know the Legend of the Ir'Indicti?"

"Of course. We hold a copy of the H'Morr here in our Archives. Why do you ask such a question, child?"

"Because I found him. I saw the Ir'Indicti, Uncle." Nefrigar almost dropped the data chip, he was so stunned.

The End

Ashe's adventures will continue in
Target
(Legend of the Ir'Indicti #3)

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About the Author:

Connie Suttle lives in Oklahoma with her patient, long-suffering husband and three cats.

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For information on upcoming titles, please visit Connie's website at www.subtledemon.com, her blog at subtledemon.blogspot.com or find her on her Facebook page—Connie Suttle Author. She is also on twitter: @subtledemon.