True Fate (21 page)

Aaron sat with his legs outstretched and Nia's
peaceful form laying in his arms. He rocked her like a baby slow and gentle,
he'd never been so scared.

"Nia, please... come back to Me," he
whispered brushing her hair out of her face.

Nia thought as hard as she could directing
comfort and even love towards Aaron, 'I'm alright, Aaron. It's okay.’ she
whispered into the bond. 'Tell them I'm fine.’ she sent. She felt him relax and
the darkness began to lift. She saw a pale blue sky forming overhead and felt
grass come up through her outstretched palms. She was laid softly down on the
grass courtesy of the wind. She sat and tried to focus but her eyes had a hard
time adjusting. What looked like the form of a woman was walking towards her.

Aaron spoke somewhat defeated, "She says
she's okay. And to tell you", he said looking at Eric, "she's okay.
She sounded very, um, relaxed.” he said searching for the word.

Darragh smiled and Eric nodded a tight nod and
began to pace. "Darragh explain, now.” he said through gritted teeth.

###

"You may want to sit down." Darragh
said with a nod.

"Oh my darling Nia! I am so happy to finally
meet you!” the dark haired woman said to her offering a hand to help her up.
Nia took it and slowly stood.

"Why am I here?” Nia asked.

"There are things you need to know and I am
going to tell you.” she said simply smiling radiantly. "Shall we sit?” she
asked.

"Okay.", Nia replied sounding a bit
reluctant.

"Please do not worry my dear I mean you no
harm.” she assured her.

"I'm Deirdre, your grandmother.” she said as
if everyone should know.

Nia blinked, "What... my.... are you sure?”
she asked dumbfounded.

"Yes and if you stop thinking and feel right
here…” she said placing a hand on Nia's abdomen, "you will know it beyond
any shadow of doubt. You have many untapped abilities my dear,” Deirdre added
in a matter of fact tone.

Nia stood there stunned, the woman she was
looking at didn't look a day over twenty five, beautiful silky hair and fair
flawless skin. "Ahh! I see you have the ring, good, good! That must be
what brought you to me. Hmmm.” she said tapping her chin as she thought,
interrupting Nia's wonder about what she was seeing.

"I'm glad I'm meeting you, Deirdre, really,
but what abilities are we talking about? And aren't you a little young to be a
grandmother?” Nia asked tilting her head eyeing the woman skeptically.

"Oh, thank you, age is not an issue or
rather aging, not for me anyway. You will learn about that soon enough! Now!
Where were we? Oh yes! You my dear have an affinity for all four of the
elements. You possess the ability to manipulate, gain strength from and use the
elements.” she said proudly.

Nia's jaw dropped. Her grandmother laughed a
musical, beautiful sound.

"Okay, go on.” Nia said slowly.

"Well, you also have the ability to see the
difference clearly between truth and lies though that will take some practice.
You also have the ability to invade another's mind if you choose to and see
things they are hiding as well. Then there's compulsion, that's a doozy.” she
said glancing at Nia mischievously.

"Oh! And you are a Dream Weaver too, not to
mention a Dream Walker.", she said bouncing like an excited child.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down.” Nia almost begged
as her grandmother squeezed her into a tight hug.

###

When Darragh explained that she'd been summoned
by Deirdre, Avery and Eric gasped in unison, jaws dropping.

Aaron was just confused as Darragh explained she
had the ability to share things none of them could with Nia, although she
couldn't tell her, her exact lineage or what she indeed was besides human or
the details of her destiny.

"How long is she going to be out?” Aaron asked.

"There's no way to know exactly.” Darragh
said with a sigh.

###

"Wow, seriously?” Nia asked with doubt
creeping in.

"Oh yes, I assure you. Just tell your protector
and he can show you how to hone these skills.” she said with a smile.

"Okay, I will. Grandmother or Deirdre?” not
sure what to call the stranger who just told her this overwhelming bit of info.
"Are you alive?” Nia asked embarrassed.

Her grandmother frowned, "Well dear, there
are many forms of life. I am with you always now though, my essence in that
family ring is one of my gifts to you and there are actually a few family rings
out there. That one happened to belong to my sister. Hmmm… Oh yes! Our future
and the future of our people depends on you Nia.” she said smiling sweetly at
Nia.
 

Unsure why but Nia felt like she should believe
her. "Please, please, no matter what anyone tells you just know that I was
indeed, pure of heart and am on the side of good.” she continued sadly.

Nia had tears forming in her eyes, she was happy
she had this time with the grandmother she never knew.

"Your warrior or Guardian rather is of a
truly royal descent, you know. I think you must both be careful and do not tell
anyone other than him about that bit of information, though I'm sure Rhiannon
will inform him of this much.", she said biting the inside of her lip and
trying to gage Nia's thoughts.

"Okay, I promise.” was all Nia could think
to say.

"Our time is up for now my dear but I am
with you now and always. The daggers will conceal themselves with a glamour
that has been placed on the ring and it’s an ancient magick and will hold
indefinitely. Never take it off Nia, no matter what or no matter who tells you
to at least not until you see Amarie. That's very important. You also need to keep
those weapons on you at all times.” she said placing a hand on Nia's shoulder.

"Come.", she said simply and Nia
followed. She had a million questions, like does my mom not know her true
identity or why did they pick her, but she couldn't decide what she wanted to
know most and their time was over.

Deirdre gave her one last teary eyed smile and a
squeeze, "I have faith in you Nia. We will meet again soon, but for now I
must go, just relax... relax.” Deirdre said, her voice resounding through Nia's
being as everything lit up then faded to black.

###

Eric had taken her from Aaron and brought her to
his room where he, Avery and Darragh left Aaron to wait by her side. He was
tense and trying his best not to panic when Nia's phone rang. He reached in her
hoodie pocket, it was Rhea. He debated for a second then answered.

"Hello?” he said uncertain.

"Aaron?” she asked taken aback by getting
him instead of Nia.

"Umm... Why are you answering Nia's phone?”
she asked suspiciously.

"Oh, she went to the bathroom and left it on
the table, we're getting lunch.” he said as calmly as he could. "I just
didn't want you to worry about her. She said you tend to do that.” he added
quickly.

"Oh-okay well just tell her to call as soon
as possible okay.” she said.

"Okay I will, bye,” he hung up quickly
before her nosy nature took over and he couldn't lie to her anymore.

Nia's eyes fluttered and she yawned.

"Nia, thank God!” he said softly caressing
her cheek.

She turned to him eyes squinting with a smile.
She sat up slowly and put her arms around his neck squeezing him tight.
"Did you miss me?” she asked softly.

He rubbed his hand down her back. "You know
it, beautiful.” he said softly into her hair, he really did love that
strawberry smell.

"Nia.", Eric said breathless as he
burst through the door. Aaron and Nia pulled away from each other.

"I said I was okay Eric.” she said smiling. He
nodded and let out a deep breath.

"Come in and make us a bubble. We need to
talk.” she said.

Eric closed the door behind him telling Avery
through their bond,
'Keep Darragh busy. She's awake.',
as he projected
out the bubble with ease.

"Okay we're good.” he said nodding to Nia.

She grabbed Aaron's hand trying to keep his
jealousy at bay with the three of them this close. "I met my grandma and
she says I have abilities Eric can help me hone.” she looked at the two of
them.

"Okay?” Aaron said as Nia explained her
visit with Deirdre.

###

"So Darragh what's the plan once Nia comes
back?” she asked him trying at nonchalant. "Well we find out what we are
to know. I truly have no idea why she summoned her I was only directed to give
her what is rightfully hers.” he said like it was really no big deal.

"Oh, okay.” she said standing there
awkwardly. He looked at her curiously, "Well I am going to go put my
things in the car, then I will check on Nia.” he said.

"Cool.", Avery said. She hurried
upstairs as Darragh went to his room which thankfully was downstairs.

She walked into Eric's empty room but felt a low
hum telling her he was here. "Eric.", she whispered loudly. The
bubble flashed in and out of focus and she understood.

"He's coming.” she said quickly. She went to
the bathroom to gather her stuff, they'd be leaving soon, they’d need to find
another spot to stay.

Nia explained it all and Aaron was speechless, only
finding comfort in their proximity.

"Darragh's coming if you left anything out
save it for later or send it through the bonds. I can show you later how to
link the three of us together.” he touched the bubble and it disappeared.

The door opened slightly, Darragh peeking his
head in. "Nia, I trust you are well rested.” he said demurely.

"Yes, thank you.” she said giving him a
smile. She knew he would protect her despite everyone's lack of trust for him
guessing it was perhaps the ability she had to tell truth from lies.

"Oh Nia, Rhea called you and I kind of
answered. I'm sorry but I panicked. I told her that we were at lunch and you
were in the bathroom.” Aaron said quickly.

Nia laughed then grabbed her phone immediately
and called Rhea back. "Hey Rae. Sorry our food came when he told me. Yea
okay. Duh, of course. Okay see you soon. Bye.” she sighed hanging up the phone.
"That could have been disastrous.” she said with certainty.

"She barely knows you Aaron she could have
called the cops or the FBI if she thought anything was wrong. She means well,
really.” she said wide eyed, picturing her face on the evening news.

“Sorry.” Aaron said again.

“It’s okay. Really,” she assured him.

Eric and Avery left the room after Darragh and
Nia stood and stood close enough for Aaron to feel her warm breath on his
cheek.

"Mmhm.", he murmured feeling dizzy from
the scent of her, stepping even closer and placing his hands on her hips. She
leaned in and kissed him softly. "Let's go.” she said pulling away.

They made their way to the living room where
Darragh was readying her daggers. He showed her how to secure them to her. He
also showed her how to summon them to her. She was giddy with that power and
couldn't wait to tap into her other newfound abilities.

Darragh had Nia try it one more time as she
concealed her weapons and Aaron looked on.

"That was great Nia.” he said smiling that
goofy Aaron smile.

Darragh handed her the case they were in,
"They can go in this case which will also become invisible if they're
inside.” He turned and looked to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything.