When Duncan removed his hand, Owen vanished into nether-space. He turned around and, though he couldn’t see Owen, Duncan could feel him moving around the entire perimeter of the workout center. He knew exactly where he was though he wasn’t certain why.
He felt him stop behind Joshua, and wasn’t surprised when he suddenly materialized then tapped Joshua on the shoulder.
Josh turned around Owen, startled. “Unbelievable.”
Duncan shifted in Merl’s direction. “I could sense where he was. Is that normal?”
Merl dipped his chin. “Because you’ve been through the process and you’ve served together as warriors, you’ll be able to sense him, the others as well, you’ll see.”
To Owen, Merl said, “Normally, I’d have each of you take a turn showing another warrior, but I want Duncan to do it. Because of his extraordinary battle visions, he’ll be the hub of our team probably for as long as we’re together. You’ll each want a strong connection to him since I suspect it won’t be long before he can share his visions with us, maybe even simultaneously.
Merl turned back to Duncan. “Now get Joshua on board.”
Over the next few minutes, Duncan went down the line and worked with Josh, Alex, and Luken. Each time, Jean-Pierre assisted with his usual power boost, though he admitted he knew the grayle ability wasn’t in his wheelhouse yet. It was clear to Duncan the black ops team had special parameters that even so powerful a warrior as Jean-Pierre couldn’t cross. The team was meant for Third and Jean-Pierre would stay behind to continue building the powers of the Militia Warriors on Second.
By the time the entire team had performed what had been an impossible move only a night earlier, the hour was late and dawn wasn’t far away. Luken suggested they retire to the black Ops Cave.
Duncan held Rachel’s hand as together they walked in the direction of the team’s private rec center. His body hummed with renewed energy. He couldn’t remember feeling this ramped up in a long time.
Part of him wanted to take Rachel straight home. The brief time alone with her while she shielded him had made up his mind; he’d share her bed from now on.
But as much as he was ready to get busy with her, another part of him knew the importance of taking a half hour or so with the team to shake off the night’s adrenaline.
He went straight to the bar and started to mix Rachel a Vodka tonic, one of her favorite drinks, but she caught his arm. “I only want water. Lately, I just haven’t been able to handle much else.”
He frowned at her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She lowered her voice. “I think I’m just not used to all the training and battling. I’ve also been nauseous off and on for a couple of weeks. I know it’ll pass once I’ve adjusted.”
“Water, then?”
“That would be great.”
As he put ice in a tumbler and filled up the glass from a New Zealand bottle, he looked her over. The skin below her eyes had a faint bluish tinge, but otherwise she looked really good, healthy.
She’d been through an awful lot and he hadn’t made things easier for her at all. But they were together now, and he could work at doing his part. “Here ya go.”
“Thanks.”
He poured himself a Bourbon County Stout. As soon as Luken had commandeered the space, he’d had a few cases imported from Mortal Earth. He joined Rachel at the table in the corner, sat down and began the process of letting the night go. It was hard to do, knowing Katlynn and Merl’s What-Bee team were imprisoned. None of them were far from his thoughts and even now, the vision once more played through his head of seeing the men chained up and the woman controlled with the lavender veil.
He’d been under the thumb of their captor, which tended to increase his need to set them all free. Yet, he could feel within his soul the time wasn’t right. The future had to play out in a specific way in order for his visions to be of use.
“Hey,” Rachel said, extending her hand across the table. “What’s set your jaw to grinding?”
Taking her hand, he hesitated telling her. But as he saw the concern in her lovely, blue eyes, he recalled his promise to make an effort. “Yolanthe’s prisoners.”
A faint smile curved her lips. “I’ve been thinking about them as well, and I can’t wait to head into the Third grid and get this job done.”
“Me, too. For now, though, it’s tough to stop the tape playing over and over in my head.”
“Finish your beer, because I can think of at least one way to distract you.” She lowered her voice. “You game?”
Catching the directio
n of her thoughts, his heartrate soared. “Hell, yeah, I’m game.”
~