A grin split his features. Those bronze eyes still held some of the old twinkle in them. “Don’t you dare treat me like an invalid.” Massive arms opened and he held his own weight as Lallielle and Grantham stepped aside.
I ran into him, wrapping my arms tightly around his broad back. The scents of home, Walker, and princeps surrounded me. Technically Josian was no longer the princeps, but nothing official had stripped him of that title, and I could still feel the mantle of leadership on him. He was the true princeps and every Walker knew it. It was why the current stand-in princeps of Doreen was so pissed off and trying to throw his domination around. Like that would ever control Walkers. They had to respect you and respect had to be earned.
I don’t know how long I stood there in my father’s arms. I probably could have stayed in his comforting embrace forever, hoping like all little girls that their parents would shield them from the horrors of the world. It was only as he stumbled against me that I remembered he was weak and needed rest.
“I love you, Dad,” I said as I leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. He had to drop his head for me to reach. “You rest and I’ll see you either at Angelisian or the dark mountain.”
He raised a hand and cupped one side of my face. “I’m so proud of you. No matter how this ends up, know that you exceed every single expectation I had of how incredible you would be. You’re a shining star, gifted to your mother and me. We’re blessed.”
I blinked a few times, a wash of emotional heat surging over me, bringing with it a sprinkle of tears. Those words touched me deep in my heart, in a place which I had shut off for most of my life on Earth. I’d had no idea of my parents then, thinking that I’d been abandoned. Wondering who they were and if I had a family out there. I’d never had anyone be proud of me in this way, and it meant so much to hear it.
Before I could splutter out any of my half-formed, random and emotional thoughts, Josian dropped a kiss on my forehead and then turned to grasp onto his best friend’s arm. Grantham took the strain with ease.
“I’ll stay with Jos and Lallielle for a while. I’ve let my second know and he’s keeping me abreast of the situation at the dark mountains.” Grantham addressed me as if I were one of the war council.
Almost as if I were the leader and he was apprising me of his plans.
I’d noticed recently that more and more of this type of Walker respect was being thrown my way. I knew it was in part to do with my melding bond with Brace. I was legitimately one of the leaders of Abernath now. But, more importantly, I was a half-Walker. A mythical creature. And the only hope our worlds had of not turning into an energy soup for the Seventine.
I was humbled to think that my actions had garnered respect from these powerful and ancient beings. Despite my many mistakes, I must be doing something right.
Brace laughed in my mind. Yep, he said, you’re adorable.
I wrinkled my nose at him, but didn’t bother arguing with his words. We all left the basement then. Grantham was practically carrying Josian, Lallielle on his other side. I could see my proud father would only allow so much help; he was too alpha to let go of control completely.
Our progress was slow. It was annoying that no doorways could be opened this side of the river on Abernath. Hmmm. No doorways, but I wondered if I could trace. It was worth a shot. The three of them were already touching, so I just reached out and linked my hand with my mother. She squeezed my palm. I didn’t clue any of them in, just in case it didn’t work. I didn’t need to close my eyes anymore. I just brought forth a mental picture – the white living room, with the large windows facing the beach – and reach for one of the shiny tethers which littered the space.
With a whoosh our group was pulled through time and space; it took no longer than a heartbeat, but it sometimes felt like an eternity. I almost laughed when I got my first glance of their open-mouthed faces.
“Sorry,” I gasped, still trying not to laugh. “I didn’t actually expect that to work on Abernath.”
Grantham was the first to recover. His booming voice didn’t sound angry, so I think he was okay with my forced tracing. “You should know by now that you’re not bound by the same rules as the rest of us.”
I did know that, but being one of a kind made it difficult to know what my rules were. I was kind of just winging it and hoping for the best.
“Thank you, baby girl. That was much better than trekking across Qu … Brace’s world.” Josian’s drawn features lifted.
Where did you go, sweetheart? Brace was just teasing me. He’d sensed my intentions before I’d traced. He hadn’t known if it would work either.
Be right back. “I’ve got to go now. We’re going to the dark mountains to check on the half-Walkers and then straight to Earth. The last girl is calling to me.” Like a dutiful daughter, I updated my parentals on my comings and goings. “Stay safe and call me if any trouble comes around.”