Awakening the Mare (Fall of Man Book 1) Read online

  My eyes closed. “That’s why Davis is cautious.”

  “My sister didn’t mean it. It took everything from her. She lived another year, but was never the same. No one knows where the Day Stalkers came from, how they got here, but they did.”

  “If Davis knows this, then why is he dismissing my warning?”

  Marie shook her head. “Maybe he’s scared. I don’t know. But you need to be prepared. You need to find another way.”

  “Did they ever send another warning?”

  “No. I think they thought they got her, because after the attack, she stopped using her gifts.”

  “Should I go back to Akana?” I asked. “Maybe I should leave.”

  “That’s not why I brought you here, Vala. I didn’t bring you here to drive you away and make you go back. I brought you here to be prepared. To learn from my sister’s mistakes. To show you the gift of sight. You can do it.”

  “How?”

  “You can’t fight what you don’t know,” Marie stated. “I brought you here not only to experience my memories but to experience the memories of this town, live that fateful day, learn from that day. Pick up everything you can from here, and find a way to fight the Day Stalkers.”

  “So you think they are coming?” I asked.

  “You received a warning, Vala. It wasn’t a dream, it wasn’t a ploy. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ they come,” Marie said, grabbing my hands. “It’ s matter of when.”

  43. The Quarrel

  In all my years, though not many, I have never heard people argue or yell at each other. To be fueled by so much emotion that they project negative energy all around them.

  Davis was that angry.

  He was speaking in a stern voice unlike any I had never heard from him, nor would I have ever expected he would use with Marie.

  “What were you thinking?” Before she could answer, he said the same thing to her as he did to me days earlier. “You weren’t thinking.”

  Marie wasn’t me; she didn’t respond like me either. Her left eyebrow raised and her hand swung out. “Don’t you dare take that tone with me, Mathew Davis. I am not your flunky, your inferior, your grunt, or a child. I am your elder and you will respect me, you hear me?”

  I mentally cheered Marie on as she stood up to Davis, though I didn’t understand how it had come to an eruption of arguing. We returned to Lyons Estates relatively quickly, just before lunch. I was squashing grapes with Mindy in the bin, stomping our feet to music, when Davis showed up.

  At first I thought he was mad because I was stomping and smashing grapes instead of picking them.

  “Get out of there, Vala. Clean up and meet me inside.” He turned and walked away.

  Then I saw Tanner. I thought perhaps he had told on me for not picking grapes. After I washed my feet and arrived back at Marie’s house, Davis asked. “Were you two at Rio?”

  I didn’t know the meaning of Rio.

  Marie said nothing and I pled pure ignorance of the question.

  “Don’t try to cover, Tanner told me.”

  Marie scoffed. “How would Tanner know?”

  “Well, for starters, he said Vala wasn’t in the field. Then he told me that the horses were gone and so were you two. So I sent him looking. Were you at Rio City?”

  “Yep,” Marie answered.

  Then Davis did his ‘what were you thinking’ bit.

  After Marie scolded him to ‘respect her’, I believed that was it. End of Argument.

  But no. Davis yelled right back at her, “I will respect you when you follow the rules. This was against the rules.”

  “What was so wrong?” Marie asked. “We aren’t prisoners. We can go and do what we want.”

  “I cannot protect you if you leave the province, Marie. I can’t.”

  “I didn’t need your protection, I had Vala.” Marie folded her arms, never flinching or backing down. I realized at that moment I had so much to learn from her. She was strong and unwavering.

  Davis growled.

  “Don’t you growl at me, young man. I mean it. And if we are finished, I have wine to make and Vala has grapes to stomp.”

  “I’m not done. Why did you go?”

  “Because she needed to know about Day Stalkers."

  “And taking her to a graveyard was the answer?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Vala,” Davis said, “did you learn anything?” he asked, his question laced with sarcasm.

  “As a matter of fact, I did.”

  “You two are frustrating! Marie, you know how valuable she is and you have her squashing grapes.”

  “She’s having fun. Fun. She is not just a weapon. She is a person with abilities. You need to start treating her like a person. Like a woman, Davis. A part of me thinks you view her as some robotic thing and not a human.”

  “Oh, I do not. Stop. And stop acting like some overdramatic hormonal female trying to protect her helpless child.”

  Marie gasped. “Well it’s better than acting like some small minded hick dictator sending his flunky wonder boy to do his dirty work.”

  “This is ridiculous.”

  “Yes it is. You are telling us what we can and cannot do. For a man who wants to fight so diligently to give us our freedom from the Sybaris, you certainly are taking liberties to secure that only you control our freedom.”

  Davis opened his mouth to speak, closed it and then shook his head. “I’m done. This is out of control. Everything I do, Marie, it’s not done as a power trip. We are the minority. I need us safe. I just want to have us all close so I know we’re safe. That’s all.” He snapped his finger at Tanner. “Let’s go, wonder boy.”

  Once he had gone, I asked Marie. “Why was he so angry?”

  “I think Davis still feels guilty about what happened in Rio. So he buried the town. In doing so, he is trying to bury what he believes was his mistake.”

  “You’re very good,” I said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean so strong. I never have heard a woman face off with a man like that. Well, Ethel and Fred. But not in my real life. I want to be like you, Marie.”

  Marie smiled gently at me. “That means a lot. Thank you.”

  “Well, I want to go finish the grapes. We have a lot to squash.”

  “Go on, I’ll be right there.”

  “You’re going to watch us?”

  “Oh, no, I’m angry and I need to stomp out some of that frustration. I’m washing my feet then I will be out there.”

  That made me laugh and I was thrilled that she was going to join me and Mindy. Marie was amazing and I didn’t want to sound infatuated with her, but I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what made her so internally powerful and not afraid. How did she get like that? She was one person I wanted to see face off with Nito.

  I’d give up a pint of blood to see that.

  Perhaps as she stomped her anger out on the fruit she could teach me and Mindy a thing or two, because what she possessed as a woman was rare in the aftermath of the event, and a quality we all needed to get back.

  44. Almost

  Patrolling the night before was more like planning. Everyone was preparing for the full moon. I couldn’t believe I had been in Angeles City for nearly a month. It had been a month since I had physically seen my mother, though I visited my sister through projections all the time.

  There was talk about having the children be by me since the Savage Sybaris avoided me, that I was a sense of protection. Davis asked me to promise that if I were responsible for the children, I would keep my cool. I knew what he meant by that. Marie said she would be with me to ensure I did the right thing.

  I was glad they were civil to each other. Then again, by the evening following the argument, Davis was over for dinner and they acted as if nothing had transpired.

  Me, I couldn’t stop being mad at Tanner, and this time it had nothing to do with the girl he kissed.

  There was a word I learned from Full House.
<
br />   Tattletale. And Tanner was certainly that.

  It was all hands on deck that morning after patrol. The fields needed tending and the grapes were on that verge between ripe and rotten. It was a hearty harvest, so there were a lot of us in Marie’s vineyard.

  Children darted in and out. They’d steal the grapes and eat them. Tanner followed me and I could hear Marie laughing. She must have known how he irked me.

  “What did you call me?” Tanner asked.

  I balanced my basket while I picked. “A tattletale. A big fat tattletale.”

  “I am so not fat.”

  “Now who is being literal?” I asked.

  “You know, I think I liked you better when you were clueless and spoke wrong.”

  “I liked you better when I didn’t know much about you.” I reached for grapes.

  “I think the problem is, you like me more.”

  “What?” I laughed.

  “Yeah, you like me.”

  “If I did, I don’t anymore. You have a girlfriend.”

  “I do not,” he argued.

  “You do. I… I was practicing projecting and I saw you and some girl on the beach. You kissed her.”

  “Yeah, so?” Tanner shrugged. “That doesn’t mean she’s my girlfriend.”

  “So you fraternize with promiscuous women?”

  Tanner laughed hard. “She is not promiscuous. It was just kissing. Geez. Lighten up. She has a boyfriend.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Your lack of morals shock me.”

  “Oh my God.” He laughed again. “Vala, she has a boyfriend now, not then. Okay? And it was nothing.”

  “So you used her.”

  Tanner brought his hand to his face with a slap. “I didn’t use her. I was bored, she was bored, it was something to do. I wanted to make out. If you were around I would have asked you.”

  “I am not a slut.”

  Tanner shrieked a laugh. “That’s hysterical. You aren’t a slut if you kiss and I like that you know that word.”

  “Blame ALF.”

  “I will. But I would have.”

  “Would have what?”

  “Invited you out.” He playfully nudged me.

  “I wouldn't have accepted.”

  “Yes, you would have.”

  “No, I wouldn’t.”

  “Yep, you would. You would have said,” then Tanner changed his voice to a high and feminine one in an attempt to mock me, “Oh, Tanner, I would love to have you be my first kiss.”

  I gasped.

  Tanner smiled. “You like me. Admit it. That’s why you got jealous.”

  “No.” I turned and continued picking grapes.

  “I like you.”

  I stopped and looked at him.

  “I do. How can I not? You’re pretty awesome.”

  My stomach fluttered and I was frozen in a moment of shock. I would have said something, made a comment, but the moment was broken when a high squealing sound not only drew my attention, but the others in the field.

  Marie called out, “Why am I hearing air brakes?”

  “Air brakes?” I asked.

  Tanner replied, “That’s the sound. It’s coming from out there.” He pointed east and toward the edge of Lyons Estates.

  “Are we expecting a truck?” Marie asked.

  Tanner shook his head. “Not that I know of.”

  I searched for the noise, and located the source as the squeal grew higher pitched and stopped. It came from the eastern edge of Lyon Estates. Whatever made the noise was shiny, reflecting the sun. “There.” I pointed.

  “It’s a semi,” Tanner said.

  It was a truck, big and long, and the back end was facing us. It was just parked there as if someone just brought it and dropped it off.

  Tanner took a few steps forward, as did Marie and I. As we moved, the sun blindness subsided a bit and the truck was less masked.

  Two figures appeared beside the back of the truck. They were still somewhat shadowed by the sun, but I could make them out.

  “Ancients,” I said. “They look like Ancient soldiers. They’re here for me.”

  Before anyone could say anything, a third, smaller and slender figure appeared.

  Tanner drew his bow.

  Marie held out her hand. “They’re too far. You have to get closer.”

  Tanner nodded and walked forward. I joined him. I was going to fight for my freedom. The slender figure climbed to the top of the truck. It was clear it was a woman and even more clear… it was Nito.

  I spun around to Marie. “That’s Nito!”

  Marie grunted. “She is not coming anywhere near you.” She charged forward.

  Tanner was ready to shoot, I was ready to fight, and Marie was prepared to take on Nito.

  “Vala!” Nito shouted. “You have been warned.”

  We stopped to rethink our strategy.

  Nito opened the back of the truck and out poured hundreds of Day Stalkers – charging our way.

  45. Day Stalkers

  It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Why would I? The closest thing I came to a full blown attack was when the Savages pounced on us at the beach. Tanner had never experienced anything like it either, and I saw it clearly on his face.

  How many Day Stalkers did she have in the truck? They flowed out and ran our way though the high grass of the fields. They didn’t move like Savage Sybaris, they stood upright and were superfast. When the last of the Day Stalkers came from the truck, Nito jumped down. Focused on me, she followed behind the Day Stalkers as if they were her wall of protection.

  “Everybody back!” Marie shouted. “Run!”

  I moved backwards, unsure of what to do. Did I go and hide in the retreat room or stay and fight?

  I heard the scream of a child as he ran. That’s when it dawned on me. We had to protect the children.

  “Mindy!” I hollered to her. She stood frozen, seemingly in shock. “Go to the house. Get in the retreat room, now!” I ordered and backed up.

  Mindy acknowledged what I said with a nod of her head.

  “Vala, what are you able to do?” Tanner asked. “Are you powerless against them or can you fight? I need to know.”

  “I… I don’t know.”

  “She isn’t powerless against them,” Marie said, “but we need to take the kids now. Now! Go warn the villagers, hurry!” she instructed Tanner.

  Her words spurred me to action. I spun around and took off running. “Tanner!” I yelled for when I saw him still standing there. “Come on!”

  “I’m gonna fight them,” Tanner said.

  I ran back to him, grabbed his arm, and yanked. “You can’t! Not alone. Help me warn the people, and once you get the kids get to safety, you need to go get Davis. That’s all you can do.”

  “What about you?”

  I looked over my shoulder at Nito, so assured and confident, moving my way. Her two soldiers were a few paces behind her.

  “I have to help the others to safety first.”

  There were four children in the vineyards with us, Marie grabbed one of them as she raced to the house, Tanner grabbed two, and I lifted a child into my arms as well.

  We bolted to the safety of the houses, Tanner screaming out, “Retreat! Retreat!” He lifted his whistle and blew it loudly and continuously, a clear warning signal to all. “Day Stalkers! Retreat!”

  Would the retreat rooms hold? I didn’t know. They were designed to withstand Savage attacks, and I had heard the Day Stalkers were stronger.

  We had reached the back door of Marie’s home and I set down the child I carried. It was not until then I realized Mindy wasn’t with us.

  Marie took the four children into the house while Tanner ran toward the center of the village, blowing the whistle and shouting out the warnings.

  “Vala!” Marie called. “Let’s go! Get inside!”

  Where was Mindy? Finally I spotted her. She was moving slowly, holding her stomach. She was winded, and in her pregnant state couldn’t move
fast. Behind her, making up the distance and closing in were the Day Stalkers.

  “Get them in the retreat room,” I told Marie, not taking my eyes off of Mindy for more than a second at a time. I stepped off the porch and grabbed the first thing I could, which was the stirrup hoe. I didn’t need much, I needed a focus for my ability. I wasn’t going to fear them, nor was I going to lose control.

  I stayed focused. I was stronger than them.

  With Mindy in my scope of vision, I ran toward her.

  Her eyes connected to mine and she reached her hand out. Her shoulders dropped as if in relief that I was on my way and then… a Day Stalker lunged over the vine and landed on her.

  “No!” I screamed, picking up speed.

  Another Day Stalker joined in, then another.

  Mindy screamed, a long, deep, bloodcurdling shriek that conveyed unbearable pain and fear.

  I was motivated by rage and anger and I was so close. Just as I arrived, hoping against hope to help her, the Day Stalker stood. He was covered in blood. The second Stalker stood with something horrifying; in his hand he held Mindy’s tiny baby. He lifted it high and victoriously like a trophy. It was small, its arms flopping over his hands.

  I didn’t know if the child was dead or alive, but I couldn’t allow them to have it.

  Instantly I was reminded of my baby brother and I used that as emotional fuel. I could have easily aimed the stick and focused, but instead I leapt his way, swinging out, hitting him hard with the stirrup hoe. I wanted my anger to be focused on my intended target.

  When the long handle end connected, it seemed to melt right through him, dividing his head in two. As he dropped to my feet, the infant in his hand rolled from his grip and before I could grab it, another Day Stalker snatched it and hungrily brought it to his mouth.

  With a war cry, I struck down at him before he could consume the child. I knew there was one more there. I spun around ready to engage, and took out that Day Stalker before he could strike.

  More were coming, they had to be. There were hundreds of them. The Day Stalkers ignored us and ran toward the village of Lyon Estates.

  I dropped to my knees, landing in a puddle of fresh blood.