Shared Skies Page 15

  Neal was hunched inside a big, dark jacket with his hands buried deep in his pockets. His voice was low. “Can we go somewhere to talk?” His words were puffs of white in the cold, dark air.

  Gaiah didn't hesitate. Wild horses couldn't have stopped her. She nodded, and led the way across the courtyard, over the wall into the garden, past some bushes and finally to a garden seat out of view of the house. They sat and looked at each other. Gaiah felt neither the cold nor the damp.

  “What do–” they both started and paused.

  Neal started again. “Gaiah, I feel like a guy in a movie who has been told he can inherit this mansion and a fortune but the one thing he mustn’t do–”

  “Is go down to the cellar?” finished Gaiah for him.

  Neal smiled, then became serious again. “Gaiah, I know what I’m about to do could be considered going down to the cellar on a grand scale, but somehow I feel I must try.” Gaiah met his eyes. “Actually, I think I’m already down in the cellar with you.”

  They looked at each other intensely. What was happening? He looked so sad, she yearned to…to…She didn’t know.

  He hunched forward, elbows and forearms on his thighs. His large, square, strong hands twisted together. “Gaiah, please listen to me and don’t run for help, till I’m finished.”

  She discovered she was looking at his face as if she were trying to memorize it. Thick, dark eyebrows, green, almond-shaped eyes, wide, full lips–what was it about him? His hair, coming loose from its ponytail, fell down, obscuring his face.

  His voice was quiet. “I know I'm not a great talker; there was never much of it at home and I'm hopeless at trying to express what I feel. But I feel my life depends on talking to you tonight.” He took a deep breath. “Here goes. I know you’re Gaianan, because–I’m Or’kan!”

  Instinctively Gaiah leapt to her feet.

  “No! Don't go, please.” Neal pleaded. He too, sprang to his feet, stretched out his arm and caught her hand. For the first time, their skin touched. A jolt of awareness, a surging electric current of recognition joined them. Their breath caught, their eyes met.

  The world stopped.

  Time stopped.

  For a moment, the beating of their hearts was the only sound across the vastness of the three worlds.

  A circle had been completed.

  Gaiah gazed at her hand in his. Two hands? One hand? Two people? One person?–No difference. She stared at their hands, and then her eyes were drawn back to his. He looked as stunned as she felt. This touch, this feel, this union…. Gaiah felt, no she instinctively knew, that this electrifying meeting of their flesh had opened her mind and heart to become one with Neal.

  The night sounds began again as the worlds continued their turning

  Gaiah’s world had shifted once again, but this time, it wasn’t her knowledge of the world that had changed, it was herself. Or rather, the self that she had become with Neal.

  It was a transformation.

  Now things were right. Now she had everything she could ever need in any world, standing next to her holding her hand. This instant knowledge filled her to her core with certainty and truth. Gaiah took a deep, shuddering breath. It felt like a new breath in a new life.

  Neal's eyes widened with incredulity and a dawning delight. She knew he was feeling the same.

  She lifted their joined hands to her face and said softly, “It really was you I saw in that shop. I felt you were familiar when I saw you in Inverness. I wanted to be your friend when I thought you were sad. I wanted to save you when I thought you were an occupied human. Now, all I know is, I never want to let go of your hand.”

  Neal’s voice was husky as he said, “The minute I heard about you, about your journey to Inverness, I had an irresistible urge to see you. I got on my bike and followed some magnetic pull that tugged me to that shop in Edinburgh. I have never been far from you since that day. I was even here the night the occupied tried to kill you. I was here watching but your grandparents took care of him.”

  “If you’re Or’kan,” began Gaiah, and she moved closer to him, reaching up to put her free arm around his neck, to show him she had no fear of him and never would. “If you’re Or’kan, how come we can feel like this? And how come you’re here on Earth?”

  He pulled her tight and held their joined hands up to his cheek as he spoke. “I’m half Or’kan. My mother was from Earth.”

  Her heart thudded. “What? You’re a melding’s child too?”

  “Yes. Not a good thing to be in Or’kan eyes. They see the offspring between an Or’kan slave and an Earth person as a weak and useless thing. If they didn’t think I was so insignificant, they’d have killed me ages ago.”

  “But how did you find out? Have you been to Or’ka?” Gaiah had a million questions. She wanted every detail of every minute of his life they had been apart.

  Neal smiled; he knew what she wanted, because he felt exactly the same. “That’s a long story and I don’t think we have much time now. You and I have centuries to talk, my love. After what happened yesterday with that poor woman, I had to see you to make sure you were all right, and to tell you that you are the only person who could make sense of my life. I never dreamed touching you would mean a new life. I know I’m not the same guy that looked in the window at you ten minutes ago.”

  Gaiah smiled at him. “I know–I can feel you, as well as me.”

  A separate level of awareness and feeling settled like a gossamer blanket over her senses. Neal’s feelings of profound happiness and dawning understanding were as open to her as her own. He stared at her, “Earth’s mysteries,” he breathed. “It’s true! I can feel you.” They closed their eyes and the silent communication of emotions said more than months of talking.

  Alasdair’s voice cut through their silent union. “Gaiah, Gaiah. Come in! Where are you?” He sounded worried.

  It seemed impossible she should have to leave Neal. But she needed to make things right with everyone after her behaviour, and this wasn’t the right time to introduce Neal.

  “I have to go. I’ll talk to them, tell them what's happened. I'll make them understand you and I are one person. Give me till tomorrow, and then we’ll be together and deal with the world.” They hugged tightly and moved reluctantly apart.

  “It’s tearing my heart out to leave you even if it is just for a few hours, but I know you have to do this.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her swiftly on the mouth, caressed her face and stepped back, disappearing into the shadows. Her heart lurched, she was suddenly bereft.

  Alasdair came into sight. “Gaiah! What the Or’ka are you doing? We were so worried.” He hugged her tightly but briefly. “What childish prank is this? Hiding in the garden because Gorand upset you? Everyone’s out looking for you. Come back in to the house immediately.” He stalked off, footsteps stamping out his annoyance.

  Gaiah was torn between a desire to scream at him for causing Neal to leave, and hysterical laughter at his assumptions, which were so far removed from reality.

  Alasdair’s voice calling Gorand floated back to her, yet she stayed standing. What had just happened? She had found part of herself she hadn’t realized she was missing. A true mate of her soul. Her future, wherever or whatever it was going to be, was going to be spent side by side with Neal. A union of the three worlds! And now, here she was, being told off like a naughty six-year-old–it was absurd!

  Chapter Sixteen

  Gaiah was in turmoil as she followed Alasdair. Surges of happiness made her feel like shouting out her news to the world. However she had changed since leaving London. She was a radically different being now. Most of her mind was with Neal, in the dark. She started to run, to catch up with Alasdair. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone what had happened. To her surprise, Kaley was alone in the kitchen.

  She rushed at Gaiah and held her tightly. “Gaiah, I’m sorry you're so upset about all the expectations of you. Please don’t worry.” She kissed Gaiah's forehead. “But don’t ever scare
me like that again. When I went in to see if you were okay, I found the room empty, the window open and you gone...I couldn't imagine what had happened.”

  “Oh, God, I'm so sorry for panicking you, but I'm really fine-”

  “Talking about panic, Renny has shifted to Gaiana to get help. I'll have to go immediately to let them know you’re okay.” She hugged Gaiah even tighter. “Oh, darling, I'm so glad you're okay.” She paused, leaned back and scrutinized Gaiah. “You look really strange, Gaiah, as if you’re not really taking everything in–are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine–pretty good, really.” She felt her smile begin to stretch her face. Alasdair, Gorand and Daveen burst into the kitchen.

  Gorand strode over to her. “I’m so sorry, Gaiah. I’m sure the last thing you needed was more pressure from me. And Alasdair just told us that you've been ill too, I’m such an idiot. Please forgive me.”

  Before Gaiah answered, Kaley said, “I’m just going to get Renny. I’ll see you all in the morning and, Gaiah, remember what I said–don’t worry.”

  “Grandma, don’t, I–” but Kaley had shimmered out of sight.

  Daveen, leaning against the Rayburn, smiled at Gaiah and nodded towards Gorand. “Please forgive him?”

  “Oh honestly! It’s all of you who have to forgive me. You too, Grandpa. My behaviour was appalling. Of course you didn’t upset me, Gorand. Really, more than anything, I was cross at myself, for being so useless.”

  Alasdair was smiling at her now, so all was well. He poured tea for them all and they sat again at the kitchen table. Gaiah felt wrapped in a glow of happiness and made conversation with half her mind.

  She was bursting to tell them the momentous news but there was no way she could do it, not till her grandmother was back. She listened as they chatted about Gorand’s plans to take the family skiing. But she was fizzing inside and couldn’t wait to be on her own to think about it all. She stood up. “Look, everyone, I’m going to have an early night and tomorrow morning we’ll have a serious chat, and maybe we can see if we can come up with any plans?” They all agreed this was a good idea, and eventually everyone settled and the house was quiet.

  Gaiah was beyond happy. Okay, I’ve upset everyone here tonight, but they’ll all forget that when they hear the news tomorrow. Gosh, an Earth–Or’kan–Gaianan melding, that has to mean something major! Oh, I can’t wait ‘til they meet him. The instant she thought about Neal it was as if every corpuscle in her body went into overdrive.

  She was aware of her own skin on the soft, warmed bed; her own happiness and excitement coursing through her body, but, on top of it, there was a layer that was Neal. It was a tingling layer where she could feel a cold, scratchy sheet at her back, and a strong heart ready to explode with happiness. She knew he was awake and as happy as she was. Though as her father had said before, happy seemed way too small a word for how they felt.

  Gaiah laughed in pure delight and felt an answering surge from Neal. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. She felt the strength of his agreement and grinned. Turning over, she closed her eyes and gave herself up to sleep, wrapped securely in their shared emotions.

  It was barely eight o' clock when she woke next morning, and was immediately surrounded by Neal’s feelings. She was aware of his impatience to come to the house, to her. Gaiah leapt out of bed and dressed as quickly as she could, putting on the first things that came to hand: jeans, sturdy boots and a soft sweater. If no one up she was going to call them all. This was the most important thing to happen to the three worlds ever. Gaiah knew this for sure. Exactly what it signified she didn't know, but it was big!

  Kaley was already in the kitchen, sitting looking out the window, clasping a mug of coffee in both hands. She looked up at Gaiah. “We were thinking that it might be a good idea…You know, that chat you suggested to Alasdair last night? It might be a good idea to have it in Gaiana?” her voice was dull and her speech slow.

  “Grandma, are you all right? You seem strange?”

  Kaley sighed and stood up. “Yes, I’m okay. I didn’t have a good night and there’s a lot on my mind.”

  “I hope it isn’t about me, Grandma, because believe me, you never have to worry about me again.”

  Gaiah thought it might be a good idea to have this chat in Gaiana. As the Ten would be there, and they could all be told together. Every atom of her body was dancing with happiness and she couldn’t wait to tell them–if they were so excited about one melding’s child, what on earth were they going to make of two?

  “Good idea. Let’s go. Are Grandpa and Renny already there?”

  Kaley looked away. “They left earlier,” was all she said as she took Gaiah’s hand and shifted them to the arrival hall. It was as beautiful as ever, but Gaiah barely noticed. She was only aware that her connection with Neal was diminished somehow by the change in dimensions. Her sense of him had become kind of fuzzy and she felt his worry, as he felt this change too. This is horrible, I can’t bear not sensing him properly. Best to get this all over with as quickly as possible and get back.

  “Okay,” she turned to Kaley and despite her urgent desire to renew contact with Neal, excitement at her news made her smile luminous. “We need to get this over with.”

  She strode to the wall, touched the activation pad and waved Kaley into the conference hall ahead of her. Kaley looked a bit taken aback by this assertive behaviour but slowly stepped in. There were people gathered there. Gaiah recognized some faces from her last visit, but she could see Alasdair, Gorand and Renny were missing.

  A small, wiry woman stepped forward. “Aghna, from your own Clan Shaman. I don’t know if you remember me? We met on your first visit. I’d like to invite this meeting to take place in my house by the sea. I think breakfast on the balcony overlooking the beach? The peace and harmony there would be conducive to a calm and productive meeting.” There was a murmur of agreement and people started moving to the entrance hall.

  This is all wrong. “No. No.” Gaiah's voice rang around the room. “We’ll talk here and now.” There was a stunned silence. Gaiah stopped, drew a deep breath and said, “Sorry, it’s just that there’s so much to say and it’s so important and I really, really need to get back to Earth as soon as I can.”

  They all looked worried at this outburst. They glanced at Kaley, as if wondering how to deal with it. Gaiah started again in a calmer voice. “Thank you all for being here. But I don’t think we have all the Ten, and where's Grandpa?”

  Kaley looked at Aghna. “Alasdair and a few others had something to attend to, they will be here as soon as they can.”

  Gaiah thought for a second, she didn’t want to waste any more time. “Well, I’m sorry Grandpa especially isn’t here, but I need to tell you all something anyway. Something vital. You see Neal–”

  “Don’t worry,” interrupted Kaley, putting her hand on Gaiah’s arm and squeezing it gently. “It’s okay, dear, we know.”

  Gaiah was stunned. “You what?”

  Aghna stepped forward. Her eyes soft with sympathy. “Yes, Renny told us everything yesterday. When she thought you’d disappeared last night, she was distraught and gave us all the details.” Aghna's face hardened. “Don’t worry. Neal is being looked after at the moment, that’s where Alasdair and the others have gone. You won’t be having any more trouble from Neal.”

  If someone had kicked Gaiah in the stomach it couldn’t have had a bigger, physical impact, as the implications of what Aghna had said became clear. She doubled over, folding her arms across her stomach.

  Frantically, Gaiah searched for her connection to Neal. She found him, he was in a panic because even through the dimensions he had felt her shock. She could breathe again–he was still alive. They didn’t have telepathic communication–it was just emotional–so it wasn't possible to warn him the others were out to kill him. Oh God. She just had to get to him as soon as possible. She straightened and grabbed Kaley’s hand. Looking frantically from face to face, her voice was bar
ely under control. “We must go now. We must stop them. That’s what I wanted to tell you–Renny didn’t have a clue. She’d only heard part of things, before I understood it all myself. Neal is part of me. We’re a melded pair. He’s a melding’s child too and we found each other through all the worlds. You can’t harm him. If you do, you may as well kill me too.”

  “It's not possible...he's an Or'kan?” Aghna stepped back looking in horror at Gaiah.

  “Yes, but he’s an Earth–Or’kan melding and he’s my heart.” Gaiah looked around the room.

  Bevin tugged at Kaley’s arm, forcing her to face her.

  “She’s been encognated, we have to do something!”

  Kaley turned slowly back to face Gaiah. “I trust the melding’s child, I think we all should.”

  Her voice wavered as she continued. “Gaiah, I’m sorry. Renny called to his grandparents' house this morning, saying that she was a school friend looking for him, and they told her he was setting up some of his art pieces in Craigphadraig woods today. That’s where they’re going now…to…to finish him. They think he’s an occupied, intent on killing you.”

  “Kill me?” shrieked Gaiah, “he saved me!” She paused, closing her eyes. “I can’t sense him strongly from this dimension, but I know he’s still alive, so I’m going.”

  She ran from the conference room. All her thoughts were with Neal, desperately trying to connect with him. All she knew was she had to shift Earthways now, and she did. She was instantly back in the deserted kitchen. Gaiah, who had never been shown even the most rudimentary aspects of shifting, had sailed through as easily as Kaley herself. Neal! Neal! Her senses screamed out to him. She felt an answering tidal wave of love and relief that she was close again, but there was also shock and fear. A stunned Kaley arrived immediately after her.

  Gaiah didn’t stay in the house. She ran to the car, shouting over her shoulder, “Quickly, Grandma, I still need you to drive.” Without a word or a question, Kaley jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car before the doors were closed. She drove faster than she’d ever driven, throwing the car around corners, barely slowing at intersections and finally screeching to a stop at the entrance to the woods.