"Haniel said the other band should be here by noon and then we'll be heading out," Sam continued.
I nodded my head absently—my mind still preoccupied by the task that lies ahead.
Chapter 4
Sam and I jumped out of the car before Shawn shifted into park. "Holy crap guys, where's the fire?" he groused good-naturedly.
Sam and I ignored his playful jibe, taking the stairs up to the apartment two at a time. We burst through the door together, startling the ten Links inside the room. Sam and I skidded to a stop in the doorway and it was obvious by the strained silence that our exuberance had interrupted a serious discussion.
"What's going on?" I asked. My strong emotional gauge made it clear I was the object of their gossip which didn't sit well with me at all. How typical that I finally escaped the gossip-laced hallways of high school, only to have it follow me into adulthood.
"Nothing," Kieran said, rushing forward to give me a long hug. I remained stiff in her arms, still a little irritated, but after a moment, I finally returned the hug. I had missed my new friends dearly, and who was I to blame them for talking about me. I was a novelty in our species. I had powers none of them had ever seen or felt. Under normal circumstances I might feel flattered by their admiration, but I would trade it all to have Mark back again.
I knew I had to shake this melancholy though. The whole woe-is-me attitude that seemed to follow me around like a dark cloud would do nothing to help get him back.
"We're just concerned sweetie, don't hate us," Kieran said, understanding why my emotions had shifted around so rapidly.
"I know," I said apologetically.
"Krista, it's good to see you," a husky voice said before I was drawn into a tight bear hug.
"Hi John, it's good to see you too," I said, allowing myself to sink into his embrace. If you would have told me two months ago that I would consider John one of my closest allies, I would have scoffed at the idea. Especially since he had once berated me in front of everyone for falling in the ice cold ocean at the most inopportune time. All of that was forgotten though once he and Kieran returned home and made it their personal mission to see who could text me the most in one day. What started out as daily antidotes quickly turned into long humor filled messages about pranks he and Kieran would play on each other. When I first met them shortly after graduation, I had no idea they would turn out to be so witty. I loved my band members dearly, but John and Kieran had become my sounding board, always willing to lend an ear.
I moved out of John's arms and slid into Amelia's embrace next. "I'm so glad to see you looking so well," she whispered quietly in my ear. I nodded my head, knowing I didn't need to answer.
"Hi Krista," Jenna said as I finally turned to her. Unlike the others, she waited to give me a hug, choosing instead to study me critically for a moment, much like Lynn would do. Their uncanny similarities made me smile. Jenna returned my smile before giving me a quick hard hug.
Paul and Keith, who were Amelia and Jenna's Links, were the last to pull me in for bone-crushing bear hugs. I giggled at their apparent happiness to see us.
"So, what's the plan Haniel," Paul asked once all the greetings were out of the way and we were all sitting on the oddly matched furnishings scattered around the room.
"When Jacob and his three other band members arrive, we will load up the provisions and sleeping gear that Robert and Shawn informed me you would need," he said in his typically formal way.
"Yeah, we kinda figured that. My question leans more toward what our plans are once we head out."
"The journey in motorized vehicles will take approximately five hours. I will be joining you there," he said, never being one to travel by traditional human methods.
Sam giggled. "Wow Haniel, talk about being a diva."
Haniel's expression at her words made us all burst out laughing. Picturing Haniel as the classic stereotypical role of a diva was comical.
Haniel had learned enough from hanging out with Sam and I over the summer to understand that Sam's remark was less than flattering, which made it even more hilarious.
"Haniel the diva, oh my lord, my side hurts!' Kieran chirped between the laughter bubbling out of her.
All seven plus feet of Haniel waited patiently while we finished laughing ourselves out. After several moments our mirth finally dissipated.
"Can I continue?" He asked Sam pointedly.
"Um, sure, sorry about that Hannie," Sam said in a tone that made it clear she really wasn't.
"Once we all convene at the location I have indicated on the parchment," Haniel said, indicating the map behind us on the dining room table, "We will set out on foot. The Dark Angel has chosen his headquarters wisely. There are no roads or trails that lead to Victor's headquarters. We will have to create our own path through the rough uninhabited terrain of Mt. Shasta"
"Then how does Victor get to his Lair?" Shawn asked.
I grimaced at Shawn's choice of words.
"He uses the motorized flying machines that seem quite popular with your military," Haniel said, clearly searching for the proper phrase.