| Chapter 35 "Please have a seat," Aleisha said, gesturing to the kitchen table. Nick and Tara sat down, watching as Aleisha poured them all a drink and handed it to them. She sat down next to Nick, "So, what is it you need my help with?" Nick took a drink and glanced at Tara for a moment before answering, "Well, it's a little complicated. A lot has happened since I saw you last, and we really don't have much time to explain. I guess the short of it is this. There's a war coming, and I've been chosen to lead our side in it. I need you to work with Tara, training a select few on becoming sirens......" "Whoa, wait a minute," Aleisha said, "You want me to teach someone how to be a siren? Why?" "So we can find them," Tara answered. Nick nodded, "I broke the alliance and sent the word that if they didn't turn from their ways that we would hunt them down and destroy them." Aleisha stared at Nick wide eyed, "So the rumor is true? You are Nickolas?" "Yes, I am," Nick answered, "So? Will you do it?" Aleisha shook her head, "Nick, I don't think I can. I struggled so much with leaving that life that I don't know if I can go back to it like this." Nick and Tara looked at one another, exchanging hesitant glances. "Aleisha, I know we're asking a lot of you but we really do need your help," Tara said. "Yeah, we don't have much time and it will be difficult for Tara to do this on her own," Nick added. Aleisha stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the country side. She was afraid to go back to using the powers that once consumed her. She had found happiness and peace without them, and didn't want to fall back into their grasp and lose what she had. Nick stood up and walked up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder, "Leish, I wouldn't ask you to do this unless I really needed your help. I know you're afraid, but He has already forgiven you. You couldn't return to that life even if you wanted to, something else has taken it's place, and will never leave." Aleisha nodded, "You're right. All my life I searched for something to fill the emptiness in my life. Nothing ever did, until that last moment, when you urged me to ask for forgiveness." Nick smiled at her as she turned to face him, "And the peace and joy you feel now will never leave you." "I know," she said. Aleisha sighed, looking over at Tara still sitting at the table, then back to Nick. "So?" Nick asked, pleading with his eyes. Aleisha laughed, "How can I say no to that?" Nick smiled his famous Carter grin, "I was hoping you couldn't." Aleisha shook her head, "So, when do we start?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tracy stood on the beach watching Brian as he prayed. She could feel his concern as he poured his heart out to God, asking for help with his task. William and Lucas stood next to her, watching as well. "He's really worried about this," Lucas said. Tracy nodded, "Yeah he is. He knows all he has to do is trust God to tell him, but it's hard for him to just leave it at that. He doesn't want to mess up." "But won't it be hard for him to hear what God wants if he's worried about it like this?" William asked. "Yes it will," she said, "Humans do this though. They make things much harder than they are. If he would just stop and listen, he would know what it is he needs to do." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick, Tara and Aleisha appeared in the great room of the training center. Several people had been summoned there, and they were awaiting their teachers arrival. Nick stepped over to Gideon and Jade who were there, "Hey, everyone here?" Gideon nodded, "The last arrived only moments ago." "Good," Nick said, stepping up to the podium in the room and clearing his throat. Everyone took their places, and a hushed gasp filled the room as they realized who was addressing them. "Could I have your attention please," Nick said, waiting for everyone to quiet down. "Thank you. I presume by the look on your faces that you know who I am," Nick said, somewhat amused, "For those of you who don't, I'm Nickolas, and I'm the one heading up our army in the upcoming war. I'm sure most of you are wondering why you've been called here today." He watched as several nodded their heads. "Well, you have been chosen by your superiors to serve in our elite strike teams. You will be given a crash training course and then will be sent out on your missions. I won't discuss the specifics yet, but be assured that when you leave here you will have everything you need to accomplish your missions," Nick said. Nick gestured towards Tara and Aleisha, "Our strike teams will be separated into two different groups. The first will be headed up by Tara and Aleisha. This group will consist of the women in the room. The second group will be headed by myself and Micah," Nick said, pointing towards Micah standing in the back of the room. "This group obviously will consist of the men. Each group will have a specific task to complete. These tasks are not without risk, and I dare say that if you choose to participate, you will be subject to serious injury." Nick looked around the room, "So, now's the time to walk out if you feel you're not up to the job." He paused for a few moments, waiting to see if anyone got up and left. No one did, so he continued. "Now that that's over with, we need to get down to business," he said, hearing a small chuckle around the room. "Girls, you will be asked to learn the ways of the sirens," Nick said, seeing a few shocked faces as he did. "You all know the alliance is over with, and your job will be to hunt down the remaining sirens. We can't allow their numbers to remain as they are. They are a great threat to us since their powers tend to work on us as well as mortals. This will be a long and tedious process, but I'm sure you will be able to accomplish it in a reasonable amount of time." He watched as all the women in the room nodded their heads, eager to get started. "Guys," Nick said, "Our job is a little different. We will be learning some of the demons techniques used to turn our people in training. This will help us teach our trainees what to look out for when they are going through their trials. This also will help us lead our troops in the upcoming battles. If we think like they do, we can outsmart them. We will be one step ahead of them at all times, giving us the advantage from the start." Several of the men in the room turned to each other, nodding in agreement. Nick took a deep breath and continued, "This war will not only affect our realms, but it will also affect the realm of Earth. We CAN NOT let them move the battle into Earth's realm, no matter what. The protectors are already there, but if the war moves into that realm, Earth will be lost. As we go into battle, do NOT engage the enemy in Earth's realm. Let them go, and we will fight them on our own ground, on our own terms. Understood?" Nick heard a resounding yes fill the room. "Good, now let's get started, time is of the essence," he said, "You are dismissed to your training rooms." As everyone filed out of the room, Nick's inner circle gathered around him. "Spoken like a true leader," Gideon noted. Nick laughed, "Yeah, who knew huh?" Jade smiled at him, "You had doubts?" Nick shook his head, "No, I knew He would tell me what to say." "Keep listening," Micah said, walking up to them, "That's what's gonna get us through this." "Well, we better get to our pupils," Nick said. Everyone nodded, turning and walking towards the door. Nick took up the rear with Tara by his side. They held each others hands as they walked. "Have I told you I love you yet today?" Tara asked. Nick smiled, "I think so, but you can say it again." Tara laughed, "I love you." Nick stopped, turning to face her, "I love you too. See you after the training session?" She nodded, "Of course." "Good, but until then...," Nick said, as he leaned down and softly kissed her lips, " ...... that will just have to do." Tara laughed and shook her head, "You are such a tease." "And you love me for it," Nick said, taking her hand and walking out of the room. Chapter 36 |