| Chapter 40 "Alright, this is it," Tara said as she looked over her students, "You all have your lists. When you finish with them return here, and be careful. Once this gets out, it'll be harder to surprise them. Stay in your groups, there's safety in numbers. Oh, and remember.... those that have truly changed, are to be left alone. We will give them a chance to make a better life for themselves, understood?" She watched as each girl in the room nodded. "Good, any questions before we leave?" she asked. No one had any. "Alright, be careful and God speed," she said, dismissing them. One by one each group of three vanished from the room until only Jade, Aleisha and Tara were left. Tara pulled her jacket on, making sure her sword was secure in its hiding place. "You guys ready for this?" she asked. Jade nodded, "Ready to have this part over with." "Yeah, me to," Aleisha said, sadly. Tara looked at her, "You don't have to go if you don't want to." "I know. I want to though. It's just hard, cause I know some of them, ya know?" Aleisha said. Tara nodded, "I understand, but this has to happen." "Yeah," she said, fingering her sword. Tara looked out the door towards Nick's training room. "We wont be gone long," Jade offered. Tara smiled, "I know, but I already miss him and we haven't even left yet." Aleisha laughed, "Girl, you got it so bad." "And so does he," Jade said, pointing toward the door. Tara looked over, seeing Nick standing there. "One minute, then we'll leave," Tara told them, walking over to Nick. He smiled as she approached him, "I was hoping I hadn't missed you." "No, we were about to go though," she said. Nick took her in his arms and hugged her tightly, "Please be careful." "I will," Tara said. "And if they somehow figure out who you are, come back, OK?" Nick said. Tara nodded, "I don't think they will, but if they do, I'll come back." "Thank you," Nick said, finally releasing her from the hug. Tara smiled at him, "And you mister better not go fighting any battles until I get back, got it?" "I'll try not to," he said. Tara shook her head, "No, try not. Do or do not, there is no try." Nick laughed, "Alright, Yoda, I promise we'll hold them off as long as possible." Tara nodded, staring into his stunning blue eyes. Nick smiled, pulling her close and bending down to gently kiss her. He let his lips linger on hers for a moment before pulling away, "I love you." Tara squeezed his hand before she let go, "I love you too, see you soon." Nick nodded, watching as she walked over to Jade and Aleisha, and they vanished from the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn ran to answer the phone before it woke Brian. "Hello?" she said, out of breath. "Oh hey, did I call at a bad time?" Kevin said, chuckling. Lyn rolled her eyes, "No, I was cleaning and I wasn't near the phone. So what�s up?" "Oh not much, just thought I'd call and see how you guys were doing," Kevin said. "Aww, you miss us, how sweet Kev," Lyn teased. "God, you really sound like Brian when you do that," he noted, laughing. "Yeah, well that's what happens when you live with someone, you tend to pick up their annoying habits," she laughed. "So is he still writing?" Kevin asked. "No, he finished yesterday, and immediately collapsed from exhaustion," she answered. "Is he alright?" Kevin asked. "Yeah, Ted set him up with an IV that I'm sure he'll have for a few days, and he's sleeping now," she told him. "Oh, that's good," Kevin said, relieved, "So, what did he write anyway?" Lyn took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "It's hard to explain, but it's so amazing. He told his life story Kev, and in with it are his beliefs about things, and how God has helped him in his life." "Really?" Kevin asked, shocked. "Yeah," she said. "That's so not like him to tell everything like that. He's always wanted some since of privacy, ya know?" Kevin said. "Yeah, I know. I was just as shocked as you are when I read it, but Kev, it is so good, and it's gonna make a world of difference I think," Lyn said. Kevin smiled, "I'm sure it is, when do we get to read it?" "I was thinking about that. I may put it on disk for you all and mail them out later today, that OK?" she said. "Yeah, sure. Um, how's he gonna get it out there? We really don't have much dealings with publishers or anything," Kevin said. "Oh, Jason called last night, he's already looking into it. In fact, he's suppose to call Brian today with what he's got on it so far," she said. "Wow, looks like the ball is off and rolling then," Kevin said. Lyn nodded, "Yeah it is." "OK, well I won't keep you. Tell Brian to call me when he's feeling up to it," Kevin said. "I will, and I'll keep you up to date on what's going on with the book too," she said. "Thanks, talk to ya later," he said. "OK, bye," Lyn said, hanging up the phone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick sat on a bench looking over a vast lake on the outskirts of the city. He had dismissed his class and didn't want to go home to the empty house. He sighed as his mind took him to a million places at once. He was worried about Tara, and wondering how she and the other's were doing. He was also worried about the upcoming war. He knew it wouldn't be long before the first skirmishes, and he wondered if everyone's faith in his ability to lead was misplaced. He laughed, as soon as the thought hit him, it was whisked away by a feeling of confidence and assurance. "Alright, I get it. I'll try to stop worrying about that," he said. "Am I interrupting something?" Micah asked. Nick looked over his shoulder and smiled, "No, just my normal self doubts being kicked to the curb by Him. Have a seat." Micah smiled, sitting down next to Nick, "I've always loved this view." "Yeah, kinda reminds me of home," Nick commented. Both men sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally Nick looked over, "Something up?" Micah bit his lip, then looked over, "Yeah. We've gotten word that the demon armies are massing. It won't be long before they advance." Nick sighed, and ran his hand though his hair, "OK, send the word out to the generals. Let them know it won't be long and be in position." Micah nodded, "Um, we also have word that some assassin teams have been sent out for you and Tara." Nick swallowed hard, "How long ago?" "Not long, just this morning," he answered. Nick stood up, turning to face Micah, "Call her back." "Nick, they just left," he said. "I know that, but she's in danger. Call her back," Nick said. Micah stared at him, "Nickolas, think about this. She and her team have a job to do. How upset will she be with you if you call her back now and she can't complete it?" "I don't care. I can't let her get hurt," Nick said. Micah stood up, placing his hand on Nick's arm, "Nick, you have to let her do her job. And you can't let your decisions be swayed by what they may do to her. You love Tara, but she's also your weakness, just as you are for her. Don't play into their hands because of this, that's how this whole thing started to begin with." Nick stared at him, considering his words. Micah looked at him sternly, "You remember how this all ......" Nick waved his hand, "Yeah, yeah, I remember. You don't have to remind me. Everything started because I fell for Luna. I let her influence my decisions and that cost me dearly. I won't do that again." "Then let Tara do her job, and you do yours," Micah said. Nick turned looking out over the water, "Alright. I won't call her back." Micah nodded, "I'll go inform the generals," he said, turning to leave. "Micah?" Nick said. "Yes," he answered, turning back to face him. "Thank you," Nick said. "For what?" Micah asked. Nick smiled, "Saving me a major ass kicking." They both laughed. "Anytime," Micah said, turning and leaving Nick alone with his thoughts. Nick looked up, "Please keep her safe," he prayed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aleisha looked at the list, then the house number, "This is it." "OK," Tara said, "Leish, you stay out here and keep watch. Jade and I can handle this." Aleisha breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks." Jade smiled at her, "No problem." Aleisha watched as Jade and Tara walked across the street and up to the door of the house. Tara paused at the door, "You ready?" Jade nodded, "Let's do it." Tara smiled, then knocked on the door. They heard someone inside moving around. After a moment the door swung open. "Yes?" the girl inside said, rather annoyed. "Are you Lana Simmons?" Tara asked. "Yes, I don't recognize you, are you new to the sisters?" Lana asked. Tara and Jade both nodded. "Would it be possible if we came in for a minute?" Jade asked. Lana stared at them, "What's this all about?" "Um, we'd like to ask you some questions about Nickolas," Tara said, acting rather concerned. Lana smiled at them, "Come in." Tara and Jade glanced at one another as they walked though the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Brian, baby wake up," Lyn said for the fifth time. She gently shook Brian's shoulder. He groaned, stirring a little. "Brian, Jason is on the phone for you," Lyn urged. Brian rolled over, blinking a few times, "Jason?" "Yeah, about the book remember," Lyn said. Brian sat up, rubbing his face with his hands, trying to clear the cobwebs in his head, "Oh yeah." Lyn smiled at him, "Are you awake now?" Brian nodded. "Are you sure? I don't want you agreeing to things you wont remember later," Lyn said. Brian laughed and stuck his tongue out at her, reaching for the phone in her hands. Lyn gave it to him, sitting down on the edge of the bed to listen. "Hi Jason," Brian said. Jason laughed, "And I thought Nick was the hard one to wake up in the mornings." "Yeah, yeah," Brian said, "So what's up?" "Well, first of all let me say that the chapters I read were just ..... awesome," Jason commented. Brian laughed, "Thanks." "That being said, I have three different publishers that are interested," Jason said. "Wow, three?" Brian asked. "Um hum. Each one is ready to go to press with it as soon as they receive the full copy," Jason informed him. Brian looked at Lyn, a huge grin covering his face, "That's great. I want the one that will get it out the fastest." "Um, OK, but aren't you interested in hearing what they're offering for it?" Jason asked. "No, I'm not taking any money for this," Brian said, "I don't want the books to be to expensive. I want everyone to be able to afford one. I know it'll cost some for the production and advertising and all that, but I don't want a dime." "Brian are you sure? This could be worth a lot of money," Jason asked, taken aback. "I'm positive Jason. I didn't do this for money. That's not what this is about," Brian said. "OK, I'll let them know, and we'll draw up a contract and get it sent to you," Jason said. "Alright, but do it as fast as possible," Brian said. "Brian, I know this is your first book and you're excited to have it published, but why the rush?" Jason asked. "Um, I can't really explain it right now, but I need this thing out like yesterday. The sooner it's out, the better," Brian said. "Alright man, I'll get the ball rolling and get the contract over to you," Jason said. "Thanks," Brian said as he hung up. Lyn took the phone as Brian lay back down. He yawned looking at her. "Go ahead and sleep for a while, I'll make us some lunch and wake you," she said. Brian took her hand, keeping her from turning and walking away. "Could you do me a favor?" he asked. "Sure," she said. "Could you bring the book over here?" he asked. "What for?" Lyn wondered. "Well, I guess I need to know what I wrote," he laughed. Lyn smiled, retrieving the printed pages and returning to sit next to Brian. "I could read it to you if you'd like," she said. Brian smiled and nodded,"OK." Lyn picked up the first page and began to read, I never thought I'd sit down and write my life's story. Especially since I've still got so much of it left to live, but sometimes things just need to be said, and I've realized that I've got something I need to tell you. I know that most of you think you know my life's story, but you'd be wrong. There are things that I've chosen not to share with you for one reason or another. Don't get me wrong, I never lied to you. I just didn't tell the entire truth all the time. You know how that MTV show goes, �You think you know, but you have no idea'? Well, I'm about to give you an idea of what my life and my world is like. Some of it isn't pretty, and some of it is down right shocking, but I feel it's time to share the ENTIRE truth with you, and let you know about the person who helped me through it all. So, let's begin shall we? ........................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aleisha paced nervously waiting for Jade and Tara to return. Finally they came out of the house and over to her. "How'd it go?" Aleisha asked. "She thought Nick was a joke and wasn't about to change her ways," Jade said. Tara sighed, "Yeah, now the world is less one siren." Aleisha stared at her for a moment. "Honey, you can go back anytime you want," Jade said, putting her hand on Aleisha's shoulder. "I know. I just didn't think it would be this hard for me," she said, "I mean, I left that life, and I hate what it did to me. But I can't help but feel sorry for them, because I know how strong that hold is." Tara nodded, "I understand. If you stay we won't make you do this. You can be our watch from now on." "I want to stay," Aleisha said, "I want to help." "Alright," Tara said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Just think of it this way," Jade said, "The more we eliminate now, the less we'll be faced with when the battles start." Aleisha nodded, "True." "OK, who's next on the list?" Tara asked. "Linda, she's fourteen blocks away," Aleisha said, looking at the list. "Well, let's get going. We have a long list and little time," Jade said, as they joined hands and disappeared from the street. Chapter 41 |