ROTU: Chapter Thirty-Six

Jalena paced her living room and glanced for what seemed like the hundredth time out her front window after Kaelon drove away, half-wishing he would burst through the front door again. She couldn't deny, however, that relief accompanied her disappointment that the date had ended when it did.

"I am driving back now," she told Shamira when she called several minutes later.

"Hurry, I want to hear all about it."

Jalena arrived at the facility, suddenly tired, but more surprised to see the sea of faces who greeted her.

The girls huddled around her, their faces eager, as if waiting to hear the ending of their favorite romance novel. Their expressions fell as she revealed only basic information about the date.

"Sounds lame," said Sitara. "I'm gonna go train."

Drisana took Aeilah by the hand and followed Sitara.

I already know there is a story to tell, Shamira said. You cannot fool me.

Later. I wanna get these feelings stabilized, so I'll tell you after we train.

As Nyhra worked with Aeilah on reciting the spells Jalena taught her so far, the two older Conduits watched in awe as Jalena and Shamira fought alongside Shakou against different enemies in the simulation room. The three worked flawlessly in unison as they utilized their best skills as a team.

When Jalena instructed Drisana and Sitara to join them, Sitara voiced her pent-up frustration as she compared her lack of ability with the skills of the light warriors.

"You guys have been doing this for years. You were born as warriors," she said as Shamira helped her to her feet after falling for the fifth time. "What is the point of all this? There is no way that we will be prepared in time for whatever is coming!"

"The training is simply to trigger what is already known within you, Sitara," Jalena stated calmly. "You too are born a warrior. The methods we are teaching you are designed to train your focus and intent so that you are in a better state to allow the power within you to surface if ever needed. It is not to expose you to a battle you are not prepared for or to warriors that outmatch you."

"Okay, fine with that, but do you even know how we activate the shield?" She looked at Drisana. "We've talked. Is this like a thing where we die in the process? I don't think any of you know exactly what is to come. So, maybe all of you are just full of shit."

Shamira stepped forward. "Who the fuck do you think you are, little girl? You know nothing of where we come from or what we've been through just to help this fucked up species. You have no clue who you are even talking to. Show some respect—"

Shamira, Jalena interrupted softly. She turned to Sitara. "You are right, Sitara—not that we don't know what we are doing, but about not knowing how to activate the shield. You know that you are being guided through these teachings on some level or you would not be here training. The battle you are fighting is within."

She stepped forward. "What I do know based on my experience, is that the answers will come when the time is right. Just because you have not found the answer yet does not mean that it will not appear in a synchronized moment. It will come as a knowing or through the guidance of another. A solution always appears along with the problem. You just have to train yourself to find it."

Sitara seemed satisfied with Jalena's words. After several thoughtful moments, she dropped her gaze and mumbled an apology to both Jalena and Shamira, and the group took a break.

Jalena felt better after training, but discontent still lingered regarding the way her time with Kaelon ended. Although he had called her several times since he left her house, she had not returned his call yet.

She knew that it was better to just end things with him as they were, although she wished their experience had gone much more smoothly than it had. She still struggled with feeling drawn to him despite being destined to go their separate ways.

Jalena pushed thoughts of Kaelon from her mind as the evening passed and Nyhra announced that she was leaving. She had received a vision from Kafele inviting her to return to Asteria and provide an update for the Lumaña.

"They have created a temporary portal for me that opens tonight near here."

"Do you need someone to accompany you?" Shamira asked.

She shook her head. "I will return to you at the right time."

Shakou took Jalena aside and told her he must leave that evening as well.

"I have had a vision, Okami-chan," he said when he saw her brow furrow. "I must speak to other clan leaders in different countries about the possible threat that lingers for those on the surface so that they prepare properly. They will not doubt what I tell them."

As Jalena watched Shakou prepare to leave, anxiety rose within her. It took great effort to keep from telling him not to go as she always desired to do before they parted, but she also chastised herself for feeling dependent upon his presence she had once again grown accustomed to. Sensing her unsteadiness, he took his time packing as she lingered in his room. He grabbed her tight to him before exiting the facility. "I promise to return, Okami-chan. Do not despair." He laughed in her ear. "I knew you were in love with me, much more than you feel for the human." He raised an eyebrow. "I am your dragon, after all."

"Forever." Chuckling lightly, she held on to him longer than normal. "Hurry," she added in a whisper.

Shamira studied Jalena's glowing sigil markings beneath the moonlight later as the two sat outdoors.

"I would almost think our meeting Lunara was a dream if it wasn't for the markings on your skin. It seems so long ago now."

"For us, it was a long time ago." She sighed. "I hope Sade and the others are still alive."

"I wish the master team would get here."

Shamira watched Jalena closely as Jalena stared at the moonlit land around them. "You're thinking about him, aren't you—that guy, Kaelon?"

"Actually, I was thinking about Gyan…Earlier, I accidently called Kaelon, Gyan."

"Did he freak out?"

"His energy sort of froze—we both did actually, but he didn't respond other than asking who he was…You're not surprised?" she added when Shamira didn't say anything.

"He has some similar characteristics to Gyan, even by appearance alone. I imagine if any of his interests and conversations are a reflection of Gyan's, it's logical that it would happen. Do you think he is a Conduit?"

"I thought so at first because of how advanced he is in his understanding of energy, but I did not hear a name inside my head when I first met him as I have with the others."

"Maybe he is like Gyan and Aderes were and there is no information when someone tries to see further into his energy."

"Well, I doubt he will be around again, but we can ask Elder Master Nyhra what she sees about him when she returns."

"Meaning, you want to know more when you see him again?"

"Yes…no. I don't know."

Shamira gave her a knowing smile. The two sat in silence for several minutes.

"What?" Jalena asked as she looked away after she caught Shamira studying her again.

"Did you kiss him?"

A small smile lit Jalena's face. "Yes. My suppression bracelet slipped off during, and I didn't even notice."

Shamira's eyes widened. "It was that good?" She laughed. "Did he see you change?"

"He noticed my eyes before I caught on. I told him it was a trick of the light and that's when I called him Gyan. He left shortly after." She shook her head and sighed. "It doesn't matter though. I could never be with someone, human or not, that I had to hide my truth from."

"That's true. We've done that long enough." She smiled slyly. "Despite the way the date ended, one thing is for sure. I've seen you more relaxed since he showed up at the facility, and that type of connection, with a human or Elsarian, has to mean something."

"Yes. It means I've lost my mind."

"Good. Now it won't get in the way of that warrior heart of yours." Shamira laced her arm through Jalena's as they walked back into the house. "Then, Drasúl certainly won't stand a chance."

***