Page 88 of Lahaina Noon

“Bridget!” he whispered, horrified at what he’d almost done.

“Vaughn, I’m fine. You didn’t hurt me. I knew you wouldn’t. Listen to me, dammit, I’m fine, and we don’t have time for this. Remember, we are here to kill the Shadow King. If he wants to help, let him. You don’t have to speak to him.”

She guided Vaughn away, returning him to his post. She turned her head to look back at Ivan, giving him an almost imperceptible nod that he returned.

Good girl,she heard.

The reds had launched their mission and now it was time for her to do the first part of her task. This one she knew she could do, the rest, she would see when the time came. Drake flew with her, about halfway from their post to the compound.

Siobhan was behind her, shielding them from view and would drop the shield at the last minute so it wouldn’t block her blast. She rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. She was ready.

She opened herself and began to draw in the energy. It was much easier than the first time. Now, it entered like a welcome friend; like it was water, and she was a desert begging for rain. Again, she could feel the hairs on her body standing tall, her hair floating, and Siobhan nudged her when her eyes went black. She could hear the arcing and crackling all over her as it gained more strength.

Remember, my love, you have to control the channel. Give it a finite lane, or it will drown you,came the reminder from Drake.

Bridget could only squeeze his neck with her legs to acknowledge. She needed to concentrate on her aim, so she didn’t accidentally knock out power to the entire chain of islands. She was waiting for the signal that all of their side were clear. Suddenly, they heard the explosions that signaled Jack’s team had started their diversion and Siobhan dropped their shield. Bridget grinned and then unleashed hell on the Shadow compound.

A huge wave slammed into the building and blew the front of the structure into pieces. Lightning came from the ground and surrounded the building in a blue haze, crackling and popping. The compoundshimmied and shook, the sound of screaming filled the air. Then everything went quiet.

Bridget dropped her arms and closed the channel. It had been difficult; she wasn’t sure she would be able to stop as the very air seemed to want more and began pulling it from her. She wrestled it under control. Breathing heavily, she shakily patted Drake on the neck, letting him know it was time to return.

He turned and began making the descent to the command post. His flight was jagged, though, and she could tell he was having trouble.

Drake?she asked, concerned.

I’m fine,he replied,just a little drained. I need to get down and conserve my energy.They landed roughly, and she jumped to the ground, followed by Siobhan. Vaughn shimmered into human and lay there on the ground, breathing hard.

She lifted his head to her lap and covered him as she whispered to him comfortingly.

Siobhan quickly examined him and said a few spells. She smiled at Bridget shakily and said, “He’s okay, just magic drained. I can boost his recharge, and he will be better in about ten minutes or so.”

Bridget breathed a sigh of relief and gestured for her to go on. She checked her watch. It would be cutting it close, but they were still doing okay on time. She sat with him while he absorbed energy and recharged his magical batteries.

He told her contact with the earth helped, so he stayed on the ground as they listened to the sounds of the battle continuing in front of them. Some of the Shadows were trying to shoot down the red dragons and were being bitten and slashed for their wasted efforts.Many were opting to surrender to the silvers who were standing guard nearby.

Bridget heard a commotion and looked up. Jack, Davis, and Shepard were returning, and they had someone with them, but it wasn’t Dio. It was a woman. She was very dirty and frail looking.

It’s time,Bridget heard in her mind.

“Vaughn!” she said urgently.

His eyes snapped open, and he sat up, looking at her.

“Listen, we don’t have a lot of time, so I need to tell you something quickly, and I need you to listen and not interrupt. Promise me!” she said.

“Of course, Bridget, what—”

She shushed him and began speaking rapidly.

“Your father didn’t abandon us. He was ordered by Baltrus, the traitor, to leave, or he would kill you. He didn’t want to risk it; he was torn about it. Baltrus bound him so he couldn’t tell us. You remember, in Italy, after you proposed, and Jorrie and I went outside?”

He nodded, bewildered.

“Okay, well, she told me about it. See he couldn’t tell you, he couldn’t tell me, but he didn’t say anything about Jorrie. She told me and swore me to secrecy. I know you may not believe it at first, I didn’t either, but it is true. And here’s the really hard part. Okay, whew. Vaughn, please forgive me. I didn’t tell you any of this because I couldn’t. If you knew, you’d never have waited and would have gone off angry, and this wouldn’t have succeeded. It’s been killing me not to tell you. But Vaughn...” She heard the thump as the diversion team landed behind him. She needed to talk faster.

“Vaughn, there’s a reason your father isn’t dead. It’s because the bond was never broken. The Shadow King didn’t kill your mother. It was an enchantment, a decoy. He’s had her this whole time, suppressing her magic. The Council found out someone was dirty and helping him. That’s why they kept your father prisoner, and that’s why I couldn’t tell you.”

Vaughn stared at her, pain filling his eyes. “Why would you say these things to me?” he whispered.

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