Page 67 of Within the Veil

"I thought I was imagining things when I heard a voice in my heading demanding that I come immediately or my heart would be eaten with a side of pepperoni pizza but I guess not," he frowns and Hudson laughs.

His head tilts to the side, "You have learned to project to multiple people? That is extraordinary!"

Yes, I have. Amongst other things, this is just one of the small things I have been able to learn. The depth of my awakening is just the very tip of the iceberg.

"Okay, Xena. You have our attention," Hudson says.

I look over to her,eat. You can eat and listen.

She rolls her eyes and moves to sit at the kitchen island, but I sit silently until she puts food in her mouth. "Bossy ass, Lion," she grumbles.

She isn't wrong, so I ignore her.

First things first. You must all be hyper vigilant, I sense danger. It is imperitive.

"Contant vigilence! You got it Mad-Eye Lion," Ryder salutes me. Hudson chuckles.

I roll my eyes, something I am grateful I can do in situations like these.

Yes, well. He had a point. It will be easier for me to explain this way...

They gasp as I concentrate and project my last few weeks into their minds.

* * *

After the battle

I sit at Hudson's side, watching over as she is cleaned up and settled onto the bed. My goal is beyond protection. At this point, the need to be near her is all-encompassing. The idea of coming so close to losing my human is painful, so to see it almost come to fruition... is akin to having my heart torn out of my chest, to say the least.

I watch as the Kings move around the room, almost like zombies. I admit, it is interesting to think of them that way since I mostly thought of them as my future dinner for the past few years based on Hudson's assessment. But not anymore. Pity...they look like an excellent source of protein.

After some time, I felt the pressing need to see Li'Ella. Sensing her coming to visit, I appear at her side and escort her to the house. Where she shocks us all by telling us that not only will Hudson be fine, but that we were to expect four little ones. Four miniature versions of Hudson? We are going to need a bigger army.

As I escort her back after her visit, I peer at her closely. She seems very wise for a little one, though I suspect that she can see a lot more than she lets on. But, considering I am not 100 percent clear about what she can divulge, I'm sure she will open up when ready.

After a few moments of walking, she pauses in the small garden in the back of her home, and sits down on the soft grass. She looks at me, her face serious. "Xena, I need you to do something for me."

Her small, childish voice is laced with power that rivals her age. Overhead I sense Cerubus as he flies in his Phoenix form. I look up in confusion. Cerubus doesn't show his face unless absolutely necessary. Although considering the fact that both of his forms, a python and a Pheonix, are a representation of his personality, it makes sense. Still, he has been a great help to me.

I will do anything in my power to help you.

"Cerubus, I know you can hear me. Can you fly down here, please? I would like to speak to both of you."

Yes, little one?His rough voice flowed through our minds.

She giggles, "I'm little now, but I will soon be bigger than you," she giggled and gestured with her hands. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Fleshy people and their excessive use of their hands. You don't see me throwing my paws everywhere.

"Queen mommy will be fine. So will my future bestest of friends. But... there are a few things that we will need if we are to win the battle," she hesitates and briefly closes her eyes."Hmm, I still don't see many clear images. Everything is jumbled up, and so many different things can change and affect everyone but..." she frowns and drops her little head in her hands.

I step closer and nudge her with my nose,It will be okay little one, tell us what you can and we will do what we can.

She smiles, her little teeth shining bright. "Hudson has a sister somewhere, I don't know how, but I see someone that looks like her but isn't."

I contain a growl. Too much interference from too many people, that's how. When one thing is announced and solved, another jumps in to take its place. Like a silly game of fate leapfrog. I hate frogs. They taste awful.

"She will be important to the battle. That much is clear, but I'm not sure how. Also, it's important that you find a particular familiar village." My eyes snap to Ceri, and he looks at her closely.

Which one?He asks. Familiar villages are closely guarded secrets, they wereourplace, I learned recently, to discover the depths of our powers and become stronger. I may not have come from a traditional, familiar background in Tír na nÓg, Hudson, having called to me from a zoo back in our old town, but the concept has been intriguing--the possibility to meet other familiars. So far, they are useful. In terms of knowledge and training, we feed off each other, and as such, it was important to build a connection with one another. Some familiars were assholes, they often mimicked the personalities of their counterparts, but they had valuable information and knowledge. I figure if they anger me I could eat them.

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