Page 64 of Citiali: Teach
“Christian, Dakota, and Jacob have no idea how you missed everyone’s list. Aiyana said she told me but I don’t know when that was.” Prez stops when Hemy shakes his head.
“I told you about him when Ginny went to Princes.”
Prez shakes his head. “He was sixteen. You didn’t say messenger or anything that would have clued me into his ability. You said Ginny has ability but not what. I’ll take the hit but, Brother, I need better information. Aaron isn’t clueless but doesn’t get any ability besides reading. Christian isn’t showing me kids anymore. I get more from Justice and Zeke than I do my Presidents.”
“As it should be,” I tell him, then shut up when I see the surprise on his face.
“I should be getting information from them?”
“Yeah, Prez. You have Presidents of Territory Leads because it got too big for you to manage the country plus international, well, out of country was coming up, but you saw it. Your council took the new without a manager below them. Justice knows the Protectors and our ability. Christian is supposed to guide us. He’s always busy saving us from ourselves. Aiyana is still working Ops while being the ancestor’s voice, healer, doctor and guide for when we’re unsettled. Dakota sees what’s to come but day to day work isn’t leaving him time to see much. I didn’t get the ability to shield because I’m special, everyone else was busy.”
Cort laughs. “I really like you, Citiali. Do I need to pull shit back from the Protectors here?”
I nod. “You do, Boss. I know you heard Jacob about the abilities and how exhausting it is in crowds. You’ve tried to give us time but a weeklong party with everyone here, Prez, Hemy, Justice and Teller, then add Aiyana or even Aylen is tough tohandle. They all have an energy that runs through us. Like with you anywhere close, every Brother is on alert. We wouldn’t settle until you’re safe and away from us. With ability, we’re blocking readers who get amplified because so much ability is close. Mase shows on boards so he’s not slammed by that closeness. I had to shield at the Protectors tent compound so the kids could eat because so much ability close puts them to sleep, or makes them little walking zombies. People don’t say no to any of you, but you’re forgetting how hard saying yes is for us.”
His eyes aren’t scary but they’re focused on me. “Keep doing that. I need the comparisons like you just made, otherwise I don’t get it. I have no ability and I’m still learning Indian.”
I nod. “You hear me, I appreciate that but I saw where hearing and understanding isn’t connecting. I can and want to help with that. It’s my purpose, Walker says, ‘the messenger of truths for all.’”
He smiles. “That Brother has more in him than anyone ever sees.”
I shake my head. “We all see it. He’s happy and shares when he needs to. It’s where we need him, his purpose.”
“Huh. I guess he is. What do you have for Hemy?”
I smile at my old Pres. “The reservation isn’t yours to carry. Let it go, you’re the only one blaming you for the mess sloth and entitlement left there. Trust was broken, lies were told and justice was served. Let it end.”
Hemy nods. “I need to. It’s making me old.”
I smile at him. “Atohi may have something for you for that. Ask him.”
He shakes his head. Cort looks at Prez Knight. “You back?”
Prez Knight smiles. “I am. My council agrees with you. Asking why they didn’t say something to me, they all turned to Dakota. He said it wasn’t time.”
I shake my head. “It’s time, Prez. We need our guides, your counsel and advice that doesn’t take forever to get a solution. Aiyana told Andrew I should be his second more than a year ago. This war was seen then. We need solutions so Atohi isn’t bringing IT ideas he snags from Brothers heads to cover Virginia so you’d have help up north.”
He shakes his head but he’s smiling. “He asked Kaleb?”
I nod. “Kaleb and Mucimi. He lifted from Jason and a Josiah Brother training him.”
“They’re good Brothers. I’ll thank him for that. My council is finding a solution to this problem. Since they’re the guides, it shouldn’t take more than the two days I gave them.”
I laugh. “They know.”
He nods. “I figured they did since it wasn’t time before. Where do you fit in all this, Citiali?”
I smile. “I’m just the messenger, Prez. I do and say shit that pisses people off and always had ability to defend it. There is nothing in me that would lead to a lie or disrespect for an opinion I don’t hold. My very being depends on all opinions, it ensures my truth, which is based on fact, holds an understanding of why differing opinions even exist. You see me, in me, there is no disrespect. I get pissed but still hold no disrespect for anyone. My words are merely truths that need to be told, need to be heard.”
He nods with a smile. “I see it and understand pure heart. You think I’m going to blast you?”
I smile nodding. “Your eyes flash green, Cort’s are like steel or Ari said lasers. I’m just making it clear before I piss any of you off.”
They laugh at me.
Our conversation takes a turn, Cort and Prez Knight ask about Clubs and Brothers I have to search for. Hemy is quiet butwatches me, then their reaction to my words. It’s a good talk but I’m glad when they’re done. Neither is pissed at me.
Prez stops after just one step toward the walkway. “You had no questions, Hemy?”
