Creatures of Snow (48 page)

“Well, sounds like we got
to go.” Con stood in time with Soul. “No offense to your friends,
but we don’t generally like to do the clean-up. Plus, we got miles
of paperwork to do now.”

Sky was amazed how good he felt. The light
of the day seemed brighter then ever before, the air in his lungs
was fresh and clean and the sound of the breeze was like the hum of
a lullaby deep in his brain…lullaby…”The baby!” Sky blurted out and
jumped to his feet. “Lil’May, what happened to her?”

Soul placed a hand on his back, “She’s safe.
She is hidden.”

Sky sighed and stretched out his legs. It
felt good to stand.

“
I’m sorry, but we have to
go.” Soul said, stepping forward, “I am glad you are okay, brother.
I wish you safe travels.”

“
I can really feel the
love.” Con shook his shaggy head and pushed Soul into Sky. He
surrounded both of them with his long arms, “Let’s hug it out
guys.”

Sky laughed and closed his
eyes. He knew the moment wouldn’t last. Soul was about to leave him
again, off to whatever new adventure awaited the Powers, and he,
well, he was stuck in a lie. He had no idea what the future held,
not for himself, not for any of them.

“I doubt I’ll get to be
your mentor anymore, we’ve already got a new assignment,” Con
punched Sky in the shoulder as he let him go. “But I enjoyed it.”
He backed away a few steps, giving him and Soul room, “And I meant
it when I said I wanted you as part of our team. When you get to
Arche, you’ll already have a home.”

Sky nodded. It was a nice thought, but he
was pretty certain that if his dad had any say in it, he would
never leave the planet again.

“It’s not over Sky,
remember that.” Soul cautioned as he too stepped away. “The real
Man of Mist is still out there and the Council isn’t going away any
time soon. They know the Book of Ten exists, and they have nothing
but time.”

“
Geeze, Soul. Can’t we
just leave on a good note? I had such a good thing going just
now.”

“
I’m just saying, be
careful. If you need us,” He grabbed Sky’s wrist and wrapped his
hand around the bracelet, “We will be there.”

“
And with that we should
leave.” Con gestured towards Soul.

“Wait!” Sky grabbed his
sleeve before he could move any farther away, he glanced down the
road, “Oh’May said something to me before she died – something
about finding sages.”

Both Con and Soul
straightened with his words, but neither said anything.

“
We really need to go.”
Con tried to break the awkwardness with a forced grin, “Until next
time kiddo.” He said with a lazy salute.

“
Goodbye Skyden.” Soul
nodded and placed a hand on Con’s back.

“
Give Sara a kiss for me.”
Con gave him a wink just as they disappeared, leaving nothing
behind but a bit of swirling dust.

He could hear their voices clearly now. Al
and his dad. They were leading the pack.

“Why can’t I do that?” He
asked aloud to Zar. “You know, disappear and stuff?”

Zar zig zaged around his
legs and jumped up to his shoulder.
You
use the power of the Snow differently. He sees the fabric of
reality and steps through it. You see it and you tear it
apart.

“
Sky!” His dad’s voice
pierced the air, full of desperation and relief.

He turned to see his dad
and Al running towards him. Just looking at them filled him with
the joyous warmth only family can bring. It pained him to think
that although they were relieved at Sky’s safety, grief would soon
follow.

A few paces behind Al,
Sara and Lee slowed their jog down to a walk, and clung onto one
another when they saw him. He knew he was a mess, full of blood and
torn up cloths, but he was hoping the grin on his face would hide
all that.

Roland’s first reaction
seemed to be his only reaction – he grabbed his tablet and scanner
from his bag and started punching buttons, ready to get to
work.

It all changes for them
too you know. It’s not ever going to be the same.
Zar sat down on his shoulders and dug his claws
in a bit for a better grip.

Arms surrounded and pulled
him. Words of love and exaltation filled his ears and mind. He saw
Zero coming towards them, tears on his cheeks that were deceived by
the light smile on his lips. He hadn’t seen him smile in
years.

It hasn’t been the same
for a while now,
He reached up and
scratched Zar between the ears.
So…I’m
ready.