Chapter 19: Reuniting

"I just can't believe they'd do this to us," Hay Lin cried, shaking her head sadly.

"Not only that, but I think they magically influenced us," Cornelia growled, clutching her fists.

"Same here," Taranee added. "There's no way for us to move on just like that."

"But what do we do about the idea of the Oracle sending bodyguards to protect us?" Will asked. "Normally he'd just leave us in the dark before the big strike."

"Whoever is challenging Candracar must really mean business," Taranee said.

"So what?" Irma punched her fist into her open palm. "We can't just stand here doing nothing! We need to go to Candracar and have a long contact with our old 'friend'."

Will nodded. "You're right, Irma. We can't take this lying down." She reached into her pocket, pulling out the Heart. She paused, looking between all the faces around her. Her close friends. Closing her fist around the Heart, she asked, "Hey, guys, remember that day, when we all left?"

"Yup. We all had our own reasons, but we all left Heatherfield," Taranee stated.

Will continued to look at Taranee. "But don't you find is strange we all left, roughly at the same time, and didn't speak to each other for months?"

Taranee thought a moment. "Well, now that you put it that way . . ."

Will's eyes narrowed. "And don't you find it stranger that we all lost our husbands one way or another?"

Cornelia's mind snapped. "Now, hold on, Will! You're not saying . . ."

"I am." Will's voice was firm, her jaw set. "Someone, or something wanted us apart. To be honest, not once did I think of calling you guys. Not once. Something just kept blocking my mind."

"But if that's true, then why couldn't you just break it?" Irma asked forcefully. Will shot her a warning look, making the water Guardian clam up, literally. "Because I'm beginning to think this thing was powerful, too powerful to break."

Hay Lin caught on. "So that would explain the bodyguards!"

"But what about our losses?" Cornelia demanded. "If someone wanted us apart, why not leave us all alone?"

"Get real, Corny. Think for a second that you're the guy who wants us out of the way? Sooner or later, as stronger as he is, he must have figured out we'd join together. So he pulled a fast one on us, killing off our loved ones to weaken us!"

Irma growled angrily. "If that's the case, then why are we standing around here? We need to find this crook and get him for this!"

"I agree!" Taranee declared. "My husband died of a stroke, but now I'm beginning to think it was something more."

Will nodded. "Then let's go." She held out the Heart, opening a fold. Without another word, the five jumped through to get their answers.

Cassidy stood, looking over the cliff, in front of a stone white building that kind of resembled a futuristic castle. Behind her, Edward stood, looking over her shoulder. "This is my home," he stated, not smiling. "Normally, it would be more lively, but . . ."

Cassidy gestured. "I know. Without this guy named Nickolas stalking around." She looked at him, a curious look on her face. "You sure you don't want to tell W.i.t.c.h. about him?"

Edward shook his head. "Believe me, I would, but it's the job of their protectors, not me."

"So you're my protector?"

"Yes."

" . . . Did you magically influence my feelings?"

"No."

"Well, that was direct."

"A gentleman never intrudes on a maiden's feelings, mission or not. He would rather drag her physically than deceptively tricking her into going with him."

"So, what? You would have thrown me in the slammer if I didn't come quietly?"

"Something like that."

The two chuckled warmly. Then Cassidy took the floor again. "So, Edward, just why are we here again?"

"To meet with aquintances of mine. Without them, I fear I have no power to convince the Guardians of the danger they are in."

"I thought you wouldn't intrude."

"I'm not. I'm merely providing back-up."

"Back-up?"

"With the protectors keeping the Guardians, I and my men will guard their families."

"Ah. And what about me? What do I get to do?"

"Rebecca will guard you."

"Becky? But she's just—"

"Not as she seems, Cassidy. She is of a world called Gaia. A world jumper, if you will. She was picked by me to watch you after Nickolas made his first hint at you."

"What was that?"

". . ." He didn't answer.

"Edward? There's something you're not telling me."

He shook his head. "It's nothing. Really. Only a little hint."

Cassidy crossed her arms. "Like what? Writing my name in blood? Stalkers? Come on, you need to tell me these things."

Edward didn't meet her gaze. "You should know. After all, Rebecca was keeping a special eye about the sign."

Cassidy didn't get it. "I don't understand."

Edward shook his head. He wouldn't tell her, couldn't tell her, anyway. "No. Besides, it's not important. Here are the others."

Cassidy watched as four people walked up the trail. Two of them were animal-like, one jaguar-like and the other bulldog-like. And the other two were humans, at least if you didn't count one of them, a male, having strange markings all over his body.

When the four met up with the two, Cassidy had a feeling these guys were definitely more than they seemed.

And she was getting the sickening feeling in her stomach that this was going to get rough.

When the girls arrived at Candracar, the Oracle was not surprised to see them. Nor was he surprised when they shouted at him and demanded answers. But the Oracle kept his tongue, only saying the greatest fight in their Guardianship was about to come, and that they must prepare. He only said to trust his protectors, but he was only snapped at more and abandoned, as the girls just left without saying anything.

Boy, the Oracle hated the thought in the back of his mind, where he remembered clearly what had happened when someone else had underestimated the power of their enemies. Like with Nerissa. None of her teammates had thought she would go so low.

Of course, the Oracle knew, and terrible things fell into place after.

He just hoped that nothing that horrible would happen.

Nickolas watched from his perch as the girls returned. Grim satisfaction barely touched him as he observed soullessly as they fumed about how little the Oracle told them.

Of course he could not speak of what he knew of Nickolas. He couldn't, even if he wanted to. The powers from beyond would not permit it.

Darcius watched his superior from the tree branch below, looking up and waiting for orders.

"Darcius," Nickolas finally spoke, "I would like you to keep attacking the Guardians. Keep them distracted whiles I complete the formation."

Darcius smirked darkly. "Of course, Nickolas, my man. Your wish is my command."