Zen cheered as they flew past the streets of New Arctica and towards the hospital, evading the other cars. D’Angelo knew how to drive his little sports car through traffic. They weaved in and out without losing speed.
“Do you do this all the time?”
D’Angelo grinned. “Only sometimes. The natives are used to it though.”
Zen laughed. “I’m sure seeing their Don racing like a teenager reassures them.”
“Hey, they picked me as their Don. They could have picked anyone else but they picked me.”
Zen smiled and then gasped as they began spinning. She hung on and closed her eyes as the car spun. D’Angelo grinned and slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop.
“We’re here.”
Zen opened one eye and then smacked the Don’s arm. “Don’t scare a girl like that! I thought we were going to crash!”
“Me? Crash? Not likely anyway we are here to save Mariposa not to be the newest guests.”
Zen slouched in her chair. “Yeah, we better get in there.”
D’Angelo narrowed his eyes and when Zen went to open the door, he instead pulled her to him.
Zen hit his arm and kicked her legs. “Hey! Let me go!”
He pulled the door closed and locked them, then turned to her. “Not until you tell me what’s bothering you. You were about to say something at the airport. What was it?”
Zen struggled in his grasp but he was too strong and the space was too small to aim a kick where she wanted to. The crystal sent small pulses of power down her spine.
Use me!
I don’t know how!
Instead little electric shocks built on her skin shocking D’Angelo into letting her go much like Edline would have done.
“Ouch!”
She broke from his grasp and tried the car door again.
“D”Angelo, let me go!”
Not until you explain what’s really going on. Señora Cecil wasn’t too happy when I came in and Bernado doesn’t usually yell at his guests. What is going on?”
“Nothing that will affect you. Promise!”
“And you?”
“I’m just a piece on the board. Let me go!”
“A piece on the board?”
“Yes! That’s all you’re getting...now let me out or I’ll call my brother...and he won’t be so nice to your car.”
“If he touches my car, I’ll put him in the converter.”
“Is this why you wanted me to ride with you? So you could interrogate me?”
D’Angelo sighed and undid the latch. Zen busted out of the car and onto the pavement, slamming the car door behind her. D’Angelo stepped from around the wheel, closing his door and facing her. “You’re in trouble aren't you Zen?”
Zen shrugged. “When am I not,” she muttered and began to walk sedately behind him. Growling, he took her hand and hauled her over to him where he slipped his arm around her waist.
“Just relax for a minute! I’m not going to hurt you!”
“I’m a Low!”
“Not right now!”
Zen growled but kept her mouth closed. He was right and unless she wanted to end up in the converter. She would have to play the part of an Elite whether she liked it or not.
“Do you have to put your hand around my waist?”
“A Don wouldn’t be seen with a Low remember?”
She scowled but nodded. She refused to rest against him and crossed her arms.
“I already said I like your stubbornness,” he whispered in her ear.
She flushed but not out of embarrassment. “Keep your lips off of me!”
He grinned and pulled her closer till her head was under his and he could rest his chin over her head. Vaya! Is this what mama has to fight with on a daily basis with Carmelo? How does she handle it and him?
The crystal gave an extreme pulse of electricity shocking the Don again but he only held on tighter.
Save your strength...we’re about to be used.
The crystal sent a pulse of power through her and calmed down but it blazed one more time, glowing slightly and shocking the hell out of D’Angelo who cursed and let Zen free again. At that point, the hoover car arrived and Stephan, Isaias, and Marco were stepping out. She rushed over to them and placed one hand around her brother’s arm. Isaias raised an eyebrow but let her hang on.
“Everything ok?” he asked.
She nodded. “Just a little nervous.”
Isaias ruffled her hair. “On my honor sis. Don’t worry.”
“Isaias you can’t…”
“Hurry up Zen! Mariposa is waiting for you!” yelled Bernado as everyone came upon New Artica Hospital. The sliding doors let out a nice cold temperature and Zen unconsciously edged towards Stephan. He took hold of her hand smiling gently. Zen smiled back and stepped from his hold more confidently.
“Coming uncle!” she cried.
. She ignored Cecil and D’Angelo and stepped to Bernado’s side. The crystal began to vibrate slowly and Zen had to use her hand to soothe the crystal. They walked through the white halls until they reached an elevator. Here she managed to keep Stephan between herself and D’Angelo. The elevator was spacious and fit everyone plus the guards of three Dons with little fuss. There was barely any room to move though, and Zen ended with a clingy Don at her back again. Stephan used his abilities to make D’Angelo quite uncomfortable every time he tried to touch Zen. He was soaked in sweat by the time they arrived on the 20th floor.
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They exited the elevator and went down a hall painted a bright yellow with daisies and a big bright yellow sun with sunglasses. Stephan wasn’t allowed in and a smirking D’Angelo grabbed Zen from his side. They entered a room and a tall, beautiful woman was sitting near the bed where a fragile little body lay. The tubes and cords connected to it obscured everything but the face which wore an oxygen mask and had several cords connected to the head of mahogany hair. Zen approached the woman who had slight violet-toned skin and sky-blue eyes. Her hair on the other hand was a cascade of silver.
The woman spoke and it was like listening to a symphony, clear and beautiful. “You hold the crystal.”
Zen nodded and presented the crystal to her. The crystal stopped vibrating and began to glow softly. The woman pursed her lips and slid her hands upon the crystal. It thrummed to her touch.
“Can you take her off?”
Zen shook her head.
“Well then, I’ll have to use her like this then. It’ll take your life force to heal this girl. Do you give it freely?”
“What! Bernado, you didn’t say anything about this!” cried D’Angelo
“D'Angelo, it is needed. My daughter will die without it”
“¡Mi nieta tiene más valor que una descarada!” (My granddaughter has more value than a wretched girl)
“Yeah, and Marie Elena is where again?” asked D’Angelo pulling Zen closer. She started fighting him again. Zen sighed and nodded to the Galactian.
“Very well, I’ll just...ouch!” the Galactian cried.
Everyone turned to Zen who blushed and shook her head.
The woman glared at the crystal. “Ishevara does not want to be used. Not if her guardian has to pay the price,” she said looking at Zen in the eyes. Zen stood shocked and grasped onto the crystal. Thank you...friend but I…
Zen reeled against the force of a slap.
“Bruja! Maldita Bruja! Tu vas a usar ese maldito cristal aunque tu mueras!” (Witch you damn witch! You will use that crystal even if you die!)
Zen was caught by two sets of hands. Two sets of eyes glared at one another but one had to recede for now. Don D’Angelo pulled Zen closer to him and inspected the slap that bruised her right cheek.
“Cecile that was unnecessary!”
“Esa muchacha…” (That girl...)
“Estaba tratando de hablar con el crystal y porque tu le distes, pues el crystal decidió a no ayudarte,” (Was trying to talk to the crystal and because you hit me, the crystal has decided not to help) Zen said glaring at the woman. Cecile looked shocked.
“No lo va hacer?” (It's not going to do it?)
“No lo quiere hacer.” (It doesn’t want to do it)
Cecil screamed and lunged for the necklace. The crystal glowed and shot a beam at her, throwing her against the wall. Cecile collapsed against the pale yellow wall.
Zen was stared at. Even D’Angelo was afraid to touch her now.
The woman spoke then. “What do you plan to do now, guardian?”
Zen looked at the helpless form on the bed and over at Cecile’s unconscious form. She closed her eyes and grabbed hold of the crystal again. Ishivara is that your name?
A warm tingle flowed from the crystal. It is a lovely name. Ishivara can you not heal the little girl? I know her grandmother is a pain but the little girl has done nothing. Surely with your power, you can heal her a little or put her on the path to healing at least?
The crystal tingled. You will?
It tingled again. Oh, thank you I’ll just get the woman to...a shock raced through Zen and she nearly dropped the crystal. You don’t want the woman to handle you?
A tingle.
Then how?
Use me.
I don’t know how...will you teach me?
A shock. Then what!
Another shock, then a small vibration and a pulse along with an image of the galactical woman that stood before her now. Oh! Okay!
Zen opened her eyes and turned to the woman.
“Ishivara will heal the girl but it has to be me who heals her. Can you show me how to do such a thing?”
The woman lowered her eyes to the crystal which pulsed for a minute and she nodded. “I can teach you to harness the power of the crystal but the rest is up to you. Will Ishevara allow me to handle her for a minute so that I can show you the way to use her?”
A small uncertain tingle raced through Zen.
“She is unsure of your motives.”
“I assure you great one, I do not mean you or your handler harm.”
She better return me to you or I will blow up the Earth.
“As long as you return her to me, the chosen guardian, there will be no problems. Steal her and she’ll explode taking Earth with her.”
The woman’s eyes widened and she nodded. Zen reached for the chain around her neck and slipped it off her head for the first time. Ishevara trembled slightly and Zen palmed the crystal, reassuring it before passing it over to the woman.
The woman took the crystal and held it by the tip, showing it to Zen. “These crystals are sacred to my people. To be given a chance to wield one is a great honor. Never abuse the crystal. Ishevara works with time and reality. She can bend both and rewind time which is great for cell regrowth. Now in order for you to use her, you must tap into your aura. It will be easier with the crystal in hand. It will feel like a blanket of calmness has come over you. From there, you will be able to hear Ishevara and follow her guidance to cure the girl.”
“Find my aura? But I am human? Only galacticals and others have auras.”
“Humans have a small one as well. They have forgotten how to use theirs for millenias. You have a stronger connection to yours than most because of Ishevara.”
“How will I know that I’ve found my aura?”
The woman smiled. “Ishevara will not shut up..oww! It’s true you dumb rock...don’t shock me again!”
Zen chuckled and palmed Ishevara, concentrating on a calm feeling inside her. She couldn’t find that so instead, she concentrated on Ishevara and how smooth she was, her contours, and the fact that she ended in a sharp point.
Sharp enough to stab someone with.
Zen laughed then realized it wasn’t her thought. Ishevara?
Yes?
Did I do it?
Do you not hear me?
I do!
Then you did it. Mind not holding me so tightly I can’t breathe.
Do crystals breathe?
Of course! Now we need to get going on healing the girl. You are not yet used to me and this will tire you out.
Ok, what do I do first?
First, you need to open your eyes and walk over to the girl. You will need to touch her to heal her.
Zen opened her eyes. Through the reflection in the glass window she stared at herself for a minute. Her eyes were no longer dark mahogany but a brilliant swirling white. She slowly walked over to the girl and gently took her hand. It was so small and frail in hers.
Now what Ishevara?
Now hold me to her and don’t let go. Whatever happens, do not let go!
Zen nodded and brought Ishevara to Mariposa’s skin. A blinding light exploded from the crystal and engulfed Zen and Mariposa. Inside, Zen could see the way the crystal slowly reverted the disease.
You are turning back time?
I am unmaking the disease’s reality. It’ll destroy the disease and get rid of any lasting effects. For the rest, I leave to modern medicine. It should cure the girl well enough on its own. The only damage that will remain is the scarring from the tubes and as payment for treating you so ill, I’m using her life force instead.
What! But she’s so young!
A fourth of her life force won’t kill her anytime soon. It’s punishment for the witch. As sad as it is, I can’t let people abuse my guardian without lashing back at them. It's a cosmic rule, and this little one will have to pay for it, unfortunately. Well, let’s have a look then.
Zen saw there was no remnant of the disease anywhere and then she began to feel faint.
I don’t feel so well, Ishevara.
It’s the price of using me. You’ll get used to it. Sleep now.
There was an intake of breath as eyelashes fluttered open and green eyes took in the room for the first time. At the same time, swirling eyes of light became mahogany once more and closed. A frail body sat up, another stronger one hit the floor.
No one came close to either.