The Impact (Book II)

The Threat

I could sense Zane. His presence had become constant, always prodding the edge of the barrier like a human toeing cold water. It was beginning to grow maddening, always knowing he was right there and being too frightened to do anything about it. Will and I ordered our children to come straight home after school no matter what.

My nightmares grew worse and I often woke up screaming, or to Will trying to wake me up with fearful eyes. Both of us were beginning to feel the strain of Zane's insistent poking.

"I'm supposed to be strong enough to always protect you," Will had said, his attitude defeatist. It made my anxiety only increase; even he was hesitant to engage Zane. If he couldn't stand against Zane, who could?

Ever since the possessed human attacking him, Zach had grown more insistent on his training. He used his pyrokinetic abilities more often now, unflinchingly burning Cole and Keith. Keith grew quieter, more withdrawn, and there were times I caught him talking to himself, mumbling about not wanting to do something. It worried me.

I was in the kitchen one Saturday afternoon making lunch for everyone. Joel was present, chatting amiably with Cole. Emily was trying to have a conversation with Keith, but he was primarily talking about his insects. She hated anything creepy crawly. Will was in the living room watching TV and I had no idea where Zach had run off to. He often went out and Will tolerated it; he was an adult in both of our cultures.

Slicing the crusts off Keith's and Emily's peanut butter sandwiches, I cursed when I felt Zane prod the barrier again. Joel met my gaze. I looked away from him and continued slicing the crusts.

"Excuse me a moment, Cole," I heard him murmur.

I stiffened when he sidled up to me and whispered, "You cannot keep ignoring him. How long will it be until he decides to breach the barrier again and do something worse?"

"He'll go away on his own time," I whispered back, "I don't want my children to worry."

"Cole is already aware of Zane's presence. How long until the others notice as well?"

"What? How does he-?"

At my stunned expression, Joel smirked wryly at me. "He is an incredibly sharp young man, given what he is."

I turned to fully face him. "What do you want me to do about it? He has proven to be more of a handful than Will is apparently capable of dealing with, let alone me. His title in the Royal Guard isn't just for laughs, you know!"

"You do not know what he wants aside from him 'surveying the area.' Lucifer may already know of your location and-" Joel started to say insistently before I stepped on his foot.

Keith had entered the kitchen and was staring at us with a blank look on his face. A red flag flared in my head.

"Keith, darling? Did you want something?"

His eyes cleared and he asked cheerfully, "Can I eat in my room? I wanna look at my Praying Mantis more!"

I handed him his sandwich and milk and watched him run out. I asked, "Do you know what just happened?"

Joel's cerulean eyes were hard. "Did you not teach him how to control his Adsecula?"

Bewildered, I replied, "He doesn't have one; only Optima have an Adsecula."

He didn't seem so convinced but decided not to argue. Yet, he had still managed to plant a seed of doubt in my head. Perhaps I would speak with Keith later and ask him if he was alright.

The others came and got their lunches, sitting at the table to eat. Will ate sluggishly and was in danger of drowning himself in his soup. I felt contrite, I was keeping him up with my nightmares and he was already stressed. Emily worriedly poked his side whenever his head dropped. When he was done eating, he mumbled about taking a nap.