Shadow Beings

31. Incoming

Everyone stood motionless, their expressions aghast. I didn't understand why such an aura of shock surrounded everyone - including me. This was expected to happen, obviously they'd come after the stone. Then why?

"We have no time to waste, then. Evelyn, Conrad and Trina, call the ones who can fight. I trust you all to not spread an aura of panic."

Jay's tone remained streamlined, his aura like a transparent blanket covering us from the heat of the situation without leaving us blind. It spread to every shadow-trapper, alerting them in a subtle manner. I followed his technique from my memories, doing the same to aid him even though I wasn't nearly as powerful.

Somewhat unexpectedly, something comforting propagated from Clay, while all the negativity seemed to converge on Galen. Conrad stood firm and the unsettling feeling vibrated away, a determination overcoming the room.

"Ava, gather the children and the ones who cannot fight and guide them to the safe place underground and Aurelia, you will be going with them. It's the place where the injured will be admitted, too, so you can cure them if you wish to do so."

Aurelia wore an obedient look immediately, forcing her worries away to focus on her duty. Her aura was light and immediately alleviating, as if it could take away all my worries and only leave little tension so that I stayed focused.

Elek wore a smile, looking towards me. I shook my head and it was as if my thoughts followed that motion, his smile doing little to quell my anxiousness. Evelyn took a deep breath, her otherwise excited energy settling into her friendly control. She stood next to Trina, holding the girl's hand softly who was already lost in thought, probably focusing on the matter at hand.

Shock still persisted, but it was fading away. Apparently the strongest aura of shock came from me.

"Theo, tell the ten guards to go to the safe place to assure the safety of the Shadows there. Elek, you will make sure that the defence system is ready to work. Galen and Audrey will come with me; we need to make sure that the open ground is well protected and in formation; we'll coordinate with Elek. Then we'll have to assemble all of our fighters in formation."

Jack and Theo were still at Holly's side, though she seemed alright now, a kind expression on her face. A distant look reflected in Jack's eyes, as if Theo's comforting hand on his shoulder and his concern for Holly were all that kept him in the physical plane.

"Holly and Jack, the stone is kept in a very safe place which no one but us and a few other shadow-trappers know about, but I trust the two of you to protect it, just in case something happens. Can you do it?"

Holly nodded boldly and grabbed Jack's hand, making a run for the door. Jay, Aurelia and Conrad were the only other ones who could move; the rest of us were glued to the ground. Jay spread his arms and widened his eyes, as if saying, "Stop staring at me!" and the rest of us quickly left the room. Galen and I followed Jay towards the exit, locking every room right in our path and telling the others to go to their assigned places.

We stood in front of the defence barrier, gathering all the Shadows in their positions as they came along. Elek stood in the defence room, one hand working on the controls inside while the other secured all the connections on the outside, within the ground. It was as if he memorised the movements, perhaps the same thing I did when I played the piano.

Elek raised his thumbs with a huge grin as he walked towards us and I chuckled. He was always the one to lighten the mood with his everlasting smile. That's why his brief expressions of worry with the occasional knitted eyebrows at his surroundings helped me realise the dangers of the situation. Elek slowly turned towards me with a reassuring smile and took his position, and I returned it to him.