The Bloodstone Prophecy - Book 2 (complete)

Chapter 39 - Reunion

I found this stunning grammy nominated song called "Children" by David Darling and immediately knew it was perfect for this chapter. If you get the chance, please listen to it as you read.

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As she held Chris, Kami noticed the shadow creatures were wandering off into the desert. Their connection to the queen had apparently been broken, and without their creator controlling them, they were uninterested in the fight.

Kami looked around the battlefield. It was covered in dead and wounded bodies, torn clothing and broken weapons. There was no difference between the Shadow Queen's guards and the police officers they had brought. Their minds had been released, and they were one. Some of the guards were talking and hugging each other, but others were on their knees by the dead, sobbing at what they had done.

Four police officers were tying up the blackened form of the Shadow Queen. She was still alive, but badly burned and barely able to move. Kami felt a twinge of guilt. What had she done to the Phoenix? She had sacrificed it, pulling out just before it plummeted to the ground. Kami shook her head. It didn't seem possible. She could hardly believe they managed to beat the queen.

She looked up to see Liam's silhouetted figure walking toward her. She couldn't tear her eyes from the wounds on his torso. He paused, then stooped to pick something up. Kami saw the glint and realized what it was.

"Wait!" she said, but it was too late. Liam held a familiar dagger in his hand. She recognized it instantly. It was Alexander's dagger, the one the queen had used. A green glow flared from it, then absorbed into Liam's arm. He stared at his arm for a moment, then tucked the dagger into his trousers. Kami didn't want to imagine what the glow meant, but she had more pressing concerns. Liam walked to her side and put his arm around her. She tucked her head under his chin and stared down at Samuel's still form. It felt so good to be in Liam's arms again. Chris looked up, then stood and wrapped his arms around Liam in a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry Chris," Liam said, wrapping his other arm around the boy. "We, all of us, owe our lives ..." and he choked up here and whispered. "He saved us, Chris. We would have died if he hadn't done it. We weren't strong enough to beat the Shadow Giant or the queen."

"I was only worried about me dying. I never once thought about Samuel dying. He's always been there," Chris shook his head. "I was always so embarrassed of him, of the way he talked and the things he did. I don't think I told him I loved him enough. If only..."

"Chris, don't," Kami said, tears flowing freely down her face now as her other arm came around him too. "He knew. I know he knew." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Besides, he's probably looking down at us thinking what's wrong with those schmucks, crying when they should be rejoicing. He got his glorious death, Chris. Feet in his boots and everything. He's a hero."

Chris smiled faintly, his lower lip still trembling.

"Yeah. But I'll miss him so much."

"Me too," Kami said.

"Now I'm all alone."

"No," Liam said with a firm voice. "Never alone, Chris. We're your family too now."

"Crap! Gedo!" Kami said suddenly. "He's injured. I have to go to him. He needs the oil!"

"I'll go with you," Liam said, taking his hand in hers. She squeezed it and nodded.

They walked as quickly as Liam's injuries would allow toward the cave, weaving in between the prisoners that continued to spill out. Kami kept glancing over at Liam to see him wincing, but every time he caught her gaze he put on a stoic face. She had so much to say to him, but it would have to wait.