Chapter 403: 1-1

Chapter 48.1 - Chelsea POV Bad things always seem to happen in clusters, its as though each one triggers the next, just as we put something together, like fixing a fallen structure, another area falls to pieces. I had told Grant that this was by no means a vacation; we weren't here to lounge around all the time, or enjoy one another's company. It wasn't that I expected everyone to be training, searching and learning at all times of the day, that wouldn't be realistic, we'd all be burnt out by the time it came to return home. All I wanted was progress... to look from when we arrived to each day and see a bit of growth, in whatever form it was made. That was going to happen, but first I had to deal with what was occuring now, taking this small setback, and turning into a learning opportunity. Marx's intense gaze flickered back and forth from the ground to mine, each time looking away since he was the less dominant wolf between the two of us. What do you want to do Chelsea? Gabriel asked. Something isn't right; I agree with you on that front, I just can't put my finger on it. I don't believe that the plan was what happened nor do we know who was involved but still, whatever Marx thinks he did, I'm sure the Elders were probably a step a head of them, Gabriel added and I truly agreed with him. There were many sides to evaluate right now, but I felt like I should go with my gut, standing I walked over to Marx and Cami, take them with you the minute I remove my hands from them, get them changed and into new clothes, and burn these because they'll have mine and Gabriel's scent on them, I told Logan. Keep them with my pack? I rested against Gabriel's desk not sure, Logan had been doing so much for us, if the Elders before didn't target his pack, they would now that he was harboring something we knew they wanted. That gleam in their eyes when they saw Camilla walk out of the room, however short was brighter than the brightest Christmas tree. Chelsea... you are keeping Rainy safe, you allowed her to come here with you and I'm grateful, I don't want to lead trouble here any more than you do, my pack will keep Marx and Camilla safe, Logan added when I took a minute to answer his question, sensing my hesitation instantly. Giving Logan and the others my back, avoiding their stares I weighed everything out, I had too. On the one side, I had Logan bring them here because I trusted Marx and Camilla, ever since we visited and knowing that they stuck with Gabriel when I was missing? That made all the difference in how I felt overall. I didn't want to ask since I knew the answer but maybe I had been wrong, can I read their minds at all times? Is there anyway that they could get around sharing with me what they wanted to have kept private? I waited for my third wolf's reply. There is no way to hide their thoughts from you child, she replied and my shoulders relaxed, some of the tension left my body. When I turned around, I wasn't sure what my face resembled or gave away but Nona kissed MoonStars head, and handed her over to Cami. It's okay, I will see them again, Nona thought, and though I didn't need the reassurance, I felt lighter knowing she saw what was going to happen, and she was also making it easier on me. Marx, Camilla, be still and remain where you are, I gave them a direct command, then Going to them, I placed a hand on the left and right sides of their heads. Logan came to stand in front of them; Nona, Nonno, Greta and Zeke each stood leaving their line of sight. Entering their memories, I go straight to the moment when they finished their convergence speech, when we were outside the door and the instant I removed my hands, their memories of us were gone as were Logan, Marx, Camilla and their daughter. Before anyone in the room could speak, I went to the Hereafter. This time - for the first time - Jason wasn't with Mother. "Back so soon?" "My blood... can it bring people back?" "Yes... Luna, however they cannot be in pieces," she said with a knowing gleam, Nonno's sister... someone knew this before... that's why - I shook my head, I would think about this later. "So Casey, Camilla, Ethan, Andrew, Cody, Kieran and - and Grant? My eyes wide when I utter the last name, "What does this mean for Grant?" frustrated can't begin to even cover my feelings.  "Why - why didn't you all tell me this would happen?" "We needed to see your choices... there are many gifts that were pulled from the Elders before we lost track of them, we cannot give them to you blindly," I took a calming breath, unsure but still understanding. "What does this mean for Grant?" I repeat once more, "I mean - what - okay so I give my blood to someone and it changes them this way?" Mother nods. "To break or change the effect of my blood, they have to be dismembered?" Was this another test? I rolled my eyes at myself, of course, this was. When was something not a test? Ignoring my thoughts she answers, "To stop the cycle of reincarnation, the heart needs to be separated from the head," I nod taking that in. "Is this like bringing people back from the Hereafter?" With Camilla coming back did that mean that I had released unknowingly a Soulless? "No child, those given your blood they never come here. Their body will shut down, and like yours, will come back..." Well at least that was reassuring. "As for Grant, it is too soon to say what will happen," she said cryptically. What could there be to change or be too soon to see what was happening now that I gave him my blood? I could only see this going one way... he would never remain dead permanently unless I dismembered his body when his time came. As we stood looking at each other her face puckered and her brows scrunched together.