"Let me ask you, David, how do the carbon dioxide levels look?" I glanced at him, my finger tracing the spiral of life on the tabletop. It was our new symbol, plastered on almost everything the organization owned.
He opened his notebook. "Almost down to the preindustrial level."
I crossed my arms. "And Earth's temperature?"
"Also down – almost by .5 degrees Celsius." His cheeks went crimson.
"The Earth is fixing itself, David – thanks to Akasha."
Shawn had been right about one thing; nuclear was the most ready. But unlike him, I knew it wasn't the long-term option. Powerful, dangerous, convenient, necessary. Easter Island had already volunteered to serve as a site for a second nuclear station, and floating Russian nuclear reactors were being brought back online. All three would exist on sinkable islands, in case of emergency. All three wouldn't be activated until Gaias were found, and volunteered, to run them.
Coming to Shawn's plant in McMurdo Power Station on Ross Island in Antarctica was really my only option. It was almost exactly halfway around the world from Bee. Hopefully, whatever energy we each were manipulating would balance out. Besides, cold numbed the constant feeling of pain in my stomach, in my head, and in my heart.
"One Less doesn't—"
"And I've changed the name," I interrupted David. "To One More."
Both Erika and David arched their eyebrows.
"As in one more plant. We're going to plant things. Tell the Chakra Centers to get their shovels ready."
Erika did a fist pump.
David's other eyebrow went up. "Ma'am?"
I sighed. "I'll be in my room – do not disturb for an hour." My hand brushed the lump in my side cargo pocket, ensuring the Chalice was still there. "And David? Don't call me ‘ma'am’."
Chapter 76
Our Solstice
I landed on the platform. My toes tingled as they touched down on glowing, not-so-solid ground. I looked up. The two men I had left last time were there: Cato and Ted.
"It is done then?" Cato asked.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"And not without its sacrifices…" Cato drifted off.
I looked up at him. The men glanced at each other, then slowly stepped aside. From behind them, two green eyes looked back at me.
A smile opened up my face as I walked toward Micah. I paused in front of him, stretching out my hand. He did the same. My solid to his translucent. He made an effort, and was able to solidify his extended limb. Our fingers intertwined.
I looked up into those deep pools of jade, sucking me in just as they always did.
"Hey," I said.
He smiled. "Hey, yourself."
"Shall we begin?" Cato interrupted the moment.
Micah moved to stand next to me as Cato began, "Dearly Beloved, as we gather here today…"
About the Author
Terra is author of the eco-fantasy novels in the Akasha Series, 'Water', 'Air', 'Fire' and 'Earth'. Terra was born and raised in Colorado but has since lived in California, Texas, Utah, North Carolina, and Virginia. Terra has served a 5½ year enlistment in the Marine Corp, has earned her bachelor's and master's degree and presently runs the language services division of a small business.
Terra currently lives in a suburb of Washington, DC with her husband of 14 years and three children.
E-mail: terra.harmony11@gmail.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/terraharmony
Blog: http://harmonylit.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/harmonygirlit
Discover other titles by Terra:
The Kindred Curse Anthology
A disease passed to each new generation of descendants attracts vampires. Pieces of family history and the secrets to survival are lost as the lineage progresses. The Kindred Curse Anthology prequels lead you back in time, revealing the root of a dynasty's plight and a beginning that ultimately transcends the family's end.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Inside Voices
Chapter 2: Wondrous Qualities
Chapter 3: Dancing Flames
Chapter 4: The List
Chapter 5: Good Cover
Chapter 6: Pocahontas
Chapter 7: Dropping Anchor
Chapter 8: The Captives
Chapter 9: No Rhythm
Chapter 10: Afternoon Dip
Chapter 11: Nightmares
Chapter 12: Thunder
Chapter 13: The Spirit of Evansville
Chapter 14: Thirsty?
Chapter 15: Patterns
Chapter 16: Ladies Night
Chapter 17: One of the Guys
Chapter 18: Righting the Wrong
Chapter 19: Meditation
Chapter 20: The Great Rite
Chapter 21: Pieces
Chapter 23: Theories
Chapter 24: Fresh Scars
Chapter 25: Muscle Memory
Chapter 26: Camp
Chapter 27: Tonight
Chapter 28: Kaitlyn, Left Behind
Chapter 29: Tainted
Chapter 30: Inked
Chapter 31: No More Tears
Chapter 32: Finish It
Chapter 33: An Unlikely Ally
Chapter 34: Hero
Chapter 35: What is it Worth?
Chapter 36: Favors
Chapter 37: Slow Ride
Chapter 38: The Best Thing
Chapter 39: Expediting the Process
Chapter 40: A Little Crazy
Chapter 41: Meet Fido
Chapter 42: Morning Mullets
Chapter 43: Stalkers
Chapter 44: Romance
Chapter 45: Control Freak
Chapter 46: Giving More
Chapter 47: Working Party
Chapter 48: Dinnertime
Chapter 49: Fragile Grasp
Chapter 50: It's a Date
Chapter 51: A Threesome
Chapter 53: Choosing a Name
Chapter 54: A Promise
Chapter 55: The Dragon
Chapter 56: Playing with Fire
Chapter 57: So Mote it Be
Chapter 58: Groupies
Chapter 59: The Messenger
Chapter 60: The Mark
Chapter 61: Prisoners
Chapter 62: Air
Chapter 63: Brothers
Chapter 64: Fire
Chapter 65: Water
Chapter 66: Laughter
Chapter 67: Elements of All Four Persuasion
Chapter 68: Two Peas in a Pod
Chapter 69: Akasha
Chapter 70: A Toy
Chapter 71: Retaliation
Chapter 72: Another Shade
Chapter 73: Earth Falling
Chapter 74: Moving Forward
Chapter 75: One More
Chapter 76: Our Solstice
About the Author