‘Children of Totem, we cannot stop; by controlling Gaia they will control the environment and everything that lives on it. Anna is no longer one of us, and you must not answer her call. I don't care how urgent it seems. Remember, we are instructed to keep to our totems and only signal each other, trust only each other. I’ve heard that they are using non-totem members to gain entry into other groups – be careful of your outsider friends. In Gaia we see, In Gaia we believe.’
‘Andrea, is it true that Anna is a council guardian and leader of Amset - the Cornwall group?’ Caro asked.
Andrea looked surprised; it wasn’t general knowledge. But the twins had ways of finding out things. She chose her words carefully.
‘It’s true, the wise one, Anna, has disappeared, and the Gaia council is looking into the matter. Word on the wind is that her research into Khaos infected her. She always had immense powers over the elements, but now…’ Andrea shrugged looking around. Her only memory of Anna was from the last council group meeting. There were whispers then about Anna’s fixation with Khaos theory.
‘I’ve heard that the flooding in a village nearby was by Anna. Harp bought cheap land from the farmers affected and created another site. My sources have told me that it’s heavily guarded like the others, and the antennae have already affected Gaia’s natural energy in the area.’ Andrea added.
‘Our mother’s family came from there, and they’re missing.’ Caro said looking at the other members furiously.
‘One of them is our cousin and she’s the same age as us.’ Claudine’s voice was raised and Andrea placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
‘We will not allow that to happen to us. All of us have been chosen.’ Andrea’s voice was low and she looked at Amber smiling. She was glad that she had included her. There were too many risks being taken lately and groups were being infiltrated. Amset, their southern group had been wiped out. That left only three remaining pillars of Gaia, East – Tuameutev, West – Qebsenuv and North – Hapi. With one of the groups missing it made them weak. She winced, wondering why Gaia allowed it to happen. If she asked any of the elders, the answer would always be the same - free will. They might never know how significant Nevaeh was and she can’t help but wonder at the coincidence. Nevaeh, according to Hawk, was an indigo and he was certain she was being called to ward off Khaos. So why were totems being taken? For their powers?
In the centre, Amber shivered in relief as the circle broke up. She knew she was already in too deep and that it was going to get worse.
18
Kekui
Amber was still flushed as she watched them move out into the night. All of their energies felt etched onto her skin, and she felt more united with them than normal. Deep down she wondered if Andrea had sensed something and done this on purpose.
In the kitchen, Caro and Claudine put the kettle on.
‘Amber has Kekui, she’s practically swimming in it.’ Claudine whispered to her twin.
‘Do you think the others saw it?’ Caro asked pulling out a herbal tea bag. Claudine shrugged her shoulders. ‘If they did, no-one said anything.’
Claudine frowned. ‘So how will the others be able to look out for it?’
‘They’ll smell them before they even enter the room.’ Claudine jumped slightly as Amber entered the room. Amber nodded. She felt distracted and confused; the voice inside her head seemed to have disappeared altogether.
‘I can’t believe that Anna was ever one of us. How can she not care anymore?’ Caro said looking briefly at Amber. Amber shrugged, her guilt reflected in her spiking aura. The twins glanced at each other knowingly.
‘Do you remember those dolphins found washed up on the African coast, confused and dying? For centuries, they had followed Gaia’s energy roads through the sea and avoided any unnatural danger. Now, others like them get lost. Those that survived watched their pods slaughtered by humans for food. The natural harmony of Gaia is changing Amber, and Nevaeh might be our only hope of fighting them before they do the same to us.’ Claudine tinkled the teaspoon loudly.
Amber frowned at the way she almost mouthed Nevaeh’s name as if saying it aloud might jinx them. She tried to push Nevaeh into the back of her mind, but it was difficult when she thought about how eager she was to come over.
She remembered how they made a beeline for her that first day. She just didn’t seem as unique as they made out. She was just a weird girl, lying under a tree, talking to herself. Mostly she remembered how many birds there were and even caught the flash of a few rabbits scuttling into the undergrowth. She smiled then, suspecting that this was why Hawk wanted her recruited, because of her love of animals, or maybe her looks.
Amber bit her lip feeling her mobile vibrate and quickly turned it off. She felt so confused. Everything they said earlier made sense but why couldn’t they teach her to at least trance properly? She felt stuck between two groups, this group liked to do things slowly, and the others had promised to teach her now. She looked at the twins, who had waited an entire year before they could even trance, and felt uncertain. The longing to join was strong, stronger now that she could choose to do it right away. She remembered how the twins described the feeling of joining and the connection with Gaia.
‘Gaia’s energy makes us feel as if we have super powers. You can see, hear and feel everything'.
Amber remembered the feverish look in their eyes, and the seed grew each time she thought of it.
She shook her head; did they really think Nevaeh was more powerful than that? She blushed realising that Claudine and Caro were waving their hands in front of her face.
‘You alright Amber?’
Amber shrugged.
‘Yeah, I was just thinking ‘bout her y’know, Nevaeh.’
Caro cast her sister a look.
‘Y’know, being special and all that.’ Amber muttered.
