A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Stopping a War Pt. 1

Haley is 16 years old

            I sat at the Sunday night dinner table. As I looked at my nephew Spencer, I couldn't help but go back to that day we almost lost him. 

            **Flashback to when Haley and Eric first spoke on the phone**

            Miley’s phone beeped. She jumped up yelling we had to go. s**t! Was someone coming to the room? Miley said, “Do something to the phone connection!” Emmaline did a charm to garble the sound. I said, “What?” Miley said, “Torvi has been kidnapped, we've been called home.” I said, “s**t!” I conjured Miley’s phone home. I said, “We will go home WITH Torvi. She’s in this realm. We will save her THEN go home.” Lexi said, “I’m in.” Emmaline said, “ME TOO!” Miley said, “You’re right…. we are here.” I could hear Eric yelling at me on the phone. He wanted to help me. He said it was only fair because I’d helped him. I sighed. I wished he could, but then I’d meet him. I nodded to Emmaline who undid her charm. I told him that I would be fine. He agreed to keep our secret. Then he offered to escort me home. I laughed and told him I wasn’t going home. I was going to save Torvi. I hung up. I said, “Let’s go. Grab a fairy.” I grabbed Lexi and Miley grabbed Emmaline. We popped to Torvi. 

            Miley and I screamed in rage at the coven surrounding Torvi. They were forcing her to drink something. I could sense it was hurting her. Her eyes met mine in a panic. She was glowing. I screamed letting my anger overtake me, “YOU SONS OF BITCHES!” I used the wind to throw them away from her. The ground began to shake. I brought the rain and Emmaline took overusing the rain to our advantage. I popped to Torvi. Lexi began to shoot arrows. Miley said, “Conjure me a sword Hales!” I conjured her favorite sword for her. I said, “I’ll save the baby Torvi. Everything is going to be ok.” I squeezed her hand. She couldn’t talk. The potion seemed to be burning her throat. I channeled my healing light. It was bad, but I could do this with no problem. I’d been practicing a lot with my healing light. I closed my eyes. It took me thirty minutes to heal Torvi and the baby. Once she was healed. There were only a few left standing in the coven. That appeared to be because my friends were toying with them. Torvi said, “Get me a damn sword Haley.” I said, “Uhhh you might deliver if you kill people. My healing sped your pregnancy to like…. due day...” She looked at me, “Sword. Now.” I said, “Ok then.” I conjured her a sword. I had her back, always. I nodded to Lexi who put three arrows into the man Torvi was heading towards. Lexi put two arrows in his arms and one in his thigh. Torvi killed him easily. I killed two more. Torvi said, “Marcus is tugging on our connection. They didn’t send you guys...did they?” I said, “Send is a strong word….” Torvi laughed, “Let’s get back.” She hugged me, “Thanks for saving our little guy.” I smiled, “It’s a boy?” She said, “I’d swear it. I saw him getting stronger as you saved me. Whatever they gave me…. I was watching him die. He was crying. Begging me to help him. He said his name was Spencer.” She teared up. I said, “Let’s get you to Marcus.” 

            I popped us to Marcus. He just so happened to be with the rest of my brothers, and my parents. Blade said, “Left. Princess Left. Without Blade.” I sighed. That was true. I said, “The guys leave without their guards all the time.” My dad said, “I told everyone to come home. I sent out a text.” I said, “I didn’t have my phone with me.” Bjourn said, “Something that doesn’t happen again little sister. We need to be able to find you.” My dad said, “You knew you were supposed to come home.” I said, “I saved Torvi. If you didn’t go, get her yourself that means you couldn’t find her.” My dad yelled, “That’s not the point!” I said, “They would’ve killed spencer!” Everyone seemed to notice Torvi now. Marcus said, “Uhh…. you did NOT look like that the last time I saw you.” Torvi said, “Haley’s healing sped it along.” Marcus said, “Oh my god.” Astrid said, “I have an extra crib just in case. You guys can have it. I’ll order a new one.” I snapped and everything they needed was in front of them. I said, “You’re welcome.” I popped to my room. I didn’t want to see them. I heard a knock on my door. I said, “GO AWAY!” They kept knocking but I didn’t open the door. I popped out to my treehouse. I found Logan waiting. I said, “I don’t want to talk.” Logan said, “You know about Eric then.” I turned and saw my prank ideas in his hand. I said, “You knew? You knew about my pranks...you…. you knew I’d find the note.” Logan said, “I did.” I said, “You got me the picture.” Logan said, “I give Eric pictures too.” I started crying, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Logan said, “The other you scared the s**t out of them.” I said, “They are not scared of anything.” Logan said, “No, they were terrified of what could’ve happened to you here. They are being very overprotective about you.” I said, “Everyone except you.” Logan sighed, “You’re sad. You’re sad because you miss him. You’re excited anytime you get one of his letters, and you’re sad when you have to wait for his response. I just don’t see the harm in you guys knowing each other.” I wiped my tears, “I can’t meet him. I promised.” Logan said, “But you found a way around it.” I said, “I asked Arion to get me a phone. I talked to him. I helped him with a problem.” Logan said, “That’s my little fairy sister.” 

            I said, “It hurts my feelings, Logan.” He sighed, “They didn’t do it to hurt you Hales. I swear.” I said, “They still act like I’m just a kid. I’m fifteen. Why can’t I meet him when I turn sixteen? Hackura’s can meet their mates at sixteen.” Logan pulled me in for a hug. He said, “They are scared. They just want you here as long as you can be.” I sighed, “Ok...I’ll get over it eventually.” Logan smiled, “I know.” I said, “Aiden knows too. Is Arion the only one who didn’t evade his way around this?” Logan said, “I don’t know if Arion knows.” I sighed. I gave Logan a hug and popped back to my room. 

**End Flashback**

            Logan caught my eye and smiled. It had taken a few weeks, but I talked to Eric a lot about it. I was positive he knew I was his phone caller. Arion and I even became close with this shared secret between us. I needed someone to talk to about it all. He really helped me. He was an impartial sounding board. He was impressed I was in the ribbon. He said that it was kind of beautiful that my other family wanted me to have the total opposite of the other me’s childhood. I realized he was right. It was wrong of them to keep me away from Eric, but they did do the letter thing at least. Arion even caused all my hurt and anger about the situation to evaporate by one simple move. He gave me a journal of my uncle Fabian’s. I read some of the experiments he’d conducted. I was convinced. My family had every right to be overprotective. My uncle was sick. I shivered at the memory of those entries. I felt bad for everyone that had suffered before Bjourn killed him. I knew when it had happened, I’d read the last entry. What Fabian was doing to a partial fairy when Bjourn must have found him…. My poor brother. All my hurt left me after I read that. We returned to normal in our realm. I didn’t tell them I knew what they’d been keeping from me. Eric and I talked every day. I hadn’t figured out how to ask Aiden about everything yet. Even Arion wasn’t sure why he wouldn’t call Eric back. He said at this point Aiden should be curious why a werewolf was calling him. Aiden and I talked about everything but Eric and us being the promised siblings. 

            I snapped all the dishes done after dinner. I skipped up to my room. I grabbed my Eric phone and popped to my treehouse to call him. He answered as he usually did, “Hello my Angel.” I smiled, “Hi Thor!” He laughed, “You have no idea how happy my wolf is when you say that.” I smiled, “How was your day?” Eric said, “It’s better now. Our female lead warrior just caught a rogue problem before it happened.” I smiled, “I’m glad you guys did that.” Eric said, “It was a great idea from my letter exchange best friend.” I laughed, “Sounds like a smart person.” Eric said, “Oh...she is very smart.” We talked for a few hours. Before we got off the call he said, “You really aren’t going to comment on how Alpha Raven just suddenly showed up to Alpha Kyle’s territory, and just laid out all his plans to take his Luna from him.” I said, “What did you want me to say?” Eric laughed, “That you my Angel…. made Alpha Raven tell Alpha Kyle all his plans.” I said, “He was being very secretive and mean. Luna Marissa doesn’t even like him. She’s scared of him.” Eric said, “You talked to Luna Marissa? She didn’t mention that.” I said, “Through a series of fairy events…. she might not remember it happened. You are Alpha Kyle’s ally. If he’d come against Alpha Kyle…. you’d have fought with him.” Eric laughed, “So you did make Alpha Raven confess.” I said, “I made him tell the truth.” Eric said, “How did you make him walk up to Alpha Kyle and say that in front of three visiting Alpha’s?” I said, “With the help of others and a charm.” Eric snorted, “Just for the record…. I’m aware of the other things you’ve done.” I blushed. I said, “Oh?” Eric laughed, “Yes, my evasive little fairy. own orto falhing own've (Thank you for all you’ve done).” I gasped. He knew Fealish? I answered, “Meself cunif act  orto own.  Meself  own (I would do anything for you. I love you).” I slapped myself. I hadn’t meant to say the last part. s**t! Eric inhaled. Maybe he didn’t know the translation. I said, “Gotta go bye!” I hung up.

            I said, “Stupid! Why did I say that? UGH!” I popped to Pirate and took him out on a ride. I just let myself be free for several hours with him. When we got back, I fed him. Miley ran up to me. Her eyes were wide. I frowned, “What’s wrong?” Miley whispered, “Emmaline’s been calling you. She overheard…. you need to get us to Lexi.” I frowned. I grabbed her hand and popped us to the shroud. Emmaline was pacing. I asked, “What’s wrong?” Emmaline grabbed me by the arms, “I heard a rumor...if it’s true…. it’s REALLY BAD Haley…. like BAD!” I said, “What’s the rumor?” Emmaline sighed, “Some Omega’s in Eric’s pack play near the border by our portal at the edge of his territory. They are talking about practicing some powers on them…. but...I read about it….it would kill the omegas! I don’t think they know that.” My eyes turned gold, “They who?” Emmaline said, “Some earth fairies. I tried to reach Aiden but he’s traveling, and Arion is with him.” I cursed, “s**t! When are the dead earth fairies doing this?” Emmaline said, “Now.” She took out the concealment stone. We quickly surrounded ourselves in sugar. We’d become pros at this charm. We wanted to see our guys often. We helped Alpha Kyle for Eric, but not just him. It was about Lucas too. He was closer territory wise to Alpha Kyle. Alpha Raven’s plan had been to have rogues wait at the border to attack Lucas’ pack so he couldn’t get through to help Alpha Kyle. Emmaline had been distraught. So, our fearsome foursome fixed it. 

        We took hands and chanted, ““cries addto   pleas.  Megroup  to actin unseen.  Outa falhing.  With the greatest  ina falhing.  Orto da  ticytoky.  Megroup  to the ,  addto  to finmus point ina thee (hear our cries and hear our pleas. We need to be unseen. Hidden from all. Even though with the greatest sense of all. For a short time hide us please. We come to the sky, earth and water to ask this of thee.)” As quick as we could three times. Once we were all concealed, I popped us to the omegas. I gaped. We were too late to stop the earth Fae. The fairies were staring in shock as wolves emerged snarling. The omegas weren’t dead yet, but...my heart stopped. Eric was here. I couldn’t stop staring at Thor. He was beautiful. Emmaline whispered our space unheard chant. Several wolves turned in our direction. They could hear us. Eric went over to his omegas. Two men with Eric’s group shifted and cried out. Emmaline started to cry, “Those are their mates. One….one of those on the ground is a child Haley. They killed a little boy!” I looked over. Emmaline was partially right. They weren’t dead yet though. On the ground were two older girls and a small boy.” Eric shifted back, “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! YOU KNOW THIS MEANS WAR!” The fairies stammered, “We…. we didn’t think it would hurt them!” I said, “Emmaline, I need you to stop time then get out of here. I think that’s Jackson heading towards us. Stop time and I’ll fix this. I’ll find Aiden. I’ll pop to him and save the omegas and the little boy. I’ll stop this war.” I couldn’t fight Eric. I wouldn’t fight him. Emmaline said, “Haley…. can you even do that? They are almost dead…. their souls are almost gone. All of them, the little boy is the one with a chance.” I said, “I will do this. I will not let Eric and Aiden go to war against one another.” Emmaline grabbed my hands. She closed her eyes. Time stopped. I said, “Get out of here. All of you.” Miley said, “Not a chance b***h. I’m with you.” I nodded. 

        I popped to the Omegas. I briefly touched Eric’s face. I cried. I kissed his cheek. Bitterness crept up in me. If I hadn’t promised not to meet him, I could stay and heal the wolves. I shoved that aside. I grabbed the omegas and the little boy. I popped us all away. I popped to Aiden and Arion. Aiden startled, “What the hell?!!” I said, “You have to get to Alpha Eric Conners territory Aiden. He’s about to declare war. I’m going to save his omega’s…. then he won’t do it.” Aiden said, “Alpha Eric Conners? I’ve heard of him. Never had the chance to meet him yet.” I frowned, “Because you don’t return his calls!” Aiden said, “Calls? What calls? He’s never called me.” I looked at Arion who shrugged. I glanced down at the wolves. I had a few more minutes before I needed to start their healing. The Omega’s were still frozen. Aiden said, “What fairies did this? Never mind I can sense earth powers. Idiots! Of all the territories they go and wander into Alpha Eric Conners to practice.” His eyes narrowed at me, “Why were you there?” I said, “Emmaline told me what the earth fairies were planning. I don’t want us at war with Eric. I can’t fight him brother.” Aiden said, “ERIC? You call him Eric? You can’t fight him? Why not? I mean I know you exchange letter and have a crush...but you can’t fight him?” I sighed. Arion squeezed my hand. I whispered, “He’s my mate, but you knew that…. right?” Aiden said, “What? How would I know that?” I said, “The other me visited you in the ribbon.” Aiden startled, “I was told you didn’t know about that yet.” 

        I said, “I found a letter from myself.” Aiden sighed, “When you were fifteen, right? That’s why you were moody for a few weeks. Damn it!” I nodded. Aiden sighed, “That’s what you have been keeping a secret. Sister? Your mate?” I nodded. Aiden sighed, “I agreed not to tell you so you could have a normal childhood. One that girl I met deserved and didn’t have. I didn’t know who you were twice light bound to. The other you didn’t tell me. I’m sorry sister. Why…. Why are you not with your mate?” I sighed, “I promised Bjourn I wouldn’t meet Eric until I was eighteen. I didn’t know he was my mate at the time. I just wanted to meet my letter exchange friend.” Aiden sighed. I added, “I’m not mad at you Aiden. I was but Arion gave me one of Fabian’s experiment journals.” I shuddered recalling the words I’d read. Aiden shouted, “ARION! YOU GAVE THAT TO HER?!” Arion said, “She needed it brother. She was beyond devastated about her family and you keep her from her mate. She needed to see where that protectiveness came from. I had to ease her sorrow. I’m her brother too.” I gave him a side hug. He smiled. Aiden said, “Did the other you tell you about mother? That’s why you don’t like her right?” I said, “I…. I haven’t read the whole letter.” Aiden sighed, “Read it. I’ll go deal with your mate and ask about these calls I haven't gotten, but you seem certain I should have. Arion, when she’s healed the wolves bring them to me in her wolf’s territory.” He turned to Miley, “This could wipe her out. I barely sense their wolves. She’s healing the human side too. The boy is not old enough for his wolf yet, but the other two…. she’s healing their wolves too. She will probably pass out. No one can get in here but us. You will be safe until we return from handling the situation.” 

        I hugged them both. Aiden kissed my forehead, “Your wolf must know you’re his.” I said, “He does. It’s so obvious reading our letter now…. and... uhhh…” Arion laughed, “Our little sister asked me for one of our phones. She talked to her mate on said phone. They have code names, and her wolf pretends he doesn’t know it’s her; but he knows.” I flushed, “You don’t know that!” Arion said, “Oh but I do, little sister.” I rolled my eyes. Aiden kissed my forehead, “I will handle this. He will treat you well or answer to Arion and me before the Hackura get to him.” Arion said, “Damn straight.” I laughed, “You guys!” Arion said, “No one will treat you badly and live. It will just be a race to see who gets to the dead person first.” I rolled my eyes, “You guys….” Aiden laughed, “He is not kidding. Heal the wolves, sister.” Miley said, “Emmaline didn’t know if Haley could do it.” Aiden laughed, “My sister can heal them. She is very powerful. She is pure of heart. It’s why Arion and I are here for her. We balance her.” Arion snorted, “I balance the two of you. Bleeding hearts these two.” He told Miley. She laughed. Aiden rolled his eyes. Arion said, “What? I’m the most Fae of us all. I have to be selfish for both of you. You guys make it so hard on me with your good people tendencies. I’d have just let Haley’s wolf declare war. We would’ve gone to the table to talk peace, and she would have had to be there. Then they’d meet and don’t you just know the war would be over. Alas, my bleeding heart sister got there first. Now she will exhaust herself healing her wolf’s omegas.” Aiden rolled his eyes, “I’m off. Watch over her, Arion.” Arion nodded. I said, “Be nice to him please.” Aiden laughed

        He popped out and the omegas on the ground gasped as they were unfrozen. I said, “I’m going to heal you and then my brother will take you home to your mates.” The one girl clutched the boy and she whispered, “My son. Save my son! I don’t care about my life. Save my baby!” I said, “I’m going to save all of you.” Arion moved them so they were touched, and I held out my hands. When I started healing them...I realized Aiden was right. This was going to take it out of me. Even as good as I was. They were so close to death, and I had to remove the magic on them. It was far more complicated than the healing I’d done before because of the earth magic they’d been hit with. The anger on Eric’s face was what fueled me. I couldn’t let him fight my brothers. I had to stand with them, but I couldn’t. Not against him. I would go to my knees before him. I’d throw my sword at his feet. I had so much to protect him and his pack…. I couldn’t hurt him. The very thought was hurtful to me. My eyes were closing. I forced them open. The boy was staring at me in wonder. I realized he was fully healed. That’s why his eyes were open. He climbed into his mother’s lap. He said, “Momma…. it’s not nap time. Wake up and play with me!” My eyes filled with tears. He reminded me of my own nephews. I doubled my efforts. These women were not dying on me. Eric would not lose pack members. This child would not lose his mother. Arion said, “Sister…. you need to stop.” I couldn’t. They weren’t totally healed yet. 

Arion said, “DAMN IT HALEY! Listen to me!” I was shaking and sweating. I closed my eyes. I told my light to take the magic from the girls. It was too great to heal. They would be suffering for months. I could recover in a few days...maybe a week.” Arion said, “Don’t you dare! You stop thinking that right now! I see it on your face little sister!” Miley said, “What?” Arion said, “She’s going to take the magic that’s causing them pain into herself.” Miley screamed, “WHAT?! WON’T SHE DIE?!” Arion hissed, “No. She’ll be in a coma for a few days. A week tops while her body fights this magic. Couldn’t they have used other magic? Noooo, they had to use the kind of physical magic my sister can heal. Assholes. I’m punching each of them in the face.” Miley started to cry. I sent love in all my connections to my family. I got immediate concern back. I said, “Brother, you’ll have one hell of an evasion to pull off with this one.” Arion snorted, “Don’t do this. I can evade in my sleep. Getting away with pulling one over on assassins is going to be the highlight of my year. Let’s just not do it for this, eh?” I whispered, “I’m sorry brother. I have to do this. I can’t let Eric hurt. I can’t let him fight you guys. I won’t.” Arion sighed, “Of course you think you have to. You know what the ONLY selfish promised sibling needs? To get in that damn healing bubble of yours...That’s the f*****g power I needed. Aiden should’ve stayed back with you.” Miley said, “Aiden can get in her bubble?” Arion said, “If anyone could….” Their voices faded as I waded into the magic rooted in their bodies. Only because this magic was meant to hurt their physical bodies could I take it. I’d have needed Emmaline if it was supposed to corrupt their souls.