Chapter 12

“That wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be,” Ana said from the passenger seat.

The snowy white landscape moved past her window while they drove on the slick highway. Flakes swirled in the air and she imagined herself in a snow globe that had been turned upside down and placed on a shelf.

Chance gripped the steering wheel with his right hand and rested his left arm on the side of the door. His black hair fell into his hazel eyes. He nodded and said, “Yeah, it went better than I was expecting. It was easier being around Mom than I thought and your mom only threatened to maim me once.”

Ana snickered. She spun her ring around her finger as she gazed at it. “Yeah, so all and all, not bad after all.”

“You said you called Lifen this morning to let her know we’re on our way? She wasn’t too pissed we’re coming back later than we said we would? That woman’s got an iron glare and I don’t want to be on the receiving end of it.”

It was an amusing thought that Chance, a strong, courageous and reckless guy, would be afraid of Lifen. Although, in all honesty, Ana knew exactly what he was talking about. She was highly respected and her power was something to behold, but there was no doubt she could hold a grudge that could last a lifetime.

“She didn’t seem too annoyed. I heard Derek in the background threatening if we didn’t get back for tonight’s New Year’s celebration we’d be sorry.”

Chance grinned wickedly while he stared out the windshield. “If he wants to bring it, he’ll be the one that’s sorry.”

The Kootenay Highway curved through the mountains and the scenery began to look familiar. “Hey, slow down a bit. I think the turn off is coming up,” Ana announced, at the edge of her seat.

It took them fifteen minutes to drive up the long, snow-covered driveway. Chance punched in the access code at the security gate and they rolled down the slope to the garage doors. He turned off the engine and it puttered into silence.

Ana yawned so her ears would pop. They both let themselves outside and stretched. It had been a long drive that had begun before daylight. The sun had come out from the expanse of clouds and illuminated the flurry of white flakes that spun around them.

Chance reached for Ana’s hand while they walked down the steps and zigzag pathway to the house. They stopped at the front door, which had a red piece of paper cut into an intricate design. Chance asked, “Should we knock or just go in?”

“Let’s go in.”

She opened the solid wooden door and they stepped onto the grass mats. The house was quiet. “Hello?” she called out.

The sound of the meditation room’s rice paper doors sliding open traveled down the hallway. Voices followed and a moment later, Lifen, Batukhan, Derek, Jordan and Gabriella emerged.

“Happy New Year!” Chance and Ana chorused together and the others chimed back, welcoming them home.

Derek clapped Chance on the shoulder. “Man, I didn’t know if you were coming back!”

Chance laughed. “You wish. I can’t let you think you can beat me in a race. I just gave you time to recover from last time.”

“I hope your travels were safe and your visit, pleasant,” Lifen said over the boys’ joking.

Chance quieted, shook Lifen’s hand and thanked her. Ana did the same and then they greeted Batukhan.

Chance frowned. “Where’s Mac?”

His disappointment was obvious. Ana actually felt his mood turn and his inner light dim. His shoulders slumped as he looked from Lifen to Batukhan for an answer.

Batukhan waved. “Oh, he’s checked in a few times over the last two weeks you’ve been gone. I think he feels more at home outside and alone than in a house filled with people. I imagine he’ll be back soon.”

Chance nodded and remained silent. Ana looped her arm through his while pushing healing energy into him. It’ll be okay, she thought, he’ll be back.

He dropped his head toward hers. His forehead wrinkled in confusion while he searched her eyes for something. For what, she didn’t know.

Jordan broke the silence. “Are you guys ready for a party?”

They stared at him. His presence had almost been forgotten. His brown eyes were bright, transforming his normally serious face.

Chance chortled. “Yeah. What do you have up your sleeve?”

Jordan could barely hold still. “You’ll see. It’s going to be awesome!”

Derek, Gabriella, Chance and Ana shared a look and burst into laughter. Ana hugged Jordan and said, “I like you out of your shell. I can’t wait to see what you think is so exciting.”

Lifen spoke up, “We were just meditating before the festivities, but I suppose it’s time to get back to work. We have a feast planned for tonight and even though it isn’t the Chinese New Year, I plan on celebrating like it is. Please excuse me.”

Jordan and Lifen walked down the hall to the kitchen. Batukhan said over his shoulder as he followed them, “I will go help, but you should bring your things in and get yourselves ready for some fun.”

Gabriella, who’d been relatively quiet until now, stepped forward and grabbed Ana’s hand. Unabashed and with spirit, her face lit up. “Ooh. Where did the ring come from? It is pretty.”

“It’s my Christmas present,” Ana said. “It’s Chance’s grandmother’s wedding ring. I guess it’s official now. Our families know and everything.”

Gabriella’s brown eyes stared out at her from under her long, black lashes. “You are lucky to have each other.”

“He’s definitely the lucky one,” Derek said. “Ana’s a saint to deal with his big head.”

Gabriella’s eyes flashed and she elbowed him in the ribs. Derek curled over while she sneered and pointed her finger at him. “Oh, you should speak. You need a stick to help prop up your head, it is so full of thoughts of yourself.”

Derek groaned. “Sorry, sorry.”

When he righted himself, he stood close beside Gabriella and gave her the unmistakable look of adoration. Ana bit her lip to suppress a laugh and glanced at Chance, who appeared to notice the same romantic tension between the two of them.

“I think it’s time to get our things inside,” Ana said.

Before she could go to the door, the guys beat her to it and ordered her to stay put. She certainly didn’t mind carrying her own things, but she could tell they wanted to talk in privacy, so she turned to Gabriella, deciding to make the best of the peacefulness.

Gabriella must have thought the same thing, because she looped her arm through Ana’s and guided her to one of the living room couches.

“That Derek needs some proper training, but I think I am the one for the job. He respects women and that is number one for me.”

Ana raised her eyebrow. “Oh?”

Gabriella waved her hand and shrugged. “He does not know it yet, but he will be mine.”

“Well, he’s certainly a good guy,” Ana answered. “One of the best.

“Call me Gabby, since we are friends now.” Gabriella faced Ana and crossed her legs.

At first, Ana was a little overwhelmed by Gabby’s upfront attitude, but after the shock wore off, she decided she really liked her. “So, what was it like when Lifen found you? She came to me as a dog and then turned into human form. How did she come to you?”

Gabby’s energy lowered and she grew more serious. “I was at my casa and she knocked on the door. I have lived alone since my madre passed, so I am careful about who comes in. There was something about her that told me I would be safe. I trusted her—I have good intuition, like my madre. That was one of the strangest conversations I ever had. She told me about shifters and healers. I knew healing ran in my family, but I did not know how strong it could be.”

Ana chuckled, remembering the first time Chance told her he was a shapeshifter. It was one among many strange conversations she’d never imagined herself having. “Oh, I know what that’s like. Trust me, you’ll have weirder moments than that now that you know about this magical world.”

Gabby nodded with exuberance. “Every day I learn something new. So, you are a healer shapeshifter like Lifen?”

The guys had come in carrying their bags and left them alone when they saw them talking. Ana gave her the backstory on how her powers had come into existence and what had happened in her life since she’d met Chance. At the end of it, Gabby was left shaking her head with wide eyes.

“Oh! So, you started being normal and now you have powers? I am trying to understand everything I am being taught, but it is a lot. My madre would show me how to use plants to heal people. She always said I had poder curativo, healing power, like my ancestors. I feel I have purpose in my life now, using the gifts I was given. I finally belong.”

Ana nodded and stared sideways out the wide windows in the living room. White flakes were still floating down from the sky and she could even see bright energy motes rising toward the clouds, going against the flow of weather. It was truly breathtaking.

Momentarily distracted by the beauty outside, she returned her attention to Gabby. “I never could have imagined having this kind of power. The same day I discovered my abilities, I lost Chance to the sickness and focused on saving him. I haven’t had the time to even think about my powers in any other way than that.”

She could relate to Gabriella’s happiness about belonging, but her purpose still seemed beyond her grasp. Maybe that would come with time.

Gabby straightened herself, scooted to the edge of the cushion and slapped her hands on her knees. “That is enough of that. We have great fun ahead of us tonight. Let us see if they need any help getting everything ready.”

“I can’t wait. Is there anything to snack on? After the trip I am starved.”

“Si, you could look in the kitchen,” Gabriella said on her way down the hallway.

Ana found something to eat; then they helped out in the dining room setting the table and putting up some silver streamers from the ceiling. The afternoon turned into twilight when the front door opened and Mac’s voice called through the house.

“Hello? Have the travelers returned?”

Ana didn’t miss the look of relief on Chance’s face when they heard the shout. Before they could go to the living room, Mac entered the kitchen where they were pouring a hot tea for everyone.

Batukhan handed Mac his steaming mug. “Welcome back, friend. Happy New Year.”

Mac sniffed the liquid in the mug and frowned. “Isn’t it customary to drink alcohol?”

Lifen answered, “You forget how old these younglings are. They need clear minds while they’re developing.”

“Right.” Mac shrugged and took a sip.

Chance walked forward with his hand outstretched and shook Mac’s hand. “I was worried you weren’t coming back.”

“Of course I was going to come back. I’m needed here. That’s why I used the time to my advantage while you were with your families. Speaking of which, how did it go? The wedding still on or has your mother-in-law threatened bodily harm? Nothing like a little familial strife to put kindling on the ‘star-crossed lovers’ fire. Makes for a passionate relationship.” Mac winked at them both and Ana blushed.

Chance threw Ana a sly grin. “No serious threats. Can’t imagine feeling stronger than I already do. And yeah, everything went well. Better than I thought it would.”

Mac turned his attention to Ana. “How are you feeling after the trip? Good?”

His eyes combed over her body like a doctor assessing one’s health. She had no idea why he’d ask her that and not Chance, the one who was recovering from the sickness, but she answered just the same, “Fine. Never better.”

“Great, that’s great.”

Jordan interrupted the greetings to ask, “Can we start dinner now? It’ll be dark soon.”

A smile crept across Lifen’s face and she conceded, “Very well, yes. Why don’t we eat now that Mac is here. But don’t you want to wait until midnight to—” Jordan’s eyes widened and Lifen stopped short. “Very well, why don’t we serve ourselves in here? We made too much food to put on the table.”

Chance sat beside Ana and she was pleased he seemed so at ease. She could truly see a change in his emotions and behavior over the last many weeks since he’d been working with Mac. He was more like himself again. But that didn’t explain her own growing anxiety.

Something wasn’t quite right and she couldn’t shake the feeling. It couldn’t be the wedding. She was beyond happy thinking about them committing their lives to each other. Her mom knew their plans and hadn’t threatened to disown her, so what was up?

After their neverending meal of egg drop soup, fried rice, beef with vegetables, spring rolls and chicken skewers had been consumed, Derek put on some music in the living room. It made Ana laugh seeing everyone cut loose dancing. Lifen and Batukhan wore silver hats and watched from the couch. Gabby and Derek couldn’t seem to stay away from each other and Jordan initiated a hilarious round of limbo.

At a quarter to midnight, Jordan’s excitement couldn’t be contained any longer. “Okay everyone, it’s time to go outside. I have a surprise for you.”

Gabby was the only one that needed to pull on a jacket. Derek zipped it up for her while holding her gaze. Ana and Chance followed them out the door and up the walkway. When they all made it to the driveway, Jordan fumbled with something in his pocket and climbed down the slope out of view.

Lifen breathed out. “I’m glad it’s a clear night. He’s been so excited about this. I didn’t want him frightening the animals, but I’ve never seen him quite so happy.”

Something whistled above their heads and an explosion rang out. Stardust bloomed in the sky and trickled through the air. One firework upon another exploded in a colorful array. Everyone ooh’ed and ah’ed at the display.

Ana glanced at her phone and saw the time. “Hey guys, it’s a minute to midnight! Jordan, get up here!”

His head poked up and he scrambled onto the driveway. Ana began counting down at twenty seconds and everyone joined in. When they reached “one,” shouts of “Happy New Year” echoed across the valley. Chance’s lips found hers and he pulled her in close. His hot breath tickled the hairs on her ear as he whispered, “I love you.”

She gazed into his eyes and breathed in the cold, crisp night air, which made her temples ache. Before she could respond to him, Batukhan announced with surprise, “You’re glowing, Ana.”

Everyone turned to look at her and she lowered her eyes to see why they were staring. Her exposed skin was radiant. Not as bright as a glow worm, but definitely illuminating.

Mac’s voice cut the silence. “How unfortunate. A star maiden.”