`I can hear her, in my mind.'
`But Dad's not moving.'
`I think he's okay.' Ruth looked back to Gaia.
`Hunter needs to listen and let us speak.'
`Gaia is kind of making sure he doesn't lose his temper just right now.' Ruth glanced at Mason standing stony-faced beside her.
`Uh-huh,' Wilson muttered, resting his hand, hot and strong, on her shoulder. `I don't like this.'
`We've got to trust her, Wil.'
`Not her — them.' His finger moved in the corner of her vision.
`I don't think the sisters are going to try anything with Gaia here.' Ruth hoped she was right. The sisters didn't look dangerous to her. And they smelt nice.
`The sisters will not harm you or your family.'
`Gaia says they won't try anything, Wil.'
`Hey, he's—' Renee shut up as Nikki spun round and grabbed her by the face.
`Keep your mouth shut and behave.' Nikki leaned in closer and, though she whispered, Ruth found she could hear easily. `Don't screw this up. We're here because Gaia wants us to be. She's not one to invite our kind anywhere.'
`The Darkells child is right. To act rashly now would be a mistake. Tell her so.'
`Oh.' Ruth wanted to know what a Darkells was, but now was not the time. She wet her lips and felt the command flow through her, from Gaia.
`Now is not the time to argue. To act rashly now would be a mistake.' Physical energy rippled out, filling her as the ground shifted beneath her feet. The sisters froze as the air vibrated.
`Mum?'
`The Voice of Gaia,' Nikki said, letting her sister go. `The woman is at one with the goddess. Gaia, I give you my word that she, that we shall not act in a rash manner.'
Ruth blinked as Nikki's fear tainted the air. Again with the scents? What was happening with her sense of smell?
`My time here is short, child, so listen. There must be no war between the Douglas and Darkells clans. Take my hand.'
Ruth slipped her hand into Gaia's, enjoying the warmth of her touch.
`What are you doing?' Wilson squeezed her shoulder. `Mum, what's happening?'
`I think Gaia wants to show us something, to make sure that there is no distrust between us and the sisters.'
`She wants a treaty between us and Butcher?' Renee stared at Gaia's outstretched hand.
`No. Peace between my family and yours.' Ruth felt how right her words were. When Mason was with her, he was not Butcher. Just a loving family man. `To have no bloodshed between us.'
`Why?' Nikki looked to her. `Why would we do this?'
`Without each other, both clans will perish. A war is coming and the clans must be united.'
`A war?' Ruth's mouth went dry but she didn't move her hand. `I don't understand.' She ignored the question on Nikki's face and Wilson's grip on her shoulder. Gaia held her attention.
`Another seeks to take this world. All here will perish. You will watch your children die as Hunter is lost to the darkness.'
`My children?' She touched her abdomen out of instinct. `I cannot have any more children.'
`You will have children, many more. You are mother, lover, wife. All that is yet to be, hangs on you. It is you who have to lead here, because Hunter cannot. He is blinded by hate and will be lost if he cannot find his true self.
`The Darkells can help, but they have to be as kin. You alone cannot do this, and they need you as well. Follow your instincts, child, for they are a powerful gift.'
`What's she saying?' Nikki asked, excitement in her voice.
`Yeah, what is going on?' Wilson's heartbeat was loud in her ears.
`Okay,' she said touching Wilson with her free hand. `We need to agree to a treaty between our two families. That's the word, right?' Gaia nodded. `Treaty between us and the sisters.'
`You think that's a good idea?'
`The other option is we continue trying to live as we have been. Is that what you want, Wil?' Ruth's stomach churned.
`No,' Wil's grip eased. `I want to stop trying to second guess everything. I want us to be together and safe. I want Sal to be safe when she's with me.' His hand joined hers in Gaia's.
`Are you nuts?' Renee pulled Nikki back from taking Gaia's hand.
Nikki's eyes fixed on Ruth. `Maybe I'm nuts but, but it feels right.'
`It feels right!' Renee threw her hands up and backed away. `Gaia's not a deity who has been exactly friendly to us. And him,' she pointed at Mason, `he's the freaking Butcher!'
Ruth sagged. Renee was right. Mason would never—
`I believe in you, Ruth.' Mason moved to join their hands in Gaia's. `Like I said, you know how to love and trust. It will not be easy but,' his arm went around her, `I will try.'
Ruth leaned against him, feeling his body hot and tense. `You can start by not glaring at them. I can feel you doing it.'
`Old habits die hard.'
`No way am I doing this.' Renee stood, arms crossed, behind her sister.
Ruth almost felt the grating of Nikki's teeth as she turned to her sister.
`Whatever!' Mason snapped. The mood hardened. Renee glared at Mason. `Nikki's agreed, so let's get on with it.'
Ruth stomped on his foot but failed to make an impression. He didn't flinch. `Mason, you said you would try.'
`I am.' He waved a hand at Renee, `but she's obviously not going to do it, which suits me fine. She's a brat who thinks she's above us.'
`A brat!' Renee slapped her hand over her sister's. `Better a brat than a freak.'
Ruth squashed the smile threatening to form. Mason was helping, in his own way.
`Okay, we've been sucked back in time. Seen ourselves dying again, met Gaia and now made up with the freaky sisters,' Wilson muttered loud enough for all to hear.
Ruth closed her eyes for a second, her own temper itching at the distrust around her.
`Oh,' Nikki gasped.
Ruth saw a warm, soft fire flick across Gaia and onto their hands.
`Nice,' Wilson said.
Ruth watched it touch her, then Mason.
`What's it supposed to—' Nikki buckled at the knees and Renee caught her. `Holy shit!'
Ruth tensed as the fire surged, making every part of her tingle. Then it was gone.
`Cool. Really weird, but cool.' Wilson looked at his hand.
Mason did the same.
Ruth swallowed. She felt hot, very hot. `Is it me or is it, um, hot?'
Mason put his arm around her again. `Welcome to my world.'
`Mum, Dad!'
Gaia now stood encased in a blue energy.
`This is what she wants us to see.' Ruth watched, colours and scents washing over her. The sisters glowed from the glare off Gaia. The ground hummed underfoot and Gaia turned to look down at the family, the other version of them, frozen in time.
`This is going to hurt.' Mason's grip tightened. She felt Wilson's hand on her shoulder.
Gaia knelt. `Be strong and follow your instincts and heart, my child.' She drove her glowing arms deep into the