Myka's Tail Ch. 03

My thoughts were racing a mile a minute and I knew things were going to change soon. The Betrayer was not infallible, and I knew Millicent would be thrilled to have even such a small piece of information about who we would eventually face. I wasn't ready for a confrontation right now, just a few weeks into this new life, but I would train and be ready. No, Kelli and I would train, and we would be ready.

I finally pulled myself out of Kelli's loving arms after unsuccessfully trying to get some more sleep, and I made my way to the bathroom so that I could wash my face. I had spent a lot of time crying over the last couple of days, but I felt that I had come to grips with things pretty well, and I was finally able to give myself a small smile as I stood in front of the mirror.

Something had caught my eye, though, and I stepped back and looked down at my body. I was not sure how I had missed it, but with everything that happened I guess I just hadn't paid attention. What I noticed was a set of tattoos that now ran down the length of my arms to my wrists. On one side the design was a swirling green pattern that resembled a leafy vine, with a thin blue line winding through its twists and turns. The other side was a pattern of blue curves and lines that gave the appearance of waves, and like the leafy side, a thin green line snaked its way through this pattern as well.

In the mirror I could see that the two patterns joined each other in the middle of my shoulders, just below my neck. I did not know what to think, much less what to say, and I wondered if anyone else had noticed this change.

I went to sit back down, but I spent long minutes with my fingers tracing the curves and lines of the new body art I had. I was so engrossed in the intricate and beautiful patterns that I jumped out of my skin when Ali spoke to me in the dim light of the cabin.

"You don't do anything by half, do you," she asked me with a grin.

"What do you mean," I replied in confusion. "When did this happen?"

"You remember when you and the Neko glowed that night," she asked, and I nodded that I did. "You've been marked since that moment."

"I never noticed. Why would I not have noticed?"

"Who knows," she replied, and Ali gave me a thoughtful look. "We all had a lot on our minds that night, but I think that your power recognized that you wanted to never forget their sacrifice. And now you never will. You will carry the mark of Earth and Water with you always. That's what I think anyway, but what do I know?"

"I think you know more than you want people to think you do," I replied with a grin. "I bet it's because you like to have everyone underestimate you."

"You are probably right about that. It's a bad habit my mom has tried to break me of, but hey."

"Well, just don't act that way to me or Kelli and I won't get mad," I giggled with her. "Oh! I have some important news now too!"

I related to Ali the events of my dream, and of the revelations and information that I had been able to gather during my time in that world. She had pulled out a note book to write down the details, and I thought it amusing that she was so much like her mother in that respect. I must have gone over that dream ten times before we landed, and Ali promised me that the Circle would all know about it as soon as we were back.

A couple hours later we arrived, and again we were quickly cleared by our own customs agents. All of our families had come to see us return, because a few phone calls and some news reports are a poor substitute for actually knowing that someone is ok. Once we were ushered into the private waiting room, everyone waiting for us stood and rushed to greet us as fast as we ran to them.

Kelli and I plowed into our parent's arms and we cried as the six of us tried to hold on to each other in the tiniest space we could fit in. Hands stroked hair, hugs and kisses were given all around, and we must have blitzed through about three packets of Kleenex in just a few minutes. Once things had settled down some my dad reached out and touched the bright metal that made up my bonding collar. He allowed his finger to run along the surface of the woven silver band, with its golden accent threads and he smiled.

"I like the new jewelry little girl," he complimented me, and the rest of our family nodded in agreement. "It matches Kelli's bracelet, which is why you got them, right?"

"Not really dad," I replied and I reached out to take Kelli's hand. "While we were over there, and in fact, on the night everything happened, Kelli and I agreed to the permanent bond. You remember? The one we talked about on Valentine's."

"Oh! So you two are, umm..." Kelli's mom started to ask before she got flustered.

"Yes," Kelli confirmed as she squeezed my hand. "Myka and I are now permanently bound to each other as bond mates. We are in it for the long haul."

"So it's like you are married now," my mom exclaimed and both she and Kelli's mom pulled us into another hug. "I am disappointed that you didn't ask if we wanted to be there, though."

"There was a lot going on," I explained, and everyone got quiet at my comment. "Plus, it had to be done on the equinox, so there was only twenty-four hours for it to happen. It would have been really nice if you all could have been there."

I broke down in tears when I explained that to our family, and we spent several more minutes just holding each other, grateful for the feeling of safety that we had with each other. Eventually they asked questions about the good parts of our trip, and we excitedly showed off pictures we had taken, and souvenirs we had purchased for them until someone cleared their throat behind us all.

I turned around to see a tall man in a well cut suit standing there with his wife, and they were both flanked by Paul and Jess. I recognized Mr. McAlister's strong jaw and the dark brown hair and beard from his company's promotional ads that were around the city, but I had never seen pictures of his wife. She and Jess were so similar in appearance that, looking at her mom was probably like viewing Jess as she would be in twenty odd years or so. Mr. McAlister stepped forward and I put out my hand to shake his, but was startled when he pulled me into a fierce hug.

"I want to thank you for what you did," he choked out as he motioned Kelli into his embrace as well. "For what both of you did. You saved my daughter. You saved her and it's something I can never repay."

"Yes, I agree," and Jess' mom pulled us into her arms next. "You not only saved her, you gave her guidance and good advice. Just like you gave our son."

Kelli and I just stood there, our mouths open in surprise, while the two McAlisters gave us knowing grins.

"Well, Mr., Mrs. McAlister..." I tried to respond, but was immediately cut off.

"There will be none of that," he boomed with his deep, commanding voice. "It's Stuart and Kimberly, and I will be very upset if you try and use Mr. or Mrs. again."

I was dumfounded, but Mrs., I mean Kimberly McAlister's head was nodding in total agreement with her husband.

"Ok. Stuart, Kimberly. I am sorry that Jess was in that situation to begin with, but I am glad that Kelli and I were finally able to help. I just wish I had been faster..."

The McAlisters disabused me of any self-pity that I was trying to feel, as they all pulled in for another round of hugs and thanks. Jess, Paul, Kelli, and I made the rounds and introduced our families to each other, and I watched as new bonds of friendship were forged between complete strangers. Stuart and Kelli's dad hit it off almost immediately because of their shared service in the military, and my dad knew computers and tech which was half of the McAlister business so he was able to hold his own with them. Our moms just talked about various things, and I was amazed at how quickly they all moved from commonality to commonality. It really was good to be back.

I looked over to the other side of the room and I noticed a couple sitting together, away from our crowd, and every now and again one or the other of them would look over at us. I was curious so I asked the McAlisters who they were. The look of sadness when I brought it up told me what their answer was going to be.

"That's Mark and Tara Miller, Jasmine's parents."

I felt the blood drain from my face as my fears were confirmed, and I had to shake several people off before I was able to stumble over to where the couple was sitting.

"Mr. and Mrs. Miller," I asked in a choked voice, because I was barely keeping it together.

"Yes," they both responded, and I am sure that it was quite unnerving for them when I collapsed into their laps, weeping once more.

"Oh god! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I cried, shaking with sobs that I could not stop.

Kelli had dashed after me and was on the floor at my side in moments, but even her touch couldn't calm me down.

"I just wasn't fast enough. I couldn't stop him," and now the Miller's tears joined my own. "I tried, oh god I tried! I'm sorry, so sorry..."

"You were there," Mrs. Miller asked as she ran her hands through my hair and then pulled me in tighter as she also began to weep. "You were there when our Jasmine, when she..."

I could only nod and continue to sob, as my heart tore itself in two for people I didn't even know. I had wished all the way home that I could have done something else that would have brought Jasmine back alive with us, but I hadn't expected to run into her parents. To their great credit, they held us, because Kelli was crying with all of us now, and I was grateful that my family and the McAlisters had decided to leave us alone.

After a while they asked some questions, and tried to come to grips with why her boyfriend had been such a twisted monster. They assured me that they knew I was not responsible, but it was scant comfort, because I felt the responsibility for that night pressing down on me like a mountain. Just as I wished that there was something I could have done then, my heart wished that there was something I could do now. And that was when I felt it for the first time.

I was so startled that I jerked up from crying in the Miller's laps, surprising everyone. I was not sure why, but I knew. I could feel that Jasmine was here. She was here in this room and wanted something desperately. I looked and looked, but saw nothing, but the feeling wouldn't go away. Suddenly, I reached out my hand and I was amazed at the power that was now flowing into my body. The Millers were wondering what I was doing, and Kelli could feel enough from me that she just stayed silent.

"Take my hand," I asked of the Millers, instinctively knowing what to do now. "Both of you, please. I need to show you something."

They were confused at my request, but Kelli helped things along by placing their hands in mine, and the change was instantaneous. I felt one of the most powerful rushes of love that I have ever felt, even to this day, in that one instance. Somehow, Jasmine, or what remained of her essence, was using my body as a conduit to let her parents feel how much she loved them in life. I was awestruck by the beauty of the moment, and the tears that the Millers were shedding were now both of grief and of joy.

I felt the rush of her life's favorite moments, and I picked out many happy memories as they passed through me to her parents. As sad as it was, a sense of what had happened at the stone ring in Scotland also came through. There were no details as such, but it was clear as to why things happened the way they did. From Jasmine I got the sense that she was still not fond of me, but the burning hatred that had marred her soul was gone, and she could be at peace.

And in a matter of a few seconds, all that Jasmine had to say, all that she was, and all that she did, had been passed to her parents through me. For a long time after that feeling ended, we just sat and stared at each other, unable to even move. Eventually the tears began to flow again, and the pain returned, but the healing had begun.

"She was always so impetuous," Mrs. Miller finally said. "She could get so angry about the smallest things."

"That she could," Mr. Miller agreed. "And she could hold a grudge longer than anyone, no matter how much I tried to teach her different."

Kelli and I sat with the Millers for a while, and asked questions of them, wanting to get to know who Jasmine had been. Some of the memories I recognized from our shared experience, but others were new to us, and the next half an hour was full of both happy and sad moments for everyone. The paperwork that they had been waiting for was finally complete, and the Millers were able to get Jasmine's body released to the funeral home so that arrangements could be made. Before they left, however, they gave both Kelli and I one last hug and thanked us for the opportunity to have the gift that they had received through me.

"You know," Mrs. Miller said in parting, with a wistful tone and tears in her voice. "She was the first person in our family to go to college, and I was really hoping to see her walk at graduation."

And with that, they left. Parents forced to grieve for a child that had to be buried much too soon. I felt that they would be ok, in time, but I shuddered at the thought of the path they would have to travel. And then an idea hit me that made both Kelli and I grin, without a single word passed between us. She followed me back to our group and I tapped Stuart on the shoulder.

"Hey Mr. Mc, I mean Stuart," I began, and the look he gave me was priceless and everyone there laughed. "I won't forget again Stuart. I was wondering if you knew the university president, perhaps."

"I do know him. Well actually. Why do you ask," he replied, and everyone there in our group was grinning as I explained what I had in mind.

And that was how I found myself standing in the graduation line several weeks later, wearing a cap and gown with honors cords around my neck, two years before I could actually graduate. My tail and ears were flicking back and forth in nervous anticipation as I got closer and closer to the stage, and I just hoped I didn't mess up. A few more minutes and I was at the front of the line and the announcer had paused to let the president step to the podium.

"As all of you have probably read, or heard from someone, a few weeks ago, during spring break, we lost one of our brightest students to a series of senseless and violent actions."

"Jasmine Miller was taking a well-deserved vacation with friends and fellow students, when her life was taken, for entirely selfish reasons, by someone who she trusted. Someone who she loved, and thought she had their love in return."

"When all of this happened, there were others of our students there, who were also in peril. Even one of our recently graduated alumni. Through some of their actions, and the self-sacrifice of two unknown individuals, three of her friends and colleagues are still with us today."

"Jasmine Miller did not have the easiest time in her struggles to gain her education. Though her grades were solid, she had to work harder than most to make sure that they stayed that way."

I was intent on listening to the speech, but I also noticed that there was not the normal buzz of background conversation that usually accompanies an event like this. Everyone in attendance had stopped to listen, and the silence spoke volumes.

"She was a model of perseverance, pride, and iron hard determination. And it is no wonder that she worked so hard for this opportunity."

"Jasmine was the first person in her family to be accepted to a university, and was on track to be the first in her family to graduate with a college degree before her life was tragically cut short. In fact, Jasmine would have been walking across this stage today if things had been different."

"Unfortunately, she had not completed her final classes that would have fulfilled the requirements for graduation.Shortly after spring break, however, I was approached by a remarkable young woman who requested a favor of myself and the rest of the administration."

"So you know, the young woman who came to us was also one of those present during the night that took Jasmine Miller from us. I have learned that some of her decisions and actions that night were instrumental in making sure that everyone was not killed that night."

Now there was a buzz going on in the crowd, and it gained in volume until the president paused and raised his hands for silence.

"Her quick thinking, and her choice to put herself in harm's way when the opportunity presented itself, are some of the reasons that she was not only able to survive the ordeal, but save two other people in the process."

"Once her idea was presented to myself and the board of regents, it took us no time at all to agree to it and put the necessary steps into place to make it happen, because it was the right thing to do."

"So, with a unanimous vote from the administration and from the Department of Biological Sciences, we hereby award the degree of Bachelor of Science in the discipline of Biology to Miss Jasmine Miller, who graduates from this university Suma Cum Laude. And we would ask Miss Myka Ann Carlisle to please come to the podium and receive this diploma in her behalf."

I walked the few steps up onto the stage, and for Jasmine I held my head high. The audience was applauding as I made my way to the podium, and it only got louder as I received her diploma from the president, and as I shook the hands of the administrators who had helped make this moment possible. Then I turned and walked to the other side of the stage where Mr. and Mrs. Miller were waiting for me, along with my family and the McAlisters, who also had a hand in getting this accomplished.

The clapping died down as I stopped in front of Jasmine's parents, and looked them straight in the eye. I didn't realize it, but someone had placed a microphone somewhere nearby, and what I had hoped to say to them alone was actually heard by everyone there. I was just loud enough to hear, but because my attention was on not breaking down, I never noticed.

"Mr. and Mrs. Miller," I said, and managed to keep most of the quaver out of my voice. "I want to apologize to you again, for not being fast enough or good enough to save your daughter too."

I could see that they wanted to tell me that they understood, and that I was not to blame, but they stayed silent so that I could have my own closure.

"What I can give you, however, is this," and I held up Jasmine's diploma. "It is her name, and her effort that made this possible. And even though Jasmine is not here for this, she is still the first person in your family to earn a college degree. Always remember that."

I handed Jasmine's diploma to the Millers, and I pulled them into a hug so that no one could see me start to cry again. We were all startled, however, at the thunder of thousands of people in the stands coming to their feet, and the deafening roar of the applause that followed. The Millers and I looked around in shock, and as far as we could see there was not a single person here still in their seats. It was truly an awe inspiring sight and I silently thanked all those who had a hand in this moment.

"This is for her," I whispered in their ears, and kissed each of them on the cheek before making my way down the steps so that I could be with my family.

Everyone in our group was contributing to the still continuous applause as I approached, and I made sure to give Kelli a kiss that matched what I was feeling for her right then. It was my dad that I wanted to talk to, though, and I gently pulled him aside.

"Dad, did I make the right choice," I cried to him, and fell into his chest with more tears in my eyes as he wrapped his protective arms around me. "If I had just gone along with it..."