Indigo Infinity

By Jacinda Buchmann

Supernatural powers can be more of a burden than a gift.

Two years ago, Indigo Children Tyler and Toby discovered the hard way that their powers weren't a secret. When they gained immunity from the IIA—the agency that wanted to exploit them—they thought that they would finally be able to get on with their lives, but when one of their own goes missing, they prepare to do whatever it takes to find him.

"Follow the star that's not a star."

When the unexpected happens, the Indigo Children are forced to split up to protect those dearest to them, but with only a riddle and their instincts for guidance, they realize that help from mysterious allies may be the only way to cut ties with the IIA once and for all.

The only way to close the door on the past is to embrace the future.

Sarah finally realizes that she is ready to open her heart to love, but her life unexpectedly takes a sharp detour. Meanwhile, Tyler and Liliana learn that the universe and their love know no boundaries, while Grace and Eddie begin to wonder if their relationship is destined to fail before it has begun.

It's a race against time.

The IIA has gone too far, and it's up to the Indigo Children to protect those who can't protect themselves before it's too late. Will they ever have the opportunity to enjoy love and lead normal lives? Find out in Indigo Infinity, the fast-paced, action-packed conclusion of The Indigo Trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacinda Buchmann
• Release date: Dec 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310449833

Jacinda Buchmann

Jacinda Buchmann lives in Arizona with her husband and three children. She graduated from Carroll College, in Helena, Montana, with a B.A. in elementary education and later received a Master's degree from Northern Arizona University, in school counseling. After spending several years as a teacher and later a school counselor, she now spends her time writing, any free chance she can get, that is, when she's not spending time with her family or creating a new concoction in the kitchen.

Book preview

Indigo Infinity

The Indigo Trilogy: Book 3

By

Jacinda Buchmann

Published by Jacinda Buchmann on Smashwords.com

Copyright 2014 Jacinda Buchmann

All Rights Reserved

December 2014

Edited by Mickey Reed

Cover Design by Custom E-Book Covers

License notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This book is dedicated to my loving husband and three beautiful children.

1 COLLISION COURSE

Sarah:

Sarah gave the aged barnwood panel one final swipe with the rag to remove excess drips and smooth out the coating of newly applied oak stain then stood back to examine her handiwork. Six panels, already stained and ready to cut, leaned against a barn wall, while the remaining six rested across two sets of sawhorses to dry in the sweltering heat of summer.

Sweat rolled down every crevice of her body as she stepped around sawhorses, tools, and extra pieces of wood to reach the water bottle she had left next to Will's old radio on his workbench. When her favorite country song came on, she adjusted the antennas and turned up the volume. Then she lifted her short, auburn, cropped hair off the back of her neck with one hand as she took a long swig from the bottle. The water was no longer cold, but it was wet and quenched her thirst. Even though the inside of the barn was hot, it wasn't nearly as hot as it would have been under the direct rays of the harsh summer sun that liked to fry her fair, freckled skin.

While the majority of the barn contained Will's prized classic vehicles, a collection of 1940's Ford trucks and 1960's muscle cars, he had reserved the back corner for her new hobby and had even surprised her with a shiny new table saw topped with a giant, red bow. During the months of grief following the loss of her husband, Danny, Will had provided quiet comfort and a sympathetic ear, but as she gradually rejoined the land of the living, the ex–CIA agent had eagerly encouraged her to pursue new hobbies and interests. Although her heart still longed for Danny every day, the pain had lessened over the past two years. It was hard to believe that so much time had passed, but somehow, life had gone on. The demands of having an energetic two-year-old, too clever for his own good, had forced her to step beyond the boundaries of grief into a world of childhood imagination and wonder, but in doing so the joy of watching him grow had helped ease her heartache.

Gentle footsteps from behind announced that Will's dog, Sergeant, had wandered in to pay her a visit. Between his blue heeler and Ian's foreboding guard dogs, Hannibal and B.A., who had come to stay with them while Ian was off traipsing the world on secret missions, Sarah was confident that she and Tristan were safe, even in Will's absence.

The heeler stopped obediently at her feet and gazed up with wide, golden-brown eyes. Squatting down to his level, she used her fingers to brush bits of hay from his coarse, black-and-white-mottled fur.

Hmm...From the smell of you, I'd say you've been rolling around in horse manure again, haven't you?

When he licked her arm in response, she was provided with a whiff of his breath, which left no doubt of his afternoon activities in the pasture.

Ugh. Rolling in it isn't the only thing you've been doing. She eyed him sternly. We feed you real food. You know that's disgusting, don't you? She was prepared this time and pulled her arm away before he could lick her again. I love you, dog, but I'm not digging your breath right now. Here. Are you hot? Still squatting, she reached up to grab her water bottle from the workbench. As she poured small amounts of water into her cupped palm, he eagerly lapped it up then leaned forward to lick her chin, causing her to lose balance from her squatting position. She fell backward, landing on her butt, and dumped half of the bottle down the front of her red tank top and denim shorts in the process. The unexpected shower was refreshingly cool, and she laughed as the fifty-pound dog crawled into her lap and rested his head on her arm.

You're pretty proud of yourself, aren't you? You big baby. Where are Hannibal and B.A.? Probably smart and sleeping under a shade tree somewhere, right? Well, you're welcome to hang out with me—as long as you stay out of my way. I want to get as much of this tabletop pieced together as I can before I head into town, so you're going to have to let me up.

Sergeant was comfortable and not about to move, but he reluctantly rolled off her lap and onto his back as she pushed him away. When she stood to brush fur and hay off her wet shirt, she caught a glimpse of herself in the old, bar mirror that hung on the wall over the workbench. Ready for a new start at life, she had recently chopped off ten inches of hair and now sported a chin-length, layered bob with blond highlights. With renewed confidence and excitement to face the world, she had gone straight from getting her hair cut to the tattoo parlor. The idea had been on her mind for a while, and there had been no need to look through the artist's books. She had known what she wanted.

She glanced down at her right ankle which now sported a five-inch tattoo that ran down the outside of her ankle to the top of her foot. Throughout a series of shooting stars were scrolling, black letters that read, I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond. An infinity twist with the letters D and T on either end was positioned at the end of the quote—a permanent, poignant reminder of the love she would always carry for Danny and Tristan.

Some days, thinking about her husband would still make her cry, but not today. She had other concerns weighing her down, and a distraction with power tools was exactly what she needed to de-stress and refocus her energy.

The first order of business was to get her hair out of her face. She reached into her pocket for a bobby pin, but when she tried to pull her hand out after grasping it, her turquoise bracelet—one of the few gifts Danny had given her during their time together—got caught on a thread on the inside of her pocket.

No! No. No. No. Please don't break. Please don't break, she mumbled under her breath as she gingerly attempted to separate the bracelet from the string.

With her hand stuck to her pocket, she swiveled toward the bench in search of a pair of scissors. A few quick snips later and the bracelet was free, but to play it safe, she decided she should take it off and placed it atop the radio so she wouldn't lose it. Then, turning to the mirror, she twisted her long side-bangs back and away from her face and secured them with a pin.

She approached her wood panels with excitement and ran a hand down the smooth, finished surfaces, pleased with the way they had turned out. The wood still had a rustic appearance, but she had sanded out the rough impurities and stained them back to the color they had probably once possessed eighty years ago.

After grabbing the first panel, she placed it on the table saw and made the first marks for cutting. By the time she was finished, she hoped to have her best project to date—a coffee table and two matching end tables.

Ready to make the first cut, she reached for the power switch but paused when the baby monitor crackled and the current song on the radio cut out. It came back on a moment later but continued to cut in and out. Assuming the frequencies of the monitor and radio were interrupting each other, she turned back to her work but paused again when she sensed an undeniable presence. She wasn't alone.

Short hair, a tattoo, and power tools. I leave you alone for a month and you turn into a rebel.

Sarah smiled when the thought—undeniably belonging to Danny—popped into her mind.

The first time he had come to her had been two years earlier, the day she had arrived at Will's, after she'd left Roswell for good. Realizing that Danny was truly gone and she was on her own with Tristan, she'd had a minor emotional meltdown, and it was then that he had come. She couldn't see him, but she could sense his presence as though he were right beside her, and she could clearly hear his thoughts. Since then, over the past two years, Danny's visits had become a reassuring comfort.

She was comforted to know that he still watched over them and she could still communicate with him. Her heartache would have eventually diminished, but she attributed Danny's visits to a quicker healing process. Even though she could no longer hold him, his spiritual presence gave her peace.

A rebel? Sarah thought. Nah. I'm not rebelling from anything. It's more like I'm celebrating my new lease on life.

So you're finally ready to move on.

No! I'm not moving on! she spoke out loud to the empty barn—empty except for Sergeant, who sat up suddenly, alerted to her harsh tone. She wasn't ready to move on. Saying it like that made it sound so final, like she was ready to start dating again. I'm not moving on, she thought in return. I'm just...coming to terms with who I am. I guess I've accepted the fact that I'm no longer a military wife and college student. I'm not the same person I was two years ago, and I decided it was time that I look the way I feel...if that makes any sense at all.

It makes perfect sense, Danny replied. You look amazing by the way. But, Sarah, whoever you think you are now, you are still the same Sarah I fell in love with. I see you. Inside and out, you have the same kind, gentle spirit you've always had. And that's why you need to let me go. You have so much love to give and a long life ahead of you.

I don't want you to go.

Of course you don't. And you have to know that I will never be far away. I will be right by your side anytime you need me—always and forever. You've come a long way, and I am so proud of you, my love, but—

No 'buts'. When her eyes filled with tears, she didn't fight to hold them back as they overflowed and dripped onto her still-wet tank top. Concerned at her emotional distress, Sergeant whimpered and crawled closer until his front paws rested on her flip-flops and red-polished toenails. As soon as she lowered herself to the ground, the dog crawled into her lap. Wrapping her arms around him, she rested her head on his back.

I'm not ready for you to go, she finally thought a minute later. I need you.

You don't need me, Sarah. I'm a crutch, but your wounds have healed. If you step back and take a look at your life, you'll see you have everything and everyone you need.

How can you say that?

Because I love you, and because I'm able to see the big picture.

I love you, too. I'm not ready for you to go.

I'm not going anywhere. Not until you're ready for me to.

Do you promise?

Yes.

Good... I'll never be ready. She hugged Sergeant tighter. I'll never be ready.

Never say never, my love. Give our son a hug for me.

She was suddenly enveloped and surrounded by a sensation of warmth and loving energy. When the moment passed, she knew she was alone once again. With a sigh, she pushed a reluctant dog off her lap, returned to her wood panel, and powered up the saw.

It was a simple cut, and had her concentration been fully on the task at hand, it most likely would have turned out exactly as planned. But halfway through, she lost her focus, and instead of cutting the panel cleanly in half, she split it at an angle.

Damn! She hit the power button to turn off the saw, looked toward the ceiling, and sighed. Why? she asked the rafters, or Sergeant, or any other random ghosts who might have decided to pop in for a good laugh. Would it be so much to ask for something to go right? That's not so much to ask for, is it?

Momma! Momma!

In spite of her emotional roller coaster and ruined panel, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of her adorable, red headed two-year-old, who came running into the barn with Will following close behind.

Hey there, handsome! She smiled and swooped him into her arms, spinning him around in a circle. I didn't hear you wake up. She gave him a kiss on the cheek then turned to Will. I'm so sorry. I would have come up to the house. I didn't hear him get up from his nap.

Nothing to apologize for, her friend replied. I peeked into his room to check on him and he was already awake, playing in bed with his toy plane, so we figured we'd come out here and surprise you.

Did we surprise you, Mommy? Tristan's green eyes sparkled with mischief.

Yes. You did. It was a wonderful surprise.

Can I stay out here and help you?

Well, I think I might be done for the day. I don't really want you around the saw, and I just ruined a piece of wood. I don't think my head's in it right now. I have too much on my mind.

Tristan nodded, taking in everything she told him. I know what you need, Mommy.

Um...a nap? Sarah grinned.

No, silly. Nap time is over.

Oh. Are you sure? 'Cause if you want to go back and take a nap again, I'd be happy to join you.

Ice cream, he continued without skipping a beat.

Ice cream?

Yep. Ice cream makes everything better. That's what Uncle Will told me the other day when I fell down and scraped my knee.

Will shrugged and offered a sheepish smile. It's true. Ice cream does make everything better.

Sarah smiled in return as she set Tristan to the ground. That's good to know, Uncle Will. I'll have to keep that in mind.

The former CIA agent stroked the feather tied into his long, black ponytail. You know, he began, my grandmother used to tell me stories of my people. She would say that when young men lost their path in life, they would take a journey into the backcountry in search of guidance from the universe. My grandmother was very wise.

Are you saying I need to go on a hike to find my path in life?

Will nodded slowly, as though in contemplation. It wouldn't be a bad idea. Today, however, I think Tristan is right. You should take a journey...to town...for ice cream.

Sarah laughed. I think you two have been conspiring together. How can I argue with your logic?

Does that mean we can go? Tristan jumped in circles around an equally excited Sergeant.

Yes. She smiled down at him then turned to Will. Would you like to join us? I was thinking about going to see Melissa this afternoon. I'm sure she would like to see you, too.

Will frowned and shook his head. I would like to see her, and the offer of ice cream sounds tempting, too, but I have a half-dozen horses that need new shoes, and after last week's storm, I need to get that back fence mended before the horses discover it's loose. Next time you go in to see her, though, you can definitely count me in. Please tell her I said hello and I send her my thoughts and prayers.

She pressed her lips together in a tight smile and nodded. I sure will. Do you need me to stay and help? It sounds like you have a lot on your plate today.

Nah. You go on and entertain my nephew. He deserves a day out on the town. I'm sure Melissa would enjoy seeing him, too. I'll be fine.

Okay, then. If you're sure. Tristan, baby, do you want to go see Aunt Melissa today? She turned to her son, but he was gone. Tristan? After quickly scanning the barn, it only took a moment for her to spot him standing at the table saw with his hands directly under the blades. Her stomach sank as she screamed, Tristan! No! Get back!

He instantly froze then turned to her with a confused frown. A moment later, his lower lip quivered, and he blinked hard a few times before letting let out an ear-piercing wail.

Sarah was engulfed with mother-guilt as she knelt in front of the screaming two-year-old, enfolded him into a strong embrace, then stood and held him tight as he wrapped his arms and legs around her.

Shh. It's okay, baby, she cooed softly in his ear. Shh. Shh. Shh. Don't cry. You're okay.

He continued to scream. Loudly. In her ear. But she held on tight and gently rocked him. Eventually, the screams turned to muffled sobs, and he swallowed hard and looked at her studiously.

Momma is unhappy with me?

You scared me, baby. That blade is sharp. You can't put your hands there.

Momma is unhappy with me? he repeated as his lower lip quivered, again.

She hugged him tight in reassurance. I'm not unhappy anymore, but you have to promise not to put your hands by the saw again. Do you promise?

His lower lip continued to droop as he looked up and away and slowly nodded. Unwilling to look at her, he kept his gaze focused on the barn rafters as he mumbled, Do you forgive me?

Yes, my love. Of course. She set his feet to the ground then took hold of his shoulders and turned him to face her. Now, tell me. What is the rule about the saw?

No touching the saw.

That's right. Good boy.

Momma?

Yes?

Can I show you the saw?

Um...I've seen it. Maybe it's best if we just stay away from it.

But I want to show you.

Show me what?

Here. He started to reach for the wood under the blade but, seeming to remember his earlier reprimand, pulled his hand back and instead pointed to the panel she had ruined. Look. All better.

What...? She paused when she saw exactly what he was pointing at. The barnwood panel she had split only minutes before was once again a solid piece of wood with no signs of cracking. She gingerly picked up the four-foot plank, ran a hand down the smooth surface, flipped it over to examine the backside, and silently stared at it for a moment, wondering if she had indeed cracked it at all or if it had been her imagination. Then she glanced from the wood down to her son, who was proudly beaming up at her.

See, Momma? All better. Are you happy with me now?

You fixed this?

His smile grew. Yep! It was easy. I just touched it and made it all better. You're happy with me now, right?

Smiling in return, she ran her fingers through his soft, red hair. Yes, my love. I'm happy. She realized Will was watching them with a perplexed expression, obviously confused about the situation. I split this piece of wood before you guys came in, she explained. I thought I was going to have to trash it, but Tristan fixed it.

Will nodded his approval, unsurprised at her son's display of supernatural abilities. Good work, Tristan. I think you've made your momma very happy.

Thanks, Uncle Will! He smiled again before dropping to the ground to give his attention to Sergeant.

Can I see? Will stepped forward to examine the barnwood.

Sure. Take a look. There's no sign it was ever cut.

He ran a hand over the wood in appreciation. Amazing. His gifts never cease to amaze me.

Seriously. I can't imagine what he's going to be capable of in just a few more years.

Seemingly bored with their conversation, Tristan bounced up from the ground and began to hop sideways around them in a circle. Can we go get ice cream now? Can we go get ice cream now? Can we go get ice cream now?

Sarah held up a hand and laughed. Yes. We can go—as long as you stop asking. Then, after we get ice cream, we'll go see Aunt Melissa.

Aunt Melissa is sad.

Yes. I know. That's why we need to go see her. It will help cheer her up. Okay?

Okay. Can we bring Aunt Melissa ice cream?

No, baby. It will melt.

But she might be sad if we don't bring her some.

I think she'll understand. I'll tell you what—as soon as she gets to go home, we'll take her out for ice cream. How does that sound?

Yes! Tristan pumped his fist in the air then started for the barn door, hopping like a kangaroo.

Sharing a smile with Will, she hooked an arm around his offered elbow and strode with him after her son.

<><><>

Sarah stopped the car at the end of Will's gravel road and took a moment to peer in the rearview mirror at Tristan, who was clutching his favorite brown-and-white stuffed dog. With his attention focused on the screen on the back of the headrest, he appeared content to watch a movie. Good. She loved to sing car songs and play I Spy as they drove, but she was looking forward to twenty minutes of quiet time to sort through her thoughts.

She noted storm clouds brewing in the distance as she turned right onto the highway. They seemed fitting, considering her mood. With a sigh, she shook her head as her thoughts turned to Trevor. She had worried about him every day since his disappearance, and as each day came to an end, she prayed that he would once again contact her in a dream, but each morning, she awoke with disappointment and renewed concern for her young friend. She also worried about Trevor's mother, Melissa. She had been blamed for his disappearance, and though authorities felt they had enough evidence to keep her in jail, Sarah was confident of Melissa's innocence.

The night he had disappeared, Trevor had visited her in a dream, leaving her with two clues—a rock and an obscure riddle about stars. Somehow, through Trevor's mystical ways, he had managed to gift her with a rock, which she had discovered still clutched in her hand when she had awoken the next morning. She was unsure about the significance of the stone but knew it had to be important, so she had stashed it in a pocket of her purse so it would be close at all times. She was hoping that, once Ian held the rock, he might be able to get a sense of Trevor's whereabouts.

As much as Ian had wanted to return home immediately to begin the search for Trevor, he was obligated to finish his current mission with the KAE before they would allow him to return to the States. She had no idea where he was or what he was doing, but since Trevor's disappearance, he had called about once a week. The last time they had seen each other, she had told him that she didn't want to see him again. Words were hard to take back, and their conversation had been awkward at first, but she had gradually started to look forward to his calls.

She had known he had feelings that crossed the lines of friendship for her, but after the loss of her husband, Sarah hadn't been ready to accept that she might have feelings for him as well. Time had a way of healing heartache, however, and after two years, she thought, perhaps she was almost ready to admit that she cared about Ian as more than just a friend.

If all went as planned, he would be home in two days and the real search for Trevor could begin, because it seemed the police had given up looking for him. Thoughts of his return made her queasy though. Would there still be an awkward strain in their friendship or would time have healed that wound as well?

When a black SUV passed her in a no-passing zone, narrowly missing an oncoming car, she glanced at her speedometer. She was going five miles per hour over the speed limit.

Stupid drivers, she mumbled out loud.

Stupid? Tristan questioned from the backseat.

Yes, baby. Some people don't know how to drive. She glanced in the mirror to catch a glimpse of her son still holding tight to his stuffed dog and was startled when a clap of thunder, which must have come from directly overhead, vibrated the car. She focused her full attention on the road as the sky opened and fat raindrops pelted the windshield.

You should stop, Mommy.

It's okay, my love. It's just a summer storm. I'm sure it won't last long.

As she drove into the storm, she eased off the gas pedal when the raindrops seemed to grow in circumference and standing water began to gather on the highway.

When another clap of thunder crashed overhead, Tristan squealed. Boom! Thunder goes boom! Is it scary?

Sarah kept her eyes trained on the worsening road conditions when she replied, No. It's not scary. It's just noisy, but you're safe in the car.

No.... No. No. No. Mommy, you should stop.

It's okay, baby. Really. We'll get to town soon. Then, if it's still raining, we'll run inside to the ice cream shop. We might even get a little wet. If we stop here, we won't be able to get ice cream.

When Tristan didn't reply, Sarah assumed she had made a valid point and won the argument.

The SUV that had passed her slowed to a snail's pace, forcing her to slow the car even more. With a sigh, she shook her head. She couldn't pass him, but they only had five minutes before they would reach the outskirts of town. A glance in the rearview mirror revealed that another vehicle had come up from behind and was riding her bumper.

Seriously? What is wrong with people? If I had to stop suddenly in this rain, that guy would run right into us.

Mommy?

Tristan, baby. Mommy's trying to concentrate on the roads right now. Can you talk to me when we get to town?

When a passing semi going the opposite direction threw a load of water onto the windshield, she quickly cranked the windshield wipers on to their fastest speed so she could see.

Mommy? Sarah didn't reply. Maybe if she didn't say anything, he would turn his attention back to his movie. Mommy?

No such luck.

What? She cringed at the harshness of her tone. She didn't want to lose her patience with him, but the worsening road conditions, the slow vehicle in front of her, and the car riding her bumper were beginning to grate on her nerves.

Daddy says we should stop.

Startled, she glanced in