Alora_The Wander-Jewel Read online

  Alora tugged on Kaevin’s arm. “I feel it again... that evil. It’s stronger now.” She inspected the nearby strangers. “Who’s that guy with his collar turned up and his hat pulled down?”

  “That’s Benaede BarDevestae. He’s a cousin to Jireo.”

  She searched for the source of her discomfort as Graely continued his explanation.

  “Another rumor is that she resides in Water Clan with Vindrake—that she grew up there. But in fact, she never lived with Vindrake. She grew up far from here, and the decision has not yet been made as to when she will come here to live.”

  Alora’s stomach roiled as the sense of evil grew more pervasive. She whispered in Kaevin’s ear, “Do you feel anything?”

  Kaevin nodded, craning his neck to inspect the crowd.

  “You may also have heard Alora and my son Kaevin are to be married. I can attest this is also untrue. My son of seventeen years will not be marrying this child having only fifteen years.” He chuckled as if the idea were absurd, and the crowd joined in his merriment. Alora might have been offended had her heart not been racing and her gut churning.

  *****

  A tall man with thinning gray hair and a scraggly beard stood in the corner of the council room, concentrating on Graely’s discourse. As he listened, his smoldering anger grew stronger. Alora! Her name was Alora! She’d lied to him. And how was she able to do so without his detection? Of course Abaddon’s stone hadn’t bound her gift, since he’d spoken the wrong name. He unconsciously clenched his fist, imagining her choking under his power. But the very potion masking him also bound his gifts. Still, he could capture her. His physical strength remained along with a knife, and an iron belt protecting him from transport. He only had to wait for the right opportunity.

  “And now,” said Graely, “I must kindly ask you to afford the council some privacy for further discussion.”

  The tall man cursed as he was shuffled outside with the rest of the crowd. When he reached the corner of the building, he bent over, pretending to adjust his boot. He noted the four Stone Clan warriors standing watch outside the door, before slipping around the side of the building into a dark corner. He moved to crouch beneath a small window, careful to keep his darkly clothed back toward the front of the building while listening to the ensuing discussion.

  *****

  Kaevin watched Alora closely, her tense breathing and pale face telling him she still sensed evil close by. He couldn’t decide if his own sense of foreboding was simply a reaction to hers or a gifted warning. Either way, his racing heart refused to allow him to concentrate on the proceedings. As Raelene rose to speak he halfway listened, while scanning for danger with his gift.

  “We haven’t found any concrete evidence, but Nordamen and I have been doing extensive research in our archives,” said Raelene. “It’s highly probable more than distance separates our communities. It’s likely we live in different realms. But that would mean Wendelle found a way to travel to a different realm while Vindrake held her captive in Water Clan. There may be some open passageway Vindrake has yet to discover. This is our biggest fear—that Vindrake’s evil might spread even further. Even threatening your peaceful home in Montana.” She let her gaze fall on Charles and Brian.

  Kaevin finally caught his father’s eyes and waved him over. “Father, something’s wrong. There’s someone evil here. Alora can feel it. And I—I sense something as well.”

  “Glare it! I’ve been ignoring my own warnings. I assumed it was merely the fire that was causing my tension, but I can sense it still.” His eyes darted around the room, and he gripped their arms, bending to speak between them in a low voice. “I can’t see anything amiss inside. It must be outside or coming toward us. Alora, you must go back to Montana at once, with Kaevin.”

  “But, I can’t leave the others here.”

  He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut, upending his hair with his fingers. “You’re right, of course. Take Brian and also Jireo, since he’s injured and cannot fight. Come back for your father and Raelene.”

  “Raelene!” he called out, interrupting her speech. “We have a situation!”

  Kaevin pulled Alora over to grasp arms with Brian and Jireo, and she transported without hesitation.

  “What’s happening?” Jireo demanded, as Alora pulled Kaevin against her for a desperate kiss. He hugged her tight with his arms, but pulled his mouth away to answer.

  “We don’t know. But Alora senses evil, and we’re following my father’s orders. We’ll be right back. We’re going after Charles and Raelene.” He kissed her again, his heart racing as they prepared to transport back to Laegenshire. How he wished he could leave her safe in Montana. How he hated being forced to place her in danger once again. Some day, he would find a way to protect her.

  *****

  Vindrake heard the council members break out in excited chatter and strained to understand their words. Daring to raise his head high enough to peer through the window, he saw Alora and Graely’s son disappear with two others. He allowed himself a moment of pride she could transport with three extra people. His daughter was powerful, as befitted the daughter of Master Vindrake. But his pride quickly dissolved into anger and bitterness. Already, she had chosen to fight against him, her own father, and serve Graely BarManasae. He could never allow that to happen. Her betrayal was a slap in the face, and she deserved to die for it. Still, he might be able to persuade her to his side.

  With the knowledge of their soulmate bond, he only needed to capture one to get both. He had to work fast. He pulled the bags of fire powder out of his pocket and, quickly pouring them together, tossed them though the window. Chaos and screams erupted with the flames and smoke that filled the room. The door burst open and people ran from the building. The bell rang out to call the townspeople to fight yet another fire.

  Vindrake spotted a man he’d seen previously—a tall man, trim and fit, with graying hair, dressed in unusual clothes. This had to be one of the people from the other realm Raelene was discussing. He planted himself within sight of the man and waited for Alora to return. Suddenly, a piercing cry came out of the burning council building. Then there was silence.

  Raelene ran toward the building. Graely and the man beside Vindrake followed her. “Alora! They must have transported into the fire!” She peered through the doorway into the smoke and fire. “Alora! Kaevin!”

  Graely called for more buckets of water to be thrown inside the doorway.

  “Surely she popped back to Montana,” said the tall man. “I can’t believe they’re still in there!”

  ******

  Alora and Kaevin transported back to the living room at the ranch, bringing the fire with them and landing almost on top of Karen and Janice. The room spun as Kaevin pushed her to the floor and rolled with her. Beth’s mother grabbed a blanket and threw it over them.

  She heard Bozeman barking in frantic excitement, and Kaevin pushed the blanket off their heads with his arms. Jireo grabbed Bozeman by his collar and spoke into his ear to calm him down, while Beth appeared with a wet towel, pressing it against their smoldering clothes.

  “What happened?” asked Brian. “Did you go to the wrong building?”

  “No,” said Alora. “At least, I don’t think so. But wherever we went, there was a major fire burning.” What could have happened so quickly? Had someone dropped a bomb on the council building? No, they didn’t have bombs in Laegenshire. She imagined her Uncle Charles caught in the burning fire and began to tremble.

  “You’re shaking! Are you burned?” Kaevin examined her face and hands.

  “I think I’m more scared then injured. I think only my coat caught fire. Maybe a little burn on my fingers. What about you?”

  “I’m all right, but I smell singed hair. I think it’s yours.”

  “We have to go back,” said Alora. “What if someone’s trapped in the fire?”

  “I agree,” said Kaevin. “But my head is pounding. Yours, too?”

  “Yes,” Alora a
dmitted. “Kiss me, and I’ll transport straight to Raelene.”

  “Wait!” At Jireo’s cry, she tore her lips away, and saw Bozeman bounding toward her. He jumped on her just as they transported.

  Alora and Kaevin appeared in front of Raelene, with Bozeman in tow. Alora, swaying from the pounding and dizzying sensation in her head, clung to Kaevin for support.

  “Kaevin, help me.”

  “I know. I feel it, too.” He wrapped her in his arms.

  “I was so afraid you were both caught in the fire!” Raelene cried.

  “What happened?” Alora heard Kaevin’s voice rumbling in his chest. “Is anyone hurt?”

  “The fire started right after your last transport.” This time she heard Graely speaking. She opened her eyes, struggling to focus on his face. Graely’s forehead was creased with worry. “We don’t understand what caused it. But you need to take Charles back to safety. I’ll put on irons so you can talk with me later tonight.”

  “You don’t want us to stay and help with the fire?” asked Charles. The townspeople were frantically throwing water on the flaming building.

  “He’s here—my father’s here!” The nauseous sense of evil overwhelmed her. Combined with her headache, she could barely stay on her feet.

  “Did you see him?” Kaevin shifted his weight to support her as she stumbled.

  “No. No, I—I feel him. He’s here.” Saliva poured into her mouth, and she fought the urge to throw up.

  “Just go,” said Graely. “Take Charles and go.”

  “I don’t know if I can do it,” said Alora. “My head... everything’s spinning.”

  Kaevin kissed her again, but she was way beyond feeling anything pleasant from the contact. “We have to try, Alora. Grab my arm, Charles. But where’s Bozeman? He came back with us.”

  “Leave him here for now,” said Graely. “Go quickly.”

  A cloud of smoke billowed out of the council house, making visibility nearly impossible.

  *****

  Vindrake shuffled close to the burning council house, waiting for his opportunity. With his knife at the ready he edged closer to Alora and Kaevin. He cursed his bad timing. He couldn’t reach Alora without being seen. But a sudden shift in the wind moved the smoke to provide a perfect cover. Lunging for Alora, he grabbed her arm in time to prevent the transport. But even as he tugged, Kaevin held her fast. Alora screamed. His only chance was to kill her and run. Pity—I’d rather not mar her beauty. He shifted his hand to grab her hair and pulled her head backward, raising his knife to slash her throat.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Charles choked on the heavy smoke. His eyes were stinging so badly he was forced to squeeze them shut against the acrid assault. But he kept his hand on Kaevin’s arm, waiting for Alora to transport them to the safety of the ranch. He felt Kaevin’s arm jostling beneath his grasp and heard Alora scream. What was happening? He reached into his pocket, retrieving the ceramic knife that was now his constant companion. Then Kaevin’s arm was wrenched away from him as he heard Bozeman growl and snarl ferociously. What could make his good-natured golden retriever rabid with anger? A man’s voice shouted in pain, Bozeman yelped, and all was silent. Charles called out for help, frustrated by the thick smoke obscuring his vision. He couldn’t slash with the knife for fear he might hit Alora or Kaevin.

  He heard Graely’s voice. “What is it? Kaevin? Are you still here?”

  “I’m here!” Charles called out. “I lost my grip on Kaevin. But something happened to make Alora scream.”

  He heard Bozeman whimpering, and knelt on the ground, groping with his left hand, knife still at the ready in his right. His fingers found fur, and he felt his way up to Bozeman’s head. The dog whined and licked his hand. As he moved his hand back down to the Golden’s side he found dampness. He felt a hand on his back and tensed his knife hand.

  “Charles? Is that you?” He relaxed at Graely’s voice, sheathing his knife.

  “Yes, it’s me. I don’t know what happened, but Bozeman’s bleeding. I can’t find Alora and Kaevin. I think she transported them.”

  The wind shifted, thinning the dense smoke and revealing Bozeman, on his side, with a dark stain on his fur.

  “This had to be Vindrake’s doing,” said Graely. “We can only hope Alora and Kaevin arrived safely at the ranch.”

  “Is someone hurt?” cried Laethan, arriving behind Charles.

  “It’s just my dog, Bozeman.” He bit back his emotion.

  Graely gave a tight-lipped smile, examining Bozeman’s mouth. “I believe Bozeman got his teeth into Vindrake. I see blood on his mouth, but it doesn’t appear to be bleeding.”

  Laethan’s face was set with grim determination as he probed Bozeman’s side, eliciting a yelp. “Good boy. I’ll take care of you. I bet you have a nasty taste in your mouth.”

  *****

  Kaevin opened his eyes, shivering as he lay in the cold wet snow. He shook his head and blinked, trying to clear the fog from his pounding head. He felt a body next to him. It must be Alora. Where were they? He writhed up on his elbow. Alora lay motionless next to him, her face pale and her lips blue with the cold.

  “Alora!” he croaked, reaching with his bandaged hand to her face. “Alora, wake up.” He edged over to place his lips on hers when he spied the blood on her neck. Fresh red blood was flowing down, soaking into her sweater. “Alora!” Was she dead? No, he was still alive, so she must be alive as well. He placed his mouth on her unresponsive lips and kissed her. Nothing happened. Kaevin looked around desperately. He recognized this place. They were at the ranch, lying right where he’d first seen her playing in the snow. He could see the house, but it was too far away for anyone to hear him calling. Perhaps he could use her gift to take them to Jireo, like he’d done that night at the dance. He put his lips on hers and concentrated on Jireo. But nothing happened.

  Kaevin could feel his strength ebbing, blackness closing in, his vision narrowing. He kept their mouths together, tasting his own salty tears as they ran down his face. With a surge of panic, he realized she was too weak. She was going to die. They were both going to die. He tried to stand. He needed to carry her to the house. But he collapsed while still on his knees, his vision swirling. He pulled himself to lie with one bandaged hand stanching the blood flow from her neck, and rested his head on her shoulder, his lips pressed to hers.

  *****

  “You might as well sit down,” said Beth. “There’s nothing you can do. You can’t help anything by pacing.”

  “They’ve been gone too long.” Jireo responded without breaking stride. “They should’ve been back. There was another fire, and that’s no coincidence. I must find Kaevin. Before it’s too late.”

  “I agree. Two fires in two different buildings. Someone had to be behind those fires,” Brian said. “Graely should’ve let me stay and help.”

  “That place is dangerous,” said Karen. “I don’t want you to go back anymore.”

  “I’d go back if you’d let me,” Wesley declared. “I like doing something that has meaning. In Laegenshire, I’m not just winning medals, I’m fighting against evil.”

  “It’s not your fight,” argued Karen. “It would be different if you were a soldier and someone had attacked the United States, but we don’t even know these people.”

  Jireo stopped to stare at her, and her face reddened. “I don’t mean anything personal by that. You understand, don’t you?”

  “I never asked for your help anyway.”

  He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to meet Brian’s concerned eyes. Brian lowered his voice. “Don’t listen to Karen right now. She gets upset and says things she doesn’t mean. But she’s like a mother bear. She would fight off Vindrake with her bare hands if he threatened you in front of her.”

  Jireo pressed his mouth shut and returned to pacing. Wesley’s mother isn’t my concern anyway. Where is Kaevin? Why hasn’t he come back?

  Brian sat beside Karen on the couch. “You married me whe
n I was a soldier, Karen. It’s about honor. It’s in my blood, and Wesley’s too.”

  “But he’s just a boy,” she objected.

  “Like I said, he’ll be seventeen in a few months, and that’s how old I was when I joined up. That’s how old I was when we fell in love.”

  She shut her eyes tight, squeezing them against a flood of tears.

  “Mom,” said Wesley, “I just want to help—to fight for good. But you heard what Raelene said. Vindrake may have a way to come here. We can’t just run away from danger, when he could bring evil right here to Montana.”

  Jireo’s heart pounded in his ears and his chest tightened. He felt an intense pain in his head. “There’s something wrong—something’s happened to Kaevin.” He’s dying. I can feel it. I can almost see it.

  “What is it? How do you know?” Beth asked. “Can you hear him?”

  “I—I can see him. No, I can see Alora, in the snow. There’s blood and...”

  “Snow?” cried Beth. “They must be here—they’re out in the snow somewhere.”

  Jireo was the first one through the door. Outside, the bitter cold assaulted him, taking his breath away.

  “Fan out,” said Brian. “Whistle if you find them.”

  Jireo lumbered through the deep snow. He’d seen the house through Kaevin’s eyes. The vision had been from this direction. The bright moonlight illuminated something dark in the snow about a hundred yards from the house. He turned around to whistle and found Beth on his heels. She put her fingers to her mouth and let out a piercing shrill before passing him up.

  He caught up with her as she reached the bodies, lying prone in the snow. So still. So much blood. A dark stain covered Alora’s neck and soaked into Kaevin’s sleeves and spilled into the snow. Without a word, Beth knelt beside them, reaching a tentative hand to Kaevin’s neck.

  “Are they... are they alive?” His voice cracked.

  “Kaevin’s got a pulse. Barely. So that means Alora’s alive too—for now.”