Alora_The Wander-Jewel Read online

  Jireo nodded, his mouth too dry to speak. He could somehow feel Kaevin’s life hanging by a thread.

  Janice was the first to reach the scene, followed closely by Brian and Karen. “What do we need to do?”

  “Get them warm. Keep them together. And get them to a hospital.” Beth’s voice was level and calm.

  How can she speak with such authority, having only sixteen years?

  “I think we should call... Mr. Whitford’s doctor friend... Dr. Sanders.” Wesley, the last to arrive at the scene, huffed out between heaving breaths. “He’ll know what to do.”

  “I’ll get the car keys.” Karen hurried back toward the ranch house, wobbling with unwieldy steps in the deep snow.

  Wesley and Jireo scooped the pair up from one side while Brian, Janice, and Beth supported the other, endeavoring to keep the unconscious couple in contact. With laborious effort they trekked through the snow, depositing their burdens in the back seat of the Suburban. En route to the hospital, Wesley’s father called Dr. Sanders on his home phone number, taken from an ancient Rolodex on Charles Whitford’s desk. “Dr. Sanders?” he said. “I’m Brian, a friend of Charles Whitford. We have a bit of an emergency with Alora and her friend Kaevin.”

  The groan emanating from the phone was so loud everyone in the Suburban could hear it. “Please don’t say another word. I’ll meet you at the hospital. Where’s Charles?”

  “He’s uhmm... he’s out of town.”

  “Never mind. Forget I asked.”

  *****

  Jireo’s chest constricted as if three warriors were sitting on it. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Kaevin was dying. When Dr. Sanders emerged into the waiting room, Jireo was the first to reach him.

  “How are they?”

  “Alora’s lost a lot of blood,” said Dr. Sanders. “Her blood pressure was so low, her heart almost stopped. Another five minutes and we would’ve lost her.”

  “I almost flew here in the Suburban.” Brian grimaced. “I was just praying we wouldn’t hit ice and start skidding.”

  “She’s not out of the woods yet. Her blood pressure is back up, but her heart rate is too slow.”

  “And what about Kaevin?” Jireo asked.

  “We can’t find any injuries?” Dr. Sanders scratched his chin. “At least, we can’t find any new injuries. Nothing that would cause him to lose consciousness and decrease his heart rate. We drew blood, but the test results aren’t back yet. Could he have been poisoned?”

  “It’s probably just Alora who’s injured. Kaevin’s heart was slowing down because Alora was dying.” Beth made the statement in a matter-of-fact voice, but Dr. Sanders’ mouth gaped open.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Didn’t Mr. Whitford tell you about Alora and Kaevin being soulmates?” Beth wrinkled her nose. “I thought you knew about everything.”

  “Don’t tell me anything I don’t have to know. I want plausible deniability.”

  “But you know they need to be touching, right?” Beth grabbed his arm. “Do you have them together?”

  “They’re as close as they can be in the emergency room without being on the same bed. But I don’t—”

  “You don’t have them on the same bed?” Beth’s voice rose an octave. She pivoted on one foot and ran toward the double-doors leading to the emergency treatment area. Jireo followed right behind her.

  “Hey! You can’t go back there!” Dr. Sanders called. But Beth never even looked over her shoulder, and Jireo stayed on her heels.

  Through the doors.

  Dodging a wheeled cart piled with strange items.

  “Excuse me, I’m sorry.” Beth closed the curtain she’d peeked behind and flew to the next one. “Here! Jireo, in here! We can’t move Alora—she’s hooked up to an IV.”

  “I’ve got him.” He hefted Kaevin’s slack form and shuffled around to place him on Alora’s bed. Jireo rolled him onto his side against her.

  “Here, let me put this rail up to keep him from falling off. I need to put their hands together. Oh, I forgot about those splints on his fingers.” Beth stretched his arm out and placed Alora’s hands on his forearm.

  “What are you doing?” Dr. Sanders demanded from behind them.

  Beth put her hands on her hips, and her nostrils flared. “I’m saving their lives if it isn’t too late. Do you want me to explain? Or do you want plausible deniability? Or you can separate them and deal with a couple of dead kids.”

  Dr. Sander’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, and his face grew progressively redder. But his gaze moved to Alora’s monitor, and he mumbled something under his breath.

  “Fine. Her heart rate is rising. You’d better hope you’re right about this.” He stomped out through the curtain. “Just keep this closed, and I’ll keep the nurses out for now.”

  Jireo’s muscles were wound tight. Kaevin and Alora could still die. And even if they survived, they wouldn’t have the strength to transport. How could he communicate with Laegenshire? If only he had a sightstone, Darielle would understand the situation.

  Beth slumped into a chair. “This has been a long, stressful day. I don’t know how you’re still standing.”

  “I don’t know how you can sit still.”

  “Ha. I have no problem resting when I get the chance.” Beth groaned as she stretched. “You know, I thought the soulmate thing was pretty romantic when I first heard about it. But I can see why all the adults say they’re too young for it. It’s kind of hard to keep them alive. Your world is dangerous already, but being soulmates really complicates things. I don’t know how any soulmate couple survives, no matter how old they are.”

  Jireo lifted his shoulders. “When we first come into our gifts they seem to drain the energy from our bodies. But my father can use his gift all day without getting tired. Nordamen says it has something to do with how we channel the energy from the Stone. I think perhaps an older soulmate couple wouldn’t use the energy from their bond.”

  “Whatever.” She blew a strand of hair off her face. “But it would be safer if they both stayed here until they figure out how to get rid of the soulmate bond.”

  “Kaevin couldn’t remain here. He would never shirk his duty.” Jireo wanted to believe his own words, but Kaevin had changed a lot since he’d met Alora.

  “What duty?” Kaevin’s voice cracked.

  “You’re awake!” Beth leapt to her feet. “Thank God. We almost lost you. No, don’t move. I’ve got both of Alora’s hands propped on your arm.”

  “Where are we? My head is killing me.”

  “You’re at the healing house in Montana,” Jireo answered. “We found you in the snow.”

  “And Alora was bleeding from a cut on her throat,” said Beth. “What happened?”

  “Vindrake.” Kaevin’s voice was weak. “It had to be Vindrake.”

  “Her father slashed her throat? Poor Alora. ... She’s going to be so upset.” Beth stuck a fingernail between her teeth and chewed it. “You know, she’s going to find some way to blame herself instead of him.”

  “That’s not logical,” said Jireo.

  “Logical, smogical! When my dad got drunk and hit me, I thought I’d done something to deserve it. It was the only way things made sense in my mind.”

  “Can you not explain it to her?” asked Jireo.

  “Sure I can ... in about twelve steps.” Beth gave a belly laugh.

  Jireo forced an answering chuckle. What does she mean? I suppose I don’t understand because she’s from Montana. Or maybe it’s because I’m not a girl.

  “Kaevin? Kaevin?” Beth forced his eyelid up, but he didn’t respond. “I guess he passed out again. But this machine shows Alora’s heart is still beating, so I guess I won’t worry. I probably should have made him kiss her.” She collapsed back into the chair. “I bet Mr. Whitford is worried out of his mind.”

  “I’m certain Graely and Raelene are concerned as well.”

  “I wish there was someway to call
them. It’s too bad you guys don’t have cell phones.”

  “We have sightstones. If I had one, Darielle could see through my eyes, and she’d know Kaevin and Alora were alive.”

  “Who’s Darielle?” asked Beth.

  “She’s the chief of farsight. She’s young to be on the council, but Water Clan warriors killed her father, leaving her to take his place. I wish there was some way to communicate with her,” Jireo mused.

  “Jireo? Are you talking to me?”

  “Yes, of course I’m talking to you. No one else but Kaevin and Alora are in here, and they’re both unconscious.”

  “What are you talking about?” asked Beth.

  “Didn’t you hear me? I was explaining how I could communicate with Darielle if I had a sightstone. But maybe it wouldn’t work from another realm anyway.”

  “Jireo! Can you hear me?” Beth’s lips didn’t move.

  “Are you speaking inside my head?” Jireo asked.

  “Yes, but you’re yelling inside mine.” Again, Beth’s lips didn’t move, but she was frowning.

  “I think you need some sleep, Jireo.” This time her lips moved as she spoke aloud.

  What’s happening? Even if Beth has the gift of farsight, she shouldn’t be able to speak in my mind. Am I having visions, like Kaevin?

  “Jireo, this is Darielle. Can you hear me? You’re speaking with farsight.”

  Darielle! This is wonderful! I need to speak with you. I need to tell you Kaevin and Alora are alive.

  “Yes, I know. I heard the entire story of Vindrake cutting Alora’s throat and you finding them in the snow. I’m hearing every thought in your mind. You’re so loud I can barely hear my own thoughts. You must learn how to block.”

  You can read my mind? I didn’t realize your gift let you do that?

  “Farsight doesn’t work in that manner, Jireo. The only way we can mindspeak is if both of us are gifted. I haven’t spoken inside a mind since my father passed.”

  That’s impossible! I can’t have farsight. I already know my major gifts—I’m gifted in dexterity and weapons.

  “Jireo, we can discuss this when you return. I need to block your thoughts before I go insane. Please tell the others all is well in Laegenshire, but Vindrake escaped. I will contact you later.”

  Darielle? Darielle?

  “That was odd. I conversed with Darielle in my mind, and I don’t even have a sightstone.”

  Beth was staring with narrowed eyes. “Ah, that explains it. Your face had some pretty scary expressions. Is everything okay in Laegenshire?”

  “You’re not surprised we could talk in our minds?”

  “Seriously? With all the weird things you guys do? I don’t think anything would surprise me anymore. Oh wait, I’d better knock on some wood.” She made a fist and rapped her knuckles on the table beside her.

  “Many of the things you do seem unusual to me, as well.” He gave a pointed look at her fist.

  “Oh that? ‘Knock on wood?’ If you say something hasn’t happened, you have to ‘knock on wood’ to make sure it doesn’t happen after you say it.”

  “In that case ... Kaevin and Alora haven’t died.” Pain shot through his knuckles as he slammed his fist against the wooden table. But it was worth it.

  *****

  “So Alora and Kaevin are alive.” Charles’ relief was short-lived. “This time, they survived. But what about next time, Graely? And the next? And the next? Surely you can see this world is too dangerous for Alora. For both of them.”

  “I’ve been considering this ever since our conversation at the healing house in Montana.” Graely’s lips were pinched tight as he spoke. “I agree Kaevin should stay in Montana with Alora for now, and I believe the council will concur. But Alora must continue her training with Raelene so she’ll be less vulnerable to Vindrake. And we must find a way to close the portal between our realms before Vindrake discovers its location.”

  “And you’re going to find a way to eliminate the soulmate bond altogether?”

  “If it can be done, we’ll find a way to do it.” Graely’s muscles flexed on the side of his jaw.

  “I’m sure it isn’t an easy job being responsible for so many people. I can barely handle the stress of being responsible for Alora.”

  Graely buried his face in his hands. “If this plague remains uncontrolled, that number may decrease significantly. Laethan received a report of five more deaths yesterday and a large number who’ve sickened. Most of the illness occurs in the farming areas rather than towns, but then again, the majority of Stone Clan is made up of simple farmers.”

  “I’m just thinking out loud here, but what if Alora transported someone with the plague to Montana? Maybe Dr. Sanders could diagnose the problem and send some medicine for it. It might be some kind of plague we’ve already conquered in our world.”

  “One thing we know for certain, we can’t transport a sick person. When bearers were common, it was well known that a sick person who transported would likely die from the transport.”

  “Oh. ... Hmmm. ... Maybe I can talk Doc Sanders into coming over here, but I doubt it. So far he doesn’t even want to hear anything about your world, much less visit it. I think he’s in denial.” Maybe I could take a video of a patient and take it to Doc. No, I can’t transport a camera or a cell phone. “I’ve got an idea. I can get Laethan to give me a detailed report about the symptoms and the progression of this plague. I’ll just write it down and bring it to Doc. And I bet we could find a way to bring a blood sample on a transport.”

  “Your friend could discover something from a patient’s blood?” Graely sat forward, a smile on his face. “We could get some blood for you. Perhaps we could even send the leeches with you after a bleeding. And Darielle could draw a picture of the rash.”

  “Leeches?” His stomach turned a somersault. “Sure, I guess we could put some leeches in a zip-lock bag and take them back. And drawing a picture is a good idea. What’s this rash look like?”

  “Laethan has warned everyone to check their wrists and ankles for the first signs of the plague rash.”

  “Wrists and ankles? Really? We’ve got something in the states we call Tick Fever that starts like that. Actually it’s Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. An infected tick bites you, and you get a fever and a headache and sometimes this strange rash.”

  “Ticks? It’s caused by ticks? And do you have a magick treatment for this fever?” Graely was on his feet, striding toward the healing house. Charles hurried to keep up with him.

  “It’s not magic, but I’m pretty sure they give you antibiotics. We don’t know for sure it’s the same thing, you know. I’m no doctor. Maybe you shouldn’t say anything to Laethan or anyone else until you know for sure. Maybe it’s too soon to say anything.”

  Graely stopped, turning to face him, his eyes wide and bright. Gripping Charles’ arms, he spoke with a trembling voice. “No Charles, it’s never too soon to give people hope.”

  *****

  A rhythmic beeping invaded Alora’s peaceful sleep. She tried to ignore it, but the strident sound was persistent. Blinking against the bright light, she fought to open her lids wide enough to see.

  “You’re awake.” Kaevin’s deep green eyes were inches away. “I feared you would sleep the day away.”

  “What—where are we? What happened?”

  “We’re in the healing house. You have a cut on your neck. Fortunately for us, it wasn’t too deep. But you lost a large amount of blood, and you’ve been unconscious all night.

  Her hand rose and her fingertips explored the bandage on her tender neck.

  “How did I get a cut on my neck?”

  “The fault is mine. I should have protected you from him. I promise to be more attentive in the future.”

  “Him? Are you talking about Vindrake? My father cut my throat?” She tried to take a breath, but something tightened around her chest. No air could enter her lungs.

  “Alora? Are you in pain?”

  “I
don’t believe you. He wouldn’t do that.” She spoke in a strangled voice, fighting back tears.

  “Of course he would. We warned you. You know he’s evil. You saw it for yourself.”

  “But I’m his daughter. He wouldn’t kill his own daughter. No one would do that.” She climbed from the bed, startled by the icy floor on her bare feet.

  “No normal man would kill his own daughter, but Vindrake would.” Kaevin caught her, encircling her in his arms, but she pushed against his chest.

  “No. Let me go. I don’t believe you.”

  “He’s evil Alora ... I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to believe it, but it’s true. You saw him break my fingers.”

  “Oh my God! It’s because I tried to kill him. I sent him to his death when he was trying to kill Nordamen. That’s why he tried to kill me.” She wriggled in Kaevin’s unrelenting grasp.

  “That makes no sense. You were only defending Nordamen. You did nothing wrong. Your father is simply an evil man.”

  “Maybe I can change him.” Even as she spoke the words, she knew it was hopeless. What kind of man tries to kill his own daughter?

  “Alora, I’m so sorry he did this to you. I’m sorry he hurt you. He doesn’t deserve to be your father.”

  She sagged in his arms, as he rubbed her back with awkward strokes of his splinted hands. Nestling her head on his chest, she felt him press a kiss against her hair. He tightened the protective circle of his arms. She wanted to feel sorry for herself, but she couldn’t justify it. “He isn’t my father... not really. Uncle Charles is my real father.”

  “Yes. And Charles loves you very much.”

  “Uncle Charles!” she gasped, suddenly realizing she hadn’t heard what had happened in Laegenshire after the attack. “Is he okay? What about the fire? What about your father? Did anybody—”

  “Wait! There’s no need to panic. There were some injuries, but we didn’t lose any lives in the fire. Vindrake only attacked you and Bozeman.

  “Bozeman? Bozeman got hurt?”

  “Yes, evidently Bozeman saved your life when he bit Vindrake. He had a knife wound to his side, but Laethan reports he will live.”

  “Now I really hate Vindrake.”

  “Ha! You don’t hate him for breaking my fingers or cutting your throat. But since he injured Bozeman, he deserves your abhorrence?” Kaevin’s mouth pulled back in a wide grin, displaying his cute dimples. “Now I see where your affections truly lie. You like Bozeman more than me.”