Alora: The Portal (33 page)

“We can’t awaken her, and Kaevin says she’s drawn all his strength away through the soulmate bond.”

“Laethan says Graely could give Kaevin his strength, father to son. It will leave him weak, and he must break the contact before he gives too much. It won’t be enough to heal Alora, but perhaps she would have enough strength to wake up and transport them to Laegenshire.”

“Yes. We’ll do it.” Jireo knew the plan would work before he even passed on Laethan’s idea to Graely. The pressure of his defender bond diminished, and he took his first easy breath since Kaevin left the portal.

Alleraen had his doubts about the suggestion, despite the fact it’d come from Laegenshire’s healer. He’d never heard that a parent could donate strength to a child. Kaevin had already fallen unconscious again, and Graely was listening to arguments about how it should be done.

“You should cut your hand, for certain. Blood is always the best way.” Morvaen raised his voice to be heard.

“But Laethan said you only need to spit on your hand,” Jireo insisted.

One voice clamored for attention, “Listen to me! Listen to me!” Arista let out a shrill whistle, and the arguing men fell silent. “Finally… I’ve been trying to tell you… I know how to do it; I’ve known for a long time.”

A few chuckles and low murmurs rippled through the group.

“I’m not lying. Mothers do it all the time. All that’s required is sacrificial love and mother’s milk. Or a drop of blood on the baby during birth. Even a single tear falling on the skin can allow strength to flow from mother to child. It’s why many women die giving birth.”

“But this is not the same thing, of course.” Graely gave a patronizing pat to Arista’s head.

“It
is
the same.” Arista batted his hand away. “Wait until you speak to Laethan again, and I’ll prove it. Meanwhile, I’m telling you any form of moisture will do, including spit.”

“Why not try the spit like Laethan suggested?” Charles gave Graely a little shove toward Kaevin. “If you bleed on him, he’ll probably become Borg and assimilate you or something.”

While Alleraen pondered the strange comment, Graely fell to one knee, depositing a fat drop of spittle in his palm and clasping Kaevin’s hand. Nothing happened. At least, nothing appeared to happen. He simply froze in that position, unmoving, like a statue. Ten breaths. Twenty breaths. Too long.

“Graely?” Alleraen tapped his shoulder.

Graely fell to the side, eyes glazed open, unspeaking, his hand still clinging to Kaevin’s.

“Pull him away!” Arista grasped his arm, tugging ineffectually. Morvaen lifted Graely under his armpits, dragging him away from Kaevin and Alora.

Graely gasped for air, mumbling, “Did it work?”

“Kaevin! Kaevin!” Jireo called out, shaking his arm.

Opening his eyes, Kaevin drew in a shuddering breath. He lifted his hand in a weak gesture toward Charles. “I’m sorry, Charles. Sorry I didn’t protect her.” His eyes fluttered closed again.

“Why didn’t it work? I don’t understand.” Jireo’s vision blurred as water welled in his eyes. “My bond relaxed the moment Laethan relayed the plan.”

“Let me try it with Alora.” Charles dropped beside her, swiping at the dampness on his face. “I’m her true father. Vindrake may have given her his genes, but I’m the one who loved her.”

“You don’t share her blood,” Arista told Charles. She turned to Alleraen, raising an eyebrow.

Understanding dawned in Alleraen’s mind. “It’s
me
. I can give her my strength.” On Arista’s face he spied the smallest hint of a smile, which she hid behind her hand with a cough.

Alora heard the insistent voices, but tried to ignore them.
Is that Uncle Charles? I must have overslept for school.

As her muddled head cleared, she was only aware of one thing… pain. Her arms burned as if the skin had been peeled away. Excruciating reality intruded on her peaceful unconsciousness. She endeavored to crawl back inside her black hole.

“Alora! Wake up, Alora.” Uncle Charles’ face appeared in her squinting vision. “That’s it, stay awake.”

“No… it hurts too much.” She didn’t even try to understand where she was. Or why Uncle Charles was with her. She couldn’t think. She didn’t want to.

“Are you strong enough to transport?”

“No… please… let me die.”

“Alora, you have to stay alive… to save Kaevin.”

Kaevin. I can’t let Kaevin die. No matter how much it hurts.
“Okay, I’ll try.”

“Can you make it to the hospital? Just you and Kaevin?” asked Uncle Charles.

“No!” Jireo protested. “The healers in Montana will separate them; they don’t understand soulmates. And I can’t let Kaevin go without me.”

“I don’t think she’s strong enough to take anyone else with her. She’s barely even conscious.”

Alora would’ve protested, but blackness closed in on her, enveloping her in a soft pain-free blanket.

“Alora! Stay awake! Can you transport to Montana?”

She forced her eyes open, breathing fast against the rush of agony.

“Let me try again,” said a deep voice. “I can give her more strength.”

Alora frowned at the strange man who knelt beside her.
He seems familiar.

“Be careful, Alleraen. You can go too far.” Graely’s voice came from somewhere, but Alora was too tired to look for him.

The strange man spit in his palm and reached for her hand.

“
Gross
. Don’t touch me with your spit.” Alora’s words came out slurred like a drunk person.

“Sorry, Alora. It’s necessary.” His blue eyes crinkled as he smiled.

Deep blue. Like my father’s.
Too weak to resist, she cringed as he gently clasped her hand.

A rush of adrenaline pulsed through her body. Her heart raced. Pain. Clarity. She gasped for air. Turning her head, she saw Kaevin on her left. She tightened her hand around his, despite the agony of her seared palm. Cleared of the fog, her mind flew.

I need to transport.
I can’t go to the hospital. Too many questions.

“Alora transported somewhere
with Kaevin and Jireo. Alleraen must not have let go in time. I pray they all survive.” Graely couldn’t rid himself of a gnawing fear he would never see his son again.

“It’s a pity Arista doesn’t have her brother’s gift of farsight. Jireo can communicate with Darielle, but we’ll have to wait until we reach Laegenshire before we learn whether the healers were able to save them.” Morvaen’s comment was innocuous enough, but Arista’s face turned as red as a glowing ember.

“Why does everyone always speak as if my brother is more gifted than I am?” Arista stomped her foot for emphasis. “I’m the one who closed the portal in Vindrake’s cavern. Jireo could never have accomplished that feat.”

Morvaen took a step back, holding up his hand. “I meant no offense, Arista. Of course your gift was invaluable.”

“Actually, Jireo re-opened the portal when his blood-brother-thing made him jump through the door.” Charles twisted his head, as if he were looking for someone in the shadows nearby.

“I hadn’t considered that the portal was unsealed.” Arista rubbed her forehead. “So all our work and sacrifice was fruitless?”

An iron weight settled in Graely’s gut.
I sacrificed my son and Alora for no purpose.

“No, the portal has been resealed,” said Charles.

“By whom?” Graely asked. “Who else has the gift of gresses? Is it you, Charles? Have you discovered a gift of your own?”

“Ha! Not me, that’s for sure. I’ve got no gifts, and I don’t want them, either. Although I wouldn’t have minded it so much when I was trying to defend myself inside the caverns.”

“Then who closed the portal? Has Jireo discovered yet another gift?” Morvaen seemed quite pleased by this prospect.

“No, the person who sealed the portal after Jireo and I passed through was a boy from Water Clan. If I’m not mistaken, he and his brother are hiding behind those trees.”

Graely’s gaze followed the line of Charles’ extended arm to a dense thicket on the side of the clearing. “I don’t see anyone.”

Charles walked to the bushes. “You boys can come out. No one here is going to harm you.”

“What about that really huge warrior?” A small voice came from behind the foliage, which began to shake. “He never stops moving, and he always looks like he’s itching to kill someone.”

Charles grinned over his shoulder. “Morvaen won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“We’ve been following you from Portshire, but no one knew. So how did you find us? We didn’t make any noise.”

“While I was sitting across the way, I saw a rat amble over here. I thought it was odd he was out in the daytime. When he returned the way he’d come with a piece of cheese, I put two and two together. It’s okay; you’ll be safe with us.” Charles smiled as two boys emerged from their hiding place.

The shorter one punched the taller on his arm. “You see, Haegen… I told you not to feed that rat.”

Jireo tried to cushion Kaevin’s head as they landed.
Alora did it; she transported us. Where are we? She didn’t move us to the healing house in Montana.
His heart raced, declaring Kaevin was still on the verge of death. He heard someone groan.

“Alleraen, what are you doing here? You were supposed to release Alora’s hand before she transported.”

Alleraen lifted his head, but if flopped back to the floor. “I tried, but her hold was like iron. I couldn’t pull my hand free until we landed here and she fell asleep again. Where are we? Is this the healing…” His voice trailed off.

“Alleraen? Alleraen? Are you awake?”

“Jireo? What are you doing here?” Wesley entered the room.

“Alora was supposed to transport us to the healing house. I suppose she accidentally moved us to your home instead.” Jireo placed his hand on Kaevin’s chest, willing his heart to continue beating.

Staring at the two soulmates, Wesley looked as if he’d eaten spoiled meat. “Are they… are Alora and Kaevin dead?”

“They aren’t dead, but death could come at any moment. Alora’s badly injured, and Kaevin is dying with her.”

“What about that other dude? Is he dead?”

Relief flooded Jireo when he saw Alleraen’s chest moving. “I think he simply passed out. It’s a long tale. At the moment, we must get Kaevin and Alora to a healer.”

“I could drive them to the hospital, but it’s about thirty minutes away. Dr. Sanders is probably at Beth’s house, and it’s close by. Let me call her.” Wesley picked up a flat box and tapped it with his thumbs. “What happened to Alora and Kaevin? I mean, I don’t see any blood.”

“Vindrake tortured them… mostly Alora, but they both feel it.” Jireo swallowed bile in his throat as he reached across to lift one of Alora’s arms, showing Wesley the ravaged skin.

“Oh my God!” Wesley turned his face away.

“He burned her, over and over again, on her arms. Then his shaman tried to kill them. They died, but their lifeblood returned.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll leave out that last little detail.” Wesley held the box up to his ear. “Dr. Sanders is having a hard enough time accepting all this without talking about rising from the dead.” Wesley spoke into his box. “Hey, Beth. Is Dr. Sanders at your house right now? Yes? Great. We’ve got a little emergency….”

Beth swiped at her wet face with the back of her hand. Wesley’s description of a “little emergency” hadn’t prepared her for the horrific sight of her best friend lying limp and pale against Kaevin, who appeared equally lifeless. As Dr. Sanders lifted Alora’s arms, exposing the burns—raw, red, and weeping—Beth turned her head away, gagging.

“These are second degree burns. Her heart and breathing rates are elevated, so she’s probably septic.” Dr. Sanders’ voice trembled with emotion. “I don’t even know if we’ve got time to get her to the hospital.”

“Alora can transport to the hospital,” Beth told him. “She could take you and Kaevin, and we’ll drive and meet you there.”

“But she’s too weak to transport again; we can’t even wake her up.” Jireo stayed glued to Kaevin’s side, sitting next to him on the floor, despite the offer of a comfortable spot on the couch beside Wesley.

Pacing across the back wall, Daegreth kept his distance from the others. Though Jireo had declared Daegreth was no longer a danger, he obviously felt nervous without his customary restraints. “Was it because of my maps? Was there an error in my recollection? Is that why they were caught? Is that the reason they weren’t rescued in time?” He ran his fingers through the sandy brown hair falling across his shoulders, loosed from its typical leather tie.

“No, Daegreth. Your maps were perfect. Nothing could have prevented it once Vindrake captured them.” Jireo’s words didn’t seem to comfort Daegreth, who only quickened his restless strides.

It hurt Beth’s heart to see Daegreth once again taking the blame for something he couldn’t control. “It’s not your fault, Daegreth.” She bestowed an encouraging smile, to which Daegreth blushed crimson.

“Alora’s in shock.” Dr. Sanders stripped the blood pressure cuff from her ankle, which he’d used as an alternative site to avoid the burns on her arms. His jaw was tight as he fumbled in his medical bag. “We’ve got to go to the hospital now to have any hope of saving her.”

“We have to bring Kaevin, too. Remember, A.J., they’re soulmates. They need each other to stay alive.” Beth squatted on the floor beside Dr. Sanders, staring with such intensity he was the first to avert his eyes.

Rising to his feet, Dr. Sanders offered Beth a hand, pulling her up, shuffling her off to the side and speaking in a hoarse whisper. “I’m sorry, Beth. You need to know they may not make it.”

Something hard and tight cut off the air to Beth’s throat. “
No
, don’t say that. You’re a doctor; you have to save them.”

His only answer was a squeeze to Beth’s shoulder. Turning, he addressed Jireo. “Can you get Kaevin to the car? Maybe someone else can carry Alora. I’m going to request an ambulance, so they can meet us half-way.” He pulled out his cell phone, striding from the room to make the call.

“Daegreth and I can carry them to the car. Right, Daegreth?” Wesley jumped up from the couch.

“Yes. I can finally use my gift for good.” Daegreth’s face lit up like he’d won the lottery.

“They won’t live. Kaevin’s time is short.” Jireo’s voice was filled with agony.

“Wait… I can give her more strength.” A weak voice called out.

The auburn-haired man had woken up. Beth didn’t even know his name—only that he was Vindrake’s brother, but he was on their side.

“No, Alleraen,” Jireo answered. “Twice already you’ve given your strength. You must have reached your limit.”

“I’m not dead yet; I have more to give. Alora’s life is more important than mine.”

“What are you talking about? If we can give her strength to stay alive, let me do it. I’ve got plenty.” Beth hurried to kneel beside Alora. “What do I need to do?”

Alleraen crawled to reach Alora, pushing Beth aside. He spit into his palm before grasping Alora’s hand. “You must be a blood relative to give strength. I’m her uncle, so I’m the only one here with the ability.”

Alleraen closed his eyes, and a moment later, Alora’s body began to shake. Her lips moved with moaning noises and a few intelligible words. “Kaevin… sorry… it hurts…” Alleraen collapsed in a boneless heap across Alora’s legs.

“Get him away from her!” Jireo shouted as he jumped to tug at Alleraen’s heavy body. With Wesley and Daegreth’s aid, he pulled Alleraen to the side.

“Is he alive?” asked Wesley.

Beth bent to check his neck for a pulse. “His heart’s still beating, but it’s slow. I can see him breathing, at least for now.”

“He hasn’t enough strength left to bring Alora fully back to consciousness.” Jireo moved back to kneel beside Kaevin, hopelessness written in the slump of his shoulders. “We’re too late. I can feel Kaevin’s death coming.”

“What about Raelene? She’s a blood-relative, right? Couldn’t she give strength?” Beth asked.

“I believe Raelene could give Alora strength, just as Alleraen has, if she were here. But Raelene’s gone to Glaenshire to comb the Craedenza for information about soulmates.” Jireo looked up with tears streaking his face. “I fear Alora’s grandmother has wasted her time and efforts, for Alora and Kaevin will surely die before we can travel to the healing house.”

“Grandmother,” Alora mumbled.

At the end of the second day of travel, Raelene was concerned about Bardamen’s continued brooding. They shared a meal of cheese and bread while sitting side-by-side on a log, and Bardamen’s only contribution to the conversation was an occasional noncommittal murmur.

“The clouds are blocking the moonlight tonight. It’s quite dark despite the full moon, isn’t it?” Raelene tried to prompt a response.

“Umm-hmm.”

I don’t think he’s even listening to me.
“I think you should sleep with the horses tonight.”

“Umm-hmm.”

“Perhaps my mare is your soulmate. Have you considered that possibility?”

“Umm-hmm.”

“She told me she thinks you’re attractive. Do you feel the same?”

“Umm-hmm.”

“Then it’s settled, Bardamen.” She pounded him on the back. “Congratulations! I’m glad you’ve found a suitable girl to marry.”

Bardamen choked on his bread, turning his head to stare at her with wide eyes. “A suitable girl to marry? Are you speaking of Meravelle? She’s completely unacceptable. She doesn’t meet any of the qualifications. Well… perhaps she meets a few. She’s from another clan. And I suppose some men might consider her pretty, in an unusual sort of way.

“I’d never be attracted to her, of course. She’s much too short, and her eyes are almost too big. Her lashes are so long, they’re a bit distracting, and her hair is quite unruly—terribly curly. With that soft skin she has, I’m certain she couldn’t walk more than a few steps in a forest without being injured by some stray twig.

“Even if her physical appearance were acceptable, I wouldn’t be interested in marrying her. She’s much too arrogant and generally disagreeable. No, she’s not suitable in the least. I can’t even imagine why you’d make the suggestion.” He flung his open palm in the air for emphasis.

Raelene gave her head a shake and blinked, realizing she’d stopped in mid-bite, her hand poised with a chunk of cheese close to her lips.

“Pardon me, Bardamen. I can certainly see why you wouldn’t want to marry Meravelle. She’d be too much of a challenge for you.”

“Yes, exactly… Wait. What do you mean, ‘too much of a challenge’?”

“Only that you wanted someone sweet and submissive. I can see why you’d prefer that, though I’d find it a bit boring myself. Yet you’re correct… being married to Meravelle would be too stimulating for you. We’ll continue to search for a more dull and docile candidate.”

“Right.” Bardamen sounded uncertain. “Dull and docile…”

Raelene hid her smile as she turned her attention back to her cheese. But when the log, which had been her seat, suddenly disappeared, she lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, crying out as the cheese and bread slipped from her fingers. The forest floor vanished, replaced by a hard wood surface.