Arrows of Time (54 page)

Jarrod placed his hands over Rosette’s heart. The energy amplified and he drew it in. Like a whirlpool he sucked it into his solar plexus, preparing for the next blast. Kali and Teg threw their arms skyward and a hole in the ceiling opened, the roof melting like burning plastic as the lightning flashed. The hall blazed white with the deafening sear and zap. Jarrod felt the
force of the bolt pass through him straight to Rosette’s heart. It hit the metal plate and bounced back, hurling him across the hall, knocking down those in his path like empty milk bottles. The shockwave blasted the temple doors and rolled under the floorboards.

Jarrod couldn’t see for some time. His vision was like static on a broadcast monitor, crackling with interference. His ears were ringing and his limbs shook. Strong hands gripped him, helping him to sit. From the corner of his eye he could just see Selene, and Shane and Teg as well. He kept trying to focus, scrunching his eyes and relaxing, but blackness masked the centre of his vision. He knew there was a world out there, but it wasn’t registering. He felt the vibration of voices around him, yet no distinct sounds, no words, formed in his mind.

The scent of sweet herbs engulfed him. Cool hands touched his face. Annadusa was looking after him now. He could tell by the aura he was able to sense. He tried to push her away.
Let me see Rosette
, he said. No sound came out. Why were they focused on him when they should be helping her? Was she back in her body? A hand clasped his shoulder and he shrugged it off, gathering his strength to stand.
Rosette?

Someone was crying. It sounded far off, like a child in the distance. He felt his heart racing, erratic beats that pounded against his breastbone.

‘Deep breaths, Jarrod. Easy. There’s no rush. It’s okay. Take your time.’ Finally, he heard Annadusa and others around him.

‘But Rosette…’ His voice was like an old man’s. He cleared his throat and tried again. ‘How’s Rosette?’

It’s all right, Jarrod. Relax.

‘Drayco! Where are you? I can’t see properly.’

Stop struggling, Jarrod. Your mind’s like an ant’s nest. I’m here to help, but you have to breathe deeply.

Annadusa was tapping his body here and there, on his fingertips and head, opening blocked channels. He felt the energy flow increase, like unclogging a dam. His vision cleared and the hall came slowly into focus. The dark blotches in the centre of his vision dissipated.

The candles were burning brightly, wax dripping down the sticks. The bards were playing an ambient tune with low whistles and guitars, the music sweet and light. People were everywhere, all smiling, their auras vivid. He touched his chest and winced. The smell of burnt flesh rose to his nostrils.

‘You took quite a jolt, my lad. How’s the tulpa holding up?’

He stared at Kreshkali. ‘Rosette?’

‘Come. You’ll need to see for yourself.’

He made his way towards the altar, supported by Shane and Kreshkali. He could glimpse Drayco; he was standing over Rosette, his forepaws on either side of her head. She didn’t move. The big cat leaned closer until his nose touched hers. Still no response, until a pale hand lifted. Everyone held their breath. When Rosette’s fingers found her temple cat’s neck, they disappeared into his ruff and didn’t let go.

‘Rosette!’ Jarrod stumbled the last few steps towards her.

Grayson caught him and propped him up. ‘She’s with us. She’s back.’ His voice was mufled as tears streamed down his face. Jarrod’s eyes welled too. The Lupins began a haunting bay, a deep resonant chorus which Drayco joined.

‘Jarrod?’ Her voice lilted towards him. ‘I found it.’

‘What’s that, love?’

‘The way back in.’

He laughed. ‘So you did.’

Kreshkali caught him as he crumpled to the floor.

‘Are you all right?’ Rosette narrowed her eyes. ‘You look like you’ve been in a demon’s den.’

Jarrod smoothed her hair. ‘You would know more about that than me.’

‘Not really.’ She tried to get up.

‘Stay still,’ Kreshkali said, easing her back with a hand on her chest. ‘You need to wake up slowly. A warm bed, a cup of tea and some herbs to start with.’

‘Slowly?’ she said, though she didn’t resist. ‘I’ve already been asleep for…how long now?’

‘Too long,’ Hotha said.

She turned towards the beautiful voice. ‘Who are you?’

‘Don’t you remember?’

She frowned. ‘Los Loma?’ She looked at his hands. ‘You guided me. You’re Lupin. You’re Hotha!’

‘Memory’s intact,’ he said.

‘You took me prisoner and nearly killed my…’

‘All of them, it seems.’

‘Let’s get her to her room. You too, Jarrod. I want to check your heart.’

He didn’t argue.

‘Grayson, can you bring her? And Teg, come with me to the kitchens.’

Jarrod winked at Rosette. ‘I’ll see you in the morning?’

She smiled back. ‘You will.’

Selene and Shane supported Jarrod, one on either side, as he made his way out of the hall. An apprentice led them to the rooms that had been prepared, turning around frequently to check their progress. At the base of the stairs, Jarrod looked up and sighed. The spiralling steps leading to the second storey appeared to go on forever.

‘We’ve got you,’ Selene whispered in his ear.

Jarrod took a deep breath and stilled his mind, tracing the neuro-pathways that fired through his tulpa. The experience of physical difficulty surprised him; he wasn’t used to it. But he couldn’t quite get his mind past the electrocution. Not yet. Half of his brain cells seemed to be firing out of sync, the other half not firing at all. He needed to meditate, to suspend his tulpa and think himself back into perfect alignment. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘I’m fine now.’

‘You’re really amazing, Jarrod. You brought her back.’

‘We all brought her back.’

They started up the steps, taking them one at a time. The apprentice led the way to their apartment. Candles were burning on wrought-iron stands, casting a soft light in the hallway. She lit more in the other rooms.

‘I’ll send up some food and wine,’ she said. ‘And hot water. You’ll want to bathe?’ She looked hopeful.

‘Of course,’ Shane said. ‘That sounds grand.’

The apprentice nodded and disappeared.

‘I might just lie down,’ Jarrod said. He felt neither hungry nor particularly in need of a soak in the tub.

‘This way,’ Selene said.

There were two bedrooms and a lounge area with colourful rugs, overstuffed pillows and a low table. Their packs were lined up against the wall along with their weapons. The bedroom glowed, lit by a row of short candles on the sill. They threw a warm yellow light, filling the room with the scent of honey. The curtains were drawn back and a large quilt covered the bed. On the bookshelf was an oil burner, the sweet scent of lemon balm and ginger rising from the little pot. He closed his eyes, ready to pass out where he stood.

Selene pulled back the quilt as Jarrod sat on the edge of the bed, shrugging out of his clothes.

‘Let me,’ she said.

‘Thanks.’

She knelt in front of him and unlaced his boots, undid his buckle and pulled off his pants. She peeled him out of his shirt and he flopped down with a sigh.

‘I’ll be fine,’ he mumbled.

‘Get some rest,’ Shane said. ‘We’ll see you in the morning.’

Jarrod murmured his gratitude, but kept his eyes shut. Already he was sinking into a deep state of meditation—the electromagnetic amplitude in his brain going up, the frequency going down to theta waves and lower. He was aware of the cycles—seven per second, six per second, five per second. Later he was aware of Kreshkali, her hands hovering above his heart. The added energy was appreciated, but he didn’t open his eyes. He would thank her later. She knew anyway.

He sighed again, allowing his tulpa to repair while his consciousness gathered, keen to head off in another direction. He had a thing or two he wanted to discuss with the Caller and he knew just where to find her.

‘That went well,’ Shane said. He pulled the door closed and stretched his neck from side to side. He rubbed knots out of his shoulders. When he straightened, Selene was staring at him. The lines on her brow deeply creased. Even the candlelight didn’t soften the edge of her expression. ‘Is something wrong?’ he asked.

She let out her breath in a rush. ‘I’m sorry, Shane, but your idea of “things going well” isn’t the same as mine.’ She slipped out of her long cloak and tossed it towards her pack. ‘I mean, what are we doing here? This isn’t our world and these aren’t our people, or our problems, for that matter. We’ve been gone for who knows how long and I’m not even sure how to get back.’ She drew in more air. ‘We don’t belong here!’

‘Maybe, but we are here nonetheless.’ He took her hand and led her to a nest of cushions, easing her down.

‘I’ve been here long enough, Shane. I came with Jarrod, thinking he’d solve our problems on Tensar, but as far as I can tell he hasn’t even considered it.’ She talked over him when he started to answer. ‘I can’t imagine he has, with everything that’s been going on. What about Tensar? What’s happening there?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘That’s my point. We’ve no idea.’ She bent forward to unlace her boots, leaning back with a sigh before she could get the knot undone. ‘I’ve had it. I’m finding my way back tomorrow, and I don’t care who’s disembodied or trapped in time or in need of rescuing. I’m going home.’ She held up her hand. ‘I know there is something wrong with the portals. They’re going every which way but direct, but that’s an even stronger sign that we need to get back. The many-worlds are in danger when the portals stop running true. I’m first marshal of the border scouts. I need to do my job!’

He patted his thigh and nodded towards her boots. ‘Fair enough,’ he said.

She put her feet in his lap. ‘Pardon?’

‘I said, it sounds like a fair plan to me.’ He untied the knots and slipped off her boots. When he started massaging her feet, she didn’t pull away. She closed her eyes and smiled. Music floated up the stairs, the soft stringed instruments creating a melodic ambience.

‘I’m surprised you aren’t down there, with them,’ she said through a deep yawn.

‘I’m happy here.’

‘Happy?’

He nodded.

‘You haven’t said that word in a long time.’ She sighed. ‘Shane, we know where the portal is.’ She kept her eyes closed. ‘We’ve seen how it works, how they
commune with the Entity—been through often enough now. What’s to stop us from going home?’

‘What indeed?’

She opened one eye. ‘You’re awfully agreeable this evening.’

He winked at her, about to answer. There was a knock at the door.

The apprentice had returned with a platter of food: flat bread and an assortment of dips and sprouts, goat cheese, dark purple grapes and roasted macadamia nuts. She also carried a pot of hot spiced wine. ‘This will have to do on short notice. All the meats have gone to the Lupins, you understand. Nobody wants them roaming around hungry!’

‘This is perfect,’ Shane said. ‘We don’t eat meat.’

She put the tray on the table and waved in two more apprentices. They carried a steaming kettle between them.

‘Don’t spill any of it. These are Gaelean rugs, you know.’ She rolled her eyes at Shane and Selene. ‘We can’t have water splashing about.’

Shane felt certain the warning was for him as well. He inhaled deeply. The aroma of orange blossom and cloves rose with the steam. The apprentices carried the kettle into the bathroom and poured the water into the large tub.

‘They’ll be back with one more. It’ll make a proper bath for both of you.’ She smiled at Shane, the expression transforming her face. ‘I’m Porsche, second apprentice to Annadusa’s circle. Let me know if you need anything else.’ She lifted one shoulder and pushed her dark hair back from her eyes.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I will.’

Porsche let her finger play across her lips and left.

‘It’s not too hard to work out what she’s offering,’ Selene said.

‘What’s that?’

‘She was all but drooling over you.’

‘Are you sure it wasn’t for you?’ he asked, continuing to massage her feet.

Selene froze for a moment before chuckling. ‘Both of us?’ She covered her mouth. ‘There’s a thought.’

Shane leaned forward, letting her feet slide from his lap. He took her hand away from her mouth and pulled her near, kissing her before she could protest. Her eyes went wide at first, and then she responded, kissing him back.

‘Shall we get in the tub while the water’s hot?’ he asked. He stood and offered her his hand. This time it was Selene who wrapped him in an embrace, sending fire up his spine. ‘I could use a good wash,’ she whispered. ‘It’s been a while.’

Jarrod stared into the Caller’s eyes. They were like emeralds in the afternoon light, striking against the violet pillows propped about her. The look she gave him was intense, almost too much, and he let his focus wander, past the double doors behind her. They were thrown open to a lush courtyard filled with climbing vines and flowering shrubs. Noisy miner birds dotted the branches, piping an urgent
phew phew phew
almost to distraction. Two ginger tabby cats sat near a central pond, the source of the birds’ distress, though the felines were hardly on the prowl. The cats seemed more interested in the splash of water from the fountain than the zealous birds that were clinging to the overhead vines, hanging upside down, tilting their heads this way and that while shrieking impetuous warnings.

He sighed and returned his attention to the Caller. ‘You still haven’t answered me,’ he said, watching her pupils dilate.

They had been conversing for the better part of an hour and he still wasn’t convinced she was telling the truth. There was something peculiar about her thought process and her mind shield. Strange, yet familiar.

‘That’s because I don’t think much of your question, Jarrod. Who cares why Rosette couldn’t get through the portal to Tensar? It’s done, over. Let’s move on.’

‘Not quite done and over, actually. There’s significance there. I certainly don’t want her to return here if she’s still at risk.’

‘Why would she need to return? You’ve convinced me the problem’s solved.’