Eternal (23 page)

I closed my eyes and tried to relax. It was broad daylight, and there were now four ælven between me and the alben. I told myself I was safe. Didn't believe it.

I dozed a little, but it wasn't good sleep. I kept remembering the cave, and the awful hike that had taken me there. The alben's creepy laugh.

My phone rang. I jumped so hard I would have hit the roof if I hadn't buckled myself in out of habit. With shaking hands, I got it out. Len's number.

“We need
Mad
ó
ran,
” Caeran said. “Can you get the car back to the hacienda? Len can bring him here.”

I took a deep breath. “OK.”

“Thank you. I will call and let them kno
w you are coming.”

I put the phone back in my pocket. Had to hunt for the keys; I'd had them in my hand, but must have dropped them when I was dozing. I found them in the footwell and managed to get the car key into the ignition.

The feel of the engine rumbling was actually reassuring. I still felt timid, but I managed to get the car pointed in the right direction with a K turn, and cruised back toward the hacienda.

I almost missed the turn. If it wasn't for the big carved owl on the gatepost I would have. I turned up the driveway and rolled along to the house. They must have been waiting, because they came out before I'd shut off the engine.

Len came to the driver door and tried to open it. I unlocked it and got out. She grabbed me in a hug as soon as I stood.

“Are you OK?”

“Yeah. Just sore from walking, and kind of freaked out.”

She kissed my cheek. “Gotta go. We'll talk later.”

Mad
ó
ran
was already in the passenger seat. Len hopped in and pulled away, leaving me standing outside.

Didn't want to be outside.

I hurried into the house. Savhoran was waiting in the great room, and hugged me so hard I couldn't breathe. For the first time since last night, I felt safe.

We sat on the couch and I told him what had happened. He looked so angry it scared me.

“Why did they need
Mad
ó
ran
?” I asked, hoping to distract him. “Was someone hurt?”

“Pirian. They found him in the cave you described. The female was not there.”

“That means she went out in the sun!”

“She can bear it better than I,” he said grimly.

I hugged him. He held me and kissed me and I started to relax.

“
Why did you go outside last night?” he asked.

“
I think she made me. I didn't realize it until it was too late. I'm not that stupid.”

Savhoran squeezed my hand. “She had control of the man with the chickens as well.”

“
So he was the distraction.”

Savhoran nodded. “A clever one.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. So tired.

He stroked my hair. It felt good. I must have been a mess, but he didn't seem to care.

My stomach growled. I sat up. “Hungry.”

We went to the kitchen. I went in first and drew the curtains over the windows.

Savhoran made me sit at the table and brought me food and drink—bread, cheese, water, milk, berries—until I told him to stop. When I wasn't gobbling we talked about the alben. The hunting was still coming up blank, and he was annoyed that she'd gotten so close to the house without their noticing.

“
We need a different strategy,” he said.

I nodded and swallowed a mouthful of bread. “Guns.”

He gave me a skeptical look. “Do you know how to use one?”

“
Point and shoot. How hard can it be?”

“
Do you know how we can get them?”

“
Well, they cost a lot. And you have to get a license. Maybe a background check. OK, bad idea.”

He took my hands in his. “We will search tonight near that cave. She will still be recovering from sun poisoning.”

“
Um. I'm not going to tell you not to kill her, but be careful, OK?”

He kissed me. “I will be careful, if only so that I can see you again.”

“
You can see me all you want.”

We went back to the great room and cuddled on the couch. I fell asleep in his arms. Didn't wake up until I heard the front door open.

I sat up, heart pounding. Savhoran's hands soothed me.
Mad
ó
ran
came in, followed by Caeran carrying someone wrapped up in a dark cloak. They hurried through to the far door that led to the
portal
by the treatment room. Len came in after them.

“
Is that him?” I ask
ed her.

“Yes. He's in bad shape.
Mad
ó
ran
wants me to help.”

“Where are the rest of the guys?”

“Looking for the female. If they can find where she's hiding now, while she's vulnerable…”

I glanced at Savhoran. He was frowning. He wanted to kill her himself.

Selfishly, I hoped they found her before nightfall.

Len headed for the treatment room. I settled back into Savhoran's arms and dozed some more.

This time it was evening when I woke. I was lying on my bed, alone. I rolled over and looked at the clock: eight thirty. I sat up.

Really stupid, but I was scared to leave the room. I thought about calling someone on the phone, but jeez, how embarrassing!

Suck it up, Richards. Be an adult.

A shower would make me feel better. I got up and took some fresh clothes from my dresser, opened my door a crack and stared out at the
plazuela
for a long time until I was convinced no alben was hiding out there, then scurried to the bathroom. Yes, I locked the door.

Hot water does wonderful things for the soul. I scrubbed all over and washed my hair, then stood with the water running on the backs of my aching thighs. Got out, toweled off, and dressed. I'd forgotten a comb, so I ran my fingers through my hair.

Again, I opened the door cautiously. All was calm in the
plazuela
. I put my dirty clothes in my room, then made a dash for the door into the great room.

Deserted. What time was it? I'd left my phone in my room. I could hear Len telling me how stupid that was, and by the way where was my pepper spray?

Mad
ó
ran
didn't have any clocks in the room. In fact, I didn't remember seeing any clocks in the house.

I went through the entryway and along into the kitchen. No one there either, but there was a note on the counter and a plate covered with a cloth napkin. The note, from
Mad
ó
ran
, said here was some cake for me, and there was roast chicken in the fridge if I needed a meal.

I ate the cake first. Life's too short.

Good cake, too. Kind of a fruitcakey loaf, but much better than human-style fruitcake.

I didn't need more food, but I wanted a drink, so I looked in the fridge and found some milk. Poured myself a big glass and sat at the table.

The curtains were still over the windows. I pushed them aside and looked out at the garden. Feeling trapped again, and kind of lonely.

There was a short little hallway west of the kitchen. It led to the utility room and storage rooms, with door at the far end. I'd never been through that door.

I finished my milk and washed my dishes, then went down the hall to the door and knocked.
Mad
ó
ran
answered, and smiled.

“Feeling better?”

“Much. Thanks for the cake.”

The room behind him was gorgeous. Carved furniture—bed, nightstand, dresser, wardrobe—more ornate than anything else in the house. Blue bedspread with green and gold leaves all over it. Beautiful woven hangings on the walls. A chandelier of oil lamps filling the place with the scent of sandalwood.

“Would you like to come
in?”

I woke up. “Sorry. It's just so glorious.”

“Thank you.”

He gestured a welcome, so I stepped in and looked around. There were ornaments everywhere: blown glass globes, ceramic figures, candle holders. I could have spent hours just looking at everything.

I turned to
Mad
ó
ran
. “Where is everyone?”

His smile faded. “Out hunting, except for Len.”

I swallowed. “So they didn't find her.”

“No.”

“What about the alben guy?”

“He is resting.”

“Can I see him? I just want to thank him. I'm pretty sure he saved my bacon.”

“Perhaps tomorrow. He is still rather weak.”

“What did she do to him, anyway?”

Mad
ó
ran
‘s expression went grim. “She fed on his khi. It is against our creed to do so, but the alben do not follow the creed.”

“Except Savhoran.”

“
I do not consider Savhoran alben.”

That made me feel good. “Does he know that?” I asked.

“I suppose I have not said so. I assumed he knew.”

“Tell him. Please.”

He nodded.
“You are right, I should. And now you would like to see Len, I imagine.”

He walked across the room to another door. I followed him through it into a smaller room with a couch and a couple of chairs, lit by candles.
Mad
ó
ran
went to another door in the right hand wall and knocked.

“Len? Amanda is here.”

Len opened the door and grabbed me in a huge hug. We sat together on her and Caeran's bed and talked through everything. She had actually helped
Mad
ó
ran
treat the alben.

“He was in really tough shape,” she said. “I wasn't sure he'd make it.
Mad
ó
ran
gave him a lot of energy and he's still weak.”

“I'm feeling confused about him. I mean, he did try to whammy us right at first, but he also saved my butt this morning.”

Len smiled. “He's all right, I think.
Mad
ó
ran
isn't nervous about him. Of course,
Mad
ó
ran
wants to think the best of everyone.”

We kept talking until I noticed Len was yawning a lot. I stood up.

“Guess I should go—let you get some sleep.”

“Stay if you want.”

I hesitated. “Won't Caeran mind?”

“He'll be out all night. You missed a big rally meeting. They did everything but beat drums and put on war paint.”

She got up and fetched two jumbo t-shirts from the dresser. “Night shirt,” she said, handing me one.

We climbed into bed together and kept talking. Gradually Len drifted to sleep, and I lay there listening to her breathing, grateful not to be alone.

I slept too, even though I'd had a long nap. Stress will do that to you.

I dreamed about the alben guy. He brought me a big bouquet of roses. Savhoran was jealous. I held the roses close to smell them and pricked my finger on a thorn. The alben guy grinned.

I woke with a start. Dark in the room, but there was a little light leaking in around the window curtains. Len was still asleep, so I held still and listened to birds chirping out in the garden. Finally I got up and pulled on my clothes.

Len rolled over. “Hm?”

“Gotta pee. Go back to sl
eep.”

I wasn't quite brave enough to go all the way around to my room on the
plazuela
, so I went through the sitting room and knocked on Madoran's door. No answer. I opened the door a crack.

The room was empty. Pale light filtered through gauze at the windows; heavier drapes were pulled aside. I resisted the urge to explore and went through to the far door. In the hallway by the utility room was another bathroom. I used it, then went to the kitchen to peek out the window.

The sun wasn't up yet. Everything was shaded blue with the pre-dawn light. The garden was just as beautiful as always in this half-shadowed state. As I stood admiring it, I heard the front door open and close.

The hunters were home. I was just wearing panties and Len's shirt. I beat it back to her bedroom and scrambled into my clothes.

Len sat up and rubbed her eyes. “What's up?”

“They're back.”

She slid out of bed and got dressed, and together we went back to the kitchen.
Mad
ó
ran
was there, cooking up a huge breakfast of huevos, chorizo, and fresh-made tortillas. He instantly recruited us to help. Len filled the tea kettle while I cut up cantaloupe. Before I was done the clan straggled in.

They looked tired and disappointed. No one asked; there was no need.

Len poured tea for them. I carried the plate of melon to the table and they all reached for it, even Savhoran. I watched, fascinated, while he ate the first solid food I'd seen him consume since he'd come down with the curse.

They were going through the melon fast, so I went and cut up another one. By that time
Mad
ó
ran
had the eggs and sausage ready, and the guys lined up at the counter, except for Savhoran. He headed for the great room. I followed and caught up with him in the entryway.

“Hey,” I said. “I missed you.”

He glanced at the windows and beckoned me into the great room, where he caught me in a fierce hug. I hugged him back, breathing in the smell of him.

“
You'll get her.”