Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice (31 page)

She thrust to a sitting position and crawled
up the incline and above the sinkhole. Erynn ran, not slowing until
thicker stands of trees once again sprinkled the scene. Her breath
shot out in rapid bursts, solid fingers of fog that pierced the icy
air. She shivered, the shakes threatening to knock her off her
feet.

The sky darkened, and not just from the press
of night. Black clouds shrouded the stars. Snow began to fall.
Large flakes skipped down from a leaden cover. The wind gusted,
driving flurries against Erynn’s exposed face. Branches with needle
leaves reached out and scratched her cheeks. Each breath burned her
throat and lungs. Her chest ached from the frigid temperature and
the heavy pounding of her heart. She pulled the hood of her thick
coat closer, wrapping the soft scarf around her nose and mouth.
Erynn pushed through low limbs and leaned against a group of tree
trunks joined in a narrow patch of soil. Cloistered beneath the
sheltering boughs, Erynn watched the snow become a solid wall of
white.

In the distance, the howling of maejen split
the silence.

Jaer paced the rough stone in a five-meter
arc on the right rim of the scramble pad. His thoughts tumbled,
fell, and then soared, only to plummet again.

Erynn is on her way home. But nothing has
changed. I am still committed to Shan. No. Erynn understands. We
will work this out, together. What about Nev
?

Jaer shook off his apprehension and gritted
his teeth. His stride lengthened. From this vantage point, anyone
approaching the main entrance to the access tunnel would be visible
from the time they left the trees until they reached the first of
the massive gray granite boulders. In the twilight, shadow shapes
melded, still and silent.

A message from a braefin-netting captain to a
small settlement below Star Point Strait and then on through
several relays to the base, advised that Erynn was on her way.

How and why had Erynn gone to Arranon’s
upper pole
?
A portal
?
Dhoran
?

Jaer grumbled and stopped pacing. He stared
down as the last of the sun’s light slipped away. An icy gust
swirled around him, filling his nostrils with the spicy scent of
the forest below. The wind freed his long hair, weaving the dark
strands with invisible fingers.

“The sensors will tell us long before any
visual sighting.” Cale’s voice came from behind Jaer. He took a
step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jaer, and gazed
into the night. “We’ll know when she’s home.” Cale appeared tired,
his face haggard and lined.

Dhoran was growing bolder, his followers more
blatant. Word of attacks like the one on Tamaagra’s council members
was increasing. This new threat so soon after the invasion by the
alien enemy frightened the people of Arranon. Trust faltered among
communities. Separated and bickering, the populace was vulnerable.
Dhoran counted on this.

“Tiar, Sean, and Tam will begin search grids
as soon as the Interceptors are ready.” Cale’s deep sigh broke over
the wind singing in the trees. “We’ll find Erynn.”

Jaer nodded, the gesture unseen in the
dark.

“Cace’s poring over the symbols brought from
Deanaim, searching for clues about the other portals.” Cale
chuffed. “He’s actually quite brilliant. His comprehension of the
ancient language’s written form is amazing.”

Jaer nodded again.

Liquid shadows eased between stone below.
Eyes glowed amber in the dark.

Jaer stiffened and stared. Understanding
punched into him before the first howl tore across the night.

Maejen. Erynn. They know
.

Cale inhaled sharply. “Maejen? What—”

“They know where Erynn is.” Jaer spun,
running into the hangar bay.

“Where are you going?” Cale kept pace with
Jaer.

Jaer slowed and turned to Cale. “Transport
bay. I will follow them to Erynn.”

Cale tapped behind his ear and trotted next
to Jaer. “Transport bay. Whill, get a speeder ready, fully equipped
with survival gear, food, and water.” He ended the connection. “A
speeder will be ready in five timnents. The Interceptors can follow
your signal once you’ve found Erynn.”

Jaer nodded and grinned. “Erynn’s bond with
the maejen is strong. It can be the only reason they have
come.”

“Her bond with them and with you, Jaer. This
relationship has connected the maejen to you.” Cale’s eyes were
wide. His amazement at the maejen’s behavior smoothed the creases
on his brow and seemed to re-energize him.

Jaer sprinted the last of the dim tunnel,
sliding to a stop in the well-lighted transport bay. His heart beat
faster than the brief exertion warranted, and his stomach clenched
in anticipation. He wanted Erynn home and with him. Shan would use
any means to prevent them from being together, and Nev would help
her.

I just want Erynn safe, where I can
protect her. I will deal with Shan and Nev soon. Erynn loves me and
I her. We will be together
.

Cale’s order had the activity level jumping.
Crewmembers rushed about, packing the speeder while Whill
supervised, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

Whill straightened at Jaer and Cale’s
approach. “Nearly ready, Cale.”

Jaer walked a circuit around the speeder,
winding between technicians securing packs in cases attached to the
rear skids.

From the right, the access-tunnel lights
switched on. The wide passage glowed like daylight.

Whill handed Jaer a heavy quilted jumpsuit
and full-face helmet. “There’s a storm coming. A bad one. You’ll
need these.”

Jaer glanced at the speeder and then to
Whill.

Whill held up a hand and nodded, his
expression somber. “There’s one for Erynn, too.”

Jaer set the helmet on the speeder seat and
climbed into the jumpsuit.

Technicians using a remote device controlled
a wheeled dolly, positioning supports under the speeder. The device
raised the skids off the ground. Unlike the smaller vehicle with
wheels and skis that Erynn had taken on her outing to find the
enemy soldiers, this larger version was equipped only with
skis.

Cale, Whill, and Jaer followed the technician
guiding the speeder through the access tunnel. When they reached
the door panel, Whill tapped the controls, and the massive rock
slid open. Icy wind whipped inside, whistling and moaning. Whill’s
long gray hair fluttered over his face, and he brushed the errant
strands aside. “Move it out. Disconnect the driver,” he called over
the shrill cry of a surging gust.

In the dark beyond the granite boulders,
golden eyes glowed from deep shadows. The maejen didn’t turn and
run. Their heads lowered, and they watched the tunnel entrance.

Cale frowned, staring at the huddled shapes
and shimmering eyes in the distance. “Are you sure about this?”

Jaer nodded and pulled on the helmet, the
face shield up. “Erynn trusts the maejen. I will trust them
also.”

Cale, Whill, and the three technicians backed
away as Jaer started the speeder.

Jaer flipped the visor down and moved ahead
slowly. The maejen turned a ghostly green in the helmet’s night
vision. They trotted from their positions, heads whipping around to
watch Jaer, their eyes glowing.

They are making sure I follow
.

His heart leapt in his chest.

Erynn, I am coming
.

He glanced back as the stone door slid shut.
Jaer twisted the throttle and raced into the dark behind the
maejen.

ERYNN FELT HOT. HER SKIN was on fire. The
faint scent of overheated material tickled her nostrils. A burning
flared, bright under her lids. She tried to push away from the pain
and found she couldn’t.

Am I prevented from moving, or unable
to
?

She opened her eyes, blinking at the harsh
glare. Sunshine stung her bare skin and glittered off blue-green
water rising and ebbing against a white shore. Milamora lined the
beach and stared at her from the water’s edge. Unmoving, their eyes
were wide and dark. Under the surf’s steady roar, voices—no
a
single voice
tried to break into the flow. Erynn lay on her
side. Hot rough sand grated beneath her. She gazed out past the
milamora at a vast ocean and the palest sky she’d ever seen.

“Erynn!” The shout carried from a great
distance. Tall, polished brown boots appeared before her eyes.

Unable to raise or turn her head, Erynn gazed
as far as her eyes would allow at the figure standing over her. He
cast no shadow. The relentless sun continued to blaze down on
her.

Damon
!
Dad
!

The crisp tan uniform was a snug fit to his
toned body. Neat, dark hair silver at the temples framed his smooth
face. Piercing deep-blue eyes stared down at her.

He’s so handsome. I love you, Dad
.

“Erynn, wake up.”

I am awake. At least, I think I
am
.

Erynn blinked, her lids heavy.

“Erynn!” Damon’s tone was urgent, louder.
“Wake. Up.”

No. That’s not Dad’s voice. Who
?

She drifted away.

Erynn opened her eyes. The sun glowed a fiery
orange, setting on a slate-gray sea tipped with gentle whitecaps. A
bloody red sky blended into hues of deep purple. The heat from the
sun had eased to a comfortable warmth. The bed of aggravating sand
was gone. Instead, a soft material soothed her irritated skin.

“Sunburn?” Her voice was a low harsh
whisper.

A dark silhouette rose before her, blocking
out the setting sun. “Sunburn?” He chuckled. “Hardly. Try
frostbite, or nearly that bad. The maejen kept you as warm as they
could. Without them, you surely would have died.”

Erynn turned her head and gazed into the dim
yellow light reflecting off a tent cover. The material dimpled and
bounced. Wind howled outside. Maejen added their song to the raging
storm.

He chuckled again. “They know you are
awake.”

“Who?” Erynn frowned and reached out to the
solid form eclipsing the light.

He took her hand and placed her palm over his
heart. “Jaer.”

A slow, steady beat pulsed under her fingers.
His skin was warm and soft. “Jaer?” Her frown deepened, tightening
her forehead. “Then I’m not awake.” She leaned into him. “But I’ll
take what I can get. A dream of you will do.” The words croaked out
of her dry throat.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed the
top of her head. “Then go back to sleep, Kipa.”

Erynn stiffened and swallowed. She grimaced
at the pain in her throat. “Already am, remember? Would you answer
me?” She licked her chapped lips. “Who knows I’m awake? I mean, if
I was,” she whispered hoarsely.

“The maejen.” His voice was muffled against
her hair. “They came to the base. Showed me where to find you.” His
arms tightened around her. “They saved your life.”

She relaxed. “Hmmm. Okay. But you should know
we decided not to keep score.” She shivered and snuggled into him,
taking his heat. Her nose pressed against his bare chest, and she
breathed in the spicy scent of him.

His leg crossed over and enfolded her. “You
and the maejen came to this agreement?” His exhaled air was warm.
“I am not sure I will ever get used to this…connection you
share.”

Erynn’s teeth chattered. “Yes…agreement.”

“You are still so cold.” Jaer scooted closer.
His hands were hot on her back. “We will just have to stay like
this until you are warm.” There was an unmistakable satisfaction in
his tone.

Her body took his heat, and the shivering
quieted. “Whatever you say.” Her icy flesh responded to the fire he
radiated. “Answer one other question for me.”

“Yes?”

“Where is Roni?”

“Roni is still in Tamaagra. She is doing
well. Better every day.”

“Good. She can stay there, can’t she? Safe—in
Tamaagra—with the good byan?” Erynn shivered, but not from the
cold.

“Of course, Erynn. Roni has a good byan. She
is out of danger now.”

“Good. Safe.” Blue tendrils of soft static
swirled, and Erynn floated into a deep sleep.

Wind slammed the tent sides demanding
entrance and moaning through the trees when it was denied. Pale
gray light outside added a subtle change to the dim yellow
luminosity cast by a heater.

Erynn stirred, rolled over, and reached out.
The space next to her was empty but warm. “Dream.” Consciousness
returned. She frowned and sat up, pushing out of thick blankets.
“Then where did all this come from?” Erynn glanced down. She was
wearing only a t-shirt and underwear. Her boots and the rest of her
clothes lay in a pile on the other side of the small tent. Her
mouth was dry and her throat raw, as if she had been screaming for
huairs
.

Have I
?

She stretched her arms and legs, wiggled her
toes, and arched her back with only a slight complaint of aching
muscles. Everything seemed to be in working order. Scanning the
interior, she found a pack of bottled water next to the head of the
makeshift cot. Erynn crawled from the covers and took one. Twisting
the bottle open, she tipped the cool liquid into her arid mouth and
down her parched throat. She sat back, surveying her
surroundings.

Could it be Jaer
?
No. That would
mean my dad’s here, and the milamora. It was just a dream. So
who
?

The storm tapped insistently on the tent.
Chilled air seeped into the small warm space, and Erynn shivered. A
cylindrical heater in the center of the tent cycled. Clear glass
sides sat atop a thick metallic base. The transparent middle glowed
a fierce orange, and a roar rose from the overworked unit.

Erynn tipped her head. She remembered the
sound of an ocean and the brilliance of a setting sun. “Is this
what I experienced?” she whispered. More memories cascaded in on
her—warm skin touching hers and Jaer’s soft voice. “Then where is
he? But if it wasn’t Jaer, then someone else…” She shook her head
and sighed. “I can’t think straight. I need food.” The recollection
of Brock’s rich phocia and the sweet fruit tart made her mouth
water. Pursing her lips and swallowing, she said, “Get dressed
first.”