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.
~ 21 ~