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