by Teri Barnett
“A woolet, you say? I didn’t know there were any around these parts.”
“There aren’t. I mean, he’s not from here. He’s from Vaydah.” She took a deep breath, trying to relax as she concocted the story of Connor’s origins. “His name is Connor. He’s a good friend of mine. We met on a dig.”
“I don’t remember Ian mentioning any Connor from Vaydah.”
Bethany felt Mara’s eyes bore through her. “Really, Mara, I do go on digs without Ian. You know I travel with the group from Vaydah sometimes.”
“Mmm. I suppose.” She let her gaze move from Connor and back to Bethany. “Well, as I said before, I wish you success on your journey. I hope you do find Sarah.”
Bethany hugged the woman. “Thank you, Mara.” Since her own mother had died so long ago, Mara had always been there for her. She knew the woman’s concern was out of love, in spite of her nosiness. “I appreciate your words.”
Mara patted Bethany on the back before releasing her. “Come along, ladies,” she bade her friends, “and leave Bethany to her work.”
“Mother’s blessings on you,” they called as they walked away, throwing curious glances at Connor.
Bethany let out a long sigh. Connor stepped closer to her. “Do you think they believed me?” she asked.
“Hell, I even believed you and I knew you were lying.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners and Bethany knew he was smiling at her. She fought the urge to touch him, afraid someone may be watching. It wouldn’t do to have rumors swirling about them.
“Tell me, what’s the big deal about me being here anyway?” he asked. “I thought this ‘crossing the planes’ was commonplace.”
“No, it’s not really,” she replied. “I didn’t even know for sure it could be done until I visited the Weaver, Maud Hekate. She’s the one who sent me to Zachariah.” Bethany glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “And she made me promise I wouldn’t discuss it with anyone.”
“Your secret is safe with me. I certainly don’t want to be the one to tell.”
As they spoke, Bethany’s home came into view. “Look! There’s my house! Come on!” she called as she picked up the pace.
It’ll be so good to see Papa again.
She crossed her fingers, hoping he’d have some word of Sarah the women hadn’t known about.
Bethany reached the front porch as Abraham stepped out from the side of the house where he’d been working. “Papa!” Bethany ran to him, arms outstretched.
“My daughter!” Abraham embraced her tightly. “Where have you been these past ten days? I thought I’d lost you, too.” He held her out at arm’s length, assessing her appearance. “Look at you.” He shook his head. “You’ve lost weight. Come inside and I’ll fix you something to eat.”
“Wait, Papa, here’s someone I want you to meet. Connor Jessup, this is Abraham Stendi, my father.”
Connor seemed to hesitate, pulling the blanket tighter around his mouth.
“It’s all right Connor,” she smiled, motioning for him to let it down. Abraham took a step back as Connor let the blanket drop to his shoulders.
“I’ve never seen someone with hair so dark. What is he doing here?”
“He’s a friend, come to help us find Sarah.” She turned to Abraham and wrapped her arm around his. “Let’s all go in, Papa. I have so much to tell you, I don’t know where to begin.”
Chapter 24
“Eitel isn’t the long dead religion we thought it was. I wouldn’t have believed it myself, Papa, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.” Scooping up one final spoonful of the hearty, meaty stew, Bethany sat back in her chair. “They actually exist in this time and place.”
Abraham shook his head. “Who would have thought it could happen?” His eyes filled with tears, as he placed his hand on top of hers. “And they stole our butterfly. What are we going to do?”
Bethany stared past Abraham and Connor, her sight fixed on the totem of her child that now supported one end of the fireplace mantel.
Papa must’ve carved that while I was gone. He believes she’s dead.
“Is that Sarah?” Connor asked.
“Yes,” she whispered. She turned her attention to her father. “You did a fine job on Sarah’s totem, Papa. I only wish you hadn’t gone to so much trouble. You should have waited until we were certain what happened to her before making it.”
“But I wanted to carve it while her features were still fresh in my mind.” His voice grew wispy. He stood and went to the mantel. “Why, look at the eyes. They’re always the hardest to do, but this looks exactly like our baby.” Abraham ran his hand gently over the wood. “I think I got the color right, too. What do you think, Daughter?”
“You did, Papa,” Bethany whispered.
“Angel, are you all right? Can I get you something to drink?” Connor asked.
“Over by the fire there’s a pitcher of bitters. I’d like some, please.”
As Connor picked up the pitcher, Abraham eyed him suspiciously before turning to Bethany. “What’d he call you? Angel?”
“It’s a pet name, Papa. Like you calling Sarah ‘butterfly’.”
“Well, I don’t like it. It sounds too familiar to me. Just how well do you know this man? Where’d you meet him?” He glanced back at the other man. “And he certainly doesn’t look like anyone I’ve ever seen before. Why just look at his strange clothes and that dark hair.” Abraham leaned forward. “Where’s he from?”
“Slow down, Papa.” Bethany took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy. She might as well tell him the truth and get it over with; he’d probably figure it out eventually anyway. She had promised Maud not to, but how could she not explain everything to her own father?
“What I’m about to tell you, Papa, you must promise not to repeat to anyone, ever.”
Connor returned with the bitters. “Bethany, are you sure about this?”
“I have to tell him; otherwise he won’t leave you alone. He needs to know.” She returned her attention to Abraham, who was listening intently. “Connor is a traveler from the Earth plane. I went there and asked him to come back with me to help find Sarah.”
Abraham held up his hand. “Wait a moment. You’re telling me he’s from another world?” He shook his head. “That’s not possible. It’s only legend.”
Bethany met his gaze straight on. “Like the Eitellans.”
Abraham leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Connor. “This is true, young man?”
Connor glanced at Bethany. She nodded. He looked back at Abraham. “Yes,” he answered simply.
“So, tell me then, world traveler, what’s in it for you?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me. If you’re like most beings, you surely wouldn’t venture across such a great chasm out of the goodness of your heart, now, would you?”
“Papa, please! Leave Connor be! We have more important things to discuss this evening.”
“I understand, Daughter, and we will as soon as I have some answers. Is the man not capable of speaking for himself?” He looked Connor in the eye.
Connor cleared his throat. “As a matter of fact, Sir, I did come for a specific reason other than finding Sarah.”
“Ah-ha! I knew it!”
“Now hold on there a minute. You don’t know the half of it. My wife, Elizabeth, left me and came to Paran and is somehow connected to these Eitellans of yours. At first I wanted to find out if she was still alive and to see her again if that was the case.”
Abraham’s frown turned into a scowl.
“But your daughter here cured me of an awful sickness. In the process, I was healed of my obsession with Elizabeth as well. It doesn’t matter to me anymore if I see her or not. I no longer love her.” Connor glanced a
t Bethany as he sat back down at the table. He squeezed her hand. “All that matters now is finding your granddaughter.”
Abraham was quiet for a few moments, looking from Connor to Bethany and back again. “What about your feelings for my girl, here. Didn’t you just say you already had a wife?”
Bethany shifted nervously in her chair. This isn’t going well at all. “Why do you assume there are any? Connor is simply being a friend.”
“I’m an old man, child. I’ve seen many years and I can tell if two people are in love when I’m around them.” He shook his head. “You look at each other with the same light I used to look at your mother with. And I loved her with all my heart.” He strummed his fingers against the arm of his chair.
“I’m sorry, Papa, but we’re not prepared to discuss our feelings one way or another at the moment.” Bethany’s cheeks heated with her blush. “Right now, the most important thing is finding Sarah, don’t you think?”
Abraham pounded his fist on the table, sending the beverage cups and bowls jumping. “Of course, it is! Do you think I’m so old I don’t know what’s important anymore?” He leaned over and patted her on the arm. “You’ve been through a great deal of pain, Daughter, and I don’t want to see you hurt again.” He turned his attention to Connor. “It’s a father’s prerogative to fret over his daughter. Wait until you have a child. You’ll see.”
Connor’s eyes met Bethany’s. “I hope I have the chance someday.”
Connor’s warm gaze heated her from the inside out. She smiled and gave him a small nod, then turned her attention back to her father. “If you’re finished with this inquisition of yours, we’ll make our plans for rescuing Sarah.” She was happy Connor had stood his ground with Papa, but the questions raised concerning his wife’s existence nagged at her. What if Elizabeth were alive? Would Connor feel the same way once he saw her again? She tamped down those worrisome thoughts.
First, find Sarah, then I can worry about Elizabeth.
As Bethany started to speak, a heavy knock sounded at the door. She rose to answer it and found Ian Johns standing there, his silhouette filling the entry. “Beth! Where in heaven’s name have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
No doubt Mara had told him she was in town. She probably told him about the silent stranger as well. This was all she needed right after Papa’s interrogation. Bethany took a step backward. “You didn’t need to worry, Ian. I can take care of myself.”
Ian peered over Bethany’s shoulder. “May I come in? My mother told me she saw you and your friend over there in the square today. You should have sent for me,” he gently scolded, his eyes on Connor.
Bethany touched his arm, diverting his attention from Connor. “I’m sorry, Ian, there wasn’t time to contact you. Won’t you come in?”
He started to walk past Bethany, then stopped. Ian faced her squarely, then, before she could react, took her into his arms and kissed her.
Bethany froze, first shocked by the man’s action, then repelled. Her fury exploded as she shoved him away from her. “Don’t ever do that again!” she spat. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Bravo, Lad!” Abraham called out loudly, clapping his hands. “You should have done that years ago. Maybe you two would be married by now.”
Bethany sensed the hurt that ran through Ian as his eyes met hers. She wiped at her mouth and, looking away, saw Connor watching her every movement. She cringed, knowing he must be thinking the worst, but his face was set in stone—unreadable and void of emotion.
Ian walked up to Connor. “I’m Ian Johns,” he offered his hand to Connor, a smug smile playing about his lips.
Connor looked at the hand, then back at Ian. “Connor Jessup. Of the Vaydahn Jessups.” Connor leaned back in the chair. He stretched out his legs in front of him, a hand resting on the butt of his gun – a movement that wasn’t lost on Bethany.
“Connor.” She looked at the weapon meaningfully, remembering the encounter with Esther.
“Don’t worry, Bethany. I have no intention of wasting a good bullet on this ‘friend’ of yours.” His eyes narrowed as they caught Ian’s. “Unless, of course, he forces me to.”
The tension in the room was almost unbearable. Bethany kept looking from Connor to Ian, the undercurrent that ran between them a tangible emotion.
What was Ian trying to prove by kissing her like that in front of Connor?
Finally, Abraham spoke. “All right, you boys, calm yourselves down. From what Bethany tells me, Sarah may still be alive. We have a child to find and no time for your nonsense,” he admonished. “You can settle your dispute over my daughter later.” He turned to Bethany who smiled her thanks. “Come have a seat and tell us what we need to do.”
Chapter 25
“Before you begin, Bethany, I’d like to know more about Connor,” Ian stated flatly. “You say you’re from Vaydah? Well, your coloring’s too dark for those people. And how did you travel that great a distance during the ice storms?” He snorted. “Everyone knows you can’t travel in the ice. It’s too dangerous.”
Connor slowly pulled out a pocketknife, grabbed a piece of kindling from near the hearth and began hacking at it. “Let’s just say where I come from, a little ice doesn’t bother us too much.” He looked Ian straight in the eye. “Especially if we’re after something we want real bad.”
Ian leaned forward. “And what might that be?”
“Figure it out for yourself,” Connor gritted between clenched teeth.
“Listen, you two. Can’t you put your egos aside long enough to think of Sarah?” Bethany interrupted. “My nerves are worn to a frazzle. If you don’t stop it, I’ll have to ask you to leave, Ian.” Why did men have to be so childish? They acted as if she were their personal property.
“Me?” Ian looked up, surprised. “Why not him?” He eyed Connor. “Exactly how long have you known this man anyway, that you should choose him over me? You know how I feel about you.”
“It’s not a matter of choosing Connor over you, Ian. And this isn’t the proper time or place to be discussing your feelings.” She walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “As a dear friend, I could use your help, but I won’t allow you to mistreat a guest in my home.”
Ian blew out a breath. “All right, Beth, if that’s what you want.”
“Thank you.” Bethany drew up a chair and placed it near the fire. Sitting, she warmed her hands. “Now, let me tell you what happened,” she began. Then, feeling as if someone were watching her, Bethany turned slightly. Connor was staring at her and his eyes bore a hole through to her very soul. She forced herself to stay in her seat, hating the fact that she couldn’t go to him and feel his arms around her right now. She turned back to the fire and related the story.
“Three days ago, while searching for clues about the Eitellans, Connor and I discovered a kiyolo. There, in the altar room, was a large statue of Yongi.”
“You found the Kiyolo of Yongi? We’ll have to excavate it!” Ian exclaimed. “How far away is it?”
“Near the obsidian fields,” Bethany answered, smiling slightly. Maybe if she could keep Ian interested in her finds, he’d forget about Connor for a while. “I went into the Knowing and studied the statue. It was then I learned there’s another kiyolo, the Kiyolo of the Night, which contains the secrets to destroying the High Priestess.” She glanced at Ian and saw he was listening intently.
“But the High Priestess is immortal. She can’t be killed,” he interjected.
“That’s what I thought, too. But according to the memories surrounding the statue, the person who would seek her power can kill her. People only think she lives forever because, with the extra years she extracts from her victims, she outlives the worshippers. The Kiyolo of the Night will tell us how to deal with her and save the children’s souls.” She looked around the table at each of the men. “It’ll tell us how to rescue S
arah.”
“Do you really think it’s going to be that easy?” Ian asked.
Bethany sighed. “No, I don’t think it’ll be easy at all. We tried to find the second kiyolo but were attacked by three Eitellans.”
“You actually saw them?” Abraham asked, his eyes wide. “No one has ever seen them.”
“Oh, we saw them all right.” She caught Connor’s eye. “The leader was the same woman who took Sarah in the first place.”
“The woman you saw in the Knowing?” Ian asked.
“The same.” She stood and walked over to Connor. Standing behind him, she placed both hands on his shoulders. He covered her hands with his. “You’ve been extremely quiet during my tale. Do you have anything you want to add?”
Connor glanced at her. “Well, you didn’t tell them about the Digger camp and the time we spent there.” He gave a little yelp as Bethany pinched him hard on the neck.
“What about this Digger’s camp?” Abraham asked, his eyes narrowed.
Before Connor could speak, Bethany answered, “There’s nothing special about it, really. It’s old and broken down. But it is located near the Kiyolo of the Night. What we need to do is gather up supplies and head there. It’s about half a day’s journey. We can leave for the camp in the morning, then, tomorrow night, we can sneak into the kiyolo. The moon is fully waned and won’t give us away.”
Ian sat back in his chair and let out a slow breath. “Sounds dangerous. I don’t know if we’ll be able to get anyone else to help us.”
Connor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. He took Bethany’s cup of now cold bitters and drank it down. He made a face. “My God. What’s in that stuff? It tastes like pomade.” He held up a hand. “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.” He stared hard at Ian. “Yes, it’ll be dangerous. We have no idea how many of them are out there. My guess is if this place is so heavily guarded, it may be the High Priestess’s hideout.”
Bethany sat at the table. “How convenient that would be. We could take care of everything at once.”