“Dude, you rock!” Jaden’s shout made Kayla smile.
“I do, don’t I?” Stovan replied, sounding smug.
“Don’t let it go to your head.” Markov’s voice this time, followed by chuckles from whoever else was on the comm.
“Exactly how long have you all been listening?” Kayla asked.
“The whole time,” Markov replied. “It’s not our fault you guys never remember to mute your comms.”
Kayla would’ve questioned the strain she heard in Markov’s voice, except embarrassment overrode her concern. Color flooded her cheeks. They must think she was a basket case, considering the way she had fallen apart earlier. The hand holding hers squeezed, and Kayla caught sight of Jaden’s grin.
“Just something they can use to tease you—nothing more. And you know they’ll only tease you because they like you.”
Kayla rolled her eyes. “Thanks, I could’ve done without giving them ammunition.”
More chuckles from the comm, interrupted by the roar of approaching engines. Kayla glanced up to see not only Stovan’s terraporter, but several other transports.
“I thought you only summoned yours,” Jaden commented.
“Yeah, for us. But there are other riders here that need to get home. A bunch of them RC-ed theirs too.”
“RC-ed?” Iri echoed.
“Remote-commanded,” Kayla explained.
“We’re finally leaving this accursed place. Not a moment too soon, and good riddance!” Jaden exclaimed.
Kayla watched as ‘pods and terraporters dipped and rose, collecting those who had summoned them. Finally, only one terraporter remained. It descended, and Jaden’s lifelong friends clambered aboard. The terraporter lifted, making the short trip across to where Kayla waited with the others. It hovered next to the spot where they were stranded. Then the door opened, and a ramp dropped, crossing the distance between the ship and the rock ledge.
As Kayla scrambled across after Iri and before the boys, she noticed the lack of wind. I should’ve expected no wind now that we’ve finished this thing. Then she was inside the transport, Jaden and Atu on her heels. The ramp withdrew, and the door shut.
Kayla turned, almost bowled over by Shianna. Her exuberant hug was followed by several others, and Kayla noticed she wasn’t the only one crying. After countless hugs, Stovan finally ordered everyone to find seats. Kayla dropped into a chair, and Jaden plopped down next to her. She grinned at him, unable to contain her elation. Their mission was over. They were going home.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
The trip home was quicker than Kayla thought it would be. She had expected things would drag, like they usually did when she was anxious. But time sped by, starting with the “excitement” of Markov’s injury.
When Kayla greeted him on her way in, she’d thought he looked a little gray but she’d attributed it to fatigue. That was until they’d been sitting only a few minutes when Stovan suddenly cried out.
“Help! A little help here!”
Jaden, on the aisle, reached Stovan first. He took one look and called for Atu. Kayla tensed. She crept to the edge of the group now encircling Stovan. On her toes, she could just see past the shoulders of the others. Stovan was supporting Markov, slumped sideways in his chair.
Atu caught her gaze. “Care to do an initial assessment, so we know if we can lie him down?”
The group parted to allow Kayla access. A little bewildered that they were trusting her to tend to one of their own, Kayla hastened forward. Her fingers and eyes made short work of checking the crucial points.
“Yes, we can lay him flat. I think the problem’s here.” Kayla gestured toward the spot where her fingers had detected a slight, irregular squishiness.
Between them, Jaden and Stovan carefully lifted Markov and laid him on the floor. As soon as he was flat, Kayla lifted Markov’s shirt, revealing the dark purple splotch. She glanced at Atu. “Have your reserves built up enough for you to heal him?” She didn’t have to add that if Atu couldn’t, Markov was in a dire situation.
Atu shrugged. “I can only try and see how far I get.” He glanced at Stovan. “As a precaution, might I suggest increasing the transport’s speed to maximum?”
Amid faces depicting consternation, Stovan nodded, pulled up his PAL, and keyed in the commands.
Kayla braced herself against the burst of speed, then glanced at Iri once she’d regained her balance. Iri subtly lifted a hand in front of her, rocking it side to side. Kayla acknowledged with a subtle nod of her own. Even chances that Atu could pull this off.
A hush descended as Atu closed his eyes. Iri sidled over to stand next to Kayla. One glance told Kayla Iri was more worried about Atu than Markov. She squeezed Iri’s hand. “He’ll be okay.”
“I hope so.”
The familiar golden glow leeched from Atu’s hands and settled on Markov’s chest, rippling along the surface without sinking in. Awed, they watched the angry purplish-red patch along Markov’s ribs shrink.
It was still golf-ball sized when Kayla noticed the slight sheen of perspiration on Atu’s forehead. His breathing had become more labored. Her eyes darted to the spot on Markov’s chest, now smaller but not yet gone. Alarmed, she glanced at Iri. “How’s he doing?”
Iri’s mouth was a thin line. “If you mean Markov, he’s almost healed.”
Kayla gently punched Iri’s arm. “Who do you think I mean?”
Iri’s voice wobbled. “Atu’s holding up. But his colors are fading. If he doesn’t stop soon . . .” She turned pleading eyes on Kayla. “Why didn’t we think to ask him before he started if we could intervene?”
Kayla had just been asking herself the same question. “It’s the first thing we’ll ask him when he’s done.”
Iri nodded. A moment later, she clutched Kayla’s hand so hard Kayla yelped, garnering a sharp glance from Jaden. Atu’s departing strength hadn’t escaped Jaden’s attention either. He looked just as worried as Kayla felt. She glanced at Iri, now white-faced. “What?”
“Atu’s colors are fading faster. He’s going to—” Iri broke off as the golden light abruptly vanished, leaving the interior of the terraporter feeling colder somehow.
Iri let go of Kayla’s hand and rushed to Atu. He was leaning back after tending to Markov, opening his eyes. He sighed when he saw Iri and gave her a weak smile, then collapsed sideways.
Suddenly, everyone was moving and talking. Kayla tried to reach Atu but Markov was in the way. She made to move around him, but his eyes fluttered open. Kayla glanced at his chest. There was no sign of the ugly bruise that had signaled internal bleeding.
Torn between tending to Markov or rushing to Atu, she looked at Atu. Jaden and Iri were with him. She should stay with Markov. “You gave us quite a scare there.”
Markov attempted a smile. “I thought I’d last until we reached the hospital. Apparently, I was wrong.” He glanced down and blinked, then stared at Kayla with wide eyes. “Is this your doing?”
“No, that would be Atu’s gift.” Kayla glanced in Atu’s direction. Jaden had him lying down, and Iri was placing a rolled-up shirt under his head as a pillow.
“Is he . . . did he—” Markov began.
“He’ll be alright,” Kayla interrupted. She didn’t want to think what Markov might’ve asked. They had come too close to losing Atu more than once today. “He just needs a healthy dose of sleep.”
Markov took her hand, surprising Kayla. “Thanks.”
Kayla shrugged. “It’s not me you should thank.”
Markov shook his head. “Not what I mean. Thanks for keeping Jaden safe.”
“Oh.” Kayla couldn’t think of anything else to say. She was still searching for words when Jaden joined them.
He gazed at the hand Markov still held, then fixed Markov with a hard stare. “Dude, you should’ve said something.”
Markov grinned. “About me and Kayla, you mean?”
Jaden threw his head back and laughed. “No, you idiot. Nice try, but you won
’t get a rise from me.”
Markov raised both eyebrows and turned to Kayla. “You’ve tamed the beast. Before, he would’ve had me on the ground in a rear naked choke.”
Kayla giggled. “That’s probably an exaggeration.”
Jaden grinned. “I’m glad you’re still with us.”
“Kayla said I can thank Atu for that. He will be okay, right?”
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. Poor guy just needs some serious rest.”
“Markov! You should’ve told us!” Shianna’s worried face was streaked with the grime of battle, the same as everyone’s. There would be time to clean up later. For now, Kayla was content to rest.
Leaning back against Jaden, Kayla listened as Markov and Shianna shared snippets of their experiences over the past few days. Stovan joined them, adding his adventures. Soon, the group maneuvered their chairs so Iri and Atu (still asleep) could be part of the conversation. Before she was ready, Kayla felt the sudden deceleration as the terraporter slowed. She glanced at Stovan, checking his PAL.
His eyes met hers. “Yes, we’re at the hospital. Time to see how your dad’s doing.”
With minimal fuss, the terraporter landed, and Jaden arranged for a gurney to carry a still-sleeping Atu inside. They made quite the crowd marching down the halls, the gurney in their midst and Markov being pushed along in a wheelchair at Kayla’s insistence.
As soon as they landed, Kayla pinged her mom, so she knew exactly where to go. When they arrived outside her dad’s room, Kayla stopped. “My mom didn’t comment on his condition. Okay if I go in alone first?”
They agreed vigorously, then told her they would be in the waiting room down the hall and she should hurry back with news. Kayla smiled. When she’d arrived in Daxsos, she had never dared believe she would make even one friend, let alone a group who would make her part of the family. “I’ll update you as soon as I know.”
The crowd rolled back down the hall, and Kayla grinned as Atu and Markov caught the attention of a passing doctor. Where’s Jaden?
“I’m here.”
Jaden’s quiet voice behind her made her jump. “Oh, there you are!”
Taking her hand, Jaden said, “I’d like to come in with you, if that’s okay? Give you and your mom some moral support?”
Kayla threw her arms around him. She whispered against his neck. “Yes, please. I’m so grateful you stayed.”
Jaden dropped a soft kiss on her lips before stepping back, using one hand to hold hers and placing the other on the door handle. “Ready?”
Kayla nodded, and Jaden opened the door. Kayla wasn’t sure what she had expected. The rowdy group inside was disconcerting. Do I have the wrong room? Jaden’s parents were laughing. Then she found her mom. And then Kayla saw her dad. He was sitting up in bed, laughing with the rest of them. No signs of any illness. His color was excellent, and his eyes sparkled.
Kayla’s legs wobbled under her. Jaden’s arm went around her waist. Though she was grateful for the support, she had eyes only for her dad. He’s alive!
Vicken noticed them then. “Kayla!”
One word was all it took for the other adults to turn their way. Then they were swamped with hugs and kisses and cries of joy. Kayla waded through them, intent on reaching her dad. She still couldn’t quite believe her eyes. Only when she touched him and felt his warm hands curl around hers did she let go.
Sobbing uncontrollably, she hugged her father as he hugged her in return. Tears ran down his face as freely as they did hers. When she could manage the words, she asked, “How?”
Vicken understood. “They don’t know. One moment, I was still in that coma-like state. The next, monitors and alarms were blaring, and doctors and nurses were rushing around, removing tubes and checking my vitals. In less than five minutes, I went from zero to hero.” He stopped and laughed. “See, I’m even back to my usual, terrible sense of humor.”
Kayla laughed through the tears. “I’ll survive it.”
Arms went around her shoulders, and Kayla turned to find her mom. She hugged her. Over her mom’s shoulder, Kayla witnessed Jaden reuniting with his family. They were all okay. They had survived. For whatever reason, her dad had made a miraculous recovery. She wouldn’t question it. She would . . . “Mom, how long ago did Dad wake up?”
Sadie looked surprised. “A few hours ago. Why?”
“Could you be more specific?”
Sadie considered. “At around six this morning.”
The room suddenly went silent. Kayla’s eyes met Jaden’s. That was about the time Slurpy had faded away.
“Are you thinking what I am?” Kayla asked Jaden.
He nodded. “I’ll go tell the others the news about your dad and get Shianna to check in with her contacts.”
“Need me to come with you?”
Jaden smiled, understanding how torn she was. “No. Stay with your dad. I’ll return with answers.”
He left the room, and Sadie stared after him. “What on earth were you two talking about?” She faced her husband. “Did you understand that?”
Vicken laughed and pulled Kayla onto the bed next to him. “I’m sure if they wanted us to know, they would’ve been a little more communicative.” He studied Kayla. “Although I suspect we’ll find out when Jaden gets back. Now, how about that tea we were discussing?”
Sadie’s hand went to her head. “I completely forgot. I’ll go see if I can get a nurse—”
“You stay with your family,” Clara ordered. “I’ll see to the tea.”
Kayla smiled. She wasn’t the only one who had found friends she could trust and rely on in their new town—the town they would stay in, the town only a few hours from this hospital. No more moves. No more boxes. No more moving angst. Her heart bloomed with gratitude. Taking her dad’s hand, she said, “I’m so relieved our nomadic days are over.”
Her dad’s face was serious when he replied. “As am I. We’ve found a wonderful place to call home, haven’t we?”
Kayla nodded, aware more tears were leaking out. She needed something less emotional right now. “What’s news?”
Her dad chuckled. “I’d think you have more to tell us than we have to tell you. Want to catch us up?”
“Wait for Clara,” Ty interjected. “You know how upset she’ll be if she misses even one word.”
For whatever reason, this had all the parents laughing again. Kayla soaked it in, still struggling to accept it was real. That she was here. Safe. Her father well. Her mom happy. She curled into her dad’s shoulder and listened as Ty and Vicken began tossing sports stats about. Clara bustled back in with the tea. She had barely set the tray down when Jaden burst in.
His broad grin supplied Kayla’s answer before he spoke the words. “It’s all gone. The mutations have vanished. No manifestations remain.”
Jaden’s mom stared at him like he had grown green horns and a third eye. “What are you talking about?”
“I believe he and Kayla are about to explain,” Vicken guessed.
Jaden grinned. “Remember when the gate opened in the sky the first time and that Gaptor army came through?” All the parents nodded. It seemed they had been doing their own “adventure” sharing. “And remember how we started seeing changes in the animals? Strange mutations that initially couldn’t be explained?”
Vicken nodded. “That’s the last thing I remember you discussing before I left Sven’s base.”
“Exactly. Well, they’re all gone.”
“Gone?” Clara repeated.
“I mean, the changes reversed themselves. All the animals the researchers were studying just regained their normal form. Literally, in the blink of an eye.”
“Exactly like what happened to me,” Vicken murmured, understanding. “I’m guessing this occurred the same time I magically recovered?”
Jaden nodded. Vicken eyed him and then Kayla. “What did you two do to render that kind of effect?”
Jaden smiled that gloriously wicked smile Kayla loved. “It wasn’t just us.
It was the whole team. We cut the head off the snake!”
Kayla couldn’t have phrased it better herself. Without Slurpy and his power to keep things together, the evils he had inflicted had been neutralized. With an audible sigh, Kayla flopped back down onto the bed, unaware of when she had even risen. This day had been too long already.
Sadie rushed forward, pressing a hand to Kayla’s head. “Are you alright?”
“It’s just been an extra-long day, Mom. I could use a hot bath, some food, a long drink of something cold, a fluffy bathrobe, and a bed to wallow in.”
Her mother grinned. “Is that all?”
“No, perhaps a masseuse, a pedicure, some—” Kayla broke off with a laugh as her mother batted her arm.
“You’re just fine without those things,” her mother said with an eye roll.
Vicken nudged Kayla. “I’m still waiting to hear how you cut the head off the snake.”
That lit the fuse for the stories to start up again. Kayla tucked herself against her dad’s shoulder. The whole scene was so surreal. She closed her eyes, intending to open them again, but it wasn’t to be. Sleep claimed her, and Kayla finally surrendered to oblivion.
Chapter Sixty
Iri shifted in her position next to Atu’s cot in his hospital room. A doctor had examined him, proclaimed he was suffering from exhaustion, ordered a drip hooked up, and told her Atu would be fine when he finally woke up. But she was not to wake him. She was to allow his body as much rest as it needed.
As soon as he left, Iri passed the news along to the rest of Jaden’s friends. When the doctor told her they were outside Atu’s room, waiting for his diagnosis, it had surprised her. She had been even more surprised when they’d invited her back to the terraporter to bunk with them while they waited for everyone to heal up before the trip back to Daxsos.
While the offer was generous, Iri was reluctant to leave Atu. She wanted to be there in case he woke up. A familiar face would squash any concerns he might experience. Expecting rebuttal, Iri had asked the nurses if they could wheel a cot in for her use. To her surprise, they’d obliged.
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