In truth, she was glad that she had the abilities now instead of Andrej. He would have put her straight back to bed if he’d been able to sense the misery she was enduring to get vertical, she simply knew it. They had not talked of it extensively in a couple of days.
She’d told him they needed answers and allies, but so far, she was unaware if there were any. She thought of Dr. Emmers, wondering if he too were somehow complicit in the mess. She’d had recent questions, but they had taken a back seat with the blast. The questions came roaring back as she considered Eli. He and Canton had never seemed to get along, but was it for show?
Completely vertical, she took several deep breaths and decided to focus on the moment. There was plenty of time to figure out what was or wasn’t, once she could get beyond the hospital. In truth, she was more and more certain that she didn’t want to trust anyone from Hydro Lab. It was an awareness she hadn’t landed on before, but there were other nuances that she felt firmly now. She chalked it up to Andrej’s essence at work inside her. It was a plus, even as she wanted to be rid of it. She’d study the sensations more, later.
Her muscles shook as she balanced between the crutches, fully on her own for a moment. The idea of moving a foot, even a scant inch, was akin to trying to move a mountain in her mind. She knew how to do it, but her body did not want to comply. She mentally chastised herself. She would not cry, not now. Several deep breaths in and out later, she pushed again to make her muscles contract, trying to slide her foot forward instead of actually step. The awkward small shuffle might as well have been a completed marathon for the effort. Travis smiled up at her from his perch squatted by her side. “It will happen. Just breathe.”
By the time she was back in bed, she was newly exhausted. Andrej taking her hand in his surprised her, causing her eyes to fly wide. “You did well,” he said quietly.
Agitated, she clipped her response more than she intended. “We don’t have time for ‘well.’ We need to get out of here.”
“Taylen,” he whispered. “Under normal circumstances, you would not even be out of bed yet.”
“But these aren’t normal circumstances, Andrej. This is now, we can’t measure it against how it could be. This is what is now and we have to change the ruler.”
“Ruler?”
She waved him off. “What I’m saying is we have to go off of what is, not what could have been. There’s no comparison to make, and no time to make it anyway.” She paused, knowing she was going to ask, but wanting to ask, not challenge. “Do we know who we can trust yet?”
He surprised her with a counter-question of his own. “Do we know who we don’t trust? Or, I should say, who you don’t trust? You have information that I do not.”
Taylen dropped her chin, took and breath, and looked up again. He obviously didn’t need his abilities for everything. “I heard someone on the boat talking about the plants, and that ‘Eli’ had told them to destroy them to stop the Feds from searching.”
Andrej perked up. “Eli?”
“That’s all they said, ‘Eli.’ I don’t know if it’s my Eli or another. It’s too coincidental for comfort if it’s not.”
Andrej winced and the ‘my’ before ‘Eli’ in her comment, but shook it off. “I agree. What are the chances?”
“That’s why I don’t know who to trust. What if it is Hastings? What if he’s not the only one from the lab? I have to know.”
“How much did you share before you went on that boat?” Andrej asked, cautiously concerned that there was a new threat to her and their future.
Taylen’s shoulders fell. “I left before giving Emmers the full update that night, and I’d scribbled a note to Hastings that I was going to check the field, but no details about just how much I’d learned,” she paused with a smirk. “I’ve found that giving them information in pieces is frustrating, but not as much as telling them everything and having them demanding more than what is available, at least with Emmers.”
Andrej chuckled. “So if you hold a little bit back, there’s more to give, before you really have more to give.”
“Why is that funny to you?”
“Because I knew you weren’t telling everything you knew before when you updated Agent Afanasi and myself. I told Fedya as much.”
“Guilty,” she admitted. “But, in this case, maybe a good thing. If they are involved, and I’m honestly hoping they aren’t. But, if they are, it’s probably good that they are unaware how much I know or don’t.”
“We can agree on that.”
“Then, you’ll help?”
“Help?”
“I need to get out of here so we can figure this out.”
She watched him wince before he spoke. “We will figure it out. Let’s make sure you are well enough to be out before you are out of here.”
Taylen glared. “There’s no time for that.”
“I cannot save you again if you aren’t. Please…search your feelings and know what this would do if we are wrong, or rush.”
Taylen had already felt his anguish. She didn’t want to reach for it. “Fine. Then help me do it faster.”
Andrej snickered. “One day we will laugh over how stubborn you are, but it is not today.”
“Let’s do it tomorrow.”
It was Andrej’s turn to glare. “I don’t believe it will be then either.”
ELEVEN
Fedya stopped mid-step and nearly vomited. The room he’d watched for days was empty, and the maid was stripping the bed. His heart sank as his stomach heaved, nearly dropping him on the spot. “What the…” he muttered aloud to the empty hallway.
Finding his balance, he turned back the way he had come and headed for the nursing station. No one familiar was present. He flagged a male down from the room beyond the U-shaped desk. “Where has my witness gone?”
“Your witness?” the nurse, whose name badge said ‘Terry’ replied.
Fedya pointed, trying not to shake or move erratically. “Down the hall. The room is empty. They are…she is…gone.”
The nurse visually followed Fedya’s outstretched arm. “She went out for some air.”
“You let her leave?” Fedya charged, completely aghast.
“She asked to.”
“You. Let. Her. Leave?” Fedya repeated, enunciating each word.
“Not me. She isn’t my patient.”
Fedya drug his hand down his face to mask the disbelief. “Who?” he bellowed as Tawny came around the corner.
“Agent Afanasi? Is that you shouting?”
Fedya spun on his heel. “My witness…” he began, reaching for calm to hide his flabbergasted state.
Tawny smiled. “Is having a shower.”
Fedya’s mouth hung open for the next words he was going to speak before they died on his tongue at the revelation. He looked from Tawny to the male nurse who was already retreating, and back to Tawny again. “So, she’s not gone?”
“From her room, yes. But not the hospital,” she replied with a soft smile. “Surely you can appreciate that she wanted to clean up and have fresh linens? We cleaned her up some when she got here, but nothing beats a hot shower for making you feel better.”
Fedya’s mouth opened and closed several times before he had words to speak. He couldn’t argue with wanting a shower. He’d not stopped before to consider it. He did now. He also considered what else she might want or need. “I can. Perhaps you can tell me what else? I am thinking that she is needing more than just hot waters.”
Tawny snickered. “Very astute of you. In fact, she asked for pajamas or clothing, and underwear as a matter of fact. Are you able to bring some of her belongings?”
Fedya was elated, but deflated quickly. “We do not know her identities yet. But, perhaps we can get her some things?”
Tawny’s snicker became a full out giggle. “Do you have a female that can do that?” She looked him up and down. “I don’t think your style would suit her, do you?”
Fedya groaned as he looked down at h
imself. “I will find someone.”
Tawny nodded. “Good. I think she would like that. Perhaps you can use it as a peace offering when you return, since you want to talk with her.”
Fedya perked up, dropping his open palm forcefully on the counter. “Yes! This I will do.” He dipped in to peck Tawny on the cheek. “You are most brilliants my friend.”
Outside the hospital before he realized he was, a new revelation dawned. He was unable to travel the way of the elementals to reach the only person he could think of, Nikolai…and Nikolai’s young mate. Fumbling in his pocket, he retrieved his cell phone and scrolled for Omen Brander. Clicking the phone symbol next to the name, he fidgeted as he waited for the call to connect, and subsequently, to be answered. He wasted no time at the “Hello?” from the other end.
“Mr. Omen, I need a woman,” he charged.
He heard the awkward chuckle through the line before the response, “Uhmm, Agent Afanasi? That’s not really my department.”
Fedya took a deep breath, reconsidered what he needed to convey, and tried again. “I am sorry. I am needing to get clothing for a female. I am not versed in this adventure. Can you please to assist me?”
A heavy exhale came through before the answer. “I’m not sure I’m the person for that job either. But, I can reach out to someone. Text me what you need, and where to deliver them. We’ll get it done.”
***
Nearing the Bayview House, Omen was going to tap the only resource in his immediate future, after he explained to Rox. “That was weird.”
“I heard.” Rox replied with a grimace. “But, why you?”
“It’s Fedya. Who really knows?”
“You want me to call Jessa?” Rox offered absently.
“No. I don’t know what’s going on, and if you call Jessa, Fil gets involved. If Fil is involved, soon enough it’s Fynn, and Addian, and the whole gang is suddenly mixed up. I’m just going to ask Neviah. We’re already here.”
Inside, the explaining of the updates that they didn’t have was quick. The request to update Oceanus was as well. When it got to asking about women’s clothing, the conversation got awkward quickly. “You want what?” Neviah asked for clarification.
“Clothing? For a female.” Omen replied, still not sure how to make it clearer.
“What female?”
“A witness from the boat. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s who it’s for.” Omen countered with a shrug, relieved when his phone finally chimed the text and he had more information. “Yes,” he sighed. “It’s for the witness.”
Neviah watched him read and re-read the message before speaking again. “Okay. Well? What kind of clothes?”
“Just a minute,” he replied as he texted back.
When there was no immediate response, Neviah jumped in with another question. “And, what size? It will do no good for him to offer something too small or too large for the woman in question.”
Omen cussed under his breath as he texted again. “Sorry.”
“I’ve said as much, or worse.” Neviah giggled. “Ask Chub.”
Omen was chuckling, shaking his head as he responded to Rox more than to Neviah when his phone finally chimed again. “He had to go back in and find out. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that. Can you imagine Fedya asking for a woman’s size?”
Rox leveled the kill shot to the conversation, “About as much as I can imagine you shopping for one.”
“Oh for cripes sake,” Neviah cut in. “Let’s go. I’ll shop for her. Give me the phone.”
“The phone?”
They watched in stunned silence as her fingers flew over the keys. When she finally handed the device back, it was for payment. “There. Pick it up at the front desk. They will have everything pulled for you when you get there.”
Omen’s mouth dropped open. “You can do that?”
Neviah shot him a blank stare. “You do remember who I am, right? I can’t simply go shopping whenever I feel like it. I shop this way, get what I want, and send the Taimen to pick it up.”
It had never occurred to Omen how the sole heir to the water worlds throne would do anything. “I guess that makes sense. Looks like we asked the right woman for the job!” he exclaimed.
Neviah snorted. “Get the lead out then and take that woman some clothes. I’m sure she feels like a fish out of water in whatever the hospital gave her.”
TWELVE
Fedya had detoured to the general floors to check on Dr. Scott while he waited for clothing for the witness. He was not surprised to find Andrej seated at the foot of her bed, his gaze locked on the sleeping doctor. It took him several tries flagging his arms and clearing his throat loudly to get Andrej’s attention. He didn’t want to wake the doctor.
“How is Miss Dr. Scott?” he asked when Andrej came into the hallway.
Andrej glanced over his shoulder through the window. “Determined.”
“Oh?”
“She wants to go home. She is worried over the plants. She thinks there is more to the story, but doesn’t trust that it will come out without her.”
Fedya roughed his beard. “What more to the story?”
Andrej looked nervously up and down the hallway before speaking near to Fedya’s shoulder. “The plants were a guide along the channel floor for a small submersible and a small boat to the one that exploded.”
“Yes, we have been knowing this.” Fedya countered.
“Did you recover the sub?”
Fedya hesitated. He knew that Andrej was likely not FPU anymore, but he was at least still FBI. Telling him would not be a violation. As he’d only just learned that the submersible was not with the wreckage, it was good to be able to say something. “No. It was not with the boat. If it is damaged along the channel floors or got away, we do not know.”
Andrej exhaled slowly. “I don’t know if that matters, but you should be aware that it may not be the only one. Taylen, Dr. Scott, heard them talking before the explosion.”
Fedya’s eyes were wide. He had started to worry that the channel was not somehow isolated, but there was no proof, and no reports of another site, though in the moment, he remembered he was waiting for a return call from ATTF Williams. “Did she hear where?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Can I talk to her?” Fedya asked carefully.
“Yes, but not now.” Andrej countered. “She just drifted off finally. She was up trying to walk and it took more than she had to give to the effort. Let her rest. I will have you visit with her before anything, or anyone else.”
Fedya nodded. He needed to clear the air too. It had bothered him for days that he had been so hard on Andrej, but the moment hadn’t come, until now. “I must be apologizing. I didn’t understand what you did back there at the boat.”
“How could you?”
Fedya waved it off. “It does not make it correct.”
“It was the only choice.” Andrej studied Fedya. “I know you cannot act to intervene. But can you say if you know…is there a way to change it back?”
“I do not know that.”
Andrej knew without knowing that there was something that Fedya wasn’t saying, but decided not to push. There were others he could ask, but likely wouldn’t. Borin, his brother, as a future elemental might be able to see, but he was difficult at the best of times, and this wasn’t the best of times. The only other future he knew, he had no idea how to find now. They would have to wait for the future to be revealed. “I understand. We will wait.”
Fedya moved to speak again, but stopped short when his phone vibrated. Reaching into his coat pocket, his face changed from serious to smiles in a flash. “I must go. My women’s clothing is here.”
Andrej stifled his confusion, shaking his head. “Okay. I’ll let you know when Taylen is up and able to talk then.”
“Excellent news.”
THIRTEEEN
Fedya took the bag from Omen at the curb with barely a sideways glance at Rox. “Man
y thanks, my friend.”
“I have no idea what’s in the bag. We hope it’s to her liking and size,” Omen replied over the car as he moved to get back in. He had more than a few doubts. “Knowing Neviah, the styles could be perfect, but the colors…well, she is prone to loud colors.” They’d been tempted to look, but felt like it was too close to voyeurism for them to actually have a peek.
“Loud? I’m sure it will be better than the tied up gown that she has been wearing to now,” Fedya said brightly as he turned for the door. “Thank you again,” he added over his shoulder before setting off. “I will be advicing you on the news as soon as there is any to share.”
“Sounds good.” Omen shouted over Rox out the window. “We’ll wait for your call.”
Fedya was off at a clip, breezing through the now familiar path to the ICU. He was hopeful that his witness was awake, but also refreshed and ready to meet and talk with him. He was hopeful too that his offering would be well received. He’d debated at the gift shop window over making a choice there when Omen had taken longer than he’d wanted to wait…but somehow, the choices there were unappealing at best, and nearly as impersonal as the gown the woman already wore. He was hoping for miracles, but holding his breath for none.
On the floor, he visually checked the nurse’s station. Tawny was at the counter. He didn’t stop, but was buoyed by her bright smile and nod. Please let this go well, he thought to himself as he got closer to the door.
The shades were open as he made the last steps. She was sitting up, but not watching the hallway. He hesitated. Interviewing a witness was easy enough, he’d done so before, but this wasn’t any witness…this was his one, the only one. He needed another minute.
Stopping short, he leaned against the wall. He was beyond the woman’s line of sight unless she came and looked out the door. He had to take several deep breaths to steady himself. He was stunned to realize that his heartrate had accelerated in the short walk. He reached deep, hoping to find a spark of the element that made him who he was. Like the last thousand times he’d checked, it was still banked… not even really, there wasn’t so much as an ember aglow. He couldn’t fathom how, or if it would ever return, but he knew he would never get the answer leaning against the wall.
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