by Donna Steele
“Why?”
“Excellent question. We haven’t talked about it. She’s recovering and I don’t want to disturb that.”
“What are you feeling?”
Dusty hesitated for a second. “Confusion, anger.”
“Fear?”
He forced himself to look directly at Ben. “Probably.”
“I would be. I saw her a few weeks ago. She wasn’t herself, though I didn’t suspect anything of such magnitude.”
“That makes two of us. Apparently, she hid it well.”
“You have to talk to her. You have to clear this up. It will only get bigger.”
“Silence like a cancer grows?”
“What?”
“Song lyrics from my time. Never mind.”
“No, that says it beautifully. I knew you and Dee grew close under stressful circumstances. It bonded you. These new stressful circumstances could unravel your relationship. I don’t think you want that to happen.”
“No. But I don’t know what to say, what to ask. How do I phrase anything to make it not sound like an accusation?”
“Would it be?” Ben asked, forcing Dusty to meet his eyes again.
“Right now, yes,” Dusty admitted.
“You’ll figure it out. I know you love each other. Don’t allow this to rip you apart.”
“I want, I need to know why she ran away, where she was going. What I did to . . .” He hadn’t meant to say that and let his voice trail off.
“You think some action on your part precipitated this? You have to ask her. I’m not an impartial observer, but if you want me to—”
“You’d probably be the perfect person. I just can’t yet. We need a little more time to heal. I’m sure there was some significance for returning to Braddock’s Crossing. But the danger . . .” Dusty stopped before his anger could be triggered again.
“Not long, Dusty. Not long. Promise me.”
Dusty nodded. No, this couldn’t go on much longer.
~ ~ ~
Guardian Enclave
“The group who became the Guardians have been aware of the Essence from the beginning, when the Eldest formed us. The Eldest taught us of her ways. The Essence is the reason we observe from a distance with minimal to no interference. It is as she observed us. It is only when there is a perceived urgency that we, on occasion, act.”
“Did the Eldest communicate with her? Is that how the Guardians became organized?” Cael leaned forward, eager to hear this information.
“If so, it was not with the Eldest’s direct knowledge. Yes, the structure we live under came from ideas the Eldest found in her mind. Whether or not the Essence placed them there, we will never know. I can tell you the Eldest believed such to be the case. A very humble individual, she accepted no credit for our founding, though of course that is not true. The Essence chose a strong being to lead us in the formation, aiding with new pathways.” The Elder paused, as if reliving an old memory.
After a moment she continued. “Our civilization is old, not compared to the Essence, but old. We endured growing pains as your Earthlings now face. We evolved beyond the physical needs and learned many skills we were not capable of prior to our transformation.”
The Elder gazed around her sparse quarters. “The ability to manipulate time came after what humans would view as vast expanses of time through our meditations. We use it sparingly and after much consideration. The fact we agreed unanimously to use our ability in this instance is a tribute to that.”
“I was unaware,” Cael replied softly. “I did not mean to cause—”
“No, child. We believe once again the Essence has led us. A danger to the human species lurked on the horizon, either from their own ignorance or from outside, such as the Malveks. Theirs was not a planet we observed more than fleetingly prior to this. And we believe she chose you, Cael, as her instrument as she did the Eldest.” The Elder gently placed her hand over Cael’s. “I am very humbled to have been part of this. To know and teach you, my child.”
“M-Me?” Cael barely managed the word, stunned at the direction of the conversation. “I am not capable of such.”
“You are, Cael. The Essence has chosen you.”
Chapter 12
Washington, D.C.
Dusty grabbed the phone before the ring could disturb Dee. “Hello?”
“Dusty? It’s Leonard. I wanted to see how you were doing.”
“Oh, good. We’re doing fine.”
There was a hesitation and Dusty closed his eyes. Maybe having close friends who could read your tone of voice wasn’t so great after all.
“Good to hear. Listen, Sherry and I wanted to give you guys some time. We’ll bring food you can heat up later and you can go out, have a date night.”
“I, uh, I’m not sure—”
“I wouldn’t trust me alone with Erica yet either. Think about it, Dusty, Sherry is a doctor. I think between us we could cover things.”
Dusty forced a chuckle. “It’s not that. I’m not sure we’re up to going out.” He glanced toward the bedroom where Dee usually remained now.
“You can stay in. Heck, nap without listening with one ear for Erica to need you.”
“You’d take her out?” Okay, that didn’t sound good.
“Dusty, you sound like you could use a break. Sherry and I don’t have to leave the apartment. And you know we don’t have to be entertained.”
“Oh, yeah. A little time might be nice.”
“Good. See you after work.”
Dusty broke the connection, staring down at the phone instead of returning it to his pocket.
“Dusty?” He started slightly when Dee came up behind him. “Is everything okay?”
He turned to study her. She looked tired, dark circles under her eyes where the sparkle used to be, the happiness of having their daughter here and safe no longer evident. Some of that was his fault, maybe most of it.
We’re more distant from one another than ever.
How could he begin the conversation they needed to have? Maybe his anger had dissipated some. But hell, after Ben talked to him, Dusty had to admit his fear kept him from pushing it.
Marcus would have taken him to task, possibly physically for this. And Elizabeth would have as well. Dusty missed them acutely right now. They might have lived in a different kind of society, but their common sense would have served well in any time. Knowing that didn’t help.
“Leonard called. He and Sherry are bringing over dinner and want to keep Erica while we have some time. I told him I didn’t think we were up for going out, but maybe they could keep her while you, or we, nap.”
The tired smile didn’t light her eyes. She nodded. “That’s sweet of them. I imagine he wants to discuss work with you as well.”
“He didn’t mention it, and I am on paternity leave.”
“Okay.” She headed to the kitchen as he silently watched, his mood sinking lower with each step she took away from him.
~ ~ ~
The fact Sherry and Leonard were coming to keep an eye on Erica should please her more. It would be good to see Sherry. Dee could never thank her properly for what she had done.
I owe her so much.
She still had no idea why or how Sherry, and Dusty, found her in time to deliver Erica. Learning she had dismantled the safety mechanisms in the car still caused a shiver to run through her. She would never have done anything so dangerous while in her right mind.
Why wouldn’t the memory of traveling to Braddock’s Crossing come, no matter how hard she tried to force it?
Dee trusted Sherry and Leonard with her daughter more than anyone, other than Dusty. Regardless, she couldn’t work up the energy to be more than content.
After nearly two w
eeks, her body had mostly recovered from the birth. Erica was an easy baby, rarely crying. Dee usually knew when she needed nursing or changing before she made a peep. Being this in tune with her daughter was a pleasant surprise. These days, tiring so easily, she might sleep better if Dusty were beside her. But he was either too solicitous to want to disturb her rest or . . .
Or he didn’t want to be physically close.
The knowledge caused an ache in her heart that never quite went away. She had destroyed the trust. There was no one else to blame.
They hadn’t talked. She had run off, while in labor, and forced Dusty to track her down. Dee had no memory of the action or the decision. A wall had been created between them. One she didn’t yet have the strength to break down.
She hadn’t merely broken his trust—she’d shattered it and she didn’t know how to fix it. Or if it could be fixed.
They’d experienced nothing like this while in the past, their lives back then easy by comparison. Now the growing wedge seemed insurmountable.
Dee craved his arms around her. When she’d come to, for want of a better expression, in the back seat of her car, it had been to the feel of his strong arms encircling her. He’d encompassed her, holding her against his chest. His arms supported her, and their hands entwined, helping her to birth their daughter.
He had saved her, but that was the last time he’d held her.
They wouldn’t be able to talk tonight, not with Sherry and Leonard here. Even knowing their friends wouldn’t expect to be treated as company, the thought of having someone else in their home sapped some of Dee’s meager energy.
~ ~ ~
After Dee finished nursing Erica, Dusty urged, “Go ahead and nap. Leonard and Sherry aren’t coming to visit. They expect to babysit.”
“Please make my apologies to them.” Drooping, Dee headed for the bedroom.
Leonard and Sherry, though upbeat and happy to babysit Erica, exchanged a discreet glance with each other when they’d seen Dusty. The excuse of a newborn didn’t cover his haggard appearance. He couldn’t blame Erica for the bags under his eyes. Ben’s reaction proved that. Dusty visited with them for a short time, then retreated to the bedroom, taking a seat in the chair.
He hadn’t bothered to open his tablet. He could concentrate on nothing and he didn’t want to disturb Dee. He sat in the semi-darkness and attempted to clear his mind of the negative until he could go back out and send their friends on their way.
Could a conversation even help?
~ ~ ~
Leonard motioned for Sherry to follow him. He picked up the baby monitor and moved into the kitchen, away from the bedrooms.
“Did I exaggerate?” he asked, keeping his voice soft.
Sherry shook her head.
“Is that normal?”
“No. If he were my patient, I might treat him for post-partum. Is Dee in the same shape?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since the hospital. Haven’t you?”
Sherry slipped into a chair at the table. “No. I’ve talked to her but without screen. I’ve let myself believe it was because she was nursing or something. I should have checked it out.”
“Neither one of them want us to check anything out. That’s obvious.” Leonard sat beside her.
“I feel like we need to do something.”
“We’re here now,” Leonard reminded her. “And we’ll continue to be here for them. Dusty will return to work soon. He’s splitting his leave in case Erica catches something at daycare. I can keep a closer eye on him there. Maybe this is a bad day and we’re reading too much into it.”
“I sure would like to believe that.” Sherry let Leonard take her hand. The reassurance didn’t come.
Dusty and Dee were struggling.
~ ~ ~
Leonard and Sherry hadn’t tarried after Dusty emerged from the bedroom. He could only hope they thought he’d slept. He’d hidden the evidence of sleeping out here in the main room when he knew they were coming.
Alone now, Dusty stood in the doorway to watch Dee sleep as he did each night before taking up his position on the couch.
God, he missed her. He wanted to crawl into the bed and wrap himself around her. Did she want him to?
Why had she run from him? How did he ask?
Chapter 13
Erica sighed. This was so soothing. She’d experienced nothing similar to this in her previous form. Daddy held her head as her body floated in warm water. Bath, they called it. He massaged her skin gently with a soapy cloth as he talked to her. His voice was always soft when speaking to her.
It reminded her of the before, when her body lived inside of Momma.
The tension was distant from him right now. He seemed nearly as relaxed as her. Momma wasn’t in the room. Unfortunately, her presence would cause him to tighten up. This was something Erica still needed to work on. If only staying awake didn’t require such an effort.
She’d never needed rest before. These corporeal bodies really took a lot of energy she’d never thought to use prior to this.
Sometime before her last waking there had been other people here. One, the female, had a familiarity to her. Daddy referred to her as Sherry and the male as Leonard.
Daddy felt great affection for Sherry and . . . gratitude. The memory proved vague, but Erica was involved somehow. It was easier to remember before when she hadn’t been in this body. She’d had more freedom of movement. Still, there had been good reason to do this. The memory would return to her.
There was so much she needed to do. Some she didn’t quite remember and some of which, she was currently incapable. Communication was something she needed to concentrate on. The noises she made were indecipherable to the beings around her. Mental communication was only the basics so far; food, clothing, or closeness. Momma and Daddy were unable to receive anything more complicated at this time. That had to change.
Could Cael assist her? Erica hadn’t tried to contact her. She usually remembered just prior to falling asleep.
She needed to mull over a direction for her plan, when she remembered it.
~ ~ ~
Dee opened her eyes once she heard Dusty leave. He did that every night, stood in the doorway and watched her sleep. She’d gotten good at pretending.
Or retreating from him.
What Dee wanted to do was urge him to join her. She craved his presence, but she would not beg. A refusal would devastate her, and she wasn’t strong enough to risk it yet or handle a rejection.
Scanning the room that had become theirs when they returned to the present, she noted the pieces of him now decorating it. The dish with coins he kept on the dresser, the closet door slightly ajar, because closing it completely caused a noise which might wake her. She knew his clothes joined hers in the hamper, the only place they touched.
She turned and sniffed his pillow. His scent was gone. He’d changed the sheets and done laundry. She had offered but he hadn’t accepted her help. Did he see her as fragile? Was he more traumatized by Erica’s birth than she? No, she felt more anger from him than anything else.
Dusty wasn’t doing these chores to be a good husband as much as something to keep himself busy and away from her.
Try as she might, no memory of being in her car prior to seeing his eyes, feeling his arms moments before Erica’s birth, returned.
The last thing she remembered clearly, Dusty G had been over for dinner and after he left, Dusty told her about a trip to Atlanta with Leonard. Her next clear thought was of Dusty holding her in the car as Erica was being born.
There were hazy memories of work, nothing really clear, like dreams which drifted away when she opened her eyes. Nothing explained why she had been in the damn car in Braddock’s Crossing.
Without his scent to comfort h
er, she wrapped herself around his pillow and closed her eyes.
Chapter 14
Home World of the Malveks
During his third visit, Axal stared into the dark, unseeing eyes of Sark and felt no closer. Sark was in there, hidden even from him.
Despair began to set in.
“My friend, you are safe. It is me, Axal, please, you must believe me. I only wish to help you.”
A sound, no more than a mental whimper, came to him. At last! Axal followed it farther into the recesses of Sark’s mind. This was the most response he had received to date. Had his consistency in visiting finally made a difference?
There were obstacles to confound him here in the dark, of the mind but real, as Axal advanced slowly toward the sound. Nothing appeared that completely halted him, yet barriers formed as he approached. Rubble, such as resulting from rockslides in the physical world, built within the passage and slowed his progress as he searched for the real Sark. The dark did not disperse, which worried Axal.
“I know you can hear me. I know what happened. I stood beside you as you absorbed the brunt of the impact and saved me. Now let me save you.”
Another whimper, and Axal turned toward it. “I hear you. Allow me to draw closer.”
Fear.
The emotion Axal felt emanating from the sound was definitely fear. He couldn’t blame Sark. Axal had never known agony such as he felt when the shield came down. Pain, in his experience, was always physical prior to this. The mind pain surpassed everything he knew.
“May I touch you?” Axal felt Sark’s proximity now. No light existed, but he was near.
“A-Axal?” The voice sounded weak and thankfully, familiar.
“Yes. It is I. Let me draw near, my friend.”
“Are you well?” Sark’s mind voice shook, either from weakness or fright. He asked about Axal’s wellbeing as his first communication, a true friend.