“Did you stay with them?” I ask, turning from him.
“No, Rolland asked me to wait outside in case she snapped.”
I wonder at that for a minute but then realise Rolland was probably right to keep Matt out. I nod my head in understanding as I make my way over to the cupboard where we keep the first aid kit. Using my gift isn’t always possible when we have guests here, or when the guys are being big babies, so we keep the kit around just in case. Grabbing some bandages, gauze pads, clips, and some of the special gel that Matt makes, I make my way out of the kitchen to my room.
When I arrive at the en-suite, I find Rolland is wearing a fresh pair cotton trousers and another white vest. Kia is resting her head on his chest, seemingly calm.
“Everything okay?” I ask, as I move to stand next to him, placing the bandages down on the marble top.
Rolland turns to me, looking exhausted and worn out. “Let’s get this done so she can rest,” he hints, his voice sounding drained. I run my eyes over him, taking in his normal golden tan that seems to be fading around his cheeks and the shadows that have appeared under his eyes.
“Yes, I’m as tired as I look, but we can’t put another shirt on until her back is bandaged, and leaving her topless just isn’t an option, obviously,” he states flatly.
“You’re right, it needs bandaging, but I don’t think you’re going to be able to focus on keeping her pain level down AND wrap her back at the same time,” I press back, trying to think of an easier way to keep her focused on him, so I can dress her wounds. The position he’s in now won’t work as it will mean one of us is getting in the others way.
“I should be okay keeping her attention on me, but I can’t do it standing,” he explains, looking back at Kia.
“Really? What happened to make you think you can handle her after what happened in the pool?” I continue mind-speaking with him, not wanting Kia to hear me.
“I’ll explain later, but just trust me for now,” he pushes aloud.
Taking the stuff off the counter, I head back into the bedroom. I don’t see Matt around, so I assume he decided to head back to his room to catch up on stuff rather than follow me.
Sitting down in the middle of the bed, I place the bandages and other items down next to me and wait as Rolland makes his way out of the en-suite, carrying Kia. Her arms and legs are wrapped around him and her head rests in the crook of his neck. Holding her in that position, he sits on the bed carefully before turning to rest his back against the headboard and crosses his legs at the ankles. I hear them both take a deep breath at the same time as he settles them both in, followed by a simultaneously slow exhalation of air.
Rolland places his hand over her head then speaks to her softly. “Do you trust me?” She nods her head. “And you’re not going to fight me?” She doesn’t respond. “I’ll be fine this time. No more dropping out on each other.” She still doesn’t move. “Okay,” he lets out a heavy breath. “We do this together.” She nods firmly, and Rolland looks over at me. “Ready?” he asks.
“What was that all about?” I ask.
“I’ll explain later. Let’s just get this over with quickly so we can rest.”
Moving closer to them, I get as close to Kia as I can and wait. Rolland closes his eyes before he takes a slow, steadying breath, then rests his head on top of hers, so I can still see him, but not Kia, clearly and dips his chin at me.
With the utmost care, I begin pulling the towel slowly from Kia’s back. When she doesn’t flinch or stiffen, I find myself letting out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding. I let my eyes wander over her skin as I assess the damage. The wounds that have been torn open are bleeding, although not heavily. I squeeze some of the healing gel onto each of gauze pads, looking up at Rolland as I set them down beside me. His eyes are still shut and both of them seem to be incredibly calm.
“You ready?” I ask, holding one of the gauze pads in my hand, but I don’t get a reply. Not wanting to startle Kia, I rest my hand on her lower left hip. “Kia, I’m going to put some pads on your back. There’s a healing gel on them that will feel cold, but it shouldn’t sting or hurt you,” I explain carefully. Still no reaction.
Lifting the pad, I place it gently on her back. She doesn’t move or flinch, so I take another pad and set the next one under the first. Kia still hasn’t moved, and her breathing is entirely even, as though she’s sleeping. After the first wound is covered, I start working on the next.
Kia still hasn’t reacted, but I hear Rolland’s breathing change slightly. I’ve just one more wound to cover and then I can begin bandaging. I start covering the last one and notice that, while Kia’s breathing has remained steady and there has been no flinching, Rolland clearly is not doing as well. He’s sweating profusely and his face is scrunched up in deep concentration. I finish covering the last wound and then pick up one of the bandages. I start at the top and place the bandage over the pad. When that is in place, I reach to grab another and hear Rolland take a deep breath as though he’s coming up for air, but he seems to hold it in rather than expel it.
I look up at him from where I’m working on the last wound at Kia’s waist to find Rolland’s eyes open and tears falling freely down his face.
“Hurry up, Seb,” Rolland whispers through a trembling sigh that pulls at my heart. He takes a controlled breath, then speaks into Kia’s ear softly. “Just a little longer, Kia and Seb will be done.” She doesn't move and Rolland relaxes his shoulders and closes his eyes. I move faster but keep my lines even and firm. One more bandage and I’ll be done.
As I reach to place the last bandage, Kia starts to squirm slightly in Rolland’s lap, followed by a soft whimper and my heart seems to stop beating for a just a moment.
“I’ve got you, Kia. It’s not real. It’s just you, me, and Sebastian,” Rolland consoles, his voice faint and scratchy. I finally finish with the last bandage and attach a clip to secure it at the bottom. “I’m done, Rolland,” I tell him quickly, sitting back.
Kia takes in a strangled breath and begins sobbing, pulling herself tight against Rolland. “I know, sweetheart, I know,” Rolland soothes, holding her against his chest hard, and I worry he’s crushing her. “Shh it’s over. They’re never going to touch you again,” he affirms. Kia takes a gasping breath as though she’s struggling to find air. “Kia, breathe for me. I’m right here. Listen to my voice. Feel my heart,” he assures, taking her hand from his neck and holding it against his chest. “See, I’m right here,” he tries to calm her.
“Seb, speak to her, so she knows you’re here too.”
I move round so I can see her face which is tucked deeply into his neck. “Kia, I’m here too,” I say gently, stroking her cheek. “Come back to us, sweetheart. It’s just the three of us. I’m sorry we had to put you through that, but a shirt would have made it worse if we didn't cover up your wounds first. It’s over now and whatever you saw was just in your mind. No one else is touching you, just me and Rolland.” Kia still doesn’t calm as she tucks herself further into Rolland’s neck and away from me.
“Kia, please breathe, or you’re going to pass out,” Rolland begs, sounding slightly panicked and incredibly tired as he strokes her head. Kia takes her hand from his, putting it back around his neck.
I move so my back is against the headboard and tight up against Rolland to try pushing some healing energy through her, but it’s like hitting a wall.
“Kia, don’t do this,” Rolland grunts. His breathing becomes laboured and it sounds like he’s lifting weights that are much too heavy.
Matt walks in with a laptop under his arm and his earphones in, then stops in his track when he sees us huddled together.
An idea comes to mind. “Matt, can we borrow your iPod?” I plead, leaning back from Rolland slightly. He whips the earphones from his ears and hands them to me without hesitation. Checking that he hasn’t changed his taste in music overnight to rock, or heavy metal, I’m relieved to hear classical music coming through the ear
pieces. I pop one into Kia’s ear, and after a few seconds, she finally starts breathing easier. Although her body is still tensed up and her arms refuse to let go of the death grip they have on Rolland.
“Rolland, put the other one in,” I urge. He struggles to open his eyes but takes it from me, fumbling with it slightly. I’m really beginning to worry about him, but he manages to find her other ear, as he strokes her head. Kia’s body is still rigid, but her breathing has returned to normal.
After about five minutes, she finally relaxes her shoulders and Rolland slumps back into the pillows with Kia still fully attached. His breathing is still a bit laboured, but I can tell that it’s slowly returning to normal. Relieved, Matt moves to the cushioned chair on the other side of the bed and sits so he’s facing them.
Another five minutes pass and I think they’ve both fallen asleep, though how that is possible with Rolland keeping a hold on her pain, I’m not quite sure. Thinking I could use a bit of a nap myself, I pull up the blankets from the bottom of the bed to cover all of us and settle myself down beside them. Turning to watch Kia, I find she’s turned her head towards me, her face completely at ease. Wishing I could keep it that way, I drift off to sleep, her peaceful features the last thing on my mind.
Chapter Twenty
Brad
Finishing up on the blade I’ve been working on for the past hour or so, I set it aside, sensing it’s probably almost time for me to get to my other project. Manipulating metal is one of my gifts, but I also teach others how to defend themselves and I’m due at the training centre at ten o’clock. A quick look up at the clock on the wall tells me I’ve still got time to get my stuff and grab a late breakfast before heading over.
I run up to my room and snatch up a bag, realising as I do so that I’ve still the blade I was working on in my hand. I must have picked it up without thinking as I left the workshop. Shrugging, I set it down on the dresser then begin throwing a change of clothes into the bag. As I'm finishing up, my phone buzzes and I check to see who’s coming today. Four of my clients can make it, one of which has only just started. All the women I train are victims of abusive relationships and want to learn self-defence. I set them up in pairs and work them through a programme I put together. The newest member still has a few bruises visible along her arms and is fairly jittery.
My thoughts turn to Kia and Jack’s description of the amount of abuse she’s endured. He didn’t give any details as to her physical state, except to say that the cuffs are still attached and that her reaction to her back being healed wasn’t good. The Gjinn is another issue. And just like those that I teach defence to, it’s the mental scars that take the longest to heal.
Looking back over at the blade, I decide to leave it there for now. I’ll bring it back to the workshop later when I’m not so rushed for time. Making sure I have my bag and phone, I head down toward the kitchen to see what I can find to eat before I go to the training centre. Dropping my bag by the front door, I step into the kitchen to find Gerry, who’s looking incredibly tired and in need of a shower.
He watches me as I head for the fridge hoping to find some leftovers or something quick. I spot some rice, which isn’t exactly breakfast, but it’s food and it’s slow releasing, which will help get me through the morning training session. I can hear Gerry tapping away on his laptop, but I’m guessing he’s only giving it half of his attention.
As I turn to the microwave to heat up the rice, I decide to poke the bear. “Ya look like shit, Gerry,” I tell him, keeping my focus on the microwave as I start it up. Snatching some fruit to take with me, I set it aside along with a couple of energy bars. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I take a long drink as I turn back around to face Gerry.
“I haven’t slept and having someone in our home who I don’t know isn’t exactly comforting bedtime material,” he grumbles deeply, sounding just like the bear he reminds me of most days. His thick, dark, chestnut hair curls slightly when it’s allowed to grow to the length that it is now. He usually keeps it short, but with work being so stressful as of late, he’s not had any time to cut it. He’s still wearing his black combat gear from last night, along with his heavy boots, and dried dirt covers his shoulders, arms and face. I’m surprised Seb hasn’t ordered him out of the house. Not that Seb minds dirt, he just hates it in the kitchen.
Placing the lid back on the bottle, I set it beside the fruit to take with me. Poor guy has serious trust issues and no therapy seems to work on him. That being said, I think he needs to be slightly more understanding, given the circumstances.
Resting my hands on the countertop, I try to think of how I can help ease the man’s mind a fraction. “Gerry, I know how hard this is for ya, but from what Jack and Seb said, she’s of no harm to any of us unless provoked. The girl sounds like she has more mental scars than you.”
He frowns at me, and I wonder what I’ve said that he doesn’t know already. I know Jack and Seb spoke to him about her, because I heard their voices when I passed the kitchen earlier, but what hasn’t Seb told him?
“She’s not just a simple girl though is she, Brad? She’s an Ayran. Not that I know what that means, but she’s not from here, just like none of us are. The fact that she managed to pull Matt into her mind for the last several months, goes to show how powerful she is,” he grouches, his sardonic tone full of annoyance as he flicks his clover green eyes up to me. What? They must have left that tidbit out.
“Didn’t they tell you?” he tuts, rolling his eyes slightly. “She has every ounce of my sympathy and I’m not such a dick to kick someone out who has suffered as she has. But having a Gjinn poke about the house as well as whoever else she has on her tail, isn’t exactly comforting,” he bites out with every ounce of venom the man feels, though his face remains calm. “And what the hell do you mean by, not harmless unless provoked?” He screws his ruddy face up in puzzlement. Ah, that’s what they didn’t tell him. How did Seb get away without telling him?
“She wasn’t very nice when they touched her back,” I say evenly, still keeping my eyes on him. It’s not a lie, just an understatement. I don’t have full details on what happened, but that’s not for me to share. Just then the microwave pings, so I turn to take out the rice, and head over to sit with Gerry.
“A fucking Gjinn, Brad. How do you fight something you can’t touch?” Gerry snarls, his face deepening in concern as he returns his attention to his laptop. He’s right, but with help from Jack and the stones he’s off to get, we might have a chance.
“Jack went to get more stones from Ireland and said he’s gonna to show us how to protect our minds from the Gjinn when he returns later,” I explain, trying to ease his worry a bit, but it’s hopeless with Gerry. The guy has more demons than most of us, which is the root cause of why this is so hard for him. “Gerry, just try and get some rest and think it over. I’m sure Seb will have her patched up in a few days and you won’t even have to see her,” I say ‘round a mouthful of rice.
“Maybe,” he mutters, frowning pensively as he looks up at me. “How do you think they got her in here?”
“Who? Rolland and Seb?” Weird question.
He rolls his eyes. “No, whoever brought her in from outside the ice circle,” he clarifies blandly.
Shaking my head, I realise I hadn’t even thought about that. Over the course of the last few hundred years we all managed to find each other but since Jack joined us about a hundred and fifty years ago, we haven’t found anyone else like us. Jack has told us small bits about why he thinks we’re gifted and how there are other lands outside of Gaia. He also explained how he’s tried teleporting out of here, but that something prevents him from getting any further than the ice circle. It’s heavily guarded which was confirmed by Gerry and his boys a few years back. Thousands of miles of snow storms encompass the ice circle and can only be passed through in certain crafts. Thinking about Jack and his behaviour in my room earlier, I feel my face start to screw up.
Gerry’s gaze is st
ill on me and I begin to feel slightly uneasy. “What is it?” he asks with only a mild amount of attention.
I turn to him and wonder if he’s noticed Jack’s behaviour lately. “I was thinking about Jack and his oddness,” I tell him as I inhale another mouthful of food.
Gerry snorts. “He’s a weird guy and he wears his oddness like a second skin,” he replies back. “It’s the secrets he keeps that you should be more concerned about,” he mutters under a breath.
I roll my eyes knowing how much Gerry can’t stand Jack. Though saying that, even for Gerry his behaviour of late has been slightly extreme. Jack is just Jack in my eyes. With not much to go on, I decide not to say anything more, and finish off my rice as Gerry continues tapping away.
My thoughts turn to our last mission where they found Kia. So much of that night didn’t seem right - Matt having little to no details, the change of plans at the last minute. And I swear a couple of the guys I took out weren't human, although it could’ve just been the darkness and trick of the light. But it got me to thinking that maybe there are more of us.
Wondering about the people Gerry and his men helped, I decide to ask him about them, hoping I don’t regret it. “How did you and your boys get on with the others freed from the cells?”
He continues working away but doesn’t snap at me for asking. Most of the people we pull from human trafficking have mental issues on some level, and Gerry and the boys usually have a rough few hours after getting them out.
“The boys got them the help they needed and most of them were fit to go back to the homes that were secure enough. Jack made an appearance, which was a little odd-” he pauses, causing me to look up at him. He’s staring straight ahead, slightly lost in thought.
“How so?” I ask, wondering what’s playing through his mind.
He doesn’t answer straight away, but his brows begin to pull down harder. “It’s not the first time he’s checked in on those we’ve taken care of, but he seemed to pay special attention to a little boy,” he summarises. Not that odd in the scheme of things, but it was enough to catch Gerry’s eye.
In Pursuit of Light Page 15