Unbound (Kayla Blackstone)

by Adriane Ceallaigh

  She still felt weak and used Roo to heave herself to her feet; she leaned heavily on him before standing wobbly on her own.

  "Um, Roo, do you think that you could walk with me? I don’t feel too steady this morning," she said, laughing faintly, wondering what was going on with her this week. She paused. Had it only really been a few days since Keaton had sent her out with that package? Wondering, she felt uneasy when she thought of Keaton. Vague memories emerged, she didn’t know what they were but it couldn’t be good.

  Kayla watched the others for a moment, then walked over to Gannon and nudged him with her foot. He grunted, muttering and rolling over in his sleep. She booted him harder and he sat up with a violent start.

  Kayla knew that he wasn’t quite awake, but that didn’t stop her from planting her lips on his. She stared deep into his eyes, and caught the moment that consciousness returned to him. She laughed around the kiss as he returned it. After a few more moments, she pulled away.

  “What was that for?” he asked. The light gleamed in his eyes as he reached out and pulled her down into his lap. She thought of struggling, but knew that it was pointless.

  “For whatever you did that saved me.” She snuggled closer for a moment before she got to her feet. Turning, she held out her hand. He took it, rising.

  She looked around remembering that the small Sprites littered the ground. Kayla felt concerned that they weren’t moving.

  "What’s wrong with the Sprites?"

  "They did a healing dance. We came to the falls and there had been a battle." He turned to her, tightening his grip on her hand, before stepping carefully from the circle.

  “Hey, Gannon, what happened around here?” She looked at the scorched ground in the once bright green clearing.

  Sorrow etched his face before he answered. “I don’t truly know what happened. We left to find you.”

  She looked confused. “What do you mean find me? I never left.” She didn’t know what he was talking about. An uneasy feeling pooled in her gut.

  “What is the last thing that you remember?”

  She thought for a moment, her brow creasing in concentration. A faint memory of a tall, lanky, dark haired wolf surfaced. “Karn…I remember Karn saying something and then it’s blank. I don’t remember anything after that.”

  She let him lead her out of the clearing. They found a small bench he’d placed in the woods. They sat in silence for a while.

  “I was in the cave, caring for the Urisk. I sent Karn to get Rosen as soon I realized that he would need a healer's touch. Rosen was in the clearing, tending the wounded. You remember all this, right?” he asked.

  She nodded. It was a little fuzzy, but she remembered that part. However, after that, there was blankness that she did not like. She fought to see past that, but the trying made her dizzy. She soon stopped, knowing that if she didn’t, she would pass out. All she got for her efforts was the sick queasiness.

  “Yes, I remember up ‘til then, but after that, it’s like a slippery eel. I cannot find the answers in my own mind. Until I awakened in the circle, I had no idea any time had passed.” She took her hand from his, running it through her hair, frustrated that she was so weak.

  Looking at the ground, she kicked her feet against the wet dirt, smudging imprints of her shoes, trying to break the silence that he seemed inclined to let go on and on.

  Finally unable to bear it any longer, she blurted out, “What the hell are we doing anyway, Gannon? I don’t understand any of what’s going on around here. I thought you told me when I got here that nothing could get past your gates, but I’ve been attacked so many times that I’m starting to lose count.”

  “Kayla, I don’t know what’s really going on. I thought I did, and my actions were based on the belief that the people I worked for all these years were good people, trying to win back the world for our kind. But now…I’m not so sure, with Covington turning out to be evil and higher up in our organization. My job was simple. I was supposed to guard this place and find a way to remove the collars safely. Then you come along and take them off without a moment’s thought, not knowing that every other attempt has left the Mage dead or, worse yet, a vegetable.” He stopped.

  She wanted quiet, but knew that after all she'd endured; he wasn’t going to let her from his sight. Where was Roo anyhow, she wondered. She’d seen him when she woke but, after that, he’d disappeared. She needed his comforting presence at the moment. She covered her face with her hands, scrubbing back and forth as if she could remove the last few days from her mind, yet knowing that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

  A familiar weight leaned against her leg and she heard the sound of whining. She felt something she’d never felt before, the faint nudging against her mind. Peeking through her fingers at Roo, she realized he wanted to know if she was all right, if he could help like he’d always done before. But now, she could almost hear him, his love and loyalty a tangible presence. Overwhelmed, she lowered her head to his and silently wept into his fur.

  Gannon gently rubbed her back and she knew that he cared for her, but the weight of it all was too much. She felt swirling emotions, a wildness inside, and wished to unleash that part of herself. She felt buried and stifled, trapped against the walls of convention. Not knowing enough about her new self to be of any use, she found herself doing things she realized no one else could do.

  Maybe this resistance would come after her so they could control the world. Sudden suspicion fell on Gannon. Nevertheless, when she thought about it, she realized that, had he wanted to, he could have turned her over to them at any time. Maybe, just maybe, there was more going on between them than she wanted to acknowledge.

  Finally, she calmed down. With Roo’s reassuring presence at her side, she knew that she would get through what came next.

  “Gannon? Do you have a way to contact the people you work with?” Desperate for an answer to what to do next, she thought that laying a trap might be a good thing. From the look of the place, they’d gotten whatever they’d come for and no one had been able to stand in their way. She suspected that they were only after Gannon because he stood between them and her. She thought that, if he acted like he was still on their side, they might take him back into the fold and Gannon could find out what was going on. Unless, of course, Covington was now a free agent, acting without their knowledge. That was a possibility, but she was willing to risk it.

  She could feel the young one calling her now that she was more tuned into her feelings. There was the yearning pain of a child in distress.

  “Kayla, Kayla?” Gannon sat next to her, shouting in her ear.

  “What?” She rubbed her ear. “No need to shout so.”

  “I said, why do you ask?”

  “Ask what?” Then she remembered that she’d just asked him whether or not he could still get in contact with the others. “Oh, that. I just wanted to know because I think that you should offer me to them. See if you can meet them somewhere for a trade while the others search wherever it is that you all hold the prisoners, or search Covington’s house, whatever. However, if enough of them come looking for you and me, and I’m tied up like a prisoner, we might be able to double cross their double cross.”

  23

  “Of all the stupid, mindless things to say,” Gannon shouted at her as he walked around.

  Kayla glared at him, the warm, gooey feelings of a few moments ago thrust far from her mind. She gritted her teeth. He’d been yelling since she’d told him about her plan to get them out of this mess. She looked at Karn and took a deep breath.

  “I take it you said something he didn’t accept?” Karn’s voice held a note of compassion.

  His soft-spoken words took the wind out of her sails. She ran her hands trough her hair, tugging it a bit. “I just suggested he use me as bait.”

  “There now. That’s your problem. I don’t think you understand the grief you’ve given that man in the last few days. He almost killed himself keeping you alive. He may
come round to your way. If he hasn’t already, but you’ve got to let him have his moment of frustration.”

  Kayla opened her mouth then closed it again. Karn walked off. Roo pressed against her thigh. She turned her attention inside her mind. She imagined sending down roots, then formed thick branches above her head, pulling in light as Gannon had taught her to do. She focused on the flow of power. It felt augmented, different than it had just a few days ago, darker, stronger. Swallowing, she released the magic back into the world.

  A buzzing began in the back of her ears. She shook her head, running towards a dimly lit area of the woods. Shifting aside some of the leafy debris, she reached out and picked up a small injured body. Why hadn’t the tiny figure come to the dance? Had no one noticed she was missing? She cupped her hands around the little Sprite, lifting her from the ground. Kayla brought her hands to her face. She breathed in, sending a healing exhale over the tiny form. The fragile creature sighed, slipping into a deep sleep, its light glowing brightly.

  All of a sudden, she was surrounded by many buzzing figures. They screamed at her in voices too high to hear, poking at her while they swirled round and round. Kayla stood absolutely still.

  Nyx landed on her shoulder, softer then the wind, batting at one of the more persistent Sprites. They calmed as soon as Gannon and Jubi joined the group.

  Jubi flittered to her side. “What have you done Kayla?”

  “What do you mean, what have I done? All I did was heal the girl. She was hurt. There was this noise…”

  “Kayla. She was… she was dead.”

  “I don’t understand. No she wasn’t. I heard this buzzing just like I’m hearing from all of you now. There’s a soft buzzing coming off of all of you.”

  Jubi and Gannon exchanged worried looks.

  Gannon stepped forward. “I don’t know what you’re hearing Kayla, but there is no buzzing noise.”

  Shut up you fools. You know not what you say. There are some who can hear the life essence of all beings. If you had asked instead of attacking her and found out that she grounded and drew energy moments before finding the wounded Sprite, you would know that she connected to all parts of the T’ween.

  Jubi fluttered back and forth. “If any of the Sprites left in the T’ween had been alive they would have been at the dance last night. We would have felt their essence.”

  Not so. The girl barely lived. Her soul called out, not ready to pass from life, her purpose not fulfilled. The girl I protect is not what she appears to be. There is no anger you could turn on her that would change what has been done. Be grateful one of your clan is back among you.

  The creature yawned and stretched, glowing a brilliant blue, brighter then all those around her. The swirling Sprites spun faster and faster before flying off.

  You knew unlocking Kayla’s ancient powers would be risky. Her people are strong.

  “My people believe in giving their deaths back to the forest, Kayla. By healing this one, you have disrupted that process.”

  * * *

  “I’m scared. Gannon what’s happening to me?” She felt his hand at the nape of her neck. He guided her to the bed. She went without resistance. A low fire burst to life in the fireplace. Kayla snuggled into the bedclothes and pretended to be asleep. She didn't know when their relationship had gotten so close, but she knew that for now she didn't want to go beyond the stage they were in. The tension faded and she drifted in and out of sleep.

  Kayla woke to the sound of voices. She slid out of bed and went to the window, peeking through the drape she saw a strange man speaking with Gannon and Karn. She threw open the door and stopped, retreating a step as Roo’s solid form hit her, his whole body wiggling in excitement. She roughed up his head as he jumped on her, giving him a kiss on the nose. He got down and she let her fingers play with is ear as he pressed against her. “Where’s the other guy?”

  “What other guy?” Gannon shrugged.

  “Com’ on in, Karn. I’m shifting the T’ween and I don’t want you to be left behind.”

  “Sounds good, I could use a shower.” Karn socked Gannon in the shoulder as he went by.

  Kayla looked around the beautiful surroundings. Gannon’s place left a bad taste in her mouth, for all its finery. She followed the scent of food into the kitchen. Her stomach growled. She smiled, rubbing it.

  She walked over to Gannon and ran her hand down his arm. The contact reassured her. He turned and pulled her into his arms without her asking.

  “Whenever you feel like talking, it’ll be all right,” Gannon murmured against her hair, giving her a light kiss on the temple.

  She cuddled deeper into the hug before pulling away. “Soon, but not now.”

  “I understand.” Cupping her face, he gave her a gentle kiss before turning back to the food. Kayla flopped into one of the overstuffed chairs, putting her feet up on the ottoman. Roo jumped up into her lap. She laid her head on his, breathing in his scent. Thank god she hadn’t lost him.

  Gannon made up plates, handing one to Karn who sat observing from the table. She grinned at him as he handed hers to her. He put some food and water down for Roo. Kayla shoved the dog off her lap. “Go on and eat.” She waited for Gannon to sit down while she tried to figure out how to broach the subject of her plan again.

  Maybe she was going about it wrong, but they could at least talk about it without him blowing up every time she mentioned it. Karn looked at her. The faint smile on his face drove her nuts. What the hell did he know about it anyway?

  She finished eating and got up to put her dish in the sink. She stared at the wall and turned on the tap. Reaching for the rag, she grabbed her plate, methodically scrubbing it and the dishes he’d left there from the meal’s preparation. She bit her lip, scowling. “Gannon, is it really such a bad plan?” She heard his fork scrape his plate. She didn’t turn around, waiting.

  “Not as such, no. It’s more the thought of you putting yourself at risk that upsets me. We had a rough patch there, and I don’t like the idea of you getting hurt again so soon.”

  “It’s my job, what I’ve done for years.” She gripped the rag in her hand and started scrubbing the sink.

  “I’m not saying it’s not. I just don’t like it. Kayla, will you come to the table so we can discuss this inane plan of yours and what we will each do in the morning?”

  She shuffled over and plopped down in a chair. Propping her head in her hands, she glared at him. She didn’t know why she felt so listless. Maybe it was the fact that they weren’t moving fast enough.

  “Hey boss?”

  “What is it Karn?”

  “Is there a way for Jubi to get here? I mean without being shifted in with us?”

  “I can go get him if need be, why?”

  “I just thought it would be nice if we had someone to look out for Kayla when we go tomorrow. I was just thinking, um that is, I was thinking that we should ask a few Sprites along as lookouts and whatnot.” Karn looked at his nails, his posture submissive, as if he weren’t used to speaking out.

  Kayla studied him for a moment and sat up straighter. “You know Karn, it’s ok to tell us how you feel. It’s not like we’re going to jump all over you for expressing an opinion. I don’t know where you were in the pack, but I’m glad you’re with us now. I don’t trust the others. They haven’t made an effort to get to know us.”

  “I would have been higher up in the pack, but I didn’t like how our leaders dealt with issues. They often ended with one of us dead.”

  “That sounds rough.” Gannon leaned forward and slapped Karn on the arm. “Glad you’re on our side. I think your suggestion’s a good idea. Stay here a moment. I'll be right back.”

  Kayla shook her head at his departing back. The air around him shimmered and seemed to twist, it was weird watching him shift the T’ween and not being a part of it. She looked at Karn and grinned, leaning back in her chair. “So, tell me about yourself.”

  “Well I don’t know that there’s much to tel
l.” Karn grinned back.

  * * *

  Gannon stepped out of his cottage and hollered for Jubi.

  ''I sure as hell wish you wouldn't do that, Gannon!” Jubi shook his head as he flew into sight.

  A blue light trailed behind him. Gannon didn’t think Jubi knew the girl followed. This might prove interesting.

  “Jubi, it’s not like I can force you to show up when I call,” he ground out.

  “Sorry, I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

  Gannon grinned as the blue light blinked out. Some girl had finally caught Jubi’s eye. “I just wanted to know if you’d come be a lookout for Kayla. We’re going to work out our plan now, and I thought if everything was under control here, you might be willing to help?”

  “Well, if you’re coming, hurry up.” Gannon waved in the Sprite girl’s direction. Jubi would be pissed, but at the moment he didn’t care. The girl deserved to know what she was getting herself into by hooking up with Jubi, especially since Gannon often asked him to help out with things. He walked back into the cottage.

  “What gives Gan?”

  “Nothing I just want to get back is all. You know what Kayla’s like. If I leave her alone for more than a moment she gets herself into trouble.”

  “Ya, I hear ya there, and after what she’s been through the last few nights, I would have someone keep track of her, or at least sleep in the same room. We’ve gotten the link under control, but if she comes in contact with him again, the old bond might reform.”

  “It’s already covered, Jubi.” The second he saw the girl come in, he shifted the three of them back to the apartment.

  * * *

  Kayla jerked away from Karn. “Does the time flow differently here as well, Gan?”

  “I’m not sure. I always thought it was the same, why?”

  “Because, you just said you might be a while, but then you were back in seconds.” Kayla studied him. When she saw Jubi, her heart settled back down. It must be the right Gannon. She looked at Karn. He nodded, reading her mind.