by West, Shay
Tani’s heart sank. If Kelhar was awake it meant that he was awaiting the return of Harvesters with the needed organs. Eli and Ava! There was nothing he could do to help his friends other than to complete the mission. When the shadow moved away, he pulled Keena forward and hoped they wouldn’t run into any more surprises.
***
Master Kelhar took a deep breath of the cool night air. He had once enjoyed the mornings, but he found that he rather enjoyed the darkness more as of late. It held so many mysteries and a beauty all its own.
He walked back to his ornate oak desk to await the arrival of the Harvesters. His desk was covered in half-opened scrolls and old musty books. Kelhar stroked them, unaware he was smiling as he did so.
They have brought me so much power. Kelhar knew it was wrong to think such things, but pride swelled in his chest just the same. I’ll do anything to protect that power.
He picked up the scrolls and books littering his desk and placed them in the cabinet to the left. He grabbed a delicate gold key on a piece of leather and turned it until he heard the soft snick of the lock engaging. He placed leather cord around his neck. Kelhar smirked when he pictured his young patient waiting for him in the surgery room.
How very ironic that the very machine young Tani despises is the one that will save his brother’s life.
***
Tani sighed in relief when he found the window to Master Kelhar’s library dark. He boosted Keena up and grimaced at the screeching of the hinges. He reached up and took her proffered hands and grunted as he hoisted himself up and over the window sill.
He jumped to the carpeted floor and moved away from the window. When he was situated among the shelves, he opened his pack and reached inside for the device Eli had given him before they went through the gateway. He couldn’t remember what it was called, but he knew it produced light. He had found one in a drawer in the kitchen and had nearly blinded himself the first time he turned it on.
Tani clicked the button on the bottom and a circular beam of light appeared. He played it along the floor and walls, amazed at how well he could see. He motioned for Keena to follow.
He picked a spot against the wall and started searching for the scrolls. Keena moved as far down as she could and still stay within the light.
The only sound to be heard was the scratching of paper and sighs of disappointment. Tani had hoped they would find the scrolls right away and be able to get back to say good-bye to their friends. He hated the idea of never seeing the two ever again. But he admitted it was probably for the best. Unless there was a guarantee that the machinery could only be used for good, it couldn’t be used at all.
The pair moved along the walls, then to the shelves in the center of the room. Tani began to panic when he realized they were almost done searching the room with no sign of the scrolls they were looking for.
“There’s nothing here,” Keena whispered frantically.
“There must be something we missed,” he said.
Tani walked back through the room, praying he’d find a cabinet or chest they had missed, but there were only the shelves along the walls and the two in the middle of the room. He met Keena’s eyes and fought the tears.
The scrolls aren’t here!
***
“Do you think they’ve found the scrolls yet?”
Eli shrugged. “I have no idea.”
He looked at his watch, surprised that it was keeping the same time as earth. How is that even possible? Tani and Keena still had forty minutes left. So why am I so jumpy?
He moved about the room, senses on high alert. He wanted to chalk it up to being on a different world from his own, but there was something more. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.
“Okay, you’re freaking me out.”
Ava walked up behind him, holding the shotgun in both hands like she was expecting someone to come bursting through the door any minute.
“Sorry. I just can’t sit still.”
“There’s more to it than just your usual impatience. I can feel it.”
Call it cop instinct; call it a sixth sense, but he had learned to listen to it over the years. He motioned Ava to an area behind the machines that would give them good cover and allow them to see both entrances into the chamber. She knelt down and kept her eyes moving.
“Don’t you think it’s strange that the torches were lit when we arrived?” Eli whispered.
“Maybe they always keep them lit.”
Eli shook his head. “Think about it. When do you usually leave lights on?”
“When you’re expecting someone.”
Eli pursed his lips as he met her gaze. He looked at the gateway platform, a sinking feeling in his gut.
“If someone’s expected back, that means that Master Kelhar is up and around. Didn’t Tani and Keena say he was the only one who performs the surgeries?” Ava asked.
“I do seem to recall something like that.”
If Kelhar is awake, Tani and Keena could be in trouble.
Suddenly, the gateway platform erupted in blue-white light. Eli shielded his eyes so he wouldn’t be blinded. He could hear muffled voices, and then the light winked out. He peered around the side of the machine and saw two people rubbing their eyes and walking a little unsteadily down the stairs. One was carrying a large chest.
“Hold it right there!”
Eli jumped out, holding the shotgun at the ready. The two people, one man and one woman, halted in their tracks. The woman opened her mouth to scream, unaware of Ava sneaking up behind her.
“You scream, you die, got it?” Ava said, poking the woman in the back with the shotgun.
The woman’s legs gave out and she hit the ground, her breath rushing out in a slow wheeze. The man, still holding the chest, glanced to the left and right. His eyes widened when he caught sight of the two dead men.
“You killed them,” the man said in a rush.
“Yeah, and you just came back from my world after killing someone. Tit for tat,” Eli said motioning the man to sit down.
He set the chest on the ground. “If I don’t get this to Kelhar, the patient will die.”
“That’s too bad. There ain’t going to be anymore operations,” Eli said.
He and Ava kept their guns trained on the two Harvesters. Eli motioned Ava closer.
“We can’t have them in here when the bombs go off.”
“Agreed. So we wait till the hour’s almost up, then let them leave.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He looked at his watch again. Twenty-five more minutes.
Damn it, Tani and Keena, where are you?
***
“What do we do?” Keena asked.
Tani took a deep breath. “We have to search Master Kelhar’s quarters.”
“Tani, we can’t do that, we’ll be caught!”
“We don’t have a choice! Eli and Ava are counting on us.”
“I don’t want to die, Tani,” she cried.
“Neither do I. But we took lives, Keena, innocent lives. And while we were saving someone in the process, it was wrong. We have to answer for this somehow. If that means we die trying to keep Master Kelhar from being able to use the machines again, so be it.”
She looked deep into his eyes and the sadness there broke her heart. She leaned in close and brushed her lips against his, sending an electric shiver up and down his spine. She pulled away and gave him a wan smile.
Without thinking, he grabbed her face and kissed her, sending the full force of his feelings for her into that one kiss. His tears mingled with hers as he kissed her mouth, her nose, her cheeks. She whispered his name and curled her hand behind his neck.
Tani broke away, his sense of duty overriding his wanting to stay with her in this room. We cannot fail.
He helped her to her feet and held her close, stroking her hair. He wanted to keep her safe, more than anything in the world. She burrowed into his arms as though she never wanted to let go.
Tani sighed and pulled
apart, running his thumb across her cheek. “We’ll get out of this. We will run away, far away. We’ll open that little restaurant and raise our kids and live happily ever after.”
She smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
He led her to the door and turned the light device off before opening it. They exited the library into a dark hallway. He could barely make out the various cabinets and pillars displaying various religious artifacts. He could see a light coming from a room at the end of the hall. It’s the surgery room.
The doors to Master Kelhar’s quarters were closed, but Tani could see a sliver of light underneath. He paused, unsure of where to go. If the scrolls aren’t in his library, they have to be in his quarters. He pulled Keena along, hugging the wall.
The door to Master Kelhar’s quarters opened. Tani dropped to his knees, sending up a prayer to the gods that the pillar would hide him from sight. He could hear Keena breathing heavily by his side. He squeezed her hand.
Master Kelhar exited followed by his two attendants. He went across the hall to the surgery room, dressed in black robes that fit his body more tightly than his ceremonial ones did.
Tani met Keena’s eyes and hoped she could read what was in his thoughts. She closed her eyes and tears trickled down her cheeks. Once Master Kelhar was out of sight in the surgery room, Tani leapt up, ran around the pillar, and made for the door to Kelhar’s quarters. He opened the large double doors and closed them as soon as Keena was inside.
“Look for something locked. A cabinet, desk, anything. And hurry. He could return at any moment,” Tani said.
Tani frantically searched the room, trying to be as quiet as possible. He rifled through drawers, not really believing he would find anything that was unlocked.
“Tani, I think I found something.”
He ran to a large oak desk. Keena was bent down trying to open a drawer.
“It’s locked and I can’t find a key anywhere,” she said.
“He’s probably got it with him.”
Tani thought for a moment, knowing the hour was dangerously close to being over, and made a decision. He grabbed a heavy marble statue off Kelhar’s desk and smashed it against the lock until the wood gave way. He yanked the drawer open and grabbed the scrolls out, shoving them into Keena’s hands.
“It’s them, Tani, I’m sure of it.”
“Take them to the hearth.”
He followed her, his arms loaded with scrolls and several books that were at the very bottom of the drawer. Without hesitation, he threw everything into the fire, watching for a moment as the paper curled and charred. Keena threw her armload in.
“Let’s get back to the gateway chamber,” Tani said.
They opened the double doors, peering into the darkened hallway. Tani led the way, turning to the right to head back to the library so they could go out the window.
He could see the light from the surgery room from the corner of his eye. It beckoned to him. Ignoring Keena’s whispered protests, he turned to the left and padded silently toward the open door. He could see shadows moving around.
Knowing he was getting too close, but unable to help himself, Tani peered around the edge of the doorway and his breath caught in his throat.
Meevo!
CHAPTER 40
TANI BLINKED, certain he was seeing things. That can’t be my brother! He looked again, just to be sure. His heart sank. Meevo was lying on a metal table, so many tubes emerging from his body that he looked like their mother’s pincushion. Meevo! Tears spilled down his cheeks.
“What the hell are you two doing here?”
Tani spun around, coming face-to-face with an Enforcer. The man made a grab for Keena, but she spun out of his grip.
“Run, Keena!”
He didn’t see which direction she went. The Enforcer was large, a human wall of muscle. Tani tried to run around him, but the man grabbed his knapsack. He squawked as the man pulled him off his feet to land heavily on his back.
“What is going on here?”
Tani looked up to the face of Master Kelhar.
The head priest smiled and crossed his arms. “Well, well, what do we have here? Our little renegade has returned.” He looked around. “Where is your partner?”
“She took off running,” the Enforcer said, kicking Tani in the gut as he lay on the ground.
“There’s no need for that,” Master Kelhar chided. “However, I do think you should pick him up.”
None too gently, Tani was hauled to his feet, arms pinned behind his back.
“What’s this?” Master Kelhar took the gun and turned it over in his hands.
Tani coughed, clutching his belly. “Be careful with that! It’s a weapon from the other world.”
“How does such a thing function as a weapon?”
“It fires projectiles at incredible speeds.”
“Fascinating.”
Tani struggled against the Enforcer. “What is my brother doing in there?” He asked, jutting his chin in the direction of the surgery room.
“His kidneys finally gave out, poor soul. The Harvesters are on their way with some brand new ones,” Kelhar said, still holding the gun.
Tani sagged against the Enforcer, the strength leaving him.
“You see how foolish it was to leave? The gateways will save your brother’s life.” He stepped closer, eyes widening. “You aren’t here alone, are you?”
Tani swallowed hard, but refused to say anything. He didn’t know how much time had passed since he and Keena had left the gateway chamber, but he knew it must be almost up. He expected to hear the deafening sound of an explosion any second.
“You.” Kelhar pointed to one of his attendants. “Gather some Enforcers and go after the girl. You.” He pointed to the Enforcer who held Tani. “Bring him.”
Kelhar led the way to the gateway chamber, walking so fast he was practically trotting. The Enforcer dragged Tani along. He tried his best to slow down, but he was no match for the Enforcer. If he didn’t walk, he knew he’d be dragged.
The doors leading into the gateway chamber were closed. Master Kelhar shoved them open and marched inside. Tani could hear raised voices as he was shoved along. The Enforcer pushed him inside the room and Tani hit his knees. He looked up at Eli and Ava, barely able to meet their eyes, knowing he had failed his friends.
***
Eli jumped as the doors opened. He stared at the man striding into the room. Master Kelhar, I presume. The man looked at the two dead men and glared at Eli.
“Are you responsible for this?” he asked, eyes blazing in anger.
“Sure am,” Eli said with a smirk. “Also responsible for that.” He pointed to the steps where the two Harvesters were sitting.
“Let them go this instant!”
“Nah, I don’t think so. See, we have a problem with all the deaths on my world, so we’re here to put a stop to it.”
“If I don’t get the kidneys to the surgery room, my patient dies. His brother dies!” Master Kelhar pointed to Tani.
Eli met Tani’s eyes and his insides turned to ice at the look of pleading in Tani’s eyes. We can’t alter the plan!
“The killing is done,” Eli said.
Master Kelhar smiled slowly, but it never touched his eyes. He put his hands behind his back and paced in front of the gateway platform.
“Oh, I think it’s you who are done. Enforcers are on their way and when they arrive, they will take you into custody.”
Eli pointed his shotgun at the wall next to the door and fired. The blast echoed in the room. Master Kelhar ducked and covered his head as shards of wood flew outward. He stood and wiped the splinters off his robes.
“It seems we are at an impasse,” the man said.
“Not really. See those things there with the wires sticking out of them? Those are explosives. When we set them off, this entire room plus most of the surrounding area will be demolished.”
Kelhar cackled. “You think that will stop me? I can have the machin
es rebuilt.”
Tani shook free from the Enforcer. “Keena and I burned the scrolls and books.”
Kelhar turned his fake smile to Tani. “My dear boy, do you really think I would need to rely on those? The gods will help me rebuild.”
“The gods. I’m sick of hearing about your gods. Sorry, but if your gods are telling you to kill, they aren’t the sort you want to follow,” Eli said.
“Blasphemer!” Kelhar did something strange with his hands. It reminded Eli of people using hand gestures to ward off evil spirits. “It is not for you to question the will of the gods.”
“Maybe not, but it is my job to bring justice. And that means destroying these machines and keeping your kind from ever setting foot on my world ever again.”
“Let’s say you succeed. You will sentence others to death. How is that justice?”
“Everyone dies in their own time, Kelhar. It’s not right to kill living people to steal their organs.”
“The gods decide what is right.”
“Back to that again.” Eli rolled his eyes.
“They speak to me. I feel it in my bones that what we do is right,” Kelhar said, gripping his robes over his heart.
This dude is batshit crazy. “Even some of your own people think it’s wrong! If the gods want you to do this, surely they would have come to them as a burning bush or something to get them back on the right track,” Eli said, pointing to Tani.
“It is not up to me to question who the gods choose to speak to. But Tani and Keena should have trusted me and my connection to the gods.”
Eli barked laughter. “This is the problem with religion. All it takes is for someone in power to claim they are speaking for a divine entity and everyone is just supposed to follow them? We’ve had guys like you on my world and I guarantee they are rotting in the pits of hell for what they did.”
Kelhar shook his head sadly. “You will never understand.”
“I’m glad I don’t.”
Kelhar held out his hands. “You want to blow up the room, then please, don’t let me stop you.”