“You have me confused with someone else,” Erynn stuttered, shoving sodden red curls back under the hood and out of sight. She turned away and glanced at Nev, biting at her lower lip.
Nev lowered his head and stepped back, glaring at the man from under his hood.
The stranger grabbed her arm, tugging her to face him. “No. No. You’re Erynn Yager. I remember, you know. Watching the reports of the war against the alien forces, I saw you plenty of times on vid casts, you know.” He leaned close, the smile fading, and whispered, “They’re looking for you, you know—both of you.” He glanced around conspiratorially. He bent in closer, his words meant only for Erynn. “I would be honored to help you.” He glared up at Nev. “Shall I call security?” His head tipped toward Nev. “You know?”
“No. Please. You have this all wrong. If you really want to help, forget you ever saw me . . . us.” She noticed his neat dark hair, freshly cut, and top of the line fashionable clothes. She pulled out of his grasp and walked away.
Nev moved in close to her. “This isn’t good news. Someone is looking for us.”
“Gaden?” Erynn asked, not expecting an answer.
“No, not Gaden. Not as long as he believes I’m Dhoran.” He glanced behind.
“So who, then? And why.” Erynn followed Nev’s gaze to see the man still standing there, watching her and Nev. He started toward them.
“Think about it, Erynn. This isn’t too difficult to figure out. I’m the evil Dhoran, and I took you.” Nev turned right at the next intersection, hurrying across the street with the other foot traffic. “Gaden is in command of the base now that Cale’s gone. But he can’t ignore your disappearance. Too many people would question where you are. Someone, sooner or later, will demand to see you.” He glanced back and guided her down a side street past small shops, one offering baked goods another hair care supplies and one larger store with many different items filling a display in the window. “And he certainly can’t spin a tale of Dhoran’s escape that would be believable. He has to let the powers under him do their jobs or raise suspicion of himself. I don’t think he’s ready for that yet.”
Erynn nodded, searching the faces of people passing her. She glanced back at the strange man still following. “If he recognized me—us, it won’t be long before someone else does. Security may get involved next time.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I don’t think we can trust anyone. We don’t know who might be a supporter of Dhoran or who truly is security with no alternative agenda. Either one won’t be helpful to us. The bad thing is we may have friends here, willing to help, and we don’t know who they are. If authorities are looking for us, under any circumstances, detention will delay our pursuit of Dhoran.”
She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I need a COM. And a staser.”
Nev led, crossing several more intersections and busy streets. He doubled back, moving several blocks to the right or left in his attempt to lose their pursuer.
He halted at a corner and turned in a tight circle. “Beirig din. I don’t think he’s following us anymore. But I’m turned around. Nothing looks familiar.”
“You mean you’re lost? Great.”
Nev continued to survey their surroundings. “Do you know the way back?”
A woman with two small children in tow walked toward Erynn.
Erynn stepped up to her. “Excuse me.”
The woman stopped and smiled at Erynn. “Yes?” One of the children pulled at her mother’s hand, a whine building into a scream. The second child clung to his mother’s leg, peeking up at Erynn.
Erynn stepped back, frowning. “I’m sorry, but do you know where The Gem Authority is? It’s a jewelry store.” She spoke quickly between screeching wails.
“Oh, sure,” the woman said, unbothered by the crying child. She pointed with her free hand behind Nev and Erynn. “About three intersections down, turn right, and you’ll see it mid-street. I’m heading that direction. There’s a park just up from there. You can walk with me if you want.”
Erynn shook her head, but Nev stepped in, changing her plans, which were to hurry ahead of the screaming, wailing child.
“Thank you,” Nev said. “Let me help you.” He reached down to pick up the unruly child, and she quieted.
The little girl in his arms pointed down the street. “Pawk, go.”
“Will you show me the way?” Nev asked, a smile in his voice.
The little girl giggled and nodded.
The woman chatted through the entire walk, obviously craving adult conversation. But she didn’t seem to recognize Erynn or ask any difficult questions.
The little girl squirmed out of Nev’s arms when they reached the expanse of grass and trees, running off with her brother, their mother hurrying to catch up. She turned, waved to Erynn, and pointed. “Go back that way, first intersection. Turn left. You can’t miss it. Maybe I’ll see you later?”
“She likes you,” Nev said, grinning and waving.
Erynn frowned. “She’d like anyone who isn’t wearing their breakfast on their shirt or is capable of speaking in sentences of more than one or two words. Why is she taking her kids to the park on a day like this anyway?”
“Kids don’t care about rain. It’s just wet to them. They need to be outside in the fresh air, to run and play.” Nev’s grin widened. “You don’t like children?”
“I’ve never been around kids,” Erynn said. “Not even when I was one. My dad didn’t think it was a good idea. He was afraid I would do something that couldn’t be explained and I’d be discovered.”
At the center of the park were play sets, and around the edge of these structures stood restrooms and a COM center.
Nev nodded. “There’s your COM. At least it’s a start.”
Erynn went to the first station, picked up the COM, hooked the small clip around her ear, and pressed a code on the dirty, faded keyscreen. The connection clicked and buzzed. She hoped Tam had acquired a COM.
“Yes?” Tam’s voice came across metallic and curious.
“Tam, it’s Erynn.” She whispered even though no one was around to listen. “Do you think you’re being monitored?”
“Erynn!” Tam squealed. “No. Aven checked both his and my COMs. We’re clean. Erynn, are you okay? Where are you?”
“Can’t tell you that, Tam—in case someone asks. It’s better if you don’t know.” Erynn paused, afraid to voice her question but needing to know. “How’s Jaer?”
“They’ve taken him off life support.”
Erynn gripped the sides of the station. Her stomach clenched and her knees buckled. “Then . . . then I’m too late?” Her voice was a high, shaky wail.
Nev stepped in, supporting her, his expression wary.
“No. Erynn, it’s okay. He’s still alive, breathing on his own, and his heart is beating without assistance.”
“Is he awake?” Erynn asked in a breath that was half prayer, half pleading. Her thoughts spiraled and branched into a thousand directions.
Tam sighed. “Sorry, no. They’re still running tests. This may give you a little more time, but not much. Shan is pushing to have him turned over to her. She wants him dead. She claims she wants him to die a warrior’s death and not be kept hanging in this limbo. When his family gets here and has a chance to say good-bye, I’m afraid the byan will have no choice but to follow Shan’s wishes.”
Erynn stared up at the dark, cloudy sky. Icy drops of rain mingled with the hot tears sliding down her cheeks. “Have you seen him? What does Aven say?” Her words were choked and broken.
Tam answered, anger in her voice, “No one is allowed to see him except family. Shan’s making sure of that. Aven says Jaer looks good, like he should just wake up, like he shouldn’t even be in the Medical Unit. He’ll do everything in his power to keep Shan from . . . doing what she wants. To give you time.” Tam paused. “But Erynn, you have to hurry.”
“I will, Tam. I am.” Erynn hitched in a breath, and it shuddered out between her trem
bling lips. “Tell Aven . . . to give Jaer a message. Tell him . . . I love him.”
“It’s done.” There was a tremble in Tam’s voice.
Erynn sniffed and wiped at her nose, straightening her shoulders. “What about Nev’s—Dhoran’s and my escape?”
Tam took in a deep breath. “Gaden’s kept that fact pretty tight. I don’t think anyone knows—yet. He can’t keep your absence secret forever, though. People are already questioning why Aven was released and not you.”
“Aven’s free? Good. He can do something now.” Erynn’s glance swept over the children playing in the park thinking how uncomplicated their lives were. Hers had never been that carefree. She wiped a finger under her eyes. “Have you or Aven heard from Cale or Sean?” This would be her only connection for whom to trust in the city.
“Nothing, yet. Gaden finally had to release Aven from his quarters. That’s the only positive news I have.”
“Okay. I’ll contact you soon. One other thing, Tam. Warn Aven. Those strangers gathering at the base—I believe they’re part of Dhoran’s cult.”
Tam gasped. “The message Cale smuggled into you about who you could and couldn’t trust. He knew something was going on, or was about to.”
“Well, he suspected something, and he was correct. Be careful, Tam. I gotta go.” Erynn ended the connection and hung the small clip back in its holder. She stood there, staring at the wall of the COM station. Jaer’s face, his dark, smoldering eyes, filled her mind. His commanding voice echoed, “I love you, Kipa.” Jaer had called her his Kipa—Comhra for my heart, my life, my soul—since he’d told her he loved her. She sensed his arms around her, strong and safe. The scent of him, spicy and clean, flooded her memory. She bit her lip, tasting the salty flavor of blood.
“What?” Nev said from behind her.
“Jaer’s off life support but still unconscious. Shan wants him turned over to her so she can . . .” Fury and grief became too much. She wanted to scream, to cry until no tears remained, to strike out at . . .
Who? A stranger? Nev?
This wasn’t Nev’s fault. He wanted Dhoran as badly as she did, to help her save Jaer and Arranon. She pounded her fist against the station wall. Hammered blows thudded dully. Rage and sorrow spent, Erynn gathered her emotions. Her angry outburst wouldn’t find Dhoran. Focus and purpose would.
Nev watched her, his eyes full of compassion.
“Don’t look at me like that.” She scowled, shaking the sting from her hand. She turned away, toward the street. “Let’s get going.”
He kept his distance behind her. “Is there anything else I should know?”
Erynn stopped, her posture sagging. She stared at broad yellow-and-orange leaves covering the grassy ground. “No word from Cale. Aven’s released from being confined to quarters,” she whispered. Wind caught her words, spiriting them away.
Nev gripped her shoulders and laid his brow against the back of her head. “I’m sorry you’re having to go through this.”
Erynn straightened. “What do we need to do? I want Dhoran. I want him now.” Her body shook with sadness and pent-up anger. She couldn’t even mourn Jaer’s . . . death. Even if she were back at the base, Shan denied her presence in the Medical Unit. She couldn’t be with Jaer, hold his hand, kiss his lips, or say good-bye.
“Let’s find him,” Nev whispered at her ear. “Fight, Erynn. Hold your love for Jaer close. This is the one thing Dhoran doesn’t understand. He can’t battle the power you have inside you.” Nev let go and propelled her toward the street. “You are not alone.”
When they reached the curb to cross to the other side, a transport slowed and nosed to the edge in front of them. The passenger’s door slid open with a whoosh.
The same strange but well-dressed man from outside the café, the one who had first almost knocked Erynn into the flow of transports and then recognized her, sat behind the controls.
Chapter 19
“WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING US—me?” Erynn accused, glaring at the man.
The stranger grinned, showing straight white teeth. “You can’t keep wandering around the city on foot. You’ll get noticed for sure, you know. Get in. Both of you. I may not understand, but I’ll help you any way I can.”
Clouds opened in a small swirling vortex. Sunbeams split through the dark cover. Color and light exploded against the gloomy storm. Golden-yellow rays raced to touch the ground—right in front of Erynn.
Erynn lifted her face and tipped her head. She stared at the shaft of light all the way to the source of the brilliant radiance.
“Come on. Get in. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
Her attention snapped back to the stranger. “Why?” Erynn demanded, her eyes narrowing. “What’s in this for you? How do I know you’re not going to just turn us over to the authorities? Maybe there’s a reward.”
He turned away, staring out the front glass. Rain spattered in large drops, streaming across the vehicle’s smooth surface, adding to the growing puddles in the street. His jaw tightened. “Fair question.” He faced her. “But there is no reward, you know. Not in a monetary sense. Other than helping you. That would be big news, you know.” He rushed on. “When you’re ready for your story to be told, that is. The publicity, for me, will be good for business, increase my contacts, you know—like free advertising.”
Erynn opened to the man’s emotions. She didn’t sense anger or fear, just exhilaration and a little curiosity. “Did any reports on the local vid channels advise we—I was here, in Tamaagra?”
The man shook his head, his hand tightening on the controls. “No. In fact, there’s been nothing about you—or your friend—mentioned on the news vids. That’s why I was a little surprised to see you, you know.”
She turned to glance at Nev and then looked back to the stranger. “You said someone was looking for us.”
The stranger shrugged. “Mostly rumors, you know—word on the streets. Didn’t believe the whispers. Fantastic stuff. You tend to stand out, though, you know—your curly red hair. You’ve been spotted around the city. Nothing through the official system, though.” He motioned Erynn to enter the open door. “I’m connected to a different kind of network. Less restricted, you know.” He chuckled. “Pretty big, actually. Being one step ahead keeps me in the loop, so to speak. Good for business, you know.”
Traffic behind the stranger’s transport piled up, unable to safely pass unless oncoming traffic edged to the far right. The vehicle was only partially sidled up to the curb, the back half protruding into the busy street. Horns blasted, shouts and curses echoed off glass and stone. People on the sidewalk slowed and stared.
Nev nudged Erynn and whispered, “Get in.”
“Wait. We—”
“Look.” Nev gestured with his head toward the street.
A security vehicle four transports back glided forward in the approaching lane.
“Get in,” Nev growled. He increased his pressure against Erynn, pulling her out of her pack while pushing her toward the transport’s open door.
Erynn slid onto the seat next to the man.
Nev squeezed in beside her, jerked the door closed, both packs shoved into the foot space.
“Good,” the man muttered. He swung the transport into the flow of vehicles accompanied by strident shouts and further, more colorful curses. He waved at the security officer slipping past in her cruiser.
The officer frowned and shook her head, attention returning to a forward view.
“We should introduce ourselves. I’m Vars. And your friend is?”
“He’s not from around here,” Erynn offered quickly. “His name isn’t easy to pronounce.” She sat up straight and gestured to the left. “Could you take us to the next street over? The one where The Gem Authority is located? We’re to meet with someone at an apartment just up from there.”
Vars frowned. “That five-story building?”
Erynn nodded. “Yes. You know it?” Heat cascaded over her face from vents angled in he
r direction. The scars across her cheek tingled. She touched them with her cool fingers, knowing they must be bright red from the cold.
Vars chuckled. “Yes. I do. And you don’t want to go there. It’s a crime scene. Tamaagra City Security is all over that place right now, you know. A girl was found in an upper apartment this morning, nearly dead from exposure and exhaustion. No one in the building knows who she is or where she came from, you know. They can’t find Vynn, the tenant of the apartment she was found in, either.” Vars chuckled. “Vynn’s always been a bit flawed, you know.” His smile faded and a frown grew. “He never hurt anyone, though. Not physically.”
Erynn bit at her lip. “A woman? Who?”
Nev stiffened. He muttered toward Erynn, “Ask him to take us there. Please. And hurry.”
Vars glanced sideways at Erynn, his brow wrinkled. “Really? Are you sure?”
Erynn frowned but nodded again. “Yes.”
“Whatever you want.” Vars maneuvered into the left lane, and in a series of turns on side alleys, he got the transport pointed in the correct direction and on the right street. Traffic slowed, crawling, stopping, and edging forward again. Vars kept up a constant dialog about his company’s latest bid being accepted. “I’m in charge of manufacturing a revolutionary component for a personal COM from E-Speak, you know. You’ve heard of them? I mean, who hasn’t. The new COM is half the size of current communications devices and capable of a much greater clarity and unlimited distance.” He grinned. “I have the prototype at my company now. They’re anxious to work with me, you know. If this goes well,” he glanced at Erynn, “and I’m sure it will, E-Speak will contract with my company to manufacture the parts. The favorable press will be advantageous to them as well.” He sighed and in a low voice added as an afterthought, “This could be my big break.”
“That’s good.” Erynn only partially listened to him. She was more intent on the scene before her.
Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies Page 15