Chapter 24
VARS CIRCLED THE TRANSPORT AROUND the block, crunching through deep snow. No pedestrians hunched against the wind or rushed through stinging pellets of ice. Not one other vehicle moved on the vacant streets as the worst of the storm descended with the approach of evening.
Erynn stared up at the plain, square, ten-story building. Pale lights glowed from windows in a checked but unsymmetrical pattern behind a whirlwind of snowflakes. On the first level, a brighter radiance shone from under a wide covered portico. Along the outer edge of the cover, a lighted blue sign stated “Trent Medical.”
Vars bumped over a snow berm left by the street-clearing equipment, pulled along the sidewalk, and stopped. “So what’s the plan?”
Nev chuckled. “Plan? We don’t plan. We fly fast and low.”
Vars frowned. “Fly? Fast? Low? I don’t understand.”
Erynn sat between Vars and Nev. She held up both hands, one to each of them. “Wait. This time we need a plan. I don’t know anything about the workings of a Medical Unit.” She turned to Nev. “But you do. Maybe you should come up with a strategy for getting Kira out of there.”
“I was afraid of that.” Nev studied Erynn and shrugged one shoulder. “Kinda hoped you’d suggest the fast and low method. It’s worked so far.” He sighed and surveyed the well-lit building in front of them. “But you’re correct. This will require delicacy, discretion, and a fair amount of luck.”
Erynn followed Nev’s gaze and tipped her head. “Maybe I can make us a little luck.” She bit at her lip, brow wrinkling. “Would a power outage help—after we’ve located Kira?”
Nev’s eyes narrowed. “Not a good idea. Even with back up power, it may put patients in jeopardy. Besides, if Kira is on a higher level, the lifts won’t be operational. Not knowing her condition . . .” He slumped in his seat. “The camouflage trick you do may not work either in that case. Or the time thing, which we have to presume at this point may not work for me, and definitely not for Kira.”
Vars interrupted. “Camouflage? Time thing? You lost me, you know.”
Erynn ignored Vars and reached across Nev, opening the door and pushing him to get out. “Won’t know till we find Kira, if she’s even here.”
Nev scrambled outside, pulled his hood up, and shouted over a roaring gust, “I was wrong. Here we go—fast and low.”
“Vars, you stay in the transport. Keep it running in case we need to leave quickly.” Erynn dashed across the street, holding her hood tight to keep it from blowing off her head. The portico was just meters away.
Nev reached the sidewalk on the other side first and slowed, tugging Erynn to a stop. “We shouldn’t go through a main entrance, walk-in or emergency. Let’s find a side access.”
“Won’t they be locked?” Erynn called above the storm.
Nev glanced at Erynn, his expression grim. “Probably.” He continued up the sidewalk and around the building, turning onto a ramp for an underground employee parking structure.
Wind roared at the gloomy opening like the yawning maw of a giant creature. Snowflakes chased them until they were well inside the dimly lit interior. A lift and a stairwell door sat to the right at the end of the sloped and curved ramp. To the left, transports half filled the space. Another ramp continued on the far side to at least one additional lower level.
Erynn trotted to the access. “Stairs or lift?”
Nev’s gaze darted from one to the other. “What if they’re both locked?”
Erynn reached out, pressed the call button, and grumbled, “Just making an effort to stay positive.” A small gray screen above a keypad lit up, and in red, “ENTER ACCESS CODE” scrolled across. She sidestepped to the stairwell and hesitated a brief moment before grabbing the handle. The door rattled in the frame but didn’t open. “Maybe there’s access from the lower levels.”
“They’ll be locked.” Nev glanced around. “Give me a timnent.” He stared at the ground, arms crossed, biting a thumbnail.
Erynn tipped her head, watching him. She’d never seen this gesture before. More of his—Nev’s—individual habits lost in the Dhoran persona were starting to emerge. “Say that again.”
“What?” Nev dropped his arms to his sides and frowned. “I said the doors will be locked. Doesn’t matter what level.”
Erynn listened carefully to him. “Nev, listen to yourself. Your voice. It’s not . . . not Dhoran’s. It’s more . . . yours.”
Nev’s frown deepened. “I . . .” He looked down at the backs of his hands and then his palms, turning them over several times. “The scales are gone—just red patches. And no more claws.” He glanced at Erynn. “You’re right. I hadn’t noted the change in my voice, or appearance. Throat’s still a little raspy, raw feeling, though.” Nev swooped on Erynn, circling her waist and swinging her around. He dropped her just as suddenly. “This changes things.” He chuckled, the sound light and ringing. “No pun intended.” Nev turned back to the lift. “Maybe I can pull this off.”
“Pull what off?” Erynn stood next to Nev, watching him.
“Being a byan.” Nev entered a five-digit code and the lift doors opened.
Erynn scowled. “Why didn’t you do that in the first place?” She chided.
Nev gestured Erynn inside the lift. “Couldn’t take the chance. If we were stopped in a staff area and questioned . . . If I’d been questioned, looking and sounding like Dhoran, not Byan Nev . . . Well, this is one of those situations—who do we trust and how far—as loyal followers of Dhoran or just regular people? Anyway, I think we have a shot now.” He followed Erynn in, glanced at her, and smiled. “This is something I can do.”
Erynn stepped inside the lift. “How did you know the access code?”
“The codes are basic for medical staff. So no matter where you are, they pretty much have a common theme.” He leaned toward Erynn and whispered, “I guessed.” The doors closed and the lift jerked.
“Good guess.” A rapid rising sensation tickled Erynn’s stomach. “There’s no floor indicator.”
“It’ll stop on the staff hall.”
The lift lurched to a halt and opened onto a quiet hallway.
Nev pulled his hood back and strode into the corridor. He glanced at doors on either side as he passed—Staff Lounge, Women’s Dressing Room, Men’s Dressing Room—until he reached double doors at the end of the hall. “Follow my lead.” Nev tugged at the hem of his jacket, straightened, and pushed through the doors. He walked with purpose toward a central station, stopping at the tall counter.
Staff in blue jumpsuits hurried from rooms with open doors, entering the work station, depositing computer charts on a growing stack, and not acknowledging Nev’s or Erynn’s presence. A soft chime accompanied by a bright light on a room indicator board on the back wall caused a woman to roll her eyes. She picked up the chart she’d just set down and returned the way she’d come. “It’s going to be a long night.”
A young man standing at the rear of the small workspace chuckled and then looked over at Nev. “Can I help you?”
“Yes. I’m Byan Nev. I’m here to see Kira. I’ll be taking her—if she’s well enough to travel. Her . . . family wants her home.”
Erynn read the young man’s name over a pocket on his uniform top—Alac—as he stepped toward Nev.
“Kira?” Alac frowned and tapped at his keyscreen. His eyebrows lifted. “Oh. She’s on level eight.” He stared at Nev a long moment, head tipped, his hand hovering over the COM. “Why did they send you here?” Alac didn’t wait for an answer. He waved away the comment and picked up the stack of charts, sliding them into slots below the counter. “Never mind. I can guess. With all the admissions, we’re slammed. It always amazes me why people wait until the worst times to decide they need medical attention.”
A powerful gust rattled dark windows at the far end of the corridor.
Nev chuffed. “Some things never change.”
Alac came from around the counter, pointing back toward the staff area
. “Go right at the intersecting halls, through the double doors. A lift halfway down will take you to level eight. I’ll call and tell them you’re on your way.”
Nev nodded. “Thank you, Alac.”
A tech at the central station on level eight smiled and pointed when Nev, followed by Erynn, exited the lift. “Room 837, Byan.” She handed Nev the chart as he walked by, but when she glanced at Erynn, her smile faded.
Erynn leaned toward Nev when they were well away from the desk and whispered, “She recognized me.”
“Keep walking.” Nev stopped outside room 837. “You go in first.” His voice was low and hesitant.
Erynn took a step back. “What? Why me? Kira and I are not friends.”
“Kira will be more comfortable talking to you . . . especially if . . .” Nev sighed. “I want to know what her reaction will be to my presence. My walking in on her may cause a scene we couldn’t explain.”
Erynn raised her hands, her tone clearly annoyed. “You’re just telling me this now? What did you—Dhoran do to her?”
Nev shook his head. “Nothing. But I’m sure she knows I was . . . that Dhoran and I shared . . .” He grimaced. “Maybe I should talk with her first. I understand what she went through.” He stepped into the dimly lit room and eased over to the bed.
Erynn stayed behind Nev, in the shadowy background.
Kira turned from the window. Her dull gaze drifted from Nev to lock on Erynn. She pushed up in the bed, her eyes wide with sudden excitement. “Erynn?” A harsh rasp tainted her soft voice. A tear tracked down her cheek and she reached out.
Erynn hurried forward, taking Kira’s trembling hand.
Kira clutched at Erynn, sobbing and grabbing her leather jacket.
“It’s okay. We’re here for you.” Erynn put her arms around Kira, sitting beside her on the bed, just holding her while she cried.
Nev moved up under the pale light at the head of the bed, reading the chart.
Kira’s sobs subsided. “It was terrible, Erynn. My weakness, everything about me disgusted him. He wanted to kill me. But that wasn’t the worst. He . . . It . . . He . . .” She coughed back a retching sound.
Erynn smoothed Kira’s blonde hair. “It’s all over now. We’ll take you home. How do you feel? Can you walk?”
“I can go home? Back to the base?” Kira sucked in a deep breath. Determination filled her expression and her voice. “Yes. I can walk. I want out of here.” She acknowledged Nev, standing next to her. “Byan? I thought someone might come, but not you and Erynn. I’m so glad you did.”
Nev looked up from the chart. “We won’t be returning to the base, Kira. There are some things you need to know. It’s not safe there for us anymore.”
Kira frowned, her focus vague. “Yeah. I remember. I heard its—his thoughts . . .” Her eyes widened again. “General Gaden’s involved.”
“We know—”
“You have to stop them.” Kira’s attention darted to Erynn. “What they’re planning—” Her breath hitched. “He wants you, Erynn, to . . . to . . .” Her jaw tightened. “You can’t let him.”
Erynn inhaled. “Trust me. I do not intend to let him.”
Nev dashed to the small closet and grabbed Kira’s clothes. “We have to hurry, Kira. Do you need Erynn to help you dress?”
“No. But I don’t want you to leave me Erynn, or you Byan. Please.” Kira held tight to Erynn’s hand and didn’t let go.
“I’ll stay right here.” Erynn patted the bed. “Do you think you could get me a few moments on a COM, Nev?”
Nev stared out the window, chewing his thumbnail, giving Kira some privacy. His frown reflected in the dark glass. “I’m still working on getting us out of here and finding the antidote we need. But I see your reasoning. If there’s a COM powerful enough to reach Glaskra, this place would have one.” He tipped his head. “What about you going solo long enough to access a COM and make a connection with Aven? Kira and I will wait here for you.”
Kira pulled on her boots and slipped into her coat. A blush had returned to her pale cheeks, and her blue eyes shone with enthusiasm. “Why don’t you try my room COM?”
Nev’s brow furrowed. “No. Contact by a room COM will go through a central operator. If you don’t want everyone to know where you are and who you’re calling, we’ll have to find another way. Besides, I don’t believe the room COM is powerful enough.” He turned from the window. “I think you should, ummm, use your, ummm . . .” He glanced at Kira. “Well, you know.”
Erynn shook her head and smiled. “I know what to do, Nev. Where do I go?”
“Offices. On the first floor.” Nev waved a hand. “No. Wait. The Emergency Unit.” He grimaced. “The central station COM.”
Erynn stood up and walked toward the closed door to the hall, envisioning the Chamelaren. “Stay here.” A tingling sensation began in her fingers, and the familiar pop sounded in her ears. By the time she reached the corridor outside the lift, she was invisible. This fact confirmed by the total lack of interest in her quiet rush down the hall by staff and patients. She hurried to the stairwell at the end of the hallway, opened the heavy door, and trotted down the stairs to the first level.
Alac was correct—the Emergency Unit was full—mostly due to falls on icy walkways and complaints of varied illnesses people had suffered with for days before deciding to get treatment. Erynn stayed close to the wall and followed a gurney through automatic doors. The central station buzzed with activity. Byans talked with techs who then transferred information to patients anxious to get home and out of the storm. Erynn stood, watching and waiting for a break in the commotion to allow her an unguarded moment to snag a COM. “Then I’ll need to find someplace private to contact Aven,” she muttered, glancing around the busy space. “Sure. That’s gonna happen.”
An older woman with short gray hair strode to the station, her attention on a chart. She removed a COM from around her ear and placed it on the edge of the countertop.
The flow of techs in front of the station slowed. This appeared her best chance. Erynn lunged for the COM. She stuffed it in her pocket and turned, nearly bumping into a young man, his arm wrapped in a thick bandage. Erynn froze, not daring to breathe.
The young man frowned, stopped, and searched the immediate area. For a moment, he stared directly into Erynn’s eyes.
A tech appeared from an open door to a wide room with several beds, all of them full. He took the young man’s uninjured arm. “Come on. You can sit on a stool while I check you out.”
“Huh? Oh yeah. My arm.” He frowned. “Thought I saw . . . Hmmm. Maybe I lost more blood than I thought.” The young man turned his attention to the tech and grinned awkwardly. “Cut it chopping ice off my transport with a knife. Kinda stupid.” He followed the tech, staring back at the station.
Erynn let out her held breath as he disappeared around the corner. She rushed back to the wall, flattening herself against it. She edged to a closed door on her right and peeked in the small cutout window. The tiny room held one bed occupied with an elderly man. He appeared to be asleep. Erynn opened the door just enough to slip inside. She closed the door, tiptoed to the corner as far away from the sleeping man as possible, and sat cross-legged on the cold floor.
He snorted, his snores increasing in pitch and volume before settling back into a muffled rhythm.
Erynn clipped the COM around her ear and whispered, “A W 24 78 6.” The connection clicked, buzzed, and clicked.
“Yes.” Aven’s tone was harsh and low.
“Aven?” Erynn whispered.
“Erynn!” Aven shouted. His breath rushed from him in a whoosh. “Where are you? Speak up. I can’t hear you.”
“I can’t speak up, Aven. Just listen. We have to get to Jaer. Nev knows the poison Dhoran used on him. We’ll try to get the antidote—bring it with us—”
“Dhoran? The poison? You know?” Aven interrupted. “Erynn, what’s the poison? What’s the antidote? What is it?”
Erynn wiped tears
, clearing her vision. “Nathnimrai. The poison was Nathnimrai,” Erynn whispered as loud as she dared. “Aven. Help Jaer. We’re still in Tamaagra—stuck til we find a way out. It’s not good. Authorities have picked us up once already. If it wasn’t for the Anbas you sent to the city, we’d still be in custody. Next time we may not be so lucky. I need help.”
Footsteps, loud voices, and shuffling sounded from Aven’s end. He spoke to those there with him. He must have put her on speaker. “Shhh. Be quiet. Cale, are you familiar with Nathnimrai?”
“Cale? Cale’s with you?” Erynn’s voice wavered. She bit at her lower lip. “Does he know about the poison Nathnimrai? Ask Byan Skye. She’ll help Jaer. And Aven, we need transportation. Will you ask Cale?”
Aven’s voice returned less muffled, “I will, but wait. Listen to me. This is important. I sent no Anbas to Tamaagra, Erynn. And Roni didn’t authorize any meeting with the authorities, either.” Aven’s tone hardened. “I’m not sure I like the sound of this. With Jaer still alive, no new Fayn has been appointed. This lack of leadership leaves us vulnerable. Please, Erynn, watch your back.”
The voices in the background grew louder, more insistent. Erynn thought she heard Cace.
Aven divided his attention between those in the room with him and Erynn. “Okay. I will. Now let me tell her.” He returned to Erynn. “Don’t go back to the base. Do you hear me?”
“I know. You’re in Glaskra—halfway around Arranon.” Erynn’s voice cracked, and she took in a deep breath to gain control. Just knowing how far away they were twisted her gut and made her feel that much more alone.
“Hang on, Erynn. We’ll get you to Glaskra.” His voice tinged with anger, Aven continued, “Shan got her way. I couldn’t stop her. Jaer’s here, at home.” He sighed. “We’re running out of time. I don’t trust Shan not to hurry Jaer’s death. Her part as the grieving widow suits her.”
“You have the answer to help Jaer now. Tell Byan Skye. And get us to Glaskra. Protect him until I’m there.” Erynn’s voice took on a cutting edge. “I’ll deal with Shan.”
Aven chuckled, the sound menacing, not humorous. “I have no doubt.”
Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies Page 21