by Pati Nagle
I tiptoed to the door to see what was going on. The visitor, a stocky Hispanic, had a wheelbarrow full of what looked like a couple dozen dead chickens. The smell made me gag. While Caeran was arguing with him about what to do with the dead birds, I wandered out onto the portal.
I moved away along the front of the house, looking at the early stars. All the defensive stuff we’d been doing since we’d come there drained out of my brain. All I was thinking was how pretty the sky was.
I stepped off the porch. That made me remember that I shouldn’t be outside.
The freeze got me before I could think about wanting help.
= 11 =
I kept walking, though I no longer wanted to, out into the field in front of Madóran‘s house. Caeran was still arguing with the chicken guy. His voice faded behind me. Tears slid down my face.
I got all the way to the fence by the road before I saw her. Just a silhouette, but I already knew it was her. She had taken no chances of being seen, the opposite of last night’s approach.
I struggled to resist, but the only result was that my walking became clumsier, zombie-like. She made me walk right up to the fence. She was standing outside it. She stared at me for what seemed like an hour.
The moon wasn’t up so I couldn’t see her face very well. I could feel what she thought about me, though, and it wasn’t pleasant.
Climb over.
I shivered at the touch of her thought. I didn’t want to obey; I struggled again to break free.
The freeze came back, only it was pain. I couldn’t move, couldn’t even close my eyes. Had to keep looking at her smug face.
Unless you want more, you will climb.
I climbed. I thought she was going to kill me right then but she marched me up the road in front of her, northward.
Not seeing her was worse. The back of my neck felt like a thousand ants were crawling on it.
I don’t know how long we walked, but by the time we turned off the road toward the mountains my feet were hurting. There was no fence this far from the village. Walking over the open ground was rougher and a couple of times I almost fell. No sympathy from the bitch.
I thought about Savhoran, how I wished I could say goodbye to him. Wished I’d picked up the damn condoms. Life was too short, and now mine was really too short.
I thought about his kisses. I didn’t care if the bitch heard. I hoped she did—hoped she knew how much more Savhoran would hate her for this. He would kill her, I knew it. I was just sorry I wouldn’t see it.
We reached the foothills and started climbing. My legs ached and she prodded me with a pain zap now and then. I wondered why she was bothering to go so far.
By that time I was so tired I stopped thinking about much besides putting one foot in front of the other. I kept my eyes on the ground to keep from tripping.
All I remember is a lot of pine trees, and climbing around rocks up the side of a canyon, and then a cave. We had to duck to go in. An uncomfortable place to die, but I was so tired I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted to sit down.
She let me do that while she stood at the cave’s entrance, watching for pursuit I guess. I leaned against the cave wall and closed my eyes.
Not much longer now. So long, Mom and Dad. So long, bro. Hope you all do better than me.
I woke with an aching butt and a crick in my neck. The little bit of sky I could see through the entrance was gray. I thought at first it was twilight, then remembered it had almost been dark when the alben caught me.
Fear flooded through me. I glanced sidelong back into the cave. She was there; I didn’t see her but I knew.
I was maybe five strides from the entrance. Too far. I’d never make it.
I sat watching the sky grow lighter, wondering why I wasn’t dead. Maybe she wasn’t hungry, was all I could think of.
She chuckled.
I squeezed my eyes shut and concentrated on white light. Tried to blank everything else out of my thoughts.
That is useless.
I flinched, hating the feel of her in my mind. I went limp, playing dead, hoping maybe if I was boring she’d ignore me. I couldn’t help the tears, but maybe if I held still she wouldn’t notice.
Something scraped back in the cave. Might have been just her foot, but the sound made me open my eyes. My gaze was drawn outside again, to the world I couldn’t get back to. It was getting brighter. The sun would rise soon.
A scrub jay flew past the cave’s entrance, then scolded from somewhere uphill. A minute later I heard a sliding sound, as if someone had taken a bad step. I didn’t hear any more footsteps, but a few seconds later the view was blocked by a man.
He was backlit so I couldn’t see who it was. I felt anger from the alben behind me.
The man spoke in ælven. I recognized his voice but couldn’t place it. Not Caeran, not Lomen…
He came in slowly, walking past me as if I didn’t exist. I caught a glimpse of white hair.
Great.
I looked after him into the cave, but couldn’t see because daylight had contracted my pupils. I kept my gaze away from the entrance, hoping my eyes would adjust.
I heard him sit down. The female said something in a snide tone. The guy answered more moderately. I got the impression he was trying to persuade her of something. She continued to be snotty.
After a while he got less patient. My heart beat faster as the volume increased. The air started prickling.
My eyes had adjusted enough that I could see them a little. Both were on their feet now. I was trying to see her face when a flash of light blinded me.
Shouting. Scuffling. I crawled toward the cave entrance, too blind to stand yet. There was another flash behind me and then I was out, free!
My legs were stiff and sore from the long hike in. I forced myself to scramble down the cliff to the bottom of the canyon. There was a stream bed with barely a trickle in it. I stumbled along that for a while. When I couldn’t go any farther I hid behind a boulder and took out my phone.
No bars. Too much mountain around me. I rested a little, listening for pursuit, but it was quiet. They’d risk sun damage if they came out.
When I’d caught my breath, I continued following the stream. I didn’t have a clear idea where I was, but it was probably north and west of Guadalupita. Eventually the stream should take me to the Mora River.
The ground got less steep and less rocky. The canyon widened out to a gentler valley, and the stream meandered back and forth across its bottom. I must have stepped over the water a dozen times.
I stopped to rest and try the phone again. This time I got a signal. I dialed Len, but Caeran answered.
“Manda! Where are you?”
“Um, not sure. In the foothills. I’m walking east, mostly. Following a creek.”
“We will come find you. Keep talking.”
Over the phone I heard an engine starting. He must have been in Len’s car. I chattered inanely about the ground in front of me, as if by describing it I could tell Caeran where I was. He said encouraging things now and then. I was grateful for that.
The adrenaline had worn off. I realized I was hungry and thirsty. I kept walking, phone in hand. I was out in the open and that worried me, but the sun beating down on me was reassuring.
I came to an apple orchard and stopped under a tree, grateful for the shade. The apples were still green or I’d have been all over them. I sat with my back against a tree trunk and called Caeran.
“I’m in an apple orchard.”
“Thank you. That is helpful.”
“Is Len with you?”
“She is back at the house.”
I closed my eyes. So tired.
“We have just come to an orchard. Wave your arms.”
“OK, but I’m at the back.”
I got to my feet and waved, phone on my shoulder.
“I see you. Wait there.”
I sat down again, relieved. Adventure over.
Now all I needed to do was make sure
the alben never found me again. Move to Montana, maybe.
In a couple of minutes, Caeran came running up. I stood up. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
“Forgive me. My inattention caused this.”
“Not your fault.”
He looked up at me with troubled eyes. I was too tired for an angsty discussion.
“Really, it’s OK. Let’s just go.”
He nodded, and before I could blink he scooped me up in his arms and started across the orchard. I was too tired and grateful to protest.
I saw Len’s car on the road outside the orchard’s fence. Lomen and Bironan were standing next to it. Caeran set me down by the driver door and handed me the keys.
“Can you drive?”
“Uh…”
“Wait here, then. If you feel up to it later, drive back to the hacienda. Savhoran is anxious to see you.”
Savhoran. I was suddenly glad it was daylight, or he’d be here looking for blood. So to speak.
“The alben is still in the mountains?” Caeran asked.
I nodded. “In a cave. The other alben is there too.”
Caeran’s eyes widened. “Pirian?”
“Yeah. They got into an argument. That’s how I got away.”
“Will you allow me to see what you saw of this place?”
“Um, sure I guess. What do I have to do?”
Caeran laid his hand on my shoulder. “Just remember.”
I could feel the tingle from his hand sinking into me. Felt good. I had to concentrate to bring up the memories. I didn’t remember the journey in to the cave very well, but I remembered getting out. I thought about it, and about the two alben in the cave, until Caeran let me go.
“Lock yourself in,” he said.
I did. I cracked the windows and watched the four of them run across the orchard. When I lost sight of them, I looked around.
Caeran had parked the car on a strip of grass alongside the road. I could see a house up ahead, and that was reassuring. If I felt scared I could drive there, maybe. I was still pretty shaky.
I closed my eyes and tried to relax. It was broad daylight, and there were now four ælven between me and the alben. I told myself I was safe. Didn’t believe it.
I dozed a little, but it wasn’t good sleep. I kept remembering the cave, and the awful hike that had taken me there. The alben’s creepy laugh.
My phone rang. I jumped so hard I would have hit the roof if I hadn’t buckled myself in out of habit. With shaking hands, I got it out. Len’s number.
“We need Madóran,” Caeran said. “Can you get the car back to the hacienda? Len can bring him here.”
I took a deep breath. “OK.”
“Thank you. I will call and let them know you are coming.”
I put the phone back in my pocket. Had to hunt for the keys; I’d had them in my hand, but must have dropped them when I was dozing. I found them in the footwell and managed to get the car key into the ignition.
The feel of the engine rumbling was actually reassuring. I still felt timid, but I managed to get the car pointed in the right direction with a K turn, and cruised back toward the hacienda.
I almost missed the turn. If it wasn’t for the big carved owl on the gatepost I would have. I turned up the driveway and rolled along to the house. They must have been waiting, because they came out before I’d shut off the engine.
Len came to the driver door and tried to open it. I unlocked it and got out. She grabbed me in a hug as soon as I stood.
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah. Just sore from walking, and kind of freaked out.”
She kissed my cheek. “Gotta go. We’ll talk later.”
Madóran was already in the passenger seat. Len hopped in and pulled away, leaving me standing outside.
Didn’t want to be outside.
I hurried into the house. Savhoran was waiting in the great room, and hugged me so hard I couldn’t breathe. For the first time since last night, I felt safe.
We sat on the couch and I told him what had happened. He looked so angry it scared me.
“Why did they need Madóran?” I asked, hoping to distract him. “Was someone hurt?”
“Pirian. They found him in the cave you described. The female was not there.”
“That means she went out in the sun!”
“She can bear it better than I,” he said grimly.
I hugged him. He held me and kissed me and I started to relax.
“Why did you go outside last night?” he asked.
“I think she made me. I didn’t realize it until it was too late. I’m not that stupid.”
Savhoran squeezed my hand. “She had control of the man with the chickens as well.”
“So he was the distraction.”
Savhoran nodded. “A clever one.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. So tired.
He stroked my hair. It felt good. I must have been a mess, but he didn’t seem to care.
My stomach growled. I sat up. “Hungry.”
We went to the kitchen. I went in first and drew the curtains over the windows.
Savhoran made me sit at the table and brought me food and drink—bread, cheese, water, milk, berries—until I told him to stop. When I wasn’t gobbling we talked about the alben. The hunting was still coming up blank, and he was annoyed that she’d gotten so close to the house without their noticing.
“We need a different strategy,” he said.
I nodded and swallowed a mouthful of bread. “Guns.”
He gave me a skeptical look. “Do you know how to use one?”
“Point and shoot. How hard can it be?”
“Do you know how we can get them?”
“Well, they cost a lot. And you have to get a license. Maybe a background check. OK, bad idea.”
He took my hands in his. “We will search tonight near that cave. She will still be recovering from sun poisoning.”
“Um. I’m not going to tell you not to kill her, but be careful, OK?”
He kissed me. “I will be careful, if only so that I can see you again.”
“You can see me all you want.”
We went back to the great room and cuddled on the couch. I fell asleep in his arms. Didn’t wake up until I heard the front door open.
I sat up, heart pounding. Savhoran’s hands soothed me. Madóran came in, followed by Caeran carrying someone wrapped up in a dark cloak. They hurried through to the far door that led to the portal by the treatment room. Len came in after them.
“Is that him?” I asked her.
“Yes. He’s in bad shape. Madóran wants me to help.”
“Where are the rest of the guys?”
“Looking for the female. If they can find where she’s hiding now, while she’s vulnerable…”
I glanced at Savhoran. He was frowning. He wanted to kill her himself.
Selfishly, I hoped they found her before nightfall.
Len headed for the treatment room. I settled back into Savhoran’s arms and dozed some more.
This time it was evening when I woke. I was lying on my bed, alone. I rolled over and looked at the clock: eight thirty. I sat up.
Really stupid, but I was scared to leave the room. I thought about calling someone on the phone, but jeez, how embarrassing!
Suck it up, Richards. Be an adult.
A shower would make me feel better. I got up and took some fresh clothes from my dresser, opened my door a crack and stared out at the plazuela for a long time until I was convinced no alben was hiding out there, then scurried to the bathroom. Yes, I locked the door.
Hot water does wonderful things for the soul. I scrubbed all over and washed my hair, then stood with the water running on the backs of my aching thighs. Got out, toweled off, and dressed. I’d forgotten a comb, so I ran my fingers through my hair.
Again, I opened the door cautiously. All was calm in the plazuela. I put my dirty clothes in my room, then made a dash for the door into the great room.
/> Deserted. What time was it? I’d left my phone in my room. I could hear Len telling me how stupid that was, and by the way where was my pepper spray?
Madóran didn’t have any clocks in the room. In fact, I didn’t remember seeing any clocks in the house.
I went through the entryway and along into the kitchen. No one there either, but there was a note on the counter and a plate covered with a cloth napkin. The note, from Madóran, said here was some cake for me, and there was roast chicken in the fridge if I needed a meal.
I ate the cake first. Life’s too short.
Good cake, too. Kind of a fruitcakey loaf, but much better than human-style fruitcake.
I didn’t need more food, but I wanted a drink, so I looked in the fridge and found some milk. Poured myself a big glass and sat at the table.
The curtains were still over the windows. I pushed them aside and looked out at the garden. Feeling trapped again, and kind of lonely.
There was a short little hallway west of the kitchen. It led to the utility room and storage rooms, with door at the far end. I’d never been through that door.
I finished my milk and washed my dishes, then went down the hall to the door and knocked. Madóran answered, and smiled.
“Feeling better?”
“Much. Thanks for the cake.”
The room behind him was gorgeous. Carved furniture—bed, nightstand, dresser, wardrobe—more ornate than anything else in the house. Blue bedspread with green and gold leaves all over it. Beautiful woven hangings on the walls. A chandelier of oil lamps filling the place with the scent of sandalwood.
“Would you like to come in?”
I woke up. “Sorry. It’s just so glorious.”
“Thank you.”
He gestured a welcome, so I stepped in and looked around. There were ornaments everywhere: blown glass globes, ceramic figures, candle holders. I could have spent hours just looking at everything.
I turned to Madóran. “Where is everyone?”
His smile faded. “Out hunting, except for Len.”
I swallowed. “So they didn’t find her.”
“No.”
“What about the alben guy?”
“He is resting.”
“Can I see him? I just want to thank him. I’m pretty sure he saved my bacon.”