Challa

by Linda Mooney

  “Where now? Yeah, yeah, I know where it is. Okay, thanks a bunch, George. No, no. We got it covered. Thanks for the offer, though. See you tomorrow. G’night.” Grinning, he closed the cell. “The sheriff over at Barkette County wired in that a traveling carnival just applied for a three-day permit over at Carter Straits. The sheriff there is going over to check them out.”

  “Is it the Lawson Hall carnival?” Tiron questioned.

  “Yeah,” he told his wife.

  Hannah glanced over at her husband. “How far is Carter Straits from here?”

  “A little more than an hour’s drive.” Jebaral checked his watch. “Should we take two vehicles?”

  DeGrassi nodded. “It would be the smart thing to do, in case we run into any trouble. When did Simon say they’d be here?”

  “Any time now,” Hannah replied. “Look. Why don’t I stay at the house and wait for them? You go on ahead and get Challa.”

  “It may be close to midnight before we get back,” Jebaral noted.

  Hannah smiled and leaned over the table for his kiss. “If you tell me not to wait up, I swear I’m gonna smack you one.”

  He laughed. “Fair enough. Smack me on the lips instead, and I’ll see you later tonight.” Hannah accepted her husband’s quick kiss as the others rose from the table.

  “We’re taking my truck and Roni’s SUV,” DeGrassi announced as they exited the house, pausing on the front porch.

  “You guys seem pretty sure Challa’s going to want to come back here with you,” Hannah said, following them outside where Jebaral handed her the keys to his truck. She leaned against the porch railing to watch them getting into the vehicles.

  “We don’t know what her circumstances are,” Tiron said. “At least we can let her know about us being here. But the important thing is to tell her about the chip in her arm, and help her get it removed. After that, she’s free to do what she wants with the rest of her life.” The Ruinos woman slammed the door and gave Hannah a little wave goodbye as DeGrassi pulled the SUV out of the driveway. Jebaral was right behind them, driving DeGrassi’s truck. He blew his wife a kiss, which Hannah returned, and she watched them until they disappeared in the distance. Once they were gone, she turned to go back into the DeGrassi residence to clean up the dinner dishes before going home.

  Chapter 29

  Death

  “She’s getting sicker, Lawson. I’m starting to get worried. Maybe we need to get a doctor to look at her.”

  “We don’t have the money to pay a doctor. Besides, it’s just a little food poisoning,” Lawson argued. “She’ll be right as rain tomorrow.”

  “I hope so. Poor thing. Look at her. What a trooper. She even managed to get her makeup on.”

  Challa floated between awake and asleep. Lawson and Cora stood somewhere nearby and talked about her unaware she could hear and understand them.

  “How’s the crowd tonight?” Cora inquired of the carnival owner.

  “Not bad. It should be better tomorrow night, especially if Challa can manage her act.”

  A hand touched her forehead. Challa kept her eyes closed, too dizzy and listless to make a comment, much less let them know she was awake.

  “How’s her temperature?”

  “I took it about an hour ago. It was eighty-nine point nine. I think the thermometer is broken.”

  “Has she thrown up again?” Lawson asked. Even without her sniffing, the odor of his worry filled her nostrils. The discovery was not surprising. It was sadder knowing Lawson wasn’t so much concerned about her health as he was concerned about her ability to work. He had told her long ago that she was the carnival’s salvation. That the only reason the show had survived this long and prospered was because of her, Challa the Alien Girl. If she didn’t perform, the profits were negligible. The sooner she could be up and on her feet and in her cage, the better it would be for the bottom line.

  Which was why Lawson would never let her go. It didn’t matter to him if she found her blood mate or not. She had been bought and paid for as surely as if the Arra had handled the transaction themselves.

  “Not that I know of,” Cora answered.

  The hand disappeared.

  “If she wakes up, come get me,” Lawson ordered. Shortly thereafter, the bus door squeaked open then slammed shut. Challa heard the rattling of cookware in the tiny kitchen area before she sank back into unconsciousness.

  * * * *

  They spotted the electric rainbow of multicolored lights as they crested the hill. Tiron phoned Jebaral, who had stayed behind them the entire way. “See it?” she asked as soon as he answered.

  “Yeah.”

  Not needing to say anything else, she hung up.

  DeGrassi glanced over at her. They had spoken little during the long drive to Carter Straits. They had spent the time in their own thoughts. For Tiron, that took her back to some memories she didn’t mind having.

  “You said Challa was a child on the ship?” DeGrassi asked.

  “Yes. Her mother was a friend of mine. Heela was with me when the Arra kidnapped us. Like me, the Arra forced her to mate with every Ruinos male, hoping to create a bonding. She was blessed when she and Doon bonded.”

  Tiron continued to stare out the windshield, although her mind was years in the past. “After they bonded, I never saw her again. The Arra took her and Doon to another part of the ship. I heard that the two of them succumbed to their torture and bore children for the Arra to sell or eat. I was…I lost track of them until Simolif brought all that was left of the surviving children onboard the escape craft, and I smelled Heela in Challa.”

  “You can tell which children belong to which parents?”

  She nodded. “If you know the parents, you can tell which is their child, yes. Challa reached her womanhood right before we landed here, so I wasn’t worried when I left the escape ship.”

  “Why?” DeGrassi asked, grinning. “What happens to Ruinos women when they reach adulthood, besides the obvious?” His eyes dropped to Tiron’s breasts, and she shivered slightly with delight. Lifting her human hand, she gave him an equally wide grin and morphed her fingers into Ruinos talons. Her mate nodded, understanding, and turned his attention back to the road.

  As they drew closer, DeGrassi began to look for a place to park that would enable them to make a quick getaway if the situation called for it.

  “They don’t have their rides up,” Tiron commented to her husband.

  “If they just got here today, they probably didn’t have enough time to get everything set up before nightfall. There’s a big tent,” he pointed out.

  He stopped parallel to a six-wheeler then backed up at a perpendicular angle into the parking space behind it, with the nose of the SUV pointing at the road. Jebaral followed suit. Once they got out of their vehicles, they gathered at the side of the road.

  Tiron took a deep breath of the sultry air. Beside her, Jebaral did the same.

  “Anything?” DeGrassi asked, watching them both intently.

  Tiron shook her head. “No, but I sense…something.” She looked over at Jebaral, who also nodded.

  “She has to be here, but something doesn’t feel right,” Jebaral commented. “Come on.”

  As they neared the carnival grounds, they could see where a few of the less elaborate rides had been erected and already had riders. Jebaral tapped DeGrassi on the shoulder and pointed toward the large banners hanging near the entrance to the main tent. One in particular bore a name and an image the two Ruinos were already familiar with.

  “Dearest stars in the heaven,” Tiron murmured. She didn’t try to hide the disgust in her voice.

  “Maybe she has no choice,” DeGrassi replied, giving her a meaningful look. “You know…trading one form of slavery for another?”

  Tiron flinched under his gaze. Setting her shoulders, she forged on ahead with the two men close behind her.

  They walked the perimeter of the carnival, trying to appear casual. As they neared the main tent, they could
hear the barker announcing that the sideshow would begin at eight thirty. Tiron stopped to assess. “I know she’s here. I can feel it. But I also feel like something’s…wrong.”

  Jebaral turned to look back at the way they’d come. “I get the same feelings, Tiron. But I…” He paused to wince. Tiron immediately jumped on his reaction.

  “But what? Do you recognize something?”

  He turned around to look at her. “I do. It’s the feeling of death.”

  “Death?” DeGrassi placed a hand at Tiron’s back. It was automatic. A gesture of love and protectiveness meant to reassure her.

  “Is she injured? Why don’t I recognize it?” Tiron asked feeling a bit irritated with herself.

  “Because of the way the Arra treated you, your focus was on your own survival,” Jebaral gently told her. “I’ve sensed this kind of death before, but it’s been years. And not since we landed here.” He took another deep sniff, as if to steady himself. “If this is what I think it is, we need to hurry and find her, before she is lost to us.”

  Tiron scanned the carnival midway, oblivious to the lights and sounds as she tried to hone in on the signals trickling into her. Almost simultaneously, she and Jebaral turned to face in the direction away from the grounds, toward the opposite end of the parking lot.

  “There. She’s over there,” Tiron stated, taking off with the other two flanking her.

  Chapter 30

  Family

  The other end of the parking lot looked like a used car lot for vans, RVs, old buses and trailers. Most of the vehicles were dark, but a few had interior lights on, visible behind curtained windows, meaning people were inside. Fortunately, the night helped to keep the trio from being seen, especially with the glare of the carnival behind them.

  Stopping behind one large RV, Tiron flinched at the overwhelming stench of gasoline fumes. “I’m losing her,” she said, looking over at Jebaral. “There are too many smells to sort out. They’re confusing me. How about you?”

  “I know what you mean. I think I have a stronger hold on her. I’m still getting something from over there. Follow me.”

  Jebaral took the lead and began weaving between the vehicles, letting his Ruinos instincts guide him. Tiron caught her husband checking out the license plates as they passed by. DeGrassi caught her inquisitive stare.

  “Just checking to see where they’re from, but this group looks like the parking lot at Disney World,” he whispered. “I don’t think I’ve seen the same state twice.”

  They paused again behind a converted silver and white bus. Jebaral lifted his face and sniffed at one of the windows. Looking at the other two, he smiled. “I think the term is ‘bongos’.”

  “Want me to go first? Flash my badge? Technically speaking, I don’t have any jurisdiction in this county, but hopefully they won’t know that,” DeGrassi said.

  Jebaral nodded, and he and Tiron watched as the big man squared his shoulders and walked around the front of the bus to the folding doors on the other side. Slowly, they crept around the back of the bus and waited from the back end.

  DeGrassi knocked on the door. Presently, a female voice inside asked, “Who is it?”

  “Deputy DeGrassi, ma’am.”

  The doors parted slightly, enough for her to see the official badge he flashed at her. Immediately, Tiron could smell the woman’s concern and distrust wafting from the doorway. It was understandable, since DeGrassi wasn’t in uniform.

  “What do you want? If you’re here to see Mr. Hall, he’s over at the sideshow.”

  “It’s not urgent, ma’am. I’m not on duty. I’m here with family and noticed that some of the vehicles had out-of-date inspection stickers. Just thought I’d give whoever was in charge a heads-up. Maybe save you a few dollars in violation fees.” DeGrassi flashed her his easy smile that always managed to charm the ladies. Tiron was well aware of how disarming the man could be when he turned it on.

  “She’s in there,” Jebaral’s voice was barely audible.

  She nodded. She was catching Challa’s scent, too, but it had a sharp, almost sour bite to it. The other scent she remembered too well. It was the scent of death, but it had a different tinge to it. It didn’t have the foul odor of blood clinging to it, but something darker and heavier. And filled with crushing sorrow.

  “Dearest heavens, it smells so…”

  “Sad,” Jebaral finished for her.

  She nodded, tears rising in her eyes.

  “That’s the smell of a bonded mate who’s lost her other self.”

  Tiron started. She believed Jebaral. Believed and trusted him as much as she did her own bond mate.

  There was the telltale squeak of the bus doors opening wider.

  “I’ll tell Mr. Hall to get in touch with the sheriff’s department as soon as he gets back. I appreciate you taking the time to point that out, Deputy,” the woman said. She started to say more when a low moan came from within the bus. Both the woman and DeGrassi froze. Jebaral and Tiron strained to see if they could hear more.

  “Is something wrong?” DeGrassi inquired in a more authoritative tone. “Can I offer help?”

  Another moan came from the bus. This time the word was clear.

  “D’eeom…”

  Jebaral and Tiron bolted from their hiding place and aimed for the bus doors. DeGrassi held them open as the woman gasped in surprise at the suddenness of the attack.

  “Don’t worry, ma’am,” DeGrassi tried to reassure her. “We’re family.”

  “F-family?”

  Tiron found her first. Falling on her knees, she reached over and gathered the young woman into her arms.

  “Challa. Challa? Challa, it’s me. Tiron. Challa.”

  Challa’s eyelids fluttered. “Gho ree…”

  “Aminsta, Challa. Pleevat Tiron. Challa.” Tiron glanced back at the woman. “How long has she been sick like this?”

  “She’s been feeling poorly ever since we left Cooper. Wha-what’s she saying?” the woman inquired.

  “She’s asking for help,” Jebaral curtly answered. He signaled Tiron to move back, then bent down and gathered the young Ruinos in his arms.

  The woman immediately protested. “Wait! Hold on! What do you think you’re doing? You can’t take her with you!”

  “She’s asking for help,” DeGrassi snapped. “And if she’s been sick this long, I’m surprised no one’s had enough compassion to take her to the hospital.” He moved aside to allow Jebaral to leave the bus with Tiron right behind him. DeGrassi took caboose.

  The woman watched helplessly as they rushed back to their own vehicles. “Where are you going?” she shouted, but no one paused long enough to answer her.

  Without waiting to be told, Tiron climbed into the passenger seat, and Jebaral laid the semiconscious young woman in her arms before going to the truck. DeGrassi slid behind the wheel and drove away from the carnival as quickly as possible. It wasn’t until they were nearly two miles away that DeGrassi spoke up.

  “Do I need to be looking for a hospital?”

  Tiron remained staring at the face of the woman lying in her arms. The smell of death was strong and unmistakable.

  “No. There’s nothing they can do to save her,” she answered.

  “Then why did we take her with us?”

  “So she can be with other Ruinos when she dies,” Tiron said, already feeling edges of pain that continued to eat away at the woman in her arms.

  “How much longer do you think she has?”

  Tiron gave a little shrug of one shoulder. “Not long.”

  “What if she never wakes up?” DeGrassi persisted gently. “How will she know she’s with other Ruinos if she never wakes up?”

  Tiron glanced over at him with tears in her eyes. “She already knows,” she told him. “Challa knows…and she’s grateful.”

  DeGrassi’s phone rang. It was Jebaral.

  “Any sign of consciousness?”

  “No, but Roni says she’s aware of where she is, and that sh
e’s with other Ruinos,” DeGrassi informed him.

  “Why don’t I take the lead?”

  “Good idea,” DeGrassi agreed, and hung up as they watched his truck come around to take point.

  Challa moved again in Tiron’s arms. She sighed, and slowly her eyes opened. Her face was clouded with confusion and pain. “Akee…” Where… The further she sank toward death, the more Challa gravitated back into her true self, including her native language.

  “It’s Tiron, Challa. You’re with me. Jebaral’s here, too. And Simolif.” Tiron spoke to her in their own tongue. “You’re safe. We’re with you.”

  Challa tried to take a deep breath, but failed. Her face convulsed. “V’git…alorr…” Why…dying…

  “I don’t understand, kolli,” Tiron murmured to her. “Why dying? Why are you dying? Because you lost your blood mate.”

  Challa opened her eyes again. This time, however, her confusion was more pronounced. It was as if she had a moment of clarity. “Compton’s dead?”

  Tiron frowned. She glanced up at DeGrassi, who returned an equally puzzled look.

  “What?” DeGrassi asked.

  “Compton is…dead?” Challa repeated. Tears rolled down the side of her face.

  Tiron hugged her closer. “Isn’t he?”

  “What is she saying, Roni?” DeGrassi spoke up again. “I thought you and Jeb said her blood mate was dead.”

  “I…” Tiron tried to answer him, and gave up, turning her attention back to the young woman in her arms. “Challa, is Compton your blood mate?”

  Challa struggled. Several more tears rolled over her pale cheeks. Her usually dark green Ruinos skin was now the color of old cabbage. “He…he can’t be.”

  “What do you mean, he can’t be?” Tiron gave her a little shake. “Stay with me, Challa. What do you mean, he can’t be? Did you make love to him?”

  “Yes.” The answer was a whisper.

  “Did you orgasm? Did he?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then he’s your blood mate,” Tiron told her. To her surprise, more pain filled Challa’s face and eyes.

  “Nooo.”