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True Fate

Page 28

by Varadeaux, Shayna


  A faint orange glow encased her wrist and his as well. Her old bond and promise marks seeped into her skin and the new marks of her and Darragh’s bond wound beautifully around her wrist and up her arm higher than any of the others.

  Darragh stared at their matching marks and beamed with pride. "I will never hurt you again, I swear it." he said through the lump in his throat.

  "I know. I love you Darragh Brun. I always have and I always will.” Savannah said softly caressing his cheek.

  Smiling at each other, "So be it.", they stated in unison, watching as the slits on their palms slowly closed.

  Their marks faded to a light coal color and she hugged him tightly. "We will figure this out, I promise.” she assured him.

  "Together.", he said quietly holding her like she might dissolve any second.

  ###

  Avery was getting tired fast and knowing they would soon leave and drive without stopping, she was determined to get some sleep and enjoy the comfort of a bed. Eric was almost finished briefing Isabel and he stretched.

  "I'll be going to my room now. Thanks for letting us use your room Avery.” he said with a smile. 'Sorry Ave, I got to go. She has to room with you. We'll figure it out a little better tomorrow.’ Eric sent through the bond.

  Avery nodded. "Oh sure, don't forget this stuff.” She said motioning to his duffle.

  "Oh, thanks.” he said hoping Isabel wouldn't realize it was his belongings and not equipment. 'I love you.’ Avery sent back in a pouty voice. And with that Eric was gone.

  Avery sighed, "You can take that bed. We leave early in the morning.” Isabel nodded.

  "Thanks Avery.” she said and went into the bathroom to change. She summoned her pajamas from thin air and got changed. When she came out the room was dark.

  'Guess it's off to dreamland.’ she thought with a smile. She got comfortable in the bed Avery had told her that she could sleep in and she quickly went into a dream to spend precious time with Brennan.

  Chapter 18

  Nia heard blood curdling screams and she could hear Aaron's voice calling her name but it sounded muffled. Her pulse was beating at a thousand decibels, pounding her head like a jackhammer. She woke abruptly her eyes fluttering, being shaken like a rag doll. She blinked away tears she didn't even know were there and the room was spinning in and out of focus.

  "Stay with me Nia!” the voice commanded. Aaron's face came into focus slowly. He was as pale as the white sheet and tears stained his beautiful face.

  "Nia, thank God!” he said breathlessly.

  "What happened?” she screeched out. Her throat felt really scratchy and raw, she coughed. She began to feel a hot sting accompanied by a burning pain somewhere on her body.

  Aaron had been applying pressure to her arm and she had just realized it. "I don't know. I woke up to you screaming and crying. Then I noticed the blood.” he choked out.

  A frantic knock sounded on the door as fast as hummingbird wings. A muffled voice came through,

  "Open the door!” Eric commanded.

  "Put your hand here Nia and hold it tight.” Aaron instructed.

  She placed her hand on the reddening towel and pressed as hard as she could. The pain and pressure quickly took over making her stomach lurch. Nia summoned her composure, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, nodding for Aaron to open the door.

  As soon as the door budged Eric came barreling through, immediately going to a bag in Nia's room and pulling out a first aid kit.

  Aaron rushed back to Nia's side in a flash and took the soaked towel she had used away from her arm and placed a clean one underneath her injured appendage.

  "Go to Darragh's room and get more towels don't bother Avery's room.” Eric barked at Aaron.

  Nia's open wound was starting to go numb but it scared Nia more than it relieved her.

  Aaron moved without question and headed for the door giving Nia one last glance before he exited.

  Pulling a clear bottle from the kit Eric uncapped it as Nia watched her blood fill the wound and spill out onto the white towel. "This is going to be cold and it's going to sting.” he informed her just a second before he doused her wound with the clear, thick, liquid.

  He irrigated the gash while Nia gritted her teeth.

  Darragh and Savannah came through the door quickly with towels and a small bag. Aaron locked the door behind them.

  Nia was feeling woozy like she could pass out seeing her own blood, but she really didn't want to.

  Eric opened a packet and sprinkled the contents over her wound. She felt a low hum reverberate through her as Eric gritted his teeth. Feeling a mild sting she gasped and then she felt nothing else for the moment.

  "I can filter out a little pain at a time.” he explained grimacing.

  Nia's eyes wouldn't cooperate going in and out of focus. She saw a glimpse of Savannah using hand sanitizer and coming closer to her.

  Eric moved aside and she placed her hand just above the wound. Nia sat up a little bit and saw an open deep red gash that was still losing blood at a pretty rapid pace.

  "Losing too much.....” she barely made Eric's voice out as her heart beat took over her hearing. But why was it pounding so loudly? Nia thought.

  "The artery...” was all she could make out after that from the female voice she was sure was Savannah.

  Eric looked at Aaron and they both nodded. Aaron disappeared from her view and she slowly began to panic. Trying to form his name on her lips she realized that she wasn't going to be speaking right now.

  Savannah put on gloves and reached for the small bag. Taking a syringe out she leaned close to Nia's ear, "This is going to sting, but we have to put you under at least a little, it's safer, the pain is too great. You will still be awake, just numb, don't worry.” she moved back a little and shined a light into Nia's unfocused eyes.

  She nodded then lifted the syringe and flicked it bringing it to Nia's arm and then there was a burning pinch right above the intense throbbing.

  Aaron grasped her right hand and gave it a small squeeze, 'I'm right here, Baby.’ he sent through the bond. Nia steeled herself with the comfort Aaron was sending her way. She was glad for the intrusion, she was on the verge of passing out.

  Nia didn't want to lose consciousness for fear of not waking again, at least not until she found out what the heck happened. Her heart rate steadied and the pain subsided slowly but surely. Risking a glance at her arm she was shocked to see a small metal clamp sticking out of one side of the wound. There were bloody hemostats in Savannah's hand and sutures at the ready.

  "Don't look Nia.” Eric pleaded. "What happened?” he asked looking her over.

  "I don't know.” Nia croaked breathing heavily.

  Aaron spoke up then, "I woke up and she was screaming and crying. My hand touched a warm liquid and that's when I saw the blood. I had a really hard time getting her to wake up. I just started applying pressure.” he told Eric.

  'What the heck?’ Nia thought.

  "I have to fish out other end of the artery then I can reattach it. After that we'll close it up and start you healing.” Savannah said looking confidently into Nia's eyes.

  "Have you done this before?” Aaron asked.

  "A time or two.” she said exchanging a knowing glance with Darragh. Aaron sighed and Eric got up and paced. 'I can help you find out what happened Nia, if someone is suppressing your dream, I can help you unlock it. Don't answer now just think about it.' Savannah's voice said infiltrating her cloudy mind. Nia nodded a nearly imperceptible nod at Savannah.

  She would definitely think about it. If there was no other way to find out, but she would ask Avery if she thought it was a good idea.

  Aaron was mortified watching Savannah dig into Nia's arm searching out the pulsing artery. If she didn't find it soon they may have to go to the hospital. Savannah kept taking a deep breath and hovering her hand over where she was digging like she was taking x-rays. Irrigating when the blood pooled too much.

  Aa
ron felt Nia's pulse and began to worry, her breaths were ragged, and her eyes kept fluttering. She was twitching and her fingers were beginning to turn blue. Just in time Savannah clamped the artery, grabbed the stitches and began to close the tiny vessel back together.

  Hovering her hand over the wound once she had clipped the end of the suture and wiped her hands on a wet towel Darragh handed her. He scooped up the blood soaked towels in a hotel laundry bag and placed it by the door.

  Savannah was definitely finished with the artery, Nia could tell. For one by the heavy sigh that escaped from Aaron. 'She stopped the bleeding.’ he sent Nia along with comfort and strength. And two by the diminishing pounding in her body.

  Savannah smiled at Nia and turned to Eric. "Now for the interesting part. Has she ever been healed before?” Savannah asked.

  "No not really, but she is a fast healer. I assume her affinities have something to do with that.”

  "Yeah I'm pretty sure it has something to do with that. I'll teach her how to do it too.” she explained catching Nia's eyes.

  "Aaron, we should go for a walk, burn those towels and get some ice. She's going to need it anyway.” Eric told him.

  Aaron looked at Nia and she smiled at him reassuringly, "I'll be right back okay, just reach out and I'll come running.” he told her leaning down to kiss her forehead.

  "Okay," Nia whispered, she felt so weak the effort to get the words out was taxing. Eric gave her a smile behind him and they both headed for the door. Aaron turned to give an odd look to Darragh. Eric grabbed the bag and they closed the door behind them.

  "Sorry man but they both need to focus for this to work. Plus we don't know how powerful Nia is really. It's safer for you this way. At least until we figure out what you have in the way of abilities.” he told Aaron matter of factly.

  Aaron nodded he couldn't say much after what he'd just seen. Nia's screaming cries echoed through his mind sending shivers down his spine.

  "Eric. I had a hard time waking up myself.” Aaron said swallowing a lump in his throat. "I heard her cries and struggled to pull myself to consciousness. I was stuck in a black void and every part of me felt heavy, but I had to get to her! It was really weird.” he confided.

  Eric took a deep breath, "We’ll figure it out man. I'm positive. Me and Darragh will reinforce the glamour ourselves.” he tried to say it as reassuringly as possible, but you could hear the worry coming through.

  Savannah laid out fresh towels covering the sticky puddle that was under Nia's arm. "Nia close your eyes and relax completely. Your heart rate is weak but getting closer to normal and your vitals are good considering. Now, I need you to take a few deep relaxing breaths good thoughts in, bad thoughts out.” she added.

  "Okay, once you are centered let me know by squeezing my hand.” Savannah said softly in a monotone voice. Nia took a deep breath and then another halting her racing mind. All she could hear were their breaths echoing each other. Darragh nearly startled her when he spoke up, "Just like we practiced Nia.” he told her.

  Nia called on her strength and a peace engulfed her. "Open your eyes and stay calm. Now think about water and how soothing it can be. The smell of rain and the cooling sensation it brings.” she cooed. Nia was doing as she was told eager to get this over with. She swore she could smell rain and feel a light buzz in her senses. "Okay hang onto that water, that buzz.” she instructed and Nia nodded infinitesimally.

  "Great, now I need you to imagine a cool breeze wafting through a fragrant flower. Take a deep breath.” Savannah coached.

  A giggle escaped Nia's lips and she swore she could smell her mother's gardenias. She relaxed further. "Now imagine you are trapping the water you smell and the fragrant air in a bubble. Good, now encase them fully with it. Bring the bubble to your arm, make it smaller, smaller.” Savannah coached again.

  Nia couldn't believe her eyes but she had no doubts she was seeing a small bubble filled with a swirl of water and air. She smiled as the instruction kept coming from Savannah. "Make the bubble slightly bigger than your wound. Now press it into the wound like you are see through.” Nia gasped in surprise as warmth filled her wound and the bubble disappeared in her skin. "Great! Now I'm going to bring the skin together gently and I'm going to place my hand over it. You put your hand on mine.” Savannah said impressed at Nia's quick learning. "I'm going to let you into my mind, no fair poking around.” she warned in a sarcastic tone, "Just watch and learn.” Savannah closed her eyes. The scent of fresh cut grass filled the room along with the rich smell of freshly turned dirt. There was a hint of what smelled like citrus too.

  Nia could see her skin on the edges where the wound was visible practically sticking together like there were magnets there. Savannah moved her hands to hover above the wound that was just open a centimeter now. Nia smelled the unmistakable smell of fire, smoky and sweet. Her skin heated up as well as her hand and she watched in awe as her skin melted together and formed a pink puffy line where it was open just moments ago.

  Nia placed her hand on the bed and Savannah reached in her bag and pulled out a small tin, "This is a salve, it's homemade, so it's the good stuff! You'll have to put it on twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night, it will get rid of the scar in a few days.” she said handing it to Nia, after putting a small amount on her finger and rubbing it over the tender scar.

  Savannah stood and started putting the things back in her bag. "I meant what I said earlier, just think about it and let me know.” she told Nia with a smile.

  Darragh smiled at her. "Feel better Nia, we will figure out what happened. Here.” he said handing her a small bottle about the size of cough syrup.

  Nia looked at him questioningly. “You lost a lot of blood, drink this over the next thirty minutes. It will help to replenish your blood supply quicker. You have a few more hours in this comfy bed and then you can sleep in the car. In the meantime Eric and I have a glamour to work out.” he said heading for the door.

  "Thank you Darragh.” she told him with a smile. Aaron and Eric came in as Savannah and Darragh were leaving. "She's okay guys, she's going to be sore though. We'll see you in a few.” Savannah said as Darragh tried reassuring Nia's worried guardians with a pat on their shoulders.

  Aaron came to her side and sat on the bed, the relief evident on his face. He was looking at the puffy pink line where she had been wounded. Nia was so touched by his red rimmed eyes, she has no idea what she would do if it were him that was wounded. "Wow." he whispered almost reverently.

  "Yeah she really is the best, that's just one reason why Lilith is not too fond of her.", Eric said laughing with the relief clear in his voice.

  "Okay, we can talk later. Y'all try to sleep some or at least relax. I'll call when you need to get up.", Eric said. Nia nodded and he headed for the door closing it behind him softly. She smiled as warmly as she could, all things considered.

  "That scared the heck out of me. I thought I was going to lose you.” Aaron said with a lump in his throat. Nia wanted to get up, sitting carefully first, wincing as she applied a small amount of pressure on her recently healed arm. Deciding quickly that wasn't a good idea she simply scooted to the edge, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She got up slowly and headed for the bathroom at a snail’s pace as Aaron walked at her side to steady her, just in case.

  Nia was too afraid to see how much of her blood was on the bed so she didn't look at it. She looked herself over in the mirror and decided a quick shower was in order. She had blood in her hair and on her cheek. Her arm and her p.j.'s were covered too.

  Aaron stood in the doorway, "Let's get you cleaned up.", he suggested. Nia just nodded. He came and stood directly in front of her and caressed her cheek, "That really was scary, the thought of losing you was horrible Nia.” he whispered.

  "Yeah.", was all she could manage this close to him. Nia placed her hands on the rim of her t-shirt and lifted it over her head. Her tank top was stained on the same side that her wound had been on.


  She sighed, "That was my favorite t-shirt." She said looking at her oversized Planet Hollywood shirt sitting by the trash can. It was her last great vacation with the whole family. That trip to San Antonio was still one of her favorite memories.

  "It's black, we can wash it out.” Aaron said throwing it in the sink. She smiled at him and nodded happily.

  "Good idea.” she said planting a small quick kiss directly on his lips. His eyes went wide, she guessed he wasn't expecting that.

  "Do you need help or do you want me to leave?” he asked sounding a bit embarrassed. “I think I got it, but I need something to put on if you can get that for me." Nia said as she turned on the shower. Aaron nodded and left the bathroom and returned quickly. She took the clothes and gave him a warm smile.

 

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