The Moon Child's Wish

by Candy Nicks

  "You're a wonderful woman, Carine. I don't need the Bonding to see that. You're generous and sweet and kind. And you've given enough. I'll find a way to get you out too. All you have to do is trust me."

  "Brynn's badly hurt. Because of me. I can't go until I know he's out of danger."

  "He's a grown man who knew what he was doing. Are you in love with him?"

  Carine wriggled from his embrace and moved to the window. “No, but I care for him. He was in such pain. I can't leave him to die."

  "You've seen him?"

  "Yes, I've seen him. He needs a medic, and I can get him one."

  "By doing what?"

  Ancel crossed his arms to stop himself striding across the room and shaking her. Before this, his claim to her was so much more clear-cut. They were Bonded and even if he'd lost the fight with Brynn, he'd have still thought of Carine as his own. Now there were choices. They were free to love with their hearts, not because of some magic beyond their control. The thought sent a spiral of panic through him.

  Rock, Brynn—he'd looked on them as mere irritations. Like flies that buzzed around his head until he swatted them dead. Now he had to entertain the possibility that one of them might be a serious contender for the affections of this waif of a Moon-Child currently giving him her stubborn back. Time had not reset entirely. He still had feelings for her that went beyond lust.

  Don't push her. That much he'd learned. The more he pushed her, the more entrenched she became.

  "You'd prefer to stay here with him?"

  "I have no choice. I've helped you. Now I must help Brynn."

  "You have a martyr complex, do you know that?” No point in pushing it further. He had thoughts to sort out. Feelings to sift through. Some real, some left over from the Bonding. Time would tell whether this yearning to run to her and never let her go was nothing more than the last threads of magic untangling themselves in his mind. Distance would give perspective. Let him see the whole picture. In two, maybe three cycles of the sun, he might come to know what this clenching of the heart meant. If he still felt it as strongly then, he would court her. With his judgement so clouded by what had gone before, now was not the time.

  He threw himself onto the bed, holding up the metal strip that would give him his freedom. Twirling it before his eyes. Such a little thing. How big a price had she paid for it? One day she might tell him. When they were free and far from here, in a place where he could love her as she deserved. Carine remained at the window, trapped in the prison of her thoughts, eventually turning and moving silently to the bathing-room. Ancel remained in place, pondering the risks of taking her over the perimeter while still wearing the slave bracelet. They'd been told the charge could kill, but he suspected that was an exaggeration to ensure their compliance. He knew of at least one slave who'd suffered no more than a few days’ immobility after attempting to escape. There was a good chance Carine would survive it. A small chance she wouldn't. And it was the hardest decision he would ever have to make.

  * * * *

  Goddess, revoke the absolution. I beg you. Let me hold these sins for one cycle of the first moon, no more. Enough to allow Ancel to escape from the City. Then I beg you to allow me to give them back. Let me give them back.

  Carine closed her eyes and listened with all of her heart and mind. Nothing. She tried again. The Goddess was all-merciful. Surely she would see her sacrifice and intervene? She couldn't mean to punish her abuse of the Bonding with eternal damnation.

  I did wrong, Mother of all things. And I have done all I can to put it right. Please do not condemn me to the Pit. You made the Children of the Moon survivors. I honour that and thank you for it. These sins are too much to bear.

  The Goddess had abandoned her. Carine had prayed daily to her, during her capture, during her time at the O, to no avail. It was said that true communion with the Goddess came only at times of greatest need. Carine couldn't imagine a time of more need than this, and yet still nothing.

  Rising from her knees, she leaned against the bathing-room sink and gathered her scattered thoughts. She'd known the risks and had believed herself capable of taking the dreadful consequences. But the reality was too terrifying. Vin's sins weighed her down and every single one mocked her and told her in no uncertain terms where she would go when she died. Her only comfort was that she did this for Ancel.

  You are strong, Carine. You will bear this.

  "Goddess?” Carine spoke aloud, glancing around for the source of the sound. Was it in her head?

  You bear this willingly?

  Did she? No, not willingly. Despite Ancel's words, she was no martyr. She did what was needed. Not what she wanted.

  "It would not be my first choice, Mother of all things."

  And what would be your first choice?

  "You must already know that, Mother."

  She'd only ever felt the Goddess smile once before. The sun paled in comparison to the radiance and heat of the Mother of all things. “Thank you,” Carine said, comforted. “With your grace, I will bear this."

  You love this Eagle Warrior?

  "As I do my very life, Mother."

  Your love honours us. Be with him while you can and accept your fate. Go in peace, child.

  Carine bit back the disappointment. The Goddess had spoken. This was her fate. Acceptance her only path. “Yes, Mother. Thank you.” She turned for the door, heavy of heart.

  Only true acceptance will bring true freedom. Remember that, child.

  Carine stopped. Yes. If she couldn't accept this, then why had she done it? There was no sacrifice in knowing that the spell would be revoked. She fell to her knees, only now understanding what would be required of her, and embracing it with all her heart.

  "Thank you, Mother. For opening my eyes. Thank you. I will not carry this burden with a smile. But I will carry it."

  She opened the door. Ancel was still where she'd left him, lying on the bed, boots and all. One arm thrown across his eyes. The severing of the Bonding hadn't exactly gone according to plan. They'd both remembered too much of their time spent together, in this room, for them to go on as they were. He should hate her, as he did before the Bonding, but she knew he didn't. She gazed fondly at him. A man well worth the price of her soul.

  Kneel, my child.

  "Goddess?” Carine fell instinctively to her knees. Never before had she communed so deeply with the Source of all love.

  You were prepared to accept eternal damnation for this man?

  "I am.” No doubt remained.

  Then you have proved yourself more than worthy. I will grant your boon. Within one cycle of the first moon, the absolution will be revoked.

  Ancel found her kneeling in place, locked in such fervent prayer that he could hardly lift her from the spot. When he eventually managed to drag her to the bed, she lay, still stiff, hands clasped, chanting the same words over and over.

  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

  * * * *

  The rhythm of life was a song which changed with the seasons. The long winter was a time of rest and contemplation. Of sitting by the hearth and listening to the glorious tales of his ancestors. Of long lazy mornings spent in the comfort of his feather-filled bed. Spring was an awakening. And now summer, the time of plenty, was in full flow with its endless days and swollen melt-water streams tumbling down the mountains. The Tournaments where men could show off their prowess and the ladies their beauty. Soon, the long days would shorten and autumn, the time of gathering and preparation would be upon them. The first scattering of snow would signal the cycle come full circle, and so it went, generation after generation.

  Ancel yearned with every cell in his body to return once more, to that life. Here in this climate-controlled hell, the sun never shone, he never felt the wind in his face or the rain in his hair. He would make a new life, in the Settlements, with this woman at his side and together they would raise children and grow old and watch the seasons pass.

  Wasting time. He chastised hims
elf. Fantasising about things that might never be. If only he could be sure she'd survive the perimeter charge.

  Neither of them were called to perform. Carine flitted nervously about, watching the door, avoiding his gaze and any attempt he made to communicate with her. The charge was designed to disable, not kill. He repeated the affirmation in his mind. If any doubts remained, he would falter when he most needed to be strong. When their evening meal arrived, Ancel listened for the tell-tale clunks of the locks closing. Nothing. Vin appeared to be keeping to his end of whatever bargain he'd struck with Carine.

  They ate in tense silence, punctuated only by the sound of the dogs barking on their leashes and the click of forks on their plates. Ancel washed the spoons and forks and stowed them in the top pocket of his shirt. In the other pocket were Carine's hard-earned credits. The question of exactly how she'd earned them would have to wait for another time.

  "We'll have to steal some money or supplies before we leave the City. And some ID. You'll have to travel as my slave."

  "Ancel..."

  "You still haven't changed your mind?"

  She didn't speak. Ancel patted his pants-pocket, checking for the metal strip. His key to freedom. “Well then, is this goodbye?"

  "Just go, please ... Don't make this any harder."

  "You can't mean that."

  "Know that I do. Ancel, please go."

  Hooking an arm about her back, he dropped a swift kiss to her lips and then turned for the door, pausing for only a heartbeat when he heard her moving behind him.

  "May you find peace, Ancel of Faylar."

  "I doubt that.” He resisted the urge to look back and closed the inner door. Standing in the dark space between, he mentally pieced together a map of the building. On this floor, slave quarters, below the club and lobby areas. In the basement the guard's quarters and the rooms where the prostitutes plied their trades. Vin's apartment was on the top floor. Ancel opened the outer door and scanned the deserted corridor. Most of the guards were on duty in the club area at night. Vin would have the cash they needed. And something infinitely more precious, if he could gain access to the man's apartment unseen.

  Ancel pressed back into a shadowed alcove when a young female slave, a guard in tow, walked drunkenly past to her room. The woman laughed and then the guard glanced briefly around and followed her inside. Ancel breathed again and made his way to the stair-well. He climbed quickly to the top floor, cracking open the fire-door which separated the stair-well from the corridor. Deserted, except for a hybrid guarding Vin's apartment. Halfway down the corridor were the doors to the elevator.

  The main show would go on for one, perhaps two more hours. Vin rarely stayed for the dregs which appeared in the early morning. By then the clients were too drunk, or too drugged to notice what they were watching so he left them to it and retired to bed. Earlier now, since his health had taken its downward turn. Ancel hunkered down and listened for the whine of the elevator, senses alert. Nothing to do but wait. Only Vin could supply what he was looking for.

  He let his mind drift back to the alleyway, on that first day in the City, remembering how bereft he'd felt when Carine had left him. And, even though he'd not shown it, he remembered how ecstatic he'd been to see her return to him. Was she downstairs now, hoping he'd come back? Or was she, more likely, stoically accepting her fate, even now, contemplating a life here, with Brynn?

  Not if he had anything to do with it. Come on, Vin. Be early tonight. Like a war-horse, tight and trembling, everything geared for that mad desperate dash into battle, Ancel focused on his goal. Eventually, the swish of the elevator doors told him that goal was almost in sight.

  "I have such a headache, darling.” Vin's whiney tones cut through the silence. “Go slip out of those clothes and I'll join you in a mo'."

  Damnation, he had Rik with him. Ancel heard the exchange with the guard, the sound of Vin's door closing. How to play this?

  "What are you doing here?” The guard lifted his weapon.

  Ancel sauntered towards him, falling against the wall for effect. “Vin asked me up,” he slurred. “Fancied himself a threesome tonight. Be a good boy and buzz him for me."

  The guard frowned. Hybrids weren't bred for brains. Before the guard could articulate the thought forming in his head he was lying, neck broken on the floor. Ancel shouldered the blast-gun and hit the buzzer.

  "What is it? I told you I wasn't to be disturbed."

  "Problem sir. Need you out here."

  "Can't it wait?"

  "Urgent, sir."

  "Oh, very well.” The door opened.

  Satisfaction didn't come any greater than this. His hands circling the miserable son of a whore's neck. Ancel squeezed until Vin's eyes bulged, then eased off, allowing the surprised man to speak.

  "You bloody fool, Ancel. You could have been out of here by now. She broke the Bond. What's your problem?"

  "I find myself short of an access code. Something I think you can help me with. And you,” he glanced at Rik, already naked on the couch. “Stay right where you are. Unless you want to lose that pretty face."

  Rik held up his hands in a gesture of peace. “Nothing to do with me,” he said indifferently. “I'll just get my clothes and go."

  "Stay exactly where you are and you might live through this.” Ancel pressed his thumbs against Vin's windpipe. “Access code, for Carine's bracelet. Now."

  "Can't do,” Vin croaked. “I'll be in enough trouble for letting you go."

  "Then you die."

  "No, you don't understand.” Vin flailed uselessly against Ancel's chest. “If I lose you both it's the end of me. Go now and I'll forget this happened."

  Ancel dragged him across the room by his neck, throwing him at the large desk in the corner. “This isn't a discussion. I want that code, now. Or I'll snap your neck and send you to the Pit, where you belong."

  Vin's sharp burst of laughter threw him. “Go ahead. Make my day. Can't do it, Ancel, baby. Want to watch Rik and me? Join us, maybe? One last fuck before I die?” Rik smiled genially, completely unconcerned at Vin's plight.

  "Where is it?"

  "You're not hearing me. I lose Carine too and the Mistress will have me blinded. She's asked for her, Ancel. I can't put it off any longer."

  "You son of a whore!” Ancel backhanded him, sending Vin reeling to the floor. He tore the blast-gun from his shoulder and pointed it at the cowering shell of a man. “You're dead on the count of ten, if you don't tell me."

  "You don't want to know what she did to secure your release?"

  "...nine, eight..."

  "You can't win this one, Ancel. I'll take quick and relatively painless over slow and lingering any day. Go now, and I'll forget this happened. She's too small to survive the charge. You know it."

  "Bullshit ... five, four..."

  "She's in love with Brynn. Got the major hots for him. Did she tell you what she was up to in the basement with him?"

  "...two, one..."

  "Do it. I'm less afraid to die, than you are to kill me."

  Why was his hand trembling? So many times he'd dreamed of killing Vin and now ... An eternity of hell beckoned, and the man was grinning at him like the village idiot. Almost as if he welcomed death.

  "Do one decent thing before you die, Vin. Do you not fear the Pit?"

  "Let me see.” Vin made an elaborate show of thinking about it. “That would be a great big no."

  Ancel spotted the communicator device in Vin's hand a split-second before he fired. Vin's mouth gaped in surprise, the communicator clattered to the floor beside him. Ancel sucked in an agonised breath. “Tell me,” he said, clutching the dying man by the throat. Shaking him.

  "Well, what do you know? I can see angels...” Vin died with a smile on his face, hand outstretched to the Companion, who would guide him to his allotted afterlife.

  "Angels? Well, colour me surprised.” Rik craned his neck to get a better view of Vin's smoking body. “Demons, more like. Don't mark me!” he c
ried. With a sharp crunch, Ancel's fist made contact with his face.

  Ancel dragged Rik into the bedroom and threw him onto the bed. Rooting through Vin's toy-box, he found a ball-gag and handcuffs and secured him to the metal bedpost. He glanced around. An open closet door revealed Vin's remarkable collection of clothes, shoes and wigs. Ancel rooted through and found a small safe, hidden at the back. He gave the lock a quick blaster charge and filled one of Vin's money belts with as many high-denomination credits as he could stuff into it.

  Walking back into the main room he stepped over Vin's charred body, his only remorse for the man's death, that Carine's code had died with him. A short while later, every drawer lay open, every document tossed onto the floor and still he hadn't found anything resembling access codes. Damnation. He did find a file containing ownership tokens, some filled in with details, others blank. He tucked two blank tokens into his pocket, thinking that in order to pass Carine off as his slave he might need some sort of papers for her. She could never pass as a Citizen with the slave-bracelet in place.

  He hauled the Hybrid's dead body into the closet then let himself out into the corridor. Sometimes difficult decisions turn out to be easy, after all. He'd gladly gamble Carine's life against her surviving here after this. Vin was the O. His loss would infuriate the Mistress. If they were caught, the price for their insubordination would be more than blinding.

  Carine's tears, when she saw him at the door of their room, were a strange kind of comfort. Her red swollen eyes told him what her words couldn't. The relief on her face, rather than the anger he'd been expecting, meant that he'd made the right decision. “Put these on,” he said throwing her a pair of lounging pants and a loose shirt. “We need to get out now."

  "Did you get my code? Is that where you went?"

  "No. I didn't get it.” His heart clenched at her disappointment. Taking her shirt by the lapels, he firmly buttoned it when she hesitated. “Did you really think I'd leave you behind? I tried to get your code. Vin wouldn't give it to me.” She hid the fear well. “You're brave,” he told her. “You can do this. Come on."