Linked

by K. R. Fajardo

  K went on to add that it was not uncommon for one donor family to serve the same Full-blood family willingly and happily over many generations, or for a Full-blood to continue to provide and care for a loyal donor who had grown too old or sick to serve them any longer.

  But here at the camp things were a little different. Here there was no way either party, especially the Full-bloods, could meet the terms of such a contract. However, despite this fact, Ivy and several others had agreed to serve K, Jaron, and Tyran, as well as the few others left over from the resistance, without obligation. In their opinion they owed them that much in return for being allowed to join the safety and protection of the camp, where they were no longer forced to live in fear of the Shadows’ forces who had nearly succeeded in eradicating their entire culture.

  “Still, I will talk to him about it,” K continued, snapping Citera back from her thoughts. She watched as K made her way to a trunk at the end of her bed. Opening it up, she pulled out a pair of loose linen pants and a shirt that appeared several sizes too big for her, and pulled them on. “Were you looking for me for a reason?” K suddenly added, sinking into a nearby chair.

  “No, I just wanted to check on you after you disappeared yesterday.” As she talked Citera couldn’t help but look back at the empty bottle in her hand.

  “I am fine,” K responded, following her attention to the bottle. “Just had a bad memory take me by surprise, much like what happened back at the clinic with your father. So I decided it was best if I removed myself from the situation.”

  “Oh,” Citera responded quietly. She was about to ask if the memory had anything to do with the little boy when a voice from outside distracted her.

  “Madam, are you in need of my services?”

  It was Ivy. Citera looked over at K who resumed her mask, then nodded for Citera to let her inside. Citera undid the flap and held it open as the petite young lady stepped inside and studied her closely. “I’m sorry, am I disturbing you?”

  “No, we were just talking,” Citera answered flatly.

  “Oh, well if you wish to provide for her yourself this time I would be more than happy to leave.” As she spoke, Ivy continued looking Citera over in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.

  “Provide what?” Citera frowned.

  She heard a sound from behind her and turned to see K struggling to stifle a laugh while grabbing her head to brace it from the jolt. It seemed Casper’s drink had also loosened up her emotions.

  Ivy, maintaining her flat expression, simply pointed to the bottle she had forgotten she was still holding. “If you have already drank it you might as well go ahead and let her feed, I really don’t mind.”

  Aghast, Citera looked at the bottle then back at Ivy. “I didn’t drink this, she did,” she argued, pointing at K, who was now slumped over in the chair. Struggling to control the irritation in her voice, Citera added, “And no, I don’t want to let her feed on me!”

  “Pardon me. I did not mean to offend,” Ivy replied calmly. “I just assumed you had done it for her before. You do spend a lot of time together and you don’t cover the marks.” Ivy gestured to the scars on Citera’s neck, and instinctually she reached up to cover them with her hand.

  “That wasn’t done by K, it was—” Citera stopped, remembering very few people in the camp knew about Jarod’s double-life. Thinking it might not be a good time to bring up the subject, she paused and watched as K rose to stand. “Well, it wasn’t done by choice.”

  “That’s enough with the two of you,” K stated, stepping between them. “Citera, go on, I’ll find you later. If you happen to see Jaron tell him I am looking for him.”

  Citera nodded slowly, then handed the bottle back to K, and stepped out of the tent while giving Ivy a displeased glance. Quietly she headed down the hill toward the Core, her mind churning with questions from her interaction with Ivy. When she arrived at the Core she searched around for a while trying to find Jaron but being unable to locate him decided to head to the medical tent and help her father.

  A few minutes later she arrived at the medical tent and found her father busy treating a minor burn on a young man’s arm. Past him, in the far back of the tent, Jaron was carefully taking inventory of their current stock. “Nice to see you finally decided to arrive,” her father teased. “Sleep in late?”

  “No, I was running an errand for Jaron.”

  At the mention of his name Jaron looked over at her and grinned. “Well, did you find her?”

  “Yes and she looks awful,” Citera answered, then waited quietly as the patient her father was treating thanked him and walked from the tent, leaving the three of them alone. “Did you know she drank a whole bottle of Casper’s fruit alcohol last night? When I got to her tent she was sitting on the side of the bed, half naked and unmasked, clutching her head in her hands. The stars only know how long she had been sitting there.”

  “Serves her right for drinking that crap,” Jaron huffed, although Citera was certain she heard a hint of amusement in his voice.

  “Did you say she drank the whole bottle … alone?” Mikel asked as he placed some supplies back in the cabinet. “That’s enough to kill a person.”

  “Well she looks like she wishes she was dead,” Citera answered flatly, watching Jaron try to stifle a laugh. “You knew, didn’t you? That’s why you sent me over there instead of going yourself.”

  Unable to control it any longer, Jaron allowed the laugh to escape. “Yeah, I saw her last night and things got a little weird. Sorry I used you, but I knew what shape she would be in this morning and figured you were the best person for the job, since she tends to be on her best behavior when you’re around.” Suddenly he stiffened as his gaze fell on Citera. “Did she say anything about what happened … or about me?”

  “No,” Citera walked to one of the chairs and took a seat, “but she did say she thought she owed you an apology.”

  Relaxing slightly, Jaron shook his head and went back to work on his inventory. “You would think after a century I would know when to stay away. I should have walked out as soon as I saw that bottle.”

  “Jaron, can I ask you a question?”

  He paused what he was doing, appearing almost frightened as to what she would ask. “Sure … I think.”

  “Do donors drink alcohol before they let you feed?” She could see his whole body relax as if a huge relief came over him, making her wonder what it was he thought she was going to ask. Keeping his back to her, he continued his work. “Does this have anything to do with me sending you to get Ivy?”

  “Sort of,” Citera answered, sighing. “When she came to the tent and saw me standing inside holding the bottle, she assumed I was going to let K feed on me. I feel bad because I got kind of short with her, I might have even offended her and K both.”

  “And why were you holding the bottle?” Mikel interrupted.

  “I didn’t drink any, I was just looking at it trying to figure out what was wrong with K,” Citera rapidly defended.

  Mikel cut her a disapproving look, then turned to Jaron. “I would appreciate it if you would avoid exposing my daughter to any more of your blood drinking practices than is necessary.” He paused, and attempted to suppress a shudder. “Especially when it comes to the donors, they make me uncomfortable.”

  “Donors are good people that have suffered for centuries for what they do to help those of us who have to drink blood,” Jaron responded without a hint of bitterness or anger. He then turned to Citera. “And don’t worry about Ivy, I promise she isn’t offended. Her people have been prosecuted, murdered, and hunted down like dogs by their fellow Terrians. A few words did not bother her in the slightest, K either. And as far as your question goes, yes and no. People who aren’t raised as donors but are trying to transition into the lifestyle sometimes use alcohol to calm their nerves before a feeding, but it is very rare for a seasoned donor to drink at all.”

  Jaron, no longer interested in finishing up his inventory, headed out of the
tent without looking back. “I’m heading to the Pit to find Tyran … to see if he needs anything.”

  The two of them watched him walk quietly from the tent and head down the trail. “Do you think we upset him?” Citera asked as he disappeared in the distance.

  “Who knows,” Mikel responded. “You can never tell what either of them are thinking. But I hope not, they have done so much for us, I’d hate for them to think us inconsiderate.” Turning back to face her, Mikel placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Let’s head over and get some lunch, seems like it’s going to be a slow day here.”

  Chapter 4

  After leaving the medical tent Jaron made his way down to the Core and took a seat on one of the benches with a clear view of the entire circle. There he sat quietly watching the flow of people coming and going, up and down the different paths. He often retreated here when something weighed heavy on his mind, using the contented faces of the people surrounding him as a means of distraction and a way of reminding himself why he had done some of the things he had done.

  “A penny for your thoughts.”

  He looked up to see K standing over him dressed in a baggy set of clothes with a hood pulled over her head. “What exactly is a penny?” he mumbled, turning his attention back out to the passing crowd. Sliding next to him on the bench, K braced her head against the discomfort the movement seemed to have caused.

  “It used to be a form of currency. Anyway, it’s a figure of speech. You looked like you were deep in thought. Would you like to share?”

  “No, not really, I’m more interested in how you’re feeling,” he said, smirking in her direction. “Head still hurting?”

  K smiled sheepishly. “Yes, but it is much better. Thank you for having Citera fetch Ivy, I don’t think I would have made it out of that tent today otherwise.” She sat up straight and stretched slightly before adding, “But next time, send someone else, would you? I think it would be easier on both of them.”

  Jaron remained reserved, his furrowed gaze returning to the steady flow of people surrounding them. Tilting her head slightly, K studied his stoic expression. She knew that look all too well, something had him upset. However, Jaron was not the type of person to complain about anything and she was not one to pressure someone for information they did not wish to share. Instead she followed his gaze back into the crowd and allowed the overhanging lull to take hold. If he wanted to tell her what was bothering him she would let him do it in his own time. No one understood better than her the need to keep some things private.

  They remained that way for a while, silently watching people come and go down the different paths, neither one of them interested in bringing up what had happened the night before. Finally, feeling their silence had stretched on long enough, K turned her attention back to Jaron. “I want to apologize to you,” she said, pausing as he met her gaze, “for the way I treated you at the clinic back in Vicaris. You built a wonderful thing here, Jaron, and I need you to know I am glad you escaped to make this all possible.”

  Jaron dropped his head, no longer able to meet her gaze. For half a century the guilt of leaving her and Jarod behind had been eating away at his soul little by little. Then after finding her at the clinic and seeing proof of what she had suffered through, while knowing the misery Jarod was still being forced to live in daily, it had become a burden he was finding harder and harder to bear.

  Sighing deeply, Jaron leaned back and shook his head. “I can’t take credit for any of this, I don’t deserve it. It took the combined efforts of many to make this place what it has become. Hell, it wasn’t even my idea to begin with, you should be thanking Tyran.”

  K leaned into him, gently resting her head against his shoulder. “I do not doubt there were others involved. But I also know your work when I see it. Tyran may have picked the location, but the idea, the structure, and heart of this place is all you.” She paused, scanning the many happy faces surrounding them. “You have always had a good heart, Jaron, one that constantly strives to make things just and fair. The model you have created here will make a wonderful foundation for rebuilding things outside once we are rid of the other Shadows. That is, of course, if you will be willing to help me.”

  What was he going to do when this was all finished? Many a late night he had laid awake contemplating this very question, and yet he still didn’t have a solid answer. The truth was he was tired. Nearly two hundred years he had been alive, forced to watch as the people he knew and loved passed before him. And while K remained an ever-lasting constant in his life, she was flighty and unpredictable at best, often leaving him alone for decades or longer at a time without notice or explanation. This last capture hadn’t been her fault, but fifty years had given him a lot of time to think on these matters and he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue another fifty years, much less another century alone.

  Not wanting to answer, Jaron dropped his gaze to the ground, avoiding all eye contact with her. His hesitancy did not go unnoticed. K watched him, studying his face intensely. “Jaron?” A hint of concern rang clear in her voice as he continued to avoid her narrowing gaze. “You will stay with me when this is over, won’t you?”

  Luckily he was saved from being forced to answer by a young voice that took them both by surprise. “Sir, Madam, we hate to disturb you …”

  Nina, Lucas, and the young Kajol stood fidgeting nervously only a few feet from where they sat. The pairs’ intense gaze fell upon the small family, causing Nina’s white knuckle grip on her husband’s hand to tighten, while he in turn shifted his weight rapidly from one foot to the other. In fact, the only one of the three that didn’t appear apprehensive was Kajol, who actually seemed to be upset about having been dragged to this meeting.

  Despite the surprise of the approach and who it was, K held herself together remarkably well, somehow managing to keep her face straight and calm as she addressed the young family. “No disturbance, we were just having a friendly chat. Can we help you somehow?”

  “No, madam. We only wished to apologize for yesterday,” Lucas answered, unable to control the trembling in his voice.

  “Apologize? For what?”

  “For whatever Kajol said yesterday that upset you,” Nina answered, squeezing Lucas’s hand even tighter. “He is a good boy, but he has a tendency to say whatever comes to his mind without thinking of the repercussions.”

  “It is so wonderful here and we hated to start things off on the wrong foot,” Lucas added.

  “I see.”

  K rose to her feet, as did Jaron. He was still uncertain about how she was going to take the interaction and figured it wouldn’t hurt to be ready for whatever happened. It was all he could do to control the urge to reach out and grab her when he saw her arm begin to move, but to his relief, she only reached up to remove her hood.

  She looked calmly at the young pair before glancing down at Kajol. “I fear it is I who owe you an apology for my behavior yesterday. The boy said nothing offensive, he just reminded me of someone I used to know a long time ago and I found myself overwhelmed with memories I thought I had put behind me.”

  “See, I told you I didn’t say anything wrong.” Kajol straightened, looking quite proud of being vindicated. “So can I go play now?”

  Lucas patted the boy on his head and with a slight nod sent him running back up the path. “Well, like we said, it is a wonderful thing the two of you have done here. I don’t have any real skills or trades, other than playing a pretty good fiddle. But I am eager to learn and would be willing to do whatever you need me to.” Shifting his weight slightly, Lucas pulled Nina in close and draped an arm over her shoulder proudly. “Nina, however, has had some medicinal training and might be able to lend you a hand at the medical tent.”

  All their attention shifted to Nina, but she was completely focused on K and had been since she had removed her hood. “Right, Nina?” Lucas continued oblivious to his wife’s state. “Nina?”

  K’s eyes locked with Nina’s in a fiercen
ess that was instantly picked up on by both Jaron and Lucas. “Nina, is everything all right?” Lucas asked with a nervous laugh. With his attention rapidly shifting back and forth between the two women, in a desperate move to relieve some of the tension, Lucas grabbed ahold of Nina’s arm and squeezed tightly.

  Nina suddenly snapped back into the conversation, “What? Oh, yes I am so sorry, now I am the one making a fool of myself.” She paused, narrowing her eyes at K. “It’s just, well, your face, it reminds me of someone …” Nina shook her head vigorously, trying to clear her thoughts. “No, never mind. I’m so sorry. We should go, we need to continue to explore the camp and find somewhere where we can chip in.”

  Yet K’s focused stare remained locked on Nina and Jaron could start to see the slightest hint of the black markings trying to make their way through her mask. Although he was certain neither Lucas nor Nina would notice, he needed to do something to diffuse the situation quickly before they did. Seeing no other option, he did the one thing he never would have done under any normal circumstance; he broke her rule and placed a hand gently on K’s back. He could feel her whole body cringe beneath the unexpected contact. However, it did cause her to break eye contact with Nina as she angrily turned on him. Luckily, as soon as her eyes made contact with his, her anger dissipated and the faint black lines faded away.

  Once he was certain he had her back, Jaron lowered his hand and refocused his attention on Lucas, who had since retreated several steps back, pulling Nina with him.

  “Did you say you play the fiddle? I was thinking of having a gathering tonight. Nothing fancy, a sort of meet and greet, where everyone gets together here at the Core so we can discuss issues, welcome new families, and answer any questions you may have. Then after all the business is handled,” Jaron smiled down at K, “we will let the party begin, music, dancing, stories, and of course some wine.” At the mention of the wine, K’s gaze hardened. I am definitely going to pay for that later.