Hathor Legacy: Burn (17 page)

"Why did you get out of bed?" The doctor asked, as she and the medic lifted Nadira to her feet.

"I--I have to get to the Detention Center. I have to leave--" Her legs buckled underneath her. Strong hands grabbed her and helped her to the bed. "Where are my clothes?"

"I can't discharge you yet. You don't have the strength," the doctor replied. "Medic, get me another gown. This one is drenched."

"No--I have to go--" Her body wasn't obeying her, though she tried to get her legs to move. All the energy she'd managed to s
iphon off from Mikal had been used up in her effort to push him away.

The medic returned and handed the doctor the gown. Nadira heard the door swoosh shut, and they both undressed her and slid a crisp, dry gown over her head. Working methodically, they ma
naged to get her back under the covers before she could protest.

"Should we sedate her?" the medic asked.

"No. I want the healer to examine her first. We don't know what effect those chemicals will have. I'll contact the Sentry Leader. He offered to send one over." The doctor looked down at Nadira and smoothed her hair off her face. "I'll set the door to not admit any more visitors," she said.

Nadira watched as the women walked out of the room. The door shut behind them and locked with a loud click.

She wrapped her arms around her pillow and crushed it against her body. "Jonathan," she whispered. "Please let me know you're all right."

Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she made no effort to wipe them away. She'd managed to fight back, but for how much longer? Mikal knew she was vulnerable, and now so would Dakar. But what about the other energy Mikal had connected to? Had he really been strong enough to harness someone else's energy and feed off of it? Was it Talia's?

She drew her knees up and curled up into a ball. How could she have underestimated Mikal? He'd betrayed her and showed that he could be just as ruthless as Dakar.

Everything that had happened over the past few days came crashing down and deep emptiness opened up inside her. All these years after losing her father and her mother, she'd managed to put aside the longing, the anger and the unanswered questions.

But she couldn't turn away from it anymore. Not now with her emotions so raw. Clutching the pillow to her, she allowed herself to experience what she'd never wanted to feel...hurt, loss, and fear.  But she had to confront it now and prepare herself for a battle. She'd have to fight for the Guardians and for herself.

22
Divide and Conquer

Jonathan woke up in a bed in the infirmary. The bed was so small that he'd almost rolled off when he'd attempted to turn over.  Every part of his body ached, his head most of all.

The room was stark white, with large windows all around that let in the bright sunlight.  How long had he been here? He sat up, leaning against the metal headboard with his eyes closed when a wave of dizziness hit him. Bitter saliva filled his mouth and he pressed the heels of his hands into his temples. Damn. What had that bitch done to him?

"Mr. Keel," Security Chief Duval stood in the doorway. "May I enter?"

"Why not? This is your place."

She approached him tentatively, and stopped before she was within arm's length. "Please accept my apologies, Mr. Keel. I'm very sorry."

"Do you believe me now?" he asked. It was obvious the Chief wanted to get on his good side. He wasn't interested in making it easy for her. "Or is there more torture coming?"

"I didn't know it would be like that. It's very rare that an inte
rrogation goes beyond simple questioning. Very rare."

"But in my case you made an exception?" Jon asked.

Duval flinched. "There are things you have to understand Mr. Keel. May I call you Jonathan?"

"No."

She quickly swallowed, like she was trying to keep something down. "With the fires and then the security team attacked at the warehouse...then with the explosion in the Palatine everyone's getting anxious. They're willing to take extreme measures to find the perpetrators."

"That's why you let her do that to me? Because you're all afraid?"

"It's not just that. The Guardians are very powerful, Mr. Keel. They've protected the city and we're used to trusting their judgment." The Chief glanced back at the doorway. "But I think there's some concern as well."

"What do you mean?"

"They've always been able to keep the peace here. If they aren't able to find the people committing these crimes, then perhaps they are not as infallible as we believed."

"And why would you think they were?" He certainly knew they weren't. Considering what he'd seen them do, and what they'd done to Nadira's family. Nadira. She'd think he forgot about her. He had to get out of here now. "Chief, I have to go. Am I cleared?"

She nodded. "Yes. Talia admitted that she couldn't find anything in your thoughts to contradict your statements. But, I'm sorry you can't leave just yet."

"Why not?" Jon sat up and slung his legs over the side of the bed. "What the hell is it now?"

"You're going to be returned to Astarte, Mr. Keel. It's probably best."

Jon's feet hit the floor with a loud thud. "You can't just throw me off the planet over something I didn't do."

"I'm not. It was suggested that since you were under suspicion and…well…so was Mr. Bento…certain people in power are concerned that it'll send the wrong message if you're allowed to stay."

"Wrong message? I didn't do anything!"

"I know that. I'm sorry, Mr. Keel. Security is on the way to escort you to the shuttle terminal." Duval's voice was shaking.

"Did the Guardians do this? They wanted me to leave?"

"I'm sorry. If the Guardian Protector decides you're a potential threat to the city, then security can have you deported. It's done to protect the citizens, Mr. Keel. We can't have offenders who may become violent. Even if you've been cleared you have the potential to be disruptive."

"That's double-talk. The Guardians wanted me gone and you're all doing what they say. You said they're not infallible, how can you do this just on their word?"

"I have to follow orders, Mr. Keel. Perhaps when things quiet down, you can return." She left the room.

Now what? Jon headed to the door, but two security guards stepped in just as he got there. Two men who were slightly taller and heavier.

"Please come with us, sir," one of the guards requested, his hand covering the stunner tucked into his utility belt.

"Where are we going?" Jon asked.

"The shuttle terminal. You're on a private shuttle for Astarte. They're waiting," he replied. "Don't give us trouble. We have orders to stun you if necessary."

That was it then. If he did struggle, they'd just blast him and carry him out. And at this point with is head pounding like he was being repeatedly hit by a boulder, he wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight.

Nadira. Had they done anything to her? Would they have tried to hurt her too? He hoped not. Exhausted, he hadn't been able to feel her energy through their connection. But he couldn't help the ache in his heart as he thought of leaving her. Dakar had worked hard to get rid of him. Damn it. Nadira had been right. If only he'd listened to her about going to Matt's. He wouldn't be here now.

By the time Nadira found out what had happened to him, he'd be on his way back to Astarte. And there was nothing he could do about it.

*****

Nadira was waiting for them when they finally opened the door. Although drained and unable to use her powers, she could still defend herself if she had to.

When the doctor returned, she had Mikal with her and a man dressed in a grey corporate suit. Shorter than Mikal, with stringy brown hair, he had a round face and a very fake smile. Something about him gave her the feeling of a person trying to hard to be friendly. If he had to work at it, he obviously wasn't.

"Nadira, allow me to introduce Carlo. He's a healer." Mikal motioned to his companion.

"Get out of here," she snapped. He'd actually had the nerve to return here like nothing had happened.

Mikal glanced at the doctor. "Perhaps you can leave us for a moment. I'm afraid that Guardian Nadira will upset herself. We'll have to work quickly."

"I'd like to observe, if you don't mind," she replied, coming over to stand by the bedside. "I haven't worked with a Guardian healer before."

Mikal pulled on his jacket sleeves like he was suddenly uncomfortable with their length. "Doctor, I think you would find it boring to stand around and watch. Carlo is skilled, I assure you."

"Skilled in what?" Nadira asked. There was no way she was a
llowing the doctor to leave her alone with them. "He's not touching me and neither are you."

"Nadira, I don't think you're the best judge of what's appropr
iate. You've had a lot of strain and you're not yourself," Mikal admonished.

"The doctor is staying," Nadira said. "But you can leave."

"Is this her room?" Elder Azure walked in, followed by a woman Nadira didn't recognize. "Nadira! Are you all right?"

"What are you doing here?" Nadira asked.

"Brant told me you were here. I came as soon as I could and brought Maji." She gestured to the woman who'd come with her. "My child, I was shocked at what happened at that warehouse." The Elder leaned down to press her cheek against Nadira's.

Maji greeted her by holding out her hands, palms up. She had a rounded face, shoulder-length hair and looked to be in her forties, though it was hard to tell since Guardians tended to have longer life spans.  Like her hair, her eyes were a shade of brown, remin
ding Nadira of the topaz stones she often saw displayed in the shops in the Palatine. Freckles were sprinkled across her cheeks and nose, and along her bare arms.

A triangle-shaped stone hung from a blue braided cord around her neck, but unlike everything else, it wasn't a shade of blue. I
nstead it was a sort of gold with brown visible depending on how the light hit it.  Her dark blue dress hung above her knees in the front and lower in the back, just hitting her calves. "I didn't know your mother, Minona. But I've heard of her. She was very brave."

It had been the first time anyone had referred to her mother that way. Nadira didn't know what to say. Was this woman really an ally, or not? At this point, it was becoming hard to tell.

"Elder Azure, if you don't mind. Nadira needs to rest." Mikal said, stepping between Nadira and Maji.

Instead of moving back, Maji studied him. "Who's this?'

"I'm Elder Dakar's assistant," Mikal replied. "He asked me to bring Carlo as a healer for Nadira."

"Healer?" Maji turned to Carlo. "Is that what you are?"

Carlo shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and straightened his shoulders. But seeing how Maji towered over him, he still looked like a little boy. "Yes," he said, his voice came out like a squeak.

"What guild are you with?" Maji asked.

"Guild? I--I'm, I mean--"

"That's what I thought." She went to stand by Nadira. "You need to leave now. Both of you."

"You don't dismiss me," Mikal said. "Do you know who I am?"

"Mikal. We want to talk to Nadira alone." Elder Azure sat on the bed on the other side of Nadira. "Tell the Elder that we have everything in hand."

"He won't be pleased, Elder Azure."

"Neither are we." Maji dismissed him with a wave of her hand, her blood red nails flashing. "Please leave now. Elder Azure doe
sn't need you here."

Mikal's face flushed red as he glared at Maji. His lips tight, he stormed out of the room, followed by Carlo.

"I hadn't expected this," the Doctor remarked as she went to the doorway and looked out. "But what about the healer?"

"It's all right. We'll take care of it," Maji replied. "If you would give us privacy."

"Oh, of course. I'll leave you to it then." She smiled at Nadira, and walked out into the corridor.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you both," Nadira said.

"There are no guilds for healers. The man's an idiot." Maji looked around the room. "What a terrible place. It's bleak, isn't it?"

"Never mind the décor, Maji. Check Nadira." Azure stood up and shook out her long, brown vest. Embroidered with gold threads, it shimmered as she moved.

Maji rested one hand on Nadira's shoulder. "Lie down on the bed. On your stomach."

"Who are you?" Nadira asked as she climbed up on the ma
ttress and arranged herself. "What are you going to do?"

"Relax and breathe deeply."

She felt Maji's hands touch her back and gently move up to her shoulders. Warmth spread everywhere that she touched, relaxing her muscles and relieving the aches she still felt from the attack.

"How is she?" Azure asked.

"Still tense," Maji replied. "And there's something else. I'm picking up something that feels odd. There's another energy here."

The touching stopped, and Nadira felt that Maji had stepped away from her. When she rolled over, the woman was standing by the bed with an amused expression.

"Who is he?" she asked. "Definitely male energy. Lots of emotion, but little impulse control."

Azure shook her head. "Don't, Maji. Not right now."

"Jonathan was taken to Detention this morning. They tortured him." Nadira moved to the edge of the bed. "I have to get over there."

"Who tortured him?" Maji asked. "Who's Jonathan?"

"The energy you felt. It's his. He's moyen and she's joined to him."

Maji shook her head. "That's not possible. They're not strong enough for that kind of connection." She addressed Nadira.  "Are you certain he's moyen?"

"Yes, he is." At this point she wasn't admitting anything more than she had to. "Mikal came here yesterday and told me that Dakar had him tortured. But while Mikal was here he tried to join with me."

"Wait--what are you saying?" Maji sat down next to her. "That person--Mikal--tried to force himself on you? And the Elder had someone tortured? Azure, this is worse than when Dakar's father was alive. What's wrong with all of you?"

"Maji. That's why I asked you to come with me. I'm afraid that we are in serious trouble." Azure clasped her hands in front of her. "I haven't been able to see Dakar since the Gathering. The last time I tried, Mikal said he was out of the city."

"I thought he was ill," Nadira said. "That's what Mikal told me. He said Dakar was sick and wasn't seeing anyone."

Azure sighed. "Nadira, it was on the news alerts that Jonathan was picked up for questioning. That's when Brant contacted me. Maji is a healer and she's one of the Kasema."

"That's the group you mentioned at the Gathering," Nadira said. "Then you're not one of the Guardians."

"We're healers and seers. And no, we're not Guardians." Maji crossed her legs. "But we only seem to get called when there's a problem."

"That's when healers are needed." Azure went over to the closet and opened the door. "Child, where are your clothes?"

"They took them," Nadira said. "I don't know where they are."

"We'd better go. That Mikal person will back soon. He's very persistent," Maji said.

"I need to know what happened to Jonathan. Can you tell me?" Nadira asked.

"Maji, please go find the Doctor and tell her we need Nadira's things." Azure closed the closet door. "Do you mind?"