Immortal (19 page)

“None. It's nonsense words.”

“Lovely anyway.” His eyes opened and turned to me. “Lovely.”

I felt my face heating. “You're supposed to be resting.”

“This is very restful. You have a beautiful voice, and your soul lights up your singing. So fair, in so many ways.” He blinked. “Forgive me—I ramble.”

“Ramble away, if you're going to talk like that. I can use all the compliments I can get.”

He smiled, then it faded. “I wish …”

I waited, not daring to prompt him. He closed his eyes, frowning a little, and I wondered if his shoulder was hurting. He murmured something I didn't catch.

“What?” I whispered.

Not vainly.

I held still, stunned by the sudden contact, the delicious warmth of his mind. I sensed dull pain lurking somewhere distant, but far more present was a depth of gratitude and affection. Just as suddenly, as if a window had closed, the sensations ceased.

I stood unmoving, trying not to think, just reveling in what I'd felt the moment before. If all I could have were occasional moments like this, I'd take it.

The door opened behind me, startling me. I turned and saw Madera, a small pile of clothing in his hands. I stepped out of his way as he set the clothes on the bed and came to look at Caeran.

He held one hand above Caeran's brow, the other over his shoulder. I saw the glow rise in both places. Was this part of the healing? Or something else? After a moment, Madera stepped back, then caught my eye and nodded toward the door.

Reluctantly, I picked up my pack and followed him out. Caeran needed to rest, and if I stayed I'd probably keep distracting him, no matter how hard I tried not to think.

Madera softly closed the door, then turned to me. “What you saw was khi. It is the source of healing, but that is only one of its aspects.”

“Khi,” I said, stumbling on the word, which sounded like a soft hiss when Madera said it. Caeran had mentioned khi, once. Forever ago. “I see. Thank you.”

“Very few mortals are able to detect khi. I believe Caeran's assessment of you is correct.”

“Assessment?”

“That you have a high level of ælven blood.”

“Oh.”

I thought about my parents, both terrific people, neither of them remotely like Caeran and his kindred. Madera seemed amused.

“Perhaps you are hungry. May I offer you refreshment?”

“Something hot to drink would be nice. Thanks.”

With a gesture he invited me to walk with him, following the enclosed
portal
around the courtyard rather than going inside. We overshot the kitchen by a bit, but I didn't mind, since it meant we didn't have to pass through the living room where the others were gathered. The fountain made me feel peaceful, and now that I wasn't driving in it, the snow was beautiful.

Madera opened a door onto the small hallway I'd seen on my last visit, and we passed through it to the kitchen. A fire burned in a kiva fireplace I hadn't noticed before, making the room cozy, filling it with the smell of fragrant cedar. Madera filled a kettle and lit his stove, then joined me at the table.

“Thank you for bringing Caeran here.” He seemed less formal, more friendly than I recalled.

“Glad to. So … is he pretty much safe? Since you treated the wound?”

Madera spread his fingers. “I cannot be certain. I have done all I can.”

I nodded. That was the answer I'd expected. Wait and see.

“Have you had to treat a lot of—wounds like that?”

“More than I would like. Not so many in recent decades.”

I looked at him, a thought occurring to me. “Did you build this house?”

He smiled. “Yes. This was the first room.” He gestured the length of the kitchen, and I could see how it might have begun as a one-room adobe house. A long time ago.

The book Caeran had wanted from the library was about the Spanish colonists. Several stray bits of information clicked into place.

“When did you come here?”

“To this valley? After the Pueblo Revolt. I was in Santa Fe before then.”

“So that's … 1680. But I don't think there were any settlements here at that time.”

“Correct. I saw the coming disaster with the Pueblos. I knew the colonists who survived it would flee, but I did not wish to leave with them. I chose New Spain as my home for specific reasons. Fortunately, the natives thought well of me and raised no objection when I left before the slaughter began. I came here, far from any of their cities.”

“You must have been alone here for a long time.”

“Not quite two centuries.”

I shook my head, unable to imagine it. “Weren't you lonely?”

“I was not entirely alone. I received visits from passing hunters, and before long they knew they could come to me for healing. It gave them a reason to let me live in peace.”

“But you never saw any of your own people.”

He gave me a wry look. “I preferred it so.”

I wanted to know why, but didn't want to be rude, so I didn't ask. Instead I chose a less personal question.

“Are your current guests the first ælven who have come here?”

“Not the first. Twice before I have had visitors of my kind.”

“So, they knew you were here.”

“They knew I had set off to come to the colonies. The rest took research, as you have seen.”

A memory of the alben standing at my counter, his face shadowed by the hood of his sweatshirt, made me frown. “Did Caeran tell you the alben was looking for you too?”

“Yes, when he warned me you were coming. We have taken precautions.”

“Why would he be looking for you? Not for healing.”

“No.”

The kettle boiled, emitting a sweet, low tone unlike the shrill whistles I was used to. Madera got up to fill his teapot with hot water, then returned to the table.

“He might seek me thinking I am an easy target. Do you remember when you first saw him?”

“Yes. It was in the Student Union Building at UNM.” My pulse quickened as I recalled how the alben had caught my eye—how similar to Caeran he looked—and then the way he had noticed me.

Madera straightened in his chair, looking alarmed. I glanced up at him. Had he seen the alben in my thoughts?

“Did you ever see him more closely?” he asked.

“Yeah. I took a picture of him, too. Want to see it?”

“Please.”

I dug my cell phone out of my pack, realizing as I did so that I didn't have my charger. Again. I'd just have to keep the phone turned off unless I needed it. I flipped it open and brought up the picture I'd snapped of the alben in the library, then handed it to Madera.

“It isn't very clear, I'm afraid.”

He peered at the image, frowning, then abruptly shut the phone and gave it back. “Clear enough. Thank you.”

“Someone you know?”

Madera nodded, looking unhappy. He got up and fussed with the tea, taking out cups and plates from a cupboard. I powered down my phone, but not before looking at my picture of Caeran. He looked vulnerable, startled, but still gorgeous. I'd erase that other one, when I was sure it was no longer needed.

I stowed the phone as Madera came back with a tray bearing teapot and cups, honey, bread, cheese, and a plate of apple slices. The tea he poured smelled like butterscotch, and tasted a little like toast. It was delicious and a comforting warmth in my belly.

I hadn't thought I was hungry but the apples and cheese were too tempting. I proceeded to snarf down a lot of them while Madera sipped tea and watched me. Finally, in an attempt not to be rude, I thought of another question to ask him.

“You have electricity, but I haven't seen any television sets.”

He smiled slightly. “No. I have no wish to have your world and all its troubles brought into my home. Forgive me if that sounds harsh.”

“I don't blame you. Lots of people feel the same.” I finished my tea and he refilled my cup. “Thanks. But you aren't averse to modern comforts like electricity and gas.”

“No. They are convenient. I resisted the telephone for a long time, though. My clients were ecstatic when I finally purchased a cell phone.”

I smiled. “Do you have a lot of clients?”

“A fair number. Some come from other communities, as far as Taos and Red River. Some from even farther, if they have serious problems and don't wish to see a conventional doctor.”

“Do you have to be certified by the state or something?”

“No. Curanderos are not recognized as medical practitioners, and I do not charge for my services.”

I blinked in surprise. “Not at all? Forgive me, but … you must have some way to pay your expenses.”

“I accept gifts from my clients. Occasionally they give me cash, but more often food, goods, or liquor.”

“And that supports you, and pays the taxes on this place?”

He smiled. “No. I have reserves. One accumulates things of value when one lives a very long time.”

I was getting close to being too nosy. I ate another slice of apple. “I thought maybe you sold the furniture you make. You could, you know. Santa Fe would eat it up.”

“That would involve interacting with people a great deal more than I prefer, though it is certainly a good notion. If I ever have need of funds, I might consider it. I would employ an intermediary, of course.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”

Madera's eyes narrowed in amusement. “You have come here under extraordinary circumstances. I seldom have so many visitors at once. Were you to ask any of my neighbors, they would tell you I am a recluse.”

“Then I'm doubly honored to be your guest.” I watched him freshen both our teacups. “Your name isn't really Madera, is it?”

“I have gone by that name for centuries.”

That sounded like a rebuff. I drank my tea, trying to think of a safer subject.

“But you are right,” he added in a softer voice. “My true name is Madóran.”

I met his gaze. For the first time I realized that he was just as gorgeous as Caeran, in a slightly different way. The lines of his face were longer, the planes sharper, his crystal blue eyes more intent. I'd been so fixated on Caeran I hadn't even thought about the others, but they were all stunning.

“Your names are all so lyrical,” I said.

“Our culture reveres beauty, in all its forms.”

“I can see that.”

I glanced out of the window toward the courtyard. The snow was deepening on the edges of the fountain, though the water still danced.

“Do you heat the fountain with khi, or electricity?”

Madóran grinned. “Electricity is easier. Khi would require constant attention.”

“Ah. But it's still magical.”

I looked out toward the fountain again. Like everything else about Madóran's home, it was quietly beautiful.

Madóran, too. All of the ælven were stunning, but the others didn't take my breath away like Caeran did. Here, in the calm of the kitchen, I could acknowledge that I was more than infatuated with Caeran. He'd saved my life a couple of times, now. I owed him everything, and I was willing to pay up.

Madóran rose. “If you do not mind my leaving you briefly, I will ready a room for you.”

“Thanks. And thanks for the supper. It was just what I needed.”

He smiled, then left the kitchen by the door we'd come through. I poured the rest of the tea into my cup and picked up the last slice of apple. Crisp, with a perfect balance of sweet and tart. At this point I'd be surprised to learn that Madóran had not grown it. He had a lot of resources.

I, on the other hand, did not even have a spare pair of panties.

I'd had a vague plan of driving back to Las Vegas for supplies, but it looked like the snow was going to prevent that. I wished for a TV, if only to consult the Weather Channel. I knew there was no chance of Internet.

I moved over to the fireplace and sat on the low flagstone-topped banco beside it, basking in the warmth. The fire was down to coals, so I added a piece of wood from a nearby bin and watched the flames spring up around it.

I loved fires. When I had a house, it would have fireplaces all over, like this place.

It was nice, being here, but I had to figure out what to do next. I could rinse out my undies each night until I had a chance to shop, or until it was safe to go home. I wondered how long that would be. I'd have to call the library in the morning, let them know I wouldn't be there. Dave would be pissed, and Amanda would be disappointed.

Amanda! I was supposed to meet her for dinner. She'd be freaking out!

I went back to the table and got out my phone, powered it up and dialed Man's number. I only hoped she hadn't called the cops.