Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine (34 page)

But—

Do as I ask. Now shut the link.

I love you, too, Malley Whellen. LaRenna closed the channel and braced for the upcoming battle.

Talmshone forced them toward the open doors of the launch, watching those who followed from a distance. Trazar lay in their path, bleeding from the back of the head.

LaRenna probed her brother’s condition, rejoicing when she found him conscious. She broke the channel when Malley stepped onto the aerolaunch’s extended docking ramp. LaRenna squeezed Malley’s hand then sent a crippling pain phase into Talmshone. He shook his head slowly, resisting the temptation to scratch away the aggravating sensation.

“Stop it, Taelach. You do nothing but make me angrier.” LaRenna increased the phase, blurring Talmshone’s vision. “STOP IT!” He rushed forward, prepared to crush LaRenna’s skull. Trazar grabbed his legs when he came within reach and jerked hard, sprawling him forward.

Malley hurled LaRenna into the seats on the launch’s far side then kicked back, knocking the blaster from Talmshone’s hand. The weapon spiraled off the ramp.

“Bitches, all of you!” He sprang to his feet. “I will kill every last one of you and consume your worthless hearts purely for the pleasure of it!” Malley lunged at him, shoving him toward the edge. He grasped her belt and lifted her over his head, tossing her into Trazar. The force threw them backward, slamming them against the cavern wall.

“Malley! Trazar! No!” LaRenna cried in horror as they fell. In that terrified moment, her phase dropped and Talmshone, leering dreadfully, reached for her.

“Even Kimshee apprentices are all pilot briefed, I do believe.” He pulled her into the crushing crook of his arm. “You cannot phase without oxygen, young one.” His lock tightened until her eyes rolled back. “I should have done this long ago. It is much tidier than Cance’s methods.”

“Don’t harm her!” bellowed Krell. “She’s never flown an aerolaunch.”

“Then I will drop her from the ramp unless a more qualified individual agrees to be of assistance.” Talmshone dragged her to the edge and let her flailing legs dangle into the void. “I am waiting.”

“Let her have footing and air,” said Krell. “And I’ll go with you.”

“Remove your bow and walk my direction, guardian.”

Talmshone loosened his grip slightly, allowing LaRenna to take a single breath. She dangled from his arm, a bare toe length above the ramp. “I will let her breathe when you are safely in the pilot’s position.”

Phase him.
LaRenna’s inner voice was almost nonexistent.
Pain phase him!

Not until you’re on solid ground.
Krell slowly entered the launch. “I’ve done what you asked. Let her down.” Talmshone dropped LaRenna on the ramp for a moment, letting her take several deep breaths before he put her in a head lock again, this time with a grip loose enough for her take partial breaths. “Get used to it, girl. My arm and sparing breaths are your fate until we are safely in Iralian space.”

LaRenna pushed into his hold, sliding her head down until she could bite his arm. When she did, Talmshone dropped his grip, knocking her off the ramp. Her hands somehow found his ankle as she fell and she gripped it for dear life. Everything spun as she fought to for a hold. She hurt without solace, her stretched ribs searing, her foot an anchor dragging her down. A chorus of cries flew through her head. Had she made them or heard them? Her fingers slid across the Iralian’s slick scales, fruitless in their struggle to find a hold. Talmshone reached for her as she fell free, his fingers slipping through hers. Time seemed to slow as she fell. She could see everyone’s faces so clearly. Talmshone’s gray-yellow shaded a surprised pink. Krell lunged for her. Belsas and Firman ran headlong for her, their faces a mixture of disbelief and helplessness. Tatra clutched Chandrey’s arm, pulling her from the cliff edge. Their voices circled her as she tumbled.

“Girl, what are you doing?”

“My baby!”

“Hold on, LaRenna!”

“Renna!”

They jumbled together until she couldn’t tell one from the other. Only Krell’s strong voice cut the panic. It was telepathic, a booming broadcast of a single command
. Put me where you’ll land. NOW! LARENNA! NOW!

“KKKKRRRREEEELLLLL!” Abruptly, the scream stopped.

“No!” Chandrey collapsed back into Tatra.

Belsas and Firman continued their forward sweep, plowing into Talmshone and throwing him into the launch doors.
You killed her!
Belsas forced a vengeful pain phase at him as he struggled to his feet.
You murdered my child!

Talmshone shrugged off the phase. “Fight me fairly, Belsas, and quit hiding behind that excuse for a phase. Your daughter had a better command of it than you. Her phase could have stopped me. Yours is an insect—small, annoying, and crushable.”

Belsas stepped forward to push harder. “My phase may not be as intense as LaRenna’s but I am not alone in my efforts.” Talmshone fell back as Chandrey released her anger in the violent spasms that she centered on his spine.

“You took my only child!” She ignored his pleas for mercy and pushed all her energy at him.

“Taelach laws do not allow for death for a single murder.” Talmshone cowered in the back of the launch. “You cannot execute me for it! It is forbidden by the Kinship!”

Tatra steadied Chandrey as she lent her own mind to the punishment. “You didn’t kill just one. Over one million died on Langus. That gives Belsas the right to pass immediate judgment.”

Talmshone howled and stumbled back onto the ramp, scraping the scales from his face as he tried to wipe away the pain. “Mercy! In your Mother Maker’s name, have mercy!”

Firman caught the Iralian’s tunic front. “I sincerely wish I could push the death phase into you myself, but I’ll leave that honor to Krell.” He looked into the launch’s pilot seat. “Where’d she go?”

Belsas stepped into the launch, never turning from the phase holding Talmshone frozen. Krell was indeed gone. “You threw her over the side as well!” Belsas’s anger now burned out of control. “I hereby find you guilty of mass murder, sabotage, and other crimes too numerous to mention. You are sentenced to immediate death by pain phase.”

Their combined phases strangled out his objections, collapsing him onto the ramp. Tatra and Chandrey slowly approached, their phases growing heavier as they drew near. Talmshone peered up at them, searching for some sign of sympathy. Finding none, he fumbled in his tunic pocket and pulled a small folding knife, which he drew across his neck, slicing two of the three main veins. The move caught his executioners by surprise, distracting them into dropping their phases.

“Taelach justice is swift.” Blood gurgled up and out Talmshone’s mouth. “But the Iralian can take that from you, too. I take my own life before I lose it to you.” The knife fell from his hand and he slumped forward.

Belsas flipped him over. “He’s gone. Iralians consider it an honor to commit suicide in the line of duty. It’ll make a martyr out of him.” She took Chandrey’s arm, leading her away from the scene. “Healer Wileyse, please tend to Commander Laiman while I call for a launch to take Engineer Whellen’s remains to the Training Grounds. Firman, would you please begin searching for any sign of Krell and LaRenna? Mother, please let them be alive. We have seen more than enough death as of late.”

“A search won’t be necessary.” Firman stood at the ramp edge. A smile spanned his face, one that was wider than his mustache could ever cover. “You’ll have to see for yourselves. Words can’t describe this.” The others joined him on the ramp and laughed joyfully at what they saw.

Krell was waist deep in the mud, LaRenna in her arms. They were locked in an exuberant, full-mouth kiss, aware they were being watched but not caring in the least.

Krell?

Yeah, wren bird?

Good catch.

Thanks, but you deserve the credit for teleporting me here.

Nah, it was mainly you. Your idea after all. How did you know I could do it?

Faith and prayer, LaRenna. It was the Mother’s way of showing you what a precious gift you have.

Gift?

Yes, lover.
Krell winked
. Who but you could move me like that?

Oh, Krell.

What? My humor fails you?

No, it’s just that, well, make me a promise?

Anything, sweetheart, just name it.

Promise you’ll always be there to catch me when I fall?

LaRenna Krells, from this day forward, I will be constantly by your side. Come fire, flood, famine, or freeze, I will always be as close as your touch. That is my new Oath to you. I will never leave you again, not for a minute.

And Krell never did, not by choice, not even for a minute.

Love is a powerful healer, capable of more than science can imagine or reason.

—Taelach wisdom

“Krell, darling, wake up.” LaRenna licked her dry lips. It had taken almost a full day for Tatra and the surgical crews to repair her numerous injuries. Krell had been in attendance during the surgeries, refusing to leave LaRenna’s side while she slept. It was late now and they were alone. Tatra had removed most of the external sensors, leaving but two to measure her patient’s vital signs.

LaRenna looked around the room then closed her eyes, squeezing back the tears. She was thankful for her life, for her new future, but her heart ached—ached for Malley. Why hadn’t she sensed Malley’s devotion?

“Don’t blame yourself.” LaRenna opened her eyes to see Krell looking at her. “You aren’t responsible for what happened.”

“I just wish I’d known.” LaRenna allowed Krell to brush away her tears.

“What would it have changed?” Krell kissed LaRenna’s forehead. “Malley kept it hidden and your talents weren’t strong enough to pick up on such a subtlety.”

“I should have—” began LaRenna, but Krell shook her head.

“Things happen for a reason and I’m sure we’ll understand this in time.”

“I hope.” LaRenna laid her head against Krell’s shoulder, lost in thought until Krell kissed her again.

“Well, now that I’m awake, how are you feeling physically? I can’t tell much without an open channel from you.”

“I closed it when I woke. You don’t want to sense what I feel. The meds have worn off.”

“Then let me help you.” They reopened the link so Krell could offer relief. “I’ll get Tatra.”

Tatra appeared in the suite’s doorway as they spoke, wearing a grin as broad as one of Firman’s. “I’m here. Just waiting for you two to wake.”

“You should be resting yourself,” said LaRenna, managing a smile. “What’s up?”

“First off,” replied Tatra, “your brother will be fine. His pelvis and one leg are broken but should mend completely. If we can keep him off his feet that is.”

“He’s near?” asked Krell.

“Across the hall sleeping, but that’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh?” said Krell.

“I did a few postsurgery scans on LaRenna. One particular test had interesting results. I ran it twice just to be sure.”

“What now?” LaRenna grabbed Krell’s forearm, fully expecting to hear another dread infection had invaded her body.

“You have a condition that invades Autlach females from time to time. It’s parasitic.”

“Curable?” Krell picked up on the beginnings of a heightened link. LaRenna was frightened.

“The initial stage lasts around ten moon cycles in Autlach women. I suspect it will take about as long for you, too. The second stage usually lasts sixteen passes or so.”

“That long?” It was so unfair, thought Krell. LaRenna had been through so much already. She deserved a little happiness.

I have happiness as long as I have you, Krell. Whatever this is, we’ll face it together.

Krell nodded to LaRenna then looked at Tatra. “Is the condition life threatening?”

“Not usually,” replied Tatra. It took every ounce of her control not to blurt out her findings. “And, Krell, unless I miss my mark, you’re responsible for her condition.”

“ME!” Krell’s eyes grew large. “How could I be responsible? I’d never do anything to harm LaRenna!”

“There is no evidence to the contrary, so I believe you are responsible. Furthermore, it is my belief that your soul phase is what caused the condition.”

“How’s that?” LaRenna propped up very slowly on her elbows. She could sense Tatra holding back. Curiosity told her to probe for the truth, but moral tact told her otherwise. It wouldn’t be ethical, not with a friend.

“Well,” continued Tatra, “without the technicalities—”

LaRenna grinned at her. “You? Not technical? Since when?”

“It serves no purpose among you laypeople. Firman informed me of that recently.”
And probably will again
, she added silently.

LaRenna stifled a giggle. She’d heard that thought without prying. “Go on, without the technicalities—”