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“He needs special treatment for several more days,” the doctor said, standing back from the table. “He is not in any position to be discharged. We are sending him to the specialists at the poison control center in Bangkok.”

I rubbed my temples. This was too much. “Khaldon, I don’t know what to do. Daddy just called me, and he said they’re taking Sheridan to the emergency room. She may be going into premature labor.”

“Bloody hell, could this day get any worse?” Khaldon pulled on fistfuls of his hair close to his scalp.

I blew out puffed cheeks. “We need to stay here for Harris, but we’ve got to be there for Sheridan.”

As though on cue, Torchy sat up in a screaming fit. He clutched his stomach and threw up in the trashcan next to the bed. “Fire, me gut’s on fire.”

“What do you need, Torch? Water, ice, dry ice?”

Khaldon gave me side-glance while a smirk turned up the corner of his lips. “He needs an antacid. Albeit a boat load of antacid.”

“Is that supposed to be a joke or something?” I asked.

“I was waiting for that.” Dr. Rattanakosin opened the white bottle on the tray next to Torchy and measured a milky substance into a glass. “Here, help me get him sat up.”

Khaldon and I helped Torchy to sit. He was wobbly but stabilizing. He held his shaking hands out for the glass.

“Here, drink this. It will help keep the fire squelches down. It won’t douse the flames completely, but it will help control them.”

Torchy gulped the chalky liquid while it ran out the sides of the glass and down his cheeks. He held the glass out. “More,” he gasped. “I need more.”

“That’s enough for now. Give it a few minutes to work. Once you gave up your adrenaline, your system didn’t have as much to burn. Now, we must treat your stomach ulcers and other maladies until you can chemically modify your system and build up your stores again.”

“Wait. You knew about this, and you didn’t tell him?” I clenched my fists on my hips again totally getting tired of how much Dr. Rattanakosin didn’t communicate to us.

“If I had told you, would it have made any difference? Were you going to just let your friend die?” The doctor studied me through with his ancient Coke bottle glasses. His eyes questioned me as if I were a tiny bug under his microscope lens.

“No. Of course not. But we could’ve found another donor. Like his father.” I stared at Kalina and her eyes met my glare. “Or sister.”

Khaldon slapped Torchy’s back. “Mate, Sheridan is going into labor.”

Torchy’s face changed from utter pain to surprised worry in an instant. “Wait? Is she all right?” Torchy tried to get up off the bed but nearly fell to his knees. “The bairns? They’re two weeks early. We’ve got to get back to the States.”

“Whoa, there, big fella.” Khaldon held on to Torchy’s arm and helped him back up. “I guess I’m a wee bit weaker than I thought.” Torchy gained his balance and sat straighter. “Ya, wanker, you’re not leavin’ me here if Sheridan’s in trouble. We’ll need to fly home.” He wiped his face with a warm, wet towel the nurse provided him.

“But we can’t leave with Harris like this.” I pointed at Kalina. “What if Miss Life-For-a-Life over there decides Tiffany wasn’t enough, and she wants to take him out too? I don’t trust her.”

Khaldon grinned from ear to ear, and he snapped his fingers up beside his head. “We don’t have to leave him alone. I have trusted allies close by. They’ll come in and watch over him. Harris will be as safe with them here, maybe even safer.”

I studied Khaldon from the corner of my eyes as I stepped closer to Harris. “What do you mean?”

Khaldon turned and swiped open his phone. Moments later, he spoke in a language I couldn’t recognize. It wasn’t exactly Farsi, but it wasn’t Spanish either. Hell, for all I knew it could have been his native Egyptian or Latin.

Harris’ breathing was steady, his hands in loose fists. Even though he was unconscious, I tried to reassure him on some level that he wasn’t alone.

Khaldon swiped off the phone. “Dog’s Bollocks! Vhalencia, Ichi, Devdan, and Chuck will be here in a few hours. You can count on them to take care of Harris. They’ll watch out after Briggs as well.”

“We don’t need anyone else looking out after my brother.” Kalina took a defensive posture above his body as though she were a momma eagle guarding her nest. “I’m here, and no one will do anything to him.”

“Could you be any more melodramatic?” I asked.

Kalina straightened and went back to inspecting her fingernails.

I pulled on Khaldon’s sleeve. “Who are these people, and why would you trust them to take care of my family?”

“It’s quite simple really. Vhalencia is my progeny. She is family too.”

T
he noonday sun
beat down on me with the force of a lead pipe while the tang of hot asphalt and greasy street vendor food produced a heavy cloying sensation in my mouth. My stomach grumbled with an ache for more blood. Live blood. Not that pasteurized, in-a-plastic-bag type of blood. I needed the real deal—or Cheetos. I couldn’t tell anymore.

The hunger surging through my veins ran deeper. It was getting to the point where I was desperate enough to drain a human, a dog, or even a rat. Any minute, I was going to start looking for places to stash bodies.

My filthy clothes clung to me with the remnants of my little sister, blood, and sweat. I dared a sniff under my arms and was rewarded with my own foul, pungent odor.

I was in dire need of a shower.

Paramedics drove up with the ambulance to transport Harris to the poison control center. Looking skyward, desperately hoping for inspiration, I silently waited for that inner voice to give me a hint that my decision was the right one.

I should leave with Harris, but dammit, I have to get back to Sheridan.

Khaldon walked up to me with four people I’d never seen before.

It took me off guard to be meeting his closest friends while I looked, felt, and smelled pathetic. But it’s inevitable, right? No one ever sees you dressed up in your best. But be damned if you run to the 7-11 for gas, a bottle of Coke, and some powdered donuts with your hair thrown up in pony tail and pre-period breakouts all over your face. Of course you’re wearing the pajama bottoms you didn’t bother to change out of either. You’ll run into three people you haven’t seen since high school.

Khaldon held his hand at the small of a woman’s back. “Cheyenne, I would like to introduce you to Vhalencia De La Fuente. The slyest fox of a thief you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.” Khaldon presented me with a stunningly beautiful Spanish woman on his arm.

Shell-shocked, I gawked at her and secretly coveted the leather thigh-high boots that seemed to accentuate every curve of her muscular legs. She had to be the most attractive lady I’d ever seen, with feathery black hair and seductive brown eyes. Her mouth was alluring, even to me.

Seriously? She is his progeny? So that is who he must have been contacting when he showed Ludovic how to mind-message Dakota.

Khaldon continued his introductions of the three intimidating men standing beside him. “This is Ichi Murasaki—our master healer of Eastern medicine. Devdan Sarat—a clerical mage with a deadly prayer. And Chlodochar Lothar, our alchemist of the group, but everyone calls him Chuck. He’s quite handy with a chainsaw, too.”

He gestured to all of them with a broad spread of his hands. “These crazy peeps are my family. I am honored to finally introduce you. My crew—this is m’lady—Cheyenne O’Cuinn.”

They resembled an ancient wall of unified purpose, as though they’d been a team, a made-for-each-other family, for a millennium. For all I knew, they had. I envisioned a battlefield tapestry hanging somewhere or an oil painting of this troupe after a night of debauchery and human exploit.

Standing in front of me, they revealed silly grins on their faces possibly hiding an ancient mystical secret. It seemed they knew quite a bit more about me since I apparently knew nothing about them.

Not sure whether to curtsy, nod, or shake their hands, I swallowed and tried to plaster a genuine smile despite the fact I was still covered in goo and reeked to high heaven. Plus, I would be turning Harris over to their care in a few minutes.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you. I wish I could say I’ve heard more of you, but I don’t believe an opportune time has come up.” I perked an eyebrow in Khaldon’s direction.

Vhalencia peeked up at Khaldon and winked. I imprisoned the green monster crawling out of my heart and managed to keep him at bay. She stepped forward and hugged me tightly around the shoulders and then held my face close to hers as she studied me.

She turned her head toward Khaldon without letting go. In a thick Spanish accent, she greeted me. “Oh, Señor Khaldon, she is simply captivating. Wherever did you find her? She is so … American.”

Devdan snapped off a picture from a camera hung around his neck, and Vhalencia pinched my cheeks like I was a Christmas puppy.

I smiled, stepped back, and broke the embrace, managing to square my shoulders and speak the best Irish I could muster. “I was born in Kerry, Ireland, and bloody proud of it.”

“Of course you were, my dear.” She patted my shoulder and then discreetly wiped her hand on her hip-huggin’ jeans. Vhalencia pulled a Kleenex out of her bag and glanced at Khaldon and then back at me. “Now don’t you worry about a dhing. We are here to take care of your brother, Harris, isn’t it?”

I tried to correct her, but she didn’t allow a single word.

“No worries, my sweet. We’ll have him under 24/7 security guard. He’ll never be alone.” She peeked back over her shoulder and giggled. “You’re practically family.”

She handed me an overnight bag. “Here, I brought you a change of clothing, some personal toiletries, some makeup….” She rumbled through the bag and pulled out a small crystal vial with a hose-and-bulb spray pump. She spritzed the toilet water into the air. “Some perfume.…” She held her fingers under her nose, but she smiled and danced her eyes, all while breathing in the crisp, clean scent of lavender. “And a little gift from all of us. We are so endeared to finally meet you.” She cupped my cheek and pursed her pouty lips. She turned to stare at Khaldon and placed her hands on her hips as though this topic had been a bone of contention. “Unfortunately, we are meeting under such trying circumstances.
Tsk tsk tsk.
I’m sure next time our visit will be much nicer. I hope you’ll come to the villa soon.”

Not sure what to say, I opened my mouth to thank her, but she seemed to be done with me and moved on to the next shiny thing.

“Where’s my Torchy? I simply must see him before we leave.” Vhalencia gracefully pirouetted and scanned the area for him.

Can you say “squirrel?”

“Thank you, but you didn’t have to. I just haven’t had a chance to—”

Vhalencia looked back at me pressed and her index finger to my lips, flashing me a sweet wicked grin.

“It was nothing. When Señor Seters asked me to bring you a few dhings, we couldn’t resist.”

Her smile was so contagious; it actually made my whole body feel better. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the reason, but if I had to describe Vhalencia, I would venture to say she reminded me of my sister Dakota. Or at least the way she used to be. Immaculate, manicured, beautiful, and not a hair out of place. Always giving me little presents and wanting me to fix myself up. I wanted to like her, but now knowing she was also a master thief, I knew there was no way I would ever completely trust her.

Chuck picked me up and tossed me into the air a couple times like I was a rag doll. The bile in my stomach threatened to come up. He was huge and his arms were as big around as my thigh.

Ichi said, “You make her toss cookies. Put her down.” Ichi reached up and eased me down from Chuck’s grasp.

Chuck then handed me a bottle of pomegranate bloodwine, and my stomach fell in love with him.

I hope this stuff isn’t from an illegal blood orchard.

“Oh, thank you. You’re a saint.”

“
Ja
, I’ve been called vorse,” Chuck winked.

“Chainsaw, huh?”

He shrugged. “It gets the job done.” His eyes grew wild as though he were begging for some of that action Khaldon had spoken of before.

“Yeah, that’s a little frightening.” I patted his chest. It was as solid as an oak door.

Why weren’t these guys with us on that island?

From a distance, I heard Torchy call out, “I’m here, Vhal.”

An orderly pushed him in a wheelchair out toward us.

Vhalencia darted her eyes back at me and winked, “Enjoy the goodies. I’ll see you soon, my dear. Ta ta!”

Ichi handed me a little gold paper sack. “You take these twice day. It will heal damage no object has touched.” He handed me the bag with both hands. I accepted his gift in kind, and then he held a hand over his heart.

Was he offering me Chinese herbs for depression?

Ichi was straight out of a kung-fu movie. He could have been a brother to Master Pai Mei from
Kill Bill.
His brilliantly white top knot hair was held up with a wooden chopstick. I’m sure the ornamental stick had seen more action than sushi. He stroked his white beard down to a point on his chest. His outfit was complete with the little black bootie shoes kung fu fighters wore. I wasn’t about to piss off this guy.

“Thank you. Do I take them on a full stomach?”

Ichi bowed toward me, and I returned the gesture remembering to look him in the eyes.

For the briefest of moments, he smiled, and then as soon as it arrived, it fled once again.

“You drink first thing in the morning and then again in twelve hour. No soon, no later.”

“Okay, got it. I will take them until they’re gone.” I bowed again and Devden snapped another photo.

I turned my attention to him. “Oh, please don’t. I’m a total wreck. I’m a grand-prize winner for one of
The Walking Dead
premieres. All I need is to lose a shoe, and I’d be complete.”

Devden laughed in a quick
ha-ha-ha
. He wore a white turban and a knee-length dress shirt of sorts. The leather boots were made of a laced-up suede and flat-footed soles. He also toted a formidable blade at his side.

“Is that a scimitar?” I reached to touch the hilt but then thought better of it. “Do you carry an exclusive license for that thing?”

Devden laughed out loud once again. “
Babuji
, you never told me she would keep me in stitches.”

Khaldon slapped him on the back. “Oh yes. Stick with her, and you’ll never know what bodily harm she may do to you.” He blew me a kiss.

I scowled at him.

Devden pulled the scimitar out of the leather catch he wore around his waist and held out the intimidating blade. “I finished this myself.”

I gawked at the mastery of the craftsmanship and gently handed it back to him. This guy was definitely not someone to mess with. I shook my head in disbelief. “Wow, I don’t have words for how beautiful this is. I hope one day to watch you work.”

From what I could tell, Devden blushed at my words and gave me a small bow, accepting my compliment. “I sometimes will hold expeditions at Torchy’s Super Market locations. Perhaps you’ll see me there one day.”

My eyes shone with delight. “Yes, I would truly enjoy that very much.”

“Vait ein minute. I pounded the heavy metals, Devdan.” Chuck stood straighter and taller than before.

Dude was an oak and looked like he could break one in half.

“It took both of us together to make that blade. Devdan does the fine finishing details.” A look of immense pride came over both of the men as Chuck continued. “Ve are ein good team.”I turned to Khaldon. “Why weren’t these guys with us on that island?”

Khaldon’s eyes grew as wide as an Anime character as if the thought never occurred to him. He opened his mouth to answer but I hushed him.

“Hold that thought,” I said.

The paramedics wheeled Harris out, and I ran over before they could load him into the ambulance. I reached for his hand, hoping he might have gained enough consciousness for me to explain the circumstances.

No luck.

I knew he couldn’t squeeze back, but I wanted him to know he was not alone and he was going to be all right soon. At least I prayed he would.

I glanced up at the laughter and commotion from Torchy. It was good to see his spirits up. He apparently knew these people and seemed more at peace than I had ever seen him. I trusted his judgment, so I presumed they were legit. Vhalencia bent over and kissed him soundly on the mouth.

Interesting … maybe too good. They sure are a friendly bunch.

Khaldon placed his hand in the small of my back. “Are you all right, m’sweet?” He gazed down at Harris and also touched his shoulder as well. It was though he completed a circuit of love between us.

I halfway nodded and tilted my head in a shake, not clear on how I felt or what to say. Dazed, numb, and starving, I wanted nothing more than to hit
control-Z
on this whole ordeal and return to pre-SHTF—shit hit the fan—days. Bygone was the time when everyone was alive, no one was undead, no one was a demon, vampire, werewolf, or a dragon. My so-called life was normal.

Khaldon leaned in and squeezed my hand. I looked down at Harris and worried the fabric of the sheet between my fingers. Even though I didn’t know them, Khaldon had called in close friends, family members, to watch Harris for me. I would have to trust, something I wasn’t especially adept at.

“It’s going to be fine. I’m sure we’ll be able to talk to him by tomorrow. Ichi and Chuck will be with him constantly, and you can text them anytime you want, all right?” Khaldon’s calm reassurance helped to reduce the tension that had been building in my gut.

With Harris still harnessed to the bed, Ichi, Chuck, and the paramedic bumped elbows to noses more than once. He tried to make the fellas exit the ambulance, but their stoic faces told everyone they weren’t leaving.

Somewhat placated that things would be all right for Harris, Chuck nodded to me. His silent gesture purchased me a moment to exhale a held breath of discomfort.

Torchy called out, “They’re releasing you too, mate?”

I popped my head up and noticed Kalina hurriedly pushing Briggs in a wheelchair away from the entrance and toward a red pickup truck.

I gave Harris’ toe one last squeeze. “Please guys, take care of him for me. I wish I had more time to get to know you.” I handed Chuck an envelope. “Could you give this to him when he wakes up?”

Ichi Murasaki bent forward in a
namaste
type hand gesture. Chuck took hold of the envelope and stuffed it in his breast jacket pocket. In a strong German accent said, “
Ja
, it vould be my honor to deliver zis message to him vhen he avakes.” Chuck then blew me a kiss.