Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice (40 page)

Kerk fired, and the first landed with a
sickening thud just outside the fissure.

Erynn fired at the second and missed, hitting
the wall instead.

Kerk spun to his left. A Shifter he’d thought
dead leapt up and charged forward, grabbing Kerk’s staser arm.

The Shifter coming through the fissure opened
its wide mouth filled with sharp teeth in a grotesque smile. It
hissed and reached out for Erynn.

Aven bounded down the steps, followed by
Cale, Tiar, and a dozen Anbas. Aven fired on the Shifter attacking
Kerk. Cale fired on the one reaching for Erynn. It died trying to
retreat into the stone maw. “Keep watch for more of them,” Aven
called.

Anbas entered the fissure, followed, and
fired on the Shifters caught in the narrow crevice.

“Aven, don’t let them go farther than the
short fissure. It’s too dangerous. They won’t
see
.”

The last warrior entering the opening turned
and nodded at Erynn. “Understood.”

Aven came over to Erynn and knelt next to her
and Cace. He checked Cace’s pulse. Aven motioned to two Anbas still
on the steps. “Get Cace to the Medical Unit.”

“No!” Erynn called, her voice strained and
weak. She reached back, grasping Cace, her arms leaden.
“Dhoran—”

“Dhoran/Nev is sedated and in a holding cell
under heavy guard. It’s okay, Erynn. Cace needs medical attention,
and I think you do, too.”

“I’m all right—just tired.” She grimaced when
she scooted aside to allow the two warriors access to Cace. Erynn
frowned up at Aven and bit her lower lip. “Could you help me up,
and, um, maybe to walk?”

Aven grinned. “Well I never thought I’d live
to hear it. You’re finally asking for help.” He reached down, took
Erynn in his arms, and lifted her as if she weighed nothing. “It
would be an honor, Erynn.”

Cale entered Erynn’s cubicle in the Medical
Unit. Cace lay in the next bed, snoring softly. Maire had him
patched up and out of pain, but he was exhausted. Cace’s mom dozed
in a chair next to the bed, her hand holding tightly to her son’s.
Cace had insisted on staying close to Erynn, and she had
agreed.

“Maire said I should only stay for a moment,”
Cale whispered. He smiled and sat on the edge of Erynn’s bed.
“She’s running this place with an iron fist. I wanted you to know
the fissure is being sealed.” He shook his head and gazed down at
the floor. “After all the times we went over the base, no one ever
found that opening.”

Erynn took in a deep breath and let it out
slowly. “You have to learn to
see
first,” she whispered in
response.

Cale leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m
sorry, Erynn. You tried to warn me. Rest. We’ll talk soon. I
believe you have a lot to tell me.”

“Yes, I do.” Erynn frowned. “Wait. What was
Kerk doing on the lower levels?” She chuffed. “Not that I’m not
grateful he was there. Cace and I wouldn’t have made it without
him.”

Cale glanced away and cleared his throat.
“Aven had Anbas on all the levels, searching for you. Kerk just
happened to be checking the area again. After we found Grame’s
body…well, Kerk said he had a bad feeling about the spot and wanted
to recheck the area.”

Erynn smiled. “Lucky for us.” Her expression
faltered. “When are Jaer and Sean going to be back?”

Cale turned his face away. “I’ll send a
transport in the morning when the storm allows.”

“So Jaer will be here tomorrow?”

Cale took in a heavy breath and sighed. “I
don’t know. Jaer left the lodge—”

Erynn threw the covers back, swung her feet
around, and slid to the cold floor.

Cale took her arms and steadied her. “What do
you think you’re doing?”

Erynn searched the room for her clothes, but
didn’t find them. “I—We need to find Jaer.”

“No. You’re staying here. Jaer will be all
right. If anyone can survive this storm, its Jaer.” Cale tried to
turn her toward the bed.

“Cale, I’m not taking that chance. He’s saved
my life, more than once. Now it’s my turn to help save him. I want
to go. Aven will help me, and Tiar. If not, I’ll go on my own.”

Cale sighed. “Aven and Tiar will go with
you.”

“I can’t ask them to—”

“You don’t have to. They’re getting a search
team ready now.”

Cace watched Erynn from his one good eye. In
a hoarse whisper he said, “Be careful, Erynn.”

She nodded and limped into the hall, Cale
beside her.

Maire advanced from the front desk, her
posture stiff. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“I need my clothes, Maire.”

“I sent them to the laundry. They were a
mess—like you. Now are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s Jaer. He’s out in the storm. I need to
help find him.”

Maire stared for a long moment and nodded.
“Come with me.”

Whill handed Erynn new storm gear to wear
over her white jumpsuit.

“You don’t have to go. We can handle this,”
Aven said, watching her struggle into the heavy suit.

“I know, but…” She stared up at Aven and
secured the front of the thick coat Whill had helped her into.
“Aven, I’m sorry. I don’t purposely try to—”

“Enough said. I understand.” Aven wrapped her
in a hug. “Now, let’s go find Jaer.”

An alarm blared through the transport bay,
and a faint light glowed through the access tunnel.

Everyone turned and stared as a figure
covered in snow and ice stumbled into the bay.

Jaer
!

He pushed his hood back. His beard and
mustache were encrusted with frozen snow. He gazed around the room,
finding Erynn. While staring at her, he said, “Sorry, Whill. The
speeder did not make it.” He brushed melting snow off his coat. Ice
broke into shards and clattered to the stone floor.

Erynn limped to Jaer as he shuffled stiffly
toward her.

“Where are you going?” he asked,
frowning.

“You were out there in the storm, alone. I…We
were coming to save you.”

Jaer reached out and pulled her into him. She
melded against him, a perfect fit. He grinned. “You already saved
me, Kipa. A long time ago.” He leaned in and kissed her.

The cheers of those standing around seemed to
carry as if from a great distance. Nothing mattered right
now—nothing but Jaer.

From the center of her chest the static built
and flowed between them, through her into him, warming her from
head to toe.

Jaer chuckled, and between kisses he said,
“You are doing that tickling thing again. I guess that means you
are happy.”

“Yes, very happy.”

NEV FLOATED, AWARE OF A vague emptiness, an
alone
sensation inside a body that was foreign to him, but
still
his
body.

Dark— it’s so dark
.

His eyelids felt stuck closed when he tried
to open them, and
he
was the one struggling to pry his lids
apart.

Dhoran—he’s asleep, and I’m awake. How can
that be
?

He tried to wiggle his fingers. Nothing
happened.

Try again, while the monster is
unaware
.

Nev concentrated on moving the first finger
of his right hand. He sensed the light press of the sheet beneath
the fingertip before it curled into his palm. He asked the next
three fingers to respond, and his hand slowly formed a weak
fist.

Drugged, I’ve…Dhoran’s been drugged. But
why am I aware and waking from this stupor, and not…him
.

Nev screamed within his mind.
Wake up.
Wake up you animal
!

Nothing changed. No overriding voice from
inside or outside his head chastised him for his thoughts or the
claim on his body.

Nev shivered. A tear ran from the corner of
his eye, tracking to the thin pillow his head rested on.

Please help me. I know his plans. I know
everything. Dhoran won’t stop. He’ll find another, now that he’s
been discovered. And he’ll finish what he’s started
.