The Last Oracle (28 page)

“
In your dreams!”
Alex screamed, as the hum of the helicopter grew louder.

Paolo grabbed Alex’s arm, and Alex swung at him in an effort to get free, but Paolo pulled him into a hug.

“My friend, my brother, I swear to you—on Valeria’s life—that I am here to help and I will never again do anything to harm you or your wife!” Paolo’s voice was in pain. “Please, allow me to help.”

Alex pulled free and then, hesitantly, he shrugged. He didn’t want to forgive Paolo. Alex desperately wanted someone to blame…someone other than himself, for bringing Kristiana into their lives.

“Alex, I speak the truth. You must believe me.”

Closing his eyes, Alex concentrated on calming his breathing...and his rage. Then, without meeting Paolo’s eyes, he nodded and returned to his wife as Mani tended to her injuries. Alex kissed her forehead. “You’re going to be alright, Val. We have a helicopter that’s going to transport you to a hospital.”

“No—we should go to Morgana,” Mani said.

The wind picked up as the helicopter landed, obscuring all other sound. The medics rushed to Valeria and checked her vitals. Alex put his hand on the medics arm.

“She’s…she’s pregnant,” he choked.

Mani introduced himself and told them that he was her doctor. They rolled her onto a stretcher and, this time, Valeria’s cries were silenced by the volume of the whir of the chopper. Mani walked with her as Alex and Paolo followed.

The medic stared at the two men, both intending to board. “Only her husband and the doctor may travel with us.”

Paolo stared at Alex for a moment, and then said, “I am her husband.” The medic nodded and Paolo climbed on board.

Alex said, “May I speak to her for a moment?”

“Only a moment,” the medic said, as Mani inserted an IV into her arm.

Alex brushed her hair back. Valeria tried to focus on his face and she reached for his hand.

“Beautiful, I’m going to leave you with Mani. I need to get another ride, but I’ll be there with you again as soon as possible.”

Valeria shook her head, but an oxygen mask was over her face. “Don’t leave me.” 

Alex had tears in his eyes. “It won’t be for very long. And you are in the very best hands.”

He choked as he walked off the helicopter. Paolo gazed at him before turning to play the role of the dutiful husband.

Daphne glanced at Alex and saw the red stain on his polo shirt. “Alex, let me at least—” She started to wipe the blood from a scrape on his face.

Alex pulled away. “I need to get to Morgana! Someone has to get me a plane or a chopper. I need it now!”

Daphne put her hand on Alex. “Please don’t be angry.”

Alex glared at her. He was very close to accusing her of working with Paolo so that they both got what they wanted. But in 3,000 years, he had never been cruel to her and he didn’t want to start now. “Daph…I…just…” he sighed and then walked away, but she followed.

“Paolo sent a ride for us. We aren’t totally self-centered,” Daphne said.

Camille was consoling the man who had hit their car. He told her that he had been cleaning Paolo’s pool and then, the next thing he knew, he almost killed a pregnant lady. Alex paced nervously until he heard the second chopper.

∞

A few hours later, the second helicopter landed on the front lawn of the main house at Morgana, carrying Alex, Camille, and Caleb. Daphne had insisted that Camille take her place and that she would drive Paolo’s car to Morgana.

Alex rushed up the steps and into the main house as the blades of the medical helicopter that transported Valeria began to slowly turn. His eyes darted upstairs to the bedrooms—no one was there.
Then Mani—who was having a discussion with one of the medics—glanced up at Alex and nodded toward the kitchen. Alex’s eyes traced the line down the hallway and stopped at the library door. It was the room where Alex and Valeria had shared their private moment after being pronounced husband and wife. He remembered their kiss and how incredibly fortunate he had felt that day. Now he prayed that she survived.

As he stepped past the medics, with his heart pounding furiously, he saw Paolo dutifully holding Valeria’s hand while she lay in the hospital bed—the new addition to the room. Alex fought back his anger and fear and went to her side. Biting back his emotions, he glanced at his wife on the hospital bed that Mani must have had delivered; seeing that she was breathing, he sighed.

“Mani says she will be all right,” Paolo said softly, continuing to hold Valeria’s hand. Alex breathed out a sigh of relief mixed with rage that Paolo was the one telling him the news. As gently as was possible for him at that moment, Alex placed his hand under Paolo’s arm. Paolo rose as if completely unaware that he had crossed the line. Then Alex led him to the door.

“You wish to speak privately?” Paolo began.

Alex forced himself to close the door gently, in Paolo’s face, rather than the violent action he so wished to release. Then he fought back his tears and returned to his wife.

Even in the dim light of the room, he could see that she was not all right. She was wearing a clean, light blue hospital gown, but was still covered in blood and bruises and, now, bandages. Alex tried to hide his emotions as he went to her and kissed her and held her hand.

“Is she alright?” came Valeria’s weak voice.

“Who?”

“Our daughter,” she whispered.

He kissed her hand. “So, it’s a ‘she’?” He tried to smile, but it failed him. There was a knock at the door and Mani entered. Two men followed with several pieces of equipment.

“Doc?” Alex said, desperate to hear the official word. “How is she?”

“It appears that both the tibia and fibula are fractured just above the ankle. There is also a bruise on her right lower rib, I suspect another fracture. Her wrist may be sprained. She’s badly bruised over most of her body and will likely be uncomfortable for a few days.”

Mani turned to Valeria and smiled gently. “Valeria, I think it would be best to do an ultrasound.”

As exhausted as she felt, Valeria had to make certain the baby was all right before she considered sleep. Alex held her hand as Mani neatly folded the sheet at the base of her abdomen and then raised her gown up. Alex cringed as he saw the deep purple bruise that ran across the lower part of her stomach from where the seatbelt had been. Mani squirted the cool liquid on her belly and then took the wand and ran it over her —not seeing any indication of a heartbeat. Alex could see the concern on his face as Mani continued to move the wand all around her belly.

“Doc?” Alex asked, suddenly frightened. Valeria’s hand tightened on his as a tear ran down her cheek.

Mani lowered his brow and pressed his lips together. “Valeria, let’s try another angle. If we help you, can you roll toward me?”

“Is she okay?” she whispered.

“Give me your arm.
Alex can you help?”

They moved and Valeria cried out in pain. Instantly, the rapid heartbeat came over the speakers and relief flooded Alex’s face. Valeria smiled wearily and relaxed into Alex’s arms.

“The fetus appears to be unharmed,” Mani said as he snapped off his gloves. “Still, you have some internal bleeding. Valeria you can sleep now. To protect the fetus, you will need to be on bed rest for at least two to three weeks. We will do another ultrasound then and decide how to proceed.”

“Alex, you need to sleep too,” she whispered.

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Good, then lay down with me,” she whispered sleepily.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered back, and kissed her ear.

“You won’t. Please,” she said as she patted the bed next to her.

Alex went to the other side of the bed, away from her broken bones, and lay down cautiously while Mani continued to wrap her injuries.

Mani went on, “Valeria, we will use a soft cast on your leg but you will not be able to put weight on it for at least six weeks. I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do for your ribs. You may want something for the pain.”

“No, I’m fine.” With that, she fell into a deep sleep. Alex never left her side throughout the night—taking solace in every breath she took.

As he brushed the hair from her face, he noticed how pale she was and the numerous bruises that covered her face and arms. Then he whispered, “Please don’t ever leave me.”

∞

The rest of the family arrived mid-morning. They found Mani and Camille asleep on the couches in the living room; Caleb was curled up asleep on the floor, his electronic game still in one hand, and Charlie in the other. Paolo sat, brooding, in a chair facing Valeria’s room.

Daphne rushed in and saw Paolo intensely focused on the closed bedroom door leading to Valeria. She approached him hesitantly, uncertain as to where they stood. She was almost next to him, and ready to turn and run, when he finally saw her. He rose and, with his face filled with desperation, embraced her as if she were his lifeline.

Lars said, “Let’s all get some sleep. We can talk about this after we’ve slept.”

When Paolo pulled back from Daphne, his eyes were filled with tears. Brushing the side of his face, Daphne said, “Alex will keep her safe while you get some rest.” Taking his hand, she led him up the stairs. It was the first time Paolo had been welcomed to stay in the main house.

∞

Valeria woke at four p.m. and found her door opened and Alex gone. She tried to sit up, but was seized with pain in numerous parts of her body. Immediately, Alex was back in the room with her. “Sorry, I just went to shower and shave. Caleb was here until just a few minutes ago. How do you feel?” he asked.

“Oh...sore.” She tried to smile. “Are you okay?”

Alex nodded. “Had a few minor injuries last night. But they’ve healed up.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Uh, I need to tell you a few things before Paolo returns, which will probably be any minute. We don’t want Kristiana to know where you are and it appears that if Paolo knows—so does she. If Paolo leaves, the likelihood of another incident is high. So, Camille and Daphne came up with an idea that I think just might work.”

“What?” she whispered.

“I don’t have time to go into everything right now. But we’re just about out of time. Please don’t worry about what happens in the next few minutes. Also, I won’t be able to see you right away—but I want you to know that everything will be all right.”

“Where are you going,” she whispered, unable to find the strength for her normal speaking volume.

“Don’t worry. I’m not doing anything dangerous, I promise you that.”

She wanted to ask what was going on with Paolo’s constant vigilance, but she just didn’t have the strength.

“Camille’s going to come in so that I can be part of a discussion with Paolo. And remember, there’s nothing to worry about in the next few minutes, all right?”

She lowered her brow and nodded—even that hurt!

Camille stepped in cautiously, looking more than a little stressed. “Are you alright?” She sat on the edge of the bed. Valeria nodded. “You certainly look better than last night!” Camille tried to smile and then got serious. “How are you feeling?”

“Alright, I guess,” she lied.

“I guess Alex told you that we have a plan.” Camille said in a near whisper, Valeria nodded. “He’s afraid this plan will be too upsetting to you but I’ve assured him that you’re stronger than he thinks. In any case, it’s important that you don’t…worry too much about it.” Valeria nodded again, as Camille peered toward the door, nervously. “Also, I should warn you that Alex is going to ask you to do some things that you won’t want to agree to. In fact, I would guess that you would completely object to some of it. But I want you to remember that there is more to this than what you will see on the surface.” Camille glanced at the door again. “Just trust me on this.”

Camille looked completely exhausted. “Oh, and lastly, we don’t want any discussion about our project here with us recovering the oracles; and absolutely
no
mention of Myrdd.” Camille nervously glanced at the door. “You’ll learn more later.”

Valeria nodded and was nearly asleep again.

Camille pulled a turkey baster filled with red fluid from a drawer. “Caleb smuggled this in under his sling a few hours ago.” Valeria narrowed her eyes at the baster.

“
It’s blood,” Camille said as her eyes grew large with excitement.

“Caleb’s arm?”
Valeria whispered.

“Oh, it’s been completely healed since early this morning. But he was getting such a kick out of having an ‘injury’ that he kept the sling on. That’s when I had the idea. If I had thought of this while Paolo was sleeping, we wouldn’t have needed to sneak it in. Delayed brilliance—what can I say!”

She carefully placed the baster in Mani’s medical bag.

“What…” Valeria started coughing and the pain in her rib felt as though it were ripping through her—followed by all the dull aches in her body.

Camille swallowed. “I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.”