Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [161]
‘What’s that?’
‘No chip, doc.’
‘That’s impossible.’
‘Check for yourself.’ He handed Everett the device. ‘It must have been removed.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Everett checked her head to toe. In all his years of medical service, he’d never had a patient without ID. He swallowed. Or had he? His memory swelled and receded like the ocean. Was there someone like this when he was an intern? Before he’d taken over the trauma ward? He would have to check the records, but he was starting to feel certain of it. ‘Odd.’ Everett scanned the inside of his own wrist. ‘I don’t believe it, but you’re right. No ID.’
‘How do you want me to label the record?’
‘Jane Doe,’ he whispered.
‘Say again?’ The medic had his fingers on the small digital keyboard, poised to type in the filename.
Everett cleared his throat. ‘Call her Jane Doe.’
GAELA & EARTH—TIME: FORWARD
CHAPTER 36
Teg pelted towards the stables, kicking up gravel as he crossed the driveway. He hadn’t thought about shifting. It just happened automatically. I’m coming, Kali, he called out to her, skidding to a stop before rounding the stables.
I still can’t shift. Her voice was stronger in his mind. He’s got me.
In a fluid motion Teg changed back into human form. He took a deep breath and turned the corner, running straight into Jago coming out of the aviary. He had Kali on his wrist. Her hood was off, her wings half open and a set of leather jesses on her legs. Jago startled. He looked past Teg for a fleeting second before focusing on him.
Kali let out an ear-piercing screech and fanned the air with her wings, dipping her head to bite at the restraints. He’s called up the Treeon guards. Released a pigeon. There’re a dozen riders coming this way. We’ve got to get out.
I hear them, Kali!
‘What’s the trouble, lad?’ Jago asked. The words were light but his voice tense. He took a step back, lifting the arm that held Kali.
Teg stared at the jesses. ‘She’s a wild bird, not one of your own.’
‘Are you trying to tell me my business?’
‘If you’re keeping her captive, I am.’
‘She’s wounded. It’ll take her time to recover.’
He’s stalling, Teg. He knows what I am. Quick! Treeon comes!
Teg didn’t flinch, though his heart beat double time. He could feel the vibration of galloping hooves rising up his legs. He lifted his nose to scent their direction. They were surrounded. ‘She needs to come with me.’ Teg stepped forward. ‘She’s recovered from her shock. She can be released.’
‘Not going to happen,’ Jago said, his voice finding more volume, though he continued to retreat. ‘You’ll see in a moment that the temple guards of Treeon are coming. You’ll not take the raptor in any case.’
Teg was impressed. Whether Jago knew he faced a Lupin or not, he was brave to make such a stand. Brave and foolish. His sentiments were misplaced.
‘She’s with me,’ Teg said. ‘I apologise for deceiving you, but the falcon is mine.’ He held out his bare arm to Kali.
She extended her wings fully and fanned the air. Jago hung on tight to the jesses, keeping her back.
‘So you say. You also might say you had nothing to do with the temple murder. Neither is necessarily true.’
The dogs let out a throaty challenge as horses filled the driveway. He heard Lily and Jess shouting. Boots marched towards them. Teg levelled his eyes on Jago. ‘I’ll take her now and be going. You have no more say in this.’
Jago held his ground. Teg didn’t want to hurt him, but he was out of time.
Get on with it, Teg, before I do!
He defocused his eyes and drew in the energy around him, honing it to a fine point. He sent it straight to Jago’s mind like a quick zap of lightning.
Kali flapped away as Jago stumbled backward and dropped to the ground, the jesses sliding out of his hand. She landed on Teg’s wrist.
That wasn’t so hard, was it? She sounded pleased.
‘No, Mistress. That’s what scares me. It isn’t hard at all.’
It