Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [172]
EARTH & TENSAR—TIME: FORWARD
CHAPTER 42
Jarrod closed his eyes and watched the myriad possibilities rush by. To anyone else his vision would look like a dark chasm, a mini-universe of galaxies hidden behind the lids. For him it was a torrent of streaming energy, waves of varying lengths, each with their own frequency and meaning, all moving at the speed of light. He smiled. Every possibility held a gift when viewed from this perspective.
Some more desired than others, though. Don’t you think?
Rosette?
Finally, you can hear me! I’ve been calling to you forever but…I’m so thin at times I can’t get through.
He held the hand of her corpse. I’ve got you loud and clear now.
Everyone gathered close, sharing their thoughts aloud, or just standing quietly, thinking to themselves. Their faces were bright, focusing on joy and passing on to Rosette their best memories—their happiest moments. He was heartened being near such a force and he added his thoughts to her as well. Drayco was on the altar, lying with his front legs stretched out like a sphinx. He purred a constant stream, his eyes closed, paws making bread against the pillow.
Are you still feeling thin, Rosette?
It’s strange. One minute I feel like I could wield my sword, the next I’m a miasma drifting in all different directions at once. Is that normal?
Jarrod laughed aloud. I don’t think there are established norms for your situation, Rosette.
She laughed like a chorus of finches, bright and sweet. I suppose not. What’s next?
We’re going to give your body a bit of a jolt.
A lightning conjure? You’re kidding. That’s what Kelly did, and I think it killed me.
We’re hoping for the opposite effect.
When?
We’re ready now.
Kreshkali approached. Her tattered robe had been replaced by a new one, dark green and hemmed with gold. It streamed out behind her long legs as she climbed the steps, her face lifted towards the ceiling. Teg was at her side, carrying a metal plate and fresh candles. The sun had set and the waning moon as well. Jarrod replaced the stubs of candles that had been burning since afternoon.
How long has this been going on, Jarrod? I’ve lost track.
Two days.
He heard her whistle in his mind. We’ll need to do something soon. I can’t imagine my body going so well without me.
The cryo process has a preserving effect, and Annadusa has done something with herbs.
So that’s the smell?
Bittersweet?
Like me?
Like your journey.
They laughed.
Kreshkali raised her eyebrows at him and he nodded. ‘She’s as close as she can get.’
Kali looked down at the corpse, the lifeless eyes dark and unreflective. ‘We’ll have her closer yet. Help me with this.’
He and Teg rolled her body while Kreshkali slipped the metal plate under it. Annadusa brought a thick square of cotton, saturated in a fragrant tincture—Amazon lily—and handed it to Kali. She put it between the plate and Rosette’s shoulder blades and motioned Grayson. ‘Move everyone back. We don’t want to singe their eyebrows.’
This is it? Rosette asked.
It is. Stay close, and keep watch for an opening.
An opening?
Kali says it’ll be like shape-shifting back into your own, you know?
I do. She just explained it to me.
He made room as Grayson returned. The others formed a wide circle around them.
‘You’re communicating with her?’ Grayson asked, placing his hand on the edge of the altar. ‘She’s with us?’
‘Strongly.’
‘This is it, then.’
Jarrod smiled. ‘Exactly what she said.’
Tell him I have the most wonderful idea for a new tattoo. He’s going to love it!
Jarrod leaned towards Grayson. ‘She’s thinking about new work. We’re definitely going to get her back now.’
Grayson beamed, his eyes glistening.
More candles were lit and the shadows retreated under benches and between people’s feet. Annadusa chanted and everyone joined in, the vibration lifting higher still. Jarrod felt like he was floating on clouds. Teg and Kali had their eyes closed and were weaving a spell so fast it sounded like gibberish, even to him. Thunder rumbled in the distance, coming closer with each boom.
There are a lot of Lupins