Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [195]
At the sound of her laughter, three ravens winged in, one landing on her shoulder, the other two on the rocky outcropping above the portal.
‘The Sisters are coming?’ Jarrod asked.
‘They’re restless for change.’
‘I thought you were sending them to Dumarka with Rosette and Teg.’
‘They wouldn’t have a bar of it.’ She stroked the bird’s glossy neck. ‘I’m glad to have them with me. Besides, Mossie is at the cottage. He’ll keep an eye out.’
Clouds raced across the face of the sun, dulling its intensity. Jarrod frowned, his eyes fixed on the horizon. ‘Someone’s coming,’ he said.
‘By all the elements, Jarrod, you’ve got good eyes in that tulpa of yours. I can’t see anything but dust.’
‘They’re running towards us. Fast.’
‘A farewell party?’
‘Perhaps.’ Jarrod squinted. ‘A quadruped.’
‘Just one?’
‘Looks like it.’
Kreshkali closed her eyes, allowing her inner sight to reach out towards the one who approached them. She touched a familiar consciousness. Hotha? She straightened, sending the thought to him as he ran. What’s the rush?
Did you think I’d let you go without a word?
She laughed, turning to Jarrod. ‘It’s Hotha.’
He nodded.
You’ll be watching over Los Loma while we’re away, won’t you, Hotha?
As agreed.
She opened her eyes. She could spot him in the distance, a small black speck trailing a cloud of dust. As he approached his form became more distinct, a magnificent wolf, running so hard his feet barely touched the ground. It was only moments before he stood before them. The shock wave blasted their faces as he morphed into a man.
‘And you can tell An’ Lawrence that I will be overseeing his sword students until he returns.’ Hotha chuckled between gasps of breath. ‘That’ll bring him back, quick as Santa Ana.’
‘I’ll be sure to pass that along.’ Kreshkali gave him a hug, the raven on her shoulder squawking as she leaned into the Lupin.
‘Settle down, black bird,’ he said, pointing a finger at her. ‘You’re much too scrawny for my taste.’
The raven flapped her wings.
‘Be nice, you two,’ Kali said, stroking down the ruffled feathers.
Hotha bowed an apology. ‘Your apprentices safely tucked away in Dumarka?’ he asked.
‘They’d be scathing to hear you put it that way, but yes. They went last night.’
He nodded, and gave her a sly smile. ‘Good luck in your search, my queen. Be safe. The corridors…’
‘They are being tampered with, I know, but they will run true for me. It’s your safety I’m concerned about. Eyes open, Hotha. There could be trackers about.’
‘The Lupins will keep watch here, Kali, and on Gaela.’ He embraced her again, kissing both cheeks and then her lips.
She lingered for a moment before stepping back. ‘Ready, Jarrod?’ she asked, waving the other two ravens into the portal.
Jarrod gripped the Lupin’s forearm in farewell and followed. Kreshkali came last, passing her hand, open palm, over the plasma ripples of the Entity, bowing as she did. She focused her mind on An’ Lawrence.
‘Take us to him, please, wherever he may be,’ she whispered and felt the rush of energy carry them away.
Rosette waited until Hotha had returned to his wolf form and trotted through the gates. He disappeared down the lane to Temple Los Loma. When he was completely out of sight, she relaxed, allowing the glamour to slip away. Sweat dripped down her brow and she wiped it with the back of her hand. She exhaled in a long, low whistle. ‘Close call.’
Teg agreed. ‘That’s the best glamour I’ve ever seen. Hotha was staring right at me and didn’t suspect a thing.’ He clapped her on the shoulder. ‘You’re amazing. I almost wish we were going to Dumarka to study together.’
‘There’ll be plenty of time for that once we find An’ Lawrence.’ She looked down at her belly. ‘I don’t plan on this rescue mission taking long.’ Her shoulders squared. Safely tucked away indeed.
‘Shall we?’ Teg asked. He gestured towards the portal.
Rosette took a final look at the gates of Temple Los Loma and the dry red lands beyond. She bowed to the Entity, following Teg and her temple cat into the portal. Her face relaxed as she placed