Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [27]
‘I didn’t know a tabby could get that big,’ he said, pulling his gaze from Drayco to focus on Rosette.
‘I’ve no idea what you just said, but I can assure you there’s no threat here, unless it resides in you.’
I don’t think he got that, Maudi. Drayco gingerly sat down on the firmest ground he could find and began to purr.
‘Now that he might understand,’ Rosette said, smiling. She looked at the man and watched his face lighten briefly as the rumbling sound of Drayco’s purr filled the air.
‘I prefer dogs,’ he said. ‘But your beast is impressive, in size anyway. He seems almost intelligent.’
I don’t like the look of him, Maudi.
Let’s give him a chance. She smiled. ‘I’ve no idea what you mean.’ She said the words slowly. ‘But I take that tone as an alliance.’
‘I’m called Shane, second marshal of the border scouts. I’m guessing you two are the friends that Jarrod was waiting for. You got out of that cave just in time.’
Rosette had been concentrating on the words, unable to grasp any of them, until she heard him say Jarrod.
‘Jarrod! Have you seen Jarrod?’
‘Jarrod.’ He nodded. ‘He asked me to wait for you.’ He fished the pendant out of his pocket and handed it to her.
She snatched it from his grip. ‘Jarrod gave you this?’ she said. ‘To pass to me?’
She scrutinised the charm before tucking it between her breasts. ‘Where is he? Where did he go? Is he all right? Did he give you any message for me?’
The man looked perplexed.
Too much, Maudi. Too much. He’s clearly met Jarrod. He’s probably going to take us to him. Remember, you said to give him a chance.
You’re right. Rosette took a deep breath and reached out her hand. ‘I’m Rosette,’ she said, placing her free hand over her heart and repeating her name. ‘Rosette. And this is Drayco.’
‘Shane,’ he said, giving a trickster’s smile, like a man who knew more than he was telling.
She liked that. He took her hand and held it for a moment. ‘Rosette.’ He said her name with that strange accent of his. ‘Drayco?’ He nodded to the temple cat.
‘Yes, that’s it. And you’re Shawn?’
‘Shane.’ He articulated more slowly, a genuine smile now transforming his face.
‘Shane, is it? Well, Shane, can you take us to Jarrod?’
He nodded at her and Drayco. ‘You best come with me if you want to find Jarrod.’
What do you think, Dray?
He feels okay. But…
But what?
Something’s weird.
Rosette looked around at the putrid landscape. The mysterious man adjusted his pack and motioned her to follow.
‘No kidding,’ she said, before stepping out after him. ‘Let’s go.’
EARTH—TIME: BACKWARD
CHAPTER 5
Startled by the nurse, Everett looked up from his digital display. Didn’t anyone knock any more? ‘What now?’
‘The Jane Doe, Dr Kelly. She’s cyanotic.’ The nurse turned her hand-held monitor towards him.
He checked the figures on the way to the ward. ‘How long has she had trouble breathing?’
‘The last hour. We were going to buzz you but…’
He silenced her with a look and quickened his pace.
The Jane Doe was still unconscious, her breath shallow, her skin grey. ‘Bag her, oxygen wide open. What’s that scent?’
‘Doctor?’
‘Can’t you smell it? Fragrant, like…’
The nurse took a deep breath. ‘Roses?’
Everett frowned. ‘Yes, like roses,’ he said. ‘How did you know?’
‘I remember it from the bio-museum. Been there more than once. Amazing how you can remember a smell…’
Everett tapped the top of another display screen. ‘What’s wrong with the heart monitor?’
The nurse flipped a switch and rapid beeps filled the room. ‘We were turning her…’
‘Keep it on all the time, Hally,’ he said, shooting a glance towards the open door. ‘No exceptions.’
‘She’s tacky at 190, Dr Kelly,’ she said.
Everett studied the screen, blue lines on a black background that traced the outline of mountain peaks and irregular valleys. It was going too fast.
‘The P waves are doubling up. We might be overdosing her,’ he said.
‘She’s had the recommended rate.’
‘Not recommended for her, it seems.’ He listened