Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [120]
‘Drayco did that because you called Richter’s journal notes and I vanished.’
‘And you called them because Jarrod was lost.’ Teg put down his mug.
‘She wanted Jarrod gone!’ Rosette’s voice rattled the glasses in the hutch. Drayco was up, growling. ‘She destroyed his tulpa and whisked us away!’ The temple cat roared and everyone covered their ears.
‘Easy, all of you.’ An’ Lawrence put his hand on Teg’s shoulder.
Nell motioned Drayco to her side and stroked his back. ‘It may be true, but for now, La Makee will have a hard time retrieving the spell, distraction or not,’ she said.
‘The gorge?’ Rosette said, sitting on the edge of her seat.
‘The spell was buried under leagues of water. I changed the course of five rivers to reveal it.’ Nell closed her eyes and smiled. ‘I’d like to see her pull that off in a hurry.’
‘She’s got the hang of being in two places at once,’ An’ Lawrence said. ‘I didn’t see that coming.’
‘I think she might have shoved Jarrod off the cliff,’ Rosette said. ‘If she wants to activate the spell and bring him back, she must have some powerful reason. I can’t believe I was sucked into her trap.’ She looked at the Sword Master. ‘We actually saved her in the citadel! Both of her!’
‘If this is all her doing,’ Nell said.
‘How would it work, though?’ Teg asked. ‘Would she pose as one from the Richter line?’
‘Can’t be done.’ Nell frowned. ‘In the portal, she said she had someone who could carry it.’
‘You were in the portal with us?’
Nell winked. ‘Kreshkali was.’
Teg scratched his head. ‘Of course.’
‘Someone who can carry it?’ Rosette repeated the words. ‘That can only be one of us.’
They all looked at Grayson. He hadn’t said a word while they debated. His mind seemed far away.
‘Gray.’ Rosette patted his hand. ‘Am I the only living descendant from Earth? Is there a record of the Richter line branching?’
‘If there is, I’ve never seen it, but it’s certainly possible. Janis had two daughters, but we only trace the line back to one. There is something about a rogue Lupin, but I don’t know how that fits in. I’d have to find the reference and study it.’
No one spoke for some time. Even the crickets outside the kitchen window were silent.
‘Who’s watching Makee now?’ Grayson asked.
‘Kreshkali’s tracking the Corsanons and I’ve got Shane and Clay keeping an eye on Treeon and the surrounds.’
‘Do we know where she is at the moment?’
‘Precisely? No.’
An’ Lawrence rose from the table and grabbed his sword. Scylla bounded to the door. The sunrise sent a golden glow through the window as the Three Sisters swooped onto the sill, scolding and flapping, vying for space on the narrow ledge.
‘There are too many unknowns,’ An’ Lawrence said. ‘And we are going to need that diversion to catch Makee out.’ He grabbed his cloak.
‘Where are you headed?’ Nell and Rosette spoke at the same time.
‘To the Dumarkian Woods to protect the temple, as is my charge.’ He tested his wounded leg and gave it a slap. ‘Teg, to me. I want you leading the lower ranks.’
‘You do?’ The Lupin was on his feet as he spoke, a smile lifting his face.
‘Grayson? Your plan?’ The Sword Master turned to him.
‘I think I’d best track down Everett. He’s a missing piece to the puzzle.’
‘But he wouldn’t come with you before,’ Rosette said.
‘I’ll drag him here this time. If he somehow extracted the nanotechnology, we need to know. In any case, there is a clue in the Borderlands. I just have to find it.’
‘Is that where he is?’ Nell asked.
‘I’d say so.’ He turned to Rosette, his eyes soft. ‘Be well.’
‘Come to the cottage when you’ve found him, or found your puzzle piece,’ she said.
He nodded and left, Rosette following him with her eyes. We didn’t have that talk, Grayson.
He can’t hear you, Maudi.
I know, but when he could hear me, I didn’t speak.
There will be another chance.
Will there?
An’ Lawrence clapped his hands. ‘Teg, I want everyone on the training ground