Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [185]
What are you two staring at?
Maudi, you’ll never guess.
What?
Look who’s here.
Shane and Clay were propped up, side by side, chins resting on their chests. Drag marks led from the water’s edge and they were soaked to the skin. Rosette sheathed her sword, kneeling next to their bodies. Teg and Drayco stood guard.
Are they alive? Teg asked without turning around.
Rosette sat next to Clay. His face was grey, his red curls caked with mud. She patted his cheek. He didn’t respond. With her hand on his heart, she counted the beats against her own, his one to her every ten.
He’s alive, just. She checked Shane. So is he. It feels like a sleep spell of some kind, or a slow death spell. Demons! How did they end up here?
Perhaps they were drunk and took a wrong turn at the last pub, Maudi. Clay used to pass out often. Remember?
A smile parted her lips. I do.
Lightning flashed and Drayco launched on two approaching Corsanons.
We’ve got to get them out of here, Teg.
I don’t see how.
Maudi! She comes. Drayco’s voice cut through her mind.
Who, Dray?
She looks like Nell, but…
His words were cut off as he dropped the warriors, knocking them to the ground with a sweep of his paw. In the next lightning flash Nell stood under the bridge, her robe splattered with blood, her hood thrown back.
Rosette’s head shot up. It’s Nell! Drayco, look! Check, please. Is it really her?
The temple cat didn’t answer immediately. He made sure the warriors wouldn’t get up before turning to the woman, tasting the air, his mouth slightly open. She’s of your blood. Must be Nell.
‘Nell!’ Rosette ran to her, falling into her arms. ‘I’m sorry I disappeared. I had to get away, get to my other self. But you know this, of course. Kreshkali knows this. Why is it you’re here and not she?’
Nell looked at her and swallowed. ‘The baby…’ she said.
‘I know. It’s so sad. I can’t bear it yet. That’s why I ran.’
Nell cleared her throat. ‘Give me the spell,’ she said, holding out her hand.
‘What?’
‘The spell. I need it now.’
‘Why?’
‘Just give it to me.’
Another flash of lightning revealed three more Corsanons charging towards them, a Lupin on their tail. Teg and Drayco attacked as the light winked out. When the next flash ripped through the woods, the warriors’ bodies were prone, minus their throats.
Rosette unclasped the vial.
‘Quickly.’ Nell thrust her open palm towards the vial. ‘Pass it over.’
It pulsed for a moment, warm in Rosette’s hand. ‘Jarrod,’ she whispered, her lips brushing the crystal, kissing it before she handed it to her mother. ‘Nell’s going to mind you now.’ Rosette felt ice in the pit of her stomach when she let go. As the spell left her hand she nearly buckled.
Maudi, what’s wrong?
I don’t know. Danger…
No kidding, Maudi. He shook blood from his ruff.
Nell backed away.
‘Where are you going?’ Rosette sucked in her breath, trying to slow her heart rate. Her pulse was rushing faster than the rapids behind them. When she tore her eyes off Nell and the vial, a wind slapped her face. She slammed her eyes shut, finding a Lemur raven fanning the air when she opened them. Her hand went to her sword. ‘Makee!’ Rosette screamed. ‘You’ll not take it from us!’
Nell froze, bringing her fist to her chest. Rosette moved beside her, drawing her weapon, but Nell ran, disappearing into the rain. The raven darted after her.
‘Nell!’ Rosette screamed. ‘Where are you going?’
CHAPTER 24
DUMARKIAN WOODS, GAELA
When the lightning winked out, Xane urged his mare forward. The woods were dark, haunted with wolves—Lupins, he was certain. He’d watched the Corsanon troops engage them, and the temple priestesses too, but each time the lightning struck the wolves would have them, bringing them down. They never got up again. He was doing his best to make sure that wouldn’t happen to him. For some unknown reason, he wasn’t afraid, but he didn