Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [70]
He flicked his ear when a fly landed on it, turning his head in the other direction. Smoke rose there too, feather-like wisps floating from the cone-shaped mountains to the east. Temple Los Loma was surrounded in a ring of fire.
Kreshkali, where are you? We need help. He stood, shaking the dust from his coat. With one more glance at the western horizon, he trotted down the cliff to the gates, picking up speed when he reached the bottom. The spell that protected Temple Los Loma was powerful. It had been in place for centuries and the grounds stood pristine, untouched by the turmoil that shook the rest of the planet. But no spell could endure if the Earth herself caught fire. What he saw today made his heart ache and a choice had to be made soon. Makee had been helpful, offering to move the entire temple clan to Gaela, but he was not going to give the go-ahead without consulting Kreshkali. Not unless she didn’t return.
He stopped in front of the portal, projecting his thoughts into the depths. Come soon, my queen. While there is still a choice to make.
CHAPTER 10
TEMPLE LOS LOMA & BORDERLANDS, EARTH & CORSANON, GAELA
Nell gazed out of the portal. The wind was up and red dust stung her face. The heat burned her lungs. Afternoon then. Perfect.
She stepped into the world, but it was far from perfect, far from right. Ash filled the air and the wind brought the scent of burnt eggshells—nothing like the saguaro blossoms and prickly pear she was expecting.
‘Strange,’ she said to the land. ‘You’re not at all as I left you.’ She flipped her cowl over her head. Hotha? Are you near?
She sensed his proximity even though he didn’t reply. Had he been watching the portal or travelling it? She’d find out soon enough. Not much got by Hotha—if anything at all. It’s me, Kali, or Nellion Paree, to be precise. She felt the ripples of his approach and hoped he would recognise her immediately. There wasn’t time to convince him if he didn’t. They needed quick action, not long debate. She tilted her head towards the clouds. They were as grey as the falling ash. Volcanic then? How could this be?
The mountains threatened a shower that even Temple Los Loma might not survive. They had to do something before the next surge of tectonic activity. She paused by the apple trees, rubbing a dull leaf until it shone, her thumb coming away smudged with soot. She spotted Hotha over the rise. He came at the run, morphing as he breezed to a halt. The shock wave blew her cowl back; her hair, matching the red of the surrounding land, danced.
‘Kreshkali?’ he said, his eyes gleaming. He all but sniffed her. ‘I’ve been waiting for you. New look?’
‘Old one, really. Call me Nell when I’m like this,’ she said. ‘It helps me keep it straight.’
‘Nell.’ He took her hand and drew her close. ‘In any form you are magnificent. How could you think I wouldn’t know you?’ He kissed her and whispered, ‘I’m glad you’re here.’
She kissed him back, lingering for a moment before straightening. ‘Problems?’
He nodded to the west where ash plumed from the mountain peaks. ‘I think we need to consider evacuation.’
‘That’s drastic.’
‘It is. We can consult Jarrod, though. He can give us the probabilities, the potential outcomes. Is he with you?’ Hotha looked towards the portal.
‘That’s going to be a little tricky, I’m afraid.’ She took his arm and walked through the gates, her head bent.
‘Tricky?’ His brow wrinkled. ‘How so?’
‘Jarrod’s lost.’
‘Lost?’
‘Gone. At least, his tulpa body’s been destroyed.’
‘He can create another?’
‘That’s possible, of course. It’s what I was expecting