Read After [A Journey of the Twins Novel] Online
Authors: Janet Durbin
Strength returned to the dark twin with every greedy swallow. As the struggles grew less and less, so did the flow of blood. Drayco released his hold on the lifeless body when the struggles ceased altogether.
Shyanne tried not to listen to the slurping noises coming from the other side of the room. She knew what her brother was doing to the burly man. The eyes of the man in her grasp were wide with fear as she forced him to watch what happened to his partner. She could imagine what was running through his mind. She had almost been a victim of Drayco's need when it first reared its ugly head. The dream from her fevered state came back in a rush. Because of it, she actually felt sorry for the shifty-eyed man.
She brought her head up to look at her brother when he stood, and released her grip on the injured man's head. Drayco's color was better, though he still looked pale. A small amount of blood ran down from the corner of his mouth. He left it there.
Drayco walked toward the remaining man; nothing of the unsteadiness from earlier showed. He stopped a few paces short. “I hope you'll be more cooperative than your partner was, Moss."
He looked up, his eyes still wide, and shook his head up and down.
"Who is this Boss you two were talking about?"
"I ... I ... I don't know."
"Don't play games with me.” Drayco moved closer to the frightened man.
Moss’ gaze went from the dark man's eyes, to Brom's blood in the corner of his mouth, and back. “I'm not! I really don't know who he is. We never met ‘em. All I know is that he contacts us through a messenger whenever he needs a job done."
"Are you able to contact this messenger?"
"I can, but it ain't easy. It's done by code."
"If you value what's left of your life, you'll tell me what that code is and where I have to use it."
"My life ain't worth much right now.” He closed his eyes and seemed to ponder his next thought. Opening them, he said to Drayco, “You know ... I never wanted to hurt you. I only wanted to get the girl and take her to the Boss.” A grimace of pain swept across his drawn face. It disappeared before he continued. “You have to go to a town far to the west of here called Grandfield. Find the inn. It's the only one there so you'll get the right one.” He started to say more, but a sharp intake of breath cut his words off. He held it for a second, then moaned as he let it out. “My legs hurt real bad."
"Your legs are broken in several places and you're bleeding pretty heavily,” Shyanne told him.
Moss looked down. Blood covered the skin surrounding the bone that was sticking out of the left thigh. The right one was at a weird angle. Large purple areas swelled through the torn breeches, showing bleeding under the skin. He paled even more and closed his eyes. A calmness settled over him.
He asked, “I'm not gonna to make it, am I?"
Shyanne shook her head no in response. Neither she nor her brother had the knowledge or equipment to treat wounds so severe in nature.
He turned his head toward Drayco, a knowing look in his eyes, “I'll give you the code if you promise to make my passing as quick and painless as possible."
Drayco nodded his head at the request. He understood what was wanted of him.
Satisfied, he said, “You have to talk to the bartender. The code you have to say is, ‘The painted pony is prancing, but only in the morning.’ He'll follow with, ‘Have you traveled far on that painted pony?’ All you have to do is shake your head no and walk away.” A wave of agonizing pain rolled through him so hard he had to stop. Tears streamed down his face when he was finally able to go on. “Get a room and wait. The messenger will come,” he whispered. “He will lead you to the Boss."
Shyanne gave his hand a squeeze. “Thank you."
Moss smiled at her. “I know I've done some bad things in my life ... that I can never change. I only hope this makes up for some of ‘em.” He tilted his head back, exposing the neck. Shyanne closed her eyes and held Moss’ hand tight. Drayco took his cue. He leaned over and bit into the exposed neck, drinking the blood spurting out of the cut artery. In moments, it was over. He sat up when he finished, and wiped his mouth.
"This man deserves a proper burial,” Shyanne said. “He may have done some bad things, but in the end, he made up for it."
Drayco nodded his head in agreement. “I only hope the information he gave us is correct."
"I think it is."
"I hope so, for your sake."
The dark twin made his way to the discarded packs and found his soft leather boots. After putting them on, he and Shyanne went outside and dug a shallow pit in the ground near the back of the building. Drayco brought Moss’ body outside and placed it within. They covered the grave with rocks and roof timber to prevent scavengers from digging it up once it was filled. The pair returned inside after a moment of silence. They dragged the burly man's body to the edge of the forest and left it near a pile of dried bones.
Shyanne fetched the things hidden in the bushes prior to the incident and brought them inside. She put everything away and carried in some dirt to cover the blood on the floor. She did not want the scent to draw scavengers into the building. Her last encounter had almost cost her everything.
Drayco went toward the horses to check on them. The three newcomers had calmed down. Jack, on the other hand, went stiff legged and snorted a warning.
"Drayco ... wait! Don't go near Jack. He'll hurt you if you do."
Drayco stopped at the entrance to the other room. “I need to check the horses and make sure they weren't hurt during their scare."
"Let me get them out for you. Jack will not let a man near him without trying to kick the crap out of him.” She slipped past and grabbed the hanging reins.
"Great ... a sexist horse,” he chuckled, shaking his head.
Shyanne led the three horses into the main area. Jack stayed where he was. He wanted no part of the strange man standing so close to his rider. The twins removed the saddles and blankets from each animal and went over their bodies, inch by inch, making sure they were okay. They were sweaty from their scare; otherwise, they were unhurt. Some dry grass gathered from outside was rubbed against their wet coats to reduce the moisture.
"How are you doing over there? How's your eye?” Shyanne asked. “It looks better."
"It'll be okay. The blood makes everything heal faster."
One of the horses, a big bay with a black mane and tail ridden by Brom, seemed less skittish than the others. While Drayco worked on the coat, it kept nosing at his shirt, trying to find a treat hidden in the fabric. With an affectionate smack on the neck, the dark man decided to make the animal his.
Drizzle came in from outside and sprawled near the door. Two of the animals became restless and jerked at their reins. The bay remained still, looking over his shoulder with his ears pointed toward the cat, watching his every move. Drayco's decision to keep the animal was finalized.
"Shyanne, I'm going to let these two go and keep the bay. They're too skittish around Drizzle to be of any use to us.” Stepping between the two excited horses, he warned, “Step back, I'm going to remove their bridles. Drizzle, you'd better move too."
After his sister was out of the way, Drayco pulled the bridle off both horses at once. Drizzle scrambled from the doorway before the two horses trampled him in their haste to get outside. The sound of pounding hoofs faded as they galloped off. The bay stood his ground, watching Drizzle as he moved around the room. Drayco whispered softly in his ear and gave the horse another pat on the neck.
"You're a brave one, aren't you? I will call you Bravaro."
He untied the reins and led the bay toward the back room where he removed the bridle, and with a swat on the rump, put Bravaro in with Jack. The horse jumped at the touch. He turned on a dime to watch both him and the cat equally. Jack did the same, though only for him. Drayco remembered Shyanne's warning and stayed out of the area. His sister stood by the outside exit when he faced toward the main room again.
"We need to get more wood before dark. There isn't enough to last the night."
The twins went to the edge of the forest and picked up as much wood as they could find. After it was stacked in the corner, Shyanne rekindled the fire. Drayco sat down on a blanket and watched her while she worked.
"How are you doing? I heard about the run in you had with those two. Were you hurt?” he asked.
She chuckled. “No. I think they got the worst end of the deal.” Her smile faded. “Your color looks better."
"Blood will do that to you.” He wrapped his arms around his legs and drew them against his chest, withdrawing into himself.
She paused to look at her brother. “I missed you, Drayco.” She wanted to hug him, but was afraid. She didn't want the awful dream to become a reality.
He looked up at her, and said, “I missed you too, little sis."
The look of sincerity and pain in his eyes melted her fear. She went to him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight. He buried his face in her shoulder, holding her just as tight. Tears ran down Shyanne's face by the time they separated. It felt good to have him back after so long.
Wiping the moisture off her checks, she said, “We need to get this fire going better. Nasty creatures roam around these woods at night.” Without thought, she rubbed her left shoulder as she spoke. Drayco saw the gesture. He remained silent.
Soon afterwards, the wonderful aroma of stew, filled with tubers, rice, cheese, and trail bread thrown in for good measure, saturated the small area.
Drayco practically drooled when he saw the heaping mound of food handed to him. It had been a long time since he'd tasted Shyanne's cooking. He looked forward to doing it again. Mouthful after mouthful was savored until nothing remained on the plate.
Placing the dish on the ground beside him, Drayco said, “After a meal fit for a king, dessert is in order.” He retrieved his pack and pulled out two of the canned peaches. He threw one to his sister.
She read the worn label, and exclaimed, “Peaches! I can't remember the last time I ate some of these. Where did you get them?"
"I found them in one of the big cities."
"You were in a big city? You were brave—or maybe a little stupid. The virus turned them into havens for mutations and people who'd kill you rather than put up with you."
"If you remember, Shyanne, we're mutations too."
Shyanne looked down at the open can of peaches. “We could never be as bad as those people."
"Not all the people in the cities are bad.” He remembered the vision of a smiling little girl with strawberry-blonde hair holding a can of peaches.
Lounging near the fire listening to their conversation, Drizzle remembered the time when Drayco had lost control and almost killed his sister. He knew if it happened again, he would not hesitate to kill the dark twin. No matter what Shyanne thought.
"Let's get some sleep. We have a long ride to this town called Grandfield,” Drayco said.
"I'm going to hunt tonight.” Drizzle started toward the door leading outside. “I'll be back before dawn."
"Be careful,” Shyanne said.
"I will.” He slipped into the darkness that had settled while the twins were eating.
Shyanne wrapped a blanket around her body and rolled over onto her side, using her arm as a pillow. She wanted to catch up with her brother and find out what had happened to him since he'd left. Instead, she fell asleep after only a few minutes of lying still.
Although most of his strength had returned after drinking the blood, sleep eluded him. Drayco crawled quietly out from under the blanket and went outside.
A large tree with thick branches stood at the edge of the clearing. He sat down under its canopy, resting his back against the hard base. With his arms draped over his bent knees, he looked over the surrounding area. A noise in the forest behind him caught his attention. He wasn't concerned; he knew what caused it.
"I won't hurt her, Drizzle."
The cat materialized out of the darkness. “Don't worry, I'll be watching. I still remember what happened a long time ago. One wrong move out of you and you'll never have to worry about doing it again."
Drayco heard every word. He kept his facial expression blank, choosing not to respond.
Drizzle watched closely for his reaction to the harsh words. When none came, he said, “I know you and Shyanne have the gift of long life. But you are not immortal. I can kill you."
"Is it a gift ... or a curse?"
"You decide."
The cat melted back into the woods, leaving Drayco to ponder the question. He bowed his head and sighed. The dark twin longed for an end to the suffering given to him by the virus. Yet, he knew it would not come. He had finally found his family, and the desire to stay with her was stronger than any longing for an end.
He sat under the tree for another hour before returning to the building. Shyanne's position had not changed during that time. He stretched out on the blanket he'd vacated earlier. After what felt like an eternity, he fell into a troubled sleep; a sleep filled with dreams of the unknown Boss, and of losing control and killing Shyanne.
Several days after leaving the campsite, Shyanne still did not know much about what had happened to her brother since he'd vanished so long ago. He was quiet and solemn, and when she tried to get him to discuss it, he stared ahead without answering.
It was mid-morning when they decided to stop and eat. After they dismounted, the horses moved into a field next to the road to graze. Drizzle was forced to stay away from the temporary camp. The horse Drayco had acquired still tensed when he came too close. He was getting better, though, and given time, she knew Bravaro would not even notice the cat.
No fire was needed for the meal break, for it was to be a short stop only. They wanted to get as far as they could on their quest for the town called Grandfield before having to stop for the night. Shyanne pulled out some jerky and walked over to Drayco. He was sitting under a tree, his back against the trunk. His eyes were closed as if he was deep in thought; a line of sweat covered his brow.