Lawked Flame (25 page)

Alayna swung and hit him on the shoulder.
“Why didn’t you stop him?” She attacked him again as she sucked in
air. “You stood there and let him…you let him touch her.”

He sensed the confusion from his team
members, but underlying that was sadness for her pain. Khayden
allowed her to take her disappointment out on him as she continued
raining blows. Her punches felt like mild slaps and were of no
consequence. He understood she needed to vent her frustration.

“I hate you…you let that…that thing killed
my…mama,” she wailed and pitched forward onto his chest.
Immediately, his arms wrapped around her, not to restrain her, but
in empathy.

She pushed against his chest. “Clotho!”
Alayna called out, her voice scratchy as she tried to catch her
breath, batting his arms aside as he tried to offer assistance. Her
rejection stung. In spite of the reasons for his actions, he knew
she was angry at him, but her safety was paramount and nothing
would ever change that.

“Clotho, come here,” Alayna demanded. Her
eyes were wild as she searched the room for the Gramier. A second
later, the woman appeared. Her normally serene face showed
concern.

She remained in one spot as her eyes swept
the room in a glance. “Mistress Kee?”

Khayden sensed the Gramier’s confusion and
stood.

Alayna looked up and stood as well, nostrils
flaring. With a growl, she turned and kicked the fallen Geleet. The
lizard carcass flew across the room, hitting the brick fireplace
and sending dust and debris to the floor before it jumped up. Feral
yellow-green eyes lacked their earlier brilliance as it shuffled
its feet, releasing two more of his kind from his bowels.

Before the newly released Geleets could
stand straight, the Lawkes decapitated them. Three heads rolled a
few times before stopping, eyes frozen in surprise.

Khayden met Clotho’s startled eyes as he
sent forth the blue flame to consume the beasts. Geleets were heavy
beings and it was surprising to see them handled as if they weighed
no more than a mote of dust. His Kee’s powers were unlocking and
she was totally unaware of that fact. She had brought down a
vicious predator without touching him. Not to mention her
manipulation of the air.

He could imagine the fallout from that
conversation. While she enjoyed being with him and had no problems
with his changing abilities, she was not willing to entertain the
truth of her own changes. Despite handling the fire, she refused to
admit she was the key to his weaknesses and strengths. Both of them
needed their powers unlocked in order to rule Lawkmeria
successfully.

Ignoring the Lawkes and fallen creatures,
Alayna knelt and gently lifted her mother’s head into her arms,
turned her tear streaked face to the Gramier and begged. “My
mother, help her. Please help her.” Her voice hitched as she
struggled to speak.

It broke Khayden to hear the pleading in her
voice. Turning away, he walked toward the wall and looked up at the
white ceiling, his thoughts whirling. His fists flexed and released
as he heard her all but barter herself to save her relative.
Conflicting emotions swamped him. Anger that she would lower
herself to beg anything from his people, everything they had was
hers. Shame that she asked another for what she needed, instead of
him. Jealousy that she cared that much for another being was a
useless emotion, yet it held him in its grip. Above all, he felt
her pain. It was crippling in its intensity, surging to the
forefront of all his other sentiments. He gazed over his shoulder,
listening to the conversation between his Gramier and Kee.

“Whatever it takes, save her.” Alayna’s
tortured plea pierced the heart of every Lawkmerian in the room,
their collective groan rushed through their collective bond.
Khayden returned to the three women and silently called for a
Murlin.

Clotho kneeled next to Alayna. Khayden
sensed the anxiety in the older woman. Alayna’s powers were unknown
to them all and right now she lacked control. If the older woman
failed, he would need to step in quickly to make sure no harm
befell his Gramier.

Gently, Clotho touched the prostrate woman’s
forehead and opened a channel to him. “
She is dying. What
happened
?” Hope rose in his heart for the first time. His Kee’s
mother still lived, they had a chance. He gave her a brief rundown
of what transpired while she remained in her kneeling position.

He read the high expectations stamped across
Alayna’s face as Clotho continued smoothing her mother’s brow.
Clotho started with a familiar cleansing chant. Khayden had heard
it many times and joined his voice with hers.

As she rubbed the inert woman’s arms, Clotho
began another chant, this one unknown to him. He hoped whatever
Clotho intended to do worked and would not bring down the wrath of
the Good Mother.

“Help her, please…I’ll do anything.” The
words tore from Alayna’s mouth. “Please…please,” her voice thick as
she sobbed. A torrent of tears washed her face.

“What is her name?” Clotho asked, staring
downward.

“Tina,” Alayna whispered.

Clotho patted her shoulder, glanced at
Khayden with a curious look, then bent forward before he could stop
her. His jaw ticked as he stepped closer to the three women.
Despite the growls he emitted, Alayna continued to stare at Clotho,
never looking at him. The other Lawkes backed away to give them
space in their small circle.

Geleet saliva was poisonous and could render
Clotho unconscious with just a touch. He had no doubt that is what
killed his Kee’s parent. Knowing this, Clotho still placed her
mouth over the woman and blew.

Nothing happened.

Tamping down his displeasure at her foolish
behavior, he sent waves of warmth to assist and strengthen her.
Anxious for his Gramier’s safety, he remained riveted to his spot.
Sensing the arrival of the Murlin, he bid him to remain still. They
would need to examine both Clotho and Tina..

Clotho sent Khayden calming thoughts,
telling him all was well. Tipping the woman’s chin up, she chanted
again before returning to the deceased mouth and blew another,
longer stream of air. As she sat back up, the air was heavy with
expectancy. If anyone could assist Tina, it would be Clotho.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Seconds ticked.

And then, Tina coughed and heaved, whatever
she had eaten earlier returned with a vengeance. Rolling onto her
side she held her stomach, gasping for air as she continued
retching.

“Oh God, oh God—” Alayna’s cried, her voice
stripped to a ragged whisper. Her head bowed as she gripped her
mother’s hand. Water-filled eyes overflowed as she glanced at
Clotho, gratitude and respect shone bright for everyone to see.
“Thank you,” she whispered, before returning her gaze to her
mother.

Everyone watched as her hands shook before
touching the pale skin of her mother. “I love you, mom.
Everything’s going to be okay.” She leaned forward and kissed away
a tear that rolled down her mother’s face.

“Allow the Murlin to check her over.”
Khayden spoke softly as he stood behind Alayna, his breathing
coming easier now. A major hurdle had just been avoided. No telling
what would have happened if Clotho had not arrived in time to
intercede. He owed the woman a great debt for saving his Kee’s
mother.

The Murlin bent over the prostrate woman and
touched her in a few places. Alayna’s gaze tracked his every move.
“What’s wrong? Why hasn’t she opened her eyes?” Impatience rang
through her hoarse voice.

Finally the Murlin looked at her. “She will
live, although her recovery will be slow. She has other health
problems that have nothing to do with the Geleet poisoning.”

Alayna’s hand flew to her throat as she
swayed.

Khayden growled at the Murlin for upsetting
his Kee and released a current of power which ran through the room.
Everyone stilled.

Staring at her mother, Alayna spoke through
her cupped hand. “What’s wrong with her?” When no one spoke, she
looked up at the Murlin who still stared down at the woman on the
floor.

“
May I speak freely to her Master
Lawke
?” The Murlin asked, continuing to gaze at his new patient
while waiting for an answer.

Khayden battled his protective instincts,
knowing she would be furious at his interference. Sensing the panic
in his Kee and not being able to intervene had him dangerously
close to the edge of his temper. He ached to hold and soothe her,
which was the only way to smooth his tattered ends. “
Yes. But
have a care. I do not like to see her so upset
.”

The Murlin gazed at Alayna. “There is
something at the base of her skull. Based on my exam, she has
cancer.”

Alayna shook her head in denial, her hair
flying around her. “No, no, no. She can’t have cancer. Mama
would’ve told me.”

Despite negating the possibility, her voice
lacked conviction. Somewhere inside, she must have known her mother
was ill. Khayden gently touched her shoulder, glad when she covered
it with her hand. His breathing slowed as calm entered his system
through her touch. Within moments he stabilized, pulled back from
the precipice of giving way to his frustration. As he listened to
the conversation between the Murlin and Alayna, he sensed her
mounting distress.

The Murlin waved at the woman on the ground.
“The Geleets saliva is poisonous, but is having little effect. I
suspect the Gramier,” he pointed toward Clotho, “was able to
counteract its effects. However, the poison has weakened her. Prior
to the attack, her system was already not operating at peak. When
he cut off her air, it made matters worse. I have placed her into a
deep rest and will monitor her. Be assured, we will do everything
to make sure she is cared for.” He stood and lifted his arm.
Alayna’s mother levitated from the ground.

Standing, Alayna placed her hand on her
mother’s stomach. “Wait. Can you cure the cancer?”

The Murlin’s head snapped to Khayden.
Despite what he wanted to say or do, he had no choice. His people
were an extension of him and vice versa. Either way, his answer to
the unspoken question would always be the same. “
Speak
truthfully to her at all times
.” His arms snuggled around
Alayna’s waist, offering the support he knew she needed.

His eyes softened as he delivered the blow.
“No, I cannot. The venom from the Geleet has sped up the growth of
the cancer cells. She is failing.”

“What? She’s getting worse? Was the cancer
in remission or something?” She looked at the Murlin, then at
Clotho. Finally she turned, trembling in Khayden’s arms, her hand
fisting his shirt as her eyes pleaded with him to help.

Gone was the teasing, vibrant woman from
earlier in the bathroom. Her mouth opened and then closed. When she
spoke, her voice was threadbare, weighed down with her agony. “I
can’t live with myself knowing she died because of me. If I hadn’t
been here, the Geleet wouldn’t have gotten to her. She would’ve had
a few more years.” She ended her words on a loud sob.

His gut ripped at her pain and he tightened
his hold as his mind raced.

“Can you do anything? Please… help her
Khayden. I don’t think I’m strong enough to go through this without
her.” Her forehead fell to his chest, her entire body shook with
the force of her misery.

Tina was Nature’s Mother’s creature. He had
no right, other than the ones granted him by his Kee, to interfere
with the course of Tina’s life. Yet, he knew he had to try.

He noticed the alarm in Clotho’s eyes. “
I
have to try, she will be broken if I fail to try.
” A moment
later Clotho nodded and a weight lifted from his shoulders. He had
not realized how badly he needed her support in this endeavor. He
would have done it regardless, but having her assistance made
things so much easier. “
What do I need to do
?” he asked
Clotho.

“
It is dangerous
.
Both of them
must be placed asleep and then you must transfer some of Alayna’s
blood to her mother. Then you will need to enter her mother, take
control of Alayna’s blood cells and lead them to the cancerous
tissue. Alayna’s blood cells will attack the cancerous cells
immediately. You must ensure they do not damage her mother’s blood
cells or nerve tissues that are intertwined with the cancer cells.
It is a slow process that will take time and energy. Afterward, we
will place her in the healing chamber to try and repair any
additional cellular damage. This is risky and may do more harm if
Alayna’s blood cells become overzealous.”

Rubbing in a circular motion on his
beloved’s back, he sent waves of comfort through her and tried to
interject reassurance that all would be well through his touch.

Clotho continued speaking
. “Most
importantly, you must wipe their memories. We must offer this
assurance to the Good Mother to soothe her anger.”

He stilled. “
What will this cost me? Or
my people?
”

Clotho shrugged delicately. “
I do not
know Master Khayden. In times past, we have been warned against
dealing in the affairs of humans. However, we now have a human Kee
with human foibles and conditions. I do not know what the rules
will be concerning this new development. Once we have healed
Mistress Kee’s mother, I will petition the Good Mother on your
behalf to discover our course of action
.”

Khayden resumed stroking Alayna, pleased
that her tears and whimpering had slowed to periodic hiccups.
Looking at Tina's frail body, he added his command to sleep with
the Murlin's to ensure she did not wake. Taking Alayna by the
shoulders, he tipped her chin to his and kissed her softly.

“Listen to me.” He waited until she looked
up at him. Her lovely eyes glistened with misery. His heart
twisted, dispelling the last of his lingering doubt. “There may be
a way to slow down the process, but I need to place both of you
into a deep sleep. Then I will give her some of your blood. Is that
okay?” He gave her the short edited version knowing that she
trusted him to handle the process.