Naura (16 page)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Naura ran through the halls of Aukrabah with no destination in mind. It didn’t matter where she went as long as it was far away from Tony.

He didn’t love her. He’d all but admitted his feelings didn’t go beyond friendship.

Tears tracked down her cheeks as she raced toward the Pool of Life. The calming waters of the gulf awaited her, and she couldn’t get there fast enough.

Minutes later, Naura arrived at the entrance, diving into the pool without slowing. She burst through the powerful waterfall and into the deep beyond.

Colorful fish of all shapes and sizes scattered in a desperate attempt to escape the presumed threat in their midst.

“
Naura? Please come back
.”

Tony’s voice inside her head chipped away at her aching heart. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes, only to be washed away by the warm gulf current.

Naura closed herself off from him, shutting down their connection before the temptation to return to him became too great.

She had felt his guilt, could feel it still. And that hurt her even more than his rejection had. She’d known he wasn’t capable of love as surely as she knew that he would never be whole again no matter what she did.

The loss of his family had taken its toll, leaving him a shell of the man he’d once been.

Perhaps that was what Naura had fallen in love with—the bits and pieces of him she’d glimpsed through his mind. Or maybe she’d been drawn to his damaged soul. She wasn’t sure, but the healer in her had wanted to remove his pain, fix him somehow. She wanted to fix him still.

Hours passed as Naura continued to swim south. Memories of her time with Tony plagued her with every mile she traveled. His mouth on hers, the smell of his skin, the feel of him inside her body. Everything about him called to her, tempted her, possessed her.

“
Why have you come
?”

Miguel’s voice inside her mind startled her. She’d swum to Cuba.

Naura was aware that Miguel could communicate with Vaulcron, but she’d always assumed that the two of them had shared blood at some point. How was he able to connect with her?

“
I-I need a place to stay,
” she returned, scanning the area for signs of movement.

Naura could feel his hesitation.

“Okay, but come to the west dock. It’s darker there. You won’t be seen.”

Swimming around to the opposite side of the peer, Naura surfaced next to a wooden ladder at the end of the dock.

“Welcome to Cuba,” Miguel announced, extending a helping hand.

Naura accepted his palm and allowed him to pull her up. “Thank you. I am not certain how I came to be here. It was not intentional.”

Miguel studied her for several seconds. “We can discuss your being here after you get out of those wet clothes. Follow me.”

Naura trailed after him, ashamed that she’d shown up unannounced. “I have not been here for many moons, Miguel. I apologize for my abrupt arrival.”

He lifted a hand in dismissal. “No need for apologies. I’m sure you have your reasons.”

They walked along in silence, emerging near the trees in beautiful Playa Pilar.

No matter how many times Naura had relived the secluded beach in her mind, nothing compared to standing in the midst of its beauty.

“This place takes my breath away,” she whispered in awe. “I had forgotten how lovely it is here.”

“Do you believe in God, Naura?”

“I believe that something or someone created this magnificent planet that we live on. And if his name is God, then yes. I believe in God.”

Miguel glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “The Native Americans referred to him as Wakan Tanka or Great Spirit. Others call him God, Jehovah, Lord, and many more names throughout the centuries.”

He turned onto a trail with dimly lit lights bordering the sides. “No matter what he is known as, he will always be real to me. No other could have created such magnificence. Don’t you agree?”

She did agree, she mused, inhaling the scent of flowers permeating the air. “I do.”

Miguel came to a stop outside a small wooden structure that faced the beach. A thatched roof hung low over the sides, shading the two windows perched along the front. A small, round table sat on the porch with two red chairs tucked in next to it.

Naura had never seen a cozier or more stunning place. “It is majestic.”

“It’s called the coco hut. And it’s yours for as long as you need it.”

“Truly?” Naura was taken aback by Miguel’s generosity. “What is a coco hut?”

“Well, it’s a hut surrounded by coconut trees,” he explained. “There are supplies in the cupboards, towels and sheets in the hall closet. The white switches on the inside of each door will turn on the lights. I’m sure you know how to work the shower.”

“Yes. I have been taught.”

“Good. Then I’ll see about getting you some clothes that fit.” His gaze raked over her in humor. “You can’t very well wear that getup around here without drawing attention to yourself.”

Naura blushed. “I am sorry about my attire. I know that it is not customary for humans to wear sharkskin in public.”

Miguel laughed, displaying a set of white, even teeth. “It’s not customary to wear sharkskin in private either.”

“Yes, I-I knew that. It is all that I had.”

“Lighten up, sweetie. I’m only teasing you. Go on inside and make yourself at home. I’ll be back later with some new duds.”

“Duds?”

“Clothing. It’s slang for clothing.”

Naura sent him a small smile. “Oh, yes. Thank you, Miguel.”

He nodded and strode off through the trees, fading into the dark and leaving her alone in the moonlit yard.

Naura quickly climbed the steps and opened the door to the coco hut, feeling along the inside of the wall for the switch Miguel had mentioned.

The lights came on instantly, bathing the room in a warm glow. Naura’s breath caught as she took in her surroundings.

Chairs stuffed with brightly colored cushions sat around the room in no particular order, and a couch perched beneath the window, facing a large television situated on the opposite wall.

Closing the door, Naura ventured into the kitchen and checked the cupboard. She plucked a small green and silver can from a shelf and held it up to her nose.

“Human food has no scent,” she muttered aloud, turning the can over to look for a way inside.

She returned the unappealing food and meandered off in search of the bathroom.

Naura unlaced her damp clothing and peeled them down her legs before turning on the water and climbing over into the bathtub.

“
Naura? What are you doing in Cuba?”

Vaulcron’s mental demand caught her off guard, and she answered him without hesitation. “
I needed peace, brother. Do not tell the others where I have gone.”

“
You better have a good reason for leaving without notifying anyone. Tony is not handling it very well. He is angry and prowling the halls, unable to be approached.”

Naura’s stomach clenched. “
He will be fine once he has had time to adjust to my absence
.”

Vaulcron mentally sighed.
“I do not think so, my sister. The man is showing signs of mental sickness. I am close to removing his tongue.”

“Do not harm him, Vaulcron. He is feeling guilty for hurting me. He will return to his normal brooding self in no time.”

A growl rumbled through their link
. “He harmed you?”

Naura rubbed at her weary eyes. “
Not in the way that you think. He did not physically hurt me.”
She intentionally left out the loss of her virginity. That had been her choice and no one’s business but hers and Tony’s.

“
What shall I tell the king of your absence?”

“Tell him that I am safe and that I am with Miguel.”

“
As you wish, Naura. But know that if you do not return soon, I will be forced to come there and retrieve you.”

“I am not a child, Vaulcron. I will return when I am ready to do so.”
With that, she shut down their connection.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Tony paced the hall outside Vaulcron’s room, waiting for the Bracadyte to emerge. If anyone knew of Naura’s whereabouts, it would be one of her brothers—and Tony had already checked with Hauke.

“You may come in,” Vaulcron finally called out.

“Jesus. What took you so long?” Tony rushed inside, brushing past Vaulcron to check his bedroom. “Where is she?”

“Would you rather I invited you in to watch me dress?” Vaulcron took a seat. “Whom are you searching for?”

Tony’s eyes narrowed. “You know damn well who I am looking for. Your sister. Where is she?”

Vaulcron shrugged a massive shoulder. “What do you want with Naura?”

“I need to talk to her, Vaulcron. If you know where she is, damn it. Tell me.”

“You are connected to her. Why not ask her?”

Tony flattened his palms on the table and leaned in close to the Bracadyte’s face. “Don’t you think I’ve tried that already?”

Indecision flickered in Vaulcron’s eyes. “She asked that I not divulge her location. She is hurt and confused, Tony. If I tell you of her whereabouts, I fear she will only run again and shut me out as well.”

Tony slowly straightened. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. She wants something from me that I’m not sure I can give her.”

“Then why not let her go? She will eventually accept your decision. Whatever that might be.”

“I can’t,” Tony growled. “Not until I talk to her. I need to see her.”

Vaulcron ran a hand down his face in obvious defeat. “She is in Cuba.”

Tony’s heart kicked up a notch. “What the hell is she doing in Cuba? Is she alone?”

“She is with Miguel.”

Jealousy, swift and strong, tightened in Tony’s gut.

Tony had spent most of the past year with Miguel in Playa Pilar, hiding from the United States Government. He was no stranger to Miguel’s reputation with women, and neither were the native beauties that frequented the guy’s hut.

“Naura is alone with Miguel Salvador?”

“He will not harm her, Anthony Vaughn. This I do not doubt.”

Tony shook his head and rushed toward the door. “Of course he won’t harm her, Vaulcron. He’ll seduce her.”

Vaulcron jumped to his feet and trailed after Tony into the hall. “Where are you going?”

“To bring her back!” Tony yelled over his shoulder.

The sound of Vaulcron’s boots began to echo off the walls, telling Tony that he followed. “You will never make it to Cuba, Anthony. The military swarms the surface for miles.”

Tony slowed his steps as Vaulcron’s words sank in. He stopped and faced the giant male. “I know that, damn it. I’m not thinking straight.”

A thought suddenly struck Tony. Resting his hands on his hips, he stared Vaulcron in the eyes. “Call her home.”

“She will not listen to me, Anthony. She has shut me out.”

Frustration welled up inside Tony’s chest. “Then contact Miguel.”

“What shall I say to Miguel?”

“Tell him that Naura is needed in Aukrabah. That it’s an emergency. Her mother’s sick or something.”

Vaulcron narrowed his eyes. “You want me to lie to Miguel?”

“If that’s what it takes to bring her home,” Tony ground out through clenched teeth. “Say what you have to.”

“It will only hurt her more if we lie to her.”

Tony turned to go. “I’ll take that chance. At least I’ll know she’s safe.”

* * * *

Bruce Ortega entered the morgue on the basement floor of St. Mathews General Hospital.

Bodies were being wheeled out by overworked orderlies and taken to local funeral homes to be cremated, due to the nature of death and the bacterial threat they posed.

But Bruce hadn’t come to the morgue to witness its carnage. He’d come to say his goodbyes.

“Hi, Frazier,” Bruce called out to the pathologist currently examining a deceased male. “How’s it going down here?”

Frazier looked up from his task with a bleak expression, exhaustion evident on his face. “Not too good, Doctor Ortega. It seems to be growing worse by the day.”

Bruce moved toward the end of the examining table and lifted the tag hanging from the dead man’s toe.  He glanced back at Frazier. “Meaning?”

“The cause of death is different from the other Incola victims.”

That caught Bruce’s interest. “How so?”

Frazier removed his gloves and trailed over to the sink to wash his hands. “This one’s lungs hemorrhaged, drowning him in his own blood.”

“But didn’t the other victims hemorrhage also?”

Frazier nodded and dried his hands. “From the brain, yes. They were unaware of their condition due to the extensive nerve damage to the frontal lobe, presenting rabid behavior and dementia.”

The pathologist pointed to the man on the table. “This guy had the same brain damage and rabid symptoms, but suffered an excruciating death by drowning. And that’s not all. He died within days as opposed to weeks.”

Bruce lowered his head in defeat. No matter how hard they pushed to save lives, the Incola virus always won.

Lifting his head, Bruce blew out a weary breath and turned toward the refrigerated drawers lining the back wall. “Where can I find Doctor Sutherland’s body?”

Frazier ambled toward the stainless steel drawers and pulled one open. “I’m sorry for your loss, Doctor Ortega.”

“Please call me Bruce.”

“Will you be identifying him, then?”

Bruce gave a quick nod and eased the sheet back from Henry’s cold body. “He has no living relatives.”

Frazier grabbed the clipboard and offered it to Bruce. “If you will just sign next to the X and print your name and relationship to the deceased…” His voice trailed off.

Bruce scrawled his name on the line and added
family friend
in the appropriate place before handing the clipboard back to the pathologist.

“Will you be making funeral arrangements, or would you like for me to handle it?”

“I’ll take care of it once I locate his will. I have no idea if he wanted a cremation or a burial.”

Frazier appeared uncomfortable. He cleared his throat. “I hate to sound as if I’m rushing you, but we are out of room down here and could use the space.”

Bruce tightened his jaw in anger. Henry Sutherland fought with everything he had to find a cure for the damn Incola virus while he lived, and even in death it seemed he fought it still.

“I’ll have him moved as soon as possible.”

Frazier replaced Henry’s sheet and pushed his drawer closed. “I appreciate that.”

Bruce turned to go as an orderly wheeled another body into the room. He glanced back at Frazier on his way to the door. “Call me if you find another case similar to lung hemorrhage. It’s important.”

“Will do,” Frazier murmured, already snatching up a pair of gloves and waving for the orderly to roll the body to a designated spot.

How was he going to tell Abbie about her father? Bruce wondered, fishing out his keys from his coat pocket. He had no clue where to begin looking for her.