“If I didn’t feel so…” A pain hit Payton, and he went down on his knees, grabbing his head. His vision blurred.
* * * *
Cody and Nick picked Payton up and put him in Nick’s car. “I’ll get him to the ER quickly.” Nick spun his car around and raced through the gate and toward the hospital.
“I’m left behind again. But don’t worry.” Cody rubbed Payton’s horse’s neck. “I’ll get you back to the barn.” He talked to the two mares on the way back, trying to keep his fear regarding his best friend at bay. There were a lot of ways he could help protect Payton, but when it was medical, this was one battle Payton had to fight himself.
He’d noticed Payton wince while they were riding to Averil’s place. He should have stopped and insisted they go see Dr. Jack right then. But he, like Payton, wanted to go to the ranch first, so he shrugged off his uneasy feelings. Guilt took hold of him and he couldn’t shake it.
Cody rode faster toward the barn. Justin, one of the veterinarians, saw him rushing in with the horses.
“You in a big hurry?” Justin walked over to him. His Labrador, Rusty, was at his side.
“Nick took Payton back to the ER. I’m in a rush to get there.”
“Go on. I’ll unsaddle and rub the mares down.”
“Thanks.” Cody ran to where he’d parked his truck and jumped in. It was only a few miles to the ER, but he couldn’t get there fast enough.
As soon as he walked into the lobby, the receptionist waved him on into the ER. Jack saw him and came to his side. “Stop a minute and get your breath. Payton’s in the second exam room. He’s unconscious. I don’t know why in the hell he went riding this morning. But I have to admit it would have happened eventually. The bouncing on his horse just sped up the process.”
“What process? What’s the matter with Payton?” The smell of antiseptic and other unrecognizable odors filled Cody’s nostrils. He hated hospitals, always had, since his dad died here when Cody was ten. The smells brought back the fear, confusion, and the memory of his mother crying. He’d been so scared, not understanding what was happening, and then the man he loved and admired more than any other person was gone, for good.
He’d met Payton when school started that next year, and they’d become fast friends. Now, the old fear clawed at his insides again.
“Cody, are you all right?”
“Fine. Tell me about Payton.”
“Payton has a blood clot in his brain. He’ll need surgery right away. If he was a normal human he’d probably be dead, but our bodies have amazing healing abilities. He has a chance, although not the best.”
Cody staggered back as though he’d been punched in the solar plexus. Jack grabbed his arm.
“Steady. Sit.” He pushed Cody into a chair. “I know he’s your best friend and this is rough. I called his mother and father. They’re going to need your support.”
“Right.” Cody straightened. “Can I see him?”
“Sure, go on in. He might be able to hear your voice. Be positive.”
Cody nodded, stood, and took long, brisk steps to exam room two. Payton lay on a stretcher. A nurse was keeping an eye on his vitals. He walked to Payton’s side and touched his shoulder.
“Damn, man, you frightened me. But Dr. Jack said they’re going to fix that hard head of yours. It’ll be even harder when the surgery is done.” He swallowed around the tightness in his throat. “I’ll be here waiting with your folks. Help the doctors in surgery. You know they aren’t perfect. They can’t do it on their own.” Cody heard the clearing of a throat behind him and knew before he turned he’d put his foot in his mouth, as the old saying goes. He turned slowly.
“Good morning, Cody,” Dr. Rexford said. His gray eyes shone hard as flint. Many said the doctor had been named well as his first name, Lonato, meant “flint.” He walked to his patient’s side. “I’ve looked at the X-rays. We’ll be taking him to surgery in the next fifteen minutes. Time is of the essence.” Dr. Rexford looked at Cody. “But don’t worry. I believe I can succeed without Payton’s help, although if he wants to lend a hand I won’t refuse it.” He turned and walked out, leaving Cody and the nurse with open mouths.
“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him show any human emotion or make a joke,” the nurse said.
“Yeah, we all call him the robot, but he is a damn fine neurosurgeon.” Cody shook his head in amazement and walked out of the room to see if Mr. and Mrs. Camilius had arrived. Maybe if he focused on helping them, he’d keep control of his emotions and not let the fear overtake him.
* * * *
Gala Secundus sat on her bed with a flashlight reading her father’s book. She didn’t want her parents to find the volume of information her dad had left her. He’d ignored her for many years until she finished school. Then he’d begun to speak to her at times when no one was around. He warned her, her mother would not be happy to see them develop a relationship, and so they met in secret places. She’d always wanted him to accept her. Gradually, he explained his plan and how he and Gala would become the reigning royalty of the three tribes. They, along with their followers, would be in control. He’d planned everything working with one other man on the outside. When the others landed from their home planet, her father and his partner were ready.
Yet it had all failed. She and her father’s partner were the only ones left to revive the plan and win. She would take down all of the mightiest warriors. Her father had left her the details of how to start and what to do. Also how to contact the other one, the outsider who helped her father plan the attack.
Tomorrow she would begin. They’d never figure out what was happening until it was too late. Gala rubbed her hand across the paper where her father’s handwriting was scrawled. Tears ran down her face.
“Gala, are you awake?” her mother called out from the other side of the door.
Gala flipped off the flashlight and quickly hid the volume under her mattress just as her mother came in the door. “I’m restless, Mom. I was too lazy today, and so I’m not sleepy now.”
“I thought I saw a light around the door.”
“No.” Gala nodded to the moonlight coming in her window. “It’s just the moon. I’m off tomorrow, too. I’ll go riding and get some exercise so I can sleep better.”
“That’s a good idea.” Her mother bent and kissed her cheek. “Still, try to get some rest tonight.”
Once her mother left, Gala wrapped the book and slid it underneath some shoes in a shoebox on the shelf in her closet. Her mother never bothered her things. Hopefully it would be safe there until she could decide on a better hiding place.
She hadn’t lied. Tomorrow, she’d go riding and hopefully plant her first dose of the special resin her father left behind. She’d found it after reading his papers. Heart pounding, she’d snuck back into his room a few days after the battle ended. Gala had found the resin, along with a specific poison, right where he’d written it would be.
She couldn’t sleep for making her plans. Her first victim wouldn’t die right away. It must be very gradual. She’d suffer first.
* * * *
The call came first thing in the morning. “Dad, I’m sorry I forgot to phone you when I got here as I’d promised. Kira was here, and we started talking. Time flew by and then I was tired and went straight to bed.”
“That isn’t why I’m calling, Averil.” His voice sounded grave.
“Is Mom all right?”
“Yes, she is. It’s about Payton. He’s unconscious in the ER. They’re getting ready to take him to surgery. He may not make it. Cody called your mom asking for you.”
A jolt of pain and guilt hit her in the chest. Payton might die and it would be her fault. She pictured his smile and his warm voice. She remembered how he’d challenged her for the title of Best Sharpshooter of the tribes. When they’d tied, he smiled and congratulated her. He was different, and she wanted more time to know him. He mustn’t die. He was too young.
“Averil, are you still there?” her father asked.
“Sorry. I was shocked to hear about Payton and that he might die. Tell Cody I’m on my way home. I’ll check with the airport and get the first plane out. Will you pick me up?”
“Of course. You didn’t get much time to think.”
“No, but I saw my sister, and I hope I’ve convinced her to move to the ranch.” Averil winked at Kira sitting next to her. “I’ll call with my arrival time. Thanks for letting me know, Dad.” Averil ended the call. She put down her cell phone.
“You heard.”
“I did, and you’ve almost committed me to go home.”
“You just needed a little shove.”
“All right, but not today. All the attention needs to be on Payton and his family. I will be there in a few weeks.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, I do.”
Averil called the airport and made her reservations. “I’ve got to go. There’s a plane leaving in four hours. I have just enough time. Thank goodness I didn’t unpack last night.” She hurried around putting her nightclothes, the outfit she wore yesterday, and her makeup in the bag.
She wore jeans, a long-sleeved flannel shirt, and her boots. Using her brush, she pulled her hair back and fastened her ponytail with a rubber band and then a blue scarf.
“I’m ready.” She came out of the bedroom rolling her suitcase behind her.
“Eat. There’s juice, toast, and coffee. I’ll put your case in the car and warm the engine. It’s still chilly out there.”
Averil ate fast. The cold orange juice and toast tasted good. She’d been hungrier than she’d thought. She poured her coffee in a to-go cup and took one last check in the bathroom mirror.
Kira walked out with her. “When I’m ready, I’ll call.”
“Don’t sell this place.”
“Never. We’ll come back on vacations.” They hugged, and then Averil got in and drove back down the bumpy lane to the highway. She wished she could fly like Aleron, Jewel’s husband, or like her sister. What could have happened to make Payton’s condition worsen so much? Her guilt and fear made for uneasy traveling companions. Unconsciously, her foot pressed harder on the pedal. Luckily, she didn’t come across any animals on her way out of the forest.
At the airport, she paid for the car and got to the gate with thirty minutes to spare. She opened her cell and dialed Cody’s number. She was thankful he and Payton had insisted on giving her their numbers.
“Hello.”
“It’s Averil. How is Payton doing?”
“Do you really care, or is this just guilt for pushing him down that’s making you call?”
She couldn’t speak at first. She was so stunned by the animosity she heard in his voice. The silence hung between them.
“I do care, and yes, I am feeling guilty. Will you at least tell me if he’s going to be all right?” Her hand tightened around the phone.
“He’s still in surgery. I don’t know whether he’ll survive or not. I’ve got to go.”
He hung up on her. She stared at the phone. He hadn’t even sounded like himself. Of course he was upset, worried, and angry that she’d left town. But before this Averil had only seen his teasing side, not the hard-toned, angry man on the other end of the phone call. She paced back and forth in front of the windows that showed planes landing and taking off. She had twenty more long minutes to wait.
Averil glanced at her watch. Her flight arrived thirty minutes late. They boarded quickly and were in the air sooner than she’d expected. The past hour had been the longest in her life. Anxiety churned inside her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry we got a late start, but we have a good tailwind and hopefully will make up most of the lost time.” The pilot spoke over the intercom.
“Just let me get back in time, and let Payton be all right,” Averil mumbled to herself. She was glad she didn’t have a person in the seat next to her, or they’d think she was crazy. She put her seat back and thought about Payton and Cody.
Was her guilt of having been instrumental in Payton getting hurt what made her feel so anxious and frightened? Or were her feelings for him and Cody stronger than she wanted to admit? She’d hoped to resolve those questions and others during this week in California. But she wasn’t going to have that leisure time. And she had no idea what she would face when she arrived home. Surely Payton would survive the surgery. He was young, strong, and healthy.
Averil stared out the window. Flying through wispy clouds with a blue sky all around, her life hung as if suspended in animation. Perhaps this was better than knowing what waited ahead.
Averil’s mom and dad waved at her as she came out of the airport. Dad got out and put her suitcase in the trunk while she got in the backseat behind her mother.
Her mother turned to look at her. “Did you convince Kira to come home?”
“I think so. She said she’d get her affairs in order and come in the next few weeks.”
“I’ll be happy to have both my girls here.”
“There’ll be a lot of explaining to do. She’ll cause an uproar at first, if she opens up and tells all.”
“I know. But this is the best time for her to do it. All three of the tribes have accepted the shape-shifters. Especially since their help in the battle.”
Her father drove toward the hospital. He hadn’t committed.