Jaden fumbled in his fogged brain for a way to help Han, but it was impossible with the world spinning at such a giddy speed. The unexpected jerk as Taz and Kayla bumped up under them knocked the breath from him. Han grunted in agony. Disoriented, Jaden took a moment to realize they’d stopped spiraling and their descent was slowing. Then he heard Kayla.
“Jaden, jump!”
Uncurling his fingers with effort and loosening the death grip his knees had on Han’s chest, Jaden lurched rather than jumped. It was only a short drop, but he seemed to hang there, suspended forever. In his state of flux, the wind tossed his body over so he faced Han’s underside.
Jaden sucked in a horrified breath when he saw the true extent of the damage. Han’s left wing fluttered uselessly, shredded to ribbons. Several long, nasty slashes on Han’s stomach trickled bright red blood. Jaden only had time to be thankful that the wound wasn’t deep before he crashed into Kayla.
“Hey, watch where you’re landing,” Kayla objected.
Jaden scrambled aside, so he was no longer squashing her. Unsure where he should be but aware he should find a secure position, he slipped behind Kayla.
“Sorry about this,” Jaden muttered, wrapping his arms around her waist and sliding his legs over and around Kayla’s. He was too far back to grip Taz with his knees any other way. “I’m not sure how we ride a glider together.”
He wriggled, trying to make them both more comfortable, then settled. A moment later, Kayla relaxed against him. He stiffened, and Kayla jerked away. Her movement was so unexpected it had caught him off-guard. Annoyed with himself, Jaden held his breath, waiting to see if she would lean back into him again.
Other than taking his hand on the stairs when they’d left his home, she hadn’t touched him since that night at his gran’s. And he had tried to emulate the sentiment, so much so that his reaction was a trained response. If only he could take it back. But it was too late.
Kayla sat forward now, her posture rigid. What is she thinking? Worry niggled. Is it possible she relented enough to show me how she felt, and I snubbed her? Or is she comfortable enough with me she leaned back unwittingly?
Han plunging past them swept aside all thoughts of Kayla. All Jaden’s angst for his glider returned. Jaden couldn’t help noticing how much easier it was for his glider to compensate for his tattered wing now that Jaden no longer burdened him. Why didn’t Han say something? Despite Han gaining a measure of control over his descent, Jaden could tell it was too little, too late. He winced as Han smashed into the ground, watching helplessly as his friend flipped over twice and then lay still.
Taz glided in behind Han. “You must jump when we’re close to the ground. I can’t land with both of you on my back.”
It was the first time they’d had to dismount before landing, and Jaden looked at Kayla, not sure how to comply. Kayla’s face was blank, her eyes wide. He would have to think of something.
“You go first,” Jaden said. “I’ll support you while you move. Swing your one leg over to meet the other, then slide down in front of Taz’s wing on that side. I’ll be right behind you.”
Kayla complied without comment when Taz slowed and dropped as low as her wings would allow. When Kayla landed comfortably, Jaden dismounted and followed her down, surprised by how easy it was.
On the ground, Jaden sprinted to Han’s crumpled form on the desert floor. “Han, Han, are you alright?” Jaden bent over his glider, searching for signs of life. The slightest movement in Han’s chest reassured him his glider was still breathing.
Stripping off his shirt, Jaden pressed the fabric against Han’s chest wound. He wasn’t sure what to do about the wing. Folded over on itself and twisted at an awkward angle, the silky membrane was ripped in several places. Kayla was the one with medical training. Surely, she’ll know what to do. Where is she?
Jaden glanced up, ready to shout for her, but Kayla was already there, kneeling next to Han’s ragged wing and inspecting it. She gently tweaked the soft membranes, carefully rearranging them so they lay flat. Han’s eyes fluttered open, and he murmured his appreciation. Clearly, Kayla unfurling and straightening the flayed pieces had afforded Han a measure of relief.
With the wing laid out to restrict further damage, Kayla turned to the gouges on Han’s stomach. Jaden surrendered when she moved his hands and sodden shirt out of the way so she could inspect the area. The wound was still bleeding, although not as profusely. Kayla inspected the edges of the gash, her brow furrowed in thought.
Taz made them both jump when she landed with a soft thump right next to them.
“Sheesh,” Kayla complained, “you scared me half to death.”
Jaden watched as Kayla resumed working on Han. This girl stayed scared of nothing for long. Does that include a deeper relationship with me? Will she avoid me forever? Or just until this nightmare ends?
Peering over Kayla’s shoulder at the lacerations, Taz murmured, “Do you remember the dried-up riverbed I pointed out just before we landed?”
“Yes, why?” Kayla asked.
“The mud in that area has excellent medicinal qualities. Mixed with the right herbs, in the right proportions, we can fix Han’s wing almost instantly.”
Kayla raised her eyebrows. “Instantly? With mud?”
“Yes, instantly.”
“But we don’t have any herbs,” Jaden pointed out.
“We don’t have any right now,” Taz corrected, “but we should be able to find them in the surrounding vegetation. I’m pretty sure the herbs grow near the mud.”
“Pretty sure?” Jaden asked.
Taz huffed. “It’s been a long time since our training. We didn’t think we’d ever carry voyagers. Believe me, it was a real shock when Zareh summoned us. There wasn’t a lot of time to brush up on our knowledge. I remember what the herbs look like, but it’s how they’re mixed with the mud that’ll be tricky. Combine them in the wrong ratios and they’ll have the opposite effect . . .” She trailed off.
“Really?” Jaden blustered. “We’re just going to experiment with Han’s wing and hope you remember the right formula?”
“Oh, stop complaining and go find the mud and herbs already,” Taz snapped. Their expressions told her she’d been a little short. “I’m sorry, but we don’t have time to waste. The sooner you bring me the mud and herbs, the sooner we get Han back on his feet.”
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Taz launched into a detailed description. Once he’d recited it back to her, she dismissed him by returning her attention to Kayla, who had retrieved her med-kit and was repairing the slashed skin on Han’s chest.
Jaden turned away in disgust. The only thing he was good for was fumbling around in the dirt, hunting down some obscure plants. He trudged toward the area Kayla had pointed out earlier, hoping her sense of direction was accurate and that it would hold the riverbed he was looking for.
Sure, no pressure. Find the healing mud, find the nebulous herbs, take them back to the girls, and hope Taz miraculously remembers how to mix the magic potion. Jaden kicked at a pebble in his path, finding satisfaction in the way it flew forward. Because it made him feel better, he chased the stone down and kicked it again. Each time it flew forward, his spirits lifted, squelching the desperation threatening to overwhelm him.
Jaden was so committed to the silly little stone that he didn’t notice the riverbed until he tripped over the scruffy bushes hugging its parched edge. Toppling down the small embankment, he landed face down at the bottom, chewing on the dusty soil.
More annoyed than hurt, Jaden straightened, spat the gunk out of his mouth, and brushed himself off. He eyed the dust clouds kicked up by his feet, doubting he’d find any mud. But studying the riverbed, he noticed tiny trickles popping up intermittently.
There was so little water, it was almost nonexistent. But water meant mud. Striding over to the tiny bubbles escaping above the surface, he scraped at the edges, elated when more buried water spurted out. Packing the sandwich container with
thick, stinky mud didn’t take long.
The task complete, he leaned back, recognizing this had been the easy part. Where on earth would he find the plants Taz had taken such pains to describe? Rebuking himself for not paying closer attention to the vegetation on his way to the river, he searched the bank for any signs of greenery—and froze.
Chapter Eight
A boy stood there. At least, Jaden thought it was a boy. The heat haze shimmering behind the person in the late afternoon glare only allowed a general impression of height and build. The person stood so still, Jaden wondered whether he was seeing things. Mirages happen in deserts, don’t they? But they involve water, not people, right?
The thought of water made Jaden realize how thirsty he was. In fact, he was a little lightheaded. Standing motionless until the dizziness passed, Jaden stepped to the right, hoping the image would shift, allowing him to see his way clear of it. It didn’t move.
Determined to banish the annoying image, Jaden continued angling to his right. But whatever it was, it didn’t budge. Puzzled, Jaden shifted closer. When he was within arm’s length, the glare disappeared. It was a boy! About his age, dark-skinned, dark-eyed, and with the blackest hair Jaden had ever seen, tied in a neat ponytail.
The boy stared at Jaden, as though wondering what in the world Jaden was up to. “Hello.”
Jaden jumped. The boy smiled, conveying he wouldn’t bite. “Hello,” Jaden offered, still unsure whether what he was seeing was real. And now I’m talking to my imaginary friend! What next? Flying pigs?
The boy offered a hand. “My name’s Atu. Who are you?”
Convinced he was hallucinating, Jaden decided that whatever this was, he would let it play out. “Jaden,” he replied, shaking the proffered hand. “What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?”
“I could ask the same thing except I saw your confrontation with the Gaptor. Elite, the way you zapped him. I didn’t know you could destroy them like that. I came to help because I saw your glider go down.”
Jaden grimaced. There is no doubt—I am definitely having an episode! The Gaptor and gliders are invisible to everyone except me, Kayla, and Gran. It’s impossible the boy could’ve witnessed anything. Besides, how does he know what a Gaptor and gliders are? Jaden inspected the phantom, silently considering the situation and speculating what he had to do to get back to reality.
“Hey, bro, you alright?” Atu asked, interrupting Jaden’s reverie.
“Yeah, sure, just fine and dandy,” Jaden muttered. “I’m daydreaming, and I should be helping Han.”
“Who’s Han? Is he your glider?”
Inconceivable! How does he know that? What the deuce? Jaden thought, throwing his hands in the air. “Yes, he’s my glider, and he’s hurt. If you’re real, maybe we can stop jawing and you can help me find the herbs we need to mix with this mud to heal him.”
Atu beamed, the action lighting his countenance. “I’ve got you covered, bro. Everything we need is right here,” he assured Jaden, patting a bag slung over one shoulder.
“You have the herbs?”
“And the mud, all mixed exactly as they should be.”
Jaden shrugged. “Whatever you say.” He was too tired to care about working this out. He would escort the boy back to the others, and when they confirmed no one was with him, he might snap out of it. Then he could get back to finding the plants—after drinking about a gallon of water first.
“Follow me,” Jaden invited, turning and heading back.
The boy followed, although not without a searching stare, bewildered by Jaden’s strange behavior. They accomplished the jog back to Han and the others in silence, Jaden not wanting to talk to what he was sure was fresh air. Nearing their destination, Jaden increased his pace, impatient to find out how Han was doing. Kayla was still tending the injured bat, and Jaden was thankful at least one of them had some medical expertise.
Taz was the first to hear their approach. The hairs on the back of Jaden’s neck rose when Taz leaped in front of Han and raised her wings, unmistakably threatening whatever walked beside him. Alarmed, Jaden realized he could’ve made a mistake bringing the boy back to the camp—surely Taz’s response proved he was real?
Jaden hurried to place himself between the boy and Kayla. If he was dangerous, Jaden didn’t want her anywhere near the stranger. His tension dissipated when Taz sniffed the air, then lowered her massive wings and cocked her head to one side.
“Who brings the medicine?” Taz asked.
“Says his name’s Atu,” Jaden replied, shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation. He was sure he had imagined the boy. Apparently not.
Taz hopped over to where Atu waited, wonder plastered on his face as he admired the enormous bat.
“Wow! I never expected to meet a glider. I’m honored,” Atu said, bowing low.
“You are a seeker?” Taz quizzed, not allowing the boy’s impeccable manners to sway her.
“Yes.” Atu grinned. “How else could I see you?”
How else indeed? Jaden groaned. Laughing at himself, he realized that not only had they found someone who had the medicine needed to heal Han’s wing, but they’d also found another seeker. In the middle of nowhere and when they least expected it.
“Sorry for the cranky reception back there. I convinced myself the magical appearance of a healer was a hallucination,” Jaden said.
Atu grinned, understanding Jaden’s strange behavior. “I can agree it must’ve seemed too good to be true. Can I get to work on that wing now?”
He stepped toward Han. But Kayla didn’t step aside. “Will you show us your medallion?” she challenged, scratching her birthmark.
Atu smiled, understanding, and reached into his bag. Retrieving his medallion, he held it out for her, allowing its pearly surface to fling light around them. “Satisfied?”
“Yes, thanks. I’m Kayla,” she said, stopping scratching long enough to stretch out a hand in greeting. “That’s Taz,” Kayla said, pointing at her glider, “and Han’s our injured friend.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Atu replied, shaking Kayla’s hand. The boy glanced at Han but made no move toward him. Instead, he addressed Kayla. “Will you allow me to repair his wing now?”
Kayla gave him space to work, her eyes never leaving Atu.
Her focused attention on Atu irritated Jaden. What does she find so intriguing about him? He isn’t that interesting! Jaden sidled up to her. As if sensing his proximity, Kayla turned and gave him one of her dazzling smiles.
Jaden forgot about being jealous. He smiled back, but she fidgeted. Jaden wondered why until he saw her eyes. Uncertainty lingered there. Did she need reassurance? After his reaction when she’d leaned back against him on Taz, he wasn’t about to refuse her. Even if his assessment was wrong.
Reaching out, Jaden clasped her hand in his own. He was relieved and pleased when she gripped his hand. She sent him another gorgeous smile, and satisfaction suffused him. He had done the right thing. Hand in hand, Jaden and Kayla watched as Atu leaned over Han, inspecting his tattered wing and speaking in soothing tones.
“Hey. buddy, let’s see what I can do for you.” Gently lifting the torn sections, Atu examined them, then commended Kayla’s work on the wing. “It helps relieve the pain when the wing’s allowed to lie flat.” Reaching into his bag, Atu extracted a leather pouch secured at the top with a rawhide cord. He opened the bag and dipped his hand inside, scooping out part of the contents.
Kayla dragged Jaden closer, curious to know what was inside. It was a paste of sorts—greenish brown with a mild, pleasant aroma. Atu dabbed the ointment along the tear lines.
Before placing the paste, Atu ensured the two sheared ends met perfectly, joining the jagged edges. Then he applied the healing balm to the join, checking the pieces didn’t overlap. He moved methodically, working along each of the four slit sections in order. When he set the last portion to his satisfaction, Atu tipped back onto his haunches.
Han’s eyes f
luttered open. “What is that? It feels so good.”
The absence of pain in Han’s voice calmed Jaden. He touched Han’s massive shoulder. “Hey, friend, how’re you doing?”
Han sighed. “Significantly improved. Where did you find this one?”
“I didn’t find him—he found us.” When Han eyed him, Jaden elaborated. “He saw our duel with the Gaptor, watched you go down, and came to find us so he could help.”
“I think we’ll keep him. Thank you,” Han said, inclining his head to Atu. “How are you here in the desert?”
“I live here.”
Jaden’s eyebrows shot up. “Here? What does your family do out here?”
A cloud passed over Atu’s face. “My family is no longer with me.”
“Man, I’m so sorry! I wouldn’t have asked if I had known,” Jaden murmured. He regretted asking, but it astounded him that the boy survived out here alone.
Atu brushed off the apology. “You had no way of knowing. Although it would’ve been nice if my family could’ve also witnessed what I saw today.” He was quiet for a heartbeat. “Our family has waited generations for the gliders to come with their voyagers, by whose hands the fate of the world will be determined.”
His unassuming statement jarred Jaden back to reality. He glanced at Kayla, silently questioning how many times they would have to hear their destiny was to redeem their world before they even knew how. Kayla’s face reflected his doubt, her shared reservations about their success, and her concern that the expectations of others was too great. But neither interrupted the boy, unwilling to admit that, right now, they felt ridiculously useless.
When several seconds passed and Atu said nothing more, Jaden thought he’d ask. “You don’t know how we’re supposed to do that, do you?”
Atu blinked, surprised. “You don’t know?”
“No,” Kayla complained, “but we’d sure like to.”
“I’m sorry, but I have no answer for you. All I know is that each seeker has their part to play in bringing the prophecy to pass. My family’s role, and thus mine, is to provide healing.”
Destiny Series Boxed Set Page 33
