“We’ll live with it,” was Taz’s dry answer.
“This won’t hurt your leg?” Kayla asked as she held the loop at the end of the rope out for Taz to grip in her talon. She had already secured the other end around her waist.
“It’ll only hurt if you miss the landing and I have to catch you,” Taz muttered. “So stick the landing.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kayla murmured, hiding her smile. It was endearing the way Taz tried to hide how much she worried about Kayla’s welfare.
“Ready?” Taz’s one-word sentence was the only indication of her nerves.
Han zipped past. “You two don’t get to do this before we’ve tried it first,” he called over his shoulder.
Kayla gaped. She couldn’t find words. Then she sputtered, “What makes you the heroes here?”
Even though she yelled, she wasn’t sure they heard. In fact, she hoped they hadn’t. She prayed all their attention was on the landing Jaden would have to nail. Han’s wings rippled where the winds lashed them. From the way Han kept tilting this way and then that, it was all he could do just to keep his wings level. Closer and closer they crept, the mountain an obstacle that would not be forgiving if they made any mistakes. Kayla held her breath. Closer. Closer. Now!
As she thought the word, Jaden leaped. Kayla’s shoulders hunched, and her eyes scrunched up as she tried to hide while still looking. Jaden sailed through the air. The rope between him and Han, initially slack, began to stretch. Jaden hit the ledge. Kayla leaned forward on Taz, waiting for his momentum to take him over the edge.
Jaden tumbled forward. Then he planted one foot in front of himself, regaining his balance. But the rope was almost at its limit. Jaden waved frantically at Han. At the signal, Han dropped his end of the rope. Not a moment too soon. If he’d held on for a second longer, he would’ve dragged Jaden off the ledge. Jaden took a moment to catch his breath before he turned and faced Kayla, his face grim.
“I won’t lie. It will be difficult to get this right. The rope we brought is too short. It won’t give us a lot of play. Make sure you don’t linger between the drop-off and Taz letting go. But make sure you’re steady before you give the command.”
“Anything else?” Kayla asked, swallowing hard.
“I’ll be here to catch you. Just give me a moment.”
Kayla watched, amazed as Jaden pulled more rope from his backpack and disappeared inside the cave. When did he figure all this out? In fact, where did he get the extra rope? She looked around and then felt silly. Duh, we all have a rope in our packs. He could’ve gotten it from anyone.
Kayla waited for Jaden to return, her jaw beginning to ache. Realizing she had clamped her teeth together, she opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to soothe the pain. Then there he was. A taut figure on the ledge. She saw his face. White as a sheet.
“What’s wrong?”
Jaden looked like he would be sick. He bent over and put his hands on his knees, gulping down air as though his life depended on it.
“Jaden, speak to me,” Kayla ordered, her panic rising.
He waved a hand at her. Kayla waited impatiently, watching Jaden like a hawk. When he rose, his face was haggard. “Markov?”
“Yeah, dude, I’m here.” Markov’s glider slid up next to Kayla’s.
“I need you to come down next.”
“What? No wait, I’m next,” Kayla argued.
Jaden turned and looked directly at her then. “Kayla, I need Markov to be next.”
Staring back at Jaden, Kayla tried to figure out what it was he wasn’t saying. When she realized what it was, her breath stuttered. “No!” Kayla shook her head violently. “No, Jaden please tell me, tell me that . . .” Kayla couldn’t finish the sentence. Jaden swam in her vision as her eyes filled with tears.
Holding her gaze, Jaden motioned she should turn her comm off. Sobs rising, Kayla did as he’d asked. Then he mouthed something. Kayla blinked to clear her eyes. “What did you say?” she mouthed back.
“Your dad’s alive. I need help getting him out.”
Kayla’s breath came in little gasps. He’s okay! Jaden just needs help. Her sluggish brain took a few seconds to reach the next realization. And she knew. Kayla just knew. Kayla had to work to form the words through frozen lips. “The others?”
Jaden shook his head, his face drawn.
Markov’s glider slid even closer so he could speak to Kayla without her mother hearing. Mom! Kayla swung her head, finding Iri engaging her mother in a conversation on the other side. Iri darted a glance at Kayla past her mother, and Kayla understood that too. Iri had seen—or smelled—or used whatever sense she had to tell her Kayla’s mother couldn’t be looking at Jaden now that he had exited the cave. Kayla dipped her head in thanks. Then she turned back to Markov.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.” Frazzled, she swiped a hand through the air. “No, I mean, it was loud enough. I just didn’t comprehend what you said.”
Markov’s face was as grim as Jaden’s. “I said, let me go down and help Jaden. You stay here with your mom.”
Numb, Kayla nodded. She didn’t think she’d be able to land, anyway. Not with limbs that were paralyzed, her body frozen in shock. Dad’s team! None of them survived? What happened? They were all so skilled. Horror clawed at Kayla, digging in and creating fear so intense, it robbed her of air. Gasping, she hoovered air, halting the spots dancing across her vision. Kayla concentrated only on breathing. In. Out. In. Out.
Kayla didn’t see Markov make the jump—or his landing—or whether he had to do it more than once. Keeping her eyes glued on the same spot in front of her, Kayla’s brain drummed out the words her body had to obey. In. Out. In. Out.
“Kayla!”
Taz’s sharp cry cut through the mantra. Dazed, Kayla shook her head. “What?”
“Your mother. You need to think of your mother.”
Kayla’s eyes felt like balls rolling in a too-large channel. Like they would spin right out of her head if she moved them too fast. Maybe if she moved her head instead of her eyes . . . Her gaze fell on her mother. Kayla blinked, trying to focus. Relieved to find Iri still talking to Sadie, Kayla sucked back sobs again. This wouldn’t do. She had to get herself under control. Her mother knew her too well. She would take one look at Kayla, in the state she was in, and start panicking herself.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kayla closed her eyes. She could do this. She took another breath. And another. The terror, the fear, the anguish, she shoved them deep down. Way down, where she put a shield around them. Relegating them to the box she had crafted to keep them there. Contained. Where they couldn’t come out. Where they couldn’t be seen. Not until she was ready to open that box again. Settling her face into a calm mask, she opened her eyes.
Her mother was just turning her way. Kayla smiled. She didn’t know how, but she did. “Seems you and Iri were having a nice conversation?”
“We were! Did you know she lived in a forest all by herself? And that . . .”
Kayla didn’t catch the rest of it. It was a garbled mass of sound. She had to get her mother away from here. From whatever was in that cave. From whatever Jaden was bringing out. Because while he had told her her father was alive, his tone said there was more to it.
Kayla kept the vacant smile plastered on her face until her mother stopped talking. “Mom, we’ll need more rope.” Her voice sounded strange to her own ears. Kayla ignored the fact. “Can you and Iri please see what you can round up from the other riders?”
For a moment, Kayla thought her mother would question her. Would say no. But then Iri spoke.
“Come on, Mrs. M. Let’s gather that rope so we can get down there, explore that cave, and find your husband.”
“Well, if you think it will help,” Sadie said.
I’m not the only one with an addled brain, Kayla thought as Iri dragged her mother away. Atu had somehow convinced the rest of the riders to move out of sight. Around the side of the mountain if she h
ad to guess, based on where Iri was leading her mother.
Bless you both. Then she gripped the rope around her waist, checking it was secure. “Taz, let’s get down there.”
Taz cast a glance over her shoulder. “Are you sure?”
Kayla was grateful Taz hadn’t tried to talk her out of it. “Yes. I need to see what’s there. I need to get to my father. And I have you to catch me if I don’t stick the landing.”
Because, Jaden and Markov were nowhere in sight. They had to be in the cave. Kayla held on as Taz took them closer, the winds pummeling them every inch of the way. Taz’s muscles bunched under Kayla as Taz worked to get them close enough for the dismount without smashing them into the mountain.
Thankful for her goggles keeping the wind out but cursing the mist making judging the distance tricky, Kayla concentrated. She and Taz recognized the perfect moment at the same instant. Kayla leaped right as Taz shouted, “Now!”
Never had anything seemed quite so small as that ledge. Kayla scanned for uneven bits which might throw her off-kilter. But the rock was rushing up to meet her so fast, there wasn’t time. Aware of the rope trailing behind her growing taut, Kayla tucked her legs, bracing for impact. Then she hit. The force of the wind knocked her to her knees. Her hands went out in front of her to stop the face plant. They almost slid over the edge.
Scrambling backward on all fours, Kayla fell back onto her butt. The rope bit into her waist. Taz! She has to let go! Kayla waved, her arms flopping around in the air in front of her, too weak from adrenaline to give a proper wave.
It was enough. Taz let go, arcing away from the mountain like it was on fire. Kayla watched, tense, as Taz fought the winds that hammered her wings. Then she broke free of the gusts running up and down the side of the mountain, and the ripples along the edges of her wings smoothed.
Kayla wanted to melt into the ledge she sat on. But her need to establish what had happened to her father drove her to rise on shaky legs. Stumbling forward, she entered the cave.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jaden closed the man’s eyes. Glancing at Markov, he asked, “Ready?”
A grim nod was Markov’s only answer. Together, they bent over the man. Markov took his legs, and Jaden gripped the man under his shoulders. Heaving, they lifted him and staggered to the side of the cave, the dead man’s weight a burden between them.
Setting the man down, they stood. Then they gazed at the men lining the side of the cave, all dead. Except for Vicken. Even that was debatable. With a loud sigh, Jaden trudged back to where Vicken lay.
“Any idea what happened to him—or any of the others?”
Atu’s face was grave. “No. And I’m not able to heal him.”
Jaden linked his hands behind his head as he began pacing. That Atu had snuck down here without Kayla noticing was a miracle. But if Atu’s magic isn’t working, what is this?
Jaden glanced back at Vicken. Condensation formed on the mirror Atu had propped in front of his nose, showing he was still breathing. His chest still rose and fell. Beyond that, though, there was nothing. No marks on his body to explain what might have befallen him. No bruises. No cuts. No visible wounds.
Jaden stared at the dead men along the wall. It was the same with them. Nothing on them, but they were dead. Is Vicken just taking longer to die? His heart squeezed in his chest. Vicken couldn’t die. It would forever change Kayla. How am I going to tell her about her dad? Or Sadie?
Scuffling at the entrance to the cave made Jaden whip out his DD. Twin flares of light behind him confirmed Atu and Markov were also ready.
Kayla was the last person Jaden expected to see. She stood still, adjusting to the light. She probably couldn’t see into this dim interior after the bright mist outside.
Cursing under his breath, Jaden sheathed his DD and strode over to her. “What are you doing here?” His words sounded harsher than he’d meant. He regretted it when he saw Kayla’s face. He had never seen fear like this on her. Her lower lip quivered, biting back tears, and her soft green eyes were shimmering fields in a face whiter than the mists outside.
Jaden enveloped her in his arms, hers sliding around his waist and curving up his back as she leaned into him. She took comfort for only a second before pulling back enough to look up at him. “Is my dad really alive?”
Jaden didn’t have words. “Come see for yourself.”
Leading her into the darkness, he understood why she had stayed on the edge of the cave rather than entering. He stopped for a moment, letting his eyes readjust to the dark. There was a reason he didn’t want to use his PAL’s light. Jaden didn’t want her seeing the dead men lined up along the opposite wall. She only needed to see her dad.
Jaden hurried on as soon as he could make out shapes again. By the time they reached Vicken, they could both see. Thankfully, her eyes were only on the man in front of her. She fell to her knees before him, taking his hand in hers.
“Dad?” When he didn’t answer, she repeated it. When there was still no answer, she looked up, her eyes wide. Then she noticed Atu. Kayla gasped. “When did you get here?”
“Right after Markov.”
“What’s wrong with my dad?”
Atu’s sigh was heavy. “I’m sorry, but I have no clue. I’m not getting any results from anything I’ve tried. And I’m not getting any feedback from him either.”
“Feedback?”
Atu frowned. “That’s what I call it. When I run my hands over someone who’s sick, an energy flows up to my hands from them. It’s what allows me fix the exact issue.” One look at Kayla’s face had him hurrying on. “He’s alive. No doubt about that.” When Kayla still said nothing, just stared at her dad, Atu said, “Perhaps Iri might see something I can’t.”
On cue, footsteps sounded behind them. Then a bright light shone in their faces. “Why are you all huddled in the dark? There—”
Iri trailed off as she saw the men on the side of the cave. She snapped her light off. Too late. Kayla had seen them. Her eyes widened in horror.
“Iri, turn the light back on.” Kayla’s voice was quiet, but commanding.
Iri huffed but did as Kayla asked. When light suffused the small space, Kayla stared at the men for so long, Jaden wondered whether they should’ve allowed it.
“They were good men.” Kayla’s voice broke. “My dad will miss them.” Facing Atu, she said, “How did they die?”
“We don’t know. There’s nothing on them revealing a cause.”
“I suppose there’s nothing on my dad either?”
Jaden’s heart was shattering into tiny pieces. The sorrow in Kayla’s voice was unbearable. He crouched next to her, but he didn’t take her hand. Hers were both holding her dad’s, and he couldn’t separate Kayla from her father.
“No, nothing on your dad either,” Atu confirmed. Glancing at Iri, he said, “Can you find anything that might help?”
Kayla’s eyes flew to Iri. Jaden didn’t know how she did it. How could she face this head on? He kept his own eyes on Kayla, watching for the slightest reaction. But Kayla’s face was a stony mask. Even her eyes were dead. Finding no answer in Kayla, Jaden turned to Iri too.
Iri was staring at Vicken in her way that always made Jaden squirm. Then Iri sniffed the air. First, near Vicken, then walking over to where Vicken’s team lay and sniffing there. Finally, she turned to Kayla.
“I’m no expert, but I’m smelling the same thing on these men as on your dad.” When Kayla whimpered, Iri held up a finger. “But not to the same extent. These men were exposed to whatever it was in varying degrees. My guess is that they were in a line, and your dad was at the back—he had the least exposure. While his colors are muted, they’re stable.” Iri thought a moment before adding, “Not draining away.”
A sob escaped Kayla. “You think my dad will be alright, then?”
Iri closed the distance between them, knelt down, and squeezed Kayla’s shoulder. “I can’t say. All I can say is it seems his condition is stable for now.”
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Kayla sniffed, tears spilling down her face. She nodded. “Okay, that’s good. I can deal with that.” She hiccupped, trying to compose herself. “Atu, do you think if they took my dad to a hospital, they might find out what’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know.”
Kayla’s throat bobbed, and her forehead crinkled as she shook her head. “No, no, what I mean is . . . do you think modern medicine will be more effective at healing my dad than your gift?”
Atu sighed. “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that one either.”
Jaden understood what Kayla was getting at, and that she needed someone else to decide. He would take that responsibility. Jaden only hoped he was making the right decision. “Keeping Vicken here isn’t helping. Atu already said he can’t heal him. I suggest getting Vicken to a hospital.” Jaden really hoped he was right about this next part. “Atu stays with us so he can make sure you remain healthy to see your dad on the other side of this—and we get on and finish this thing!”
Jaden said the last words with such vehemence, it was a wonder they didn’t flame on their way out. The others ogled him. “What? I’m done with those we love suffering because we haven’t ended this yet. It has to end.”
Silence. Then Iri said, “I can’t think of a better plan. Kayla?”
Kayla gripped her father’s hand so hard her knuckles turned white. “Just because I’m leaving you now doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Because I love you I have to let you go. I have to let you get the care you need. You fight, you hear me? Fight! Just like I’ll fight for you. Be awake when I get back to you.” Kayla’s head dropped as she kissed her dad’s cheek. “Fight!”
Jaden had never felt more helpless. Even when Kayla was missing, there had been hope he’d get her back. This situation was infinitely worse. Jaden swallowed the lump in his throat as Kayla rose and faced them.
“Let’s get him out of here. Markov, can you go with him and my mom to the hospital?”
Markov didn’t hesitate. “Sure.” Then he glanced at Jaden. “If that’s okay with you? You don’t need me down here with you?”
Destiny Series Boxed Set Page 111
