The Daughter of Zion

by Elicia Hyder

  “Thank you. Please do anything else you think might make her comfortable,” I said.

  When Iliana’s light extinguished, she slumped over Cassiel’s thighs onto the bed.

  “Illy?” I asked, reaching for her arm.

  She pushed herself up. “I’m…I’m OK.” Her head drooped. “It’s getting harder and harder to recover.”

  “You’re putting so much of yourself into her,” Dr. Jordan said.

  I pulled her against me, out of the Dr. Swain’s way. “You sure you’re all right?”

  She wobbled a bit, but she nodded.

  Dr. Swain injected Cassiel’s IV with the morphine. Then she uncovered Cassiel’s abdomen again and began to clean it. “I’ll take some blood samples to the lab. Maybe something will show up on a tox screen or culture plate.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Iliana sat in the chair, leaning heavily on the armrest. “What are we going to do about my parents?”

  “I’ll talk to our prisoner and see if he knows anything about the security setup around Azrael’s house. This is probably a dumb question, but have you tried summoning them?”

  Her face wilted. “I can’t even feel their spirits anymore. That house must be spiritually impenetrable.”

  “If they’re even in that house,” Jett said.

  “True.” I sighed. “I wish we could at least get them a message. Tell them we’re out and holed up here because of Claymore’s new ammo.”

  Iliana weakly raised a finger. “And see if they can get somewhere I can reach them.”

  “But how? Claymore has eyes on everything,” Jett said.

  I thought of Huffman and felt sick again. “No. And there’s no way we could get past the guards without putting ourselves and them in a lot of danger.”

  “We might not be able to”—Iliana straightened in the chair—“but Papa can.”

  Dr. Jordan turned around. “Papa can what?”

  “Get a message to my parents.” She looked up at me. “There’s probably a bunch of human soldiers guarding the house. They won’t be able to see him.”

  “Yeah, but neither will Sloan and Nathan,” I said.

  “No, but he can communicate with Mom.”

  “How?”

  Dr. Jordan walked over. “I can speak into her dreams.”

  “Really?” I asked.

  He nodded. “And it only seems to work on her.”

  “This might work, but I’ll need to check with our prisoner to find out how many angels are hanging around that house. Can anyone else see any holes in this plan?” I asked.

  Dr. Jordan raised his hand. “How will I get there?”

  “I can drive him,” Jett offered.

  “An angel would be too risky. We need a human,” I said.

  “One of the SF-12 guys?” Iliana asked.

  I shook my head. “They’re too recognizable. If there’s a wanted poster anywhere at Claymore, you can expect their faces are on it, along with all of ours. We need someone that would be off Claymore’s radar.”

  Iliana and I locked eyes as the same idea occurred to both of us. We both slowly turned toward Shannon and Reese, who were talking quietly.

  Shannon noticed us staring first. Her face shifted quickly from acknowledgment to concern. She held up a finger. “Oh no. Whatever you’re plotting, I don’t want any part of it.”

  “We really need your help.” I walked toward them, and Iliana jumped up, right on my heels.

  “Please.” Iliana clasped her hands beneath her chin. “We have to warn my mom and dad.”

  “Absolutely not,” Shannon said.

  Reese pulled her behind him. “What do you need us to do?”

  “I need you to drive to the Outer Banks,” I said.

  “Sure.”

  “Excuse me?” Shannon barked, clawing at his arm.

  He spoke over his shoulder to her. “Nate and Sloan are in trouble, and I’m going to help them. If you want to stay here, then be my guest.”

  I was sensing Reese might be hoping for a quiet car drive.

  He looked at me. “I’m in.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What do I do when I get there?”

  “Nothing. We need you to take Sloan’s dad to Kill Devil Hills.”

  “Sloan’s dad…the ghost?” Reese’s eyes darted around the room.

  I grimaced. “Yeah. He’ll be able to get inside the house and get a message to them.”

  “He’s the best chance we have,” Iliana said.

  “Then I’ll do it.” He lowered his voice. “But how will I know when he’s in the car? What if we stop somewhere and he gets out or something?”

  “He won’t. It’s not like he’ll need to use the bathroom,” I said with a smile.

  “But once we’re there. He goes in and does his thing…how will I get him back?”

  I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

  “He won’t.” Dr. Jordan came up between me and Iliana. He looked at me. “Tell him to drop me off, and I’ll figure out my own way back.”

  “Papa, we can’t just let him leave you in the middle of some island, off the coast,” Iliana argued.

  “You can, and you will. Sending an angel will put your mother in danger. I won’t have that.” His translucent hand cupped Iliana’s chin. “Sweetheart, this is the only way.”

  She held onto his wrist. “How will you get home?”

  “I’ll find a way. Most humans in my situation are stuck here without the assistance of those who can see us. They’ve adapted. So will I.” He released her and turned to me. “I’m ready. I want to do this.”

  “I’ll get my keys,” Reese said.

  Shannon grabbed his arm. “Hold on. It’s going to be dark soon.”

  “Our van has headlights.” Reese looked at his watch. “If we leave now, we’ll get there around two in the morning. Is that too late?”

  “No. It will probably be better. Security will slack off with the night shift. It always does,” I said.

  “One question,” Dr. Jordan said. “How will Sloan know I’m really there and that she’s not just dreaming? Before, Iliana has told her.”

  I thought back to the island. To the night Fury and I had been awoken by a ghost. I smiled. “Well, that depends. How good are you with electricity?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hey, Warren?” Cruz stuck his head into Kelvin’s cell later that night.

  I looked up from my notes. “Yeah?”

  “Fury’s looking for you.”

  “Great.” I closed my notebook and held it up. “Thanks for this, Kelvin.”

  “Hope I was helpful.”

  “I hope so too.” Hopeful, yes. Doubtful, a little. After all, Kelvin hadn’t known he was dating the Morning Star’s right-hand demon.

  “I have some bad news,” I said as I stood. “We need you to share a cell with one of your buddies. We have another prisoner on his way here that needs the extra precautions of this cell.”

  “Sure. I understand. Think we can get some food? My guys and I haven’t eaten since dinner yesterday.”

  “I’ll talk to your guard.”

  “Thanks, Warren.”

  I walked out of the cell and gestured for Cruz to follow me into the hallway. “Move Kelvin out of the secure cell and put him with one of the other guys. We’ll need the cell for Torman.”

  “When will they be here?”

  “Maybe the middle of the night. Where’s Fury?”

  “Infirmary, I think.”

  “Thanks.” I started out the door but paused. “And get these guys something to eat. This isn’t Camp X-ray.”

  He smiled. “Yes, sir.”

  “Warren!”

  I turned and saw Fury standing outside the infirmary door. “We need you. Now.” She disappeared back inside.

  When I reached the doors, I saw Jett embracing Iliana. Her head was tucked beneath his chin, on his chest, and they were both facing away from me.

  It took a second for
me to tear my eyes away from the romantic scene and realize they were listening to something Dr. Swain was saying on the other side of Cassiel’s bed.

  Fury and Anya were waiting by the nurse’s station.

  Iliana looked over when I entered the room. Her eyes were at half-mast eyes, her arms were limp, and Jett seemed to be holding her up rather than just holding her.

  “What happened?” I asked, alarmed.

  “She’s exhausted,” Jett said, rubbing her back.

  Dr. Swain scribbled something on a clipboard. “The patient—I mean, Cassiel—flatlined again.”

  “I can’t fix this.” Iliana’s voice was barely above a whisper as she stumbled back a step. I grabbed her arm to steady her. “I’m barely keeping her alive, and it’s taking all I’ve got. If the Morning Star has this kind of weapon, there’s no way we can—”

  I pulled her to me. “Don’t give up on us now. Rogan and Torman will be here soon. We’ll get some answers out of him.”

  She nodded. Barely.

  Dr. Swain shined a penlight into Cassiel’s eye. The black webbing had crept closer to her irises. “Perhaps we should treat Iliana’s power like any other medicine.”

  “OK,” I said, hopeful that the doctor was taking us seriously.

  “Let’s try setting a schedule for Iliana to give her regular, smaller doses, rather than having her expend all her energy when Cassiel nears death.”

  “That’s a great idea,” I said.

  Iliana rubbed her bloodshot eyes. “I’ll try anything.”

  “It should be better for both of them.” Dr. Swain looked at Iliana. “You don’t look like you have much left to give.”

  She really didn’t.

  Her hand clutched my shirt like it was barely grasping a lifeline, and I wished for a way to transfer my strength to her. Because in that moment, I realized now that Iliana was here, the world no longer needed me—but she did. And there wasn’t anything more I could do to help her.

  Dr. Swain looked at the clock behind the nurse’s station. “The healing power seems to be wearing off after about three hours.” She thought for a moment. “Iliana, go rest for about an hour. Then come back and give Cassiel a small booster.”

  Iliana blinked and tired tears streamed her cheeks. “OK.”

  I rubbed her back. “We’ll come get you if we have to. Now go. We need you strong.”

  She nodded and shuffled toward the door.

  “Jett, go with her. See that she makes it to her room.” I couldn’t believe I was saying it. “Then come back and stay with Cassiel until it’s time for her next treatment.”

  “Yes, sir.” He jogged after Iliana.

  “Thank you, Dr. Swain,” I said when he was gone. “I trust Shannon told you, we will compensate you well.”

  I wasn’t sure with what money we’d compensate her with, but I’d sell my bodily fluids if I had to.

  “I’ll send you a bill,” she said with a tired smile. “I started her on a broad-spectrum antibiotic. However, it doesn’t seem to be helping. And I’ve given her a second dose of morphine. Tomorrow, I’ll bring something stronger.”

  “You’re coming back?” I asked, surprised.

  Fury and Anya walked into the room.

  “Yes,” Dr. Swain said. “I’ll take her bloodwork to the lab tonight and pick up the results after my class tomorrow afternoon.”

  “You’re in school?” Fury asked.

  “No, I’m giving a lecture tomorrow to the medical students at the university.”

  Fury’s head pulled back. “To all the students?”

  “It’s open to all of them. Usually a hundred and fifty or so show up.”

  “What do you teach?” I asked.

  “The ethics of experimental medicine.”

  “I didn’t realize testing out new treatments was cause for an ethics conundrum,” I said.

  “In most countries, medical professionals try to avoid it now, but some horrific things have been done in the name of science. The Tuskegee syphilis study, Dr. Mengele's experiments on prisoners at Auschwitz, Unit 731 and Japan's biological warfare experiments…”

  “Bet you don’t have many students falling asleep in that talk,” Anya said.

  Dr. Swain smiled for, I think, the first time since we’d met. “No, I don’t. Tomorrow we’re doing an overview of some of the most extreme cases in history.”

  “Sounds brutal.”

  “It is.” Dr. Swain picked up her bag. “Her catheter bag will need to be changed every few hours, and hang a new bag of saline when that one is finished.”

  I nodded.

  “Call me if there’s anything I can do.”

  “Thank you,” I said again. “Anya, would you mind sitting with Cassiel while we walk out with the doctor?”

  “Of course not.” She sat in the chair. “I had a nap earlier, so I’ll take first watch tonight. You guys haven’t slept much, and I know you’ll want to question Torman when he gets here. Go on to bed while you have the chance.”

  “Thank you,” Fury told her sister.

  We followed the doctor out into the hall. “I’m sorry you were dragged into this,” I said to her as the three of us walked toward the lobby.

  “Is my family in danger?” she asked.

  I didn’t want to answer, but she deserved the truth. “Yes, but the rest of the world is too.”

  We walked a few steps in silence.

  “Is your family local?” Fury asked.

  Dr. Swain shook her head. “I have a sister in Cashiers, but the rest of our surviving family is in Arkansas. We lost about half of them in the fever.”

  “I’m sorry,” Fury said.

  “It’s part of the reason I’m glad to help.” The doctor’s face fell. “Though I don’t feel very useful.”

  “I think you were exactly right about having Iliana give Cassiel smaller doses of power more regularly. You might have saved both of them,” I said.

  “Please keep me updated on how it goes.”

  “We will,” Fury said.

  Laughter from the living room stopped us as we passed by. Inside, Taiya was playing a card game with Luca on the coffee table. They were both throwing cards down onto a pile until Luca slapped the deck and threw his head back, laughing.

  “Cheat!” Taiya shouted, pointing at him.

  He pulled all the cards toward his chest. “Nope. You lost fair and square.”

  “Nooo, I won fair and circle!” Taiya dove across the table toward the cards.

  Luca laughed and let her have them.

  She glanced over and saw me. “Hey!” She pointed to the cards. “Play flapjacks?”

  “Slap jacks,” Luca corrected her.

  I laughed. “Maybe tomorrow. I’m going to bed.” I pointed at her. “No sneaking in our room tonight.”

  Taiya’s cheeks flushed. “OK.” She pushed her hair out of her face. “Fury play flapjacks?”

  Luca groaned.

  “Not tonight.” Fury pointed back down the hallway. “But Anya might play with you. She’s in the infirmary.”

  “Nana says to stay out of the sick lady’s room,” Taiya said.

  I smiled. “You can tell Nana I said it’s OK as long as you’re quiet.”

  Taiya held a finger over her lips. “Shh.”

  “Shh,” I echoed. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Night night!” she called.

  “Who is that?” Dr. Swain asked when we started down the hall again.

  I opened the door to the lobby for her and Fury. “Taiya has become like a little sister.”

  “Little?” the doctor asked, confused.

  Shit.

  Taiya had once been younger than me, but now she was obviously much older.

  “Figuratively speaking,” Fury chimed in.

  Kane, Cruz, and Nash were all behind the lobby desk when we walked in. Kane stood. “All finished for the night?”

  “All done,” I said. “Would one of you mind walking Dr. Swain to her car?”


  Nash stood from where he’d been sitting on the desk. “I’ll do it. I didn’t go to the gym today.”

  Dr. Swain groaned. “Oh. I’d forgotten about the stairs.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that,” I said with a grimace.

  She waved her hand. “Good for the heart, right?”

  “That’s right.” I shook her hand. “Thanks again for coming.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow. My lecture is at one, so I’ll probably be here closer to dinnertime.”

  “Well, I hope you join us to eat,” I replied. “See you tomorrow.”

  Nash picked up a rifle to escort her out.

  “Going to bed?” Kane asked.

  “Yes. Please wake me when Rogan and Torman arrive.”

  “Will do.”

  “Any word on Huffman?” Fury asked.

  Kane shook his head.

  “He’ll be fine,” Cruz said. “It’s not the first time that knucklehead has slept in a cell.”

  I certainly hoped so. “What about Reese and Dr. Jordan?”

  “Reese sent an email when they reached Raleigh. They have a few hours to go,” Kane said.

  “Come get me if there’s news,” I said.

  Kane held up his thumb.

  Fury and I took the stairs to the lower level. When we reached our hallway, I offered her my hand. She stared at it—for less time than usual—before sliding her fingers between mine. “I think this is getting easier,” I said, swinging our hands between us.

  She laughed softly. “You’re so weird.” When we reached our door, she opened it. “You know, I think even after all this time, Taiya’s still in love with you.”

  I tipped up my chin. “You jealous?”

  “Maybe a little,” she said with a wink.

  I closed the door and pulled her to me. “Need me to prove my loyalty?”

  She looped her arms around my neck. “It sure as hell wouldn’t hurt.”

  I bent and wrapped my hands around the backs of her thighs. Then I lifted her and settled her legs around my waist. She raked her fingers through my hair as I carried her to our bedroom, and I kicked our door closed behind us.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Warren?”

  Someone was knocking on our bedroom door when I opened my eyes. Fury groaned and rolled over toward me. “What time is it?”