"Not in most cases. Lara is the name Lorrie adopted when she went to school on the mainland. But, changing her name could not change her past. She has not been the Lorrie I knew in many years. I am sorry for the harm she caused you. She wasn't always like this."
Maku had obviously cared deeply for Lorrie at some point; perhaps he still did. The sorrow on his face made it clear how difficult this was for him. Caeli changed the subject to help ease his pain, or so she thought.
"What happened to Pete?"
Caeli needed to know what Lorrie was doing at the hotel. Hopefully, Lorrie didn't do anything to interfere with Pete's treatment. She prayed that Lorrie did not get close enough to hurt Salma. Whatever Lorrie did must be what caused Ben to seek Vin's help earlier. Obviously, Caeli missed out on something important by leaving when she did.
"Pete is dead," Maku replied with a touch of anger in his voice. He stopped at the tunnel entrance.
"What!? But, but…he was better. The treatment was working. I felt his improvement with my own hands. Salma was curing him. He can't be dead. How could that happen?" Caeli was stunned. She could not believe the young man was gone. The one truly good thing Caeli had managed this trip was now lost.
"He was improving. His death was completely unrelated to his illness. Lorrie killed him. Near as I can tell, Pete caught her in the middle of something untoward at the hotel, and it cost him his life. Lorrie is going to pay for that as soon as she tells us where she took Dr. Erickson."
"Salma's missing, too? Maku, we have to get back there. Can you show me the way?"
"It is a straight shot through this tunnel."
"Ok, then go on ahead of me. I need to check one thing first. I will follow behind you in a minute." Caeli was concerned. Her pain was growing worse. She knew her time was running out.
"Be quick. This tunnel will be flooded soon. If you wait too long, you will not be able to use it to return," Maku cautioned her.
"I won't be long. Thank you, Maku."
Before she could follow Maku, Caeli urgently needed to check on Vin and Salma. She needed to find out if they were hurt. Caeli needed to know how near she was to facing her decision. She hoped there would be time to return to Vin before that happened. Unfortunately, choosing to stay behind to learn their status brought Caeli immediately face to face with that dreaded decision. To her dismay, it was not exactly the quandary she expected.
As soon as she located them, Caeli could tell that both Vin and Salma were badly hurt. She overheard Ben detailing Salma's dire condition to Vin, who was barely holding himself upright. They both needed her help. Caeli glanced after Maku. She could already see the water rising in the tunnel. If she didn't leave now, she would be trapped on the island. She would have nowhere to go when the full force of the storm hit.
Caeli's decision was immediately upon her. She could not avoid it any longer. If she left the island, she would not reach Vin and Salma in time to save them both. If she stopped to aid them, she would be trapped, and there was a very good chance that she would not survive prolonged exposure to the storm in her worsening condition, which she did not yet understand.
Nonetheless, Caeli had to make a choice. It was an easy decision. She would not allow Vin or Salma to die. However, she could not help them both from her current location. The distance, combined with her pain and weariness, decreased her ability. She had to choose yet again. If Caeli did not help Salma, she would surely die from loss of blood and continued internal bleeding. There was no way for Ben to get Salma to a hospital in time. Caeli did not know if she could heal a wound as severe as Salma's without touching Salma directly. On the other hand, without Vin's aid, Caeli could not even reach an unconscious Salma in order to attempt to heal her. She needed a direct connection to her aunt. Vin could not assist with the connection unless she first healed him, at least enough to clear his mind. If she did that, Caeli's strength would be all but spent. She would have nothing left with which to save Salma.
Caeli was torn. She desperately searched for another option. Caeli tried to call to Vin, but his head injury prevented him from hearing her clearly. That left Ben.
"Of course!"
She should have thought of him sooner. Ben was the answer. Caeli realized that she had known this all along. Ben was connected to Salma, though he could not open the connection himself. She could show Ben how to save Salma without expending all of her strength, and then she would be free to focus on helping Vin. Caeli leaned against the rock, closed her eyes, and set to work.
Vin leaned heavily against the wall of the cave. He noticed the changing behavior of the storm. It seemed to burst forth from whatever had been holding it in check over the island. Perhaps it meant that Caeli defeated Rika. Perhaps she was all right. Then again, it could mean something much worse. Rika might have won. She could now be using Caeli's gift to fully unleash the storm against the island. Vin tried not to think about that possibility.
He turned his thoughts inward as his pain demanded attention. Vin's head was throbbing and his back hurt, but he did not consider his injuries all that bad when compared to Salma. He glanced around and noticed Ben standing in knee-deep water, holding Salma up against him. She looked like she was sleeping, though Vin assumed she was still unconscious.
"Ben, how is she?"
"Not good. Colonel Franks was able to get the external bleeding under control, but she is still bleeding inside; and she has been out this whole time. I can't wake her. There's nothing more we can do for her. We have to get her to a hospital."
"Not yet, Ben," Caeli's voice interrupted Ben's thoughts.
"Do you remember what we talked about after my dream, about you helping Salma? That time is now, Ben. Are you ready?"
"Yes Caeli. How can I help her? Tell me what to do," Ben responded out loud, not realizing that Vin could not hear his wife's voice.
"Ben, are you talking to Caeli?"
"Yes."
"He can't hear me. His injury prevents the proper concentration at the moment. I don't have time for lengthy explanations, and neither does Salma. I have made my choice. I can't come to you in time, so we have to do this from a distance. I am going to help you, and you are going to heal Salma."
"Caeli, I can't do that. I wouldn't even know where to begin," Ben answered out loud, perplexed.
Vin slowly made his way over and placed his hand on Ben's shoulder, but his head was still throbbing, and he could not hear Caeli's voice. Disappointed, Vin slowly removed his hand and leaned carefully against the cool, stone wall. She had probably tried to call to him, but could not reach him because of his injury. With Salma unconscious and him unreachable, Ben was Caeli's only connection. Ben did Vin the courtesy of sharing his half of the conversation.
"Yes, Ben, you can do this. You have to trust me. You have to trust yourself. Remember, everyone has the ability to connect with the elements; everyone. Vin and I may have stronger inherent capabilities because of our bloodlines, but you can do this. I am going to guide you, but you are going to do the actual work. You are going to use the water like I did for you. I will only have strength for one attempt, so let's make it count. Trust me, Ben. I won't let you fail," Caeli said.
Ben heard her confidence, and he also heard the ominous finality in Caeli's voice. Unfortunately, he could not stop to question her about it just then.
"Ok, I'm ready," Ben said finally.
"You need to lower Salma into the water. Let Vin help you hold her up if he is able. Make sure her shoulder is submerged. It will make this much easier. Good. Remove the bindings. Press your hands on the front and back of her shoulder, directly against her skin. Don't worry that it's bleeding. We will fix it. Close your eyes and concentrate on the movement of the water. Can you feel my hand on yours? Follow me, Ben. That's it. Now, focus your thoughts on the blood flow. There, can you feel it? Not that way. Move with it. Don't try to force it…that's it. You're doing great." Caeli's voice started out strong, but grew fainter as they continued.
"Now, dr
aw it together. Perfect. Salma couldn't repair it any better herself. Keep repeating that pattern. When you're done, you will know it. Don't let anything disrupt your concentration. Once it's mended, replace the bandages, and then get her something to eat and drink. Replenish her strength, and get her out of this storm. Make her rest. Tell her…well, just take care of her."
With that, Caeli was gone. She no longer guided Ben as he worked, but he was still able to perform the task. It was amazing. He was doing the impossible. Caeli granted him the ability to save Salma. Ben did not know how Caeli managed it, but he was glad that she did. She found a way. Ben only hoped it did not cost her too much to change the rules. He certainly did not like the desperation edging her voice or the finality implied in her last words.
As soon as Ben was done mending the wound, the sensation left him. He was certain that he could not call it back on his own. It was simply beyond his reach, but he was content with that. Ben understood how difficult it was and how tiring. It was definitely worth the effort. Ben wrapped the bandages around Salma's shoulder once more and lifted her from the water.
Salma opened her eyes a few minutes later.
"Ben, where are we?" She asked, disoriented.
He couldn't answer right away. He pulled her close and hugged her with great relief reflected in his watery eyes.
"Oh, Salma; I thought I was going to lose you, Love," was the only thing Ben finally managed to say.
Vin could tell when Caeli stopped assisting Ben because he sensed her movement from Salma toward him. A caressing sensation rose up from the water at his feet to soothe the pain in his back, his shoulders, and then in his head. It only took a few minutes for his mind to clear. As soon as it did, Vin immediately reached out and reinforced the weak link which Caeli had been maintaining on her own.
He felt Caeli's condition through that link. She was in a great deal of pain, but endured it with determination. Vin also confirmed her location out on the island. Maku had been there with her not too long ago. Caeli told Vin that she intended to follow the route he took to get back.
"Let me come and help you," Vin offered.
"No. Stay with Ben and Salma, and make sure everyone gets safely inside."
"Be careful, Caeli. I will wait for you on the beach. Call me if you need me to come to you. If Maku found a way, then so can I."
She could not bring herself to tell him that the tunnel was already flooded. It would only cause Vin further distress. She still hoped that she might have enough strength left to use her gift to get through. Caeli ended their connection so that she would not drain Vin's strength or her own any further.
Vin noticed that Caeli did no more than was necessary to heal him this time, unlike the last. She did not have the energy to spare. This, at least, Vin could do for himself now that he could think clearly. He had learned the process when Caeli drew energy from herself and passed it to him at the lighthouse. Because of their personal connection, Vin had discerned Caeli's actions intimately and knew he could replicate the process.
"Jeremy, can you lend me a hand, please?" Vin called out to his younger friend.
"Sure, what can I do for you?" Jeremy sloshed over to stand in front of Vin. Vin noticed distantly that the small island that they could see off shore was taking the worst of the storm's beating so far, but it was only a matter of time before those same forces hit the main island.
"Jeremy, this is going to seem like an odd request, but I need to borrow a bit of your strength. Would you mind? You may feel a little tired afterward," Vin explained his request as simply as he could.
"You're right. That does sound odd. What do I have to do?"
Vin reached out and took hold of Jeremy's forearm. Jeremy stood there and waited. Vin copied Caeli's process and was rewarded with energy pulled from Jeremy into himself. Vin was careful to siphon only a small amount, enough to restore about half of his normal strength. When Vin looked up, Jeremy wore a puzzled expression on his face. Shrewdly, he knew better than to ask Vin to explain. Vin released Jeremy's arm, and the young guardsman shook his head, nodded when Vin thanked him, and walked away to help his father move the prisoners out of the cave. They wanted to move further inland before the worst part of the storm hit.
Salma was awake now. Vin reached up to where the Colonel's pack and several others hung from large spikes in the cave wall to keep them dry. He found a bottle of water in one sack and offered it to her. Salma drank readily. In another bag, Vin scrounged up a package of crackers, which Ben insisted that she eat. While Salma nibbled on the crackers, Ben explained everything that happened since she had been taken.
"Where is Caeli now?"
Vin relayed that Caeli had been on the other island. Salma wanted to try to reach Caeli using her own talent, but Ben suggested that Salma wait until she was a little stronger, explaining that Caeli was most likely on her way back. Vin prayed that was true.
CHAPTER 54
Maku made his way through the tunnel and emerged near the base of the lighthouse as Lorrie began to stir. Groggily, she tried to squirm out of his grasp, but he held her firmly. She muttered a string of curses in a voice that didn't seem to be her own. Most of the unpleasant words were carried away by the gusting wind.
"You are not getting away this time, Lorrie. You have finally gone too far. You crossed the line. You will have to pay for what you've done," Maku told her.
She continued to fight, so Maku put her down. There was nowhere for her to go.
"I won't go to some dry jail cell. No one will believe I have done anything wrong. What proof do you have?" Lorrie laughed at him.
"Why did you kill Pete?"
"It was a matter of bad timing. Speaking of time, I have to go now. I have things I need to finish. Things that can't wait," Lorrie insisted. She darted by Maku and tried to scale the steep, rock wall on the far side of the outcropping leading up to the lighthouse. Had she darted in the other direction, the sloping trail would have been easier to climb.
Lorrie was seven feet up the rock wall when Maku's hand clamped onto her ankle. He gave one good tug, and Lorrie lost her footing. She slid down the rocks, striking her head twice as she fell. The first forceful hit, at an awkward angle, snapped her neck, and the second smacked the back of her head on the stone as she landed heavily on the ground. She would make no further move to escape. Lorrie would never move again. Maku stood there looking down at her for a moment, tears welling in his eyes for the tragedy that was her life. He still blamed himself for not being able to prevent the incident that started it all.
For a moment, a white light enveloped Lorrie's body. As it departed, Maku thought he heard a voice in his mind.
"Do not be sad, Brother. Her suffering has at last come to an end. She is at peace."
Maku picked up Lorrie's body and gently carried it to his car. He drove to the grassy hill and, in the midst of the storm, buried her beside Pete. Two deaths were more than enough for one day. He would have to visit his good friend, Sheriff Obrey, tomorrow and report the deaths. He doubted that Brian would open any formal investigations, but he would let him know where both bodies could be found, just in case.
Maku returned to the hotel, seeking shelter from the storm and solitude in which to indulge his grief. He quickly cleaned himself up in the kitchen, but the solitude would have to wait.
Apela was arguing with a blonde woman in the lounge. She tugged aggressively on Max's arm. Max was clinging to his father's leg. Maku went to find out what the trouble was and see how he could help.
"Take your hands off my son, Ma'am. I don't care what proof you think you have. Max is my son. I will not let you take him simply because some anonymous source told you otherwise. It simply isn't true. You are not taking my child from me," Apela nearly shouted at the lady, forcibly removing her hand from Max.
"Sir, I understand that you are upset. The paperwork is clear. The test results show that you are not this child's father."
"What tests? I have never taken a paternity test,
though I assure you that I am Max's father! Clearly there has been some sort of mix up in your paperwork. You need to go back and get it straightened out. Next time, verify your supposed facts before you come barging in here thinking you have the right to take my son from me based on a few marks on a piece of paper."
"Papa, make her leave. I don't like her," Max added his own opinion. He rudely turned and stuck his tongue out at the woman.
"Sir, I can show you the test results. Please, for the boy's sake, don't make this any more difficult than it already is." The lady from child services, as indicated by her jacket, was trying to get Apela to calm down.
"Apela, what's with all the shouting? Come here, Max. Can I help?" Maku waved to Max, who ran over and jumped into his open arms. Apela turned at his friend's entrance.
"Yes. You can tell this woman that Max is my son. She seems to be under the impression that he is not."
"Ma'am, I can assure you that Max is Apela's natural-born child. He is not adopted or a step child. Apela and his wife conceived Max the old fashioned way," Maku offered his unwavering support.
"I wish it were that easy. Unfortunately, we have medical tests that contradict that story. I have been ordered to remove the child from the home until we can locate his real parents."
"Then open your eyes!" Apela fumed.
"Where are these test results?" Maku asked calmly.
"Out in my car," the government worker replied.
Maku looked out and noticed, for the first time, the large group of people being herded up the beach in front of the parking lot. There was no way to safely reach the lady's car.
"Well, it looks like you are going to have to wait until the protestors leave and we get a break in this weather. We can't get through either of them to get to your car right now. As Apela said, we cannot allow you to leave here without proof of what you say. So, let's all sit down, have a cup of coffee, and wait out the storm and whatever that group is up to out there," Maku suggested. Stalling was the best solution Maku could devise on the spot. The delay would give him time to think. Hopefully, he could come up with a better plan before the crowd dispersed and the fickle weather let up.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 70
