The Enigma Series Boxed Set

by Tierney James

  When she reached the tree, her heart raced, sweat ran down the back of her neck, and salty tears trailed down her face. Her heart broke. She imagined the incredible sadness drowning the remaining of her self-respect. At the images of three children, two boys and a girl, calling her, she crumpled against the tree, a moan of despair on her lips. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  A distant sound of a bell around a yak’s neck lifted on the wind. Tessa dared to turn around. Her vision blurred at first. She wiped her sleeve across her face then saw the tribesmen had left and were moving ever closer to the mountains. She would die all alone, next to the tree. Her American family, as vague as the memory was, would never know what a monster she’d become.

  Then she saw him. Darya. He sat in the grass some fifty feet from her. His horse grazed a little farther away. Whatever he stared at in the distance made him appear a great deal more peaceful than she felt. Tessa staggered to her feet and leaned against the trunk. She sucked air deep into her lungs. The air had grown thinner with each passing mile. The altitude robbed her of strength. Darya stood and meandered casually toward her. He held a blade of grass between his teeth.

  “Darya fool. Scare you.” He dropped the blade of grass. “You are brave. Fight Taliban like a Kyrgyz. Save girls. They tell me what you did. Proud.”

  Tessa pressed her back against the tree and covered her face with her hands. The sobs returned. “I hate myself.”

  The next thing she knew Darya moved within inches of her body. “Tes-sa.” He reached out and pulled her hands into his. “You good. I like you. Other woman not so much.” Darya made talking signs with his hands then rolled his eyes. “Not trust her.”

  “Darya.” Tessa stepped forward, believing he was all she had as Darya wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She felt both lost and comforted in his embrace. “I’ll have to carry this awful secret forever.”

  “Darya have secrets, too, Tes-sa.” He pushed her to arm’s length and lowered his head to stare at her. “Tell you soon. Okay?” His hand went to the back of her head where the knot still jutted out. “We marry when reach my people.” Darya whistled for his horse. “I protect you.”

  “I can’t marry you, Darya,” Tessa insisted as the horse halted in front of them. “I belong to someone else.”

  Darya lifted her to the front of the horse then swung up behind her. “He not here. I want wife. We share secrets together. I save you so now you belong to me.” His body molded against her, he slipped his hand under her robe to pull her close. He clicked his tongue and the horse moved at a slow walk toward the other riders.

  He talked in a low voice. Since he spoke in Pashto, Tessa caught a few words. They sounded like poetry, soothing her broken heart, and soon she found herself relaxing into Darya’s hold on her. Several times he kissed her ear and she turned her face just enough so he would do the same on her jaw, which he took full advantage of. His touch sparked life into her dead emotions. Maybe a life here would make her forget the terrible thing she’d done. The family she left behind, whoever they were, could remember a person of character, not this person who had taken the life of another.

  They continued to ride some distance behind the others. Darya pointed at things along the way, murmuring in Pashto. At times he rested his face against hers as he spoke. She would bob her head in spite of not understanding, but enjoyed the way his voice sounded along with the movement of his mouth against her ear. She couldn’t resist touching his cheek for mere seconds to let him know she was grateful. Once he kissed her fingers then laughed softly against her hair.

  Darya pulled up short when Toiluk, one of his men, turned the pack animals around and herded them back in their direction. Tessa felt Darya let his horse have his head as the animal picked up speed. He pulled up short when he neared Toiluk who ventured away from the group.

  Tessa managed to understand most of the conversation. “Why turn back?” Darya sounded concerned and scanned the land behind them. Her first thoughts were that the Taliban had found them. The true meaning scared her far worse.

  “Children very sick,” Toiluk said twisting in his saddle to glance at the approaching menagerie.

  Tessa stiffened thinking of little Arzo.

  “We must go back for a few days.” Darya squeezed Tessa around her waist. “Altitude sickness. We rest. Girls get well.”

  Both men moved their horses to join the others. Several of the girls whimpered when Tessa neared them. Arzo rode in front of one of the older men, leaning back, her body frail and listless. The rider handed her off to Tessa. She felt like a rag doll in her arms. Tessa kissed her head and gathered her close.

  “Darya.” Desperation held her captive. “I want to check the children. Please.”

  He dismounted and reached up for Arzo. Tessa threw her leg over the horse’s neck and jumped to the ground.

  Toiluk assisted Bonnie off the horse she shared with another tribesman. She appeared a little green as well. She rubbed her head then patted her chest as if she couldn’t breathe.

  “What is happening?” Rubbing her temples, Bonnie sounded a litany of complaints. “My head is killing me. Shut those kids up.”

  “They’re hurting, too, woman,” Darya snarled then brushed past her. He assisted Toiluk and Rashid with gathering the children together before attending to the animals.

  “We rest for few hours, and then go back to the river for two days.” Darya carried Pamir in his arms and Shirin walked alongside them, patting her sister’s leg with concern. Although pale, Shirin didn’t appear to be suffering from altitude sickness. Tessa passed Arzo to Shirin. The men handed a couple of blankets to her which she spread on the cold ground for the children to rest on. Marta lay down, drawing up her legs as she grabbed her stomach and cried. Halcha and Son-Kul seemed in better shape but held their foreheads and swayed.

  Darya sent a couple of the men ahead to set up a camp where they could get out of the weather, herding the animals before them. The night would be cold again, and the children would be susceptible to other medical problems if the altitude sickness ate away at their ability to fight infection. Darya spoke to the tribesman and they all bent to check their weapons.

  “Everything all right, Darya?” Tessa watched him as he stood on the edge of the blanket.

  Before he could answer, Bonnie chimed in. “No. Things are not all right. We’re all sick as dogs. Except you. Why is that?” She frowned up at their protector. “Maybe you poisoned us so we’d be out of the way for you to do whatever you plan to do to Tessa.”

  “Bonnie! That is enough. Don’t insult the very man who saved us.” Tessa couldn’t hide her outrage. “What is wrong with you?” She drew Arzo closer.

  Darya glared down at the undersecretary. “She is right, Tes-sa.”

  Bonnie gasped.

  “I put yak pee in her tea. Thought it make her shut the hell up, as you Americans say.” His voice came out so even Tessa had to inspect him closer to make sure he was taunting Bonnie. “Tonight I bed her with one of my men to see if this work better. They beg me not to.” He shrugged. “So what do you say, government woman with heart of stone? More yak pee, or—

  “You made your point, Darya.” Bonnie rubbed at her forehead again. “No need to be rude.”

  Darya pooched out his lips and squatted down by the little girls. “What she mean ‘rude’?” He pretended to be confused as he crossed his eyes for the girls, causing them to give a weak snicker. “Darya good man.” He cocked his head over at Tessa who rewarded him with a warm gaze. Reaching out, he patted her knee. “Tes-sa good woman. Good mother.”

  “Humph.” Bonnie turned away. “Now I know what made me sick. It’s the savage attempt at romance with Tessa.” Bonnie pretended to gag. “Do whatever you want with her. But take me back to Kabul. The State Department will reward you with enough money to feed your people for a year.”

  “Enough, Bonnie,” Tessa warned, feeling embarrassed and betrayed at the same time.

  “And
these girls?” Darya pointed to each one and offered a fake smile to the girls. Except for Shirin, they couldn’t understand English.

  “Just take me back. The longer you delay, the greater the chances you will get nothing.”

  Pamir and Marta pulled him down to a squatting position next to them as he stole a glance at Tessa. “I have all I need or want right here.” He planted a kiss on the top of Pamir’s head. “Tes-sa will need someone to help her with the children when we marry.”

  “Marry! You can’t be serious.” Bonnie’s pinched expression made her appear ready to vomit. “Are you listening to this?”

  Tessa grinned and unfolded her legs to kick Darya so he would fall back on his butt, which only caused him to chuckle. “He’s pushing your buttons. If you stop talking, then he will, too.” She lowered her voice so the children could rest.

  ~ ~ ~

  Walking alongside Toiluk’s horse, Darya held the reins loose as he took a moment to watch her twisting and turning in the saddle to observe everything around her.

  From time to time she would sigh as if something profound crushed her heart at the same time placing a hand across her chest. Sometimes she would lean forward and offer a compliment on such a beautiful landscape. The Hindu Kush with its breathtaking scenery and dangerous trails helped Tessa’s mood improve.

  “How much farther?” She leaned forward in the saddle and patted the horse’s neck when they topped a ridge. Darya stopped to sip some water from his canteen then handed it to her.

  “Not far. One kilometer I think.” He stared into the distance. “Feel better?”

  When Darya had suggested the two of them leave for Ishkashim District to restock supplies Tessa’s heartbeat had accelerated. A headache surfaced, too. She couldn’t hide her shortness of breath or the fear of being alone with Darya.

  “I need to stay with the children.” They’d gotten them settled near a gurgling stream. “It’s not like we’re going to wander off. Take Rashid or Toiluk.” She spoke Pashto out of respect for Darya’s men. Her speech and understanding got better with each passing day. The men mumbled their objections to Darya immediately. “I don’t understand.”

  “Toiluk and I are well-known in these parts. The poppy business has people from many districts as well as countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, not to mention the Afghan Taliban. It is a blend of Sunni and Shia. Most of the time we all get along. When the Taliban arrive for extended periods problems arise for Kyrgyz.” He busied himself with readying the horse. “The Taliban are searching for us. They will not come to the Wakhan because they are not strong like us. But they know where we go for supplies. So they will wait.”

  “What if they are there now?” Tessa knew she sounded like a nervous Nellie.

  “They are there,” Darya said so nonchalant she thought she misunderstood. Her silence drew his attention. “They don’t know this horse or believe I would travel with a woman.” He reached to touch her long braid falling over her shoulder. “I dress you like good Taliban Muslim woman when we get closer. I change, too. No problem.”

  “I’m not sure what line of gibberish he’s feeding you, Tessa, but don’t go with him.” Bonnie pulled her away from listening to Darya. The woman had given up on understanding Pashto. “You’ll be all alone. He could trade you for God knows what.” Bonnie turned her back on Darya. She lowered her voice. “I know I’ve been difficult. I’m not like you. I don’t find any of this fascinating or romantic. And you’re right. I’m scared and think of myself first. But that doesn’t mean I want anything to happen to you.” Bonnie reached for Tessa and grasped her arms. “Darya’s right, too. You are a good person. These kids need you here. I don’t have a clue of what to do.”

  Tessa’s lips narrowed at an attempt of bravery, but didn’t erase Bonnie’s terrified expression. “What choice do I have? We’re running out of supplies. The children need nourishment. We can’t go any higher until everyone has adjusted. Maybe I can get some medicine. A couple of days should do the trick.”

  “What about Arzo’s fever? I still have some baby aspirin.”

  Was leaving the children insane? “Good lord, don’t give her aspirin. It will kill her. You don’t give kids that.”

  “Geez. I’m glad you told me. Tell me what to do for her.” Bonnie followed Tessa’s observation of Darya as he lifted Arzo in his arms and laid his cheek against hers. “Damn, I think he loves the kid.”

  “Yes.” Tessa warmed at seeing him kiss the little girl. “I think he does. That’s why I’m willing to go wherever it is we need to go for supplies.” She shrugged, letting her imagination embrace every inch of him and realized she longed for something forbidden. “You want to go home don’t you?”

  Bonnie turned to Tessa as she continued to watch Darya’s imposing form carry Arzo inside the cave. “God help us if you don’t come back.”

  Chapter 15

  Ishkashim District, Eastern Afghanistan

  I f my mother saw this place, she’d make me come home, thought Tessa as she browsed the market stalls and poverty of the Afghan people. She couldn’t visualize her mother very well but felt sure of the sentiment. She walked humbly alongside the horse Darya now rode, covered head to toe in a blue burqa with a small screen in her head covering to peer through. She wanted to throw it off and run with abandonment to show the few women moving along the outside of the market stalls how an American woman shopped.

  But that would mean certain death. Darya had warned her as he helped her with the burqa after the town appeared on the horizon. Then he changed to look more like the Taliban, although with his Central Asian looks there was no mistaking him as a Kyrgyz tribesman. He explained that his clothing gave the appearance of someone who followed the letter of the Islamic Law, at least in the warped Taliban version. “Do not speak. I will do all the talking for you. Understand?”

  Dread had seeped up inside her. She’d seen the documentaries of women being beaten for appearing in public without a male escort or making the mistake of revealing the skin on their wrist when reaching for a wayward child. Now here she stood with even her hands covered in blue fabric.

  Darya dismounted after finding the market stalls he spoke of along the way. He told the man what he wanted and where to bring the items. Tessa spotted some earrings and reached to see them. The seller screeched at her and she realized the end of one of the fingers had a small rip, revealing white skin. Before she could withdraw her hand, Darya slapped her so hard she fell to the ground. When he yelled insults at her, Tessa cowered in fear. He reached down and yanked her to unsteady feet then shoved her forward. Grabbing her from behind, he shook her.

  He continued the onslaught of insults while he led his horse to a building serving as a hotel. A young boy took the animal, and Darya dragged Tessa inside with such force she tripped several times on her burqa. Once, when she sniffed back tears, Darya came unglued on her in the lobby, calling her everything but human. He paid the man at the desk some Afghani money then shoved her up the stairs to their room on the second floor.

  Tessa’s vision blurred through the flood of silent tears gushing from her eyes as Darya swung the door open. With another jerk, he threw her into the room. Her feet tangled in the burqa causing her to tumble to the floor. He barred the door and stormed toward the open windows. A curtain drooped over the opening until he jerked it closed with such force Tessa believed it might rip off the rod made from a branch.

  Now she feared the oncoming attack. How long would it last and how many times could she endure such savage treatment? By now, he knew she could fight and could circumvent her ability to defend herself. She quaked on the dusty floor, watching his feet move through an open doorway. The sound of running water reached her. In seconds, the feet appeared again in front of her then Darya kneeled down beside her. Tessa cringed, expecting the first wave of abuse. She had nothing to lose so the decision to fight swam to her braver side.

  Darya remained still as a mouse hoping not to be discovered. “Tes-sa.” His
voice, now calm, encouraged her to lift her head enough to see him through the peephole in her head covering. He reached out and pulled her forward as she swung her fist at him. “Tes-sa,” he whispered. “Come to me. I not hurt.” His English replaced his Pashto for a second then he switched back. “Come to me, I said. Now.” Even though he commanded her, the tone continued to be nonthreatening.

  Tessa pushed herself up to look at him. Darya reached out and slowly removed her head covering as if she would spook like his horse. “Tes-sa,” he whispered. “Come to me,” he encouraged. “Tes-sa,” he said again and again.

  She snarled at him and he reached to touch her cheek. When she fell back, he edged closer.

  “Come to me, Tes-sa. I won’t hurt you. I had to do those things to you to show I was Taliban. Very sorry, my Tes-sa. Please forgive me.” He tilted his head to the side then took the wet cloth in his hand and cleaned her face. “Understand? My Tes-sa.” He pulled her closer and finished wiping her face then removed her blue gloves. Without warning he removed her burqa. “There. You brave again. Taliban can kill you for showing any skin. I don’t want anything to hurt you.”

  Tessa shoved at his chest without him budging. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her. “You did hurt me.” She pointed to her heart. “Here, Darya.”

  “I know. It hurt me here, too.” He pointed to his own heart.

  They were both on their knees now, so close a whisper sounded too loud. “You pretended to teach me a lesson?”

  His lips touched hers as he spoke. “Yes. Pretend. And I would do it again if you did something so stupid. If I not there, it would be much worse.” He stroked the red imprint where he had hit her then went to her hair as he pulled her tight against his chest with his free hand.

  “Tes-sa, it is time.” Darya caressed the back of her entire body with one slide of his hand.