by Autumn Dawn
She heaved a sigh, not in the mood to talk. “Hm.”
He smiled as he stroked her hair, but it didn’t last. “I’m not going anywhere, you know. You need me, and I like it. A man could get used to this.”
She laughed a little. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her hair. “I’m not finished with you yet.”
Her breathing finally relaxed. She closed her shadowed eyes…and slept. Azor gently disentangled and climbed out of the pod. He kissed her lips and closed the pod. He entered the code, and Brandy entered the deepest sleep of her life.
Dr. Vhanee swore as he severed his connection. All his hard work—useless! Brandy had been one of his most promising patients, and now this. She was not healing. She didn’t appear to have developed any mental abilities at all.
He threw down his stylus and raged through his apartment, feeling cornered, trapped. His only consolation was that Brandy had escaped Vio’s vengeance. Surely she was far beyond his reach now.
He could not forget Vio’s last message, though. Vio had promised to make him suffer through Brandy’s misery, had promised to destroy her. Well, she might not be the promising subject that he’d hoped for, but Vhanee wasn’t about to let Vio win, not while there was the slightest chance that he could make good on his promises.
Vhanee thought about it and finally composed a message to her family. He had done all he could and would close out this email account, for it was too risky. He could be traced. First, he would warn them.
When it was done, he sat back with a sigh. He felt better, lightened. He could move on now, put the past behind him. He felt almost hopeful.
That’s when he heard the click.
CHAPTER 15
“She’s going to wake up crabby,” Xera said, stroking her sister’s hair. It was such a light blond it was almost white.
Azor nodded. “She’ll be furious…and scared.” He’d spent the last three months awake, keeping an eye on Brandy’s sleeping form. He would not let Brandy sleep unguarded.
He’d spent a great deal of time emailing Blue, keeping informed of things back home. The news of Dr. Vhanee’s death had come as a surprise, and he was closely following the investigation. Though murder was suspected, there were no leads yet. Of course, he would wait until she was better to tell Brandy the news.
There was also the matter of Dr. Vhanee’s last message to Brandy’s family. It contained a disturbing warning, though the doctor had admitted that Brandy was likely beyond Vio’s reach at the time. Vio himself was missing, the subject of an aggressive manhunt. He had a lot to answer for.
Azor’s communication with Xera had soon included an exchange of email with her husband, Ryven. He was beginning to like what he’d learned about the man, though he suspected Brandy wouldn’t appreciate him right away. He was very formal, cool…the way Azor had once been with her. He smiled, though it couldn’t last, under the circumstances.
The Scorpio surgeon had examined Brandy’s legs and shaken his head. They’d been removed before she’d completely woken from hibernation. It was easier that way, both emotionally for her, and physically. There was no need to sedate her for the operation when she was already out of it. She’d prepared for the possibility when she’d entered cold sleep.
He doubted it would make her awakening any more pleasant.
He and Xera had a quiet truce while they waited for Brandy to wake up, but now she looked at him curiously. “I’m still not certain why she gave up her grudge against you. I thought she’d hate you to the grave.”
He smiled wryly. “We called a ceasefire. More than that, you’ll have to ask her.” He sobered, considering the grudge she’d hold for losing her legs. He had a feeling it was going to be rough. She’d know that it wasn’t their fault, that it had been inevitable, but she had a history of extreme hostility under duress. Feeling helpless brought out the worst in her.
Xera sighed. “I warned Ryven there might be fireworks if my sister ever visited. He thought I was teasing him.” She exchanged a look with Azor. “You’ve known her the most recently. How bad do you think it’ll get?”
He considered the sleeping, peaceful face, and frowned. “She’s not happy with your husband for stealing you away.”
Xera crossed her arms. “I shouldn’t be surprised. I should probably warn him.”
“I think he’ll figure it out,” a soft voice croaked from the bed.
Azor glanced at Brandy sharply. Her eyes were open. One brown, one blue, her eyes blinked and tried to focus. “It seems like I just went to sleep.” She shifted and tried to sit up, only to be gently pushed back down by Xera.
“Let me get you a drink first,” Xera said. She took a glass of juice and hit the button to summon a nurse. The doctor himself came in while Brandy was finishing it off.
Azor had longer to study the language, so he understood the doctor’s greeting. In their own domain, doctors were exempt from the custom that demanded superiors speak first. “How are you feeling?” the doctor asked Brandy.
Brandy frowned at her sister for translating. “I caught that,” she said in Scorpio. She studied the doctor for a moment before comprehension dawned. She sent a swift glance down. The sheets lay flat and smooth below her knees. With a moan, she lay back and closed her eyes.
No one spoke as the doctor checked her vitals. Once he was satisfied with the readings, he turned to Xera. “You’ll be pleased to know that we’ve successfully removed all of the infection. Her body is completely clear of the pathogen. It will take a few days, of course, for the healing to progress enough for us to install a temporary set of prosthetics. Once we’ve fine-tuned the devices, we’ll be able to take the next step and convert to some that have the look and feel of real limbs. Only a surgeon and those who already know will be able to tell the difference.”
He glanced at Brandy. “We will talk about it when you are feeling better,” he told her. “If you have any questions, just ask. I’m at your disposal.” He waited a moment, then gracefully accepted her silence. “Ladies, sir,” he said respectfully, then left them to their privacy.
Brandy stared at the ceiling, her face stiff with fierce emotion. She saw a remote on the bed and reached for it. “Which one is up?” she muttered, fiddling with it. She cursed as her head started to go down and her legs, elevate. Then she found the right button. Once she was upright, she looked around. “I want to move out of here.”
Xera and Azor exchanged swift glances. He spoke first, “Now?”
“That’s probably not a good….” Xera trailed off as she examined the wild rage in Brandy’s eyes. “Um, I’ll check with the doctor.”
“Get a chair,” Brandy bit off, her voice a furious whisper. “I hate hospitals! Nothing but pain happens here.”
Azor could see the edge of panic she was veering toward. He weighed the consequences and told the doctor as he came in, “It’s either a chair to ride out of here or something to knock her out. It won’t be pretty if you sedate her.” His expression said he was willing to take whatever route the doctor deemed necessary. She was going to lash out no matter what they did.
The doctor was a military veteran and had seen his share of amputees. He knew the physiological problems involved. His blood-red eyes were thoughtful as he considered her request. “I’m willing to allow some movement…if she’s willing to accept some medicine to calm the adrenaline.”
Despite her annoyance at Xera’s translating, Brandy needed it, because she wasn’t following the conversation well. Once she understood, her lips pulled back in a snarl. “No more meds.”
The doctor shrugged. “Just the drug, then. I’ll go get it.” He made to leave.
Brandy breathed heavily as he moved to the door, then gritted out, “Fine! Get me a chair and I’ll take the damned stuff! I want out.”
He inclined his head. In moments he was back with a patch and a magnetic levitation chair. He stuck the patch on her arm and lifted her into the chair himself. �
�There you go. Have fun.”
He looked at the others. “Have her back in twenty minutes. She’ll probably be tiring by then.” His warning look implied he’d come looking for her himself if they didn’t.
Xera smiled gratefully at him. “Yes, doctor.”
In spite of the drug, Brandy’s eyes remained hard and cold as Xera pushed her out the door. Azor followed, more for moral support than anything. Much as she might resent the world right now, he knew that Brandy drew strength from them.
If anything, the curious, though respectful glances of the crewmen increased the bleakness in Brandy’s eyes. If they were home, he knew she would be doing something active to burn through her emotions; riding her speed bike, perhaps. In lieu of that, he was afraid she was going to self combust.
His fears proved well founded. In the next few days she simmered with unspoken wrath. He stayed by her side, sleeping in an adjoining cot, giving her silence when she needed it. Only when the doctor brought her new prosthetics did she finally look interested. Intense, in fact. She stared at the lower legs like they were a weapon she loathed, but one she was determined to master.
The doctor put them on an anti-gravity tray next to her bed, close enough that she could pick them up and examine them if she liked.
She didn’t touch them.
Unperturbed, he picked one up. Its housing was black, with large, glowing blue panels along the calves and over the arch of the foot. The overall effect was sleek and stylish. The top was tapered like a pair of boots, designed to slip over the stub below her knee and provide support. It also eliminated the sharp, flat line that would have otherwise marked the transition.
He explained, “We installed the necessary interface when we performed the amputation, so there will be no additional surgeries required. Although these legs will simulate the sense of touch, you will be a little clumsy at first. Be patient. We have a therapist who will assist you.” He considered her. “We can attach these today, or you can take the time to think about it—”
She growled. “Put ‘em on.”
He smiled slightly. “Of course.”
The actual procedure was relatively quick. The legs would not come off without medical assistance and a wrench. She nodded as he explained, intent on one thing—walking. As soon as he’d finished with his instructions, she swung her legs over the bed.
Azor and the doctor each grabbed an arm.
She stood up, looking down at her feet. After a moment, she said, “It doesn’t hurt.”
“Good,” the doctor said.
“I was kind of used to it,” she said, grudgingly.
Azor rolled his eyes. What a thing to be used to.
The first steps were awkward. “It’s weird. I can feel them, but it’s different than I’m used to,” she said, concentrating. “I’m going to need a few hours of practice.”
“Not all at once,” the doctor warned. “It’s unwise to fatigue yourself.”
She ignored him.
Xera, who’d been banished from the room yesterday for provoking Brandy’s temper—an easy thing to do these days, looked around the doorway. She smiled broadly at her sister’s progress, but wisely kept her mouth shut. Ryven stood at her side, looking interested in the proceedings. He had formally introduced himself before, of course, but the meeting had been stiff and hostile—on Brandy’s part, at least. He’s wisely stayed away until now.
Brandy looked up and saw Xera. “Come and get the other arm. We’ll go for a walk.” Ryven she ignored.
The doctor surrendered his arm with instructions to, “Take it easy. Fifteen minutes this first time. You may go again in a few hours.”
Brandy scowled at him. “I’ve been walking my whole life. Fifteen minutes is—”
“Sufficient, for now.”
Azor and Xera ignored the growling noise she made and escorted her out of the room, compensating for her wobbling. She concentrated fiercely on placing her feet just so. In spite of her protests, she did fatigue quickly. She was putting a measure of her weight on her arms, and the unfamiliar tension was draining. She didn’t protest too badly when they returned her to her room.
She lay back on the bed, breathing hard. “We’ll do it again in an hour.”
“Two hours,” the doctor interjected, inspecting her legs. “Fifteen minutes.”
Brandy opened her mouth, her expression a warning that whatever she had to say wouldn’t be pleasant.
Xera cut her off. “Sounds good. I’ll be back in two hours, then. As a matter of fact, I’d love to bring the kids by to see you. They haven’t met their aunt yet.”
Brandy frowned, blinking as she digested that. She looked disturbed. “I…I’d like that.” She bit her lip. “Has Gem written yet?”
Xera’s smile broadened as she stepped farther into the room. “She did. She’s doing good, going a little batty because Blue won’t let her go back to work. I’ll forward her emails here, if you like.” She glanced at the electronic tablet beside the bed.
Brandy sat back, more relaxed than she’d been in days. “Yes. See you soon.”
Azor walked Xera out. Once the door was closed, he smiled broadly. “That is much better.”
Xera nodded, relieved. “At least now she has something she can do to take her mind off it.”
“As long as she doesn’t overexert,” the doctor cautioned. “I see no reason why you can’t take her to the private quarters you’ve prepared for her. We’ll want to see her back here daily, though. She is still in recovery.”
Xera smiled. “She’ll be glad to move, I’m sure. She’s not fond of hospitals. Thank you for putting up with her temper.”
The doctor looked thoughtful. “I’m actually pleased with her recovery. The angry ones do much better than the melancholy. She’ll do well, I have no doubt.”
Xera smiled brightly at him. “We’ll see to it.”
Thanks to his remarkable physiology, the Hatir retained a sluggish awareness even in cold sleep. He knew his cover was blown. It had been foolish for him go hunting on that space station; Azor was not a stupid man.
Very well. He could probably expect armed guards when he woke—it was what he would do. He smiled. There were ways around guards, and sensors.
He would enjoy this hunt.
Brandy had asked Azor to fetch the gifts she’d brought from home. Since she was not inclined to meet her nieces lying down, she fiddled with the bed controls until the top had risen like a recliner and the bottom had shifted down a little below the knee. She had arranged the pillows to support her arms, so that she could be comfortable holding the baby.
Assuming the baby was comfortable being held, of course. Xera didn’t have clingy children, did she? Some kids refused to leave their mother. She hoped they weren’t shy of strangers.
Xera soon came in. She held her infant son, and her husband Ryven had Xera’s daughter by the hand.
“Hello,” Brandy said, directing her attention to the little girl first. The baby would not get jealous if he were ignored for a moment. “I’m Brandy, your aunt.”
The little girl nodded solemnly. “I know. I’m Hai-ami,” she said in her little girl voice. She didn’t look shy, just curious. She had Xera’s black hair and her father’s curious eyes; orange, rimmed in red. They looked like little candle flames.
“Well, aren’t you a sweet sight? You look just like your mother.” She shot a sardonic look at Ryven for giving her his eyes, but it was softened by the glimmer of tears. This was Xera’s child, and it felt good to finally meet her. “You have no idea how much your aunt Gem would love to be here now.”
The child looked back gravely. “You don’t look sick.”
Brandy’s mouth quirked at Xera hushed her. So that’s what they’d told her. “Xera, she’s going to get a crick in her neck from looking up here. Put her up by me and let me answer her question.”
Xera sent her a look for interrupting her parenting, but lifted her daughter to the bed. Ami looked at her doubtfully, so Brandy settled
back, relaxed and unthreatening. “You have a fair question there, Ami. See, I wasn’t so much sick as grumpy.” She pointed down. “They chopped off my legs.”
The little girl looked down, aghast. “That was mean!”
Brandy laughed a little. She could see Ryven stiffen out of the corner of her eye. Maybe he thought he should snatch away his daughter before Brandy ruined her innocence. This was the way she’d been raised, though. Their father had always been frank with them. “Not really, though I don’t like it. My legs were…sick. The doctors couldn’t fix what was broken.”
Ami looked sorry. “That’s sad.”
Brandy shrugged as if the knowledge wasn’t tormenting her. “At least they don’t hurt now. I’ve been trying to practice walking on them. Maybe you could help sometime. I think they are my boots,” she said, pointing. That wasn’t quite what she meant, but the language occasional defeated her. She’d made a sporadic study of it over the years, only recently brushing up. Ami seemed to understand her well enough.
“They are kind of pretty,” Ami allowed, looking at the “boots”. “Does it hurt?”
Brandy shook her head. “Nope.” She showed her hands to Ami. “See my hands? The bones inside are different, too. I had an operation to get those fixed a while ago.” She let Ami take them in her own hands and study them. The silence in the room, and her own conscience, told her that she’d become too maudlin. “But that’s a dull story. You don’t want to hear about how I was battling an evil troll.”
Ami’s eyes widened. “Really? You did? I want to hear! Is it like a Khun’tat?”
“What’s a Khun’tat? Never mind, we’ll tell each other stories later. I brought presents.” She looked at Azor, who handed her a bottle of soda. “This is like juice, only fizzy,” she told Ami. “I made it for you. There are more flavors, too. I have a whole crate full. Here, let me open it—”
