by Desconhecido
* * * *
Zi-Den felt his improvements to his body and somewhat to his mind over the next several days since he’d awoke from his feverish delirium. With constant care from the doctor and the two sheriffs, he felt nursed back to his near former self. He’d need all the strength both physically and mentally for the return trip back to Strank. He’d no doubt he could do it physically, but his mind, he felt would constantly be in some kind of turmoil, even if a tiny bit. Small bits of turmoil, he smirked at the thought.
No, they would be large ones. Why the hell had life thrown him this curve? He’d settled in with Shaja nicely these last few years until Thane had gotten sick. He loved the boy as dearly as if he’d been his natural son. Part of him was torn up inside at the thought Thane could die if he couldn’t shift, as was natural for a child of that age. Were-children finally had their genes in proper order to be able to shift into were-beast form during their tender ages of between six to eight years of age. But Thane couldn’t at all because he was a partial hybrid. And because his DNA was infected with a rare disorder that happened because he hadn’t been born to two full-blooded weres.
That was an anathema to his society. They tolerated the mixed breeds but sneered at them at the same time. Not all people in Strank did that, but most, and that was more than enough for him to have caved-in many years ago. What had caused him to lose Letha. He groaned with his stupidity. But that had been ten years ago. Since then he’d married and come to care for Shaja very much. They’d finally consummated their relationship, their marriage. She’d come to care for him too.
Yet, underneath it all, their pasts haunted them too. Just as he’d empathically sensed that Vek’s and Letha’s former lives still bothered the two. Both, in his presence gave him mixed signals, of wariness, disbelief, and mostly of intrusion into what they had now. The thought and knowing of the two caring for each other bothered him deeply. But neither purported a wedding bracelet as he did, hidden beneath the cuff of his long sleeve, but it was there, and he knew they’d probably seen it when he shifted his arm at some point.
He sighed and taking the clothes Vek had given him, got up from the cot and went to go shower. He’d been able to move around for the last day or so on his own. Now to get a decent shower and get the sickly smell off of himself would be a damn leisure he’d love to do right now. Vek had helped him to wipe himself down, but sponge baths sucked and he wanted a full-blown shower. Earlier that day while he’d been up they’d shown him around the sheriff’s office and their attached quarters. He’d had a meal with them this morning before he got tired again and had needed a late day nap. Though his strength and health were returning to normal, his system wanted the recovering steps to get there. Not feeling puny this day made him realize he was on the road to full recovery. And Doctor Troth had stated that yesterday when he made his final visit to see Zi-Den.
Now he just wanted to get the sickly smell off himself. He trudged slowly to the bathroom, hoping not to wake the others, as he knew they’d retired early after their rounds. He was just at the door when it came open suddenly.
Staring down he nearly bumped into Letha, their bodies just a few heated inches away from each other. Dressed in a short robe that barely covered her lush body she became slightly flustered at seeing him there. For long seconds they stared at each other.
Then the past, the love he once had for her aggravatingly surfaced. He growled with the remembrance and took his time glancing over her enticing curves. Her dark hair was still damp, in long wet waves, curling over her breasts, the cleavage of them showing and tempting to him. His guttural growl must have shaken her for she took a side step away from him and frowned at him.
“I’m done, it’s all yours.” She started to move away.
He reached out and grabbed her arm. She glanced at his hand then up at him. They were at a standstill but he felt her frustration and anger.
“I’m sorry for what was, Letha,” he half mumbled that to her and dropped his hold on her.
“Yeah, right. But it wasn’t me you came back for.” With those words she quickly left him and slammed her bedroom door behind her.
Groaning he started to enter the bathroom when he heard another door creak. Jerking his head around he saw Vek standing in his bedroom door. A fleeting look passed between them. One of territorial, with other emotions laced within that short glance.
“You had your chance, Zi-Den, just as I once did.” Then Vek stepped back in his room and closed the door.
“Yeah,” Zi-Den grumbled aloud, “I did have my chance and blew it. But not again. I won’t let Shaja down.”
He shook his old feelings aside. Shaja was his wife, it was her he needed to take care of, and their son. Groaning out his frustrations, he headed in to shower. Once getting in, he was thankful for the water as it poured over him and helped to clean his body and his mind.
Chapter Four
She prepared for the journey, taking as little as she needed with her in a back pack—items she would most likely use. Things like a small weapon, a knife, dried packaged food, a canteen, extra changes of clothing, a bed roll, packaged cleansing rags, a long-range radio-talker fully powered up, and monetary exchanges. She threw in a few additional items she might need also, like a mini first aid kit.
They’d be leaving first thing in the morning. All four of them—Vek, Hajin, herself, and Zi-Den. Doctor Troth said after nearly a week the man had regained his strength and wellness, so could make the trip. For which she was glad. He’d been cranky about her taking the trip too, but Vek must have talked to him because after Zi-Den’s first attempts at telling her not to come, he stopped. She was thankful to Vek for his interference.
The weather had warmed considerably, but it could change, the early spring still brought chilly weather in the Between-lands. Thankfully the Trail-Master Hajin knew the shortest routes through the Between-land areas so it would only take them three days of near non-stop moving to get to the caverns a quarter day’s walk from Strank. That’s where he had to see them to and go on to his next guide job from there. The return route was a little different from the hike he’d brought Zi-Den in on. Though the larger metropolis had flying dirigibles, Auck had no such modern flying apparatuses, nor any landing air bases for them, nor solid enough grounds around it for that purpose. Nor did those new land bikes work in the mist-congested areas of the Between-lands.
So to get to other points like Strank from Auck one had to walk through the myriad trails of the various land masses between the four countries or travel by other means around the mountains that surrounded the between lands. Which is why trail guides and trail-masters made small fortunes. If you wanted a quick route through to another city and didn’t want to go around the mountains, or couldn’t afford the flying machines some still had qualms using, then a seasoned Trail-Guide was your best bet to get somewhere. Whether it was through the Between-lands or not.
Though he wasn’t her favorite person, Hajin was one of the best Trailers around and could safely get them to their destination. He’d gotten Zi-Den here safe enough though the man had fallen on his own into an infested bog, from not listening to Hajin. At any rate, they’d be through it in no time, with only minimal breaks and sleep periods. Knowing the trails well-enough once she’d been through them, they wouldn’t need Hajin on the return journey.
Well if Vek came back with her or not, she could get to Auck safe enough. But she hoped he would come back with her. She sighed and finished her packing. He had a son now and she couldn’t blame him for wanting to know what the boy looked like. The child might not know his real father, but Vek wanted to make sure his son Thane lived. And it would be up to Shaja, Zi-Den, and the child whether Vek was allowed to further be part of the boy’s life.
She wanted him to know his sibling, as she would never know what it would be like, she wanted her close friend happy. It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t know about the boy, but he could help to save the child’s life; and she was glad he felt that
way. He wanted to take care of his child, no matter what happened afterwards. Her heart lurched with a sudden emotional warmth towards Vek. She quickly hid that in the recesses of her heart—Vek didn’t need to know how much she truly started caring for him.
Nor did Zi-Den. Damn her ex-husband. Part of her latently responded to his classic handsomeness. Was there old feelings wanting to get out? She shrugged them off, not wanting to let anything out right now. Letha had her reasons for going there, to see that Vek found happiness of some kind, some ending to the things that haunted her dear friend. That was one of her main reasons anyway. She didn’t dwell on the others and hurriedly finished her packing then went to the main room of the living side of the sheriff’s office. She stopped in her tracks as she overheard a conversation between Vek and Zi-Den. Curiosity got the better of her and she couldn’t help but listen in.
* * * *
Zi-Den knew it wouldn’t be long before Vek would ask him about their son—his stepson, yes, but a boy he raised nonetheless. He’d had a few Trail-Guides search for Vek over the years, but knew it hadn’t been an intensive enough search. Vek had told him he’d be leaving for another continent so hadn’t thought to send out a search for the half were-man nearby or on any other side of the Between-lands. But it was worth it to find his old acquaintance. To let him know about Thane.
He wasn’t sure he’d have told him if Thane hadn’t got sick. The boy’s were-cells were deteriorating and only a blood injection from his real father could save the boy’s life. It was a new procedure the more modern scientists and doctors in Strank had come up with, but it was now known to work. So much was not known about the ailments and diseases mixed strains of were-kinds got from interspecies breeding.
So many years ago, society turned their noses up at cross-race mating. Strank’s society had chased Letha from him, which he’d regretted for a long time until Shaja had stolen into his heart and his bed. Now things were going to be a fucking bitch for both their lives. More complications he didn’t need, but he realized they’d be there once he saw Letha again.
He hadn’t known for sure she’d be in this town until Hajin had mentioned the sheriff’s names. Vek was co-sheriff with her. Why had the fates done this to him and Shaja? He and Shaja had briefly spoken to each other about what they’d do should Vek or Letha come back into their lives. Neither one had a definite answer, but would have to cross that path when it came up. And now it did.
But for Thane, it would be worth it. The boy was like his own flesh and blood to him. He’d die if anything happened to the child. Though his son was on the border of being able to fully shift, the disease had hit Thane unexpectedly. A rare cell disorder that would keep the boy from shifting, perhaps kill him. And the specialists said only an anti-serum made from both parents blood cells would help Thane to live and possibly become a full-abled shifter. The child already had the tendencies to do that. Now he’d do his damnest to make sure the boy’s life continued.
Finding Vek and coming to Auck had been his first hurdle. The second was getting him to come back with him to Strank. That accomplished, they should make it back in time to save Thane. No matter what troubles he encountered, he’d swore to Shaja he’d bring Vek back to Strank. Even if Letha was there. He knew he couldn’t talk her out of coming and had felt the pull of her beauty and the old feelings right away. It would be a test both he and Shaja knew would happen to them. To their marriage. They would have to deal with their old flames coming back to haunt them, to be in their lives long enough to save Thane.
He knew the two of them would deal in their own way personally. He could not blame Shaja should the old feelings arise—and he felt she would not be angry with him either. But, again, he reminded himself, they’d deal with it when the need and time arose. He put together the few things Vek had provided him for the trip and went out into the small main area of the sheriff’s housing unit. There Vek awaited him. He knew the man would eventually ask him questions about Thane. And now was that time.
* * * *
Vek shifted in the old comfortable chair and waited for Zi-Den to show up. The two had agreed to meet some time today to talk and go over the trip. Letha had been busy showing the two replacement sheriffs the area, what the duties entailed including getting them known by the locals. The two were staying at the tavern-inn that night but would occupy the sheriff’s abode once he and Letha were gone. She probably wouldn’t be back until late, he figured, after showing them around. He’d been glad that the last week or so nothing untoward had happened and they did not have to halt their plans to leave. While she was out, he and Zi-Den agreed to have their own conversation. He didn’t have long to wait. It was mid eve and he’d seen no signs of Letha; though she may have slipped in to her room without his notice. He shrugged and turned his attention to Zi-Den as he joined him in the sitting/living area of the small housing unit adjoined to the sheriff’s office.
“Tell me about Thane,” Vek prompted after a few moments of small talk. “I would have liked to have been there had I known he existed. I’m thankful you found me, and hope that’s what Shaja intended too.”
Zi-Den shifted more comfortably in his own old plush chair. “Yeah, she wanted that very much also. We never had any intentions of denying you the right to see Thane. He is your son also. You never left word where you’d be. I had people looking for you for several years, Vek. I hadn’t at first thought to look so close as Auck, or across the Between-lands.”
“Hiring Hajin had been your best bet. We will be in time, you said.”
“Yes, I agree. The doctors said he had some time.His condition hasn’t worsened since I left. I thank you for coming. So will Shaja. She’s been a good mother to him.”
“Thank you for being there for my son, Zi-Den. I know you’re the only father he’s known, but I’m glad you two are letting me into his life, despite the main reason it was necessary.”
“He needs you for more than just your blood, Vek. Shaja has slowly been building up to tell Thane the truth, that you are his biological father. He’s a good boy, you’d be proud of him. Favors you too in the face, has your eye coloring.”
“What does he like? How is he in school? So many questions I need to know answers to.”
Zi-Den crossed his legs and rubbed his chin. “I’ll answer as best I can. Take time to get to know him after we get back and he’s on the mend. The were-doctors are the best available. He will live to see you and to be able to shift fully.”
Vek rubbed his face and let out a long sigh. “I’m glad, Zi-Den. I can never repay you enough for having the decency and the strength to look for me all these years. I should have let you know where I was, but I didn’t know she’d become pregnant. After the hell we all went through with our society looking down on us because we chose to not partner with full-weres, it was hard to go back into Shaja’s life.”
“We all did what we thought was best at the times. I can identify with what you went through. My parents and the dictates of society ten years ago made me cave in and lose something precious to me at the time. I was a coward, but have matured since then.”
“Same here. I should have stuck it out with Shaja, encouraged her more, been more like…” Vek’s words trailed off.
“Like Letha. She was always the strongest one. I should have believed in her back then. But things can’t be changed Vek. We can only go forward. You two have grown close, as Shaja and I have. What happens when we get back is something we’ll all have to decide, but after Thane is well.”
Vek nodded. “That’s best. But know that I won’t force myself into your lives. I’m just glad for the chance to see Thane, to know he’ll be taken care of. It’s Shaja’s choice too, I know, but…but you are his father.”
“You are as much as I have tried to be, Vek. Like I said, we have things to cross when the time comes for them to be taken care of. Let’s don’t stress ourselves over our emotional troubles until we all get a chance to overcome or deal with them.”
Ve
k jerked his head to study the other man. He could sense the turmoil within the full-shifter. “You still care for her. It shows.”
Zi-Den shrugged. “Perhaps. But I doubt she’ll ever return those feelings. Now, I think I should get a good night’s rest. I’ll tell you more about Thane during the journey. Will that suffice?”
Vek nodded. “Rest well, Zi-Den. Our journey to taking care of past and present issues starts tomorrow.”
Zi-Den gave him a crooked smile. “I think the journey has already began, Vek. Goodnight.”
Vek watched him leave the room then turned back in his chair and stared off at no particular spot on the wall. The man was right, they had started on the emotional journey the moment Zi-Den came to Auck. He just wasn’t sure how it would end, or how he wanted it to end. So many lives were affected by what would happen. But like Zi-Den said, they’d cross those roads and issues when the time came. It just couldn’t happen soon enough for him.
* * * *
When she heard Zi-Den’s heavier footsteps moving towards the door, Letha swiftly went back into her room. She’d heard enough to know that she was still adamant about going to Strank with them. It was indeed time to put the past behind her. None of them needed to suffer any longer. And issues wouldn’t be resolved until both she and Vek saw and spoke to Shaja.
She’d never met the woman, but knew some things about her from her talks with Vek. Like he knew more about Zi-Den also from their talks. But he’d also known Zi-Den before coming to Auck. The thought perturbed her. Vek held their lives in his hand more than he realized. Letha sighed and went to her bed and sat down. What the hell was she going to do now? She could have stayed here, but the call, the need to go back became overwhelming the moment she saw Zi-Den again.
