Healing Fire
Page 11
After putting so much time and effort into finding the women and catching the ones responsible for their vanishing, Grant couldn't simply let this go.
"I know I hold no jurisdiction in your country, Detective Gortez, but would you allow me to interview Jane Walker. We are both Australian, and it may make a difference."
Gortez leaned back in his chair and studied Grant before nodding his head. "I'll allow an interview, but nothing more. She will be passed on to immigration in the next twelve hours."
Gortez reached out and picked up his phone to let the lock up officers know Crowell was coming to talk to one of the prisoners.
"I appreciate all you've done, detective. Thank you." Grant rose from his seat in front of Gortez's desk. He would get a confession from the woman, even if the incompetent American idiots couldn't. He would make the woman tell him what they had done with his sister.
~ * ~
"Oh, it is simply lovely on you, Summer." Penny smiled at her handy work, wrapping the burgundy and gold threaded Kell dress around her.
The King of Kell had assured her to be at ease; they would bring her Protected back safe and sound. Then he led the rescue party of four Kell men into the swirling blue portal.
In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but worry, but there was nothing else for them to do but wait. She let Queen Penny help her out of the hospital gown and bed sheet into more suitable clothing.
"It's the first time I've worn something this nice in over three years." Summer gazed at her reflection in the mirror, twisting to the right then to the left. "These outfits certainly flatter the fuller figure."
"It's exactly what they were designed to do." Penny grinned. "Did Melor tell you, the larger the lady the more they are desired here in Kell? Their own women, God rest their souls, were almost twice as big as we are."
"She hasn't met Vanora yet. She's one of the lucky ones who escaped the Draco attack," Tamara piped in.
Summer had been introduced to Tamara, Jane's sister and Protected of the Sorcerer Tuthal, when she brought a wailing infant in to the Chambers where Penny had taken Summer and Blossom to freshen up, change clothes. Penny had given them both a white translation powered called Tellrock. Her head still ached slightly from the aftermath of the head rush she got with it.
Blossom had put on a brave face, but Summer knew it must have hurt her head as well. Blossom sat on a bed playing with little Joy. When Blossom started making faces and cooing at Joy, she had stopped crying and stared at Blossom in fascination. Tamara was more than eager to surrender the baby to Blossom while she rested.
Tamara, much relieved to have Joy happy, sat down and started eating the fruit brought in by some younger Kell men.
"How many Kell women survived?"
"About five I think I met. There's a little girl Krystal, who comes and visits me in the palace; a few older women, like Vanora. The rest are highly guarded by their Kell Protectors," Penny said, plopping down on the bench beside Tamara.
"So, how'd you come to be living in the US?" Penny asked.
"I married a U.S. Army Captain." Summer sighed, remembering the happier times she and Tyler had together. "Not long after we had Blossom, he was killed in a car accident. Blossom and I've been living in Humboldt County, California, just outside Fortuna, for the past few years. Tyler's Mom was still alive then. She took care of Blossom until I was able to walk again and take over her care."
"I'm sorry for your loss," Penny said, and Tamara nodded in agreement. "You obviously loved him."
Summer pursed her lips together in a tightlipped smile. "Yes, but I love Melor too. Somehow in the short time I've known him, he's helped me to overcome the burden of my grief. I couldn't bear it if something happened to him."
Blossom glanced up from making faces at little Joy. "It'll be okay, Mom. Just like the king said, they'll all be back soon."
"And my little rock over there." Summer blew her daughter a loving kiss. "When I thought Melor was completely nuts, she believed."
Penny laughed.
"And right you are. Between Adalardo and Tuthal, they'll be back before you know it. If it helps ease your worries, we can go wait in the courtyard, and I'll have someone bring some chairs down for the pregnant ones." Penny rose to her feet.
"I'll take Joy to Vanora. She's due a feed and really misses her mum." Tamara struggled to get to her feet, waddling towards the bed to collect Joy.
"Mind you, nearly all the women in Kell are currently pregnant; can you imagine the late night snack calls the men have to endure?" Penny gave a cheeky grin.
All three women laughed. Only Blossom looked confused.
Summer grinned at her daughter. "Don't worry, baby, you'll understand one day."
Chapter Fourteen
"We need to find and gather some of the human Loops of Fruit seeds and grow them in Kell; Blossom and I both enjoy their sweetness." Melor leaned against the bars of the cell.
"Already a crop of coco beans are being trialed. I do not see why these could not be grown as well," Drystan nodded thoughtfully.
His clothes fluttered as a wind whipped up behind him. Drystan shot to his feet, coming to stand by Melor who turned around to watch the blue portal open in the corridor. Shouts from the other prisoners echoed through the area as Tuthal stepped through the portal followed by Adalardo and Briac.
Tuthal raised his staff, swinging it in dramatic arch. Electronics sparked and doors slammed shut.
"I do believe you are in need of rescuing." Adalardo strode to the front with a smug smile.
"Aye, your Majesty, but how did you know?" Drystan asked the same question Melor was thinking.
"It seems you have a resourceful lady, Melor; she and her beautiful little daughter used a portal gem to travel to Kell and seek help."
Melor's smile grew wide as the pride and love in his heart grew even more.
"Aye, my King, she is indeed a most admirable lady."
"Be warned, Melor, she is not impressed by your claiming, now she knows what it means."
Drystan barked with laughter. "Take heart, Melor, the ladies' anger quickly cools in the heat of our passion."
"Aye, I must agree. They do enjoy the pleasure of our touch." Tuthal stepped forward and tapping the tip of his staff to the door of the cell, it slid open as the men shared a knowing chuckle.
Drystan ducked his head to exit the cell; Melor quickly followed.
"We need to collect Jane." Drystan accepted a blade from Adalardo while Melor took the one Briac offered. The rescue party all drew their weapons.
"My spell will last only a short turn of time. Within the building no human will be able to use their projectile weapons or any weapon which contains their energy," Tuthal explained as they followed Drystan through the corridors to the exit of the cells.
"Jane was taken through here where the other female prisoners are kept."
Tuthal opened the door to find female guards pointing a black gun at them, yelling at them to drop their weapons. The rescue party ignored the yelling, continuing on. When human the guards tried to fire their arms, confusion mixed with fear, was clearly written on their faces.
"Do not be alarmed, we mean no harm. We only seek Jane Walker," Drystan spoke softly.
Briac and Adalardo raised their swords, backing them into a corner, as Drystan searched the cells.
"She is not here. Where is she?" Drystan's dark scowl rounded on one of the female guards. The woman pursed her lips, her eyes shone with clear defiance.
"Some man came and took her to an interview room," yelled one of the female prisoners. She was gauntly thin, with very little clothing and a brightly painted face.
"Shut up!" snapped the guard, glaring at the woman.
The woman simply smirked. "Hey, if you're springing people from the joint, can I come with you?"
Briac stepped forward, but Adalardo placed his hand on the warrior's shoulder and shook his head.
"She needs much feeding and care," Briac protested.
He handed it to Briac. "If you please, give me your hand, lady."
The woman eagerly stuck her hand through the bar. Melor watched in fascination as Briac gripped her wrists and placed the ruby into her hand. His face fell when it did not shine.
"Fuck, that has to be worth a fortune." The woman eyed the ruby, her eyes gleaming with greed.
Briac took back the ruby and handed it to the king.
"Have a heart, Briac, you will find your lady."
"What the fuck was all that about?" She gripped the bars. "What the fuck about me!"
The men turned away from her.
"I know these interview rooms she speaks of; both Melor and I have been questioned in them. They are this way."
~ * ~
Jane didn't like the way the detective closed and locked the door. He removed his jacket and unplugged the security camera.
"Are you allowed to do that?"
"Do you know who I am, Miss Walker?"
"Actually, I'm married to that big guy you have in the cells, so it's Mrs. thank you, and as far as I know, you're a detective from Tasmania, right?"
She watched him carefully as he calmly walked around the other side of the desk but could see the tension rolling off him in waves; he was nowhere near as calm as he appeared.
"Does Elly Crowell ring a bell?"
Jane pursed her lips, knowing exactly who Elly was; she was the protected of Anyon.
"My name is Grant Crowell, and you're going to tell me what the hell you've done with my sister." Grant slammed his fist down on the table, making her jump in surprise and fright.
"Your sister is happily married and living in Kell with her husband Anyon." She met his angry glare with her steady one. "Why are you so eager to find the sister you clearly neglected for years?"
"That's what you do. You lure in poor women with low self-esteem. I don't believe this Kell bullshit; tell me where you've hidden the bodies of the women, and it'll go much easier on you."
Jane sighed in frustration. "No one is dead, and I believe your sister is expecting a baby soon."
"Cut the fucking bullshit, woman!" He launched himself out of the chair, his face red in rage, trying to intimidate her.
The door burst open. Both she and the detective turned to see a scowling, larger than life Drystan burst into the room. Giddy exaltation raced through Jane at seeing her husband. Drystan charged forward, his large hand wrapped around the smaller man's throat, slamming him effortlessly against the wall.
"Don't hurt him, love. He's Elly's brother, Protected of Anyon." Jane walked around to place her hand on Drystan's arm. "I think we should take him to visit his sister, show him where all the women have gone."
"Do you think that wise, Jane?" Adalardo shook his head.
"There will be no peace until we do something, your Majesty, and I think through him we shall. Other than the women in Kell, we need friends here on earth."
"Very well, Jane. Briac, Melor seize the human male. Tuthal, we have all we came for, if you would be so kind."
"Gladly, your majesty." Tuthal waved his staff, wielding his magic, to open the way home.
Jane sighed. No matter how many times she saw a portal open, it was a thing of wondrous beauty.
She smiled up at Drystan who stepped back as Melor and Briac took a hold of the detective's arms. Cowell stared open mouth at the portal, in obvious shock.
"Come, my love. We have a daughter to return to." Jane loved it when he went all heroic and picked her up in his arms, carrying her through the portal back to Kell where they belonged.
~ * ~
Elation ran through Summer when she saw Melor follow through the portal after Drystan and Jane. He had hold of some man's arm. Melor let go, taking a step away. Summer realized it was one of the detectives who had come into the hospital room to question her.
Upon seeing her standing there with Blossom and Penny, Melor's face broke out with a wide grin.
Summer smiled back. He moved towards them.
"Mom, that man has a gun!"
Summer's gaze darted back to the detective who had held a small gun in his trembling hand, panic and fear clear in his darting gaze.
"I'm not going to let you do to me what you did to them!" the detective screamed.
Melor turned, frowned at the human and reached for the weapon. They both struggled for the gun.
The explosion ricocheted through the courtyard. Women screamed and men quickly took action, scooping up the women and carrying them to safety.
Summer's heart stopped beating in her chest, her feet carrying her forward. Melor stumbled backwards. He tossed the gun in his hand to the ground and glanced down to his side. He yanked up his t-shirt, blood oozed down his skin, he collapsed forward.
"Oh god, no, Melor, no." Summer's heart almost stopped beating seeing the dazed look in his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his upper chest.
He sank to the ground, pulling her down with him.
"Hang in there, love, we'll get you healed." His face blurred as tears streamed down her face. "Those magic gems can heal you, right? Oh God, please say they can."
"You're safe." Melor gazed into her eyes and cupped the side of her face. "You came to Kell."
"Yes, Blossom had a portal gem. She brought us here, and we sent a rescue party after you, but we're going to have a talk about this protector thing and why you didn't tell me we were married!"
"Aye, my love, I should have done so."
She cushioned his head as he fell to the ground. "Don't you dare die on me, Melor. There is no way in hell I'm going to lose another husband."
His cheeks dimpled as he smiled up at her, his voice weak, his breathing labored. "No, love, have faith." His eyes closed.
"Melor, stay with me, open your eyes!"
The other warriors rushed forward, surrounding the man who had come through the portal.
"Out of my way!" Penny shoved the big men out of her path.
Summer glanced up at her to see she held a bag of healing gems.
"Stand back, Summer. Let me put the gems on him," Penny ordered. Swiftly, the queen placed the gems along certain points on Melor's body. The moment the last gem was in place a low hum sounded.
Summer's eyes widened as a white mist snaked around him until he was completely surrounded.
He jerked suddenly and cried out. From his stomach a little metal slug ejected from the wound before closing. Melor groaned before slumping unconscious.
"Is…is he?" Summer trembled; she struggled to breathe, not wanting to face Melor's death.
"He will sleep for a few hours; it's the side effect of the gems. He'll be fine." Penny rose to her feet.
Summer hadn't noticed the scuffle of the men, nor the detective, now pinned to the floor by several angry warriors. She let out a breath of relief.
"Take him to the dungeons," Adalardo ordered his men who picked up the human man, carrying him away.
Others came to help lift Melor.
Blossom came running to her side, tears streaming down her face.
Summer wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her close as she followed the men carrying Melor.
"He's going to be okay, isn't he, Mom?"
"Yes, baby. Thanks to their magic crystals, Melor is going to be just fine."
Chapter Fifteen
Melor's lungs expanded, inhaling a soft sweet familiar floral scent, a comforting warmth pressed against his side. He opened his eyes to glance down at the peaceful sleeping face of his beloved Summer.
He curled his arm around her shoulders, pulling her tighter against him, gently brushing stray strands of silky hair from her face.
A quick glance around the room told him he was in his bedchambers, in the Palace. She stirred in his ar
ms, her eyelids fluttering as sleepy eyes opened and peered up at him from under her long dark brown lashes. Her stormy gray eyes, still clouded from sleep, glanced up at him in confusion.
"Melor, you're awake."
"Aye, my love, as are you." He caught her delicate chin between his fingers, stretching her neck slightly forward to cover her mouth with his in a slow welcoming kiss.