“Very different,” Faron agreed.
“Well, I do not work for your government. Nor am I Jasani. I’m just another human female and I assume that what I do with another human female is beneath the notice of the Jasani council.”
“Saige, when we are finished with this ritual, you will be Jasani,” Dav pointed out.
“I am not going to let her get away with this,” Saige declared. “Nor do I think that sentencing her to spend a couple of years mining pretty gemstones is suitable punishment for what she did.”
“Do not worry, Saige,” Faron said. “We will not allow her to get away with what she has done. We will find her, and then we will deal with what her punishment should be. In the meantime, please tell us what happened.”
Saige complied, telling them everything that had happened while she was conscious. When she told them about Riata awaking from the tranquilizer, she remembered what Darleen had said about how long it should have worked.
“I am guessing that the Heart Sight stone helped me to throw off the tranquilizer faster, and I know why it only worked for a few minutes on Lariah, but why did Riata wake up so quickly?” she asked Faron.
Faron smiled. “Alverians are not remotely like humans,” he said. “Their body chemistry is far different. I am not certain, but I would imagine that the drug was simply less effective on her than on you.”
Saige nodded. That was much as she had thought but she was glad to have it confirmed. She continued with her story, but when she got to the part where Riata lay dying she choked up and had to struggle to get the words out past the lump in her throat.
“Are you saying that Riata passed her healing powers to you?” Faron asked in surprise when she was finished.
Saige froze for a moment. It had not occurred to her that that was what Riata was doing, but now that Faron said it, she realized that must have been what had happened. “I suppose so, yes,” she said after a few moments. “Is that possible?”
“I don’t know,” Faron said. “We must get through the mating ritual first. Then we can try to figure that out.”
“Alright,” she agreed. She then told them about the appearance of the beautiful, evil man and how he’d shot her in the chest before she’d had a chance to do more than turn around.
“Did he say anything to give us a clue as to who, or what he is? Or why he wanted you and Lariah?” Faron asked, his voice a rumbling growl.
“No,” Saige replied, thinking hard. “He said that he didn’t like being so close to the Prince’s territory. He called us annoyances, and little humans, so I think that probably means he’s not a human.”
Saige took a few moments to wash her face while she tried to think of anything else that might be of help.
“By the way, whatever or whoever that man was, he is the one that was in my compartment on the Cosmic Glory,” she told them. “He made it very clear that he was taking both Lariah and I off of Jasan and to his ship, right then, and he pulled some type of device out of his pocket when he said it. I think it was a transporter remote from the way he talked, but I really don’t know. If Lariah hadn’t shifted into her dracon and shot fire at him, I don’t think we’d be here now. How is Lariah? She didn’t get hurt, did she? She said transforming into her dracon wouldn’t be safe for the babies.”
“She was perfectly fine when we saw her,” Faron soothed, “and Garen made no mention of any complications. Nor did he seem unduly stressed when he was here to check on you. She probably did a partial shift, just enough to be able to hold him off with fire for a few moments until Garen, Trey and Val arrived.”
Saige nodded, relieved that Lariah was all right, though still worried about her friend.
“I know Doc is not here, and with Riata...gone, I’m worried that Lariah will have complications with this birth,” she said, expressing a fear that had been growing in her for days. Her own mother had died giving birth to Saige and her sisters, and Saige had been the only survivor.
“Lariah is shifter, amada,” Faron said. “There is no need to worry. Her body will have no problem shifting however it must to accommodate the birth.”
“That’s a huge relief,” Saige said. “Still, shouldn’t there be a medical person here?”
“Probably, but there isn’t one,” Faron replied. “You need not worry so much, Saige. The Dracon’s have some small healing magic, as do we. And, if necessary, they are able to transport Lariah to a medical facility in seconds.”
“I’ll try not to worry so much,” she promised. “I’d feel better if I could see her though.”
“Let’s finish getting you bathed, then if you want to see her and the Dracons agree, you can visit her for a moment,” Faron said.
Saige stood up at once. “Good idea,” she said. She climbed out of the tub and hurried to the shower, anxious to see Lariah. As the water heated she stepped in and let it pour over her head, yawning widely. Ban stepped into the shower behind her and she yawned again.
“Excuse me,” she said, placing one hand over her mouth, wondering why she was suddenly so tired. Just as she remembered what Garen had said about her getting sleepy, her eyes closed without her permission. She fell asleep on her feet so unexpectedly that Ban nearly didn’t catch when she fell.
Lariah dried her hands on the small towel next to the sink and walked carefully across the bathroom tiles, watching each step. She reached for the doorknob and pulled the door open just as she felt a gush of water flow down her legs. “Oops,” she said quietly.
Three sets of eyes flew to her face, then the floor, then back to her face again with identical expressions of alarm and confusion. Lariah smiled. “My water just broke,” she announced, nearly laughing at the mixed expressions of relief and worry on their faces.
“Which means what?” Garen asked as he hurried forward to guide her around the slippery puddle on the floor.
“Which means it shouldn’t be much longer,” she said. “Can one of you please get me a clean nightgown?”
Trey hurried for the nightgown while Val went into the bathroom to mop up the floor in case Lariah had to go in there again.
“You’ve been saying it’s not going to be much longer for a long time now,” Trey said as he grabbed a nightgown and hurried over to her with it. Garen lifted the wet one off over her head and the two men took a moment to gaze at Lariah’s body. Her breasts were larger now, swollen with milk, her nipples a shade or two darker than before. Her once flat tummy was now large and round, but lower than it had been a day or two earlier. They watched as the muscles in her abdomen tightened in a hard contraction that took her breath away even as she struggled to breathe through it. They reached out to support her, surprised at the strength of her grip on them at the height of the contraction. When it ended, she panted for a moment.
“Guys, do you think you can help with the pain, without actually knocking me out?” she asked.
Trey shook out the fresh nightgown and slipped it over Lariah’s head while Garen considered her request. Finally he shook his head. “I just don’t see how sharali,” he said. “I think the Lobos might be able to do that, though I am not sure. Do you want me to ask them?”
Lariah shook her head. “No thanks,” she said. “I know they are trustworthy and all that and I do like them, but honestly, right now I don’t want any males other than you three near me.”
“But what about the pain?” Trey asked.
“It’ll be fine,” Lariah said. “I don’t need anything, I was just curious is all.”
Garen eyed Lariah doubtfully but had no suggestions other than the one he had given. If Lariah did not feel comfortable with the Lobos near her in this time, then he would not force it on her.
“Lariah, are you sure this is all that we will need?” Val asked, frowning at the items Suly had told him had been prepared for the birth and which he had carried in and set up on a small table.
Lariah walked over to the table and looked at the items. There were towels, baby blankets, diapers, several
scissors that had been sterilized and wrapped in plastic, suction bulbs, sterile gloves, two large steaming pots of water and a host of other items. Val had also brought in the three basinets that Lariah herself had prepared for the babies and set them along the wall near the bed.
“I can’t imagine what else we might need,” she said after a moment. “Why?”
“It just doesn’t seem like enough,” Val said. “You are having three babies, my heart. It doesn’t seem that some towels and hot water are going to be enough in terms of necessary supplies. There should be...more.”
Lariah smiled and leaned over to kiss Val. “Do not worry,” she said as he wrapped his arms around her gently. “Women have been having babies a very long time, and we are well prepared.”
A soft knock on the door interrupted them and Trey rushed to answer it. He opened the door a crack, then turned to Garen. “Saige has fallen asleep,” he said.
“Sharali, I must go and check on Saige,’ he said.
Lariah nodded. “Yes of course,” she said. “Don’t worry, I won’t have these babies just this minute. Take care of Saige, please.”
Garen kissed her quickly and left the room. “Val, do you think I could have some ice chips now please?” she asked.
“Certainly, my heart,” Val said. He kissed her lightly and hurried out after Garen.
“Trey, I think I want to lay down for a bit,” she said.
Trey hid his relief as he picked her up, carried her to the bed and laid her gently on it, propping her up against the pillows they had arranged for her. He really didn’t think the babies would just fall out of her, but he still felt better with her lying down in one place rather than wandering all over the room.
Lariah smiled her thanks, then settled back and closed her eyes for a few moments before the next contraction began.
“She fell asleep quite suddenly, just like you said,” Faron told Garen as they hurried back to the other side of the house and into the guest room. Saige was on the bed again, wearing a nightgown now, her hair still damp, the smudge gone from her cheek. Garen sent a light thread of magic into her and found that she was in a deep sleep, just like Lariah had been at this stage.
“This is the trickiest part of the whole thing,” he told them. “Without Riata, I do not know how we are going to tell when it is time to do the next injection.”
Faron raised a brow. “Please explain,” he said.
“Lariah slept like this for about an hour I think. Maybe a little longer. Not long after Riata arrived she discovered that the changes taking place in Lariah’s DNA were slowing. Right after that, Lariah’s heart rate, blood pressure and breathing began to slow, and her body temperature began to drop. That is when she insisted we perform the second injection. Without Riata here, I am not sure how we will know when the time is right for that.”
“That’s easy enough,” Faron said. “One of us will run over to Doc’s clinic and get some of the instruments he uses to measure such things.”
Garen grinned. “Of course, why did I not think of that?”
“Perhaps because you are running back and forth between your Arima and ours in an effort to keep everyone alive and well?” Ban asked.
“Perhaps,” Garen agreed ruefully.
Dav cleared his throat. “Maybe you are over-thinking this a bit,” he said. Faron raised a brow and Garen frowned.
“How so?” Faron asked.
“We do have some healing magic,” Dav pointed out. “We are more than capable of determining if Saige’s heart rate slows or her temperature drops without using an instrument.”
Faron chuckled. “I think perhaps the stress is getting to us all,” he suggested.
“I suppose it must be,” Garen agreed.
“So, once her vital signs begin to slow, we give her the next injection?” Faron asked.
“Yes,” Garen said. “Please let me know as soon as you can when that happens, or immediately after it. Shortly after the second injection her body will begin to change, and that will be the most difficult and painful part of this.”
“We will call for you as soon as we can,” Faron promised. “How is Lariah doing?”
“Her water broke, which evidently means that the births will occur before long. I have no idea what before long means but I want it to be either now, or much later. I cannot make up my mind.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Faron asked.
Garen clapped Faron on the shoulder. “I think you have your hands full enough as it is,” he replied. “Don’t worry, this will all turn out right,” he added as he turned to leave the room and hurry back to Lariah.
As he crossed the living room he paused at the sight of Suly standing by the door, wringing her hands, tears on her cheeks.
“Suly?” he asked.
“How is Lariah doing?” she asked. “I am so worried about her, and about Saige and poor Riata. If only I had realized sooner that they were gone! I am such an old fool....”
Garen stepped close to the woman and hugged her gently. “Without you Suly, we would not have arrived in time to save Lariah and Saige,” he told her. “That is a fact. We have much to thank you for. Lariah is doing well and you may come in and see her if you like. Please dry your tears though. They will upset her.”
“I can see her?” Suly asked.
Garen smiled. “Of course you can. In truth, I would very much appreciate it if you would see her. I seem to recall that you assisted Doc in a birth or two for a couple of the hands. Is that right?”
“Yes, I have helped several times,” Suly replied, a hopeful look replacing the misery in her eyes.
“We would be most grateful for your assistance then,” Garen said. “You know far more about this than we do and it would be better for Lariah if you were to help.”
Suly smiled, then frowned. “I will go wash up as quickly as I can,” she said. “If Lariah needs me, I best get in there.”
Garen nodded and felt a sense of relief knowing that Suly would be able to assist them. He had not been exaggerating about wanting some experienced help. As Suly disappeared into the kitchen he turned and hurried back to the bedroom.
When Garen opened the door he heard the sound of Lariah’s rapid panting. He froze for a moment at the sight of her propped against the headboard, her knees up, gripping Val on one side and Trey on the other. His brothers looked at him with barely controlled panic.
Lariah looked up and saw Garen standing in the doorway, an expression of mixed relief and fear on her face. “Its coming now Garen,” she panted. “I have to push and I’m afraid,” she said breathlessly. “I don’t think we’re ready yet.”
Saige opened her eyes and found herself standing in a void of what appeared to be gray fog. There was no moisture against her skin as there would be with real fog, nor was their any temperature to it, neither coolness nor warmth. She waved a hand through it and it did not drift or move in the slightest. She frowned, not understanding where she was or why she was there.
“Hello Saige.”
Saige spun around, shocked and pleased to see Riata. She looked just slightly different, her eyes brighter, her smile more serene. Instead of her usual outfit of jeans and a sweater, she was wearing a long, pale yellow robe with swirling designs embroidered in gold thread along the front and down the sleeves. But Saige barely noticed all of that in her happiness to see Riata standing there, alive and well.
“Riata,” she gasped. “I am so happy to see you. I thought you were lost to us.”
“Dear Saige,” Riata replied. “I am no longer of the plane you dwell in,” she said gently.
Saige frowned. “You mean you really did die?” she asked.
“Yes, Saige, I did,” Riata replied.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “How is it that I am talking with you and looking at you? For that matter, where are we?”
“Right now, you’re body is undergoing the transformation process, changing you from human to Jasani. Your conscious mind is here, with me
, because I need to speak with you.”
“Is this real or am I dreaming?” Saige asked.
Riata’s smile widened. “A little of both I imagine,” she said.
“Did you really pass your gift of Healing to me?” Saige asked.
“I did,” Riata replied. “However, you must understand that the gift I passed to you will not manifest the same in you as it did in me.”
“Do you mean I won’t be able to Heal people?”
“I really do not know,” Riata said. “What you are able to do with the gift remains to be seen.”
“Why are you here then?” Saige asked. “For that matter, why am I here?”
“You are here because you have been chosen by the Eternal Pack. You have been deemed strong and true and pure of heart. I am here because I have been chosen to be your Spirit Guide,” Riata replied.
“Spirit guide?” Saige asked. “I’ve never heard of that. What is it?
“A Spirit Guide is one whose task it is to help another through difficult times. As your Spirit Guide, I will aid you from time to time as I can. My first task is to share with you the lost prophecy of Semat Katre.”
“Lost prophecy?” Saige asked weakly.
Riata smiled her gentle smile. “Do not worry Saige. I will say to you the prophecy and you will remember it later, when you need it.”
“Okay Riata,” Saige replied uncertainly. Memorization had never been her strongest talent.
Riata smiled again, then began to speak. By the time she was finished, Saige was worried.
“Wow,” she said weakly. “Are you sure I am going to remember all of that?”
“I am sure,” Riata said.
“What does it mean?” Saige asked. “I didn’t understand a lot of it, but over all, it didn’t sound good.”
“I am afraid I cannot answer that,” Riata said. “But this much I know; Lariah Dracon is the Soul of the Jasani people. And you, Saige Lobo, are the Heart. There is another who is yet to be found who is destined to be the Mind. She must be found soon, before the others find her first.”
“What others?” Saige said. “And who is she?”
The Lobos' Heart Song: Book 2 of the Soul-Linked Saga Page 30
