On The Edge

by Catherine Vale

  “Griffin, wait. Take this.”

  He paused only long enough to grab the machete Ramos held out. Cutting and slashing wildly, he hacked his way through the thick jungle vines and branches.

  His village was just ahead; Addison was just ahead. With a final mad slash he cut through the last of the foliage, bursting into the clearing.

  Addison was sitting beside another woman and as he ran to her she lifted her face to him. She’d been crying but as their eyes met she smiled.

  “Griffin! Oh my God, you’re here!”

  He pulled her from the ground and into his arms. She melted into him, arms around his neck, face buried against his chest. For the moment holding her was enough, having her in his arms, her heartbeat next to his, her scent surrounding him. He drew a breath, filling his lungs with her, with the scent of the woman he loved.

  Pulling away he bent his head, his lips finding hers. He wanted to devour her, consume her where she stood. But after a moment she gently pushed him away.

  “Grace.” The single word brought him back to reality. He looked down at Addison’s sister.

  “Daniel said she is gravely ill.” He glanced at Addison.

  “Daniel found you?”

  “The guards found Daniel. He is in Ramos’s village. We are all there, since…this.” He glanced around the ruined huts.

  Ramos stood beside him, looking down at Grace. “We need to take her now. She’s too sick to leave to wait for the priest.” He bent, scooping up Grace’s limp body, cradling her against his chest. Addison watched him leave the clearing, disappearing into the jungle.

  “Can you walk?” Griffin placed his finger beneath her chin, turning her face to his. “I will carry you.”

  She shook her head, a weak smile on her face. “No. I can walk. I’m really okay. Just exhausted.”

  Griffin was reluctant to let go of Addison, but the path wasn’t wide enough to walk side by side. She went ahead of him, following Ramos. Griffin watched every step she took, every movement she made. She limped slightly, but he was unsure what part of her leg was injured. One arm was held stiffly at her side; probably her shoulder. But otherwise she seemed unhurt. The child was unhurt as well, judging by her scent.

  They followed the path Griffin had hacked through the jungle, Ramos moving with amazing speed, Addison struggling to keep up. Griffin wanted to pick her up, carry her in his arms, but he knew she would only protest.

  They arrived at the village and Ramos crossed the clearing, moving swiftly toward his hut. Other members of the clan gathered in couples and small groups, excited murmurs filling the air. Griffin sensed their relief at seeing Addison, their confusion and tension over the woman Ramos carried, the scent of near death coming from her in waves.

  “Addison! I’m so glad you’re okay!”

  Daphne burst out of Griffin’s hut, Daniel close behind her. She ran to Addison, throwing her arms around her, almost knocking her off her feet.

  “You’re back. I’m so sorry…they took you. There was nothing I could do.” She sobbed against Addison, who looked over her shoulder at Griffin.

  “Daphne, it’s okay. You found Griffin, that’s the important thing.”

  Griffin watched the women, impatience prickling his skin. He wanted to be alone with Addison, away from everyone. Guilt pushed aside his impatience. Addison had her sister to think of. There would be time later for them to be alone.

  He watched Daniel approach, his head wrapped with some kind of bandage made of leaves. Griffin raised an eyebrow at the bulky affair. Daniel lifted a hand and touched his head self-consciously.

  “Your priest seemed confused over how to treat me. Apparently none of you bleed profusely from head wounds. He had to improvise.”

  “We usually don’t require anything, other than washing away blood. We heal rather quickly. Hopefully you’ll heal without incident.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  The two men stood side by side as Addison and Daphne talked. With another hug, they parted, and Daphne joined Ramos. Addison came to stand beside Griffin. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, fitting her curves against his body. His fingers slipped into space between the damned clothing she wore, finding the soft skin over her hip. It took him a moment to realize she was speaking to him.

  “Daphne said the priest will look at Grace. He’s told her no one but Joseph is to enter the hut. I’m not even allowed to see her.”

  Griffin blinked, looking down at her. Even covered in dirt, exhaustion lining her face, she was beautiful.

  “Who’s Joseph?”

  Griffin spoke without turning to Daniel. “He is the boy chosen to work with the priest. He is blessed, and will not interfere with the work the priest needs to do.”

  “But why can’t I see her?” Her face was turned up to his, and he had the overpowering desire to kiss her. But this wasn’t the time, not yet, not here.

  “Because the priest has said so. And because you need to rest. Come.” He pulled her with him as he began walking toward his hut.

  A frown line appeared, her eyes flashing briefly. He’d seen it before, and he had no choice but to smile. She’d been told something she didn’t like, didn’t agree with, but would reluctantly let go of. That line, that spark, told him she was still his Addison, undaunted by events. Her strength amazed him, made his heart swell with emotion. With love.

  “Fine. But tell them to come find me if she gets worse. Or better. Or…” Just as quickly her emotions shifted, the frown line faded and her eyes grew bright with tears. He was still startled by them, by her sudden bouts of tears, and he waited for them to fall. But she sniffled, and the tears faded. He let out the breath he held.

  “The priest, and Joseph know your wishes. You will always know how she is. Now come with me.” He took her hand, and she let him lead her toward one of the empty huts. A guard appeared and Griffin nodded. The man stood a discreet distance from the door, back to the hut, eyes on the jungle.

  “Are there still raiders in the area?” Addison glanced at the guard as she stepped inside the hut and he let the pelt fall across the door.

  “I take no chances. Without guards, we would be prey waiting for a predator.”

  “What happened…”

  He took her arm, pulling her against him. She looked up at him in surprise “Enough talk.” His voice was rougher than he anticipated, and he took a breath.

  “Addison…” There were no words to explain what he wanted, or how he felt, and he bent down, claiming her mouth with his. She stiffened in his arms for the briefest second, and then she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him. The kiss deepened as passion flooded through him. He let his hands explore her back, sliding down to cradle her ass, pulling her against his growing erection.

  When they broke apart she looked up at him with a dazed look. “I missed this…missed you so much. But I knew I’d come back.”

  “I would have searched the earth to find you.” He ran a hand over her hair, brushing it back, tangling his fingers in the strands. “You are my life. My world.” He met her eyes.

  “I love you.”

  She smiled up at him, a tear trailing down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb.

  “I love you, Griffin.”

  He got her out of her clothes, new clothes, cursing as he undid the fastenings. She laughed at his frustration, not offering to help him. Finally she stood before him, her body more beautiful than he’d remembered. She reached out, tugging his loincloth away from his body.

  He lifted her gently, setting her on the pallet. She reached up for him and he lay beside her, cradling her body against his.

  They kissed, softly, and he felt as if it were the first time he’d lain with any woman. Every sense was alive, every touch of her fingers on his skin left a trail of fire. Every kiss set him alight, and fanned the flame of desire inside him.

  When he took her it was with a need he didn’t quite understand, a passion that startled him. She
met him fully, taking him into her body, moving with him, her legs and arms wrapped around him. She came quickly, her body arching beneath him, body trembling.

  It was equally wild and strangely gentle, and when he came, it was like stepping through a door into a new world. He lay panting afterwards, his face against her neck. Finally he rose, looking down at her.

  “You smell different. What have you done?”

  “I took a bath, days ago…your sense of smell amazes me. I’ll smell like myself again soon enough. There’s no bubble bath anywhere around here.”

  “I don’t like it. I like your natural scent.”

  She laughed, a beautiful sound. “You said you love me.” She brushed a hand along his cheek. “You’ve never said that before.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “I should have said it before now.” He looked down at her. “I should have said it before I lost you.”

  “You didn’t lose me. I’m back. I’m not going anywhere.”

  His eyes prickled with tears, and rather than struggle to hold them back, he let them fall. Addison made a wordless sound, pulling him down to her. He laid his head on her shoulder, finding her scent beneath the strange artificial smell, breathing deeply.

  She held him for a long time, until he was on the verge of sleep. Groggily he rolled onto his side, pulling her close. He felt her pull a pelt over them, and then snuggle against him.

  For the first time in days he slept soundly, his arms around the woman he loved.

  Chapter Nine

  “Addison. Wake up.”

  Griffin’s voice cut through the dream she was having, of running through the jungle, animals and men chasing her. She came away with a gasp.

  “Grace?”

  Griffin nodded. “The priest has questions for you.”

  They walked to the hut where Grace lay. “What time is it? How long was I asleep?”

  “Not that long. It’s only a few hours until sunset.”

  Griffin held the pelt and she slipped into the hut. Even in the soft light she saw the dark circles beneath Grace’s eyes, the gaunt look of her face. She reached for Grace’s hand, but the priest shrieked and Joseph almost threw himself between her and her sister. Addison took a step back, bumping into Griffin.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake! She’s my sister. I want to hold her hand.” She turned to Griffin. “Can’t I at least do that?”

  The priest turned to Griffin, his sharp black eyes peering out from the multitude of wrinkles. He began muttering, voice rising, pointing at her. For the first time since she’d met him, she saw something like fear in Griffin’s eyes.

  “He’s saying you’ll contaminate her.” Griffin looked from the priest to her, then back.

  “I’m not sick. I’m perfectly healthy.”

  “Not with sickness or disease. But with your energy. He’s done a ritual, aligned her energy…”

  She threw up her hands. “Okay. Okay. I get it.” She ran a hand across her face, frustrated with men and being told what to do. But they were the men that stood between her and getting Grace well. Heaving a sigh, she backed away from the pallet.

  “What does he need to know?”

  As if sensing the change in her, the priest’s expression relaxed. This time his voice was softer and he looked at her as he spoke. Joseph translated, standing a respectful distance from both her and the priest.

  “He asks what she was given. Before she came here.”

  “In the hospital, I’m not sure.”

  There was a brief conversation between the priest and the boy. The priest waved his hand, then spoke a rapid-fire string of words at the boy. He winced with each, as if they were barbed.

  “He said your medicine is nothing to him. Whatever she was given in your world was worthless. He asks what was given to her from this world. He knows it came from here, but the energy it left behind is unbalanced.”

  Addison stared at the priest. “She was given an orchid, a white orchid.” She turned to Griffin. “Can you tell him where you found it, what it’s called in your language?”

  Griffin nodded. He spoke a rapid stream to the priest. The wizened man stared at Griffin, and then he smiled, his face folding into a thousand creases. He nodded, suddenly animated again, hopping from foot to foot. Joseph took another step away, eyes wide.

  The priest spoke a rapid stream to Joseph, who grew more alarmed with each word. Finally the boy looked at Griffin, face pale, almost in tears.

  “I’m to go with you into the jungle and find a second flower. He’s told me what it is…you heard him, didn’t you?” Griffin nodded and the boy continued. “We’re to bring him that and he will create the rest of the cure.”

  Addison had listened to this exchange with growing anxiety. She placed her hand on Griffin’s arm. “Can you find this other flower? Does it grow around here?”

  To her relief he smiled, nodding. “I can. And quite easily. The flower you needed is rare; the one the priest needs is not. I will take Joseph and return by nightfall.”

  “And that’s it? That’s all?” Her voice broke as tears gathered in her eyes. “She’ll be cured?”

  “He will make the medicine and yes, she will be cured.”

  She let the tears fall unchecked. “It seems so simple. Can it really be that simple?”

  “It can. I’ll leave now. Joseph, come with me.”

  The boy walked on shaky legs past Addison and out of the hut. Griffin pulled Addison into his arms, kissing her softly. “I will be back, very quickly. I’ll carry Joseph if he slows me down.”

  She smiled. “He’s just a boy. Why does he have to go with you?”

  “He’s blessed. He will carry the flower.” His lips brushed her forehead, and then he turned. On impulse she grabbed his arm.

  “Can you please ask the priest if I can sit with Grace? I want to stay.”

  Griffin tensed, look over her head at the priest. The priest had retreated to a corner, chanting softly, shaking a rattle over a small bundle he’d set on the floor. Griffin spoke softly. The chanting sopped, but the rattling continued. Then he spoke, just a few words. But beneath her hand, she felt Griffin relax, some of the tension easing from his body.

  “He said you can stay. You can sit beside her, but he doesn’t want you to touch her.” He touched her cheek softly. “I am sorry he cannot allow more.”

  She nodded. “It’s fine. I think I understand.”

  He kissed her again, quickly, and then he was gone. She turned, looking at Grace, anxiously watching the slow rise and fall, aching to touch her hand. The priest rose, walking toward her, a smoldering bundle of sticks in his hand. He began circling her, the smoke wafting around her, his quavering voice rising and falling. The cadence was soothing, calming, and she breathed in the pungent smoke. Gradually she relaxed, muscles unknotting, anxiety fading from her mind.

  The errant thought drifted through her mind that this would be wonderful stuff back home. It made her giggle briefly, and she glanced at the priest. But instead of the stern look she expected, she was met with a smile.

  He came to a stop in front of her, tilting his head to look up at her. “Sit.” He pointed to a small table next to the bed.

  She was so startled at the English word she could only stand and stare. He took her hand, gently tugging her toward the pallet.

  “Sit with her. You are blessed.” He nodded, and she sat.

  “You speak English?” Sitting down, she was almost eye level with him. He nodded, smiling.

  “Not much, not good. Not often.” He shrugged. “I like my own words, not outsider words.”

  “I understand.”

  “You are from the place that sends men here to dig in the earth.”

  She nodded. “Yes. The Museum. You must have seen many of the expeditions in your life.”

  “I saw your Merriam.” He drew he word out into three long syllables. “The man who took the white flower.”

  Addison stared at the man. “You met him? Merriam?”


  “He came, took many plants. Wanted to know how they healed sickness. I told him. But I did not tell him everything.” The man looked down at Grace. “I told him enough to make him go away. If the cure did not work, then they would think they made it wrong. They would never come back to ask again. Made them leave. Leave us alone.”

  “I found his notes, what you told him, about the white flower.”

  “And it did not work.” His expression grew sad, and he looked at Addison. “Now I wish I had told him everything. She would not be sick.”

  Addison set a hand on the old man’s arm. “It’s not your fault.”

  There was no shrieking or pulling away this time. He only looked down at her hand, then reached out and covered it with his. “She will be cured of this sickness. But she will never be whole. The sickness has been in her too long; it will leave a shadow on her. Always.”

  He patted her hand and then turned, settling back into his corner, chanting softly. Addison watched him for a moment and then looked back at Grace. She reached out, taking the small, delicate hand, curling the fingers around hers, watching the slow breaths her sister took.

  The room grew warm, very warm, and she grew sleepy. Grace was getting better, and she should rest, but just for a minute. Gently, so she didn’t wake Grace, she lay her head next to her twin, closing her eyes.

  Chapter Ten

  Someone was lifting her, pulling her away from Grace. She tried to push them away, but it was like pushing a wall. Her feet came off the ground and she had the wild thought she was on the plane with Daniel, flying home from Peru.

  “No. I can stay. He said I can stay.”

  She forced her eyes open. Griffin held her in his arms, cradling her against his chest.

  “You’re back?”

  “I am. The priest needs to make the cure and tend to Grace. You need to sleep.”

  He carried her out of the hut and across the clearing. Overhead was what seemed like thousands of stars, glittering against the black velvet of the sky. They were beautiful, the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. It was almost too beautiful to stand, and she closed her eyes.