Immortal War

by Justin Somper

  “What do you mean, I can’t see him?” Jasmine’s intense dark eyes were wide with concern. She gazed up at Grace from the other end of the wooden bench in the anteroom adjacent to the healing chamber.

  “I didn’t say you can’t,” Grace corrected her. “I just think the best thing for him now is to rest, undisturbed, until we have him on a steadier footing.”

  “But you said he was already in a steady condition,” Jasmine said, her eyes narrowing. “Why do I feel like you’re lying to me, Grace?”

  Grace smiled sympathetically. “Because you’re tired and worried and angry and there’s no one but me to lash out at?”

  Jasmine nodded, her face softening. “You’re right,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

  Grace put her hand over Jasmine’s. “I’ve made him as comfortable as I can. There’s a long journey ahead of him, but I’m confident he’s going to make it.” She chose her words carefully. “You know you’re welcome to stay here at Sanctuary tonight, Jasmine. I can find you a room. You can stay as long as you want, but you might prefer to go back to The Tiger and be among your friends. I will see to it myself that you are kept regularly informed of Jacoby’s progress.”

  Jasmine nodded. “I really should go back,” she said. “It’s not a matter of choice. I have duties on The Tiger. The war has reached a turning point and I can’t let Connor shoulder my work and responsibilities on top of his own.”

  Grace smiled. “I’m sure Connor will want to support you at a time like this. He’s your boyfriend, but he knows how much you cared for Jacoby. How much you still care.”

  “Thanks, Grace,” Jasmine said. “You’re good people—you and Connor.” She smiled. “I knew that from the first.”

  Grace glanced at the ticking clock. “I wish I had more time to spend with you,” she said, “but there never seems to be time for anything anymore. I have another patient to check up on now.” She stood up but, seeing Jasmine’s deflated expression, she added, “There’s a garden just outside the complex. Turn right at the main exit and you’ll soon come across it. You might want to go and sit there for a while. It’s a peaceful place.”

  “Thanks, Grace,” Jasmine said, already sounding more composed. “But my ordeal is nothing compared to Jacoby’s.” She rose to her feet.

  Grace felt a sense of sisterhood and the desire to protect her brother’s girlfriend. “We’re all casualties of this war,” she said. “It wounds each of us in different ways. But often the invisible wounds are the ones that hurt the most.”

  As she stopped speaking, Jasmine put a hand on her arm. Grace realized that Jasmine was crying, albeit very quietly.

  “Thank you,” Jasmine said, once again. “Thank you for helping Jacoby and me. Thank you for everything you’re doing for the pirates.”

  Grace nodded. She felt a wave of guilt run through her. Jacoby Blunt’s time as a pirate had been brought to a sudden end, and, while Grace might not have lied to Jasmine—not in so many words—nor had she told her the whole truth. She realized that Jasmine might not be quite so thankful toward her if she knew who else Grace was treating.

  Glancing left and right to check that no one had seen her, Grace inserted the key in the lock and twisted it. It made her think back to her first days aboard The Nocturne, when Lorcan had kept her locked up inside her cabin. He had told her it was for her own safety. She had been dubious about that but now she completely understood as, key in hand, she darted inside the room and closed the door swiftly behind her, then locked it again.

  In front of her was—how had Olivier described it?—a cocoon of gauze. Grace approached the bed and drew back the curtain to enter the cocoon. As she did so, Johnny opened his eyes in wonder.

  “Hello,” he said, his voice cracked and low.

  “Hello,” she echoed, reaching for his hand. She only cupped it gently but still thought to ask, “Sorry, does that hurt?”

  He shook his head, but only slightly. She could tell that it still wasn’t entirely comfortable for him to move. “No,” he said. “Doesn’t hurt. Feels nice.”

  Grace smiled, gazing down at him. “Do you know where you are?” she asked. “And why?”

  Again, he made the smallest possible movement with his head but she could see he was trying to nod. “Your nurse guy… the one with the funny name, he told me. I’m back at Sanctuary. And you saved my life, Grace.”

  His fingers brushed hers gently. The smallness of the movement and the simplicity of his words drew tears from her eyes.

  “Hey, don’t cry!” he said.

  “Sorry.” She brushed her free hand across her face, trying to mop up the tears. “I’m just so relieved that you’re back, that you’re going to make it through.”

  “It’s all thanks to you,” he said. “I wouldn’t be seeing or touching you if you hadn’t worked your healing magic on me, sugar.” He paused to summon up more energy. “For that, I will be eternally grateful. In fact…”

  Grace held up her hand. “You’re still in critical condition, Johnny. You mustn’t tire yourself through talking.”

  Once more, he attempted a nod. “All right, I’ll shut up and you can do the talking. I like it when you talk to me.” He smiled and, once again, she noted how blistered his lips were.

  “You can’t stay here,” Grace said. “If the Alliance has the merest suspicion that you survived the attack, they’ll dispatch someone else to finish the job. We need to get you away from here.”

  “Okay,” Johnny said. “But where? How?”

  “I don’t want you to worry about that,” Grace said. “It’s all under control. I just need you to concentrate all your energy on recovering.” She let go of his hand. “I’m going to conduct a fresh healing session with you now. It will send you into a deep sleep. When you wake, you might already be on your way home.”

  “Home?” he said, as if the word had no meaning for him.

  “I know your ship is… gone,” Grace said. “But you’re going back to your comrades.” She began to stand up.

  “Wait!” His voice was hoarse. “Can’t I stay here with you a little longer?”

  Grace thought about it. For so long, she had hoped that he would choose the Nocturnals rather than the Vampirates. But, whatever he might say now, in truth that decision had been made long ago. Now it wasn’t safe for him to stay. Sadly, she shook her head. “I’ll always be here for you, Johnny, but, for now, I think it’s best you go back to Stukeley and the others as soon as possible.”

  Johnny tried to sit up in bed but found the movement too much for him. “I don’t understand, Grace. If I’m still the enemy, why did you bother saving me?”

  Grace shook her head once more. “You’re not my enemy,” she said. “And you never will be. You’re on the wrong side in this war and I hope with all my heart that your side loses. But some things are more important than battle lines.”

  “Like what?” he asked.

  “Like dear, old friends,” she said, lifting his hand and very gently kissing it. “Now, I need you to be quiet and still and let me do the job I’m here to do.”

  Johnny smiled and his dark eyes sparkled momentarily. Grace knew then that she’d done the right thing. Whatever anyone else said. Whatever the repercussions.

  After Johnny was settled into a deep, restorative sleep, Grace slipped back out of his room and into the corridor. Checking once more that she hadn’t been seen, she locked the door behind her, pocketed the key, and strode briskly away along the corridor.

  The second healing session had left her thoroughly depleted of energy and she knew that it was vital she now got some rest. She pushed open the door to her room, grateful to find that Darcy had not yet returned from her own labors. But, though it was tempting, she did not settle down to bed right away.

  There was one more thing she had to do before she could rest.

  On board The Albatross, Stukeley lay in Mimma’s arms.

  “I can’t believe he’s gone,” he said. “Johnny and me, we were like br
others. Blood brothers.” His body began to shake. It was a familiar sensation. “I can’t bear it, Mim. I’ve lost too many others. But not Johnny. Not John…”

  “I know,” Mimma said, stroking his hair tenderly. “I know how close you were and I can imagine how I’d feel if I lost Nathalie or Jacqui.”

  Stukeley rearranged himself on the bunk and pulled Mimma in closer to kiss her. As their lips parted, he held her close. “Thank you for agreeing to stay,” he said. “I’m not sure I could get through this without you.”

  “Hush now!” Mimma said. “Don’t say such things. We’ll get through this, together.” As she spoke she interlaced her fingers with Stukeley’s. She was strong, like a force of nature. Stukeley looked into her fiery eyes, then found his attention diverted. If he wasn’t very much mistaken, Grace Tempest was standing at the foot of his bed, dressed in a very strange pinafore creation.

  “Grace,” he blustered, starting to sit up. “What on oceans are you doing here?”

  Mimma turned around, equally dumbstruck to find Grace in the cabin. How come they hadn’t heard the door open? “Howdy, stranger!” she said. “I’d like to say you’re looking good, but, honestly, I don’t think that’s a great look for you, sweetie.”

  Grace’s eyes coolly met Mimma’s, then turned back to Stukeley.

  “I’ll fast-track this,” she said, “because time is of the essence. I’m not physically here. This is an astral visit…”

  “Of course!” Stukeley nodded in understanding. “Johnny told me you could do that.” His face fell. “Are you here because of him? You’ve heard the news, then? That he’s dead?”

  Grace shook her head. “He’s not dead,” she said.

  “What?” chorused Stukeley and Mimma, both clambering out of bed, while trying to protect their modesty.

  “He’s here at Sanctuary,” Grace said. “I’m sure you know by now that we have a treatment facility here for wounded Nocturnals. One of our rescue squads picked Johnny up by mistake this morning, after the attack on The Diablo.” She paused, wanting to be sure they’d understood what she had said.

  “I’ve begun his healing, but he can’t stay. Stukeley, I need you to come and fetch him tonight.”

  Stukeley was already standing up and buttoning his shirt. “I’ll come right away,” he said.

  “Come alone,” Grace said. “And don’t try anything clever. I’m doing this for Johnny’s sake, you understand? Don’t make me regret this.”

  Mimma couldn’t believe her ears. “You’ve certainly grown up since we last clapped eyes on you, Gracie.”

  “I didn’t have any choice,” Grace said, turning her attention back to Stukeley. “Now listen carefully. This is what I need you to do…”

  22

  BRIEF ENCOUNTER

  At the appointed hour, Grace and Noijon walked side by side along the Corridor of Ribbons, then turned into the Corridor of Discards. As they passed Dani, Grace nodded politely and exchanged a relieved glance with her trusted nurse. Noijon smiled back at her. She rather thought he was enjoying their clandestine mission. She wasn’t—not in the slightest. It had set all her nerves on edge. And, as they turned into the Corridor of Lights, an unwelcome surprise lay in wait.

  “Grace!” exclaimed Darcy. “And Noijon.” She nodded in greeting. “Where are you both off to?”

  “Just out to get some air between shifts,” Grace said as casually as she could muster under the circumstances.

  “You know how rare it is to get any free time around here,” added Noijon. “And even the quickest draft of fresh air does wonders for your concentration and stamina. Wouldn’t you agree, Nurse Flotsam?”

  Darcy nodded. Already, she smelled a rat. She could read Grace’s body language pretty expertly by now and she knew something was amiss. Was it possible that Grace was making another attempt to leave Sanctuary, only this time without a bag and without letting Darcy in on the secret?

  “You know, I could do with some air myself,” Darcy said chirpily, “and, as luck would have it, I’m on a break, too. Mind if I come along with you?”

  Grace wanted to protest, but she didn’t want to create any more of a scene. Nor did she want to miss their appointed rendezvous.

  “Of course,” she said. “We’d be happy to have your company.” She really ought to give Darcy some warning of what—or rather who—lay in wait in the courtyard, but she could hear footsteps behind them in the Corridor of Discards. There was simply no more time.

  Noijon pushed open the door and the three healing staff strolled out into the courtyard. In the distance, the security guards were changing over shifts—Grace had timed this very precisely. She continued walking across the courtyard, where she caught sight of him, leaning against the wall outside, lost in the shadows. Seeing Grace and her companions, Stukeley stepped forward.

  Darcy gasped in surprise, then said in cool tones, “What are you doing here?”

  He lifted his head and looked at her rather nervously.

  Grace spoke up. “I asked him to come.”

  Once he overcame his own shock, Stukeley smiled at Darcy warmly. “It’s great to see you again,” he said.

  Darcy shook her head, finding herself completely wrong-footed. “Please, will someone explain what he’s doing here?”

  There was a brief but awkward silence as the others exchanged a glance. Then, softly, Grace whispered in Darcy’s ear. “He’s come for Johnny. He was brought here by mistake after the attack on The Diablo. I’ve been healing him in secret.”

  “Grace!” Darcy exclaimed, shocked. “How could you? He’s our sworn enemy! If Mosh Zu found out…”

  Grace turned to face Darcy square on. “He’s not going to find out,” she said firmly. “We are the only ones who know. And it’s going to stay that way. Noijon and I will bring Johnny out to Jez and then they’ll go on their way.”

  “How’s our boy doing?” Stukeley asked Grace now. “I can’t wait to see him.”

  “He’s still in a bad way,” said Grace. “I’ve started his healing, but he can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous for all of us.”

  Stukeley nodded. “It’s okay. We have our own treatment facility now.”

  “I’m sure you do,” Grace said, somewhat bitterly. “And I’ll bet I know who’s running it.”

  Before Stukeley could answer, Noijon interrupted. “We shouldn’t lose any more time. There’s movement over at the guards’ station.”

  Grace nodded, suddenly all business once more. “Darcy, why don’t you take Stukeley to the kitchen garden and wait for us there? We’ll bring Johnny out to you.”

  Darcy turned to Grace. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable being an accomplice in this,” she said. “You know I’d do anything for you, Grace, but…”

  “Please,” Stukeley said. “Would you do it for me, Darcy? Look, I know I’m not in any position to ask a favor of you. But would you do it for what we once were to each other—before I destroyed that?”

  Darcy looked across at Stukeley. It had been a long time. There he stood, framed by moonlight. She couldn’t deny that he was still handsome—perhaps, to her chagrin, even more so than she remembered. He was dressed in the Alliance uniform—all part of Grace’s master plan, no doubt—and it lent him a new gravitas.

  “All right then,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll do this.” Turning to Grace and Noijon, she added, “But be quick.”

  As Grace and Noijon headed back inside, Darcy turned to Stukeley, catching him gazing at her a bit too dreamily for her liking.

  “Are you at all pleased to see me?” he asked. “Have you thought about me much?”

  Darcy shook her head. “I’m far too busy to dwell on the past,” she said. “My work here is very important to me.”

  “You always did have a strong sense of duty,” he said. “It’s one of the things that I loved most about you.”

  Despite the “L” word, she didn’t crack. “Come on,” she said. “We can’t dawdle here. I’ll take you to the garden,
like Grace said.”

  He nodded, smiling softly. “Lead the way!”

  She set off with him at her side. He felt dangerously close. At any moment, he might reach out for her. But he didn’t. He was the perfect gentleman.

  When they reached the kitchen garden, he smiled. “Well, this is a pretty spot and no mistake. What do you say we sit down for a moment by this fountain, while we wait for Grace and the others?”

  Darcy shrugged, and, as she did so, her cardigan slipped from her shoulders. She reached out behind her to catch it but Stukeley was already there. His hand met hers. The touch sent shivers along her spine. She removed her hand and allowed him to settle the soft fabric of the cardigan back on her shoulders.

  “There you are,” he said, remaining close.

  “Thanks.” Darcy stepped away from him and sat down on the wooden bench.

  “So, you’re a nurse now?” he said.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “But I think it’s best not to discuss my work here with you. I’m sure you understand.”

  He nodded. As he did so, she saw the deep sadness in his eyes. Once more, she was struck by how handsome he was. And how vulnerable. She’d forgotten this quality but it was one of the things that had drawn her to him in the first place. He had always seemed a little unsure of his place in this world, just like her.

  “Is there anyone special in your life?” he inquired. “Because, though it would hurt me a bit to think of it, I do want you to be happy, Darcy.”

  “My work comes before everything right now,” she replied.

  He nodded, seeming rather pleased by her answer.

  “How about you?” she asked. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “There’s a lovely girl,” he said, his honesty taking her by surprise. “One of Lola’s officers. She’s Italian by birth, from the South. Full of spirit…”

  Darcy was unnerved by the wave of sadness that swept over her as he talked about this other girl. She drew on all her strength to prevent it from showing. Whether Stukeley had seen it or not, he reached out his hand for hers and this time she did not resist his touch.