Eternal

by Pati Nagle

  “Stay here,” he said, and went out through the entryway.

  The front door closed. I stumbled over to the couch, confused.

  I heard voices, Madóran‘s and the stranger’s, talking in ælven. I felt shaky and wanted to call Savhoran, but it was night and he would be hunting.

  Gradually I came to realize that I’d been controlled again, just in a different way. A terrifying way. Someone—Caeran?—had said that alben liked to go after the opposite sex, using seduction to disarm their victims. I had thought normal seduction. This was something else.

  Len came back with a tea tray which she set on the coffee table. “Where’s Madóran?”

  “Outside. Talking to—to an alben.”

  “What!?”

  She started toward the window. I got in front of her.

  “Don’t look! He did a whammy on me just through the window.”

  She looked alarmed at that. “He? It’s not the same one?”

  I shook my head. “Madóran said to stay inside.”

  “But he’s alone out there! Defenseless!”

  “They’re just talking. And anyway, what could we do?”

  She got a grim look on her face and pulled her pepper spray out of her pocket. I hadn’t expected her to keep carrying it here—mine was in my room—and I wondered what had made her so paranoid. Sadly, it wasn’t misplaced.

  She went to the window and peeked around the edge of the curtain. “You’re right, they’re just talking. Oh, jeez!”

  She turned away from the window and stood blinking. I went over to her and touched her arm.

  “You OK?”

  She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. “Yeah. He looked at me. Damn it! Gehmanin didn’t do that!”

  “Who?”

  She met my gaze. “The campus killer from last fall.”

  “Oh.”

  “He never did that mesmerizing thing to me. He was always just angry. No wonder Caeran’s afraid of the female!”

  “Why should he be afraid? She’s after humans, not ælven.”

  “She can feed on ælven, too. Humans are just easier to control. The other thing is that she may want to breed.”

  “Oh! Holy crap!”

  “Yeah.”

  Len sat on the couch and glanced toward the window. They were still talking outside, so I guessed Madóran was all right, but I didn’t like it. Neither did Len.

  She stood up. “I’m going to get Nathrin.”

  I watched her go out through the entryway to the plazuela. Thought about getting my pepper spray from my room, but before I could do it I heard the front door.

  I waited, holding my breath, hoping the alben hadn’t come inside. When Madóran came in alone I sighed with relief.

  “He is gone,” Madóran said.

  “For good?”

  “I hope so. I asked him to hunt elsewhere.”

  “You mean you can just ask an alben to do something and they will?”

  “It depends on the alben.”

  Madóran pulled the curtains over all the windows, then sat on the couch and poured tea. He offered me a mug. My hand shook a little as I took it.

  “Where is Len?” he asked.

  “She went to tell Nathrin.”

  Even as I said it, the entry door opened and they both came in. Nathrin looked ready for a fight.

  “Where is he?”

  “Gone,” Madóran said.

  Nathrin’s eyes narrowed. “You are certain?”

  Madóran gave a small shrug. “Not absolutely. I asked him to leave and he agreed, but he could return.”

  Nathrin pressed his lips together. “Who was it?”

  “Pirian.”

  Frowning, Nathrin took two steps backward, then turned and left. Going back to protect his lady.

  Len came and sat next to me. Madóran gave her a mug of tea.

  “So it was someone you know?” I asked.

  He nodded. “An old acquaintance. Gehmanin told Pirian that he was coming to look for me, and Pirian decided to follow.”

  Len didn’t look happy about that.

  “Why?” I asked.

  Madóran sighed. “They were lovers. Pirian contracted the disease from Gehmanin. He was … jealous.”

  I frowned, not getting it. “Jealous of you?”

  He nodded, then put his face in his hands. Len shot me a warning glance, so I quit asking questions.

  “If there’s anything we can do to help, please tell us,” she said.

  He looked up at her, then at me. “Do not go outside alone. It would be best if you did not go out without me.”

  “But the plazuela‘s OK, right?” I asked.

  Madóran shook his head slowly. “Not really.”

  Len looked at me. “He can climb. Heck, with a step up, I could climb onto the roof of the portal, and any ælven is way more agile than me.”

  I was used to thinking the hacienda was like a fortress. Trouble was, it was built to protect against human enemies, not ælven. It was defensible, yes, but that took defenders. There were three of us—five if you counted Nathrin and Mirali—and I was pretty sure that wasn’t enough.

  “We must stay together,” Madóran said. “Amanda, I think it would be best if you moved in with Len. Her room is next to mine, and Nathrin and Mirali are in the chamber on the other side.”

  “Should I call Caeran?” Len asked.

  Madóran frowned. “I think … yes. We must ask them to come.”

  “And Savhoran, right?” I said.

  He looked pained. “Savhoran is vulnerable. It might be better …”

  “If they left him alone in Albuquerque?” I said. “I don’t think so.”

  “There is no good solution.” Madóran sighed. “Please tell him he is welcome to come. The choice is his.”

  I nodded and took out my cell phone. Len was already texting on hers. Savhoran didn’t know how to text yet, so I called his number and wandered over toward the dining table at the far end of the room. I felt Madóran watching me.

  I got Savhoran’s voicemail. Probably he’d left the phone at home while he went out hunting with the others. I left a message asking him to call me, then put my phone away and went back to the couch.

  My tea was lukewarm. I drank it anyway; black tea with mint to soothe the nerves. I was picking up a little herbal knowledge from Madóran, for whatever good it would do me. Not much if I didn’t survive the summer.

  “They’re in the bosque,” Len said. “Caeran’s going to gather the others.”

  “Is Savhoran with them?” I asked.

  “He didn’t say.”

  We finished our tea, then Madóran led us around the house, locking all the doors and windows. We went around the plazeula, too, closing the doors in the glass wall. I hadn’t noticed, but they all had bolt latches. Not that that would do a lot; anyone determined to get in could simply break the glass.

  Madóran held his hand on each doorknob and murmured something. I thought I saw a glow of light under his hand, and I definitely felt the back of my neck prickling.

  When everything was as secure as it would get, Madóran made me pack up my stuff and he and Len helped me move it to her room. I’d probably get moved again when Caeran and the others got here, but for now I was glad not to be alone.

  Len’s room was in the middle of the hacienda’s west side, and the curtains and all the bedding were deep blue, while the lamps had mica shades that glowed orange-gold. There was a dresser that looked at least a hundred years old. On top of it was a wooden tray carved with mermaids. Too gorgeous for its current contents, which had last resided in Len’s pockets. Handful of change, keychain, lip gloss.

  Besides the bedroom furniture, every inch of available wall space was filled with bookcases. There was only one bed but it was huge, so Len and I wouldn’t be getting in each other’s way. Over the headboard hung a Georgia O’Keeffe painting; an original, I suspected. There was another over the dresser.

  Madóran went to a door in the r
oom’s south wall and undid the latch hook. “This leads to my sitting room. The opposite door leads to Nathrin and Mirali’s room. We must leave them all unlatched, so that we can move among these rooms without going onto the portal if need be.”

  Len nodded. “What about meals?”

  “I will prepare a store of food that we can keep here, enough for a few days. I hope we shall not have to use it. Meanwhile, we should all move to and from the public rooms together.”

  Madóran went to the east door, the one that opened on the plazuela. “I will tell Nathrin and Mirali this plan. Please do not go out.”

  He left, closing the door gently behind him. Len and I looked at each other.

  “Let me clear a couple of drawers for you,” she said, heading for the dresser.

  “Don’t bother. Caeran will be here soon. I’ll just live out of my bag.”

  She sat on the bed, sighing. “I’m sorry about all this.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “I feel like it is.”

  “Don’t.” I sat next to her. “Listen, the minute Savhoran came into the picture, I stayed because I wanted to. You’re not responsible.”

  Len smiled sadly. “I’m glad you like him. He was so crushed when Tiruli left.”

  “Tiruli? Was that…?”

  “His partner. Ex-partner. She just couldn’t handle it. I guess I understand why, but she really let him down right when he needed support.”

  “Did they do that—that thing you and Caeran did at Midsummer?”

  “Cup-bond. Yeah, they were supposed to renew it at Evennight, but Tiruli left before then.”

  “Evennight?”

  “The equinox. Spring, in this case. Savhoran didn’t celebrate it with the others, just stayed holed up in his room. I was afraid he’d—well, give up.”

  “Suicide.”

  She nodded.

  “He still might.” I swallowed; I hadn’t voiced that fear before. “He’s having a hard time with this disease.”

  “He’s doing a lot better since he met you.”

  “Thanks.”

  That gave me a little warm glow in my belly. Len hugged me, then we got ready for bed. Madóran came back through the door to Nathrin and Mirali’s room, told us to come use his bathroom if we needed to, then said good night.

  Maybe from stress, or from being in a new room, I had trouble getting to sleep. When I finally did drop off, I dreamed about the alben guy. Just like the reality had been, the dream was exciting and horrifying at the same time, only this time there was no Madóran to intervene, so the alben got to me and, well, let’s just say it would probably be a hit at the movies. But I didn’t like it. Enjoyed; didn’t like.

  I figured out that it was a dream and struggled to wake up. Finally succeeded and opened my eyes. The room was very still and dark. I looked around, then froze.

  I could just see the silhouette of a man standing at the foot of the bed.

  I sat up, fixing to scream.

  Don’t be afraid. It’s me.

  Relief washed through me, along with a breathtaking awareness of Caeran. He’d never talked to me like that before. It reassured me that all my ideas about him were correct.

  Did you just get here?

  Yes. I didn’t know you were sharing Len’s room.

  Madóran wanted us all together. I moved to get out of the bed.

  No, stay there. Don’t wake her.

  Caeran went and sat in the armchair across the room. I couldn’t see his face.

  How did you get in? We locked everything up—

  Madóran gave me a key last winter.

  Oh. I hesitated, then figured what the hell. He could probably tell what I was thinking anyway. Where’s Savhoran?

  I sensed a flicker of frustration, then Caeran tightened his shielding. Duh—I’d forgotten. I hastily put some white light around myself.

  He wouldn’t come. He didn’t want to make the others uncomfortable.

  Five was a tight fit in Len’s car, but I suspected that wasn’t the reason. Savhoran was sensitive; he knew the rest of the clan didn’t like being physically close to him.

  So he’s alone?

  I offered to go back for him, but he didn’t want me to take the risk.

  I was not happy about this. I concentrated on the white light for a minute, not wanting my feelings to annoy Caeran.

  I called his cell, but he didn’t answer.

  He may have left it at home.

  Yeah, probably. Crap.

  In a day or two, if things are quiet here, I will go back for him.

  Thanks.

  Rest, now. I must talk to Madóran.

  OK. I’m glad you’re here.

  His answer was wordless and warm. He went to the door into Madóran‘s room, and by the time he closed it, he’d slipped out of contact.

  I sighed. I was glad Caeran and the others had come, but I was worried about Savhoran. It was hard to keep from grabbing my phone and calling again right then, but there was no point in doing that before morning. I lay down and kept my thoughts firmly on Savhoran until I fell asleep.

  Len tickled me awake. I sat up gasping and thrashing.

  She laughed. Daylight was streaming in behind her through a window to the portal.

  “Dammit!” I aimed a pillow at her. She dodged so it just hit a glancing blow.

  She grinned. “Get up, lazy. Breakfast is ready.”

  I slithered to my feet and pulled my t-shirt down. “You just want me out of your bed now that Caeran’s back.”

  “How did you know he was back?”

  “Um. He stopped by. You were asleep.”

  “Oh.” She looked momentarily unhappy, then dismissed it. “Come on, before they eat all the waffles.”

  I pulled on my jeans and combed my hair with my fingers as we went out to the portal. Apparently it was OK to walk around out there during daylight, but the glass doors were all still latched. Out in the plazuela a breeze stirred the roses and bees hummed around the pansies.

  The kitchen was full of ælven and smelled like maple syrup and sausage. My stomach informed me the menu was acceptable. Len went to sit by Caeran, so I went over to the counter and put some sausage and sliced melon on a plate.

  Madóran was pouring batter into an old-fashioned cast iron waffler on the stove. He closed it, then smiled at me. “Good morning.”

  I swallowed a bite of melon. “Morning. Smells fantastic.”

  “This one will be yours. The others have all had at least one.”

  I poured myself some tea and stood leaning against the counter, since the chairs were all taken. Nathrin and Mirali were over on the banco by the fireplace with plates in their laps. Caeran, Len, and the other three were at the table. There would have been room for everyone at the big table in the great room, but it was cozier in the kitchen, and the closeness felt safer.

  The whole clan—at least the New Mexico branch, there might be others—was assembled. Savhoran should have been there, too.

  I pushed that thought away and munched on a sausage until my waffle was ready. I slathered it with butter and drenched it with maple syrup—the real stuff—and stood at the counter eating while I watched Madóran make the next one.

  “Would you like another?”

  “In a bit. I want to call Savhoran.”

  “I tried,” Caeran said from the table. “He’s still not answering.”

  “Well, then I’ll leave him a message.”

  I was in a stubborn mood. I started for the door to the portal, and Lomen got up and followed me. I was about to tell him to mind his own business, but Madóran caught my eye.

  “Do not go outside alone, even in daylight.”

  I swallowed my cranky response and looked at Lomen. “Thanks.”

  He smiled and walked with me to Len’s room. I got out my phone and noticed it was nearly dead. Called Savhoran’s number and listened to it ring, then fought back tears as the voicemail kicked in.

  “Hi, Savhoran, it’
s Manda. Give me a call please.”

  That’s all I said, because my voice was pretty shaky. I hung up, dug out my charger, plugged it in, and stuck the phone in it.

  “Do not worry,” Lomen said as we walked back to the kitchen. “Savhoran may have forgotten to charge his phone. He has done so before. Your technology is difficult for us.”

  “You guys have been here for like six months, right?”

  “Yes, but we have not been using phones that long. Caeran got his at Evennight—it was a gift from Len—and Savhoran only got his a few weeks ago.”

  I stopped, trying to get the better of my dread. “Where is he if he isn’t at home?”

  Lomen met my gaze and I felt his sympathy. “I do not know, but he is alive. We would know if he had crossed.”

  I blinked. “You’re all that connected?”

  He nodded. “So be at ease. He is well.”

  As well as he could be.

  Madóran was still making waffles. I’d lost my appetite, so I got a mug of tea and sat on the banco nursing it. Nathrin and Mirali were talking in ælven on the other side of the fireplace.

  I felt like an outsider, honorary clan membership notwithstanding. My heart was back in Albuquerque with Savhoran. He was an outcast too, sort of. They could say all they wanted that he was still family, but he knew the difference, and so did I.

  I thought about taking Len’s car to go find him, but I knew what wouldn’t go over well. Madóran wanted me to stay at the hacienda, and he was probably right that I was safer there than anywhere else.

  So. Wait it out. Not fun.

  At the table they were talking strategy now, so I drifted over to listen. Bironan wanted to go pro-active and hunt the alben down, but Faranin was arguing for caution.

  “There are two of them now.”

  “And six of us,” said Bironan, glancing over his shoulder at Nathrin. “We should be able to overcome them, even if they band together.”

  “But Mirali—and the mortals—must be protected.”

  “So the most effective use of our strength is to let them come to us,” said Lomen.

  “Yes,” said Faranin.

  “If we hunt them separately, three of us should be enough to take them,” Bironan argued. “Let Nathrin, Madóran, and Caeran stay here.”

  “Pirian did us no harm,” said Madóran, his face troubled. “I asked him to leave and he did.”