by Debbie Behan
‘Reluctantly, Axon went to pick up Kayden. He hoped he had everyone gathered so he need make only one trip.
With Axon gone, both girls ran in, opening up the stall doors and began to shoo away the stallions and mares out of the barn. There was only one stall left to open when Caitlin called to Cassie, ‘go! Get the others as far away as you can. I’ll let the last one out and meet you over by the old gum tree to the left of the house.’
‘Is that far enough away, Cait?’
‘I think so. Can’t tell how bad this explosion will be, but it’s nasty.’
‘Hell Cait, I can’t pick up anything. How are you doing this? Nothing is coming from the sky. Are you sure there’s more?’
‘I’m sure, now please go!’ Caitlin had tears streaming down her face. Cassie knew the look and turned, whistled and clapped her hands to move the horses that had stopped.
‘You sure you’re right, Caitlin?’ she yelled to her from the barn door.
‘Yes, go… please! We must save the animals. I’m right behind you! I’ll ride this one out,’ she called after her.
‘Hurry Cait, you’re scaring me.’ Cassie ran outside calling to the precious breeds as she did so.
Back inside, Caitlin opened the door to the last stall and using the pen, climbed up the rails and onto the horse. ‘Move it.’ She dug her heels into the mare. The stubborn horse stood firm. ‘You must be used to your rider, but if you don’t move it horsey, we are dead. That means you will never feel him on your back again!’
She wasn’t sure if the horse understood or felt the looming terror but with a snort and a shake of its head, it bolted out with her holding on tight to its mane. The thing bucked and tried to get her off.
‘I scared you. Good,’ she growled at it. ‘Just get us the hell out of here.’
Her anger and need to rush this mare and get it out quickly came from deep within her, urging her to flee quickly. With a sudden jerk that almost threw her off, the horse stopped and stamped its hoof as if in a tantrum.
‘Move it you stupid-stubborn-blatzing-horse,’ she yelled, and this time gave it a swift jab of her feet into its ribs. It was cranky now, and if they got out alive it would hate her always, but she’d sooner that than leave it to die. The head flew up, nostrils flared, and this time there was no mucking around, it bolted. However, just as they hit the stable doors, there was a sound of grinding cogs, silence, and a shockwave that sucked at them. She knew the blast was all that was left; the final stage of a bomb that was about to tear them and everything around her apart.
‘Move!’ she screamed at the mare, knowing already it was too late. The whole barn exploded, the inferno engulfing the structure, and she was thrown into the air.
Chapter Thirty-One
Dealing with Evil
Axon transported back to the house with Kayden and Woody as the barn exploded into flames. Shargan had seen Caitlin in trouble and broke from the pack to protect her. The shard of steel that headed for Caitlin hit Shargan instead, and the mare collapsed and fell on her side whickering in pain.
Caitlin took the rest of the impact on her back as it blew her off the horse and through the air. Her chest plummeted into the ground as she landed. The black smoke consumed them quickly, and the blast was so powerful, Axon and the others were propelled back a couple of metres. Crashing against the house, Axon used it as leverage and gripped firmly to the veranda posts. Kayden and Woody were thrown out wide, and both slammed into a tree. The aftershock easing, they jumped up, squinting through the black residue and flames that still burned fiercely, getting a fix on where Caitlin had ended up. They raced to her side. Cassie was kneeling, holding Caitlin’s lifeless body, and screamed with frustration when her magic didn’t work. She was distraught when she realised Caitlin was dead.
It was a while before Axon realised he now had hold of her and it was him that screamed and cursed the evil that had taken his Caitlin. He couldn’t feel her pulse or hear her heartbeat no matter how much CPR he did. He blamed Jett immediately. ‘I’m going to kill that bastard.’ He could feel vengeance and hate build inside him. ‘A life for a life!’ he stormed as he rocked her, his incoherent rant indecipherable as he broke into an ancient dialect.
Unable to help Caitlin’s situation, Kayden left her healing to the real professional. His expertise was mending bones, and only Woody had powers enough to bring someone back from hell’s door. Kayden could already tell by the silence of its heartbeat, that one of his prize horses was dead. But Caitlin’s horse lived and raced to the injured horse’s side. He knew if Woody could save Caitlin, she would be devastated to find her horse was gone. This worry for her had him work fast and accurately as he removed the shard of steel and closed the wound with a handheld laser to stop the bleeding. He kept watch as Woody created a healing cocoon around Caitlin, using his magic to mend the wounds, but it looked as if nothing any of them tried would work. Kayden was almost sure she was gone as Woody had used that technique with them all, over the centuries, and it never failed. Why is it not working today?
He heard Woody calling to her spirit. ‘Caitlin, you can call on help to live. I know first-hand how powerful your gifts are,’ Woody insisted and checked again for a pulse. ‘This is ridiculous. We can’t just lose you like this. It doesn’t make sense.’ He eyed Axon. ‘Between Cassie and me, we have all the magic we should need. It’s got to be the universe, it must have an agenda, and it’s not letting us fix her.’ He yelled to pull Axon from his shock.
His words finally broke through Axon’s torment and his glazed eyes cleared. He laid Caitlin on the ground so Woody could concentrate on her alone without his anguish. After a while, he saw tears of rage threaten to run down Woody’s face as nothing he did revived her.
Axon watched and prayed. ‘Please, heavenly angels, help Woody work a miracle. This can’t be the end of such a brave young soul.’ He held one of her burnt hands. ‘Please don’t leave us, beautiful,’ Axon whispered to the lifeless love of his life.
‘Caitlin.’ Woody shook her. ‘I know you can hear me. Your work here is not complete so take a breath. I want you to fight for your life and heat yourself up. I know you can do this. You’re strong, and I’m strong. Together we’ll mend your broken body, do you hear me, Cait? Your work here is not yet done! Now concentrate.’ Woody persisted as if she were still in her body.
Woody believed she had not gone and it gave Axon faith. In an ancient tongue only used by the highest of divine order, he pleaded for her life and watched and waited.
Woody’s healing made her glow a little, something Axon had seen her do when she healed herself for him and Jett. She’d been given that gift for a reason, and he trusted it was for now. He tried to stay confident the supremacies of the heavens saw this coming and they wanted her to live through it. Please let that be true.
Cassie wiped her tears when she saw what Woody was attempting. She sat opposite him and lifted her hand, holding it above her friend’s lifeless, damaged chest. Caitlin had shared this healing gift with her yesterday, and Cassie believed this was the reason why. It had not worked moments before but she had to trust using it together with one so powerful, they had a good chance of at least getting Caitlin to breathe.
Axon was optimistic at first when his girl began to glow, but it didn’t hold and continued to weaken along with hope, which faded fast. As they tried to control the glow, Axon saw a shadow overhead come and go. He knew someone was watching; one of the gods. Maybe it was Jett or one of his brothers. He didn’t care who it was, he just wanted his girl back. The glow started to dull. Axon cried out again for help from the gods above; he knew they were there, somewhere.
Another shadow appeared. It was a man he had heard of but never seen before. He had red skin, cinder black hair and he swooped in and knelt by Caitlin. A mere touch of his hand to her head forced her to take a deep breath.
He stood up. ‘I am Apollo, sent
by my father, who begged me for this favour. He tells me her name is Glow Girl and to tell someone he calls Wolf that his family sends their apologies.’
With no more words, Apollo, God of the Sun, healer and the son of Zeus was gone.
Axon dropped to his knees, unable to believe the evil bastards had even bothered to bring her back, but so very thankful right now that she had made a big enough impression on them that they had. She was breathing.
Woody picked her up and headed for the house. Axon was so weak from the heartache of possibly losing her, that Kayden had to pull him to his feet. Putting a strong arm around him, he walked Axon behind them. There were dark shadows all around Cait. Axon knew it was probably Jett and possibly members of his family that had not entirely transformed to this atmosphere and watched, just out of view, to see if she would live. Axon yelled at them to leave her alone that they didn’t deserve her. He was going to make them pay dearly for what they had done to her. An energy burst came from somewhere inside him, and Axon appeared at Woody’s side, snatched her, transporting her inside the house so they could see her no more.
He stood shaking with her in his arms. When Woody, Kayden and Cassie came inside, they tried to comfort him, seeing the mood he was in.
‘I am taking her home where I can keep her safe. I have better technology there and as soon as my team arrives, send them up. It will take us all to protect her until she is back on her feet.’ He looked around the room. ‘I don’t even trust it in here Kayden. You guys are welcome to come and stay at Ara too; at least until both your properties are scanned for more bombs. Zoren would not be happy for you to stay here, you know this.’
Kayden folded his arms and agreed with a nod.
‘Sorry K, I can’t apologise enough for bringing my evil planet gods to your door.’
Kayden unfolded his arms and rubbed his forehead, feeling the stress of what to do next. ‘I don’t believe it was your gods. I know they have taken responsibility for it, but I’m getting a different vibe. Something’s not quite right, Axon, so before you go accusing Cronus and his family, let’s do a little recon and see where that bomb actually came from.’
‘If it was the gods I’m battling with I have to leave now. Zoren needs to be informed that Hades has lied to get us to relax so he could plan this uncalled for attack. What about you, K? Can I expect you and your team to join us too?’
‘Have you got room for all of us?’
‘Yes, I have plenty. It’s not an inconvenience at all.’
Kayden pinched his chin, thinking it was possibly the best option but wanting to ask Cassie first. He still found this a conundrum but he did trust her instincts. ‘What do you feel, honey?’
‘Not safe, that’s for sure.’
He nodded to Axon. ‘That’s good enough for me. We’re in.’
‘Will you be right to bring both teams?’
‘Not a problem, Rory knows the way so it will be an easy trip.’ He went quiet… ‘I can hear their cars in the distance. Woody can bridle the horses we have here while I set up the carrier to bring up the injured horse. We can drop it off at Pegasus on our way. The vets there will get the mare back on its feet. I know how much Caitlin is connected to Shargan, so tell her we have it under control.’ He went quiet before giving Woody an order. ‘Prepare the horses. I’ve just told both teams to drive straight to the paddock, and we’ll meet them there.’
Woody snatched up the golden bridles, keen to get them all out of the danger zone as quickly as he could manage.
Axon frowned. ‘No hanging about here. I’m still picking up an odour of some sort. I’ll have my staff ready your rooms and anything you need they can fetch from town.’ He could feel Caitlin breathing a little more easily and wasn’t about to jeopardise her recovery by staying a minute longer. ‘I’ll take Cassie with me to keep both women out of any further danger.’
‘Good idea.’ Kayden hugged Cassie and when she complained, calmed her. ‘I need you safe, sweetheart. I promise to see you in a couple of hours.’ He kissed her and as he let her go, Axon moved beside her and touched her shoulder. All three shimmered out of sight.
The second they faded out, Kayden and Woody exited the building and quickly started to gather the horses and move them out into the paddock.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Riders’ Sojourn
(Ara)
Axon transported Caitlin directly to his bedroom. His security was better here than any other room in his castle. ‘Cait honey, keep breathing,’ he whispered to her, and each lungful of air helped him believe she would live.
He laid her gently on the bed to free his hands, pulled a small NAVpod from his pocket, and inserted it in his ear. Worried she would still die, he sat beside Caitlin so he could continue stroking her hair.
‘Nigel, you got me.’
‘Yes My Lord.’
‘Cait has been hurt again, badly this time. Get me the doctor and some help up here.’
‘Right away My Lord.’
‘Nigel.’
‘Yes My Lord.’
‘We have Riders on their way. Two sets; so get an extra five rooms ready.’
‘Doctor first, then rooms. Consider it done, My Lord.’
‘And Nigel.’
‘I know, don’t switch off.’
‘Good, now move it and get up here as soon as the staff are organised and the doctor has been contacted.’
‘Yes, My Lord.’
Anxiously waiting for Nigel to join him, Axon didn’t tap out but instead, listened as his multi-tasking butler summoned the staff while on the phone to the doc.
* * * *
Nigel arrived in a fluster, worried after he heard the tone of Axon’s voice. One thing Nigel had learned while working for this noble was that, when he was upset, there was a damned good reason.
‘Organised, My Lord.’ His words caught in his mouth when he saw Caitlin in a terrible state. The smell of burnt clothes and skin made him shudder. Beside the bed sat Axon and standing next to him was a pretty young lady, looking sad and wet-faced from so many tears.
Axon started to bark orders at him and wanted to know what the doctor said. It took a couple of seconds before any of the words made sense. His eyes hadn’t left Caitlin, the friend he had made, the girl he adored.
‘Doc Petersen is over in sector12 dealing with an emergency,’ Nigel coughed out, controlling his voice.
‘Then contact the physician King Lepius.’
‘My lord, last we heard, King Lepius had his off-world travel revoked by the Cloud Riders, until further notice.’
‘Yes, that is true, but let me introduce you to Cassie, one of the Cloud Riders.’ Axon turned to her. ‘This is Nigel, and you may say at times, my right-hand man. If he takes you to the NAVcom, can you contact Zoren and get the King clearance to go off world, just this once? We need a doctor and let’s face it, he might now be a King of his Home World, but to us, he is still doc Lepius and the best we know.’
‘I agree and he’s the only doctor I’d want if that was me.’ She glanced at Caitlin. ‘Nigel, point me in the direction of the NAVcom mains, and I’ll contact Zoren for permission. I’m positive he will allow King Lepius travel when it’s for a Rider.’ Cassie was more than willing to help in any way she could.
Axon gave the nod to Nigel. ‘Stay with Cassie in case she needs anything and after that, show her a couple of rooms she can choose from before Kayden arrives. And Nigel, make sure theirs has an ensuites. I want them comfortable.’
It was only then that Cassie inspected herself. ‘That would be appreciated.’ She wiped at the blood smear on her arms from holding Caitlin. ‘I might take a shower if you don’t need me here.’
‘No use both of us waiting for a doctor to turn up. Nigel will organise you a change of clothes.’
She gave a weak smile. ‘Miss my horse! Starburst
would have dressed me to save the hassle. But thanks. Appreciate your hospitality, Axon.’
‘No need to thank me. You have done so much for my lot. Once the physician has been, I will come and find you and let you know how Cait’s doing.’
Although she was communicating well enough, Cassie’s eyes were glazed, and Axon could see she was still in shock. Not wishing her to be left alone, he turned to Nigel. ‘Once she is settled in her room, have a maid stay with her until Kayden arrives. Cassie will be poorly while Cait is ill. The two girls are different to the rest, they have a strong connection even though they are on different teams.’
Nigel lowered his head to Axon. ‘Will that be all, My Lord?’
‘Just get some help in here now!’ Axon scowled at his butler.
‘Yes My Lord, I can hear the staff coming now.’ He stood with the door open waiting for them. ‘They are to fill the bath, light the fire and will warm nightwear for Caitlin while they help bathe her.’ He looked back at Caitlin, the sadness for her condition apparent when he went quiet and stood still.
‘Come on Nigel, she’s not dead.’
The butler bowed. ‘No My Lord, I just hate to see her so poorly,’ he said as the two chamber maidens he had organised bustled in with fresh towels, nightgown, bathrobe and toiletries.
Axon saw Nigel still hesitating. ‘Yes?’
‘I will have a team waiting for the ten Riders. Will there be other horses?’ He glanced over at Cassie.
‘There will be an extra horse, Cassie’s stallion, Starburst. Tell the stable-hands the Rider’s horses get priority.’ Axon made a hand gesture to have him leave.
Nigel turned to the guest. ‘Miss Cassie, are you ready?’
‘Sure.’ She gave Axon a friendly pat on the back. ‘She will be okay now I know it’s our King Lepius coming. I thank the lucky stars his title didn’t go to his head and he has stayed our physician.’ She followed Nigel out.
