The Wexkia Trilogy: Boxed Set

by Dale Furse

  His voice was indifferent. ‘Don't you like it?’

  ‘Not really,’ Nell said.

  He cautiously moved past Nell and, collecting a cleaning cloth from a trolley that stood just outside the door, proceeded to clean the floor. Nell stepped back, thinking he might feel more comfortable if there was some distance between them. The cloth removed the mess with one swipe and he left, leaving the door open.

  Cay-reace stepped over the threshold and smiled at Nell.

  Kindness emanated from him. Thankful he no longer appeared terrified of her, she surveyed him from head to foot. Although he was skinnier than other Phibs, his body was in proportion and his clothes fitted him properly. His face was obviously handsome but the stress of his predicament had made him age with his lined forehead and dark circles under his eyes. The corners of his mouth drooped giving him a sad-clown appearance. The shape and position of his cheekbones were similar to her father’s. She sensed there was once much life in his tired blue eyes. His short white hair shone as he moved under the light to Cay-Meka. After he finished examining her, he turned. His face had taken on a grave look. ‘Any questions?’ he asked Nell.

  She frowned. The way Nadar had spoken Cay-tatel’s name, she was obviously in league with him. Nell didn’t like the thought of her blood flowing through her cousin. The poor thing had enough troubles.

  ‘I think Dar-Seldra or my father would be better matches for Cay-Meka. I don’t like the sound of Cay-tatel.’

  ‘Dar-tern? He wouldn’t be suitable. Only female blood can be given to a female. They are the same type. Males can only give to males. However, Dar-Seldra would be the most appropriate donor.’ Cay-reace looked desolate. ‘No. Nadar would never allow it.’

  Exasperated, Nell growled, and turned her back on Cay-reace. Not wanting to hurt him, she fought to keep her anger in check. When she calmed down, she faced him. ‘If Corls are so advanced, why can't they save her without a transfusion?’

  ‘They can,’ Cay-reace answered sadly. ‘At a restoration.’

  ‘Oh.’ Nell understood his meaning. ‘So her aunt, Cay-tatel, can be used to save her?’

  ‘No. I have relayed the same to Nadar and he advised me Cay-tatel will find some other female from the maternal side.’

  ‘The maternal side? You mean only Dar-Seldra's side?’ Nell could feel her blood pulsating in her neck and had to struggle to control her anger. ‘There are no other female relatives on Dar-Seldra’s side. Her mother is dead and she had no sisters. Nadar would know that.’

  He looked frightened, but stammered. ‘I didn’t know that and Nadar mustn’t know either. I will inform him.’

  Nell knew how helpless he felt. She felt the same.

  Once he left, Nell slid her body down the wall and sat with her arms hugging her knees. She hoped he would convince Nadar to take Cay-Meka to a restoration.

  Unable to sit still, she began pacing the floor from one wall to the other. Sam would have told her father by now. Dar-Seldra would be worried sick about her daughter, especially if they saw all the blood on Nadar's floor.

  Why was Nadar keeping her there? He could force her to go anywhere with him in the blink of an eye. It didn’t make sense … unless … Huh. He was scared of her.

  She thought about the Wintar she hurt and sat heavily on the other bed.

  What if she had killed him? What if Nadar was right and she lost control completely. She might kill again. She dropped her head face down on the pillow and allowed hot tears to flow once more. Even if the Wintar wasn't dead, she had hurt him a lot.

  Her thoughts drifted to Cay-Meka and Nell hiccoughed. She let out a breath thinking she deserved to be locked away. She lifted her legs onto the bed and, more emotionally than physically exhausted, fell asleep.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  EVERY NOW AND THEN NELL AWOKE IN a sweat. Sometimes people chased her with needles. Other times, her mind was full of visions of the book and a beautiful world of high, tree-studded mountains, winding rivers, lakes and blue oceans. Happy people stopped and talked with her before continuing on their way. The contented songs of harps filled the air. She fought to stay there. That's where she wanted to be, that's where she belonged.

  ‘Are you all right, Nell?’

  It was Cay-reace's concerned voice. She opened her eyes and tried to move off the bed but couldn't. She had twisted the covers so much she had to untangle them from her legs. Finally out of her harness of sheets she looked up at Cay-reace. He held a tray and something on it smelt so good it made her stomach rumble.

  Ignoring it, she said, ‘I'm fine.’ And she knew she meant it. Nell was one of those nice people of her dream. Her potent blood flowed through her veins and ignited a flame in her soul. There was a reason she was born. She must bring the Phibs and Wintars together once more. They were all one race, including Nell. There’ll be many more like her, and they can't lock every one away. She frowned. She would find the book but first, she had to save Cay-Meka. ‘Did you speak to Nadar?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The way he spoke and the glum look on his face told her the Corl monster hadn’t listened. ‘He doesn’t care, does he?’

  ‘He doesn’t think the notion of family related blood types being the same is correct. He says Cay-tatel and Cay-Meka have the same blood types.’

  ‘But why did you say the donor had to be on the mother’s side?’

  ‘Because that is the truth. Blood types might be the same with someone else but it will be missing a most important aspect. Phib female and male genetics are extremely different from Wintars’. A donor must be maternally related. He honestly believes the Phibs’ tradition is nothing more than superstition with no bearing on scientific fact.’

  She almost growled. Nadar knew Phib and Wintar were once one race and he was gambling with Cay-Meka’s life that both races are still the same.

  Cay-reace stepped back and although he tried to hide it, it was plain by his eyes. He was frightened of her. She leaned forward and took the tray he held. The plate of food looked and smelt like Thai fish cakes. Nell's mouth watered.

  He went to the other bed, stroked his niece’s forehead and held her pallid hand while Nell ate.

  ‘How long does it take to hand out a tray, Cay-reace?’ Tanat's voice came from just outside the door.

  Nell started and nearly dropped the tray.

  Cay-reace's knuckles whitened as his hands curled into fists. Putting the tray on the bed, Nell stood up as Cay-reace rounded on Tanat. ‘Did you know Cay-Meka was the one injured?’

  Tanat's eyebrow rose in slight surprise but his face was still as stone. He asked, ‘Was?’

  ‘Is.’

  ‘Yes.’ The eyebrow returned to its normal position.

  Nell searched, but found no feeling in Tanat's face. ‘Cay-Meka was right not to trust you,’ she hissed. When she moved to the foot of Cay-Meka's bed, Nell thought she saw something glimmer in Tanat's eyes. However, not being sure what, she presumed it was dislike for her.

  Neither Tanat nor Cay-reace seemed to have thought it prudent to cover the exposed skin on their arms, hands or faces. If she did nothing, Cay-Meka would probably die. If she acted on the plan that had instantly surfaced in her mind, Cay-Meka might still die. Fear kept her still. Nadar was obviously powerful. He had Wintar and Phib, as well as Corl, working for and with him. Fear of inaction replaced the dread of action. She took a breath. Trust your instincts, Nell. With a slight crouch, she sprang forward caught hold of Cay-reace. She had to pull off her greatest ever acting scene.

  ‘Don't make me angry,’ she warned in her most threatening voice. Her eyes narrowed on Tanat. ‘You've seen what I can do.’

  Tanat stepped back into the passageway with his palms facing Nell at chest height.

  Cay-reace shrank from her touch.

  ‘I won't touch your skin if you do as you're told. Both of you will take me to Nadar.’ Nell wondered if the Phib doctor really thought she could harm him. If he was acting, he was much better at it than
she was. If she thought she could control her emotions, she would have connected with his mind and told him her plan, but she couldn't risk hurting him.

  ‘You first,’ she nodded to Tanat, who didn't appear in the least concerned.

  Tanat swaggered along the passage. Nell and Cay-reace's shoulders scraped the walls as they walked side-by-side. Submarine-like hatches blocked the way in front and behind them. As they approached the first hatch, Tanat raised a hand to a panel beside it.

  Nell took the opportunity to wink at Cay-reace, but he refused to even look at her.

  The hatch opened with a loud scrape and they stepped through to another passageway. At the end, another hatch waited for them and after that, another. Each time Tanat used a panel to open a hatch, Nell tried to get Cay-reace's attention, but could not.

  After the fourth hatch, they emerged onto a bridge. Tanat stepped to one side to allow room for Nell and Cay-reace to enter onto the platform. Daylight streamed through large windows. Nell had assumed they were travelling in space but snow-covered mountains loomed in the distance.

  The ship didn't appear to be moving fast. Keeping the Phib close, she sidestepped to where she could see the ground through the window closest to her. Snow and ice was everywhere.

  She turned her attention back to the room. Three people faced the consoles. They had differing lengths and shades of dark curls. More Wintars.

  Nadar sat in the middle of the room looking towards the mountains. He had his back to Nell and drank something that smelt like vinegar. No one seemed to notice their arrival so she nudged Cay-reace.

  ‘Sir?’ Cay-reace said.

  The anxiety in his voice was tangible and all eyes turned towards them.

  Standing, Nadar said, ‘What do you think you're doing, child? Why did you allow her to escape?’ he asked Tanat.

  He raised his hands, palms up. ‘I saw what she did to the sergeant.’

  On hearing that, the three Wintars grouped together behind Nadar.

  ‘Get her,’ Nadar ordered them.

  Observing the effect she had on the Wintars amused Nell and instilled a sense of bravado. She pushed Cay-reace ahead of her towards the Corl.

  Trying to sound in control, she said, ‘Cay-Meka needs help. You will turn this ship around and go to a restoration.’ No one moved. ‘Now!’

  Tanat moved down the side steps and closer to Nadar. Nell couldn't stop him and keep a hold on Cay-reace.

  ‘Don't you want to see the book?’ Nadar said. ‘Because that is where this ship is going. I took the book to the Pole. It’s waiting for you there, and if you don't behave, I will have it destroyed.’

  He spoke as if Nell's consent was assured. Trying to quell her anger, she took another deep breath. Feeling in control of her emotions, she shoved Cay-reace away and rushed for Nadar.

  ‘You will—’ she began, but before she could reach him, Nadar sneered and flicked his wrist. He was going to travel. Tanat lunged and held onto Nadar's arm.

  ‘Bloody cowards,’ Nell called as they disappeared, even though she knew they wouldn't hear her. She almost spat on the floor. Her stomach tied itself into a knot at the thought, the realisation, of what her mind was capable of. She closed her eyes and saw Nadar and Tanat appear in an ice-walled room. A small hysterical laugh began to build in her chest. I will find you, she screamed silently. She wondered if they could hear her.

  The three men and Cay-reace watched her through terrified eyes. They appeared frozen in their expressions of horror. She hoped they wouldn't do anything that might make her lose her tentative grasp on self-control. She had to keep them scared of her but she didn’t want to hurt them in any way. She rounded on the young Wintar who stood, as if glued to the floor, at the middle console and demanded, ‘Where are we?’

  He looked at the console. ‘We will be approaching the landing bay of the Pole outpost shortly,’ he sputtered.

  So, Nadar was telling the truth. He really was taking her to the Pole. Where else would have ice walls. Nell waved the other two Wintars to their consoles.

  ‘What about Cay-Meka? There is no restoration at the pole,’ Cay-reace said urgently.

  Her hands covered her eyes as Nell slumped into the chair that Nadar had occupied. She was so close she could almost feel the book in her hands. An image of Cay-Meka, pale and weak, popped into her mind. Nadar would have to wait.

  The same Wintar announced, ‘Descending to the landing bay.’

  Only ice and snow could be seen through the windows. ‘Wait,’ Nell said. ‘Don't land. Take us to the nearest restoration.’

  The dark-haired man stared at her blankly and Cay-reace said a quick thank you before rushing from the bridge.

  ‘Now!’ She was surprised by the authority in her voice.

  Fear flitted over his face as he turned and punched some buttons. As the ship rose and turned, she bit her cheek at his reaction. Walking to his side, she asked, ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Dainar,’ he said, openly contemptuous.

  Nell spoke to all three Wintars. ‘Look, I don't want to hurt any of you. Just do what I say and you'll be fine.’

  All three returned to their duties.

  After speaking with Cay-reace via an intercom, Nell was convinced Cay-Meka was safe, at least for the time being. Slumping back in the chair, her hands covered her face again as she thought about her father. Would he stop her from going after the book? She sighed. She couldn’t let him stop her. No one would stop her. They'll just have to understand. Finding Nadar wouldn't be a problem but she wasn't sure if he would have the book with him. He threatened to destroy it but she didn’t believe he would. It wouldn’t make sense. Her heart fluttered and her hand moved to her chest. She had to control her abilities. If she injured him, she would never find it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  A VOICE CAME FROM BEHIND. ‘FEELING SORRY for yourself again?’

  Nell jumped out of the captain’s chair and swung around. ‘Sam!’ She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. ‘How did you get here?’

  ‘Kandar.’ Sam jutted out his chin over Nell’s shoulder. ‘How else?’

  She turned her head and Kandar, watching with amusement, said, ‘Is there one for me?’

  ‘Of course.’ Nell let go of Sam and hugged Kandar. ‘But, how did you find us?’

  Kandar replied, ‘Actually, Orenda led the way.’

  When she let go, she saw they had a companion: the fairy-like being she'd seen and almost met a couple of times. Nell thought its rat-like ears and face were cute. Remembering Cay-Meka's warning, she stepped back.

  ‘You've heard of us,’ Orenda said in a squeaky voice.

  Nell replied, ‘A bit.’

  Orenda twitched her nose.

  ‘This is Orenda,’ Sam said, and a look of awe crossed his face. ‘She's an enchantress.’

  ‘As all Grarls are,’ Orenda said in a matter-of-fact tone. ‘That is, we females. The males are spellbinders.’

  Nell smiled at the little being. Cay-Meka was wrong. Orenda wasn’t at all dangerous. She said to Kandar, ‘I thought you could only take one person with you at a time.’

  ‘I don't need a Corl's help to travel,’ Orenda said in an affronted tone. ‘Grarls can go anywhere we please, at any time.’

  ‘Don't worry, they're not evil,’ Sam said, and searched the room with a cheeky grin. ‘Speaking of evil, where's Cay-Meka?’

  ‘She's still not well. I'm taking her to a restoration.’

  Sam's expression became worried. ‘I knew she was hurt, but Nadar said he had a physician.’

  ‘He couldn't help her,’ Nell said. ‘Kandar, can you take Cay-Meka? I need to go back to the pole.’

  ‘I will, but first, Orenda, could you assess Cay-Meka's condition?’

  Orenda disappeared in an instant just like Corls did with their bracelets, and Kandar continued, ‘Nell, tell me what happened at Nadar's house.’

  Nell told him how Cay-Meka came to be hurt. ‘It was my fault,’ she said. ‘If I
hadn't startled her, she wouldn't have jumped back onto the knife.’

  ‘If Nadar didn't have the knife in the first place,’ Sam said. ‘She wouldn't have been injured.’

  ‘That is true,’ Kandar said.

  Orenda reappeared between Kandar and Nell. ‘The girl is stable,’ she said in her squeaky voice. ‘Her wound is healed but she lost a great deal of blood. The physician thought she may need a transfusion but it appears she is recovering herself.’

  ‘Really?’ Nell asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Orenda said, and sat on the chair Nadar had sat in.

  ‘Tanat is with Nadar,’ Nell said.

  Orenda sighed, ‘Ooh, handsome Tanat.’

  ‘He might be handsome but he's a traitor,’ Nell snapped.

  ‘Now, now,’ said Kandar, eyeing the backs of the men at the console. ‘We'll leave Tanat out of this. Sam told me my brother has a book similar to the one you spoke of.’

  ‘It is the one I spoke of, and if I can get it, I can prove everything I said was true.’

  ‘Nell, do you know the language of the book?’ Kandar asked.

  ‘Wexkian.’

  Kandar's eyes widened in alarm at Nell's answer.

  ‘I can read it. I can do a lot of things,’ she said. Her eyes clouded. ‘I can hurt people.’

  ‘Who have you hurt?’ asked Sam, as if he didn't believe her.

  ‘I don’t know his name. He was working for Nadar, um, a sergeant, I think someone said.’

  Kandar spoke urgently. ‘Orenda, go see what you can do for this man.’ He took Nell's hand. ‘You come with me. Sam, stay here and watch them.’ At the last, he waved his arm over the Wintars.

  Once in the passageway, he opened a door that led into a dining room. A long metal table bolted to the floor, with chairs either side, stood in the middle of the rectangular room. Three square openings, like serving hatches, were spaced evenly in each of the longer walls and the back wall.

  Kandar stood in front of the nearest opening and turned to Nell. ‘Juice?’ he asked.

  Nell nodded. ‘Yes, please,’ she said, and a glass of orange juice appeared in the opening. ‘Wow, how did you do that?’