The Last Oracle

by Colvin, Delia

Alex rushed up the steps and into the main house as the blades of the medical helicopter that transported Valeria began to slowly turn. His eyes darted upstairs to the bedrooms—no one was there. Then Mani—who was having a discussion with one of the medics—glanced up at Alex and nodded toward the kitchen. Alex’s eyes traced the line down the hallway and stopped at the library door. It was the room where Alex and Valeria had shared their private moment after being pronounced husband and wife. He remembered their kiss and how incredibly fortunate he had felt that day. Now he prayed that she survived.

  As he stepped past the medics, with his heart pounding furiously, he saw Paolo dutifully holding Valeria’s hand while she lay in the hospital bed—the new addition to the room. Alex fought back his anger and fear and went to her side. Biting back his emotions, he glanced at his wife on the hospital bed that Mani must have had delivered; seeing that she was breathing, he sighed.

  “Mani says she will be all right,” Paolo said softly, continuing to hold Valeria’s hand. Alex breathed out a sigh of relief mixed with rage that Paolo was the one telling him the news. As gently as was possible for him at that moment, Alex placed his hand under Paolo’s arm. Paolo rose as if completely unaware that he had crossed the line. Then Alex led him to the door.

  “You wish to speak privately?” Paolo began.

  Alex forced himself to close the door gently, in Paolo’s face, rather than the violent action he so wished to release. Then he fought back his tears and returned to his wife.

  Even in the dim light of the room, he could see that she was not all right. She was wearing a clean, light blue hospital gown, but was still covered in blood and bruises and, now, bandages. Alex tried to hide his emotions as he went to her and kissed her and held her hand.

  “Is she alright?” came Valeria’s weak voice.

  “Who?”

  “Our daughter,” she whispered.

  He kissed her hand. “So, it’s a ‘she’?” He tried to smile, but it failed him. There was a knock at the door and Mani entered. Two men followed with several pieces of equipment.

  “Doc?” Alex said, desperate to hear the official word. “How is she?”

  “It appears that both the tibia and fibula are fractured just above the ankle. There is also a bruise on her right lower rib, I suspect another fracture. Her wrist may be sprained. She’s badly bruised over most of her body and will likely be uncomfortable for a few days.”

  Mani turned to Valeria and smiled gently. “Valeria, I think it would be best to do an ultrasound.”

  As exhausted as she felt, Valeria had to make certain the baby was all right before she considered sleep. Alex held her hand as Mani neatly folded the sheet at the base of her abdomen and then raised her gown up. Alex cringed as he saw the deep purple bruise that ran across the lower part of her stomach from where the seatbelt had been. Mani squirted the cool liquid on her belly and then took the wand and ran it over her —not seeing any indication of a heartbeat. Alex could see the concern on his face as Mani continued to move the wand all around her belly.

  “Doc?” Alex asked, suddenly frightened. Valeria’s hand tightened on his as a tear ran down her cheek.

  Mani lowered his brow and pressed his lips together. “Valeria, let’s try another angle. If we help you, can you roll toward me?”

  “Is she okay?” she whispered.

  “Give me your arm. Alex can you help?”

  They moved and Valeria cried out in pain. Instantly, the rapid heartbeat came over the speakers and relief flooded Alex’s face. Valeria smiled wearily and relaxed into Alex’s arms.

  “The fetus appears to be unharmed,” Mani said as he snapped off his gloves. “Still, you have some internal bleeding. Valeria you can sleep now. To protect the fetus, you will need to be on bed rest for at least two to three weeks. We will do another ultrasound then and decide how to proceed.”

  “Alex, you need to sleep too,” she whispered.

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Good, then lay down with me,” she whispered sleepily.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered back, and kissed her ear.

  “You won’t. Please,” she said as she patted the bed next to her.

  Alex went to the other side of the bed, away from her broken bones, and lay down cautiously while Mani continued to wrap her injuries.

  Mani went on, “Valeria, we will use a soft cast on your leg but you will not be able to put weight on it for at least six weeks. I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do for your ribs. You may want something for the pain.”

  “No, I’m fine.” With that, she fell into a deep sleep. Alex never left her side throughout the night—taking solace in every breath she took.

  As he brushed the hair from her face, he noticed how pale she was and the numerous bruises that covered her face and arms. Then he whispered, “Please don’t ever leave me.”

  ∞

  The rest of the family arrived mid-morning. They found Mani and Camille asleep on the couches in the living room; Caleb was curled up asleep on the floor, his electronic game still in one hand, and Charlie in the other. Paolo sat, brooding, in a chair facing Valeria’s room.

  Daphne rushed in and saw Paolo intensely focused on the closed bedroom door leading to Valeria. She approached him hesitantly, uncertain as to where they stood. She was almost next to him, and ready to turn and run, when he finally saw her. He rose and, with his face filled with desperation, embraced her as if she were his lifeline.

  Lars said, “Let’s all get some sleep. We can talk about this after we’ve slept.”

  When Paolo pulled back from Daphne, his eyes were filled with tears. Brushing the side of his face, Daphne said, “Alex will keep her safe while you get some rest.” Taking his hand, she led him up the stairs. It was the first time Paolo had been welcomed to stay in the main house.

  ∞

  Valeria woke at four p.m. and found her door opened and Alex gone. She tried to sit up, but was seized with pain in numerous parts of her body. Immediately, Alex was back in the room with her. “Sorry, I just went to shower and shave. Caleb was here until just a few minutes ago. How do you feel?” he asked.

  “Oh...sore.” She tried to smile. “Are you okay?”

  Alex nodded. “Had a few minor injuries last night. But they’ve healed up.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Uh, I need to tell you a few things before Paolo returns, which will probably be any minute. We don’t want Kristiana to know where you are and it appears that if Paolo knows—so does she. If Paolo leaves, the likelihood of another incident is high. So, Camille and Daphne came up with an idea that I think just might work.”

  “What?” she whispered.

  “I don’t have time to go into everything right now. But we’re just about out of time. Please don’t worry about what happens in the next few minutes. Also, I won’t be able to see you right away—but I want you to know that everything will be all right.”

  “Where are you going,” she whispered, unable to find the strength for her normal speaking volume.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not doing anything dangerous, I promise you that.”

  She wanted to ask what was going on with Paolo’s constant vigilance, but she just didn’t have the strength.

  “Camille’s going to come in so that I can be part of a discussion with Paolo. And remember, there’s nothing to worry about in the next few minutes, all right?”

  She lowered her brow and nodded—even that hurt!

  Camille stepped in cautiously, looking more than a little stressed. “Are you alright?” She sat on the edge of the bed. Valeria nodded. “You certainly look better than last night!” Camille tried to smile and then got serious. “How are you feeling?”

  “Alright, I guess,” she lied.

  “I guess Alex told you that we have a plan.” Camille said in a near whisper, Valeria nodded. “He’s afraid this plan will be too upsetting to you but I’ve assured him that you’re stronger than he thinks. In any case, it’s importa
nt that you don’t…worry too much about it.” Valeria nodded again, as Camille peered toward the door, nervously. “Also, I should warn you that Alex is going to ask you to do some things that you won’t want to agree to. In fact, I would guess that you would completely object to some of it. But I want you to remember that there is more to this than what you will see on the surface.” Camille glanced at the door again. “Just trust me on this.”

  Camille looked completely exhausted. “Oh, and lastly, we don’t want any discussion about our project here with us recovering the oracles; and absolutely no mention of Myrdd.” Camille nervously glanced at the door. “You’ll learn more later.”

  Valeria nodded and was nearly asleep again.

  Camille pulled a turkey baster filled with red fluid from a drawer. “Caleb smuggled this in under his sling a few hours ago.” Valeria narrowed her eyes at the baster.

  “It’s blood,” Camille said as her eyes grew large with excitement.

  “Caleb’s arm?” Valeria whispered.

  “Oh, it’s been completely healed since early this morning. But he was getting such a kick out of having an ‘injury’ that he kept the sling on. That’s when I had the idea. If I had thought of this while Paolo was sleeping, we wouldn’t have needed to sneak it in. Delayed brilliance—what can I say!”

  She carefully placed the baster in Mani’s medical bag.

  “What…” Valeria started coughing and the pain in her rib felt as though it were ripping through her—followed by all the dull aches in her body.

  Camille swallowed. “I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.”

  “What’s the...” Valeria couldn’t think of the word for the baster and she couldn’t point as every move was painful.

  “Don’t worry, it isn’t real blood. Tav and Caleb made it,” Camille whispered.

  Alex came in again, looking a bit pensive with Paolo in tow.

  “We’ve been talking, and I think you need to permit me to see the vision. We need to know if Kristiana is actually communicating with you or if it was just a bad dream. I am aware that it was threatening. You don’t need to feel like you are protecting me,” Alex said.

  Paolo stood by as Alex took Valeria’s hands in his. As Alex kissed her fingers tenderly, his eyes lit on her with so much love that all of her worries disappeared and she was at once, lost in him. She felt the energy of the transference as it ran from her fingers to his. She saw a brief smile graze his face and she realized that she was recalling their wedding night and honeymoon. She grimaced—she still had no control of her transferences.

  “Just relax,” he said.

  She drew a deep breath while the smile continued to cling to the corners of his mouth. Then his eyes got wide and the color drained from his face.

  “Kristiana?” she whispered as a statement.

  Alex nodded slowly. “We need to bring the family in.”

  By silent command, the entire family funneled into her room. Alex said, “I’m going in search of Kristiana and I believe I know where to find her.”

  Lars began to speak, “I agree—”

  But before he could say anything else Paolo said flatly, “She will simply kill you.”

  Feeling the panic rising in her, Valeria cried out in a mix of anguish followed by the pain of exertion. “Please! Alex, promise me you won’t do that! Please!” She needed his agreement. Alex seemed to be undecided.

  “I don’t want to upset you, Val, but it’s the right thing to do. Kristiana and I were married and obviously we have...unfinished business.” Alex glanced up at the ceiling for a moment and then to Paolo.

  Suddenly, Valeria understood; that had been a communication for Kristiana. As long as Kristiana believed that Alex was coming to her, she might not try to harm her or their baby.

  Lars said, “Val, while I don’t necessarily agree with Alex on this, we do both agree that Paolo and Caleb should keep an eye on you.”

  “I’m sorry—but no.”

  “Do you still suspect me, bella?” Paolo said, obviously hurt.

  “No,” she said, and in that moment she realized she was no longer angry with him. “No, Paolo. I just can’t believe that Daphne and Alex would be comfortable with that,” she said in a breathy voice to avoid the pain in her ribs.

  Daphne stepped forward and put her hand affectionately on Paolo’s arm and drew a nervous breath. “Valeria, I know that you and I haven’t been close.” She shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Perhaps that’s a bit of an understatement.” Daphne took a deep breath, and continued, “I can tell you that the last thing I want is for Paolo to spend more time with you. I am certain that Alex feels the same way. But the fact is that you and the child are safer with Paolo near.”

  Lars walked toward Valeria’s bed. “Daphne is right. And you know that Alex wouldn’t agree to this unless he had reason.”

  Valeria rubbed her forehead and glanced at Alex who nodded. Then she aimed a quick glance at Camille, who also nodded, so Valeria consented by nodding in return. Alex looked relieved.

  They brought in a chair and a cot for Paolo. When they brought in a four-panel screen, Paolo raised a hand.

  “How do I watch Valeria with a screen blocking my vision of her?”

  Daphne smiled. “We can leave it by the wall for now. But the woman does require some privacy!” she said, raising her eyebrows.

  “Yes, you are right,” Paolo said.

  Alex looked particularly tense. Valeria wondered about Camille’s communication and what was about to unfold that she should prepare herself for. As the day rolled into evening, Paolo remained on duty from his chair in the corner. He glanced up from his book and said, “Bella, I hope you know that I would never intentionally harm you.”

  Valeria was too exhausted to reassure Paolo. She shrugged noncommittally and she could tell by his silence that he was hurt from her response. A few minutes later, Alex returned with Daphne.

  Daphne held out the crystal glass to Paolo. “I thought you might like some wine.” Paolo nodded and took a sip. “It’s Alex’s good stock,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  Valeria was surprised by the exchange. She would have never expected Daphne to serve anyone—well, except Alex. Daphne sat down on the arm of Paolo’s chair as he read. After an hour, when the glass was nearly empty, she picked it up, left briefly, and returned with it refilled. Paolo didn’t seem to notice as he continued reading. Daphne brushed his shoulder, and he smiled up at her; even from the distance, Valeria could see that his eyes looked a bit glassy. Then Daphne offered a slight nod to Alex and, a moment later, Mani entered the room.

  “How are you feeling Valeria?” Mani asked.

  She started to say that she felt fine for someone who had just broken a rib and her leg…and was pregnant. But before she could say a word, it seemed as if Alex noticed something in her appearance. He asked, “Val, everything all right?” She didn’t feel good, but she felt no worse.

  Paolo started to lean out of his chair. Alex glared at him and Daphne pressed him back down.

  “I’m sorry, Alex. We’ll give you some privacy,” Daphne said as she pulled the screen open, blocking Paolo’s direct view of Valeria. Paolo started to object and Daphne added, “Paolo! She’s with Doc!”

  Mani took a small flashlight out of his pocket and held it over her eyes. Then he rose and pulled off a printout that came from the machinery that was attached to her. He studied the report for a moment and then turned to her.

  “Valeria, the oxygen saturation in your bloodstream is extremely low.” He turned a piece of equipment and then lifted an oxygen mask and adjusted the elastic band behind her head. “We will keep this on you for the time being.” She tried to relax but Alex’s face looked so full of concern that it was difficult to tell if Mani was telling her the truth or if this was the deception Camille had been suggesting to her earlier in the day. Valeria breathed deeply, now concerned for their child.

  “Is she all right?” Paolo asked rising out of his chair again. Again, Daph
ne pressed him back down.

  Mani stood as Alex continued to squeeze her hand. “Let’s see if the internal bleeding is controlled.”

  Valeria narrowed her eyes and she looked at Alex, who winked at her with no joy in his eyes. Had she imagined that the baby was fine? Now she was concerned. Mani had said that there was some bleeding. Maybe there was more than he had wanted to say at the time. Alex squeezed her hand and gave her a comforting nod. Paolo was peeking through the breaks in the screen.

  “Hey, pal, how about giving us some privacy,” Alex said.

  “Do you need us to leave?” Daphne asked.

  “For the ultrasound the screen should be fine,” Mani intervened.

  Mani adjusted the sheet and then pulled Valeria’s hospital gown to just above her naval. He folded it neatly and then squeezed the cold liquid onto her belly.

  Turning the monitor so that only Alex and Valeria could view it, Mani moved the wand to show the babies rapidly beating heart. Valeria relaxed a bit. Then Mani moved it further and it showed a clear silhouette of the baby sucking her thumb and moving the fingers of her other hand. Valeria was momentarily overwhelmed and glanced at Alex who had tears in his eyes. Then Mani held a finger over his mouth.

  “It looks like…” he changed the resolution and the vision changed. “I’m sorry, I am unable to find the heartbeat.”

  Valeria’s eyes widened in alarm and Alex mouthed, It’s fine! Then Alex lifted a single finger and pointed toward Mani. She noticed that Mani had the turkey baster in his hand. First, he wiped the gel from Valeria’s stomach, and then he squeezed the cold red goo over her thighs. It shocked her and she let out a sound, which was a mistake because of her ribs, and caused her to moan in pain.

  “What’s wrong?” Alex asked and brushed her rib lightly.

  “Alex!” Mani said and took a towel and soaked it with the baster. “Daphne, please ask Camille to come immediately.”

  Valeria lowered her brow. Mani would never ask Daphne to get Camille, as their non-verbal communication was so powerful.

  Valeria expected Daphne to say, “Go get her yourself!” She was stunned when Daphne jumped up and went for the door.