The paved road was barely wide enough for two cars to pass one another, but Steve figured that that probably was a rare occurrence. Tall spruce trees crowded in on them from both sides. Every so often a break in the forest would allow them a glimpse of hazy mountains in the distance.
Falcon pointed to a spot on the map. "I believe this X is where we are now. It does not look like we have traveled very far."
"Are we close to the Yukon River? I remember seeing a small town on the other side of it."
"If I am reading this properly, it is about fifty miles from here."
Just as Steve began to relax, anxiety took possession of her body. "Falcon, I... I feel really strange."
Without asking permission, his fingers contacted her temples.
"Yes!" she exclaimed. "That's it! Tense and scared, without any reason for feeling that way. Am I doing that or are you?"
"I believe you are picking up on my emotions this time, Steve. I suddenly have an overwhelming sense of impending danger." He withdrew his hand. "What do you feel now? Don't think about it, just answer."
"It's getting stronger, like something coming closer and closer. I don't understand, Falcon. I don't have any psychic powers. Are you able to put feelings in my head like you do words?"
"I do not know if I am able, but I assure you I am not doing it intentionally."
"Aster talked about a bond between us. Is that what's happening?"
"Perhaps. This is not the time to experiment further. Listen."
Steve cocked her head, but heard only the car's engine and the wind blowing in through the slightly opened windows. She shook her head negatively.
"Do not listen with your ears. Listen with your mind."
She took her eyes off the road for a second to give him a look of disbelief. Then she heard it. "An engine? A plane engine," she said more certainly. Lowering the window further, she leaned her head out to survey the sky. "I don't see anything, but I feel like I know there's a plane up there. This is too weird, Falcon. I'm getting really frightened and I don't like it one bit. Can't you stop it?"
"No. Your fear is justified. Use it to prepare. Do you sense the darkness as well?"
"What? Wait. Yes, I think I understand. What does it mean? Damn! My heart's pounding like crazy, and my stomach's not doing so well, either." She angled the rear-view mirror so that she could keep one eye on the sky behind her.
"Use your inner strength to control your body's reactions. You have the capability, Steve. Command it. We will soon know the source of the danger."
As he said the words, Steve caught sight of a small seaplane coming into view. "Is that Underwood's plane back there?"
"Yes, and King is piloting it. Obviously, I underestimated his abilities to recover and to remember."
Steve pressed the gas pedal to the floor, but the plane continued to reduce the distance between them. A moment later it buzzed the treetops overhead, then climbed back toward the clouds.
"There's no way he can land." Steve concluded reassuringly. "The wingspan's too great. As long as we're in the forest, we should be okay."
The plane circled in the sky in front of them, then returned to skim the tops of the evergreens again. Steve tried to ignore the fact that King was up there and began adjusting to the shock of an emotional onslaught. King's attempts to unnerve her by his presence were feeble compared to this.
"Steve, I am picking up extremely strong emotions from King. There is pride, frustration, and ..."
"Desperation," Steve said, easily completing his analysis. "He's absolutely desperate about something. I don't understand how I know that, but I do. Here he comes again!"
Rat-a-tat! Rat-a-tat! The gunfire sounded overhead a second before three bullet holes appeared in the hood of their vehicle.
"The man is nuts! He's actually shooting at us. How the hell can he manage an airplane that size and aim a gun at the same time?"
"As you said, he is a desperate man. I recommend some evasive driving, Steve. He returns."
Steve swerved the heavy vehicle to the left and right, but there was little space in which to maneuver, short of driving into a tree. Repeatedly, King performed his death-defying stunt, swooping down and tipping the plane at an angle that allowed him to fire as he soared by. On his fourth pass, another bullet struck the ATV. A quick glance in the mirror told Steve they were laying a thin trail of fluid behind them.
"Damn it anyway! I think he hit the gas tank. I hope you're wearing your hiking shoes. It looks like a slow leak, but I doubt if well make it to the river, let alone to that town, before we run out of gas."
"We must concern ourselves with one dilemma at a time. King has not tired of this game as yet." Falcon pointed to the sky, where the seaplane was making another approach. "He is not aiming a gun this time, Steve. He is holding something else out the window."
"What the—"
Her unfinished question was answered by an ear-splitting blast behind them. The reverberations rocked the ATV but caused no damage. Steve swivelled her head around and gaped at the thick cloud of smoke and falling debris. "Oh, geez! The man's got grenades. We're sitting ducks."
"Stop!" Falcon ordered.
Steve slammed on the brakes in time to prevent the car from driving straight into the path of the next grenade. Automatically, they had both ducked their heads, saving themselves from being mutilated by shattering glass.
"It didn't take him long to correct his aim," Steve said wryly. "Be careful. You're covered with glass. Are you okay otherwise?"
"Yes, but it is not over yet. King is feeling very pleased with himself. He probably believes he has disabled us. He comes again, filled with confidence. Get ready to go with as much speed as possible."
Steve brushed splinters of glass off the steering wheel before gripping it again. Keeping one foot on the clutch and one on the gas, she revved the engine in preparation for Falcon's signal.
"Now!"
With tires spinning, Steve pushed the gas pedal to the floor and tore through the smoky residue in front of them. A heartbeat later the third grenade detonated on the spot where they had been idling.
"He's getting too close, and we're just about out of tricks. Look at the gas gauge. The needle shows empty. We'll be running on fumes any minute now," Steve added.
"I do not believe it will matter. That last miss caused King great annoyance. I believe he is preparing to end the game. I feel him drawing in his emotions, gathering all his mental and physical strength into a central core of determination."
Steve watched the seaplane fly on ahead. "Maybe he's going to land in the river and wait for us at the bridge. That's what I would do."
"I do not believe he thinks as you do. Besides, he might be concerned that his actions might be witnessed outside of the forest. Keep driving, but remain alert."
Several minutes passed before the plane reappeared on the horizon, heading back toward them.
"Slow down, Steve. Gradually. When I tell you, stop and run into the forest."
Steve stiffened but said nothing. She knew better than to question Falcon's wisdom. The plane descended as it came nearer, just as it had several times previously. Suddenly Steve realized what Falcon had somehow already surmised. The nose of the plane was pointing downward at a greater angle and seemed to be coming faster than before.
"Now!" Falcon shouted, and threw open his door.
Steve instantly applied the brakes, but before the vehicle came to a stop, Falcon had hauled Nesterman out with him and hefted him over his shoulder again. Glancing back as she ran after Falcon, Steve saw the plane diving straight down toward the ATV.
The explosion hurled them through the air like rag dolls. Steve's breath was knocked from her body as she hit the ground, but she remained conscious. Rising to her knees, she scanned the area and located the two men. Nesterman's totally relaxed state had probably prevented him from being injured, she realized, but Falcon wasn't moving, either. She crawled to where he lay against the trunk of a tree. Hi
s groan assured her that he was alive.
Another explosion grabbed her attention. The plane, minus its wings, had hit its mark. Both it and the ATV were ablaze. They had to get away before the whole forest went up in flames!
"Falcon!" Mindless of any injury he may have suffered, Steve gave his shoulders a shake. His only response was another barely audible groan. She did what she thought he would do. Her fingers made contact with his temple at the same time as she brought his limp hand to her head. Falcon. Wake up. We have to get out of here. I don't care if your neck's broken, you wake up right this minute!
Falcon blinked rapidly several times, then grinned at her. You are improving, Steve.
She released his hand and gave him a kiss on the nose. "Good! Are you all right? Is anything broken?"
He closed his eyes again, then shook his head and pulled himself upright. "No, nothing broken. But your face is cut, and you still have glass in your hair."
His fingers touched her cheek, but she could not allow herself the pleasure of his concern or his touch. "That doesn't matter. We have to get moving."
His eyes moved past her, growing wide when he saw the flames, and he sprang to his feet. Just then a spark must have found the trail of gasoline, because a line of fire spread rapidly away from the crash site.
There was no need for words. He lifted Nesterman, and they began running as fast as they could toward the river, praying the fire did not entrap them.
Frantic animals scurried through the brush beside them, more frightened by the threat of fire than the strange humans in their midst. Birds screeched and flapped wildly between the trees overhead. The creatures of the forest instinctively headed for the safety of the water. When several deer loped elegantly past at tremendous speed, Steve turned to look behind her. Animals of all sorts and sizes were charging out of the rapidly burning forest—wolves, mountain goats, porcupines—running in terror from the wall of flames stalking them. The wind had joined the flight to the river, carrying the fire along with it. They had to move faster. In minutes they would be devoured by the rolling furnace.
Falcon caught sight of a large bull moose crashing through the trees and held out his hand to it. The monstrous animal slowed, started to pass, then turned and approached his outstretched hand. The moose's hairy sides heaved from the strain of running, his massive hooves pawed at the ground, impatient to be off, but he allowed Falcon to touch him. A few seconds later, he dipped his antlered head in acquiescence.
"He will take us with him." The back of the moose was almost a foot over Falcon's head, but he managed to heave Nesterman onto the animal's hump. Making a hand stirrup, he gave Steve a leg up. With her assistance, he hauled himself up behind her, then leaning them both forward over Nesterman's body, Falcon reached around her to clutch the hair on the moose's hump.
The beast took off with a tremendous lurch that almost threw them off again. The roaring fire was gaining on the herd of exhausted animals, but their lives depended on not giving up the race. A brown grizzly bear rose on his hind legs and growled in objection as they passed.
Steve thought every bone in her body was being dislocated. She could hear the agonizing cries of slower animals not far behind. The heat of the fire closed in on them; smoke obscured the way ahead. The moose galloped through low-nanging tree limbs and squashed anything foolish enough to be in his path. Several small branches dangled from the fingers of his wide, palm-shaped antlers. Finally, to protect herself from the limbs and pine needles beating at her, she buried her face in Nesterman's back.
Splash! Steve's head jerked up as her feet acknowledged that they had been dunked in icy water. They had escaped! They were in the Yukon River.
Falcon squeezed Steve's waist as the moose paddled leisurely into deeper water. "Look behind us."
Hundreds of animals survived the inferno the same way they had, and Steve smiled when she recognized the big grizzly's head bobbing up and down. Most of the creatures stayed near the shore, seemingly waiting for the fire to give up so they could return to the forest.
Although quick, the fire had been devastating. As it reached the shoreline, it sputtered and died, but left scorched earth and smoldering, blackened trees behind. These animals would have to seek out new habitats, but at least they were alive.
The moose was anxious to be rid of his load as soon as they reached the other side, and bucked several times before Falcon could calm him again, he slid off the animal's back, helped Steve down, then returned Nesterman to his shoulder. He was grateful that his strength and endurance had increased before this part of his mission began. With his free arm, he hugged Steve to his side.
Steve felt numb from the waist down. For several minutes she simply let his body heat seep into her. Finally her toes came back to life, and she was able to stand on her own.
"How c-c-can you p-p-possibly be warm?" she asked through chattering teeth.
"I felt the cold water as you did. I simply did not permit my body to be discomfited by it."
"Of c-c-course. How s-s-silly of me." She knew she had no reason to be annoyed with him, but she couldn't help herself. The sun shone brightly on her face, but the wind blowing against her wet clothes made her so cold it was almost painful.
Falcon took her hand and started walking along the shoreline, adjusting Nesterman over his shoulder. "Come, my lady. Stay by my side and I will keep thee warm."
Steve wrinkled her nose at him, then laughed at the sparkle in his eye. "I didn't realize deadly adventures would put you in such a rare humor."
"Why not? We are alive, are we not?"
She paused to consider that a moment, then laughed again. "You're absolutely right."
A glimpse of rooftops some distance away assured them they were heading in the right direction. As they neared the bridge they had intended to cross originally, it was not surprising to see the area alive with activity. A fire engine, two police cars, and a variety of other vehicles had collected at the edge of town. From the way everyone was milling around, it appeared as though even the authorities were unsure of what needed to be done now that the fire had burned itself out.
Steve abruptly yanked Falcon away from the shoreline, back among the trees where they would be camouflaged. "We can't let them see you."
It took Falcon a moment to comprehend. "Oh, yes. My eyes. Perhaps we could improvise a makeshift bandage and say I was injured."
She shook her head as she scanned him from head to toe, looked down at herself, then at Nesterman. Their coats and pants were torn; dried blood marked their faces and hands where they had been cut by glass and branches. The finishing touch was the layer of black soot clinging to them from the waist up. Below that they were still dripping wet.
"Disguising your eyes wouldn't solve the real problem. We both look like we barely escaped with our lives, to say nothing of the unconscious man you just happen to be lugging around. If we walk up there, they'll know we were involved in the fire in some way, and the questions would begin. Eventually I'll have to supply some of the answers, but now is not the time, and I definitely don't want to explain who you are."
Falcon nodded. "If we can get to a telephone, we will have the assistance we need."
Fighting their way through the tangle of overgrown bushes and fallen tree limbs, they skirted the edge of the small town. The streets were fairly deserted, due either to the fact that it was midday, or that everyone was congregated by the river. Whatever the reason, it served to their advantage when they came out from hiding.
Steve spotted a gas station with a pay telephone, and they hurried toward it. "I hope your friends will accept a collect call. I'm fresh out of change." After she explained her comment to Falcon, she helped him make his call.
Although the other party accepted the charges, Falcon seemed to be having a difficult time convincing that person of their need to be rescued. Steve watched him press a long sequence of numbers on the phone, then hang up.
"I believe I reached an emissary who has been out of t
ouch for too long. The woman's name is Jenny. A baby was crying loudly in the background, and her side of the conversation was very convoluted. I gathered she could not act on her own. Her mate, George, is an executive at an oil company in Fairbanks. She will call his office and tell him our location. They are far from here, she said. It may be quite a wait before he comes."
Steve put off calling Lou until such time as she could give him precise directions to George and Jenny's house so he could pick up Nesterman. Close to two hours passed before George, Jenny, and the baby arrived at the gas station. Other than identifying themselves, they were silent as they began the return trip to Fairbanks.
Falcon saw no need for polite conversation either and came right to the point. "It will be necessary for us to leave this man with you until Steve's employer can arrange to have him picked up. I have been keeping him asleep by suggestion, but if you wish to go along with our story, he could be allowed to awaken once we reach your home. We would also appreciate the loan of some clothing and the opportunity to refresh ourselves. The real problem, however, is that we must return to Innerworld as soon as possible, but my ring was stolen. I will need to borrow yours."
Neither George nor Jenny answered, but a few minutes after they left town, George pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped. Slowly, he turned in the seat and pointed a small pistol at Falcon's head.
"Listen, pal, I don't know who the hell you are, or what you're talking about, so I don't expect we'll be helping you go anywhere."
Chapter Nineteen
I am not now that which I have been. —George Gordon, Lord Byron
Steve gasped, her body instantly tensing at the sight of the weapon.
Calm yourself, Steve. Look at his ring finger, Falcon ordered mentally.
George was wearing an Innerworld ring. Steve sat back against the seat, but could not completely relax, even though she felt no real danger emanating from the man.
"You are wise to be skeptical under the circumstances," Falcon told George. "You have my permission to touch my mind to learn what you need to know."
Topaz Dreams Page 24
