Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine

by Jeanne G'Fellers

  Wren bird? Krell’s thoughts rang inside their common existence, warming them both. LaRenna pushed at the black as she struggled to respond.

  Krell?

  Darlin’ mine, let me hold you safe while we fight this.

  I . . . I can’t see you.

  I’m all around you. We’re soul phased. Can’t you feel me?

  Silence. I hurt.

  I’m here, Wren bird. Let me take away some of the pain. Give me the weight in your chest.

  No, you’ll hurt too . . . I won’t lose you, can’t lose you.

  And I won’t lose you either. Give me the weight. LaRenna’s smothering pain became manageable. Better, sweetheart?

  No. You hurt now.

  I’m fine. We’ve divided the pain. Push away from the blackness. Give it a phase to force it out.

  Silence. A weaker, pleading call. Kkrreell.

  Darlin’, what’s wrong?

  They won’t leave me alone . . . the more I fight, the stronger they become . . . help me.

  They?

  They’re crushing me.

  I’m taking some of the weight from you. Breathe, LaRenna, breathe. Again, the pain released. Better?

  Yes . . . Silence. No.

  Wren bird?

  Not again.

  LaRenna?

  Silence.

  LARENNA, SPEAK TO ME!

  LaRenna managed a tiny hollow hole of a whisper. Why, Krell, why?

  Share with me, Renna. I’ll make them go.

  It’s too much.

  No! Let me in!

  Silence, deafening silence punctuated by a single sob.

  LARENNA! HOLD ON!

  Krell’s grip slipped and LaRenna began to fade. Instinctively, she focused a phase that reached far beyond the limits of their joining. Krell’s energy entered LaRenna’s mind, braced for a struggle but unprepared for what she found—vivid images of the Creiloff twins that had been imbedded by the prock. Their images overwhelmed LaRenna’s psyche, crowding her until little of her strength remained.

  Cance’s image lashed out first. She’s gone, guardian, gone. Leave her with us. She’s ours. We’ve ruined her for all others.

  NO! Krell replied as she searched for any sign of LaRenna. I feel her presence.

  Back off, bitch. Brandoff’s specter joined the fray. She’s ours! Cut your losses before we take you, too.

  You’re dead, continued Krell as her search became frantic. You’re both dead.

  We live in her mind, in her fears. Cance swept forward, blocking Krell’s path. She sustains us in her nightmares. We’ve scarred her. She can’t escape our touch.

  Krell swung out to strike Cance, but her blow passed through the image and she fell forward, beyond Cance and onto the ground near where LaRenna’s injured psyche lay. Renna, they’re not real. They can’t harm you anymore. Renna! Listen to me!

  Cance’s image stepped up again, blocking the distance between the lovers. Stupid whore, do you honestly think she can hear you now? She’s too weak.

  LARENNA! They’re dead. Krell reached through Cance to touch LaRenna’s arm. I can’t help if you won’t listen. Please, Wren bird, please!

  LaRenna shifted but wouldn’t look up. Krel . . . no . . . save yourself . . . go.

  Brandoff drifted behind her twin’s image to stand beside LaRenna. She doesn’t want you. The choice is yours, join her in service to us, or die alone.

  Renna! I won’t leave you. I can’t live without you. Fight them baby, make them leave you alone. They’re in YOUR head. It’s up to you.

  But how? I’m so tired.

  See? Brandoff bent to stroke LaRenna’s hair. She’s given up. Prock does that, you know, makes you more willing, submissive even when it hurts. And believe me, guardian, we make it HURT.

  Krell shivered but held fast. LaRenna, darlin’, heart of my own, I will not stand here and argue with specters. You belong to me, beside me, with me. Me and only me. No matter what anyone else has done or said, you’re mine. If you won’t fight them, I must remain here with you. My place is by your side. Better to die beside you than live without you. She lay beside LaRenna and curled around her, demonstrating her defiance.

  Immediately, the twins’ images solidified. Brandoff grasped Krell by the hair and pulled her head back. Let’s find out just how strong you are.

  She’s yours. Cance descended on LaRenna. I’ve a lesson to teach.

  No, Krell. LaRenna opened her eyes. Don’t let her.

  Krell resisted the urge to cry out in pain as Brandoff pushed her to the edge. You stay. I stay. You are my intended and I will remain by your side. If this is the fate you choose, so be it.

  Krell, no. LaRenna struggled to free herself of Cance’s hold, but Cance pinned her shoulders to the ground.

  Shut up, LaRenna Cances.

  LaRenna rallied the last of her strength. I’m not yours. You can’t have my guardian and you can’t have me. LaRenna heaved Cance from her, sending her sprawling on the ground a distance away. Krell, help me. I need you. I want you and only you!

  Wren bird! Krell called out above Cance’s angry scream. Fight with me?

  With you, for you, because of you.

  This is the LaRenna I know! Krell laughed bitterly and turned, grabbing Brandoff by the hair.

  Stronger than you thought, aren’t I?

  Brandoff screeched and fell back as her image became transparent once again. Cance!

  Idiot! Cance turned from her fading twin to glare at LaRenna. You’re a worthless slut, LaRenna, and too weak to get rid of me. Submit now before I teach you both a lesson. She rotated on one leg and kicked out, trying to knock LaRenna off balance.

  Krell blocked her attempt, grabbing Cance’s foot, flipping her face-first into the ground. You won’t touch her again.

  Fucker! Cance rose quickly, in a rage that caused LaRenna to doubt her newfound strength. LaRenna looked up at Krell, at her expression, at the love and determination in her eyes. This was real. Krell was real. The twins were dead, images of something that had painfully passed. They only had power if she allowed it.

  She took Krell’s hand and turned toward Cance. No! I’m not helpless. Begone!

  Cance flew forward to strike but drew back when LaRenna shook her head. No more.

  Cance’s image flashed briefly but solidly. Such strength is arousing, little girl. Be careful how you wield it.

  Go away! You are no more than a figment of my imagination—a memory, nothing more!

  Bitch! Whore! Brandoff’s image pushed around her twin, unsteady and flickering as she spat at LaRenna. You know what you are deep inside. You can’t cast us out forever. We’ll be there. You know we will. You can’t fight us alone.

  She’s not alone. Krell drew LaRenna into her arms. We’re soul phasers, as she lives so do I.

  LaRenna grew within the unconditional love Krell expressed for her. She had the strength to survive, to overcome. Reality waited—a reality infinitely better than the madness present in Brandoff’s continued existence. You’re dead! You have no power over me. With those words, Brandoff’s image disappeared.

  I won’t go so quickly, said Cance, stepping over the spot where her twin had stood. I continue to eat at you even as we fight. You can’t defeat me. I’ll always be picking away at you. Piece by piece, I will consume your sanity.

  I say it again—she’s not alone. Krell squeezed LaRenna’s hand and they kicked out as one, slamming Cance into the wall LaRenna had created with her emerging power.

  I AM NO LONGER AFRAID OF YOU, CANCE CREILOFF! The energy of LaRenna’s voice resounded through Cance’s image, reducing it to translucence. YOU TOOK NOTHING THAT KRELL HASN’T ALREADY REPLACED. BEGONE AND NEVER RETURN. YOU ARE DEAD! I AM FREE OF YOU!

  Cance shriveled, her image dripping away in stench-filled puddles of decay. I’ll be back, my lady, maybe not this cycle or this pass, but I’ll be back. My love for you runs too deep. There are still lessons to be taught. I’ll be back, and when I do, I’ll take you with me, straight
back to the hell you created in your own mind! With a final burst of flaming hatred, she was gone and there was silence.

  ***

  Firman roused when the first rumbles of the aerolaunch bounced throughout the Hiding Cave. At first, he thought a new intense storm had unleashed itself and he cursed the weather patterns of the wet season. But the noise grew steadily louder rather than trailing off like thunder should, causing him to sit up and listen. Trazar was also up, concentrating on the sound.

  “Cyclone?” asked Firman.

  “Too mechanical,” replied Trazar. “Has to be a launch of some kind. It is! An aerolaunch! The positioning thrusters just fired. They’ve found us!”

  “What’s all the noise?” Tatra stumbled from her bedroll.

  “Aerolaunch,” explained Trazar. “Have you checked them yet?”

  “No, just woke myself. I’ll look in on them now.” Tatra peeked into the other chamber then pulled back, a befuddled expression pasted on her slender face. “They’re gone!”

  “Merciful Mother!” Firman howled from close behind her. “I prayed all night that this would work.”

  Tatra turned to him near panic. “You don’t understand! They’re gone! Not there! Vanished!”

  “What?” Both Autlachs pushed in to see for themselves. The room was empty, save for the bedding they had stacked the day before.

  Krell had awakened long before dawn, feeling more alive and filled with purpose than she remembered. Unlashing their arms, she eased from the bed and into a tunic, then snuck barelegged into the main chamber. With silent Kimshee agility, she retrieved two changes of clothing and a generous supply of sterile wraps. She toted her load to the cave’s thermal pools, diverted some of the waters into a tub, uncrated several towels and a soaping stone, then hurried back to the bed to waken LaRenna. LaRenna objected to being rousted from the comfort of their bed but stopped complaining when Krell informed her it was for a much-needed bath.

  The water’s pressure on her fragile ribs phased away, LaRenna soaked, her bad foot draped over the side so the stitches would stay dry. Krell sat on the edge to help her wash. LaRenna was beginning to resemble her former self. Her bruises were fading at an accelerated rate, cuts weren’t nearly as angry, and a glimmer of playful spirit shone as gold flecks in her eyes. She teased Krell, splashing her to the point she climbed into the tub without bothering to undress. “It’s the driest place to be with you flinging water about.” Krell laughed, shaking off a faceful of moisture.

  “While you’re in here, you might as well help me wash my hair,” replied LaRenna. “It always feels better when someone else does it. Besides, it hurts to stretch. And take that tunic off, sweetheart, it smells of sweat now that it’s wet.”

  Krell stood up to remove the waterlogged tunic. “That’s not it,” she teased, drawing behind LaRenna. “You just wanted me out of my clothes.”

  “Worked, didn’t it?” LaRenna passed back the soaping stone and enjoyed the feel of Krell’s gentle hands massaging her scalp. The chore done and the soap rinsed away, LaRenna leaned back and let Krell’s tender caresses extend down her neck and body. Krell was infinitely patient and very attentive to her fears.

  In the midst of the peace and gentle passion, Krell began to recite the Oath, placing her cheek against LaRenna’s as she spoke. “I take you for my life mate, no, my soul mate, the fellow raiser of any daughters we should take as our own. I will defend you from the harms of the world by hand, sword, and bow. Your stores will always be filled and your spirit free from the concerns of Autlach oppression. I vow this to you as your guardian, your lover, your life mate.”

  LaRenna smiled, kissed Krell’s cheek, then replied, “And I take you for my soul mate, my guardian, fellow raiser of any daughters we should take as our own. I will work beside you to benefit both clan and family. I accept the security you offer and in return promise to keep the hearth lit. I promise this as your lover and life mate.”

  They were wrapped in each others arms, making plans for the future when Krell first heard the roar of the aerolaunch. “Hear that?”

  “Hmmm?” LaRenna roused from her contented daydream. “Yeah, I do. Sounds like a launch.”

  “An aerolaunch! Our ride home is here.” Krell wiped away the spots that hadn’t soaked from LaRenna’s skin and lifted her carefully to the tub’s wide lip. LaRenna toweled off as much as she could. Krell helped, but it was half-hearted, more to dissolve the scent of their passions than to remove dirt.

  “It won’t do any good.” LaRenna draped her towel over her dripping white curls. “One look at the expression on your face will have everyone thinking we’re in love or something.”

  “Is it a look of satisfaction?” Krell jumped from the tub. “ ’Cause that’s what it is.” She threw on fresh underclothes, a sleeveless service jumpsuit, and her familiar rag-toed boots. “Brought you a jumper, too.” Krell wrapped LaRenna’s ribs with expertise. “No Kimshee I know would be caught dead in skirts.”

  LaRenna peered up hesitantly. “You don’t mind?”

  “Why should I mind? It’s your body, not mine.” Krell cocked a brow. “I’m just happy you choose to share it with me. Besides, I know what’s under anything you decide to wear.”

  “Flirt!”

  “Yeah, and you like it that way.” Krell fastened the front of LaRenna’s jumper and scooped her into the air. “Let’s find them before they catch us back here.” Krell carried her into the main cavern as their companions emerged from the side chamber and Belsas and Chandrey appeared in the main archway. LaRenna looked at her raisers in dismay and pointed to their blue mourning sashes.

  “Who died?”

  “No one!” Chandrey ripped away the sash as she rushed to embrace her daughter. “No one at all.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  If you are not certain the enemy you leave behind is dead, go back and slit his throat a second time.

  —Sarian military wisdom

  A joyful reunion took place that morning. LaRenna told of her harrowing experience, sparing her raisers the more garish details of her captivity. Krell remained by her side the entire time, admiring her lover’s sensitivity. LaRenna was quite sympathetic to her raisers’ need to comfort her, even allowing Chandrey to fuss over her without complaint.

  “Your leg, child, it’s in ribbons. And why is the bandage in such disarray? What of infection?”

  “I’m fine, Mamma,” said LaRenna. “Krell hasn’t had a chance to rewrap it this morning. We were in a hurry when we heard the launch. If someone will get the supplies, she can do it right now.” Trazar quickly moved a medical crate to Krell’s side.

  Chandrey smoothed her daughter’s jumper. “Your hair is wet, too. Were you bathing?”

  “Yes, Mamma, I was long overdue. Yes, my hair will grow back in time. And yes, you can comb it out like you did when I young.”

  “She didn’t say those things to you, Renna,” Belsas exclaimed.

  “Not aloud she didn’t. I heard her think them. I still lack the ability to block out a loved one’s thoughts. I didn’t mean to hear her. Honest.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Chandrey carefully pulled her pocket comb through her daughter’s hair. “We’ll just have to watch what we think until you master your abilities.”

  Krell sent a shiver of delighted energy through LaRenna’s body. “The way her talents seem to be developing, that shouldn’t take long.” She reached into the crate and brought out a large roll of gauze. “If you were only able to heal that quickly, love, I’d have you dancing inside a moon cycle.”

  “I’m afraid that won’t happen for some time.” Tatra began removing the soiled bandages. “LaRenna knows she will have to wear a brace.”

  “Couldn’t the specialists help?” Belsas absently projected a picture of her daughter running as a child then shed the thought. “I’m sorry, LaRenna. You’re so hurt. The thought just flew into my head. It was your fifth claiming anniversary and we’d taken you—”

  “On a picnic
. I remember.” LaRenna tucked away her sadness and faced her guardian raiser with a bright expression. “We’ll have to do that again some day, minus the chase games.”

  “Yes. Yes, we will.” Belsas gestured to Tatra. “What of the foot, Healer Wileyse?”

  “The specialists will help somewhat,” she replied. “But the joint has been shattered and most of the ligaments, tendons, and well, basically everything is a mess. Surgery will give her some mobility but nothing will repair all the damage.” She glanced at Firman, pleading with him for the right words. He raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly, prompting her to say something encouraging. “LaRenna’s strong, Grandmaster Belsas. She’s survived the unthinkable. This shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge for her, especially with Krell’s help.” Firman grinned and motioned her to join him on one of the crates.

  “Very good,” he whispered as she sat next to him. “That was quite compassionate.”

  “Thank you.” Her reply purred in his ear. “I just need a reminder every now and then.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Chandrey watched them from the corner of her eye, putting to rest any concerns she had about the healer’s past with Krell. There was closeness between LaRenna and Krell that eclipsed the normal levels of Taelach commitment. They seemed to communicate without phase or words—Krell offering assistance just before it was needed, flinching when LaRenna caught her broken finger on the cuff of her jumper though she hadn’t seen it happen.

  “Look at them, Bel,” said Chandrey. “LaRenna’s never looked so happy and Krell, well, this is the first time I’ve seen her sit still for more than a few minutes.”

  “I’m content.” Krell tweaked LaRenna’s healthy foot. “Your daughter keeps me on my toes plenty enough.”

  “And she always will,” assured Belsas with a sly smile to Chandrey. “Her foot may slow her some, but I doubt it will stop her. Have either of you made plans for after she heals?”

  “As a matter of fact, we have.” Krell cast an inquiring look that LaRenna returned with a nod to proceed freely. “We would like to become teacher qualified for the Training Grounds. I have the service time and LaRenna, well, her abilities will speak for themselves soon enough.”