Healing Heather

by Aiki Flinthart

  But fixing the damage to his body and changing his DNA with her small store of energy was impossible.

  She laid her palms on his chest. Yes, he was still bleeding internally. The blood was pooling in his abdominal cavity. One lung had been nicked by the bullet. She’d missed that before. Blood was slowly filling it up. Even if she cured him, he would need observation and possibly surgery. And he desperately needed more blood. Luke was right. She had very little time left.

  ‘I need more energy.’ Her voice quaked. ‘I don’t have anywhere near enough to fix him and do what Rowan said.’

  Kade, Torin and the others exchanged looks. Muffled voices sounded outside and everyone froze. Carleton uttered a gargling cough, blood spattering his lips and cheeks.

  ‘Take some from me,’ Cath whispered, sitting beside her. ‘You already drew from Tor. Kade’s a better fighter than me and Luke’s a medic.’ She glared at the men. ‘Make sure you take care of me or my husband will not be happy.’

  ‘You sure?’ Heather said. ‘You trust me?’

  ‘You were willing to sacrifice yourself for Kade. That makes you trustworthy to me.’

  Heather’s cheeks burned and she carefully didn’t catch Kade’s gaze. She took Cathy’s offered arm and withdrew as much power as she dared. The woman sagged into sleep.

  Luke checked her. ‘She’s fine.’

  Laying her hands on Carleton again, Heather let the power burrow into his cells and organs, healing, repairing, knitting bone and muscle. He stirred and she used a skerrick of power to suppress the parts of his brain that were firing into wakefulness. Not yet.

  Sagging, she barely remembered to keep enough power tucked aside for herself, this time.

  The voices outside grew louder. Sounding surprised, now. Calling a name.

  ‘You alright?’ Kade’s soft whisper barely reached her.

  ‘Fine,’ she muttered. ‘Stop fussing. Carleton’s alive. He’ll still need more blood and hospitalisation to get rid of the fluid in his lung, though.’

  ‘So it’s all good? We can get out of here?’

  ‘No.’ She swallowed. ‘I have to…to change him. And to do that I need more power. A lot more.’

  He nodded at the sleeping Baker lying against the rear wall. ‘What about him?’

  ‘Even if I took from him, you, and Luke, it still wouldn’t be enough,’ she whispered. ‘I need at least four people. Total, that is. Not plus you. I’d rather not draw from you because that would leave all of us vulnerable.’

  Kade swore and scrubbed at his scalp. ‘Tor? Your call. What was the plan? What’s this change she’s talking about?’

  Heather explained. ‘Rowan taught me how to unfold certain human DNA. So they can sense the sianfath the way most sidhe can. Apparently it makes them more…empathetic to the sidhe cause. Then Carleton won’t come after me. Or any sidhe.’

  Kade arched a brow. ‘And what, exactly, is the sidhe cause—apart from trying not to be annihilated or used as human guineapigs?’

  ‘They’re trying to change enough key humans to help stop those things, and to help slow the rate of environmental destruction. The sidhe, humans, the forests, the sianfath…we’re all one system. We just need the humans to see that.’

  ‘Lofty ambitions.’ He sat on his haunches and reviewed Carleton. ‘So you’re saying that, if we can get you a few more people, you’ll have enough energy to make this asswipe into a better person and convince him to let you go?’

  She shrugged. ‘I hope so. Otherwise this has all been a complete waste of time. Without it, once he recovers, he’ll never stop chasing me.’ She gazed at Carleton, emptiness aching in her chest. ‘I know it, now. I’ll be running forever.’ She managed a broken laugh and murmured to herself, ‘But maybe that’s what I’m destined to do. All I’m worth to anyone.’

  Kade gripped her shoulders and forced her to meet his fierce gaze. ‘Don’t say that. You’re worth more than all of us combined. What you have. Your gift… It’s incredible. You deserve to be safe and have the chance to help people without being afraid. So do all the sidhe.’

  Heather’s heart sank. Whatever human feelings he’d felt for her were dead. Killed by the awareness of what she was. She’d been naïve to think understanding who she was would somehow make her more acceptable to him. Nothing she could do would make her normal…or worthy of love. That little speech he’d just given proved it.

  But, at least she could protect him and Torin from this one threat before she moved on.

  ‘Yes. My gift is…incredible.’ She shivered. ‘Well, if you want me to do this, you’d best get me some more…’ she smiled thinly ‘…victims. Once I start, I can’t stop partway, so I need all of them here at once.’

  Kade whistled soundlessly. He, Torin and Luke exchanged glances.

  As one, they turned to survey the rack of weapons hanging on the wall.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  KADE

  ‘Non-lethal, right?’ Kade studied the weapons array. He cocked an ear. The voices were retreating. ‘And quiet.’

  Torin scratched at his jaw. ‘We don’t want to give Heather more people to heal.’

  Kade pointed. ‘Think that’s a stack of tear-gas grenades? Which would go very nicely into an elevator.’

  ‘Yep. And there are three tasers,’ Luke added. ‘And gasmasks. Shall we, gentlemen?’

  They armed themselves, adding bulletproof vests Tor discovered.

  Kade finished putting his on and found Heather standing close by, her expression half wary, half fearful. For him or of him? Dammit! Why had he been such an ass? She didn’t deserve it after all she’d been through.

  But he had no idea how to redeem himself. Or even if he should. It was clear he wasn’t ready to move on; to risk losing someone again. They were both best off if he left well enough alone. Left her alone.

  ‘You’ll be ok,’ he said, more roughly than he intended. He pressed a gun into her hands. ‘Rubber bullets. Use it if anyone comes in that shouldn’t. We’ll be back.’

  She held the weapon in two fingers. Her eyes were huge. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to tell her he would never leave. But he couldn’t. Even if she would let him, which he doubted.

  So he held back when Tor wrapped her in a quick hug.

  Tor stroked her cheek. ‘We’ll knock like this.’ He rapped his knuckles on the wall nearby.

  She nodded. Luke cracked open the door and peered out. He gestured and Kade and Torin followed. Kade glanced back as he closed the door. Heather had retreated into a corner, the gun held close to her chest. He closed the door.

  ‘Right.’ Kade adjusted his mask. ‘Let’s get three of these bastards here asap. I want to make sure Carleton lives to get his people off her case.’

  ‘Their turn to be guineapigs.’ Tor hefted a tear gas grenade and pulled down his mask.

  Luke opened the outer office door. Voices echoed in the corridor and the elevator pinged. Its doors slid open. Three of Carleton’s men vanished into its gaping maw. Luke sprinted past and lobbed in a grenade before the doors closed. Torin and Kade took positions on either side.

  Inside the box, yells and coughing. The doors re-opened and gas poured into the hallway. Two men staggered out, squinting, choking.

  Kade tasered one, who collapsed, legs jerking. Tor did the same with the other. Luke dragged Tor’s man along the corridor, whistling jauntily through his mask.

  Where was the third? Had he managed to escape through the access hatch in the elevator roof?

  The third man leapt out, short and muscular. His eyes were tight-shut, his mouth clamped into a thin line. He dropped to the ground, beneath the gas layer, and opened his eyes. His attention fixed on Kade and he snarled. Kade lunged for him, taser ready. Shortass rolled over one shoulder and got to his feet. He lashed a kick at Kade’s skull.

  Kade managed to dodge and missed the chance to trap the leg. The teargas dissipated and Kade stripped off the mask to see better. Tor approached the guy from behind and
got a foot in the stomach for his trouble. He was quick! Shortass shifted sideways so he could keep them both in view. Kade caught Tor’s attention and gave a thumbs up. They’d double-teamed so often in the past they didn’t need words.

  Tor lunged with a fake attempt to punch. Kade used the moment of distraction and closed the gap. He landed one good kick to the thigh nerve and wore a quick strike to the jaw that flashed stars in his skull. But Tor swarmed in and got a sleeper hold on. Kade ankle-tapped the fighter. Tor dropped with him, tightening the hold. Carleton’s man clawed at Tor but his actions grew feeble. After about ten seconds Torin released him.

  Kade tasered the minion, just in case, then checked the hall to make sure they were still alone.

  He grabbed the unconscious man’s feet and hauled him to the office where Heather waited.

  HEATHER

  Heather crouched in the corner, the pistol resting on her knees. Inside the concrete bunker was nothing but heavy silence and deep breathing from Cathy, Baker, and Carleton. She strained, trying to hear beyond the walls. Was Torin alright? And Kade? Had they been taken prisoner? Was she stuck here, alone?

  Would they return?

  She’d been alone so long. It was terrifying to realise how quickly she’d given over her independence; allowed Torin and Kade to run things. But that was a slippery slope. She couldn’t afford to rely on them. They barely knew her. Didn’t really care for her, as a person. Only the idea of a sister and a lover.

  If they knew her... Once they truly had time to think about what she could do and how she could affect their lives, their bodies, their minds. Then the truth would dawn on them and they would leave. It was only a matter of time until she was alone again.

  A kind of resigned acceptance seeped into her tense shoulders and she relaxed.

  Yes. She knew what to do, now.

  What had to be done to protect Torin and Kade. Protect them not only from the Mors Ferrum, but from her as well.

  She paused, listening. Something was different. Was that a noise outside?

  Someone ripped the gun from her hands. An elbow pressed into her jaw, shoving her against the wall. Sparks of pain shot through her neck and she whimpered.

  ‘Tell me how to get out of here, girl, or I’ll blow your damned head off,’ Baker’s deep voice growled in her ear. The pistol cocked, next to her temple. Heather smothered a cry. Her heartrate tripled and her stomach heaved. The bullets might only be rubber, but from that distance the concussive force would still kill her.

  ‘Door,’ she managed, pointing at the semi-concealed exit. If he left that way, maybe he’d meet Kade and the others returning.

  He hauled her to her feet, the muzzle pressed against her skull. ‘You’re coming, too. I’ll trade you for Carleton, later. Maybe.’

  Could she drain him? No. It took a few seconds. More than enough for him to fire the trigger.

  ‘Open the door,’ he ordered.

  Trembling, she unhooked the latch. A knock sounded faintly on the concrete.

  Torin’s knock! They’d come for her. Heather covered a cry of relief.

  Baker swore and dragged her backward, into a corner, using her as a shield.

  Luke entered first, lugging a body. He dropped it next to Carleton and straightened. Then he turned and froze, swearing. Kade and Torin followed, each bearing a comatose man in a fireman’s carry. They both stopped, then lowered their burdens to the floor and raised their hands.

  Kade’s mouth pressed into a hard line. He took a half-step forward. Baker’s arm tightened around Heather’s waist and he retreated.

  ‘Wait, Kae,’ Torin warned.

  After a moment’s hesitation, Kade obeyed. But the hardness in him spoke volumes.

  ‘Don’t be a moron, Baker,’ he growled. ‘We’re trying to help Carleton.’ He pointed at Heather. ‘She needed more…time to be able to recover enough to heal him. These guys are just unconscious. We’re not intending to kill anyone. So put the gun down and let her help.’

  ‘Please,’ Heather said. She tried to catch Baker’s eye but his attention was fixed on Kade and Torin. ‘He’ll drown in his own blood soon if you don’t let me help.’ On cue, Carleton coughed and blood sprayed from his lips. He groaned, twitching. She needed to put him under before he became lucid enough to realise his pain was gone.

  A long silence followed. Baker’s arteries pounded against Heather’s spine. Finally, he shoved her at Carleton.

  ‘Do it, then. But make it fast. Otherwise I’ll shoot all three of you.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  HEATHER

  She paused. ‘I could use your help. When he comes around, if he sees my friends he’ll be worried. Can you help me sit him up?’

  Baker hesitated then gestured with the gun to Kade. ‘You three…up against the other wall. Keep your distance.’ They complied and Heather tried to keep her anxiety from showing. She wiped sweating palms on her thighs and sat beside Carleton.

  Slipping one arm under his shoulders, she pretended to try and lift him. Baker knelt opposite and worked a hand under Carleton’s back. His fingers touched hers.

  That was all she needed.

  Focussing everything she had on him, she drew half Baker’s energy into herself. He gave a groan. The whites of his eyes showed and he collapsed sideways, half-across Carleton’s chest

  Now she was full of sticky-honey, conifer-tasting power. Too full. She needed to get rid of it, fast.

  She ordered the others, ‘Help. Bring the other men close and get him out of the way. I need a continuous supply.’

  Kade reached for her wrist but she snatched free of his grasp. ‘Don’t touch me! I can’t lose this and I can’t hold it for long.’

  Ignoring him, she focussed on Carleton and touched his chest again. Now came the tricky part. Rowan had shown her a mental image of how it worked. Of what the DNA should look like before and after. This had to work, or… no. It didn’t even bear thinking about. It had to work. This was her only chance at freedom.

  Even if it meant a life on the road again.

  She quashed a flicker of hurt and dove into Carleton’s bone-marrow.

  KADE

  Kade and Torin arranged the unconscious men, while Luke bound and gagged Baker in one corner of the small room. Then Luke attached the heart monitor to Carleton again and gave Heather the thumbs up. The regular beeps were loud and irritating. Kade hovered over her. The pallor of her skin worsened and sweat sheened her forehead.

  ‘More,’ she whispered. Tor thrust one man’s limp arm within contact. She absorbed power and straightened, colour in her cheeks. But it faded once she transferred energy to Carleton. Kade ground his teeth, resisting the urge to stop her. She knew her own limits…didn’t she?

  A minute later she repeated the demand, her voice barely a whisper. After completing the transfer to Carleton she didn’t straighten and her colour didn’t recover.

  When she asked a third time, Kade growled.

  ‘Stop, Heather. It’s not worth it. He’s not worth it. It’s taking too much out of you.’

  ‘Shut up!’ she snapped. ‘I’m close, now. Get me the last one.’

  Tor complied and she took the power. Tears trickled from beneath her closed lids and she emitted a broken whimper.

  Kade reached for her, but Tor held him back, saying, ‘Give her a chance.’

  ‘She’ll kill herself!’

  Tor hauled him away from Heather. ‘Get a grip, Kade. She’s been doing this her whole life. She knows what she’s doing. You can’t protect her from everything.’

  Kade broke free, scrubbing at his hair. ‘You don’t get it! This is my fault. If I hadn’t overreacted back at the apartment, we wouldn’t be here. She wouldn’t be risking her life for this asshole.’ He sat on a stool, staring at the floor. ‘I screwed up, Tor. Big time. Now she’s paying the price.’

  ‘What happened? What did you two argue about?’

  ‘I told her…’ Kade swiped at his mouth ‘…how Amanda died. Heather
admitted she was the midwife.’

  Tor’s eyes widened, his jaw dropping. ‘What the… jeezus, Kade. That’s why she thought I was going to hand her over to Carleton when I picked her up?’ He hesitated. ‘But why would she admit to letting Amanda die? That makes no sense.’

  With a short laugh, Kade shook his head. ‘I asked myself the same thing. But way too late. She had already left by the time I came down from my righteous anger and thought it through.’ He groaned. ‘And I walked right into Carleton’s arms like some utter rookie.’

  ‘Uh…’ Luke’s worried interjection broke into whatever Torin had been about to say. Heather gulped a shuddering sob and slumped. The younger man leapt over Carleton’s body in time to catch her.

  She sagged into his arms, limp and pale.

  Kade and Tor hurried over. Kade snatched her from Luke and cradled her close. He felt her pulse and swore. Thready and skipping. Same as before, in the cabin, when she’d overdone it. A sigh fluttered from between blue lips and she sagged.

  ‘Luke! Tell me you’ve got something in that medical kit.’ Kade touched her neck again. ‘I’ve got no pulse.’

  The younger man stripped open a hypodermic and jammed it into her thigh. ‘Adrenalin,’ he said, then thrust Kade aside, laid her down and began CPR.

  Kade sat by, helpless, knowing it wasn’t the one thing she needed. She’d depleted herself of the sianfath’s energy and only more of that would save her. But she had to be alive to draw it. Catch-22.

  Luke paused and felt her throat. ‘Got a faint pulse, but we should get her to hospital.’

  ‘Wait,’ Kade said. ‘Take Carleton, Baker, and the others and put them into the elevator. Send them downstairs. Put a note on Carleton so they know to take him to the hospital. I know what to do for Heather. Give me a few minutes.’

  Torin wavered. ‘You sure? I can help.’

  ‘Get them out of here,’ Kade growled. ‘Call for backup to get all of us out through the tunnel. I’ll bring her back, I promise.’ With Heather’s faint pulse beating beneath his touch, he waited until Tor and Luke had gone, taking Carleton and his men with them. Only Cathy remained, sleeping in one corner. Kade rose and locked the door.