At Night's End

by Katherine Matzen

  He pushed his annoyance at her irrational behavior down. He couldn’t expect her to trust him even though he felt like he had known her his entire life. Rissa’s right, damn her. I am infatuated. He had to be careful and give Dani space to realize she cared about him, or she would run again. I can’t lose her.

  She gathered her hair up and flipped it into a ponytail in a nervous gesture, looking everywhere but at him. “If they come back, I’ll feed them again. It’s not a big deal.”

  “And if they ask about me?” His voice sounded calm to his ears, not revealing any of the turmoil churning his gut.

  “I’ll tell them I found you in the woods, let you stay for a few days and you left. The bare simple truth, just like you told me.”

  A low growl escaped his chest, and he leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. She’s so stubborn. Why won’t she listen? He had to force her to understand. “You don’t realize how dangerous they are, no matter how harmless they look in those ridiculous suits and hats. The friend who invited me to the Hatti feast is missing. No one’s caught a whisper of a rumor about his whereabouts. I fear he’s injured or dead because of me. I hate to think what the Hatti would do to you if you thwart them. Unlike Trevan, you don’t even have diplomatic protection.”

  “I don’t care.” She shook her head in denial. “I don’t want to hear what you know about them. They’ve met almost everyone in town and there were no reports of injuries or threats or missing people. Whatever your problem with them is, it’s between you guys.”

  He snarled a nasty word under his breath, shaking with anger before he could get his reaction under control. Won’t win a head-on battle. Time to rethink my strategy. His scowl faded. Time for a distraction.

  “I brought a gift to thank you for your help.” His unexpected change of topics derailed the argument.

  He watched her fear fade into delight as he pulled out a variety of seedlings, plus two larger plants from the box.

  Dani’s smile was contagious as she examined the offering. Not all of them were the well-known green or odd-ball reddish-purple she was familiar with. Soon, the table held a veritable rainbow of leaf colors in all sizes and shapes, ranging from smooth and shiny to furry and velvety soft.

  “They come from… several different places.” He stumbled as he decided not to reveal the extra-planetary nature of the plants. She had to suspect his alien origins, but as long as he didn’t confirm anything, they could pretend he was from Canada. The head botanist of the Alliance had chosen the plants for him, to ensure none would be noxious weeds on Terra. No one wanted a repeat of the kudzu fiasco. “Some have medicinal uses and some are culinary herbs.” He pointed to a plant with large, purple-fuzz covered leaves. “This one’s just pretty.”

  “Thank you,” she said. Words seemed to desert her as she looked over the unexpected treasure.

  Lateef’s mood lightened as he described the light and temperature requirements and potential uses as she matched each plant to the printed instructions the head botanist had provided. Her enthusiasm was contagious. He hadn’t expected her joy. This is the first time I’ve ever seen her so relaxed.

  “This orange basil should work in a chicken dish. I hope it grows fast. I can’t wait to experiment.” She moved to the fuzzy purple plant. “I love this one. I have the perfect spot here in the dining room.”

  She grabbed a plate from the kitchen and set the pot on an empty end table. “It looks good there.”

  “It does. Where would you like the rest of them?”

  “I have a sunny area in my workshop.”

  He returned the smaller plants to the box and followed her to the room which ran along the southern side of the house. A long, soapstone workbench took up most of the wall under a bank of windows that had a beautiful view during the day. Rolling racks lined the interior wall. He remembered from his earlier stay that the cabinets near the large sink were full of folded towels. Bottles of oils and other supplies filled shelves on another wall. Open shelves held packaged product ready for sale. Safety goggles and a white lab coat hung on pegs by the door. The room was neat and smelled fresh.

  “You’re very organized. This is a great workspace.”

  “I have to be. Some of the raw chemicals are dangerous. I don’t want to unexpectedly find lye crystals scattered on the counter. Those suckers can cause some serious burns.”

  He grinned. “You don’t have very many unexpected moments, do you?”

  Her expression turned hard, and a wave of pain radiated from her that vanished as fast as he detected it.

  He babbled to cover up his mistake. “I like that about you. You are the most grounded person I’ve ever met. Where do you want these?” Idiot. He berated himself. He knew she had lost her child unexpectedly.

  She pointed to the workbench. “This should get plenty of light. The windows are tinted so the sun shouldn’t be too bright although maybe I will go ahead and buy some shades.” A sense of unease filled the room as she stared at the reflective surface of the window as if searching for monsters in the night.

  “Have you wanted curtains?” He caught her tension though he couldn’t pinpoint the source. He sent out a tendril of thought, but only detected the normal creatures moving in the night.

  She gave him a guarded smile as she spread out the array of plants. “Not really. I like looking up to find a deer staring in at me. I enjoy living up here more than I thought I would. Carl would have hated it even though the place was all his idea.”

  “This place suits you. I can’t imagine you in a crowded city.” He handed her the last plant, glad her unease had dissipated.

  “Anna and Charlie have made me belong.” She stared into the distance and her aura shifted, settling to a calm gold.

  “I have to work tonight, but you don’t have to leave. Do you mind hanging out for half an hour or so while I cut up a batch of soap? I can get you some coffee while you wait.”

  “I’m fine, thank you.” Relief made his knees weak. She couldn’t hate him if she wanted him to stay. As connected as he was with her, his inability to clearly read her feelings for him made him nuts. Maybe that drug’s still messing with my abilities? Have to ask Mellora, not that I’ll admit anything. “Abby and I’ll chat.”

  She groaned. “Don’t you try to tell me you can talk to the dog. Kyle already insisted Abby told him what kind of pizza I like.”

  A red haze filled his vision and his fists clenched.

  “It didn’t work,” she said when he remained silent too long. “I know he called the place and asked what I’d ordered before.”

  The breath hissed out of his lungs and he recognized the unfamiliar emotion as jealousy. Cut that out. You’re a master healer, not a pimply faced teen.

  The dog padded over and stuck her nose in Lateef’s crotch and he jumped. “That’s enough, you.” He scratched her ears, grateful for the distraction. “Do what you need to do and don’t worry about us. We’ll be okay and when you finish, we can celebrate with a treat.”

  She looked at him with raised eyebrows. “You buying?”

  “I brought the surprise with me.” He grinned.

  “What is it?”

  “Get your work done first, you slacker.” He waved his hands in a shooing motion. “And hurry up—or I might not wait for you.” He walked back to the kitchen, Abby at his heels.

  He plopped into a chair and rested his chin on his hand, trying to decide how the visit was going. Did I make up for walking out like I did? Is this Kyle guy a threat? The emotions surging through his veins threw his serenity into chaos.

  A soggy tennis ball landed in his lap and he looked up to see the dog’s intense focus on him.

  “Guess you’re not interested in helping me sort out my feelings?”

  She stood and leaned forward to bump his leg and then sat down, eyes darting between the yellow ball and his face.
/>
  He laughed. “I know what you want.” He tossed the ball toward the back door, hoping Dani would be too busy to care about the thumps and nails scrabbling on the tile floor to come investigate. He knew she wouldn’t appreciate a game of fetch in the house but didn’t want to go outside so late at night.

  Abby continued the game long enough his mind wandered. Guess I ought to get the surprise I promised. Rissa had given him a box of her favorite pastries before leaving for her last mission. He’d decided to leave them at home until he knew how Dani reacted to his visit.

  He teleported back to his quarters on Beryl and took a few minutes to wash his hands and freshen up. He was reaching for the pastries when a wave of fear from Dani paralyzed him for a few precious seconds. Why didn’t I stay in closer contact?

  He teleported to the workshop doorway and cursed as the dog plowed into him, almost knocking him to the ground. Her piercing yips of terror hurt his ears. He regained his balance and looked up. Dani stood frozen, staring at the window. His gaze followed. A face from a nightmare stared at him through the glass, fangs extended as the giant nostrils expanded to take in his scent through the wall of windows. Feathers grew in a mane around the reptilian head and in a crest down the sinuous back to the long tail. Clawed feet held the sturdy body high off the ground. Huge yellow eyes glared at them through the glass.

  The Hatti bloodhound was still on his trail, and he had led the monster to Dani. Time slowed as he sank into a trance and sent tendrils of psychic energy into the mind of the alien creature. He painted new memories of seeing him in the meadow where he had crashed as he erased any thought of Dani or this house. The Jangxing hissed, its eyes half-closed before turning to lumber back down the mountain. Good thing most of its brainpower is used to process scents or we’d be screwed.

  Lateef kept his attention focused on the menace until he was certain his compulsion had replaced reality and the creature was leading its handlers away from them.

  “What was that thing?” Dani’s teeth chattered.

  “I told you I had enemies.” He crossed the room to wrap his arms around her, but he continued to concentrate on the Jangxing’s departure, making sure it left.

  She shuddered violently and leaned her head back against his shoulder, relaxing into his hold.

  Once the Jangxing moved beyond the valley that held Dani’s home, he pulled his attention back to his surroundings. How can I explain this?

  Her shudders slowed.

  “Let’s go get you a hot drink.” He relaxed his grip, and she stumbled.

  “Dani?” He stared at the blood pooling on the bench as his mind gibbered in panic for a few seconds. He should have smelled that much blood. He pushed the emotions away, helping her to sit on the floor with her damaged hand elevated. Bright red blood pulsed with every heartbeat and he tightened his grip on a pressure point above her wrist. White bone gleamed through the slice across her wrist and hand.

  He entered a healing trance. Dani’s state of shock rattled his concentration. Usually, he had help in these situations, and someone else would reassure the patient as he worried about the mechanics of healing. He focused part of his attention on the damaged artery and coaxed the edges of the slit in the muscular tube to line up and re-seal. He blocked the pain impulses flowing to Dani’s brain as he encouraged her.

  ‘Stay with me, Dani. I can heal your wounds, but you have to help me.’ He spoke mind to mind.

  ‘Why doesn’t it hurt?’ Her mental voice was faint and she slumped to lie on the floor.

  ‘I won’t let it.’

  The artery nicked by her knife was whole again. He released the pressure on her arm and checked to be certain. When no fresh blood pulsed into the wound, his attention turned to coaxing all of the veins, nerves and muscle fibers to re-knit.

  Her life faded despite his efforts. She hadn’t lost that much blood, and yet her energy was fading. A shadowy figure shifted at the edge of his vision, but he wasn’t sure if the shape was real or his imagination.

  Dani’s heartbeat stuttered and adrenaline flooded his system. All extraneous thoughts fled as he focused.

  ‘Don’t leave me, Dani!’

  Chapter Twelve

  Dani watched Lateef work on her from her vantage point near the ceiling. It was like watching a movie about someone else until she saw Abby crouched on the floor beside her body. Guilt churned her gut. Not like I have a choice. Glad Abby’s not alone for this. Lateef’ll take care of her.

  “I’m sorry.” She tried to whisper, but no sound escaped her incorporeal lips. The room faded into a gray haze and she was content to float. I’d forgotten how nice a lack of pain can be. She hadn’t realized just how much she hurt since the accident. The fog brightened, and a breeze gently propelled her forward. The hint of a child’s laughter caught her attention.

  “Caity.” Joy surged through her at the thought of seeing her baby again. Pressure landed on her shoulder and she tensed. Carl’s scent surrounded her—a spicy, musky fragrance she had created for him. The breeze reversed, and she fought the currents of air pushing her away from the sound of her daughter’s happy babble.

  “You don’t belong here, Elle. Go home. It’s not your time.” Carl spun her around and shoved her.

  “Caitlin.” The scream ripped from her lips as the wind increased to a gale, forcing her further away from the light. “Caity.” Her breath came in huge, heavy sobs as she was forced further from her beloved daughter. She lost all sense of direction as her body spun.

  The wind halted, and she looked for the source of the bright light. A monotonous haze filled every direction. The only sound around was her own blood pounding in her ears.

  “No.” The sound, half protest, half defeated sob tore from her throat and she collapsed to her knees. Her body shook with the force of her crying, but the mist absorbed all sound.

  An eternity passed, and her tears slowed. Exhaustion dragged at her limbs and she got to her feet to stare dully around her, wondering if this was all the afterlife had to offer. A faint noise caught her attention, and she realized someone called her name. Carl? As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she knew she was wrong. There was a warmth to this tone Carl never had. Her body wanted to follow the voice.

  An overwhelming compulsion to look for the light re-energized her. Then an irrational fear clawed at her and she tried to move away from the sound. She shifted her insubstantial body a few feet, but the relentless voice sunk hooks into her soul. She recognized Lateef, and the panic subsided. A growl vibrated the mist as she stopped resisting Lateef’s pull.

  She looked around for the source of the menace, but her surroundings remained blank. Then she heard breathing. She whirled to face the sound. A blurry figure solidified. At first, the shape reminded her of the shadow from her nightmares, but then the darkness morphed into Carl, although something about the way the man stood nagged at her subconscious.

  “It’s okay, Elle.”

  “Carl.” His familiar voice caressed her, and she forgot all the bad times. “I thought you died.”

  He tugged her into an embrace, controlling her movements. “Aren’t you glad to see me? It’s been forever.”

  She took a deep breath at his attempted domination. He didn’t smell right. Instead of the spice, she caught a whiff of sulfur. The spell shattered. She shoved against his chest get some space. “Where’s Caitlyn? Isn’t she here, too?”

  “She’s fine, honey.” He pulled her back in, his hold on the edge of discomfort. Irritation filled his voice. “It’s not always possible to do things on your schedule, Danielle.”

  “I didn’t… You just sent me…” Words failed her. Even in death, Carl had to be in charge. If this is Carl? Confusion slowed her thoughts as she struggled to reconcile the contradictory actions of this man who looked like her late husband.

  “Of course you didn’t mean anything.” He gripped h
er shoulders and crouched a bit to meet her gaze. “Quit trying to turn your guilt into a virtue, Danielle. None of us has the power of life and death. You aren’t the center of the universe.”

  Dani hesitated at the naked emotion in his comment. Carl never revealed the anger she knew he kept bottled up behind the jovial façade he presented to the world.

  “I don’t believe I am. I need to see my baby again, Carl. She shouldn’t have died.”

  “You’re right, Elle. You should have been alone when the car failed. That was the plan.”

  Dani blinked, stepping back as she tried to process the change in the man she had once loved. His bright eyes held shadows and the set of his jaw seemed wrong. “I didn’t force you to come to the trade show.”

  “You are mine, Danielle Weatherly.” Fierce jealousy flashed in Carl’s blue eyes. “And no one can ever change that.” He once again tugged her into a tight embrace, his lips demanding a deep kiss from her. “You will always belong to me and don’t you dare forget it.”

  She endured his affection, gathering her energy to accomplish her true aim. He broke contact and her knees wobbled as he pushed her away. His body turned gauzy and Dani clung to him. “Don’t go. Please don’t leave me, Carl. I need to see Caity.” She sobbed as his form faded from her fingers. “I want my baby.” His smirk mocked her in the seconds before he vanished.

  A bone-chilling cold enveloped her in an icy blast. She huddled into herself, her arms aching to hold her lost child. She blinked the tears from her eyes and realized she stood in the corner of her workshop. Her body was stretched out on the floor in a large pool of blood. Lateef knelt beside her with his head bowed, both hands spread over a horrible gash across her hand and wrist. Color spread from his contact. She moved closer when she realized she could feel heat on her disconnected body where the color was on her real body. Before she could understand what was happening, a silver cord shot from her navel and pulled her into her physical body with an audible snap. She moaned in protest.