Decima: Two Hold - Chapter 21 - A'mara Books

21

(Tharnday, cont.)

Tranas A’mara Retreat

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“There,” Seyth said, handing the tiny device to Hergil. “I would recommend placing it somewhere under her clothing – preferably where it won’t interfere with anything. Plug this code into your PCS link,” he instructed, pointing at the serial number of the device. “Then, it will always give you her location.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Hergil replied.

Anney was also grateful. Although she felt brave enough to go through with the horrors of being captured, she felt much better if Hergil had some hope of tracing her. She put her arm around him, hoping Seyth could see the gratefulness in her eyes. She thought she would tear up if she spoke.

“Could be a damper in bed tonight,” he murmured into her ear.

She giggled.

“Want up!” Syr demanded, holding his arms up to Hergil.

“Would you listen to that!” he replied with a grin. “Of course you can come up, Syr!” Hergil lifted the boy onto his shoulders.

Anney’s resolve to not cry dissolved at that point. She realized that she would have to tell Syr sometime in the future about his birth father, but for now, he could have the stability of a real family – all she’d ever wanted for her children.

“Come on… family time!” Hergil urged, grabbing her arm.

She would have gone with him too – except for the arrival of the abáris.

“Remain, if you would,” Fain said, his gaze settling on Hergil and Anney. His eyes rested on Anney’s abdomen a moment. She felt the fact that he knew they had been successful. She tried, unsuccessfully to keep the blush off her cheeks. Fain said nothing about his observation, however, sitting on a couch. Aunt Varice sat next to him. It seemed clear that they had formed some sort of understanding together. She exchanged glances with Hergil as they sat on another couch.

Their visitors came into the room as well, having been summoned to a meeting, apparently.

“Yesterday, Varice and I were at the hospital,” Fain began and described the whole sequence of events from the lack of patients to the young woman who had seemed to have died.

“A shadow?” Hergil asked, concerned.

“Cloaked. Balan or Yerdua I’m pretty certain,” Fain replied. “He sprayed some Assassin’s Assurance, I think, into the young woman’s face. She became ‘dead’ to the world – long enough for the medical staff to pronounce her dead, anyway.”

“I thought that stuff was always fatal, mate,” Kimmel replied.

“Not if you have the antidote to administer quickly,” Varice clarified.

“But this guy knew his stuff, for sure. I don’t know how many would wait long enough to be declared medically dead… and still be successful in reviving someone,” Fain added.

“Unless he knows magick,” Anney suggested.

“That’s usually reserved for the stellas,” Fain replied.

“Because they can’t? Or because most men don’t want to?” Anney challenged.

“She’s right,” Auraka confirmed as she came in. “Traditionally, it has been women who learn these healing arts, but there have always been a few men along the way who have learned… sometimes, they were just the only grandson of a stella… but regardless of how they learned, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.”

“How could you know for sure?” Fain asked.

“Oh, there are signs I could look for…,” she offered. “It’s not for me to tell you… though maybe Anney would be interested in learning… one day.”

“That would be good – if you could see it on filtered footage,” Fain replied.

“Oh no… that sort of thing has to be seen in person. Just like it is harder to see a new leya imprint on camera than it is to see on Anney right now,” Auraka informed.

Anney blushed again.

“I will visit you tomorrow, Anney, if you wouldn’t mind seeing me. I need to check you and give you your tea. Keep it on you for when they take you.”

Anney shook her head in amazement. How did this ancient woman know so much?!

“I do not know what kind of stella provisions they will make for you,” the woman continued, not making note of the shock Anney felt.

“They’re not taking her!” Hergil determined afresh.

“My son,” Auraka started. “It is not for you to decide this thing! It is already being plotted. It will be done as they plan.”

“No! They can’t have her! She’s mine!”

Auraka smiled, echoing the sentimental smile on Anney’s heart, almost overpowering the fear she felt creeping up her spine.

“Hergil,” Auraka soothed. “It will be only a temporary separation – one which will answer many questions. The only real question in my mind is whether those questions will be answered before someone else has to go missing…” Her gaze shifted towards the abáris. Anney thought she was just trying to reassure them, but maybe there was more to it.

“How can you be sure it will be temporary?” Anney asked, feeling disconcerted.

“Because Hergil will tear apart anyone who stands in his way to find you. He also has his friends – who are also missing loved ones. This mystery will be solved because your friends are smart and brave… and because you are also smart and brave, Anney.” The old woman smiled reassuringly at her. She tried to smile back.

“We tried to follow the leya imprints to find out where they might have gone,” Fain returned to the original topic. “But we found nothing at any of the ports.”

“It goes without saying that we should all be vigilant until this mystery is solved,” Aunt Varice continued. Her gaze also fell back on Anney, the meaning clear. She was worried.

Suddenly, Aunt Varice’s plan was crystal clear. She wanted to shake her head, but didn’t want everyone to know her suspicions.

“Everyone is excused for the night,” Aunt Varice adjourned. Her mind flickered for a moment towards the handsome man sitting beside her.

Anney picked up Syr, who was nearly asleep, and stood. Hergil went quickly with her.

“I can’t believe it!” Anney said when they were alone again. “I know we talked about the possibility they would get together, but she intends to conceive!”

“They are consenting adults – same as us,” Hergil replied.

“But it’s my aunt!”

“And my father!” he added..”

“Such a gamble!”

“Any more than it is for us?” he asked.

“I knew she was smitten for your father back when we were together the first time, but she was always adamant she would behave professionally.”

“But my father wasn’t single then,” Hergil reminded her. “Try not to worry about them. They are old enough to take care of each other. Just like I get to take care of you and Syr now.”

Anney smiled. She had got what she’d been longing for since their first night together. Now, it seemed her Aunt would get her wish as well!