AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She reached up a weary hand—and no more field. The sudden relief eased the physical pain.
But she still couldn’t see a damn thing despite her preternatural vision. Apparently the eyes needed some light to work with.
She crawled on her knees in the direction of Antony’s strong, even breathing. At least the warrior had gotten some sleep.
When she reached the field around him, she groaned. It was much larger than hers—more a jail cell than a coffin. She thought maybe a different pathway would help, so she stood up, put her left hand on the field, and kicked off her shoes.
She refused to think about how uncomfortable this was going to be. Instead, she just let the energy flow. She tensed then relaxed and realized her decision had been a good one. The energy moved straight down her left side, missing her heart altogether.
When the last of it was gone she called Antony’s name.
I searched for you
In the wilderness
I called your name at the darkest hour
I broke every promise
And shattered the unknown
I called your name when my heart was open
And you were there, Beloved,
You were there.
—Collected Poems, Beatrice of Fourth
Chapter 23
Medichi awoke to the sweetest sound in the world—Parisa speaking his name.
“Parisa? You sound so close, but I can’t see you.”
“I didn’t want to startle you.”
She was closer now, closer than she should be, like really close. Was he dreaming? He sat up then gained his feet. He put his hands out in front of him. “Where are you?”
“Right here. I … well, how do I say this … I contacted Endelle through our mutual voyeur windows. She brought in Alison, who sent me a nice little download all about energy fields. They’re gone. The fields are gone.”
Relief washed through him like a flash flood during a monsoon storm. His knees buckled but he caught himself.
“You’re kidding” came out of his mouth. “I mean, that’s fantastic.” He grabbed for her and the next moment she was in his arms and flat against his chest, stuck to him like a wet autumn leaf. A series of sobs bounced her beautiful br**sts against his. “It’s okay,” he said. “It’s okay. You did great. It’s okay. I can’t believe it. You’re amazing.”
She laughed and cried but after a moment she took a deep breath. She pulled back but only far enough so that her hair brushed his chin. His nose started itching, and a second later he sneezed.
“I’m covered in that awful dust. Antony, what do we do now?”
Just as the words left her mouth, a distant light flicked on and Rith’s voice echoed across the room. “Ready for the next round, my dear?” The rattling of wheels sounded at the same time.
The field was gone. Was it possible he could fold? Would it be this simple?
One thing was for sure, he wasn’t going to wait around to find out.
Medichi clutched her close. Just as Rith appeared in the doorway, he thought the thought. The next moment he was holding Parisa in his arms at the foot of his own bed.
Holy shit, they’d done it!
“Did we actually make it out?” she asked.
“Yes. We did.” He looked down at her, still clutching her hard against him, afraid she would vanish straight out of his arms.
“What if he follows your trace?”
“He tried that once before, and I almost had his head. Remember, he’s not a warrior. He’d never be that foolish to come here again although I’d love for him to try.”
She blinked up at him. “Antony, we did it.”
He nodded, still stunned. “But how did you come up with using the voyeur window?”
At that her expression softened. “I figured something out: I don’t have to go my own path alone anymore. I got us into this mess by chasing Rith’s illusion outside the hospital because all my life I’ve acted independent of everyone. I had to let that thinking go, to think differently. And the moment I had that thought, I remembered that Endelle also had a voyeur’s window. And now here we are.”
He kissed her hard on the lips and she responded with a low cry in her throat as she threw her arms around his neck. His hand drifted low and caught her bu**ocks in his hand. He pressed her hard against him.
After a moment, she drew back. “Oh, God, I almost forgot.”
“Why the frown? What’s wrong?” He had the worst feeling.
“Greaves is mounting an attack. He’s been amassing his forces on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.”
“Shit. Oh, shit. I’ve got to get over there.”
She grew very still as he pushed her away. He reached for his phone then caught sight of Parisa’s expression. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure.” She put her fist between her br**sts. “Antony, be careful right now. Be careful of the choice you make.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I was so sure you were on the lawn that I rushed into harm’s way without knowing it. I realize there’s a battle taking shape, but don’t rush. I’m here with you now. Take a moment to think what it is you really need to do, what perhaps you and I need to do … together.”
He lowered the phone to his side and stared at her. “Something has changed for you, hasn’t it?”
She smiled, a very soft warm smile. “Yes, it has. I’m willing to do things I wasn’t so willing to do a few hours ago.”
He knew she referred to the breh-hedden. A shiver crossed over his shoulders. “Parisa,” he said softly.
“Just think about it, then make your call. I’m going to take a shower, here, in your bedroom.”
“Okay.” He lifted the phone and thumbed. “Hey, Jeannie, can you—”
“Patching you through to Thorne.”
Yeah, they were in deep shit for Jeannie not even to greet him.
“Give,” Thorne’s gravel voice barked at him.
“We’re out.”
A long silence, then, “How?”
He glanced at Parisa who stood next to the shower attempting, not altogether successfully, to fold off her clothes. Her shirt hung off one arm. Not bad for a beginner. The terra-cotta dust clung to her hair, her arms, her pants.
“Parisa used Alison’s memories about field construction and somehow disrupted the fields.”
Thorne whistled. “That’s one boatload of power but can you hold on for a second?”
Medichi frowned. “Sure.”
