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Chapter Eighteen
“Who’smissing?”
Serlo’s voice echoes across the Temple as he climbs the stairs to the top. I hold my breath as he steps in front of the portal the Ropors just left through. Alexa’s already running, zigzagging through bodies as she makes her way over to him.
“Jamal.”
“Trakel.”
There’s a pause as everyone looks around, except Cal’s by my side, swooping me into his arms to crush me against his chest. “MyDeleera. Are you well?”
Bursting into tears, I try not to let myself sob. It’s not fear, it’s thankfulness that has my eyes burning. I press them closed, trying to hold back my emotions. “Yes,” I manage to get out.
“You don’t seem to be. Why are you crying?”
The rumble in his voice shakes my body. He sounds angry, but I know him well enough to realize he’s worried.
Pulling back, I cup his green cheeks, pressing my lips to his before pulling back quickly. “I’m just thankful you’re alright.” Despite my best efforts, my breath hitches, betraying my emotions.
I’m tied up in knots. I know we survived, but at what cost? Names are being called out, and I’ve already lost count. What do we do now?
“Let’s assess the injured. Figure out who’s the worst and get Healer Torlen in here. We have to prioritize.”
Malk’s right, and I wiggle my body down, thankful for something to do. It’s easy for me to see who’s dead as I wander through the room. Those who’ve passed on have a low level energy field that’s fading by the moment.
Running up to a trainee with black shooting through his energy, I see he’s bleeding from his chest. The blood is soaking the ground under him. “Healer Torlen! Here! Now!”
The last command is a screech as I drop to my knees and press both hands against the wound. The warm blood squishes through my fingers, and it’s hard not to jerk away.
There’s pounding next to me as the Healer steps in. “Let go,” he commands softly, grabbing my wrist as I hesitate.
Straightening slowly, I realize the Orcleen women are all spinning in circles slowly. Just what the fuck is up with them? With wide eyes and open mouths, they appear even more vacant than when this began.
Wiping my hands on my skirt, I notice Cal has joined Serlo and the others, shuffling bodies on the floor to an area near the far door. They’re all dead. Half a dozen already weeded out of the others.
Grabbing the elbow of one of the Orcleens, I shuffle with her as she continues to move. “Are you alright?”
When she pulls out of my grip, eyes blank, I wonder if she can even understand me. Probably not.
It’s the stuff of nightmares. The waxy green faces are void of any emotion. Shock, I suspect.
I can’t say I blame them.
It only takes a few minutes. Even the least injured are helping, pulling in stretchers and loading those who can’t walk off to the side so they can be treated. I’d zeroed in on the most wounded, and from how it’s going, he looks like he’ll make it.
I feel dead inside, knowing that we played a part in this, even though it’s not our fault. The Ropors are all about fear, and mindlessly torturing anyone they consider inferior. From the looks of it, that’s all of us.
Emma throws her arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight against her chest. “Are you okay? You’re really white.”
“I’m not a fan of blood.” Laughing lightly, I let her squeeze me, thankful we’re all together. I’m sure the Ropors knew if they took a human with them now, they might be hanging themselves on getting their Dishif fixed. They have no idea which one of us knows how to use it.
“We must figure the Portal out.”
“I know,” Alexa agrees, walking up from the side. “You and Emma know the most. We need to share the information with everyone.”
“Maybe,” Emma hisses, pulling both our bodies closer. “But I don’t trust the Orcleens. Just look at them.”
We each discreetly look around. I realize although some of them have slowed in their mindless circles, they all appear lifeless. Fucking weird.
