Page 57 of Salvation
And he wasn’t going to get any shorter anytime soon.
Nick rolled Dante onto his back, picked him up under the arms and dragged him onto the blankets. Then, he draped the extra blanket over his own shoulders and sat with his back against the cabinet. He reached out and dragged Dante up to recline against his chest, covering them both with the last two blankets as best he could.
He breathed out a sigh and leaned his head back against the cabinet. There was nothing more to do but wait.
~*~
Sakura peered at the map on the dining table, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. The layout of the Directionals was so simple, even she understood it. Not that she would dream of stepping outside the wheel. Being lost in the frigid wilderness of Matir’s southern hemisphere was not in her plan, not ever. Directions had never been her strength. East, West, North, South…just words. It was probably a good thing she never owned a car, as she would most certainly forget where she parked it.
Two of the three runners had returned with news that Nick and Dante had not shown up at East or North Villages. The South Village runner was still out there, somewhere. The incoming energy of the storm swayed the trees and made comms all but useless. All the advanced technology available, and still a big enough storm could render it ineffective.
“Ita discovered an inconsistency in the snow along the path between South and East.” K’rona pointed to the path in question. “She says it looks like several people left the path in single file formation for an unknown destination through the wilderness.”
Sakura’s stomach muscles tightened. “You mean, Nick and Dante might have been kidnapped?”
“It seems very likely.” K’rona’s fingernail tapped an impatient beat on the map.
“Well, what are you going to do to get Uncle Nick back?” Flora asked, an almost insolent clip to her voice.
“Uncalled for, Flora.” Alex turned from staring out the window and frowned at her daughter.
“No,” K’rona said in English, her large green gaze locked on the teenage girl. “Her question is fair.”
“But, it’s not your fault—”
“Allazandra,” K’rona cut off Nick’s sister. “I answer. We do everything. Flora. Your uncle isfyhen. I will die for him if I must.”
Flora stared hard at the Anferthian woman. Doubt still flickered in her eyes, but it seemed she had nothing to add.
Alex murmured something, and turned to stare out the window again. Sakura met K’rona’s gaze, and the corners of the Anferthian’s wide mouth tipped upward a fraction. “There are many reasons to fight for his return.” She had returned to speaking Anferthian, allowing the translators to work their electronic magic. The affection in K’rona’s eyes was directed at her, and warmth spread through Sakura’s chest at the compliment.
“No! Stay there,” Alex snapped.
Sakura cast a worried glance in her direction. “Who are you talking to?”
Alex’s cheeks turned pink and she fluttered her hands. “Just talking to myself.”
“She’stalkingto Poppy.” Flora gave her mother a knowing smirk.
What did that mean? Poppy was the name Alex’s children called Admiral Helyg. “But, the comms aren’t working.”
Alex fixed her daughter with a glare that promised retribution, then faced Sakura. “I’m not using a comm.”
“Then how—”
“Telepathy.”
Sakura’s jaw dropped. “You havetelepathy?”
Alex shook her head. “Yes, I do, but only with Gryf.” She sighed. “During the occupation, our souls joined in a thing the Matirans calleno anim. No one understands how it happens, but sometimes, when things get really bad, two Matirans’ souls are joined and they are given the tools to help change things by working together. Gryf and I were chosen, and one of the tools we were given is telepathy.”
“And now you are talking to Admiral Helyg? How? You are not Matiran.”
“Apparently, having a Matiran ancestor is enough.”
Sakura drew her brows together. Both she and Nick had a Matiran ancestor, so maybe she could contact Nick.
“I know what you’re thinking, Sakura, and it won’t work,” Alex said. “Eno animhasn’t happened for you.”
