19. Attacked
“Who’s there!?” Every inch of me was ready to bolt. I drew up in defense, turning right and left, aiming to see even when nothing was visible. After of few moments I felt an electric current over my face and arms. Grandma.
Run! Linora cried to me.
I was filled with dread but heeded her warning. I turned back where I thought was my original path and began sprinting into the nothingness.
Faster bébé, faster!
This time her spirit forced a sharp sound, and a great pine cracked nearby, leaving a huge branch directly over the trail behind me. I screamed and quickened my pace. When I’d gone a quarter mile or so I realized I wasn’t heading toward the mansion but further into the mountain. It was like no matter how fast or far I went I kept remaining in the same place. My lungs were burning; my mouth was dry.
“Oh this is impossible!” I wasn’t getting anywhere and what was I running from? “Gran?” I needed her help but I couldn’t see her. Then something stepped over the clearing, something very large in the shadow. She didn’t have to tell me to run this time; I pushed harder and harder, leaping over that downed tree, knowing I was still circling. Before I could find an out-way the enormous shape flew overhead, shoving me into the ground. The air choked inside as I tried to get free. I screamed, and kicked to no avail. I opened my eyes as another large animal stepped forward. Hot saliva dripped from the its mouth, as his long saber-like fangs gnashed at my exposed face. There were three in all, one to the left and one smaller to the right. As the beast’s hackles rose and he lifted his shoulders preparing to strike me true, the one to the left spoke.
Uhtem!
I glanced up at the enormous black wolf hovering over me. He was closing my lungs and he knew it. Soon there would be nothing left but a flat dress over skin and bones. I could already taste metal in my mouth. I was being crushed to death.
I said, ENOUGH! The largest one ordered.
The animal moved away from me and took post near the other smaller wolf to the right. Their look remained solid red, hostile. I tried again to scream for help but no sound would come.
I had to pull myself from the fear, urge my body to get up and when I was finally able, I did manage to double back. Holding my chest with my aching palm and feeling as though it’d been run through a meat grinder I tried to escape. The leader leapt clear over my head, forcing me back to the ground where I remained, cowering in fear. The three wolves stalked left then right, each time I made a sudden turn of my head. The leaders’ eyes were hollow and thirsty and they never left mine, not for a second. It was then I realized I knew him. I knew him from outside my bedroom window that first morning. I knew him from my nightmare. My heart raced as I made the next connection and his sadistic expression quickly confirmed it. I turned to face him head on though I was afraid. I un-raveled to my feet despite being fairly certain I was bleeding from the inside. There was a sick burning in my chest and the pit of my stomach. I made myself look into his chilling eyes.
“I know you,” I said. He stopped moving and glared at me. “You were at Heathrow. You don’t have to be in human form for me to know that.” It never dawned on me that my stalkers actually planned to kill me. Blood pooled in my mouth and then all around me was malevolent laughter. Their mouths were open and their long fangs were stained with gore—the pale brown flesh belonging to me. My lips parted, ready to negotiate in any way that I could. Before I could speak the leader stepped to me hard.
I admire your bravery girl, but save your breath. No amount of negotiations will get you out of this. He moved a few inches closer and I could feel and smell his repugnant breath on my face. Just like in my dream it smelled of death. I rocked un-steadily back on one foot, his gaze followed and again he laughed maniacally. You honestly think you will get away? He boomed.
“What do you want?” I asked, trying to sound calmer than I actually was. In truth I was losing consciousness and the blood in my throat would soon choke me. His wolf ears pricked.
I want for you to die. We all do, he answered. They shook out their soiled fur and as they did more of me flew from their muzzles. My stomach convulsed.
I can’t believe this is her. One remarked, disinterested.
Not much to her is there…good thing we ate. The other one slithered as he scoffed the ground, kicking dirt into my face.
Neither of you shall touch her, is that clear!? The large one bade. She is for her, and for her only. The other two cowered, dropping their heads.
“Who?” I asked, prepared to stall as long as possible in hopes someone would reach me in time. But I had to prepare myself for the worst; these might be the last breaths I take. The three of them roared, their shoulders rose as they tipped their snouts skyward. And then, as if they were calling to others beyond, they howled.
She will arrive soon, and then you will be hers to deal with.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t done anything to you.”
You were born, he replied.
I could see Linora then, in the higher clearing behind them; her arms were outstretched to me though I was several yards away. The black wolves covered me from all sides and when I saw her face beyond their barricade, I knew that she’d sent a call to Isis. She was signaling them to find me, to save me. And then I was pinned to the ground again, the wolves compressed themselves against my body and I couldn’t get any air.
No one can help you now, the leader roared. We’ve been patient and tonight’s opportunity made your capture, easy! He growled.
“Please I c-I can’t…brea-!” My mental voice was muffled by their course fur, their giant paws forced my legs and arms into the ground. I felt more of my bones breaking beneath their weight. Each snap was louder than the next. As I faded and my body was driven deeper and deeper into the earth, flashes of my mother and father entered my mind. All the while Linora’s voice echoed, urging me, commanding me to stay alive.
Fight! Fight do you hear me chile, fight!
With each stifled breath my heart beat accelerated and then it eventually slowed. In my head I could hear only a few beats, each one louder than the last, pumping in my ears. Ahead of me my mother stood smiling, waving her ivory arm in the sun, beckoning me to come to her. On the opposite side was my grandmother flailing her own arms frantically.
She’s not your mother Lina! It’s not real, fight bébé please, you must!
“I’m tired grandma,” I murmured to her, unsure if I was really answering. Was I even breathing anymore? Already I felt miles away from my body. There beneath a glowing sky stood my father, reaching out to me. He smiled from the distant horizon, calling my name…calling… calling so tenderly…
Lina don’t go to them; they aren’t your parents! They’ll kill you! You listen to me, fight!
“I,” my voice trailed. My mom was smiling, waving me to her. For a moment I felt I should go but then her face, a face I’d known all my life, changed. Her delicate features and pale skin hardened, darkened, the eyes weren’t green but red, and her hair was not short but long and wild. The hand beckoning me grew thin and the nails sharp. It wasn’t my mom and the man next to her, he wasn’t my father. They moved in then, like mirages growing nearer and more tangible.
It felt like I’d been submerged under water and I heard many voices, mumbling, gurgling, and gasping for air. A high pitched scream soared out and above the rest, loud as freight train. My body twisted and convulsed and I was pushing against their huge bodies, realizing the desperate noise was coming from me—I was fighting. I didn’t care about the pain as my broken fingers clawed their flesh and I couldn’t see but felt that beneath my nails were tufts of their black fur and skin. There was immense light at that moment and the entire forest floor and canopy was doused in it. The three wolves had me pinned and behind them, through the bloody haze over my eyes, I saw that in place of my mother and father, was actually a man and woman I didn’t recognize. There was fury in their red eyes and the woman moved like she meant to s
trike.
“La taqtarib min nafy 'ant!” Isis told them, with her hand held in defense.
The woman shrieked back at her, though her image faded in and out, like she was a ghost herself. “Jit lilttufl, kama qult min shanihi, w wahu ma sa'afealuh.”
“You’re not taking her now or ever, go back to the pits where you belong!” Isis replied in English.
The wolves held me in place but only a second longer because a whistling sound rose behind me then and as it did the two-ton weight that had held me to the ground lifted. First one, then the others, each black mass was flung into the trees away from me. Their snarls ripped through the wind, equally powerful and determined. Then I felt warm and gentle hands beneath me, lifting me from the earth and cradling me close. I was in shock and couldn’t open my eyes again, but somehow I knew I was safe. Someone had made it to me in time and I didn’t have to see her again to know my grandmother was still there too. I could hear her ghostly sigh of relief.
Oh my cher, oh my sweet child, she whispered tenderly.
“Take her back to the house. Get Ahkmenotep and hurry or she won’t make it, she’s lost too much blood!” one voice shouted.
“What about the others!?” a tiny voice cried. “They won’t be able to stand it Will, after everything that happened,” she said.
“Aeolian can feel free to leave,” said Will cuttingly.
“What about them?” Avati cried back to which Isis responded over her shoulder.
“I’ve got them, go, tend to Lina!”
“I’m here brother,” said Thomas as he crossed the opening. Before going to Will, he placed one blazing hand over my forehead. Through the murky haze of my bloodied eyes I saw his glowing face and my state I moaned at his touch.
“You’re safe now,” was all he uttered before heading to take care of the wolves. In the background I could still hear Isis, battling my attackers.
Avati put me squarely in her tiny arms with little effort and flew back toward the mansion without looking back. When we reached the main gate, the others were already there to scoop me into their arms and carry me inside.
“Into the library, quickly,” Ahkmenotep instructed. Inside I was placed on an old metal hospital bed and Avati pulled off my torn, bloody gown. A terrible string of cries filled the room.
“I know. I know everyone. Please, hurry!” Ahkmenotep instructed briskly. Avati covered my swollen and broken body with a crisp white bed sheet. I moaned at her touch and at the fire burning over every exposed piece of my skin. She tried not to move the shattered parts of my chest, arms and right leg as she situated me for him.
Cold, I told her.
“We’re going to take care of that right now little one. Just hold onto my hand,” Lyon gripped my tiny fingers in his and I winced as the needle went into my arm. “How did they get onto the property?! How did we not know?!”
“They were at the airport,” Avati paused, looking to Anchille. “She noticed them, she did and I didn’t do anything. I was so intent on getting her to you. I didn’t want to draw more attention to her, in case,” she paused, to touch my forehead, “in case we were mistaken and they didn’t know her.”
“You couldn’t have known this would happen,” he said.
“Avati, I have some more bags of AB- in the cooler downstairs can you-?” Ahkmenotep asked. She’d already vanished. Ahkmen tapped the IV and pulled the machine close to the head of the bed. He came to the opposite side to speak to me before he put the medicine into the line. “Ahmolina? Can you hear me?” he asked.
“Hmm?”
“I’m going to take away the pain.” I closed my eyes, murmuring whatever thank you I could. “Her ribs will heal, I’ve already wrapped them, but…” Ahkmenotep stopped short.
“What is it? What’s wrong, can’t you fix it?” Anchille asked. He placed one hand over my cheek momentarily while another pair of hands seemed to hover over me.
“Her organs have been compromised, crushed,” said Vittorio. I opened my eyes briefly to see him scanning with his preternatural eyes, raking them over my midsection. It frightened me so I looked away.
“Change her, can’t you,” asked Avati, handing Ahkmen the blood.
“We can’t save her that way. She’s human, and must remain so…”
“But she’s dying!” Avati argued, reaching for the bed. “I can do it; I will do it!” He gripped her wrist.
“The prophecy!”
“There has to be something more we can do!”
“Her path is set. If we alter her, in any way, in any capacity…it could change all our futures,” Ahkmenotep told them. “But…?”
“What?”
“She’s lost much blood, much Anchille, even with the transfusions…I don’t, I don’t know what to do for her. Anything beyond this point, beyond these measures would be, interfering. Anchille…did you hear me?” Ahkmenotep pressed his hand to Anchille’s shoulder. A terrified hush enveloped the room. Though her body was clearly not there, Isis spoke to both men. I could hear her even through my drug induced haze.
Do what you can, then leave her to me, she told them.
What about the change, will it affect her later?
No. After tonight she will be as she always was.
Do you need me, love? Anchille sent to her. He was tormented by not wanting to leave me or her alone.
When we are through with them not one of their kind will dare attempt this in so few numbers again. I am fine, tend to the child Anchille, she’s the most important thing.
What about Ankh-sut?
There was a lengthy pause that all hung on.
It was only a spell. I’ll be there soon, she sent fast.
“Ohh,” I half whined, and leaned over the edge of the bed. Bright red fluid spilled onto the floor below. It could have been what they’d just given me for all I knew—it was so much.
Keep her alive! Isis demanded and then her voice was gone.
“I’ve given the coagulant, Anchille. The bleeding has stopped for now, but I can’t give her more. It could kill her. If she bleeds further...I don’t know, I don’t know.”
“What else can we do, to keep her immobile, and comfortable?” asked Anchille.
“Morphine,” Ahkmenotep informed him, though all were listening. We need Isis, he sent to him. Lina must keep the medicine in.
The others drifted into the room and took posts around the walls, watching in horror. The room tasted of human blood and yet they stayed. The liquid snaked through the tube again and I felt as though my body was feather light, unbroken. I wanted to speak now that I was more coherent but the tube in my throat wouldn’t allow it. When Avati realized what I was trying to do she looked to Ahkmen. He pressed his fingertips to my wrists momentarily then he nodded to her. She removed it then and I was relieved but like before, I couldn’t produce words.
Sorry, I told them mentally instead. I felt their cool hands over my body.
“Shh, rest love. You are safe now.”
I smiled a half smile and then closed my eyes. The monitor beeped slowly and after a few moments I felt my body grow still. I could sense them, over me, watching my chest expand once and then depress again, deeper each time. And then the room grew warm. I was growing warmer by the second and I felt as I did in the woods, staring at my mother and father. Familiar faces greeted me in my dream, held their hands out to me, and urged me to come to them. I wanted to, I was ready. Around me voices were vigilant; fear clung in the astringent air. I’m ready, I told the guests. I heard shouting around me, loud and urgent; I was no longer laying, but floating, higher and higher above them. And then the only sound that punctured the feeling of peace was one loud cry.
“NO…!”