Henry twisted his lip between his teeth. “You and your brother be ready to go within an hour.”
“Okay.” Jake’s brows lowered. “Where you going?”
“I’ll be back.”
~~~
Five hours later, Henry pulled into a little diner for lunch. Jake and Cael clamored out of the Explorer, heading toward the beacon of greasy truck-stop fries and colas, one of their favorite things about this dimension.
“Boys.” Henry’s call stopped them. “Jake, order us some burgers. To go. Cael, you’re with me.”
Both his sons eyed him curiously. Shrugging, Jake turned to get the food while Cael shuffled hesitantly back over to his father, biting his lip and looking at the ground. He was acting the way he did when he thought he was in trouble.
Henry eyed the payphone on the other side of the gas pumps near a weathered iron-wrought table and partially torn lawn chairs. Without an explanation he turned on his heel and started walking that way, hearing Cael plodding obediently behind him.
Dropping coins into the slot, Henry pulled out a crumpled piece of paper he’d written the number down on and began dialing.
With the receiver to his cheek, he turned toward his son. Curious, Cael watched him through the fringe of those too long bangs.
“Yes,” Henry said in a lower tone than usual, making Cael’s brows shoot up. “I…got a tip. No, I won’t say who this is. Let’s just say my ante’s come due and I wanna meet my Maker with a clean conscience. Yeah, yeah, that’s right. Death bed repentance. Don’t believe me if you don’t wanna. Just tryin ta make things right.”
Cael was leaning in closer, his nose scrunching up at Henry’s obvious lie.
“Sees, I had a cellmate told me ‘bout another fella who killed and buried several people out in San Miguel, Arizona…”
Cael’s face angled up to look at him fully. His eyes were wide, mouth slightly agape and just like that as Henry gave the San Miguel police station the location of the graves, his boy’s countenance completely altered into something Henry could only describe as radiant.
“Dad!” Cael exclaimed the moment Henry hung up the receiver, in a tone brimming with a happiness Henry hadn’t heard in a long time. “I thought that was too dangerous.”
Henry snaked his palm around the back of Cael’s neck. “It is, but a few weeks have gone by and we’re far enough away… Hopefully the police will be able to identify the bodies, but it’s the best we can do. You understand that, right?“ He leaned down close. “Families deserve to know what happened to the people they love.”
Cael nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Yes, Sir.”
Henry straightened, ruffled Cael’s hair. He pulled an envelope from his inside jacket pocket and handed it to the boy.
Cael’s forehead crinkled as he looked at it. It was already stamped and addressed to a Mr. Renau Reyes of Tucson, Arizona.
“I believe you know what to do with that,” Henry encouraged.
Cael nodded repeatedly, his lips tight, clenching off emotion he didn’t want his father to see.
“Promises should be kept.”
“Yes, Sir. Hey, Dad?”
“Cael?” Henry watched him, wondering what was going on in his youngest’s head as Cael shifted from one foot to the other.
Cael’s lips twisted, and then all at once he threw his skinny arms around Henry’s waist, pressing his cheek against his chest. Henry stilled. He couldn’t remember the last time Cael had hugged him like this. Years. Henry closed his eyes, letting the moment soak in. His palm lifted to the back of Cael’s head, feeling the soft mop of hair on his skin and the closed off tightness that had become his heart loosened, unraveling like a spool of thread.
“Thanks, Dad,” Cael mumbled against him, and then was gone, running across the parking lot with the envelope clutched in his hand, and for once, Henry knew he had gotten it right. It wouldn’t take away Cael’s nightmares and the kid would still have to deal with what Diego had put him through, but killing werewolves and gremlins wasn’t what Cael needed to cope with it. His son was better than that. Thinking about other people was Cael’s way of dealing so if knowing that what he went through at least gave other families, even spirits like Aimara Reyes peace, then Henry would find some way to let Cael write any damn letter he needed to.
He smiled at Jake’s confusion as Cael plucked a cola out of his hand, practically dancing around him. Jake stopped in his tracks, seemingly mesmerized by his brother’s sudden transformation. Before joining his boys, Henry pulled a tiny orange marigold from his pocket and placed it on the table.
Fallen Warrior
The eagle dove from the sky, slicing through the air fractions above Eilwen's head. Her hair whooshed in front of her face. Bouncing off the high branch she balanced on, she leaped to another.
What was that?
The bird's sleek body dipped sideways, wingtips skimming the forest canopy as he came back around. He was the most magnificent eagle she'd ever seen. Feathers so dark they shone violet. And he was charging straight at her!
Poor thing must be ill.
Eilwen decided she'd have to use all of her forest skill to calm the beauty. If whatever ailed him hadn't completely taken over. The eagle came at her again, the dangerous beak gliding expertly past her arm. Colors, so soft, so translucent erupted around him. This was no ordinary bird. He must be one of the eagles bonded to an Eaglekin…but where was the Eaglekin?
That had to be it. She'd totally misunderstood the bird's actions. The eagle wasn't attacking. He was trying to herd her toward something and there was only one reason an eyrie-hatched bird would seek someone besides his True-bonded. The Eaglekin he was bonded to was in trouble. It would, Eilwen thought, have to be a great deal of trouble.
The bird came around once more. Hold. Eilwen threw her entire essence into the word. As a Fealinn she had a natural affinity to all creatures, yet as far as she knew none of her people dared approach one of the mighty eagles of Gaspar. The Eaglekins were far too protective of their birds and their bonds with them. The eagle slowed, landing lightly on a higher branch. Eilwen looked directly into the round golden eyes, pushing out a tendril of calming essence. Show me
Like an arrow loosed from a bow, the eagle shot into the sky. He was swift, but Eilwen was quick as well. She ran agilely from bough to bough, her lithe body bobbing with the swaying tree limbs as she descended and then dropped gently to the springy forest floor.
The eagle waited for her on a jagged stone that jutted out from the snarl of moss and leaf-litter. Anxiety spilled off him, coating the humid air, a harsh taste on Eilwen's lips. This part of the forest was lush largely due to the volcanic silt that fertilized the soil. But it also made the forest floor dangerous, with ancient lava tubes lurking beneath every footstep, which is why traveling within the trees was much safer. By the looks of the broken foliage and furrows in the soil, it appeared that the eagle's True-bonded had disappeared inside one such hole.
Pity that. He was gone, lost forever in the deep shaft. Eilwen would have liked to have gotten a closer look at an Eaglekin since she'd only been able to spy on one of their gatherings from a safe distance. But oh, the flashes of color that blossomed around them as they mind-spoke with their eagles. She wouldn't have believed such an arrogant stern domineering people could release such dazzling hues.
Tossing her loose bag from her shoulder, Eilwen plopped down on her stomach and edged over to the rim. It was dark within, like staring into a night leopard's throat.
"Hullooooo. Anyone alive down there?"
As she'd thought, only silence greeted her.
"Alive," a masculine voice rasped. "—and sorely in need of a rope."
Shocked, she gasped. "Unn, sorry. I didn't think anyone would really be there. How did you not fall to your death? Is the hole not that deep?" Eilwen leaned over farther to try and see.
"It's deep." There was the sound of a heavy exhalation. "A rope please."
Eilwen finall
y spotted the vague impression of a face only a staff-length or so below her. Shouldn't be too difficult to get him out. She eased her weight back. "Hold on. I'll get my—guh!" The ground gave out from under her and she toppled headlong into the darkness, slammed into something solid that let out a loud whoof of air, and continued falling in a tangle of arms and legs, scraping and glancing off sharp volcanic shale until she came to an abrupt stop that jarred her arm nearly out of her socket. She dangled in the air by that one arm. Strong crushing fingers circled her wrist as painfully as the sound of ragged breathing coming from just above. Yet it was the absolute darkness that terrified her most.
"Pull me up! Pull me up!"
More harsh breathing. "Give me a moment."
Eilwen kicked out her legs, seeking something solid, a toehold and found nothing but air. "I'm falling! Pull me up! Use your other hand!"
"My other hand…is braced against the wall."
They were going to fall! No, she was. All he had to do was let go and he'd have the use of both arms to climb up again.
She wouldn't make it easy for him. Swinging to lift herself higher, Eilwen grabbed his wrist with her free hand. The muscles of his forearm were tense.
"Easy, now, quit squirming," he said. "You'll shake us both off."
"Right. We'll both go. Together. Not just me."
"Not just…? Lass, I won't let go, I promise you. I won't let go." His hand tightened upon her wrist. "Ready?"
"Yes. No. For wha—ahhhh!"
In one swift motion, Eilwen was pulled upward and planted down on a…a thigh? She was. She sat on the Eaglekin's thigh. She could feel the flexion in his muscles.
She immediately flung her arms around his waist, not caring he was a stranger, and held on. Brittle stone broke off the wall as her arm rubbed across it. "Thank you thank you thank you. Thank you for catching me and being strong enough to pull me up. Thank—How did you do that?" His tunic was warm, slightly damp from perspiration and soft beneath her cheek where she felt the rapid beat of his heart. "My arm scraped some stone off. I didn't hear it hit the bottom yet. Did you hear it hit the bottom?"
"A lot of stone fell with us. There has been no sound."
"Oh." Not good.
He stroked the back of her neck, a gently reassurance in the bleak dark. "Don't think about what isn't below. Only on what is above."
Eilwen nodded against the indentation of his highest rib. "Yes. Up there. Right. We'll just climb up. You did it before and I'm an excellent climber. Shouldn't be too hard." Except she couldn't get her hands to leave his waist. Couldn't move away from the safely of his body. He was the only thing solid in the pressing black, the only thing keeping her from falling. "I can't."
He blew out a warm breath. "You can. You have to."
"You're incredibly strong. You pulled me up with one flick of your wrist. I think you should climb and I'll just hang onto you."
His low chuckle rumbled beneath her cheek. "You exaggerate my strength, though I would carry you if it were possible. I can't move."
"What? You have to."
"Listen to me. My hand and my back are braced against the walls to hold us here. The only other hold I have is a small protrusion under my toes."
"Of the leg I'm sitting on?" She pushed down on the knot tightening in her stomach.
She felt him nod above her head. "You must climb."
"Then what about you?"
"Send the rope down."
"How will you tie it around you with the use of only one hand?"
"I'll manage. I know the darkness frightens you…"
"It doesn't"
She felt his chuckle again. "It frightens me. Our two cultures have that in common. Don't be ashamed. Our natures thrive on wide open spaces, avoid cramped areas and holes…"
Eilwen swallowed. "I admit I'm a little afraid."
"Which will give you strength to climb. Can you do this?"
"Yes." She pulled back, let her hands slide off his waist, though she stayed in contact, let her palm move along his arm that was braced on the wall. Her heart was racing. She could feel him shaking as well. He couldn't hold out much longer.
Gingerly, she stood on his thigh. His free hand grasped her side, his fingers curled into the waist of her breeches to steady her. With monumental effort, Eilwen let go of the stranger and brought her arms up to search the shaft.
"Nothing. It's too smooth here. There isn't anything to grab hold of."
"Use my shoulders."
"What? Are you witless? I could push you from your hold."
"Be careful then."
Sucking in a breath, Eilwen placed one foot on his shoulder, exhaled shakily and lifted her other foot. The Eaglekin's hand moved to her bottom, pressing her inward so she wouldn't fall back. The low tremors coming from him were unnerving. "There's still nothing to hold—wait." She found a small lip in the stone and grabbed onto it. The little protrusion crumbled off and she slipped. Trying to push against the close walls slowed her, but also sliced into her flesh. Once again, she stopped, dangling in midair, her upper body crushed against the Eaglekin, his arm tight across the small of her back. Shudders ran through his entire body.
"That. Didn't. Work out. As planned," he panted out.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow. Where's your leg? I can't find it."
"I lost my hold there."
The only thing keeping her from falling into this bottomless hole was his arm around her and the only thing keeping him from falling was his back and one hand braced on slick crumbling walls and judging by the tremors of his body, that wasn't going to last.
Eilwen curled her fingers into his tunic, knuckles grazing firm sweat-soaked skin. "I'm so sorry. If I had thought to tie my rope on something before…"
He stiffened. "Exactly where is your rope?"
"In my bag up there."
Warm lips pressed against Eilwen's forehead and everything inside her went instantly quiet.
"That is for reminding me we are not alone. We might get out of this yet. I'll get Cadeyrn," he murmured. They were so close she could taste his spicy breath.
"What's a Cadeyrn?"
"My eagle." A bluish glow suddenly bloomed around them, emanating from within his flesh, the telltale evidence of an Eaglekin conversing with his True-bonded eagle. Eilwen sucked in a breath, seeing the man for the first time. He was younger than his strength and confidence led her to believe, just a year or so older than herself perhaps, and handsome. Thick lashes half-lowered over darkly golden eyes.
The glow died and they were thrust into darkness again. "He'll bring the rope."
"That's perfect. I suppose Cadeyrn knows how to tie off to a tree as well?"
The Eaglekin laughed. "I saw through his eyes and directed him to bring it around that stone jutting from the ground, giving us both ends."
"I hope it's long enough."
His forehead touched hers. It was damp from exertion. A shrill cry rang loudly within the shaft, echoing around them. Blue light immediately erupted as the Eaglekin guided Cadeyrn to them. The bird slowed at the last possible moment, dropping one end of the rope from his talons and lifted back up into the air. Wing beats washed over them. Grabbing the rope, Eilwen pulled it down to gain more slack. The glow faded.
"Tie that around yourself." Weariness coated the Eaglekin's voice.
"No." Instead Eilwen slipped it around the man's back as high under his arms as she could where his shoulders were braced. She heard the other end of the rope slap lightly against the wall as the eagle dropped it. She felt around for it, but couldn’t find it. "Can you speak with Cadeyrn again?"
There was no answer. He couldn’t' have passed out. They would have fallen, yet the exertion was taking its due. She found the man's face with her hands. "I can't see the rope." He nodded within her palm and his glow sparked, not anywhere near as brilliant as it had been, but enough to see where the rope was before the light winked out. It was just out of reach.
"I need to climb higher." Again she felt his
slow nod.
Carefully, Eilwen shifted up his body, finding his hip bone with her heel and stretched upward. The rope felt rough and wonderful in her palm. There wasn't enough slack to tie it around herself so she made a smaller loop large enough for her hand or foot.
The Eaglekin shuddered beneath her. "I'll drop…and let my weight…carry you up."
"Not a good plan, Eaglekin. I'll never be able to pull you up and I doubt you're in any condition to attempt a climb even with the rope. I have another idea. Be ready." She didn't dare put all her weight on the rope yet or she'd be hauled up before she was ready. She pressed her lips together, hoping this worked. Keeping her weight balanced on the man's hip, she lightly held the loop while she explored the wall with her other hand.
There. The place where she'd broken the little lip of stone before. She dug into the small depression she'd made, digging her fingers beneath the thin crack until she had a large jagged fissure she could break off. Her fingers felt raw and torn. She slipped her wrist inside the loop of the rope and held on. "Now!" Swinging off the Eaglekin, she ripped the slab off the wall.
And dropped.
The Eaglekin jerked up as they passed, their bodies bumping in the small space and then she was alone, falling through darkness. Her arm felt like it was going to tear from her body with the rock slab weighing her down and threatening to slip out of her other arm even though she braced it with her thigh. And then her descent ended abruptly, wrenching her arm. The piece of rock pulled free from her grasp. She listened for the sound of it smashing against the bottom, but it never came.
"Pull me up. Pull me up!" she screamed, panicking, not knowing if the Eaglekin heard. She waited for the rope to move, to be hauled up to safety and light. Nothing happened. She was alone in the dark. She couldn't hold on like this indefinitely. It took the last of her strength, but she managed to lift her legs up and wiggle her foot into the loop she'd tied. From there she pulled out her hand and climbed up, letting her weight rest on her leg. She waited, counting her breaths, which seemed to come faster and faster.
What was going on up there? Why wasn't she moving?
He left her. As soon as he was free of the hole, he had left her. Arrogant selfish Eaglekin. She no longer had the strength to climb up the rope. He'd left her to die down here, alone in the dark. Tears pressed against her eyes and her pulse banged so loudly she didn't realize that she was moving upwards until a sphere of light showed overhead and all at once strong hands clasped hers and she was pulled up into forest dappled sunlight. The Eaglekin's face was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.