Curse Of Wexkia (26 page)

She couldn’t believe she’d almost forgotten about it. ‘Yes, but I haven’t read it yet.’

One green hand gave her the book and the other told her to sit. ‘We will wait until you have read it before we ask any questions,’ he said.

She gazed at her father.

He smiled. ‘We’ll be across the hall with Nadar.’

Once they’d left, she settled down to read, flipping to the end in the same way that she read most books. Although she was glad to see Nadar had returned the page he had torn out, she couldn’t believe the last pages were missing. Why did he take them?

She began reading the book from the bottom of the second page having already read the first two.

It must be understood by both races, this child and the others who follow, will regain all wexkian abilities. Although the child’s phib and wintar traits will be apparent to any, only the child will know the strength of those abilities. Also gained will be the power to touch minds without the need to come into contact with the owner’s bare skin
.

‘I thought so,’ she said aloud. No more abilities were listed. She looked closely at where the last page was stitched to the binding. More than one page had been torn out. She was certain of it. Blast you, Nadar.

She started the book from the beginning. It was an honest and direct account of the people of Wexkia. Descriptions of how they attacked and enslaved other worlds had Nell in tears. The wexkians were so powerful. Anyone who dared challenge them was cut down with a mere thought.

Nell read on and was glad to find they had reconsidered their ways. As the generations passed, the people of Wexkia began to befriend other races, not enslave them.

Different people, all Elders, wrote the book. As one Elder’s hand became unintelligible, another hand continued. Nell wondered why at first, but soon realised the truth. The disease struck so violently it killed within days. No one was safe, not even the writers of the book, but they had stayed on Wexkia and did not take either antidote, preferring to wait until the writings were finished.

Nadar would give up the rest of the writings. She’d make sure of that. A smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. It probably didn’t matter anyway. She had the proof she wanted and at least she knew what to expect. She’d just have to learn self-control like the first wexkians did.

She began to read faster. All gave samples of blood, and once tested, the correct curative was administered. She closed the book and sat back in the chair. Poor people.

Nell digested the information. She was truly wexkian and there will be more like her. Nothing in the book could lead anyone to believe she, or any other person like her, was destined for insanity. Nadar had translated the book. He knew she was no danger to him or anyone else. The wexkians had become a peaceful people. They no longer hurt, but befriended, other races. Except, Nell frowned,
there was Shahs of course. She shook her head. Mental illness doesn’t have to be genetic. There could be lots of reasons why the poor girl ended up the way she did. Huh. That was Shahs, not her.

‘Nell?’ her father’s voice called from the doorway.

She smiled at him and hoped he didn’t see the disquiet in her face. She didn’t know how powerful she would ultimately become. One thing was certain. She didn’t want to scare anybody.

Although wintar and phib children acquired all their abilities by their seventeenth birthdays, Nell suspected wexkian children took quite a bit longer. She didn’t know how long it would take and, with no one to ask, Nell accepted she would just have to be patient.

‘Can I speak to Nadar?’ Nell asked her father.

‘Well, you can try. He is still quite ill. Can I ask why?’

‘Pages are torn out of the book and I want to know what was in them.’

Nell’s father jutted his chin at the door. ‘All right, you can go.’

Nadar lay on the examining table. He was alone.

‘What happened to the other pages?’ she asked without preamble.

Dull grey eyes stared at the ceiling.

Letting her fingers rest on his ungloved hand she was amazed he didn’t object. His mind was in complete disarray. Only shaky images of the writings of Wexkia floated through it. However, she did learn that he had no idea where the pages were. They had already been taken by the time he obtained the book.

Realising how tormented Nadar’s subconscious was, guilt stung her heart. She had done that to him.
‘I’m so sorry, Nadar,’ she said silently, digging a little deeper, ‘But I
can feel you are already getting better.’
Thankful, she quietly left the room.

‘What will happen to him?’ Nell asked, as she rejoined her father.

Her father’s expression said he was pleased that she cared. ‘The authorities couldn’t question him, so we’ll have to wait for him to mend. Then he will stand before the Corl Elders.’

  ‘I didn’t know corls had Elders.’

‘They are nearly never called upon. The Corl Council issues the laws and manages the economy. However, Nadar was a council member and his punishment can only be handled by a higher authority.’

‘What are they like? The Elders, I mean.’

‘I have never met any so I cannot say. I think they are more like monks and work in isolation.’

Nell thought about that for a moment. The Elders will want to know about the
Book of Wexkia
. Surely they would see her. When that thought entered her mind, another pushed it aside. The Elders might only be interested in the people of Corl. ‘They might believe Nadar,’ she said.

‘That is not likely. The Elders admit only the most gifted scientists and explorers into their assembly. That is how corl technology has evolved. Their explorations, discoveries and inventions are unsurpassed throughout the known universe. They expect corls to be beyond treachery. All are taught, from the moment they can speak, they are mediators and a peaceful people. That is their reason for being, so I’m sure Nadar will be punished.’ He leaned on the desk. ‘Are you ready to tell me everything?’

Kandar entered the room before she could answer. ‘Nell, do you have any objections to corl translators transcribing the book?’

Her heart dropped along with her face. It’s mine, she wanted to shout, but said, ‘No, as long as they can be trusted to translate it word for word.’

‘We will have five people translate it separately. Don’t fret. They will be kept in isolation until it is done.’

Nell’s mood lightened. She would never have thought to do that.

‘It is your father’s wish; the book will be handed to the phib council when they are finished.’

Nell turned to her father. ‘Why?’

He smiled. ‘Because, sweetie, they are my people and I am a member of the Linque Council. It is my duty to honour that position. If and when you feel the need to see it again, I am certain it will be made available to you.’

She thought about that for a moment. Where else would it be safe? She didn’t like the idea of it staying on Corl and that left only wintar or phib. Phib was her father’s race and at least he would have some control of it. Yes. That was the best place for it. She beamed at her father. ‘Thank you,’ she said in a voice slightly higher than normal.

Kandar’s eyes twinkled as his fingers brushed her wings. ‘I’d better send that physician in for you.’

When they were alone once more, her father held her hand. ‘I was so frightened for you,’ he said.

The warmth in his voice and touch made her remember, he wasn’t just anybody. He was her father. She told him every detail of her actions, thoughts and feelings.

Throughout her story Nell was amused to see his expression change from thoughtful to stunned to amazed, sometimes shocked and alarmed, other times, proud and adoring. However, he never interrupted and he kept her hand in his.

When she had finished her tale, he kissed her on the forehead. ‘You know how much I love you, don’t you?’

‘Of course, Dad.’ She thought about the misheard conversation and guilt filled her.
‘I do now,’
she told him silently.

‘Good, and don’t forget it.’ He kissed her again and stood up. ‘I think there might be a couple of people eager to see you.’

She jumped to her feet with a clack of claws.

When her father opened the door, Sam and Cay-meka nearly fell into the room. They had obviously been trying to listen, and embarrassed at being found out, both blushed, although only dots of pale crimson glowed high on Sam’s cheeks.

‘Wow,’ Sam said, unashamedly looking Nell up and down repeatedly, only pausing on the wings and talons with each pass.

‘I’ll come back later,’ her father said with a laugh.

‘I am glad you’re all right,’ Cay-meka said.

Nell knew Cay-meka was sincere. ‘And I’m glad you are too.’

Cay-meka’s face took on a look of admiration. ‘Your wings are so beautiful. All different shades of purple and they shine so bright, I’m sure they would glow in the dark.’

Nell clunked to the wall beside the door and turned her back to the long mirror. She crossed her arms. Holding her body still with her hands, she twisted her head as far as she could towards her reflection. Her wings weren’t just beautiful, they were wondrous. She spun around keeping her eye on her image. And her cousin was right. With each slight movement, her wings changed colour successively, purple and lavender, mauve, lilac, plum and violet. Then they were lavender again.

Nell laughed and held a foot out at Sam, who hooted as he touched each of the talons in turn. She didn’t think they were ugly any longer; they were iridescent orange and, she thought, quite elegant. The colour reminded her of home. It was the same burnt-orange as the reef that fringed Cape Hollow, when it was still wet from the receding tide and the setting sun sprayed its last rays of light over the masses of misshapen coral. Homesickness washed over her.

‘Ooh,’ Cay-meka cooed, stroking Nell’s wings. ‘They’re magnificent. They look fragile but feel stronger than a skark.’

So caught up were they all in Nell’s transformation, no one noticed another visitor enter the room. ‘You can put them away in here young lady,’ a man’s voice said. ‘A restoration is no place to be flying about.’

Nell turned around. A stern looking Cay-reace stepped through the open doorway.

She instinctively drew back, until she heard Kandar’s low laugh.

‘Nell, say hello to your physician,’ he said. ‘Now, Cay-reace, be courteous.’

His white hair had grown a little and he looked extremely official. ‘I need a wintar doctor,’ Nell said.

He smiled widely and dimples appeared in his cheeks. ‘Come in,’ he called over his shoulder.

A wintar nurse entered the room.

Nell was relieved and smiled at her. Although Cay-reace didn’t look tired any longer – in fact, he looked younger – he was still one of the family of Cay. That alone made her wary of him and she didn’t want him having one bit of control over her let alone mess about with her wintar side.

‘All you have to do is relax and think them away,’ the
nurse said. ‘Close your eyes. That’s right. Take a deep breath. Good. You can think your wintar attributes away. Go ahead and try. You will be able to.’

Her words hypnotised her. She was sure she had never been so relaxed and concentrated on thinking her wings and talons away. Tingles in her back and feet told her they had disappeared. She opened her eyes and beamed at the nurse.

‘You do the same when you want to expose them,’ she said. ‘It will become easier with practice. One quick thought is all you will need.’ She rummaged through a small black bag and drew out some wintar clothes. Loose tan pants and a pretty lime halter-top. ‘There is a bathroom through there,’ she said, and pointed to the other door. ‘You will feel better after you shower and change.’

Nell took the clothes and nodded. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and almost ran into the bathroom.

Hanging the top on a hook, she realised it wasn’t a normal halter. It had no back only two long thin tails on the bottom corners of the material. She felt along each of them and looked at her sides. Ah. They must be to tie around the back between the top and bottom wings.

N
ell and her father dined with Kandar, Tanat, Dar-seldra, Sam and Cay-meka in Goya’s Café, one of the many in the corridors. They sat at a long table with moulded chairs.

Sam couldn’t take his eyes off the phib girl who waited on their table. Of course, she looked like a girl, but then again women Dar-seldra’s age looked like girls. Nell had given up trying to guess their ages so she called them all girls. The phib’s hair was a little different from the average phib. It was still blonde but every now and then a tinge of red glinted under the lights. Every time she came to the table she stood next to Sam’s chair and always asked him if he wanted anything else first.

After the umpteenth time, he said to Nell, ‘She’s got the hots for me.’

‘In your dreams,’ Nell scoffed.

‘She is just getting a closer look at the human boy,’ said Cay-meka with a scowl at Sam.

Sam laughed, sat straight and puffed out his chest. ‘And she likes what she sees.’

‘Humph, I doubt it. She has recently gained a trainee physician place. Her interest in you is more likely, medical,’ Cay-meka said, and turned her attention to what Dar-seldra was saying.

Turning to Nell, he whispered, ‘Mekie’s jealous.’

She laughed. He definitely didn’t lack confidence in his effect on the opposite sex.

Taking the girl’s place, a big amber corl served the next course. Sam appeared unconcerned the girl didn’t wait on them. He just wanted to know what was on his plate.

‘Fish pie,’ Tanat said.

Nell didn’t think it looked like a pie. If it was, the chef had forgotten the pastry.

As the night wore on, she learned Cay-meka’s aunty, Cay-tatel, was confined on Linque. She would not be able to travel for ten years and would have to wear a bracelet that allowed the Linque authorities to keep track of her until that time.

Cay-meka didn’t seem at all upset by the closeness of Tanat and her mother. Once, when both reached for a bread roll from the middle of the table, they became flustered when their hands touched. Dar-seldra blushed and Tanat’s smile was self-conscious, but their eyes had locked for too long. Cay-meka dismissed the exchange as if it wasn’t anything unusual.