Laura Jo Phillips (44 page)

“Was he able to help with that?” Summer asked hopefully.

“Yes,” Ran replied.  “When the first pods landed on Jasan, there was one which contained important artifacts of our old world.  Among them is a tiny carved figure of a bird.  The figure is called The Owlfen, though there is no record of such an animal having really existed.  On the bottom of the carving are the words
Time is not measured by the cup; it is a river that is endlessly renewed
.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Summer asked.

“Nobody really knows,” Ran replied.  “It is speculated that it means all things repeat themselves in time.  But that’s just a theory.”

Summer yawned widely.  “Excuse me,” she said, surprised by the yawn.  She hadn’t felt the least bit sleepy a moment ago, and now she barely could keep her eyes opened.  She realized that all three of her men were staring at her and she suddenly realized why.

“Guess this is the next...stage,” she said, yawning again. 

“Yes,” Maxim said, watching her carefully in case she fell asleep and slipped under the water.  Faron had told them how Saige had fallen asleep so suddenly in the shower that Ban had barely had time to catch her before she hit the floor.

“Do not worry,
kilenka
,” he said.  “We will take good care of you.”

“I’m not worried about that at all,” Summer said, then yawned once more before falling fast asleep. 

A short time later Summer was lying on the big, round bed, dressed in the robe they had given her.  They had used air magic to dry her hair and had then braided it in one long, loose braid the way she preferred.  Shali was now waiting patiently in a room across the hall, and Doc had checked Summer, confirming that she was in the same light coma that Lariah had been in during this stage.  He promised to come running if they called for him, then left them to their vigil.

There was nothing they could do now but wait.  And check her repeatedly for signs that her breathing, blood pressure and heart rate were slowing.  Even though they knew it would be an hour at least, they could not help themselves from checking her every few minutes.

“What do you think William really was?” Ran finally asked Maxim.

“I’m not sure,” Maxim said slowly.  “I have an idea, but its a troubling one.”

“Which is what?” Loni asked as he reached out to check on Summer’s vital signs again.

“Well, he was clearly reptilian,” Maxim said. “Very reptilian.  And Mara is human.  So for the two of them to be siblings, they must have one parent in common, at least.”

“Agreed,” Ran said. 

“The problem is, how does a human mate with a reptile?” Maxim continued.  “They are not remotely of the same species.  Mammals and reptiles do not mix.”

Loni and Ran now gave Maxim their full attention, a feeling of uneasiness growing within both of them.  “Except?” Ran asked, knowing that Maxim had thought of an exception, though he could not come up with one himself.

“Except when magic is involved,” Maxim said.  “Strong magic.  And do not forget, Summer said that he knew she was
berezi
, and that he expected to have children with her.”

Ran frowned as he ran everything Maxim had said through his mind, trying to come to some conclusion.  After a moment he shook his head.  “I am sorry Maxim,” he said.  “Wherever you are leading, I am not following very well.”

Maxim looked to Loni who gave his head a single shake.  No.  Loni did not follow either.  Maxim wondered if that meant he was going too far afield with his suspicions.  He hoped so.  But he was worried.

“Regardless of the reason, or the method, Ugaztun and Narrasti both were destroyed at the same time,” he said.  “If we sent out pods of survivors, it is logical to assume the Narrastia did as well.  Some of our survivors reached Earth.  Perhaps some of theirs did as well.”

“You think that William is a descendent of the Narrasti?” Ran asked in surprise.

“I think it is a possibility,” Maxim corrected.  “I am troubled that he apparently wanted a
berezi
in particular, and that he was certain of getting children with one.”

“Do you think that is why the Xanti are targeting
berezis
for abduction?” Ran asked.

“I don’t know, but perhaps,” Maxim replied.  “It might also have something to do with why
berezis
receive the Prime Controller rather than the one used on other women.”

Loni cocked his head.  “I do not understand,” he said.

“I don’t either,” Maxim replied.  “It is just one more difference that I think has meaning.  Unfortunately, I do not know what that meaning is.”

Ran turned to check on Summer, and this time, he noticed a change.  He looked at his watch, then checked her again. 

“It’s happening,” he said.

Loni used power speed to leave the room and retrieve Shali.  He was back in moments with the diminutive female with the strange pink eyes and white hair.  Shali did not look directly at any of the men in the room.  Instead, she hurried to the bed and reached out to place a pale pink hand on Summer’s forehead.  She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and removed her hand.

“Her mind knows no pain now,” she said in her high voice, clearly speaking to the Katres though her eyes remained fixed on Summer. 

“For how long?” Maxim asked.

“For until I do right,” she replied.

Maxim puzzled over that one for a moment, but still her meaning escaped him.

“She will not know pain until you undo whatever you’ve done?” Ran asked, much to Maxim’s relief. 

“This is so yes,” Shali replied. 

“Will she remain asleep?” Maxim asked.

Shali nodded.  “Is better she not here when brain not know body.  Is not right for brain.”  She turned and this time she did dare to meet Maxim’s gaze.  “It no good to stay,” she said sternly.  “Brain must know body.”

Maxim nodded.  That, he understood.  “Do not worry Shali,” he said.  “We will call you back as soon as the pain is passed.”

“Her is good,” Shali said, turning back to Summer and patting her lightly on the hand.  “Her not be for Brethren.”

“Brethren?” Maxim asked.

“The Willi-yam man,” Shali said.  “Brethren be bad bad.  Better Brethren dead.”

“Shali, did William ever...,” Maxim hesitated, not knowing how to phrase what he wanted to say.  He grimaced and spit it out.  “Did he ever use the women in the compound sexually?”

“No no,” Shali replied, still patting Summer’s hand.  “Humans womens not work for Brethrens,” she said matter-of-factly.  “He try others, almost like hers, but not.  Theys all die.”  This last was said with sorrow, as though Shali had mourned the unfortunate women.

“How do you mean they were almost like Summer, but not?” Maxim asked, working to keep his voice gentle.

Shali put her fist beneath her chin and frowned, her eyes squinty as she thought hard on the question.  After a few moments, she gave her head a little shake.  “They is like cousins.  Close.  Not like sisters.  Closer.  But not too far.  Like humans.”

 Maxim gave his own head a little shake at that one.  “Um, okay Shali, thank you very much,” he said, wondering if it was remotely possible that Ran had understood that one.

“Come, Shali,” Loni said.  “I will escort you back across the hall.”

Shali nodded and bowed in Maxim’s general direction before moving quickly toward the door.  When Loni returned a moment later, they all gathered around Summer, watching her vital signs carefully as they began to slow further. 

“Now I think,” Maxim said and got up on the bed near Summer’s head while Loni and Ran took their positions at her sides.  Maxim checked her once more, and nodded.  Yes, now was the time.

He extended his mating fangs and lowered his mouth to Summer’s neck, took a slow breath, and slid them into her skin.  A few moments later, when instinct told him, he removed his fangs and licked the tiny holes on her neck, Loni and Ran doing the same at her wrists.

When they were finished, they all looked at each other, then at Summer.  From all they had been told by both the Lobos and the Dracons, this was going to be the most difficult part for them.  They were not looking forward to it.

A few hours later, Maxim, Loni and Ran were exhausted with fear and worry.  Maxim had never in his entire life witnessed anyone in such pain.  The only thing that allowed him to keep his sanity was the sure and certain knowledge that Summer was unaware of the pain her body was experiencing.  It was the only thing that kept all three of them from succumbing to blood-rages. 

But, finally, it seemed to be ending.  Summer’s body still continued to twitch and jerk occasionally, but the convulsions that had her body twisting and flailing so hard that she nearly landed on the floor several times were finished. 

After Shali had come and undone whatever she had done to Summer, they all thanked her profusely for her help.  They had a far better understanding now of just how important Shali’s help had been to them. 

They had just finished washing Summer’s body with warm cloths when her eyes suddenly popped open.  She blinked a few times as though trying to assess her current surroundings, then lifted her head and smiled at them.  For a long moment, all three of them just stared at her smile, and were grateful for it.

“How’s it going so far?” she asked. 

“The last part was more difficult than we expected,” Maxim admitted.  “But it is finished now, and you seem well enough.”

“I feel great,” she said as she started to sit up.  “A little bit sore maybe, but that’s all.”  She looked at the three of them, taking in the strained look on their faces the tight set of their shoulders and mouths.  “I’m sorry it was so difficult for you guys,” she said softly.

“Do not worry about us,” Maxim said.  “Seeing you awake and talking is all we needed.”

“All right, what happens next?” Summer asked.  “Or are we finished?”

“No, not quite,” Maxim said.  “Now we must perform the soul-link triad.”

“And what is that exactly?” Summer asked.  Just as she finished speaking her eyes widened and she gasped.  She crossed her arms in front of her and bent over at the waist.

“What is it?” Maxim demanded as he rushed to her side and started to pull her into his arms.  Summer moaned softly as he placed his hand on her shoulder, so he pulled it back quickly, afraid that he had somehow hurt her. 

“What is happening to me?” she gasped, raising her head to look at Maxim beseechingly. 

Maxim started to shake his head when the scent of Summer’s arousal hit him, along with the reason for her current distress.  

“It is the mating fever,” he said, trying to remain calm.  “This is the last stage.”

“Whatever you have to do, please hurry,” Summer said, gasping and panting as she rocked herself on the bed.  She had never felt anything remotely like this.  This was arousal taken to a level beyond pleasure.

 “Ran, get the cream,” Maxim said.  “Loni, pick up these loose things.”  Ran and Loni both hurried to do as Maxim had asked as Maxim knelt beside the bed.  “Summer,” he said, and waited for her to meet his gaze.  “Let me remove your robe,” he said. 

Summer nodded and forced herself to move her arms so that Maxim could untie her belt.  The silky fabric of the robe rubbing against her skin as he slid it off of her was almost more stimulation than she could stand.  She shuddered, uncertain if what she was feeling was pleasure or pain. 

Maxim tossed the robe to Loni who turned and ran back to the bathroom with it.  He then stopped and stripped off his pants and tossed them in after the robe.  Maxim removed the remainder of his clothing as well and tossed it to Loni who put them in the bathroom and closed the door. 

“Are we ready?” Maxim asked.

Ran took a look around the room, searching for any loose clothing or other objects they may have missed.  Seeing nothing, he nodded and turned to Loni.  “Go ahead,” he said. 

Loni walked over to a panel near the door and, after making certain that the door was locked and sealed, he flipped a switch. 

“Hurry up Ran,” Maxim urged as Summer began whimpering softly, causing his heart to hurt in sympathy.  They had been told this portion of the ritual was difficult for the Arima, and that they would not have much time to complete it, but he had not realized how intense the mating fever would be.

Ran hurried over to the bed, moving slower with each step, though he seemed to be floating a little as he moved.  Summer blinked at him, wondering if the intense arousal was somehow effecting her perceptions.

When Ran reached the bed he sat down on the edge, his feet on the floor, and then laid back.  Maxim picked Summer up and moved her so that she was over Ran.  She understood what Maxim was doing and widened her legs so that she was on top of Ran, straddling his hips.  Ran reached down and guided himself into her as Maxim lowered her slowly.

Summer tried to press herself downward, eager to have Ran deep inside of her, but Maxim and Ran both held her back, forcing her to go slowly.  She moaned softly as her inner walls stretched to accommodate Ran’s thick cock, her pussy clenching wetly around him as though trying to pull him in deeper and faster.