Riley's Journey (22 page)

She needed more light! The wound was bleeding again in a steady stream and it just wasn’t possible to see down into the wound clearly. After collecting as many candles as she could find and quickly lighting them, she then blotted the blood as best she could and assessed the positioning of the arrowhead. She could see the end of one side of the arrowhead and it didn’t appear as though it was barbed, but the other end was imbedded. Rather than risk both ends becoming imbedded, she decided it was best to try to pull the arrow straight out. Her hands were slick with blood and perspiration, and getting a good grip on the shaft of the arrow was almost impossible. Standing up and straddling Nathan, she got a good grip on the shaft and pulled hard. Nathan screamed, jerked and then passed out. Probably the best thing under the circumstances since the arrow was still in place.

Demon growled, stalking towards her on stiff legs, threatening and dangerous.

“Go lay down,” she commanded, unafraid. “I’m not hurting him! I’m helping him. Good dog, go lay down.” Instead, he sat down next to them, protectively guarding Nathan. Great! Now she had to worry about the dog as well. Deciding to ignore his obvious unhappiness with her actions, she took a deep breath and yanked hard. Grunting with effort, she fell backwards, hitting her head on a stool, as the arrowhead popped free. Blood spurted from the wound, liberally spraying her and the dog. Grabbing the rags, she covered the wound, pressing down firmly, hoping to stem the flow. After a time, uncertainly, she lifted a corner and carefully scrutinized the area. The blood flow had lessened considerably already. Wiping the area as clean as possible, she twisted open the antibiotic pack and poured a small amount over the wound before sewing several large stitches across the gash. More antibiotic was poured over the site, repacking it with clean bandages and then tying the ends over Nathan’s shoulder and across his chest to secure the bandages more firmly. The many smaller cuts she washed thoroughly and then pasted the healing herbs thickly on each, judiciously saving the antibiotic for the most serious injury.

Nathan remained unconscious, his breathing steady, although shallow. A frown creased his face, lines radiating across his brow. Smoothing his hair back with shaking hands, she offered another silent prayer for his speedy recovery. Sleep was the best thing for him now. Gently, she untied the bonds that secured him and washed his entire body, calmed by the simple chore. Throughout the long night, she kept a close vigilance over Nathan, alternately covering him when he shook with cold and sponging him with cold water when he felt hot to the touch. By morning, the fever broke.

When he was resting more comfortably, she instructed the dog to watch him while she rested for a few minutes and took the time to shower.

By the time she returned to the kitchen area, Nathan was breathing easier and some color had returned to his cheeks. The dog lay by him, head on his paws, his eyes centered on his master. Grabbing a clean bowl of water, Riley approached the dog warily. She’d never seen the brute bathed, but too much blood still covered his white pelt. He eyed her warily, baring his teeth for show.

“Stop that right now,” Riley scolded, slapping him gently. “I’m just going to wash your face. Do you want to look like nobody cares about you?” Demon ducked his head, trying to avoid the dreaded washcloth. “Oh, I see you’ve done this before,” she chuckled. “I bet Nathan wasn’t as determined as me, though.”

“He hates that.” Nathan’s weak voice commented.

Riley whirled, relief and joy flooding her features. “Nathan! O-mi-gawd! How do you feel? Do you need a drink or something?” The dog went crazy, licking Nathan’s face and jumping in excitement.

“A drink would be great,” he coughed. “Ouch, that hurts,” he groaned, pushing the dog back. “Lay down, boy.” Grabbing a cup, she filled it and then ran back, splashing the whole thing on him in her haste.

“How about in my mouth this time?” His chapped lips grinned slightly.

Embarrassed by her clumsiness, her face flushing beet red, she tried again, this time successfully managing to get the water down instead of on him.

Attempting to sit up, he fell back weakly, panting from the exertion. “Can you help me get to my bed? This floor is hard as rock”

Riley laughed out loud. “It is rock, you big goof!”

Reaching down, she wrapped her arms around him, savoring the moment, rubbing her face against his hair. “I was so worried about you.” Her voice breaking, she paused, “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

With his good arm, he reached up, cupping her face. “I know, but I wasn’t going to let that happen.” His touch soothed her as no other. “Besides,” he grinned, “I’m the best looking man around here.”

Riley had to give him that one. “Yup, you are! But that isn’t saying much,” she quipped in response.

“You’ll suffer for that one,” Nathan warned. “I might just have to introduce you to some of the other possible beaus around here.”

“No...no...that’s perfectly all right. I’m happy with present company.”

Getting Nathan to his feet was no easy matter, care had to be taken not to reopen the wound and he was very weak, but ultimately she had him up and into the sleeping area. He moaned in relief as he sank down into the furs.

“Do you think you could eat some broth if I brought you some?”

Nodding slightly, he closed his eyes, the short walk taking its toll on his already depleted energy. “Sorry I’m such a burden right now.”

Suddenly realizing she was tired beyond belief herself, Riley nevertheless thanked God that they were safe for the moment. “Yes, you are a burden, but not an unwanted one. I’ll be right back.”

The warmth of the kitchen filled her heart, her worried mind eased by the undemanding exertion of preparing a meal. But what would tomorrow bring?

CHAPTER THIRTY

T
eam members were scheduled for last minute physicals, and it was with great concern and disappointment that Alicia, the women’s presupposed leader, was found to have a blood disorder needing immediate treatment, precluding her from making the trip. Jonas contacted his people and a new recruit was on her way. Not having the personal input with her selection, he was apprehensive about the Council’s choice. They wholeheartedly reassured him that their selection was appropriate and chosen because of her skills and background. They neglected to identify those skills but Jonas trusted their decision and waited impatiently for her appearance.

The anxiously awaited confirmation finally arrived. Bethany notified Jonas that everything was in readiness for their departure. Working around the clock, adjusting, modifying and recalculating Miles’ projections, she was finally satisfied with her end product. Tomorrow, Tuesday, they would step through the door and into the past. Far bigger than any transport she had attempted before, Bethany was anxiety-stricken but convinced that she had done the best possible job. Though they had been on red alert for the past few weeks, the team spent the remaining time repacking and rechecking every little item. The new recruit was scheduled to arrive today and Jonas was rightly concerned about her obvious un-preparedness for the journey.

A jeep arrived in the quadrant and a small and very young woman stepped out, struggling with a myriad of suitcases, boxes and equipment. Long, dark brown hair was pulled in a haphazard bun atop her head, her clothing rumpled and in disarray.

Jonas stepped out into the sun, strolling casually down the short staircase in front of the visitors’ quarters. She glanced up and a shy smile lit her face, adding weight to her appearance as an overstressed urchin.

“Mr. Whitehead, I presume?” She offered a small, grubby hand. His heart sinking, Jonas perused his newest addition. From outward appearances, she left much to be desired.

Whitehead? “
White…
horse
—not whitehead.” Made him sound like a big zit or something. “How old are you?” He barked abruptly.

Startled, she withdrew the hand, hesitating slightly. “I’m 25. I know. I look younger than I am, but I’m really 24, er, I mean 25.”

“So which is it—24 or 25?” From the looks of her, she was younger than even 24.

Horn-rimmed glasses sat heavily on her small, up-tilted nose, her eyes blinking owlishly through the lenses.

“You can’t wear glasses where we’re going,” gruffly Jonas laid it out.

“These?” She questioned, pushing them up into place. “They’re just for show. I think they make me look more intelligent—don’t you?”

Groaning in frustration, Jonas stomped up the stairs, calling over his shoulder. “No, they don’t! Get your butt up here and let’s talk.”

“My name’s Allison Reynolds. Allie for short,” she called. Dragging her gear behind her, she stumbled up the stairs, elated at being here but disturbed by the leader’s cold reception. No one told her he would be so rude and unfriendly! Bursting through the door, she dropped everything in one loud thump. Jonas turned around, his face frowning in disgust.

“Do you always make so much noise?” he questioned.

“Uh, no, but I’m not generally carrying so much at one time.” He hadn’t made any offers to help and he certainly looked imposing standing there. He was at least six feet four inches and built like a bull—not someone she would care to run into in some dark corner.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“Of course! One of your female team members couldn’t complete the mission and I was selected as an alternate. I have all the qualifications and the deep desire to participate.” She tried smiling again, perhaps he was starting to thaw.

“You don’t look old enough or big enough to add anything to the team.” Dismissing her indifferently, he turned away.

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to prove myself.” Rolling her neck and stretching, she regarded him coolly. “Where’s the workout room?”

His eyes gleamed and a wolfish grin spread across his face. “You going to show me anything good?”

“And maybe a little bit more,” she nodded complacently. The bigger they were, the harder they fell!

“Okay, but it’s your funeral. I don’t go down easy.”

Grinning back, she refused to back down. “Neither do I. Are we just going to stand here jawing, or are you ready to learn a lesson?”

“Lead on, McDuff,” he directed, secretly pleased with her spunk. If this little bit of girl thought she could handle him, she must be smoking crack.

They entered the workout room. The only team members present were Geena and Micah—the majority were off elsewhere making last minute preparations for the trip—and the physical workout they were engaging in didn’t have anything to do with exercise in the regular sense. Jumping guiltily apart, they pretended to be involved in something else but their pretense was easily read.

“Having fun?” Jonas jeered softly, then changed gears. “This little lady is our new team member—calls herself Allie. She’s going to teach me a lesson.”

Geena’s mouth fell open and a large guffaw burst forth. “Allie, if that’s your name, you just picked a fight you can’t win.”

Primly, Allie stepped onto the mat, bending and squatting to loosen stiff and tired muscles. “Lessons come in many books. This one is a lesson in preconceived notions and how they can seriously affect the outcome of life. It makes no matter if I win or lose, the lesson is in the trying.”

“You sound like some eastern mystic or something,” Micah chortled rudely. “I think the only lesson to be learned is how fast you get your butt kicked.”

Jonas slipped out of his shoes and stepped onto the mat, flexing his muscles, using intimidation as a tool. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he needed to know what she could and would do to win. She seemed even smaller standing there on the mat, her look one of casual assessment.

“Make your move, Jackie Chan,” Jonas taunted her, flicking his eyes towards their audience, amused by his own witticism. Too late, he realized his mistake. Never turn your back for a moment on any antagonist. He hadn’t seen anyone move as fast as this little girl—and that high kick to his right rib didn’t please him either! Emitting a small “woof,” he staggered back, amazement registering in every line of his face. “Ouch! Why you…”

Allie danced and dodged, never moving any closer nor farther away, always just beyond his reach. Deciding to end this quickly, he moved in and was rewarded with a roundhouse kick, expertly and efficiently well-placed. She scored again! Micah and Geena heckled from the sidelines, clearly enjoying what they considered his comeuppance. Time to end this little charade! Centering himself, he feinted to the right and as she took the advantage, he caught her flashing heel, flipping her roughly to the ground and pinning her. His watchers groaned in disgust.

Victory was his, he thought, as the heel of her hand slammed into his lower jaw, cracking his teeth together and causing him to bite his tongue. Jesus H. Christ! He was seeing stars with that one. Digging her fingers into his eyes, she then tried to blind him. He rolled back in defense and she leapt to her feet, hard kicks and sharp jabs accompanying every move. The little whirlwind came at him from every side, no holds barred, even biting him at one point. He was reminded of an enraged Chihuahua.

Finally, by his sheer size alone, he was able to grab and hold her down, even then she refused to yield.

“Okay, okay!” Jonas growled as she fought on. “You proved your point, but you don’t fight fair.”