Emily (25 page)

She added,
‘One of you will have to share a tent with Vondra. There is not enough room for you all in the other tent.’ Everyone’s eyes fell on Ross, who turned bright red, and on seeing his face Vondra turned and fled to the tent, throwing herself on the cot. She gave herself over to tears that turned to sobs, but after a few minutes her fatigue took over and she fell asleep.

The next morning, as Vondra slowly came awake, she heard soft snores. As she opened her eyes, she saw that Ross was asleep in the cot beside her. Vondra allowed herself a moment to look at him. His face looked ordinary but, as she took in his strong jaw, full lips and square face, she decided that he was handsome in an exotic way
– she had never seen an Asian man before. He looked so gentle while sleeping that it took all of Vondra’s willpower not to give in to her desire to run her fingers over his face. Ross made a snuffling sound and Vondra realised that he was going to wake up, so she lay back down, turning her back to him and pretending to sleep.
This way
, she thought,
he can leave without having to talk to me
. She could sense him stretch, yawn and sit up – but he didn’t leave the tent.

After a few minutes she felt his hand on her shoulder and he gently shook her saying,
‘Vondra, please wake up.’ Cursing under her breath, Vondra pretended to wake up and as she sat up, Ross was straightening his shirt and running his fingers through his hair. A section stuck up and Vondra resisted the urge to run her fingers through his hair and put it in place.

Ross was clearly uncomfortable with what he was going to say and then suddenly he blurted out,
‘I’m not very good with women! I think I’ve hurt your feelings.’

Vondra shrugged her shoulders and replied,
‘You tell the truth, you don’t like me.’

‘
No, no, that’s not true. It’s just…like I said before, I’m not very good with women.’

‘
Oh.’ Vondra paused and then said, ‘You prefer men?’

‘
What? No! Umm, I don’t think you understand.’ Pausing to find the right words he said, ‘Maybe when we free your people, we could, I mean, if you want, umm...we could go out to dinner.’ Ross’ face had gone red and his heart was pounding in his chest.

Vondra was confused.
‘Dinner? But we have to go to breakfast now.’

Ross stood up
– this was not going very well. ‘I mean, I can take you to a restaurant.’

‘
What is a restaurant?’ Vondra stood up too, a puzzled look on her face.

‘
It’s place where we go to eat. Usually it has soft music and then we can dance and we can see if we like each other.’ Ross’ voice was shaking.

‘
I like you already,’ Vondra responded, moving closer to Ross.

Ross had turned bright red. Looking into Vondra
’s face, he could see that she really meant it.

‘
It’s just,’ he stammered, ‘the way my family does these things.’

‘
Oh.’ Vondra replied, finally understanding. ‘I get it now, you have a custom. We free our people then we go to this restaurant and then we are bonded.’

Ross breathed,
‘Yes, I mean no, I mean…’ but Vondra wasn’t listening anymore, she was excited.

‘
Come, let’s free my people today. Yes, today,’ and she left the tent then returned to take his hand and drag him outside.

Ross had a sinking feeling that his go-slow speech had backfired but he did notice that it felt good to hold her hand.

Varrick walked into Valeskia’s cell followed by Ivan and Roy. He looked at her for a full minute before ordering Ivan to take her to the white room. Valeskia felt a wave of fear go through her body but outwardly she showed no sign of the emotion. As Ivan approached her she simply stood up and walked to the door. She wouldn’t plead or beg for her life, she wouldn’t give Varrick the satisfaction.

Roy had a small smile on his face but Ivan looked terrible. He was distracted and he looked like he hadn
’t slept in days. Valeskia was almost sorry for him but she remembered all the killing of their kind that he had performed and her pity disappeared.

Valeskia was surprised at how strong her body still was when she stood, she had thought her legs would turn to jelly with the initial wave of fear but she walked to the lift as if she had purpose. When they got into the lift, Varrick turned to Valeskia and laid one of his large hands on her shoulder.

‘I had hoped for so much more from you,’ he said. ‘Tell me where our son is and I’ll let you go free.’

Valeskia replied softly,
‘I feel sorry for you, Varrick, this is the reason everybody looks to betray you. You don’t have the right to decide who can be free. Our son will free us from you.’

Varrick responded by slapping Valeskia so hard she fell to her knees. Pushing the button to the lower floor, Varrick struggled to keep from hitting her again. As the doors closed he told Valeskia in a cold voice,
‘I’m looking forward to our conversation in the white room and don’t worry my dear, it won’t be a short one.’

Valeskia, who was still on her knees, felt tears form in her eyes knowing she would not escape his anger this time.

* * *

Valeskia could hear a woman screaming. It was so loud she thought to herself,
someone please help that woman
, but the screams continued. After a moment, Valeskia realised that the woman screaming was herself and she became fully conscious to the pain exploding through every cell in her body. Varrick had decided not to physically torture her, instead insisting that Roy use chemicals.

Her blood was turning to acid
– the pain was excruciating and she worried that she would break. Her mind was fuzzy. She knew too much about the free people as, in a way, she had been in one of the first groups to defy Varrick many years ago. There had been six of them, three women and three men. Their faces popped into her head so fresh, it was like she had seen them all yesterday. Sweet Dusana – her dear friend Thora, dependable Jonas, Thomas – whom she never really knew, and Sven, so keen with his gift of foresight.

Valeskia
’s head hung down, she was tied to a metal table that was pitched vertically. Sweat dripped from her body and all the colour had drained from her face.

Varrick lifted her head, realising that she had lost consciousness. Frustrated he turned to Roy and Ivan,
‘I need answers,’ he barked.

Roy responded,
‘The woman is strong; you know she won’t break easily.’

Ivan was almost unapproachable. He just sat in the corner, rocking back and forth, muttering
under his breath, ‘Kill the witch, kill the witch,’ over and over. Varrick looked at Roy. They both knew Ivan was lost to his madness.

Whispering to Roy, Varrick told him,
‘The moment he no longer follows commands, destroy him.’ Roy nodded – he was ready. Ivan was their best killer but only Sarah could call him back when he was let loose. He made Roy nervous, he always had, and right now even more so. Ivan followed orders from Roy and Varrick more so than ever and this was what worried Roy, that Ivan was, seemingly, compliant.

The phone rang and Varrick picked it up. After a moment, Roy heard him say,
‘Ok, I’ll come,’ and then he turned to Roy and said, ‘Make sure she doesn’t die before I return,’ and he beckoned for Ivan to follow.

Roy was relieved that they had both left. He went over to Valeskia and checked out her vitals. While they were steady she was still unconscious. What Varrick saw in this woman was beyond Roy, she was beautiful but she defied Varrick at every
turn. Roy preferred young girls who thought he was a God even if they bored him after a few days. Still, there were plenty of young girls. He always thought that loving someone was a weakness and he felt superior being a full human. He didn’t need to bond with anyone like the people Varrick had created. Checking Valeskia again, Roy sat back on a stool and wondered, for the thousandth time, why he followed Varrick at all.

Valeskia regained consciousness but her mind was in the past. There was information she needed to get, a memory that was important, but what? Her fear was that whatever she would say in the white room would bring her people down. Varrick created them all but they were a real people and Dusana had been the first of them to acknowledge that they could alter their fate. Then she remembered her father, and how gentle and kind he was with her. The memory of him reminded her that she was in control of her fate and she wouldn
’t break, not now, not ever.

Slowly Valeskia lifted her head, allowing the pain to flow through her body as her mind returned fully to the present.

‘Hello Valeskia, I’m glad you’re back.’ Roy’s voice was soft and friendly. Another bolt of pain whacked Valeskia’s body and a scream slipped out without her permission.

‘
I can make this all stop, Valeskia,’ Roy said.

Valeskia smiled at Roy, which unnerved him.
‘My son will make this all stop.’

Roy knew the woman would not break and threw his hands into the air. Calling to the guards he ordered them to take Valeskia back to her cell. He knew Varrick would be mad but he could handle him. Then an idea hit him. He knew how to find the free people
– he would just have to convince Varrick of his idea. Looking at Valeskia as the guards lifted her down, Roy smiled.

‘
Make sure the doctors see her,’ he ordered. ‘We need to look after her.’ He could see that Valeskia had passed out again.

Feeling good, Roy
’s mind went to the new girl who had arrived a week ago. He would arrange a visit; it would distract him for a moment. Then he laughed as he thought to himself,
Maybe now Varrick will see that these people all need to be destroyed
. Looking at Valeskia as the guards carried her to the lift, he added to himself,
especially, that one
.

Waking in Eric’s arms, Emily found that Vladimir had already risen. As she got up, she could hear the rain tap lightly on the roof of the tent. For no reason she felt uneasy and she dressed, quickly waking Eric.

‘
Where are you going?’ he asked sitting up, he could see that she was upset.

‘
To find Vladimir,’ Emily responded her voice tight.

‘
What’s wrong, Emily, you sound scared.’ Eric stood up to be near her.

‘
Emily, are you okay?’ Vladimir asked entering the tent. He was carrying cups of hot tea for Eric and Emily. Emily flew into his arms, almost causing him to spill the hot liquid.

‘
It’s just that you weren’t here when I woke up,’ Emily replied sheepishly. ‘I’m sorry that I freaked out.’ Vladimir could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest. Eric got dressed and sat on the cot. He gestured for Emily to sit beside him and they both took the tea that Vladimir had brought them.

‘
You know Emily, we haven’t asked you what happened during the treatment.’

‘
Or how it has changed you,’ Vladimir added, sitting across from her.

‘
I don’t think I’ve changed that much,’ Emily said quietly. ‘I’m stronger with my abilities. When Applejacks and I were coming here and knew I would see you both, I was so happy I projected it and Vince and his men felt my happiness.’

‘
So you can project emotions to full humans?’ Eric remarked. This was a surprise.

‘
I still can’t talk to them but I can affect their moods. I haven’t tested it but I think I can teleport items over a longer distance now without the need to touch Applejacks, although with him I’m more accurate.’

Vladimir was silent for a moment.

‘This could be very useful,’ Eric added. ‘But we should test it first.’

‘
I agree,’ Emily responded. ‘After all, I know you don’t want to risk another shoe,’ Eric smiled thinking that it was not long ago that they had found out about each other’s secrets.

‘
Where were you Vlad?’ Eric asked. The tea was now cool enough to drink and Eric was glad for its warmth.

‘
I was talking to Vince. I wanted him to check out the camp and I want to make sure we are safe here.’

‘
Your leg is better?’ Eric asked. As Vladimir had entered the tent he hadn’t limped as he had the day before.

‘
It is almost healed again. I guess there are benefits from all of this madness.’ Vladimir showed them the area where he had been hurt, there was just an angry red scar, the skin had completely healed.

‘
Vladimir, what are we going to do now?’ Emily asked. Eric looked at Vladimir as well.

Sighing, Vladimir said,
‘We can’t abandon these people.’

‘
I agree,’ said Eric, thinking about his son and wondering where Varrick had sent him to, and if he would ever see him again.

Emily nodded her agreement and reached out to pat Eric
’s arm. Last night, in his sleep, Eric had murmured Eben’s name.

‘
My first attempt failed and many men were killed because of me.’ Emily began to protest but Vladimir put his hand up. ‘No, Emily, I take full responsibility for their deaths. Whatever plans we come up with, I refuse to endanger these people. It must rest with us. Sven’s journal said it would be the three from overseas that would right the wrong. I have reread his prophecies and I now believe that we must do this.’

‘
Do you have a plan?’ Eric asked. His voice held no doubt that he would follow Vladimir.

‘
No, not yet,’ Vladimir replied, feeling frustrated.

‘
Then,’ Emily said getting up, ‘we go and eat.’ Taking both Vladimir’s and Eric’s hands, she led them from the tent and walked over to where Helena sat stirring a large pot over the fire.

‘
Good morning,’ the young woman smiled brightly. ‘I’ve made porridge for breakfast.’

‘
Porridge?’ Eric sounded disappointed. Vladimir also didn’t look pleased.

Emily laughed and thanked Helena as she served them up bowls of the hot porridge. It was delicious with fruit, nuts and spices.

‘This is a recipe from your mother,’ Helena said to Vladimir. ‘She taught me how to cook at the compound. We steal the oats from farmers fifty miles from here. I hate doing it but we have no money for such things.’

‘
Helena, after breakfast I would like to speak to Jonas and yourself. I have a few ideas on getting some supplies for the group,’ Vladimir told her. He admitted to himself that the porridge was good; he remembered it from when he was a small child. Eric still looked unconvinced; however, he asked for second helpings.

‘
That would be wonderful,’ Helena replied enthusiastically. ‘I would like that.’

Jonas came out of the forest carrying a deer on his back. Putting it down, Helena smiled at him and Jonas smiled back then turned to the trio. In his quiet, gentle voice he said,
‘Emily, may I ask you a question?’

‘
Of course,’ Emily replied. She had liked this gentle man straight away.

‘
How is Valeskia?’ The question was casual but the tone of his voice spoke volumes of emotion.

‘
The last time I saw her she was well. She refused to come until all the people are free.’

‘
That would be Valeskia,’ Jonas replied and allowed himself a small smile.

‘
She had a message for you,’ Emily told the quiet man. ‘She said we will be planting the fields soon.’ Jonas looked at Emily for a moment before turning away to look into the dark forest and Emily could see that he had tears in his eyes.

Sitting around the fire, Emily caught sight of Rumour. She had left the tent early; as soon as she had heard the children walk past. They were throwing a ball for her to chase and Emily marvelled at how fit and strong she had become. Her barking was joyful, and when she got the ball she would toss it to a different child. Applejacks had come over and Emily asked Helena if she had some apples.

‘I do,’ Helena replied, and she reached into a sack for three apples and gave them to Emily. Emily cut them in half and gave them to Applejacks, simply resting in their connection together.

As they looked at Rumour, Applejacks said,
‘
The small one is happy
.’

‘
Yes, it’s a beautiful sight to see,’ Emily replied.

Noticing that Emily was out of the tent, Rumour bounded over, thrusting her nose into Emily
’s hands, her tail wagging. Connecting to her, Emily projected good feelings and love.

‘
Jonas, Helena,’ Vladimir called for their attention. ‘I want you to make a list of what supplies the group needs for few months. I will send two of Vince’s men to buy them for you. I also want the camp to move. Before we came here we found a location that would be safer for you all. There are a few supplies and structures already in place. It was where I was going to house the men I brought with me.’ Helena looked at Jonas who nodded at her; the relief was evident on their faces.

‘
Thank you so much, if possible can we get some medicine?’ she replied. Her eyes glistened at the offer from Vladimir.

‘
Get whatever you need,’ he smiled back.

‘
What’s your intention with Varrick?’ Janak asked. He had just arrived and overheard the conversation on supplies and moving.

‘
The four of us will go to the manor,’ he gestured to Eric, Emily and Applejacks. ‘We will confront Varrick there.’

‘
And how will you do that?’ Janak asked.

Pulling the journal from his shirt, Vladimir held it up to show them,
‘This is the journal from Sven.’ Jonas smiled hearing the name of his old friend. ‘Before he died he gave me his journal. He told me that two who had escaped would return with the woman who could talk to the beasts. I was a young man at the time and did not put any credence to it. After I met Emily I put the plans together for our return, praying that I would never need to use them, but here we are.’ Pausing, he opened the journal to a page and read; ‘The three and the beast will confront the father of us all. Only then will the moment come to pass for freedom or destruction of the new people.’ He stopped. No one spoke for a moment.

Then Eric quipped,
‘So, which one of us is the beast?’ and even Applejacks laughed, snorting and shaking his head. With the tension eased Jonas thought for a moment.

‘
I know Sven, his prophecies were almost always right.’

‘
Almost,’ Eric quipped again, bringing another smile to the group’s faces.

‘
While I agree that you three, err...four,’ Jonas said, pointing at Applejacks, ‘have to go, it does not say alone,’ then added, ‘I plan to come with you.’

‘
I disagree,’ Emily voiced. ‘You need to ensure the rest of your people are safe.’

Pausing for a moment before replying, Jonas augured,
‘I know my friend, Sven. Just because he didn’t say we’d come with you doesn’t mean we don’t. This meeting will either free or destroy our people; I must see it through to the end.’ Turning to Vladimir, he added, ‘This is not for you to make right, we need to make a stand together.’

Suddenly Vondra, in tiger form, burst from the forest with Ross running besides her.
As they joined the group, Ross took his shirt off before Vondra had time to change back, handing it to her as soon as she changed. Helena put her hand over her mouth to hide her smile at Ross’ change in attitude.

‘
We were at the compound,’ Ross offered, getting his breath. Vondra’s breath was normal as soon as she changed into a woman’s form. Ross added, ‘They’re gathering the children from the breeding pens.’

‘
What children?’ Vladimir asked.

‘
The second batch, the little ones that are four,’ Vondra replied. Ross put his arm around her as she started to cry. ‘Maybe some of those children are mine, they have taken my eggs.’

Ross continued,
‘We got close enough to overhear that they’re going to murder the children tomorrow.’

‘
What?’ Emily gasped, looking at Vladimir. ‘We have to stop this.’ The rest of the group voiced their outrage as well until Vladimir put his hand up.

‘
Stop!’ The group became silent. ‘I need a moment to think.’ And he turned away from the group, walked over to a large log and sat down on it.

Eric gathered Emily into his arms and said to the group,
‘He’ll think of a plan, he always does.’ After a while, Applejacks wandered over to Vladimir who absently patted his muzzle. Realising that the horse had something to say, he connected to him.

‘
Are you well, my friend?
’ Applejacks asked formally.

Vladimir, feeling frustrated replied,
‘I’m not sure of what to do. I don’t know if I can come up with a plan.’

‘
Then, don’t
,’ Applejacks replied. His answer was so unexpected, Vladimir stood up.

‘
What do you mean?’ he asked out loud.

‘
Trust that the next moment will bring you the answers you need to move onto the next moment,’ Applejacks replied.

Pausing for the longest moment Vladimir thought carefully about Applejacks
’ words before saying, ‘My whole life I have always had a plan for the next step.’

‘
Not always
,’ Applejacks replied.

‘
When?’ Vladimir challenged him.

‘
There was no plan when you met Emily and look how that turned out
.’ Vladimir’s deep voice boomed laughter, and he reached out to pat the horse’s neck.

‘
My friend, what a good day that was.’ He spoke out loud and looked across to Eric and Emily, and a wave of love washed over Vladimir for both his bond mates.

‘
It was the day that was always going to be brought about,’ Applejacks added ‘just like this day has been brought about and will end as it should.’

‘
Thank you, friend,’ Vladimir replied. ‘Your words have been what I need,’ and he walked back to the group.

‘
What’s the plan?’ Eric asked. The group had hushed and were looking at Vladimir intently.

‘
The plan is that we go to confront Varrick with whoever wants to come. Sven wrote that the four of us would go but you are right, Jonas, he did not say that no one else would be with us.’

Turning to Vince he said,
‘Old friend, if you want to leave I would only wish you well but can I ask one more thing of you, and that is to ensure that the supplies are brought and that the people are moved to the safe location.’

‘
I’ll go with you,’ Vince replied. ‘But my men will ensure that the supplies are brought and the camp is moved,’ he knew his role was to be beside Vladimir.