To Augment the Bond, page 3
A week later, she sent word that he'd returned and demanded that Cousin Lillith organize a human research project into how to break the death connection of the meld. She assured Mom that, although he was dreadfully drawn from dehydration, he was mentally calmer. Mom went to visit and came back encouraged.
The next week, Mom asked Caleb and me to go with her to see Cousin Lillyon as he'd asked about us. I didn't want to go. When last I'd seen him, I'd felt overcome by grief, not about Tallyon, but about how quickly my beloved cousin had gone downhill, mentally and physically. I didn't want to see him like that, didn't want to feel his anguish, didn't want to face the aging process.
I was so glad I did. Although his coat was dull and rough, his flanks drawn in, and his eyes sunken in a taut face, his mind radiated the same Cousin Lillyon I'd known my whole life. We talked for three hours, Caleb and me about our various adventures, he about the touring he and Cousin Lillith had done with Joedon's family, hammering out agreements with the governments along the coast. His stories, full of amusing anecdotes of the various city-states and their leaders, made me want to see more of our world.
When we got home, Caleb and I made a pact that as soon as he turned twenty-one, we'd go exploring on our own. I, for one, didn't tell Mom or Dad our intention.
Chapter 5
Wynnadon
We don school attendees helped Ylsdon with his self-defense classes for everyone else as part of our schoolwork, but we also found out he wasn’t done with us. The next segment of our training involved using reeth and Hellyon joined us to teach our mates and partners. Marrith and I spent a grueling two weeks dotted with purple goo again, but we mastered every one of Hellyon’s techniques. And when we all went home for the weekends, Papa, Uncle Wyl, and all my cousins demanded we start classes with them.
While we’d been working so hard at school, Marrith’s parents had located a reeth-partner for everyone in the Wee family; sixteen reeth now lived at our homestead, along with Marrith’s family. Papa had expanded the house he’d been building for her family into a huge barn-like building where all the reeth could live comfortably, with sections divided off for families if they had one. He let me invite Sissy and Claire to come visit and I proudly showed them around the new facility.
“Do you think I could get a reeth partner?” Claire asked wistfully as she stroked Marrith’s neck.
“Me, too!” Sissy said.
“Aren’t you worried about the other kids at school?” I stalled, not knowing what to say. Would it be possible?
“I’m not!” Claire said, her face filled with defiance. “All those troublemakers are gone, anyway.”
“Not gone,” Sissy said. “Only Stephanie went off to private school. But, without her, the others haven’t been bad.” She wrinkled her forehead and rubbed her nose. “I don’t know what Mom would say.” She sneezed.
“I don’t care what Mom says.” Claire put her forehead against Marrith’s shoulder and muttered, “She’s hardly home anyway. I would take really good care of a reeth if I had such a friend.”
“I don’t know.” I consulted Marrith. “We can ask, I guess. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Not right away, that’s for sure. You can always come here and be with Marrith and me. And help with the others if you want.”
“I want.” Claire looked at me sternly. “And I will!”
Sissy sneezed again, then spotted the hay bales in the corner. “I’m allergic to hay!” she wailed. Tears began to run and we had to get her out of the barn. By the time we got to the house, she was wheezing and coughing. I hollered for Mama, explained the problem, and she gave Sissy some medicine that made her feel better.
After that, we stayed out of the barn and wandered with Marrith through the orchards. Nothing else bothered Sissy. I didn’t see how she could have a reeth partner and not be around hay, but I didn’t say so. The possibility of her getting one was so small, I didn’t want to dismay her, although I promised to ask.
When we went back to school, Sara was there to help Mosedon with a history lesson about the royal families. She'd brought portraits of her grandparents and great-grandparents which made the Sar history come alive for me. After her talk, I took a chance and asked her about reeth-partners for Sissy and Claire.
“It won’t happen anytime soon,” she said. “Not with everything that’s going on right now, but I don’t see why it couldn’t happen someday.” I was thrilled. She hadn’t said an outright “No.”
**
Claire came to help me with chores almost every weekend when I came home from school. While we cleaned reeth sleeping areas and scrubbed water tubs, she told me all about her mother's new boyfriend who seemed wealthy. Claire had new clothes and new boots and she talked about dinners out, acting happier than she'd been last year.
I taught her to milk Glossie and the other cows and Papa told me that over the summer she often came in the evenings to help even if I wasn't there. He said the cows relaxed more and gave more milk when Claire was around. Considering that her mother only thought about clothes and jewelry, I never dreamed Claire would be such an animal person like me.
In Sepry, when she had to go back to school, she stopped coming during the week but we spent most of the weekends together. Mama expected her for meals and Papa put her name on the chore chart saying she'd become an honorary Wee.
One Satday, our jobs were separated. I was to muck three reeth rooms; she was to scrub tubs. It was chilly that day and Claire had arrived in a dark blue long-sleeved shirt I'd never seen. When we reached the barn, I told her she looked really good in that color of blue. A shadow crossed her face. She muttered “Thanks,” and hurried away. Is she ashamed of being pretty? By the time I'd spread new straw in Marrith's room, I'd forgotten the incident.
The next day, she was late and had on a lightweight cherry-colored jacket. More new clothes! We milked the cows and lugged the cans of milk to the cold store, then joined the others raking leaves in the yard. The sun came out and by the time we finished, everyone was sweating. We kids decided to cool off in the water tank, dunking each other, coming up spluttering and laughing. Claire joined us but refused to take off her jacket. What's her mom going to think when she comes home slimed? I shrugged. Maybe Claire has so many new clothes, one jacket doesn't matter.
The next weekend it was really warm and Claire wore the dark blue shirt again. Papa had told me she'd shown up twice during the week to help milk and he'd driven her home after dark. This weekend we were assigned together to scrub the milking barn concrete floor. We took turns holding the hose and swiping the long-handled broom through the ripples. Playfully, I arced a water spray at her, intending to miss. She flinched when the water hit her back and spun to glare. For the first time, I noticed dark circles under her eyes.
Dropping the hose, I held out a hand. “What's the matter, Claire? Didn't you sleep good last night?”
To my horror, she burst into tears and tried to run away. I caught her arm and she yelped in pain.
“Claire!” She froze. “Claire, what hurts? Let me see.”
She rubbed her arm across her eyes, looked wildly around, then beckoned me into the cold store. Once the door was closed, she stripped off her shirt to display black bruises on the upper part of each arm where someone had grabbed her hard. I could see the fingermarks. I gently put my hands on her shoulders and made her face me. “Who did this?”
The words came out so soft, I leaned forward to hear. “My stepfather.”
“They got married?”
She nodded, shrinking away from me, her face filled with misery. “Mom tries to not leave me alone with him, but sometimes he catches me when she's not paying attention. He enjoys hurting me,” she hissed. “He pushes his face close to mine and threatens to kiss me, but if Mom is near, he only pretends. I stay as far away from him as possible.”
I walked her over to sit on the bench and gathered her into my arms to offer what comfort I could. We were the same height, even though she was five years older than me. She curled into almost a ball and cried into my shoulder. Between sobs, she told me she'd heard him walking outside her bedroom last night. The door was locked, but she hadn't slept for fear he would break in.
“He said if I told anyone, he'd kill me… Wynn, you can't say anything.”
“You can't live like this!”
“I don't have a choice. Mom's all I have and she says he's wonderful.” She sat up suddenly. “Please don't say I can't come anymore. This is the only place I'm happy.”
“Don't be stupid,” I said, hoping my voice didn't quaver. “We love having your help. Papa says you're great with the cows and all the reeth adore you.” I firmed my tone. “You have to keep coming. And I'm going to figure out a way to help you!”
Of course, Marrith read my thoughts and during the week at school we tried to come up with a solution for Claire. “I don't know what to do. I promised I wouldn't tell, but without Papa, I can't think of anything helpful.”
Marrith kept touch with her mother and we learned that Claire had come to help milk every evening that week. Either Papa or Uncle Wyl drove her home and escorted her to the door, handing her over to her mother each evening. When I heard that, I wondered if Papa had a suspicion about her not feeling safe unless her mom was there.
Fesday, Aria and Cardon decided to fly with us to Delt so Caldon could practice Rolo with my family. Like we don't have enough exercise during the week. Ylsdon had moved us into what he called advanced training and we rarely got to actually play during school anymore. If Caldon's coming, I thought, I'll invite Zafi and Yol, too. They were cousins and I was pretty sure if Yol came, Zafi's folks would let her come.
Satday morning, Claire arrived earlier than usual. The bags under her eyes are worse, I thought. I gave her a hug in welcome and introduced our guests. She smiled tiredly and said she'd start on the tubs while we played. I wanted her to watch our game, but she insisted she'd rather work.
“I can lose my fear in the work,” she whispered. “Just watching lets me think too much.” I nodded and let her go.
With so many players we were able to enforce the rules about mind-mates not being on the same team. And we even had to take turns sitting out for a quarter. When I sat out, I decided to run to the house to the bathroom, sure I'd be back in time to take my place.
I stepped out the back door and heard a cry—not from the Rolo field. Down by the side of the Lareina grove, a man was dragging something red. I didn't recognize the man but the red was the same color as Claire's cherry jacket. The cry came again, and I was running as hard as I could, yelling for Marrith at the same time. I slammed to stop a few feet away from the man. He had Claire on the ground, one big hand pressing on her throat while the other fumbled at her jeans. The front of her jacket and blouse were ripped away. Her eyes were open and she tried to scream.
“Let her go,” I shouted.
He leered up at me. “You'll get your chance, little girl. I've plenty for the both of you!” He stood, pulling Claire along to dangle from his left hand still wrapped around her throat. He reached toward me with his right.
Reflex took over. I stepped forward with my right foot and leaped into the air in a swirl, swinging my left leg around and up. As I completed the spin, my boot connected with the side of his head. He fell, dropping Claire. Gasping, she scooted away as fast as she could on her butt. I landed on all fours, just as Ylsdon had taught me, and was up in a bound. The man screamed. Marrith stood with one hoof crushing his shoulder. He wasn't going anywhere.
I ran to Claire and supported her as she struggled for air. Tears streamed down both our faces; I shook as hard as she. It felt like forever but was only minutes ‘til we were surrounded by family and reeth. Papa dropped his shirt over Claire's upper body, Uncle Wyl and the boys took over the man. He continued to moan. Savagely, I hoped he was in a lot of pain.
Mama knelt beside me. “Claire, you're hyperventilating. Breathe slowly.” Mama took Claire's hand and breathed with her, her voice ultra calm. “That's it. In… Now out…” The horrible red in Claire's face began to ease and I slumped sideways, finding Zafi there for me to lean on.
Aunt Danela called the Sheriff. Papa carried Claire into the house. Zafi and I staggered after them. Mama made Claire stretch out on the couch and wrapped her in a blanket to stave off shock, she said. Then she looked at me. “Do you know that man?”
Claire's words rasped. “My stepfather.”
Mama shooed us out of the living room. “Let her rest. You can talk to her later.”
In the kitchen, we ran into the don players from the Rolo game. We sat around the kitchen table, Wel fetched me a glass of water, and I told them what I knew, which really wasn't much. When Papa came through with the Sheriff, I had to repeat my words. Then they went to hear from Claire. I lay my head down on my crossed arms and closed my eyes.
Zafi's hand fell lightly on my shoulder. “Marrith saw what you did. She showed all the reeth and they showed us,” she said over my head. “Ylsdon will be proud.” When I looked up, my classmates were smiling at me. My heart welled with joy. I'd defended myself and my friend. Ylsdon will be proud.
When the Sheriff and his deputies left with their prisoner, Papa told them he'd keep Claire safe and quiet here until they located and brought her mother. I went into the living room to sit with Claire while she slept ‘cause I didn’t want her to wake up in a strange room alone. Mama and the rest made dinner; the homey sound of clattering plates and cutlery relaxed me and I fell asleep, too, curled in my chair.
We had to eat outside because there were so many of us. I didn't have to help carry out the food because I escorted Claire to the table. She held her head stiffly as if her neck hurt and she swallowed a lot. Mama said her nap had brought a more healthy color back into her cheeks and I thought her eyes seemed brighter even though the Sheriff hadn't yet brought her mother. We made a noisy meal and Claire even smiled a few times at the jokes flying around.
Papa looked up suddenly and I followed his gaze. The Sheriff was standing at the corner of the house, alone. Mama rallied everyone to clear the table while Papa joined the Sheriff just out of sight. I don't think Claire saw him. She insisted on carrying dirty plates into the house while I brought the big bowl with its smidgen of leftover beans. Papa must have escorted the Sheriff to the front of the house because he came through the living room door to fetch Claire, asking Mama and me to come, too.
He motioned us toward the sofa. Seeing his solemn face, Mama put her arm around Claire and I held her hand. She stared at Papa, then turned to the Sheriff, her eyes wide. She started to tremble when Papa knelt before her. “Claire,” he said. “Your mother is dead. I'm sorry.”
Her hand tightened in mine but she didn't cry. The Sheriff said, softly, “When we went to your house, she was lying on the front room floor.”
“How did he do it?” The coldness in her voice made me sick.
The Sheriff glanced at Papa and swallowed. “He slit her throat.”
“I hope he burns in hell.” She crumbled into Mama's arms and sobbed.
**
Papa and Mama went into the courthouse and formally adopted Claire after the Sheriff's thorough search found no living relatives. She joined our family as my sister and Marrith found her a reeth partner. During the week, she attended school in Center with Wel, Jor, and me. On the weekends, she shared in our chores. Gradually, I forgot she was human.
Chapter 6
Wynnadon
When I arrived at the don school with a human girl claiming my family had adopted Claire and she was now a Wee, Mosedon and Ylsdon took their new student in with no fuss. However, I heard that furor had erupted in Center that had to be dealt with. Fortunately, Sara waded in enthusiastically and no one said a word to me or Claire.
Weeks later, Claire came into my room at Aunt Winniadon’s house in Center while I was studying ancient reeth history, a subject I found fascinating. “I think we should bring Mosedon to teach at our old school in Delt,” she said bluntly.
“What? Why?”
“Humans need to learn don-reeth history and no one there can teach it. I don’t know anything about other schools, but I’ll bet Mr. Hart and Mr. Montgomery will be in favor. We should talk to them.”
“I don’t think Mosedon wants to leave. She’s getting married soon, you know.”
“Beedon could go, too. He could teach something. Maybe self-defense. Mamselle Johnson would love to learn what we’re learning.”
I knotted my eyebrows, thinking hard. “We’ll ask Papa what he thinks when we go home this week.”
“Good.” She left me alone, but I’d lost interest in ancient history and wondered about making new history. What would Sara say?
**
Everyone from the school came to Delt for my seventh birthday party, even Mosedon and Beedon. Claire and I had mentioned our idea about her teaching in Delt so she decided to visit to see how she felt. Her parents came, too, I guess not so certain they wanted to let her leave. I kept forgetting that femm matured more slowly than human women as they grew older. Although Mosedon was twenty-three and seemed old to me—Sissy had a married twenty-three-year-old sister with a baby—she wasn't free to make her own decision. Strange her parents were still so protective of her, I thought. Then, I reconsidered. Bet Uncle Wyl wouldn't let Hanna make such a choice, either.
Claire and I had a difficult discussion about maturity one day prior to my birthday. She was furious to learn I was just turning seven while she was already eleven, almost twelve. Mama had to explain specific differences between femm and women’s growth patterns and then she went into stuff I didn't want to hear about how babies were made. Yuck!
