Keepers of the Flame. Robin D. Owens

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      Three women came to stand near them, outside a glowing green circle around a star on the floor. These three were Caucasian, though the tall, voluptuous woman with red hair and blue eyes appeared to have an Eastern European heritage.

      She gestured and the green circle surrounding them subsided. “I’m Marian Harasta Dumont.” She touched a golden band around her forehead that showed lightning bolts and clouds, whorls that looked like wind, curvy waves. She, too, had a large streak of white in her hair. “I’m a Sorceress, called a Circlet of the Fifth Degree.

      “Welcome to Lladrana, another dimension. We have Summoned you here on behalf of the Cities and Towns. A strange fatal illness has come and they requested medicas—doctors.”

      Bri sat up straight, glowered at them, crossed her arms. Elizabeth kept her mouth shut.

      The smallest person there, a woman with silver hair and wearing chainmail and hip sheaths spoke. “I’m Alexa Fitzwalter, come from Denver last year. I was an attorney. Here in Lladrana I am a Swordmarshall and use the Jade Baton of Honor.” She pulled out the baton. It flared green and silver and bronze. The flames atop it turned from metal to real.

      Impressive.

      Does her name sound familiar to you? Elizabeth asked Bri.

      No, but attorney…would Uncle Trent have said something about her?

      Maybe I want them to do all the talking, though, Elizabeth said.

      Good plan.

      The willowy blond cleared her throat. She wore a leather outfit. “I’m Calli Torcher Guardpont. I am the Volaran Exotique.” Her brief smile lit her face. “Flying horses.” She inclined her head to others dressed as she was, “and the knights who ride them, Chevaliers.”

      I think I hit my head on the stones, Bri said.

      Elizabeth turned to her and sent her fingers roaming over her sister’s skull. Without thought she drew power into herself, sent it flaring around Bri’s head, checking for any damage.

      Breaths caught in gasps around them.

      “You’re a doctor?” Alexa asked.

      Neither of them answered. You’re fine. You have a hard head, Elizabeth said.

      I’m having massive hallucinations.

      You aren’t the only one.

      “We know this sounds crazy, but it’s true,” Marian said. “We can prove you’re in another land. A place that needs you very much.” She pulled a stick about as long as her hand from her pocket. It grew and shaped into a wand. Then as Elizabeth watched, the piece of wood lengthened and thickened until it was a staff.

      “They’re not believing us.” Marian sighed.

      “It takes a while,” Alexa muttered.

      “Yes, but it should be easier with a welcoming party like us,” Marian said.

      Bri snorted.

      “Neither one of them looks like the woman we’ve been having those intense dreams about.” Alexa shrugged, peered at them. Then said, “How long are you going to sit there and let us stare at you and talk about you?”

      I vote forever, Bri said to Elizabeth. Hallucinations have to end sometime. Someone will find us in the elevator.

      Elizabeth chuckled.

      The blond woman’s, Calli’s, eyes narrowed. “Do you get the idea that they’re mentally talking to each other?”

      “Twins,” said the short one, Alexa, philosophically. “And they’re very Powerful, you can hear the strength of their Songs. Telepathy might be the first thing they notice.”

      Good guess, Elizabeth said to Bri.

      They’re all sharp. And now that she mentioned it, I, uh, hear tunes coming from everybody.

      Elizabeth tilted her head. She was concentrating on her own vital signs, her pulse, her breathing, and Bri’s, but beyond that she could hear small tunes emanating from each person. Sometimes it was comprised of more than one melody. She focused on Marian’s and discovered the tune became less of a string and more of a woven rope—and led to a black-haired, blue-eyed man standing behind her.

      Bri had followed her thoughts. Interesting.

      “Time for plan B,” Alexa said. She gestured to a tall man with powerful shoulders dressed in gray raw silk shirt and trousers. He gave them a half-bow. His expression was serious, his eyes haunted. He left.

      Bri’s fingers twined in Elizabeth’s. That bad feeling is back.

      Yes.

      “The baby thing worked for me,” Alexa said conversationally. “Twice.”

      I definitely don’t like where this might be leading, Elizabeth said.

      “Children worked for me, too, in a different way,” Calli said softly. She held out her hand and a man came up and stood with her. A definite couple. Their Song spiraled out and snagged Elizabeth, so strong and loving and tender that she had to block it out because it reminded her of what she’d lost with Cassidy. She turned away from the sight of them.

      Bri squeezed her hand. They look very married, and he’s definitely a native. Marian’s guy, too.

      Elizabeth shivered. At that moment the large door opened and the man wearing gray strode back in. He held a small, limp body in his arms.

      “Oh, no!” Elizabeth and Bri said.

      He walked straight up to where they sat and carefully laid the boy of about three before them. The man’s expression was stark. “Mortee.” He dies.

      3

      Elizabeth and Bri went to opposite sides of the boy, reached for him. His breath wheezed, his face was pale and grayish compared to the golden-peach complexions of the healthy adults. He opened his eyelids. A horrified noise escaped Bri at the milky film covering his eyes.

      “Do you recognize these symptoms?” Bri asked, staring at her sister. She pushed the boy’s limp hair back from his forehead, gently turned his head to look in his ears, opened his mouth. His tongue showed a white coating too.

      “Um,” Elizabeth unbuttoned the boy’s shirt, put her hand on his chest. “Erratic and thready.”

      “Don’t give me doctor-speak comparisons. Do you recognize this?”

      “You never left people without hope,” Elizabeth muttered.

      “Twin,” Bri said, “there’s magical energy all around us.”

      “Illusion.” Elizabeth glared. “He needs a hospital.”

      “We’ve already tried everything. People are dying every day.” Tears dribbled down Calli’s cheeks. She and the other two women СКАЧАТЬ