Sought(10)

Kat felt like she was going crazy. Rushing at the giant, she tried to grab his hand and keep the whip from falling again. But she was helpless to stop him—helpless to even touch him. It was as though she was trapped in a bad dream, one which she couldn’t wake up from.

Please, she begged silently as invisible tears fell down her cheeks. Please, please don’t. Please stop hurting him…

But nothing she said or did made any difference. The whipping went on and on…and on.





* * * * *


“She’s crying.” Lock looked down at Kat’s still-sleeping face in alarm. “Look, tears are running down her cheeks.” He cupped her jaw and brushed them tenderly away with the pad of his thumb.

“So she is.” Mother L’rin didn’t sound unduly worried.

“But what does it mean?” Lock looked at her anxiously. “What’s happening to her?”

“A bad dream, perhaps. I’m more concerned with what’s happening with that brother of yours.” Her wrinkled face creased in a frown. “I haven’t heard a single scream.”

“That’s because Deep won’t scream. He won’t give in to the pain that way.” Lock wiped Kat’s other cheek gently. “He’s too damn stubborn.” He closed his eyes. “I can feel his pain but he won’t share it with me—he’s closed tight, turned inward.”

Mother L’rin shrugged her bowed shoulders. “His choice. If he’d release the pain into the Stone Throat it would dissipate much more quickly.”

“I tell you, he won’t scream. He’d probably rather die.”

“He won’t die.” The old woman spoke with certainty. “That would put your life in danger as well and I wouldn’t do that, Lock. But he may well wish he was dead by the time the whipping is over.” She looked at him. “Are you wishing you could take his place?”

“Yes.” Lock swiped away tears of his own, blotting them angrily on his deep green uniform sleeve. “He doesn’t deserve this. He thinks he does, but he doesn’t. I know he’s a bastard a lot of them time but he’s my brother and I love him.”

“Of course you do.” Mother L’rin’s voice was suddenly softer and she laid one wrinkled old hand on Lock’s arm. “Never fear, you’ll both come out of this alive.” She looked grim. “I just wish I could promise the same for your lady Kat here.”

“Please.” Lock felt as though his heart was breaking. “Can’t we save her? Won’t it be easier for her now that Deep has taken her pain?”

“She’ll still be weak and even if you managed to complete the soul bond with her the pain may return in time.” Mother L’rin frowned. “You’ll need to take her someplace quiet and let her rest for a little while before you attempt that.”

“Of course. Deep will be in no shape for any kind of bonding activity for awhile anyway.” Closing his eyes again, Lock could feel the echoes of his twin’s agony. But Deep was still shut tight, conserving every ounce of his strength to bear the pain.

“His wounds will heal fast,” Mother L’rin predicted. “Lashes inflicted with psychic pain always do and Twin Kindred are quick healers anyway. The strokes hurt three times as much as physical wounds but they mend three times as fast as well. When Deep’s back is mostly healed, then you may attempt to finish your soul bond with the lady Kat.”

“And after we do? What then?”

“Bring Kat back and let me examine her.” Mother L’rin put a withered hand on Kat’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you what to do then if she survives.”

She has to survive. Please, Mother of All Life, let her survive, Lock prayed fervently. Do not let my brother’s sacrifice be in vain. Do not let the pain he feels count for nothing.

Kat was crying again. Tenderly, he wiped the tears from his cheeks, wishing he could ease her pain, wishing he could share Deep’s agony. But he was shut out from both of them—unable to help either of the people he loved.

Lock had never felt more alone.





Chapter Five





The human female was troublesome.

It annoyed Xairn the way she cried when he came near her. Later, when he offered her no harm, she began to talk to him and that was even worse.

“Please,” she whispered the third time he brought her food and water. “Please, I’m so cold. It’s freezing in here and I don’t have any clothes.” She was huddled in a corner of the bare nine by nine metal cell she was being kept in. Her knees were drawn up to her chin and she had her arms wrapped around her legs but even so her smooth, light brown skin was covered in chill bumps.