Read Online Immortal by Pati Nagle - Free Book Online Page B

windows, just like the other wing. This looked more utilitarian, though. Fewer ornaments. An open doorway proved to be a laundry room. Other rooms had closed doors. No lights showing anywhere.
    I opened the first door and peeked in. A pantry. Lots of pottery jars and baskets. Not a single tin can—it looked like a museum display. Apparently Madera was one of those back-to-nature, do-it-all-yourself dudes, although the electricity had to come from somewhere.
    I wandered on down the hall until I reached a door in the glass wall. I opened it, figuring it would be shorter to cross the courtyard to my room than to go back around through the kitchen and living room. It was bitter cold outside and I instantly wished for Caeran’s cape, which I’d left in my room.
    The courtyard was beautiful, with vines climbing up the pillars between the windows, beds of greenery, and flagstone pathways. Patio furniture sat in the shadows beneath bare-branched trees that would be deliciously shady in summer.
    A fountain stood in the courtyard’s center—a classic round, three-tiered number, ornamented with Mexican tile—very traditional. The water was flowing, though the temperature had to be below freezing. Maybe Señor Madera had a heater in the fountain. Or maybe it was magic.
    I shook my head. Getting too punchy. Sleep would restore my perspective.
    I started across the courtyard toward my room, but the door on that side opened before I got to it. For an instant my heart leapt at the thought that Caeran had come to me after all, but it wasn’t Caeran. It was Mirali.
    She looked pale and drawn, though that could be from the starlight. She leaned out, clinging to the open door with one hand. She wore the clothes she’d had on all day: cotton pants and a woven jacket. Not warm enough for this time of night, up here at seven-thousand-whatever feet.
    She frowned at me and said something that sounded like Martian. I had no clue at all what any of it meant.
    â€œHoney, you should get back inside,” I said. “It’s too cold out here.”
    She talked more gobbledegook. I shifted from foot to foot, starting to shiver.
    â€œLet’s go in, OK? I bet Señor Madera wouldn’t like it if he found you out here.”
    I started toward her, intending to gently guide her indoors. When I got close she shouted something and flung her arm out toward me.
    The world went white, and I felt like I’d been slammed by a flying door.

= 4 =
    Â 

    I heard a crash, tinkle. My water glass, I realized as I stumbled backward, blinded. I bumped against a patio table, heard it scrape on the flagstone.
    Someone was shouting—a man’s voice. I was too busy trying not to fall down to pay attention. Realized I was going to lose the battle, and opted for sitting rather than collapsing. My knees were rubber. I made it to the ground, ungracefully but without major damage.
    More shouting, more voices. I wondered vaguely what they were saying. Stars were flying around in front of my eyes. Meteors, I thought, and giggled.
    The next instant, warm hands grasped my shoulders and a voice—familiar, comforting—spoke to me. I struggled to pay attention.
    â€œâ€”at me. Look at me, Len.”
    I managed to focus on Caeran’s eyes. The meteors faded away.
    His beautiful face was contorted with worry. “Can you stand up?”
    Wanting to reassure him, I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a croak. He hauled me to my feet and let me lean on him.
    â€œCome inside,” he said, coaxing.
    Great idea. I was all for it, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate. Caeran tried to help me walk, but after a couple of wobbly steps he scooped me up in his arms and carried me inside.
    Madera closed the courtyard door after us, looking grim. Mirali was nowhere in sight. Nathrin must have taken care of her.
    Caeran carried me to my room and gently put me on the bed. He sat next to me, smoothing my hair back from