Read Online Shamara by Catherine Spangler - Free Book Online

mentally scanned for the energy pattern specific to her, but didn't find it. He picked up other Shielders in the vicinity, but not Eirene. Where was she? He searched the marketplace, despairing that he'd lost her. He finally found a faint trail, along a path that forked to the left. He veered up the path, rapidly edging along the crowd, but more cautious of carts this time.
    He almost passed her in his haste. She was huddled beside a stall, her arms wrapped around herself, and trembling violently. Her head was down, her hair shorter and not as dark, and the blue robe gone. But he knew it was her. Same slight build and, more importantly, the same energy he'd sensed at the Dome. He stopped beside her. She appeared oblivious to his presence. "Eirene."
    Her head snapped up, her blue eyes widening in shock. "No!" she gasped, scrabbling along the stall, trying to rise to her feet. "Go away."
    He grasped her arm before she could flee. Her skin felt hotter than the sands of Calt.
    "No!" She jerked back, trying to free herself. Then she kicked at him and flailed her free arm against him. "Let me go!"
    He winced as she made contact with his bruised ribs. He grabbed her other arm. "Stop this. I'm not going to hurt you."
    She fought like a trapped kerani, although her movements seemed sluggish, weak. "Let me go. Let me—" She stumbled against him, her legs giving out. Her hands gripped the front of his tunic. "So weak…what's wrong with me?"
    "I don't know," he murmured, gathering her unresisting body into his arms. He felt her shaking, and realized chills from the fever must be causing it. "But I'll take care of you. You're safe with me."
    She shook her head weakly. "No. Never safe. Please…leave me alone."
    "I'm afraid I can't do that," he said, with true regret. He needed her too badly. She was going with him, whether she wanted to or not.
    She closed her eyes and sagged against him, her breathing shallow. She appeared to be very ill. Jarek felt like a real bastard as he thought of a way to turn her illness to his advantage. The idea was unethical and dishonorable, going against his ingrained sense of integrity. But ensuring Shielder survival called for desperate measures.
    "Sorry, little one," he whispered, despising what he planned to do next.
    She didn't respond. Resolute, Jarek cradled her closer as he turned and headed for his ship.
     
    *  *  *
     
    The images were surreal, like a dream. And she was hot, so hot. Eirene twisted, trying to get away from the burning heat. Strong hands stilled her, and a cool cloth swept across her face. She turned toward the coolness, desperate for relief.
    "Eirene, can you hear me?"
    A male voice calling to her…must be a dream. She blinked open her eyes, but quickly closed them against the painful light. Hazy images seeped through her mind, bringing a memory of being tracked, of trying to get away from…impossible. The man who'd relieved her of her virginity was long gone, having left Saron before she did. This was just a bad dream.
    The cloth drifted over her face again, bringing her more alert. This felt too real to be a dream. She forced her eyes open. Him! She jolted up with a hoarse cry.
    "You are awake." He tossed the cloth aside and sat on the edge of the bunk, pressing her back down. Not that she would have gotten far, she realized, feeling her body shaking. What was happening? She stared at Jarek, disoriented and confused. Panic fluttered in her chest, but she was too weak to act on it.
    "How did you get here?" she croaked. Her throat felt parched, and she was so hot.
    "You're ill," he said bluntly. "Very ill. You have to help yourself."
    Bewildered, she glanced around. She was in a chamber she'd never seen before. How had she gotten here? Nothing made sense, and her muddled mind seemed incapable of logical thought. "I don't understand," she whispered.
    "I know about your abilities, Eirene. You can heal yourself. You have to heal yourself."
    Alarm edged through her dulled senses.