C l scheel, p.19
C L Scheel, page 19
"Let's go,” she said softly.
Then, she heard it. A car. Tires on the gravel drive. Suzanne peered out the narrow window at the side of the front door and gasped. “Oh, no!"
"What?” Akken'ar was at her side. “What is wrong?"
It was a large, black pickup, polished to a high gleam with a CB antennae waving from the back end. Inside were two men; one she recognized.
"Akken'ar, you must go! Now!"
"Why? Who are those men?” He grabbed her arm. “Suzanne, what do these men want?"
She hastily gathered her thoughts. “One of them is ... was a friend. He's also a kind of warrior. He is a man who represents the law.” Swiftly, she compressed what had happened during her last visit. “He wants to arrest me. He'll take me away to prison!"
"I will not let him take you,” he said grimly.
She clutched his arms. “Akken'ar, no! He will arrest you too. He will think you are helping me. Go now, my love.” She fumbled through the folds of her dress and shoved the Tearstone into his hands.
The engine noise stopped. Truck doors slammed shut. Male voices commented about the horse tied out front.
"Go! I beg you!"
Akken'ar said nothing but slipped away behind the wall in her kitchen.
There was a polite, but firm knock. Suzanne set Legolas’ bag on the floor and opened the door.
"Dane. What a surprise."
"I was about to say the same,” he said coolly. “Welcome back ... or home, Suzanne."
She had never seen Dane out of uniform. A denim jacket did nothing to hide his large frame nor the aggressive tilt of his shoulders. She also spotted the small bandage taped to his forehead.
Dane's friend, an unassuming man with wispy ginger-colored hair and pale blue eyes, smiled thinly at her.
"Why are you here, Dane?” she asked, knowing full-well the reason for his visit.
"I'm off duty and I thought I'd stop by. Curly spotted you and gave me a call."
She took a deep breath. “Look, I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I was desperate. I had to get back—"
"I know, to your ‘future world.’”
"So, are you going to arrest me? Do I get to call my lawyer?"
Dane shook his head. “No charges are being pressed, Suzanne. I just want to help you."
A sickening fear sliced through her belly. “Help me? What do you mean?"
"I mean, I want to help you get away from this ... guy.” He jerked his head in the direction of Akken'ar's horse. “The guy who owns that stallion. The one you were seen riding with."
Wary, she backed a step. “Who I choose to see is my business, Dane. You have no right interfering in my private life."
"Maybe not, but I think you have a little explaining to do. You knocked me out and stole county property to meet up with this man. And you know what I think? I think he's got some hold on you. I think he's dangerous."
"That's crazy! I'm not being held against my will."
"Maybe. That's why I brought someone to talk to you.” He gestured to the man standing next to him. “This is an old friend of mine. I've known him since we were kids. He and his wife are visiting from Seattle. He's a psychiatrist, Suzanne."
"Psychologist,” the man corrected Dane with a smile. “I'm also a research biologist.” He held out his hand to her. “I'm Dr. Andrew Kyrk, but most folks call me Andy."
The blood left her face; her limbs went weak. Suzanne stared at him in horror. This was Kyrk, before the Cataclysms. “Oh, my God."
Dr. Kyrk shrugged and grinned. “Well, not yet."
"He just wants to talk to you, Suzanne. He can help you with..."
"My delusions, my fantasies? I don't want to talk to him, Dane, or anyone else! Now, get out. Leave my house immediately!"
Dane's brow furrowed into a frown. “It's for your own good. You need help.” He took a step closer to her and tried to touch her arm. “Where is this guy? Let me talk to him. Tell him to come out."
"I am here.” The soft hiss of a steel sword escaping its scabbard filled the room announcing Akken'ar's presence.
Dane's eyes grew enormous as he looked past her, over her shoulder. “Jesus,” he whispered.
Dr. Kyrk blanched and backed off the porch step.
Akken'ar approached them slowly, sword held in both hands and angled for attack. A deadly light settled in his blue-black eyes. “You will not touch her."
Dane held up his hands. “Okay, buddy. Let's not do anything stupid."
"I am not the stupid one. You dare threaten her? Get your sword, fool."
"Now, wait a minute, pal. You'd better be careful who you think you're threatening. I represent the law around here. I can have you arrested."
"Get your sword."
Dane looked at her. “Suzanne, talk to this guy. He's nuts. He can't come after me with a sword."
She turned to Akken'ar. “He's right, my lord..."
Kyrk's brows shot up. “You called him ‘my lord?’ Interesting."
"Akken'ar, he can arrest you. Please go. Leave while you can."
"I have a matter to settle with this coward,” Akken'ar said coldly, never taking his gaze off the sheriff. He kept moving forward, forcing Dane and Dr. Kyrk back into the driveway.
It suddenly occurred to Suzanne that Dane wasn't carrying a weapon, but he probably had a rifle in the truck.
Dane held is hands wide, palms out, as did Kyrk. “Okay, pal. Have it your way. Nice and easy."
"Untie the horse, Suzanne,” Akken'ar ordered. “And get your things."
She picked up Legolas’ carrier and scurried past Dane and Kyrk to the horse. The stallion knew something was up but it stood still, ears pricked forward, watching Akken'ar. She untied the reins and waited.
"What are you going to do?” she heard Kyrk ask Dane.
"Get on my CB and call for backup,” he said, never taking his eyes off Akken'ar.
Akken'ar's lip curled slightly. “Call for help? Are you afraid to stand and fight, law warrior?"
"I'm unarmed. I don't have a sword.” Dane stopped backing up. “I suggest you give it up, pal. You're only making it worse for yourself and Suzanne."
"Dane, let him go. He's done nothing to you!"
"He's threatened a law officer, Suzanne. I have every right to haul his ass in for questioning."
"Drop to your knees,” Akken'ar commanded.
"A smart, smart-ass, too,” Dane muttered, slowly sinking to the driveway.
"Bring the horse."
She led the stallion next to Akken'ar. He swung onto the horse's back, then held his free hand out to her. It was a little awkward with the cat carrier hanging from her shoulder, but she managed to wiggle up behind him.
"You can't get away, tough guy,” Dane said. “There'll be cop cars all over the county. They'll bring you in on the end of a rope."
"They will have to find me first,” Akken'ar retorted.
He nudged the stallion into a fast walk, boldly circling the horse around the truck. He halted next to the rear bumper and nodded at the antenna. “Is that of any importance?” he asked her.
"Yes. It's the CB antenna. Cut it."
Akken'ar brought his sword down and slashed the antenna at its bracket, sending it spinning into the grass. He continued circling around the back of the truck to the passenger side and spun the horse on its haunches so he could reach inside the cab.
With the tip of his sword, he pointed to the CB radio on the dash. “Is this the machine to call for other law warriors?"
"Yes."
She felt his shoulder muscles bunch as he leaned to the side and thrust his sword inside the truck cab, severing the coiled microphone cord in a short, hard stroke.
"You catch on fast,” she heard Dane say.
Akken'ar made a disgusted noise in his throat. “I am not ... stupid.” He heeled the horse around to the front of the truck where the two men were kneeling.
Dane glared at him. “You can't get far on horseback. I'll find you."
"I hope you do,” Akken'ar said coldly. “In my world, I am the law."
He kicked the horse into a gallop, heading down the driveway to the road. Just as the stallion's hooves touched the pavement, the big animal stopped and reared, bellowing and shaking its head.
At first, Suzanne wasn't sure what was happening until she felt a slight trembling course up through the body of the horse.
The animal reared again and Akken'ar fought to control him. Suzanne looked around and saw the ground begin to buck and roll.
"Hurry, Akken'ar! It's started!"
Chapter Sixteen
THE FIRST OF the Cataclysms had begun; Suzanne knew it, but uncertain if Akken'ar fully realized what was happening. He urged the horse onto the winding county road at a brisk gallop.
The wind had suddenly turned violent, tossing the trees, scattering leaves and debris across the pavement. She clung to Akken'ar's back as he reined the horse around fallen branches and windblown underbrush.
"Where is the turn off?” he shouted above the wind.
"Next right!"
Suzanne clutched Legolas’ carrier tightly under her arm as the stallion careened onto the back road. Sensing Akken'ar's urgency the big horse lunged into a pounding gallop. The narrow road twisted and turned, plunging them deeper and deeper into the forest.
Around a tight bend, Suzanne saw the headlights of an oncoming car. A frightened-looking elderly couple, fleeing the oncoming disaster headed straight for them. There was scarcely any room to pass one another and the old gentleman behind the wheel slammed on the brakes and hit the horn.
The stallion skidded to a halt and rose on its hind legs, whinnying in terror. Beneath her hands, Suzanne felt Akken'ar's thundering heart. For a fleeting moment, she had to admire his extraordinary courage. Not only was he confronting a danger he had never dealt with before, but something he had always been taught to fear.
"You're goin’ the wrong way, sonny!” the old fellow called out. “Radio says the epicenter's up higher."
Akken'ar fought to control the frightened horse, unable to answer.
"Thanks,” Suzanne shouted. “We're meeting up with some friends down the road. We'll get out okay!"
The man waved to them. “Good luck.” He nudged his car into the shoulder, eased around them, and sped off.
With the car gone, the horse settled into a tense canter, taking them deeper into the woods. The ground rippled again, shifted, then stopped. For several minutes, Suzanne didn't speak, fearful of upsetting Akken'ar. But they had to go faster. Dane had no doubt gone into her house to use the phone. Once in his truck, he'd head straight for Curly's bar, with half a dozen sheriffs’ cars behind him.
At the cutoff to the hiking trail, Akken'ar again halted. “We can go no farther.” He pointed ahead. The earthquake had split the ground open, making a shallow chasm. “Is there another way around?"
"No! We'll either have to go all the way back to the county road, or make our own trail through the forest. It's too steep in some places. I'm afraid we'll get lost!"
She heard Akken'ar growl under his breath.
He spun the stallion around, trotting him down the trail a few yards then turned back. “Hold on!"
He kicked the horse into a gallop heading straight for the chasm. Suzanne closed her eyes and held her breath. The animal gathered itself, launched across the gap, and landed hard on the other side. The air left Suzanne's lungs in a whoosh; Legolas yowled, protesting the rough ride.
On familiar ground, Akken'ar pushed his brave horse into a faster gallop. Suzanne had never ridden at a dead run; it felt like they were flying.
The wind rose to a wild howl and she heard the earth rumble again. If they were truly heading in the direction of the epicenter, the earthquake would get worse, maybe opening up beneath them. At the last turn, they broke through the trees into the parking lot. All the cars were gone, except Curly's motorcycle parked near the front door.
"You ain't goin’ nowhere!"
Akken'ar abruptly halted the stallion; hooves skidded over the slick pavement. Suzanne heard the ominous click of a firearm being cocked. She turned toward the sound. Directly in their path stood Curly, sighting down both barrels of his shotgun.
"I said, you ain't goin’ nowhere, mountain man! Get off that horse."
"What are you doing?” she called out. “We're just heading for the pass through Splitrock. You can't stop us."
"The hell I can't.” Curly nodded to her. “Sheriff McKenna just called, warned me you two was coming. I'm makin’ a citizen's arrest. You've caused a lot of trouble, honey. Now, slide down off of that horse ... real slow."
She shook her head. “I can't."
Curly took a step closer. “You get down from that horse, darlin', or I blow your boyfriend's head off."
"Do as he says, Suzanne,” Akken'ar ordered.
"What? He's got a gun. He'll kill you!"
"Get down. I will take care of this."
Reluctantly, she gathered Legolas’ satchel and slid from the horse's back.
"Run to the Pass, Suzanne! Go!"
Suzanne backed away a few steps, unwilling to leave him.
"Now that was downright stupid,” Curly said angrily. “What're you going to do, mountain boy? You gonna pull one of them swords on me?"
Akken'ar dropped the reins and reached over his right shoulder. “No. Both."
Faster than the old biker could blink, the horse was almost on top of him as one of Akken'ar's swords swung down and knocked the shotgun from his hands. It clattered to the pavement.
"What the hell...?"
Curly stumbled after the shotgun, but Akken'ar was quicker. He threw his leg over the horse's neck and slid to the ground.
"Do not touch it!” The edge of his second sword slid under Curly's chin resting lightly against his throat.
The crusty old biker held up his hands. “Okay, okay, you sonofabitch. But you ain't gonna get away."
"I have heard that boast before. I have no intention of getting caught by you or your sheriffs.” He stepped back and pointed his sword at the motorcycle. “Leave on your machine."
The sky thundered and Suzanne ducked. The ground began to shake again. Trees twisted and shook, some toppled over crashing across the pavement of the parking lot.
Curly needed no other encouragement. “You're crazy, man, just like that other guy.” He held up his hands high and backed away to his motorcycle. Straddling the Harley, he kicked the engine to life and roared off down the logging road.
Akken'ar's horse suddenly became wild with terror. The stallion bolted, racing around the lot, trying to find a way to escape the noise and the heaving earth beneath its hooves. Akken'ar sheathed his swords and whistled. Whether by trust or good training the animal trotted up his master.
He swung onto the horse's back and held out his hand to her. “Hurry, Suzanne. Get on."
Shouldering the cat carrier, she sprinted across the parking lot. She reached up for him, but the ground trembled and the frightened stallion danced away from her. Akken'ar reined him around and again reached out for her hand. Suzanne tried, but it was impossible to get close to the excited horse.
Flashing lights and blaring sirens only added to the chaos. Three deputy sheriff's cars and Dane's pickup pulled into the lot. Six officers immediately took their positions behind their open car doors, rifles aimed at Akken'ar.
Dane stepped forward, carrying his own rifle. “Okay, Suzanne, it's all over. Tell your wild man over there to give it up."
She saw Akken'ar again reach behind his back and draw one of his swords.
"No, Dane, I can't."
"Can't or won't? He's a dangerous man. Why the hell are you protecting him?'
"Protecting him from what? Dane, he's not a criminal.” She nodded at the other deputies behind him. “What are you going to do? Shoot him because he humiliated you and got away?"
Dane's eyes narrowed. “He's wanted for questioning."
Suzanne took a step closer to him, her anger rising. “What has he done, Sheriff McKenna? What law has he broken?"
"Damaging my truck.” He licked his lips and looked away, avoiding her gaze. “And aiding and abetting a felon."
"What? You lying bastard! You told me you weren't going to press charges."
When Dane didn't answer her, she suddenly understood; she saw it in his eyes. “You're jealous of him, aren't you? You can't stand the idea—"
"Suzanne, this guy is nuts. I mean, look at him! He's a riding a horse and threatening everyone with a sword. He's a wacko, for crissake, living in his own fantasy land, like he's from another world."
"That's because he is."
Dane rubbed his hand across his eyes, exasperated. “Your ‘future world’ nonsense? You can't expect me to believe that bullshit story."
"You must believe it, because it's true! It's going to happen whether you like it or not. It's starting now. Can't you see it? The earthquakes have started!"
It was no use arguing with him. Dane was only interested in getting even. She whirled around and hurried toward Akken'ar and the wild-eyed horse. Let Dane and his over-eager sheriff-buddies try to stop them. They'd probably miss and shoot her in the back.
"Stop! Suzanne, I order you to stop and—"
Another rumbling echoed across the parking lot. The ground trembled, then began to buck and twist. She started to run.
"Suzanne!” Dane shouted again.
She heard him curse then order his men to withdraw.
"Suzanne, come back!"
There was no turning back. The ground began to heave more violently; the tortured pavement groaned and buckled under her feet. She looked ahead and saw Akken'ar trying to keep the stallion steady while the earth crumbled beneath its hooves.
She glanced over her shoulder. Dane's fellow officers were no longer interested in stopping them. Fearful for their own lives, four officers scrambled into two of the vehicles, turned around and sped away. One sheriff's car remained, manned by two deputies—both looked terrified.
