Expiation (Shadeward Book 4) Read online

  ‘But why?’ Janaid demanded. ‘And where is he going?’

  ‘The witch girl that was washed ashore,’ Coran said. ‘He’s taken her.’

  ‘But she was locked in the cells,’ Henoch said. ‘She was to be tried for her crimes, we were only just discussing what to do early this stretch …’

  Henoch stopped at the look on Coran’s face.

  ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘There’s been–’ Coran began.

  ‘Zoella tried to kill her,’ Fitch interrupted.

  ‘What?’ Janaid asked. His expression was bewildered. ‘The young woman with the mental powers?’

  ‘Fitch …’ Coran said.

  ‘Snuttin’ near beat her to death,’ Fitch added. ‘I’m guessing Meru intervened.’

  ‘Zoella wanted revenge,’ Coran said. ‘For past wrongs, hurts …’

  ‘And you let her?’ Henoch demanded.

  ‘No,’ Fitch replied. ‘She used her powers to force her way past us and then to deal out her own justice.’

  ‘But there are laws that must be applied,’ Henoch said. ‘We can’t have people taking things into their own hands, it would be chaos. Where is she now?’

  Coran turned to see Mel emerge from the building behind.

  ‘Zoella?’ he asked.

  ‘Out cold,’ Mel said, looking at the four men. ‘Looks like she took a blow to the head, there’s a big lump on her head. I guess that must have been Meru. Zoella is still in the cell for now. Otherwise, she seems fine.’

  ‘Fine?’ Fitch scoffed. ‘Other than her trying to crunch our brains … yeah she’s absolutely dandy.’

  ‘You goaded her on,’ Mel snapped.

  ‘’Cause she was right about the witch,’ Fitch said.’ But then she lost it and tried to do away with us. She needs to be locked up permanently.’

  ‘Agreed,’ Henoch said.

  ‘We can’t imprison her,’ Mel protested.

  ‘She used her powers on you?’ Henoch asked. ‘Then certainly she should be locked away, the law is clear. I understand her motivations, but to assault …’

  ‘Zoella was overwrought,’ Coran said. ‘Ren’s death, she and the boy were close …’

  ‘She’s traumatised,’ Mel said, with a glare. ‘Locking her up will do her no good. Let me talk to her …’

  Coran shook his head. ‘No, that’s too dangerous. We’ve no idea what she’ll do when she wakes; we have to take precautions.’

  Henoch nodded. ‘Agreed. Guards!’

  ‘Alright!’ Mel said. ‘If we’re going to do this, let me do it rather than those brutes.’

  ‘Tied hand and foot,’ Fitch said. ‘And a blindfold. Seems to stop the witch’s powers if they can’t see.’

  ‘She’s not a witch!’ Mel snapped.

  ‘I don’t see no difference,’ Fitch replied.

  ‘That’s because you don’t care about anyone save yourself,’ Mel said. Fitch’s right eye twitched.

  ‘Enough,’ Coran said. ‘Bind her up while she’s still out. Then, nobody is going anywhere near her …’

  Mel was shaking her head.

  ‘You must let me stay with her,’ Mel said. ‘She can’t be left alone. She’s distraught, upset, hurting …’

  Coran shook his head. ‘No way, what if she attacks you?’

  ‘That’s the deal,’ Mel snapped, jutting out her chin. ‘Or I won’t let you tie her up.’

  Coran looked at Mel’s expression, it was clear there was no more room for negotiation.

  ‘House arrest then,’ Henoch said. ‘That will suffice until we determine what must be done.’

  Coran nodded. ‘One of us will be outside at all times. If there’s any hint …’

  ‘Help me take her to our house,’ Mel said. ‘We’ll use one of the upstairs rooms. I’m not having her lying in a cold cell, she’s not a prisoner. She needs our help.’

  Fitch and Coran exchanged a look, but complied.

  ‘And what of Meru?’ Henoch asked. ‘We need to bring him back.’

  Coran nodded. ‘Fitch, get down to the Mobilis. Let’s hope the radio is working, see if you can raise Meru. Tell him there’ll be no recriminations if he comes back. The witch-girl won’t be harmed and that we’ve … dealt with Zoella.’

  ‘Aye, Captain.’ Fitch nodded.

  Coran turned to Mel. ‘Let’s get her to the house.’

  * * *

  Meru had climbed into the medical ship’s cockpit to check the instrumentation whilst he waited. The medical ship was still flying straight and true, heading sunwards. A couple of chimes passed before Sandra’s voice interrupted his reverie.

  ‘Surgery completed. Subject is now stable. Please acknowledge.’

  Meru swung around and walked to the medical bays.

  Kiri was lying there as before, but already Meru could see a remarkable improvement. The cuts and wounds were reduced, somehow knitted together, though it was still clear where they were. The incision on her abdomen was obvious, but it was small, neat and sealed. The bruising around her face was still pronounced, but even that was fading. The fingers in her right hand had been set and were strapped together. Her leg and wrist were also strapped tight. Even her skin had been cleaned, the blood stains washed away. Restraints held her in place by the ankles, wrists, chest and head. Her left hand was covered, as always, in the tight-fitting leather glove she always wore.

  He crouched down near her, smoothing the black hair from her face. Her breathing was slow but regular and there was colour back in her skin. He ran his fingers across her cheek.

  So weak and frail, so unlike how she was. But she’s alive, she’s going to be alright.

  His breathing quickened, stirred as it had always been by her presence. He remembered when he had first seen her, standing in the dusty courtyards outside of Viresia, calling King Ioric out to fight her. Then she had seemed only the brutal warrior, fearsome and intimidating. He had still admired her.

  Later he had been on the receiving end of her brutality himself.

  But then things changed.

  Some shared understanding had grown between them without either being aware of it, through the trials and adversity of that first flare they had grown into a strange shared experience. She had the chance to capture him, but she had spared him. He had seen an unexpected tender side to her, beneath the warrior there was compassion and gentleness.

  And then …

  He remembered her in the dimly lit chambers of a room in Taloon. She hadn’t been gentle then, but burning with lust and desire, and no less determined to get her own way. But she remained mercurial, unpredictable. She had been thrown into a frenzy when Zoella had refused to work with her. His heart pounded when he recalled her scream when he had abandoned her to return home.

  Kiri had raged against Amar. She had attacked them along with the other priestesses. She had fought them; brought death and destruction upon them.

  If I had stayed with her then, maybe that wouldn’t have happened …

  Meru’s head dropped until his forehead was resting on the edge of the medical bay.

  And to save her I’ve betrayed my friends, abandoned my home and fled. I am a traitor, just like Zoella said! Saving a priestess of Drayden, the enemy. I’m alone …

  He trembled at the thought. Brief images of Coran, Mel and the rest of the crew swamped his mind.

  My parents …

  More images. Then one final mental picture. Accusing, angry, lips pursed in disapproval, hurt and anguish.

  Zoella …

  Pangs of guilt and shame lanced through him, his blood ran cold for a moment. He was alone, cut off from his friends and his own people. Then rage boiled with him as he thought of Zoella’s brutal attack.

  She tried to kill Kiri in cold blood! She was defenceless, and they didn’t stop her …

  He couldn’t allow it. Not Kiri. He trembled and then looked up.

  Kiri’s face was before him, now serene and calm. Looking at her drove the pain away and he was l
ost in admiration once more.

  Just look at her. She’s not the evil woman they say she is. She is worth it …

  He stretched out his hand to stroke her cheek once more, brushing the dark hair away from her face. He stayed that way for long moments before the beeping of the medical bay instrumentation interrupted his dreaming.

  ‘How is she?’ Meru asked.

  ‘Would you like a status report?’ Sandra replied.

  Meru nodded. ‘Yes, give me a status report.’

  One of the console screens flashed up a series indicators. Meru peered at them.

  Subject identity unknown, no subcutaneous transponder detected.

  ‘Her name is Kiri,’ he said.

  ‘Noted,’ Sandra said. ‘Subject identified as Kiri.’

  Sex, female.

  Estimated age, 22 rounds, 4 passes.

  Pulse and Blood Pressure below stat but within plus minus 25% thresholds.

  Blood chemistry below stat but within plus minus 5% thresholds.

  Respiration nominal.

  Subject sedated post surgery.

  IV painkillers, anti-biotics and anti-inflammatories continuing.

  Warning! Nano-infusion at 832% of maximum values.

  Warning! Post operative. No strenuous activity to be undertaken for seven stretches.

  Meru frowned.

  That phrase! Nano-infusion … that’s what Caesar said about Zoella …

  ‘What is nano-infusion?’ he asked.

  ‘Nano-infusion is the augmentation or replacement of biological functions for administrators,’ Sandra replied. ‘It is typically used to support immune deficiencies or provide additional physiological and or psychological capabilities.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘Please restate the question.’

  ‘What sort of capabilities does this nano stuff give?’

  ‘In addition to supporting immune deficiencies, nano-infusion is designed to provide mesh communications, authentication and authorisation, remote telemetry and knowledge management.’

  Meru blinked. He had no idea what Sandra was talking about.

  ‘So why does Kiri have so much?’

  There was a characteristic pause. Meru could only assume Sandra was sifting through her vast stores of knowledge.

  ‘There is no previous record of excessive nano-infusion levels in an administrator.’

  ‘Is it dangerous?’

  ‘There is no data on the subject, however scans have not detected any contraindications. Subject Kiri remains stable and recovering from sustained injuries. She will regain consciousness in approximately two chimes.’

  ‘You said she was an administrator,’ Meru asked. ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘Subject Kiri is identified as an administrator due to the nano-infusion signature,’ Sandra answered. ‘This means she has leadership, governance, control and communication responsibilities as per Esurio founding statute.’

  Just like Zoella … an administrator …

  * * *

  Zoella had been carried to the house by Daf and Creg under Mel’s watchful eye. There Mel had seen to her, bathing the bruise on her head with a cold compress. Zoella looked pale, but otherwise unhurt. She had not regained consciousness.

  Mel sat by her side, looking at her.

  She hates me for my part in Ren’s death. I can understand her grief, but she was such a gentle soul, what has made her so hard and cruel in such a small space of time? How did she come to the point she could murder in cold blood? Such hatred …

  She stroked Zoella’s wavy brown hair back from her face.

  There was a creak from behind her. She heard a key turn and then the door opened. It was Coran.

  ‘Any change?’ he asked.

  Mel shook her head. ‘Still out cold. I guess Meru hit her pretty hard.’

  ‘I imagine he was forced to,’ Coran said, looking down at Zoella. ‘He probably had only a moment before she would have turned her powers on him. Judging by the blood in that cell she almost killed that witch … Kiri … whatever her name is. She may not even have survived.’

  Mel nodded. ‘Did Fitch …?’

  Coran shook his head.

  ‘No answer,’ he said. ‘Looks like Meru has the radio switched off on the medical ship. Fitch couldn’t get hold of him.’

  Mel held her head in her hands.

  ‘Where’s he gone?’ she asked. ‘And more importantly, how are we going to get him back?’

  ‘For now,’ Coran said, ‘we can only hope he tries to get in contact with us. Perhaps when he feels he’s got this girl of his safe, assuming she’s alive, he’ll be willing to talk.’

  Coran looked at Zoella again.

  ‘Do you know what was going on between these three?’ he asked. ‘Zoella seemed kind, gentle and then …’

  ‘Just completely lost it,’ Mel agreed. ‘Ren’s death pushed her over the edge? I don’t know. She and Meru had definitely had words and this Kiri girl was right in the middle of all of it. They got mixed up in Taloon, picked up more refugees …’

  ‘Sounds to me like this Kiri has addled Meru’s brains,’ Coran said. ‘He’s risking life and limb to save her.’

  Mel looked up. ‘That’s what love does.’

  Coran sighed. ‘Well, there’s nothing much we can do until he gets back in touch. What about her?’

  ‘I’m guessing it’s shock,’ Mel said. ‘Lots of stuff going on. Zoella said Kiri was her sister. Meru slept with Kiri. A right old mess.’

  ‘I’m no expert on these things,’ Coran said. ‘But Zoella and Meru weren’t … well, it’s not just a jealous rage …’

  Mel shook her head. ‘No. Zoella and Meru were friends, but not like that. Pretty sure of it anyway. No, this is something else. Zoella’s not jealous, this was pure hatred … never seen anything like it. She’d become incensed … she wasn’t like that before. Something changed in her like a switch was flipped.’

  Coran nodded, remembering Zoella’s frenzied expression and the way she attacked them.

  ‘We’d better hope we can flip her back,’ Coran said. ‘Zoella and Meru never got to the Obelisk. We need her, we’ve still got to deal with that somehow.’

  Mel nodded.

  ‘What about this other girl,’ Coran asked, ‘and the children who came with her?’

  ‘Zoella said her name was Ira,’ Mel said. ‘All of them seem to be mute, they have some kind of sign language, but I don’t know how to use it. Zoella had learnt to talk to them.’

  ‘So we need Zoella for that too,’ Coran said. ‘Stay with her, let’s hope we can reason with her when she wakes up.’

  * * *

  Kiri blinked. Her vision was blurred. Strange colours flickered above her and faint sounds came to her ears. She had no idea where she was. For a moment all was confusion.

  Come to kill me?

  Something like that.

  Memories surfaced. Pain and agony. Being hit. She gasped.

  A woman, a woman with a staff, hitting her repeatedly. A blur of motion.

  Sister! Zoella!

  The words flickered into her mind and she let out a yelp of fear.

  Meru … please … help me!

  A voice sounded, but she couldn’t make out the words. A face, fuzzy, unrecognisable.

  She’s going to …

  The voice brought back other memories. A shout, a scuffle. Her body being hoisted up. More pain and then blackness.

  Meru?

  She blinked again. Meru’s face swam into focus before her.

  ‘Lie still, don’t move.’ His voice was soft and gentle.

  ‘Where …?’ She looked around, bemused at the coloured lights all around her.

  ‘You’re safe,’ he said. ‘We’re safe.’

  ‘She was going to …’ Kiri’s voice was high with fright.

  She felt his fingers brush across her forehead. ‘I know, but we escaped. It’s alright. It’s just you and me now. You’re safe.’

  She t
ried to move, but she felt Meru’s hand press down on her.

  ‘Don’t,’ he said. ‘You were hurt, you need to rest.’

  The memories were clearer now. The confrontation with Zoella. Her sister’s murderous intent …

  ‘You rescued me?’ she asked. She tried to move, but found she couldn’t. Something held her in place.

  ‘Wait a moment,’ Meru said, reaching and pressing something above her. ‘Restraints to keep you safe.’

  There was a faint hiss and Kiri felt something move around her.

  ‘There, you can move now. Just … slowly. Be careful.’

  She moved her hand up towards him, frowning as it felt heavy. It was secured in an ornate bandage, holding her fingers in place.

  Zoella broke them …

  Meru took her hand in his, his palms wrapping hers.

  More memories. The fight on the wall. Nerina, Rihanna …

  They betrayed me …

  The man with the hat, fighting to defend the machinery.

  He fought well, a worthy opponent …

  The boy.

  She gasped, the memory horrific to recall.

  I killed him. I killed that child. Why was he even in the fight?

  ‘Kiri?’

  Her face crumpled into despair, tears flowing down her cheeks.

  Like Tia, so like Tia, but my fault, I did it!

  She felt Meru gasp her hand tighter. She tried to pull it away but she was too weak.

  No …

  But there was nothing she could do about it. Memories surged around her, Meru could see everything. Their memories entwined.

  The boy. His name was Ren. Meru knew him. Meru had been rescued by him. He was part of the crew of the metal ship. The Mobilis.

  Anger!

  Kiri heard a gasp. Meru let go of her hand.

  She looked at him. His mouth was open; she could see he was shaking. ‘I didn’t mean to kill him,’ she breathed. ‘I didn’t know, I just …’ He voice tailed off at the look on his face.

  He hates me for it, for what I’ve done. Killing that boy.

  ‘Show me,’ he said, grabbing her wrist, squeezing so hard it hurt.

  Kiri moaned, but she was too weak to resist.

  The pain in my leg. Stabbed! Spinning around. The knife at my throat. A knee in my thigh. The agony! Roll, stop the knife … blood! A child? Horror …