Not any that I know, he replied, deadpan.
Was he teasing her? Or was he just that blunt?
Finally the box stopped for good, and the doors opened to the lobby. Her companion politely waved her forward. She offered a bemused smile, said Thanks and hurried outalive.
Almost alone, she thought wistfully. She would be able to sort through her thoughts and figure out what she was going to do when her sister... When Laila...
She couldnt think the word, even though she knew it would happen sooner rather than later. A mercy for Laila. Another sorrow for Nicola. She wasnt sure how many more she could bear and still survive.
Most people with their condition and underdeveloped heart died in their late teens. But she and Laila had lasted into their early twenties, a true miracle in itself, and she should be thrilled with the time theyd had together. And yet, she wanted more. For both of them. Laila wasnt satisfied with her life, and a person should be satisfied before they died. Right?
Nicola just...well, she needed to decide on a plan of action today. For once, her mind wasnt shrouded by a thick veil of fear and anxiety. And why were people looking at her as if she were a hideous beast monster determined to
Not her, she realized, but the man beside her. The giant from the elevator. Nicola stopped, and so did he. He failed to maneuver around her, as if her slight presence was somehow blocking his path. She faced him fully, anchoring her hands on her hips. He stepped three feet away from her, and she found herself shivering all over again.
The heat did come from him.
He peered down at her, his golden eyes framed by the blackest, most luscious lashes of all time, so unexpected in that rough-and-tumble time-traveling-warrior face.
Can I help you? she asked.
No, but you can have coffee with me.
No, hed said. Meaning, she couldnt help him. He really took the honesty thing seriously. And had he just...asked her out? Why would you want to do that? she wondered aloud. And why hadnt she just said no? She had to return to work, like, soon. Her lunch hour was almost over.
Im not ready to go home.
Ah. Not a date, then. He simply craved a distraction from whatever had brought him to the Palace of Tears and Death, and oh, could she sympathize. And she wasnt disappointed that he wanted nothing romantic from her. Really. Her mother had been right. Boys equaled excitement and excitement equaled another heart attack. And really, she hadnt ever missed boys and excitement all that much because shed always had Laila. But Laila was...was...
Coffee sounds great, she croaked as her chin quivered. Clearly she needed a distraction, too. The planning could wait. So could work. Pulling herself out of this pity pit was more important. Theres a little shop down the far corridor.
He stepped up beside her, and all that delicious heat returned. They kicked into gear, earning several more stares and even a little whispering. People had to be shocked by the difference in their sizes, and she couldnt really blame them. The top of Nicolas head failed to reach the mans massive shoulders.
So, whats your name? she asked.
Koldo.
Cold-oh. Had to be foreign. Im Nicola.
Nicola. Latin, meaning a victorious people.
They turned the first corner, though the scenery didnt change. All of the hallways were the same: white and silver with signs posted along the walls. Uh, did you just secretly look that up on a cell phone I cant see or did you already know?
I knew.
Why?
The words we speak are important, powerful, and since names are spoken every day, directed at specific individuals, people often become what they are called. I like to know who Im dealing with.
Well, she wouldnt tell him she was the most defeated person ever and shatter his illusions. What does Laila mean?
Dark beauty.
Interesting. Laila was fair, but she was lovely. What does Koldo mean?
Famous warrior.
A warrior, as shed first assumed? She wondered if he was in the army. Are you truly famous?
Yes.
No hesitation. No pride. In his mind, he must have simply stated a fact. She admired his confidence. So, what do you do, Koldo?
Im in the army.
Nailed it!
Two more corners, and they reached the shop. He directed her to an empty table. What would you like, Nicola?
Her name on his lips...an embrace and a curse, all rolled into one. It was a little disconcerting. Oh, I can
You wont offer to give me money, and insult me, he said, and for once he sounded genuinely offended. Now, then. Lets try this again. What would you like? Im buying.
She smiled. No one had ever insisted on buying her something to drink. Most offers came from the coworkers who knew about her situation, and were mere tokens. The moment she mentioned taking care of her own bill, the other person immediately acquiesced. An herbal tea, please. Something without caffeine. And thank you very much.
A nod, and he was off, leaving her chilled. She watched as he approached the counter. Watched as the punked-out cashier stared at him with utter fascination. He didnt seem to notice as he placed the order and waited for the drinks...and muffins, scones and croissants from the looks of it.
What kind of woman would capture his attention? she wondered.
Another warrior-type probably. Strong, capable, with big-enough bones to withstand any kind of abuseuh, contact.
He returned a few minutes later and spread out a feast before her, the scent of berries, yeast and sugar wafting up and making her mouth water. She hadnt eaten in forever, it seemed, because shed been too consumed with worry for Laila, dread over paying bills she hadnt begun to make a dent in and, well, trying not to drown in a sea of despair.
Today was different, though. Even as upset as she was, she felt better than she had in a long, long time, and her stomach rumbled.
Cheeks flushing, she claimed her tea and sipped at the burning liquid, savoring the sweetness. Seriously, Koldo. This means a lot to me. A thousand times thank you wouldnt be enough.
Its very much my pleasure, Nicola.
So polite. She liked that.
And the likes were certainly outweighing the dislikes now, werent they?
The food is for you, as well, he said, pushing a muffin in her direction.
Her eyes widened with astonishment. All of it?
Of course.
Of course, hed said. As if she was used to eating for an entire legion.
You will keep up your strength, he added. Right now, youre too pale, too frail.
She wasnt insulted. She was pale and frail. Nicola selected one of the croissants, pinched off a warm, buttery corner. So...were you here visiting someone?
Yes.
Though she waited, attentive, he offered no more than that. Im sorry.
Dont be. Im not.
Annnd...again he offered nothing more. Do you come here often?
That could be the plan, yes.
Silence.
Talkative much? But okay, no problem. They werent really here to get to know each other, were they? They were here to forget their lives, if only for a little while. Im here a lot. Every day, in fact.
Perhaps well see each other again. He lifted a steaming cup of coffee to lips as plush and red as candy apples and gulped. His expression never changed, the fiery temperature somehow not melting and welding his tongue to the roof of his mouth.
Perhaps, she offered.
Again, silence.
What were girls supposed to talk about with boys they werent interested in romantically? Because, if she were being honestsomething he would definitely approve ofthis was kind of painful. It wasnt what shed expected or hoped for.
What do you do when youre not here, Nicola? he asked, at last taking up the reins of conversation.
Relieved by his efforts, she relaxed in her seat. I work. Im an accountant every weekday morning and afternoon. A job guaranteed to keep her blood pressure steady. She could crunch numbers, sort receipts and design a financial plan to get anyone out of debt. Anyone but herself, that is. She was still working through her parents bills, and her and Lailas medical costs were still stacking up. Im a checkout girl at an organic food market every evening and on weekends.
Neither of those jobs sprang from a childhood dream.
No, but dreams died...and if you werent careful, the ghosts would haunt your present. Why do you think that? She wasnt fond of her jobs, but shed always done whatever was needed to survive.
Im highly observant.
And quite modest.
So, what did you want to do? he asked.
Why not tell him the truth? I wanted to live, she said. Really live. I wanted to travel the world, jump from airplanes, dance on top of a skyscraper, deep sea dive for treasure and pet an elephant.
He tilted his head to the side and steadily met her gaze. Interesting.
Because shed mentioned activities rather than a career? Well, there was a reason for that. Shed never known how long she would live, so a career had seemed pointless. What about you? she asked. What did you want to do?
Im doing it. He refused to look away. You could still do all of the things you mentioned.
Actually, I cant. My heart couldnt take it. Let him assume she meant her nerves would get the better of her rather than the truth.
Youre right.
Wait. What?
If words are the power of life and death, you just pointed a loaded gun at your head.
What are you talking about? Thats absurd.
You speak what you believe, and you believe youre doomed. If theres one thing Ive learned throughout the years, its that what you believe is the impetus for your entire life.
A spark of anger caused her heart to skip a beat. I believe in reality.
He waved a dismissive hand through the air. Your perception of reality is skewed.
Oh, really? How so?
You believe what you see and feel.
Uh, doesnt everyone?
Everything in this natural world is changeable. Temporary. But the things you cannot see or feel are eternal.
She slammed her tea on the tabletop. Liquid splashed from the hole in the lid, burning her hand. Lookit. Maybe youre not getting enough oxygen up there where your head lives, but you sound like a crazy person.
Im not crazy. I know you can be healed.
Healed? As if she hadnt tried everything already. Some things cant be changed. Besides, you dont have any clue about the things Ive done or the future I have.
I know more than you think. Youre so afraid to live, youre actually killing yourself.
Heavy silence descended. Hed...nailed it, she thought. Shed watched as fear slowly ate away at her sisters happiness, tainting every aspect of her existence. And in the days before shed landed in the hospital, thats all Laila had had. An existence.
Her stomach had always hurt, ruining her appetite. Nicola was already striding down that road.
Laila had lost weight, and even her bones had seemed to wither. Give Nicola another few months.
Lailas hair had lost its glossy sheen. Blue and black smudges had become a permanent fixture under her eyes. Yeah, another few months should take care of that for Nicola, too.
Somewhere along the way you lost hope, Koldo said, and there was a grim quality to his voice, as if he had suffered a loss of his own. But if youll listen to me, if youll do what I say, your heart and body will mend and youll at last do all the things youve always wanted to do.
Are you a doctor? she demanded. How do you know that? And what do you think you can do for or to me that hasnt already been tried?
Ignoring her questions, he said, Selah, Nicola.
And with that, he disappeared, there one moment, gone the next.
CHAPTER FOUR
DETERMINED TO PROVE A POINT to Nicola, Koldo flashed out of the hospital to his underground home in West India Quay. The place of his greatest shame.
The place he kept his mother.
The small, hidden cave was illuminated by a soft green glow emanating from a lake of water uncontaminated by human life. Air so fresh it literally crackled with vitality enveloped him.
Just like the home in South Africa, he kept no furniture here, no wall hangings, no decorations and no amenities of any kind. Unlike the other home, there was a cage, a bucket for food, a bucket for water and a blanket. He would have provided his mother with a bed, but then, shed never given him one.
Well, well, she said. Look whos returned.
And there she was. Cornelia. A name that meant horn. And she was certainly that. Sharp and deadly, able to puncture a mans heart and coldly walk away as his very life drained from him.
She sat in the corner of the cage, wearing a robe made by human hands and natural fabric. One Koldo had tossed her after ripping off the one made in the skies, for the robes their people wore could clean themselves and their wearers. But he hadnt wanted Cornelia cleansed in any way. Hed wanted her to know the feel of dirt that could never be scrubbed away.
Her skin was pallid, her freckles a stark contrast. Her long hair had been shorn and now fell to her ears, the locks tangled and sticking out in spikes. He hadnt been the one to do this deed. A few weeks ago, she had been captured by a horde of pică and dragged into hell in an attempt to force Koldo to betray Zacharel. He hadnt. He had rescued her instead.
He had no idea what else had been done to her, only that torture had, indeed, taken place. When hed found her, she had hovered at the edge of death, and that was the only reason she hadnt fought him as he doctored her back to health. Now, here they were.