An hour after sunset, they were ready at last to head out in the direction of the mining camp. Only a small party of Logan's supporters had been chosen to remain close to the temple in order to stand guard and keep Sam and Ylva safe, who would be staying behind. Jack was now attempting for the third time to say goodbye to his wife.
'Promise me you'll be careful,' said Sam, still unable to bring herself to let go of his hand. 'Don't take any unnecessary risks. Just remember I need you, all right?'
He stroked her cheek affectionately. 'Of course. Don't worry, a stóirín. Old soldiers never die. I'll be back before you know it.'
Kissing her one last time, he gently freed himself from her embrace and strode to his horse.
'Try not to worry too much,' said Phylip Morgan. 'We are well armed and have the element of surprise on our side. I am quite optimistic that all will go according to plan.'
'Let's hope so,' she replied. 'If you can, please do me a favour and keep an eye on Jack, will you? He tends to act without thinking things through, and it gets him into trouble. And take care of yourself, too.'
He bowed low over her hand. 'I will. We'll see you soon, Samantha.'
Meanwhile, Jason had also mounted up, even though many thought him crazy for it. Valene had silenced Logan's objections with a meaningful glance and taken Sam aside so she would stop trying to dissuade him. Sam now understood why he insisted on going along, but she nevertheless advised him to be careful and stick close to Valene. At the same time, an argument flared up a few feet away between Kermit and John, for when the latter went to reach for his horse's reins, Kermit intervened.
'What do you think you're doing?'
'What does it look like? I'm coming with you, of course.'
'Oh no, sir, no way. You're staying right here,' the bodyguard commanded.
'What's that?' John's voice rose. 'You can't seriously expect me to sit here, twiddling my thumbs, while the rest of you go off to fight!'
'That's exactly what I expect you to do. Look, I know you have combat experience, and I know you're a damn good shot. You were pretty good in a fistfight too, as I recall, but that was a long time ago. When we go in there, things are gonna get real nasty real quick, and I can't be worrying about your safety while I'm shooting bad guys and blowing up their equipment.'
'I can take care of myself!'
'Really? When was the last time you climbed down a wall of rock without a rope, or fought hand to hand against trained mercenaries bent on killing you?' Kermit took a deep breath and continued more calmly, though with no less resolve. 'Mister President... John... listen: You have a wife and kid waiting for you back in Camp Eden. Think of them, and don't expose yourself to danger when you don't have to.'
'He's right, sir,' Peter agreed. 'We'd never forgive ourselves if anything happened to you - and neither would your family.'
'Exactly,' Valene backed them up. 'It's better if you stay here.'
'To be honest, I'd be quite glad of your company, sir,' Sam added, glancing uncomfortably at her hybrid protectors.
John grumbled morosely, 'You may as well all drop the "sir", since it doesn't look like I have anything to say around here anymore. If we had more time, you can bet you'd be in for a longer discussion, make no mistake. As it is... Fine. I'll just sit here feeling useless, then, and leave the young folks to save the world.'
'Oh, there's no need for that,' Sam said quickly. 'I'm sure Ylva will keep us both busy enough.'
John grimaced.
'Hey, show me one other person here who combines so much experience with both diplomacy and rebellious kids,' Peter joked.
'I think I'd rather face the full force of Gold's troops,' said John.
Kermit patted his shoulder. 'At least you won't get bored.'
Logan finally brought all conversations to a close. 'We are leaving. Now!'
Sam had just enough time to hug Valene and remind Jack to be careful just once more before they were off. John came closer and laid a hand on her shoulder. He did not promise her that all would be well and no-one would get hurt, because there were no guarantees. But he wanted her to know she was not alone. He also had an eye on Ylva. The wolf-girl had spent a long time arguing with her father because she wanted to go along with him, to see her people liberated and Gold punished for his crimes. Naturally, Logan had forbidden it. After all, she was only a child, albeit one who, in John's opinion, already had far too many adult concerns. On her young shoulders rested the burden of knowing that she was the last female of her species, and thus presumably the only one who could ensure its survival.
'What we do now?'
Ylva's question brought him back to the present. She was peering at him and the human woman expectantly.
'Let's go back into the hall,' Sam suggested. 'It's freezing out here!'
Ylva rolled her eyes as she trotted after them obediently. Honestly, these furless creatures were so sensitive, particularly this female. The wolf-girl was very critical of the second woman she had met in her life. Samantha was not at all like Valene. She was no seer, but nor was she a healer or a warrior; in fact, she seemed to have no recognisable role to play apart from being Jack's wife. This was something Ylva could not comprehend, for among her people, everyone performed some task or other for the good of the tribe - it had always been thus, so her father had told her, even back when there had still been women among the hybrids. Mostly they had taken care of the domestic side of life, and though women warriors or huntresses had been held in high regard, they had more usually been the healers and cooks of their tribes, taking care of the creature comforts of their men, as well as rearing offspring. But Samantha did not even seem to have brought children into the world. Consequently, Ylva had no use for her, and instead focussed on John. Her gaze fell on the buttoned holster that he wore on the left side of his belt.
'You have way-pen?'
She enunciated each syllable individually. John nodded.
'You show me?'
He hesitated before producing his Colt. Ylva's eyes widened and she reached for the weapon, but John quickly slipped it back into the holster.
'It's not a toy, Ylva. Weapons are dangerous things, and they should only be used in extreme circumstances.'
'Quite right,' Sam agreed. 'And children should never handle guns.'
'Well...' John confessed, 'Actually, I made sure my son knows how to shoot.'
'You have son?' Ylva's ears pricked up.
'Yes. His name is David, and he's ten years old.'
'What would son do now?'
'In a place like this?' He smiled. 'This would be like the perfect adventure playground to David. He'd explore every passage, and feel like Indiana Jones searching for some lost Indian treasure.'
'In-di-a-na Scones?'
'Jones.' John chuckled. 'A fictional character, the hero of several mov... stories.'
'What is fic-shun-al...?' A big question mark seemed to pop up over her head.
'Fictional. It means make-believe.'
'Not real?' the girl puzzled. 'Humans tell stories about not-real people? Very strange.'
'Don't you have anything like that?' Sam asked with interest. 'Don't your people tell stories?'
Ylva threw her an almost reproachful look, as if annoyed by the interruption. But she answered nonetheless.
'Yes, we have stories. Real ones!'
'I see. Why don't you tell us one?'
The girl eyed her appraisingly, then said with reluctance, 'I show you. Come.'
She took a torch and led the two humans through a maze of tunnels into a hall that must have been a breathtaking sight in its better days. But now, the walls were badly damaged, although it was still possible to see that the hall had once been decorated with beautiful, brightly coloured murals all around. Sam was fascinated. She found a spot on the far wall that was not so badly damaged, and examined the minutely detailed paintings close up. The images in this section seemed to tell the story of a human woman who had come to see the hybrid wolf-people. The first pictures showed her surrounded by threatening warriors, locked in a cage, bound with ropes...
Sam shuddered. 'This looks like rather a gruesome story,' she murmured. 'Who was this woman? What became of her?'
'Angeni,' Ylva said with awe. 'She human who come to see wolf-people.' She pointed to the first picture. 'Warriors not trust. Great leader think she spy, treat like all human prisoners. She suffer great pain, but brave woman - not give up. Argue with leader until he give in. He start to like her. Then she prisoner no more...'
It was true that the next pictures showed a distinct change in the leader's behaviour towards his human prisoner. They were depicted sitting by a campfire or walking in the woods. Sam even came across an image of them kissing in the moonlight.
'They fell in love?' she marvelled.
Ylva nodded. 'Leader marry human woman. She become great seer of wolf-people. But then bad humans come. Take Angeni prisoner. Murder her.'
This part of the story was also represented in detail. Startled, Sam called to John.
'I think you should see this...'
He looked at the colourful drawing she was pointing to. It pictured the leader of the wolf-people kneeling beside his dead wife. He was holding an infant in his arms. The humans exchanged quizzical glances.
'Ylva...' John began. 'This woman, Angeni... Was she your mother?'
'Yes, that mama.'
'Your mother was human?'
Ylva nodded again. 'Mama was human woman. Papa love her very much, but bad man Gold kill her... Now papa and me alone.'
'That would explain a lot,' John murmured to Sam. 'Like why Logan allowed Valene to persuade him with relatively slight resistance...'
'I suppose so.'
'Valene have eyes like mama,' Ylva said eagerly. 'She see.'
She strolled around the hall for a bit, while the two humans looked more closely at some of the other stories. But after a while, the wolf-girl began to get bored again.
'I tell story, now your turn! Tell about Jones?'
Her gaze was fixed on John, but he shook his head.
'I wouldn't be much good at that. I'm sure David could recount every scene in great detail, but I'm afraid I don't remember very much. What about you, Sam? I'm sure you know plenty of stories.'
'I used to watch Indiana Jones with my brother,' she said. 'He was Alex's greatest hero. Those stories were exciting, but if you like hearing about real people, Ylva... Yes, I can think of a few.'
'Hm.' Ylva eyed her dubiously. 'Want exciting story!'
'I know several of those, too. Come, let's go back into the great hall and sit by the fire, and I'll tell you the story of young King Charles. He had to flee from his home after his father had been executed, and a lot of exciting things happened to him. Would you like to hear about it?'
Sam offered Ylva her hand. The wolf-girl looked a little confused at first, but she was curious, so eventually she took Sam's hand and went back with her to sit by the campfire and find out what kind of stories the humans told.
It took the party that had left the temple that evening until the small hours of the following morning to reach the spot where the bodies of Braden's soldiers still lay. Many of the hybrids hesitated to step into nothing, even after the humans had dismounted and Caine, Valene and Peter had gone on ahead. Only the bird-men were unafraid, since they needn't fear falling to their deaths. Altair, a particularly elegant representative of his species with shiny russet plumage, soared over the abyss and disappeared. But shortly after, he stepped back out of nothingness on his clawlike feet. This finally convinced the other hybrids that it was safe, and they went on.
They crept into the camp the same way Valene and Kermit had come a few days ago, again leaving the horses behind. But when they reached the spot where Valene had sensed Jason last time, there was already someone there, as if waiting for them. Caine, Valene and Peter, who were still leading the group, recognised him first and approached. It was Braden.
'What are you doing here?' Peter asked under his breath.
'I guessed you would return one of these nights,' he explained. 'I have to warn you: The commander knows Jason got away; he saw Caine fish him out of the river. He's increased the guards around the mine in case you should come back.'
'That's actually better news to us than you might think,' said Kermit, joining them. 'We want as many of the guards in the lower part of the camp so we can get into Gold's house undisturbed.'
Braden's left eyebrow rose an inch. 'What for?'
They explained briefly. Braden suggested organising a diversion at the mine in order to lure more of the guards out of their sleeping quarters. It seemed like a good idea. They decided to go with Kermit's plan, with a slight alteration: While the ape-men climbed secretly down the shaft from the pump room to the mine, Braden would sneak into one of the sheds, unlock the cages and get the prisoners to cause a disturbance that would necessitate the intervention of the guards. Jason added a suggestion of his own.
'Go into the shed where I was held. Talk to Kapila.'
'Yes, that little troublemaker would be a good choice, provided I can convince him that I'm on his side. Only yesterday, he tried to take a bite out of my arm. I guess he thought the daily grub could use a bit more meat.'
'Tell him I sent you. Tell him I said he was wrong about the cat. That way he'll know you're telling the truth.'
'What?'
'He'll understand.'
'If you say so.'
Braden departed, and the other groups began to take up their positions, too. Jack, MacKay and Phylip Morgan were assigned to Logan himself. Valene kissed her brother on the cheek.
'Be careful.'
'You too.'
Jack drew Peter aside. 'Mind you look after my little sister, d'you hear?'
'Sure I will, but who's gonna look after you?'
Jack just grinned and slapped his shoulder. 'Take care, hotshot.'
'Good luck, old man.'
Peter turned to his father. 'Pop...'
'We shall be reunited, my son.'
Caine embraced Peter and patted his cheek, then took Valene's hand in his and stroked it gently.
'If you are ever in doubt, trust to what your heart tells you.'
He smiled mysteriously before turning away and climbing down the sheer cliff to the valley floor without ropes or any other kind of aid.
'Let's get to the bridge,' Kermit urged. 'We have to be there before Braden's diversion gets underway.'
This gave them a much easier climb than those who would be attacking the mine itself. They took cover in the thicket a few yards from the wooden bridge: Kermit, Peter, Valene, Jason, and the two lion-men Haidar and Azmer.
'Are you sure about this, Val?' Peter whispered one last time.
Valene nodded. 'Yes. When it starts, Jason and I will make straight for the living quarters, while you attack Gold's people from ambush. Give us a good head start and wait for us on the other side of the bridge when you're done.'
'I don't wanna sound like Jack, but I don't feel comfortable letting you go up there with no-one but Jason to back you up.'
'I know, but we both feel that if we're too late and the worst has already happened, only Jason and I should see her.'
Peter nodded. He glanced across at Jason, who was hunkered down a little further back. He still looked whacked, but adrenaline and his concern for Lia were keeping him going. Peter knew what was on Jason's mind, for Valene had had to explain to him why they were even taking him along, in his state of exhaustion. He imagined what the young man must be going through right now, and sympathised. His hand touched Val's chin.
'Take good care of yourself, honey. If anything goes wrong, call me.'
He tapped his temple.
'The same goes for you, dear.'
They just had time to share a quick kiss, then it began. All hell broke loose in the lower part of the camp. Hybrids barked and hissed, and Jason recognised Kapila's high-pitched chattering as well as Armel's deep roar. There was a crash, and one of the sheds burst into flames. Valene crept over to Jason and handed him her knife.
'Here, take this. If I gave you a pistol, you'd probably end up doing yourself a mischief, but you can't go wrong with a knife. Stay close behind me, okay? Like we discussed.'
And then it began. Guards summoned by their comrades down at the mine came running across the bridge. The humans and the two lion-brothers let them pass. Only when it seemed like the last of them had gone by did Kermit, Peter, Haidar and Azmer set off in pursuit. And Jason broke into a run.
'Jason, wait!'
Valene swore under her breath and ran after him. Jason did not seem to hear her; it was like an invisible force was controlling his actions. His mind was so full of the cat-woman that he seemed unaware of anything else around him. Valene caught up with him, seized his shoulder, pulled him back, and vented her anger.
'Damn it, Jason, what do you think you're doing? Remember your promise?'
But when he looked at her, Valene felt a wave of anger and determination wash over her; his blue eyes were so uncharacteristically fierce that it made her uneasy. She had never seen Jason like this before. On the one hand, she understood how he felt - if Peter or Jack had been in danger, she would have been no less driven than he was now. Nevertheless, she dug her index finger into his chest warningly.
'You stay behind me from now on, do you hear? Like we agreed. Stick to what I told you, or I swear I'll tie you to a tree and go on without you! Is that quite clear?'
He gave a stiff nod. 'Yes.'
'Okay then.' Valene readied her Beretta. 'On we go - but slowly! Ready?'
Jason was panting. His fingers gripped the knife so tightly that his knuckles stood out white. He thought hard of Lia.
'Ready.'
They crossed the wooden bridge in single file. The screaming and shots in the lower part of the camp were soon swallowed by the thundering rush of the waterfall - as were the shots Valene fired the moment two of Gold's men appeared on the bridge. Now Jason was glad that she was in front of him. He hadn't even noticed the men before they were already tumbling over the railings on either side. Val moved with routine and the trained professionalism of a former agent. She secured the way ahead, but also kept an eye on their surroundings and made sure Jason did not injure himself with the knife before they even reached Lia.
Lia... God, he hoped she was all right! His stomach churned at the thought of what Salem might do to her if Gold had made good his threat to leave her to the overseer after Jason had disappeared.
By now the bridge lay behind them, and the cabins where Gold and his men had their living quarters lay ahead. Everything seemed very peaceful. Where could she be?
'That's Gold's house, there.'
Jason pointed. He felt a flicker of hope. Maybe Lia was still in her room, and Salem down by the mine – maybe she was unharmed.
'NOOO!'
A blood-curdling scream shrilled from one of the other cabins, making them flinch and shattering his hopes.
'Lia!'
At the last second, Valene stopped Jason from barging in unprepared. A few quick but distinct gestures told him to wait. His eyes kept darting desperately back and forth between Valene and the cabin. His mind conjured horrific scenes.
'I can't do it, Val, I can't hang back, I've got to help her!'
'The first thing you've got to do is calm down! You won't be helping anyone by rushing in and getting yourself killed.'
She felt the desperation in his heart as keenly as if it were her own, but banished him resolutely from her thoughts. She would need a clear head on her shoulders when she entered.
Jason made an effort to pull himself together, and stayed close behind her as she crept up to the door. The windows were no use to them, they were too high up to see through and too small to get them inside. What they did do was allow them to hear what was going on – the cracking of a whip, raised voices and screams that worried Valene and drove Jason to distraction. Valene closed her eyes for a moment in an attempt to sense what she would find within. It was no good, it was like trying to see through thick fog. There was nothing for it but to grit her teeth and take a chance. She took a deep breath, made sure Jason stayed behind her as planned, and reached for the door handle.
A cautious look inside revealed an empty hallway. She waved to Jason to come in, but made him wait by the entrance before she began to follow the sound of Lia's screams and a booming male voice to another door at the end of the hall. Valene opened it just a fraction to peer into the room beyond. A table and three chairs was all she could see from this angle. Valene pushed the door open further - and caught her breath.
Under the high window to her left stood a bed, and on it lay a slender cat-woman – this had to be Lia. Her wrists were tied to the bedframe with thick cords while a tall, beefy man whom Valene could only see from behind sat astride her, pulling off his torn shirt. Traces of blood and deep gashes on his arms showed how fiercely Lia must have resisted him before he had overpowered her with brute force. Now she was tugging frantically at her bonds, her eyes roaming about the room in a helpless panic. The man fumbled with his belt buckle, then bent over her.
'Time to teach you manners, you little bitch!'
He forced his hands between Lia's legs, and she uttered a tormented scream. Valene had seen more than enough. With her Beretta cocked and ready, she stepped right into the room.
'Get away from her. Hands where I can see them! Up against the wall.'
The overseer spun round, and Valene discovered that the front of him was no less repulsive than the rear. His malicious eyes flashed at her mockingly. Lia yelled a warning, but too late. Valene learned the hard way that his corpulence did not make him slow. On the contrary: In a lightning-quick motion, he grabbed the bullwhip that was still hanging from the bedpost, and a split second later her pistol was flying across the room. They both leapt after it at the same time.
Valene reached her gun first, seized it with both hands and came to her feet, but only for a second. Salem lunged at her, his thick fingers grabbing her wrists - he was strong. For a few seconds, they fought for the Beretta, then the gun went off. Valene and Lia cried out in unison. Valene collapsed, her face contorted with pain, her hands clutching her bleeding thigh - the bullet had gone straight through, and it hurt like hell. Salem had no sympathy. Silencing her with a hard punch, he straddled her and pressed the muzzle against her temple, his other hand reaching for a rope which lay on the chair beside him. He looked straight into her eyes, practically drooling.
'Must be my lucky night - now there's two wildcats for me to tame!'
Valene gasped for air. The bullet wound was one reason, the hefty man on top of her was another. The world spun before her eyes; she was seeing stars. Salem stroked the cold muzzle of the gun along her jawbone and licked his lips.
'No!' she heard Lia cry. 'Let her go, Salem!'
'Shut your face, cat! You're gonna have to wait. This one's still fresh, so I think I'll take her first.'
No way! Valene struggled against him, trying to free herself, but he was too strong and too heavy, and her pain was too great. While Salem began to wind the rope around her wrists, she heard Lia's voice once more, but this time there was a different sound to it.
'Jason, look out!'
Salem sat up. With the gun still held close to Valene's head, he made a half-turn and found himself facing his former prisoner, who fixed him with a look of fury. After hearing the shot and the women's screams, nothing would hold Jason back. The overseer laughed derisively.
'Oh, it's you. Come to watch?'
Jason just said, 'You'll never hurt anyone again, Salem!'
The hand that held Valene's knife shot forward, thrusting the blade purposefully into Salem's chest. His mouth opened and closed, and his eyes stared at Jason in utter amazement, as though he couldn't believe that he, of all people, should be the one to end his miserable existence. He drew his last breath and then slumped down - right on top of Valene, who needed all her strength to free herself from his foul-smelling body. Her leg was still searing with agony, as if a red-hot poker had been thrust through it, but the pain became insignificant to her the moment she looked at Jason. He was staring at his blood-stained hands in horror, still holding the knife.
'My God... what have I done?'
Jason staggered backwards until he bumped into the wall, then slid down it to the floor, shaking uncontrollably. He couldn't stop staring at his hands. Meanwhile, Valene had somehow managed to use the chair next to her to get back on her feet. She limped across the room, gently took the knife from his hands, and used it to free Lia. The women shared a quick, but warm embrace. Valene could feel the cat-woman trembling all over, yet she could have sworn she heard a quiet purr. She smiled and looked into the fascinating sapphire-blue eyes that reminded her of a Siamese cat's.
'I'm Valene,' she introduced herself hurriedly. 'And you must be Lia.'
'Yes.'
'Are you okay, Lia?'
Lia nodded, then immediately looked across at Jason, who was still huddled motionless on the floor. She was about to go to him when Valene held her back.
'I think you'd better let me talk to him first. D'you think you could go keep a lookout, so we can't be taken by surprise? Just call me if you see anyone.'
Valene sensed that Lia would rather stay with Jason, but she agreed nonetheless. She seemed to understand that she could not help Jason, while Valene appeared to know what she was doing. So Lia left them alone together and went to keep watch. Valene picked up her gun, replaced it in its holster, and gingerly lowered herself to the floor beside Jason, stretching out her injured leg. Jason's eyes were still fixed on his trembling hands. There was sweat pearling on his brow, and his face was white as chalk.
'You did the right thing, Jason,' Valene began gently.
'The right thing?' His voice sounded weak and hoarse. 'Val, I... I just killed a man! I took a life... It goes against everything I ever swore to do as a doctor... everything I believe in! I heard the screams, and all I could think of was how he had treated Lia, the things he'd done to her. I saw red. I thought "He deserves to die", and then...' He raised his crimson hands and stared at Valene desperately. 'The way he looked at me... those eyes...'
'I know how you feel.'
She took his hands in hers - just held them, letting the warmth she felt in her heart flow through them into Jason. As she continued speaking, he seemed to calm down a little. Only his troubled eyes still revealed the turmoil inside him.
'You know, when I joined the force, I never thought I'd ever have to kill anyone. They tell you it can happen, and you practise on the shooting range, you train for close combat... But when the time comes, none of that really helps.'
She gulped. It was almost ten years ago now, but still crystal clear in Valene's mind.
'I was on patrol with my partner Martin. I'd only been on active duty for three weeks when we got the call: a break-in at a jeweller's shop. We were the first to arrive on the scene, and we saw the guy running... Martin and I split up to cut him off. I got him penned in down an alleyway. A woman who just happened to be taking the trash out at the time got stuck in the middle. The thief pointed his gun at her. That's when Martin turned up and yelled at him to drop it. The guy felt trapped, he was going to shoot at the woman. I saw him go for the trigger, and I fired...'
Again she gulped. It was all so fresh, like it had happened yesterday.
'Headshot. He seemed to take ages to fall, and all the time he was looking at me. I could still describe every detail of his face to you, even now. It was awful, and I felt so guilty. I kept thinking I should have just shot him in the leg. I looked for other ways I could have saved that woman. Everyone praised me for my actions. The woman hugged me and thanked me for saving her. Martin kept on saying how proud he was. And all I could think of was the life I had just ended...'
'But you got over it. How?'
Valene smiled meekly. 'To be honest, there's no simple answer. When you're in the force, they send you to the police shrink, who gives you a lot of fancy words and tells you how to deal with it, but in the end, it just comes down to you and your conscience. My partner said something to me though that actually did help: You will never forget this day. Learn to live with it. Moments like this make you a stronger person. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation again, you won't act without thinking, because you know exactly what's at stake.'
He shook his head with vehemence. 'I never want to go through anything like this ever again. I know I'll never forgive myself...'
'There are always two sides to this kind of situation. You not only killed that man, Jason, you also saved Lia and me. You know what would have happened if you hadn't intervened. We will both always be grateful for what you did. And there's still so much good you can do. Once we've freed these people, they're going to need a good doctor who knows what they've been through, and whose heart is in the right place.'
At these words, Jason's look changed. Suddenly he remembered that Valene had been injured, and the doctor in him immediately came to the fore.
'Let me see your leg.'
His patient was reluctant. She tried to shrug it off.
'It's not so bad - really. It doesn't hurt anymore.'
But Jason would not be deterred. He knelt in front of her and carefully cut open the fabric of her jeans around the entry wound. Valene closed her eyes, dreading what was coming.
Instead of a bullet wound, all Jason could see was a tiny scratch which... no, it couldn't be... which disappeared before his very eyes! All that remained were the traces of blood drying on her skin. Valene could well imagine what Jason was thinking, it was written all over his face. She smiled apologetically.
'Uh, I... heal really fast.'
'Is that what you call it? I've never seen anything like it. This is... impossible!'
'Unusual, yes, but that's just how it is with me. I can't explain it right now, it would take too long. But please keep it to yourself. So far, Peter and my brother are the only ones who know.'
Jason assured her that he would keep her secret.
'On one condition: When things calm down, tell me about it. All right?'
He offered Val his hand, and she took it.
'Now let's get out of here. The others will be wondering where we are.'
Before they left the cabin, Jason took one last look around. He would never forget the sight of that dead body, and it would take him time to come to terms with what he had done. But Val was right: Life had to go on, and his future was waiting for him outside. As if to prove it, Lia threw her arms around his neck and held him close.
'Thank the spirits! I was so afraid I would never see you again. Robert said you had abandoned me, but I knew that couldn't be true. I feared something must have happened to you!'
'No, I'm fine. Everything's fine.'
Lia showered him with kisses. Valene would have loved to watch them both for a while, but there wasn't time. Peter had already tried to reach her twice. He and Kermit were waiting for them by the bridge. So she cleared her throat to attract their attention.
'Er... Look, I hate to interrupt your joyous reunion, but there is still that small matter of a battle going on down at the mine.'
Jason stepped back to look at Lia with concern, noting the sore skin on her wrists, the welts and bruises, and the marks that Salem's whip had left around her throat.
'We have to treat these wounds first...'
'That can wait. I'm all right.'
She sank into his arms once more, and Valene could not help but smile. They made a most unusual couple, and yet they were so sweet together that it warmed her heart. Lia was distinctly purring now, and her purrs grew louder the more tenderly they kissed.
'Jason! Lia!'
When they faced her, Valene got the impression they had totally forgotten she was there.
'Gunfire? Lots of bad guys? Not much time? Ringing any bells yet?'
Valene pushed them towards the bridge. She couldn't believe it was possible for them to forget, even for a moment, what was going on around them...
'Finally!'
Kermit had been edgily shifting his weight from one foot to the other for more than ten minutes. He eyed the woman at Jason's side appraisingly as they approached. Just what he needed - another civilian to look out for! He recognised her at once from the photographs he had found on Gold's computer, and could not help but notice that Lia was a lot more attractive in the flesh than the two-dimensional image had indicated. Peter, on the other hand, only had a casual glance to spare for her. He had immediately spotted the blood-stained hole in Val's trousers, and his face took on a worried expression.
'What...?'
'It's nothing. My doctor took good care of me.' She patted Jason on the back with a smile, causing Peter to look even more baffled. Val shook her head. 'I'll tell you later. How are we doing?'
She nodded towards the mine. From their current position, they could see countless muzzle flashes, and the fire had spread to another shed.
'Our people are holding their own, but we need to find the control device fast so we can deactivate the chips, or else the others won't stand a chance.' Peter turned to Jason. 'Can you show us the way to the lab?'
Jason nodded. 'It's this way.'
They followed him. Valene shuddered as they came by the cabin where Salem's body lay. She glimpsed at Jason, and could tell he felt the same. His jaw was clenched, one arm draped protectively around Lia's shoulders. The change that had come over him in so short a time was quite astonishing. Suddenly he radiated a kind of assurance Valene had never seen him exhibit before - which probably had a lot to do with Lia, who kept looking at him adoringly while she clung to him for support.
He led them to Gold's cabin, which they entered warily. Valene and Peter took point, while Kermit hung back with Jason and Lia until he heard a double call of 'Clear!' Several doors stood open along the hallway. Jason and Lia could not resist peering into "his" room. This was where they had first met, what felt like an eternity ago now, and also where they had shared their first kiss. They smiled at each other and went on, but soon paused once more outside Gold's private quarters. Lia hesitantly stepped inside. A flood of memories assailed her as she looked around, recollections of all that she had borne in this room. She could hardly believe it was really behind her now.
'We don't have time for this,' Kermit murmured to Jason. 'I'm sorry, but we have to get a move on. The others are depending on us.'
'I know. Just give us a moment.'
Jason went to Lia. From the hall, they saw him gently stroke her thick black hair while he spoke to her softly. Finally Lia nodded and laid her hand in his. They came back, and now Jason made straight for the door which led to the underground laboratory. The bright light on the spiral staircase came on the moment he began the descent to the surgically clean passage below.
'I've only seen the lab in the first room and the kitchen,' he said. 'But there are a lot more doors down here. Should we split up to save time?'
'No,' Valene said at once. 'You should take Lia and go.'
'What? But...'
'It's not up for discussion. I expect you to stick to our agreement. You insisted on coming along to rescue her, and you've done so. This is the point where I tell you run.' She patted his arm. 'You two have been through enough, Jason. It's time to think of yourselves now. Take a horse and wait by the boundary until you hear the explosion, then make for the temple. You'll be safe there.'
Jason nodded slowly. 'All right. But you know what these people are capable of, Val - what Gold is capable of.' He gulped hard, and again his eyes spoke more than words. 'Please be careful.'
Valene smiled. 'Always. Now go.'
The pair turned and headed back to the stairs. Val waited until they were out of sight, then set about searching the rooms behind the locked doors. When the lights came on behind the second door on her left, however, she wished she had gone with Jason and Lia. She had stumbled on a kind of hospital room, at the centre of which stood a cot with one of the pitiable creatures from the camp strapped to it. She stepped up hesitantly, and clapped a hand over her mouth in horror. It looked like some kind of monkey-man, although there was very little left to identify him by. His skull had been opened and left with wires protruding out of it. The machine to which they connected him showed brainwaves. Val hardly dared to believe her eyes. Was he actually still alive? She edged closer to the machine. The monitor confirmed her suspicion. With a finger placed against the monkey-man's neck, she felt a weak pulse and realised there were even more tubes and wires attached to various parts of his body.
With her hand resting against his artery, she closed her eyes and sought contact. Valene clenched her teeth, banishing the creature's agony to the back of her mind. She could feel his thoughts more than hear them. Only a few disconnected words penetrated the pain that was like a red sea, slowly drowning him. 'Harisha.' She guessed that was his name. Then: 'Help!'
'I-I'm afraid I don't think I can help you,' she whispered sadly.
She sensed that there was nothing anyone could do for him - no doctor, not even Caine would be able to save this man. His rough voice crept into her thoughts as if from a vast distance away.
'Die... please...' His breath rattled. 'Help brother.'
'You have a brother?'
'Kapila... help.'
He sounded so desperate that she felt tears welling in her eyes. Kapila - she had heard that name before, Jason had spoken of him; he was down at the mine... Valene promised to help him, and felt a wave of gratitude. Gently she withdrew from his mind. Back in the real world, she examined the machines more closely. Her heart was heavy. One after the other, she switched them all off, then took Harisha's hairy hand and accompanied him to the edge of a world where his tortured soul would find solace.
'Rest in peace, my friend.'
Valene felt the slight pressure of his hand before Harisha's spirit departed from his body and crossed over. His gratitude stayed with her, warming her in this dark hour. Valene closed the man's eyes and spread a cloth over his body. Now it looked almost like he was merely sleeping. Unwilling to spend any more time in that room, she turned off the lights and went out. Peter came towards her. He could read her face like a book. A quick shake of the head, and he understood. He changed the subject.
'I was just coming to get you. Looks like Kermit has found the main computer.'
He opened the last door on the left, which led to a room packed with screens and all manner of equipment. Kermit was sitting at a small desk, his fingers tapping away at a keyboard with incredible speed. Only the raised eyebrows gave any indication of what was going on behind the sunglasses while he stared at the screen in front of him.
'What is it?' Val asked.
'It just never ends with this guy,' he grumbled darkly. 'We're gonna have our work cut out, even after we free this camp. But first things first. I've found the program that keeps the boundary working... There, that's switched it off. Now to deactivate the chips...' Kermit rubbed his hands industriously, and his fingers flitted across the keys once more. Seconds later, every single screen went dark. 'That was it. Now let's blow this place and get out of here!'
The two men had come across enough plastic explosives in another room to complete this task, and Kermit had even found a timer. He looked quizzically at Peter and Valene.
'Three minutes?'
That was cutting it close, but they had no other choice. The longer they waited, the less chance the prisoners would have of getting out alive.
'Okay. The clock's ticking, let's go!'
Kermit urged them towards the door. They gained the hallway and made straight for the stairs - only to find themselves face to face with six of Gold's men. Peter had been wondering why they had been able to work undisturbed for so long, but he would not have complained if it had remained so.
'Val, Kermit! Back to back!'
But Val paid no attention to him. She had recognised the man leading the group, and in a way she was glad of this opportunity to take him on personally. She remembered only too well how he had assaulted Jason, and fresh from her encounter with Salem, it filled her with even more disgust and contempt. She flew at Claude all by herself, while Peter and Kermit took on the rest. A blow to the neck from Peter sent one of them to the floor, and Kermit knocked out another with his Desert Eagle. Meanwhile, Claude stumbled backwards. Valene wiped a drop of blood from her lip where he had struck her, caught her breath and then kicked him where she felt he had earned it most.
'That was for Jason!'
He doubled over in pain, but somehow managed to point his gun at her. The bullet from Val's Beretta was faster, and he did not rise again.
Three attackers were down, leaving three to go, and time was short. Racing for the stairs, they each took out one more and then hurtled to the door.
'Get out!' Peter yelled.
Not a moment too soon did they stumble outside. The blast wave from the explosion sent them flying to the edge of the forest. Kermit swore loudly as he landed hard on his backside. Val and Peter hoisted him to his feet, then hugged each other happily.
'We did it!'
But their joy proved short-lived.
'Drop your weapons! Now!'
The ice-cold voice made their blood run cold. Twelve of Gold's men had them surrounded. They were hopelessly outnumbered. Peter instinctively pulled Valene behind him and held onto her hand. Then he, like Kermit and Valene, slowly laid his gun on the ground. His gut clenched. He had a really bad feeling about this. A couple of the soldiers picked the weapons up out of the snow while others came closer, forcefully separated the three of them, and held them in vice-like grips.
'Well, my friends... What's this?'
It was Gold himself, dressed in the uniform of his soldiers. He stepped into the circle and studied each of them intently.
'I gave you a new home,' he began theatrically. 'I welcomed you into my little community, and this is how you thank me?' His voice dropped low and his big, almost black eyes flashed dangerously. 'I must admit I underestimated you... But I will not allow you and these savages to ruin my life's work!'
Commander Gold was now standing right in front of Valene, who was hardly daring to breathe. It was taking all of her concentration not to let Gold's thoughts overwhelm her; it was bad enough standing face to face to such a monster, but to have him in her mind as well? No thanks. He raised his right hand and almost caressingly touched Valene's cheek. It took quite some effort for her not to turn her head away in revulsion.
'I hope you got a good look at the monkey in my laboratory.'
'Harisha,' Valene spat at him. 'His name was Harisha, and I'm sure his humanity was greater than yours!'
Gold merely smiled. His hand travelled along her chin and down her throat. Valene closed her eyes. Her whole body shuddered, eliciting a broad grin from Gold.
'You will very soon take his place, my dear. I have always found you fascinating, since the first moment I saw you.' His face came so close to hers that Valene could feel his breath on her cheeks. 'You're not like your friends here, are you?'
He produced a knife and gripped her chin to prevent her from moving her head.
'Get your hands off her!'
Peter struggled vainly to free himself from the soldiers' grip. An arm wrapped around his shoulders, and he felt a cold muzzle pressed against his temple. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Kermit was in a similar predicament. Both men were consequently forced to watch as Gold drew the knife slowly across Valene's right cheek. The cut was not deep, but reached from her ear down to the corner of her mouth. Val clenched her teeth.
Gold was silent, waiting eagerly to see what would happen. He was not disappointed. The wound closed before his eyes, tiny blue flashes flickering across her skin before it vanished without a trace. Kermit uttered a murmur of surprise. He glanced sideways at Peter, who was watching with increasing unease while Gold turned Valene's head to the left and wiped away the blood with the back of his hand. The skin was as good as new and completely flawless.
'So I was right,' he triumphed, laughing, and again forced Valene to look at him. 'Your wounds heal within mere moments... A power which offers fantastic opportunities. You have great potential. I look forward to testing your abilities more thoroughly.'
Valene swayed. Her mental shields broke down, and she found herself involuntarily peering into Gold's twisted mind. She saw herself all wired up and lying on an operating table, almost like the poor monkey-man Harisha whom she had released, and watched with horror as Gold tore a baby from her arms that was only partly human. Peter felt her pain, and this time his urge to help her was stronger than the men who held him back. He broke free and lunged at the commander. Kermit too managed to free himself, but Gold's people were fast. A rifle butt to the back of the head forced Peter to his knees. Kermit passed out after several blows struck him on the temple. Both men had their wrists handcuffed behind their backs. The guards dragged Peter back to his feet, but left Kermit lying face-down in the snow. Gold himself handcuffed Valene, who was still struggling to banish the horrific images from her mind.
'Let's get them to the second laboratory - and this time, make sure no-one can sneak in again. What are you looking at, Caine? You heard me correctly: There is another laboratory, and it will be my pleasure to show it to you personally. I have something very special planned for your girlfriend here.'
He seized Valene's arm and dragged her along with him. The look she gave Peter in passing almost broke his heart. He would have given anything to help her, but Gold's men had their eye on him, and he couldn't get through to her mentally, for Valene had succeeded in shielding her mind again. Instead, he suddenly heard his father.
'Stay calm, my son. Do not fight them. They are taking you to a place where you are needed.'
'WE're needed? Well that's just great, pop. We could use some help ourselves right now!'
'You will receive it, I promise.'
Peter had great faith in his father. He knew that when Kwai Chang Caine promised help, then help would come, so he tried to follow his advice. What choice did he have, after all? They were completely at the mercy of Gold and his henchmen.
Peter, Valene and Kermit, whom two soldiers seized under the armpits and dragged along with them, were taken down a steep path to the waterfall and through a cave entrance hidden behind it. From there they were led through narrow passageways deeper and deeper into the mountain, the path ahead illuminated only by the soldiers' flashlights. The bad feeling in Peter's gut intensified the further they came. These tunnels were like a maze, worse even than the temple. How was anyone ever going to find them here? Neither he nor Val noticed the figure that slipped from dark nook to shadowy corner, watching them all the way.
Finally they turned a corner and suddenly came out into a vast, brightly lit cavern. The sight that met Peter's eyes there was yet more evidence of Gold's madness, and he shuddered. In the cave stood row upon row of cages, their captives all women and children, with only the smallest able to stand upright in their cramped prisons. At once Peter realised why Ylva and Lia were the only female hybrids he had seen, both at the temple and at the camp. What was Gold doing to these poor creatures? As they were led along one of the aisles between the cages to the back of the cave, he received a flood of emotions that completely filled his being: terror, grief, anger, revulsion...
Those women who were able to clutched their children to them protectively as they walked by, eyeing Gold with fear. It was the same look he had seen on Valene's face a short while ago. Peter's sense of foreboding did not improve when they were thrust into a large container that turned out to be a fully-equipped laboratory - an exact copy of the one they had recently blown up.
'Lock the men in the cages. I'll take care of this one.'
He dragged Valene further into the room. In the middle stood a chair that reminded her of her last visit to the gynaecologist. Gold pushed her onto it, and for the first time she fought back. Her mind's eye once again showed her the image of Gold tearing a child from her arms. Valene attempted to break loose, but Gold was quicker. Though he might not be very tall or athletic, he was nonetheless strong. He forced her down on the chair, pushing her back against the rest. With lightning speed he activated a clicking mechanism, and a metal restraint closed around Val's throat. It was hard, cold, and so tight that she could barely swallow, but still Val senselessly attempted to loosen it by frantically moving her head. Gold shook his own.
'There's no sense in fighting, my dear. You won't escape. Trust me, many have tried, and most of them were a good deal stronger than you are.'
Gold then removed her handcuffs and her coat, and pressed her hands down onto the armrests on either side. There were more clicking sounds, and Val's upper arms and wrists were also restrained by iron bands. At the press of a further button, a band of metal closed around her waist. Finally Gold leaned forward and pushed her legs into place - two more clicks, and her ankles were restrained as well. She was completely trapped, she couldn't move a muscle, even breathing was a struggle. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gold go to a medicine cabinet and fumble with something inside. When he came back with a syringe in his hand, Peter went berserk inside his cage.
'You son of a bitch, if you touch her, I...!'
He could rant all he wanted - Gold was not to be distracted. Peter threw himself against the bars in frustration. 'Keep calm,' his father had told him, but how could he? Meanwhile Val's gaze fixed on the bright green liquid in the syringe.
'What is that?'
'Just a little something to help you relax.'
The needle came dangerously close to her throat. Valene hated injections, especially when she didn't know what they contained, but her restraints prevented her from defending herself. There was nothing left but to beg.
'Gold, please... Please don't do this!'
Her quiet pleading seemed to amuse him. He stroked her hair.
'Don't worry. Just a little prick, and it will be over.'
The needle pierced her throat, and the effects set in almost immediately. Her breathing slowed, and her eyelids felt heavy. The last thing Valene saw before she passed out was Gold smiling ominously.
'I'll kill you!' Peter bellowed from his cage. 'Do you hear me? If you hurt a hair of her head, you'll wish you'd never been born!'
Apparently unmoved, Gold strode across to a table, picked up a kind of silver-coloured remote, and pointed it at Peter's cage. He pressed the red button, and a jolt went through the metal. Peter heard a whirring indicative of a strong power source.
'I think not,' said Gold.
Without a trace of emotion in his face, he pressed the black button, and Peter screamed. Electric surges coursed through his body until Gold finally released the button, and Peter crumpled unconscious to the floor.
'You bastard!'
Kermit swore, having only just regained consciousness himself. Gold pointed the remote at him, and a jolt ran through his cage, too.
'Keep quiet, unless you want the same treatment as your friend.'
'Sir, we've caught another group.' A soldier stepped in and saluted. 'What are your orders?'
'I'm coming. I wonder if that's the last of the rebel pack. Withdraw the men from the cave. The facility is secure. No-one can get in or out without me.'
With these words, he slipped the remote into his coat pocket and followed his subordinate outside. Once again, no-one noticed the shadow that slunk behind the container at the last moment.
Haidar crouched in his dark corner and waited until Gold and his men had left, then he crept into the container. He did not like what he found. Peter was lying unconscious on the floor of a cage, and Kermit was stuck in a similar device, just big enough for him to sit in with his knees drawn up in front of him. Valene sat unconscious and trapped on a very uncomfortable-looking chair.
'Haidar? Am I glad to see you!' Kermit exclaimed with relief.
The lion-man's gaze darted from him to Peter.
'Don't worry, Peter has a pretty thick skull. He'll probably just end up with a splitting headache when he wakes up. I'm more worried about Val. Gold injected her with something, and she hasn't moved since. You'd better check on her first.'
Haidar nodded curtly and began examining the chair. He found the controls for Valene's restraints and released them all in turn. The metal bands sank back into the chair, and Val's body slumped. The powerful lion-man lifted her gently and laid her on the floor. He rolled up her coat and carefully settled her head on it, then felt her pulse, which seemed incredibly feeble to him. He looked to Kermit for help.
'She lives, but she is very weak. I do not know how to help her. I am no healer.'
Kermit grunted as he attempted to sit up. 'Can you get me out of this cage? Be careful! It's electrified.'
But just as Haidar was nearing the metal cage, Kwai Chang Caine stepped into the room. The lion-man spun round with a start, but Kermit had stopped being surprised at the Shaolin's sudden appearances years ago. Caine approached the cages, and with a sweep of his hand deactivated the force field that caused the electric shocks. He turned to the lion-man.
'Take care of Peter and Kermit, my friend. I will check on Valene.'
Haidar nodded. Caine calmly knelt by Valene's side and began to examine her. He lifted her eyelids, felt her pulse, and applied acupressure. Then he rubbed the palms of his hands together and began moving his outstretched arms over her, his hands a few inches from her body. Whenever he reached her feet, he shook his hands and began again at her head.
'What is he doing?'
Haidar had freed Kermit from his cage. Before he started on Peter's, he stared in wonder at what Caine was doing. Kermit straightened his glasses, glanced at Caine and shrugged his shoulders.
'That's a good question. But the only one who could tell us is in there.'
The lion-man said, 'Then let us get him out.'
A few seconds later, Peter was free and lying on his back. Haidar patted his cheek a few times, but Peter did not stir. Kermit looked around and spotted a water dispenser, removed the tank and emptied its contents over Peter's head. Peter sat bolt upright, coughing and spluttering and complaining at nearly having been drowned.
'Don't exaggerate, grasshopper,' Kermit joked. 'It's just a drop of water - and it had the desired effect. You're back from sleepy-bye land.'
If there was one thing Peter hated, it was being called "grasshopper". It was bad enough when pop teased him in that way, without Kermit starting too! He gave an annoyed look, but Kermit just grinned.
'It's good to have you back.'
Peter patted his friend's shoulder with a grateful smile, but then he remembered Valene.
'How is she? And where is Gold?'
He tried to get up, but his legs were too shaky.
'Whoa, careful, kid. Your father's taking care of her. You just take your time now. Gold is busy outside, and I hope he will be for a good long while.' Kermit had no wish to encounter that madman again in a hurry. 'But just to make sure, I'll take a look outside and see what's going on. Haidar, would you mind staying? If any of Gold's people come back, these three could probably use your help.'
Haidar nodded in agreement. Kermit cautiously slipped out of the container, while the lion-man helped Peter over to where Caine was treating Valene.
'What is your father doing?'
'He's cleansing her aura. It's a kind of field of energy that surrounds all our bodies.'
While Haidar looked down at himself as if expecting to find a colourful vapour billowing around him, Peter turned to his father. Caine looked gravely at his son.
'Did you see what Commander Gold gave her?'
'I'm not sure. It was in that cabinet over there. Some kind of nasty green stuff.'
Caine rose and went to check the cabinet Peter had indicated. He picked up a vial, shook it, held it up to the light, and sniffed its contents.
'Pop?'
Caine did not seem to hear his son. He was puzzled. He recognised the smell, but the colour was all wrong. Something had been added to the mixture, something he could not identify. It was why he could not reach her subconscious. He reminded himself that this world, while in many ways similar to their own, was not identical. There was no way of knowing how a drug mixed with plants from this world would affect a human metabolism. Slowly he faced Peter, who was holding Valene's hand and kept stroking her hair anxiously.
'Pop, please, do something...'
Peter's voice cracked. He hadn't felt this helpless in a long while. Kwai Chang Caine returned to kneel on the ground beside Valene.
'Peter, can you feel the darkness around her?' His son nodded. 'This green liquid has poisoned Valene's Chi. She is trapped in a blackness from which she cannot escape without help.'
He reached into his knapsack and produced a small clay bottle.
'We must act quickly. Pour this into her mouth, but carefully. Then lay your hands on her. Let her feel that you are close by and will lead her out of the darkness.'
Peter moved into position. Over the years, he had learned to trust in his father's knowledge and his almost magical abilities, which had saved not only his own life several times over. He uncorked the bottle and let the translucent contents drip into Valene's mouth.
Haidar stood back and watched with interest to see what would happen. Both men rubbed their palms together and placed them on Valene's forehead and over her heart. They closed their eyes. Everything became very still. No sound from the outside was able to reach them. The lion-man stood as if mesmerised by the sight. But nothing happened for a while, and Peter became edgy.
'Pop, why isn't she reacting?'
'Give her time, my son. Valene is in a place deep within her being, surrounded by darkness. She is alone and afraid. Focus on your love, not your fear of losing her. Only then can you be her guide.'
'But how do I reach her?'
Caine smiled mildly and repeated, 'Focus on the love that is in your heart.'
Peter sighed. It all sounded so simple when his father explained it, and it looked even simpler when he was just watching. Closing his eyes, he forced himself to calm his breathing and clear his mind before focussing on Valene... and this time he succeeded.
'Take my hand.' Peter kept repeating it like a mantra. Several minutes passed, but to him it was an eternity before he finally felt the life return to Valene's body. Her cold skin warmed under his touch, and her limbs trembled. 'That's right. You can do it, honey. I'm here. Just take my hand, and you'll be safe.'
Suddenly Valene's left hand shot up, and Peter gripped it tightly. Relief swept over him as he felt her firm touch, and a huge weight was lifted from his heart when her eyes opened. His hand was her anchor, pulling her back to reality. She still felt very shaken though.
'Could you please tell the room to stop spinning?' she asked quietly.
Peter chuckled and drew her into his arms. Valene could still barely move. Her body was slow to rid itself of the drug Gold had given her. Whatever had been in that syringe, it had taken the strength out of every muscle, and they were only gradually coming back to life. It felt like her arms moved in slow motion to wrap around Peter, and it felt incredibly good to just let him hold her. She felt safe in his arms.
'Feeling any better yet?'
Valene nodded. With an effort, she sat up straighter, took his face between her trembling hands and kissed him. Caine and Haidar looked away, smiling, to examine the contents of the medicine cabinet with great interest. Haidar was visibly impressed by the older Caine.
'You and your son possess great power...'
'Love is the greatest power in the world. We all have it - including you, my friend.'
Caine indicated a slight bow of respect, which the lion-man returned. But Haidar's expression was suddenly sad.
'It is true that I once had a great love, but it was taken from me.'
Caine smiled mysteriously at the hulking giant. 'You still have that love.'
Haidar was left without an explanation, for Kermit returned at that moment, and Valene flinched. The men immediately crowded round her, full of concern.
'Are you okay?'
'Are you in pain?'
'Do you need water?' Kermit offered her the tank from the water dispenser, which still had a small drop left in the bottom. 'It did wonders for Peter!'
His crooked grin earned him an annoyed glare from Peter that made Val smile.
'That would explain why I'm sitting in a puddle.' Smiling, she tousled Peter's wet hair. He pushed her hand away, grumbling slightly, but unable to hide his smile. 'No, really, boys - you're sweet. But it's nothing, it's... okay.'
She was surprised to find that it was Jack whom she could suddenly feel. She sensed worry, but quickly realised it was not her own, it was his. She had never felt this kind of connection with him before and wondered how it was possible. Could it be a side effect of the green drug? Whatever the reason, she made use of their contact to let him feel her presence, and felt his relief in response. She also saw that everything was under control in the camp. Gold had fled, taking some of his henchmen with him, and Val caught herself hoping grimly that he would run into Logan.
'What shall we do now?'
Haidar's words interrupted her thoughts and reminded them all of their reason for being in this inhospitable place.
'There are more than two hundred women and children out in those cages,' Kermit pointed out. 'They're scared, traumatised... They need our help.'
Caine and Haidar agreed with him, but Peter had other plans.
'You take care of them. I wanna take a look around the cave.'
'I'll go with Peter.' Before there was time for him to obect, Valene dug her finger into his chest. 'Don't you dare, hon. Someone has to keep an eye on you - make sure you stay out of trouble.' And just loud enough so only he could hear, she added, "And I don't want to be alone right now.'
Peter slipped his arm around Valene protectively, pulled her close and helped her to her feet. She seemed slowly to be regaining control of her body. Her movements seemed more deliberate now. She stood securely, and only her eyes were still less bright than usual, and slightly misty.
'You're not alone, honey. You never will be.'
Valene blamed it on her shaken state that his words almost moved her to tears.
They left the container gladly. While Peter and Val disappeared down a tunnel at the back of the cave, and Caine and Haidar turned their attention to the cages, Kermit paced uneasily along the perimeter of the vaulted cavern. He was burdened by the promise he had made Janet, and which was still unfulfilled. He had to find her sister, but where could she be? He became hopeful when he came across another container similar to the one from which Haidar and Caine had recently freed them, though somewhat smaller. The door was not locked - and why should it be, considering Gold had had no reason to expect that anyone but his own people would ever be walking around freely here. Kermit stepped into a gloomy room, illuminated only by the faint light from a screen that stood beside a hospital bed. On it lay an unconscious girl, connected to several tubes and with straps around her torso and legs keeping her from rolling off her cot.
Kermit inched closer and peered into every corner, his gun at the ready in case anyone should be lurking here, but the room was empty. Finally he put his Desert Eagle away and took a closer look at the patient. She was still in her teens, maybe fifteen or sixteen years old. Her oval face was pale and cold, and she was dressed in nothing but a plain, light green night shirt that made her body appear small and fragile. Her dark hair had been shaved down to a few millimetres - presumably because it made it easier to keep clean. Even before he read her name on the screen, Kermit guessed that he had found her: Helen Fraiser, Janet's younger sister. Admittedly, she was a lot younger than he had expected. He found an explanation as soon as he began to look through the data on the computer: She was in a kind of stasis that had completely halted her body's development. The question was, how could he wake her? Kermit checked the monitor, the drips and machines around her bed. He could have used Jason's help now, but from what he could make out, the girl seemed to be okay, considering she was lying here pumped full of who-knew-what, being artificially nourished, and with her aging process completely suspended. But he daren't simply remove the tubes or touch any of the equipment for fear of damaging the life support. He went to the door and called for Caine, who appeared just moments later.
'Can you help her?'
Caine stepped up to the bed and bent over the young patient. He felt her forehead and her pulse, checked her eyes and investigated what substances the tubes were supplying her with. As he had done with Valene, he began by cleansing her aura. Kermit would have liked to enquire what her chances were, but he thought it best not to disturb Caine. Instead, he stayed by the door and made sure they were not disturbed.
Apparently Caine had succeeded in switching off whatever systems had prevented the others from entering the cave without Gold's permission. Apart from Haidar, he saw many other hybrids moving up and down in between the cages, looking for their loved ones, offering support, or howling with dismay and grief. He also spotted Jack, who laid down his weapon and slowly walked down one of the aisles, looking stricken. Kermit turned back inside the container, and to his surprise saw that Helen was no longer connected to drips and machines. Her eyes were still closed, but her breathing was no longer so shallow, and it looked like she was sleeping peacefully. He now dared to ask Caine how she was doing.
'She is out of danger, but her Chi is very weak, and it will take time for her to recover from her imprisonment.'
'How long do you think she's been here?'
Caine sighed heavily. 'I do not know. I am afraid she has many years of her life to catch up on.'
Kermit gently touched the stubble on Helen's head. She seemed so frail and helpless - like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her prince. 'What the hell, Griffin? Pull yourself together,' he thought.
'Now what? Does she have to stay here until she wakes up? How long will that take?'
Caine laid his hand on Kermit's shoulder and smiled.
'I suggest you take her to the temple, my friend. I am sure Jason will take good care of her until she is well enough to be taken to her sister.'
Nodding, Kermit slid his hands under Helen's back and knees, and lifter her. She was light as a feather, and he had no problem carrying her outside. Caine rejoined the others, who were still busy opening the cages. He saw Haidar suddenly pause halfway down an aisle and reach out to his brother. Azmer looked a question at him.
'What is it?'
'Can't you smell it?'
It was a scent he hadn't smelt for years, and that he had feared was lost to him forever. The proud lion-man suddenly broke into an excited run, all thoughts of dignity forgotten, and Azmer could hardly keep up with him. Then, at last...
'Diata?'
His voice shook when he saw her again, after all these years. To him, she was the most beautiful creature in the world, in spite of her rags, shaven head and matted fur. The lion-woman turned her head to look at him, and her eyes widened.
'Haidar!'
His big hands gripped the door of her cage and wrenched it off its hinges. He held his hands out to Diata, but she hesitated.
'No. Y-you should go. Leave me.'
She turned away. Confused, Haidar dropped to all fours and crept closer.
'What is wrong? Diata...'
Sobbing she twisted her body around awkwardly, letting him see her round belly. Haidar started. A fury burned within him that took all his self-control to keep in check. Diata looked at him with a mixture of fear and hope in her eyes.
'I did not want this,' she affirmed. 'Please, Haidar, you must believe me!'
'I believe you.' His eyes were full of love. 'You are not to blame.'
'A-and the child...'
'... is equally innocent.'
The words did not come easily, but he knew they were true. Whoever had fathered this life inside her, even if it had been Gold himself - Haidar was determined not to blame the unborn child. Diata was alive. Against all hope, he had found her again, and nothing else mattered. Gently he laid a hand on her belly and felt the little one kick. He forced a smile.
'Our child is strong.'
'Did you say... our...?'
Diata at once flung her arms around his neck. Haidar held her close, and it felt like new life was being breathed into him. Azmer watched dubiously. Before her disappearance, Diata had been like a sister to him, but he found it hard to be as understanding as his brother. Had he been in Haidar's place, he might have been able to accept her back, but to take the child on as his own? Never! Let the man who had impregnated her take care of his own spawn. He certainly wouldn't want it around him. He was not so foolish, however, as to voice these thoughts when Haidar asked his help. Together they got Diata out of the cage and helped her stand. She embraced Azmer tightly, then clung to Haidar.
'I had lost hope that I would ever see you again...'
'As had I. My world has been a dark and empty place without you.'
Azmer looked away while they kissed. Then Diata gripped his arm and leaned on them both.
'It has been a long time since I saw daylight... What time is it?'
'Near sunrise.'
'Then I would love to see it.'
They led her out of the cave to grant her that wish.
Meanwhile, Jack was still pacing up and down the aisles between the cages, completely horrified. The bright electric light illuminated row upon row of cages where women with more or less human features cowered, some with little clothing to cover them, others even completely naked. Some of them held frightened children to their chests, while others were wasting away all by themselves; not one of them dared to raise her shaven head to look at the men moving in between their cells. Jack could hardly bear to see them, but nor could he bring himself to look away from this indescribable misery. Incredulity turned to anger as he thought of Gold and his people, who were responsible for all of this. How could anyone be so cruel, so completely without pity, so heartless? All around him, humans and hybrids alike seemed to be asking themselves the same question. Phylip Morgan, looking dishevelled and far from his usual neat self, appeared at his elbow and voiced it, but Jack could only shake his head. He could not and did not want to comprehend it, but felt the suffering of the poor wretches so keenly that it threatened to overwhelm him.
'Are you feeling unwell, Jack?' the anthropologist enquired. 'You look a little green. Perhaps you should get some fresh air.'
Jack nodded. 'Good idea.'
He directed his long strides towards the end of this row of cages, taking the shortest route to the exit, but then suddenly froze. There, in the last cage at the very end of the line, sat the most miserable creature he had ever seen in his life: a half-starved little human boy, surely no more than six years old, whose skinny arms were tightly wrapped around his naked body as he cowered in the furthest corner of his cage, anxious not to attract attention. It was a sight that immediately tore at Jack's heartstrings and pained him so much that he actually groaned. He couldn't help himself; he crouched down in front of the cage and spoke to the terrified child in his most gentle voice.
'Hey, hello there. Who are you?'
The boy flinched and tried to make himself smaller still.
'There's no need to be afraid of me,' Jack promised. 'I'm not going to hurt you. I want to help.'
The child showed no reaction. Since this wasn't getting him anywhere, Jack began looking for some way to open the cage, and reached for his pocket knife. When he produced it, the boy looked up. Dark brown, almost black eyes that seemed too big for his small head stared at him with fear.
'It's all right,' Jack tried to explain, showing him the open tool. 'This is going to help me get you out of there. See?'
Jack described every move he made while he worked to loosen the screws, although the child probably didn't understand a word he said. But it was not necessary for the boy to understand what the strange man was saying. Jack only hoped that it would make him appear less threatening by speaking softly and keeping his voice light and friendly. At long last, he was able to lift the cage door off its hinges. He slipped the knife back in his pocket and appraised the boy thoughtfully. How was he to approach this trembling, neglected creature that had probably never had a kind word from anyone yet? He wished Val were here. She probably would have used some kind of metaphysical hocus-pocus to tell the child she meant no harm, but Jack had no experience at this kind of thing. He tried to focus on his wish to help the boy, and continued to be as cautious as possible. Slowly, so as not to startle the little one, he took off his coat and held it out to him.
'Here. Take it. It might be just a fraction too big for you, but it will keep you nice and warm.'
The brown eyes were still staring at him fearfully, and the child hadn't moved a muscle yet. Jack laid his coat down on the ground between them and sat down, his hands folded in his lap. It was then that he realised he hadn't introduced himself yet.
'I'm Jack, by the way,' he said, tapping his chest, and repeated the name distinctly. 'Jack.' He pointed at the boy. 'Do you have a name?'
Nothing. The big eyes blinked at him in silence. Jack looked around him in search of help. It occurred to him that Caine could most likely get through to the kid; the Shaolin seemed to have a knack for communicating with all living things. But he was nowhere in sight, so he turned back to the boy. To Jack's surprise, he was kneeling in the middle of the cage, the winter coat wrapped around him. He looked shily up at Jack, who smiled encouragingly.
'See, that's much better, isn't it? Would you like to tell me your name now? Or shall I make one up? How about Henry? It was my grandfather's name - he was a great guy. He used to take me fishing, and we'd eat so many berries that we ended up with tummy aches. My granny did her nut! But I don't suppose any of that makes any sense to you, does it, you poor little mite?'
It was then that the boy did something completely unexpected. He crawled on all fours to the complete stranger who was sitting cross-legged in front of his cage talking nonsense, and climbed onto his lap. Jack's eyes began to sting as the tiny arms slipped around his neck. He stroked the boy's dark, stubbly head gently and felt the moisture seep into the front of his shirt.
'It's okay,' he whispered softly. 'Cry your heart out, kid. Let it all out. You've been brave long enough. I've got you. I'll take care of you.'
With the boy in his arms, Jack made for the exit once more, but was this time held up by Braden, who was looking grim.
'How sick does a man have to be to cause all this suffering?'
I dunno, and I don't think I want to. I wouldn't dream of treating an animal this way, let alone creatures that are practically human. And look at this poor little guy. I found him locked in a cage all by himself, stark naked.'
Braden raised an eyebrow at the bundle in Jack's arms.
'I get why you're angry about the cage, but what would you dress the pup in?'
The expression angered Jack. He was about to say as much when MacKay appeared. There was dried blood on his temple where a bullet had grazed it, and he looked worn and tired, but at the sight of what Jack was holding in his arms, he surprisingly softened.
'Where did you find him? He's adorable! Hey there, little guy!'
Jack couldn't believe it. He looked down and almost dropped the little creature in his surprise.
'I don't understand...'
'What don't you understand?'
MacKay ruffled the fur of the dog Jack was holding. Jack's mouth opened and shut a few times. How was he to explain this? But he didn't have to. While MacKay was still stroking his back, the puppy suddenly changed back into a child. He recoiled.
'What the hell is that?'
Jack shook his head confusedly. On the one hand, he was glad that he wasn't completely crazy - he really had picked up a child. On the other hand, this child seemed to be anything but normal. What was he? Words like "shapeshifter" and "werewolf" came to mind, but that was nonsense - they were creatures of myth, only real in the stories his sister had always loved to read, but they didn't exist in the real world! Then he looked around him. Surrounded by creatures that were half human and half animal, in a strange world where a madman experimented on the living... Why was he even surprised? In any case, whether he was human, animal, or something in between, the little one was all alone and needed help. And Jack was determined to give it to him, whatever that might mean. He was certain that Sam would understand once she saw the boy.
'This is Henry,' said Jack.
'You've given him a name?'
MacKay was now far from enthuasiastic, but staring aghast at the child. Braden also looked doubtful. Sure, "Henry" was cute, in his way, small and helpless as he seemed. But taking care of a child was far from easy, even at the best of times, he knew that from experience. And this one was bound to cause all manner of problems. The boy might be about six years old, but he was no more developed than an infant. He had never known love or had a home; he knew nothing, had probably never even learnt to walk, speak, or go to the toilet. To call him "neglected" would be an understatement. It would be a long, hard road before he could become a part of society, if ever. But for now, he kept these doubts to himself. If there was one thing he was sure of, it was that voicing such concerns in the boy's presence would be nothing but harmful. He would have a tough time of it as it was.
'Where are Val and Peter?' Jack asked, unaware of Braden's thoughts and eager to see how his sister would react to little Henry.
'They are exploring the tunnels.' Caine had joined them noiselessly. He smiled mildly at Henry and placed a hand on his forehead. 'This child will need much love and reassurance.' He looked around him. 'As will all these people.'
'I'll make sure he gets it,' Jack said with such conviction that even Braden had to smile.
'I am sure you will,' said Caine.