Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine, Jeanne G'Fellers [best summer reads TXT] 📗

to glare at LaRenna. You’re a worthless slut, LaRenna, and too weak to get rid of me. Submit now before I teach you both a lesson. She rotated on one leg and kicked out, trying to knock LaRenna off balance.

Krell blocked her attempt, grabbing Cance’s foot, flipping her face-first into the ground. You won’t touch her again.

Fucker! Cance rose quickly, in a rage that caused LaRenna to doubt her newfound strength. LaRenna looked up at Krell, at her expression, at the love and determination in her eyes. This was real. Krell was real. The twins were dead, images of something that had painfully passed. They only had power if she allowed it.

She took Krell’s hand and turned toward Cance. No! I’m not helpless. Begone!

Cance flew forward to strike but drew back when LaRenna shook her head. No more.

Cance’s image flashed briefly but solidly. Such strength is arousing, little girl. Be careful how you wield it.

Go away! You are no more than a figment of my imagination—a memory, nothing more!

Bitch! Whore! Brandoff’s image pushed around her twin, unsteady and flickering as she spat at LaRenna. You know what you are deep inside. You can’t cast us out forever. We’ll be there. You know we will. You can’t fight us alone.

She’s not alone. Krell drew LaRenna into her arms. We’re soul phasers, as she lives so do I.

LaRenna grew within the unconditional love Krell expressed for her. She had the strength to survive, to overcome. Reality waited—a reality infinitely better than the madness present in Brandoff’s continued existence. You’re dead! You have no power over me. With those words, Brandoff’s image disappeared.

I won’t go so quickly, said Cance, stepping over the spot where her twin had stood. I continue to eat at you even as we fight. You can’t defeat me. I’ll always be picking away at you. Piece by piece, I will consume your sanity.

I say it again—she’s not alone. Krell squeezed LaRenna’s hand and they kicked out as one, slamming Cance into the wall LaRenna had created with her emerging power.

I AM NO LONGER AFRAID OF YOU, CANCE CREILOFF! The energy of LaRenna’s voice resounded through Cance’s image, reducing it to translucence. YOU TOOK NOTHING THAT KRELL HASN’T ALREADY REPLACED. BEGONE AND NEVER RETURN. YOU ARE DEAD! I AM FREE OF YOU!

Cance shriveled, her image dripping away in stench-filled puddles of decay. I’ll be back, my lady, maybe not this cycle or this pass, but I’ll be back. My love for you runs too deep. There are still lessons to be taught. I’ll be back, and when I do, I’ll take you with me, straight back to the hell you created in your own mind! With a final burst of flaming hatred, she was gone and there was silence.

***

Firman roused when the first rumbles of the aerolaunch bounced throughout the Hiding Cave. At first, he thought a new intense storm had unleashed itself and he cursed the weather patterns of the wet season. But the noise grew steadily louder rather than trailing off like thunder should, causing him to sit up and listen. Trazar was also up, concentrating on the sound.

“Cyclone?” asked Firman.

“Too mechanical,” replied Trazar. “Has to be a launch of some kind. It is! An aerolaunch! The positioning thrusters just fired. They’ve found us!”

“What’s all the noise?” Tatra stumbled from her bedroll.

“Aerolaunch,” explained Trazar. “Have you checked them yet?”

“No, just woke myself. I’ll look in on them now.” Tatra peeked into the other chamber then pulled back, a befuddled expression pasted on her slender face. “They’re gone!”

“Merciful Mother!” Firman howled from close behind her. “I prayed all night that this would work.”

Tatra turned to him near panic. “You don’t understand! They’re gone! Not there! Vanished!”

“What?” Both Autlachs pushed in to see for themselves. The room was empty, save for the bedding they had stacked the day before.

Krell had awakened long before dawn, feeling more alive and filled with purpose than she remembered. Unlashing their arms, she eased from the bed and into a tunic, then snuck barelegged into the main chamber. With silent Kimshee agility, she retrieved two changes of clothing and a generous supply of sterile wraps. She toted her load to the cave’s thermal pools, diverted some of the waters into a tub, uncrated several towels and a soaping stone, then hurried back to the bed to waken LaRenna. LaRenna objected to being rousted from the comfort of their bed but stopped complaining when Krell informed her it was for a much-needed bath.

The water’s pressure on her fragile ribs phased away, LaRenna soaked, her bad foot draped over the side so the stitches would stay dry. Krell sat on the edge to help her wash. LaRenna was beginning to resemble her former self. Her bruises were fading at an accelerated rate, cuts weren’t nearly as angry, and a glimmer of playful spirit shone as gold flecks in her eyes. She teased Krell, splashing her to the point she climbed into the tub without bothering to undress. “It’s the driest place to be with you flinging water about.” Krell laughed, shaking off a faceful of moisture.

“While you’re in here, you might as well help me wash my hair,” replied LaRenna. “It always feels better when someone else does it. Besides, it hurts to stretch. And take that tunic off, sweetheart, it smells of sweat now that it’s wet.”

Krell stood up to remove the waterlogged tunic. “That’s not it,” she teased, drawing behind LaRenna. “You just wanted me out of my clothes.”

“Worked, didn’t it?” LaRenna passed back the soaping stone and enjoyed the feel of Krell’s gentle hands massaging her scalp. The chore done and the soap rinsed away, LaRenna leaned back and let Krell’s tender caresses extend down her neck and body. Krell was infinitely patient and very attentive to her fears.

In the midst of the peace and gentle passion, Krell began to recite the Oath, placing her cheek against LaRenna’s as she spoke. “I