Umara speaks in a dark whisper. “Because what I know could be used to destroy this planet. Literally, it’s possible to unleash a power so great it could detonate the earth’s core and transform this world into a second asteroid belt. And you’re not strong enough to protect such secrets, not in your current form.”
I kneel beside her and squeeze my ancient hand. It’s probably due to the nearby fire, but it still shocks me to find my flesh is warm. There’s no pulse, though, and my dead eyes remain closed.
“Put me back in my body,” I say.
Umara nods. “Tomorrow night. When the moon is full.”
“Does that matter?”
“Freddy’s system would say that’s when the energy of the Goddess is at its strongest.”
“Tomorrow night is fine with me. But you can’t bring Matt here.”
“I have to. If you’re right and she was the love of his life, then he has to be given a chance to say good-bye to her. He’ll never forgive either of us if we deny him that.”
“She’s dead! He’s not going to get a chance to talk to her.”
Umara strokes my body’s arm and I continue to feel the sensation on my own arm. “I’ll speak to him before he sees you. We have much to catch up on, and when we’re done, I’ll make sure he understands that you didn’t choose to enter Teri’s body. And I’ll explain why you kept the truth hidden from him.”
“Who else will witness this exorcism?”
Umara smiles sadly. “Is that what you think of it? I don’t know. Who do you want there?”
“Paula and Seymour.”
“They’re mortals. They won’t understand.”
“They’re my friends. They understand plenty.”
“Anyone else?”
I hesitate. “John, if he’ll come. Have you heard about the boy?”
“Of course. The Telar and the IIC are searching the four corners of the earth trying to find him.” She pauses. “Are the prophecies about him true?”
“I don’t know. I doubt he’s Krishna, but there’s something about him that’s wonderful. I’ll ask Paula to bring him. He helped anchor me in this body. Maybe he can help anchor me in my old one.”
Umara nods as she stares down at my body. “What we’re attempting to do is dangerous. I suppose you’ve guessed that. For this body to live again, the body you’re in must die.”
“How will it die?”
“Simple. We’ll kill it.”
THIRTEEN
Twenty-four hours later I sit in the guesthouse with Seymour and await a visit from Matt. I figure one of two things will happen. Matt will either come in and give Seymour a shot of Charlie’s new vaccine. Or else he will kick the door down and snap my neck.
The possibilities make the wait interesting.
Seymour smokes, when he’s not scratching.
“I can’t believe that chick’s ten thousand years old.”
“More like twelve thousand,” I say.
“Christ. She’s such a fox. Do you think she really loves Freddy or is she just hanging out with him because of the Brutran connection?”
“She befriended Freddy to keep an eye on Brutran. But I think over time she’s come to love him.”
“Does he know who she is?”
“Umara would never trust her secrets with a mortal.”
“But you’ve told me and Paula.”
“I know neither of you will talk. Besides, it’s too late in the game to worry about who’s who. Soon, very soon, humanity is either going to live or die.”
“Even if you get your body back, you’re not going to be able to stop the Telar.”
“You’re wrong. I have a plan.”
“One you might share with a lowly mortal?”
“Not yet.”
“Fine. Be that way. I have an idea what your plan is anyway.”
“I’m sure you do,” I say.
“Shanti’s excited Matt’s bringing the new vaccine. At the same time she knows something big is happening and she’s being kept out of it.”
“Shanti is young. You better believe Umara sees her that way. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
“I agree. She’s sweet but she’s led a protected life. She shouldn’t be burdened with too many secrets.”
“God, it feels weird for you to agree with me.”
“Don’t get used to it. Hey, I heard you on the phone with Charlie. Asking for large bottles of the new T-11 vaccine and the X6X6 virus. I assume that has something to do with your plan.”
“Don’t spy on my private conversations. You never know who might kidnap you and try to torture the information out of you. Besides, the new vaccine is called C-1.”
“After Charlie?”
“He invented it. He should be allowed to name it.”
Seymour studies the black blisters on his hands and arms. They are not only larger, they’re spreading. “Did Umara go alone to pick up Matt?”
“Yes. Remember to keep calling her Mary around Freddy.”
“I hope she arranged for Freddy to be out of the way tonight.”
“She sent him off to see his daughter.”
“Brutran’s child? Isn’t that sort of risky at a time like this?”
“The visit was planned far in advance. Neither of us thought it should be changed. We don’t want to raise any unnecessary suspicions.”
“If you ask me, Brutran knows exactly where we are and is just biding her time.”
“It’s possible. But if Cindy tries to attack with the Cradle, she’s going to run into a big surprise. Umara can block it.”
“Like Shanti?”
“Better.”
“How does she do it?”
“That’s a secret she’s keeping to herself. I’m sure it’s something that can’t be taught.”
“How was she able to mask her heartbeat from you?”
“Like Matt, she has complete control over all her bodily functions.”
“I guess a woman like that wouldn’t be interested in a guy like me.”
“She does have Freddy and he’s not a bad guy. Then there’s the age difference, that might be a problem. Besides, she knows you’re in love with me.”
Seymour is too damn perceptive. He hears something in my voice. “Is it hard for you to be around her?” he asks gently.
“She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
“More the reason to hate her.” He pauses. “It’s not like Krishna gave Yaksha a choice to be with you.”
I sigh, it does hurt, and it shouldn’t, it’s so childish. “Yaksha made his own choice. He met her and fell for her. The years were not a barrier between them. Their love was real.”
“But he never stopped loving you. He was with you in the end. That means a lot.”
“He was with me then because he knew I would not stop him, that I would let him die. I doubt Umara would have ever let him go.” I stare down at Teri’s hands and try to imagine that they will be dead before the night is through. “Can we talk about something else, please?”
“I’m sorry, Sita. I just meant . . .”
“I know, I know.” I rub my palms together, enjoying the warmth of Teri’s flesh. “There’s a call I should make before Umara and Matt return.”
“Are you worried if John is coming?”
“Paula called from the road. They’re on their way.”
“Great. John is finally taking an interest in you, after all.”
“I’m grateful. I have this feeling that everything will go smoothly if he’s around. But the call I brought up . . .”
“It’s to Teri’s parents,” Seymour interrupts.
“It’s hopeless, I know, what am I going to say? I’m saying good-bye to them while I’m still alive. Yet I feel I owe it to them. I don’t talk much about Teri’s memories. I try not to dwell on them. But they’re a part of me now. Even if this switch works tonight, I’ll take them with me. Mr. and Mrs. Raine will always be Dad and Mom to me.”
Seymour stands. “I assume you want to be alone.”
I reach out my hand. “I want you right here beside me. I want you to hold me, and if I get stuck, whisper in my ear and tell me what to say. Can you do that for me?”
He takes my hand and sits beside me. “Just let them know how much you love them. That’s the most important memory you can leave them with. And tell them that winning the gold medal in the Olympics was the thrill of a lifetime. That will comfort them in the days to come. Teri didn’t have a long life but it was a rich life. You need to know that, too.”
For some reason I hug him. “Thank you.”
Two hours later, I’m alone in the guesthouse. Seymour is in the main residence with Paula and John, who have only just arrived. I could hear what they’re saying if I concentrate but I don’t feel the desire. My hearing is focused on another car that’s turning into the long driveway. Umara and her extraordinary son are here.