Part 8 (2/2)

She supposed he dida”and his fluids belt changed and his blood taken again. But the man appeared to have subsided into sleep, though his fingers fisted and released and he mumbled.

Narrowing her eyes, she thought she saw the aura of the small cat impinging on Garrettas, helping him.

All to the good.

aAnimals donat get the Iasc sickness?a She knew that, but her voice raised in a question to TQ anyway.

aNo, Artemisia,a the House said.

After one last sigh, she got to work.

The next couple of septhours, she spent hands-on time with Garrett, wiping him down, rubbing ointments into his body, replenis.h.i.+ng his fluids. The kitten watched her, and the Fams outside the window rotated.

Ura Heather and Lark Holly arrived after Artemisia had drunk her liquid meal and energizer, and they all discussed Garrett. Heather referred to him as the case or the experiment.

Opul Cranberry was continuing to do well.

Before the FirstLevel Healers left, Lark Holly said, aGet a few septhoursa rest, Artemisia. The Turquoise House will monitor GentleSir Primross.a aVery well,a Artemisia said.

aWe will return at TransitionBell,a Lark said.

aWhat!a Ura Heather exclaimed.

aMany of those with the Iasc sickness died during TransitionBell.a aAs many folk do,a Artemisia murmured.

aExactly, thatas why itas called TransitionBell,a Lark said. aI will be here, at least.a aI will, too,a Ura Heather gritted out, but Artemisia could tell that the womanas niece had forced her hand.

Without another word, they both teleported away.

aTQ, please wake me every two septhours to take GentleSir Primrossas blood.a aYou should call him Garrett,a TQ said.

aNot when heas my patient, and he didnat give me leave to do so,a she said primly.

aHe thinks you are beautiful,a the House said.

Artemisia snorted. aI doubt that.a Once again she dabbed his face clean of sweat, then arranged his pillows.

The kitten hummed approval, then curled by Garrettas shoulder. After a deep sniff, the little cat raised his muzzle and smiled. Smells nice. I like being in a warm, clean room, next to a nice-smelling man. My room, My FamMan.

aIam sure heall appreciate you,a she said. Whether the man knew it or not, he was making a family. If he appreciated the ferals for what they werea”unique and uncivilizeda”it was another reason why he didnat care too much for overcivilized n.o.ble humans and their rules.

Or was she making sense at all?

The long day of summer wasnat done, but she was exhausted. Two septhours of sleep sounded like the most wonderful thing in the world.

She trudged toward her own bedroom, using real effort to push through the decontamination s.h.i.+eld. After showering, she slipped into bed. Long, soft summer shadows patterned the back gra.s.syard with varying shades of green. At any other time, shead have gone to the window or even to the garden. Not now. She could only hope for instant and deep sleep and no nightmares. Watching Garrett fight his own demons, relive the first time of his sickness, was nightmare itself.

And more would come.

Her eyes remained open; she continued to strain for sounds of Garrett. The sickness was progressing as if head received germs through second- or third-hand contagion, not a pure, virulent injection.

TQ said, aYou need sleep. I will observe.a She was used to a sentient Residence, but one who knew how to use its atmosphere to Heal and when to alert humans. So she hesitated.

aDo you not trust me, Artemisia?a TQ asked softly.

aIam just not accustomed to you.a She bit her lip. She did need her sleep. aContact me if his temperature rises, if he has convulsions or fever dreams.a aYes, Artemisia.a aFine.a She shut her eyes. The insides of them hurt with dry strain. Rolling over, she buried her face in the familiar comfort of her pillow and let sleep take her away.

He was the main driver nowa”good thing he was a quick learner and had mastered the controls. Old Grisc had hack-coughed his way to the first row of the main compartment. Garrett hadnat bothered to shut the door of the cab. No reason. Head started sweating and s.h.i.+vering like all the rest of them.

Night had fallen and sleet started. This was going to be bad.

For a while, head felt as if head already survived this; reality had been misty around the edges. Head even caught a whiff of clean scent that lured him into thinking of hidden sacred s.p.a.ces. And head thought head seen a well-kept road before him, leading to a special, wondrous grove.

But now rain and ice spattered and his breath shuddered from him, fogging the winds.h.i.+eld. Head have to go out and check the road and the vehicle.

Now there was only the trip and he was grimly determined to get this bus to help. Dinni was still alive, and so was the babe. They would live. So would he. If he fought hard.

So he did.

Artemisia woke before TransitionBell, made Garrett comfortable, did all her tasks, and tidied before the FirstLevel Healers arrived.

Then she gave her report and handed over all the fluid belts and blood vials. The work was tedious, but she kept her goal in the forefront of her mind. She was partic.i.p.ating in a project that might find a cure for the Iasc sickness. And she was ensuring her place on the staff of Primary HealingHall.

As minutes ticked to TransitionBell, they watched Garrett, and though his condition deteriorated, when the dawn came, he still lived.

The crises happened in the middle of the next day.

The trip would never end. He knew that now. He would be trapped, forever driving the sick and dying.

His eyes hurt. h.e.l.l, all of him hurt. He gripped the steering stick hard, peering through the thick fog before him.

Had there been fog before?

There was now, and ever would be. He was stuck.

And Dinni stood before him, sad faced as she so rarely was, tears dribbling down her cheeks and dripping into the mist with the scent of sickness, death, despair. She cradled and rocked her childa”her dead baby son. She was too pale. One last inclination of her head and she turned from him.

He knew shead walk away, as shead always walked away from him, and disappear into the mist. He didnat think he could bear it.

aDinni! Stay with me!a he yelled with all his might. He reached for her.

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