Page 62 of The Death
“You do all you can.” She smiled at him. “And just your being here with me is an enormous help. You brighten my life. It wouldn’t surprise me if Folashade turns out to be a much better reconstruction because you’ve been here helping me work on her.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s all you, Mom. We both knowthat. I’ve watched you work on those reconstructions since I was so young I was barely able to walk, and it’s always the same. They seem to know you’re able to bring them home when they’re a little lost, like Folashade.” He looked away from her. “But I don’t want to leave you alone.” His hands at his sides clenched into fists. “Don’t make me do it. I’ve heard all you’ve said, but I need to stay with you.”
Eve stiffened. It was clear that something was very wrong. She had known that Michael had been upset when they’d had that discussion, but she’d hoped he’d become adjusted to the idea that it was the only reasonable solution. But right now she could sense his pain. “Something’s wrong.” She got up from her chair, crossed the room, and knelt beside him. “Something’s different. When you went outside to get me that pitcher of water, did that guard, Jossland, bother you? I know what a bully he is, and I’ve been a little worried. Did he touch you?”
Michael shook his head. “He just scowled at me like he usually does. I think he hates having to guard us. I wanted to ask him what his problem is. But you told me not to have anything to do with him.”
“But something happened out there?”
Michael shook his head. “I just got my pitcher of water, stood there a minute, and then I came back into the work-room.”
“Michael?”
Michael was silent a moment. Then he looked into her eyes and whispered, “He’s here, Mom. Dad’s here.”
She stiffened in shock. “You saw him?”
“No, but I couldfeelhim. He was out there somewhere in the darkness. Close…”
“Are you sure it wasn’t just wishful thinking? We’re both missing your dad. You wanted it to be true. So do I.”
He shook his head. “I’d know the difference. I could feel him. I even knew what he was thinking. You know sometimes I can do that when I try, and with you and Dad it just happens even when I don’t try. This time it was just there and it was all about you and he was so sad.” He added desperately, “Believe me, Mom.”
“I do believe you.” She reached out and took him in her arms. And because she did believe him, it was scaring her. “You’re right, I never discount anything you do or say. It just means that we may have to face this sooner rather than later.” She pushed him away and looked down into his eyes. “Because you know that what I told you has to happen. I can’t let you stay with me, and if your dad is out there trying to find a way to take you away, then you’ll have to go with him. And if you say he’s sad when he thinks about me, it’s probably because he knows I can’t go with you right now. But you’ve got to be ready to go when he comes for you, because if you’re not it might put him or whoever he sends for you in danger.” She frowned. “Your dad would be smart to send someone else. Caldwell might have photos, and they might recognize him if he tries to come after you himself.”
“He is smart.” Michael was gazing pleadingly at her. “Mom?”
He was breaking Eve’s heart. “No. I’ll see you soon. You took care of me. Now you’ve got to watch over him.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Go back and get some sleep. We don’t know when or where he’ll come for you, but you have to be ready.”
He looked back at her for an instant and then ran out of the workroom. She heard the adjoining door of their hut slam shut.
Eve got slowly to her feet and moved over to the worktable to grab a towel to wipe her hands. She looked down at the face of the reconstruction. It wasn’t completed enough for her to be able to start working on the expressions yet. But it soon would be.
“Sometimes being a mother is kind of rough, isn’t it, Folashade?” she murmured. “I wonder how you felt when you had to send your son away across the sea?” Should she sit back down and try to concentrate? But she didn’t want to work anymore right now. She was worried and probably as sad as Michael had said Joe had been. Maybe she’d go and lie down on her cot so that she could look over and see Michael for the short time she’d still have him with her.
Take care of him, Joe.
And, for heaven’s sake, take care of yourself.
But she had only been lying down on her own cot for a brief twenty minutes when she heard a faint noise from outside the door leading to the workroom.
Eve tensed and then saw the door silently open. She swung her feet to the floor, her gaze still on the door.
A woman stood there. “Eve?” she whispered. “I’m Kontara. Joe sent me for the boy.”
“Bless you.” Eve was on her feet and running over to Michael’s cot. “We’ve been waiting, haven’t we, Michael? You have to leave now.”
He didn’t move, and for a moment she wasn’t sure if he’d obey her. She gave him a swift hug and said, “Not much time. Don’t keep her waiting.”
“I’ll be back for you.” His voice was husky, and his arms tightened around her. Then he was on his feet and moving toward Kontara. “You heard her. Let’s go find my dad…”
CHAPTER
17
THE MAZE BORDERING SHAFIRA
3:40 A.M.
