Page 12 of Hers to Keep

“Oh, Willow, it’s marvelous.”Mari leaned against Cisco’s shoulder and let the tears of relief fall.She couldn’t believe how precisely every stitch of her father had been stripped away and transformed into something that suited them.She’d been dreading the party for weeks, but now she thought she might actually enjoy it.

Cisco wrapped an arm around her and held her close.“You really earned every penny,” he said to the sphinx.

Willow preened.“I’m glad you think so.I’m very proud of the work we’ve done.”They smiled at Rio.“You deserved a new start, the same as you were giving everyone else.”

Rio smiled through his tears.“Don’t make me hug you again.”

They held up a hand.“Please don’t.One a day is plenty.”

Movement rippled across the surface of the pool before them.Mari was just about to ask what had caused the disturbance when the entire house shook as Dohal screamed.

Mari fell to her knees as the breath was driven from her body by the wave of pain that flooded her.Agony sliced across her skin.A moment later, the sensation eased as Dohal cut her off from it, though she could tell he was still in trouble.Cisco wrapped himself around her, trying to protect her from whatever threatened her.

Before she had a chance to recover, a concussive pressure wave rattled the glass above and around them.

“Out!”Cisco shouted.He scooped Mari into his arms and dashed back into the ballroom with her.

Rio was right behind them, dragging a confused Willow along with him.“What in the fuck was that?”

Astonishingly, the glass in the conservatory remained in place, though waves shimmered across the water of the pool.

Mari finally drew a shuddering breath.“Something happened to Dohal.”

“Do you know where he is?”Cisco asked.

“Outside, I think.”She pointed vaguely in the direction she felt him.

Cisco indicated that Willow should go inside and wait for them and then carried Mari to the door that opened to the front yard and driveway.They waited as Rio peeked through and checked for any threats beyond.When he confirmed it was clear, they passed out into the cool desert night.

Kima and Dasher came around the corner of the house at the same time, their patrols interrupted by whatever had happened.Without a word from Cisco, the two of them flanked the group.Mari pointed again to indicate where she felt Dohal.

They found him collapsed near a decorative pile of rocks, covered in blood.By the smell, she knew immediately that it was his, though it was much too dark to see any wounds on his black skin.Cisco gestured that the guards should scan the area, and then set her delicately on her feet.

“What’s wrong?”Mari asked urgently.

Dohal started as if he hadn’t heard them approach, though they’d taken no pains to keep their passage silent.His eyes were wide and glassy.“He tried to kill me the way he did Argento, I think.”

Gasping, Mari moved closer.She ached to hold him but imagined that whatever was going on with all the blood would only hurt more if she touched him.“Are you okay?”

“He has failed to kill me, so I think the long-term answer is yes, though right now I feel like the Hells.”

“Your luck hasn’t run out yet,” she said with a small smile, hoping to ease him by lightening the mood.

“Not quite yet, bavi,” he huffed, and struggled to get to his feet.“Truthfully, I think it was you who saved me.”

Mari blinked.“What?I didn’t do anything.”

“My connection with you was wide open,” he said, embarrassment heavy in his voice.“While I am sorry to have hurt you, I think sharing the pain with you was the only thing that allowed me to bear it.”

She stepped closer.“Open the link up again.”

He shook his head.“I would not hurt you purposefully.Unintentionally was bad enough."

“I took the initial burst.Whatever residual is left can’t be as bad.”She stood taller.“Do it, or I’ll waste my energy clawing my way through.”

Cisco grumbled next to her, “She’ll do it.”

Dohal sighed and a curiously soft expression took over his face.“You’ll make me bend every principle I have to please you, won’t you?”

---