Alora: The Wander-Jewel (Alora 1)

Vindrake spotted a man he’d seen previously—a tall man, trim and fit, with graying hair, dressed in unusual clothes. This had to be one of the people from the other realm Raelene was discussing. He planted himself within sight of the man and waited for Alora to return. Suddenly, a piercing cry came out of the burning council building. Then there was silence.

Raelene ran toward the building. Graely and the man beside Vindrake followed her. “Alora! They must have transported into the fire!” She peered through the doorway into the smoke and fire. “Alora! Kaevin!”

Graely called for more buckets of water to be thrown inside the doorway.

“Surely she popped back to Montana,” said the tall man. “I can’t believe they’re still in there!”

******

Alora and Kaevin transported back t

o the living room at the ranch, bringing the fire with them and landing almost on top of Karen and Janice. The room spun as Kaevin pushed her to the floor and rolled with her. Beth’s mother grabbed a blanket and threw it over them.

She heard Bozeman barking in frantic excitement, and Kaevin pushed the blanket off their heads with his arms. Jireo grabbed Bozeman by his collar and spoke into his ear to calm him down, while Beth appeared with a wet towel, pressing it against their smoldering clothes.

“What happened?” asked Brian. “Did you go to the wrong building?”

“No,” said Alora. “At least, I don’t think so. But wherever we went, there was a major fire burning.” What could have happened so quickly? Had someone dropped a bomb on the council building? No, they didn’t have bombs in Laegenshire. She imagined her Uncle Charles caught in the burning fire and began to tremble.

“You’re shaking! Are you burned?” Kaevin examined her face and hands.

“I think I’m more scared then injured. I think only my coat caught fire. Maybe a little burn on my fingers. What about you?”

“I’m all right, but I smell singed hair. I think it’s yours.”

“We have to go back,” said Alora. “What if someone’s trapped in the fire?”

“I agree,” said Kaevin. “But my head is pounding. Yours, too?”

“Yes,” Alora admitted. “Kiss me, and I’ll transport straight to Raelene.”

“Wait!” At Jireo’s cry, she tore her lips away, and saw Bozeman bounding toward her. He jumped on her just as they transported.

Alora and Kaevin appeared in front of Raelene, with Bozeman in tow. Alora, swaying from the pounding and dizzying sensation in her head, clung to Kaevin for support.

“Kaevin, help me.”

“I know. I feel it, too.” He wrapped her in his arms.

“I was so afraid you were both caught in the fire!” Raelene cried.

“What happened?” Alora heard Kaevin’s voice rumbling in his chest. “Is anyone hurt?”

“The fire started right after your last transport.” This time she heard Graely speaking. She opened her eyes, struggling to focus on his face. Graely’s forehead was creased with worry. “We don’t understand what caused it. But you need to take Charles back to safety. I’ll put on irons so you can talk with me later tonight.”

“You don’t want us to stay and help with the fire?” asked Charles. The townspeople were frantically throwing water on the flaming building.

“He’s here—my father’s here!” The nauseous sense of evil overwhelmed her. Combined with her headache, she could barely stay on her feet.

“Did you see him?” Kaevin shifted his weight to support her as she stumbled.

“No. No, I—I feel him. He’s here.” Saliva poured into her mouth, and she fought the urge to throw up.

“Just go,” said Graely. “Take Charles and go.”

“I don’t know if I can do it,” said Alora. “My head... everything’s spinning.”

Kaevin kissed her again, but she was way beyond feeling anything pleasant from the contact. “We have to try, Alora. Grab my arm, Charles. But where’s Bozeman? He came back with us.”