Chapter 3 The Rescue

Simion

Michael had shown up at my office armed and dressed for a fight. I approved. He would take us to the location, and the 5 of us could more than handle the men inside.

I had already alerted our law enforcement contacts, who were on standby to rescue the others here and clean up.

We traced back to the location, and I shielded us. It was night here, but night doesn't affect our vision. Balkalor shadow walked to the guards and slit their throats.

Then we entered the building. The view made my eyes go red. Michael's daughter was hung to a wooden X. She was in chains. Her back was covered in whipping marks, and from the state of her, she had already endured much this night.

We rushed the men participating, those guarding, and those observing. They died too quickly for my taste, but we had more important duties tonight.

I reached up and used my sword to sever the heavy chains. She collapsed into my arms and whimpered in pain as her back touched.

Zahaine threw a cloth onto the ground, and I laid her on it. Then he helped by using his dagger to break the metal cuffs.

I pulled my shirt off to cover her. She grimaced when I pulled it down her back, but made no other noises. She looked at me in fear and confusion.

"We are called protectors, and we help when we can. We were made aware of you and of your suffering here. We are here to take you out of this place. I must carry you. I know it will hurt, but it is the quickest way."

She nodded at me, then spoke, although I could see it was hard, "There are others."

She pointed to another door. "More people are coming to help them; they won't be left here."

That seemed to calm her, and she nodded. I reached under her and lifted. She sucked in a breath and held it, but gritted her teeth against making any other sounds.

She placed her hands on my shoulders gently, like she was leery of touching me.

"Hold tight to me." She looked at my face and complied by wrapping her arms around my neck.

We left the building and walked a short way away. Then we all traced to our home.

We shared a home as a team, all protector teams did. It made everything easier to be in one place. Our home was large and accommodated us well. We had already discussed previously that she would come home with us.

We had no idea what the council's reaction would be when they learned of her rescue. We also had no idea what her emerging powers would be or whether she had any control over them.

So we decided it was best to have her here, where we could protect her and help her assimilate. She was about to be introduced to a whole new world.

When I looked down at her, her eyes were huge, and I felt her trembling slightly. This was probably due to the tracing, but also pain and injury, no doubt.

I rushed her upstairs to a guest room we had prepared for her. I was glad we had thought to purchase a few clothing items this morning. I think they will be a bit big on her, but better than nothing, or our clothes, which would be huge on her.

"You are safe, I swear it. I promise we will not harm you. I will explain what just happened, but later. Right now, you need help physically, and that takes priority." I whispered to her and watched her absorb what I'd said.

I laid her gently on the bed. Zahaine had followed me in and was watching her.

"This is Zahaine. He is able to heal some. He is going to try to heal you. To do this, he will need to touch you. We will all watch over you. You are safe, none of us will hurt you."

I saw her eyes move between all of us, then land on Zahaine. She gave a small nod to give her consent.

"I am going to start with your mouth and throat. That way it's easier for you to talk." Again, a small nod of acceptance.

Zahaine lightly touched her cheeks and closed his eyes in concentration. His fingertips began to glow as his power flowed into her.

Her eyes were large as she watched him. He moved to her throat and kept his touch light and professional.

"How's that? Better?" He looked at her.

"Yes, thank you. I usually heal quickly." Her voice was soft and husky, and tinged with pain.

He nodded at her, "I am going to move down your body. I will keep my touch light, and it's only to heal, nothing else." Again, she agreed.

He gently touched her shoulders, then methodically moved down her body, healing what he could. By the time he reached her feet, both of them were sweating.

Healing is hard to do and requires practice and learning. It is also taxing on both the healer and the healed.

As he stood up, Balkalor handed me two bottles of water. I passed one to Zahaine and one to her. She accepted it gratefully and drank deeply.

"What is your name?" I was finally able to ask. Michael had left before she was born, so he never knew.

"Natalia, but I prefer to go by Tali," I heard Michael suck in a breath behind me, but I didn't give it notice.

"Tali, I am sure you have many questions. We will answer them. However, right now, you are exhausted not only by what you have endured but also by the healing itself. I suggest taking a shower or bath tonight, or both. Just be tonight. There's a TV here, and the remote is in the nightstand. We will bring you food and snacks. Tomorrow we will sit down and have a conversation, okay?"

She eyed me and all of us and then nodded. So, I showed her the bathroom and the new clothes. Then we left her alone for a bit; no doubt she needed it.