Chapter 14

Thinking as quickly as he could, Miahally answered, I’d rather you didn’t. I am removing waste from my home, and it is embarrassing. Could you come back later? We might even be able to discuss that mating you wanted.

The young female’s face lit up. She’d been trying to get the old one to mate with her for quite some time now. It was true he wasn’t the bravest or strongest, but he was extremely intelligent—the one thing she wanted her offspring to have.

Alright, I’ll hold you to that! she replied, a little more excited than Miahally thought she should be. Sighing, Miahally knew there was no way around it. He was going to have to breed the little one, especially now. The thing was, he didn’t want it known that his seed could be extremely desirable. He’d already been through that once. Shuddering, it wasn’t something he wanted to face again. Looking at Ray, he finally got all of him inside. Good for now.

On Earth, Nali/Elizabeth was terrified. They’d attempted to awaken Ray quite a few times. Not only was he not responding, but now Nali couldn’t feel him at all. Both of them were scared. It was obvious that Ray still didn’t realize just how important he was to them both. Nali had been trying to teach Elizabeth a few of the techniques so that they could follow Ray and possibly help him. So far, Elizabeth had been able to leave her body with Nali. They’d gotten as far as above the Earth, then were pulled back; Nali had been impressed at the minefield that Ray had set up.

Elizabeth, we have to do something. If Ray doesn’t return soon, his physical body will expire, Nali thought to Elizabeth.

What can we do? We have tried to leave and actually got in orbit, but that’s it. What if we can’t leave? I am so afraid that Ray won’t return, Elizabeth told Nali.

As am I. We can’t go a very long time without him. I am afraid that you are linked to me, I am linked to Ray, and now I feel that Ray is linked to both of us. We all depend upon each other. If we are apart for too long, we will cease to exist, Nali said.

What?! I’ve just gotten a new lease on life, and now I’m going to have to give it up?! I don’t fucking think so! Elizabeth shouted.

Nali was happy. Finally, she could feel the power that Elizabeth had hidden for years; Nali was starting to feel stronger already, as she felt Elizabeth was. Good, Nali thought. She will fight for Ray as hard as I will.

Nali! We have to go to Ray. I am not ready to die, damn it! I’ve fought too hard to just die like that! Elizabeth said.

Ray jerked awake. “Elizabeth?” he said.

Miahally could only stare at him. What was that? Was that the spoken language of the Treg Trag? How strange, communicating that way—to not know the joy of talking in the mind.

Great Treg Trag, did you call upon me? Startled for a moment, Ray was almost at a loss as to where he was or what he was doing.

What happened? Ray thought, wondering how he got here.

If I may, Treg Trag, I believe that you expended too much power. I realize that your time is different from ours, but you have spent quite a bit of time here. Is it good for you to be gone long? Miahally asked.

I’m not sure. Though I am feeling very weak, I need to go back. I’ll return soon; I have to, but I am afraid that a year might have passed, maybe two, but I will try to hurry. Taking a deep breath, he reached for his body, scared at first when he couldn’t feel it. Concentrating harder, he finally found it, but it was extremely weak! Pulling, he was soon on his way. Trying to hurry, Ray found it was tiring him. First time for that, he thought.

Finally, he was back over Earth, but something was wrong. Damn, it was his heart! It was about to stop. Diving as hard as he could, Ray hit his body as hard as he could. Nali/Elizabeth both screamed when not only did his body jerk, but it also convulsed, taking a huge breath, then letting out a clearing cough. Damn, but he was stiff, Ray thought. In a squeaky voice, he asked, “How long?”

Nali took over, looking at Ray sternly. “Except for the short time you came back to talk to me, you’ve been gone almost 24 of your hours, all combined. You can’t do this again, Ray. Neither of us can survive without you.”