Eternal Read Free

set bells jingling somewhere back in the house.
    Madera must have been waiting up for us. He came to the door right away and opened it wide into an entryway full of plants. He looked a lot like Caeran—tall and slim, chiseled face—except his hair was black instead of red-brown. He wore it loose over a caftan, and it hung to his waist. He smiled when Len introduced me.
    â€œWelcome, Amanda,” he said in a deep, quiet voice. His gazed fixed on my pink vet wrap, then he looked at Len, whose vet wrap was purple. “What is this?”
    â€œOh—we gave blood today.” Len started picking at her vet wrap. “We could probably take these off now.”
    â€œWait a moment,” Madera said, frowning. “Come in here.”
    He led us through a doorway to the right and into a big, long great room with a dining table at the far end. Near the table was another door. Madera went through, leaving us alone.
    I looked at Len, but before I could make a smart remark, Madera was back with a little bottle of brown glass. “This will help you heal more quickly.”
    We undid our wrappings and Madera rubbed a little oil on each of our punctures. It had a faintly green smell, and tingled a little while he rubbed it in. He insisted on doing Caeran’s arm, too, then he corked the bottle.
    â€œThanks,” I said.
    â€œYou are welcome. No doubt you are also tired after your journey. I have rooms ready for you.”
    He led us through the far door, which opened onto an interior courtyard . This really was an old-style hacienda, built for defense against marauding Indians or covetous neighbors. Surrounding an inner courtyard was a covered portal enclosed in glass that was obviously a modern addition. A door in each glass wall stood open to the night, which was getting chilly. Len was right, it was cold up here even in early summer. I wished I’d put on my sweater.
    As Madera led us along the portal I admired the courtyard through the glass. Plazuela , my brain supplied at random. Thank you, New Mexico history class.
    The plazuela was paved in flagstone and had patio furniture and bushes scattered around. I smelled lilacs and heard the trickle of water. I spotted the fountain at the west side just before Madera opened a door on the right and went in. A moment later the room filled with soft light, and he came back to the door, gesturing welcome.
    â€œ This room is for you, Amanda. The bathroom is next door.”
    Cozy. Bed, nightstand, dresser, all of rustic pine carved in a vaguely Spanish style. A decanter and water glass stood on the dresser. The warm light was coming from from a lamp on the nightstand. There was even a kiva fireplace.
    â€œ It’s beautiful. Thanks so much.”
    I was too tired to be more eloquent. Madera said goodnight and led Len and Caeran away along the portal . I watched them turn the corner and then closed the door.
    So tired. And confused about the creepy guy. Sure, I never wanted to see him again. The solution was simple: stay away from the blood donor center. No problem.
    Except my gut had told me in no uncertain terms to flee. And Caeran had said he was a tracker.
    I wondered how Caeran knew, but there was no use worrying about it. We were far from Albuquerque now. Might as well enjoy the weekend.
    I plugged in my cell phone, then dug out my toothbrush and headed for the bathroom. As I came out of my door I thought I saw movement to my left, but by the time I looked there was nothing. Frowning, I walked all the way to the door into the living room at end of the passage.
    I stood listening but all I heard was the fountain and a cricket chirping somewhere. Finally I gave up, went back and found the bathroom, brushed teeth, washed face, then returned to my room to hit the sack.
    There was an old-fashioned hook latch on the door. It wouldn’t hold up to a good kick, but I latched it anyway, and felt better.
    I got in bed and lay listening to the nothing.