Free Determinant -Guardians of Vesturon [3] by A.M. Hargrove Page B

but this could have major consequences for the entire human population. I will contact my father so you can gain permission to come to Earth to assist me.”
    My lord, there is no need for that. “‘Under extreme situations, including the threat of disease epidemic, the healer shall be allowed interplanetary travel without first seeking approval by the Council,’ and I quote,” Julian said. “I shall teleport there and bring the supplies you will need to treat her,” he informed me.
    I sighed in relief, as I was not completely sure of what I would need to do.
    “Bloody hell, I had forgotten about that. Thank you Julian. How can I stop the spread of this virus at the Compound? I do not want to endanger anyone there.”
    “No need to worry. Vesturions are immune to small pox. My lord, where are Maddie and Rayn?” Julian asked.
    I thought for a moment before answering. “I believe they are on Vesturon at the Universal Leadership Conference. Can you confirm that before I take the female to the Compound?”
    “Yes, I must. Since Maddie is part human, she could be at risk. She must stay clear of Earth until we find the source of this outbreak.”
    “Julian, contact my father and Rayn. I need to move the human as quickly as possible.”
    “I will do that and I shall see you shortly.”
    I gathered her into my arms and lifted her. Her lifeless eyes fluttered open again and she began murmuring.
    “You are so beautiful. Surely you must be my guardian angel. Are you here to help me die?” She whispered so quietly that if I didn’t have such acute hearing, I doubt I would have heard her. She tried to raise her hand but it limply fell into her lap.
    “I am here to help you. I am taking you somewhere so you can be healed.”
    “No...you must stop angel. Please…I want to die,” she pleaded.
    “You are terribly ill; you cannot mean that.”
    “Oh, but I do. I cannot take my own life and I cannot go on like this. Please angel, stop for just one minute.”
    Against my better judgment, I did as she asked. She kept staring at me with her unusual soulful eyes.
    “Why do you want to die?” I couldn’t help asking her.
    She smiled wistfully and struggled to say, “It’s a long story. Please…sit and hold me for a moment? I have never been held by someone... I like the feel of your arms around me.”
    I could not believe no one had ever held this beautiful creature before. It must be the delirium of the fever making her say such things. Who would ever allow something like that to happen?
    “Surely you have been held by someone...your mother maybe.”
    “My mother hates me and will be happy when she hears of my death. She won’t have to worry about me bothering them anymore. Please...just for a minute...hold me...” she pleaded, her voice weakening further.
    I sank to the ground on my knees and leaned back on my heels. I placed her in my lap, holding her close to my chest. She attempted to smile at me and I felt my heart constrict. I couldn’t stop myself from delving into her mind and again I felt such deep pain...not just physical but emotional pain. I was mistaken. She was not delirious...she had never experienced the feeling of being held by anyone before. There were no memories of such comfort in her mind. How cruel to live a life with the absence of touch.
    “You are in my mind angel...I can feel you there. That’s good...you know I am ready to see God now. Thank you for holding me. I understand why people crave this...it is so comforting.” She struggled to move her arms again but didn’t have the strength.
    I took her hand in mine and placed it upon my cheek. Then I heard her mutter, “I never knew my guardian angel would be so beautiful. You remind me of the sun setting...you are glowing. Have I passed? Is that why you are so bright?”
    I was shocked by her questions. That made several things she said surprising. First, as a human, she shouldn’t have felt my mind probe. Second, now she was seeing my