Free My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann Page B

as was he.
    Also, I don’t know the exact nature of what you do, but, even though I object to the decision my Monq made to send me through an untested device, I believe he intended to do a good thing. He thought he was saving me. The last thing he said was,” she blinked rapidly, “be happy. I don’t think his counterpart in this world would work for an organization that doesn’t meet his ethical standards. People here have been kind to me.”
    Without thinking Elora looked over at Storm and almost dissolved into tears again when she found nothing but admiration on his handsome features. “Storm. And the people in the infirmary. It would be difficult to believe that these people are on the wrong side of a thing.”
    Finally, Monq asked if she would go back if she could.
    She sat looking at her hands for a long time before finally saying, “Even if I were willing to undergo the physical challenge, I don’t think my world has the medical expertise to put me back together again.” She looked up at Sol. “It would be a death sentence.”
    She sighed as she absently glanced up at the huge, silk Black Swan banner. hung high at the center point of the wall facing the entrance. The background was the bright crimson of blood as it appears in the moment when it first leaves the body, before adjusting to the chemical composition of air. The rich red background was relieved by a white, equal-sided cross almost as large as the banner itself. In the center, in front of the intersection of the arms of the cross, was a large black swan. The graceful bend of its long neck was exaggerated by its bill resting on its shoulder giving an impression of sadness or melancholy. A medieval looking script superimposed on a banner across the bottom read, Furchtlosigkeit im Gesicht der Hilflosigkeit.
    “Perhaps that’s what I deserve.”
    The walk back to the infirmary was slow and solemn. Storm looked at her several times, but said nothing. He stepped into the room behind her, closed the door, turned her around and, taking her by the shoulders, placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through,” was all he said. Then he left.
     
    Storm walked away with a newfound clarity, knowing why Elora had always lapsed into sadness and despondency whenever she was left alone for a few minutes. He realized for the first time how much courage it had taken for her to choose to survive the desolation of being the last one standing. His heart was swollen with sympathy, but also with respect and admiration. And he was determined that she wouldn’t face the future without support and protection. And love.
     
    The hearing had been both emotionally and physically taxing and she was used up. She put on her softest, warmest, comfort clothes, turned out the lights, and crawled into bed where she immediately fell asleep.
    When she woke three hours later, Elsbeth, one of her favorite nurses, was checking her pulse. “Hi.”
    “Hi, yourself,” said Elsbeth. “There was a big guy around here earlier asking about you. Left you this.” She picked up a worn paperback book and put it on the bed next to Elora.
    As soon as she left, Elora sat up and looked at the book. Lord Jim . There was a bright, lime colored post it note sticking out so she turned to that page. It said, “Read this. – S.”
    Three sentences were highlighted: I’ve been a so-called coward and a so-called hero and there’s not the thickness of a sheet of paper between them. Maybe cowards and heroes are just ordinary men who, for a split second, do something out of the ordinary. That’s all.
     
    ***

CHAPTER 5
    BLACK SWAN FIELD TRAINING MANUAL Chapter 7, #7
    The vampire virus does not impart extra human abilities such as shape shifting, teletransportation, transmutation, telekinesis, or dematerializing. Their bodies are subject to the rules of physics including gravity. They are not adversely affected by plants such as garlic. Their bodies will be seen