“Yes,and Charlie and I let her!” Becca groaned. “What idiots we are! We thought sheneeded time to heal but she’s not healing on her own.”

“Nowwe know why,” Far said quietly. “This curse is no laughing matter.”

“CallCharlie and go to your friend now, together,” Truth recommended.

“We’llcall Commander Sylvan and ask him to meet you at Trin’s suite,” Far added,finishing his brother’s thought. “If anyone can help her, he may be able to.”

“Allright.” Becca was already reaching for the thin silver wire of the think-me.“I’m calling her. We’ve sat around for too long—we have to do something aboutthis now.”

* * * * *

“Youhave to take care of yourself,” Becca said earnestly. “You need to see adoctor.”

“Idon’t want to.” Trin closed her eyes, trying to block her new friends out. Whycouldn’t they just leave her alone and let her go? Let her die as the priestesshas foretold?

“Weknow about the curse,” Charlie said bluntly. “And we know what it’s doing toyou.”

“Thenyou know why I don’t wish to see a doctor.” Trin sighed. “There’s no doctorhere or anyplace in the universe who can help me.”

“Wedisagree,” Becca said.

“Thatis your right.” Trin closed her eyes. “Do what you want—I don’t care.”

“Wellmaybe you need to start caring!”Charlie’s voice sounded sharp. “Trin, I’ve tried waiting—looking for the girl Isaw in my visions to come back. You’re a starship captain for heaven’s sake! Youhave a happy, cheerful, calm disposition—or you did before that priestess gothold of you. You need to find that part of yourself and let her out!”

“She’sgone.” Trin could barely make herself say the words. “If she ever existed.” Theblood curse had eaten the person she used to be—eaten her and left nothing buta shell.

“Shedoes exist,” Charlie insisted. “Andshe’s got to come back but it seems like Becca and I can’t help you find her.So we called someone who can.”

Justas she spoke, there was a knock at the door. Becca ran to get it and came backwith a tall Kindred male with spiky blond hair and ice blue eyes.

“Thisis Commander Sylvan,” Charlie said, introducing him. “He’s the head of theKindred Council but he’s also a doctor.”

“Hello,Trin.” The male bowed courteously and Trin barely inclined her head in return.

“Weasked him to come and look at you,” Becca said softly. “I know you don’t wantany doctors but Charlie and I have done all we can—we can’t just let you wasteaway with this awful curse.”

Thatwas exactly what Trin wanted them to do—just let her die of the curse. Butshort of jumping off the couch and running away, she didn’t see how she couldavoid the doctor they had brought.

Thoughit seemed strange to be examined by a male medical person, Trin submitted tohis poking and prodding and tried to answer his questions. Such as…why didn’tshe eat?

Well,because she wasn’t hungry.

Whyhad she not had her wounds seen to? Didn’t they hurt?

Yes,they hurt but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered.

Whatabout Thrace?Didn’t she want to see him?

No,she didn’t really want to see anyone. Mostly she was just tired and wanted tosleep.

Atlast, after asking all the same questions that Becca and Charlie had beenasking her for days, Commander Sylvan stood back and frowned.

“Farhas told me all he knows about this blood curse that was placed upon Trin backat her home temple. And what I’m seeing is certainly consistent with itssymptoms.”

“Soit’s a real thing?” Charlie sounded skeptical. “I know what you told me aboutit, Becca,” she went on, looking at her friend. “But I just don’t see how itcan possibly work. The Goddess herself told me the deity they worship isn’teven real. How can she curse someone if she’s just a stone idol?”

“Itwas the priestess who laid the curse,” Becca reminded her.

“Andit is working because Trin believes it is real,” Sylvan said softly. “Youcannot remove the teachings of a lifetime in a moment, Charlotte.”

“Allright, fine—whatever.” Charlie made an impatient motion. “So the curse is real.”

“Realenough that it’s killing Trin,” the blond Kindred said gravely.

“Wellcan you help her get over it? Can you give her some medicine or remove thecurse?” Becca asked anxiously.

CommanderSylvan shook his head.

“Iam afraid there is no medicine for the kind of sickness the blood curse causes.”

“Wellthen what can we do?” Becca demanded. “We have to help her, Commander Sylvan.We have to.”

“Wecannot…but maybe a priestess can,” he murmured.

“Apriestess? You mean in the Sacred Grove?”

“Ithink that would be the best place, yes.” He nodded. “After all, did you notsay that a priestess from her home world laid the curse on her in the firstplace?”

“Yes,she did—the horrible bitch.” Charlie made a face.

“Thena priestess from the true Goddess—the Mother of All Life—must remove it. Trinmust be taken to the Sacred Grove. My kin—my niece as I believe you would callher—is here for a brief visit from First World.She can see Trin.”

“Who—Nadiah?”Becca asked. “I met her once when I was hanging out with Sophie and she calledon the viewscreen. She’s nice.”

“Sheis also the Mouthpiece of the Goddess,” Commander Sylvan said. “If anyone canspeak for the Mother of All Life, Nadiah can. We are very lucky she’s here,another priestess might have to see intoTrin—that is not a comfortable experience. Nadiah doesn’t need to see intoanyone to get to the heart of a problem—she has other ways of finding answers.”

“Soundsperfect,” Charlie said. “When can we see her?”

“She’sin the Sacred Grove now, giving thanks for a safe trip. Go there and I’llbespeak her and send word that you’re coming. I’m sure she’ll be glad to help.”

“Thankyou,” Charlie nodded. “We’ll try it.” She looked at Trin. “Come on,sweetie—we’re going on a little trip.”

Chapter Thirty-eight

NaturallyTrin protested that she didn’t want to go anywhere. In fact, she didn’t evenwant to leave the couch. It was warm and safe and comfortable—she wanted tostay curled up there forever…or until the curse killed her.

Butshe lacked the energy to fight so she finally allowed Charlie and Becca to batheher and brush what was left of her hair. Then they dressed her in a clean,simple white shift dress and dragged her out of the visitor’s suite she’d beenstaying in ever since she’d gotten to the ship.

Theytook the public transport down to the grassy, park-like area in the center ofthe Kindred ship. It was filled with families having fun, playing andpicnicking on the smooth green and purple grass and basking in the light of thesmall but incredibly strong artificial green sun which, according to Becca,also powered the ship.

Atany other time, Trin might have been interested in the things she saw allaround her. She had always loved delving into other cultures and visiting newplaces—it was one reason she’d become a ship’s captain in the first place. Butnow the picnicking families seemed too loud and the sunlight seemed too bright.She felt tired and hopeless and utterly alone, even though she was surroundedby people.

“Please,”she muttered as they reached the edge of a grove of green and purple trees.“Please, can’t we just go back? This is all too much—I just want to sleep.”

“Ifyou’re not careful you’ll wind up sleeping your life away,” Charlie remarkedtartly. “That’s what my mama used to say when she came banging on my door toget me up out of bed as a teenager,”

“That’swhat I want,” Trin said softly. “That’s allI want—just to sleep until I die. Why won’t you let me do that, Charlie? Why?”

“Becauseyou’re my friend!” Charlie took her by the shoulders and shook her lightly.“Because I know who you really are inside! You’re brave and loyal and sweet andcaring and smart and I am not givingup on you, Trin! Now get your ass in the Sacred Grove and stop talking aboutsleeping. It’s time to wake up and start living.”