Ashlyn Chronicles 2: 2288 A.D.: A Time Travel Sci-Fi Fantasy by Glenn van Dyke, Renee van Dyke Read Free Book Online Page A

recalling the warmth of the energy she had felt moments before. She found it within her heart. Her emotional desire to heal Enki carried an intense strength. Her mind latched on to it with an iron grip.
    When Ninmah finally looked up from her husband, she saw a light emanating from inside Ashlyn, from her heart. It grew in size and brightness, spreading to her shoulders and down her arms until it enveloped her hands. The surge of light then spread into Enki’s hand and up his arm.
    Some of those watching took a step back, some a step closer—a simultaneous expression of their fear and their hope.
    The light spread over Enki, growing in brightness. Soon, like Ashlyn, he was radiating from within. Ashlyn’s mind could see his heart. She sent a surge of energy into it.
    Ninmah noticed it first and with a simple glance at Steven, conveyed her thoughts. Ashlyn had succeeded in restarting his heart. Ninmah lifted the flap of leather covering the worst of his injuries. Only Ninmah seemed unsurprised to see that Enki’s wounds were closing, healing.
    Though unconscious, Enki took an inhaling breath. With each passing moment as his breaths grew stronger and more steady, Ashlyn grew weaker. The life-force strengthening him was draining her. Her hands were trembling, her body twitching.
    Without warning, Steven felt the room begin to spin, his vision blurred. The linked aura between him and Ashlyn was draining his energy as well. He put his hand to the floor trying to regain his balance. Ninmah noticed his stagger and put her hand on his arm, steadying him.
    The light within Enki and Ashlyn dimmed. Ash slumped backwards, unconscious. Steven caught her shoulders and pulled her into himself, gently letting her head settle upon his lap.
    Ninmah reached for a device sitting atop the navigation array next to her. She ran it down the length of Enki’s chest. “He’s alive, barely—but he’s alive. If we can get him home to Heaven, he’s got a fighting chance.”
    Ninmah paused briefly, then asked, “Solon, have we made contact with any of our ships?”
    “Yes, Lady Ninmah. We have four vessels besides this one, remaining. They are all heavily damaged. Only one is capable at this time of initiating the jump to Heaven. The Kisurra. The Arkane will be operational in a few hours. The others—” Solon shook his head.
    “Very well, Solon. Get a team to move Lord Enki to the Kisurra. Tell the Kisurra’s commander to prep a stasis chamber for Lord Enki and prepare the ship for launch. We leave for Heaven in one hour.”
    Steven spoke up. “Use my ship. The Keeper can help you.”
    Ninmah shook her head. “The two of you must go after Lord Enlil, before he gathers more forces against you. When we leave for Heaven—so must you leave for Earth, this Hadaesia as you call it.”
    Steven nodded, but added, “Ashlyn will be staying here. For the moment, she has her own path to follow on Tiamat.
    “I’ll be going to Hadaesia alone. I need to take the Arkane along as well.” He’d not forgotten the Keeper’s story, and how the Arkane had brought so many life forms from Hadaesia back to Tiamat, saving them from extinction. It had been one of the reasons for why the people of Tiamat would someday change Tiamat’s name to Earth. They were honoring all the sacrifices the Anunnaki had made for them. “We need to talk,” said Steven. “Privately.”
    “Apparently, we do.” While staring at Steven, Ninmah directed her words to Solon. “Solon, tell the Arkane that I am ordering them to accompany Lord Steven to Earth to confront Lord Enlil. They are not to question his commands. They are to return to Heaven, only when and if Lord Steven gives them permission to do so. Until such time, they are bound to him, giving him their support. Tell them to contact Lord Steven the moment their ship is jump capable.”
    “I beg your forgiveness, Lady Ninmah—but the Arkane is not a good choice of vessels for an offensive confrontation with Enlil.