Sanctuary: Vid:ilantes, #5

By K.M. Carroll

It's not easy being Bloodbound.
Jayesh's magic and life force are mingled with that of the magic island, Sanctuary, and he is desperately lonely. The girl of his dreams, Kari, has been his friend for months, but she is still grieving her dead boyfriend. When Jayesh kisses her for the first time, Kari has a vision of his magic, and she runs from him. Jayesh is crushed, and his wounded feelings begin to slowly destroy Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, in Atlantis, an outbreak of strange cobra-like centipedes attack Bygone Island. The only one who can heal their bites is Jayesh, and his friends need him at full strength. But his damaged relationship with Kari disrupts his judgment and leads him down a path toward self-sacrifice that none of his friends want.

Now Kari will have to make a choice. Her love for Jayesh must overcome her fear of him and his binding, for to love the Bloodbound is to become Bloodbound, too.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.M. Carroll
• Release date: Feb 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201784966

Book preview

Chapter 1: Fateful kiss

When Jayesh kissed Kari for the first time, it nearly wrecked their relationship.

Kari had been sick with the flu all week: coughing, sneezing, fever, and aching in her joints. When Jayesh met her at the portal on Saturday morning, she arrived wrapped in a blanket, her auburn hair tied in a loose knot at the base of her neck. I don't know if I should visit, she said, coughing. I might infect you.

I don't think I can get sick anymore, Jayesh said, studying her with concern. Come on, let me heal you.

They spent the day on Jayesh's bed, mostly because his house was the size of a garden shed and there was nowhere else to sit. Kari slept with her head in his lap. Jayesh sat against the wall and read a heavy, dusty book on magic theory. His other hand rested on Kari's shoulder, gently emitting healing power, encouraging her body to mend.

When she awoke that afternoon, she felt better, and was even able to accompany Jayesh down to the beach for some fishing. But she was still too weak to do more than sit on the warm sand and watch him cast.

I wish you'd come to me as soon as you got sick, he said over his shoulder, his dark, wavy hair lifted by the breeze. I could have healed you a lot quicker if the virus hadn't taken such hold.

I thought it was allergies for the first few days, Kari said, digging her bare toes into the sand. By the time I realized I was sick enough to take off work, it was Thursday, and I knew I'd see you in two days, anyway.

He smiled and returned his attention to his rod, which had just given a promising twitch. Still, next time, don't wait so long.

As he reeled in something akin to a perch—the fish native to Sanctuary's pocket dimension were pretty alien—Kari sighed. It's a good thing you're cute, Jay. Because as a healer, you're a bossy brat.

Why, thank you, he said with a mock bow. He held up his catch. Looks edible. What do you think?

I'm thinking lemon butter with black pepper, said Kari. Wow. I'm thinking about food again. I must be recovering.

Jayesh cooked her dinner, and made sure that she drank lots of healing water from the spring. Then he set up her tent and made sure she was comfortable for the night. Afterward, he went for a walk in the dark with Suntala, his tiny dragon made of magic, for company.

I hope she feels better tomorrow, Jayesh said, walking along with his hands in his pockets. I can usually heal the flu in a couple of minutes, but this one just sneaks away and flares up somewhere else. I chased it out of her lungs and it went to her sinuses in revenge.

She's been working too hard, Suntala observed from his shoulder. She's run down. Haven't you noticed how tired she's looked the last few weeks?

Jayesh nodded, and kicked himself for not putting two and two together. Well, tomorrow, no hiking, nothing strenuous. Just rest. Maybe I'll read her this magic theory book. That'll send her straight to sleep.

Suntala studied him with one bright eye, his orange body glowing softly, like a shaded lamp. Why don't you tell her that you love her? I know you've been thinking about it.

Jayesh sighed. Relationship stuff is stressful, and she needs rest, not stress. I'll find a way to talk to her about it. Just ... not now.

Why wait? Suntala pressed. She's here. I know she likes you a lot.

It might be the end of everything, Jayesh said, halting under a tree to watch fireflies perform their ghostly dance. He sighed and leaned against the trunk. I'm not ready to take that kind of step. I'm just ...

Suntala looked at him expectantly, his glow pulsing with his breathing.

In his mind, Jayesh measured himself against the towering scale that was Kari's dead boyfriend, a super nicknamed Thunderfist who had died fighting a villain with terrible powers. Jayesh barely came to half of Thunderfist's charisma and achievements. He'd watched Kari and Thunder on HeroTube for years. He knew exactly how amazing Thunder had been. Who was Jayesh Khatri? A lowly healer with half of a magic shard who would never ascend the upper reaches of the hospital's pay scale. The Bloodbound of Sanctuary ... which meant that he healed people better on this little island in its pocket dimension. No charisma. A grand total of four friends. What kind of life could he hope to offer Kari? Living in a tent in a pocket dimension forever?

I'm just not good enough, Jayesh said under his breath.

Suntala blinked, and his orange glow dimmed a little. Oh. But ... but how are you not good enough? You work hard. You have a place to live. You have so much magic!

I'm not Thunderfist, Jayesh said, very quietly.

Suntala had watched the videos, too. His light went out. In the dark, the dragon whimpered a little. Then he reached up and licked Jayesh's cheek with a tiny tongue.

I think you're good enough, Suntala whispered.

Tears suddenly burned Jayesh's eyes. Unable to speak, he bent his head and nuzzled the little dragon. Suntala nuzzled back. He was the other half of Jayesh's magic, sundered from the shard in Jayesh's chest, and fashioned into a separate creature. Yet their life forces were bound together and they shared feelings. At this moment, Jayesh felt Suntala's unwavering faith in him. It almost made him feel better.

Jayesh walked on, fast, trying to outdistance his own tumultuous emotions and thoughts. It was better not to think of Thunderfist. Or of how Jayesh was only Kari's rebound, to be discarded once her grieving lessened. It was why he held back from her, never breathing a word of the devotion that beat in his heart for her. He signed his emails Love, Jayesh. Wasn't that enough?

He also tried not to think about his empath friend, Dylan, and how he had said that Kari had feelings for Jayesh. Talk to her about it, he had said a few weeks earlier. Sound her out. It'll be all right.

He walked to the spring and back, the spiral galaxy that covered half the sky lighting his way. He went to bed late, finally tired enough to sleep and escape the inside of his head for a while.

Kari was almost completely well the next day. Still, Jayesh insisted that she loaf and relax, while he handled chores and meals. Kari soaked up the attention like a thirsty sponge.

By that evening, when they went out to watch the sun set, Jayesh's heart was so full of hopeless longing, he ached with it. If only he dared tell her how much he cared for her. The weather seemed to be trying to help, the sun sinking in a romantic swirl of indigo and rose clouds.

Jayesh and Kari sat together on a bluff overlooking the beach, shoulders touching, comfortable in each other’s presence.

You know, it's fall at home, Kari said, smiling a little. But it's always summer on this island.

It might be an effect of the pocket dimension, Jayesh said. I don't know if this island exists as a separate planet with its own star or what.

The sun rises and sets, said Kari, gesturing at it. So the world must be a sphere.

Unless it’s flat, Jayesh said with a mischievous grin. Pocket dimensions might follow different rules.

Kari laughed. Don't tell me that beneath us it’s turtles all the way down.

As Jayesh laughed, he studied every detail of her face: her fair skin with its veneer of tan, the sweep of her eyebrows, the firm yet delicate lips. Her auburn hair was tied in a loose ponytail, stray wisps hanging around her face. But her eyes ...even though she smiled, the sadness had not left her sea-blue eyes. Maybe it never would.

Jayesh turned away and gazed at his hands in his lap. His skin was so much darker than hers, showing his Indian heritage. He supposed he was good looking, as far as that went—nobody had ever screamed and run away at the sight of him. But Thunderfist had been movie-star handsome, and Kari had doted on him until the sudden, devastating end.

No, Jayesh had never had a chance with Kari, not really. But here she was, her shoulder warming his. He wanted so badly to show her affection. Stroke her hair, touch her cheek, brush her lips with his own. He shouldn’t kiss her, though. He’d tried so hard to be her friend, and only her friend. She was grieving, and any sign of romantic interest would only confuse her. He sighed.

Kari looked at him. What's wrong? You went all serious.

Oh, nothing, Jayesh said, then kicked himself. He’d been trying to open up to her. It wouldn't hurt to let her in a little, show her some trust. I was just thinking ... how beautiful you are.

You were? She tilted her head and lowered her eyelashes, flirting. I'm not even wearing any makeup.

I hadn't noticed, he said in complete honesty.

She lifted her face a little and her lips parted, her gaze settling on his mouth. Was she asking for a kiss? Yes, yes she was. He leaned in and touched his lips to hers.

Her skin was warm and soft against his own. He closed his eyes and savored the contact, hoping some of his love filtered through the touch. Her lips moved against his, caressing, sweet and soft. He lingered, wondering if he ought to put his arms around her, or stroke her hair. In a second, he would whisper the fateful words I love you—

Then she jerked away. Jayesh opened his eyes and found her staring at him, her blue eyes wide and startled. Sorry, he said automatically. Maybe he’d come on too strong, or maybe he’d misinterpreted her signals. Or maybe he’d hurt her, somehow. It wasn't like he’d ever kissed anyone before.

Kari leaped to her feet and hurried away, into the trees. Jayesh scrambled to his feet and stared after her. W-wait! Kari! But she vanished without a backward look, almost running.

He stood there on the bluff and the color faded from the sky. The sun had set, the clouds gone muted gray and blue. Inside, he turned as cold as the wind that suddenly buffeted him. He’d screwed it up. Whatever had just happened had been his fault. He knew he shouldn’t have kissed her and he did it anyway. She’d run from him. Now he'd ruined their friendship, all because of a stupid kiss.

A sick lump growing in his throat, he strode into the trees, looking for her. He could apologize, try to make it right. He’d never kiss her again. But hadn’t she offered? Had he totally lost his mind and imagined everything? For a second, she had been kissing him, too, and she had liked being called beautiful, and she had flirted ... had he read her wrong? Or was he so bad at kissing that he’d chased her away?

Kari was at his little house, gathering her belongings from the tent. As he approached, she put on a pair of sunglasses, hiding her eyes from him. Her mouth was set in a grim line. I want to go home. Now.

Her voice lashed him like a whip. She’d never used that tone with him before. Jayesh had to gasp a little before his voice would work. Oh-okay. I’m sorry, really. I thought you were offering, and I—

Kari turned her back on him and stalked toward the distant portal arch, swinging her bag in one hand.

Jayesh stared after her, heat and cold washing through him from head to foot. She had never treated him like this, not even when she’d dragged him to a police station, thinking he was a smuggler. He must have really hurt her. Maybe his kiss had reminded her of Thunderfist and triggered some memory. Grief could pop up in all kinds of ways.

He tried to whistle for Suntala, but no sound came out. He snapped his fingers, instead.

The tiny dragon flew out of the trees and landed on his shoulder. Why’s she so mad at you? Suntala chirped.

Jayesh shook his head, bewildered. He hurried after Kari and caught up to her at the portal arch. She still refused to look at him, even when Suntala glowed bright gold. His light made a portal appear in the stone archway, opening a gate to the front yard of Kari’s little house, back on Earth.

Kari, Jayesh tried to say, but his voice cracked so badly that he stopped.

She didn't seem to hear him. She stepped through the portal without a word, climbed her steps, opened her door, and went inside. The click of the deadbolt turning was like a poison knife to Jayesh’s soul.

Suntala’s glow faded and the portal disappeared. Jayesh stood there for a long time, the wind ruffling his wavy hair, staring at that blank stone wall. It hurt to breathe. Tears burned the backs of his eyes. Kari hated him. He’d kissed her and now she hated him. She’d never stormed home that way, and then locked the door on him. Had he come off as a creeper? He replayed the moment in his mind. She’d offered him her lips ... or had he read her completely wrong? Maybe she’d meant to say something instead, and he came on too strong, and—and—

He wandered away from the wall, letting his feet carry him where they wanted. It was nearly dark by this time, and the wind made a rushing sound in the treetops in the distance. It sounded lonely, desolate, empty. Like his heart. Like the burning pain in his throat that wouldn’t go away. Kari ... the girl he’d admired since grade school ... the woman he’d tried to help avenge her dead boyfriend ... What had he done? Was their friendship completely wrecked? He’d ruined everything. He should have asked permission before kissing her. No, he shouldn’t have kissed her at all.

His feet carried him back to his little house. He went inside and lay on his bed, curled on top of the quilt, staring into the darkness. Kari, I’m sorry, he whispered. He should have said it before she left. What else could he have said? I love you. May I kiss you? It’s all right if you say no.

He knotted his fists in his pillow and pulled it over his face.

Chapter 2: Crystal Angel Monster

Kari sat on her tiny loveseat, hugging herself, shivering. Her cat, Neko, rubbed against her knee and said, Meow?

What the hell was that? she whispered, automatically stroking Neko’s head. What happened back there?

Jayesh had kissed her, that was what had happened. She’d wanted to kiss him for months, now. He had such nice lips, so soft and sensual-looking, and he was so kind and gentle and funny. But he’d been hurting for so long, barely recovered from the trauma of the mob beating and the lawsuit, she hadn’t wanted to push their relationship any further. Plus, she still had a gaping wound inside her heart where Remy had been, and she wasn’t ready to stir those emotions again.

But it had been such a nice weekend, and it was such a pretty evening ... she’d impulsively offered Jayesh a kiss. She’d half-expected him to refuse, but he’d been happy to accept. His lips had felt just as nice as they looked.

And then—what in the hell had happened? She’d gone from sitting on the bluff to being out in space. It was black and blue and there were stars and crystal fragments and non-human beings watching her. And Jayesh was this shining angel-thing with his wings cupped around her. And a crystal had said, Behold the binding. Beware lest you take it upon yourself.

Kari had looked around and realized that she was still on the Sanctuary island, but she was also inside of it. It was all around her, ghostly and crystal-like, shimmering with energy, electrical and alive. And somehow, it was Jayesh, and he was the island.

She drew a breath to scream, and just like that, she was back in reality, jerking away from Jayesh and staring at him. His soft brown eyes had looked so hurt and confused. Had he known what had just happened? Did he know that he was some—some kind of inhuman island creature?

She had to get away. So she had run like a rabbit to grab her things and get out of there. She’d even put on her sunglasses so there was no chance of looking at him—into him—and seeing him as that angel thing. He’d sent her home, like a gentleman, but pain and confusion had radiated from him. She wanted to hug him, assure him that it was all right, that his kiss had actually been very nice. But it hadn’t been nice. She had dropped into a parallel dimension or something.

She picked up a throw pillow and hugged it, blinking back tears. Neko sensed that something was wrong. He jumped up onto the loveseat and rubbed his chin against her shoulder. She lifted his fluffy body and hugged him, stroking his ears. I’m so scared, Neko. What just happened? What is wrong with me? Is Jayesh really a ... a monster or something?

No, he hadn’t been a monster. He’d been beautiful, all gold and green and violet, the colors coming from the shards in his chest. The wings had been similar to his fire wings, but detailed like a peacock’s in flecks of light and crystal. His love had burned against her lips.

She touched her lips with her fingertips, remembering it. He loved her. Good Lord, how he loved her. His magic and his love were intermingled to the point where he was actually dangerous. Some being out there had had to warn her off. What would happen if she had kept kissing him? Would she be Bloodbound, too?

That’s what this was about. Jayesh had said that he was Bloodbound. Kari had dimly grasped that he had some kind of connection to Sanctuary, but now she had seen it. He wasn’t bound to the island, he was the island.

She’d been playing with fire, visiting him like that every weekend. His love for her had set the entire island humming. She’d seen it in his eyes, but she’d thought it was only a crush, or a little harmless attraction. Not this ... this all-consuming tsunami of fire and magic.

Kari realized she was squeezing Neko when the cat squeaked his protest. She let him jump to the floor and returned to hugging the pillow. She couldn’t see Jayesh again for a while. He was too otherworldly, too frightening. She had to get some distance. Maybe his fire would die down. It would hurt him, but ... Good Lord. She had been kissing the whole damn Sanctuary. She’d been blindsided by the enormity of it. How could Jayesh be so powerful? She vividly remembered rescuing him from the mob, finding him beaten and bleeding on the roof, silently begging her not to give him away. How could that have happened if he was an entire island rolled into a single human being?

She got up and paced around her house, feeding Neko, doing the chores she had neglected while sick all week. How could she parse Jayesh the young man and Jayesh the crystal angel monster? Which was the real one?

What did she do now? Dump him? What a Dear John letter that would be. "Dear Jayesh, I'm sorry, I can't see you anymore because you're actually an entire island."

No, she couldn't do that to him. Crystal angel monster or not, she’d break his heart. And what would happen if his heart broke? Would Sanctuary fracture and sink into the ocean? At first she thought this was ridiculous. But the more she thought about it, the more she worried that it could actually happen. What would happen then? Would Jayesh die?

She halted in her bedroom and stared at herself in the mirror. Her reflection was pale and wide-eyed with deep shadows beneath her eyes.

Surely he wouldn't die, she whispered aloud. Girls break up with guys all the time. Nobody dies of heartbreak. Right?

But most people weren't as sensitive as Jayesh. Most people weren't islands, either, with more power than a nuclear reactor, all mixed up with his feelings for her. If she hurt him, all that power might go off, and there was no telling what might happen.

It made her heart pound until she could hardly breathe. Her hands had gone damp and cold with sweat. She wanted to jump in her car and start driving and never come back. He’d never find her.

But Jayesh hadn't threatened her. And he’d never try to hunt her down. All he’d done was give her a kiss when she offered one. And she’d run away without a word of explanation. The way his voice had sounded as he opened the portal, as if he were on the verge of tears ... He had no idea he was a crystal angel monster. He was just a sweet guy in love with a girl.

Kari slid down the wall to sit on the floor. She pulled out her cell phone and looked at her list of contacts. Her finger hovered over Jayesh’s number.

No. No, she couldn't do it.

She scrolled up and found James Chase, instead. Jayesh had given her the number, but she’d never used it. But she’d risk it now.

She opened a text message and began to type.

JAYESH WENT TO WORK at the Desert Hospital the next morning. He commuted from his pocket dimension to Phoenix, Arizona via portal, saving on both rent and gas. Dull misery hung over him like a cloud, trailing him down the halls. His healing power didn’t work as well. The shard of magic in his chest had dimmed with his mood, and even the usual boost from his secondary Pandora shard didn’t help.

Off day, Khatri? asked his manager, after he spent twenty minutes trying to heal a cold.

Jayesh sighed heavily. Feeling under the weather, I guess.

His manager peered at him over her glasses. Come see the other healer, then. We can’t have a sick healer walking around, spreading germs and making more work for everyone.

He knew he wasn’t sick, but he went along to the other healer working that morning. Healing magic was rare, and even the biggest hospitals could only hire three or four. Today, the other healer was down in the maternity ward. She spared a few minutes to pass her hands over Jayesh’s head and chest and apply a burst of healing power. It spread warmth into him and cheered him up a little, but did nothing for the unanswered questions that filled the back of his mind.

As he left the maternity ward, he passed by a baby being wheeled along in a bassinet. He glanced at the little pink face and a surge of feeling hit his heart like a sledgehammer. He and Kari could have a baby like that. A little warm bundle of curiosity and wonder, blinking up at him from the blanket. A child who could grow up in Sanctuary, exploring the beaches and climbing the mountain.

This vision hit him so hard that he found that he’d stopped in the middle of the hall and was staring after the bassinet. It wasn’t until his manager cleared her throat that he woke up and followed her back into the rest of the hospital.

Thinking of starting a family, huh? she asked.

Jayesh shrugged noncommittally. Kind of need a girl for that.

Don’t have one?

Jayesh sighed and looked at the floor.

His manager understood. She patted him on the back. Don’t give up, Jayesh. The right girl is out there.

He wanted to say, What if the right girl has decided to hate me and I don’t know why? But he didn’t.

It was easier to draw on his healing power after that, though. He chatted with patients as he mended wounds and fractures, and kept away from dwelling on the Kari situation. He was almost happy by lunch, when he picked up a couple of burgers and a plate of fries at the hospital cafeteria. Healers ate free while on duty. Healing took an enormous amount of energy, and no hospital wanted their healers collapsing.

Jayesh ate at a little table outside in one of the courtyards that sprinkled the hospital’s layout. It was beautifully landscaped in desert plants, cacti, and grasses, providing patients with a pleasant view while convalescing. It was chilly in the shade, although the sunlight was warm. Autumn in Phoenix meant warm clothes in the morning and shorts in the afternoons.

He let Suntala out of his hoodie pocket to walk around on the table. The tiny dragon’s orange scales gleamed in a patch of sunlight as he unfurled his wings and stretched them. He cocked one bright yellow eye at Jayesh. You’re feeling better?

Much better, Jayesh said, stroking the fuzzy ridge along Suntala’s spine.

Good, said the dragon. He stole a fry and dragged it across the table, where he took tiny bites. Healing always makes you happy, he remarked. But it’s not working today.

Gee, you think? Jayesh said in a low voice. He pulled out his phone and checked his messages, but there had been no emails or texts from Kari. Think I should message her?

Wait a day, Suntala said. It might take some time for her to stop being mad. Why was she mad, anyway? What happened?

I kissed her, Jayesh said between enormous bites of his burger. For some reason, it didn’t taste as good as usual. We were watching the sun go down, and ... I thought she wanted a kiss. I guess not.

Did she slap you? asked Suntala with interest. They had watched a movie a few weeks earlier where the love interest had slapped the man across the face after the man had stolen a kiss.

No, said Jayesh mournfully. I almost wish she had. At least I’d know what I did wrong.

Suntala adjusted his wings against his back fiercely. I told you once that I’d kill her if she hurt you. And she’s hurting you.

Don’t you dare, Jayesh snapped. This is between her and me, all right? I don’t want her dead. I just want to figure out what happened. It’s my fault, not hers.

Suntala said nothing else, but he ate his french fry as if destroying an opponent, peeling it apart and eating the starchy insides.

Jayesh had nearly finished his second burger and was chugging his Gatorade when his phone buzzed. Kari? He snatched it up and checked the screen, then set it down in disappointment. James Chase. He didn’t want to hear from his friend right now. James always wanted to talk about his superhero channel on HeroTube, or videogames, or stuff about his secret island. A few months prior, he and Xironi Heartlight had gotten engaged—or married, Jayesh wasn’t clear on the details—and were now deep in wedding planning. Weddings were the last thing Jayesh wanted to think about right now.

But after a moment, he picked up his phone again. Might as well find out what Chase wanted. Sometimes he messaged Jayesh urgent business, like news about the Atlantean exiles who were creeping through portals around the world and causing havoc, then retreating back to their home dimension. The superhero community had real villains to fight, and HeroTube had suddenly become a lot more interesting. World politics were, too. Jayesh was following these developments with uneasy interest, because if the exiled Atlanteans ever found out that a Bloodbound existed, he would become Target Number One.

Hey Jay, Kari messaged me some weird stuff. Can I swing by the island after work?

Jayesh read the message multiple times. Each time his mouth dried a little more. He