Overlord

by Cyndi Friberg

  She wove her way through the press of perfumed bodies and emerged in the small hallway beyond the balcony. Arpovae stood there patiently waiting, her lovely face serene. Her pastel gown was easily as fine as Eza’s and her mauve streaked brown hair had been expertly styled. She looked elite and had accomplished much more than most of the pampered Ayrontu, but she remained an outsider.

  “Congratulations, Prime Healer. Your son fought extremely well.”

  “Thanks to our Long Shadow friend,” she said with a knowing smile.

  Eza’s jaw dropped, and she looked around to ensure they were alone. They seemed to be, but she still moved closer and dropped her voice to barely a whisper. “Sage?”

  “You honestly don’t know who we are?” Her brow knitted, and her pale pink gaze registered her surprise. “How is that possible? You—”

  “We can’t talk here,” Eza stressed reaching for Sage’s mind. We shouldn’t ever speak of the circle out loud. I’m sorry. It was an impulse.

  My office is shielded from all listening devices, both magic and technological. “Would you have a drink with a lowly Sestaul? Malik speaks of you so often. I would love to become better acquainted.”

  “It would be my honor, Prime Healer.” Eza smiled, still in shock at learning Sage was Malik’s mother. They chatted absently of all the happenings since Eza’s return as they made their way to the adjacent corridor leading to the medical center. The passageway branched off the main corridor housing governmental offices and the council chamber. The medical center was one of only three multilevel caverns, meaning it could be accessed from any of the three levels that made up Riverside village. Riverside was the first Sarronti village, so it was also the largest. The caverns, rooms, and passageways had been expanded again and again over many centuries. They finally reached Arpovae’s small office, and she paused to activate privacy protocols.

  “Now we can speak freely. Nyrel routinely scans this office for listening devices.” She moved to the beverage dispenser as she asked, “Would you like something to drink?”

  “I’d love some kesta tea.”

  “One of my favorites too.” Arpovae activated the dispenser with a mental command, then guided Eza to the small round table in the back corner of the room. “How were you able to decide who to recruit if you didn’t know who we were?”

  Feeling a bit defensive, Eza sat and took a sip of tea before explaining, “I simply scanned each village and recruited the person I sensed with the most beneficial abilities for what we are trying to do. How in creation do you have time to maintain the sacred archives and run the largest hospital in Riverside? Anyone would be impressed with either role, and you do both.”

  Arpovae waved away the praise. “I’ve never needed much sleep, and I have very highly trained assistants. I thought you were entertaining yourself with the codenames. I never even considered that you didn’t know who we were.”

  Looking back now, Eza found her naiveté embarrassing. “I thought anonymity would protect us. Instead, it has allowed a cancer to infect the circle. Tajon warned Apex of our plans. It was obvious from Apex’s reactions.”

  “I agree,” Arpovae said with a sigh as she sat across from Eza. “Tajon is a problem. I’m just unsure what we can do about him.”

  “Kage offered to...contain him until we pass the merit-based proposal. Tajon wouldn’t be harmed, just held in a location that would make it impossible for him to interfere.”

  “Is kidnapping the only strategy ‘Kage’ knows? He kidnapped your nephew when he misbehaved and then held you hostage, when your brother demanded that his son be released.”

  “My nephew deserved far more than he got, and my brother was a self-serving fool. The overlord has shown remarkable restraint given the frequency and variety of the provocations he has endured.”

  Arpovae chuckled and set down her cup. “I suspected you and the overlord are lovers. Clearly, I was right. Is this just a casual dalliance or are you serious about this Outcast?”

  Eza hesitated. Trusting too easily resulted in Tajon. But she’d trusted Sage from the start and learning her identity only encouraged Eza’s faith in this female. The Prime Healer was known for her integrity as much as her ability to heal. “I can’t explain how it is possible, but Kage Razel is my mate.”

  “Really? Most believe that the ability to soul bond was lost with the Great Devastation.”

  “Apparently not, because Kage and I already share a psychic link. Arrista and several others have also found mates among the Outcasts.”

  Curiosity and scientific interest lit Arpovae’s light pink gaze. “Would you mind if I ran a few quick scans. If what you believe is true, it could—”

  “I’ll let you run all the scans you like, but not right now. We need to contact the others and decide what to do about Tajon.”

  “You’re right, of course. I just can’t resist medical anomalies.”

  “I understand.”

  Apparently soothed by Eza’s assurance, Arpovae relaxed. “Shall we begin?”

  Eza set down her tea then nodded and closed her eyes. She’d blocked Tajon’s access to the circle link before she contacted the others to let them know about his threats. She quickly reinforced the psychic barricade before delving deeper into the link. She began to send a locator pulse when she sensed Sorcerer and Sentinel already on the astral plane. Eza didn’t bother with her cloaked image, appearing as she was instead.

  Sage/Arpovae did the same.

  “The time for secrecy is passed,” Eza stated emphatically and simply waited for the others to unmask.

  Sorcerer and Sentinel dissolved their cloaks and paused to look at each other. Skinwalker was the last to arrive, and when he found the others unmasked, he took off his cloak without having to be asked. They each introduced themselves, but like Velmar, their names meant little to Eza. She seldom left the capital and had no dealings with those from other villages. In her mind, they still bore the names she had given them.

  “No wonder you were so eager to assist Malik,” Sorcerer said with a sardonic smile. “Does he know his mother is part of the Shadow Circle?”

  “My mate knows, but not Malik,” Sage admitted.

  “Your mate is governor of Riverside,” Sentinel realized. “Is he sympathetic to our cause?”

  “Very much so, but he has to choose when and how to support us.”

  “I don’t have much time,” Skinwalker warned. “What are we going to do about Tajon? He promised Seer two more days, but it’s doubtful he’ll wait that long to start causing trouble.”

  “He has already begun,” Eza told them. “I think he warned Apex of our intention to assist Malik.”

  “I agree.” Sorcerer said. “It was obvious Apex knew I was hindering him, or at least trying to.”

  “What does that mean,” Sentinel wanted to know. “Malik won. Obviously, you were successful.”

  Sorcerer shook his head. “Malik won that fight on his own. Someone was disrupting everything I tried. After my first spell, nothing else reached the arena floor.”

  Skinwalker looked at her, eyes narrowed with speculation. “Were you able to see who was blocking Sorcerer?”

  Eza shook her head. “I sensed the disruption, but I could see nothing specific.”

  “Tell them about the overlord’s offer,” Sage suggested, a knowing smile curving her lips.

  At least she’d said overlord rather than your mate or lover. “Overlord Razel has offered to contain Tajon for as long as he’s a threat. The overlord will arrange for Tajon’s disappearance and—”

  “I’m not sure Tajon can be contained,” Sentinel warned. “I’m pretty sure he can walk through walls.”

  “He can walk through stone walls,” Eza said. “How about energy barriers?”

  “He requires matter to sculpt,” Sentinel mused. “An energy barrier should disrupt his abilities rather than enabling them. But what about the floor, or deck if this is on one of the Outcasts’ ships? He would be able to create an openin
g in anything solid.”

  “Unless he’s unconscious,” Sorcerer said. His expression was dark and menacing.

  “Only unconscious?” Sage moved closer to Sorcerer. “I will not be a party to murder.”

  One of Sorcerer’s silky dark brows arched dramatically. “I said nothing about murder.”

  “How can we render him unconscious fast enough to prevent his escape?” Skinwalker asked. “Even our fastest mist takes a moment or two to work. I’ve seen Tajon in action. He’ll be long gone before the drug takes effect.”

  Tell them I can flip him like a switch, Kage whispered in her mind. He will not escape me.

  “The overlord indicated that his method is instantaneous,” Eza said, her cheeks heating. She hadn’t realized Kage was monitoring the conversation. She didn’t mind. It just would have been nice if he’d let her know he was there. “He’s confident that Tajon can be captured.”

  Sorcerer’s piercing gaze locked on hers. “Why do you trust this outsider, when you didn’t even trust us with your identity? What did you think we would do if we learned who you were?”

  “I was not worried about you endangering me,” she objected. “I was concerned that I would endanger you. I have powerful enemies.”

  “And we are beneath contempt?” There went that eyebrow again.

  “I never said that and I would hope my actions prove I don’t feel that way.” She was too thrilled about Malik’s victory to let anyone ruin her mood. Sorcerer was always difficult. She was starting to wonder if he entertained himself by annoying others. “I’m asking for everyone’s permission to involve the overlord. That’s why we’re here.”

  “How will you explain Tajon’s disappearance?” Skinwalker wanted to know. “His family will blame you.”

  “His family can say whatever they like. I’m only concerned about what they can prove, and we will make damn sure they can’t prove anything.”

  “How close have you become with Overlord Razel?” Sentinel asked, his blue eyes narrowed and flashing.

  “Her personal life is none of our business,” Sage insisted.

  Eza cringed. The immediate defense indicated that her personal life was linked with the overlord.

  “Their obvious attraction is an asset, not a liability.” Shockingly, the statement came from Sorcerer, not Sage. “We will need the Outcasts’ support once the Ayrontu start pushing back. If the overlord is involved with Lady Eza, it only makes him more motivated to assist us.”

  Sentinel and Skinwalker didn’t look as sure, but neither argued.

  “Are there any objections to allowing the overlord to ‘contain’ Tajon?” Skinwalker asked, clearly ready for the meeting to adjourn.

  “I have no objection as long as Tajon is kept in some form of stasis,” Sorcerer concluded.

  “I agree,” Sentinel said.

  “As do I,” Sage added.

  “What about the merit-based proposal?” Skinwalker asked. “Even if a rebel replaces Malik, the council is still split. There is no doubt that Indrex will vote against, so we have to flip at least one more vote.”

  “I’m working on it,” Eza assured him. “Ralnor has shown some interest lately. His mate is Ayrontu, but most of his siblings are Sestaul. The reps from Layot and Witernel should have been easy. Their designations are desperate for change, but they have been adamantly against all my proposals.”

  “They were both terrified of your brother,” Sage said quietly. “If their attitudes don’t change now that Malik is general. We’ll know Isolaund got to them.”

  Eza nodded. “One crisis at a time. Let me get Tajon neutralized, and then I’ll work on the other.”

  “Let us know when Tajon’s done. In the meantime, I’ll see if I can help with the elusive vote,” Sorcerer said then flashed out of sight.

  The other two males followed his example, so Eza released the visualization.

  Arpovae blinked her eyes open and rolled her shoulders. Her expression remained slightly pensive. “You need to take the fight to him. It’s the one move Tajon won’t expect.”

  Eza nodded. “I’ll let Kage know we have the go-ahead and we’ll work out the details together.”

  Chapter Seven

  Determined not to rush Eza, Kage stood back and let her work. She had been seated cross-legged in the middle of their bed for nearly an hour scanning for Tajon. She was clearly frustrated by her inability to “see” their target. They had decided against taking Tajon to one of the ships. If someone with the ability to reshape matter were going to escape for any reason, they agreed that it would be less dangerous for everyone if he were on the ground. A stasis chamber was on standby in the Viper’s main medical clinic. Kage could use his Mystic voice to render Tajon unconscious much faster than any drug, but would it be fast enough to keep Tajon from escaping? The only way to find out was to try. All they needed now was Tajon’s current location.

  “He must be inside a building with incredibly dense shielding.” She sighed heavily and opened her eyes. “I’ve always been able to locate someone once I’ve touched their mind.”

  “Have you ever merged your gifts with someone else’s?” He moved closer to the bed. “One of my gifts is amplifying the abilities of others. I might be able to increase your range and sensitivity.”

  “I’m willing to try anything. I won’t be able to relax until I know this danger is contained.”

  Kage held out his hand, knowing if he crawled onto the bed with her, they wouldn’t stay focused for long. “Let’s go in the other room. You should probably put your shoes back on. If we manage to find him, we’ll need to be ready to act.”

  “You’re right. Tajon shouldn’t be able to sense me, but he shouldn’t be able to hide from me either. This is really frustrating.” They walked into the outer room, and she retrieved her shoes from the pad by the door where she routinely left them. “Did you identify all your abilities through trial and error, or did you undergo some sort of assessment in your youth?”

  Her tone was light and conversational, but the gleam in her eyes seemed a bit too sly. “Have you been pestering Arton about my past?”

  She faced him, the span of the room still separating them, her shoes dangling from one hand. “I haven’t spoken with Arton, but it’s frustrating that he knows more about you than I do. I’m your mate. There should be no secrets between us.”

  “You know everything there is to know, at least everything that’s important. Why is this an issue now?” He moved closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I told you I had mentors, so obviously I was trained. My favorite mentor—”

  “What was his name? What was he like? He was obviously important to you. Why won’t you tell me anything about him, about them?”

  He closed his eyes and released a sigh of frustration. “I cannot, will not, endanger others by creating a connection to the person I used to be.” He opened his eyes and looked deep into hers. “That person is dead, that life forgotten. I am Overlord Kage Razel. Can that be enough for you?” She echoed his sigh and lowered her lashes, so he couldn’t see her reaction. But he felt it. The frustration and irritation were clear thanks to their psychic link.

  “It’s enough until you’re ready to offer more.”

  Stubborn female. He cupped her chin and gently tilted her head back. “I’ve offered you my heart without reservation. Why would you want my past? It’s unhappy and irrelevant to what’s happening now.”

  “No one will deny that both of us have unhappy pasts, but those are the events that resulted in who we are today. They are not irrelevant.”

  “Perhaps, but they are less relevant than Tajon.” Irritation flashed in her eyes, but he didn’t relent. She was in danger. Nothing else mattered until that risk was nullified. “The past isn’t going anywhere. Tajon could be planning to leave the planet even as we speak.”

  “Tajon is Jintta. He needs Malik’s permission to leave the planet, and obviously, that’s not going to happen.”

  “You’re presumin
g Tajon intends to play by the rules.” He shook his head and tried to pull her closer. She held her ground. “When cowards feel threatened, they run. There are very few exceptions to that rule.”

  She nodded and turned toward the couch, dislodging his hands in the process. “Then let’s find him.”

  Determination rippled into his mind, but he still felt her frustration, and worse her disappointment. He could deal with her anger, but he never wanted to disappoint his mate. “Why is this so important to you? You know I’m a fugitive. I’m not trying to hide some deep dark secret. I’m trying to keep them safe.”

  She paused in putting on her shoes and looked up at him. “From me?”

  “Of course not. I...” He’d been distancing himself from his past for so long that it never occurred to him that it might not be necessary any longer. She was right. Sarronti Prime was in a secluded corner of a distant galaxy. No one here had even heard of the NRS. There was no harm, no real risk in filling in a few of the blanks. “My mentor’s name is Lord Drakkin of Hautell, and he is extraordinary. His mate’s name is Aria, and they have four children, or they did last time I spoke with him. It’s been...a really long time.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled, and the tension flowed out of her posture and expression. “Now I can concentrate on Tajon.” She finished putting on her shoes, expression open and welcoming.

  Compromise. That’s all she’d wanted, all she needed, was for him to bend a little, to offer a little more. Relieved to have passed the test, he sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “So how does this work? I’ve never combined my power with anyone before.”

  “Rest your head on my shoulder and close your eyes.” He waited for her to alter her position, then turned his attention inward as well. “Can you feel our link?”

  “Of course.” Her soft smile assured him she found the connection comforting.

  “Flow along the pathway and into my mind. I’ll guide you from there.” Her energy swirled and spun, melding with his as she neared his mental shields. He guided her through and led her to the catalyst, a psychic mechanism that allowed him to enhance other abilities. He was able to do this with his own gifts to a small extent, but he’d found the catalyst worked best when he amplified the abilities of others. “Think of it as a doorway,” he suggested. “Push your energy through the doorway before you attempt to find Tajon. You should feel the difference immediately.”