“We protect each other, and always will,” Krystabel concluded.
“But I’m—”
“You’re my brother, and I love you,” Aria insisted.
“You’re my grandson, and I love you,” Krystabel reinforced.
“You’re my mate, and I will always love you,” Eza joined in.
“I don’t understand how you can be so forgiving.” His emotions gradually calmed and hoped sparked within the emptiness.
Krystabel pushed to the balls of her feet and framed his face with her hands. “You don’t need to understand it, just accept our love as freely as it is offered. Your days of hiding are at an end.”
TREMBLING WITH ANTICIPATION and fear, Isolaund removed her clothing one article at a time. The glass-smooth water of the grotto reflected her image in painful detail. She looked exhausted and afraid, desperate. Only someone with no other option would even attempt what she was about to do.
Creating the battle cats had required genetic manipulation, Tajon’s special skills, and abilities only found in the ancient arts, the nearly forgotten rituals most considered “evil.” If an evil spell created weapons of defense and protection, could it truly be evil? The universe was filled with contradictions and complex equations that seldom added up to right or wrong. She’d tried to keep her life in balance, equal parts light, and darkness. But more and more circumstances drew her toward the dark. It wasn’t her fault, of course. Her intentions had always been honorable. She only broke the rules when others forced her into corners or refused to see reason.
Well, the entire Sarronti race had lost their collective mind, so it fell to her to protect them from the ruthless invaders. Cagor was the only one who took the threat seriously, but he tried to control her, to manipulate her. Apex was supposed to have taken Cagor’s place, but magic even more questionable than hers had robbed Apex of his victory, not to mention his life.
An unexpected pang of grief disrupted her orderly thinking. She’d allowed herself to become more attached to that brute than usual. Apex often annoyed her, but he’d excited her too. And he’d respected her in his own way. And like so many things in her life, he’d been snatched away from her through trickery and magic. She shook away the thoughts and the emotions, refocusing on the situation at hand.
The Outcasts must be driven off this planet, or they would irreversibly change Sarronti Prime forever. The Guiding Council, Indrex included, refused to take necessary action, which left defending the Sarronti to her. Again.
Losing her precious battle cats had cost her more than their companionship. She’d lost a great deal of her power. She couldn’t take on Kage Razel until she regained her full strength, and she couldn’t secure the world below until the Outcasts were gone. Or obliterated. So here she was, about to summon an entity so terrifying most refused to whisper its name.
She’d heard about this ritual all her life, but never before had she attempted something so audacious. It was dangerous, forbidden, which was part of what made it so exciting.
The grotto had been in use even before the Great Devastation. The humid cave and its shallow pool were shrouded in mystery and superstition. It was believed to be a conduit, a portal between this world and an older, much more powerful universe. Most were afraid to venture anywhere near the grotto, so she could take her time and build the summoning spell gradually. Her power was so depleted, she wasn’t even sure this would work. All she knew was she had to try.
Wading into the water, she tuned out her surroundings and focused entirely on the incantation. The syllables were awkward, but she must pronounce each phrase perfectly. The entity only responded to the most devout, the most serious about presenting their offering. The bargain was simple. The entity existed on the misery of others. It was nourished by physical and mental suffering, so those seeking power must willingly offer their body and mind to the entity. Power was dispensed in direct proportion to the amount of literal pain and mental anguish the individual could endure.
Cool water reached her waist, and Isolaund spread her arms, speaking the incantation out loud for the first time. Her voice trembled, and her hands shook as the water began to swirl. She closed her eyes, refusing to allow anything to distract her. Over and over, she repeated the summoning. She had to do this. She would not be defeated by a motley group of space outlaws.
Energy swirled around her, lifting the hairs on her arms and the back of her neck. Her skin tingled and the need to flee, to run as fast and far as possible nearly overwhelmed her. She silenced her instincts through sheer force of will and gripped the pool’s silty bottom with her toes. The water swelled and warmed, flowing over her body like curious hands. She held perfectly still, allowing the exploration, demonstrating her willingness and reverence.
Something brushed against her mind, stinging as it nudged her mental shields.
She fell silent, repeating the incantation mentally, thinking each phrase with authority and conviction.
Who dares to disturb my slumber?
The words sliced through her shields. She dispersed the pain, knowing her suffering had just begun. I’ve come to barter, to trade.
The entity laughed, the rumbling sound foreboding and cruel. A tiny thing like you wouldn’t survive long enough to make it worth my effort.
I’m no stranger to pain. I’ve lived through more than you can imagine.
You’re incapable of comprehending what I can imagine, but your misplaced arrogance intrigues me. Lower your shields. If I force my way in, you’ll go mad.
This was reckless, desperate, and so very dangerous. It was likely she’d go mad anyway, most did. That’s why this was forbidden. She had no choice! The rebels had seen to that.
Begone! I have no use for frightened children.
Wait! She lowered her shields, silencing her inhibitions. I am ready. I am willing. I offer you my suffering.
Foolish child, you should have run.
Mud oozed between her toes, the pool floor suddenly soft and unstable. She sank into the mire, her instinctual struggles increasing the rate of her descent. The water reached her neck, and she thrashed, flailing wildly and trying to kick. She screamed once, then her mouth filled with water and reality shattered in a white-hot explosion of pain.
Chapter Nine
The next three days passed in a blur of passion and speculation. Kage still insisted that none of his relatives visit him in person, but he spent time with them on the astral plane. The visitations gradually expanded to include other relatives and their mates. Sometimes Eza accompanied him, but Kage also spent time alone with his loved ones and mentors.
Eza was thrilled by the progress he’d made. The wounds in his past were finally starting to heal, which freed him to focus on the future. Still, she sensed a distance between them that she wasn’t sure how to overcome. Kage was with his advisors now, a daily occurrence that gave Eza time alone in their cabin to meditate. She’d contacted the Shadow Circle, and they’d discussed several minor issues arising from the outcome of the advancement challenge. Hostilities between the Ayrontu and the lower designations were escalating, but everyone agreed to hold off on any major moves until after the other challenges had taken place. Though understanding the logic behind the wait-and-see approach, Eza was frustrated by the inaction. Continual postponements and indecision were what made the Guiding Council so ineffective.
As the males blinked off, Eza turned to Sage/Arpovae. “I’m going to relinquish my suite in Riverside. The space can be better used by someone else, but I’m worried about Litta.”
“Who is Litta?”
“My personal assistant. The rest of my staff can easily find other positions, but Litta is a personal project. Her mother worked for me for many season cycles and trained Litta to take her place. Her mother was wonderful, but Litta is...much less competent.”
Arpovae chuckled. “And you’re too softhearted to just walk away.”
“She’s a hard worker. She’s just distracted easily. Most employers will turn he
r out after the first few days. I’m really worried about her.”
“Invite her to accompany you to the world above,” Arpovae suggested.
“I already did.” Eza sighed. “She has no interest in leaving her friends and family.”
“Send her to the medical center,” Arpovae said with a maternal smile. “I’m sure I can find something for her to do.”
Relieved to know Litta was in kind and capable hands, Eza released the visualization. She started to emerge from her meditative state when Malik brushed against her mind. His telepathic touch seemed particularly strong. Are you in the world above?
A team of your mate’s guards just escorted me to the detention level aboard the Viper. Would you mind having a word with them?
I’ll be right there. Sensing Malik’s agitation, she teleported to deck two, materializing in the corridor outside the security chief’s office. The computer scanned her and announced her visit to the occupants. The door slid open, so someone inside had authorized her visit. She stepped inside. Malik stood flanked by armed guards. Neither had their weapons in hand, but they both looked suspicious of the Sarronti warrior.
“Do you know this male?” the head of security asked. She’d seen him before but didn’t know his name.
“I do. Malik is no danger to anyone.”
Malik chuckled. “Not something a newly sanctioned general likes to hear.”
She shot him a warning look as she stressed, “He’s my guest. I’ll ensure that he behaves appropriately.”
“I’m still obligated to notify the overlord,” the security chief told her.
“I understand, but Kage already knows.” She hadn’t specifically told Kage about the unexpected visit, but he would have sensed the shift in her emotions and scanned the situation by now. Earlier in their relationship, his protectiveness would have annoyed her. Now that she could sense the complete devotion motivating his need to protect her, she found it comforting. Feeling safe was not something she’d known often in her life.
Eza led Malik out into the corridor. “I’m sorry about your rude reception. If you had warned me that you were coming, I would have met you in the forest.”
“Having you as an escort would have been a vast improvement, but I’m not here to visit my friend. I need to speak to your mate. Can you arrange it?”
“Of course. What’s the matter?”
“There have been developments. It’s time to make decisive plans.”
She wasn’t opposed to moving forward. The outcome of the Shadow Circle meeting annoyed her. Still, his urgency was confusing. Malik didn’t know she was part of the Shadow Circle, so she chose her words carefully. “I just checked in with several of my contacts, and they indicated that everything had stabilized in the world below. They all indicated that everyone is simply waiting for the outcome of the advancement tournament.” She strolled along the matte-gray corridor at Malik’s side, ignoring the surprised looks of the Outcasts they passed. Most of the Sarronti refugees were from the lower designations. They were overly thin and appeared desperate. Malik stood strong and tall. Though he was unarmed at the moment, he was clearly a warrior. His deep purple hair and pastel eyes didn’t help him blend into a world filled with black hair and gray/green uniforms.
“My mother is a healer,” he reminded with a knowing smile. “She sees the world as she wants it to be, not as it is right now.”
His insight didn’t surprise her. Malik missed very little. “Why do you presume Arpovae is one of my contacts? We barely know each other.”
He laughed. “You two are so much alike it was inevitable that you connect.” He turned toward her and lowered his voice. “I’m also aware that you know her by another name.”
Eza’s eyes widened at the implication. How long had Malik known his mother was part of the Shadow Circle? How had he known she was?
“I would never endanger either one of you. I hope that’s obvious by now. I share your goals, and I’ll help in any way I can.”
She’d known he was a rebel sympathizer, but this demonstrated a deeper commitment than she’d realized. “Thank you.” They continued walking as she reordered her thoughts. “Why do you disagree with your mother’s assessment of the situation below?”
“She might have access to centuries of recorded history, but she doesn’t understand military strategy. If we are not proactive about the coming conflict, we will have lost before it begins.”
Eza challenged him with a sidelong look. “Why must the solution be military?”
“Because the Ayrontu will not give up their power without a fight.”
She couldn’t argue with that, so she nodded then asked, “Has the transition been smooth so far? Has there been much resistance from the officers? This is the first time they’ve had to follow the orders of someone from a lower designation.”
“There hasn’t been a reason to object. I’ve yet to issue any specific orders.” He looked at her as he added, “That’s about to change.”
They took a lift to deck four, but Eza wasn’t cleared for restricted areas, so they were stopped by guards as they stepped out into the corridor. She pinged Kage, and he immediately responded.
Miss me, mate?
The warmth he pushed across their link made her smile. Do you have time to speak with the new Sarronti general?
Malik is here?
Yes, love. We’re waiting by the lift.
Kage signaled the guards, and they escorted Malik and Eza through the checkpoint and down the hallway to the war room.
The door slid open as they approached, and Kage stepped into view. “Welcome to the Wheel.”
The briefing must have concluded because only Torak and Arton remained at the elevated table. The wall-size view screen across from the door displayed an aerial view of the Outcast settlement. Every time she saw the complex from this perspective, she was both impressed and saddened by all the Outcasts had accomplished in so short a time.
Kage moved aside, allowing them to enter. “This is Warlord Torak Payne, my second-in-command.” Kage motioned toward the massive blond. “And Arton Lux, my top advisor,” Kage introduced the harbinger.
“This is General Malik Xett of the Sarronti,” Eza told the others. “I’ll see you later,” she said to Kage, then turned to go.
“Lady Eza, I’d prefer it if you stay,” Malik said.
Kage’s brow arched. “I have no secrets from my mate, but why do you want her here?”
“She represents the Ayrontu on the Guiding Council. Most of what I’m about to propose directly affects her designation. It’s important that she and I agree.”
Kage looked at her questioningly, so she nodded. Kage took his usual place at the head of the table. Malik and Eza sat facing Arton and Torak.
“What can we do for you, general?” Kage asked after everyone settled onto their backless chairs.
“I’d like to discuss what we can do for each other,” Malik said. “As I presume you’re aware, there has been a significant power shift in the world below. I now control the military, but this makes me ineligible to participate in the Guiding Council.”
“Why is that?” Torak asked. “Most governments want military leaders involved in major decisions.”
“Our Guiding Council is meant to balance military aggression as well as the vastly different priorities of our six designations. I’ve always thought the entire population would have been better served by representatives from each village, but that’s a debate for another day.”
Eza became part of the Guiding Council after its formation, so she wasn’t sure if Malik’s idea had ever been proposed. Her mind began to process, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of such a council. She was so busy contrasting the two concepts that she realized she wasn’t paying attention to what Malik was saying now.
“I will still have input,” Malik told Torak. Apparently answering a question, Eza hadn’t heard. “But indirectly through the Jintta, my designation’s, representative.”
&nb
sp; Torak looked like he wanted to say more, but a warning look from Kage kept the warlord silent.
The village locations and the focus of their industry made each unique and important. It really did make more sense to have members of the Guiding Council represent a specific village rather than a designation. Villages were integrated communities, bound by common goals and ideals. Designations simply identified the significance the ruling class put on what each individual did.
She suddenly wished she had thought of this alternative. By changing the structure of the council, it would empower each village while not touching the precious designations. Yet empowering the villages would also make the designations all but irrelevant. Gods, this was clever. She looked at Malik thoughtfully. She wanted to delve deeper into the concept. Yet it had just been a passing comment. This revolutionary idea wasn’t even why Malik was here.
“Please continue,” Kage encouraged.
It probably didn’t matter if they proposed the idea or not. Eza’s mind continued to whirr. There was no way they could get the Guiding Council to agree to something this radicle. As things stood now, the rebels would be lucky to pass the merit-based proposal.
“I’ve recently learned that the Ayrontu officers have bribed or threatened some of our best fighters to participate in the tournament,” Malik was saying. “Their purpose is twofold. They’re hoping to retain their power and authority by placing their puppet on the council. They also want to prolong the advancement process as long as possible.”
“What do they gain by dragging it out?” Arton asked.
“By acting within the structure that binds all designations, we—the rebels—are attempting to avoid a literal war with the Ayrontu. Our attempt to abolish the designations failed, so our next attempt will be to make all the designations merit-based.”
At the start of the meeting, Eza believed it was the only way to further their cause. Now she wasn’t as sure.
Apparently wondering why she was so quiet, Malik shot her a curious look. “The representatives from two of the lower designations have previously voted to block these changes. I believe they were afraid of military retaliation.”
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