A Blue Star Rising

by Cecilia Randell

  Behind him, Sarah stiffened, and a tear spilled over her cheek. Blue allowed Jason to pull her up and lead her away.

  “Harsh, Jason. That was harsh.”

  He snorted. “As you may know by now, I don’t appreciate people, whoever they may be, attacking my friends.”

  “I think she really does like you. I— I teased her that she would never have you. She said something I didn’t like about Forrest, and I got angry and lashed out. I shouldn’t have. There was no real reason to say what I did.” Blue shook her head. “I’m rambling. I’m just saying that the last part, what you overheard, she was provoked. Can’t say I blame her, really.”

  “Too nice for your own good. That’s what you are.” He paused in the foyer. “Wait for me here. I need to say goodbye to Moira, who is the one who asked me to take Sarah to the menagerie, by the way.”

  Blue patted his arm. “And you said yes because, deep down, you’re also too nice.”

  He raised a brow. “Very deep down.”

  “Oh, so far down it would take a submarine to find it. Now go say your goodbyes so I can start worrying about any chain reactions or vendettas I’ve started tonight.” Blue gave him a shove and smiled. But she’d only been partly joking. She had goals, which had only been reaffirmed this afternoon, and getting into a feud with a mean girl at the Academy did nothing to forward them.

  Jason searched her face, then turned and strode away.

  When he still hadn’t returned at least ten minutes later, Blue went in search of him. He’d probably been cornered into, well, a corner somewhere by Moira, Sarah, or any of the other women who’d been eyeing him all night long. And he was without his buffer.

  She had just entered the corridor leading to the receiving room when a whisper reached her through a half-open door a few feet away.

  “I can’t believe he brought her.”

  It sounded like Sarah. Blue paused.

  “I mean, from what Mother said, he only went to Padilra because the Ministry ordered him to.”

  “I heard he took a leave in order to go,” a second girl said. Glass clinked on glass.

  I should finish finding Jason. But she didn’t move.

  “Well, my father is on the acceptance committee for the Academy, and I heard,” a third, slightly nasal, voice piped in, “that the Alliance is forcing them to take her.”

  “She’s probably only adequate.” Sarah again, her tone smug. “End up a clerk or something.”

  “Not like you’re any better,” Nasal voice said.

  “Oh, did you guys hear about Petyr? He took too much of that helper—”

  “The dragon?”

  “Yes. And it messed him up ba—”

  “Blue?”

  She jumped and backed into a solid chest. Jason.

  “What are you—”

  She slammed her hand over his mouth. “Shh.” Grabbing his hand, she pulled him down the hall.

  “Were you eavesdropping?” He squinted at her, but his amusement was clear. “I didn’t know you had that in you. What’s the latest gossip? If I recall, Academy girls are the worst for it.”

  “Oh hush.” They reached the foyer. “Did you say your goodbyes?”

  He opened the door for her, and she stepped out. “As well as I could. Oh, Moira? Yes. I also informed her I would not be taking Sarah to the menagerie tomorrow and why.”

  Blue groaned. “I don’t think that was the best move.” Goosebumps rose on her arms. and she shivered. The night had grown cold.

  “They both need to learn to let things go.” He shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her. “Did you really forget a coat? At this time of the year?”

  She scrunched her nose as she pulled the heavy fabric around her. “There wasn’t time to have a new one made, and according to the lady who made the dress, ‘The wrong accessory is worse than going naked,’ or something like that. I’m not sure I translated right, but she was adamant I not wear the one I had.”

  “And of all those men around you, none could find a covering that worked?” He shook his head.

  Blue sent him a mock-glare. “You hush about that. If I’d wanted to wear a coat, I would have.”

  Their transport pulled up, and he helped her inside. “This is nice, Blue. Kind of like a real date.”

  She fiddled with a few knobs, and the seat warmed as Jason climbed in beside her. What was she supposed to say? “Did you come to a conclusion about what this is between us?”

  He turned away and gazed out the window.

  Well, that’s a no. A very clear no. Damn hot and cold.

  “I report back to the Ministry in two days. I’ll get my next assignment then.” Though he didn’t look at her, he reached out with his right hand, and she took it.

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh.” He laced his fingers with hers. “I’ll let you know.”

  The rest of the ride passed in silence. When they pulled to a stop in front of the inn, Blue reached for the door latch, but Jason tugged her back. “Maybe tomorrow you would come with me to the menagerie exhibit? It’s supposed to be one of the best ones yet.”

  “I would love to,” she said, and he gave her a hopeful look. “But I’m supposed to meet with Dean Gravin, and then we continue with apartment shopping.”

  The lines of his face fell back into his usual distant expression.

  “You could come with us,” she offered. She really didn’t think the others would mind. And Blue was beginning to think Jason wasn’t just distant and nervous. He was lonely as well. Even Rachel he hadn’t seen in years before her disappearance, and she was one of the people he’d been closest to. Kevin, though a good friend, had been someone he could never open up to fully.

  Who did he have? Who did he spend time with? Laugh with? I know nothing about him. Not really.

  “No. Thank you, but no. That’s something you, Mo’ata, and Forrest should choose on your own.”

  “Hey, friends now, right?”

  “Were we not before?” The teasing light was back in his eyes.

  Yep, still giving me emotional whiplash. “Friends can talk to each other. Just saying. And whatever you may think, the others would agree. I’m sure Levi would appreciate someone else around who knows what he’s been through. And Forrest, well, whatever he may say, you’re another person who’s been to Earth, who went to our school, who remembers Kevin and Phe and others.”

  Jason frowned.

  She could guess what he was thinking. “No, he would be your friend,” she continued. “If he really thought you needed it, he would. Just think about it, okay?” She gave his hand a squeeze and let go. She’d done what she could for now. Next move was on him.

  The door latch was just under her fingertips when the transport door was yanked open. Mo’ata stood there, fully clad in armor. Felix and Levi stood behind him, armed and armored as well. “Blue, you need to get inside. Now.” The clansman cut his gaze to Jason. “You as well, just in case, until we know more about what’s happened.”

  Well fuck. So much for apartment hunting tomorrow.

  Chapter 7

  BLUE

  “Someone start talking, now.” She picked up her belt.

  Felix handed over her blue-handled blade. “We received a message from Zeynar. He was attacked this afternoon.”

  She froze mid threading the sheath onto her belt. The walls of her room closed in on her. “Is he—” Smooth leather dug into her fingers. “Is he all right?”

  “I am not sure.” Mo’ata laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We received the first message only a short time before you returned. A second was sent a few minutes ago. He is requesting a secure meeting at his compound and is sending guards to escort us. It is all we know at this point, other than that he suspects a danger to you as well.” His hand slid to the back of her neck and massaged the muscles there. “He is alive, shopa.”

  “Right, right.” She finished attaching the first blade to her belt and held out her hand. Levi handed her the se
cond. In moments the belt was secure around her waist. Though she was far from proficient with them, having the knives comforted her.

  “How was the dinner?” Mo’ata checked his comm but must not have found whatever he was looking for.

  She sank to her mattress. “Waiting now, huh?” Felix had gone to the common room as a lookout, and Levi had stationed himself in the hall. Forrest was wrangling the cubs into their harnesses in preparation. Jason stood in the corner, arms crossed. Her gaze met his. “Dinner was interesting.”

  “Make any friends with the ritzy crowd?” Forrest asked.

  “I… wouldn’t say that.”

  He flashed a grin at her. “Mortal enemies? Those are fun too.”

  Deciding to play along, Blue shrugged. “A little closer.”

  Mo’ata’s comm pinged, and her spine stiffened. The cubs’ heads came up, and Forrest stood.

  “Our escort is below. Trevon says he sent people we know.”

  Blue nodded and stood. She fingered her own comm as they filed out of the room, Levi falling in behind, and made their way to the yard before the inn. Why hadn’t Trevon messaged her? If there was danger to her, why not tell her as well? Or just… let her know he was okay.

  A large transport waited for them, the charcoal exterior nearly invisible, even with light spilling from the surrounding shops and inns. The front left door slid up, and a man stepped out, clad in the uniform of the Zeynar family.

  “Prin!” Blue stepped out from between Mo’ata and Levi. “Is he well?”

  “Yes, Miss Blue. Please, if you will?” Prin activated the rear door of the transport and gestured. “It is best if we wait until we are at our destination to inform you and your… party of the details.”

  “Hear that?” Forrest leaned in. “We’re a party.”

  Prin’s lips twitched, and he waved at the transport again.

  “Right.” Blue climbed in, the others behind her. A second man, who looked near Forrest’s age, was in the front seat. “Hi.”

  He nodded but didn’t reply. “This is Duri,” Prin supplied. “We have been entrusted with your safety.”

  “For the ride?” Mo’ata asked. Garfield stuck his nose in the second guard’s ear and sniffed.

  “No.” Prin pressed a few buttons, and the windows went black.

  Well, that’s fancy.

  “Blue has plenty of guards. She doesn’t need any more.” Felix, who had ended up next to her, picked her up and shifted, placing her between himself and Levi.

  “It is not my decision to make, sir. Maybe when we reach Mr. Zeynar, he will concede and allow you to contact your father regarding the young lady’s security.” Prin entered in their destination, and the transport rose.

  Felix leaned forward, half crushing Blue. “I do not need that ikpul’s permission for anything.”

  “Mr. Zeynar’s or your father’s?” Prin asked, voice even.

  “Duuuude.” Forrest whistled.

  Felix’s muscles bunched.

  “Do not.” Mo’ata pressed his hand to the mercenary’s chest.

  “Also, being smushed here, and not in a good way.” Blue added her—rather ineffectual—shoves to the clansman’s. And just who was Felix’s father?

  Finally Felix relented, and the rest of the ride passed in silence. Garfield crept between the two front seats until he sat between the two guards. He occasionally sniffed at the two of them. Blue didn’t pick up anything but curiosity from him, and she decided to leave him there. Not that he would move unless he wanted to. Vivi had climbed to Jason’s lap—he was seated right behind Duri—and stretched up to prop herself against his shoulders.

  What in the…? Then the cub reached out and batted the back of the second guard’s head. He didn’t react. She did it again. Muffled laughter reached Blue from Forrest’s direction, but his head was turned away. Vivi stayed there, periodically swatting at the guard. When Jason brought a hand to her back to help keep her steady, and the cub let it stay there, he smiled.

  The transport slowed and drew to a halt. Seconds later there was a squeal of metal on metal ahead, and the transport moved forward once more. When they stopped a second time, Prin lightened the windows and triggered the latches to the doors.

  Smooth stone surrounded them. A tunnel just wide enough to accommodate the transport stretched into darkness. The air was still and cool. Garfield crawled back to her lap and let out a soft mewl. Vivi hunched and tucked her head against Jason’s chest.

  Distress and… puzzlement filtered from the piquet. She and Forrest exchanged a look. What was going on here?

  Felix exited the transport and took up a position beside Prin and the other guard. Mo’ata went next. Levi paused in the open door, his hands braced on either side of the opening. “It’s the turammin.” Then he pushed off and stepped out, surveying the room.

  Right. Turammin, the alloy that had allowed them to keep Phillip in check and that was used to block surveillance. Which meant it may be affecting the cubs’ senses as well. She didn’t know how they did what they did. What if it was similar to what had connected Phillip and the crystal? Or how those from Turamm did… whatever it was they did that Felix had hinted at?

  Garfield’s claws came out, and he clung to her. She sent waves of reassurance and then tried a new thing—she sent the idea of turammin and what it could do. The cub’s claws retracted a bit, and he let out a small chirp. The distress eased, and puzzlement morphed to curiosity.

  That’s right. It’s just to keep us safe.

  Mo’ata reached back into the transport to help her out, and Forrest exited right behind her. The gray walls blended together as the transport glided into the shadows, and she swayed. There definitely was a change in the air. Similar to being enclosed in darkness, it was as though space closed in on her. Nothing panic inducing—she probably wouldn’t have even noticed the difference if it hadn’t been for what the cubs were projecting.

  “This way.” Duri placed his palm over a slightly lighter colored stone, and a block moved back and to the side.

  “Huh. Fancy.” Blue didn’t move.

  “Shopa, no harm will come to you here. I will make sure of it.”

  “We will make sure of it,” Felix said with a glare at the guard.

  “Mr. Zeynar will make sure of it, as will Duri and I. Now, Miss Faust, if you please?” Prin waved at the opening.

  Where’d your brave go, Blue? Pull it on. She set Garfield down, pulled her shoulders back, and followed Duri into the hallway. It, too, was gray stone with almost no seams. Then they turned a corner, and the hall opened into a large room. Warm wood reflected soft light from a glass chandelier. Plush rugs were scattered around the area, and a small grouping of chairs with velvet cushions stood against the left wall. They didn’t pause.

  At one point, Prin took the lead as they passed down halls. When Blue could, she peeked through open doors, only to spy more grand rooms like the first. They finally halted before a pair of carved wooden doors, stylized stars swirling in a pattern over the top. Her eyes narrowed.

  “This is where most of you stop. Beyond are the Zeynar private quarters. He wants to see Blue. As a show of friendship, we will allow one of you to accompany her. The rest will go with Duri, who has been instructed to turn over all the information we have.” Prin’s lips thinned in disapproval on the last bit. “Afterward, you will be given accommodations for the night if you desire, otherwise we will escort you back to the inn.” His gaze slid to Blue. “Miss, I assure you this stay will not be like the last.”

  She let out a barking laugh devoid of humor. There was no way Mo’ata was letting her go in there with only one other person. And she wasn’t stupid either. Sarah had insinuated that Blue was just being used. Hell, she hadn’t insinuated, she had flat out stated it. And to a certain extent, Blue was fine with that. Exchange was how the world operated. Trevon was definitely using her somehow. And that meant she got to use him in turn. It’d worked back in Firik, and it’d worked on Padilra. It could con
tinue to work here. But if he thought he could isolate her from the other men somehow, he was sorely mistaken.

  Her blood pumped as her fists clenched. Garfield let out a low growl with not much squeak in it. “No, this visit will not be like the last.” She held up a hand, cutting off both the Zeynar guards and her own men. “And where I go, they all go. If Trev doesn’t like that, he can kiss it.” The last phrase didn’t translate right, but she was getting too worked up to care. And somewhere under the anger ran a current of worry. If Trevon didn’t trust everyone to be in his private quarters, why didn’t he just come out?

  Prin’s spine straightened as Duri eased around behind Blue’s small group. “I do apologize, Miss, but only direct family are allowed in this area. It is already a risk I am not comfortable with to allow you and anoth—”

  “Just let them in, you smothering hen.” Trevon’s voice, slightly distorted, sounded from a small panel by the door.

  Prin didn’t move. Something in Blue eased at the hooligan’s words. Maybe it wasn’t Trevon that didn’t trust her; maybe it was the guards.

  She hadn’t liked the idea of Trevon not trusting her. Something to examine later.

  “Prin, I’m trying to court the girl. Let them the fuck in. She’s a package deal.”

  Still, the guard remained stiff before the doors. Did he understand the slang? Trevon was certainly using it liberally.

  “Fine. I’m coming to get them. Which means I’m getting out of bed and all that hard work the hea—”

  Prin held his hand to a discreet scanner Blue had not seen until that moment, and a lock clicked. “If you will follow me, I’ll show you to where Mr. Zeynar waits for you.” The guard sighed.

  Blue patted his arm, and Garfield rubbed against his leg as they passed through the door. She was feeling much more generous-minded now that they’d seen reason. The man was just doing his job, after all.

  Soon Prin was back in front of her. Duri brought up the rear of their little procession as they proceeded through yet another sitting room. Multiple doors led off the rear wall, and Prin headed directly for the leftmost. Through another hall they filed, and through yet another set of double doors.