Central

by Raine Thomas

  Gabriel slowly nodded. “James is right. At her core, Olivia is a rule-follower. And she wouldn’t leave her sisters.”

  “Not willingly,” Ini-herit corrected.

  “But even if they did leave for some reason, can’t you connect with Tabitha even outside of the enchantment?” Skye asked, looking at Caoilinn and Sebastian. “Lekwuesti who live here can reach minds on the plane, right?”

  “Only if they are paired with a being on the plane,” Sebastian replied. “We had to keep the ability to send thoughts beyond the enchantment highly limited for safety’s sake.”

  “If we argue that Olivia left the courtyard with Tabitha—” Knorbis began.

  “Which has not been established,” Sebastian added in a calm voice.

  Knorbis nodded to accede the point and continued, “—then the argument would follow that they either left here together willingly, or Tabitha somehow overpowered Olivia and abducted her.”

  Amber frowned. “No offense to the Lekwuesti, but Olivia could have kicked Tabitha’s butt from here to Bangladesh.”

  “Not if she was taken unaware,” Uriel reiterated.

  “Olivia could have been led from the courtyard under a pretense,” Hitoshi agreed. “Perhaps she was told her panther needed her, or some similar fabrication that caused her enough concern to temporarily overlook the typical protocols in place with her Gloresti.”

  Caoilinn had grown incredibly pale, quite a feat in light of her already fair skin tone. Her lavender eyes reflected grave concern. “No. Tabitha would not have lured Olivia away with something that would alarm her,” the commander said, apparently having put herself into the mind of one of her Lekwuesti. “She would know that would potentially alert James. She would have made their goal something mundane. Something that would not arouse Olivia’s suspicions.”

  “‘Come and see this fabric that I created for your sister’s dress,’” Zayna offered as an example, “‘but do not tell her you are going to see it because it is meant to be a surprise.’”

  “‘We will be right back,’” her commander, Cadence, added. “‘No one will miss us.’”

  Now Sebastian had picked up on the logic of the scenario. He wore a dark frown. “Tabitha would have given Olivia sincere assurances that she would pass along her whereabouts, perhaps even indicate that she already had, just to get Olivia away from the courtyard unnoticed.”

  James felt like his veins were pumping ice water as he visualized the picture they painted. It all sounded far too plausible.

  “Tabitha would not have waited long after leaving the courtyard to make her move,” Harold said. “She would know that every moment was another one where Olivia could convey a thought that would disrupt her plan.”

  “But what would Tabitha do with Olivia once she…incapacitated her?” Skye asked. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. “She would have to drag her somewhere or…something.”

  “That is true,” Uriel observed. His eyes flashed brilliant orange for a brief moment. Then he said, “The Waresti who are already investigating will begin looking for obvious signs of someone dragging someone else.”

  “Be sure they focus on the loading bays,” Sebastian suggested, receiving Uriel’s nod.

  “But why go to all of this effort?” Amber asked. She had gone from looking puzzled and frustrated to very troubled. “If Tabitha wanted to harm Olivia, there are far less complicated ways to do it. She was around us every day.”

  “There is obviously a reason Tabitha wanted to get Olivia away,” Caoilinn mused quietly. “Perhaps she did not want to cause serious or permanent harm to Olivia, but merely wanted her away from here.”

  James gave that some consideration. It was certainly a far less menacing option than some of the others that had been going through his mind.

  “But why Olivia?” Skye asked. “Tabitha usually assisted Amber and had the most access to her. She was alone in the room with Amber while she slept sometimes, but she didn’t try anything then.”

  Catching Gabriel’s suddenly blazing gaze as Skye’s words hit home, Amber said, “I think we should have a conversation with Brenna and Pavati.”

  They didn’t have long to wait, but every minute they sat there in silence and contemplation was utter torture for James. He wanted to be up and doing something—anything—to try and find Olivia. If she was away from Central, then he should be, too.

  He knew that there were others looking for clues and indications of what had happened and that they wouldn’t stop until they found something. But he had never felt so powerless in all of his existence.

  Brenna and Pavati hurried into the room. Both females looked pale and shaken. Sebastian and Caoilinn rose and walked over to greet them.

  “Thank you both for coming so quickly,” Sebastian said. “We have a few questions for you that we believe may help us understand what has happened to Olivia.”

  “Of course, archigos Sebastian,” Brenna said, bowing her head.

  Pavati agreed with a quick bow. “What can we answer for you?”

  “Has Tabitha been acting strangely lately?” Gabriel asked without preamble.

  Brenna and Pavati exchanged a look. “Actually…” Brenna began.

  “Tabitha was unhappy that Brenna paired with Olivia,” Pavati finished. “She did not come right out and say as much, but she frequently insinuated that Brenna should have been censured for engaging in the pairing without the approval of archigos Sebastian or commander Caoilinn.”

  Brenna flushed uncomfortably. “She was correct about that, of course,” she admitted, looking at her commander and leader. “Though you were both kind enough to forgive the oversight when you realized that Olivia had welcomed it.”

  “She was jealous of the pairing?” Caleb asked, exchanging looks with Gabriel and James. Kanika’s actions against Amber had also been motivated by jealousy.

  “I think it is more than that,” Pavati said. “She made a few comments to me recently that I found concerning.” Here, she looked at Caoilinn. “I had intended to speak with you about this soon, commander.”

  “What is it that concerned you?” Sebastian asked.

  “It is rather difficult to put into words. I do not want to embarrass you, Brenna, and I apologize if I do.”

  Brenna touched her arm in understanding and permission.

  “I believe Tabitha does not like the changes Brenna has undergone since Amber healed her scar.”

  Gabriel, James and Caleb exchanged thoughts. None of them knew what she was talking about. Amber sent a thought to Gabriel. He nodded and conveyed the information to his Gloresti.

  “But Brenna has finally opened up,” Caoilinn said, obviously confused. “She is blossoming. Why would Tabitha dislike this?”

  “Because Brenna is getting all of the attention,” Skye guessed in a soft voice. “She and Olivia have become good friends.”

  Brenna suddenly nodded as though she was gaining an understanding of their line of thought. “Olivia has been a wonderful friend. She has encouraged me to blossom, as you say, commander Caoilinn. She has always treated me like a friend, right from the start.”

  “But Tabitha was only happy when she was in the driver’s seat,” Amber realized darkly.

  “She wants to be the one at the forefront,” Gabriel interpreted for the Estilorians. “When Brenna changed, Tabitha’s role changed. Tabitha sees Olivia as the source of the change.”

  “The pairing would have possibly pushed her into rash action,” Sebastian hypothesized, exchanging a look with Caoilinn. “The Lekwuesti pairings with Saraqael’s daughters are seen as very prestigious roles. We intended to take some time to determine the best candidates for pairing.”

  Gasping, Brenna said, “Wait—are you implying that Tabitha has in some way harmed Olivia? To remove her from here because of me?” Her complexion was almost gray.

  “I think it is the most logical line of thought we have to pursue,” Ini-herit answered.

  Brenna all but fell into a chair.
She looked like she had taken a violent blow.

  “But where is Tabitha?” Pavati asked, placing a bracing hand on Brenna’s shoulder. “If she sent Olivia away from here to get her away, would she not have remained behind?”

  “That would have been the smart thing to do. Try to keep suspicion from her,” Amber said.

  “She would have been found out,” Malukali responded. “Her thoughts would have been scanned the moment we realized something happened to Olivia, much as we have already done.”

  “Then what good does this do her?” Skye demanded, slamming her hand on the table. “If Tabitha knew she couldn’t return to this place even with Olivia gone, why would she do this? It makes no sense!”

  And then Knorbis stiffened. He had obviously intuited the answer at last.

  Gabriel’s eyes flashed when he caught Knorbis’ thought. His emotion seared through the rest of the elders, their eyes lighting in a similar fashion. He bowed his head, all but making James’ heart seize in his chest. When Gabriel looked up, his eyes were the Gloresti dark blue.

  “Tabitha knew exactly what would happen as a result of her actions. She knew she would be forever unable to return here. Because she believes her hopes of achieving status among the Lekwuesti are now beyond her reach, she intends to do what she can to achieve status among a different class.”

  It wasn’t just fear that choked the breath right out of James then. It was stark rage.

  Gabriel clenched his hands into fists, then uttered the words that everyone was already thinking.

  “She intends to bring Olivia to the Mercesti.”

  Chapter Thirty

  A young Waresti named Sean found the drag marks and smears of blood by a docking station a surprising distance from the courtyard. The travel platform was missing.

  “Aren’t there Estilorians working around here during the day who would have seen something?” Amber asked as they flew to the identified docking station.

  “Not necessarily,” Sebastian responded. “This is a private docking station, operated by a visiting Scultresti named Rosalynn. She uses the platform for loading and unloading some of her larger creations. When it isn’t in use, it is secured against entries, but not departures. Tabitha would have known this.”

  When they reached the docking station, James landed and retracted his wings, hurrying the rest of the way to the waiting Waresti on foot. He came to a stumbling halt when he saw the blood. It was much more than he had expected.

  Still, he forced himself to continue forward and squatted next to the tracks. When he reached out to touch the blood, he felt his Gloresti power surge.

  “This is Olivia’s blood,” he said hollowly.

  “How do you know that?” Skye asked. She was clutching Caleb’s arm as she stared at the smears. “Maybe Olivia hurt Tabitha instead. Anything is possible.”

  James puzzled over that for a moment. “I’m not sure how I know, but I do.”

  “Yeah,” Gabriel said, having seen the flash of James’ eyes. “He’s certain.”

  How? Caleb thought.

  A combination of his Gloresti connection to her and the fact that they have…shared bodily fluids.

  Caleb and James both gave Gabriel confused stares.

  When you kissed Olivia, I’m assuming you both opened your mouths? Gabriel thought, clearly uncomfortable.

  Caleb’s expression when he looked at James would have been comical if not for the circumstances.

  The memory invoked by Gabriel’s question wounded James. He thought it was quite possible his heart was actually bleeding. Not bothering to respond, he got to his feet and followed the blood trail to the slot where the travel platform had been docked. The trail ended right at the lip of the dock.

  “We’ll be able to confirm the correct platform when we find it,” he said levelly, not looking at the others. “It will have her blood on it.”

  Gabriel turned to Sebastian. “We have to get down there immediately. Amber and Skye can open their minds to Olivia as soon as we’re free of the enchantments.”

  The Lekwuesti elder nodded. “Travel platforms are already being readied for you, as are provisions. Fortunately, Rosalynn’s platform is designed to move slowly to protect her creations. Please follow me and I will show you to the docking station you will be using.”

  They once again flew, making as much haste as possible. James felt the passing of each second like the passage of another year. It had been almost two hours since they discovered that Olivia was missing. It felt like a century. He knew that every moment she was gone from Central was another moment she could be in the clutches of the Mercesti.

  They might never find her then.

  With this thought making him want to scream in fury and frustration, they reached the loading platform. There were at least thirty Lekwuesti standing there, carrying all manner of items. He saw weapons, armor, waterskins and sacks that probably contained food. They were all moving with incredible speed and precision to load a series of travel platforms. It was with some surprise that he recognized the expressions of sadness and worry on the faces of most of them. Three weeks ago, before the sisters had arrived, that would not have been the case.

  Another indication of the remarkable changes already wrought by the sisters was the number of Estilorians gathered in the docking station. He even noticed Gabriel exchanging surprised looks with the other elders. It appeared that almost every Estilorian within flying distance had turned up.

  “We will accompany you,” Hitoshi said to Gabriel, indicating the two hundred or so Gloresti behind him. James realized that he was looking at every Gloresti in the immediate vicinity just then.

  “As will we,” Harold added. There were nearly twice as many Waresti standing behind him. They all nodded in agreement.

  Even as his words faded, Raphael and about a hundred other Corgloresti stepped forward to voice their participation in the search and rescue. James watched with astonishment as representatives from each of the classes offered to take part in finding Olivia. Even the Elphresti, who were very few in number and never left Central, wanted to send along a few members to lend their experience and knowledge to the mission.

  Looking over at Caleb, he saw his shock mirrored on his brother’s face. In only three short weeks, the sisters had managed to unite them in a way that nothing else in history ever had.

  Suddenly, a fierce cry filled the cavernous loading bay. His head whipping to the side, James watched the crowd part. Breaking into a run, he shoved his way to Aurora and her mate, who had both run into the loading dock.

  “I could not stop them,” Lucas said as he trailed behind the two huge cats, sounding bewildered.

  James fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around Aurora’s neck, burying his face against her fur. I’m so sorry.

  She mewled against him in response, nudging him with her nose.

  I was unobservant and now Olivia is missing. But we’ll find her. I won’t stop until we do.

  He easily interpreted the next sound in her throat. With regret, he pulled away so he could look into her green eyes and shook his head. I’m sorry, my friend. You can’t come with us. Olivia would never forgive me if something happened to you or the cubs you carry.

  The sorrow in her next cry went straight to his heart. His eyes burned and he had to blink rapidly to dilute the foreign, stinging pain.

  Then Aurora turned to her mate. Using her nose, she lifted James’ hand and nudged him toward the black panther. Startled, he hesitated. No one had touched the wild beast since his arrival. The tom had proven edgy and uncomfortable around the Estilorians, generally hissing and growling when they neared. Now, however, he made no sound whatsoever as James reached over and touched his neck.

  You want to come with us? he thought toward the male cat as he ran a firm hand along the animal’s powerful muscles. He was following his instinct and trusting the animal would “hear” him.

  The cat’s answering growl made several of the surrounding Estilorians ba
ck up a few steps. James didn’t even flinch. Instead, he nodded.

  You do make a fine warrior. A veritable titan. Olivia will surely benefit from your hunting skills. With one hand on Aurora’s neck and the other on her mate’s, he thought, I thank you both with everything in me for your courage and willingness to help.

  Then he stood and faced the crowd. He realized as the silence registered that he must have looked rather strange kneeling and staring at the cats without saying anything.

  “So,” Gabriel said, moving beside James and squatting beside Aurora’s mate. “Titan, huh?”

  The animal growled again, showing his fearsome teeth.

  One of Gabriel’s eyebrows rose. “Right. Well, welcome aboard.”

  Tabitha watched the shore come into view from her perch on the travel platform.

  Finally, she thought.

  The realization came with a great deal of self-pride and relief. The trip had taken longer than she had thought it would. It had to have been nearly three hours already, she gauged.

  She hadn’t ever left the stronghold before. Being less than a century in age meant she hadn’t received enough preparation to be deemed ready to face life outside of the haven they called home. Brenna’s scarring brush with the Mercesti on her first venture away from home was proof of the potential dangers they faced on the mainland. But she would show them all she was more than ready.

  They would soon realize what a treasure they had lost by forcing her away. She would put her many skills to good use among the Mercesti instead. They would all but worship her for bringing them one of Saraqael’s daughters.

  Of all the classes, the Lekwuesti knew the most about the elders’ protectiveness surrounding the sisters, knew how valuable the three half-humans were to Grolkinei. The constant presence of the Lekwuesti among the elders, seeing to their every need and being present during some of even the most delicate conversations, made overhearing this information inevitable. They weren’t blind and deaf, after all, she thought with her chin raised. However overlooked they might be.