Sparrow and Jason passed meaningful glances at each other. It was like watching an old married couple bickering. “Thank you, Corporal. I don’t think that’s quite what I had in mind. But yes, please continue to report anything that seems out of place.”
Jason had gotten used to the wave of emotions that ran through him whenever he drew near the tanks. So far, it was only him who noticed anything. He learned during the trip that the feelings seemed to bounce and amplify between himself and the Herodians. When he visited the morning after Sparrow slept with him for the first time, happiness and excitement reverberated back and forth, culminating in a manic state of euphoria.
For the last two days, as his anxiety increased, a sense of disquiet and apprehension echoed from them. Whatever his emotional state when he came in the room, the underlying torrent of unity and belonging coming off the creatures was always there and lifted his spirits.
Dr. Wilkes hypothesized they weren’t doing anything intentionally. Most likely Jason felt some instinctual bond which normally tied the child to the pregnant Herodian. He even suggested it was something that would fade after birth and the children grew to control the Mirre. When Jason had tried his usual form of a Mirre link between himself and one of them, there hadn’t been instant understanding or coherent communication, only the same transfer of emotions while in the dream world, but he was certain the link was going both ways. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected to see in there. After all, they were still unborn and undeveloped.
“You pick any names for them yet?” Sparrow asked.
Jason kept his face far enough away from the tank so as not to transmit his jitters. It couldn’t be healthy for them. “I’d like to give them traditional Herodian names, but we could only do it with their written letters. I suppose we could assign human sounds to the Herodian symbology.”
“Just don’t name any of them Gertrude.”
Jason peeked at her out of the corner of his eye and grinned. “What’s wrong with Gertrude?” He’d already seen her employee file and found out her real name. “I think this one here would make a good Gertrude.” He waved at the embryo sack inside the bubbling fluid. “Hi, Gertie.”
“Don’t you dare!” She gave him a playful shove with her hip.
“A little more respect in front of the sailors, please,” he said jokingly. He kept his voice low so they wouldn’t hear.
The two men were quietly speaking to each other but their glances at Jason gave him the impression he was back under the microscope. He’d have to go back to acting princely in public.
Sparrow flicked her gaze at the guards and then rolled her eyes at Jason. “Since when have you cared?”
“You haven’t seen me doing the imperial dance at home.”
“I saw you in a parade once. We were both pretty young at the time. You looked bored.”
“I’m sure I was. Always hate those stupid things.”
“I’ve got to get to the bridge.” She puckered her lips, waiting for him to bend down.
“Not in front of the men.” He strained to keep himself from laughing.
Her eyes widened, and she gave him a kick to the ankle. “Jerk.”
Unable to hold it back any longer, he laughed and kissed her. “Come on.”
Chapter Thirty
A rare clear sky told him the capital must’ve gotten rain recently, resetting the usual cloud cover back to zero. The circular layout of the city drew his eye to the palace compound in the center as they came in for a landing. The transport facility was only about a half kilometer away from the palace, and he could make out the flags whipping in the breeze as they flew over the lake. The Ozronimy mountain range in the distance, with its snow-capped peaks, sent a pang through him, giving him his first real sense of homesickness since he left.
A crowd of cheering well-wishers packed the transport facility with a larger crowd outside the grounds. Jason had made sure ahead of time his homecoming would be very public. With the events back on Alexandria now prominent in the news feeds, he was returning a hero for single-handedly breaking up a Serigala plot. Stupid that. If the population only knew the truth about how little he did to stop anything. All Jason did was tumble into a bag of snakes and call home for help.
The existence of live Herodians wasn’t part of the announcement. That was a decision he best leave to his father. He needed to give the Emperor some feeling of control over the situation.
Growing up in the public eye, he was confident and poised with the attention while Sparrow’s sweaty palm quivered with tension. Even during the ceremonies back on Alexandria, she hadn’t seemed this nervous. Several people, although most were young ladies, held up holographic signs, wishing him a belated happy birthday with offers of kisses.
“I totally forgot about your birthday.” Sparrow squeezed his hand tight as they moved through the line of guards holding back the crowd.
“Yea, I’d like to forget it as well.” Or forget the little he could recall of that miserable inebriated night.
“Through here, sir.” Charlie directed them through a private door.
Jason gave the crowd a grin and a wave before hustling Sparrow into the corridor. The back section bristled with more Imperial Guards and a couple hovering outside another door. They drew to attention and saluted as he entered.
Sparrow whispered, “Does this look right to you?”
Jason paused for a moment examining the group. Lethal weapons at their sides. “I’m not sure,” he murmured back. He unlatched himself from her warm yet somewhat slimy grip on his hand. Returning the salute, he stepped to the unmarked door and checked the name on the soldier’s chest. “Lieutenant Grimes, what’s with the brigade?”
“Orders, sir. Please come inside.” She was nearly as tall as himself, and her expression alone was enough to make a nervous shudder run up his spine.
How badly had he misjudged what his father was willing to do in public? A lump formed in his throat. “Is this my press conference?”
“A meeting first, sir.” She opened the door and gestured for them to go inside.
Apprehensively, he glanced behind the guard. A medium-build lean man sat talking on his phone. Colonel McNiven abruptly stopped the conversation and stood with a salute. “Prince Jason, welcome home.” His smile seemed as genuine as always.
The tension in Jason’s chest broke. Uncle Paul had been the head of Imperial Security for as long as Jason could remember. Related through marriage to one branch of the family tree, he doubted his father would send the man to kill him. No, if Jason’s death was in the plan, it would come from his father’s hand or people who didn’t know Jason on a personal level.
His uncle didn’t bother waiting for a return salute and clasped both of Jason’s shoulders. “You’ve had a hell of an adventure. Sit, sit.” He pulled out a chair for Jason and asked everyone else to leave the room.
Jason put his arm around Sparrow. “She’ll be staying with me.” He spoke with a command he’d never displayed in front of his minders. A thick tension seized the room.
Uncle Paul froze halfway to his seat. His gaze wandered over Sparrow, expression growing tight as lines formed across his brow. “It might be best if we had this discussion in private.”
Sparrow tried to pull away, but Jason gripped her with fierce determination. “Whatever you have to say, can be said with her in the room.” While he’d been comfortable giving orders to servants and people with no authority for as long as he could remember, there’d always been certain adults considered above him who he’d never dared to challenge.
The past couple of months forged him with a new sense of command. He wouldn’t whine or argue. Okay, he would argue if it came down to that, but he wouldn’t do it like a petulant child. He stared into his uncle’s eyes, formulating a plan.
Miraculously, his uncle gave a slight bow of his head. “As you wish, Jason.”
Both Jason and Sparrow had been holding a breath, and they released in stereo. He held out a chair for Spa
rrow and then sat next to her. “So, what’s this all about?”
“We’ve received several reports about your escapades, but I wanted you to be aware of the events here before you said anything to the media.”
“Has my father asked you to stop the press conference?”
“No, Jason.” The Colonel leaned back in his chair. He spoke wearily. “Your father doesn’t know I’m having this conversation with you. He sent me to tell you something else.”
More unrest? Rebellion? From the highest levels of the government? If Jason had Imperial Security on his side, getting rid of his father would become far easier. And support from the military leaders would negate his need to oversee a war if Serigala showed up in force.
Jason moved his hand to Sparrow’s knee and squeezed. “Oh?” It came out in a squeak, and he cleared his throat. This could also be a ploy to get Jason to tip his hand. “What did he send you to tell me?”
“It’s just a precaution since we don’t know how far along Serigala has gotten in their research. They could have more scientists in other locations working on the project. Even if they don’t have someone else doing the research right now, in all likelihood they’ve been sending information back home, and Serigala could pick up where Dr. Carson left off.”
Captain Stiles had told Jason that Wingate’s computer records showed reports going back to Serigala on a regular basis. “Yes, I thought about that. So, what’s this precaution?”
“We’ve installed a dampening field around the palace. It’s a system your grandfather’s team developed a long time ago for another project. The Mirre won’t work for anyone inside. If you’ve tried contacting your father, that’s the reason it didn’t work. He didn’t want you to panic.”
“What? That’s insane!” Sparrow shifted, forcing him to notice how hard his fingers were digging into her. He unclenched. “Why would they even build something like that?”
Paul took a sip of his drink. “I think originally it was meant to be a sensor to detect babies with the ability, but it didn’t work out that way.”
“Why am I just hearing about this now?” Although, his life had always been one of secrets.
“Jason, think about it. Would the company dare let that information out? Something which could block your ability? No. I’m surprised the data wasn’t destroyed years ago.”
“So he can’t use the Mirre while in there either?”
“No, he can’t. But that’s a side issue.”
What the hell was Paul getting at? “Is there something you don’t want my father to know?” His heart drummed in his chest as possibilities flittered through his mind.
Uncle Paul watched Jason for a hesitated moment. “I’m given to understand that Martin’s death precipitated this whole affair. Word does get around. I’m assuming you thought your father’s next rampage would end with your death.”
“The thought had crossed my mind. It was him, wasn’t it?”
“We’ve kept it private, but all signs point to yes. However, you should also know, soon after that night a few other things changed.”
A numbness swept Jason’s body with the confirmation. He waited for some sign of treason. Something he could latch onto and shift his return into a fight. Sparrow covered his hand with hers and tugged. He’d been gripping her knee again. They exchanged pensive glances.
His uncle went on. “Your father claims not to remember any of it. He was extremely upset when he found out and even more upset about you leaving.” Paul ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not sure what you know about your father’s condition, but his mind has been going downhill ever since they switched him into that body.”
The statement was close to treason but Jason needed more. “Yes, I’ve heard stories about his younger days. He seemed far more level-headed back then.”
“Yes. He was a lot like you.” A wistful grin enveloped Uncle Paul. “Anyway, I only found out recently, but the doctors for the past couple of years have tried to get him to take a new medication to help stabilize his moods. If I had known he was refusing treatment, I would’ve spoken to him years ago. It seems he’s been resisting because of the side effects.” The grin slid into a tightened frown. “One side effect in particular.”
They’d been constantly screwing with his father’s medical care for as far back as he could remember. Jason hadn’t heard anything about his father denying treatment. “What side effect?”
His uncle spoke bluntly. “The Mirre. When he takes it, he loses the ability.”
The concept stunned him for a moment. Oh, yes. That was something the manipulating monarch would never allow. Jason dipped a toe into the waters of revolt. “Can’t the doctors insist? Or just give it to him without him knowing?” Sure he’d find out the first time he tried his power, but the doctors could refuse to keep him alive without it.
Paul straightened his back and pulled his jacket down, smoothing it out. “It’s a moot point. About a week after you left, your father agreed to start taking it. Like I said, this whole affair has changed him. He’s even backed off on some of his less favorable policies.”
Jason lost control of himself and blurted out, “So that’s it? He’s cured and gets away with murder?” Of course he’d install this blocking device. If he couldn’t use the Mirre, then he wasn’t going to let Jason use it either.
Paul gave a small shake of his head. “Your father makes the laws. When he does it, it’s not murder.”
Jason’s face went red with rage. He shoved the chair back and stood while his voice grew to a shout. “That doesn’t make it right!”
His uncle remained calm. “No, it’s not right. That’s the reason we’re having this conversation. I know you well enough to predict you’ve come back for revenge.”
Jason no longer cared about accusations of treason or if the Colonel was with him or not. “So we’re supposed to just sit back and watch him destroy everything the family has built? What happens when he wants his power back a month or two from now?” His volume grew with his anger. “Will you continue to support him when he freaks out again?”
“Jason, please sit and lower your voice.”
He didn’t want to sit. He didn’t want to be in this room. He wanted to grab a few of those weapons and charge into the palace.
“I’d rather not have everyone in the hall hearing this.” His uncle insisted.
Jason froze. Hearing what? What was Paul planning on saying? He squelched his anger and lowered stiffly into the chair.
Sparrow looked frightened out of her mind. She let the death-grip on her braid drop and took one of his hands.
“Hear what?” He spat the words and felt like a child again.
“I want you to understand that there are those of us who are watching the situation closely. Please, don’t do anything rash. If the medication works, then your father was a sick man who needed help. A sad story but it will have to stop there.” His voice grew firm and his glower bored into Jason. “If it doesn’t work, or he stops taking it, you will have support.”
There. It was out in the open. Treason at the highest level. Jason reached across the table and grabbed his uncle’s water glass. With a shaky hand, he gulped down half the cup. “So what do I do now?”
“You, my boy — I suppose I shouldn’t say that anymore. Would you prefer Emperor?”
Jason waved off the remark with a grimace. “They can call me Emperor on Alexandria if they insist, although officially that’s not my title, and it’s Ambassador Tully doing all the work.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.” His low monotone made it sound as if Paul didn’t approve. “We’ll cover that hitch in a minute. For now, I’m asking you not to do anything. I know how painful this must be for you, but if you get yourself killed avenging Martin, this planet may not be able to recover from the long-term consequences.”
Jason nodded. God, he certainly slipped back into teenage prince mode quick enough. Wait, Jason. Your time will come, Jason. Listen to your elders, my Prince. Blah,
blah, blah. “I’ll give him a chance.” The vile words tasted like one of those awful Simpton’s bars. “What about Alexandria?”
Uncle Paul rubbed his brow. “You know the Senate. The government is up in arms over the situation. Is Alexandria ours or yours? If it’s ours, we can use the taxes to pay for their protection, but if it’s yours, well, then it’s your problem, and Ambassador Tully is still a subject to your father. Not to mention the possible repercussions from Serigala.”
The conversation turning to more practical matters calmed Jason. He still couldn’t imagine living in the palace with his Mirre ability switched off. “Yea, yea. I know. I’ve had a couple of weeks to think about it. If he’s acting rational, we can come to some legal agreement.”
“You did a fine job out there, my Prince.” At ease once again, Paul grinned at him. “Martin would be proud of you. He taught you well.”
The praise was enough to send a wave of embarrassment through Jason, leaving the hint of water in his eyes. “And the Herodians? I wondered if I made the right decision keeping quiet about them.”
His uncle narrowed his eyes. “That will be up to your father. But yes, you made the right choice with them. He’s shown a level of excitement I haven’t seen in years.”
Jason twisted his lips with the idea. Excitement at meeting another sentient species or the thrill of a new source of wealth? “Hmm. Will they be tortured with experiments?”
“Experiments?” It came out with a gruff laugh. “I dare say there will be a million of them. But I don’t think you need to worry about torture. Even if your father wanted to be cruel for some reason, the people in the lab have hearts. They won’t be mean.”
Jason didn’t find the idea particularly reassuring. “The Herodians won’t be free either.”
Paul wouldn’t deny the point and held out his palms. “Where would they go? They can’t survive outside those tanks until we set up a place with an atmosphere they can breathe. Even their home planet has changed enough so it’s no longer able to support them.”
Shabin- The Reluctant Prince of Rhime Page 25