Shattered Illusions (Terra Chronicles Book 2)

by J. C. Jackson

  Finally Vince broke the silence, “So you’re teleporting groups now?” He seemed curious, not angry. “And a few other surprises I would certainly like to discuss at a later time.”

  I did not know what he referred to, but I answered him regarding the teleport, “It was my first attempt, sir.”

  “Are you serious?!” Kitteren voiced loudly. Apparently Silver had not shared that information. She straightened up when both Vince and Lockonis leveled glares at her and she said, “Excuse my outburst.”

  As their attention returned to me I tried to stand taller.

  Vince continued, “I’ll be traveling to speak with the rest of the team after this, but right now, Ketayl, I want to know if you wish to file grievances against any of the agents involved.”

  I blinked. File grievance? The thought had not even crossed my mind. I looked over at Kitteren who turned her face away from me, but I caught her wiping a tear. My attention then went to our adopted parents who both stood stoically to my left. The Ocean’s Edge crew were behind me and I did not feel the need to continue this evaluation to them. Silver stood to my right and I looked at him for a moment hoping for an answer.

  Finding none, I turned back to Vince and firmly said, “No.”

  “No?” Vince asked. “You are well within your right.” He gestured at me and I presumed the injuries sustained.

  I raised my chin and I could see Kitteren looking at me out of my peripheral vision confused. “No. This was my choice and I will deal with any other issues personally.”

  “Hm, you certainly are a curious one,” Vince mused, leaning forward to flip through a file before him. “We might be in trouble with an agent as stubborn as you going into the field regularly.” He still sounded like the events unfolding amused him.

  I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking through my next action. My power pushed at me as I tried to reign in the conflicting emotions. The badge on my waistband felt heavy. They put too much faith in me.

  I glanced sideways at Silver before I strode forward and pulled the badge off of my waistband and placed it on the desk. “Thank you for the consideration, but I haven’t earned this.”

  Turning on my heel, I walked quickly toward the door to leave before something broke through my control.

  “You’re resigning?” Silver sounded hurt.

  I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. “I’ll continue my work, but I don’t deserve that badge.”

  “The rest of you are dismissed for now. I need a conversation with Ketayl. Savanas, if you and Silver would also stay,” Vince ordered.

  I stepped back to allow the others to leave, never lifting my head to look at them.

  The door closed behind the last person and I refused to turn around. “Why?” Lockonis asked. Apparently she stayed also.

  I took a shuddering breath before speaking, “I never completed any formal training which was obvious during this assignment.”

  “Is she serious?” Lockonis asked someone. “Ket, first of all, you shouldn't have been on this assignment - Dark Ops or not you were supposed to be off-duty. Second, I never did any training either. Same for the big guy and Savanas received vastly different training. Sure, we’ve developed the system we use now, but you’ve learned way more than you would have through the training course. Hells, we were talking about setting up an advanced tracking seminar on the flight here just to see who could keep up with you.”

  I turned back around to see if Lockonis’ comment had been in jest.

  She continued, “Look, I know this is hard to accept, but honestly, if you wanted to take the tests for the training, I’d let you except in your helping your partner study, you’ve proven you know the material. Probably better than he does as I know you weren’t reading from the books most of the time.”

  Vince stepped in. “We should probably also talk about the latest Terran Council ruling regarding you.”

  I never viewed the videos of the last one Lockonis spoke of. I did not think myself ready to hear this.

  “Archmage Donovan dragged us down there again a few months ago,” Lockonis sighed. “He seemed very adamant about getting you recalled.”

  I cocked my head to the side. No one mentioned anything about recalls after I last talked to Lockonis about it six months ago.

  “The short answer is you are no longer a part of the Arcane College,” Vince said, his voice even. “I’m fairly certain most of it was due to the Archmage pissing off the Council, but the official ruling came down due to the complete lack of support from the Arcane College since you came to us as well as their lack of ability to care for you. This gave us the freedom to move you from liaison to agent.”

  “The change happened immediately in the system, but Savanas followed the proceedings and begged us to let her give you your badge,” Lockonis teased her former partner.

  Savanas shook her head. “I asked. Nicely I might add.”

  Silver walked over to the desk and asked, “May I?” His hand hovered over my badge. Vince nodded and my partner picked it up, looking at it carefully before walking over to me. Grinning broadly, he clipped it to the sling. “It seems only fair.”

  I rolled my eyes at Silver and gave him my best look of annoyance as I took the badge off the sling and put it back on my waistband. I guess I was stuck with the thing. Though it started to feel more like it belonged now that the weight of the Arcane College left. I did not expect to feel freedom at the announcement. At least not so quickly.

  “Ooh, I didn’t know Ket could get sassy,” Lockonis said, sounding far too entertained.

  “Ketayl,” Vince said, getting my attention. “When you return, check in with your assistant and then I want you to take some time-off. Dayko has requested for you to spend time with your family. Get what you need to in order. We’re setting up a new space for you and Silver to work in and you’ll have your hands full sifting through what the cyber team has found so far.”

  “We’ll keep feeding you what we think might be relevant information as we find something,” Lockonis chimed in. “Right now it’s all rumors and isolated incidents - nothing I can piece together as a lead.”

  I nodded. It seemed reasonable enough. Though I wondered why Father was requesting the time-off. There was no point in arguing - I was not going to win about not taking leave.

  “Are we good?” Savanas asked.

  The question surprised me. I did not know if I needed to answer or not.

  Vince signaled for us to leave. “I want to speak with Silver anyway and I’ll call the others back in here at some point.”

  I silently followed Savanas out and back downstairs. As we got closer to the loose group formed, Kitteren pushed herself off the wall to speak to us. Savanas rushed her and shoved her back against the wall, pinning my sister across the shoulders with her forearm. “I don’t want to hear anything out of you,” the head of the Ocean’s Edge branch growled. Then she let go and continued toward the elevator.

  “Why are you so angry?” Kitteren called after her. “I brought your team back in one piece.”

  Savanas stopped and stood still for a moment before returning and swinging hard, connecting her fist with Kitteren’s face. My sister fell back and onto the floor. “You’ve got a lot to learn,” she ground out. “When we warned you about how you could lose a lot more than you gained, you weren’t going to be the only one to lose. She’s your sister for the Gods’ sakes! Act like it!”

  I stared at the two, unsure of what just happened. Everyone else around me seemed to be in the same stupor.

  Kitteren got back on her feet and started toward Savanas, her hands already balled into fists. As she wound back to take her own swing, I reacted, opening my left hand toward the two to cast my shield spell around each of them.

  “Enough!” Almost everyone looked up at the same time to see Lockonis at the railing of the upper level. Vince and Silver were to the side observing. I shook my head and returned to concentrating on holding the two women.

  Savan
as touched the shield with her fingers - her face curious as the hexagonal pattern of the shield lit up where she touched. Kitteren swung at hers, making it harder for me to maintain the spell. It required more energy the harder and faster she hit.

  I knew it was only a matter of time before I would not be able to hold it.

  “Dammit, Lockonis let me go!” Kitteren shouted. “If Savanas wants to have it out right here and now, I’m game.”

  “I’m not the one casting it,” Lockonis said calmly. “Though it was impressive timing.”

  Kitteren stopped and turned in my direction. I had my hand out and knew I started to sweat from the strain. I should have more in me than this to keep it going. “Ket…” she breathed.

  Father put his hand on my arm. He pushed gently, but did not force me to stop. I gave up a moment later, figuring both women had calmed down enough to let out.

  “Dayko, if you would escort Ketayl and Savanas,” Vince ordered. “The rest of you I want reviewing the case files.”

  A hand touched my back, gently pushing me toward the elevator while I tried to watch the others. Savanas’ team made their way to their desks - Rathal jumping his to get to his chair faster. The rest found somewhere to be. Except Kitteren who simply watched us leave. She rubbed her face where Savanas struck. It looked like we might have matching bruises at this rate.

  I stood awkwardly between my adopted father and the head of the Ocean’s Edge branch during the silent ride down.

  Savanas led us to her car this time instead of the fleet vehicle she used to pick us up in. Father opened the door for me and I sighed, wishing people would let me do things for myself.

  He smiled gently. “You can put up with some coddling.” He patted my head.

  “Given what just happened upstairs, I think she’s proven she can handle herself,” Savanas said flatly.

  Father leaned down so he could see Savanas. “I know, too many of us keep underestimating her. But given the circumstances…”

  Silence hung like a crooked picture.

  “Sorry about hitting Kitteren in front of everyone,” Savanas said.

  Father shook his head. “Don’t tell her, but she needed it. You just did what many of us were thinking, though we were mostly waiting to see what Ketayl here would do. Take care of my girl.” He patted the top of the car and shut the door, quickly walking back toward the elevator.

  As soon as she started the car and pulled out, Savanas said, “Ket, I really am sorry about what you witnessed back there. Though I’m not sorry I hit her.”

  I shook my head. “I kind of wanted to myself for a while.” Kitteren had been obnoxious most of the trip and part of me decided she deserved what she got. The other part cringed at seeing her in pain.

  Savanas laughed. “Okay, let’s go find a late lunch.”

  ~*~

  “Hope you haven’t been waiting long,” Savanas said cheerfully. “I’m afraid we got caught up in some drama at the office.”

  I walked behind Savanas, taking in the outside patio of the Waking Dawn which faced out over the water. Green canvas triangles shaded the tables and the one we were being directed toward was out of view of the main dining area. Roh came up and bounced around our feet before going back the way he came.

  “Is that why you warned me to stay away from the office today?” I had not expected to hear Retanei’s voice. I nervously remained behind Savanas, not wanting my friend to see me like this. I ducked my head, letting my hair try to hide as much as possible.

  “Something like that.”

  The hostess bowed and told us our server would be with us shortly. She gave me a sad look as she took in my injuries again. I wanted to say I had grown used to it after being dragged around everywhere in Mystic Port, but it still bothered me.

  Savanas sat down and I moved slowly to take a seat.

  “Gods, what happened?” Retanei asked. “Savanas, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Dark Ops gone wrong,” Savanas said flatly.

  Retanei made a face of annoyance and moved my hair to get a better look. She cringed when she saw my shoulder and then gently push my head so she could look at the bruising on my neck. “You look like you got into a fight with a Troll. At least it looks like a Troll hand print around your neck.”

  “She did. And slave traders,” Savanas’ voice sounded tired.

  Retanei sat back down. “Geez, Ket. You’re tougher than you look if you’re still standing. I probably would have seen the thing and ran. If I end up dealing with another out-of-control werewolf pack, I’m taking you along.”

  “I thought the Alpha Prime dealt with them,” Savanas inquired.

  “First indication of a problem ended up under our jurisdiction,” Retanei answered. She turned back to me, frowning. “What on Terra happened, Ket?”

  How much was I allowed to talk about? I stared at the table and the closed menu in front of me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Artemis curled up in the corner, chewing on a bone. Roh had one as well though he rolled around while he chewed, being far more lively with it.

  “What happened is a little more complicated than we have time for, but shall we move onto figuring out food? I’m starving,” Savanas said.

  “Sorry,” Retanei said and looked at me again. “Just… damn.”

  I flipped through the menu, not really hungry. Glasses of water began appearing on the table. I looked up to see Trevyn setting them down. “Lass, you look like you could use somethin stronger than water this time.” He smirked at me.

  I managed a small smile at his joke.

  Savanas jumped in, “I certainly could. Got a good summer special?”

  Trevyn winked at her. “I know just the thing.”

  Retanei ordered a sweet tea and I copied her. She asked, “Are you sure, Ket? Usually you avoid stuff like that.”

  She knew of my sensitivity to things like caffeine and sugar. I did not even try to hide the tiredness in my voice when I answered, “I think I need something to get through the rest of the day. I didn’t get much rest on the flight here.”

  It had been a private flight and a smooth ride, but with the agents around me and someone always close to my side, I could not relax.

  Savanas raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She turned to Trevyn and asked, “So when did you start waiting tables?”

  He laughed. “I let one of my waiters have a couple of weeks off - his mate just gave birth to their first child. Plan on givin’ the lad as much as he needs really. I also have a few takin’ days off here an’ there for appointments an’ the like. It’s easier for me to fill a spot than possibly overwork an’ anger my employees. I’ve got a good crew - I want to keep them.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Let me get those drinks an’ I’ll get an appetizer tray for you lovely ladies on the house.”

  With that he left.

  Savanas shook her head. “Good ol’ Trevyn,” she mused.

  I felt lost as to what was going on.

  “Should you be drinking on-duty?” Retanei asked.

  “Pretty sure I went off-duty the moment I dropped Kitteren,” Savanas said flatly.

  Retanei shook her head and then something made her look at me. “Wait, she said you two were going on vacation…”

  I looked down at the menu, not really seeing it. I thought quickly, trying to figure out how to avoid talking about what happened. “I guess you were helping out here.” I cringed at my horrible attempt to change the topic.

  Silence hung awkwardly for a few moments.

  “Yeah, there was a volunteer request at the main office,” Retanei said idly. “Figured I’d come give Savanas a hand while the Orc tribes get themselves reorganized.”

  Savanas mused, “Who knew Ted could be a diplomat.”

  Retanei started laughing. “Only among Orc tribes does brute strength and a very large axe constitute diplomacy.”

  I settled back while I half-listened to them talk. Flipping through the menu, I felt I could breathe with the attention off of me. />
  My mind drifted to what I needed to do when I got back. I knew what my orders were. I knew where I had to be. I did not know how to deal with rebuilding my relationships. So far I mostly acted like nothing changed and I knew it was a temporary solution, but I did not know what else to do.

  Things would not be the same between my family and I, but I could not fathom just walking away. I had been so torn about what I had done to cause the rifts that I ignored what they had done. Savanas pointed out in a way that if mine and Kitteren’s positions had been reversed, I would not have taken the same path.

  At this point, I think I just needed to listen to all sides of the story before acting. I just knew I needed to stop letting Kitteren get away with so much.

  Though I would be happier to sit and sift through whatever the cyber team managed to pull together for me. Spend hours in the lab. Anything but face what happened in Mystic Port.

  But then I would never move on. Taking a deep breath, I knew what few secrets I still kept needed to remain that way as long as I could manage. At least what my biological mother made me promise.

  As our meal wrapped up and Trevyn collected the plates, something else appeared in front of me. I looked at the small individual-sized cake with a candle on top flickering in the light ocean breeze.

  Lou hovered behind me, a satisfied smirk on his face. “Savvy asked if I wouldn’t mind since it was your birthday recently and you’ve had a rough patch. By the looks of it, quite a bit rougher than I got the gist of.”

  “Thanks, Da,” Savanas said.

  “You didn’t have to.” My attention was torn between Lou and Savanas.

  Trevyn still stood nearby. “It’s not like he had to go far, lass. The bakery is right next door.”

  “Speaking of, I have your order ready to come over.” Lou turned when he spoke to Trevyn.

  The Dwarf’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. I’ll bring a couple of people over within the hour.”

  While the two men talked and walked away, Retanei pointed at the cake.

  I stared at the flame, trying to make sense of the cake before me. This was odd.