Matti swallowed. “Right. Why don’t I go check on everything again?” Then he was gone.
Blue wasn’t sure whether to laugh or shout. She settled on slapping the massive chest that had scared Forrest’s friend away. “Behave.”
Mo’ata appeared in the doorway. “Everything appears to still be in place. What happened to Matti?”
Blue laughed. It was too much. “Can’t take you guys anywhere.”
“He should not have acted as though he had a right to you,” Felix grumbled.
Where was this coming from? Since when was her giant mercenary possessive? “Felix?”
He refused to look at her.
Levi, silent until then, shoved between them. “Give him some leeway,” he whispered. “We are all still learning how this works, and it has been a while since we’ve all gone out together. It is also the first time you have acted so familiar with someone new.”
“Oh.” Ohhhhhh. She turned to look up at Felix. “Do you remember Kevin?”
“The large boy from Earth.”
She smiled to hear Felix call anyone large. “That’s him. Really good friend, nothing more.”
“You have just met this Matti.”
“Doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a friend.”
Felix frowned, sucked in a breath, and nodded.
“He’s not part of the pattern,” Forrest said, his gaze distant. He blinked and focused on Felix. “You don’t need to worry about Matti. Now, can we stop hovering in the doorway and let me show my brilliance to Blue?”
Felix’s expression eased. “You’re right, this is your day. I apologize.”
Forrest turned to Mo’ata. “Is it really ready? Everything still looks like last night? You know what, no. I need to see it myself.” He grabbed Blue’s arm. “Stay right here until I come get you. No peeking.” He glared at Felix and Levi. “Don’t let her peek.”
Then Forrest was gone, swallowed by the dim room beyond.
A warm hand settled on the small of her back. Levi leaned into her side. They didn’t need to wait long, Forrest was back in mere minutes. “Cover your eyes,” he instructed.
Blue stiffened.
He shook his head. “No true darkness, I just want to be able to tell you when it’s the right time to look.”
She closed her eyes and held out her hand. Slim fingers with light calluses gripped hers and pulled her forward. Hands on her shoulders scooted her to the left, then turned her.
“Now,” a voice whispered in her ear.
Blue opened her eyes.
There was nothing but darkness for about half a second. Then the room lightened by degrees as a small point of color sparkled. As both grew, Forrest’s creation took shape. Rainbows of pastel light flickered over and within a humanoid shape curled in a broken egg. Spiked stone surrounded that egg, thorns that could all too easily damage the life inside that thin shell. As the light grew, the figure became translucent and the shell glowed with the promise of purity and hope.
“Holy shit, Forrest. Holy shit. That’s all I got.” She couldn’t tear her eyes from it. “How…?”
“Matti’s idea really. Glass and light, with the right angles and wavelengths.”
“It’s amazing.” The light began to fade, and with it the sparks of color. “I’m going to stand here and stare for a while, if that’s okay.” She did not want to look away from it. The more she gazed at Forrest’s creation, the more she saw. Thin cracks in the egg, an outline of what could have been a tail curled within, a pattern of shapes that could have been a face on the ground below the egg. The spikes of stone weren’t actually aimed at the egg. Most were pointed out, guarding it, and others were situated around it, protecting it.
Arms wrapped around her from behind. She inhaled pine and herbs. “Our umsji did this.”
Umsji, the title given to the caregiver of the prida. The term was amazingly appropriate. “Do you think that’s how he sees us?”
A beard brushed her ear. “I think this is how he sees you.”
She shivered at the sensation of his breath on her. “I’m not…” I’m nothing like that, she wanted to say. I’m nothing so beautiful as that.
Forrest’s blue eyes stared into hers. “Do you like it?”
She stepped forward, or tried to. Mo’ata still held her. Holding her arms out, she beckoned Forrest to her. He stepped forward and she wrapped her arms around him until they were all pressed together in some sort of weird hug train. “I love it. Do we get to keep it?”
“It’s been purchased already, actually.”
This was from a stocky, middle-aged man with dark hair and what looked to be resting-disapproval-face. Except he was smiling, so he couldn’t be disapproving of anything, right?
“What?” Forrest and Matti cried out together.
“The patron has paid extra to have it transported directly after the exhibit.”
“So it won’t be displayed?” Blue asked. She didn’t like that. This deserved to be seen.
“The new owner was very insistent.”
“Mr. Rinor,” Forrest said, releasing her and facing the man. So this is the head of the Art Department. “Part of the reward for having our pieces selected was they would be on display. How can we get our names out there if—“
Mr. Rinor held up a hand. “And among the more elite collectors, what sort of reputation will you gain if your first piece was so coveted that the new owner would not allow it shown more than a day?” A genuine smile spilled across the man’s face and all trace of disapproval was gone. “I came to inform you of the purchase, and to formally acknowledge that you have passed your probationary period and earned your full tuition. Although, with the price the purchaser paid, you and Matti could easily afford the full tuition. I expect much from the both of you from now on.” With that, the Director of the Art Department turned on his heel and exited, mumbling about checking the lighting in room five, and late caterers.
Blue tugged a stunned Forrest to her and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“That just happened, didn’t it?”
She nodded against his back. “It did.”
“Wow.”
“Wow is right.” Her arms tightened around him. She was afraid either he or she would float away.
This was what they’d dreamed of when they’d stood on the edge of that outlook in Austin and deliberately set off the natural portal there.
Blue stood to one side of the room and watched Forrest. Shifting from foot to foot, she had to restrain the urge to pull him away from all those strangers and out the side door. Nothing is going to happen Blue, stop being an overprotective mother-duck.
He and Mattie stood surrounded by exhibition visitors, other students, and various patrons on the lookout for the next big thing. The crowd had grown as the day progressed, and her restlessness grew with each new person added to that crowd.
For the first few hours after the doors opened to the public, she’d stuck to his side. Then congratulators and viewers eager to know the secret of the lighting effect had nudged her aside. An awful lot of them also wanted to know the meaning behind the piece. Well, most wanted to state what they thought the piece meant more than they wanted to ask.
She also noted there were more than a few women in that crowd, all with their gazes trained on her Forrest. A few had even gone so far as to place a hand on his arm or shoulder.
Vivi put a stop to that fast enough.
Though, Blue did not miss the grin Forrest sent in her direction. Jealous? it all but screamed. She also noted that he flashed the ring on his finger every chance he got.
She’d stuck her tongue out at him, but left him be. Him meeting these people was as important to his career as his professors’ approval.
Ranged around the room were the other men. Felix had positioned himself close to the sculpture, arms crossed, and stared down anyone who got too close. It was like he was afraid someone would somehow trip into it and take the whole thing down. Levi stayed near the entrance, his
gaze sweeping over the crowd and those clustered around Forrest in continuous motions, though he seemed less concerned about the flirting girls and more worried that someone would attempt another abduction.
Good man. Blue would have to think of a decent nickname for her wonderfully thoughtful Prizzoli.
Mo’ata had stuck by her side. After the crowd had grown around Forrest, he was the one to pull her away and tuck her in a corner of the room that had a view of Forrest, the sculpture, and the door. It was probably more for his benefit than hers.
“You’re hovering more than normal,” she commented, raising her voice enough to be heard above the general buzz of the room.
Hooking an arm around her waist, he pulled her back into his chest. “Too many people,” was all he said.
A moment later he froze. Blue twisted her head to follow his gaze and find what had captured his attention.
Brendan and Dorani Faust. They stood just inside the doorway, talking to Levi. He looked down and a moment later Blue’s comm buzzed and pinged in her back pocket.
Do you want to speak with them?
The subject of a different family meeting a couple of months ago, Brendan and Dorani Faust of Sirisa shipping were another piece of unfinished business she had yet to deal with.
Well, I am on a roll with cleaning up my life and tackling unfinished business. May as well get this over with. The problem was she didn’t know what to do about them. On one hand, they were family, the only blood relatives she had left, and a probable source of knowledge about her father’s early life before the Ministry. On the other hand, the second time she had met Brendan—and the first time she’d spoken with Dorani—they had come right out and asked her to sign over any rights she may have to Sirisa Shipping as David Faust’s daughter. While an invitation to visit had accompanied the request, Blue couldn’t help but notice that invitation was couched in overly polite words and stiff smiles. The few messages they had sent since then also held that same invitation, but nothing ever came of it.
This was in part her fault, she knew. As she had with so many things, she allowed her busy schedule to push the meetings, and the decision about the family business, aside.
Send them over, she sent to Levi.
“Hey pixie.”
Blue’s head jerked up. Forrest stood in front of her, that distant look in his eyes. When had he broken away from his new admirers?
“Go ahead and agree. You don’t want to be involved in their business, and it will show you who to trust.” He blinked blue eyes and grinned. “I know I just did that in a crowded room, but it couldn’t be helped. I had a feeling you needed to hear that.”
She stared up at him, mouth hanging open. Coming back to herself, she closed her mouth and swallowed. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome.” Forrest leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. As she was about to deepen it, a throat cleared and a timid voice spoke up.
“Mr. Decatur? I’m from the University’s news department. Do you think I could have a moment of your time?”
A slim man in a tight suit that gleamed in the low light, licked his lips and shifted from foot to foot. Brendan Faust stood behind him, wearing a fierce frown.
Forrest gave her another kiss, this one quick, and stepped to the side, pulling the man with him. “Sure thing. What’s your name?” The crowd swallowed them.
Blue shifted, trying to track where they went as the all too familiar bubble of anxiety grew in her chest. She caught Levi’s eye and he pointed. The reporter, Forrest and Matti now stood a few feet from the sculpture, their hands waving in animated gestures. Felix was also there. Levi nodded to her. They would watch over Forrest.
Her mind at ease on that front, Blue turned to Brendan. Dorani stood beside him, her demeanor and petite frame giving an air of sophistication. The woman gave away nothing of what she was feeling through the gentle smile she wore.
“I didn’t know you guys were in the city,” Blue said. That should be neutral enough.
“Yes, well, you weren’t responding to our inquiries, so we decided to take it upon ourselves to come down. We had other business to attend to anyway.” Brendan’s blue-grey eyes, so like her father’s, stared down at her.
“Be truthful,” Dorani said as she laid a hand on his arm. “She did respond, but her schedule didn’t permit her to visit with us. Understandable, my dear.” This last was directed at Blue. “We had also heard that Mr. Decatur had a piece in the exhibit. Quite an accomplishment for one so recently come to Tremmir.”
There was not one thing Blue could find fault with in the woman’s words, yet a chill ran up her spine. Had she imagined the brief flashes of warmth Dorani showed in their first meeting, or were those simply another well thought out move on the woman’s part?
Forrest was right. She needed to just give them what they wanted. I won’t take any compensation, though. If they contacted her again after this, she’d consider deepening her connection with them. Maybe Trev can look into their activities? Or maybe I’ll leave the criminals to the criminal. It seemed appropriate.
“Thank you,” she said to Dorani. “It is remarkable, isn’t it?” Taking a breath, she squared off with Brendan. “I apologize if you feel inconvenienced by having to come all the way to Tremmir. But I have an answer for you.”
Brendan’s eyes narrowed.
“I will sign over any rights to Sirisa Shipping. I don’t want it, never did. I think the only reason I hesitated was because it was a tie to my father, to my family. But, it’s not like you’re going to disappear once I sign a silly piece of paper, is it?” She turned to Dorani. “I would like to come up and stay for a bit, to visit with you. You’re correct, my schedule has been hectic, to say the least. Maybe after the term is over? I’m afraid I have plans for this break.” Plans to sleep in and figure out how to handle a cantankerous general.
Dorani reached out and patted her arm. “Of course dear. That would be lovely. We’ll send over the documents, and you look at them when you have a moment.” Slipping her arm through her husbands, she gave it a tug. “Now, we’ll wander a bit and let you get back to your celebrations.” As suddenly as they’d appeared, they were gone.
“Wow,” Blue said, staring at where the couple had stood a moment ago. “Looks like Forrest was right.”
“It was a good decision, shopa.” Mo’ata stepped up beside her, his arm pressed to her shoulder. Garfield rubbed his head against her leg. She’d have to give him an extra portion of canob later, he’d been remarkably well behaved through that encounter.
“You really think so?” A pang hit her at the thought of never seeing them again. They were her family. And she couldn’t forget Dorani’s expression when her daughter Gabriella was mentioned during their first meeting. That had been the true Dorani, and the mother missed her daughter. They could have filled the holes in each other’s hearts…
“I really think so. If their intentions are sincere, they will be back.” Mo’ata’s hand rubbed over her back. “Do not dwell on it. There are plenty of other things to worry about.”
“Yeah, like Felix’s family.”
Her clansman stiffened beside her. Had Felix mentioned something to him already? Did Mo’ata know General Audal somehow?
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Felix and I had a good talk last night. As soon as he’s ready, we’re going to need to hold another family meeting to strategize. But, I should let him explain.”
Mo’ata remained stiff beside her.
“Let’s not talk about it now. This is Forrest’s day, everything else can wait.” Despite the small pang at the thought that her father’s family had wanted nothing more than her signature on some papers, and her worry over Felix’s family, she felt… light. The unfinished threads dangling everywhere were being grabbed and yanked upon. She’d figured out what was bothering her cheerful mercenary, and for better or worse she’d made a decision about the Fausts. Now she just needed to decide on her profession—other than under
cover Order agent, of course—and she’d be back on track.
Maybe I should go revisit my old list. See what else is on there and what I can cross off?
Mo’ata slipped his arm back around her and she leaned into him. Yup, today was a great day.
Chapter 10
BLUE
“Dancing lessons!” Blue cried out. Crammed between Felix and Forrest in the transport on the way to Colci’s, she’d been wracking her mind to think of the items she’d once put on her list.
“Huh?” Forrest pulled his attention from the view out the window.
“For the list?” Levi asked, his hazel eyes lighting to gold.
“Yeah, if I’m cutting back my schedule, we’ll have time for other things.”
Felix grinned and shook his head, but didn’t say anything.
“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose, shopa?”
“Not if it’s relaxing. Then it’s… relaxing, which is the opposite of stressful, which would fit the agenda of the yet to be revised schedule. Maybe we could start during the break.” She nodded to herself. That would work. She’d taken a few lessons back on Earth, but she wanted to learn the dances her guys knew. She wanted to be able to move with them out on the dance floor, to share that with them.
“I would like that,” Levi said. “I will put it on my list as well. We can go on our days?”
Blue reached over and grabbed his hand. It would be perfect. She’d explore a new thing with her list-buddy.
Mo’ata shifted beside the Prizzoli and dropped his gaze. His fingers tapped his knee, then he ran a hand over his hair and down his braid.
“Mo’ata?”
He wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“Honey buns?”
Felix snorted but other than that none of the men reacted, not even Forrest, who continued to stare out the transport’s window.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Her clansman sighed and raised his eyes. “We have a job.”
“What? Since when?” She turned to the others. “Did you know?”
Forrest shrugged, Levi’s eyes widened, and Felix shook his head. “I knew Mo’ata had spoken to the Boss, but not what about. We were waiting until after the exhibit,” Levi confessed.
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