Jaer’s legs threatened to betray him. He dropped into a seat next to the desk, rubbed his hands over his face, and pushed out of the chair. His gaze locked on Cale. “I…I do not deserve…What will I do if—when—she communicates again?”
Cale moved to stand in front of Jaer. “Whether you believe you deserve Erynn or not doesn’t matter. She wants you. I love her enough to make sure she gets what she wants.” He smiled. “Now. Tell me again, everything she said.” Cale went to a cabinet and retrieved two short glasses and a clear, ornate decanter half full of a dark amber liquid.
Arranon Oakale Brandy.
“She said she was safe, for now.” Jaer watched Cale set the items on the desktop and fill the two glasses. “She told me she loved me.”
Cale handed one of the glasses to Jaer. “Drink.” He waved his hand. “And go on.”
Jaer tossed the drink back, swallowed, and winced. “Then she said, ‘I do not want to wake up. I want to stay with you,’” he said through gritted teeth, staring into his empty glass. His jaw relaxed. “Her last words were ‘I will be back.’” He set the small container down on the desk with a gentle tink.
Cale sipped his drink, holding up one finger. “But back how? In a dream?”
The brandy warmed Jaer from his center out. “You believe Erynn was dreaming when she spoke to me?”
Cale poured more brandy and handed the refilled glass to Jaer. “Yes. You’ve experienced what Erynn’s dreams are like. More than anyone else has. They’re powerful. Her potential is, well, limitless once she learns control.”
Jaer studied the brandy floating in his glass. “Because of Zander.”
“I think it started with Zander.” Cale swallowed the contents of his drink, coughed, and wiped the back of his hand across his lips. “Now I think her power is more deeply connected to Arranon.”
Jaer nodded, tipped the brandy into his mouth, and swallowed. This time didn’t burn quite as much.
The COM on Cale’s desk chimed.
Cale leaned over and tapped the top. “Yes?”
“Byan Nev is here to speak with you, Cale,” the female voice announced.
Jaer stiffened. “What is he doing here?”
Cale grinned. “Why? What’s wrong?”
Jaer narrowed his eyes. “I do not like him. There is something…off about him.”
“Nev’s open feelings for Erynn, perhaps?” Cale squeezed Jaer’s shoulder. “He’s no threat to you, son. Erynn came to you, not him.”
“No, there is more to him. He stinks of death.”
Cale laughed. “He smells of antiseptic. You see Nev as competition.” Cale’s expression sobered. “He’s requested leave, due to a minor family situation. It’s taken me this long to arrange a replacement.” He tapped the COM. “Send Nev in, please.
The door slid open and Nev walked in. “Cale.” He nodded and turned to Jaer. “I’m still waiting for our discussion, Jaer.”
Jaer’s lips turned up slightly. “Soon.” The word rumbled from deep in his chest.
Nev returned his attention to Cale. “Is there any word from Erynn? I hate leaving without knowing she’s safe. What if she’s injured? She’ll need me.” He shook his head. “I’m worried about her.” He glanced at Jaer. “She’s been through enough already.” His tone held an accusing edge. Nev moved forward to stand before Cale. “I wouldn’t leave now, but…” He rubbed at his forehead. “I have to go. My mother…” His voice cracked.
“You go, Nev. Take care of your family. Let us worry about Erynn.” Cale guided Nev to the door. “My old friend Skye will arrive this afternoon. She can handle your department. We’ll be fine.”
Nev nodded. His eyes squeezed shut for a moment. “If…When you learn anything from Erynn, please contact me.” He spun on Jaer. Tears shimmered in Nev’s blue eyes. “I love her, too. As much as you do, Jaer.”
The door opened and Nev was gone.
Jaer spat out a string of obscenities and grabbed the brandy decanter.
Chapter 21
DHORAN HURRIED THROUGH THE DIM, cold corridors, tears still warm on his cheeks. His lips curled in a sneer. The host’s emotions toward Erynn were quite advantageous. But the line between Nev and Dhoran’s consciousness was beginning to blur. Nev’s love blended with a peculiar sensation growing in Dhoran.
He pushed the roiling turmoil aside. Time to leave and take action. Time to go get Erynn. Nev agreed with that much.
Jaer believed he had won this battle. How wrong Jaer was. After Dhoran reached the trialath where Erynn was held, he intended to make sure no one would ever see her again. That is, no one from the surface.
Dhoran smiled. He was eager to be with her, anticipated the birth of his superior children, and desired to be warm again. Erynn would remain below with him, his forever.
He pushed through the outer door to the Medical Unit. He smiled, nodding to the security guard stationed at the desk, and hurried to his office.
Maire exited a curtained cubicle and frowned. “Aren’t you gone yet?” She disappeared into another.
“Leaving now,” he called. He grabbed a pack off his desk and wheeled around.
Jaer stood there, filling the doorway.
Dhoran’s heart jumped in his chest. “Beirig din. You startled me.” He stepped in front of Jaer. “I don’t have time to talk with you now. I have to go.”
“I realize that. I am your pilot.” Jaer reached down to take the pack, never releasing his gaze from Dhoran’s eyes. “We can talk on the way.”
“What?” Dhoran laughed. He pulled the pack from Jaer’s reach. “You’re not a pilot.”
Jaer straightened. “Oh, but I am. What better way to see you safely to your destination.” Jaer’s lips thinned in a tight straight line. “Me. A decent pilot and an Anbas wrapped in one.”
“Yes, well.” Dhoran shook his head. “I appreciate your generous offer, Jaer. I’m sure you have better things to do than deliver me to Pragsuin.”
Jaer glanced around the cluttered room. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “No. In fact, I have meant to visit Pragsuin. There are Anbas in the city, and it has been too long since I last inspected them. I can stay until your family issue is resolved. Return with you to the base.”
Dhoran threw the pack over his shoulder. “What about Erynn? What if she reappears in Deanaim? You’ll want to go to her, to bring her home.”
“Pragsuin is closer to Deanaim than the base.” Jaer stood sideways in the door. His arm swept toward the corridor. “I will be told before Cale if she shows up. This way, you and I will be the first to learn of her return.”
“Sounds like you’ve got this all worked out.” Dhoran sighed and moved into the corridor. “Let’s go.”
You have become a problem for me, Jaer. I have no choice but to eliminate you now. My plan was not to go to Pragsuin. And there is nothing wrong with Nev’s mother. This may actually work to my benefit, though. Jaer said he was only a decent pilot. A crash in the mountains or dense forests of the surface would explain both Nev and Jaer not returning.
Dhoran glanced at Jaer and smiled.
This is far too easy. Though I did enjoy our competition while it lasted.
Dhoran followed Jaer through the hangar bay to the scramble pad, and then to a small, black, wedge-shaped ship. Clouds gathered against an orange-pink sunset. Dhoran shivered in an icy gust of wind.
Aven stepped from the far side of the craft. His black uniform melded with the pale shadows against the dark ship. He glared at Dhoran. “Sure you don’t want me to go with you? I could help you inspect the Anbas stationed in Pragsuin.”
“I can handle this, Aven.” Jaer walked around the ship, surveying the exterior. After one full circuit, he nodded to Aven. “Take care of things until I get back.” Jaer climbed inside and buckled into the pilot’s seat.
Dhoran followed and strapped in next to Jaer. He chuckled.
Jaer began a pre-flight assessment. “What amuses you?” He didn’t take his gaze
from his task.
“I’m looking forward to this trip with you, Jaer. I believe the dilemma between us will be resolved by the time we…land.” Dhoran’s energy built. The static hummed inside him, waiting for release.
When we’re well on our way, I’ll short the ship’s electrical system. Jaer won’t be able to land without power. We’ll crash. Shame, I’ve grown accustomed to this body. Maybe the next one will please Erynn even more.
Dhoran frowned.
Please Erynn even more.
Dhoran inhaled sharply.
“Something wrong?” Satisfaction tinged Jaer’s words.
Dhoran turned to face Jaer. “Oh, you understand what leaving others in charge of your duties is like, trying to remember if you’ve covered every potential situation that may arise.”
What if only Nev died? What if Jaer’s body was available for possession?
Dhoran rubbed at the fine stubble on his chin.
Making Jaer experience my triumph and watch helpless while I take Erynn would be much more satisfying than merely killing him.
Dhoran’s gaze jerked to the forward panel. His head spun with the possibilities. This simple deception would solve his problem with Jaer and with Erynn. He forced back a laugh that threatened to burst from his chest and surge right out his mouth.
I would need to act quickly. Make sure Jaer’s injuries aren’t severe. Take his body before his mind and his will fights me.
Jaer slipped the COM over his ear and adjusted a dial. “Copy, clear for take-off.”
The hatch glided into position, sealing with a quiet hiss.
I will do this. My will is stronger.
Engines whined, their roar building.
Dhoran smiled. “Thanks, Jaer. For flying me to Pragsuin.” He nodded. “I understand now how much you’re helping me.” His heart rate and respirations increased. Whether the reason was Nev’s fear or Dhoran’s excitement didn’t matter.
Ah, I understand Nev. I told you I would return your body when I’d finished with it. I lied.
Jaer took the controls and the craft hovered off the pad, gliding to the edge. A red light flashed, and an alarm blared in the small compartment of the cockpit.
“What’s happened?” Dhoran’s gaze jumped from Jaer to the forward panel.
Jaer turned the ship and set down on the scramble pad.
Cale ran through the hangar to the pad, his face lined with concern.
The engines cycled down. Their whine faded. The hatch opened with a depressurized whoosh.
Cale leaned into the hatch. “Jaer. It’s Roni and Zach. There’s trouble.”
Jaer unbuckled, shoved out of the seat, and followed Cale through the hangar bay.
“Hmmm. Guess my plans have changed yet again.” Nev’s relief flowed through Dhoran while he unstrapped, grabbed his pack, and exited the ship. He left the hangar and headed toward the transport bay. His intention all along was to take a land vehicle by himself to a portal.
Well, there is only one portal I can use now. Stone. The portal of fire at Deanaim is closed to me and has been for generations. The water threshold is useless without the dagger, and the one in Farglas Lake needs a winter’s worth of snow and ice to access. That won’t happen for weeks, maybe months.
Dhoran checked out a small, all-terrain transport from the bay chief, Whill.
“Sorry about your flight, Byan.” Whill slapped the gray metal side of the tracked vehicle. “She’ll get you where you’re going, but it won’t be as fast.”
“This is fine, thank you.” Dhoran threw his pack on the passenger side and climbed into the driver’s seat. He would reach the portal in two days. A transition station underground would take him the rest of the way to the trialath, and Erynn. This whole charade was nearly over.
Jaer ran in front of Cale and took the metal steps up to the dimly lit control room three at a time. His heartbeat pounded in his temples with his rising sensation of dread, the pulsing throb whooshing in his ears. The only light came from the monitors and a small lamp over the center of the clean workspace. Jaer leaned over the console and stared at the middle screen, into the face of Kerk, a new Anbas from Paedrick.
“Fayn. We were attacked—ambushed—outnumbered five to one.” Kerk grimaced and wiped at blood dripping from a gash over his left eye. “Zach rushed the assailants, pushed us back, told us to guard the council. He…He’s dead, Fayn. I’m sorry.”
Jaer stiffened, his jaw tight. His stomach lurched and rolled. “Are the rest of you all right? Where are you now? Where’s Roni?”
Kerk sucked in a deep breath. “Roni’s been taken to surgery. We’re all here, at the medical facility in Tamaagra, waiting…waiting for…They don’t…They don’t think she’ll make it, Fayn.” The last of his stored air rushed out with the grave news. He turned away for a moment, nodding to someone behind him. “She jumped in to help Zach. Fayn, she saved us. Zach and Roni saved us and most of Tamaagra’s council members.”
Jaer’s hands fisted. “Who did this?” His teeth ground and he shook his head, dropping into a seat. His gut clenched, his mind going over the assignment. This was to be a simple mission, fact finding only. Jaer couldn’t help but believe he’d missed something in the information given him.
Zach’s death is my fault. And Roni…No, Roni is still alive. She will be okay. She has to be.
“How?” Jaer’s whispered question swirled in the silence of the small room.
Kerk’s face screwed in pain. He nodded. “There had been no further attacks in or around the city. The council called us in to their chambers. They wanted an update on what we’d found.” He snorted, and his lips jerked in a sneer. “A trap. Someone knew where we’d be, all of us together. The building was quiet, the halls dark, everyone gone for the day. We never made it inside the council’s chambers.” Kerk licked his lips and wiped the blood from his cheek again. “The attack came from all around us.” He stared into the monitor. “We’ve failed you, Fayn. Three of the fifteen council members of Tamaagra are dead.”
Jaer frowned. “Who—”
“That’s the difficult part of this whole thing, Fayn.” Kerk shook his head. Blood flew in fine droplets across the screen. “They weren’t Shifters, not inside the building. They were human.”
“Do you have prisoners?”
“No, Fayn. They fought to the death. All of them.” A satisfied grin flitted across Kerk’s expression.
Jaer understood the young man’s reaction. He also relished in the death of those who had killed Zack, injured Roni, and murdered three council members.
“Dhoran is rallying followers from the surface.” Cale stood behind Jaer, his arms crossed over his chest. “They act in his service.”
“If they have organized already, this quickly…” Jaer’s thoughts splintered into a hundred possibilities, all of them unpleasant. He spun in his chair and stared up at Cale.
Cale dropped his arms. “I’ve heard rumors, murmurs of old cults gaining in number, waiting for Dhoran’s return. With Dhoran back, they grow bold. Dhoran promises wealth, power, and distinction. He makes his commands as a ruler, already believing he’s won. This confident attitude feeds his followers’ courage.”
Jaer turned to Kerk. “I will leave now. I can be in Tamaagra within forty-five timnents.” Jaer pushed out of the chair and leaned into the screen, fists braced against the desktop. “I expect a detailed debriefing when I arrive.” He straightened and dropped his gaze. “Go, tend to your injuries.”
The screen went dark.
Cale stared at the blank monitor. “Had your Anbas not been in Tamaagra, the entire council would be dead now. I hope Erynn contacts you soon. We need to learn where she is and what she’s discovered. Knowing where those portals are and closing them is our only chance to block Dhoran.” Cale turned and started toward the door. He stopped, staring out at nothing, his expression grave. “War is coming. Soon.”
Chapter 22
ERYNN WINCED AT THE SUDDEN return of brightness. The Ani
m Blath glowed brilliant and strong above her, no longer pulsing. She glanced around. Socar Batahs’ relieved voices, shaded with a lingering alarm, hummed through the warm air. A blanket of softly murmured words surrounded her in a cocoon, a respite after the unsettling visions shown her and the deep roaring voices of the Anim Blath only she heard.
Fear and concern radiated from the Socar Batahs, breaking through the cover shielding her. Emotions showered down, falling like fat drops of acid rain. Other emotions tumbled against her, sharp and abrasive. She closed her eyes and narrowed her exposure. Her nerves were too raw, too sensitive to bear any more.
A brusque tug on her arm brought the present crashing in.
A young male Socar Batah jerked her around to face him. Panic and rage tapped at her thin shell of resistance. His frightened and alarmed expression was only partially concealed under dark hair whipping wildly with his angry gestures. “You caused the Anim Blath to fail us.” He pulled Erynn close. His flat nose was centimeters from hers. “Your presence displeases them.”
Tine stepped in and pried the young male’s fingers off Erynn. “Stop,” Tine barked in a menacing growl. “Think about this.”
Erynn wrenched free from both of them. Purple static spun around and through her. Electricity snapped and popped. Currents jumped and crackled, the hurting kind. “If you believe the Anim Blath doesn’t want me here, then let me leave.” She glanced to the radiance glowing above, making daylight in what should be suffocating inky blackness. Erynn understood their apprehension. Their lives would change drastically if the Anim Blath no longer radiated light. But that wasn’t the substance of the message she’d received from the Anim Blath. Their crucial message to her was all about Dhoran and the war he planned.
Her body tensed and her jaw tightened. “You communicate with them. What did they tell you?”
A crowd gathered, Socar Batahs to the front, while Shifters kept their distance in the rear.
Tine reached out. “Erynn, the Anim Blath don’t communicate that way, it’s more—”
Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice Page 17