Hraban Novotny. Male. Born: May 15, 1873. Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia. Rank: 2 (Shield). Position: Pre-wave. Race: Human (possible crossover)
"What does 'crossover' mean?" I said, glancing up.
The others exchanged looks.
"What?" I said. "What is it?"
"We don't know, Allie," Balidor said, glancing at Wreg. "Not precisely. Having it by Galaith's name actually gave us the biggest clue as to what it might mean..." He hesitated before adding, "It's written by your brother's name, too. We think..." He hesitated a second time, glancing again at Wreg, as if for help.
"We think," Wreg finished. "That it's possible that crossovers can actually change race. Meaning, change race mid-incarnation..."
"What?" I stared around at them, then up at Revik. "How is that possible?"
Revik frowned, fingering and tugging at the doily under his coffee cup. "Galaith displayed as a seer, under the Rooks," he said finally. "Jon's already got sight...you've seen it, Allie. The fact that they are both labeled such lends credence to the idea that they are meant to evolve, mid-incarnation..."
I frowned. "But aren't humans supposed to evolve that way anyway?"
Revik nodded, making another 'more or less' gesture with his hand before glancing at Balidor. "Yes," he said. "But not so fast. What's happening with Jon is pretty dramatic, Allie. Lately, it's been speeding up. I don't know if you've looked at his aleimi recently, but..." He hesitated again, glancing at the other two seers. "Wreg has been working with him, training him. He said his abilities are increasing nearly exponentially...and that shouldn't happen. It doesn't happen, not normally, not even in humans with unusually structured aleimi...."
He shrugged again, picking up his coffee.
"Bear in mind, Allie...the definitions of race are pretty fast and loose when it comes to the actual dividing line. They have more to do with aleimi than physicality in many instances...although the two tend to follow one another. The physical adapts to the more-structured aleimi, and there are shifts in the organs and so forth...but the definitions get pretty blurry when you get into the particulars..."
"Like lifespan," Wreg added, taking a sip of his own coffee. "...And things like healing ability...and regeneration..."
"...It is all theoretical at this point, Allie," Balidor cut in, giving the other two a slightly warning look. "It would be better if you didn't talk to Jon about this...at least not until we know more about what it might mean for him personally..."
I nodded, but found myself staring at the words anyway.
My eyes drifted down to the next name on the list, the one that had started this conversation in the first place.
Raven Maygar. Male. Born: March 3, 1976. Birthplace: Moscow, Russia (USSR). Rank: 2 (Arrow). Position: First wave - Second. Race: Sarhacienne (possible crossover)
"Maygar too, huh," I said, still staring down at the paper. When I glanced up at Revik, he shrugged somewhat, his eyes faintly hard. "Does that mean you're supposed to train him?" I joked.
Clicking softly, he shook his head, but didn't smile.
"I don't know," he said neutrally, flipping one hand sideways.
Fighting not to smile, I looked back at the list. Only three names remained. One of those had been blacked out...which really left two.
I scanned them, frowning. "Do any of you know either of these people?"
When I glanced up, Revik gestured a 'no.' Wreg did the same. When I met Balidor's gaze, his expression was more cagey.
"I think one of them might be with Chandre," he said finally. "One of the seers working under Varlan...the one named Stanley..."
"Which means Shadow probably has him, too," I said.
Balidor gestured in affirmative, albeit reluctantly. "Yes. It is likely."
"Great," I said. "So he has two of the eight living intermediaries...or eight in theory, anyway, since we don't know anything about one name and two are blacked out. And he wants at least one more of us to come to him, to negotiate for their release...knowing full well he's likely to get two in the bargain..."
Revik started to frown, but I spoke up before he could.
"No separations," I reminded him quietly. "...Your words."
After another pause, he nodded, but I saw a harder look glance across his expression. Even so, I could tell my words penetrated, that he wasn't just blowing me off.
"Agreed," he said.
Balidor looked between us, his gray eyes suddenly sharp. "Agreed? I am not certain any of the rest of us would agree to that..."
"We'll talk about it later," Revik said. His voice brooked no argument.
Balidor only stared at him for a moment, then seemed to agree to discuss it later. Even though Revik hadn't shut the door on a discussion entirely, I found myself relaxing a little. We wouldn't have to fight about that particular topic, at least.
"Can we assume this Shadow knows who's on the list?" I said.
Balidor and Revik exchanged a look. I could already feel what they both thought.
"Great," I muttered, letting my eyes return to the paper on the table.
I scanned the information connected to the last two names a second time, making sure I had it all memorized in my light.
Ireleten Kali. Female. Born: August 30, 1532. Birthplace: Cajamarca, Peru. Rank: 2 (Elephant). Position: First wave - Second. Race: Elaerian...
Stanley Chahat. Male. Born: August 28, 1741. Birthplace: Cairo, Egypt. Rank: 2 (Rabbit). Position: First wave - Second. Race: Sarhacienne...
"How could this one have been born in Peru, back in 1532?" I said, puzzled. "That doesn't make any sense, does it? It's like four hundred and seventy years before first contact..."
"We don't know," Balidor said, his voice calm. "But it is possible, Alyson...sure."
When I glanced at Revik, he made a vague flowing gesture, but I read his agreement of Balidor's words.
"Seers have left the Pamir to explore the human world for generations," he explained. "These trips were sometimes sanctioned by the Council of Seven as necessary information-gathering operations...or even for personal reasons, if done through appropriate means and with appropriate motives..."
Balidor shrugged towards me, his eyes bordering on apologetic. "We also do not know precisely the rules on intermediary births," he added. "It is entirely possible her parents were human...or perhaps mistaken for human...?"
Wreg seemed to be thinking about the dates. "Wasn't that about when the Incas were overthrown? So she could have been there with the Spanish..."
Revik nodded, glancing at him. "It was exactly then. I wondered the same thing."
"Elephant," I muttered, barely hearing them. I was still stuck on that name in particular, but not entirely sure why. I glanced up again. "Does anyone know what that means, either? Elephant?"
"We're working on it, Allie," Balidor assured me.
"...So no," Wreg snorted, rubbing his face with one hand, as if the coffee wasn't working as well as he'd been hoping. "Not that easy to dig up texts on some of these more obscure intermediaries, Esteemed Sister...but Balidor has some of his bookworms on it..."
I happened to know that Wreg knew probably as much, if not significantly more, about most of those old texts and legends as Balidor's so-called 'bookworms.' Therefore I only let out a low snort, rolling my eyes. Balidor gave him a bit of a look, as well, but Wreg seemed to take it all in good humor, smacking the Adhipan leader on the shoulder with the flat of his hand.
"Well..." I said, not sure what to add. "...Good then."
For a long moment, we all just sat there, staring at that same piece of paper.
13
MARKED
I WAS THE one who prodded everyone back into movement again.
Despite our however-many days of sleep before everything went down in that conference room, Revik's energy was seriously flagging...probably from the week-plus of nightly death rituals and whatever else. Our being separated might not have helped him much either...I knew it hadn't made it very easy for me to
sleep.
Whatever the precise set of causes, I could feel his exhaustion through my light, seemingly through my bones where he leaned against me, pulling at me gently and likely without knowing he did it.
I knew part of it was probably stress, too. The news about Maygar must have hit him harder than he was letting on. Frankly, I'd have been surprised if he knew how to react to that news precisely. He'd invested a lot of energy in being irritated by Maygar before...and then by actively hating him after he'd pulled that 'second claim' crap on me in Seertown.
I'd always wondered at the intensity of emotion between the two of them, even before everything escalated after Revik got back from Cairo, but I'd never really let myself really put the pieces together, I guess.
It was a little hard to take, that he'd had a kid with Raven.
Not only because I didn't like her. Not even wholly because Raven helped put me in that cell in D.C., and stood by and watched while Terian nearly killed me. It was also because, somewhere in the back of my mind, I'd always known more existed between her and Revik than he'd ever wanted to admit to me. Not that I thought he lied to me about the relationship, per se, but more that I'd always felt this bond between them, something I couldn't put my finger on, but that I knew in my gut existed.
I guess it was good to know he was capable of having children, anyway.
Although not overly reassuring, since I had no idea if I was. I guess I'd also been hoping that having a kid together could be one thing Revik and I did as 'firsts' together.
In any case, I shook everyone out of the stupor we'd all fallen into, staring at that partial list of intermediary beings in the corner booth of Third Jewel.
"You all need sleep," I said. At Balidor's frown, I added, "...You too, 'Dori."
"What about your Lao Hu infiltrator?" Balidor protested. "He said there's a time factor involved, did he not?"
"He did," I acknowledged, rolling my eyes when I realized he'd already checked in with his team regarding Surli. "Give it to Loki and Jorag...and Yumi, if you want Adhipan there. They can handle it. Just have them wake everyone up if they find anything urgent..."
Realizing suddenly that I was probably stepping on Revik's toes, handing out orders on the military and infiltration sides of the house, I hesitated, glancing at him. He was watching me with narrowed eyes, a faint smile on his face.
Sorry, I sent to him. Old habits...
It's fine, Allie... He kissed my temple, letting his hand rest on my back. As long as you can handle the repercussions...
Which are what? I asked, glancing back at him with a smile. Being able to say 'Nyah-Nyah' if I'm wrong and disaster strikes while you're all taking a nap?
You're coming with me to bed, he said, sending a more intense pulse at my light.
I answered him aloud, unthinking.
"No," I said. "I can't." Anyway... I added, switching back to my mind. I already slept.
"A few hours," he said, holding me tighter. I'm not going up there alone, Allie...so it's that or you're stuck with me down here...
Glancing at the other two, I realized they'd probably figured out what we were talking about by then. I saw Balidor studiously avoiding both of our eyes, sipping his tea and gazing blandly out the window at the indoor gardens and waterfall of the atrium. I removed my stare from his face, just in time to catch Wreg smirking at me.
"Are you two done flirting?" the Chinese-looking seer said. "Are we dismissed? I'm fine with Loki and Jorag taking this one..." Smiling, he winked at me. "Anyway, I might just get an urge to beat on that Lao Hu asshole...apart from questioning him, I mean. So it's probably better I take a nap and rethink my evil ways..."
"Well, see that you do," I laughed, but kept my eyes a warning on his. "Make sure Loki and Jorag get the message, too..." I glanced at Balidor, and he gave me a wan smile that time, shrugging. Rolling my eyes, I added in his direction, "...Maybe give Yumi permission to trank them both if they get out of hand. She can take down Loki, can't she? I heard she got him in the ring the other day..."
Wreg snorted, but that fire remained in his eyes. I knew it would be a good long while before any of the ex-rebels forgave the Lao Hu.
I couldn't really blame them. Voi Pai had gone out of her way to humiliate them...turning Garensche and Jax into house servants, using Jorag and Loki as 'attendants' to the infiltrators. She'd thrown the majority of the non-infiltrators at the mercy of their human patrons, the Chinese government, who proceeded to divvy them up as work camp fodder for the next few months.
Revik was rubbing my back with one hand, massaging me through the shirt, and I found I was having trouble focusing.
"So we'll check in with the Lao Hu infiltrator in, what? Six hours?" I said.
"Make it four," Balidor advised.
I shrugged, glancing at Revik. "Fine. But not for everyone. We don't all have to be there, not for this."
Hearing Revik click at me softly, I chose to ignore it, pointing out with my light where he was so tired he was pulling on me.
Balidor and Wreg were already vacating the booth. Finishing off the last of his coffee, Revik got up to do the same after they'd disappeared through the café doors. I watched them go as I got up to join Revik, seeing the ex-rebel and the Adhipan leader walk out shoulder to shoulder. They were still obviously talking to one another, which was weird enough. If they ended up friends after all this, someone was going to score big on that pool.
Revik chuckled, pulling on my hand to bring me the rest of the way out of the booth. I hesitated again, right about when I finished straightening to a standing position.
"Damn," I said. "With Surli and everything...I completely forgot to go to the registration desk." Running my fingers through my hair, I clicked a little in irritation. "Hell...I could have asked 'Dori. He was right here..."
"Registration? What for?" Revik continued to tug me after him, the light behind his hand holding a faint thread of urgency. "Can it wait?"
"My stuff," I explained. "I think Balidor had them move it after the shooting. I need clean clothes, Revik. I stink. I'm already going on day two with this outfit, more with the other two I left in Jon's room...and I need a shower. I'm fine with taking it at your place, but I need something to change into..."
I saw understanding spark in his eyes, even as he shook his head.
"No," he said. "You don't need to do that now. Do it later."
"Revik," I sighed. "I appreciate your generosity with your clothes...I do. But I'll at least need something to put on when I wake up. Something that actually fits me, I mean..."
But he only shook his head again, tugging on my hand.
I gave in, unwilling to fight him. I followed him to the nearest bank of elevators, glancing only once, wistfully, at the registration desk and the seer who worked it. I didn't want to make a big deal, but I wanted my stuff...to me, it was worth the extra twenty or so minutes. I wanted all the little things. Shampoo. De-tangler. My own monitor. Face soap. The toothpaste brand I liked. Moisturizer. Revik was a guy, through and through...including in every part of his bathroom gear. I was usually lucky if I could find lotion.
He must have heard some of that, because he chuckled again, pulling me closer. After he stabbed one of the buttons with his fingers, he pulled me into his arms, leaning against the back wall of the elevator car. He had a hand under my shirt before the doors closed, caressing my back as he pulled me tighter against him.
"Hey," I said, looking up. "You're going to sleep, you know..."
"Eventually," he smiled.
"No," I said, shoving lightly on his chest. "Not eventually. Now."
"You're getting awfully pushy, wife," he said. "It's a good thing it turns me on."
When he tried to kiss me though, I averted my face.
Undaunted, he lowered his mouth, kissing my neck instead. I found myself leaning into him when he didn't stop, feeling my light expand as he continued working his way down my shoulder with his lips and tongue. My mind drifted back to the last ti
me we'd been alone, seemingly on its own, remembering when we'd woken up together in his room. My light opened the more I thought about it, and I felt his fingers tighten on my skin.
He tried to kiss my mouth again, but again, I turned my face away.
"Tease," he said softly.
But I barely heard him. While turned away, I also happened to notice which floor button he'd pressed.
"Why are we going to the sixtieth floor?" I asked accusingly.
"Better view," he murmured, kissing behind my ear.
I pushed at his arms again, but I could tell I was already fighting him less with my light than I should have been. When he moved his hands higher on my back, I slid an arm around his waist, leaning more of my weight against his.
"...Isn't that supposed to be a security buffer?" I said.
He shrugged where he held me, kissing my jaw. "It still is. More or less."
"What's the less part?"
He smiled, still looking at me. I saw that predatory glint in his eyes again.
"You have my stuff, don't you?" I accused.
Clicking in a kind of laugh, he kissed my face. "Sometimes you can be a little dense, wife."
"Did Balidor really okay you commandeering one of the penthouse suites?"
Revik nodded, once, adopting a more seer persona again. "He did," he said. "Took a little persuading, but not much, honestly. They'd already built a temporary construct over the floor...a private one, Allie. He even admitted to me that he'd been expecting that kind of request, so he'd worked out most of the security protocols already. In fact, all of our stuff has been there for over a week. I told the staff to move us while we were in that meeting..."
"In the meeting with Vash?" I said.
He nodded.
"The one we went to right after I left your room?"
He nodded again.
"And when did you do all of this?" I said, still somewhat thrown. "Revik, I went straight there after I took a shower and changed my clothes..."
Allie's War Season Three Page 31