by Raine Thomas
When he leaned in to kiss her, she met him halfway. She knew better than to make a scene in the middle of the ball, but she took a moment to enjoy the feel of his lips against hers. He made her feel like the most important female on the plane and knew that was because he believed it to be true.
“I suppose that your pairing is rather fitting,” Elena said when they parted. When Ariana glanced at her, she added, “No respectable female would want to be associated with someone so closely connected to the Mercesti. And no other male would want a female who had been kept by the Mercesti for as long as you. You are clearly damaged—”
“You should stop talking now,” Tiege interrupted, his voice soft. When his gaze met Elena’s, she took a step back. “Neither of us wants to hear what you have to say. Your words are crafted by ignorance and stupidity. And I’ve decided it isn’t a pleasure to meet you, after all.”
“Well, I—”
Tiege took Ariana’s elbow and pulled her away as Elena sputtered behind them. Not sure whether to laugh or worry, Ariana did neither. She nodded at a few beings who spotted her and tried to greet her. Just as she was about to ask Tiege to stop so she could catch her breath, he whirled her around and pulled her against him. Then, to her surprise, he guided her into a dance.
“I hope you aren’t upset that I interrupted your conversation,” he said after a moment.
She felt the tense muscles in his arm. “Of course I’m not upset. Are you okay?”
“No. I’m seriously pissed off.”
Blinking, she said, “Oh.”
“I should have expected this,” he said. Ariana realized his gaze moved among the crowd, so she also began looking around. There were many eyes on them. “We know Zachariah. We understand what was done to him to cause him to convert. Most of the beings here don’t. They’re judging Zachariah and Tate. It seems they’re judging us, too.”
She didn’t know what to say. Dancing without much thought as the music continued, she looked over to where Tate danced with Zachariah on the other side of the dance floor. There was a three-foot circle around them as beings shifted away. The couple, their focus on each other, didn’t appear to care.
Well, if the other Estilorians wanted to judge, so be it. Ariana was determined to enjoy her dance with Tiege. In her mind, this was the beginning of their future together. No one would take it away from her.
Zachariah was only too aware of the attention he drew as the sole Mercesti in attendance. He was a curiosity, a being who left Central fifty years ago and converted to something most Estilorians abhorred. He caught the gazes of many beings who once knew him as the Gloresti second commander. Nearly all of them failed to hide their disgust.
That, he could have handled. He’d been prepared for it. With his murderous past, he could hardly fault them for their holier-than-thou attitudes.
But what he couldn’t deal with was the treatment of his avowed.
The behavior of the four Lekwuesti initially assigned to work with Tate and her family had blindsided him. Up until then, it hadn’t occurred to him that Tate would be treated differently because of him. He’d been trained to respect all of the elders and those of importance to them. Tate fell within that category as Gabriel’s niece. In his mind, she and her kin deserved the upmost respect.
That obviously wasn’t the case in the minds of other Estilorians. Tate hadn’t let him dwell on it, though. When his temper threatened to get the better of him and he envisioned physically tossing the offensive Lekwuesti out of Central, she calmed him with her thoughts. He knew she was happy with her pairing with Ariana, so he supposed it had all worked out in the end.
Now, however, he had to deal with the crowd in the ballroom. Rude looks were one thing. The hungry stares of most of the males in the room when they looked at Tate were quite another.
He knew what caused the reactions. His avowed was naturally beautiful. Add in Ariana’s cosmetic enhancements, a great deal of well-toned skin bared to the soft candlelight, and the unique color of her gown, and there was no denying she was the most stunning being in the room. Her effortless grace as they moved along the dance floor also drew attention.
She had removed her mask when she realized he wasn’t wearing one. She asked him about it before they left their room, wondering why he didn’t want to wear it. His answer was simple: he was tired of hiding who he was.
Now, he caught her gaze as they completed another turn. With the colorful markings curving around her magnificent eyes, she didn’t need a mask. She devastated his senses enough as it was. Her bright smile and obvious adoration for him only added to the impact she made.
It was the many other males in the room who also appeared to notice this that had Zachariah on edge. When they first entered the ballroom, he spotted a number of the Gloresti who had been selected to pair with Tate for her protection before he showed up. They stood on the side of the dance floor staring at Zachariah and Tate. He kept part of his attention on them as they danced.
So he noticed when they stepped onto the dance floor with the intent to engage him. Judging by their expressions as they moved their gazes from him to Tate, Zachariah was pretty damn sure they weren’t all going to make it out of there alive.
Chapter 21
“Is there anyone in particular you would like to meet?” Alexius asked.
Clara Kate considered the question as she allowed him to guide her through the crowd. She deliberately ignored the sensation of Ini-herit’s gaze on her back as they walked away from him. Her focus had to be on Alexius right now.
“No one in particular,” she said. “Is there anyone you think I should meet?”
“Why don’t we start with the class lieutenants? You haven’t met very many of them.”
“Sure. I’d like that.”
They made their way around the room. She met more than just lieutenants, though Alexius did tend to steer her to those in higher level positions. After the initial reception they received from the Lekwuesti the day before, she understood why. The older and more trusted Estilorians would know better than to treat any of the Kynzesti or their extended family with anything less than respect.
As they mingled, Clara Kate kept a careful eye on her family and friends. They had been through too much in the past few months to let down their guards. On top of that, a powerful sense of “wrong” had settled in the back of her mind. It was a feeling she’d never experienced before. Her skin tingled with the need to act.
Chalking it up to the unfamiliar environment and the many masked faces around her, she continued strolling through the ballroom with one hand on Alexius’ arm. Even as she greeted the Lekwuesti lieutenant, Hinto, she watched out of the corner of her eye as Sophia and Quincy chatted with a blonde Lekwuesti female. Sophia handed something to her.
“That’s Penelope,” Alexius explained.
“Ah,” Clara Kate replied.
She understood now. During her recent attempt to rescue Tate and Ariana, Sophia had met with the unusual Scultresti, Hoygul. In the course of her negotiations to get the map to the ancient library, Sophia had offered to bring a message to Hoygul’s one true love, Penelope. Sophia was now fulfilling her end of the bargain. Judging by Penelope’s expression, it was a welcome gift.
Clara Kate’s gaze moved to Ariana and Tiege, who conversed with a group of Lekwuesti before they moved to the dance floor. When she saw Tiege’s expression and the looks on the faces of the Lekwuesti females behind him, the tingle she felt turned into something more.
All of her senses heightened. She could focus on an individual and hear what they said, even if they were across the room. Every movement registered in her brain as though in slow motion. Something powerful coursed through her, starting in her chest and surging out until it energized her fingertips.
The strangest part of all was that it felt natural.
As Alexius greeted a fellow Waresti, Clara Kate shifted her gaze to Tate and Zachariah. They danced on the other side of the floor and appeared to have slip
ped into their own little world. She registered the subtle movement of Zachariah’s eyes, however. His attention was definitely split.
That was when she noticed the Gloresti males gathered in a corner. She recognized the blond one standing in front. Maddock. He had nearly paired with Tate for her protection before Zachariah came on the scene a couple of months ago. Now, his narrowed gaze rested on the couple dancing less than fifteen feet away.
“He has a lot of nerve,” said one of the other Gloresti. She heard him in her altered state as though he stood next to her.
“He surely feared we would show the Kynzesti what a mistake she made by picking him,” said another.
The power pulsing in her chest had Clara Kate asking, “Alexius, have you heard anything negative around Central about Zachariah over the past few weeks?”
Alexius frowned. Her instincts flared.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Let’s walk that way.” She lifted her chin to indicate the group. “I’d like to say hello to the Gloresti who visited my homeland.”
He didn’t question her. Instead, he used his size to help them progress through the crowd. Clara Kate lost sight of Tate and Zachariah for a minute. When she once again spotted them, she realized they were standing by the Gloresti. For some reason, the males had stepped further onto the dance floor, making the confrontation inevitable. The glares issuing from her father’s followers heightened the sensation coursing through her.
“I’m amazed that you showed up here, Mercesti,” Maddock said, not even bothering to address his former commander by name. “It seems senseless to present yourself to everyone after falling so far from grace. It isn’t as though you’re welcome here.”
“I’m not seeking a welcome, nor am I seeking a conversation,” Zachariah replied in neutral tones. “Step back to your little corner and leave us be.”
“Hey,” Tate added brightly, “maybe if you all stop glowering and acting like jealous asses, someone might even ask you to dance.”
Clara Kate once again lost sight of them. They were less than twenty feet away, but there was a crowd gathering around the spectacle. Alexius had to use more force to allow them passage.
“Jealous?” Maddock sputtered. “Of him? A murderer and defiler of innocents?”
Anger joined the building power flowing through Clara Kate over the harsh and untrue words. She barely resisted shoving bodies out of her way in an effort to progress more quickly. Her instincts were raging, telling her to move.
“What are you implying?” Zachariah asked in a dangerous voice.
“You know what I’m implying. Just look at her, dressed in this—”
“Don’t ever touch her again.”
The words were spoken in such a controlled voice that Clara Kate knew Zachariah was close to giving Maddock the thorough beating he deserved. Finally, Alexius got them through the crowd. The music stopped playing as Clara Kate hurried to Zachariah’s side. He had pushed Tate behind him, but Tate kept stepping to his side to face the Gloresti with him.
“What if I do?” Maddock taunted, moving close enough to Zachariah that mere inches separated them. “What are you going to do? Kill me like you did those who followed you fifty years ago?”
There were gasps from the crowd. The other Gloresti with Maddock had moved closer to support their friend. Clara Kate knew their menacing stances and close proximity had Zachariah’s protective instincts at their height.
“Get back,” she warned the Gloresti as Tiege and Ariana also approached. Her skin all but sizzled with energy.
“You’re certainly giving the idea remarkable appeal,” Zachariah said in response to Maddock’s challenge.
“Just try and lay a hand on me, Mercesti,” Maddock snarled. “Then when I kill you, it will be in self-defense.”
That did it.
Clara Kate stepped forward. “I said get back!”
She felt the power propel out of her, a blast of energy that had all of the Gloresti staggering back several feet. More gasps issued from the crowd. She registered the exchanged glances among the Gloresti as well as Sophia and Quincy’s approach in a fraction of a second. In the next fraction, she sensed Ini-herit and the other elders nearby, though she didn’t see them. As she positioned herself in front of Zachariah, the rest of her family created a circle around him.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves,” she said, focusing on Maddock. The words came from her, but they felt as though they came from a part of herself she’d never known existed. “My father would never stand for you treating his nephew this way.”
Several of the Gloresti lost their arrogant and angry expressions as they absorbed her words.
“Zachariah is avowed to Tate, which makes him family. He’s the nephew of the Gloresti elder. Your elder. And he’s also now a cousin to me…the Kynzesti elder.”
She’d never referred to herself that way, but as this foreign part of herself spoke the words, she recognized the truth in them. It settled over her like a comfortable cloak. As her gaze moved from one offending Gloresti to the next, she watched them avert their eyes.
“We all deserve your respect,” she said. “Each and every one of us. Do you understand me?”
After a moment, Maddock murmured, “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, archigos.”
As soon as he realized what was happening, Ini-herit connected with Gabriel so his friend could observe his firstborn daughter assume her powers as an elder. All of the elders had known this was a possibility, but even those who suspected Clara Kate would naturally grow into the role of the Kynzesti elder hadn’t believed it would happen so soon.
But he’d felt the elder connection blossom not long after she walked away with Alexius. There had been no question in his mind what was taking place. Although millennia had passed since the last time an elder assumed power, the feeling was impossible to forget. He received thoughts from the other elders confirming they were all experiencing the same thing. It was like there was another being resonating with each of their abilities, both drawing on their strength and contributing to it.
Cyclical. Synchronous.
Still, when Clara Kate physically moved the Gloresti back with one command, Ini-herit sensed the surprise of the other elders. Only Gabriel had ever been able to do that.
Hearing the Gloresti refer to Clara Kate as archigos had another round of murmurs filling the room. Ini-herit took that opportunity to approach her. Jabari, Sebastian, Zayna, Malukali, Knorbis and Uriel also stepped through the crowd.
“I believe that’s enough unscheduled entertainment for the evening,” Jabari said.
As the eldest Estilorian in both age and appearance, as well as the Elphresti elder, his words commanded immediate obedience. The music once again cued up. The crowd dispersed, though curious glances were thrown over shoulders as couples resumed dancing. Ini-herit noticed that Clara Kate and her family remained in their protective stances, surrounding Zachariah. When he looked at the Mercesti, he couldn’t read his expression.
Maddock and the Gloresti started edging away. Jabari raised a hand. They froze.
“Commander Hitoshi is on his way and would like a word with each of you,” he said. “You will adjourn to the parlor room off the central corridor. Commander Caoilinn will show you the way.”
The Lekwuesti commander appeared at Sebastian’s side. “At your service, archigos.”
Each of the Gloresti mumbled an apology to no one in particular as they followed Caoilinn out of the ballroom. Only when they were gone did those around Zachariah move from their positions. Clara Kate blinked as though trying to clear her head. When she swayed, Ini-herit moved forward.
Quincy was faster. “I’ve got you,” he said as he took her elbow and helped keep her steady. His gaze flickered briefly to Ini-herit, but Ini-herit couldn’t read the look in his eyes.
“What was that all about?” Alexius asked, reaching out and taking Clara Kate’s other arm.
“We should discus
s it as a group,” Jabari said, his dark face breaking into a wide smile. “But the short answer is that Clara Kate has just assumed the role of the Kynzesti elder.”
Chapter 22
They left the ballroom after Jabari’s announcement. They hadn’t even gotten to enjoy one hour of the masquerade. Although Clara Kate felt a little bad about that, she knew they had bigger things to address at the moment.
“How do you feel?” Tate asked as they walked.
“I feel…different,” Clara Kate said. “I can’t really explain it.”
She kept expecting the flow of power to subside. It had come on rather abruptly, after all. Now that the danger to her family had been removed, shouldn’t she return to normal?
Alexius gave her several sideways glances as they walked. She knew the hold she had on his arm was rather tight, but she didn’t feel quite steady yet. The intensity of what had rushed through her when she confronted Maddock and his followers left her drained, despite the sensation still spiraling in her chest.
Sebastian led them outside of the building containing the grand ballroom. They walked across a plaza to another building, this one a soft purple in color and so high that Clara Kate couldn’t even see the top. Once inside, they took a series of air tubes until they reached yet another hallway with two high, wide doors at the end. Clara Kate realized as they got closer that they were gold and contained intricate lavender etchings. When Sebastian paused outside the doors and pressed his hands against them, the etchings glowed. Locks snicked open.
Turning, he said, “We would like to speak with just Clara Kate first.” His gaze swept over her family. “Then we’ll invite you in to discuss this. You will find seating inside the rooms attached to this one. Those are commander Caoilinn’s quarters.”
Since his gaze settled on Zachariah, the Mercesti nodded. Clara Kate released Alexius’ arm, giving him a reassuring smile when he caught her gaze. Then she turned and walked into Sebastian’s quarters. Although her knees felt like they didn’t want to support her, she drew upon her energy to at least get her to one of the chairs forming a circle on the far right side of the room. It took her a moment to realize that there were ten chairs, one in each class color. She puzzled over the red Mercesti chair. That class hadn’t had an elder since just after the separation of the planes. Did the elders think that would change?