Reede

by Veronica Scott

  “What do you suggest?” Aydarr asked, keeping his attention on the humans at the end of the table.

  Walt maintained a poker face. “We hoped to stimulate thought today. Whoever you’re sending with me to be the official Badari emissary to the Sectors better have your talking points and your negotiation targets all prioritized in his or her head and be ready to wheel and deal. I’m assuming you’re not going personally?”

  Aydarr shook his head. “We haven’t decided on the delegate as yet but no, I’m needed here. Whoever goes will have the full authority to make a treaty on my behalf.”

  “I know a few people in high places,” Walt said. “I’ll do my best to make whatever contacts I can once we get to the Sectors, but you must remember I’m on active duty as far as Command is concerned. I could be yanked completely out of the loop the minute we arrive. Fallyn too.”

  “I’ll be resigning my commission immediately if that happens,” Fallyn said, glancing down the table to where Reede sat. “My future is here, with my mate.”

  Reede couldn’t stop himself from grinning. The novelty of being a claimed mate and the pride he felt were too big to hold inside. The emotions almost but not quite compensated for their upcoming separation and the uncertainty of when they’d ever be together again. He refused to think about the future right now, aside from dismay at the obstacles for the Badari future they all wanted, which Walt had delineated with crushing clarity.

  If the Sectors provided any help at all, Aydarr would find a way for the Badari to emerge in control of their own destiny. None of them were ever going back to being subservient to another species or losing control of their own lives. And this is our planet, bought and paid for with eight centuries of Badari blood.

  “What we need is the Mellureans,” Taura said, interrupting his increasingly grim thoughts. “But none of us has a surefire conduit to get their attention.”

  “And they are who or what?” Timtur asked.

  “The remnants of an extremely old race of beings whose word is absolute law in the Sectors. Even the Mawreg don’t mess with the Mellureans,” Taura said. “They keep pretty much to themselves and not much is truly known about them. The Sectors government will do anything to stay on their good side and garner whatever crumbs of help their rulers are willing to provide. If the Mellureans took an interest in you Badari, or in this planet, it would be a major game changer. With them on your side, you could write your own ticket, obtain the results I dismissed earlier as completely unrealistic.”

  “MARL, do you know the Mellureans?” Jill asked her AI.

  He went completely silver for a minute and then flashed every color Reede had ever seen him manifest. “There is a mention of them but I am forbidden to access the data.”

  Exchanging glances with Aydarr, Jill left her chair and stood next to the AI, resting one hand on the top. “Don’t worry, I won’t press you about it. I was merely curious.”

  “My previous Authority left an order the Mellureans are off limits for me to discuss. With anyone.” MARL’s voice was strained.

  “I know all I need to know about them for our purposes,” Jill said. “I’ve even seen one, from a distance. Really, don’t get yourself into a loop over the question.” She patted the metallic orb as if he was a dog. “I’m not upset and I accept the restriction Nindjak laid on you. Do you need to leave the meeting for a bit? We can go for a walk.”

  MARL was silent, bobbing up and down in the slight air current from the fan in the ventilation system. He flashed orange with purple blotches. “Removal from the discussion might be advisable.”

  “All right.” Jill waved a hand at Aydarr. “You can fill me in later if I need to know anything else.” She and the AI made a quick exit, leaving the room in silence.

  “That was…unexpected,” Jamokan, the canid Alpha, said. “Has he ever done that before?”

  Aydarr shook his head. “His reaction certainly puts emphasis on Taura’s point about the age and the power of these Mellureans.” And some of my own concerns about relying so heavily on an ancient alien AI, he said to the Badari in the room telepathically. He looked at the small group of humans. “I appreciate the concerns you’ve raised and the issues you’ve laid out so clearly today. I’ll have to contemplate and consult with the Great Mother, if she’s disposed to provide guidance.”

  Now Reede understood why Timtur had been included. Aydarr must have had an inkling of what today’s discussion would cover.

  “Unless anyone has more to add, the meeting is adjourned,” the Alpha said.

  “We’re running out of time,” Walt said. “The schedule has us going to the island base for orientation in three days and departing the planet —which needs a name, by the way—a day later, assuming all goes well.”

  “I’m well aware of the schedule.” Aydarr pushed his chair back forcefully, rising to his feet, tips of his fangs showing and now the meeting was clearly concluded.

  Late in the evening of the same day, Reede rose quietly from the bed he now shared with Fallyn in their residence cave and checked she was sleeping soundly. The satisfied smile on her face after their vigorous and lengthy lovemaking earlier warmed his heart with pride and happiness. He rubbed his shoulder where the golden mark of a claimed mate was imprinted and thanked the goddess yet again for giving the two of them this blessing. Oddly restless, he pulled on sweatpants and wandered through the living area to the mouth of the cave. As a high ranking Badari, he’d been given one of the most desirable caves, with a fantastic view of the lake. Tonight all three moons were on the rise and their light created the illusion the lake’s surface was liquid silver.

  He sat on the threshold to the cave and relaxed further, listening to the night calling birds and allowing unaccustomed peace to seep into his body. To feel so in harmony with the world was rare for him, being an enforcer. Reede grinned. Hell, being a Badari of any rank. He had a flashback to the labs, and the horrific life they’d lived before Jill Garrison came and changed everything. With an effort, he focused on the vista in front of him, murmuring a prayer to the Great Mother. The past was past, the future was not yet upon him and he damn well was going to savor the now.

  And being with Fallyn.

  A small breeze feathered across his skin and Reede heard his name whispered. Goosebumps rose on his arms—he’d never had them before to his knowledge but he’d seen humans develop them. Chills raced through his nerve endings and he rose to his feet in one fluid motion, talons deploying.

  He stepped beyond the cave entrance without contemplating the decision to move, and began the descent to the valley floor. Part of his mind was sparking with concern over leaving Fallyn asleep and not telling her he was going out, but the tiny flicker of indecision was overridden by an impatient urge to be on the move, to be one with the night and the forest, to go where he was needed to be.

  Some of the Badari were more influenced by their animal DNA than others and of course Kierce could actually transform into his beast, thanks to Khagrish experiments. Tonight Reede was conscious of the feline component of his persona. All the scents and sounds of the forest at night heightened in his mind and he could almost imagine he was prowling, a fearsome predator from whom all would flee. Having such fanciful thoughts was completely out of character for him and he chuckled in delight. Loving and being loved opened new doors in his mind, new ways of thinking and he found he relished the novelty. Fallyn had given him so much, even in their brief time together and he hoped he was proving to be the mate she needed.

  He wasn’t paying any attention to where he was going, letting the instincts guide him wherever he was called to be. Not being wary and self-protective surprised him but this was a highly unusual night.

  He came to the edge of the great stone circle, illuminated by the moons, and found the destination wasn’t as unexpected as it might have been. Without hesitation he stepped from the forest into the open space the huge roughhewn pillars guarded. From one step to the next he walked out of the night and t
he stones into the day and the huge trees of the Great Mother’s grove. Sun warmed his bare shoulders and a gentle breeze wafted over him, carrying the scent of the goddess’s special flowers. He paced forward, into the center of the emerald grass and knelt.

  “I’m here as summoned,” he said.

  There was no answer but he remained unmoving.

  It occurred to him he might die during this encounter, although why the goddess would demand his life now he couldn’t imagine. But why would she summon him of all people? “Thank you for the gift of my mate Fallyn. I’ve never known such happiness in all my life as she’s given me these past few days.”

  The sound of bells came to him and a voice whispered in his head. You were so angry with me for so long. Trust is a hard thing for you.

  “I trust you,” he said, rising to his feet and making a quick survey of the grassy circle. From all appearances he was alone. “You’ve given my pack brothers and me and those who came before us hope and the will to live. How may I repay you?”

  You think you’ve come to render payment to me tonight? A mother needs no reimbursement from her children. What I gave, I gave freely. I wish I could have given more. I wish I could have freed your kind centuries ago.

  Her voice in his head sounded sad.

  You are not truly the ones I was charged with shepherding and caring for, eons ago. Yet, you are a part of them and I gladly took on the task of working to right the scales in your favor.

  There was movement in his peripheral vision and he swung to the left, scanning the trees surrounding the circle where he stood. A misty, feminine shape stood there, her ethereal robes fluttering in the breeze but he was unable to make out any details. No one had ever seen the face of the goddess to his knowledge.

  I didn’t need you to be a healer. But you hold a gift of power from me nonetheless and I need you to use it soon, on behalf of your people.

  Reede raised his hands, talons extended and stared at them. Sparks of green light floated in the air, alighting on his fingers briefly and winking out. A glow emanated from his hands, growing stronger by the minute. Dizzy and elated at the same time, his nerve endings tingled as power flowed through him. He wondered if this was how Timtur reacted when he did healing or performed a ceremony for the pack.

  “I’ll do anything for the Badari,” he said without reservation. “When I was a cub, yearning for the gifts of a healer, all I wanted to do was to help my packmates, to keep us all alive. I didn’t want to only be a killer as the Khagrish intended for me.”

  You’ve always done what needed doing, with my blessing. Now I want you to be my messenger.

  “To whom? “ Confusion clouded his mind. “Timtur and Keshara are your official designees, or so I believed. How can I go from being an enforcer to taking Timtur’s place?”

  The message you will carry for me goes to someone else, far from this place. The human Walt spoke today of powerful allies who could assist the Badari if only they knew of the need.

  “The Mellureans?” He stumbled over the name, having only just heard of them earlier the same day.

  Sisterkin to me in ways you wouldn’t be able to comprehend. Travelers of the same paths, yet diverging inexorably over the millennia. I was unaware of their fate and they of mine until the human mentioned them. The message is for their consumption nonetheless, to attract them to what I need help with here. You will travel as your Alpha’s envoy and you will also carry that within you which will awaken interest in these sisters of mine, bring them to you and then to me. The kin will be intrigued. They will intercede for you.

  Satisfaction and amusement rippled in her voice.

  Reede’s knees threatened to buckle. “I’m to be the one who persuades the Sectors to step in and help us destroy the Khagrish? To give us the planet as ours?” He’d never even considered the possibility Aydarr might choose him to argue the Badari case to the Sectors’ authorities.

  You are strong, almost an Alpha. I could not give this gift of a message to an Alpha for they already hold too much power of a different origin, born from their natures. I could not give this gift to a healer for their power is centered on one purpose and fills their being. You will carry my power and speak for your people in whatever manner may be required. You will carry your Alpha’s message and mine, and your mate will help you navigate the intricacies of the human-ruled domain. Only you can appeal to the Mellureans in my voice.

  “I’m honored to accept this duty from your hand,” Reede said. “To serve your will and help my people in whatever manner is needed.”

  The luminous form of the goddess drifted over the grass toward him, one arm extended, and he braced himself to receive the message he was to carry, in whatever form she chose to give it.

  The Great Mother was right in front of him, her light so bright he couldn’t see for the glare but he refused to close his eyes. He caught glimpses of her face through the illumination and the beauty and sweetness of what he beheld took him to his knees again. She placed one diaphanous hand on his forehead and the other hand over his heart.

  You are my champion and a Badari worthy of the name.

  Pinwheels of color exploded in his head, driving out all conscious thought.

  She kissed his forehead and he knew no more.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Reede! Sweetheart, wake up.” Fallyn’s voice, urgent, bordering on frantic. He realized he was lying on the ground, cradled in her arms. “Help me get him up,” his mate said to someone else.

  “He’s coming around now.” Aydarr’s deep tones rumbled in his ears.

  Reede opened his eyes to stare at his mate’s worried face. He raised one hand shakily to cup her cheek in reassurance. “I—I’m fine. Let me catch my breath.”

  Aydarr helped him sit up and the three of them sat together in the center of the stone circle.

  “I was summoned by the goddess,” Reede said. He put a hand to his forehead uncertainly. “She gave me a message, for the Mellureans.” He swung his head, taking in his present location. “We were in the sacred grove of trees at the original lab, not here. I don’t remember much—the details are fading.” He focused on Aydarr, whose eyes were glowing. “I think I saw her face.”

  Eyes wide, the Alpha whistled softly. “A supreme blessing indeed.”

  “Why are the two of you here?”

  “We met on the path to the stone circle,” Aydarr said with a smile. “Obviously the goddess wished us to be first to know of your elevation to the position of her spokesperson. I woke from a dream to hear her voice telling me I would find my envoy waiting at the shrine.”

  “And I was sleep walking, I think,” Fallyn said. “Until the Alpha woke me up in the middle of the woods. Roaming in my sleep isn’t my style but I was apparently on my way here.” She yawned and rubbed her hand over her face. “Good thing I evidently got dressed in my sleep before leaving the cave.”

  “You didn’t hear a message from the goddess this time?” Reede asked.

  She shook her head. “Not specifically no. I was dreaming about her shrine, not this one here but the trees somewhere else. The one I visited in my vision during your healing ceremony.”

  “What did the goddess tell you?” Aydarr asked.

  “She gave me a message for the Mellureans but I’ve no idea what it may be.” Reede rubbed his chin and frowned in concentration. “I’m to carry your requests and demands as well. Does my role upset your plans now I must be the one to go?”

  Aydarr ‘s smile was wide and his eyes glowed. “You were always on my extremely short list of names, even before you claimed your mate. I asked the goddess for clarity tonight when I went to bed and in the morning I was going to announce my selection.”

  “I’m honored by your trust.” Reede had a hard time getting the words out around the lump in his throat. Knowing the Alpha deemed him to be one of the top candidates for the task was an incredible honor. “Jamokan will be sorely disappointed. Darik said he expects to be the one. He is an Alpha aft
er all.”

  “And I would trust him with the fate of our world,” Aydarr said. “He’s smart, he’s loyal, he understands politics. But I know you, my brother. We grew up together, you’ve had my back for our entire lives and I know what you’re capable of accomplishing, if only you hadn’t been forced to adapt to the enforcer’s role. And the Great Mother has had the last word.” He rose and held out his hand, which Reede took, and the Alpha pulled him to his feet and into a powerful embrace. You will save us, I have no doubt.

  Reede turned to Fallyn, who’d stood up as well, brushing leaves off the seat of her pants. He was concerned she was so quiet but one look at her face, which was set in serious lines, and he thought he should save further discussion for when they were alone. He settled for looping his arm around her waist and drawing her near for a kiss. Extending his talons slowly, he held out his right hand and the green glow snapped into place, vivid in the moonlight.

  Fallyn studied his hand and then his face. “Your eyes are glowing green too, instead of the golden amber.”

  “Not that we needed any proof, but a portion of the goddess’s power has demonstrably come to reside within you,” Aydarr said. “Would you mind showing the others tomorrow, at the meeting where I name you as my envoy? It will go a long way to quieting any upset Jamokan or his pack later may express.”

  “As long as the goddess makes no objection, I think a demonstration is a good idea.” Reede took Fallyn’s hand. “I feel no need to linger here, if you two are ready to depart?”

  “A good idea. One should never linger in the presence of the goddess uninvited,” Aydarr said with authority and the trio left the stone circle, heading toward the residence area of the valley.

  “How will you explain my absence when we’ve left for the island and then from there to the Sectors?” Reede asked.

  “We send people on special missions from time to time,” Aydarr said. “We may be doing more of that in fact in the near future. I’m not required to explain myself to anyone.” He glanced at Reede. “I will have to replace you as enforcer. It’s too much workload for Mateer or any one person.” Stopping as he reached the fork where he’d head off to his own cave, Aydarr said, “When you come home, I’ll have three enforcers, if you wish to return to the position. Jill and I have been thinking about how to structure governance after we win the war because we’re no longer a simple pack. We’re going to have to be flexible in many things, aside from the one immovable fact this is our planet and I am the Alpha.” His voice rang in the night.