The Perfect Ten Boxed Set

by Dianna Love

  And what if I can’t find a freakin’ fake pink flower at our transender site?

  Or if Rayen’s palm wouldn’t activate the holographic screen?

  Or if Rayen hadn’t returned to the village and still wandered around this godforsaken jungle with that crazy warrior and his friends?

  If any of the boys from back home were in his shoes and had his computer skills, they’d just skip the village, find their way back to the right transender location and take their chances with the holographic panel to access the pod.

  But Tony didn’t throw his friends under the bus. No way.

  Rayen might be clueless about technology, but she was turning out to be tough and decent.

  And Gabby had paid for helping him fight the flower vine by getting an infection he hoped hadn’t killed her.

  Tony couldn’t name one person who’d do what either of those two had for him.

  Bottom line, he was going nowhere without Xena and Psycho Babe.

  A wisp of movement caught his eye.

  He shifted right and hunkered down behind a bush with feathery leaves that smelled like Mrs. Wolsinski’s cabbage soup she cooked every Thursday. Easing up to watch, he listened for the crackle of feet snappin’ twigs and branches.

  Of course, these people were like Rayen who could move through a jungle or forest like a shadow.

  There it was.

  One of the pint-size warriors about twelve years old popped into view at a distance. One of those kids with the freaky purple eyes marched calmly through the woods, not sneaking as though they were trying to catch someone.

  Tony could hide from them and try to make his way back, but even if he did find the village he still faced havin’ to get through the fog wall.

  And he was runnin’ out of time.

  So he stood up and moved into a clear area, waving his hands. “Hey, guys. Over here. Glad to see ya.”

  Etoi popped into view between him and the kids. She took one look at him and came flying at him, drawing back her arm to throw her spear.

  “Whoa! Hold it!” Tony dove to his side. He heard the whistle of the weapon as it just missed his head. He crashed into a sticky bush, kicking his legs to get free.

  He heard the sound of someone running all out. Were all the girls in this place insane? He pushed to his feet, pulse ripping with adrenaline. Had to get away from Godzilla’s bride.

  Wheeling around quickly, he spied her.

  She yanked her spear from the ground and hoisted it, spinning to face him from no more than ten feet away. Close enough for her to make him into a shish kebab.

  Tony raised his hands above his head. “Wait a minute, babe. I was comin’ in. Givin’ myself up.”

  Out of nowhere, Mathias stepped in front of him.

  Tony had never been so glad to see someone. Not that he wanted the crazy witch to skewer anyone else, but he doubted she’d make the mistake of attacking her boss.

  Mathias yelled, “Put down your spear.”

  Etoi lowered her weapon, but pointed a finger at Tony. “He released the prisoner. The scout will report to SEOH.”

  “We’ll deal with that if it happens. We don’t know that the scout isn’t still wandering around in the Sphere.”

  Tony mumbled, “Glad someone in charge isn’t hormonal.”

  Muscles bunched from exertion, Mathias turned on Tony, snarling, “Shut up. You’ve caused us enough trouble.” With a flick of his hand, Mathias called up his boys. “Restrain him.”

  “Hey, I was wavin’ my hands, coming to you,” Tony complained. “That’s a sign of surrender.” Granted he’d had no white flag, but still. “Where I come from we talk after someone gives up.”

  Sometimes. Other times they beat the crap out of you for being stupid enough to get caught, but he figured these guys wouldn’t know Jersey rules.

  He hoped they didn’t know them. “I’ve been tryin’ to find my way back. You found me headin’ toward the village, not away. Doesn’t that count for somethin’?”

  Mathias vibrated with anger. “You’ve released the TecKnati scout we captured. Nothing will save you from judgment now.”

  “No, no. You got that all wrong.” Tony backed up, but two boys moved forward, spears jabbing at his neck. A third one stepped in front of him, wrapping Tony’s hands and arms to his body then winding those crazy red vines around his legs. He protested the whole time, “Listen to me. I didn’t break us out. The other guy did.”

  Someone slapped a wide, flat leaf over his mouth then wound a vine around that twice. No matter how hard he tried, all the sound he could make was a muted mumble. Then they tied him to a long pole that two of the taller kids hoisted over their shoulders and carried him back toward the village like a pig on the way to being roasted.

  Now he couldn’t even yell the information to Rayen and Gabby so they could get to a transender on their own.

  Mathias might not let them go either if he thought they had any part in Tony escaping.

  We’re so screwed.

  CHAPTER 28

  Why is Rayen looking at me as if I’ve wronged her?

  Callan kept his chin up, acting as if Rayen’s brooding silence didn’t bother him. She kept pace with his fast stride toward the Governing chamber. Anger burrowed deep in her gaze during the brief moments she flicked a look his way.

  He had not put her in this position.

  She was a prisoner. Even if V’ru cleared her from being TecKnati, Rayen was still in league with his enemy otherwise why had she helped the scout earlier and called Tony a friend?

  Callan refused to believe he’d seen hurt in her face when he’d ordered her to meet with V’ru. Never allow an enemy to get close. Something he should have been thinking about when he’d almost kissed her in the woods.

  Did she wield some power over him?

  No. Even he could not accuse her of that. He’d know if anyone used power against him. The only times he’d witnessed her tapping an energy force had been to kill croggles, twice, and to help save that little boy.

  She confused him.

  Maybe that was her game, to confuse him and Mathias while her friend, Tony, the without-question TecKnati, had aided the scout in fleeing.

  But that left Rayen and Gabby to fend for themselves, which would fit the selfish mentality of a TecKnati like Tony. So why would Rayen do anything to help him? Or continue to defend him?

  Was she thinking the same thing right now? That her so-called friend had abandoned her and the Hy’bridt?

  Betrayal cut. Callan knew that first hand.

  Why should I care? He had a duty to his people and these three strangers were creating problems he didn’t have time to deal with today, not with the stupid celebration for Mathias’s turning eighteen before the moon set in less than an hour. He was no longer in a hurry to enforce a judgment against Rayen’s friend.

  A TecKnati, he reminded himself.

  But Rayen would not look at him the way she had in the forest if he sent Tony to his death. Why did that matter?

  Callan lifted his hand to his neck and rubbed the tight muscles, cursing himself for whatever had gotten under his skin. He never vacillated on decisions and couldn’t now.

  Rayen broke into his jumbled thoughts when she leaned close to say, “Callan?”

  Her rich voice rushed over his skin with the edgy feel of a vibration. A confused part of his brain was cheered over her finally speaking to him and in a non-angry tone. But he must remember he still dealt with an enemy.

  He intended to answer with a sharp, “Yes,” but the single word came out gentle.

  “Will they bring Tony back alive?”

  Of course. She only wanted to know about the TecKnati. “Maybe.”

  “What kind of answer is that?” she demanded, her brisk tone irritating him.

  Maybe a little irritation was just what he needed to shut down any stupid reactions he had when she got near him. “That’s the best answer I can give. If he doesn’t harm one of our own, then Mathias will
very likely bring him back alive. If not, Mathias knows his first duty is to protect MystiKs, especially the next generation.”

  “Tony won’t harm a child.”

  Callan stopped and faced her, his voice whipcord hard. “You told me you have no knowledge of anything before today when you opened your eyes in a strange desert, but you speak of this Tony as if you’ve known him your whole life. How can you make any claim as to his character or be so sure he’s not TecKnati? Especially after he left you and Gabby to face the result of his escape.”

  “I may not have known him long, but I know Tony would never harm a child and I don’t believe he’d leave us by choice. The scout might have taken him as a hostage.”

  He didn’t want to admire Rayen’s sense of loyalty to someone she claimed she hardly knew. In her position, he’d be furious with Tony. No TecKnati deserved this type of unquestioned support or the earlier sacrifice Rayen had made to step in, taking Tony’s place as the fourth person to check the transender lines.

  And how had Tony thanked her?

  By disappearing without a word.

  How could someone as selfless as Rayen appeared befriend a soulless TecKnati?

  And why was Callan so furious on Rayen’s behalf?

  Because her commitment to Tony and constant arguing on his behalf chipped away at Callan’s conviction that Tony was TecKnati.

  Made him doubt himself.

  That was the quickest way to wake the bear inside him and bring out the raging warrior, because warriors could not afford to doubt their decisions.

  Standing firm on his opinion, he crossed his arms and gave his answer in a voice meant to quell an enemy. “Believe what you will. But the question is, what will you do when your friend is brought back by Mathias, proving Tony did not return on his own?”

  Pain eased into Rayen’s gaze over the long moment she spent thinking before quietly admitting, “I don’t know.”

  Callan should enjoy his moment of triumph, but the disappointment riding alongside Rayen’s doubt made him feel like he’d been cruel to a pupple.

  Why did she cause him to question everything he did, every word he spoke...and stir up the urge to protect her from being harmed?

  With her standing so close, he battled to keep his hands to himself.

  Rayen might handle herself as a warrior, but she was feminine in a strong way he found attractive. And sexy. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the exposed skin below what was left of her shirt. That sliver of cloth barely covered shapely breasts.

  His thoughts skidded to a halt. Wrong direction. Think enemy.

  Rayen’s gaze had wandered past Callan.

  He turned to find out what held her interest.

  Three girls ranging from thirteen to fifteen created decorations for Mathias’s celebration. They were watching him and Rayen with guarded glances. He knew nothing about decorating for a party and felt sure Mathias had raced off to hunt Tony just to dump a “leader” duty on Callan. He told Rayen, “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  Striding over to the girls without a look back at Rayen, Callan searched for the right thing to say. “Are you almost done?”

  All three girls turned looks of panic on him. Guess that was not the right leader thing to say.

  Rayen appeared at his side, ignoring his glare at blatantly disregarding his order for her to stay put. She smiled at the girls. “Those are beautiful.”

  As if someone had released the air in a taut balloon, the girls all let out a breath at the same time and became active again.

  Phoebe, the one in charge, lifted a pango orb made of the brightly-colored feathers from little pik-pik birds and answered, “Oh, thank you.” She peeked up at Callan. “We have only to hang these along the vines and cover the floor with tullee petals.”

  When his gaze landed on the pile of hōzuki lantern flowers with their orange coloring and transparent skins, he followed Rayen’s example and smiled. “Those are pretty.”

  All three girls turned adoring eyes up at him as if some mythical god had spoken to them.

  Rayen angled her head at him in a way that made him want to say, “What?” The universal word every male spouted when faced with silent female accusation.

  Rayen asked the girls, “What do you call those?”

  Swapping shy looks between them, Pheobe once again played spokesperson. “Our version of a Physalis alkekengi wreath, which is meant for many years of happiness and health. The real ones are made of blown glass...at home.”

  No one could have missed the misery in Pheobe’s mention of home.

  Once again, Callan had no idea what to say that would lessen the hurt in Pheobe’s voice. Mathias could always find the right words at a time like this, but he was not here. And he shouldn’t have stuck me with this.

  Wait until the next training. Mathias would pay for putting Callan in this position.

  Rayen scrunched her eyebrows together in thought, glanced from Callan’s face to the girls, trying to figure out something. When she spoke to the three girls, her voice carried a sincerity that reached out and touched anyone close. “But these decorations are more delicate than anyone could craft from glass. When you go home, you may become famous for creating these and be sought after to teach others this art.”

  “Art? You really think so?” Phoebe asked, glancing up through silver bangs at Rayen.

  “Of course. Change is good.” Callan caught on quickly and added, “Every generation should leave its own mark.”

  All three girls’ faces lit with enthusiasm, then Rayen said, “Artists capture moments in history for others to enjoy over a lifetime.”

  The girls started chattering amongst themselves about different ways to customize the Physalis alkekengi. Phoebe paused and looked up with brighter eyes at Rayen first then Callan. “Thank you.”

  The other two chimed in their appreciation right behind her then went back to discussing their new possibilities. Callan experienced something he hadn’t felt in a long while. Making someone happy warmed his heart. A moment ago those three had only been doing their duty, but now they had a calling as artists, even though none of them came from the Creativity House.

  What would Rayen do next?

  He had to get to the bottom of just who she was before this got any more complicated. He stepped away, ordering her, “Follow me and do not stray.”

  “I wasn’t the one who took this detour,” she reminded him.

  He clamped his jaws shut, unwilling to say another word that would give her an opening to cloud his judgment further.

  A wise plan that would have worked if Rayen had complied by not asking, “What’re you celebrating?”

  Ignoring her might send the message that she made him uncomfortable. A warrior never appeared weak or unsure. “Mathias will reach the age of maturity prior to moonset. In my world, reaching one’s eighteenth BIRG Day marks the end of childhood.”

  “What is a BIRG Day?”“It’s the annual celebration of one’s birth. We have a BIRG Day each year and a BIRG Con once every five years where those who have reached eighteen since the last BIRG Con are honored before representatives from all the Houses.”

  “So the BIRG Con is a big deal?”

  He shrugged. “One may have a BIRG Day every year, but a BIRG Con only once in a lifetime.”

  “Must be hard for you and Mathias to keep everyone’s spirits up with no idea when you’re going home.”

  Her unexpected compassion chipped at his hard shell and struck close to his heart. She saw past the decorations and celebrating to the plight of the MystiKs in the Sphere. She’d understood more than he’d given her credit for. She’d understood the need to care about tomorrow as much as today.

  Mathias would tell Callan to welcome any opportunity to improve the morale of the village, even if the encouragement came from a stranger.

  He had taught Callan that part of his duty while in the Sphere was to smile in the face of disaster and on his worst days. Just like a warrior, leaders did not sh
ow weakness.

  For that reason, Callan would smile during the celebration of Mathias’s BIRG Day in spite of it being a huge nuisance and waste of time. In truth, Callan didn’t really mind because Mathias deserved a special celebration after having spent the last year in here instead of a final adolescent year of carefree time most in his position enjoyed.

  This would not be the extravagant production Mathias would receive at home, or at this year’s BIRG Con, the symbolic–and often too realistic–end of childhood. As a Gild Level, Mathias would be first in line to the next Governing House leader. Mathias deserved to lead the Governing House and Callan would do everything in his power to make sure his friend got that chance.

  Mathias was built of integrity, but he also understood when he had to be sly, like turning TecKnati lies into a morale booster by leaving tonight. Knowing Mathias, he would not lounge around and use the time to rest. He’d show up tomorrow evening with something for dinner. And truth be told, he would probably enjoy a night alone without sixty kids looking to him for guidance.

  But Callan couldn’t watch his friend’s back if Mathias was outside the village and Callan was stuck inside here babysitting. TeK Scouts had told all the MystiKs they would only be here until they were eighteen. Only someone who drank shroom juice would believe that, but Mathias had been adamant about using that story to keep hope alive in the hearts of the children. Callan and Mathias had created a plan to make it appear as though Mathias did leave this evening.

  A plan that Etoi or Zilya could not know about since Etoi had no leash on her tongue and Callan didn’t trust Zilya.

  A night of solitude might be the best gift of all for Mathias.

  Callan entered the common area where a thirteen-year-old boy supervised the food being prepared for the feast. He used the word “feast” loosely. They’d been anticipating preparing fresh roasted croggle meat for this evening’s celebration, but now they were reduced to tullee pods and dried banban seeds.