She laughed.
"Have fun," Kory slapped my shoulder and stood before striding away.
"He's handsome," one of Chloe's sisters whispered as she watched Kory leave.
"Do you know what he is?" Chloe asked.
"I'll let him tell you," I said, although another smile turned the corners of my mouth. "Shall we? I hear there is salmon on the menu, tonight." I held my arm out for her to take. She giggled again before threading her arm through mine.
* * *
I sat between Mother Rose and Chloe at dinner, although Chloe's father, Jim, watched me carefully from across the table. Two others separated Jim from Chloe's mother, Leisa. Chloe had already whispered that her parents weren't together any longer, although Leisa was included in most family outings.
"You say everyone is like you where you're from?" Chloe still couldn't believe my words. I'd been honest with them; Zaria never said I shouldn't be truthful.
"Yes. On occasion, a very tall Amterean is born. As we are well-acquainted with taller races, it's much easier for them to be accepted, although they do have a difficult time with normal chairs and tables."
"I hear that," Mother Rose said. "Although it is reversed, here."
"I dislike the bathroom in my cabin," I said.
I had no idea that everyone at the table would find that so humorous, until Mother Rose patted my hand. "Dear," she said, "there isn't a person on this boat who doesn't dislike their bathroom."
"Ah. It becomes clear, now," I said. "I thought it was only my preference not to bump into walls or wear a shower curtain while I bathe."
"You are wide in the shoulders," Chloe patted my arm.
"Military training," I shrugged.
"You're in the military?" Jim asked.
"I was until recently. I retired after thirty of your years, or a good equivalent. I spent the last twenty or so training new troops."
"They have a military," Chloe breathed as she leaned around me to blink at her grandmother.
"The Amterean Army is admired by everyone in the Alliance," I said. "We provide entire cohorts to the RAA."
"What's the RAA?" Jim asked.
"Regular Alliance Army, although our troops are elite squads."
"You belong to an Alliance?" Leisa asked.
"More than four hundred member planets," I said. "I've met all kinds as a military officer."
"Oh, tell me about the most unusual race you've met," Leisa said. "I've always wanted to meet aliens."
"Dear lady, I will introduce you to Zaria," I said. "I cannot reveal who or what she is, but to me, she is marvelous."
"Which one is she?" Mother Rose asked.
"The dark-haired woman with bright-blue eyes," I explained. "That is Zaria, although I think she may have other names, too."
"Meet me on the upper deck after dinner." Zaria and Klancy were suddenly beside me at the table. Several of my dinner companions gasped softly, but none spoke. "I'm Zaria," Zaria said, then disappeared with Klancy.
Chloe and her family looked about them, concerned that others in the dining room would surely notice two people who'd appeared and disappeared in moments. Diners at tables nearby acted as if nothing had happened.
"Zaria, ah, has the ability to conceal herself and others, and to, ah, fold space," I mumbled.
"Tell me why you are here," Mother Rose commanded. "Should we be worried?"
"Not directly," I held up a hand. "I came here because my father was murdered," I admitted with a sigh. "The one or ones who killed him may now be on your world. I intend to stop them before they can harm others."
"I'm in a science fiction story," Leisa breathed.
She didn't sound disappointed.
* * *
Lexsi
Zaria sent mindspeech, asking Kory and me to meet her on the upper deck after dinner. Kory and I had chosen the ship's steak and seafood restaurant for our evening meal, instead of going to the regular dining room, which was huge.
This was quieter and more intimate, as we'd spent the day the with others. This was our time together.
"I hope we get to go to Veshtul someday," Kory said after we'd placed our order. "There's a restaurant there that serves steak and other specialties. Not as good as your mother's or uncle's restaurants, but still good," he smiled at me. "And it has a good view of the palace from the upper floor."
"I've only been there when I was tiny, and I don't remember any of it," I said. "I wish I could have seen you then—all serious and military-like," I teased.
"I was approached not long after that—Jayd sent a message through my father, saying he wanted a meeting. I had no idea what he wanted," Kory shrugged and lifted his glass of Scotch. "I think I forgot to breathe when I was told that they'd selected me for you. I still have no clue what I'd done to deserve that."
"Kory," I reached out to touch his hand under the small table. "I'm glad it was you. I don't want anybody else."
"Onion, I'm happy that this worked out for us. More than happy. But think on this—what if we have a daughter someday? I don't want her going through the fear and uncertainty that you did. The laws need to be changed, so the females have a voice, too."
"I want the same thing," I squeezed his fingers before letting go. "I hope your father still has the strength to fight the crown over this. I'll stand with him all the way."
"Gardevik is old school, and you can bet he'll back Jayd on this."
Gardevik was King Jaydevik's older brother, and Prime Minister for Kifirin. His voice carried a lot of weight in the Council Chambers. Garde was also one of Gran's mates, and even she argued with him about these things. He usually ended up blowing smoke and skipping away.
I'd only seen it twice; both times when I was visiting Gran and hiding in the library when the arguments took place. I never felt like a real person around Uncle Garde; I always imagined that he saw me as property to be given away.
At least Jayd and Glinda had stayed away when I visited Gran; I may have shouted at them when I was old enough to form coherent arguments regarding arranged marriages.
I'd never really wanted to involve myself in High Demon politics. With Kory at my side, and what we'd gone through together, that was no longer true. Some things certainly needed changing.
We'd have to go through regular, accepted pathways to make our arguments heard. Those paths could be blocked easily by an unwilling King and his brother, the Prime Minister.
Glinda could help us, but she would allow Jayd to speak for both of them, instead. My shoulders sagged at the thought.
"Don't let it trouble you, onion," Kory said softly. "We will stand for what's right. Just because we face defeat doesn't mean we should allow bad laws to go unchallenged."
"You're right," I sighed and lifted my wineglass. "It's an uphill battle, and we'll get knocked down. We'll have our say, regardless."
"And that's how it should be," Kory smiled.
"We just have to deal with Morgett and his unholy alliance, first," I chewed my lower lip for a moment.
"Yeah. I won't even go into how we were so close to them last time, and then the Library happened."
"I don't want to talk about that, either," I whispered. All I could remember was the pain of it. I think Kory and I could have taken all of them down, if we hadn't been attacked by the Library.
Morgett and his crew had gotten away, shortly after the Library itself disappeared. Kory and I were left unconscious, crumpled on the rock floor inside an exploding volcano.
Zaria had taken us away from the eruption; if she hadn't, we could have been crushed beneath the weight of a collapsing cauldron.
Baby, stop thinking about it, Kory tapped the table with a finger. It's done. Let it go.
Kory, I can't help but think we're in the middle of it, still, I returned. I can't say why that is, but I do.
Our food's here, he drew me back to the present. Eat, baby. Let's enjoy our meal together.
You're right.
Our server set plates in fron
t of us and asked if we needed anything else. "Refills on drinks," Kory said. "Everything else is fine."
"I'll drink to that," I said, emptying my wineglass as the waiter left our table.
* * *
Rogue Planet Akkl
V'ili
"I need transport to Earth," I said.
The Phogann, whose lumpy face revealed his race and planet of origin, studied me with small, speculative eyes. His seldom-blinking, dark gaze would unsettle most humanoids. I merely stared back at him.
If he failed to willingly offer information, I'd have it from him through obsession. "Have one ship willing to make that journey, but it's expensive," the Phogann leaned back in the ancient, creaking chair he occupied.
I stood at the desk inside what was optimistically termed a travel agency in the port city of Akkl. The place hadn't been cleaned or swept in moon-turns. The musty smell inside indicated recent rains and the growth of mold.
Akkl. All the smuggler's ships berthed there at one time or another. I'd followed this trail from Amterea; it was easy enough to find Morwin Quiffilis' itinerary from his homeworld.
It would take a smuggler to make the trip to Earth; no regular ships went there. "How much?" I asked the Phogann.
"Half a million credits. In advance."
"Give me the name of the ship and its berth number," my obsession was strong.
"Reptilian. Berth ninety-three." His eyes had lost focus from the force of my will.
"Good. You will not recall my visit." I folded space to leave the stench of the building and the unsightly countenance of the Phogann behind.
* * *
New Zealand Waters
Zaria
All sixteen members of the Reptilian's crew were now dead. Once V'ili was no longer present to block the information, I was able to Look and determine it for myself.
V'ili had gotten what he wanted, which was where they'd left Morwin—on the outskirts of Sydney. V'ili, Morgett and the twins would begin their search for the Amterean Dwarf very soon.
They needed Morwin alive, to learn what he knew of the Metal Library's possible location. He'd die after they got what they wanted from him.
If they managed to get to him.
"They're gone, aren't they?" Opal took the deck chair next to mine and sat with a sigh. Kell sat beside her, waiting for my confirmation.
"All dead," I dipped my head in a nod. "Not pretty. V'ili is a sick bastard."
"Yeah." Opal leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She was no stranger to massacres—she'd seen more than enough of those in her lifetime.
"It'll work out," I reached out to grip her hand and give it a squeeze. "It's just hard to deal with right now."
"I know."
"Yeah, me too."
"Zaria?" Morwin's voice interrupted the moment. I turned toward him. The entire family of owl shapeshifters stood behind him, expectation on every face.
"I have news," I said. "When Kory and Lexsi arrive, I'll take us to a bar a couple of decks down so we can talk."
"Does this involve us?" Mother Rose came to stand beside Morwin.
"It does," I said. "You need to hear this, because they'll be searching for Morwin, who, for all they know, could have disguised himself, or brought others with him. To them, he could be with you or any one of you, and that's not a particularly good thing."
"What Zaria means is that they don't care who dies on their way to find what they want," Opal explained.
"Who are you, and where are you from?" Rose demanded. "I sense you're not human."
"I am not," Opal replied. "I was born in North America, long before it acquired that name. I am an Old One among shifters, if you recognize that title."
Mother Rose hesitated. "Yes. I do recognize it," she admitted. "My family and I honor you."
"I thank you," Opal said.
"Lexsi and Kory are here," I said, allowing Klancy to help me from my chair. He'd sat in silence beside me while the rest of us spoke.
Mother Rose frowned at him and the way he'd stood so swiftly. "None of us are human, here, Mother Rose," I said. "You and your family are in no danger from us."
"Then how are we in danger?"
"If you'll bear with me, I'll tell you," I said and folded the entire group into a closed-off section of a bar several decks down.
* * *
Mother Rose
My heart is strong. If it hadn't been, I'd surely have had a medical emergency when I was transported instantly from the top deck of the ship to a closed lounge several decks below.
Morwin had spoken the truth when he said Zaria was marvelous.
It isn't because I can fold space; several races are capable of that, Zaria's voice sounded in my mind, causing me to jump.
I found a comfortable chair and settled onto it, leaning my cane against the arm and attempting to convince my heart to slow down.
Telepathy. Folding space. What else could Zaria do?
"We'll discuss that another time," Zaria said, her intense, blue eyes smiling at me. Yes, I am naturally suspicious of everyone outside my family. It is safer that way. Zaria felt as if I could trust her, and I distrusted my own feeling in the matter.
Larentii are the most trustworthy of races, Opal's voice now sounded in my mind, causing me to blink. Zaria is Larentii, she added.
First an Old One, and now this. I wanted to speak mentally, so I could weigh in on the matter. Saying someone is trustworthy is certainly not enough evidence for me to trust them.
"You can speak openly," Zaria said. "It will not offend."
"How in Hades am I supposed to trust any of you?" I snapped.
"Fair point," the one called Klancy turned to smile at Zaria.
"Do you have a strong stomach, Mother Rose?" Zaria asked.
"As strong as they come," I said.
"Morwin, you should come with her. Perhaps her eldest son, too?" Zaria looked from me to Jim.
"Where are we going?" I demanded.
"To Akkl. We'll see the latest mess the enemy caused in order to find Morwin. He's here. He stands out because of his stature, I'm sorry to say. They may expect him to be in disguise, which may place you and your family in danger, too. They'll be looking for little people, Mother Rose. Innocent lives mean nothing to them, as long as they find what they want."
I shouted when I was displaced for the second time in less than ten minutes.
* * *
Akkl
Zaria
"The local constabulary—what there is of it, anyway—hasn't discovered this yet." I'd taken Rose, Jim, Morwin, Opal, Klancy and Kell with me to Akkl, to see the remains of sixteen smugglers who'd been cut and slashed to death by V'ili's alter-ego.
I'd left Anita with Lexsi, to explain what had happened.
Anita knew it was V'ili who'd done this. She was more determined than ever to find him. I was forced to slow her down on that, for reasons I couldn't share with her.
Sometimes, I just wanted to yell fuck the timeline and get rid of the cancerous blight that V'ili was.
That couldn't happen here and now.
I sighed at all the blood spilled on the metal flooring of the Reptilian.
Mother Rose's cane tapped around the mess, studying crumpled, dismembered bodies. Jim walked behind her, prepared to steady his mother should she need it. "What are their names?" Rose turned to ask. "What are they, that they can do this?"
"This one—his name is V'ili," I said. "He is Sirenali. I will give you images when we are back on the ship. Do not approach him—he is more than dangerous."
"Dearest, they are all more than dangerous."
Valegar had come, and he hadn't bothered to disguise himself. He stooped to fit inside the low-roofed Reptilian.
"They are," I rubbed my forehead. "Mother Rose, there are four of them. Two are fraternal twins from Karathia—a witch and warlock. Both also capable of this," I swept my hand out at the bloody mess around us.
"The fourth member of this group was once Karathian, bu
t was changed to something else—something much, much worse."
"What can be worse than all that?" Rose asked, her face stern, a frown marring her forehead.
"Ra'Ak, Mother Owl," Valegar addressed her directly. "They appear human much of the time. Until they are hungry or angry. The giant serpent they become is the deadliest creature you may ever see. Every scale and claw of such a creature carries poison that can kill you within seconds."
"You are?" Mother Rose asked.
"Valegar of the Larentii, Mother Owl."
"They told me Zaria is Larentii." She was comparing the two of us; I who looked human and Val, who certainly didn't.
"I can change my appearance easily—all Larentii can," Valegar smiled and became much shorter. The blue skin faded to humanoid flesh; a lovely, coffee color, actually.
"You look amazing," I smiled at Val.
"Thank you." He leaned in to kiss me.
"I thought you were with him," Jim pointed at Klancy.
"Here we go," Opal sighed.
"She is with several," Val's eyes twinkled as he smiled at Jim. "In the Alliance, multiple mates are recognized and sanctioned by the laws, there."
"Do not say energy sex," Opal hissed at Val.
I had to hide my face against Val's shoulder to keep from snickering. She'd said it on purpose, to lighten the mood inside a smuggler's ship that was covered in blood and bodies.
"Let's go back," I said, pulling away from Val. "Are you coming, too?"
"I may pop in and out," Val said. "I was asked by your pod'l-morph if you needed his help."
"Let me guess, they all want to get in on this," I said.
"Yes," Val said simply.
"Tamp and Ilya only, all right?"
"I will bring them shortly." He disappeared.
"I wish I could do that," Jim breathed.
* * *
New Zealand Waters
Lexsi
Anita was telling our new companions what we were up against while Zaria and the few she'd chosen were away.
"Lexsi and Kory have the ability to nullify a witch or warlock's power—within a certain space around them," Anita answered Leisa's question.
"Roughly fifteen to seventeen feet in diameter," Kory said. "That means they can't even fold space, because we remove that ability, too."
A Demon's Due: Latter Day Demons, Book 3 Page 5