Constant

by Lexi Ander

  “Get to your point,” Mestor said at the same time as Azaes.

  Arion sighed and ran blocky fingers through his dark blue mane, the color of his skin darkening to almost black with emotions Mestor could not read.

  “Nethus’s farseeing is narrowed only to Canry’s future,” Arion revealed. “With the summons of this challenge having such a far reach, the Numina are no longer a secret. They are desperate to keep the status quo and Nethus cannot farsee for them. They do not want Poseidon’s attention, and they would not dare grab me. They remember me well. I will die before being used, and there is nothing they can use as leverage against me. The Vondorians are not strong enough, cannot farsee deep enough into the future for what they want. But Canry, they know his abilities since Nethus had him give demonstrations.”

  Meme hissed-clicked, and Arion ignored the outburst.

  “Nethus did that to entice the elite of the Numina and convince them to allow Canry to stay among them. The old tenets say Nethus must mentor new farseers. Numina law forbids them from living on land or from revealing themselves to the land dwellers, so he could not mentor Canry here. Since they do not allow Mar’Sani to live among them, Nethus argued that Canry’s tender age meant little-to-no taint, and his great power would be at their disposal once he had been trained and came of age. They see him as theirs and their only way to find a path that would lead them back into anonymity.”

  Mestor and the rest of his family stood, as if there was something they could do then-and-there to dissuade the Numina.

  “Be calm,” Canry said, tugging on Meme’s and Father’s hands. “They cannot have me.”

  Mestor did not want to sit. He wanted to plan how he was going to trounce any who thought they could imprison his brother again. Sohm’lan’s heady pheromones wrapped around him, bringing him out of a fog of rage. His amor did not make angry platitudes or promises, just put an arm around him, anchoring him.

  Zeus made a noise and when Mestor looked, he almost laughed. Hok had snagged Zeus with his front paws, holding him in place, and was rubbing his chin over Zeus’s hair, making a rumbling sound that was almost cute in a terrifying way.

  “I am fine.” Zeus batted at Hok’s snout like he was complaining, but his soft expression said otherwise.

  “All I am saying is that there needs to be people here to protect the palace. Canry is not safe in the water, and he has already refused to go to the desert because he does not want to leave you.”

  “I am not leaving my family alone to fight for me and not help them,” Canry groused.

  “They will come looking for him. I have planted rumors of where I have taken him, making them divide their hunters’ numbers. But even if they think him elsewhere, they will still come here looking to acquire leverage against him. I have sent Shaneva someplace safe, but everyone has been talking about Zeus and his kits.”

  Hok growled, his bulbous spiked tail shaking, making a clacking noise of warning.

  “I do not think the kits will be the target since it is unknown if they can survive the Waters of Poseidon. Zeus, on the other hand, they believe him weaker than others. Since Zeus will not leave his mates’ side, when the palace security is gutted to protect everyone going to the challenge, there will be an inadequate protection for Zeus and his family.”

  Mestor looked at Azaes and they laughed. Once he started, he could not stop. The tension and worry bubbled out of him at the thought of the Numina trying to take Zeus. When he looked at Zeus cuddled against Hok’s chest, the laughter renewed. His gut was cramping, and tears slicked his scales before he regained control.

  “This is why it is so important for Zeus to train and get control of his abilities,” Canry said, a wry smile on his lips. “Poseidon was correct. Zeus is more powerful on land.”

  “And this is why all of you need training,” Pegasus added, speaking for the first time. He had been silent and watchful. Mestor had forgotten he was even there. “I look around this room and see half the members of this family on the verge of quickening. Canry, Zeus, Mestor, Azaes, and the Warlord have quickened. Shaneva and all the People of the Longing are stuck in a weird half-quicken and the rest of you are on the edge, only needing help to cross over if you wanted.”

  Hope filled Mestor, he had not realized how much he had worried about the rest of the family. From what he understood, those who quickened lived much longer lives than those who did not and the thought of watching any of them succumb to old age had hurt.

  “I have quickened?” Zeus asked. “I thought this thing with the weather was something Fal’Amoric. A recessive ability or something.” He blushed and plucked at Hok’s paws. “Not that I looked into it. I got sidetracked,” he added lamely.

  His brother had distanced himself from the Fal’Amoric, not wanting to be claimed by them. Zeus thought of himself as Mar’Sani, and in his mind, the Fal’Amoric were only a people who looked like him. He did not want any connection with that side of himself.

  Kaldor had been still and quiet until then. He rolled a pink crystal between his fingers, making sure everyone saw it. “I would say that Zeus is only part Fal’Amoric. You have elemental abilities calling both storm and lightning.” He took a blue crystal from Rheax. “But you are also psionic. Rheax and I watched the vids of the battle against the V’Saar. You instinctually used a shield to protect your people from lightning damage. It is the reason they were not blinded or deafened by the sound.” He held the crystals in his palm. “These M’Cathian crystals have absorbed both of said energies from you today. Only those who have an Ancient as a parent can wield such abilities.”

  “How do you know?” Zeus challenged hotly. “The test done while I was on the Oethra 7 said I was a sibling to Prometheus.”

  “You, Prometheus, and Athena share a mother, that is what they tested you for—mitochondrial DNA. The two males who fathered pups with the empress, they are different for each pup the empress birthed.”

  “Again, how would you know?” Zeus petted his neck where Alpha rested.

  Kaldor panted, looking around the room at each of them, his fox-face not revealing his thoughts or emotions. Variel were known for not trusting easily. No one was allowed on their homeworld before they were thoroughly vetted, and sometimes even then they were still not approved. Those who set foot on the planet were few and far between.

  “My Councilmember gave me permission to speak of this with the Vondorian family, but I—” Kaldor looked to Zeus.

  “Alpha says…” Zeus frowned. “He gives you permission to share your knowledge with those present.” Zeus’s shoulders slumped.

  Kaldor licked his fox snout and his ears perked forward. “We Variel are keepers of vast knowledge. The history of the Valespian Pact and those species involved. The histories of the Arthro War, of all who were lost, of the planets overseen by the Council of Neighn. The science behind the rapid evolution of the Fal’Amoric and the construction of the Grid. Our libraries are the oldest, holding the contents of the first library built by the Alpha-Zetamites, saved from V’Saar destruction. Our ambassadors continue to gather knowledge, just as the Alpha-Zetamites had charged us with after the Arthro War. We take our duties seriously and guard the knowledge with extreme prejudice.”

  Impatient, Mestor wanted to motion for Kaldor to hurry up or he just might bite off Kaldor’s tail. Instead, he pretended he was a patient person. Kaldor sniffed the air, nodding to himself. “The Ancients, Ryo’Pardeep, are all very different in form and affinities. Their qualities are taken from the area of space the Alpha-Zetamites conceived and or birthed them in. For example, Poseidon has an affinity for water and his pups carry the various hues of his water.” Kaldor gestured to Arion and Echo. Arion’s blue skin and hair took on a new meaning as did Sohm’lan’s father’s coloring. “They are an example. Triton… Sorry, Bard Echo, passed this anomaly to the warlord, his eye color showing his partial lineage back to Poseidon. In your case, Prince Zeus, your eyes are the signature of an Ancient, just as Rheax’s white hai
r is and the silver-white eyes of the Hellions who accompanied Princess Athena. The closer one is genetically to an ancient, the more signs there are, if you know what to look for.” Kaldor looked to Ariafella at that last comment and her red eyes flared wide in surprise before she turned to Tymon. Azaes hissed-clicked a warning and Kaldor bowed his head submissively.

  “Father?”

  “You know all I know about your Meme. We spent a brief three days together and went our separate ways until she found me right after you were born. She gave you to me and then vanished. I have not been able to find her. Sorry, love.” Tymon’s smile was full of sadness.

  “Is it only me, or does anyone else find it odd that there are so many connections to Ancients here?” Mestor asked. He did not believe in coincidence. He glared at Whirlwind.

  “Atlainticia is heavily influenced by several Ancients,” agreed Kaldor.

  Whirlwind’s eyes widened. “I am not one of Zeus’s fathers nor do I know who Ariafella’s meme was,” he said quickly.

  “No,” Sohm’lan growled, “You are the Father of the Chimera. Their ability to take on the Three Form comes from you.”

  “Really, Uncle?” Echo said, expression inscrutable.

  “Be at ease. All the females knew what I offered and agreed. I have never taken advantage of anyone,” Whirlwind said soothingly.

  “We will speak of this later,” Echo promised, his sudden scowl thunderous.

  “To get us back on track,” Pegasus interrupted. “We need to help those who are able to quicken, then teach them how to use the energy, as well as how to block others from reading their thoughts. I suggest you approach your military leaders first. If they are as close as all of you are, and agree, we can instruct everyone at once. Prince Zeus must learn how to harness his abilities from Rheax and Kaldor. Plus, we must plan for an attack. Canry cannot go into the water; they will try to catch him. Do you have an escape route for the vulnerable? Warlord Sohm’lan’s only duty for the next couple of days is to train. Wanderer, Triton, Arion, and I will help him. He has a great amount of power but lacks experience. Nethus is an accomplished warrior. The gyre circle will judge if Nethus is guilty as accused, but Warlord Sohm’lan will still have to fight with everything he has. Victory will not be easy.”

  Mestor took a couple of deep breaths, trying to shake the feeling that they were missing something, but his mind was too crowded with new information to suss out what they had possibly overlooked. Perhaps he was being paranoid. True fear slithered down his spine and he could not shake it off.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Mestor

  * * *

  The next two days were so busy that Mestor barely slept. When exhaustion ate at him, he found a quiet corner and propped himself up against the wall with his tail, taking a quick nap. The palace guard turned away nobles seeking to meet with the emperor or the heir apparent, neither having time. The other visitors who came asking about the summons were directed to Mestor’s Aunt Davina and she scheduled transportation to and from the gyre circle’s location. Warlords Zachaios and Aspasia handled the defense of the palace while the Monticore captains coordinated protection details for the citizens attending the challenge. But only after the mass quickening that included his meme and father, Ariafella and her father, Rathmar, the warlords, and captains of the guards. Then an instruction class was given by the Ancients just hours after that initial meeting had convened. There was some disappointment since not all who came to be quickened were able to, and the reasons varied. The counseling for those individuals was also handled by the Ancients.

  Later, Father planned to hold a planet-wide broadcast about the Numina and quickening. The Crown would set up a school to teach responsible use of these new abilities. Mar’Sani were known by psionics as nulls, the benefit being that psi actions such as illusion did not work on his people. After this was over, the Mar’Sani would be known for much more.

  The Chi-Lin councilmember, Rheax, and the Variel, Kaldor, expressed interest in trade treaties with Atlainticia that would include exchanging instructors. There were other intricacies, but Mestor did not stay to find out what they were, knowing he would read the report later.

  He was not only tired, but there was something in him that felt stretched and bruised from learning how to use the new ball of energy resting at his core, the quickening. At least that was how he imagined it. Kaldor had explained the biology of it, but Mestor had fallen asleep. He apologized, blaming the exhaustion and Kaldor only laughed in a foxy huff and called him a youngling. Mestor was too tired to take offense. Instead, he searched out Kryp and Matsya.

  He finally found them in the grand family room swimming in one of the small pools with Canry. He was surprised to see most of his family there, including Dargon, who lay next to the pool on a mound of pillows watching Matsya play. Mestor grabbed some cushions for himself and found a space to plop down on his belly next to Azaes.

  “Where is Zeus?” he asked softly.

  “With Rheax,” Dargon replied, grinning at Matsya.

  Kryp floated on his back in the middle of the small pool, Matsya sitting on his torso. She grinned back at Dargon, then fell-leaped into the water and darted to him. When she surfaced near the edge, her lips worked as if she wanted to talk but did not know what to settle on. Finally, she said, “Boo!”

  Mestor raised up on his elbows. The medtechs said she would learn speech in her own time. She spent the first six or so moons of her life in the Waters where speaking was not possible. Most Mar’Sani young were talking in short sentences at six to eight moons. Matsya was almost one summer and Kryp worried incessantly over her development.

  Kryp swam closer to Mestor, ever watchful of Matsya. “The last day or so, she has been quite vocal.” He looked pleased. “I found several games she likes, and we have played them over and over.”

  The tickling sensation that indicated someone was using telepathic speech started behind Mestor’s earhole. At first, he thought it was Dargon and Alpha, but then Matsya grinned and clapped her hands, moving to the edge of the pool closest to Dargon’s pouch.

  Tiny fingers gripped the edge of the pouch and tufts of blue-black hair appeared.

  “Boo!” Matsya said again, gaze riveted.

  “They have been playing this game since yesterday,” Kryp whispered. Zeus’s kits were quite skittish and usually ducked back into the pouch at loud noises.

  A lightly furred forehead the color of creamy gold, much like Dargon’s, was slowly revealed. Mestor watched, fascinated as always. A Dar Massaga’s body hair puffed up into a light coat when they were in their Thylakos form. Would the kits have that trait, or would they keep the soft-looking fur? Two pairs of Zeus’s silvery-white eyes appeared, the elliptical pupil rounding out as they became acclimated to the light-filled room. This close, Mestor could see a soft blue outer ring of the iris. After the conversation about the telltale signs of Ancient bloodlines, he wondered who the blue was inherited from? Zeus or Alpha?

  The two little bulls pushed a little farther out of the pouch, trying to watch Matsya as she dived and swam around the pool, only to pop back up in front of them. “Boo!” She giggled and clapped.

  The tickling buzz of telepathy started again and Mestor frowned. He had shut down his own telepathy since returning home. The need to keep the Numina from discovering he and Sohm’lan had quickened prevented them from indulging in private conversations. But what if their caution had kept them from discovering… he dropped his shields.

  “…a game my Kryp plays with me. Why do you not come out and play and swim and play?” Matsya clapped her hands excitedly. “We have fun.”

  “Warm in here,” came the echoed reply of the twins.

  If Mestor had not already been lying down, he would have hurt himself falling over in shock.

  “Warm out here, too. And Water. Water is nice and—”

  Mestor covered his eyes, tuning out Matsya’s chatter as she attempted to convince the twins to play with her. Of course, Ma
tsya would be telepathic, that was how Numina communicated. But the twins, when had they started talking? Did Zeus know?

  “They have been speaking to us off and on for about a week,” Alpha said, making Mestor startle as Dargon’s symbiote’s small, dark green form slid over his hand. “Zeus noticed Matsya speaking to the kits last night. He has been meaning to tell everyone, but things have been so hectic, and Zeus is preoccupied with learning all he can before tomorrow.”

  “Are other Dar Massaga kits telepathic?” Mestor asked, curious.

  “No, Arimon and Basil are special since they have me and Zeus as parents. The other kits are conceived with only male and female Dar Massaga genetic material. We Alpha-Zetamites are surrogates, carrying and birthing the kits but do not contribute to their genetics… until now. Their ability to mind speak comes from both Zeus and me.” Mestor heard the hint of pride and felt the immense love Alpha had for the young.

  “Arimon and Basil? Those are the names the three of you settled on?” he asked. Zeus had been carrying around a list of possible names for weeks now, unable to agree with his mates on only two.

  Alpha laughed. “No, we were going over our favorites when the kits butted into our conversation, telling us which names they chose for themselves. That was when we learned they could mind speak.”

  A dark slash on the twins’ necks caught Mestor’s eye. Dargon had stripes down his back so at first he thought the pattern was something similar but when one kit turned his head and the light caught on a glint of scale, Mestor squinted. It was a stripe but instead of skin, dark green scales the color of Alpha’s skin almost camouflaged the scale pattern. How in the stars did the kits have scales like Mar’Sani?