Vanna reached up round his neck, her fingers catching hold of his short mane of hair. Her mouth found his, teeth biting gently at his lips. “Where were you? I’ve been so worried,” she said, nuzzling his neck.
“Don’t ask,” he said. “I can’t tell you. We’ve got a day, then I have to go back.”
“A day! Gods, that’s no time at all,” she said, pushing him away.
“We’re lucky to have that,” he said, cupping his hand round her cheek. “It cost me, though.”
“What do you mean, it cost?” she demanded.
“Kaid wants me to find out where you’ve got Carrie.”
“You what? You mean you’re using…”
“Hush,” he said, pulling her close again and covering her mouth with his. He held her like that until his gentle bites and caresses had begun to take the tension out of her body, then he released her gently.
“I told him no,” said Garras, putting a finger across her mouth to stop her talking. “So I’ve been given twenty-six hours to find and guard her before I need to bring her back to the guild. I won’t be used by anyone, Vanna, never fear.”
“Their Link day starts tomorrow,” she said, leaning against him, breathing in his scent while her hands held onto his arms. “She’ll need to return tomorrow morning at the latest anyway. How did Kaid get you off the Khalossa?”
“Let’s just say that the past caught up with me temporarily.”
“I knew you two were in the same guild,” she said, “So you don’t intend to stay on Shola?”
“That rather depends,” he said, grinning down at her.
She turned away from him and switched her comm off, pocketing the memory crystal. “Come on,” she said, taking his hand. “Let’s leave. I’m off duty now.”
They arrived at the estate in time for the evening meal. Garras had no sooner shown his nose through the door than Carrie came over to hug him, delighted to see him again.
They sat beside her during the meal and Vanna managed to have a few quiet words with her.
“Why are you blocking your Link?” Vanna asked.
Carrie looked startled. “You’ve seen Kusac?”
“Yes. He tells me your Link day begins tomorrow.”
“That’s why I’m blocking,” she said, frowning. “I know I’m going to have to go back tomorrow, but I resent the fact that he’ll expect everything to be forgotten because of the Link.”
“Does he? I made him realize that you aren’t to blame for the child.”
“How did you manage that?”
“By telling him the results of your tests. I’ll talk to you on the way home tomorrow. Just enjoy tonight,” she said, patting her hand where it lay on the table. “Think about opening the Link to him. You’re hurting each other needlessly.”
“If I open the Link, Vanna, then I can’t be responsible for the effect it has on everyone else,” she said in Terran.
“What do you mean?” asked Vanna, replying in the same language.
“We need to be in shielded quarters during our Link time. We broadcast,” she said evasively.
“Broadcast what?”
“A lot of raw sexuality,” she muttered, looking down at her food.
“Oh! Well, perhaps you’d better keep the block on in that case,” said Vanna.
*
Vanna and Garras opted to have a room that night. Garras shut the door and took Vanna into his arms. “The rest of the night is ours,” he said, his voice low as he picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
“You know, planetside life suits you,” he said conversationally as he took her tunic off, before throwing his own aside and sitting down beside her. “I like your hair better this length.”
He looped a hand behind her back, drawing her toward him, running his hand across her face and ears till his fingers caught in the short curls. Pulling her head back, he lowered his mouth to her neck, licking it gently.
“Have you thought any more about whether or not I stay on Shola?” he asked, his voice so low she could barely hear him.
Her hands clutched his shoulders, claws extending to hold him. “Stay,” she whispered. “Be one with me.”
His mouth closed on her throat, canines bruising her in his pleasure at her commitment to him.
*
“Ah, Tallinu,” said Ghezu. “I was wondering when I’d get your next report.”
“I call you when I have news,” Kaid replied.
“Well, what’s been happening?”
“Have you been able to trace the second assassin?”
“Your news first,” frowned Ghezu.
“That wasn’t the arrangement,” said Kaid softly.
“I’ve nothing,” said Ghezu shortly. “It’s as if he ceased to exist. One of our own couldn’t have done better.”
Kaid was hit by a sensation of having had this conversation before as briefly, the room around him seemed to lurch. “I’ve a feeling he might be a survivor of that scouter crash I had on Keiss. His name was Chyad, the leader of the dissidents on the Khalossa,” he said.
Ghezu raised a questioning eye ridge but said nothing beyond, “If he is, and you find him first, Tallinu, I want him alive.”
Kaid nodded. “If it’s possible,” he agreed.
“Make it possible,” growled Ghezu. “Now, I want your news.”
“The human female has issued the Lifebonding Challenge to Rala Vailkoi.”
Ghezu’s eyes widened in surprise, and his ears flicked. “She has?”
“Liegen Aldatan intends to marry her, not Rala, but they couldn’t find grounds on which to break the contract. This seemed the only solution.”
“You say seemed. Why?”
“Carrie Hamilton is twelve weeks pregnant, and Kusac is the father.” Kaid had the pleasure of seeing Ghezu stunned. “Before you say it isn’t possible, it’s been confirmed medically, by genetic tests.”
“A new species,” Ghezu said quietly. “Vartra has created a new species.”
“Rala Vailkoi accepted the Challenge,” continued Kaid. “It’s due to be fought in two weeks. We have to stop it, Ghezu.”
Ghezu’s eyes snapped back into focus and he frowned. “Why? It gives us the perfect opportunity to see her fight in real circumstances.”
“There’s a danger that she could lose the child.”
“If the God intends the child to be born alive, then there can’t be any danger to her. Besides, it will let us see how Kusac behaves during the Challenge. If he’s become like us, then all his natural instincts, stronger at the moment because of his age, and her pregnancy, will make him fight to protect her.”
“I think the benefits from seeing if she can fight are minimal compared to ensuring that she and the child are safe.”
“I disagree. The God has dealt the tokens for the game, let the players play it out.”
Kaid could feel his anger rising. It took all his self-control to stop his body from giving him away. “Females can die, even today, because of miscarriages,” he said softly. “We could lose them all if we risk her. Is it worth it just to confirm what we already know? What would Lijou say?”
“Lijou would say that Vartra knows what he’s doing,” said the head priest, stepping into the range of the comm screen.
“I thought you wanted them alive so that you could recruit them and make your bid for full guild status,” said Kaid. “How can you do that if they die?”
“We need more than one freak pair, Kaid,” said Lijou. “The Challenge she issued is En’Shalla. It isn’t up to us to preempt the God’s decision. If they are meant to live, they’ll live. If the child’s meant to survive, then it will. We can’t interfere.”
“It is only a minor Challenge, one to first blood. The risks are minimal,” agreed Ghezu. His voice became a gentle purr. “You aren’t letting this become personal, are you Kaid?”
He’d been trapped, and he knew it. “Personal? I merely report the facts, Ghezu.”
“Good. I would hate to think you let your
judgment become clouded by feelings. What about the other couple?”
“The male, Raill, is severely ill because the Terran female’s mother refused to acknowledge there is a Link. They won’t let their daughter be seen by anyone. I think we’ll lose them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. At least now we know there will be more. Thank you for your report. We’ll be in touch.”
*
When the screen had gone blank, Ghezu turned to Lijou. “Could the bones we’ve saved from the ruined cities possibly be those of humans? Were they created by Vartra at the time of the Cataclysm?” he demanded.
“Unlikely,” said Lijou. “I do know the humans are descended from primates, not felines, and they have a long documented history going back farther than our Cataclysm. However, it doesn’t mean that they, or some species like them, were on Shola a millennium and a half ago.”
“We need more answers! Damn the Telepath Guild! They’ve had no right to systematically destroy our past.”
“Leave it, Ghezu. One day we’ll unravel the mystery, but not today,” said Lijou. “It would be a pity if the other mixed Leska pair died. Having two pairs would make recruitment a more viable option than just having the one. I wonder how long before we know if the genetic compatibility is isolated to just Kusac and his Leska.”
Ghezu grunted agreement. “How long have we to wait till there are more, though?”
“That, my friend, is in the hands of Vartra.”
“I’m sending for Dzaka,” Ghezu said. “I want someone I can rely on in Valsgarth.”
“There’s Rulla in the Temple. He’s working with Taizia Aldatan to get access to the Terran books of their past.”
“Rulla’s officially on leave to you.”
“Dzaka’s one of my lay-priests, Ghezu,” said Lijou gently. “What’s the difference?”
“I want Dzaka. He’ll make Kaid even more unsettled and on edge. I’ve told you I don’t trust him.”
Lijou sighed. “You must, of course, do what you think best.”
*
It was midafternoon of the next day by the time Vanna, Carrie, and Garras returned to the guild. Garras had contacted Kaid on their way in so he was waiting for them.
“I’ve got you covered till third hour tomorrow,” Kaid said quietly to Garras as he came over to collect Carrie. “Take the time off with Vanna.”
“Are you sure you’re all right,” Vanna asked Carrie anxiously.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Honestly.”
“You have my pager.”
“I’ll call if I need you, I promise.”
Vanna watched them leave then turned back to Garras. “Back to the real world,” she sighed.
“Her or us?” he asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.
“I meant her actually. She needs to be surrounded by other people to stop her from brooding.”
“Like your family, you mean. She certainly seemed a lot more settled last night, but then I haven’t seen her for several months.”
“She was. I have to check on Raill before I do anything else,” she said, “Are you coming?”
“I’ll come.”
*
Konis Aldatan was in the I.C. unit when they arrived. He looked up, acknowledging their presence with a flick of his ear.
“He’s in a coma now. I doubt there’s anything we can do for him,” the Clan Lord sighed. “I don’t know what state the Terran girl is in. They’ll tell us nothing.”
A beeper started up, its insistent tone closely followed by another. Vanna reached for her pager. “Vanna Kyjishi here. What’s the problem?”
“They’ve requested medical assistance for the girl. She’s on her way down to Intensive.”
“I’m there already. What’s her status?”
“I’ve got the parents here.”
“Understood.” Vanna flipped off her pager and hurried over to the comm unit mounted on the wall near the door.
“Vanna Kyjishi requesting a security team to intercept the Terran couple accompanying their daughter to I.C. They must be kept well clear of this area. I repeat, keep the Terran girl’s parents well clear of I.C.”
By this time the warning beeper in the room had drawn the medic on duty and two nurses. Vanna had him brief her on Raill’s current status and medication, then ordered him to remove the cover of the I.C. Unit.
“Clan Lord,” she said, turning to Konis, “anything you can do on a telepathic level would be appreciated. I’m sure both Raill and Lynn are complete novices.”
Konis nodded and stood back, letting the staff get the area ready for the arrival of the Terran girl.
Moments later she arrived on a floater and in a flurry of activity was swiftly transferred to the I.C. unit in which Raill lay. Vanna swiftly neutralized Raill’s psychic suppressants, then, checking vital signs, gave him a stimulant in the hopes of bringing him round.
Konis tried to buffer the Terran from the shock of the mental imagery that was coursing through both her and Raill’s minds, while at the same time trying to draw her mentally back to consciousness.
“She’s too weak for me to use any more stimulants,” said Vanna. “She’s had no basic medical care whatsoever! They’ve let her dehydrate!”
Raill began to stir as he felt the physical presence of his Leska. His eyes flicked open, a glazed and distant look in them as he slowly turned his head to look at her.
Konis glanced at Vanna conveying everything in the gentle flick of his ears, then he turned back to Raill. Reaching down, he moved the youngling’s hand till it touched the girl’s arm.
No good, Raill sent, too weak to even speak. She’s too afraid, her mother made sure of that.
Konis was suddenly aware of Kusac at his side as the Terran girl began to shake convulsively, her eyes opening to show only the whites.
See to Raill, sent his father, reaching mentally for the girl, trying to control the convulsions. Her fear exploded into the minds of everyone there as her body gave one massive convulsion before falling back limp and still.
Where Konis’ hand gripped the side of the IC unit, his knuckles showed white through his fur. As they watched, blood began to trickle sluggishly from the girl’s ears and nose, then stopped.
Raill looked as if he was merely sleeping.
I was only able to shield him from her convulsions, so his death was peaceful, sent Kusac.
Konis turned a haunted look on him before abruptly leaving.
“Damn those blind Terrans!” swore Vanna. “They were only younglings, both of them! How can they be so utterly stupid as to let these young people die rather than challenge their narrow-minded beliefs? I thought we’d been sent telepaths, not bloody herbalists!” She threw the hypoderm the length of the IC room. It bounced off the far wall with a metallic clunk and the tinkle of breaking glass.
“Vanna, it’s not your fault,” said Garras, coming over to her and wrapping his arms around her. “You all did everything you could, right up until the last.”
“I know, I know. It’s the Terrans’ fault, not ours.” She pushed him back. “I’m going to have a word with her parents,” she said, heading purposefully toward the door.
Garras caught her by the arm. “I don’t think you ought to be the one to tell them,” he said gently, holding her back. “Not when you’re so upset. Let someone else do it.”
“Dammit, Garras, they’ve got to know what they’ve done!” she said, trying to pull free.
From down the corridor they heard the sound of raised voices, Konis Aldatan’s being the loudest.
“I think they’re already being told,” said Garras. “Leave it to the Clan Lord. It’s his place to do it, after all, not yours.”
The anger abruptly left her as she leaned limply against him, the tears coursing down her cheeks. “Garras, they were hardly more than cubs!”
“Come on,” he said, wrapping a supportive arm around her. “I think we should leave.”
As he turned, he saw Kusac still stan
ding by the IC unit, looking down at the two still figures. He thumbed his wrist comm.
“Meral? Get in here and get Kusac back to the guild.”
“Will do,” came the reply.
*
The apartment was empty when they arrived. Sensitive to her mood, Kaid suggested that she might prefer to eat there rather than the refectory.
She accepted gratefully, glad to be alone for a few minutes. Settling herself in a chair and dropping her barrier, she tried to sense where Kusac was. She knew he was nearby, but no more than that. Once again he’d blocked the permanent two-way flow of emotions and thoughts, cutting himself off from her. Despite the fact that she’d been doing the same, she felt angry with him.
When Kaid brought the food, she toyed with it, only too aware now of the cause of the nausea she had been experiencing every evening for the last month. It hadn’t seemed so bad when she’d been with Vanna and her family. Now, although hungry, she had no stomach for eating.
Suddenly their Link flared into being, sending the Terran girl’s fear exploding like a physical blow into her own mind. It lasted only a second and then was gone, to be replaced by the feel of Kusac protecting Raill’s fading thoughts from the fear projected by his dying Leska.
She gasped, the tray slipping from her lap onto the floor.
“What is it?” demanded Kaid, at her side in an instant.
“They’re dead,” she moaned, her mind still wide open through her Link with Kusac to the reactions of those in the IC room. She felt Konis’ anguish and realization that his son had come close to the same awful death, and Vanna’s helpless anger with the Terrans for allowing the young couple to die. Then, mercifully, it stopped, as Kusac’s barrier snapped back up.
She returned to the here and now of their apartment to find Kaid shaking her.
“Who’s dead?” he demanded.
“The younglings, Kaid. Raill and Lynn. They couldn’t save them,” she whispered, no less distraught at their deaths than anyone present in the IC room.
Kaid released her and leaned forward, wiping a tear from her face with his thumb. “I understand,” he said gently, “I felt an echo of it, too, but you can’t cry for the whole world, Carrie. They’re gone now, at peace. Leave them there.”
She blinked, looking at him. “What are you, Kaid?” she asked. “Your mind’s always so still, too still.”
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