by Nalini Singh
The Alliance called him its security chief, but he was its effective CEO. The ostensible leader was seventy years old, a man who was respected for his advice, but who turned up only on those occasions when the Alliance needed a media-friendly talking head to represent them. Apparently the older male was very happy with this arrangement--the Architect knew because Consortium spies had subtly sounded him out with the intention of flipping him with promises of power.
Every single spy had reached the same conclusion: Giovanni Somme is unshakably loyal to Bowen Knight. He understands he's a figurehead, but Bowen speaks to him often and has taken his advice on more than one occasion. Before being raised to his current position, he was consigned to an obscure desk job despite his experience and decades of service to the Alliance. There is nothing we can give him that will make him turn against his leader.
Somme, however, could not step into Knight's shoes. Knight's loss would cripple the Alliance, but it would most probably also turn the spotlight firmly back on the Consortium, wrecking the Architect's plans. Because, unlike the others in the Consortium, the Architect didn't just want money or a certain level of political influence. The Architect wanted power.
If that meant cleaning house and eliminating some of the looser cannons in the Consortium, so be it.
Chapter 43
Don't shortchange your legacy by settling for a mediocre match. Accept only the gold standard.
--Advertisement for Qui & Charleston, genetic fertility specialists
SILVER RETURNED TO the apartment complex at eleven thirty that night. She was psychically and mentally exhausted, the dual natural disasters having had a far worse impact than anyone had predicted. Evacuations were still in progress, notwithstanding that every single group and individual she'd contacted had pitched in to assist.
At this point, there was nothing EmNet or Silver could do. As always, their job was to coordinate resources in the immediate aftermath and get the correct people in position, then back off unless further assistance was requested. EmNet would remain on call, of course, but now that all necessary parties had been connected, the local coordinators held the reins.
Despite Silver's immediate action in initiating a disaster plan, casualties were forecast to be in the hundreds.
Silver knew the result EmNet had achieved was far better than any possible outcome prior to the creation of the worldwide emergency network. Rescue had been underway in a matter of minutes, with more help coming in from across the region. None of that made the outcome a good one in her personal ledger. Losing even a single individual went against her perfectionist tendencies.
She had to learn to manage that. Today, her fierce concentration in attempting to do the impossible, save every life, had led to a pulsing headache behind her eyes. It had no doubt been exacerbated by the fact she hadn't stopped to intake any nutrition. That wasn't about to change--she'd forgotten to order a delivery of nutrition bars and drinks after finishing the final items in her pantry this morning.
That food had come in a hamper courtesy of StoneWater.
Silver wasn't used to forgetting such essentials, but she wasn't concerned, aware she was still regaining her equilibrium after life-altering surgery. The thought had just passed through her mind when she entered her home to the soft glow of a light she'd turned on via her organizer.
Placing her workbag on a nearby chair, she removed her heels and walked toward the kitchen to get a glass of water. She went motionless at first sight of her dining table. Sitting on it was a large jar of nutrient mix, beside it an even larger box of protein bars. A bowl of glowing gold glass veined with bronze sat next to that--it held a number of shiny red apples.
The variant Valentin had fed her slices from as they discussed her conditioning.
All I'm saying is, how can you possibly have all the data if you've never let go of your Silence to see what happens?
Deep and a little rough, his voice echoed in Silver's head.
She took a breath when her lungs began to protest, walked on quiet feet to the table. The note was propped up beside the card she hadn't thrown away. Picking it up, she read words written in a strong and messy black scrawl that was deeply familiar: I heard you haven't had a food delivery. I stocked you up. All seals initialed so you know they haven't been tampered with. Eat.--V.
Silver didn't even bother wondering how he'd gotten in. This was a changeling complex, and he was an alpha bear. After mixing up a tall glass of the nutrient drink, she picked up a protein bar and an apple, then went to sit in the padded window seat that looked out onto the green space that was the heart of the complex.
Despite the late hour, a group of adults lingered below. They had beers in hand but weren't really drinking, the interaction more about socializing than alcohol. At this time of night, even the usual bear-wolf animosity was dropped in favor of a quiet drink to round off the day.
Silver knew she'd be welcomed with open arms should she wander down, but she wasn't in the correct frame of mind for casual social interaction. She'd learned to do it as a teenager to put those of the emotional races at ease . . . and she'd come to like it during her stay with StoneWater, but her memories of that time were blurred outlines, distant echoes viewed through a thick pane of glass.
She stared at her meal.
And found herself choosing to pick up her phone. The number was preprogrammed. Valentin answered within seconds, his voice a deep rumble that sank into her veins.
"Spasibo for the food," she said. "I needed it tonight."
"You never need to thank me for feeding you," was the gruff response.
"Have you eaten?"
A pause, a harsh inhale. "I had a burger an hour ago, before I came out for my patrol shift--Chaos made the kids' favorites today. Burgers and fries and pizza."
"A healthy spread."
Laughter, loud and unrestrained. As Valentin should always laugh. His next words, however, were in no way light. "You must've had a brutal day. I saw the extent of the disaster on the news bulletins."
"Too many people died."
"A lot more people lived."
Silver realized she'd drunk more than half the nutrient drink. Setting it aside, she unwrapped the protein bar without hanging up on a conversation that should've been over in thirty seconds at most. She'd thanked the alpha for his courtesy, achieved the purpose of her call. "Are you running the patrol alone?"
"Yes. Didn't want to inflict my mood on anyone else."
Silver knew there were many layers to that statement. Part of it had to do with her, but not all. "Is there a problem in Denhome?"
"Nothing major. Normal idiocy."
"Tell me." It was a command.
A grumbling sound came over the line. "I'm the alpha here."
Silver knew how to hold her own against him by now. "I'm an alpha-in-waiting."
"Yes, you are." Was that pride she heard? "Sergey's having a difficult time accepting he's no longer part of the command structure. He's dominant enough that his position as a senior isn't in doubt, but--"
"You can't trust him like you do the men and women who supported you from day one," Silver completed. "He must understand that."
"He's a bear, Starlichka." An exasperated tone. "Why are you expecting him to be reasonable?"
"I'll explain it to him if you wish."
"What? By killing him?"
"I've gained control over my murderous impulses."
"Hmm," he said suspiciously. "I won't take you up on the offer just yet. This is about union not division--I'll give him chances to prove himself, regain his place at his alpha's side."
"You're an excellent alpha." Silver didn't know why she said that. Valentin knew his own worth.
"I'm an excellent mate, too." Words that held more than a little of the bear's possessive wildness. "Never forget who you are to me. You say the word and I'll be at your side, no matter the battle."
Silver put down the empty protein-bar wrapper. "Even though I can give you nothing that chang
elings value? Not companionship, not touch, not children?"
"No. Matter. What." A heavy pause, followed by, "Though I wouldn't say no to a couple of pint-size Silver-Valentin hybrids. Psy do genetic matches, right? We'd make seriously tough, seriously smart kids together. Think about it."
Silver didn't tell him she'd already thought about it. "You're right."
"I am?" She could almost see his mouth drop open. "I think I'm hearing things. Give me a minute to thump sense into my skull."
Ignoring his playful words, she told him the rational reason for her response. "The child of an alpha bear and beta Mercant is apt to be a threat on multiple levels. Also, I've concluded that despite those who would stop the tide, the future will be shaped by individuals who are the embodiment of Trinity."
"You're beta nothing."
"As long as my grandmother lives, she is our alpha." It was a matter of respect and of a position earned.
"Okay, I'll give you that--I'm too scared of Ena to argue."
Silver knew full well that Valentin Nikolaev was scared of no one.
"So," he said, "you're up for mingling supersmart Mercant genes with supertough, slightly aggravating bear genes?"
She rubbed her fingers over the shiny red flesh of the apple. "As long as you understand it will always be a full co-parenting agreement."
"Huh." A rasping sound that told her he was scratching his jaw, her mind filling with countless other times she'd seen him do the same. "I figured a Mercant--my Mercant--would be possessive and ask for full custody."
"Attempting to take an alpha bear's child from him would be a recipe for certain disaster." Valentin would never give up rights to his child. "And a child with you and me as committed parents, and my family plus the clan as interested parties, would be safer than if we put that child in a vault."
Valentin took too long to reply, so long that she thought he was about to reject her offer. She began to think up counterarguments because now that she'd decided on the clear advantages of this course of action, she refused to be thwarted.
"Sorry." Valentin's deep voice in her ear. "Had to pick up and relocate a wild bear cub that decided to go exploring and nearly fell into a small crevasse."
The image reminded her of Dima and of how Valentin would throw the child high up in the air, then catch his screaming, laughing body in arms so safe, no child was ever scared when he was in the vicinity. "How is Dima? Has he recovered from his twisted ankle?" It was Nova who'd told her that bit of information during one of Silver's calls to check on the clan.
StoneWater still considered her their alpha's mate; it was her responsibility to live up to that status. If she didn't, it would reflect badly on Valentin.
"He's running around attacking unsuspecting clanmates like a champ," Valentin confirmed. "And anytime you're ready to create that hybrid of ours, just say the word."
"I'll consider the optimum timing." Silver's eyes fell on her timepiece. It was well past midnight. She needed to sleep so she could function at her best the next day, but she was having difficulty ending the conversation. The words "stay safe tonight" exited her mouth without her conscious volition.
"You get to bed. Dream beary dreams."
She hung up before she could make any more inexplicable statements. When she slipped into bed not long afterward, the apple on her bedside table, it was to the realization that her headache was gone.
*
HUMANS Against Psy Manipulation mounted another series of attacks the following day, beginning at five a.m. Moscow time. None in the city itself, but Silver and her team were kept busy coordinating the massive emergency response that strained resources in several corners of the world.
Rapidly considering their options, she contacted BlackSea using the code she had for them under the Trinity Accord. While the water-based changelings were nominally part of the Accord, they were openly wary of it. To date, she'd only requested their help on rare occasions, because most of their people were out at sea.
At least two of today's attacks, however, had taken place near large bodies of water, so BlackSea might have people who could assist.
The voice that answered was curt and male. "Malachai Rhys."
"Silver Mercant on EmNet business," she said before laying out her request.
"We'll assist anywhere we have people," Rhys responded at once. "What do you need?"
Silver read out her list.
Rhys told her which ones were doable before saying, "The first location is impossible. Too inland for any of our people to call it home--but there's a small owl wing within a half hour's flight. Not officially part of Trinity, but they'll respond to a call for humanitarian aid."
"Do you have their contact details?" After noting them down, she said, "If your people need resources on the ground, contact EmNet."
"We can take care of ourselves."
"EmNet has supply lines across all three races. Don't be foolish because of pride or isolationist tendencies."
A short pause, the next words Rhys spoke holding what might've been bemusement. "When I heard Valentin Nikolaev mated you, I thought it must be a mistake. Now I see you're more than capable of handling an alpha bear. As you said, Ms. Mercant, we won't be foolish, and we will access resources as needed."
He hung up.
Silver continued to work.
"Silver?" Devi stuck her head around the corner of Silver's office, the StoneWater clanmate having asked if she could intern at EmNet. Silver had cleared it on the understanding that the internship wouldn't lead to a permanent position. Devi had to put in her time, gain the same level of experience as others on the team before she could apply for any such position.
"You've completed the phone contacts I asked you to make?" she asked the younger woman.
"Yes, but I have a call for you from Lily Knight. She says she can't get through to you on your direct line."
Silver glanced at the small mobile comm on her desk. Every single line was running hot, the calls going to her team while she dealt with the most critical matters. "Put her through on my private phone."
The call came in on visual.
"Lily," she said, taking in the gray-eyed woman of Asian descent who was the Human Alliance's highly photogenic communications liaison.
Over their acquaintance, Silver had come to appreciate that Lily Knight wasn't only a pretty face; the other woman had a titanium spine and an unflinching work ethic that Silver had relied on more than once already--but even the expert makeup on Lily's face couldn't hide the deep purple shadows under her eyes. "Is it Bowen?"
Chapter 44
If a male bear attempts to feed you, narrow your eyes and take a hard look. Unless that bear is related to you, chances are high that he's being devious and branding you as his without ever saying a word.
--From the March 2080 issue of Wild Woman magazine: "Skin Privileges, Style & Primal Sophistication"
LILY SHOOK HER head. "No change." Her cheeks were hollow, her skin devoid of its usual health. "I wanted to let you know we're hearing rumors that the anti-Trinity human group might have been funded by the Patel Conglomerate."
Silver did a quick PsyNet search, found the data. "The Patel Conglomerate's major assets are in energy resources--they'll suffer no negative effects should Trinity succeed." United or divided, the world needed energy.
Lily ran a hand through her hair, the silky black strands falling back perfectly in place around her face afterward. "I don't think this had anything to do with economic factors--not like with the Consortium."
Silver ignored the messages flashing up on her organizer and lighting up her telepathic senses. "Why?" she asked Lily, just as her search brought up another Patel asset: a small pharmaceutical company that specialized in the development of cutting-edge drugs.
An easy source of a unique poison.
"Akshay Patel," Lily told her, "the CEO, has consistently opposed integration when we've raised it within the Alliance. He believes humans can only thrive if we shut out the o
ther groups and grow strong behind impenetrable walls."
"Do you want me to pass on this information to Kaleb?" From where it would go to the Ruling Coalition of the Psy.
"No. The situation is being handled." Lily's eyes flicked left and down. "I wanted you to know in case you run into roadblocks where the Patel Conglomerate controls the workforce. They employ a lot of people in certain areas."
"Thank you."
"But," Lily added, "you can tell your mate--it'll save me looping him in. According to my brother, the bears have claimed us as family and can be trusted to look out for our interests." Lily's voice hitched. "Until Bo wakes to say any different, I'm going with his judgment calls."
After rubbing at her face, the drawn woman glanced at her watch. "I have to go. Press conference in two minutes. Anything you want me to put out there?"
"If you could drop in a mention of EmNet's work dealing with the current emergencies, it would help increase our standing in the eyes of the world." The less red tape and intransigence Silver had to deal with, the better.
"Consider it done." Lily signed off.
Making a note to tell Valentin about Akshay Patel, Silver began to check the backlog of messages and data. She wasn't the least surprised when she looked up some time later to find an alpha bear seated in the large chair on the other side of her desk. It was as if some part of her had known he was coming.
"Here." He pushed across a disposable cup. "Got it at the Psy place down the road."
The experimental Psy cafe, Silver knew, had been created by Sahara Kyriakus as a place for Psy to learn to socialize with those of all races, hopefully leading to more interracial pairings, particularly between Psy and humans. The PsyNet needed humans, but their compliance couldn't be forced. Sahara was of the opinion that love would win the day. The menu had everything from tasteless protein bars to triple-chocolate mochas with whipped cream and sugared almonds on top.
From what Silver had seen, it was a thriving success among college-age adults. Curiosity was a powerful force. At least for Psy and changelings. In humans, it was tempered by more than a century of distrust when it came to the Psy. Sahara hadn't yet worked out how to ease human minds so they'd patronize the cafe.