Proditor
Book 5 of the Heku Series
Published by T.M. Nielsen at Smashwords
Find us at
http://www.hekuseries.com/
Copyright © 2010 by T.M. Nielsen
This book is available in print at http://www.amazon.com
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Belonging
Chapter 2 - Traitors
Chapter 3 - Reconciling
Chapter 4 - Valle Trial
Chapter 5 - New Mexico
Chapter 6 - Exavior
Chapter 7 - Resolution
Chapter 8 - Paranoia
Chapter 9 - Owls
Chapter 10 - Mission
Chapter 11 - Island Coven
Chapter 12 - Guards
Chapter 13 - Encala Palace
Chapter 14 - Interrogation
Chapter 15 - Healing
Chapter 16 - Ultimatum
Chapter 17 - Enforcers
Chapter 18 - Last Chance
Chapter 19 - Negotiations
Chapter 20 - Four Weeks
Chapter 21 - Clark Coven
Chapter 22 - Dr. Hayden
Chapter 23 - Rumors
Chapter 24 - Coup
Chapter 25 - Coma
Chapter 26 - Breeding
Chapter 27 - Ferus Elder
Chapter 28 - Another
Chapter 29 - Home
Chapter 1 - Belonging
Emily sat up quickly in bed, unsure at first where she was. The room was empty and her suitcase was still lying open on the table in the corner. She could hear Allen and Alexis talking in the pink nursery, so she got up and moved to the door and smiled. Allen was reading to Alexis as she sat on his lap and pointed at the pictures.
“Allen?” Emily asked softly.
“Mom!” Allen yelled, and stood up, sliding Alexis off his lap. Emily’s eyes grew wide. In the two months she’d been gone, Allen had grown and was now almost as tall as she was. He ran into her arms and she hugged him tightly.
“I sure missed you,” she said, and kissed the top of his head.
“Where were you?” he asked, and looked up at her.
“It’s hard to explain,” Emily said, and moved into the nursery. “Anything fun happen around here?”
“Nothing really new, just… well, Dad,” Allen said, and leaned against the wall.
Emily nodded, “What about him?”
Allen shrugged, “He missed you is all. Course, he’s pretty mad now that he knows you’re safe.”
“He is?”
“Of course, he looked for you, all the time. He wouldn’t go into the stables and was… moody.”
“I had to go.”
“I know you did. I heard the Council talking about it yesterday,” Allen told her.
“You were in a council meeting?”
“No, but I can hear them when I want.”
Emily just took a deep breath and nodded, “How have you been?”
“If you go, will you take me?”
“I want to.”
Allen watched her carefully, “But you don’t know if you can.”
“Let’s just hope I don’t have to leave.”
“Are you feeling ok?”
Emily nodded, “Yes.”
“I have to get to school. I have a test in Human Pathology,” Allen told her, and headed for the bedroom door.
“Human pathology? Allen… you’re 8,” Emily reminded him.
Allen grinned, and it almost stopped Emily’s heart. He had Chevalier’s grin, “Only my body, Mom, and I’m taller than you are. I’m studying Medicine and should be ready to take my MCAT next fall.”
“MCAT?” Emily asked, frowning.
“Medical College Admissions Test.”
Emily sighed, “Why would you go into medicine?”
Allen chuckled, “Not all of us are afraid of the medical sciences, Mom.”
Emily just nodded as he walked out to class.
“I’m hungry,” Alexis said, and took Emily’s hand.
“Let’s go, I’ll make pancakes,” Emily told the 3-year-old. They walked out of the bedroom and stopped at the fifth-floor foyer. There were guards posted by the stairs that turned and bowed when Emily and Alexis appeared.
Emily picked up Alexis and started down the stairs. She used the toddler to block herself from view. Two months away from the palace and she felt like an unwanted outsider. Everything seemed almost surreal as she descended the stairs and passed guards posted at each floor.
When they got to the kitchen, it was abandoned, so Emily sat Alexis down on the stool and went to the pantry. She frowned at the empty shelves and found the cupboards in the kitchen were also bare. The fridge and freezer weren’t even turned on, so Emily shut the doors and turned back to Alexis.
“Shall we go into the city for breakfast?” Emily asked, smiling.
Alexis nodded, “Pancakes.”
“Good, we’ll get some groceries while we’re out,” Emily told her, and helped her down off of the tall stool.
Emily ran up the stairs and grabbed her purse, and then led Alexis out into the garage.
“Leaving?” Mark asked from behind her.
Emily nodded, “Yeah, we’re going to go get some breakfast.”
“May I go?”
“Sure,” Emily said. She didn’t want to cause any more trouble than she already had.
Mark smiled, shocked that she was allowing him to go, so he called for Silas.
“We going somewhere?” Silas asked, walking over to the Jeep.
“Boring stuff, just breakfast and grocery shopping,” Emily told them, and climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Should I drive so we get there sometime today?” Mark asked, grinning.
“I do not drive slowly!” Emily said, and pulled out of the garage.
Emily drove up to an International House of Pancakes and stopped the Jeep. Silas took Alexis’ hand, while Emily got her purse, and they all headed inside, then sat down and Emily ordered while Mark and Silas scanned the room.
“What?” she asked when she heard a low hiss from Mark.
“Our waiter is a heku,” he told her, and looked around the room again.
Emily frowned, “Seriously?”
Mark nodded, and his hands tightened into fists when their waiter returned with their drinks.
“Your breakfast will be up shortly,” he said, and jerked his head away from them before leaving quickly.
***
“You can go in,” Derrick said to Mark and Emily.
Emily glanced at Mark as he opened the door and ushered her inside.
Quinn smiled, “Welcome back, Emily. It’s good to have you home.”
Emily smiled slightly and moved closer to Mark.
“Derrick said you wanted to talk to us,” Zohn said, and looked down at them.
Emily’s heart pounded in her chest. The old feelings of hatred for him flooded back into her, and she started to panic. She avoided looking at Chevalier, but glanced up at Mark instead.
Mark smiled, “We went into town, me, Silas, Emily, and Alexis. We ran into a heku at a restaurant.”
“Ok, was there a problem?” Quinn asked.
“No, not a
t all. They ate and then he decided to follow us out to the Jeep and then savored Emily,” Mark told them.
Quinn frowned, “You don’t call that a problem?”
“Not at all,” Mark said. “Before I could even react, he turned and walked back into the restaurant.”
“Without attacking?” Quinn asked.
“Without attacking,” Mark said.
“Get on with it. Why does the Council need to know this?” Zohn asked, irritated.
Emily sighed and stepped forward. She shut her eyes and then moved back to Mark.
“Derrick said you wanted to talk to us,” Zohn said, and looked down at them again.
Quinn looked at Zohn, “You said that already.”
“I did not, they just walked in,” Zohn said, irritated.
Kyle chuckled, “Nice, Em.”
Zohn glanced at Kyle, “What?”
“When did you perfect that?” Kyle asked her.
Emily shrugged, “While I was away.”
“Perfect what?” Zohn asked.
Emily shut her eyes again and then glanced up at Zohn.
“Derrick said you wanted to talk to us,” Zohn said.
“I was going to tell you,” Emily said, and risked a brief glance at Chevalier. He was watching her, expressionless.
“How controlled is it?” Quinn asked, glancing at Zohn.
Zohn frowned, “How controlled is what?”
“I can control how far back I take you, but it’s only temporary,” Emily explained.
“How long does it last?” Kyle asked.
“About an hour, then everything comes back.”
“How long were you going to keep this from us?” Chevalier asked, annoyed.
Emily swallowed and steadied her voice before answering, “I was going to tell you today.”
“What the hell is everyone talking about?” Zohn yelled.
Emily moved back slightly behind Mark and shut her eyes again briefly.
“Derrick said you wanted to talk to us,” Zohn said.
“Stop it, Emily,” Chevalier said sternly.
Emily grasped Mark’s arm.
Quinn smiled softly, “We appreciate you showing us, and we also appreciate you keeping it from the other factions.”
Emily nodded and then ran out of the room. She didn’t stop until she got into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
“What?” Chevalier growled at Mark, who was glaring at him.
“Nothing,” Mark said, and looked over at Quinn.
“Mark, you may go,” Quinn said, and then waited until Mark left the room. “Kyle, take Zohn, and the rest of you leave.”
The Council filed out of the room as Kyle ushered Zohn out and shut the door behind them.
Quinn turned slowly to Chevalier, “What was that?”
“What?” Chevalier asked, his voice ominous.
“You are just pushing her out the door.”
“I am not. She does what she wants.”
“You’re going to regret this, and I wish you would check your temper and get over it.”
Chevalier frowned, “Why should I? She left for two months without a word. Why should I act like nothing ever happened?”
“Because she did it for a reason. She wasn’t just leaving for the sake of making you miserable, and as soon as you realize that, you will want her back,” Quinn told him.
“I already want her back. I’m not pushing her away.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Stay out of it,” Chevalier said, and stormed out of the room. He walked up to the bedroom and looked around the empty room, noticing Emily’s suitcase was gone.
Chevalier followed Emily’s scent out to the stables where he saw Mark and another member of the Cavalry standing outside the front doors.
“Where is she?” Chevalier growled.
“In her new bedroom,” Mark said, standing at attention and not looking at the Elder.
Chevalier walked through the stables to the caretaker’s room that Sam had occupied. Since his death, the room was abandoned. He knocked on the wooden door and stepped back.
Emily opened the door slightly and peeked out. When she saw who it was, she stepped back and let him enter.
“You’re going to live out here now?” Chevalier asked, sitting down on an old, rickety chair by a small table.
“For now, yes,” Emily said, and watched him. “You can keep the bedroom.”
“Interesting new talent you found.”
“I guess.”
Chevalier looked around the room, “Everyone missed you.”
“Not everyone.”
“Emily… I…” he started, and then cocked his head to the side slightly. “I have to go.”
Emily nodded and watched him leave for the council chambers. She gave him enough time to get in his seat before heading into the palace to collect the rest of her things.
“Commander?” Darren asked when Emily got to the fourth floor.
Emily smiled and went over to the Thukil Captain, “Nice to see you again.”
“We’re not here for pleasantries,” Darren said. “The Valle have some of the Cavalry.”
Emily frowned, “How many?”
“Six”
“You’re going to ask the Elders to help you get them back?” Emily asked.
Darren shook his head, “No, we want to go, but will need their permission. They are being kept at the Valle’s palace.”
“Let me go with you. I can get them back,” Emily told him.
“If you wish,” Darren said, and they walked in when Derrick opened the door for them.
Emily stood by Darren to address the Council.
“We understand the Valle have some of your coven,” Quinn said, glancing at Emily.
“Yes, and we want to petition to get them back,” Darren said. “Myself, the Commander, and four of Thukil’s Lieutenants want to go talk to them about a release.”
Zohn frowned, “The Commander?”
“Yes, me,” Emily said, watching Zohn closely.
“That’s out of the question, but the rest of you may go,” Quinn said.
Emily frowned, “Why? I’m their Commander, and I want you to name one other Commander you would say no to.”
“It’s still out of the question,” Zohn said. “I’ll go with the Captain and we’ll get them back.”
Darren touched her arm softly, “It’s ok. We’ll get them back.”
“I can help you,” she said to him, her voice full of desperation. “Please let me go.”
“I can’t, not without the Council’s permission,” Darren said, and glanced back at the Elders.
Emily looked at the Council for a moment, and then left the trial area before she lost her temper. She went up to the bedroom and started collecting the rest of her things from around the room.
“Don’t be mad, please,” Quinn said, and walked into the room. “We are just worried about you.”
“Yeah, right,” Emily said, and dug around in the closet before coming out with an armful of clothes.
“Are you leaving?” Quinn asked, watching her.
“Not yet. I’m going to stay in the stables until I figure out where to go,” she told him, and started throwing clothes into a bag.
“He’ll come around.”
Emily shrugged, “Maybe.”
“Just give him time.”
Emily turned to Quinn and crossed her arms, “I want to go to the Valle.”
“I know, and I have no doubt you could get them back, but right now, we need you to stay here,” Quinn explained.
“Fine,” she said, obviously not happy.
Quinn couldn’t help but smile some, “It’ll help Chevalier if you will do what the Council asks.”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m quietly packing to move into the stables. I’m not running off to challenge the Valle.”
“I’m just saying…”
“You’re just telling me to behave, I know.” Emily pulled
the full suitcase onto the floor and started to drag it to the door.
“Let me get that,” Quinn said, and picked up her suitcase.
“I need to put some things in Kyle’s bathroom, be right back,” Emily said, and ran a handful of toiletries across the hall.
She came back and ignored Chevalier, who was now sitting on the bed.
“Ready, Quinn,” she said, and they both headed down toward the stables.
Chevalier looked around the empty room. It was common for members of the Council to have a bedroom, even though they didn’t sleep. It was considered a private place where they could go to relax, undisturbed. His room had always been full of life with Emily’s things scattered around, a reminder of her presence, even when she was out. Now the room seemed cold and dead.
“Enter,” Chevalier said when he heard a knock.
Quinn came back into the room, “She’s getting settled in the stables.”
“Ok”
“She’s not planning on staying in Council City for long.”
“Ok,” Chevalier said again.
Quinn sighed and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Emily looked around the small room. It had everything she needed to be comfortable, except a shower, and she was going to use Kyle’s. She sat down on the bed and looked around the room. It seemed weird to think that Sam was gone, and she was now living in the stables, a far cry from palace life.
Emily sighed, already bored with the small quarters. She walked out into the stables to find something to do. Before long, she was trimming the mane off all of the horses. When she was done, she started to braid their tails to pass the time.
“Em?” Mark called out.
“In with Kralen’s horse,” she told him.
“What are you doing?” he asked, resting his arms on the stall door.
“I’m braiding his tail.”
“Why?”
“I’m bored.”
Mark grinned, “You could always finish breaking that demon.”
Emily stood up, “You know? That’s a good idea.”
“I was kidding,” Mark said, frowning.
Emily finished braiding the stallion’s tail, grabbed her riding gloves, and then slipped on a pair of spurs. She led the mustang out into the corral while Mark watched anxiously. He was shocked to see her wearing the hated spurs.
Proditor : Book 5 of the Heku Series Page 1