Proditor : Book 5 of the Heku Series

by T. M. Nielsen

  “Do you care to explain that?” Sotomar asked. “We haven’t violated the agreement.”

  “Exavior did. He’s been spying on me using a familiar that used to belong to Ulrich,” Emily said.

  “You did what?” Sotomar scowled at Exavior.

  Exavior nodded, “It did no harm. It helped me protect her.”

  “It was invasive, and part of the agreement was that I wouldn’t be spied on,” Emily said, glaring at him.

  “It started before the ultimatum though,” Exavior said.

  Sotomar growled, “You did this without Council approval!”

  “We’ve learned quite a bit about the Valle today,” Chevalier said. “Took some interrogating, but we know about Ulrich being an incubus, and how the Valle killed hundreds of his children to keep it under cover.”

  Sotomar glared, “That is of no concern to you.”

  “Except that Sam became the familiar of Ulrich’s eldest living relative… which isn’t Emily. A mortal you have locked up, so he can give Sam orders in regards to her,” Chevalier said.

  “Orders to spy on the Winchester?” William asked angrily.

  “None of his children are alive, except Emily. We took care of all of them,” Sotomar said.

  “Well…” Exavior said, shrugging. “I kept one.”

  Sotomar exhaled loudly, “You did?”

  “Yes, and the familiar actually belongs to him.”

  “Belonged, I killed him,” Chevalier told them.

  “Belonged then, and yes, I used Ulrich’s eldest son to give him orders that let me keep tabs on Emily… purely to keep her safe,” Exavior said.

  “Breaking the agreement, therefore, I’m off,” Emily said, standing up.

  “Listen to us, please, before you go,” Sotomar said, looking into her eyes.

  Emily sat back down and crossed her arms.

  “This wasn’t approved by the Council. We knew nothing about it,” one of the Valle Elders said.

  “We knew the Valle would screw this up,” William said. “I say we wipe them out instead of losing track of Emily.”

  Sotomar growled, “I’d like to see you try it.”

  “Stop!” Emily screamed. “No more… the ultimatum was clear, and it has been broken.”

  “Please, Em,” Chevalier said, taking her hand. “We figured out how Exavior was finding out your secrets. We handled the familiar, give us one more chance.”

  “I don’t think the ultimatum stated that there were second chances,” Emily said, and looked down at their hands.

  “He’s not even an Elder,” William said. “One stupid move by a member of the Valle shouldn’t validate you disappearing.”

  “It does. He’s not just a member of the Valle, he’s a member of their Council,” Emily reminded him. “One that has been a thorn in my side for years.”

  “If you would realize that that irritation is love, then things would finally be right,” Exavior said haughtily.

  Chevalier growled, and started to lunge forward, but Quinn held him back.

  “Will you stay if the Valle agree to take care of their idiot?” William asked.

  “No, they’ve already taken care of Exavior, and he still finds ways to track me down,” Emily said. “Like the night you and he showed up while I was having dinner. He just finds me.”

  “You had dinner with the Winchester?” Sotomar asked Exavior.

  “Yes, as did William,” Exavior said, grinning slightly.

  “My part was accidental. I saw the Chief Interrogator sitting in a restaurant, and it seemed odd, so I checked it out and found him with Emily,” William told them.

  “This isn’t the first mistake by the Valle. I was kidnapped by some of their members posing as Equites guards,” Emily said. “It’s obvious to me that I can’t have peace.”

  “You can,” William said. “You promised the Encala a visit, come to our palace and you can have peace.”

  “She isn’t becoming an Encala,” Zohn growled.

  “I didn’t say she would stay, but it would give her time to think without having the Valle spying on her,” William told them.

  “All we’re asking,” Chevalier said, and touched her cheek lightly, “Is for more time to iron this out. It started before the ultimatum, and that could negate its affect.”

  Emily sighed, “I don’t know…”

  “Go on the vacation,” Sotomar said. “See what the Encala palace looks like…”

  “I’ve seen it,” Emily said, smiling slightly.

  Sotomar grinned, “See it when it’s not full of ashes. Take the vacation and let us work things out with Exavior. The Equites and the Valle Elders will work out an agreement.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Quinn said. “Take some time away.”

  “And the kids?” Emily asked. “I don’t want them at the Encala’s palace.”

  “They can stay here on the island with me,” Chevalier said. “We’ll hold all talks here so the kids are with me.”

  “Are the Encala ready for me to visit?” Emily asked.

  “Yes, we have been since you agreed to come,” William said. “We can leave right away.”

  “We, of course, would want to send some guards,” Zohn said. “I’m sure you won’t mind.”

  “No, that’s expected,” William said.

  “As would we,” Sotomar said.

  “Wait… Equites and Valle guards?” Emily asked, frowning.

  “It’s fine, we can house them,” William said. “I understand why they each want to protect you.”

  Emily nodded, “You can each send 2, that’s it.”

  “Two is good, we have them here,” Sotomar said.

  “Equites in the room… Valle out though,” Chevalier said sternly.

  “Of course,” Sotomar said. “She would be more comfortable with the Equites guards. We understand that.”

  “When Exavior had me at his coven, when he tried to turn me…” Emily said.

  William growled softly.

  “He said I could have guards, and then he took them to prison…”

  “We won’t do that,” William said. “We won’t risk breaking the ultimatum, I assure you.”

  Emily looked at Chevalier, “Is it ok?”

  Chevalier nodded, “Yes, it gives us time to work something out with the Valle and I know the Encala won’t risk breaking the treaty.”

  Emily sighed, “I don’t know.”

  “Come to my office for a few minutes,” Chevalier said, standing up.

  Emily nodded and followed him out of the conference room, and into his office where the door locked automatically behind them.

  “Please, go, let us work this out,” Chevalier said, pulling her against his chest and wrapping his arms around her. He never thought he’d be trying to talk her into going to the Encala for a week.

  “No one will abide by the treaty if I cave,” Emily said, leaning her head against his chest.

  “They will, I swear. This is more of a wake-up call than you caving,” he said, and tightened his arms around her. “Go visit the Encala, relax, and take advantage of them being terrified of you.”

  “Think they have forgiven me?”

  Chevalier chuckled, “If they haven’t, they would be too afraid to do anything about it.”

  “You’re seriously ok with me going to the Encala for a week?”

  “Yes, I am,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “Anything, but having you disappear.”

  Emily thought for a moment, inhaled deeply, and then nodded, “Ok, I’ll go.”

  Chevalier kissed the top of her head, “Go, have fun.”

  “Sure,” Emily said, and headed for the door. “Try not to kill Exavior.”

  Chevalier grinned, “Do I have to promise?”

  They walked hand-in-hand back to the conference room and heard yelling from outside. Chevalier ran the rest of the way, and threw the door open. He grinned and then sat down when he saw that it was the Valle Elders yelling at Exavior
.

  Emily stood in the door and looked at William, “I’m ready.”

  The Encala Elders smiled and stood as the Valle Elders stopped yelling.

  “You have agreed to give it a week?” Sotomar asked.

  Emily nodded, “Yes, I’ll see what you come up with.”

  Sotomar spoke quickly, and two of the Valle guards appeared behind Emily. She looked at them and then turned back to the conference room.

  “Who are you sending?” she asked Chevalier.

  “I’d like to send Mark and Silas,” Chevalier said, but turned to Quinn and Zohn. They spoke quickly and quietly, too soft for Emily to hear. Chevalier turned back to her after a few minutes, “Never mind, we’ll send Russ and JV.”

  “I don’t know them,” Emily said, frowning.

  “I know, but the Cavalry has a mission. These two are door guards from the palace. They came with the Elders, so they are already here,” Quinn said.

  “Let me say good-bye to the kids, then I’ll meet you up at the helicopter,” Emily said, and left the room.

  The Valle Elders had a private conference with the two guards they sent and the Equites Elders talked to the Russ and JV, giving last minute orders.

  Chapter 13 - Encala Palace

  Emily stretched and rolled over, cuddling the large pillow between her arms. She could smell the hot coffee and lunch waiting for her on the table. They hadn’t gotten into the Encala city until well after 9am, and with the 4am meeting and the prison sleeping, she slept past noon. She rolled onto her back and looked over at Russ and JV by her door. They were facing away from her, giving her as much privacy as possible. Emily looked around the large bedroom. The deep reds of the furnishings stood out against the black rock the room was constructed with. Two fireplaces roared along one wall and a large bay window looked out over the Encala’s main city.

  She finally crawled out of bed and threw on a robe, then sat down at the table and poured herself a cup of coffee as William came into her room.

  “Good afternoon” William said, smiling. He was proud of his faction for hosting the Winchester after twelve years of trying.

  “Can I go for a run?” Emily asked, and took a bite of French toast.

  “I see no reason why not,” William said, and sat down beside her.

  “Alone?” she asked, watching him.

  William cringed, “I don’t know if anyone would feel comfortable with that.”

  Emily shrugged, “Had to ask. I’ll head out in a bit.”

  “Is there anything you need?”

  “I think I’m set,” Emily told him, and watched as he left. She finished her lunch and went into the bathroom to change into her jogging clothes then sat down to slip on her running shoes as the guards watched her, already in clothing to jog.

  As Emily headed down the stairs with her six guards in tow, she felt like everyone was watching her and waiting for her to turn them all to ash again. She ignored the way they moved out of her way when she passed, or the way they dropped their eyes when she looked toward them.

  Stepping out of the palace, she turned her on iPod and strapped it to her arm. She could feel the guards running at her sides and back as she headed out into the enemy city

  ***

  The Valle and the Equites Elders sat in the conference room, talking within their factions, while Exavior sat quietly at the head of the table.

  “I know what you all are thinking,” Exavior said. “I’m not going to back off. She loves me, and I’m better for her than Chevalier. She’ll see that soon.”

  Chevalier growled, “Shut up.”

  “Just stop it, Exavior,” Sotomar said. “We’re trying to save your life here, and you aren’t helping.”

  “Banishing me won’t change my feelings for her,” Exavior told them.

  “It’ll stop you from harassing her though, and possibly pushing her over the edge to disappearing,” Quinn said.

  Exavior shrugged, “Give her time, she’ll come to me.”

  “I say we just banish him now,” Zohn said angrily.

  “He’s the best Chief Interrogator we’ve ever had. I hesitate to let you banish him,” Sotomar said.

  “Will you agree to leave her alone until she comes to you?” Quinn asked him.

  Exavior shook his head, “No, she needs my presence to know I’m out there protecting her.”

  “Shut up,” Sotomar growled. “Just… shut up.”

  Exavior sat back in his chair smugly.

  “Can you not control him at all,” Zohn asked. “I thought he had direct orders to stay away from her.”

  “I did,” Exavior said. “Until I heard she was being put in prison.”

  “She was in prison?” Sotomar asked, frowning.

  Chevalier grinned, “It was her idea. She knew information was going to Exavior, and wanted him to show up… well… she actually wanted to interrogate him in my room.”

  Sotomar chuckled, “That would be interesting.”

  “Should have let her,” Exavior said. “I’m not afraid.”

  Chevalier smiled, “I don’t think she has it in her to do. She thinks it sounds like a good way to get even, but I once the pain started, she would give up.”

  “It would turn her anger into passion, I assure you,” Exavior said, grinning.

  Chevalier shook his head and turned back to the Valle Elders, “You have no replacement if we banish him?”

  Sotomar shrugged, “Of course we do, would they be as good? No.”

  “If it’s between losing the Winchester or the idiot…”

  “Then, of course, we would remove Exavior from the Council.”

  “She won’t let it happen,” Exavior said. “She still considers us friends.”

  “Maybe not anymore,” Zohn said.

  “You, she hates,” Exavior said. “Me, she loves… she hides it though.”

  “Damnit, Exavior, just stop with the love thing,” the tallest Encala Elder said.

  ***

  Emily stopped just inside the palace when the Encala’s Chief Interrogator stepped in front of her. He held up a garment bag.

  “What’s that for?” Emily asked, pulling the earphones out of her ears.

  “I thought William told you about the ball,” the Encala said.

  Emily sighed, “Ball?”

  “Yes, the coven dignitaries are coming to meet you.”

  “Seriously?”

  “It would mean a lot to us if you would attend,” he said, smiling.

  Emily took the garment bag, “I refuse to be heku Barbie.”

  “Excuse me?” he asked, frowning slightly.

  She sighed, “Nothing, but if I don’t like this dress, you’re getting jeans.”

  The Chief Interrogator smiled, “I’m sure that would do, though you may feel under dressed. It begins in two hours.”

  “Perfect,” Emily said, and walked up the stairs to her room.

  Emily took a long, hot shower and pulled on her robe before heading out into her room. Chevalier’s orders were clear, the Equites guards were to remain within sight of Emily at all times, even when she was in her bedroom. She walked out and sat in the vanity chair to dry her hair. She kept nervously glancing at the garment bag as she put her hair into a looped knot with soft curled tendrils that fell down to the middle of her back.

  Emily finally got up the nerve to open the garment bag and was pleasantly surprised. The color was off, it was Encala red, but that didn’t surprise her. The body was tightly fitted and decorated with knots and swirls of satin sashes and the skirt was floor-length and made of layers of soft, shimmery, fluid material. The sleeves were simple, gathered straps that draped over her shoulders and fell to a plunging back.

  She slipped into the dress and pulled on the red heels that came with it, then turned to the mirror and cringed. Red heads were never to wear red, but Emily figured no one told the ancient species that small bit of fashion.

  Emily came out into the bedroom to look in the full-length mirror, and
saw the guards watching from behind her. She blushed when she saw the look on their faces, and suddenly had the image of hundreds of heku looking at her, and she shivered slightly.

  “They have begun and are waiting for you,” JV said, trying not to look at her for too long.

  Emily sighed and turned to them, “What do you think?”

  “Erm… nice?” Russ asked, afraid to say anything else.

  Emily frowned, “Nice?”

  “What?” he asked nervously.

  “This is going to be weird,” Emily told them. She hated not knowing her guards. She wasn’t able to talk to them or joke with them, these two were very serious.

  “Shall we go?” JV asked.

  Emily nodded, “Sure, but I get your arm.”

  “Ma’am?” Russ asked, his eyes wide.

  “Your arm… I’m holding it all night,” Emily said, and wrapped her hands around his arm.

  “I’m not sure that…” he started to complain, but Emily stopped him.

  “Shut up and do it,” Emily said sternly. She walked out of her room, still holding Russ’s arm, and was followed down the stairs by the five other guards. She could hear the music and voices coming from the ballroom and felt her stomach tie into a knot.

  Guards in red velvet robes stood outside of the ballroom and opened the door when she neared. Emily looked inside and turned to leave when she saw hundreds of eyes turn toward her and the room fell quiet. The guard behind her grinned and shook his head, so she turned slowly, gripping Russ’s arm tightly and stepped into the decorated ballroom.

  “Ahh, here she is,” William said, extending a hand out to her. Emily hesitated and let go of her guard’s arm to take his hand. She was blushing deeply and aware of the soft murmurs that ran through the crowd.

  “You look lovely, M’Lady,” Elder Aaron said, softly kissing her hand.

  “So good of you to join us,” Elder Reese told her, smiling. The Encala Elders stood beside her while coven dignitaries filed past her, kissing her hand and smiling at her. Some passed by her with just a nod, nervous about her reputation to turn heku to ash, while others looked over her with fascinated awe.

  “So nice of you to come. What brings you to the Encala?” one of the dignitaries asked.

  “Just a vacation,” she replied, smiling.