“I will not—”
“Don’t cause me any trouble, Captain.” The guard’s lips tightened and turned down, his hand sliding to his staser. “If you don’t leave—now—I’ll have to call for additional security.”
Erynn glared at the man. Unaccustomed to this heavy-handed approach, her anger flared. “Really? Are you going to shoot me? Am I that much of a threat to you?”
Aven held his hands up, palms toward the guard. “Calm down. Don’t do anything stupid.” He spun to Erynn. “Stay here. Let me talk to Cale. I’ll be right back.” He glared at the security guard and pushed past the man, hurrying toward the cubicle where Jaer . . . slept.
The guard grinned at his apparent triumph. “Yeah. Don’t do anything stupid, Captain.”
Erynn leaned toward the guard. “I believe ‘stupid’ was directed at you, not me.”
The guard’s fingers tightened on his staser. His eyes narrowed, holding Erynn’s glare. He turned away, unable to maintain eye contact. He punctuated his defeat with a derisive snort. “You’re not getting in, Captain.”
Anger competed with an underlying alarm. Erynn’s stomach dropped and her heart ached. She just wanted to see Jaer, touch him, and know his spirit still existed inside him. Her lungs resisted the need to breathe as she backed up to the wall and leaned against the cold, rough stone, ignoring the guard.
This is Shan’s doing. She’s found a way to shut me out, to keep me from Jaer.
Cale and Aven emerged from the cubicle and walked toward Erynn. Aven’s face was red, his jaw muscles bunching. Cale appeared tired, the lines around his eyes and mouth deepened.
Cale stopped in front of her. “You can’t go in, Erynn. Shan is Jaer’s . . .” He sighed, glancing about the stark-white corridor. “She has the legal right to decide who sees Jaer—and all decisions regarding his care.”
Erynn frowned. “Decisions regarding his care? What does that mean?” She didn’t like the ominous undertone.
“Nothing, yet,” Aven grumbled. “I’ll get you in to see Jaer, but later. Stay here until we get the briefing from the byan. I’ll come back and tell you everything she said.”
Cale sighed. “I’m sorry, Erynn. At this time, I have no choice but to abide by Shan’s wishes concerning Jaer. It’s out of my hands.” He tipped his head. “For now.” A slight grin lifted his lips, and his eyes flashed. The smile dropped as quickly as it had appeared. Cale turned and walked away, entering the cubicle without looking back.
An icy dread coursed through Erynn. Cale’s manner led her to believe there was more to this than Shan’s refusal to allow Erynn to visit Jaer. “Aven, what is going on?”
Aven put his hand on Erynn’s shoulder and squeezed. “Nothing. Cale just doesn’t like keeping you from Jaer. Let me talk to the byan. Stay here. I’ll be back.” He turned, trotted up the hall, and disappeared behind the curtain.
Erynn didn’t intend to stay in the corridor with a smug guard sneering at her. She wanted to yell, to scream out her frustration, or better yet, give this self-righteous pawn a lesson in what she could do, making him regret his actions against her.
Perhaps just a little shock as I walk away, nothing too damaging. Or maybe a sudden icy wind. Send him scurrying for cover under the desk—
“No.” Erynn’s eyes narrowed as she measured the guard. She pursed her lips to keep them from curling in contempt. “Lucky for you I’m . . .” She shook her head. “Never mind.” She would trust Cale and Aven to handle this situation for her.
Erynn left the Medical Unit, winding through empty, dimly lit warrens. She climbed to the highest point on the base, the tower room—ringed with thick, clear panels. She needed to see open sky, stars, and the twin moons. She wanted to sense Arranon’s awareness of what was happening, to smell the Anim Blath, and to maybe talk with the spirit of her father, Zander.
The small round space in the tower was cold, dark, and silent, soothing after so much activity and high emotion. Erynn shambled to the clear panel opposite the door and perched on the edge of the wide sill. The night sky was cloudless. Stars dotted a deep blue-black background. The first of the two moons began to rise through the wind-tossed forest below, creating a swaying, lacy pattern over the silver-white orb.
Erynn took in a deep breath, let it slip out past her lips, and closed her eyes. She sent her awareness flying on dark wings of consciousness. Like a lone aleun, she soared across the moonlit night . . . and searched.
For what?
Seek.
Who?
Her mind reached out with a desperate need, questions bombarding the dark.
No answers came.
She opened her eyes and rested her forehead against the cool panel. “Zander, can you hear me?”
Silence.
The scene outside the panels stilled, frozen in time. Not even a breeze stirred boughs or treetops. Arranon held her breath. Her living essence waited and watched.
“What am I supposed to do?” Erynn whispered.
She stared into the night until both moons had risen above the treetops, giving the surrounding mountains and forests a colorless, monochrome appearance of ethereal daylight.
Erynn sighed and pushed off the sill. Aven would be the one doing the searching now—for her. She had not stayed where he’d instructed. He was under enough stress. She should be considerate of his situation and not add to his problems. She had needed this time, though—alone, away from staring eyes, well-intentioned thoughts, and dim-witted security. Aven said he would get her in to see Jaer. Maybe now. Shan wouldn’t remain with Jaer every moment. It wasn’t her way.
Erynn left the high tower, going deeper into the mountain, and finally turned the corner into the Medical Unit.
The same guard stood up and rounded his desk, shaking his head. “I told you, Captain—you’re not allowed.” He tapped the COM behind his ear. “General Athru left explicit orders that when you returned, you were to be taken to him.”
Erynn stiffened. Heat rose up her neck and into her face. Purple static popped between her fingers—the hurting kind. “Jaer would want me to be with him.”
The guard grinned, more a snarl. His voice was a low rumble. “We’ll let the Fayn’s family, his cheille, decide who should see him.”
Two security officers strode into the corridor from the outer warren.
The guard nodded toward Erynn. “Take her to General Athru’s office,” he commanded. This time when he smiled, there was genuine pleasure in his expression. He was much braver now that he had backup.
Erynn walked between the two security officers. Maybe Aven was with Cale. If she couldn’t see Jaer—yet—at least she’d hear what Byan Skye reported. She glanced at the two men. They each rested a hand on holstered stasers, deliberately not looking at her. Cold waves of fear radiated from them, surging against her, breaking apart to rise and rush at her again.
Why are they afraid? Is it me or something else? Probably just the state of things on the base.
Her ability to sense the emotions of others came in handy at times, but mostly it was bothersome. She envisioned a tunnel of light spiraling into a tiny radiant pinpoint. The heightened emotions flooding over her faded.
Instead of turning right at the hangar bay toward Cale’s office, they went left.
Erynn stopped. “Wait, you’re going the wrong way. We should’ve turned right at the bay.”
The man on her left said, “There’s been a change in our orders. General Gaden will be handling your situation.”
Erynn glanced back the way they had come. “My situation? Why General Gaden? No. You’re to take me to Cale—General Athru.” An icy tickle started at the base of her spine, weaving a rapid pattern up to her neck, depositing an ill-fated cold into a deep region of her mind.
The two officers pulled their stasers free, aiming at Erynn. “Unbuckle your holster and hand it over—nice and slow.”
With no other recourse for now, she did as they instructed.
They motioned Erynn to
continue, guiding her under aimed stasers to General Gaden’s office.
Her heart skipped and picked up its pace. Mind racing, questions multiplied, swirling away only to be replaced with others more troubling. She found no encouragement for her uncertainty or her difficult position.
Now I know why they were frightened. It was—is me. But why? Where’s Cale, or Aven? This must be a misunderstanding. General Gaden and I can resolve the problem.
Light spilled from an open door. General Gaden sat behind his desk, looking up as Erynn and her two escorts entered. “Captain, you’re here. Good. We need to talk.” He gestured to a seat opposite him and then waved a dismissal to the security officers.
Erynn settled into the hard seat as the door closed.
General Gaden continued. “I’m talking with you not just as your superior officer, but as someone who understands your grief. Necessity during this difficult time has warranted some . . . changes.”
Erynn frowned, opening her mouth to speak.
Gaden held up his hand, stopping her. “Hear me out, Captain . . . Erynn. I only want what is best for the personnel on the base and those most impacted by the attack on our Fayn.” He tipped his head and smiled. “I hear Shan has excluded you from seeing Jaer. Let me talk to her. Maybe I can get her to rethink her decision.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He nodded. “In the meantime, we think it’s best you stay in your quarters, for safety reasons. You understand.”
“We?” Erynn could feel the walls closing in. That cold chill returned, only stronger. She gripped the front edge of her seat and rocked forward. “I’m sorry I took off without telling anyone, sir. I just needed to be alone, to think. It was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
Gaden nodded. “Yes. I’m sure you won’t. This attack on Fayn Jaer has been a great blow to all of us. Some more than others. I can’t allow emotions to compromise the safety of this base or any of our personnel.”
“Who, sir?”
“Excuse me?”
“Sir, who do you believe is compromised?”
Gaden stared at her for a long moment. He leaned back in his chair, elbows resting on the solid arms, long fingers tented under his chin. “You are quite perceptive, Erynn. I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad trait.” He stood and walked around the desk. The door behind her made a soft whoosh as it opened, followed by a scuff of boots. His brown eyes remained locked on her. “Aven and Cale.” He shrugged. “Some others. For the good of the base, we will be assessing their ability to continue their duties as a result of this tragedy. Until I clear all those in question, they will remain in their quarters. I hope you understand. Cale does. You know him well enough, Erynn. He wants what is best for his people. I will carry on in his stead.”
Erynn didn’t understand. There was nothing compromised about Cale or Aven. They were upset, sure, just as she was, but unfit for duty—never. She pushed up from her chair and glanced behind. The same two security officers took positions on either side of the open door. They weren’t alone. Three others had joined them and stood in the corridor. She was about to be made a prisoner. “I see. But first, could you tell me . . . Has Byan Skye evaluated Jaer’s condition?”
Gaden crossed his arms. “I can’t relay privileged medical information, Erynn. It’s up to Shan, his cheille, and his family to determine what information is released. Aven agreed with this after his meeting with Byan Skye.”
Erynn’s brow creased and she stared at Gaden. “Aven? I don’t understand. Can you at least let me know if Jaer will be all right?”
Did Aven tell them I believe Dhoran is no longer in Nev’s body? Do they think I may be crazy, unstable? That I have fallen for another of Dhoran’s deceptions?
Gaden nodded to the security officers behind Erynn. They shuffled forward, boots scraping on stone. “This has been a shock for you, Erynn. I’m removing you from flight duty—temporarily.” He smiled and took Erynn’s arm, gently turning her toward the door. “You’ll be escorted to your quarters. Someone will remain outside your common room, to keep the curious from disturbing you. I’ll talk to you again soon. Don’t worry about anything, especially Jaer. I will see what I can do about getting you in to visit him.”
Gaden doesn’t intend to arrange for me to visit Jaer. Shan has control, and she will never allow it. He is trying to placate me, to keep me amenable. Has Aven really agreed to this?
“May I talk to Cale or Aven?”
“Not yet. You need to rest. To be alone so you can think—like you said.”
Gaden’s command of the base brought a surreal certainty crashing down on her. A rolling wave of isolation engulfed her. There was more going on here, and Gaden was somehow involved. More questions assailed her. She had no one to talk to. Now, along with Jaer, Cale and Aven were no longer there for her. She couldn’t turn to them for help with her problems.
Problems. They’re just beginning. I’m vulnerable to people who may not understand or condone who and what I am.
Erynn nodded and took in a slow deep breath, releasing the air to trickle from her lungs. There was no choice but to do as Gaden ordered . . . for now. Encircled by armed security, Erynn’s guards conducted her through empty corridors to her quarters. She barely noticed her surroundings as they walked the dim tunnels. Thoughts spun and concerns saturated her mind.
What about Tiar and Sean? Are they safe? And Tam? Are there still Anbas watching over Cace and his mom? Who leads the Anbas now? General Gaden?
There were too many questions and no answers.
Not good.
Chapter 10
HER BACK AGAINST THE SECURED door, Erynn stood in her quarters, stomach knotted and tight. The air around her was too warm, too still. She glanced at the desk next to her bed. Her COM was gone. Not old enough to have the implant, Erynn relied on a separate COM she slipped around her ear that connected with a chip under her skin. Erynn switched on the computer. Nothing happened. The screen remained dark with no accompanying hum of electronics.
“Disabled,” she groaned.
She would not be allowed contact with . . . well, anyone. Security stationed beyond the common room was there to guard her, to keep her inside and split from the rest of the base, not to keep prying minds away from her.
She gazed at the DVSL hanging on the wall next to the door. At least it still worked. The screen showed the night outside. A solid mountain-shaped silhouette eclipsed the stars.
Erynn stumbled to the bed and flopped onto her back. She stared up at the clean light-blue ceiling of rock. “Lights off,” she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. The space went dark. A soft illumination issued from the DVSL of two full moons shining out of a deep night.
Physical and emotional exhaustion pulled at her. Fractured thoughts tumbled in her mind, not coalescing into anything substantial. Events from the previous huairs replayed.
Erynn jerked upright on her bunk. “Gaden.” She swung her legs over the edge of the cot, her boots tapping on cold stone. Her heart rate picked up, impelling her lungs into action. She tipped her head and frowned. “Gaden was in the cell talking to Dhoran. For how long before we got there? Long enough to . . .?” She raked curls from her face. “No. He couldn’t be. Could he? Wouldn’t Nev have known? I asked him—pointedly. Wouldn’t he have been aware of Dhoran leaving him?” Her frown spread. “Maybe not.” She dropped back onto the bed. “So now what? If Dhoran is in possession of General Gaden, what do I—we do?” Thoughts whirled in a thunderstorm frenzy. With her arm over her eyes, she considered Cale’s last words to her, punctuated by his small grin. “‘For now,’ he said.” Teeth scraped her lower lip. “What was Cale trying to tell me? I . . . just . . . need . . . to . . .”
Erynn drifted into a blessed black nothingness. No dreams. No nightmares. She turned on her side and shivered, reaching out in the dark, searching for Jaer’s warmth. The present reality with all its crushing anguish ripped away the numbing blackness and swathed Erynn. Jaer wasn’t here, nor would he be
any time soon.
A light tap sounded at her door.
She flipped onto her back, blinking into the dark, considering who might be calling on her. “Guards? Coming to take me to a real cell?” Erynn rolled to a sitting position, her feet dangling over the edge of the bed. She rubbed cold fingers over her stinging eyes, her brow furrowing. “But why? I haven’t done anything wrong.” A single hoarse bark broke loose from her throat. “My very existence is against the law. What I am—a mixed blood—is forbidden. This would be enough for some—certainly for Shan. And she knows my secret, thanks to Dhoran.”
The tap repeated.
“Lights on.” No use in ignoring the summons. If they wanted her, they could get inside. Erynn went to the door and slid it open.
Tam slipped in from the murky corridor and quickly closed the door. She engaged the lock and pulled Erynn into a hug. “We’ve got trouble, Erynn.”
Erynn returned the hug and chuffed, her words muffled against Tam’s heavy coat. “Yeah, I figured out that much.”
Tam pulled away. “I’m not supposed to be here. No one is allowed to talk to you. General Gaden is telling everyone you’re distraught. That you need to rest. Pretty much the same story for Cale and Aven. As if anyone believes that.” Tam’s brow furrowed. “They won’t let me see Aven.” She shook her head, lifting a small device from her pocket. “My COM is dead, and so is my computer. What is going on? It’s like we’ve been disconnected.”
Erynn glanced at her computer and the empty spot on the desk her COM had occupied. “Obviously we’re not to have contact with each other.”
“But why?” Tam dropped onto the edge of the bed.
Erynn spun on her. “Have you heard anything about Jaer?”
Tam pushed dark hair from her forehead and nodded. “Yes. Maire got a message to me through my COM before it went dead, hoping I could tell you. Byan Skye took him to surgery, went in and had a good look around, and then repaired the damage. According to her, the wound wasn’t critical. She ordered tests—brain function, blood loss indicators . . .” Tam grimaced. “Other stuff.” She stared at Erynn. “Byan Skye said Jaer is in a deep coma and slipping away, but she doesn’t know why.”
Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies Page 6