“Jaer’s strength is returning quickly. Simi has been feeding him small amounts all day.” Nev chuckled. “Jaer didn’t seem to mind.” He went on quickly, “Leathan just contacted Aven. Shan left Glaskra. She will not be welcomed back.”
“Good.” Erynn picked up her glass and sipped—a tart, crisp, fruity blend with a bite—watching Nev, Cace, and Aynn. She thought about Cace, growing up without a father. The vision of the adult Cace swirled in her memory and stood out for a brief moment in her mind. Behind Cace stood Aynn and a man with sandy-brown hair. It was Nev, his hand clasping Cace’s shoulder. He and Aynn smiled at each other, their love evident.
Nev entwined his finger with Aynn’s. His gaze never drifted far from her face or hers from his. In their own private bubble, they both glowed.
Cace watched them, his face radiant, a grin nearly splitting his cheeks.
“Nice.” Erynn took another sip and smiled for the first time in many huairs. It felt good—right.
Cale chuckled quietly beside her. He leaned into Erynn and whispered, “I knew it would work out for them.”
Jaer shuffled through the hall and into the dining room. His hand pressed the wall, supporting his bulk. He wore his black Anbas tunic and quilted pants, but not boots.
Nev and Aven both jumped up and helped Jaer into the room. They sat him in a chair at the end of the table, opposite his father.
His older brother, Rias—an older version of his brothers—sat at Jaer’s side, and Jena, their baby sister, was across from him.
“Jaer, you should be in bed, resting.” Jena scooted her chair back. Small, like her mother, she had long black hair. They all seemed to share the dark, piercing eyes. “Come on. I’ll sit with you.”
“No.” Jaer waved her away. “I want to sit out here, be a part of the conversation.” He leaned toward Jena and rolled his eyes. “I’ve been resting— several days now.” His voice was stronger and had regained some of his old confidence.
Nev returned to his seat. “As long as Jaer doesn’t push too hard, I think some company would be good medicine.”
Jena nodded and sat back down.
Jaer glanced at Erynn and smiled. His gaze then acknowledged Nev, Cale, Tam, Aynn, and Cace. “I’m not really hungry, been eating all afternoon, but I would enjoy the company of sitting with you.”
Simi jumped up, rushing around the table. “Are you sure?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Let me fix a small plate.” Simi’s idea of a “small” portion would have choked Erynn. But Jaer took it graciously.
Everyone at the table kept glancing uneasily at Erynn. She narrowed her exposure to the building anxiety. She needed to ease the tension, get the attention off her and onto something or someone else.
Jaer took the conversation before Erynn had the opportunity. “I’m told time is missing from my memory—there’s many things I don’t remember. Like my being Fayn of the Anbas Warriors.” He sighed. “But I do remember everything up to a certain point quite clearly.” Jaer chuckled. “So I guess there’s hope.”
An uneasy laugh rounded the table.
Jaer sat back, his eyes narrowed. “Erynn Yager. Are you any relation to Damon Yager?”
“Yes. He’s . . . was my dad.” Erynn chewed her lip at the reminder of this still fresh pain. Jaer had so much lost information to catch up on. But there was something else. Something wasn’t right—not wrong—different about Jaer. Something she couldn’t quite—
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Jaer continued before she could think what troubled her further. “I wasn’t aware he died.”
Erynn shifted her attention to the table piled with food. “Thank you. It’s only been a few weeks.”
If I forgot the past few weeks, would I want my memories back? Yes. I would. The pain along with the joy.
Jaer frowned. “Does his death have something to do with why you’re on Arranon? So far from your home on Korin?”
You’re my home, Jaer.
Erynn considered how to answer without relaying too much information about the alien invasion and the war and Dhoran’s return . . . and her relationship with Jaer. “I work here now. With Cale—General Athru. I was transferred from Korin after leaving Academy to a base in the mountains above Tamaagra.” She glanced away from Jaer’s dark, probing eyes.
“This is a long way from Tamaagra.” Jaer’s brow furrowed, his gaze never leaving Erynn.
Aven cut in. “There are some problems on the base. Cale, Erynn, Tam, Nev, Aynn, and Cace needed a safe place to go. There are many more of us in Glaskra. Sean, Tiar, Roni, Kirk. Others.”
Jaer’s hand curled into a fist on the table. “What kind of trouble? I need to know if there’s a threat to Arranon.”
Aven winced and glanced at Erynn. “We can handle it—for now, Jaer.” He waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll get you up to speed on what’s been going on, soon. Give yourself a few days to heal.”
Jaer’s eyes narrowed as he stared at his brother. “You included Erynn in this ‘we’, Aven. She shouldn’t have dealings with Anbas business, especially since the trouble sounds dangerous.” He stared pensively down at his still-heaped plate. “Bad enough to cause the evacuation of a military base.” Jaer’s attention returned to Erynn, and he shook his head. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
Erynn glared at Jaer. “I can take care of myself. I’m well trained. I’m a fighter pilot, a captain. I have a duty, just like your Anbas. I will carry out my duties.”
“No. I forbid it,” Jaer declared to Aven with more force in his voice than she had heard since his waking. “She’s too young.”
Erynn chuffed, her eyebrows rising. “You forbid it?” An excited heat rose in her cheeks. “I don’t think so. Not after what I’ve been through.” Her eyes narrowed, daring him to remember. “I don’t need you telling me what I’m capable of, or what I can or can’t do. It didn’t work before, and it won’t work now.”
Jaer leaned over the table, his piercing glare burning into her. “I’m the Fayn of the Anbas, and you will do as I say while you’re in my care.”
Erynn didn’t back down. She leaned similarly toward Jaer’s radiating irritation. “In your care? I don’t think so.”
Cale’s, Tam’s, and Aven’s heads followed the volley, and they began to grin.
The rest of the family and friends at the table watched with wide eyes, mouths open.
In a growling voice Jaer said, “You’re going to be trouble, Erynn Yager.” His jaw tightened, but a slight hint of a smile showed under his fierce countenance. “You’re stubborn and opinionated.”
“Me? Stubborn? Opinionated?” She laughed. “You have no idea.”
Jaer couldn’t contain his pleasure any longer. He laughed aloud.
The tension broke and everyone chuckled.
“I’ll have to keep a close watch on you, Captain.” Jaer’s beautiful dark eyes sparkled and his smile widened.
Chapter 30
AGENT BEAL STEPPED THROUGH THE open door into the long, narrow room, shoulders squared and posture straight, ready to take any reprimand her superiors deemed fitting. It wouldn’t matter that the parameters she’d been forced to operate under had severely hindered her ability to get the job done. The next agent they assigned to the Erynn Yager case would have no better luck under the same circumstances. If the girl truly was a half blood, with supernatural abilities and powers, she would be impossible to compete against, especially with their hands tied by bureaucracy.
Beal stopped a meter from the end of the lengthy conference table and waited to be acknowledged.
Two men and one woman, monitors glowing in front of them, looked up simultaneously, their expressions dour.
Lora, the woman at the head of the table, nodded. “You lost Yager at Taiystill?”
Beal interlaced her fingers behind her back. “Yes, Chief. I’m certain they’re headed to Glaskra, though. They made their destination clear to Agent Vars more than once.”
Lora pursed her thin lips. “Yes. I read your repo
rt.” She pushed out of her chair and slowly paced the short distance between walls. “Glaskra offers a whole new set of obstacles—geography and location, for a start. And by now, Erynn has reconnected with General Athru and the Anbas.” She stopped pacing and stared out the twenty-story window. “Not to mention Leathan Tal.” Lora turned on Beal. “You know, he was once one of ours.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Leathan headed the death squads, searching out half bloods and . . . and taking care of the problem.” Her gaze drifted back to the window, her voice little more than a mumble. “He was very good at his job.”
“I received and read Leathan Tal’s file, Chief.” Beal took a small step forward. If he was involved, and it sounded like he was, this wouldn’t be easy. Leathan Tal was a formidable force on his own.
“Good.” Lora returned to her seat and tapped at the keyscreen. “You’ll find three more files awaiting you—General Cale Athru, Captain Sean Tannen, and Captain Tiar.” She glanced up. “In fact, Captain Tannen and Captain Tiar are in Tamaagra now. See what you can find out. You’re dismissed, Agent Beal.”
“Yes, Chief. Thank you. I’ll get right on it.” Agent Beal spun on her heel and hurried from the dimly lit room. Once in the bright hall, she allowed a smile to spread. She strode to her office on a lower floor, anxious to look into these new files.
This matter with Captain Erynn Yager wasn’t over—not yet.
Chapter 31
DHORAN STRODE THE DIM, COLD corridors leading toward the transport bay. His time on the surface was nearly at an end, for a while, anyway. He would require only one future visit—after he had control over Arranon—when he would return to claim Erynn. Because of the sabotage of the aircraft, this trip to the portal, to return to his underworld, would only be possible by transport. But then, he’d made this trip once before.
He smiled as he walked, staring at his hands he lifted and turned them over, admiring the red-gold scales and sharp claws. Even the mane of long golden hair had begun to grow in along his spine. Vynn’s body suited him, more so even than Nev’s. The changes began much quicker this time. Dhoran nodded. “Once I am home—underground, in my realm of dark and warmth, surrounded by my loyal Socar Batahs and Shifters—the transformation will be complete.” This body, while young and strong, had not fought him so intensely. The mental force just wasn’t there. Nev’s spirit had never truly surrendered. He had fought constantly, causing problems, making demands, and ultimately won by getting his life back.
Dhoran’s smile morphed into a sneer and a low rumbling laugh echoed through the dim passages. His lips curled back, exposing long, sharp incisors. His powerful hands fisted. “I will have my revenge.” His eyes narrowed. The extra lid blinked, making the world soft and blurry for a fraction of a breath. “On both of them. Erynn will watch as I kill Nev—slowly, painfully. She will then remain underground, a prisoner, and serve out my purpose for her continued existence.”
Dhoran turned from the main corridor into the massive transport bay. The vast space appeared even more immense due to the lack of vehicles. His good mood shattered, rage building. Cale had managed to remove his personnel, most of the aircraft, transports, and equipment safely, with not a single confrontation or challenge. All this right under Gaden’s nose! Aven evacuated Jaer, but it was of no concern. By now the meddling Fayn would be dead.
General Gaden approached. “My Lord Dhoran. Your transport is ready. Are you sure—”
Dhoran reached out, sharp claws extended, fangs exposed in a snarl, and clutched Gaden’s neck. He squeezed. Blood oozed out between his powerful fingers and dripped to the cold stone floor.
Shock and terror contorted Gaden’s face. He choked and gagged, grasping ineffectually at Dhoran’s arm and hand, kicking out aimlessly.
Dhoran lifted Gaden and tipped his head, staring into the man’s bulging eyes and blue face. “You failed me, human. You allowed Erynn and Nev to escape and pursue my every step. They dared to confront me!” Dhoran squeezed harder and gave Gaden a little shake. “This cannot be tolerated.”
Gaden’s feeble kicking stilled.
Dhoran dropped the body and his attention shifted to the remaining crews. He glared over them, his lips curling to display sharp teeth. They shrank away in fear, cowering, their heads lowered. Dhoran chuckled, a menacing rumble that echoed in the cavernous space as he walked to his transport.
***
Dhoran climbed down the ancient ladder, through the portal, and into the vast cavern. Oil fires cast the enormous space in a fiery glow and flickering shadows. He turned, gazing out over thousands of Socar Batahs and Shifters. Dhoran raised his arms and addressed his army, shouting, “I have returned. Arranon is ours!”
As one, in a hush of movement, they dropped down on one knee and bowed their heads.
Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies Page 27