I waved a hand at his collar so that he would make a connection between my deliberate movement and the fact that his collar disengaged and fell to the concrete floor with a loud clang. He took his eyes away from me long enough to glance down at the collar, fallen close to his feet. His eyes jerked back to me as his hand came to his throat to confirm with fingers what his brain thought to be true, that he was unfettered for the first time since he’d been a child.
“An acquaintance heard that all the hybrids, people like you, who live in this world are going to be executed tonight.” He blinked again, but did not look away. “I’d like to offer an alternative. Am I speaking to the right person? If I make a deal with you that saves your people, are you capable of enforcing the terms?”
After a few seconds, he said, “What terms?” in a voice that was decidedly gruffer than that of most men.
“Here’s my offer. I will take your kind away from this place to another world where you will be free to build a new life. In exchange, you will protect the human inhabitants of that world from their enemy - hybrids, like yourself, that terrorize them.”
He vocalized a disbelieving harrumph, but managed to do it without changing expression or moving his mouth.
“I hear the derision in your response. Which part of that is hard to swallow? Hybrids terrorizing humans? Or being transported to a world beyond the reach of your captors?”
“The idea of protecting humans is… ludicrous.”
I smiled. Apparently the hybrids were either educated or exposed to vocabulary. “I see that and can’t blame you for the way you feel. But if the choice is that or death…?”
Without moving or changing his expression, the big male said, “Why should I believe anything you say?”
“We would both be taking a risk. You’d be taking a risk that I can deliver what I’m promising. I’d be taking two risks. First, that you are capable of leading your people so that your promise to me will be fulfilled. Second, that you will honor your promise.”
At that his head came up, just an inch or so, but the reaction was unmistakable. He was offended that I questioned his honor, which was entirely curious since he’d spent his entire life being treated like a dangerous animal.
“If I give my promise, I will enforce it.”
“If I accept your promise, you and your people will be free in every sense except that you will be bound to defend the human population from raids by native hybrids. To the best of your ability.”
He reached up and touched his throat where the collar had been most of his life. “My people will be free and together?”
“Yes.”
“Take me first to this new world. Let me see. Then I will give my answer.”
My expression remained blank, but I was secretly pleased with that response. “We need to hurry. There are, by my count, a hundred and sixty-three of you to move before morning. And there’s only one of me.” I reached out to take his shoulder in my grip, but he flinched and swatted my hand away. “I have to touch you to transport you.”
He studied me for a couple of seconds, as if looking for treachery, then nodded. A couple of minutes later we were standing on a hill overlooking a wide valley. It was dusk, but there was enough visibility to enjoy the view and make out the shape of buildings where the human city was concentrated.
“Most of the humans were killed during the hybrid uprising. There’s no nuclear or electrical power and the roads are little more than a memory.” I looked at his profile. “You could create your own settlement here, on this hill. The native hybrids, they’re called Rautt, live on the other side of a desert.” I gestured toward the north.
“And we’d be free,” he said in a tone that was unmistakably wistful. “Able to have families.”
I looked at him. “Yes. Families.”
He looked at me. “Yes, Kellareal. I give you my promise. For this we will defend the humans. I promise.”
I nodded. “Be ready to take control of your people. By morning they will all be here looking for leadership. I will help you with supplies to house and feed your tribe until you are self-sufficient.” I looked at the number on his shirt. “What do you want to be called?”
He looked away for just a second. When his eyes found mine again, his chin came up. “Free,” he said.
“Yes. You are. But what would you like your name to be?”
“Free,” he repeated like I was dim.
I laughed. “I see. A good choice. Suits you.”
Without waiting for a response I began the work of emptying the cells. Free assured each and every one that I was on the level and insisted that he be the last to leave. I transported all the males first deciding, in the interest of prudence and brevity, to leave their collars on until they reached what would come to be known as Newland. I left the explaining to Free.
That’s the story of how I spirited the Exiled away during the night. Their disappearance would be tops on the list of mysteries in Telstar culture for many generations.
It took eight hours to move the hybrids to their new home and several more hours to transport tents and food. Water was not a problem. There was a waterfall that fell into a series of pools near the spot where I’d delivered Free. It had pure, clear, clean-tasting water and would sustain a tribe much larger than the number moved to Newland by me. In other words, lots of room to grow.
It seems this narrative is also a confessional because I have to admit to a slight dalliance with the culture. There was no good reason to introduce motorcycles to Blanthekin, except that the Exiled needed transportation to do the agreed-upon work. At least I did my bit to keep the environment clean. I modified them to run on water and operate so quietly you could hear a rat pee on cotton.
As Fate would have it, my choice of Free as most likely leader was right on. He organized the unruly lot to enjoy times of peace and respond appropriately in times of conflict, which wasn’t easy, considering the animosity the hybrids held for humans.
They called themselves the Exiled. Not because they weren’t glad to be free of Telstar, but because Exile was all good from their point of view. They didn’t know how to read and write. So I provided some elementals who could maintain a disguise for several hours at a time. When they wanted to establish schools for their young, I provided books.
That was twenty-five years ago. Free mated with a lion-dominant hybrid who named herself Serene. Their first son, Carnal, had been born in captivity, but their second son, Crave, was the first child to be born in the new world.
Over the years, I developed a relationship with Free that could almost be called friendship. It’s hard to say since I don’t really have ‘friends’, but I know it made me sad when I first saw a streak of gray appear in his hair and knew that someday I would go on, and he wouldn’t.
When Rosie summoned me, the idea of putting her in temporary Exiled foster care was appealing for many reasons. Just as human parents like to give their children college, when they’re able, so their kids have a relatively safe place to finish growing up, Exiled might serve that purpose for Elora Rose. I hoped so. There was a lot riding on it.
At the time she was fourteen months old, but resembled a human of about twenty-three. She was expressing enough demon genes to be able to instantly understand and speak any language on contact with its culture.
I thought Newland would be a good fit. Rosie would get her ‘break’ and have some time away from familiar pressures. I hoped she would use that time to mature, gain some emotional control, some appreciation for her parents, and some empathy for the needs and desires of others.
Like the Exiled, Rosie was a pet project of mine. I’d been watching carefully ever since she’d been born to a mother who was half demon, half ninth-generation witch, and a father who was a quarter human and three-quarters demon. The event of her birth sent a wave of disturbance throughout the Earth plane and all its dimensions. The Council didn’t notice, fortunately, but it attracted my attention. If they ever discovered there was a cr
eature, native to Earth, who rivaled their power, they would almost certainly kill her.
My hope for protecting Rosie was twofold. First, try to keep the Council busy indulging silly and relatively harmless preoccupations. Second, try to convince Rosie not to use the power available to her.
Both plans were precarious. To say the least.
CHAPTER TWO
Rosie stood off to the side, where Kellareal had told her to wait, while he talked to the good-looking fiftyish man wearing a black Henley-style shirt and leather pants. When Kellareal pointed at Rosie, the man leaned out to get a look at her. It made her feel a little self-conscious, all of a sudden wondering if she had anything caught in her teeth. He was unapologetic about staring which, in her book, meant she had permission to look as well. He had longish black hair with a few streaks of gray. Rosie thought the gray probably made him even more handsome than he’d been without. The man nodded toward her and Kellareal smiled. She supposed that meant the two had come to an understanding.
The angel motioned her over.
“Rosie, this is Free. He’s the leader of the Exiled here at Newland.” Kellareal turned to Free. “This is my adopted niece, Rosie.”
Rosie jerked her attention to the angel. She’d never heard him suggest a title for their relationship before, adopted or otherwise.
“With your permission, I need a couple of minutes with Rosie to say goodbye. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to check on things.”
“Always good to see you,” Free said to Kellareal, in a gravelly voice that was strangely compelling.
The angel took her by the elbow and walked her toward the edge of the settlement, near the wall.
“So here are the rules.”
“Rules?” She sounded a little alarmed. ‘Rules’ wasn’t her favorite word.
“Yes. Rules,” he clipped, sounding serious enough to get her full attention. “Extraordinary measures have made these people stronger and smarter than humans. Given the right circumstances, they’re also more dangerous. As far as they know, you’re a human girl, who needs a place to hide out for a bit. I don’t want them to suspect differently. Do you get me?”
She pulled back, looking affronted. “Yes! I get you! You don’t want me to do anything a…” she made quotation marks with her fingers, “…’human girl’ wouldn’t do.”
“Exactly. And lose the adolescent attitude.” She rolled her eyes. “Rosie, I’ve got to have your promise that you absolutely will not do anything extra-human. No matter what. More than you can imagine depends on it.”
She sighed. “Okay.”
“This is serious. You won’t forget. Right?”
“No. I won’t forget. And I appreciate this.”
“Well, I hope you still feel that way after a couple of weeks of working here.”
“Working?” She seemed surprised.
“Yes. Working. It’s not all kittens and rainbows here. Pull your socks up.”
Rosie was narrowing her eyes and gearing up for a reply when Kellareal vanished leaving her wondering what ‘pull your socks up’ meant. She turned toward the Exiled leader, whom Kellareal had called the Extant, and began walking in his direction. When a gust of wind ruffled her hair, she looked toward the east, where the human city could be seen below and in the distance.
Free looked down at her and smiled when she reached him. “Let’s get you situated. I see you didn’t bring belongings?”
She looked around like she’d misplaced them. “No. I guess I didn’t think about it.”
“No matter. We’ll sort it out. You can stay at my house with my family. We can always use help at the Commons. The unmated males spend a lot of time there. Drinking. Eating. Since they’re not mated,” he added smiling as if that explained the whole of the universe. “If anybody gives you any trouble or unwanted attention, just come to me. I’ll take care of it.”
For a scant instant she wondered what it might be like to be a young woman who had to worry about men trying to press their physical advantage and thanked the gods she’d never have to find out how vulnerable that would make someone feel.
“Thank you.” She smiled in return. “I don’t have any experience working at… um, working.”
Free looked at her sideways. “You seem capable. You’ll learn.”
By the time they reached Free’s house, it was almost dark and evident that Newland had no power for lighting. The house, like the other buildings, was made of roughhewn logs, with a small but cheerful light coming from the front windows. It appeared to be three stories and larger than most of the other buildings.
Free opened the door and entered before Rosie. The room wasn’t plush or luxurious, but was definitely inviting. The upholstered furniture was worn, but friendly-looking. The fire was small, but welcoming.
“Serene!” his growly voice rumbled. Rosie couldn’t tell if he was displeased or if his voice always sounded like that.
A woman, roughly the same age as Free, appeared from the back of the house, wiping her hands. She cocked her head at Rosie. “Hello,” she said. Her voice was also raspy, but not as deep as Free’s.
“Hello,” Rosie replied. “I’m…”
“She’s Kellareal’s ward,” Free interrupted. “She needs a place to stay for a while.”
Serene smiled. “Of course. You’re welcome.”
The door crashed open behind Rosie. “Hey, I…”
Rosie turned to see an extremely good-looking boy staring at her.
“Rosie. This is our youngest son, Charming.”
She looked from Free to Serene for a hint that he was joking, but saw none. Turning back to the new arrival she said, “Nice to meet you, Charming.”
She fully expected him to break into a fit of laughter and tell her that wasn’t really his name. Instead, he said, “Hi. Rosie.”
“She’s going to be staying with us for a while. Show her to Carnal’s room.”
“But…” Charming started.
“Show her to Carnal’s room,” Free repeated with a bit more insistence in his tone. “Then come back down for dinner.”
“Okaaaay.”
Rosie estimated Charming’s age at eighteen or so. He had honey-colored hair, streaked with blonde, just like his mother. And yellow-green eyes. Also just like his mother. He was as tall as Free with a powerful, athletic build that suggested it would become even more impressive in a couple of years.
He gave Rosie a smile that was, well, charming and motioned for her to follow up the stairs. “This way.” He stopped at the second story landing and said, “Carnal’s room is there.” He pointed down the hall to the right. “My room is up there.” He pointed to a narrower staircase that led upward. “The attic room. It has a great view. I can see just about everything that happens in Newland,” he said proudly.
Rosie smiled and turned toward the room Charming had pointed out, noting that there was another room down the hall.
“Am I, um, displacing someone?”
“Displacing?” He opened the door to a decidedly masculine space. It was minimalist to the extreme. A wood platform bed with four thick square legs, but no headboard. A double shelf unit with a few books, rocks, and feathers on one side and folded clothes on the other. There was a paraffin lamp on a small square stand by the bed and another on the shelf unit. There wasn’t much there, but what was there was neat as a military barracks. Bed perfectly made. Nothing out of place. “No. Not at all. This is my oldest brother’s room, but he doesn’t come home often.”
“Oh.”
“Do you need help with your stuff?”
“No. I, ah, didn’t bring anything. I’ll get my, ah, stuff in the next couple of days.”
Charming nodded. “Well, then, let’s have supper.”
When Rosie told Kellareal she needed a retreat, the last thing she had in mind was becoming an exchange student. She didn’t want to get to know and be part of a family, but not eating would raise suspicion. After all her cover was human and humans must eat. So she sa
id, “Okay,” and followed Charming back downstairs.
“Is Carnal away at school?”
Charming paused mid step to laugh. “Nothing like that. No. He’s on patrol right now.” He resumed descent, but stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Smell that? We’re having elk stew with parsnips and onions. You’ll love it.”
Rosie had to admit that it did smell good. The kitchen was square with a table and chairs in the middle of the room, but the first thing that attracted her eye was the wood stove and the precision cut stack of firewood next to it. The front panel had been left standing open to heat the room with coals left smoldering from cooking. She’d seen photos of antique stoves, but had never seen one in person.
Charming’s parents had already filled their bowls and were waiting patiently.
She sat down across from Charming and pulled in her chair just as he reached out and tore off a large chunk of brown bread from the dome-shaped loaf in the middle of the table. Next to it sat a pot of stew.
“Go on. Help yourself,” said Charming with his mouth full.
So she stood and ladled a medium-sized portion into her bowl, while Free carried on quiet conversation about livestock enclosures.
After a few minutes, Charming said, “Why aren’t you eating?”
Everyone stopped and looked at Rosie.
“Well, it looks so good and smells even better,” she said, looking from one to the other. Serene smiled in response. “But to be honest, I’m worried about the sauce.” It was tomato-based. “These are the only clothes I have at the moment.”
She blushed when they all looked at her thin white boyfriend shirt, but she blamed herself for calling attention to it.
Serene rose from the table and retrieved an apron. She flicked it in front of Rosie and tied the top close to her neck.
“There,” she said. “Tomorrow we’ll see about scrounging up some other clothes.” She looked at Free. “What was Kellareal thinking?”
CARNAL (EXILED Book 1) Page 3