by Rebel Miller
I thought about Gabriel and the machinations which had served him well over the years.
Then I sighed and thrust my fingers into my hair. “I’m so confused. Everything I thought I knew … I don’t.”
“Life has a way of upending things as soon as you think you’ve figured it out,” he muttered.
For a few moments, I considered him quietly. Whatever I wanted to call him — Father, Uncle or Khelan — this man had always been there for me, an unwavering part of my life. Memories of the times we’d spent together and conversations we’d had flickered through my mind. I squeezed away a fresh onset of tears and inhaled deeply. I needed to digest everything and clear my head.
I decided to switch to a more positive topic, all things considered. “I’m happy everyone in our family is safe,” I said, refraining from calling my aunt and her family by name through our connection.
He beamed. The swift change in his disposition and knowing that I played some small part in bringing that news to him, even if it was through Gannon and Tai, made my heart squeeze.
“Yes, it’s a relief,” he said. “The most recent message from our friend said they were planning on moving,” he added, referring to the updates Tai was feeding them.
“Hmm,” I murmured, looking off to the side as my comm flashed again, with a new message. “I just wish we knew where they were going,”
“Oh, but we do,” he said mysteriously, drawing me back to him. “She was always one for games and riddles when she was younger. At the end of her letter, do you remember what she said?”
I thought back. “Yes, she mentioned something about loving that she was by the mineral waters, but it didn’t make sense. Where she is, it’s nowhere close to mineral waters.”
“But I know a place that is.” He grinned. “Tholos.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Where in the Realm have you been?” Gannon barked over the connection. I heard a door slide shut in his background.
“I —”
“I’ve been mad with worry, thinking something happened to you. Gods, I even called Tai. He’s in no better mood,” he muttered at the end.
“I’m sorry. I —”
“You’re sorry? Just two minutes ago I directed Talib to go over to your place, storm your apartments and not report to me until he found you.”
“I understand. I have a lot to —”
“Where are you?”
“Gannon, listen to me!” I heard him grunt his reluctant assent. “I need to see you and Tai.”
“You’re damn right you need to see me.”
“And Tai,” I pressed. “I’m going to message him now.”
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“I — I’m fine. I just need to talk to you as soon as possible.”
“That’s not doing anything to alleviate my anxiety, Kira.”
“Can you come?”
“To Prospect Eight? I’m already here. I’ve just arrived at an arc station. I was planning to hunt you down myself.”
“Oh.”
“Talib should be there soon. Go with him. He’ll take you to my house.” He disconnected the line. I could feel his anger still radiating.
I made a face and lunged out of the bed.
Tholos.
Uncle Paol must truly be working with the factions. Why else would he and Aunt Marah be headed to their hotbed? Shortly after speaking with Uncle Khelan, I decided to tell Gannon and Tai. They would know how to stop or protect Marah and Paol, whatever was needed.
I grabbed my comm and tapped out a message to Tai that I was okay and to meet me at Gannon’s residence as soon as he could. I didn’t take the time to provide him with the address. I no longer questioned how he and Gannon came up with the information they needed. They seemed to conjure it up at will.
I hurried to get dressed. It was just before dawn. I hoped Tai wasn’t sleeping and would respond in time.
Ping.
Where the fuck have you been?
I cringed. I’d curse Tai out for his language later.
Just come meet me. Please.
I struggled into a pair of pants, thin top and leather jacket. I was buckling the waist when he responded.
On my way.
After grabbing my bag, I tread quietly across the apartment, engaged the door and prayed that the door’s sliding shut wouldn’t rouse my brother.
Talib was waiting for me in the same sleek hover he’d picked me up in from the bar. I slipped into the front seat as he greeted me with a polite smile.
“Your job is very demanding, isn’t it, Talib,” I said, contrite, as I strapped myself in.
“Yes, and much more interesting since you came along,” he said straight-faced, not breaking his focus as he maneuvered the hover up and out of the spot.
I used the short trip to send a message to Rhoan, letting him that I was okay and just needed some time alone. I didn’t want him to worry when he woke. When we arrived at Gannon’s house, Talib efficiently landed the hover while I unlatched my seatbelt. He exited the vehicle, coming to my side of the vehicle at the same time as my door slid itself open.
“The chancellor should be making his way through security by now,” he said as he coded me into the house. “I’ll need to leave you for a while when I go to pick him up. I understand Tai Corporal is on his way?”
It seemed Gannon had already updated Talib. “Yes,” I said, stumbling at the threshold. Talib reached for me, but I managed to right myself unassisted. I placed a palm to my temple, wondering at my sudden clumsiness.
“Good. I know where he’s stationed. He should be here in a few minutes. I’ll wait until he arrives before I go.”
Talib left me in the main sitting area. I watched him tap at his Protectorate-authorized comm as he stepped out, heading off to do whatever important, official duty he did when he wasn’t chauffeuring me around.
Having arrived at Gannon’s place, I started to feel the weight of the past two days. I wandered about the room for a minute, absentmindedly admiring the art and fine furnishings. The warmth emanating from the fireplace slowed my tracks. I sat on the edge of the soft leather couch positioned across from the hearth, intending to watch the soothing licks of flames. Instead, my brain made frantic work of sifting through the recent revelations.
Between Uncle Khelan, Gabriel, my private meeting with the Corona and confirmation that my family was going to Tholos, my mind was scattered in so many different directions. I had never before felt such a tumult of emotions. I broke out in a cold sweat and began to feel slightly nauseated. Slumping back into the couch, I rested my head on the back of it and stared up at the gilded ceiling fixtures as my mind went fuzzy.
A few minutes later, I heard the front door open and shut. I turned my head, resting my cheek on the cool fabric of the seat, to see Tai stride into the room ahead of Talib, who hung back.
Tai gave me an odd look then shrugged off his bag and coat. As he made his way over to me, Talib informed us that he would be back shortly with Gannon.
As soon as Talib had left, Tai hauled me from the couch and into his arms. He placed tight, desperate kisses on my forehead and cheeks. I could feel his relief at seeing me in each of them. Then he pulled back to study me. “What’s wrong?”
“My head, it’s so … fuzzy,” I mumbled, feeling a wonderful numbness start to spread throughout my body. I closed my eyes.
Tai used one of his large hands to cradle the side of my head. “Kira, look at me.” Alarm gripped his voice. My head lobbed to the side and I rested a cheek against his forearm.
“Fuck.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and lowered me to the couch. I slumped into the seat willingly, allowing him to push me into a reclined position.
“I think I might have had too much solumen,” I said. As a relaxant, the medicinal herb had as one of its side effects drowsiness, but that had never really bothered me before. Then again, I had never before consumed a vat of it like I had this time.
“Solume
n. Why? Did you have a panic attack?” He was crouched beside me as I lay on the couch.
I nodded.
He tensed, his hazel eyes flaring. “Kira, what’s going on? Why haven’t you been answering your messages?”
I blinked a few times. The reason for my being there shot muchneeded adrenaline through my system. “We have to wait for Gannon,” I insisted, struggling to sit up.
“No. Tell me now,” he ground out.
I knew that tone. He was going into full protector mode. Tai was going to interrogate the truth out of me if he had to. Considering how off I felt, I figured it would be best to tell him before I passed out. “My Uncle Paol, he’s going to Tholos.”
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “How do you know this, Kira?”
I wasn’t too groggy to notice the way he eyed me. “No, Tai, I didn’t seduce yet another senator for the information,” I said with a pinch to my mouth. “It was my uncle or father — shit, whoever the blast he is. He told me.”
“You’re not making much sense.”
I shook my head, clearing it. I needed to get this out. “At the end of my aunt’s letter, she referred to a place with mineral waters.”
“Yes, I remember. She said she loved being close to the waters, especially the mineral ones.”
I nodded. “I didn’t know what that meant because Husk isn’t close to waters of any kind. My … uncle told me that Aunt Marah used to play games, like puzzles, I guess, when she was younger. He knew what she meant. She was giving us a clue about where they would be going next.”
“Tholos is surrounded by water and is known for its mineral baths,” he said. “Gods, of course.”
I closed my eyes, trying to fight off another wave of lethargy. “All Above, that herb is strong.”
There was a sudden flurry of activity by the front door. I swung my head around to see Gannon striding into the room, his face a mask of worry. The speed of my turning made me dizzy and I grabbed at Tai’s shoulder to center my equilibrium.
Gannon took one look at me and ordered Talib to go to the study until further notice. As Talib swiftly moved to do his bidding, Gannon shoved his way between Tai and me to pull me into his arms. I rested my head against his chest, too drained to answer his inevitable questions about where I’d been and why I hadn’t responded to his messages.
I felt Gannon’s voice rumble through his chest as he questioned Tai. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She had a panic attack.”
“A panic attack? I didn’t know she had those.”
“Of course not,” Tai said coolly.
I could feel Gannon bristle under my cheek.
“She took solumen,” Tai explained. “It’s a medicinal herb th—”
“I know what solumen is,” Gannon said curtly. “My sister has panic attacks as well.” He pulled me back to assess me. I blinked a few times, trying to look alert. “Gods, how much did you drink?”
Using my hands, I showed him the size of a large pitcher.
He winced and placed a palm to my cheek, bringing me back against his chest. “It’s a wonder you’re even coherent,” he murmured.
“I think it’s the adrenaline alone that’s keeping her upright.” Tai crossed his arms.
I glanced up to see Gannon fix Tai with a stern look. “What’s going on?”
“It’s her uncle. He’s headed to Tholos.” Tai told Gannon about the clue my aunt had left in her letter.
“Are we certain?”
“We will be.” Tai stepped away to reach into his bag. Once he had his tablet in hand, he sat at a nearby table and activated his comm. He had thrown off the look of concern cloaking him and replaced it with a protector’s bearing.
Meanwhile, I was enjoying the heavy and steady rhythm of Gannon’s pulse. I wrapped my arms about his waist and sighed deeply, burying my face in his thick coat, smelling the outside air woven through the fabric. Now that Gannon and Tai knew what was happening, they would know what to do.
“Did you sleep at all last night?” Gannon rubbed a hand down my back. The sun had only started to rise when I arrived at his house.
“No. As soon as Uncle told me, I called you,” I said thickly, amazed at the effort it took to speak the words.
“You’re crashing. Let me put you to bed. You need rest,” he said.
“No, I can’t sleep now.” I struggled out of his arms and drew myself up.
“You’re of no use to yourself or us this way, Kira,” Tai said, glancing up from devices.
“No,” I said with a surprising amount of strength behind my voice. It was my stumble immediately after that undermined me.
Tai stood up, strode over and swung me up in his arms. “Where’s the bedroom?” he asked.
Gannon frowned fiercely at Tai’s impudence but, after studying me, divested himself of his coat and threw it on the couch. “Follow me.”
I shot daggers into Gannon’s back as he led Tai up the stairs and to the bedroom. When we arrived, Tai dropped me on the bed and promptly started unzipping and tugging at one of my boots. Gannon started to do the same with the other one.
“Thank you,” I sighed, about to flip over into sweet oblivion, but Gannon pushed me flat on my back and started to unzip my pants.
“I don’t need to be undressed,” I cried, shoving his hands away, glancing at Tai. He easily circumvented my efforts and started to tug the garment down over my hips but couldn’t get very far with my wriggling.
“You know what to do. Lift,” he ordered, and his tone made me almost do so reflexively, but …
“Tai’s here,” I said.
“Yes, I know,” Gannon said. “I have a feeling he’s seen the female body before.” His sharp blue eyes bore into mine.
I flushed with heat, knowing Tai had seen exactly this female body before. Tai, the brute, smirked just off to Gannon’s side.
Suddenly, Tai wrapped his hands around my waist and lifted my hips off the bed, allowing Gannon to remove the pants. Gannon then unbuckled my jacket and managed to tug me out of it without me feeling too much like a toddler. Tai tossed a thick blanket over my half-naked form. I glared at them when their manhandling was complete.
Gannon leaned over me, a wicked and unsettling gleam in his gaze. “Kira, if you ever choose not respond to my messages again, I will hide a tracking device somewhere on your body.”
I scowled, but held my tongue.
“You took a good twenty years off my life,” he added in a less threatening tone, and palmed my hair away from my cheek.
I pushed the back of my head deep into the pillow. “I’m sorry,” I said. I peered over his shoulder to Tai, including him in my apology.
Gannon leaned down to kiss me lightly on my lips, his hair brushing my forehead. He exhaled as he lifted his head. “When you wake up, we’ll talk about why you were avoiding us.”
In my periphery, Tai crossed his arms.
Message received. They weren’t going to be evaded any longer.
I closed my eyes. I’d worry about them later. My body was aching for some blessed relief, so I pulled the blanket high up over my chest and turned away from their scolding faces.
A short while later, the low rumbling sound of their voices lulled me to sleep.
* * *
The next time I opened my eyes I found myself in the dark. I blinked a couple times, thinking I was still groggy from the solumen, but soon realized that light was, in fact, lacking in the room. I sat up abruptly and immediately felt woozy. Not to be discouraged, I swung my feet over the side of the bed, stood up and was only mildly surprised when I fell to the floor, my legs folded under me.
Nice and easy, I scolded myself.
I twisted around to face the bed, placed both hands on it and heaved myself back up. That’s when I heard Tai’s and Gannon’s heavy steps charging up the stairs. As I rubbed my knees, they burst into the room.
Gannon gave me a look as they approached the bed. “What happened?”
“It soun
ded like the roof was going to cave in from downstairs,” Tai said, scanning the room before looking me over.
“No, that was just me. These curves carry weight.” I offered a cheeky grin, but it slipped into a grimace when I took in their expressions. They were in no mood for jokes, which meant only one thing: it was time to talk.
“Move over,” Gannon said.
I scooted back to lean against the headboard. Gannon sat on one side of the bed, Tai on the other, both with knees bent so they could face me. I was double-teamed. There was no room for evasion.
Slowly becoming more fully awake, I realized that the limited light in the room was all coming from outside. The sky was painted in dark yellows, oranges and purples against dark blue, colors that normally appeared at the end of day this time of year. “What time is it?” I asked.
“Early evening. You slept like the dead the entire day,” Gannon said.
“Did you find anything out about my Uncle Paol?” I was anxious to hear whether, while I was asleep, some progress had been made confirming their whereabouts.
“Yes. As you said, they’re headed to Tholos,” Tai replied. “They’ve been in contact with a man named Maxim. We haven’t been able to determine his caste or whether he’s working with the factions yet, but we will.”
I thinned my lips in frustration.
“Start talking,” Gannon said. “What happened?” I could count on him to get down to brass tacks. Tai looked at me intently.
“I met the Corona,” I said, choosing to start with the least anxiety-in-ducing event, all things relative, and work my way up. “Just before the last
Council meeting, she asked to speak with me privately.”
They looked at me, incredulous.
“I couldn’t believe it myself.” I glanced down, tugging at the hem of my shirt. I suddenly remembered I was only in a shirt and panties. I pulled a pillow from behind me and placed it over my lap. Unfortunately, I couldn’t use the blanket. It had been what broke my fall and lay a tangled mess on the floor.