“You can kill with your gift?” Scythe asked Lena in amazement. He hadn't expected that.
Lena sat up, pulling away from Scythe to lean against the wall. She wrapped her arms around her folded legs. “I can, but it is very hard on me; I hate having to do it. That time at the phantom camp was only the second time I’ve ever had to do that.”
“How does it work?”
She turned her head to look at the wall, silent for long enough that Scythe thought she wouldn’t answer. He reached out to her to tell her that it didn’t matter, when she said, “I can attach myself to, I don’t know, something elemental in each of us; maybe its a soul, I’m not sure. I can commune with people, like I did that time you were threatened by that Carter woman. In that case, I just exposed her pain and suffering to her. It was so strong and consuming that it, well, it tortured her. With the guards at the camp, though, I just ripped it out of them and set it free. I don’t think a person can live without it.”
“Where does it go after you take it out?”
“I don’t know. When it is separated, it just fizzles away. It needs its body as much as the body needs it, I think.” She said after a pause, “Scythe, it’s not something I like to do, okay?”
“It hurts you, doesn’t it?” Scythe asked, remembering her weakness after she and Ian had saved him.
“It doesn’t have to. I can shut most of it out if I want to, but I don’t, because I want to remember why it is so terrible.” She looked back at Scythe, saying, “We don’t talk about it, okay? People don’t need to know what a monster I can be.”
“Come on, Lena. Everyone here already knows that,” joked Ian. “Hey, your gift saved our lives. Try to keep that in mind when you are beating yourself up.”
“What is she saying?” asked Smoke, leaning forward with a concerned expression.
“She doesn’t like to use her gift to kill.”
“How is it any different from using a gun?” he wondered.
“It is more personal. I think, maybe, she can feel them die.”
Smoke nodded, sitting back and shrugging his shoulders, “It is good that killing hurts her still. Killing should never be done lightly.”
“What did he say?” Lena asked, looking atypically insecure.
“He says it’s good that it bothered you so much. You shouldn’t kill without feeling regret.”
Ian commented, “That’s bizarre coming from a man who is a living weapon.”
“You are right about that,” agreed Scythe, giving his friend a thoughtful look.
Smoke continued, “So, anyway, right when things were looking like we might be able to bring that place under control, the buildings started blowing up.” He grinned at Scythe’s expression, “I know! It was crazy! They really didn’t want to be found out, so everything was rigged to go off in a big way. It was all we could do to take shelter under whatever we could find. Lena was out of her mind, thinking you were inside one of the buildings. We didn’t even have a chance to decide if we wanted to risk going in or not, because within two minutes, every building in the whole place was charred rubble. Ian did his barrier thing again, but we lost several others that weren’t with him. The Blades lost Creed and Garthun, and eight Humans also didn’t make it out of there.”
Scythe’s lips tightened and he lowered his eyes in memory of his lost friends and the Humans who had died looking for him. “I’m sorry.”
Smoke nodded respectfully and then waited a few minutes before continuing in a more subdued voice, “After we searched and interrogated the few people who had survived, we discovered the truth about the phantom lab and realized that the whole thing was a giant waste...that you were never there. Morale was low after that, but Lena and Ian had earned the respect of the Blades, which I would have said was impossible for any Human to do.”
“Too bad you didn’t have a bet going,” Scythe commented wryly.
“Oh, man! You are right! We could have cleaned up!” Smoke smacked his head before his face took on a calculating expression. “Might not be too late to take some advantage...”
“What is he up to?” Lena asked suspiciously.
“You do not want to know,” laughed Scythe.
“It’s something nefarious, I can tell.”
“Of course. It’s Smoke, after all. What did you think?”
“She thinks he’s a kickass soldier is what she thinks.”
“Ian! That was in confidence!” Lena gasped, kicking her brother.
“Well, you should know better. I’ve never kept a secret for you that would get me even the slightest laugh. I’d betray you even for a chuckle.”
“You are a blight on the butt of humanity.” She turned to Scythe, poking him with her finger. “You will not tell him.”
“Why bother? He already knows.”
“He knows what?” She surprised him with a high-pitched screech.
Scythe blinked and said smoothly, “He already knows that he kicks butt.”
“Nice save, zooboy,” Ian laughed.
“Why is Lena blushing?” Smoke asked, intrigued.
“Do not tell him anything...” Lena threatened darkly.
“I have been told that you are not on a need to know basis in that area.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you don’t need to know.”
Smoke narrowed his eyes for a moment before he said, leaning back and crossing his arms casually, “That’s fine, Scythe.”
Scythe’s eyes widened and he swallowed, trying not to imagine what horrors Smoke would come up with to torture him once they returned to Poinsea.
“You’re in the doghouse, aren’t you?” asked Ian.
Scythe nodded, thinking that snakes would be too obvious, and swallowed again.
“Welcome to my world.”
Smoke and Scythe both looked at the door, listening. Scythe said, “There’s a message for you, Ian.”
Ian got up, opened the door, and took the datapad from the courier who was talking to the guard. As he perused it, his heartbeat jumped suddenly.
“Faith is going into labor a week early. I’ve got to go.” He crossed the room, giving Scythe a quick hug. “See you soon, Scythe. We are really proud of you, for what you did back there in that clinic. Remember that, okay?” He turned to Lena, “You coming, or you want to catch up with me later?”
“I might as well come, since Scythe is leaving tomorrow anyway. Go get your shit together.”
“You mean, go get your shit together. I’m always packed, Lena, you know that.”
“Whatever. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“I’m gonna miss you guys,” Scythe said regretfully.
“We’ll be in touch, Scythe. Remember, we are big time ambassadors now,” boasted Ian playfully.
Lena sighed, shaking her head, “Big time idiots is more like it.”
Ian shook Smoke’s hand and, waving, left in a rush. Lena turned to Scythe and said, “You take care of yourself, okay, Scythe? I want to hear from you at least once a week. As a mediator, you’ll have courier and conference privileges, so use them.”
She hugged him again, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek which warmed him up inside. Then she stood, giving a bossy stare to Smoke, who was watching with interest. “And tell your friend here I expect him to keep you safe, or I’ll come looking for him and his brother.”
Smoke raised an eyebrow, looking from Lena, whose arms were crossed, to Scythe.
Scythe smiled, “She says if you don’t keep an eye out for me, she’s going to come looking for you and Rend for an explanation.”
Smoke laughed, nodding, “Okay, I got the message.”
Scythe said, “He understands, but I don’t think he’s worried about it.”
“Hey. Don’t get cocky. I don’t need a punk teenager undermining my authority.”
Scythe shrugged, unrepentant.
Lena’s shoulders relaxed and she looked back at Smoke, letting him see her real concern for Scythe, her eyes intent
and brows pinched slightly.
Smoke’s heartbeat sped up, though his face wore its usual casual expression. When he spoke in Kin, his tone was blunt, “He’s my brother.”
Lena blinked, her expression softening before she caught herself. “What did he say?”
“He’s my brother.”
“Good enough, then.” She smiled and smacked Smoke on the shoulder as she passed him on the way to the door. “Okay, later boys!”
“Bye, Lena,” called Scythe with a wave.
He sat there, smiling, until Smoke finally asked, “What?”
“Huh?” Scythe grunted, playing innocent.
“What are you smirking at?”
“Am I smirking?” Scythe tipped his head, “What is that I hear? Is that your heartbeat? Wow...”
Smoke rolled his eyes, “Don’t even start with me, Mismatch.”
Scythe paused in the act of coming up with another comeback, thinking, It is a mismatch, isn’t it?
He looked up when Smoke said thoughtfully, “She really would have come for you...all the way to the palace of Poinsea.”
Scythe nodded, “Scary, isn’t it?”
Smoke shook his head, “Someone needs to rein that woman in before she gets herself into trouble.”
Chapter 15
Scythe sighed, resisting for the twentieth time the urge to lay his head down on the table or lean back in his chair and stretch out his legs. After all the anticipation and nervous preparation, the meeting between the Humans and the Kin had turned out to be extremely tedious. The last hour alone had been spent determining the correct words to use on only one section of the proposed treaty. To Scythe, the difference in meaning between what they had agreed on and what was there when they started seem insignificant; at times, he couldn’t tell if there was any difference at all. He had to force himself to concentrate on the discussion, because, in all the time he'd been watching, he hadn't noticed anything significant in the delegates' responses or reactions. He was beginning to doubt that he would be any help in identifying possible conspirators.
The Human delegation, per Kin requirements, was very small, consisting of Lena, Ian, Grant and three others: the official Human ambassador, Fiona Niman and her two assistants. They sat on one side of a large square table with their datapads as well as several stacks of files in front of them. Behind them stood the two military escorts that were permitted to enter the room with them: a pair of confident, seasoned soldiers.
Across from them was seated the much larger Kin representation: Governor Talto and his son, Ambassador Hurg and his assistants, and five Kin leaders from some of the larger Kin cities and their assistants. The primary speaker for the Kin was Kelreig from the largest and most powerful city, Quo Ire. He was bulky, for a Kin, and his manner was blunt and uncompromising; every one of his demands had been accepted by the Human delegation without argument. Behind each leader stood a personal guard, Red Guard for the governor, and Rend for Keyrin. In addition, the Red Guard and Blades, including Smoke and Leandra, were posted along all four walls of the room, some ten feet away from the table.
Scythe, as mediator, had a seat on a third side of the table, and a Kin secretary appointed by Talto was seated next to him. Pride stood behind them. Across from him, the last length of the table was left traditionally empty. So far, he had had almost no involvement in the process, his role as mediator almost entirely useless in the Kin dominated meeting. Occasionally, he served to clarify meaning for the Humans, as the entire proceedings were conducted in Kin, but, despite Grant’s assertions, the translators on both sides seemed to have very little difficulty communicating effectively.
“Alright, we have an agreement that the word ‘facility’ will be replaced with 'any facility, business, institution, or organized collection of more than ten persons.' We are satisfied with the language for this section. Let us take a break before we begin with the next section, delineating what weapons may be used in the bordertowns within fifty miles of any Kin settlement.” Kelreig rose without waiting for a response and moved to one of the adjoining rooms set aside for the Kin delegation. The other Kin leaders joined him, chatting comfortably with each other or their assistants.
The Humans turned to confer with each other, except for Lena, who got up, waved the guard behind her off, and came around the table to Scythe, who stood and pulled out a chair for her. She raised her eyes at the polite gesture, smiling, “Oooo, what the gentleman you’re turning out to be!”
“Well, you’re all decked out like a lady. I’ve been shamed into it.”
She, like the rest of the Human party, was dressed in fine garments designed to impress. Her purple and gold gown was made of a fine, sleek material accented with subdued black lines and embroidered with small elegant birds. The cut subtly accentuated her feminine figure and her long, dark hair was pulled up and woven intricately on top of her head. This being the third day of the gathering, it was only the third time Scythe had seen her wear a dress.
Their meetings took up the entire day, as much as nine hours, with half to three quarter hour breaks spread throughout. At mealtimes and in the evening, Scythe enjoyed spending time with Lena and Ian, and they were frequently joined by Smoke, Rend and a few other Blades. Twice they visited the nursery to spend time with the children. Scythe didn’t want the week to end. For the first time, he had the best of both worlds, with both his Human and Kin friends getting along together.
Lena rolled her eyes at him, “Nice. Real smooth. Gentleman status: revoked. Reinstating: punk teenager status. I’m not interested in your stinky chair anyway. After sitting that long, I’d rather walk, how about you?”
“That is a brilliant idea. There’s a balcony just down the hall. Do you want to check it out?” When she agreed, he caught Smoke’s eye and gestured to one of the four exits. Getting a nod of approval, he turned to ask Pride if it was okay with him.
“Sure, let’s go,” replied the Blade. As soon as they were safely in the hall, he said, “This is about as mind numbing as watching dough rise, except there’s no bread at the end to look forward to.”
Scythe chuckled and then translated for Lena, who smiled, complaining, “Awww! Don’t even taunt me with thoughts of warm bread and a big slab of butter! That’s just cruel.”
Scythe translated back for Pride, who made a pained look, holding his stomach for emphasis. They joked and laughed all the way down the hall.
When they reached the room with a large balcony, Pride inspected it carefully before taking up his post at the entrance. Scythe and Lena passed through the grand room intended for use in formal ceremonies to the row of glass doors that opened onto a balcony that spanned the width of the room. Scythe increased his pace, opening the door for her with a flourish and a bow. She messed up his hair with a laugh as she stepped outside.
“Seriously, though, you do look very pretty, Lena,” Scythe said, joining her at the railing and grinning like a cat with a stomach full of milk.
“Thanks,” she said, looking down at her dress. “It is a nice getup isn’t it?”
“I know someone who was admiring it,” Scythe said mischievously.
Her eyes widened, “Really? Who?”
“That’d be cheating.”
“Ah, I see. You have a death wish. Easily granted.” She reached over, grabbing him by the throat and squeezing.
“You should know better than to mess with me. I’m a trained soldier. I might just react reflexively, and you’d be the one-eyed beauty.”
She laughed and then challenged him, “Show me what you’ve got, zooboy.”
Scythe grinned, “Don’t make me use my secret defense!” He brought his hands up, threatening to mess her immaculate hair.
“No!” she screeched, pulling away and slapping his hands down. “This damn thing took me over an hour to do! Hands off, you cretin!” They shared a smile, before she said, “Damn. I miss you. Only Ian is as fun as you, and he’s always off being superdad.”
“I know. I miss you guys, t
oo, but not enough to go back to that psycho ward you live in.”
“I don’t blame you, Scythe, I really don’t. Ah, well.” She turned and let her eyes sweep across the settlement. They lingered over a gray section of untouched ruins. “That is a truly depressing sight.”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t they rebuild?”
“I think it’s because they’re still so hurt and mad.”
“Mad, and holding onto it tight.”
“The Kin aren’t like Humans, Lena; they aren’t into whitewashing.”
“So I see. Better to wrap yourself in your anger. Whatever you do, don’t move on,” she said sarcastically.
“That’s a Human thing, trying to forget, or ignore, or hide from stuff,” he rebuffed.
She turned to look at him thoughtfully, “You know, the reason you’ll never fit in with Humans is because you see them too clearly. We don’t like that.”
“I get along with you and Ian.”
“Yeah, but we’re freaks,” she joked, leaning against the railing.
“That’s true. You’re messing up your dress.”
She jumped away from the railing, brushing at the dust. “Damn. Oh, well, you’ll just have to walk on my right side. Let’s get out of here and find some food before the break is over and the boredom ensues.”
Halfblood Heritage Page 22