I'd spoken my fear aloud—that repercussions could come and I couldn't predict them accurately.
Kooper drummed his fingers on the polished-stone table for a moment and refused to look at me. Finally, he nodded before meeting my eyes. "All right. You'll be kept in the informational loop. If you have advice or an opinion, I want to hear it. Understood?"
"Yes, Director."
P'loxett
V'dar
My guardians had been killed on Tem'Bek II in a fraction of a second, and I failed to understand how that could be.
I'd seen none of it happen—only the aftermath.
At least the concrete block hidden in the stand of trees was still intact, and held the sacrifices from Gungl secure in its depths.
I'd searched for evidence of an enemy's encroachment, but found nothing other than a few patches of charred weeds and grasses, and creature dust lying in chunks everywhere.
I would sort this out later; other things demanded my attention, not least of which was my newly-acquired servants on Campiaa, who were ready to do my bidding. It aggravated me that Charla Dare hadn't had her solar power panel and transformer inspected for six years or more—that was an accident waiting to happen and had cost me many important servants.
I had new ones to fill that void, however, and Charla had paid with her life. Regardless, I now had contact information for Adarr Gramm and Rale Linn. Jewl Yarro could come later; with the first two, the third could be brought in easily.
Once the first two saw what I could do, they'd come along quietly or die by my hand. Things were falling into place for the Conclave and soon enough, I would hold both Alliances in my grip.
Besides, I now held new information—information that would enable me to exact a revenge that had been fermenting for a year. I looked forward to it with great anticipation.
Mountain Retreat, Campiaa
Randl
"There was a response to Charla's message, but it wasn't exactly what we hoped for."
Kooper arrived and sat down with Vik, David, Galaxsan and me to have a beer. He needed six more, in my estimation.
Galaxsan floated a bottle out of the keeper and popped the top off with power before sliding it in front of Kooper. Kooper nodded his thanks to the warlock and lifted it to drink.
"Let me guess; she was unenthusiastic about her daughter's survival," David offered.
"Yeah," Kooper set his bottle down after drinking half its contents.
"Actually, she doesn't believe her daughter survived. She thinks the ASD and CSD are—what's the phrase—pulling her leg?" I offered.
"Nice." Vik clinked his beer bottle against mine.
We'd chosen what David called the man cave for our drinking session, as it had the best night view of the city below. It also had a fully-stocked bar and cold-keeper, a sink and comfortable, overstuffed chairs and sofas throughout, placed so any visitor could watch the multiple vid-screens hanging on each wall.
I'd asked Dori to join us, but she wanted to have a night with her sister Cori, so I told her to enjoy herself and sat with the others in the man cave to drink. That's where Kooper found us, and I was thankful we hadn't finished our first beers yet.
"Do you think you can convince Charla?" Kooper asked me.
"I can try," I said. "When?"
"Tomorrow morning. We need to get a meeting with Jewl, find out if she's infected, and if not, guarantee immunity—at least during Conclave, so we can deal with the shit coming our way. Jett has managed to pull in a handful of people from the list Charla gave us. I have it with me."
Kooper rummaged in a pocket and drew out his comp-vid. "Images are on the first screen," he handed the comp-vid to me so I could look.
Three of the seven images showed me infected individuals. The remaining four were petty thieves and likely beneath the Prophet's notice. I tapped the three I'd chosen to add to a new file for Kooper—to have them quarantined.
It was anybody's guess whether they'd infected anyone else by having sex. Frankly, I refused to look for that in them. Not tonight. I wanted to get drunk and not think about it.
"Not good," Kooper shook his head as he surveyed the list I'd created. "Nearly half. I wonder if that percentage will hold for the rest."
"Get the Director another beer," I said. "He needs to chill."
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Winkler
Lissa and I had just put the twins to bed when we received word. Aurelius came to tell us himself.
The vampire we'd disguised to act as Brandl's replacement was dead, his ash scattered across the waters between Avii Castle and Lissa's beach palace. Half the boat he'd been aboard was little more than floating rubble, after being hit by a strong blast of power.
This vampire was one of the few who could walk in daylight, given blood by Lissa herself for worthy service to the crown. He was now dead and she was sad and angry.
The crew on the boat was also dead, although they weren't vampire. Their charred remains were brought back to land by Sun City's Shore Patrol.
The real Brandl was now in Lissa's library, waiting for us to arrive. He had no enemies except one, and that one was Randl's enemy, first.
"Send someone to make sure Amlis is protected," Lissa snapped at two guards as we strode into the library. "Send Drake and Drew with them if necessary."
They would have run if that were allowed in the Queen's presence; still they walked away as fast as they could without being obvious about it.
"I thought you and Quin were being overprotective—all these measures you took," Brandl's hand shook as he shoved hair away from his face. He was in shock, that was easy enough to see.
"You asked to see me?" Bryan Riley, Le-Ath Veronis' news administrator and journalism magnate, was ushered into the library.
"Bryan, thank you for coming on such short notice," Lissa sighed. "We need an official announcement made—that Brandl Gage and all the crew aboard the Gray Swan are dead. Renée will give you names of the others aboard the vessel."
"So, it's official," Bryan nodded. He knew as well as anyone that Brandl was there in the library with us. Dipping his head respectfully to Lissa, he turned and walked out with his accompanying guard.
In minutes, the official report would be given, along with images of the damaged ship.
"What can I do?" Brandl asked. He was lost, that was easy to see.
"We're sending you to Campiaa," Lissa said. "You can help Randl get back on his feet."
"Something happened to him?"
"More like he happened to something," Lissa snorted. She had the report from Kooper, just as I did. "He just drained his energy, that's all. He'll be fine in a day or two."
"Will you let me know how things go in New Fyris?"
"Of course. Winkler, will you transport Brandl? Tell Kooper you're on the way."
"I will."
Mountain Retreat, Campiaa
Randl
"Pap?" I was drunk enough to believe I might be hallucinating. Staggering to my feet, I blinked at my father and Winkler, who stood beside him.
"Somebody killed the vampire who was disguised as me," Pap said and almost broke down.
"Oh, no."
My drinking buddies left the room quietly while Pap and I hugged each other. Somehow, the Prophet had learned my name, and had gone after my family.
It was a sobering thought, in every sense.
New Fyris, Harifa Edus
Amlis
"Drake, Drew and two others are waiting in the vestibule," Rodrik strode into my private study. He sounded angry. It was very late at night where we were, and normally I'd be in bed reading.
Instead, I was studying the voting topics for Conclave, so I'd be ready before we left in a few days.
"Calm down, Rod," I said and scooted my chair back. "Did they say why they're here?"
"Something about your life being in danger," Rodrik grumbled. "Look around you—we aren't in danger."
"Rod, you should know that things ca
n change quickly," I said. "I hope you recall the visit from WildTree?"
"Illusion. You know they can do it," he said.
I realized that I could have a problem on my hands, now, if Rodrik wasn't dealing well with reality.
I should know—I'd traveled that path.
"Let's go downstairs and be civil to our guests," I said, walking toward the door. Rodrik fell in line behind me, as he usually did.
Prince Amlis' Castle, New Fyris
Drake Tatsuya
What's the holdup? Drew sent. He and I backed Aurelius and Flavio, who'd come as ambassadors from Le-Ath Veronis. The news we bore was grim; our intention was to tell Amlis and Rodrik that they could be targeted, merely because Randl had worked for Amlis in the past.
We'd been asked to wait in the castle vestibule while Rodrik, who wasn't pleased by our appearance, stalked away to inform the Prince that he had visitors.
Rodrik's dragging his heels, apparently, Aurelius supplied an answer. Aurelius, the ancient vampire with the mane of shaggy, blond hair and wide shoulders, looked more like a bear than a vampire at this late hour.
He wasn't happy with the delay, either. We bore important news, and Rodrik chose to waste time getting Amlis around to meet with us.
He could have offered refreshments and a more comfortable place to wait, too, but that was neither here nor there, as Lissa would say.
I hear them on the hidden stairs, Aurelius sent.
In moments, Amlis appeared in a doorway designed to blend in with the curved wall of the vestibule, Rodrik right behind him.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Amlis said, just before the entire vestibule exploded around us.
Chapter Fifteen
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
"I told him to wear the medallion. I watched him put it on. His wife found it lying on the dresser in their bedroom." Amlis was grieving for Rodrik, who was the only casualty in the trap the Prophet laid for him.
Amlis was fortunate to be alive—Aurelius, Flavio, Drake and Drew had formed shields at the last moment to protect themselves, but only the medallion Zaria had given him saved Amlis' life. Rodrik had been gifted with a device, too, and had chosen not to wear it.
The front portion of Amlis' castle now lay in ruins, and six servants were in a hospital with severe injuries. It was luck that dictated the event take place late at night, when few would be in that part of the castle.
Regardless, we now had a conundrum on our hands. If Amlis were reported dead, he couldn't attend Conclave. If he survived, the Prophet would continue to target him in his efforts to take revenge against Randl.
"We can't report his death," Ildevar Wyyld appeared and sat on the sofa next to me. He and I watched Amlis on the sofa opposite mine in my library. Amlis held his head in both hands, fingers gripping hair tightly as if they wanted to tear it away from his head. Rodrik wasn't just Amlis' heir—he'd been a lifelong friend and confidant.
Zaria tried to save him; he'd refused her help. There would be no second chance for Rodrik. His wife and child would have to learn to live without him.
"Amlis will need someone to go with him to Conclave," I sighed. "In addition to Halimel and Aurelius."
"Then I suggest asking Berel Charkisul to stand in for Rodrik. Berel is an outstanding ambassador," Ildevar replied. "He is also familiar enough with New Fyris to advise the Prince."
I suppose it wouldn't matter that Amlis would be backed by a blue-winged Avii when he attended Conclave. Wherever they went, the winged Avii drew attention and admiration.
Berel will be protected, Zaria's voice sounded in my mind. He is a good choice in this matter.
If Berel didn't already have one of Zaria's medallions, I figured he'd have one soon enough. Edden, Berel's blue-winged father, could advise Quin and Justis at Conclave—he was the best, in my opinion, with Berel a very close second.
"Thank you, Founder Wyyld," Amlis mumbled.
"You are a ruler in good standing in the Reth Alliance," Ildevar rose from his seat and patted Amlis' shoulder. "Make time to grieve for the fallen when Conclave is done. For now, your people must be represented. We will provide as much help as you need."
With that, Ildevar was gone.
"We have troops surrounding the castle in New Fyris," Drake announced as he and Drew arrived.
"Thank you. We'll let the Prophet believe the Prince may be dead—at least for tonight," I said.
Mountain Retreat, Campiaa
Dori
"I can't believe you let Marco spill the beans," I accused Cori, who looked guilty. She'd waited until we got back from having dinner out, too, before dropping the bombshell.
Marco had told Mom and Dad that I was seeing someone. They probably thought I was hiding him from them. Now, they were planning a trip to Campiaa during Conclave, just to see what I'd gotten into, in Marco's words.
Marco hadn't been with me when Randl transported Travis, Trent and me to Tem'Bek II. Yes, the name was a joke to those of us from Old Earth. What happened there wasn't a joke, though. Marco thought he was so tough. If he'd seen Randl fighting Ra'Ak mutations armed only with two swords, he'd change his tune in a hurry.
So far, Marco was being thick-headed about this, and I failed to understand why.
"Dori, they'd have to meet him sometime anyway," Cori said.
"When I chose to do so, not when Marco decided to tell on me, like he's nine or something."
"I think they only want to make sure you're—well, safe enough," Cori fumbled. Trust Marco to leave us alone in the kitchen and go hide in their bedroom so I could have it out with my sister. He deserved the blame for this, not her.
"Marco's jealous." Someone else appeared. I drew in a breath. I'd never seen her up close, I'd only heard about her and seen her from a distance—years ago at SouthStar. Zaria was here, and I had no idea why.
"What are you doing here?" Cori snapped at Zaria.
"Cori," I mumbled. I didn't think it wise to yell at Zaria for any reason.
"Well?" Cori's arms crossed over her chest and she glared at Zaria. Zaria wasn't wearing her white wings—not that I could see, anyway. And her skin wasn't blue, but with Zaria, that didn't mean anything. She could appear as a winged Larentii if she wanted. For the moment, she looked mostly human, except for the gold glints covering her skin.
"Marco—and you, for that matter, weren't elevated into the Hierarchy for a reason," Zaria said. She didn't sound angry, but she didn't flinch or blink at Cori's anger, either.
"And what reason was that?" Cori huffed. I could see she was upset about it, too—that others joined the ranks of the powerful all around her, including Marco's brother Salidar, while she and Marco were left out. I'd been left out, too, but I'd never pointed that out to Cori. It wasn't my due—I hadn't done anything to deserve a place in the Hierarchy.
"Those of the powerful seldom are granted children," Zaria stated. "Have you felt more irritable than usual, lately?"
"Why would you care about that?" Cori wasn't backing down.
"Because in a few days, your daughter is going to upset your stomach, and you'll lose your breakfast for a couple of weeks."
My mouth dropped open, just as Cori's did.
"But-but," Cori stuttered.
"There was a reason. I just told you what it was. Don't be assholes for the next few years and you may get what you wanted after all."
"That's—what am I supposed to do?" Cori whispered.
"I think you should go home with your parents when they leave here, eat healthy, get plenty of rest and take care of the baby when it comes. You can go back to work later if you want—there's plenty of time for that. And, if Marco isn't happy about this news, I can have a talk with him. His brother may never get children. Think about that, all right?"
"Wow," I breathed. "Just—wow."
"I have something for you," Zaria turned to me then, and held out a hand. A small box appeared there. "Wear it. Never take it off. If you don't know why,
ask Randl what happened to Rodrik earlier tonight."
With that, Zaria disappeared. "I don't know what just happened," Cori mumbled. "All this time, Marco and I were pissed."
"And you decided to take it out on Randl and me?" I turned toward her.
"I," she began. "I don't know," she dropped her eyes and stared at the floor. "Sali—you used to think he was what you wanted. I guess Marco thought," she didn't finish.
"Whatever was between Sali and me ended a long time ago."
"But you were never really interested in somebody else," Cori defended herself. "That's why Marco thought." She tossed out a hand, struggling to make me understand.
"So. I find Randl, whom I care about as an adult, and you try to ruin it for me. Thanks, Sis. Thanks a lot."
Tightly gripping the small box Zaria had given me, I turned away and stalked out of the kitchen.
Randl
Dori's ocelot was sleeping beside me when I woke the next morning, fighting a hangover.
Reaching out, I ruffled the fur around her chin before encountering a gold medallion.
Zaria had come to see my girl.
The parents are coming to visit. What happened to Rodrik last night? Dori raised her head and blinked sleepy cat's eyes at me.
I closed my eyes while my brain fought off information.
Rodrik's dead, I replied. Killed by the Prophet.
Amlis?
He's fine—he wore his medallion and wasn't hurt.
That's what it's for, then. She sounded smugly satisfied.
I think so. You must be special, I grinned and leaned in to drop a kiss on her head. "Now, what's this about your parents?"
After I consumed several painkill tabs, two cups of tea and scrambled eggs for breakfast, Travis and Trent transported Dori and me to the holding facility. It was time to see what could be done about making Jewl Yarro believe her daughter was alive.
"She's getting her strength back," Jett Riffler met us in a makeshift office in the facility. "We've restrained her with the wall cuffs. She can walk to the toilet and back, but that's all she's allowed. Kooper's on the way, but he said you can take a look at Charla before he gets here."
MindMage: BlackWing Pirates, Book 2 Page 20