Harbinger

by Cyndi Friberg

  Ulrik glanced at Danvier then leaned closer as he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me about Javin?”

  The hurt in his expression caught her by surprise. Ulrik was gruff and grumpy so much of the time, it was easy to forget his nature was remarkably sensitive. “I risked exposure with every message I sent. Anything I told one of you, I presumed you would pass on to the others.” Haven crossed her arms as another surge of guilt passed through her being. If she’d made better choices while sending messages, Vinton might still be alive.

  Ulrik accepted the explanation with a tense nod, but hurt still lingered in his dark eyes. As almost an afterthought, he looked her over, his gaze quick and assessing. “You seem no worse for wear. Did Pyre explain what she was trying to accomplish by taking you?”

  Haven was about to answer when Danvier returned.

  “The apartment across from Berlynn has been assigned to you,” he told Haven. “Raylon uploaded your image and voice print to the security system, giving you level one access.”

  “Who is Raylon and where did he get my image and voice print?” Wait hadn’t Danvier said Raylon was Chandar’s mate? They’d spoken about so many people she was struggling to keep them all straight.

  “Raylon is General Nox’s enforcer,” Ulrik said with a sneer. “If anyone disagrees with the general, Raylon changes their mind.”

  And that was the type of male Chandar had chosen for her mate? How strange.

  Rather than disagreeing with Ulrik’s characterization, Danvier simply ignored him. “The Phantoms run continual surveillance during all missions. Raylon took what he needed from the security feed and uploaded it to the outpost’s computers.”

  Continual surveillance? Haven struggled to swallow past the sudden tightness in her throat. Would the entire feed be reviewed? Would others see how Danvier had stalked her, intimidated and scented her? Did this explain why he’d held back, despite his obvious desire to touch her?

  A self-mocking laugh echoed in her mind. She was the one who’d wanted more, wanted to feel his hands moving over her body and experience the intensity of his kiss. She was honest enough to acknowledge the desire even though it was irrational.

  “It’s nearly midnight,” Danvier went on. “General Nox and Raylon still need to interrogate Akim, so your interview has been postponed until midmorning.”

  Ulrik perked up all of a sudden. “Then the mission was successful? Where is Milanni being kept? I want to see her immediately.”

  “Garin didn’t go into detail, but it’s my understanding that Milanni escaped,” Danvier told him.

  Haven wasn’t sure what mission Ulrik meant, but it was obvious he was infuriated by the outcome. His fists clenched and a muscle in his cheek twitched as he sneered, “Milanni escaped, but they captured Akim? How convenient.”

  Rather than fuel Ulrik’s anger, Danvier looked at Haven and concluded, “Spend some time with your family. Get a good night’s sleep and I’ll return for you around nine thirty tomorrow morning.”

  “That will be fine.”

  Danvier bowed then turned and walked off down the concourse. Haven’s gaze lingered. She couldn’t remember the last time any male had so completely captured her attention. And the timing couldn’t be worse. The last thing she needed right now was a complicated romance.

  “Were you treated with respect?” Ulrik waited until Danvier was well out of earshot to ask the question.

  Haven dragged her wayward gaze back to her brother. She wanted to ask about the mission. But anything involving Milanni would likely lead to questions she wasn’t ready to answer. “We argued a bit in the beginning, but once I realized I couldn’t go back to IG Headquarters, Danvier was a perfect gentleman.”

  “I’m glad you’re safe.” Emotion clouded his gaze and he looked away. “I’m not sure I could have dealt with losing you and Vinton.”

  Heaviness pulled at her heart, making her chest ache. She’d been separated from her family for more than two years. This didn’t feel that much different. But Vinton wasn’t too busy to greet her at this late hour. He wouldn’t swing by tomorrow to catch up. She would never see him again.

  Ulrik started walking toward the outpost’s main entrance, so she hurried to keep up with his long strides. “When did it happen? Danvier didn’t go into detail when he told me.”

  “Almost three weeks ago. The explosion incinerated his body. There wasn’t enough left to bury. The tribe already gathered to mourn his passing. I’m sorry you weren’t there.” His tone grew hushed and tight. Apparently, he was still holding on to old bitterness.

  She wasn’t in the mood for a pointless argument. They’d exhausted the subject before she left two years ago. Still, she felt obligated to explain. “I know you disagreed with my trip to Rodymia, but it was important that I—”

  “Everything I predicted came to pass.” He shot her a heated look, though he kept on walking. “You’ll never convince me the insights we gained were worth what you went through.”

  She didn’t bother arguing with him. If she had it to do over, she would have stayed on Earth where she belonged. Her ill-fated mission had led to nothing but sorrow and danger. Even as the thought echoed through her mind, she realized it was only partially true. The personal interaction with Tandori supporters had been invaluable. Because of the technological limitations on Earth, they were limited to audio-only messages. Finally meeting people she’d corresponded with for years had deepened the relationship. And her first year with Javin had been wonderful, perfect. Too perfect. That should have been her first clue that none of it was real.

  With a frustrated sigh, she pushed the memories aside. The past couldn’t be changed and listening to Ulrik’s recriminations was just going to piss her off. “Are you and Berlynn here by choice? How did you get up here?” The ships that brought Tandori Tribe to Earth centuries before had long since been dismantled or destroyed. Important elements of the technology had been preserved and even improved over the years. Still, without help from someone with a spaceship, Tandori Tribe was stuck on Earth. Haven’s trip to Rodymia was the perfect example. Not wanting to alert Rodyte authorities to her arrival, she’d booked passage on an Ontarian trade ship and used a fictitious name.

  “We were invited by General Nox,” Ulrik admitted, “though our welcome has become rather strained.”

  They passed through the wide, open entrance and emerged in a multi-level…shopping mall? Haven looked around in wonder. The shops were arranged in oblong tiers both above and below where she stood. A twisting staircase ascended from the bottom level to the top, with a bank of elevators to each side. “Who knew there was shopping inside the moon.” She shook her head and looked at Ulrik. “Are all the merchants Rodyte? Who buys their wares?”

  “Crewmembers are released from the ships in manageable groups. The merchants are a mixture of familiar species, at least familiar to Rodytes.” A quick smile softened his expression as he clarified. “Most humans would find all of this unbelievable.”

  “No doubt.” She understood the feeling. She’d been raised on stories of their homeworld and the other planets in their star system. And when she was mature enough to deal with the truth, she’d seen images and spoken to members of her tribe who had traded with other aliens. She’d been taught the human belief that they were alone in the universe was arrogant and foolish. Still, when she’d finally arrived on Rodymia for the first time, she’d been completely overwhelmed.

  After allowing her a moment longer to soak it all in, Ulrik led her across the mid-level tier and through a security gateway. A scanner beam passed over his face and then the doorway opened. “Only a few of the shops are open now, but many look like they’re opening soon. Every time I walk down the concourse, it seems like there are more ships.”

  “And all of the ships are in open rebellion against the crown stirate? It’s hard to believe.”

  Ulrik shrugged. “I thought so too, but every claim General Nox has made has been backed up with action. I hate to admit it,
but he is as powerful as they say.” They walked through a tube-like bridge that spanned a deep crevice in the cavern’s floor. The tube led to a wide stone path that wound through a group of similarly shaped buildings. Each building was about ten stories tall with large windows and railed balconies. The area was well lit and open, but one glance upward was all it took to remind Haven they were actually inside a cave on the moon.

  “What are these?” She motioned toward the structures surrounding them.

  “This is a residential village, one of ten or so I’m told. Level one security clearance means we only have access to this one.”

  She nodded then paused. “This outpost must be able to accommodate thousands of people. Are all the buildings vacant or just the one they assigned to us?”

  “Lunar Nine was deserted years ago. The battle born reopened and renovated it. I’m not sure if they need something this large or if it just seemed like a good place to hide. The rebels are frustratingly stingy with details.” Ulrik motioned her toward one of the buildings.

  “I’m sure they have to be careful who they trust. Surely you can understand that.” She wasn’t sure why she was defending them, but Ulrik’s attitude was particularly annoying at the moment. “We’re technically fugitives too. Quinton just isn’t as determined to find us as he is to find the Nox brothers.”

  “You heard about the bounty?” He glanced down at her and smirked. “Tandori Tribe could accomplish a lot with that sort of capital.”

  Unable to hide her shock, she felt her jaw drop then snapped it close. “Tell me that was a joke.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him around to face her. “Are you planning to turn them in?”

  He shrugged. “It didn’t start out that way, but the thought has crossed my mind.”

  She shook her head, disgusted by the possibility. “Thoughts like that are beneath you. If you’re not serious about creating an alliance, at least be honest with them. Tandori Tribe has always faced conflicts head-on. We don’t smile at our enemies and then stab them in the back.”

  “General Nox isn’t even battle born,” he snapped. “Did you know that?”

  “I did, but what does that have to do with your possible betrayal?”

  He continued along the walk path as he explained. “It’s suspicious, if you ask me. He must have an ulterior motive.”

  “Or he could simply love his brothers and feel that the cause is just.”

  “No one is that noble.”

  Haven just shook her head. Ulrik had always been a bit of a pessimist, but this cynicism was new. Was his attitude the result of Vinton’s unexpected death or had other events compounded his gloomy outlook. “I’ll let you know what I think after I’ve met the man. All I know right now is his reputation.”

  “Which is?” Ulrik grumbled.

  “The people in our star system love him. To the masses he’s part hero, part god, a liberator determined to right all wrongs.”

  “And the battle born will follow him through hells outer rings.” Somehow he made that sound like a bad thing. “If General Nox is for real, I feel sorry for Quinton and we both know that bastard deserves everything that’s coming to him.”

  He’d neatly sidestepped the real issue, whether or not he intended to betray the Nox brothers. She’d just arrived, so she let the subject drop. If she couldn’t talk him out of it, she’d probably need to warn the battle born, which would doubtlessly infuriate her brother. She rubbed the back of her neck with a sigh. Why did everything in her life have to be so complicated?

  A facial scan opened the main entrance to the building and they stepped into a small, neat lobby. The apartments they’d been assigned were on the second floor near the elevators. Haven made sure her image opened her door, but after a quick look around, she followed Ulrik to Berlynn’s apartment.

  “Berlynn’s in a snit. I better let you go in alone.”

  Berlynn was the most even-tempered person Haven knew. What had put her “in a snit”? Rather than depending on Ulrik’s accounting, she decided to find out for herself. “Give us a few minutes alone, then I’ll come to your place once we’ve had a chance to catch up.”

  Clearly relieved by the offer, Ulrik went one step farther. “I’m sure you’re exhausted. I’ll just see you both in the morning.”

  A certain gleam in his eyes warned that he wasn’t headed for his apartment. When Ulrik was angry there was no holding back the storm. Doubtlessly, he was on his way to confront General Nox and Raylon about the outcome of their mysterious mission. Haven could only deal with one crisis at a time and Berlynn needed her more than two battletested warriors.

  Berlynn accepted the visitor request, but didn’t bother greeting her at the door. Haven stepped inside the compact apartment and let the door close behind her. Berlynn sat at one end of the sofa, staring at the nearest wall, which she’d transformed into a tranquil beach scene.

  With common furniture and neutral decorating, the room itself was nothing special, so Haven focused on her niece. “Hey, kiddo. Don’t you even have a hug for your long-lost aunt?”

  Berlynn’s head whipped around and she smiled in response to Haven’s greeting. Her face looked unusually pale and purple circles shadowed her golden eyes, but she jumped up from the sofa and ran to Haven. “I am so glad to see you!”

  They hugged, then Haven eased her back and looked at her again. “You look terrible. Haven’t you been sleeping?”

  Berlynn shook her head, avoiding Haven’s gaze. “Everything happened so fast. I just went numb. Now it’s starting to hit me and I…”

  Haven wrapped Berlynn in a maternal embrace, glad she finally felt safe enough to let go. Berlynn’s sobs were mostly silent, yet hard enough to shake her delicate frame. “Cry it out, baby. Holding it in just makes it worse.” She’d need to take her own advice eventually. Like Berlynn, Haven had been numbed by the suddenness of Vinton’s passing, but she had no doubt grief, and guilt, would eventually burst through the protective detachment and demand some form of release. But her mourning would have to wait. Right now she needed to be strong for Berlynn.

  Long moments later, Berlynn raised her tearstained face. Her lips trembled and misery swam in her eyes. “I can’t get that image out of my mind.”

  Haven gasped, horrified by the implication. “You saw it happen?” Berlynn only nodded, so Haven gave her another hug. “I’m so sorry, Berlynn. Danvier said you were there, but I had no idea you watched…” Guilt compressed Haven’s chest, making it hard to breathe. If she’d taken time to think through possible ramifications before trusting one of Javin’s agents with her message—she pinched off the thought. Analyzing what should or shouldn’t have happened was a waste of time. In a moment of weakness, she’d made a horrible decision and her brother had paid the ultimate price. The truth would come out eventually, it always did. Still, she wasn’t in a hurry to compound everyone’s grief with anger and disappointment.

  Berlynn stepped back and motioned toward the sofa. “Let’s sit down and talk about something else. I’m tired of crying.”

  Haven was happy to oblige her. Thoughts of Vinton were still too painful and she wanted to lighten Berlynn’s mood not reveal her own misery. They walked around to the front of the sofa and Berlynn returned to her place in the far corner. Haven sat more or less facing her then prompted, “Ulrik said you were in a snit. What was he talking about?”

  “Uncle Ulrik has lost his mind.” She emphasized the claim with an agitated hand gesture. “Not that his personality was ever very stable.”

  Managing Ulrik’s fits of temper had always been a challenge, but Haven had been doing so all her life. “Did something specific trigger his break from reality?”

  “He wants to turn in the Nox brothers and collect the bounty.” Berlynn shook her head, clearly disagreeing with the concept. “I told him the idea was ridiculous. If the battle born don’t kill him, the crown stirate will. We’re fugitives, for creation’s sake. But he won’t listen to reason. He’s convinced the reward would b
e worth the risk.”

  “I’ll talk to him, help him see the error of his thinking.”

  Berlynn scoffed, a surprisingly bitter sound. Apparently, her patience had been stretched to its limits by Ulrik’s ill-conceived plan. “Good luck with that. I don’t know how you do it. After arguing off and on all day, I finally just had to walk away.”

  “That’s always a good strategy with him. He’s completely irrational when he’s riled.” Berlynn muttered something under her breath, but Haven didn’t quite catch it. “So tell me about the negotiations. Did the battle born approach Tandori Tribe or was it the other way around?”

  “Dad made first contact, but he wasn’t there to form an alliance.” Sadness thickened Berlynn’s tone, though she managed to hold back her tears.

  “How did your dad make contact and what did he want if not an alliance?”

  Berlynn wiped her wet cheeks with her sleeve and released a shuddering breath. “How much do you know about the battle born’s mission to Earth?”

  “There have been all sorts of rumors, but according to Letos—who tends to be an accurate source—the ongoing quest to release their latent magic is what brought them to Earth.”

  “Score one for Letos.” Berlynn drew her legs up in front of her and wrapped her arms around her knees. “Except the battle born are no longer trying to release their latent magic, they’ve done it. The first couple successfully completed the transformation protocol and Vox has been helping the male access his power.”

  Haven nodded. “I wondered what a Bilarrian mage was doing with battle born rebels.”

  “When did you meet Vox?”

  “He’s the one who teleported me out of Harbinger Academy.”

  It was Berlynn’s turn to nod. “That makes sense. General Nox told Uncle Ulrik he’d dispatched a rescue team, but that was all he said.”

  “So what brought Vox to Earth in the first place? Or was he summoned specifically to train the newly transformed males?”

  “He’s been here for a couple of weeks helping with Chandar’s recovery.” Berlynn paused and looked at Haven. “Did Danvier tell you about Chandar’s rescue and the restoration of her powers?”