Tethered

by Pippa Jay

“At this particular time and place, no.” He moved closer. “Do you like to use scent enhancers?”

  The question threw her. “I’ve never had any need for them.”

  “Because of your Inc-Su pheromones.” He answered her smile with another. “Although you’ve not been using those around me.”

  “Of course not!” Although maybe I should have. “But Inc-Su never smell bad.”

  “So I’d noticed.”

  His almost-flirtatious tones confused her more. He was so hard to read, without his aura bare to see. One minute he seemed interested in her more than simply as a companion, and then he’d withdraw again, as if regretting it.

  What is going on in that head of yours, Zander? Or should I be saying your heart?

  As for his smell...Tyree took a deep breath. Faint traces of capprey. The almost-spicy scent of his skin with deeper tones that had a synthetic edge. A cleanser perhaps? Scent enhancers tended to be stronger and more artificial than those she could detect on him right now. And right now he smelled intoxicating enough without any help.

  “Mirsee?”

  Oh Mothers...

  She snapped her attention back to his face. “Sorry.”

  “We’ll be going down now. Are you all right?”

  As much as I’ll ever be. She gave him a grin far more confident than she felt as she nodded. “All set.”

  ***

  Curved metal struts like braided gold wire formed a gigantic dome. Metaglass filled the spaces between, allowing the warped colors of the nearby nebula cloud to cast a natural veil overhead. Tyree entered on Zander’s arm through a narrow tube-like hallway, a lattice of golden metal joining the Centralis station to the free-floating dome. As it opened into the main area, her breath caught. It was huge. Bigger than anything she’d known in Refuge, even bigger than some of the mega-hotels she’d been to. Steps descended to the main floor. Long tables held a variety of food and drink, between which moved crowds of mostly human guests with a scattering of alien races. Camullanese, Metraxian, Taluvian and Skree, to name but a few.

  The Tier-vane were there too, unmistakably tall—more than two meters each. Their angular faces gave them a predatory look matched by large, vivid orange eyes with vertical pupils. A mottled pattern ran the length of their sharp cheek bones and the edges of their jaws, a darker brown on the male than on his female counterpart. Short, tufted hair covered their heads, a golden color that shone like a warped halo of sunlight around their faces. Tyree had seen images of them, but the way they prowled from the doorway into the gallery sent sharp pinpricks of unease up her back.

  I don’t envy the Inc-Su who got sent after them in the war.

  Zander’s fingers tightened around her own.

  Easy.

  Tyree drew in a long, restorative breath then let it slip back out, taking her tension with it. She was Mirsee, diplomat and flawed Su down to every last strand of her DNA, co-delegate bonded to Zander D’joren. Or so she hoped the Tier-vane would believe. Together they walked down to meet the Tier-vane in the center of the hall, all eyes upon them. See-vu globes hovered around, transmitting images of this historical meeting from every angle to all those worlds in the Territories that had the technology to receive them—and no doubt likewise to those of the Tier-vane. This was Neutrality, with the attention of sentient beings everywhere fixed on the events within.

  Meso’s predatory gaze locked onto hers as they came closer, and she suppressed the shiver threatening to run down her spine. Tier-vane were just as susceptible to Inc-Su as a human, for all their size and reputed ferocity. At least until their invention of psi-weapons that could render a Su helpless. She had nothing to fear in Neutrality. Did she?

  Perhaps that was what put her on edge so much. Or was it that Meso’s eyes roved over her as if spotting every flaw in her deception? As if he’d like to rake those claw-like black nails at the ends of his fingers down the length of her body the way his gaze did now. Maybe she should break her own rule and use her pheromones.

  But if she was caught, it could well be taken as a violation of trust. Officially, she was there as a Terran representative, not as a Su.

  An anticipatory silence greeted their arrival at the center of the hall. The universe waited on them. A speak-all globe hovered above them, black in contrast to the silvery see-vus. “Tier-vane representatives Tier-lon Meso and Tier-vehk Lusinn,” the sphere announced, the augmented, artificial tones carrying to every corner of the venue. As it spoke their names first the male, then the female, dipped their heads in answer.

  “Terran representatives Master Zander D’joren and Lady Mirsee of the Su.”

  Tyree inclined her head but kept her eyes very firmly fixed on Meso as her name echoed across the hall and through a billion homes beyond.

  Meso took her right hand and raised it, leaning down from his great height to sniff her inner wrist. She forced herself not to flinch at the traditional greeting, even though it made her feel like an interesting tidbit he was deciding whether or not to devour.

  “You smell wonderful, Lady Mirsee.”

  Oh, I’m going to be sick!

  She held back the urge to gag. The Tier-vane smelt musky, like damp fur, and the prospect of him finding her scent in any way alluring nauseated her. Maybe she should have accepted some scent enhancers after all. Apparently the Tier-vane hated alcohol and citrus scents, and right now she’d have bathed in the stuff.

  “Thank you,” she managed, hoping any distortion in her tone might be put down to nerves. She twisted her hand to grasp Meso’s, to return his form of greeting with a Terran one as she clasped his fingers. Beside her, Zander had done the same with the female Tier, Lusinn.

  “We congratulate you on surviving the terrible attempts on your life,” the female growled out. “Such strength and fortitude. You are both a credit to your species, and a fine example.”

  “Thank you,” Zander returned. “Hopefully these ridiculous assassination attempts are at an end. Although I think our survival is as much down to their incompetence as anything.”

  Tyree perked up at his comments, watching the Tier-vane closely. Both remained silent for a fraction longer than seemed natural. Had they been involved? She was sure that Zander’s mocking of the assassins’ effort had been a deliberate barb. A warrior race like the Tier-vane wouldn’t take a slight like that very well.

  “Then we will offer thanks for the ineptitude of the assassins, and for the stupidity of the people who hired them,” Meso growled.

  Music started up, composed of complex, underlying rhythms with a light tune of chimes and birdsong-like trills. A faint mist descended, and the sweet smell instantly put Tyree on alert.

  “What is that?” demanded Zander.

  “Merely mood enhancers,” the female said, and sucked in a deep breath. A dreamy expression took some of the ferocity from her face. “A special request we made.”

  “You’re aware that recreational drugs like enhancers are frowned upon by the Terran Assembly?” Zander snapped. “And Mirsee is Su. They can have a more marked effect on her people.”

  “We have had them moderated for her consideration,” Meso assured them, his sharpened teeth showing as he grinned. “No harm is intended. And this is Neutrality, not the Territories. There must be some compromise.”

  Tyree held her breath as the mist drifted lower. Inhalation drugs would dissipate quickly once released. If she waited, they would at least be weaker by the time she had to take a breath. She had no intention of sucking it all up as Meso’s female appeared intent on doing.

  She glanced at Zander. His face looked flushed, as if he’d taken quite a dose, but she noted the clenched jaw as he also held his breath.

  Traces of the drugging mist had drifted to floor level, so she deemed the worst of it past and breathed in. There was still a sweet scent to the air, but after a few lungfuls only a vague lightheadedness assailed her.

  Meso clasped her hand again briefly, and his talons brushed over her palm like needles scraping
the surface of her skin. “And now, Lady Mirsee, would you do the honor of partnering me?”

  Tyree froze, shock almost snapping her into combat mode. “I’m sorry?”

  “For a dance?” Meso bared his needle-sharp teeth in what she took to be amusement. Did he know what his phrasing had implied? Or was it simply poor translation from the Tier-vane term? “I understand that you like to dance.”

  Not so much after the tampered Monitor system...

  But he already had her hand and had begun to move toward the center of the hall. No doubt this was part of the treaty process, so perhaps the sooner she got this one out of the way… “With pleasure.”

  The Tier-vane male guided her to the main floor and took far too hard a grip around her waist. Pinpricks touched her skin even through the corset and her Su hair robe, and she winced.

  “Oh, forgive me.” Meso snatched his paws away, holding them before her to reveal the claws retracting. “I forget how soft you humans are.”

  “I’m not human.” Tyree forced her tone calm. The Tier-vane was deliberately provoking her. There couldn’t be any other explanation.

  “Ah, but Su have human ancestry, do they not? Or do I have your history incorrect?” Meso placed his hands to her waist, still holding her tightly, but without his claws embedding themselves. He twirled her around and she stumbled into him, the smell of damp fur sinking into her nostrils.

  “That’s correct,” she confirmed, grudgingly. How many other people were going to remind her of that fact?

  “So how are the Su perceived by humanity? Allies or enemies?”

  “I would suggest the fact that the Terran delegates chosen are representatives of both Su and human gives you your answer.” Tyree felt dizzy. The music had a slower tempo than she’d normally dance to, but Meso’s tendency to swing her around so fast disorientated her. She fought to keep her focus.

  “True. But your Su abilities are flawed, are they not?”

  Tyree tried to halt but Meso spun her again. “Yes.”

  “So what powers does a full Su have by comparison to you, hmmm?”

  “I believe the Tier-vane should have those abilities on record, since our species have faced one another in the past.”

  “Oh, we do. I am just curious to know how far your talents fall short.”

  Tyree gritted her teeth.

  I’ll show you how damn flawed I am, you stinking fur ball.

  She trebled her density and during the next spin faked a stumble to stamp hard on Meso’s foot. He growled and swung her to a sudden halt.

  “Forgive me, Lady Mirsee, but I am not finding the music to my taste.”

  “Please, don’t force yourself on my account, Tier Meso,” she responded in as sickly sweet a tone as she could manage.

  Orange eyes glared at her. “Perhaps a walk might be better? There is a garden here that I think you might like to see, since your love for flowers is well known.”

  Oh, bugger.

  Tyree nonetheless accepted Meso’s arm and he guided her away. Zander met her gaze briefly with a flickering smile she’d no doubt he meant as reassurance, but right at that instant she’d rather he’d protest her removal. Damn Mirsee and her frigging plant obsession!

  As she entered a lift with Meso, she saw Lusinn take Zander’s arm and lead him off too.

  Divide and conquer?

  Trepidation punched her in the gut. She was meant to be Zander’s bodyguard as much as his co-delegate, and this deliberate separation had her Su senses screaming a warning. She should have refused to be led away.

  “Do I make you nervous?” Meso asked suddenly, and she jumped.

  Damn it!

  “I think considering the circumstances, my nerves are understandable.” Tyree hoped she didn’t sound as edgy as she felt, but the words came out with a sharpness she couldn’t hold back.

  “So it is fear of another attack and not I that makes you fidget?”

  The smugness in his voice came like a slap to her face. She was always restless and twitchy when her thoughts were elsewhere, the very thing that had earned her the nickname from G’vorek.

  “Indeed.”

  “We are in Neutrality. No one will attack you here, surely?”

  Wouldn’t they? The thought chilled her. They’ve already tried it once in Neutrality. Maybe they hoped that being here, where we are supposedly the safest, would mean we might lower our guard. That after all the failed attempts, we would feel secure at last?

  Panic crushed her insides like a taloned hand. “Where is your co-delegate taking Zander?”

  “There is a gallery on the lower level with art from different systems on display. A mixture from your Territories, and from the planets under our domain. Master D’joren is renowned for his interest in alien art forms.”

  “I’d rather see those too. You can understand that we’re anxious not to be separated, bearing in mind past events.”

  Meso slapped a clawed hand over the lift’s controls, and it stopped dead. “Forgive me, Lady Mirsee, we’ve been thoughtless. Of course it has been a traumatic time, and you are both bonded—an additional reason to fear. We will rejoin them now.”

  As swiftly as the lift had risen, it reversed into a descent. Within moments it passed the main hall and sank into a darker level. The door swished open into a chamber of dim bluish lights and deep shadows cast by the many pillars that formed aisles along the length of it. Curious sculptures filled the gaps between. A snorting sound, like someone caught between laughing and vomiting, came from the left. Both Meso and Tyree darted to look. Lusinn lay on the floor, small convulsions twitching through her body and foam around her mouth. Meso grabbed Lusinn, not gently, and levered her up. “What happened?” he snarled.

  Her orange eyes rolled up, the dark pupils almost consuming them. She gave a bark of laughter, and Meso let her fall back. “Too much enhancer.” He turned on Tyree. “If your co-delegate is responsible for this—”

  “Don’t be ridiculous!” Tyree spat back, but alarm laced cold fingers around her chest.

  Where is Zander?

  Ignoring the Tier-vane, she gathered up her skirts and ran down the center of the chamber, searching. Twisted humanoid shapes loomed out of the peculiar twilight of the gallery. Brightly lit alcoves held nothing more than bizarre shapes or floating colored lights. There was no sign of Zander, and no sound other than the rasping of her breath and the rapid drum of her heart.

  Mothers and Fathers, have I screwed up again?

  “Zander!” she cried, almost screaming the name. Mocking echoes bounced back.

  Where is he?

  Her fingers slipped to the control in her shoulder. The sudden flood of excited and over-stimulated auras from the floor above made her stumble.

  Too much!

  She tried to summon up her own shields, but being too dependent on the artificial version had weakened her natural defenses. Damn it, and she’d been warned about that. She leaned against a wall and hugged herself, fighting for control. Auric energy smeared across her inner vision.

  Focus!

  Fireworks of color exploded inside her head, leaving a blinding afterglow as they faded. She dug in her nails, using the pain to concentrate her senses.

  A familiar golden spectrum filled her inner vision, pulsing red in alarm. Fear grabbed her by the throat and shook her hard. She locked into combat mode without any conscious effort and Misted out, shedding the dress as she ran toward the danger.

  The sound of scuffles, of heavy breathing, touched her ears. She rounded the pillar at the end and found Zander struggling with three black-clad assailants. The way he fought made her catch her breath. He used the two who held his arms to lever himself up as the third made to strike him, planting both feet in the man’s chest to shove him backward with such force that he smacked into a pillar and slithered to the floor. Then Zander thrust himself to one side, crushing a second into another pillar. One hand now free, he punched the masked face hard enough that she heard bone crunch under t
he blow. The assailant staggered away.

  By now the first had recovered enough to get to his feet, but as he threw himself toward Zander, Tyree leaped on his back and took herself to maximum density. The sudden increase in her weight had the same effect as someone three times her bulk, bringing her target crashing to the ground. A blow to the base of his skull left him too stunned to rise anytime soon as a fourth attacker rushed forward to grab her. For an instant, he had her pinned to the ground before she kneed him twice in the groin and wriggled her way free. Winded, he still came at her, hands outstretched to grasp her arms.

  She Misted out and merged into the pillar behind her. As she came out the other side, her attacker collided full-force with the pillar and collapsed screaming, clutching the smashed bones in his face.

  Two still fought Zander. He double punched one to the face and throat, who dropped like a stone. The last, his back to Tyree, hiding Zander from her sight, jabbed forward with one hand, and Zander staggered away with a gasp.

  With a yell, Tyree threw herself at him. She couldn’t use the full force of her abilities on someone not already under her sway, but she could snatch enough auric energy out of the last assailant to drop him to his knees. As he swayed, she pivoted and kicked him in the side of his head so his neck snapped under the blow. She stepped aside as he crumpled at her feet, euphoria both from her success and the brief burst of auric energy singing through every fiber of her being.

  “Tyree...”

  At first the harsh whisper didn’t register. Zander had never spoken like that, as if he had to force out the words. Her gaze lifted and met his. He leaned against the wall, hunched over with his hands clenched around his abdomen. Was he hurt?

  She moved toward him, certain it was nothing more than a glancing blow, certain he was no more than winded or a little bruised. She’d seen him fighting, seen him resist. Admired the way he fought.

  Zander slid down the wall, and her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. No, he couldn’t be hurt, he couldn’t...

  “Zander?” She darted forward as he sagged to the ground. Caught him before he fell. Pain in shards of silver and black haloed him. “No. What happened? Where are you hurt?”