“It is us who requested you be made a permanent member of our working community, so that the high level of peace and efficiency could be maintained,” he said, enveloping her in sweet scents of every kind until she was almost choking. “We are those responsible for being selfish enough to want you to continue smoothing matters between the discordant ones and ourselves. It is your music that sounds so sweetly in our minds when you are here.” He stopped, even to the point of standing still and holding her hands tightly between his own.
“Stay,” he said. “It would sadden the swarms if you did not. Is it selfish to want to work with those who create harmony in our lives on a world alien to us both? You bring a touch of home to us.”
Astonished by them for the second time, Mara could only blurt out, “But why? Why me? I’ve done nothing special for you!”
Toueesut put his head to one side, brown eyes twinkling at her from their dark sockets, the bristles around nose and chin suddenly pointing forward as he concentrated totally on her. “But you have,” he trilled softly as behind him the other eleven Touibans made a harmonious accompaniment to his voice. “I told you. Your mind-music sounds sweeter than any others here.”
Mara Ryan, came the thoughts of Konis Aldatan in her mind, Have you any idea of the breakthrough you’ve made with these people? If you dare turn that position down. . . .
“I’ll take it,” she said hurriedly, though she knew well that Master Konis had only been half-joking. “I’ll do what you want, work with the team.”
Those were the last words she got out for the next five minutes, as twelve deliriously happy Touibans descended on her, pulling her to her feet and twirling and whirling her round with them until she had to beg them to let her go lest she fall down with giddiness.
* * *
From the lab, Dzaka watched the remarkable display dispassionately. At his side, Josh stood, mouth agape, experiencing it as immediately as Mara. When she was eventually returned to her seat at the table, he spoke to Dzaka.
“How unusual is this kind of behavior?”
“Unique,” said Dzaka, looking away and continuing with his cataloging. “Interaction with other species is normally strictly confined to business. They prefer to interface with us through a telepath, and tend to live in Valsgarth rather than any other city. Master Konis could tell you more if you’re interested, or one of the AlRel staff living on the estate.”
“He already has,” said Josh, watching the two groups of Touibans returning to the lab, chattering and trilling as they went. “Toueesut said he liked her mind-music, and Master Konis has just called it a breakthrough.”
Dzaka grunted in surprise, interested despite himself. “I always thought they had a level of awareness akin to our psi talents. They’ve been employed at Stronghold before now, and never demanded a telepath from us. I take it she decided to accept the post.”
“Yes.”
“She needed a direction, now she has it. She’s already paid the Touibans back in full for their support of you both against Pam Southgate.”
“So that’s partly why they asked for Pam to be removed from the team. We could never figure out why,” Josh said thoughtfully.
Dzaka looked up at the bearded Human. “If they sensed her mind, then they’ll also know yours,” he said. “Even more so now you’re Leska Linked.”
Josh shrugged, dark eyebrows disappearing beneath his sandy hair in embarrassment. “Yeah, it’s weird being the only Human Leska pair. I wish Zhyaf hadn’t died, but it was no life for Mara being Linked to him. Look, I’m sorry things are bad between you and Kitra.”
“Kitra decided there’s no longer anything between us,” he said, concentrating on copying the data from the notebook into the comp unit.
“I didn’t realize things were that bad. Everyone’s saying this bonding is just a political one.”
“It’s political,” he agreed, “but no less real because of that.”
“You should have asked for her yourself.”
“I couldn’t. She has to marry within the Clans to pass on the telepath bloodlines,” he said shortly. Why the hell did everyone feel the need to give him advice he couldn’t take?
“We’re a Clan,” Josh pointed out as he went back to his work. “And your parents were telepaths. Everyone knows Kaid is or he couldn’t be Kusac’s and Carrie’s Third.”
“Everyone might know it, but it isn’t written in the records, and I’m not about to tell Master Konis officially. It’s for my father to reveal his Talent, not me.”
“Dzaka,” he began.
“You know nothing about our family,” said Dzaka, his anger boiling briefly to the surface as he glared at the Human. “My father had to conceal our relationship even from me until a few months ago because he feared for my life at the hands of Ghezu! Do you think I’d betray him for anything?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” stammered Josh. “You’re right. I know nothing about your family. I should have kept my mouth shut.”
The fire went out of Dzaka’s eyes and he sighed, breaking eye contact. “No, I should apologize. I know you’re like all the others, only concerned for us. I’m gene-altered, like you. I can’t give her the cubs the Clan Council demands. There is nothing I can do but accept the Clan Lord’s decision.”
“Is there anything we can do? You really love each other, don’t you? Mara could take a message to her if you want.”
“I gave my word to Master Konis not to communicate with her until after the bonding, and Kitra’s made it plain she wants nothing to do with me because of that. It’s over between us, Josh. I’ve had to accept it, so will everyone else.” He’d finally said it, and as he did, he could feel it take form, a reality all its own. Logic was one thing, feelings and emotions were another. He felt the coldness he’d known when he heard of the death of his wife and cub begin to creep once more into his heart. This was the last time he’d let himself care so deeply for another person. “It’s over.”
* * *
Day 10
Snow and ice covered everything, turning the false dawn into a pale blue wonderland. Before Carrie’s face hung the tendrils of some plant; caught and encased in ice, they glittered and sparkled in what little light there was. They chimed hollowly as they swayed gently against each other in the faint breeze.
She became aware of the cold then—a cold so bitter it almost burned, enough to freeze the dead.
“Not in my realm,” a voice purred in her ear. “My snows insulate the ground, keep it warm, letting the life within sleep and gather strength to face the heat of the new year. Like you, my soft, furless Sholan.” A cool tongue tip touched her cheek, caressing it briefly.
Carrie whimpered. She could feel a furred body pressed against her, an arm laid across her shoulders, but she herself was unable to move.
“You’re safe while you sleep within my arms, little one, but your Warrior will not fare so well. I grant you this last look at him before you wake.”
A silver-pelted arm reached past her, parting the frozen fronds till she could see Kusac lying sleeping within a bank of snow. Only his head remained visible. Fear leaped into her heart at the sight of him.
“Hush, little one! He rests safe for the moment,” Khuushoi said softly, her breath cold upon Carrie’s cheek as she held her closer. “It’s been so long since anyone visited me here. Dreamers like you are rare.”
Coldness, not warmth, spread from Khuushoi’s body to hers. Carrie tried to move, to reach out for Kusac, but she was held still within the embrace of the Goddess of Winter.
“There is no need for fear.” Khuushoi’s tone was amused. “Those kissed by Winter cannot wake till the appointed time. Your company has brought me pleasure, eased my loneliness. In return, heed me well, I have a warning for you. Prepare yourself for a time when you may have to choose between him and your child. When that time comes, choose wisely, little Human.”
Once more, the cool tongue caressed her cheek as around her, the light began to fade
.
* * *
Everyone had been exhausted by sitting up the night before, so Kaid’s job was made easier for him. He needed to get a night watch routine established to give them all an anchor, something they could feel secure about and in control of in this alien environment.
Rezac was almost fit again, his injuries from the beating having healed at a rate consistent with using an accelerated drug like Fastheal. Even his broken ribs were paining him less. Jo was better too, but still tired and lethargic, although she’d made the effort to get up and join them during their afternoon. With fourteen of them able-bodied, watches through the night weren’t a problem.
A deck of cards had been included with their possessions. Now the watch had something legitimate to do to keep them alert when they weren’t making the half-hourly patrols to each of the five sleeping rooms. Kaid had elected to do the last two hour stint along with Tallis and Sheeowl.
He and T’Chebbi were sharing a room with Kate and Taynar. He’d decided to take the younglings in with them so they could keep an eye on them and make sure they were adapting to their loss of mental privacy and increased dependency on each other. He needn’t have worried. They were as unconcerned as young jeggets when it came time to retire. Oh, they had their odd spats and rows during the day like any couple, but at night, matters between them were fine. One less worry, thank Vartra.
Sleep didn’t come easily for him, and when he finally drifted off, he found himself locked in a cycle of nightmares about being pursued remorselessly by shadows that, when he finally gained the courage and desperation to face them, proved only to be images of himself.
The last dream was different. He lay entombed in darkness, floating weightlessly above the world. A feather-softness touched his cheek, but he couldn’t turn his head to see what it was. It came again and this time he knew it was the gentle lick of a tongue. But it was cold, so cold it almost burned.
Remember Winter’s kiss. He heard the words whispered in his ear, then the gentle flick of the tongue as the darkness was shattered by the flare of a brilliant light shining directly into his eyes. Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe. Chest heaving, he tried to fill his lungs with air as he gasped in pain, tears streaming down his cheeks.
He jolted himself awake, shaking violently with fear or cold, he couldn’t tell which. From the pod beside him, T’Chebbi reached out a comforting hand, running it across his damp pelt. Groggy and disoriented, he pulled her closer, taking comfort from her warmth against his chilled hide. Before he knew it, she had joined him under his blankets and was covering him with tiny bites.
Within minutes, her skillful fingers and tongue had roused him to fever pitch, then kept him there for longer than he could bear. There was nothing subtle about their pairing, it was both wild and furtive, leaving him as exhausted as she’d planned.
* * *
Someone was shaking him violently awake and, unusually for him, he responded sluggishly, unable to bring his eyes to focus on the face hanging over his. His left arm hurt and he’d a crick in his neck from peering up at the visitor. Trying to move, he became aware of T’Chebbi still lying partly under him.
Mumbling an apology, he rolled onto his side and sat up, shaking his head to clear it.
“Kate and Taynar are gone,” said Jeran urgently. “It’s taken me ages to wake you. You were both out cold.”
Kaid peered over toward the other pair of sleeping pods. He was right, they were empty.
“Did either of you see or hear anything?” asked Manesh from her position by the door.
Kaid ran his hands through his hair, pushing it back from his face. “Nothing. How long have they been gone?”
Jeran shrugged as he sat back on his heels. “It’s the twenty-third hour now. We came on at the twentieth and don’t remember doing a patrol.”
“Everyone else is awake. You were the most difficult to rouse,” said Manesh.
“Figures,” said T’Chebbi, sitting up and rubbing her shoulder. “You don’t usually fall asleep on me like that. Gods, but you’re heavy, Kaid.”
Jeran tried to cover his snort of amusement, Manesh didn’t bother. “Rezac and Jo were alone when they were taken,” she said. “Whatever was done to us, if anything, they must have done double to you two.”
“Makes sense,” agreed T’Chebbi, wriggling herself free of Kaid’s legs in an effort to get up.
Aware of his need for modesty in the presence of the U’Churian female, Kaid grabbed for the cover and wrapped himself in it before he scrambled to his feet and headed for the two empty beds.
“Searched them already,” said Manesh. “Nothing. The taibans are young and healthy. What reason had the Primes to take them? That’s what’s frightening everyone.”
“They’re a Human and Sholan pair, like Rezac and Jo,” said Jeran. “Mixed species. Who’s going to be next? Giyesh and me?”
“Stop talking like that,” said T’Chebbi sharply as she joined Kaid. “You’ll start a panic for no reason. Could be they’re doing health checks on us all.”
“One hell of a way to get us to go to the doctor,” he said with a shaky laugh. “Maybe we should tell them we’ve got several of our own here.”
Kaid lifted the bottom sheet, smelling it briefly before reaching for the one on the other bed.
“Something?” asked T’Chebbi.
He caught her eyes as he shook his head. “I don’t smell any drugs, but they might have no odor I can detect now.” He threw the sheet back on the bed and got up. “Give me a minute to get dressed,” he said.
Manesh and Jeran disappeared, closing the door behind them.
“What did you scent?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as he went back to his bed to get his clothes.
“Later,” he said. “We have the others to calm down first.”
* * *
Tallis literally pounced on him as they entered the lounge. “What the hell’s going on, Kaid? First Rezac and Jo, now these two, and without even waking you! How are they getting in and out of the rooms? Who’s going to be next?”
“Sit down, Tallis,” he said, fending him off as he walked farther into the room before perching on the padded arm of one of the couches. “I’m as much in the dark as anyone else, but we’ll not achieve anything if we let ourselves panic.” Their fear filled the room like a miasma.
Tallis had followed him, tail tip lashing agitatedly from side to side beneath the hem of his robe. “I demand you . . .”
“Shut up, Tallis!” roared Rezac, getting to his feet and glaring at the older male. “I’m sick to death of your whining and complaining!”
“That’s enough, Rezac,” said Kaid mildly. “The brutal truth is we’re captives and there’s nothing we can do to stop these Primes from doing whatever they want with us. I suggest we all get used to that idea right now, then we can look at the more positive aspects of our situation.”
“Positive aspects?” exclaimed Tallis. “What positive aspects?”
“T’Chebbi, escort Tallis to his room,” said Kaid. “It’s obvious no one else is going to get a chance to speak while he remains here.”
She got to her feet, ears flattening to the side as she looked Tallis’ way. He backed off hurriedly toward one of the dining tables, grabbing a hard chair and lowering himself onto it. “I’ll shut up,” he muttered.
Kaid gestured briefly to T’Chebbi, and, flicking her long plait over her shoulder, she resumed her seat.
“Rezac and Jo were taken because they needed medical attention,” Kaid continued. “They were returned unharmed. That’s positive. However, that wasn’t the case as far as we know with Kate and Taynar. Unless you know of any medical reasons, Mrowbay?”
The U’Churian medic shook his head. “None. They were both healthy as far as my limited knowledge of your species could tell. Perhaps they’re just curious as to why two obviously different species choose to be a couple.”
“Could be. Kate and Jo are also the only Humans among us. That, or
the fact they’re telepaths, could have been more of a deciding factor.”
“Maybe they just needed healthy specimen of each so they can treat Jo and Rezac more effectively,” said T’Chebbi thoughtfully. “A benchmark.”
“Could be as simple as that,” agreed Mrowbay. “Taking us when we’re unconscious is a way of ensuring we can’t escape or cause trouble.”
Kaid glanced at Mrowbay. “Good point.”
“Maybe they can’t treat us wearing those suits,” said Jo. “They’re probably only three feet tall and as fragile as a twig! No contest against even us thin-skinned Humans.”
Nice one, Kaid sent to her as around him, a few smiles and chuckles broke out.
“They could be isolation suits as well as armor,” said Jeran. “We might be able to cross infect each other with common illnesses. After all, we breathe the same kind of air and eat similar food.”
“We can’t assume that,” interrupted Tirak. “The air we’re breathing and that’s in the corridor out there, has been scrubbed till it smells of nothing.”
“The captain’s right.” Kaid gestured round the lounge. “Just because the furnishings, gravity, food, and air are all compatible with life-forms like us doesn’t mean that the Primes are even organic. We have no idea of the size of the vessel we’re on, or even if we’re on a vessel. We could have been kept sedated in the hold of the M’ijikk for days.”
“Don’t say that. You’re frightening me,” said Zashou, clutching her arms across her chest.
“We need to face our situation honestly if we’re ever going to get out of here,” said Jo. “I think it’s unlikely they’re constructs, but it is a possibility.”
“Just like the three foot tall twigs,” grinned T’Chebbi.
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