Wind Demon Triology: Book II: Evil Wind

by Charlotte Boyett-Compo

  "Is she all right?"

  "She was cursing a blue streak as the Terrans say but other than being infuriated that they have deloused her and shorn off her braid, she is as well as can be expected. A lead torque was placed around her neck to keep the Reapers from communicating with her.” Kahmal grimaced. “Enough of her. How are you?"

  Cree sighed. “I'm thirsty. Do you think they will at least give me something to drink? It is hot out here and I've got a bitch of a headache."

  "I will see to it.” She walked around the cage where she could see his face. “Are you ill?"

  "My back is killing me,” he replied. “I've had no Triso today."

  Kahmal wrapped her hands around the bars. “Why did you not remind me of that this morn?"

  He shrugged. “In the anticipation of landing, it slipped my mind. Now, the parasite is reminding me of how big a fool I was."

  "I'll be right back!” she said and hurried off. The last thing they needed was for Cree to screw up his schedule and Transition out of cycle still again. She knew he had to be in greater discomfort that he was letting on and could have kicked herself for forgetting about what he needed.

  The Healer's Complex was deep inside the Fleet Command headquarters—near the middle of the vast complex. Walking as fast as she could, Kahmal bulldozed past women who turned to glare at her. Nearly running by the time she reached the medical facility, she was sweating when she rushed up to the receptionist's desk.

  "I need to speak with your Chief of Staff immediately,” Kahmal demanded.

  The receptionist arched a thin brow. “Do you have an appointment?"

  Not even thinking about what she was doing, Kahmal reached across the desk and grabbed the receptionist by her collar and pulled the woman out of her seat.

  "I have a Prime Reaper who has not had his daily 250 mg dosage of Triso sitting out there in the hot sun. Do you want to be the one to tell the Council of Elders you are the cause of him Transitioning out of cycle? Would you like to be thrown into the cage with him to administer his Triso to keep that from happening?"

  The receptionist's face paled. “No, Major,” she said and grunted when Kahmal shoved her back into her chair. The woman was quick to punch in the Chief of Staff's secretary. She spoke briefly with the secretary then looked up at Kahmal, her hands shaking.

  "The Chief of Staff will be right out with the Triso, Major,” the receptionist said.

  The thick double doors leading into the medical operatories swung open and an imposing blonde woman came straight toward Kahmal. “Do you know how to administer this?” she asked, holding up the vac-syringe.

  "I would think he does,” Kahmal replied. “I doubt any one wants to get into the cage with him and that includes me."

  Her face losing what little color it had, the Chief of Staff nodded, extending the vac-syringe to Kahmal. “Does he get this every morning?"

  "Aye,” Kahmal replied. “Along with four veds of Sustenance. He must have both and he needs the Sustenance ASAP as well as water."

  "I will arrange for it to be taken to him but as you say, none of my staff will venture into that cage."

  "It is securely locked anyway,” Kahmal reminded the Chief of Staff. “They couldn't get in without a guard allowing them to do so.” She turned to leave.

  "Is there anything else I should know in regards to his health?” the Chief of Staff called out.

  "Under no circumstances is he to be given any food which contains garlic. Even a minute amount will cause him severe problems."

  "Aye, I remember that from my pre-med days. I will make sure the nutritionists are made aware."

  Kahmal waved a hand in acknowledgement of the Chief of Staff's words then sped back to the cage. Even before she reached the bars, she could see the sweat glistening on the Reaper's face and the shivers attacking his muscular frame.

  "Can you inject yourself?” she asked.

  "I can try,” he said and pushed up from the concrete. He staggered, putting a hand to his back where his parasite was bulging beneath the skin.

  "Come close to the bars and I'll do it for you,” Kahmal said, her face showing her concern for his condition. “Are you going through withdrawal this soon?"

  "Aye, unfortunately so,” he said. He walked over to where she was standing and laid his forehead against the bars that separated them. Sweat was pouring down his face and the underarms and back of his jumpsuit was soaked. His hands were trembling badly.

  It was easy to see the large vein in his neck. Kahmal plunged the needle into his flesh and felt the tremor that shuddered through him as the potent, fiery drug invaded his system.

  "By Alel, that never gets any easier,” he whispered. “Especially when it's been longer than twenty-four hours in between doses."

  "You need water,” Kahmal said, allowing her hand to touch his cheek before she stepped back. “You are dehydrating. Where the hell is that Sustenance and water?” That said, she spun on her heel and stalked off.

  The fight had been drained out of the Reaper when the pain in his back began and he slid down beside the bars, leaning against the coolness of the tempered steel. He wrapped his arms around him to still the shakes that had him in their grip.

  "Here,” Kahmal said, hunkering down before him and thrusting a large cup of water through the bars.

  Cree reached out and covered Kahmal's fingers with his own and brought the cup to his mouth. He drained it, gulping in the liquid. “My bloodkin?” he asked. “Have you learned anything of them?"

  "Don't worry about that right now,” Kahmal snapped. “They are no doubt in better condition than you are."

  He looked into her vivid green eyes. “Do you know that for a fact, ‘Kadia, or are you just guessing?"

  She knew he could easily read her mind so she shrugged. “I've yet to take a look at them but I will. I was told they have not been maltreated."

  "I don't trust these women to tell the truth. See to them, ‘Kadia,” he asked.

  "I will,” she repeated.

  The Triso was calming the hellion beneath his skin and the Reaper relaxed as he sat leaning against the bars. He plowed a hand through his thick brown hair. “Thank you, ‘Kadia."

  Kahmal ached to reach out and touch him, to stroke the beads of sweat from his brow. “Don't stay close to the bars,” she warned him. “Only the goddess knows what some of these women are capable of doing if they can lay hands to you."

  He nodded and took hold of the bars to lever himself up. For a moment he wavered then walked back to the center of the cage and sat down, drawing his knees up again.

  "See to my sons,” he reminded Kahmal still again.

  "Stop worrying, Reaper,” she said. “They'll be bringing you some Sustenance and more water in a few minutes."

  He locked gazes with her before lowering his head to his crossed arms. There was no need for him to tell her he would stop worrying when they made their escape from Rysalia Prime.

  "I will come see you in the morning,” Kahmal told him.

  "I think I'll stay here for awhile,” he said with a snort.

  Kahmal turned to see a guard hurrying toward her with a beaker of Sustenance and a jug of water. “Just put it inside the cage. He will get it when you are out of his reach."

  The guard's eyes widened but she did as she was told, scurrying back from the cage as quickly as she could. Without waiting to see if the Reaper would take the offerings, she practically ran back into Fleet Command.

  Chapter Twelve

  "Does it seem to you we have allies here we weren't counting on?” Sern asked Kahmal as the Major got ready to leave the ship later than afternoon.

  "Kym is definitely a supporter,” Kahmal stated. “I was surprised on that account."

  "She is in love with our Reaper,” Sern informed her Major.

  Kahmal blinked. “Are you certain?"

  "As surely as I stand here,” Sern replied. “I've been tracking her movements and she went straight to the Council of Elders after seda
ting the mad woman. She has a majority of the Council behind her."

  "Cree said the goddess swore She would not hinder him in taking his men and leaving Rysalia,” Aegean said. “Perhaps She has a hand in this?"

  "Aye, but She also told him She would not lift a hand to help him,” Kahmal snapped.

  "Maybe She changed Her mind,” Chanz commented.

  "Maybe,” Kahmal agreed. “There was far less anger in that crowd than I expected.” She swiped a hand over her face. “Those gathered seemed more concerned with getting a look at Cree rather than wanting to see him on his knees."

  Ceatie—Sern's weretiger—pushed his head under the Amazeen woman's arm to remind her he was there. A loud purring filled the ship's bridge as Sern reached down to scratch the animal behind his ear.

  "Do we have the coordinates of the poles entered into the transport bank?” Kahmal asked.

  "Aye and as soon as the last Reaper cadet is shackled, I'll have a transport beam locked on him,” Chanz replied.

  "As well as on Cree and Dorrie,” Lt. Augenia Deon reminded her.

  "Most assuredly on Cree,” Chanz said.

  "I told him I would go check on his men,” Kahmal said. “I'll do that before meeting with Kym.

  "You've a meeting scheduled with her?” Sern inquired.

  Kahmal nodded. “Since Acet is incapacitated, it will be Kym who will present me with my Medal of Valor this evening. I asked that there be no ceremony and the Elders reluctantly agreed. I'll receive the medal in Kym's office."

  "Do you think she knows what we are planning?” a worried Tyrian asked.

  "You tell me, ‘Dilla,” Kahmal answered. “Our ship is being refueled and provisioned tomorrow morning in anticipation of our leaving for Amazeen directly after the Feast. I didn't even have to request that. It was already in the works before I got to Fleet. The Militaire, herself, put the plan into motion. I checked on where we will be docked and we've been assigned a berth at the very end of the line, as close to the iris as there is. After we and Sorn landed, the docking station was closed to any more ships. Both the DarkWind and Raphaella's StarRaider were ordered into orbit. There will be no hindering those ships when we blast out of here. They'll be right behind us."

  "How many other ships are docked here?” Chang asked.

  "I'm told five and that includes the Areto that docked just before we did."

  "We need to disable as many of those ships as we can,” Aegean pointed out.

  "'Genia and I will see about that tomorrow."

  "I'll help,” Tyrian put in.

  "Don't forget there will be many more ships bringing pilgrims to the Feast,” Deon said. “The sky will be wall to wall with them soon."

  Kahmal smiled. “As a matter of fact there won't be,” she said. “Fleet told me due to anticipated overcrowding pilgrims are being housed on FSK-9 and 12 and then brought down in shuttles. The DarkWind and the StarRaider were the last allowed to move into an orbit pattern."

  "Don't forget somewhere out there is the Necroman's ship,” Deon said. “Hopefully, he'll be monitoring the shuttles."

  "Shuttles won't be a problem. They don't have weapons or the power to overtake an LRC in a chase. We can disable them in a heartbeat,” Sern said. “Don't tell me the goddess isn't working over time to help us."

  "I'll need to knock out communications as quickly as possible so the ships up there can't be dispatched after us,” Tyrian suggested.

  "I don't think that will be much of a concern. With all the women down here for the Feast, who would crew the ships?” Chanz asked.

  "If we can disable the ships in the docking bay, we might be able to get out of here without a pack of she-wolves on our heels!” Sern said.

  "That's the plan,” Kahmal agreed.

  "I would still feel safer if there was no way for the ships up on the frontier stations to learn about what's going on down here,” Tyrian insisted. “Or for Fleet to put out a bulletin to any ships nearby."

  "Do what you think best, ‘Dilla,” Kahmal told her. She glanced at her timepiece. “I've got to get to Kym's office.” She looked to Deon. “Would you make certain Cree gets fed? He has to be starving by now."

  "Not a problem."

  As she exited her ship, Kahmal was careful not to turn her head toward the cage but from the corner of her eye she checked on the man they were all risking their lives to protect. She bit down on her lower lip for he was lying on the concrete in a fetal position, his head on his arm. She knew he had to be uncomfortable. At least there were no women lurking near the cage to annoy him.

  Kahmal entered the Fleet Command Headquarters and was surprised the halls were empty. The offices she passed appeared to be deserted and as she walked past one and saw a lone worker at her desk, she stopped, went back, and knocked upon the door frame. The worker glanced up at her and smiled.

  "How may I help you, Major?” the woman asked.

  "Are the Fleet offices closed already?” Kahmal inquired.

  "Aye, ma'am, they are. We were given the remainder of the day off in celebration of the Reaper's capture."

  "I see,” Kahmal said. “Yet you are still working."

  The woman nodded. “I have nothing to celebrate,” she replied. “To me this is not a joyous occasion."

  Kahmal tilted her head to one side. “Why not?"

  "In my opinion Kamerone Cree was treated dishonorably, Major,” the woman answered. “He should have been left where he was. He posed no threat to the Multitude."

  "I see,” Kahmal said. “Then you should be happy he isn't to meet the fate the Elders had reserved for him."

  "Aye, but the fate looking him in the face is perhaps a far worse one than the bite of the guillotine's blade,” the woman replied.

  "How do you mean?"

  "He is alone, Major. He is without his beloved Bridget."

  Thanking the woman for her candor, Kahmal continued on down the hall. She had not been expecting any of the women of Rysalia Prime to be concerned about Cree but it seemed the Reaper was not as hated as the Prophetess-Mother would have them believe.

  Kym's office was in an opulent suite of rooms done in the style of Chrystallusian décor. The secretary who ushered Kahmal into the Auxiliary Prophetess’ office bowed deeply to the Major and inquired if she would care for a cup of green tea.

  "Thank you,” Kahmal said. “That would be nice."

  "Shei-Ling makes wonderful jasmine tea,” Kym said as she indicated a horseshoe chair in front of her desk. “Please, sit, Major Kahmal."

  Kahmal inclined her head and sat down in the delicate-looking chair. She was surprised at the comfort it provided.

  "How is he doing this evening?” Kym inquired.

  Kahmal arched a brow. “The Reaper?” At Kym's nod, she shrugged. “I suppose he is well enough."

  Kym smiled. “You are in the presence of a woman who has great concern over Kamerone Cree's safety and comfort, Major. I ask you again—how is he?"

  Kahmal shifted in the chair. “He was lying down when I saw him last. I believe he has one of his migraines."

  "And not able to sleep it off I would wager,” Kym said. “He has always had problems in that area."

  "As I understand it, all Reapers have trouble sleeping,” Kahmal replied cautiously.

  The Auxiliary Prophetess’ smile slowly leached from her face. “He deserves so much more than a bare floor upon which to lay his handsome head. Don't you agree, Major?"

  "I agree the man has been treated abominably,” Kahmal replied. Despite what Sern had said about Kym's feelings toward Cree, trusting her was not something Kahmal could do easily. “Although he was responsible for the deaths of my sister and cousin when he fled Rysalia Prime."

  "Deaths I am sure he regrets,” Kym said softly.

  "He has apologized to me for them,” Kahmal said.

  "I am told he has a son by Bridget,” Kym said, steepling her fingers beneath her chin. “To your knowledge, has he ever held that child?"

  A deep frown
formed between Kahmal's eyes. “Why should that be of interest to you, Your Grace?"

  "Humor me, Kahmal. Has he or has he not ever held his son?"

  Kahmal shook her head. “I do not believe he has."

  "And I am sure that proved to be a problem between him and Bridie,” Kym said then sighed. “As if there had not been enough troubles already shared between them. I will need to speak to Kamerone before he leaves us."

  A tingle of alarm rippled down Kahmal's back. “I don't follow, Your Grace."

  Kym's secretary brought in a tray upon which two cups and a steaming pot of tea sat. She placed the tray on the Auxiliary Prophetess’ desk then poured tea for first Kahmal, then Kym. When she was finished, she bowed and backed out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

  "My office has not been tampered with, Major,” Kym assured her visitor. “No unwanted ears will hear our conversation.” She took a sip of her tea. “By this time next week, I will be in different offices.” She smiled. “Much more prestigious than these."

  "The Prophetess-Mother will be stepping down?"

  Kym's smile widened. “Stepping down, tripped? Who knows? To paraphrase an old Terran saying, feces occurs."

  Kahmal's lips twitched. “I see. Then I would like to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion, Your Grace."

  "Duly noted,” Kym acknowledged. She nudged her chin toward a golden box sitting on her desk blotter. “There is your medal, by the way. Forgive me if I don't pin it on you."

  "Forgive me if I don't pin it on, either,” Kahmal ventured to say.

  The two women eyed one another for a few moments then Kym set her tea cup aside. “I know you are being cautious, Akkadia, but there is no need to be. I have no intention of seeing either Kamerone or any more of his kin murdered. I assure you when I ascend the dais as Prophetess-Mother, such atrocities will be banned."

  "Surely there are no more Reaper kin out there to be at risk,” Kahmal said.

  "There are two that we know of. One, we had in our grasp for a short while but he managed to escape with several others. His twin was not so lucky. That one was burned to death but not at the poles as his kinsmen before him. His death was an accident."