“I’d appreciate that,” Rone said sincerely. “But before you start making any calls, I need to speak to you about a private matter.”
“Of course.” Sylvan raised an eyebrow. “What is it? Does it have to do with the message you gave me from Two?” Rone had already filled the Kindred Commander in privately about everything the Dark Kindred had said to him and Kate when he’d trapped them in the glade on the night of the full moons’ convergence.
“I don’t know,” Rone answered. “Last night, after Kate and I finally got to bed she had a Knowing dream.”
Sylvan frowned. “I think I remember you talking about this before—it’s when her sixth sense intervenes and gives her some knowledge she couldn’t know any other way, correct? A prophesy of sorts?”
“In a way.” Rone shifted uneasily. “Part of it seemed prophetic but there was also a message for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes.” Rone sighed. “Let me just tell you what Kate saw. Actually, I saw it too—through our link.”
“Really?” Sylvan asked. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
“It wasn’t, before,” Rone explained. “We have a much deeper bond now, ever since Kate tamed my Beast. Anyway…” He ran a hand through his hair. “Kate saw the Mother Ship—specifically the park around the Sacred Grove.”
“I know the area you mean.” Sylvan nodded. “Go on.”
“All right. Well, everyone aboard the Mother Ship was gathered there—a huge throng of people. All the warriors and their brides and children.”
“That would be rather crowded but I think it could be managed,” Sylvan said, nodding.
“I don’t think that the dream was meant to say everyone should gather together,” Rone said. “I think it was more supposed to symbolize everyone on the ship…and something that might happen to them.”
“Like what?” Sylvan asked warily.
“Well…” Rone shifted uneasily. “In the dream, a huge hand came out of nowhere and reached for the sun.”
“You mean the green, artificial sun which hangs over the Sacred Grove?” Sylvan asked, frowning. “The Mother Ship’s power source?”
Rone nodded. “The huge hand grabbed it and squeezed it until it went out. And the whole time you could hear him laughing…”
“Him?” Sylvan frowned. “Him who?”
“This is the strange part…Kate said she thought it might be the AllFather. You know, the Scourge overlord?”
“I’m not likely to forget him,” Sylvan said dryly. “But he’s dead.”
“I know—which is why this doesn’t make any sense.” Rone shook his head. “But Kate’s Knowing dreams are never wrong.”
“Hmm.” Sylvan frowned. “Is the dream saying the AllFather will return and cut off the Mother Ship’s power supply? I don’t see how that could happen. Aside from the fact that he’s dead, we’ve also destroyed the Father Ship of the Scourge. After we found out that Two, the Dark Kindred, had used the molecular transfer beam to steal Kate away from you, the decision was made that it had too many dangerous tools lying around to just leave it derelict. We did of course get the blessing of Xairn—who is the last living Scourge. He’s actually mated to Sophie’s kin, Lauren.”
“Speaking of that, what about Two?” Rone asked. “Do you still want me to track him?”
Sylvan shook his head. “Not now that your mate is thrice expectant. I will find someone else to do that particular job. Two has already attempted to harm you personally—I don’t want any more of his malice directed against you or your family.”
“That’s kind of you,” Rone said. “But even though his actions worked out for good in the end, he meant them to cause malice. When you do track him down, I have a matter to settle with him.”
“Several of us do,” Sylvan said grimly. “But back to Kate’s dream—what else did she see?”
“Oh, yes.” Rone cleared his throat. “After the vision of the AllFather snuffing out the light of the Mother Ship, she heard a voice speaking in the darkness. A female voice—maybe even the Goddess.”
“Go on,” Sylvan said gravely. “What did she say?”
Rone closed his eyes, concentrating to get all the words exactly right, just as he had heard them through their link as Kate dreamed the night before.
“An old threat made new
In the silent dark grew
Can only be solved
By one who jumps True
She into he and he into she
Unless they are one
Apart they’ll not be
Exchange of the souls
A switch of the roles
But jumping between
Will take a harsh toll.”
Rone shook his head. “I know that doesn’t make much sense either…”
“No, it doesn’t.” Sylvan frowned. “One who jumps true?”
“Does it mean anything to you?” Rone asked.
“No…wait! She into he and he into she…” Sylvan snapped his fingers. “Remember we were talking earlier about Trader or Switch Kindred? Well, they’re also called Jumpers. But a True Jumper…well, I don’t think there has been a reported case of one of those in over a century.”
“What is a True Jumper?” Rone asked.
“A Switch Kindred who is able to not just inhabit his mate’s body but to jump into anyone else’s.” Sylvan shook his head. “But as I said, the Switch Kindred interbred with a race of people who considered Switching or Jumping as it’s sometimes called, a shameful ability. They found a way to inhibit and eventually get rid of it all together.”
Rone sighed. “So then, none of the dream makes sense. It warns about a threat that’s already been neutralized and offers a solution that isn’t possible because it doesn’t exist.”
“I would never discount a message from the Goddess,” Sylvan said gently. “But…do you think it’s possible that Kate just had a nightmare?”
“No.” Rone shook his head. “No, absolutely not. I saw the dream, remember? I’m certain of its veracity.”
“All right then.” Sylvan sighed and leaned back in his chair. “You also said there was a special warning for me? What was it?”
“That came at the end of the dream, when Kate was waking up, so I didn’t get to see it as she did,” Rone admitted. “I woke up right before her and I was holding her—she gets so cold during a Knowing dream—it scares the crap out of me, as she would say.”
“It does sound like a frightening event,” Sylvan acknowledged.
“So, as I was holding her in my arms, she kept murmuring, ‘Tell Sylvan he’s not safe…tell him to beware his twin. His twin is evil… his twin is danger.”
Sylvan shook his head. “But…I don’t have a twin. I do have several brothers, all of whom live aboard the Mother Ship, but none of them is my twin or indeed, even my full brother.”
“I don’t know.” Rone lifted his hands helplessly. “I don’t know what any of it means. But Kate and I felt like you ought to know. Do with it what you want.”
“I’ll have to consider it,” Sylvan said. “And bring it before the Council. In the meantime, we’ll be extra vigilant about security and continue the hunt for Two.”
“After the way he lured Kate out to meet my Beast and trapped us in that clearing, I’d say he’s a legitimate danger,” Rone said seriously. “I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt—especially not you.” He cleared his throat. “Kate and I decided it would be best to tell you privately about the last part of the dream—the part concerning you. We didn’t want to worry your mate.”
“Thank you for that,” Sylvan said gravely. “Sophia has enough to worry about already with our twins. I’ll keep this to myself.”
“I thought as much.” Rone nodded. “Well…I guess there’s nothing else to do but remain vigilant. And whoever you get to track Two, please let them know I’ll do everything I can to help.”
“I will. Thank you.” Sylvan sighed and rose, fingering the bandage on his hurt thum
b.
“Are you not able to heal that?” Rone asked, nodding at the bandaged digit. “I thought Blood Kindred had regenerative abilities almost as good as my own people.”
Sylvan shrugged. “Generally we do but this injury does seem to be lingering for some reason.”
“Kate told me you were bitten by some kind of a porcine mammal?”
Sylvan smiled briefly. “A ‘Guinea pig’ is what humans call it. It was either that or a very large rat—I can’t be sure because it moved so quickly I didn’t get a very good look at it. All I saw was that it had red eyes.”
Rone frowned. “I hope you heal up soon."
“You’re very kind.” Sylvan nodded. “I hope so too. In the meantime, let’s see about getting you a place to stay aboard the Mother Ship.”
Rone nodded but he couldn’t help worrying about the future. What had Kate’s dream really meant? Could the ancient threat from the past really return? And what would they do if it did?
He didn’t know but he swore to himself he would be watchful—for now it was all he could do.
Epilogue #2
Y studied the knife. It had a black handle and a long, silver curving blade that looked wickedly sharp. He put his finger to the tip, pressing very lightly. The cold steel bit into his flesh easily and a drop of crimson blood welled up at once.
So sharp…I could be done so quickly…done with this, with him and then onto a ship and gone.
Y reached up to trace the lump under his left ear. In the time that it had taken to travel from G’nera back to the Scourge home world, which was now Master Two’s base, it had grown again. The curving tendrils had invaded his spinal cord and the base of his brain.
Even now he couldn’t be certain that Master Two wasn’t reading his thoughts, having finally tapped into his mind. But all was silent from the chip—his Master seemed to have temporarily transferred all of his attention to his other scion. The huge Scourge warrior he had grown in the flesh tanks was in another part of the compound—the Souda he had called it, Y thought.
I have to be quick, he told himself. It’s probably going to be intensely painful—I must be prepared for that.
He didn’t care how much it hurt, though. He just wanted to be free of his master—to live his own life. When he got rid of the chip, he had only to evade the huge warrior which was also implanted with his Master’s personality and get outside the Scourge compound. Once out, he could have his pick of ships—there were plenty of derelict but still working vehicles left over from the Battle of Berrni. All he needed to do was get into one and fly away. And then he would never have to hear that high, hissing voice in his head again. Would never have to do anything sick or disgusting or repugnant just because the Master ordered it.
Y raised the knife to the swelling just under his ear. His hand trembled only a little…
“Y, what are you doing?”
The sharp voice came from both his chip and the nine-foot-tall warrior who was suddenly standing in the doorway.
“I…” Y turned, dropping the knife to his side in a vain attempt to hide it. But how could he hide anything from a being who literally lived in his head? “Master,” he began. “I…I can explain.”
“No explanation is necessary. I see I’m just in time.” The large Scourge warrior came forward, grinning in a way that made Y extremely uneasy. To his surprise, he saw that his Master’s new scion was holding a small animal in his enormous hands. It was tiny and furry and it had red eyes. The warrior was stroking it gently as he advanced.
“What’s that?” Y blurted. “One of your spies?” He knew the Master used such creatures—usually animal/robot hybrids—to gather information but he had never seen him petting or stroking one of them before.
“It is. I have them everywhere, as you know. Even on the Mother Ship. Especially on the Mother Ship.” The huge warrior grinned humorlessly as he continued to stroke the little creature. “This one, however, has served its purpose.”
The huge hands closed suddenly and there was an agonized squealing which was cut off abruptly. When the Scourge scion opened its palms, there was nothing but a bloody pulp of bedraggled fur. He flicked it away casually where it landed with a flat splat on the dull metal floor. Then he licked one of his palms, his red-on-black eyes fluttered closed for a moment in obvious pleasure.
"Kindred DNA is sweet—did you know that, Y?"
“What…why…?” Y began but a huge palm was suddenly slapped over his mouth, cutting off his question.
"Taste and see for yourself," the Master ordered. "Don't worry—you're well able to absorb it orally. I made certain of that when I made you."
Y retched and gagged but there was no getting away from the huge hand covering his mouth. The slimy, hot blood of the little furry creature slipped past his lips and he swallowed before he could stop himself.
"Very good." The Master sounded pleased and the huge scion removed its had from his face. “Come, Y—I want to show you something.”
This time the behemoth warrior gripped him by the arm, smearing more of the still-warm blood on his skin. Y felt the iron strength of its hand—of his Master’s hand—and knew there was no escape. Still, he tried.
“Master, you know I want to see whatever it is you have…you have to show me but I…” He swallowed hard, tasting the metallic blood on his tongue and fighting the urge to gag. “I need to see to…to a matter on the other end of the compound. One that cannot wait. If you could just give me a moment…”
“Would that matter have to do with a sharp knife and the intention to rid yourself of my pesky presence?” the huge warrior rumbled. “Because I must tell you, Y, that hurts my feelings most excruciatingly.” He held out his other blood-stained hand. “Now why don’t you give me that little knife and we’ll say no more about it.”
“Oh, I’ll give you the knife, all right.” Desperately, Y raised the sharp blade to the lump under his ear…and stopped. He tried again but as much as he strained, he couldn’t get the knife any closer to the hated chip where his Master’s personality was implanted.
The huge warrior rumbled laughter.
“Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily, Y? I think not—I’ve had full motor control of your body for some time now. Watch.”
Suddenly, Y’s hand began to move, but not in the way he wanted it to. To his horror, he watched as the silver blade came around in front of his face. Slowly, the point of it began inching towards his right eye. Closer and closer it came until he could feel the flutter of his eyelashes against the cold metal when he blinked.
“Master,” he gasped. “Master, please!”
“Don’t worry, Y,” the Master said, from both his warrior scion and from the chip in Y’s head. “I wouldn’t allow you to hurt my chosen vessel.”
Y’s hand lowered slowly to his side and his fingers unclenched and allowed the knife to clatter harmlessly to the metal floor.
“What…what do you mean your chosen vessel?” he asked, his stomach twisting in fear and disgust.
“Why, I mean that I’m taking over, Y. I have plans for your body—my body. Come and I’ll show you.”
The huge Scourge warrior began dragging him along the metal corridors into the inner areas of the complex. Y’s boots scraped reluctantly against the floor but there was no denying the Master’s demand—his body moved independently of his will and there was nothing he could do about it.
Too late, he thought bitterly. I waited too late to gather my courage. I should have cut out the chip when it first started to grow. And now it’s too late…too late…
“Ah, here we are,” the Master’s huge scion stopped in front of a vast metal panel which appeared to be a kind of door—but a door so large that an entire shuttle could have flown through it.
“What is this place?” Y demanded. “And why do you want my body when you already have that one?” he added, nodding at the warrior who was still gripping his arm.
“My dear Y,” the Scourge warrior ru
mbled in his Master’s voice. “You didn’t really think I’d confine myself to this form indefinitely, did you? This is but a blunt instrument—effective for intimidation and strength, yes—but it lacks finesse. And…well, it’s not very pretty.”
“Pretty?” Y stared at him in amazement. “Pretty?”
“Exactly.” The massive scion smirked at him. “When I mixed the DNA for the body you now inhabit—the one I’m about to take for myself—I made certain it was ‘easy on the eyes’ as the humans say. The better to fit in with Kindred when I finally conquer them. And look at you—those piercing eyes, those broad, muscular shoulders…yes, you’ll do nicely, although a few changes will have to be made. But your body should hold up well for the transformation.”
“Transformation? What are you talking about?” Y demanded.
“You shall see.” Still gripping Y’s arm, the huge warrior punched a button and the immense steel door began to roll to one side. Inside was a vast square room covered from walls to floor to ceiling in red velvet.
No—not red velvet, Y saw, when his eyes got used to the dim lighting. The covering on the walls and floor and ceiling of the room was moving—pulsing—in some way. He felt his stomach do a slow, forward roll. The stuff was tissue—living flesh and it was red because it was full of blood.
“This is the Souda, it’s a special room which channels the power of this entire planet directly to one person. And that person will be me,” the Master explained.
“It…the walls are made of flesh.” Y couldn’t keep the disgust out of his voice.
“Endometrial tissues to be exact,” the Master said calmly. “It is, in effect, a huge, artificial womb. And what better place for a new birth—a rebirth—to take place? Once you enter, a dravik will form around you—a nourishing bubble of blood that will infuse you with power.”
Revulsion filled Y as he looked at the pulsing, scarlet walls.
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