“Those little bitches will be found. They’re far too bold to stay hidden for long.”
The pirate watched him pace the luxurious room, his black eyes expressionless but hate in his heart. Shari didn’t intend to release him from forced servitude until the Reekas’ two leaders were caught.
Shari came to a stop before the portrait of a man that hung on the wall, a gentle looking young man with pale green eyes and golden hair, a whimsical smile on his face. “Karana, you and your whelps will pay for this.”
Looking at the portrait, the pirate wondered what she had to do with the man. “Karana is dead, Shari.”
The Inka Empire leader spun around with a feral snarl. “Her whelps live and while they live, her spirit is alive!” He stalked up to Sinya and jabbed his finger into his chest. “They will die, as will all that murderous brood of bitches! And when they die...” His eyes grew crafty, “Your brother will be set free. Providing, of course, I have your continued assistance.”
Sinya bit back the words he longed to spew out, instead asking, “What of Darvk when he learns that you’ve killed his woman?”
“Pah, what can he do? He is but a lust-filled trader.”
“He could get help.”
Shari laughed uproariously. “That overgrown boy? Who’d help him?” He swept out of the room, still laughing.
You’d be surprised, oh exalted one, Sinya thought. They have powerful friends and the Daamens themselves are powerful.
The man in the portrait gazed sightlessly back at him. Uneasily, Sinya studied him closer. Why did he look so familiar?
~ * ~
The first of the warriors appeared through the trees, Morgan’s eyes lighting up as Connie strode forward. He quickly got to his feet.
The traders sat or stood in relaxed stances beside the trading ship, greeting the Reekas with friendly words and smiles but careful not to venture too close, staying where they were, so very aware that the truce was still uneasy.
The warriors came to a stop on the edge of the clearing and Darvk scanned them for Tenia. She wasn’t there and his heart lurched in fear at the fleeting thought that she might have fled again, but then the warriors parted and the two sisters came forward, Tenia smiling at the warm greetings from the crew.
He counted the figures. “There are only twelve of you?”
“That’s how many are at this meeting,” Reya replied coldly. “Now what do you have to tell us that’s so important?”
“There are more than twelve wenches.” Maverk straightened up from where he leaned against the ship. “Where are the others?”
“Never you mind, pretty boy.”
“What we have to say will have an impact on you all,” Darvk warned tersely.
“We’ll relay the message back to our sisters.”
“All right. The information I’m about to impart to you was given to me by the Argons.”
The warriors didn’t blink. Reya didn’t flinch.
Darvk looked at Tenia. “Do you know who your father was?”
“Of course.”
“What was his name?”
“Vulya. Where’s this leading?”
“Patience, lass. Now where did Vulya come from?”
“From one of the other settlements.”
“Are you sure?”
Perplexed, Tenia glanced at her sister.
Reya answered. “We were young when he died, and Mother had other things on her mind to worry about, trader.”
Maverk held up his hand. “Settle down, lass. This is important.”
Connie stepped forward. “Karana met Vulya at Syran.”
All eyes turned to the sloe-eyed warrior.
Darvk looked at her. “What did you know of him?”
“Not much. They loved each other and he was good and kind. That’s all.”
“So none of you will know what I am about to tell you. I warn you all, ‘twill be a shock.”
Steady eyes watched him, some curious, some distrustful, others expressionless.
“Tell us,” Tenia requested quietly.
“Vulya was from the Inka Empire.”
Silence filled the clearing, every wench there stunned.
The traders waited tensely.
Darvk’s gaze was on Tenia, trying to gauge her reaction, wanting so very much to reach out to her but knowing that right now she needed her sister, not him.
That hurt, but it was what it was.
As his meaning sunk in, disbelief, shock, and outrage were mirrored on almost every warrior’s face, except for Tenia and Reya. Their faces remained blank, unreadable.
“How do you know this?” Tenia’s voice was low, controlled.
“The Argons told us.”
“How do they know?”
“The man who gave Kiile the information was a great friend of Vulya’s.”
“You can’t trust the Argons!” A blonde warrior stepped forward, her hazel eyes blazing. “They’re nothing but lecherous bastards!”
From the corner of his eye, Darvk noted a shift in Garret’s position, a slight movement at Dana’s presence.
Just as quickly, his attention returned to Reya and Tenia. “The proof is in the paintings that he gave to Kiile.” He nodded to Jase and Garret. “Bring them out.”
Tenia’s gaze followed the two traders into the cargo hold, her attention focussed on them as they reappeared carrying two large, framed paintings. Not once did she look at Darvk, and he had to bury the instinct to assure her it’d be all right, because he wasn’t sure it would be.
Knew it wouldn’t be.
A harsh truth was about to be revealed that could very well shatter them all.
As the traders came up beside him, he gestured. “Show them.”
They turned the paintings around. One was of a young man with Reya’s pale green eyes and Tenia’s golden hair. The other painting was of a young, violet-eyed warrior with flowing red hair sitting on a chair with the same young man standing behind her with one hand on her shoulder.
“Karana and Vulya.” Connie sucked in a sharp breath.
Shock was plain on the Reekas’ faces as they beheld what Vulya wore; a high-necked, long-sleeved tunic top over trousers, shiny low-heeled boots, and a flowing grey cape. On his right breast pocket was the dragon badge.
“Shari’s Dragon soldiers.” Tenia reached out with a shaking hand to touch the painting. “Father was one of the Dragon soldiers.”
“Did you know this, Connie?” Reya demanded. “Did Mother never mention it?”
Stunned, Connie shook her head. “No. I’d have told you a long time ago if I’d known.”
Tenia’s eyes, the violet eyes of her mother, were dark in her suddenly pale face. “What else do you know?”
“It explains the dragon badge in your father’s grave.”
“But not the missing body or why Shari wants us dead.”
Maverk cleared his throat and glanced at his friend.
“What else?” Reya’s voice was colder than he’d ever heard it. “What else, Maverk?”
“Shari is Vulya’s father.”
Tenia’s already pale face went so white Darvk thought she’d faint. Quickly he moved forward and took her arm.
“Father is…his son?” She looked dazed.
“Aye.” He squeezed her shoulder in support.
“Is this true?” Reya’s gaze speared Maverk with intensity. “Maverk, are you certain?”
“So it would appear.” Stepping closer, he reached out. “Reya-” He stopped at whatever he saw in her eyes.
Without another word, she whirled around and strode rapidly into the forest.
Tenia pulled her arm out of Darvk’s supportive hold. “Connie…”
“See to Reya, I will attend things here.”
Darvk watched Tenia disappear after her sister.
Connie stepped in front of Maverk, her hand coming out to stay him when he would have gone after them. “They won’t thank you for interfering. Give them some time.”
> He looked at Darvk, who nodded.
As much as he hated to admit it, Darvk knew that following them now would achieve nothing. They needed space to absorb what they’d learned.
“They need time to sort this out, as do we.” Connie glanced over her shoulder at her sister warriors who were in various stages of slowly absorbing what had happened, most of them staring at the paintings, several of them talking quietly between themselves. “This is a shock to us all.”
Silence fell upon the group. The only sound was that of day flyers in the trees, the distant laughter of children, and the gentle lap of water on the bank from the nearby river.
Darvk could only guess what was going on between Tenia and Reya, what was being said, and being helpless to help right now made him fidgety, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
“Vulya is Shari’s son.” Connie shook her head. “I had no idea. Karana never said. I don’t know why she never said.” She glanced at Morgan, who gave her a small sympathetic smile. Her gaze hardened as she returned her attention to Darvk. “We know Shari wants us all dead. But Reya and Tenia, if what you say is true, are his granddaughters. Why would he want them dead?”
“I don’t know,” Darvk admitted. “‘Tis something we need to find out.”
“We have some ideas of our own-”
“Connie!” Dana objected sharply.
She looked at the younger warrior. “Regardless of whether we like it or not, our immediate future is tied up with these men. Rest easy, little sister. Now then.” Connie turned back to him. “The paintings. May we have them?”
“Of course. Garret and Jase will carry them for you.”
“There’s no need,” she began, only to stop when Morgan plucked the painting from Jase’s hands.
“Oh, ‘tis no problem.” He smiled charmingly at her.
Dana made a sound of disgust when Connie smiled back, only to jump when Garret moved up beside her.
“And I’ll carry this for you, lass,” he said.
“I can carry it,” Dana retorted.
“Wouldn’t think of it.” He beamed. “Lead on, pretty wench.”
Disgruntled, she spun around and stormed off, Garret’s long legs easily keeping pace, Connie and Morgan following.
The remaining Reekas fell in behind and all disappeared towards the mountain.
Maverk stared in the direction the sisters had taken. “I wonder what they’re doing?”
“Talking.” Darvk folded his arms broodingly.
“I hope the lasses will be all right.”
“So do I.”
~ * ~
“I don’t know what to think,” Tenia said, troubled.
Reya’s eyes were stark. “That bastard’s blood runs through our veins.”
“Why didn’t Mother tell anyone?” Tenia stared at the water. “Why didn’t she tell us? Or Connie? Why keep it a secret?”
Reya’s jaw clenched.
“She never said.” Tenia rubbed her forehead.
“No, she didn’t, and we may never know unless we get answers.” Reya’s expression was grim.
“If he is our grandfather, why does he want us dead? Our own grandfather?”
“It changes nothing. He’s our enemy. I refuse to acknowledge our blood ties.”
“No, nothing changes.” Tenia took a steadying breath. “We still go ahead, search for the truth.”
“We have our dead to avenge, our hunted and enslaved.” Reya lifted her head a little, scanned the river bank.
“Our freedom to win,” Tenia added.
“Freedom.”
Tenia glanced at her.
“Yes, freedom,” Reya murmured with a far away look in her eyes.
Uncertain what had caused the sudden shadow flickering across her sister’s face, Tenia placed her hand on her shoulder. “Reya? What’s wrong?”
Reya blinked, the shadow fled, and her brow arched. “What about this is right?”
It was obvious that her sister wasn’t going to reveal what had troubled her so briefly, there was no point pushing it at this time. Tenia returned to the topic at hand. “Mother never mentioned where our father came from, he never said. I can’t believe they never told anyone.”
“No, it doesn’t make sense. ” Reya pushed up from her crouch. “This may change things, however.”
“What do you mean?”
“How will the others feel, knowing who we fight?”
“Because of our…” Tenia didn’t want to say it.
Reya finished it for her. “Blood ties.”
The sisters stared at each other then Reya said, “We will ask them.”
There was nothing more to be said. Nothing to be done but do as Reya said. Tenia nodded and they strode through the forest and up the incline of the mountain. As they entered the opening, Tenia caught a glimpse of Darvk watching them from the edge of the forest and she raised her hand hesitantly. He nodded and gave a small smile, but even from the distance she could feel his love and concern and it warmed her chilled heart. Turning, she followed Reya inside.
Connie waited in the main cave with every Reeka warrior present. As soon as they entered, silence fell and all eyes turned to them.
Feeling the weight of their gazes, Tenia straightened her shoulders. “You’ve all heard what was said. If this changes things for any of you, we’ll understand.”
“What, exactly, are you implying?” Serena asked from where she sat on the table.
“That if anyone wants to leave, we understand,” Reya answered bluntly.
Tenia waited tensely, her heart pounding as the warriors looked at each other, then back at her and Reya with varying degrees of emotion on their faces.
Mostly disbelief.
Connie cocked one brow. “Nicely put, sister. I’m sure we all understood that.”
“Clear as water.” Dana frowned. “So because your father was the son of Shari, you expect us to walk away?”
“If that is your choice,” Reya said stiffly.
“I see. Have you forgotten that you both share blood ties with all of us?”
“No.”
“Good.” She crossed her ankles. “We Reekas are all related somewhere, be it close or distant.”
Nods of agreement came from the warriors.
Jonette added, “We stand together as always.”
“I’m insulted you could think otherwise.” Dana scowled.
There was a strong nodding of heads and reflected scowls on the Reekas’ faces.
Relief poured through Tenia.
“Don’t forget something else,” Mya drawled. “Only a tiny part of Shari’s blood runs in your veins. The rest is good Reeka blood, centuries old. Our blood outweighs his piddling drop.”
A ripple of laughter came from the warriors and Connie hugged the sisters. “You’re stuck with us.”
As composed as always, Reya nodded. “Thank you.”
“Thank you all so much.” Tenia didn’t bother to hide her relief, the love for her family so strong.
“Our pleasure, right, sisters?”
“Together,” Myla said. “Always.”
The agreement was strong and immediate.
Reya turned away, but not before Tenia caught her raising a hand to her eyes. Trying to hiding her emotions, but the action was noticed by several of the Reekas, who wisely avoided drawing attention to it. Reya didn’t take sympathy well.
“Now, change of subject to something really important.” Serena rubbed her stomach. “I’m hungry. Are we going to eat before we discuss anything further?”
Tenia was more than glad to put aside the troubling mystery of her parents’ relationship with Shari.
“Which brings us to another question.” Mya stood up. “Do the Daamens come in on our plans?”
Dana scowled. “Now that’s bloody ruined my appetite.”
Seeing the Reekas exchange glances then look at Reya and Tenia for their opinions, Tenia took a deep breath. “You all know how I ended up with them and what they’v
e done for me. Believe me when I tell you that we can trust them.”
“You ran from them,” Merly pointed out.
“For personal reasons, not because I couldn’t trust them.”
“What about you?” Jonette regarded Reya. “Do you think we can trust them?”
“I was only with them a short time, enough to know that once an idea gets into their thick skulls nothing will budge it.”
“But do you trust them?”
“They can be ruthless when they set their minds to it.” She shifted her stance.
The corners of Connie’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “Just answer the question.”
“Damn it!”
Eyebrows shot up everywhere at this rare glimpse of Reya’s normal icy control slipping.
“Yes?” Connie coaxed.
It was obvious that a battle was being waged inside their leader and the warriors watched in fascination.
“All right!” she finally exploded. “Yes, those bloody idiots can be trusted!”
Dana stared at her. “Surely you jest? Those men?”
“No, I don’t jest. They saved Tenia’s and my life and tended our wounds. They’ve stood with us against the Inka soldiers. As much as it galls me to say it - yes, they can be trusted.”
“Why does that gall you so much?” Mya asked curiously.
“Don’t ask me!” Reya stormed from the cave. “I’m going to bathe!”
Connie laughed and called out, “Is it a certain blonde trader who gets to you, little sister?”
An explicit curse floated back and a low murmur swept the cave along with chuckles.
“What’s her problem?” Serena asked in amazement.
Mya shrugged. “You know Reya, always unshakeable. It’s rattled her to find someone outside of our circle who actually cares. Even more so when one of them is interested in her.”
“So? It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Interested romantically.”
“Ooohh.” Serena’s eyes sparkled.
“I wouldn’t try to tease her,” Dana warned. “She’ll rip your head off and display it on a pike.”
“I’m not that stupid.” Serena scratched her head. “But I’ve never seen her composure so disturbed by anyone.”
Connie patted her head kindly. “You’re young yet. Wait until you meet a man who disturbs you - in a good way - then you’ll understand.”
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