by Amy Sumida
Malik didn't answer me; just crossed his thick arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair resolutely.
“The question is; who is this man?” Colton asked. “We're chasing a ghost; ectoplasm and all. If we're going to end this, we need to catch him.”
“Where's Bill Murray when you need him?” Jason lamented dramatically.
“You need bait,” Malik said with a sideways look at his men.
“We're with you, Sir,” one of the Bleiten said. “Let's get this bastard.”
The rest of them nodded.
“Are you out of your mind?” I growled. “If he makes this weapon, he can kill you from a hundred feet away; possibly even a thousand feet away. And you won't lure him out without it.”
“Do we know anything about the weapon?” Colton asked. “Is it airborne? An injectable? Does it transfer through contact?”
I thought back to what I'd glimpsed of the notes and considered the question.
“Airborne,” I said. “They could filter it into a room or contain it in a bomb and release it outdoors.”
“Then we give them gas masks and hoods,” Colton said with a smirk.
“Why hoods?” Davorin asked.
“To cover the masks,” Malik said with a smile. “We can huddle up as if we're talking; bent over so that the hoods hide the fact that we're all protected.”
“And then we catch him when he runs,” Colton concluded.
“I like it.” Malik nodded approvingly. “It's simple. Plans are best when kept simple.”
“So, we just stick them in the middle of D.C. and hope Gooey Guy notices?” I asked in amazement. “They could be there for days.”
“I think it would be better if we kept this in the Market,” Landry said. “Perhaps the park. We can make a layered trap to catch any who slip through.”
“Unbelievable.” I rolled my eyes. “The insanity is spreading.”
“He knew when you would be alone, Amara,” Malik pointed out in a deadly tone. “This Alcantan abducted you from a cab that you chose at random. That means he's watching you. He may be watching all of us right now.”
“Then he'll know that we're up to something,” I pointed out. “And he'll know that the Bleiten aren't after me anymore.”
“But he won't know what we're up to,” Kyrian said.
“And he'll know that the Triari are still hunting you,” Davorin added. “We can make it appear to be a trap for the Triari when we're really trapping Gooey.”
“That might work,” I relented. “But I'm still not certain about this.”
“Agent Howard, can you see to acquiring the masks?” Colton asked another of his agents.
“Yes, Mr. President,” Howard said as he pulled out a cell phone.
“No assistant today?” I asked Colton.
“I didn't want to bring anyone else into this,” Colton said. “I'm fairly certain that we don't have a spy in the White House, but I'd rather not risk it.”
“It's always best to handle your own affairs,” Kyrian agreed. “But there's one more issue that we haven't dealt with; Prince Traegur.”
We all made faces at the name.
“I'm going to contact my king and see if I can deal with this peacefully,” Kyrian suggested. “But you may want to speak with your father and request some support, Lord Malik.”
“How many times do I have to say it? I'm not here to start a war.” Malik shook his head. “A small team like ours can slip on and off the planet easily; if we have to leave, we will. But I'm not going to bring more battleships to Earth.”
“Thank you,” Colton said. “We appreciate that.”
“You may not be so appreciative if the Triari turn on you, President Colton,” Kyrian said. “And if I can't get Prince Traegur removed from this mission, that may be exactly what will happen”
“What if you tell Prince Traegur that you raided the lab where the bioweapon was created, and you are now in possession of the weapon that was used to kill Prince Atren and his entourage?” I suggested. “Tell the Prince that if you're forced to, you will defend Earth by any means available to you.”
President Colton started to smile. “You want me to bluff?”
“I do,” I said. “I want you to lie through your teeth, Sir.”
“After the slaughter at the hotel, that should give Prince Traegur pause,” Kyrian agreed. “But hopefully, you won't have to resort to bluffing. Landry, is there somewhere private where I can make my call?”
“No way, man,” Davorin said with a head shake. “I don't trust you yet. You make any calls, you do it in front of all of us.”
“If he hears one unknown whisper in the background, he'll think I'm truly a traitor,” Kyrian said reasonably.
“We won't make a peep,” Malik promised with a smirk. He looked at his soldiers. “Right, men?”
“Yes, Sir,” all of them said.
“You won't even be able to understand what I'm saying,” Kyrian pointed out. “I'll be speaking in Triari.”
“I will understand,” I said.
“And so will we,” Malik added.
“Just make the damn call,” Leo said.
“A compromise then,” Kyrian suggested. “Amara may listen in.”
I lifted a brow at the others, and they gave in grudgingly.
“Use my office,” Landry said to me.
I led Kyrian behind the bar and into Landry's office. After I closed the door behind us, Kyrian turned to me and pulled me into an embrace. I stiffened with shock, but after a second, I relaxed against him. He was warm and smelled of sky and pine resin. I felt calm in his arms, and his steady heartbeat was soothing. But then he eased away.
“I will never forgive myself for failing you,” he said. “I gave you my word that I was here to protect you, and then I let my own people imprison and abuse you. I swear that I was not a part of that, Amara.”
“I know that you weren't, Kyrian,” I said gently. “I heard your argument with Traegur. And I have a feeling that I never would have gotten off that ship if it wasn't for you.”
“You also wouldn't have been on it in the first place,” he said morosely. “But enough of that; I only wished to express my deep remorse for my part in your imprisonment.”
“It's already forgotten,” I said. “But if you ever put a tracking device on me again, I will pluck your wings bald.”
“I understand. And thank you,” Kyrian said with a smile. “There's more I'd like to say, but I know this isn't the time. Will you do me the courtesy of hearing me out later?”
“Of course.”
My heartbeat raced ahead of my reason and began hoping for things that I wasn't ready to commit to. But Kyrian had lowered his halo to speak to me, and the colors within it were hypnotizing; as was his striking face. I had pulled passion out of Kyrian's halo, and if this was Kyrian when he was reserved, what would he be like when he let go completely? What would we be like together? It was a dizzying thought.
“From this moment forward, I will not fail you,” Kyrian promised; his sapphire eyes darkening to deep sea blue. “I'll protect you from the entire Host if I have to, Amara.”
“Let's hope it doesn't come to that,” I said softly. “But, thank you, Kyrian. I know what you've risked for me.”
“I would risk far more,” he whispered. “You've changed everything.”
“I hope that's a good thing.”
“I hope so too,” he said with a self-conscious smile.
Then Kyrian brought out his communication device and pressed a few buttons on it. A chiming sounded through the speaker and a female voice answered.
“Araboth, how may I direct your call?” She asked in Triari.
“This is Arc Kyrian Leteira for King Jovan,” Kyrian said. “It's urgent.”
“Yes, Sir,” the woman said immediately. “I'll connect you.”
I sat on the edge of Landry's desk as we waited for the Triari King to accept Kyrian's call. Finally, a deep but clear voice answered.
&n
bsp; “Arc Kyrian, have you found our missing girl?” He asked.
I lifted a brow at that. The man sounded kind; almost fatherly.
“I have, Your Majesty,” Kyrian said. “But there have been some complications.”
“The Bleiten?” The fatherly voice shifted into something much colder. “They haven't hurt her, have they?”
“No, Your Majesty,” Kyrian said. “Unfortunately, the only people who have hurt Amara Madison have been ours.”
“Explain that, Arc Kyrian,” the voice sank to arctic temperatures.
And he did. Kyrian explained in great detail what had transpired; first with Prince Atren, and then Prince Traegur. When he was finished, the King went silent for a few moments, but his furious breaths came through clearly.
“You're telling me that one of my princes was murdered and the other disregarded my express orders?” King Jovan asked in a tone that could slice heads from bodies.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Kyrian said. “I don't know if Prince Atren had any nefarious plans for Amara. Although he wasn't the kindest to her, he seemed to be acting as I was; to protect her. But I had to rescue Amara from Prince Traegur's battleship after he refused to relinquish her into my custody. His betrayal; I am sure of.”
“What was Traegur doing with the poor child?”
“He extracted several vials of her blood and commanded our scientists to attempt to extract the elixir from it,” Kyrian said furiously.
Despite the halo that Kyrian had replaced after his apology to me, I could see his confidence returning. It was in the lines of his body and the expression on his face. I didn't need colors to see that doubting his own race had taken a toll on him. But thinking that his king had deceived him must have been the hardest part. Now that it appeared that the Triari King was the one being deceived, it was easier for Kyrian to bear.
“That is exactly what you were sent to prevent the Bleiten from doing!” King Jovan roared. “A prince betrayed me! Princes have proven their loyalty through years of service to the Throne. If Traegur is a traitor, the loyalty of the entire Host will be brought into question.”
“I think you have very loyal men, Your Majesty,” Kyrian protested. “But every man has his weakness. I suppose the possibility of living forever seduced Traegur.”
King Jovan sighed deeply. “Yes; it can be alluring. I myself was tempted once,” he admitted. “I thought it should be an honor for those of us who have fought so bravely for our race. But when Jetek destroyed the elixir and deserted us, I realized my mistake. No one should have eternal life; especially not the powerful.”
Kyrian gaped at the communication device before he stuttered, “I... I was told that the Triari put Dr. Elyonne into hiding on Earth. That you were the one who instructed him to destroy the elixir.”
“I'm sorry that you've been lied to, Arc Kyrian,” King Jovan said sadly. “I wanted to protect Jetek's memory. He was stronger than all of us, and he paid a dear price for that strength. I didn't want him to be seen as a traitor when in fact, he was a hero. He saved us from ourselves. I don't want to think about what we may have become if Jetek hadn't acted as he had.”
My throat constricted and my eyes filled with tears. I turned away from Kyrian and quickly swiped at my face. I don't know why it meant so much to hear some stranger say those things about my father, but it did. It truly did.
I felt Kyrian's hand go to my shoulder supportively as he spoke to his king, “I understand, Your Majesty. And I'm sorry to ask this, but did you know that Prince Traegur assassinated Dr. Elyonne?”
“Did I know what?” Jovan asked in a deadly tone.
“Amara Madison confronted Prince Traegur during her confinement,” Kyrian explained. “She says that he admitted to killing her parents. Prince Traegur told her that he'd been sent to kill a traitor.”
“He was not sent,” Jovan's voice was tight with grief. “He was not...” He took a deep breath. “Do you believe her? Do you think Traegur really killed Jetek?”
“I do, Your Majesty,” he said. “Especially after my own experiences with Prince Traegur. When I rescued Amara from him, he was in the process of assaulting her.”
“He assaulted her?!”
“He attempted to, Your Majesty,” Kyrian said calmly. “He was stopped before he hurt her.”
“Oh, Jetek; I'm so sorry. I've failed you over and over,” Jovan whispered. Then, in a steadier voice, he said, “Arc Kyrian, I will summon Prince Traegur home to face these accusations. Will you ask Amara if she will provide testimony against him?”
“I will, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you,” Jovan said softly. “And tell her that her uncle continues to mourn her father. Tell her... Tell her that I wish I had known of her sooner; I would have brought her home to live with her family.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Kyrian said. “I will.”
I turned around sharply; my wide eyes staring at Kyrian in shock. He held up his hand and shook his head; asking for patience. So, I said nothing. But inside, I was reeling.
“One more thing, Sire,” Kyrian said. “Traegur determined that Amara's blood is useless as far as extracting the elixir is concerned. The Bleiten have already discovered this, and I believe they will be leaving Earth shortly.”
“But what of the threat?” Jovan asked. “You reported that the Americans were in need of assistance.”
“It appears that someone has been framing the Bleiten,” Kyrian reported. “We believe it to be the last surviving Alcantan.”
“An Alcantan survived?” Jovan asked in surprise. “But why would he attack America and the Triari?”
“To force us to bring the Host here and destroy the Bleiten, Your Majesty,” he said. “I'm questioning a lot of things. I'm afraid that we may not have been on the right side of several altercations.”
“What does that mean, Arc Kyrian?” Jovan asked gruffly.
“Just what I said, Sire,” Kyrian said. “I think we've been deceived by our prejudices and possibly our own people.”
King Jovan went silent.
“Your Majesty?”
“What's happening to the Host?” King Jovan whispered. “Where has our honor gone?”
“I don't know,” Kyrian murmured. “My faith in our people has been greatly shaken, but my faith in you stands firm. I know you can lead us back into the light.”
“Thank you, Arc Kyrian,” Jovan said softly. “I will do my best to ensure that your faith isn't misplaced.”
“I know you will, Your Majesty.”
“I can't recall the Host yet,” Jovan continued. “There is still the matter of a murdered prince to attend to. Our people will expect justice for Prince Atren.”
“The U.S. Government will no doubt want to handle this criminal themselves,” Kyrian warned him.
“That will be a subject for negotiation,” Jovan said. “For now, do what you can to help them apprehend the killer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“This doesn't mean that you're relieved from your original mission, Arc Kyrian,” Jovan said crisply. “If a prince has turned traitor, there is an even greater reason for you to see to my niece's safety. Protect her and the secret she carries, and if, at the end of this, she can possibly forgive me for failing her and her parents so horribly, bring her home, Arc Kyrian. Please, bring her home safe to her family.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will not fail you or her,” Kyrian said with a determined look at me.
“No, you will not,” Jovan said firmly and then a click announced the end of the conversation.
“Amara, before you—”
“I'm his fucking niece?!” I shouted.
“Yes,” Kyrian said gently. “It was why I was so certain that he hadn't given Prince Traegur the order to imprison you. King Jovan loved your father very much.”
“The Triari King was in love with Amara's father?” Davorin asked in shock.
Davorin stood in the open doorway with Landry and Malik; all three of them gaping at us.<
br />
“As a brother,” Kyrian said in exasperation. “Because they were brothers.”
“Holy holly berries!” Landry exclaimed. “Jetek never told me that he was royalty.”
“I imagine it wasn't something that he wanted known,” Malik murmured as he frowned at me.
Oh, did that make me less attractive to the heir to the Bleiten Throne? I suppose it might pose a problem if we ever dated. King Lucifer may not take kindly to the possibility of a royal, half-Triari daughter-in-law.
“I listened to the whole conversation,” I said. “I believe that King Jovan is innocent of my parents' murders and of my abduction by Prince Traegur. He just reaffirmed Kyrian's mission to protect me, and he sounded a bit broken up by the whole thing.”
“King Jovan is summoning Prince Traegur home to answer for his actions,” Kyrian said. “He should be leaving soon. Although, the Host will remain to see that Prince Atren's killer is brought to justice.”
“Good,” Landry said distractedly. “Now, if we can just find Slimer, we'll be in great shape.”
Landry turned and headed back into the bar.
“Land?” I chased after him and pulled him aside. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, kid; I'm fine,” Landry muttered. “What about you? You okay?”
“A little in shock,” I admitted. “But, yes; I'm fine.”
“Okay.”
“Landry?”
“I suppose you'll be going to meet your real family when this is done,” he muttered.
I gaped at him and then pulled him into a hug as tears stung my eyes and tightened my throat. “Landry, you are my real family.” I leaned back to add, “Some king that happens to share my blood can't replace you; not ever.”
“Thanks, kid,” Landry whispered and sniffed. “Okay, enough with the sappy shit. Let's go tell the others that you're an angel princess.”
“Oh, please no,” I groaned as Landry laughed.
But then I caught Malik's brooding stare, and I frowned back at him in question. He gave me a tight smile and stalked back to the table as if he needed something to kill. Well, there went that romance. I don't think I've ever been discarded so quickly.
