“What do you mean?” Becca asked. “You…you’re dying?”
“More like fading.” Vashtar sighed and his rotund form began to look transparent. “It is time. Remember I told you that I am the last one left in the Mindscape? It’s very lonely without the others of my kind—without my two mates, Selba and Tims.” He looked wistful. “I should like to rejoin them soon.”
“I hope you can,” Becca said softly. “And thank you, Vashtar. Without you, we never would have gotten together.”
“Or found the cure for the unmated males,” Far added.
“My brother and Rebecca are right but I am curious about one thing,” Truth said. “Why did you tell us all that ridiculous nonsense about dipping the amulet in water and then spraying it on the possessed ones? Sylvan tried it and it didn’t work at all.”
“Why because, my dear Truth…” Vashtar’s third eye winked conspiratorially. “If I had told you how you actually had to activate it—that you had to bond together completely in order to make it work—would you have still gone seeking it?”
“I…” Truth frowned and seemed to consider. “At the time you first visited us, no,” he admitted. “I am ashamed to admit it but back then I had no wish to be bound as we are now.”
“You have grown much, my son.” Vashtar smiled at him fondly. “All three of you have. Which is why I can leave you now, content in the knowledge that the ways of the OneMind will live on.”
“Wait,” Becca said as he started to fade. “I have to know—did the Goddess send you to us?”
“Ah, as to that, only the eye can say for certain.” Vashtar’s third eye winked at them solemnly and Becca knew she wouldn’t get a clearer answer no matter how many times she asked.
“Go in peace, Vashtar,” Far said, smiling at the little man. “And thank you again for all you did for us—whether it was by the Goddess’ will or not.”
“But…are you really going to let yourself die?” Becca whispered, feeling sad.
Vashtar nodded. “It is time. And though my light is extinguished in this vast universe, I go knowing that I have been able to spark a new light before I die. That is true happiness.”
With a last wink of his third eye, he faded from view. The mist around them cleared, and they found themselves back in the park before the Unmated Males area.
Commander Sylvan was looking down at them, a worried expression on his face.
“What happened to the three of you?” he demanded as they scrambled to their feet. “For about three minutes you were just frozen there—not moving or speaking and barely even breathing. I was beginning to be really worried.”
“We entered into one of Far’s visions together,” Truth answered for them.
“Don’t worry,” Becca added quickly, seeing the dismayed look on Sylvan’s face. “It was a good one. It was Vashtar again—he just wanted to say goodbye.”
“And is the threat resolved?” Sylvan asked.
“Yes.” Truth nodded firmly. “The demons are all imprisoned in the black shadow stone. Vashtar said to be certain it is set adrift in space to act as an eternal prison for them.”
“I’ll have it done at once.” Sylvan smiled and then offered an arm to Far. “Glad to have you back.”
“Glad to be back.” Far clasped with him and smiled.
“I’d like to have you down to the Med center to do some tests,” Sylvan said. “But you look perfectly healthy to me.”
“We’ll bring him down anyway,” Becca said. “But, um, maybe later.”
She was touching both her men, standing between them, and she was suddenly aware of the warm, familiar tingle of desire running through her body. She was further aware that she was only wearing a thin sheet—and she wanted to be wearing a lot less in a short time.
“Truth? Far?” she sent through their bond.
“Yes, Rebecca?”
“What do you wish, mi’now?”
“You know what I wish, boys. I wish to be back at Truth’s suite with both of you, naked.”
A low appreciative growl from Truth and a hot look from Far were more than enough to let Becca knew her men approved of her suggestion.
“All right.” Sylvan was looking at the three of them, a knowing little smile playing around the corners of his mouth. “I see where this is going. The three of you go and renew your bond. I’ll see you in a day…or a week…or whenever you can let go of each other long enough to drop by the Med center.”
“Thanks, Commander Sylvan.” Becca spared him a smile and then hooked her arms through her men’s again and gave them a tug. “Come on, boys—take me home.”
Chapter Forty-seven
“So Far is back to normal? I mean, completely back to normal?” Kat raised an eyebrow at Becca.
“Uh-huh. And then some. At least he seemed to be last night. And the night before that… And the day before that…” Becca blushed. It had been several days since Far had come back to them and she was taking a short break in the sex-marathon that had become her existence lately to visit with friends.
“Uh-huh.” Kat grinned at her. “Now that’s what I like to hear. You’re going to be having some pretty hot bonding sex for a while, doll. Believe me, after Deep came back from the great beyond, he and Lock and I couldn’t get enough of each other for like three months.”
"Kor and I were the same way. It's amazing how fast they heal." Maggie, who was also visiting, shook her bouncy blonde curls and gave Becca a friendly smile. "I mean, Commander Sylvan just barely released him from the Med Center and he was all over me!" She blushed. "Not that I mind."
“Me either. I hardly wanted to leave my guys to come over here,” Becca admitted. “But the two of them shooed me away. Apparently they’re making a special supper and they want it to be a surprise.”
“Kindred do love to cook for their women,” Liv remarked.
“They’re pretty damn good at it too,” Kat agreed and bit down on the chocolate donut hole she was holding in one hand. “Speaking of which—Ugh. This sure wasn't made by hand." She made a face. “It's awful! Where’s Lauren when you need her?”
“Um, maybe recovering from giving birth?” Sophie suggested, rolling her eyes. “Honestly, Kat woman—you’re even worse than Livvy was about your pregnancy cravings!”
“You take that back!” Kat stabbed a finger at her. “Nobody was as bad as Liv! May I remind you that she made us make her seaweed sandwiches? With peanut butter?”
"Seaweed with peanut butter? Really?" Maggie looked disgusted.
"Not to mention waffles with ketchup and all kinds of other things it makes me gag just to remember!" Kat exclaimed.
“Okay, okay…” Sophie held up a hand, laughing. “You win. And I’m sorry you don’t like the donuts I brought. I guess Dunkin Donuts just can’t compare with Lauren’s gourmet recipes.”
“That’s all right.” Kat gave a long suffering sigh. “I’ll just have to make do. But next time go to Krispy Kreme. At least their stuff doesn’t taste like frosted cardboard."
"I love Krispy Kreme," Becca gushed. "It's my mom's favorite too. We used to get a big box of the plain glazed every Sunday after mass and..." She trailed off, biting her lip.
"What is it, doll?" Kat asked gently. "Thinking about how your folks are going to react when you introduce your guys to them?"
Becca sighed. "The thought did cross my mind once or twice. I've been so happy the last couple of days it's easy to forget what's waiting for me down on Earth the moment I bring Far and Truth to meet my family."
"You're going to just go for it like that?" Liv gave a long, low whistle. You're brave, I'll give you that."
Becca lifted her chin.
"Well, they have to find out sometime. And this way at least my mom can finally give up the idea that I'll ever go back to the convent."
"That's a good point," Kat said dryly. "I don't know too many nuns who have twin husbands hanging around. But you should just come right out and tell them, don't beat around the bush. And while
you’re at it—”
A knock at the front door interrupted her.
“Who could that be?” Liv asked.
“I have no idea. Becca, could you get it?” Kat asked, gesturing to her belly. “Getting up is getting harder and harder.”
“Of course.” Becca jumped up and went to the door. When it slid open, she was surprised to see Garron standing there. “Oh, Garron—hello. Come in.” She motioned him into the living area. He came willingly enough but then just stood there, looking around at Kat and Liv and Sophie and Maggie uncertainly.
“Apologies,” he began. “I, um, was led to believe that my brother, Truth was here.”
“Oh, he’s not but these are my friends.” Becca made the introductions and Garron bowed deeply to all of the women in turn.
“Well met, friends of my brother’s mate,” he murmured. “Forgive me for interrupting your fellowship.”
“No problem at all,” Kat said, smiling at him. “Becca told me a little about you. Aren’t you the brother that stabbed Truth and nearly scared her to death?”
“Um, yes…” Garron looked uneasy. “But I assure you it was necessary and I knew he would recover. I have made many apologies to Becca for causing her grief—”
“Oh, stop,” Becca said quickly. “I’m not mad at you, Garron. Kat is just teasing you. You know—trying to be funny.”
“Oh.” He nodded and gave Kat a stiff smile. “A very funny joke, my lady.”
“No, it’s not if it made you feel uncomfortable. I’m sorry, Garron,” Kat said.
“It’s all right.” The big warrior nodded at her, looking a little less uneasy. “I’m still getting used to Kindred ways. Since…” He cleared his throat. “Since it looks like I will not be going back to Pax.”
“Oh, Garron, I’m so sorry!” Becca put a hand on his arm. “Did you speak to your mom about it?”
He nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. Ama has forbidden me to return—or rather, T’lar has. They have declared me Ver’bain in my absence.”
Becca frowned. “Wait—I know that O’ahn means you don’t have a dr’gin. But what’s Ver’bain?”
“Unwanted.” Garron looked away, his lovely turquoise eyes shaded with grief. “Outcast.”
“Oh, Garron!” Becca wanted to hug him but she was afraid he wouldn’t like that—especially not in front of four females he didn’t know.
“It’s fine,” he said stiffly. “I am doing quite well in my new home here aboard the Mother Ship.”
“Oh? Have they given you a suite?” Liv asked.
Garron shook his head. “I am staying in the Unmated Males area and getting along fine. I have my own small room—it is enough.”
“Oh, well now that everything is back to normal there I’m sure it’s lovely,” Sophia said brightly.
“And you never can tell,” Kat added. “There are lots of Earth girls not far from here. You might start dream sharing with one at any time.”
“Dream sharing?” Garron frowned. “I don’t understand. What’s that?”
“It’s when a Kindred’s mind aligns with his chosen female,” Liv explained. She looked at Becca. “Did you and Truth and Far ever dream share?”
Becca shook her head. “I don’t think so. We all just sort of fell together so suddenly after I ate Kat’s wedding cake—we really didn’t have time.”
"I dreamed of Kor," Maggie said softly. "And he looked exactly as I'd dreamed when I found him."
“But…what kinds of dreams do you share?” Garron asked, looking worried. “Are they good dreams…or bad ones?”
“Well, that depends,” Liv said. “I had terrible dreams about Baird a long time before he actually came to claim me. But I found out later that was because he was being held in prison and tortured.” She shivered. “Those dreams were awful.”
“But the sharing isn’t always in dreams, either,” Sophie put in. “I mean, the way I knew I was hooked on Sylvan was the fact that every time I painted a picture he showed up in it—even when I tried to leave him out.”
“Really?” Garron shook his head. “This is all very confusing to me.”
“Most Kindred stuff seems confusing at first,” Kat said comfortingly. “Don’t worry, hon—you’ll get used to it.”
“I’m sure I will.” Garron looked at Becca. “Apologies, Becca, but I think I’ve trespassed on your time with your fellow females for long enough. Could you tell me where Truth might be? There is something…” He coughed and his cheeks went red. “Something I wish to discuss with him.”
“Oh—he and Far are back at our suite, making a meal together,” Becca said, wondering what in the world he could have to discuss with his brother that would make him embarrassed. “You can join us if you like. I know you don’t know hardly anybody here yet—our door is always open to you.”
“Thank you.” Garron gave her a genuinely warm smile. “You’re very kind. Truth was lucky to find a female like you.”
“That’s so sweet.” Becca smiled at him. “So I’ll see you for dinner? Um, last fare?” she amended, remembering that was what the Rai'ku called it.
“Maybe.” Garron’s turquoise eyes slid away evasively. “But even if I don’t attend, thank you for the invitation.” He bowed to Becca and then bowed once more, deeply to Liv, Kat, Sophie, and Maggie. “Ladies, it was good to meet all of you. I will take my leave now.”
Becca saw him to the door and watched it swish shut behind him with a heavy feeling in her heart. Kat must have seen the feelings written on her face because when Becca came back she nudged her gently with one elbow.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s just Garron.” Becca sighed. “I just feel terrible for him—he seems so lost up here on the Mother Ship. And I can’t help feeling like it’s my fault he got kicked out of his home planet.”
“Listen, if what you’ve been telling us about Pax is true, it sounds like you did him a favor,” Liv said.
“He’s going to be fine once he settles in,” Maggie chimed in.
“And with eyes like those?” Kat whistled appreciatively. “Not to mention he’s got the Kindred build—he’ll be dream sharing with some girl in no time.”
“I don’t think so,” Becca said. “He had a girl he was really in love with and, well…she got killed.” Remembering Garron’s sad story about Nella still put a lump in her throat.
“Oh, poor guy,” Sophie said sympathetically. “I hope he’ll be okay.”
“I do too,” Becca said softly, thinking of her new brother-in-law. But she had a worried feeling about Garron she just couldn’t shake.
A feeling that something was about to happen that would change his life forever…
Epilogue
Ur the demon wandered the halls of the Mother Ship, seeking a new host.
Being cast from the body of the warrior he had chosen still angered him—how dare the host deny him his rightful place? For a time he’d had high hopes that the vision he had twisted in the girl, Becca’s mind, would bear fruit and allow him to find his way into the warrior Truth after all. But then the Goddess had interfered—not to mention that round little fool, Vashtar.
Ur’s hopes had been shattered and then, to make matters worse, all of his brethren had been banished to the blackness of space. It was a wrong that must be avenged although how he was to do that, he did not know. Though he himself had been able to escape the pull of the shadow stone, no other demon had. Ur was the only one of his kind left aboard the Mother ship.
He was not used to being defeated and his spirit form hummed with anger as he cast about, looking for a new body to inhabit.
The problem was, all the unmated males were protected by the lingering essence of that damn amulet—the star of purity—which Vashtar had given them. The star’s influence contaminated them. Ur knew living inside a male tainted by the star would be intolerable. The rest of the males on the ship were all mated, their minds protected and made inviolable to a demonic presence by the bonds they had with thei
r females.
Though he tried again and again, Ur found all the minds around him locked to his prying mental fingers. It was no use—every one he tried was sealed tightly shut against him, protected by the sickening love bond which proved an impassible barrier.
All of which left Ur with no place to go. A lesser demon would have dissipated or allowed his essence to be drawn back to the Black Planet.
Ur was not lesser.
I will not be defeated, he hissed to himself as he stalked through the long, twisting metal corridors for the thousandth time. I will find a host—and then I will make them pay. Make them pay for evicting my brethren and locking me out.
Though he was invisible and had no physical presence unless he exerted an exhausting mental effort, his essence could still be sensed by the corporal beings walking through the hallways. They shivered as Ur passed through them, as though a cold wind had blown through the corridor. Some experienced sad or depressive thoughts—others had brief, violent impulses or unspeakable mental images which they quickly shrugged off when the demon passed by. One young human girl actually burst into tears as Ur passed through her.
He had a brief impression of her mind—she was unmated which left her open and vulnerable. Had he wished, he could have taken her over as easily as putting on a suit of clothing. But she was female which would have made for an uncomfortable fit. Besides, he knew from so lately indwelling the human scientist, that an Earthly body could not hold up to his demonic presence for very long at all. No, he had best continue his search for the perfect male Kindred host. One who was strong, one without ties or bonds of any kind to keep Ur out.
He had thought that the Kindred warrior Truth had no such bonds and then his brother and their chosen female had somehow cast Ur out anyway. And now, of course, the three of them were completely bonded, putting Truth forever beyond his reach. How they had managed to do that when he had been so sure—?
Ur stopped suddenly, feeling a pull. Scanning the area, he tried to determine where it had come from. He was right in front of one of the Kindred’s many Med Centers—could the feeling be coming from there?
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