Tremors of the Past

by Jamie A. Waters

  “True enough,” Felix agreed and glanced over at Brant. “But I’d rather not take any chances. You’d better hand over your commlink and any other toys, Omniboy.”

  Brant scowled at him. “Out of the question. I’m not giving you my commlink.”

  Kayla ignored his protests, sat up, and held out her hand. She wouldn’t be surprised if Brant was actively transmitting their location to Alec right now. If she had any hope of staying a step ahead of OmniLab, she needed him temporarily cut off from the towers. “Felix is right. If you want to stick around, you’ll hand it over. Otherwise, we’ll stop the transport right now and you can get out. I’m sure OmniLab will pick you up sooner or later. Hell, we’re still close enough you could even walk back.”

  When Brant continued to hesitate, Kayla narrowed her eyes. She might want him to stay from an energy standpoint, but she wasn’t planning on staying on the surface long enough for it to be much of a problem. “Time’s up, Brant. I’m not fucking around. Carl is out here somewhere, and I’m going to find him. Either play along or get the fuck off my ride.”

  Brant’s jaw clenched, but he pulled out his commlink and gave it to Kayla. She scanned him up and down and pointed to the band around his wrist. He’d used it on his last visit to the towers to communicate with other Inner Circle Shadows.

  “Seriously?”

  When she merely arched an eyebrow, he slipped off his secondary communication device and handed it to her. She looked down, admiring the sleek design for a long moment, and reached over and tossed both devices out the window. Brant’s mouth dropped open, his stunned expression almost comical.

  She sighed, hating the need to destroy such cool technology. “The wrist unit was nice, but I don’t have time to reprogram it.”

  Felix chuckled, and she winked at him before ducking back down to finish reconfiguring the transport’s control system. If Brant thought tossing his toys was bad, he was in for a rude awakening. He’d just fallen headfirst into her world… and everything he knew about life just flew out the window with the rest of his equipment.

  Chapter Nine

  Alec leaned back in his chair and listened to the argument between Marcus Staghorn and Lenora Ballentor. Lenora had been complaining more frequently, and the latest incident with the Coalition had given her more fuel for her arguments. Contrary to everything in the reports, she maintained that the entire situation with the Coalition had been handled badly. In her opinion, trading should continue and someone else should attempt to handle negotiations with the foreigners.

  “Woman, you are grating on my last nerve,” Marcus announced, slapping his hands on the table and standing up. “If any one of us had been in Alec’s shoes, we would have done the exact same thing. The Coalition has proven to be dishonorable with their actions.”

  Lenora stood, her blond hair elaborately coiffed on top of her head. She shook her finger at Marcus, the movement causing the heavy fabric of her elongated sleeve to brush against the top of the table. “Don’t take that tone with me, Marcus Staghorn. We need someone with more experience. Between this latest threat, the Shadows running amok, and the overall temperament in the towers, something needs to be done.”

  One of the other councilors leaned forward. “What are you proposing?”

  Lenora made a sweeping gesture to encompass everyone sitting at the table. “It’s up to us as the High Council to install someone who can handle the magnitude of these issues. Alec has done well, but what training has he had? For heaven’s sake, he learned about leadership from his father. We all know how Edwin Tal’Vayr’s reign ended.”

  Alec’s jaw clenched, but he remained silent. If there was one thing he’d learned by sitting in on these council meetings, it was that sometimes they needed to simply air their grievances. He’d give her some latitude, but she was quickly approaching the line. Lenora had been one of his father’s biggest supporters when he was alive. Now that he was gone, it was rather impressive how quickly she’d renounced her former loyalty.

  Devan Alivette frowned, leaned back in his chair, and clasped his hands over his midsection. “I suppose you think you’re the best suited for the job, Lenora?”

  Alec resisted the urge to smirk. Devan Alivette was Jason and Ariana’s father. Although he’d had some differences with Devan in the past, the powerful water channeler was deeply respected and even feared by some of the Inner Circle. He collected alliances and favors like rare artifacts, hoarding them until they could be used to maximize his effectiveness in swaying decisions in his favor. The fact he was speaking up now was somewhat reassuring. At the very least, those who owed him favors would hesitate before throwing in their lot with Lenora. There was no love lost between Devan or Lenora, and everyone at the table knew it.

  Lenora gave him a sickly-sweet smile. “Not necessarily, but even you can’t argue about my wealth of experience sitting on this council. But if not me, there are plenty of other qualified options to choose from. I simply think this situation requires someone with more leadership experience.”

  She leaned forward, resting her hands on the table. “For example, I was aghast to learn a Shadow had attacked Seara’s daughter last night. Instead of having all the Shadows detained, they’re still running around the towers. They’re a threat to all of us, and something must be done. Alec even still has one of them guarding Kayla. After everything that poor girl has been through, she needs protection from their kind, not hand-delivered into their clutches.”

  Alec resisted the urge to call her out on her bullshit. Lenora didn’t give a damn about Kayla. In fact, Lenora had supported his father during the council meeting when they’d broken the bracelets. If it weren’t for Lenora’s efforts in providing Edwin with additional energy, things might have turned out differently. He suspected this was just another attempt of Lenora’s to disparage the Shadows.

  Another council member inclined his head. “You’re quite right as always, Lenora. At the very least, the Shadows should be exiled from our tower and sent to live with the commoners. They have no place in the Inner Sanctum.”

  Lenora’s eyes lit up in approval. “Astute as always, William. I suggest we put it to a vote.”

  William Gavron stood and nodded, the light from the ceiling reflecting off his balding head. “I agree. We should also discuss someone acting as regent for Alec. I would personally be willing to take on that duty until it’s determined Alec has obtained the necessary experience. We don’t need a repeat of what happened with his father.”

  Marcus pounded his fist against the table. “This is outrageous! I will not sit here and be a party to your power play. Your family will never hold such a position as long as mine still exists.”

  Several other council members stood and began arguing. Alec rose, prepared to intervene, but Seara placed her hand on his arm and shook her head. Instead, she stood and raised her hands for silence. A thunderous explosion of energy slammed the room, causing the walls to tremble. Several people gasped, and the collective room fell silent, each of them turning their attention toward the petite, dark-haired woman.

  Seara didn’t often use her abilities in that manner, but the effortless show of force was a blatant reminder she wasn’t merely a figurehead. Her family had been one of the oldest and most powerful in the towers, even before she’d married Kayla’s father. That same power shone brightly as she swept her fierce gaze over each of the councilors. They all sat back down, an uneasy silence descending upon the room.

  “That’s quite enough,” she declared. “I was under the impression this meeting was called to discuss our future plans and how they relate to the Coalition and outside trading. While the events in the past are regrettable, we all have the best interest of OmniLab at heart. We’ve made an effort to reach out to Lars and the others who were banished from the towers. Whether we can repair the rift between us remains to be seen. Regardless of what happens, however, Alec is not on trial for any wrongdoing. I suggest we focus on the facts at hand rather than idle gossip and spe
culation.” She directed the last comment to Lenora. The woman huffed in her seat but remained silent.

  Marcus nodded in approval. “I agree. While the trading suspension will affect our economy slightly, the alternative is far too dangerous. I’m happy to provide my services to establish the truth barrier to assist in discovering the possible traitors.”

  Devan leaned back in his chair. “I’ll assist in holding the barrier as well.”

  Alec inclined his head, accepting both offers. “Your assistance would be appreciated. I’ll have my assistant contact yours to determine a convenient time to begin the process.”

  His commlink buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the incoming urgent message and resisted the urge to swear. Instead, he kept his face carefully blank as he stood. Seara looked over at him, and he held up his commlink and motioned toward the door. She nodded at him and said, “I’ll handle the rest of the meeting.”

  With a brief nod toward the other councilors, he made his apologies and exited the room. The moment he was outside, he met up with Commander Thomas who had been waiting for him.

  “How the hell did this happen?” Alec snapped, storming toward the priority elevators.

  Thomas hastened to match his pace. “She set a fire as a distraction in the sublevel basement and set off the alarms. The environmental system initiated emergency protocol procedures. We’re running a damage report now.”

  “How the hell did she get the doors open?” Alec demanded. “I warned you she would try something like this.”

  “Someone attempted to access the bay doors using your previous codes from a terminal near the basement, but we had all requests blocked from that tower, as you suggested. A few minutes later, someone used security access codes from this tower to get the doors open.”

  Alec’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t slacken his pace. Only Inner Circle members, authorized personnel, and security officers had access to this tower. Kayla’s friends were being housed in the other tower, so it couldn’t have been one of them. Someone else had to be involved. “Who opened them?”

  “We don’t know yet. We’re tracing it now. When they left, Kayla took a convoy of supplies. We’re assuming she’s headed to one of the surface camps.”

  Alec pressed his palm on the elevator control pad. “I’m sure she did. I want surveillance in the air in the next five minutes. Who’s with her?”

  Thomas began entering commands into his tablet. “Brant Mason and one of the surface dwellers named Felix Roads. It appears Brant aided her in the escape. He’ll be taken into custody as soon as he’s apprehended.”

  Alec shook his head and relaxed a fraction. The fact Brant had managed to accompany her was one of the few positives about the situation. “No. I authorized Brant to do whatever was necessary to remain by her side. I was expecting something like this. I want you to find out whose access codes were used to open the doors. If they were opened using a terminal in this tower, Brant couldn’t have been responsible.”

  Thomas frowned but didn’t argue. As furious as he was, Alec couldn’t help but admire Kayla’s ingenuity and determination. There had been no doubt the willful woman would attempt to escape the towers. He’d only hoped to eliminate the threat against her first. The thought of Lars luring her out of the towers sent a chill through him. While he trusted Brant to protect her, he was just one man. The former ruin rat accompanying her was another concern. He didn’t know anything about the man except from the brief report he’d skimmed through after Kayla mentioned knowing him.

  “I want a copy of Felix’s personnel files sent to me immediately. She has a history with him. I want to know the details. Interview his camp companions and find out what Trader Rand knows about him.” He paused, considering everything he knew about Kayla’s friends. “Did Veridian Levanthe accompany her?”

  Thomas made a note on his tablet and shook his head. “No. He contacted one of the security stations on the sub-basement level shortly after the incident and requested to speak with you. They’re holding him there for you.”

  Alec nodded. “Have him brought up. I’ll speak with him now. I also want the rest of her camp companions interviewed. Find out what they know.” Stepping out when the elevator doors opened, he headed toward his family’s quarters. “Brant embedded a tracking device into one of Kayla’s boots. I believe you’re correct, and she’s most likely heading to her former camp with the supplies. Monitor her and keep an extraction team close, but do not interfere unless she’s in immediate danger or leaves that camp.”

  Thomas frowned. “You don’t want them to return her to the towers immediately?”

  Pressing the button to open the door, he entered his quarters. Of course he wanted her back. He wanted to tie the infernal woman to his bed and not let her go until she agreed to stop acting recklessly. Unfortunately, he needed to move cautiously. If he showed his hand too soon, she’d just figure out another way to circumvent him. Alec activated the terminal in his common area and pulled up the surveillance feed from the sub-basement area.

  “I want you to get your men into position, but do not engage until I give the order. If there’s any sign of activity from Lars or the Coalition, suspend the order and bring her in immediately. I believe I may be able to convince her to return.”

  “Understood,” Thomas agreed.

  “In the meantime, you need to continue expanding the search for Trader Carl. Kayla is the priority, but it’ll be much easier to convince her to return if he’s back in the towers.” Alec glanced toward the window overlooking the barren landscape. “Once you’ve made the arrangements, contact Seara. I’ll need to break the news her daughter has disappeared… again.”

  Kayla wiped the sweat out of her eyes. The ride to Leo’s camp on the slow-moving transport was hot, miserable, and had taken way too long. She’d seen the drones overhead and knew it was only a matter of time before Alec swooped in. Regardless of her precautions, OmniLab had managed to track them. They only had a brief window before they’d either need to find another camp where they could crash or go underground.

  Leo’s eyes narrowed on her, and he pointed to the exit. “Oh, hell no. Not again. Get out of my camp, girl. You’re nothing but trouble.”

  Kayla put her hands on her hips and returned his glare. “Trouble? What kind of ass-monkey turns away the person who brought your missing supplies? Tell your one brain cell to stop fighting for dominance and try looking at the big picture instead.”

  Leo snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, eyeing Brant with distaste. “Fine. You and the shipment can stay, but I don’t want an Omni in my camp. Get him out of here.” He looked over her shoulder as though expecting someone else. “Where’s your trader? Is he going to be beating down my door next?”

  “It’s just us, and Brant’s with me. If you have a problem with that, I’ll take that convoy outside to the next camp. Make your choice, Leo. Do you want your supplies or not?”

  Leo scowled and turned to Mack. “We should have packed up and left by now. This crap is starting to become a habit. Omnis and traders in my camp. It’s one big clusterfuck. Figure out a new location so we can get out of this shithole. Everyone has our damn address now.”

  Kayla threw her helmet down. She’d known it was going to be an uphill battle with Leo, but she didn’t have time for this. “Yeah. You’re a habit I’d like to kick too. With both feet.” She gestured to the transport out front. “Those are the damn supplies you needed. V gave me your message. So quit bitching and have your boys bring them in. All trading is shut down between camps, so that’s the last shipment you’re going to get for a while, unless you pull your head out of your ass and help me.”

  Mack frowned. “What’s going on, darlin’? We heard the shipments were canceled, but is there something more happening?”

  Kayla sighed. At least Mack would be a voice of reason. She nodded and quickly explained the situation. She told them about the Coalition’s attack and Carl being abducted.

  Leo shrugged, b
ut she saw the slight crease of worry on his forehead. “What the hell do I care if Sergei and Lars go after OmniLab? The Coalition will trade with us just as easily as the towers. OmniLab’s never done shit for any of us. I’m not getting involved in their pissing contest. If you knew what was good for you, you’d do the same.”

  She hesitated. This is where everything could fall apart. Her former camp might treat her differently once they learned about her past, but she needed to convince them OmniLab wasn’t their enemy. It was only a matter of time before they found out about her heritage anyway. “That’s not exactly true. I—”

  Brant interrupted her. “OmniLab has tentative plans to build another tower for the ruin rats. Kayla has been assisting them with design concepts. She wants to offer all of you the opportunity for a permanent home. If you choose to accept it, you would still have the flexibility to work on the surface. This would give you access to the same quality medical care, food, and supplies available within the towers.”

  Leo’s head jerked toward Kayla. She caught a brief glint of hope in his eyes before they narrowed in suspicion. “Is this true, girl?”

  Kayla gaped at Brant. He gave her a warning look and the briefest shake of his head. That one movement made it clear he didn’t want her to reveal her identity. She turned back to Leo and nodded.

  “Yeah. It’s still in the preliminary stages. I met with a few designers to go over some ideas. It’s not definite yet, but they’re exploring the possibilities. They’ll need everyone’s help with construction and acquiring the resources though.”

  Leo crossed his arms and snorted. “I’m not one for Omni fairy tales. Until I see it with my own eyes, I’ll deal in cold, hard facts. The only fact I see here is you bringing trouble, along with a pallet of supplies, into my camp.”

  Mack blew out a breath and ran a hand over his shaved head. “I hate to say it, but Leo’s right, darlin’. We can’t get involved if OmniLab and the Coalition are going up against each another. It’s not our fight. If OmniLab’s shutting off trade between camps, we can’t afford to piss off Lars.”