"Both."
That statement brought a stream of smoke from my nostrils. Reah was a close fit for the Queen of Galk. Her husband towered over her, much as I did over Reah.
Fuck.
Neither of us were susceptible to a Sirenali's obsessions—because we were High Demon. Perfect to substitute for the royal couple. At least they didn't appear to have much to do with one another, unless they were at a function which required it.
"Does this mean Lexsi will be in charge of Kifirin while Reah is gone? Does Reah know they want to put her on Galk?"
"I imagine she'll know soon, if she doesn't already. Her Larentii mate keeps her well-informed."
"Are you sure you don't want to come, too? As an advisor?"
"Only if there is no other option. I fear that duty may call me elsewhere in this."
"Who am I supposed to talk to, then?" Mom would say I was whining. I suppose she'd be right. Dave was still on Sirena; maybe I could ask for his company.
"Perhaps the Blevakian will agree to act as bodyguard?" Edden wanted to snicker, I could tell.
"Hell, he can be King in my place, and I'll act as bodyguard."
"There's something else you should know, too," Edden forced himself to be serious once more.
"What's that?"
"I believe your mother may take Prime Minister Fallah's place on Corez."
"Corez has been hit? That's awful. I've been several times to relax and unwind from the job."
"Even worse is that Fallah has been afflicted by an obsession. She is a strong leader, and Corez is just as stable as Hraede, nowadays. That would be a terrible blow to the Alliance."
"I get that. Why can't I go as Mom's bodyguard, then?"
"Because she has many mates, and at least two or three will insist on going with her. I believe Winkler, Rigo and Gavin have already submitted their reasons why they should go, although her Falchani mates are also attempting to fight their way in."
"Who'll watch Le-Ath Veronis?"
"Ah. The looming question," Edden smiled mysteriously. "I may have a guess, but nothing solid to base it on."
"And you won't tell me, will you?"
"It's only speculation at this point, so I'll keep it to myself."
"Fine."
"Tory, can we talk for a few minutes?" Reah's hand was suddenly on my arm, sending a jolt of electricity through me. We hadn't touched since—well, since we'd made Lexsi. Nobody had called me Tory, either, except Mom and only when we were alone.
My Thifilathi, too, was in immediate need at Reah's closeness. I forced it back.
"Sure." I handed my empty glass to Edden, who accepted it with a raised eyebrow and mute speculation.
Reah led me toward the front lawn, which was covered in decorative trees, each providing a canopy of privacy for NorthStar's residents. She stopped beneath a star-leaf tree, its supple limbs hanging down around us, similar to that of a weeping willow's.
We didn't need a divorce or separation; according to Alliance records, Torevik Rath was still as dead as a doornail. Mom's old phrase still made little sense, but it's the one that came readily to mind.
"Nefrigar is telling me that Edden may have spoken to you about Galk," Reah began. My shoulders lost some of their tenseness at her opening.
"He did."
"We should go."
"I," nothing more came out of my mouth. It was as if my brain were no longer connected to anything else in my body, and had forgotten how to form words or think, even.
"Tory, I know there's plenty of awful history between us. That doesn't mean we can't get along now, does it? Deep down, we know one another, don't we? We share the same heritage; we know what the other is and what they're capable of doing. You're different now. I think I am, too. Being able to keep Lexsi close to me has meant so much, and one day, she'll rule Kifirin. I couldn't have done that without you."
"It makes a hell of a difference when gods aren't fiddling with your reproductive system, doesn't it?" I winced when I considered how insensitive my words were.
"You're right," Reah agreed, brushing aside my callousness. "Nefrigar thinks this assignment won't last more than two months; he and the Wise Ones feel some sort of break is coming, but they can't say whether it'll be good or bad."
"So this is important," I dipped my chin in a thoughtful nod.
"Yes. I think it is."
"Then I'll do it."
"Good. We can make plans the last day you're here; Nefrigar says he'll bring me, and we can go to Galk afterward. Someone else will take away the obsessed King and Queen and we'll slide into their places. Grampa Denevik may come as a bodyguard."
"This could be dangerous, you know," I warned her.
"I know. We've done this before, remember?"
"Reah, when was the last time you went on an assignment?"
"A while, I suppose."
"Just—watch out for yourself. I'll watch your back as often as I can. Are there any others we can bring along? I get itchy every time I think about Galk."
"Something of your mother showing through?" Reah's eyes narrowed in conjecture.
"It happens now and then," I shrugged. "I'll talk to Zaria—maybe she'll find others who can come as extra bodyguards or something."
"I wouldn't mind a little help. More eyes and ears will only assist us in finding villains."
"I wish Ry could come with us," I sighed. "He's excellent at disguises and intrigue."
"How about Bel Erland instead?"
"He'd be a good one," I agreed. "What about Wyatt?"
"You don't mind your nephews coming along?"
"Are you kidding? They've both worked with the BlackWing Pirates. I'm proud to claim some kinship with them, whether they know who I am or not. They're your sons, Reah. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"They've offered their services to Lissa and Zaria. They're grown. They can make up their own minds."
"Plus they can be trusted. Are they immune to obsession?"
"Zaria confirms it, because their mother is part High Demon."
"You are an amazing mother, you know that?" I grinned at her.
"Thank you. I'm not sure you've ever said that to me before."
"If I haven't, then it's because I'm a difik. Come on, let's go eat. I'm starving."
Reah allowed me to take her elbow and steer her toward the back of the house, where we could hear laughter and conversation.
Zaria
"Are you prepared to allow Wyatt and Bel Erland to go with them?" Edden spoke softly next to me when Reah and Vik returned. We watched as they talked and filled their plates with food before joining Nefrigar, who was sitting on the pool deck absorbing sunlight.
"I am. Denevik will go with them, too, And I may have two others to send, but I'll fit them in as unknown spies and allies for those five."
"Have you decided what we'll be doing?"
"I have."
"And?"
"We're going to Kwark."
"Yes. I can see the sense in that."
Edden knew quite well that Kwark was the centrally-located hub to all the others, and closest to Galk. I suspected there was some foul purpose for the enemy to choose those two. Also, Kwark's Queen had five mates, who also served in some capacity in her government. She was the only one obsessed, but all five mates would be taken with her and kept safe.
"Who will be covering for Lissa?" Edden asked. He already suspected; his guess merely hadn't been verified.
"Bree. She's done it before. Nobody will know it isn't Lissa there on the throne of Le-Ath Veronis. You should have placed a bet on your guess—it was a good one."
"It would have been my choice, had I been Lissa. Also, the fewer people who know, the safer both will be," he added.
"You were the best High President Kondar ever had," I told him.
"You're too kind."
"And truthful."
"How will we hide Bleek's extra arms?"
"Oh, I have a plan," I smiled.
"I like your p
lans, especially if they make you smile."
"How will you hide my extra arms?" Bleek joined the conversation.
"Honey, the tech is readily available, and the consort you'll replace is having a birthday party next week."
"You mean a biotech conformer?"
"Yep. Except it will be fake and look like the real thing."
"I love you."
"I love you, too. Even if you have six lobes."
"Can I have the real thing afterward, to have six arms?"
"Only you would want that, but sure."
"I assume that Randl's crew will now be looking for evidence of D'slay, in addition to the Prophet?"
"That's the plan," I sighed. "They'll coordinate through me and I'll give him any information that Lissa, Reah, Nissa and the others gather on their hub worlds."
"I hope that this many of us, placed on strategic worlds, will find something of value," Tamp arrived with a fresh glass of wine for me. Ilya was right behind him, offering me a small plate of sliced gishi fruit.
"Zaria?" Kay joined my small group, with Ashe right behind her. She was staggeringly beautiful, and her soul shone behind bright-blue eyes that only the Elemaiya could produce.
"Kay," I left my wine and gishi fruit hanging in midair, so I could hug her.
"I think I can help somewhat," Kay told me when I let her go. "You'll need to know what the obsessions are that were placed on hub leaders. I may be able to get to those if I change aura lines."
"Now there's an idea," I nodded. "That could make our presence much more convincing, if we knew what they'd been ordered to do."
"I think so, too," Ashe agreed. "Kay had already offered to help those affected on hub worlds, and they'll be kept safe within the boundaries of SouthStar while we're doing our spying on their attackers."
"Good. Thank you for offering to house them," I said. "I was worried about that."
"I know you were—Lissa told me. I'll coordinate with you and the others when it comes time to remove the leaders you're replacing," Ashe went on. "It'll be a smooth transition, and the leaders will be placed in stasis until Kay can change aura lines for each of them."
"We'll explain that their exile is only temporary, or they could end up obsessed again, and I doubt anyone will want that," Kay said.
"Not when we can supply them with evidence of their behavior after the obsession," Ashe snorted. "They won't even recognize themselves or their actions."
"I assume you'll have the assistance of Nefrigar and the Larentii in handling that?"
"Yes. A Larentii's playback of any event is unquestioned in its veracity. Anyone who thinks otherwise is only deluding themselves."
"Then let's hope they behave rationally when you explain things to them."
"We'll find a way," Ashe offered a crooked grin. "Don't worry about that part—we'll handle it."
"Good."
"Let's eat," Kay leaned into Ashe.
"I was hoping you'd say that." They walked toward the buffet table, where plenty of food waited.
"Don't forget you're here to relax, dearest," Valegar took Ashe's place. "If you need help, I will do what I can."
"Let's sit down," I said. "I'm tired of standing."
"I will move us," Val offered and did so without ruffling so much as a hair on any of us.
Lissa
"Reah and Tory are going to Galk," Bree informed me as I tossed another silk tunic on the bed. I'd have to change the style of it with power, but I sure didn't want to wear somebody else's clothes while I was undercover.
"Have they worked that out, then?"
"They had a talk, according to Nefrigar."
"Zaria and her bunch are going to Kwark."
"That's suitable—a Queen with five consorts."
"Ashe will be housing all the leaders being replaced."
"Good idea."
"Who's going to Corez with you?"
"Winkler. Gavin, Rigo, Drake and Drew."
"Who'll act as First Advisor, then?"
"Rigo. He has the most experience, although Winkler's tail is in a knot over it."
"So, which two are the Secondary Advisors, and which ones are guards?"
"Gavin and Winkler are acting Secondary Advisors. Drake and Drew will carry traditional weapons, as the guards do near the royal couple."
"I hear those swords are merely decorative, and their edges are as dull as watermelons."
"Then somebody's in for a surprise if they try to attack us."
"Like dragons won't be enough if somebody tries that?"
"They'll have blades out, first. Dragons are the weapon of last resort."
"Sirenali can be incinerated by a dragon's fire, just like anybody else."
"You're really into this, aren't you?"
"I just don't want to take any chances," Bree sniffed.
"Will you be all right here, taking my place?" I asked her. "The first time wasn't a good memory for you."
"Everybody who needs to know will know, so that will eliminate any problems. Plus, I have a few mates who don't mind being disguised as the ones you're taking with you—in public, anyway."
"Now there's an idea," I grinned at her. "Nobody will know we're gone except the rest of my bunch."
"Whose lips will be sealed—I can make sure of it. Who will take President Yilisis' place on Murazal?"
"Well, you know how flamboyantly wealthy he is," I said.
"He's that, all right. Doesn't mean he can't govern when he sets his mind to it, though. That's why he was elected—because he's fair and firm."
"Zaria has asked Travis and Trent to act as bodyguards for Zanfield Staggs. A few others may be sent from Randl's staff. There's a new pod'l-morph recruit that may be put into play on this assignment."
"Zanfield agreed to this?"
"Are you kidding? He can't wait."
"But what about the ah, potential for obsession?"
"I think Zaria may have taken care of that."
"Good. I'd offer if she hadn't. Randl trusts him completely, and it only takes a second for Zaria or me to see he's worthy."
"Yeah—besides, nobody needs to be placed in that kind of danger without some sort of protection. We have more than enough problems as it is. Who's the pod'l-morph?"
"Someone who recently graduated from the ASD Academy. Randl asked me to ask Ildevar if we could ah, borrow him. Ildevar couldn't act fast enough to assign him to Randl's detail. His name is Rajeon Dare, and he's really, really good at what he does."
"His name has a good cadence to it. I hope I get to meet him, since he'll be working with Travis and Trent."
"I think that can be arranged. Eventually. Perri may go with Zanfield, as his fiancée, since Ylisis is engaged, now."
"Are they actually together—Perri and Zanfield?"
"I think Zanfield is working on it—slowly. She's had a lot of trauma in her life, and he knows to go slow with her."
"She's a good Fourth-level witch to have beside you," I conceded. "And her talent is power-scenting, so she'll know if anybody is placing spells they shouldn't."
"Good. Ashe and I will be helping Kay with the ones removed from those four worlds. Has Alrenardo already replaced Larvalis?"
"As of last night, while good old Larva was pupating."
"I suppose I should take him to SouthStar," Bree sighed.
"I'd suggest putting Renellia with him; she's already knocked up, so it won't matter if they're mating like bunnies while they're away."
"Maybe that will keep him from complaining," Bree said. "Is Renellia with him now?"
"Not yet. Nissa, Trik and Toff are waiting for us to take her before they go in."
"I can make the exchange," she offered.
"Sounds fine. Nissa complains that she doesn't see enough of her female relatives anyway."
"There aren't that many of us, you know." Bree grinned and folded away.
I had three daughters out of eight natural children if I counted Zaria, and two other adopted sons. One half-sis
ter was dead long ago; I hadn't known about Breanne for a very long time. My own mother was dead, as was Bree's. Our grandparents were also dead, all the way around.
"Kifirin, the old you fucked up," I announced to the air.
"I know," he rumbled, appearing before me. "I cannot Change What Was, avilepha, no matter how much I'd like to."
"I sometimes wonder why Zaria only changed a little with those girls," I sniffed.
"Perhaps she was hoping that they'd steer onto the proper course, once she opened the way for them. You see that they went right back to their old habits, without a backward glance or a shred of guilt?"
"I see it, definitely."
"This wasn't to save their lives, as Zaria is prone to do. Therefore, the choice is theirs. They made it, leaving their mother to suffer. Before you say it, I understand my role in all this. You cannot make me feel more ashamed of that than I already do. It grieves me to think on that period of my life."
"Honey, you were as much under someone else's thumb as they were under yours," I sighed.
"I have done some time-bending recently," he said. "To examine many of my deeds during that time. No, I did not interfere anywhere," he held up a hand to stop my question. "What I did find is this, however, and I have no idea what impact it will have for the future."
"What did you find?" I was becoming worried.
"Quislus managed to hide some of Earth's vampires from me—when I brought what I thought was the full population away and allowed the worst of them to die. I did not wish you to have to deal with the criminal element on Le-Ath Veronis."
"Let me guess—there are still criminal vampires on Earth, squirreled away somewhere with no Vampire Council to hold them back."
"Not all of them are criminals," Kifirin shook his head. "I'd say that the good and bad are almost evenly divided."
"One bad vampire can make up for a whole lot of good ones," I pointed out. "In a human population. And, with no Assassins or Enforcers to hunt them, they can get away with almost anything. Damn. This doesn't sound good, and there's no time to go hunting them now."
"Yes. Exactly. As I said, I have no idea what this means for the future, but I fear that it won't be anything good."
"Well, at least we know, don't we?"
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