by Riley Storm
But what else can I do? The House needs a Captain, and you’re it until someone says otherwise.
On the screen, the door opened again. Kirell frowned, wondering who else was coming. Was the Queen here to review her remaining guards? He panicked and strode out of his office at the double before seeing anything but a vague figure on the screen.
“Captain on deck!” one of the senior guardsmen shouted, and all fifteen men slammed to attention.
Kirell barely noticed. “What are you doing here?” he growled in a low voice, coming to a halt in front of Natalia. “How did you find this place?”
“I asked someone,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I’m not helpless you know. Besides, I couldn’t stay in that room any longer. What’s going on here?”
He forced his jaw to remain shut so he didn’t gape at her in front of his men, but he could already feel curious eyes trying to figure out what was going on.
“My office is over here,” he said in a more even voice. “You can watch the review from there, my love.”
Natalia grinned at being acknowledged publicly. “Thank you.” She linked an arm through his and followed him up the metal stairs and into the second-floor office.
“Listen,” he said the instant the door closed behind them. “I’ll make you a deal, right here, right now. I’ll show you around where I can, but you have to promise not to go wandering around the house without me. Those are the terms, take them or leave them.”
“And if I don’t agree?”
“Then you go back to your old life and worry about the Queen’s watchful eye finding you if you slip up,” he said coldly. “This is no time for games, Natalia. There are things going on here you aren’t aware of.”
He saw his words sink home, and hoped she picked up on the dangerous situation she’d just placed herself in. By revealing herself to everyone, he could no longer keep her secret and safe.
And Klebra would know she was here now.
“Am I in danger in your own house?” she asked cautiously, looking past him and around the room.
“More than you know. Now, I have to go do my job. I’ll explain what I can to you later, once we’re back in my quarters, but for now, please, stay here. Okay?”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Good. Thank you. I won’t be leaving this room. I just need to talk to my men. Hopefully I can keep calm knowing I’m being watched.” He winked at her to try and lighten the mood somewhat.
He wasn’t sure if it worked or not, but he knew he had to get back out there before the rumor mill completely destroyed his credibility.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine. Go get them, love,” she said with fake emotion, sticking out her tongue.
Keeping his snort to himself, Kirell exited the room, standing up straight.
“At ease,” he called out as the men came back to attention. “At ease.”
They relaxed, feet apart, hands behind their backs. The guards weren’t a military outfit, not exactly, but they acted like one much of the time.
Basic training procedures were drilled into all new recruits, including coming to attention and parade rest. They didn’t do any marching drills and the like, because nobody wanted that sort of formality in the House.
He stood in front of them and looked them over. His senior men stood in front.
Kellas, an old friend.
Kedd, an acquaintance, but a good soldier.
Klaue. A relative unknown, but from all reports, an outstanding soldier and his seniormost man.
Krave. He knew almost nothing about the man, except what he’d read in his folder. Solid. Loyal. Eager but unimaginative, according to the late and unlamented Captain Kven.
He looked them over along with the other soldiers, many of whom he recognized, and tried not to let his heart ache over those missing from the formation. There were several new faces, soldiers who had been assigned to other locations but who had returned home to assist the House in its time of need.
The speech he’d come up with in his head faded away as he looked over the assembled men. Now isn’t the time for speeches. He’d thought it was, but one look at the hardened faces staring back at him changed his mind. No, now was the time to address them personally, not as a group.
“I’m not going to sugar-coat things for you,” he said calmly. “You all know what happened last week, how Ursa was nearly torn in half by greed, gluttony and a lust for power… How those traitors to the throne rose up and nearly overthrew our rightful rulers. None of that was kept secret, and many of you fought with me to cut out the cancer.”
He paused, looking over the assembled shifters, from his highest-ranking officer down to the newest recruit.
None of them reacted adversely to his harsh words, but that had been too much to hope for; no traitor worth their salt would let themselves be discovered his easily. Whoever they were, they could blend in, slipping right under everyone’s noses.
“There are sixteen of us, and we need to do the job of over twice our number, if we are to keep the House protected. That’s a lot of work and there’s no way around it. We lost a lot of good men in the fighting, and I will not see their memories tarnished by us slacking in our duties.”
Okay, he was making a speech after all. Damn.
“Klaue. I want you in charge of the interior. We must be on alert, in case there are any further intrusions. Canis knows what happened here, and I wouldn’t put it past them to try and gain the upper hand because of it.”
Even more of an upper hand. The greedy bastards.
With Ursa in shambles, Canis was the most powerful, and they wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to maintain that position. He wanted his men aware of this, and on constant alert for any meddling by the troublesome wolves.
“Kedd. Outer perimeter of the house itself. Driveway, pathways, the backyard. Make it impenetrable.”
“Kellas. The border. If anyone penetrates it, I want to know about it before it happens.”
The trio nodded, and he doled out three men to accompany each of them as well. That left himself, Krave, and two men unassigned. Conveniently, both men were also newcomers.
Not that it’s a coincidence at all.
Kirell needed men he could trust to help him with the other task. Men who hadn’t been tainted by the rebellion. The two newly-returned guards had been in postings for over three years each. He deemed both of them to be loyal still. Krave, based on everything he’d ever heard of the man and the interactions between one another, was as loyal as they’d come. He’d advanced up the chain of command not by imagination, but by length of service.
It was Klaue he was most worried about. The man was a natural charismatic leader. Kirell knew it; he’d observed the man’s rapid rise up the ranks. If anyone could rally others to him and convince them that removing the Queen was a good idea, it was him. By assigning him to the security of the interior, he could keep a close eye on him.
Kellas and Kedd, he trusted completely. They had grown up together, and Kedd was as close with Kellas as he was to anyone; not that it said much about the recluse, but Kirell didn’t doubt his loyalty to the throne.
“Come up with your plans and report back to me. I know manpower is tight. Do the best you can until others return home.” He nodded once, dismissing the twelve men.
The leaders gathered up their charges and left. Only Klaue looked back over his shoulder at him briefly, before disappearing.
Kirell exhaled heavily, forgetting for a moment that Krave and two others were still present.
Shit. Not a good start.
“What do you require from us Captain?” Kedd asked once they were alone.
“Anyone who believes that every traitor has been found is an idiot, Krave. Your job, and yours as well,” he said, encompassing the two others, “is to find out who.”
“How?” Kedd spoke for the others.
Kirell nodded to himself. He’d made the right choice. Krave was radiating an intensity, a desire to pr
ove himself, as were the two others. These men would give him everything they had in the quest to root out any remaining traitors.
“To start? We’re going to watch a lot of video. We’re going to review every minute of the day of the attacks. We’re going to trace everyone’s actions, from the King on down, and make sure they’re all accounted for. That they never acted against the House.”
His men were nodded eagerly. They were ready to get to work putting the House back together again. They wanted to be a part of the solution.
So do I. Let’s just hope my actions lead us there, and not further into ruin.
23
“You really didn’t have to wait.”
Stretching, Natalia lifted herself from his office chair and wandered over to where he leaned against the doorway. “I know, but what else was I going to do? I should probably be learning what it is you do and what goes on around here, right?”
“Did you learn a lot sitting here by yourself for three hours?” He was teasing her.
“You have three hundred and sixty-eight ceiling tiles.”
Kirell glanced up. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” She had no idea, she was making it up. The truth was, she’d spent most of the time napping in his oversized chair. “Did you get a lot accomplished?”
“We got a start. There’s a lot of footage to review. It’s going to take some time.”
“Are you done, on break? What’s the deal?”
“We’re done,” he said, pivoting on one foot and heading down the stairs. “Until the ceremony tomorrow, things will be moving slowly. But at least they’re moving now. That was the key.”
She trailed after him at her own pace, out the door and into the hallway, where she stopped short. “No, absolutely not. I’m not going back like that.”
Kirell, wall panel already swinging open, spun back to look at her. “Pardon?”
“I’m not going back like that. I’m done scurrying through passages unseen, like some sort of secret. I walked down here normally. I’m going to do the same going back to your quarters.” She crossed her arms, ready to stand her ground on the issue.
Staying hidden was embarrassing and didn’t do much for the image in her mind that Kirell was somehow ashamed of her. What was there to be ashamed of? She hadn’t done anything wrong, and in fact, quite the opposite. Until now, she’d done exactly everything required of her. Some might say that by sleeping with him, she’d gone above and beyond, creating a bit of lover-like tension between them that only happens when two people are intimate.
“Natalia, it’s not safe,” he tried to say, but she shook her head fiercely.
“Your own Queen approved me. If I have her support, then I expect to have yours as well.”
Kirell looked ready to protest some more, but she lifted a finger to hush him.
“We’re walking down the hallways. The main ones. That’s the way it’s going to be, so you may as well just get used to it now, okay? I’m done hiding, I’m done being hidden away.” She stepped closer to him, lowering her voice. “If you want others to think I’m your mate, they’re going to have to see you with me before this ceremony, Kirell. Otherwise, they’ll call it out for what it is.”
Kirell wilted. “This isn’t a good idea. There’s a lot you aren’t aware of.”
She brushed it off. “I’m aware you’re the Captain of this House, and I’m your mate. That is a prominent position, and you need to start acting like it on all fronts.”
Grabbing his hand, Natalia set off down the hallway, dragging him after her. After several grumbling protest steps, he fell in beside her, his body language relaxing somewhat.
“I’m doing this to help you,” she said quietly as he directed her to take a left-hand turn. “I want to do my part in all this. I made an agreement and I intend on sticking to it.”
Kirell shrugged. “You’re already doing your part. If we do this, it’s going to change things. Everyone is going to see you. You…” He fell silent.
She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. “You’re a good man, Kirell.”
He was trying to protect her, that much was obvious, but Natalia wasn’t afraid of being seen with him. She would play the loving spouse to the fullest. There would be nothing to worry about. Kirell would be confirmed to his position, and he would be able to do all the good things he needed to do.
The lower level of the building was mostly empty. They passed one shifter near the garage, who gave her a surprised look but said nothing, only tilting his head at Kirell. It wasn’t until they reached the main level that she sensed a different vibe.
“Kirell,” she asked as they passed through an open area, including a vast library, couches, desks, etc. It was occupied by a dozen men and women, none of whom she recognized.
“Yes?”
“Why is everyone looking at me weird and whispering?”
“Because you’re with me,” he said out of the corner of his mouth.
“Nobody looked at me like some of them are doing now, on the way down. A few were dismissive of me when I asked where I might find you, but nobody reacted with the outright hate I’ve seen on a few faces.”
In one case, that of a big brute of a man who’d slipped out of the room through another exit, Natalia felt hate was too mild of a word. Some of the occupants of House Ursa were giving her neutral looks, and a few even nodded their heads politely. But there were enough looks of disdain directed her way that she began to feel self-conscious.
“I don’t understand. Why is it that being with you all of a sudden makes them hate me?” She drifted closer to Kirell, wondering if perhaps she should have listened to him.
Making a stand was all well and good, but she hadn’t counted on this sudden of a change. Had her ego gotten her into more trouble than she could handle? Kirell had always struck her as so likeable a person. What was driving the evil glares being thrown their direction? Kirell owed her some answers. No more secrets, no more hiding. She needed to know what the hell she’d just involved herself in.
“Kirell.”
They both looked over at the voice.
“What is it, Kedd?” Kirell slowed to talk to the man and she did as well, sticking close to his side, keeping a firm grip on his hand.
“You should know that word has spread. About you two.” The big man named Kedd looked pointedly at her.
“You mean about me,” she interjected. “People are talking about me.”
The newcomer looked apologetic. “Yes. Klebra is waiting for you. Outside your quarters.”
“Just Klebra?”
She felt a spike of fear run through her. Klebra was the name of the man who had broken into the quarters earlier and had fought Kirell.
“We can take the back ways,” she whispered. “It’s okay, I’ll understand.”
The last thing Natalia wanted was for Kirell to get hurt, especially if he was doing it to try and protect her. Whoever Klebra was, she knew he had a temper and that there was already bad blood between the two of them. If she could avoid making it worse, she would.
“He has a pair of his lackeys with him,” Kedd admitted. “Nobody serious. I’ll go with you, if you wish.”
“Let’s go.”
He started forward, and she hurried to keep up.
“Kirell, we don’t have to do this,” she said. “It’s okay, I understand. We can go in through the other way. We don’t have to use the front door.”
“We can’t actually use the front door. There’s a couch blocking it, remember?”
Natalia frowned. She’d forgotten that little detail. “Um, so why are we still walking in the main hallway? Shouldn’t we, you know, open up a wall and use the back entrance then? Avoid this Klebra character altogether?”
“You wanted to walk in the open,” he said stiffly. “This is what comes of it. If we do that now, we’ll appear weak in front of him and everyone who knows that he’s waiting, which is probably the entire House by this point. Weakness isn’t tole
rated, not like this. We’ve got to confront him head on. I hope you’re up for it.”
Natalia nearly faltered in her steps, the intensity of Kirell’s voice forcing a dawning realization into her: she was in deep shit now. Whatever was going on, her insistence that they be seen together had just escalated it.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly as they approached a corner. “I didn’t know, Kirell. I didn’t know.”
He didn’t say anything.
He must be pissed at me. He just fought this guy this morning, and now he’s got another confrontation with him brewing, all because of my ego!
“KIRELL!”
The voice bounced down the walls, hitting the trio like a physical object the instant they rounded the corner. She could see a huge man, bigger even than Kirell, waiting in front of a door perhaps a hundred feet in front of them.
Kirell didn’t reply; he kept walking. Putting on her bravest face, she stayed at his side, doing her best to stare right through the three men ahead of them. The two smaller shifters were glaring, both standing a step back and to either side of the one she assumed was Klebra. But neither made any aggressive moves.
‘Lackeys’ was right. They’re trying so hard just to appear tough, that they look fake.
Long ago, Natalia had learned that those who tried to look tough rarely were, and those that just did what needed to be done were often the most dangerous.
“What do you want, Klebra?”
They came to a halt perhaps a dozen feet apart, the two groups staring at one another.
“To see the woman you’re claiming is your mate,” Klebra spat.
Anger spiked in Natalia at his derogatory tone and she almost stepped forward to defend herself. A warning squeeze from Kirell held her back, however, forcing her to remember the situation she was in.
Kirell and Kedd were outnumbered three to two, and even worse, if a fight broke out, they’d be forced to protect her, making it even more difficult for them to win. No, she had to maintain her composure and trust that Kirell knew what to do to get them out safely.
“Go stir up shit elsewhere, Klebra. You’re not wanted nor needed here. You don’t have any authority.”
