by Raine Thomas
Despite the fact that they’d planned this, Ty bared his teeth at the inappropriate thoughts that ran through their minds. He had no reservations as he and Owyn leaped forward and overtook the guards, disarming them and knocking them unconscious in quick, efficient moves.
Kyr sent out the thought that there was nothing to see down the hallway as Ty and Owyn dragged the guards to the closest empty room and dumped them inside. She maintained the thought as the males hurried back to the Ritual Chamber door, counted to three, and ran at it at the same time. It burst open with a deafening crack.
They rushed inside, looking around as they did. Ty absorbed everything about the scene in one quick glance.
Twenty Mynder guards, five each at north, south, east, west. All under Vycor’s influence. Two exits. Sem chained to the altar, pale and lifeless.
Luex stood beside Sem. The moment they entered, he pulled a dagger and held it to Sem’s throat. That told Ty two things: Sem was still alive and Luex was a detestable coward.
Rather than fight the guards standing where they had entered, Ty and Kyr sent out the thought that the guards’ limbs were frozen. All of them stopped their advance, pausing like living statues. One guard fell over because his leg had been lifted. He did nothing to stop his own fall.
“What are you doing?” Luex demanded, looking at the guards. His eyes narrowed and shifted to Ty and Owyn, who stood in front of Kyr. “We knew you were behind the breach last night. It was only a matter of time before you walked right into your own capture. You stand no chance against us without your abilities, TaeDane.”
Ty’s eyebrow lifted. They had no idea that he had paired with Kyr.
They were about to find out.
She stepped forward and stood by his side, lowering her hood as she did so. There were several sharp inhalations and many wide-eyed stares as the guards realized who she was. It seemed Vycor had kept some vital information from his team.
Because he’s a fool, Kyr thought.
She and Ty drew upon their joined abilities to cast out the thoughts that the Mynder guards didn’t want to fight them. They were innocent victims in all of this. The Advisor was corrupt and power-hungry. He should be their true target.
In small groups, the guards turned and headed towards one of the two exits.
“Where the hell are you going?” Luex called after them. “You idiots! Get your asses back in here! Can’t you tell they’re influencing you?”
None of them stopped. Ty and Kyr honed their focus on the remaining guards. A few more walked out. The remaining few who, like Luex, seemed immune to their influence, produced de’llums and started forward. Owyn surged into the chamber to engage them.
Kyr and Ty approached the altar. Luex’s face glistened with sweat. His eyes darted around in search of an exit. He seemed to realize he wouldn’t escape Ty, so he lifted the dagger and waved it as if in reminder that he held it.
“Advisor Vycor and reinforcements are on the way!” he declared, returning the dagger to Sem’s throat. “Come any closer and I’ll kill him.”
Ty and Kyr paused a few feet from the altar. Behind them, the sounds of grunts and weapons clashing filled the room. Kyr continued sending out the thought that all was well so that other Mynders didn’t walk in from outside the chamber.
“If Vycor was so sure that I would be here,” Ty said, “then he should have had the balls to come and face me himself.” He knew the thought would go from Luex to Vycor, and added a smirk for good measure.
“Don’t come any closer!” Luex squawked as Ty took a couple more steps towards the altar. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll tell everyone what I saw you doing with the Ascendant in her bedchambers.”
“That’ll be awfully hard to do,” Ty pointed out as he took one last step forward.
“Why?”
“Because you won’t remember any of it.”
Luex’s mouth opened a second before Ty brought up a fist and plowed it into his face. The Mynder went down like a felled tree. The dagger clattered free of his hand.
Ty dropped to one knee and touched Luex’s forehead. He plunged into the Mynder’s thoughts and without any grace whatsoever, yanked out any memories Luex had of him and Kyr. Anger remained carefully banked by Kyr, who gently reminded him that Luex had been acting under Vycor’s influence and not his own.
In other words, Ty couldn’t kill him.
The hold Vycor had over Luex’s mind was much stronger than anything Ty had detected before. He wasn’t sure why. It prevented him from breaking their connection, but Ty had more important things to worry about.
Done, Kyr thought.
Ty rose and discovered that she had unlocked all of the chains holding Sem down. They had gotten the key earlier from Zasha, who had once again risked herself by acquiring it. As Ty reached down to lift his cousin, Owyn turned from dispatching his last opponent and hurried to help.
It had all taken a matter of minutes, but they felt time slipping away. Their sense of anxiety amplified when a commotion rose in the main hallway outside the chamber. They hurried with Sem out the back exit, sending out shielding thoughts.
Ty’s gaze met Brunyr’s. The Guardian stood at the end of the passageway, surrounded by Mynders. Some of the Mynders were trying to defend him while others sought to recapture him. The commotion was drawing a lot of attention…enough to keep people from noticing the empty Ritual Chamber.
Brunyr nodded at him. I’ll keep them occupied as long as I can. “Away,” the Guardian said out loud before turning on his heel and marching off.
The crowd of Mynders followed. It looked like an out-and-out battle could break out in the middle of the palace. Ty felt Kyr alternating between fear for her father and gratitude that they had such a distraction on their side.
Your father can watch out for himself, he assured her.
She nodded and returned her concentration to where they were going. This time, since they knew Vycor was alerted to their presence, they avoided her chambers and went to Gren’s instead.
Gren suspected that his quarters were being monitored, Kyr told them as they reached the doors. We can hope that isn’t the case since Gren’s been gone for so long, but we should be as quiet as possible just in case.
Ty and Owyn nodded. They deposited Sem carefully on the bed as Kyr parted the curtains enough to let in some light. When Sem was settled, Owyn sat beside him.
Kyr walked over to Ty and pulled him into a tight hug. He welcomed the embrace. They had just conquered one huge obstacle, but they had also rattled the wolf’s cage. He knew she was terrified that Vycor would find them and stop them before they could get the help they needed to defeat him and the V’larians. She feared for Alametria and their future.
We’ve come this far, he reminded her as he ran a hand along her hair. Don’t let doubt bring you down, not when we’ve just rescued Sem.
But we still have to find and rescue Caelys and figure out how to get to Shelvak.
Meeting her gaze, he thought, Then we’d best get back to saving the planet.
Chapter 39
Kyr couldn’t remember ever being so tired. It wasn’t even just the lack of a decent night’s sleep. It was the use of energy to draw forth her abilities at the level she and Ty had just done to rescue Sem. She felt like she could sleep for days.
She pushed past her exhaustion to join Ty in connecting with Gren. She wanted an update, and they had promised to give him one the moment Sem was safe.
We’ve rescued Sem, Ty conveyed when Gren touched on their thoughts.
That’s good news, Gren responded. They felt his relief. What’s his condition?
Kyr answered, He’s still unconscious. We don’t know how often they were dosing him or how long each dose lasts. But he looks untouched otherwise.
Well, if you need help rousing him, look in the water closet cabinet. I kept stimulants in there for when I had to work double shifts guarding you.
She found herself smiling. You miss those days now, don�
��t you?
Hell, yes. Talk about a picnic.
Even Ty grinned briefly. He sobered as he asked Gren for an update.
We’ve counted twenty-three V’larian vessels so far. Each one varies in size, so it’s hard to know exactly how many V’larians are here. We’ve been holing up in the underground cave system that Scarlyt and the Peace Keepers previously used as their headquarters. It’s no longer secure, though. The V’larians have infiltrated at multiple points. We’re just doing the best we can to evade them.
Kyr looked at Ty. The situation was increasingly grim. Judging by the number of Mynders under Vycor’s influence here at the palace, they had to move forward with approaching Shelvak for aid. They had to get off-planet as quickly as possible.
We’ve got a plan, Gren, she told him, infusing the words with confidence. Just stay alive until we can send help your way.
That’s my plan.
He disconnected. She hoped it was because he had nothing more to say and not because something had happened on his end.
Ty wasted no time, striding over to the water closet and hunting for the stimulants Gren had mentioned. He returned with a small vial and a pressure syringe in his hand. Kyr hurried by his side over to the bed. After conveying what he was doing to Owyn, Ty filled the syringe and then depressed it against Sem’s neck.
A second later, Sem’s body jerked as if hit with electricity. His brown eyes opened, then closed. He issued a low moan. Kyr climbed onto the bed beside him and took one of his hands.
Sem, you’re safe, she conveyed along with a sense of calm. But you have to be quiet.
If I’m safe, I shouldn’t have to be quiet, Sem returned dryly. He squinted and started to push himself up, then collapsed back with another moan. Shit. My head is killing me.
Kyr felt his pain. It rolled through him as it had through her when she was recovering from the drug. The nausea was nearly as overwhelming, too, but Sem battled it back. She knew he would rather die than get sick in front of her.
Owyn rose and got a glass of water from the water closet, bringing it back as Ty helped ease Sem into a sitting position.
Dad? What are you doing here? Sem thought, taking the water automatically.
Kyr and Ty channeled the thought to Owyn, who grinned just like his son was known to do. Can’t let you have all the fun, can I?
Sem rolled his eyes, then winced when that aggravated his nausea. Kyr squeezed his hand out of empathy.
Sem, thank you for everything you’ve done, she told him. You risked your life for us. You’ll be commended for this when it’s all over. We owe you so much.
Just doing my job, Ma’jah, he thought with a shrug.
She knew his words belied how he felt. He treasured her appreciation. He would do anything for her. Without him having to say it, Kyr knew how much he loved her.
Her gaze moved helplessly to Ty. He touched her shoulder in understanding.
CaelysLuja is somewhere within the palace, Ty thought, drawing Sem’s attention. Do you have any idea where?
Sem pinched the bridge of his nose and swallowed hard as he fought off another wave of nausea. She’s in the palace prison. She’s the reason I got caught.
Kyr’s eyes widened. What?
I went to investigate— Sem began.
Against orders, Ty added.
Sem glowered at him. We needed to know why the V’larian ambassadors were still here, didn’t we? I wasn’t exactly going to find out without physically investigating. Anyway, I found out that they were using the palace prison to conduct experiments on mentally gifted Alametrians. They wanted to learn how to best control and subdue us. I had just figured out what was happening when they discovered me.
Kyr received the brief image of Sem turning quickly, feeling pain in his neck, and then darkness. He hadn’t been fully conscious since.
Why don’t you fill me in on what’s been happening? Sem asked as he sipped the water. Everyone pretended not to notice that his hand shook.
Ty went through it all, so Kyr continued to hold Sem’s free hand. His grip grew fierce when Ty got to the retelling of Troi’s capture of Kyr. Then he released his hold altogether when Ty mentioned the Proce-Amanti conducted by his mother. Their thoughts fell into silence as Ty finished with the discovery of Brunyr and rescuing Sem.
Well, it seems you’ve been busy, Sem thought at last. Congratulations, Ra’jah.
Thank you, Ty responded.
Sem met Kyr’s gaze. I know you’ll be happy together. You two were meant to be together.
Think you’ll be able to handle being the cousin of the Ascendant and Faire-Amanti? she asked with a small smile.
A quick grin flashed, making his pale features look more like normal. Should be a great pickup line. I’m going to be highly marketable on the meat market now.
You have to live first, Owyn said equably.
Sem’s grin faded as Kyr projected that thought to him. I suppose that’s true. All right. Dad and I will go and rescue Caelys, since I know where she’s being held. You two need to get reinforcements. It sounds like we’re in dire need of them.
Kyr started to argue. Sem was in bad shape, even if he hadn’t been physically tortured like she had. She remembered how miserable she was after only a day or two of being under the drug’s influence. He’d been dosed at least twice as long. But her disagreement never made it past her lips. She could tell from their thoughts that all of the males would outvote her. Besides, they needed all the help they could get.
First we have to figure out how to get off-planet, Ty thought.
You know EyraRowe would do it, Sem mused. But he’s under pretty close watch by Vycor after returning from the Dark Lands the last time.
Kyr shook her head. I don’t think we should risk involving him. He was already pretty scattered from all of the mind manipulation he’s undergone over the years.
Sounds like you need someone a little crazy to attempt this.
Sem’s point was hard to argue. But Kyr knew Vycor would expect them to go to Eyra if they attempted to travel from the palace. It was too great a risk to approach him.
Are there any other pilots who were brought back from missions after I left for the Dark Lands? Ty wondered. They probably wouldn’t be under Vycor’s control yet.
Sem considered this as he shifted his weight on the mattress to get more comfortable. Actually, PerylRowe came back about seven or eight nightfalls ago. Not long before the V’larians got me. He’s probably free of any influence.
The name was familiar. Kyr’s brow creased until she read Ty’s thoughts and realized Peryl was the pilot who had flown them on an airplane to the safe house they used before their transition from Earth. She nodded when she picked up Ty’s next thought.
They briefly closed the connection with Owyn and Sem and opened their minds, seeking the thought signature of PerylRowe. Kyr relied on Ty to find it, since she hadn’t ever scanned Peryl’s thoughts before. It only took a few minutes. Both of them were relieved to discover that Vycor hadn’t influenced him yet.
Peryl, this is Ra’jah TaeDane and Ma’jah Kyr, Ty sent out. We urgently need your help. Things are not as they seem here on Alametria.
In a testament to the pilot’s ability to stay calm under pressure, he barely registered any shock before replying, Ra’jah, Ma’jah, I am at your service. Meet me at the pilot’s briefing room near the hangar. It isn’t in use since all outbound departures have been put on hold.
Thank you, Ty returned. We’ll be there as soon as we can.
Kyr looked at Owyn and Sem and reopened their connection. Peryl’s going to meet with us. It looks like this is actually going to happen.
Sem reached over to pull her against his side in a half-hug. I can already feel your worry for us. Stop. We’ll be fine. I’ve got a score to settle. Besides, the two of you are the ones in the most danger.
Is that supposed to make me feel any better? she asked, pulling back and looking at him.
Only if it worked.
She found herself smiling and shaking her head at him. He released her so she could climb off the bed and give Owyn a hug, too.
Ty grasped Sem’s shoulder. Be careful this time, he thought. Use your brain and don’t get your ass captured again.
Protect her, was all Sem said.
After she gave Sem and Owyn each one more hug, she and Ty were on their way. She prayed it wasn’t the last time any of them saw each other.
Chapter 40
“Thanks for meeting us, Peryl,” Ty said as he and Kyr greeted the pilot in the briefing room.
Their trip through the palace to reach the hangar hadn’t been too difficult. Well, not physically. Mentally, it taxed their already well-used abilities because they had to shield themselves. Even Ty was feeling the strain.
“Of course, Ra’jah,” Peryl said with a bow. “And I can’t wait to learn how your pairing came about. It pleases me to know that the stories circulating around the palace are untrue.”
“Most of them are probably true enough,” Kyr replied, picking up on Peryl’s memories. “I was dead and Ty exiled. But you’ve only heard one side of the story.”
“We’d like to protect you against thought intrusion before we continue this conversation,” Ty told him. “Are you all right with that?”
Peryl blinked. “Of course, Ra’jah.”
Ty reached for Peryl before Kyr could, making her frown. She had already used her abilities more than he had, though. He made quick work of implementing the mental blocks. Then he conveyed a brief, abridged recap of what had happened to him and Kyr and what Vycor’s plans were as far as they knew, ending with the V’larian invasion and their plan to visit Shelvak for help. By the time he finished, Peryl’s usual calm was clearly shaken.
“I don’t even know what to say,” he managed after Ty stepped away from him. “So much corruption. And V’larians siding with the palace to take over ruling the planet?” He shook his head. “Never would I have dreamed of approaching Shelvak.”
