by S. E. Weir
“Yes.” The Empress sighed and shook her head. “I can leave the decision until after the wedding, but I won’t delay much more than that. She’s waited a year and a half.”
“I’m sorry.” Phina felt a pang that her aunt had been in limbo all that time. She was angry with her aunt, but she didn’t hate her. That shocking thought distracted her until Bethany Anne’s words broke through.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Phina looked up to see the Empress giving her a kind smile. “We should have scanned her again after their deaths. She had been scanned when we gave her the job working with the nanocytes since it’s a sensitive area, but she was healthy and stable then. That she fell through the cracks later was unfortunate. A lot happened around that time, and it happened quickly, although if she had exhibited any obvious concerning behavior, it would have come to our attention and it wouldn’t have mattered how busy things were.” She shook her head regretfully, her gaze piercing Phina. “None of that was your fault.”
Taking a deep breath, Phina gave Bethany Anne a wobbly smile. “I’m trying my best to believe that. You know she is dying?”
The Empress nodded. “Yes, and that will be a factor in my decision.” Phina nodded in understanding. “Talk to me about your training.”
The more they chatted, the more relaxed Phina felt in Bethany Anne’s presence. She found herself sharing some of the moves she had tried and finally shared the move that had flung Todd to the ground in a daze after she launched off of him.
Bethany Anne laughed, slapping her leg. “I bet he loved that.”
Phina gave her a small grin and admitted, “He said we should call me Wonder Woman. I told him I prefer Black Widow.”
Bethany Anne laughed harder. “Even better.” She sobered and gave Phina a searching look so intense that she felt certain the Empress was also reading her mind for the answer. “Black Widow wasn’t just a badass warrior. She was also the one who went to the wall, doing whatever it took to accomplish the mission without question. She did what no one else would do, which is why she was chosen for black ops over the other Avengers. She understood sacrifice. Are you prepared to do the same?”
Seeing how serious the question was, Phina took a moment to think about it. She finally nodded. “I’ve never been one to push to the front of a group. I don’t need recognition, and I’ve always felt more comfortable behind the scenes. From experience and growing to know myself, I would do whatever it took to protect people, particularly those I care about.”
Bethany Anne flashed a satisfied smile. “Good. Things aren’t adding up, and I need to know that if I ask you to jump off a cliff, you’ll do it.”
Determination filled Phina. “If it’s to protect the Empire, all you’ll have to do is point.”
Chapter Seventeen
Etheric Empire, QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Training Room
Phina’s eyes widened at the object in Todd’s hand. She glanced between her new weapon and Todd’s amused face with an expectant look.
“I’m assuming it does more than sit there since you said you wanted me to have something with reach?”
Todd grinned and held up the ten-inch-long metal rod. “This is pretty slick. Watch.”
He pressed a button that Phina hadn’t noticed since it sat flush with the rest of the rod. Immediately, the ends telescoped out to transform the rod into a four-foot-long staff.
Phina’s eyes lit up. “That is so cool!”
Todd chuckled as he handed it to her. “It is. I asked R&D for something that would give you reach and be easy to carry but wouldn’t immediately be obvious. This is what they came back with.”
She twirled it around as she thought about how much better and stronger she felt. The bout with the Empress the day before had taught her some things. Phina had been working on them when Todd had walked in earlier with her new weapon. Phina held it up closer to her face to search for the button.
“It’s right…” Todd’s voice trailed off when Phina found it and the staff retracted. She grinned and pushed it again to telescope out.
“This is awesome!” She looked at him, still grinning. “Thank you for getting it for me.”
He gave her a pleased smile and nodded. “Of course. Are you ready to try it out? I can show you the basics, but I’m not an expert. I’ll have to find one for you.”
Phina let her fingers slide up the staff, feeling the smooth metallic surface and the tiny ridges that marked the edges of the cylinders that extended. She shook her head with a small smile. “Don’t worry. I know a guy.”
Etheric Empire, QBS Emissary
Zultav held the posture of attention and obedience as he stood guard, internally wincing at each lash of the whip he heard across the room. He wished he were almost anywhere else.
“Tell me!”
Qartan’s voice grated as he leaned in closer to his victim’s face, spittle flying. He straightened and gave the second victim another five lashes.
Xoruk jerked at every impact and shuddered when Qartan withdrew the whip, tearing small pieces of his flesh away at every strike. The floor behind him was striped and streaked with blood that had flown off the whip.
Zultav glanced away, his eyes meeting those of the first victim, Jokin. They had grown up together as boys but lost track of each other when Zultav had been selected to be trained as an assassin.
Jokin’s face gave little away, but Zultav couldn’t help reading condemnation into his old friend’s face. Why not? He felt it himself. He couldn’t help thinking he should do something, but every time he had that thought, he went back to the training they had been given as assassins.
Assassins were taught to obey and follow the word of the religious leader. The rule had been put into effect a couple of decades before when they’d realized that some younger assassins were swayed by others to act on their own for their own or another’s gain. Once this was discovered, those assassins had been executed and the rule established.
It hadn’t taken too many punishments of their peers for them to fall into line. Even now, it felt unthinkable to disobey. To go against his leader’s wishes was treason and immediate death.
This was the only thing keeping him in his spot despite the shame and self-condemnation he felt at bearing witness to this erroneous travesty.
Qartan sauntered to the front of the two men and made a show of displaying the whip he had been using, its end dripping with their blood. “Well? Are you ready to tell me what I wish to know?”
Jokin answered from his position of openness and acceptance, his eyes still watching Zultav. “We have not betrayed the Qendrok. We have done nothing wrong.”
Qartan growled, his fingers clenching on the whip. “That is not what I asked.”
“We have not spoken to an abomination.” Xoruk rasped as he trembled, attempting to remain in his upright position. His back had to be in a lot of pain. Qartan had seemed particularly delighted to whip Xoruk, the scourge at the end digging deep. Zultav uncharacteristically wondered if the enthusiasm displayed by Qartan had been because Xoruk was quietly popular among their brethren and Qartan couldn’t stand anyone being in higher regard than himself.
He almost shook his head at his wayward and traitorous thoughts before remembering he was still standing guard. Guards were to remain motionless unless given a task by the leader, he reminded himself. Guards were to obey the leader in mind and body.
The will of the leader is the will of the guard. This was the way of his people.
Qartan scowled and snarled in Xoruk’s face. “That is not what I asked! You will answer my question, Xoruk, or you will be shown to be in contempt!” He turned to glare at Jokin, who had yet to move his gaze, still focusing on Zultav. “And you too, Jokin!”
Jokin finally turned his eyes toward Qartan, giving nothing of his thoughts or emotions away aside from a hint of disapproval. “This is not in accordance with the law.”
Qartan backhanded him with a lower hand, a sign of disrespect, as he sc
owled. “I am the law, you smarmy little maggot! You all answer to me!”
Zultav frowned at this blatant misinterpretation of the law of their people. That is not how the Qendrok ruled. The religious authority as a whole ruled, not one person. Qartan may have been the leader of the religious group, but that did not mean he was the law or that he was above it.
This did not sit well with him. The whole situation did not sit well with him. Yet, he was just an assassin and a guard. What could he do?
Qartan finally grew tired of the two Qendrok withstanding his questions and gestured to the guards to take the whipped Qendrok away.
Another guard reached for Xoruk, who had to be carried over a shoulder as he could barely move. As Zultav half-supported, half-carried Jokin out of the room, he heard Qartan call for a particularly proud and self-righteous but obedient assassin named Ventok to report for a special assignment.
Zultav attempted to support Jokin in a way that didn’t cause the Qendrok more pain, but given the extensive wounds, he feared there was little hope of that. He remained silent although he felt Jokin’s gaze on his face.
As they turned a corner to the room where the Qendrok were being held, Zultav heard Jokin whisper, “The humans have a saying. ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’”
Zultav frowned and slowed his pace behind the guard carrying Xoruk before speaking quietly. “You are calling Qartan evil?”
“After everything he has done to use and abuse our people over the last two decades for the sake of himself and the goddess, can you call him good?” Jokin asked.
They approached the room and were too close to the other guard for Zultav to reply, but he wasn’t sure what he would have said, anyway. His thoughts whirled as he helped Jokin carefully lie on his belly on the mat and supplied them both with water and food.
His thoughts still were a mess of confusion as he walked back to his post.
Was Qartan evil?
To question was not the way of their people, particularly not the way of the assassins. Yet, all he had was questions.
The question Zultav most wanted an answer to was if he could be considered good.
Etheric Empire, QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Event Hall
Phina tugged her dress down and walked on her heels, feeling uncomfortable. It was the same violet and golden-yellow dress she had tried on in the boutique not that long ago.
Phina had thought for sure Alina had said it was her maid of honor dress. However, Alina had sent a message that morning saying there was a party tonight to celebrate Alina and Maxim’s engagement, to be on time or be in a world of hurt, and to wear this dress or be in twice the pain. She had found the violet dress and matching heels in her closet not that long ago.
She had stared at the apparel and spoke louder than normal. “Meredith?”
“Yes, Phina?”
“Did you let Alina into the suite earlier?”
The EI spoke matter-of-factly. “Alina Burke is still listed as claiming this suite as her residence. Is this incorrect? Should I remove her access?”
Phina shook her head as she reached in to pull out the silky garment. “No. Could you please let me know any time someone enters when I don’t personally let them in?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Meredith.”
Phina had dressed and got ready quickly, adding a few swipes of mascara so Alina wouldn’t get on her case about not using makeup.
Now, she was feeling uncomfortable, naked and exposed although she was fully clothed. It took a few minutes as she walked down the corridor to realize the problem was a lack of weapons. She had gotten used to wearing at least her knives, but especially her tablet. She needed to ask Alina to help her design a long pocket for her pants that she could slide her collapsed staff into.
Not that it would help her with a dress.
Phina grimaced and continued to the event hall marked in the message. She frowned as she walked up to the entrance, hearing shushing sounds inside with her enhanced hearing. She lowered her shield filters enough so she could tell that there were many people inside and they were trying to be quiet.
Her curiosity getting the better of her, she opened the door and stepped inside before continuing the scan further.
Immediately shouts of, “Surprise!” and “Happy Birthday!” rang out in the room, causing Phina’s senses to briefly overload. She automatically hunched down and reached for her daggers but found nothing but fabric.
She blinked as her senses adjusted, then shook her head and smiled ruefully as she took in the crowd of curious, concerned, and questioning people in the room. She straightened, smoothing her dress down again. “Well, no wonder I was told to wear a dress! If I’d had my weapons, someone could have gotten hurt.”
Chuckles sounded while Alina skipped up with a big grin. “Come on, birthday girl! Let’s have some fun!”
Phina leaned over to whisper hurriedly, “Alina, it’s not my birthday.”
Her best friend leaned back, her smile playful but her eyes and tone serious. “I know that, silly,” she whispered, “but we missed two of them because you were in the coma, and we wanted to make sure you knew we love you.”
Stopping immediately, Phina turned and gave Alina a huge hug. “Thank you. Sometimes I get down, but you always know what to do to pick me up again.”
Alina leaned back with unshed tears shimmering in her eyes that she blinked with a wobbly smile. “That’s what I’m here for, bestie.”
Purposely pushing back her tears, Phina gave Alina another quick hug before turning to view the crowd with a smile. Link was there, of course, and Braeden. She knew Sundancer was close by, although she couldn’t see him. Drk-vaen, Sis’tael, Ryan, and a gorgeous red-headed woman Phina didn’t know but was clearly attached to Ryan were over by the food. They looked up and gave her welcoming smiles, as did Anna Elizabeth and a man she didn’t immediately recognize but later realized was Dan Bosse. They stood off to the side, relaxed as they quietly talked. They were too close for friends, which surprised Phina. Yet another change.
Jace stood near Anna and Dan, holding hands with another unknown woman, but since she smiled at Jace with affection, Phina figured this was the serious relationship he had mentioned. Will and his mother Fiona were there with a handsome gentleman and an older teen girl who must be Will’s sister Rayna. Todd stood with Peter Silvers and Maxim in a little group by the bar. They gave her nods and smiles. Mister Prez and Mal were also there talking quietly together, but they paused to give her wide, welcoming smiles.
Phina smiled as she made a circuit of the room to greet everyone individually and thank them for coming. She felt extremely uncomfortable being the center of attention, but was able to think of everyone as being there individually, which helped her feel less overwhelmed in the crowd.
When she got to the group by the food, the tall, beautiful woman with Ryan clung to him and looked at Phina with jealousy, which didn’t make much sense to her.
She pinged the guy who would probably know. Hey, ADAM?
>>Happy birthday, Phina! Though I know it is not really your birthday, I understand why Alina wished to celebrate it.<<
Thank you, ADAM. Do you know what is bothering the woman with Ryan? Something seems wrong, but I don’t know what it might be.
>>Ah.<< He paused. >>Normally I would keep this in confidence, but since it does affect you, I will say that Ryan has been telling her a lot about you. Perhaps too much.<<
Phina felt puzzled until she ran through the same scenario with Maxim and Alina and hazarded a guess. She doesn’t like him talking about another woman instead of her?
>>That is what I have surmised from their conversations, yes.<<
Thank you, ADAM.
When Ryan introduced the woman as Celeste Rivers, Phina tried to relieve the woman’s anxiety by smiling in welcome and relief and shaking her hand warmly.
“Hi, Celeste. Thank the stars Ryan finally found a woman
who can handle his macho attitude and keep him out of trouble with the poor beleaguered women.”
Celeste appeared puzzled but did relax some. Ryan, of course, protested. “What are you talking about? I never got into trouble!” He turned to Celeste anxiously. “I never got into trouble with other women, baby. I swear.”
Phina raised her eyebrows then looked around playfully as she patted her dress. “Where’s my tablet? I’m sure I’ve got evidence.”
She smothered a grin as Ryan began tugging Celeste away, a small smile curving the woman’s mouth, as Ryan called, “You’re an evil woman, Phina!”
Celeste leaned into Ryan, who pulled her close as they walked away. However, Phina still heard her amused remark. “I like her.”
Phina sighed in relief, then turned to meet Melia Banks, Jace’s serious girlfriend, who gave Phina an amused smile and whispered, “Nice job. I wondered if she would start marking her territory.”
Phina grinned and shrugged, not worried about keeping her voice low. “Ryan is all bluster and doesn’t understand women as well as he thinks.”
“Hey!” Ryan turned from halfway across the room. “I resemble that remark!”
They laughed and Phina was able to relax more and chat with Melia. She was friendly and seemed to fit well with Jace’s newer mature attitude. When she teased him, Melia showed she could handle his mischievous side, too.
Phina clapped Jace on the shoulder and smiled. “I’m so happy for you, Jace. You guys seem good together.”
He grinned and flashed a warm smile at Melia who moved closer to him with full intent to kiss him. Phina smirked and half-rolled her eyes as she turned away.
Then the activities started. After suffering, or rather playing games designed to simultaneously celebrate and humiliate Phina with baby pictures, sound bites, and stories that should have been banned from public consumption that Phina assumed she had Alina and Meredith to thank for, Phina finally sat down and took a breath.
Within a minute Todd quietly sat down beside her and lifted an eyebrow in amusement. “This isn’t really your thing, is it?”
