by S. E. Weir
She gestured to the couch for Todd to take a seat, then stepped out of her heels and stalked around the room as she mentally went through the argument that would ensue should she decide to go that route. She shook her head, making angry noises and gestures as she fumed. But, her mental argument ended with her seeing his point. She realized that they only had her safety in mind and that agreeing to be guarded, at least for now, was the sensible option. She decided to go through it again but speaking calmly and talking logically. It ended in the same result, just much faster.
She sighed and waved a hand as she fell into her favorite chair. “Fine. How’s this going to work with sleeping arrangements?”
Todd frowned as he sat half sprawled from where he had watched her pacing. “Not that I’m complaining, but I expected you to be upset or argue.”
Phina pulled her legs up to tuck under her skirt as she tapped her head. “I had that argument already and decided that you all have a point. So, how are the logistics going to work?”
The corner of his mouth pulled into a smile. “Well, I guess I’m glad Braeden decided not to bet, or I would have been out twenty credits.”
Phina narrowed her eyes. “You bet on my response, huh?”
“Yes.” He said it confidently, yet he looked at her questioningly.
“What did you bet?”
He put his hands behind his head and leaned back as he thought. “Let’s see. Greyson said fifteen minutes and that you would be in my face. Maxim said ten minutes. I said five or less, and Braeden said he wouldn’t bet but that you wouldn’t argue at all. So he would have won.”
He shrugged and leaned forward in time to see the pillow Phina had pulled from behind her flying at his face. He caught it before it hit, grinned, and threw it back at her. “Don’t like to be bet on, huh?”
She caught it in plenty of time and lobbed it back with more force. “Don’t like to be bet on that I would be arguing.”
He caught it and grinned. “Know what we didn’t bet on?”
Phina couldn’t help the smile at how pleased he looked. “What?”
“How well you handled that assassination attempt.” She blinked in surprise as he continued, “You didn’t hesitate and immediately responded to the attack. You didn’t worry about not having any weapons and used what you had, then backed up to reassess when it didn’t work. You adapted to working with a new weapon and working in tandem with someone else so we didn’t get in each other’s way. You didn’t break down, get upset, or any number of other responses you could have had. You handled it like a pro.”
Phina sat there processing and responded with, “Huh, you’re right.” She was mentally reviewing the fight for the second time when Todd chuckled. She looked up to see him shaking his head, his eyes shining in amusement. “I can see why Maxim said that you don’t make a big deal about your accomplishments.”
She frowned. “Is that a problem?”
Todd tucked the pillow behind his head and flashed her a smile. “No, but it reinforces my point from before that you can handle more than you realize. Also, if you are treating this as a passing everyday occurrence, you are ready to step up your training.”
Phina thought about that, then nodded. “Sounds like fun.”
He chuckled again and shook his head. “So, do you have a spare blanket? I’ll bunk down here on the couch. You can call out if one of them shows up.”
She sighed at the reminder that she would be having babysitters for the foreseeable future and nodded. “Alina isn’t using the other room much anymore. You can sleep there.”
Phina’s heart beat faster as she stood up and began walking down the hall to make sure he would have what he needed.
She wondered what it said about her that she handled assassination attempts like they were no big deal, but having Todd sleep in the other room made her extremely nervous.
Chapter Nineteen
Etheric Empire, QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Phinalina Residence
“So, what do we know?” Greyson asked as he settled down on the second chair in the living room area.
Maxim passed out the doughnuts and coffee he had picked up on the way since they were meeting pretty early in the morning and he wanted food in his belly to wake him up more—and coffee, of course.
“Would it not be wise to wait for the ones who were present?” Braeden asked, looking up from his study of the sugary treat.
Scowling, Greyson leaned forward to grab a coffee and doughnut. “I suppose the eyewitness account would help, but we all know what happened.”
“Not really.” Maxim settled on the end of the couch with his chocolate-frosted doughnuts and sugared coffee. “Just the broad strokes. The details are what I’m interested in.”
Greyson sighed, then took a quick sip of his black coffee, wincing at the heat. “I am, too. I just want to get on with figuring out how to respond and prevent it from happening again.”
Maxim nodded his agreement as he started in on his doughnuts. He had been worried when he’d heard of the assassination attack until receiving the news that both Todd and Phina were all right. Before he could continue his thought to Greyson, the pad of paws from Sundancer coming into the room from the bedroom area preceded a yawning Todd, who still wore his clothes from the day before. He nodded to them then stepped forward to grab coffee and doughnuts of his own with an appreciative smile.
Curious on both Alina’s and his behalf, Maxim pinged Todd on their implants. Did you...
His friend looked at him with sleepy confusion until Maxim’s eyes darted toward the bedrooms. Todd raised his eyebrows in disbelief and responded over the implant. What, you think I talked her into bed after an attempt on her life? Things between us aren’t there…yet. No, she took the news we were going to be guarding her well. I slept in Alina’s bed.
Maxim gritted his teeth and stopped himself from going wolf. He glanced down and realized he had almost spilled coffee over himself from his tightening grip. He couldn’t stop from shooting a glare at Todd, who appeared confused before dawning realization passed over his face.
Do us both a favor, Maxim growled. Don’t mention those words in the same sentence again.
Todd appeared apologetic. Sorry, man. I wasn’t thinking. You know I would never...
Maxim mentally waved him off as he calmed down. I know that. But my wolf side doesn’t like hearing about another man in Alina’s bed. He muscled past the reaction again before shaking his head. I think it would be fine except I’ve been anxious about the wedding.
Todd frowned before biting into his glazed doughnut. Is there something wrong? I thought things were great between you two.
Shaking his head, Maxim settled into finishing his breakfast. No, things are great between the two of us. I’ve been waiting so long to find someone I fit with that it seems surreal. Like something will happen before then to prevent it, or I’ll wake up and it’s all been a dream.
Todd soberly glanced toward the bedrooms. Yeah, I know what you mean.
You haven’t talked to her? Maxim felt surprised. Todd usually faced things head-on and straight forward.
No. Todd hesitated before shrugging. Just doesn’t feel like the right time. We are still getting to know each other.
Well, if you hadn’t tried to give her away to me out of your nobleness to save her from your gun-shy-around-women self, you would be a lot further along. Maxim finished his doughnut then drained the rest of his coffee.
Todd glanced at him ruefully. Figured it out, huh?
Took me a while. Maxim settled back to think it over as they waited for Phina and caught sight of Sundancer slinking in the shadows. Seeing those blue cat eyes training squarely on himself made him feel like he was being thoroughly examined. He lost his train of thought for a moment before finally continuing. Giving the training assignment to me didn’t make sense after I realized what she was being trained for. You were the better person for that all along since you’ve learned to compensate against much stronger opponents, an
d you have more diverse and intuitive fighting styles. Still, I can’t complain since it would have taken a lot longer to meet Alina.
Todd nodded and set aside his empty cup. I can’t deny it. I thought I was helping you both. I knew Phina was amazing from the first time we met, and you and Pete are the two best men I know. You know he’s been hung up on Tabitha even if he won’t admit it. So, I figured why not see if you can find happiness?” He shrugged.
Maxim knew him well enough to see that the other man was uncomfortable. Maxim shook his head at the other man’s thoughts. Todd wouldn’t see how much he deserved happiness too. Your self-sacrificial attitude is going to get you killed someday, man.
Todd had a faint grin. Well, if it does, it will probably be to save one of you chuckleheads, so it would probably be worth it.
Maxim winced. Don’t even joke about it. That’s not something I want on my conscience.
Todd looked like he was going to respond, but he was distracted when they heard Phina’s footsteps coming from her bedroom.
Maxim sighed when he saw how his friend’s face changed at the sight of her. Todd was so gone, and the man didn’t even acknowledge to himself how serious it was. He hoped Todd did finally talk to Phina. Soon.
“If you two are done gossiping, maybe we can begin now?”
Phina pulled back her freshly washed hair and braided it before she stepped into her boots. She lightly stomped to settle her feet then reached for her black jacket before remembering that Alina was making her a new one. Sighing and shaking her head she strapped on her knives and slid her tablet into her pocket before heading out of her bedroom.
She had been woken up by a grumpy Link half an hour ago when he’d arrived far too early to have this confab. It wasn’t until she started waking up in her shower that she realized he meant to dissect the assassination attempt and see what they could learn about it.
Phina quietly exited the room and heard Link say caustically, “If you two are done gossiping, maybe we can begin now?”
She walked in to see Link, Braeden, Maxim, and Todd waiting for her, along with two doughnuts and a cup. Todd gave her a small smile which she returned as she walked over to the table.
Seeing as the rest appeared to have eaten, she gathered what was left and settled in her chair to eat. She opened her mouth for the first bite then looked around the room. She knew Sundancer was nearby, although she couldn’t see him. She was concerned about how quiet he had been lately and decided to ask him about it later. However, she did notice an absence.
“Where’s Will?”
There were mixed reactions to her question, all of which she found interesting, but Link frowned impatiently. “Why would he be here?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “He’s been assigned to our delegation, which means he should be involved in any discussion about the Qendrok.”
“This is a security and planning meeting, which is not his area.” Link said impatiently. “He won’t be able to contribute much to the conversation.”
Phina’s eyebrows rose at the dismissal. “He’s learning, and it’s related, so he should be here.”
He gave a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Meredith, could you ask Will Jameson to join us?”
“I have already asked him at Phina’s request. He said he will be here within a few minutes.” Meredith spoke with her usual calm and untroubled tone.
Link frowned and turned to Phina. “When did you do that?”
“When you were being your cheerfully delightful self earlier.” She smiled then stuffed a bite of doughnut in her mouth.
He sighed and shook his head, “Just once, it would be nice if you would follow what I say without argument.”
Maxim and Todd snickered as Phina shrugged and waved the rest of her doughnut in the air. “I do follow what you say...when it makes sense.”
Link stared at her in disbelief, then chuckled. “You are so like your parents. Fine. I’ll try to make more sense and not just react to my panic over almost losing you, okay?”
She smiled, happy she had something in common with her parents, and nodded as Will buzzed the door. Meredith opened the door to let him in. He gave them a quick grin and shook his head at the proffered doughnut. “Thank you, but Mom made omelets.”
Phina nodded, happy she could eat a second one, as she waved him over to the rapidly reduced seating available. Will settled in with greetings all around before Link gave a long-suffering sigh and waved at Todd and Phina.
“Now, can we finally hear what happened?”
Since Phina was eating, she gestured for Todd to go first. He explained the sequence of events that happened, along with a glowing review of her response, much like what he had shared the night before. She found herself squirming as she didn’t feel she deserved the praise.
You do, Sundancer quietly spoke into her mind. Everything Todd said is correct. You handled yourself well and didn’t panic, which isn’t how most newer fighters respond.
Compliments instead of caustic comments? What’s going on Sundancer? You’ve been quiet lately.
Todd finished up before the Previdian replied. I’ll talk to you about it later. Now isn’t the time.
Link turned to her as she mentally spoke firmly. There will be a later, Sundancer.
“Anything to add?”
Phina nodded and raised a finger before she stuffed the rest of her second doughnut in her mouth, then swiped her hands together to dust off the sugar. Finally, she settled back with her cup that she had happily found contained tea instead of coffee. She lined up her observations, bringing the incident to the forefront of her mind.
“First, Sundancer and I both noticed that something was happening before it did. I think they are using the Etheric to move invisibly. I felt fluctuations in what I’ve begun to recognize as the Etheric and realized that the disturbance was going to converge behind me.”
Todd nodded, his focus on her when she looked up at his words. “That matches what I observed. Phina reacted before I noticed the assassin was there. When he disappeared, I wondered if he had used the Etheric since it looked exactly like Bethany Anne when she does it.” He frowned in thought. “One difference. She just steps. This guy did not. He grabbed his arm first.”
Nodding, Phina took a sip. “The Qendrok have not been known to work with the Etheric. Xoruk said that most of the Qendrok can see connections or influence from the Etheric, which he categorized as power levels, but few could use it. I believe this assassin was given a piece of tech that wrapped around his wrist. From what Xoruk told me about their religious faction, they likely got it from this goddess they worship who has promised them power. Perhaps this tech, perhaps something else.”
Phina didn’t like the extrapolations she made from that, but since it wasn’t a concern for the moment, she set it aside for another time. She realized that her head felt clearer than it had been since before Aunt Faith had given her the serum. Stars, it felt great to get back to analysis and extrapolation after the morass of emotional mess that she had been dealing with since her body adapted to process the serum and the subsequent changes. More so, whatever changes had been made, by the serum and by ADAM and TOM, had increased her mental processes. She tried to control her elation at that knowledge since the topic at hand was so serious, remembering that Xoruk and Jokin had possibly been captured or killed. That killed the mood.
Link took that news badly, frowning and drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair. “That is troubling. We have nothing to counter or detect that tech.”
She shrugged. “Except Sundancer and me. We aren’t exactly inconsequential.” At least, that was what they had been telling her.
He turned to look at her impatiently. “Yes, but I mean our tech. They could pop out anywhere. It sounded like you only had a few seconds warning.”
Sundancer stepped out of the shadows, his small body hesitant but his face serious as he spoke. “That was with little time to react. Phina and I can extend that warning with practice.”
Sundancer lowered his hind legs to sit catlike. “It’s difficult to say, but with extensive practice over the next several days, it should be longer than that. Perhaps ten seconds, maybe longer. It depends on how far away they are traveling from as well, which may be of note to discover.”
Todd nodded. “I’ll contact Dan and General Reynolds to see what we can find out with Reynolds’ and ADAM’s help.”
Link nodded then turned to Phina. “Anything else?”
She frowned as she thought it through. “The assassin was quiet except for saying ‘death to the abomination.’ What surprised me more is that while he was a decent fighter, he didn’t seem extraordinarily good. I thought their assassins were supposed to be this dark force of amazing fighters?”
Phina glanced at Todd. “What do you think?”
He considered it briefly, then nodded. “I would agree with that. It seemed more like he was rusty than that he wasn’t good. His skills were decent, but his execution was lacking.”
Link squinted in concentration. “The incident that happened two years ago gave me an up-close view of their fighting. I didn’t see this device when I was fighting them then.”
Braeden spoke up quietly. “Perhaps this device is new and has caused them to be lazy in their skills.”
Link nodded at the same time as Phina. “That would fit. They’ve probably been drinking their goddess’ Kool-Aid and figured their new tech and this so-called goddess would give them an edge. If they’ve gotten away with assassinations without being caught this way, perhaps they have gotten rusty. Still. We can’t count on that.”
Phina nodded and shared her earlier thought. “This sounds like a similar version to what the Kurtherians are doing with the Leath, right? The Empress said that a clan of Kurtherians was setting themselves up to be gods. Maybe they are branching out?”
