Daughter Of Ethos: Deadly Betrayal Book 5

by L M Lacee

  Rage let go a low growl as Peyton hummed for a min or two as she waited for him to continue. When he said nothing more, she said with faint surprise. ‘Oh! My turn now. You spoke a lot about surrendering and judgments. Is this normal for negotiations?’

  If possible his shadowy smirk increased and his hood shook, as did the hoods of the other Elders at the table. She realized they were laughing, evidenced by his voice when he spoke. ‘Pretender, you are under a misunderstanding. This is not a negotiation we are at war. This is a declaration of your surrender. There are no negotiations or terms.’

  ‘See, I know you calling me the pretender is just you trying to humiliate me. I have to say it seems beneath you High Elder or it should be.’

  She could almost read the anger coming from the shadowed hoods at her rebuke. ‘Now I realize you think we are at war, but you seem to have forgotten all your teachings about the Star Daughter.’

  If it was possible, his voice became even more patronizing. ‘If that is what you think, you are wrong. I have been the High Elder longer than you have been alive and in my Universe. I have not forgotten any of my teachings. It was I who wrote our histories.’

  Peyton ignored his statement as she said. ‘For instance, point one: This is not your Universe, it belongs to the Star Child. Point two: You seem to have forgotten that I am the most powerful person in the Universe, other than the Star Child. Point Three: There can be no war, when there is no one to war against.’

  Again she assumed they were laughing, when she saw the hoods shivering. The High Elder nodded to one of the other Elders who stood and said as though he was schooling an errant child.

  ‘We understand your confusion and you did make valid points of order, but you have obviously not been instructed in the ways of our Universe. In this you should take council from your Warriors, they will advise you we are at war. Then you should have the Assaens educate you in the laws pertaining to the declaration of surrender, and your responsibilities. For example; the basic guidelines were set down by the Star Son when he outlined the rules of engagement. These rules have been approved by the governing Coalition of Planets. The statement of war has been declared at the beginning of this yenta, when your emergence and subsequent subversion of the Warriors occurred. As per regulations, war was recorded at the Capital. You are under obligation to surrender to our terms as per clauses 954-781-060 of the war code. We will give you the standard time of twenty-five of your hours to come to terms with the fact you are at war. In that time I suggest you study the rules of engagement or you could have someone explain the information for you.’

  He retook his seat as Peyton asked loudly. ‘Did he just call me stupid?’

  Hawk said. ‘He did.’

  ‘And that was three.’ Suddenly a flash of starlight obscured the Elders on the screen and when it cleared five Elders had disappeared from the room.

  The shocked rounded eyes from the brother and sister sitting at the table amused Jarrod, who said. ‘This is who you were sneering at, foolish… foolish cowards. You should never have gone after her family.’

  They stared at him as though they could not believe what he said was true, and then they looked at the empty seats where the Elders had been.

  The High Elder and the Elder who quoted the rules of war were now alone in the room. Their hoods fell back as their heads jerked, revealing dark brown bald, humanoid males. Amber eyes stared at Peyton in shock.

  Netta murmured. ‘I wonder, Mayan.’

  FORTY-NINE:

  The High Elder stuttered as he asked. ‘How... how can you do this?’ He looked around him as screams were heard from outside the room. They increased in volume and intensity as more flashes of starlight were seen, and citizens of Yanarah started disappearing.

  The High Elder demanded of Peyton. ‘What is happening?’

  ‘Retaliation, this is war. You told me so.’

  ‘What are you doing? You... this... the rules.’ The other Elder stumbled to a stop.

  She asked Jarrod. ‘Who is he?’

  ‘Elder Mokao.’

  The Elder finally managed a complete sentence. ‘You dare, this is against Coalition rules?’

  Peyton looked incredulous. ‘Are you serious? You are quoting rules to me, I am the Star Daughter!’

  They all heard crashing and guessed at windows and walls cracking or collapsing. The two remaining Elders ducked as parts of the ceiling fell on to the table and floor surrounding them. No one said anything, as Peyton released the anger she had been holding since the attack on her shuttle the day before.

  ‘Through your arrogance High Elder, your children tried to Assaenate myself and my family. Now you have the audacity to demand my people and my worlds be turned over to you. You have suppressed and controlled your world by poisoning your people and turning them insane or worse into killers. You have held parents and their children hostage and have had your own people hunted and killed by good honorable Masters and Senes, all for your own twisted pleasure. You have manipulated the rules of war laid down by the Star Son for your own ends. You have corrupted the gifts given to you by the Star Child again for your own twisted pleasure. Because of your arrogance, females were turned into agents of evil and sent to kill me. Thirty-eight of my people were killed in the last two days and you stand there and make demands of me. You assume to dictate to me!’

  More screams of terror and sounds of falling buildings were heard, it seemed to the Elders who hid in terror as though the world was being torn apart.

  Her voice became flat and death was held in her words as she said. ‘You have been found guilty, for all the gross injustices you have perpetuated on the people you were tasked with caring for. For all the worlds you have destroyed and for the deaths of Masters and Senes you have had hunted and killed. I sentence you both to eternal oblivion. You have no rights here or on any plane of existence now and forever.’

  She turned to Vexetta and Antono, who sat in shocked silence as they stared at the ethereal figure bathed in starlight. This was the Star Daughter from the pages of history, Antono almost let go the hysterical laughter he felt. All this time their father assumed he could control her or at least remove her from the Universe. He saw now he had been deluding himself. Antono realized while his father and the Elders had been toying with this female, she had been growing, becoming stronger. The only reason she had not turned her eyes toward Yanarah before now was because she had not bothered. Now she had, he knew they would suffer for it.

  Peyton asked. ‘What Sene Vexetta do you see happening now?’

  Hatred bled from Vexetta’s eyes and mouth as she sneered. ‘I see great turmoil and then your death, regardless of what happens today. We will rise again and deliver our own justice.’

  Taking his cue from his sister’s defiance, Antono stated proudly. ‘We never cease.’

  Peyton stared at them for a min, then quietly said. ‘I would give you one chance to redeem yourselves, but already I see you scheming to take what I would give freely to you. Namely your lives and squandering them. For that and the attempt on my family and all the lives of my people, you subverted and were responsible for being killed. I find you both guilty. I sentence you to eternal oblivion. You have no rights here or on any plane of existence now and forever.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ Vexetta cried out as she struggled once more against the bonds that held her.

  Antono’s face froze in fear as he sneered bravely. ‘It is nothing, it means nothing, just childish words to scare us.’

  Jarrod said, his voice like ice. ‘Nothing! Did you not learn anything from the teachings of our histories? The Star Daughter will not allow your needar to re-enter another body in this existence or any other. You will remain the captives of the Star Child for eternity.’

  ‘Impossible, no one can do that!’ Vexetta screamed as she stared at her brother and begged. ‘Antono she cannot do that, right?’

  Peyton turned to the High Elder and asked in a voice that almost purred with venge
ance. ‘High Elder tell your children if what I say is possible. If as the Star Daughter I have the power and ability to make that happen. Go on, tell them, is it impossible?’

  The great male sat with his mouth open. He looked like he had aged a thousand yentas in the time she had been speaking to his children. Slowly his head moved from side to side, his voice barely a whisper as he begged. ‘Please... please do not do this... I repent, I as the High Elder can change. I will change Yanarah.’

  Antono and Vexetta stared at their father as he begged for his life, for his position as High Elder. Disgusted and embarrassed, they both looked away and into the eyes of Jarrod who scornfully said.

  ‘The High Elder in all his glory, you must be proud.’

  Peyton held no pity for the male, as she said. ‘I am sure you do High Elder, but as always it is far too late and I believe insincere. My justice will be final!’

  Peyton flamed and when seconds later she dismissed the flames, not one of the males or brother and sister remained. She let her voice span the world of Yanarah as she warned them.

  ‘People of Yanarah, listen to my words and take them as my only warning. I am the Star Daughter and your world has been found wanting. I have removed your High Elder along with six Elders from the twelve. I have also sentenced Masters and Senes who have abused their gifts to oblivion. I will have the remaining Elders and corrupted Masters hunted, and my justice will be delivered. For those of you who remain, know this, go against me and mine and you forfeit your lives as others have today. Your Elders corrupted the gifts you were given and denied you the information provided by the Star Child, when they rewrote your histories. As I was not the one to grant the people of Yanarah with your wondrous abilities. I am unwilling to remove them at this time, but that can change. I give you one lunera to leave your world, after that Yanarah will cease to exist. Choose wisely!’

  Before the screen was disconnected, they could hear screams of fear and roars of anger from the planet. She released the holo screen and turned to her audience. ‘We will see how long it takes them to ask for assistance. Jax make sure they are aware they can receive help. Sevna, Kail, please find Mystics to help when they do comm. Harm deploy your people.’

  She swayed where she stood as her eyes bled back to normal and she said plaintively. ‘I am tired, I think Heather will be annoyed with me again.’

  Hawk picked her up as a clap of thunder was heard overhead.

  Harm asked. ‘What is that? I have heard it on and off all day.’

  Netta shrugged as Reeve said. ‘No clue?’

  Hawk leaned his head down and said to Peyton. ‘I think you are still in need of more rest.’

  ‘You are probably right, I am tired.’

  She snuggled into his arms as a shadowy figure appeared in front of the door leading from the room. Swiftly Sarn and Kent moved aside, hands on their blasters. A voice only some in the room had heard and hoped to hear again spoke as others trembled with the knowledge they were in the presence of someone dangerous.

  My heart, are you ill or have you been hurt again?

  His tone suggested neither was a good option. Peyton sighed as she replied. No, I am just tired.

  The figure ordered. Care for her my brothers, we will meet soon. You have been missed. He appeared to stare intently at Netta then nodded to Rage saying. I greet you Pride Leader.

  I greet you Amahka. Rage replied as the figure faded from view.

  Hawk said as he stood with the others, some of which had their mouths open in surprise. ‘Was there something you forgot to mention Peyton?’

  She kept her eyes closed as she said. ‘Maybe, tired, ask Avana.’

  They all looked at Avana, who said as they made their way from the room. ‘His name is Kardan, and he is her mate.’

  Hawk said, ‘We know his name and of course he is.’

  Reeve said. ‘He is alive!’

  Avana answered. ‘As is your brother Wolf.’

  Reeve asked. ‘How long has she known?’

  ‘Not long, since this morn, before she woke she had a vision. Also he said we were going to the Capital.’

  Netta asked Rage. ‘What does Amahka mean?’

  It is what he is, mate to the Star Daughter

  ‘So his title is Amahka?’

  It is so.

  Reeve said. ‘Does this sort of thing happen often?’

  They all said. ‘Yes.’

  He asked. ‘You do not find this disconcerting?’

  ‘Of course we do, but it is what happens when our leader is the Star Daughter.’ Netta replied as she slapped his arm. ‘You will get used to it, we all did.’

  ‘So what do we wait for?’

  Hawk told his confused brother. ‘Peyton, to tell us we are leaving.’

  ‘When is that to be?’

  ‘Why?’ Avana inquired of the large Commander.

  He shrugged as he grumbled. ‘I dislike surprises.’

  ‘Wrong world.’ Harm murmured, which was followed by laughter. He then said. ‘We will leave within the lunera, no longer.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  Harm looked up at the sky. ‘We have people there?’

  Irritated, Reeve growled. ‘Why did you not say so?’

  Netta said absently. ‘He doesn’t like to share, it is an Assaen thing.’

  ‘This is true.’ Harm agreed with a laugh in his voice. ‘I go to see my treasure. I find I need her to fight this night.’

  Hawk said quietly. ‘I think we all need our mates or bonded this night.’ He passed the now sleeping Peyton to Reeve and left them with a salute. ‘Until tomorrow.’

  Avana said to Jarrod. ‘Go to Trina. Koana and I are staying with Peyton for now.’

  ‘Why, is there something I should know?’

  ‘I wish I could say.’

  ‘When you do know, tell me, until tomorrow.’ He told the others as he left. Reeve, Netta and Avana were escorted by Rage, Kent and Sarn to the steps of their Hex. Where they were met by the twins Briark and Leiark as well as Bricc, who walked toward them.

  Bricc said. Thank you Pride Leader, Warriors. We will escort them now.

  The Warriors saluted. ‘Until tomorrow.’

  Rage said. I leave you here. I go to Fanharr, patrol well.

  Briark and Leiark escorted them to the apartment. Briark asked. She has used her power?

  Reeve told them. ‘Yes she vanquished the people who planted the bomb and Elders that ordered the attack yesterday.’

  Leiark told them. We see forever, does she try to hide these things from us?

  Netta let them know. ‘You are kits, she doesn’t want you to think badly of her.’

  Leiark asked her. Do you think badly of her?

  ‘No we do not. She is our sister, our Star Daughter. We knew when we remained with her, this may happen.’

  Avana said. ‘It is why we are here. To protect her, to care for her.’

  Briark told them. It is. We will disabuse her of this notion of protecting us.

  ‘Good luck with that.’ Netta and Avana laughed as Avana said. ‘You are sweet kits.’

  Briark said. It is fun to be a kit. Our bondmate says we should enjoy it for as long as we wish too.

  Leiark told them. We will stay this age for a while longer, more fun to be this age.

  Netta asked. ‘What age are you now?’

  Briark replied. We are five.

  Avana smiled, saying. ‘Five yentas old is a wonderful age.’

  We think so, Sister Avana.

  They entered the apartment with Reeve as he strode through to her bedroom where Darby and Esther waited. ‘We have this, Avana, Bee-Bee is in bed. I am told you are staying the night.’

  ‘Thank you, Lady Esther. I am, she is well, just tired.’

  ‘We know, she did too much.’

  Netta told them. ‘They tried her patience.’

  Esther muttered. ‘Well that was stupid of them.’

  ‘Yes it was, but they will not do so again.’ Netta
said wearily. ‘I am to bed, good-eve.’

  Darby asked Reeve. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘I will make tea and sit with the kits, I feel the need.’ With one more look at the sleeping Peyton, he touched Darby’s cheek, then with Avana left the room.

  Esther smoothed the hair from Peyton’s face as she said. ‘It is not going to get better.’

  Darby agreed. ‘No, but she will get stronger.’

  ‘She needs building up.’

  Heather agreed as she walked in. ‘Sleep will heal her, she did too much again. Somehow we are going to have to try to get more nutrients into her.’ She hugged Esther and then Darby. ‘Don’t worry, we are here. She may not like it, but we will dayam well make it so she remains healthy.’

  Esther said. ‘We need to talk to Helen and Brenda, they are good at adding things to her food. She won’t suspect them, like she will us.’

  Heather laughed with Darby, who said. ‘So true.’

  Heather assured the worried Esther. ‘I promise, sleep is all she needs for right now. She will be good to go by tomorrow morn.’

  ‘How is Willian?’ Darby asked her to divert Esther’s thoughts from Peyton.

  Esther smiled. ‘Tired of being fussed over, who knew Peneria had it in her.’

  They laughed softly together as Heather helped them make Peyton ready for a full night of sleep.

  FIFTY:

  The next morn, Peyton rolled over and bumped into Hope, who was once again in her bed. She cuddled the small girl to her as she looked into the upturned face of her beautiful daughter.

  ‘Greetings sweetheart.’

  Hope sleepily opened her eyes and replied. ‘Greetings Mama. I am sorry.’

  ‘What for, honey?’