Rion

by Susan Kearney

  He led her through a maze of stalls that reminded her of a flea market, with vendors selling carpets, machines, clothing, and dozens of items she couldn’t identify. But despite her fear, what interested her more than the items for sale were the aliens themselves.

  While all were humanoid, with two legs and two arms, some had extra eyes in the middle of their foreheads. She saw men who were tiny and slender, perfectly formed and very beautiful. And women with locks so long that to keep their hair off the ground, tiny carts trailed behind to support it.

  “How many races live here?” she asked.

  “Tor has always encouraged commerce. Import and export taxes are low. Hundreds of races pass through this trading center daily.”

  Hundreds? It appeared the galaxy was teeming with life—not so surprising when one considered the billions of stars. Still, the sights amazed her. If she hadn’t been on the run, she’d have longed for a camera.

  Rion took her into an establishment that seemed more substantial than many they’d passed. The outside window was painted with beautiful images of humanoids, but the holographic images kept changing to display a variety of options in facial features, bone structure, and even eye color.

  “We don’t have time for more than a superficial makeover,” Rion told her.

  “Thank God.” She preferred to at least recognize herself in the mirror.

  “That’s the female side.” Rion pointed to an arch on the left. “Order new clothes, a skin tint, and a hair color option.”

  “How long will this take?”

  “Five minutes. I’ll meet you back here.”

  Marisa walked through the door he’d indicated. She paused for a moment, wondering if she should take this opportunity to escape. But where would she go with the Enforcers after her? She didn’t even know if she could find her way back to the transporter. After she used the credits he’d given her for her disguise, she’d have no money. She’d already run from Rion straight into the Enforcers.

  Before making a move that might place her life in danger again, she needed to learn more about this world. So for now, she’d stay with Rion.

  Marisa expected someone inside the establishment to greet her. But as she stepped through the door, a mechanical voice issued instructions. “Please follow the orange light.”

  Trying to breathe evenly, she followed the orange neon light on the floor into a room with a tub. The automated instructions continued. “Remove all clothing and jewelry before stepping into the tub.”

  She did as instructed, feeling very vulnerable as she stood naked in the tub. Now what? Did she sit, stand, or lie down?

  “Choose your preference.”

  A panel in the tub opened, and a screen popped up. She picked silver skin with a slight blue tint and shiny silver hair. She also got a choice of clothing that was more appropriate for clubbing than for a fugitive. But blending in with the general populace was her immediate goal. She ended up wearing a minidress with a halter top and strappy sandals that made her think Manolo Blahnik was an alien.

  “Please insert five credits.”

  She placed the chips into a blinking slot. Marisa had no idea what to expect. She should have asked Rion more questions. But when silver flakes began to fall from the ceiling, then spun around her before adhering to her skin, she held out her arms and watched in amazement. Her skin turned silvery blue, the flakes drying on contact. Other flakes stuck to her hair and turned it silver.

  Wow. She could make a fortune with this machine back home. Talk about the end of prejudice. When anyone could change skin color or features, ethnicity and race based on looks became irrelevant. This machine alone could have stopped wars and saved millions of lives. When the flakes stopped falling, she climbed out of the tub and dressed. Her shoes were now dyed to match her new clothing, which looked way too large, but after she put it on, it shrank to fit her perfectly. Nice technology.

  Still, reluctant to leave her own clothing behind, she scooped up her Earth things and tucked them under her arm.

  Rion stood waiting for her in the lobby, and she handed him her old clothes. He took in her hair, her skin, her short dress, and he whistled. “You look… amazing.”

  She almost thanked him for the compliment, before she bit back the words. Damn him for making her feel good. She shouldn’t care what the hell her kidnapper thought about her appearance.

  Rion shoved her clothes into his pack, which gave her time to check him out. He’d also chosen silver skin tint, and his hair was now navy blue. He wore a dove gray shirt with royal purple piping and charcoal pants. Somehow the clothing suited him more than his Earth clothing ever had. His shoulders looked broader, the cords in his neck thicker, his chest more powerful. Despite his effort to blend, Rion would draw attention wherever he went.

  He escorted her out the door. “We haven’t much time.”

  “How do you know?”

  “An Enforcer squad is sweeping the area.”

  With her silver-blue skin and hair, she felt less conspicuous. But Merlin had no trouble finding them. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a flutter of Merlin’s wings as the owl dropped onto an overhead ledge.

  Keeping an eye out for Enforcers, Marisa stayed beside Rion as they threaded their way between slower groups of people, traveling at the same pace as the fastest pedestrians. Breaking into a run would draw attention—or so she assumed.

  “Enforcers, ahead,” she whispered.

  “Stay calm.” Rion held her tightly and she ducked her head, letting the hat shade her face.

  Marisa held her breath until the Enforcers strode right by them. Thanks to the disguises, they didn’t stop.

  “That was close.” After the encounter, Marisa couldn’t stop shaking. “How did the Enforcers get so much power?”

  “It’s complicated. But the bottom line is that people on Tor were fearful of an invasion. In exchange for the safety and protection they wanted, they gave away too much power and freedom. Eventually the Enforcers took over, dominating… everyone. Now they are too powerful for the citizens to abolish them. But what is worse is that some of us suspect that the Enforcers are covert members of the Tribes.”

  That old saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely seemed to be a universal constant, not just a pattern on Earth. Marisa kept walking, her mind spinning from one angle to the next. “If the Torans feared a Unari invasion, wouldn’t it have been to their benefit to have helped you after you escaped your world?”

  “The Torans fear Honor’s dragonshapers as much as they fear the Unari.”

  “Why?”

  “They believe Honor wants to take over Tor. That’s why the antigravs in the city prevent dragonshaping.”

  Her mouth went dry and she licked her bottom lip. “Are you telling me that—”

  “Yeah, if they find out we are dragonshapers, they shoot on sight.”

  So much for eliminating prejudice. She pressed her arms against her sides to hide the scales on the insides of her arms.

  “It’s doubtful anyone here will recognize you have the scales of a dragonshaper.”

  She recalled him saying that the dragonshapers on his planet didn’t have her telltale marks. “So everyone on Honor can dragonshape, and none of these Torans can?”

  He nodded. “Our ability to fly and breathe fire has kept us at war for thousands of years. We’ve had an uneasy truce for the last few centuries. Since my people can’t dragonshape here, they don’t like to visit.”

  “I understand.” To stay alive, dragonshapers needed to feed periodically on platinum and hydrogen in dragon form. Being in a place where she couldn’t morph was akin to being a fish out of water.

  “We’ll have to leave before it’s time to feed.”

  She gave him a hard look. “How are we going to leave?”

  He smiled. “Phen and I have a plan to retrofit a spaceship.”

  If the land comes under disaster or perilous times, we must be willing to die so the land may live.


  —HONORIAN LEADER

  8

  Cranky, footsore, and in desperate need of sleep, Marisa gritted her teeth and followed Rion around another corner.

  Rion noted her flagging pace and took her hand. “Just a little farther through the spaceport and we’ll reach the rim.”

  He’d said the same thing over an hour ago. “Is Phen on the rim?”

  “Yes. But it’s farther than the last time I was here.”

  Since she’d already noticed how the buildings around the city’s rim moved from place to place on silent air sleds, she nodded and forced one foot in front of the other.

  Beside her, Rion stiffened, and his gaze darted past two Enforcers. Suddenly he stopped, spun her around, and planted his lips on hers.

  Reality kicked in. This kiss wasn’t for the usual reasons. They had to hide their faces. Fast. When she didn’t try to pull away, Rion eased up his hold but kept her tucked against his chest.

  She hadn’t forgiven him. She shouldn’t want to lean closer into his hard muscles. She shouldn’t want his powerful arms wrapped around her. She shouldn’t want him to make her feel safe.

  She told herself her heart pounded with fear—not arousal. But already the Enforcers’ footsteps were fading from her awareness, replaced by the sound of Rion’s breathing.

  His kiss was hot, hard, and a haven against the outside threat. Fiery need ignited, and for a brief moment she sank into the safety of his arms, gave way to the strong sanctuary of his protection.

  His hand fisted in her hair.

  An Enforcer shouted. Footsteps pounded past them.

  Rion groaned and tore his mouth from hers, grabbed her hand, and dragged her down an alley to sweep her into a building and through a set of double doors.

  Damn it. What was wrong with her? Rion had kidnapped her, put her life in jeopardy. How could she have just melted in his arms as if he were her gallant knight?

  “Let’s hope Phen is here.” Rion moved into a dimly lit chamber. Merlin flew inside with them and settled on a hanging light fixture.

  She shook her head. “Where did he come from?”

  “I have no idea,” Rion said. “But on Pendragon he proved very helpful. He’s always welcome.”

  Within the chamber, solemn people sat in rows facing a fluted column that held a dish of green fire. They swayed in unison, apparently praying. Music tinkled softly in the background. Burning incense floated in a dome-like pattern around the flames.

  Marisa hoped they’d entered a sanctuary, a holy place the Enforcers wouldn’t violate. But Rion’s shoulders remained tense. He led her to one side, past carved statues of men, women, and children in assorted poses that depicted daily life. Gilded wall murals represented scenes from space—exploding suns, asteroids, planets.

  Rion hurried her through an alcove and opened a door. She glanced over his shoulder. This room consisted of a bed, one chair, a bookshelf filled with dusty magazines, and a tiny bathroom.

  He led her inside, and again Merlin followed before Rion shut the door behind them. “We can rest here. The deacon allows those in need to use this place for shelter.”

  “You’ve been here before?”

  “Yes.”

  The owl perched on the bookshelf. Marisa stepped into the tiny bathroom, taking the opportunity to freshen up. She’d no sooner washed her hands and rejoined Rion than a man barged into the room.

  Merlin hooted.

  Rion reached to his side, where a weapon glinted, and took a protective step in her direction. In the tiny room he didn’t have to go very far to place his solid body between her and the stranger.

  The intruder wore a brown cloak and a silver pin on his collar. His eyes were sharp, very brown, and wary. He held a flat metal rectangle in his hand, consulted writing on it, and frowned. “You aren’t on my schedule. Who are you people? And how did that creature get in here?”

  Rion closed his fingers over the hilt of his knife. “We’re friends of Deacon Phen.”

  “I see. Wait here and I’ll tell him you’ve arrived.” The man glowered at the owl and left in a hurry.

  “Something’s wrong,” she told Rion.

  “Yeah. I got that, too.” Rion eased his hand off his knife.

  “He could be reporting us to the Enforcers right now. Shouldn’t we go?”

  Before Rion answered, the door swung open again. Another large man wearing a brown hooded cloak stepped into the room. The moment he saw Rion, he tossed back his hood to reveal a weather-beaten face, a full silver beard, a bushy mustache, and twinkling blue eyes.

  “Phen, you old space dog.” Rion grinned and wrapped the larger man in a bear hug.

  Phen clapped Rion on the back. “Come back to save Honor, have you, boy? It’s about time.”

  “I was hoping it wouldn’t be necessary.” Rion gestured her to come forward. “Marisa, I’d like you to meet Deacon Phen, my mother’s brother and my uncle.”

  Phen bowed, lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed it. “Pleased, my lady. Welcome.”

  “Hello.” Marisa liked the man immediately, although she wasn’t sure why. “Sir, while I’m pleased to meet you, from the way your associate greeted us, I fear we should not stay long.”

  “Of course you’re staying. Just not here. The man’s not to be trusted.”

  Rion turned to Marisa. “Phen believes in keeping his friends close and his enemies even closer.”

  “Now, don’t be giving away all my secrets.” Phen shot Rion a glance, and Rion shook his head slightly.

  She wasn’t sure what silent question had just been asked and answered, but it told her one thing—Phen and Rion had more secrets they hadn’t revealed. What didn’t they want her to know?

  Rion smoothly changed the subject. “Our stay won’t be long. I have to get back to Honor,” he said.

  Phen frowned. “Come, we need to talk. Besides, the Infinity Circle is still closed.”

  “Infinity Circle?” Marisa asked.

  Phen explained. “The Infinity Circle is Honor’s ancient portal. For thousands of years, Honorians used the Infinity Circle as a way station to the stars.”

  Marisa guessed the rest. “And the ancient builders disappeared into antiquity?”

  “Yes. The science behind the portals vanished with the builders, but their machinery has survived floods, wars, erosion, and time. Let’s hope it survives the Unari.”

  CONVERSATION ABOUT THE Infinity Circle triggered one of Rion’s visions. He could still hear Marisa and Phen’s conversation, but he was also seeing the distinctive monument.

  Massive rounded boulders sat on the hillside overlooking the river Kai. Rectangular cross-stones spanned the tops of the boulders to link them together.

  Unari guarded the control panel, preventing any Honorian travel onto or off the planet. Unari guards patrolled the Infinity Circle’s perimeter. Unari skimmers watched from the skies.

  Rion sucked in a breath of surprise.

  On the side of the hill, a group of Honorians worked in secret silence. They were digging a tunnel into the sloping area, a tunnel aiming directly for the control panel.

  Stars. They were taking the offensive.

  The plan to retake the portal was bold.

  His vision narrowed to follow one man as he crawled into the blackness. The rebels used planks to brace the ceiling, the narrow passageway wide enough for only two men to slide by each other. They worked a bucket brigade, the men at the front of the tunnel digging the earth, then sending it back in buckets, where others carefully dumped it into the river, the water carrying away the evidence.

  Rion’s vision flashed back outside to the Infinity Circle. The Unari patrols suddenly ran for their vehicles and drove away. Even the guards abandoned the critical control panel. Every skimmer took to the sky.

  Although he saw no reason for the retreat, Rion’s hopes rose. If the Unari fled, if Honorians took control of the Infinity Circle…

  The skimmers formed a line in the sky and circled over the river. T
hey turned back, heading straight for the tunnel.

  No! They were lining up a bombing strike.

  And they knew exactly where to aim.

  The skimmers dropped their deadly bombs from the sky and blasts shook the hillside. One of the upper stone links connecting two boulders crashed to the earth with a thunderous thud and shot up a cloud of dust.

  Suddenly Rion was back inside the tunnel. The planks of wood snapped like twigs. The tunnel collapsed; tons of earth and rocks crushed the men. The lucky ones died immediately. The unlucky ones lasted until their air ran out.

  No one survived.

  PHEN MOTIONED MARISA and Rion closer, then pulled a lever, and the room began to move smoothly straight down—like an elevator. She had no idea how far they fell, but when Phen reopened the door, instead of going out into the house of worship they entered a huge open space with designated areas for work, sleep, and food preparation, all in pinkish-gray steel. Merlin flew into the loft-like space, and Phen hit a button, sending the smaller room back up to the surface.

  “Come, eat, rest. Make yourselves at home. You should be safe here for a while. Your bird, too.” The deacon shot Rion a significant look and frowned. “And we need to talk.”

  “I’m in dire need of news. I’ve had no word from Honor for almost three years.” Rion didn’t change the tone or volume of his voice, but she picked up on his anxiety.

  Marisa damn sure didn’t approve of how Rion had kidnapped her. But she couldn’t help admiring his commitment to his people. He hadn’t risked just her life but his own, too. And the reporter in her understood just how heroic and brave he was—even as the woman in her resented his assumption that she would go along with whatever he wanted.

  “You’ve been gone so long, I feared you might not ever return.” The deacon gestured for them to sit. He brought a tray with fizzy blue drinks and a heavy platter of food from an oven. The assortment he was providing on such short notice amazed her. Sweetmeats, casseroles, breads, vegetables, and crunchy crackers were a veritable feast. Either Phen had been cooking for hours before they’d arrived, or the machine always kept hot food ready.