Constant

by Lexi Ander

  “If you trust me, you could open your mind more and show me,” Alpha coaxed in a soft tenor.

  “Is it safe? Will others hear?”

  “I will protect us both,” Alpha vowed. The promise should sound absurd coming from a being as small as Alpha, but Sohm’lan had a feeling that many had underestimated the Alpha-Zetamite to their detriment.

  Rolling his shoulders, Sohm’lan tried relaxing enough to allow Alpha further into his thoughts. As if sensing his struggles, Tori pressed against his side and took his hand, scraping Sohm’lan’s scales with his claws. His thoughts moved to Shaneva, and he allowed Alpha to see and hear. He could not separate his emotions from his memories as the events of the last several moons played out. He tried to hide his bed play with Tori but was unsure if he was successful. By the time Alpha as finished, Sohm’lan had a headache.

  “Grandling,” Alpha whispered and Sohm’lan’s eyes popped open.

  He had deduced that much when his father revealed his lineage, but he had not given it more thought since there was already too much demanding his immediate attention. But now… He glanced at Zeus to see his eyes were comically round with surprise. He had heard Alpha, of course he heard Alpha, the green dot on his forehead connected the two. Then a huge grin full of Zeus’s square teeth stretched across his mouth. Tori, Canry, and Azaes looked between them, patiently waiting for an explanation.

  “As I understand it,” Sohm’lan replied lamely. Then he had a thought. “Did the Alpha-Zetamites know what was going on in Atlainticia’s waters?”

  “No, we are not connected to our young like we are to our bondmates,” Alpha replied, no criticism in his tone. “I knew Mar’Sani were younglings of Poseidon. They are one of many species he is the progenitor of, but Zeta and I were disconnected from other lifeforms for a while after the grid was completed. Then we found the Dar Massaga and they became our whole world. The Ancients also dispersed, and those who have not walked into the Fade, we have lost touch with. Since Dargon and I have met Zeus, I have seen more of my young in the last few moons than I have in the last hundred Galactic Standard years.”

  Was Alpha talking about Star Eater or were there others? Alpha did not give him a chance to ask.

  “I have no way of contacting Poseidon for you. I wish I did. Zeus is going to be very upset that you felt you had to challenge Nethus to protect everyone, but I agree with your assessment, and not only because I do not want Zeus near Nethus again. Both Zeus and I have noticed peculiarities, beings in the crowds that looked Mar’Sani, but I could tell they were not. I had only Zeus’s memories to use for comparison so was unsure what I was sensing. With Zeus’s own senses leaving him hyperaware, I could only surmise something was going on that we were not privy to.”

  Sohm’lan perked up. “How could you tell they were different?”

  “They have an energy about them that most Mar’Sani do not have.” Alpha hummed as if in thought. “I bet you could tell them from others if you lessened your shielding, though I understand why you have protected your mind. A civil war would surely ensue if the Numina took you in order to administer a geas chip. Zeus’s family would turn the world upside down for you.”

  Sohm’lan was not sure that was exactly true. Valdor and Ashari would never put the welfare of one person over that of all Atlainticia. They would do what they could, but the people would always come first, and that was as it should be.

  “Since you cannot let your shields down without letting the Numina know you are more than you seem to be, Zeus, Dargon, and I will watch for you,” Alpha offered, steel in his tone. Sohm’lan was ready to argue. He could not in good conscience put the three of them in danger, especially with the kits emerging from Dargon’s pouch soon. Alpha cut him off before he could voice to his objections. “Warlord Sohm’lan, the Numina are the ones who should be wary of me. If they are idiots and dare challenge us, they will know my wrath. We will return to the palace and help you. These miscreants cannot use my connection to Dargon and Zeus to spy on our conversations. If they even try, I will bend their mind until it breaks, and I will feel no remorse.”

  Yes, those who underestimated Alpha would probably not live long enough to regret their idiocy.

  “That settles it!” Zeus rubbed his hands, his silvery-white eyes sparkling with a menacing edge that Sohm’lan had only seen when they faced the V’Saar. “Everyone in my household will relocate to the palace until further notice. And I expect you to use Alpha and me, Waterfather. I can see you want to protest, but you need us.”

  He wished Zeus was wrong.

  “We welcome the help,” Tori replied for him, his elbow digging into Sohm’lan’s ribs when he opened his mouth. “Not another word,” his amor hiss-clicked. When did Tori’s ire become so cute? “It is time we pull together.”

  Azaes crossed his arms over his chest. “And I have to wait for Father and Meme?” His lashing tail was the only sign that his patience was feigned.

  “Can Alpha tell him?” Zeus asked.

  Alpha was the safest way to pass the information so Sohm’lan agreed. Azaes hurried over, his hand held out to take Alpha from Sohm’lan. As they returned to the hovercraft, Azaes walked next to Tori and Sohm’lan, making it easy for Sohm’lan to watch Azaes’ reactions. He practically vibrated with rage, and it made Sohm’lan realize he had not fully locked his shields in place. He sensed a spark of energy from Azaes. Tori stopped, grabbing Azaes’ arm and keeping him from storming off.

  “Brother,” Tori hissed. Zeus and Canry crowded protectively around Azaes.

  Azaes gnashed his teeth and a sudden, strong wave of energy washed over them and Sohm’lan knew that Azaes had quickened. His gut tightened but he opened a telepathic link toward Azaes, and his thoughts were clear as a bell.

  “He did what to Shaneva!” Azaes’ almost calm exterior hid the mental roar that made Sohm’lan want to rub at his earholes.

  “He will pay,” Sohm’lan sent to his waterson. “I promise, but first we need to safeguard you.”

  Azaes’ thoughts were blank for a full minute while Tori rushed to explain the importance of Azaes shielding his thoughts. Zeus entered the conversation by placing a hand on Azaes and speaking telepathically as well. Alpha shushed them all and continued speaking to Azaes. Sohm’lan stepped away. They did not need him to add anything to the conversation. Instead he tentatively reached his mind outward, looking for energy signatures that would proclaim Numina or someone who had quickened were in the area and only found the Monticore and Amlyn. Canry moved to stand with him, not adding anything to the discussion either, his expression pained and guilty.

  “You need to stop feeling responsible for not using your ability for personal gain,” Sohm’lan sent telepathically. When Canry’s expression turned miserable, he knew he had guessed correctly. “I will say it until you believe it, but we do not want you for your abilities.”

  “Then how can I help them? It is the only way that I am useful.” Canry looked up at him, eyes pleading for answers.

  “That is a lie. Listening to them. Standing beside them. Acting as a witness. Giving emotional support. Lending a hand in labor. These are all the things you can do to help. Do not abuse yourself and ignore your limits. Your family would not forgive themselves if they were the cause of you going mad. Life is full of hard choices. The path they choose will shape who they become. The same goes for you. You are wise enough to know what you need to do without endangering yourself.” Sohm’lan opened his arms and was gratified when Canry leaned into him without further prompting.

  “Thank you, I needed to hear that.” Canry’s mental voice softened.

  “Let me know when you need to hear it again.”

  Tori joined them, his expression grim. “Shaneva was right to caution us to hold the information from the rest of the family. Azaes is mad enough to start a war. If he had found out while we were on Valespia… I really do not want to think of the outcome, especially if Meme and Father react the same way.” He looked up at Sohm’lan
and held his gaze. “But he has agreed to abide by the rules of Gyre Circle Challenge. Alpha has warned that if Ariafella is capable, Azaes’ quickening might trigger hers. Sohm, if someone takes Ariafella there will be no stopping Azaes.”

  “Then we need to make sure they stay safe,” he replied, hoping that they could protect themselves against the Numina, at least until the challenge. He had to win, otherwise Atlainticia would tumble into a vicious and bloody civil war.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Sohm’lan

  * * *

  Relocating Zeus’s household was no small affair. Captain Hesperos made sure word was leaked that the Striker was moving to the palace, and crowds lined the streets to get a glimpse of those who resided with the famous young prince. Sohm’lan had argued with Zeus over his choice of vehicle: an open-air hovercraft. There was no protection if the Numina decided to use a sniper, but Zeus argued he was not the target of the Numina. The ‘yet’ was not added, but Sohm’lan heard the words anyway.

  The imperial hovercraft was large enough to hold four Monticore as well as Captain Hesperos. And if those occupants were not deadly enough, Zeus, Dargon, and Alpha were sandwiched between the Catalani assassin, and the towering Battion. The three Valuzials were not happy about taking a separate transport to the palace, but there simply was no room for even one Valuzial who was the size of a normal one-person hovercraft.

  Sohm’lan sat in the front with the driver, remaining slightly turned in his seat so that he could watch the crowds ahead as well as keep an eye on the occupants. Zeus sat straight, smiled, and waved at the crowds. Their roaring cheers were so loud that Sohm’lan could not hear anything else. Instead of lying down, Dargon panted, sitting on his hind quarters with his pouch distended enough that he had to brace his forelegs wide apart. His discomfort was so obvious that the four Monticore assigned to Dargon tried unsuccessfully to carry him to the transport. More than one was nipped for implying that Dargon was weakened in any way. Now he leaned heavily against Zeus’s side, eyes half closed as Amlyn scratched behind his ears. Sohm’lan was concerned, but after watching the Monticore scatter away from Dargon’s sharp teeth, he kept his thoughts to himself.

  As Zeus smiled and waved, he searched the crowd. At first there were only two and he signaled to Captain Hesperos the individuals who he suspected of being Numina. But the closer to the palace they got, the more Zeus identified. Interspersed among the crowd were military personnel in civilian clothing. Over the comm-link, Sohm’lan listened to Captain Hesperos’s orders. The individuals were not pulled from the crowd until the hovercraft was past and out of reach of the watching enemy. Outside the palace grounds, there were more, the number making Sohm’lan’s scales itch. He was glad that they had decided to transport the rest of Zeus’s household by air to the palace’s private landing pad. The Numina would not immediately know who was brought with Zeus.

  “Stop here,” Zeus commanded and the driver halted the hovercraft just inside the palace gates.

  “Prince Zeus?” Sohm’lan turned fully in his seat. This was not part of the plan.

  “I have an idea,” was Zeus’s only reply as Hadon opened the door and rose to his impressive three-meter height.

  When the crowd realized that something was happening, they hushed. Hadon wore only a pair of dark spyder-silk trousers and tall laced-up boots. He flexed his four arms as he looked around. His physique was covered by his long, silky black and white fur that ruffled in the ocean breeze, but no one would look at Hadon and think he could be easily defeated, even though Battion were so adorable. Hadon scowled, his bushy brows coming together over watchful blue eyes.

  Hadon turned and held his hand out to Zeus. “My prince.” The dark hair around Hadon’s lips rippled with those two words and when he smiled, his large square teeth were revealed.

  Zeus took his hand. At some time, Alpha had moved from Dargon to Zeus. Alpha’s dark green skin was visible above Zeus’s uniform collar. Basilisc from the palace entryway jogged down the road and surrounded the hovercraft. With this backup, the Monticore followed Captain Hesperos and Zeus, confident that Dargon was safe with the palace guard. When the crowd realized that the famous Striker was walking back to the gate to greet them, they surged closer, screaming in excitement. The guards at the gate had called for additional help, and their numbers swelled before Zeus reached the exuberant crowd.

  Sohm’lan was going to assign Zeus to scrub the latrine tiles at the military base when this was all over. He was not supposed to be out there within arm’s reach of the Numina. They should already be in the protection of the palace walls, not halted in the middle of the road while Zeus… Sohm’lan squinted and ground his teeth. While Zeus grasped hands and wrote on data pads.

  Amlyn met Sohm’lan’s eyes, her feline features showing her own exasperation. Her russet gaze did not remain on him long but continued searching for threats to Dargon. At one and a half meters, she looked like a youngling next to everyone in the group. Her short brown and white fur over red-brown skin made her appear quite cute if you ignored her constant frown and the hint of fang she flashed when someone stared at her too long, but any who thought her smaller stature meant she was easy prey would be in for a surprise as they died at her feet.

  A half an hour passed before Zeus returned to the vehicle, cheeks flushed red and eyes bright. But over the comm-link, Captain Hesperos was giving detailed descriptions of the people Zeus identified. No one was to be taken into custody until Zeus’s party was inside the palace. Despite Zeus’s impromptu actions, pride swelled in Sohm’lan at how smoothly Zeus identified Numina without giving his intentions away. It was just further proof that Zeus should have been made a warlord long ago.

  After the driver stopped the hovercraft in front of the palace’s main doors, Sohm’lan exited and hurried to open Zeus’s door. Again, Hadon stepped out first with Zeus following him. The chatter on Sohm’lan’s comm-link was interrupted by the announcement that the shuttles from Zeus’s residence were near and an imperial shuttle from the orbital station was en route.

  Zeus received the same notice and met Sohm’lan’s gaze, the tickle against Sohm’lan’s mental shields startling him. Glancing down at where Alpha rested against Zeus’s throat, Sohm’lan opened his mind.

  “I have plenty of protection. Go and make sure everyone is inside before Meme and Father arrive. I will prowl the palace and search for Numina.” Zeus smiled at Sohm’lan’s low growl.

  “Do not go anywhere without at least six guards.” Sohm’lan wanted to gnash his teeth but only looked around, noting the eager nobles who waited for Zeus.

  “Of course not.” The twinkle in Zeus’s eyes told Sohm’lan he was enjoying himself.

  Over the comm-link, Captain Laras Nommo, who oversaw Valdor’s and Ashari’s security, instructed the staff to have the all the family as well as a list of other guests gathered in the grand family room. He wished he knew what Valdor was planning. Instead of adding more to his list of worries, he signaled the waiting attendants and they hurried over with a hoverpallet bedecked with a luxurious pad and pillows.

  Sohm’lan turned to Dargon, ready to do battle even if it was only with words. “Dargon, I took the liberty of summoning a pallet for you.”

  Dargon opened his mouth, showing off the width of his bite and his long, dangerous teeth. Amlyn huffed and leaped on the pallet, arranging the pillows for her comfort.

  “Hurry, Dargon. We are gathering a crowd,” she said patting the space next to her.

  The Dar Massaga lifted his lip, showing a fang, and Amlyn just gave an eye roll that made Sohm’lan’s own twinge with sympathy pain, but Dargon stepped onto the pallet. He circled a couple of times before lying on his side, his head in Amlyn’s lap. She resumed scratching behind his ears as the attendants hurriedly placed poles in the corner sockets and draped a gauzy material over the contraption, concealing Dargon and Amlyn.

  Sohm’lan was pushed from behind, Zeus giving him an indulgent grin. “As you can see, he will no
t be trundling through the palace at a snail’s pace. Go on, you have other things to do, as do I.”

  Sohm’lan frowned but Dargon’s hoverpallet, along with his guard, had already disappeared through the palace’s front entrance. Zeus was correct, he needed to make sure the palace’s private landing pad was cleared. He hurried, weaving through the hallways until he came to the private corridor leading to the landing pad. Four Monticore followed, the extra precaution was unfortunately necessary for the time being.

  The tunnel to the landing pad travelled underground and was well lit. Ahead of him were several Basilisc and attendants who had been assigned to Zeus’s household, the color of their vests identifying them. They would escort those who were arriving to their designated quarters, and then to the grand family room. The floor slanted upward and a massive doorway stood open to the outdoors. The roar of engines filtering down into the corridor.

  When he exited, a troop of Orion were spread out over the green space, looking like standing pieces of art in the afternoon sun. Their carapaces, a natural armor of plates that interlocked like scales on their mantles, were shaded in the familial colors of blue and yellow. Zeus must have relayed there was danger if the Orion were standing guard. Their nine tentacles were tucked under their mantles, only their three walking legs visible, which indicated they were on the defensive, not the offensive. But then again, Orion were preternaturally fast, able to whip a tentacle across six to seven meters and remove skin and muscle from bone before anyone knew what was happening. Around them, Monticore bristled with an overabundance of weaponry.

  Sohm’lan weaved through the troops, recognizing Rhee and meeting the Orion’s crown of eyes that circled the top of his mantle. A Valuzial stuck his head out of the rear of the shuttle which was really a military transport designed to move the large ground vehicles. The ramp was down but no one was exiting. Three Valuzials had come with Zeus to Atlainticia, one for each kit and for Zeus. Zeus did not claim his Fal’Amoric heritage but that did not deter a Valuzial from claiming him.