“Thank you for your courtesy,” Seta replied, bowing her head to the polite Norblade male.
When she walked through the door, she indeed saw Rena on the screen. Not bothering to sit, Seta crossed her arms and faced her mirror image. “What is so important that you had to interrupt the mission to speak to me?”
Rena sighed over Seta’s tone and linked her fingers on top of the conference table to keep her fierce sibling from noticing they were trembling.
“Must you take that tone with me? I’m sorry to bother you, Seta. Something important is happening and I don’t know if I will be here when you return. I wanted to look at you when I delivered this message, in case it was the last time we ever got to do so.”
Seta uncrossed her arms and flapped them in disbelief. Yet at the same time, little alarms went off inside her. Her dual-birth sibling was fast becoming the most annoying being she knew. “I’m busy, so talk fast. What do you mean, Rena? What’s going on there?”
Rena shook her head. “It is difficult enough to explain and I have no idea how to blast through such an incredible amount of disbelief. I don’t know why I thought this was a good idea, but still, I felt I had to try. So here are my words, Seta. Try to hear them.”
She lifted one hand to gesture, pleased to see the trembling had stopped. “First, you were right about Malachi. I let him help me and it was very liberating. The memory of our abuse remains, but he took away the shame and guilt I kept feeling every time I thought of it. I don’t know how the demon managed to fix me, but my emotional setting is the best it’s been in a very long time—maybe the best since Father sold us.”
“Well, see? That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Seta demanded. “He helped Kefira the same way.”
Rena drew in a breath. “Yes. It’s a good thing, but please listen to the rest of the story. I want you to remember later that what is about to happen is truly my choice.”
“I don’t have a lot of time for guessing games, Rena. Speak your mind and get to the point,” Seta demanded.
“Seta, I must tell you some hard truths, starting with the fact that I died on Ethos. You didn’t really save me. The male I was with choked me to death and I passed on. The Rena that was with you then was an emissary of the Creators. She was using my discarded body. She put the demon in you and was the one who ordered the demon to help you kill our detestable mate. The demon you carry has been in you since that day. I now believe the demon is your destiny. I regret if I made you feel otherwise.”
Seta shook her head slowly. “No. No, that’s not what happened. I got the demon from Kefira. You’re delusional again, Rena. You need medication. Get Doctor Chiang to give you a calming drug.”
“Seta—stop. It is the truth. I’m back in my body because the emissary needed me to keep it alive for her. Plus, it gave me a chance to heal my spirit before I go on to other things. Trusting the demon was my test. Helping me was his. We both passed.”
“What are you saying?” Seta demanded, throwing up her hands. “You’re speaking nonsense again.”
“I’m saying that I have conclusively decided that I shouldn’t be here. That’s why I’ve felt so bereft of comfort. I don’t believe in this existence anymore. But my body will be staying after I am gone. The emissary is going to be using it. This you will have to endure as a trial. She will look like me, but she will not be me,” Rena explained.
“Not be you? Who will you be while this is happening?” Seta demanded.
“It is undetermined, but I want you to register me as ‘dead’ so there is no confusion for the emissary or Captain Synar’s crew. In time, I hope you develop a working relationship to the emissary. She is currently in Kefira, but that can’t go on long. Kefira has someone else coming. I am ready to leave this existence. I think I’ve been ready to leave since I woke up from the poison.”
Seta closed her eyes. “Can this delu . . . Can your leaving wait until I return?”
“No, Seta. I’m sorry. I’ll be gone by the time the mission is over. With a long-life mate by your side, you’re never going to be alone again during your corporeality, so I see no reason to delay my exit. I just wanted to tell you myself and to say goodbye. You are brave and good and deserve to be happy. Let the Siren make you happy, Seta.”
“Siren? You mean Zade? I’ll get counseling one day sure . . . if I decide I need it,” Seta said.
“No. I meant Ji Warro. He gave up his ship and his command for you. The least you can do is give the male a chance. The emissary knew he was your mate, but she couldn’t let him stand in the way of what she had to do with both of us at the time. Since Kefira bound your demon to your body, I’m sure the emissary now regrets the emotional distance she fostered between you and Warro. Talk to her about it one day. I’m sure she will tell you the same story as I am. Seta, I like knowing such a caring spirit will be using my body for something noble. She is an honorable being. Please treat her that way.”
“Rena—Shades of Kellnor,” Seta swore, rubbing her face. Her sibling’s mental state was worsening. “I don’t have time for this right now.”
“It’s okay, Seta. I’m having this transmission recorded and delivered to your personal com unit. You can listen to it after you return. Be at peace and continue your mission. You have always had my full compassion and I’m glad I got a chance to tell you. Goodbye and good luck with your life. Perhaps we will see each other again one day.”
“Rena, try not to talk about this too much with others. We’ll discuss it all when I get back,” Seta said, lifting her hand to wave back to her sibling who was smiling and waving. Rena said goodbye one final time and then disconnected.
“Why? Why? Why? I have no time for her madness,” Seta said, smoothing back her hair.
She lifted the wrist wrapped with the portable com unit and pressed the message feature. “Send a priority message to Doctor Chiang. Start message. ‘My sibling seems unstable and I fear Rena may attempt to take her life. Please monitor her until I return.’ Regards, Lieutenant Seta Trax.’ End message. There. That should hold things off for a bit.”
Running a hand through her hair again, Seta took several deep breaths and then went to find the rest of the crew.
***
Warro held up the tracking unit Chiang had given him. “It seems to be finally reading something. If this device is correct, the chip the Peace Alliance installed in the Allurean is still in place. The bad news is that she is not in the city where we are.”
“Where is she then?” Synar asked.
Warro turned. “This acts only as crude direction device. She is west of Norblade’s sun about a three hour walk from here.”
Synar swore. “I know the province. It is several small villages. It’s one of the least progressive ones on the planet.”
“Did Chancellor Bartoff gain permission for us to search it?” Seta asked.
“Sort of,” Synar said. “The Norblade Council of Elders wants to speak with me personally. That means I’m staying behind while the four of you are going continue trying to find her. Hopefully, I’ll be no more than a half-day behind you. If I do a good job with the council, I’ll have reinforcements when I get there. We may need them if the natives decide not to cooperate.”
“What are your orders, Captain?” Seta asked.
Synar thought for a minute. “Locate the Allurean if you can, but don’t take any action to release her. Wait until I get there. If it can be avoided, I want to make sure there’s no political upheaval from this. If the Norblade Council of Elders doesn’t support our efforts, I’ll have to take other action. Keep your portable com units on all the time.”
“Aye, Captain,” Seta said. She looked at Ji, ignoring the nervousness she felt in what she had to say. “Lieutenant Warro, you just became my mate.”
Ignoring the physical excitement her statement caused in him, Ji wisely said nothing. Instead, he bowed his head. “Aye, Seta.”
Boca turned to look at her fake mate. “I don’t know your given name, Karr.”
“Yes, you do. Karr is the only name I use,” he said.
Boca bowed her head, but grinned at his unwillingness to share.
Synar looked at Warro. “Keep them all safe while you get this done, Lieutenant.” Changing languages, he spoke rapidly in Siren, telling Ji that he could do whatever he felt necessary if it came down to saving the crew or the Allurean.
“Aye, Captain. You can trust that we are of one accord on the matter,” Ji replied.
“Good then,” Synar said. “Now head out and try to find shelter before the sun goes down. It should be no more than an hour’s commute in the land vehicle. Norblade nights can get very cold. You don’t want to be without shelter from it.”
***
As their Norblade captain had accurately estimated, about an hour later their land vehicle rolled smoothly to a stop at the edge of the Norblade village where a sign declared they must stop and walk. They were asked to pay a fee and register their vehicle. Since he wanted to make sure he had control of their mechanical means of escape, Warro personally took care of arrangements. Surprisingly, he had to use a large number of pay marks to do so. Obviously the village made quite a living from extortion. The male he paid smiled at the monetary exchange.
“You need lodging for the night too? How many rooms?” he asked.
Ji looked at the others. “Two rooms. We are mated couples on vacation from our ship. We were told your village was a good place. We wanted to get far away from our fellow crew mates as possible.”
“Our village isn’t far from the city, but many find this is a good place for hiding from life,” the male said. “And not to call you a liar, but anyone with senses can see the female with you is not your mate, Siren. None of your energy is on her.”
Seta stepped forward and hooked an arm through Ji’s. “Not yet, but I have agreed. We needed privacy for our first time. Surely you understand this, good sir. The process for Siren bonding is very intense.”
The male snorted. “Indeed. I do understand. You could do a lot better than a Siren.”
Seta snorted before she replied. “Have you ever bonded with a Siren?”
“No. I have no need to experience the exotic. I prefer my own kind,” he said.
“Well, if you had ever known intimacy with one, I promise you would understand my decision,” Seta said, feeling Ji’s arm come around her shoulders.
“Your loyalty has saved this male’s life, Seta. He should feel as grateful as I do about your words,” Ji said, wishing what she had said had been the truth of their situation.
When the male chuckled rudely, Ji reached out and lifted the irreverent Norblade up until his feet dangled in the air. “You would do well to respect me instead of being amused. I can get violent very quickly when courting a new female. Am I being clear?”
“Yes, sir. You can put me down now,” he said.
“Very well,” Ji said, lowering the male to the ground again. “Now then—you said something about renting us two rooms.”
“Yes. My family owns a lodge for rent. It has two rooms.”
When the Norblade extortionist stated another high value, Ji’s eyebrow rose. “If I find cheaper lodging with anyone else in your village, your tongue will not be capable of bargaining with those that come after us.”
The male laughed nervously while he mentioned a much lower number.
“Yes, I rather thought it was worth a bit less,” Ji said, handing over more pay marks. “We need three days. See that we are left alone.”
He tossed an extra night’s cost on top and received a head bow in return.
The male handed over two keys and two maps of the village. “Here is the lodge’s location. Next to it is a facility that serves food twice a day. That should get you through.”
“Indeed,” Ji said, grabbing Seta’s arm to guide her away from the male who continued to send lustful glances at her despite his obvious threats.
He handed Karr a key and a map. “Ensign, you need to start acting like the female at your side belongs to you. If you don’t, some male will try to move in on her. That could lead to more attention than we desire.”
“Aye, sir,” Karr said, holding out his hand to Boca. Sighing, she put her hand in his. He tightened his grip and squeezed her fingers, hoping to reassure her. “I think I have this covered. Ensign Ador and I are frequent sparring partners so we know each quite well.”
“Good,” Ji said, slipping the device out of his pocket to double-check the reading again. “The device appears to be malfunctioning. Suggestions, Lieutenant?”
“Conserve the power source. It may be adjusting to different technologies. For now, let’s split up into pairs and take a scenic route to the lodge,” Seta said. “Look for guarded residences, or any dwelling that looks like a place a prisoner could be held. We will meet at the lodge in two revolutions of the timekeeper.”
***
Synar glared at the five males staring at him. “You knew she was here all along? Why haven’t you told the Peace Alliance?”
“Liam, I personally didn’t know any of this until I brought forward your request. The oversight is not as bad as it seems on first hearing,” Ralak declared.
“Really, Ralak? I’m hearing there’s deceit in the Norblade Chancery. Am I supposed to convey that back to my employers?” Synar demanded.
“It’s more like our military suspected the Allurean had been brought here, but it was never confirmed because we didn’t find her. Somehow she escaped her captors, but well . . . she’s been missing on Norblade for quite some time. Her abductors were detained for questioning, but all of them ended up being killed in the process of trying to get information. Norblade erred on the side of being discreet. All this was shared with the generals.”
“Ralak, while we are speaking the last surviving Allurean is out there wandering around alone on Norblade. My crew has gone looking for a captive—a prisoner. She could walk up to them and say hello without them ever suspecting who she was. And you know I just sent them into a region where communication technologies frequently fail to work. I can’t even contact them to give them this new information.”
“This discussion is pointless anyway, Captain Synar. How can anyone find her? One old female looks like every other, even on Norblade.”
Liam shook his head over the irritated comment that came from one of the five council members.
Ralak patted the air with his hand as he spoke again. “Be calm all. I know this situation seems to border on the edge of ridiculousness, Liam. I’m sorry we didn’t share this before your crew was dispersed. The entire Chancery is willing to support your search efforts, but you have to tell the Peace Alliance that we have done all we can, no matter how it turns out. That is our deal.”
Synar snorted again. “Fine. I don’t want the Peace Alliance to know the many transgressions of my planet’s overseers anyway. Tomorrow I want a group of ten fully trained warriors. I want them armed and ready to go with me. And I want a search order for that entire village so they won’t raise a rebellion if I have to fight my way out of it before I’m done.”
At their nods of agreement, Synar let out a sigh. He couldn’t help wondering though what else they weren’t telling him. He hated politics and wished Ania had been well enough to come help. And raging fires of Helios, he wished now he’d brought Malachi.
Chapter 15
The inside of the tavern was rustic but welcoming with its carved wooden tables and honed out stone chairs. Fires burned in large stone containments where yellow and orange crystals lay crackling on top of flat red stones. Enticing smells filled the air, reminding Karr that it had been quite a while since he had last eaten.
Several frowning faces suddenly turned in their direction didn’t bode well for a friendly reception, but he put a hand on Boca’s shoulder as they moved forward anyway. Part of their task was to get food for the night. The other was to scope out the locals while Lieutenants Warro and Trax walked the perimeter of the village.
He
bowed his head to a large Norblade male positioned behind a gleaming bar. “We were told you could get a meal here.”
“Suppose that’s true enough. You and your mate can sit anywhere,” the male said roughly. “Dayena will look after you eventually. She’s a bit slow, but she’s all we got. Can’t get a Norblade female to serve in a tavern. You got to pick up a foreigner these days, and one willing to work for room and board. I’ll tell her to bring you the special. It’s all we’re serving.”
Karr nodded again, hearing Boca grumbling softly about the male’s ignorance as he guided her to a table. “I don’t know what you’re saying in Sumerian, but I think I totally agree with you.”
Her brief smile put him a little more at ease. He didn’t need Boca mad at him as well as at their situation. To his chagrin, the sharp-tongued Sumerian still possessed the ability to arouse his body even though she was now mated. Chiang’s energy on her was a strong deterrent to acting on his impulses. But he hadn’t been with a female in so long, that alone wouldn’t have stopped him if Boca had been willing. Instead, it was the bristling impatience emanating from the female herself that served as the real dampening agent for his bonding ardor.
Maybe he also feared being on the receiving end of those small, sharp fighting knives Boca had recently hidden under her short skirt. She’d taken the time to strap them to her thighs before they had left their lodging area to look for food. He’d watched her put them on because there was no privacy to do anything else.
He had wanted her then, but his interest had either gone unnoticed or was being ignored. Boca had not spared him a single caring glance as she armed herself. Her mating with the Greggor was very old school, including the scarring from the Greggor’s bite mark on her neck. He doubted there was a male alive that could lessen her loyalty to Chiang these days.
Banishing his useless longings for Boca to the same place he always put such things in his mind, he noticed Boca’s gaze was busy sweeping all the locals in the tavern.
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