The Demon's Change

by Donna McDonald

  “Malachi, why in hell are you wearing such a stupid disguise? You look ridiculous covered in black breathing scarves from head to toe.”

  He adjusted the scarf across his mouth as his gaze swung to the incredulous one of Gwen Jet’s. “Hello Commander. I am incognito for as long as Zella Synar and Chancellor Ralak Bartoff are on the ship.”

  “Synar’s mother? Why would that mat—oh, shit. I get it. You’d be Conor Synar to them. You’re right. None of the Norblades should see you in the flesh,” Gwen said.

  “No indeed,” Malachi replied, looking back at the assembly. “Don’t you think Kefira seems more defeated than usual? I am feeling a sympathetic tug for her. I’m even wishing one of those other emissaries would come back and make her more lively.”

  “General Meen told her High Ambassador Jilco ordered him to retrieve the Allurean from us,” Gwen whispered. “My father is a pain in the ass, but I don’t think Cahir has ever conspired against me.”

  Malachi pulled the closest scarf lower on his forehead so that it shielded more of his blazing eyes. “I’m checking his energy, but not seeing any maliciousness at work in the High Ambassador. In my opinion, he’s too cerebral to harbor the kind of intense emotions that lead to killing someone. Though I will say, worry covers his spirit. It clings everywhere on him like wet Santaran drool. The only thing I can fault him for is being more concerned about his daughter than he was about the Allurean who was supposedly so valuable to them.”

  Gwen released a breath slowly, her gaze narrowing on father and daughter. “If they have accepted our story about her death, why are they all still here? And why is the ship not heading back to the Peace Alliance main station to get the Guardian 13 disconnected from the implant in Meen’s heart?”

  “Those are certainly worthy questions, Commander,” Malachi said.

  “Where’s Synar?” Gwen asked, scanning the room when she noticed he was still missing.

  Malachi closed his eyes briefly. “It appears that he is helping Chancellor Bartoff make his escape from Zella. Synar’s birth parent has agreed to be the Chancellor’s mate and apparently is taking her new role very dutifully. Synar and the Chancellor are just now on their way here. Ania is leaving their quarters and heading here as well.”

  When he opened his eyes again, Malachi saw Zade talking to General Anx. He knew the Siren well enough now to read his body language. It wouldn’t have surprised him to see Zade draw a fighting knife from beneath his tunic and stab the general between the eyes.

  “What grudge does Zade hold against General Anx?” Malachi asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Gwen said. “Zade just said he had a bad feeling about the Orza male.”

  “So do I,” Malachi said. “But I don’t think our real problem is anyone in this room.”

  Gwen sighed and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Are you saying there’s someone higher in the Peace Alliance who is yanking all these chains?”

  “It is just a feeling,” Malachi warned, shrugging under his scarves. “If I could go inside Jilco or Anx, I could probably find out. I’ve been inside Kefira. I don’t trust her either, but she isn’t hiding anything concerning Meen. Her father has been directing most of her actions. Helping Synar hide the Allurean is her first real rebellion. It’s not only against her father, but a traitorous act toward the Peace Alliance as well. Frankly, I didn’t think she had that in her.”

  Gwen drummed her fingers, anxiety licking along the edges of her consciousness. “Let’s talk about something else before I implode. How’s your emissary doing?”

  “Angel is not speaking to me at the moment. I don’t exactly know why. Females are hard to understand regardless of their corporeality. I think she may be disappointed in me.”

  “For what? Naming her Angel? You have to admit that was pretty mean of you. She told you specifically that she hates that name. I’m sorry now I drew the correlation that sent you down that path,” Gwen said.

  “I like that name and the correlation. That is not the reason,” Malachi insisted. “Angel is disappointed because I killed a lot of warriors while she had to observe it. She has the power to stop me. It must have been very difficult for her not to do so.”

  “Has that freaky energy bitch warped your ability to reason? Your actions saved most of our asses. I don’t see any problem at all with what you did,” Gwen said.

  Malachi snorted and turned to fully face her. “Thank you for your support. I mean that, Commander. It just that I want Angel to think well of me. Of all beings, she well knows I am forced to serve my master’s will. I want to hear her say she understands.”

  “What is there for her to understand? You’re a demon. Synar gave you an order. Can you disobey him?” Gwen asked.

  “Yes—sometimes. In this case, I would not have done so. He, Ania, and the children were in danger. Everyone on the ship was in danger. I would kill those warriors again if I needed to,” Malachi said.

  Gwen patted his arm. “Then stop worrying about what your emissary thinks. If the blasted female can’t see that you did what you had to do, go spend the night with the Siren escorts. I bet with your experience you could give those predatory females something worthy to write about for their damn research.”

  “Fascinating. What problem do you have with the Siren females?” Malachi asked, remembering Ania’s disclaimer of their value.

  “No problem at all if they keep their sex-addicted fingers off my Siren. If they don’t, those sicko females won’t have any digits left to record bonding results in those little black books they keep.”

  Despite his concerns about nearly everything else going on, Gwen’s jealousy of the Siren females greatly amused him. It was a tiny, yet highly entertaining distraction. Still, he was learning to reward good deeds with good deeds in return.

  “Commander Jet, your Siren would never trade all the pleasure those talented females could offer him for even one single minute spent in your arms instead. Zade values everything about you. Frankly, I have been studying his devotion and trying to learn the energy settings of it. I would like to offer a kind of similar devotion to Angel.”

  Gwen laughed and shook her head. “My God, Zade is right. You’re like a male courting his first female. I like you way more than is wise.”

  “Oh, are we back to that male deity you often call Zade when you’re bonding?”

  Gwen drew in breath. “How the hell do you know that?”

  Malachi shrugged, but he doubted Gwen could see his body move under all the layers of black cloth covering him. “I spied on the two of you, of course. But only in mist form. And I was quiet the entire time to make sure I didn’t disturb what you were doing. Zade is poetry in motion when he’s focused on pleasuring a female. I don’t know how he ever managed to stay celibate all those years.”

  Gwen’s fist connecting hard with his arm had him calling out and drawing all attention in the room to them. She leaned in to hiss. “If I catch you in my quarters, I will suck your mist form into a sweeper and let Boca carve up your host body into a thousand pieces before you can get back to it. Do you understand me?”

  “Not precisely, but the gist of your threat is clear enough, even though I could easily escape any trap you could set. A sweeper? Really? They’re not even secure for dirt,” Malachi said.

  Gwen scooted back and prepared to stand to get away from the urge to choke the living breath from the black-wrapped male beside her, regardless of who was inside his body. Unfortunately, Synar and Chancellor Bartoff came through the door and thwarted her plans. She let her chair roll back to the table, but she gave a Malachi a final contemptuous glare in warning. His answering shrug had her planning retribution instead of listening to Synar’s introductions.

  Her gaze slipped briefly to Ania when she finally entered the room. The Pleiadian discreetly nodded to Synar as she took a seat near Zade.

  When General Anx started talking though, Gwen listened with more than her ears. The general’s delivery was smooth, too smooth to her m
ind, as he told them everything they wanted to hear. Is that what Zade had been picking up on?

  “Meen’s ship was hovering on the other side of Norblade while Synar and his crew were searching for the Allurean. The Apex’s captain has informed us that General Meen often dispatched the same team of warriors that he took with him to attack your ship. The consensus is that the warriors were aware of Meen’s true agendas. We had the entire crew scanned by an intuitive trained in truth detection. None of those left seemed to be lying about being out of the loop. We are inclined at this point to debrief them and release the Apex back into regular duty.”

  “What about Meen?” Synar asked. “Don’t tell me you’re not going to make him pay for what he did.”

  General Anx shook his head. “I appreciate your concern about justice being done, Captain Synar. Meen will be dealt with as soon as we figure out how to undo the connection you say he has with the ship. There’s no need for you to return to the main station. A special engineering crew is on its way now. They say they have seen this before. We feel quite sure they can do what is needed.”

  “No offense, General,” Synar said, “but I’d feel better if my crew could be evacuated before the Peace Alliance specialists start their tinkering.”

  “We will require a small crew to remain onboard, but all others can go to the planet while repairs are made. Your caution is understandable, Captain Synar. There is no need to further traumatize your crew.”

  “What about the Allurean? We failed to retrieve her. I’m sure that isn’t going to sit well with the Peace Alliance High Council,” Synar said.

  Anx shook his head again. “On the contrary, the High Ambassador and I have agreed you did quite well. It was Meen who killed the Allurean. Otherwise, she would be in our protective care right now. You and your crew fulfilled your part of the service.”

  “Yes, we did find her. The rest was a highly regrettable resolution to the situation,” Synar said.

  “Once the Guardian 13 is deemed safe, I suggest you and your crew take a short leave somewhere. Go to Rylen. That’s not very far from here. Shore leave among your Lieutenant Zade’s lovely species will relieve your crew from a lot of strain. I advocate at least two Earth weeks.”

  “That’s very generous, General. What happens after our shore leave?” Synar asked.

  Anx shrugged. “I’m sure the Peace Alliance will find something productive for you and your crew to do.”

  “And if we wanted to return to the Liberator and our regular duties?”

  Synar watched Jilco and Anx exchange worried looks.

  “Are you requesting that, Captain?” Anx asked.

  “Not at this time, but I haven’t completely discussed it with the crew members yet. We’re still in the process of deciding. I lost a valued crew member in the fight with Meen. Ensign Vetin’s life has not been grieved. I won’t disrespect his service.”

  “Quite understandable,” Anx replied.

  “The other Norblade females are on their way home, Liam. Tomorrow, I will take care of informing the deceased Norblade’s family,” Ralak said.

  Synar nodded. “I appreciate that, Ralak. Please convey my condolences. I’ll try to come up with a monetary restitution to help ease their suffering.”

  Ralak waved his hand. “Consider it already done. We are soon to be family ourselves. It is my pleasure to serve you this way.”

  Heedless of the surprised gazes around him, Synar bowed his head. “Zella and I are the lucky ones, Ralak.”

  “Since our talk seems to have shifted to expressions of gratitude, I wish to thank you and your crew for saving my daughter yet again, Captain Synar. It seems I owe you Kefira’s life once more,” Jilco said.

  Synar shook his head. “It wasn’t specific this time, High Ambassador. We were all going to be killed.”

  “Nevertheless, I will not forget your deeds,” Jilco said.

  Synar snorted. “Show your appreciation with service commendations instead of ships then, High Ambassador. We’re having a hard enough time settling into this one. Pretty much everyone has had to put in overtime to study its new mechanics.”

  Anx and Jilco laughed at his teasing, but none of his crew did. Neither did Kefira, Synar noticed. But he didn’t care. He meant what he said. He wasn’t convinced yet that the Guardian 13 was the best future for them.

  “Let’s retire for the evening and talk again tomorrow. I believe you will all be surprised at the food we can provide on the ship. I wouldn’t want you to delay your evening meal,” Synar said.

  Ralak waited until General Anx and the High Ambassador had left the room before turning to Liam. “Thank you for the invitation to join you and Ania for dinner. Zella and I will meet you in your quarters at the appointed time.”

  Synar knew his shock was showing, but it couldn’t be helped. When Ania touched his arm, his gaze burned into her.

  “Please accept my apologies, Ralak. I’m afraid Liam is in shock because I haven’t had a chance to tell him my plans worked out. I am most anxious to meet his birth parent,” Ania said. “We’ll see you shortly. You have plenty of time this afternoon for a brief rest first.”

  Ralak nodded and floated away so the couple behind him could have the fight he had seen in Liam Synar’s sharp gaze.

  “I told you dinner was a bad idea,” Synar said.

  Ania shrugged. “The Creators arranged for her to be here, Liam. Would you have me ignore this opportunity?”

  “Yes. I believe I would,” Synar said.

  “Trust me, Liam.”

  “This is not about trust, Ania. Zella can’t bring herself to be anything but coldly polite under the best of circumstances. Dinner will be intolerable.”

  Ania shrugged. “Then I will spend the evening chatting with Ralak about how charming his father was and telling him stories about the bets I used to make with his sire about settling disputes.”

  Synar braced his weight on flat hands pressed into the conference table. It was helping him not to put them on his mate and shake her. “No. We are not doing dinner. Zella’s negativity will invade our living space and I will find no peace tonight. I need to sleep, not entertain.”

  Ania leaned into her mate and placed her mouth on his. “It is my job to carry half your burdens. I am not afraid of your mother.”

  Synar hung his head and swore. When he lifted it, Ania was already gone.

  Gwen paused by him as she prepared to leave. “Anybody you need me to kick the shit out of for you before I go eat?’

  “I wish it were that simple,” Synar said.

  ***

  Ania knocked and waited. When no answer was forthcoming, she knocked again. The door opened to Chancellor Bartoff leaning heavily on one leg. Ania stepped forward uninvited and caught him as he weaved.

  “Ralak, where is your chair? You don’t have the strength to stand yet. Wrap your arm around me. I can support you,” Ania said.

  They started toward the large sitting bench when they heard a throat being cleared.

  “Honestly Ralak, I was only preoccupied for a few moments. You didn’t need to call the crew to help,” Zella said.

  “I was just answering the door,” Ralak said, easing down. “Thank you, Ania. It does my eyes good to see you again. I see you’ve changed your hair color. I didn’t get to compliment you earlier.”

  “Yes, my hair color and many other things, old friend,” Ania said, easing him out of her hold.

  She turned and bowed her head to the female who had borne her mate. “Greetings. I don’t believe we’ve had the chance to meet yet. My name is Ania Looren and I am Liam’s mate. I’ve spoken with Ralak, but have come to personally invite you to dine in our quarters with us this evening.”

  “No, thank you,” Zella said stiffly. “If Ralak wishes to accept your invitation, he may do so. I have no wish to dine with you or my disrespectful son.”

  Ania stood straighter. “May I ask the reason you would refuse our hospitality?”

  Zella shrugged and me
t the aggressive female’s glare. “You can ask, but I do not owe you more in answer. I came to assist Ralak, otherwise I would not be here at all. Liam and I have nothing further to discuss. After my mating with Ralak, I expect our dealings with each other will cease to be necessary.”

  Ania crossed her arms and took some deep breaths. “Are you really that lacking in compassion for Liam?”

  “You have offered dinner and I have declined as protocol requires. So I believe our conversation is over, former Peace Alliance Ambassador Ania Looren. Yes, I know who you are. Liam’s father had quite the admiration for you, but not nearly as much as his sire, who would talk about you for hours without stopping. I’m surprised you waited so long to mate with a Synar male. If you wanted a younger version so badly, you should have held out for my eldest son. Conor was far more male than timid Liam will ever be. One day you will be in my position wishing you had never laid eyes on any of them.”

  “Zella, that is enough. You are insulting Liam’s mate. It is a dangerous line to walk with any female and you certainly do not know who you are addressing,” Ralak said.

  Ania held up a hand to stop Ralak’s defense. “More threats will not fix this, Ralak. I could never harm Liam’s mother, no matter how offensive her words. He did try to warn me about her coldness. The offer to share a meal remains open if either of you care to accept it. Perhaps Zella can hold her tongue the entire night while we talk of old times.”

  “I will not go to your quarters. I will not be forced to do so,” Zella declared, glaring back at the female who was still glaring at her.

  “Silence, Zella,” Ralak ordered. “You have said quite enough. I’m wishing now I had never brought you.”

  He watched Ania walk to the door and wondered what she thought of Zella. It could only be bad.

  “Forgive her if you can, Ania. Zella has borne a great deal of hurt in her life. Her heart is locked, but as you can see, her tongue still reveals her pain.”

  Ania looked sadly at the male trying to make peace. “She has borne no more pain than Liam. Do me a favor, Ralak. Pray that the Creators make me a better mother to Synar’s children one day. In exchange, I will pray that you find the key to your mate’s compassion, if that is truly your wish.”