WhiteWing

by Connie Suttle

  Two High Demons and two others—she said we'd see who they were when they arrived, Ilya answered my question.

  High Demons are a good choice, I agreed. Weir's warlocks won't be able to get past them—they'll nullify their power.

  Do you think Cayetes has hired anyone to replace Deris and Daris? Bleek asked. Or does he intend to get his army here by conventional means?

  Good question, I said. I don't have an answer. He's probably waiting for Weir's first move, and Weir may be hesitating while he gets his army in shape and ready to work together. Remember, he's got tons of draftees who used to work for somebody else.

  True. Plus, hesitation is good—it gives us time to pull more in and get ready, Ilya said.

  We no longer have Zarbec's ship or crew at our disposal, Flyer pointed out. Perhaps we need ships of our own.

  "You know, I didn't have a problem with those guys," I said aloud. "Maybe we should send them an invitation."

  We walked through the aisles of what Paricos II called a grocer's market, setting things in a hovercart as we went along.

  "You think they'll want to join us?" Turtle's voice was soft. "We have nothing to offer them."

  "Except free will and friends to stand beside them," I said.

  "Try. Don't expect anything," Ilya muttered.

  "Are these things for Weir?" the cashier asked when we arrived at the door to pay.

  "No," I answered right away. "These things are for Master Tamp."

  "We were instructed to tell Weir's guards if any of you showed up. My boss has chosen to ignore that warning, as some of his friends who were Zarbec's servants died when Weir took over."

  "I think I'd like to speak with him—to thank him," I said. "And to offer him and all of you who wish to come a place with Master Tamp."

  * * *

  "Well, Neren and all his employees wished to come, so we brought them and emptied his store at the same time," I grinned at Tamp.

  Turtle, Flyer, Neren and all sixteen of his employees were now filling cabinets, freezers and refrigerators with food from Neren's store.

  "Nyarr and his brothers can place stasis spells on the perishables—to keep them fresh until needed."

  "Can any of them cook?" Tamp tried to hide his smile behind gruff words.

  "I believe Turtle and Flyer can supervise well enough," I said.

  "Good. Do you think anyone else may be interested in wiggling away from Weir's heavy hand?"

  "Perhaps. I'll look into it," I said.

  "Very well. You trust these?" Tamp asked.

  "Yes."

  "Good."

  * * *

  Star Cruiser Hellion

  Captain Meric

  If I'd been shot, I'd have been less surprised. The envelope materialized between my skin and shirt, lodging near where my heart now beat at an increased rhythm.

  Bray, my navigator, looked up from his station, fear and wonder on his face. The same thing had happened to him

  "I'll go first," I held up a hand. Opening the fastenings, I found the paper envelope resting against my chest. Lifting it carefully away, as I had no idea what it could be, I opened it with unsteady hands.

  Greetings from Zaria Keppler to Captain Meric, it read. I wish to extend an invitation to you and all who have received an envelope from me. Master Tamp has taken Revis' old compound to regroup. Should you wish to leave your new employer, I'd like to offer you a place with us. We are small, yes; many of ours died in the coup. However, if you desire the freedom to make your own choices, and friends who will stand beside you in the coming war, then write yes on this note. I will come for you in two days.

  Be warned, however. Only the recipients of these notes will be able to read or write upon them. Any other will only see blank paper. Therefore, do not attempt to take this to Weir or any of his loyal employees. It will not go well.

  Z.

  I cursed under my breath before reading the note again. Bray pulled out his note and began to read as well. We had a choice to make, it appeared. I already had my mind made up after reading it the second time.

  Chapter 12

  Paricos II

  Weir's Compound

  Arna

  "What do you mean, they kidnapped everyone in the store?" Weir demanded. If he hadn't been speaking on a communicator, Weir would probably have shot the spy reporting to him now.

  "It's that bitch—I'd lay money on it," I interrupted after a moment. "She's good at transporting people around, but that's about it."

  Weir turned to frown at me briefly before going back to his conversation. "Was there a woman with them?" He demanded.

  "Yes," came the answer. "Had dark hair. Pretty."

  "Don't ever call her that again," I hissed under my breath.

  "How many did they take?" Weir demanded.

  "Seventeen, I believe. Neren and his employees."

  "Is that all? What do you think grocery store employees can do against me? He probably wanted a cook," Weir snapped. "Unless it's more important than that, don't bother reporting next time."

  "Yes, Master Weir."

  * * *

  Ilya

  "You sent out invitations? Real invitations?" I frowned at Zaria.

  "Yes. But they're spelled invitations," she said. "Only the recipient can read or reply. Anybody else will only see blank paper."

  "What happens when they tell Weir?"

  "Oh, that won't happen."

  "Zaria?" I narrowed my eyes at her while my fists settled on my hips.

  "No. Honest," she said, holding up a hand to stave off my pretended anger.

  "I'm teasing," I grinned at her. "Who did you send them to?"

  "The people who want to get away from Weir, and deserve to get away from him."

  "I love you," I said, stepping forward to place my hands on her face before kissing her.

  "I love you, too," she said when I pulled back. "You just choose to ignore it most of the time."

  Her words caused me to turn away. I don't deserve you, I admitted and stalked off.

  * * *

  Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis

  Lissa

  "I thought I'd bring a few visitors before taking them to Paricos II," Breanne arrived just as my bunch was sitting down for lunch.

  The sight of those she'd brought had me standing quickly and opening my arms. Lexsi skipped into my embrace while Kordevik stood behind her, grinning like a fool. Behind those two stood Kell and Opal.

  My sister had brought formidable reinforcements for our small group on Paricos II. "I missed you, baby girl," I whispered against Lexsi's ear.

  "I missed you, too, Gran," she breathed.

  "They can arrive with the other volunteers," Bree took an offered seat at the table shortly after Kooper arrived to kiss her. "Things could get hairy fast," she said as more plates were brought.

  * * *

  Avii Castle, Avendor

  Quin

  "I know you want to help," Ashe held up a hand. The Mighty Hand had arrived to speak with Justis and me.

  I knew about the call for volunteers. I wanted to go more than anything to help Zaria and the others.

  It wasn't only my life I would be risking for now, and I knew that.

  It made me want to weep.

  "I can't go," I hung my head and admitted to Ashe what he knew already.

  "You don't have to go—you can help from here," he said, causing me to jerk my head up quickly. "You're still needed to place spheres, too, but those trips can be carefully spaced out so you won't deplete your energy too much."

  "How can I help them defeat V'ili and Cayetes? I want to make them pay for the lives they've taken," I whispered. It was a plea—to one of the Mighty from a small soldier.

  "Zaria will see to it that you have plenty to do, and I will have other healers here to help you, so you won't weary yourself."

  "Who will need healing?" I asked. "Will ours suffer?"

  "Some, possibly," he agreed, his eyes going dark as midnight, whi
le stars fell through their depths. "Most of those who need your help will be broken in body and spirit. You'll see soon enough."

  Ashe disappeared, leaving me to ponder his words.

  * * *

  Paricos II

  Revis' Rock

  Zaria

  "Are you ready?" Ilya asked Hal. The vampire was ready to mist into Weir's compound to look for Tamp's device.

  "I am."

  "Send mindspeech if you run into difficulty," I said. "Take this," I handed him a button.

  "What's that?" Hal blinked at me.

  "A way for me to find you," I said. "Just in case. Also, take this," I handed him something else. It was a duplicate of Tamp's device, although it held nothing more than a jumbled bit of circuitry inside it.

  "Nice work," Hal breathed after examining the device. "I didn't want to call the hounds after us immediately when one of those things disappeared."

  "Neither do I," I admitted. "I have too much work to do before Weir and Cayetes are at each other's throats."

  "I'll go now," Hal nodded to Ilya and me.

  "Be careful. I'd rather have you return empty-handed than not return at all," I said.

  "I understand, Lady." With that, Hal was gone. I released a sigh.

  * * *

  Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis

  Lissa

  "How many ground troops?" I pointed my question at Dragon, who'd taken charge of the volunteers. I wasn't surprised at all by that.

  "With the four Bree added, thirty-seven."

  "I think that'll be enough," I nodded. Turtle and Flyer were already on Paricos II. Most of the Falchani belonging to the Saa Thalarr had volunteered, too, including my twins and our sons, Travis and Trent. Only Caylon wasn't going, although he wanted to.

  I'd already had a stern word with my sons and their fathers, telling them this wasn't a pretend fight—this was real and people could die. I was also sending all the BlackWing ships, including the newest, BlackWing VIII, at Zaria's request.

  We'll need ships of our own, she'd sent, and I agreed with her.

  The army we'd gathered was small.

  And deadly.

  Vampires, werewolves and shifters, including the two black lions the Saa Thalarr boasted—Rush and Rachel, wanted to go.

  With Lexsi and Kory representing the High Demons, they were formidable enough. I worried that Cayetes, who was known for such things, would attempt to blast Paricos II to bits beneath their feet.

  "You have three more," a man shouldered his way through the crowd toward Dragon and me.

  They weren't really men.

  They were Black Ra'Ak.

  "I hope you're hungry," I said, smiling at them.

  "I think we'll have sufficient appetite," the first one grinned.

  "That makes an even number," Dragon approved of the new recruits. "Are your duffels packed and ready?" he asked the crowd.

  "Ready, Warlord," they responded.

  "Good. We go." Dragon offered a grin and disappeared with his army.

  * * *

  BlackWing I

  Bear Wright

  "We'll fold space after we pass this point," I indicated the spot on the three-dimensional star map. The captains of all the other BlackWing ships were connected with BlackWing I through our closed communication system. They were seeing what I was seeing.

  "That should put us in orbit around Paricos II in three days," Marco DeLuca, Captain of BlackWing III, observed.

  "We'll be shielded heavily once we fold space," Winkler said. He was riding along on BlackWing VII, to provide assistance as needed.

  "BlackWing IV is ready," Captain Dori Anderson announced.

  "Are you ready, Amos?" I asked Amos Thompson, who'd transferred to captain BlackWing V.

  "Just like old times, buddy," he laughed.

  "Then let's make like bullshit and hit the trail," I said.

  * * *

  Paricos II

  Weir's Compound

  Arna

  "They're not bothering us," Weir snapped at me. "We'll take care of them later, when we have this thing with Cayetes settled."

  I'd complained that the bitch was still alive, and probably transporting Tamp wherever he wanted to go. Weir wasn't listening to me. I was beginning to regret that Mayyab was dead; he'd agree with me that Tamp and his people who'd survived should be eliminated. Especially that bitch.

  Now.

  "They could get away," I pointed out.

  "Even better," Weir said. "Get them off Paricos II, by all means. It doesn't matter how it's done, just that it happens."

  "You're not listening to me," I wailed before running from the room.

  * * *

  Weir's Compound

  Hal

  My mist hovered in a corner of Weir's private office as the conversation between Arna and Weir took place.

  Arna was so jealous of Zaria, she wanted her and the rest of us dead. As a result, she was doing her best to convince Weir that Zaria was dangerous.

  While Arna didn't really believe that, she was right. I was grateful Weir discounted Arna's words, or we'd be defending ourselves already.

  Now it was time to resume my hunt for the device. As yet, I'd failed to find its hiding place. Weir hadn't locked it in his office safe; I'd made sure of that already. My visit had included stopping to listen to Weir and Arna's disagreement.

  Many more rooms and hidden spaces awaited; I continued my search.

  * * *

  Revis' Rock

  Ilya

  "They're on the way," I informed Tamp. "They'll be here before dinner."

  "Do any have special talents, such as our vampire does?" Tamp asked.

  "Several. I think you'll be pleased, Master Tamp."

  "Are they trustworthy?"

  "I trust them with my life," I said.

  "Can I trust them with my life?" he asked, his eyes narrowing at me.

  "Zaria will make sure of that, I think."

  His eyes widened as he studied me for a moment. "Zaria I trust," he said. "I cannot say why, but I do."

  "She believes in you, otherwise we'd have left when the Rock came down." I handed him truth for truth.

  "I wondered why you didn't anyway," he sighed. "Most of those who died would have deserted, I think."

  "They failed to see the whole of the image," I said. "Weir has no business being a criminal kingpin. Cayetes has no business being one, either."

  "So, a little crime upon occasion is all right?" Tamp lifted an eyebrow.

  "If it's for a good cause," I grinned.

  His guffaw surprised me.

  * * *

  Zaria

  Hal was gone three hours before he returned empty-handed.

  My shoulders sagged when he shook his head at me after materializing. I'd hoped Weir and his cronies wouldn't be so smart.

  That hope was now crushed.

  They'd left one of the devices on, to hide both—probably in plain sight.

  "Thank you for the attempt," I said. "Dinner will be ready in half an hour, but I think they can find something for you if you're hungry or thirsty."

  "I'll go to the kitchen," Hal said.

  "The others will arrive in a few minutes, I think."

  "Good." He waved an arm and left my suite.

  * * *

  Ilya

  Tamp had dressed carefully for the occasion, in a dark suit he'd acquired from somewhere.

  We stood in the grand hall of Revis' former compound, waiting as our army was ushered in by Nyarr and his brothers.

  The Dragon Warlord marched at the head of that small army, his brother and former General, Crane, at his side.

  They were identical, except for the tattoos decorating bare arms and chests. They'd worn the traditional leather vests, sleeveless and open to reveal their full sets of tattoos.

  "Welcome, Dragon," I bowed before the former Warlord of Falchan.

  "Well met, Bladesmith," Dragon nodded in return.

  "This is outstandi
ng," Tamp moved to my side to examine the army. Most were male, but sprinkled throughout, I saw the women.

  Kay and Jana. Others I didn't recognize, although they'd likely come with their mates and stood beside them.

  All were armed, except Kay.

  Devin and Grace are here with Dragon, Crane and Radomir, Zaria supplied. Kyler is here with Flavio. Kiarra is here with Adam and Merrill. My heart almost stopped when I heard Kiarra's name. Real power had come to help us. It made me think we might need it.

  You have real power here already, a beautiful voice whispered in my mind.

  Kiarra reminded me that Zaria was with us.

  Thank you, Lady, I responded.

  Just a friendly reminder. Men's heads are often thicker than necessary, her mental laugh tickled my brain.

  Guilty, I admitted.

  "I trust you'll be in charge of the army?" Tamp held out a hand to Dragon, who took it.

  "Yes," Dragon agreed. "I'll start putting our defenses together after dinner."

  * * *

  Zaria

  "You're telling me that the experienced treasure hunter wasn't expecting an ancient method of protection, and died because of it?" Dragon asked me as he buttered bread at dinner.

  "Yes. He expected the latest in electronic surveillance and protection, only to be killed by a mundane bullet to the forehead."

  "Fascinating," Dragon mused. "Shall we resort to a few old-fashioned defenses—just in case?" He turned to Crane, who would be serving as his General, just as he'd done far in the past.

  "I have a few things we can put in place," Crane grinned.

  "I'll have Adam and Merrill look into the defenses employed by the former owner of this compound, to see what's intact and what needs repairs." Dragon bit into the bread and nodded—Flyer and his new kitchen staff made excellent bread.

  "My brothers and I can put up spelled defenses," Nyarr offered. "We're just not used to that sort of thing."

  "Then ask the Bladesmith," Dragon pointed at Ilya. "He knows about such."

  "Is there something I don't know?" Tamp asked, as he looked from Nyarr to Ilya.

  "Hmmph," Dragon chuckled. "Too bad you've never heard of Ilya Ironsmith."

  Tamp went still while he studied Ilya. Ilya ignored his gaze and kept eating.

  "I have heard of him—the warlock who went to war for the Falchani and seldom used his power."

  "You're looking at him now," Dragon pointed his fork in Ilya's direction.