It put all of its ten legs on the floor, then began to rise up slowly until its legs were nearly straight, then lower itself just as slowly until its belly nearly touched the floor. It shifted forward as it rose up again, then back down before shifting a few inches forward once more, getting closer to the barrier each time. The movements were almost hypnotizing, its forward motion nearly indiscernible, but the Vulpirans were not fooled.
Lance and Hunt moved so that they stood between the barrier and Michael without standing directly in front of him. Vikter examined the barrier again, in case he’d missed something, but he could see no way for the Xanti to get to Michael. If it did breach the wall, he was certain that Lance and Hunt would be able to protect Michael while he shifted into his vulpin alter-form. Even so, he did not like the way the Xanti was moving, or the way its red eyes remained fixed unblinkingly on Michael.
The tension in the room begin to rise as the Xanti reached the wall, then raised two of its foremost legs and began tapping against it. Michael had not moved a fraction since closing his eyes, other than to breathe, and he did not seem to notice the tapping which began slowly, then steadily increased in both tempo and volume. The Xanti raised a third leg to join in the tapping, then a fourth. Just as Vikter reached the end of his tether and was ready to shift, Michael opened his eyes. The Xanti instantly stopped its infernal tapping, and the two of them stared at each other for a long moment.
Then the Xanti turned around and walked back to its corner where it settled itself once more the way it had been when they entered. Only when all of its legs were tucked up under it again did Michael turn to look at Vikter. He nodded, then turned his back on the Xanti and went through the door as soon as Hunt opened it for him, stepping out into the corridor. He waited while Vikter thanked the Lobos, then turned around and began walking back the way they had come. He managed several steps before he began to collapse. Lance leapt forward, catching Michael just before his head would have hit the floor.
***
Honey opened her eyes, wondering what had awakened her. She lay motionless on the bed, waiting. A few moments later the doorbell rang. She got out of bed and hurried out of the bedroom, up the hall, across the sitting room and into the big, circular foyer, her mind racing. Had something happened to Nica? Or Michael?
She pulled the door open, surprised to see Michael standing there, leaning against the white haired Vulpiran, the other two standing right behind them. The middle one, she thought. Lance.
“Michael?” she asked, “What happened?”
“I’m fine, Honey,” Michael said, though his face was so pale he was nearly as white as the Alverian Healer, Jareth.
“Come in, please,” Honey said, realizing she was blocking the doorway. She stepped back, opening the door all of the way so that Lance could enter with Michael. He helped him into the living room and onto the sofa, Hunt assisting, while Vikter closed the door.
Honey hurried after Michael, trying to ignore the sudden burst of feelings she was getting from the Vulpirans. She knelt down on the floor in front of where Michael sat and reached for his wrist.
“Mrs. Davis,” Vikter began, but Honey shook her head firmly, and he fell silent. After a few moments she released Michael’s wrist and stood up.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, hurrying from the room. She returned quickly, carrying a black medical bag. She set it on the floor, opened it, and removed several instruments which she then proceeded to use on Michael. When she was finished she sat back with a frown on her face.
“Everything seems normal, except that your pulse is a little slow, and your blood pressure a bit lower than it should be,” she said. “What happened?”
“I just used my special talent a bit longer than I should have.”
Honey’s eyes widened in surprise. She glanced up at Vikter, Lance, and Hunt, then back to Michael again.
“Don’t worry,” Michael said, patting her hand gently. “They are to be trusted.” Honey glanced at the Vulpirans again, not even trying to hide her doubt. It was only because she’d experienced open acceptance of her own psychic powers that day at Arima House that she was able to accept Michael’s revelation as calmly as she did. Still, she thought, it was one thing for her to reveal her talents to a group of women. It was another thing entirely for Michael to reveal his to three of the top scientists on Jasan. If they said anything, even by accident, to the Teriens, everything they’d worked and sacrificed for would be destroyed.
“Do not concern yourself, Mrs. Davis,” Vikter said. “Or is it Doctor Davis?”
“Doctor,” Honey confirmed. “And I am concerned. You have information that could ruin Michael.”
“Are you saying that you do not trust us?” Hunt asked, his question just short of a demand.
“I don’t know you,” Honey replied, standing up to face them. “Nor do I like having our fate in the hands of strangers.”
“Honey,” Michael said. She looked down at him, seeing the weariness in his brown eyes.
“Yes?”
“I’m going to go lie down and rest in just a moment,” Michael said. “But first, I need you to trust me when I tell you that the Vulpirans are honorable. I would never put our safety in anyone’s hands if I was not absolutely certain they were to be trusted.”
“All right, Michael,” she said with a sigh, giving in. For the moment. “Come on, let me help you into bed.”
“If you will allow us,” Vikter said.
Honey stepped back. It would be ridiculous to refuse their help when they were so much bigger and stronger than she was. A few minutes later Michael was lying on the bed, his shoes off, asleep almost from the moment his head hit the pillow.
When they returned to the living room, Honey hesitated, uncertain what to do next. Should she ask them what had happened? Ask them to leave? Ask them to vox Aunt Berta for her? She had no idea. She seemed to be having a difficult time concentrating with the Vulpirans there.
What she did know was that the tension radiating from the three of them was increasing her own tension. Apparently they didn’t like her, though she didn’t understand why since they knew nothing about her. Nor did she understand why the knowledge hurt her. What difference did it make what they thought of her?
“Dr. Davis,” Vikter said after a long, uncomfortable silence, “I would reassure you that what your husband said is true. We will never betray his confidence. Also, I would have you know that we took Michael to the infirmary before bringing him home. Doc gave him a thorough examination, and said that all he needed was a few hours of sleep.”
Honey relaxed a little at that. “Thank you, Consul Vulpiran,” she said. “That helps.”
“Is there anything else we can do for you?” he asked. “I see that you have no ground-car at your disposal. We would be happy to address that matter for you, if you like.”
“That would be very much appreciated,” Honey said. She’d been prepared to decline his help until he said that. She felt so isolated all of a sudden, with Michael unwell, and Nica at Arima House, and no way for her to contact Aunt Berta, or go to her. She studied the Vulpirans for a moment, trying to make up her mind about them. In spite of their tension, they were offering to help, and Michael trusted them.
“At the moment, Nica is at Arima House,” she said. “I’ve no way to contact Aunt Berta to let her know what’s going on, and I don’t want to leave Michael alone for the time it would take me to walk there to fetch Nica myself.”
“We will inform Arima Berta of the situation at once,” Vikter said. “We’ll also procure a vox for you so that you’ll have some means of communication while you are here.”
“I have a vox,” Honey said. “It’s just programmed for Earth, and I haven’t taken the time to have it reset. Nor has Michael, as far as I’m aware.”
“There is no need,” Vikter said. “It will be far easier for each of you to have a separate vox for Jasan, and leave the others as they are.”
“Thank you,” Honey
said, feeling relieved. They might not like her, but they apparently liked Michael a great deal considering how helpful they were being.
***
“I’m confused,” Lance said as they walked away from the guest house toward their ground-car.
“About?” Vikter asked as he climbed into the driver’s seat.
Lance took the back seat and Hunt got into the front passenger side. Only after Vikter engaged the engine did Lance answer his question.
“Michael and Honey,” Lance said. “They seem to care a great deal about each other. Michael speaks of her with respect and liking, and Honey was clearly very distressed by his condition when she saw him.”
“Your point?” Hunt asked.
“I saw not a single sign of deeper affection between them,” Lance said. “She examined him as a doctor would, but she did not touch him as wives generally touch their husbands, or as Arimas touch their Rami. Didn’t you notice it?”
“I did,” Vikter said thoughtfully. “I also sensed her emotions. She was, as you said, worried, and concerned for him. She was also afraid when she discovered that we know about Michael’s psychic ability. But I sensed no warmer feelings from her.”
“What are you saying?” Hunt asked, frowning at Vikter.
“I’m not sure,” Vikter said. “Maybe things are not as they appear to be.”
They fell silent for the remainder of the drive, until Vikter turned into a long, gravel driveway, and parked the ground-car in front of Arima House. Like all Clan Jasani, they were amazed by the very existence of such a place. It’s creation was due in large part to Arima Berta Falcoran, a woman who had earned for herself the undying respect and gratitude of all their people.
“Consul Vulpiran,” Berta said in surprise as the head housekeeper, Julia, showed them into the sitting room where she sat reading to Nica. She started to get up, but Vikter waved her to remain where she was when he saw that the little girl’s eyes were closed in sleep, her head leaning against Berta’s side. Berta looked down at Nica, then closed the book and set it aside.
“Please, have a seat,” she said quietly. “I’m not sure where Merrick, Tor and Jerri are, but I can vox them if you like.”
“Actually, we came to speak with you, Arima Berta,” Vikter said, taking a chair near the sofa where she sat. Lance and Hunt stood behind his chair so that they could all speak quietly so as not to awaken the child.
“Yes?” Berta asked as she lightly stroked Nica’s hair.
“Michael fell ill while examining our resident Xanti,” Vikter said. “Doc examined him and declared him fine, though in need of several hours of good sleep. We took him home, and promised Dr. Davis that we would come here to inform you of the situation on her behalf.”
“How is Honey?” Berta asked.
“She’s fine, Arima Berta,” Vikter said. “Concerned for Michael, of course, but she examined him herself and seemed satisfied with Doc’s diagnosis. Unfortunately, she has neither a vox nor a ground-car at her disposal, so was at a loss as to how to inform you, collect her daughter, and care for Michael all at once.”
“How thoughtless of me,” Berta said. “I should have realized they would need a ground-car. And a vox or two. I’ll ask Merrick to take care of that right away.”
“Please, do not trouble yourself,” Vikter said. “We told her that we would provide them with those items, and we would like to do this for his family.”
“Thank you, Consul Vikter,” Berta said. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Please, call me Vikter,” he replied. “Now, what shall we do about this little one?”
“She’s welcome to stay here, of course,” Berta said. “I don’t have any of her things, but Merrick can speed-travel over there for them. My main concern is that I don’t know how Honey would feel about it.”
“I don’t think she’d like it very much, Auntie Berta,” Nica said sleepily. “Mana never likes me to stay without her for very long.”
“In that case, we’ll take you home,” Vikter said. “Unless you would rather someone else take you?”
Nica looked at Vikter for a long moment. Then she turned her big, dark blue eyes on Lance, then Hunt. They remained motionless while she studied them, sensing that she was seeing them with more than just her eyes. Suddenly she smiled brightly and sat up. “I can go with you,” she said.
“Nica, why don’t you go splash some water on your face and wash your hands,” Berta suggested.
“Yes, ma’am,” Nica said politely. She climbed off the sofa and started out of the room before remembering her manners. “’Scuse me, please,” she said.
Vikter, Lance and Hunt all smiled at the little girl, charmed by her.
“Vikter,” Berta said as soon as Nica left the room, “I just wanted a moment to tell you that I haven’t said anything to my niece about her being your Arima.”
Vikter’s smile dropped from his face at the reminder. He’d completely forgotten that he’d told Berta that her niece was their Arima at the airfield the day before. “I appreciate your confidence,” he said. “At the moment we are dealing with the situation as well as we can. Under the circumstances, we would prefer that it not become general knowledge.”
“I understand, of course,” Berta said. “Neither myself, nor my Rami, will mention it to anyone. However, I would like to say one thing to the three of you.”
“What’s that?” Vikter asked.
“Do not give up,” Berta said.
“Do you know something?” Lance asked.
“No, I’m afraid I have no specific information for you,” Berta replied. “Remember, I only met them yesterday myself. I just have a feeling that things are not as they seem.”
“I said the same thing just a few minutes ago, Arima Berta,” Vikter said with a smile.
Berta nodded in satisfaction as Nica returned, her cheeks pink and the hair around her face damp. “I’m ready,” she said.
Vikter stood up, watching as Berta bent down to hug Nica before giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Tell your mother not to worry about dinner tonight. I’ll take care of it. And tell her that I will be down to visit tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, Auntie Berta,” Nica said. “Thank you for letting me stay here today. I had fun.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie,” Berta said. “Now, off with you before your mother starts to worry.”
A few minutes later Vikter and Lance sat in the back seat of the ground-car with Nica between them, while Hunt took the driver’s seat. Vikter was careful to adjust Nica’s seat belt just so, and snap it into place.
He had never in his entire life been responsible for a child, not even for a moment, and hadn’t stopped to consider that before offering to take Nica home. Now that they were alone with her, he realized how enormous the responsibility was. It was no simple thing at all. What if he hadn’t adjusted the belt correctly? What if the buckle wasn’t snapped firmly into place? What if Hunt drove too quickly and had an accident? Not that any of them had ever had an accident before. Their reflexes were far too good for that. But one never knew. And Nica was not Jasani. She was human. A very tiny and delicate human, and infinitely more vulnerable to serious injury than they were.
“Drive slowly, Hunt,” he said, “and be careful. No accidents, please.”
Hunt turned to look at his brother in surprise. Then his eyes fell on Nica, and he understood. “Yes, very slowly,” he agreed, shuddering at the possibility of causing harm to the little girl. Suddenly he wished Vikter were driving instead.
“May I ask you something?” Nica asked Vikter as Hunt put the ground-car in gear and began to inch slowly down the driveway.
“Of course,” Vikter replied. “What would you like to know?”
“What’s the animal called that you turn into?” she asked.
“We call it a vulpin,” he replied, hiding his shock. “On Earth it’s closest relative would be a fox.”
“Oh,” Nica replied. “I think I know what a fox is. Aren’t
those little dogs with pointy noses?”
“Yes, that is correct,” Vikter replied. “We look a bit different than that, but it’ s close. Now, may I ask you a question?”
“Yep,” Nica replied at once.
“How did you know we turn into vulpin?”
“I’m not suppose to tell about that,” Nica said, her smile fading as a worried look entered her eyes. “Mana and Dodi wouldn’t like it if I did.”
“That’s all right,” Vikter said. “We do not want you to disobey your parents.”
Nica let out a small sigh of relief, then frowned. “Can I ask you something else?”
“Yes, you may,” Vikter said, smiling. The child was precocious, but in a very sweet way.
“When you guys marry Mana and turn her into a vul...vulpie, will I get to turn into one too?”
Hunt hit the brake in shock, but as he was going about a foot an hour, nobody really noticed it. Besides, Lance and Vikter were busy staring opened mouthed at the little girl between them.
“Did I say something bad?” Nica asked in a small voice as the men continued to stare at her in silence.
“No, not at all,” Vikter said, shaking his head slowly. “But I am curious, Nica, why do you think we will marry your mother?”
“Because you will,” Nica replied matter-of-factly, relaxing when she realized they weren’t angry with her.
“What about your father?” Lance asked.
“Dodi isn’t going to marry you guys,” she said seriously. “He’s going to marry someone else, but I can’t see who. It’ll be a long time away from now. So will I? Turn into a vulpie, I mean?”
“Why don’t you go ahead and call us foxes,” Vikter said. “And no, I’m afraid you won’t get to turn into one.”
The Vulpirans' Honor: The Soul-Linked Saga Page 7
