"Well, what's your theory, then?" Ilya finished his bacon and went after the eggs.
"I think they used this poor sap as an example," Zaria sighed. "For the others. After all, they're wealthy and have assets other than their wealth. What if Deris and Daris want those assets, too? If you show them what can happen if they don't cooperate, well, you could have a shipload of victims willing to do whatever you ask. Right?"
"I hadn't considered that," Caylon muttered.
"If they're neck-deep in drakus seed production and sales, you don't want to grow all your drakus seed in one place. You'll diversify, so if one place is discovered, you still have several others to meet the demands."
"So we should look for lands, warehouses and other things in the possession of those victims," Caylon rose immediately and nodded to Zaria. "Anything suitable for the production, storage or shipping of that filth." He disappeared, and I imagined that he'd be in contact with Kooper Griff the moment he reached his cabin.
"Have you had breakfast?" Ilya asked Zaria.
"No. I'll go get something," she said and moved to push her chair back.
"I'll take care of it," Ilya offered. "I just sent mindspeech to Bekzi, asking for an omelet for you. He says it'll be out shortly, with coffee and juice," he added after a moment.
"Thank you. Coffee sounds wonderful."
I wanted to smile—Ilya was doing his best to take care of Zaria without upsetting her. Too bad Sal and Lafe sat between her and Ilya.
"May I join you?" Edden Charkisul carried his tray to our table. "I heard we may have other investigations in the works," he added when I gave him a smile and gestured toward Caylon's empty chair.
"I think we're getting lessons on how a criminal's mind works," Sal grinned when Edden set his tray on the table and took the offered chair.
Bekzi arrived at that moment with Zaria's tray. He offered her a wide grin as he set it in front of her. "Tell if you not like—we make again," he said.
"Honey, it'll be fine," she said. "You're an amazing cook."
"I thank," his grin widened. "Sit here—have coffee—with you?"
"If that's what you want." Zaria was surprised that he'd asked. Gerrett appeared seconds later, two cups of coffee in his hands. He took a second chair on Zaria's other side, while Bekzi occupied the first.
Ilya frowned deeply and concentrated on finishing his meal.
Don't be upset, I sent to him. If you could see Zaria's eyes following you every moment you aren't looking, you'd know she cares for you.
He went still for a moment before nodding imperceptibly and lifting his cup of tea to drink. Dr. Halivar says not to take things for granted, he replied. I was surprised to hear mindspeech from him—he was reluctant to speak most of the time.
"Zaria," I turned to her. She lifted her eyes from her plate to blink at me. She understood I wanted to ask for something.
She tilted her head as she considered my unspoken request. "I can form a wind-tunnel of sorts, so you can fly in place," she said. "I can adjust the wind speeds, too, to give you the workout you want to keep your wings strong."
"That brilliant," Bekzi said. "Not room on ship to fly."
"Want help?" Ilya offered.
"If you want to," Zaria smiled at him. You'd have thought the sun had become visible after days of gloom when Ilya's eyes brightened.
"When?" Zaria turned back to me.
"Every afternoon, when we don't have something else to do? At three bells—for half an hour?"
"That's fine," Zaria said. "I'd love to watch you fly. It sounds amazing."
"Want to start this afternoon?" Ilya asked.
"I'd love to stretch my wings," I said. "Yes."
* * *
I flew in a windy, oval tunnel. At first, Zaria consulted me as I flapped my wings to keep myself aloft. She adjusted the speed of the circulating wind to give me the exercise I desired.
At least Caylon waited with his news until I'd finished my exercise. We met with him in the captain's study behind the bridge. "Zaria was correct," Caylon appeared grim. "We have found unusual activity surrounding property and facilities owned by kidnap victims. We have ASD agents researching this, although Director Griff doesn't want to move in too quickly. That could shut everything down, leaving us with no clues as to the safety or whereabouts of these victims."
"So we wait and watch until we can move in with certainty?" Lafe asked.
"Yes. Kooper wants leads on the Ardens and Cayetes, unless things get so bad there's no choice but to go in before then."
"What about Morid? Do you think he's still being held captive?" Bel asked.
"I think as long as the coffin is in your grandmother's dungeon, they'll have Morid," Zaria spoke. "I worry that he's not in comfortable circumstances, however."
"I think so, too," I nodded at Zaria. "While I believe him weak for not opposing his father, he didn't agree with many of his father's decisions. If we rescue the others, we should also rescue Morid."
"We have to find them, first," Caylon growled. "Do that for me and I'll authorize anybody's rescue."
Zaria's and my eyes met. Without words, we were committed. There would be no waiting for authorization from Caylon. The moment we could effect a rescue, we were determined to do it.
It's the right thing to do, Zaria sent.
Agreed, I returned.
* * *
Zaria
"I feel terrible about Valegar." I sat in Kevis Halivar's makeshift study after dinner, to talk, as he put it. His first question?
Tell me something that troubles you.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because he thinks I'm dead, and that I left him without a good-bye."
"So you feel guilty about that."
"Feel is too mild a word. Struggling with crushing guilt is a better phrase."
"Do you love him, still?"
"Yes."
"And you worry that he may not love you, now, since you mistreated him."
"Yes."
"There is one way to figure this out," Kevis shifted in his chair.
"What's that?"
"Speak to him."
"Out of the blue? What do you think that will do to him?"
"Would you rather he found out another way? Larentii can and will keep secrets until the end of time. Probably beyond that, if necessary."
"My worry is that Kalenegar will attempt to pull me away from this," I swept out a hand.
"I doubt that very much, since Breanne wants you right where you are."
"I just," I covered my face with both hands. "I can't handle his anger," I mumbled, feeling close to tears. "Not now. I'm only one word away from a total meltdown most of the time."
"Breanne admits that she should have kept the Larentii from passing sentence against you," Kevis sighed. "I know that felt like a betrayal to you. That your race abandoned you, there at the end, when you were trying to set things right. You feel as if they failed to understand your motives, and the resulting pain you suffered as a result."
"Yeah."
"Are you angry with Valegar?"
"No," I huffed. "He could find me to stop me. He and his father, both. He did the only thing he could and stayed away."
"You don't blame him?"
"Absolutely not. What is there to blame? He was nothing but good to me and loved me no matter what, even when I was turning most of my attention on Ilya. I feel bad that I didn't give him his due."
"Do you blame the drug for this? The confusion you feel?"
"I blame that fucking drug for almost everything. On Karathia, I was supposed to be with Ilya only during our lifetime, only that was fucked up when I got the drug a second time and Valegar came along. It's like having three people in your head all the time."
"Because you remember three lives."
"Yes. With distinct clarity."
"What would you say to Valegar if he were here, now?"
"I'd say I'm sorry. It's all I have." I wiped tears away while ducking my head—I
didn't want a relative stranger to see me cry.
* * *
Ilya
I'd just finished a sparring session with Caylon, and was walking toward my cabin when the Larentii arrived. His unexpected presence almost made me jump, but as Larentii don't have violent tendencies, I understood that I was safe.
"Who?" I glanced up at him as he matched his stride to mine.
"I am Valegar," he smiled. "You knew me in another lifetime."
* * *
Quin
"We have an addition to the crew," Sal said. He'd found me having herbal tea with Lafe and Berel, before we retired for the evening.
"Who?" I asked.
"A Larentii."
"Do I know him?"
"Nefrigar's second son, Valegar."
"I haven't met him, but he's welcome here. Will he come and go, like Daragar?"
"It's possible, I suppose. You can ask him yourself, if you want. He's officially here to record our actions for the Archives."
"Then we could see much of him," I said.
"Very true." Sal grinned. Something else was afoot, here; I merely couldn't read it in him. "Word of the Q'elindi spread rapidly, once Daragar discovered her," Sal explained. "Of course the Larentii want to record that. They are also very interested in you, as you know, but they rely on Daragar to provide that information for Nefrigar. They have no desire to intrude on your privacy."
"Then I am grateful for the concession," I mumbled while considering the talk I intended to have with Daragar when I saw him next.
"Dearest, you wish to speak with me?" Daragar appeared—his smile broad and glowing.
"Is there something you haven't told me?" I asked. I couldn't help smiling back at him—that's how infectious his grin was.
"Dearest, of course you are in the Archives, as your history is tied to that of Siriaa and the events following its destruction. I hope this does not offend you." His smile disappeared.
"You mean this is in a historical context?"
"Yes. Berel is also listed in this history, as is his father and many others."
"Oh. All right, then. I just didn't want," I sighed.
"We know this," the smile was back. "Do not fear, all is historically well in the Archives. Now, may I interest you in my company this night?"
Hot damn, Berel sent. We get energy sex.
He'd used one of Queen Lissa's archaic idioms. I didn't care; I wasn't about to turn Daragar down.
* * *
Ilya
If the information had come from anyone else, I wouldn't believe it. Still, it was difficult to process.
"You remember this?" I stared at Valegar.
"Yes. As difficult as it is for you, I have been in mourning for many years as a result of this—both for her and for you."
"How much did she love me? How much did I love her?"
"She grieves for you. Is terrified that you will never love her, and are lost to her forever. What she did in the past—you were the catalyst. Her actions kept you from terrible harm."
"But you won't tell me what that was."
"No. I can only tell you that in your previous life, she loved you more than anything."
"Why are you telling me this, then?"
"To give you a choice. If you do not wish to be connected to her, then I can arrange to have the connection broken."
"What?" I went still, while my entire being was suffused with fear. "No," I whispered. "Please, never say that to me again."
"She saved you before. You must help save her this time."
"How do I do that?"
"How much do you wish to touch her? To tell her how you feel?"
"You should know," I grumbled, lowering my eyes. "Larentii know everything, or so I hear."
"Don't wait, then. Tell her how you feel. Show her. I hope you know to back away if she becomes uncomfortable."
"Of course. I received my instructions in proper sexual conduct, just as any other warlock and witch in training."
"Very good. There is one more thing."
"What's that?"
"Your jealousy. It is now removed."
Chapter 6
Quin
The pleasures of the night were quickly forgotten when we were rousted from our beds after only a few hours' sleep. Another freighter had been attacked, only this one didn't get the chance to send out a distress signal before it was overtaken two days earlier.
We were pulling alongside the drifting hulk, now, where a gaping hole remained in the cargo hold, with no apparent signs of life to give us hope.
"What was the cargo?" Caylon snapped as we prepared to board the abandoned ship.
"More medical supplies, in addition to food packs destined for the ASD," Sal responded.
"They took everything? Why do they want ASD food packs?" Bel asked.
"Tell the ASD to quarantine every food pack in their possession," Zaria shook her head. "Tell them to take care when testing some of them."
"What the fuck?" Sal turned in her direction.
"If you can't beat them, kill them," Zaria said. "Too much drakus seed will kill anybody. That stuff has to be carefully measured if you want the benefit without the very considerable side effect of waking up dead."
"You can't be serious?" Caylon growled.
"Tell them to test that crap. Then tell me how serious it can be."
Caylon sent mindspeech—I watched his eyes lose focus for several seconds. When he blinked, he turned back to Zaria. "It will be done," he said. "They'll run a sampling. Kooper will keep us informed."
"You may want to issue a recall for all food packs distributed or sold to anyone else," I said. Zaria nodded at my request.
"How," Caylon began before shaking his head. "Never mind," he held up a hand.
"I worry that somebody won't get the message, or will disregard it," I said. Zaria nodded again.
Are you two thinking with the same brain? Bel Erland sent to Zaria and me. I could tell there was a smile in his mental sending.
You think we'd tell you that? Zaria snipped. I stifled a snicker.
How do you wake up dead? he teased.
Believe me, it's less complicated than you think, Zaria replied.
You're not getting out of training, just because you got out of bed early, Sal interrupted.
You moonlight as a wet blanket, don't you? Zaria returned.
Sal laughed, causing Caylon to frown. It took a moment for me to understand the meaning of Zaria's words. When I did, I laughed as well.
"What's so funny?" Caylon demanded.
"Zaria told Sal that he moonlights as a wet blanket," I said.
James and Nathan, our pilots, fell into each other's arms, they laughed so hard.
"Thank you. I'll be here all week," Zaria stood and bowed, which brought on fresh laughter.
Caylon tossed up a hand and walked out of the meeting.
* * *
Zaria
"I'll train her today," Caylon nodded to Sal before our session began. My breath caught. I was about to be taught a lesson for disrupting Caylon's meeting. Who knew Caylon Black had a sense of humor that ran into negative territory?
"Then I'll see to Quin and Jayna," Sal said and stepped away.
"Now, then," Caylon said. "One of the things that advanced students learn is the art of mockery. The talent can often distract the enemy, depending upon the effectiveness of the derision involved."
"Yes, but," I said.
"But what?"
"Doesn't it normally entail that the one doing the mockery is at least skilled enough to hold his or her own with his or her opponent?" I asked.
"Under normal circumstances."
"You know I can see anything in just about anybody, including their weaknesses?"
"I understand that."
"If I insult someone, it will make them all the more determined to kill me," I said.
"What would you do if you faced an enemy at this moment?" Caylon asked.
"It depends."
/> "On what?"
"How much of an enemy he was."
"Who is the worst enemy you can think of?"
"Alive or dead?"
"Alive."
"Deris and Daris," I said.
"What would you do if they stood in front of you?"
"Kill them."
"No words beforehand?"
"Honey," I let my shoulders sag, "those two have given up any right to keep their lives. They would die as quickly as I can make them dead."
"You have no questions for them?"
"Did you forget who I am? I can see everything in their faces. There's no need to waste time asking for information."
"Then apply that talent to what I wish to teach you."
"What?"
"Go ahead. Turn off your filter and see everything in me that I want you to know about hand-to-hand combat. Then I'll test your knowledge."
"Knowing and doing are two different things," I pointed out.
"Then how do you know you can kill Deris and Daris before they can kill you?"
"You want to test me? Or is this your version of the verbal mockery mentioned earlier?"
"You're far too quick for me," Caylon snarled.
"Oh, look, your misogyny is showing," I snapped back. "Better tuck that back in before your mate sees it."
"Keep my mate out of this."
"Seriously?" I Pulled in four wooden practice blades, thumping two of them against his chest. "Come on; flatten me like you want to."
"Aren't you afraid I might bruise that fragile skin?"
"Ooh, now the claws come out," I said. "Big, bad Caylon wants a piece of me. Come on, panther-man, get your licks in before your daughter's born." I shook a wooden sword at him.
"What?" Both wooden blades dropped from his hands as he gaped at me.
"She's pregnant. Your mate," I snapped. "This is why she couldn't perform the healing for the Grey House wizard, so Quin and I had to do it. The baby is yours—a daughter. Better hide that misogyny good, dude."
"That secret was not yours to give," Valegar suddenly stood beside me. "His mate was waiting to tell him."
I blinked up at Valegar for two seconds, tops, before I dropped bonelessly to the floor.
* * *
Quin
"I asked for it," Caylon waved a hand. It was now six hours later; he'd spent most of that time with his mate, Cleo, who was pregnant, just as Zaria said. "I wanted to goad Zaria; instead, it blew up in my face."
SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4 Page 7
