I silently sent up a prayer that someone was watching this property as closely as needed. Even if none would recognize me now, I hoped someone would stop the Arden twins before Ruther Kend perfected their machines.
* * *
Catacombs—Rith Naeri Headquarters
Hraede
Halimel I
"There's definite activity." I shoved the comp-vid toward Brin. "The problem, of course, is that we don't know for sure who is there or what will happen if we infiltrate. Kooper Griff says the lives of kidnap victims are at stake. One wrong move and everybody dies. It doesn't help that Yerbys isn't a permanent citizen of Hraede; he merely vacations here one or two moon-turns per year."
"We don't have a tunnel near the property, either," Brin thumbed through the images delivered by one of our vampire spies. "I'll send this information to Rigo; he can decide what to share with Griff."
"I say we call the others in for a meeting. Ask Rigo if he's free to come. I want more eyes on this property, although it doesn't fit the bill as far as drakus seed production goes. The land isn't suitable and it's covered in trees."
"I'm hoping Rigo has better intelligence to share," Brin shrugged. "Perhaps its headquarters to important lieutenants or such. If we take one or two of those," he didn't finish.
We could place compulsion, as long as there'd been no obsession placed beforehand. That was a delicate situation and could end up exposing all of us. It angered me that these rogue Karathians had bred Sirenali—enough to cover their tracks from the powerful—in their bid for domination and the takeover of the Karathian throne.
Brin rubbed the Night Flower tattoo on the side of his neck. He did that whenever he worried—it was unconscious on his part. We'd taken an oath when the tattoo was applied—to protect Hraede and its citizens with our lives, our strength and our wits.
Once, we'd been kings of Hraede, and all of us had the advantage of being advised in secret by the wisest of vampires while we sat the throne. As for our turning, they only offered it to the best among Hraede's monarchs. Sadly, no queens had survived the attempt at turning, although Rigo said that Queen Lissa might consider offering her blood when the next suitable Hraedan Queen came along.
Rigo was the first King made vampire, but his sire hadn't been seen in years; he was so ancient, even when he made Rigo vampire, we feared he'd greeted the sun and quietly left this existence behind.
I think we felt Kellik's absence most acutely now, as we might be dealing with rogues from Karathia who held a power we couldn't combat properly.
"Done," Brin said, tossing the comp-vid onto the table. "Rigo is set to come to the meeting tomorrow night."
"I wish Kell were here," I said, lifting the comp-vid and studying the first image of the Rovell vacation home high on a hill outside our city. "Maybe he'd have some ideas."
* * *
BlackWing VII
Terrett
I joined James and Nathan on the bridge of BlackWing VII. It was near midnight, ship-time, and I should have been in bed. Since Quin's disappearance, my ability to sleep had vanished with her.
"It's a weak distress signal," James turned toward me. I'd learned he could hear my mindspeech, so we communicated easily.
From where? I asked.
"Not far—we just picked it up," he replied. "Will you ask Caylon to join us? This worries me."
I sent mindspeech to Caylon and Salidar, then informed James that they were on the way. "Don't venture too close," Nathan cautioned. "It could be a trap."
"I'm waiting for Caylon's orders," James confirmed. "Full stop, please," he ordered the ship.
"Full stop as requested," BlackWing VII's soft, mechanical voice replied. "All systems functional."
"What's going on?" Caylon shrugged into a shirt as he appeared on the bridge. Sal, fully dressed, arrived right behind him.
"Distress signal, Commander," James said. "A weak one. We're afraid it's a trap. There's been no word from the ASD that they've received it, yet, and we passed a sat-sensor not long ago."
"Daragar?" Caylon spoke to empty air. In no time, the tall Larentii, accompanied by Valegar, arrived on the ship's bridge.
"Can you help shield the ship?" Caylon asked. "I want to check this out."
"We must go quickly," Daragar turned bright-blue eyes on Caylon. "This is not what you think."
"Full speed," Caylon snapped. The ship, recognizing his command, jerked into motion immediately.
"Follow the signal," James ordered. The ship responded with a lurch. We were traveling as swiftly as we could and leaving the shipping lanes far behind.
Another Larentii I didn't recognize joined us.
"We won't be in time," he said, "and with the interference, I cannot get a proper location."
"Then allow me."
Someone else came. I gaped. He was tall, with light-brown hair and blue eyes. I'd never seen such power radiating off anyone before. "I just need to send out echolocation," he said.
"Yes, I have you now," he hissed. BlackWing VII and all on-board were flung forward in a blinding rush.
Chapter 10
Terrett
I had no idea where all the healers came from, but I was more than happy to see them. The floating space city we'd found had almost run out of power to supply oxygen to its inhabitants.
Oxygen had arrived with the healers, who rushed this way and that to save lives of hundreds. BlackWing VII was currently tied to a dock in something that shouldn't exist in a crushzone—multitudes of floating asteroids, small planets and debris dumps would have destroyed it, had it been towed here by traditional means.
It wasn't difficult to sort out; I recognized several hostages from the comp-vid images distributed by Director Griff.
We'd found where the Arden twins had placed most of their kidnap victims.
What they hadn't taken into consideration, however, was the genius and fierce determination of a fourteen-year-old girl—the eldest daughter of Ruther Kend.
She'd diverted energy from the floating city after consulting its other inhabitants, in order to send out the distress signal.
She'd almost killed them in the attempt, but I realized they were willing to accept that fate rather than fall into the hands of the Arden twins again.
We also found six mute Sirenali, all young and emaciated.
Sadly, Quin wasn't here to help them, and one died before a healer could get to him. The others had no mindspeech. Somehow, Deris and Daris had taken away their only hope of communication. Even their hearing was damaged, so they couldn't hear the soothing words of those who struggled to help them.
They needed Quin's help to regain any sort of life, or perhaps Zaria's healing. Either would give these a better chance.
We had neither of those things at the moment.
The tall stranger had disappeared. I was determined to ask Caylon who he was, once things had settled down.
Brother? Morrett placed a hand on my shoulder as I gazed at the beds containing young Sirenali patients.
I went still for a moment before turning toward him.
Brother? I repeated his greeting.
Corinne will help them, he said.
Corinne?
You do not know her?
I don't recognize that name.
She saved my life, Morrett said, beckoning me to come away. If she can do that, I think she can help these, too.
* * *
Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
"Were all of them there?" I asked.
"Yerbys Rovell is missing, and only Kend's children were there," Merrill said. "Kend's wife—I have no idea where she is. His son and daughter didn't know either—they were separated when the children were transported to the space city."
"So Yerbys may be dead already and Barra Kend is scheduled to die next, if Kend doesn't do as directed," I slapped a hand on my desk and stood.
"That's my thought as well."
"There's activity on at least six worlds, on property
owned by six of those kidnap victims," I said. "That we know of. Rigo says there's something going on outside Choridi, Hraede's capital city, but there's no evidence yet that it's anything other than a lieutenant or two who wanted to live in a fancy house. The property isn't suited for any other criminal activity that I know of."
"Are they keeping watch?" Merrill asked.
"Like hawks," I said. "Rigo has a meeting with the Order tonight. Maybe he'll get something new after he talks to the others."
"BlackWing VII is scheduled back here tomorrow morning," Merrill observed. "Karzac says he'll transport the victims to a hidden facility on the light side, with nobody the wiser."
"Kooper Griff is here," Renée, my assistant, announced.
"Lissa," Kooper walked in and nodded deferentially. "We've placed ASD agents on-board the space city, after repairing the systems. That child is a genius in what she did to divert energy to a makeshift distress signal. So far, there's no evidence that they've been there, or to any of the other places where we've seen activity. That means we still watch and wait."
"Here's my question," I gestured for Kooper to have a seat. "Will Deris and Daris go back to the space city themselves? If so, how are your agents going to fend off a powerful witch and warlock?"
* * *
Zaria
What the hell just happened? I asked.
Gale and Norn, without a backward glance, were rushed out of the house while Wellend kept watch.
The reason appeared moments later; Helsa, screeching that one of the two had stepped on her skirt while serving lunch, was ready to blast both into oblivion. I imagined that they'd folded space to get away from Helsa, or Wellend had returned them to his father's palace himself, in order to keep Helsa from murdering them.
What made me angriest was that she held more than enough power to remove any dust or shoeprint from the skirt herself.
She crazy, Bekzi sent and went back inside the kitchen.
Deciding that being out of sight meant out of Helsa's less than logical mind, I followed him.
We were treated to Helsa's shouting at Wellend, then, because he, in her words, failed to stop those two bastards so she could deal with them appropriately.
"Do we have everything to make the cake?" I attempted to shut out Helsa's shouted verbal meltdown.
Yes. We also have edible gold flakes. All in place. You see. Bekzi cringed as Helsa launched something at the servant's door near the kitchen. It shattered (whatever it was) while glassy shards tinkled and scattered across the stone floor.
With barely a thought, I exerted power to clean the floor, making the glass disappear while Helsa continued her tirade outside the kitchen.
Where glass go? Bekzi asked.
I put the vase back together. It's in the attic, now, I said. We went back to our meal planning, deliberately ignoring Helsa's shouting. At least Gale and Norn were safe from bodily harm, and likely making their report to the Karathian King while Helsa vented her irrational rage.
* * *
Ilya
Cabbage?
I'm here. She sounded tired.
What's going on?
Helsa just tried to kill two servants. Wellend sent them out the door before she could hit them with a spell, then flung an expensive vase at the back door after they folded away. It's just as well—Warlend sent them to spy on Helsa because Wellend asked him to. She's as irrational as they come, and half the time I can't see through the madness that's eating at her mind. What's going on with you?
I was informed that Helsa's father is on his way, and told to make room for his horse, because he's riding in for the King's birthday.
Oh, no, she said.
What's wrong?
I get the idea that Hegatt Blackmantle is adept at puppetry, just not the traditional kind.
You mean manipulation?
Yes. Exactly. It's what I've seen of him in Wellend so far.
This is his grandfather, love.
I get that. If your own grandfather is considered an unwelcome guest, how might others see him? Was Warlend manipulated into marrying Helsa for some reason? I think I'm seeing history with new eyes, she replied.
It's certainly different from the history I read, I agreed. Of course, that could have been deftly manipulated. What else have you seen in Wellend?
That this place was a crumbling mess when Helsa married Warlend. You see what it is, now, and on top of that, the other Blackmantle estate, where Hegatt lives, has also been significantly enhanced and upgraded.
In present day, I said, both places still stand and are occupied by distant relatives of the Blackmantle family.
Has anybody checked in with them? Zaria asked. That sounds like an easy path for the Arden twins, if they can get someone to sponsor their takeover—quietly, of course.
Yes. I'm beginning to be concerned about that, I said. There's nothing we can do right now; all we're allowed to do is accurately assess this past and then work against it when we're returned to our own time.
I know. She sounded depressed.
My love, I will come to you tonight, I said. All will be well, I promise.
Thank you.
* * *
Zaria
My hands shook as I kneaded bread dough; the bread would be set to rise and then baked to serve with dinner.
You not worry, Bekzi soothed. We deal with Blackmantle, same as we deal with crazy daughter.
We haven't met the crazy great-grandchildren yet, I pointed out while punching the mound of dough with a fist. They're in their teens, and that makes it worse. Who knew the family would be a tree-full of nutjobs?
That funny, Bekzi grinned. Come, I finish. He stepped behind me, his arms reached around my shoulders as he placed his hands atop mine. I certainly wasn't going to complain when the kisses trailed down the side of my neck, or that he guided me through the rest of the kneading before letting the dough rest.
Not worry, he said when he pulled away. I hear from Ilya. We spend time together later.
Yeah. I let my shoulders droop.
Yes, I knew he was mated to someone else, who didn't care that he and I were also intended to be together. Perhaps someday, when my anxiety wouldn't drive me away, I wanted to meet her.
He, like a gentleman, waited for Ilya to come to me first, as Ilya had no other mates. Turning away, I checked the soup base simmering at the back of the stove. Later, when the time was right, we'd add shrimp and seafood before serving.
It smells heavenly, I complimented Bekzi, who'd put it together.
Reah create, he smiled. I learn all from her.
Then she's a magnificent cook, I replied.
Best, he nodded.
* * *
Hraede
Kellik of Abenott
Even Rigo thought me dead; I'd kept away from him so long. Yes, once I'd been a noble in the King's court, a thousand years before Rigovarnus I ascended the throne of Hraede. I'd chosen to make Rigo vampire, and he, in turn had chosen those to make after him.
They'd kept Hraede safe from harm, ruling from the shadows, as I'd taught them. Many times since then, I'd considered ending my long life.
My vampire sire was certainly dead—I'd watched until the last moment as he walked steadily into the sunrise.
A wise and honorable man was my grandfather, who'd become a wise and honorable vampire. I still missed his calm demeanor and steady hand.
Something always held me back from a walk in the sun; perhaps it was because a part of me knew that someday, I might become useful again.
From the dark confines of the nearby forest, I studied the large vacation home belonging to an off-worlder. I had my methods of spying, as I'd taught Rigo everything he knew of it.
Something was going on in the Rovell home, and I doubted it was closely acquainted with anything considered legal.
Yes, I knew Yerbys Rovell had been kidnapped while on a business retreat with several others in the same income bracket. They'd thought themselves safe, with the b
est ship their money could purchase, which was guarded by the best security their money could buy.
Where they miscalculated, however, was hiring only mortals to provide security. Those mortals in turn relied solely on weapons to protect their employers. They hadn't taken into consideration that a powerful wizard or warlock might augment what they already had.
Therefore, when two powerful criminals, who happened to come from Karathia attacked the ship, the wealthy were kidnapped and their security guards were murdered.
I understood Kooper Griff, Director of the ASD, was using every asset he had to combat the two responsible, but so far, he was trailing far behind them.
Yes, I understood they'd taken over Vardil Cayetes' empire, with their sights set on bigger things. I could only assume that somewhere in their future, the throne of Karathia could come under attack.
I considered contacting Rigo, in order to gain an audience with the King of Karathia. As I'd been gone so long, Rigo could be less than cooperative with my request. I held that idea in reserve while I watched the Rovell house carefully.
Yes, I imagined that it was spelled against intruders, so I hadn't approached it, yet. For now, I would be content to watch and carry any findings to Rigo, who had the ear of the ASD when needed.
* * *
Hraede
Quin
Barra Kend would be delivered to the mansion after nightfall; I read that in Dorgus after he returned from a meeting with Pargun.
I was beginning to despise Pargun almost as much as I despised Deris and Daris. In my mind, I pictured him as a Brakka slug, a creature that consumed almost anything organic and left a trail of poison behind to kill potential predators and anything else that happened across it.
Pargun wouldn't care that Barra Kend would die; he merely wanted payment for keeping her in an undisclosed location until called for.
When Pargun himself appeared in the kitchen while I gathered food for Vardil at midday, I also saw something he knew but Dorgus and the others didn't; Barra Kend was pregnant.
Deris and Daris would kill her and the child without a second thought, if they failed to get what they wanted from Barra's husband.
A plan was forming in my mind; I'd been ordered to serve Dorgus and the twins, but Pargun, as far as I knew, hadn't been included in the Orb's command. If I couldn't prevent Barra Kend's death, then I would have another in exchange.
SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4 Page 13
