by Stormie Kent
Venn paused for a moment. He stared at her and she looked at him. Was he going to tell her to leave now? His face was blurry. Watery.
“It will be all right, Niki,” he said quietly. He turned and left the room.
She needed to sit, and so she did, right there on the floor. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She looked up when arms and legs slid around her own. Rhine scooted in close behind her. He circled her waist with his arms. She relaxed back onto his chest. He kissed her cheek.
She wasn’t ready to talk and he didn’t speak. She had a lot to think about. Some of it wouldn’t even process. She’d never realized how much her issues with her past had affected her sister. She’d been selfish, cocooned in her own fear and neurosis.
She didn’t know how long they sat there. Her legs had begun to cramp.
“I didn’t realize she felt that way,” she said.
“Do you care?”
“Of course I care.”
She shifted so she could scowl at him.
“What are you going to do about it? It seems to me you should put your big girl panties on and talk to her.”
She covered his mouth as she laughed. “Never say that again.”
He nibbled her fingers until she removed her hand.
“Come on, go talk to her.” He helped her to her feet.
They left the room and Rhine pulled out his information pad and began typing. “They’re in her garden.”
She thought they were headed outside, but he led her to a walled garden inside the keep. Venn sat on a stone bench, holding his wife. He stroked her hair and Niki couldn’t deny the tenderness with which the large man held and caressed her sister. Rhine squeezed her arm gently.
Niki took a deep breath and cleared her throat. Camryn sat up and rubbed at her eyes. They were red and swollen. Niki panicked and almost turned to go. Rhine grabbed her around the waist. She stiffened.
“Breathe,” he said quietly.
She let her breath out. She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding it. She looked at her sister’s face. It hurt a little, but not as much as usual. She reached back slowly and grabbed Rhine’s free hand. He squeezed her fingers and then loosened his grip on her hand. She held on.
“You were right. When I look at you, I remember,” Niki said.
Camryn stiffened, but she didn’t turn away and she didn’t try to say anything.
“I don’t look at myself for the same reason. Sometimes I see Nelson in the shape of my chin or Mama in the slant of your eyes. But most of all, I see that I wasn’t wanted. I remember neighbors whispering as I walked by or others not even being respectful enough to whisper. I hear every boy I ever liked asking me why I wasn’t more like you.”
She paused. This was harder than she’d thought. It was probably hard for her sister to hear and not say anything. Camryn’s eyes had begun to water and tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I know now, in trying to protect myself, I’ve hurt you. I didn’t mean to, even if you don’t believe it. I never meant to hurt you. Why would I? You were the only person who ever gave a damn about me. I knew that. I know that. I love you, Cam. You are my sister, and if you’ll help me, I’ll try to be a better one to you.”
She waited, scared as hell. Maybe it was too little, too late. She wouldn’t blame Cam for being fed up with her. Gawd, Cam had believed she’d slept with Mark. Her sister had held the information all these years. Rhine hugged her tighter.
Then Camryn smiled. It was a full Camryn Highbear special with all the delight and wonder she’d ever shown her, even if it was a little watery.
“Let me up,” she said to Venn.
Niki watched as she hopped off her husband’s lap and practically skipped toward her. Rhine’s hands fell away as Camryn grabbed her arms.
“I love you too.” Camryn hugged her.
Niki closed her eyes and brought her arms up around her sister. “I’m sorry…Sis.”
Camryn laughed and rocked her from side to side. When she pulled back, she looked at Rhine, then Venn.
“Do you guys need a break? That had to be rough with us both emoting as though we were method actors,” Camryn said.
Niki hadn’t thought of that. The men would have felt every shard of pain. She turned to Rhine. He watched her closely. Since they were hugging, she hugged him too.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Anytime.”
*
Rhine didn’t bother shielding Niki from the mutilated dead body. She wasn’t squeamish and she observed well. He tried to focus. The crazy person behind the mutilation and death of the yorstut had been too close to the keep during the night. He’d been too close to Niki.
“This deer had wicked sharp horns. Why didn’t it defend itself?” Niki asked.
Rhine turned to her. “It is a yorstut, not a deer. The hundrivarg was drugged. I assume this animal was as well.”
“It’s a playing card, right?” She pointed to the green warrior card shoved in the animal’s mouth.
He nodded.
“There must have been one on the other animal. Did it blow away or get overlooked? It’s obviously his calling card. It would be on the other body,” she said.
Venn nodded to a guard and the man moved off in the direction of the stables.
“Now we need to think of what connection cards have to one of you,” she said.
“Why,” Tor asked.
“Well, Crazy Killer is trying to send someone a message. It wouldn’t be any fun if the person it was for didn’t know the gifts are for him. Anybody have a gambling problem.”
The men just stared at her. They were too disciplined for addictions.
Rhine shook his head. “An addiction would jeopardize the safety of Tribe Huntu.”
“So, no? Then why would this card be important?” she asked.
The guard returned holding something dirty in his hand. “It was buried partially under the fence.”
Venn took it from the guard. “Red warrior card.”
He passed it to Rhine.
“Are you sure Isor Ja is dead?” Niki asked.
“Yes. There was no way he survived a shot to the head.”
“Wasn’t his last hand full of cards identical to this?” she asked.
The pieces all fell into place for Rhine. “We need a list of Isor Ja’s family, friends and associates.”
“I will begin a search now,” Olaf said. He pulled out his information pad.
They walked back toward the keep.
“She is very smart,” Venn said. “We will both have intelligent and courageous children.”
The word children brought him up short. He stared at Niki. He wanted her with him forever. Children would be a part of that. He would be proud to see her belly full with his child.
“I really like it when you guys talk about me as if I’m not here and I don’t change diapers.”
“We will have a children’s nurse in the keep,” Venn said.
Niki looked at Rhine, stopped and placed her hands on her hips. “Did I agree to birth babies?”
Producing a brood of headstrong children was something he would need to ease her into. He glared at his cousin before taking her arm and tugging her inside. Her sister met them at the door.
“Well?” Camryn said.
Venn steered Camryn toward the dining room where breakfast awaited them. A servant brought water and soap for hand cleaning.
Venn said, “We need a list of the ships allowed to enter Ordanian airspace since Isor Ja’s death.”
“I will take care of it,” Gunter said.
Tor said, “Whoever it is would need help. Planetary aliens must prove they have business here.”
“How did I get in?” Niki asked.
The room fell silent.
Lady Helsa paused with a slice of fruit partially to her mouth. “You entered as property. You were the same as a kostut.”
Rhine sighed at the mention of the burden-b
earing animal. Lady Helsa could be trying.
“Do I want to know what that is right now?” Niki asked.
Camryn rolled her eyes at her mother-in-law. “No.”
Niki shrugged. “Who are your enemies on Ordan. I don’t want to flatter you or anything, but you all seem to be the type to have loads of them.”
Rhine smoothed the wisps of hair at her hairline. “Niki, your compliments need work.”
“I’m just saying you probably have a boatload of enemies because you’re all so sexy and awesome.” She bit into a piece of fruit. “Mediocre people can be so jealous.”
Sometimes it was difficult to tell when she was being facetious. She mixed truth in with half-truth, so he had to guess at her intentions.
Lady Helsa nodded as she spoke. “Tribe Huntu is the most powerful of the six tribes. My father chose the best for me when he contracted my marriage.”
“See, even Lady Helsa agrees with me.”
Venn pulled his information pad out and placed it on the table. “Let’s make the list now while we are all present.”
They worked even after the food was cleared from the table, giving suggestions of Ordanians who might wish them harm and the reasons why. They cross checked the list with the list of Ordanians who’d signed for planetary aliens to enter the country.
Venn asked. “Do you have the list of Isor Ja’s family and friends, Olaf?”
Olaf rounded the table to stand behind Venn to see his information pad. They compared lists.
“Are we even sure it’s Isor Ja’s family?” Hans asked.
“No, but it’s the only lead we have. We might as well follow it, just in case,” Rhine said.
“Here,” Olaf said. “Skela Ja entered Ordan two weeks ago. A representative from Tribe Velth signed for him, claiming he was an exotic cloth seller.”
Camryn asked. “Who in Tribe Velth is on your list?”
“Anyone from Tribe Velth’s House Ivar,” Rhine said.
“Why?” Niki asked.
Rhine said, “The politician, Citizen Ors, tried to abduct your sister with Lady Helsa’s help. Their house was disgraced when he was arrested and sentenced.”
“Why is Lady Helsa allowed to be around my sister? She could have let the killer in the keep.” She looked ready to jump across the table and attack Lady Helsa.
Venn’s face was frightening in his anger. “Your sister showed leniency, which I am about to revoke.” He turned to Lady Helsa. “If I find that you are involved in this in any way, Mother, I will have you locked in one of the cells under the keep.”
Lady Helsa stood. “I don’t have to listen to this.” She left the room with her head high.
Venn turned to a servant. “Follow her until a guard relieves you.” The man bowed and left the room. Venn pointed to another man. “You, go fetch the guard captain.”
“How are we going to run a search of the keep and the surrounding lands? This person could just double back behind us and hide where we have already looked,” Rhine said.
The task they needed to undertake was enormous. The first order of business was to seal off Huntu holding. The guards at the gate were ordered to let no one out and no one in who did not live within the holding’s walls.
Each section of the keep was searched and a guard put in place to ensure that no one could reenter who did not belong.
Rhine began the search of the land between the keep and the battlement walls. Unfortunately, he had help he didn’t want. The same things which drew him to Niki also frustrated him to no end. She didn’t understand gender roles. She didn’t care that he wanted to keep her safe. If Isor Ja’s family wanted revenge for his death, it wasn’t a stretch to assume they would attempt to take Niki once he was dead.
“Are you still mad?” she asked.
They were meeting Venn, Olaf, Tor and Gunter to share any new information. He didn’t answer at first. He was concerned, not mad. She could be reckless and too sure of her abilities. She didn’t understand she was important to others.
“Your willingness to put yourself in needless danger is troublesome.”
“So I should be back at the castle doing my nails and waiting for you, hereafter known as big strong man, to make it safe for me?”
She took two steps for every one of his, so he slowed his stride.
“I should ignore the frailty of your body, knowing an unhinged hypersensitive is loose. I should shackle my own worry something will happen to you and I could have prevented it by keeping you inside and safe long enough to find and eliminate the danger.”
It was his duty to protect the women in his care. She was his woman and protecting her wasn’t just a duty. He needed to keep her safe.
She touched his arm and tugged. He stopped and faced her, but remembered to stay between her and the open courtyard. Sunlight caressed her skin. Her long, curly lashes adorned her brown eyes as she searched his face. He braced himself not to soften too much. His instinct was to protect, shield and spoil.
“I am expected to be able to protect myself and help my team,” she said.
“If you were outnumbered and unarmed, would your commander allow you to enter a battle?”
“I’m not unarmed.” She patted the blaster on her hip.
He’d given it to her after she’d demonstrated how well she could shoot. He didn’t want her to feel false security with it. He wanted her to use it if she needed it.
He touched her temple. “Though he may not be smarter than you, he is stronger.”
“Maybe.” She looked thoughtful.
At least she would think about what he’d said.
“Rhine, who’s the guy who keeps following us?”
He’d hoped she would ignore Varin for a while longer.
“Varin, your guard.”
“If I don’t make a fuss about the guard, will you stop being so tight-lipped?”
He urged her to keep moving by pressing his palm to her back. “I’m not tight-lipped.”
“I’m surprised your mouth loosens enough to talk,” she replied.
They reached the keep and went straight to the dining room. They were the last to arrive and took their seats.
“We’ve found nothing so far,” Rhine said.
“The keep is secure,” Venn said. “I contacted Lord Velth. He claims to have no knowledge of House Ivar’s actions, and assures me he will investigate the matter. At this point, the entire House is in disgrace. If I were him, I would disband it or gut it and place a new family in the position.”
Olaf stepped forward. “Skela Ja is the uncle of Isor Ja. He raised him after the death of Isor Ja’s father. Skela Ja is definitely not an exotic cloth dealer. He is a hunter by trade.”
“What planet?” Tor asked.
“R’riors. It is temperate and not unlike our own. The atmosphere is slightly less dense,” Olaf replied.
Gunter said, “There doesn’t seem to be any traceable communication between Lady Helsa and Skela Ja.”
Venn grunted. Everyone was quiet for several minutes.
“If you’ve looked everyplace you think he could be—” Camryn began.
“Why not look where you think he couldn’t be,” Niki said.
“Exactly,” Camryn said.
“What does that mean?” Rhine asked.
“Well, he obviously isn’t hiding in one of your people’s homes. You’ve checked all the buildings. What does that leave?” Niki said.
“You believe he is hiding on the land, but not leaving a sign that he is there,” Venn said.
“It would make sense if he was a hunter. What better way to hunt prey than to become one with the habitat?” Rhine shook his head.
“He would be someplace usually deserted, but easy for someone who knows how to blend in. He would know how to survive without fire.” Niki said.
“All he would need is a water source,” Rhine said.
They all sat quietly. Rhine thought of all the places which would be perfect for a hunter to hide.
&n
bsp; “The Lady’s Copse,” the men all said together.
Venn nodded. “No one has much reason to go there. We stopped cutting back the brush in the copse when I was a boy. We no longer use wood as our primary source of heat. It is just an overgrown wooded area now. It is a perfect hiding place. The trees are dense and the area is shielded from outside view.”
“It is near the lake, so Skela Ja would have access to water,” Rhine added. “He could be in the trees or have made a bed in the fallen leaves.”
“Let’s expect to move in an hour. I need to see the full council in my study,” Venn said.
The men stood. Rhine ran his hand down Niki’s braid and she patted his hand. They followed Venn out. As soon as the door was closed, Venn switched directions. He headed for a side exit. When they’d cleared the keep and were headed for the Lady’s Copse. Rhine started laughing.
“You laugh now, but you wouldn’t have been laughing as you watched your woman walk right into danger because you don’t have the ability to say no to her,” Venn said.
Rhine sobered immediately. “I was thinking rope.”
“My advice is to save rope for pleasurable activities. If not, they tend to get mad. Trickery is better,” Venn said.
“She’s going to be angry anyway.”
“Yes, but she won’t be mad about you leaving her in addition to you overpowering her.”
Rhine agreed he did have a point. They were careful to remain as quiet as possible. The Lady’s Copse was situated to the west of the lake. They didn’t need to cut as much wood, so the area had overgrown. Obviously they’d become too lax about security within the holding.
They split up and spread out so they could each enter the copse from a different point. Rhine stood and observed his surroundings. The denseness of the foliage lent the copse an air of being a completely different world. Birds fluttered overhead and settled. He allowed full rein to his senses.
He looked for unsettled leaves and brush, which would have been caused by something more than the smaller animals which inhabited the copse. So far Skela Ja hadn’t left a scent on his prey. Rhine smelled the air, looking for anything which did not belong. Maybe the man would slip up here, where he felt no one could find him.
