"Now," Adam began, standing with Merrill, "Our offer is more than generous. One trillion each, plus fifty carats of uncut Tiralian crystal. Credits are much easier to distribute to the family than gishi fruit groves, are they not?" Adam smiled at Crorver. "With the pending debt and probable jail time, during which your groves might be overrun by jungle, I'd say this is the best of all possible solutions. We will return the predagators to their original habitat and all will be well. If the CSD cannot find the reptiles, they cannot bring charges. Is that not so?"
Crorver cursed while Erbrin just looked frightened. Merrill was correct; smuggling illegal animals carried a sentence up to a full turn per animal. Erbrin might not live long enough to serve out his sentence. Crorver was pushing two hundred; Erbrin had to be at least one hundred fifty. Their life expectancy was at best two hundred fifteen or so.
"And what if we file coercion charges?" Crorver growled.
"Go ahead. I just pointed out facts to you. There is no coercion. Go back to your groves. Go ahead. The CSD is already on its way, though. Did you both invest in these creatures, or only one of you?"
Crorver gave Erbrin an evil look. "Get rid of the creatures and we'll talk," he said and stalked away.
* * *
"Unbelievable," I said. Nearly a hundred predagators were snapping and hissing at one another inside an enclosure only clicks later. Crorver and Erbrin were back to survey the animals. "Two were killed by snakes," Merrill said. "The bodies are inside the barn if you wish to see them," he added.
"How did you capture them so quickly?" Erbrin whispered.
"You need to ask?" Astralan and Stellan lifted their arms and predagators rose in the air.
"Warlocks," Crorver nodded. "I should have known. The amount is generous. I spoke with my solicitors, they say the property is worth close to that amount, and fifty carats of uncut Tiralian crystal is worth the land by itself. We'll have the records prepared and we'll sign tomorrow if you want. The family wants this as well," Crorver added.
"My solicitors say to do the deal and leave Avendor," Erbrin grumbled. "While I still can."
"Sounds good," Merrill said. "We'll meet you here tomorrow."
"They're almost cute," I watched as predagators sunned themselves. Someone had installed a sprinkler inside their pen and they seemed happy.
"And dangerous," Edward put an arm around me. "I have to tell you, those two over there managed to do the impossible, I think," he smiled down at me. He meant Merrill and Adam. I agreed completely.
* * *
"Wow." The field we met the Copper Ra'Ak in looked like a carnival. Beautifully colored tents littered the wide expanse of grass. Maldak came and bowed over my hand. While a kiss might adversely affect someone else, it wouldn't do harm to a High Demon. Nevertheless, he did not place his mouth on me. Nefrigar and Pheligar flanked me, with Youon and Kyler, Lissa's niece, walking beside Pheligar. On Nefrigar's other side strode Kiarra, Adam, Merrill and Belen. Maldak had others of his people beneath the open tent, as did we. Many of the Saa Thalarr had come, as had Lissa and most of her mates. Ildevar was still unwilling to reveal himself or the twenty members of the Grand Alliance Council, preferring to err on the side of caution. I didn't blame him a bit. The three that surprised me by coming were Jayd, Garde and Glinda. I had High Demon backup if I needed it.
"Bright One," Maldak bowed to Belen next. And last of all, in a rush of wind, Kifirin appeared.
"High Lord," Maldak also bowed to him. Maldak had two others with him at the table as we looked over treaties, argued over this point or that and by the end of the day had a tentative peace agreement hammered out and signed.
One of the agreements we had was that Black and Copper Ra'Ak would pursue the last of the rogues and their spawn, and request help from the Saa Thalarr if needed. I didn't know how many rogues were out there and they weren't sure, either. They did promise to let Kyler know, who would then contact the Saa Thalarr if help were needed. I thought it a very good system. Belen folded all of us to Adam's ancestral home, and I had no idea of the celebrating that would occur once we arrived.
I was kissed and hugged by dozens of people as they laughed and uncorked champagne. I got a huge kiss from Franklin, Shane and Tomas, plus Celestan and Galaxsan, who were with their new mates as often as possible. I'd never seen them smile so much. Things had changed so much for them—from when they were doing Arvil's bidding to now. Teeg had changed things enough for them that the Saa Thalarr considered them fit mates.
Teeg brought Edward and the others, with enough gishi fruit ice cream for everybody. "Reah, we sign the papers on those other groves tomorrow, but we need experienced supervision," Merrill and Adam came to me. "Some of ours have volunteered to come but we want you to teach them what they need to know. Since we now have a reduced workload, they'll be available to do the work."
"Frank looks so much like you," I smiled at Merrill.
"He was the son of my heart before he was reborn. Now he is truly my son," Merrill smiled back.
"If I ever find myself in need of a business negotiator, I will pay for your services," I said. "That may have been the most impressive thing I've ever seen when you took on Crorver and Erbrin."
"That was nothing," Merrill blew the whole thing off. "Come, dance with us." I went a careful round with Merrill first, who smiled and twirled me gently before handing me off to Adam. Then Edward cut in.
"Reah, I want to take you home and sit in the pool with you, since we can't do the hot tub," he grinned.
"Can we get away?" I asked.
"I think so, as long as we tell a few people." A few people were notified and Nefrigar folded us to EastStar.
"No suits," Edward whispered, undressing me in a secluded spot near the pool. Fruit and tropical trees were everywhere around the pool and a small portion of it was very private, with a waterfall making soothing sounds as it emptied nearby. How had I missed Edward being naked before? He was a beautiful man and he didn't hide his desire. "We won't unless you want it," he sighed against my mouth.
"Just take it slow, all right?" I asked, leaning my head into the hollow between his neck and shoulder.
"I would take forever if I could love you at the end of it," he murmured against my mouth. "I love you. Since the moment you walked into my life, I knew. Someone told me long ago that the woman I would love would come to me in the most unusual of circumstances, and that I would recognize her immediately. That's how it was, Reah. I looked at you and I knew. Like lightning striking or something. Now, let's talk about these breasts. And how perfect they are." He lowered his head and showed me what he thought of them. The rest followed naturally and I wanted him as much as he wanted me at the end of it. I think I was tugging on his hair and begging him to move faster at the last. He smiled, kissed me and obliged nicely.
* * *
"Now, all of you know that Reah is more than capable of taking care of herself," Belen announced as the party was winding down. "But it is time for us to step forward and announce how much we care for her. The day will come very soon when she will need protection. I want to ask all who are willing to show up. I wish to show any enemies, present and future, just what it is they will deal with should they come against her. Ever. You will know the time. Until then," Belen nodded to all and disappeared.
* * *
"This goes against everything that is in us," Reldill complained. Naldill didn't care. The loss of his power, which was something he sorely missed, would not be taken without revenge of some sort. "Surely you can do as those fool warlocks, and gain power from it," Naldill hissed. "Do it! Tap the core. See what happens."
* * *
"Cynthin, did you think your little grab for power would go unanswered?" Her Council stood as she walked into the meeting. Her second-in-command had called the meeting, with a majority backing him up. She'd been forced to appear. "You have embarrassed Xordthe and made us into the laughingstock you thought to make of that girl and Teeg San Gerxon. Did you think to put yourself i
n his place, or at least higher than you are now? We here all agree that you couldn't form a quorum in the Council, let alone keep the Campiaan Alliance together. You know that if we have a unanimous vote of all three hundred members of this Council, you may be removed from office. Here is the vote, Cynthin." He handed the comp-vid to the president of Xordthe. "These numbers have been forwarded to all media outlets. They will report this on the late news. I imagine you might be bombarded with the usual requests for interviews. Get your tissues ready or get out of the city, Cynthin. Your pretty face will not get you far with the people now." Cynthin stared at the unanimous vote to remove her from the presidency. A general election would be held within the next moon-turn, to elect a president to complete her current term. Cynthin flung the comp-vid at her former second-in-command and stalked from the Council chamber.
* * *
"The only reason you are still enjoying your position is that you are my only son and I have no other choice, Andelis," his father the King, shot Andelis of Roorthi a severe look. "While your part is not great in this, it has opened the royal house to ridicule. We are being hounded by the media and our own subjects because we followed Cynthin of Xordthe blindly. Or you did, since I leave the dealings with the Campiaan Alliance to you. From today, that will no longer be true. I am sending my trusted First Advisor to those gatherings instead. For a period of five turns, you will smile and nod and take hands at factory openings and the like. You will rebuild this image you have tarnished. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father." Andelis bowed low to the King.
"Good. Leave me. I am quite angry."
"Yes, Father." Andelis walked backward a respectful distance before turning on his heel and scurrying away.
* * *
"I feel like the biggest fool." Tevan of Shillverr rubbed his forehead, attempting to relieve the headache. Three scientists sat in his private office. All of them had come, presenting him with the evidence that the core had indeed been tapped more than twenty years earlier, then also presented the most damning evidence of all; recorded satellite images, showing the golden creature seating herself on the grass in a remote location before beginning to glow. The recordings from the satellite were quite clear, once they'd known what to look for. The numbers after that date showed the core energy levels nearly normal and rising. The ASD Director had not fabricated any part of his story.
"We did not know to look for this; we thought nature had reset itself somehow. We now know that help was provided, unasked for and unappreciated. I think we should rectify that now."
"But how?" Tevan asked, turning troubled eyes to his scientists.
"Under the Campiaan Alliance, we are allowed to operate without fear of the criminal element. Before, we were tortured by those who ruled here if we did not cooperate with them in their scheming to overcome this one or that. We are a free people, now. You have not harmed us. In fact, we appreciate the funding you helped to pass. This will enable Shillverr to create new technology that will place us among the best of both Alliances. This area in the photograph is still empty. We suggest a memorial to the one who saved Shillverr and her citizens."
"How long will this take?" Tevan played the recorded vid from more than twenty-five turns earlier.
"If we use bronze and employ laser sculptors, not long," the scientist smiled.
"Good. Get on this right away. We will invite the media and offer our thanks."
"Sir, I hate to interrupt, but Cynthin of Xordthe is calling," Tevan's assistant walked into Tevan's office.
"I will no longer accept her calls," Tevan stood and nodded to the three scientists. "We have other, more pressing matters that require our attention."
Chapter 12
Crorver's entire family came to the signing, dressed for celebration, it seemed. I felt sorry for Crorver, who'd given his life to his groves. He'd allowed Erbrin to draw him into petty rivalries with Edward, however, who saw no need for such trivialities. In his opinion, there was more than enough room for competition. He'd grown gishi fruit before his rivals. He'd also been foresighted enough to buy the land that made up EastStar Groves. He had no time and certainly no desire to involve himself in petty rivalries.
Erbrin and two employees had shown up as well. The local magistrate was there to witness the signings, as had everyone's solicitors.
Edward had a small interest in both groves, but the majority was owned by the others, who'd put up nearly all the funding. I had no idea how they'd gotten their hands on fifty carats of Tiralian crystal—that was worth a fortune by itself. "We will have all our belongings out by this afternoon," Crorver and Erbrin acknowledged to the magistrate, who had them sign agreements to that effect, along with the promise to not damage any of the property or fines would be levied. I think Dragon and Crane were going with them to make sure nothing was amiss. I wouldn't want to cross either of those strong Falchani.
"If I donate a portion of my gishi fruit allotment, will I get ice cream out of it?" Glendes leaned down to whisper.
"Of course," I laughed. "As much as you want."
"We will invite you to Grey House very soon, to a family dinner. As our guest," he added.
"That sounds nice," I replied.
* * *
"Some updating needed," Adam inspected the Crorver estate with a practiced and critical eye. The house needed enlarging as well, especially the kitchen and baths. I think Adam was planning a larger pool area, too, when all was said and done. With the power the Saa Thalarr held, it would probably be done within an eight-day.
"Reah, you and Edward need to tell us what the groves require," Merrill stood at my elbow, a drink in his hand. "This one is yours, mine will contain alcohol when it comes," he grinned and handed the glass of fruit juice to me.
"Let's go look now," I said. "And we'll have to interview employees. I have a feeling we'll be forced to send a few packing."
We did. Almost half from both groves. Adam and Merrill, both former vampires, laid compulsion on the exiting employees, telling them there would be no retaliation of any kind. They nodded, gathered their things and loaded onto buses bound for Adrixx.
"We'll be hiring more employees, and both groves will be combined," Merrill said as we examined sprinkler systems, talked with supervisors about harvests, pruning, fertilizing and insect control. Edward offered very good advice, in addition to the services of one or more of his supervisors, just to make sure the transitions went smoothly. Lissa went with us, as did Shadow Grey, who pulled her against him as they walked through the spaces between trees.
"You'll make your money back in three years," Edward predicted. "We've gotten rid of the fruit thieves and the incompetent workers. The next harvest will come in four moon-turns. There is much to do within that time. We'll need at least six more supervisors. We'll either hire or train."
"In four months, Reah will be out to here," Drake and Drew appeared. Drew, the scoundrel, made that observation, holding arms far out from his stomach. I swatted at him. He answered by lifting me for a careful hug. "That's our great-nephew, you know," he laughed and rubbed my belly. "We'll be happy to teach him bladework."
"Hah. In less than a year, your own will be driving you crazy," I snapped before thinking. And then blinked at Drake and Drew in embarrassment. "Uh, Lissa," I said, "where's Karzac right now?"
"I don't know. Do you need him?" she smiled at me.
"I don't. Except to check on something for me."
Karzac and Kevis were there in seconds. "What is it, Reah?" Kevis came right to me, his green-gold eyes displaying concern.
"It's not me. I think Lissa's pregnant. With Drake and Drew's babies. Don't ask me how I know. I can't answer that."
Karzac put his hands on Lissa's belly while she stood there, staring at her healer-mate. "It's true," Karzac grinned. "Young Falchani, I hope you are ready for fatherhood. Both of you." Drake whooped and slapped his palm against Drew's.
"I don't know what to do with twins," Lissa grumbled. "Tory and Ry were bad enoug
h together."
"Come on, baby. We have plans to make," Drake and Drew now flanked Lissa, who was vainly attempting to fend both of them off.
"I'll laugh if it's girls," Kevis whispered in my ear. I snickered.
* * *
During the next moon-turn, I had more than enough to keep me busy. Kevis took up my mornings, at least two or three clicks, followed by lunch, a click or so in the ice-cream plant, mostly to make sure things were going smoothly and the employees were doing what they should, and then it was off to the newly-acquired groves. Many new names were kicked around, but eventually it was decided to call them NorthStar Groves. They were slightly to the north and west of EastStar, after all.
* * *
"Come on, Reah needs baby things. We'll need baby things," Drake and Drew were coaxing Lissa away to go shopping. The entourage that went with us was enormous. I saw people staring, openmouthed when the stores were invaded. Dragon and Devin, about to be grandparents, were there, as were Crane, Grace, Kiarra and half the Saa Thalarr, I think. All of my mates had come, including Nefrigar, who'd shortened himself but retained his blue skin. Teeg held me against him as we looked at cribs.
"Reah, money is no object," Lendill handed over a comp-vid. I stared at the information on the screen. It showed funds. In my name. In the trillions. I almost dropped to the floor. Teeg held me up. "This is what Ildevar and the others said should come to you, breah-mul. Half of what was hidden in accounts for the pirates. The rest went to pay restitution to the victims and provide new equipment to the ASD. This is yours, Reah. All of it. You shouldn't have to worry about money for a while."
"Yeah," I whispered hoarsely.
Demon's Dream (High Demon Series #6) Page 19
