Carved

by Miki

  I stand to address the room. Everyone quiets. “I would like to thank TASS and the representatives from every member nation. Your welcome, on my return, has made what could have been a difficult reunion with this room into a pleasurable evening. However, with my apologies, I must retire to my suite for the evening. I promise I’ll make myself available and thank each one of you at my earliest opportunity. Thank you and good evening.”

  While it’s subdued for a standing ovation, the passion—bordering on adoration—is more than suitable for the occasion. I blush as I embrace the waves of emotion that crash through me with the ovation.

  I turn to Chairman Brinker and tell him, “I’ll be in your office at noon tomorrow, if it’s acceptable.”

  He nods a polite agreement.

  Twenty-Seven

  Sharing

  Kendra

  The Ducere are waiting in my suite. I explain all that had happened, except some details that only Mica, Spar, and Kino will know. Mega is very direct when talking about how TASS had gotten the information needed to find me so quickly. “It is unequivocal: one of the Ceorfan provided the critical information. It was also done at great personal risk to that gargoyle.”

  I take over and continue, “Ceorfan, I need to make you aware of this, because we take care of our undercover agents. We knew the Cartel was trying to recruit within the Ceorfan. As you know, they succeeded with Eltira and Flint. What you do not know is the depth to which Flint had to operate.”

  At this, the room starts to gain a bit of buzz. I even see Amber raise her hands to cover her mouth, covering her look of surprise.

  “Eltira,” I say, continuing, “began colluding with the cartel before we arrived in Scotland. We needed an insider who Eltira believed she could manipulate. Flint was that insider. He accepted being the bad guy, being humiliated in front of the entire Guild, so the cartel would let him in. It was all to help bring it down and save those being destroyed by the cartel’s actions. What we didn’t know, what we never expected, was he would be the one to save me. He was able to gain the needed information from our home in Navan that allowed TASS to find the Jessup Cartel compound so quickly.”

  The room erupts in high-fives, or high-fours in some cases, cheers, and lots of ‘I knew it.’ I see Amber, with tears streaking down her face, laughing and joyously hugging Mason.

  Sensing this may be a time where I can rule and have the ruled vote for my wish, I ask, “I would like a vote. Who is with me in giving Flint his job back with the Elite?”

  The immediate roar of “Yes,” is unanimous.

  Amber says, “I knew something was wrong with that picture. I never believed, Flint would let anyone hurt us.”

  I say, “I am going to declare a day of celebration when we get home to Navan.” Listen to me calling Navan home. “During this celebration, I’ll properly award Flint for his courageous sacrifice in saving my life.”

  I ask Mega, “What’s the reward for saving your queen and being selfless enough to lose your reputation in the process?”

  Mega answers without a pause, “Having your story etched into the halls of history.”

  “Okay, when we get back to Navan, Mega, will you help me with that? I don’t know enough yet to understand even the word etched as y’all use it. I’m sure it is a great thing because you say it so reverently.”

  “That is true. Edling. It may take a while and some education to fill you in on the subject. I shall be honored to help teach you.”

  “Thank you, Mega. Now, I have another issue. Since we can’t easily go undercover in the human world—except for Mica, Jared, Dana, and myself— the ability to befriend trustworthy people is important. Arden Kelly was already a friend to me from college. He’s proved very valuable in the past few days. What do you think we should do with Arden? I’m thinking of making him a representative for TASS, if it’s what he wants. I’d like him protected by the Ceorfan. He’s a doctor, but has been in politics for a good many years.”

  Mega agrees, and as I look around, everyone else does too.

  “Finally, before I take Mica, Spar, and Kino to speak privately, I need to tell you something. I didn’t think when I did it. I just acted. John Collins, Thurston’s son, was very sick. He’d been sick for a while. I was visiting Thurston’s family before the gala, and I noticed John had a blister on his hand that had opened. I punctured my finger and rubbed my blood into the wound, hoping it would help him.” I can feel their approval. Their feelings told me they would have expected me to do this for John. There are no alarms in their feelings. “However, at the airport John told me quietly, he knows what I did. I’m not sure what to do, if I should do anything, or if I’ve inadvertently given us away.”

  Mega says, “In the past, we have found friends who are extremely loyal. Humans are not fooled. They have a way of putting information together to understand what happens around them. I think you should be honest with Thurston. Make him part of your inner circle. I believe his family is honorable. If he proves to be other than honorable, Jericho can take the memory of us from him. It will be as if they never knew us.”

  “Mega, that’s the most wonderful news. I believe I’ll do just that. Now, I’m going to my room. I have more to tell my consorts. Goodnight and good torp, everyone.”

  Alone, in my private room with only my consorts, I start to question my rationale for telling them everything that happened to me. I steel myself for one, or maybe all of them, to decide I’m not for them anymore. Yet it’s my obligation be honest with them. Even if they choose to not stay with me, they should know what happened at the Jessup compound.

  Nothing, not a word’s spoken, as my loves patiently wait for me to speak. They simply wait for me to start. Needlessly, but to buy myself a few more seconds to think, I ask them to sit on my sofa. But they’re so big, I have to pull up a chair beside the sofa for Kino to sit in. I pull a smaller chair in front of them for me.

  “This is going to be difficult to get out,” I start. Trying to catch my breath, I pause. Unfortunately, the pause only allows more negative thoughts.

  Damnit, how do I start. My hands are shaking, and my mouth is dry as I try to think of a way to tell them my story. I stare at my hands, trying to summon my flagging courage. All three of them watch and remain silent for me. Their pained expressions show the level of the pain they feel for me. I’m going to take that away. I can take away their pain.

  “The first thing I want to say is, I love you each more than I can ever express. What I’m about to tell you will be difficult to hear. You should know, I want to share this with you. I trust you with this knowledge, and I don’t want it between us. I’ll answer all your questions. Afterwards, I want this conversation to be the end of it. I want it to be like so much smoke blown into the wind.

  “I’ve no idea how I got to the compound. I woke up chained. I’m pretty sure they’d beaten me, though, because I was bruised and cut up. They’d shackled me. At first, I was terrified. And, after the second beating, I wanted to give up. I hoped for death.

  “After a day or so, someone brought me a metal bowl of dirty, nasty water. I felt the water was like me—it was dirty and nasty, and still good for something. I’d still be good for something, more maybe. The water was dirty and nasty, but in that darkness, it helped me stay alive.

  “Using the metaphor of the water, I began planning ways to get back to you three. You know, I’d heard that when soldiers say they have their girl on their mind, it makes them stronger and gives them a reason to fight on, even when they want to quit. That girl waiting for them is what gets them through the awfulness of war and home again. I learned that’s how it really works. Don Manuel Jessup tried to kill me several times. They spit on me, peed on me, stomped on me, beat me, and ultimately raped me. The whole time, I kept your faces in front of me for hope.” Tears leak out of my eyes and my voice shakes a little, so I clear my throat.

  “I decided I would not be poured out. I would remain useful. I’d get back to you and lo
ve you with all my heart. I’d take this world and make my mark by loving everyone equally, by building others up and not tearing them down. I want to help and protect others even more than I did before. If what’s happened to me is too much for you to handle, and any of you want out of this relationship, I understand. I won’t hate you. I want you to know you have a choice in this too. That’s all I have to say.”

  Kino scoots onto the floor at my feet and puts his large hands around mine, laying his head in my lap. Mica also sits on the floor beside my chair. He puts his arms around me, his head against my arm. Spar, standing opposite of Mica, squats with his arms around my shoulders and his head on my neck. I can feel their love for me.

  We stay that way for a little while. I know they love me; I just needed to feel it again. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, I start to giggle. Oh my God, I’m such a girl! Now I am laughing hard.

  Kino picks me up and spins in a circle, holding me close. Spar started his party playlist on his tablet. We just jump around and play with each other. Somewhere along the line, we just started dancing. If you can see two men who love you with this intensity dancing, you’ll understand my heart when I say, “It was magnificent.”

  After a bit, we change partners and keep dancing. It’s getting close to sunrise, so my gargoyles put me in bed for some sleep. They didn’t leave me, though. They stayed. I drifted off quickly in Mica’s arms, Spar and Kino next to the bed. I wake several hours later and lie there looking at Spar and Kino. It takes me a minute to recognize what they had done. But when I see it, it’s obvious. Those two have put their hands together in a heart shape. “You crazy boys. I love you back.”

  I wake up Mica, but he’s so tired. I tell him to torp; I’m going to take a long shower then a bath. I cry in the shower so no one hears me. When I finish, I soak in a hot bath.

  Reflecting, I make a plan for my life. I’m not doing this anymore. I’m moving on and forgetting what happened in the compound. I might talk to Jericho or Arden in private. Maybe, but I’m not sure I can tell anyone else. Until then—fake it ‘till I make—it is my new motto. I’m tough. I do not want pity! I especially don’t want to make everyone around me feel my pain. I want to make them happy, myself included. So I’m not bringing what happened up, even to myself. I’ll deal!

  After I bathe and dress, I go to Chairman Brinker’s office for our meeting. His assistant tells me, “Queen Kendra, the Chairman has left instructions that you are to be his priority today. He’ll see you as soon as I alert him. In the meantime, Chef Ron sent this.” She delivers to me some chai tea and biscuits. “Queen Kendra, is there anything more you would like?”

  “No, Cecile, and it’s Kendra unless we’re somewhere we have to be formal, okay?”

  She smiles her normal warm, congenial smile and answers, “We’re in your corner. You have many supporters here.” Then she departs to Chairman Brinker’s office.

  Jose Brinker leaves his office with another person. My eyebrows rise slightly as I figure out who that prominent person is. My all-time favorite superhero. Jose brings him over to me and introduces us. I officially like this job now. Meeting a sexy movie star makes my day. Too bad TASS has rules about telling who we see and what we do when we are together.

  There is absolutely no media, anywhere. Meetings are conducted in different locations each time. No one would believe us even if we did tell what happens here and who we see. TASS is a propaganda machine. They’d be able to prove the opposite of any information they don’t like at the drop of a hat. Most of the members are above such antics, though, so it’s a non-issue.

  Jose asks, “Will you have lunch with me.”

  “I will, but the biscuits and tea filled me up.” I ask Tito for water when we’re seated. He tilts his head in acknowledgment and offers a sly smile.

  “Jose, I’m not sure what information you need, but I can tell you what I know. The cartel is preying on the indigenous tribes in the area. Most are slaves to the cartel. Some are used as security for moving into a new area. These men are forced to intimidate the new people into also working for the cartel. Additionally, these ‘security’ men have little choice. If they don’t intimidate the others, their families will be denied food and water, or even killed.

  “Others are forced to grow the drug crops, refine and prepare it for shipment north. We also have evidence they are enslaving the young girls and selling them as sex slaves. Some of them are even very young children. My people saw this while at the Jessup compound and I want to fight it with extreme prejudice.”

  “Kendra, do you have any names of people in the area who are involved? If so, how badly can we hurt them? Will it provide us a window where we can focus on the Horde?”

  “Jose, if TASS were to make this a priority, I can, through my job as a Park Ranger provide some information—names, pictures, and such. I have friends at the FBI and even the CIA that I can trust. We do have more information regarding cartel activities. However, there’s at least one Ranger who’s working with the cartel. I must find more facts and if anyone else is working with them, so we know our evidence is secure and correct.

  “Also, although we decimated the Jessup Cartel in this last skirmish, his son will be taking control. I know this kid. I arrested him last month. He is a punk kid and doesn’t have the brains to run it. That will only lead to someone else killing him and taking over. My point is, our Ranger station can’t keep up. There’s always someone to step in and take control. But we know who’s in line, basically. While the Park Rangers don’t have the resources or mandate to go after the cartel directly, we can curtail some of the abuse of the indigenous peoples. I’m prepared to have my Ducere take this if TASS can’t at this time.”

  “Kendra, this is hitting close to home, especially with your recent kidnapping. I would like to put it before the board and see what direct intel we have on this cartel. Then we can see what resources we can allocate to help. If we get it on the list, at least it will not be forgotten. We might have other priorities, however. One of which is, we must take care of the Horde of Barat. We had all but fixed our strategies before your abduction. Do we need to readdress those strategies concerning the Ceorfan Guild?”

  Our lunch is being served. Thank goodness for small favors; my favorite chef only sent me a plate of fruit and cheese. I love him. I ask Tito if he’ll bring me some coffee. I believe I’m beginning to feel like my old self.

  “Is there more information concerning the Horde, Jose or are we still trying to find their base of operation?”

  “Nothing as of this morning. We believe we will need to act with haste when we get the needed information. Kendra, what is the best way to contact you?”

  “My tablet is always the fastest. Sometimes I forget my phone, or I just don’t have a good signal when I’m home. I’ll send you the link. If I’m not fast enough, try Mega’s, then my phone. Enough business now—I want to know how you are.”

  We talked like old friends for the next half-hour. Afterwards, I call Jamie and asked him if he has some time for pampering, or if he will send someone. He asks if it is possible to meet him in town. I really want to go out into the town. I’ve only seen it through the limo window. And I won’t have to be concerned with my security. Jared has his security force following… leading… whatever, they’re with me wherever I go.

  So, I spend my afternoon getting pampered. Jamie comes to the spa and takes me to his shop. I buy lots of clothes, including some sexy lingerie. I also get some booties to wear with my jeans.

  I head back to the castle to have a nap before the guys wake. I’m glad to smell and look better for them, even though they’d said nothing about it last night.

  Twenty-Eight

  Preparing

  Kendra

  Jamie Serge has been working with me to make me clothes that will stay on a dragon queen. I’ve been able to keep it a secret because the others are torping when I go to Jamie’s shop during the day. I’ll have the most wonderful fighting clothes, ev
en some new dresses and gowns. He makes me several versions of fighting outfits before we hit on one that works for me. The top looks like a vest. It’s a halter that ties around my waist and neck. It velcros together behind my neck, and also in back under my wings. He made me some low-cut, hip-hugging pants that zip in the front. They have a keyhole opening in the back; the two pieces overlap to Velcro together over my tail. They’re made of black bulletproof material. He put red trim on the pockets.

  Jamie ordered me boots to go with my skin-tight fighting clothes. I wanted witch boots, so he found me some that are more combat style, but with a pointed toe. Yay, and they lace up the front, so he put red laces in them for me. He says they’re fireproof. I love the whole outfit. What will the guys think when they see me wearing this? Jamie told me he’s finished them, and they’ll be delivered today.

  I can usually sleep 3 or 4 hours at a time. Then I wake up, checking to be sure I’m not alone. I can sleep a couple times a day just fine with the castles schedule. Today I’m excited about getting my new clothes, so no sleep.

  We’ve been here in the Scotland location for several weeks. We spend most of our time in combat training. I’ve been learning how to fight as a dragon, what to avoid in flight and maneuvering in air. The Ducere are training Jared and Dana this same way. The more they know, the safer they’ll be. I’m not too keen on them being in battle. I’ll get over it.

  A knock at my door has me running to see if it’s a delivery. It’s Thurston and he has three large boxes for me. Ha-ha, I can’t help rubbing my hands together! I ask him, with a big smile I can’t wipe off my face, to put them in the living area. He does and leaves, telling me young John has football practice, so he can’t stay. That’s wonderful! John’s never been able to play sports; they won’t want to miss this occasion.