"I don't know." I buried my face against Gavin's shoulder.
"Love, do not worry so. We will face these troubles if they come. Meanwhile, we must trust that things will come out right in the end."
"Yeah. Can we go to the kitchen? I want ice cream." I didn't add that I also wanted to forget the whole, sorry mess. That likely wouldn't happen for a while.
* * *
"Narissa's dead." Griffin had asked to speak with Cleo and Kyler at Merrill's old manor in Kent. Griffin sat behind Merrill's desk in his study, recalling that Lissa's lessons from Merrill had occurred there. Merrill hadn't changed much inside his study over the years, and the letter opener, which resembled a Roman sword, still held a place of honor on Merrill's desk.
Cleo and Kyler sat in Merrill's guest chairs, staring at their grandfather. They resembled their now-deceased grandmother greatly, with long, auburn hair and nearly gold eyes.
"Em-pah, we knew it would come," Kyler admitted. "We just didn't know when, exactly."
"She is dead, as is Friesianna and her guards. Except one," Leather creaked as Griffin leaned back in Merrill's chair. "Friesianna had Narissa tortured and dismembered. Someone took offense at that act and separated Friesianna's particles. I was wondering if either of you had a hand in that."
"As a healer for the Saa Thalarr, I can't," Cleo pointed out.
"I was elsewhere when it happened, and wouldn't have interfered anyway," Kyler muttered. "I don't argue with Narissa's death, I just have a problem with how it was accomplished."
"Those responsible for it are dead." Griffin stood and turned to stare out the window behind the desk.
"Do we have any guesses who killed Friesianna?" Kyler asked.
"No. Kiarra may suspect and I hear that Belen has spoken with her, but as I am retired, I am no longer privy to that information."
"Maybe we'll find out someday," Cleo offered. "Did you talk to Conner about it, Em-pah?"
"Conner won't talk to me. Not since I fucked up with Toff and Trell."
Cleo and Kyler exchanged worried glances.
* * *
"When will we see Nissa and Trik again?" Toff asked. He, Ry and Tory were spending the day in the Queen's library, doing research for an assignment. Rain was falling on an off-day. They'd planned a trip to the light side for a picnic and some rock skipping on a pond, but the rain had spoiled their plans.
"Uncle Shadow said he'd bring them tomorrow—Trik needs more shoes, so we're going shopping. Sissy said he spilled some of the spelled resin they use to make the gray jewels on two pairs of boots," Ry said.
"I wish I had mindspeech," Toff grumped, tapping the end of a paragraph on his comp-vid with more emphasis than it deserved. He wanted to contact Nissa whenever he felt like it. Ry and Tory didn't realize what a gift they had.
"Maybe Mom can give it to you. After the baby comes," Tory responded with a grin.
"She can do that?" Toff asked, his eyes wide.
"Mom can do a lot of things," Ry snickered. "When she isn't pregnant."
* * *
"They didn't yell that much and I get new shoes," Trik gloated as he accepted a newly created protection jewel from Nissa.
"I'm glad it was enough to make three protection jewels. It was easy to pull the resin off your shoes, but that stuff discolors. Dad already saw that." Nissa's eyes danced mischievously. "I just want you and Toff to have protection, and I wanted to replace my jewel, too," Nissa proclaimed as she pulled a second protection jewel necklace over her head. It would be keyed to Toff when she saw him the following day. "You'll be able to protect yourself before long, but this will help until then." Nissa brushed back curly, light-brown hair and leaned against the wall with a happy sigh.
She and Trik had met inside Trik's new bedroom—Shadow had cleared a space for Trik inside his and Nissa's spacious suite. They'd settled on the floor at the far side of Trik's bed, in case Shadow walked in. Again, Nissa had made the protection jewels without her father's knowledge.
"I know what these are worth," Trik brushed fingers over the dark gray, faceted jewel that Nissa had fashioned from spelled resin. "My grandfather was always angry about these," he added. "The Belancours couldn't do anything close to this kind of work."
"You'll learn how to do it yourself," Nissa vowed. "I think Daddy is more than happy with the power you have."
"You think so?" Trik's eyes held a gleam of hope in them.
"Yeah. Daddy's happier than I've seen him in a while," Nissa nodded.
* * *
Lissa's Journal
"I can see you've already heard we're going shopping," I lifted an eyebrow at Ry and Tory, who were handing me expectant looks.
"But we haven't heard where," Ry wheedled. I swear, that child was going to be just as handsome as his father, and could wrap anyone around his nimble fingers already. Erland said that Ry had a future as an ambassador for Karathia—if that's what he wanted. Wylend, my grandfather, was already hatching a plot to send him to a private school on Wyyld when he was eighteen. That school trained the children of Kings, Queens, presidents, prime ministers and anybody else in charge of anything. It also cost a fortune to attend, and Wylend was prepared to pay.
My only problem with that idea is that I knew Tory would want to go with his brother and Garde was holding back—he didn't want to send Tory if Tory couldn't turn Thifilathi. Any position Tory might hold on Kifirin required that he be High Demon in most respects, and that included the ability to become Thifilathi. I assumed Garde also meant that Tory wouldn't be considered High Demon if he couldn't blow smoke whenever he got his underwear in a knot.
It made me angry every time I thought about it, and Garde and I had an argument when Garde first brought it up. Most High Demon males turned by the age of twelve. Tory hadn't. I accused my High Demon mate of being prejudiced against his son because he was only half High Demon; Garde hadn't defended himself very well against that charge and ended up blowing clouds of smoke before skipping away. It was still a sore spot between us.
"Where are we going, Mom?" Tory was now begging.
"If you must know, we're going to Hraede again. It's safe there and Rigo is going with us. Drake and Drew are folding us in and out, but they have training to do tomorrow so they can't stay with us." I moved forward to hug my High Demon child. He was so tall, I could only put my arms around his waist. "Shadow only gave us tomorrow afternoon to spend with Nissa and Trik, after their lessons in the morning."
"So we have to hurry to make the most of our day," Ry nodded as I pulled away from Tory.
"We'll have to hurry if we make more than two or three shops," I agreed. "If either of you need shoes or clothing, now is the time to make a list."
"I guess you haven't changed your mind on tattoos," Tory teased.
"Look," I poked him in the chest with a finger, "If you're twenty and can't seem to stop yourself, I won't stop you either. But if you want good ones, like Drake and Drew's, then you need to go to Falchan and take your uncles with you."
"All right," Tory high-fived Ry over my head. Rolling my eyes, I walked away from both my tattoo-crazed sons.
* * *
"Do you think I depend upon you for all my information?" Tandias gazed angrily at Zellar. "I managed to place an obsession on one of the Queen's palace employees. She and her children will be visiting Hraede tomorrow, with only one vampire attending her. We will attack her there. It will be much simpler than taking you past the shield around Le-Ath Veronis. Once the Queen is dead, our goals will be accomplished, wouldn't you say?"
Zellar stared at Tandias. Now he understood why Viregruz had found this particular Ra'Ak so valuable. An obsession—that ability was extremely rare and difficult to perform. Only a few among Tandias' former race might have been able to accomplish such a feat. An obsession placed by one of that race could convince the most unwilling to tell all their secrets or happily commit murder.
Whereas compulsion would force the recipient to act as a vampire commanded, it was limited
to specific commands. Obsession left the victim willing to volunteer their deeds if they thought the one placing the obsession might be pleased by their actions. Victims fawned over their new master and craved any encouragement. Zellar found himself wondering how many assassinations had been carried out by those closest to the victim, after an obsession had been placed.
Shaking himself to dispel those thoughts, Zellar turned back to Tandias. "I assume you have an itinerary?"
"I know where the Queen is likely to be. That should be enough." Tandias' pointed teeth gleamed as he laughed.
* * *
"You can keep the old one if you want," Nissa held out the new protection jewel to Toff, who seemed reluctant to remove the old necklace, although the jewel had been emptied when Gren attacked. "This one will key itself to you when you put it on." Nissa smiled her encouragement to Toff, who shyly accepted the gift and slipped it over his head. The gray jewel was carefully hidden beneath his shirt, right beside the first one.
"I have something for you, too. Papu helped me pick it out," Toff's cheeks pinkened slightly as he pulled a small box from a pocket. "Then Uncle Drew made it the right size," Toff added as Nissa accepted the box and opened it. Nestled on a bed of satin lay a gold filigree ring.
Nissa stared at Toff. "This is so pretty," she fumbled with the ring, pulling it from the box. "I don't have any rings," she added. "I have necklaces and bracelets, but that's all." She slipped the ring on her finger—it fit.
"I know, that's why Papu suggested it," Toff grinned impishly. "It looks good on your hand."
"Thank you." Nissa hugged Toff enthusiastically. Toff wrapped his arms about her and hugged her back.
* * *
Lissa's Journal
We'd gone to a restaurant for lunch first, before venturing out to buy shoes and clothing for the kids. Tory ate two ox-roast sandwiches while Nissa smiled at her brother. Rigo was at my elbow as we watched Trik try on several pairs of shoes and boots in a shoe shop later. Shadow demanded that sturdy shoes or boots be worn in his and Raffian's workshops—it was lucky that the two pairs of boots Trik ruined were thick leather—the spelled liquid resin usually burned whatever it hit. That stuff only became neutral after it hardened and accepted a protection spell. Trik's boots had spared his feet, as Shadow had known they would.
"Honey, if you like those, we'll get them," I said as Trik attempted to choose half of the four pairs he'd set aside.
"I like all of those," Nissa nodded as Trik glanced her way. I didn't want to say anything, but my daughter already had two admirers—Toff and Trik. When she turned sixteen, I might have to sit down and have a talk with all of them. I think Shadow already knew to keep a watchful eye on our daughter.
"I just never had anything new before I came to Le-Ath Veronis," Trik mumbled, stacking boxes of shoes neatly. I wanted to cry at his admission, and then add happy tears for the fact that he was now using both hands. He was walking very well, too, and Morwin kept me updated on his progress (and Nissa's) almost every day. I'd hugged Morwin when he reported that Trik and Nissa were happy. Nissa finally had someone to confide in at Grey House, and Trik was happy that he felt wanted and needed for the first time in his life.
"Mom always takes us to Barat's for clothes," Tory whispered to Trik as we walked into a shop that carried clothing. It also had a separate, very popular electronics store inside, which sold comp-vids and other supplies children might need for the classroom. As a result, Barat's was a chain that had shops on nearly every Alliance world.
"Can Tory and I look at mini comp-vids?" Ry pleaded as soon as they were inside the door. I wasn't surprised by his request—they loved that part of the store and it was often harder than finding teeth on a rooster to keep them away from it.
"All right, but don't wander away," I cautioned. Tory was so tall he would likely intimidate anyone who had nefarious thoughts and Ry was talented enough to blast someone through a wall if he wanted. He'd inherited all his father's gifts plus a few extras, I think, and Wylend predicted he'd be a First-Level warlock—the highest level attainable—when he was grown.
"We'll be back when you get to the jacket department," Ry promised as he and Tory walked swiftly away. Toff, who'd been content to stay beside Nissa, watched them go. He was torn, I could tell, because he probably wanted a new mini comp-vid just as Ry and Tory did. A new version had been released recently by Schuul Enterprises, and everybody wanted one.
Get a mini comp-vid for Toff, Nissa and Trik, too, I sent to Ry, who sent a yippee back.
* * *
"She'll scent us if we're not shielded properly," Zellar growled at Gren, who watched Toff from a distance. Gren and his companions stood in a dimly lit corner of the store, watching with eager malice as the Queen and a handful of others looked at clothing. Zellar worked to shield Tandias, too, although Gren and the Ra'Ak failed to cooperate. The Ra'Ak, like Gren, was anxious to reach his target—Queen Lissa only had one vampire mate with her and he could be easily dispatched, once Tandias became Ra'Ak.
"We'll get there soon enough," Zellar hissed as he added another layer to an already thick shield, his hands weaving as he muttered the required spells.
* * *
Lissa's Journal
Rigo, I'm feeling itchy, I sent to my oldest vampire mate.
"Tiessa, what do you sense?" Rigo's mouth was near my ear as he whispered the words.
"I can't tell, it keeps appearing and then disappearing. This is really weird," I mumbled back. Nissa, Toff and Trik were going through a rack of shirts nearby and laughing at the slogans printed across the front. They couldn't hear us and I was thankful for that.
"Have you experienced anything such as this before?" Rigo asked softly.
"No, and it's really confusing," I replied. "It's like somebody is turning a tap on and off." I raised my eyes to Rigo's face—he was certainly concerned.
"Has anyone been able to hide anything from you before, love?" Rigo's worry was increasing, if the furrowing brow was any indication.
"Only that idiot Viregruz, and," I lifted a shaking hand to my mouth. "Oh. My. God. Rigo, we're in trouble," I gasped. We were already too late—the blast knocked out half the walls and plunged the store into darkness.
* * *
Zellar realized his mistake quickly—he couldn't see in darkness any better than Gren could. He wasn't sure about Tandias—Ra'Ak kept any weaknesses to themselves, just to prevent them from being exploited. At least part of his plan had worked flawlessly; every humanoid shopper inside the store was now unconscious.
"I need light," Gren hissed. He'd kept his eyes on Toff—until the lights went out.
"Do it yourself, I'm busy holding the shields," Zellar snapped. "I have an outer shield on the whole store—she won't be able to send out mindspeech; it'll just bounce back. Tandias, can you see anything?"
No reply came from Tandias—he'd already turned to Ra'Ak and was slithering through the spacious department store. Gren, who caught a glint of light gleaming on copper scales, followed in Tandias' wake while Zellar cursed behind him and remained where he was.
* * *
Lissa's Journal
I sent hasty mindspeech to all my mates, but trouble was already in front of me and only Rigo and I could see it coming. My mindspeech echoed back to me in my mind; it hadn't gone out. That meant one thing to me—Zellar was shielding everything inside the store. He'd blocked Viregruz's presence in the past after tapping a planet's core. He'd obviously learned how to do the same with mindspeech. Every humanoid inside the store had fallen, too; all of them rendered unconscious from one of Zellar's tricks, no doubt. I felt terrified and queasy at the same time, and it was an effort to push those feeling aside. I hadn't felt this helpless since I'd been human.
"Kids, get behind me," I hissed as I watched the Ra'Ak slither his way toward us.
"Mom? What's going on?" Nissa fumbled her way toward me, Toff and Trik each gripping one of her hands tightly.
"Come." Rigo pulled all three of
them forward and gently placed them behind us. All that stood between us now was a few minutes and a vampire who had no experience fighting Ra'Ak.
* * *
"No big deal, bro," Ry whispered to Tory. "I can make light without thinking about it. I think Mom and the others are in trouble, though." Ry pointed a finger at the floor, creating the barest hint of light. He and Tory made their way toward the department where their mother had been when they'd last seen her, navigating their way through overturned shelves, racks, broken walls and unconscious shoppers.
* * *
Lissa's Journal
A decision lay before me. Sacrifice my unborn child to save the others, or hope that Rigo could delay a Ra'Ak, a power-mad warlock and an evil apprentice while the rest of us attempted to escape. Yeah. Right. The odds of our escaping went into negative territory and Rigo would likely die. We'd all likely die, actually. Zellar had made his plans carefully; somehow, he'd discovered where I would be and had taken full advantage. On Le-Ath Veronis, there were too many around me and I'd be better protected. Now, on what was reportedly the safest world in the Reth Alliance, I was under attack by one of the worst criminals the Alliance had ever seen.
* * *
"Holy crap," Ry muttered. The Ra'Ak either hadn't seen him and Tory, or he was ignoring them in favor of a better target—their mother.
"Somebody's walking behind the Ra'Ak," Tory hissed, turning his gaze on Ry.
"Wait, you can see?" Ry blinked at Tory in confusion.
"Yeah. Don't ask me how, but I've always been able to see better than you in the dark. I think it's that brat who almost killed Toff," Tory added, turning back to the Ra'Ak crawling through the store and the one who crept along behind the giant serpent.
"He's aiming for Mom, and she can't do anything," Ry hissed, slapping his taller brother on the back. "And that brat is aiming for Toff, I'd bet all the money on Karathia on that."
Blood Reunion Page 25
