Leenea slipped off her shoes and headed for the staircase. Her surroundings seemed cold and impersonal after being in Zane’s family’s home. She would not miss this house.
Her father walked out of the shadows and Leenea screamed.
“I am sorry I frightened you,” her father said. “Why are you back so early?”
She was about to state the half-truth she had rehearsed in her mind. Over the years, she had mastered foiling her father’s attempts at catching her in a lie.
Something was different tonight. She could feel her father probing her mind. This new ability to sense her father’s presence would come in very handy in the future.
“Zane believed we would be better able to become acquainted if we dined alone at his parents’ home.” It was odd feeling her father inside her head.
His focus on her intensified. “Did he wish to spend the night with you and you refused?”
She took a deep breath and was prepared to lie. A better time would not present itself to test her new telepathic abilities. Could she shield herself from his ability to detect lies?
“I am not his wife yet,” Leenea commented. “I told him it was inappropriate to have relations at this point. There is still a chance you may select someone else for me and I did not want to shortchange my future husband.”
Her head ached as her father assaulted her mind. She concentrated on pushing back the pain. When his probing stopped, she let out a sigh of relief.
“You are shrewder than I gave you credit for being,” her father said. “But that boy will be your husband and you must learn to comply with his requests. Leenea, are you all right?”
He must have mistaken her dumbfounded response to be in reaction to his words. Instead, she was shocked he had not picked up she had lied.
“Should I go after him?” Leenea asked. Nothing would have pleased her more. There was so much she wanted to share with him.
Her father frowned. “A respectable woman would never chase after a man. You were raised better.”
“I will head up to my room and retire for the evening.” She stood on her toes and kissed her father’s cheek. “Zane requested we have lunch together tomorrow. Good night, Father.” She had not forgotten he had requested they have lunch the next day.
As she walked up the stairs, she wondered how far her telepathic channel with Zane reached. It would not do any harm throwing a thought out to see if she reached him.
“Zane?”
“What is it, love?” Her heart raced at the endearment.
“My father was unable to detect I lied to him,” she reported. “I could also feel him probe my mind. If these gifts are permanent, we will never be susceptible to a mind control telepath again.”
Silence followed her telepathic news. He must be as shocked as she was. It was a tremendous defensive weapon against those who would sway their decisions or wished to determine if they spoke the truth.
She entered her room and undressed. The link between her and Zane was still open. Her body reacted as if he was in the room.
“I need to talk to Jeryl Jarlyn tonight.” She let out a small cry of concern. “There is no way to determine if our enhanced gifts are permanent or only heightened after we make love.”
They were in unknown territory. It made sense to approach the boy’s father while Zane could mask his thoughts. That was assuming he had the same abilities she now possessed.
Zane reached Jeryl Jarlyn’s home and knocked with significant force in case the man was asleep. He was surprised there were no guards protecting the Prime Representative and his son.
An angry Jeryl Jarlyn opened the door. “What is the reason for disturbing me at this time of night?”
“I am sorry, Prime Jarlyn. My name is Zane Childers and I have important news about a plot related to your son.”
Concern replaced irritation on Jarlyn’s face. “Come in. You are Gerald Childers’s son. It is my understanding you are business associates with Prime Rickard.”
He followed Jarlyn into his study. It was furnished similar to the one he was in earlier with Leenea’s father. The Prime poured two glasses of liquor and Zane accepted one.
To numb his frayed nerves, Zane took a generous sip. “Tonight, Prime Rickard suggested to me that you would withdraw from the race for Prime Ruler if something happened to your son. I have met Benko on several occasions and I like the boy. I do not want to see any harm befall him. An innocent child should never be a pawn in a political battle.”
He felt pressure in his frontal lobe. The familial relationship between Leenea and her father must have enabled her to determine the sensation was a mind control telepath’s power.
“Did he go into any details?” Jarlyn asked.
“No,” Zane responded. “He requested I forget the discussion. I told him we would be family soon, without directly answering the question. A marriage contract was signed between me and Leenea Rickard this afternoon.”
“A half-truth,” Jarlyn snarled. “He should have demanded a direct answer. Awful careless of him. Either way, how do I know I can trust you? As you said, you will be family soon.”
Zane was insulted by the Prime’s statement. “What kind of start would my marriage have if its foundation was rocked by a young boy’s abduction. I am ambitious, but I draw the line where an innocent’s life is threatened.”
Jarlyn examined him closely. “What do you recommend I do?”
He could not be responsible for whatever Jarlyn planned to do to his rival. “Do what you believe is necessary to protect your son. I just request that no harm befall Leenea or her mother.”
“Oh, yes. The beautiful Jaynee,” Jarlyn commented. “This young man and his family will make powerful allies. They backed the wrong man, but that is correctable.”
Zane behaved as if he had not heard Jarlyn’s thoughts. Mind reading was another enhancement he was gifted with, just as the legend Leenea remembered stated.
“We will arrest Prime Rickard on the floor of the Prime Council tomorrow once roll call is completed.” Jeryl Jarlyn took several sips of his drink. It was clear he was planning tomorrow’s strategy. “You need to be present and accuse the guilty.”
“That is impossible!” Zane sprung from his chair. “I am contracted to wed his daughter. Such a betrayal on my part would void the contract.”
That was one particular snag he had not anticipated. Leenea could be pregnant with his child. She was his soul mate and such an action would place her back on the market. Although with the scandal that would surround her, it was unlikely anyone would want her.
“In my opinion, one woman is interchangeable with the next,” Jarlyn commented. “Benko was a product of one of my liaisons. I kept the boy and moved on to another woman. We were never supposed to mate for life.”
A far away look was visible in the Prime’s eyes. Maybe he went through so many women in the search of his soul mate. Zane had found his and he was not going to lose her.
“My condition for being personally involved in Prime Rickard’s arrest is the safety of his wife and child. After all, I am saving your son.” He did not feel he had to justify why Leenea had to be protected.
The Prime nodded his acceptance of the agreement. Zane let out a sigh of relief. Jeryl Jarlyn had a reputation of trustworthiness once a deal was struck. It would still be advisable to keep his guard up regardless.
8
Leenea woke feeling uneasy. A sense of impending doom caused her to groan and roll over. If she fell back asleep, perhaps she would wake in a better mood.
Her eyes fell on clothing draped over a chair. Last night she had immediately undressed and crawled into bed. A dreamy smile graced her face as she remembered the previous evening.
She had done more than lose her virginity, she lost her heart. Zane was everything she wanted in a mate.
Benko Jarlyn! She sat in bed, remembering the danger the boy was in. The communal pathways were active with normal morning chatter. Nothing had happened to the b
oy.
Zane had met with Jeryl Jarlyn last night, but had not communicated through their closed link. She was afraid to reach out to him in case he was still with Prime Jarlyn.
“Leenea!” Her mother’s shriek caused a chill to run down her spine. The scream was laced with fear.
She shot out of bed and put on the clothing she wore last night. It did not matter if she was a wrinkled mess. From her mother’s warning, Leenea wanted more than a robe around her naked body.
Not bothering to put on shoes, Leenea ran out of her room and down the stairs. Four palace guards surrounded her mother.
“What is happening here?” she asked while taking her hysterical mother into her arms.
“They say they are here for our protection,” her mother cried. “That is all they will tell me. Your father left for The Palace thirty minutes ago.” Her mother’s sobs grew louder.
Had Jarlyn ordered the arrest of her whole family when Zane told him about her father’s plot to harm Benko? They should have better thought out how to warn him about the danger to his son. She had no choice but to reach out to her soul mate.
“Zane, there are palace guards in our house.”
No response. Was he unconscious? Perhaps dead?
She pulled back her shoulders and stood straight. “What is the meaning of this?” She did not bother to throw her father’s name out like she normally did. He was the reason the guards were there.
The blonde guard looked uncomfortable. He was not much older than she was. “We have our orders, miss.”
“And they are?” Leenea asked.
“To protect you.” She was not sure if the guard was mentally slow or fiendishly bright. The other three guards stood mute.
“Can we be protected in the kitchen while having tea?” Leenea asked. “I just woke.”
Questioning looks passed between the guards. It was clear they were not assassins. Whatever deal Zane reached with Jeryl Jarlyn, their protection was included. Although, it appeared they were given the greenest of the lot.
“That is acceptable,” the blonde guard responded. “I am Officer Clarke.”
Her mother smiled at the guard and proceeded to charm him. Soon he would be eating out of her hand. The immediate danger was over, but Zane still had not responded to her.
“Zane,” his soul mate called out.
Jeryl Jarlyn was beside him and he was too nervous to respond back to Leenea. If he was not careful, he would end up in one of the communal pathways.
“It is time,” Jeryl announced.
They entered the Prime Council Chamber. The room was crowded; the volume of oral speech was deafening.
“After the speaker recognizes the two of us, communicate through the communal channel the accusations and I will take over from there.”
Zane nodded his understanding. With chaos about to run rampant, he chanced reaching out to Leenea.
“Be brave, my love.” It was short and sweet; ambiguous enough that if it leaked into the communal channels, no one would know who shared the thought or who it was intended for.
“I call today’s session of the Prime Council open,” the speaker said aloud. “Prime Jarlyn and guest, please approach the podium.”
As Zane walked beside Jarlyn, he looked in Prime Rickard’s direction. The man’s face grew red with anger. Harould Rickard attempted to leave the room, but was stopped by palace guards. Jeryl Jarlyn had orchestrated the arrest well.
“My fellow Primes,” Jarlyn bellowed. “A heinous plot has been devised to harm my beloved son for political gain. I am grateful to this man who came to warn me of the danger.”
It was odd hearing Jeryl Jarlyn stating aloud what he also communicated through the communal pathways. Citizens rarely used both means to communicate.
As on cue, Zane walked to the podium and addressed the assembly. “Prime Rickard not only terrifies his wife and daughter on a daily basis, but has now threatened the life of a child. I could not stand back and let that happen. With my future wife’s blessing, Leenea Rickard and I condemn Harould Rickard for plotting to kill a seven-year-old boy for political gain.”
The hall and communal pathways erupted with conversations condemning Prime Rickard. Leenea’s bravery and selflessness was also shared. Her safety was now guaranteed. Jeryl Jarlyn would not dare go after her or her mother.
Prime Rickard struggled as the guards bound his hands and dragged him forward. Hatred reflected in his eyes as Harould Rickard was brought before them.
“Did you plot against my son? Answer yes or no,” Prime Jarlyn asked.
“I am innocent of these charges,” Leenea’s father screamed aloud and through the pathways.
“Liar,” each mind control telepath shouted. The word cascaded throughout the room.
A mind control telepath should have better guarded his words. Anger had been Prime Rickard’s downfall.
Jeryl Jarlyn stepped away and had a private discussion with the captain of the Crystal Telepathic Guard. They were an elite unit designated to protect crystal telepaths as they traveled from world to world. The guards also investigated unsanctioned portal openings and provided backup when palace guards were understaffed.
The guard Jarlyn had conversed with came forward with a small squad and took possession of Prime Rickard.
“Where is he being taken?” Zane asked. The CT Guard were not normally involved in arrests.
“Somewhere he is not a threat to my son, his wife, and daughter,” Jarlyn replied. “Our prisons are overcrowded and I have made arrangements to transport future prisoners to one of two worlds based on their crimes.”
He had heard of no such changes in policies related to the housing of prisoners. It was of no concern to him; his focus was on Leenea. “The wife and daughter are safe from any retribution concerning Prime Rickard’s crimes?”
Jeryl Jarlyn laughed. “You made sure of that with your statement. But yes, they are safe where I am concerned.”
“The guards will be removed from their home?” Zane needed to assure himself that the men who were positioned in the Rickard home were dealt with. Their presence only caused anxiety for the two women.
Jarlyn raised an eyebrow. “How were you aware I had palace guards there?”
Zane had to be more careful in the future. He felt the now familiar pressure probing his mind. “If I had been in your shoes, I would have properly secured the women. There were no guarantees things would have gone as smoothly as they did. If Prime Rickard escaped, he would have headed home.”
The pressure in his mind ceased. “You and your father should come to my office tomorrow afternoon to discuss business. I believe whatever arrangements you had with Rickard could be improved upon. My friends are well taken care of and once I am Prime Ruler, their circumstances can only improve.”
“My father and I will be there,” he shared with the Prime. “With your permission, I would like to check on the Rickard women. The information in the communal pathways must have them concerned. The removal of the guards will be the first step to reduce their anxiety.”
Zane heard within the communal channels Jarlyn ordering the guards back to The Palace. He headed toward the closest exit, not wanting to spend any more time in the chamber than required. When he saw his father, he stopped dead in his tracks. His father was supposed to be out of town.
“What are you doing here?” he asked his dad.
“Your mother became ill, so we took the first shuttle back this morning.” His father placed his arm around his shoulders. “Congratulations on the new alliance you secured today. Jeryl Jarlyn will make a more powerful associate than Rickard. Fortunately, the scandal voids the contract with the Rickard girl. Prime Brilner has a marriageable age daughter.”
He pulled out of his father’s embrace. “I still plan to marry Leenea Rickard.”
“Absolutely not,” his father replied. “There is no advantage to the marriage now. Our company needs to grow if we are to be viable in the future. You are my heir and will inhe
rit the business upon my death. It is your children’s legacy.”
Zane turned and walked out of the chamber. His mind raced over what would occur if his father disinherited him. The Rickards were ruined. He had no money of his own. How was he going to support himself and Leenea?
9
Leenea cowered in the dark closet, her hands over her ears. She escaped to this spot as a child when her father screamed at her mother and the communal pathways were too active to manage.
The dark, crowded closet for some reason made her feel better. Any other child would have been terrorized by the shadows created by the light seeping through the door slits. For Leenea, they were a welcome distraction from what was happening in her life.
As soon as the palace guards left, her mother headed for her bed with a headache and Leenea escaped to her safe space. It was symbolic, she knew the communal pathways would not quiet or turn off her father’s pleas in their familial link.
Fortunately, the communal pathways helped to drown out her father’s voice in her head. He claimed everything he had done was for her, his little girl. Without being able to see his lying face, guilt descended, further weighing her down mentally.
Someone knocked on her bedroom door. “Miss Leenea, you have company.” Their housekeeper was on the other side of the door. She knew better than to enter her room. “Dress in a nice tunic. There are several good looking young men who wish to see you.”
Curiosity got the best of her. She stood and exited the closet. Who would be coming to see her now? As far as she knew, she was social poison.
Following their housekeeper’s suggestion, Leenea redressed and ran a brush through her hair. She wished she had time to shower. But there was no telling how long the men would wait for her arrival.
To her surprise, her mother was outside her door. Like Leenea, she had redressed and had a fresh layer of makeup gracing her face. Properly made up, her mother looked a decade younger.
The Soul Mate Page 4
