by Ivy Barrett
“Oh, good, you’re still up,” Bron said to Zilrath. “I’d like to speak with both of you.” Without asking permission, Bron moved to one of the other armchairs and sat.
Kellan watched Zilrath’s reaction. It was subtle, but Bron’s presumptive actions were irritating the Tavorian. Technically Bron had requested this meeting—and it was obvious this was a meeting, not a visit—so Kellan returned to the sofa and waited for Bron to explain what he wanted from them.
“I’ve been at this since dawn, so I’m going to come right to the point. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, the integration of this base is not going well.”
Kellan and Zilrath exchanged surprised looks, but both waited for more information.
“Galzar has requested a transfer, and General Lenstine is thrilled. Lenstine would very much like me to appoint him commander of the entire base, but no Ventori is going to take orders from a human no matter how accomplished. Besides, protecting potential mates is our responsibility, not theirs. Lenstine’s a good man. He’s been here for years and has the respect of his soldiers. I need someone who will work with the general rather than trying to... dare I say bully him.” Bron chuckled. “That’s Kyla’s favorite slam. Swears all Ventori are bullies and our only strategies are intimidation and fear.”
Zilrath made a strangled sound that Kellan had come to recognize as a failed attempt to smother laughter. “It would seem my podmate agrees with her.”
“Well, in Ako’s case it’s true. He’s a war dog, knows nothing else. He’s happiest commanding other warriors, and it was a strategic misstep to assign him here.”
Zilrath stilled, and a curious gleam lit his gaze. “Do you have someone in mind to replace him?”
Bron flashed a rare smile. “Lenstine and I came up with a brilliant solution. That’s why I’m here.”
Eyes rounded and head shaking, Zilrath said, “Ventori Defenders will never listen to me.”
“Good thing it’s not you I had in mind.” The green marbling in Bron’s eyes shimmered as he looked at Kellan. “Galzar wants command of a ship, and I need a shrewd, yet personable commander for our most important base. That personality type is hard to find among the Ventori.”
“You want me to give up the Elizian?” Kellan had barely settled into the command and Bron wanted to move him again?
“I thought this would please you.” Bron sounded confused. “It’s the perfect solution for your logistical challenges. Wouldn’t you rather remain close to your mate? You are going to claim Jasmine, aren’t you?”
“She has yet to accept us,” Zilrath explained. “But we are reasonably confident she will.”
After a brief pause, Kellan mused, “Being stationed here would make things easier.”
Zilrath laughed. “Famous last words, brother. This situation is one of the most challenging I’ve ever faced.”
Bron actually cringed as he said, “And I’m about to make it even worse.” Again he shifted his gaze to Kellan as he went on, “It’s only fair to tell you that the change I came here to explain is what pushed Galzar over the edge and made him request a transfer. However, I honestly think you’re the perfect person for even these new challenges. You’re shockingly patient for a Ventori. You adapt well to new situations. And the location works out well for your newly formed pod and soon-to-be mate.”
“What’s the nature of the change?” Kellan wanted to know.
“Camp Accord is overwhelmed. We’ve been sending all the potential mates there for a sort of orientation, but the location isn’t suited to the rapidly growing program. I’ve decided to move the entire program here, which means you—with strong support from General Lenstine and Minister Nomani—will oversee all the potential mates from application approval until they’re claimed.”
Zilrath shook his head in disbelief. “I can see why Ako quit.”
Bron just smiled and kept his attention fixed on Kellan. “Do you need some time to think it over or can I tell Galzar to report to the Elizian?”
“I’ll accept on one condition,” Kellan told him.
Scowling playfully, Bron asked, “And that is?”
“You install a DoxGenator somewhere in this house. Preferably the kitchen, but even the garage would be acceptable. We’ve about worn out the one in Zilrath’s shuttle.”
“Done,” Bron pronounced without hesitation.
“Then of course I’ll take the position,” Kellan said emphatically. “I’m honored by your trust.”
“What position?”
Jasmine’s melodious voice drew Kellan’s attention toward the stairs. She had stopped two steps up from the bottom, apparently halted by his words.
Kellan smiled and motioned her closer. “You’re looking at the new commander of Fort Benning.”
“No, she’s looking at the commander of Camp Confluence. General Lenstine suggested the change. Thought it might help his men let go of the past and embrace the new challenges.”
Impressed by the suggestion, Kellan was suddenly looking forward to meeting General Lenstine.
“That’s wonderful.” She quickly finished her descent and gave him a warm hug. “You are happy about this, aren’t you?”
“Very much so.”
“I’m glad you came down, young lady. I also have a job offer for you,” Bron told her.
“Me?” She sank onto the sofa beside Kellan, who immediately wrapped his arm around her. “What can I do for the Protectorate?”
“I’d like you to train as a counselor for potential mates. You’ve been through the entire process, including DNA resequencing. It will mean a lot to the volunteers to have access to someone who knows exactly what they’re going through and the challenges they’ll face. Does this interest you?”
“Of course. I think it’s an amazing idea, but that sort of training takes time. We need someone right away. Maybe it would be better to—”
“Jobs that are primarily mental can be trained in a matter of hours,” Kellan told her. “A series of neuro-uploads would give you everything you need to report for duty the following day.”
“Seriously?” She sounded dubious.
Bron chuckled. “Welcome to new Earth. Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time, and my mate wants me home.” Bron started to rise, but Zilrath stopped him.
“I need to speak with you about something else, sir.”
Bron looked at Zilrath wearily. “Can it wait until tomorrow? This has been one hellish day.”
“I’m sorry, sir. It cannot.”
With a heavy sigh, Bron sank back onto his chair. “What’s bothering you, Zilrath?”
“My sister asked to speak with me privately and then surprised me with Ramnyth Dulvet.”
That got Bron’s attention. He straightened and pivoted toward Zilrath. “Your sister is one of the rebels?”
“I did not know about any of this before the meeting, but I reported the incident to Kellan shortly after.”
“When did this take place?” Bron’s voice took on a dangerous edge.
Kellan tensed. Zilrath was on dangerous ground here. And thanks to Kellan’s willingness to indulge his podmate, so was he.
“Six days ago,” Zilrath admitted.
Bron shot to his feet and swung toward Kellan. “Why the fuck is this the first I’ve heard of a meeting with Ram?”
Kellan’s answer was interrupted by a demanding pounding on the front door. Rather than rushing to open it, Kellan went to the front window and looked out. “What the hells is she doing here?”
“Who is it?” Zilrath asked as he stood also.
“Celeste Mortenson,” Kellan told him.
“Shall I get rid of her?” Zilrath asked, eyes narrowed to gleaming slits.
Bron laughed. “That sounds ominous.”
“Don’t let her in,” Kellan stressed, “but find out what she wants.”
Chapter Ten
Jasmine’s lungs seized, refusing to move air as Zilrath opened the front door to their house and spoke with Celeste Mortens
on. Why was the envoy here? How had she known where to find them? The last question was self-evident. Celeste worked for the U.S. government. She could likely locate anyone at any time. Or had she been spying on them? The second possibility was even more disturbing than the first, and Jasmine’s breath hissed out in a frustrated sigh.
“Are you lost, little girl?” Zilrath asked with cutting sarcasm, body blocking the narrow opening created by the half-open door. “It’s a little late for social calls.”
“This is business,” Celeste snapped, trying to shove her way past him.
Zilrath didn’t budge. “This is my private residence. If you have business with me, I’ll address your concerns tomorrow at my office.”
“Cut the bullshit, Minister. I know about your little meeting with Ramnyth Dulvet.”
If she was expecting a reaction, she didn’t get one. Zilrath tried to close the door, but she quickly shoved her foot into the opening.
“Jasmine has a right to know her prospective mate is meeting with rebels.” Trying to see beyond him, Celeste called out, “Jasmine! May I speak with you, please?”
“My interaction with Ram has nothing to do with Jasmine, or you for that matter,” he replied, his tone hinting at boredom.
“The Secretary of Alien Affairs disagrees, as would Chancellor Savator. If he knew what the hell you’re up to.” She ended the prediction with a subtle smirk.
Rather than continue the argument, Zilrath simply let the door swing open far enough to reveal Bron standing a few paces away.
Her eyes widened, and her lips thinned. Two seconds later, she went back on the offensive. “If the Protectorate is negotiating with the rebels, the DAA should have been notified.” She still stood on the porch, but her angry gaze locked on Bron.
Bron instantaneously morphed into Chancellor Savator. His shoulders squared and his chin lifted as he moved closer to the doorway. “You’ve got that backward, Ms. Mortenson. The Department of Alien Affairs answers to me, not the other way around. If you had reason to shadow one of my ministers, I should have been notified. Also, Zilrath’s meeting with Ram was six days ago. Why didn’t you comm me as soon as you found out?”
His calm authority eroded her bravado. Her posture remained antagonistic, but uncertainty crept into her voice. “It took longer than I would have liked to learn of the incident. I had every intention of contacting you.”
“And yet you’re here rather than at my office,” Bron pointed out angrily.
“How did you learn of the meeting?” Zilrath finally motioned Celeste inside.
Jasmine watched quietly from her place on the sofa beside Kellan. Maybe now she’d find out what was really going on with the mysterious envoy. There had to be a reason for Celeste’s obsession with the Tavorians. No one was that dedicated to their job.
“I have someone on Ram’s ship,” Celeste admitted with obvious reluctance. “Completely against orders, this person allowed herself to be captured. She risks harsh punishment, even death, each time she contacts me.”
“Why would any female allow herself to be captured by the Yashonty?” Bron shuddered. “Their treatment of females is horrendous.”
Celeste partially disguised her eye roll by blinking, but Jasmine spotted the derisive reaction. And Celeste’s attitude was understandable. The Ventori used contracts and alliances to secure females for their sexual needs. The Yashonty simply took them. Either way, human females ended up naked and on their knees. Despite the truth in the harsh assessment, Jasmine was honest enough to understand that her situation was different. She’d been lucky enough to find potential mates who genuinely cared about her, not just the comforts found in her body. She didn’t even want to think about what Celeste’s contact had been going through for the past six days. If she was still alive.
“Her motivations aren’t relevant to this conversation.” Celeste’s frosty look made it obvious she would say nothing more.
“Why are you here?” Kellan demanded. “You had no idea what was happening here tonight, so why did you come?”
Celeste’s shoulders slumped, and her gaze sank to the hardwood floor. “I was going to confront Minister Nomani with what I’d learned in front of you and Jasmine. I hoped the three of us could flip him back to our side. I desperately need a Tavorian willing to work with me.”
“Zilrath never left ‘our side,’” Bron pointed out.
“I see that now.” Without looking up, she added, “I apologize, Minister Nomani. Obviously, I greatly misjudged you and disparaged your character. That was wrong, and I’m deeply sorry.”
Zilrath touched her arm ever so lightly, prompting her to look up. “Why is it so important for you to work with one of my people?”
Her professional mask fell away, and utter misery reshaped her expression. “I’ve exhausted every other avenue, sir. I honestly think magic is the only way I’ll ever get them back alive.”
“Get who back?” Bron prompted. “Your contact? Is there more than one?”
Celeste glanced from Zilrath to Bron to Kellan then back, gaze tear-bright, lips trembling. “Brianne, my younger sister, was taken by the Yashonty two weeks ago. My ‘contact’ is Lorna, my older sister. She was an FBI agent, back when there was an FBI. It became obvious that none of our colleagues gave a damn, so Lorna took matters into her own hands.”
Jasmine pressed her hand to her throat, heart fluttering with sympathy. No wonder Celeste had been so demanding. She was frantically trying to save her sisters.
“And now they’re both on Ram’s ship?” Bron asked sounding surprisingly compassionate.
Celeste nodded once, then took a deep breath before continuing, “If I thought it would help, I’d let them capture me too, but—”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Bron insisted. “You’re a diplomat. Leave field work to trained operatives.”
“I’d just completed my training with the FBI when the Skarilians struck,” Celeste told him, her voice clipped and cold. “I transferred to the DAA, but I am a fully qualified field operative.”
“You’re also an attractive female,” Bron pointed out. “That puts you at a significant disadvantage when dealing with the Yashonty.”
“I’m not sure I agree,” she muttered. “But you know them better than I.”
Apparently satisfied with the compromise, Bron asked, “How long have they had Lorna?”
“Six days.” Celeste finally looked at Jasmine. “This is why I’ve been so persistent with you. I thought your mate was part of the rebellion so he might be able to find out what was happening with Lorna and Brianne. I didn’t know where else to turn.”
“Lorna was taken the same day Ram met with Zilrath?” Jasmine asked, finding the detail odd. “That can’t be a coincidence.”
“I didn’t know it at the time. Lorna wasn’t able to pass on the fact until this morning. She sent me a wealth of information shortly after she was captured, and then nothing for days. I was terrified they’d realized what she did and killed her for it. But I received another lengthy message today.”
“How is she communicating with you?” Bron wanted to know.
“Subdermal transceiver,” Celeste told him. “It only sends audio files, and the range is sketchy, but integrated tech is less likely to be discovered.”
“Unless they detect a transmission and have reason to take a closer look.” Bron stroked his chin as he stared through her. “We’ve suspected the Yashonty were hunting females, but this is the first real proof we have of their crimes.”
“Does that mean you’ll help me get them back?” Her eyes widened, and her expression froze, making her look almost doll-like. “Please, sir, I’ll do anything.”
“A Ventori’s favorite words.” Bron smiled almost gently. “Luckily for you, I’m happily bonded. Earth is allied with the Protectorate. A crime against any human is a crime against us.”
“Thank you.” Gradually her composure returned, so she sounded less desperate. “I really appreciate anything you can do.”
“You work for the DAA,” Jasmine pointed out. “Why aren’t they helping you?”
Spirit surged, making her green eyes gleam. “Oh, they are. Just ask them. They have their best people working on the case, and they consider it their highest priority. Translation, they’ve already given both up for dead, and I need to get over it.”
There was a long pause as the males mulled over the options. Jasmine stood and walked over to Celeste. “I’m really sorry about your sisters. If you’d told me in the first place, I would have helped you. We human females have to stick together.”
Celeste shook her head. “I started to tell you countless times, but I was terrified you’d refuse. This is my last hope. There is nothing more I can do on my own.”
“We’ll be in a better position to make demands of Ram if he’s an ally, not an enemy,” Kellan carefully pointed out. “Our first concern must be securing the alliance. Then we can demand that they stop hunting, and release all their captive females.”
“I agree,” Bron told Kellan, then turned to Zilrath and said, “Now finish the explanation our uninvited guest interrupted. Why did Ram reach out to you?”
“He didn’t actually reach out to me,” Zilrath told him. “Ram wants access to the gatekeepers. He claims to know the location of a massive Skarilian base, perhaps even their home world, but it’s impossible to reach without the gatekeepers. I’d like to use the gatekeepers as motivation for an alliance between the rebels and the Protectorate. Ram is determined to obliterate the Skarilians, so he has no choice but to agree.” Seeing the worry in Celeste’s eyes, Zilrath added, “I’ll bring up your sisters immediately after the alliance is secured. Unlike the DAA, this really is a high priority for me.”
“Why would you even consider an alliance with the Yashonty?” Celeste flared, her gaze shooting back to Bron. “They’re ruthless savages.”
“Which is exactly what’s needed to break the Skarilians’ stranglehold on this dimension,” Bron stressed. “I presume humans still want their freedom from the Skarilians.”
