Daughter Of Ethos: The Ascension Book 7

by L M Lacee

‘I do not believe you, Frand is no weakling to have been wounded. He would never leave his sister unprotected. You lie and Rose has a mind like a traders vault. No one could alter her unless she wanted to be a pathetic fool.’

  ‘Yet you say I have altered their minds.’

  Leanii looked away as she said tightly. ‘Yes, you did.’

  ‘You cannot have it both ways Leanii, either I did and the planet could as well, or we both could not.’

  ‘You are trying to confuse me. I will not fall for your mind tricks.’

  Kardan asked, the first he had spoken since they had entered the room. ‘If it is as you say, Lady Undinly. Why have your own children disavowed you, even Miko?’

  She eyed the male with the unusual blue eyes, then looked again at Peyton. She was sure the female had green or black eyes before, now they were the same color as the males, except she had a ring of white around the iris. It was such a startling blue, almost like she could drown in their beauty. She shook her head and growled to herself. More mind tricks.

  ‘I wish to speak to my young, they cannot believe your accusations.’

  Peyton’s heart hurt for her friends as she reluctantly asked Jax. ‘Please have Rose, Frand and Miko brought in.’

  A few minutes later Frand was first through the door, followed closely by Rose and then Miko.

  ‘My young!’ Leanii cried joyously. ‘I have shed tears every night for you. I know you cannot believe the lies, these non-traders have told you?’

  Bitterly Frand looked at his mother and felt all the anger and hurt rise within him. His words reflected every slight and wound she had inflicted on him and his sister’s over the yentas.

  ‘Considering you tried to kill us, yes we do. More than we would ever believe anything that came out of your lying mouth.’

  She sneered as she spat. ‘Always your father’s son.’

  ‘Stars, I hope so. Believing I have nothing of you in my genetics, allows me to sleep at night.’

  Rose asked. ‘And me Darma, do you have nothing to say of my intended death?’

  Leanii looked her up and down. ‘His spawn, always making out you were better than me.’

  ‘Because I always have been Darma.’ Rose stated matter-of-factually, then smiled.

  A smile that sent a shiver over Leanii, before she snarled. ‘Your death would have had meaning. You were a necessary sacrifice I was willing to make, and you took it from me. You ruined everything.’

  Rose gasped and stepped back into Frand, his arms automatically closing around her as he said. ‘And there is the truth. Now we do not have to wonder any longer.’

  ‘No Frand, we don’t.’ Rose whispered as she turned and buried her face in his chest.

  Miko’s eyes burned with anger as her mother simpered. ‘Miko, my baby, you do not believe what these people are saying, do you? You know your Darma would never hurt her little one. She loves you, has she not shown you that always? Did I not pick out a nice male for you to join with?’

  Instantly Miko’s face paled, and she placed a hand over her stomach as the old fears resurfaced. That sweet sickly voice took her back to the many times her mother had terrified her with her rages and punishments. So many Rose and Frand did not know about. She watched her Darma’s eyes change as they had so often in her youth and realized she was insane. Panic made her shift towards the door, only to stop and look at Peyton when she sent, Miko!

  She followed her eyes as they traveled to the markings around each of her wrists. She stared at the green and purple bands she received, when she joined with Hue, and let go a shuddering breath as she remembered who she was now and what she was capable of. Then lifted her head and straightened her shoulders from their hunched position and heard in her mind.

  There you are, you are Miko, my friend.

  Miko looked her mother in her crazed eyes and allowed the anger she felt to fill her voice.

  ‘No more can you cower and bend me to your will. I am stronger than you, I always was. You have never loved us. I believe you are incapable of love and I feel sorry for anyone who thinks different. You ruined papa’s life and tried to ruin ours. For no other reason than you are a jealous, bitter female who has nothing but death left to her. You tried to take Rose and Frand from me. You organized for a sweet, innocent girl to be kidnapped and abused. A sweet child who has done nothing to you but has what you never had love. And you expect us to have any regard for you.’

  By now Rose’s face had come out of Frand’s shirt and she stood by Miko’s side.

  Leanii’s face became ugly as it morphed into hatred, her eyes filling with bitterness. She knew everything Miko said was true. She was jealous of her children as she had hated their father as she hated them. That same hatred and anger spilled from her as she sneered. ‘You think you have a right to judge me. You who are nothing, except for what I made you.’

  Miko smiled at her mother and rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah… Yeah!’

  Leanii’s mouth fell open in shock as Miko looked at Rose and Frand, who stared at her with the same pride Peyton had.

  In a voice devoid of emotion, Frand told his mother. ‘You are no family of ours.’

  Miko stated. ‘I disavow you, Lady Undinly. Whatever fate has in store for you, is not enough.’ With a bow to Peyton and Kardan, she left the room.

  Rose stated next. ‘I disavow you Lady Undinly, wherever our papa is, I know he will be as ashamed as we are to have been related to you.’ Then she bowed to Peyton and Kardan as Miko had and turned from the room.

  Frand looked at Leanii for a minute, then said. ‘I disavow you, Lady Undinly. I would kill you myself for what you have done to my sisters. I should have yentas ago after papa died, and if I had known then what I suspect now about Miko, you would not be breathing.’ He took a breath and resumed speaking, his words falling like chips of ice. ‘Know this as you trade your wares in the afterlife. I will not be saddened by a life without you in it. Our young will not sing your song. No tales will be told of you, and I will make sure you are struck from the records. It will be as though you never existed.’

  He also bowed to Kardan and Peyton and without another look at his mother left, closing the door behind him and his siblings. He therefore did not hear the sob of anguish that escaped Leanii, before she slapped a hand over her mouth. Peyton was not sure if it would have made a difference to him if he had.

  Kardan said. ‘I am sure that was not what you imagined?’

  ‘They have broken my hearts with their callous disregard for my life. To say they will strike me from the guild is so unjust, so cruel.’

  Peyton asked. ‘I am sure you see it that way. Leanii, tell me everything you know?’

  ‘I will not.’

  Suddenly a phantom hand wrapped around her throat and Kardan snarled. ‘You will speak or I will squeeze the life from you.’

  He released her as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. When she wheezed breath back into her lungs, she slumped forward onto the table and lifted hate-filled eyes to his and barked.

  ‘No never.’ She massaged her throat. ‘Scare me all you like, torture me, I will tell you nothing.’

  Kardan grinned. ‘I will have the information. If that means taking it from you, so be it.’

  Jarrod walked in as he finished issuing his warning. Peyton shook her head. ‘No Kail, you have been through enough already.’

  ‘Madam, please do not let us go through this again.’

  Peyton stood. ‘But...’

  ‘Please.’ He smiled and Peyton had to admit Jarrod had always been handsome, but now with the addition of silver eyes and hair he was beautifully handsome.

  Sadly, she said. ‘Jarrod I…’

  He took her hand and kissed the back of it as his eyes laughed at her. ‘Madam, it is what it is. I am at peace, probably for the first time in my life.’ He mind-sent to her and Kardan. The Higher Powers have gifted me with so much more than I ever knew was possible. They endowed me with more strength, more power and more knowledg
e of who I am and who I will become. This is just truth and justice. It is better for it to be me than Malchol. I am Hope’s Uncle Jarr.

  Kardan agreed. My heart, our brother speaks truth. It shines from him and they are his as much as they are ours.

  Peyton nodded, Uncle Jarr! You should have led with that first. We will revisit this in the future.

  He smiled as he said patiently. I am sure we will.

  He handed her hand back, and she turned to Leanii. ‘Last chance to unburden yourself.’

  She turned her head away.

  Peyton shrugged, ‘So be it.’ She said to Jarrod. ‘Please leave her alive. The Star Child wants her.’

  ‘It will be done.’

  Kardan told him. ‘They will come for her when you are finished.’

  He bowed his head. ‘Amahka Elite, Star Daughter.’

  SIXTY-FOUR:

  They left Leanii Undinly without another word and together walked to the next room, guarded by two Mystics.

  ‘Any trouble?’ Kardan asked Mystic Coalin. He was an older male who had long blond hair covering half his head and copper colored eyes.

  He reported. ‘They are trying hard to pry through the shield the Star Daughter placed around the room. It seems to have them confused.’

  Peyton assured him. ‘It is meant to, it is like a labyrinth to keep them going in circles. I will teach you how to do it in class when we return home.’

  He bowed his head at the honor and whispered. ‘I thank you, Madam.’

  ‘I never thought of that, it is clever.’ The young Mystic who had only about three inches of blond hair and light green eyes blurted out. He instantly dropped his eyes to the floor and paled.

  Peyton smiled kindly as she asked. ‘Have I said or done anything to make you think I would punish you for speaking to me, Mystic…’

  ‘No Madam, I am Gorin.’

  ‘Do I know you or are you one of the recent arrivals?’ She was sure she knew his name, but from where she could not remember.

  ‘I am new, Kail Jarrod found us when he first came to the Capital. Madam, I wish to say I am sorry for what happened to Commander Hawk, I was with him when he was wounded.’

  Kardan squeezed her hand when it twitched in his at the mention of Hawk. He told him. ‘You have nothing to be sorry for Gorin. I have watched the vid; you did everything right; you are a fine Mystic and an even better male. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that resulted in my brother’s injuries. To send you out to hunt an Elder was ill thinking. Which your Star Daughter was at pains to inform us, when she viewed the vid.’

  Peyton growled. ‘They could have killed him. You and Jarrod were wrong.’

  ‘Yes, we were. It will not happen again.’

  The young male smiled at the exchange between Kardan and Peyton, then when he realized what Kardan had said, he blushed and said. ‘Madam, I am a Mystic and trained.’

  ‘Yes, I know, and in time we are sure you will be one of the great Mystics.’

  Jarrmeru walked up behind them. ‘Star Daughter, Amahka. I will attend the Elders with you.’

  ‘Agreed.’ Peyton said, then she smiled again at the young Mystic. ‘I am pleased Kail Jarrod found you.’

  He dipped his head again as Kardan said. ‘Now it is time for us to visit with these Elders.’

  Gorin said. ‘Madam, Amahka. I should tell you…’ He stopped and looked down again. Coalin nudged him. ‘Tell, it is not your fault.’

  Kardan gently told him. ‘Gorin, we cannot help, if you do not speak.’

  Jarrmeru said. ‘Gorin, she is the Star Daughter she knows your needar, sees your heart, tell her.’

  He swallowed, lifted his head and said as pain and fear warred in his eyes. ‘One of the Elders is my parent.’

  ‘I am sorry.’

  Startled at her words, he blurted out. ‘As am I, he is corrupt. But he is an Elder and my father.’ He dropped his head again. Peyton placed her fingers under his chin and raised his face to hers.

  ‘Jarrmeru said I see your heart, and he is correct. I do see your heart and the pain to your needar. I would spare you if I could, but know this, you are not him. You could never be him, it is not in you to be cruel or evil.’

  ‘Thank you, Star Daughter.’ His eyes cleared of the fear, however the sadness remained, which was to be expected.

  Malchol arrived and catching the last of what Peyton said, chastised the young Mystic.

  ‘Gorin, you should have told me, this was not a test of your character. Coalin this was in poor judgment.’

  Gorin nodded and said. ‘Do not blame Coalin, he said as much. I thought I should prove I was not as he is.’

  Peyton shook her head. ‘Oh Gorin.’

  Jarrmeru gave his shoulder a squeeze. ‘Go with Malchol and Coalin. I understand the reason Gorin, but as Malchol says, it was not needed. You are a worthy Mystic. I would have you on my team anytime.’

  ‘Yes Mystic Jarrmeru and thank you.’

  Peyton smiled gently. ‘Know I am pleased with you Gorin. We to think you are a worthy male, always remember that.’

  He smiled with relief. ‘I will Madam.’ He took one look at the door and said. ‘Even though I know what and who he is, it is still hard.’

  His face looked young and tortured, Peyton felt sad for him because she knew as bad as a parent was they were still your parent.

  Coalin placed his hand on his arm as he told them. ‘We are friends. He helped me and many others to escape from our home world. Without him we would have been slaughtered for our resistance.’

  Kardan nodded and said. ‘I had heard of the exploits of a young Mystic who led many to escape the grasps of the Elders. It is good to place a name on the deeds spoken of.’ He looked at the stunned Mystic and quietly said. ‘Unfortunately, not everything I heard was good.’

  ‘About me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then who?’

  ‘Would it help or hurt to know what he did to your mother.’

  Gorin’s eyes stared into Kardan’s as his head jerked back. ‘She is safe. I took them somewhere safe.’

  ‘I am sorry.’ Kardan quietly said as the male dropped to his knees, pleading. ‘Coalin, no, I hid them.’

  ‘You did Gorin.’ Coalin looked at Kardan. ‘He found them?’

  ‘Yes, I learned of this some luneras ago and I swore to find you Gorin and explain.’

  ‘I promised them they would be safe.’ Gorin placed his head in his hands as his world fell apart. ‘Please tell me what happened.’

  Kardan lifted him with a touch and silenced him at the same time. ‘He found them only after a Sene foresaw his coming. Your mother sacrificed herself for the Senes and your sisters. I sent them to a world that is safe, we will call them home. I swear they are safe.’

  ‘Both of them?’ He asked hoarsely.

  ‘Yes, with twenty others. It was your sister Enetha who made me swear to tell you. She is, I believe a Sene, because she was positive I would find you.’

  Gorin smiled. ‘She is a Sene, or at least she will be, and she is forever brave. I am pleased she and Anatha are safe.’ He then laughed bitterly, his face ravaged. ‘I thought I was so clever, hiding them where I did.’

  Kardan said. ‘You were. Sadly they were betrayed.’

  ‘Betrayed by who?’

  ‘She is dead, your mother killed her and orchestrated the escape of your sisters and the others. Your mother was a wonderfully brave female, like your sisters.’

  ‘She was always better than him… than me. I took too long to realize what she told me was true. He hated that the girls were not his. I should have stayed with her.’

  Jarrmeru asked. ‘To do what Gorin, lead him there faster. No, you did well, you came here to us and perhaps because you did, we overcame the Elders and the Master’s attack.’

  Coalin said. ‘Do not forget myself and all the other Masters and Senes you helped.’

  Peyton told him. ‘Go with Malchol and Coalin. Comm your sisters, I am sure
they worry about you.’

  He smiled. ‘They are like our Mama that way.’ He looked at the closed door. ‘There should be a special afterlife for olesho's like him.’

  Kardan told him. ‘Do not worry. I have found the perfect punishment for them, and afterward the Star Child requests their company.’

  Coalin said. ‘Good, he is light to his dark.’

  They all knew he meant Gorin. With that last statement, he left with his friend.

  Malchol told Peyton. ‘I will make sure they are both alright.’

  ‘Thank you, my Malchol.’

  ‘Forever yours, our Madam.’ He kissed her hand. ‘Love the eyes, very chic.’ He laughed as he left.

  ‘Cheeky!’ She called after him.

  Kardan looked at her, at the emotions that warred within her eyes. Reeve arrived and saw the same war in her startling blue eyes and asked Kardan as Hawk and Wolf walked slowly to where they stood.

  ‘How do you manage with all these males kissing and touching your heart?’

  Peyton looked up into his mischievous face with his amazing blue eyes and smiled a genuine smile. It was the first time she felt her heart lighten since she woke this morn.

  Kardan drawled. ‘I am forbearing.’

  Which caused a startled laugh to escape from her.

  Reeve nodded. ‘I see, an Elite should be this bearing thing. I will take lessons. My Darby says I must not threaten anyone anymore.’

  Peyton told him. ‘You all know we touch. It is how we connect.’

  Wolf agreed. ‘Yes we do, and I for one am happy for it.’

  Peyton touched Hawk’s arm. ‘Hawk, you are quiet, are you well?’

  He grabbed her in his arms and said. ‘I have no words, for my hearts are over flowing with happiness. Regardless of what has happened and what we have endured. We are family and together and I for one need nothing else.’

  Sighing, Peyton said as she looked up at him. ‘Yeah, me too. I love you all, you know that, right?’

  As Hawk released her, they all nodded.

  Peyton asked. ‘Jarrmeru are you happy you are here?’

  ‘Madam, I would be no other place.’

  ‘I am pleased he is here.’ Wolf told her. ‘He and Runner are to join the hunt with us.’