darknadir, page 44
Tirak nodded. "Can't leave her in this state. Reckon she saw one of them?"
"She certainly saw something," said Kaid, loading the hypo and placing it against Giyesh's neck. "Whether or not it was a Prime is another matter."
Sayuk and Manesh came limping in to join them.
"I'll treat Giyesh with a little more respect after this," said Sayuk sitting down. "If she's so scared of what she saw, why'd she want to leave the rest of us?"
"She didn't," said Rezac. "She was hysterical."
Kaid handed the hypo back to T'Chebbi then squatted on the floor beside her, waiting for Giyesh to wake.
"My food's still warm," said Zashou from her seat at the table. There was an audible tremor in her voice.
"Food?" said Kate, clutching Taynar's arm. "You're talking about food at a time like this?"
"How warm?" Kaid asked sharply. "Five minutes? Less?"
"Five," she said, looking over at him. "We've been out of it for five minutes."
"Check comm units," said Kaid, looking at his. "Anybody's not working?"
"I was using the rec unit," said Taynar, moving back to check it.
"What's the matter with you all?" Kate demanded, her voice becoming shrill. "Giyesh has come back alone and she's seen something awful and all you can talk about is food and comms and..."
"We're trying to find out what they do to us when they come in here, Kate," said Kaid gently. "This is the first time they've not picked their time carefully. Zashou was eating, and Taynar was using the rec unit. Usually we're all asleep, or at least resting."
"Game's still stopped," Taynar said, pressing the controls on the pad. "Frozen, in fact. Have to reset it."
"Electrical?" asked Tirak. "Right frequency could knock us out as well as the equipment."
A moan from Giyesh focused their attention back on her.
"Hold her legs, just in case," Kaid told T'Chebbi as he got a grip on her forearms, pressing them against the seat.
Giyesh moaned again, blinking up at him. "Kaid?" She tried to lift her arm and found it held down. "What are you doing?" she demanded. "I want to sit up!"
"How're you feeling?" he asked.
"My neck hurts. I want to rub it. What the hell do you think you're doing?" She struggled futilely against them, looking around wildly. She caught sight of Tirak a few feet away. "Captain! What's going on?"
"I think you can let her up now, Kaid," said Tirak. "You were taken by the Primes, Giyesh. When they returned you, you had a panic attack."
"You said you'd seen something. A face," reminded Kaid, still crouching near her.
She frowned, then a look of horror crossed her face. "I did! Whirling eyes and... pincers! They were talking, I heard them talking!" Her hands clenched the edge of the couch, knuckles showing through her dark pelt.
Kaid glanced up at Tirak. "How could you understand them?"
"They were using translators. I smelled one of them. It was out of its suit. It needed the translator so the other one could hear it." She looked round the sea of disbelieving faces. "I did hear them," she said belligerently.
"I'm sure you heard something." said Tirak calmly, sitting down on the arm of the couch. "What about the scent. What did it smell like?"
"Dry and stale. Kind of musty. Like nothing I've smelled before."
"Jeran mentioned a smell when J'koshuk took him," said Jo.
"Why would they use translators to talk to each other?" asked Mrowbay. "Even if one was out of its suit? They can hear us, can't they? Surely they'd use their own language."
"What about a universal translator in the room?" asked Zashou. "We came across something like it back on K'oish'ik."
"That's it," agreed Giyesh, pouncing on the idea. "That's got to be it! We're all speaking Sholan because you gave the knowledge of it to us, but I heard the Primes speaking U'Churian today!"
"What did they say, Giyesh?" asked Tirak.
"They're using implants on the Valtegans to change them," she said. "But not on J'koshuk. On him they're using drugs. One said he's unstable and has to be watched."
Rezac snorted in disgust. "Tell me about it!"
"Change them how?" asked Kaid.
"The way they behave to you," she said. "I remembered it because it was so strange. Why should it matter to them how the Valtegans treat you Sholans?"
"Valtegans hate us so much, might be just using us as test case," said T'Chebbi.
"I saw Valtegans when they took me," said Kaid thoughtfully.
"Eh? It was the Prime guards that came for you," said Tirak, surprised.
"They towed my floater and waited in the stasis room. Their behavior was totally different from when we were on the M'ijikk. More docile. I didn't notice any implants."
"Weren't in much of a state to notice anything," said T'Chebbi. "You said J'koshuk was different too. Noticed it myself. Far less aggressive."
"Not when with us," said Annuur's translator, as the Cabbaran nosed his way through the others to Kaid's side. "Told you. Pretended to kill us one at a time."
"The J'koshuk I met would've killed you," said Rezac, leaning over the back of the couch to look down at the Cabbaran.
"We come back to my theory that maybe these are the ones the Valtegans are fighting," said Tirak.
"Why readjust the Valtegans, though?" asked Jo. "Doesn't make sense to waste all that effort on captives."
Annuur wrinkled his mobile lip expressively. "Aliens. Who guesses their motives?"
Kaid had to smile.
"Maybe they'll release them with a purpose. Like killing superiors when get back home," suggested T'Chebbi. "Fits in with possibility they at war with Primes."
"I'd have expected a more violent reaction from the Valtegans to the mere sight of them when we were taken off the M'ijikk," said Kaid, "considering how they behave toward us after fifteen hundred years!"
"Got a point there," T'Chebbi admitted, scratching her ear.
"One of the Primes said the implants had been designed for the M'zullians," said Giyesh. "That J'koshuk isn't implanted. The other said he wanted to use new drugs on J'koshuk so that, unlike the guards, he could judge what level of aggression was needed in any situation. I think he meant the guards only follow orders, they can't decide what to do by themselves. He said the Enlightened One shouldn't be left with J'koshuk."
"That could describe what we've seen of the guards," agreed Tirak. "Enlightened One, eh? Sounds like they have someone important on board."
"They would have. What I've seen of their stasis and medical sections suggest they're equipped for a conflict," said Kaid, getting up. "This has given us even more questions and not one answer, I'm afraid. Did you overhear anything about why they've kept Jeran?"
"One said he was sensitive, the other wanted to know if we could work as a pair. We don't have the right brain patterns for telepathy, apparently. They wanted to ask us more questions before returning us, but I don't remember being asked anything."
"So why return you?" asked Zashou.
"They knew I was awake and could hear them. It was that face!" Giyesh shivered, clutching her arms about her chest. "Those huge eyes with the dark centers, and the pincers!"
"More likely it was your scream," snorted Mrowbay. "Enough to wake the dead it was!"
Kaid reached out to grip Giyesh's shoulder comfortingly. "There's no point in getting upset about it, Giyesh. Whoever they are, they've been here all along. So far, they haven't actually harmed us."
"They kept Carrie from you," she said quietly.
Kaid's ears dipped. "They may yet return her."
"At least we've an idea of how they get in and out of here without us knowing," said Jo. "Makes it less frightening."
"Not to me," said Zashou.
"Nor me," agreed Giyesh.
* * *
Brynne had asked Jurrel and Banner to let him have the afternoon alone in the house with Keeza.
"You want me to do what?" demanded a shocked Keeza. She got up and began to pace round the den, tail flicking in agitation. Stopping suddenly, she said, "Tell me again why this matters."
Brynne sighed and began again. This would make the third time. "I want you to bond with me," he said.
"That bit I do understand," she interrupted. "It's the next I don't."
"We're genetically compatible, which means we could have cubs with each other. Because of this..."
"That just isn't possible," she said, sitting down on the chair next to him. "You're Human, I'm not. How could we possibly share cubs?"
"Just take my word for it," he said, reaching across to take hold of her hand. It lay passive in his. "There are two Human and Sholan hybrid cubs on the estate already, one of them mine. I told you I went to visit my Leska and our son yesterday. You didn't doubt me then."
"I thought she was Human like you. It never occurred to me she was Sholan."
"I'm not asking you to have a cub, Keeza, only to go through a bonding ceremony with me. Because we could have cubs together, our priest, Ghyan, is willing to perform the ceremony, that's all. He knows who you are..."
He stopped as she tried to pull away from him with a cry of distress. "Keeza, stop panicking! He's a priest of Vartra, bound by his Order not to reveal confidential conversations with his congregation to anyone. It'll give you more security if you're my bond-mate. Make it more difficult for any authorities to take you off the estate."
"What's so special about this estate?"
"It's the En'Shalla estate. Three people walked the Fire Margins to win us— the mixed Leskas— the right to have our own Clan."
"I think I remember reading about it," she said vaguely. "But we're not Leskas."
"You're a telepath, and your genes are similar to everyone's here. If you marry me, you become En'Shalla, too. The Gods' will, Keeza, subject only to the Order of Vartra. Now do you understand?"
She nodded slowly, putting her hand up to tuck a shorter lock of hair behind her ear. "How long a contract are you suggesting?"
Brynne watched her. He'd found himself trying to memorize her every little gesture. This was one of her most endearing. When she did that, she looked as if she was Kitra's age. "I've thought about this," he said, taking his time. "The only one that makes sense and gives you the protection you need, is a life-bonding." He felt her hand clench slightly within his and rushed on before she could say anything. "Before you object, once we've sorted this out, you needn't stay with me if you don't want to. You can think of it as a marriage of convenience if you prefer."
"You know nothing about me except what you've shared in my mind," she said quietly. "Most of my past life is a complete mystery even to me. I can't even remember what I've done since I was taken from the prison."
"Like you said, I've felt your mind. You're not a killer, Keeza. Whatever you did, you must have had good reasons. I trust you."
"You're a fool, Brynne," she said, looking him straight in the eyes. "You've read the reports. You know I worked my way into a Pack Lord's den then killed him. How d'you know I won't do the same to you?"
"Because I know you love me," he said, reaching out to pull her into the chair with him. "Just as you know I love you. I realize it's sudden, but my proposal is quite real— if you'll have me."
"How do we reach this shrine without me being seen?" she asked, returning his kiss as his lips brushed hers.
"I get Father Ghyan on the comm and ask him to come here. It's all arranged," he murmured. "But I don't need to call him just yet."
* * *
Sister Vaidou pressed a small sterile dressing over the cut on Brynne's palm, then turned to do the same for Keeza.
"It won't stick if your skin's wet," she said, getting ready to apply the dressing.
Hurriedly Keeza took her hand away from her mouth and wiped it along her thigh to dry it off. "It was bleeding," she said.
"You'll have gotten dirt in it now," said the Sister, checking that Keeza's palm was dry enough. Blood was welling again from the narrow cut that ran across the pad in the center of her hand. "It's meant to bleed. How else can you and Brynne share your blood?" She smiled as she applied the dressing. "This must have been a spring romance for you both. So sudden."
Keeza didn't quite know how to answer, then Brynne came to her rescue.
"Not so sudden, Vaidou," he said, standing behind his new wife and resting his hands on her hips. "We met mentally weeks ago." He shrugged, smiling. "Working here, you know how it is with telepaths. There's more than one way to get to know a person."
"Yes," said Vaidou uncertainly.
"Let's go and help Ghyan clear up," Brynne whispered in Keeza's ear, urging her past the Sister.
Ghyan was standing at the table he'd used for performing the bonding ceremony, packing away the very new estate register book and the ceremonial knife.
Brynne watched the priest's eyes narrow briefly, then widen in surprise as they approached him. "Can we help you?" he asked. "We can't thank you enough for doing this."
Ghyan took Keeza by the hand. "I'm done now. It's a pleasure to be able to help you. Did you know that years ago, Kusac and I were friends at the Guild?" he said. "I left for the temple at Valsgarth a couple of years before Kusac disappeared. No one was more surprised than me when he turned up here with his Carrie. I threw my lot in with him the night he asked me to marry him to his Human Leska."
"Kusac disappeared?" Brynne was confused.
"He was very different back then," said Ghyan, perching on the edge of the table. "Much quieter, a very conscientious student who had no idea how to relax. Then he ran off and joined the Forces, posing as a low-grade telepath. We didn't know what had become of him for a year. It wasn't till his message for help was picked up by the Khalossa that we found out he'd been shot down on Keiss by the Valtegans along with Vanna and Garras, and he'd met Carrie."
"I didn't realize he'd been in the military," said Brynne. "And you married them?"
Ghyan's mouth opened in a slow smile. "Yes, it was my pleasure to be able to perform my friend's life-bonding ceremony. He was betrothed to someone else, and unable by law to even enter into a short-term bonding contract because of that. It wasn't till he discovered Carrie was carrying their cub that he realized they had the right to marry. Their hybrid cub negated the betrothal contract, you see."
"I'd heard some of this," said Brynne, "Why are you telling us this? Not that I'm complaining, you understand."
Ghyan looked from one to the other. "Just letting you know you're not the first couple I've helped, that's all," he said lightly, patting Keeza's hand before letting it go. "I hope everything works out for you. If I can be of any more help, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Father," said Brynne, aware of Keeza shrinking back against him. What's wrong? I told you our secret's safe with Father Ghyan and Sister Vaidou.
I know!
Then he realized what Father Ghyan had been alluding to. It rendered him speechless.
Ghyan caught his look and nodded, raising an eye ridge. "Ah. I see you've just found out the good news," he said, smiling again as he got down from the table and picked up his case. "It seems that more and more often these days, my wishes for a fruitful marriage are unnecessary."
There wasn't much Brynne could say until after the priest and his aide had left.
"Why?" he asked, coming back into the den. "Didn't you trust me enough? Did you feel a cub would make you safer?" Had she been even more manipulative than she'd suggested? Had he been fooled the way she'd fooled the Pack Lord?
She put her hands over her face and just sat there. "No! At first I didn't even think it was possible. Then, when I realized the truth, I thought it would please you. I was wrong, I had no right to make that choice alone."
He didn't know what to say. Suddenly his— their— world had been turned upside down, and the first small seed of doubt had been planted. Her distress was real, he could feel it, and it hurt him every bit as much as it hurt her. She'd trusted him completely, so why was he suddenly reluctant to do the same? Didn't this cub make her even more dependent on him? He hadn't feared for his physical safety because of her violent past, was he that afraid of her emotionally? Then he remembered what he and Vanna had gone through when they'd discovered she was pregnant, and began walking toward her.
"It's all right," he said, crouching down in front of her. Gently he tugged her hands away from her eyes. "Don't cry, Keeza. I know you didn't mean any harm." He kissed her palms, first the one with the cut where they'd mingled their blood during the ceremony, then the other.
