She sighed deeply. “Very well. I will obtain the necessary maps your EarthWorld team requires although I hardly see the point. They will have an escort when they get here so intimate knowledge of the city isn’t all that necessary.”

  “I know Mel and I know Logan. Both of them will want to go in eyes open which means they would need to see all possible scenarios. If things fall apart Logan would want to have already had an escape plan mapped out. Which means I have to do whatever I can to ensure they come as well armed as possible. I do not want them to be in any more danger than is really necessary.”

  Fathima nodded, her expression sober now. “Fine. I’ll table my curiosity for now. But don’t think I’ll forget. We need to figure this out.”

  Saleem shook his head as Fathima took her leave. He was pretty certain that she’d obtain the necessary paperwork for him as soon as she was able. And right now he was very glad to have discovered the existence of the rebel army.

  14

  Astral Date

  Saleem stood before the flaming hearth, watching the sheets of paper curl from the heat then slowly turn black in places. Soon the fire was eating holes in the papers, gouging out the evidence, obliterating any proof that he was up to something, that he possessed information that his brother, the puppet king, did not.

  His body ached in places still tender and bearing the injuries inflicted upon him by the MindMelder and his goons. His clothing was stained red with his blood and fabric ripped during many an altercation with his persecutors.

  Fathima had come through for Saleem, providing him with the little leather notebook filled with information that would help Mel. But he knew, just as much as his cousin did, that Mel’s presence in Mithras was only as important as her tracking skills were. Her knowledge of the ether and her ability to locate people using the astral plane, were skills the djinn rebels needed.

  It seemed ironic that a race fully capable of traveling the astral plane under their own steam, would need the help of a human mage in order to take back their kingdom. And those lies too would come back to haunt Saleem, of that he was certain.

  The warmth of the fire had soaked almost into Saleem’s bones, making him restless and overheated. He left the hearth and found himself pacing a strip of carpet, his mind drifting to easier times when his parents were both where they belonged, in the palace, in their home. The nostalgia quickly morphed into a coiled fury, an impotence that simply fueled his anger and Saleem ran his hands through his hair, throwing it into disarray.

  And then he sensed a change in the ether around his room, sensing a fluctuation in the energy of the barrier between the planes which confirmed that someone or something had come into contact with it. And though this potential intruder was uninvited, she was far from unwelcome.

  “Hey you.” Saleem looked up at the spot where he’d sensed the shifting energies and smiled.

  “Hey you,” Mel replied in a whisper, her spirit still remaining within the ethereal plane.

  Saleem shifted his consciousness, transitioning to the ether to join Mel. It was the safest way rather than have her move into the physical plane which was far more of a risk to her.

  He just had to hope he wouldn’t be detected in case Blake and his cohorts had measures in place to police traffic within the astral planes. Even so, Saleem’s previous movements within the ether when Mel had visited, hadn’t raised any suspicions, or at least, not that he knew of. He was pretty sure Blake wouldn’t have passed up the opportunity to pummel his face had they at all suspected Saleem of moving beyond the Veil—which would pose a security risk for the occupiers of course.

  Mel floated in the either, her smile like a glowing flame, with Saleem’s heart the moth with no choice other than to move to her. But this flame did not engulf him, did not consume him. Instead it fed him with life, as though her very essence healed him from within.

  After a few precious seconds in which Saleem forgot the pain and the betrayal, Mel straightened to look up at him, eyes searching his face. “Now, tell me how you are doing and try to be honest ‘cos I can tell when you’re lying. This is the ethereal plane.” The question was casual enough, though Saleem wasn’t blind to the worry in the tracker’s eyes.

  He attempted a casual smile, but he knew it would be strained. The beatings and whatever the MindMage was attempting to do to Saleem’s mind was taking its toll. But he had no intention of worrying Mel.

  She had enough on her mind.

  With a soft sigh, he replied, “I’m no better than I was the last time we spoke.” As he spoke, guilt hit him as he remembered the lies he’d told her. And he was wary now, wondering if she’d be furious with him.

  Lies tended to rip people apart.

  Mel threw her hands in the air, her expression filled with warmth as she surrendered. “How the heck am I supposed to be pissed off at you when you look at me like that?”

  The question drew a smile from Saleem. Mel always knew how to make him laugh. “You know you really suck at this dating thing. You really should get some tips because I’m pretty sure you’re not meant to reveal your weaknesses too early in the relationship.”

  “Don’t worry, buddy,” she shot back, hitting his arm. “That won’t work every time you try it. I’m onto you.”

  Saleem smiled again, relaxing now for the first time in a long while. Being with Mel was offering him precious seconds filled with escape, and with regeneration—both mind and body—which he sorely needed.

  Though Mel appeared to be giving him time, as though she weren’t in a hurry, which he knew couldn’t be true. They couldn’t afford to let their guard down, not when danger lurked everywhere around Mithras.

  With a sigh that probably broadcasted his frustration, he said, “We don’t have long. They’re coming to take me and I’m pretty certain that this is going to be one of the last times we get to talk privately that will be undetectable to them.”

  “What?” Worry and fear clouded Mel’s eyes. “Did they say they’re going to take you somewhere else?”

  “Oh, they didn’t tell me shit. But I’ve been in contact with a rebel movement.”

  “Wow,” her reply was soft. “Things have been happening fast here. Who are these rebel guys?”

  And though he could tell she wasn’t sure whether to believe his claim about the rebels popping up seemingly out of nowhere to offer their help, he didn’t let on.

  Saleem huffed out a breath and replied, “Secret group of military types—ex-army and navy—who banded together through a mutual dislike of Rizwan’s rule and who were suspicious about Division 7’s involvement in the transition to his rule. Many of the old royal guard, as well as the royal armed forces disappeared, taken off to camps in the deserts to help with the energy production. Those who remained believed they had to do whatever they could to oust the current regime. Thankfully, I’d never gotten myself on the bad side of the people so they like me enough to offer to help—as opposed to a beheading and a coup.”

  Saleem was having a hard time appearing facetious. The topic was far from a joking matter but he didn’t want to worry Mel. Not unless he had to. And the rebel army had way too many layers of secrets. Secrets Saleem himself had to perpetuate. Until it was safe, of course.

  “You really believe you can trust them?”

  Saleem paused, hoping Mel took his response seriously. He could already see the doubt in her eyes. “I believe I can. I can’t go into detail right now, but what I know is there isn’t anyone else in this realm lining up to help me, or to help get our realm back. And nobody else saw fit to give me the heads up that there are plans to move me.”

  “You have any idea where?” Mel asked. “That would be helpful in the whole busting-you-out-of-captivity thing.” Her eyebrows rose as though he was taking his own time answering and she was getting impatient. He knew the feeling.

  With a brief roll of his eyes, he replied, “My guess would be the dungeons. It’s secure enough to satisfy the higher-ups.”

  “What are we going to do if we need to get a hold of you?” Mel’s scowl was endearing, and reminded him she meant business. “It is kinda important to have some sort of contact with you. We can’t have you going dark on us when we get here to extract you.”

  “The rebels will make contact with you to keep you updated on where I am.”

  “And you really believe I’m just going to happily wait for some stranger to pitch up out of the blue to give us your location? You do realize we’re ready to move out…like now. Do you or your rebel friends have an actual plan?”

  He pursed his lips. “Not that I know of. They do have a plan that much I’m certain of. I’m just not in the position to receive regular updates. And if I do end up in the dungeons, that’s about it for communication with me.”

  They fell into a few moments of silence in which Saleem prayed they’d have more time together, even though he knew otherwise. Blake’s men would soon be coming for him.

  15

  Book of Maps

  And then, Mel’s eyes narrowed, and Saleem knew what she was going to say even before she spoke. “So, you knew the entire time that I was talking to your mother?” Her tone was accusatory, and slightly hurt. And Saleem felt like a piece of shit. Again. “I guess it must have provided you with some amusement.”

  Her words cut deep, deeper than his own guilt. Shaking his head to refute her words, he tried to smile, though he knew the extent of his guilt which was more than what Mel thought she knew. “No, Mel. It wasn’t like that. I suspected she liked you and I didn’t want to mess anything up. Mother doesn’t open up to people easily but she seemed to take to you very quickly. I didn’t want to interfere. And when you didn’t tell me, I figured that maybe you weren’t ready yet to share it with me. And I’d guessed too that Mother would have made you swear not to tell me a word.”

  Still, he found it odd that just before Mel replied, she looked about as guilty as he felt. “Yeah, I fell for that one hook, line, and sinker. Not sure who I should be madder with, you or your mother.”

  And then he understood why.

  His mother and her games. He really wished the woman hadn’t decided to play these games with Mel. The tracker would find out eventually and he’d have to explain his mother’s actions.

  Or maybe he wouldn’t and he’d just let Mother Dearest make her own excuses.

  Saleem nodded slowly, knowing he had to think about what he was saying. He wasn’t the type of guy to fob off blame onto a woman. He owned his mistakes and he’d made the mistake of lying to Mel. Only problem was, this wasn’t the time to divulge the truth to her and he had to hope she’d understand when he did come clean. So he said, “You have every right to be pissed off. I’d be if I were in your place. I can only say that I will do everything I can to make it up to you.”

  She tipped her head and scanned his face for a moment. He was certain she’d see how he felt, that he was sorry. But that was as far as he dared to go right now. And when Mel’s eyes cleared he wanted to sigh with relief. This was a woman he wasn’t about to let go of easily. She was honest and forthright, loyal to a fault.

  And he wasn’t at all surprised when she smiled and said, “Why don’t we call it even? We are both guilty of…let’s call it…evasion. And maybe if we survive this mission, we can consider our options.”

  Saleem’s spine stiffened. “Options?” What did she mean by options? Had he misunderstood the emotions he’d seen in her eyes? Was she thinking of calling it quits?

  But then she laughed, eyes sparkling though somewhat apologetic. “Hold your fire, djinn. Options as in how we will go about making it up to each other.” She was shaking her head in time with Saleem’s own rueful movements. “I think I’d better get going. As long as you have it figured out as to how these rebel guys are planning to get in touch with us, we’ll be ready.”

  Emotions filled the ether, seeping from both Saleem and Mel. A dangerous manifestation as the fluctuation in energy could alert a talented mage or a skilled djinn.

  And Saleem couldn’t risk them being detected even if he really wanted this moment to last forever. He watched her sadly, his senses on the approach of the guards outside his suites.

  “What’s wrong?” Mel asked softly.

  Saleem took a slow breath. “We need to get you going. It’s dangerous here now, for anyone trying to gain unauthorized access.” Then he studied her face again and let out a low grunt. “I need you to promise me something,” he said, the urgency of it filling him with fear, though he held himself in check.

  “What’s that?” Mel’s eyebrow curved in question.

  “I need you to promise me that if anything happens to me, whether you just can’t get a hold of me, or if I’m killed, please promise me that you will complete the mission and get Division 7 and Omega out of Mithras.”

  “Saleem…”

  Fear and impatience were powerful enough incentives and Saleem felt an icy determination rise within him, one also fueled by anger. And no doubt his eyes had converted the depth of those emotions to Mel who now simply watched him in wary silence.

  Relieved, Saleem gave a quick nod. “My people are suffering and dying at the hands of Division 7 and they need to be gone. And there will be djinn within the rebellion who will be only too happy to give back in kind what they have been subjected to. But I’m not of that mind. All I care about is that my family remain safe, and my people are also released from their prison.”

  “Prison?” Mel stiffened, skin going pale. “Saleem, you need to at least give me more information.”

  Aware now that time was running out, what with Blake’s goons so close, Saleem cocked a chin at the book on the table behind him. Mel hesitated and Saleem had to force himself to refrain from sounding impatient with her. None of this was her fault. He breathed slowly and said, “Take it. There’s a whole bunch of information in there that I’m pretty sure will come in handy.”

  “You wouldn’t by any chance happen to have a map of the city lying around?” Mel asked, her hesitation clear. She was unsure if he’d received her message and he wasn’t surprised. The nature of the communication had been glaringly inexperienced and he had to guess she hadn’t done anything like that before. “We’ve kind of been having a problem getting our hands on one. It’s been Sentinel’s stalling point and we really need to get around them and formalize our own strategy.”

  Saleem gave a dry snort. “Well, you won’t find maps. Not unless you piece together bits of paper stolen from various places and people.”

  Eyebrow curving, Mel replied, “Been there, done that, got the tee shirt.”

  “Don’t worry,” Saleem replied, smiling. “I got your message—something we need to talk about if we make it out of this shit alive. Between Omega and Division 7, they’ve managed to delete every copy of any map of our realm. Even here in Mithras, the rebels have complained that they can no longer find the city plans so they can get around Kamsin in a safer and more efficient way, and of course without dying in the process. But Division 7 got there first, unfortunately. Thankfully, my rebel contacts were able to supply the info you needed, sourced from personal records of various warriors, from what I was told.”

  “Wow, now I have to admit that was something I’d considered. The strange scarcity of maps was a little too fishy for my liking.”

  “Yep, you keep trusting that gut of yours. You guys are going to need to be one step ahead of Ward and his crew. They’re armed and dangerous, and they want blood.”

  “Thought they were after more special royal blood.”

  “That too, but the team you’re gathering…I suspect it’s going to be a who’s who of highly professional agents. More importantly, you all have a collective power source that would likely decimate an entire planet. And Ward will know it when he sees you together. So, try not to get seen. Or you’ll be signing your death warrants.”

  Mel smiled gently then reached for Saleem, saying, “Don’t worry, nobody’s dying unle—”

  Saleem was about to respond but something began to change, to shift between the two of them. He knew what it could be. The witch had no doubt learned more of how to manipulate the ether. He’d believed she wasn’t as talented as Mel but it appeared as though she was a quick study.

  She wasn’t as skilled at Mel, that much was clear, but she was strong. Which was the reason the ether now sparked with uncontrolled power. Thankfully, the energy was merely being directed willy will, likely racing through the ether around Mithras like a rampant tsunami. The mage had little idea that Mel was there, for which Saleem was grateful.

  Now he had to get Mel out of there fast. He glanced deliberately at the leather bound book, his spine stiff, hoping he’d conveyed the urgency well enough without using words.

  Mel appeared to understand as she shimmered into solidity and grabbed the book before returning to the ether seconds later.

  And then without warning, electricity sparked around them, a blast so powerful, Saleem had to wonder if he’d underestimated the mage.

  16

  Stone Cell

  Mel’s visit had given Saleem hope. He’d begun to believe that after the last disaster, she’d be either unable or unwilling to make the effort. Either way, he would not have blamed her.

  He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her, how much just the mere sight of her calmed him and filled him with purpose, with the belief that he couldn’t give in to the pain, couldn’t allow himself to break.

  But when he’d seen her materialize in the ether, when he’d felt her warmth, he’d understood that what he felt for her was more than a passing fling, more than just a temporary port in the storm.

  Her eyes had been filled with strength and purpose and in just that one visit, she’d filled him up enough that he knew he’d be strong enough to last weeks more of whatever Ward could throw at him.

 

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