Blood Double (God Wars #1)(36)
"Oh, yes. Erithia has some unusual and very powerful allies. There will be no problem."
"Too bad the Liffelithi were obliterated. We could use their help with this."
"This is in partial retribution for Liffel, I assure you. Erithia had allies there, too, and she didn't like it when they died."
"I heard the Queen of Le-Ath Veronis was in on that."
"You heard right. We're working to get rid of that bitch, too."
"Too bad, I'd prefer to do her rather than Ildevar Wyyld."
"You'd need to be faster than you are, Fasil. We're looking to find a vampire for this. She has enough enemies, even among her own kind."
*
Breanne's Journal
"Stop where you are and raise your hands!" A spotlight shone down from a hovercar, bathing me in blinding light. I'd set off an alarm the moment I'd arrived in this place, and discovered I was surrounded by a tall fence and many sculptures. It took seconds for me to realize I was standing atop a mausoleum. Shifting my gaze, I read the names of kings—from Hraede. Damn. Rigo's name was listed near the top. Well, he'd been vampire for a long time; that was a really tall monument. I folded space again.
*
"I realize you protect yourself, Deonus, but Teeg says there's a plot against you. He has a few names, but that's all he has at the moment." Norian sipped tea inside Ildevar Wyyld's palace kitchen. The workers had gone home earlier and it was empty.
"Norian, strange things are happening," Ildevar scrubbed a hand over his face. "The Grand Alliance Council is uneasy, as am I. Things are shifting, and we have no way to explain any of it." Ildevar turned his head to gaze through a nearby window. Dim light shone in his eyes and on his blond hair—he and Norian hadn't bothered to turn on any overhead lamps.
"You're concerned?" Norian's voice contained surprise. Ildevar was always strong and confident. Nothing rattled him.
"Yes, sadly. Something is working against the power of the universes, and it is having devastating effects on many things."
"But we haven't really had any problems since those riots more than a sun turn ago."
"I feel it is the calm before a storm, child. You must be watchful. Anything unusual should warrant consideration. This is not the time to let any wrongdoing go unnoticed or uninvestigated. Even the smallest thing might have great significance and terrifying consequences."
Norian combed fingers through thick, brown hair in frustration. "What do you mean, not letting any wrongdoing go unnoticed?"
"A criminal is a criminal, Norian. After all your years as Director of the ASD, surely you know this by now. You do not let friends or employees ignore the laws, simply because they are friends or employees."
"You know about that." Norian didn't bother to explain.
"I know many things."
"What would you have done, then?"
"Brought him to trial, at the very least. Tell me any other would not be sentenced to Evensun."
"I can't say that," Norian sighed and looked away. He was glad the light was dim inside the kitchen; he couldn't see the censure in Ildevar's eyes clearly. "What do you want me to do?"
"Arrest him. What do you think?"
"We've already questioned him—I know he's guilty," Norian admitted.
"Yet you kept him on. Demoted him one place, for attempted murder and ignoring ASD investigative protocol."
"When you say it like that," Norian rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.
"I would have said it like that in the beginning, if you'd bothered to speak with me. You are my heir. How long do you think you might maintain order in the Alliance if you ignore the laws?"
"I'll have him arrested immediately."
"Good. I want him in the dungeon on Le-Ath Veronis. The crime was committed there. Is the girl a citizen yet?"
"I'll check, Deonus."
"See that you do. And if she isn't, I expect you to rectify that right away."
"Of course, Deonus."
*
Breanne's Journal
Another freezing world. At least nobody had fired a weapon in my direction. A city directory on a frigid, snow-covered sidewalk told me I was in Targis, the capital city on Tulgalan. Tulgalan had very long winters, but the farms near the equator kept the planet fed and in good health. I stepped inside a small eatery to get warm while I attempted to figure out how to fold somewhere I recognized. Taking a table near the door in case someone chased me away, I dropped my head in my hands and moaned.
"Focus on where you wish to be." Graegar sat across from me.
"Thank you," I whispered, my teeth chattering. Hugging myself, I stared across the table at perhaps the kindest Larentii I'd met. He was Pheligar's grandson—I'd known that the moment I'd first seen him. I was colder than I realized, too, and still wet from my dunking in a sea somewhere.
"Grandfather asked me to watch out for you. He suspects Kalenegar's behavior where you are concerned."
"I'm surprised Kalenegar's face isn't on a wanted poster, somewhere," I muttered.
"Kalenegar has had a troubled life," Graegar murmured, absently rearranging lines on the faux wood table with power. "He and his father are at odds and therefore, anything his father asks or suggests, Kalenegar abhors or ignores."