Blood Double (God Wars #1)(65)
"I owe so much money," my voice quavered.
"We've taken care of it," Frank brushed hair away from my face. "CSD pulled up a list of your obligations, so Shane and I took care of it."
"But you can't. You shouldn't. Those didn't belong to you," I said, becoming shakier than I already was.
"Sissy, it was our decision to make. We made it. Trust me; we can afford to do that."
"This is so awful," I rubbed my forehead.
"At least she's talking," Vice-Director Schaff walked into the room, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He was frightening enough, but the one who followed him brought Kalia to the surface in an instant, and I heard myself screaming hysterically as a light so bright enveloped the room it blinded all of us.
*
"Tell him every sordid detail," Ashe paced beside Q'And Ribalo's chair. Norian Keef and Ildevar Wyyld were seated nearby, watching as the Mighty Hand seethed, his power vibrating through Ildevar's private study.
"I w-work for Hordace Cayetes. As does my twin, Q'Ind," Q'And Ribalo quavered.
"Fuck me," Norian stood, anger in every line of his being. He was so close to becoming lion snake and biting Q'And that Ildevar had to hold him back.
"I believe Kay has seen his twin, and it sent her right back to the terror she experienced before," Ashe leveled star-filled eyes on Norian Keef. "How many criminals have you turned Director Keef away from?" Ashe went back to grilling Q'And Ribalo.
"Many, I don't keep count," Q'And shivered. Had he ever thought to come to the attention of a god? The simple answer was no.
"Tell me, what would you be doing now, if I hadn't intervened?"
"I'd be reporting Kalia's whereabouts to Hordace. He wants her dead."
"Why?"
"She can recognize him and many of his associates."
"Is that all? That she can point them out?"
"Yes."
"Has she ever engaged in criminal activity?"
"No. She and the others like her could only do as they were told or they were killed. There were always more available where she came from, after all."
"And where was that?" Ildevar asked.
"I was never told. My brother may know, but I didn't ask." Q'And cowered when Ashe's power rage ramped up a few notches.
"I can't interfere with this, Keef, for personal reasons." Ashe's eyes had gone as dark as they might go and stars exploded in their depths when he turned to Norian. "I suggest you get to the bottom of this. Quickly."
"I don't take orders from you," Norian began as Ashe took a step in his direction.
"All right, I'll work on that," Norian backed up.
*
"Right back where we started," Bill grumbled as he spooned oatmeal into a bowl for Kay. "All that work, gone, because that * Keef can't leave the innocent alone."
"Seems to be his modus operandi," Trace agreed, biting into a strip of bacon. "I'd like to beat him senseless. After I beat that Ribalo * senseless."
"You don't want to know what Ashe wants to do," Trajan flopped onto a barstool beside his brother.
"Where have you been?" Trace asked.
"Mom and Dad's. They're overseeing the pruning down on the south end."
"Had breakfast?" Bill asked.
"Not yet." Trajan reached out, lifted three strips of bacon off the platter on the island, stacked them together and bit off the ends.
"Wanted to talk about Breanne, didn't you?" Trace cut into the eggs on his plate.
"Yeah. Mom said if she's mine, things will come around. I don't know whether to believe that or not."
"I hope it's true," Bill set the bowl of oatmeal, a tiny bowl of brown sugar and a glass of milk on a tray for Kay.
"She seemed so happy that day, talking to Bill and me," Trajan growled before biting into his bacon again.
"You're not the only one who wants to see her again," Bill lifted the tray and stalked out of the kitchen.
"What the hell?" Trace stared at Trajan.
*
"I demand representation, Keef," Q'And Ribalo hissed as the door to his cage closed. Norian had ferried Q'And to Le-Ath Veronis, where Gavin, Tony and Aryn waited. All four men escorted Q'And to Lissa's dungeon.
"I'll allow you to send a message, but I warn you, vampires aren't easily swayed by lies or idiocy. Besides, did you not confess before Ildevar Wyyld? He says he'll be happy to provide testimony at your trial." Norian disliked many things, and betrayal by one of his own was high on that list.
"I still want representation. I'll be damned if I'm sentenced to death on that penal planet you call Evensun." Q'And clung to the bars of his cage and glared at Norian Keef.
"You should have thought of that before you f*cked the ASD," Norian shot back. "We'll question you further when you get your representative lined up and arrange to have him present." Norian laughed as he stalked away from Q'And's cell.
*
"Rathik, my darling, what have you found for me?" Erithia smiled at Rathik's face on her comp-vid.
"My love, I am ready to return to you," Rathik cooed at Erithia's image. "I managed to learn everything we needed by merely placing compulsion on two royal servants."