Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(2)

The Larentii version of that history was far more detailed and accurate than anything actually produced on the planet in question. I'd only read up to the time when I'd been pulled away from Earth—what was the point in depressing myself more than I was already?

Instead, I turned to other worlds and read their histories.

Yes, Larentii can bend time as well as fold space. If I'd known that when I was still on Earth, I might be in a lot more trouble than I was already.

At first, a few Larentii came—mostly curious to see the one who'd become Larentii after getting the drug. When they learned their staring upset me and made me shake, they backed off.

At least they were a polite race.

I'd seen, too, in the ones who'd arrived to study me, that female Larentii were quite rare. I understood much from those meetings, and wondered whether they knew I could read them as easily as I'd read humans (and others) on Earth.

I'd learned a new word, too—Sirenali.

That's what President Phillips had become after getting the drug. Capable of placing obsessions that would remain with the recipient until death, the Sirenali were supposed to be extinct.

I didn't want to bring up that bit of history with any Larentii, because they refused to discuss it, most of the time.

I was deep into the history of Le-Ath Veronis when the Archivist and one of his sons arrived one sunny morning.

"Do you know who I am?" The Archivist peered over the book I held open and floating before me with power. I didn't want to put my fingers on anything, in case the item in question was fragile.

I was Larentii, after all, and had more than enough power to hold something in front of me—even while sleeping if I wanted.

"Nefrigar. Chief Archivist for the Larentii," I spouted after lifting my eyes from the book and seeing his face.

"Ah. So wonderful," he smiled. "Welcome. I'm sorry we were out when you arrived. This is my second son, Valegar," he introduced another Larentii who resembled him greatly. "My eldest, Serrigar, is still out gathering information with my two youngest."

I stared at Valegar as a slow and magnificent smile came. His hand took mine and he kissed it, while his eyes glowed a very bright blue.

"Is this?" Nefrigar's voice sounded far away and faint as I blinked at Valegar.

"Yes, Father," Valegar replied as my consciousness fled.

*

Larentii Council Chambers

"Is that what you were waiting for? To see whether anyone might have a M'Fiyah with her?" Breanne studied Kalenegar. "If that's true, then I may have to amend my description of you—from heartless bastard to merely bastard."

"My parentage is known and recognized, therefore, that word does not apply," Kalenegar huffed.

"I know—I just wanted to jolt you out of that pretentious shell you wear." She smiled to let him know she was teasing.

"I received mindspeech from Nefrigar moments ago, that's why I sent for you," Kalenegar ignored Breanne's remark. "You have no idea how many Larentii went to see her—most of them shielded heavily so she wouldn't see—we learned it upset her greatly to be under such scrutiny."

"She wasn't born Larentii, and she still has all those memories of living among humans, so that's not a surprise. Who has the M'Fiyah with her?"

"Valegar," Kalenegar offered a slight smile. "I worried that the Archivist's sons would never agree to have their children."

"So they want their children to have love from both parents, I take it?"

"I believe that to be true, yes."

"He still needs to ask her, you know. I don't want her knocked up and finding out later."

"I believe Nefrigar and Valegar will prevent that from happening," Kal sniffed.

"When will you tell her? Do those filth from Lyristolys know to stay far away from her?"

"In this timeline, they should know better. Four hundred Earth years have passed since their brutality was visited upon that planet. Many died who should not have. Ildevar threatened to remove them from the Alliance shortly after for their mistakes."

"Speaking of that," Breanne began.

"What do you want, love of my heart?"

"I want a lot of things. Mostly, I want to send Corinnelar back to Earth in the past—there are things which require her attention."

"Are you giving permission?" One of Kalenegar's dark-red eyebrows rose in curiosity.

"I am."

"I doubt Valegar will allow her out of his sight so soon."

"Look, I know he's an Earth scholar and understands the excrement happening in the past four hundred years. I'll give him permission to go as well. I believe those two can be trusted to decide when to intervene and when not to."

"You've studied her, haven't you?"

"Yes. It's all I can do to hold back from introducing myself. Who knew there'd be two Vhanaraszhes?"

"The drug," Kal snorted softly. "You and I know it for the abomination it is, as it interferes with all timelines."

"Yes, but this time, I believe it has worked to our advantage, rather than our disadvantage. Here's my question, though."

"What question is that?"

"Do you have a M'Fiyah with her?"