Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(39)

"Ah. I see I have arrived too late," Belen said as he appeared nearby. Val held up a hand to prevent Winkler from growling at the new arrival.

*

Corinne

His name was Gerrett. He told me so in mindspeech. His own mother had cut out his tongue at age five before selling him for a very high price.

There are others like me, he said as I tended the burns that festered upon his body. Those four Elemaiyan *s had tortured him; that was obvious.

That's not good news, I'm sorry to say, I informed him silently. He snorted his agreement.

Who are they? I thought to ask.

I have two older brothers—our mother sold all of us into slavery. She will likely do the same to any other children she births. We are a source of income for her.

Honey, I've heard of some f*cked-up childhoods, but yours may be the worst, I replied. "There, all healed," I said aloud as the last of his burns disappeared, leaving pink, healthy skin behind.

I wish I could thank you in my own voice, but as you see, I can only do it this way.

That's all I need, I said.

I have heard Larentii never involved themselves in the troubles of others, he ventured.

"That's because you never met me before," I smiled at him. "When this is over, I'll try to find a safe place for you."

In my experience, there is no safe place for a mute Sirenali.

"Let me work on that, all right?"

*

Matt Michaels

"What the hell happened here?" The county sheriff walked into the restaurant, where it now looked as if someone had set off a bomb following a tornado. Paper napkins littered the floors and crushed tables; ketchup, salt and pepper was strewn in loops and strings throughout.

He hadn't even seen the pile of bodies, yet.

"Matt Michaels, Director of the Joint NSA and Homeland Security Department," I whipped out my ID.

"What the hell are you doin' here?" he gritted.

"The two in the kitchen killed those people in the corner," I jerked my head toward the pile of bodies. "We took out the two in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the owner is at the bottom of the civilian pile. The two in the kitchen are responsible for the massacre in Star Cove and for the deaths of two Corpus Christi Police Officers. My team and I were tracking them. We got here too late to save anybody—the owner, his wait staff and the customers were already dead."

"What the f*ck were they doing here, then?"

"Who knows? My experts still can't figure out why they attacked Star Cove." My experts didn't know, but I did. I carefully stepped around that fact.

"They're dead, though? Dead-dead?"

"As doornails. FBI has been called to remove the bodies and hand them over to forensics." I wasn't about to tell him that there were originally four offenders, and that two had disintegrated, courtesy of an angry Larentii.

"You need anything, you let me know," the sheriff jerked his head in an abrupt nod.

"Sure thing. I appreciate the offer."

Director Keef will investigate the deaths of his agents, Valegar informed me in mindspeech.

Director Keef can kiss my ass—after he explains why he sent the four worst candidates in his employ to kill locals, I replied, my mental voice stiff with displeasure. If Keef wanted to mix it up with me, I was ready.

"Be careful not to tamper too much with the timeline," Belen warned. For a moment, I'd forgotten he was there.

"What?" I began.

"These four—they were supposed to survive," Belen informed me. "I suspect that the rift was caused by the one known as Corinnelar, as she was created and inserted into the timeline—by those meddling with souls by using the drug."

"Is there a problem with her existence?" Valegar's words sounded deadly.

"No," Belen held up a hand. "The Mighty Heart has already approved of her; therefore, my judgment is moot in the matter. I haven't met her. I wish to rectify that."

"I have to stay and clean up this mess," I said.

"I should get back," Winkler interjected. I noticed that Valegar had managed to clothe the naked werewolf and clean the blood away before the sheriff arrived.

"I will transport you," Val offered. "I wish to check on Corinne."

"I'll go with you," Belen nodded.

"Is anybody staying here to help clean up?" I complained.

"I will," Colonel Hunter offered. Leo Shaw nodded mutely in agreement.

"Great. Go out and haul those forensics people in here. Those bodies are distracting."

Both stepped over broken glass, blood and ketchup to get to the door.

*

Corinne

"Oh, you're back," I said the moment Val arrived with Winkler. Someone else appeared behind them. Someone I didn't recognize.

He was tall. His features swam in my gaze, he shone so brightly. I blinked to clear my vision. A smile broke across his face, like the sun on a glorious morning. When I fell, I fell slowly, buoyed by the love that washed through me.





Chapter 9

Corinne

"I don't believe this." I rubbed my forehead.

"He doesn't wish to crowd you—or upset you," Valegar took my hand and kissed my fingers. "He says when you are ready, to call for him. He will most certainly answer."