Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(7)
"I've missed you," I blurted.
"I know. I've missed all of you, too. I want to cry for Nick and Maye. I haven't had any water in a year, so I can't make tears."
"What the hell?" I huffed. Were they starving her?
"Relax—we live on energy. Sunlight, Auggie. I can eat and digest, but sunlight is so much better and easier for me. I just can't cry if I don't take in fluids."
"That explains the sunlamps."
"Yeah. I burned the first one out, because I tried to pull more from it than it was capable of giving."
"My love, you weren't starving, were you?" Valegar turned to her, then.
"No, I managed," she shrugged.
"You're not drained now?" He reached out to touch her cheek.
"No, I'm fine."
"I will see you get enough light in a moment."
"Have you been to the top of Christ of the Andes?"
"Holy f*ck," I whispered as both disappeared.
*
"What's the emergency?" Leo Shaw sat across from me at a restaurant he'd chosen. I wasn't sure I could eat after what I'd seen and heard earlier in the day.
"Rafe was almost killed by the creature who once was Merle Askins," I began.
"You're joking? He survived the drug?"
"Yes, but he's dead, now."
"Rafe killed him?"
"With some help, yes."
"Who helped?"
"Corinne—and the Larentii who thinks she's his."
*
Opal
"Corinne and Valegar showed up today," I informed Matt.
"Valegar?"
"He's the second son of Nefrigar."
"Oh. I haven't met him."
"Probably just as well; you have no idea how protective Larentii mates can be."
"What's she doing back here? Corinne?"
"I uh, contacted Bree."
"You contacted Bree." Matt went silent for a moment.
"Yeah. Told her what happened."
"What did she call me?"
"She didn't call you anything."
"That means nothing. She's probably pissed that I let things get out of hand."
"Stop being a schmuck."
"Did you see Corinne?"
"No—but Colonel Hunter did."
"Of course she'd go to him, first, since Rafe—well."
"She was disguised when she saved Rafe's fanny."
"So she did see him first."
"Yeah, I just don't know how that affected her."
"When you contacted Bree—did you put in a good word for Corinne?"
"I didn't have to—Bree already knew as much as I did. I think if the Larentii had decided not to accept Corinne, well, the blue fur would have flown."
*
Corinne
"I like this better," Valegar pulled me down to sit beside him.
"You're right—this is better," I sighed. He'd found a waterfall on the big island of Hawaii and settled there to soak in filtered sunlight.
"He meant a lot to you, didn't he?" Valegar's arms settled around me.
"He still does."
"I know. That upset you—to see him again."
"Yeah." My voice was a whisper.
His arms, as warm as a summer day, wrapped tighter around me, and he began to hum. It was the most restful sound I'd ever heard, sending me to sleep in seconds.
*
Ilya
"Macallan, twenty-five year," I set my credit card on the bar before taking a seat. At least the bar had the Scotch on hand, even if it were one-fifty-five a shot. After today, I wanted three shots.
At least I was still alive to have three shots. If the Larentii hadn't shown up to save my ass—I decided not to wander too far down that road, or I'd end up asking myself why they'd bother to save any part of me.
That answer could be dangerous.
*
Reth Alliance
Ildevar Wyyld, Founder
"Who did you send?"
Norian looked up from his comp-vid as I strode into his office to ask my question.
"I sent four—the Verain brothers, who somehow know at least three languages there, and Brade Deplan."
"The three Verain brothers?" I asked.
"All three, yes. They wanted to go."
"And you say they speak three languages from that planet?"
"Yes, let's see," Norian scrolled through his comp-vid to find the records, "Ah, Spanch, Franch, Ainglash."
"I believe you're pronouncing those wrong, but it matters little. Have they arrived?"
"No word as yet, Deonus."
"I wish to be kept informed. I am concerned that all three brothers wished to go."
"Look, I know you wanted to keep them separated when they joined the ASD, but for this particular assignment—they spoke the necessary languages, Deonus."
"What about Brade?"
"He spoke a separate language—Jerm?"
"Hmmph," I mumbled my displeasure. "I hope they speak better than you can pronounce," I said. "Have them record their meetings with the leaders they approach, and I want reliable translations on each meeting."