Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(81)

The planet Ranos had come into being under his skilled hands, and there were two races that lived upon it; the Ranali and the Avii. Then, Liron's taskmaster came to explain Ranos' purpose. The swiftly evolving population would build terrible weapons, and the planet itself would harbor an all-consuming poisonous creature.

Ranos was doomed from the start.

Liron had been so intent in his purpose that he failed to notice what his superior was planning.

Liron loved both races he'd created—with an all-consuming love. When the poison his superior planted in its core devoured the planet and killed most of its inhabitants, Liron moved the survivors to another world.

Sadly, some of the poison moved with them, and he needed a way to contain it. The Avii he moved were charged with protecting the humanoids from Ranos, and instructed on how to force the poisonous creatures to become dormant. He called it the First Ordinance, and they were bound to keep his commandments.

I was about to upset his applecart, by threatening the remains of the races he'd created. He couldn't kill a Larentii; if he did, the legend said the One would come and retaliate. If the One appeared now, all hell could break loose.

Literally.

The One would come, but it couldn't be now. This wasn't the proper time.

I was about to play a dangerous, dangerous game with a god.

No, I'd never played craps or any other dice game. The stakes were huge and I was about to risk everything on beginner's luck at rolling the bones.

*

The Dictator's palace may as well have been empty—I walked through it unseen and unheard, heavily shielded while I made my way toward the blank spot in it. I knew I'd find Phillips' clone there, hiding what he didn't want revealed to anyone else with power.

I understood that Liron would be with him, too; Phillips was Sirenali and Liron couldn't find him either, should he manage to get away. Liron, therefore, would remain in close contact with Phillips, in order to pull Phillips' strings when necessary.

Yes, I knew Auggie was dead.

As was Granville and dozens of other world leaders. Ilya had accomplished that for Phillips, but likely at Liron's urging. Rogue gods wanted to destroy Earth. I had suspicions as to why, but those would have to remain what they were; as suspicions only. I had no time to dedicate to their unraveling.

When I walked into the antechamber of Phillips' suite, I found Ilya.

A bowl of uneaten rice lay on the floor close to his feet—he was chained in the corner without benefit of a chair or bedding. In a slow, steady rhythm, he knocked his head against the wall.

Some spark in his brain, as small as it might be, wanted to escape.

I had no time to weep for his plight. I couldn't even send soothing mindspeech—he'd likely been programmed to alert his master if that happened. I didn't want to fall into a trap; everything hinged on my taking those in the next room by surprise.

No, I didn't intend to kill Phillips.

Not yet.

It wasn't time.

No, I had to convince Liron to leave and then stay away. Turning away from Ilya, I stepped toward the door—the one leading deeper into the suite. Phillips, Liron and who knew what else waited for me there.

*

Larentii Archives

Nefrigar, Chief Archivist

"It is written into our laws—you cannot force a Larentii to act against his mate," I said. "Even if his mate has done wrong."

"She is my mate, too," Kalenegar shouted. Yes, in that respect, he was much like his father, Ferrigar.

"You did not declare openly," Valegar pointed out. "Whereas I did. I refuse to act against my mate. I have to trust that she understands her actions and has thought them through completely before employing them."

"These are not actions," Kalenegar thundered. "This is a violation of our laws. She has gone to a meeting between Cheriss and his hidden operatives—before they ever arrived on Earth. She caused the timeline to shift because of that. We all felt it. If she comes to us now and confesses her actions, she will be punished but not too severely. The Council is calling for her separation now."

"That has not been done for hundreds of thousands of years," I pointed out. "I feel it foolish to rush to that sort of judgment now."

"We must bring her back. The Council must be made to understand that she acted in a moment of weakness. She will be confined, but that is all—if she returns now."

"She is the Vhanaraszh," I said. "The prophecy says that she will travel her own path and wondrous things will occur."

"They were talking about Breanne," Kalenegar snapped. "Who is also the Mighty Heart, lest you forget. This one," he snorted and shook his head. "This one was created by the drug and we are seeing the detrimental side effects of that now. If she wishes to keep her life, she must return now. I will see that she learns what is necessary to become a proper Larentii."

"And if she fails to return? If she continues to alter the timeline greatly?" Valegar's voice was soft. I knew he was angry; Kalenegar did not.

"Then she will be separated. I cannot help her past this point. That is why I came to you—to ask for your help in bringing her back. I see that you do not wish to cooperate. In doing so, you may as well sign away her life."

"Her life is her own," Valegar stated flatly and disappeared.