Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(23)

"That would make sense," Kooper sat at the end of the table, helping Lissa question Morid. "You don't have to speak to hide criminals from everybody including the powerful, and there's no obsession if you can't speak the words."

"Fuck." Lissa uttered the one-word expletive and rose from her chair. "I have a good guess as to where Marid has gone; I've already asked Kaldill and Daragar to Look for the blank spot. Since Siriaa is a governed non-Alliance world, however, we have to ask permission to actively hunt for Marid and the Sirenali."

"I suggest we approach them soon—Marid may have plans to overthrow the government there—again. Once that happens, we'll never have permission because he'll be running the planet."

"And selling that poison crap to anyone who wants it, no matter the consequences," Lissa turned to level a gaze upon Morid. He shrank from her anger.

One does not anger a Vampire Queen. It would be wise never to anger Lissa, as she was so much more than that. Morid was only beginning to have an inkling as to what she was.

"I'll contact the Founder—we have to approach Siriaa soon or all may be lost," Kooper rose and nodded to Lissa. "Let me know if more information comes to light."

*

Lironis

Quin

New guests arrived at sundown but I, covered in dust and filth from cleaning the old physician's quarters, went in search of a bath before meeting them. Dena followed, as did Ordin, and I missed the availability of water from pipes as servants heaved hot water and a tub up castle steps so I could clean myself.

Wolter led Dena and me to the kitchens after I was clean and dressed, to meet our new guests. I wondered at the location of our meeting, until I met the ones who'd come.

The men gravitated about the woman who'd arrived, and I could see why. She was beautiful, with long, silvery-white hair hanging to her waist. As powerful as Kaldill, too, although she was a quarter High Demon—a race naturally impervious to any poison, just as the Larentii were.

"You can see that, can't you?" She approached me. I almost cowered away.

"No," she touched my shoulder and then fingered my hair gently. "You have nothing to fear from me or any of these," she gestured toward the men behind her.

"She has nothing to fear," Kaldill appeared at my side. "By my command."

"The Elf King has spoken," Reah laughed. That was her name—Reah. It was a lovely name—to speak and to hear.

"Reah is mated to my son—the Prince-Heir," Kaldill grinned, his eyes lighting with mischief. Reah swatted at his shoulder, deliberately missing. I could tell they were old friends, as well as related by marriage.

I wished I knew others like them, I realized. Friends who might tease one another and share many things without fear. Dena joined us in the kitchen and stopped short at the sight of Reah and the others.

"This is Reah," I began my introductions. "This is her mate, Torevik, his father, Gardevik, Kordevik, a guard, and this one—I know not his name." I stopped at the last man inside the kitchen, realizing that I couldn't see what or who he was; that had never happened before and I wondered at it.

"I am Kifirin," he nodded to me and smiled. "If the Elf King has you under his protection, then I shall uphold and strengthen that."

"Thank you, Lord Kifirin," Kaldill gave a respectful nod. "Your offer gladdens my heart."

"All of us have mindspeech," Reah continued. "Do not be afraid to speak with us in this way. No matter how far away we are, we will hear."

Good, I responded. Something terrible has happened in Kondar's Sector Two. I felt it while bathing. I fear Lord Dorthil has a terrible ally at his side, and an even worse ally to hide behind.

*

Le-Ath Veronis

"I think I scared her to death when I disappeared like that," Reah said, lifting the cup of tea Lissa offered.

"You think she can see through a Sirenali's fog?" Lissa shook her head.

"I hope that's what this means," Reah agreed. "Kaldill is sending mindspeech, telling me he is attempting to calm her, with Daragar's help. She thinks she did something wrong."

"That poor girl," Lissa rose to pace. Reah had arrived in the middle of the night, but then darkness was the rule on that half of Le-Ath Veronis. The planet rotated on its side to produce constant darkness for the vampires. Lissa and a few other vampires were able to walk in sunlight, but that was a tiny exception in the vampire world.

"She can read most anyone, but she couldn't read Kifirin," Reah went on. "These scones are good—who made them?"

"Cheedas—he found new recipes somewhere," Lissa mumbled, naming her chief cook. "Do you think I should come and take a look at this girl?"

"I don't want to frighten her more than she already is," Reah said. "She hasn't had an easy time of it, and those fool Avii tried to kill her when she was dumped on their doorstep."

"You say Kaldill is trying to help her?"

"He and Daragar both."

"Then I'll hold off—Ildevar is planning to approach the Kondari High President in two days—is there any chance we can clear the way on that?"

"The High President's son is there in Lironis, now, sending messages to his father."