Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(41)

"I have no appetite for evil, with or without wings," the creature replied. Smoke poured ominously from his nostrils and massive, muscled arms crossed over the huge chest. "The very air here is poison," the creature added. "Already it is eating your lungs as you breathe. A fitting end for a poisoner of an entire planet, I think, to be poisoned himself."

"Take me away from here," Yevil begged. "I will repay you."

"Your death will be payment enough." The creature disappeared.

"Wait, come back," Yevil shouted, then coughed. Blood poured from his mouth; he stared at the strangeness of it before falling.

His last thoughts were for himself.

*

Lironis

Quin

"Quin, I have a suite in the research facility, which has an extra bedroom. Do you wish to spend the night there?" Kaldill asked. "You may return to your room in the castle when Commander Justis arrives. Berel's suite is across the hall," he coaxed.

"If that is your wish," I agreed. I was exhausted and he knew it. "I'll get something to sleep in, first."

"No, your closet has been suitably stocked," Kaldill smiled. "You'll find something there, I think."

"All right." Without further discussion, I allowed Kaldill to transport me to his suite. He escorted me to the second bedroom doorway, kissed my forehead lightly, pushed me gently inside and shut the door between us.

I slept better that night than I had in a long while.

*

Another of Reah's mates appeared at breakfast the following morning. I was forced to clench my teeth to keep my mouth from dropping open.

He was Larentii.

He was also Chief Archivist for his race.

I found myself staring at the ultimate librarian, who stored much of the information kept in the Larentii Archives in his head. Bright-blue eyes turned to regard me before they lit even brighter with his smile.

"You are welcome at the Archives anytime," Nefrigar chuckled. The universe should stop in wonder, I decided, whenever a Larentii laughs. "Ask Daragar to bring you whenever you wish," he added.

"When there is time enough to enjoy it," I replied as solemnly as I could. After all, I had healing to do the moment I finished breakfast, and hadn't touched the old physician's journal yet, to write the report Gurnil requested.

"Nefrigar wishes to study your wings," Reah said. I blinked at her, confusion tinged with worry clouding my mind.

"I only wish to touch briefly, to memorize the colors and texture so a report may be written for the Archives. I have never seen such, and there are no records in the Archives of any like them."

"That's fine," I agreed. I'd worried that he wanted a sample, and I'd experienced having feathers plucked already.

"Young one," Nefrigar knelt beside me, "No Larentii will ever bring you harm. Will you stretch out your wings for me, so I may measure them?"

"We should go to the balcony," I said. I didn't realize that everyone else waiting for breakfast would come with us, Ordin and Gurnil included. There, in the early morning sun, I stretched my wings as far as I could for the Chief Archivist of the Larentii.

Somehow, he could measure without using a tape or a stick. Daragar appeared, nodded to Nefrigar and smiled as the Archivist touched my feathers carefully.

"The sun makes a lovely color when it shines through the bands," Nefrigar informed me. I'd never thought to look, to be honest.

"She doesn't stand for long before the mirror," Daragar said softly.

"You may fold your wings, now," Nefrigar said. "I have what I need. Come see me at the Archives, young one." With that, he disappeared.

"I received a message from Father this morning," Berel said as plates of food were passed around the table moments later. "I recorded audio from the meeting last night, so he discussed it with Melis and a few others."

"What did he say?"

"I'll tell you later," Berel promised.

*

Later came during a hasty midday meal—a sandwich again, while I sat atop a castle turret to get away from the sick ones clamoring to see me. I'd desperately needed the respite—healing was exhausting work.

The sick had learned there was no medicine to take, no stitches in torn skin and no pain if someone were fortunate enough to be brought to my cubicle.

Berel was forced to climb many steps to get to the window beside my perch. "I'm sorry I made you come so far," I apologized. "I worried that there would be a riot in the courtyard if I attempted to walk away. I flew, instead."

"There must be more than five hundred people down there," Berel agreed, leaning his elbows on the windowsill. "I asked some of mine to walk through and distribute small packages of food and water while they're waiting, and Master Gurnil asked for benches to be brought so they wouldn't have to stand so long."

"I know. You have kindness in your heart, Berel Charkisul. I hope it always remains so."

"I know what it's like to be sick," he said with a shrug. "If I could, I'd be down there, helping you heal them. Such is not my gift."

"What did your father say about the meeting last night?"

"He says that if you leave Siriaa, I am to go with you."