BlackWing: First Ordinance, Book 3 (23 page)

I noticed Bryan Riley, the journalist, at a discreet distance, recording the event. Justis allowed him to come when he would allow no other.

I could see that Justis had respect for Bryan the vampire journalist. Bryan would only show to the Alliance what Justis approved.

A mound of flowers covered the coffin, but beside it lay a single, red, primary feather. Justis had plucked one of his to be sent to the crypt with his brother.

Wimla, Vorina and Liron stood to the left, Justis, alone, to the right. Yes, I should have been there with him, but so many Avii would have disapproved. Pulling my wings tighter against my body, I placed my hand inside Terrett's and sighed.

* * *

Terrett

Jurris' coffin was flown out of the throne room where the service took place, and downward, to a lower terrace. From there, he would be carried to the crypt where Avii royalty were entombed.

Any who could fly followed from a discreet distance, once Justis, Jurris' two wives and Liron followed the coffin.

Justis carried Liron himself, as if he feared for the boy.

Perhaps he was right to do so.

Do you wish to walk or fly?
I turned to Quin.

"I'll walk with you," she said.

She led me out of the throne room and down wide passageways for what seemed a very long time until we came to a narrower tunnel. "I was here once before," Quin said. "I remember fainting in this tunnel after a healing," she said while touching the wall.

Someone behind us shrieked.

Quin fell through the wall, her hand jerking away from mine as the solid glass met my fingers.

* * *

Lissa

"I'll mist past the wall," I said. "If she's there, I'll bring her out."

Justis was nearby, attempting to hide his panic. Terrett did his best to remain calm; he'd informed me the moment Quin's hand was pulled from his. Still, I could see the terror in his eyes.

Bel Erland, however—he begged me with his eyes to bring her out. Like the others, he was terrified he'd never see her again.

What was it about this infernal castle, anyway? The gate lay at the bottom of it and this—nobody else could put a finger through this wall.

Somehow, Quin had fallen right through it—or, I worried—she'd been sucked into it.

"I'm going," I breathed, squaring my shoulders and turning to mist. I went right through a very thick, glass wall and into the strangest room I'd ever seen.

* * *

Quin

At least I hadn't lost consciousness this time, but I had no idea what the room's purpose was.

Piles of glass—like that the castle was made of—lay all around its smooth walls. Each piece was a perfect sphere. Like stacks of boulders, shaped round and smooth, they lay everywhere, in all sizes. Some quite small, others very large.

I knew I should go back—people would be looking for me. I knew where the exit was—it was quite apparent from this side of the room.

From the other side, nobody else could enter.

Except a Vampire Queen who could become mist, I discovered.

"Quin?" Lissa's voice disturbed the stillness of the room.

"Look at all this," I gestured with a hand. "Do you think it was leftover glass from the castle's making?"

"Perhaps, although I have to say, it's more than strange," she admitted, sweeping the piles of spheres with worried eyes. "I need to get you out of here—the others are panicking."

"I can leave anytime—through there," I pointed toward the wall.

"What? I don't see it," she said.

"It's right here. See the line of white?" I pointed. In all the glass that formed the castle, I'd never seen a white streak, before.

Perhaps it had been made just for me.

"That's strange," Lissa went to study the thin line of white. "You can go through it?"

"Yes. I can find it on the outside, too, since I can find things."

"Well, I hope you won't mind if I mist through again—I doubt it'll let me through," she blew out a breath. "Come on—you first. I'll be right behind you."

"All right." Bending down, I lifted a glass sphere half the size of my fist. "I'll take this with me, since it looks to be extra."

* * *

Lissa

I watched Quin walk right through the wall, as if it were nothing more than air. Placing my hand on the wall where she'd walked through, it was as solid as the rest of the castle.

"No idea," I muttered to myself before turning to mist and getting the hell out of there.

* * *

Quin

"Drink this," Justis thrust a glass of wine in my hands. "You probably need it. I know I do." He lifted his glass of wine and downed half of it in two swallows.

I sat in the King's sitting room where Terrett, Lafe, Lissa and the others had gathered after my reappearance in the castle's narrow tunnel leading to the royal crypt.

Alcohol had been ordered by Dena, who hovered nearby with Ardis, no doubt worried that I'd disappear through another wall.

I'm fine
, I sent mindspeech to Dena.
Really
.

I knew tongues were wagging throughout the glass castle. Dena knew it too; I could see it in her face. My fall through a glass wall was another thing that separated me from the others. One more reason to claim I wasn't Avii.

I wondered if it would ever end, even when I was gone.

Yes, I planned to leave before Justis took his crown and the vows required by Avii law to bind him to Wimla and Vorina the following day.

I knew I couldn't bear to watch.

If I had my way, someone would take me back to Vic'Law and allow Bleek and Barc to go with me.

"Master Gurnil is here, my King," a guard appeared in the doorway.

"Good. Get him in here. Now, before she flies away again." Justice handed his empty wineglass to Dena.

"Come," Dena stood before me.

"Why?" I asked. It was a stupid question. How had this slipped past me? I felt dizzy, suddenly.

The wine
.

"What did you put in here?" I demanded, my voice sounding slow. I felt as if my mouth suddenly found it difficult to form words.

"You'll be my first wife—I command it," Justis snapped. "If you fly away from me again without telling me where you're going, I will demand a feather. Of my choosing."

"No," I said.

"Tell me you don't love me. You said you did two days ago," Justis frowned.

"No," I repeated.

"Do you love me?" he asked.

"Yes." I hung my head. I think I'd loved him the moment he'd interfered when a guard pulled one of my nubs. Sadly, that came right out of my mouth after my admission of love.

"Do you want to marry me? Tell me truly," he demanded.

"Yes." I couldn't meet his eyes as I spoke the hopeless wish that was lodged in my heart.

"Then you will be my first wife. Gurnil, begin the ceremony."

* * *

I think he knew better than to ask me to share his bed. He'd drugged the wine with something that forced the truth from my lips and I was angry, even in my less-than-lucid state.

Instead, Berel was with me inside the suite next to Justis'—it was reserved for the King's favorite wife.

Once, it had been Halthea's. I'd cleaned her closet and arranged her clothing. I hoped it was all gone, now. I had no desire to see anything of hers.

"Do you know what was in that room?" I leaned back and turned wine-fogged eyes on Berel. He'd tucked my head against his shoulder while we lay, fully clothed, on the wide bed.

"No. Tell me." His smile was gentle as he leaned in to kiss me.

"This. And many more like it," I pulled the small sphere from my pocket.

"The same glass as the castle?" He took the sphere from my hand and examined it.

"I think so. Maybe it was extra," I shrugged, snuggling against him again. "Some of the spheres are nearly as tall as I am."

"Will you wear my ring, too, one day?" he asked, taking my hand and fingering the gold band I wore. I nodded, which made him smile.

"Justis is full of shit," I mumbled, closing my eyes.

Berel's chest vibrated as he laughed.

* * *

Lissa

There are times when things happen just as they should; when the guilty get their comeuppance and the ones they've harmed are there to witness it.

Those times don't come often, but they do come.

Quin was there to witness the ceremony between Justis, Wimla and Vorina. Liron was watched over by Farisa, Guild Master of the Artisans.

Justis asked Quin's permission before taking those two as wives; it was his way of telling them that Quin was first and always would be.

Quin was still upset with Justis and I didn't blame her, but I watched in satisfaction as Farisa's anger grew.

When the short ceremony was over, Justis informed Wimla, Vorina and Farisa that he was sending them to Wyyld II to protect Liron's life. During the ceremony, their things had been packed and were now ready to load onto a private ship headed for Ildevar Wyyld's home. He, as founder of the Reth Alliance, had offered sanctuary for the child, his mother and two others.

Farisa was ready to explode. If she hadn't worried that she'd be sent to a cell deep in the castle, she'd have argued with the King.

I wondered what she'd say when she learned what we truly had in store for her. I wanted to laugh, but held back. My Falchani twins were with me, though, and they turned heads now and then to hide a snicker.

I could see the strain it placed on Quin, however. She could see every bad word and thought in Farisa's face.

If Farisa could have killed with a look, she'd have done exactly that.

"Hold on for a minute," I held up a hand to let my twins know not to follow me. I pitied Farisa if she attempted to strike me.

She held back—vampires terrified her, I suppose.

As they should
.

"You," I said, pointing at her and placing compulsion in a soft voice, "Will never bring harm to Quin or Justis. That includes any lies you think to tell about them. Do you hear me?"

Her eyes had gone blank for just a moment before she nodded.

"Good," I said. "I think we're done here."

* * *

Quin

Justis convinced me to share his bed that night. I think he knew the rest of us would go back to Vic'Law the following day.

We'd gone to the space station orbiting Le-Ath Veronis after the ceremony, to see Wimla, Vorina, Liron and Farisa off. I was grateful they were going, if I were honest. Justis didn't need another attack at Avii Castle. Bryan Riley had come, too, making sure that the Alliance was aware that Liron was going to stay with Ildevar Wyyld to preserve his life from future attacks.

"My love," Justis half covered my body with his. "Did you really love me then?" He meant when I'd first seen him.

"I think I did," I closed my eyes with a sigh. "I could see the light shining in you."

"I think I've dimmed it a few times since then," he said, leaning in to kiss me. "For that, I apologize."

"Do you apologize for drugging my wine?" I opened my eyes and frowned at him.

"I will never apologize for making you mine. You may complain all you want about that. An apology will not be forthcoming."

"I told Berel you were full of shit."

I expected him to be offended. Instead, he flopped onto his back and laughed.

Propping myself on an elbow, I watched as he guffawed.
He needs to laugh
, I reminded myself.

Afterward, he made his apology known by loving me senseless.

* * *

"Don't worry," Justis wrapped arms about my shoulders. He held me close as we watched the news-vid concerning the private ship carrying Wimla, Vorina, Liron and Farisa.

"But," I sputtered. The ship, according to the vid, had been taken by pirates.

"Wait for it," Justis breathed against my ear. We stood naked in his suite, my back to his front, as we watched a clip from the ship's camera before it was cut off, showing the attack ship's logo.

It bore the name
BlackWing II
.

Chapter 14

Quin

"They've been taken to Avendor," Justis chuckled. "Queen Lissa tells me that none get past the shield around SouthStar. Cayetes can break himself against that barrier, if what I hear is correct. Farisa can attempt to run away whenever she wants. The shield will stop her escape."

"This was done to inflame the war we've started with Cayetes, wasn't it?" I asked. Justis took my hand and led me toward the bathroom—he intended to get a shower before Yellow Wings arrived with our breakfast.

"Exactly," Justis tapped my nose. "Liron's testicles, how I love you."

* * *

Lissa

"If I had my choice, Barc would stay with me," I informed Bleek. "Your child will never be held accountable for your sins; I will decree it. I hope you come to realize that, someday. I will say this," I said. "Harm or betray Quin and I will hunt you down and destroy you."

"I made a promise to her already," Bleek sounded as if I'd offended him. "She gave my child back to me. Please don't ask me to be separated from him so soon."

"Then I will ask Kaldill and Daragar to protect him while he's on Vic'Law," I said. "He will be welcome on Le-Ath Veronis anytime. I've already approved his citizenship."

I watched as Bleek went still. "He's a member of the Alliance?"

"He is, now. You, on the other hand, have many sins to atone for. Show me you're worthy of my approval, and I'll consider citizenship for you as well."

"They're here," Grant announced, interrupting my conversation with Bleek.

"I want Cayetes dead," Bleek said as I led him toward my study door. "I will prove myself, I swear it."

"Start by apologizing to LaFranza," I said. "You nearly killed him. If Quin hadn't been there, he'd have died."

"He's a master swordsman," Bleek sighed. "It was like destroying a work of art when I cut him."

"Then tell him that, too," I snapped.

* * *

Quin

Justis didn't want to let me go.

I felt empty after leaving him behind at Avii Castle. As the hovercar flew us away, I saw tour boats on the waters below, where people crowded the rails and watched as Ardis led his troops in battle formation training.

I wondered if Justis watched them from his window, too.

* * *

Bleek

There was no threat coming from LaFranza or any of my new companions as we gathered in Queen Lissa's arboretum. "I'm giving you mindspeech," Lissa gave me a pointed look.

Don't piss me off or I'll remove it
, her voice sounded in my mind. I jumped; I hadn't been that startled in sun-turns.

Two trunks were to go with us—one filled with clothing for Barc, the second for me. I was stunned by the Queen's generosity.

It's because Quin believes in you. Don't break that trust
.

I promise
, I replied, testing my new ability.

She nodded to let me know she'd heard.

I'd been transported by Deris and Daris before. This trip, the journey was much smoother. Yanzi, whose speech seemed broken, had transported us. I may have stared at him in wonder when we landed inside a mansion outside the manufacturing city of Mundia on Vic'Law.

He's a shapeshifting lion snake
, Quin informed me.
Tread carefully, he is quite powerful
.

And poisonous, no doubt
, I responded.

She smiled. It made me glad—she hadn't smiled once since she'd arrived at the Queen's palace that morning.

* * *

Quin

A meeting was in order shortly after our arrival at the mansion; Daragar had been busy providing solar power for the power station and to larger buildings. He and Kaldill had arranged to replace natural-gas pipes with energy lines and outmoded stoves with heating panels, or perhaps they merely transformed what was already there.

Either way, houses were now heated with light from Vic'Law's sun, and cooking was done by employing the same type of technology.

"We've received no further communication from Cardino or Churg," Caylon said. "Deliveries to Mundia were already interrupted when you left; nothing has changed since then, so we've been building an army from the population. Their first duties include distributing food to the city."

"We've collected bounties offered by the ASD for turning over the crews of Cayetes' ships—the ones he sent to interrupt the shipments we took," Sal grinned. "The coffers of Mundia are growing nicely, so they can order what they need from legitimate channels. One of us can transport supplies with no trouble."

"Nice," Bel Erland grinned. "Have they elected their leadership, yet?"

"Shim is in charge; his companions are falling into place around him," Caylon nodded. His eyes, dark and enigmatic, turned to me. "Quin, I want you and Jayna to train with those I've chosen as officers in the army; I want more women in the ranks and I think you'll be able to bring them in."

It's because you keep getting up when you've been knocked down
, Terrett informed me.
You don't give up. Caylon admires that greatly
.

"All right," I nodded to Caylon. He almost smiled.

* * *

Bleek

I wasn't sure of my welcome when I knocked on LaFranza's door; his suite was far from the one Barc and I shared.

Dark eyes examined me when he opened the door. For a moment, I couldn't form the words.

"I will fight beside you from now on," I whispered. Those words were difficult enough, but the next ones I almost didn't get out. Not because I didn't want to say them, but because I did.

"I will owe a debt to you until you tell me it is repaid," I said, bowing my head.

"Stand with me to guard Quin, and that will be payment enough," he said.

"I always heard the Falchani were honorable. Now I know it to be true," I sighed. "Thank you."

* * *

Puntia

Vardil was vicious when he was angry.

Barstle felt fortunate to be alive. Four of his servants weren't—their bodies, like that of Nardes, were charred piles of ash on the floor where Deris had killed them.

He didn't understand Vardil's cursing at first; eventually he learned that a new criminal element had joined the ranks—one who'd chosen to attack ships bound for Vic'Law, snatching them away from Vardil's grasp. Barstle realized the depth of Cayetes' betrayal then.

Vardil intended to starve or kill any on Vic'Law for which he had no use. That, in essence, meant all crime families and anyone else who stood in his way. He intended to intercept any ship bringing supplies to Vic'Law in order to achieve his warped goals.

Too, in the midst of Vardil's fit of anger and subsequent murder of four servants, Barstle learned that an assassination Vardil ordered had gone awry. His assassin had been killed and now the intended victim had been taken by the same pirates who were preying on the ships he'd sent his own to take.

The name
BlackWing
was mentioned with regularity while Vardil cursed.

"I want the ones behind those ships," Vardil hissed at Dorgus, his valet and personal assistant. "Find out who they are. They will regret the day they crossed my path."

* * *

Quin

The following morning, Jayna and I went with Caylon, Sal, Lafe, Bleek and Terrett to a former hovercar factory, where the Mundian army was now quartered.

Those Caylon had chosen as officers he would train, with Jayna and me participating. Sal was training the rest, but he now had help from Lafe, Bleek and Terrett.

Mell agreed to watch Barc during training time, with help from Kaldill, Berel and Bel Erland.

Bleek was slowly beginning to relax. I think he enjoyed teaching new troops eventually; Sal was impressed with his knowledge of hand and blade fighting.

Jayna and I were two of only three women in the group Caylon trained. Afterward, Caylon had another four who wanted to try for an officer's position.

Jayna and I were allowed to leave at lunchtime to return to the mansion; Caylon stayed to eat what was served to the army and then drilled the troops during the afternoon.

Yanzi came to take us home; all the others stayed with Caylon.

"How was it?" Berel smiled and opened his arms when we appeared in the kitchen.

"I'm covered in sweat," I warned him.

"Don't care," he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.

"It's humbling," Jayna admitted. "That those people are willing to fight for their families, against such strong enemies."

"She's right," I pulled away. "They don't know what they'll face, and they're training anyway."

"Come on, I'll get you into the shower," Berel pulled me away from the kitchen. I could hear Jayna laughing behind me as we trotted down the hall.

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis

Lissa

"Is the shield up around Harifa Edus?" I asked. Connegar and Reemagar, my Larentii mates, agreed to do this for me.

"It is," Connegar smiled.

"If more of Cayetes' ships arrive, we will know," Reemagar agreed.

"He won't let this go—just as he won't let Liron's assassination go," I sighed. "The sadistic swine."

"He is much like his brother, as you recall," Connegar said.

"I haven't heard that he's a pedophile, but that's not much to recommend him over his brother Hordace."

"I marvel that he is so difficult to find," Reemagar pointed out. "If Quin cannot find him with her talent, then I suspect a cause we haven't discovered as yet."

"Kooper found his compound on Zephili, but there's little evidence left behind. Certainly nothing that would tell us where he went. He's likely holed up somewhere, waiting for Vic'Law to destroy its population, then he'll attempt to waltz in and take everything that's left with little effort. Bleek told the truth when he said he didn't know which way Cayetes would go," I added.

"I wonder if Cayetes will make the trains run on time," Gavin appeared with a nod. Occasionally, he'd tell a joke. I bent over laughing.

* * *

Vic'Law

Quin

I discovered that Berel and I could teach Jayna and Barc at the same time. Jayna sat with an arm around the boy while they pored over a book, both reading slowly through it. Barc had been so ill the last two years of his life before being placed in a sealed coffin, that he'd had little time for lessons.

He and Jayna were nearly at the same stage of reading ability as a result.

That's where Bleek found us, after he and the others returned to the mansion. "Pap, Quin and Berel are teaching me and Jayna," he crowed, running into his father's embrace.

Bleek's eyes settled on me in grateful surprise.

"You should wash up, my lamb," I rose from my seat and ruffled Barc's hair. "Dinner is nearly ready."

"We'll wash up together," Bleek lifted the boy and carried him out of the library.

* * *

Puntia

"Here is the list of those imprisoned on Le-Ath Veronis," Dorgus handed a comp-vid to Vardil. "You look most handsome, my Lord."

"I do," Vardil agreed as he studied himself in the mirror. "We're keeping the original twins alive to provide blood; this is the first of their clones. I like this very much," he said, turning from side to side to admire the new body. "No more buying different sizes of clothing—from now on, a single wardrobe will do."

"This color is perfect for you, too," Dorgus gushed.

"I've always liked red, but I never wore it in my original state as it washed out my skin color. This is perfect," he straightened the collar on the red leather jacket.

"I will make sure you have more red in your wardrobe," Dorgus said.

"Why is Bleek not on this list?" Vardil glanced at the comp-vid. "He wasn't listed among the dead—that list came yesterday."

"I cannot say, my Lord. Perhaps it was an oversight."

"Perhaps he escaped—he is quite talented, you know. Attempt to contact him."

"I will do so, my Lord. Immediately."

"Something else is missing, too," Vardil studied the list more closely.

"What is that?"

"The Sirenali. None of them are listed. It's fortunate that Bleek's crew was taken by the ASD instead of those filthy BlackWing pirates. At least we know what happened to them—or most of them."

"Why wouldn't they list the four Sirenali aboard the ship?" Dorgus took the comp-vid back and thumbed his way down the list of names.

"Perhaps they don't see them as anything except animals, since they can't speak. Two of them were dying, anyway."

"I heard from Whip just this morning," Vardil continued. "He's on Cloudsong—his escape pod would only travel so far. I've sent someone to pick him up. I'll hear his version of events when as he arrives."

"I will make sure that happens, my Lord," Dorgus bowed his head. "Will there be anything else?"