Close Contact (11 page)

“In the meantime,” he continued, “I’d like you to meet my ward, Echo. She’s in need of new clothing, so of course I brought her to you. Echo, this is Cammi, the best garment maker around.”

Her gaze shifted to me and I nearly squirmed under the close scrutiny of her clear hazel eyes. “So, this is the one that’s set tongues wagging throughout the gathering.”

“And what are they saying?” the commander asked, retaining possession of my hand by the simple expedient of placing his free one over mine.

I saw Cammi take in the gesture before she looked up
to meet Reynard’s steady gaze. “Many things, Commander. Some say no Bashalde girl should be the ward of a Gadjee when her own kind would happily find a place for her. Others speak of August, her father, and his skill with arms, wondering if he broke tradition and taught his daughter to fight. Some, like me, remember Rilyana, her mother. I imagine everyone at the gathering knows she’s here by now and will be trying to get a look at her.”

She glanced back at me. “I knew your mother when we were children, before she met and married August.” Once again her gaze skimmed my face. “You don’t look much like her, or your father either.”

“Think fast!” Lillith hissed in my ear.

But I’d already prepared for this eventuality and didn’t even hesitate. “I’m afraid I don’t remember my mother. She died while I was very young. But my father always said I looked like his mother.”

“August had a mother?” She snorted delicately. “I always thought the man was spawned by Invet’s demon horde. No offense intended, of course.” This time she smiled. “It’s just that he was so silent, and so deadly, it was hard to think of him as human. But enough chatter from me.” With a graceful wave she indicated the piles of material and leather scattered around the booth. “Let’s find something you like and then I’ll get your measurements.”

With a mixture of reluctance and relief, I eased my hand from under the commander’s and joined her. We wandered the aisles, stopping now and then to discuss colors and fabrics. Before we were done, I chose red silk for a top with matching red leather for the skirt’s waistband. And then to be on the safe side, I picked another set in emerald green.

We were on our way to the tent so she could measure me when I spotted a glimmer of rich purple sitting alone on a table and paused. Noting my sudden interest, she picked the
material up, shifting it slightly so I wouldn’t miss the silver threads sparkling in its depths.

“Can you make it into a costume for my dancing?” I asked, breathless with longing as I stared at the shimming translucent material.

“Of course.” She smiled. “And the color is perfect for you. It makes your eyes turn violet.”

Not to mention it matched Peri’s feathers. But I hesitated. “How much?” I had to force the words from my reluctant throat.

“For you, nothing. Since it’s to be a costume, I’ll charge the price to Marcus.” She patted my arm. “Don’t worry, he can afford it.”

I glanced back to where Marcus and the commander were waiting, Marcus watching me closely, the commander constantly scanning the area around the booth. Marcus gave a slight nod when I held up the material and arched a brow in question.

“Fine, I’ll take it,” I told her with a sigh of happiness.

She ushered me into a small tent with two openings, one in front and one in back. The back flap was closed and she lowered the front one as we entered. With a smile, she pulled a tape measure from a niche in the stand sitting to one side as Peri left my shoulder to investigate all the nooks and crannies in the stand. No doubt Cammi was mentally counting the coins she’d just made on the sale.

“I know just the design for the costume. It will put Treya’s to shame.”

Okay, she wasn’t thinking about money. “You know Treya?”

“Yes, I know her. Too well.” She measured my bust and then moved on to my waist, using what looked like a slim stick of charcoal to jot the numbers on a thick sheet of vellum. “All that one thinks of is money and snagging
a rich, important husband. Lately her eye has been on the commander, but it seems he favors you. I’m sure she’s not happy about that, but she’ll move on to the next man on her list soon.”

Just as she finished measuring my hips and straightened to note down the figure, I caught a glimpse of movement from the back of the tent and sunlight flashed off the metal of a blade.

I reacted instinctively, going into overdrive as the knife flew toward us. With one quick scoop, I moved Cammi out of the line of fire, turned, and caught the knife in my right hand. Without slowing, I spun in a half circle and aimed the knife at the wooden pole holding up the front of the tent. The blade went three inches deep and stuck, the shaft quivering from the blow.

Only then did I realize the commander was standing in the front opening, his eyes wide with disbelief as I came out of overdrive. Shocked silence descended as our gazes locked, and then Cammi started babbling, her voice drowning out Peri’s indignant squawk as she launched toward me.

“Sweet gods above, what happened? Did someone throw a knife at us? Did they miss? Are you hurt?” She rushed to my side, hands running over me frantically as she searched for wounds.

I tore my gaze from the commander to reassure her as Peri settled back on my shoulder. “I’m fine, really. They missed completely. See?” I pointed to the knife still buried in the pole. Another two inches to the right and I’d have hit Reynard in the chest.

That thought scared me more than the look on his face.

Without a word, the commander went to the back of the tent, pushed the flap aside, and stepped out. He was back by the time Marcus rushed in from the front.

“What happened?”

Reynard glanced at me before answering. “Someone tried to kill Echo. There are hundreds of people out there. It could have been any one of them.”

Cammi was looking at the knife, a surprised expression on her face. “It’s Bashalde. Why would one of her own people want to hurt her?”

“Good question,” the commander said.

Both of them were staring at me again, and I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe someone had a grudge against my father that I’m unaware of. Marcus, do you know of anything?”

“No, nothing specific. But August was a powerful man. I’m sure he made enemies in his lifetime.” He reached over and pulled the knife loose. “Besides, just because it’s a Bashalde knife doesn’t mean the person throwing it was Bashalde. I have a similar knife that I bought at the last gathering.”

Through this whole episode, Lillith had been suspiciously quiet. While Marcus was speaking, I decided to find out why.

“Lillith?”

“Hush, I’m busy,” she replied.

“Well, thank you
so
much for your concern.” It’s not easy to be sarcastic when you’re subvocalizing, but I managed.

“I knew you were safe, and right now it’s more important to track the man who threw the knife.”

I stiffened. “You saw him?”

“Yes, although I didn’t know he tried to kill you until you reacted. But he was the only one near enough to the tent opening to have done it.”

Marcus continued to speak, but I tuned him out to concentrate on what Lillith was saying. “What does he look like, where is he going?”

“Average height and weight, brown hair, white shirt, dark pants. And he seems to be heading toward Chief Lowden’s
tent in a roundabout manner.” There was a pause. “Yes, he definitely went into the chief’s tent.”

This made no sense at all and my mind whirled with questions, one in particular rising to the top. Why would Chief Lowden want me dead? The only feasible reason was that he suspected my real identity. And that would imply he was connected to the Daughter Stone in some way.

Something else suddenly hit me. The knife thrower hadn’t wanted me dead. If I hadn’t moved, the trajectory of the knife would have impaled it in my upper arm.

A chill ran over me. They either wanted to see how fast I healed or see if I could stop the attack, and there was only one explanation for that. Not only did they suspect I was a Federation agent, they wanted to see if I was a Gertz GEP.

And I’d made the stupid mistake of showing them. I might as well have hung a sign around my neck. Even the commander now knew I wasn’t what I’d claimed to be, and I had no idea why he was remaining silent.

“Echo, are you sure you’re okay?” Marcus had stopped talking and was looking at me with concern. “I think we should take you home. You’ve had quite a shock.”

“No. No, I’m fine.” Quickly I pulled myself together. “I believe the commander said Chief Lowden is expecting me. We certainly can’t disappoint him.”

Not to mention, I desperately wanted to get a look at the chief myself, and test his reaction to my presence.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, absolutely. I’m not going to let this spoil the day.” I turned to Cammi, pulled the coin purse from my belt and gave her half the contents for the everyday clothes, leaving Marcus to worry about paying for the fancy costume. “I’m sorry you were involved in this. Please have the clothing delivered to the Terpsichore when it’s done.”

“Of course.” She patted my arm again. “I’ll make sure you have it by week’s end. And don’t worry about Treya’s order,” she told Marcus. “I’ll have it delivered at the same time.”

Marcus leaned over and whispered something to her that caused her to smile, and then the three of us left the tent and made our way out of the booth in silence. I figured it wouldn’t be long before the commander voiced his suspicions, and I was right. We hadn’t gone ten steps before he took my arm and pulled me to a stop.

“I’d like to speak with your ward, Kent. Alone.”

“Do you think that’s wise, under the circumstances? Someone did try to kill her.”

Before he finished the sentence, Lillith whispered in my ear. “Marcus wants to know if he should insist on staying with you. He says maybe he can keep the commander from asking questions you don’t want to answer.”

Mentally, I sighed. “No, we might as well get this over with. The commander saw me go into overdrive. He’s not going to ignore that even if Marcus is chemically bonded to my side.”

“I think she’ll be safe with me.” The commander’s tone would brook no argument, and finally, Marcus nodded.

“As you wish. I’ll wait for you outside the baker’s tent.” He pointed to a blue-and-yellow pavilion not far away.

Without waiting for Marcus to leave, the commander steered me toward the stream and down the gently sloping bank until we stood in a relatively flat space at the edge of the water. There were a few small trees between us and the crowd and they provided a bit of privacy.

The scent of damp earth rose around us as he stopped and turned to face me. “Who are you? And if I don’t get the truth this time, I’ll lock you in a cell until I do.”

Now wasn’t that a choice? Naturally, there wasn’t a
wooden or barred cell on the planet that could hold me. I’d proven that when I tore the door off the castle. But the very act of breaking out would expose me. And I couldn’t sit in a cell and do nothing, knowing those children would be destroyed when they were forced to use the Sumantti.

A feeling of resignation swept over me. I’d known this would never work. I simply wasn’t cut out to be an agent. Straightening slowly I forced myself to meet the commander’s gaze, my decision made.

“My name is Echo Adams. I’m an agent for the Bureau of Alien Affairs.” I held my hand up, palm out in the universal symbol for peace. “Greetings from the Galactic Federation, Commander Reynard du’Marr.”

“A
re you out of your mind?” Lillith screeched. “You’re supposed to be undercover! You’ll have to kill him now. I’d do it, but someone might notice the beam. And I’ll have to report this to Dr. Daniels immediately.”

Eek!

“Just wait,” I told her hastily. “We need to see what his reaction is before I do anything rash like murder him.” My entire body went into mourning at just the thought of wasting such a glorious male specimen. Plus, I wasn’t at all sure I could actually kill someone deliberately and in cold blood.

From my shoulder, Peri leaned forward and cooed softly. Reynard’s gaze swung to her and he studied her intently before looking back at me.

“You’re like that Smith woman, aren’t you? And your creature is a dragon bird. I’ve suspected as much since you downed Furgan and ripped the castle door off. Now your speed proves it.”

My mouth dropped open, and then closed with an audible snap as irritation washed over me. Frag Kiera Smith! Even here, on a banned world, she was ruining my life.

“How do you know about Kiera Smith?”

He hesitated and then sighed. “Black marketeers are allowed to bring books to the king’s brother. I also read them. One was this Smith woman’s journal.”

“Yes,” I reluctantly admitted. “I’m like Kiera Smith, only I’m not an empath.” Now that I thought about it, maybe the fact that he’d read her journal would make my life easier. He already knew about the Limantti, or Mother Stone, so he wouldn’t think I was making the story up out of space dust.

“Why are you here? The king has forbidden this world to the Federation.”

I glanced around at the people passing on the other side of the trees as they enjoyed the gathering. We were out of earshot, but the longer we stood here, the more attention we’d draw, and I couldn’t take a chance on someone strolling over to see why an unescorted Bashalde woman was alone with a Gadjee. As it was, they probably thought we were negotiating for sexual favors.

One man in particular seemed to be watching us closely as he strolled on the other side of the trees, and I blinked. There was something familiar about him. I narrowed my eyes to see him better, and then shook my head. What would Losif Strand, leader of Helios One, be doing at a Bashalde gathering? And how would he have got here without Lillith spotting his ship? Must be my imagination. I forced my attention back to Reynard.

“Look, I’ll be more than happy to tell you everything, but not here. There’s too much chance that someone might overhear. For now, you’ll just have to take my word that the situation is desperate or I wouldn’t be on Madrea.”

“Then we will return to Kent’s home.”

“No. I have to see Chief Lowden, remember?”

“Why?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

I held up my fingers and ticked my points off. “One, because you told him about me and got me invited to this party.
And two, the man who just threw a knife at me went into the chief’s tent.”

He reached for my arm again, his grip tight. “You saw him? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I
didn’t
see him. My ship did. She tracked his movements to Chief Lowden. She said he’s average height and weight, has dark hair, and is wearing a light shirt and dark pants.”

“Right,” Lillith snorted. “Spill your guts. And be sure to tell him all about your closet full of gaudy jumpsuits while you’re at it. I’m sure he’ll be fascinated.”

“Oh, shut up,” I mumbled under my breath. Reynard, who had automatically looked up when I mentioned my ship, refocused his attention on me.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Nothing. I was talking to Lillith, my ship. She’s not real happy with me at the moment.”

“Where is this ship?”

“Right above us, acting like space trash.” I smiled sweetly when Lillith let out an indignant sputter. Two could play the sarcasm game, and I wasn’t about to let her win. “We really need to find Marcus now,” I added. “We’ve been here too long.”

I started to turn, but he stopped me.

“Wait. One more question. Does Kent know who you are?”

It was my turn to hesitate. Marcus’s secrets were his own, and I had no right to cause him problems. On the other hand, the commander seemed unusually talented when it came to picking out my lies. I decided part of the truth would be my best bet.

“He knows who I am and why I’m here, but he isn’t on the Federation’s payroll.” Being recompensed for expenses didn’t count in my book, so it was mostly the truth.

Reynard studied me for a moment, then nodded and took my arm to assist me up the slope and back into the gathering. “A word of advice,” he murmured just before we merged with the crowd. “Tell no one else who you are, and if Chief Lowden challenges you, don’t accept; find a way to avoid showing off your skills. From what I’ve seen, you’re an even better fighter than August was reputed to be, and much stronger than a normal female. There’s no need to verify what they must suspect.”

I couldn’t stop the smile playing around my lips. The commander was on my side, whether he realized it or not. He could have immediately called for my arrest, but he hadn’t. Instead he was giving me tips on how to keep my secret from Lowden.

“Don’t look so smug,” he told me, his thumb gently rubbing my skin, raising goose bumps in its wake. “I may still arrest you. I’m reserving judgment until I hear the whole story.”

My smile promptly vanished as I glared at him. “Don’t tell me you’re a damn mind reader, too?”

“No.” He smiled. “You just have a very expressive face.”

Oh, wonderful. Didn’t every agent want to hear that anything she thought showed up on her face? More proof that Alien Affairs had put me in the wrong job.

While I was scowling over that remark, we reached the baker’s tent, where Marcus was waiting for us, chatting with an elderly Bashalde man outside the entrance. He didn’t so much as arch a brow in my direction, so I knew Lillith had kept him updated on what I’d told the commander.

Both men stopped talking as we joined them and the elderly gentleman smiled at me. “Marcus, will you introduce me to my young cousin?”

Cousin? Schite! Since August was a Gadjee, the man must be related on my “mother’s” side, and I had no idea Rilyana had living relatives.

Marcus lifted a hand to my arm. “Echo, allow me to introduce Jancen, the head of the Lovara family. He’s a distant relative of your mother’s. Jancen, my ward, Echo.”

Jancen gripped my shoulders and planted a peck on each of my cheeks. “Welcome, child, welcome.” He beamed with pleasure as he released me. “I could only be happier if you had come to us instead of this reprobate when your father died.”

I liked him, I decided. Even though he was slightly stooped and the skin on his hands was wrinkled and thin enough to show the blue veins, he exuded kindness and the spirit of someone much younger. If it were possible for me, a GEP, to claim relatives, I could do worse than this nice old man.

“Now, Jancen,” Marcus interrupted my thoughts. “I told you that it was August’s last wish that she come to me. Echo is merely honoring her father.”

“That doesn’t mean she can’t visit whenever she likes.” His watery blue eyes twinkled with merriment. “Just send me a message, child, and I’ll arrange an escort to our camp. You can stay as long as you wish.”

“Thank you.” I returned his smile. “I’ll take it into consideration.”

Satisfied with my answer, he turned his attention to Reynard. “Well, Commander, have you managed to sway the king from his stance yet?”

“Unfortunately, he remains steadfast in his refusal to open the planet to the Federation, Jancen. I’m afraid nothing will change his mind.”

I was so surprised I could barely grasp what I’d just heard. The commander wanted Madrea opened? Why? I couldn’t ask him now, so I settled for asking Jancen.

“Why do you want the planet opened?”

“For trade, of course.” He twinkled at me. “It’s our life, our very blood. You’ve lived too long with a Gadjee, or you would know this. Every cycle at gathering, Chief Lowden and the heads of the families petition the king to reopen Madrea. We consider the commander our best ally in this goal, since he advises Politaus. To our regret, the king has so far refused to heed our pleas, but we continue to try.” He shrugged. “Maybe next cycle we will succeed.”

Now that was interesting. I’d been under the impression that everyone in power on Madrea was in agreement about the ban. And I was pretty sure the Federation had no clue, either, or it would have been mentioned in the data Dr. Daniels had given me.

I was so busy thinking about the ramifications of this revelation that it took a moment before I realized something was wrong with my surroundings. They were taking a slow, stately spin to the right. Tents, people, grass, everything was moving. And no one else seemed to notice.

Brow furrowed in puzzlement, I stared at the phenomenon, ignoring Peri’s sudden squawk as she fluttered frantically on my shoulder. What the fritch was going on?

“Echo?” The commander’s grip on my arm tightened, and his voice seemed to come from a long tunnel. I could hear the alarm in it, but I couldn’t respond.

Black seeped into the edges of my vision, blocking out the sunlight, and at the same time, the Imadei, safely tucked under my top, gave a violent pulse. Instinctively, I lifted a hand to grasp the stone. With no time to brace, I was suddenly somewhere else, somewhere dark and full of pain. Somewhere so alien I couldn’t get my balance. A weak cry that was a combination of my fear and confusion, mixed with the frantic emotions that bombarded me from every direction, escaped from deep inside me.

At the same time, I could feel the commander supporting my body, hear the distant babble of voices as I collapsed. I pushed those impressions away, needing all my strength to cope with what was happening in the dark.

Where
, I thought frantically.
Where am I?

Dark.
The response was so loud I winced, even though it wasn’t aimed at me.
Hurt!

The tone was impossibly young, that of a mere child, and yet there was nothing human about it. Every emotion it emitted vibrated with enough power to reduce Madrea to a dust cloud with one thought.

Holy Zin, it was the Sumantti! At the same instant I realized who it was, it became aware of me.

WHO ARE YOU?

I cringed in agony at the force of the question.
Please! Stop. I’m here to help you. The Limantti sent me.

The Mother?
This time the tone was slightly calmer, questioning, and I felt the desparate longing flowing from the crystal.
The Mother sent you?
There was a brief hesitation, then a sense of surety.
You are not a Shushanna.

No, but the Limantti gave me something to help. It’s called the
Imadei,
and it lets me act as your Shushanna even though I haven’t been prepared.

GET ME OUT!

A scream welled in my throat as the strength of the command speared through my mind, and I had to fight to retain consciousness.
I’m trying,
I told her.
But you’re hurting me. You have to stay calm.

I’m sorry.
The tone was contrite now, like a child who’d been chastised.

That’s better,
I assured her.
Just don’t yell. Do you know where you are?

Dark.
A weird sound came from around me, one I interpreted as pain.
They won’t let me out.

Can’t you get yourself out?
This was important, because from what Dr. Daniels had said, they hadn’t known if the Sumantti was stolen or if it had fled on its own. That meant it should be capable of escape.

Tried. Tried many times. Can’t get out, can’t move.

Mentally, I took a deep breath.
Okay, anything you can tell me may help me find you. Have you been able to send out colonies?

No, they can’t go out, either. Only humans can move. They bring unprepared Shushannas. Hurts.
Another whimper of pain echoed in the darkness as my blood chilled.

How many Shushannas have they brought?

Four, four have tried. I reach out for them, but then they go away. Now there is another, stronger than the others, but still unprepared. I can feel her nearby.

Listen to me,
I told her urgently.
Since this girl has not been prepared by the crystals to become a Shushanna, she will die if you try to bond with her. That’s why it hurts. When they bring her to you, do not reach out. You have to trust me. I will find you, and I will get you away from the people who have you now.

When?

I don’t know. I don’t know where you are, but I’m going to keep looking. Just be patient. The Mother wishes it
, I added on a stroke of genius. It was the only thing I could think of that might keep this powerful, unruly child in check.

There was a hesitation, then a tired sigh.
I will try.

I needed to get my mind and body back together, fast. The thought was barely formed when there was a twisting motion in the darkness, and suddenly I was alone.

My return to consciousness wasn’t a slow spiral upward, but an abrupt, fully alert awakening. It was a good thing, too, because my room in Marcus’s house was full of concerned
people. What if I’d blurted out something I shouldn’t have?

When my eyes did pop open, I almost screamed. Peri was gripping a section of the headboard with her hind feet, dangling upside down so she could stare at my face. From two inches away. Assured that I was awake, she gave a merry gurgle, flipped over, and flew to perch on the windowsill, where she could keep an eye on the proceedings.

The commander was sitting beside me, holding my hand tightly while Leddy waved something that smelled Zin-awful under my nose. Near the end of the bed, Marcus and Jancen stared at me, worry clear in their expressions.

Even Treya was there, glaring at the way Reynard hovered over me.

The room was small to start with. Now it was so tightly packed I barely had space to breathe.