Mystic's Touch, page 19




Sebak shook his head. “Afraid not.”
“Why not?” Ceros’ voice rose.
“Danet was raised knowing that even as rare as a soul-bond mate was, she still had a choice. She could choose someone else and maybe even live a satisfied life. It would never be as fulfilling as a life with her soul-bond mate but she could still find happiness.”
At the thought of Danet with someone else his beast roared. Ceros struggled to not transform but from the expression on Sebak’s face, he must not have succeeded at completely hiding his alternate form.
Instead of running in terror, however, Sebak simply tilted his head to one side and watched. “Interesting,” he said in a thoughtful manner.
“My apologies,” Ceros murmured as he gripped the edge of the bench.
“I didn’t realize, my prince, that you had been gifted by the Gods.”
Ceros chuckled. “I’m not certain I would call it a gift, but yes.” He sighed. “Very few people know, but as we are soon to be family, you might as well. I am an omegamorph.”
“I see.” Sebak continued to study Ceros. “Does Danet know?”
He was a bit taken aback by Sebak’s calm acceptance of the news. “Yes. She has met the beast in dreams.”
“But not in reality?”
Ceros shook his head. “No.”
“And the beast has accepted her?”
He looked Sebak in the eye. “Before I knew who she was.”
Sebak nodded. “This is good.”
“It is?”
“Legends say that, like a mystic, every omegamorph has a destined mate. One they will recognize instinctively. The mate will have the ability to soothe the beast in ways the vessel would have never been able to on his own.”
“I see,” Ceros said. He sensed this about Danet. With her gone, his beast was stirring close to the surface. It was taking considerable effort to remain in control.
“I’ve also read that omegamorphs and mystics were able to share energy. It was quite common for an omegamorph to seek out and include a mystic in his inner circle. If you’ll forgive my forwardness, if you and Danet are soul-bond mates, you would be in a very unique and fortuitous position. Neither of you would have to worry about illness or injury. Only of creating a bit of pain or discomfort for the other.”
“What do you mean?”
“In healing like the one that Danet did with you, it is an exchange. She passed her healing energy to you and took some of the illness, or in your case, poison, into herself.”
“She did what?” Ceros jumped to his feet.
“Did you not sense her weakness?” Sebak asked calmly.
“Yes, but she acted as if it were normal. I assumed it was because of the effort she made, making the deeper connection with me. She said she had not been taught the ways of mystics. Did she know what would happen?”
Sebak nodded. “She hasn’t been taught but her mother and grandmother and even her great-grandmother left journals. She has studied almost every word written in those books. I feel certain she would have known the risk of completing the healing.”
Ceros muttered to himself about hardheaded women.
Sebak smirked as he rose to his feet. “Perhaps we should return to the house.”
“What about Danet? Aren’t you worried about her?” he asked incredulously. It occurred to Ceros that Sebak may be one of those people who were really smart but didn’t have a lot for skill with people. But Danet was his daughter. He should be showing a bit more concern than he was.
“Yes. I am quite worried about her.” Sebak turned so his whole body was facing Ceros. “By now your friend,” he pointed in the direction Gehiji had gone, “has assessed the gate and the surrounding area, perhaps even followed any trail that was left. After that he mostly likely circled back to the house to tell Mdjai and your other friend what has happened. I would guess that between the three of them they have completed a search of the house to determine if Danet is truly missing. Shortly your friends will be coming to report on all they have found and ask when you’ll be ready to return to the palace to await a message from whoever is behind this. Am I missing anything about the situation?”
Ceros was impressed by Sebak’s ability to not only figure out what most likely happened to Danet but also what they were doing to investigate. “Not that I can think of.” He gestured for Sebak to lead the way back to the house. “You are remarkably calm for someone who’s just figured out his only daughter has been kidnapped.”
“Believe me when I tell you that my insides are churning. But I realize giving in to my fears will not help any of us.” He glanced back at Ceros. “I also suspect that if anyone can find her and bring her back safely it is you and those friends of yours. And if you’ll forgive me for assuming anything about such a newly forged bond, but based on your earlier reaction, I also believe that you will do almost anything to find her.”
“Once again you are correct,” Ceros said with deadly assurance.
“Then I’ll only ask what I can do to assist your efforts.”
“Let’s find out what has been discovered first.”
Just as they reached the patio area, Gehiji and Mdjai came out of the house. “We were just coming to find you,” Gehiji explained.
“Perhaps we should go into my study where we might have some privacy?” Sebak suggested.
“That would probably be best,” Ceros agreed.
The four filed into the room and Mdjai shut the door behind him. Ceros scanned the room but opted to stand instead of taking a seat. His beast was too keyed up to be still. “Where’s Runihura?”
“Tracking,” Gehiji said.
Ceros nodded his approval. “What did you learn?” he prompted.
“She’s nowhere to be found in the house or on the grounds,” Mdjai reported.
“All signs indicate there were two people who entered through the far gate.” Before Sebak could ask, Gehiji added, “The lock on the gate was broken and they didn’t try to hide their exit.” He shook his head. “Very sloppy. Not warriors.”
“Did she put up any kind of fight or did she go with them willingly?” Ceros asked.
“My guess is she was unconscious. There was no struggle except for a very minor one at the pond. And the footprints on the way out were deeper than those coming in, as if they were carrying a load.”
Ceros exchanged a look with Sebak. “That would explain why I cannot connect with her.”
Sebak nodded his agreement.
“What else?” Ceros prompted.
“There were three eligari outside the gate. One of them pulled a small cart.” Gehiji was matter-of-fact.
“Where does the alley lead?” Ceros asked Sebak.
“To a side street. There you can go any of three directions. None of which are very populated,” Sebak informed them.
“So it’s unlikely that anyone saw them leaving the alley,” Ceros mumbled.
“Correct,” Sebak agreed.
“Did you talk with the staff to find out if they saw anything?” Ceros looked to Gehiji and Mdjai.
“Not yet,” Gehiji answered.
“We don’t have a large staff here,” Sebak interjected. “Most days it’s usually our housekeeper and one or two others.”
“To run a house this size?” Ceros frowned.
Sebak smiled. “We live simply. Danet and I both spend more time away than home so there’s little to be done for us.” He shrugged. “And quite frankly, we both value quiet time to think.”
“Good to know,” Ceros mumbled. To Mdjai and Gehiji he said, “Find out what you can without alarming anyone.”
When the two moved to spring into action, Sebak held up one finger. “If I might make a suggestion…”
Mdjai’s brows rose and both he and Gehiji paused.
“How about if I call Ryana in so you can ask your questions? She will be able to tell you who else is in the house today and where you can find them.”
“An excellent suggestion,” Ceros said.
Sebak went to find Ryana and returned shortly. All they were able to discover was that Ryana had been working in the kitchens to prepare dinner when the incident occurred. Only one other girl was present and she had been in the kitchen as well.
They called the girl in but she hadn’t seen anyone other than Danet, Sebak and Mdjai that day. Ceros thanked Ryana and the girl for their help. Sebak sent them back to the kitchens with a promise to Ryana to explain after the prince had left.
“I don’t think there is anything else we can do here. And I strongly suspect I will be hearing from whoever is behind this instead of you.” He looked at Sebak.
“I fear you may be correct.” Sebak frowned. “Who knew that you intended to bond with Danet?”
“Other than these guys? No one except Mother. I told her right after the council meeting this afternoon.”
“Could anyone have overhead you?” Sebak asked. “A servant perhaps?”
“It’s possible, but unlikely. We were in the throne room. Servants remain near the main door.”
“Your cousin did,” Gehiji reminded him.
“Aleric?”
“Yes, that’s him.” Gehiji nodded. “He came in through that hidden door while you were telling the queen.”
“He wouldn’t have anything to do with this though.”
“How do you know for certain?” Gehiji pressed.
“After my uncle was killed, he came to live with us. He always looked up to Father. He even declined the offer to go to Shirghada to be trained with me because he felt he could help Father and Licosia more by staying and joining the council.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Aleric never gave the slightest hint he had any aspirations of being king. And there was certainly never any hostility toward me, much less Father.”
Gehiji’s face indicated he didn’t necessarily agree with Ceros’ statement. “Even if it has nothing to do with him, there is still a hidden door that anyone could have stood behind while you were talking.”
Ceros closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The thought of Danet in danger because of him was unbearable. Part of him was afraid of finding out who was behind this because he didn’t know what he would do to them.
His beast wanted blood.
The question was whether or not he would be able to stop the beast from taking what it wanted.
When he opened his eyes, all three of the others were watching him. Warily.
“What?” Ceros growled.
“Your eyes are doing that glowing-gold thing you do right before you transform,” Gehiji cautioned.
Mdjai tried to ease some of the tension. “Calm down before you get big and hairy on us.”
“We’ll find her,” Gehiji reassured him.
“I’d tell you to change and run off some of your irritation, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mdjai said, thinking out loud.
Ceros shook his head. “I’d only end up scaring half the people in town.”
“And half the eligari.” Mdjai sounded as if he thought the idea was a lot funnier than Ceros liked.
“All right,” Ceros groused. “Let’s get back to the palace so we can find who the bastard behind this is.”
“You will send word as soon as you hear something?” Sebak asked even though it sounded more like a statement than a question.
“Yes. And if by chance you hear from her, send word immediately.” The four headed for the front entrance. “It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to stick close to home for a while,” Ceros suggested to Sebak. “At a minimum, avoid going anywhere alone until this is resolved. I will send a guard from the palace.” With his hand on the door latch, Ceros asked, “Unless you would be more comfortable coming with us to the palace?”
“No, thank you, my prince. I don’t believe that will be necessary. It is highly improbable I am a target and I would rather be here if word is sent or Danet returns on her own.” He bowed his head. “But I appreciate your offer.”
Ceros nodded then turned to follow Gehiji and Mdjai out the door but Sebak stopped him.
“My prince, do not forget that Danet is a strong and capable woman. And she is not without defenses. She may not have been properly trained to use all of her gifts, but she will not simply give in to whoever has taken her.”
Ceros grimaced. “I don’t expect she would and that’s part of what frightens me.”
With that thought weighing on his mind, Ceros hurried to his waiting eligari.
Chapter Twenty-One
Danet struggled to open her eyes but her head ached and her stomach protested any movement she made. She tried to swallow but her mouth felt as if it had been stuffed with linen.
The cool stone or tile floor she was lying on actually helped with the nausea.
Since her need to know outweighed the pounding in her head, she forced her eyes open.
She was in a tiny room. Boxes were stacked along the wall across from her. The door was not far from her feet. There was a window in the wall across from her that let in what was left of the second sun.
To distract herself from her rolling stomach, she assessed her situation.
She had obviously been drugged and kidnapped by unknown persons. Her hands were bound behind her. She was in some kind of storage room and the last sun was about to set.
She had no idea where Ceros was or what happened with the council.
Ceros.
She needed to tell him what had happened. If she could reach him.
Before she could relax to try to reach out to him, she heard voices outside the room. She struggled to hear what they were saying.
“She was still out the last time I checked.”
The doorknob rattled as someone put a key into the lock.
Danet closed her eyes and willed her heartbeat and her breath to slow so she could pretend to be unconscious. The sound of footsteps grew louder as the person came closer. As much as she wanted to know who it was, she didn’t dare open her eyes.
“Yes, she’s still out,” the man informed whoever else was there.
“What did the fool do to her?” the second voice groused.
“He said he knew of some medicine that would knock her out.”
“Did you pay him already?” the second voice asked as the two moved away.
She lay still and listened for a moment after the door closed before deciding the two had walked away. When she opened her eyes, she took in more details of the room and tugged on the ropes holding her hands. They were securely bound. Without being able to see the knot she doubted she’d be able to free herself.
She needed to tell Ceros. If she could reach him, that is. Their connection was still new and she didn’t know how far apart they could be and still reach each other. Since she didn’t know where she was, she could only hope.
A couple of deep breaths helped her calm her racing heartbeat and focus on what she needed to do. Ceros’ handsome face sprang easily into her mind and she concentrated on him.
The tingly sensation in her forehead that she felt when they had connected before started and gave her hope.
Ceros?
She paused then gave her thoughts another push. Ceros? Are you there?
Danet?
The sound of his voice in her head startled her. It was unexpectedly strong and clear.
Are you all right? His question was weighted with concern.
She smiled. Yes. I am all right.
Thank the Gods. Where are you? he demanded.
I don’t know.
What do you mean you don’t know? he growled. Why don’t you know?
Because I’m tied up and I haven’t been able to get up to look out the window.
His beast roared through her mind. Oddly enough, instead of startling her, the sound soothed her.
I’m okay, she reminded him calmly. It’s just my hands that are bound. I was dizzy when I woke up and didn’t think I should try to stand just yet.
Dizzy? Why? Did they hit you on the head? He growled the questions.
No. They used a strong herbal mixture to make me sleep. It’s the same medicine we use to knock patients out for painful procedures. A headache and dizziness are common side effects. I’ll be fine after a bit.
Ceros said a few unpleasant things about her captors. Danet wondered if he realized she could hear him.
What can you tell me about where you’re being held? he asked.
She described the room she was in and a few of the crates nearby.
What about the window? What direction are the shadows falling?
There really aren’t many shadows. What little bit of light is falling on the left side of the window though.
What about smells or sounds?
I’m afraid I still don’t smell much more than the herbs they held over my face earlier. To distract him from his impulse to curse her kidnappers and their families she added, But I can hear scraping. Like a tool scraping on rock.
He paused, giving her the feeling he was relaying the information to someone. Probably Gehiji or one of his other friends.
Did you recognize anyone who took you? he asked.
I only saw one of the men in the garden. He looked somewhat familiar but not enough for me to place where I might have seen him before. One of the voices I heard outside my door a few minutes ago sounded familiar. But again, not enough for me to place it.
You didn’t see them?
No. I pretended I was still out when they came in.
Danet felt Ceros’ anger and frustration through their connection. She was flattered he cared enough to feel such strong emotion, but was concerned he might lose focus.
Was the voice outside the door the same man as the one in the garden? he asked.
No.
Do you think you can make it to the window?
I think so.
It was more of a struggle than she expected to sit up without the use of her hands. When she finally managed it, she had to let another wave of dizziness pass before she stood.
Ceros’ concern rang through when he asked, Are you sure you’re okay?
Yes. Truly, I am fine. The weakness shouldn’t last much longer.
She scooted next to a stack of crates so she could lean against them as she stood. If the room spun unexpectedly, she didn’t want to fall all the way down.