Riley's Paradox, page 39
part #9 of Hearts of ICARUS Series
“Captain Rourke is contacting the authorities as we speak. She’ll be taken off the ship, arrested, booked into the Citizen Jasani criminal justice system, and placed in a holding cell for trial.”
“Thank you, Kavah,” Elijah said. “Micah, send a copy of those documents and a quick note to Olaf. Then send one to the authorities as well, please.”
“Already working on it,” Micah said, his fingers flying over the keyboard. “Should we confront her?”
“No,” Elijah replied. “She’s a criminal and deserves none of our time. Besides, I don’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing how angry we are.”
“Excellent decision, in my opinion,” Garen said. “Now that this matter is cleared up, we have much to share with you and no time to waste. It would be best if you return to the ranch with us for the conversation to come.”
“This sounds ominous,” Micah said.
“For good reason, unfortunately,” Garen said.
“And it’s regarding Rose Bearen?” Elijah asked.
“Yes, it is,” Garen said. “But it’s a complicated matter that will take time to tell.”
Elijah turned to his youngest brother. “Please let Captain Rourke know that we’re returning to the ranch for an indefinite period of time.”
Kavah nodded, tapped his vox and stepped way. Elijah watched him for a moment, then turned to watch Micah finish sending the evidence against Bosch to the appropriate authorities before shutting down his vid terminal. While he watched, he tried very hard to quell the feeling that something very terrible was coming their way.
***
A few hours later Elijah decided that very terrible didn’t come close to describing what the Dracons had just laid out for them. As he struggled to process all they’d just been told, someone swore softly. He looked up to see Trey and Val bending over Garen’s shoulders to read his view screen.
“Demii,” Trey muttered as he straightened with a worried frown.
“What is it?” Elijah asked.
“We just got an update from the Pharaoh.”
“Bad news?” Micah asked.
Trey wasn’t sure how to answer that. Finally, he settled on, “A little of both I suppose.”
“This is about Riley and Rose, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Garen agreed as he finished reading. “The Katre-Laus used the máti in their first attempt to summon Riley yesterday afternoon. It didn’t appear to work. Shortly after they stopped feeding power into it, Rose appeared.”
“Appeared?” Elijah asked warily. “What does that mean?”
“Wilder says that she appeared to be like spirit, but emphasizes that she is not dead. It seems she blocked their power from reaching Riley because she didn’t know who or what was behind it.”
Dead silence filled the office as they all attempted to process that bit of news.
“How is such a thing even possible?” Kavah asked finally.
Garen sighed. “Again, what I’m about to tell you will be difficult to hear.”
Elijah shook his head. “We thank you for the warning, Garen, but everything you’ve told us since we entered your office has been difficult to hear. We are warned and as ready as we can be.”
Garen told the Gryphons what the Katre-Laus had learned during their conversation with Rose. When he was finished, the room fell silent once more. Prince Val was the first to break it.
“I can’t begin to understand how Rose can share power with Riley. But I’m glad of it, especially given the circumstances.”
“Same here,” Trey said, frowning. “Females don’t have the same type of power we males use, which doesn’t help us to make sense of it. I wonder if the Tigrens have ever heard of anything like this happening before.”
“We’ll have to ask them,” Garen said, nodding. “But I wonder.”
Every eye shot to the High Prince, and waited. “When we spoke with Sekhmet she mentioned that Lehoia may have made a couple of quick adjustments along the time-stream.”
“You think this is one of those adjustments?” Trey asked.
“I think it’s a possibility,” Garen said. “And, in my opinion, a brilliant move however it came about.”
“We need to catch up with the Katre-Laus as quickly as possible,” Elijah said, surprising everyone.
“I agree,” Micah said. “Whatever happens, we must be there for our berezi.”
“More than that, Brother,” Elijah said. “From Wilder’s description of Rose’s injury, it cannot be healed. We need to soul-link with her or she’ll remain in a vegetative state permanently.”
“We can’t soul-link with a woman without her consent, Eli,” Kavah said, despair coloring his tone.
“We’ll ask the Katre-Laus to use the feather object, the máti, after we catch up to them. Then we can talk to her.”
“It’s a good idea, Eli, and I agree it’s worth a try,” Micah said. “But with her injury, I don’t see how soul-linking is even possible.”
“We better find a way to make it possible,” Elijah said. “Setting aside our personal wishes for the moment, we must consider the possibility that Layla is the Chosen. If so, Rose will have to accept the position on her behalf, and she can’t do that from a hibernation tank. For the sake of all life in the Thousand Worlds, we don’t have a choice.”
“You’re correct, Elijah, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to talk to Rose through the máti,” Garen said. “It’s our understanding that it won’t work unless the Katre-Laus and Percy are alone. However, they could tell Rose the truth of the situation and gain her consent on your behalf.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Elijah said decisively.
“How are we supposed to engage in the soul-link triad with a comatose woman?” Micah asked.
“By the time you get to the final stage she should be fully healed,” Trey said. “I’m not saying it won’t be difficult for you to go through the first stage alone. But since your mating fangs have already descended, it is possible.”
“I dislike the thought of our first intimate encounter with her being a requirement,” Kavah said. “I can’t imagine how revolting the idea will be to her.”
“Your reluctance is understandable, and we sympathize,” Garen said. “But we’ve known Rose since she was born. We love her as our niece, and we know her very well. She’s an exceptionally grounded young woman with a logical and tactical mind. If you attempt to deceive her, or try to manage her, she’s more likely to cut you off at the knees than to give you the time of day. On the other hand, if you’re straightforward and honest with her, she’ll handle the problem as well or better than most.”
“That’s a relief to know, Garen, thank you,” Elijah said, smiling with this insight into their berezi. She sounded a bit like him, actually. As much as he wanted to ask more about her, this wasn’t the time.
“Now then, how do we catch up with the Katre-Laus?” he asked. “The Ramphos is a lumbering beast compared to the Pharaoh, so we’ll definitely need a faster ship.”
“Let me check and see what’s available,” Trey said, pulling the keyboard closer. He froze when what appeared to be a ball of fog began to appear suspended above Garen’s desk.
The Gryphons’ eyes widened, but a quick gesture from Garen calmed them. Apparently this was a known phenomenon for them, though Elijah, Micah, and Kavah remained tense and ready just in case.
Everyone watched in silence as the ball gradually became more solid before swirls of gold overcame the white. When the ball began to change shape, Elijah glanced up at Garen who nodded calmly. Elijah returned his attention to the object which quickly took on the shape and color of a golden dragon no more than a foot in length, floating above the surface of the desk.
“Greetings, Wolef,” Garen said, bowing his head briefly. Prince Trey and Prince Val did the same, so the Gryphons followed their example.
“Greetings, Princes of Jasan,” Wolef said. “I do apologize for interrupting your meeting, but this will not take long.”
“No apology is necessary, Wolef. I’ve no doubt that whatever you have to say, it’s important.”
“It is,” Wolef said. “I wish to ask that you allow Salene and her men to take the Gryphons to catch up with the Pharaoh. I also ask that Salene, Talus, Jon, and Kar transport to the Pharaoh with the others.”
“Wolef, are you aware of the paradox?” Garen asked.
“I am indeed, High Prince. I am also aware that the Katre-Laus must make all decisions that follow this path, which is and must remain their own. I assure you that my request, and the actions that will follow from it, do not cross that path.”
“They don’t cross it,” Garen said with a little smirk. “You do like your loopholes, Wolef, and I generally approve of that. Much more than usual is at stake this time, however.”
“A fact known to myself, and others,” Wolef agreed. “I am sorry, High Prince, that I cannot reveal all to you as you deserve, but it is not my choice to make. I can say only that an obstacle either has been, or will be, created which will stop the Katre-Laus’ fated path in its tracks unless Salene is available to aid in its removal at the right moment. The choice will remain in the Katre-Laus’ hands, but the option must first be there to be chosen.”
Garen sighed heavily before turning to his brothers, one at a time. Neither Trey nor Val said anything, but Garen had no trouble reading their answers in their eyes. He nodded and returned his attention to Wolef.
“We will contact Salene and her men within the hour and inform them of your request. May I assume that the Aegl will suffice?”
“You may,” Wolef said with a hint of humor in his voice. “I do apologize for adding to your burdens at this time, High Prince. In an attempt to make up for that, I will tell you something that will raise your spirits if all of you currently listening swear not to repeat it to anyone.”
Garen, Trey, and Val all raised their fists to their hearts and Elijah, Micah, and Kavah did the same. After making their vows, Wolef thanked them and then said,
“The bargain struck between myself and Princess Salene is drawing to a close.”
Relief swamped Garen, Trey, and Val. It took a long moment before they could speak, let alone think of words to say. It was Val who recovered first.
“The bargain between you and our daughter is an honorable one, Wolef. We could not be more proud of Salene, or her intended Rami. Please do not be offended when I say that, despite that, this is the best news we’ve heard in a while.”
“I assure you, Highness, I too am proud of them. Nor do I take offense at your happiness to see your daughter free of the power bond.”
While Val and Wolef spoke, Garen continued to study the dragon. “When you say drawing to a close, what does that mean in terms of time?”
“I cannot see the future, as you know, so I cannot answer you precisely,” Wolef said. “However, I can say that, as events stand now, it could be ended with this mission. If it is not, the mission following this should see it finished.”
Garen gasped, which surprised him more than anyone else in the room. “You’re saying the threat of the rebel Doftles could be ended?”
“It’s quite possible, yes. You’re aware that the Doftles have been attempting to increase their numbers. You are not aware, apparently, of just how few of them remain. This is thanks in large part to Princess Salene and her Rami.
“I sometimes wish I had not asked Salene to power bond with me, but at the same time, I cannot regret it. Her honor, courage, loyalty, and heart are matched only by her sister Rayne, who I shall honor for eternity, and Tani, who holds her own place of honor within the hearts of dragon-kind both past and present.”
“We are proud of all our children,” Garen said. “But our daughters are special, we agree. They never fail to surprise us, and I mean that in the best of ways.”
“I thank you for hearing me, Princes of the Klanaren. I must go now but before I do, I ask that you tell Salene that she must be on the bridge of the Pharaoh before the final plan is set in motion, and she must follow her heart.
“If you give her this message on my behalf, it will allow me to conserve energy so that I can answer all of the other questions she will certainly have for me later.”
“We will pass along your message, of course, Wolef,” Garen said with a little grin. Salene had a tendency to be somewhat ruthless in her quest for information at times. “Thank you, Wolef, and farewell.”
The golden dragon dipped his head solemnly and faded away into nothingness. Garen rubbed his eyes tiredly, then glanced at Trey.
“Lariah said she was having lunch with Salene and the kids later, so I know they’re home,” Trey said. “On the ranch, I mean.”
Garen nodded. “Give Talus a call and ask if the four of them can come by as soon as possible. It won’t take long, but it’s important.”
“We’ll take a walk down to the Garrison so you can have some privacy,” Elijah offered. “We need to pay a visit to the armory to stock up on Kunian steel anyway.”
“Thank you, Eli,” Garen said. “Stocking up on Kunian steel is an excellent idea. You might want to double up on whatever you intended to get while you’re at it.”
“Then we shall,” Elijah agreed.
“Before you go,” Val said as the Gryphons rose to their feet, “how well do you know Talus, Jonus, and Karius Gryphon?”
“Fairly well,” Micah answered. “We’re not close but that has more to do with the difference in our ages than anything else. They’re good men. Intelligent, honorable, and courageous. With Salene, they’ve made a significant dent in the number of Doftle storage planets in recent years.”
“They have,” Trey agreed with a proud smile. After a moment the smile faded. “I sincerely hope that Wolef is right, and that the rebels will finally be stopped for good. More than that, I hope that Salene and her Rami will be free to relax and enjoy a little peace with their family.”
Garen and Val both nodded, then Garen cleared his throat. “By the way, the Katre-Laus plan to speak with Riley tomorrow morning, which will be early afternoon our time. Immediately afterward they will initiate a vid conference with us. They’ve requested that the Tigrens be here for that, and I think you three should attend also.”
“Thank you for including us, Garen,” Elijah said. “We will definitely be here.”
Chapter 22
Next day, the Pharaoh
“It’s time,” West said softly.
“Finally,” Win breathed as he moved to lock the door.
Wilder placed the máti in the center of the table as he had before, and Percy hopped down to crouch a few inches away from it. Once they were all settled Wilder nodded to his brothers, then began feeding power into the máti.
A moment later he was surprised to feel the power seem to grab onto something. It was a strange sensation, and it startled him at first. He held on and calmed himself without interrupting the flow of power he was feeding into the máti. A minute later it felt as though something heavy was tugging on the thread of power. The tugs were almost gentle, but they didn’t appear to accomplish anything. Whatever was being tugged on wasn’t moving.
He increased the power just a little and was rewarded when he felt whatever it was gradually coming closer to them. He debated whether or not to add more power to speed things up, but decided that since it was working, he should leave it alone.
One minute passed, then two, but he could feel the object was very close so remained patient. Suddenly the colored jewels flashed brightly enough that all four of them had to close their eyes. Wilder maintained his focus, remembering the Tigrens’ warning that it would work only so long as they fed power into it.
When the lights dimmed, they slowly opened their eyes and looked around the room before spotting the small figure huddled on the floor in a corner.
***
Riley opened her eyes, barely noticing the gray floor, gray room, high beds, or the silent, unmoving women. Not one single thing had changed since the first time she’d awakened here.
She pushed herself to her feet just as the orderly entered the room and began his usual check. She jumped up onto the first bed and waited for him to turn the screen on.
A couple of minutes later the man left and Riley jumped back down to the floor. There was nothing new on any of the screens other than the expected rise in the number of days. She took two steps toward the door, then froze when she suddenly felt Percy. She lifted her head and looked around carefully, already knowing she wouldn’t find him and yet unaccountably disappointed when she proved herself correct.
At the same time, the sensation didn’t fade despite the proof from her eyes. She felt his presence so strongly that she lifted her nose and tried to catch his scent. Like her eyes, her nose failed to find anything.
Shaking the feeling off, she started walking again. Just before she reached the door her legs suddenly gave out on her. She slid to the floor, her entire body limp. Before she could even begin to wonder what was happening, she felt as though something was wrapping itself snuggly around her. Then her eyes closed, refusing to open again no matter how hard she tried.
Whatever was happening didn’t hurt or even feel uncomfortable, but it did scare her. Before she had time to sink into full blown panic, the unidentifiable substance began to pull on her. Slowly at first, then faster and faster.
Whatever this new fun-ness is, I don’t like it, she thought as she tried to think of a way to stop whatever was happening. Since she had no control over her body at all she soon gave that up. Then, just as suddenly as the strange phenomenon had begun, it stopped.
Was that a dream? she wondered before realizing she was lying on the floor. Again. Or still. Relieved to find that she had no difficulty opening her eyes, she let herself relax a little. Until she noticed that she was lying a couple of feet away from a wall. A wall that wasn’t gray. A wall that was covered in light wood paneling.
Riley frowned in confusion as she looked at the floor beneath her. It was not gray either. It was white. And shiny. She stared at it for a moment, then closed her eyes and drew in a slow, deep, calming breath. When she opened her eyes again she found that the floor was still white, still shiny, and there was still wood paneling on the wall.
