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  Zeus bared his teeth and hiss-clicked a promise. He would forget Nethus’s words and she was sure he would issue a challenge when—if—they crossed paths later. She would give Zeus her own blades to slice the slimy slug to pieces. So many underestimated him, and she had no doubt Nethus would as well.

  Hesitantly, Zeus moved to Canry’s side, hands fisted as if he was afraid to touch. She thought about reaching out to Zeus with her mind. He spoke telepathically with the strange symbiote around his neck, who she assumed was the Alpha that Canry told her about. If he could share telepathic speech with Alpha, then he would hear her.

  As if reading her thoughts, Nethus shot her a dark look. She cursed when she flinched, but the action convinced Nethus she was sufficiently cowed, and he turned his glare back to Zeus, who had lost his hesitation. He embraced Canry, speaking urgently into Canry’s ear. Whatever he said had an immediate effect on their brother. His shoulders straightened as if an invisible burden was lifted, while his voice grew stronger and his power swelled. Shaneva blinked back tears when Zeus pulled back and gazed at their brother, revealing a wealth of love and affection that Canry soaked up like a dry sponge.

  Zeus’s, “I love you, brother mine,” was loud and clear.

  Nethus looked away as if he could no longer bear the sight. He had to have noticed the Siren’s Song doubled in intensity before Zeus hurried away. Warlord Sohm’lan made several motions and no less than twenty Monticore spread out around Canry, keeping him safe and easing part of Shaneva’s worries.

  The massive bug the battlemechs had been attempting to take down plowed through V’Saar and Terrens alike. The number of humans captured by the song swelled and she moved to help her people take the Terrens to safety. Her gaze caught on a man, his protective helmet gone, and the black armor vest unfastened and gaping. As Canry had taught her, she sang to him, beckoning him to hurry. His dark, dark eyes latched on to her and he leaped. She thought he was above average in human height and weight, but she caught him easily, wrapping her arms securely around him. Not once did he look away from her.

  As she fell back into the sea, she realized his gaze was not clouded by memory of family and hearth like the others. He saw only her and not a ghost of someone he loved, his gaze was clear and bright, taking in everything about her as if he were seeing a divine being. As he followed her down, he smiled before sucking a deep breath. The portal opened and they entered the Ways. The view of Valespia’s storm-ridden skies remained in clear view behind the man before they were swallowed by the Way’s passage, the dark shadows were barely held at bay by the swirling illumination of the tunnel walls. With each blink of the eye, the color changed, never settling on one.

  Something about this human pulled at her, awakening her curiosity. Unashamedly, she delved into his thoughts, slightly worried they would not end up in an appropriate place since he was not caught by the Siren Song. Was he immune to the compulsion? To find out, she opened her mind, sending a soft inquiry. Where he would be safe? As soon as an image came to his mind, the Ways snagged the memory and they zipped along the pathway toward a place called Eurasia of the Titanomachia Territory. The familiar tug of movement made her tighten her arms around the man, not wanting to find out what would happen if she lost him.

  As they travelled, her concern over his lucidity fell away as she gleaned more information. In his memories, she glimpsed things that held a special place in the man’s heart as well as learned about him. By the time she pulled her mind away, she knew he was a good, honorable person who worked to make a better world for his people. A sense of protectiveness overcame her as she stared into eyes so brown, they were nearly black. Unlike Zeus, he had skin that was brown with a hint of red. His hair was not as black as Zeus’s but close.

  It startled her to realize she was utterly fascinated by him and could not understand why. She had seen hundreds of humans today and though she empathized with their plight, she had not been moved to know more about them.

  Her view of stormy skies flickered and changed to one of night bedecked with a blanket of brilliant stars. They were only about a meter below the surface and she kicked until their heads pierced the placid, fresh water. He released the breath he’d held, arms tightening around her. She could have easily broken his hold, but she was curious about what he would do. If he had been in the grip of the compulsion, she would have taken him to the shore and made sure he was far enough on land to be out of immediate danger before leaving him to regain awareness alone.

  “Hello,” he said in the Galactic Standard, surprising her. She had not expected to understand him. Was he fluent in the common language used by the people of the Valespian Pact?

  “Greetings,” she replied hesitantly. “I confess, I am surprised. Terrens have hundreds of different languages, but those who travel to the Andromeda Galaxy usually only learn the merchant tongue.”

  His lips curved into a soft smile as he watched her mouth. Did she have seaweed caught in her teeth or was he trying to read her lips. She had heard some Terrens were capable of such things. They even had their own language of the hands.

  “I have a customized communication chip.” He touched the base of his skull. “They gave it to us before—” His smile dimmed. “My name is Ravindra Vivek Ashoka.”

  She swallowed her embarrassment. Of course, his superiors would give him such a device before invading Valespian space.

  “Shaneva,” she replied, wary of giving him more information. She did not know him. His people had crossed the galaxy with the V’Saar to capture Valespia. He was the enemy… was he not?

  Ravindra glanced around, finally noticing they were no longer on the edge of a battle. “I know this place. It’s back in the Milky Way.” Awe filled his voice. “Are all the soldiers here somewhere?”

  “No, they were each taken to the place they felt the safest.” It was disconcerting how aware he was. She should take him to the shore and return to her people. Canry needed her.

  “Well, that will throw a wrench into the Alliance’s plan,” he murmured, more to himself than to her.

  She flicked her tail, heading toward a towering plant at the edge of the land. There was not a sandy beach but a rocky median. The water smelled fresh with only a hint of pollution she had heard the humans were well-known for, especially near their more populated areas. A finger of land jutted out into the body of water. Trees similar to those on Atlainticia shaded the water. She wondered if they had many carnivorous ones on this world. When Ravindra did not seem cautious or afraid of the one she approached, she did not divert from her course. When her fins touched a soft mud, she turned so that his feet would touch the ground. Still he did not release her, making her feel flustered under his steady regard. Were all humans this intense?

  “I must leave. You should be safe here.” When she pushed, his arms loosened.

  “So soon?” He frowned. “Of course, you have to go back to help the others. I just wanted to talk to you more. I, too, have duties and should report in. The higher-ups are going to have kittens.” He chuckled with unfeigned amusement. What did felines have to do with war? It was something to ask her waterfather. “Their troops are spread across who knows where. A good portion probably will not report to our superiors, not that I blame them. Recruiting for that mission was aggressive to the extreme.”

  Shaneva floated backward, not ready to turn from the sight of him. She was curious about his superiors as well. Should she see if he would tell her more? Perhaps later. She could always come back, could she not?

  “Thank you,” he said in a rush, when she remained silent. He backed toward the shore, not taking his eyes off her. “Thank you for not killing us. Many of us do not like what the Alliance has been doing with the V’Saar, but we have no voice, no choice but to obey. Several families were made examples of. They made us watch the V’Saar eat them. I would kill all the bugs if I could, but if you know anything about them, they are as hard to kill as cockroaches. After we crashed, the V’Saar pushed us into the con
frontation and I was sure those hulking lizardmen were going to kill us all. So, thank you, for sparing us.”

  Not knowing what to say, she nodded, putting more distance between them. “We are called Mar’Sani. My brother was the one who made it possible to remove you from the battle. I will tell him what you said.”

  “Would you consider coming back?” He quickly held his hands up in a gesture she did not understand. If he had been Mar’Sani then it would mean ‘Do not come back’. “Only to talk. I do not mean you any harm, I would just like to know you. It’s not every day that someone like me gets to talk to someone not Terren.”

  She considered the request. Perhaps she could glean more information for her people as well as sate her curiosity about him. Besides, she was not defenseless, and she could be careful.

  “Yes, I will return,” she finally replied before diving into the water and calling a portal to Valespia.

  The strange wonder that attached to her when she saw Ravindra did not flee at the sounds of war. She did not know how long she was gone but there were no more humans coming to the sea. Canry had changed the song from hearth and home to one of ancient battles. Zeus stood with him, wrapped protectively around their brother, much to her satisfaction. By the way Nethus paced, he was not happy. She would have worried what Nethus would do, but Warlord Sohm’lan stood between Nethus and her brothers, his expression begging Nethus to try something.

  “We need to talk, Princess,” whispered a masculine voice.

  She almost screamed before spinning to face the person who had sneaked up on her.

  Arion was too close and when she tried to move away, he captured her hand between his hooves. “You do not need to fear me. I have questions about Nethus that I need answered truthfully, and I believe you are the only one who will not hold back,” he said gently.

  “You could ask the others of your kind.” When his expression remained blank, she clarified. “Have you spoken to the Numina?”

  His lip curled. “They are useless and shallow. I have tried to speak to—” he gestured to the People of the Longing who watched her with trepidation. “They either run or beg for mercy. You challenged me earlier even though you were afraid.”

  Despite her experience with the Numina, she was intrigued. Not by his words but his expression of distaste and anger.

  She glanced over her shoulder and as if he read her mind, he said, “We are not leaving the area. I only want a bit of privacy from inquisitive ears that could accidentally reveal what I am doing.”

  The People of the Longing were singing along with Canry, but those closest to her were more concerned over her welfare and watched Arion with unwavering sharks’ gazes. Afraid as they were of the Numina, if he hurt her, they would attack despite the consequences. The closest person, Ado, watched her intently as if awaiting orders.

  ::I am fine. He only wishes to speak to me. I will let you know if I need help:: Shaneva gestured, aware Arion watched her every move.

  After she received a couple of nods, she swam a small distance down the shore, but not far enough that Canry left her sight. Being the conduit for the Siren’s Song made him vulnerable, with no defense against a physical attack. With Warlord Sohm’lan protecting them, she would not have to be as diligent.

  “You are Princess Shaneva Vondorian, of the line of Pegasus. Is Canry truly your brother or is he adopted like Prince Zeus?”

  She shot him a disbelieving glance. As if she would have lied.

  Arion’s expression folded into lines of frustration. “I have not been on Atlainticia for a very long time. I live on the Kracciam homeworld, Hhorta. Father, Poseidon, came to me and asked that I look into Nethus’s tutelage of the youngling called Canry. Things are very different in the Waters of Poseidon than when I was here last. The racial divisions between the family lines are new and shocking to me. I am trying to understand how and why it happened.”

  Arion said ‘different’ as if he meant ‘wrong’. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, though she would remain wary. If he was playing her false, it would not be the first time a Numina pretended to care, garnering her trust so they could curry favor by running back to Nethus or another to tell them what she had said.

  “Canry is my brother, born to Emperor Valdor and Empress Ashari. He quickened at six moons old and Nethus took him.” The pain her family experienced at his loss made her throat close over the next words, threatening to strangle her. “Nethus did not explain to my family what happened. People of the Shore do not know about quickening nor are they aware that Numina live in the deep waters. We, the People of the Longing, are forbidden from saying anything.” She touched behind her earhole. “They force a geas chip on us and their technicians monitor our actions. When they feel it is necessary, they devise ways to punish us by occasionally having a public demonstration, reminding us that our free will has been stolen and our obedience is required.”

  She did not say the People of the Longing were ready to revolt, and that if she did not find a way out of this situation, many people would die.

  The horrified expression Arion wore did not move her in the least.

  “Canry said Poseidon would find him a new teacher. Supposedly he was horrified that Nethus would keep Canry from family. That was weeks ago and look who is standing on the shore with Canry. All Numina are liars. Now, if you are finished with your questions, I need to watch my brother’s back. I will not allow Nethus to drag him back to the sea now that he is finally on dry land. Nethus can descale me again and leave me at the mercy of the creatures of the depths for a week in retaliation. I do not care anymore. Canry will return home to our family if it is the last thing I do.”

  Shaneva pressed her lips together and ground her teeth. She’d said too much. She had not signaled for help, but several of her people had drifted closer.

  Arion opened his mouth to speak several times, but nothing came. He looked out over the water where the People of the Longing bobbed on the waves. “There are no Numina among you.”

  It was not a question, but she answered anyway. “Of course not. They will never lift a finger to help the People of the Shore.”

  “Fools,” his hissed with venom, shaking out his nearly dry dark blue mane. Then he looked back to her. “Since he has spent all his life in the Waters, there are some things Canry will need to remain on shore. Will you give me six people to help me gather what he will need?”

  Surprised, she nodded.

  “Good. You keep him on the shore. I will report back to Father and handle Nethus.”

  She gestured for Ado and seven others to accompany Arion, sure they had overheard their conversation despite Arion’s desire for privacy. She moved back to where she could be close to Zeus and Canry, lending her voice and confidence to the song of battle, yelling in the face of adversity that they would not be defeated. She was chagrined, thinking about her outburst and defiance, realizing the Siren’s Song had affected her and boosted her confidence. If Arion was true to his word, then perhaps there was hope.

  Nethus paced, his death glare on Warlord Sohm’lan who ignored him as if he were a pesky slug.

  Could she trust Arion to make an immediate difference in Canry’s situation? Considering how long he had hung around watching but doing nothing… she wanted to believe he would follow through. Still, she would enact her plan and ask her waterfather for help. Just as many underestimated Zeus, she felt Poseidon and Arion did not know Nethus or understand fully what had been going on for centuries. She was not a farseer like the bulls in her family, but she was a soulcatcher and dreamwalker like her meme. From what she had glimpsed of Nethus’s dreams, he would take Canry and run given the chance. She had no proof, but her conviction was unwavering.

  She did not know how long she sang before her people returned with Arion.

  “They have the device Canry will need to stay with his family. I have given them instructions on how to assemble it as well as a note for Canry on what he needs to do and what he can do.”
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  She was getting used to reading the expression on his equine face and she wanted to cringe away from his assessing stare. It was never good when one of the Numina took an interest in her. They usually attempted to use her to persuade Canry to do a favor or two for them, behind Nethus’s back. They often forgot that Nethus was touched with farseeing as well and he was always hyperaware of everything that involved Canry. She was never sorry when Nethus taught lessons to those fools who would abuse Canry’s abilities, but Arion had already proven himself different. That did not mean she trusted him, but she would go along him while his goals aligned with hers.

  “Are you able to stand up to Nethus? You have shown me your backbone, but he can make you cower with nothing but a disproving glance,” Arion asked carefully as if he knew he traversed a minefield.

  She glanced away, ashamed and humiliated. There were reasons she was afraid of not only the Numina, but of Nethus in particular. Her gaze alighted on Canry and Zeus, how they leaned into each other to remain standing, their energies spilling into the song that empowered the Mar’Sani soldiers. For Canry, for her family, she had faced terrible dangers. Defying Nethus one more time so Warlord Sohm’lan and Zeus could take Canry to their family—yes, for that outcome she would challenge Nethus a hundred times over.

  “What do you need me to do?” She turned back to Arion.

  “Do not allow him to take Canry back to sea. I will summon him home, but he might ignore my call. That is between him and me, and I will take care of his insubordination. But Canry needs to be with the People of the Shore while I wage this battle of wills with my brother. Canry’s connection to those on land is too tenuous.”

  She did not want to like Arion, but she could respect him, if only a little, for being astute enough to see how Canry needed his people.