Constant Read online

  A commotion drew his attention from the approaching beings. One of the bulls among the People of the Longing was being held. Sohm’lan caught glimpses of the agitated bull signing, ::I scent my mate:: He quickly swam over to the group, meeting the bull’s enraged expression.

  ::I know it will be difficult, but I need you to be calm:: Sohm’lan quickly signed once he had the bull’s attention. ::If that is indeed your mate coming this way, I will get her back. You will do her no good if you attack those with her and you are killed. We are in strange waters and do not know the laws. Allow me to help you::

  Dark amber eyes glared at him. Light tan scales were pulled tautly across his mouth as the Mar’Sani bared his teeth. ::We know of you, first among the warlords, friend and waterfather to the royal family, secret of Triton. If you help us break these chains the Numina have placed on us…:: He glanced over Sohm’lan’s shoulder. ::I fear there is nothing you could do for my beloved::

  ::Do not despair. I will do what I can:: Sohm’lan vowed, then discreetly gestured for the People of the Longing clustered around to remain at the bull’s side.

  When he and Captain Hesperos returned to Shaneva, she only had eyes for the newcomers towing the third. She had drifted to the edge of the circle of stylized pillars that were about two meters high and gave off a blue light. In the middle sat a boulder carved to resemble a set of horns that curved toward each other. Eye bolts were screwed into the tips and he could image exactly what it was used for.

  The two beings dragging the third were monstrous-appearing, bipedal with barbs, fins, and long claws, they glared menacingly at the onlookers with Lelex. A single antenna protruded from their foreheads, the tip glowing a golden yellow in front of their rounded faces. They bared jagged, uneven teeth at those who dared meet their gaze, causing the stink of fear to float on the water.

  The ropes were actually chains that bound the third person. Though her shape resembled that of the People of the Longing, she was not Mar’Sani. Her red and white hide seeped blood in many places. Like Arion, her head had what appeared to be hair, but he suspected it was very fine tentacles by the way the mass moved.

  Shaneva bent at the waist and gestured to the fourth being and Sohm’lan froze as a youngling of perhaps six moons, probably less, struggled to keep up behind the chained female. She was ignored as if discarded. He could not help but notice the youngling looked more like him and other Mar’Sani, with dark brown scales and blue eyes, than the wounded female. The little one had arms, legs, and a thick tail with a flat end more useful for paddling, and a mane of fine tentacles like her meme. The youngling stared fearfully at Lelex and Arion, then stopped when she saw Sohm’lan. He met that blue gaze and his heart broke. He remained still as the youngling looked him over, especially his arms, legs, and tail before she hurried to him and he gathered her protectively to his chest.

  As Sohm’lan put the pieces together, rage had been silently building, bubbling like lava in a cauldron, waiting to be used. The youngling trembled in his arms. She held tightly to him, even her mane wound around his neck as if she was afraid someone would attempt to pry her lose. Shaneva watched with pain-filled eyes, lips trembling.

  What was happening to the adult female was the atrocity Shaneva had wanted him and Arion to see. She was introducing them to an enemy. He looked back to the female, now chained between the tips of the carved horns. Had his waterdaughter been strung up like that? Sohm’lan hoped not, but he had to know and would ask when they returned to safety.

  The two beings, Numina, Shaneva sent to him, returned to Lelex, ignoring Shaneva completely.

  “Elder Lelex, you have been summoned to witness the punishment of Segna Ningen. She broke Numina law and laid with a Mar’Sani bull, bearing him a youngling in secret. She is unclean and the court has judged her to be outcast, dead to her Numina blood. The punishment for her disobedience was to have her scales removed and to be chained in the wilderness for five days. If she survives the beasts, then she can be taken down. She is forbidden from returning to the Waters of Poseidon and if found there she and any offspring she has will be killed. This is the court’s mercy.”

  Finally, the two Numina looked at Sohm’lan and sneered, the expression not dropping as they eyed the deathly still Monticore, oblivious to the danger they were in if Sohm’lan only gave a brief gesture. Their gaze raked distractedly over the People of the Longing until they came upon those holding back the enraged bull, their eyes narrowing in suspicion. The static of private telepathic speech took on a sharpness, the buzzing tickling a spot behind his ear. He did not need to be a farseer to know they would attempt to take the bull.

  He gestured hurriedly to Captain Hesperos to protect the bull; the Monticore mobilized, putting themselves between the Numina and the pod of People of the Longing. Curiously, Arion was gesturing as well. The waters around the circle wavered like a heat mirage in the desert under a noonday sun. About twenty Kracciam appeared, their sleek, nine-foot-long blue-gray bodies were barely moving. Zeus had told Sohm’lan that Terrens were fascinated with Kracciam since they closely resembled a beloved creature on one of their homeworlds called a dolphin. Their scientists were highly interested in the fact that Kracciam were not only sentient but lived in an advanced society, and the Terrens constantly petitioned the Council of Neighn to speak to and or visit the Kracciam homeworld of Hhorta. The Terrens were not trusted and were denied, but that did not keep them from sending wordy appeals for access.

  Strapped into a harness in front of the dorsal fin on each Kracciam’s back was an Otaria, a being capable of living in and out of water. Kracciam pair-bonded with an Otaria for life, much like Dar Massaga and their Alpha-Zetamites. Though Kracciam had unparalleled telekinetic abilities, the Otaria were their voice. The pair did not appear intimidating whatsoever, but they lived in hostile waters on Hhorta, and it was not unheard of for them to pull objects off the ocean floor and toss them four hundred and eighty kilometers per hour at a foe. They were not a water species to be trifled with and the two Numina seemed to know this.

  “We were unaware you had offworld guests,” one said accusatorily to Lelex.

  The elder’s tentacles snapped with agitation. “Neither was I. We do live on Valespia, offshore from the galaxy’s center and home to the Council of Neighn. It is unrealistic to believe all the water people would avoid the ocean just because you visit. If you attempt to forbid visitors, the Galactic Imperials will look more closely at what Numina want to hide.”

  “Shunned or not, you are well aware it is against our laws to reveal anything about us, regardless of the waters where you live.” The Numina’s mental voice took on a hissing quality.

  “Do I need to remind you that you were the ones who thought it was a brilliant idea to put on such a public display here of all places? If word of this reaches the surface, it will be you, not I, who will bear the brunt of the consequences.” Lelex spun elegantly, indicating the end of the conversation.

  The Numina retreated, trying to seem as if they were not hurrying away. Sohm’lan swore he would find out who they were and bring them to justice, somehow.

  ::Is someone going to get the female down?:: Sohm’lan asked, not caring who answered him.

  To his surprise the enraged bull hurried to his side instead of his mate’s.

  ::We cannot enter the circle while the lights are on. Once those two portal back to Atlainticia and close the Way, then the barrier here will drop::

  He watched the retreating figures. They swam in the direction of the pulsing power. He made a note to himself that the energy signature was a type of gateway, not a person, before he gave his full attention to the bull.

  ::What are you called?::

  ::Forgive my rudeness. I am Adaro Apkulla:: Adaro’s hand gestures were sharp and agitated as if being civil caused him physical pain.

  ::Is this youngling yours?:: He rubbed soothing circles against the tiny, barbless back.

  The hostility left Adaro’s amber eyes. ::Yes, though I
was not allowed to be at her birth. Segna and I had found a secluded valley where we lived together, out of the sight of the Numina and People of the Longing. They found us anyway, took her, and imprisoned me. I was freed and secreted away, but they had taken Segna to the depths. I feared they had killed her:: Adaro looked to the figure dangling in the center of the curved horns, his expression one of deep anguish. ::Believing I had nothing left to live for, I volunteered to fight for Prince Canry and Prince Zeus. I did not plan to return to Atlainticia and was ready to make a life here on Valespia if I survived. Princess Shaneva told me there was news of my mate this morning:: The bull scrubbed angrily at his face.

  The area still smelled of blood and knowing the wounds were because she had been descaled did not ease Sohm’lan’s worry. Even if the descaling was not life threatening, the blood in the water would call to hungry predators. The Kracciam would keep the sea creatures at bay but taking Segna to Haven would be a much more dangerous trip than their swim here.

  “I have no safe place for these three, Princess Shaneva,” Lelex was saying. “You know as well as I that the Numina have a long reach. Not even Echo’s home will be safe for them.”

  The youngling in his arms squirmed, trying to look at everyone who was around them. Adaro held out his hand to her, but she did not move from her perch on Sohm’lan’s arm, though her tiny hair tentacles released his neck.

  “Allow me.” The Otaria from the nearby Kracciam released herself from her harness and swam to them.

  Less than a meter tall, the Otaria was only a little bigger than the youngling. Her short yellow fur flared out from her body like a halo as she swam, while her long, scaled tail whipped back and forth. Her arms and legs were short but did not seem to slow her down. She stopped before Sohm’lan, waggling her fingers at the youngling with one hand while she dug in the pouch tied to her waist.

  “I am called Hina and my bonded is Akalan. Ah! There it is.” Hina brought out a silver minnow that wiggled in her grasp. “You travelled a long way, young one. I bet you are starved.”

  The youngling’s big blue eyes latched onto the wiggling fish, and she hesitantly reached out. Hina placed it in her palm, not releasing the creature until the youngling had a good grasp.

  As the youngling crunched quickly through the minnow and looked hopefully at Hina, Sohm’lan glanced toward the rider-less Kracciam who circled them. Akalan Blue Coral Shore was the Council of Neighn’s representative from Hhorta. The Kracciam were obviously here at Arion’s invitation. How would Akalan’s presence and or interference hinder Shaneva’s plans?

  “Akalan says the Kracciam will escort your pod back to Haven and offers our physicians to Segna. With her scales gone, her skin will be raw and susceptible to parasitic infection.”

  As privately as he could, Sohm’lan signed the offer to Adaro who looked on the verge of panic. ::We are not allowed to speak about any of this to outsiders, the unquickened. They will track us down and kill us and everyone we know::

  With his arms full of youngling, Sohm’lan could not soothe Adaro, but Captain Hesperos did, placing his hand on Adaro’s shoulder.

  ::You and your family will be made safe:: Sohm’lan vowed, already making plans to contact Atlainticia and send troops into the Waters to protect the citiplexes of the People of the Longing. He would have Mestor devise a missive to the People of Longing about sticking close to the shore and to report missing persons immediately.

  To Hina, he chose his words carefully. “We gratefully accept your offer.” He glared at the pillars that were still lit. “What’s taking them so long?” he asked Shaneva and gestured.

  His waterdaughter looked worried. “They have not closed the portal yet. It is possible they are discussing what to do with their superiors.”

  Arion shook his equine head. “I will handle this.” He spun, his seahorse tail stretching out then suddenly retracting, and he shot off incredibly fast, faster than Sohm’lan thought possible. The violent wave of displaced water was caught and repelled by the Kracciam. Stunned, Shaneva turned to him, her eyes wide. Sohm’lan had never seen telekinesis used before.

  The youngling in Sohm’lan’s arms drew his attention once Arion disappeared. Shaneva moved closer, watching as the youngling fed. The pouch on Hina’s belt seemed to have an endless supply of little fish. Then Shaneva’s gaze roved around the group.

  ::I wanted you to see what the Numina did, but I did not anticipate so many witnesses. I want—no, we need to prevent civil war. You had to see the hold they have on the People, how far they can reach without fearing repercussions. I have been searching for a way to break the cycle. The last two summers I have been searching for Poseidon. He could command the Numina and they would have to obey::

  Shifting the youngling to one arm, he pulled Shaneva under the other, aware the Otaria watched them carefully. “It is good you have trusted me and asked for my help. We will find a way.” He would rather kill a few Numina but if that would weaken Atlainticia, he would curb his murderous desire. There would be other ways to exact justice.

  “Arion, son of Poseidon, is a friend of the Hhortan. We do not usually involve ourselves in the problems of other planets, but we offer our support as witnesses.” The ‘for now’ was left unsaid.

  Sohm’lan hoped they would not have to ask for more.

  Arion returned after the lights went out, looking smugly satisfied. When Shaneva asked what he did, his only response was that he showed himself to the so-called superiors.

  Adaro and Shaneva hurried to claim Segna. One of the Kracciam used telekinesis to not only break the chains but they turned the carved stone to rubble. A few Kracciam and Otaria left with Lelex. Sohm’lan overheard the Otaria offer to stay in the citiplex, and Shaneva agreed that their presence would make the Numina think twice about doing anything that could be seen and reported by the outsiders.

  Segna was unconscious, which was fortuitous. She would have been in excruciating pain as she was moved to a gel sling. Adaro did not know the youngling’s name. She had been born while Segna was held captive by the Numina. He swam back and forth between the youngling and her meme while they returned to Haven.

  For the time being, Adaro, Segna, and their youngling would be the guests of the Kracciam councilmember. After much encouragement, the youngling finally went to her father when they reached the underwater pathway that would lead to the Kracciam section of the palace. Sohm’lan left them with promises to check on them tomorrow.

  Shaneva and Arion escorted Sohm’lan and the Monticore back to the boardwalk. He sent the Monticore ashore, though Arion, Captain Hesperos, and a couple of guards remained at a respectful distance, allowing him and Shaneva a semblance of privacy. This conversation would not be spoken aloud.

  He marshalled his thoughts, adding together what he had witnessed and his suspicions, searching for a way to ask his questions and not make Shaneva more uncomfortable. They floated on the surface; the yellow beach bleached white under the moonlight. Already exhausted, he was not looking forward to the hour-long trek back to Haven Palace.

  “Today did not go as I had planned,” she finally said.

  “Your father says that every day,” he replied with a half-smile, his heart already breaking. “How long have you known where Prince Canry was?”

  “Nethus first brought Canry to me when I turned fifteen. Looking back, I suspect Canry was fading. Canry is not like us in many ways. He needs connections to both land and sea. I think Nethus hoped that if he allowed Canry to spend time with me, allowing him to bond with me as family, then he would not have to take Canry to the shore. The hatred and fear the Numina have for the People of the Shore is illogical.” Her gaze begged him to understand. “Canry recovered, becoming livelier, asking me so many questions about our family and the Mar’Sani.

  “When Canry showed improvement after keeping company with me, Nethus wanted to believe that Canry needed nothing more. He was wrong. How quickly the Siren Song tired Canry is proof. Without Zeus, Canry would have
failed and our people would have been slaughtered by the V’Saar.” She practically growled the last, though her gaze was full of pain.

  “Was Nethus the one to punish you, to chain you to a rock for predators to nibble on?” he asked as gently. Her breath stuttered and she glanced away, blinking rapidly. She had wanted him to see the punishment of the Numina female for a reason. He suspected it was so he could witness it firsthand, so she would not have to go into detail about what had happened to her.

  “The summer Nethus brought Canry to me and refused to allow him to go ashore, I knew telling the family with a geas chip would be painful, and I still considered revealing everything I knew. Canry begged me to keep Nethus’s confidence, but then Zeus was taken to the Chtichlians. I brought him to the Dream to distance him from the pain. And Zeus, clever insightful Zeus, even blind knew Canry, called him brother with feeling and meaning. Canry wanted to be with the family and his yearning only grew after that. I decided to tell Father but was stopped by Nethus.” She trembled but kept her distance, ignoring Sohm’lan’s offer of comfort.

  “Nethus is clairvoyant and Canry’s future had shifted with my decision. That was reason enough for him to punish me. He brought Canry to me after I was descaled and shackled to a punishment circle in the wilderness, using me as an example of what would happen when Canry did not follow instructions. I told Canry it was not his fault, but he has never believed me. He spent the days I was chained to the rock at my side, defending me from predators drawn by my blood. Afterward, Canry took me to his rooms in Nethus’s abode and nursed me back to health as my scales grew back. That was the summer—”

  “When you stopped leaving the Waters of Poseidon,” he finished for her.

  That had been a tumultuous time in the palace, and to this day, most noble houses did not dare speak about it. Any unfortunate mention usually caused Valdor to fall into a foul mood that lasted for days. First, Zeus had been attacked and severely beaten by several young. Shortly afterward, they had learned the people of those houses were secretly debating murdering Zeus to keep his ‘humanness’ from tainting the royal bloodline. The culprits were banished to the Black Sands Desert. Then Zeus was taken to the Chtichlians, who had promised to give him sight. Again, the Vondorians were betrayed, those sick space ticks had performed an unauthorized operation on Zeus while he was aware. During that same period, Shaneva reached a point in her development that she could not leave the Waters of Poseidon, a growth spurt completing her mer-tail, or so they had been told.