CHAPTER 30
The stars over Lemuria twinkled as if taunting Alora, teasing her, telling her they were her only companions in the sky until the war over Earth was won. She pushed away from the window and let out a huff. She’d stewed all day in her dark place, nothing to do but think about the war, her choices, and her latest discovery, thanks to Carine.
She curled her fingers around Zedron’s recording device and tapped her closed fist against the edge of her visus bacin. The impact sent a ripple across the water’s surface, lapping at the edge of the bowl like tiny waves.
“What do I do?” Her words filled the empty room, absorbing into the Rolmdew tree’s inner bark.
Don’t take matters into your own hands. Veromé’s voice echoed in her mind.
A frustrated scream threatened to escape, and she pounded her fist against the bowl’s hard surface, again and again. Pain radiated through her hand, but she didn’t care. She wanted to lash out at Zedron, make him pay for all the hurt and pain he’d brought into her life.
The war on Earth wasn’t about the water, not really, not for him. Petty and vindictive, he’d do just about anything to get back at her for not choosing him as her mate.
A shiver ran over her shoulders. At least she’d made the right choice. Veromé loved her without question.
The ripples in the water slowed. Time to check on the war, see how the game fared.
She tucked the small disc into the lining along her waistband. Closing her eyes, she glided her palms over her visus bacin, slowly at first, then faster and faster. The water bubbled, gaining momentum, until the roar echoed around the room like drums.
She stilled and opened her eyes.
The water calmed, unlocking a window upon Earth. A picture emerged. Evergreen trees lit by the soft glow of the setting sun. The cool scent of cedar wafted into her senses. She inhaled, enjoying the sweet fragrance. Not far away stood a ramshackle old cabin. A woodpile, most of the pieces falling apart and rotten, graced one side of the wooden structure. Smoke curled from the chimney, adding to the scents in the air.
The image zoomed in, taking her through the bedroom window. Inside, two figures lay on a mat of ferns near the fire, a male and a female. They seemed at peace. The two slept back to front, the female cradled in the male’s arms. Embers glowed softly in the hearth, casting shadows onto their sleeping faces.
Alora inhaled. She knew these two—Saar and Kaelyn—one Stiyaha, one Ursus.
“Show me their recent past.” Alora splayed her palm over the water, her fingertips extended. Slowly, she moved her hand in a wide circle, rewinding the events that led these two here, to this unknown place.
The cabin faded. Another moment, the two were in the strongroom at the Keep.
Too far. Alora reversed course, moving forward in time once again. The images slowed. In the forest not far from one of the Keep’s manual entrances, Saar removed a blindfold from Kaelyn. “You’re free. Run, little bear, run.”
Alora’s pulse rose. He’d let her go. Why?
The water in the bowl bubbled, and a new vision formed. Saar lay sprawled on a wooden floor in a small room, secured by chains. Cuts and bruises marred his skin. The window shattered. Kaelyn jumped into the room and brought her mace down, shattering the bindings that held him in place. In the next image, the two ran through the woods, wet clothes clinging to their bodies, the cabin looming in the distance.
The vision faded, the bubbles calming until the ripples disappeared.
They care for each other…love each other.
Alora stepped to the kitchen counter, her mind spinning. With a quick turn on her toes, she paced in the small space between her visus bacin and the kitchen table.
As part of Alora’s last punishment for breaking the rules by assisting her characters, she’d been forced to give her Ursus to Zedron as recompense. They should be loyal to him. If Kaelyn could come around, maybe the others would as well. Alora’s chest lightened, her spirit soaring at the possibility.
On the wall above the table, lights from her character board flashed red and green, melding and scurrying around like Dogo bugs on an infested Etila tree. She approached, and goosebumps formed along her arms. With trembling fingers, she swiped her palm over the board, searching the long list of character names.
At long last, she came to the name she wanted—Kaelyn. She pressed her finger against the red light. Her bio flitted across the screen: birth date, species, job title, favorite weapon, number of kills, lineage. Alora focused on the last item, born to Arbane and Entrania.
Ursus royalty.
Alora clapped her hands together, her smile so wide her cheeks ached. Kaelyn was the royal heir, the true leader among the Ursus. Under the stress, Alora had forgotten that detail. If anyone could influence her kind to turn against Zedron, it was Kaelyn.
Maybe, just maybe, Alora had a chance in this war.
She slid her finger to her waistband and tugged Zedron’s recording device free. The small orb glistened in the light, reigniting her hope. She brought the disc to her mouth and gave it a quick kiss. The smacking of her lips echoed in the room, and she giggled. “I wish you were here, Veromé, to share this with me.”
She held the small device close to her chest. A thought formed in her mind, and she let the idea build. A zip of excitement skittered along her nerves.
Veromé wouldn’t like her approach, but this was her war, and for better or worse, she’d play on her terms.
No risk, no reward.
She glanced out the window. Night still blanketed the trees in darkness, punctuated by the soft glow of the many stars in the galaxy. Good, she still had time. Before she could change her mind, she grabbed her coat from the door hook and raced into the night.