Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice (16 page)

Aven came out the door that hung askew from
one hinge, brushing dust from his quilted black pants. He sat next
to Erynn and rubbed his hands down his thighs. “What did you
find?”

She handed the first plate over to Aven and
dug in the pack for another. “Not sure. These were tucked in a
corner of a back room.” Erynn lay the second down between her and
Aven and removed all the plates from the pack. “Are they a child’s
toy, like a reader, or just a set of decorative plaques? But why
would they be so well protected and left behind?” She turned to
Aven. “What did you find?”

Aven grinned. “Dust. Dirt. Centinents.
Webs.”

Erynn jumped up and faced Aven. “That’s the
point,” she said with conviction. “So far, there’s been nothing
here. No discarded bits of decomposing clothing, broken dishes,
tools, or furniture. This place has been cleaned out. So why leave
these perfectly preserved symbols?” She glanced at the plates
covered with the Comhra symbols, and her hands fisted. “And I can’t
contact Cace.”

Jaer stood outside Cale’s office, waiting.
His back to the stone, his fingers drummed the wall, jaw tense.
When the last of Cale’s appointments left, Jaer pushed in. “Have
you heard from Erynn?”

Cale leaned back and rested his elbow on the
arm of his chair, his hand propping his chin. “No. The equipment
they took isn’t connecting with our COM units. It’s too far. It was
an issue we had to consider.”

Jaer crossed his arms and his eyes narrowed.
“Glaskra is not that far. They could relay a message through
Leathan.”

Cale stood up and came around the desk. “I’ve
thought about that. What if Deanaim has some electromagnetic
disturbance prohibiting their transmission? It wouldn’t be the
first place on Arranon to exhibit this phenomenon. And this would
explain your ghost lights.”

Jaer dropped his arms. “If we do not hear
something by tomorrow morning, I am going to Deanaim.”

Cale smiled. “I know you’re concerned for
Erynn and your brother. Tam is due back tomorrow. What if I send
her, Sean, and Tiar to Deanaim to fly over in Interceptors and make
contact?”

“I want visual conformation of Erynn and
Aven’s presence.” Jaer turned and left.

In the glow of a lantern, Erynn sat on her
cot, studying the symbols on the plates. They made no more sense
than the last ten times she’d gone through them. She set them down,
sighed noisily, and flopped back on the rumpled blankets.

Aven’s quiet voice came from his cot. “Be
patient, Erynn. It’s only the first day. There are more buildings
to search.”

She threw her arm over her eyes to block the
glare from the lantern. “I know. It’s just so frustrating. If only
I could talk with Cace.”

The lantern flickered, dimming.

Erynn sat up and stared at the sputtering
light. The glow diminished further.

Aven jumped off his cot and grabbed another
lantern from the corner where their gear was stored. “I’ll take
care of it.”

The room went dark.

Aven got the second lamp on, only to have the
burst of brightness sputter and fade. Again, they were plunged into
inky blackness. “What the…The batteries are dead. It’s not
possible. I had them charging all day.”

Bang. Bang. Bang. The heavy door rattled
under the assault. But it wasn’t just the door. With a sudden
barrage, the walls vibrated, and the roof shuddered in a fierce
attack. Wood bowed and screeched. Thick stone cracked and popped,
the bombardment deafening.

Erynn’s heart beat in rhythm with the volley
of hammering against the tiny shed. Choking dust and dirt filled
the air. Her lungs burned. She coughed to rid herself of the
irritation. Aven did the same.

The building was sure to collapse if this
didn’t end. Erynn stood up and reached out, holding her palms to
the door. Static leapt from her fingers and flared through the
small space. Shadows writhed in the eerie purple light that jumped
and snapped through the air. The electricity charging through her
seemed stronger, more powerful than usual. “Enough! Stop! Now!” she
shouted, coughing more forcefully. “You aren’t scaring us. If you
want to communicate, find another way. You’re obviously strong
enough. Show me.” Her chest convulsed in a last spasm of
coughing.

The pounding stopped. The sudden utter quiet
was nearly as disconcerting as the hammering racket had been.

Light glowed from the corner as Aven lit
another lantern. “Full charge.” He grinned, brushing debris out of
his hair and breathing hard between coughs. Dust continued to
filter down from the assailed roof, swirling through the room.

Outside, a katjaramuud’s scream pierced the
silence. Maejen followed. Their chorused howls became a song in the
night.

Erynn shivered. And not because of the
animals’ raucous calls. Their voices had a comforting resonance.
The temperature in the room dropped, the pressure increasing.

The air turned ice cold.

NEWS OF SEVERAL DISAPPEARANCES AND one brutal
death over a two-day span in Tamaagra, the city in the valley below
the base, had the people living there fearing the worst. They
believed another alien attack had begun. Local authorities had
uncovered no evidence to identify the perpetrators of these crimes.
The governing council from Tamaagra called on Cale for help. Cale
turned the duty over to Jaer.

Jaer strode into the transport bay, Roni on
his left, Zack on his right. Roni and Zach would lead a small party
of Anbas to check the city. These crimes were not likely an alien’s
doing. More probable, an immoral and completely unbalanced citizen
of Tamaagra was responsible, or perhaps it was a coincidence of
several unrelated events. Yet another possibility vied for Jaer’s
recognition, grating away at his reasoning, demanding his
attention.

Shifters, or worse. The Socar
Batahs
.

If the Shifters were real, then the Socar
Batahs could be also. Jaer had never encountered either of these
creatures, nor did he know of anyone who had.

Four men and one woman, new Anbas transfers
from Paedrick, readied gear to pack inside the troop transport.
They stood to attention at their leader’s approach and in loud
voices chorused, “Fayn Jaer.”

Jaer frowned and held up his hand to the
assembled group. The use of his title made him uncomfortable. He
had earned the honor, though. A Fayn of his young age was
unprecedented.

Jaer paced slowly before the team. He stared
each in the eye. “I want you in Tamaagra before nightfall. Note
every miniscule change in the behavior of the forest and the
inhabitants. Be attentive to your surroundings in the city.” He
stopped, narrowing his gaze. “It could mean the difference between
returning safe and meeting an unpleasant end.” Jaer turned his head
and stared at Roni, his voice low. “I should be going with
you.”

Roni moved to stand in front of him. Her jaw
tightened. “You honored me to command this mission and gave me your
confidence. I can do this, Jaer. You trained me well. Do you doubt
your instruction?”

Jaer huffed out a breath and shook his head.
“Never with you, Roni.” He spun to Zach and grinned. “Besides, you
have the master tracker with you.” Jaer glanced over his shoulder
at the five standing next to their gear. His voice echoed through
the bay. “Learn from Zach. There is no one better.” He grasped
Zach’s shoulder and squeezed. “Be careful, my old friend.”

“Don’t worry about the little ones. I’ll
break them in right.” Zach glanced at the new warriors and
smiled.

Roni straightened and stepped forward. “Grab
your gear and get strapped in.” In a mad blur, packs were stowed.
Her tone hardened. “Time to go. Get moving.” The transport’s heavy
suspension scarcely bounced as seven people hurried inside.

Jaer watched until the lumbering vehicle
edged into the access tunnel leading outside. He scowled.

Now I have more to worry about
.

“Jaer, I found you.” Shan glanced around and
then smiled. “And you’re alone for once. No entourage to keep you
safe from me.”

“What do you want, Shan?” Jaer brushed past
her, moving toward the main corridor.

“You know what I want.” Her voice teased.

Jaer spun, glaring at her. Shan was almost as
tall as he was. “And what is that?”

“Recognize our commitment, my love.” She
trailed her fingers over his cheek. “Take me to your bed,” Shan
whispered in his ear. “It’s been a long time, but I remember how to
please you.”

He grabbed her wrist and pushed her hand
away. Her scent was strong with what he knew would be a high
priced-fragrance. The intense aroma tickled, and then burned his
nose. He grimaced.

She would not last ten timnents in the
forest, smelling so. The katjaramuud would kill her just to end the
stench
.

Shan’s lips turned down. She sighed. “But
I’ll settle for a conversation.”

Jaer continued into the wide, dim hall. “I
will discuss only one thing with you. A separation.”

Shan hurried to catch up, easily matching his
long stride. She bared her teeth. “Why? So you can commit to that
half blood? You dishonor me and my family with this insult.”

Jaer’s hands fisted at his sides. He
slowed.

I may consider leaving you in the forest
after all
.

“Yes, I know her dirty little secret. Her
mother was Arranon, her father Korin.” Shan stepped in front of
Jaer and stopped him. Pale light from ahead cast her face in
shadow, making it appear twisted. “The misfit should have had the
good sense to die at birth like the others of her kind.”

Jaer felt his body tense. “You. Know.
Nothing.” The words ground out between clenched teeth.

Only a handful of people know of this
half-truth. It may be time to talk with Byan Nev
.

Shan’s breathing increased and her eyes
burned with anger. “I will not allow you to shame me.”

Jaer’s jaw muscles twitched and his lips
turned in a slight smile. “I have petitioned for separation under
the law of disloyalty. The matter is no longer up to you.”

Shan turned her head and stepped closer to
him. “But I’m here now, trying to make our commitment work. The
arbitrator will take this into consideration.” Her tone mocked
him.

Not when he learns of your past behaviors
and the flagrant rejection of your vows
.

Jaer stared at her. He continued to watch her
for a long moment. “Why do you hate me so, Shan? It is not because
of your brother. Can you not find the decency in yourself to allow
me this one happiness? And what of the home you have built over the
last two years with your new half? Does he not await your
return?”

Shan turned her face away. “He does.”

“I hear he is influential and has accumulated
much wealth. He will give you what I cannot.”

She dropped her gaze to the rock floor. “He
can and will.” Shan’s lips turned in a cruel smile. Her gaze
drifted back to Jaer. “You are the Fayn of the Anbas and a hero of
the two worlds.” She stepped closer. Her hands moved up Jaer’s
chest, and she pressed against him. “Your name is being written
into the history of Arranon. My name should be beside yours, with
all the benefits that come with this admiration.”

He tried to step back. She locked her arms
around his neck. Reaching up, Jaer pried at her fingers,
unfastening her hold on him. He pushed her arms to her sides.
“There are many heroes. Many names will be written into greatness.
Mine will not be one. Go back to your new life. You are no longer a
part of mine. I love Erynn, and I will have her, if she would have
me.” Jaer turned and strode away.

Shan’s scream echoed around him. “Never,
Jaer. Do you hear me? Never!”

ERYNN STOOD IN THE CENTER of the small
storage building. The banging, crashing assault had ceased, dust
settling. The calls of the animals outside the fortress walls died.
Their echoing voices faded. Cold fell like a blanket over the
space, the air thick and heavy.

Aven raised the lantern he’d lit, sweeping
the radiance around the tiny room. His breath fogged icily before
him. A shiver shook him.

Erynn’s breath escaped in a frosty plume. She
watched the moisture in the air ice and drift down in tiny
crystals. “Aven? What is happening?” The words vibrated in her
chest. Her mouth moved, but no sound emerged. A deep silence
covered her, muting her voice. She brushed shaking hands over her
ears and sucked in a shuddering breath. Nothing covered her head or
kept the air from entering her lungs. Her ragged exhalation slipped
from her open mouth.

Why can’t I hear myself speaking
?

The attack against them wasn’t over. Even
though the pounding had stopped, Erynn understood that their
visitation had just begun. Her heart hammered, pulsing with a
silent throb in her ears.

Not good
.

From the rafters above, a wispy shimmering
mist settled before her, coalescing into the vague shape of a
human. An ethereal arm extended from the condensing mass. Fingers
fashioned themselves out of the misty fog. They curled into a fist
that pounded the air centimeters in front of her.

She jumped, startled and frightened by the
anger slamming at her consciousness, demanding access. The sense
from the presence surrounding her was clear. They wanted her and
Aven dead. She glanced at Aven.

Opaque silver-white forms surrounded him as
they did her. He struggled to come to her. His lips moved but she
heard no words. His face twisted with his effort to break free. His
arms and legs tightened, tensing against the force that held
him.

The room filled with a thick white fog,
cloaking everything but the angry specter before her. A phantom
hand pressed over her mouth and nose.