Zealot (23 page)

“Unbelievable.” The prospect of becoming multi-lingual was thrilling, but the presence of Earth languages in a Rodyte database also spotlighted the depth of Rodyte interaction with humans. Secret bases and government-sponsored experiments, these things had been going on for decades, perhaps centuries.

“Understanding a language is more or less passive, as you’ve discovered. You hear the words and a voice inside your head provides the English equivalent.” Chandar strolled closer. She was wearing one of the outfits Danvier had provided. The navy tunic, which fell to just below her knees, brought out the blue in her eyes and the intricate embroidery perfectly matched her silvery hair. Rather than gray pants, however, Chandar’s tunic was worn over an ankle-length dress. She looked like an iron-age Viking noblewoman preparing for the yearly Thing.

Rather than slow down the lesson with a comment, Indigo nodded.

“Do you still hear the inner voice whispering each word or do you just access the meanings?”

“I still hear the voice from time to time, but mostly it just flows.”

“Then this won’t even be a challenge for you.” Chandar pointed toward the fountain at Indigo’s back. “What’s the Rodyte word for fountain?”

Chandar had used the ship’s computer to translate before she’d received her com-bots. She let her inner voice ask the question and was thrilled when she heard an unfamiliar word inside her head. “
Seatine,
” she provided with a pleased smile.

“Very good. And sunlight?” Chandar motioned toward the golden glow surrounding them.

“
Raonitu.”

“Excellent. Now see if you can string several words together. Say, ‘Good morning, friend.’”

It was still a bit awkward, but her inner voice provided the words. “
Batton dra, elater
.”

“‘
Elater’
means sister. Try again.”

“
Batton dra
,
elliter
.”

“Perfect.” Chandar reinforced the praise with a beaming smile. “That’s the skill. The rest is practice. Understanding Rodyte came naturally, so it shouldn’t take long for speaking to become automatic as well.”

Indigo searched for the words within her mind and then said, “Thank you,” in Rodyte.

Chandar responded in the same language. “You’re welcome.” In the same smooth tone, she asked, “Did Zilor try to claim you last night?”

“Are harbingers allowed mates?” Indigo wasn’t sure she’d gotten all the words right until an expressionless mask dropped down over Chandar’s features. “Shall we explore your attraction to Raylon?”

“Raylon saved my life, and what little was left of my sanity.” Her tone was distant and cold as she took a seat on the bench near her suite. “I’m fascinated by him, but he doesn’t see me as a woman.”

“I suspect you’re wrong about that.” The Rodyte words began to flow, allowing her to form more complex sentences. “Still, we’ll explore the topic more completely another day.”

“Your accent is really strong,” Chandar cautioned. “Slow down a bit and listen to the pronunciation more closely.”

Indigo nodded. She was tempted to switch back to English. She didn’t want the new challenge to distract from their true purpose.

Before Indigo could decide which language to use, Chandar went on in Rodyte. “What else did Mimi tell you? She was here longer than it would take to make that one suggestion.”

Carefully skirting the final revelation, Indigo told Chandar more. “Mimi told me that a Bilarrian named Vox Loriet was the best person to train me. According to Mimi, Vox is skilled and powerful.”

“Did she say how to contact him? Bilarri is a big, densely populated planet.” Suddenly, Chandar’s brows bunched together and her gaze turned distant. “Vox Loriet. I know that name. I can even see him in my mind. Why do I know that name?”

Unsure how to respond, Indigo just said, “Mimi didn’t elaborate.”

Chandar paused, clearly searching her fractured memory. Then she expelled a frustrated breath. “It’s gone. I don’t know who he is.”

“Don’t let that frustrate you. Mimi told me to find him.”

With another audible sigh, Chandar folded her hands in her lap. “I’m ready for our session now. You may begin.”

Indigo nodded and Chandar closed her eyes. It took Indigo a moment to empty her mind of personal concerns so she could concentrate on Chandar. Why would a Bilarrian be more knowledgeable than a harbinger? She thought harbingers commanded the strongest magic on Rodymia. That was likely the answer. This Vox person wasn’t Rodyte. He was from a planet where
everyone
could manipulate magic.

Chandar’s eyes opened and she smiled. “Shall I come back in a few minutes? I obviously derailed you completely.”

“Sorry.” She used a slow, cleansing breath to still her troubled thoughts. “I’m back.”

Chandar nodded once then closed her eyes again. Her delicate features relaxed, though her posture remained alert. Indigo pictured herself floating toward Chandar then slowly sinking into her mind. She didn’t usually need visualizations, but Chandar was right. Mimi’s unexpected visit had obliterated Indigo’s concentration. Static filled her ears and the colors all around her faded to gray. Gradually, streamers of pulsating light branched out of Chandar’s body, arcing and twisting into intricate patterns as they flowed around and through the harbinger.

Once the connection was activated, Indigo stood and approached Chandar. The harbinger remained still, head bowed, eyes closed. Indigo moved to Chandar’s side, then as far behind her as the bench allowed.

“Have you decided which direction you want to take?” Indio asked. “Are we working toward restoration or adjusting to your new reality?” Mimi had strongly advised restoration, but even Mimi agreed that it was Chandar’s choice.

“Why must it be one or the other?” Chandar didn’t open her eyes, but her unsteady tone communicated nearly as well. “Can you reconnect a few of the strands and see how that affects me?”

“Of course. We can try one strand at a time if you like.”

She opened her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. “Wouldn’t that take the rest of time?”

“Nearly. Your soul strands are plentiful.”

“Then let’s start with ten.”

“All right. Here I go.”

Chandar faced forward again and closed her eyes.

Indigo slowly pushed her hand into the energy field. Her skin tingled even though the strands weren’t actually tangible. She used the movement of her hand to guide her gift. After pushing energy into one end of the first severed strand, she drew the fiber upward, coaxing it toward the pulsing remnant on the other side. As the new fiber neared its home, it connected with a magnetic snap.

Chandar gasped then shivered. “I can feel it. How many did you just do?”

“That was only one. Are you sure you want to try ten?”

After fortifying herself with a deep breath, Chandar nodded. “I need to make sure I can feel the difference.”

“Okay. Let me know if it becomes painful. If it does, I need to stop.”

Chandar nodded again, so Indigo resumed the careful reconstruction. She paused when she had five of the strands reconnected. “Are you doing okay?”

“I’m fine. Go on.”

Indigo took a moment to assess her patient. Chandar always looked pale, so that standard wasn’t helpful. But her lips pressed together and her hands were fisted in her lap. “Are you in pain? This shouldn’t hurt.”

“It’s not physical pain.” She sounded more composed than Indigo expected, but she still didn’t open her eyes. “The difference is already apparent. My memory is returning.”

Indigo hadn’t expected it to work this quickly. “What has this allowed you to remember?”

“Echoes and shadows, nothing detailed.” Chandar opened her eyes and turned her head, looking back at Indigo. “I’m not sure I want to remember more.”

“Then I’ll stop. The choice is, and will always be, yours.” The promise had barely left Indigo’s mouth when Mimi’s words echoed through her mind.
Many will die if she runs from her true life path.
Rather than pressure Chandar with the specifics of Mimi’s warning, Indigo took a more indirect approach. “It’s obvious now that the memory loss is affecting your abilities. Do you want your powers back?” It hadn’t really occurred to Indigo that Chandar might not want to be one of the most powerful Rodytes in the galaxy anymore. But that too should be her choice.

Chandar hesitated. She turned her head back around and her voice dropped to a conflicted whisper. “Being a lot less…sought after is very appealing right now.”

Indigo moved in front of Chandar then crouched down, balancing on the balls of her feet. “Would you like to leave things alone for a few days? Everything is happening really fast. I don’t want to pressure you, even inadvertently.”

“You’ve been wonderful.” Chandar met her gaze as she went on. “I don’t feel pressured, but I’m not sure what I want either. Why don’t you see if you can find Vox. Maybe he can offer us both more alternatives.”

Indigo nodded as she unfolded her legs. Having more control over her gift would benefit her and her patients. The opportunity to work with a mentor was one of the reasons she’d signed the contract. “I wish Mimi had given me more information. His name and planet of origin isn’t a lot to work with.”

“You’ll figure it out.”

Indigo appreciated the vote of confidence. Unfortunately, she was a little less sure of the outcome. “If our men can’t help, I’ll ask Raina how to contact the symposium. Surely, the intergalactic internet can point us in the right direction.”

A secretive smile curved Chandar’s lips as she picked up the pregnancy test and turned toward her suite.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Indigo hurried around her, blocking the doorway rather than grabbing her arm. “What made you smile? You’re clearly enjoying a laugh at my expense.”

“You said ‘our men’.” Her pale brows arched even higher. “Why do you keep resisting Zilor when you clearly think of him as yours?”

Indigo started to explain then decided against burdening Chandar with situations that didn’t concern her. Indigo sighed and shook her head. “It’s not that simple.”

“You’re not my therapist at the moment.” Chandar clasped her hands in front of her as she often did when she became uncomfortable. “Can’t you just talk to your new friend?”

“I’d love to, but it really is a mess. Are you sure you want to hear all the convoluted factors of my current situation?”

Surprising Indigo again, Chandar placed her hand on Indigo’s upper arm. “My head is clearest when I think about anything other than my past. Trust me, it’s no sacrifice.”

Indigo couldn’t argue. She’d drawn the same conclusion herself. Flashes of Chandar’s true spirit came through when she focused on others. “Well, then let’s move into the dining area. The chairs are much more comfortable than the benches.”

“Let me put this away.” She indicated the pregnancy test. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

They spent the next two hours at the round table in the adjacent room, sitting in chairs closest to the observation wall. After a few awkward questions, Indigo tossed caution to the wind and told Chandar everything that had happened since Zilor and Danvier walked into her shop. The more honest and open she was, the more Chandar relaxed as well. Soon they were chatting like old friends.

“You have seventy-three genetic matches?” Chandar shook her head, clearly stunned by the revelation. “What will you do if word gets out that you’re compatible with seventy-some battle born?”

Chandar laughed and waved away Indigo’s concern. “They’ve narrowed it down to the top eight and I have one more day before the men are notified. None of the others have any idea they’re in the running.”

“But you’ve already chosen. Why notify anyone?”

Indigo tried to be annoyed and failed. Chandar was right and they both knew it. She couldn’t imagine anyone with the power to tempt her away from Zilor. “There are two complications keeping me from immediately choosing Zilor.”

“Let me guess. Could it be that two of the three hybrid females will then be bonded with General Nox’s brothers?” Chandar pressed back into her chair, appearing more comfortable than Indigo had ever seen her. “Nepotism at its finest?”

“That’s not how it happened, but that’s how it will look.” After a short pause, Indigo told her the second complication. “My mother dropped another bombshell on me right before I left. Apparently, I’m not only part of Tandori Tribe, I’m also a direct descendant of the Tandori bloodline.”

“Tandori.” Chandar’s gaze narrowed and her tone turned reflective. “The name is familiar, but I’m not sure why.”

“The Tandoris are the current royal family’s primary adversaries and many on Rodymia are ready for a change.”

Chandar accepted the statement with a nod, but her question was more personal in nature. “Marrying you could be politically beneficial for certain members of the elite. Are you willing to bond with someone you don’t love to further a cause?”

Trying not to let her discomfort show, Indigo said, “It would have to be a seriously compelling cause.” After the night she’d spent with Zilor, it was hard to imagine being satisfied with anything less than the emotional intensity they’d generated.