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Langlis arched her brows and looked at Jobek. “It sounds like you know who commanded that ship. Am I right?”
“I believe so, but why are you so hesitant to say his name?” Jobek countered.
“Mistress Air has been so engrossed in planetary drama lately that she has not kept track of other court intrigues. I recognized Verbet Foenar, half-brother to Emperor Jevara, the moment we repaired the damage done to his face. Udora still has no idea who he is.”
Jobek looked meaningfully at Tandor, but Ansley wasn’t sure she understood the significance of what they’d just learned. Were they hoping that saving his brother’s life would ingratiate Mistress Air to Jevara? Other than easing a small measure of Cylex’s guilt, how would any of this benefit the Citadel?
“Is Verbet still at the Temple of Air?” Jobek asked.
“Yes, but you cannot tell Zevon until we arrive,” Langlis insisted. “The wraiths routinely scan telepathic communications and they monitor every transmission involving Pyron.”
“Are you saying you’re the only one who realized who he was?” Tandor asked, sounding doubtful.
“All of the other healers are nearly as old as Udora. They have lived at the temple since before I was born. They are so isolated, so insulated from the rest of the star system that it has made them… oblivious. And no one, other than the healers, has been allowed near him.”
Jobek and Tandor were not happy about waiting, but they both agreed.
Her mates seemed satisfied with what they’d learned, but Ansley was still confused. “I know Commander Cylex will be thrilled to learn that at least one person survived, but why is it such a big deal for this Verbet to be alive?”
“Verbet could be a powerful ally if we can turn him,” Langlis told her.
“Or he could be an even more dangerous enemy than Jevara if he cannot be swayed,” Tandor countered. “The primary reason Zevon has not taken Jevara out is because he’s afraid of the power vacuum.”
“He is concerned that Verbet would turn into an even more heinous tyrant if he became emperor?”
“Verbet or anyone else who took over the throne. Without a representative form of government, the chances are high that Torret would end up with another tyrant. There is an ancient Altorian saying: Power corrupts and—”
“And absolute power corrupts absolutely.” She smiled broadly. “Apparently, the adage is true in any language.”
“Well, Zevon would love to have some time with Verbet to determine if he could be a better alternative to his half-brother,” Langlis brought the conversation back to the present situation. “And if the determination could be made while Jevara thought Verbet was dead it would give them even more options.”
Jobek was nodding by the time he heard all of the facts. “This could be the perfect setup for a coup.”
“And that is the reason I called for an emergency extraction,” Langlis concluded. “Verbet grows stronger every day. I don’t know how much longer he’s going to be at the temple. If Zevon wants to spend some time with Verbet he’s going to have to make his move before the wraiths find out who he is.”
They commed ahead and asked for a meeting with Zevon. He said to come to his office as soon as they arrived. Less than an hour later, Zevon ushered them all into his office.
“According to Pyron news, a group of wraiths tried to apprehend a thief in the market a couple of hours ago. You don’t happen to know anything about that, do you?”
Jobek chuckled. “Yes, that was us, but we are all here and no one was harmed, so I call that a win.”
“One of those bastards teleported onto the outside of the ship,” Ansley told him. “I’d never seen anything like it.”
“Neither had I,” Langlis interjected, “and I thought I’d seen most of their tricks.”
“It’s nice to have you back.” Zevon gaze his spy a quick hug before everyone sat down around the round table in the corner of his office. “So take me through everything step by step.”
Zevon stopped her every so often, but Langlis did a good job of summarizing what was going on. When she had told him everything, he stroked his chin and said, “I don’t see how we can bring Verbet here without informing Udora.”
“Do you think she would come here without knowing why you want to meet with her?” Langlis asked.
Ansley shook her head. “If she’s being watched as closely as you think, we need to give her a reason, a reason that has nothing to do with anything the wraiths would care about.”
“What about her grandson?” Langlis suggested. “If Mistress Air thought something had happened to Kern she would respond without question.”
Zevon pushed back from the table and stood. “It is worth a shot. Everyone remain silent.” He crossed the spacious office and sat down behind his desk. After taking a deep breath, he scooted as close to the desktop as he could get then said, “Activate video-comm, recipient Mistress Air on Pyron, emergency interrupt.”
It did not take long for Udora’s image to appear directly above Zevon’s desk. “I left an important meeting to take this comm. It better be important.”
