“I will head for Mom.There are a lot of actives here.”
“Yes.Some families are developing solid bloodlines.The odds of active children are increasing.”Diena smiled.
“Neat.More kids for the playpark.”
“Yes.”She met Eskin’s gaze, and he came over to bring Ithal to his mother.Actives were big, and Ithal needed a physical buffer.
Jenaki came with her as they followed Salat, who was calling someone on the com.They were standing a hundred feet from the reunion when shadows flexed and bent, and a man with a lean dog’s head emerged.
“Denier, this is Diena.She has a question.”
The serious man in black leather from clothing to trench coat looked at her.“What do you wish to know?”
“I wish to know whether there is a contract out on a woman named Syrella.If there is, do you reapers often compete for a kill?”
That made him blink.“Just a moment.”He stepped back and made a call, speaking in a language she had no reason to know, but she did.She needed to know.
“I am looking for information on a contract for a woman named Syrella.When was it issued?”
He looked at her and switched languages.“How old is she?”
“Twenty-eight.”
He blinked and spoke in that other language again.“She was eight when the contract was issued.”
There was a stream of cursing from the other end of the line.
He looked at Diena.“We will need to get her to headquarters to remove the contract.”
“Well, she can’t move right now because she’s watching a bunch of reapers camping outside the protective barrier.”She straightened.“They have no right to be on that soil.They have no treaty with the ruling body and no authorization to enter.They have two hours to leave before that campsite turns to lava.”She grimaced.“Glitter lava.If they don’t move, they will be dead or really sparkly.”
Jenaki snorted.
Denier jerked his head toward the man covered in gold markings.“Who are you?Her mate?”
“Not yet.I have made my inclinations known, and she is not averse, but for now, I am her doctor.”
Denier looked at her.“Who are you?”
“By right of combat, the Lorn empress.”
He stepped back and explained that the Lorn empress was demanding that the reapers get off her lawn.
She smiled at the furious and conciliatory commentary coming through and contacted Syrella.
“Rella, how are you holding up?”
Rella sighed.“Not too good.The reapers have S’mores.I love S’mores.”
“What?”
“Seriously.”She turned her wrist toward the group of men camped out on the stone pathway.
The men were all wearing the same black leather Denier was wearing, chatting and glancing toward Syrella.
“Rella, go inside and put the scrubbers on.I am banishing them from the Lorn Empire.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”There was a stream of giggles.
