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Sylvan nodded firmly.
“Right away. I know exactly who to send. But I have other news for you—our translation program was able to make sense of the writing that was left on the walls at some of the crime scenes. Look at this…”
The Kindred Commander’s face disappeared and was replaced by a picture from one of the crime scenes. Written on the wall in letters that dripped and ran crimson, were a strange series of symbols that Sky didn’t recognize. It looked something like this:
&???? ???? ????? ??? ?&? ??&
But as they watched, the letters changed to Standard script which Sky could read.
“Seven there are and seven shall fall. I make my way beneath their wall. None can stand against my hate. Don’t bother to run—it’s already too late,” Torin read aloud, frowning. “It seems to be talking about the Sacred Seven of Yonnie Six. Where was it found?”
“At the scene of the last murder committed on Zetta Prime, which is where the killer started,” Sylvan said grimly. “Basically, the killer was taunting us—letting us know exactly who he was going to be targeting. But since the Zetta Prime officials wouldn’t work with us, we didn’t get the message, so we couldn’t warn the Yonnites.”
“That’s terrible!” Sky exclaimed, forgetting that she herself had been reluctant to work with a male not that long ago. “So many lives could have been saved if only they had been more flexible.”
“I’m hoping lives can still be saved, Special Agent Sky’lar,” Sylvan said to her. “If you can interpret the killer’s last message. Look closely—it was found at the last crime scene on Yonnie Six.”
His face disappeared once more to be replaced by more dripping symbols written in blood.
??&?? ?¦&??? ????? ???? ?&?&??
They appeared on the screen and then the translation program did its job and Sky’lar was able to read these words:
“They do not rule, they only serve, within their walls of sandy stone.
But when I find them, they will die. All together, yet each alone.”
Torin frowned.
“It sounds like he’s not targeting the Ruling Council of Portex Three after all. But then, who is he after?”
“It’s not the Princess either—since she and the Ruling Council share ruling responsibilities. It has to be someone important who doesn’t actually rule anyone in Portex Three,” Commander Sylvan said frowning.
The Kindred High Commander was clearly well-versed in the political intricacies of her planet, Sky thought. But as she studied the dripping red words, she was getting a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“I think I know who he’s talking about,” she said. “The only people more respected and loved than the Princess and the Ruling Council by the citizens of Portex Three are the ones who serve the Mother of Serpents—the Priestesses of Ahh-ohh—the keepers of The Book Which Writes Itself.”
Torin frowned.
“Didn’t you tell me they have a shrine in the Deep Desert?”
“Within their walls of sandy stone,” Sylvan murmured, coming back on the viewscreen. “That sounds like a place in the desert.”
“Mother of Serpents,” Sky whispered, putting a hand to her throat. “If he kills them…they’re like the heart and soul of the planet!”
“They must be warned,” Sylvan said grimly. “You need to get back to Portex Three immediately. The Priestesses must be guarded—I’ll send a squadron of Kindred warriors at once!”
Sky frowned and shook her head.
“They won’t accept your help, Commander. The Shrine is a mostly male-free zone. They have their own guards but they generally won’t let any other males in but the spouses of the females making a pilgrimage to worship at their shrine.”
“Then they need to stop letting pilgrims in—at least until the killer is caught. He could be any one of them!” Sylvan sounded agitated.
“Actually, we do have a good description of him from Mistress Mirabella,” Torin put in. “So we know what to look for—he’s tall and thin with white skin and wrinkles around his eyes. Which are black, with red dots in the center. Also, he has fingers like knives. Or else, maybe just blades strapped to his fingers,” he added.
“Good. That’s good.” Sylvan nodded thoughtfully. “I’m glad to hear you got a description. Hopefully you can warn the Priestesses in time and convince them to let us send some warriors to keep them safe.”
“I really doubt that’s going to happen, Commander,” Sky said, frowning. “The shrine is sacred to the Mother of Serpents who is a female deity—they won’t want that much male energy in a place that is dedicated to her.”
“But they must be protected.” The Kindred High Commander leaned forward and Sky saw a ragged look on his chiseled features. “Please—we don’t want anymore females to die! This is an offense against all that we Kindred hold to be holy and right!”
Sky saw the conviction in his pale blue eyes and understood how deeply he felt. When she glanced at Torin, she saw the same thing mirrored in his golden gaze. It shook her to the core—the Kindred really did care for their females—for all females it seemed. Even those that weren’t of their race.
