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They didn’t ask her to speak, seemingly glad to simply caress her as they basked in the afterglow of what they’d shared. Blythe was grateful as myriad emotions assaulted her…amazement, shock, and concern.
Nothing remotely similar had happened to her in the past. Part of her wanted to jump up, grab her clothes, and run from Clan Deram. At the same time, she ached to wrap herself around the three, knot herself so they couldn’t escape her, and never allow them to be untangled.
What have they done to me?Could she escape? Did she want to?
Chapter Sixteen
Kalquor
Ilid and his parents followed Degorsk into the spacious office in Fleet Headquarters. The young Dramok’s gaze darted everywhere, searching endlessly though he hadn’t spotted a Dark in weeks…except for in his dreams. There, they crowded in seething masses.
The office appeared fine, showing only nice but functional furnishings. The art hanging on the illuminated wall panels was made up of soothing seascapes, as if Admiral Tranis couldn’t get enough of the window-vid showing the view of the green sea outside. Pictures of a clan, including the admiral and Dr. Degorsk, a handsome brute of a Nobek, and a gorgeous platinum blond woman, gave a sense of warmth Ilid had rarely noted from high-ranking officers.
He and his parent clan bowed to Admiral Tranis as the officer stood up behind his desk. If the admiral was surprised or irritated by the sudden visit, he showed none of it. He motioned to the chairs on the other side of his desk. “Matara, anyone who wishes, please make yourselves comfortable.”
Tranis could have been in a towering rage over them showing up after Degorsk’s com telling him they were coming and he needed to see them right away. Ilid wouldn’t have been bothered by it. The fact the man had no Dark riding him minimized everything else.
“Apologies once again for the abrupt interruption to your day, Admiral,” the doctor began, sounding formal, as if they weren’t clanned. “However, I understand time is of the essence—”
“If Ensign…I’m sorry, it’s Dramok now, isn’t it? If Dramok Ilid is willing to help us and now is when he wishes to do so, I’m glad to accommodate him.” Tranis actually smiled at him. No, he wasn’t offended in the slightest.
“It’s now or never, sir,” Ilid said, hating the tremor in his tone.
Tranis nodded. “The team working on the issue is on their way and should arrive shortly. Does anyone need refreshments?”
“What’s the strongest drink you have?” Degorsk’s formality changed to light teasing, earning a few chuckles. Tranis shook a finger at him, but his smile remained in place as he went to the nearby cooling unit to fetch water.
Ilid’s gaze continued to rake the office. No Darks. Not yet. He prayed when he saw the vid the admiral wished to show him there would continue to be nothing there to fear.
His gut told a different story. It told him there was nowhere left to run, and he had to face the horror again, right there on Kalquor, his very home.
* * * *
“Whatever you see, whether there’s something or nothing, it can’t be spoken of beyond this gathering.”
Ilid nodded at Tranis’ warning. “You’re afraid of setting off a panic.”
“If a Dark has shown up, I don’t want it warned before we try to capture it,” the admiral corrected.
“Capture it?” Ilid gaped in disbelief.
“We have hope we can do so.” The man who spoke had been introduced as Chief Engineer Lokmi spoke. Ilid had been surprised to see the green trim on his fleet uniform. Lokmi’s aura of control was that of a Dramok.
The group had gathered in a conference room in what appeared to be a seldom-trafficked area of Fleet Headquarters. Tranis had mentioned the vacant offices in the wing were a result of admirals who’d left to fight against those loyal to the empire during the civil war. A trio of lonely computers on a long conference table and surrounding chairs were the sole furnishings.
“Not only do we need to keep this quiet to avoid any Darks discovering what we’re up to, it’s Rear Admiral Hobato I’m spying on,” Tranis continued. “If he’s free of a rider, I’m guilty of a high crime against my commanding officer. I’ll turn myself in for disciplinary action, but I don’t want anyone else harmed by this. This is my mission, especially if I’m wrong about what I think is going on. No one else’s life has to be ruined by my actions.”
There was a weariness to his expression and voice, as if he bore the cares of the world. His Nobek, introduced as Agent Lidon, scowled. “You know I won’t let you take this on alone.”
“Your clan needs you.” It was the first instance the admiral had used a sharp tone. He looked at Ilid’s Dramok father. “Will you agree to the terms?”
Codab glanced at Diju, then Ilid. “My clan will be silent about this issue unless you ask us to speak out.”
A vaguely familiar admiral, whom Tranis hadn’t introduced by name, cleared his throat. “Admiral—”
“No. The fleet had you do the unthinkable five years ago, and you spent five years in exile because of it. You’ve paid your price several times over,” Tranis said.
The captain Ilid knew as Kila added, “We have another mission, my Dramok. Guarding Earth, especially if the empire is compromised, is our priority.”
