Blood Finale (God Wars #5) (4 page)

* * *

The General didn't want to admit that he was weak in any area. He also hated admitting—even to himself—that Acrimus had carried much of the weight. All he'd had to do was wave a hand and Acrimus would see any task done.

"Calhoun, gather the Hidden," the General commanded.

"I cannot command them—I hold insufficient power, my Lord," Calhoun bowed warily.

"Then who might command them?" The General's anger rose. Calhoun took a step back—he felt the General's wrath.

"Only you, my Lord," Calhoun quavered.

"Do you still command V'ili and his subjects?"

"Yes. And the chimeras and all others less than I."

"Then humanity is ours. You know what to do. I will command the Hidden."

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis—present

Lissa's Journal

"Where do you think they'll strike first?" Drake asked. We couldn't sleep, although we were in bed—Drake on one side, Drew on the other.

"I don't know, but consider this," I said. "How many of the Three were from Earth?"

"Three," Drew answered immediately.

"How many of the Saa Thalarr are from Earth?" I asked.

"A lot," Drake blinked dark eyes at me. Was he handsome? He and Drew were so handsome it dripped off them. "Kiarra, Adam, Merrill, Grace, Mom, Fox, Justin, Martin, Mack, Daniel, Joey, Conner, Norton, Brock, Stephan, Russell, Will, Wlodek, Weldon, Steve, Jeff, Kyle, Franklin, Radomir, Dalroy, Rhett and Christi." He'd ticked off all the Saa Thalarr and associated healers from Earth. There were other Saa Thalarr, but they were from scattered worlds and none in such numbers. The second largest contingent was from Falchan, actually.

"You think they'll strike Earth first? To wound us and make us bleed?" Drake asked.

"It makes sense. So many of us are invested in that world, one way or another. Dragon is married to your mother, who is from Earth," I pointed out. "Most of the others have a mate from Earth. I figure since they've already had a victory there, they'll push to take it first."

"They have a decent start already," Drew said. "All they had to do in a few instances was play on the hate or prejudice already in existence."

"True," I agreed. "In the past, anyway."

"Then that's where they'll strike again, most likely. If that world succumbs in the past, they'll have allies in the future."

"Makes sense," I agreed.

Lissa?
Mindspeech came from Merrill.

What, hon?
I returned.

May I visit? If you're awake, that is.

Yeah. We're all awake
.

I wasn't expecting Kiarra and Adam to come, too, and I may have blushed at being caught in bed with both my Falchani. At least I was wearing pajamas.

"Lissa, we were wondering if you'd like to go with us when we return to Earth in the past. We think they'll strike there again," Kiarra began. She didn't seem concerned at all that I was flanked by two bare-chested Falchani.

"We were just discussing that," I said, misting out of bed. Merrill placed his arms around me when I shivered at the change in temperature. Drake and Drew had kept me warm.

"You'll consider it?" Adam asked.

"I think it's a foregone conclusion," I said. "Where, though?"

"We're going back to Fresno. I think Saxom won't be able to stop himself from trying again," Kiarra muttered.

"There's a nasty thought," I said. "And probably true. Plus, wherever Saxom is, Moxas will be, too. If we get them, maybe the others will come hunting. I hope we're ready for the challenge when it comes."

"As do we," Merrill kissed my forehead. "As do we."

Chapter 3
 

Avendor—present

Bill's Journal

I knew the power was there the moment I woke. Sleep hadn't come for a very long time, but when it did, it descended heavily. Now, there was work to be done and I considered where to start.

Jayson and Opal had returned to Avendor with Trajan and me—at least the Jayson Rome and Opal Tadewi from old Earth had. Jayson, posing as Matt Michaels, had disappeared from the past, as had Opal. Somehow, Belen achieved that minor miracle and I didn't want to examine it too closely for flaws. I was afraid of what I might find.

Folding out of bed and into the kitchen, I found Jayson, Opal and Trajan there ahead of me. All three had cups of coffee in their hands, as if waking up as gods was an everyday occurrence.

"I have an idea," Trajan said, pouring another cup of coffee and handing it to me. I nodded my thanks and drank.

"What's that?" Jayson asked, settling on a barstool at the island.

"I hear that Adam and Kiarra have been taken to a safe place in the past so their more powerful selves can move in and deal with the enemy there. I think we ought to do the same."

"You mean remove the beta versions of Trajan and Bill, so we can go back and kick ass?" Jayson asked.

"Yeah," Trajan shrugged.

"Works for me." Jayson sipped his coffee.

"I'm for that. We all have our memories from back then. At least I do," I said. "I think we can handle this."

"I really want to kick ass," Opal chimed in. Not surprisingly, she had her Ranos pistol tucked in the waistband of her jeans.

"Then I'll contact Adam, asking if we can send two guests from the past to Kiarra's private planet," Trajan said. "I just don't know how to explain things to my former self."

"Let's not explain it," I suggested. "Let's get Lissa to explain it." Trajan laughed for the first time in months.

* * *

Earth—past

"Something has happened, brother, and I find it difficult to unravel. Images are blocked, which shouldn't be." Moxas studied the lawn outside his window—Calhoun had moved them to a vacant home in Sausalito. Calhoun wasn't present at the moment, therefore Moxas was comfortable making his confession to Saxom.

"What might have happened? We have won, brother. The Three are no more and those who remain have clearly reached a stalemate in combatting the General and his army. All that is left for us to do is take everything and let chaos rule. I only wait for Calhoun to return so we might continue our search for Kiarra. A promise was made to us and I will see it fulfilled."

"I have suggestions for how we might take everything," Moxas' mood lightened.

"Good. We can offer that as an incentive to continue the search for Kiarra."

* * *

Avendor—present

Kay's Journal

I can't say why I felt as I did, but things had certainly changed. Power waited for my command; all I had to do was use it. I also felt just as I had after receiving an infusion of
Love
from Breanne—and I couldn't explain that, either.

Reah
, I sent mindspeech for the first time in my life
. I want to hunt with you. It's time my torturers became victims
.

Are you sure? I would appreciate the help as you are more familiar with these than I, but I don't want to upset you in any way
, she returned.

I'm sure
, I replied.
It's time I stood up to them. It's time for them to realize they no longer have power over me. I've spent too many years being afraid of them as it is
.

I understand that
, Reah said.
More than you know
.

It was then, I think, that the realization hit me. Kalia and I—our souls had been forged into a single entity. Our memories were my memories, and seemingly, I'd been left in charge. What was left of Kalia didn't seem to mind at all that our separate selves were now combined. In fact, there was no
we
. There was only
I
, now, and I was determined to see justice done.

We should contact Jett Riffler
, I sent.
One of Hordace's strongholds is located on Du'Ferias. Jett has extensive knowledge of survival in that sort of environment
.

The jungle planet?
Reah asked.

Yes. I was there several times with Hordace, whenever the ASD came too close and he wanted to hide for a while. I didn't know where I was then, but I know it now
.

Sounds like a good place to start. Do you think Song and Serenade are there with him?
Reah asked.

No, but he'll know where they are and how to contact them. We need him alive—at least for a little while. If not him, then his lapdog, Q'Ind Ribalo. Q'Ind is Hordace's procurer—he looks over each new crop of children and makes selections for Hordace. Those get special training
. Yes, my voice was bitter when I transmitted that bit of information.

And his brother, Q'And, is a prick who fed vital information on the ASD and its agents to Cayetes for years while posing as a sympathetic psychologist
.

I could tell from Reah's bitterness that she disliked Q'Ind's brother greatly.

I'm coming with you
, Kevis' mindspeech broke in on our conversation.

Kevis?
Reah sounded puzzled.

You may need a healer—in more ways than one. I'm Mil'Karha, remember? We're mates, too, remember?

Then you'll come with us,
Reah said
. At least we can shield ourselves well enough. I hope they never see us coming.

Oh, I want them to see me,
I said
. Right at the last, I want them to see me.

That gives me an idea
, Kevis said.
Where can we meet to discuss this?

* * *

EastStar—present

Reah's Journal

Kevis spent a few moments explaining Kay/Kalia's past to everyone before she arrived at EastStar with Trace. Trace nodded to all of us before returning to SouthStar. He and his brother had their own mission to discuss—with Lissa.

"I don't want Kay to do this alone," Edward said.

"I agree with Edward," Tybus said immediately.

"I was hoping at least one person would go with me." Kay seemed shaky but determined to see this through. "All we have to do is find Rezil. He'll take things from there. I and whoever is with me will have to convince him to take me back to Hordace instead of shooting me on sight."

"I can see to that," Aurelius offered.

"As can I," Tybus nodded. "Actually, as Rezil will recognize me as Teeg, he may want to kill me instead and then take Kay back to Hordace, just to discover what she may have told me, the CSD and ASD."

"We can fake your death at Rezil's hands," Aurelius nodded at the logic in Tybus' plan. "And then travel with Kay, keeping ourselves shielded. We will be with her all along, but the enemy won't know it."

"My dear," Tybus touched Kay's hand gently, "how would you feel about posing with me as a couple? I can make arrangements to have our images shown in the media. That should draw Master Rezil to us quickly, don't you think?"

"Y-yes," Kay agreed unsteadily.

"Kay, you have more power now than Rezil can ever dream of," Kevis reminded her. "Tybus will lay compulsion to make Rezil believe that he's killed the Founder of the Campiaan Alliance, and he'll also tell him not to harm you. I'm confident that will work."

"Then I should pose with both of you, to let everyone know the arrangement has my blessing," I said. "We don't need a scandal. We need to show the Alliance a legitimate courtship of another mate."

"That would be wonderful," Tybus smiled at me. I could tell he hadn't wanted to make the suggestion, for fear of making me uncomfortable. I wanted to sigh but held it back—this man was quickly winning my heart and I had no idea how to tell him.

"We think this good idea," Farzi spoke for all the reptanoids. "We have talents for jungles, too. These grz-gitch not escape."

I wanted to laugh at Farzi's words. We understood—finally—the reptanoids' personal language. Grz-gitch meant illegitimate in every way. Farzi was calling Hordace Cayetes and his cohorts bastards.

"All we need to do is set a date to invite the media in," Tybus said. "Then we sit back and wait for Rezil Foculis to fall into our trap."

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis—present

Lissa's Journal

"Look, they know Kiarra is in Fresno. With me," Adam pointed out. "Bill, Trajan, Jayson and Opal want to go back with us. It would be easiest if you convince the past versions of Bill and Trajan to stay on Kiarra's private planet until it's safe for them to return."

"I have a house there," I reminded Adam. "I just never use it. They can stay there."

"If we send Fes and Corent to stay with them, they won't starve and those two can provide extra shielding or run errands," Merrill suggested.

"That's a good idea," I said. "Is there anybody else we need to send there to keep them safe?"

"That's something to consider," Adam agreed. "So you'll go and explain to Bill and Trajan that we need to keep them safe while other forces do the dirty work? You know they won't want to leave. We have to tell them that Jayson and Opal are safe where they are, too," he added.

"I know that, but I'll have to convince them that they need to stay alive then to be alive in the future. Maybe that will work."

"I sure as hell hope so," Kiarra sighed.

* * *

Earth—past

"Where the hell do you suppose Rome went?" Bill shook his head. "Opal's gone, too." He and Trajan found Opal and Jayson's rooms empty at the compound in Fresno. Bill had extra agents there, and he imagined the place was still shielded, only he had no way to prove it. Both disappearances puzzled him and Trajan greatly.

"No idea. We sure could use Hank right about now," Trajan said.

"Hank's busy," Lissa appeared beside them.

* * *

Lissa's Journal

Bill gaped for a few moments before closing his mouth. Trajan, however, didn't waste any time. "What the hell?" he snapped.

"I said Hank's busy," I repeated. "I need you two to come with me. Jayson and Opal are safe, by the way. You need to be safe, too. That's why I'm here—to take you to safety so we can sort this mess out. When we're done, you'll be brought back."

"I have things to do," Bill found his voice.

"And those things will get done. Just not by you. Don't worry, nobody will realize you're not here. Trust me."

"What about the President?"

"What about Winkler?"

"Neither of them will ever know you were gone," I said.

"Isn't this building shielded?" Bill asked.

"Yeah," I said. "But I have permission to get through the shields."

"What if we don't want to go?" Trajan asked.

"Trajan, you have to come with me—this is to save your life. You're needed in the future, and you won't be there if you're killed here and now. I hope that makes sense," I said.

"Why does everybody think you're dead?" Bill asked the big question.

"Bill, every time you see me, memories have to be modified. It's to save me, just as I'm here to save you. If I die here and now, I won't be alive in the future, either, to do what I need to do. If you must know, I almost died—twice. Ashe and Breanne put me back together."

"So that's how it happened." Bill took a seat at the kitchen island with a sigh. "Will we forget you're alive again?"

"At least you remember me. The vampires don't," I pointed out dryly.

"Yeah. That's true." Trajan took a seat across from Bill. "Where will you take us? So we'll be safe? And I'm still not convinced I'll be safer there than here."

"Trajan, you'll just have to trust me on this, and it's nowhere on Earth."

"Do we need to pack?" Bill sounded resigned. "I know Bree isn't here to protect us anymore. Or Hank or Ashe."

"Bill, don't worry about packing." I put an arm around his shoulders. "Bree was my sister. I miss her, too. Your things will be transported with us, and if you need anything, all you have to do is tell Fes or Corent."

"Who are they?" Trajan's dark eyes were puzzled.

"Fes is one of the best cooks anywhere. Corent, well, Corent should explain himself, I think. Don't worry, the hair is natural."

* * *

Kent, England—present

Conner's Journal

"I think it's for the best, don't you?" I nodded to Wlodek, Weldon, Winkler, Russell, Will, Radomir and several others. "I can gather all of you in the past and place you with the others on Kiarra's planet with Bill and Trajan. That'll allow your present selves to step in and work toward taking down the enemy."