“Fortunately we have time to fill it,” Garen said. “We can do nothing until Onddo is settled, and that will take upwards of a year in travel time alone, even with the new jump point to Sheara 3.”
“For right now, I believe that Saige is tired,” Lariah said. “It’s time for her to go home and rest.”
Garen glanced at Saige, then Faron, and nodded in agreement. Trey placed one hand lightly on Saige’s shoulder, turned to the side, and vanished. Val did the same with Ban, leaving Lariah, Garen, Faron and Dav alone in the testing area located in the furthest reaches of the ranch.
“We need to begin practicing our abilities in space soon,” Garen said. “Too bad Jackson didn’t think to call us before destroying that Xanti ship.”
“He will next time,” Faron said. “I confess that I would have done exactly what he did if I knew an invisible Xanti ship had just appeared from nowhere like that.”
“Yes, I would have as well,” Garen admitted. “Jasan owes a debt to Faith Meyers that cannot be repaid.”
“She wants no repayment,” Lariah said. “She wants only to help, to be of use, and to be safe.”
Garen sighed. “Until the Xanti are taken care of, we can promise safety to no one.”
Trey suddenly appeared a few feet away, a strange expression on his face that Lariah didn’t recognize. She reached for his feelings and found worry. And fear.
“What is it?” she asked. “The children?”
“The children are fine, little love,” he said. “This I promise. Everyone is fine.” Trey’s eyes met Garen’s, then returned to Lariah’s. “We have a guest. Jung Del of Marrazo is on his way to Earth to see Ellicia, and decided to stop along the way to visit.”
Lariah relaxed and smiled at Trey. “It’s all right. I’m not going to fall apart or anything like that. Take me back to the house, please. I don’t want anyone else breaking this news to him.”
***
When Lariah Dracon entered the living room with her mates, Jung Del tried not to smile too widely since he knew that had a tendency to make some humans nervous. He was aware that his gray skin, black eyes, rudimentary gills and, most of all, his mouth, greatly resembled an Earth creature called
shark
. He’d used that to his advantage on occasion, but had no wish to use it now.
“Welcome, Jung Del,” Lariah said, smiling warmly as she walked straight up to him. He took her small hands carefully into his own large ones before bowing over them.
“Thank you, Highness,” he replied. When he straightened up and met her eyes, he stilled for a long moment. Her greeting was sincere, her pleasure in seeing him real. But there was something in her eyes that he knew meant bad news.
“Please, tell me,” he said softly. “I handle bad news far better than I do suspense.”
“I’m sorry, Jung Del,” Lariah said. “I am not trying to cause suspense. It’s just a little difficult sometimes.” Her mouth opened again, but no sound came out. She looked over her shoulder to Garen, who stepped forward and bowed politely.
“Greetings, Jung Del,” He said. “What Lariah wants to tell you, most regretfully, is that her beloved sister, Ellicia, has passed to the next plane.”
By the time Garen said it, Jung Del had already figured it out. What else could be so difficult for Princess Lariah to say to him? For a long moment Jung Del did not move as hundreds of mental images of Ellicia Daniels ran through his mind. Then he took a deep breath and composed himself.
“I apologize, Highness,” he said. “I should not disturb you at this time. I shall take my leave.” When he tried to pull his hands from Lariah’s, she tightened her grip on his fingers.
“Jung Del, please,” she said, pleading in her voice. “I ask that you stay and talk with me a while. Ellicia cared for you a great deal. There are things I would like to tell you, things that I think she would like for you to know.”
Jung Del nodded slowly, surprised by her generosity. But then, he thought, why should I be surprised? This was the sister of Ellicia.
“I would be most honored,” he said, bowing low again.
“Come, let us sit,” Garen said.
Over the next couple of hours Jung Del listened while Lariah and, occasionally her Rami, told him all that had happened to Ellicia Daniels. He was surprised that so much time had passed since her death. Why had the Director not informed him? Well, he would ask that question of the Director when he saw him.
When they were finished talking, Jung Del sat for long minutes, processing the information he’d just received in the unique manner of his kind. Not a single word, gesture, smile or tear of the conversation they’d just had would ever slip from his memory. When he was finished, he asked a favor.
“I would like to meet the woman who so honorably fulfilled Ellicia’s final request,” he said. “And I would be most honored to meet her sons, if it is not too inconvenient.”
“I’m sure it can be arranged,” Garen said. Trey stood up and vanished, causing Jung Del to blink in surprise.
A few moments later he returned and nodded to Garen.
“Shall we walk, ride, or speed travel?” Garen asked Jung Del.
Jung Del grinned, relieved by the change of subject. “I think I would like to experience this speed traveling of yours.”
Chapter
Fifteen
Faith, Tristan, Gray, and Jon walked up the street after leaving the
raktsasa
broker. Bubbles was draped contentedly over Faith’s left shoulder, making soft bubble popping noises of excitement at all the new sights and sounds. When they approached a small park, Faith stepped off the sidewalk onto the blue grass, then turned and waited for the Falcorans to join her.
“Is something wrong?” Tristan asked with a worried expression.
“No, not at all,” Faith said, smiling as she reached up to pet Bubbles. “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you guys. I understand why you did this, and I appreciate it so much more than I can say. Not only will I feel safer with Bubbles, I won’t feel quite so alone any more.”
“It was our pleasure, Faith,” Tristan said, hiding his surprise, and his disappointment. “We have made you smile, and laugh, and that is truly all the thanks we need.”
“The thing is, I know Bubbles had to be expensive,” she continued. “Probably v
er
y expensive. I really should not have accepted such an extravagant gift. I just wanted her too much to refuse. But I will find a way to repay you, somehow.”
“Faith, Bubbles is a gift,” Gray said gently. “Gifts do not require repayment. If you must give us something in return, then all we ask is that you allow her to help you feel safe, and love her as she will love you.”
“Well, that’s easy enough,” Faith said with another laugh. “Thank you, all of you, so much.”
“You are most welcome, Faith,” Tristan said. “Now, if there is nothing else you need to purchase, we should return to the
Eyrie
.”
“Do we have everything we need for Bubbles?” she asked, glancing doubtfully at the large container Jon was carrying. “Is there enough food for her to last for however long we’ll be gone?”
“That is not a problem,” Jon said. “I’ve done some research on
raktsasa
and while the packaged food Mr. Fray supplied us with is adequate for her dietary needs, she will prefer fresh food.”
“What does she eat?” Faith asked, still worried.
“
Raktsasa
are carnivores,” Jon replied. “Finely chopped meat in small amounts three or four times a day, preferably raw, but cooked will do, is the best diet. A mix of the packaged food and meat is also good and, if necessary, they can live entirely off the packaged food. They are not nearly so delicate as they appear.”
Faith laughed again, galvanizing the Falcorans though she didn’t notice it. Instead, she turned her head to look into Bubble’s big eyes. “Looks like we have the same diet,” she said. “Lots of protein, several times a day.”
Bubbles reared up and placed her forepaws on Faith’s jaw, then pressed her tiny black nose against her cheek and made bubble popping sounds. Then she lowered herself back to Faith’s shoulder, purring happily.
“I think she just kissed your cheek,” Gray said, grinning.
Faith was too overwhelmed to speak, so she simply nodded.
“We should get to the shuttle now,” Tristan said. Faith nodded again and they all fell into place, Faith and Tristan in front, Gray and Jon flanking them, and headed back to the spaceport.
An hour later, Tristan opened the stateroom they’d chosen for Faith aboard the
Eyrie
. It was located across the hall from Gray and Jon’s rooms, and next to his. Like everything on the
Eyrie
, it was brand new and luxurious. It also had a private bathroom containing both a shower, and a jetted tub.
Faith stepped inside, then stopped. “Is this a mistake?” she asked as she gazed around herself.
“No, there is no mistake,” Gray said. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t need anything this big and fancy, guys,” she said. “Really. I appreciate it, but it isn’t necessary.”
“The
Eyrie
has six cabins like this, intended for family, and close friends, all located in this section,” Tristan said. “There is another section on the opposite side of the ship that contains similar cabins intended for guests. The
Eyrie
is a battleship, not a passenger liner. These are the only cabins, aside from those intended for officers and crew.”
“Are your rooms nearby?” Faith asked.
“Yes,” Tristan replied. “My cabin is next door, Jon’s is directly across the hall, and Gray’s is next to Jon’s.”
Faith hesitated, waiting for the fear to hit, but it didn’t. She was relieved that it didn’t bother her in the least to know that they would be sleeping so close to her. In fact, she liked it. It made her feel safe.
“Where would you like Bubble’s things?” Jon asked.
Faith looked around the room. “If you can put the box down on the table, I’ll figure it all out later, thanks.”
Jon crossed the room to the sitting area and set the container on the table, then began removing the contents. Once he’d emptied the container he carried it to the closet and placed it on a high shelf so they could use it again when they left the
Eyrie
.
Just then a couple of crew members arrived with Faith’s purchases, and her duffle bag from the cutter. “Looks like I have my work cut out for me,” she said, eyeing all of the bags piled on the bed after they left. Had she really purchased that much?
“We would be pleased to help, if you like,” Gray offered.
Faith shook her head. “No thanks,” she said. “I’d rather do it myself.”
Gray’s vox beeped and he reached up to tap it. He spoke into it for a moment, then disconnected. “Joseph is sending your afternoon meal, and apologizes for not having it here when we returned but he didn’t know which cabin would be yours.”
“I’m gong to have to do something nice for him,” Faith said.
“We have some duties to see to before our departure, so we shall leave you now,” Tristan said. “If you need anything, use this to contact us.”
Faith’s eyes widened as Tristan held a new vox out to her. “It’s been programmed with our vox codes, so you can reach us anywhere on the ship whenever you need us.”
“Thank you,” she said as she accepted the vox. “Very much.”
“You are welcome,” Tristan said with a short bow. “If I might suggest, once you’ve eaten and put your things away, the tub in the bathroom is quite relaxing. You have no duties for the remainder of this day, so you can take your time. However, we ask that you allow us to share dinner with you this evening.”
“That’d be nice, thank you,” Faith replied. “What time?”
“Four hours?” Tristan asked.
“Perfect,” Faith replied. “Thanks again, and I’ll see you later.”
Tristan reached over and petted Bubbles lightly in farewell, Jon and Gray doing the same. Since they were now companions, Bubbles needed to have occasional contact with them to maintain the connection.
When the door closed behind them, Faith sighed, then looked around the room more carefully, checking the size and location of the closet and the dresser drawers built into the walls. Then she opened her duffle and got to work.
She paused to eat the light meal Joseph sent to her room, reading the booklet on
raktsasa
that Mr. Fray had included with the supplies while she ate. She chopped up a little of her chicken for Bubbles, which she devoured hungrily, purring all the while. Faith made a mental note to ask Joseph to include a dish of raw meat with her meals from now on.
When she was finished eating she returned to her unpacking. She carried a load of items into the bathroom and set them down on the counter, sighing softly as she avoided looking directly into the big mirror that stretched the length of one wall above the double sinks. The shower door was also a mirror on the outside, and another covered the inside of the bathroom door. She began putting her toiletries away, trying to come up with a way to cover the mirrors. When she was done, she hadn’t thought of anything.