Fallen Star (22 page)

That was new information. When Odintar
explained the conflict, she’d pictured Rodyte hostilities growing
out of a sense of inferiority or at least having been treated as
inferiors. As with most conflicts, it was obviously more
complicated than she’d first thought. “If your sister had abilities
similar to yours, how was a Rodyte able to imprison her?”

“They developed a collar that suppresses our
access to elemental energy. Without such energy, we are powerless.
We have since engineered a device that disables the collar, but it
was still in use when Lierra was captured.”

She shuddered. It was so easy to imagine the
terror and hopelessness Lierra must have endured. “Is it still
going on?”

“We’re enjoying a prolonged lull in
hostilities. I’m not sure the war will ever be over. Resentment on
both sides runs too deep.”

“I’m sorry about what your sister suffered,
but she couldn’t be my mother. My mother has photographs of me in
her arms shortly after I was born.”

“You misunderstand.” Indric crossed his legs
and offered her a patient smile. “You’re too young to have been
battle born.”

“Battle born?”

“The offspring of war brides are referred to
as battle born. My sister was returned to us forty-three years ago.
As is the custom, she was released from captivity without her
battle-born son.”

Another shiver raced down Jillian’s spine as
the subject became more personal. “You think your nephew is my
father?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “There’s no
speculation involved. The rhythm of your energy is so similar to
mine, you can only be a blood relation.”

“What made you suspect a connection?”
Odintar asked.

Damn good question. What made the King of
Bilarri drop everything and flash to another planet?

“It took many years, but I was able to
confirm the identity of my nephew. I have attempted to make contact
with him, but he considers himself Rodyte and wants nothing to do
with his Bilarrian heritage.”

“Who is he?”

Jillian appreciated Odintar’s directness.
Her thoughts were too chaotic for such clarity.

“Gerrod Reynolds. He organized the
despicable group of rebels known as the Dirty Dozen. When Drakkin
told me about the notebook, I knew it was only a matter of time
before one or more of Gerrod’s offspring was located.”

“It’s possible I have half-brothers and
sisters?” Her heart did a little flip. She’d always longed for
siblings, had always envied the closeness Tori and Angie enjoyed.
Despite the numerous conflicts the sisters had endured, they each
knew the other would be there to support them if the need
arose.

“It’s not just possible, it’s likely. The
goal of the Dirty Dozen was to create as many offspring as they
could.”

“Wait a minute.” She paused, hoping to
organize her thoughts. “Weren’t the Dirty Dozen from Ontariese? I
thought the Ontarian government sanctioned the program, even
brought them to Earth.”

“The facts are sketchy at best,” Odintar
admitted. “Nine of the twelve were taken back to Ontariese. Two
were killed during the manhunt and their leader was presumed dead.
The nine we had in custody were interrogated at length, but their
stories varied greatly.”

“Why didn’t someone just read their minds
and learn the truth.”

The knowing smile Odintar and Indric
exchanged made her feel naive. So many of their explanations began
with “it’s not that simple”.

“Truth is greatly influenced by
perspective,” Odintar began. “If a person is told an untruth, but
they have no reason to doubt it. The falsehood becomes true to
them.”

When she didn’t respond to Odintar’s
comment, Indric elaborated. “From what I’ve been able to piece
together, Gerrod was working for Pern Keire, the ruler of Rodymia
at the time. Gerrod recruited the others then dispatched them to
different locations so they had minimal contact with each other.
It’s likely the others didn’t realize they were being manipulated
by a Rodyte.”

And this delightful Rodyte spy was her
father.

“What did the Rodyte gain by…never mind. I
don’t think I want to know.” She folded her hands in her lap and
interlaced her fingers. “What do you expect from me?”

“I expect nothing,” Indric insisted. “Lierra
passed beyond years ago, but you have a variety of other relations
who will be anxious to meet you.”

“I’m not ready to leave Earth. Is that a
problem?” A touch of rebellion sharpened the question.

Indric chuckled, unaffected by her attitude.
“I’m not going to throw you over my shoulder and zap you to
Bilarri. That’s not why I came. All of Lierra’s wealth and property
were held in trust for her son. When I located Gerrod, he
stubbornly relinquished all rights to his inheritance. There were
no specific provisions for grandchildren in Lierra’s will, but
Bilarrian law requires a ten-year waiting period in which offspring
can register a claim. Gerrod renounced his inheritance six years
ago, so you have four years to decide what you want out of the rest
of your life.”

“What happens if I don’t register a
claim?”

“I’m the clan patriarch, so everything
reverts back to me.” Again the tingling lethargy accompanied each
word.

“All you had to do was stay quiet and
Lierra’s wealth would have been yours?”

He scooted to the edge of his chair and
rested his forearms on his knees. “This isn’t about money. It’s
about family. You are a member of my family. None of us will force
our way into your life, but I hope, at some point, you’ll be
curious enough to explore the possibilities.”

Standing suddenly, she walked around behind
the loveseat. She wasn’t afraid of Indric. She just felt the need
for a little more separation. “If you’re drugging me intentionally,
stop it! I’m not hysterical.”

“I apologize.” The words came out of his
mouth, but there was no remorse in his expression.

“Then you were doing it intentionally?”

“Some find my voice soothing. I won’t do it
again.”

Those mysterious eyes hinted at a lot more
than the ability to soothe. He could pause time, for God’s sake.
Was it really surprising that he could control emotions with his
voice?

“May I ask a question, sire?” Odintar had
remained silently supportive through the entire exchange.

“Of course.”

“Do you know his current location?”

“Gerrod’s?” The king seemed genuinely
surprised by the question.

“Yes. He’s a fugitive who has escaped
justice for a very long time.”

Indric’s tense nod made Jillian think he
wouldn’t answer. “I’ll give Lor his last known address, but I
seriously doubt he’s still there. He obviously knows how to evade
capture. Even my network of spies had a hard time locating
him.”

“And yet you allowed him to disappear.”
Odintar pushed to his feet, momentarily blocking her view of
Indric. “Why didn’t you notify the authorities when you found him
the first time?”

She took a step to the side so she could
gauge Indric’s reaction.

His chin came up a notch and the rings in
his eyes gleamed. He was clearly not used to having his actions
questioned. “His behavior is amoral and utterly objectionable, but
he has not broken any laws. As long as the females were willing,
which it’s my understanding that they were, I have no reason to
pursue the matter further.”

“Would your attitude be the same if he
weren’t your nephew?”

Stop it.
She rushed around the
loveseat and grasped his upper arm, half afraid Odintar would
charge Indric.

“This is an Ontarian conflict.” Indric stood
as well, though he appeared calm. “I have neither assisted nor
hindered any attempts to capture him. If High Queen Charlotte is
dissatisfied with my approach, she is free to contact me.”

His arm flexed beneath her hand then
gradually relaxed. He took a deep breath and then inclined his
head. “I apologize for my attitude. I have expended too much time
and energy trying to bring Gerrod Reynolds to justice. The ongoing
effort sometimes overshadows my reasoning.”

“I’ll give Lor all the information I have on
Gerrod, but don’t expect much. The last time I had contact with him
was six years ago.”

“I appreciate the compromise.”

Indric acknowledged the statement with
another regal nod, then turned back to Jillian. “I’ll stress this
again. Nothing will be forced upon you. But you have opportunities
open to you now that weren’t there before. First and foremost, you
would be much safer on Bilarri. I encourage you to seriously
consider coming home.”

“Home.” She laughed. “I’ve been trying to go
home ever since this
adventure
began.” Odintar looked at
her, obviously catching the sarcasm in her tone. She glanced at him
then continued her standoff with the king. “I’m not leaving Earth
until the Shadow Assassins are apprehended. I won’t make myself
safe by making someone else a target.”

Though Indric didn’t seem pleased, he didn’t
argue. “Security within the Bunker is acceptable, but Lor mentioned
some sort of undercover operation. Tell me more about that.”

Odintar slipped his arm around her waist as
he explained, “We’ve identified a tattoo shop frequented by the
Shadow Assassins. Jillian was just hired as their receptionist.
She’ll be accompanied by a human surveillance team as well as me or
one of the other Mystics.”

Indric narrowed his gaze, clearly
unsatisfied with the description. “I’ll dispatch a security team to
augment the Mystic Militia. Three empowered players is not nearly
enough.”

“Two weeks ago I would have argued with you,
but we’re no longer limited by the confines of our ship. I suspect
Lor will welcome reinforcements. However, the final say is
his.”

“Jillian will have a security contingent,”
Indric asserted. “Whether or not Lor chooses to incorporate them
into current missions is up to him.”

“And if I don’t want bodyguards?” She knew
the answer. She just couldn’t believe her freedom had been
compromised by a father she’d never met.

“I’m trying to be patient. I know this is
overwhelming for you. But it’s my responsibility to keep you safe.”
The friendly openness she’d sensed evaporated. She was no longer
speaking with a member of her family. This was
King
Indric.
“Don’t fight me on this. I will not relent.”

She stared back at him, neither accepting
nor objecting to his decision.

He turned to Odintar and added, “I’ll
arrange for a mentor from Guild Air. Your intimate relationship
disqualifies you to train her properly.”

Much to her surprise, Odintar nodded. Just
like that he handed her over to someone else?

“Don’t I get a say in any of this?” She
looked from Indric to Odintar and back. “I happen to like training
with Odintar. I trust him and I—”

“He’s right,” Odintar insisted. “You’ll
progress faster with someone who’s able to remain objective. I lost
that ability the first time I kissed you.”

She was about to voice her annoyance when
Indric changed the subject. “Is your mother still alive?”

“Why?” The question was so unexpected, she
finally felt surprised.

His easy smile returned. “She suffered at
the hands of one of my progeny. I would like the opportunity to
make amends.”

Jillian crossed her arms over her chest, not
sure what to make of the offer. “What did you have in mind?”

He shrugged. “I can take her to Bilarri
where she will live in the lap of luxury or I can arrange for her
to receive an inheritance from a previously unknown relation. I can
provide for her needs without her ever knowing the source of her
good fortune. It’s up to you.”

“Let me think about it. I’m not sure which
makes more sense for her.”

“All right.” He clasped his hands behind his
back and squared his shoulders. “I’ve taken up enough of your time.
Prepare yourself for the rush. I’m going to release the
visualization.”

The salon blurred for a fraction of a second
and then they were back in the training hall.

“I suppose my office is more comfortable,”
Elias was saying. “Will that be satisfactory, sire?”

Lor flashed a knowing smile. Even with the
time strand paused, he must have sensed their absence. “I don’t
think that’s necessary any longer.”

“I had an investigator locate Gerrod
Reynolds six years ago. I don’t know if any of the information will
be useful now, but I’ll send over a report.” Before Lor could
respond to the offer, Indric turned to Elias. “I appreciate your
hospitality.” Then to Odintar he said, “It will take me a day or
two to make the arrangements. I’m trusting you to protect her until
then.”

Odintar bowed and, without further ado,
Indric flashed out of sight.

“All right,” Elias grumbled. “What the hell
just happened?”

Lor laughed and patted him on the back. “I
think we’re looking at the newest member of Indric’s family.” He
moved toward Jillian as he asked, “Am I right?”

She sighed. “So he tells me.”

“Then why aren’t you excited?” Lor glanced
at Odintar as he waited for her answer. “You just found out you’re
royalty.”

“I just found out I’m an obscure member of a
royal family on a planet I’d never heard of until a few days ago.
Meanwhile, I’m being hunted by another group of aliens who want to
use females like human incubators.”

“Well, when you put it like that…” Elias
maintained a straight face as the other three laughed.

Lor carefully placed his hand on her upper
arm. “We know this has been hard on you and Odintar told me that
what you’d really like is to go home for a night or two.”

Jillian tensed. Was this where he refused
because it was too dangerous? Sleeping in her own bed, surrounded
by her own things was such a simple request, or it would have been
without the Shadow Assassins.