Urazi shoved his feet into his footwear, ruing the loss of the dagger, although he’d expected it. He had assumed he would be searched, but had brought the weapon just in case he wasn’t. He had to be prepared because he could not predict when an opportunity to assassinate Qalin might arise. During this meeting, he hoped to discover how protected Qalin was and identify possible future vulnerabilities.
“Where is Anjot?” Perce asked.
“He ails,” Urazi replied. Monto, she was stubborn. Fortunately her buttocks were more…impressionable. He regretted the necessity of chastisement, but they did not have the luxury of time to argue or negotiate. “Anjot thought it prudent he not appear before Alpha Qalin in such a state.”
“I concur.” Perce nodded. “Not that Anjot’s condition would pose any threat to a supreme warrior like Alpha Qalin,” he added hastily.
“Of course not,” Urazi agreed. Woe to the ailing individual if Qalin did become stricken after granting an audience.
“Before we enter the Chamber of Familiars —”
“Familiars?” Urazi arched his eyebrows.
“My sire has larger, more formal chambers reserved for greeting dignitaries of equal stature—although none currently exist,” Perce explained. “This chamber is the smaller of two used to confer with familial members of his household and most trusted staff.
How revealing—Qalin did not consider the other Alphas his peers—and interesting that there might be staff members he
did
trust. Opportunity? “I am surprised the Commander’s blood relations are so numerous to necessitate two chambers.” Hadn’t Perce said he was the sole son? “What other kin does he have?”
If his inquisitiveness violated Protocol, Perce appeared not to notice. “Until recently, my sire had a younger male sibling, an uncle, and a male cousin.”
“Until recently? What happened?”
“They fell victim to accident just before Marlix, Dak, and Ilian declared war.”
Urazi blinked. All three had died? And
Marlix, Dak, and Ilian
had declared war? Technically so, but only after they had no choice because Qalin’s forces had marched through Dak’s province and burned the Enclave to the ground.
“But, now, I am the only relation,” Perce continued. “And, one day, my sire will acquire a breeder who can produce additional sons to ensure his legacy continues in the event I am killed in battle.” He shook his head. “It is tragic the breeders produced feeble male offspring.”
“I thought you were the only son.”
“I am the sole surviving male. The others expired within days of their birth.”
A sibling. An uncle. A cousin. Infant sons. To be a male blood relation of Qalin decreased one’s chances for survival. Perce seemed to have had no idea Qalin was eliminating all possible usurpers. The young man’s dearth of discernment coupled with his usefulness probably had kept him alive. As heir, he served as an additional barrier to those who would challenge Qalin’s command, while his unsuitability to be Alpha ensured he would never threaten Qalin himself. Due to his close association with Marlix, Urazi had an inkling of what Alpha training entailed. Perce would never survive its rigors. Perce embodied
beta
. But no one would dare tell an Alpha he’d sired a son of lesser status.
“What of the females born?” Urazi asked.
Perce shrugged. “Oh, they all survived. Upon maturation, they are transferred to Breeder Containment Facilities. Commander Qalin’s female offspring bring high prices indeed.” His expression turned serious. “We should enter now, but before we do, I must give you some instructions….”
* * * *
From behind a massive statue of Qalin outside the Chamber of Familiars, Anika watched as the guards strained to open the telenium doors. She’d thought at first the gleaming panels might be plated, but the manner in which the guards grunted revealed the metal was solid. Not extravagance. Fortification. Not only did the weight hinder anyone who might try to rush it, the door could withstand a lot of battering before it would cave. The need for security, Anika understood—why Qalin might need protection from his familiars remained unclear.
However, the guards would have to admit her; she could not open the doors by herself, even if she could manage to sneak by the sentries.
Anika massaged her still-throbbing buttocks. She would pay the price for disobedience later.
She’d been too far away to hear more than a mumble, but she’d seen the guards search Urazi, so Anika unbuckled the holster with her dagger and hid it behind the statue of Qalin immortalizing the Alpha in attack mode: knife in hand, body in a lunge, face in a grimace. She checked that her boot lining concealed the knitting needle.
With a deep breath for courage, she stepped from behind the statue. Straightening to her full height and throwing back her shoulders, she strode toward the sentries.
“Halt!” one of them ordered. “Identify yourself.”
“I am Anjot. Commander Qalin expects me.”
“You were reported to be ailing.” The other narrowed his eyes with suspicion.
“As you can see, I am in fine form. I took a brief respite after a long journey, and I find betas have spread rumors of illness.” She shook her head. “Their lack of discernment and discretion are key reasons why they are unsuitable for high status positions such as guard duty.”
Qalin’s sentries inflated before her eyes. “So true,” the taller of them said. “The son of Alpha Qalin did inquire about you,” he admitted, his expression turning apologetic. “But we must search you before you may enter.”
“Of course. I would not expect otherwise.” Anika stretched out her arms as she’d seen Urazi do, while the guard patted her down. She held her breath when he ran his hands over her chest for fear inhalation might thrust out her breasts.
A frown creased his forehead. “What is under your uniform shirt?”
She’d bound her mammary glands very tight, flattening them as much as she could with fabric extending from underarms to nearly her waist. Was he referring to the bindings? Or had he detected the lumpiness underneath? Urazi had warned her. Anika’s mouth dried, but she forced her words to sound bold and clear. “Bandages.”
“Bandages?”
She waved her hand in a desultory fashion. “A trifle. I was injured in a battle against former Commander Dak.”
The guard straightened. “It is an honor to meet one who fought on the righteous side of Alpha Qalin, but I must follow orders. Please raise your shirt.”
Her heartbeat pulsed in her throat as she grasped the hem and lifted the garment enough to show the edge of her binding.
He nodded and motioned she could drop the shirt. Next she removed and shook out her boots, hoping the knitting needle would not fall out.
The lining and her luck held.
“Honor to the brave.” The guards saluted and opened the doors.
Anika sauntered into the chamber then halted in awe. She was only remotely aware of the doors closing with a whisper of a
snick
as she took it all in. An enormous nave stretched before her, its floor and walls tiled in the palest, rarest marble. On both sides of the promenade, a colonnade rose to support a massive dome.
She tilted her head and stared at the concave carved ceiling insculpted with a single star. Carved between its points were scenes involving a lone warrior fighting a fierce foe to emerge victorious. The subject bore a striking resemblance to Qalin.
This chamber was built to glorify him. It probably sits directly under the highest spire
.
She gulped and scrutinized the rest of the chamber. Precious gemstones had been embedded in the floor the length of the nave. At its terminus, the bejeweled aisle widened in front of an upraised dais. In this expanded area, Urazi and Perce stood with their backs to her. Other than the three of them, the Chamber of Familiars was vacant. Qalin had not yet arrived.
Of course the Alpha would command an entrance
.
Fortunately for me
.
Exposed as I am,
I would have been like sitting waterfowl.
In her hastily cobbled plan, she’d intended to march up to Urazi and Perce and declare her arrival, but the two males knelt and touched their foreheads to the floor and extended their arms overhead. She jettisoned her plan to join them, but instead cocked an ear to catch their conversation. Unfortunately, their murmurs were too low to hear. She needed to be closer. Anika darted from column to column to the front until she could make out their words.
“How long before Qalin arrives?” Urazi asked.
“I do not know,” Perce whispered back. “Alpha Qalin might arrive soon, or it could be hours.”
“Hours?” Urazi gasped.
“Shh now! We should not speak. We must remain silent until we are addressed. Remember what I told you.”
Anika pressed her spine to the pillar and slid to her haunches, hoping for Urazi’s and Perce’s sakes Qalin appeared soon. Though beautiful, the sharp facets of the jeweled mosaic floor could slice through skin. Kneeling would be uncomfortable even for a moderate period.
She hunkered down to wait, grateful
she
could sit on smooth marble, which, though hard, felt cool against her sore buttocks. Time passed, and although Urazi did not utter a sound, Perce began to fidget and groan.
Without warning, a clarion blast reverberated through the chamber. Anika leaped to her feet. Clapping her hands over her ears, she peeked out from behind the pillar. Under a trumpeting herald, an entourage filed into the room, clarionist leading, followed by two alpha guards, then two Veronian ones, and lastly, a couple of betas. They ascended the raised platform at the uttermost terminus of the nave and halted.
Next, two males carried in a chair and placed it on the dais, then stood with the others. Anika gawked.
Chair
could not describe the object. Wide enough to seat at least two people, it stood higher than the tallest male on the platform. Padded purple fabric covered the wooden seat and back support, the latter tapering to a spire topped by a single star. Telenium arms in a scrolling design curved toward the floor to form the front two legs.
The clarion player released another ear-splitting blast, before lowering the instrument and singing: “The valorous and honorable Commander Qalin,
Alpha of Parseon
.”
Of
Parseon
? Not just Province One? Did that mean what it sounded like? The war had ended? They had
lost
? Marlix, Ilian…overthrown? She slumped in shocked despair.
Even though Qalin had achieved a major victory in toppling Dak, deep down, she had not thought he would win
all
of Parseon. How could a bloc of two have defeated an alliance of three? Were Marlix—and Tara!—and Ilian still alive, or had Qalin and Artom executed them?
And what of Artom? If he and Qalin had joined in coalition, how could Qalin claim all of Parseon?
Moments later, Qalin strutted into chamber in a ceremonial dress such as she’d never seen. Dak and Ilian had worn formal uniforms to the
wedding
ceremony that anointed Tara to Marlix, but those garments bore scant resemblance to Qalin’s attire. A high collar framed his enormous head, then formed a cape that fell from his shoulders to sweep the floor. To each thigh, he had strapped a bejeweled sheath from which a gem-studded dagger hilt protruded. Armed. Knives within reach of each hand.
But he did not rely on his prowess to defend himself. The alpha and Veronian guards holstered not only daggers, but laser projectile devices. An individual would be struck dead instantly by an LPD beam.
Qalin wore the fair-weather uniform shirt version, but the edge that cut across his chest was adorned by what appeared to be medals of valor. Alphas sometimes bestowed such commendation upon guards who’d demonstrated exceptional bravery or fortitude, but since Qalin was Commander himself, and the High Council had been dissolved, there was no one higher than he to have bestowed the awards. Had he given them to himself?
“Glory to Commander Qalin, Alpha of Parseon!” chorised the entourage.
“Glory to Commander Qalin, Alpha of Parseon!” Perce cried.
“Gory to Commander Qalin…Alpha of Parseon!” Urazi’s voice rang out, but with a slight hesitation. Anika held her breath, waiting to see if Qalin noticed. He did not because, in a swirl of cape, he assumed his place on the chair. With a lazy twirl, he motioned with both hands, and the two betas scurried forward to sit at his feet, one on each side.
Two of his anointed ones? Or other betas from whom he demanded obeisance? These two seemed to give it willingly, gazing at him with adoration as he petted their heads. Qalin’s mouth twisted with indulgence, but the contrast of his smile with his grotesque face him made appear more sinister. The males behind him remained motionless, except for the Veronians who needed to breathe through their inhalers.
No one said a word, and a swell of tension clouded the chamber.
“Who seeks to address me?” Qalin finally asked, managing to sound thunderous and bored at the same time.
Anika’s jaw dropped. Did Qalin not recognize his son? Wasn’t he expecting him? One always paid the deference due an Alpha, but she could not imagine Marlix or Dak engaging in such ceremony to meet with a member of his blood. An Alpha held great power and riches, but led a simple, almost austere existence without adornments or extravagant displays of wealth. They earned respect by their bravery and honor, not grandiose ritual.
Still in a prostrated bow, Perce called out, “I do—Perce, son of Qalin, Alpha of Parseon.”
“And I, Urazi, loyal subject of Qalin, Alpha of Parseon.”
She expected Qalin to grant them permission to rise, but the idea apparently did not occur to him, and he continued to caress his betas. Finally, after long moments, he said at last, “State your purpose.”
“If it may please Alpha, I will report the result of my travels,” Perce answered.
Qalin stopped petting long enough to wave. “Granted.” He resumed stroking, reminding Anika of the way one might dote on a domesticated feleen. But then his twisted smile broadened, and he drew back and struck one of the betas across the face.