Blue solace complete ser.., p.32
Blue Solace: Complete Series Boxset, page 32
Leti’s face popped up this time, wearing a goofy grin. “Blue Eyes is alive, Will. His name is Remy and he’s a nice guy. He’s eating breakfast now.” Leti flipped his comm, and Hack saw Remy sitting at the table with Sebastian, Shae, and Sami.
He’d frozen in place with his fork halfway to his mouth. “Uh, hi,” Remy said.
“Fuck,” Sami yelled, waving at Hack. The Council members snickered, and Hack blushed but waved back to his son.
Leti turned his comm again with a sheepish look. “Anyway, the other woman is dead. Again. Remy was used in the ceremony first, but Death left him because of his missing legs. Then, Franklin and Ewing used the woman, but the poor thing didn’t want to live anymore so Death had to leave her. Where Remy is normal though, she wasn’t more than an animal in pain. Shae didn’t sense any sentient mental activity. We tried to detain her, but she almost killed two guards, and she did kill Ewing right after she woke up. Wolfe had to kill her.”
“That must have been horrible. She was tortured, lost a baby, died, was brought back, then killed again,” Rundel said.
Leti nodded, tears filling his eyes. “It really was. Shae doesn’t think she was there anymore. He thinks her mind and soul refused to come back, which made Death move on to look for a new host.”
“I hope so, for her sake,” Rundel said. “So, Shae’s been of help to you?”
“Oh, gods, he’s the best,” Leti said. “He helped us with our research, helped on the medical ship during attacks, and even helped rescue some of the Concord prisoners. He’s able to give us a unique perspective on those influenced by Life too.”
She smiled softly. “He’s a good boy,” she said.
Leti blew a kiss to Hack. “I’ll let you get back to work. I just wanted to update you on what’s happening here.”
“Thanks, baby. Take care,” Hack said, closing the call.
“Your mate is sweet, Hack,” Delino said. “He’s also apparently correct in at least some of his theories. Damn, this is not good.”
Dr. Manning practically vibrated. “May I please be dismissed? I want to go speak to Leti and check out Remy too. Please?”
Fasi laughed. “Go on, Orsla. We’ll update you all on Franklin.” The doctor ran from the room. Fasi shook his head. “I have a feeling Leti just made a new friend.”
Hack’s comm buzzed again, and Draif’s face popped up. The man looked pissed off. “Draif, what do you have to report?”
“She’s gone,” he said. “We were on their tail when something froze the ship. It fucking froze the ship! Selene said it shouldn’t be possible.”
“What could do that?” Warren asked.
“I’ve not heard of any technology that comes close to doing that,” Renee said from beside Hack. “Not even Half-Moon has something like that.”
“Are you still frozen?” Sheiria asked from Hack’s other side.
“No, we’re working now. We set off after them again, and well, we found the two remaining Concord mercs.”
“I thought they were on the same ship,” Mitchell said.
“They were. Someone tossed them out the airlock.”
“Damn,” Brinanda said. “That’s not an easy way to go.”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Draif said. “We’ve been frozen again. Every time we get within range of the shuttle, something freezes us.”
“Come back to the station,” Fasi said. “We know they’re going to the Crellic System, and they have to pass through the Silverlight System to get there. Cas and his fleet are right outside Union Station. I’ll get them to hunt them down. Shouldn’t be too hard. It’s our shuttle, and we have a tracker on it. They may even have to stop for fuel unless the traitors from the docks stocked the ship.”
“Yes, sir,” Draif said and signed off.
“Well, this is really happening, so what are we going to do about it?” Delino propped his arms on the conference table.
“Don’t forget, Grellweir now stands behind us in the war against the Concords,” Jalina said. “They can certainly be of help.”
“I spoke with Half-Moon this morning and told them about Wolfe,” Renee said. “I have a feeling they may offer some support as well. The Guild Master is very concerned with keeping his brother safe.”
Hack didn’t understand it. Wolfe was the most capable fighter he’d ever seen. Why would he need to be protected?
“We continue fighting the Concords as we are,” Fasi said. “In addition, we send scouts to the Crellic System. If Half-Moon would indeed help us, they’d be the ideal choice for this. Their ships are basically invisible.”
“General Caspian can work on securing the element and poor Dr. Morrick’s body,” Mitchell said.
“Leti can continue his research as well,” Warren said. “Then we can reconvene when we know more. I have the feeling we’re on the edge of a very steep cliff. The more knowledge we have, the better.”
“Agreed,” Rundel said.
“While we’re all here, how is it going for Beck and Xavier on Burnished Outpost?” Jalina asked.
“Well, their ships were in better shape than anyone thought they’d be,” Hack said. “Chieftain Bowan is adamant about establishing alliances with the other planets and most of his people seem to be onboard with that idea.”
“Grellweir and Cardinal Hold are both sending people out to teach them agriculture techniques, and I believe Fallow will send someone with a few herds. Haven and Siren’s Lament are likely to contribute something too,” Delino said. “I have to admit I love seeing our system come together.”
“We’re lucky,” Fasi agreed.
Hack’s comm buzzed again. He didn’t even ask, just plugged them through. Finn sat next to Sheiria, sighing.
Juniper’s face popped up with a big, fake smile. “General Hackett, sir,” Juniper said. “How are you today?”
Hack smirked, used to Juniper’s quirks. “What’s the bad news, Juny?”
“Well, the three Concord mercs are dead.”
“How did they die?” Rundel asked.
“They stopped breathing,” Juniper answered. “Literally, they just stopped breathing. Didn’t even blink as they turned blue and died.”
“Life doesn’t even need poison to kill them,” Brinanda whispered. “Gods, this is horrible.”
“They were listed in our records as higher-ranking officers for the Concords,” Juniper said. “There’s no way in hell the admiral of the Concords would send his favorites to do a basic infiltration job like this.”
“He probably didn’t make that decision,” Hack said. “One of Leti’s contacts said that Wendell Belcort was in charge of his Concord escorts. They weren’t the ones giving orders.” He sighed. “Thank you for letting us know, Juniper. Are the two wounded guards alright?”
“They’ll recover, but it’ll take a little time.” He nodded and signed out.
“So,” Brinanda said, nodding to Hack. “We’ll see you at dinner then?”
Chapter 25
Leti leaned back in his comfy patio chair, his feet propped up on an ottoman. Sebastian sat in the chair next to him, reading his tablet. Sami stood beside the chair, head pressed against Leti’s belly. He was growing obsessed with the baby. Rizzie knelt behind him, waiting her turn.
“I guess another boy won’t be too bad,” she said. “Xu is nice enough.”
“Gee, thanks,” Xu said, standing next to her.
“Oh Xu,” she said. “You know you’re my best friend.”
“I know, but I’m a boy so you can’t like me a lot,” he said, giggling.
“It’s the way it has to be,” she said. She reached over and hugged him. “Still my best friend though. I don’t care what the other girls say.”
“You two are silly,” Leti said. “You should like each other as much as you want to. If anyone has a problem with it, let Mo tell them what’s what.”
“I like your idea, Daddy Leti,” Rizzie said. “You still need to have a girl next time. Okay?”
“As soon as this one’s out, we’ll talk about it,” Leti said.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Hack said. He carried a couple of plates of food in one arm and a bouncy Pepper in the other. “Here you go, baby. Rizzie, Xu, you better go get some food before Nessa eats it all.” The little girl did have quite an appetite. The two kids ran to the food table while they could.
“Juniper and Ma are the best,” Leti said, grabbing the plate.
Hack sprawled in the grass and set the other plate down. “Come on, Sami boy. Food time.”
“Foo, foo,” Sami yelled. Leti’s little boy loved his food.
Wolfe helped Silas onto the patio sofa across from Leti, then plopped down too.
“How you feeling, Silas?” Leti asked. He’d checked in with the man every few hours, but this was the first time Silas had been up and about.
“Better. I love my suite, but damn if I’m not happy to be outside.” Wobble stuck his head over Silas’s shoulder. “Yeah, yeah, I missed you too, Wobble,” he said, petting the llama.
“We’ll make sure you get more time outside,” Hack said. “At least it never rains and stays a steady temperature.”
“We could just leave you in the hammock indefinitely,” Draif said, smiling as he sat on the grass, plate in hand. Lucas followed close behind, as usual. He handed a plate to Sebastian, then sat close to Draif.
“Thanks, man,” Silas said. “You’re so kind.”
“Aww, poor Silas,” Shae said, walking up with his own plate. He bent and kissed the top of Silas’s head before sitting on the grass next to Hack. “Give me my Pepper. I haven’t had any patty-cake time today.”
Leti looked around the yard. His family, friends, and pets were scattered throughout the yard. Remy sat surrounded by Orsla and the Council members, animatedly telling his story. Fasi and Renee cuddled in a chair next to the food, reminding him of Dru and Lerais. This was a happy moment. All it needed was a few more people.
“Are you sure you want to call him?” Leti didn’t like how worried Wolfe looked. No one should be nervous to talk to their brother.
Wolfe nodded, holding up his tablet. I’ll just type and you can talk. I don’t feel like signing, and I want you here anyway. I’ve already sent him messages, but he wants to see my face. Stupid brothers.
“Okay,” Leti said and made the call.
A man that looked a lot like Wolfe popped up on the screen. The biggest difference between the two was that Wolfe looked delicate, while Guild Master Beol looked rugged. They had the same eyes, the same mouth, and the same growly expression. Wolfe just looked a little prettier.
“Wolfe,” Beol said. “I’m glad to see you. Why aren’t you home?”
Leti read Wolfe’s words. “He says, ‘Hi, big brother. This is Leti and he’ll be my voice.’” Leti looked at Beol’s raised brow. “That’s me,” he said and smiled. “Okay, so he says, ‘I am at home. I just have a different home now. I don’t want to come back.’” Leti wrapped an arm around Wolfe’s shoulder. “Aww, we’re happy to have you.”
“What do you mean a different home? Am I not enough for you?” The pain in Beol’s voice made Leti tear up.
“I’m sure that’s not what he means. He says, ‘You’re more than enough family for me, and I love you. It’s just that Union Station isn’t home. It never has been. It’s where we were trained, where they hurt us. I can’t be happy there.’” Leti kissed Wolfe’s head.
“Then we’ll move,” Beol said. “We aren’t tied here. We can go wherever you want to go.”
“You could come here,” Leti said, excited. “Charybdis Station is a great place to live. How many people are in your Guild? Oh wait, Wolfe says, ‘I don’t want you to be unhappy. It’d be a lot of work to move the Guild.’”
“It’s worth it,” Beol said. “We couldn’t be family before, because of him, but now we can. I need to be near you for that to happen, idiot.”
“Charybdis Station is a fabulous place,” Leti said, doing a tour guide impression. “It’s an engineering marvel with plenty of space for your growing guild of assassins.”
Wolfe silently laughed at him and reached down and picked up Abbot, gently petting the rabbit.
Beol’s eyes softened. “You really are happy there.” He nodded once. “I’ll contact the Lord Admiral now. He wanted our help with something in any case.”
“He wants to know what the Lord Admiral wants your help with,” Leti said.
“I didn’t see him typing,” Beol said.
“Okay, so I want to know what the Lord Admiral wants your help with.”
Beol smirked. “I’d hate to upset the Lord Admiral when I’m hoping to move my business to Charybdis. You’ll just have to ask him yourself.” He ended the call.
“Your brother really is annoying,” Leti said.
I told you he was. He’s a good guy when you get to know him.
“Well,” Leti said. “He’s moving here, so I’ll get that chance. Oh, I bet Alois would let you guys have his house since he’ll be living with Sebastian as soon as they get their heads out of their butts. You can also keep staying with me! Your brother could sleep on your couch. This is going to be great!” He tackled Wolfe for a hug and squealed. “Let’s go bother Dad now.”
The two left Leti’s office, hand in hand, and headed to the kitchen. As usual, Juniper stood at the stove, cooking.
“I love you, Juniper,” Leti said. “Did you know that?”
“Considering you tell me every morning? Yes, I did know that,” Juniper said.
Sebastian sat at the table, already eating, and Sami sat in his highchair, feeding himself.
“You are such a smart little boy,” Leti said, dropping a kiss on the top of Sami’s head.
“You said he was chewing on Pax’s foot this morning,” Sebastian said.
“Well, he’s still learning boundaries. Doesn’t make him less of a little genius,” Leti said. “Does Shae still have Pepper? He wouldn’t let me get her ready this morning.”
“He loves that little girl,” Juniper said. “Enjoy the help while you have it, but he went up to visit with Silas.”
Leti sighed. “I should be thankful, but I already miss Rizzie and Mo while they’re gone to school, and Hack hogs Pepper when he’s home. At least I have my little monster,” he said, pulling on Sami’s bare foot. His little boy giggled and stuffed more bits of waffle in his mouth. “We’re going to Dad’s office this morning. Anyone else want to come?”
“I do,” Sebastian said. “My back is killing me, so a good walk should help.”
“You sure you’re not in labor?” Juniper eyed him warily. “I’m okay with patching up a wound or two, but I don’t want to deliver a baby.”
“No! I’m not in labor,” Sebastian said, wrinkling his nose. “I still have two weeks to go.”
“We’ll be near the medical building just in case,” Leti said. “We can go by and visit with Remy too.”
In the end, everyone, including Silas, decided to go.
“It’s not like you two will be walking fast,” Silas said, looking pointedly at Leti’s belly. “Even injured, I still outwalk you and Sebastian.”
A short shuttle tram ride later and they walked slowly to Fasi’s office. His assistant nodded at them and let them in. Fasi and Renee sat at Fasi’s desk, working on mysterious Lord Admiral things.
“Leti,” Fasi said with a smile. He jumped up and gave Leti a gentle hug. Renee already had Sami free from the stroller and Pepper in her arms. “You’ve never visited my office before. Any problems?”
“No, just some questions,” Leti said. “Wolfe and I spoke with his brother this morning, and we wanted to know if Half-Moon could move here. Please?”
Renee’s jaw dropped. “Seriously? Do you know how long I’ve been negotiating with Guild Master Beol to get his help? One conversation with you and Wolfe and he’ll move here?”
Leti shrugged. “He misses his little brother, and Wolfe is ours now.” Leti pushed Silas into a chair. Stupid man wouldn’t take care of himself.
“Does that mean they can come?” Shae asked.
“We’ll work it out,” Fasi said. “We can make the space, but I guess it depends on how much he’ll compromise. One of the reasons the Guild is located on Union Station is because it’s easy to maneuver the government. That wouldn’t work with us. I’ll talk it over with him, Leti. Don’t worry.”
“Okay,” he said, trusting Fasi to do what he could. Trusting a parent was still a really odd feeling.
I’m going to go gather some of Half-Moon and head to the Crellic System, Wolfe typed.
“What! That’s a big jump there, Wolfe,” Leti said.
“I thought you wanted to stay here,” Shae said.
I do, but we need to get someone out there. Beol told me that’s what Charybdis was trying to hire them for. It’ll give me the chance to get my stuff and get Beol moving. It’ll also give us eyes on the enemy. The Concords may be patrolling the system, but we won’t be seen. I won’t stay long, just get patrols set up.
“If your brother approves it,” Renee said. “Make sure you stay off the surface of the planets. We don’t want to alert them, and we don’t want to give Life access to any of our friends.”
Wolfe nodded. Leti frowned, tears filling his eyes. He didn’t want his new friend to leave. Wolfe was his, just like Draif was.
I’ll go now. Leti, don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it. Wolfe squeezed his hand, smiling. You can learn sign language while I’m gone.
“I’ll make sure everyone does,” Shae said. “I’ve already started.”
Leti stuck his tongue out at Shae. “Kiss up.”
Wolfe kissed Leti’s cheek and left the room. Leti’s lip trembled. He knew it’d be a while before he saw him again.
“Oh Leti,” Fasi said, pulling him into another hug. “I love how much you love.”
Chapter 26
“Mo,” Leti called. “What’s Rosie’s favorite color?” Hack’s mate held two of his favorite quilts up. “Which do you think she’ll like best?”
“Doesn’t her room already have blankets?” Hack asked.
