Lydia
“If Deus has gone off world, we can track him,” Darax says. “But why would we want to?”
“Because he didn’t leave voluntarily,” I say through gritted teeth. “There were signs of a struggle at the cabin, and Deus isn’t there, nor is he anywhere in his sector. You’ve already confirmed that.”
Darax looks at Kerra.
“My lord.” One of the warriors behind Darax speaks quietly but enough to make the warlord turn to him. “There was an anomaly in the shielding around Vorostor last night. We thought it was a power fluctuation.”
“Why wasn’t it brought to my attention?” Darax growls.
The warrior dips his head. “It was logged, my Lord. But it should have been shown to you.”
“Now they have a head start.” Darax turns back to me. “I will need you.” He points a single claw in my direction.
“Why?”
“Because if Deus is playing us, and he has before, then I want some bait,” Darax says.
Kerra folds her arms and glares at him.
“I mean…” He rubs at the back of his neck, wilting under her gaze. “I’ll need a way of keeping him quiet?”
Kerra taps her foot on the floor.
“He is my brother,” Darax all but whines at her. “He did try to kill us both.”
“Not me,” Kerra says. “In fact, if you remember, he saved me.”
She takes my hand in hers, while not taking her eyes from Darax. “I think we’ve all been too quick to see evil where there is none and not see a Sarkarnii who needed help.” She leans into me. “And we shouldn’t have judged you for believing in him,” she says quietly in my ear.
“Probably best tell that to Maggie,” I reply.
“I think she knows.” Kerra’s eyes twinkle at me. “And now Darax is going to organize a cohort of ships to go after his brother.”
“A cohort?” Darax says before he sees the look on Kerra’s face. “Yes,” he says swiftly. “A cohort. Get it organized,” he growls at the warrior behind him. “If you would like to accompany me.” He gives me one of his winning smiles. “After all, we’re family now.”
“Oh good grief,” Kerra says. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.” She gives me a quick glance. “I meant Deus, not you with that statement.”
“I get it,” I reply. “Deus is…something.”
“Don’t I know it,” she says. “Go with Darax. He’ll look after you.”
“If I don’t, I’m probably at risk of another assassination attempt by my brother,” Darax grumbles.
“Good thing you don’t hold grudges.” Kerra folds her arms.
Darax huffs out a cloud of smoke, and for a brief second, I see the similarity between him and Deus. It makes my heart ache in my chest.
“Darax!” Dante races towards where we are standing, just outside of Deus’s sector. “I can confirm, there is a mixture of paraxio and another compound I’ve not come across before.” He heaves out a breath. “It’s potent. Potent enough to knock out a Sarkarnii warrior.”
Darax narrows his eyes. “That’s strong stuff.”
Dante nods quickly. “And also, I found traces of blood which wasn’t Sarkarnii.”
“What was it?”
“Ulep.”
“Nev,” Darax growls. “Go get Driok. It would seem we have a rescue mission to mount after all.” He turns to Kerra and me. “I should have never doubted my brother, or you, little female.”
“Don’t let Deus hear you.” Kerra laughs. “I doubt he’ll take kindly to you calling his mate little female.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” I say.
“And that is why you are too good for my brother,” Darax rasps.
We wind our way through the various passages in Darax’s sector to his well-stocked hangar which is a hive of activity. It looks like he really is going to send out multiple ships.
I’m led onto one of the larger ones. Kerra gives me a wave.
“You’re not coming?”
“I can’t leave Cestapal holding the babies,” she says. “And I trust you to look after Deus and Darax.” She pulls me in for a hug. “You’ve always been stronger than you thought you were, Lydia. Deus is a very lucky Sarkarnii.”
“I hope so.” I smile, knowing it’s not the best smile I’ve ever done. “I guess we’ll find out when we get him back.”
“If it helps at all, from what I’ve seen of Sarkarnii in rut, he worships you,” Kerra says. “You have no worries about whether he wants you or not.”
I swallow back a sob.
“He was mated before.”
“And now he’s with you. It is possible, Lydia. No one should ever be unhappy forever, not when there’s a chance they can be whole once more. And that includes you.”
She lets me go and gives me a gentle push.
“Now go get your big bad warrior, and try not to let the brothers kill each other.”
“No promises.” I laugh as I hear Darax’s growl in the distance. “But I’ll do my best.”
“Then that’s good enough for me. Good luck!”
As I follow Darax onto his ship, I find I’m crossing my fingers behind my back, like I did when I was a child. I am going to need all the luck I can get.
And so, it would seem, is Deus.