Chapter 18

Samuel was sitting on the sofa in the living room, while Bart was on his personal communication device speaking with his own support people from the Consortium when Quin walked into the living room.

“Is everyone safe?” Samuel asked, rising from his seat.

“Alexandrus and Au'revele are safe, thanks to Au'revele fighting off those who would have harmed him,” Quin said as he walked straight through the living room to the front entry doors and opened them.

“I need you in here,” Quin said.

“Your door, Sire,” Var don said.

“It’s being covered,” Quin said shortly.

“I’m coming!” Ba Re’ said, jogging toward them and taking his place without question to the right of the doorway.

“And I!” another voice called out.

“Ban Lo,” Quin said, surprised.

“Sovereign Zha Tahl is already involved and has sent me to help with security as needed. He suggests that you take our Sirena to their personal quarters until we have sought out all those responsible as well as those associated.”

“That is our plan,” Quin said.

“We will secure your family while you prepare,” Ban Lo said, taking his place at the left side of the door.

“Thank you,” Quin said, looking first at Ba Re’, then at Ban Lo.

Neither responded, already taking on their roles of guards, as needed.

Quin gestured to Yaghn, and Var don, indicating they should enter the royal residence.

Both stepped inside and Quin closed the door.

“I have questions,” Quin snapped .

“We do as well, Sire,” Var don answered.

“Why was anyone, other than Au'revele, allowed to enter her quarters? At night, no less! Are you not aware that her quarters give direct access to ours?” Quin demanded.

Both males’ gazes flickered quickly to Bart’s, then back to the wall behind Quin’s head.

“Can you not see the entrance to Au’revele’s quarters from your place outside our door?”

“Yes, Sire, we can.”

“Then why was anyone other than Au'revele allowed to enter without any kind of confirmation?” Quin bellowed.

Bart opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Var don.

“We have often feigned ignorance of a particular staff member having access to Au’revele’s quarters, Sire. It was not out of the ordinary to do so.”

Quin’s head tilted just enough to let them know he was doing his best to consider their answer before he took their heads off.

“Allow us to explain,” Yaghn said.

“Please do, while you still can!” Quin shouted.

“Mirilla was added to the list of names that we allow to access the royal residence, Sire. As she was allowed in the royal residence, we didn’t intercept her entry into Au’revele’s quarters either as they are considered a part of the royal residence.”

“Are you telling me Mirilla is the one who attacked my child and his nanny tonight?” Quin asked.

“No, Sire! However, we thought when the individual approached Au'revele’s quarters tonight, that she was Mirilla. It is the only reason we didn’t intercept her.”

“That’s preposterous! Mirilla wouldn’t do a thing to harm anyone in the royal family, least of all a child!” Bart exclaimed.

Quin lifted his hand and brushed his fingertips across his communicator. “Look for a woman with injury, Rel. It was a woman who entered Au'revele’s quarters, not a man.” Quin thought about it briefly and activated his communicator again. “Unless the male was so small as to be similar to Mirilla in stature. And find Mirilla. I want to question her.” After having delivered his update to Rel, Quin turned and looked at Bart. “How do you know that she’s not associated with those who’ve attacked my family, and used you as a means to gain trust and entrance?!” Quin demanded.

“Quin, she’s been coming in at night to spend time with me.”

“Why didn’t she enter through the proper doorway? She was on the approved guest list. They’ve just said as much,” Quin said angrily, throwing out a hand to point at Var don and Yahgn.

“Because she’s protecting her reputation. She works here. I’m a guest!” Bart answered just as angrily. “We’re engaged to be married, Quin.”

“It’s not something I’m aware of,” Quin snapped. “And what does any of it have to do with sneaking in through our nanny’s quarters rather than entering through the door you have permission to enter through?!”

“We haven’t made it common knowledge to anyone. She asked that we keep it secret for a while until she had time to formally announce it to your parents, and to arrange for people to move their job descriptions and take over her duties.”

“And to give her time to plan her attack while you still trusted her implicitly,” Quin added.

“No, that’s not…”

“Are you sure, Bart? Are you willing to leave Vivian and Alexandrus alone with her, and any others she might give access to Au'revele’s quarters? If it wasn’t her, how else would anyone know to enter through Au'revele’s quarters so that they’d not be questioned if not given that information by Mirilla?!” Quin demanded.

“I, I don’t know. Maybe her comings and goings were watched,” Bart said.

“We have not seen any other in the corridors, Sire,” Yaghn said.

“But in full disclosure, we have not personally investigated as she came and went since Chairman Bartholomew arrived. Some might have been Mirilla, some could have been someone else, but they were all female, or appeared to be.”

“They were all Mirilla!” Bart insisted.

“Then it was she that attacked my family.”

“I don’t believe it,” Bart said.

“Who, then, did she advise of her safe way in and out of Au'revele’s rooms? How else would those who wished to cause harm to a defenseless youngling know it could be done by a woman slipping in at night, unhindered, unquestioned, because she’d set the presidency of coming and going at will already?!” Quin bellowed.

Bart broke eye contact with Quin and looked past him to stare unseeingly at anything else in the room in his field of vision as he considered the very real possibility that Quin was right. “I don’t know. I have no answer for you, other than I can’t imagine Mirilla betraying you, betraying your family, or me, for any reason.”

“People are not always who they present themselves to be, Bart,” Quin said.

Bart stood his ground, just barely shaking his head as he went over and over every possibility Quin spoke of while comparing it to what he knew of Mirilla. “It just doesn’t make sense, Quin,” he finally said.

“It is the only thing that makes sense. A female slipped in, knowing she wouldn’t be stopped because the guards would think she was Mirilla. Au'revele was only able to fight Mirilla off because she was female, too.”

“It couldn’t have been Mirilla!” Bart insisted.

“Fine. The attacker who knew Mirilla’s secret way of entering our residence was female. Had she sent a male, the outcome might have been much different. We could be taking Au'revele’s body to medical along with Zahn’s. And my newborn youngling could be dead, or missing. All because you chose to trust a female who slipped in to warm your bed but was too ashamed to openly accept your proposal and begged that you keep it secret. Why? Why would she want to keep it a secret? If she’s leaving her position to start a life with you, why would she care who knew? She wouldn’t! She’d be shouting it to anyone who stood still long enough to listen! Instead, she wanted it kept secret to prevent you from ruining her plans to help those who are against our family and the changes we’re implementing to deal us the greatest blow possible, or even to control us, force us to enact any laws they want in order to keep our youngling alive while he’s hidden away with them! And how is it that she’s conveniently not here tonight as all this befalls our family? She just happened to choose this night to not pay you a visit. The very same night that the plan to get their hands on Alexandrus failed.”

“She did! She was here earlier. We spoke briefly, then she went home because she didn’t want to be late to her morning duties again. I can’t imagine that she…” Bart didn’t finish when his gaze happened to land on his father.

Samuel watched him sadly.

“You think he’s right,” Bart said.

“I don’t know, but I think it’s a possibility. Either way, there is some investigating that needs to be done concerning this and any possibility that exists,” Samuel said. “Surely you can at least see the possibilities in the case Quin has presented. His points are very reasonable, and should be considered.”

Bart swallowed as he pressed his lips together in resignation. “I can. But that doesn’t mean he’s right.”

“No, it does not. There is no proof of that yet. But neither is there any proof that she’s innocent. Which is why you investigate the possibility. You question. You make no final decision until you have all the answers you need. Not opinions, not possibilities, firm evidential answers,” Samuel said.

Vivian and Au'revele walked into the living room slowly, having overheard every word.

“We’re ready if you want us to go to Eula’s,” Vivian said, “but I’d rather stay here.”

Quin turned to look at his mate. “Why?”

“Because now that we know how she got in, it’s not as dangerous anymore. We’re prepared. It can’t be done again without our knowledge. I heard that Ba Re’ and Ban Lo are both stationed outside. Au’revele’s quarters are sealed for the night. Anyone who had any thoughts of any kind of attack are running scared as our people are out there searching. They wouldn’t be foolish enough to consider coming back here tonight and we’ve got security who are all on alert if they do. We’re all here, and aware. And even if you go out to join the search, we’ll still be safe, and comfortable in our home.”

“My problem is that I don’t know which of the palace guards I can trust and which I can’t!” Quin exclaimed.

“Then how would I be any safer with your mother?” Vivian asked.

“Because her guard have vowed to protect her like yours have vowed to protect you,” Quin said. “At least it’s something.”

“Then have her come stay with me, and have them come join those already guarding us. Or have my guard return and replace them on the search team with hers.”

Quin thought about it for a moment. “Your guards are out for blood. In this instance, that’s a good thing. But it’s not a bad idea to ask my mother to come stay and bring her guards with her. I will go to her when I leave here. I have no doubt she’ll agree to come to you.”

“As soon as she hears she won’t wait for you to come to her. She’ll be here,” Vivian said.

As if on cue, the front doors opened and Ba Re’ stepped inside. “Sovereigna Eula, Sire,” he said, more formal than he’d been in a while.

“I was advised of what has occurred! I could not stay away! Quin, you should have sent for me at once!”

“For what, Mother? I’ve updated Father, we’ve moved warriors around as much as we dare, and others are out searching for the guilty parties. We’ve been a little busy,” he snapped.

Eula stopped in her tracks as she was headed toward Vivian and Alexandrus and looked back at Quin indignantly. “My security is here, I am here. Perhaps you can go join those searching on your behalf now. Your father is in his war room, if you prefer. ”

“Are you aware that the males Zahn killed were wearing palace uniforms? They were clearly part of the battalion stationed here,” Quin said.

“I had heard. And the survivors will be dealt with,” Eula said.

“If there’s anything left to deal with once they’re found,” Vivian mumbled.

Quin flashed a quick smile. “True.”

“Perhaps you should go check on their progress and work off some of your aggression.”

“Is that an order?” Quin demanded, irritated that his mother would presume to send him away from home at a time like this, despite the fact that he was already planning on it.

“It is a suggestion. And may I also suggest you temper your emotions, lest you kill someone who is not actually involved because they dare to utter a word you didn’t expect. We only want the ones responsible and involved in these insidious actions brought to an end as soon as possible.”

“Apologies. You are correct. I was coming to pay you a visit and ask that you stay with Vivi while I join the search,” Quin said.

“Of course, I will. I am here for just that reason,” Eula said, “and I’ve brought so many guards with me, the corridor is crowded, and others are stationed around the palace itself.”

Quin nodded, then strode purposefully toward Vivian, literally picked her up in his arms before kissing her soundly and smoothing his hand over Alexandrus’ head before putting her back down. “I will return soon.”

“I know you will. Do whatever you need to, to ensure our safety. I’ll be fine until you get back. I can protect us if need be.”

“I know you can,” Quin said. He hesitated briefly before running upstairs. Less than a minute later he was back. He handed her the dagger he’d gifted her when he’d first rescued her, and his own weapon. “You can fire this at will. We are no longer on the ship so you don’t have to worry about errant ricochets. And stab anyone who’s stupid enough to get too close. Male or female I don’t care who they are!” he said, shooting a meaningful glance at Bart .

“You know I will,” Vivian answered.

Quin looked around the living room. “And where the hell is Kitty?!” he demanded.

“He’s out there,” Bart said, pointing toward the windows. “Last I saw him, he was preoccupied and wouldn’t follow me back no matter what I lured him with. He didn’t even try to dominate me like he usually does. In fact he seemed irritated that I was there and anxious for me to leave, so I did.”

“Maybe he has a girlfriend,” Eula said. “We’ve become more tolerant of the wild shralers on the palace grounds since Vivian adopted Kitty. He may have very well found himself a mate.”

“It would be enough to keep him focused on being outside,” Vivian said.

“Yes, well, he’s needed now,” Quin grouched as he started for the door.

“Sire! What about me?” Au'revele said, taking a step toward him.

Quin turned and looked at her. “Come along. I’ll take you to Zahn first. I still have not received an update on his status, though, Au'revele. I don’t know what you may be walking into.”

“I still want to be there.”

“Come along, then.”

~~~

After leaving Au’revele in medical with Zahn, Quin realized he was looking at everyone he encountered as a suspect, regardless of how dedicated they seemed, regardless of whether or not he knew them personally, only in passing, or not at all. He wasn’t thinking clearly. Instead he was reacting, and that was not always a good thing. Knowing the level headed response of one of those he respected greatly would calm him and make him see things reasonably, he reached for his communicator and put through a call to one of the few males he had ultimate faith in that would react thoughtfully, rather than emotionally due to their own personal attachment to his family.

“Sire, hello.”

“Someone tried to kidnap or possibly kill my son.”

“Repeat that?!” Commander Lo’San said, slowly getting to his feet as he listened to the report he was receiving through his handheld communicator.

“There was an attempt to kidnap Alexandrus. It was thwarted, but it should never have happened. The palace is overstaffed with warriors for security — how did this happen? The only thing I can determine is that it was someone who knew that our nanny’s quarters would be accessible. That means someone that has access to us daily knew it would be safe to make the attempt.”

“Is he harmed?!” Lo’San asked.

“No. Everyone is safe and unharmed other than the few bruises of our nanny, and Zahn. Zahn is in the healing chamber. We thought he was beyond help, but he is believed now to slowly improve.”

“Surely whoever it was has been dispatched, and very messily,” Lo’San said.

“No. We’re still investigating at this point. I’m not even sure who we can and can’t trust. I cannot even leave my home to hunt those responsible down because most of our security are out searching. As I said, Zahn was gravely injured. He fought many at once. Those he killed were wearing the uniform of the palace guards. He managed to kill two before they took him down, but there are others who got away, and who knows how many others are associated with them, but not yet identified. Li’Don is leading a team of our own people in search of them. There are supposedly other teams that are searching as well, but are they really?”

“Is it a full revolution, Sire?”

“It doesn’t seem to be, though there are minor rumblings here and there that we are advised of. We had no clue until the attempt to harm Alexandrus that it was more than grumbling, which is always present in any society. We assumed it was just the typical chatterings of a warrior unhappy with their evaluation here and there and venting. We had no idea there was insurrection afoot.”

“I understand. Sire, we can send you trustworthy security for the time being.”

“You need your security.”

“We’re completing our second patrol of Zone 2 at the moment. We’ve got one more round to finish, before we are ready to set off to Sector 7. All we’re doing is being seen to make it clear that we are here and we are ready, just as we always have. No one is foolish enough to challenge a Cruestaci warship that is simply cruising, looking for a reason to give chase. We’re flying in circles, Sire. As we near Cruestace’s air space this time tomorrow evening, we can navigate closer and send you reinforcements on one of our crew transports,” Lo’San said. “Respectfully, I highly recommend you accept the additional support while we are close enough to easily send them planet-side.”

“I hesitate to leave the ship weakened.”

“It will not leave us weakened. We have four full shifts ready to respond at all times. There is no reason we can’t spare one, or even a portion of one. Especially to ensure that you and yours are beyond untouchable. It will not be long until you will know without a doubt who of the palace guard are loyal, and who are not. Our warriors will help you sort through them and then return to their duties here aboard the ship.”

“You are right, Lo’San. I knew you would approach the situation with a calm view. I want to kill everyone and start fresh.”

Lo’San chuckled. “It is why we have always worked well together.”

“See to it, Lo’San.”

“Right away, Sire.”

“Only those who volunteer. And be sure not to send so many that you are short handed in any position.”

“Of course, Sire. Purely a voluntary basis. I’ll present it to them now. ”

“Thank you, Lo’San. I am glad I sought your counsel.”

“I am honored.”

“I feel better already.”

“You will feel even better shortly. Our warriors will arrive within thirty-six Earth hours, Sire.”

“We’ll be waiting. Carry on, Lo’San,” Quin said, ending the call and finally taking an easy breath.

Lo’San ended the call and slipped the communicator into his pocket and began mentally determining who it was that would be offered the opportunity to be temporarily assigned planet-side with those already there permanently.

“Well, what is it?!” Rokai demanded.

Lo’San turned and looked at him. “Why are you here?”

“Because Quin called! I thought it was just a call and wanted to know why not me, but now it’s clear there is a problem.”

“Why exactly are you standing behind me, in my personal office, eavesdropping on my official calls?”

“It’s not official. It came on your personal communicator, not on official channels. And I didn’t know there was an issue until I got here,” Rokai said.

“Then how is it you happened to be here at exactly the time the call came in, and are still standing here?” Lo’San asked.

“I wasn’t. I arrived shortly after.”

“Why?” Lo’San pressed.

Rokai smiled at Lo’San. “Missy said there might be a call coming in from Quin, and I thought surely he’d want to speak to me. I haven’t had a minute to contact him since the birth of my nephew. I am Rokai ahl Tel Mo’ Kok, you know! Actually part of the family! What is happening to my family?”

Lo’San sighed. “Yes, I am aware. And if you weren’t so good at the things you are supposed to do, I’d have already contacted our Sire concerning the things you aren’t supposed to do, to discuss sending you home. But you are excellently skilled. You do need to learn to follow orders, however. Orders are not a suggestion. ”

“Commander Lo’San, please. Stop evading my questions. What has happened?” Rokai asked, all traces of his usual humor gone.

“There has been an attempt to kidnap Sire Alexandrus from his nursery. Zahn intercepted several, and the bodies of those left behind were clothed in the uniform of the palace guard. Some got away. At this time there are very few details, and Sire Zha Quin isn’t sure who he can and cannot trust.”

“Then let’s send him some people!”

“Exactly what we were discussing,” Lo’San said.

“I’ll activate my team and…”

“No. You’re staying here where I need you ready to lead an elite team if we have our own issues.”

“You can’t be serious!”

“I am very serious. I’m asking for volunteers and you’re not allowed to volunteer.”

“I can volunteer!”

“Rokai, think about it. If there is an occurrence I will have three teams available. I’m sending the second team to Cruestace. You’re first team. You have more than earned that distinction, as have your team. I need you and your elite warriors available here at all times. We’ll send one of the others.”

“I hate it when you make sense,” Rokai said snidely.

“Funny, it’s exactly the reason your brother seeks my counsel.”

Rokai rolled his eyes.

“Keep me abreast of the situation,” Rokai said, in all seriousness.

“Absolutely.”

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