Page 48 of Tamed

“Well, thanks to Verbet, it’s not possible for any unmated conduit to leave the protection of the Citadel,” Zevon countered. “Verbet vowed to murder every conduit that departs bound for anywhere but Torret. I will not risk the lives of any more conduits. Courting will take place here.”

“Did you record your conversation with him?” Movu wanted to know. Their gazes connected for a moment and Zevon spotted a flash of suspicion that hadn’t been there before. “I’d like to hear exactly what he said.”

And Zevon’s responses, no doubt. “Computer, replay message six-four-eight-six-one.” As the message played, Zevon watched the other two males, assessing their reaction to the content. Soro seemed horrified from the start, but Movu was harder to read. His features remained expressionless until he saw the images, then he looked even angrier than Soro.

“The instability on Torret is affecting the entire star system,” Movu stressed. “That family must be removed from power once and for all.”

“I agree,” Zevon said then looked at Soro. “How soon can your rebels be ready to attack?”

“It depends on what you mean by attack,” Soro countered. “We knew exactly what to expect with Jevara. He was corrupt and disliked. And more important, the military was on the verge of mutiny. We were counting on their assistance once the fighting began.”

“What about Verbet? Will the military follow his orders?” Movu asked.

“That’s what we’re trying to determine,” Soro admitted. “If the palace guards remain loyal to Verbet, we can’t risk a direct offensive. And Verbet knows damn well we’ll retaliate so it’s unlikely he’ll leave the palace any time soon.”

“How long will it take you to determine what we’re up against?” Zevon asked him.

“A few more days, maybe a week. My spies are working as fast as they can to gather accurate information. The turmoil at the palace has made everyone paranoid.”

Zevon nodded. Soro’s new cautious attitude slowed everything down, but Zevon agreed with the approach. They would only get one opportunity to force a regime change. They had to make sure it succeeded. “I’ll check in at the end of the week and we can determine our next move.”

The comm disconnected and Zevon released a long, ragged breath. Waiting never sat well with him and this was particularly difficult. He wanted Verbet to pay for what he’d done, needed the bastard to know that he hadn’t gotten away with the senseless murder of fifteen people.

Zevon heard the elevator door open and whipped his head around, ready to inform the intruder that the observation deck was closed.

Arcon stepped out of the elevator and strolled across the room so Zevon just turned back to the windows.

“I asked you not to leave Kendra alone,” Zevon grumbled, ready to fight with anyone. Emotion had been simmering inside him all day and it was just about ready to boil over.

“She’s sound asleep and I’m monitoring her through our link. If she starts to wake, I’ll leave.” When Zevon continued to stare out the windows, Arcon asked, “How did the comms go? That couldn’t have been pleasant for you.”

“It wasn’t, but it was even less so for them.”

Arcon walked up beside him then pivoted to face Zevon. “I sensed more uncertainty than you were revealing to Kendra, so I spoke with the communications officer. He forwarded Verbet’s message to me and I studied the images.”

Unsure if he should be impressed or annoyed, Zevon dragged his gaze away from the darkness and looked at Arcon. “Were you able to read the images or just study them?” Though not traditionally empathic, Arcon could pick up fragments of information off objects or even his surroundings. The impressions allowed him to see into the past and perceive things that others had no way of knowing.

“I didn’t see anything, but the conduits’ bodies seemed staged to me.”

“In what way?” Zevon had reacted the same way, but he didn’t want his opinions to influence Arcon’s. “What about the images seemed staged?”

“They were just sitting there with their safety straps on,” Arcon noted. “If they were terrified, they would have been crouched down between the seats. And if they’d been brave enough to fight, they wouldn’t have been strapped in. They were placed there and secured.” Arcon paused, waiting for Zevon to respond. When he said nothing, Arcon went on, “I think that’s what you believe too.”

Zevon shook his head. “That’s what I hope. I am honestly not sure what happened.”

“But you have doubts,” Arcon persisted.

“Of course I have doubts,” Zevon snapped, finally turning from the windows. He walked into the center of the room then started pacing. Long ago he’d learned that it was easier for him to keep his emotions under control if his body was in motion. “The entire thing is suspicious as hells, but I did not want to give Kendra false hope. She has been through enough. It will be easier for her to start the grieving process now than to wait and wonder if they’re alive or dead.”

Arcon shook his head, his features tense with disapproval. “You should have told us the entire truth. Kendra is not just grieving. She is torturing herself with guilt.”

Zevon sighed. The last thing he wanted was to add to her pain. Still, he wasn’t sure he agreed with Arcon. “If we learn that the conduits are still alive, Kendra will be thrilled. If we verify that they’re dead, then Kendra is already dealing with the loss. I stand by my decision.”

Arcon shook his head again, anger sparking within his eyes. “That’s not the way a soul bond works. Members of a triad share everything. We both had the right to know.”

“You had the right to know what I decided to tell you,” Zevon countered, the controller within him surging to the surface. “Not only am I the controller in this triad, I’m your commanding officer.”

“I accept your authority as my commander, but triads are equal partners,” Arcon stressed just as vehemently. “If you see it any other way, then we have a serious problem.” Pivoting on the ball of his foot, Arcon stormed across the room and summoned the elevator.

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