Page 60 of Tamed

After a long pause, Nadis instructed, Arcon, show her where she needs to go. We don’t have time to let her find it on her own.

There was no impatience in the provost’s tone, just a statement of fact. Kendra possessed a rare and powerful gift, but she needed months, perhaps years to develop it properly. Unfortunately, the skill was needed as soon as possible.

With Arcon’s help, Kendra accessed his vision and was soon seeing everything he saw. She pulled out of the meld, then reentered, easily locating the path on her own the second time.

It was time for his next class, so Kendra withdrew from his mind.

Nadis asked if she needed a break, but Kendra assured the provost that she was fine.

“Then reach out to Jill,” Nadis instructed. “Contact her slowly in case she is not alone.”

As they both feared, Jill immediately reacted to Kendra’s presence in her mind.

“Who’s there?” she cried. “What do you want with me?”

It’s Kendra. Respond with your mind. I don’t want the Torretians to know that we found you.

Are you here on Torret? Please, tell me you’re nearby.

The desperation in Jill’s mind broke Kendra’s heart. If we charge in without help, we’ll fail. Zevon is trying to convince the others. We’ll be there soon.

It better be really damn soon. A fresh wave of hopelessness accompanied the thought. I only have one more day and then they’ll let my activation ravage my mind.

Carefully controlling her own emotions, Kendra asked, Do you know your exact location? Were you conscious when you arrived?

I’m on the top floor of the palace. One of the guards said Verbet and his mistress are just down the hall.

Encouraged by the information, Kendra went on. Have you seen any of the others? Were you all taken to the palace?

We all started out here, but the ones who have been claimed left with their mates. A sob shuddered across the connection. Loren and I are all that’s left.

This is helpful. Can you think of anything else?

Heather’s dead. Jill sobbed, momentarily overcome with raw emotion. She chose death over degradation and I don’t blame her. I’d do the same if I could.

Don’t give up. We’ll be there soon, really soon. I promise.

CHAPTER 8

“I’m not opposed to attacking immediately,” Soro objected. “The rebels have been ready for months. But we cannot launch an attack on the capital without accurate intel and I simply don’t have it right now.”

“Overwhelm the perimeter guards, disable the inner force field, find the conduits, kill Verbet. What else do you need to know?” Movu challenged.

Zevon pressed back into his desk chair and let his allies fight it out. Luckily, they weren’t in the same room, so all they could do was yell. There were definite benefits to holo-conferences at times.

Movu had been on Zevon’s side from the start. The sooner the conflict on Torret was resolved, the sooner he could come get his conduits. And access to conduits was the only reason the Pyronese were participating in the alliance. But Soro’s objections were just as valid. The rebels would be doing most of the fighting, so it was right that he was trying to protect his soldiers.

“The specific number of guards and their positions would be a good place to start.” Soro’s voice grew louder and tighter as his aggravation built. “Where are the conduits being held? Jevara depended on the force field to keep intruders out so the palace guards weren’t heavily armed. Has Verbet changed that policy? If we rush in blindly, we’re inviting a bloodbath.”

“No one wants that,” Zevon assured him. “My teams are used to being adaptable. They seldom have dependable intel when they set off on a mission. My primary concern is the inner force field. I don’t have a solution for disabling it.”

By focusing his attention on Zevon, Soro was able to calm down. “I have someone who can deactivate the force field, but only if Verbet hasn’t changed the protocols. I’m not being a pain in the ass for no reason. There are a million unanswered questions.”

“And when is that likely to change?” Movu persisted. “If we wait any longer, Jill and Loren will be claimed and the others will learn to control their power. Verbet’s army is formidable right now. If they add five skilled triads to their side, I’m not sure we can beat them.”

“And if we rush in unprepared, we all die!” Anger spiked through Soro’s frustration. The rebels had the most to gain if this coup succeeded, but they also had the most to lose if it failed. “Most of your Wraiths can teleport out if things go sideways. My rebels cannot.”

Zevon hadn’t intended on bringing his personal life into this conversation. Their connection was too new to be of much help, but he didn’t see a way to avoid it. The debate was at an impasse. “Arcon and I claimed Kendra last night.”

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