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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.”

Chapter 19

The following day, near midday, Quin returned to find two of his father’s guard outside the doors to his residence, and two more outside the sealed door of Au'revele’s quarters. When he opened his door and stepped inside, both his mother and Vivi were asleep on the sofa — Alexandrus snoozing happily on Vivian’s chest, and Ba Re’ standing near the sofa, his gaze steadily sweeping the interior of the residence. Across the room Ban Lo stood on the opposite side of the room with his back to the windows, his gaze steadily sweeping the room as well. He heard a throat clear from above and looked up to find his mother’s guards standing on the top landing of the stairs leading up to the second floor of their residence. He took a moment to personally meet the eyes of each male guarding his family, slammed his arm across his chest in a silent vow of loyalty to them, which they all returned, then approached his Ehlealah.

He smiled at the sight of Vivi and Alexandrus sleeping so peacefully and paused briefly to kneel beside Vivian to gently press a kiss to her forehead and Alexandrus’ as well. He quietly stood and made his way to their small first floor kitchen where he took one of the platters out of the cold storage unit, placed it on the counter top and started picking at it. Quin had spent the first hour he’d been away from home with Zahn in the medical suite, then with his father in his office going over intelligence reports, trying to discern which were of concern and which were just fodder to be tossed away. After he could sit still no longer, he wandered the palace, both inside and out, taking a moment to personally put his eyes on every warrior stationed there. Zha Tahl had assembled those of his most trusted to work security, even if previously they’d been assigned elsewhere per their own preferences. If these were the males his father insisted were most trusted, then fine. But he wouldn’t feel completely at easeand able to think clearly until the warriors from his ship arrived. Then he’d breathe easily and think more clearly. Then he’d be able to get down to seriously hunting for and exposing those who would die for what they’d done. Anyone associated with the treachery that had taken place would pay for it. Anyone who knew of the treachery afoot and not reported it would pay. Whether they were male or female, it would make no difference, they would pay.

As Quin stood there looking down at the platter picking cuts of meats and cheeses from the dish and popping them into his mouth, his mind working feverishly to try to figure out the who’s and why’s of the assault on his family, he heard the door to the bedroom Bart had been using since his arrival open, followed by Bart’s footsteps as he walked the few feet to the kitchen itself. Quin said nothing, giving Bart the chance to speak first.

“Any luck?” Bart asked, his demeanor subdued.

“Not yet,” Quin answered.

“Perhaps they’ve fled the planet,” Bart suggested.

Quin turned to look at Bart, his scowl indicating he was very short on patience. “Not hardly. We’ve locked down the transport fields. Each craft in line for departure, even if scheduled days prior, will be searched.”

“Good. That’s good. I’m hoping for a quick resolution.”

“Same.”

“Have you received any word on Zahn?” Bart asked.

“He practically bled out and kept fighting despite it. He’s got broken bones and his trachea has been ruptured. He’s in a healing chamber at the moment. The prognosis is good, but it will take him a while to recover. The longer in the chamber, the longer his body will need sleep to recover.”

“I was told he rushed out after the attacker with no weapon, and no uniform. Nothing at all to protect his body from the battle,” Bart said.

“He did. And had he not been confronted by multiple males who were fully geared and carrying weapons, who tried to kill him while another rushed the female away, he’d have caught herand we’d be getting to the bottom of this instead of still searching for those involved.”

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