Page 98 of Gates of Rapture
On the way, Leto was suddenly in her mind.Coming back to the villa anytime soon?It’s seven thirty-one.
Even though she knew his sudden presence in her mind was the result of thebreh-hedden—and because of it, much stronger than telepathy—she was startled.Hey, how about a warning.You weren’t there, then suddenly you were practically shouting inside my head.
Sorry.It’s just… well, I’m at the villa.Did she hear a low growl again?How could he do a growl telepathically?But it made her smile.
She realized she’d been blocking his physical sensations, so she lowered her shields.Too fast, apparently, because she was overwhelmed by the feel of his bare feet on the wood floor of the villa, the muscles of his legs tight and tense, his body in partial arousal, his arms flexing and unflexing.
She even stumbled.Thorne caught her arm.“You okay?”
She looked up at him and felt a blush on her cheek.“Yes, of course,” she said quickly.
But he looked concerned so she added, “I’m getting used to thebreh-hedden’s quick form of communication.Leto suddenly jumped inside my head, and he surprised me.”
Thorne smiled and let go of her arm.“I know.It can be jarring when you’re not used to it.”
“You can say that again.”Jarredwas the least of what she felt.
To Leto, she sent,Heading to the landing platforms now, but this is a long walk.
Can’t wait.
Because she felt him shudder, she blocked him once more so she could finally breathe.But she walked faster.
He spoke the vows that moved my heart,
I turned and opened my robe.
He split the continents wide once more,
And took the spoils he had won.
—Grace of Albion, “The Convent Years,” fromCollected Poems,Beatrice of Fourth
CHAPTER 14
Greaves arrived at the Illinois Two Seers Fortress, and, yes, the situation with Stannett seemed to be well in hand, at least for the present.The redheaded Militia Warrior clearly hadn’t spared her whip.Stannett had only his leathers on, and his upper torso was still cut up if not bleeding.But at least Stannett looked sobered.
Still, Greaves really needed to impress on his servant the critical nature of the hour that fast approached.He backhanded him and sent him flying across the room so that he landed hard against one of the black marble walls.Stannett crumpled to the floor.
Greaves strode to his position and looked down at him.“Do I need to explain to you what has happened while you were squirting all over yourself today?”
Stannett tried to blink, but he listed sideways.His eyes showed a lot of white.
“Do you wish for my assistance, master?”The female Militia Warrior’s voice soothed him.
“No, I thank you.And again, I value how much you were able to contribute in so short a span of time.”
He reached down to Stannett and placed a hand on the man’s thick hair.He shuddered slightly at the strange stiff texture.Despite his fury, he allowed the healing waves to flow.He needed Stannett’s brain functioning so that he could get back in the future streams and do his job.
In quick stages, Stannett pulled himself upright and began to focus his eyes.When he looked up at Greaves and flinched, Greaves removed his hand and stepped back.
He folded a document into his hand and waved it at Stannett.“Do you see this paper?”
Stannett nodded.
“Good.I’m going to show it to you, and I want you to absorb what you see.”He lowered the sheet to Stannett’s eyes.It was a printout of the obsidian triad photo, all three women in full-mount, displaying the unique flame pattern of their wings.
The Seer scanned it thoroughly.A frown between his brows grew deeper and heavier with each passing second.
