13
(Fenjaday, cont.)
D’zani had just reached her quarters when her PCS link buzzed. She looked at the device on her arm. She didn’t recognize the code. It buzzed again.
“Hello,” she answered cautiously.
“Is that you, D’zani?” the male voice asked. “You’re okay and everything?”
“Who are you? I can’t see you,” D’zani asked in reply.
“Is this better?” he asked as he shifted into better light. Her heart leapt as she saw the image of Elíaz!
“Elíaz! How are you?” she asked, wondering whether she was being too eager. She didn’t want to tell him how much she’d been thinking about him – it hadn’t even been two days after all!
“I’m well, thank you,” he answered politely. “I was really wanting to check on you to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” D’zani felt tense for some reason. There was something not quite right, she knew instinctively. She needed to see him.
“No reason. Just checking… Would you be able to go for a walk?” Elíaz asked.
“I think so,” she replied. “I’ve just finished with lunch.”
“Meet me just on the other side of the Refuge in 10 minutes, okay?” he suggested.
“I’ll be there,” she promised and closed the connection.
D’zani quickly brushed her shoulder-length, red-black hair, then set out to the appointed place, trying not to get there too quickly, but unable to think of anything other than seeing Elíaz again. Then she saw him.
D’zani wanted so much to run and hug him, but she walked up to him calmly only to have Elíaz pull her to him instead, brushing his lips across hers in greeting.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, wanting to kiss him more, but there was something wrong, she could feel it.
“I’ve missed you too,” he replied, taking her hand. “I want to walk down to the quay.”
“Why did you seem to be worried about me?” she asked.
“I just wanted to make sure nothing bad had happened,” Elíaz said simply.
“You say that like you expected something bad to happen,” D’zani said. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to take you for a walk,” he replied as they walked together, his hand warm and sweaty as he held hers. Again, it pointed to something not quite right.
Reaching the quay, Elíaz led her to a pier that was empty more often than not. He sat down on the edge and D’zani sat down next to him, her legs hanging over the edge.
“I am worried about you. I have… heard things…,” Elíaz said his focus on the water.
She followed his gaze, wondering if she might be able to spy a fish under the surface.
“Like what?” she asked.
“I’ve heard that the Balan are powerful here.”
“I’ve heard that the Towani cell aren’t very strong,” D’zani replied, remembering the report given at a meeting. “We aren’t too worried about them.”
“I’ve heard that the reason they didn’t seem strong the other day is because a couple of their strongest weren’t in town,” he replied.
“What other day?” she challenged, looking at him. She worried that there was another leak within the A’mara. Such leaks had cost lives in the past few years.
“The warehouse battle,” he said.
“That is classified information,” D’zani said cautiously. “None of the A’mara have reported it! Who is your informant?”
“Maybe the Balan leaked it,” he replied.
“Leaked their loss?” she asked dubiously. “I don’t buy that. How do you know about that battle?”
“Maybe the police who reported it to you leaked it – I don’t know how I know – just that I do! But that’s not the important part of this puzzle,” he expressed.
Still worried, D’zani dropped it. “So, what’s bothering you?” she asked, feeling his concern escalating again.
“The Balan are always looking for beautiful and gifted young women… and aren’t above inappropriate ways of getting them,” he warned vaguely.
“I’m aware of this danger. What has changed?” she asked.
“I’ve heard that they’re extra active at the moment,” Elíaz replied.
“Okay? And you think I’m a target… why?”
“Because you’re Kri’enden,” he said.
“Why does that make me more of a target? Surely, they’ve heard of our shaze abilities.”
“I’m told that’s precisely why you’re a target,” he said.
“Okay,” she said. “I think you’re very sweet and everything, but I think you’re over-estimating the danger to me. I’ve been trained since I was very young to be able to handle most threats that I might face. I think I’m going to be okay, all right?” She placed her hand on his.
“I really hope you’re right – I want to be wrong, so, so wrong!” he said quietly, putting his arm around her. “Just be extra careful, okay? For me?”
“I will,” D’zani promised, looking at him, not surprised at his lips reaching for hers. She met them eagerly, happy to be with him, even if he was being overly-worried for her.
Zukie prepared to leave the greenhouse for the night and was surprised to see Kinokei looking panic-stricken. She joined the stella. “What’s up?” she asked.
“Come. I need to examine you anyway,” Kinokei said, taking Zukie to her little cottage.
“What’s the matter?!” Zukie asked, lying down on the couch, exposing her growing belly for the woman.
Kinokei felt the developing baby with experienced hands, then held a crystal wand over Zukie, running it along her different chakras and meridians. She nodded. “You’re looking good, anyway – you and your daughter,” the stella said. Kinokei put the crystal away in its resting place on a huge piece of quartz. Then she turned back and shared with a worried look, “I’ve had some ingredients stolen.”
Zukie sat up suddenly, adjusting her top. “When? What!?” she asked, horrified.
“Kinokei, are you in here?” Emeric’s voice was heard.
“Come in,” she called to the A’mara. Emeric came in, followed closely by Seryan who had to duck his head as he came through the low door.
“Swamp pearl,” Kinokei replied. “I wouldn’t have been quite so worried about it – assuming it was just something someone wanted for a little bit of fun in bed tonight...” She winked at Zukie.
“Swamp pearl is an aphrodisiac?” Zukie asked.
“One of the best. But that part is a little humorous. What’s worrying though is the other ingredients that are missing… Freezeweed, swamp petal and liana petals.”
“What do you think they’re making?” Emeric asked.
“Petal Bed Plus,” Kinokei said. “Someone is planning to slip something into someone’s drink – and I have to wonder if it’s going to happen at the Blast 2 when some of our most vulnerable young women are there...”
“Are there any clues about who was in here?” Zukie asked.
“The leya imprints are weak… like they were here a long time ago,” Kinokei said.
“Or like they were swept,” Seryan suggested, his eyes still closed from feeling around through the leya.
“That could be,” Kinokei admitted. “I’m sorry, the whole thing has me rather frazzled. I don’t like thinking that people go through my things when I am not here. That’s why… that’s why certain things are… guarded. My poisons are never on display like that.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Emeric said.
“Sounds like we need to go to the Blast 2 on Wirnday night… and keep a better watch on our young ladies,” Seryan said.
“Yes, please do,” Kinokei begged.
“I… don’t… dance,” Emeric said.
“You don’t have to,” Zukie said. “You just have to be there. I would volunteer to go with you, except that I really don’t handle evenings well right now.”
“You must rest,” Kinokei agreed. “You’re on your feet too much. I will also speak to Cyanus.”
The library was quiet, but Cyanus found what he was looking for as he spied the young man in the spring green Jracenii cloak.
“Thank you for coming so quickly, Abári,” Ory greeted.
“What have you found?” Cyanus asked the teenager.
“Here,” Ory said, playing a bit of footage. “They’ve done an excellent job of cloaking themselves in the leya. I almost didn’t see them.”
“Yet, they are plain now,” Cyanus said. “How did you manage that?”
“A special filter I’ve developed,” Ory said with a shrug. “Helps get past any leya dampening.”
“That is brilliant!” Cyanus replied. “We’re going to have to share this with Saraca, you know. But this new Ory filter will be very useful!”
Ory blushed before he could regain control.
“Sorry to sidetrack you,” Cyanus apologized. “Can you magnify their faces so I can see them better?”
Ory did that.
“Speaking of Saraca, I want her to see this. They had a student go missing last year. I have to wonder if this is her,” Cyanus said looking at the image of the teenage girl.
“Any idea on this Zilan?” Ory asked.
“None. I think Saraca’s opinion is paramount,” Cyanus said. “I’ll show it to her tomorrow if you can highlight the clip for me.”
“Already done,” Ory said handing the abári the flyppcard.
“Thank you! I will try to get Obion to give you some time off,” Cyanus promised with a wink.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them! |
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Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. |
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Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
| Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. The Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? |
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Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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