Part 47 (1/2)
Galene frowned at the word. ”It's the name he uses. Does it have a special meaning?”
Hadrian nodded. ”They were a sect of Trisani priests who voluntarily withdrew from the world. It was said that they were able to master their powers and do things with them that made a mockery of the rest of us.” He looked at Fain and Talyn. ”Apparently, it wasn't a myth.”
Nero shook his head. ”And here I just thought he took our term to use because he thought it was bada.s.s.”
Hadrian snorted bitterly. ”Well, a lot of people use it for that reason. Who would have thought?”
Sighing, Nero returned his attention to Ushara. ”Is Julia a part of your Nation, too?”
Sympathy darkened her eyes. ”No. I'm sorry. She died a long time ago from their cruelty. It left Trajen shattered and brittle. Completely mistrustful and withdrawn. Just be patient with him. He's harsh, but he is a good man.”
Dancer scoffed. ”Brothers, huh? What a minsid pain in the a.s.s they are.”
Fain draped his arm over Galene and laughed. ”Tell me about it. You should have mine.”
Hadrian flashed a grin at Talyn. ”Feeling left out, little buddy?”
”Yeah, I got nothing to add to this. No ability to relate.”
Jayne laughed. ”You and Sway. My two lonely onlies.”
”Ah, it's fine. I don't mind.”
Hadrian sucked his breath in sharply. ”Ooo, T. Have a care with that word. It always gives me chills.”
Talyn frowned. ”What word?”
”Fine. I hate it.”
”Seriously?”
”Uh, yeah. Are you out of your mind? I live with Jayne and two daughters. The most terrifying four-lettered f-word a woman says in my house is 'fine.' I swear, every time I hear it, I cringe.”
Nero laughed. ”Jayne? What have you done to my brother?”
Kissing her cheek, Hadrian flashed a teasing grin. ”Let me put it to you this way... G.o.d forbid anything should ever happen to her, but if it does I'm under orders to chain and lock her coffin shut during the middle of the funeral just to freak everyone out.”
They all laughed.
Until the engineers sealed off the damaged part and cleared the brig.
”How many did we lose?” Galene asked.
The head engineer pulled his face mask off. ”None this time, Commander. High Admiral Thaumarturgus saved the ones who were trapped. We were extremely lucky he was here.”
”Yes, we were,” she agreed. She gave Fain a hard stare. ”We have to arrest Malys.”
”I know. Believe me, I could kill her myself right now.” Fain sank his hand in Talyn's braids. ”No one threatens what I love.”
This time, Talyn didn't protest when he hugged him. He actually hugged him back.
Galene choked on her tears as she watched Talyn and Fain embracing.
Jayne put her arms around her shoulders and hugged her. ”It's so sweet I could barf.”
Galene laughed. ”You're awful.”
”I know.” She kissed Galene's head. ”Now let's go kick some Tavali a.s.s.”
Together, they headed for Venik's quarters.
By the time they reached them, Ven was there with his oldest daughter, Circe.
Fain hesitated just inside the door. ”Where's Malys?”
Ven swept his gaze over their group. ”You know I can't let you arrest her.”
Fain tsked at him. ”Ven, she planted bombs on your station. She almost killed Hermione, thinking she was having an affair with you. She's plotted with Eriadne. You don't want the blowback from this to land on you, too.”
”We've already banished her. Stain and Payne have taken her off-station where she can't cause any more trouble.”
Galene gaped. ”Are you serious?”
”She's my wife. I can't let you hurt her. Sorry.” He pa.s.sed a smug look to Fain. ”I know you understand.”
Fain slugged him.
Circe stepped forward, but Galene cut her off.
”Honey, you're not that big or tough. To get to him, you have to get through me.”
The Tavali held her hands up and wisely stepped back.
Galene sighed. ”Well... given everything that has transpired, I think you'll understand my next course of action.” She tapped her link to an all-alert status. ”Attention all troops and commanders, this is Prime Commander Galene Batur-Hauk. Effective immediately, we are pulling out of the Porturnum station. I want all gear packed and all s.h.i.+ps capable of flight to be launched within the hour. I'll transmit our new base coordinates on a secure channel in twenty-three minutes. Prime Commander out.”
Ven made a pain-filled noise. ”You can't do that!”
”Oh yes, I can. We're not safe here. We can't trust you. Furthermore, I want the kill switch you have for Fain, or so help me G.o.ds, I'll shoot you myself.”
”The who, what?” Dancer gasped as the others burst into similar exclamations.
Fain cringed as she exposed his secret. ”Precious, you weren't supposed to talk about that.”
”And I'm not leaving you at his mercy for another second.” She faced Venik with steely determination. ”Hand it over or your wife will never again have to worry about your pickle finding a new jar. I will take care of that for her. Permanently.”
Ven glared at her. ”Fine.” He pulled the trigger out and held it up for her to see. ”Take it. But before you do there's something you should know.”
”What?”
He pressed it.