I knew that voice. Realisation turned my insides cold and my instincts sharpened as I studied him with the intensity of a hunter watching its prey die. He stood in his warrior form, arrogant and cruel as Seth squirmed in his fierce grip. He didn’t seem to notice nor care, he just sneered at me with a piercing gaze that said he wanted me dead.
“What luck. This seems to be my day, I can tie up this mess all at once.” He almost hissed in his disgust. He turned his attention back to Seth, dangling from his razor sharp claws. Just like that fury mixed with malice, not entirely my own, bubbled up in me. I half crouched, tail stiff, ears back, every nerve tingling and alert. I took a breath trying to calm myself. I needed to keep Seth safe. Anything else could come later. “Monster, kin killer. Release my brother. Now.”
“Silence. Do not presume to speak to me you pathetic disgrace. I am Setheroths kin and I will give him the care and guidance he needs. Your filthy paws have no place here and you will be kept far away from him. Mongrel.”
My anger grew. “You are not fit to care for him. You lost the right to be called kin when you manipulated and tortured your own sister. Mother made me his legari under Icanthie law. You will not take him from me Paashkesss!”
My uncle seemed to puff jump in his anger and muscles bulged as he threatened to turn Feline. “Don’t threaten me mongrel, certainly not in a foreign tongue, or I will give you the same treatment I gave Feenya instead of killing you swiftly. You are Feenya's mistake and a stain on our family. She was no better, only her gifts were of any worth and she squandered those too. Ungrateful brat. Let’s hope her offspring is a little more malleable. A little fear and pain does wonders for stubborn disobedience.”
His vile words and threats finally ignited the white hot rage that I had so far managed to keep in check. It spread from my chest to my extremities until I was engulfed. Images and emotions swirled in chaos and my control slipped second by second. I had just enough time to throw the strongest shield I could muster around Seth’s mind before my mind was consumed by a blinding white light, all thought impossible. All I felt was a mental pulse so strong, I could do nothing as the memories consumed me. Mother's last days.
Flash… Feenya stayed as still as possible in the hallway while she listened to her siblings. “We have to act now or the King will bring the Icanthie to ruin.” “Perhaps he can still be reasoned with.” “We can’t take that risk brother. Already his treatment of the humans is too lenient and he allows unfit matches. He must die and a new appropriate King installed…”
Flash… Feenya ran through the dead of night, her little Seth in her arms. Her mate couldn’t help her, even if he were present. Her pursuers were gaining, she had to hide and get Seth to safety. They wouldn’tget their hands on him. He would never be safe if they did.
Flash… Feenya looked around the darkened room illuminated by the small fire in the fireplace. Her hands were bound with leather strips. No tech. No tracking. She was alone.
Flash... Fists. Booted feet. Face, ribs, legs, kidneys burned. Blows reigned down again and again until darkness dims her vision.
Flash… How long had it been? She wasn’t healing.
Flash... He stood and watched, eyes cold and uncaring. “Brother”. Don’t answer his question. Don’t say a word. Don’t break.
Flash... hanging from her wrists, the chains ripping open the scabbed wounds. Her breathing was laboured, a rasping that brought jagged pain with each breath. She searched for her brothers face. How did he become like this? Such cold, malevolence. Such burning fury. Who was this man?
Flash... “Enough, this isn’t working. Put the blades in the fire”. Feenya sagged in despaired.
Flash… How was she still alive? The metallic tint of blood stung her sensitive nose, her skin patterned from innumerous cuts. And he had watched as her strength slowly leached.Gave the orders for her torture. Each cut was slow and deep, and each one, after being left to bleed, was sealed with the a glowing red blade from the fire. She had tried not to scream, or give in to the pain, but she was no longer strong enough.
Flash… It didn’t end. Round after round of beatings, cuts and burnings, her brother's questions repeated over and over again. But she would not break, she would protect her baby boy, her little girl and her beloved true mate. Even if it meant her death.
Flash... “For the last time, WHERE IS THE BOY?...” She stayed silent, staring at him, barley keeping her eyes open. His frustration gave her some satisfaction. “You know where ever you’ve put him, he’s going to die. All alone. Because we can never let you go. Where would you go anyway? To that Mongrel pair? Hmmm? There’s no point, I might as well tell you. We finally found them. Your mistakes will finally been erased dear sister.” The pain ripped through her swiftly, worse than all the torture. Gone? They were gone. She unleashed a feral screamalong with her rage.
Flash... darkness. And pain. Flash... It must be a lie. Please be a lie.
Flash... Gone. What about Seth? Have to save Seth.
Flash… Run. Find Setheroth. Don’t stop. Run. RUN!
Flash... She couldn’t go on. Galen, Sierra, where were their graves? Join them soon anyway.
Flash... Someone’s coming, “Mum!” My Sierra. She is alive! Arms cradled Feenya. Galen! Oh my love. You are both safe. Relief. But, oh how I wish I could stay with them. I must pass it on to her… so much still to teach. Take care of Seth. Stay together. Please. Stay safe my beautiful family…My last gift...
I had no control. Mum had packaged up every punch, kick, cut and burn, every taunt and insult in her mind with her rage and sorrow and aimed it at the enemy. I was powerless as it poured from me, or was it her? All she had endured flew out and I could almost see as it struck my uncle between the eyes like a mental spike. His shrieks of pain echoed around me but I couldn’t stop it. I had to protect Seth. My own screams joined his and I again relived my emotional traumas. Losing my family, fear of the futureexperiencing and feeling my mothers torture first hand. Even after two years, I remember it keenly. And threaded through it all, my mother's pain and sadness. Almost overwhelming.
The memories faded. In total, it had lasted only moments, but it felt like it would never end. I let out a long breath and opened my eyes. Something had changed. I felt... lighter, as if somethingwas gone. I thought back and realised it had been different this time. The memories were the same but there was no pain, no wounds. I carefully poked around in my head. They were still there but the memories no longer carried overwhelming emotions that weren’t mine. I just sat there a little stunned and very tired.
***
Silence reigned. Kine took a shaky breath, the shield he had erected to protect his men and himself still in place. It had mostly worked but even his strength was not enough to block everything. Each and every one of his people had seen what he had seen and they were all stunned. Kine didn’t blame them.
Such atrocities happening in his kingdom… it was sickening. How could this small female have endured experiencing that? Watching it was bad enough. Everything Feenya had experienced… how did either of them survive? Sorrow welled up. Though they had not been close, he had known Feenya and liked her. Kine turned cold eyes to the vile being that dared to head one of his Houses.
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He was collapsed on the ground, fresh blood seeping through his clothes yet somehow still holding on to young Seth. Sierra, who had seemed too dazed with a pained look on her face, roused herself from her introspection and rushed forward, catching up her brother and backing away, tears still wet upon her cheeks. The cub seemed fine but Sierra rocked him, trying to comfort them both. She must have protected him somehow because Kines shield certainly hadn’t extended that far.
Though it seemed to take a while, the shock slowly began to wear off. Kine could scent the anger of his men growing on the air. He chose his guard partly for their protective instincts that already extended to the cubs. He tried to get a handle on his own emotions as a fierce protectiveness he had not expected filled him. These were his wards. More than that, they were part of his family now. But he must not act rashly. He was the King and this had to be done right, especially if a powerful family was to be punished. His brave little warrior would have her justice.
“Thane. Retrieve the male. He is stripped of all privileges. Put him under arrest for treason. Kaylor, set up a perimeter, round up his party and make sure there are no others. Bring me any of the men who are connected to the male. Look out for Warrior Leme. I did not like how he spoke of my ward.”
His trusted men moved to do his bidding with a “Yes Majesty”. They could see a savage glint in his eyes that promised retribution and felt the answering flash in their own. The desire to right this wrong and protect their King rose up. None of the men had missed the traitorous words of the male, and none could condone the damage done to one of their own. Feenya had been a respected and powerful female. Thane was none too gentle as he bound and dragged the male to make ready for transport.
Kine briefly calmed the men before sending them off to their duties. He approached Sierra calmly, trying to gauge her state. The boy seemed well, but Kine was puzzled. Sierra seemed to have no control of her gifts yet had shielded her brother. How?
“Sierra? It’s alright, you’re both safe…” She stilled her rocking and waited. “We saw everything and I’ve put your uncle under arrest. He can’t hurt you or take your brother from you. I’ll protect you, just as I promised.”
Sierra turned, her striking eyes locking with his. After a long pause she gave a tentative nod. He could barley hear her whispered response. “Okay.”
***
Kine smiled at me, relieved. My eyes flickered back to the slumped figure of my uncle as men secured him with confinement fields. I hadn’t lost control since Mum first transferred my memories. It could have been so much worse. I don’t know how Kine did it, but I’m glad no one else had to experience that.
The memories were more subdued or under control than they had ever been since I got them. Like someone had opened a pressure valve. The exhaustion hit me like a ton of water, saturating every muscle and limb. I just wanted to sleep. Seth wiggled in my arms and I looked down. He was staring up at me with a tiny frown on his face, ears twitching as he listened all around for any more danger.
I smiled down and him and wrapped my tail around us and I hugged him close. “Come on Seth. Let’s go home with...uh...Whanau Kine.”
He purred and rubbed up under my chin before bouncing off to play around Kine and Thane. I smiled as I watched. I loved that cub. So much.
With the drama over, everyone went to their preparations. The pod was loaded up and Seth settled in. I eyed the grav-line speculatively but sighed in resignation. I’d need more practice to be safe running the line and I was too tired to really try it anyway. We didn’t have time to waste babying me.
I turned to climb into the pod with Seth when everyone paused briefly. I watched warily as one after another, they reached into a pack and pulled out what looked like cloaks almost in tandem. Kine must have seen my expression. “Sierra. We have unscheduled rain incoming. Apparently the system is trying to fix a dry spot. Rains a pain on the grav-line. Do you and Seth have a Slick you can wear?”
I blinked and nodded at him. We didn’t really have the nanite infused repellent cloaks that were called Slicks but we had good old fashion rain coats. As I dug around, I listened the complaints from our group.
“I hate unscheduled. It always ruins my routine,” one male said.
“Give it a rest. We’re supposed to be highly trained elites, the best of the best. Can’t you handle a little rain?” One of the larger females responded, teasing the poor male as she batted at his tail.
I smiled at their good nature ribbing and then jumped when one of my assigned personal guards, Eecee, spoke to me.
“You seem to be well prepared. Doesn’t it bother you?”
I smiled at her and shook my head. “Nu-ah. We move around a lot. Never really stay anywhere more than a half moon. We can’t afford to be found in a makeshift settlement so we’re always prepared for anything. Even the weather.” I paused to think. “Besides, Myath aren’t connected to the network so we don’t get moon schedules. We have scouts that keep an eye on the perimeter and check the road ahead when we travel, and basic messages between groups who sometimes give us a heads up but...”
I shrugged fatalistically. “It’s a different kind of life.”
Eecee looked somewhat pained but I just smiled back. She probably thought that she had upset me or my life was a tough one. It wasn’t, not really. Not any more than any other person. Everybody had their challenges and struggles, they just took different forms. Eecee tried to console me.
“I’m sure the boss will get you the best nanites that we have and get you connected to the Capital network. Then you can get the moon schedules and any deviation alerts and all sorts of other stuff. The weather network is just one of the benefits of the nanites.”
I chuckled. They really didn’t know anything about us.
“I’m not completely cut off you know!!” Before I could continue, which was probably a good thing, Kine came up to us and nodded to Eecee. It must have been a signal because she nodded back, bumped me affectionately and walked off.
“Sorry about that.” Kine said quietly. “I’m going to be very cautious until your Uncle is out of the way and both you and Seth are safe in the palace.”
I shook my head. “No, you’re right. I tend to be open once I feel comfortable with someone. Eecee has that easy manner that reminds me of some of my friends. I should be more cautious.”
“Eecee is a good one. You can trust her. I’m just being protective.” He chuckled. I really did like him. He was solid and reliable but warm. It felt too familiar.
I spoke quietly, “Dad got me the black market model nanite. They don’t connect to any official network because it could mean a death sentence if we’re caught. Instead, we have our own way of connection to one another, strictly limited. Essential use only and only at the highest levels.” I paused, reluctant to continue. “Aaaaaaaand... Mum smuggled me some blank Nobel level nanites.”
Kine froze. “You have two sets of nanites?” I just nodded. “That can be very dangerous Sierra.”
“I’m okay Kine. It been years. We made sure.” Kine didn’t look convinced.
***
We had been travelling the Grav-line for approximately four hours when The Capital came into view. For a moment, I was lost to my memories and an almost aching nostalgia. It was just as I remembered it. As the centre of power for the Icanthie Kingdom, its size was truly colossal but unlike the cities of history, they were well spaced, well organised and pristine. The Capital’s most iconic feature was the natural rock formation at its centre where rumours say the minds of the ancients dwell. It’s called the Heart.
Circled around the Heart are the luxurious mansions of the King and the elected council. The Heart is so big that less than half the mansions ringing it are occupied. The rest of the city is divided into quadrants all enclosed by the massive encircling wall. Though each of the quadrants were very similar, they each had defining features including the military grounds, the arts and retail sector, the simulated jungle and the industrious sector. It was truly a fascinating place.
Once we passed the checkpoint at the wall, we rode the grav-line as far into the city as we could where Kine and his guards steered us to an eddy ready to exit the flow.
“We’ll have to walk from here. The grav-line isn’t allowed to go straight to the mansion or the Heart for security reasons.”
“That’s just good sense. It’s okay Kine but what about the luggage. Seth and I don’t have much but it is a little heavy.”
“Don’t worry. If there’s anything you really want to take grab it now. Everything else will be brought to my home by the guards. Look, they’re already here.”
True to his words, a moderate group of guards in formal uniforms was waiting to escort the king. It made sense. Not only were our guards travel fatigued, not to mention my little display, the Council would need to know when the King returned.
I smiled my thanks at Kine and, after thinking about it, decided that there was nothing urgent I needed from my luggage. I always made sure that all vitals, like information, were on me. Seth was the only thing more important. So we walked towards the waiting guard who formed arounds us and leisurely made our way to the palace. It was a lovely afternoon and I enjoyed stretching my legs but I couldn’t help but notice the casual looks from passers by.
Walking with a King brought all sorts of attention. I know they’re only curious about their King but my defences started to kick in making me wary. They wouldn’t be so casual if they knew what I was. Even those with sympathy for the Myath would be wary when confronted with one openly. Self preservation made villains of us all.
You took maybe 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the Heart where official business was conducted, but most of the main force had either stayed behind or headed in a different direction. It was just us three, Kines elite guards, including Thane and Eecee, and the city guard. We entered the Heart grounds under a free standing arch made of entwined branches. As Kine walked under it, flowers and blossoms burst into bloom, perfuming the air and us. They were happy to have their king home.
It was another five minute walk to reach the Mansions proper, where a group was gathered waiting for us. Kine tensed and I heard Thane swear under his breath.
“What’s wrong? Who are they?”
Kine took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“That is House Greer.”