By the next day, I was starting to worry about Matthew. He still hadn’t reappeared, nor had AL seen him come by the bar.
“Should we try to look for him?” I asked Vomero.
We were sitting at a nearby café having our usual morning coffee. It had become a pleasant ritual we shared, being the only two of the group who tended to wake early.
“I’m not sure how we would go about it, to be honest,” Vomero replied thoughtfully. “Tracking Ryuuk was easy because we knew where to start looking. But Matthew could have void walked out of the warehouse to anywhere in the city or outside of it for that matter. Without any idea of where to start looking, it seems almost impossible to track him down.”
“That’s fair,” I said. “I guess the best we can do is stay where he can find us and hope nothing is wrong.”
“It’s like you said, Skye, the kid may be green but he’s resourceful and hard to pin down. I’m sure even if he did get himself in trouble, he’ll find a way out of it. Besides, if he was taken by someone, it would be for a reason, and that reason would probably make itself known to us sooner or later.”
“You’re right,” I admitted, sighing away the tension I felt.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was somehow important to find Matthew, but I also knew Vomero was right.
“I can’t imagine where he would have went to,” Vomero continued. “Unless...I wonder if he’s hiding out on the ship, assuming that we’d go there.”
“That’s a possibility,” I said, giving the idea some thought. “I mean it’s the only other place on this island he’d have any connection to.”
“We could check it out, just in case,” Vomero said. “I have to go there, eventually, to run some tests on the you-know-what.”
It was a good idea, but I had some errands to run that would likely last until time to get ready for the ball. If Matthew was at the transport, he’d be safe for the time being.
“Listen, can it wait until tomorrow?” I asked. “There’s something else I was hoping you could help me with, today.”
“Something technological, I assume?” he said.
“Yes. Nothing too illegal, more frowned upon, actually. I just need you to cut through some red tape, information gathering, mostly. I’ll need you to be discreet about it, though.”
“You know, technically, I’m wanted on six planets, yet I could walk around on any one of them using my real name and nobody would be the wiser. I can do discreet.”
“Perfect,” I said, paying for my coffee and getting to my feet. “Let’s go.”
“Now?” Vomero said, eyeing his fresh cup of java.
“You can take it with you,” I said.
“This has to get done now?”
“No time like the present.”
***
Later that evening, the six of us arrived at Malu Marina, an upscale port that housed the expensive flying yachts of New Horizon City’s rich and famous. From there, we were ferried out to The Elysian Skyline, an airborne cruise liner where the event honoring Tor, Par, and Celo was being held.
True to its name, the ship seemed to hover between two breathtaking vistas, the tropical paradise of Kalo-Mahoi's vast blue oceans and the celestial grandeur of the star-filled skies above it. The subtle spray of clouds hanging low on its bow gave the impression of waves crashing against its hull.
“Koraf wasn’t kidding when he said they planned to celebrate them in style,” Gramps said. “This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my long life.”
“Just when I think this place can’t get more opulent...” Cash said, leaving the end of his statement open as he gestured to the ship we were approaching.
“It certainly looks like it was snatched straight from the pages of a fairytale,” I said.
The top deck of the ship was split in two parts. The aft or back part was almost entirely enclosed underneath a crystalline dome that sparkled from the lights of the ballroom contained within it. Large doors at the front of the ballroom were thrown open to let guests wander out into the beautifully landscaped terrace and garden that dominated the forward side of the deck.
As we embarked on The Elysian Skyline, we were met on the terrace by one of Koraf’s assistants who introduced herself as Rin.
“Councilman Koraf sends his apologies; he wanted to greet you himself but has been caught up unexpectedly in other obligations,” said Rin. “He’s asked that I introduce you around.”
“That sounds wonderful, Rin,” Vomero said, stepping forward and taking the beautiful young Malunite’s hand in greeting. I noticed he let his hand linger just a tad longer than necessary for a simple social interaction.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed the exchange or the fact that I’d never heard Vomero use the word “wonderful” in all our time together. Beside me, Cash snorted softly in amusement, which earned him a glare from Vomero.
“Perhaps as we make the rounds you could tell me more about your city’s history and heritage,” Vomero said, smoothly offering her his arm as escort. “I find the seamless mix of traditional values and advanced technology of New Horizon City extremely—”
“Fascinating?” Cash interjected, his tone dripping sarcasm. He turned to address Rin, saying, “Careful, Miss. Our friend here has a voracious appetite for...knowledge. Don’t let him wear you out.”
With a wave, Cash wandered off in the direction of the open bar.
“Your friend won’t be joining us for introductions?” Rin asked, confused.
“Political hob-knobbing isn’t really his scene,” Dick said, “or mine, for that matter. Thank you, Rin, for the offer, but I’d much prefer to enjoy the memorial from the background.”
“I must decline your offer of introductions, as well, Rin. I’m sure Vomero will represent us well among your elite. I’m just here in honor of your three fallen operatives,” I said. “In the very short time I knew them, they seemed like people who genuinely cared about this country. Most of us were there when they died, and we just want to pay our respects quietly.”
“I don’t mind goin’,” Ryuuk said, and the old man nudged him in the side. “Huh? What?”
“You need to keep a low profile more than anybody, boy,” Gramps said. “Come on. Let’s go check out the buffet.”
As Vomero and Rin walked away to make introductions, that left Dick and me lingering at the edge of the beautiful gardens.
“Care for a stroll?” he asked.
“I’m not sure it’s wise to go wandering about in dimly lit gardens with you,” I teased.
“A harsh assessment from someone who tries to ogle and grope me every chance she gets,” he rebutted, a flirtatious twinkle in his eye. “I think it’s your self-control that we should really be calling into question here.”
“Maybe that’s what I meant?”
As we walked through the perfectly manicured paths, I eyed him up and down in his midnight blue, perfectly tailored suit. The ensemble came with a bow tie and cuff links, but in true Dick fashion, he had forgone them both, instead opting to leave the top button of his collar open and the sleeves of his shirt and suit pushed up on his forearms. It gave him a sophisticated, yet rakish look.
“You don’t make it easy, that’s for sure,” I added.
He raised an appreciative eyebrow at me and grinned.
“Says the person who looks like she’s dripping in starlight and sexiness,” he responded, pausing on the path and turning to look at me. I also stopped and turned to him curiously.
“Do you realize,” he said, leaning in ever so subtly toward me and lowering his voice to whisper softly, “that sometimes when I get close to you, your tattoos do this sexy little shimmer thing for just an instant? It’s highly enticing. Makes me wonder what would happen if...”
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I could feel heat on my face. It had been a long time since anyone had made me blush, but for some reason his mention of my involuntary display of attraction when he was near left me feeling like I’d never been touched by another person before.
“See?” I said, drawing in a shaky breath and taking a step back before I threw myself at him in the middle of the very public garden pathway. “We’ve barely been in this garden five minutes, and you’re already trying to seduce me.”
“Touche’,” he said. His face split into a wide grin as he turned to continue walking down the path.
We walked around the terrace for a while longer before running into Cash.
“Thought you guys might want to know they’ve started the ceremony for Tor, Par, and Celo,” he said. I nodded, and we walked into the ballroom with Cash.
In the center of the large space was a stage. Apparently, Koraf had arrived at some point in the evening as he was standing on the stage, thanking guests for coming out to honor their fallen heroes.
“Tor was a friend. A man I could always count on to put New Horizon City first,” Koraf said.
I was curious what story they would spin about the three Malunites’ death. They couldn’t very well admit that they had sent operatives into Veridi to destroy the Drowned Diadem or even to assassinate the queen, as the Syreni were claiming.
“When he heard there was an opportunity to bring peace and security to the Commonwealth, even knowing that chance relied on the capricious word of the Syreni, he never waivered,” Koraf said. “He understood that the future prosperity of our nation was at stake. And, ultimately, he bet his life on it and lost.”
As he spoke, images of the three appeared in giant holographic form above the stage. Koraf continued to speak about the sacrifices each one of the three members of the team made, highlighting how they, like many Malunites, had lost friends and relatives in Mandala. I was impressed at his ability to speak so profoundly about Tor, Par, and Celo without revealing too much about the circumstances surrounding their deaths. He took the opportunity at the end of his speech to encourage all Malunites to reject the lies the Syreni were peddling regarding the death of their queen and to focus on the mission the three honorees left unfinished.
“So, please,” Koraf said, drawing his speech to a close. “Dance, laugh, and celebrate tonight as we memorialize three Malunites who represented the best in us. Remember them, not just tonight, but on every night hereafter. For they symbolize the struggle ahead of us. Until we can secure Maluna’s Grotto, the Commonwealth remains at risk.”
As he finished, the live orchestra struck up the music amid the roaring applause of those attending the event. We slowly made our way toward the side of the stage where Koraf was greeting some of the guests. By the time we arrived, the crowd around him had thinned.
“That was a beautiful tribute,” I said.
He greeted us cordially, but it lacked some of the warmth he had expressed in our earlier encounters. I wondered about the business that had delayed him this evening.
“They deserved to be here to see it themselves,” Koraf said. “Knowing who to trust in these heated political times is a risky game we all play.”
He stretched out his arm toward the side of the ballroom that looked reserved for more important heads of state.
“Would you mind joining me? I have some matters I’d like to discuss with you,” he said.
Along the back of the ballroom, overlooking what would be the ship’s wake if had been a sea-going vessel, a series of private balconies offered a spectacular view for prominent guests. Koraf led the three of us into one, poured himself a drink from the table set up in the center and motioned us to make ourselves comfortable.
None of us chose to partake in the refreshments or sit down, sensing there was something serious on the Councilman’s mind.
“Let me start by apologizing for not greeting you sooner,” he said. “I was delayed, actually, and barely made it in time for the presentation.”
“Yes, your assistant explained as much,” I responded.
“What is it that you need to discuss with us?” Cash said, cutting to the point, as usual.
Koraf turned from where he was staring out over the balcony’s edge back toward us. His manner seemed more formal and stiff, now.
“I have been more than accommodating to you and your companions,” Koraf said. “I must confess, though, I had ulterior motives. See, our spies within Veridi heard that the Syreni were in a frenzy trying to recover the very artifact Tor and his team were sent to destroy.”
“What does that have to do with us?” Dick challenged.
“Indeed, what does that have to do with you?” Koraf replied. “That was the question I set out to discover when I invited you to dine with me the other day. What could the last people to see our operatives alive possibly know about a missing Syreni crown? According to you, the answer was absolutely nothing.”
“You have reason to doubt us?” Cash asked, gruffly.
I chose to keep quiet, figuring that Koraf already had information we had been trying to keep hidden. So, there was no point in denying it. What I wanted to know, however, was what had happened tonight to change his mind?
“Very good reason to doubt,” Koraf said. “Imagine my surprise when a strange young man turned himself into my enforcers today, wanting to trade the Drowned Diadem for his friends’ freedom.”
Cash, Dick and I shared a knowing look.
“Where is Matthew, now?” I said. “What are you going to do with him?”
“Him?!” Koraf said angrily. “Probably throw him a parade. You, however? Well, you’ve proven yourselves to be quite maliciously deceptive.”
“There was no malice in our deception,” I said. “We simply weren’t willing to hand over the artifact to someone we just met. We have been lied to, backstabbed, and manipulated ever since arriving on this planet. You wanted us to take your word for it after a thirty-minute meeting that you’re not just as bad as the Syreni who used the exact same artifact to destroy their own people?”
Koraf was silent for a long moment.
“My men recovered the crown from a containment unit in your transport,” Koraf said. “I can’t imagine what would have happened if Syreni operatives were able to locate it before we did.”
“I’m sure they would have simply took it for themselves, much like you did,” Dick said, ironically.
“Because you came by it honestly, I’m sure,” Koraf rebutted.
“We took it out of the pocket of Tor, Par, and Celo’s executioner,” I said. Immediately, the tension in the air dispersed. “I understand they had a lot of trust in you. But they’re also dead, set up on a mission you sent them on. That’s the information we were working with.”
“These were not your decisions to make,” Koraf said, quietly. “This is not your planet, not your nation, not your fight to mediate. We will be the ones responsible for the crown; it should only fall on us to ensure it does not fall into the hands of those who would use it to oppress innocent Malunites.”
“And Syreni?” Dick added. “I’m sure you just forgot to mention them as an oversight, right?”
“We are not the ones who used Acheron to slaughter our own people for political gain,” Koraf said, tightly.
“You obviously have what you want, so what is the purpose of this conversation?” I said.
Koraf took a deep, calming breath before answering.
“Your travel documents will be secured by the morning,” he said. “Perhaps it’s best that you all put this city behind you. I truly am sorry things turned out this way.”
“What of Matthew?” Cash asked.
“Once he led us to the Diadem, we released him and told him that you had been, as well.”
“Then we’ll take our leave of the ball, just as soon as we locate your assistant and the rest of our party,” I said.
Koraf turned to me with a confused look.
“My assistant? Which one?” he asked.
“Rin,” I answered, “the one you sent to meet us when we arrived.”
“I did not send anyone to meet with you,” he responded. “There wasn’t time. Nor do I have anyone on my staff by that name.”
Cash abruptly pushed himself away from the wall he had been leaning on. Without another word, we hastily departed the balcony.
“Split up and find Vomero,” Cash said. “Dammit, what a time to not have my eye. It makes scanning a crowd much easier.”
“There’s Ryuuk,” I said, pointing toward the side of the room where a drunken Malunite woman was attempting to teach him to dance.
I made my way to him quickly; the feeling that something bad was happening churned in my gut. My gut was rarely mistaken.
“Ryuuk,” I called, pulling him away from the woman with urgency. She made a disgruntled sound. I shot her a look that said “try me”, and she stomped off in a huff. “Have you seen Vomero or that woman he was with?”
“Uh...no,” he said, glancing around. “But Gramps went to find him earlier when the presentation started. I haven’t seen either of them since.”
I stopped for a moment to calm my mind. Someone impersonating a staff member of Koraf’s team tried to get us alone. Which means, they already knew Koraf would be running late, maybe even why. What would be the purpose of taking us or even one of us hostage?
“Owen,” I said, aloud. “It has to be Owen.”
“You think he was pretending to be Rin?” Dick asked, “but I didn’t sense him.”
“You told me that you could hide your presence from him that night in the alley,” I said, “Maybe he’s picked up a few things, knowing he’s dealing with you.”
“Maybe,” he admitted. “It wouldn’t hold up if I was looking for it, but I was distracted and didn’t think to try.”
“It’s not on you,” I said, softly, placing a hand on his arm. “We need to find them.”
“It’s a huge ship,” Cash said. “They could be anywhere. Vomero would normally be the one we’d get to scan security footage, etc.”
“What has happened to your friend?” Koraf said, speaking from behind us. He may not be happy with our withholding information about the Diadem, but I had to believe he wouldn’t want the Syreni betrayers running around in his city.
“We think one of the Syreni pawns took them,” I said. “A shapeshifter, one of the ones responsible for killing your people.”
A look of cold steel crossed Koraf’s face. He motioned for one of his men nearby.
“Search the ship,” he said, “quietly. We’re looking for anyone out of place or not where they’re supposed to be.”
Twenty minutes later, the search party came up empty. Security did report a private craft leaving via a lower deck rather than the ferry drop off platform.
“If they’re gone,” I said, speaking to Cash and Dick, “they may be headed toward the transport. Toward the crown.”
“Dammit!” Cash spat. “That won’t bode well when they find out Koraf’s people already took it.”
“Maybe not,” Dick said. “If they actually got their hands on the crown, they’d be more motivated to clear up any loose ends before making off with it.”
“We need to push that thought aside for the moment and get there as fast as we can,” I said.
“My men can escort you in one of our fastest vehicles,” said Koraf. I opened my mouth to argue but knew it was pointless. There’s no way he wouldn’t be sending people out there already in an attempt to catch the Syreni traitors. I simply nodded, and moments later, we were zipping through the air toward the far side of the island.
By the time we arrived, Koraf’s men, who had been closer to the transport than we were, had already arrived and were clearing the ship. Not waiting for permission, all four of us rushed toward the hatch only to be met by two of Koraf’s men carrying a nearly comatose Vomero limply between them.
“Vomero!” I shouted; relief washed over me but the gnawing feeling in my gut did not subside.
His eyes when he looked at me were barely lucid. He was bleeding from a wound in his side.
“He needs a medic,” one of Koraf’s men said, easing him gently down to the ground.
Dick and I stopped to check on Vomero, while Ryuuk and Cash pushed past into the transport, looking for our other crewmate. Vomero met my gaze as Ryuuk called out for the old man, and a wave of sadness hit me like a tsunami. At that moment, I knew exactly what my intuition had been trying to tell me.
“What happen—” Dick started to ask Vomero but stopped when I looked at him, something he must have seen in my face giving him pause.
“Gramps?” he more whispered than spoke.
A guttural sound, a mixture of anguish and rage, resounded through the transport interior.
Vomero put a shaky hand to his face. His whole body was trembling uncontrollably from shock; his next words were devoid of emotion, as if his mind refused to process some trauma.
“They killed him.”