SIX

Blaze

Xelan hated this.

Not the care and the love—He was all for those things and appreciated that more help was circulating for everyone within the Shadow.

No. He hated that when he’d come upstairs from his eight hours of sleep, he and Tumu had found Tameka passed out at Xelan’s desk. Care-giving for him was costing her.

“I’m fine,” she’d promised as he’d walked her back to their bedroom. “Just a little tired.”

Xelan went to start a hot shower for her, saying, “If I have to get rest, so do you. This is fair, right?”

Tameka gave in, and they showered together—More than showered together—until it was time for them to switch roles and he tucked her into bed.

That was about two hours ago, and since then, Xelan was relegated only to daddy duty—Playing with Pax, teaching him to cook, and enforcing table manners while they ate.

Tumu hung around to make certain he did nothing else.

While Pax climbed a rock wall, Xelan said, “How can I do any good limited to this?”

Tumu nudged him with an elbow as he said, “Peaches still needs you, Wingmaster, but more than anything, she needs you to look after yourself for the time being.”

“I know. I’m not arguing against it. But three more days without me looking into imperial business?” This impotence was so frustrating. How was Xelan supposed to help—

“Rayne will manage without you.”

Stunned.

Floored.

Shocked so badly, Xelan almost missed his son passing his personal best. “That’s it, kiddo, you got this!”

“Hee! Watch me. Imma keep going!” Pax kept climbing like a champ, and all Xelan could do was pick his jaw up off the floor and glare at Tumu.

Tumu sighed and rolled his eyes, exasperated. He said, “You think you’re not transparent? You stopped talking about her after Tameka found you in the Divine Booth. And the War King has a way of talking to people in their dreams. How long had she been trying? Since Enki? But your stubborn ass wouldn’t go to sleep—”

“Seriously?” Bewildered and incredulous, Xelan asked, “You’re giving me a hard time right now? Do you have any idea what it’s been like knowing this—”

“You knew along, and I have the inclination to believe your intuitions. So I never doubted. How is she, by the way?” Tumu held up his hand to stem Xelan’s answer so he could cheer, “That’s it, Pax! Right onto the ceiling. Remember: the foam pit will always catch you if you fall.”

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With a cute grunt of effort, Pax said, “Thanks, Uncle Tumu. I got this.”

Proud uncle that he was, Tumu shook his head, amazed. “That kid… Growing up fast isn’t he—Why are you staring at me like that?!”

Xelan stopped staring and went back to watching his son. This last week was murder, but at least, someone else knew his latest secret. He said, “She’s fine. She’s grown into such an amazing and brilliant young woman. I think… Well, she implied she’s working with Elden.”

Tumu flushed black under his blue skin, but remained silent.

It was unusual and clearly meant something. Another minute passed before Xelan couldn’t take it anymore. “What?!”

On rare occasions, Tumu let his voice go soft, and the deep boom of it registered at human normal. “I hope she’s careful.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Xelan’s palm device pulsed, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not ignore it.

Andrew appeared in his hand. “Hey, Wingmaster, how ya doing?”

Something was wrong. Xelan glanced up at Tumu to see if he also detected it. Instead, he got an ugly glower from the Tritan.

“What in Eternity are you doing on the comms?! No work, remember?”

Andrew answered for Xelan, “I need to see you, Tumu. I only wanted to ask Xelan’s permission to go to the stronghold.”

Tumu nodded, and Xelan responded, “You’re working now, right? Ask T.a.o. to bring you. No need to disrupt the honeymoon I’ve already ruined.”

Those weren’t Korac’s exact words, but the sentiment was loud and clear when he and Sagan had departed.

The call ended right as Pax reached the pinnacle of the ceiling and cheered, “Dad! Uncle Tumu! Look!”

“We never took our eyes off you, scout. Great job!” Tumu called.

Waiting for Andrew to arrive, Xelan went to the edge of the foam pit. “Okay. Time for your favorite part!”

With a squeal of delight, Pax let go and fell three stories into the cubes of foam. Xelan held out his hand to help his son out. At the sight of Pax swimming through the gray fluff, Xelan grinned. Genuinely. It felt good.

Lamassau came into the gym, munching on a bag of potato chips from Reipon. “Hey, kid. I see you made it to the big top. Congrats!” He held out his hand low.

As soon as Pax was free of the pit, he slapped it hard. “Yeah!”

“Why don’t you go tell your mom? She’s awake. I need to talk to your dad and your uncle.” Lam gave them both stern looks.

Pax, old enough now to sense the tension, looked between all the adults before saying, “Okay. See you at dinner.” He ran off to stand right outside the door and eavesdrop without completely understanding anything.

Xelan remembered those days. He asked Lam, “What is it?”

Tumu held up a finger. “Remember, he isn’t supposed to work—”

“Does ‘Superman’ mean anything to you, almighty Co-Emperor?” Lamassau held up a tablet with a missive on it.

Xelan swallowed before looking it over. Children had arrived at Celindria’s orphanage last night asking for help and they were told to pass along ‘Superman’ to the Co-Emperors. The same night, authorities found a Caprent female left slaughtered and nacre-less in the Promenade with a sign drawn in purple blood.

Imminent Bad Guy

Xelan raked a hand down his face before meeting Tumu’s eyes. He tried to communicate that he thought it was Rayne without tipping off Lamassau. She didn’t want anyone to know. Sliding his gaze to Lam, Xelan ordered, “Investigate the Caprent. Find out everything we can about her and her involvement with those children. Help them find their families, if they have any.”

Lamassau narrowed his eyes at both men and waved a finger between them, asking, “There’s nothing happening here I should know about, right?”

Xelan wanted an update on Kyle and Ross processing the memories from Razor they’d pulled out of Bethany. They could help identify major players in the vice ring who didn’t fall with Gait and Enki. And there was always the possibility Xelan could reconstruct another Razor out of them, but no one would agree to it. So, once again, he pushed the urge aside.

“Not yet, Lam,” Xelan assured. “Thanks for coming to me, despite my medical limitations.”

Tumu chuffed.

Andrew stepped through with T.a.o., who launched herself right into the foam pit and followed it up with a laugh of pure delight. They all indulged in watching her enjoy the moment before Andrew got to business.

“The Probabilities shrank more overnight, and Lucas said it was simply a natural phenomenon.”

Xelan bit his thumbnail and considered it. Sourced from the Aegis entering this plane of existence, it was possible ebbs and flows were a reactive occurrence. He asked Andrew, “What do you think?”

“Oh, I think Lucas is lying. In fact, I know he is.”

So much for medical leave.