Page 20 of Zar

“But I’m not Zenarian. I don’t feel connected. I feel lost. I feel kidnapped. I feel like I’m freaking out, Mister High and Mighty!”

He frowned. “My name is Kade. Who is this High and Mighty?”

Callie cursed and shoved a hand through her hair, nearly yanking out several strands in her frustration. “Never mind,” she muttered.

Kade sighed and pulled out a cell phone. “Allow me to call Flare. He may have a solution that I’m unaware of.”

“Why would Flare know?”

“He’s the head regis,” he answered, as if that explained everything.

“Regis? What is a regis?”

His head lifted and his gaze caught hers. “It means runner. In our society the runners are our connection to earth-born cities. They not only bring back supplies, but they obtain knowledge for us. Earth-born knowledge and Zenarian both. They have a memory that is unmatched as well. Total recall of conversations and events.”

That sounded pretty handy. “So, you think Flare might have some sort of information that can help Zar with the…influr’ite?”

He tapped the screen, the frown back in place. “Possibly.”

Kade was grasping at straws. She’d gotten really good at reading facial features in her father’s company. He always took her to important meetings with potential investors so she could weed out the ones who were honestly interested in HealthTec and those who were just blowing smoke. And Kade wasn’t giving her a warm cozy feeling right now.

“Do not fear, Callie. We’ll figure something out.”

It was her turn to frown. “Why are you being nice to me? I mean, I’m glad, don’t get me wrong, but I got the feeling when you first arrived that you didn’t much care for me. Or humans, rather.” Considering he’d held a sword on her and had nearly impaled her with it. Yeah, that all but screamed hate crime.

The tense lines on his face relaxed as he smiled. “I was surprised to see my brother with a human. It’s never been done before.”

“What’s never been done?”

“We don’t bring humans here. Ever. It’s too dangerous to our way of life.”

“Yeah, humans would lose their shit if they knew of your existence.” Something else he said struck her. “You’ve never brought humans here?”

“No.” He paused, then added, “Once, but never before or since. And Zar didn’t consult the Rybacia Coneev about his decision to do so.”

“What is the Rybacia Coneev?”

“The royal council, consisting of me, my three brothers, Dyre and Flare. Zar doesn’t strictly have to seek our approval on such matters, but he’s always kept us apprised of anything that could threaten our way of life here. Bringing a human into our world definitely falls into that category.”

So, Zar had strayed pretty damn far away from the rules. That confused her, knowing what she did now about their race. “Why do you think he chose to break protocol? And I’m still not sure why he needed to bring me here. He could’ve simply set up a meeting, I mean.”

“That is a question I intend to ask my brother as soon as he is well,” Kade said. He lifted his head and stared at the front door. “Flare is here.”

Callie didn’t hear a thing, but she wasn’t Zenarian. Less than a minute went by and there was a light knock. Kade crossed the room and opened the door, letting Flare inside. The other man still took her breath away. His silvery-white wings and matching hair was a sight to behold. He looked every bit the angel. His gaze sought out hers and he smiled.

“How may I be of service, Sire?”

Kade shut the door and gestured to a chair adjacent to the couch. Kade took the spot he’d vacated moments ago before he spoke. “Zar is in a full state of influr’ite. It was accidental and we’re currently trying to come up with a viable solution.”

“Only an ofelia could incite such a reaction,” Flare said, the surprise on his face obvious.

Kade nodded towards her. “It would seem our king has found his ofelia.”

Flare’s gaze widened and his mouth dropped open for a split second as if he wanted to say something but stayed silent and composed himself once more. He was the most composed being she’d ever met. Did he ever let that mask slip, she wondered? Mr. Ice really was an appropriate nickname.

“And because they have only just met and she’s Earth-born, she is unwilling to relieve him,” he quickly surmised.

Kade sighed. “Yes. Would an educator do?”

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