Page 69 of The Cerulean Sister
More and more appear, lining the dock in a glowing perimeter.
The entire space is lined with Estate guards.
Chapter
Nineteen
“Ferren, does this look right to you?" August asks.
A figure dressed in temple clothing emerges from the long line of Estate guards.
Lord Hollis.
He waits for my arrival, not the elders of the priestess order, not the emperor or the Highest Priestess of Cosima.
There could only be one reason he has been sent first.
"Calliape, I may not be able to call out to you. I will not be able to use any gifts for a while." I force my voice to sound calm.
"Is that Lord Hollis?" Her expression turns to disgust as she remembers the things I have told her about him, his ability to neutralize gifts and how he captured mine before I was locked in my Estate chambers.
"Yes, and I want you to promise me you won't come looking in the Estate. Do not fold the distance there. He has a ward up too, I feel it, and I am not sure what it can do."
"You won't be able to defend yourself," August protests.
"Let's assume he was sent as a precaution," I say optimistically. "Calliape?"
"I promise, but make your way to the safe house as soon as you can."
"I have until the last days of the conjunction before you need to worry about me. Please . . . just give me that time before either of you do anything."
"99 won't like that you can't use your gifts in there," August warns.
"They need assurance I am not going to blow up the grand hall again. We have nothing to worry about." I sound like I am trying to convince myself as much as I am them.
He nods.
"There are so many," Calliape whispers as more shadowy figures become full weapon-wielding guards as the dust settles.
I lean forward to look down the long row that lines the docking area. It’s completely empty other than the light from their flames and the very few illuminated building windows, like this whole section of the city was commanded to make themselves scarce.
"We are one button away from heading back where we came from. Well, a couple buttons. Just say the word.”
"Thank you, August, but I am ready."
I say an aching goodbye to Calliape and assure her I will be fine, not to worry until the last days of the conjunction, that this process will take time. She hugs me tightly and only walks with us until we get to the mess hall. We previously agreed it would be safer for her to stay inside, as there would be fewer questions if it appears only a transporter has delivered me.
The doors in the cargo hull seem to move in slow motion as the ramp steadily descends, letting in the true dry air of Cosima.
August stands beside me with a data pad, ready to show his order of clearance to the guards if necessary. His ship has broken no laws but this time he is bringing back a cast-out priestess and not sacred stones, making his arrival presumably less welcome.
Lord Hollis steps forward, his guards moving in tandem on either side. The moment our eyes meet, I begin to chip away at the sticky protection ward around his mind's eye. It's not strong, and I just need a tiny crack to see inside, to gain a small advantage and know if there are any reasons for his presence other than to take my gifts.
"Blessed evening, former Priestess Ferren." He ducks his head in a mock bow, satisfied with how my new title sounds to him.
"Lord Hollis." I duck my head in the closest thing to submission as I can stand.
"Search the ship." He turns to the nearest guard then looks August up and down in a disgusted inspection. "Can never be too careful on a conjunction year, you understand, Viathan."
