Page 83 of The Firebrand
Bounty had proofed Kole’s remarks, making them eloquent, crossing out thefucksand addingpleases. “I come before you today to expose a situation unfolding on Scath. Earlier, we thought the problem internal, requiring only the attention of my Firebrands. As it turns out, the circumstances may reach beyond my jurisdiction, maybe affecting the entire realm.” Kole looked up from his notes.
“Continue,” said Gilda, an Amazon, representing her kind and berserkers. By nature, she was warlike, living with a strict moral code. She surrendered the languid pose on her throne to edge forward, steepling her hands. She cast fear into the air, the waves as wild as her untamed red hair.
When it blew across his skin, Kole shrugged it off. “Warriors Chay and Rein pursued two rampaging Kallis who had attacked a nymph. One of the Darque creatures used a portal jumper to escape to Earth. Rein gave chase, bringing the escapee back to Scath. Unfortunately, a matter developed that required he bring a human female to our realm.”
Aras, a rare eagle shifter and high justice, asked, “Why?” His sharp-sighted eyes narrowed as they pierced Kole’s mind to divine the truth of the information. When the scan grew painful, the demon in Kole combated the invasion, fire dancing off the tips of his fingers. When Aras retrieved what he wanted, he backed out while the commander contained the flames bouncing in his palms.
“She resisted scrubbing.” Kole shook off the high justice’s meddlesome digging.
“Rein could not wipe her memories?” asked Aras.
“Correct. That is a separate matter we have resolved. If I may continue.”
“Yes,” said Roshan, an elbow on the arm of his throne, “but we may return to that issue.”
Kole respected the djinn because the breed possessed not only great strength, skill, and knowledge on the battlefield but also undying loyalty. They were a soldier’s greatest ally, or most feared enemy.
“Of course. We delivered the portal pumper to the Ministry of Compliance so they could identify the owner. They informed us the device confiscated from the Kalli was a duplicate made to look authentic right down to the identity code. We possess another copy as well. Someone is making unauthorized jumpers, and we believe these fake devices are being used to access Earth illegally. For what purpose we don’t know.” He glanced at Cadmon. “Yet.”
“We manufacture these on Earth. Is this correct?” asked Aras.
“Yes. We informed the Alliance’s board of directors and their legal department of the problem.”
“You have a plan to find the perpetrators?” pursued Aras.
“Alliance agents have placed an undercover operative in the plant to gather information. Once they discover what is taking place, they will act accordingly. We are also trying to locate other fake devices, identify who is using them, and why they are being used. When we find answers, I shall report our findings to Cadmon.”
“So be it,” said the warlock Dolph. “High Commander, keep us apprised of the situation. You will bring perpetrators on Scath before us to stand judgment.”
“About the Earther,” Roshan asked. “What is her name?”
“Braelyn,” said Kole, revealing as little information as possible about her. He didn’t know why he was hesitant. Having a human in their realm was dangerous. Perhaps the less known about her, the better.
“Is she safe?” the djinn asked. “Or should the temple take charge of her care?”
Kole, wary of this question, said, “She is. She has returned to Earth and presents no problem.”
“And her memory?” asked Gilda.
“Her memory is no longer an issue.” Kole chose his words with care since he never lied to the Temple of Justice. But too many questions circled around Braelyn. Until he knew more, the less said, the better.
“You are dismissed, High Commander Cadmon and Commander Kole. Justice and long life,” said Dolph.
****
Silasdug his booted toe into a clump of grass on a brown, unkempt lawn in front of a large farmhouse while he talked to Aisen. “She’s returned to Earth. That’s a complication.”
“How will you get her?”
“I will observe her comings and goings myself, strike when the time is right. It might be easier to capture her there without Rein or the Scion Firebrands guarding her. This female has proved more difficult than expected, an interesting distraction from the usual boredom of the chase. Obviously, she enthralled Rein for a while, but now he has returned her. Perhaps she is not so tasty in bed.” Silas rubbed his hands together, imagining the Earther beneath his body, her legs spread for him. His visions became more graphic, his fangs at her neck while his hard cock ripped into her.
“She’s yours then. In the meantime, I’ll proceed with the specimens we have. New humans are arriving every day. I have lined up trades for the Earthers okayed for sale. The blond male in cell nine brought a high price as did the female in the one next to him. I’m holding out on the captive in number three, though. I think I can get more for her than the incubus bid. We’re doing well, Silas, if we keep the Firebrands at bay.”
“Just be sure the products stay alive until we release them for sale. Monitor the stockades. I hear rumors the jailers use our captives before we give the go-ahead.”
“I’ll visit the cells more frequently.”
“See that you do. I do not tolerate mistakes. Not even from a half-brother.”
