Demon's Quest (21 page)

Reah was no longer a member of the family—she'd separated herself legally five years earlier. None of the family had any pull with her, and Aldah, the fool, had accused her of killing Addah when date-stamped, tamper-proof vids showed her with Teeg San Gerxon on Campiaa at the time of the murder. Who knew she was married to that one? And still she was engaged to the King of Karathia as well. Reah had done more than well for herself. Had powerful friends, mates and allies. Farla could only see disaster coming for the Desh family. Addah kept the best recipes to himself, suspicious of his children, even, and so refused to share his knowledge. All that died with him.

"Farla, the constables are here again," Teena, now second wife, walked into Farla's sitting room. Teena, Indiva, Hilde and Baretis had each borne five sons for Addah. A few had some skill, but most worked on the business side of the restaurants. Desh's number three, in Cardon, was barely keeping its head above water, although Baretis' eldest, Halde, was very good at stretching a budget.

"What do they want?" Farla stood, prepared to answer even more questions regarding her husband's death.

"They've arrested Aldah. Rane turned him in."

* * *

"Just stay back while Karzac wakes her—you don't want to tangle with Farzi and Nenzi." Tory was trying hard not to smile as Edan and Ilvan shrank back after spotting the two lion snakes in Reah's bed. Nenzi was coiled beneath Reah's chin, Farzi was draped over her waist. Both had lifted their heads and spread their hoods when Tory brought Reah's uncles into the room.

Both reptanoids knew Karzac now. They also knew that Karzac would only protect Reah, as they sought to do. Retracting their hoods, they moved aside so Karzac could wake Reah.

* * *

"Huh?" My voice was thick with sleep and my mouth was as dry as a desert.

"Reah wake now." Nenzi kissed my chin—he'd just turned from lion snake.

"Sweet man," I wrapped my arms around him. Farzi was hugging me from behind now, so I turned my head and gave him a sleepy peck.

Tory cleared his throat nearby. I hadn't realized he was in the room. "What, hon?" I asked.

"Your uh, father and uncle are here."

I turned to see Edan and Ilvan standing with Tory, both not far from my bed.

"Are you awake now? Where's my help in the kitchen?" Radolf stalked in, mock indignation all over his face.

"What are we making?" Farzi and Nenzi scooted off the bed and trotted toward my bathroom—they were naked. Edan and Ilvan watched them go, a bit of shock consuming them, I think.

"Did you explain they're shapeshifters?" I glared at Tory.

"No time," Tory grinned.

"They won't hurt you as long as you don't threaten Reah," Radolf explained. "Now, are you coming to help? I'm trying to put that duck thing together."

"I'll come help with the duck thing if you'll give me something to drink." I came off the bed while Karzac watched silently.

"My heart's love, you sound as if I'll leave you parched." Radolf had a fist at his heart.

"Let me get changed. And since Edan and Ilvan are here, maybe they'll help too." I offered Radolf a big smile.

"I'll come watch, as soon as Reah gets some decent clothes on," Tory grinned.

All of us ended up in the kitchen—Edan, Ilvan, Farzi, Nenzi and Tory. Lok walked in with Lendill, Drake and Drew. Lok looked as if Drake and Drew had been sparring with him.

I put a fruit drink together for all of us, while Radolf and I got five stuffed ducks into the ovens.

"Is this a new recipe?" Ilvan asked. He'd helped put the stuffing together while Edan trussed the ducks afterward.

"We cooked it together for the first time on Karathia," Radolf said. "It turned out great—it just needed minor adjustments. We'll see if we got it right this time."

"Reah?" Denevik walked into the kitchen.

"Em-pah?" I went to give him a hug.

"How's my baby?" he whispered.

"I'm all right," I said, bumping my forehead against his chest. He gave me an extra hug and accepted the drink that Radolf handed over. "How is Jusef?" I asked. "I've missed both of you."

"Jusef is fine and busy herding the help around in Glinda's palace kitchen," my grandfather smiled.

"He's a good cook," I said.

"Jusef?" Radolf asked.

"Amterean Dwarf," I said, pulling Denevik toward a barstool at the island. Tory, Drake, Drew and Lok were already there, having their drinks and a light snack.

"Reah," Lissa and Gavin walked into the kitchen, "your name has been cleared. The police on Tulgalan just arrested Aldah for his father's murder."

Chapter 10
 

The breath caught in my throat and I was paralyzed for several ticks. "But—how? Why?" I couldn't understand this. Fes and Aldah had always been Addah's prize pupils.

"His brother—Rane? Is that right? Turned him in," Lissa explained at my nod. Edan and Ilvan were both just as stunned as I was.

"Did Rane see it?"

"No. He caught Aldah washing one of his cooking knives off in the house," Lissa said. "He saw blood. Aldah didn't see him, and Rane didn't say anything at first. But with Fes in the condition he is, Rane said he wanted justice for his oldest brother."

"That had to be a kick in the stomach for Rane," I muttered. Addah had always belittled him, so Rane settled for doing Addah's books.

"Is it safe to go back to Tulgalan?" Ilvan asked.

"You're still welcome to stay here if you want," Lissa smiled at him.

"I could use a couple of good assistants," Radolf remarked, tossing a hand in the air dramatically.

"Are you serious? Work in this kitchen?" Ilvan sounded thrilled.

"I'm willing, if you're serious about the offer," Edan nodded. "I'd prefer to go back to school and get a medical degree so I can practice medicine again, but since I have no funds, this is the next-best thing."

"What did you just say?" Lissa came around to stare at Edan.

"I'd like to practice medicine again?"

"Yeah. That's the one. Karzac!" Karzac was there in a moment, his light-brown hair a bit ruffled, as if he'd ripped a surgical cap off quickly before folding in.

"Lissa?" He lifted an eyebrow at her.

"Do you have room in your teaching classes for this one? He wants to practice medicine again." Lissa nodded toward Edan.

"What sort of medicine did you practice before?" Karzac was sizing Edan up.

"Pediatrics," Edan admitted. "I worked with a group that provided free medical care to indigent worlds," he added.

"Good enough. I'll fit you in," Karzac said.

"But I can't pay—I have no funds."

"Not a problem," Karzac waved it off. "Tuition here is free to all residents. Cook if you want to earn your pocket money."

"I'll help." The words were out of my mouth before I thought.

"Reah, no. Let me do this on my own," Edan was there and pulling me into a hug.

"Can we plan to go to Addah's funeral?" Ilvan was next to us, hugging us both and sobbing.

"Ilvan, honey, it's all right," I was rubbing his back. This had hit him harder than I thought. With Tory, Drake and Drew helping, we got Ilvan onto a barstool and a stiff drink in his hand. I was rubbing his back still, while Radolf offered a towel.

"I can arrange to send flowers and monetary assistance." Wylend folded in with Corolan and Erland.

"Would you?" I looked at my Karathian Warlock mate.

"Done," Wylend said.

"I'll handle it," Erland agreed.

"I'll write the card," Corolan offered.

* * *

"Farla, there's a mountain of flowers in the entry, and this came with them." Indiva handed a thick card to Farla. The envelope was addressed to her and the Desh family. It also bore the royal crest of Karathia.

We wish to express our deepest condolences to you and your family
, the card read.
We hope that this contribution will assist you in some way during your time of grief. Sincerely, Wylend, King of Karathia and Reah, Queen to be
. Inside, nestled in a protective wrapper, was a credit chip worth one hundred thousand Alliance credits. Farla fainted.

* * *

"Wylend sent flowers and a credit chip for a hundred thousand," Dee said, setting the comp-vid in front of Gavril. What do you want to do?"

"Exactly the same," Gavril grinned.

"Wise choice," Dee smiled and went to make it so.

* * *

"Farla, this just came, along with another flower delivery," Baretis handed over the envelope, this time. This one bore the newly designed crest of the Campiaan Alliance. Farla sat down to read this one.

Reah and I wish to express our condolences on your loss. Please accept this contribution toward your expenses at this difficult time—Teeg San Gerxon, Founding Member, Campiaan Alliance
. Another credit chip, also for one hundred thousand Alliance credits, was tucked inside the envelope. Farla fanned herself with this envelope, attempting to retain consciousness.

* * *

Wylend stayed for dinner, and the duck was perfect. "This is the recipe we'll use in the restaurant," I clinked wineglasses with Radolf. Wylend and Corolan spent the night. They took very good care of me, leaving early the following morning. Radolf was there afterward, and we didn't get out of bed for a while.

"My heart's love," Radolf kissed my hand then pressed my fingers to his chest. His heartbeat was steady and strong beneath my hand.

"Where did you come from, love?" I asked him. "You are a gift to me."

"Just what I always wanted to hear," he smiled, leaning down to kiss me.

* * *

"Mother, Fes is waking!" Farla had arrived at the hospital to check on her eldest before making final arrangements for Addah's funeral. Rane had come earlier to sit with his brother.

"Thank the stars," Farla was nearly running down the hall toward Fes' room.

A doctor stood beside Fes' bed, checking his vitals. The physician smiled, his green-gold eyes twinkling a little. "He should be fine now. Let the staff know if you need anything." The doctor left the room.

"Mother," Fes reached out a shaking hand to Farla.

"Fes," Farla was in tears as she grasped his fingers in hers.

"Mother, Aldah has gone mad. He killed Father and then turned on me."

"They've already arrested him," Rane said. Farla was sobbing.

"Fes, do you know why he did this?" Rane asked softly. He couldn't fathom why his brother had stooped to this measure.

"He became angry, because father still refused to share some of his special recipes with us. He accused father of keeping all of us under his thumb by withholding what we were entitled to. Father shouted back, of course. All this happened in the car on the way home. Then, when Landor let us out at the front gate, Aldah pulled one of his cook's knives from its case and stabbed Father. I tried to stop him, that's how I got this." Fes held up his bandaged hands. "When Father fell, Aldah stabbed me. Twice."

"We were so worried," Farla lifted her tear-stained face to her oldest son.

"I think I will be fine now," Fes sighed. "Do you think they will allow me some water?"

* * *

"Gavril and Wylend will escort you here," I blinked at the vid-map that Lendill had splashed on a wall of his office. Lendill pointed to a spot on the map showing where the family would be and then where I was expected to sit—nearby but not with the family at Addah's funeral. "Lok, Tory, Erland, Rylend and I will provide security, in addition to Gavril's four warlocks. I believe Farzi and Nenzi may also be there with you, Reah."

"I want them with me," I nodded. Ilvan and Edan were also in this meeting, but they were welcome to sit with the family. I'd separated from them, so I was no longer entitled. It didn't matter—none of those there, except for Edan and Ilvan, would likely recognize me.

"I will sit with Reah," Edan said. "If she'll allow it."

Turning to Edan, I nodded at him. Slowly I was getting used to him. Becoming accustomed to the face that was so different now. Before, Edan would get angry over nothing. This one I had yet to see angry.
What was your name before?
I sent mindspeech. The effort was likely useless, but this was an easier way to ask.

What? How did you?
His voice came through clearly.

You have mindspeech. Likely Kifirin gave it to you
, I answered.

Come rest your head on my shoulder and I'll tell you
, he returned. Blinking at him, I worked to make the decision. Rising from my seat, I went to sit beside Edan on Lendill's sofa. He pulled my head onto his shoulder and kissed my temple.
My name was Eldan, he told me. Not far from Edan, don't you think?

No. Not far off
, I agreed.

I was nearly two hundred when I was brought here
, he added.