fortuneswheel (66 page)

* * *

Ghyan watched the young female as she lifted a piece of incense and crumbled it into the glowing coals of the brazier. The pungent smoke rose in a thick cloud, making her cough before a draft of warm air from outside caught it and lifted it toward the rafters where it dissipated.
His Talent was in being able to assess people and their needs, a skill admirably suited to his calling as a priest. He knew Rala, knew that the weaknesses in her character had been allowed to flourish by her doting father. Now the elderly male had, to his cost, discovered that he had a virago for a daughter. Ghyan had seen enough of her over the last few weeks to realize that though her moods appeared to fluctuate with the wind, they were actually carefully calculated to make sure she achieved exactly what she wanted.
The set of her ears as well as the tone of her mind was smug, yet he sensed an anger behind it. Her head turned sharply toward him as he came out of the shadows by the door to the private quarters of the temple.
She tipped her chin up, baring her neck by the minimum needed to show respect for his position. "Father," she said, her eyes flicking away from his as he approached her.
"I was hoping you would come today," said Ghyan. "I think it would be wise for us to have a talk, don't you, Rala?"
Her ears pricked forward to face him. "About my forthcoming bonding?" she said brightly. "There's a lot to discuss."
Direct, if nothing else, he thought. "No, about your Challenge," he said, taking her by the forearm and steering her back toward the temple entrance.
"It's a mere detail, Father," she said confidently as they passed through the curtain and out into the hallway. "I shall win and Kusac and I will be life-bonded as was intended."
Ghyan opened the door to his office, gesturing for her to precede him. He waited until the Warrior accompanying her had also entered before following them.
Rala had seated herself in the chair by the low table, ignoring the more formal one at Ghyan's desk.
So she thinks to dominate this meeting, does she?
He strolled over to the bookcase behind his desk and appeared to search for a volume.
"You'll be able to see what I have to show you better from my desk," he said, keeping his tone mild. He smiled to himself as he felt the flash of her anger quickly suppressed, then heard her stand and walk over to the desk. Now that she was seated where he wanted her, he pulled the book off the shelf and turned to face her.
"How charming," she purred, "you still use books. I would have thought your records would be on your comm like everyone else's."
"Naturally they are," he agreed, sitting down. "However, I prefer to have the feel of the original volume in my hands when I'm looking up points of law and precedent. This small portion of the temple's book collection that you see behind me is priceless."
"I'm sure it is." Her tone was just short of snappiness. "However, I am rather busy. What is it you want to talk to me about?"
"The Life-bonding Challenge, being En'Shalla, falls within my jurisdiction," he said, opening his book at the place he'd marked the day before. "Now that your betrothal contract has been dissolved, there is no need for the Challenge to go ahead."
"The Challenge came first, Father, and I accepted it. Even though the contract was later canceled by my father, that takes precedence."
"That's true," he agreed, "but there have been cases like this before where the families have dissolved the contract rather than risk their children in a fight. For example..."
"I don't care about them, Father," she interrupted, leaning forward to place her hand over the page Ghyan was looking at. "Even though they are life-bonded, I wish the Challenge to go ahead. When I win, I can have their bonding annulled and demand that ours take place!"
"You have no grounds for doing that, Rala," said Ghyan, removing the book from under her hand. "The temple will not support you."
"Oh, but I have." The purr in her voice had grown louder. "While betrothed to me, he got his alien playmate pregnant and then married her. That he preferred her to me is now public knowledge. I have been insulted in such a way that only the reversal of his bonding will satisfy me. He was promised to me, and I will have him." The purr ended in a low growl.
"You realize that Liegena Aldatan has empowered me to tell you she withdraws her Challenge?"
The growl became menacing. "She has no right to the title! I refuse to accept her withdrawal."
"She is his Leska, and his mate. Because there is a cub on the way, he has a duty to support them both, and they have a duty to their guild to provide more Talented children. Revenge against them is all that's on your mind, Rala. Why?" Ghyan was genuinely bewildered. "You would gain nothing by forcing Kusac into a life-bond with you. He couldn't give you children, he doesn't love you, so why do you want him?"
"My reasons are none of your business," she said, surging to her feet, tail lashing and ears set back in anger. "The Challenge stands!"
"What if you do win? Would you like it known that the only way you could get him was by force?"
"That matters little to me," she spat, but he could sense her uncertainty.
Ghyan stood. "And what if I order you, as the Priest of Vartra in Valsgarth, to drop the Challenge because it goes against our creed, what then?"
"You think I care about your orders?" She flicked her hand at him, claws extending in a gesture of defiance as her resolve hardened once more. "I care that much for them!"
"Then I hope the God can soften your heart, Liegena Vailkoi," said Ghyan, his tone as cold as ice. "Since you refuse to obey me, the Voice of Vartra, you will have to find Him yourself because you are no longer welcome within His temple. Now leave!"
"With pleasure," she snarled, canines showing. "I'll be glad to shake the dust of this place from my feet!" She turned and stalked out of the office, her Warrior guard trailing apologetically behind her.
Ghyan watched her leave, his tail twitching despite his self-control. He growled deep in his throat. That female could be the destruction of not only his friend Kusac and his Leska, but of the manifestation of the God's will— their cub. It was out of his hands; he'd done what he could. Only Vartra could intervene now. This was truly an En'Shalla Challenge.

* * *

When Vanna arrived at the guild and checked in at the office, she was told her belongings had been moved to her new quarters in the Leska wing. One of the older students was asked to show her the way.
She could sense Brynne nearby, still in the medical section from the feel of his mental state. Kusac had shown her how to shield her mind from the "noise" generated by the people around her, but it was taking a great deal of her concentration. It would be quieter once she was in her new quarters.
Her rooms were identical to Carrie's and Kusac's and only a few doors down the corridor from them. She'd no sooner finished prowling round checking her clothes and other personal items when Garras came to tell her Tutor Sorli was there and needed to speak to her.
"I hope you've forgiven me for my part in last night's proceedings," Sorli said, eyeing Garras carefully. "I was concerned about what Khafsa would do if I wasn't there to oversee matters."
Vanna sighed. "Kusac told me what you said, Tutor. I'll reserve my judgment until I know you better."
Garras got to his feet and, tail swaying gently, walked round behind Vanna's chair and stood there, his hand on her shoulder. The gesture was not lost on Sorli.
"I'll be here with Vanna, Sorli," said Garras, his voice low and resonating deep in his chest. "If ever the guild tries to repeat its actions of last night, they'll have me to deal with."
Sorli's ears barely twitched. "And you are?" he asked.
"Captain Garras, lately of the
Khalossa,
Vanna's mate. We're pledged to take out a bonding contract." He felt Vanna shift slightly in surprise and increased his grip on her shoulder reassuringly.
Sorli nodded. "I see. You do realize that we don't allow weapons within the guild premises, don't you?"
"I saw armed Warriors on our way in, and Kusac told me they now patrol the corridors at night. I'm here to protect her from now on. There's still one of the troopers that killed Sevrin out there. They were after Carrie and Kusac, but he may decide that Vanna or Brynne would make a good substitute. Your Guild Master has been informed of the possible dangers."
"Then doubtless Master Esken will confirm this. In the meantime," he said looking back to Vanna "he's asked that you visit him this afternoon at the ninth hour."
"I'll be there," she said.
"Your Leska, Brynne Stevens, has also been asked to attend," said Sorli. "You need to meet each other properly and come to an arrangement about your future."
"I said I'll be there," snapped Vanna. "Now, is that all?"
"Almost. I think it would be wiser if your mate didn't accompany you," he said.
"I'll wait outside," said Garras. "If she needs me, she can call."
"As you wish," said Sorli.
Vanna waited till he'd left before turning to Garras. "A contract? Are you sure about this, Garras?"
"Positive," he said coming round in front of her again. "That's what a commitment means, isn't it?"
"Yes, but..."
"You want practical?" he interrupted, squatting in front of her and taking her hands in his. "As your mate, no one can gainsay my involvement in your life, and your Leska can't object to my presence apart from the days when you need to be with him. On the other hand," he said, pulling her toward him, "it's the only way I can ensure that you'll stay with me. You see, I care about you too much to lose you." His hands encircled her waist and the next moment she was lying on her back looking up at him. "Now, do you have a problem with that?" His voice was a low purr as he nuzzled her cheek.
"I don't have a problem with that," she said with a chuckle, reaching up to pull at his ear. "But I do prefer the bed, you know."
"Then it's time you were more adventurous," he said, one hand snaking round the back of her neck to grasp her by the scruff. He stopped dead. "If you and your Leska are constantly aware of each other," he said, "then that makes this somewhat voyeuristic."
Vanna's ears flattened and she pushed him away, scrambling to her feet, the mood broken. "I can't cope with this, Garras," she said. "It's all right for Carrie and Kusac, but I want a life of my own!" She flung herself down on the settee.
Garras turned to face her but remained where he was. "We'll find a way," he said quietly. "Kusac and Carrie seem to be able to keep some part of their minds separate from each other. What about a few days ago, when Carrie stayed with your family? Kusac didn't know where she was then. Ask them how they do it."
"I don't want to talk about it," she said, her voice muffled by the cushion. "I'm sorry, but I need to be alone for a while."
Garras got to his feet. "Kaid said I could use his room. It's three doors up from here. I'll be there if you need me."
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't worry about it, Vanna. I knew it would be difficult," he said, touching her gently on the head as he left.

* * *

Later that afternoon, escorted by Garras, Vanna turned up at Master Esken's study. She knew Brynne was already there. Throughout the morning and afternoon she'd been aware of his mind clearing as he gradually threw off the effects of the drugs. He studiously ignored her as she was ushered in by the Guild Master and invited to sit with them at a low table. She took the remaining chair rather than sit beside the human.
"It doesn't seem so very long ago that I welcomed another Leska pair like you to the guild," said Esken, handing Vanna a mug of c'shar. "And there's yet another couple on their way here. It seems that the Links between our people are going to be stronger than we thought." Picking up his mug, he sat back in his chair, his gaze going from one to the other.
"You must both find it terribly disorienting— not to mention frightening— to suddenly become not only full telepaths, but ones with an intensely strong bond to each other. Then to add the final irony, it's with someone from another species. Believe me, I do have sympathy for what you're both going through."
She could feel Brynne's anger mounting until it burned high in both their minds.
"What you did was despicable," said Brynne coldly. "You had no right to kidnap me, drug me, and force me to have sex with this female."
"You weren't kidnapped, Mr. Stevens," said Esken mildly. "You were found wandering in the guild grounds, loudly broadcasting your extreme mental confusion. You were quite rightly brought to the medical center."
"I didn't want to go there!"
"I dare say you didn't, but you were judged to be in no condition to go anywhere else. I must apologize for what happened after that, though. Physician Khafsa had no right to administer the mind-altering drugs which rendered both you and your Leska susceptible to the mating compulsion of your Link. He has been severely reprimanded for his actions."
"I don't want a Leska. I refuse to be physically tied to one female, especially one not of my choosing."
"Your Link with Vanna has been consummated, Mr. Stevens," said Esken, taking a sip from his mug. "You now have access to all her memories so you know that a Leska Link cannot be reversed."
"Don't give me that line of rubbish! It's all a matter of willpower and self-control. I have my own ideas about what I want to do with my life, and it doesn't include being heavily involved with any female, Sholan or otherwise."
"You think it a matter of self-control?" Esken asked, mouth opening in amusement as he replaced his mug on the table. "Then touch her. You'll soon find out differently. Go on," he said as Brynne looked taken aback. "Just touch her hand."
Vanna moved slightly backward in her chair. "Master Esken," she began, then Brynne leaned forward and touched her. She gasped as their bodies instantly responded to the pull of their Link and she remembered in crystal clear detail the events of the night before. Worse, she felt his mind share that memory.
He snatched his hand back, looking shaken.
"You see?" said Master Esken. "That's at the end of your time together when the compulsion is passing. It isn't a question of self-control, is it? You are like one person with two bodies, each storing up your own experiences and constantly replaying them to the other. By the end of four days you've absorbed as much as your minds can hold and you need to come together to sort through those memories. Mating is the vehicle which enables you to do this because then your minds are more in tune with each other than at any other time. But you know all this because Vanna does."
"You're all mad," Brynne said, but his voice lacked conviction. "There's no such thing as this Link you're talking about."
"We lost Raill and Lynn because her mother refused to believe in the Link," said Vanna, addressing him for the first time.
"I don't know that," he said, turning an angry face to her. "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of starting up a relationship of any kind with you. I'd like to think that you're as innocently involved as I am, but after last night, I can't afford to trust any of you."
"I'm not exactly overjoyed about our Link either, but I'm adult enough to realize that we have to deal with it, not refuse to acknowledge that it exists. Are you?"
He glowered at her, his eyebrows almost meeting. "What the hell do you mean by that?" he demanded.
"She means that every five days you'll find you need to get together," Esken interrupted smoothly. "By that time, if you try to ignore the mental call of the Link, you'll find that the memories you've acquired from each other start to replay themselves in your mind. If you keep ignoring it, you'll start to experience stomach cramps, nausea, and headaches as your mind begins to go into overload. If you continue to refuse the Link, you'll become weaker, then go into a coma and die. Vanna knows the pattern because it was only due to her intervention that Carrie and Kusac are still alive."
Brynne looked from one to the other of them but said nothing.
"Leskas needn't be more than working partners," said Esken. "There's no necessity for you to live with each other so long as you spend every fifth day together. Once you're both fully trained, then we can see what kind of work your Talents are suited to. I'd like you to report to Tutor Sorli every afternoon at the eighth hour for tuition. The rest of the time is yours. Vanna," he said, turning toward her, "You've been acquiring data from Dr. Reynolds on Keiss."
She nodded.
"Have you done any tests on Carrie yet?"
"Not yet. Did you know they were life-bonded two nights ago?"
Esken raised an eye ridge in surprise. "No. The Clan Lord didn't tell me that when we spoke last night. I suppose it's only right when you consider their genetic compatibility with each other."
"Wait a minute," said Brynne. "Are you telling me that this Link screws up our genes, too?"
"That is what happened with Carrie and Kusac," agreed Esken. "We have no reason to believe it will happen to any of the other mixed Leska pairs though. Time will tell."
"That's just great," said Brynne, turning angrily to Vanna. "Thanks a bunch, honey. You're the most expensive lay I'll ever have! You probably just cost me everything!"
Vanna felt his anger like a physical blow. She shut her eyes, willing him to leave.
"Don't worry, I'm going!" he said, getting to his feet and striding out, slamming the door behind him.
"Being a telepath means that not only can you hear people's thoughts but other telepaths can hear yours," said Esken. "I fear you're going to have trouble with that young male."
Vanna opened her eyes and got to her feet. "I'm sure I am, Master Esken. I'd be surprised if I didn't the way things are going at the moment. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to see to some of that work you mentioned."