Divided

  “I do not understand.”

  No, and I can’t make you understand. Not without sounding crazy! Becca thought of the strange vision she’d had of Mother Superior, of the promise she had made and the threat that had been given if she didn’t keep that promise. How else could she save her men than by distancing herself from them? What else could she do but break the bond?

  “This is hard enough without you making it any harder,” she told the priestess. “Now are you going to help me or do I have to call Nadiah myself? Isn’t she like your Mother Superior or boss or something?”

  The priestess drew herself up to a regal height—not difficult since all Kindred women were extremely tall.

  “She is my superior and the head of our order but each priestess is charged with hearing the Goddess with her own heart. I will not agree to break this bond for you until I have looked into you.”

  “What does that even mean?” Becca demanded but the priestess was already taking her face in two large, cold hands and staring into her eyes.

  Suddenly there was a sensation of someone prying through her memories, looking through her thoughts as though they were thumbing casually through a file folder.

  “Hey!” Becca protested—or tried to, anyway. But she seemed frozen to the spot—unable to speak or move until the priestess finished.

  “Hmmm.” The priestess sounded concerned. “I see much…but much is also hidden.” She released Becca’s face and frowned at her. “How are you concealing yourself from me?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Becca said. “I’m not doing anything on purpose.”

  Now that the priestess was out of her head all she could think about was how violated she felt. Having a strange Kindred woman page though her memories was almost worse than having the Mother Superior watch her have sex with Truth and Far. Almost.

  “I saw the events that drew the three of you together,” the priestess said. “Most notably I saw that you were able to rescue both of your males from the demons which have invaded our ship.”

  “Yes…” Becca nodded.

  “Even then the beginning of your bond was strong. You were meant to serve as a bridge between these two—to bring together and heal that which was sundered by their separation at birth.”

  “And I did that,” Becca said. “Their Twin bond is strong and complete now because of me. I did as the Goddess asked.”

  “Not quite.” The priestess frowned. “The demonic threat from the Black Planet still hangs over this ship—it has not yet been resolved.”

  “But it will be soon! Right now Truth is bringing the truthonium amulet to Sylvan and the Council. They’ll be able to get rid of the demon parasites and restore the unmated males to their true selves almost immediately.”

  “Nonetheless, until everything has been settled I will not break the bond.” The priestess frowned at her. “You will thank me for this later. It is only the partial bond that you share with your males that is keeping one of them from death and the other from ruination.”

  “Are you talking about the demon who said he would wait and get Truth later? Shouldn’t he have gone into the Unmated Males area by now? Look, never mind,” Becca went on before the priestess could answer. “If you won’t help me, fine—I’ll get someone who will.”

  “No one aboard this ship will, I can assure you of that.” The priestess glared at her. “And you may call on our High Priestess if you wish but a bond can only be broken in person and Nadiah is bound to First World.”

  Becca felt frustrated enough to shout but somehow she kept her voice under control.

  “All right,” she said tightly. “Thank you for your time.”

  She turned on her heel and left the Sacred Grove, stopping just long enough to grab her shoes. Even if she couldn’t get the bond broken, she could still keep her promise.

  She had to leave the Mother Ship—to get away from here and go back to Earth right now.

  Chapter Forty-two

  “Hello, Commander Sylvan. Come in.” Truth stepped aside, ushering the other male into the suite he now shared with Far.

  “Hello, Truth. How is your twin?” Sylvan asked, stepping into the living area.

  Truth looked away. “The same. Maybe a little worse.”

  “I see. I’m very sorry.” Sylvan sighed.

  Truth noticed he was holding a familiar looking metal box in his hands.

  “Why have you brought the Orthanxian amulet? You didn’t touch it, did you?”

  “Only once, by accident.” Sylvan shivered. “It was…not a pleasant experience. Direct contact with it seems to invoke some rather strange hallucinations. I actually thought I saw my father and he has been dead for years now.”

  “I saw some very odd things as well when I held it in my hand.” Truth frowned. “So, have you made the antidote as Vashtar instructed?”

  “We have…” Sylvan cleared his throat.

  “And?” Truth asked.

  “And it didn’t work.” Sylvan shrugged. “We’ve tried everything it seems—dipping the amulet in water for longer or shorter times, using other mediums to convey its power such as oil or various chemicals…” He shook his head. “Nothing works.”

  “You tried it on the unmated males?” Truth asked.

  Sylvan nodded. “We did. Since they are all sedated, we risked taking down the shield barrier for a moment to bring a possessed male out. We did everything you said—we had the chunk of shadow stone waiting to receive the hostile spirit and we doused the male liberally with the amulet water.”

  “And?” Truth asked again.

  “He woke up and grabbed a hostage—a nurse who happened to be near in the med center, where we were attempting the experiment.”

  “Seven Hells,” Truth muttered.

  “Exactly.” Sylvan looked grim. “Luckily, Xairn, the Scourge warrior who lives among us, happened to be there because his mate Lauren had just given birth in the next room. He stepped up behind the unmated male and got him by the neck in a choke hold before the demon within could do any mischief to the nurse.”

  “Was he forced to kill the male?” Truth asked.

  Sylvan shook his head. “No. He merely cut off the air supply until the host body went limp. We re-sedated him and put him back in the Unmated Males area.”

  “I do not know what to tell you,” Truth said. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “This is most unexpected. I thought when Rebecca left so unexpectedly that at least we had done something right—that we had found the cure our brethren so desperately need.” He bowed his head. “Apologies, Commander. It seems I have failed you.”

  “Not just you, Brother.” Far suddenly appeared in the doorway which led to the sleeping area. The light twin looked indescribably weary—he couldn’t even stand upright, Truth noted—he was leaning against the doorframe for support.

  “Far! You shouldn’t be out of bed!” Truth rushed to him and put an arm around his shoulder, supporting his twin.

  “Sorry but I heard what you and Commander Sylvan were saying.” Far nodded tiredly at Sylvan. “Hello, Commander.”

  “Hello, Far.” Sylvan gave them an appraising look. “I must say I’m surprised to see the two of you so…close. When you left for Orthanx, it seemed you had no wish for any kind of fraternal relationship.”

  “Becca changed us—she helped the Twin bond grow,” Far said.

  “And then she left.” Truth scowled. “Without even bidding us farewell.”

  “She saw you die, Brother—or thought she did,” Far said. “And she saw me on the brink of death as well. You know her history—it must have been too much for her to bear.”

  “She could have at least let us know where she was going and why. We only know she left the Mother Ship because I asked the Transport Commander and he verified that she’d taken a shuttle back to Earth.”

  “Still…” Far sighed and a look of pain crossed his features. Truth felt it through their bond as well—a dull ache that centered
in his midsection and radiated out to all his limbs.

  “Come,” he said. “We need to get you back in bed.”

  Far lifted his chin. “I’m tired of resting. I may not have much time left—I don’t intend to spend it lying around. Unless…” He looked at Sylvan hopefully. “Those tests you were going to run?”

  Sylvan shook his head regretfully. “I’m sorry, Far, I’ve run every possible test but the dr’gin poison defies analysis. I still have people working on it but right now the outcome doesn’t look…” He cleared his throat. “Doesn’t look favorable.”

  “I was afraid of this,” Truth said. “Garron said he thought you’d gone from stelsis to nadis. The second stage of dr’gin poisoning,” he explained to Sylvan. “Once that stage has been reached, the antidote is often much less effective.”

  “As was the case this time,” Far said. “But as long as I am able, I want to help. I couldn’t hear everything you said, Commander Sylvan. Please tell me what’s going wrong with the amulet and the unmated males.”

  “First come sit on the couch,” Truth commanded.

  He could feel the weakness in his brother and it made him feel helpless and angry. If only he hadn’t taken Far and Rebecca down to Pax! If only Far hadn’t been fatally clawed! First Becca had left them with no warning as though she didn’t even care, and now it seemed that he was going to lose his twin when he had just learned to care for him. And for what? The amulet that Far had sacrificed everything to get wasn’t working. Truth was so angry he just wanted to punch something!

  “Brother…” Clearly Far had felt his frustration through their bond because he put a hand on Truth’s arm as they settled on the couch. “Don’t give way to anger. It doesn’t help anything.”

  “Apologies.” Truth took a deep breath, trying to get his fury under control. “I just feel…”

  “Abandoned by Becca and frustrated because the amulet isn’t working. I know.” Far nodded.

  Truth blew out a breath. “Exactly.”

  Sylvan looked at them in surprise. “Your Twin bond really has grown. Kat and Deep and Lock will be so pleased to hear it.”

  “They don’t have long to be pleased—I don’t think even the strongest bond can survive death,” Far said quietly.

  “Enough.” Truth frowned. “You’re going to get better. Commander Sylvan will keep working on your blood analysis and something is bound to turn up. In the mean time, I thought you wanted to help figure out what was going wrong with the amulet.”

  “So I do.” Far nodded and looked at Sylvan. “Please, repeat what you told my brother.”

  Sylvan repeated everything and Far frowned.

  “Wait—you said you did everything we told you to. But what if we forgot something?”

  “What?” Truth demanded. “We told Commander Sylvan what Vashtar said—to dip the amulet in water and then use the water as an antidote to wash the unmated males clean.”

  “But didn’t Vashtar say something else?” Far asked. “Something about activating the amulet first?”

  “Activating…wait a minute,” Truth exclaimed. “He did say something like that.” He turned to Sylvan. “Apologies, Commander—between Rebecca deserting us and my brother being ill, I completely forgot that part.”

  “So did I,” Far said. “The blame isn’t all yours.”

  “Don’t worry about assigning blame—just activate it.” Sylvan held the metal box out to Truth who took it doubtfully.

  “I would…if I knew how.”

  “Didn’t Vashtar say something about instructions?” Far asked.

  “What instructions?” Truth opened the metal box carefully and looked at the shifting, glowing amulet. “I see nothing here but the pendant itself. Shouldn’t there be some sort of paper or recording device included with it?”

  “Have you looked under the lining or maybe even at the box itself?” Sylvan suggested. “If it was meant to be buried for eons, it seems doubtful the instructions would be found on any kind of corruptible medium.”

  “No, but I’ll look now.” Being very careful not to touch the amulet, Truth pealed up the soft black material that lined the box. He lifted it, amulet and all, and set it aside on the empty cushion beside him. Then he peered inside the box.

  “Well?” Far asked.

  “Nothing,” Truth said flatly. “No, wait…something’s happening.”

  When he had first looked, he had seen nothing but the blank silver inside of the box. But now letters were appearing—curving, glowing script that looked like nothing Truth had ever seen before.

  “What is that?” Sylvan had come around to look over Truth’s shoulder.

  “Ancient Orthanxian, I think.” Far was also peering into the box.

  “Can you read it?” Sylvan asked.

  Far shook his head. “I shouldn’t be able to but…” He frowned. “But somehow I can.”

  “As can I,” Truth muttered.

  Sylvan studied the box and nodded. “I as well.” They all read silently for a moment and then he asked, “What does it mean?”

  “It means,” Truth said grimly, “That we’re going to have to find Rebecca. But I don’t think she will be very happy about it.”

  “And you have no idea where she went?” Sylvan asked.

  Truth shook his head. “She was dropped off at the Human/Kindred Relations building. Someone picked her up from there but no one knows who.”

  “We have no idea where she could be,” Far said and the longing in his voice put a lump in Truth’s throat. Gods, as angry as he was at Rebecca, he missed her too. His soul yearned for her, just as his brother’s did.

  “Maybe someone in her family came and got her? Is she with her parents? Or what about the convent where she was going to become a nun?” Sylvan suggested.

  Truth scowled. “I wanted to check all those places but Far wouldn’t let me.”

  “Because if we go announcing that we’re looking for Rebecca to her family and her religious order, it’s going to be obvious we have more than a casual interest in her,” Far protested. “One of the main stumbling blocks between us and a permanent bond was her fear of what those people would think if they knew we were involved with her.”

  “We could have done it clandestinely,” Truth objected. This was an argument they’d had already several times.

  Far shook his head. “I made the mistake of making your family hate me by trying to get information in an underhanded way. I won’t repeat it.”

  “My family would have hated you and Rebecca no matter what,” Truth said shortly. “That is the way of the Rai’ku—to hate and fear anyone or anything different.”

  Sylvan looked thoughtful. “I think I have an idea—someone who might know where Becca went and who can go and get her without rousing her family’s suspicions.”

  “Then send them,” Truth said. “But I warn you, I don’t think Rebecca will be very receptive to what the amulet needs.”

  “We will see about that.” Sylvan stood.

  Truth repacked the box and tried to hand it to him but Sylvan shook his head.

  “No—you keep it. If I find Becca, you’ll need to have it close by.”

  “As you wish.” Truth closed the box and walked Sylvan to the door. “Try your best to bring her,” he said in a low voice. “Not only for the amulet but because she ought to see Far one last time before…” He cast a glance over his shoulder to where Far was slumped wearily on the couch. “Before,” he finished, unable to make himself say the dreaded words.

  “I understand.” Sylvan offered him an arm and Truth clasped it tightly for a moment. “But try not to despair—I know things look bad but Far is actually holding up remarkably well.” He dropped his voice to a murmured. “Actually, based on the last blood samples I ran, the poison should have already overcome him. I’m not sure how he’s even still with us but somehow he is.” He frowned. “Maybe it has to do with Becca, wherever she is?”

  “I doubt it.” Truth shook his head. “And what you’
re telling me only makes me think Far could leave me at any time.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “From the moment I saw him I’ve tried to push my brother away. Now all I want to do is draw him close but we have so little time…”

  “Then use it the best way you can,” Sylvan said firmly. “Spend it together and in the mean time, I will try to locate Becca.”

  “Thank you.” Truth nodded and found that his throat was too tight to say any more. Without another word, he watched Commander Sylvan leave.

  Rebecca, he thought as the other male departed. Where are you? And will you come back to us before it’s too late?

  Chapter Forty-three

  “Your mom thought I might find you here.” Kat, who was standing out on the doorstep, raised one auburn eyebrow. “Well? Can I come in or are you going to leave the poor old preggy lady standing around in the heat all day?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry!” Becca opened the door wider and let her guest in at once. “I’m just surprised. I, um, told my mom not to tell anyone I was here.”

  “I know but I can be very persuasive. Nobody can say no when they see that I’m just about to pop.” Kat groaned expressively and put a hand to her swollen belly. “Speaking of which, do you have a place I could sit down? I’m pretty much miserable all the time now and standing around isn’t helping it any.”

  “This way,” Becca led her quickly from the front hallway to her grandmother’s sitting room. “Here you go.” She indicated the floral print couch.

  “You sure about this?” Kat asked, eyeing the couch, which still looked relatively new. “This is a nice piece of furniture and it’s going to be completely ruined if my water breaks while I’m on it.”

  Becca tried to laugh but a sudden pain spiked through her right eye and she had to stifle a groan instead.

  Kat looked at her sharply. “You okay?”

  “Fine.” Becca gave her the brightest smile she could manage under the circumstances. “And don’t worry about the couch—I’m sure my grandmother will understand if you go into labor. Speaking of which, why are you traveling from the Mother Ship when you’re so close to your time anyway?”