"I want you to look at a spot where a fire started in the groves today," I said. "I think a warlock or power holder of some sort started it."
"Then we'll take a look," Astralan smiled. "As long as you come home with us."
"I already said I would," I grumped.
"Good. Let's go."
"I'm coming along," Edward insisted.
"Then we'll all go," Teeg agreed amiably, and Astralan and Teeg folded everyone in the kitchen to the burned trees.
"Definitely a power wielder," Astralan nodded after examining the burned spots. "If I'm correct, not a powerful one. Used the sun as a heat source, just turned it up some to dry out the wood and start the fire."
"Can you locate him or her?" I asked.
"Not a problem," Astralan grinned and disappeared. He came back, hauling Landor with him. Teeg took over then, ordering him with compulsion to explain what happened.
"He's a member of the Dondl family?" Edward stared at Landor. Dondl was one of Edward's rival grove owners. Landor's uncle owned the groves, but the moment he learned that Landor had a bit of power, he'd recruited the boy to his purposes.
"What shall we do with him?" Keedan asked. "I hesitate to turn him over to the authorities; Dondl will retaliate somehow."
"I'll remove his power," Astralan grinned. "And Teeg will remove the memory that I removed it. You'll make a fine employee, won't you?" Astralan pounded Landor on the back. Edward stared in amazement as Astralan did remove Landor's power, and then Teeg placed compulsion, telling Landor that he wouldn't remember. That, of course, resulted in even more compulsion—Teeg didn't want Edward or his supervisors to remember that part, either. I shivered when it was all over.
"Go back to your barracks," Keedan ordered. Landor trotted off obediently.
"Now, we go home. Mr. Pendley, will you be so kind as to send her things to my palace?" Teeg asked.
"I'll have them shipped tomorrow," Edward sighed. "But I have a request."
"Yes?"
"I'd like to visit the palace after the harvest is in."
"Feel free. You've been invited several times. I thought you weren't interested."
"I am, now." Edward stared at me. Teeg gripped my arm and Astralan folded us away.
* * *
"No. Absolutely not," I snapped, the moment Kevis Halivar appeared inside my room. I was tired, out of sorts and a little angry. Somehow, Teeg had tracked me down. I was perfectly happy in the gishi fruit groves on Avendor. I'd even gotten a promotion. Now, I was right back in therapy with the one whose nurses had sold me to the Alliance and made me a laughing stock.
"Reah, I've taken a leave of absence from Sea Winds so I can work with you exclusively," Dr. Halivar said.
"Work with me? You want to peel potatoes or something? That kind of working with me?"
"No. You know very well what I mean."
"Where's nurse nasty?" I asked belligerently.
"Ceerah's under house arrest," Lendill appeared. Teeg was still inside the bedroom, and now it was getting crowded. I was feeling dizzy, too.
"She's going down," Kevis Halivar shouted from somewhere far away. Everything went black after that.
* * *
"Obviously she feels more comfortable in those surroundings," Kevis pushed his point. "If you take her to the plantation and allow her to work freely among the citrus groves while you visit and I work with her, perhaps it will turn out best for all involved."
"Farzi, is there enough room for us?" Gavril looked to the reptanoid for answers. Farzi and Nenzi were both very much in favor of having Reah come to them. Their plantation was more than large enough, with plenty of room inside the main house and more guesthouses located nearby.
"Yes. More than enough," Farzi nodded.
"Bring Reah soon," Nenzi agreed.
"How is she?" Rylend Morphis appeared, accompanied by Corolan and Erland.
"Sleeping. She overextended today," Kevis sighed. "I've been chewed out by Dad already for not checking her when they brought her in, so don't start."
"Wasn't thinking about it," Ry smiled. "I'm just glad to know where she is and that's she safe."
"We're thinking about moving her to the plantation, since she went straight to Avendor to work in the gishi fruit groves," Gavril said.
"Can I see her?" Tory arrived with Lok and Aurelius. "And we're prepared to move in, bro, so be warned."
"Move into the plantation house, I think we're taking her there," Gavril sighed. "Dee, make arrangements."
"I will." Dee wore a slight smile but said no more on the subject.
* * *
Reah, my love? I'm here, sweetheart. Are you all right?
Was I dreaming? I thought I was dreaming. But the voice sounded real. Huh? I sent sleepy mindspeech.
No, love, I can feel your weariness. Go back to sleep. Sleep now. You have no idea how long I've searched for you. The words were sent with the gentlest of touches. I wanted to tuck myself against that touch. Let it soothe away what troubled me. Something did trouble me. It frightened me at times and woke me, gasping for breath, on most mornings. Sleep, the voice came again. I allowed it to unravel my thoughts and carry them away.
* * *
"Reah, it's your Auri." I was curled in a ball on a bed somewhere. It was a good bed—a soft bed. A bed that pillowed and fluffed around me, cradling my body like a womb. I didn't want to leave it. Didn't want to wake. Wanted to allow it to hold me a little longer. "Reah, it's time for breakfast. Wake and come with me." I answered by huddling tighter beneath the blankets.
"No, my love." I was lifted from the bed, moaning out my protest. "Shhh," Aurelius carried me easily somewhere. I recalled, still half-asleep, that he'd been vampire and had the strength of that race. He could likely toss my body halfway across the gishi fruit groves on Kifirin.
"She's still asleep," Tory said. I knew that voice. My eyes popped open. Aurelius settled me onto a chair at a table. I blinked, looking around at the informal dining area. Farzi and Nenzi watched me, expressions of hope on their faces. Tory appeared worried. Teeg, too, wore a deep frown. Ry had come with Corolan. What was Cory doing here? I thought he'd gone off with Wylend. Lok studied me with his usual, inscrutable scowl. Lendill rubbed his forehead and sighed. Kevis Halivar was sitting next to Tory, watching all of us, I think. Nefrigar was the only one missing among my mates.