The Seer (Tellaran Series) (28 page)

Twenty-nine

Arissa stood outside in the late afternoon sun with Bruscan waiting for the Zartani shuttle. Nela had helped her pack the belongings she and Jolar hadn’t taken with them to Danlen’s and their luggage now sat neatly piled on the paved courtyard.

Kemma called to invite them to dinner and Arissa, feeling guilty as well as disappointed, made an excuse and promised to contact her later. According to Jolar though, they would soon be off-world. Kemma lived on Lian’s homeworld and it was possible that she might not see her again.

“It has been a pleasure having you here,” Bruscan said.

“Thank you.”

He gave a faint smile. “It seems you and Jolar have come to . . . an arrangement.”

She swallowed. Jolar assured her he was going to break the contract with Jasa, that he was headed there after his call telling her to ready herself to be taken to the Zartani embassy. Still, the deed wasn’t done yet.

But if Jolar asked her to marry him again she would say yes. Despite the danger and her fears, she couldn’t imagine a life without him. Perhaps, she might even risk having the children he wanted so badly. That she wanted too . . .

“I hope we will.”

Bruscan looked away. “Perhaps, someday, you will return to Sertar.”

His attraction was unmistakable. She wondered how long it would last if he knew she were a Seer. “Maybe we will.”

Bruscan’s dark brown eyes rested on her again. “You are welcome at my home anytime, Arissa. And if you ever have need of me . . .”

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. She smiled a little. “That means a lot to me.”

Bruscan nodded at the sky. “Your shuttle’s here.”

The shuttle landed and even Bruscan was surprised at the number of ZarSec that were to accompany her.

“Looks like Jolar doesn’t want to take any chances with you,” Bruscan said.

Arissa reached out with her Seer’s senses but these men were genuine about their task to keep her safe.

One of them, the ranking officer, came forward and gave her a nod. “Mistress Legan, our orders are to transport you to the Zartani embassy compound immediately. If you’ll get onboard?”

The luggage was already being loaded. She turned to Bruscan and shyly kissed his cheek.

He smiled and pressed her hand. “Good journey, Arissa. I hope we meet again.”

“So do I,” she said.

She followed the ZarSec into the shuttle and waved to Bruscan as they lifted off. The men onboard had the look of Zartani, with their height and light eyes. They were efficient and respectful but none tried to engage her in conversation.

Despite it though, her stomach knotted in anxiety when she reached the Zartani embassy. Jolar insisted she come but despite the wall, the guards, the assurance that the grounds were as secure as any military base she felt far less safe here than she had with Bruscan.

The ranking ZarSec officer, Lieutenant de’Rec, walked her into the embassy building. It was quiet inside, no doubt at this hour most of the embassy staff had finished for the day and his footfalls echoed in the soaring reception hall.

“Councilor d’Barat asked me to bring you to him as soon as we arrived.”

Arissa’s brow creased. “The Acting Zartani Councilor? He’s here?”

Lieutenant de’Rec’s sense was heavy. “The Zartani Senior Councilor was killed a few days ago.”

“I heard,” Arissa said quietly. “Did you know him?”

The officer shook his head. “No, but he was well regarded. A good man. Councilor d’Barat has a great deal to live up to. He came for the trade summit but I understand he intends to return to Zartan tomorrow.”

Lieutenant de’Rec led her to the second floor and walked past the empty desk and to the double doors that sat behind it. He rapped his knuckles on the carved dalsawood door then opened it.

A man seated at the large elaborate desk looked up. “Ah, Mistress Legan.” He stood. “Please come in.”

Rekan d’Barat was in his early thirties and had the Zartani height and blue eyes but his hair was far darker than Jolar’s, closer to a light brown than blond really. He smiled in greeting but Arissa swallowed at the contempt she sensed.

She wet her lips.
What did Jolar tell him to make him think so little of me?

“Please come in,” Councilor d’Barat urged. “Lieutenant, you may go.”

The ZarSec gave her a nod and left, closing the door behind him.

The Councilor’s smile was polite but the way he clasped her hand was somehow a bit too familiar. “Well, you’re not what I expected.”

It’s like this is all a private joke to him.

“Expected?” Arissa frowned, easing her hand out of his grip. “I don’t understand.”

“I just thought you would be somehow . . . different.” He shrugged, and leaned on the edge of his desk, his pale blue eyes ran over her appraisingly. “Well, certainly Lord d’Tural thinks highly of you.”

What the hell is going on here?

Arissa sent a quick tendril out to touch more deeply into Rekan’s mind even as she shifted her feet to move away from him.

Gods, he hates Jolar! Hates him enough to tear him apart. And he feels nothing but contempt for me . . .

“In any case,” he continued, his face the soul of affable politeness. “I am very glad to have you here. I understand that you have done a great service to the Realm.” That amusement reared again. “I imagine you will continue to provide excellent service.”

“I should like to,” Arissa said carefully. The sun had nearly set and as far as she stretched her senses she couldn’t feel Jolar nearby. “Has Commander d’Tural returned yet, Councilor?”

He tapped the desk lightly as he straightened. “No, but I understand he will be here shortly and I’m sure—Oh, just a moment,” d’Barat said as his comm unit signaled. He turned, reaching across the desk to retrieve it. He took a moment to reply to the message then shut it off and slipped it into his pocket. “I am afraid that my responsibilities call me elsewhere, Mistress Legan. But if you will come with me, I will show you to your quarters on my way out.”

“Yes,” Arissa said, eager to be away from him. “I would very much like that.”

He indicated that she should precede him out of the office and he closed the door behind them.

“Lord d’Tural was very concerned about your safety,” d’Barat said gravely, and he clasped her elbow. “Is there anything I should know about? Any extra measures my staff should take?”

“No,” Arissa said. His grip on her arm was just at the edge of being uncomfortable and she found herself leaning away from him. “I’m sure the ZarSec officers will make sure no one gains entry to the embassy grounds.”

“Absolutely,” d’Barat assured. “Our security is very tight and especially now. No one enters without an ID scan and everyone is required to carry a security card to move about the grounds.”

“Why especially now?”

“After Councilor de’Par’s death we instituted new security protocols.”

“Of course,” she murmured.

Rekan led her down another level and across a suspended bridge overlooking the courtyard below. He gave a wave to the ZarSecs waiting there next to a shuttle.

He took her down a long hall and stopped before an open door.

“Here we are,” d’Barat said, only releasing her arm when they were inside. “I think you will find it very pleasant.”

They were actually very nice living quarters. Her things had already been brought here and the little apartment contained a well-appointed living area, small kitchen and bedroom. It even had a private balcony.

“I’ve had the kitchen stocked for you. You may wish to rest while you wait for Lord d’Tural’s return.” The Councilor gave her a regretful smile. “I apologize, Mistress Legan, but there’s a shuttle waiting for me. I really must go.”

“I understand.” Arissa glanced around the room. “I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable here. Thank you, Councilor.”

“Of course.” He bent his head to her and left, closing the door behind him.

She held up the security card she’d palmed off his desk. “Thank you very much indeed.”

Arissa stood at the doorway of her private balcony to watch d’Barat’s shuttle leave. He’d locked her in, of course. The balcony was too high to jump and there was no way to climb down.

But then again, she didn’t need to.

As soon as the shuttle passed from sight she was through the living room. With a quick swipe of his security card she had the door open. A moment later she was out in the hallway easing the door shut behind her.

Her heart was hammering as she listened with both ears and mind. It was quiet and she sensed no one nearby. Clearly d’Barat had housed her where he was sure there was no one about to hear her hammering on the door. Perhaps if she had stood on the balcony and screamed long enough someone would eventually come to her aid.

Which meant either he didn’t expect her to discover she was locked in so soon or he didn’t expect whatever he was doing to take long. If he had, he would have done a better job of keeping her imprisoned.

And wherever Jolar was now, he was in danger.

Arissa took quick stock of her assets. She was wearing casual day clothes of belted tunic and pants and slippers. She had d’Barat’s security pass and her newly honed Seer senses.

She also had the nearly twenty-five thousand credits she’d won playing tongo.

They brought her luggage to the room but while the cash Jolar had insisted she keep was there, the little blaster he’d given her was missing. Someone had also deactivated the uplink in her quarters so she couldn’t just call for help. She didn’t want to risk calling from somewhere else inside the embassy either.

She needed to get back to Bruscan.

She headed down the hall. A few moments later she was in the stairwell. She made it to the ground floor undetected thanks to d’Barat’s security card.

She sensed someone and ducked back into a doorway as whoever it was opened a door further down and closed it again.

Now she just had to find a way out of the embassy.

Closing her eyes, she reached with her Seer senses as far as she could.

To her right people were moving about. Slowing her breath she counted out six people. Their minds were occupied and they were a bit tired too.

She had never tried such a deep mind probe like this with anyone but Jolar. She reached out and deliberately sent her focus into one mind . . .

Through his eyes she could see all around a large gleaming kitchen. Other workers labored nearby, they were finishing up for the evening, the smell of cleanser filled the man’s nostrils. One woman turned and spoke to another and then a moment later swiped a card to open the door to the outside.

Arissa changed her focus and sent it now in the other direction, toward the gate. There were a few ZarSecs there on guard and one felt very familiar. She reached out and brushed his mind . . .

Lieutenant de’Rec, her ZarSec escort from Bruscan’s house.

Even if he doesn’t know I’m supposed to be locked in my quarters, he won’t let me just walk out of here.

Back door it is.

This had almost worked on Tellar. She prayed it would work here.

She was just going to walk out.

She wet her lips and went into the kitchen.