Read Fire Pearl (Beyond Ontariese 5) for Free Online

has she been gone?” Noll asked.
    “Ten months,” Quentin told her.
    “What!” Noll rubbed her arms, trying to keep
her astonishment from showing. “Why did you wait so long to contact
me?”
    “My brother dealt with many situations
differently than I would have. His resentment of all things magical
was unusually strong, even for a Rodyte.”
    “In other words, Pern never would have
trusted a Mystic, regardless of the cost?” Her gaze narrowed at the
insinuation before she gained control again.
    “Let’s just say Pern’s priorities regarding
Mystics were different from mine. I find loose ends unacceptable
while he tended to focus on the situation at hand.” Pausing for a
moment, he studied her expression. She’d have to be careful. His
youthful appearance hid shrewd intelligence. She had no doubt many
underestimated him. Her lips curved at the thought. They had that
in common. Not even Vee had comprehended her true potential.
    “Aria has no idea who she is,” he said. “The
need to find her escalated when Vee died. Do you believe his
journal was destroyed as Evan and Dro Tar told the council?”
    She shook her head, her gaze unconsciously
gravitating toward Faujer’s tall form. “Not a chance. I don’t know
who they’re protecting, but they don’t want anyone investigating
the situation.”
    “Anything that upsets them is likely to our
advantage.”
    “I agree. The real Seeker Circle narrowed Dro
Tar’s search to one of three hotels in Las Vegas. I’m convinced
Evan wasn’t the only thing she discovered during her mission.”
    “Are you able to pass for human?”
    “I am.”
    “Good.” He stood and stepped down from the
dais, cupping Faujer’s chin in one hand. “You will accompany
Mistress Noll. Until I have proof that Aria is dead, you will be
Noll’s slave, obedient to her every command. Is that
understood?”
    “Yes, Sire.” Faujer responded without
hesitation, but the flash of rebellion in his gaze sent tingles
down Noll’s spine.
* * * * *
    Drakkin watched color bloom across Aria’s
cheeks as she gazed through the image crystal. She started to speak
then turned her face away, lowering her hand to her side.
    “I know this is hard to believe—”
    “It’s impossible to believe.” She raked her
hair with her fingers, pushing the shimmering strands off her
forehead. “If my father was a powerful Mystic, how were the Rodytes able to take me away from him?” She tossed the disk back to
him and crossed her arms over her chest.
    It was a very good question. Vee was
exceptionally powerful for an Ontarian and E’Lanna had been a
Mystic as well. “I don’t know.” He slipped the disk into his pocket
as he pondered the question. “It has only been in recent years that
Rodyte technology has enabled them to emulate our abilities.”
    “And protect themselves from your
abilities.”
    Drakkin hid a smile. She’d obviously been
indoctrinated by her Rodyte captors. Her attitudes would change
naturally as she explored her own abilities, so he didn’t argue the
point. “How did you end up in Star-Crossed ? Weren’t you
worried about the Rodytes finding you?”
    “As you said before, I didn’t realize I was a
prisoner.” She paused, her gaze shuttered and cold. “I have only
your word that any of this is true. Why should I believe you?”
    Keeping his touch light, Drakkin eased into
her mind. He wouldn’t ordinarily intrude, but she was in far more
danger than she realized. An impressive shield surrounded her
thoughts and emotions. Who had taught her to shield her mind? If he
pushed any harder, she’d detect his presence. With a frustrated
sigh, he withdrew. He needed to gain her trust and gain it
quickly.
    “Have you ever been to Bilarri?” he
asked.
    “I told you, I spent my entire life aboard
various ships.”
    “And none of those ships ever entered
Bilarrian space?”
    “I don’t know.” Her tone was sharp and
impatient, but he wasn’t sure if frustration or fear