War Mage by Chris Fox
Author:Chris Fox [Fox, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Fox Writes LLC.
Published: 2018-08-17T22:00:00+00:00
27
Unlikely Allies
Now that they had a plan, and that plan required the aid of every resource he could muster, Aran decided to deal with the thing heâd been most dreading since leaving Shaya. He needed to break the news about Rhea to Kheross. He briefly considered bringing Crewes, and possibly Ree. That sent the wrong message, though. It showed fear, and suggested Aran needed the backup.
Worse, it showed a lack of trust.
That made the decision for him. Aran decided to go alone, risky or not. He threaded a weary path through the Hunterâs narrow corridors, once again missing the spacious layout of the Talon. Which made him think of Nara. Which made him focus instead on the present, to prevent dealing with bullshit emotions. Emotions were stupid.
The area outside the brig was deserted, except for the pair of Marines guarding the doorway. They gave a Ternus salute as he approached, and Aran instinctively answered it with a Confederate version. Did that fit anymore?
He walked into the brig and over to the only occupied cell. Kheross sat on the bench with one knee pulled up to his chest. He oozed relaxed arrogance. A predator in its lair.
âHave you finally encountered a threat that requires my strength?â Kheross gave a sharp smile. âI knew youâd come calling, but I didnât think it would happen this quickly.â
âYes, but Iâm not here to release you.â Aran rested a hand on Narlifex, and noted that Kherossâs eyes flicked down. Good. âI have news, and you arenât going to like it. Iâm asking you to remain calm, and hear me out.â
âOh Iâm going to love this, arenât I?â The deep purple in his eyes flared, and the energy in Aranâs chest sang out in answer. He didnât like the reminder of their shared power.
âRhea isnât aboard,â Aran began, âEros, the Tender, refused to release her after they finished the cleansing ritual. Sheâs in enforced, magical slumber.â He left out that her mind was probably being delved by Erosâs most powerful mages, as they attempted to extract every bit of her memory to learn if she was truly what she appeared to be.
Kheross eyed him calmly. âAnd you expect me to rage? You expect me to tear apart this cell, and then this shipâis that it?â He rose slowly to his feet and approached the bars. âI note that you came alone, despite knowing these bars arenât really an impediment. Why, if you thought I might fly into a berserker rage?â
âBecause I need you,â Aran admitted, as much to himself as to Kheross. âWeâre walking into a fight that weâre unlikely to walk out of, and I can either leave you locked up here, or I can trust an enemy to preserve his own skin. The thing is, Kheross, I donât know you. I donât know what motivates you or what you want. And that makes it really difficult to trust you.â
âOf course it does. You are a fool if you ever trust me.â Kheross gave a languid smile.
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