Chapter 19

The solarium now had plants in it. Maybe plants didn’t fit, they were more like trees of all kinds and sizes spread out though the room. It was nice to see.

I didn’t know what to do, so I sat in the chair and watched all the conversations taking place in the room. More than one guard had come and gone. Two of the elders were also here. It had taken me a moment to recognize them without their robes on. Elder’s Marinus and Segos, I believe were their names.

The women would sit for a moment, then one or more would go to one of their men as they stood talking and drinking coffee. Autumn nodded to Michael and then came over to me. “You look better. Guess you needed some rest.”

“And fluids that aren’t chocolate it seems.”

She grinned. “Yeah staying hydrated is important.” She shrugged. “Your crash gave all of us an excuse to grab a nap though.”

I lifted my eyebrows. “Glad I could help.” I looked at one guard coming back in and giving Michael a tablet. “What’s going on now?”

Sitting in the chair beside me, she leaned her elbows on her knees. “Gathering intel, I’m told.”

“On?” I looked at my arm where Rafael had licked me. I didn’t know why I kept doing that. Did I expect something to change?

“No idea. Hopefully it will lead to getting out of here though. I miss working out, so a little action would be good.”

“I’m okay without action.” I watched Clairee come in the room when Rafael turned and met her in the middle.

They spoke quietly for a moment, then both of them turned to look at me. Rafael still didn’t look pleased.

“What’s with that look?” Autumn turned to me.

I sighed. “We had a verbal altercation because I heard what he was thinking.”

“A verbal altercation, huh?” She grinned and stood up. “Guess he should keep his thoughts under control.” She jammed her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. “Raf’s an all-right guy.” She watched Clairee and Rafael walk toward us. “He’s pretty straight up, just ask him up front when you have a doubt.”

I nodded, even though I didn’t think that would happen. As they reached us, I touched my arm again where he’d licked me. His gaze followed the movement of my hand, then he looked right at the inhibitor on my other arm.

Clairee smiled at me. “Did you get a chance to try those herbs?”

I nodded. “Yes. I rubbed them on my wrist and inhaled their scent like you said.”

“Did any of them do anything?” She clasped her hands in front of her.

I nodded. “Two of them did.” I sighed, “I think. It could have been the cookies I was eating at the time.”

Clairee grinned. “Yes cookies can invoke good feelings as well.”

Rafael smirked and looked over at Crissy. “Some more than others.”

I stood up, feeling tiny sitting near him. “I left the two that made a difference on the table in my room and put the rest back in the bag.”

Clairee nodded. “With your permission I’ll go collect those, so Cyril and I can get the first test device ready.”

“Oh.” I hadn’t realized they’d do it that quickly. “Yes.” I nodded.

“With any luck we can test it later on today.” She bowed her head to me. “I will let you know.” With a quick look to Rafael she walked quickly from the room.

“I realize seating is an issue here, but I’d like to cover a few things while we’re all here.” Troy said loud enough that all other conversations stopped.

“We need to have a room just for meetings.” Daxx stated dryly. “And a schedule of where we’re eating or whatever. I went to the dining room before coming here.”

Bethany nodded. “Leone and I almost did the same when we got the message.”

Chase filled his mug and then turned to Alona. “Beloved, does a project such as that strike your fancy? Establishing where we’re to do what, now that we have split our residences?”

Alona nodded, a gentle look on her face. “Yes. I would love to find a meeting room.” She glanced to Troy, then back to Chase. “Here or the chambers?”

Chase waved his empty hand around. “Anywhere you decide works for me.”

Alona looked happy. “I will get it done.”

“I think we should figure out the meal thing too. Knowing where we’re supposed to be would save a lot of time.” Paisley said, looking around the room. “I think this would be perfect for lunches.”

Bethany nodded. “I agree. And we could have breakfasts in the dining room like always.”

Daxx nodded. “Yeah. That’s a habit I enjoyed.”

“May I suggest we use the dining hall here at the palace for dinners?”

Everyone turned and looked at Mitz, who had been standing quietly in the door.

“Dining hall?” Arius asked. “There’s a dining hall here?”

Mitz nodded. “Yes. It would save me from bouncing around if lunch and dinner were in the same building.”

Quinton lifted his cup to Mitz. “More food if Mitz is happy. I’m all for that.”

Troy grinned at him. “Then that’s settled. Breakfast at the chambers and other meals here at the palace.”

Chase took a sip, then looked back to Alona. “And my lovely mate will find us a designated meeting space.”

“But we’re still having snacks at the meetings, right?” Leone asked.

Mitz laughed. “Whatever you need, love.”

Leone nodded. “Okay I’m all for a room for meetings, because we’ve outgrown Victor’s office.”

“I for one, would enjoy having my office as my own again.” Victor gave Alona an abrupt nod. “Let me know when you have found a location and I shall have maps and other required items sent there.”

Alona gave him a huge grin. “I shall.” She inclined his head to him.

“Might I request a few extra chairs in this meeting room?” Elder Segos looked at Alona and bowed his head, “my queen. I have enjoyed having more purpose recently.”

Elder Marinus nodded his head. “As have I.”

Alona looked at Chase, then back to them. “I will find a room large enough.”

“With that settled, we need to share our findings.” Victor put his cup down and crossed his arms over his chest. When no one objected, he continued. “We’ve had extensive tests run on Eunice Bosworth’s tattoo.” He glanced around the room, “it has been confirmed that there are still traces of magic within the marking.”

“She’s given us several locations they used to use. But as it was a century ago, we’re not holding our breath Nelson will be at any of them. Also, the more she tries to remember, and fight the remaining magic, the more ill she feels.” Arius rubbed the back of his neck for a moment. “Romulus and the science department have concluded that only a mage with extraordinary skills could do such a thing.”

“Confirming that Arwan is still around.” Michael stated in a low tone.

“Great.” Quinton said and then sat down. “So how do we find him?”

Michael glanced to Elder Segos for a moment. “Elder Segos and Marinus had an idea and Romulus is currently testing to see if it is possible, but it’s purpose is to detect magic that is otherwise undetectable.”

“Huh?” Daxx frowned and looked at him. “How does that work?”

Michael shook his head. “I have no idea. All I care about is that it is doable, then we’ll figure out what comes next.”

Emil yawned, then got up and headed to the coffee pot. “I took the first watch watching for that Leila woman.”

“Do you think she’ll stick to her old habits?” Alona asked quietly.

Emil shrugged. “I’ve seen in there recently, so there’s a good chance.”

“I feel bad using her to find Nelson,” Alona gave him a sad look, “but on the chance she’s been spelled, we have to.”

Emil nodded. “Any means to find that bastard, I’m all for.”

“Do you think finding that, uh, slag is the answer?” I watch Emil smirk at me.

He pointed to Troy, then Chase. “They do, so I’m with them.”

I took a deep breath. “Let’s hope that if she’s not openly a blatherskite, that her thoughts are easily heard then.”

“Your vocabulary is quite eclectic for one with no formal education.” Victor gave me a sincere look.

I shrugged. “When I kept getting sent to the solitary units, I finally realized it was because of the language I screamed at them,” I rolled my eyes at him, “more than the fact I was screaming.” I glanced down at the guard on my hand. “So,” I looked back up, “I asked one of the nice attendants if I could read. Books weren’t popular there, so she gave me a dictionary. I started reading dictionaries. I still do.”

Victor smiled at me. “That explains some of the phrases you use.” I smiled back at him. “I was around when they were frequently spoken.”

“Most I was able to get my hands on were old.” I pushed the glass away. “Today’s are quite different.”

Lifting his cup, he toasted me. “It adds a charming quirkiness to your personality.” He glanced at Rafael.

Moving just my eyes to look at him, I wondered why Rafael was giving him such a hard look.

“So, we’re looking into catching Arwan. What do we do until we can?” Autumn crossed her arms over her chest and held his look.

Michael gave a slight shrug. “Business as usual. We can’t put everything on pause in the hopes we find a mage that doesn’t want to be found.”

Rafael nodded. “Doing that could be playing into his hand.”

Leone kissed Bethany on the top of the head and went over to get more coffee. “I think we should find that tunnel Kara followed them to.” He glanced at Daxx. “And we’re still trying to find the track that they’re taking women to.”

Daxx nodded. “Tim is working with the teams to check out any possible locations we,” she motioned to Crissy and Bethany, “can think of.”

Leone nodded. “Good.” He turned and looked at me. “Think you can show us where the tunnel is?”

I bit my lip. “On a map?” I gave Daxx a quick look. “I’m not really good with maps.”

“If you can pick out a few landmarks that Crissy and I might know, we can get the guys to go look, bring back pictures.” She suggested.

I liked that idea. “Yeah. There’s a few stores and buildings nearby that are one of a kind.”

Daxx nodded, then turned back to Leone. “Okay we’ll go over it after this meeting and get back to you with a list.”

Leone grinned. “Great.” He glanced around the room. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m in the mood for a fight or two.”

Autumn snorted. “I second that.”

“I know we’re all going a little stir-crazy right now,” Troy rubbed a hand across his jaw, “but for security purposes we’ve had to be more careful.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Daxx mumbled, “we get it. Please don’t go there again.”

Troy smirked at her.

“If I may.” Elder Marinus looked at Troy. Troy nodded. “I am quite interested in finding the facility that Princess Kara was held in.” He looked at me. “If there is a chance some of our own are still being held there…”

Rafael looked down at me. “Do you remember what city it was in? The name of it?”

I bit my lip. “I have no idea the city it was in. I got on the first bus I could and didn’t look back.”

He nodded.

I closed my eyes, trying to the see it. “I don’t remember a name anywhere I could see.” I opened my eyes. “There was an emblem, or-or logo on the orderly’s badges.”

“Oh.” Crissy jumped up from the table and came rushing toward me with her notebook. “Can you draw it?” She held them out to me.

I took them, glancing briefly at Rafael, he gave me a slight nod. “I can try.” I moved over to the table and set the notebook down. Standing there I looked down at the blank page. Closing my eyes for a second, I pictured the badges I’d seen for so many years. Opening them, I held my breath and put the pencil on the paper. Moving without overthinking, I roughed out the letters and the two shapes that surrounded them. I exhaled and straightened it. “It was something like this.” Before I could turn around Crissy was right there, almost on top of the table.

“I know this.” She picked up the book and looked at Victor. “I’ve seen this.” She frowned. “It’s in my old notebook.” She said quickly then vanished.

“Crissy has seen it?” I looked to where she’d been standing, then over at Victor.

“If she says she has, then yes.” He nodded. “It is more than possible. She has seen something to do with each mate for my brothers.”

I opened my mouth to ask what that had to do with me when she reappeared.

Dropping the notebook on the table, she leaned over it and started flipping pages. “It was way back,” she mumbled, “after Daxx’s tattoo, but before the twin sisters…”

I glanced to see that every person in the room stood patiently and watched her. I, on the other hand, wanted to shout and ask what she was talking about.

“Oh, here.” She tapped a finger on the page.

I looked over her shoulder at it. Her drawing was much more detailed then my own. “That’s it.” It was like I was looking at a badge right in front of my face.

Grabbing the book, she spun around and waved it while looking at Victor. “I know where it is.” She nodded. “The same city I was in before that lady with the flower.” She looked excited.

Victor came over and put his arm around her and leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

She looked up at him. “Do you think I was supposed to go help Kara?” She bit her lip, a worried look on her face.

“I don’t believe so, heart.” He kissed her again. “I believe you were meant to see it, so we could find it now.”

Crissy blew out a breath and looked relieved. “I can show you on a map where I was.” She looked at me. “Where we were.”

“It will take some planning and co-ordination.” Michael said looking at Rafael.

Rafael nodded. “We’re taking a full team.” He turned and looked down at me, resolve etched on his face. “In case some of ours are there—and because we need their records.”

I sucked in a breath, my nerves buzzing from the tone of his voice.

“Just make sure we’re on that team.” Daxx said, then held up her hand when Troy turned to her. She motioned to me. “Kara went through hell, but there might also be answers there the rest of us are looking for.” Turning, she gave Autumn a quick nod.

“Yeah. If there’s any record of anyone dropping their kid on the street…”

“Or doing experimental drug therapy on them.” Bethany said looking at Crissy.

“Or vanishing grandfathers.” Paisley gave Bethany a nod.

“We’re going to search all their records.” Alona looked at Chase. “Make certain our guards and your team are prepared for an extended visit.”

Chase inclined his head to her, then turned to his twin. “That we will.”

“Make certain there is room for a few elder warriors as well, Captain.” Elder Segos turned to Rafael. “Answers we have long sought may, in fact, be in that very facility.”

Rafael looked down at me, the nerve in his jaw pulsing. With an abrupt nod, he looked back at the elder. “I’ll coordinate with your guards, so we’re all on the same page.”

“It seems this is a good juncture to break this meeting.” Victor leaned down and looked into Crissy’s eyes, then kissed her quickly on the mouth before straightening. “We have much to arrange.” Without further explanation, he disappeared.

“I’ll come to the yard with you and fill in Ira.” Leone looked at Rafael.

Rafael nodded and then looked at me. “Get us those landmarks for the tunnel.” He turned to Daxx. “I think we’ll use it as a warmup.” With a grin, he disappeared.

Daxx grinned. “Lots of ass kicking coming up.” She pointed to me, “I need those buildings.”

“She can tell you about them while we go exploring and find a meeting room.” Alona said giving Chase an affectionate look. “I’ll need input for this one.”