Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice (7 page)

A THOROUGH SEARCH OF THE tunnels and
transport bay revealed nothing to indicate there had been another
attack. Erynn got the news while in the dining hall with Tam, Sean,
and of course Zach, as it came over the DVSLs lining the walls.
Faces turned in her direction, and whispering voices murmured
behind her back. She could imagine what was being said. Erynn
wanted to disappear. Her false alarm had panicked the entire
base.

Erynn stood up to leave. “I have COM duty
today. I’ll see you later.”

Zach followed. His long gray-brown hair
clasped at his neck hung straight down, past his waist.

Tam twisted in her seat. “Erynn, wait. When
your shift is over, come with Sean and me. I’ll buy you a drink.
You can relax, have some fun.”

Erynn frowned. “Your quarters?”

Tam pointed to a door at the far side of the
dining hall and grinned. “No. There. Cale’s reopened the base
bar.”

Sean pushed away from the table. “It helps
keep everyone together, improves morale. Gets people’s minds off
the attacks.”

“Attack,” Erynn corrected. “There’s only been
one.”

Sean turned to her. “I believe you saw
something, maybe a warning.” He glanced around the room. “Everyone
here believes in you.”

Heat rose up her neck and into her face.
“Maybe I’ll come. I’ll let you know later.”

The base’s equivalent of a bar was a darkened
room with a large U-shaped counter. Inside the U, the bartender
kept green, amber, and blue bottles of various shapes and sizes.
Small white lights were strung overhead, twinkling off the colorful
glass. Around the outside of the U, tables and chairs filled the
remaining area. More strings of lights edged the perimeter of the
bar. The space was dim, crowded, and noisy. There were no empty
tables, so Erynn, Tam, and Sean stood against the wall to the right
of the door.

Roni walked in and surveyed the crowd. She
spotted Erynn and joined them.

When Roni entered, Zach left.

Changing of the guard
.

There was no use fighting this.

“Did you and Aven find the alien soldiers?”
Sean handed Roni a
beoir
.

Roni nodded. Her gaze surveyed the packed
room. “What was left of them. We found spent weapons and their
blood in the snow.”

Erynn’s hand tightened around her beoir. She
felt responsible for their deaths.

If I’d told someone, anyone, that those
two enemy soldiers were out there in the forest as soon as I knew,
they’d still be alive. Their deaths are on me
.

“It’s amazing they stayed alive as long as
they did. It was only a matter of time.” Roni glanced at Erynn.
“The scene was old. They were dead before you left that day,
Erynn.” She frowned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say the whole
thing was staged, like a trap, with the enemy soldiers as
bait.”

Laughter rolled over the boisterous
conversations. The hum of so many people talking at once buzzed in
Erynn’s ears like swarming
centinents
.

“I’m leaving. See you tomorrow.” Erynn raised
her bottle and tipped the last of the cold, spicy liquid into her
mouth, draining the contents. The beoir warmed her inside, all the
way down. This Arranon drink was much stronger than what she was
used to on Korin.

Before she could turn away, Sean pushed
another beoir into her hand and put his arm around her shoulders.
He stared into her eyes, his breath spicy. “They could have turned
themselves in at any time. It was their choice to stay where they
knew it was dangerous.” He squeezed, let go, and stepped back. “I
know what you’re thinking. It’s not your fault they’re dead.”

Tiar made his way through the growing crowd.
He nodded toward Erynn, his brother Sean, and Tam but stood next to
Roni.

Erynn saw the blue tendrils coil from Tiar
and slip around Roni, undulating and snapping through the air.
Erynn had recognized that there was something between them on the
trip here. Every time Tiar looked at Roni, his hard green eyes
softened, and she would blush, just slightly.

Erynn glanced away and smiled, putting her
hand over her mouth. “Ouch.”

“What?” Tam whispered.

“Hurts my lip when I smile.”

“I’m sure, but that’s not what I was asking.
What’s funny?”

“Not funny. Sweet. Tiar and Roni.” Erynn
nodded in their direction.

Tam grinned. “Yeah, I figured as much.”

Erynn faced Tam as they talked, her back to
the others that lined this side of the wall. A warm body pressed
against her, and she spun at the intrusion.

“Sorry,” a man said. His voice was soft,
pleasant against the din around her. “I was trying to read the
plaque behind you. It’s new.”

Erynn turned toward the wall. On the smooth
dark rock hung a shiny silver engraving with a list of those who
had died in recent battles against the alien invasion. “Oh.” She
moved aside so the man could read.

“To the brave,” he said when he’d finished
and held up his drink.

“To the brave,” Erynn and her friends
chorused and took a drink.

“I’m Nev,” the man said after he
swallowed.

Erynn introduced them. They nodded as she
said their names. “And I’m Erynn.”

He smiled, and his gaze darted over them.
“Nice to meet you. But I know who you are. I know who all of you
are. I may not leave the Medical Unit much. They keep me busy, but
word gets around. I hear things.” He stepped forward, squinted, and
studied the cut running below Erynn’s nose to her lip. “Looks like
you should have made an appointment.”

Erynn brushed at the cut with the back of her
fingers. “It’s nothing.”

“You work in the Medical Unit?” Tam
asked.

Nev took another long swallow. “Surgeon,” he
said quietly, glancing away.

“You know Kira?” Tam grinned and glanced at
Erynn.

Erynn ducked her head, trying not to smile.
Kira had shown great interest in Jaer during a training session he
and his brother Aven taught in the exercise room.

“Kira?” Nev turned to Tam.

“Tall. Blonde. Friendly,” Tam added with a
smirk.

Nev’s forehead wrinkled, and then his eyes
widened. “Oh, Kira.” He chuckled and dropped his gaze. “Kira works
in Records, entering information into the computers.” His
expression changed, turning serious. He gazed at them, his eyes sad
and far away. “We owe all of you a dept of gratitude, especially
you Erynn. You were very brave to go aboard the enemy ship. I don’t
think any of us would be here if you hadn’t.”

Erynn turned away, her cheeks warming. His
praise made her uneasy. “I had help,” she mumbled, remembering
Faylen’s ultimate sacrifice.

Faylen’s help aboard the enemy ship had made
the difference. Without him, Erynn didn’t think she would have
succeeded in preventing the invasion of her worlds. And for all
Faylen had done, his reward was death.

Erynn shook. The pain of Faylen’s loss was
still raw.

Nev lowered his voice. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t
my intention to make you uncomfortable.”

“I think we owe you thanks,” Sean said,
taking the focus off Erynn. He always managed to come to her aid.
“I heard that because of the great work all the medical staff did,
you saved many lives. There are people still walking among us
because of your skill and dedication.”

“Well, I had help too,” Nev said. “Hey, a
table just opened up.”

Erynn glanced at Sean and mouthed,
“Thanks.”

Sean winked at her and smiled.

They hurried over. Nev made a point of
sitting next to Erynn. In the low lights, she could only make out
that he had light hair, probably sandy brown, and eyes that were
most likely blue. He was trim, not heavily muscled, and above
average in height.

From the front of the room, colored lights
came on, and loud music started.

Erynn felt the quick rhythm vibrate through
her boots.

People moved onto the dance area.

Nev leaned toward her. “May I ask a
favor?”

Erynn glanced at him and nodded. “You may
ask
.” She worked to keep a frown from forming.

He smiled and stared down at his beoir.
“There’s a boy in the hospital wing. His name is Cace, and he just
turned fourteen. He’s not exactly a boy, I guess. Cace never
complains. He was born with multiple birth defects, but it hasn’t
affected his mind or his spirit. His mother has raised him by
herself since his father left them.”

Nev paused, glanced out at the dancers, and
took a drink. “Cace spends a lot of time in the hospital.
Complications with his immune system. Every few weeks, one of his
vital organs begins to fail. We can’t pinpoint the trigger causing
the recurring inflammation. We’ll keep trying. Anyway, Cace talks
constantly about Interceptors, pilots, and flying.” Nev dipped his
head. He lifted the right corner of his mouth in a crooked and
completely charming half smile. “Cace would appreciate…
I
would appreciate it if you could come visit him. I guarantee you,
he
will
test your knowledge of Interceptors.”

A slight smile relaxed Erynn’s guarded
expression. “When?”

Erynn found a message from Jaer waiting for
her in her quarters.

His face cleared into view on her computer
screen. Those brown eyes that stole her heart each time she saw
them had lost their shine. “I have been called away on a…family
matter. Everyone is fine. Do not worry. An issue needs my
attention. Aven is with me.” He paused, staring out at her from his
three-dimensional likeness. He smiled, but the expression was
forced. “No matter what happens, Kipa, know that I have loved only
you.”

Erynn’s stomach lurched, and the floor
wavered under her. She tried to breathe but her lungs had filled
with a solid substance that refused to yield to the air she
required. She dropped onto the chair. The force of hitting the seat
unlocked her chest muscles.

Not remembering how she got there, she moved
through the hall outside her quarters. Zach was back in the common
room, guarding. She needed to talk to Jaer. Now. Find out what this
was all about. She walked up to Zach, speaking before he
acknowledged she was there. “I need to talk to Jaer.”

Startled, Zach glanced up. “Jaer will be back
tomorrow or the next day, at the most. Can it wait? I’m not sure we
can contact him.”

Erynn leaned over, her hands fisted on the
arms of Zach’s chair. “You’re in communication with Jaer. Don’t
tell me you’re not.” Her hard gaze bore into him.

“I can’t do that, Erynn. I have my
orders.”

“Fine. I’ll find Roni.” Erynn straightened,
glaring down at Zach.

“Roni’s out on patrol, checking the sensors
below the base.” Zach stood up, holding his hand up, palm toward
her. “Okay, Erynn, I’ll tell you what I know.” He glanced around
and lowered his voice. “A friend of Jena’s, Jaer’s sister, showed
up. This friend’s family and everyone in her hometown thought she
was dead. Her return has caused some problems between her family
and Jaer’s. It’s a long story, and I don’t know all of it. Jaer
will explain everything when he gets back.”

“He seemed so upset in his message. Are you
sure?”

“Jaer takes anything concerning his family
quite seriously. Family is very important to him. You’re equally
important. Erynn, Jaer is fine. It’s going to be okay.” Zach
smiled. “Don’t you have a class early tomorrow on the Interceptor’s
advancements? At least we got something from the aliens’
technology. A more powerful engine design and weapon upgrades.”

Erynn frowned. “You’re changing the subject.
If there’s nothing wrong, why can’t I talk to Jaer? I need to hear
this from him.”

“I’ll contact Jaer tomorrow. If he’s not
already back, I’ll arrange for you to speak with him.”

She stared at Zach.

He’s stalling, but what can do
?

“I want to talk to Jaer tomorrow. Please.”
Something was wrong. She sensed it.

Her communication link vibrated. She pulled
the clip from her pocket and slipped it around her ear.

“Erynn,” Cale’s voice transmitted through the
device, “I need to talk to you. Come to my office.”

“On my way.” Erynn removed the link, placing
it back in her pocket. She glared up at Zach. “Tomorrow. I want to
talk to Jaer.”

Zach stood outside the door as before.

“Sit down, Erynn.” Cale gestured to a chair
in front of his desk. “I want to tell you what we discovered in our
investigation of the murder.”

Erynn sighed with relief. This summons wasn’t
about Jaer.

“We believe a man or a woman is responsible
for the murder. Not a Shifter.”

“But I saw—”

Cale held up his hand. “What exactly
did
you see?”

She frowned, gazing at the floor. “Two
shadowy figures walked at the back of the transport bay.” She
rubbed at her forehead and bit at her lower lip. “From their
voices, a man and a woman.”

“Do you know which was the intended
victim?”

Erynn glanced up, her frown deepening. “One
of the shadows struck out and the other went down. I just assumed
it was the woman. Why do you think the attacker is human and not a
Shifter?”

“Every section of every tunnel, every wall in
every department including the quarters, has been checked and
rechecked. There is no breach.” Cale’s fingers tapped out a message
on the desk.

“So someone already inside killed that
woman.”

Cale stood up and moved around the desk. “It
appears that is the case. It may be one or more of the alien
invaders that infiltrated our society are attempting further
damage. Communications is at a level-four lock down. We can’t have
any unauthorized messages going out.” He knelt on one knee in front
of her. “With Jaer gone, I want you to call me anytime, day or
night, with anything. Promise?”