27
(Wirnday, cont.)
A’mara Complex – Formal lounge
.
“My chola, is everything all right?” Rami’s familiar voice came through Kivana’s PCS link.
“Yes. Technically, everything is in order. It’s just Laisen still. I tried to talk to him, but he won’t listen to me. He got really angry with me, told me to mind my own business.”
“Looking after the abári is your business,” Rami retorted. “I’m not there right now, so it’s Laisen you must assist.”
“And when he rejects me?” She described the scene earlier, with the way he grabbed her arm.
“I think you shocked him. Whether it was enough or not, I don’t know. He won’t hurt you though, not really,” Rami said confidently.
“I know,” Kivana said, knowing that she did understand. “I keep putting them together, trying to make them work together.”
Rami nodded. “You’re doing well. Keep doing what you’re doing. Eventually, that man will come around.”
“Before Jessten leaves?”
“She plans to leave?”
Kivana nodded. “As soon as she’s won a tournament at the Academy and has earned her silver – it sounds like she’s close to that now.”
“Then we need to up our game quite a bit. Who do you have working at the Project tomorrow?”
“Sheena volunteered to be there all day. I was going to put Jessten on that duty too while I keep an eye on Ada here.”
“Make sure Laisen does any interviewing then.”
“What about Oberti?” Kivana asked.
“He can work in the Complex tomorrow and continue to do interviews whenever Jessten is not at the Project. I will review the larger situation when I get back.”
“When is that likely to be?”
“Not sure. I need a few more days here for sure. Do your best until then.”
“I will, Maqla.”
Kivana went to check on Ada once more before she went to bed. As she walked, she wondered whether Rami was taking advantage of the situation in Zley Falls to try to force Laisen to work with Jessten. Maybe she was staying away longer than necessary to get them together. Certainly, if she were abári, she would do just that!
♥
Laisen Toban lay on a bench, lifting weights in the exercise room. He knew that Jessten came in the morning, so he came at night.
A student was also in there. He had never learned the boy’s name, just knew he wasn’t quite old enough to be a chola.
“Why are you so angry?” the boy asked.
“I’m not angry,” Laisen denied.”
“If you aren’t angry, why are you slamming the weights around like you are? Your entire imprint feels angry!” the boy insisted.
“I’m not angry!” Laisen denied again.
“If you’re not angry, then you’re in love!” another older boy stated harshly, then wandered off with the first boy.
Laisen let the bar sit in its rests and just laid there. It was always the children, he realized. Why was it that children always had the view directly into the soul? They were never really fooled.
Kivana had no business interfering the way she had. He wasn’t proud of grabbing her arm the way he had, that hadn’t been called for and he knew he owed her an apology, but so did she! Rami should have never put the fringe on him! Oberti was older anyway. How could Kivana blame him if Jessten left? He wasn’t in control of everyone else! Yes, he was angry. Everyone was demanding too much of him right now.
He put his cloak back on, and the stole with it. The fringe was heavier than it had been when he took it off only a little while ago. Too heavy.
He went in search of a light meal, then an early bed.
♥
Freebooter Apartments – Games Room
.
Marline sat next to Egan watching the events unfold as the Wolff continued. It was already looking to be an interesting evening. Rika sat across, next to Ninn, her arm in his lap, holding his hand. Joneel looked determined, despite his increasing inebriation. “I bet Kailey,” he said, taking another swig of his ale and placing her image on the board as Egan dealt the round.
“You can’t be serious,” Uana said scornfully to Joneel Mern.
“I was one of the wagers the other night,” Marline said. “Egan lost.”
“How can you take it so lightly? Your lover lost, and now you’re pregnant by the wrong man,” Uana pointed out.
“You are assuming,” Marline replied. “A stella might be able to tell me which one got the job done.” She shrugged. In truth she didn’t really care which one was the father. Her position within the Neví was secured by offering her body. She felt useful.
Uana looked at her intently, perhaps understanding some of what drove her. Maybe Uana hadn’t grown up in a family that didn’t value her. Maybe she had friends who liked her for her, not for what value she might be able to offer. Maybe she didn’t worry for her future. Uana was the Terrenden #7, after all. She probably didn’t have to worry. But Marline appreciated the security of being wanted, even if it was just for what her body could provide for the organization. Although she loved Egan, it didn’t really matter whether she carried his baby or that of Joneel. She was now secured to the Neví for life. That counted for something. She felt secure for the first time in her life.
“But your wife!” Uana said to Joneel, clearly not understanding his motivation.
“He’s already lost almost everything else. It’s either her or explaining to her why their furniture is missing,” Ninn said, grinning. “I will take her from him tonight!” He returned to the game of Wolff.
“Overconfidence is the quickest way to lose,” Uana replied.
“You haven’t seen them play drunk,” Egan said.
“Which is why you lost to him?” Uana challenged. “And why she now pays the price for your pride?” She looked at Marline, who shrugged again, feeling her amusement grow.
“I’m Ninn’s bet,” Rika said suddenly.
Marline looked at her, then realized that the girl had been kicked out of her parents’ home. Probably for leya use. Even in Kri’enden, there remained some prejudice against those with leya gifts. She nodded at Rika, knowing that she had just volunteered to produce a child for the Neví.
“Are you sure?” Egan asked her.
She nodded.
He placed his skillful hands over Rika’s abdomen. Marline knew he was preparing her body for the night ahead.
Marline turned and noticed Sheena’s deepening scowl.
“You should play, Sheena,” Uana suggested.
“I’m not a gracious loser,” Sheena warned.
“I’m sure of that. How about being the prize?”
“Depends on how long he plans on living after that.”
“Oh, Sheena, you’re such a sourpuss. Cerástes and Elið are without bedwarmers tonight,” Uana hinted.
“Sucks to be them,” Sheena retorted. “Look, Uana! Just because Xanthine is happy to donate other women’s wombs… just because you are willing to sell your body for the sake of a merger… It doesn’t mean I’m willing to stoop so low!”
Uana lunged at Sheena, but she threw a lazy leya blast at her, and Uana was on the floor. Marline was almost ready to start taking bets, sitting up straight as Egan rejoined her, his arm around her.
“That’s my pregnant wife you’re attacking!” Sipper challenged Sheena.
“Then tell her to keep herself to herself and we’ll have no further trouble,” Sheena scowled. “I’d better get back.”
“Still trying to play both sides?” Uana asked.
“I probably should be in the Complex tonight. I can make sure Jessten and I are on Project duty tomorrow – that keeps her out of the way,” Sheena reasoned.
“Don’t forget that you don’t know me,” Uana reminded.
“I’m not an idiot,” Sheena seethed.
“Of course not,” Uana retorted.
Sheena made a rude gesture and left.
♥♥♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on [Goodreads](coming soon) for me.
Buy at: (coming soon to Books2Read, Scribl, LBRY and Lulu - paperback.)
Other Chapters of this set
Birth of the Neví - Chapter 1 on Whaleshares
Name of the Neví - Chapter 1
Mind of the Neví - Chapter 1
Game of the Neví - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- Kri'enden & Joton - 830 TCE (New/imprived map coming soon)
- Character Guide and Image Credits
- Calendar and Glossary - for Name of the Neví but these two parts are true throughout.
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2019 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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