Putting on a somber expression, Lothar said, “I am afraid it is not good tidings I bring, Renik.”
Concern narrowed Renik’s gaze. “Tell me, Lothar.”
“It is my son, Niko. He has been taken.” Lothar balled his fist remembering how his plan had fallen apart. Niko was not supposed to have been at risk.
Unexpected gasps and cries came from the women of his brother’s harem. Renik sat up abruptly. “What is this you speak of? Who has taken him?”
Lothar hid his smile. This was exactly the reaction he’d wanted and hoped to receive. For some reason of all his children, Nikol had managed to become a favorite to the Majad. Then again, his bruher had been unable to conceive any children of his own.
Now to stoke the fire of retaliation. “It is the Jutaks, bruher. The Enotian military has attacked without provocation and taken him prisoner. I would not have come to you if I could deal with this on my own but they are a part of the Alliance with all the protection the status entails. If I were to go after my son without the support of the Majad’s strength behind me, I fear they would harm him.”
With more care than Lothar would have bothered showing any of his tutanis, Renik eased the female in his lap aside and stood. The length of his silky green robe fell about his ankles, revealing his bare feet and the jeweled rings on each toe. “If they do not listen, we will force them to change their minds.”
Lothar lowered his head in obeisance. “Thank you, bruher. I knew you would understand.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Lend me a number of your troops to head to Enotia. My own men are best at trade not defense.”
Renik gripped his jet black horns and paced. “You wish to start a war?”
Lothar gritted his teeth. His end goal was so close. He just needed to nudge his brother in the right direction. “Their leader is someone named Torkel Alonson. He wants to destroy our line.”
“Never!” Renik spat, coming to a halt. He pointed a finger at Lothar. “I will contact the Enotian government. If they do not heed my request to release my blooded kin, then war it shall be.”
Lothar rose and bowed. It would have to be enough for now. “We will show them Marenians will not be cowed.”
***
“What is it, Hectley?”
The soldier entered the private sanctum of his office connected to his bedroom.
”There is concerning news I believe you wish to know, General.”
Azar set aside the documents he’d been reviewing and faced a soldier he trusted like no other. Hectley wasn’t one to hesitate or bother him with unnecessary information. “What is this news?”
“Kyele, sir.”
The world spun out of focus then realigned with a jolt. Calm descended over the red haze attempting to blind Azar’s mind. He pushed his chair back and folded his hands across his mid-section, fingers linked. “Who do my men need to kill?”
The corner of Hectley’s mouth tipped up. “The Marenians, sir. They have taken Kyele hostage.”
“And the Enotians? The Jutak warriors he lives with, what are they doing?”
Not that it mattered. Azar would strike down anything that attempted to stand between him and the young green eyed Jutak warrior.
“I am unsure. The news is still coming in, but I thought you’d wish to know right away considering the...circumstances.”
Because Kyele Bastien was his son. A child Azar thought lost to him decades ago only to discover he’d been taken and raised on another world.
“Ready my Destroyer. Gather a war scout squadron. We head to Marenia now.”
Hectley hesitated.
“What is it?” Azar was on his feet, strapping his weapon about his hips. Time was of the essence.
“I was going to suggest reaching out to the Enotian military. Perhaps work in conjunction with them.”
Azar slid on his olive green jacket. He yanked the sides together and did up the silver clasps. “You want me to risk my...Kyele’s life by going through the Enotians? The Spectar army could crush their forces in less time than it would take me to go straight to Marenia.”
“Yes, General, but I’m only thinking of what Kyele would wish. He has a Chosen, a child.”
Thinking of the grandson who’d surprised him with a visit a while ago gave Azar pause as nothing else could have. “The woman and child are not harmed?”
“No, sir.”
Azar slid a shaking hand through his hair. Fear was not an emotion he was comfortable with. “Get me the comm code for Kyele’s leader. Torkel Alonson. I want to know what he’s doing to get my son back and if it’s not satisfactory, there will be a war. Spectar is not a part of the Alliance and I will not let anything stand between achieving my son’s safe return.”
Chapter 19
“Fuck!” Torkel shoved to his feet and away from the table. The thirteen members of his three team Unit stared, awaiting any information about their friends. “I have the Majad of Marenia demanding the return of his nephew. His nephew! That bastard is related directly to the ruler of that planet.”
Rydak leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the table. His blond hair gleamed in the well lit room, his gray stare directed at Torkel. “That is highly unexpected.”
Jaron blew out a breath. His jaw clenched and unclenched before he smacked his palm on the table. “Unbelievable. We finally have Nikol and might have to give him back.”
Torkel paced, his mind trying to wrap around everything that seemed to be blowing up right in his face. “It gets worst.”
“Is that even possible?” Arak asked.
The others under his command in the room laughed outright. Torkel didn’t take offense. They had to find humor where they could because with Vee and Kyele taken the situation was one of the worst they’d ever dealt with, including Jaron’s abduction several years ago. Now it was about to take another turn.
Torkel grimaced. “The Supreme Matire is demanding information regarding her son’s disappearance. And if this couldn’t be more of a cluster fuck, General Azar has stated he plans to wage war against Marenia in 48 hours if he doesn’t receive word that his son is returned safely home. He wanted to graciously make me aware in case I could provide proof that Kyele was not in their custody.”
Forty-Eight hours. As if Torkel could work miracles in two days. Not once did he doubt the general’s sincerity either. The Spectar were a law onto themselves. It was fortunate they were content to keep to themselves for the most part and only ventured out in a show of force if their air space was violated or they came to the aid of another.
Their choice on who received that aid was mercurial at best.
Khane tipped his head to the side and whistled low. “The General and the Supreme Matire?”
“This is what happens when Torkel selects only the best to join his team,” Geile said. His brother, Gregir, seated to his left bumped fists with him.
Uri spoke up. “Not a problem. That gives us less than two days to interrogate Nikol. I’m assuming there was no mention of Lothar’s man, Gordo?”
No one had even hinted at an awareness of another Marenian being in their custody. The Majad of Marenia’s demands had focused on the return of his nephew only. Torkel stopped pacing and propped his hands on his hips to process.