“We’re on our way to you, Topaz. Keep them there,” I ordered as we made our way across the headquarters and to the royal offices.
Without the need for secrecy any longer, I allowed the males with me to retain their visible forms. Deep inside, I figured I didn’t have a choice in the matter, honestly. As long as Seren was finally safe, I didn’t really care what the rest of the kingdom thought.
I brought the maps. Just in case your tribunal needs to see them for evidence, Aibek offered.
Something about how he said that had me looking at him. “Were you there for Seren’s tribunal?”
Both Morcants shook their heads.
No, but we saw the aftermath of it. Your kingdom is full of hard people with no sense of mercy, Macabee said. His voice was tight.
I said nothing. There was literally nothing I could say that would make it any better. I’d been part of Seren’s hard times. Hades, I’d encouraged some of them to make sure she didn’t rise too far too fast.
“That’s where I remember you from,” Nox said after a minute. “Your voice is so familiar, but I couldn’t figure out why. You met with Kenton to discuss ways to keep Seren from reentering the navy. You stopped her from regaining the dignity you stole from her.”
I heard the threat in his voice. I even acknowledged it as my due, but I wasn’t going to allow him to sit in judgment of me. “You don’t know ha—”
“I know everything that went on in that office, Admiral.” A surging flux of power washed over me. “I might have been in some kind of gel that incapacitated me, but I can assure you, I was more that cognizant of what was happening. So make sure you watch your step moving forward.”
I ground my teeth together and said nothing. There was nothing to say. He was right. And if he’d truly been listening the entire time, then he knew a shark scat pile more than I wanted him to at all.
I just nodded and kept walking. “When we get to the royal offices, don’t say anything.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence. It didn’t take too long, for which I was thankful. I really didn’t need the quiet to ruminate on all the ways I’d helped screw Seren over the last twenty revolutions.
Chantara and Yala were standing at attention outside the doors to the bridge that led to the royal section of the structure. They dipped their chins as we walked up to them. “Heads up. Marguerite is pissed enough to go puffer fish,” Chantara said.
I steeled my spine. Nodded at one of my captains. “Thanks. Keep everyone out. Even the investigators and Tribunal members. We’ll call for them when we’re ready.”
Chantara nodded. “On it, Seahorse.”
Waving the foreign nationals in behind me, I moved into the covered bridge. It was a godly position in the kingdom. It rose above everything and everyone.
And it had been ruled by a child who deferred his responsibility. A male less fit to rule I’d never met. But the fact that Sylol had given all controlling power to Kenton made a fire in my belly burn.
Pushing it all aside, I had to make sure everything continued to function normally in the kingdom. Life couldn’t stop because our king had turned out to have less honor than a fledgling. And it certainly couldn’t stop because Kenton had used it as his own personal army and power base.
Legion and Denlief were posted outside the other entrance to the bridge. Con must have finally pulled his head out long enough to do his gourami job. It was nice to know that my second in command could focus on what needed to be done.
I nodded to my team members. “Anything to report?”
Denlief chuckled low. “Just be prepared to duck. Queen Marguerite is in the throwing mood.”
Legion snorted softly. Touched a hand to his eye. “And her aim is stellar. Probably better than the guards assigned to her.”
I stopped and studied the male on the left. “Get it seen to quickly. We’re on the job until the tribunal finishes.”
He straightened. “Just a scratch, Seahorse. I’m good.”
I nodded at him. “Remain here.”
They gave me salutes and pulled the doors open for me.
A huge coral bowl shattered at my feet.
Both males chuckled. “Should have brought your armor, Top,” Denlief said softly.
I dodged the next piece of furniture. Or maybe it was a plate? “I’ll keep that in mind.” Taking a deep breath, I moved into the royal offices. “Marguerite, if you hit me with that, I’ll have you locked away in the cells.”
She screeched at me and launched herself in my direction. “You monster. Who do you think you are?”
I caught her wrists in my hands and held her tightly against my body. “I’m an Admiral in the Navy. Your mate and his personal advisor were guilty of crimes against the kingdom and treason. And in the case of Kenton, crimes against the royal family. Now stop your dramatics and listen to me.”
She seethed for a few moments more. Her pale pearl skin showed pink and red in her cheeks. Her vibrant purple eyes and bronze hair were a little crazy, but I could see that she was finally calming down.
“Let go of me.” She tugged on her hands.
I studied her for a long moment. Loosening my hold, I allowed her to pull away. She brushed her hands down her dress and tried to put her hair to rights. “You should have told me sooner, Neron.”
“You’re the queen. I had to do my duty.”
“I’m also your sister, you should have told me. Not your men.” She glared at me.
I dipped my chin. “I’m sorry about that, but I had to handle some other things and we needed you safe. How are the younglings?”
She blew out a breath, whirled in a small circle. “What do you think? They’re terrified and worried. What happened? And not that scat story your men told me.” When she looked at me again, her brows raised high as her eyes widened. “And who is with you?”
I buried the chuckle. My sister was definitely a one-current mind.
“This is Nox, Aibek, and Macabee. They’re visiting from other kingdoms.”
Nox snorted. “I’m not from this world, Your Grace. I’m a Tazzareth from Elysium. The two large males with me are Morcants. They are from a different world.”
I glared at Nox. “I was going to tell her.”
“Yeah, after she’d made her own opinions. This way it’s all up front and out in the open.” Nox wandered further into the room. “And I’m exhausted. Do you mind if I sit, Your Grace?” He sat down on a low, long bench before my sister could give him leave.
Marguerite looked back at me again. “He’s a what and they’re whats?” Her face was a pale statement of shock.
Aibek moved forward, pulled the maps from somewhere.
I narrowed my eyes on him. They’d gotten clothes from somewhere.
One does not meet a queen in warrior’s garb, Aibek said, censure in his tone.
Nox chuckled. “Morcants have the ability to create just about anything from organic molecules they find in the water or air.”
Macabee glared at the prince apparent.
Nox shrugged. “It’s better than them being naked. Now get on with it. We do have things we need to do before Seren gets back.”
Marguerite’s nose wrinkled. “Is she causing more trouble?”
Nox was on his feet and in my sister’s face before I could take my next breath. “Seren is innocent in all of the things that have been done to her. The fault lies with your deceased husband and his advisor. Let that be the last time I hear you speak ill of Seren, or you will deal with me.”
The room was flooded with a rippling kind of power that ate at the edges of my brain. But I pushed it aside. I didn’t care who this male was or who his parents were. He didn’t get to talk to my sister or my queen that way. “Step back, Nox.”
He stayed where he was for long clicks, his gaze searching Marguerite’s. After the tension in the room rose like a ship on stormy seas, he finally nodded and backed down.
Marguerite gaped as Nox moved back to his slouched position. She looked at me, looked back at Nox. When she looked at me the last time, she glared. “He just chastised me. The queen. He needs to be punished.” She stomped her foot.
Nox snorted. “The way I see it, you’re part of the solution or part of the problem. Be part of the solution, Margie. You don’t want me for an enemy.”
Marguerite’s face was crimson when she looked at me again. “I’m still the queen. I could have him killed.”
I shook my head. “Not yet. You’re actually under investigation, too. Did you know about the portals? You didn’t look shocked when Nox mentioned their races. Did you know about them and fail to inform the Navy?” A part of me hoped she hadn’t been that stupid. But knowing my sister and her love for power and position, I didn’t hold out too much hope that she would be innocent in all of this.
Her mouth worked, but no sound came out. Her eyes widened until I could see white all around the purple irises.
My heart fell. “Queen Marguerite, you are hereby sentenced with crimes against the kingdom of Aiseiri and crimes of treason. You will be held in your quarters until your tribunal has taken place.” Masu. If I could have killed her for stupidity, she would be bleeding out on the floor right now.
“You can’t do that! You can’t just depose me of my duties based on your word alone. You have to have a trial.”
Fear ate at her pretty, delicate features. She was my younger sister, but she’d chosen her path. And from what I’d learned from Sylol, they both had been nothing more than figureheads while Kenton ran the actual show of running this kingdom. That, more than anything, disgusted me.
“And you’ll have your tribunal, or weren’t you listening?” I huffed out an annoyed breath. “Same Marguerite, always expecting your big brother to fix everything for you.” I was annoyed with myself as well. But that could wait for a different time.
What does she know of the Summoning? Aibek asked. His tone had cooled considerably.
I asked her.
She rolled her eyes and brushed it away. “It’s nothing. Nothing but a little show for the floor dwellers.”
The rage was instant and overwhelming. I lurched forward, grabbed her by the throat. “What did you just call the inhabitants of Aiseiri?”
Terror leached the color from her face.
I squeezed harder when she remained silent. “Say it.” The words were a growl of sound.
“Floor dwellers.” Her voice was barely a rasp.
Shoving her away before I killed her myself, I didn’t even care that she tumbled to the floor. She landed in a lump of messy hair and ruined fabric. “You’re just as bad as he was. Did you know he was letting other females on his rod?”
Her laugh was patronizing. “You clearly have no idea how royalty works, big brother. Of course, I knew. I encouraged it. The male was a simpering mola mola. If it weren’t for my younglings, I would have killed him years ago. Hades, I had plans drawn up. He was nothing but a bottom feeding irritant. He certainly didn’t deserve me on his rod. I begged off as soon as possible.”
“You’re a piece of work, lady,” Nox said. “And stupid on top of it. You just admitted to crimes against the royal family, you bitch.”
I had no idea what some of the words he was using meant, but I understood the context. I nodded in agreement. “By your own admission, you admitted to wanting to kill the king—your husband. Had plans made and shared them with others, no doubt, to keep your hands clean.” I pulled my weapon from its holster. Aiming it at her, I felt a small piece of me die. But if she was this far gone with power and heartlessness, then I would be doing Aiseiri a favor in the long run. “How do you plead?”
She scrambled back on her butt, her long golden hair a mess over her face and shoulders. “Neron, you can’t. You have to give me a trial with a proper tribunal.”
I shook my head. “I did…for the crimes against the kingdom and treason. You are the queen, after all. But you hit the trifecta, little sister. Had you kept your mouth shut and your cold heart from spilling over, you would be sitting for a tribunal. But no, just like always, you have to speak too much and think too little.”
Macabee moved up next to me, tapped my shoulder. I can save you this stain on your soul.
I shook my head. “Thank you, but this is my duty.”
Maybe if we can get some more information from her, you could make her think that she’ll be spared, Nox said mentally. We need to know what the Summoning is going to involve and how it will involve Seren.
I ground my teeth together. Scat. “I don’t want to kill you, Maggie. I really don’t. Help me, give me something. Anything.” The words were acid on my tongue.
She licked her lips, nodded. “Yes, anything. What do you want to know?”
“What do you know about the Summoning?” I asked.
Her violet eyes brightened. My eyes. We shared our mother’s eyes, but I didn’t recognize the person my sister had become. “The Cyraeni will be here in two rotations. It will take place over the trench. The Observers came to us as soon as they were able to get the material they needed from that –”
Nox snarled low in his throat.
She flinched at the sound. “—that female. I guess it’s part of some kind of rule book they follow?” She shrugged that away. “Anyway, Kenton said that the Observers will have two rotations to create this thing—whatever it’s supposed to be—and the Cyraeni will have one cycle to try to get it under their power.” She blew out a breath towards the hair that was in her face. “Really, I don’t see what the big deal is. That mola mola female has caused enough problems for this kingdom. She’s as stupid as the day is long. Once she’s dea—”
Nox was out of his position and kneeling behind my sister before I could blink. He had his head at her neck and her head dangling in his free hand before my next breath. When he raised his head, his mouth was bloody. “I told you not to speak ill of her.” He tossed her head on the floor and rose back to his feet.
Dusting off his knees, he strode back to his seat and sat down. He was chill as an ocean breeze on a hot day. He licked his lips.
It took a turn or two for my brain to catch up, but when it did, all I felt was an overwhelming sense of relief. I couldn’t even fault him for what he’d done. At all.
“Well, scat. This tribunal is getting smaller and smaller every day,” I said as I holstered my weapon again. “And what the hades did you do to her?” There was no blood, but her head was definitely detached from her body. How was that even possible?
Nox shrugged. “I killed her. We got the information we needed. She was no longer useful.” He laced his fingers together and laid them in his lap. “So what do we do now?”
“I call in my team and we try to keep everything running smoothly around here until the party happens.” Taking that to heart, I called for my team mentally. Told them all to get in the royal quarters.
It didn’t take long before everyone gathered in the royal receiving room. Con came in last. Apparently, he’d been in the cells with the security forces that had been protecting Sylol and Kenton. A little come to Poseidon meeting had taken place. It always put a little more energy in his steps.
“Masu, Top. What the hades happened here?” he demanded after he made his way fully into the room. “Is that Maggie’s head?” He pointed to the body part sitting on the floor. Her expression of shock was still there.
Nodding, I gave them all the explanation. “We need to make sure the Tribunal leaders are set up to handle everything. We have no one left to prosecute, so the Tribunal will need to name a successor.”
“We’ll still have to answer for our actions,” Mesmer said.
I nodded. “Yes, and we have evidence that substantiates our claims. We’ll be in the clear. But speaking of evidence, I want every scrap of it from headquarters to be put in here while we wait.”
In position, Alpha One. The voice slid through my mind like a whisper.
Everyone stilled. Looked at me.
I looked at the foreign males. Raised my brows in question.
Aibek and Macabee nodded.
Nox did, too.
They cannot hear us, so we will lead this interaction, Macabee said.
I nodded, gave him the floor.
We can force them into visibility. When that happens, Aibek and I will be out of commission for a couple of your turns. You need to disable and disarm them. Whatever you do, do not remove their equipment on their heads or backs or you could kill them before we learn what they are here for. Macabee met each of my teams’ eyes.
We all nodded.
Macabee turned to Nox. Can you feel them in here?
Nox smiled, dipped his head towards the left.
Macabee turned to Aibek, and they both moved. Well, really, they disappeared, but they somehow managed to end up on the far side of the room.
Now, Macabee said.
The room exploded with lights, colors, and sounds. I fought to keep everything in its proper place in my mind as I darted forward. But everything went a little sideways.
Luckily, Nox was there and ready. He had the three human males disarmed before I could shake my head clear.
He held them at the points of their own weapons. A huge smile tugged at his face. “Not bad. But you guys really need to work on your attacks.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think we were quite prepared for what the Morcants would do.” Speaking of whom, I pointed to Mesmer and Bjorn. “Check them.”
They rushed to the fallen males who had crumpled to the floor.
“All clear, Top. At least as far as we can tell.”
Moving to Nox’s side, I picked up one of the weapons the humans had brought. It looked like one of ours, but it was modified in such a way that it was almost unrecognizable. “What the hades?”
Con came over, took up one of the last weapons. Turning, he fired it into the empty section of the room. Like our weapons, it fired energy blasts that were powered by molecular reaction. But that was where the commonalities ended.
Their weapons also fired some kind of projectile. It lodged itself in the far wall. After five clicks, the wall was engulfed in…I blinked. Fire. I’d only ever seen it on the surface, but that was living, breathing fire.
“Put it out,” I said.
Nox flicked a hand and a gush of water from nowhere drenched the flames. “Damn. That’s something I haven’t seen.”
I nodded.
Legion, Bjorn, and Ranfen came over and took our spots holding our new friends under guard.
The three human males were encased in their breathing apparatuses. Their face shields mirrored so we were unable to see them. But in the end it wouldn’t matter.
“We demand to see Kenton. He’s our contact,” the one on the far left said.
Nox snorted. “Kenton’s retired. He’s your new point man.” He tipped his head in my direction. “And if you don’t want to meet the same fate as Kenton, I suggest you start talking. Fast.”
The one on the left reached up and hit something on his helmet. The face shield cleared. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and light brown skin. “I’m Commander Weston. The second test was incomplete. We cannot know if the weapon will be successful during the event.” The voice sounded like a blend between their human robots and a natural voice. It sent shivers down my spine.
Scat. “I need to address some other matters with my team. Stay here.” Turning away, I gathered the remaining Tops around me. “Con, you’re staying here. Everyone else, go secure the Tribunal leaders. Bring them here. Chantara, I need you on the royal younglings. Make sure they are safe as well.”
She grimaced but didn’t say anything. I knew she would much rather be getting the adult mers. But she was a good soldier and would follow my orders.
Everyone dispersed. Con, Nox, and I turned back to the prisoners. We took the weapons back from Ranfen, Bjorn, and Legion. “Follow the others,” I ordered.
They saluted and moved away.
“Con, on the doors,” I said.
Macabee and Aibek rose from the floor, looking none the worse for wear. They were a little wobbly on their feet, but smoothed out when they joined us.
“Why were you testing in here?” I asked.
The three humans looked at each other. “Those were our orders,” Commander Weston finally said.
Masu Kenton had planned to kill the royal family. I was glad that masu was dead. Although now, I wish I’d killed him slower.
I nodded. “What are the details for the event?”
Commander Weston’s brown brows furrowed. “Haven’t you been read in?”
Nox chuckled beside me. “It was a rapid promotion. Kenton was killed. Admiral Neron is in charge. Bring him up to speed. Or die. Those are your choices.”
I wanted to roll my eyes at his heavy-handed tactics. The male did nothing by half measure. “I’m trying to keep my kingdom safe. Tell me the plans so I can make sure I can do my job.”
Commander Weston studied me for a long click, but he finally nodded. “We’re to be at the event. Hidden, using the stealth tech Kenton set us up with. Once the monster is created, we’re to deploy the weapon.”
“What were you hoping the weapon would do to the monster?” I asked. From Seren’s report those couple of rotations ago, it had forced a transformation, but that was all. Well, also increased the predatory nature of our species.
The middle human spoke up this time. He, too, hit a button and showed his face. Pale skin, pale yellow hair, and piercing green eyes. “The weapon sends focused beams of vibrating molecules at the intended subject. Once the subject has been infected, it will be easier to control.”
“LC Witt wasn’t able to be controlled,” I said.
The middle human nodded. “He was. We can change the beam frequency and force changes between your two halves.”
I battled back the fear and horror and rage that had my finger itching to deploy the weapon I held in my hands. “Kenton set this up.”
Commander Weston nodded. “Yes. Between our two factions, we will be able to dominate the seas. With control over the monster, we’ll become the biggest naval power in the world.”
“Which country are you affiliated with?” Nox asked.
Commander Weston shook his head. “None. Our company is privately held. The rules of governments and nations are laborious and too confining.”
Mercenaries, Aibek whispered through my mind. Much like the dragonicus majora.
“What other races are you working with?” Nox asked quickly.
Commander Weston’s brow twitched. “Enough of them.”
Lie, Macabee said.
I agreed with the Morcant. “So the Shomaturians and Jorandella are on board as well?”
Commander Weston nodded.
I hit the trigger. In a heartbeat, Commander Weston was encased in an icy shell as he burnt up from the inside out. The icy shell held him in place until the fire that ate at him from the inside was consumed by the water that surrounded it. “Would anyone else like to lie to me?” I asked the remaining two.
Both males jerked back, shook their heads. Their odd suits made the smallest of movements on their shoulders.
“We know about other portals, but we haven’t been able to breach them yet. Kenton had promised us access once we delivered a weapon that would help control the monster,” the former male in the middle spoke. His voice wavered as his eyes grew to the size of Aibek’s palm.
“Show us your face,” I demanded to the male on the right.
He didn’t. He held still and did nothing. Not a word, not a movement. Just nothing.
Nox raised his weapon and aimed it at the male on the left. “Show us his face or die now.”
The male on the left turned and hit the button on the face shield.
A female looked back at us. Her gray eyes were narrowed in her ebony face. A few dark hairs had escaped the blue cap she wore under her helmet.
“What are your names?” I asked.
“Lieutenant Seamus,” the male said. “She’s Captain Shikari. Please, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Just don’t kill me.”
“How does your weapon work?” I asked.
“I-I-I-I just told you,” Seamus said, his voice quavering.
Captain Shikari’s upper lip curled as she bared her teeth. She was clearly a better solider than this male. Tougher, too.
“Let me guess, you’re the scientist?” Nox asked.
Seamus nodded quickly.
Scientists are closer to your mages, but without magic, Aibek clarified for me without me having to ask.
I nodded slightly. It was a good thing I had some friends in this room. “Where is your weapon?”
Seamus looked at Shikari, back at me.
I looked at the female. “Where is it?”
She jutted her chin up in the air, but she remained silent.
I turned back to Seamus, raised my weapon a little bit. “I won’t ask again.”
“It’s on our ship.”
“How do we access your ship?” Nox asked.
Aibek and Macabee moved closer in behind us. She is gathering energy. Separate them. Now, Macabee said.
Con raised his foot and smashed it into the female’s face shield. It cracked under the blow. She fell to the side, her hands going to her throat as her face turned a blue color.
“Seal it up, or you’ll lose her,” Nox said.
“Seamus can help us. Isn’t that right, Seamus? You want to help us,” I said as we all watched the female gasp.
The male nodded so quickly, his head shifted inside his helmet. “But you need her, as well. The ship won’t respond to just me.”
“What do we need from her? Exactly.” Nox said.
“Fingerprints and retinal scan.”
“Take her hands and one of her eyes,” Nox said.
Seamus screamed like a little female fledgling when Con bent down, his knife already out. He had the needed items removed from the female and sitting in a nice pile next to his feet when he stood back up.
“Do you have any other information to share with us, Seamus?” I asked. I was getting tired of the question-and-answer game. Especially from someone who looked like he was about to fill his suit with scat.
He shook his head, back and forth. Tears gathered in his eyes. “Please don’t hurt me. Please. I’ll do anything you want. I swear it. Just don’t hurt me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Keep being useful and you’ll stay alive, Seamus.”
The doors burst open as the Tribunal leaders were ushered in by my team. Their haughty faces were tight with outrage and scorn as they were prodded into the room. “Take a masu seat, your leaderships. We don’t have all day,” Denlief said. They’re putting up a fight, demanding to know what happened, Top.
I looked at Con and Nox. “Got this?”
They both nodded and moved closer together to keep Seamus in their sights.
I turned and waited for the Tribunal leaders to take their seats around the room. Only one of them screamed when they saw Marguerite’s head sitting on the floor like a forgotten toy.
“What is the meaning of this, Neron?” Councilor Martan demanded as he fluttered down into his seat like a betta fish flaunting his colors.
If he thought leaving off my title was going to unsettle me, then he was even more mola mola than I’d thought. And I’d credited him with barely any intelligence at all to begin with. “The king, queen, and royal advisor are dead. Killed by my hand or one under my command.” I waited the resultant uproar out with a calm face and icy control. “You all have one chance to prove you are innocent of the crimes of treason and crimes against the kingdom. We will know if you are lying due to the evidence we have amassed.”
Technically that was a lie. I was still waiting for all the evidence to be brought back here, but I had no doubt at least some of these councilmembers were complicit with Kenton’s actions.
Speaking of which, Ranfen, Bjorn, Denlief, go secure the evidence, I ordered mentally.
The males nodded and walked back out the doors.
I turned back to the Tribunal leaders. “Well? Who wants to come clean first?”