"I've left the Second in charge for the moment, but I've asked to borrow Dalroy and Rhett again—they're on standby in case we get a hit on Pruitt. We need to find out if anybody knows anything. I'm getting itchy about this, Winkler. You and I know that Ezekiel Tanner disappeared years ago. There was never any concrete evidence that he died in the attack against his father, Zachariah."
"I know," Winkler raked fingers through his hair, unsettling it. "And Obediah always insisted that Zeke was dead, but I never believed a word he said. And that was when he was still an official member of the community. I think Zeke and Pruitt are together and working that side of the drug and smuggling ring. Marcella said that Pruitt was going to Mexico at least once a month, remember?"
"That's what got me worried about this to start with. If I had my hands on Pruitt right this minute," the Grand Master growled.
"I'd like to hear a few answers myself," Winkler agreed. "We've gotten a couple of hits on one of his bank cards—he pulled cash from a machine in El Paso shortly after he disappeared," Winkler added. "That spells Juarez to me."
"Home of Drug Cartels R Us and anybody will take a bribe to do anything," Weldon sighed. "I'm afraid to send wolves down there, that's how violent it is."
"I wouldn't go unless it was night and I had vampires at my back," Winkler agreed. "I think Pruitt and Zeke Tanner have been partners for a while, even if Tanner didn't know about Pruitt's attempt to kill me. He could have gotten his son out and left me alone. Something about this bothers me, but I can't put a finger on it. Matt has people working out of El Paso, but if they haven't uncovered Obediah's supply trail before now, they're not likely to. If it's Zeke, he's way too smart for that. They're getting stuff inside the states and not using any conventional means to do it." Winkler toed bits of shell with his snakeskin boots.
"He may be running the risk of exposing all of us."
"Like I haven't thought of that?" Winkler bent to pick up a small bit of shell, tossing it far into the water. The half-moon was rising higher overhead. Ashe, as mist, hovered overhead as well, listening to Winkler's conversation with the Grand Master. The illusion he'd left behind of him wading in the water was working perfectly. Nobody suspected a thing.
Chapter 15
"If he can shapeshift and mist, then it is only logical that he has mindspeech." Rabis bowed before the Bright Queen. She thought herself beautiful, but the Queen before her had been more so. Friesianna was subtle and devious. She'd betrayed her way to the throne, courting those useful to her, casting away those weak and ineffective.
She was also gifted with Le'meruh, a particularly strong form of compulsion, which few could deny. Only a handful had known of her talent before she cast away the former Queen. Friesianna also wasn't above killing here and there, when it suited her purpose. Rabis had been away, tending to other matters when the former Queen fell, fleeing from Friesianna and her newly acquired Sentinels.
The Jewel brothers, who'd secretly supported her in her efforts to take over the Bright race, were hers to command. Now, under Friesianna's rule, the Noble Houses were nearly gone, the Middle Caste wasted in battle against the Dark Elemaiya and the Lower Castes viewed as nothing more than fodder in any skirmish. Children had become rare. Hilbah had suggested the fertility clinics, with unsuspecting human parents raising the half-Elemaiyan children until the Call went out. Then the Dark Elemaiya had uncovered the plot, with disastrous results.
Rabis sighed at the thought. So many innocents had died, thinking they were as human as their adoptive parents. Now, only one remained who had not been gathered or killed. One, who seemed to be particularly talented. Rabis was afraid to voice his fear—and his hope—where that one was concerned.
"So, mindspeech. That's logical," Friesianna struck a pose as she repeated Rabis' words. Rabis wondered whom she thought to impress. No Nobles were present and only Diamond stood in attendance. The other three Jewels were on some errand or other. "Which of the lower talents do you imagine he might possess?"
"That I cannot see, my Queen. You know I cannot see if there is a cloud of uncertainty about any of those I track with Foresight. We know the Dark Ones seek him out. Now we know that they may take him for their own purposes, since they have no living misters. The uncertainty surely comes from that—which side will end up with our quarry."
"Then we must ensure that he comes to us. Diamond, have you devised a plan to accomplish this?" Friesianna sounded bored as she addressed her oldest Sentinel.
"Yes, my Queen. My brothers are making preparations. Do not fear, we will have this one and he will serve you gladly. I will see to it personally."
"Very good. We haven't had a misting spy in a long while. This pleases me."
"My brothers and I know to place compulsion first. He will come willingly."
"Rabis, do you see this?"
"My Queen, I cannot see past the uncertainty. I regret that I may not be as talented as Hilbah." Rabis bowed again to hide his face. Hilbah was particularly inept. Friesianna had listened to his small lies and flattery, accepting them as true prophecy and foresight.
"I regret that as well. Leave me. I must think on these things. Please keep looking. Let me know if anything changes." Friesianna waved Rabis away.
"As you will, my Queen," Rabis turned and walked quickly through the field. North Dakota was normally Friesianna's choice to place the camp. Many places remained in the wild where none would detect them, but North Dakota was Friesianna's choice. It was also two jumps from the nearest gate. Perfect for the Bright camp.
Friesianna's tent was always assembled first and her throne placed, even before food was served to hungry children. There were only three of those, now. Of the hundreds of half-Elemaiyan children raised by humans, only forty of those remained. Eight were in the camp. One was still out there and targeted for collection. Rabis sighed and walked toward his tent.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Ashe grinned at Dori, who stood in the doorway to his office, Cori, Sali and Wynn right behind her.
"Winkler invited us over to go to the beach after work." Dori came in and leaned against Ashe's desk. She wore shorts and a tank top. Sali wore his swim trunks and a shirt he left unbuttoned. Wynn wore shorts too, but she had a loose shirt on over her swimsuit top.
"Glad you could come," Winkler was in the doorway now. "Jimmy's cooking homemade pizza when you get back. Marco and Trace will keep you company on the beach. Towels are on the deck as usual. Have fun." Winkler walked away.