Death Dealers

Awakening

The glass shattered on the floor and Eva glanced at her. Esrea looked down at her fingers. Little lightning bolts arched between them. Eva was at her side in an instant. “Is everything okay, dear?” She asked.

It was strange how much the woman’s opinion of her had changed in the few weeks she had been on the ship. Esrea concentrated and the lighting stopped. “Dear, your eyes are glowing, they look like the sun shining through pools of water.”

“Gareth always loved that. When he was finally given his room in the imperial palace, he chose the aquarium because the sun in the morning and evening reminded him of my eyes when I was active...I need to clean up this mess…”

“Truli, I’m taking Esrea to our cabin. See to the mess dear.” Eva said.

“I’m fine…” Esrea insisted.

“We are going to the cabin or the brig, you may choose,” Eva whispered harshly.

Esrea allowed herself to be pulled from the alchemy lab.

Eva closed the door to the small cabin and turned to her. “That wasn’t natural, I can only conceive of a few explanations for what I saw…”

“I am the vault...or I am part of the vault.” She whispered harshly. “We just got a new member...I can feel her... Please keep my secret, it isn’t time yet.”

Eva dropped onto a cot and studied her. “How can you keep such a secret?”

“I have remained hidden for five thousand years...secrets are mine to keep. My vessels are beautiful are they not?” The voice was Esrea’s, but it was clear that something else was speaking. “I have a new daughter in the north, we are becoming one. That affects my current host, help hide me.”

***

Nicholi watched Esrea as she instructed the troops. Two healers practiced with her. She was an enigma. She was gentle but had a killer’s instinct. It was well hidden, but in weeks of sparring with her every morning, he had learned a lot about who she was. The oddest thing about her was her connection to her betrothed. It was nothing for an imperial man or woman to have i*********e with another person, it wasn’t even considered a relationship if it happened less than ten times. Esrea was no prude, but in three weeks she had been with no one. Despite this, she often played games like an assassin, taking a quick kiss in combat, or making other advances that more than suggested what she wanted, but it never went more than games. He also understood that most of these moves were habitual, it is how she and her betrothed had played.

“If you want more than a kiss, she is not for you.” A marine commented.

He smiled, so he wasn’t the only one who was trying. That didn’t surprise him. “She may prefer women,” he stated.

The man smiled and shook his head, “That one is all promise and no kiss.” He said

“Oh, the kiss is there, you just need the patients.” He replied.

The man shrugged. “Suit yourself, but there are others much more willing.

“Ah’ but for the hunt,” Nicholi replied.

***

Gareth looked at Mari as Careth’s walls came into view. He could still feel her in his heart next to Esrea, but the connection was different. He couldn’t put words to the difference, but it was there.

“I did not mean you needed to find a man...find a partner. We’ve made an agreement, and it will be easier if we are both sated.” He said.

She nodded. “I don’t agree, but I will honor your wishes. You’ve given more than I deserve.”

“No, everyone deserves a taste of freedom. You are owned by no one. We will get you a physical weapon while here. I know you don’t need physical weapons, but they are a status symbol.” He paused for a moment. “I have some business to attend to in the city. I will be away for a time, please don’t try to find me.”