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  He turned back to the wardrobe, and hunted briefly through her clothes, finally pulling out one of her long robes, then turned and handed it to Kaid who now stood inside the room.

  You must be getting better, he teased her. If ever looks could speak!

  Looks are all I’m capable of, she sent. Even thinking of anything else is tiring.

  He laughed for the first time in many days. “You’ll have your work cut out for you,” he said to Kaid. Returning to her side, he leaned over her, his hands smoothing her hair from her face, his nose cool against her as his tongue flicked her cheek gently.

  Reaching up, she caught hold of his arm. “Kusac, I don’t want to go downstairs!” She could feel the panic beginning to rise. “It’s too soon after …” Her voice broke and she stopped, distressed by her inability to stop the tears that were beginning to flow.

  “The funeral was two days ago, cub,” he said quietly, squatting down so his face was level with hers. “You’ve got to begin to live again. Coming downstairs will be good for you.” He reached out and wiped away the tears that were silently spilling down her face. “You can’t hide up here. Our family wants you to be with them so they can help ease your grief.” Slipping his hands behind her head, he kissed her, a Sholan kiss, his teeth gently nipping at her lips first.

  She clung to him, feeling the first faint stirrings of their Link’s compulsion as she returned the kiss.

  He let her go, trying to steady his breathing. The magic’s never far from us, cub. His hand cupped her cheek as he took her fingers to his mouth, running his tongue and teeth gently across their tips.

  “I must go. Mother says she has some light food ready for you. She’s missed having you around. She says with Taizia back at the Telepath Guild, there’re too many males in the house!”

  He stood up, letting her go with obvious reluctance. “I’ll see you downstairs,” he said, then turned and left the room before he changed his mind. He sent to Vanna, appalled at how fragile Carrie still looked and felt. She’d seemed better the day before!

  She’s not as bad as you fear, replied Vanna. You’re still comparing her to our females. Having no fur, her skin shows the marks of her suffering more obviously than we would.

  Listen to Vanna, his mother’s firm tone told him. She’s your physician, either you trust her or you don’t.

  I trust Vanna, replied Kusac, heading along the upper landing to the main staircase. She knows that, it’s just that …

  I’ll contact Jack Reynolds, came Vanna’s wry mental tone. I know exactly how well you trust me.

  I do! he objected, making his way downstairs. It’s just that …

  She’s dearer to you than life, I know.

  “She is my life,” he said simply, joining them in the entrance hall.

  “Here’s the aircar now,” said Rhyasha. “I’ll leave you two to welcome them. My first responsibility is to my bond-daughter.” Reaching out, she briefly touched her son’s face. “Carrie will be fine,” she said. “With so many of us caring for her, how could it be otherwise?”

  *

  Carrie turned her head, looking toward where Kaid stood a little distance from the end of her bed.

  “I’d have thought they’d send Chena,” she said.

  “Chena’s having a much deserved sleep,” said Kaid, placing the robe on the bed before coming round to her side. “There’s no Sholan reason for them to send a female to help you.” He raised an eye ridge at her. “Is there a Human reason? All I intend to do is help you put the robe on over what you’re wearing now.”

  “I don’t want to go, Kaid,” she said. “I can’t face anyone.”

  He sat beside her. “Everyone downstairs has been up to see you since yesterday,” he said. “Where’s the difference in you going down to see them? You’re returning their concern for you, thanking them for caring. They aren’t going to add to your grief by talking about your lost cub.”

  “You have,” she said, her voice unsteady again as her hands clutched at the blankets.

  “Only because you’re afraid to face her death yourself,” he said, reaching out to take one of her hands in his, holding it still despite her attempts to twist it away from him. “Feeling grief for her is normal. By facing it, you’ll take the edge off it till it no longer hurts so much. Be thankful you have feelings. Without them, the world would be a colder place. Now come on, sit up so we can get you dressed to go downstairs.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze before releasing it and getting up.

  “You never say comfortable things, do you, Kaid? You live in a world of harsh realities, and you expect me to do the same,” she said, looking at him as she tried to push herself one-handedly up into a sitting position. Even through the strong analgesics, the effort hurt her.

  “If you can do that, then you’re unlikely to be taken unawares. The loss of your cub means more to you than it does to anyone else, even Kusac, but only just,” he said, turning to pick up her robe. “The cub was part of you, a part you weren’t sure you wanted at first. Because of that you feel guilty now you’ve lost her. You’re afraid her loss is your fault. It isn’t,” he added, turning back to her as she pushed the covers aside awkwardly, favoring her injured arm in its sling. “Kusac’s afraid it’s his fault because he had a vision of the fight going wrong and his fear made him call out your name as Rala cried the Death Challenge on you.”

  “It wasn’t his fault.”

  “I know, but you can’t both keep taking the whole blame on yourselves and denying that the other was involved. Neither of you is to blame. I knew from the first your cub wouldn’t survive; it was ordained.”

  “You knew? How?” she demanded.

  “The Brotherhood has always been close to Vartra,” he said ambiguously, helping her put her good arm through the sleeve of her robe. “Even an expelled member like me.”

  “Visions? You have visions?” she asked incredulously as he helped her take her injured arm out of the sling, then guided it carefully through the other arm of her robe.

  “Now and then,” he said, placing her arm back in the sling and adjusting it round her neck.

  “The God told you about me?”

  “Not in so many words,” he admitted, swinging her legs around till they hung over the edge of the bed. “It only began to make sense when I heard that one of our telepaths had a Leska Link with a Human.”

  “What else do you know?” she demanded, watching him for any telltale movements that would give away his thoughts.

  “Nothing,” he said, reaching down to pull the two halves of her robe together so he could close the seal.

  “You wouldn’t tell me even if you knew,” she said in disgust, looking up at him.

  He blinked, then looked away from her for a moment. “No, I wouldn’t,” he said, bending down to scoop her up into his arms.

  Aware that he was suddenly ill at ease with her, she reached up with her good arm to pull at his ear. “Look at me, Kaid,” she said. “I won’t bite you.”

  He looked down at her again. “I never thought you would,” he said quietly.

  “You’re a strange person,” she said, letting her hand slide down to touch his cheek. “So many dark stillnesses surround your mind, yet I know you’ve sent to me. Are you …”

  “You can pick up anyone’s strong thoughts, Liegena,” he said, interrupting her as he began to walk toward the open door. “Yes, I’ve thought in your direction when you’ve needed me. Don’t read more into it than there is.”

  Carrie tried to relax against him as he carried her downstairs, letting the rhythm of his movements and his breathing lull her. There was more to him than he wanted her to know, of that she was sure. When she’d heard Kaid mind speak to her, Kusac had been unaware of him. That in itself was unique. Then there were his visions regarding her, before he’d even been aware she existed.

  A wave of utter exhaustion swept over her. She closed her eyes, unable to keep them open any longer. Later. She’d think about it later. It was t
oo much of an effort right now.

  *

  He felt all the tenseness suddenly leaving her body as she rested her head against him. He almost sighed with relief but stopped himself just in time. She’d caught him unawares on this occasion, probing a little too deeply for his comfort. He’d have to watch her: what she knew, Kusac knew at exactly the same moment, and between them, they were too damned sharp.

  His mouth twisted at the irony of his situation. Vartra gave him visions of a future that must be, then placed him at the heart of the matter, where he would be at his most vulnerable. Oh, yes, here he could help shape matters, but he could also be discovered—by her. Rhyasha’s kitchen door was ahead of him and it was with relief he tapped on it.

  *

  Choa, Rhyasha’s cook, opened the door to him. “You’ve managed to bring her down!” she said, mouth opening wide with pleasure. “Come in, in, come in! We’ve a chair all made ready for her.” She stood back, giving him room to enter, then followed after him, hovering in case she was needed.

  “Over there.” She pointed to the soft chair that had been placed at the far end of the table. “Put her down gentle, now. Is she sleeping? Poor little thing, with all she’s been through. We’ll get her better, never fear.” She bustled past Kaid as he gently lowered Carrie into the chair.

  Choa picked up the lightweight rug from the chair back and placed it over Carrie, tucking it in around her legs, then looked up at him. “You can leave her with us now. She’ll be safe. With your folk tramping all over the house and round the estate, a jegget couldn’t get in!”

  “I’ll stay nonetheless,” said Kaid, moving backward out of her way.

  Choa sighed loudly. “Then you’d best get down to the other end of the table out of my way. You can help yourself to c’shar, I’m not running around after you.” She turned back to Carrie, dismissing him.

  Rhyasha came in from the main preparation and cooking room next door. She looked toward Kaid, mouth opening in a friendly smile, ears flicking forward in pleasure.

  “I knew you’d be able to bring her downstairs,” she said. “It’s a brave person that would even think of arguing with you!”

  “You’re both tyrants,” said Carrie, opening her eyes and looking tiredly from one to the other. “You abuse me terribly.”

  “Only for your own good, cub,” said Rhyasha, gently patting Carrie’s hand as she sat down beside her. “Choa, please fetch Carrie’s meal.”

  Carrie stirred. “I’m really not hungry,” she protested. “I’m just tired. I’d rather sleep.”

  “I’m sure you would, cub, but we can’t let you,” said Rhyasha. “Your body, as well as your mind, has been badly traumatized. You have to eat, cub, or you won’t have the energy to heal yourself. That’s why you feel so tired. You’ll make the effort for me, won’t you? After all, you don’t want me to have to ask Kaid to feed you.”

  Kaid’s strangled growl of protest made Carrie look back over at him. His ears were laid back and his eye ridges met in a frown.

  She chuckled despite herself. “It might just be worth it,” she said.

  “Good,” said Rhyasha. “You’ve got your sense of humor back at least. Now, from today on, you’re going to come downstairs and be with us. You can have a sleep after you’ve eaten, either in the lounge or in the garden, but there’ll be no more staying up in your rooms brooding.”

  Carrie could see and feel Rhyasha’s determination. Like everything else, it exhausted her. She bowed to the inevitable. “Yes, Rhyasha,” she said as Choa returned with her food.

  *

  Kusac joined Vanna by the vehicle park entrance just as Meral turned off the aircar’s engine.

  “Any idea what all this is about?” he asked her.

  “None. I thought you’d know.”

  “No. All Father said was he’d tell me when he returned. I think the general idea’s to keep the kitlings in the main house until Kaid’s security expert has his surveillance equipment set up, then they’ll be moved in with one of the estate families.”

  “Whatever it is, it spells major trouble if your father thinks we need all this extra security. Has it anything to do with last night?”

  Kusac shook his head as he watched Garras help the two kitlings out of the aircar. “I didn’t have time to tell him.”

  The two young Sholans were dressed in oversized purple tunics that made them seem even younger than they were. They moved stiffly, obviously still in some discomfort from their injuries. Garras stopped to pick up the smaller one, the female, and as they slowly crossed over to where Kusac and Vanna waited, the boy reached out to hold onto Garras’ free hand.

  Kusac stepped forward to meet them. “Hello, Rrai, Jinoe,” he said. “I’m Kusac Aldatan and this is Physician Vanna Kyjishi. I hear you’re coming to stay with us.”

  The young male nodded. “Garras said we were. He also said that my mother would be coming, too.” He looked around, ears and tail flicking anxiously. “Is she here yet?”

  “Not yet,” said Kusac. “She shouldn’t be long now. Shall we go up to your rooms and get you settled in while we’re waiting for her?”

  Jinoe nodded.

  “Please,” said Rrai. “Why are we coming to stay here?”

  Seeing Kusac hesitate, Vanna stepped forward to take Rrai by the hand and lead him into the house. “You don’t want to stay at the hospital any longer, do you? Since you can’t go back to your Tribe, we thought you’d like to come and live here. The grounds are huge and there’s lots of space for you to play in—and other younglings to play with.”

  “Will we have to be in separate rooms?” Jinoe asked.

  “No, you’ll be in the same room,” said Kusac, walking beside Garras so he could continue talking to her. “You’ll have a suite of rooms. That’s a bedroom for you two, one for your mother, and a large room for playing in. You know all about your Link days, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” said Rrai, eyeing him cautiously. “That’s when they come and do lots of tests.”

  “Well, there’ll be no more tests on your Link days,” said Vanna, her tone outraged. “You’ll be left in peace from now on.”

  Picking up Jinoe’s concern, Kusac added, “You can call us if you need us, or if you just want company, but you won’t be disturbed on your Link days unless that’s what you want.”

  Are they still virgins? he sent to Vanna. Have they been allowed to pair yet?

  Vanna threw him a wry look. Not yet. They’re on medication to suppress their libidos until they’re a little older. It appears to be working, probably because of their age.

  They’d walked deeper into the house and were now going up a smaller staircase that led to the rear courtyard area.

  “You’re the telepath who has the Human Leska, aren’t you?” Rrai asked, looking up at Kusac. “Can we meet her?”

  “Of course, but not yet,” he said. “She got hurt in a Challenge and is too ill to see anyone at the moment.”

  “Tell her I hope she gets better soon.”

  “I will,” said Kusac, stopping beside Vanna.

  “Can you give Jinoe to Kusac, please, Garras?” she said, turning to her mate. “I think it best if we take them from here. I’ll see you downstairs shortly.”

  Garras handed Jinoe to Kusac who took charge of her rather gingerly. “I’ll see you later,” he said, his hand touching his mate’s cheek gently before he left.

  Vanna opened the door and led the way in, Kusac following her. As soon as he was inside, he realized where he was.

  “It’s the old nursery,” he said, recognizing it with a shock. He froze, his mind going numb as he remembered why this wing had been reopened.

  Kusac! Vanna sent sharply. Don’t let the kitlings pick up your distress! It’s not just Carrie that has to come to terms with the loss of your cub, you need to as well.

  He took a deep breath to steady himself, then set Jinoe down on her feet.

  “Kusac will show you round,” said Vanna. “A food and dri
nk dispenser has been installed in your room so you don’t need to worry about meals on your Link days. Do you know when your next one is?”

  “In two days,” said Rrai, letting go of her hand to wander over to the window that looked out on the gardens.

  “Do we have to stay in?” he asked, half turning back to her.

  “No, you can go out when you want, so long as you take a den-mother or your mother with you,” she said, following him over to the window.

  “This isn’t like the hospital,” said Kusac, making an effort to concentrate on the two kitlings. “This will be your home.”

  “Will it be better than home?” asked Jinoe in a small voice. “Home wasn’t very nice.”

  Kusac looked down at her. Large brown eyes looked up at him from a small face that was so thin it looked pinched. The purple tunic drowned her, adding to her air of frailty. Her light tan pelt was thin and patchy around her face and scalp, testifying to her lack of proper diet and her recent ordeal.

  Gods, Vanna! She’s no older than my sister Kitra! he sent, reaching down to touch the kitling’s face reassuringly. How could that priest justify beating these children like that?

  I know. They’re safe now, though. You show them where everything is while I get my medikit. I want to give them a quick checkup.

  “It’ll be better than home, Jinoe, that I promise you,” said Kusac. “Would you like to meet my sister, Kitra?”

  *

  Twelfth hour came and, as agreed, they met in Kusac’s rooms. There was c’shar and coffee on the lounge table, and while they waited for T’Chebbi and Dzaka, the others helped themselves. Kusac prowled restlessly between the room and the balcony overlooking the front garden. Despite what Vanna said, he was more worried about Carrie than he wanted the others to know. Their Link had become fainter since the morning and he was suffering none of her symptoms. It almost felt as if she was separating mentally from him. The worst part was there was no one to whom he felt he could go for advice. They were the first; what they experienced was becoming the rule for all mixed Leska pairs.

  T’Chebbi arrived, and quietly brought Kaid up to date on her trip with the Clan Lord to the Telepath Guild.