The table had been set for six people, but there were only five of them. A pretty guard led Aradella to a chair. Another one sat Bree directly across from her. As was customary, Mekos was put next to Bree, and Zeon took the chair at the head of the table.
Zeon nodded to the empty chair next to Aradella. “My son was to be here tonight but he’s with his wife and son.”
“Piks is a beautiful child,” Bree said.
Zeon’s face glowed. “He is. And very smart.”
They were served their first course, a type of pâtè.
“You met him?” Mekos asked Bree.
“In the garden, with his father.”
“My son...” Zeon hesitated. “Tam says he’s going with you.” It was obvious that he didn’t like that idea.
“How wonderful!” Bree said.
Mekos looked at Aradella. She wasn’t eating and there was no light in her eyes. He turned to Zeon. “Have you foreseen any more about what we’re to do?”
Zeon sighed and his jaw tightened. “I am being blocked!” He worked to calm himself.
“We’re to meet Qip, aren’t we?” Bree asked.
Everyone looked at her.
“Yes,” Zeon said. “How did...?” He waved his hand. “Qip will know what to do. He lived on Empyrea for most of his life, and he’s the key to everything. I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t see past that.”
Mekos said, “We’ll ask him.”
Zeon leaned back as the second course, medallions of meat, was served. “The problem is that Qip is very difficult to find. You must understand that the people on Abicis are...” He paused.
“Unwanted, as the name implies?” Bree turned and looked at Aradella. “The word means ‘thrown away, discarded.’”
Mekos saw fire flash in Aradella’s eyes. He wouldnotlike that to be aimed at him! But Bree didn’t seem to notice.
“Yes,” Zeon said. “The people are outcasts from Empyreafor one reason or another. It could be the way they look or that they lack approved forms of socialization.” He turned to Bree. “Anyone who is different is sent there, and that includes pretty people. It seems that on Empyrea, they’re considered ‘offensive.’”
While Zeon smiled at Bree, Mekos looked at Aradella. Her eyes were so full of rage—or was it hate?—that she looked like an executioner who delighted in her job.
“So!” Mekos said loudly, “your son is going with us. Tell us about him.”
Zeon’s face showed his love, but before he could speak, Bree said, “He is a lovely man. I’m so glad he’ll be with us. I’m sure his friendship with Qip will help us solve this problem.
Zeon’s surprise was obvious. “I didn’t know Tam knew the man.”
“He does.” Bree smiled angelically. “But perhaps you can tell us more about him.”
“Maybe I should askyou,” Zeon said.
Bree gave the silent Aradella a look through her lashes. “I do know a few things,” she murmured. “Certainly more than people think I do.”
The two men looked back and forth between the women. It was like seeing the beginning of a war—and they had no idea how to arm themselves.
It was an hour after they’d left the dinner table, they were in their room, and Aradella was still ranting.
“Did you see the snide look she gave me?”
Mekos was stretched out on the bed while Aradella was pacing back and forth. The big, bland gown had been tossed over a chair and she was in her underwear. He thought she looked very,verygood!
