“What is it?” Kari asked. “You have an idea?”
“Aye,” she said. “I can’t believe we didn’t think of this at the first!” Dari’s eyes widened. “All we have to do is record a hologram of our own, instructing ourselves to open theholo-charm.”
A recorded hologram. The idea was as simple as it was brilliant.
“That will work,” Kari breathed out. “The indicator light will stay lit until theholo-recordingis played by one of us!”
“Precisely!”
Kari quickly downed hermatpow, her enthusiasm reborn. “Shall we begin?”
Chapter One
1.5 Moon-risings Outside Khan-Gori Airspace
Zyrus Galaxy, Seventh Dimension
6049 Y.Y. (Yessat-Years)
Princess Dari Q’ana Tal’s glowing blue gaze was nigh unto transfixed on Kari Gy’at Li. She had never afore bore witness to a Galian High Mystik entering intohyatzi—thought lock—with another Galian High Mystikwho wasn’t there. Leastways, until Kari had confided the whole of her story to her, Dari hadn’t even known such a thing ashyatziexisted. ‘Twas a secret well-guarded on the matriarchal planet of Galis and for good reason: any species that might think to make war on them would learn too late of their powers.
Kari Gy’at Li was mayhap not a High Mystik in name—yet—but she had spent as manyYessat-Yearsas Dari had been alive honing her skills in the warring arts. In name Kari had achieved the rank of Mystik, but in truth she was possessed of the ability to rule o’er a sector of her own. Leastways, the only reason Kari had not availed herself of that right under Galian law was a lack of desire to rule. She was content in being her adoptive sister’s highest ranked warrior and most proficient pack-hunter. But that was a story unto itself…
Naked, the princess came down to her knees and sat facing the Mystik, just as she’d been instructed to do before Kari had enteredhyatziwith her adoptive sister, Klykka. Kari had forewarned her ‘twould be a difficult feat to accomplish so far removed from the silver waters of Galis. She could but pray this worked.
For a certainty, Kari had not overstated just how much strength ‘twould take. Judging from her tightly closed eyes, perspiration-slicked skin, and the trembling state of her naked body, ‘twas exhausting in the extreme. Leastways, the princess wished there was aught she could do to aid her, but she had been instructed to neither speak to nor touch her. When Kari held out her hands, ‘twould be Dari’s cue to grasp them. If this worked, the princess would be pulled intohyatziwith her and Klykka.
Dari nibbled at her lower lip. She prayed to the goddess this worked, even if she was mayhap a wee bit scared. Excited for a certainty, yet no less frightened of this unknownhyatzithat might steal her recent memories.
The princess continued to study Kari’s naked, trembling, body. ‘Twas nigh unto mesmerizing for it gave her a glimpse of the power a Mystik wielded.
Please let this work, Dari prayed in silence.Too much is at stake for too many…
After what felt an eternity, Kari Gy’at Li’s eyes opened. Her silver-blue gaze was in a trance-like state. Her nude body ceased trembling as she sat like a statue. And then it happened.
The Mystik’s arms slowly rose and her hands extended. This was the signal Dari had been instructed to wait for. The princess’ hearts raced. ‘Twas now or ‘twas never.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, also in Zyrus Galaxy…
“What in the sands is happening?” the Emperor mumbled. “Has any warrior present heard tell of this?”
“Nay,” High Lord Death intoned. He stared at theholo-imageof his unclaimed Sacred Mate, not having a care for how Kari Gy’at Li’s entire body shook. She was nigh unto exhausted and he wasn’t there to care for her.
“Why. Are. They. Naked?” Gio Z’an Tar could barely get the words out o’er the grinding of his teeth. “Leastways, none of you should look upon the bared body of my Dari. None of you!” he roared.
King Kil rolled his eyes. “The only warriors viewing this bizarre scene are your Sacred Mate’s sire, her three uncles, and High Lord Death.” Kil flung a hand toward the ever-possessive Gio. “Leastways, ‘tis Death who has the right of it to feel jealousy forhisSacred Mate is unclaimedandnot of our bloodline.”
Death grunted. His glowing gold eyes narrowed. “Do not remind me. ‘Tis all I can do to contain my temper.”
“Leastways,” Dari’s sire King Dak, interrupted, “hold your tongues for ‘tis uncertain how long this transmission will last.” He ran an agitated hand through his blond hair. “I needs be assured my hatchling is safe.”
High Lord Death inclined his head. In truth, he was worried of that possibility too. The bedamnedgastrolight-cruiserthey were aboard had lost the signal of the ship they pursued for a time. Thank the sands Dari had been desirous of re-opening one of herholo-charmsfor when ‘twas turned on it not only enabled the warriors to home in on their position, but by the grace of new Trystonni technology, it also permitted them to both hear and see the runaway females as well. Praise the goddess, Dari had left the charm on before entering into thishyatzinone here had heard tell of.
Death took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. They were closing in on the wenches. Leastways, not quickly enough for his liking. He didn’t understand why they had recorded a hologram reminding themselves to look at theholo-charmfor ‘twas at that moment that their signal came back on and the warriors were able to hear and see them. He didn’t have a care for things which made no sense to him.
“Dari is reaching for Kari’s hands,” Gio muttered. He ran a hand through his dark hair. “’Twould be a boon did we know what any of this means.”
