“My nephew Leeam and his prospective mate Sheera are missing.They haven’t been seen for two cycles, but no one raised the alarm because each of their parents thought they were staying with friends.”
“Do you require help to search for them?”Ransom asked.
“Not yet,” Niran replied.“We are questioning their friends and plotting their last movements.”
Ransom nodded.“We’re here if you require help.All you need to do is ask.”
“Thank you.”
“You morph in and out at will,” Gweneth blurted, momentarily diverted from her jealousy of Sable.
“There are limitations to our powers,” Niran said with a smile.
Gweneth leaned forward in her seat.“Do tell.”
“No,” Ransom ordered before Niran could reply.“Too much knowledge is dangerous.Wariness is good at this point.”
Niran inclined his head.“That is true, but credit me with sense.I have read them both.They are who they say and mean us no ill will.”His tone held a bite, and Gweneth sensed Ransom’s surprise.
He shrugged his wide shoulders, the hard lines of his expression softening as he turned back to Gweneth.“You’re right, of course.We discussed this meeting.Please, you’ve mentioned your ideas in general terms.Give us some specifics so I can begin to make my decision.”
“We wish to bring more visitors to our planet to give our people employment and bring more currency into our economy.Our idea is to hold a festival featuring food and goods from our planet and our neighbors.King Lynx bade me to tell you that we wish peace and prosperity for Viros and our neighbors.We want a collective approach to help us reach our goals and provide greater security for each of us.”She pulled a letter from her vest pocket and handed it to Ransom.“This is the formal invitation to participate in our festival.”
Ransom tapped his finger against his chin, never taking this gaze off her.His golden eyes mesmerized her, and although she attempted to move, she remained fixed in place and at his mercy.Relief suffused her when he broke the connection to accept the invitation she held.
“Is the invitation for us too?”Niran asked.
“No, it’s too dangerous.”Ransom returned to the barking, imperious leader.
“We need to find a new habitat for some of our people,” Niran stated.“We’ve discussed this.”
“And we’ll discuss it further, but not here.”
“We weren’t aware of your existence, but yes, you are very welcome to participate in our festival.”Gweneth sensed the undercurrents swirling through the room.
A masculine chuckle sounded, and she glanced over at Ellard and Sable.The bolt of jealousy physically hurt.She rubbed her chest, but the ache remained.They looked so cozy together.Right somehow.Closing her eyes briefly, she wished Olivia lived closer, but they’d left her with Kaya’s brother on Slyvia because of the proximity to Earth.Ry had given Kaya’s brother instructions to ship Olivia back to Earth at the first opportunity.A pity that stowaway Olivia’s plan hadn’t worked out quite as they’d envisioned.She would’ve welcomed input from her Earth friend.
“I will give you my decision soon,” Ransom said.“I wish to discuss this with others first.”
“Of course.”Gweneth kept her gaze on Sable.What would Olivia do in the same position?She wrinkled her nose as she thought of her friend.First, she’d tell her not to be a ninny and to fight for what she wanted.A fair fight, of course.Actually, Olivia would tell her—
“That is perfect advice, my dear,” Niran murmured.
“What?”
“You have never faced competition because you are beautiful.You manage to wind men around your little finger,” Niran explained.
“You’re reading my mind.Stop that right now.”She rapidly built a wall in her mind like Mogens, theIndy’s seer, had taught her.A necessary skill since Ry had been able to read minds when she first joined theIndy.Of course, that had changed since he and Camryn mated.No one knew why, but it had been a relief to all of them.“Can all of your people read minds?”
“Pardon me.You’re right, of course,” Niran said.“You were broadcasting your stress, and it is in my nature to assist those in pain.We have the ability, but do try not to trespass because that is rude.You’re right to chastise me.”
“I don’t require assistance,” Gweneth snapped.“I want a fair fight.It’s right that Ellard should have a choice.I don’t want him to think he’s unattractive to other females.”She turned to an amused Ransom.“If you decide to join the festival, what sort of goods would you highlight?”
“Would you like to visit our business and trading center this cycle after all?”he asked.“We can check on your ship repairs, and you can get an idea of what type of products we make.”
“Yes, please.”Gweneth shot a glance at Ellard and Sable.“Perhaps Sable could come as well.That way, I will have a feminine shopping companion.”
Ransom studied his younger sister before turning back to her.“Yes.That is a good idea.I will inform Ellard and Sable of our plans.”
