Cassandra's Challenge Read online

  “How did you listen to it?”

  “It was initiated as a sixteen line transmission. No personal codes are needed to listen to it. The Admiral verified you were the receiver.” She slides the keyboard over. “If you want to know who wants you dead, whose responsible for the destruction of the Talon, enter your code.”

  Barek looks her in the eye. She sees his rage that people died because of him. That someone wanted him dead, that badly. She of all people understood. But she also knew for him it isn’t a stranger.

  Walking over to her, Barek looks at the keyboard and enters his code. There’s silence for several moments then….

  “Tibullus.”

  “How’s life on the border big brother.” She grips Barek’s arm as he pales, hearing his brother’s voice. William watches Jotham, wishing they’d been wrong.

  “It’s going fine. What do you need Dadrian.”

  “Can’t I just call to see how you are?”

  “Sure, you just never do.”

  “Look, I know we’ve had our differences, but you’re still my brother.” Silence greats his statement. “Okay, yes I do need something. You see there’s this girl.”

  “Fuck Dadrian, what did you do.”

  “She was a piece of work Barek. Built. She led me on then acted all outraged when I took it to the logical conclusion.” Barek looks at Cassandra’s arms.

  “I don’t want to know this Dadrian. I’m done baling you out. I’ve told you that. You’re on your own.”

  “Wait! How do I tell dad? What do I say?”

  “That’s up to you, leave me out of it.”

  The transmission ends.

  “No.” Is all Jotham says.

  Cassandra looks up at Barek, knowing she has to finish. “That makes this,” she points to the screen. “Dadrian’s signature.”

  “That doesn’t prove anything.” Barek is grasping.

  “This,” She points, “is the twentieth line of coding. It’s what on Earth we call a Trojan. It’s a program that activates when the transmission is opened. It takes two minutes for the program to gather data on the receiver’s location and transmit it back to the sender. That transmission lasted two minutes and ten seconds.” Cassandra pushes on. “Ten minutes later the Regulians receive a sixteen line transmission containing only numbers. This is the signature.” Cassandra pulls them up side by side. They are identical.

  “It’s a coincidence.” Jotham looks at William.

  “He contacted Barek again Jotham, right before the last Regulian attack the one that destroyed the Talon.” He looks to Barek for confirmation.

  “He did.” He looks to Cassandra. “You have that one too.”

  “Yes.” Barek walks over to the window, staring at the garden.

  Picking up Barek’s glass, her eyes meeting William’s conflicted ones. Touching his leg she gives him all the support she can than picking up her own glass walks over to Barek.

  “Your mother designed a beautiful garden.” As Barek looks at her she hands him a glass. “The girls have especially enjoyed it.”

  “Girls?”

  “Michelakakis’ are with us. They have a daughter Amina. She’s Victoria’s age.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Barek’s eyes are angry.

  “To give you something else to think about, if only for a minute, when your world suddenly changes it’s the small insignificant things that help you through. Like knowing two little girls like to play in your mother’s garden.” Cassandra’s eyes let him know she’s been there.

  “It’s not the same.”

  “No its not, I don’t know who wants me dead. You do. Over fourteen hundred people died because of you.” She sees the pain that causes him. “Nearly seven billion died because of me. It’s not at all the same.” Looking at her Barek sees she understands like no one else can. He takes a sip from his glass.

  “Will, I know Dadrian has problems. Always has. But this….”

  “Jotham…” William doesn’t know how to help his friend, to help him when one son wants the other one dead. And they haven’t even told them about him wanting to be King. Suddenly they hear the outer door to the suite burst open, hitting the wall.

  “Father!” William stiffens at Dadrian’s voice. He immediately rises to stand between him and Cassandra.

  Storming down the hallway Dadrian enters the private area. “There you are. Look I don’t know what the Admiral’s telling you about last night, but I can promise you it’s not true.”

  “Last night….” Jotham suddenly realizes were the bruises on Cassandra’s arms have come from, why his friend stands between his second son and his life mate.

  “All I was trying to do was stop her from embarrassing herself. I wasn’t interested in what she was offering.”

  “And just what was that Dadrian.” Jotham asks in a neutral voice, watching his son.

  “Herself in exchange for my influence on you in support of her Challenge, she’s tired of the Admiral and is ready to move on.” There’s a gleam in Dadrian’s eye as he looks at William.

  William wants to wipe the floor with Dadrian’s face. The little foabhor standing there, insulting his life mate, after he attacked her last night, the woman who carries his child.

  Cassandra can feel William’s rage building. That Dadrian would slander her, to his face, how much is a man supposed to take.

  William knows what Dadrian’s doing, and he’s not going to give him the satisfaction. The Admiral stares him down.

  Realizing he’s not going to get a rise out of the Admiral, Dadrian turns his attention to Cassandra. The little bitch was going to pay for last night. He’d ruin her. Suddenly he realizes it isn’t only Cassandra standing behind the Admiral.

  Barek turns away from the window to stand at the Admiral’s side.

  “Barek….” A myriad of emotions cross Dadrian’s face. “You’re alive! You’re here! Why wasn’t I told!” Dadrian demands of his father.

  Barek walks to the comm. Watching his brother, he replays the transmission. Dadrian pales as he listens, his eyes flying from his brother to his father.

  “What is this?” Dadrian turns on the Admiral. “What lies have you been telling them. What is that bitch telling you, you stupid old man!” Dadrian is starting to lose control. “They’re making this up father.”

  “What are they making up?”

  “That I would try and kill Barek!”

  “Who said you are?” William asks quietly. Suddenly Dadrian realizes what he’s admitted too. He sees that everyone in the room knows it too. Turning he flees from the suite.

  Jotham goes after his son, William following close behind. He would protect his friend, his King, even from his own son.

  “Dadrian!” Jotham voice booms through the stairway.

  All hearing the King come running, Lucas and Kyle from the other suite, Marat, Deffand, and the King’s guards from downstairs. On the stairs Dadrian freezes. Turning he looks up at his father, then to Barek. Spinning back his foot catches on the runner.

  “No!” Jotham tries to grab Dadrian, but it’s too late. In horror they watch as he tumbles down the stairs, his neck making a sickening crack. For a moment no one moves, then chaos.

  “Aunt Cassie!”

  “Victoria!” Cassandra turns to see her staring at the bottom of the steps. “Lucas!” Quickly he grabs her, taking her back into the suite.

  “Stay here.” William orders her.

  “Maybe I can help.” She looks at him.

  “There’s nothing to help with. Stay here.” Nodding she steps back.

  Chapter 19

  Dadrian is dead. The second son of King Jotham is dead. The Palace is in shock. The planet is in shock. He died in a senseless accident while visiting the Royal Suite. It was witnessed by not only by the Challenger but the King himself. All Royal functions have been cancelled. The Challenge postponed.

  Cassandra sits in Lata’s garden watching Victoria and Amina play as William approaches. Standing she
walks into his arms.

  “How is he?”

  “Royal.”

  “William….”

  “He’ll do what he has to do.”

  “And Barek?”

  “Blaming himself, knowing it’s not his fault but still blaming himself.”

  “I understand.”

  “Yes you do.” He gives her a hard look. “Have you eaten?”

  She gives him a slightly guilty look.

  “Cassandra.”

  “I did.” She looks him straight in the eye. “You just won’t think it’s enough.”

  “You will take care of yourself.”

  “William,” She looks to the girls. “It doesn’t do me any good if I can’t keep it down.” Her eyes plead with him. “I ate as much as I could.” She puts a hand on his cheek. “I promise you, I’ll eat, I’ll take care of myself, I’ll protect your son.”

  “What?” His arms tighten around her.

  “What?” She looks at him.

  “You said son. You can’t possible know. Not yet.” His bore into hers.

  “You’re right.” She finds herself backtracking.

  “Cassandra…” He grips her chin. “Tell me.”

  “I….William I have no proof, just what I’ve been told by my Gram’s.”

  “Tell me.” He thumb caresses her cheek.

  She looks back to the girls. He understands her concern. “Wait here.” Minutes later he returns with Lucas and Javiera.

  “Hey girls, I hear Hutu made fudge torta, anyone what to go get some?” In seconds the garden is clear.

  “Very smooth.”

  “I have my moments.” He watches her walk away from him. “Tell me.”

  “William…”

  “Cassandra, I trust your instincts more than I trust other people’s facts.” Sighing she tells him.

  “In my dream, the one were Sabah is pregnant, she told me my son would be strong like his father.” She looks up seeing the flare in his eyes. “There’s more.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Sabah had nine sons before she had a daughter.” William pales. “I’ve never found a Qwes woman that had just one child. But once they have a girl they never have another.”

  “You’re saying we’ll have more than one child.” His arms embrace her.

  “Yes.” She scans his face.

  “Cassandra….as long as you’re okay I have no problem with having multiple children with you. You can’t think I would.”

  “We haven’t talked about it. With everything that’s happening with Dadrian….”

  “Enough! Every child we have together will be loved. A part of you and me that goes on, but only if you are safe, I won’t risk you. Not even for our child.”

  “I’ll be fine. I promise.” She rests her head against his chest.

  The next few days are quiet in the Royal Suite, preparations are being made though out the Palace for Prince Dadrian’s funeral or sochraide as it’s called on Carina. Members from all the Royal Houses will be attending along with Assemblymen and common citizens. Security inside the Palace as well as the City of Pechora has been increased to accommodate the arrivals.

  “Tell me what’s happening.” With Victoria asleep Cassandra sits a couch in the private quarters. She looks at William, whose been talking to Kyle and Lucas. Walking over he sits pulling her close.

  “The Royal’s have begun to arrive. They will be staying in their House’s Consul in Pechora.”

  “House’s Consul?” She gives William a rare lost look.

  “Yes.” He thinks how to explain it to her.

  “Every House will have an emissary stationed in the City of a Royal House.” Kyle speaks up. “They will basically have a small Palace there. It’s considered the same as the Royal House. The emissary is the go between for their House and the House where they are.” Kyle watches to see if Cassandra is following. “When a Royal visits that’s where they stay, it’s equipped for they’re needs.”

  “So it’s an Embassy, got it.” She nods to Kyle. “What about the sochraide? How does that work?”

  “It will be held at the temple in Pechora. The ceremony for the dead will be presented along with the remembrance of the ancestors.” William picks up her hand as he speaks. “There will then be a procession from the temple back to the House of Protection, where Dadrian will be placed in the family temple until the private ceremony the next day where he will be placed in the family tomb.”

  “Alright….” She looks at Kyle, Lucas then back to William. “What am I missing?”

  “After Dadrian in placed in the family temple there will be a gathering in the Public Wing.”

  “And?”

  “It will be a very large gathering, all the Royals, the Assemblymen, citizens of the House of Protection.”

  “You’re worried about my security.” She can see she’s right.

  “Yes, it would be safer for you not to attend.”

  Rising, Cassandra walks over to the window. Thinking about what William’s saying. Knowing he has every right to be concerned. The Glitter Man, if it is who she believes it is, will be there. Victoria will be in danger.

  “If I were the Queen of the House of Knowledge, my not being there would be seen as a slight, an insult.” She turns back to see the Zafar men watching her, no one answers her question.

  “Kyle?” She stares at him. Kyle looks first to his father then back, if she truly is the Queen as his father is convinced she is, she needs this information.

  “Yes, it would be seen as an insult.”

  She looks at William. “You, Kyle, Lucas will all need to be there not only because Jotham is your King, you are all Royals.”

  “Yes.”

  “When we arrived, the Royal Suite was locked and sealed.”

  “Yes there is only one key.” William knows what she’s leading too.

  “So if after the procession, Victoria, Michelakakis’, Tar, Marat and the guards return to the Suite and seal the door, Victoria will be protected.”

  “You left yourself out.” He tells her.

  “I’ll be at the gathering protected by the Zafar men. I’ll be perfectly safe.”

  “Damn it Cassandra!” William moves off the couch.

  “If I were Queen, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. I’ll be damned if I’m going to hide away, while this fucking traitor is at the gathering making all nice! He’s nothing but a coward hiding behind the Regulians and terrorizing children. He’s not going to try anything tomorrow.”

  “Then why all the security for Victoria?” The two are almost nose to nose, Kyle and Lucas look at each other.

  “Because I could be wrong,” The fire goes out of her eyes. “He could think it’s the perfect time to go after Victoria.”

  “No one’s going to touch her.” William touches her cheek.

  “I’m staying back with her.” Lucas looks at the pair.

  “You need to be there to show your support for Barek and your King.” Cassandra tells him.

  “That doesn’t come before Victoria!” Kyle’s shocked at his brother’s tone, his attachment to the little girl.

  “Do you think it does for me!?!” Her eyes flash at Lucas. “But this needs to be done, if she’s ever going to be safe, if she’s ever going to get to grow up, have a life, then the Glitter Man needs caught.”

  “You think he’ll be there.” Lucas pales at the thought of him anywhere near Tori.

  “I know he will.” She looks back to William. “Nothing could keep him away. The one person who knows who he is, what he’s done, is dead. He’s safe again. Or at least thinks he is. Now he can concentrate on me.”

  “Then you need more than the three of us.” Kyle stands. “I’m not going to be much help.”

  “You want to bait him.” William’s frown tells her he doesn’t like the idea.

  “Not so much bait as….irritate. And you sell yourself short Kyle.” Cassandra watches William.

  “He’ll watch you arrive with
no professional security. He’ll see it as you having no fear, no fear of him. It will infuriate him.”

  “Yes, he’ll make a mistake.”

  “Maybe. He’ll try to talk to you.”

  “He will, to test the waters, to look for weaknesses. He will see you as one Kyle, but he’ll be wrong. He’s not abducting a little girl, on a distant planet this time. He’s dealing with three men from the House of Protection, something he’s not. He doesn’t protect, he destroys.”

  William’s told her he trusts her instincts more than other people’s facts and while he didn’t like it, he thinks she’s right. This will be an opportunity for the Glitter Man to observe her, to judge her strength, her weaknesses. Seeing her ‘unprotected’ at a very public gathering will do more than irritate, he’ll see it as a challenge.

  “If we do this…IF. You will not leave my side. If I say we leave, we leave. Understand!” He grips her chin as his eyes bore into hers.

  “Yes.” Cassandra knows when to concede.

  “I need to contact a few people. Fill in Marat and Quinn.” Giving her a hard kiss he heads to the ready room. Kyle and Lucas watch him go, then look at Cassandra, amazement in both their eyes.

  “What?” She asks looking at the two, a faint blush on her cheeks. “It’s not like you’ve never seen us kiss.”

  “It’s not that.” Lucas tells her.

  “Then what?”

  “It’s like you know what the other ones thinking, like you’ve been together for cycles, not weeks. You understand each other.”

  “We have our moments.”

  “Even when you fight,” Kyle says quietly. “I’ve never seen anyone stand up to him like that. You’ll go toe to toe with him, argue your point, tell him he’s wrong. You get angry but not….mean, not hurtful.”

  “Why would I want to hurt him?” She gives them both a confused look.

  “When he and mom used to fight….he would just go silent, mom would say some…hurtful things.” Kyle has to look away.

  “Kyle you don’t have to tell me this. Every relationship is different.”

  “This is right.” He looks back to her. “This relationship is right, for dad, for you. I didn’t want to admit that before. That what they had wasn’t, wasn’t right for either of them.”