Emily watched him go, her eyes burning so fiercely the tears that she would have shed dried in the heat before they reached her cheeks. The other was restless inside her, pushing forward, demanding that Tragar was theirs and should not be separated from them.

Emily wanted to push the other back down but she seemed to lack the strength. All the pain and rage and sorrow inside her seemed to feed the other, making her stronger, readying her to come out.

Soon she'll take over, Emily thought dully. She'll come forward and won't go back again. I'll be gone. And I won't even have Tragar to help me. He's gone...gone and he's never coming back.

"You saw what happened." Y nodded at the monitor where the scene at the Temple was being played out before them. Truly, his Master was a wizard at knowing where to place his small, scuttling, furry spies. They had come with Tragar and Emily aboard the Kindred a.s.sa.s.sin's ship and then into the Temple. They were so silent and stealthy that no one had noticed so much as a whisker twitching while their red eyes recorded everything and relayed it back to Master Two.

"I saw." Master Two did not sound pleased, which confused Y.

"What is the matter, Master?" he asked, frowning. "The matter appears to be resolved. The girl is forever separated from her Kindred lover and given to another-so the matter should be resolved."

"No, you fool-it is not resolved," Two snapped. "The Seeing foretold she would bear the mother of a new race-it never said who the father of her child would be. If she is allowed to live, she may breed with another and still propagate the new race of Kindred."

"Master..." Y could keep silent no longer. "May I point out that this whole scenario could have been avoided if you had simply let me kill the girl when we had her in our power? But no, instead you wanted to play games-wanted to toy with your prey's emotions like a s.a.d.i.s.tic predator. So you had the witch give her those star-silver devices to wear which were supposed to kill her painfully and slowly-but the Kindred male removed them and cured her of her affliction. And now the girl is healthy and fertile and gone beyond reach. It is too late."

"Silence!" Master Two's voice was an angry roar inside his head. "Do you think I did not antic.i.p.ate this possibility? It is not too late! Have you forgotten the call we placed to the a.s.sa.s.sin's Verrak commander? He or another of his order will be coming to kill her soon."

"Unless her Kindred Warrior kills himself and voids the contract that way, as he threatened to do," Y pointed out. "Which I believe to be very likely now that the girl has been taken from him. He literally has nothing to live for."

"Then he must believe that the contract has been dropped," Master Two said craftily. "You will call him, Y-tell him you are my emissary and that I put the contract on the wrong Earth female by mistake. Tell him that his superior has already been notified and the contract is void. That way he will be taken completely off guard when a second a.s.sa.s.sin swoops in to kill the girl."

"But what if the new a.s.sa.s.sin cannot get to her?" Y argued. He had found his voice now and he was unwilling to be silenced. "You saw that temple-it will be very difficult to breach and the girl will be surrounded by guards."

"True...true..." Master Two sounded like he was thinking hard-the chip in Y's head, which was located just under his left ear, throbbed and grew warm. "Well, we must have a backup plan...I have it!"

"What is it, Master?" Y asked.

"The old woman-we must go see the witch who fitted the girl with the star-silver devices in the first place. She still has a lock of the girl's hair-it should be enough."

"Enough to do what?" Y protested but his Master refused to answer.

"Take us back to the old witch-to Grandy See-er, Y," he demanded. "And do not disturb me again until we are there. I have much to do. I am making plans within plans within plans. The girl shall not elude my grasp, no matter what. She will die and if her Kindred warrior is there to see it happen, so much the better!"

Chapter Twenty-six.

"You cannot go to bed now, Khalla-to-be. There is much to do to prepare you for your bonding ceremony tomorrow. And after that, your becoming."

"I don't want to be bonded to that guy," Emily turned her head away, refusing to look at Turra who was trying to reason with her. She was back in the fairy tale suite of rooms only this time the lovely decor looked bleak and ugly to her-no better than a prison.

"But you must be bonded," Lit'aal said gently. "I am sorry, my Khalla, but once your mate is chosen, your body accelerates the Tenrah considerably. You may go into the fourth stage or Hel as early as tomorrow evening. When that happens, you must have a male to help slake your l.u.s.t after your Kit'tara emerges or you could die."

"I've told you-I don't want her to emerge!"

It was true that the other had been slightly more helpful since she had reawakened and she felt different in Emily's head-like a child that has matured overnight. She had even given Emily courage to face down the High Priestess-not that it had done any good. In the past, the other would have simply tried to take over instead of helping. Now, Emily could feel her hovering quietly in the background of her brain, like a polite guest, waiting to be called to supper.

Emily might have been willing to share her body with someone like that-someone patient and kind who would help out in a tight spot instead of just taking over and pushing her to act on her most reckless impulses. But polite and helpful or not, she was d.a.m.ned if she'd completely give up her entire body and existence to the other. Now that Tragar was gone for good, all she had was herself and she wasn't going to give everything up just because everyone at this stupid Temple was telling her she was supposed to.

"At least come and walk in the gardens with your chosen mate. Daro longs to get to know you before the two of you are bonded," Lit'aal said softly. "He's very handsome, you know. And he's a medic that specializes in the ailments of children-you will not find a kinder heart or a more gentle male." She sounded wistful, as though she had a crush on the handsome, dashing Daro herself.

Emily gritted her teeth. "I don't care if he's a freaking model slash pediatric specialist slash saint. He's not Tragar and Tragar is the only one I want."

"Face it, Khalla-to-be, the one who brought you here finally recognized his own unworthiness. Now he is gone and he's not coming back," Turra said flatly. "And good riddance-I was shocked to learn of what he'd done to you while he had you in his clutches."

"In his clutches?" Emily glared at her.

"What else would you call it?" Turra put her hands on her bony hips. "He was sent to kill you and then he kidnapped you."

"He rescued me," Emily protested.

"So that he could imbibe of your nectar." Turra looked scandalized. "I know you are very ignorant of the correct procedures, Khalla-to-be, but what he did to you was no better than rape."

"How dare you speak to me about rape?" Emily's voice was trembling now. "You heard what Mother Chundra said when she told everybody my life. What Tragar did to me was not rape and I think I would know."

"You know nothing." Turra didn't even try to hide her scorn. "But you will learn as soon as your Kit'tara emerges. I only hope she will be more reasonable than you are. I feel sorrow for poor Daro-it is amazing to me that he was willing to take on a damaged Khalla-to-be but perhaps completing your Tenrah will change you. One can only pray to the G.o.ddess it may be so."

"That's it-get out." Emily's eyes were burning again and she knew it was the other coming forward but for a moment she was so angry she hardly cared. She stood up and pointed at the door. "I mean it, I've had enough of your c.r.a.p-get out."

"I am the Khalla-to-be's personal attendant, appointed by Mother Chundra herself," Turra said huffily. "You cannot simply dismiss me!"

"Oh yeah? Watch me." Reaching up, she seized the taller girl by the back of the neck and started propelling her towards the graceful white door. Turra gasped and struggled but though she was taller by far, the other was lending Emily strength. She shoved the tall priestess out the door and glared at her. "And don't come back."

"You...you cannot do this!" Turra was rubbing the back of her neck and glaring at her. "I will speak to Mother Chundra of it at once."

"You do that," Emily snapped. "And when you do, tell her that she might be able to separate me from the man I love but I refuse to put up with a skinny b.i.t.c.h like you on top of it. I've had enough of your att.i.tude-now go!"

"Why...you...I..." Turra gave her one more frightened, angry look and then turned and stalked away, her bare feet slapping against the marble floors of the Temple.

"Do you wish me to go as well, my Khalla?" Lit'aal was suddenly at her elbow, looking at her fearfully.

Emily sighed and her eyes stopped burning quite so much.

"No, Lit'aal-you're actually a decent person. I don't know what Turra's problem is though. She's on some kind of a power trip or something. I just couldn't deal with her anymore."

"She is a relation of Mother Chundra," Lit'aal said in a low voice. "Rumor has it that she will take her place as Head Priestess when the time comes for Mother Chundra to retire."

"Well, that explains it," Emily muttered, glaring resentfully at the skinny priestess's retreating back. "They certainly have the same att.i.tude."

"I know you are unhappy but will you not at least consider coming to walk in the gardens with Daro?" Lit'aal asked pleadingly. "He truly is the kindest and most handsome of warriors."

Emily looked at her sharply. "It sounds to me like you have a crush on him yourself. Why don't you date him or bond with him or whatever?"

"Oh, no! I could never do that-he was picked to be a chosen mate to a Khalla. I could never aspire to such greatness."

Emily sighed. "I am so tired of hearing people say they aren't worthy. Why shouldn't you date him if you want to? I certainly don't."

"You might feel differently if only you knew him," Lit'aal said earnestly. "He is so kind and good and his eyes are the most beautiful shade of gold. He..." She broke off blushing.

Emily raised an eyebrow.

"You sound like you know him pretty well."

"We walk and talk sometimes in the gardens at night," Lit'aal confessed. "I...I told him about you last night. How frightened you were-how all our ways were strange to you."

"So that's why he stepped up when everyone else backed down," Emily mused. "Was it because he felt sorry for me? Or because bonding to me was the only way to be near you?"

Lit'aal's lovely face went pale.

"Daro is an honorable male, my Khalla! He would never dream of dishonoring you with another. Still, we did think..."

"You thought what?" Emily demanded.

"We thought we might still see each other...still talk even if no other contact was permitted between us. You see, the chosen mate of a Khalla is not the same as a bonded mate of any other common female," Lit'all explained carefully. "She does not truly love him, for one thing-he is only there as part of her retinue to provide support and encouragement and to fulfill her needs if she ever has them."

"So he's just another part of the entourage," Emily said dully.

Lit'aal nodded. "Indeed-it is believed that if a Khalla truly loved her chosen mate, it would be a great detriment. You see, her focus must be ever outwards, touring the lands where she is needed, bringing health and hope and healing to the people." She looked sad. "My good friend-the one I told you of who became a Khalla-was not allowed to bond with the male of her choosing either. It...broke her heart."

"No wonder that old b.i.t.c.h doesn't want Tragar and me together." Emily crossed her arms over her chest. "Because we love each other! And that would get in the way of her plans."

"You must not speak so of the High Priestess." Lit'aal looked shocked.

"Why not? It's true, isn't it?" Emily demanded.

"Well..." Lit'all bit her lip. "Yes, in a way, I suppose. The Khallas are an extension of the Temple and the High Priestess's power. They are beloved of the people and their support comes back to the Temple, making Mother Chundra one of the most powerful females on Rageron. I suppose that is why she keeps such tight control over the Khallas."

"Why does she get to run this whole place and say who the Khallas get to bond with?" Emily demanded. "She's not even a Khalla herself, is she?"

"No." Lit'aal shook her head. "But she has been in charge here for a very long time. It is said that things were different before she took control but that was so long ago people can scarcely remember it."

"So she gets to tell everybody what to do, even if it makes them miserable." Emily frowned. "What about the candidates? Do they come here of their own choosing?"

"Some do," Emily said carefully. "But some are handpicked by Mother Chundra. She goes all over Rageron looking for the best and brightest males. They are made to come here to the Temple where they must stay until they become the chosen mate to a Khalla."

"But I thought that Khallas are really rare," Emily protested. "What if they don't get one?"

Lit'all shrugged sadly. "After a time they will be sent from the Temple but they must remain celibate all of their lives, as a sacrifice to the G.o.ddess. It is...not a happy life."

"For the candidates or for the Khallas either, apparently," Emily muttered. "Why don't people just rebel? Run away? Leave her boney a.s.s here and go do their own thing?"

"Oh, we cannot do that!" Lit'all looked shocked. "The High Priestess is the Mouthpiece of the G.o.ddess and the head of the Holy Council. She must be obeyed."

"Even if it means getting married, uh, bonded to someone you don't love and spending your whole life on an endless publicity tour?" Emily demanded. "No, I don't accept that!"

"There is nothing you can do about it, my Khalla," Lit'all said sadly. "My friend protested too loudly and Mother Chundra made sure she was bonded to the male least suitable for her." She sighed. "At least you will be getting Daro. He will be kind and supportive of you, my Khalla. And I hope..." She bit her lip. "I hope you do not mind if we speak to each other from time to time. Not extensively, though." She sighed. "Though I will miss our walks in the garden at night."

The garden... For some reason, the idea of a garden...of plants and growing things seemed to resonate in Emily's head. Suddenly she heard a voice whispering, "Milk...you must drink the Black Milk. Tis the sap of the Bitter Sorrow flower-it grows only on Rageron in the Holy Mountains."

"The garden?" she asked, clearing her throat. "Is it filled with all kinds of flowers or what?"

"The Temple has extensive flower and herb gardens," Lit'aal said eagerly. "There you will find every kind of plant that is native to the Holy Mountains."

"That actually sounds pretty interesting," Emily said. "You know, I think I will take that walk with, uh, Daro. But only if you come with us," she added quickly.

"Oh, I couldn't!" Lit'aal protested. "You need time alone with your chosen mate to get to know him, Khalla."

"No, I need the only friendly person I've met since I came to this awful place to stick with me," Emily said firmly. She hooked her arm through Lit'all's. "Come on-show me the gardens."

Lit'aal looked suddenly uncertain. "I don't know, my Khalla. I believe I am supposed to call a retinue of guards to accompany us if we go out of the Temple at all."

"Why bother?" Emily asked, trying to sound like it was no big deal. "Daro is going to be with us, isn't he? And we're not going anywhere dangerous-just out in the gardens. That's not a big deal, right?"

"Well..." The other girl seemed to be wavering. "I suppose not."

"All right then-let's go!" Emily started pulling her down the long marble hallway. "Tell me more about Daro. How long have you guys been talking?"

Lit'aal's indigo eyes lit up and she began to tell all about the man Emily was certain she loved. She pretended to listen but inside, she kept hearing the voice in her head urging, "The Black Milk, child-drink the Black Milk and you'll never be unhappy any more. You'll never feel anything ever again."

Tragar frowned as he flipped off the viewscreen. That had certainly been a strange call he had received. Apparently the contract on Emily's life had been cancelled-just like that. In all his years working as an agent of the Verrak such a thing had never happened.

It must be true though-the male who had called, identifying himself as an agent of the Dark Kindred, Two, had known all the correct information. He had even possessed the secret pa.s.s code that only the one who placed the contract would have. It was the only way other than death to end a contract but this was the first time anyone had called Tragar back and used it. Usually when someone wanted another person dead badly enough to bring in the Verrak, they didn't change their mind.

He lowered the energy dagger he'd been handling before the call came through. Since Emily was settled with another chosen mate he had felt there was no choice but to go through with his earlier promise and sacrifice himself to fulfill the contract.

But what now? If the contract is void and Emily is safe?

Yes, what could he do now? He doubted Tier Shan would welcome him back with open arms. He had showed too much reluctance to follow orders lately. He thought of calling his superior just to inform him of the cancelled contract but there seemed to be no point. The emissary of Two had a.s.sured him he had already placed a call to his Verrak superior so there was nothing to say.

Nothing to say and now, nothing to do. No way to serve the female he loved, even by his death.

She's gone, he thought bleakly. Gone beyond my reach and I cannot even sacrifice myself for her. I do not even have an honorable reason to end my own miserable existence.

Closing his eyes, he saw her lovely face twisted with sorrow, her eyes glowing gold with pain.

"Fight for me!" she's said. "Why don't you fight for me?"

The memory stirred something in his brain-something under all the guilt and self-recrimination. Fight for me... It made him wonder. Hadn't his old Master once told them of a law...? But no-what good would it do to even think of such a thing? Emily was with the male she deserved...and one who truly deserved her. He would never see her again.