Free Destiny's Lovers by Flora Speer Page A

happening in the city, and knew they could not help, they fled
still deeper into the forest where they found a cave and hid in it.
At their bidding, the Chon drew the Cetans in another direction and
thus saved our ancestors. After that day’s terrible battle, all the
telepaths in the settlement were dead and the Chon were lost to us
forever.”
    “Not everyone was killed.” Reid told Tamat
what he knew about Dulan and the other survivors, and about the
Chon who still lived at the lake.
    “I am happy to learn that the great birds are
not extinct,” Tamat said. “They were once a vital part of our
history. But I know of no one named Dulan. Our records were
destroyed along with the beautiful city of Tathan and the farmlands
surrounding it. All we have left of the time before the Cetan raid
is memory. The few people who remained alive decided to flee far
away from Tathan and hide themselves, hoping thereby to escape
another Cetan intrusion. After a long and difficult journey, they
arrived here and built this small village, where we live by fishing
and farming.”
    “Did they also build the pavilion inside the
mountain?” asked Reid.
    “They made the pool a sacred spot, because
the Water in it is clear and perfectly pure,” Tamat replied. “You
should not have been there. Even Osiyar may not go there. It is a
place reserved for priestesses only. Do not return to it.”
    “I hope you will not punish Janina because I
was there.”
    “No. Your presence in the grove was not her
doing.” Then, looking deep into his eyes, the High Priestess added,
“She is not meant for any man, Reid. Do not touch her again.”
    Tamat had never said a word to Janina about
the day when she had found Reid, though Janina knew Tamat
understood what they had almost done. Now, Janina felt herself
blushing, and she saw Reid’s face flush at Tamat’s direct order,
but he made no promise. Instead, he asked Tamat another
question.
    “Can you tell me why the computer model of
the continent we have at our headquarters does not show the area
around Ruthlen? According to our information, the forest extends to
the very edge of steep cliffs, which fall off directly into the
sea. We have no information about the ravine, or the mountain
range, or the village.”
    “We use a blanking shield,” Tamat replied.
“All who are full priestesses, including myself, take turns
maintaining it. The images you spoke of are exactly what outsiders
are expected to see. It is our protection against a Cetan return,
or against anyone else who would harm us. No one can enter the
shield unless we wish it.”
    “I got through it,” Reid pointed out.
    “Yes,” Tamat said, looking at him
strangely.
    “You maintain this shield with your minds?”
Reid then asked.
    “We do,” Tamat answered. “We have
strengthened it since you have come, Reid. You will not be able to
breach it a second time.” She smiled at him, but Reid understood
the threat implicit in her words. He could not blame her. She had a
right to protect her people in the way she believed was best. But
he had a right, too; the right to seek his freedom.
     
    * * * * *
     
    “Reid, why are you pacing back and forth
across the courtyard?” When he swung around to glare at her, Janina
saw that his grey eyes were dark with anger. She faced him
trembling, yet determined not to back down until she knew what was
troubling him. She attempted a smile, though in his present mood he
frightened her. Gathering what little courage she possessed, she
tried again. “You look like a caged animal.”
    “Do I? Perhaps I look caged because that is
what I am.”
    “Oh, no. Never that.”
    “Then what would you call it?” he demanded,
frowning down at her.
    “You are our guest,” she said. “You are
perfectly free to go wherever you want within the boundaries of
Ruthlen, which is the same freedom the rest of us have.”
    “Janina, you know as well as I do that I am a
prisoner here.”
    “Don’t say that.” She