Free Rayne's Return (Hearts of ICARUS Book 3) by Laura Jo Phillips Page B

about to move me now.”
    Wolef heard the fear in her voice and tried to think of a way to abate it.  “ Have you considered how best to present yourself to the Doftle once the paralytics wear off?”
    “No,” Rayne replied.  “You have though, haven’t you?”
    “I confess that I have,” Wolef replied.  “I believe it would be wise to behave as though you have some level of mental impairment.  Enough that you don’t react to anything they do, but not so much that you’re incapable of performing minor tasks, such as feeding yourself.”  
    “You want me to put them off guard,” Rayne said thoughtfully.  “To make them think I’m the absolute least of their problems.”
    “Precisely,” Wolef replied .  “Would you be willing to do that?”
    “Why do you sound doubtful?”
    “Because I’ve heard the Doftle mention that you have a history of being somewhat unpredictable,” Wolef replied.
    “I’m not sure I deserve that,” she said with just a trace of irritation. 
    “No?”
    “No,” she replied emphatically.  “After all, if you lock a person in a room, torture her for a month, then leave a scalpel within arm’s reach, I think it’s incumbent upon you to expect her to use it.  So no, unpredictable is definitely not deserved.”
    Rayne heard a deep rumbling sound that reminded her of rocks grinding together and smiled to herself, glad that she’d made Wolef laugh.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    The first thing Rayne saw when she woke up from her nap was her mother’s face mere inches from her own.  Her eyes immediately welled up.  “Hi Mom,” she whispered.
    “Hello, sweetheart,” Lariah said.  Her emerald eyes were a little too bright, but otherwise she appeared calm and composed.  “You’re looking a bit worse for wear.”
    “I know, but I’m still alive,” Rayne said.  “I’ve decided to focus on that since it appears to have been something of an accomplishment.”
    “Good idea,” Lariah said.  She leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, then pulled something from her pocket and held it up. 
    “Where did you get that?” Rayne asked in surprise.
    “It’s been sitting in a drawer in our stateroom aboard the Ugaztun for years,” Lariah said.  “Ever since your brothers sneaked into your room and gave you and your sisters haircuts.”
    “That was a long time ago.”
    “Yes, it was, but my children would still be at war with each other to this day without this thing.  I promised to always have one handy, and I do try to keep my promises.  I packed up all the things you had in your stateroom aboard the Ugaztun and brought them over.  If you want anything from the cartons in the cargo hold, let me know.  Now, take a minute to greet your fathers, then we’ll get to the bottom of all this.”
    “Thanks, Mom,” Rayne said, then tried to push herself up to a sitting position.  Trey was there in a flash, helping her up, while Val arranged the pillows behind her.  When she was settled comfortably she looked around, but the Bearen-Hirus weren’t there.  She reached out with her senses, momentarily forgetting that with her shield up she wouldn’t be able to feel them.  Her hands clutched the blanket covering her lap as fear spiked adrenaline flooded her system, and she dropped her partial shield in pure desperation.  A couple of seconds later the door flew open and Landor, Con and Ari rushed into the room. 
    “What’s wrong?” Landor asked, going straight to Rayne’s side so fast that for a moment he was just a blur. 
    “Nothing, I just… I couldn’t find you,” she said breathlessly, blushing with embarrassment. 
    “We wanted to give your parents some time alone with you,” he said.  “We’ll be right outside, I promise.”
    “There’s no need for you to leave,” Garen said.  “Your absence will make her nervous even if she knows where you are, as is to be expected under the circumstances.  She doesn’t need any unnecessary stress