Free Between Darkness and Light by Lisanne Norman

discernible means to do so. He needed to deal carefully with these powerful and unpredictable allies.
    â€œI took no revenge on them, or pleasure in forcing the male to do my bidding with the slave collar, Giyarishis,” he said quietly. “He was brave, a worthy opponent, but not one I had a quarrel with. Circumstances forced me to do it in my efforts to escape. It’s Kusac and his wife I want revenge on. Zayshul, you’ll be at the meal and you’ll wear one of those court dresses. The rest will take care of itself!” He turned on his heel and left, gesturing to Shaidan to follow as he strode past him.

Same day
    M’zynal had been right. By the time they’d docked at Kij’ik and been taken to their new crew quarters, they’d been glad to see regular beds, even though the mattresses were still the same. The tour of the Outpost had been educational. Even though barely half of it was in use, Kusac had quickly realized that Kij’ik, like Haven, had been part of the Valtegan Empire’s early warning network, only many times larger than Haven. He was sure this had been one of the major command posts. At the end of the tour, they were taken past the main elevator security post to the level below, one even more heavily guarded, Kusac noticed as they emerged. They were escorted through a series of locked iris doors to a comfortable lounge where they were left to await the arrival of the General and his staff. Unable to settle down, they ignored the sofas and chairs and remained standing.
    â€œSee the screen?” he heard Dzaou say quietly to Khadui. “I noticed one in every room we saw, and in all the public areas. They certainly liked to keep an eye on everyone!”
    But it was Banner who voiced what was in both their minds.
    â€œKusac, was it me or was the first scout ship of Kezule’s somewhat old-fashioned by comparison, just like here?” his Second asked quietly as a couple of Prime stewards went back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room, obviously preparing it for the evening meal.
    â€œIt was old,” he agreed, keeping his voice equally low and turning his back on the other three crew members. “A recovered vessel left over from the Fall. Just as this is an outpost from their old Empire, part of the network Haven and our other three bases once belonged to.”
    â€œWhat else have you discovered?” Banner asked, giving him a long look.
    â€œThere’s a TeLaxaudin here,” he replied, aware that he was risking revealing what Banner had already guessed about his returning Talent. “I can smell him.” And no dampers anywhere, he thought to himself.
    â€œCan you find out any more?” Banner asked after a small silence.
    â€œPrime minds are almost as closed as those of the Valtegans we met on Keiss, but they’re just as capable of noticing me, Banner, were I able to read them. Kezule specified I bring no telepaths with me because he hates them. Our best chance for information is Doctor Zayshul. Your job is to continue keeping a watch on Dzaou,” he said. “His xenophobia and paranoia worry me.”
    â€œI will, and I’ve had a word with him. He’s not stupid, Kusac, not when a cub’s life is at stake.”
    â€œHe’d better not be. I’ll kill him before I’ll let him endanger that kitling.” He had to fight to keep the emotion out of his voice.
    â€œWhy does Kezule really want you here, Kusac?” his Second asked after a moment or two.
    â€œThat’s my concern,” he said shortly. “We play it the way Kezule wants for now.”
    â€œIsn’t this something of a turnaround for you?”
    â€œYou said it yourself, Banner. There’s a life at stake here,” he replied, turning away. “A young Sholan life.” If he said it often enough, he might be able to forget the other half of Shaidan’s parentage.
    The door into the lounge hissed