Free Army of the Goddess: A Bona Dea Novel (Stormflies Book 2) by Elizabeth N. Love

notes and had slipped through these pages multiple times.
    “Let's leave such suppositions to the experts,” Lelle chastised, her tone condescending toward the younger woman.
    “I can read, Annie. It doesn't take an expert to see that the characteristics of the victims are shifting. Compare the traits of the missing to the deceased and you'll see that the Stormflies are hand-picking those with higher level of psychic ability. Healer Adese doesn't spell it out, but she alludes to it throughout her report. The higher the psychic level, the more vulnerable the individual. We need to issue a warning.”
    “Ma'am, Matriarch,” Ty interrupted.
    “Yes, Commander,” the Protectress acknowledged, releasing a pensive sigh that smoothed her raised hackles briefly before she sensed his discomfort. The changes in mood crossed her face like dancing shadows almost too elusive to catch with the eye. Ty knew them well by now. “Close the door, please.”
    Doing so, Ty aimed his feet for the center of the room, where he stopped and snapped to attention. “Your Honors, I have received additional information concerning the missing bus.”
    “It isn't good, is it,” Lelle grimaced, pinching her eyes and lips shut in dismay.
    “No. An infant was aboard the bus. Her body has been found near one possible site of the abduction.”
    “No,” the Protectress breathed out, a clenched sob escaping her lips. She quickly covered the lower half of her face with her hand in an attempt to squelch the reaction.
    “That's terrible,” Lelle expressed, her face pensive and sour. “Just terrible. But does this confirm the location? Can we focus our efforts in that area?” She hated to brush the death aside so quickly, but she had the living to think about. She retained hope that someone from that bus would be found alive.
    “Yes, Ma'am. The search teams are re-doubling their efforts in the foothills about a kilom from the road. There is a network of caves that might be in use,” Ty reported, feeding her hope. He offered her the sheaf of papers he'd been given.
    “Good. Let's hope something positive comes from the effort. That poor child. Are there family in Undun?”
    “The father,” Ty replied.
    Lelle acknowledged with a curt nod. “Find his address for me. I think someone needs to deliver this news personally. We owe him that much.”
    Narone nodded his approval and returned the way he had come, leaving Lelle to comfort the Protectress in her grief.
    +++
    23 rd Unimont, 308
    “I could really use a glass of wine,” Axandra requested. She drank at least one glass per day. The Healer suggested it, as the anti-inflammatory effects aided with the pain in her arm and the persistent headaches that plagued her most days. But that was only part of the reason. She did not want to think about the death of an innocent child, and she especially didn't want to think about those damned Stormflies and their activities.
    Quinn rose to oblige. “I'll bet. There is a lovely golden fermentation on our table tonight, from Southland. An earthy aroma,” he described as he sniffed the uncorked green glass bottle, “with a hint of pepper? Interesting.” He sipped a sample from a stemless crystal glass. “You'll like it.”
    “Then please, hand it over,” she ordered with a touch of annoyance. Her open hand extended forcefully in his direction, the fingers groping the empty air.
    “Starting to ache?”
    Nodding, she confirmed her own grumpiness. “It's that time of day. The pill wears off and something about the sunset gives it a twinge. I know that sounds ludicrous. Gage thinks it's in my head, but as soon as that first sun disappears, the pain gets worse.”
    Quinn delivered the glass and returned to pour a similar amount for himself. “That is a curious cause and effect. I'm sure Gage bases his opinion on understood medical history. However, I find that due to your circumstances, several anomalous traits have been proven true after study. Your