The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 14.3

There was a long silence before Sabrina said, "We don't have to decide this tonight, do we?"

Khediva said, "I am in no way endorsing your plan, Sabrina. But if you want to leave your options open, we must decide whether Maratobia or myself need to bring the assassin out of the hotel so his death can be faked."

Mara looked thoughtful. "I would like to meet him."

"Mara," Tirqwin said, "Khediva is not Praxatillian or Realm territory. You hold no jurisdiction over any alien here. Although I personally would like to strangle him myself, I cannot permit any mistreatment or coercion of anyone on this Wayship."

"Tirqwin," Mara reproached him.

"That was also directed at our son," Tirqwin informed her, glancing at Ford's expression of hardened rage.

"Hm," Mara considered. "Niavar, given your apparent expertise in this area, I would prefer that you remain to assist with questioning. However, if you do not think you can keep your temper, it would be better if I sent you back."

"Don't you dare," Ford said.

"Very well." Mara waved her hand, and a moment later Steyrian appeared with the chair he was sitting on, his hands still bound.

Startled, he glanced around, then looked rueful as he saw Ford. "Ah. Apologies. And congratulations—your wife seems eminently suited for your lifestyle."

"I have nothing to say to you," Ford growled.

Steyrian grinned. "I doubt that."

Ford started forward, but Mara and Sabrina flung their arms out in identical gestures and cried, "Stop!"

Ford froze, glaring at his mother. Sabrina dropped her arm and turned to Steyrian. "I would advise you not to make him any more angry than he already is," she said. "You are in the presence of the Queen of Praxatillus and the Guardian, as well as Tirqwin äié Khediva of the Wayfarers. This is neutral territory, and Khediva will not countenance you being harmed while aboard. However, be aware that they are my family, and everyone here is pretty annoyed with you right now."

"I got that," Steyrian said. "Thank you for the introductions, Sabrina. I was going to thank you for rescuing me from the previous group of people who want to kill me, but now I see I am really no better off."

"Worse, in fact," Sabrina replied, matching his conversational tone. "Ford seems to think your apologies and the chance you gave me to stop you are all part of a deep-laid plan that will still end with my death."

Steyrian laughed. "He gives me too much credit, but then, he always did! I confess I've used similar gambits. But any plan I had in that direction died the moment you demonstrated your...unusual abilities. Obviously I didn't do enough research."

"This is the other reason I'd like to avoid a trial," Sabrina said to Mara. "He's bound to talk about how I stopped him."

Mara gave a deep sigh. "Yes. I can see that. Whatever we decide to do, Realm security must be taken into consideration."

"In that case," Sabrina said, "I would like to call the Commander and have her put the decoy plan in motion."

Ford scowled. "I'd like to see you talk the Commander into this one, Sabrina!"

Sabrina raised an eyebrow at him. "You forget who you're talking to," she said, going to the control console. "Khediva, would you please connect me directly to Commander Mukryilla?"

"The channel is open," Khediva said after a moment.

"Commander," Sabrina said.

"Sabrina! Where are you?" Mukryilla demanded.