The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (good e books to read .txt) 📗

at this point. I eventually need him to return to Juvin-que, but I don’t have the power to protect him yet. If he returns now, I fear for his safety. Though, the opportunity Norton is offering him is too good to pass up,” she explained.

“You may be two steps behind in some areas, but politically I can tell you’re five steps ahead,” Danstu mentioned.

Sedom grunted. “When it comes to the Rook, yes I am.”

“And speaking of more power, I arranged with the Brokt for two-thousand soldiers. I’ve tripled Cidele’s team and we’re starting to use level three to house ground troops. I thought it would better to begin segregating the different military groups,” he mentioned.

Sedom pointed to him, amused. “Good idea. Just stop at level ten. Level twelve has a situation, I need to tend to personally and I haven’t the energy to deal with it right now,” she mentioned.

“Something I should be aware of?” he asked.

She searched through the computer pads, finding the one with the notes she had taken on the lower levels. “Between us, history wasn’t exactly how it was written. The war followed my grandfather here. Something happened that caused him to gas the levels below level eleven.”

Danstu’s eyes grew distant as he read her report. “How many?” he asked.

“Three-hundred thousand, maybe more. I feel guilty not burying them, but…” she drifted off, caught up in a lingering thought.

“We’ll deal with it when you return,” he offered. “I guess until then, we have an Emperor to sabotage.”

TWENTY-ONE

Sedom strolled into the cafeteria, amused to find nearly every seat had been taken. Suddenly, everyone stood at attention and saluted her. Sedom’s face lost all expression. She wasn’t prepared for anyone seeing her let alone saluting her. She calmly gulped back her anxiety and walked further into the room.

“At ease, everyone,” she called.

Everyone slowly took back their seats, allowing Sedom to find the man she came looking for. At the far end of the cafeteria, she found Norton eating late meal. She took a seat next to Norton. He continued to stare at his coffee, his eyes bulging. “You know,” Sedom took a sip of his juice, “Rokaa looked exactly like you last night. I guess Rook can't hold their liquor.”

“You talked to the Marnet?” he asked excitedly. Sedom nodded, her lips still tugging at the glass holding her juice. “And?”

“He'll call you here later today. I'm sure he'll be sleeping in. He was up all night celebrating Jasper's twentieth birthday,” she mentioned.

“The Braum’s birthday? Are you sure he'll be calling today then?” he joked. “Glad to hear he'll listen to reason. I guess it helps to have someone like you,” he flirted.

Sedom laughed. “Right. He was drunk when I talked to him. He may sober up and realize his foolishness.”

“Do you want the Mandicien to die?” Norton accused.

Sedom glanced to the door, noticing Garric enter with Ratisha.

“Come inside and sit. We'll see what's going on,” Ratisha's voice whispered, but Sedom could still hear her words.

She frowned uneasy, seeing the two together. What are those two up to? She stood, “Garric, come here,” she demanded from a distance away, stirring those around them.

Garric's head spun to meet Sedom stern expression. He hurried over to her side, bowing her head. “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen.” Suddenly he fell over crying out as he held the back of his neck.

Two new recruits stood from a nearby table to render aid. Sedom held up her hand, holding them back. “What happened?” Sedom questioned, turning to Ratisha. “Ratisha!” Sedom demanded. Ratisha's shaking hand fell away from the arm of her hover chair. She maneuvered the chair to face Sedom, panic clouding her eyes. “What's going on?” Sedom asked, calmly.

“Please, Chadon. She had nothing to do with it,” Garric gulped, unable to lift his head.

“Tell me what in Enos is going on!” Sedom demanded to Ratisha.

“Chadon,” one of the recruits spoke up. “His collar,” he mentioned, causing her to turn her eyes to Garric.

Ratisha nodded nervously as she approached Garric. She moved his hair away from the back of the collar, showing that the collar was malfunctioning. The two spikes that attached to the brainstem were halfway out of Garric's skull.

“I found him convulsing out front. When I tried to help, the collar fell out.” She removed the collar and held it out to Sedom.

Norton rose from his seat to examine the collar. “Isn't this mine?” he asked.

Sedom grunted, picking up the collar. She ordered the two recruits to help Garric into a chair. “How long has it been like this?” she asked.

“Only a few minutes, I guess. I didn't realize it would--” she gulped.

“Save it,” Sedom barked. “Did it malfunction or just stop working?” she asked, looking into Garric's eyes. His eyes were wide, darting about as if hallucinating.

Norton waved his hand over Garric's eyes, causing him to jump back. Garric fell backward, hitting his head. He scurried to his feet and hid beneath a table, holding his arms over his head.

“Malfunction,” Norton mused.

Sedom followed Garric, but kept her distance. “You two,” she pointed to the two recruits, “please take him to the infirmary and have him sedated.”

Norton held up his hand, forcing everyone back. “I can help. Let me handle this.”

Sedom stepped back to Ratisha, watching the white-haired Norton talking Garric out from under the table.

“Who is he?” Ratisha asked, enamored by Norton's persistence and patients.

“He’s my friend and the previous owner of the same collar. I rescued him a while back when I was living in the forest,” Sedom explained.

Norton guided Garric out from under the table. His hand held tight around the Garric’s neck. “Let's get you to the infirmary.”

Sedom glanced over at the two muscular recruits, wondering if they were