The Ta'e'sha Chronicles 2: Shards of the Mind Read online

  “A rose.” Thea looked up and smiled at her. “Embroidery is very relaxing. Would you like to try?”

  She nodded eagerly, following Thea with her eyes when the other woman stood and started digging objects out of a bag. A soft hissing sound brought her attention to Sya’tia. She had taken a knife from somewhere and was sharpening the blade with a small stone.

  “Your brother is very good at math as well,” Sya’tia said softly, not looking up. She tested the edge with her thumb and hummed softly with satisfaction. The blade disappeared and another appeared as if by magic. She set to work on the edge while Tweet watched curiously.

  It was a little disconcerting how easily Sya’tia handled the blades. Thea was acting as if there was nothing unusual about someone honing knives in her bedroom. She reached for the same nonchalance. She had never spent time with any of the Chosen and now she had two of them in her family. It was going to take a bit of getting used to.

  Thea bustled back over and sat closer to Tweet. She quickly set a scrap of cloth over a hoop and secured it with another hoop. “Have you embroidered before, hon?” she asked, fixing the cloth so it laid just so.

  “No,” Tweet replied, watching Thea’s nimble fingers fly. The cloth had a faint outline of a different kind of flower on it.

  Thea set several twisted strands of thread on the table next to them. “This is an iris. I thought you might like it.” She picked up a needle and threaded it before handing it and the hoop to Tweet. Then, she picked up her own hoop. “Now, you make the stitches like this. We’ll start with the basics and work our way up if you like it.”

  Tweet’s forehead wrinkled as she carefully followed Thea’s slow motions. The deep vibrant purple of the thread looked wonderful against the rich cream cloth. She did several more stitches before another hissing sound made her look up.

  Sya’tia had put away all her knives and was digging a book out of her belongings. When she settled back down to read, Tweet marveled at how peaceful the companionable silence was. She was so used to silence being an icy thing filled with tension that it took her several moments to realize why she was relaxing. She decided to enjoy it and bent back over her embroidery hoop. It was a little surprising when she realized that she wanted these strong, confident women to like her. It would be nice to have a real family, she thought with longing.

  An hour passed broken only by the soft sounds of Thea’s humming and occasional instruction and Sya’tia turning the pages of her book. Tweet looked at the cover. She jerked back in surprise. The thin, floppy book had a huge blood splattered monster on the cover. Its yellowed teeth dripped drool and its fiery eyes glared malevolently.

  “What are you reading?” she asked, horror creeping into her voice.

  Sya’tia looked up. “Huh? Oh, it’s a magazine Thea had. It’s about horror movies on Earth. Good stuff. We’ll have to watch a couple.” She grinned.

  “Horror movies?” Tweet asked cautiously.

  Sya’tia leaned forward, her face filling with animation. “They are great! Humans can be very creative about their cinema! And they love to be scared!” She turned to Thea. “We should show her that one movie… Feast! That one!”

  Thea laughed, not looking up. “I don’t think that would be the best movie to start her on, Sya. That’s pretty gory and has a lot of inside humor. Maybe Friday the 13th? That was my first horror movie.”

  Tweet watched her set another perfect stitch. She wasn’t sure she wanted to watch a horror movie. She opened her mouth to decline but was cut off when the door to the bedroom slammed open.

  Chisha glared at them before fixing her daughter with a frigid look. “Young lady, get out of the chair and to your room immediately.”

  Tweet felt the blood leave her face in a cold rush and bowed her head over her embroidery hoop for a moment to hide her humiliation. In that moment she hated her mother. I didn’t do anything wrong! she thought to herself miserably, knowing that when she got to her room her mother would give her a tongue-lashing in that frigid voice she used when one of her children had disappointed her. Tweet hated that voice. It was one of her earliest memories of her mother and would probably be the last tone in Chisha’s voice when her frozen heart finally stopped beating.

  Thea set her hoop in her lap and looked at Chisha calmly. “You may leave now, Chisha. Close the door and do not open it again until you are given permission to do so.” Next she looked at Tweet. “You are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”

  Chisha hissed angrily. “How dare you tell me what to do in my own home?” She snapped her fingers. “Fwa’twee, to your room!”

  Thea moved the hoop to the table. “You gave us the use of this room while we abide in your home. Therefore, it is our home until we leave. You have just violated our privacy. You are the rudest woman I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Sadly, I will have to deal with you for the rest of your life. However, that doesn’t mean I have to tolerate your lack of respect. How your family allows you to treat them when I am not around is their business, but how you treat them when I am around is something totally different. Now, as I said before; you may leave.” Thea ignored the stunned look on Tweet’s face and Sya’tia’s stifled giggles.

  Chisha’s mouth opened and closed like a stranded fish. She turned and walked out of the room. The door shut quietly behind her.

  Thea returned to her embroidery and calmly began working on it again while she gave Tweet time to absorb the exchange that had just taken place. Several minutes later she was still staring at Thea in disbelief.

  Thea looked at the younger woman and arched an eyebrow. “No one stands up to your mother, do they?” she asked quietly.

  Tweet shook her head mutely.

  “Hmmm.” Thea tilted her head to the side. “They should. If you ignore it, she’ll just keep doing it.”

  Tweet made a noncommittal noise, still staring at Thea. She set aside her embroidery. “I should go.” She stood and hurried to the door but paused before opening it. “May I come back?” she asked hesitantly.

  Thea and Sya’tia both assured her they would love to spend time with her. Tweet looked quietly pleased as she left.

  Sya’tia tossed the magazine aside.

  Thea looked at her enquiringly. Her fiancée rubbed her temples.

  “Thea, I want to go home. I can’t stand her any longer,” Sya’tia said quietly. “I don’t want to leave you, but I don’t think I’ll be able to take much more.”

  Thea sighed softly. Most people didn’t realize how sensitive Sya’tia was about her looks. Chisha seemed to home in on a person’s weaknesses and threw as much abuse at them as she could. “Then go home, love. I can take her; you shouldn’t have to. We can come out after the trial. It’s supposed to start in a few days anyway and Kyrin doesn’t think it will last more than a few days.”

  Sya’tia looked distraught. Thea got up and curled herself at Sya’tia’s feet. “It’s okay, really.” She set her chin on the taller woman’s knee. “We’ll go home soon and everything will be okay. Back to normal, or at least as normal as we get.”

  “I feel like I’m deserting you,” Sya’tia said softly.

  “You’re not, the guys are still here. Besides, I don’t think you’re going to be allowed into the courtroom and I don’t really want you have to hang out with Chisha.” Thea rose up onto her knees and kissed her fiancée lightly. “You might snap and kill her without my calming presence.” She winked when Sya’tia laughed softly. “You get packed. We’ll tell the guys when they get back from whatever it is they are doing.”

  Sya’tia nodded. “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure,” Thea replied with a confidence she didn’t feel.

  Chapter Twelve

  Thea rolled over and looked at Daeshen. He was sound asleep. Everyone else seemed to be able to adjust to the time differences from the ship, but not her. She still woke up at her usual time even though they had been planet-side for over a month.

  The bed seemed horribly empty.
She felt cranky and hadn’t slept well the last couple of nights. Sya’tia had left three days ago and Kyrin had been called back to the ship the next day. The maintenance crews were ready to revolt and Kyrin’s bosses wanted to know what was going on.

  It was strange how she had become used to them sleeping beside her. Without them, she and Daeshen had clung together in the huge bed.

  She pulled out of his arms and stumbled across the room to find the magic jar she had brought from the ship with her. The brown crystals had a faint sheen to them as she stared blearily at them. Coffee. Instant, but it was still coffee.

  She quickly threw on some clothes and stumbled from the room and trudged to the kitchen to heat some water.

  Several minutes later she was slumped at the kitchen table inhaling the steam from a freshly brewed cup. She took a cautious sip and sighed softly with pleasure. As long as she could have her morning cup in silence she could handle anything. The guys had quickly learned it was best to not speak to her until she poured the second cup. Even Sya’tia gave her a wide berth before that second cup.

  Sound seemed to grate on her nerves first thing in the morning. She could wake up in a perfectly good mood and then wham! Insta-bitch! All it took was someone talking to her.

  She took another swallow and savored the hot slide of the liquid going down her throat. Faint footsteps sounded in the hall. She glowered into her mug. The morning staff didn’t usually come in this early.

  Thea didn’t look up when someone came into the kitchen. She took another drink.

  A thick pile of papers slammed down in front of her. Thea jumped, almost spilling her cup.

  “What did you do to make him do it, you little piece of trash?” Chisha screeched shrilly.

  Thea flinched as Chisha’s harsh voice scraped her ultrasensitive nerves. “I see my moment of solitude will be coming to an end,” she said in a sleep-roughened voice. She took another gulp, hoping the caffeine would hit soon because she really didn’t want to deal with Daeshen’s mother without it. “What seems to be your latest problem, Chisha?”

  She and Daeshen had gotten into a huge argument last night because of his mother. He didn’t think Thea was putting any effort into getting along. Thea was of the mind that you couldn’t talk to someone like that and Chisha could try making an effort too. She’d also said a few things she regretted and planned on apologizing as soon as he woke up. He had fallen asleep with silent tears leaking into her hair.

  “This!” Chisha yelled, stabbing a finger at the papers.

  Thea pulled them around to see what had her so riled up. She read the first page with dawning horror.

  It was the medical and security reports of her attack.

  Her body went cold, then hot.

  “Where did you get this?” she asked in a hoarse voice.

  “That’s none of your business,” Chisha stated arrogantly.

  Thea looked up from the papers slowly; her temples throbbed angrily. “I think it is my business. I want to know how you got copies of these documents.”

  The older woman smirked triumphantly. “I’m not going to tell you.”

  Thea set her hands carefully on the table and pushed herself up. “Very well, I’ll take it up with the chief of security.” She turned to leave the room.

  Chisha grabbed her arm and spun her around. “What did you do to make him attack you? It must have been your fault. He’s a wellborn man. Unlike you, he was raised properly.” Her face was filled with haughty disdain.

  Thea stilled. Her vision grayed and Chisha’s face went out of focus. “My fault…” she said softly. “You think it’s my fault.” She struggled to bring the older woman back into focus. “That man raped four women. He admitted to it in front of witnesses.”

  Chisha blew a raspberry at Thea and waved her hand airily. “Human women. Obviously they were doing something to taunt him.”

  “You must be joking,” Thea said slowly.

  “Of course I’m not joking.” Chisha rolled her eyes.

  Thea took a deep breath, and then she pointed to her face. “Do you see these marks?” She traced the scars that outlined her God-marks.

  “Yes, what the Gods were thinking I have no idea.”

  Thea unbuttoned her shirt and spread it open to bare the top of her chest. “Do you see these blackened spots?”

  Chisha’s mouth tightened. “Yes, and I would appreciate it if you covered yourself. That’s disgraceful! We are in the kitchen!”

  Thea gritted her teeth for a moment. “That is where Barik tried to skin me alive. The asana don’t know if the marks will ever fade. After he finished that he was going to cut out my eyes.” She buttoned the shirt again. “He killed my baby. Your first grandchild.”

  Chisha’s face paled but she waved her hand dismissively again. “I’m sure it was Kyrin’s child. Or, maybe it was Barik’s and that’s why he was angry.”

  Thea’s mouth dropped open. After a speechless moment she shut it with a snap. She shook her head slowly. “You have all the compassion of a serial killer,” she said in a horrified voice.

  “I would have to agree,” said a new voice. They both jumped and turned toward it.

  Daeshen stood in the doorway staring at his mother like he had never seen her before. A taller man stood behind him. His hair was very similar to Daeshen’s but much shorter and had more green in the blue. His face was a mask of horror.

  Daeshen took an uncertain step toward his mother. “Who are you? To think I yelled at Thea last night because she wasn’t trying to get along with you.” He turned to look at his wife. “Has she been like this the whole time?”

  Chisha had been careful to save her most cutting remarks for when Daeshen and Kyrin weren’t present. Not that she had been pleasant when they were around. But she had never said enough to make the men feel they had to intervene.

  Thea nodded. “I’m not staying here any longer, Daeshen. I don’t care what rules of etiquette I’m breaking. I can’t do this anymore. If I have to look at her over another dinner table I’m going to stab her with my fork.”

  “Go pack, love. We’re leaving.” Daeshen met his mother’s eyes squarely. “And we are not coming back. My children will not be subjected to this. It’s obvious how you will treat our ‘half-breed mongrels,’” he said quietly.

  Chisha paled. “Daeshen…”

  He turned around and left without another word. Thea followed him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The man with Daeshen cleared his throat as he followed them up the stairs to their room. Thea glanced at him sideways, wondering who he was and a little embarrassed he had witnessed the argument in the kitchen.

  She tried to send a small push of curiosity to Daeshen, hoping he would remember to introduce her. He looked at her for a moment, his brow creasing faintly.

  She nudged him gently and slid a sideways look at the stranger.

  Daeshen blushed. “I’m sorry, love.” He paused. “Thea, this is my brother, Tre’nan.”

  Tre’nan nodded and smiled briefly.

  Thea murmured a greeting. She was really showing off her best side to Daeshen’s family. So far they had all seen her get in a snarkfest with Chisha at one time or another. Classy.

  They reached the bedroom and Daeshen immediately began throwing his clothing into bags. His jerky movements were filled with suppressed anger.

  Thea turned to Tre’nan. “I’m sorry you had to witness that,” she said softly. “It has been a trying week. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held her hands out to him.

  He smiled and took them, leaning forward to press a kiss to her cheek. “Don’t worry; I am well aware of my esteemed first mother’s faults.”

  Thea touched his hair gently. “Your hair is so short.” She smiled when several tendrils curled around her fingers and tightened gently.

  He laughed. “That’s because I just turned nineteen.” He turned to Daeshen. “Haven’t you told her anything about us?” His hair released her fingers as he turned
back to her. “Our hair grows long about a year after we reach sexual maturity.” He leered playfully. “Must be all those hormones needing somewhere to go. Mine should start growing soon,” he said with a grin. “I’m an early bloomer.”

  Thea blushed, embarrassed by her ignorance. She had been curious but hadn’t mentioned it before. Now that she thought about it, all the children she had seen had shoulder-length hair. “Oh,” she murmured.

  He turned and started pulling the clothing back out of the bags and began folding it neatly. “Calm down, Dae. Do it properly. Better yet, why don’t you call a hotel and make a reservation while Thea and I pack and get to know each other?”

  Daeshen stared down at the shirt he had crumpled in his hands. He let it fall onto the bed with a sigh. “I never thought she would be like this, Tre. I knew she was sniping at Thea and Sya’tia. She never said much to Kyrin because he was a male and not that important to her.” He turned to Thea, tears swimming in his eyes. “Can you forgive me, darling?”

  Thea went to him and hugged him tight. His arms wrapped around her convulsively. “Always, love. Besides, some of it is my fault. You were right last night; I could have made more of an effort. I’m sorry for the things I said to you.”

  He looked deeply into her eyes. “Who would have thought you would be so strong? You are so delicate. We chose well.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “You are like a meecha protecting us.”

  Thea pulled back so she could see his face. “What the hell is a meecha? Sya’tia kept saying Chisha had a mouth like one.”

  Tre’nan barked out a laugh. He busied himself with the clothes when Thea glanced at him.

  Daeshen laughed softly. “She does have a mouth like a meecha. They are a predator more deadly than your great white sharks. They have teeth shaped like, uh…” He seemed to grope for the right words. “Round saw blades. They spin” ‑‑ he twirled his finger ‑‑ “ and there are three sets. When they eat something it just disappears. Bones, hair, scales, everything. It’s just gone.”