Wind Demon Triology: Book II: Evil Wind by Charlotte Boyett-Compo

shifted once more, the niggling feeling prodding him. During the time Caitlin was conversing with the Amazeen Major, his uneasiness had grown.
    "She won't,” Caitlin said. “She values your life too much and she'll know we were simply bearding the lioness in her den lest the Major wonder what we're doing out here with a supercharged vessel full of Terran women."
    * * * *
    Khiershon was still uneasy as afternoon stretched into evening. He had the strangest feeling all was not right on the Amazeen ship, the Alluvia . He knew there was a Reaper onboard the ship, but he had sensed no pain or sorrow coming from the ship while Caitlin was conversing with the Major. Had it been a Reaper cadet he knew on the Amazeen ship being transported to Rysalia Prime as a prisoner, he would have been able to home in on that one's presence. He didn't believe there was a Reaper cadet alive with whom he had not shared blood but obviously there was. Closing his eyes, he tried to send his mind out into the cosmos in search of the presence he felt on the Amazeen ship but the Alluvia was too far away and the emanations far too weak to register. Yet the uneasiness persisted.
    "Damn,” he spat and opened his eyes, unnerved by what he wasn't able to understand or reason out. He gave up and shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather uniform britches, hunched his shoulders, and headed for the lounge where everyone would be gathering within the hour to go over the plans for rescuing his bloodkin.
    Iyan glanced up and took note of the heavy frown on his friend's face. He knew Khiershon better than anyone and a look like that generally boded ill for whoever had caused it. The Reaper was moody at best and downright dangerous when he bore such a hard, sharp expression.
    Khiershon threw his leg over the back of the chair beside Iyan and sat down, his brow furrowed. He picked up a straw lying on the table top and began twisting it between his fingers.
    "Should I be concerned with whatever it is that is plaguing you?” Iyan asked quietly.
    "There is something about the male on that Amazeen ship,” Khiershon said. “It worries me."
    "We scanned the ship the first time we came into contact with the Alluvia and there was no male onboard,” Caitlin said. She had been sitting with Iyan, waiting for her husband.
    "That in itself isn't strange,” Iyan said. “They could have swung by Amazeen and picked him up on their way back. If he's a Reaper, we know where they're heading with him."
    "Remember the LRC that was fast approaching the wormhole right behind us when we left the Vex?” Khiershon asked.
    "Vaguely,” Iyan answered.
    "They were burning a Reaper,” Khiershon said. “I felt it."
    "And you wouldn't allow us to blow the ship apart for that reason,” Iyan remembered.
    "Could that have been the Alluvia ?” Khiershon asked.
    Iyan and Caitlin exchanged a look. “Possibly,” Iyan replied. “We haven't encountered any other Amazeen ships."
    "What's bothering you, milord?” Caitlin asked.
    "If the male on the Amazeen ship is a Reaper cadet, I don't believe I know him,” Khiershon said. “I thought at first it might be Sajin, the next to the youngest of my bloodsire's offspring, but now I'm convinced it isn't Sajin. We passed a Reaper being tortured. I felt his pain. If he is the one who is now on the Alluvia why didn't I feel his pain when you were speaking to the Major?"
    "This may be another cadet entirely,” Caitlin said.
    "Something tells me he's the same one,” Khiershon stated.
    "Then perhaps he is unconscious,” Iyan suggested.
    "That's what I'm afraid of,” Khiershon said. “He could be near death already. It's obvious they are headed for Rysalia Prime so they would be taking him to his execution."
    "Would Raphie have known this Major Kahmal on Amazeen?” Caitlin asked. “Could they have been friends on Amazeen?"
    "Doubtful,” Khiershon said. “She didn't have friends. The only females with whom she associated were.... “He