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

not inform them who is on the DarkWind ?” Maeve Lynne McGregor asked Raphaella.
    "No, I think not. It is best not to worry the Prime Reaper. He has enough on his mind as it is."
    "He became very quiet when you told him you are Khiershon's mate,” McGregor said. “I'm not sure that was wise on your part to lie to him, Raphie."
    Raphaella thought back to the odd look the Prime Reaper had given her. Had he been able to read her mind? Khiershon always could but then Khiershon had taken a drop of her blood. Did the Prime know she had not been completely honest? If Khiershon was adept at reading thoughts, how much more powerful would his bloodsire be? Would he need her blood in order to read her?
    "I don't think either Reaper was aware of the other,” Raphaella said. “If Khiershon knew there was a Reaper on the Alluvia , he wouldn't have refrained from contacting him. Likewise if the Prime knew one of his bloodsons was near he would have hailed him."
    "Perhaps not,” McGregor said. “Perhaps they know but both are being cautious, fearful of having some other ship intercept their transmission."
    "Maybe,” Raphaella said.
    "We should at least inform Khiershon and his crew what is happening,” McGregor declared. “If both he and Kahmal try to snatch the cadets at the same time, the men could be torn apart in the effort. He needs to know his bloodsire in on the Alluvia and that he is planning on turning himself over to the Daughters."
    "Aye, now see therein lies the problem!” Raphaella said. “If I tell Khiershon his bloodsire is planning on allowing the Multitude to throw him into prison, Khier will snatch the Prime Reaper off the Alluvia and there will be hell to pay. The Daughters know Kahmal is on her way to Rysalia Prime with their most wanted man. Don't think for a moment they won't throw everything they have at Khiershon to get his bloodsire back! They want the Prime more than any other Reaper. It is too dangerous for Khiershon and your brother, Iyan!"
    Maeve Lynne McGregor drew in a long, ragged breath. “Aye, I agree it will be dangerous but if both ships attempt to retrieve the cadets..."
    "We have to make sure Khiershon's attempt to transport the cadets to the DarkWind fails,” Raphaella interrupted.
    "How do we do that?"
    "We block his transport signal. I brought the schematics for the new system they installed on the DarkWind with us when we left Corinth. We've engineers on board that can jam Khier's retrieval beams,” Raphaella explained. “Once they realize the cadets have been picked up by the Alluvia and the Alluvia is speeding away, we can tell Khier about his bloodsire."
    "Then what?"
    "We transport everyone from the DarkWind to our ship and we get the hell out of Rysalia Prime airspace, blowing up anything that tries to get in our way or comes after us."
    "What about the DarkWind ?” McGregor asked. “Do we just ditch it?"
    Raphaella shrugged. “Why not? It's just a Terran ship."
    "A Terran ship our men retrofitted to be a powerful warcruiser,” McGregor said. “Have you forgotten my people are still being hounded by the Rysalians?"
    "I haven't forgotten, Maeve Lynne, but in the grand scheme of things that is of less importance than making sure we save the lives of Khiershon's bloodkin. Your brother would agree on that point."
    Maeve Lynne McGregor figured her brother Iyan would have something to say about discarding a perfectly good ship and even more to say to her for being a party to Raphaella's plan. Having women in battle wasn't her brother's way and although he was many years older than her, she thought she knew him pretty well. He'd want to take the ship back to Corinth in case it was ever needed.
    "Stop worrying, Maeve Lynne,” Raphaella said. “I've got things well under control."
    McGregor watched the Amazeen stride away and not for the first time thought Raphaella had to be the most arrogant woman she'd ever had the displeasure of meeting. Not one female among the Serenians and