Chapter 18

H'zim followed the others into Temel's office, his stomach churning with unease. It was a large comfortable room, the walls lined with bookcases and a large window overlooking the farm. A man dressed in black was standing by the large desk - tall for a human and lean rather than bulky, his face perfectly composed and expressionless. He had to be Tomlin.

S'kal confirmed his guess by greeting Tomlin as they all took their seats. Temel sat down behind the big desk and steepled his fingers, regarding him thoughtfully. That discerning gaze had always made him uncomfortable, and his usual reaction would have been to scowl at the other male. This time he did his best to keep his expression neutral.

"S'kal says you have some news for us, H'zim."

He cleared his throat, automatically assuming a military position.

"Two men intercepted me on my way back from town. They want me to confirm the presence of a source of semi-precious stones on this land." He paused, his gaze drifting to the floor. "In exchange for not sending me back to prison."

The room fell silent, the only sound the creaking of the old wooden chairs. He couldn't meet anyone's eyes, fearing he'd see judgment or worse, disappointment.

Temel broke the silence, his voice measured.

"What made them think you'd agree to this?"

He shrugged, feeling trapped.

"They threatened to send me back to jail if I didn't comply. I originally… agreed to such a bargain in order to be set free. Not this specific arrangement," he added quickly. "Just to a future request."

Temel nodded thoughtfully, but he didn't seem as appalled as he had feared.

"Did they say what they want with these stones?"

"No, other than assuring me that they were of no great value."

Kalpar leaned forward.

"Is this what Marshall has been searching for all along?"

"Yes," Tomlin said calmly.

He looked over at Temel and the commander pulled out a tray containing an elaborate necklace and tiara, both covered with glittering purple stones. Tomlin gestured at the jewelry, but H'zim noticed that he didn't touch it.

"We call these stones morchev. It is correct to say that they are semi-precious. They have little intrinsic value. They are not even that uncommon although they are usually much smaller. Gems of this size are very rare, although still not of great wealth, and I suspect the ones on this land are larger still."

"If they don't have any great value, why is Marshall trying to locate the source?" Kalpar demanded impatiently.

"Because gems of this size, this age, have a unique… resonance," Tomlin said slowly. "One that affects certain… psychic abilities."

H'zim had the impression that the other male was choosing his words very carefully, but he appeared to be telling the truth.

"On their own they could be dangerous," Tomlin continued. "But only to certain individuals and only at very close range."

"And when they are not on their own?" Temel asked and a flicker of expression crossed Tomlin's face, the first tiny crack in his composure.

"I'm not sure how much any of you know about plebanium, but it is found within a substrate of a white clay-like substance. Again a substance of no particular value, but if it is processed into a dry powder and combined with the morchev… it results in a very dangerous type of weapon."

"More than any other weapon?" Kalpar asked skeptically.

"Yes, because it is a psychic weapon, one that can control the behavior of others."

A sudden appalled silence fell over the room.

"Mind control?"

Kalpar was still trying to sound doubtful, but H'zim heard the underlying worry in his voice.

"Yes, and with a large enough supply of both gems and substrate and a large enough weapon, it could extend over a wide area."

"How wide?" Temel asked quietly.

"Enough to cover a good portion of Port Cantor, although as I said it would require a very large supply."

"Like the one here on our property?" he asked grimly and Tomlin nodded.

Muttered curses filled the room and Kalpar shook his head.

"How the hell did Marshall find out about this?"

"Because that's what he does." Constance was standing in the doorway, her face pale but her voice remarkably composed. Kalpar immediately went to her side, wrapping a protective arm around her as she continued. "He obtains information from anywhere he can find it. He has an extensive library, both digital and physical, and a huge network of people bringing him pieces of information all the time, all of which are stored and analyzed."

His brother frowned at Tomlin.

"How did you know about the effects, Tomlin?"

"My… family has stories about the morchev, although they have always been kept secret. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not connect the pieces until Lady Constance brought the jewelry here."

"Do you really think Marshall is trying to develop a weapon to take over people's minds?" he asked.

"Yes," Constance said immediately, even though a tear trickled down her cheek. "He values control over almost everything else. Why else would he have been willing to marry me off simply to gain access to an expired plebanium mine? If he can develop a weapon of this type, he will use it."

"Fuck. I should have killed him when I had the chance." Kalpar gave his mate a hesitant look. "I'm afraid that -"

"No," Tomlin interrupted, his voice so cold it sent a chill down H'zim's spine. "That will be my pleasure. My apologies, Lady Constance," he added.

Despite the polite expression of regret, he clearly didn't intend to be swayed from his intentions. Constance nodded, her face even paler, and Kalpar gave a frustrated growl.

"Why did he need to send me to find out about the morchev?" H'zim asked and Temel sighed.

"Because his previous efforts failed. We have a monitor in place around most of the farms - although it doesn't yet extend as far as your farm, H'zim. We intercepted some early attempts but at the time we didn't realize their intentions. Then he tried sending someone to infiltrate the farm. It didn't end well for them."

"And that's why he arranged to have me released?"

Temel nodded. "I assume so. He must have been confident that you would eventually show up here."

"There might be others," Constance said quietly. "He usually has a backup plan or three."

"Perhaps, but I believe only one of us could be successful."

And I was the one who could be corrupted, he thought bitterly.

"What do we do about the men who are waiting for H'zim's response?" his brother demanded.

"I suggest that Lord H'zim give them one of the jewels from this necklace," Tomlin said calmly.

"Won't they be able to tell?"

"Eventually - but by then it will be too late. Marshall will be dead."

The utter conviction in Tomlin's voice sent a shiver down his spine and Constance flinched. Kalpar growled again, but she put a restraining hand on his arm.

"It's all right. I understand. We can't let him do this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"If you will excuse me," Tomlin said politely, and bowed. "I will go and prepare."

The human left the room, moving as silently as any warrior and he frowned after him.

"Do you really think-"

"We will leave you as well," Kalpar interrupted, already guiding Constance out of the room. "We'll be at home when… you have news."

H'zim looked at his brother and Temel, then tried his question again.

"Do you really think Tomlin can eliminate Marshall?" He found it difficult to believe that a human could get past Marshall's security.

"Yes."

"Yes."

Temel and S'kal responded at the same time, both of them sounding equally certain, so he let it drop. Temel pried one of the stones out of the tiara and handed it to him. He took it cautiously but it didn't seem any different to any other stone. He sighed and tucked it in his pocket.

"I'll smear some mud on it tomorrow to make it look more genuine." He hesitated, then looked over at S'kal. "I'd like to speak to the Commander alone."

His brother nodded and rose.

"I'll be in the kitchen when you're done."

S'kal dropped a brief hand on his shoulder and left the room, closing the doors behind him. He turned to find Temel regarding him thoughtfully.

"You were the one who arranged to purchase the farms," he blurted out.

"Yes. Life in the city did not seem to be working out well for most of us. A friend of mine did something similar with a ranch in the mountains."

"Are you willing to let me keep the farm?"

Temel raised a brow.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"We have had our… differences in the past."

Fewer than with any of his previous superiors because he genuinely respected Temel, but they had occurred.

Temel shook his head, his horns catching the light.

"My goal was to provide new homes for any warriors who needed it - not just for the ones who agreed with me." He shrugged. "It can be helpful to have someone willing to question orders. To a certain extent."

"I take it you mean I pushed that boundary?"

"Indeed." The commander's stern face softened a little. "I am glad you have found someone to keep you grounded. Although I still believe very much in this project, I think in the end, it is our mates who truly help us heal."

"I think so too."

"Good. Then shall we join our mates?"

Temel smiled at him and rose, and he smiled back, grateful that his past anger and recklessness were not going to ruin his current happiness. And he intended to make damn sure that didn't change going forward.