26
(Tharnday, cont.)
Irola – Midtown
“What the hell happened?!” Sipper demanded of Uana when they reached their apartment.
“How did I know that Jilia was eavesdropping?!” she shouted back.
“You don’t just go and kill the fiancée of the Abári! No matter how much you don’t like the A’mara!”
“I didn’t attack her – that was Viper! She recognized him.”
“She knows me too – that doesn’t make her my enemy,” Sipper replied. “Is Viper Yerdua?”
Uana nodded.
“Are you Yerdua also?” he asked slowly, dreading the answer, but already knowing.
“All top-ranked members of the Uugli and Balan are,” Uana replied. “I’m Irola #1, Viper is #2.”
“The excrement just piles deeper and deeper,” Sipper said, exasperated.
“If you breathe a word to anyone about our affiliation, I will have to kill you – father of my child or not. The identities of the Yerdua are strictly – and violently – guarded,” Uana warned. “Don’t even let Viper know that you know – or he might kill you first.”
Sipper gulped, ruing the day he couldn’t control his lust. “You do realize that the A’mara now know that Viper is Yerdua, don’t you? I don’t have to say a word – he did that for himself.”
“He should have killed her when he had the chance, but now he has become a liability,” Uana said uncomfortably. “Look, Sipper! I didn’t want her dead, but the moment they find out the identity of any Yerdua, it puts our whole group at risk! Attacks, once made, must be successful – no matter what. This is for the good of all.”
Sipper shook his head. This was too much. He had never intended to get mixed up with the Yerdua. He wondered if he would survive to reach the retirement he had been working so hard for.
“Keep your knowledge to yourself. Practice your leya techniques – guarding your thoughts. You and I can retire together – eventually,” Uana promised.
♥
Irola – Hospital
A hesitant knock sounded.
“Come in, Saraca,” Jerreck said wearily.
The door opened and the petite woman with the dark purple cloak entered silently. She looked at the shards on the floor and found a broom in the closet. She proceeded to sweep them up, then poured them into a small bag. Then she stood next to Jerreck, holding his arm to lend him her strength.
“How did the meeting finish?” he asked weakly.
“As well as could be expected. We can talk about it later – after Jilia is on the mend. Any idea what happened?”
Jerreck shook his head and explained what he knew.
“Dragonstone fragments all over the floor is bad news,” Saraca said.
Jerreck nodded. “She went to meet with Yidal Sipper.”
“He’s not a bad man,” Saraca said. “Selfish, yes, but not bad.”
“That’s what I thought too,” Jerreck replied.
“At least Truji knows how to counter Yerduan magick now,” Saraca said. “She will not suffer the fate of my dear sister.”
Jerreck nodded, unable to talk lest the tears break through his unsteady defenses.
“There is no shame in tears,” Saraca said gently. “You should know that better than anyone.”
“I know it up here,” he said tapping his head. “But sometimes it’s hard to know it here.” He tapped his chest. “Where is that woman? Did she have to go to Mt. Vendar?” Jerreck asked impatiently.
“Truji would if she had to,” Saraca said.
“I know. I’m just scared,” Jerreck admitted. “I’m scared that I wasted all of my time with Jilia!”
“She will make it, we have to believe that!” Saraca said.
♥
Irola - Understory
“Listen to this one, Neeca,” Fashi said. He played the clip for her. They heard two voices talking about the poisoning of the rainforests.
“I’m the one who told Jilia,” Neeca said. “I’m glad she took me seriously.”
“It was an interesting twist though – to decide that our businesses will ultimately crash for war,” Fashi replied.
“Yes. She’s a smart one,” Neeca said.
“I remember,” Fashi said looking at another screen. “What the flypp?!”
“What?”
He showed her the footage, unable to say anything.
“Is that Uana and Viper?” Neeca asked.
“Watch Viper! What power!” Fashi replied.
They watched as Jilia was lifted over the railing and dropped. Neeca gripped his arm.
Fashi was already tapping out some different commands, hacking into the cameras near the skywalk. He aimed them down and moved them to get better views. “She’s not there now. I hope she’s been rescued. I didn’t want to kill her.”
“Nor me,” Neeca said. “She’s one of the biggest supporters of the Understory we have.”
Fashi continued tapping, looking for further information. “She was admitted into the hospital a couple of hours ago. She’s reported to be in serious, but stable condition.”
“I’m glad. I’m sure Jerreck is absolutely beside himself.”
“Do you know what this means?” Fashi asked her seriously.
“What?”
“Viper, at least, must be Yerdua,” Fashi said.
“I wonder if this Curator knows,” Neeca said.
“Or maybe the Curator is also Yerdua,” Fashi replied.
“What do we do?” Neeca asked.
“Be more careful. Or we play this Curator for all he’s worth,” Fashi said.
“And Uana and Viper?” Neeca asked.
“We pretend we don’t know anything – until we have something to blackmail them for,” Fashi replied.
“And Sipper?”
“I think Sipper has met his match in Uana,” Fashi said with a smirk. “We can sit back and watch those fireworks fly!” Fashi caught Neeca in his arms. “When are you going to move in with me, Neeca?”
“When I’m ready to break off with the A’mara,” she replied.
“You are with me all the time – except the nights, and I want that part to change,” he said pressing his lips to hers. He felt her weaken in his arms, could tell that she hated the power he had over her. He tasted her lips, her tongue. He wanted to scoop her up and take her to his bedroom. But his lingering thoughts of lust spoiled it.
Neeca struggled away from his embrace. Her eyes flashed her irritation, but when she spoke, she was all sweetness. “I need to see if Jilia is okay,” she excused and left.
Fashi knew that he had hit (again) the only fear he had ever found in Neeca – the fear to get close to him, or any man. He shook his head, wondering how to get through the block. He wasn’t angry with her, but with whomever had caused the block to form there.
♥♥♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Birth of the Neví - coming soon on Whaleshares - otherwise, scroll way back on Steem (like summer 2018.)
Name of the Neví - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- Terrenden Atlas Pages (six maps of Almara and Kranisis.)
- [characters, pronunciation, glossary and image credits](https://steemit.com/writing/@viking-ventures/name-of-the-nevi-character-guide-calendar-glossary-and-credits-a-mara-books
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Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them! |
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Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. Book 1 in the Rise of the Neví series. |
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Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death in Rebound of Power; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past in Friendship on Fire; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness in Courage to Trust; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara in Elect to Change; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara in Ocean of Empathy. |
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Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; in Acting the Part Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; in Building on Promise Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; and D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; in Spice of Strength Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart in Sands of Survival. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. In this series, the Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? Titles to include: Name of the Neví, Mind of the Neví... |
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**(To be Named)** - 852 T.C.E. Collection of Romance... It's confirmed that the Neví are now in all three houses of Parliament and most assemblies throughout Terrenden. Additionally, some are threatening to introduce legislation to severely cripple the A'mara of all their privileges.
In this collection, we will catch up with our fugitives (Iyva/Zilan, D'zani/Elíaz). We will also meet Celna Dellan in X'lea; Peri Harmon, a Peer Councilor in Irola; Janys Tyne, an elections team leader in Atrua; meet a nice (as of yet unnamed) woman in Kasago; and revisit Vissia and Catalia in Towani. |
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2019 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
find me on Twitter and Friendster
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, Hyperspace
Join us in the Official Whaleshares server in the text channel "the-phoenix-project"