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  Gwyn had her back stiff, and it was obvious that Gaze was in the house. Her posture and even the set of her eyes changed while she addressed the stranger across from her. Shiver was at her side, and they were both serious.

  Iridia faded against the wall and moved cautiously into the room.

  “I demand to see her. She is not an authorized recruitment despite what my son has said.” The newcomer put her hands on her hips and tapped her bare foot. She was wearing a Grecian-style gown and her hair was up in elaborate braids.

  “It does not matter what you authorized; Zanthan Ibin has requested her, and we will deliver her to Tharos Prime.”

  “My son does not know what he needs. He is only allowed four Guardians, himself included. A woman will be useless in the situations he will be entering.”

  Gaze flicked her eyes toward Iridia and gave her a small nod.

  Iridia moved quietly into the room until she was next to Gaze and Shiver.

  “I do not believe myself to be useless. I have a talent for weaponry and an ability to learn. My body is fit and my mind is quick. I will be an asset on Tharos Prime.” It took all of her nerve, but she let her camouflage fade until she was meeting the blue and copper gaze of the woman across from her.

  The woman blinked. “Who are you?”

  “I am Iridia Graves of the Alliance Protectorate of Terra. I have been taught by combat and weapons instructors until they were satisfied that I had mastered what they had to teach me. I can handle thirty types of guns and twenty-two different knife assemblies. I can keep myself alive and protect those around me.”

  The woman blinked, her skin was a soft moss green, which made her eyes quite startling. A secondary set of lenses shot across her blue and copper eyes.

  Iridia identified her original species, Liankur. It did not account for the copper in the eyes, but it did account for the bright blue.

  Copper filled the eyes completely. “You have shocked her, Mistress Graves. She did not see you there. I am Grethan, Sivengea and I have been together since her mate died. She did not know she was pregnant until we had joined, and by then, it was too late to alter things. Zanthan is her son, and she is very protective of him.”

  Gaze smiled. “Iridia, you are now speaking to the Avatar of the star we just passed. Grethan is our translator in dealing with Tharos Prime.”

  Grethan’s posture was different from Sivengea’s. The star was powerful and knew it. There was no room for hostility in its gaze. It had seen worlds born and torn apart and that knowledge was in those eyes.

  “I apologize for staring. I have only just learned of the possibility of Avatars, but to have one in front of me has surprised me quite a bit.”

  Grethan smiled. “You are honest; that is good. Deception irritates me. I was surprised that Sivengea could not see you. You were a flickering shadow, but you were definitely there.”

  Iridia smiled. “I was just trying not to be noticed. Would you like to see me hide?”

  “Please.”

  Iridia faded against the wall and closed her eyes. She stilled her mind and became nothing.

  After a minute, Grethan chuckled. “Excellent. Well done. If I could not see all spectrums, I would not know where you were.”

  Iridia opened her eyes and smiled at the Avatar. “Will that calm your host?”

  Grethan laughed. “It has indeed. She apologizes for her ire. Her son has dubious taste in women, and she was terrified that you were a piece of skirt for his amusement. Now that your skills are not in doubt, she will get used to the idea of you being with him around the clock. I believe much of the objection lies in your clothing.”

  Iridia looked down. “This is appropriate for my station in the Alliance.”

  “But not for your station on Tharos Prime. You need to wear the indigenous garb of your new world.”

  “And I will, but I need to land there first. I have no one to compare my clothing to except your host, and I am guessing that she wears a style all her own.”

  “That she does. She is calm now. Would you like to speak to her?”

  “If she is prepared to speak to me and Gaze and Shiver don’t mind me taking up their command deck for a while.”

  Gaze waved her hand. “Take all the time you like. We are still travelling while you talk.”

  The eyes of the Avatar returned to blue and copper. “I apologize for my earlier hostility. Zanthan has always been a little more interested in women than good sense. I worry about him being in the company of the attractive and useless.”

  “I hope I am neither. Now, what would you like me to wear?”

  Sivengea blinked. “A gown similar in style to mine with panels of fabric at the shoulder to cover your arms when you are standing still. It should cover you to your ankles.”

  With everyone watching, the Masuo shifted and became a long gown with soft folds, the fabric panels on her shoulders did warm and cover her arms. Tendrils that could not be seen by the others reached down and transformed her boots into sandals. She kept her foundation garments and let a crisscross tie run through her thoughts.

  Sivengea was amazed and Gaze looked at her with envy.

  The pilot asked, “Masuo?”

  “Yes, it was a gift from my instructors. They thought it would be useful in my concealment, and it does make the hiding easier.”

  The sensation of cool air around her legs was a little odd, but she stood still as the Avatar examined her.

  “That is very well done for not seeing a particular fashion in person. You will be passable when you arrive.” Sivengea smiled.

  “Thank you. My bodysuit is my default so that will be how I arrive. This will take shape once I have officially become a Guardian, though combat in a dress is going to be a little awkward.”

  Sivengea frowned. “I suppose that as you are coming in an active capacity, some alterations can be made to the dress.”

  Iridia had the Masuo reform into leggings and boots, the skirt split up either side of her legs and a wide belt supported her abdomen.

  “There. That feels more practical.”

  The Avatar circled her and blinked. “That will work. It screams practicality.”

  Iridia chuckled. “That is my hallmark.”

  The Avatar put two fingers under Iridia’s chin and lifted her head. “You are still too pretty for my liking, but I can deal with that. Your mind is stronger than I imagined.”

  “It has surprised me on occasion as well.” Iridia grinned.

  Gaze chortled. “Good, so everything is settled and we can make landfall without you burning us to ash?”

  Sivengea inclined her head. “It would be rude for me to destroy a Guardian before she has even gotten a foothold on her new position. I will review her behaviour sometime in the future.”

  Iridia inclined her head in response. “Give me a year and see if I am useful.”

  “Fair enough. I am a little loose with time, so forgive me if it takes longer.”

  “Of course. I will be there when you are ready, Avatar.”

  Sivengea grinned. “I believe you will be.”

  With that blessing, the Avatar walked to the airlock and took her leave, floating free of the ship for a moment before streaking past them toward the planet that was their destination.

  Iridia watched the woman disappear into a streak of light and flow toward the world in the display. She exhaled. “Have you ever met someone’s parents and had them disapprove of you before you even met them?”

  Gaze shrugged. “It is a first for me, but Sivengea-Grethan has watched over the uninhabited world for a while. Her own child was part of that guarding. He grew up on that world alone with only his mother for company. She burned away all comers until Tharos Prime was ready for new colonists.”

  There was something unsaid. “Grethan burned away the dead as well, didn’t he?”

  “From what we have learned, he did indeed. He blocked Sivengea’s mind from the dead,
and he burned away the traces of Tharos’s wrath.”

  Iridia shivered and she rubbed her arms. The suit crept along her skin until it reached her fingertips in a set of fingerless gloves under the gown. The idea of an entire world dying for one person was mindboggling.

  The globe that they approached grew larger, and Iridia felt truly nervous for the first time since this adventure had begun. What if Tharos Prime did not like me?

  Chapter Five

  The spot that the Blue Fairy landed in was paved and completely unoccupied by anyone.

  Iridia grabbed her bag and slipped it over her shoulder, leaving her guest quarters for her new world. She hugged Gaze and shook Shiver’s hand before striding out onto Tharos Prime. Her instructions were to climb to the top of the nearest empty building and wait.

  The staircases were made for feet just like hers. It was an easy climb from one level to the next. She grinned as she reached the summit, ten flights up from where she started. The wind tugged at her clothing and she held tight to the strap of her bag as the Blue Fairy lifted off and left her.

  Iridia looked around her and took in the silence. No chirps, whistles or hums of electronics marred the moment. She smiled and sat on the edge of the roof, her legs dangling over a hundred feet above the ground below.

  So, you are the creature that has Grethan’s host in an uproar.

  Iridia looked around and saw nothing, heard nothing.

  I am touching your mind, child. My name is Tharos and you are sitting above my heart.

  “Is that why I was dropped here?” She couldn’t help but speak out loud.

  I wished to speak with you before you took up a position of power on my surface.

  “What do you wish to say?”

  You know what happened to the last group of those who fought against my will. I never want to do that again. I wish you to help amalgamate the species into a working culture.

  “That is a little above my pay grade. I am just here to help where I can and do what is asked of me.”

  I am not asking. This is the task that I set for you. You will have the resources that you need to execute it.

  Iridia blinked in shock. “I am not in charge. I am just a recruit.”

  That is my decision. Zanthan is a good man, but he has never had to steady himself. I will give myself to you, and you will give yourself to him. Sivengea’s opinion does not come into it.

  “What?”

  I have chosen you as my new Avatar, Iridia. Through thousands of applicants and hundreds of races, I have chosen you, the woman who can hide in plain sight. No one need know that you are my Avatar but you and myself.

  “You want me to seduce Zanthan?”

  I wish you to give in to your nature and his. Instinct will follow. I would suggest that you back away from the edge of the roof, but your mental state would not allow it.

  The warning was all she got before the stone under her warmed and bright energy filled her.

  A deep sadness came into her, and it blended with her own feelings of rejection. Tharos had created a people, and they had rejected him. Those who thought creation was the end of parenting had raised Iridia. They clung to each other until the edges where one left off and the other began became blurred.

  Iridia came to herself, standing at the edge of the roof and looking around her once again. An after image of laughing children, zipping vehicles and a bustling population came to her. There was a tremendous sadness that overlaid Tharos’s thoughts. There was regret for the wave of fury, but what had been done could not be undone.

  A minor detail came to Iridia that she had not considered; there was no citizenship agreement for the refugees. They were not entitled to stay if Tharos Prime chose to have them removed.

  Tharos, how am I supposed to pretend that you aren’t inside my head?

  I will diminish until our link is a thin thread. They may suspect, but they will not know unless you tell them, and I am going to remove the knowledge from your mind.

  What? You jump me and then make me forget?

  There was a mental chuckle. I enjoy your humour. My first Avatar remained in shock for weeks. Your recovery is heartening.

  Can you give me information on the species you have allowed here without letting me know you are there?

  Of course. Everything on my surface is at your disposal. There was determination in the mental tone.

  Will my eyes change?

  Not until I manifest completely and that I will not do unless it is necessary. Go about your duties on Tharos Prime and know that you are always protected, though I will not speak to you again unless it is needed.

  Before you go, why me?

  Out of all the candidates, you had the most to offer and needed the most in return.

  In Iridia’s mind, there was warmth, there was light and then everything went dark.

  A hand on her shoulder brought her out of her stupor. “Oh, bright greeting of the day to you.”

  Zanthan Ibin was crouching next to her. His red eyes were focussed on her face. “Bright greeting of the day to you, Iridia Graves.”

  “Is it time to go?”

  “You are at the city that will become the Guardian base. You are already home.”

  “Oh.” She got to her feet and stood with the wind tugging at her. It didn’t seem to cool her as much as she imagined it would.

  He moved to block the wind, standing between her and the mountain range in the distance behind him. “You seem disoriented.”

  She rubbed her hands together. “I don’t…I suppose I am.”

  His scent filled her nostrils and she swayed toward him. That shocked her more than a cool breeze. She never moved toward men; it led to unquantifiable results.

  She looked up at him and his focus was definitely on her.

  “You changed your clothing.”

  She grinned. “I met your mother.”

  He sighed. “She did mention that. She has been an Avatar as long as I have been alive. The conflict between duty and motherhood has always been an issue.”

  Silence stretched between them. She cleared her throat. “And on that note, I believe you said that the Guardians were going to be based here?”

  He smiled slightly. “I did say that. Come with me. I will show you where you will be staying.”

  She followed him down the steps, the sleeves of her gown whipping in the wind. The odd thing was she couldn’t feel any wind.

  Her quarters were an entire tower for her personal studies and sleeping quarters connected to a central hub with a wide walkway. She asked Zanthan. “Are we all situated like this?”

  “This city was called the Heart of Tharos at one time. It was where the Avatar made her residence and where the wave of destruction first began. It is only suitable that we start where it all ended.”

  She could see out of all the archways and an energy screen kept the windows appearing open while they kept out birds and bugs as well as whatever else flew around on Tharos.

  “Are the energy screens new?”

  “How did you know?”

  “I guessed. It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing that would last over centuries.”

  “Right, well, the four towers of the Guardians have been set around the central hub where you can take meals and even swim. The world has authorized our activities with enthusiasm.”

  Iridia nodded. “So your mother said. Why now?”

  Zanthan cocked his head. “I do not know. I only know that five years ago, Tharos Prime used the solar Avatar to invite refugees here. They occupy cities across the globe.”

  “It used your mother.”

  “Why do you continue to mention her?”

  Iridia snorted. “She leaves an impression. How are we going to get around the globe in a reasonable time?”

  “That is the true surprise. Come with me.” He held out his hand and she slipped her fingers into is grip.

  When his fingers curled ov
er hers, she fought the shiver that ran through her and followed him out on the bridge and over to the main hub.

  The room was huge, easily a hundred feet or more in length and width. In the centre was a large, round dais made of polished black stone.

  “That is our transport system. There is one in every city and set at intervals around the globe. We can get into the centre of any of the cities without them seeing our approach.”

  “Can’t the others use these to travel as well?” She reluctantly released his hand and went for a walk near the stone.

  “No. Tharos Prime himself operates the transports. They cannot use this without his cooperation, and if they try, they will have to deal with his decision regarding their ability to remain alive.”

  Iridia winced. “That is very blunt.”

  “They have no idea that these transport sites exist. If they do find them, they will have to deal with whatever Tharos Prime metes out.”

  She shivered and scowled. “If they can’t control where they go, why would Tharos have to send them anywhere? Wouldn’t he just leave them in place?”

  “Who knows what a mad world will do?”

  “Mad world?”

  “That is what is said in the outer planets. Tharos Prime went insane when its Avatar was killed.”

  “Perhaps he was furious and grieving, as anyone would be who lost part of themselves, their soul mate in the most literal sense. Imagine that you lost the person closest to you and you saw those who had done it laughing at the brutality with which she was slaughtered. Would you be calm or would you strike out with everything in you?”

  She had rounded on him and was poking him in the chest as he backed away. He held his hands up.

  “I take your point. I would indeed strike out with everything I had. I suppose that this world did the same.”

  Iridia nodded and turned back to the stone circle. “When do the other two arrive?”

  “Tomorrow. Your ship was faster than anticipated or I would have been here when you arrived.” He was apologetic.