Gathering Storm (The Salvation of Tempestria Book 2) by Gary Stringer (howl and other poems .txt) 📕

“I did,” Jessica put in. “I always did.” A golden flush spread across her face as she continued, “It’s kind of embarrassing, now that I know him, and please don’t tell him I said this, but I used to pray to him. Or at least wish for him. And then, one day, my wish came true. He burst into the lab, tore open our cages, killed Zacar and destroyed every last bit of his research before setting fire to the place and opening up one of his blue portals to this world.”

Sara took up the story. “He made sure we understood what would happen if we ever set foot on our world again. Two carriers might not be enough to wipe out our whole species, but we’d kill anyone we came into contact with. So now, the only Chetsuans we’ll ever see in our lives are each other.”

“Yeah, and I’m sick of the sight of her already,” Jessica remarked, clearly not meaning a word of it.

Sara smiled and gave her a shove. “It’s not so bad,” she asserted. “We live here, mostly, but we’ve been through the portals to other worlds, too.”

“Not to yours,” Jessica interjected. “He was always worried about that Kullos bloke detecting our alien presence, and through us, learning of StormClaw Island, and finding the open doorways to these other worlds. After a year in a cage, having the run of a handful of worlds is pretty cool. Even if we have to wear a perception filter so no-one can see the real us. Except when we go to sci-fi conventions to snog elves.”

“You’re not going to let that go, are you?” Sara laughed.

“Nope.”

“You’re only jealous!”

“Too right, I’m jealous. He was cute, not that I could see much of his face when it was locked onto yours. Nice arse, though.”

Going back to her policy of ignoring her sister’s remarks, Sara explained, “In return for such freedom, all Daelen asks is that we keep his bases running for him. Seems like a small price to pay, really.”

“OK, I admit Daelen can be a bit arrogant and act without thinking,” Jessica allowed, “and I suppose he does see us as serving girls at his beck and call, but it’s not a bad job.”

“And as we said, we have a lot of free time to do whatever we want.”

Mandalee didn’t know what to say, but she certainly wouldn’t have gone with what Cat asked.

“You don’t resent us, do you?”

The two Chetsuans and one human frowned.

“Resent you, dear?” Jessica gasped. “Why on Earth would we do that?”

“Because Daelen is on a mission with us to save our world from Kullos. Does it never occur to you to wonder why, when he could be on your world, saving the Chetsuans from the dragons?”

“Maybe he will, one day,” Jessica shrugged. “Even he can’t be everywhere at once.”

“My sister’s faith aside,” Sara reasoned, “as I understand it, if Kullos wins, he won’t stop with destroying your world. He’s got the whole mortal plane in his sights.”

“The dragons reckon the Chetsuans are vermin,” Jessica growled. “Kullos reckons all mortal life forms are vermin: Chetsuans, dragons, humans, Faery…” Her scowl morphed into a smirk, which she directed at her sister. “…Elves who get snogged at sci-fi conventions.”

“And it’s not just the half dozen worlds through these portals, there are loads more. Point is, there’s a bigger picture. So, no, Catriona, we don’t resent you. Not a bit. Do we, Jess?”

Her sister shook her head. “No way! In fact, Daelen filled us in on the situation on your world when we came in this morning, and we’ve already told him we want to help, even if that just means serving your breakfast and having a chat.”

“Whatever you need from us, it’s yours,” Sara agreed.

“And what you need right now,” Jessica advised, checking the time, “is to get back to your rooms and change for your training session with Daelen.”

“Oh yes, the training session,” Cat echoed with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

“Well, obviously the body armour is out of the question for you,” Sara realised. “And synthetic fabrics in general. We’ll have to try and find something else for you.”

“No need,” the druidess insisted. “I’m fine as I am.”

“He won’t like it,” Jessica warned her.

“That’s OK,” Mandalee, insisted. “I’ll distract him by being his star pupil.”

Chapter 21

Sara led them to Daelen’s training centre, located in a separate outbuilding, and knocked on the door before entering. Mandalee, as promised, was wearing the one-piece combat body armour that Jessica had laid out for her. She was actually really pleased with it. Clinging to her like a second skin, it was predominately white, with purple and silver highlights, matching her regular outfit very well. It was just so much lighter, far more flexible and, best of all, it seemed to give her curves that, if she was honest, she didn’t really have, and hide parts that Mandalee wished she didn’t have. Her friend, however, was dressed in her usual red robes. Jessica had taken the suit away from her room to make sure Cat couldn’t touch it by accident and suffer another adverse reaction. The druidess was giving Mandalee a wide berth for the same reason. Almost as soon as they left the portal room, she lost the connection to her world and her magic, and she felt herself losing her temper again along with it.

Once they were inside, Sara made herself scarce as quickly as possible. She knew there were going to be fireworks and she wanted to be far away when they started.

Daelen was wearing only the bottom half of a two-piece combat suit, sweat pouring from his muscular torso. He was breathing heavily when they entered, but it soon abated, demonstrating his high fitness level.

He scowled at Catriona. “Why aren’t you wearing your combat suit?” he demanded.

“When I touched it, my hand swelled up. If I put it on, it would probably kill me. Never thought about my Faery physiology, did you?”

“Oh, no, I