Shield's Lady

thought, what I expected. Delek, it wasn’t like that between Sariana and myself. The lock burned like a white-hot torch. We didn’t get a sense of mild disorientation, we got a full load of each other’s sensations. I had been wounded that night and she felt the pain of the wound as if she had taken the blade herself. I could feel everything she experienced when I took her. Her shock, her pain, her anger. I was running a fever and she also felt that. And the crossover seemed to magnify and reflect back. My wound hurt more than it had before the link. My fever felt several degrees hotter.” He shook his head. “I can’t explain it. I just know it was much more intense than I had been led to believe. I actually wondered if I had been told a few minor lies all these years.”
    “No, young Shields are not fed a pack of lies about linking or anything else. My first time with Penela wasn’t anything like what you’re describing. There was a lot of passion on both our parts and I was well aware of her excitement just as she was aware of mine, but that was about it. It sounds like you went through a very unusual linking, but I have no explanation for it.”
    Gryph sat back in his chair. “I was afraid of that. Do you miss Penela, Delek?”
    Delek raised his eyebrows. “Penela was sexy as hell when we were linked. That woman could drive me out of my mind with lust. The rest of the time she was a complete pain in the ass. You’re old enough to know that linking doesn’t always mean loving. It doesn’t even always imply a good friendship. You want the truth? The day I heard she had broken her fool neck on a wild dragonpony, I felt as if a part of me had been torn out. But there was also a sense of relief. I was free. Alana has more than filled up whatever emptiness my Shieldmate left behind in me.”
    “I understand.” Gryph wondered if any woman, Shield-mate or lover, could fill up the empty place inside him that Sariana would create if she were to leave him now. It startled him to realize just how much a part of him she had become in such a short time.
    A half hour later, their plans made, Gryph said good-bye to his friend and started back toward the windrigger.
    He had passed the fairgrounds on his way to Delek’s house. Now he found himself stopping on a whim. He really shouldn’t waste any more time. There was much that had to be done by nightfall.
    But it would only take a moment to choose a trinket for Sariana. She wasn’t going to appreciate having been cooped up on the ship all day. Maybe he could win a smile or two from her. He browsed the craft aisles, searching for something that would suit her, something refined and simple in design.
    He had just paid for an elegant cloak pin and was wondering if Sariana would give him one of her dazzling smiles when he presented it to her when his whole body tensed.
    Sariana was nearby and she was in danger.
    The sensation was so overpowering that Gryph didn’t stop to question it. She was somewhere in the vicinity.
    Prowling like a hunting cat through the crowds, Gryph homed in slowly on his goal.
    He found himself standing in front of a large, eyedazzling structure that he recognized as a familiar fair attraction, a House of Reflections. It appeared to be closed, but a small boy was standing at the entrance, trying to get the attention of a nearby adult.
    “She’s inside, I tell you. She didn’t come out with the others. There’s a lady still inside. You have to open the door,” the boy wailed.
    The attendant brushed aside the boy’s clutching hand. “There’s no one in there. Now get out of here. The House of Reflections is closed for repairs for the next hour or so. Go on, kid, get out of here.”
    Gryph stepped forward, his attention on the youngster. “Who’s inside, boy? What does she look like?”
    “I tell you there’s no one in there.” The attendant was reddening with rage.
    “You’re a Shield, aren’t you?” the youngster said suddenly. “You’re wearing a weapon kit. A real one.”
    Gryph crouched in front of the youngster. “I’m a Shield,” he said softly. “Now tell me who’s inside.”
    “Her name is Sariana. Are you going to get her out?”
    “That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” Gryph rose and turned to confront the attendant only to find himself facing a fleeing back. He turned back to the boy. “It looks like we’ll have to get her out by ourselves.”
    “You want me to help you rescue Sariana?” the