THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

do a mundane job of preparing a celebration, even one for Mathias. Or maybe especially because it was for him.
    V’ru seemed perplexed. “Should we not postpone the BIRG Day so there is no rush, Callan?”
    “No. It’s important to hold true to our customs, even here. Mathias and I both believe we must not become lax with rituals that are significant to our Houses.”
    “Do you believe what the scouts told us about leaving here at eighteen?” V’ru asked with the first emotion I’d heard in his voice. The boy yearned for home as did all the other children. On top of that, he clearly feared being left.
    This new information confused me. “So you get to leave at eighteen?”
    Callan only said, “That’s what the TecKnati scouts told us when we were dropped here.” 
    I’d think that good news, if not for the way his gaze had shifted away when he’d explained that. I didn’t know that he lied, exactly, but he hid something.
    But why would the TecKnati release one of their MystiK captives? Surely they realized Mathias would go straight to his people and bring the wrath of the MystiKs down on the TecKnatis.
    Anyone would declare war to regain their stolen children.
    If I’d thought it was hard to understand the world I’d fallen into earlier in the day, that was nothing compared to this world in this Sphere.
    Callan’s smile expanded, but with a forced effort. “Of course, I believe we’ll leave here at eighteen. My guess is that the TecKnati will use each leader they return as a pawn in negotiating with our Houses. This is clearly about the HERMES space launches that our leaders interrupted. The sooner our Houses know where we are, the quicker they will find a way to return us home.”
    “That will be soon?” V’ru asked, sounding more like a boy of his age and less like a stuffy know-it-all.
    “Yes.” Callan nodded with conviction. “Once our Houses and the TecKnati come to an agreement this will all be over. I want you to continue analyzing the information on Rayen while I speak with Mathias.” Callan turned to Etoi. “Go now and check on the preparations.”
    I watched those two march out with their orders, fairly sure that I was the only one who realized Callan had not told V’ru and Etoi the whole truth. I didn’t know how I knew, but I did.
    Why?
    I had to reevaluate Callan and didn’t like what I suspected.
    Anyone who’d mislead these kids and raised their hopes only to have those hopes crushed when Mathias didn’t leave was capable of ordering the death of a stranger just because he had a scorpion tattoo and an attitude.
    Callan couldn’t see beyond his grief over his brother to pass up a chance for vengeance. 
    When Callan bent his head, ordering me to follow, then stepped out of the chamber, I rushed to catch up.
    If he was willing to kill Tony, he’d better be prepared to kill me as well.
    And that meant I had to be prepared to do whatever it took to stop him.

CHAPTER 30
     
    Hanging vertically from the pole that was more rigid than it first looked, Tony struggled against the vines, but nothing gave. He sucked air through the slim opening allowed by the leaf covering his mouth. Smelled like one of those cinnamon candies cheap restaurants had on their counters.
    He wasn’t sucking any mints ever again.
    When the kiddie army stopped, someone cut the vines wrapping him and he hit the ground as hard as bag of cement. That hurt.
    Mathias stepped into view, found a handhold between the red vines still wrapping Tony like a neon-red mummy and hoisted him to his feet.
    For a second, he thought he was in a different village. This place looked like Party Central with hanging strings of multi-colored flowers, twined vines and a whole bunch of globe plants that reminded Tony of Mr. Tan’s Japanese lantern flowers.
    Did this bunch celebrate executions?
    Gabby walked into view. She shadowed the healer, Jaxxson, who was no longer looking at her as if she topped his list of inconvenient chores. What had happened for him to be giving her the eye, the guy look that said he was interested and waiting to pick the best time to make his move?
    Gabby would shut him down in a heartbeat. If Rayen didn’t get to him first.
    But at least Gabby looked healthy again. When her gaze danced over the crowd and landed on Tony, she broke into a run.
    Never thought he’d be so happy to see Psycho Babe.
    Mathias put his arm up to stop her from getting close.
    Instead, she leaned her head past Mathias.