THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

escaped from there once? Wouldn’t you prefer to keep him within sight until you make a final decision? Besides, don’t you want everyone here for your party?”
    Mathias considered this. “The prisoner can’t break the bindings.”  When he seemed ready to agree to anything to get this celebration moving, Mathias snapped fingers at two of his hunters and pointed. “Seat him there.”
    Gabby followed Tony and sat down next to him. She leaned close, whispering, “Rayen and I believe you. We’ll figure a way to get you out of here.”
    He owed Psycho Babe a hug … and to stop calling her Psycho Babe. He nodded and made a grumbling noise.
    Gabby whispered, “I don’t know what you’re saying, but I have a way to find out...if you’re game?”
    He nodded. At this point, he’d play Ouija Board with his nose if she could figure out what he needed to tell her and Rayen.
    “It means having to speak to you mind-to-mind,” she explained.
    Just when he was ready to kick her nickname to the curb, she says something like that. He rolled his eyes, glad he couldn’t speak right now because he was sure she wouldn’t want to hear what he thought of her crazy solution.
    Mathias stepped up and told Gabby, “Move away from the prisoner.
    Instead of blindly jumping, she held up her hands. “I don’t have a knife.”
    “Now.”
    She stood, but growled her discontent, making sure anyone close by knew she thought Mathias was a tyrant.
    Now Tony wished she could’ve at least tried the Vulcan mind meld or whatever she was talkin’ about.
    The celebration turned out to be what looked like a birthday party. Tony couldn’t believe while the time for callin’ up a transender ticked off the red moon clock, this bunch was servin’ some kind of fruit cocktail like it was a birthday cake and each one comin’ by to hug Mathias and saying goodbye.
    Was this a farewell party?
    Where’d they think Mathias was going?
    Some kids beat gourds and blew through reeds, while others twirled and danced with orange and yellow vine streamers. The littlest ones clapped their hands and threw flower petals into the air like confetti, then they’d stare at them for a second and the petals would remain suspended. Several others were concentrating, and around them spun vine streamers and whole flowers as if they were mind activated. Everything seemed frenzied though, as if they were forcing happiness.
    Finally the main whoop de doo ended, with Zilya saying a few words, holding a politician’s smile in place. Her eyes held a boat load of denial, not believing something about this party.
    Mathias took time with each of the kids, praising them for the decorations and laughing at their antics.
    When Gabby had left Tony’s side, she’d passed by the healer who frowned when she bypassed a seat next to him.
    She’d planted herself shoulder-to-shoulder with Rayen.
    She and Rayen had both kept visual tabs on Tony throughout the party.
    Like I can go anywhere being wrapped up this way?
    Rayen whispered something to Gabby who nodded, then winked at Tony as if she sent a message.
    If I get out of this, I’m going to teach Xena and Psycho Babe some useful hand signals.
    Mathias finally stood and everyone applauded. He lifted his hands for silence. “Thank you for a BIRG Day celebration that exceeded my greatest expectation.”
    You got some low expectations there, buddy.
    Mathias continued, “I must go now, but if I’m given a choice know that I will return. However, until that happens you must stay united and follow Callan’s leadership.”
    Zilya spoke up at that. “I am the next highest in rank from the Governing House.”
    “That is true,” Mathias agreed. “But I am designating Callan who is better prepared to lead our group in this Sphere. As you well know, I hold the power to make that decision at any time our people are under threat such as we are here.” 
    “As you wish.”  Zilya shrugged as if she couldn’t be bothered. The minute Mathias turned from her, Zilya whispered something to Etoi who chuckled, as if they both thought this whole production was funny. Maybe they didn’t expect Mathias to leave at all. That would be a mean trick to play on these little kids. Tony wished he could hear what Zilya and Etoi were whispering, but Mathias kept talking.
    “Protect and watch over each other. Never give up hope of leaving. We will win this war. Our families will find us. This I believe with all my being.”
    Mathias gave a