Кристи Голдэн - Twilight

"Nice catch," Rosemary said dryly. "So... what do we do now?"

"We wait," Jake said.

They made their way out to the courtyard, where they could see the final moments of the battle unfolding. Jake's eyes were glued to the small, clunky-looking ship that Rosemary had helped to restore as it emerged from beneath the Alys'aril and sped arrow-straight in the direction of the warp gate. His heart lurched as a fighter broke formation to follow, but almost immediately it barrel-rolled gracefully and returned to its fellows. He sagged in relief. The protoss vessel had been scanned for human life-forms and dismissed as unimportant. Jake watched, a smile curving his lips, as it disappeared from view.

Krythkal stayed in touch mentally with Selendis as they raced to safety. A few moments later, he told them with quiet joy, "They reached the gate. They are safe."

You did it, Zamara. You did more than anyone could have asked of you. And now you and Ulrezaj are on Shakuras. They'll watch over him. You did it.

Jake found himself unable to stand for long and Rosemary eased him down to the stones of the courtyard. She sat down herself and gently placed his head in her lap.

He looked up at her, strangely at peace even though he suspected that torture and a particularly nasty death were but a few moments away. He saw the same odd peace reflected on her features as she ran her hands through his fair hair.

"This is nice," he said softly.

"Don't get used to it. I'm not about to feed you grapes or anything."

He laughed then, a free, pure, ringing laugh, and her full red lips, the lips he had not kissed nearly enough, curved in response.

Valerian Mengsk found them there less than an hour later. The Heir Apparent paused on the last step, accompanied by several marines with rifles and a slight, nondescript man in civilian clothing. Valerian's sharp gray eyes darted around and he lifted a hand in a quick gesture. Six of the marines hurried off, splitting up to head in two different directions.

"Professor Ramsey. Rosemary. How good to see you safe," Valerian said. The words sounded genuine. "Quite the chase you'vegiven me. I—"

While Valerian had been speaking, the nondescript man had been staring at Jake. Now he blurted, "Sir—she's gone." "What?"

"The protoss in Professor Ramsey's head. She's gone."

"You must be Devon Starke," Jake said. "You're right. Zamara is no longer in here." He sat up, tapping his skull. "Only thing that's in here is a very human brain and a few very painful tumors."

Valerian's golden brows drew together over gray eyes that suddenly reminded Jake of a storm at sea. "What have you done?"

"She wasn't ever supposed to be in his head in the first place," Rosemary retorted, getting to her feet and glaring at the emperor's son. "The protoss got her out."

"Where is she?" Valerian demanded.

"Hell if I know."

Valerian swore and ran a hand through his hair. "Take them to the ship," he told the marines who remained. He turned his eyes to the protoss, as if noticing him for the first time. "You...are you in charge of this place?"

Krythkal inclined his head. "I am Krythkal, the alysaar'vah of the Alys'aril."

"I've been instructed to claim this site for the Dominion," Valerian said. "Your people will not be harmed if you do not resist." He glanced around briefly, and Jake didn't need to be a telepath to read his thoughts. His hunger and regret were plain on his face. Still, it was as Jake had expected. Valerian, knowledge-seeker, had claimed the site for—

Jake blinked. Had Valerian really just claimed to have been instructed to do something? Who could possibly.. .his eyes widened.

"I'm sorry it was damaged in the fighting. Very sorry indeed," Valerian was continuing. His gray eyes darted to Jake's. "Professor, Rosemary—you will come with me."

Jake had never thought he'd be face-to-face with the emperor of the Dominion. But then again, a lot of things had happened over the last several months that he hadn't ever dreamed would happen.

He, Rosemary, Valerian, and Starke were in Valerian's private quarters. Of necessity smaller than the room in which the Heir Apparent had entertained Jake what seemed like a lifetime ago, the rooms still painted a picture of their inhabitant. There were still ancient weapons on the walls, showcased by good lighting; a cabinet of fine carved wood that doubtless stocked rare and delicious liquor; four leather chairs instead of the sofa Jake remembered.

Arcturus Mengsk's face was oversized on the viewscreen. Jake knew that was intentional and provided Mengsk with an advantage. There would have been a time when he would be sweating bullets, but now Jake was just simply so weary that he looked the emperor right in the eye, which seemed to irritate the man.

"My son has told me a little bit about your situation, Ramsey," Arcturus said. "And I hear that you've cheated us."

Beside him, Rosemary tensed, but had the good sense to stay quiet. Jake glanced over at Valerian, but the younger man's face was a careful mask of neutrality. He would get no cues there. He—

Don't worry. Answer him honestly.

Jake recognized the mental voice as Devon Starke's, but didn't give the former ghost away by glancing in his direction. "Sir," Jake said, "Zamara's presence in my head was killing me. If she'd stayed there I'm not sure there'd be even this much left of me. As it is, I will require an operation to remove several tumors."

Arcturus laughed, his oversized face easy and inviting. "Well, I will take what I can get. I've ordered Valerian to claim the protoss temple for the Dominion, and now he's given me you."

Valerian started. "Father, what do you mean?"

"You came to me for help. I gave it to you—gave you the best vessels and pilots I had. You were to bring me the protoss intelligence you were so desperately hunting. You failed, so I'm taking the professor instead. There won't be much left of him when I'm done, I'm sorry to say. But we'll pull out everything we can."

Valerian paled, then flushed. But before he could speak Jake had blurted, "There's no need for that! I'll happily tell you everything Iknow! This information—it's not just for the protoss. It's for all of us!"

Mengsk's eyes narrowed and he regarded Jake speculatively. "Of course you will, son. You won't have a chance to hide a damned thing."

The old bastard...he lied to Valerian and to me, came Starke's voice. Professor—the deal was to let you go. I'm sorry.

So am I, Jake thought.

"And so we're back where we started from, when you were headed for interrogation on the Gray Tiger," Mengsk said with an incongruous joviality.

A muscle twitched near Valerian's eye, but Mengsk the Younger had composed himself. He sighed, straightened his shoulders, and gave a self-deprecating smile. "It's as you wish, Father. I couldn't have done it without your help. Don't suppose I could have a few of those vikings for my own use?"

Jake stared, first at Valerian, then at Starke. Starke looked disappointed, but resigned.

"I knew Jake shouldn't have stayed," Rosemary snarled. "You despicable, lying, cowardly—"

"Perhaps you'll excuse us, Father," Valerian said. "I've got a tiger by the tail here."

"Feisty little thing," Mengsk said.

"You don't know the half of it," Valerian said, smiled his easy smile, leaned forward, and switched off the viewscreen. He whirled, all humor gone from his face. "This isn't good. I thought this might happen, but I didn't know you'd need an operation beforehand, Professor."

Rosemary stared. "You mean—that was an act?"

"Of course. I had to let Father think he'd won. He's like a bulldog—won't let go unless he knows he's the victor. Now that he thinks I'm bringing the professor to him, he'll leave us alone for a while."