Star's Storm(19)

“Star,” River called out softly. “Madas is here to see you.”

She didn’t respond. She listened as River explained to Madas that she had been unresponsive since the sedative the healer gave her wore off after the first day. Madas asked several questions before asking River if she would mind if she spoke to Star alone.

“I need to check on Torak. He has taken this hard as well,” River was saying. “Please let the guard know before you leave. I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”

“I promise she will not be left alone,” Madas hissed out softly. “Do not give up hope yet, Lady River. There are some things that are yet to be revealed.”

River looked inquisitively at Madas for a moment before she nodded. “I’ll be back soon, Star,” River said quietly as she walked over and knelt next to Star’s chair. River squeezed her friend’s hand tightly. “I love you, little sister. Never forget that.” River rose and nodded tearfully to Madas before quietly leaving.

Madas watched as the slender figure walked out. What she had to say was for the little warrior’s ears only. The Gods had sent a message and Madas firmly believed it was time for the little warrior to prove how fierce she could be. Madas looked at the still figure sitting in the chair. The light played with the colors of spun gold in her hair. Her face was still, almost serene. It was as if she was waiting for something. Perhaps she was waiting for Madas.

“Little warrior,” Madas hissed quietly. “Your mate needs you.”

Star didn’t respond but something told Madas that she was listening. That was all that Madas wanted. Her own mate was being stubborn and refused to believe her. There had only been one other person Madas knew who might believe her wild dream – the person who knew the man responsible for Jazin’s supposed death.

“He is not dead. He is a prisoner. It is time to claim your mate before he is truly taken from this life,” Madas hissed out in a firm voice filled with confidence and belief. “The Gods have spoken to me. I need you to believe.”

Star’s head turned and she stared silently into Madas black eyes for several long minutes. Madas did not look away. She needed the little warrior to believe her – to trust her. Madas held no animosity that her own mate did not believe in her dreams. He had been raised to believe in logic and facts where Madas had been raised to believe in the spirit of the Gods and the messages they often sent through dreams. Her grandmother had been their clan’s spiritual leader and Madas had been taught at a young age to believe and accept the wills of the Gods. Too many times when she was growing up she had visions that had spared or helped her clan by believing in them. Her dream several nights ago showed her where to start and who she needed to enlist to help her. The sight of the little warrior standing fierce and proud in the face of battle in the dark fortress, her mate standing at her side had been one of the clearest visions she had ever had.

“How?” Star’s raspy voice asked. “How do you know?”

“Look deep inside your heart,” Madas said, reaching out a slender clawed finger to touch Star’s chest. “What does it tell you?”

Star closed her eyes briefly, focusing inward. What did her heart tell her? She felt the slow, strong, steady beats. There was no way it could beat so strongly, so steady if it was missing. She knew if Jazin had died than there was no way it could beat the way it did. For if he had died, her heart would have died with him.

“That he is still there. That he can’t be gone,” Star said huskily as she opened her eyes. A small hope began to warm her from the inside out.

Madas sank into the chair across from Star. “I had a vision about your mate several nights ago. My visions are not to be ignored. My stubborn mate still has difficulty believing them but they have protect both of us many times. I saw your mate. He is being held a prisoner. He grows weaker each day but he lives,” Madas said confidently.

Star studied the huge female Tearnat’s eyes intently. “Where?”

“My vision did not show me where he was but it did give me clues. Clues that someone who is familiar with the man who took him would know. Clues that would help us find him,” Madas continued, reaching out to grip Star’s hands tightly in her own.

“Who?” Star asked a little louder. “Who would know?”

“I would,” Dakar’s voice said quietly from behind them.

Star turned her head to stare at the large Kassisan warrior. His face was grim. Dark shadows rested under his eyes and he looked thinner than he had a little over a week ago. Deep lines cut grooves around his mouth and the muscle in his jaw ticked as he held himself under ridged control.