WOLF DAWN: Science Fiction Thriller/ Romance (Forsaken Worlds) Read Online Free

“Son, I want you to have this.” Jarith held out the King’s Mirror.
    “Me? Why? This belongs to you. I don’t want it.”
    Jarith smiled with as much reassurance as he could manage. “Will you take it for now for safekeeping? Just for a little while? You can restore it to me when you return to Delian.”
    Ash shrugged his acceptance, and took the talisman. Jarith engaged the protective cushioning web, securing Ash to his seat.
    “Oh, wow,” Ash said, marveling at the webbing that protected him during takeoff. “How neat is this?” Sartha and Jarith chuckled at his reaction. Tynan began to pace anxiously back and forth, giving shrill barks of censure. “Oh poor Tynan,” Ash said. “Don’t worry boy, we won’t be gone long. You stay and guard my father for me, okay boy?”
    The wolfhound sat down instantly, tilted his head and gave a slight, disapproving whine.
    Sartha patted the dog, fondled his ears and said, “You are a good boy.”
    The King reflected, not for the first time, that his son had a distinctive connection with his four-legged friend. Yet their relationship was not one of owner and pet; it was more like two best friends. Jarith wanted to send Tynan with Ash on
Assurance,
but animals rarely travelled well in space, and the wolfhound was not exactly small. His wife had enough to manage as it was. No. The dog would have to stay with him, here on Delian.
    He could delay no longer. Jarith’s throat felt thick. He cleared it and his mouth tightened. He said, “It’s time to go.”
    Ash’s eyes flew to his father’s face.
    Shocked, Jarith felt the full force and burning heat of his son’s gaze. It was like standing in front of an open furnace. Ash had astonishing potential, and despite everything, Jarith, was thrilled to be reminded of this.
He is so strong. So powerful.
    Ash said in a strangely adult and somber tone, “Are either of you going to tell me what is really going on?”
    Jarith realized then that despite his and Sartha’s attempts to hide their anxiety, Ash knew. Of course he would know. Ash wasn’t stupid, and like all children of Delian, he had been born with the gift. His son’s childish playfulness had been an act, camouflaging his awareness of their apprehension, their fear. He recalled the seer’s words:
The boy is extremely powerful. He will endure. There is much to endure.
But what could he tell his son? He was too young for such truths.
    In the long silence the sound of their breathing seemed loud.
    Jarith shook his head. “Sorry, Ash. King’s business.” He bent down, embraced and kissed him. “Look after your mother for me, all right?” Tynan nuzzled Ash’s hand as Jarith clipped a lead on him. The wolfhound was so large that Jarith didn’t even need to bend to reach the animal’s collar.
    “I will,” Ash said.
    “I’ll be right back, Ash,” Sartha said. “I’ll see your father out.”
    Sartha and Jarith walked through the corridors and lounge area of
Assurance,
and down the ramp, to the desert. Tynan followed tamely behind them.
    A rustling sound seemed loud in the desert silence. It disturbed Jarith’s thoughts and he stiffened, looking toward the source of the noise. A bo-plant was closing its leaves in the evening dusk. He studied the sunburnt landscape, alert for intruders, accessing Icom proximity alarms. They were definitely alone, yet the knowledge, instead of providing relief, seemed more like an evil portent. It was as though all living things had fled like birds sensing an imminent storm.
    Jarith took Sartha’s arm. “Better hurry. I might be missed. If there’s a search and
Assurance
is found …” he paused, unwilling to speak of the consequences. Jarith wrapped his arms around Sartha and they held each other tightly, unwilling to let her go.
    Their mouths came together, in sudden desperation.
    After a long moment they broke apart, eyes locked, hearts pounding.
    “Sartha,” Jarith whispered, breaking the spell. “Tell Ashton …”