Cobra Alliance-Cobra War Book 1 by Timothy Zahn Read Free Book Online

remaining details of her upcoming graduation ceremony. Lorne, after once again confirming that his parents had emerged from the Sun Center trouble mostly unscathed, shifted his part to news of the expansion provinces and the various social and business doings out in those hinterlands, peppering each story with the dry humor he shared with his younger sister.
    Merrick himself, Jin noticed, was being especially quiet tonight, carefully cutting precise pieces from his cacciatore and adding little to the table talk. At the head of the table, Corwin and Thena were equally restrained.
    Finally, the meal was over. "Excellent, Merrick, as always," Corwin complimented the young man as the group stacked the dishes together. "A man who can cook will always be surrounded by friends."
    "Thank you, Uncle Corwin," Merrick said gravely. "Coming from someone who gets to sample Aunt Thena's cooking on a regular basis, I count such praise very highly indeed."
    "Diplomatic as always," Thena said with a smile. "Do bear in mind, though, that your uncle Corwin survived on his own cooking longer than he has on mine."
    " Survived being the operative word," Corwin said, reaching over to take his wife's hand.
    Jin watched them, feeling another twinge of guilt. Uncle Corwin hadn't married Thena until his fall from power, and while Jin couldn't see anything but good having come from their marriage, she still couldn't help wondering if Corwin saw the life of a husband and father as something of a consolation prize.
    Especially now that their son Rave was himself grown and out of his parents' house. All Corwin had left was his wife, his home, and his memories.
    "So cooking's the secret, huh?" Lorne put in. "I've always thought the best way to keep friends around you was to owe everyone money."
    "Whatever works for you," Merrick said equably. "Speaking of debts, I did all the cooking. That means it's up to you two to go load the dishwasher."
    "That seems fair," Corwin agreed. "Go ahead—we'll wait on dessert for you."
    "Not a chance," Jody said, folding her arms across her chest. "I know this trick, and we're not falling for it. Whatever you and Merrick have cooking, Lorne and I are going to be in on it."
    "Jody, that's no way to talk to your great-uncle," Paul warned.
    "It is when he's trying to send us to the children's table," Jody countered. "In case some of you haven't noticed, the baby of the family is twenty-one now. We're full-fledged members of this family now."
    "Which isn't to say there aren't things that concern one member and not another," Jin said.
    "It's all right, Jin," Corwin said. "She and Lorne can stay."
    "I respectfully disagree, Uncle Corwin," Merrick said firmly. "Not because we're trying to hide anything from you," he added, looking back at his brother and sister, "but because we're trying to protect you."
    "I'm sure we both appreciate the thought," Lorne said. "But as a twenty-four-year-old, I sort of resent the implication that I need protecting." He looked over at his great uncle. "As a twenty-four-year-old Cobra, I definitely resent the implication."
    "Resent it all you want," Merrick said. "We're not talking about jaywalking or disturbing the peace here."
    "What are we talking about?" Lorne countered.
    "Treason," Merrick said flatly.
    Lorne seemed to draw back in his seat. "What?" he asked, his voice suddenly subdued.
    "You heard me," Merrick said. "What we're talking about tonight is borderline treason."
    "Only borderline ?" Jody said. "Well, that's not so bad."
    Merrick turned toward her—"It's all right, Merrick," Corwin said again. "Go ahead—give your mother the letter."
    For a moment Merrick hesitated. Then, with a sigh, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket. "I was unloading Jody's azaleas at the side of the house today when a courier came to the door," he said, pulling out a long, thin envelope. "He marched up to me and said, 'Cobra Broom?' I of course said yes, and he handed me this. I'm afraid I've already